bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
English Language Proficiency in Radiotelephony: A survey about its effect on the safety and efficiency of aviation
Authors: Clark Lynn , Williams Gareth John
Published: October 2020

The purpose of this paper is to reveal and discuss evidence that the safety and efficiency of international aviation continues to be adversely impacted by poor English language proficiency over the radio. In 2011, all members of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) were declared to be compliant with regards to the English language testing of all pilots and air traffic controllers (ATCOs). However, language experts have continued to raise concerns about the regulatory framework of Language Proficiency Requirements (LPRs) and about whether an international standard of English language proficiency has truly been established. This paper describes the analysis of responses given by pilots and ATCOs to a survey which addressed the nature and frequency of poor language proficiency that they experience during flights. The data show evidence that there continues to be a problem of language proficiency among pilots and ATCOs, that this problem is encountered relatively frequently and that some regions of the world are experiencing it more acutely than others.
Primeneniye lazernoy koagulyatsii setchatki pri bolezni Ilza
Authors: Тахчиди Х. П. , Тахчиди Н. Х. , Касмынина Т. А. , Тебина Е. П. , Мокрунова М. В.
Published: October 2020

Bolezn' Ilza — idiopaticheskaya okklyuzionnaya vospalitel'naya vaskulopatiya, kotoraya privodit k perifericheskoy ishemii setchatki, neovaskulyarizatsii, retsidiviruyushchim gemoftal'mam, razvitiyu proliferativnoy tkani i neredko oslozhnyayetsya traktsionnoy otsloykoy setchatki, vtorichnoy glaukomoy, okklyuziyey tsentral'noy veny setchatki. V osnovnom pri vedenii patsiyentov s dannoy patologiyey ispol'zuyut glyukokortikosteroidnuyu terapiyu, ingibitory angiogeneza, vitreoretinal'nuyu khirurgiyu i lazernuyu koagulyatsiyu. Predstavlennyy klinicheskiy sluchay demonstriruyet vozmozhnost' ispol'zovaniya lazernoy koagulyatsii setchatki pri lechenii bolezni Ilza na ishemicheskoy i proliferativnoy stadiyakh. Poluchennyye rezul'taty primeneniya lazernoy koagulyatsii setchatki v kachestve monoterapii svidetel'stvuyut ob uluchshenii kliniko- funktsional'nykh pokazateley: uvelichenii ostroty zreniya, stabilizatsii pokazatelya tsentral'noy svetochuvstvitel'nosti setchatki, vosstanovlenii prozrachnosti opticheskikh sred, regresse neovaskulyarizatsii i makulyarnogo oteka na glazu s proliferativnoy stadiyey (3b), a takzhe stabilizatsii protsessa na glazu v stadii ishemii (2a).
Genome wide analysis of heat responsive microRNAs in banana during acquired thermo tolerance
Authors: Vidya S M , Ravishankar K V , Laxman R H
Published: October 2020

MicroRNAs are a class of small regulatory RNAs in plants, which play vital roles during various abiotic and abiotic stress conditions including plant processes. In this present study, we examined the expression of miRNAs and their predicted target expression levels during heat stress in banana. Out of 235 miRNA found in Musa, 40 miRNA showed homology to heat responsive miRNAs from other plants. Further, 14 targets for miRNA were predicted that are potentially regulated by their cognate miRNAs and were monitored under three stages of stress viz, induction, induction + lethal alone using qPCR analysis. The results suggest that generally, there is a negative relationship in the expression patterns of miRNA and their predicted cognate targets - HSP70, HSP90, SAP, DNAj genes. These were highly up regulated and their respective miRNAs showed lower expression. This is the first report in banana, which demonstrated that during induction stress, various thermo-protective genes are activated at initial stages of stress to achieve thermotolerance through altered miRNA expression. The results will help in broadening our understanding acquired thermotolerance and their regulation by miRNAs in plants.
Studies on factors influencing the vegetative propagation in walnut (Juglans regia L. )
Authors: Singh S R , Ahmed N , Srivastava K K , Shagoo P A
Published: October 2020

The experiment was carried out to examine the effect ofdifferent status of physiologically resting scion wood,environment and grafting time for maximum graft success in walnut. Three status of physiologically resting scion wood (apical, sub- apical and basal), were subjected to grafting on four different grafting time (15th February, 1st March, 15th March and 1st April)placed under three environmental conditions(open field,poly trench and polyhouse).Sub-apical portion of resting scion wood resulted in highest sprouting, graft success and plant growth, whereas grafting on 15th March manifested highest graft success. Poly house environmental conditions recorded maximum grafting success and plant growth. Sub apical status of scion wood with 15th March grafting under poly house conditions recorded highest sprouting, graft success and plant growth of walnut and found ideal for clonal propagation of walnut.
Development of moringa infusion for green tea and its evaluation
Authors: Kumar Pushpa Chethan , Azeez Shamina , Roy T K
Published: October 2020

Moringa oleifera leaves are known for its high nutritional quality. Its leaves are commonlyused for culinary purposes and it was explored as a potential nutraceutical in recent decades.Tea or herbal infusions have become an integral part of daily diet for a population who concernedabout a healthy lifestyle. Many herbs or plant parts have been used as infusions which providehealth promoting phytochemicals to the consumers. Therefore moringa infusions were preparedalong with some herbs/flavouring agents such as tulsi, ginger and lemon grass. Total polyphenolcontent in the infusions ranged between 685 and 1567 mg GAE/100 mL. Among phenolic acidsdetected, gallic acid was highest in all the treatments. Infusion containing moringa and tulsiscored high in organoleptic evaluation. Thus, moringa infusion can become an add-on varietyto the tea/herbal infusion consumers.
Effect of cultivars on tree growth, yield and quality attributes of apple on espalier architecture under high density planting system
Authors: Srivastava K K , Kumar Dinesh , Singh S R , Sharma O C
Published: October 2020

Annual extension growth (AEG), an indicator of tree vigor, was recorded maximum (145.63 cm) in Granny Smith and minimum (111.04cm) in Spartan, where as correlation matrix showed negative relation between trunk cross sectional area (TCSA) and AEG. Granny Smith exhibited maximum (184.09 g) fruit weight and it was minimum (128.68 g) in Spartan, the correlation matrix between fruit weight and yield efficiency exhibited significant positive correlation over the years. Yield tree-1 was maximum (29.45 kg tree-1) in Coe red Fuji and minimum (16.04 kg/tree) in Spartan. Significant and positive correlation coefficient (0.870) observed between yield and TCSA. TCSA has positive correlation with fruit weight and yield efficiency, maximum mean yield efficiency (1.11 kg/cm2) was recorded in Granny Smith. All the cultivars trained on this architecture had high chroma values (color intensity).
Correlation of trunk cross sectional area with fruit yield, quality and leaf nutrient status in plum under North West Himalayan region of India
Authors: Kumar Dinesh , Srivastava K K , Singh S R
Published: October 2020

An experiment was conducted to study the correlation of trunk cross sectional area (TCSA) with fruit yield, quality and leaf nutrient status in plum at ICAR-Central Institute for Temperate Horticulture, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir during 2013-14. The TCSA (110.45, 118.23, 123.45, 131.67, 139.25, 146.82, 152.37 and 161.26 cm2) was based on their trunk girth at 15 cm above the ground. Maximum canopy volume (23.14m3 and fruit number 128/ tree) were recorded when TCSA was highest (161.26cm2). Maximum fruit weight (58.85g) was recorded with 123.45cm2 TCSA. Fruit yield and productivity efficiency (59.47kg/ tree and 0.29kg/ cm2) were recorded with 152.37cm2 TCSA. Fruit size (47.45 x 44.12mm), pulp weight (57.54g) and pulp/stone ratio (43.92) were recorded with 123.45cm2 TCSA. Maximum TSS (19.450B), total sugar (13.98%) and reducing sugar (11.46%) were recorded with 161.26 cm2 TCSA. Non-reducing sugar (2.53%) was recorded with 118.23cm2 TCSA. Higher leaf nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content (2.38, 0.19 and 1.95%) was observed with 161.26 cm2 TCSA. A positive and significant correlation was noticed between TCSA and canopy volume (0.995), fruit number (0.992), yield (0.968), pulp/stone ratio (0.903), TSS (0.977), total sugar (0.937), reducing sugar (0.920), non-reducing sugar (0.048), leaf N (0.971), leaf P (0.977) and leaf K (0.997) value in plum variety Santa Rosa under North West Himalayan region of India.
Trends and Innovations in Value Chain Management of Tropical Fruits
Authors: Oberoi Harinder Singh , M R Dinesh
Published: October 2020

India produced about 97.35 million tons of fruits during 2017-18, of which less than 1% fruits were exported. In India, less than 5% of the total fruits produced are sold by the organized supply chain management and E-commerce companies and 3% of the total produce gets processed, indicating that more than 90% of fruits follow the traditional route of supply chain involving farmers, auctioneers, agents/intermediaries, wholesalers, sub-wholesalers, retailers, cart vendors before they reach the consumers. Post-Harvest (PH) losses occur at each stage of the supply chain and are compounded with each operation. A study on PH loss estimation has shown maximum loss of 15.88% in guava among fruits while other studies have reported much higher PH lossesin fruits. Value of tropical fruits, both in monetary terms and quality reduces during harvesting, handling, transportation from the farmer’s field, packaging, storage, retail and even at the consumer’s level. Important interventions that reduce the PH losses and improve the supply chain management are establishment of pre-cooling facilities and short term storage facilities through evaporative cooling/refrigeration mechanisms at the farm gate, primary processing and packaging provision at the farm gate or nearby collection centres, transportation of fruits in refrigerated/evaporative cooled vans with the use of alternate energy sources and provision for low temperature and high humidity storage at the retail centres. Establishment of a Postharvest management system for sorting, washing, partial drying, edible coating, if required and grading at the collection centres will help in reducing the PH losses in the supply chain and help farmers get a better value for their produce. Formation of farmer clusters or Farmers Producer Organizations (FPOs) provides farmers a better bargaining power because of higher volumes. Educating and bringing awareness among the farmers about the good agricultural practices (GAP), mechanization in field operations, availability of seeds for different seasons, eliminating the problem of seasonality are also important in production of quality output. Transportation of fruits, such as mango, banana and guava in vans/wagons operating through evaporative cooling/cooling mechanism using phase change material will help in improving the shelf life of such fruits. An integrated radio frequency identification (RFID) system along with the sensors for ethylene, temperature and RH monitoring is likely to help in easy tracking and traceability of the fresh produce. Establishment of primary and secondary processing facility at the farmer cluster/ FPO levels will help in transforming the farmers to primary processors.
Effect of Leaf Removal on Composition of Wine Grape Varieties Grown in Semiarid Tropical Climate of India
Authors: J Satisha , R G Somkuwar
Published: October 2020

Removing leaves from cluster zone is one of the management practices followed to improve fruit composition in temperate wine grape growing countries. However, knowledge on canopy management practices to improve fruit and juice composition for quality wine making is still lacking in semiarid tropical regions of India. Due to ample sunlight availability during fruit growth in semiarid tropics, it is unclear whether the leaves have to be removed from cluster zone. In case the leaves have to be removed, the direction from which it has to be done is also important. Hence, this study was conducted to see the effect of leaf removal from two sides of canopy on fruit composition in two wine grape varieties. In Cabernet Sauvignon vines leaf removal from both east and west side of the canopyimproved fruit quality in terms of reduced pH, potassium, malic acid and increased phenolics. Nevertheless, removing leaves from eastern side was found to be better than western side, because clusters are exposed toexcess sunlight. However, in Sauvignon Blanc, leaf removal from east side improved most of the desirable fruit composition parameters, while leaf removal from west side reduced the fruit quality in terms of sugars, acids, pH, total phenols etc.
The role of digital technologies in increasing the competitive advantages of a fitness club
Authors: Kuzovleva Irina Yu.
Published: October 2020

the article substantiates the importance and significance of the introduction and use of digital technologies by organizations in their activities. Under the influence of digital technologies, the operating model of the organization is changing, and cost efficiency is increasing. The author considers the role of using information systems as the main factor in maintaining competitiveness in the fitness services market, and suggests the use of digital technologies to achieve competitive advantages.
Does long-term focus increase victim-blaming? A study on the just-world hypothesis using the modified Stroop task
Authors:   Babes-Bolyai University, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, E-mail: zsuzsakomaromy@gmail.com, Komáromy Zsuzsa , János Réka ,   Babes-Bolyai University, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Department of Applied Psychology, E-mail: reka.janos@ubbcluj.ro
Published: October 2020

According to the just-world hypothesis (Lerner, 1980), people have an inherent need to believe that the world is a just place, where people generally get wha t they deserve. One of the benefits of holding this conviction is that it can promote investing in long-term goals. Acts of secondary victimization, such as blaming or derogating the victim can also be explained by just-world beliefs. This study looked at the effect of perceiving an innocent victim (a supposed threat to the belief in a just world) and long-term focus on the activation of the justice motive. We measured participants’ reaction times for justice-related and other stimuli with the help of the modified Stroop task (N=66). A significant difference between justice-related and neutral words has been found after being confronted with the threat to the belief in a just world, indicating that it indeed activated participants’ justice motive. Long-term focus did not have any significant effect. Higher levels of belief in a random world have been associated with greater victim-blaming tendencies.
Procesos de reescritura en la Colección de varias historias (1767-1768)
Authors: Escalante Varona Alberto
Published: October 2020

En este artículo se estudia el proyecto editorial de la Colección de varias historias, dirigido por Manuel Martín e Hilario Santos. Para ello, se contextualiza el germen de este proyecto en los nuevos reglamentos de censura impuestos por Juan Curiel, y se analiza a continuación como estos condicionaron la reescritura de los relatos épicos del Cid y los siete infantes para su inclusión en la Colección con un doble propósito: mantener el negocio editorial de venta de estos pliegos y amoldarse a los juicios morales de la censura eclesiástica.
The development of ‘SATLAB’: A tool designed to limit assessment bias in simulation-based learning
Authors: Makkink Andrew William , Vincent-Lambert Craig
Published: October 2020

Context and Setting: The development of clinical competence remains a challenge in healthcare education. The reliable assessment of competence requires new approaches to address the perceived limitations of current assessment practices. The Simulation Assessment Tool Limiting Assessment Bias (SATLAB) seeks to provide a novel assessment strategy within the simulation environment. Concept: The SATLAB is a simulation assessment tool conceptualised by Andrew Makkink as a means to address many of the perceived issues prevalent in simulation assessment. Implementation: The SATLAB has been in use at the University of Johannesburg since its inception and is currently also used at several other institutions offering simulation-based learning and assessment in emergency medical care. Impact: The SATLAB was conceptualised as a potential solution to some of the inherent challenges in the assessment of simulation. The current use and ongoing evaluation of the SATLAB is providing exciting insights into the future of simulation assessment. Further research is required to determine the reliability and validity of the tool within the simulation assessment domain.
Lifestyle risk behaviour of Emergency Medical Care workers in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa
Authors: Gresse Annelie , Winfield Castyn , Slabbert Emma , Bolke Philipp , Aucamp Rachel , Jaga Rohini
Published: October 2020

Background: There are few prehospital emergency medical care (PEMC) workers in South Africa and the work environment is demanding, with irregular and long hours. The situation can result in elevated stress levels (especially among younger people) and risky lifestyle behaviour, which can lead to non-communicable diseases. Aim: This article reports on a pilot study that explored factors that influence lifestyle risk behaviour among PEMC workers, with a specific focus on dietary habits that may, in turn, have an influence on work performance. Methods: An explorative, cross-sectional mixed-method pilot study was conducted. Focus groups, a lifestyle risk behaviour questionnaire and three 24-hour recalls for each participant were used as a convenience sample of 20 PEMC workers in a large South African city. Results: Irregular shifts, financial constraints, smoking and the unavailability of healthy food emerged as important factors that contributed to lifestyle risk behaviour. In this group, the incidence of smoking was higher than in the general South African population, but binge drinking was the same. The study found that participants seldom met their energy, dietary fibre, vitamin and mineral requirements, and the intake of fat, saturated fat and refined carbohydrates was high. Conclusion: Dietary interventions should be available for all PEMC workers, and the availability of a counsellor to assist workers in dealing with risky lifestyle behaviour could improve PEMC workers’ ability to perform their work. Further research is necessary in order to confirm these results and determine the need for specific interventions.
Floristic diversity of steppe vegetation in the region of Djelfa, North-West Algeria
Authors: Habib Noureddine , Regagba Zineb , Miara Mohamed Djamel , Hammou Mohammed Ait , Snorek Julie
Published: October 2020

This study is a floristic investigation of the steppe region of Djelfa located in northern Algeria, with the aim of characterizing and analysing the wild flora of this region. Four stations were chosen according to a stratified sampling method and phyto-ecological surveys were carried out in 32 plots of 100m2 each. This allowed us to identify 127 taxa of plants belonging to 33 families dominated by Asteraceae (29%) and Poaceae (12%). The analysis of biological types has shown the dominance of annual Therophytes (56%) in this flora, which indicates the presence of the phenomenon of Therophytization in these regions. This phenomenon was also measured by calculating the perturbation index. The analysis of chorological types has shown the dominance of the Mediterranean element (48%), with an interesting number of endemic taxa. However, all the endemic taxa cited in the literature for this region have not been found, which reinforces our fears about the state of conservation of these taxa of biological and heritage value.
Factors Influencing SME Outsourcing: Evidence from Romania
Authors: György Ottilia , Madaras Szilárd
Published: October 2020

The present research, based on a national representative survey analysis of SMEs (that is, small and medium enterprises) from Romania, focuses on the main factors influencing companies’ outsourcing. It considers the following dimensions of outsourcing: organizational characteristics, environmental characteristics, relational capabilities, and institutional networks. The results suggest that the younger the SMEs and the more stable their relationship with local institutions, the more likely is for them to adopt outsourcing solutions. Moreover, those SMEs that have secondary offices and have some cooperation with the state also rely on outsourcing. Our results suggest that sector membership also proves to be a signifficant factor in outsourcing. We ffind that the highest percentage of outsourcing was done in construction, industry as well as hotels and restaurants sectors.
Corruption and Ease of Doing Business: Evidence from ECOWAS
Authors: Nageri Kamaldeen Ibraheem , Gunu Umar
Published: October 2020

Corruption has a major impact on growth in low-income economies, while ease of doing business has a major impact on growth in developed countries. The study empirically examines the effect of corruption on ease of doing business. The study analyses unbalanced panel data of corruption rank, corruption score, control of corruption, and inflation, together with other economic and financial institutional factors and ease of doing business score for the period of 2004–2017. Results indicate that: corruption rank, inflation, and import have negative and significant effect on ease of doing business; corruption score, control of corruption, lending rate spread, and education (skill level) have positive and significant effect on ease of doing business; gross capital formation and population have insignificant negative effect on ease of doing business; export and gross domestic product have insignificant positive effect on ease of doing business. The random effect model is a consistent and most efficient model, indicating common mean value for ease of doing business for the dataset. The study recommends improved corruption scores, control of corruption, and ranks to encourage ease of doing business through monetary policy and infrastructural facilities.
Ownership Structure and the Risk: Analysis of Indian Firms
Authors: Kumari Ranjita , Kumar Nishant
Published: October 2020

Considering the positive relationship between ownership and firm performance in the corporate finance literature, the paper aims to investigate the effect of ownership structure on the risk associated with the firm. Portfolio theories state that an investment with a high return is expected to be associated with high risk; so, it can be argued that ownership should have a positive relation with risk too. However, another explanation is that since large shareholders, such as promoters and financial institutions, have a significant stake in firms, in developing countries like India they will avoid excess risk taking, and so there should be a negative relationship between ownership and risk associated with firms. Analysing Nifty-500 companies for the period of 2006/07–2015/16, the study has found that Indian blockholders are in general risk-averse. Results also suggest that profitability and growth opportunities have negative effects on risk, which again establishes the positive association between ownership structure and profitability.
Safety aspects of stingless bee pot-pollen from the Philippines
Authors: Belina-Aldemita Ma. Desiree , Fraberger Vera , Schreiner Matthias , Domig Konrad J. , D’Amico Stefano
Published: October 2020

Philippines stingless bee (Tetragonula biroi Friese) pot-pollen are known for their advantageous effects on human health due to a high nutritional value and a broad range of beneficial physiological and pharmacological effects. However, safety aspects regarding this product were rarely examined. Therefore, pollen samples from the Philippines were analyzed for inorganic contaminants and microbiological quality. Obtained values for heavy metals (e.g., arsenic 0.015–0.032 mg/kg, cadmium 0.053–0.153 mg/kg and lead 0.017–0.155 mg/kg) were generally lower compared to previous studies and most were within the safety limits. Further, microbial counts for total aerobic microorganisms, yeasts and molds, Enterobacteriaceae, E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus were in accordance with the recommended values. Microbial population was diverse and the identified species were mostly endosporeformers such as Bacillus spp. and Clostridium spp., and molds because of the low water activity and low pH of the pot-pollens. Results indicated that good practices in agriculture, hygiene and manufacturing in every step of the production chain must be implemented in order to enhance the quality and safety of this bee product. Overall, pot-pollens from T. biroi are safe for human consumption if hygienic principles are applied.
Exzellenz in der österreichischen und deutschen Molkereibranche – ein Vergleich
Authors: Gebhardt Beate , Deixler Ingrid , Wißmann Imke , Jungmair Julia Anna , Pöchtrager Siegfried
Published: October 2020

Um als herausragendes Unternehmen wahrgenommen zu werden, müssen Unternehmen über ihre Aktivitäten oder Produkte kommunizieren. Die Darstellung von Exzellenz, im Sinne von Spitzenleistung und Bessersein als Andere, bietet Unternehmen die Möglichkeit sich abzuheben. Auf Basis von Länderstudien in Österreich und Deutschland wird im vorliegenden Beitrag Exzellenz sowie die Kommunikation darüber in der Molkereibranche verglichen. Die Thematisierung von Nachhaltigkeit (Selbstberichte) sowie das Aufzeigen von Prämierungen und Zertifizierungen (Drittberichte) werden dabei als Darstellungsoptionen für Exzellenz herangezogen. Die Auswertung von 22 in Österreich und Deutschland geführten Experteninterviews erfolgte mittels kategorialer Inhaltsanalyse nach Mayring. Die deskriptive Website-Analyse von 197 österreichischen und deutschen Molkereien ergänzt die Studie.

Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass es steigende Produktanforderungen sowie Konkurrenz- und Preisdruck für Molkereien beider Länder unumgänglich machen, sich durch hervorragende Leistungen und klare Differenzierung am Markt abzuheben. Exzellenz in der Molkereibranche wird als multikausale und relative Kenngröße beschrieben, in die sich Nachhaltigkeit einordnet. Prämierungen und Zertifikate haben dabei unterschiedliches Gewicht. In Österreich ist die Kommunikation über gewonnene Prämierungen ausgeprägter als in Deutschland. In beiden Ländern werden vor allem Produktprämierungen gezeigt. Zertifikate gelten in beiden Ländern nur eingeschränkt als Zeichen von Exzellenz. Insgesamt stehen diese Drittberichte meist in Abhängigkeit von finanziellen und personellen Ressourcen; weniger gilt dies für Selbstberichte.
Growth of pineapple plantlets during acclimatisation can be monitored through automated image analysis of the canopy
Authors: Soto Guillermo , Lorente Gustavo , Mendoza Jessica , Báez Evelio Dany , Lorenzo Carlos Manuel , Rodríguez Romelio , Hajari Elliosha , Vicente Oscar , Lorenzo José Carlos , Baez Evelio Luis
Published: October 2020

Pineapple is an economically important tropical fruit crop, but the lack of adequate planting material limits its productivity. A range of micropropagation protocols has been developed over the years to address this shortfall. Still, the final stage of micropropagation, i.e. acclimatisation, remains a challenge as pineapple plantlets grow very slowly. Several studies have been conducted focusing on this phase and attempting to improve plantlet growth and establishment, which requires tools for the non-destructive evaluation of growth during acclimatisation. This report describes the use of semi-automated and automated image analysis to quantify canopy growth of pineapple plantlets, during five months of acclimatisation. The canopy area progressively increased during acclimatisation, particularly after 90 days. Regression analyses were performed to determine the relationships between the automated image analysis and morphological indicators of growth. The mathematical relationships between estimations of the canopy area and the fresh and dry weights of intact plantlets, middle-aged leaves (D leaves) and roots showed determination coefficients (R2) between 0.84 and 0.92. We propose an appropriate tool for the simple, objective and non-destructive evaluation of pineapple plantlets growth, which can be generally applied for plant phenotyping, to reduce costs and develop streamlined pipelines for the assessment of plant growth.
A comparative study of growth, biological efficiency, antioxidant activity and molecular structure in wild and commercially cultivated Auricularia cornea strains
Authors: Khan Asif Ali , Yao Fangjie , Idrees Muhammad , Lu Lixin , Fang Ming , Wang Peng , Jiang Wan-Zhu , Zhang You Min
Published: October 2020

Auricularia cornea, jelly mushroom, is a popular ingredient of traditional Chinese cuisine. This study aimed at evaluating the growth, yield, biological efficiency, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, the antioxidant activity, elemental composition, and molecular structure of the wild and domesticated strain Ac24 and the commercially cultivated edible mushroom A. cornea strains Ac1, Ac3 and Ac15. Based on the weight of the fresh fruiting bodies of A. cornea strains, the maximum yield was obtained from commercial strain Ac1 (237.10 g), followed by Ac3 (224.47 g), Ac15 (158 g) and Ac24 (132.37 g), while the biological efficiency range of A. cornea strains was 52.94–94.84%, with significant differences among the A. cornea strains. Our results revealed that Ac24 contained the highest phenolic content (20.10 mg GAE · g−1), while the highest flavonoid content was found in Ac1 (35.13 mg CE · g−1). The maximum mineral contents and the strains were as follows: copper (7.2 mg · kg−1) and zinc (310 mg · kg−1) in Ac1, manganese (788 mg · kg−1) in Ac3 and iron (310 mg · kg−1) in Ac24. DPPH assay found maximum antioxidant activity in Ac24 (IC50 0.233 mg TX · mL−1), FRAP (591 mg TX · g−1) in Ac15, and erythrocyte haemolysis in Ac24. SEM-EDX and FTIR analyses verified the differences among A. cornea strains. The results revealed that wild, domesticated A. cornea strain Ac24 is a promising dietary source of natural antioxidants and is of high nutritional value, compared to commercially cultivated strains.
The Indicators Assessment of Safety and Functionality of Tram Loops
Authors: Tubis Agnieszka , Rydlewski Mateusz , Budzyński Marcin
Published: October 2020

The new requirements set for tram loops mean that all stakeholders' expectations regarding their safety and functionality change. This creates a need for new tools for tram loop assessment, which are important interchanges, especially for people living outside the city limits or on their outskirts. The aim of the authors ’research is to create a indicators for assessing the safety and functionality of tram loops. Therefore, the article presents an overview of the research results in the area of tram transport and interchanges safety. Then the proposed indicator assessment for tram loops was described.
Selected aspects of child nutrition and the risk of obesity
Authors: Majewska Katarzyna Anna , Kobylińska Magdalena , Krasińska Agata , Wais Paulina , Kędzia Andrzej
Published: October 2020

Introduction. Food is the basic source of energy for humans. Properly matched for the age and needs of the body, a balanced diet is a condition for proper growth and development during childhood. The aim of the study is to review the current state of knowledge regarding the impact of the nutrition model, diet composition and behavioral aspects related to food intake on the occurrence of obesity in children and adolescents.

Conclusions. Too much energy charge in food, disturbing the balance between energy supply and expenditure, is a common cause of childhood obesity. The rate of weight gain in children is also affected by other factors, such as the model of feeding during infancy, eating habits in the early years of life, and a number of behavioral aspects related to food intake.

Taste preferences and eating habits are formed in a child from the first years of life and are often continued during adulthood, therefore, an essential element of obesity prevention must cover the extensive early education involving parents, caregivers and the children themselves.
Effect of the oral intake of astaxanthin on semen parameters in patients with oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Kumalic Senka Imamovic , Klun Irma Virant , Bokal Eda Vrtacnik , Pinter Bojana
Published: October 2020

Background

Higher concentrations of seminal reactive oxygen species may be related to male infertility. Astaxanthin with high antioxidant activity can have an impact on the prevention and treatment of various health conditions, including cancer. However, efficacy studies on astaxanthin in patients with oligospermia with/without astheno- or teratozoospermia (O±A±T) have not yet been reported. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of the oral intake of astaxanthin on semen parameters.

Patients and methods

In a randomized double-blind trial, 80 men with O±A±T were allocated to intervention with 16 mg astaxanthin orally daily or placebo. At baseline and after three months basic semen parameters, sperm deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of spermatozoa and serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) value were measured.

Results

Analysis of the results of 72 patients completing the study (37 in the study group, 35 in the placebo group) did not show any statistically significant change, in the astaxanthin group no improvements in the total number of spermatozoa, concentration of spermatozoa, total motility of spermatozoa, morphology of spermatozoa, DNA fragmentation and mitochondrial membrane potential of spermatozoa or serum FSH were determined. In the placebo group, statistically significant changes in the total number and concentration of spermatozoa were determined.

Conclusions

The oral intake of astaxanthin did not affect any semen parameters in patients with O±A±T.
Quality of life in road traffic accident survivors
Authors: Kovačević Jelena , Miškulin Maja , Ličanin Matea Matić , Barać Josip , Biuk Dubravka , Palenkić Hrvoje , Matić Suzana , Kristić Marinela , Biuk Egon , Miškulin Ivan
Published: October 2020

Introduction

The loss of quality of life is the major consequence following a non-fatal road traffic accident (RTA). Previous research regarding quality of life did not include uninjured RTA survivors. The research aim was thus to evaluate the quality of life of the RTA survivors regardless of whether or not they sustained injures, and to identify factors associated with decreased quality of life after the RTA.

Methods

A cohort of 200 RTA survivors with and without injuries was followed after experiencing an RTA. The quality of life and mental health outcomes were assessed 1 month following RTA. A vast range of sociodemographic, pre-RTA health-related, RTA related, RTA injury-related, compensation-related factors and mental health outcomes were investigated.

Results

Decreased quality of life following an RTA showed an association with the low socioeconomic status of the RTA victims, poor pre-RTA health, injury-related factors, compensation-related factors and psychological disorders after the RTA.

Conclusions

Identifying predictors of decreased quality of life following an RTA will enable planning interventions targeting the most important factors that influence recovery of RTA victims. Assessing and recording of self-reported quality of life should be a part of the routine protocol in RTA survivors’ health-care.
Changing epidemiology of presumptive community-associated-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Slovenia in 2014-2015 compared to 2010
Authors: Dermota Urška , Košnik Irena Grmek , Janežič Sandra , Rupnik Maja
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Although the distinction between the Community-Associated-Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) and Hospital-Associated-Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus (HA-MRSA) has blurred in recent years, the CA-MRSA is an important group because of its potential to cause fulminant and severe infections. Its importance has further increased with the emergence of Livestock-Associated-Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus (LA-MRSA).

Methods

In the present study we analysed clonal distributions and virulence factors in presumptive CA-MRSA isolated from January 2014 to December 2015 and compared the results with our previous study from 2010. Phenotypic definition for presumptive CA-MRSA was based on resistance to cefoxitin and oxacillin and susceptibility to at least two of the following four antibiotics: ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, clindamycin and gentamicin.

Results

In 2014 and 2015 altogether 304 MRSA isolates fulfilled our screening phenotypic definition, 45 isolates were cultivated from clinical specimens and 259 from screening specimens. Sequence types ST398, LA-MRSA and mecC MRSA increased significantly in 2015 compared to 2010 (p-value <0.05) and were spread over Slovenia.

Conclusion

The clonal distribution of presumptive CA-MRSA has changed within the study period in Slovenia. In 2015 the most frequent clone among clinical and screening specimens was a pig-associated clone, ST398, but the number of confirmed ST398 infections remains low. While previously ST398 and mecC positive MRSA strains were geographically limited, they have spread throughout the country since 2010.
Takayasu arteritis presenting with spontaneous pneumothorax
Authors: Hızal Mina , Demir Selcan , Polat Sanem Eryılmaz , Özen Seza , Kiper Nural
Published: October 2020

Background. Takayasu arteritis (TA) is an idiopathic chronic inflammatory arteritis that affects the large blood vessels. Pulmonary involvement was considered an uncommon manifestation of the disease and spontaneous pneumothorax has not been previously described in association with TA.
Case. We report a 13-year-old female who had TA complicated by spontaneous pneumothorax during treatment. She was admitted to the hospital reporting difficulty standing from a squatting position and inability to walk without support. She had been diagnosed with dilate cardiomyopathy four years ago and cardiac functions had deteriorated over time. Catheter angiography revealed diffuse narrowing of the abdominal aorta. In magnetic resonance angiography, total-subtotal occlusion of the infrarenal abdominal aorta in a 2 cm area and subtotal occlusion of the left renal artery were detected without pulmonary artery involvement. Methotrexate, azathioprine, and prednisolone were administered. Tension pneumothorax developed on the left side while she was on prednisolone treatment.
Conclusion. To our knowledge, this is the first case of spontaneous pneumothorax associated with TA to be reported in the literature.
Formation of legal framework for transportation safety in Ancient Rus’
Authors: Sidorkin Aleksandr Ivanovich
Published: October 2020

The subject of this research is the problems of ensuring transportation safety at the initial stage of establishment of Ancient Rus’. The author explores the origins of formation of the national legal framework for ensuring transportation safety; as well as describes the transition from extralegal means of ensuring transportation safety (physical armed defense of the subjects of transport relations) towards legal regulation of this issue. The platform of transportation safety of that time was based on the variety of transportation services, first and foremost, international. Emphasis is made on the natural-climatic conditions, due to which the East Slavs put the problem of ensuring safety of water transportation to the forefront. Application of the narrative method of research allowed structuring a logically consistent image of the formation of legal framework for ensuring transportation safety in its historical development. The comparative legal method allowed analyzing the processes of formation of legal framework for ensuring transportation safety in the countries that dealt with Ancient Rus’ in this field. The author supports an opinion on infeasibility of juridification of relations in the area of transportation safety in the pre-state period; only with the emergence of state institutions in the territory of East Slavs, they take on the functions of legal protection of the subjects of transport relations. The first international agreements of the Kiev State and the Novgorod Feudal Republic confirm this conclusion.
Analysis of the function of victory based on experience of strategic operations of the Great Patriotic War
Authors: Shumov Vladislav
Published: October 2020

The object of research is the combat and military operations. The subject is the dynamic models of combat operations and functions of victory in the conflict. The first combat model was developed by M. P. Osipov in 1915 based on the analysis of military battles for the hundred-year period. He was first to formulate the principles of combat operations modelling. In recent decades, the economists also joined the analysis of conflicts (contests and auctions). The goal of this work lies in analysis and unification of the two indicated approaches, and provision military leadership with quantitative grounds for decision-making in preparing to the combat operations. Leaning on the statistical analysis of offensive and defensive strategic operations during the Great Patriotic War (forces and means of the parties by the beginning of operation and its outcome), the author verifies the original expansion of conflict model – the function of victory in combat operations and assesses the parameters of the form of model. The scientific novelty of consists in establishing a close connection and dependence between the two approaches to combat operations modeling: based on dynamics of the averages (classical approach) and modeling with the use of conflict functions (econometric approach). The advanced function of victory in combat operations is easy to use and complies with the provisions of military science and the theory of combat potentials.
White Sea Canal: the experience of ensuring transportation safety under the conditions of the first confessional agreements of the Moscovian State of the XVI-XVII centuries
Authors: Sidorkin Aleksandr Ivanovich
Published: October 2020

The subject of this article is the problems associated with ensuring transportation safety n the Moscovian State of the XVI-XVII centuries. The author examines the conditions and causal links that influenced the choice of certain measures for ensuring transportation safety. Analysis is conducted on the new to the Moscovian State practice of granting administrative monopoly on ensuring transportation safety to meet the interests of the representatives of certain foreign countries and corporations. The factors substantiating the implementation of administrative monopoly are explained. The algorithm for resolving the cases associated with infringement on the security of English transports in the Moscovian State is described. The scientific novelty of this research consists in determination of noncompliance of the goals of ensuring transportation safety that were claimed in the normative documents (Charters of the Russian tsars of the XVI-XVII centuries) with the actual capabilities and practice for its provision. The conclusion is made that the guarantees of the English sea transportation indicated in the charters of Moscovian tsars should be viewed merely as the declaration of good intentions, rather than factual help. The comparative legal analysis of archival documents allows establishing the fact the English kings interpreted charters of the Moscovian tsars on their own behalf, granting the English nationals the rights and privileges in the area of transportation safety.
Comprehension of the concept of “life strategy” in culturological studies
Authors: Vyrodova Mariya Vadimovna
Published: October 2020

Although the term “life strategy” was introduced into the scientific circulation relatively recently, it immediately caught attention of psychologists and sociologists. “Life strategy” is also relevant to culturologists, as it touches upon the historical and social experience of the people, norms, values and ideals, driving motives in people's behavior with consideration of regional specificity. However, there is yet no comprehensive culturological research on the topic. The goal of this article the author’s attempt to summarize the existing dedicated to “life strategy” within the Russian and foreign humanities, as well as draw attention to this problematic. The research leans on the works of thinkers and philosophers of the past, as well as on the materials obtained by modern researchers. The selected chronological framework allows structuring the history of studying this topic, tracing the change of outlook upon it over time, as well as demonstrating the importance of studying the topic of “life strategy”. The conducted research indicates that initially the study of the concept of “life strategy” pertained to determination of the meaning of life of the entire civilizations, and only with the course of time, separate individuals became the objects of research.  In examination of the topic in question, the researchers dealing with the problems of culturology, first and foremost focus on the historical, ethnic, topographical and time aspects, evolution of life strategy among different ethnic groups, as well as gender component, gradually shifting away from the abstract and generalized analysis.
Determination of Nursing Students' Approaches to Ethical Problems
Authors: ÖZGÖNÜL Mustafa Levent , KIRCA Nurcan , BADEMLİ Kerime
Published: October 2020

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the approach of nursing students to ethical problems. Material and Method: Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between May and June 2019 at Akdeniz University Faculty of Nursing. The data of the study was collected with personal information form and Approach to Ethical Problems in Health Field Scale. In the analaysis of the data; Number, mean, percentage distributions, standard deviation, Cronbach alpha coefficient, Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal Wallis analysis were performed. Results: When the demographic characteristics of the students participating in the study were examined, it was determined that 67.2% (N = 405) were women. In this study, it was determined that 19.1% (N = 115) of the students were first grade, 24.5% (N = 148) were second grade, 29.7% (N = 179) were third grade and 26.7% (N = 161) were fourth grade. It was determined that 69.7% (N = 420) of the students loved the department. In addition, it was determined that 70.1% (N = 423) of the students took courses on ethics. The level of perception of the basic principles of medical ethics and the level of perception of rules and written ethical codes were found to be statistically higher in male students. It was found that there was a statistically significant difference (U = 33680.5, p = 0.015) between the students' loving of nursing department and the Perceptions Level of Basic Ethics Principles and Perceptions (U = 34647, p = 0.045). There was no significant difference between the sub-dimensions of SAESYÖ according to the classes in which the students were trained. It was found that there was no significant difference between the ethical course taking status of students and the sub-dimensions of SAESYÖ.Conclusion: In this study, the level of perception of the the basic principles of medical ethics and the level of perception about written ethical codes were found to be low and the level of perception of values and standards in medical ethics was found to be moderate.