bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tv market and televiewers in Slovakia
Authors: Kravcak Peter
Published: December 2019

In the early of nineties the dual broadcasting system in the young country in the middle of Europe enabled to develop television broadcasting to the scale of what viewers previously even had not dreamed of. Commercial television broadcasting prevailed in five and a half million country. Private broadcasting gained control of the more than forty-year-old state-owned service of TV broadcasting and sent it to the role of a statistical margin. Confidence of the first one - and later followed by other private televisions - has grown faster than the numbers of audience. Directors with the influence of legislators, unbeatable managers determined the transmission time programs from a week to week. This is termed as finding the optimal time based on audience preferences. The result is today's big television chaos for the
viewers, who, as a consequence of unpredictable changes in the broadcasting of televisions cease to be interested. For many years the most viewed channel has dropped to the level of underrated rivals and the panic, which it suddenly started, make them produce more fatal changes. All in the name of the audience and excellent numbers of boxes called people meters. The same problem also faces other post-communist country, the second part of the former Czechoslovakia, the Czech Republic. The paper focuses on analysis and evaluation of Slovak television sphere (partly in comparison with the Czech), which seems, after twenty years of dual broadcasting, to gather a real media competition. But not everybody likes it.
Teacher's deontology - the
basis of the pedagogical ethics
Authors: Rosić Vladimir
Published: December 2019

Pedagogical ethics is a special thematic field or discipline within pedago¬gy. It represents pedagogy's philosophical foundation as well as the normative side of the philosophy of education. Adhering to moral principles is essential in every profession therefore, eve¬ry profession
has a deontology of their own. Teacher's deontology points to the rights and obligations that have to be met as teachers' moral duty in the process of achievement interpersonal relations between the teacher and the pupil.
Vertikala života za život na sceni Ilir Kerni, nacionalni prvak baleta HNK Zagreb
Authors: Elezović Slobodan
Published: December 2019

U svojoj 60. životnoj godini i s puna četiri desetljeća pripadanja umjetnosti, baletnoj umjetnosti kao najsloženijem i slojevitom plesno-scenskom umjetničkom izrazu, gospodin Ilir Kerni je, ukupnim svojim tvoračkim postignućima i razinama ostvarenja u svjetskim koordinatama, postao, prirodo, subjektom sustavnog pristupa i izabrane monografske građe kao poticaja za sve sustavnije i pažljivije pripadanje
stvaralačkom životu i radu osobita čovjeka i Njegova svjetonazora s istaknutim estetskim koordinatama u pristupanju svojoj temeljnoj djelatnosti, plesno-scenskoj umjetnosti s rasponom njezinih stilova i obilatih izbora vrsta za uspješan start i jamačne visove u konačnici sustavnoga koreo-pedagoškog rada i izgradnje svake nove uloge, žarom debuta, svježinom i posvemašnošću elana, entuzijazma i punog kapaciteta u
pristupu kao velikom jamcu za najviše domete i mogućnosti medjunarodnoga predstavljanja svojih kreacija diljem velikih zemalja i svjetskih umjetničkih scena u najvećim središtima baletne umjetnosti. Nastala fotomonografija je tek 'putokazni simbol' izraz naglasaka vrijednosti koje se kao uzor umijeća pripadanja izabranom poslu, pretvaraju u kategoriju najviše razine polazišne platforme za velike kreacije i, dostojno svemu tomu, mjesto u domaćoj i svjetskoj tvoračkoj umjetničkoj eliti.
Franskt ævintýri í íslenskum fötum: Um þýðingu Hannesar Finnssonar biskups á „La Belle et la Bête“ eftir Madame Leprince de Beaumont
Authors: Magnúsdóttir Ásdís Rósa
Published: December 2019

Ævintýrið „La Belle et la Bête“ eða „Fríða og dýrið“, eftir Madame de Villeneuve kom út í París árið 1740. Sagan var stytt og endursögð af Madame Leprince de Beaumont en hún gaf söguna út í London árið 1756 í Magasin des enfants, fræðslu og skemmtiriti sem ætlað var enskum nemendum hennar. Í þeirri gerð varð ævintýrið þekkt víða um lönd enda var bók Beaumonts lengi notuð við frönskukennslu. Þessi fræga saga er eitt þeirra fáu frönsku bókmenntaverka sem þýdd voru á íslensku á 18. öld. Hannes Finnsson, biskup í Skálholti, þýddi söguna og birti, undir heitinu „Skrýmslið góða“, í verki sínu Kvöldvökurnar 1794. Í inngangsorðum sínum að Kvöldvökunum fjallar Hannes um þýðingarstarfið og áherslur sínar sem þýðandi. Í þessari grein er rýnt í þýðingu Hannesar á þessu fræga ævintýri sem naut mikilla vinsælda hérlendis á 19. öld og þýðingin birt óstytt.
Himnesk rödd en helvískur andi? Um friðun álftar á Íslandi og nýlega árekstra álfta og kornbænda
Authors: Jones Shauna Laurel , Waage Edda R.H. , Benediktsson Karl
Published: December 2019

Þegar árekstrar koma upp í sambúð dýra og manna er nauðsynlegt að skoða vel þær forsendur sem að baki liggja. Í greininni er fjallað um þær deilur sem sprottið hafa upp á síðustu árum um alfriðun álftarinnar og tengjast aukinni kornrækt. Í upphafi er gerð stutt grein fyrir nýlegum nálgunum sem tengjast auknum áhuga á sambandi dýra og manna í hugvísindum. Í stað þess að skoða dýr sem óvirka þolendur eða jafnvel vélar, eins og algengt hefur verið um aldir, er nú lögð áhersla á gerendahæfni þeirra og gagnvirk tengsl við umhverfi sitt. Þau eru virkir þátttakendur í lífpólitík hvers tíma. Friðun tegunda er eitt birtingarform slíkrar lífpólitíkur, sem auk líffræðilegrar vitneskju snýst ævinlega um margvísleg gildi og hrif. Friðunarsaga álftarinnar er að því búnu rakin. Ýmsar fornar heimildir og lagaákvæði vitna um mikilvægi hennar sem nytjafugls á fyrstu öldum Íslandsbyggðar. Álftin hafði enn fremur margþætta menningarlega þýðingu í gegnum aldirnar. Þegar fyrsta almenna löggjöf um friðun fugla kom til sögu á nítjándu öld var þó ekki horft sérstaklega til álfta, enda fuglinn enn veiddur að einhverju marki. Nytja- og friðunarsjónarmið tókust á í rökræðum um álftina, sem var loks tekin í hóp alfriðaðra fugla árið 1913. Á síðustu áratugum tuttugustu aldar jókst kornrækt verulega í sveitum landsins. Jafnframt hefur álftum fjölgað og raddir hafa heyrst meðal bænda um að aflétta beri friðun fuglsins. Í rannsókn höfunda á Suðurlandi voru tekin eigindleg ítarviðtöl við níu kornbændur til að varpa skýrara ljósi á sambúð bænda og álfta. Reynsla þeirra og viðhorf voru með ýmsu móti. Flestir töldu álftir vera skynugar skepnur og viðurkenndu gerendahæfni þeirra. Hins vegar töldu þeir almennt ekki að fuglinn hefði sérstakt gildi sökum fegurðar. Flestir töldu að breyta þyrfti ákvæðum um alfriðun álfta. Ábyrgð á þeim árekstrum sem upp hafa komið var oftast varpað á fuglinn. Að rætur árekstranna mætti rekja til athafna þeirra sjálfra var almennt ekki ofarlega í huga bændanna. Í heild sýnir sagan af samskiptum manna og álfta vel hinar flóknu sögulegu rætur og menningarlegu forsendur sem vernd dýrategunda byggir jafnan á. Rannsóknir af þessu tagi, sem nýta kenningar og aðferðir umhverfishugvísinda, eru mikilvægar til að auka skilning á lífpólitík náttúruverndar.
Í leit að siðferðilegri vídd japanskrar fagurfræði
Authors: Gunnarsdóttir Tinna
Published: December 2019

Á meðan vestræn fagurfræði hefur að miklu leyti verið bundin við áherslu á há-listir, hefur japönsk fagurfræði frá fornu fari verið samofin hversdagslífinu, trúarbrögðum og siðferði. Í þessari grein segir Tinna Gunnarsdóttir, prófessor í vöruhönnun, frá ferðalagi sínu til Japans þar sem sjónum er beint að siðferðilegri vídd japanskrar fagurfræði eins og hún birtist henni í efnislegum hlutum og athöfnum.
Ylirajaisten oppimistilojen välittäjät
Authors: Alenius Pauliina , Korhonen Vesa
Published: December 2019

Artikkelissa tarkastellaan, millaisia arkipäivän oppimisympäristöjä muodostuu kansalliset rajat ylittävän vuorovaikutuksen myötä ja millaisia informaaleja oppimisprosesseja siirtolaisilla on näissä oppimisympäristöissä. Aineistona on Trans-Net -tutkimusprojektissa kerätyt, Suomesta Viroon muuttaneiden ja maiden välillä liikkuvien siirtolaisten haastattelut (N = 98). Tutkimuksessa yhdistettiin ylirajaisen muuttoliiketutkimuksen ja situationaalisen oppimisen teorianäkökulmia. Esiin nousi kolme laajaa, ylirajaista oppimisympäristöä: ylirajainen perhetila, ylirajainen ammatillinen tila ja ylirajainen yhteiskunnallinen tila. Rajat ylittävät, sosiaalisesti rakentuneet tilat yhdistivät kahdessa tai useammassa eri yhteiskunnassa asuvat tai asuneet henkilöt. Siirtolaisten keskeiset oppimisprosessit ylirajaisissa ympäristöissä olivat käsitysten ja toimintatapojen erojen tunnistaminen, erilaisten uskomusten ja tapojen vertailu, oman sosiokulttuurisen taustan reflektio, uusien käsitysten ja toimintatapojen jakaminen yli kansallisten rajojen sekä identiteetin rakentuminen erilaisten yhteisöjen jäsenyyksien kautta. Siirtolaiset toimivat ylirajaisina välittäjinä oppimistiloissa.
Toponymic Politics and the Symbolic Landscapes of Minsk, Belarus
Authors: Basik Sergei , Rahautsou Dzmitry
Published: December 2019

Recently, within the theoretical and methodological framework of critical human geogra-phy, the main focus of the toponymic research has been redirected from the traditional linguistic and socio-onomastic methods towards a critical analysis of the spatial politics of naming and the studies of the socio-political role of the place names as the components of the symbolic landscape. The toponymic politics of (re)naming the streets and other elements of the urban landscape has been a valuable tool for the political regimes to legitimate their symbolic power. This paper aims to analyze the relationships between the political power, the toponymic practices, and the symbolic landscapes on the example of the eclectic topo-nymic space of the city of Minsk, Belarus, from a semiotic perspective through the prism of the critical place names studies approach and the theoretical concept of toponymic identi-ty. Using cartographic and archival research, on-site urban observations as well as com-parative analysis, the in-depth case study reveals that the toponymic system of the Belarus-ian capital city consists of several elements which connect to an assortment of the symbolic spatial strategies of nation-building adopted by the governing authorities. The findings indicate that the urban toponymic landscape and the toponymic identities of the city of Minsk are symbolically motivated, and the heterogeneity of the contemporary urban topo-nymic system reflects actual political agendas of the past and current political regimes.
The specifics of retail network´s spatial structure in the city of Žilina
Authors: Trembošová Miroslava , Dubcová Alena , Štubňová Michaela
Published: December 2019

The retail network as a variable subsystem of a cultural landscape is an important feature of the settlement system and the inner structure of the settlements. In the urban environment of post-socialist countries under the influence of globalization the retail network belongs to the most dynamic elements. Our goal is to identify the spatial configuration of demographic and retail indicators. Data obtained from field passportization were processed by using statistical-mathematical methods. We also deal with the processes and specifics of the retail network of the city of Žilina, which impact on the modeling of its spatial structure, polycentrism, increase of disparities, and commercial suburbanization. The development of the retail network in the city of Žilina is significantly influenced by the following factors: purchasing power of residents, globalization impacts of supranational retail chains´ entrance, accessibility, synergy effect, development of new retail forms, and self-government policies. The paper is part of a broader research into the retail network of large cities in Slovakia. The research has been carried out with the same methodology as in the two regional cities of Nitra and Trnava. The automotive industry as an important economic factor is the common feature of all of them.
CONCEPÇÕES DOS PROFESSORES DE MATEMÁTICA DOS ANOS FINAIS DO ENSINO FUNDAMENTAL DO MUNICÍPIO DE CANOAS SOBRE A BASE NACIONAL COMUM CURRICULAR
Authors: Rodrigues Greyce dos Santos , Groenwald Claudia Lisete Oliveira
Published: December 2019

Este trabalho apresenta os resultados da dissertação de mestrado, desenvolvida no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ensino de Ciências e Matemática (PPGECIM), da Universidade Luterana do Brasil (ULBRA). O objetivo foi analisar as concepções de 51 professores de Matemática,dos anos finais do Ensino Fundamental, do Município de Canoas/RS, em relação aos conteúdos dispostos na Base Nacional Comum Curricular (BNCC), implantada em 2018. Utilizou-se a metodologia de base quali-quantitativa. Os dados obtidos foram oriundos da aplicação de umquestionário a 51 professores de Matemática e entrevistas estruturadas, realizadas com 18 professores de Matemática (dentre os 51 professores) da rede municipal de Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul. Os resultados apontam que, do total de 51 professores, 58,83% afirmaram que a implantação da BNCCtrará impactos positivos, e 45,09% declararam ter um bom conhecimento sobre a BNCC, também há relatos de inquietações e preocupações. Afirmaram que há conteúdos matemáticos que não estão sendodesenvolvidos pelos professores nos 5 eixos da BNCC (Geometria, Grandezas e Medidas, Estabilidade e Probabilidade, Números e Operações e Álgebras e Funções), dos quais destacam-se: plano cartesiano (6º e 7º anos), construções geométricas (7º ano), problemas com equações de 2º grau (8º ano), geometria analítica (9º ano) e função exponencial (9º ano).
ABORDAGEM CURRICULAR DO DESENHO UNIVERSAL PARA APRENDIZAGEM: IMPLICAÇÕES PARA A EDUCAÇÃO MATEMÁTICA INCLUSIVA
Authors: Neves Frank Presley de Lima , Peixoto Jurema Lindote Botelho
Published: December 2019

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar como o conceito do Desenho Universal para a Aprendizagem (DUA) tem sido utilizado nas pesquisas no cenário nacional e suas implicações para uma Educação Matemática Inclusiva. Para tanto, foi desenvolvida uma pesquisa bibliográficautilizando os procedimentos do Mapeamento na Pesquisa Educacional no portal de teses e dissertações da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (Capes), no período de 2008 a 2018, e selecionadas três teses e seis dissertações. As análises demonstraram que nenhum dos trabalhos enfocou o ensino de matemática, entretanto, abordaram o DUA em três dimensões: 1) Design de ambientes educativos e produtos; 2) Formação de professores; e 3) Intervenções pedagógicas e adequações curriculares. Os resultados dos trabalhos apontaram para o potencial teórico/metodológico dessa perspectiva na configuração de ambientes inclusivos de ensino e aprendizagem, tanto na planificação de aulas presenciais e/ou virtuais, como no design ou planejamento de materiais didáticos, produtos e sistemas de informações. Como implicações,destacam-se a importância da formação de professores e a valorização de pesquisas de cunho colaborativo e interdisciplinar, que tomam os sujeitos como referência para o desenho de novas formas de vivenciar um currículo flexível e aberto para todos.
SENTIDOS DE CURRÍCULOS EM MATEMÁTICA ENUNCIADOS POR PROFESSORAS DA EJA DA ZONA RURAL DE SOBRAL
Authors: Xavier Francisco Josimar Ricardo , Freitas Adriano Vargas
Published: December 2019

De uma maneira geral, o ensino de Matemática ainda tem sido um desafio nas escolas brasileiras. Entendemos que este desafio se intensifica em turmas da Educação de Jovens e Adultos (EJA) da zona rural onde, em geral, predominam propostas curriculares de escolas urbanas ou adaptadas de outras etapas de ensino. Neste artigo analisamos os sentidos de currículos enunciados por professoras que lecionam Matemática em turmas da EJA em uma escola da zona rural de Sobral, no Ceará. Como instrumentos de elaboração de dados foram utilizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas,realizadas com cinco professoras. Os materiais de pesquisa foram analisados por meio da técnica de Análise Textual Discursiva. Dentre os resultados, observa-se a percepção do comum entendimento, por parte das professoras pela análise dos sentidos de currículos enquanto documento básico de prescrição dos conteúdos escolares e orientador de suas práticas pedagógicas.
Journey Planning Algorithms for Massive Delay-Prone Transit Networks
Authors: D’Emidio Mattia , Khan Imran , Frigioni Daniele
Published: December 2019

This paper studies the journey planning problem in the context of transit networks. Given the timetable of a schedule-based transportation system (consisting, e.g., of trains, buses, etc.), the problem seeks journeys optimizing some criteria. Specifically, it seeks to answer natural queries such as, for example, “find a journey starting from a source stop and arriving at a target stop as early as possible”. The fastest approach for answering to these queries, yielding the smallest average query time even on very large networks, is the Public Transit Labeling framework, proposed for the first time in Delling et al., SEA 2015. This method combines three main ingredients: (i) a graph-based representation of the schedule of the transit network; (ii) a labeling of such graph encoding its transitive closure (computed via a time-consuming pre-processing); (iii) an efficient query algorithm exploiting both (i) and (ii) to answer quickly to queries of interest at runtime. Unfortunately, while transit networks’ timetables are inherently dynamic (they are often subject to delays or disruptions), ptl is not natively designed to handle updates in the schedule—even after a single change, precomputed data may become outdated and queries can return incorrect results. This is a major limitation, especially when dealing with massively sized inputs (e.g., metropolitan or continental sized networks), as recomputing the labeling from scratch, after each change, yields unsustainable time overheads that are not compatible with interactive applications. In this work, we introduce a new framework that extends ptl to function in delay-prone transit networks. In particular, we provide a new set of algorithms able to update both the graph and the precomputed labeling whenever a delay affects the network, without performing any recomputation from scratch. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our solution through an extensive experimental evaluation conducted on real-world networks. Our experiments show that: (i) the update time required by the new algorithms is, on average, orders of magnitude smaller than that required by the recomputation from scratch via ptl; (ii) the updated graph and labeling induce both query time performance and space overhead that are equivalent to those that are obtained by the recomputation from scratch via ptl. This suggests that our new solution is an effective approach to handling the journey planning problem in delay-prone transit networks.
Parameterized Optimization in Uncertain Graphs—A Survey and Some Results
Authors: Narayanaswamy N. S. , Vijayaragunathan R.
Published: December 2019

We present a detailed survey of results and two new results on graphical models of uncertainty and associated optimization problems. We focus on two well-studied models, namely, the Random Failure (RF) model and the Linear Reliability Ordering (LRO) model. We present an FPT algorithm parameterized by the product of treewidth and max-degree for maximizing expected coverage in an uncertain graph under the RF model. We then consider the problem of finding the maximal core in a graph, which is known to be polynomial time solvable. We show that the Probabilistic-Core problem is polynomial time solvable in uncertain graphs under the LRO model. On the other hand, under the RF model, we show that the Probabilistic-Core problem is W[1]-hard for the parameter d, where d is the minimum degree of the core. We then design an FPT algorithm for the parameter treewidth.
Spectral and Hyperspectral Technologies as an Additional Tool to Increase Information on Quality and Origin of Horticultural Crops
Authors: Amodio Maria Luisa , Chaudhry Muhammad Mudassir Arif , Colelli Giancarlo
Published: December 2019

Nowadays, consumer awareness of the impact of site of origin and method of production on the quality and safety of foods, and particularly of fresh produce, is driving the research towards developing various techniques to assist present certifications, traceability, and audit procedures. With regard to horticultural produce, consumer preferences have shifted to fruit and vegetables, which are healthy and ecologically produced, and toward processed foods having sustainable or social certifications and with sites of origin clearly reported on the label. Some recent studies demonstrate the potentiality of near infrared (NIR) technology (including hyperspectral imaging) for discriminating fresh and processed horticultural products based on their composition, quality attributes, and origin. These studies principally mention that each biological tissue possesses a fingerprint NIR spectrum, which consists of a unique and characteristic pattern of radiation, distinguishing a particular biological tissue from physically and/or chemically different samples. Particularly, recent studies discriminated apples, wine, wheat kernels, and derived flours based on their geographical origins. Spectral information allowed discrimination among growing methods (organic and conventional) for asparagus and strawberry fruits, and among harvest dates for fennels, table grapes, and artichokes. Moreover, information about freshness and storage days after minimal processing can be obtained. Recent literature and original results will be discussed. From our perspective, present results suggest that these techniques may have a potentiality to increase information about product history, but if and only if the variability captured by the classification models is vast in terms of diverse samples belonging to various cultivars, varieties, harvest times, cultural practices, geographical origins, storage conditions, and maturity stages, while being used as a complementary method to the conventional ones―either to make an initial screening of critical features, or to add to the amount of available information. Lacking the inclusion of these parameters could result in good classification results, but the reliability of the classification in this case would be dubious in terms of assessment of the factor contributing towards correct classification.
Reported Acquisition Practices of Australian Dog Owners
Authors: Blackman Simone A. , Wilson Bethany J. , Reed Alistair R. , McGreevy Paul D.
Published: December 2019

In Australia, the UK and the US dog ownership is prevalent with an estimated 40% of Australian households, 25% of UK households, and 50% of US households owning a dog. Once acquired, a dog usually becomes a family companion so, unlike a faulty product, it can rarely be returned or resold without some emotional impact on both the acquirer and the dog. Regarding the reality of dog relinquishment, there is a growing need for cross-disciplinary research that considers how dog owners are making their acquisition choices and, if prioritising different attributes, leads to more optimal acquisition choices. This research collected data from 2840 dog owners via an online survey and examines how owners prioritised various attributes when acquiring their latest dog. The Pearson-Blotchky analysis of survey results show owners are split into two groups, with each group prioritising different attributes or characteristics in their search for a new dog. The first group are those dog owners who prioritised: the ability to rescue a dog, how compatible the dog was on the first meeting, and how compatible they believed the dog would be with their household. The second group are those owners who prioritised: a dog’s morphology, temperament predictability, and breeding practices. While each group prioritised different attributes, neither group made substantially more optimal acquisition choices in terms of overall satisfaction with the dog that they ultimately selected.
Evaluating Alternatives to Zinc-Bacitracin Antibiotic Growth Promoter in Broilers: Physiological and Meat Quality Responses
Authors: Thema Kwena , Mlambo Victor , Snyman Natasha , Mnisi Caven Mguvane
Published: December 2019

This study evaluated different combinations of a probiotic (Bacillus licheniformis), an organic acid mixture (benzoic and fumaric acids), a protease enzyme, and chelated minerals (Cu, Zn, and Mn) as alternatives to zinc-bacitracin antibiotic. Eight hundred Cobb 500 chicks (42.02 ± 2.207 g liveweight) were distributed into 40 pens to which five diets: 1. Commercial broiler diet with no antibiotics (CON); 2. CON + zinc-bacitracin antibiotic (ZnB); 3. CON + chelated minerals + protease enzyme (MinEnz); 4. CON + chelated minerals + protease + organic acids (MinEnzOrg); and 5. CON + chelated minerals + protease + probiotic (MinEnzPro) were allocated. Probiotic, minerals, protease enzyme, and organic acids were included in diets at 0.2 g/kg, 0.3 g/kg, 0.5 g/kg, and 5 g/kg, respectively. Diets promoted a similar feed intake, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio. Birds on MinEnz had the highest basophil content (2.04 × 109/L), while those on ZnB had the highest alanine aminotransferase (8.50 IU/L). Chickens on MinEnz had the heaviest spleens and the largest proventriculi. Meat from CON birds had the highest water holding capacity (22.32%) and cooking losses (27.15%). We concluded that the investigated combinations of feed additives could replace ZnB in broiler diets as they promoted similar growth performance and carcass characteristics.
New Insights into Chemical and Mineral Composition of Donkey Milk throughout Nine Months of Lactation
Authors: Malacarne Massimo , Criscione Andrea , Franceschi Piero , Bordonaro Salvatore , Formaggioni Paolo , Marletta Donata , Summer Andrea
Published: December 2019

Donkey milk is increasingly being proposed as a natural alternative milk for various categories of consumers, especially infants and the elderly population. However, its potential production, gross, and mineral composition have not been deeply investigated yet. Sixty-two individual milk samples were collected monthly from nine Ragusano donkeys reared in a specialized dairy farm. Milk yield as well as chemical and mineral composition, including macro and micro elements, were investigated over an entire lactation, from the second to the ninth month of milking. Milk yield averaged 1.64 kg/day, which highlights good aptitude of the Ragusano breed for the production of milk. Gross composition was characterized by low content of dry matter (8.19%), a high amount of lactose (6.07%), low protein (1.34%), and very low-fat content (0.16%). Whey proteins represented 58% of the total protein, and proteose-peptones accounted for 0.35 ± 0.07 g per 100 g. Total ash content was 0.36 g per 100 g and represented 4.40% of the dry matter. The most abundant element was K, which was followed by Ca, Na, and P. As expected, the micro elements Fe, Zn, and Cu were found in low amounts or in traces. Dry matter, fat, whey proteins. The total ash, Ca, P, Mg, and mineral ratios were significantly affected by the lactation stage.
Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Nutria (Myocastor coypus) in South Korea
Authors: Kim Il Ryong , Choi Wonkyun , Kim Areum , Lim Jongpyo , Lee Do-Hun , Lee Jung Ro
Published: December 2019

The nutria (Myocastor coypus) is an invasive alien species that have had major adverse effects on biodiversity and the agricultural economy in wetland habitats. Since 2014, the Ministry of Environment in South Korea has been carrying out the Nutria Eradication Project, and we investigated nutria distribution and genetic diversity of nutria populations in South Korea. We estimated that 99.2% of nutria habitats are in the mid-lower Nakdong River regions. To further analyze the genetic diversity in eight major nutria populations, we performed a genetic analysis using microsatellite markers. Genetic diversity levels of the eight nutria populations in South Korea were relatively lower than those in other countries. The probability of migration direction among nutria populations was predicted from genetic distance analysis. Genetic structure analysis showed little difference among the nutria populations in South Korea. These results suggest that nutrias in South Korea originated from a single population. Our results provide important data for establishing management strategies for the successful eradication of nutria populations in South Korea, as well as in other countries with alien invasive species.
Intrarenal Transplantation of Hypoxic Preconditioned Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improves Glomerulonephritis through Anti-Oxidation, Anti-ER Stress, Anti-Inflammation, Anti-Apoptosis, and Anti-Autophagy
Authors: Chang Hao-Hsiang , Hsu Shih-Ping , Chien Chiang-Ting
Published: December 2019

To confer further therapeutic potential and prevent some adverse effects by the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation, we explored the effects of locally intrarenal arterial administration of hypoxic preconditioned MSCs in the anti-Thy1.1 induced rat glomerulonephritis. Proteinuria, histochemical staining, and western blotting were used to explore the therapeutic effects and mechanisms. Locally intrarenal arterial MSCs transplantation successfully implanted the fluorescent or CD44 labeled MSCs in the nephritic glomeruli, ameliorated proteinuria, and glomerulosclerosis in nephritic rats. Hypoxic preconditioning significantly upregulated hypoxic inducible factor-1α/VEGF (HIF-1α/VEGF) in the MSCs and was more efficient than normoxic MSCs in reducing the degree of urinary protein, glomerulosclerosis, fibrosis, macrophage/monocyte infiltration, GRP78 mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress, Beclin-1/LC3-II mediated autophagy, and Bax/Bcl-2/caspase 3 mediated apoptosis. Hypoxic MSCs could further promote intranuclear nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2, Nrf2) and reduce nuclear factor kappa B expression in nephritic kidneys. As compared to normoxic MSCs, hypoxic MSCs transplantation significantly upregulated the renal expression of anti-oxidative response elements/enzymes including glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit, glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, Mn, and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase. In summary, intrarenal hypoxic preconditioning MSCs transplantation was more effective to activate hypoxic inducible factor-1α/VEGF/Nrf2 (HIF-1α/VEGF/Nrf2) signaling, preserve anti-oxidant proteins and anti-oxidative responsive element proteins, and subsequently reduce glomerular apoptosis, autophagy, and inflammation.
3,3′-Diindolylmethane Promotes BDNF and Antioxidant Enzyme Formation via TrkB/Akt Pathway Activation for Neuroprotection against Oxidative Stress-Induced Apoptosis in Hippocampal Neuronal Cells
Authors: Lee Bo Dam , Yoo Jae-Myung , Baek Seong Yeon , Li Fu Yi , Sok Dai-Eun , Kim Mee Ree
Published: December 2019

3,3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM), a metabolite of indole-3-carbinol present in Brassicaceae vegetables, possesses various health-promoting effects. Nonetheless, the effect of DIM on neurodegenerative diseases has not been elucidated clearly. In this study, we hypothesized DIM may protect neuronal cells against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis by promoting the formation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and antioxidant enzymes through stabilizing the activation of the tropomyosin-related kinase receptor B (TrkB) cascade and we investigated the effect of DIM on oxidative stress-mediated neurodegenerative models. DIM protected neuronal cells against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis by regulating the expression of apoptosis-related proteins in glutamate-treated HT-22 cells. Additionally, DIM improved the expression of BDNF and antioxidant enzymes, such as heme oxygenase-1, glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit, and NAD(P)H quinine oxidoreductase-1, by promoting the activation of the TrkB/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway in the cells. Consistent with in vitro studies, DIM attenuated memory impairment by protecting hippocampal neuronal cells against oxidative damage in scopolamine-treated mice. Conclusionally, DIM exerted neuroprotective and antioxidant actions through the activation of both BDNF production and antioxidant enzyme formation in accordance with the TrkB/Akt pathway in neuronal cells. Such an effect of DIM may provide information for the application of DIM in the prevention of and therapy for neurodegenerative diseases.
Effect of Track Irregularities on the Response of Two-Way Railway Tracks
Authors: Javaid Omer , Choi Dong-Ho
Published: December 2019

In predicting the response of track from a moving train only one track is generally considered. However, the effect of ground vibrations from one track and its effect on the nearby tracks has not been studied completely. Therefore, in the present paper, the effect of track irregularities and speed on the prediction of two-way tracks response is investigated. For this purpose, a three-dimensional dynamic finite element (FE) model capable of simulating interactions between the train and track by using a nonlinear hertz contact method was developed. The model uses tensionless stiffness between the wheel and rail to couple them. The model components including the sleeper, ballast, and soil domain are represented by solid brick elements. The rails are modeled as 3D Euler–Bernoulli beam elements. An iterative numerical algorithm was established for the integrations of the train and track interface. A comparative analysis was performed at various speeds and rail surface irregularity wavelengths. With the increase in speed, the results showed a significant increase in the adjacent tracks response and can induce much larger track vibrations at high frequency.
Is Contact Nucleation Caused by Pressure Perturbation?
Authors: Yang Fan , Cantrell Will H. , Kostinski Alexander B. , Shaw Raymond A. , Vogelmann Andrew M.
Published: December 2019

The reason why ice nucleation is more efficient by contact nucleation than by immersion nucleation has been elusive for over half a century. Six proposed mechanisms are summarized in this study. Among them, the pressure perturbation hypothesis, which arose from recent experiments, can qualitatively explain nearly all existing results relevant to contact nucleation. To explore the plausibility of this hypothesis in a more quantitative fashion and to guide future investigations, this study assessed the magnitude of pressure perturbation needed to cause contact nucleation and the associated spatial scales. The pressure perturbations needed were estimated using measured contact nucleation efficiencies for illite and kaolinite, obtained from previous experiments, and immersion freezing temperatures, obtained from well-established parameterizations. Pressure perturbations were obtained by assuming a constant pressure perturbation or a Gaussian distribution of the pressure perturbation. The magnitudes of the pressure perturbations needed were found to be physically reasonable, being achievable through possible mechanisms, including bubble formation and breakup, Laplace pressure arising from the distorted contact line, and shear. The pressure perturbation hypothesis provides a physically based and experimentally constrainable foundation for parameterizing contact nucleation that may be useful in future cloud-resolving models.
Sources of Particulate Matter in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Keywood Melita , Hibberd Mark F. , Selleck Paul W. , Desservettaz Maximilien , Cohen David D. , Stelcer Edward , Atanacio Armand J. , Scorgie Yvonne , Tzu-Chi Chang Lisa
Published: December 2019

Exposure to particulate matter results in adverse health outcomes, especially in sensitive members of the community. Many communities that co-exist with industry are concerned about the perceived impact of emissions from that industry on their health. Such concerns have resulted in two studies in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Australia. The chemical composition of samples of particulate matter, collected over two 12-month sampling periods (2012 and 2014–2015) at six sites in the Hunter Valley and across two size fractions (PM2.5 and PM2.5–10) were input to a receptor model to determine the source of particulate matter influencing particle composition at the sites. Fourteen factors were found to contribute to particle mass. Of these, three source profiles common to all sites, size fractions, and sampling periods were sea salt, industry-aged sea salt and soil. Four source profiles were common across all sites for PM2.5 including secondary sulphate, secondary nitrate, mixed industry/vehicles, and woodsmoke. One source profile (other biomass smoke) was only identified in PM2.5 at Singleton and Muswellbrook, two source profiles (mixed industry/shipping and vehicles) were only identified in PM2.5 at Newcastle, Beresfield, Mayfield, and Stockton, and one source (primary nitrate) was only identified at Stockton in PM2.5. Three sources (bioaerosol, light absorbing particles (coal dust), and industry) were only identified in the PM2.5–10 size fraction at Mayfield and Stockton. The contribution of the soil factor to PM2.5 mass was consistent across the sites, while the fresh sea salt factor decreased with distance from the coast from 23% at Stockton to 3% at Muswellbrook, and smoke increased with distance from the coast. Primary industry was greatest at Stockton (due to the influence of ammonium nitrate emitted from a prilling tower) and lowest inland at Muswellbrook. In general, primary emissions across the sites accounted for 30% of the industry sources. The largest contribution to PM2.5 was from secondary sources at all sites except at Muswellbrook, where woodsmoke and industry sources each made an equal contribution of 40%. In general, secondary reactions accounted for approximately 70% of the industry source, although at Stockton, with the presence of the prilling tower, this split was 50% primary and 50% secondary and at Muswellbrook, the split was 20% primary and 80% secondary. These findings add to the evidence base required to inform policies and programs that will improve air quality in the Hunter Valley.
New Energy Levels and Transitions of 5s25p2 (6d+7s) Configurations in Xe IV
Authors: Reyna Almandos Jorge , Raineri Mónica , Pagan Cesar J. B. , Gallardo Mario
Published: December 2019

Three-times ionized xenon Xe IV spectrum in the 1070–6400 Å region was analyzed using a pulsed discharge light source. A set of 163 transitions was classified for the first time, and 36 new energy levels belonging to the 5s25p26d and 5s25p27s even configurations were determined. The relativistic Hartree–Fock method, including core-polarization effects, were used. In these calculations, the electrostatic parameters were optimized by a least-square procedure in order to improve the adjustment to experimental energy levels. We also present a calculation based on a relativistic multiconfigurational Dirac–Fock approach.
Tequila Agave Bagasse Hydrolysate for the Production of Polyhydroxybutyrate by Burkholderia sacchari
Authors: González-García Yolanda , Grieve Janessa , Meza-Contreras Juan Carlos , Clifton-García Berenice , Silva-Guzman José Antonio
Published: December 2019

Tequila agave bagasse (TAB) is the fibrous waste from the Tequila production process. It is generated in large amounts and its disposal is an environmental problem. Its use as a source of fermentable sugars for biotechnological processes is of interest; thus, it was investigated for the production of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) by the xylose-assimilating bacteria Burkholderia sacchari. First, it was chemically hydrolyzed, yielding 20.6 g·L−1 of reducing sugars, with xylose and glucose as the main components (7:3 ratio). Next, the effect of hydrolysis by-products on B. sacchari growth was evaluated. Phenolic compounds showed the highest toxicity (> 60% of growth inhibition). Then, detoxification methods (resins, activated charcoal, laccases) were tested to remove the growth inhibitory compounds from the TAB hydrolysate (TABH). The highest removal percentage (92%) was achieved using activated charcoal (50 g·L−1, pH 2, 4 h). Finally, detoxified TABH was used as the carbon source for the production of PHB in a two-step batch culture, reaching a biomass production of 11.3 g·L−1 and a PHB accumulation of 24 g PHB g−1 dry cell (after 122 h of culture). The polymer structure resulted in a homopolymer of 3-hydroxybutyric acid. It is concluded that the TAB could be hydrolyzed and valorized as a carbon source for producing PHB.
Carbon Nanotube-Based Electrochemical Biosensor for Label-Free Protein Detection
Authors: Janssen Jesslyn , Lambeta Mike , White Paul , Byagowi Ahmad
Published: December 2019

There is a growing need for biosensors that are capable of efficiently and rapidly quantifying protein biomarkers, both in the biological research and clinical setting. While accurate methods for protein quantification exist, the current assays involve sophisticated techniques, take long to administer and often require highly trained personnel for execution and analysis. Herein, we explore the development of a label-free biosensor for the detection and quantification of a standard protein. The developed biosensors comprise carbon nanotubes (CNTs), a specific antibody and cellulose filtration paper. The change in electrical resistance of the CNT-based biosensor system was used to sense a standard protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a proof-of-concept. The developed biosensors were found to have a limit of detection of 2.89 ng/mL, which is comparable to the performance of the typical ELISA method for BSA quantification. Additionally, the newly developed method takes no longer than 10 min to perform, greatly reducing the time of analysis compared to the traditional ELISA technique. Overall, we present a versatile, affordable, simplified and rapid biosensor device capable of providing great benefit to both biological research and clinical diagnostics.
Should the Minimal Intervention Principle Be Considered When Investigating Dual-Tasking Effects on Postural Control?
Authors: Wachholz Felix , Tiribello Federico , Promsri Arunee , Federolf Peter
Published: December 2019

Dual-tasking charges the sensorimotor system with performing two tasks simultaneously. Center of pressure (COP) analysis reveals the postural control that is altered during dual-tasking, but may not reveal the underlying neural mechanisms. In the current study, we hypothesized that the minimal intervention principle (MIP) provides a concept by which dual-tasking effects on the organization and prioritization of postural control can be predicted. Postural movements of 23 adolescents (age 12.7 ± 1.3; 8 females) and 15 adults (26.9 ± 2.3) were measured in a bipedal stance with eyes open, eyes closed and eyes open while performing a dual-task using a force plate and 39 reflective markers. COP data was analyzed by calculating the mean velocity, standard deviation and amplitude of displacement. Kinematic data was examined by performing a principal component analysis (PCA) and extracting postural movement components. Two variables were determined to investigate changes in amplitude (aVark) and in control (Nk) of the principal movement components. Results in aVark and in Nk agreed well with the predicted dual-tasking effects. Thus, the current study corroborates the notion that the MIP should be considered when investigating postural control under dual-tasking conditions.
Genetic Screening of Plasticity Regulating Nogo-Type Signaling Genes in Migraine
Authors: Smedfors Gabriella , Liesecke Franziska , Ran Caroline , Olson Lars , Karlsson Tobias , Carmine Belin Andrea
Published: December 2019

Migraine is the sixth most prevalent disease in the world and a substantial number of experiments have been conducted to analyze potential differences between the migraine brain and the healthy brain. Results from these investigations point to the possibility that development and aggravation of migraine may include grey matter plasticity. Nogo-type signaling is a potent plasticity regulating system in the CNS and consists of ligands, receptors, co-receptors and modulators with a dynamic age- and activity-related expression in cortical and subcortical regions. Here we investigated a potential link between migraine and five key Nogo-type signaling genes: RTN4, OMGP, MAG, RTN4R and LINGO1, by screening 15 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within these genes. In a large Swedish migraine cohort (749 migraine patients and 4032 controls), using a logistic regression with sex as covariate, we found that there was no such association. In addition, a haplotype analysis was performed which revealed three haplotype blocks. These blocks had no significant association with migraine. However, to robustly conclude that Nogo-type genotypes signaling do not influence the prevalence of migraine, further studies are encouraged.
Selection of Reliable Reference Genes for Analysis of Gene Expression in Spinal Cord during Rat Postnatal Development and after Injury
Authors: Košuth Ján , Farkašovská Martina , Mochnacký Filip , Daxnerová Zuzana , Ševc Juraj
Published: December 2019

In order to obtain unbiased results of target gene expression, selection of the most appropriate reference gene (RG) remains a key precondition. However, an experimental study focused on the validation of stably expressed RGs in the rat spinal cord (SC) during development or after spinal cord injury (SCI) is missing. In our study, we tested the stability of the expression of nine selected RGs in rat SC tissue during normal development (postnatal days 1–43, adulthood) and after minimal (mSCI) and contusion (cSCI) spinal cord injury. The following RGs were tested: common housekeeping genes of basal cell metabolism (Gapdh, Hprt1, Mapk6) and protein translation (Rpl29, Eef1a1, Eif2b2), as well as newly designed RGs (Gpatch1, Gorasp1, Cds2) selected according to the RefGenes tool of GeneVestigator. The stability of RGs was assessed by geNorm, NormFinder, and BestKeeper. All three applets favored Gapdh and Eef1a1 as the most stable genes in SC during development. In both models of SCI, Eif2b2 displayed the highest stability of expression, followed by Gapdh and Gorasp1/Hprt1 in cSCI, and Gapdh and Eef1a1 in the mSCI experiments. To verify our results, selected RGs were employed for normalization of the expression of genes with a clear biological context in the SC—Gfap and Slc1a3/Glast during postnatal development and Aif1/Iba1 and Cd68/Ed1 after SCI.
Colocalization of BRCA1 with Tau Aggregates in Human Tauopathies
Authors: Kurihara Masanori , Mano Tatsuo , Saito Yuko , Murayama Shigeo , Toda Tatsushi , Iwata Atsushi
Published: December 2019

The mechanism of neuronal dysfunction via tau aggregation in tauopathy patients is controversial. In Alzheimer’s disease (AD), we previously reported mislocalization of the DNA repair nuclear protein BRCA1, its coaggregation with tau, and the possible importance of the subsequent DNA repair dysfunction. However, whether this dysfunction in BRCA1 also occurs in other tauopathies is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether BRCA1 colocalizes with tau aggregates in the cytoplasm in the brains of the patients with tauopathy. We evaluated four AD, two Pick’s disease (PiD), three progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), three corticobasal degeneration (CBD), four normal control, and four disease control autopsy brains. Immunohistochemistry was performed using antibodies against BRCA1 and phosphorylated tau (AT8). Colocalization was confirmed by immunofluorescence double staining. Colocalization of BRCA1 with tau aggregates was observed in neurofibrillary tangles and neuropil threads in AD, pick bodies in PiD, and globose neurofibrillary tangles and glial coiled bodies in PSP. However, only partial colocalization was observed in tuft-shaped astrocytes in PSP, and no colocalization was observed in CBD. Mislocalization of BRCA1 was not observed in disease controls. BRCA1 was mislocalized to the cytoplasm and colocalized with tau aggregates in not only AD but also in PiD and PSP. Mislocalization of BRCA1 by tau aggregates may be involved in the pathogenesis of PiD and PSP.