bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Technical and Economical Evaluation of a Fresh-Water Production from Zero-Wastewater Reverse Osmosis System: A Feasibility Study in Jordan
Authors: Qasim Tarek , Obeidat Mohammed Said , Smadi Hazem
Published: March 2018

Jordan endures a shortage of fresh drinking water. Thus, there is a wide use of reverse osmosis (RO) units at homes and industrial zones. Zero wastewater, which is a modified reverse osmosis system, is developed and evaluated to overcome the problem of limited water. In Jordan, for example, Petra Company for Water Treatment Systems was established to mass-produce the newly modified RO units. In this study, a feasibility study is conducted to evaluate the technical and economical aspects of mass production of the new RO systems. With increasing future demand for fresh water, it is expected that the introduction of the new system to regional countries would save huge amounts of water. Additionally, good economical impacts will be achieved as a net profit to the newly established company. This expected extra profit would be set the base for further development to the modified RO system, such as introducing a compact multistage filtration unit. Results of the feasibility study showed a huge amount of water saving per annum estimated by 4.5 million cubic meter. In addition, a half million of Jordanian Dinar (JD) of a net annual profit attained at the current demand of RO units in Jordan.
Investigating processes of internalisation of values through theatre for development
Authors: Courtney Telisa , Battye John
Published: March 2018

Used in many communities, Theatre for Development (TfD) allows performers and audiences to interrogate their cultural history and their society to promote positive social change. While many scholars have investigated the impact of TfD on audiences, very little research has investigated the psychological impact on the performers. This study attempts to fill this research gap by interviewing participants in a theatre creation project about their views on contentious social issues before, during, and after the creation of scenes involving such themes. We hypothesized that, by performing counterattitudinal and/or unfamiliar behaviours, cognitive dissonance should arise in the performers, which should result in some level of internalisation and attitude change. Results support the hypothesis, particularly in regard to the themes of ethnicity and gender (in)equality, and point to the value of using TfD processes in divided communities. This has implications for many fields, including international development, gender studies, education, and clinical psychology.
Political opposites do not attract: The effects of ideological dissimilarity on impression formation
Authors: Mallinas Stephanie R. , Crawford Jarret T. , Cole Shana
Published: March 2018

Past research shows that people like others who are similar to themselves, and that political partisans tend to dislike those with opposing viewpoints. Two studies examined how initial person impressions changed after discovering that the target held similar or dissimilar political beliefs. Using potential mates as targets, we found that participants liked targets less, were less romantically interested in targets, and rated targets as less attractive after discovering political dissimilarity with them. Further, they became more uncomfortable with targets after discovering ideological dissimilarity. Theoretical implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.
ИСПИТИВАЊЕ ПРИСУСТВА АФЛАТОКСИНА У РЕПУБЛИЦИ СРПСКОЈ У 2013. ГОДИНИ
Authors: Недић Д. , Дојчиновић С. , Николић Соња , Голић Б.
Published: March 2018

Афлатоксине, као што је познато, продукују гљивице из рода aспергилус, Аспергилусфлавус (A. fl avus) и скоро сви сојеви аспергилус паразитикус (A. parasiticus). Од осамнаестдо сада познатих токсина, афлатоксин Б1 је најважнији у погледу заступљености и ток-сичности. Циљ рада био је да се испита присуство афлатоксина у храни за животиње исировом млијеку у 2013. години. Узорци су анализирани компететивном Елиса методом.Од анализираних 1678 узорака сировог млијека, 471 узорак (28,06%) био је позитиван наприсуство афлатоксина М1. Од 94 анализирана узорка кукуруза, седам узорака (7,21%)било је позитивно на присуство афлатоксина Б1. Од 48 анализираних потпуних крмнихсмјеса за исхрану говеда, њих шест (12,50%) било је позитивно на присуство афлатоксинаБ1. Појава афлатоксина М1 у млијеку у 2013. години подудара се са почетком коришћењакукуруза из бербе 2012. године у исхрани музних крава.
IN VITRO ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF ROYAL GELLY AGAINST PATHOGEN ESCHERICHIA COLI
Authors: Dinkov D. , Stratev D. , Balkanska R.
Published: March 2018

In the study was used a pathogen strain of E. coli, caused septicemia for ducks,resistant for different antibacterial agents: Amoxicillin, Lincospectin, Chloramphenicol,Doxycyclin, Enrofl oxacin, Sulfonamides and Trimetoprim. Bacterial suspension of E.coli icontaminated each from test solutions in TSB of royal jelly (n=6), mixes of royaljelly and rape honey, and independent used rape honey (10–45% v/v). Have in mindexactly counts of colonies before and after incubation from each of test substanceswas calculated the percent of reduction up to 30 min, and after incubation (24 hand 48 h). In almost all concentrations of royal jelly (10–45 v/v), were found totalinhibition effect to E. coli. Mixes from royal jelly and rape honey (1:100) possesseda higher antibacterial effect, compared with independent use of rape honey. Up to45% (v/v), rape honey does not cause total antibacterial reduction. Royal jelly andmixes from royal jelly and rape honey have potential as alternative therapeuticsagents against resistant for antibiotics pathogen strains of E. coli.
ANALIZA VARIJACIJE VISINE GREBENA POPULACIJE RODEZIJSKOG RIDŽBEKA U NEMAČKOJ
Authors: Klopsch M. , Urošević M. M. , Drobnjak D. , Matarugić D. , Matejević M. , Urošević B. M. , Оgrak Ј.
Published: March 2018

Afrika je domicilna zemlja za svega nekoliko rasa pasa, koje su zvanično priznateod strane Međunarodne kinološke federacije (FCI). Jedna od njih je rodezijski ridžbek(Rhodesian Ridgeback). Rasa je priznata i od drugih kinoloških organizacija u svetukoje nisu članice FCI, ali imaju potpisane memorandume o razumevanju i saradnji.Te kinološke organizacije su Kinološki savez Amerike (AKC), Kinološki savez VelikeBritanije (KC) i Kanadski kinološki savez (KCK). Svaka od ovih organizacija propisalaje standard za ovu rasu u kome je precizno defi nisana visina grebena psa.Istraživanje je sprovedeno u periodu od 1989. do 2012. na ukupno 722 psa (253mužjaka i 469 ženki) rase rodezijski ridžbek. Merena je visina grebena. Svi merenipsi su bili u starosti od 1 do 5 godina. Mere su uzete Lithinovim štapom, u pozicijipravilnog stava prednjih i zadnjih nogu, od podloge do vrha lopatice. Prikazane susrednje vrednosti merenih parametara i indeksa, maksimalna i minimalna vrednost,kao i deskriptivni statistički parametri standardna devijacija, standardna greška ikoefi cijent varijacije. Primenom t-testa izračunata je statistička značajnost razlikemerenih parametra između mužjaka i ženki, kao i unutar grupa. Izračunat je iprocenat mužjaka i ženki koje se nalaze mimo vrednosti propisanih standardom.Kod mužjaka iz sve tri grupe prosečna visina grebena je 68,40 cm. Intervalvariranja je od 63,00 do 73,00 cm. Kod mužjaka nije zabeleženo odstupanje ispoddonje granice koju propisuju standardi, dok je gornja granica bila veća za 4,00 cmod vrednosti propisane FCI standardom, a za 3,00 cm od one koju toleriše klub uNemačkoj. Standardna greška kod mužjaka je bila 0,11.Kod ženki je zabeleženo odstupanje i u gornjoj i u donjoj vrednosti koju predviđajustandardi. Donja granica je bila 58,50 cm, što je za 3,50 cm niže od standardomdozvoljene. Maksimalna vrednost je 71,80 cm, dok je standardom predviđena gornjagranica od 66,00 cm. Standardna greška kod ženki je bila manja i iznosi 0,09.Poređenjem dobijenh vrednosti između polova ustanovljena je vrlo velika statističkaznačajnost (p < 0,001).
ISPITIVANJE VALIDNOSTI EMPIRIJSKOG TRETMANA SUPERFICIJALNOG BAKTERIJSKOG FOLIKULITISA PASA
Authors: Hajzler I. , Milčić Matić N.
Published: March 2018

Superfi cijalni bakterijski folikulitis predstavlja najčešću piodermiju pasa, i unajvećem broju slučajeva uzrokovan je gram-pozitivnom vrstom Staphylococcuspseudintermedius. Terapija ovog oboljenja obično obuhvata kombinaciju topikalne(antibakterijski šampon) i sistemske antibiotske terapije. Izbor antibiotika zavisiod mnogo faktora, pre svega da li se infekcija javlja prvi put ili je rekurentna, kaoi od toga da li je fokalna ili generalizovana, površinska ili duboka. Najbolji je izborantibiotika prema antibiogramu, ali kod nekomplikovanih superfi cijalnih infekcijamožemo empirijski odabrati antibiotik. U našoj zemlji u skorije vreme nije rađenastudija vezana za ispitivanje najčeščih uzročnika superfi cijalnih bakterijskih folikulitisapasa, kao i njihove osetljivosti na određene antibiotike. U izvedenom ispitivanju,kod 87% pasa piodermiju su izazvali sojevi Staphylococcus pseudintermediuskoji nisu pripadali kategoriji MRS, u 9% su izolovani sojevi meticilin-rezistentnihStaphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) i u 4% slučajeva (jedan soj) meticilin-rezistentanStaphylococcus haemolyticus (MRSH). Svi sojevi (100%) Staphylococcuspseudintermedius koji nisu pripadali kategoriji MRSP bili su osetljivi na amoksicilinsa klavulanskom kiselinom, a 90% sojeva je bilo osetljivo na cefaleksin. Kod 80%ispitivanih sojeva, dokazana je osetljivost na gentamicin, 75% pokazalo je osetljivostna ciprofl oksacin i enrofl oksacin. Prema dobijenim rezultatima, prvi izbor u terapijinekomplikovanih bakterijskih folikulitisa predstavljaju amoksicilin sa klavulanskomkiselinom i cefaleksin, koji su kod nas prisutni u vidu tableta i registrovani su zaveterinarsku upotrebu.
ZNAČAJ PRIMENE KLOPROSTENOLA NA REPRODUKTIVNU EFIKASNOST KRMAČA
Authors: Tomić Z. , Stojanac N. , Stevančević O. , Stančić I.
Published: March 2018

Cilj ovog istraživanja je bio da se ispita efi kasnost primene luteolitičkog preparata–kloprostenola u tretmanu krmača posle prašenja, ulaskom krmača u estrusunutar sedam dana posle zalučenja i uticaj na fertilitet krmača izražen kroz brojoprašenih krmača i procenat (%) prašenja. Ispitivanjem su bile obuhvaćene krmačeod trećeg do šestog pariteta. Od ukupnog broja zalučenih krmača u oglednoj grupi„O“ (n=55), u prvih sedam dana posle zalučenja osemenjene su 53 krmače, što predstavlja96,36%, dok je u kontrolnoj grupi „K“ (n=55), od 55 krmača, u prvih sedamdana posle zalučenja osemenjeno 47 krmača, što predstavlja 85,45%. Naročito trebanaglasiti direktan uticaj kloprostenola na matericu i regeneraciju endometrijuma jerevakuiše sadržaj iz materice pojačavajući njene kontrakcije, a pored toga indukujei lizu žutog tela. Rezultati u ovom istraživanju jasno ukazuju da primena kloprostenolakod krmača posle prašenja utiče na brže uspostavljanje estrusa posle zalučenja.Primena kloprostenola kod krmača nakon prašenja predstavlja dobar preduslov zaostvarivanje visokog broja oprašenih krmača i procenat prašenja.
HUMORALNA ULOGA RENIN-ANGIOTENZIN-ALDOSTERON SISTEMA U GENEZI HIPERTENZIJE KOD LOVAČKIH PASA
Authors: Hadžiahmetović Jurida E. , Ferizbegović J.
Published: March 2018

Danas je poznato da su u svijetu upravo bolesti kardiovaskularnog sistema vodećiuzrok mortaliteta. Jedan od kapitalnih parametara koji nam na jednostavan način i ukratkom vremenu daje mnogo vrijednih pokazatelja zdravlja pacijenata je mjerenjekrvnog pritiska. To je jedan od načina da se dobije objektivan uvid u zdravstvenostanje pacijenta i stanje njegovog kardiovaskularnog sistema. Općenito, hipertenzijase može defi nisati kao hronično povećanje sistolnog i dijastolnog krvnog pritiska, uznapomenu da je hipertenzija nerazdvojivo povezana sa funkcionalnim i strukturnimpromjenama u zidovima krvnih sudova. Fiziološke vrijednosti krvnog pritiska kod pasakreću se u rasponu od 118 do 149 mmHg, sistolni, i 66–88 mmHg, dijastolni. Uzimajućiu obzir dob, rasu i spol, ustanovljeni su kriterijumi, odnosno protokol, koji suprihvaćeni od Svjetskog udruženja veterinara (World Veterinary Association, WVA).Našim istraživanjem je obuhvaćeno i ispitano ukupno 60 pasa različitih pasminana prostoru općine Tuzla. Tretirani psi označeni su kao grupa A, a čine je nelovačkipsi različitih pasmina koji su podijeljeni u četiri podgrupe sa po 15 pasa, označenesa A1–A4, na bazi različite dobne kategorije.Tokom rutinske pretrage, kao parametri pomoću kojih je izvršena detekcija hipertenzije,uzeti su sistolni, dijastolni krvni pritisak, frekvencija pulsa te starosnadob psa, kao i procedura neophodna za mjerenje koncentracije renina i aldosterona.Kod svih grupa pasa, detektovani su blagi, srednji i teški tip hipertenzije. Kod ispitivanihpasa, blaga hipertenzija je zastupljena kod 14 pasa (23,3%), srednja kod 10(16,6%), i teška kod samo tri psa (5%). Kod 33 psa (55%) nije registrovan niti jedantip hipertenzije.Naša istraživanja su ukazala i na činjenicu koliko je bitno, prilikom svakoga pregledapacijenta, provesti rutinsko mjerenje krvnog pritiska koje nam služi kao screeningza poduzimanje sljedećeg koraka, bilo dijagnostičkog ili terapeutskog.
STREPTOCOCCUS SUIS ТИП I – УЗРОЧНИК ФАТАЛНЕ ХЕМОРАГИЧНЕ СЕПТИКЕМИЈЕ ПРАСАДИ?
Authors: Бабић Р. , Николић С. , Недић Д. Н. , Стевановић О. , Сантрач В. , Марић Ј. , Вељовић С.
Published: March 2018

Стрептококоза свиња је узгојно обољење узроковано бактеријском врстомStreprococcus suis које се карактерише септикемијом, бронхопнеумонијом, ме-нингитисом, полисерозитисом и полиартритисом. Познато је да стрептококоза неизазива појаву високог морталитета у запату. За разлику од Streptococcus suis типII, не постоје конкретни литературни подаци који указују на то да Streptococcussuis тип I посједује изражен ендотелни тропизам који посљедично резултира хе-морагичним синдромом. У овом раду је приказан случај хеморагичне септикемијеу неколико легала прасади на сиси која су држана у екстензивним фармскимусловима. Клинички и патолошки налаз су упућивали на општи хеморагичнисиндром. На основу клиничке слике, патомор
UTICAJ VAKUUM-PAKOVANJA I PAKOVANJA SA MODIFIKOVANOM ATMOSFEROM NA SADRŽAJ UKUPNOG ISPARLJIVOG AZOTA I SENZORNU OCENU MLEVENOG MESA
Authors: Đorđević J. , Čobanović N. , Bošković M. , Dokmanović M. , Ilić N. , Pećanac B. , Baltić M. Ž.
Published: March 2018

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Something in the agar does not compute: On the discriminatory power of mycelial compatibility in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
Authors: Kamvar Zhian N , Everhart Sydney E
Published: March 2018

Mycelial compatibility, the ability for fungal isolates to grow together and form one single colony, was defined for Sclerotinia sclerotiorum nearly 30 years ago and has since been used as a marker to describe clonal variation in population genetic studies. While evidence suggests an associative relationship between mycelial compatibility and vegetative compatibility, contemporary research has treated these traits as analogous. As molecular markers have been developed to describe genetic variation, researchers combined these with the mycelial compatibility groups to assess to define clonal lineages. However, several inconsistent relationships between mycelial compatibility groups, haplotypes, and even vegetative compatibility groups have been observed throughout the literature, suggesting that mycelial compatibility may not accurately reflect self-recognition. We argue that the Sclerotinia community needs to move beyond using MCG data in population genetic studies.
Food web structure of the epibenthic community at the sea ice edge in Baffin Bay, Canada
Authors: Yunda-Guarin Gustavo , Archambault Philippe , Massé Guillaume , Nozais Christian
Published: March 2018

In polar areas, the pelagic-benthic coupling plays a fundamental role in ensuring organic matter flow across depths and trophic levels. Climate change impacts the Arctic’s physical environment and ecosystem functioning, affecting the sequestration of carbon, the structure and efficiency of the benthic food web and its resilience.In the Arctic Ocean, highest atmospheric warming tendencies (by ~0.5°C) occur in the east of Baffin Bay making this area an ideal site to study the effects of climate change on benthic communities. We sampled epibenthic organisms at 13 stations bordering the sea ice between June and July 2016. The epibenthic taxonomic composition was identified and grouped by feeding guilds. Isotopic signatures (δ13C - δ15N), trophic levels and trophic separation and redundancy were measured and quantified at each station. In the light of the results obtained, the stability of the benthic community in the Baffin Bay at the sea ice edge is discussed.
Wolf spider burrows from a modern saline sandflat in central Argentina: morphology, taphonomy and recognition of fossil examples
Authors: Mendoza Belmontes Fatima , Melchor Ricardo N , Piacentini Luis N
Published: March 2018

Pavocosa sp. (Lycosidae) burrows found in an open sparsely vegetated area on the edge of the saline lake the “Gran Salitral”, in central Argentina, are described. Burrows were studied by capturing the occupant and casting them with dental plaster. The hosting sediments and vegetation were also characterized. Inhabited Pavocosa sp. burrows display distinctive features as open, cylindrical, nearly vertical, silk lined shafts about 120 mm long, subcircular entrances, a gradual downward widening, and a particularly distinctive surface ornamentation in the form of sets of two linear parallel marks at a high angle to the burrow axis. Instead, casts of vacated Pavocosa sp. burrows showed some disturbances caused either by the reoccupation by another organism or by predation of the dweller. Two morphologies are related to reoccupation of burrows: those with a structure in form of an "umbrella” and another with smaller excavations at the bottom of the burrow. Predation by armadillos produces funnel-shaped burrows. Both active and abandoned Pavocosa sp. burrow casts are compared with existing ichnogenera and its distinction is discussed. It is argued that key features like the presence of a neck, a downward widening and the surface texture will allow recognition of wolf spider burrows in the fossil record. Fossil wolf spiders are recorded since the Paleogene (possibly Late Cretaceous), so Cenozoic continental rocks can contain wolf spider burrows awaiting recognition. In addition, the particular distribution of Pavocosa sp. in saline lakes may imply that this type of burrows are linked to saline environments.
Saving endangered bluefin tuna from extinction: the efforts of CBCGDF
Authors: Huang Shuya , Zhou Jinfeng , Wong Linda
Published: March 2018

Bluefin Tuna has become one of the most critically endangered marine species, but it is still legal to trade and consume in several countries. In order to protect this species from the enormous Chinese seafood market, China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) has made huge efforts towards stopping the trade of this endangered species. Learning from JD. com, one of the e-commerce giants in China, planned to introduce this delicacy to Chinese consumers through its online platform, CBCGDF, along with other environmental organizations, had written several open letters to this platform. After receiving the open letters, JD.com quickly responded and officially announced that they would remove all the Bluefin Tuna products from the platform. All other Chinese e-commerce platforms have also followed and removed all the Bluefin Tuna products from their platforms. After this success, CBCGDF continues to actively seek for international cooperation with experts, professors, politicians and stakeholders and has developed an initiative called "Bluefin Tuna Coalition International (BTCI)". In addition, wishing to raise the public awareness of protecting endangered Bluefin Tuna and appreciate the prompt action of JD.com, CBCGDF announced that the “Bluefin Tuna Day” is set up on the June 12th of every year.
Effects of Marine Proteced Areas on the invasive success of six macroalgae species
Authors: Blanco Cartagena Andreu , Sousa Troncoso Jesús , Olabarria Celia , Loureiro Lemos Marco Filipe
Published: March 2018

Negative impacts of marine invasions include loss of genetic diversity, ecosystem functions/processes, and/or community structure and, consequently, a threat to global biodiversity through biotic homogenization. Recent studies indicate that invasive macroalgae make up a significant proportion of marine invasive species. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been proved to have positive effects on marine biodiversity conservation; however, their role in preventing biological invasions, especially macroalgae, is still poorly understood. In this context, we studied the effects of protection and wave exposure on the abundance of six invasive macroalgae (Grateloupia turuturu, Asparagopsis armata, Colpomenia peregrina, Sargassum muticum, Undaria pinnatifida, and Codium fragile ssp. fragile) at two MPAs of the western Iberian Peninsula, one located along the Spanish coast (Illas Atlánticas) and the other on the Portuguese coast (Berlangas). The results showed opposite effects of protection and wave-exposure at the two MPAs. Greater biomass of invasive macroalgae was found at semiexposed areas outside the reserve in the Spanish MPA, whereas in the Portuguese reserve, biomass (especially of A. armata) was significantly greater inside the reserve, mainly at semiexposed sites. These differences highlight the importance of understanding the functioning of reserves to apply proper conservation management policies in order to preserve the MPAs resilience.
Diversity and biological trait analysis of soft-bottom macrobenthic communities in the Belgian part of the North Sea.
Authors: Breine Naomi , De Backer Annelies , Hostens Kris , Van Colen Carl , Moens Tom , Van Hoey Gert
Published: March 2018

Soft-bottom macrobenthic communities are an essential part of the marine ecosystem for which a healthy status is aimed at. Therefore, insights in the structural and functional (trait based) characteristics of the soft-bottom benthic communities in the Southern part of the North Sea are obtained based on 18 years of data, with a large spatial coverage. The communities show clear differences in their structural properties. The fine sand Abra alba community and coarse sand Hesionura elongata community have the highest species richness and diversity values. The muddy Limecola balthica community and medium sand Nephtys cirrosa community the lowest. However, looking at biological trait characteristics, the communities show some functional redundancy. In the relative coarser, permeable sands, more free living, mobile species, were found causing diffusive mixing, whilst the finer sand and mud communities have more sessile, tube building and burrow dwelling species. With their contribution to bioturbation and bio-irrigation processes, the benthic fauna prove to be essential for the biogeochemical status of these finer sand sediments. Based on this integrated evaluation of biodiversity and functional related characteristics, we will demonstrate how this improve status assessments and an appropriate determination of the habitat sensitivity to different human induced pressures.
Relating productivity patterns to functional diversity of North Sea macrofauna – knowledge increase by functional focus?
Authors: Andresen Henrike , Dannheim Jennifer , Brey Thomas
Published: March 2018

The benthic compartment is central to ecosystem services in shelf seas. Assemblages with a higher diversity have been suggested to operate more effectively. However, there is no general ecological relationship between diversity and ecosystem functioning due to species-specific effects and environmental influences. We are taking a trait-based and large-scale observational approach to link patterns in macrofaunal functional diversity with ecosystem functioning in the southern North Sea, a marginal sea of the North Atlantic. Secondary production serves as a quantitative measure of ecosystem functioning. It is calculated with taxon-specific empirical production models, while functional diversity is expressed in indices based on trait dissimilarities. Using spatially implicit regressions, we analyze how secondary production is related to functional diversity and environmental factors. Further, we explore whether models are improved by substituting functional diversity with specific key traits potentially related to secondary production. The North Sea has a long history of cumulating local and global human influences. Knowledge on the predictive value of trait diversity for maintaining productivity in our system is needed for succeeding research on consequences of changes in biodiversity for ecosystem functioning.
Seasonal changes in the abundance and biomass of copepod in the southwestern Baltic Sea in 2010 and 2011
Authors: Dzierzbicka-Glowacka Lidia , Lemieszek Anna , Griniene Evelina , Kalarus Marcin
Published: March 2018

Background. Copepods are the major secondary producers in the World Ocean. They represent an important link between phytoplankton, microzooplankton and higher trophic levels such as fish. They are an important source of food for many fish species, but also a significant producer of detritus. In terms of their role in the marine food web, it is important to know how the environmental variability affects the population of Copepoda.

Methods. The study of the zooplankton community in the south-western Baltic Sea conducted during a 24-month survey (January 2010 to November 2011) resulted in 24 invertebrate species identified (10copepods, 7cladocerans, 4rotifers, 1ctenophore, Fritillaria borealis and Hyperia galba). Data were collected at two stations located on the open-sea deep-water station – the Gdańsk Deep (54o50’φN, 19o19’λE) and in the western, inner part of the Gulf of Gdańsk (54o32’ φN, 18o48.2 ’λE). Vertical hauls were carried out using two nets: a Copenhagen net with an inlet diameter of 50 cm and a mesh diameter of 100 µm (in 2010) and WP-2 net from KC Denmark with an inlet diameter of 57 cm and a mesh diameter of 100 µm (in 2011).

Results. The paper describes seasonal changes in the abundance and biomass of Copepoda, taking into account the main Baltic calanoid copepod taxa (Acartia spp., Temora longicornis and Pseudocalanus sp.). They usually represented the main component of zooplankton. The average number of Copepoda at station P1 during the study period of 2010 was 3913 ind.m-3 (SD 2572) and their number ranged from 1184 ind. m-3 (in winter) to 6293 ind.m-3 (in spring). One year later, the average count of copepods was higher, i.e. 11 723 ind. m-3 (SD 6980) and ranged from 2351 ind. m-3 (in winter) to 18 307 ind.m-3 (in summer). Their average count at station P2 in 2010 was 29 141 ind. m-3 ranging from 3330 ind.m-3 (in March) to 67 789 ind. m-3 (in May). The average count of copepods in 2011 was much lower – 17 883 ind./m3 and ranged from 1360 ind./m3 (in April) to 39 559 ind./m3 (in May).

Discussion. The environment of pelagic animals changes with the distance from the shore and with the sea depth. Although the qualitative structure of zooplankton is almost identical with that of the coastal waters, the quantitative structure changes quite significantly. The maximum values of zooplankton abundance and biomass were observed in the summer season, both in the Gdańsk Deep and the inner part of the Gulf of Gdańsk. Copepoda dominated in the composition of zooplankton for almost the entire duration of the research.. Quantitative taxonomic composition of Copepoda at station P1 (the Gdańsk Deep) was different compared to station P2 (the western, inner part of the Gulf of Gdańsk) due to a high percentage of a crustacean preferring waters with lower temperature and higher salinity – Pseudocalanus sp.
Fingernails as a biomarker for dental fluorosis
Authors: Rigo Lilian , Cericato Graziela Oro , Sabadin Clarice Sagin , Solda Caroline , Mário Débora Nunes , Buzalaf Marília Afonso Rabelo
Published: March 2018

Introduction: Biomarkers indicate levels of a particular chemical agent in the environment studied, which may be useful for monitoring health status, and nails may be major indicators of fluoride. Objective: To evaluate fluoride concentration in the fingernails of children as a biomarker for fluoride exposure. Methods: Twenty students were selected, aged 4-5 years old. Their nails were cut at 15 and 45 days (two collections), and the fluoride concentration in the nails was analyzed with the ion-specific electrode (Orion 9409) after rapid diffusion with HDMS.Results: The total fluoride mean of the samples was 3.68 μg F/g (sd 1.44), ranging from 1.39 μg F/g to 7.81 μg F/g. Eleven children (55%) brush their teeth three times a day, but only three children (15%) swallow toothpaste. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of fluoride exposure in the fingernails of the children studied, presenting risk of developing dental fluorosis in permanent teeth.
Juridical perspectives of interruption of pregnancy with zika virus infection regarding medical, emotional and social consequences
Authors: Prata Ana Rita Souza , Pedroso Daniela , Menezes Greice , Drezett Jefferson , Torres José Henrique Rodrigues , Bonfim José Ruben De Alcântara , Adesse Leila , Braga Maria Elisa Dos Santos , Kulcsar Monica , Corcioli Filho Roberto Luiz , Gollop Thomaz Rafael , Pestana Yasmin Oliveira Mercadante
Published: March 2018

Introduction: The Zika virus was identified in 1947 in Rhesus monkeys in the Republic of Uganda and isolated in humans in 1952 in the same country. Up to 2007 there were few cases of human infection in African and Asian countries. The first outbreak of the Zika virus occurred in Brazil in 2015, becoming a serious public health problem due to the increase in the number of cases of microcephaly in infected pregnant women. Objective: To describe the legal abortion at Zika virus infection during pregnancy regarding medical, emotional and social consequences. perspectives of abortion for the pregnant woman with Zika virus regarding the medical, emotional and social consequences. Methods: This is a documentary study based on documents about abortion and its outcomes in Brazil. Technical norms, textbooks, indexed articles of Scopus and PubMed, documents extracted from international human rights treaties and conventions, and legal documents on the subject were used. It was decided to direct the text based on the experiences of each theme on abortion and its outcomes in Brazil, with a synthesis of the current scenario.  Results: Recognizing the exceptional nature of this situation, it is sought to confer an interpretation according to the Constitution and Article 128 of the Criminal Code, based on an analogical application, which seeks to protect the physical and mental health of women infected by the Zika virus. It is possible to qualify the practice of abortion in these circumstances as atypical conduct by the state of necessity, excluding the unlawfulness by comparing with articles 23, I and 24 of the Penal Code.  Conclusion: Authorizing the termination of pregnancy after diagnosis of the virus Zika guarantees women the free exercise of their reproductive rights, which is not confused with state imposition of abortion or eugenic practice.
Portuguese translation and Brazilian cultural adaptation of the Assessment of Burden in Chronic Venous Disease questionnaire (ABC-V)
Authors: Almeida Rafael Cunha de , Zachêu Paulo Roberto Zamfolini , Diniz Mariana Terra , Dias Maria Carolina Cozzi Pires de Oliveira , Guiguer Isabella Cherkezian , Almeida Ricardo Cunha de , Corrêa João Antonio
Published: March 2018

Introduction: The Assessment of Burden in Chronic Venous Disease questionnaire (ABC-V) is a valuable tool for assessing the impact that chronic venous disease (CVD) has on patients’ quality of life (QL). There was a need for a translated and adapted version suitable for use in the Brazilian population. CVD is becoming a public health issue as the incidence and prevalence are high. The ABC-V can be used to collect information on patients’ QL and thus the development of a Brazilian version that facilitates research into the CVD population. Objective: To provide translation and cultural validation of the Assessment of Burden in Chronic-Venous Disease (ABC-V) questionnaire for the Portuguese language. Methods: The ABC-V was translated into Portuguese by two bilingual translators working independently. The translators then created a consensus version, which was translated back into English by two native English speakers. Finally all the versions were analysed by a committee of with expertise in translation and the two cultures involved. The committee produced a draft Portuguese-language version which was tested in a pilot sample of between 30 and 40 people. The committee evaluated feedback from the pilot sample on the clarity and comprehensibility of the draft version.  Results: The draft version was completed by 31 patients at the Chronic Venous Diseases Department of Padre Anchieta’s Teaching Hospital. With the analysis of the questionnaires used in the pre-test, it is possible to observe that in English, unlike Portuguese, verbs are often used in the passive tense. It also emerged that there was a need to use more colloquial terms and expressions so that the question would be easier to understand, whilst preserving the meaning of the original items. Changing the tone of the questionnaire in this way should make it more suitable for use with people from a wide range of socioeconomic levels, especially those with lower social status and less education. Because the questions are qualitative rather than quantitative they are more open to interpretation and elicit more subjective responses. This creates an additional difficulty in adapting the questionnaire for the Brazilian cultural context. The data from pilot-testing of the draft version was used to develop a translated and culturally adapted version of the ABC-V using the procedure described by Beaton et al.  Conclusion: A translated and culturally adapted version of the ABC-V suitable for use in Brazil has been developed and can be used to evaluate changes in the QL of Brazilian patients with CVD.
Strong genetic differentiation in tropical seagrass Enhalus acoroides (Hydrocharitaceae) at the Indo-Malay Archipelago revealed by microsatellite DNA
Authors: Putra I Nyoman Giri , Syamsuni Yuliana Fitri , Subhan Beginer , Pharmawati Made , Madduppa Hawis
Published: March 2018

The Indo-Malay Archipelago is regarded as a barrier that separates organisms of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Previous studies of marine biota from this region have found a variety of biogeographic barriers, seemingly dependent on taxon and methodology. Several hypotheses, such as emergence of the Sunda Shelf and recent physical oceanography, have been proposed to account for the genetic structuring of marine organisms in this region. Here, we used six microsatellite loci to infer genetic diversity, population differentiation and phylogeographic patterns of Enhalus acoroides across the Indo-Malay Archipelago. Heterozygosities were consistently high, and significant isolation-by-distance, consistent with restricted gene flow, was observed. Both a neighbour joining tree based on DA distance and Bayesian clustering revealed three major clusters of E. acoroides. Our results indicate that phylogeographic patterns of E. acoroides have possibly been influenced by glaciation and deglaciation during the Pleistocene. Recent physical oceanography such as the South Java Current and the Seasonally Reversing Current may also play a role in shaping the genetic patterns of E. acoroides.
Spatial–temporal trend for mother-to-child transmission of HIV up to infancy and during pre-Option B+ in western Kenya, 2007–13
Authors: Waruru Anthony , Achia Thomas N.O. , Muttai Hellen , Ng’ang’a Lucy , Zielinski-Gutierrez Emily , Ochanda Boniface , Katana Abraham , Young Peter W. , Tobias James L. , Juma Peter , De Cock Kevin M. , Tylleskär Thorkild
Published: March 2018

Introduction

Using spatial–temporal analyses to understand coverage and trends in elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (e-MTCT) efforts may be helpful in ensuring timely services are delivered to the right place. We present spatial–temporal analysis of seven years of HIV early infant diagnosis (EID) data collected from 12 districts in western Kenya from January 2007 to November 2013, during pre-Option B+ use.

Methods

We included in the analysis infants up to one year old. We performed trend analysis using extended Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel stratified test and logistic regression models to examine trends and associations of infant HIV status at first diagnosis with: early diagnosis (<8 weeks after birth), age at specimen collection, infant ever having breastfed, use of single dose nevirapine, and maternal antiretroviral therapy status. We examined these covariates and fitted spatial and spatial–temporal semiparametric Poisson regression models to explain HIV-infection rates using R-integrated nested Laplace approximation package. We calculated new infections per 100,000 live births and used Quantum GIS to map fitted MTCT estimates for each district in Nyanza region.

Results

Median age was two months, interquartile range 1.5–5.8 months. Unadjusted pooled positive rate was 11.8% in the seven-years period and declined from 19.7% in 2007 to 7.0% in 2013, p < 0.01. Uptake of testing ≤8 weeks after birth was under 50% in 2007 and increased to 64.1% by 2013, p < 0.01. By 2013, the overall standardized MTCT rate was 447 infections per 100,000 live births. Based on Bayesian deviance information criterion comparisons, the spatial–temporal model with maternal and infant covariates was best in explaining geographical variation in MTCT.

Discussion

Improved EID uptake and reduced MTCT rates are indicators of progress towards e-MTCT. Cojoined analysis of time and covariates in a spatial context provides a robust approach for explaining differences in programmatic impact over time.

Conclusion

During this pre-Option B+ period, the prevention of mother to child transmission program in this region has not achieved e-MTCT target of ≤50 infections per 100,000 live births. Geographical disparities in program achievements may signify gaps in spatial distribution of e-MTCT efforts and could indicate areas needing further resources and interventions.
An overview on the interplay between nutraceuticals and gut microbiota
Authors: Catinean Adrian , Neag Maria Adriana , Muntean Dana Maria , Bocsan Ioana Corina , Buzoianu Anca Dana
Published: March 2018

Background

Nowadays, growing attention was being given to the alternative ways to prevent or treat diseases. Nutraceuticals are used increasingly for this purpose. Many of these are being used as alternative therapy. Classic therapy with synthetic drugs, although very effective, has many side effects. The term “nutraceuticals” refers to the link between the nutritional and pharmaceutical domains. Also, lately, many studies have been done to investigate the role of microbiota in maintaining health. There is the hypothesis that some of the health benefits of nutraceuticals are due to their ability to change the microbiota. The aim of this review was to emphasize the link between the most commonly used nutraceuticals, the microbiota and the health benefits.

Methods

We selected the articles in PubMed, published up to July 2017, that provided information about most used nutraceuticals, microbiota and health benefits. In this review, we incorporate evidence from various types of studies, including observational,in vitroandin vivo, clinical studies or animal experiments.

Results

The results demonstrate that many nutraceuticals change the composition of microbiota and can interfere with health status of the patients.

Discussion

There is evidence which sustains the importance of nutraceuticals in people’s health through microbiota but further studies are needed to complete the assessment of nutraceuticals in health benefit as a consequence of microbiota’s changing.
Ecosystem functional response across precipitation extremes in a sagebrush steppe
Authors: Tredennick Andrew T. , Kleinhesselink Andrew R. , Taylor J. Bret , Adler Peter B.
Published: March 2018

Background

Precipitation is predicted to become more variable in the western United States, meaning years of above and below average precipitation will become more common. Periods of extreme precipitation are major drivers of interannual variability in ecosystem functioning in water limited communities, but how ecosystems respond to these extremes over the long-term may shift with precipitation means and variances. Long-term changes in ecosystem functional response could reflect compensatory changes in species composition or species reaching physiological thresholds at extreme precipitation levels.

Methods

We conducted a five year precipitation manipulation experiment in a sagebrush steppe ecosystem in Idaho, United States. We used drought and irrigation treatments (approximately 50% decrease/increase) to investigate whether ecosystem functional response remains consistent under sustained high or low precipitation. We recorded data on aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP), species abundance, and soil moisture. We fit a generalized linear mixed effects model to determine if the relationship between ANPP and soil moisture differed among treatments. We used nonmetric multidimensional scaling to quantify community composition over the five years.

Results

Ecosystem functional response, defined as the relationship between soil moisture and ANPP, was similar among irrigation and control treatments, but the drought treatment had a greater slope than the control treatment. However, all estimates for the effect of soil moisture on ANPP overlapped zero, indicating the relationship is weak and uncertain regardless of treatment. There was also large spatial variation in ANPP within-years, which contributes to the uncertainty of the soil moisture effect. Plant community composition was remarkably stable over the course of the experiment and did not differ among treatments.

Discussion

Despite some evidence that ecosystem functional response became more sensitive under sustained drought conditions, the response of ANPP to soil moisture was consistently weak and community composition was stable. The similarity of ecosystem functional responses across treatments was not related to compensatory shifts at the plant community level, but instead may reflect the insensitivity of the dominant species to soil moisture. These species may be successful precisely because they have evolved life history strategies that buffer them against precipitation variability.
Plant community change in three Mongolian steppe ecosystems 1994–2013: applications to state‐and‐transition models
Authors: Jamiyansharav Khishigbayar , Fernández‐Giménez María E. , Angerer Jay P. , Yadamsuren Baasandorj , Dash Zumberelmaa
Published: March 2018

Interacting effects of climate change and livestock grazing on semi‐arid grassland ecosystems have not been well studied, especially on a long‐term basis. This paper analyzes changes in plant community composition in relation to grazing intensity and climate change based on repeated monitoring along long‐term grazing intensity gradients in three Mongolian ecological zones over 20 yr. We synthesized our findings into state‐and‐transition models of vegetation change, contributing to our understanding of ecological dynamics in relation to management and environmental change, and to the development of tools for resilience‐based rangeland management. In the mountain steppe (MS), community composition was driven largely by climate, and transitions from one community to another were associated with climate change or combined climate and grazing effects. The MS experienced the largest number of long‐term transitions (14 of 15 plots) over 20 yr. In the steppe (ST), grazing intensity was the strongest influence on community composition, but transitions between communities from the early 1990s to 2013 were most strongly correlated with climate change. Ten of the 15 ST plots transitioned to other communities over 20 yr. Community composition in the desert steppe (DS) was unrelated to either grazing intensity or climate change and only six of 15 plots transitioned permanently over 20 yr. The MS appears most vulnerable to climate‐induced community change, as others have suggested. Some degraded ST communities are resilient to climate change, while ST communities on drier sites are vulnerable to grazing‐induced community changes. Our findings illustrate the utility of state‐and‐transition models as a means to synthesize and depict plant community dynamics in relation to climate and management factors. These models identify communities that may be growing rarer or more common under the combined effects of climate change and grazing, and highlight species and communities that may be useful conservation targets or indicators of climate‐ or grazing‐induced change.
Party System Institutionalization and Reliance on Personal Income Taxation in Developing Countries
Authors: von Schiller Armin
Published: March 2018

This paper explores the effect of party system institutionalization on the relevance of personal income taxation in the tax composition. Based on a fiscal contractualism approach, I argue that institutionalized political party systems increase the capacity of political actors to commit credibly to fiscal contracts agreed with wealthy taxpayers. Consequently, especially where bureaucratic capacity is low, institutionalized political party systems should have a strong effect on the share of the tax burden that wealthy taxpayers are willing to accept. The analysis of panel data between 1990 and 2010 for a sample of over 90 countries supports this hypothesis. Party system institutionalization has a significant and strong positive effect on the relevance of the personal income taxation where bureaucratic capacity is low. At high levels of bureaucratic capacity, the effect disappears. The findings strongly support the claim that, particularly in developing countries, where bureaucratic capacity tends to be limited, taxation is best understood as a problem of credible commitment. © 2018 UNU‐WIDER. Journal of International Development published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tax Revenue Mobilization in Conflict‐affected Developing Countries
Authors: van den Boogaard Vanessa , Prichard Wilson , Benson Matthew S. , Milicic Nikola
Published: March 2018

How does conflict affect tax revenue mobilization? This paper uses a newly updated dataset to explore longitudinal trends of tax revenue mobilization prior to, during and after conflict periods in a selection of conflict‐affected states since 1980. This medium‐N trend analysis provides greater insight into the relationship between tax revenue performance over time and the characteristics of the conflicts in question. Offering detailed snapshots of tax experiences prior to, during and after conflict, this paper provides an empirical counterpoint to theories about the role of taxation in war making and state building. © 2018 UNU‐WIDER. Journal of International Development published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ag‐Nanoparticles‐Embedded Filter Paper: An Efficient Dip Catalyst for Aromatic Nitrophenol Reduction, Intramolecular Cascade Reaction, and Methyl Orange Degradation
Authors: Mourya Mohini , Choudhary Deepika , Basak Ashok Kumar , Tripathi Chandra Shekhar Pati , Guin Debanjan
Published: March 2018

Here we report on the preparation of a simple, efficient, and recyclable Ag‐dip‐catalyst by dip‐coating process. The dip catalyst was synthesized by dipping the filter papers (Whatman‐40) into pre‐synthesized monodispersed Ag nanoparticles suspensions in toluene. To illustrate the general applicability, the prepared Ag NPs based dip catalyst was tested in different model reactions such as nitro to amine reduction, intramolecular cascade reduction, and degradation of Methyl orange. It displayed high efficiency and excellent reusability. With many remarkable properties, these nanoparticles loaded dip catalyst open new avenues for applications of heterogeneous catalysis in both basic and industrial research.