bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Color Intensity of Architectural Concrete Depending on the Type of Cement
Authors: Utěšená Monika , Pernicova Radka
Published: April 2020

In this paper, the influence of the cement type on the final coloring of the concrete with colored powdered inorganic pigments used currently with increasing tendency in construction and modern architecture is presented. In the experimental testing, the difference in intensity/saturation of the color of the concrete containing white cement (CEM I 52.5 R - SR 5 white), which is preferred when using color pigments, and gray (conventional) Portland cement (CEM I 52.5 R) from the same manufacturer has been measured and compared. Three colored inorganic powder pigments (red, green and yellow pigment) containing iron oxides (Fe2O3) have been used to color the concrete mixture. Objectivity of measurement, comparison, and subsequent analysis of individual resulting shades has been ensured by measuring exact RGB values at several places of the concrete cured surface by means of the Colorimeter Colorcatch nanodevice which automatically eliminates all irrelevant color shades, shadows, and impurities. This eliminated the subjective color impression which is usually always biased by external circumstances. Comparison of the color intensity of six experimental samples, including three pigment colors and two types of cement (white/grey), is conclusively related to the color efficiency ratio, the resulting costs, and the ecological footprint arising from the production of the cements above.
Regulation of Gene Expression through Gut Microbiota-Dependent DNA Methylation in Colonic Epithelial Cells
Authors: Takahashi Kyoko , Sugi Yutaka , Nakano Kou , Kobayakawa Tetsuro , Nakanishi Yusuke , Tsuda Masato , Hosono Akira , Kaminogawa Shuichi
Published: April 2020

A huge number of commensal bacteria inhabit the intestine, which is equipped with the largest immune system in the body. Recently, the regulation of various physiological functions of the host by these bacteria has attracted attention. In this study, the effects of commensal bacteria on gene expression in colonic epithelial cells (CoECs) were investigated with focus on regulation of DNA methylation. RNA sequencing analyses of CoECs from conventional, germ-free, and MyD88−/− mice indicated that, out of the genes affected by commensal bacteria, those downregulated in a MyD88-independent manner were most frequently observed. Furthermore, when the 5′ regions of genes downregulated by commensal bacteria in CoECs were captured using a customized array and immunoprecipitated with the anti-methyl cytosine Ab, a certain population of these genes was found to be highly methylated. Comprehensive analysis of DNA methylation in the 5′ regions of genes in CoECs from conventional and germ-free mice upon pull-down assay with methyl-CpG–binding domain protein 2 directly demonstrated that DNA methylation in these regions was influenced by commensal bacteria. Actually, commensal bacteria were shown to control expression of Aldh1a1, which encodes a retinoic acid–producing enzyme and plays an important role in the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis via DNA methylation in the overlapping 5′ region of Tmem267 and 3110070M22Rik genes in CoECs. Collectively, it can be concluded that regulation of DNA methylation in the 5′ regions of a specific population of genes in CoECs acts as a mechanism by which commensal bacteria have physiological effects on the host.
The CD137 Ligand Is Important for Type 1 Diabetes Development but Dispensable for the Homeostasis of Disease-Suppressive CD137+ FOXP3+ Regulatory CD4 T Cells
Authors: Foda Bardees M. , Ciecko Ashley E. , Serreze David V. , Ridgway William M. , Geurts Aron M. , Chen Yi-Guang
Published: April 2020

CD137 modulates type 1 diabetes (T1D) progression in NOD mice. We previously showed that CD137 expression in CD4 T cells inhibits T1D, but its expression in CD8 T cells promotes disease development by intrinsically enhancing the accumulation of β-cell–autoreactive CD8 T cells. CD137 is expressed on a subset of FOXP3+ regulatory CD4 T cells (Tregs), and CD137+ Tregs are the main source of soluble CD137. Soluble CD137 suppresses T cells in vitro by binding to the CD137 ligand (CD137L) upregulated on activated T cells. To further study how the opposing functions of CD137 are regulated, we successfully targeted Tnfsf9 (encoding CD137L) in NOD mice using the CRISPR/Cas9 system (designated NOD.Tnfsf9−/−). Relative to wild-type NOD mice, T1D development in the NOD.Tnfsf9−/− strain was significantly delayed, and mice developed less insulitis and had reduced frequencies of β-cell–autoreactive CD8 T cells. Bone marrow chimera experiments showed that CD137L-deficient hematopoietic cells were able to confer T1D resistance. Adoptive T cell transfer experiments showed that CD137L deficiency on myeloid APCs was associated with T1D suppression. Conversely, lack of CD137L on T cells enhanced their diabetogenic activity. Furthermore, neither CD137 nor CD137L was required for the development and homeostasis of FOXP3+ Tregs. However, CD137 was critical for the in vivo T1D-suppressive activity of FOXP3+ Tregs, suggesting that the interaction between CD137 and CD137L regulates their function. Collectively, our results provide new insights into the complex roles of CD137-CD137L interaction in T1D.
A new home for Tropical Zoology
Authors: Taiti Stefano
Published: April 2020

Dear readers and subscribers, starting from Volume 33 (2020), Tropical Zoology will have a new publisher. The journal, owned by the Italian Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), was born in 1966 as Monitore zoologico italiano Supplemento... [read]
PREDICTING SOLAR RADIATION FOR TROPICAL ISLANDS FROM RAINFALL DATA
Authors: Sendanayake Sisuru , Miguntanna Nandika , Jayasinghe M. T. R.
Published: April 2020

There are many correlations developed to predict incident solar radiation at a given location developed based on geographical and meteorological parameters. However, all correlations depend on accurate measurement and availability of weather data such as sunshine duration, cloud cover, relative humidity, maximum and minimum temperatures etc, which essentially is a costly exercise in terms of equipment and labour. Sri Lanka being a tropical island of latitudinal change of only 30 along the length of the country, the meteorological factors govern the amount of incident radiation. Considering the cloud formation and wind patterns over Sri Lanka as well as the seasonal rainfall patterns, it can be observed that the mean number of rainy days can be used to predict the monthly average daily global radiation which can be used for calculations in solar related activities conveniently.
Isozymes of malate-and lactate dehydrogenase of Astyanax bimaculatus as biomarkers of environmental impact
Authors: Almeida Marilia Elias de , Batista Maria Tereza Oliveira , Vani Gannabathula Sree , Oliveira Mariana Feijó de , Rodrigues Edson , Suda Cecilia Nahomi Kawagoe
Published: April 2020

The activity of certain isozymes may serve as biomarkers of specific physiological conditions of living organisms. The present work aimed to evaluate malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isozymes from the hepatic, branchial and renal tissues of the fish Astyanax bimaculatus as biochemical markers of environmental changes in the Una River Basin (Taubaté, SP, Brazil). For this study, the specimens were collected in water bodies located in three sampling sites of the basin, called P1 (Itaim stream), P2 (a stream along the Remédios municipal road) and P3 (a small lake near the Dr. José Luiz Cembranelli municipal road). Physicochemical analysis of the water from these sites indicated that P1 was the less polluted site, P2 presented high levels of electrolytes in water, and P3 presented the worst water quality among the sampling sites. The isoenzymes were separated by native-PAGE and identified by their activity on the polyacrylamide gel. The results indicated that four isozymes of MDH occur in the liver of these fish, and the activities of MDH-1 and MDH-4 were detected only in fish from P2, suggesting that these isoforms have potential as biomarkers of the presence of high levels of electrolytes in water. In the kidney, MDH-1 was detected in fish from P2 and P3, but it was not detected in those from P1, suggesting that the presence of this isozyme may be a biomarker of low-quality water. The gill MDH and LDH isozyme profiles of all tissues examined showed some similarities between individuals from the three collection sites, indicating that they are not suitable as biomarkers of the environmental conditions of these sites.
Effects of proximity to urban areas on a riparian bird community in remnant Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil
Authors: Lourenço Ana Cecília de Paula , Toledo Maria Cecília Barbosa de
Published: April 2020

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of urban activities on the structure and composition of a bird community in riparian forests in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The study was carried out in seven areas of remnant riparian forest where fixed points have been established to sample bird species. Richness, diversity, abundance, frequency and trophic groups were used as metrics of the bird community. At each point measurements were taken for: (1) habitat characteristics: average height of trees, number of trees above 2m, number of shrubs <2m and the percentage of canopy opening; (2) neighborhood characteristics: closest distance from open areas, highways, urban areas, river and floodplain to the point of observation. The observations resulted in 88 species of birds belonging to 34 families. The most representative families were Tyrannidae, Thraupidae and Picidae. The most predominant trophic groups were insectivorous (54%), omnivorous (11.5%) and frugivorous (10.3%). The results obtained showed that the number of trees explained the variation in abundance, while the mean height of the trees explained variations in richness and frequency. Overall, the bird community was negatively affected by proximity of urban areas and highways. In conclusion, the community of birds in the riparian forest may be affected by the loss of trees above 2m and by urbanization, leading mainly to the replacement of species belonging to specialist trophic groups by generalist species and those more adjusted to human presence.
Morphometric analysis of an Areal Watershed in Taubaté, SP, Brazil
Authors: Cezar Vicente Rodolfo Santos , Targa Marcelo Dos Santos , Catelani Celso De Souza
Published: April 2020

In 1991, the Integrated Water Resources Management System (SIGRHI) in the State of São Paulo adopted the watershed as a territorial unit for studies, integrated planning and sustainable development. The morphometric analysis of small watersheds, which involves the characterization of geometric parameters, relief, drainage network, combined with land use and occupation, may constitute an important model for environmental analysis of larger watersheds. This study aimed at characterization of the morphometry in the Areal river basin, in the city of Taubaté, São Paulo. The study found 1.89 km² of area, 7.44 km of perimeter and 3.11 km in length of the basin axis, which allowed the calculation of the compactness coefficient (Kc = 1.51), form factor, (F = 0.195) and circularity index (CI = 0.43), indicating that under normal precipitation conditions, this basin is unlikely to be flooded, due to the distance from the unit, leading to smaller concentrate outflow. The results obtained for the Maintenance Coefficient (Cm) indicate that 260 m² is required to maintain each meter of perennial channel. The high values of drainage density (Dd = 3.35 km.km-2) and sinuosity index (Is = 0.95) indicate that drainage channels in the area are rectilinear, thus suggesting the occurrence of a high surface runoff associated with high dissection. The analysis of land use and occupation revealed that, from the seven types of vegetation cover, the dominant cover in the Areal basin is 0.756 km2 (40%) constituted of pasture, while forest represents 0.580 km2 (31%), 0.321 km2 (17%) of the land cover is constituted of degraded forest. In terms of conservation, the Areal basin is conserved because, besides being located in the environmental preservation area of the Una River Basin, it is located at the meeting of two ecological corridors and is occupied by only 8 families of rural producers. On the other hand, the creation of approximately 120 head of cattle in the upper part of the basin and the existence of gully erosion of the order of 0.018 km2 (1%) of the basin area, which led to increased runoff and sediment concentration in the flat areas marginal to the creek of Areal. Based on morphometric analysis, it was concluded that: Areal watershed presents high capacity to form new watercourses and their relief characteristics, with low sinuosity channels and high values of altimetric amplitude, channel gradient, and density. Drainage, allied to the existence of erosive processes, favors sediment flow and transport. Conservation actions are required to control erosion.
The vanishing exponent limit for motion by a power of mean curvature
Authors: Liu Qing
Published: April 2020

We discuss limit behavior of solutions to level set equation of power mean curvature flow as the exponent tends to zero, which has important applications to shape analysis in image processing. A formal limit yields a fully nonlinear singular equation that describes the motion of a surface by the sign of its mean curvature.We justify the convergence by providing a definition of viscosity solutions to the limit equation and establishing a comparison principle.
A bulk-surface reaction-diffusion system for cell polarization
Authors: Niethammer Barbara , Röger Matthias , Velázquez Juan J.L.
Published: April 2020

We propose a model for cell polarization as a response to an external signal which results in a system of PDEs for different variants of a protein on the cell surface and interior respectively. We study stationary states of this model in certain parameter regimes in which several reaction rates on the membrane as well as the diffusion coefficient within the cell are large. It turns out that in suitable scaling limits steady states converge to solutions of some obstacle type problems. For these limiting problems we prove the onset of polarization if the total mass of protein is sufficiently small. For some variants we can even characterize precisely the critical mass for which polarization occurs.
Thermokarst amplifies fluvial inorganic carbon cycling and export across watershed scales on the Peel Plateau, Canada
Authors: Zolkos Scott , Tank Suzanne E. , Striegl Robert G. , Kokelj Steven V. , Kokoszka Justin , Estop-Aragonés Cristian , Olefeldt David
Published: April 2020

Abstract. The chemical weathering of minerals is a primary control on atmospheric CO2 levels and Earth's climate over geological timescales. As climate warming and precipitation intensify at high latitudes, glaciated terrains across the circumpolar north are poised for rapid geomorphic change and associated changes in mineral weathering dynamics. Here, we determine how the effects of permafrost thaw on mineral weathering sources and inorganic carbon cycling and export integrate across watershed scales (from ~ 2 to 1000 km2) in a permafrost terrain within a former glacial margin and dominated by relatively inorganic sediments (Peel Plateau, Canada). Our work was conducted along three nested transects with varying intensities of retrogressive thaw slump (RTS) thermokarst activity: a 550 m transect along a first-order thaw stream within a RTS; a 14 km transect along a stream which directly received RTS inputs; and a 70 km transect along a larger stream which received inputs from RTS-affected tributaries. In the thaw stream, rapid sulfuric acid weathering of carbonate tills appeared to amplify CO2 efflux to the atmosphere and HCO3− export downstream, where DIC and CO2 stable isotopes revealed a shift to an abiotic-inorganic driven aquatic carbon cycle. Along the intermediate transect, DIC concentrations were ten times higher in the RTS-affected reach than in the undisturbed headwaters, and decreased downstream with decreasing RTS area. Along the largest transect, HCO3− concentrations increased by two orders of magnitude in association with RTS activity, despite RTSs covering only ~ 0.5 % of the landscape. Statistical modeling of hydrochemical measurements and geospatial landscape data showed that RTSs were a primary landscape driver of HCO3− export across watershed scales. Constraining sources and rates of mineral weathering across diverse permafrost terrains will help to understand future changes in Arctic aquatic carbon cycling, as our results suggest that abiotic-inorganic processes may become prevalent.
A multi-year short-range hindcast experiment for evaluating climate model moist processes from diurnal to interannual time scales
Authors: Ma Hsi-Yen , Zhou Chen , Zhang Yunyan , Klein Stephen A. , Zelinka Mark D. , Zheng Xue , Xie Shaocheng , Chen Wei-Ting , Wu Chien-Ming
Published: April 2020

Abstract. We present a multi-year short-range hindcast experiment and its experiment procedure for better evaluating both the mean state and variability of atmospheric moist processes in climate models from diurnal to interannual time scales to facilitate model development. We use the Community Earth System Model version 1 as the based model and performed a suite of 3-day long hindcasts every day starting at 00Z from 1997 to 2012. Three processes – the diurnal cycle of clouds during different cloud regimes over the Central U.S., precipitation and diabatic heating associated with the Madden-Julian Oscillation propagation, and the response of moist processes to sea surface temperature anomalies associated with the El Niño-Southern Oscillation – are evaluated as examples to demonstrate how one can better utilize simulations from this experiment design to gain insights into model errors and their connection to physical parameterizations or large-scale state. This is achieved by comparing the hindcasts with corresponding long-term observations for periods based on different phenomena. These analyses can only be done through this multi-year hindcast approach to establish robust statistics of the processes under well-controlled large-scale environment. Furthermore, comparison of hindcasts to the typical simulations in climate mode with the same model allows one to infer what portion of a model’s climate error directly comes from fast errors in the parameterizations of moist processes. As demonstrated here, model biases in the mean state and variability associated parameterized moist processes usually develop within a few days, and manifest within weeks to affect the simulations of large-scale circulation and ultimately the climate mean state and variability. Therefore, model developers can achieve additional useful understanding of the underlying problems in model physics by conducting a multi-year hindcast experiment.
Ocean-forced evolution of the Amundsen Sea catchment, West Antarctica, by 2100
Authors: Alevropoulos-Borrill Alanna V. , Nias Isabel J. , Payne Antony J. , Golledge Nicholas R. , Bingham Rory J.
Published: April 2020

Abstract. The response of ice streams in the Amundsen Sea Embayment (ASE) to
future climate forcing is highly uncertain. Here we present projections of
21st century response of ASE ice streams to modelled local ocean
temperature change using a subset of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project
(CMIP5) simulations. We use the BISICLES adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) ice
sheet model, with high-resolution grounding line resolving capabilities, to
explore grounding line migration in response to projected sub-ice-shelf
basal melting. We find a contribution to sea level rise of between 2.0
and 4.5 cm by 2100 under RCP8.5 conditions from the CMIP5 subset, where the
mass loss response is linearly related to the mean ocean temperature
anomaly. To account for uncertainty associated with model initialization, we
perform three further sets of CMIP5-forced experiments using different
parameterizations that explore perturbations to the prescription of initial
basal melt, the basal traction coefficient and the ice stiffening factor.
We find that the response of the ASE to ocean temperature forcing is highly
dependent on the parameter fields obtained in the initialization procedure,
where the sensitivity of the ASE ice streams to the sub-ice-shelf melt
forcing is dependent on the choice of parameter set. Accounting for ice
sheet model parameter uncertainty results in a projected range in sea level
equivalent contribution from the ASE of between −0.02 and 12.1 cm by the
end of the 21st century.
Posttraumatic growth and predictor variables in Brazilian women with breast cancer
Authors: Villanova Quiroga Carolina , Bridi Dacroce Luísa Raquel , Rudnicki Tânia , De Lima Argimon Irani Iracema
Published: April 2020

Objective: Breast cancer is the most prevalent oncologic diagnosis given to women all around the world, and can cause diverse psychiatric symptomatologies and damage to the life of its carrier. The concept of posttraumatic growth (PTG) focuses on the perception of a positive change from the experience of a stressing situation. This study’s objective was to evaluate PTG and different predictor variables for women (n=84) with breast cancer in Brazil. Method: On this exploratory study, self-report scales referring to the diagnosis period and oncologic treatment were applied individually. Results: Having a husband/partner, adaptive coping strategies and a religion of identification were found to be predictor variables in different established regressive models. Rumination did not show any correlation to PTG scores, refuting the results of previous studies. The results found in this study confirm previous research as for PTG predictors, except for rumination. Conclusions: Positive changes resulting from experiencing breast cancer are present in Brazilian women and different interventions can be thought of based on the study of predictors.
Mindfulness y duelo: programa MADED, mindfulness para la aceptación del dolor, las emociones y el duelo
Authors: Alonso-Llácer Lorena , Barreto Martín Pilar , Ramos-Campos Marta , Mesa-Gresa Patricia , Lacomba-Trejo Laura , Pérez-Marín Marian
Published: April 2020

Objetivo: diseñar un protocolo de intervención psicológica para el acompañamiento del dolor y las emociones en el proceso de duelo basado en la atención y la compasión. Método: se incluirán dolientes mayores de 18 años, que hayan perdido al familiar al menos hace 6 meses, que se encuentren en la fase 2 o 3 de elaboración del duelo y sin presencia de problemas de salud mental previa. Se les evaluará después de firmar el consentimiento informado, mediante: el Cuestionario de Mindfulness, el Cuestionario de Satisfacción con la Vida, el Cuestionario de Vitalidad, la Escala Hospitalaria de Ansiedad y Depresión, la Escala de Afecto Positivo y Negativo e Inventario de Duelo Complicado. Se llevarán a cabo: estadísticos descriptivos, pruebas t para muestras independientes y d de Cohen o prueba U de Mann-Whitney r de Rosenthal si no se cumplen los supuestos. Además, se llevará a cabo un ANCOVA junto a eta cuadrado parcial. Resultado: el programa MADED (Mindfulness para la aceptación del dolor y las emociones en el duelo), consta de nueve sesiones semanales. Conclusión: Las sesiones que componen el programa facilitan la elaboración saludable del proceso de duelo basándose en la integración de los principios del mindfulness.
Afrontamiento y calidad de vida en pacientes con cáncer de mama: Estudio preliminar de semejanzas y diferencias entre pacientes con y sin metástasis
Authors: Font Guiteras Antoni , Reventós Osuna Paula , Falo Zamora Catalina
Published: April 2020

Objetivo: Obtener información sobre las estrategias de afrontamiento que utilizan las pacientes de cáncer de mama y su relación con la calidad de vida, diferenciando dos situaciones de salud: pacientes con y sin metástasis, atendidas en un mismo hospital oncológico especializado de nuestro entorno. Método: 60 mujeres con cáncer de mama fueron entrevistadas individualmente y completaron dos instrumentos que medían diversos componentes de afectación de la calidad de vida (QLTF) y cinco maneras diferentes de enfrentarse a la enfermedad (test mini-MAC). Resultados: Las estrategias de afrontamiento se relacionan con la calidad de vida de las pacientes con cáncer de mama. En nuestro estudio observamos que responder a la situación oncológica mediante “Preocupación Ansiosa” o Desesperanza” correlaciona con una mayor afectación de la calidad de vida general. Sin embargo, no se observan diferencias significativas entre pacientes con metástasis y sin metástasis en cuanto a las estrategias utilizadas. Las pacientes con metástasis presentan más dificultades en la realización de sus actividades cotidianas, pero el malestar emocional es similar en ambos grupos de pacientes. Conclusión: En congruencia con estudios previos, las estrategias y respuestas de afrontamiento activo se relacionan con mejor calidad de vida. Aunque las pacientes con metástasis presentan más dificultades y afectación de la calidad de vida, parece ser que se enfrentan a la enfermedad de manera similar a las pacientes sin metástasis.
Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Consumer Response in Pakistan: A Mediating Role of Positive Moral Emotions, Attitude, and Consumer-Company Identification
Authors: Ullah Muhammad Hafeez , Siddiqui Danish Ahmed
Published: April 2020

Many companies and brands are using CSR to enhance the brand image, goodwill and to gain the confidence and trust of the people. The purpose of this study is to investigate how CSR initiatives got converted into consumer favorable responses. We proposed a theoretical framework, modifying Dedeke’s (2015) model that hypothesized that CSR activities affect responses of the consumers towards corporate brands both directly or indirectly through mediating roles of moral emotions, attitude and consumer-company identification (CCI). Positive emotions were further broken down into awe, gratitude, and elevation, whereas consumer responses were measured in terms of purchase intention (PI), recommend intention (RI), and loyalty. To establish the empirical validity, a quantitative study was conducted, a close-ended Likert scale type questionnaire was developed whilst data were gathered from 300 adult consumers from Karachi, Pakistan by using convenient sampling. Data were analyzed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis and SEM. The results concluded that CSR has a significant positive impact directly on consumer responses (Purchase Intention, Recommend Intention but not on loyalty) whereas CSR has a significant positive effect on all three positive emotions, attitudes and CCI. However, Positive Emotions have an insignificant effect on consumer responses. Apart from gratitude affecting loyalty. Hence there is a positive mediatory effect of CCI for all dimensions of customer responses. Whereas gratitude and attitude also mediate loyalty and PI respectively.
Study of the Red Rice Parboilization Process
Authors: Vasconcelos Martins Georgiana Maria , De Souza Pereira Victor , Rosendo Martins Bruna Lorrane , De Sousa Severina , Martins Duarte Maria Elita , Rangel Moreira Cavalcanti Mata Mario Eduardo , Lisboa Oliveira Hugo Miguel
Published: April 2020

This research aimed to obtain information on hydrated red rice at different temperatures (45, 55, 65 and 75 °C) for 7 hours. During the hydration process, the structural and morphological modifications of red rice were observed, as well as the hydration kinetics by Peleg (1988), Cavalcanti-Mata & Duarte (2018) and Duarte & Cavalcanti Mata (2018) models. There were performed X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis in order to identify the type of crystallinity and to obtain images referring to the surfaces of the starch granules particles. The results identified by the XRD analysis that hydrated red rice is classified as type a starch. And the SEM analysis identified that there was a change in its morphological structure, providing the beginning of red rice starch gelatinization. The absorption kinetics showed that above 5 hours of hydration at 55, 65 and 75 °C, the red rice grain reaches 28% water content. Mathematical modeling proves that the models proposed by Cavalcanti & Duarte and Cavalcanti Mata & Duarte (2018) performed better than Peleg's model (1988), according to the statistical parameters evaluated (P, SE, DQM, and R2). The XRD and SEM results of red rice hydrated for 7 hours at 55 °C, autoclaved for 14, 22 and 30 minutes and dried at 50, 60 and 70 °C confirm parboiling process since the starchy structure of red rice was very distinct from the type A starch structure and confirmed the starch gelatinization.
Teaching Business Statistics: Some Useful Relationships
Authors: Rice Philip F. , Brune Chris
Published: April 2020

The purpose of this paper is to suggest an instructional approach in the introductory business statistics course that utilizes relationships between separately introduced topics. The paper will explore three “useful relationships” that can assist classroom instruction: (1) the relationship between the simple arithmetic mean, the weighted arithmetic mean, and the expected value of a discrete probability distribution; (2) the relationship between the use of the multiplication rule to calculate the joint probability associated with two events, use of tree diagrams, and the use of the binomial and hypergeometric distributions; and (3) the relationship between the geometric mean and the compound interest rate. Each discussion includes detailed examples of calculations to demonstrate the relationships.
Characterizations of Exponentiated Generalized Power Lindley and Geometric-Zero Truncated Poisson Distributions
Authors: Hamedani Gholamhossein G. , Nezampour Shirin
Published: April 2020

MirMostafaee et al. (2019) proposed a continuous univariate distribution called Exponentiated Generalized Power Lindley (EGPL) distribution and studied certain properties and applications of their distribution. Akdogan et al. (2019) introduced a discrete distribution called Geometric-Zero Truncated Poisson (GZTP) distribution and provided its properties and applications. The present short note is intended to complete, in some way, the works cited above via establishing certain characterizations of the EGPL and GZTP distributions in different directions.
Function of caring as indicators of change in space of children’s and parents’ contemporary education
Authors: Gajewska Grażyna
Published: April 2020

Childcare is a primary and systematic action that enables survival, but also education. Therefore, it should be exercised in such a way as to achieve the best course until the pupil becomes relatively independent. Nowadays, the living space of children and their parents is changing so much that the assumed functions of childcare (that we understand as its outcomes) are not always implemented correctly. Childcare is strongly institutionalized and is not always a system of integrated activities focusing on the child. The proposed reflection is an analysis of scientifically known assumed care functions related to selected areas of child education: family and outside-family education, school and outside-school, that should be modified in the modern space of child’s life in order to achieve better educational results. They will be supported by both published research results as well as several author’s polls.
"Mutual sharing" - master and student in the individual and common scientific world
Authors: Zakrzewska-Olędzka Dominika , Markowska-Manista Urszula
Published: April 2020

The article is an analysis of the master-student relationship in the dimension of academic cooperation. We attempt to diagnose the current situation from the perspective of young scientists and identify good practices in the form of potentially supporting activities for their development. We appeal, among others to the term "mutual sharing" as a key factor for the development of a mutually enriching relationship.
The issues raised in the project are a response to changes taking place in the modern world, which shape the need to verify and update the perception of the master's definition and the specificity of his relationship with the student, so that it corresponds to current needs.
The need for school humanization in terms of language of values
Authors: Michalski Andrzej
Published: April 2020

The article about the need for school humanization in terms of language of values is part of a discourse by Professor Maria Dudzikowa on signs of dehumanization in schools. In the perspective of zoonotic imagery. This sketch is an attempt to define the school humanization term and to embed it in the axiological aspect of the language of values and ethics of the word. This is an open continuation of the axiological and pedagogical idea concluded in many texts on interpersonal relationships in education.
The aim of the article is to stipulate about the humanization of school in a broader, not just language, context, resulting from a personalistic approach to education – affirmation of students, teachers and their subjectivity.
Keywords: dehumanization of school, humanization of school, language of values, school ethics, communication
Important reading list.
Realization of the message of Maria Dudzikowa about careful study of literature
Authors: Sajdera Jolanta
Published: April 2020

The aim of the article is to trigger reflection on the message of Maria Dudzikowa concerning the importance of a careful study of literature by young researchers. The memories of the conversations with the professor among and in the vicinity of books - in literal or symbolic meaning- served as an inspiration factor. The selected texts by Florian Znaniecki - one of many authors appearing on " a reading list of significant titles ", which she encouraged her students and followers to reach for- are the subject of the analysis. The direction of discussion is determined by the connections between the issues raised in "Sociology of education" and the problem areas that M. Dudzikowa dealt with.
Stereotypes concerning the phenomenon of violence in the contemporary Polish family
Authors: Herudzińska Małgorzata
Published: April 2020

The purpose of the article is to try to answer the general question about stereotypes regarding violence in the contemporary Polish family. The following specific questions arise: How is domestic violence understood? What types of violence can be distinguished? What are the effects of violence? Who is most often affected by violence? What stereotypes about domestic violence function in the social consciousness? For example: One of the stereotypes functioning in our society is the conviction that domestic violence primarily affects a family with a worse financial situation or a lower educational status. Whereas, therapists have often paid attention [...] to the fact that with the increase in education, the probability of using domestic violence is not reduced, but the forms become more sophisticated." (Muszyński 2008, s. 12).
In order to answer the abovementioned questions, the existing data and the results of Author’s own research will be used.
Interdependence between the family and professional work
Authors: Walczak Anna
Published: April 2020

Family and work are institutions of obvious importance from the point of view of an individual and society. These institutions are connected by a network of complex interactions. On the one hand, work, the conditions in which it is performed, income derived from it, can affect the functioning of the family and the way in which it is perceived. On the other hand, the degree of involvement of individuals in the professional sphere, expectations and aspirations connected with it may be a derivative of the family situation. The article presents a comparative analysis of family and work as values based on data from the European Value Survey. This international survey, conducted since 1990 in Poland on the basis of a representative, random sample, allows searching for determinants of the attitude to family, marriage and work. It allows also to conduct a longitudinal analysis. The family is invariably the dominant value and work is the second in the hierarchy, although its meaning begins to decline. Material culture and consumerism are reflected more and more clearly in the choices made by respondents. The work ceases to be an autotelic value. Parents with three or more children assign more importance to the sphere of their professional work, although at the same time this group is the least active professionally. Gender does not differentiate the approach to "work-life-balance", although women more often emphasize the importance of egalitarian sharing of household duties.
Symbolic meanings and other functions of the car in the present day family
Authors: Arcimowicz Krzysztof
Published: April 2020

In present day families a car fulfills utilitarian functions: it enables them to get to work, to drive children to school, to go on holiday, etc. However, the car has long ceased to be perceived, if ever ascribed to this function, as an object serving an efficient moving from “point A to point B.” The car has several symbolic meanings: the car may be a symbol of the economic status, a symbol of power, a reflection of one’s lifestyle, and so on. The aim of this article is to characterize the symbolic meanings of the car, its practical applications, as well as other functions of the car in the present day family. My theoretical considerations are primarily conducted in reference to the literature on sociology/anthropology of objects, sociology of the family as well as cultural gender studies. The article also presents results of the analysis of the content as well as the semiological analysis of advertisements of SUVs placed in official webpages of motor car concerns in Poland in 2014.
Key words: car, family, symbolic meanings of car, utilitarian functions of car, advertisement
Visualization of Linear Ordering Results for Ordinal Data with Application of Multidimensional Scaling
Authors: Walesiak Marek
Published: April 2020

A two-step procedure was proposed to visualization of linear ordering results for ordinal data. In the first step as a result of the application of multidimensional scaling (see Borg, Groenen, 2005; Mair et al., 2016) is to visualize objects in two-dimensional space. In the next step, a linear ordering is carried out with the use of the Euclidean distance from the pattern (ideal) object. The proposed approach expanded the possibilities of interpretation of the results of the linear ordering of set of objects. The article uses the concept of isoquant and path of development (the shortest way connecting ideal and anti-ideal object) proposed by Hellwig (1981). The proposed approach is illustrated by an empirical example with application of script of R environment.
The Okun’s Law in the Regional Labour Markets in Poland
Authors: Kliber Paweł
Published: April 2020

In the article we attempt to analyse unemployment in regional labour markets in Poland. According to the well-known Okun’s Law changes in unemployment are associated with changes in economic growth. We have examined whether the law is valid in the Polish regional labour markets. We have calculated Okun’s coefficients in the regions of Poland provinces and then estimated these coefficient for the groups of regions using seemingly unrelated regressions (SUR) method, which allows to take account for common shocks. The results show that the later approach (grouping regions) gives a better estimate, because it includes the correlation of random shocks in different provinces. Following the work of Perman, Tavera (2005), the groups of regions with the same values of Okun’s coefficients are treated as “clubs” of provinces with similar macroeconomic structure. Research have revealed the existence of two such clubs: one composed of regions in the western part of the country and the second one consisting of provinces from the eastern part of the Poland.
Two-Asset Portfolio with Triangular Fuzzy Present Values – An Alternative Approach
Authors: Piasecki Krzysztof , Siwek Joanna
Published: April 2020

The main purpose of this article is to present characteristics of a two-asset portfolio in case of present values of assets being given by a triangular fuzzy number. Fuzzy expected discounting factor for a portfolio and imprecision risk assessments for the imprecision burdening a portfolio were appointed throughout the paper. Thanks to this, the influence of portfolio diversification on an imprecision risk was analyzed and some interesting conclusions were stated.
Modeling Mortality in Poland by Means of Multi-Parameter Mortality Laws for Whole Life Span
Authors: Florczak Waldemar , Florczak Arkadiusz
Published: April 2020

In view of the contemporary changes in socio-economic processes implied by demographic conditions, it seems advisable to disseminate and deepen quantitative methods of modeling and forecasting demographic processes. This article deals with mortality analysis in Poland, of both males and females, in the years 1990–2015 by means of mortality laws covering the whole life span. Six models were investigated: 8-parameter Heligman-Pollard model, 9-parameter Heligman-Pollard model, Kostaki model, multixponential model, and finally 8- and 11-parameter Carriere models. The parameters of the models were estimated in R environment using numerical methods minimizing four different objective functions. The outcomes show that in the period under consideration some changes in the mortality patterns occurred. Now it is the 9-parameter Heligman-Pollard model for males and the 8-parameter Carriere model for females that seem best suited to model mortality in Poland.
Model for Order-Batching with Congestion Consideration
Authors: Tarczyński Grzegorz
Published: April 2020

The paper presents the model for optimal number of merged orders that will reduce the average order-picking time. Two order batching policies were described: pick-then-sort and sort-while-pick. One-block rectangular warehouses were considered. The author studied two routing heuristics: s-shape and return for which the equations for average order-picking time can be designated based on probability distributions: binomial distribution and uniform distribution. The research takes into account the possible congestion problem. Based on simulations the analytical form of blocking time for pickers was proposed. The study shows that the advantages of each additional merged order is getting smaller. Using ABC classification for storage location assignment in warehouses with low number of aisles and large pick lists can extend the average order-picking time.
Innovativeness of Industrial Enterprises of the Visegrad Group and the Expenditures on Research and Development
Authors: Kębłowski Piotr
Published: April 2020

In the article the relationship between the inventive activity of the Visegrad Group industrial enterprises and the research and development outlays is investigated. The analysis is conducted for different levels of technological sophistication (high, medium-high, medium-low, low) and patent applications to the European Patent Office are used as a measure of the inventive activity. The results of uni- and multivariate panel cointegration analysis of the yearly data from 2005 to 2014 point out that the long- -run elasticity of patent applications to R&D outlays is higher, firstly, for high-technology economic activity than for medium-high, and secondly, for research activity within high-technology level financed from own resources, rather than by public funds. It was also found that in the case of medium-low and low technology level, the R&D outlays do not uniquely determine the number of patent applications.
Social Cohesion of Lower Silesia Region in the Period 2005–2015 – Measurement and Evaluation of Changes
Authors: Walesiak Marek , Obrębalski Marek
Published: April 2020

The measure of developmental success of contemporary regions and at the same time supporting factor for the durability of this success is primarily the quality of life of residents. According to the definition of the Council of Europe (A new strategy for Social Cohesion, 2004, p. 3) social cohesion is the ability of territorial communities to ensure the welfare of all its members, the reduction of social stratification and avoid polarization. According to evaluation of the social cohesion of the Lower Silesia region in cross-counties in the years 2005–2015 the variables of the following areas: income and economic activity of the population, living conditions of the population and the availability of services and public space were taken into account. To assess the measurement and the changes in the level of social cohesion of the Lower Silesia region in cross counties in the period 2005–2015 GDM1 distance and Theil measure were applied.
Estimates of the costs of legal and civil assistance
system in Poland
Authors: Florczak Waldemar
Published: April 2020

This article aims to identify the factors affecting the operating costs
of an institutionalized system of free legal guidance system (Act of 5 August
2015 on free legal assistance and legal education) and to attempt to quantify of
them on the basis of heterogeneous data obtained from different studies or research.
Presented analytical procedure is an exemplification of the costs resulting
from the implementation of legislation for the normalization of the scope of
the public distribution using subjective (survey) and objective data (official statistics).
The presented methodology of cost analysis allows to obtain more detailed
legal arrangements relating to the implementation and functioning of the
reformed system of legal and civil guidance. The article contains suggestions
proposing solutions differing from those implemented by the act of 5 August
2015, in terms of financing the reformed system’s operation. This method may
therefore be useful for the analysis of alternative reform options, resulting from
its consequences for public finances.
The importance of data revision in the modeling process
Authors: Ziembińska Paulina
Published: April 2020

This study aims to present the new real-time set of macroeconomic data for the Polish economy constructed on the basis of the monthly Statistical Bulletins published by the Central Statistical Office. This dataset gives answers to many important questions on the revision processes which have an influence on the consistency of data as well as effects on attributes of econometric models and statistical inference. In particular, in this article methodological revisions were discussed and their types were specified. It is a base for the statistical analysis and verification of reasons of unexpected non-methodological revisions. The research indicates that in the significant group of variables revisions are systematic. This is a result of the error measurement reduction, not the accessibility of new information which has significant implications for modeling.
Decompositions of gross value added into contributions of labour and capital compensations
Authors: Kotlewski Dariusz
Published: April 2020

The article is about gross value added (GVA) decompositions into contributions of labour and capital compensations. Owing to the CSO’s data availability some simplifying assumptions were made in the research methodology. It allowed to perform massive data computations for the years 2001—2012 not only at the aggregate level of the Polish economy, but also at particular NACE-section and voivodship levels. Decomposition was based on data from the Local Data Bank and the CSO’s national accounts, which were used in the research concerning the KLEMS Productivity Accounts. Finally, a continuation of this research is suggested towards carrying out decompositions that would allow to extract Total Factor Productivity (TFP).