bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Various Genetic Types of End Moraines in the City of Poznań and Its Close Vicinity, Central-Western Poland
Authors: Widera Marek , Chomiak Lilianna
Published: December 2019

The current research focuses on explaining the origin of end moraines running through the northernmost districts of the city of Poznań. The highest hills, that is, the Moraska Hill and the Dziewicza Hill, are a stagnation record of the Vistulian Glaciation of the Poznań Phase. These two hills represent terminal moraines of similar height and age, but the mechanism of their formation is diametrically opposed. The Dziewicza Hill is a typical accumulative end moraine, where Pleistocene deposits over 70 m thick are undisturbed. On the other hand, the Moraska Hill is a classic example of a push end moraine with a relatively thin cover of Pleistocene sediments and glaciotectonically elevated (up to 130 m a.s.l.) upper Neogene deposits. In the latter case, these strongly deformed sediments are the so-called “Poznań Clays” that underlie the Quaternary deposits in the vast area of the Polish Lowlands.
Flexural Behaviour of a Cold-Formed Steel-Concrete Composite Beam with Channel Type Shear Connector – An Experimental and Analytical Study
Authors: Palanivelu Sangeetha
Published: December 2019

Steel-concrete composite structures are widely used in the current construction of bridges and multi-storey buildings. The effect of shear connectors in a cold-formed steel-composite beam was studied under flexure. The number of channel connectors in the specimen was varied and the same was compared with a specimen without shear connectors. The performance and failure of cold-formed steel-composite beams were then studied. The presence of shear connectors in the tension zone prevents the formation of cracks which are the major cause of failure in a beam subjected to bending. The load-carrying capacity is greater in a composite beam and an increase in the number of channel connectors from one to five increases the load-carrying capacity by 60 % as compared to a specimen without a connector. A composite beam with five connectors is more ductile, with a ductility factor of 14. The Composite beams were also analysed using the finite element software ANSYS and were found to have good agreement with the experimental results.
Application of UV/TiO2 Advanced Oxidation in Treating Oily Compost Leachate Generated During Oily Sludge Composting
Authors: Tajik Reza , Godini Kazem , Saeedi Reza , Mashayekhi Masoumeh , Koolivand Ali
Published: December 2019

In this work, oily compost leachate (OCL) generated during oily sludge composting was treated by UV/TiO2. OCL subsamples, gathered bi-weekly from the composting process, were thoroughly mixed and then filtered to reduce the solution turbidity. The effects of initial chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration, UV type (A and C), pH (3, 7, and 11), reaction time (30, 60, 90, and 120 min), and TiO2 concentration (0.5, 1, and 2 g L−1) on the total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and COD removal from OLC were examined. The results showed that the efficiency of the process improved with the increase in TiO2 concentration and reaction time and the decrease in pH and pollutant concentration. In the optimal conditions (UV-C, TiO2 concentration of 1 mg L−1, reaction time of 90 min, and pH of 3), 52.29% of TPH was removed. Moreover, 36.69 and 48.3% of TPH was reduced by UV-A/TiO2 and UV-C/TiO2, respectively in real conditions of OCL (pH = 6.3, COD = 1501. 24 mg L−1, and TPH = 170.12 mg L−1) during the 90 min reaction time. The study verified that UV/TiO2 has the potential to be applied to treat OCL.
Agglomeration of Silicon Dioxide Nanoscale Colloids in Chemical Mechanical Polishing Wastewater: Influence of pH and Coagulant Concentration
Authors: Noor Aina Mohamad Zuki , Sin Jing Yao , Jada Amane , Dashti Arezoo Fereidonian , Fatehah Mohd Omar
Published: December 2019

Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) wastewater generated from semiconductor manufacturing industries is known to contain residual organic and inorganic contaminants, i.e. photoresists, acids, including silicon dioxide (SiO2), nanoparticles (NPs) and others. Nanoscale colloids in CMP wastewater have strong inclination to remain in the suspension, leading to high turbidity and chemical oxygen demand (COD). Although various types of pre-treatment have been implemented, these nanoparticles remain diffused in small clusters that pass through the treatment system. Therefore, it is crucial to select suitable pH and coagulant type in the coagulation treatment process. In this research zeta potential and dynamic light scattering measurements are applied as preliminary step aimed at determining optimum pH and coagulant dosage range based on the observation of inter particle-particle behavior in a CMP suspension. The first phase of the conducted study is to analyze nanoscale colloids in the CMP suspension in terms of zeta potential and z-average particle size as a function of pH within a range of 2 to 12. Two types of coagulants were investigated - polyaluminum chloride (PACl) and ferrous sulfate heptahydrate (FeSO4·7H2O). Similar pH analysis was conducted for the coagulants with the same pH range separately. The second phase of the study involved evaluating the interaction between nanoscale colloids and coagulants in the suspension. The dynamics of zeta potential and corresponding particle size were observed as a function of coagulant concentration. Results indicated that CMP wastewater is negatively charged, with average zeta potential of -59.8 mV and 149 d.nm at pH value of 8.7. The interaction between CMP wastewater and PACl showed that positively charged PACl rapidly adsorbed colloids in the wastewater, reducing the negative surface charge of nanoscale clusters. The interaction between CMP wastewater and FeSO4·7H2O showed that larger dosage is required to aggregate nanoscale clusters, due to its low positive value to counter negative charges of CMP wastewater.
Is It the Natural Rate Hypothesis or the Hysteresis Hypothesis for Unemployment Rates in Newly Industrialized Economies?
Authors: Nsenga Dieu , Nach Mirada , Khobai Hlalefang , Moyo Clement , Phiri Andrew
Published: December 2019

The focus of our study is on determining whether unemployment rates in 8 New Industrialized Economies conform to the natural rate hypothesis or the hysteresis hypothesis. To this end, we employ a variety of unit of unit root testing procedures to quarterly data collected between 2002:q1 and 2017:q1. Summarizing of our findings, conventional unit root tests which account neither for asymmetries nor structural breaks produce the most inconclusive results. On the other hand, tests which incorporate structural breaks while ignoring asymmetries tends to favour the natural rate hypothesis for our panel of countries. However, simultaneously accounting for asymmetries and unobserved structural breaks seemingly produces the most robust findings and confirms hysteresis in all unemployment rates except for Asian economies/countries of Thailand and the Philippines.
The Role of China’s Exchange Rate on the Trade Balance of Sub‑Saharan Africa: a Gravity Model Approach
Authors: Khan Hameed , Khan Umair , Jiang Li Jun , Khan Muhammad Asif , Hasanat Shah Syed
Published: December 2019

This study seeks to investigate theimpactof China’sexchange rate onthe trade balance of 41 Sub‑aharan African countries for the period from 1994 to 2016. Using an augmented gravity model, the grouped and ungrouped results of the study confirm the elasticity and absorption approaches of the trade balance. Similarly, the robustness check, by dividing the sample period into two sub‑eriods (2005–016 and 1994–004), also confirms the elasticity and absorption approaches of the trade balance.
Do Remittances Enhance Financial Development in Transitional Markets?
Authors: Tsaurai Kunofiwa , Hlupo Patience
Published: December 2019

The paper explored (1) the impact of remittances on financial development and (2) whether the interaction between remittances and human capital development had an influence on financial development in transitional economies using the dynamic GMM approach, with data ranging from 1996 to 2014. Remittances were found to have had a non‑significant positive influence on financial development in transitional economies when stock market turnover, stock market value traded, domestic credit to the private sector by banks, and public bond sector development were used as measures of financial development. When stock market capitalisation, domestic credit to the private sector by financial sector, and private bond sector development were used as measures of financial development, remittances had a non‑significance negative effect on financial development. Using all other measures of financial development except stock market capitalisation (which produced a negative sign), the interaction between remittances and human capital development had an insignificant positive influence on financial development. Transitional economies are therefore urged to avoid over‑relying on remittance inflow and human capital development as sources of financial development.
Regional Aspects of the Development of Clustering in the Dairy Branch
Authors: Novikov Ivan
Published: December 2019

In this paper, we study the classical and modern approaches to the formation of regional agro‑industrial clusters. In the current market conditions, the creation of a cluster based on the existing regional infrastructure is impractical. In most cases, clusters are called holding structures that include the full cycle of production, processing and marketing of agricultural products, for example, “dairy clusters” –there are traditional groups of companies that formally follow the classical cluster principles, but do not give individual participants in the production process sufficient organizational and legal autonomy. The conditions for the development of innovation within the cluster, as well as the mechanism for creating the scientific and innovation component of the cluster as a fully‑ledged newly created cluster element are investigated. We show that the cluster should be created on the basis and strict adherence to fundamental organizational and economic principles. In particular, while in holdings the economic result of the activity is aimed at achieving the goals of the parent company, in a cluster the maximum interest in the result and the satisfaction of the economic interests of all participants in equal measure should be laid. Moreover, the classical cluster approach in the current market conditions may be unrealizable and the author’s concept of cluster development is preferable.
The Zombie Phenomenon in Banking and Business: a Comparative Analysis and the Origin of the Institutional Problem
Authors: Hurnyak Ihor , Kordonska Aleksandra
Published: December 2019

The research presents an investigation of the zombie phenomenon in banking and business. The main goals are as follows: to reveal the consequences of the threatening dynamics of nonperforming loans for the states of Central and Eastern Europe, Western Europe, the group of former USSR states, and Latin America; to demonstrate the zombie business phenomenon in the case of Ukraine and disclose a new form of zombie business on the basis of different tools with exception of banking loans. The authors believe the solution to the zombie banks problem will not be found in the growth of government influence or control but in the restructuring of the banking system based on a decentralized but strongly controlled bottom‑up model. The ineffectiveness of the institutional system also generates various forms of zombie business. The case of Ukraine is the best illustration of applying the tools, that are used in zombie business, with the exception of banking loans. The article helps to understand the influence of nonperforming loans on the economy and the perspectives for banking system formation in the light of the institutional aspect and interinstitutional interactions with the active participation of NPLs.
Catch-and-Release Ice Fishing with a Mormyshka for Roach (Rutilus rutilus) and European Perch (Perca fluviatilis)
Authors: Czarkowski Tomasz K. , Kapusta Andrzej
Published: December 2019

This study examined and described the basic parameters of the catch-and-release angling of roach Rutilus rutilus and European perch Perca fluviatilis with the mormyshka technique. Catch efficiency, the size of the fish caught, the time required to unhook the fish and the total time during which the fish were handled, hooking location, the occurrence of injury and initial hooking mortality were determined. The study indicates that the mormyshka technique is an effective way to catch roach and European perch when ice fishing. The efficiency of the catches and landings was similar for barbed and barbless hooks. The mormyshka technique also proved to be safe for the fish during catch-and-release fishing. The decided majority of fish were hooked shallowly on the upper jaw, which is a safe location, and injury occurred rarely regardless of the hook type. Generally unhooking the fish from the mormyshka hook was seamless and fish handling was brief. Additionally, when roach were caught with barbless hooks, unhooking time and handling was shorter than it was with barbed hooks. No initial hooking mortality was observed in roach, while it occurred in only two specimens of European perch.
Sublethal Cobalt Toxicity Effects on Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Authors: Nasri Fereshteh , Heydarnejad Saeed , Nematollahi Amin
Published: December 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the sublethal Co toxicity on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Trout were exposed to Co and selected parameters were evaluated at intervals of 1, 15 and 30 days. Fish exposed to higher levels of Co grew slower than fish exposed to lower levels of Co. Weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR) decreased linearly with the increase of cobalt in the water. The body condition factor (CF) of fish reared in water with low cobalt concentration decreased substantially but this decrease was not significant for fish exposed to higher cobalt concentration. The values of the feed conversion ratio (FCR) increased in fish exposed to higher levels of Co. Co significantly changed the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and decreased at day 30, and in both cases this decrease was more remarkable at day 15 so that the level of AST and ALT reached the control value at day 30. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level also showed a remarkable 15-day decline. There was a significant increase in glucose (G) concentration in both Co-exposed groups on day 15. However, serum cholesterol (Chl) was significantly reduced on day 15 and increased on day 30; there were no significant differences in both exposed Co-groups. The triglyceride (TG) level also decreased substantially. There was no regular pattern of total protein (TP) in the serum, so that no significant differences were found in the level of TP between low and high-exposed fish. In summary, this study suggests that exposure of essential trace elements such as cobalt may change growth and biochemical parameters, and that measurement of these parameters may be used in toxicological studies to determine the general health status of fish.
Update of Ichthyofauna and its Conservation Status in the Aghien Lagoon, Côte d’Ivoire
Authors: Konan Koffi Félix , Assi Sonan Romuald , Boussou Koffi Charles , Gourène Germain
Published: December 2019

This study focused on the diversity of fish fauna, its conservation status and its vulnerability in the Aghien freshwater lagoon (southeast of Côte d'Ivoire). For the fish data collection, two sampling approaches were used: experimental fishing and artisanal fishing. As a result, 80 species observed in this lagoon are distributed into 55 genera, 27 families and 10 orders. The best represented orders are the Perciformes, Siluriformes, Osteoglossiformes, Characiformes, Cyprinodontiformes and Pleuronectiformes. The Cichlidae, Mormyridae and Clupeidae represented the best diversified family. With an occurrence of 100%, the most frequent species are: Brycinus longipinnis, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, Pellonula leonensis, Schilbe intermedius and S. mandibularis. In the whole fish population, according to IUCN red list, four species where described as Near Threatened (Coptodon walteri, Marcusenius furcidens, Galeoides decadactylus and Cynoglossus senegalensis), four as Vulnerable (B. brevis, Rhexipanchax nimbaensis, Enteromius raimbaulti and Tilapia busumana) and one as Endangered species (Pseudotolithus senegalensis). These categories of species that have a conservation interest according to the IUCN Red List represent respectively 10.26% of the whole population. Fish population of the Aghien Lagoon are divided into seven classes ranging from “low” to “very high” vulnerability, regarding the vulnerability to stress due to fishing pressure.
Cooperative Financing and the Growth of Catfish Aquaculture Value Chain in Nigeria
Authors: Gbigbi Theophilus Miebi , Achoja Felix Odemero
Published: December 2019

Cooperative-based growth model for agricultural enterprises is gradually gaining popularity in application. This study examined the effect of cooperative financial intervention on the growth of catfish aquaculture value chain in Nigeria. Primary data collected, with well-structured questionnaire from 120 participants in aquaculture value chain, were analyzed with descriptive statistical tools, cost and return function and 4-point likert-type scale. The result shows that 32.3% and 27.3% of processors and input suppliers accessed N320,000 and N270,000, respectively. Only 18.2% of producers accessed N180,000. The result indicates that there are more catfish producers than any other operators in the value chain. There is interdependence between catfish producers and input suppliers, processors and marketers in the value chain. Furthermore, catfish processors and inputs suppliers accessed more cooperative loan because their activities were capital intensive. The relatively high amount of cooperative fund accessed by these groups translated high growth rate of 55% and 53%, respectively. The major constraints to the growth of catfish value chain were inadequate credit access and high expenditure on inputs. Operators in the catfish aquaculture value chain should be encouraged to attend workshops on management techniques to improve the efficiency of their businesses.
First Record of Harry Hotlips Plectorhinchus gibbosus (Lacepède, 1802) (Perciformes: Haemulidae) From the Iranian Coast of the Gulf of Oman
Authors: Alavi-Yeganeh Mohammad Sadegh , Khajavi Mina
Published: December 2019

Harry hotlips (Plectorhinchus gibbosus), belonging to the fish family Haeumulidae, is recorded for the first time off the Iranian coast of the Oman Sea, Chabahar Bay (25°18′N, 60°37′E). Identification confirmed by comparing morphological data of the collected specimen with data of reported congener species off this area.
Indoor radon monitoring in selected fault zones, Slovakia – preliminary results from the summer monitoring period
Authors: Smetanová Iveta , Mojzeš Andrej , Marko František , Fekete Kamil , Csicsay Kristián
Published: December 2019

Indoor radon survey in Sološnica, Vydrník and Zázrivá villages has been performed within the framework of the project “Multidisciplinary research of geophysical and structural parameters, and environmental impacts of faults of the Western Carpathians”. Integration measurement of 222Rn activity concentration has been carried out using RamaRn detectors in houses, offices, schools and kindergartens. Indoor radon activity in the summer monitoring period (June–August 2018) varied from values under the detection limit of 55 Bq/m3 to 480 Bq/m3. In 94% of rooms the radon activity below 200 Bq/m3 was found. The results have been examined in respect of the most used building material and presence or absence of a cellar underneath the room. Indoor radon higher than 300 Bq/m3 was measured only in rooms in direct contact with the subsoil.
LAS: A combination of the analytic signal amplitude and the generalised logistic function as a novel edge enhancement of magnetic data
Authors: Pham Luan Thanh , Oksum Erdinc , Do Thanh Duc , Le-Huy Minh , Vu Minh Duc , Nguyen Vinh Duc
Published: December 2019

In the evaluation of magnetic field data, edge enhancement and detection techniques are important treatments for the interpretation of geological structures. In general geological sense, contiguity of deep and shallow magnetic sources leads to weak and intense anomalies that complicates the interpretation to disclose adjacent anomalous sources. Many of the existing filters for edge detection in magnetics mostly have the disadvantage that they require a reduction to pole transformation as the pre-process of the data or they cannot balance weak and intense anomalies and therefore fail in detecting edges of deep and shallow sources simultaneously. This study presents an improved edge detection filter LAS (logistic function of the analytical signal), based on the generalised logistic function configured by the ratio of derivatives of the analytical signal. This novel approach has the capability of reducing the dependence on the direction of the magnetization and also balancing anomalies of sources at different levels of depth. The feasibility of the method is examined on both theoretical and real data cases comparatively with some other methods that utilize the analytical signal in their basis. In comparison, the results demonstrate that the LAS method provides more accurate estimation of edge localization.
Characterization of the leakage problem in Salhab earthen dam using electrical resistivity tomography and SP measurements, Syria
Authors: Al-Fares Walid
Published: December 2019

The earthen dam of Salhab is located in the southern margins of Al-Ghab plain at 3–4km of Salhab town northern-west of Syria. The dam consists of two separated embankments: the main one extends east-west along a distance of 895 m with 14.5 m height, while the second embankment towards northwest-southeast over a distance of 510 m and 11 m of height. The dam crest has a constant topographic elevation of 220 m above sea level (a.s.l). Electrical Resistivity Tomography surveys (ERT) combined with a Self-Potential measurements (SP), were implemented at the upstream and at the top of the main and the secondary embankments of the dam in order to identify the possible leakage zones under the dam’s body. The interpretation of the ERT sections and the SP measurements, carried out at the upstream side, revealed a distinct zone of leakage extending along the beginning and the end parts under the main embankment. Moreover, many punctual anomalous spots of low resistivity values were recognized within the dam’s clay core. One of those spots was confirmed by the implementation of a detailed ERT profile and by a piezometric borehole drilled at the top of the dam. Whereas, the clay core of the secondary embankment seems relatively coherent and homogeneous as well as a trace of a tectonic fault was identified under the end part of the embankment body but no manifestations of leakage were observed under and behind the secondary dam body.
Characterization of Ar-Rassafeh Badyieh area (Area-2), Syria by using the airborne gamma-ray spectrometric and fractal modelling techniques
Authors: Asfahani Jamal
Published: December 2019

The available aerial gamma-ray spectrometric data of Ar-Rassafeh Badyieh area (Area-2) are used herein for geological interpretations and mapping purposes. Those data are interpreted by the concentration-number (C-N) fractal modelling technique, with the use of log-log graphs. According to C-N model, different radioactive ranges of TC, eU, eTh, and K have been isolated. Those ranges are thereafter used to characterize the lithological outcrops in the study area. The radioactive signatures of all the outcrops in Area-2 have been discussed and documented through establishing the C-N maps of TC, eU, eTh, and K, and benefiting of the available geological map. The C-N fractal modelling technique proves its efficacy, where radioactive and lithological boundaries of outcrops are in concordance. The case study presented in this paper shows the importance and the role of airborne gamma-ray spectrometric and fractal modelling techniques to support the geological mapping and the interpretations in geological context, particularly when the study region is rugged and difficult to be accessed.
Seismic activity on the territory of Slovakia in 2018
Authors: Kysel Róbert , Cipciar Andrej , Csicsay Kristián , Fojtíková Lucia , šugár Martin , Kristek Jozef
Published: December 2019

The National Network of Seismic Stations of Slovakia (NNSS) consists of eight short period and five broadband permanent seismic stations and a data centre located at the Earth Science Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (ESI SAS). The NNSS recorded and detected 11704 seismic events from all epicentral distances in 2018. Totally 86 earthquakes originated in the territory of Slovakia in 2018. This paper provides basic information on the configuration of the NNSS, routine data processing, seismic activity on the territory of Slovakia in 2018 as well as macroseismic observations collected in 2018.
Wendigo Psychosis
Authors: Kolan Michalina , Leis Kamil , Baska Aleksandra , Kazik Jakub , Gałązka Przemysław
Published: December 2019

Introduction. Wendigo psychosis is considered an endemic psychiatric disorder associated with culture. It manifests through compulsive, strong attacks of cannibalistic behaviors. It mainly concerns Algonquian. Cree tribes and people living in the Northern Ojibwa area.
Material and methods. In our article, we have collected available publications on Wendigo's psychosis. This area included Internet databases: PubMed and Google Scholar, from the first reports on the disease to the latest information. Due to culturebound syndromes and the rarity of occurrence in the present time at work, we focused not only on symptoms, treatment or diagnosis, but also on historical and ethnographic features.
Discussion. The first remarks on this disorder derive from the Powhatan dictionary which was used by the Algonquian tribe. In the 1960s there were 70 cases of the disease, but the available epidemiologic data is poor. There are many legends about the mythical creature Wendigo and its likeness is repeatedly used in popular culture. Most of the symptoms exhibited by those suffering from this dysfunction is related to famine and chronic loneliness, e.g. apathy, neurosis.
Summary. The treatment of the psychosis in the past was based on folk beliefs, as well as homicide. Modern medicine offers a wide spectrum of antipsychotic drugs whose use is focused on the elimination of side effects. Pharmacotherapy consists in administering to the sick drugs from the group of benzodiazepines or antipsychotic agents of both the first and the second generation.

Keywords: Wendigo psychosis, cannibalism, culture-bound syndromes.
Impact of land tenure on the participation in factor income in agriculture of Slovenia
Authors: Žaucer Irena , Puc Helena
Published: December 2019

The purpose of the article is to present agricultural land tenure in Slovenia and its impact on the division of the factor income into the part intended for the production factor of land and the improvement by the introduction of the rent statistics. The land, together with the labour force and capital, contributes to the income generation and it is one of the production factors that participate in the income division. The analyses so far have been based on the FADN data but the Slovenian analysis is based on data from the Economic Accounts for Agriculture (EAA), it uses different sources, and a different calculation approach. The calculation is based on the share of rented utilised agricultural area which amounts to about 30% of the total utilised area. Due to the availability of the data the rent value is calculated depending on the institutional sectors – for agricultural enterprises (the non-financial enterprise sector) and family farms (the household sector). In 2016 the average rent per ha of utilised agricultural area amounted to almost EUR 150 and the nominal value of rents paid in Slovenian agriculture to EUR 21 million. Slovenian share of rent in factor income for the period 2000–2016 is 3%, which is substantially lower than the European Union (EU-28) average of 8%. In 2016, the factor income per employee was around EUR 6,000; about 4% of this amount was contributed to the land in the form of rent value. The rest was contributed to the workforce and capital. The paper presents the results that could be helpful for the agricultural and land policy makers.
The impact of cryptocurrency on the efficient frontier of emerging markets
Authors: Ćosić Karlo , Časni Anita Čeh
Published: December 2019

Cryptocurrencies are a sweltering topic in modern times of investment strategies. Since the cryptocurrency market is classified as an emerging market, in this paper a portfolio of emerging markets is compiled from the indices of four European Union (EU) countries and one cryptocurrency. The aim of this paper is to investigate how the incorporation of the Bitcoin cryptocurrency into the portfolio affects the performance of the portfolios of these countries. Moreover, by drawing an efficient frontier, the paper identifies where Bitcoin stands relative to other indices in the portfolio. The countries whose indices were used in the analysis are: Croatia, Hungary, Romania and Poland during the period from July 13, 2018 to June 07, 2019. The method used for an efficient frontier formation is Markowitz’s Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT). By applying this theory, the minimum variance portfolio at the efficient frontier was created for the portfolio with and without the cryptocurrency. The empirical analysis indicates that Bitcoin improves the effectiveness of the portfolio in emerging markets of the selected EU countries, where the expected risks of a portfolio that includes the cryptocurrency are smaller and with higher returns than those of portfolios without Bitcoin. From the Markowitz’s theory point of view, the results of the empirical analysis also indicate that Bitcoin is on the efficient frontier. Since all instruments on the efficient frontier according to the modern portfolio theory are efficient, it can be concluded that investments in such instruments depend on investor’s risk aversion.
The empirical analysis of financial reports of companies in Croatia: Benford distribution curve as a benchmark for first digits
Authors: Cunjak Mataković Ivana
Published: December 2019

The financial numbers game is unfortunately alive and doing well. One of the forensic accounting techniques is based on Benford’s Law and is used for the detection of unusual transactions, anomalies or trends. The aim of this paper is to test whether the financial statements of Croatian companies deviate from Benford’s Law distribution. The financial statements of 24 companies that are in the pre-bankruptcy settlement process and 24 companies that are not in the pre-bankruptcy settlement process were analysed using the Benford’s Law test of the first digit distribution for the period from 2015 to 2018. The data used to calculate the first digits of distribution were taken from the Zagreb Stock Exchange. The chi-square test has shown that the observed companies that are not in the process of pre-bankruptcy settlement do not have the first digit distribution which follows the Benford’s Law distribution. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov Z test has shown that the distribution of the first digits from the financial statements of companies listed on the Zagreb Stock Exchange fits to Benford’s Law distribution.
Physicochemical quality, antioxidant capacity and nutritional value of edible flowers of some wild dahlia species
Authors: Espejel Esteban Arturo Rivera , Alvarez Oscar Cruz , Muñoz José Merced Mejía , Mateos María del Rosario García , León María Teresa Beryl Colinas , Damián María Teresa Martínez
Published: December 2019

Mexico is the centre of origin and domestication of the dahlia, which has the widest distribution worldwide as an ornamental plant; however, due to changes in eating habits in some sectors of the population (vegetarians and vegans), it has also been incorporated as an ingredient in the gastronomic field. The aim of this research was to determine the attributes of physicochemical quality, antioxidant capacity and nutritional value of ligulate flowers of some wild dahlia species. A completely randomized experimental design with five repetitions was used. Fresh weight, total titratable acidity (TTA), total soluble solids (TSS), ascorbic acid (AA), colour, total phenols (TP), total flavonoids (TFl), total anthocyanins (TAn), antioxidant capacity (AC) and proximate composition were evaluated. The highest fresh weight was observed in D. × hortorum, with similar values among its different flower colours. Likewise, D. merckii and D. coccinea stood out for their high TTA value; however, D. coccinea also had the highest AA content (0.77-0.9 mg g−1 FW), TP (12.87-19.92 mg GAE g−1 FW), TFl (6.78-11.32 mg QE g−1 DW) and AC (47.28-60.43 mg AAEVC g−1 FW). On the other hand, D. campanulata was notable for its high levels of moisture, fat and raw fibre; similarly, D. coccinea stood out for its high amounts of dry matter and total carbohydrates. The ligulate flowers of wild dahlias have a high concentration of bioactive compounds and a nutritional composition with beneficial contributions to health care, so they could be used for consumption as fresh products.
Effect of foliar application of Trichoderma on the quality of tomato fruits grown in different hydroponic substrates
Authors: Palacios-Torres Rogelio Enrique , Bustamante-Ortiz Aldo Guadalupe , Prieto-Baeza Luis Alberto , Hernández-Hernández Hipólito , Ramírez-Seañez Ana Rosa , Yam-Tzec José Antonio , Díaz-Félix Gabriela
Published: December 2019

The quality of tomato fruits is influenced by preharvest factors. Trichoderma are considered biostimulants with potential to improve growth and development in plants, as well as the quality of the fruits. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of foliar application of Trichoderma on the quality of tomato fruits at different cluster levels on the same plant in two commercial hybrids using three different substrates in a greenhouse. Six foliar applications of a liquid biological preparation of Trichoderma were performed at a dose of 4 mL L−1 every 15 days after transplanting. The results show that the foliar application of Trichoderma increased the ratio of soluble solids to titratable acidity of the fruits at different cluster levels, which was mainly due to the decrease in acidity rather than the increase in soluble solids. The decrease in titratable acidity is in accordance with the increase in the pH of the fruits. Trichoderma have a positive effect on titratable acidity, pH and electrical conductivity of fruits. In the Cid hybrid grown in the tezontle substrate, the application of Trichoderma increased the ratio of total soluble solids to titratable acidity. At the same time, sand increased the percentage of juice in the fruits. Foliar application of Trichoderma increases the quality of tomato fruits, and as such, should be considered as a crop management option.
Spatial and temporal analysis of leopards (Panthera pardus), their prey and tigers (Panthera tigris) in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand
Authors: Saisamorn Apinya , Duengkae Prateep , Pattanavibool Anak , Duangchantrasiri Somphot , Simcharoen Achara , Smith James L.D.
Published: December 2019

Despite their extensive distribution globally, recent reports indicate leopards are declining, especially in Southeast Asia. To support conservation efforts we analyzed the behavioral interactions between leopards (Panthera pardus), their prey, and tigers to determine if leopards fine-tune their activity to maximize contact with four prey species (sambar; wild boar; barking deer; banteng) and avoid tigers and if prey alter their temporal activity in response to variation in their relative abundance ratio with leopards. A lower density of sambar in the northern part of our study area and a lower density of wild boar and a higher density of tigers in the southern part allowed us to examine fine-grained differences in the behavior of leopards and their prey. We used camera trap data to investigate spatial and temporal overlap. Differences in tiger relative abundance did not appear to impact the temporal activity of leopards. Leopards had similar cathemeral activity at all sites with highest activity at dawn and dusk. This behavior appears to be a compromise to provide access to diurnal wild boar and barking deer and nocturnal sambar and banteng. Sambar showed higher temporal avoidance of leopards in the north where its RAI was lowest; in contrast, wild boar had the highest temporal avoidance in the south where its density was lowest. This is the first study in Southeast Asia to quantify spatial and temporal interactions between the leopard, its primary ungulate prey, and the tiger. It provides new insights for conserving this declining subspecies.
Effects of a host tree on movement and distribution of winter geometrid moths (Lepidoptera): thickness of trunks and branches
Authors: Kulfan Ján , Sarvašová Lenka , Parák Michal , Zach Peter
Published: December 2019

Adult moths from an ecological group of winter geometrid species look for trees where they copulate and females lay eggs. We investigated how tree trunk and lower branch thickness affects the occurrence of females on trunks and branches and how the density of females and tree trunk thickness affects the occurrence of males on trunks. The research was carried out in a xeric thermophilous oak forest in southern Slovakia (Central Europe) in the winter season 2014–2015. The moths were obtained from Quercus pubescens trees by sticky bands. Three autumn species Operophtera brumata, Erannis defoliaria, Alsophila aceraria and four spring species Agriopis leucophaearia, Agriopis marginaria, Apocheima hispidaria, Phigalia pilosaria were recorded. We have found out that females had not exclusively negative geotactic behaviour as they (except for the rare P. pilosaria) occurred also on lower branches. Tree trunk and lower branch thickness had a positive effect on abundance of females of the three most abundant species (A. leucophaearia, O. brumata, E. defoliaria) on trunks and lower branches. Tree trunk thickness had a positive effect on density of the females of A. leucophaearia on trunks but not on O. brumata and E. defoliaria. The abundance of the males of O. brumata, E. defoliaria and A. leucophaearia on trunks was positively affected by tree trunk thickness and the density of their females.
Some ecological aspects of dhole (Cuon alpinus) in the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Uthai Thani Province, Thailand
Authors: Charaspet Khwanrutai , Sukmasuang Ronglarp , Khiowsree Noraset , Songsasen Nucharin , Simchareon Saksit , Duengkae Prateep
Published: December 2019

The dhole (Cuon alpinus) is one of the least frequent studied endangered canid species and many aspects of ecological knowledge about this species are lacking. The objectives of this study were to investigate the spatial movement of dholes, prey abundance, prey selection, and prey overlaps with other large carnivorous species in the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand, during November, 2017 and October, 2018. Two adult female dholes were captured and fitted with GPS collars. Twenty camera trap sets were systematically used to survey the area. Scat collection was conducted along forest roads and trails. The home range sizes and activity radii of the two dholes were 3,151.63 ha. and 1,442.84 m, and 33.39 ha and 331.56 m, respectively. The sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) was the most abundant prey species (30.93%). However, dhole fecal analysis showed that the monitored dholes preferred red muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak) (57.1%). There was a high degree of prey overlap between dholes and leopards (98%), indicating very high prey competition. The dholes in this study represent movement patterns in richly abundant prey habitats, but with the presence of other predators that can affect prey selection and movement patterns of the dhole in the area.
Tree canopy affects soil macrofauna spatial patterns on broad- and meso-scale levels in an Eastern European poplar-willow forest in the floodplain of the River Dnipro
Authors: Zhukov Oleksandr V. , Kunah Olga M. , Dubinina Yuliya Y. , Fedushko Marina P. , Kotsun Vadim I. , Zhukova Yuliya O. , Potapenko Olena V.
Published: December 2019

This paper tested the hypothesis that the placement of trees in the floodplain ecosystem leads to multiscale spatial structuring and plays an important role in formation of the spatial patterns of the soil macrofauna. The research polygon was laid in an Eastern European poplar-willow forest in the floodplain of the River Dnipro. The litter macrofauna was manually collected from the soil samples. The distances of the sampling locations from the nearest individual of each tree species were applied to obtain a measure of the overstorey spatial structure. The pure effect of tree structured space on the soil animal community was presented by the broad-scale and meso-scale components. The soil animal community demonstrated patterns varying in tree structured space. The tree induced spatial heterogeneity was revealed to effect on the vertical stratification of the soil animal community. The complex nature of the soil animal community variability depending on the distance from trees was depended on the interaction of tree species in their effects on soil animals. The importance of the spatial structures that interact with soil, plants and tree factors in shaping soil macrofauna communities was shown.
Effects of dormancy-breaking methods on germination of the water-impermeable seeds of Gleditsia caspica (Fabaceae) and seedling growth
Authors: Nourmohammadi Kazem , Kartoolinejad Davoud , Naghdi Reza , Baskin Carol C.
Published: December 2019

Various treatments can be used to break physical dormancy (PY, i.e. water-impermeable seed coat) of legume species, but the effects of these treatments on seedling growth are of great importance in the success of afforestation projects. Our aims were to determine the effects of 20 PY-breaking treatments on (1) germination of Gleditsia caspica (Caspian locust) seeds and (2) seedling growth. Five germination and nine seedling growth and morphological traits were studied. Immersion in concentrated sulfuric acid (98%) for 60 minutes was optimal for all germination traits and for all seedling traits except root length. After seed coat removal or treatment with sulfuric acid (for 45 to 120 minutes), 99–100% of the seeds germinated, but seedling growth traits after 5 months were significantly lower in the former than in the latter treatment. Other treatments (e.g., different periods of exposure to cold water, boiling water, and KNO3) did not significantly increase germination or improve seedling growth. Thus, despite incurring adverse environmental impacts, sulfuric acid treatments have the best potential to break seed dormancy and produce high-quality seedlings (in terms of shoot length, root and shoot mass, root area, leaf number and area and collar diameter) of Caspian locust.
Impact of regional climatic conditions on tree growth on mainland Greece
Authors: Koulelis Panagiotis P. , Daskalakou Evangelia N. , Ioannidis Kostas E.
Published: December 2019

Forest growth is commonly used to explore tree vitality and ability to resist to environmental changes or climatic fluctuations. This paper illustrates and examines how regional climatic conditions can be related to the decline of tree growth, which were found to be more distinct in Quercus frainetto Ten. (Hungarian oak) and Fagus sylvatica L. (European beech) and less pronounced in Abies borissi-regis Matt f. (Bulgarian fir) on three long-term intensive monitoring plots (ICP Forests-Level II) in Greece during the period 1996–2009. Relative basal area increment and volume increment were calculated, expressing tree growth in terms of mean relative annual periodic increment. A decline in the growth of basal area and volume was observed after hot and dry periods, where annual temperatures and precipitation were far from the mean of the analyzed period. This observation was statistically confirmed in oak and beech plots regarding summer precipitation only and are in agreement with the findings of previous studies in Europe. The representativeness of the results at a national scale needs further investigation, although our results provide a good basis for further and more intensive monitoring programs to address various forest management scenarios against the background of potential climatic changes in the Mediterranean area.
Differentiation of flea communities of small mammals in selected habitats in the Eastern Tatra Mts
Authors: Baláž Ivan , Tulis Filip , Zigová Martina
Published: December 2019

Research into small mammals and their ectoparasites was carried out in the Belianske Tatras during 2010–14, evaluating flea communities found on small mammals on the basis of species richness, abundance and level of infestation. Flea infestation of host species occurred mostly in C. glareolus with the highest infestation rates recorded in S. alpinus, the earlier mentioned C. glareolus, N. anomalus and N. fodiens. Based on their prevalence in all the examined hosts, the most frequent flea communities found were M. turbidus, C. agyrtes, A. penicilliger and P. soricis. In addition, flea prevalence in all the captured host species was evaluated. The most frequent flea communities were M. turbidus, P. soricis and D. dasycnema (8 host species); C. agyrtes and H. orientalis (7); A. penicilliger and P. bidentata (4); C. uncinatus, P. sylvatica and R. integela (3); and M. rectangulatus, N. fasciatus and C. bisoctodentatus (2), while A. nuperus and A. arvicolae were recorded in only one host species.
Functional diversity of soil microorganisms in the conditions of an ecological farming system
Authors: Fazekašová Danica , Fazekaš Juraj
Published: December 2019

In the current study, we investigate the relationships among the soil functional diversity, physicochemical properties and heavy metals presence in an ecological farming system. The soil samples were collected from permanent research sites, from A soil horizons, at a depth from 0.05 m to 0.15 m, in June 2018. In fresh soil samples, we evaluated the metabolic profiles of their microbial communities, using Biolog® Eco Plates. The research showed that the soil physical properties got adjusted after a long-term application of an ecological farming system and that the measured values were stabilised, reaching the levels comparable with the average values for the relevant soil type. It is necessary to devote a continual attention to soil reaction, because soil is naturally acidified through acid atmospheric fallout as well as through calcium uptake-off by plants. The values of the selected heavy metals in the monitored period did not exceed the limit values specified in the Act No. 220/2004 Coll. Based on the results of Shannon’s diversity, we can conclude that the diversity in the investigated sites was low, from moderate to medium. The differences (3.26–3.36) among all 11 study localities were very small and not significant. There were determined the correlations between the soil functional diversity, soil physicochemical properties, and heavy metal contents. The average well colour development (AWCD) positively correlated with soil reaction and with Mg content and significantly negatively correlated with contents of Hg, Zn and Cu; equitability significantly positively correlated with soil reaction, Mg, AWCD and Shannon’s diversity. Spearman’s correlation coefficients confirmed the positive correlation between Shannon’s diversity and soil reaction, AWCD and Mg. In our study, no correlation was found between the functional diversity of microorganisms and the soil physical properties.