bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phototactic Response and Morphometric Characteristic of Climbing Perch Anabas testudineus (Bloch, 1792) Under Culture System
Authors: Ahmadi Ahmadi 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
Phototaxis in climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) was investigated by subjecting fish to LED light traps (blue, green, yellow, orange, red, white) and control (total 13 traps). The trap was constructed of polyamide (PA) nylon monofilament (31.75 mm mesh size), fastened around two wire ring frames (∅ 490 mm) with a net height of 270 mm. A lamp was placed on the bottom of the trap. 96 individuals, consisting of 34 males and 62 females, were analysed. Both continuous and blinking light traps were considerably higher in the number of catch compared to the control. The body size of catch ranged from 76-135 mm TL and 8.00-55.00 g W. The mean YPUEs (yield per unit effort) for male and female were 4.00 ± 2.25 and 7.00 ± 4.50 g trap−1 trial-1, respectively. The CPUEs (catch per unit effort) for continuous, blinking light traps and the control ranged from 0.43 to 0.93, 0.21 to 0.86, and 0.21 fish trap−1night−1, respectively. The mean condition factor (K) values of 2.10 ± 0.40 for males and 2.13 ± 0.34 for females indicate fish with better condition. Positive group responses of fish were more pronounced in the middle size classes between 90 and 109 mm TL. Negative allometric growth pattern (b) (1.7271-1.8828) was observed, indicating that the culture system should be refined. A. testudineus showed positive phototaxis to the “colors of light”. In addition, efforts to collect climbing perch from the wild for breeding and commercial purposes may benefit from this study.
In defense of a pluralistic policy on the determination of death
Authors: Dranseika Vilius , Neiders Ivars 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
In his paper “The challenge of brain death for the sanctity of life ethic”, Peter Singer advocates two options for dealing with death criteria in a way that is compatible with efficient organ transplantation policy. He suggests that we should either (a) redefine death as cortical death or (b) go back to the old cardiopulmonary criterion and scrap the Dead Donor Rule. We welcome Singer’s line of argument but raise some concerns about the practicability of the two alternatives advocated by him. We propose adding a third alternative that also – as the two previous alternatives – preserves and extends the possibility of organ transplantation without using anyone without their consent. Namely, we would like to draw readers’ attention to a proposal by Robert Veatch, formulated 42 years ago in his 1976 book “Death, dying, and the biological revolution” and developed further in his later publications. Veatch argues for a conscience clause for the definition of death that would permit people to pick from a reasonable range of definitional options. This autonomy-based option, we believe, is more likely to be practicable than the two options advocated by Singer. Furthermore, we present data from a study with Lithuanian participants that suggest that there is quite pronounced variation of preferences concerning death determination.
Land Use Changes in Spain. Drivers and Trends in Agricultural Land Use
Authors: Mar Delgado-Serrano María , Ángel Hurtado-Martos José 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
Land is an essential resource and plays a vital role in providing food and food security, water, ecosystem services and territorial resilience. However, the past few decades have generated enormous and increasingly unsustainable pressures on land use. The objective of this research is to analyse the main land use changes in Spain between 1987 and 2011 using data provided by the Corine Land Cover (CLC) project. The general trends in land use change at CLC level 1 in this period, and more specifically the changes occurring at CLC level 3 in land destined for agricultural use are analysed. The main reasons that explain these changes, including policy influences, are then identified. The results show that the area occupied by buildings and infrastructure has doubled, agricultural land has decreased and irrigated land has increased; forested areas have also increased, but their ecological quality has been degraded. These trends question the future sustainability of that land use in the analysed period.
Provision of Public Services in the Light of Current Global Trends
Authors: Bumbalová Monika 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
Provision of services by public sector is a concept, which has been implemented for many decades in various forms of economic arrangement. Public sector policies and public services have significant impact on almost all spheres of life including agriculture. Throughout the history, there were times with smaller and bigger importance of public sector within the economy. The conditions of public sector always depend on the actual trend applied in the sphere of public administration and public management. After the period of New Public Management accompanied by leaning away from the “public” concept, a return to stronger statehood and more intensive public sector can be seen. There are several reasons for such development, which are also called megatrends. Urbanization, demography and social changes, climate changes and development of technology belong to the most intensive ones. The presented review paper deals with the description of the mentioned trends and provides a reflexion on their influence on the public sector and provision of public services in particular.
Application of Statistical and Econometric Tools in The Analysis of Air Pollution Level on The Example of Czestochowa
Authors: Zawada Marcin , Szajt Marek 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
One of the key elements of environmental protection is taking care of air quality. This is a difficult task as the quality of air is influenced by numerous factors connected with man’s activity. Usually more developed economies have a stronger influence on the environment, including the level of pollution, and at the same time they have at their disposal a number of tools that make it possible to stop the emission of harmful substances. An important aspect in the struggle with air pollution in a given area is the constant monitoring of its quality.
The aim of the article is the statistical and econometric analysis of the basic parameters of air pollution in Czestochowa in 2012–2017. This objective was achieved by calculating the basic descriptive statistics of the distinguished types of pollutants, determining the correlation between them, and building models of fluctuations in time for each of them based on the data observed and corrected (standardized) relative to air temperature. Based on the obtained models – assessing their prognostic properties – the prediction of the level of the selected types of pollutants was made.
Singular Value Decomposition Approaches in A Correspondence Analysis with The Use of R
Authors: Brzezińska Justyna 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
The aim of a correspondence analysis is the graphical representation of the categories of variables in one frame of reference. This visualization is possible due to the decomposition of the basic matrix with the use of Singular Value Decomposition (SVD). There are three matrices used in the process of decomposition: right singular vectors, left singular vectors, and a singular value diagonal matrix. The aim of this paper is to compare four different approaches and algorithms of SVD methods used in a correspondence analysis. In the literature, four approaches are known to singular value decomposition, defined by: R.A. Fisher (1940), M.J. Greenacre (1984), E.B. Anderson (1991), and J.D. Jobson (1992). Those computational procedures will be presented and compared in this paper. Also, methods of determining the coordinates of the category column and line matrix, as well as the values of inertia will be defined for these approaches. A key problem is to compare the well-known approaches, since in the literature only one approach ‒ proposed by Greenacre ‒ is used for singular value decomposition. The reason of the superiority of this algorithm over the others may be the simplicity and ease of the mathematical calculations. Greenacre’s algorithm is also used in R statistical software, making its availability and popularity growing, however, other algorithms are worth presenting and focusing on.
Convergence of Housing Markets: European Perspective
Authors: Żelazowski Konrad 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
The housing market is not only an important component of the national economy; it is also a place of meeting the basic and fundamental needs for the functioning of households. The structure of housing markets and their performance are primarily driven by local and national factors. This results mainly from the specificity of real estate (primarily from its immobility), historical factors, economic conditions, as well as from institutional environment. However, in the process of integration of the European economies, one can see a growing trend towards the unification of the housing markets.
The aim of the paper is to assess the scope and scale of convergence processes in the European housing markets. The study covers the main characteristics of the markets, including: the size of the national housing stock and its ownership structure, the importance of residential properties in households’ assets, and the share of housing expenditure in households’ total consumption expenditure. The occurrence of three most popular types of convergence was investigated: beta, sigma, and gamma convergence.
Exopolysaccharides May Increase Gastrointestinal Stress Tolerance of Lactobacillus reuteri
Authors: Fedorová M. , Nemcová R. , Mudroňová D. , Styková E. , Brudňáková M. , Reiffová K. 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
This study investigated a possible relationship between exopolysaccharides (EPS) production and the resistance to bile salts and low pH in intestinal strains of Lactobacillus reuteri. The strains displayed a mucoid phenotype, when grown in the presence of 10 % sucrose. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed strands of exopolysaccharide linking neighbouring cells. The strains (except L. reuteri B1/1) produced EPS in the range from 15.80 to 650.70 mg.l−1. The strains were tested for tolerance to bile salts (0.15; 0.3 %) and low pH (1.5—2.0—2.5—3.0). The survival rate, after the treatment with artificial gastric and intestinal juices, was determined by flow cytometric analysis. The strains of L. reuteri that produced 121—650 mg.l−1 of EPS showed a significantly higher tolerance (P < 0.001) to the gastric juice at pH 3 and 2.5, throughout the entire exposure time, in comparison to the strains that produced less than 20 mg.l−1 of EPS. L. reuteri L26, with the highest production of EPS, exhibited the highest survival rate (60 %) at pH 2 after the 120 minutes of in-cubation and was able to tolerate pH 1.5 for 30 minutes. Higher production of EPS significantly (P < 0.001) increased the strains’ tolerance against the intestinal juice in the presence of 0.15 and 0.3 % bile salts and was time dependent. L. reuteri L26 showed the highest tolerance (P < 0.001) against 0.3 % bile salts. This investigation revealed a positive correlation between the EPS production and the resistance of intestinal L. reuteri to the stress conditions of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT).
The Difference in the Mucus Organization Between the Small and Large Intestine and Its Protection of Selected Natural Substances. A Review
Authors: Szabóová R. , Faixová Z. , Maková Z. , Piešová E. 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
The mucus layer of the intestinal tract plays an important role of forming the front line of innate host defense. Recent studies have suggested that the involvement of feeding natural additives on protection/prevention/promotion of mucus production in the intestinal environment is beneficial. The goblet cells continually produce mucins for the retention of the mucus barrier under physiological conditions, but different factors (e. g. microorganisms, microbial toxins, viruses, cytokines, and enzymes) can have profound effects on the integrity of the intestinal epithelium covered by a protective mucus. The intestinal mucus forms enterocytes covered by transmembrane mucins and goblet cells produce by the secreted gel-forming mucins (MUC2). The mucus is organized in a single unattached mucus layer in the small intestine and in two mucus layers (inner, outer) in the colon. The main part of the review evaluates the effects of natural additives/substances supplementation to stimulate increased expression of MUC2 mucin in the intestine of animals.
Mojave Yucca (Yucca Schidigera Roezl) Effects on Female Reproduction a Review
Authors: Vlčková R. , Sopková D. 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
Yucca is an important source of biologically active substances such as steroidal saponins and stilbenes providing many beneficial effects when administered to humans and other animals. These substances offer a great potential in the prevention and treatment of current civilized diseases as well as to their: antioxidant, hypocholesterolaemic, anti-inflammatory, phytoestrogenic, pro-apoptotic, anti-proliferative, and anti-carcinogenic properties. This review focuses on the roles of two main yucca constituent groups and their ability to modulate ovarian functions and female reproductive performance. Both the biological activity of yucca substances and the mechanisms of their actions on ovaries are still incompletely understood. Thus, the direct effects of yucca extract on ovarian cells in animal models under in vitro conditions, as well as actions after yucca consumption will be discussed.
Evaluation of Radiographic Coxofemoral Measurements in Boerboel Dogs
Authors: Ajadi R. A. , Sanni J. L. , Sobayo E. L. 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
This study compares the coxofemoral parameters used for the detection of hip dysplasia in humans with Norberg angles in Boerboel dogs. Twenty adult Boerboel dogs of both sexes (mean weight: 54.0 ± 7.54 kg) were used. They were premedicated with Xylazine (0.5 mg.kg−1) and induced with a propofol (4 mg.kg−1) injection. Extended antero-posterior radiographs of the hip were obtained with a digital X-ray machine. Linear Femoral Overlap (LFO), Norberg Angle (NA), Sourcil Sector Angle (SSA), Center Edge Angle (CEA) and Acetabular Index Angle (AIA) were determined. The inter- and intra-observer variability were calculated from inter- and intra- class correlation coefficient using the analysis of variance (ANOVA). Fischer’s exact test was used to define the statistically significant difference in measurements between sexes and hip dysplasia status. A significant difference was set at P < 0.05. The intra-observer agreement was high for NA and CEA, moderate for AIA, but low for SSA and LFO, while inter-observer agreement was high for NA and CEA, moderate for LFO and AIA, but very low for SSA. There was no significant (P < 0.05) difference in the measured parameters between male and female Boerboels, however, NA and CEA were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in Boerboels with hip dysplasia than those with normal hips. The CEA does not have advantage over NA for radiographic screening of dogs with hip dysplasia.
The spatial distribution of largest firms in the Czech Republic and its managerial implications
Authors: Sucháček Jan , Urminský Jaroslav , Škapa Stanislav 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
Corporate headquarters, which occupy the top of enterprise organizational hierarchies became the subject of an increased interest in last three decades. Until now, posttransformation economies suffer from a distinct cognitive gap in this respect. The main objective of this paper is to analyse and interpret the development of the spatial pattern of top 100 biggest companies in the Czech Republic. Both quantitative and qualitative dimension of this issue will be investigated in the frame of this article. The basic territorial level we examine is constituted by self-governing regions. Finally, particular managerial and regionally-orientated recommendations for both largest enterprises and public administration will be formulated.
The influence of wealth on philanthropy: A cross-regional study
Authors: Fuchsová Eva , Laštovková Jitka , Jánská Michaela 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
Even in situations when welfare state budgets can be considered generous, many socially responsible, beneficial activities remain that cannot survive without the financial support of private individual or corporate donors. The article seeks an answer to questions of to what extent the willingness to donate one’s own money depends on wealth and income, and what the role of other socio-cultural factors is. The data about the amount of private and corporate donations in particular regions of the Czech Republic in the period of the years 2011–2015 is compared with data about the regional economic prosperity and income. The regression analysis results show that it was only possible to explain to certain level the amount of donations by the rate of the wealth of firms and individuals in particular regions. In case of the companies, it is a medium-strong correlation, while the correlation is strong in terms of individuals. Particularly in terms of the corporate donation, the willingness to donate is significantly related also with other, non-economic factors in the region.
Rest vs. Rust: The Effect of Disproportionate Time Between Rounds of a Playoff Series
Authors: Urban T. L. 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
This study analyzed the effect of a disproportionate amount of time between rounds of a playoff series—known as the “rest vs. rust” debate in the popular sports media—on the likelihood of winning each game of the subsequent round of the tournament. We utilized NBA Finals data from 1984 – 2018, and analyzed this phenomenon using ordered logistic regression with a categorical dependent variable representing the margin of victory of each game. In addition to several control variables, variables reflecting the difference in the time between series for the two teams were used to measure this effect. The results indicate that having additional time between rounds of the series provides a statistically significant advantage; interestingly, though, it has more of an impact on the second game of the subsequent round than it does for the first game. Teams may utilize the results of this study when deciding on how to schedule and intensify their practice sessions, by providing appropriate rest and maintaining rhythm to increase the likelihood of winning each game.
Probabilistic models comparing Fast4 and traditional tennis
Authors: Simmonds E. , O’Donoghue P. 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
Tennis matches are hierarchies made up of sets containing games which, in turn, contain points. Traditional tennis games and tiebreakers could theoretically be infinite in length because a player needs to be at least 2 points ahead of the opponent to win. Fast4 tennis is a newer format of tennis that has been used at a number of levels of the sport including professional tennis where it has been used in Next Generation Finals events since 2017. The purpose of the current investigation is to compare the traditional tennis format to Fast4 tennis in terms of the probability of different players winning matches and the duration of matches. Probabilistic models of Fast4 tennis games and tiebreakers were developed. These models allowed the probability of winning games and tiebreakers to be compared between the two formats of tennis for a range of probabilities of players winning points. The models were then used within a series of simulations to determine the probability of winning sets and matches as well as the durations of games, tiebreakers, sets and matches in the two formats. Each component of the two formats of tennis was simulated 100,000 times revealing a reduced impact of serve, greater chance of upsets and shorter matches in Fast 4 tennis than in traditional tennis. The probability of players of differing abilities winning matches as well as the duration of tennis matches should be considered by those making decisions on the format of matches to be applied in tennis tournaments as well as by those preparing to compete in such tournaments.
Comprehensive Technology-Based Learning (CTBL): A Comparison Between Various Types of Quantitative Courses
Authors: Ghilay Yaron 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
Learning quantitative courses in higher education is difficult because students need to understand complex principles and solve complicated questions. In these courses, new knowledge depends on prior knowledge and when gaps in students’ understanding occur, they are difficult to overcome. The study examines a new model called comprehensive technology-based learning (CTBL) designed to overcome these difficulties.
The problem is addressed by full coverage of the curriculum in a variety of textual and video learning tools, as well as an ongoing process of diagnosis and prognosis, designed to overcome students’ difficulties and knowledge gaps. The study examined the students’ attitudes towards CTBL model relating to three quantitative courses (n
1=39, n
2=25, n
3=18, ntotal
). It points out that a quantitative course based on CTBL significantly nurtures students’ learning. Improving learning and overcoming knowledge gaps are influenced by several characteristics: Full coverage of the curriculum, excellent learning experience, repetition of the material without limitations, flexibility to learn outside the classroom, a variety of means to choose which ones are more appropriate, and making learning much easier. Beyond that, the diagnosis and prognosis done by the lecturer cause the instructor to intervene in real time, to solve the students’ difficulties on an ongoing basis.
Social Behavior of Schoolteachers of Latvia and Russia in the Structure of Teacher Professional Identity
Authors: Jermolajeva Jelena , Bogdanova Tatiana , Silchenkova Svetlana 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
The article presents the results of the international study of the professional identity of schoolteachers of Russia and Latvia. In the study, the six component model of the content of the teacher professional identity (TPI) is used. According to this model, in 2017, the questionnaire “School Teacher Professional Identity” was created and international survey organized, in which 437 schoolteachers from Latvia and the Smolensk region of Russia participated. The aim of this article is to analyze the data of the two national samples for the 6th component of TPI: “Professionally Determined Social Behavior”. This behavior is not connected with the implementation of direct professional duties, but corresponds to the philosophy of the profession: taking up the mission of educating community, active involvement in social life, participation in formulation and solution of social problems having pedagogical aspects and unselfish professional help to those who need it. To process the data, statistical methods were used. On the whole, items of the component received relatively high scores in both national samples. Certain differences in the data of Latvian and Russian teachers as well as urban and rural subgroups of both countries are observed. High dispersion of data shown in this component indicates that the professionally determined social behavior is the most acute and controversial aspect of TPI; therefore, the elaboration of optimal ways and tools to strengthen TPI should be based on an in-depth study of social behavior of schoolteachers.