Optimization of commodity portfolio management

The problem we consider is introduced by Uljarice Bačka, LLC. The core business activities of the company are trade of agriculture commodities, warehousing and distribution and crops production. The main traded goods are: corn, wheat, barely, sunflower, soybean, soybean meal and raw material for crops production: fertilizers, plant protection products, seeds and other. Since a large part of company’s activities relays on corn, predicting the price of that good is of the main interest. In order to make a reasonable predictions, models which incorporate the crucial factors influencing the corn prices are needed. Of course, the important issue is which data are available. Within the data that we obtained, a correlation analysis is performed to point out the relevant parameters. We introduce different methods for obtaining the predictions and provide some numerical results

METHODS OF EVAULATION AND MEASURING OF EWE UDDER MORPHOLOGY TRAITS

Selekcija mliječnih pasmina ovaca donedavno je uglavnom bila usmjerena na povećanje mliječnosti i izlučivanje grla s visokom brojem somatskih stanica u mlijeku. U posljednje vrijeme, u zemljama s razvijenim mliječnim ovčarstvom javlja se sve veći interes za dodavanjem drugih u selekciji važnih funkcionalnih osobina, poput primjerice morfoloških odlika vimena. Prva primijenjena metoda subjektivne procjene ovčjeg vimena bila je klasifikacija ovaca prema obliku ili tipu vimena. Međutim, zbog relativno malog raspona tipova vimena (četiri kategorije) navedena klasifikacija nije omogućavala analizu podataka s kontinuiranom skalom te procjenu genetskih pokazatelja i uzgojnih vrijednosti grla linearnim modelima. U posljednjih desetak godina u svijetu se, usporedno sa širom primjenom strojne mužnja, u provedbi selekcije i uzgojnih programa u različitih mliječnih pasmina ovaca primjenjuje linearno ocjenjivanje (linear scoring) glavnih morfoloških odlika vimena (dubina vimena, kut sisa, dužina sisa i oblik vimena). Objektivno mjerenje morfoloških odlika vimena ovaca je vrlo sporo i naporno te stoga nije rutinsko u mliječnim stadima i uglavnom se provodi u znanstvenim istraživanjima u cilju utvrđivanja povezanosti s proizvodnjom mlijeka i drugim proizvodnim odlikama.Recently, in countries with high sheep milk production interest has been increasing functional traits such as udder morphology. The first practical utilization of udder morphology on dairy sheep was made using tables of udder typology. Classification by types is at disadvantage because BLUP methods are less suited for estimating genetic values for the non-continuous traits involved in these analyses. With the increasing implementation of milking machines, a subjective appraisal of some elementary udder traits (udder depth, teat angle, teat length, udder shape) on the basis of a linear scale was implemented. Different authors have undertaken the use of objective measurements for the characterization of the dairy sheep udder and for the study of the relations with milk yield or other productive traits since the development of machine milking. The use of objective measurements is based on several measures performed directly on each animal and as a consequence it shows some drawbacks such as low speed, laboriousness and expense in personnel making its application infeasible for commercial farms

METHODS OF EVAULATION AND MEASURING OF EWE UDDER MORPHOLOGY TRAITS

Selekcija mliječnih pasmina ovaca donedavno je uglavnom bila usmjerena na povećanje mliječnosti i izlučivanje grla s visokom brojem somatskih stanica u mlijeku. U posljednje vrijeme, u zemljama s razvijenim mliječnim ovčarstvom javlja se sve veći interes za dodavanjem drugih u selekciji važnih funkcionalnih osobina, poput primjerice morfoloških odlika vimena. Prva primijenjena metoda subjektivne procjene ovčjeg vimena bila je klasifikacija ovaca prema obliku ili tipu vimena. Međutim, zbog relativno malog raspona tipova vimena (četiri kategorije) navedena klasifikacija nije omogućavala analizu podataka s kontinuiranom skalom te procjenu genetskih pokazatelja i uzgojnih vrijednosti grla linearnim modelima. U posljednjih desetak godina u svijetu se, usporedno sa širom primjenom strojne mužnja, u provedbi selekcije i uzgojnih programa u različitih mliječnih pasmina ovaca primjenjuje linearno ocjenjivanje (linear scoring) glavnih morfoloških odlika vimena (dubina vimena, kut sisa, dužina sisa i oblik vimena). Objektivno mjerenje morfoloških odlika vimena ovaca je vrlo sporo i naporno te stoga nije rutinsko u mliječnim stadima i uglavnom se provodi u znanstvenim istraživanjima u cilju utvrđivanja povezanosti s proizvodnjom mlijeka i drugim proizvodnim odlikama.Recently, in countries with high sheep milk production interest has been increasing functional traits such as udder morphology. The first practical utilization of udder morphology on dairy sheep was made using tables of udder typology. Classification by types is at disadvantage because BLUP methods are less suited for estimating genetic values for the non-continuous traits involved in these analyses. With the increasing implementation of milking machines, a subjective appraisal of some elementary udder traits (udder depth, teat angle, teat length, udder shape) on the basis of a linear scale was implemented. Different authors have undertaken the use of objective measurements for the characterization of the dairy sheep udder and for the study of the relations with milk yield or other productive traits since the development of machine milking. The use of objective measurements is based on several measures performed directly on each animal and as a consequence it shows some drawbacks such as low speed, laboriousness and expense in personnel making its application infeasible for commercial farms

CLASSIFICATION OF CARCASSES OF OVINE ANIMALS

U državama članicama Europske Unije primjenjuje se jedinstveni sustav klasifikacije ovčjih, odnosno janjećih trupova (European Union, 1992). Klasifikacija trupova provodi se subjektivnim ocjenjivanjem na temelju konformacije trupa i stupnja (ocjene) prekrivenosti trupa masnim tkivom. U sustavu klasifikacije janjećih trupova postoje dvije kategorije: 1) trup 13 kg. Lakši trupovi dijele se u tri težinske kategorije od kojih svaka, ovisno o boji mesa i stupnju prekrivenosti trupa masnim tkivom, sadrži dvije kvalitativne klase; I. i II. Trup teži od 13 kg klasificira se po „E.U.R.O.P.“ klasifikaciji u pet klasa (od E = izvrstan do P = slab). Ocjena prekrivenosti trupa masnim tkivom određuje se posebno za trupove lakše od 13 kg (1 = vrlo slaba, 4 = jaka), a posebno za trupove teže od 13 kg (1 = vrlo slaba, 5 = vrlo jaka). Klasifikacijski standard za trupove ovaca i janjadi napravljen je u svrhu poboljšanja tržišne transparentnosti u sektoru ovčjeg (janjećeg) mesa. U njemu su sadržana detaljna pravila za provođenje klasifikacijskih postupaka i za određivanje tržnih cijena mesa na temelju pojedinih klasa.The European Union (EU) requires Member States to make use of a classification system for ovine carcasses (European Union, 1992). The classification of carcasses is based on subjective evaluation of carcass conformation and the degree of fat cover. The lamb carcass classification system comprises two different schemes: for carcasses weighing 13 kg. Lighter carcasses are divided into three categories according to weight. Each weight category includes two quality classes, depending on meat color and fatness score. Carcasses weighing more than 13 kg are evaluated according to conformation (E.U.R.O.P. classification: five classes, from E =”good”, to P =”bad” conformation). Degree of fatness of the carcasses is assessed separately for carcasses 13 kg (1 =”very lean”, to 5 =”very fat). Among the aims of this classification is to improve market transparency in sheep meat trade. It has detailed rules for classification of ovine animals and the determination of market prices which are established on the basis of this classification standard

CLASSIFICATION OF CARCASSES OF OVINE ANIMALS

U državama članicama Europske Unije primjenjuje se jedinstveni sustav klasifikacije ovčjih, odnosno janjećih trupova (European Union, 1992). Klasifikacija trupova provodi se subjektivnim ocjenjivanjem na temelju konformacije trupa i stupnja (ocjene) prekrivenosti trupa masnim tkivom. U sustavu klasifikacije janjećih trupova postoje dvije kategorije: 1) trup 13 kg. Lakši trupovi dijele se u tri težinske kategorije od kojih svaka, ovisno o boji mesa i stupnju prekrivenosti trupa masnim tkivom, sadrži dvije kvalitativne klase; I. i II. Trup teži od 13 kg klasificira se po „E.U.R.O.P.“ klasifikaciji u pet klasa (od E = izvrstan do P = slab). Ocjena prekrivenosti trupa masnim tkivom određuje se posebno za trupove lakše od 13 kg (1 = vrlo slaba, 4 = jaka), a posebno za trupove teže od 13 kg (1 = vrlo slaba, 5 = vrlo jaka). Klasifikacijski standard za trupove ovaca i janjadi napravljen je u svrhu poboljšanja tržišne transparentnosti u sektoru ovčjeg (janjećeg) mesa. U njemu su sadržana detaljna pravila za provođenje klasifikacijskih postupaka i za određivanje tržnih cijena mesa na temelju pojedinih klasa.The European Union (EU) requires Member States to make use of a classification system for ovine carcasses (European Union, 1992). The classification of carcasses is based on subjective evaluation of carcass conformation and the degree of fat cover. The lamb carcass classification system comprises two different schemes: for carcasses weighing 13 kg. Lighter carcasses are divided into three categories according to weight. Each weight category includes two quality classes, depending on meat color and fatness score. Carcasses weighing more than 13 kg are evaluated according to conformation (E.U.R.O.P. classification: five classes, from E =”good”, to P =”bad” conformation). Degree of fatness of the carcasses is assessed separately for carcasses 13 kg (1 =”very lean”, to 5 =”very fat). Among the aims of this classification is to improve market transparency in sheep meat trade. It has detailed rules for classification of ovine animals and the determination of market prices which are established on the basis of this classification standard

Fullerenol nanoparticles as a new delivery system for doxorubicin

Doxorubicin is a very potent chemotherapeutic drug, however its side effects limit its clinical use. The aim of this research was to investigate the properties of a fullerenol/doxorubicin nanocomposite, its potentially cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on malignant cell lines, as well as its toxicity towards zebra fish embryos. Chromatographic, NMR and mass spectral analysis of the nanocomposite imply that interactions between doxorubicin and fullerenol are non-covalent bonds. The stability of the nanocomposite was confirmed by the use of atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. The nanocomposite, compared to the free doxorubicin at equivalent concentrations, significantly decreased the viability of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. The flow cytometry results indicated that doxorubicin-loaded fullerenol could remarkably increase the uptake of doxorubicin suggesting that fullerenol might be a promising intracellular targeting carrier for the efficient delivery of antitumor drugs into tumor cells. The nanocomposite also affected cell cycle distribution. A genotoxicity test showed that the nanocomposite at all examined concentrations on MCF-7 and at lower concentrations on MDA-MB-231 cells caused DNA damage. Consequently, cell proliferation was notably reduced when compared with controls. Results of the zebrafish embryotoxicity assay showed a decreased overall toxicity, particularly cardiotoxicity and increased safety of the nanocomposite in comparison to doxorubicin alone, as manifested by a higher survival of embryos and less pericardial edema

EFFECT OF SEX ON SLAUGHTER TRAITS OF PAG SHEEP LAMBS

Cilj ovog rada bio je utvrditi utjecaj spola na klaoničke pokazatelje, mjere trupa, boju mesa mjerenu na svježem presjeku mišićnih regija m. longissimus dorsi (MLD) i m. rectus abdominis (MRA) te kemijski sastav i pH vrijednost mesa janjadi paške ovce. Iako paška ovca pripada skupini pasmina kombiniranih proizvodnih odlika, primarno je namijenjena proizvodnji mlijeka, dok je meso sisajuće janjadi drugi važan proizvod paškim ovčarima za stjecanje dohotka. Glavni razlog klanja mlade i lagane janjadi („sa sise“) na otoku Pagu je raniji početak mužnje i iskorištavanje vrha laktacije za proizvodnju mlijeka koje se uglavnom prerađuje u poznati paški sir. Predmetnim istraživanjem bilo je obuhvaćeno ukupno 112 paške janjadi (66 muške i 46 ženske) zaklane pri prosječnoj dobi od 33 dana. Nije utvrđen statistički značajan utjecaj spola na masu trupa, randman te mase pojedinih unutarnjih organa zaklane janjadi (P>0,05). Unatoč ujednačenoj razvijenosti trupa, trupovi muške paške janjadi bili su statistički značajno dublji od trupova ženske janjadi. Uz to je u trupovima muške janjadi utvrđena niža pH vrijednost mesa i veće L* vrijednosti MLD-a i MRA iako razlike nisu bile statistički značajne (P>0,05). U trupovima ženske janjadi utvrđena je značajno (P0.05). Despite uniform carcass development, carcasses of male Pag lambs were statistically significant deeper then carcasses of female lambs. Besides, in carcasses of male lambs it was determined lower pH value of meat and greater L* values of MLD and MRA, althougr differences were not statistically significan (P>0.05). In carcasses of female lambs it was determined significantly (P<0,05) greater b* value of MRA compared to males. Sex of lambs did not significantly affect the chemical composition of MLD