EGG quality influence on incubation results and their phenotype correlation

This study presents research results of quality and incubation values for Isa Brown hybrid eggs. Eggs were produced in the 33rd week of age at the production peak. Research was conducted on the sample of 252 incubation eggs (240 fertilized eggs). Chick hatchability compared to the number of inserted eggs was 86.51%, and compared to the number of fertilized eggs 90.83%. Average values for quality parameters of brooding eggs and incubation results were as follows: egg weight before insertion 58.41 g, egg length 5.49 cm, egg width 4.29 cm, egg shape index 78.16% and egg volume 53.14 cm3, one day old chick weight was 39.15 g, absolute egg weight loss was 6.60 g, relative egg weight loss was 11.31% and relative chick share in the egg weight was 67,03%. Statistically justified (P<0.001; P<0.01; P<0.05) correlation (complete one) was determined between egg weight and egg width (0.908), egg weight and egg volume (0.923) and egg weight and chick weight (0.918), very strong correlation was determined between egg weight and egg length (0.870), strong correlation was determined between egg weight and absolute egg weight loss (0.690), weak correlation was determined between egg shape index and egg width (0.395), and very weak correlation was determined between egg weight and egg shape index (0.188), egg weight and relative egg weight loss (-0.166), egg shape index and egg length (-0.147) and egg shape index and chick weight (0.189). Between egg weight and relative chick share in the egg weight, egg shape index and absolute egg weight loss, egg shape index and relative chick share in the egg weight no statistically justified (P>0.05) correlation was determined

Contactless Controlled Low-cost Robotic System

This paper presents and depicts a realization of a robotic arm with four degrees of freedom based on cheap components and software for its control with hand gestures. A position of the arm is determined by processing the acquired data from the sensor. The application is developed using free software packages. Results of this project could find use in industrial robotics, therapeutic biofeedback, telemanipulation systems, etc

Hydrocephalus-history of surgical treatment over the centuries

To trace the history of the treatment of hydrocephalus is to document the parallel development of medicine as a whole; when one reviews the treatment of hydrocephalus, the integral relationship between basic science and therapy is reaffirmed. The treatment of hydrocephalus, over the centuries, underwent three stages of evolution. Prior to the late 19 th century, treatment for 'water on the brain' involved more observation than intervention. During antiquity, middle ages and renaissance, hydrocephalus was not understood. Medical treatment was useless; surgery was hopeless. The second stage extends from the 19th century to the end of the first half of the 20 th century. Cerebrospinal fluid circulation was now understood; surgery however, remained inefficient, but some patients survived with arrested hydrocephalus. The third stage begins in the nineteen fifties with the development of silicone shunts with a valve. Surgery transforms the prognosis of hydrocephalus, but the number of post-operative complications creates new problems. The different attempts that have been made during these past two decades to solve these problems are reviewed. They have resulted in a reduction of the mechanical and infectious complications. CSF over drainage has been minimized. Percutaneous ventriculo-cisternostomies have in some cases replaced shunts. In the future, to improve outcome in these hydrocephalics, surgery, when indicated, should be performed as early as possible. Knowledge and prevention of the causes of hydrocephalus should be developed. As we progress further in this new millennium, it is appropriate to reflect on the past understanding and treatment of this disorder, review strategies to curb this disease process, and consider therapies and possibly cures that will be available in the future

Event-, politics-, and audience-driven news: A comparison of populism in European media coverage in 2016 and 2017

This chapter focuses on trends in reporting over time. It examines the presence of populist key messages in European newspapers coverage of immigration and commentaries on current political events, at two points in time, spring 2016 and spring 2017. The chapter explores the similarities and differences in the populist content of newspapers between the two periods and identifies a set of extra-media and intra-media explanatory factors contributing to the understanding of the emerging differences in a year-to-year comparison. The findings show that the presence of populism in news and commentaries in some countries is loosely related to actual migration dynamics (see Germany and Greece), whereas in other countries it seems to follow more intensive political debates, although actual immigration is less dramatic (Bulgaria, Poland). There are fewer indications than expected that the populist tendencies in news and commentaries are a reaction to the intensity with which the population views immigration as an important national issue or is dissatisfied with decisions by political elites. Finally, there are strong indications of the great importance of intra-media factors in explaining populism in news and commentary

The Polymorphisms of Genes Encoding Catalytic Antioxidant Proteins Modulate the Susceptibility and Progression of Testicular Germ Cell Tumor

The simultaneous analysis of redox biomarkers and polymorphisms encoding for regulatory and catalytic antioxidant proteins was performed in order to evaluate their potential role in the development of testicular germ cell tumor (GCT), as well as the progression of the disease. NRF2 (rs6721961), GSTM3 (rs1332018), SOD2 (rs4880) and GPX3 (rs8177412) polymorphisms were assessed in 88 patients with testicular GCT (52 with seminoma) and 88 age-matched controls. The plasma levels of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), thiol groups and the plasma activity of glutathione peroxidase were measured. A significant association between variant GPX3*TC+CC genotype and risk of overall testicular GCT, as well as seminoma development, was found. Moreover, carriers of variant SOD2*TT genotype were at almost 3-fold increased risk of seminoma development. Interestingly, combined SOD2*TT/GPX3*TC+CC genotype conferred a 7-fold higher risk for testicular GCT development. Finally, variant GSTM3*AC+CC genotype was associated with a higher risk for the development of advanced diseased. The presence of assessed genetic variants was not associated with significantly higher levels of redox biomarkers in both testicular GCT patients, as well as in those diagnosed with seminoma. In conclusion, the polymorphic expression of certain antioxidant enzymes might affect susceptibility toward testicular GCT development, as well as the progression of the disease

Reviewing, indicating, and counting books for modern research evaluation systems

In this chapter, we focus on the specialists who have helped to improve the conditions for book assessments in research evaluation exercises, with empirically based data and insights supporting their greater integration. Our review highlights the research carried out by four types of expert communities, referred to as the monitors, the subject classifiers, the indexers and the indicator constructionists. Many challenges lie ahead for scholars affiliated with these communities, particularly the latter three. By acknowledging their unique, yet interrelated roles, we show where the greatest potential is for both quantitative and qualitative indicator advancements in book-inclusive evaluation systems.Comment: Forthcoming in Glanzel, W., Moed, H.F., Schmoch U., Thelwall, M. (2018). Springer Handbook of Science and Technology Indicators. Springer Some corrections made in subsection 'Publisher prestige or quality

Numerical study on hygroscopic material drying in packed bed

The paper addresses numerical simulation for the case of convective drying of hygroscopic material in a packed bed, analyzing agreement between the simulated and the corresponding experimental results. In the simulation model of unsteady simultaneous one-dimensional heat and mass transfer between gas phase and dried material, it is assumed that the gas-solid interface is at thermodynamic equilibrium, while the drying rate of the specific product is calculated by applying the concept of a "drying coefficient". Model validation was clone on the basis of the experimental data obtained with potato cubes. The obtained drying kinetics, both experimental and numerical, show that higher gas (drying agent) velocities (flow-rates), as well as lower equivalent grain diameters, induce faster drying. This effect is more pronounced for deeper beds, because of the larger amount of wet material to be dried using the same drying agent capacity

Analyzing and predicting the spatial penetration of Airbnb in U.S. cities

In the hospitality industry, the room and apartment sharing platform of Airbnb has been accused of unfair competition. Detractors have pointed out the chronic lack of proper legislation. Unfortunately, there is little quantitative evidence about Airbnb's spatial penetration upon which to base such a legislation. In this study, we analyze Airbnb's spatial distribution in eight U.S. urban areas, in relation to both geographic, socio-demographic, and economic information. We find that, despite being very different in terms of population composition, size, and wealth, all eight cities exhibit the same pattern: that is, areas of high Airbnb presence are those occupied by the \newpart{``talented and creative''} classes, and those that are close to city centers. This result is consistent so much so that the accuracy of predicting Airbnb's spatial penetration is as high as 0.725