Ultimate attainment in the use of collocations among heritage speakers of Turkish in Germany and Turkish-German returnees

In this paper we show that heritage speakers and returnees are fundamentally different from the majority of adult second language learners with respect to their use of collocations (Laufer & Waldman, 2011). We compare the use of lexical collocations involving yap- “do” and et- “do” among heritage speakers of Turkish in Germany (n=45) with those found among Turkish returnees (n=65) and Turkish monolinguals (n=69). Language use by returnees is an understudied resource although this group can provide crucial insights into the specific language ability of heritage speakers. Results show that returnees who had been back for one year avoid collocations with yap- and use some hypercorrect forms in et-, whilst returnees who had been back for seven years upon recording produce collocations that are quantitatively and qualitatively similar to those of monolingual speakers of Turkish. We discuss implications for theories of ultimate attainment and incomplete acquisition in heritage speakers.

Hormone release and behavior during suckling and milking in Gir, Gir x Holstein, and Holstein cows

There are several different milking management systems in Latin America, because Gir cattle are reputed to be easily stressed and not well adapted to machine-milking. This paper, therefore, provides an overview of hormone release and behavior during suckling and milking in Gir cows and their crossbred offspring. Several experiments were performed to study oxytocin release during exclusive suckling or exclusive hand- and machine-milking, oxytocin, and prolactin release during a mixed suckling-milking system and oxytocin release after weaning. Cortisol concentrations and behavior were also examined. Concentration of oxytocin, released during suckling, and both types of milking were high, but the maximum concentration measured during suckling was significantly greater than that observed during exclusive milking. In the mixed suckling-milking system, the greatest oxytocin and prolactin releases were measured during suckling. Cortisol concentrations measured before, during, and after milking demonstrated that Gir x Holstein and Holstein cows were not stressed. On the other hand, although Gir had greater concentrations of cortisol, the percentage of residual milk for Gir cows was less than for dairy cows exposed to different stressful situations. In general, Gir cows and their crossbred offspring adapted to machine-milking, although these breeds can react negatively to milkers. Gir, Gir x Holstein, and Holstein cows all had similar cortisol levels during and after milking.

Effects of dietary urea levels on milk protein fractions of Holstein cows

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of substituting soybean meal for urea on milk protein fractions (casein, whey protein and non-protein nitrogen) of dairy cows in three dietary levels. Nine mid-lactation Holstein cows were used in a 3 x 3 Latin square arrangement, composed of 3 treatments, 3 periods of 21 days each, and 3 squares. The treatments consisted of three different diets fed to lactating cows, which were randomly assigned to three groups of three animals: (A) no urea inclusion, providing 100% of crude protein (CP), rumen undegradable protein (RUP) and rumen degradable protein (RDP) requirements, using soybean meal and sugarcane as roughage; (B) urea inclusion at 7.5 g/kg DM in partial substitution of soybean meal CP equivalent; (C) urea inclusion at 15 g/kg DM in partial substitution of soybean meal CP equivalent. Rations were isoenergetic and isonitrogenous-1 60 g/kg DM of crude protein and 6.40 MJ/kg DM of net energy for lactation. When the data were analyzed by simple polynomial regression, no differences were observed among treatments in relation to milk CP content, true protein, casein, whey protein, non-casein and non-protein nitrogen, or urea. The milk true protein:crude protein and casein:true protein ratios were not influenced by substituting soybean meal for urea in the diet. Based on the results it can be concluded that the addition of urea up to 15 g/kg of diet dry matter in substitution of soybean meal did not alter milk protein concentration casein, whey protein and its non-protein fractions, when fed to lactating dairy cows. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The Application Of Renewable Energy For Prefab Houses In Germany

Within the framework of the REBUS project the German building industry has been investigated regarding their energy concepts. The intention was to evaluatethe establishment of renewable energy sources on the German market for new built houses and prefab houses in particular. For this purpose the products of 85manufacturers of prefab houses have been analyzed. Of special interest was the applicationof heating and hot water systems driven by solar energy and biomass. The results show that both techniques are well accepted and established. Almost 90% of themanufacturers offer solar systems on request and almost 70% heating systems based on Pellets. 24% offered solar and 7% as standard options in their range. From theachieved figures the potential of the Swedish market can be worked out. Strategies to introduce renewable energy to a greater extent to Swedish house manufacturers and builders might also be found.

Rapport från/Report from IEA Task-14 mötet/meeting on solar heating system, Hameln Tyskland/Germany August 1992

Participation as observer at the meeting of Task 14 of IEA's Solar Heating and Cooling Projects held in Hameln, Germany has led to greater understanding of interesting developments underway in several countries. This will be of use during the development of small scale systems suitable for Swedish conditions. A summary of the work carried out by the working groups within Task 14 is given, with emphasis on the Domestic Hot Water group. Experiences of low-flow systems from several countries are related, and the conclusion is drawn that the maximum theoretical possible increase in performance of 20% has not been achieved due to poor heat exchangers and poor stratification in the storage tanks. Positive developments in connecting tubes and pumps is noted. Further participation as observer in Task 14 meetings is desired, and is looked on favourably by the members of the group. Another conclusion is that SERC should carry on with work on Swedish storage tanks, with emphasis on better stratification and heat exchangers, and possible modelling of system components. Finally a German Do-it-Vourself kit is described and judged in comparison with prefabricated models and Swedish Do-it-Yourself kits.

Hydropower Energy Simulation Using Mike 11 Model; A Case Study In South Germany's Small Run-Of-River Hydropower Plants

Renewable energy production is a basic supplement to stabilize rapidly increasing global energy demand and skyrocketing energy price as well as to balance the fluctuation of supply from non-renewable energy sources at electrical grid hubs. The European energy traders, government and private company energy providers and other stakeholders have been, since recently, a major beneficiary, customer and clients of Hydropower simulation solutions. The relationship between rainfall-runoff model outputs and energy productions of hydropower plants has not been clearly studied. In this research, association of rainfall, catchment characteristics, river network and runoff with energy production of a particular hydropower station is examined. The essence of this study is to justify the correspondence between runoff extracted from calibrated catchment and energy production of hydropower plant located at a catchment outlet; to employ a unique technique to convert runoff to energy based on statistical and graphical trend analysis of the two, and to provide environment for energy forecast. For rainfall-runoff model setup and calibration, MIKE 11 NAM model is applied, meanwhile MIKE 11 SO model is used to track, adopt and set a control strategy at hydropower location for runoff-energy correlation. The model is tested at two selected micro run-of-river hydropower plants located in South Germany. Two consecutive calibration is compromised to test the model; one for rainfall-runoff model and other for energy simulation. Calibration results and supporting verification plots of two case studies indicated that simulated discharge and energy production is comparable with the measured discharge and energy production respectively.

The implementation of corporate governance in Germany and Brazi l: a comparative case study

The recent promotion of best corporate governance standards by several different government institutions and non-for profit organizations resulted in the implementation of more sophisticated governance mechanisms. As consequence to the separation of ownership and control the concept of agency theory arose. Agency theory argues that without out proper control mechanism managers would behave exploit owners due to information asymmetry. Regulators have promoted corporate governance mechanisms in order to address this issue. This paper aims to contrast the implementation of best corporate governance practices in Germany and Brazil on the example of two practical examples. With this purpose in mind, this paper analyzed two companies listed in the main stock exchange in Germany and Brazil throughout a period of 5 years. In order to measure the degree of corporate governance practices implemented 3 different parameters have been chosen. In line with great part of the literature the parameters considered to be relevant are; composition, procedures and deviation from the local corporate governance code. The comparison of the data revealed that board composition in the two analyzed companies is similar regarding the proportion of independent representatives but does distinguish in size. While committees are related to the same topics it can be implied that Natura’s board is more involved in the actual management of the company. Lastly, Beiersdorf has been able to comply to a larger extend with the recommendations of the local German code than Natura to the recommendations published by Brazilian code of the IBGC.

Which strategies can an educational business, such as a kindergarten in Germany, develop to foster employee engagement?

Which strategies can an educational business, such as a Kindergarten in Germany, develop to foster employee engagement? The goal of this master thesis is to identify effective and viable measures to engage employees, that could be potentially implemented in a Kindergarten in Germany. The literature concerning the notion of employee engagement is so inconsistent that even studies about the subject fail to find one common definition and have to acknowledge the variety of existing definitions (IES, 2014, p.52-53). This reflects the youth of the concept, which has only been partially studied by academics and practitioners in recent years. The literature gap about employee engagement concerns many aspects, among which small companies and educational businesses, in particular those focusing on early child development. Considering the low levels of employee engagement in Germany combined with the absence of studies on educational organizations focusing in early child development this master thesis studies engagement in German Kindergärten(s). This master thesis is divided in two parts consisting of a literature review and a case study. The literature review allows to follow the evolution of the concept along the years, while the case study focuses on assessing employee engagement in Montessori Kindergärten(s) in Munich & elaborating potential measures to increase engagement levels. Double sided research was undertaken for this case study. On the one hand a quantitative research was performed, through a survey, in order to uncover which strategies would be viable to foster employee engagement. On the other hand a qualitative research was undertaken, consisting in an internship in a Kindergarten, in order to shed light on how to do so. Findings in the quantitative research indicate overall engagement levels average to low. Results related to specific statements bring out the originality of the educational sector, which is in some aspects intrinsically engaging, similarly to the medical field (Seijts & Crim, 2006). Furthermore low engagement levels led to a conversely high number of positives responses to potential engagement strategies suggesting their potential effectiveness. Findings in the qualitative research are coherent with qualitative results and complement them

Standard electrocardiographic values in Holstein calves

Este artigo apresenta valores eletrocardiográficos de 25 bezerros da raça Holandesesa, utilizando-se as derivações bipolares de membro (I, II, III), unipolares aumentadas de membro (avL, avR e avF) e uma derivação bipolar de torax (V10). Dois grupos com animais de diferentes idades foram comparados (18 a 72 horas e 27 a 33 dias de idade). Conclui-se que não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos nas ondas P, Q, R, S e T, nos intervalos PR, QRS, QT e ST e no eixo cardíaco.

Latent heat loss of Holstein cows in a tropical environment: a prediction model

Nove vacas Holandesas lactantes com 526 ± 5 kg de peso corporal (cinco predominantemente pretas e quatro predominantemente brancas), criadas em região tropical e manejadas em pastagens, foram observadas com os objetivos de determinar simultaneamente as taxas de evaporação cutânea e respiratória em ambiente tropical e desenvolver modelos de predição. Para a medição da perda de calor latente pela superfície corporal, utilizou-se uma cápsula ventilada e, para a perda por respiração, utilizou-se uma máscara facial. Os resultados mostraram que as vacas que tinham maior peso corporal (classe 2 e 3) apresentaram maiores taxas evaporativas. Quando a temperatura do ar aumentou de 10 para 36ºC e a umidade relativa do ar caiu de 90 para 30%, a eliminação de calor por evaporação respiratória aumentou de aproximadamente 5 para 57 W m-2 e a evaporação na superfície corporal passou de 30 para 350 W m-2. Esses resultados confirmam que a eliminação de calor latente é o principal mecanismo de perda de energia térmica sob altas temperaturas (>30ºC); a evaporação cutânea é a maior via e corresponde a aproximadamente 85% da perda total de calor, enquanto o restante é eliminado pelo sistema respiratório. O modelo para predizer o fluxo de perda de calor latente baseado em variáveis fisiológicas e ambientais pode ser utilizado para estimar a contribuição da evaporação na termorregulação, enquanto o modelo baseado somente na temperatura do ar deve ser usado apenas para a simples caracterização do processo evaporativo.

Short communication: Principal components and factor analytic models for test-day milk yield in Brazilian Holstein cattle

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Genetic parameters for first lactation test-day milk flow in Holstein cows

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Bayesian analysis of random regression models using B-splines to model test-day milk yield of Holstein cattle in Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Random regression models to estimate test-day milk yield genetic parameters Holstein cows in Southeastern Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)