bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Propolis – quality analysis and use in topical formulations
Authors: Ramanauskiene Kristina , Inkeniene Asta Marija , Perminaite Kristina , Zilius Modestas , Majiene Daiva
Published: April 2021

The aim of this study was to produce propolis extracts, assess their quality and effect on skin cells and determine the penetration of active ingredients from designed semi-solid topical formulations. The use of higher-concentration ethanol and a larger amount of raw material allows extracting a larger quantity of active ingredients from raw propolis. Ultrasound extraction is an effective method for the production of aqueous extracts of propolis. The results show that depending on concentration, propolis extracts reduce the viability of keratinocytes. The phenolic compounds under observation penetrated the epidermis and dermis from designed formulations. The base of semi-solid formulation influences the efficacy of propolis preparations. The overall quantity of phenolic compounds that penetrated the skin was around 2 % from the ointment and 1.5 % from the cream.
3D-Printed Tool Shoulder Design for the Analogue Modelling of Bobbin Friction Stir Weld Joint Quality
Authors: Tamadon A. , Pons D. J. , Chakradhar K. , Kamboj J. , Clucas D.
Published: April 2021

A variety of tool shoulder designs comprising three families i.e. blade, spiral and circular shaped scrolls, were produced to improve the material flow and restrictions to avoid the tunnel void. The bobbin tools were manufactured by 3D printing additive manufacturing technology using solid filament. The butt weld joint was produced by each tool using plasticine as the workpiece material. The apparent surface features and bi-colour cross-sections provided a physical flow comparison among the shoulder designs. For the bobbin friction stir welding (BFSW), the tool shoulder with a three-spiral design produced the most stability with the best combination of the flow patterns on surface and cross-sections. The circular family tools showed a suitable intermixing on the surface pattern, while the blade scrolls showed better flow features within the cross-sections. The flow-driven effect of the shoulder features of the bobbin-tool design (inscribed grooves) was replicated by the 3D-printed tools and the analogue modelling of the weld samples. Similar flow patterns were achieved by dissimilar aluminium-copper weld, validating the accuracy of the analogue plasticine for the flow visualization of the bobbin friction stir welding.
The Effect of Different Extracts of Beetroots as Antioxidant and Anti-Anaemia On Phenylhydrazine-Induced Rats
Authors: Hikmawanti Ni Putu Ermi , Dwita Lusi Putri , Wisnunanda Dimas W. , Farista Fanny
Published: April 2021

Aim

evaluate antioxidant and anti-anaemia activity of dichloromethane, hydroethanolic, and alkaloids-free hydroethanolic extracts of beetroot (Beta vulgaris (L.) subsp. vulgaris) on phenylhydrazine-induced rats.

Methods

Male rats were divided into five groups: normal control group, negative control group, dichloromethane extract group, hydroethanolic extract group, and alkaloids-free hydroethanolic extract group. All groups were induced with phenylhydrazine (30 mg.Kg−1 BW) for three days, except for the normal control group. After induction, each treatment group received each extract (200 mg.Kg−1 BW) for 21 days. The haematology parameters (haemoglobin levels, the number of erythrocytes, and haematocrit levels) were measured using Haematology Analyzer, and the antioxidant activity was measured through MDA level parameters in rats. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA and then continued with the Tukey test.

Results

The results showed that the hydroethanolic extract of beetroot increased the percentage of erythrocytes (33.5%), haemoglobin (25%), and haematocrit (24.4%) to the negative control group, which was comparable to the normal control group (p > 0.05). In addition, the best antioxidant activity was shown in the hydroethanolic extract of beetroot, which is comparable to the normal group (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The beetroot hydroethanolic crude extract could be potentially produced in a natural pharmaceutical product as a beneficial resource within anti-anaemia and antioxidant activities.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae Enhanced the Growth, Immune and Antioxidative Responses of European Seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax)
Authors: Dawood Mahmoud A.O. , Abd El-Kader Marwa F. , Farid Mona A. , Abd-Elghany Mohamed F. , Alkafafy Mohamed , Van Doan Hien
Published: April 2021

The concept of probiotics is widely applied in the field of aquaculture for their beneficial and friendly influences. In this sense, the role of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the growth, immune and antioxidative responses of European seabass was tested in this study. Fish were distributed in 3 groups (triplicates) with ten fish in each replicate and fed 0, 1, and 2 g/kg of S. cerevisiae (15×109 CFU/g) for 90 days. Fish fed S. cerevisiae showed higher final body, weight gain, and specific growth rate as well as lower FCR than fish fed the basal diet (P<0.05). The RBCs, WBCs, Hb, and PCV values were increased in fish fed dietary S. cerevisiae when compared to the control (P<0.05). The blood total protein, albumin, and globulin were higher in fish fed S. cerevisiae than the control (P<0.05). Fish fed dietary S. cerevisiae had enhanced phagocytic index, phagocytic, and lysozyme activity comparing the control. In a similar sense, the antioxidative enzymes (SOD, GPx, and CAT) were higher in fish fed S. cerevisiae than the control (P<0.05). However, the level of MDA was lowered (P<0.05) by S. cerevisiae in European seabass. Gene expression of IL-8, IL-1β, GH, and IGF-1 was upregulated and HSP70 was downregulated by S. cerevisiae (P<0.05). It can be concluded that European seabass fed S. cerevisiae at 1–2 g/kg (15×109 CFU/g) diet had markedly enhanced growth, haemato-biochemical, and immune performances.
In vivo and in vitro hepatoprotective effect of three endemic plants against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in rats
Authors: Boubellouta Houria , Touhami Fatima Khelifi , Mahdi Djahida
Published: April 2021

The aim of the study was to investigate in vitro potential antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of methanolic extracts from the aerial parts of Matricaria pubescens, Centaurea incana, and Santolina africana, against carbon tetrachloride induced liver damage in rats. The different aerial parts of three methanolic extracts, exhibited antioxidant activity in the DPPH free radical (IC50, 0.032, 0.087 and 0.044 mg/ml) respectively. The reducing ability of the extracts showed a dose-dependent trend increasing with increase in the concentrations of the extracts.The antioxidant activity of samples at the concentration of 2 mg/ml was reflected in their ability to inhibit the bleaching of β-carotene. Treated groups with extracts of studied three plants showed decrease in plasma levels of AST, ALT, ALP, and an increase in plasma catalase levels activities, while hepatic MDA decreased and catalase increased as compared to carbon tetrachloride treated groups. In consistency with in vivo and in vitro results, extracts of all three plants ameliorated the carbon tetrachloride extensive damage to liver tissue of treated animals, but, Santolina africana extract was the most efficient.
High production of L-glutamic acid from date juice extracts by Corynebacterium glutamicum using fed-batch cultures: pulsed and continuous feeding modes
Authors: Abdenacer Mouffok , Aicha Nancib , Joseph Boudrant , Nabil Nancib
Published: April 2021

In the present work, L-glutamic acid production by Corynebacterium glutamicum fermentation on date juice extracts applying two fed-batch feeding modes, pulsed and continuous, were investigated. According to the obtained results, the continuous feeding fed-batch mode was found to be the most efficient process. Moreover the continuous feeding rate mode with a feeding medium containing date juice sugars enriched with ammonium sulfate was found even more favorable as it enhances the L-glutamic acid production by approximately 2.35 fold more than the batch culture and by about 1.17 fold more than the pulsed feeding. In this respect, comparing the traditional batch culture to the continuously fed culture with a medium containing date juice sugars with ammonium sulfate showed increases of 135.47% in L-glutamic acid production, 104% in productivity, 39.09% in biomass, and 47.69% in the yield respectively allowing us to reach a final L-glutamic acid concentration of about 138 g/L, the highest ever published.
Phytochemical properties, antibacterial and anti-free radical activities of the phenolic extracts of Retama raetam (Forssk) Webb. & Berthel. collected from Algeria Desert
Authors: Chouikh Atef , Alia Fatma
Published: April 2021

This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical properties, antibacterial and anti free-radical activities of Retama raetam extracts which is growing in the South-East of the Algeria Desert. The chemical screening showed the presence of many secondary metabolites such as tannins catechin, sterols and terpenes, and the absence of gallic tannins compounds. The obtained results demonstrated that the methanolic extract has shown moderate total phenolic and flavonoids contents (31.59 ± 2.82 mg AG E/g extract and 14.35 ±1.02 mg Qu E/g extract respectively). In the free radical DPPH test, the values of IC50 were converging in all extracts of R. raetam. The antibacterial activity of extracts has been tested against ten bacterial strains, were registered as the best inhibition zones with Vibrio cholera, Micrococcus luteus and Serratia marcescen. Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 strains showed high resistance against most of all concentrations of extracts, and we noted the Gram-negative bacteria strains are the most sensitive to the different extracts of the plant. The qualitative analysis of extracts by using HPLC showed the contrast in presence of the phenolic compounds, such as in ethyl acetate extract registered absence of chlorogenic acid, also the absence of caffeic acid in 1-butanol extract. These results confirmed of the phenolic extracts of this plant are a source natural alternative to antibiotics and antioxidants.
Impact of refrigerated storage on the bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of two Algerian carrot varieties (Daucus carota L.)
Authors: Arkoub-Djermoune L. , Louaileche H. , Benmeziane F. , Madani K. , Boulekbache-Makhlouf L.
Published: April 2021

Carrot (Daucus carota L.) is one of the main root vegetables rich in bioactive compounds with appreciable health-promoting properties, largely consumed in Algeria. In the current study, the storage effect (at 4 °C throughout 12 days) on bioactive compound stability and the antioxidant activity of two Algerian orange carrot varieties (Supermuscade and Touchon) were investigated. Total phenolic content of samples was determined by the Folin–Ciocâlteu method. Antioxidant capacity was determined spectrophotometrically, based on the evaluation of Free Radical Scavenging Activity (FRSA) using DPPH radical and Ferric Reducing Power (FRP). The results showed that the Touchon variety is richer in phenolics, flavonoids, and carotenoids and presents higher antioxidant activity in comparison with the Supermuscade variety. At the end of storage, the bioactive compound content and antiradical activity increased significantly (p < 0.05). Also, an extremely significant correlation (p < 0.001) was observed between the antioxidant contents and the antioxidant capacities of aqueous carrot extracts.
Physico-chemical and sensory properties of pupuru and pupuru analogues from co-fermented cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) and breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) blends
Authors: Akinyele O. F. , Ikujenlola A. V. , Omobuwajo T. O.
Published: April 2021

The physico-chemical and sensory qualities of pupuru analogues produced from co-fermented cassava and breadfruit blends were investigated. Cassava and breadfruit were processed separately and cofermented at different proportions to produce pupuru and pupuru analogues. Seven different samples were produced with the ratios of 100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 50:50, 20:80, 10:90, and 0:100 cassava:breadfruit respectively. The proximate composition, bulk density, hydrogen cyanide, pH, TTA, and sensory properties of the sample were determined using standard methods. The results showed that the protein (2.86–6.41%), fat (0.43–2.05%), ash (0.36–1.17%), crude fibre (0.68–2.83%), and energy values (393.84 to 399.38 kcal/100 g) increased together with breadfruit substitution. The bulk density, pH, total titratable acidity, and hydrogen cyanide content of the sample was in the ranges of 0.47–0.60 g/ml, 4.30–5.30, 0.18–0.31%, and 0.56–1.68 mg/100 g respectively. The pupuru analogues had lower hydrogen cyanide content than pupuru. The pupuru analogues up to 50% breadfruit substitutions had acceptable sensory attributes, comparable to pupuru. The study concluded that pupuru analogues of acceptable quality can be produced from co-fermented cassava and breadfruit; this entails increasing the utilization of breadfruit.
Biotic and abiotic risks of soil biochar treatment for food safety and human health
Authors: Kocsis T. , Pabar S. A. , Ferschl B. , Kotroczó Zs. , Mohási-Farkas Cs. , Biró B.
Published: April 2021

Pyrolysis technology facilitates the heating of organic waste biomass in a very low oxygen environment to temperatures over 400 °C. The high carbon content and surface area of the char produced via slow pyrolysis makes it suitable for a range of purposes that would sequester the carbon it contains. For example, there is a growing interest in its use as a soil amendment, which enhances plant growth and nutrient use efficiency.
The aflatoxin content of milk and dairy products as well as breast milk and the possibilities of detoxification
Authors: Csapó J. , Albert Cs. , Sipos P.
Published: April 2021

Aflatoxins are fungal toxins produced by Aspergillus species, which, due to increasing temperature and climate change in the temperate zone, appeared in the most important feeding plant and food ingredients. The most toxic of them is aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), which hydroxylates to aflatoxin M1 in the body of dairy animals and humans, and excretes in the milk. With the development of analytical methods, researchers are now able to detect toxins with a concentration of ng/kg. It was found that in most countries in Europe both breast milk and cow’s milk may contain AFM1, and therefore increased attention should be paid to the toxin content of milk, and that those above the limit should be excluded from consumption. In addition to cow’s milk, the AFM1 toxin content of breast milk can also be significant, the precursors of which are introduced into the mother’s body with food. Aflatoxins are highly resistant to physical, chemical, and microbiological effects, so the detoxification of foods, especially milk, is almost impossible. The best solution appears to be feeding the animals with toxin-free feeds or feeds containing toxins below the permitted limit, without giving opportunity to the toxins to enter the milk from the feed and from there into the human body.
Bioprotective potential of lactic acid bacteria
Authors: Laslo É. , György É. , András Cs. D.
Published: April 2021

Acidification in lactic-fermented foods is realized by lactic acid bacteria as an added starter culture or by autochthonous strains. These microbial strains possess different prominent features that define the technological, organoleptic, nutritional, and microbial safety aspects of the product. The bioprotective effect of the bacterial strains may be related to antagonistic properties against food spoilage and/or pathogenic strains. The aim of the present study is to determine the antimicrobial properties of three different food-grade lactic acid bacteria in order to use them as bioprotective cultures. Our findings show that the Lactobacillus pentosus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Pediococcus parvulus exerted a bacteriostatic effect on Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus, whereas the Saccharomyces cerevisiae growth was not inhibited, which made them susceptible agent for co-culture systems.
T. W. Rolleston’s Ireland through a Polish Prism
Authors: McAteer Michael
Published: April 2021

A founding member of the Irish Literary Society, an early member of the Gaelic League, and a leading figure in the Irish Co-operative Movement, Thomas William Rolleston was one of the most notable figures in movements for Irish cultural and economic revival during the late nineteenth/early twentieth century. Rolleston also had a keen interest in German literature and culture, developed originally from the four years that he lived in Wiesbaden and Dresden between 1879 and 1883. This experience granted him some appreciation of conditions that obtained in Germany prior to the outbreak of the First World War, including Prussian-Polish relations. In 1917, Rolleston published a significant pamphlet assessing Irish-British relations during the decades preceding the 1916 Rising in Ireland as compared with relations between Prussia and Poland over the same period. Rolleston rejects a widespread view in Ireland that the moral authority, which the British Government had accorded to itself as a defender of the rights of small nations in the war against Germany, had been fatally compromised by its willingness to countenance Polish independence while continuing to oppose Irish independence. This essay considers the contrasts that Rolleston draws between Ireland and Poland in 1917 in the light of his general views on the Irish language question and Irish politics during the 1900s.
(Mis)judging Ordinary Meaning?: Corpus Linguistics, the Frequency Fallacy, and the Extension-Abstraction Distinction in “Ordinary Meaning” Textualism
Authors: Klapper Shlomo
Published: April 2021

Rarely is a new yardstick of legal meaning created. But over the past decade, corpus linguistics has begun to be utilized as a new tool to measure ordinary meaning in statutory interpretation and original public meaning in constitutional interpretation. The legal application of corpus linguistics posits that an examination of every use of a term in a wide variety of documents can yield a more complete, impartial understanding of a word than can dictionaries, intuition, or an unsystematic survey of sources. Corpora could supplement, or even supplant, dictionaries and native-speaker intuition in legal analyses. For originalism in particular, legal corpus linguistics promises to offer what would be a more scientific methodology for a point of view which, until now, has lacked one.

However, corpus linguistics, as applied to legal problems, falls prey to a fatal methodological criticism – the frequency fallacy. The criticism states that in a corpus, an unusual meaning can have many corpus entries while a perfectly ordinary meaning can be completely absent from the corpus. That is, frequency is not a good measure of meaning. Since legal corpus linguistics relies on frequency, the corpus cannot inform legal meaning.

This article parries this otherwise fatal critique. It argues that while the frequency fallacy is self-evidently true, the fallacy is not inherent to the corpus, but rather is an artifact of misinterpreting the corpus by treating it like a dictionary. This defense consists of a number of steps. The first step distinguishes between two different methods of discerning ordinary meaning: extension and abstraction. As illustrated by Yates v. United States and United States v. Marshall, extension entails extending the statutory term to varying facts, while abstraction keeps the facts constant and abstracts out key qualities to find an appropriate term. Critically, this article argues that abstraction offers a way to avoid the frequency fallacy. Second, to use abstraction properly, one must analyze not only the presence of the legal term in question but also its absence; that is, one must determine the presence or absence of other terms to describe a similar factual scenario to distinguish between artifacts of language and facts about the world.

This article concludes by arguing that this method has a beneficial emergent quality. Not only does this answer make legal corpus analysis methodologically sound, but it also paves the way for the first tool to approximate how an ordinary person would read the law, thus potentially furthering the rule of law.
A New Symmetric Digital Video Encryption Model
Authors: Kordov Krasimir , Dimitrov Georgi
Published: April 2021

In this paper a new symmetric cryptographic method for digital video file is presented. The proposed algorithm is based on combining two chaotic maps. Extended cryptographic is provided for evaluation and proving the efficiency and the level of security of the encrypted files. The empirical tests are explained and the obtained results are presented in the manuscript.
A Study on Human Learning Ability during Classification of Motion and Colour Visual Cues and Their Combination
Authors: Tchamova Albena , Dezert Jean , Bocheva Nadejda , Konstantinova Pavlina , Genova Bilyana , Stefanova Miroslava
Published: April 2021

The paper presents a study on the human learning process during the classification of stimuli, defined by motion and color visual cues and their combination. Because the classification dimension and the features that define each category are uncertain, we model the learning curves using Bayesian inference and more precisely the Normalized Conjunctive Consensus rule, and also on the base of the more efficient probabilistic Proportional Conflict Redistribution rule No 5 (pPCR5) defined within Dezert-Smarandache Theory (DSmT) of plausible and paradoxical reasoning. Our goal is to study how these rules succeed to model consistently both: human individual and group behaviour during the learning of the associations between the stimuli and the responses in categorization tasks varying by the amount of relevant stimulus information. The effect of age on this process is also evaluated.
Legal and Illegal Approach in Determining Terminological Equivalents in the Process of Translation on the Example of Selected Law Acts
Authors: Iluk Łukasz
Published: April 2021

Authors of translations of legal codes do not usually inform about their approach to solving translational problems. One of the reasons is the firm belief in the need for a faithful and thus literal translation of the output text. This unlawful approach creates a field for unfounded creation of so-called Equivalent terminology. Consequently, translations contain expressions whose meanings in the target language are incomprehensible or cannot be determined by reference to the doctrine or case-law. A legal approach based on subject knowledge and a precise methodology for determining interlingua equivalents eliminates the problems arising from a non-lawful approach. In the analytical part of the article there is presented a methodology of the legal approach to solving translational problems and the method of its practical application.
The occurrence of Hymenoptera: Aculeata on mine spoil heaps after shale extraction (Jakartovice, Nízký Jeseník Mts)
Authors: Poláček Rostislav
Published: April 2021

The devastation of natural components and the appearance of the landscape in connection with mining activities does not necessarily have only a negative impact. Post-mining landscape happens an important and recently the only place to live many species of organisms, plants and animals. In this context, the importance of these sites is mainly associated with Invertebrata including insects, which can replace their natural habitats. The author presents the results of his research on Hymenoptera: Aculeata on heaps created as unused waste after clay slate mining in the region of Nízký Jeseník Mts. This two-year research (2018–2019) focused on wasps, bumble bees and solitary bees was carried out at ten selected sites mainly in the cadastral area of the municipality of Jakartovice (Opava district).
The influence of environmental factors on microbial community composition in a mountain river
Authors: Sovová Kateřina , Polášek Marek , Kroča Jiří , Mlejnková Hana
Published: April 2021

Microbial communities are known to be sensitive indicators for water pollution and biomonitoring assessment. In this study, we aimed at observation of microbial abundance and community composition in the mountain river Morávka. The results showed temporal and spatial changes in total cell abundance (TCA). TCA reached 105–106 cells/ml, increasing values were detected towards the mouth with maxima in summer and autumn months. Out of Eubacteria Betaproteobacteria and Cytophaga-Flavobacterium were found to predominate, while Archaea represented only 4.8 % of TCA. Along the flow three distinct patterns of phylogenetic groups' share were revealed related to increasing pollution. Microbial community composition was found to be most significantly dependent on the elevation and the sampling date. Moreover, environmental variables like O2 saturation, water temperature, trophic potential and pH influenced microbial community as well. Statistical analyses showed significant seasonal (23.5 %) and spatial (4.7 %) changes in microbial community composition.
Phylogeny of Tipulomorpha - an endless issue
Authors: Starý Jaroslav
Published: April 2021

Phylogeny of the infraorder Tipulomorpha is discussed with emphasis on the family Limoniidae. A negative reaction to the study by Petersen et al. (2010) is presented because they proposed an unusual phylogeny, with hardly acceptable classification. The family Limoniidae is here confirmed as monophyletic, divided into four clades classified as subfamilies (Starý 1992), with recent additional and reasonable changes. A revised phylogenetic arrangement of the family Limoniidae within Tipulomorpha is given.
Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) Signal Intensity of Quartz E1′ Centre and Its Potential Use in Fluvial Sediments Provenance Tracing
Authors: Wei Chuan-Yi , Liu Chun-Ru , Yin Gong-Ming , Li Wen-Peng
Published: April 2021

To assess if the heat-treated E1′ centre in quartz is suitable for fluvial sediment provenance tracing, eight granitic samples from sediments and their source rocks with distinct geological ages and origins were collected for electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements. The results show that the maximum heat-treated E1′ signal intensity of quartz in the fluvial sediments occurs upon heating at about 300°C, as previously observed in aeolian quartz. The heat-treated E1′ signal intensity of quartz in sediment samples also shows significant correspondence to those of their source rocks as well as their formation age. We propose that the heat-treated E1′ centre of sedimentary quartz, combined with other lithological discrimination parameters, could serve as an effective indicator for fluvial sediment provenance tracing.
Relationships Between Measures of Functional and Isometric Lower Body Strength, Aerobic Capacity, Anaerobic Power, Sprint and Countermovement Jump Performance in Professional Soccer Players
Authors: Boraczyński Michał , Boraczyński Tomasz , Podstawski Robert , Wójcik Zbigniew , Gronek Piotr
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this study was to assess a wide range of physiological and performance variables and investigate whether and to what extent these variables are associated with each other in soccer. Twenty-five male soccer players (25.1 ± 4.56 years; body mass, 75.2 ± 5.92 kg; body height, 180.6 ± 5.45 cm) performed: 5- and 30-m sprints (T5m and T30m, respectively), 1-repetition-maximum (1RM) half squat, maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the knee extensors, countermovement jump (CMJ) to obtain vertical jump height (CMJheight) and power output (CMJpower), the 10-s Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) to obtain peak power (Pmax), and the 20-m multi-stage shuttle run test (MST) to evaluate aerobic capacity. 1RM, MVIC, and Pmax were normalized to body mass. Large negative correlations were found between sprint times and 1RM half back squat/BM (r = -0.510 to -0.570, r2 = 0.260–0.325, both p < 0.01) and Pmax/BM (r = -0.501, r2 = 0.251, p < 0.01). T30m most strongly and negatively correlated with CMJheight (r = -0.744, r2 = 0.554, p < 0.001). WAnT-determined Pmax showed a very large correlation between absolute Pmax and knee-extensor MVIC (r = 0.827, r2 = 0.684, p < 0.001) and large correlations between absolute Pmax and 1RM half squat (r = 0.674, r2 = 0.454, p < 0.001) and CMJpower (r = 0.579, r2 = 0.335, p < 0.01). We also identified a large inverse relationship between CMJheight and T30m (r = -0.744, r2 = 0.554, p < 0.001) and large positive correlation between CMJheight and MVIC/BM (r = 0.702, p < 0.001). The results demonstrate that elite soccer players with greater lower body strength (quantified by the MVIC of the knee extensor and the 1RM half squat) show better sprint and CMJ performance, suggesting the incorporation of soccer-specific resistance training to develop lower body musculature and therefore maximize sprinting ability. The higher correlation coefficients found between T30m and the physiological and athletic measures compared with T5m promote the use of this sprint distance when assessing performance. The use of relative measures (normalized to body mass) is advisable when comparing strength variables with sprint and CMJ performance or anaerobic power. Considering the correlations of WAnT-determined Pmax versus CMJpower, coaches should administer tests that assess jumping and linear sprint performance rather than the cycling-specific WAnT.
The Explanatory Capacity of Talent Identification Tests for Performance in Triathlon Competitions: A Longitudinal Analysis
Authors: Cuba-Dorado Alba , Garcia-Garcia Oscar , Morales-Sánchez Verónica , Hernández-Mendo Antonio
Published: April 2021

The aim of this study was to determine the explanatory capacity of the Spanish Triathlon Federation’s talent identification tests in relation to performance in competition in subsequent years. We used an exploratory longitudinal study design to establish the relationship between talent identification tests completed by 247 triathletes (97 women and 150 men) aged from 14 to 19 years and the results they obtained over the years in competition. The battery of tests included freestyle swimming (100 and 1000 m) and running (400 and 1000 m). The results indicate that the explanatory capacity of these tests for split places in competition in the corresponding discipline was highest in the 1000-m swimming test, with a value of 0.34 for the adjusted coefficient of determination (R2a) (p ≤ 0.001), followed by the 1000-m running and 100-m swimming tests, where the highest R2a values were 0.26 and 0.19, respectively. No significant model was found for the 400-m running test. It was concluded that the explanatory capacity of the tests analysed for predicting performance in the discipline in competition was low. However, it was higher for the swimming and running tests of longer distance.
Lower-Limb Muscle Strength, Anterior-Posterior and Inter-Limb Asymmetry in Professional, Elite Academy and Amateur Soccer Players
Authors: Beato Marco , Young Damien , Stiff Adam , Coratella Giuseppe
Published: April 2021

Given the importance of the lower-limb strength and strength balance in soccer players and its relationship with injury prevention and performance, the present study compared quadriceps and hamstrings strength, the conventional (Hconc:Qconc), functional (Hecc:Qconc) hamstrings-to-quadriceps ratio and inter-limb strength asymmetry in professional, elite academy and amateur male soccer players. In this cross-sectional study, two hundred-six soccer players (professional = 75, elite academy = 68, amateurs = 63) volunteered to participate. Quadriceps and hamstrings isokinetic peak torque was investigated at 60°.s-1 in both the concentric and eccentric modality and at 300°.s-1 in the concentric modality. The conventional Hconc:Qconc, functional Hecc:Qconc ratio and quadriceps and hamstrings inter-limb strength asymmetry were then calculated. Professional players presented greater quadriceps and hamstrings strength than elite academy (effect size from small to moderate) and amateur players (moderate to very large). Both the conventional Hconc:Qconc and functional Hecc:Qconc ratio were greater in professional than elite academy and amateur players (small to moderate). Overall, quadriceps and hamstrings inter-limb strength asymmetry was greater in amateurs than professional (small to very large) and elite academy (trivial to large) players. The present findings provide coaches and medical staffs with normative lower-limb muscle strength data on professional, academy and amateur soccer players. Overall lower-limb muscle strength and inter-limb strength asymmetry could be used to evaluate possible inference on injury prevention and performance. The hamstrings-to-quadriceps ratio poorly differentiates between the soccer players background and offers limited prediction for injury prevention and performance.
The Effects of Sub‐Technique and Pole Length on Classic Roller Skiing Performance and Physiological Responses at Steep Uphill Inclination
Authors: Torvik Per-Øyvind , Persson Johan , Tillaar Roland
Published: April 2021

The aims of this study were to compare performance with physiological and perceptual responses on steep uphill inclines between double poling and diagonal stride and to investigate the effects of pole length when double poling. Eight male, competitive cross-country skiers (22 ± 1.1 yrs, peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) in the diagonal stride: 69.4 ± 5.5 ml·kg-1·min-1) performed four identical tests, one in the diagonal stride, and three in double poling with different pole lengths (self-selected, self-selected -5 cm and self-selected +10 cm). Each test was conducted at a fixed speed (10 km/h), with inclination rising by 1%, starting with 7%, each until voluntary exhaustion. VO2peak, the heart rate, blood lactate concentration, and the rating of perceived exertion were determined for each pole length in each test. The peak heart rate (p < 0.001) and VO2peak (p = 0.004) were significantly higher in the diagonal stride test compared with double poling with all pole lengths. Time to exhaustion (TTE) differed significantly between all four conditions (all p < 0.001), with the following order from the shortest to the longest TTE: short poles, normal poles and long poles in double poling, and the diagonal stride. Consequently, a significantly higher slope inclination was reached (p < 0.001) using the diagonal stride (17%) than for double poling with long poles (14%), normal (13%) and short (13%) poles. The current study showed better performance and higher VO2peak in the diagonal stride compared to double poling in steep uphill terrain, demonstrating the superiority of the diagonal stride for uphill skiing. However, in double poling, skiers achieved improved performance due to greater skiing efficiency when using long poles, compared to normal and short poles.
Chitosan Improves Morphological and Physiological Attributes of Grapevines Under Deficit Irrigation Conditions
Authors: Khalil Hoda Ali , Badr Eldin Rasha M.
Published: April 2021

This study aimed to estimate the morphological and physiological effects of chitosan foliar spray and/or three irrigation levels of 100%, 60%, and 40% of field capacity on grapevines grown in plastic containers to simulate water shortage conditions. The results showed that water irrigation deficit significantly reduced leaf area, trunk cross-sectional area, plant dry weight, root dry weight, relative chlorophyll content, leaf total carbohydrates, catalase activity, leaf midday water potential (ψ), relative water content (RWC), and crop evapotranspiration (ETc), but increased the proline content. Under well-watered condition, foliar-applied chitosan, in particular, 5 and 10 g·dm−3 increased plant growth and biomass production compared with untreated plants. Also, chitosan sprays during deficit irrigation conditions significantly improved plant tolerance to water deficit by enhancing the morphological and physiological parameters of grapevines. The results of this work suggest the opportunity to grow grapevines under deficit irrigation conditions using chitosan foliar spray. Increased plant biomass and root weight, and the positive impacts of chitosan as antitranspirant on increased ψ, RWC, and decreased ETc play the main role in drought stress avoidance mechanisms in grapevines raised under moderate deficit irrigation conditions.
Balanced Scorecard in Universities
Authors: Fijałkowska Justyna , Oliveira Cidalia
Published: April 2021

Objective: Performance measurement and reporting leading to greater transparency and accountability of universities have become a challenging issue. Increasingly, universities have been required to provide performance indicators—empirical evidence of their value creation — to the different group of stakeholders. One of the approaches that may be applied by universities is the Balanced Scorecard (BSC). The objective of this paper is to indicate the BSC as a useful tool for the evaluation of the universities’ performance.

Methodology: This study is based on the following research methods: descriptive, deductive, and the literature review. It refers also to case studies that are quoted in the context of their practical BSC application experience and it presents the pioneer approach of California University in BSC adoption. The rationale of this paper follows the principal-agent theory that is a foundation of the accountability concept. It refers also to the new managerialism, new public management, and entrepreneurial university.

Findings: Based on the literature review concerning the analysis of the examples of universities implementing BSC, this paper argues that BSC provides a framework for the performance measurement that allows for the increased transparency and accountability of these institutions.

Value added: The pioneer BSC framework presented in this paper can be used as the basis for the development of general performance measurement in universities.

Recommendations: It is recommended that the universities that want to boost their transparency and be accountable for their outcomes apply and develop the BSC framework to which we refer to in this paper.
Inspiring Change through Collaboration:
Authors: Mäkinen Ulla
Published: April 2021

Since 2007, North Karelia College Outokumpu in Finland, and Cultural College of Petrozavodsk in Russia have collaborated in various educational and artistic exchanges. In 2012, a project called Dancing Whirlpool was launched. In addition to a teacher’s exchange, a joint full-length piece was created together with four choreographer-teachers and nearly thirty students from Outokumpu and Petrozavodsk. The piece toured in Russian and Finnish Karelia. This article reflects on the role of collaboration in multicultural projects, through the lens of the experiences of Dancing Whirlpool. Why is collaboration important for dance students? Can multicultural collaboration invoke real change in our cultures?
Bodily Text and the Written Word of Pilates:
Authors: Holmes Sarah
Published: April 2021

Pilates instructors, educators, and students while well intentioned, may not understand the troubling rhetoric they unintentionally perpetuate when working with clients. This article suggests that the myth of the ideal body, and the stereotypical gender norms therein, is perpetuated by the Pilates due in part because of its close relationship to the culture of ballet. Pilates contributes to the pursuit and inevitable failure of an unobtainable body. Pilates «(re)produces» the myth of the ideal body through the universal aspect of its “healthy” rhetoric. As a consequence, this article suggests, the exercise practice perpetuates a culture of inadequacy; since many times, abled and differentlyabled women who practice Pilates are healthy. This article reveals that the seemingly benign practice of Pilates simultaneously promotes rhetoric of privilege and coercion. It concludes that the teaching practice inadvertently values and perpetuates stereotypical, unrealistic, and unobtainable ideologies of health and well-being.
Observational Learning with Externally Imposed and Self-Controlled Frequency of Model Demonstration
Authors: Łuba-Arnista Weronika , Biegajło Michał
Published: April 2021

Introduction.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of learning a complex gymnastic routine with different frequencies of externally imposed and self-controlled model demonstration.

Material and Methods.
Thirty undergraduate physical education (PE) students were randomly assigned to 3 groups: G100 (100% frequency), GS (self-controlled frequency) and GC (control group). Each participant from groups G100 and GS performed 150 trials of a complex gymnastic routine during 10 practice sessions. The learning effect was evaluated on the basis of the mean absolute error value and measured during pre-acquisition (baseline), acquisition (practice sessions) and post-acquisition (retention and transfer tests) phases.

Results.
It was revealed that observational learning with self-controlled and high externally imposed frequency of model demonstration proved to be equally effective. The differences were found during the acquisition phase only. The self-controlled group achieved higher outcomes than the externally imposed group.

Conclusions.
This study indicates that performance during practice sessions does not always reflect the permanency and adaptability of the motor skill learning process.
Cardiorespiratory Fitness in University Level Volleyball Players and its Correlation with Body Fat
Authors: Khanna Archana , Singh Ankita , Singh Bhanu Pratap , Khan Faiz
Published: April 2021

Introduction.
The present study was aimed to compare the cardiorespiratory fitness levels (VO2max) between university level male and female volleyball players and to find its correlation with percentage body fat.

Material and Methods.
In the present cross-sectional study, male and female volleyball players (n = 15 each) aged 18-25 years were randomly selected from Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad, India. An equal number of sedentary individuals were also selected who did not indulge in any vigorous physical activity or training. Body height, body weight, body mass index (BMI), % lean body mass of players and sedentary individuals were recorded using standard methods. Percentage body fat was calculated using the sum of four skinfolds and VO2max was recorded using Queen’s college step test. Data were analysed using SPSS software version 20.0. Unpaired t-test was used for comparison between players and sedentary individuals and two-way ANOVA was used to examine interaction of status (active players and sedentary individuals) and gender on VO2max.

Results.
Players had higher mean values for % lean body mass and VO2max. Statistically, highly significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed between male and female players for all variables except BMI. Players had better cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max) as compared to their sedentary counterparts.

Conclusions.
Significant differences exist between players and sedentary individuals for percentage body fat and percentage lean body mass. Cardiorespiratory fitness of players is negatively correlated with percentage body fat. Players have higher VO2max as compared to their sedentary counterparts.
Thirty Years of Epidemiological Studies of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Latvia: Why are they Needed?
Authors: Apinis Pēteris , Dzērve Vilnis , Čakša Anda , Bajāre Iveta , Ērglis Andrejs
Published: April 2021

The present review is designed to provide insight into population-based investigations of cardiovascular risk factors in Latvia. Most of them represent urban, rural and mixed populations. The results are age-standardised using the European Standard Population. All of the studies confirm a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors with wide differences across the studies. The differences are not consistent or regular and some of the underlying reasons are discussed. Analysis of the previous studies justifies the need for a nationwide cross-sectional epidemiological study, which in a small country can be carried out in compliance with all the requirements for a population-based epidemiological study.
Assisted Suicide in Switzerland: the Advent of a “Pattern for Misconduct”
Authors: Berthod Marc-Antoine , Pillonel Alexandre , Dransart Dolores Angela Castelli
Published: April 2021

This article analyses the peculiarity of the assisted dying’s model in Switzerland. It postulates that the collectivity does not accept the act of suicide in itself; it rather accepts the fact of providing assistance for a death that is up to this day formally categorized as a “violent death”. Consequently, the framing of assisted dying and its implementation can be construed as a “pattern for misconduct”, which opens an original and pragmatic angle to understand one of the social issues in relation with the contemporary ways to end one’s life.
Green Human Resource Management: An Empirical Study of India
Authors: Arora Mamta , Kaul Arpita
Published: April 2021

Purpose: The broad over-arching goals of this work were to study the existing constituents of green human resource management (HRM), to understand the green HRM practices being followed by different companies in India (belonging to certain sectors) and to compare the different sectors in terms of adoption of green HRM. Methodology: A questionnaire was meticulously prepared by the authors to collect the data for this study and was sent to various Indian companies belonging to four sectors: IT/IT services, banking/finance, consultancy and engineering/technology. The questionnaire included a carefully selected collection of questions to gain rich insights into different aspects of green HRM implementation. Findings: most of the companies included in this study are following green HRM (though to varying extents). Green recruitment, green training and development & green safety and health management are the most prominent green HRM functions while green performance appraisal is the least popular green HRM function among these organizations. The IT/IT services sector is most actively using green HRM practices while the banking/finance sector is the most reluctant to adopt green HRM. Practical Implications: a rigorous structure for companies to implement green HRM is provided.
“Shut up and Dribble”
Authors: Haddad Philippe
Published: April 2021

This research paper seeks to explore the intersection of race, seen through the predominantly Black athletic body of the NBA, with the rise of the capitalist, consumer-oriented entertainment industry of professional sports throughout the late 20th and early 21st centuries. It will attempt to illustrate how racial identity and capitalism have reacted to one another to create one of the biggest – and one of the most complicated – entertainment entities in North America.

To explore this issue, I will outline the social setting from which Black athletes grew to participate in spectator sports, touching on notable persons such as Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, and Bill Russell. I will then examine the importance of broadcasted sports and race’s role therein during the 20th century to contextualise capitalist practices in entertainment. I will conclude with an examination of capitalist practice as regulators for Black identity in the NBA by focusing on its direct and indirect attempts towards regulation. This will be done through an examination of Black athletes’ participation in social justice movements as measures of regulation, using the 1992 Rodney King trial riots and the events of Summer 2020 as comparative case studies.

While this may appear to simply be an exploration of sports history, one should consider that sports are a primary form of entertainment in both North American and global popular culture. As such, this research project goes beyond an attempt to contribute to sports history, instead seeking to delve into the complementarity of social history, consumerism, and race.