bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the Effect of Scamper Education Program on five-year-old children’s creativity
Authors: Kaytez Nazan , Güngör Aytar Abide
Published: December 2016

This study is conducted with a view to examine the effect of Scamper Education Program on five-year-old children’s creativity. Study group of the research consists of a total of 40 children including an experimental group of 20 five-year-old children and a control group of 20 children attending kindergarten affiliated to Directorate of National Education in Çankırı city center. In the research, an experimental model with pretest, posttest, follow-up test control group was used. Children in the experimental group were applied with Scamper Education Program two days a week for a period of eight weeks. The children in the control group continued their own training programs. As the data collection tool in the study, “Personal Information Form” and “Creative Behavior and Personality Traits Scale were used.  Single factor covariance analysis (ANCOVA) and t test were used for data analysis. As a result of the research, it has been determined that there is a significant difference between creativity score averages of children in the experiment and control group (p<0.001), there is no significant differences between post-test and follow-up test score averages of children in the experiment group (p>0.05). This result shows that Scamper Education Program provided to the experimental group is effective in creativity of children.
The effect of seven-week preparation period on body composition, strength, flexibility and aerobic endurance characteristics of a women volleyball team
7 haftalık hazırlık periyodunun bir kadın voleybol takımının vücut kompozisyonu, kuvvet, esneklik ve aerobik dayanıklılık özelliklerine etkisi
Authors: Eyuboğlu Ender , Dalkıran Oğuzhan , Aslan Cem Sinan
Published: December 2016

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of seven-week preparation period on body composition, strength, flexibility and aerobic endurance characteristics of female volleyball players of a team in Turkish 1stDivision Volleyball League.Healthy 9 female volleyball players (average age and height values were in 19,00±3,53 years and 176,13±4,30 cm) participated voluntarily in this study. Participants' age, body weight, height, body fat percentage was determined and vertical (squad and active) jump, flexibility and aerobic endurance characteristics were measured. In order to compare differences between pre-test and post-test results Paired Sample t-Test in SPSS (Ver.14) program was used. α set as 0,05.According to the results of the comparison of the data obtained from the pre-test and post-test measurements of the participants, there were no significant differences between two tests on body mass, body fat percentage, counter movement jump, squat jump and anaerobic power, otherwise there were significant differences between tests on flexibility (t=-2,811; p=0,023) and VO2max(t=-8,066; p=0,000). ÖzetBu çalışmada amaç; 7 haftalık hazırlık dönemi boyunca yapılan antrenmanların, Türkiye Voleybol Kadınlar 1. Ligi’nde yer alan bir takımın oyuncularının vücut kompozisyonu, kuvvet, esneklik ve aerobik dayanıklılık (VO2max)özelliklerine etkisini belirlemektir.Çalışmaya, herhangi bir sağlık problemi veya spor yaralanması bulunmayan, 19,00±3,53 yaş ve 176,13±4,30 cm boy ortalamasına sahip 9 kadın voleybolcu gönüllü olarak katılmıştır. Oyuncuların fiziksel özelliklerinden yaş, vücut ağırlığı, boy ve vücut yağ yüzdesi tespit edilmiş, ayrıca motorik özelliklerinden aktif ve skuat sıçrama, esneklik ve aerobik dayanıklılık kapasiteleri ön-test ve son-test olarak birer kez ölçülmüştür. Verilerin karşılaştırılmasında SPSS (Ver. 14) paket programında yer alan Paired Sample T-test kullanılmıştır. α değeri 0,05 olarak kabul edilmiştir.Katılımcıların ön-test ve son-test ölçümlerinden elde edilen verilerin karşılaştırma sonuçlarına göre; 7 hafta boyunca düzenli uygulanan antrenmanlar sonucunda vücut ağırlığı, vücut yağ yüzdesi, aktif sıçrama, skuat sıçrama ve anaerobik güç özelliklerinde anlamlı bir değişim olmazken, esneklik (t=-2,811; p=0,023) ve VO2max (t=-7,948; p=0,000)özelliklerinde anlamlı değişimler meydana gelmiştir.
Classification of Aerosol over Central Europe by Cluster Analysis of Aerosol Columnar Optical Properties and Backward Trajectory Statistics
Authors: Szkop Artur , Pietruczuk Aleksander , Posyniak Michał
Published: December 2016

A cluster analysis is applied to the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) data obtained at Belsk, Poland, as well as three nearby Central European stations (Leipzig, Minsk and Moldova) for estimation of atmospheric aerosol types. Absorption Ångstrom exponent (AAE), aerosol optical thickness (AOT) and extinction Ångstrom exponent (EAE) parameters are used. Clustering in both 2D (AOT, EAE) and 3D (AOT, EAE, AAE) is investigated. A method of air mass backward trajectory analysis is then proposed, with the receptor site at Belsk, to determine possible source regions for each cluster. Four dominant aerosol source regions are identified. The biomass burning aerosol source is localized in the vicinity of Belarusian-Ukrainian border. Slovakia and northern Hungary are found to be the source of urban/industrial pollutants. Western Poland and eastern Germany are the main sources of polluted continental aerosols. The most differentiated source region of Scandinavia, Baltic Sea and Northern Atlantic, associated with lowest values of AOT, corresponds to clean continental and possibly maritime type aerosols.
Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes and Breast Cancer: Are Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Ready for Prime Time in Breast Cancer?
Authors: Cvetanović Ana , Filipović Slađana , Živković Nikola , Kostić Miloš , Vrbić Svetislav , Pejčić Ivica
Published: December 2016

In recent years, results obtained from different studies with large cohorts have revealed a bond between the presence of extensive lymphocytic infiltration and favourable prognostic associations in the early-stage of breast cancer (BC) and high response rates to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Examiners used tumors from large cohorts of patients who took part in randomized neoadjuvant and adjuvant clinical trials. The importance of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) appears to be subtype-specific and varies depending on the histological characteristics of the tumor. TILs have proven to be a good prognostic marker, but only in highly proliferative breast tumors such as triple negative breast tumors (TNBC) or HER 2 positive BC.

In the era when standard, well-known, prognostic and predictive biomarkers are ever changing and the use of molecular profiling analyses are increasing, we are looking for techniques to improve our understanding of tumor biology and improve patient outcome. The relevance of TILs cannot be ignored but needs to be properly evaluated in larger prospective studies which must encompass the parameters set out in previous studies. The use of TILs as prognostic biomarkers in early breast cancer may represent a new dawn, and use of immunotherapy, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors, probably is the future for the breast cancer but it is not yet ready for prime time.
Developmentand Validation of a Questionnaire about Patient Knowledge of Adverse Effects of Statins
Authors: Opančina Valentina , Janković Slobodan , Stanić Gordana , Opančina Miljan
Published: December 2016

Statins are drugs that are well tolerated, but considering their extensive use, there are still concerns regarding their safety. Knowledge of patients about the side effects of statins has not been adequately studied, although timely recognition of the AES is of vital importance for improving the quality of patient care and reducing morbidity and suffering. The aim of this study was to develop and test a questionnaire for measuring the knowledge of patients about statin therapy about adverse effects of statins (AES).

This two-center cross-sectional study was conducted during the period from March 1, 2015 to April 1, 2016, taking place in pharmacies from the city of Belgrade and at the Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Center in Kragujevac, Serbia. The study included 300 patients and 20 pharmacists.

The questionnaire showed satisfactory internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha of 0.898, good construction and homogeneity of questions. After splitting the questionnaire to two parts at random, Cronbach’s alphas were 0.834 and 0.842 for the both parts, respectively. Exploratory factorial analysis revealed two domains. The patients rated their knowledge of the side effects of statins 52.7±19.9 on the visual analogue scale.

Based on the results of this study, we believe that this questionnaire could be a useful tool for testing the knowledge of patients about adverse effects of statins and help physicians to identify patients with insufficient knowledge who should be additionally informed about it.
Measuring Potential of Preschool Facility Staff to Prevent Early Childhood Caries
Authors: Jakšić-Gvozdić Danijela , Janković Slobodan M. , Pajović Danka , Vidojević Sandra , Stefanović Srđan , Milovanović Jasmina R.
Published: December 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible potential of preschool staff through a newly designed questionnaire and evaluate their role in the prevention of early childhood caries (EEC) in Serbia where extremely high prevalence of this preventable disease was recorded.

We preformed a cross-sectional study of 268 preschool staff using specially prepared semi-structured questionnaire for measuring potential of secondary children’s caregivers to prevent EEC. The questionnaire was tested on a pilot sample and after that all collected data were analyzed trough construction of correlation matrix with the evaluation of the value of each question, reliability testing, factorial analysis and estimating of its validity using SPSS software.

The tested questionnaire had good internal consistency based on the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient value of 0.873 calculated directly and similar value (0.899) after applied Spearman-Brown “prediction” formula. Using exploratory factorial analysis and orthogonal rotation, we identified two domains that emerged with similar loadings (4.043 and 3.183). The first factor (domain) reflected attitudes of the study participants towards prevention of EEC, and the second factor (domain) showed behaviour of the study participants, which includes preventive actions against EEC.

The total score of the questionnaire was correlated positively with oral health knowledge (Spearman’s correlation coefficient 0.331, p=000) and inversely with the length of employment, where each additional year of employment decreased the total score of the questionnaire by 1.20.

These findings could partially explain an extremely high prevalence of EEC in young children and indicate that preschool teachers should be more engaged in health education activities and motivation programs.
Morphological Variation of Fissure and Lobe of the Left Lung: A Case Report
Authors: Dogood Atoni Atoni , Aidemise Oyinbo Charles , Patrick Udoye Ezenwa
Published: December 2016

The left lung usually has an oblique fissure that divides it into superior and inferior lobes. Some variants in the lobar fissure are well known, but the knowledge of certain uncommon variants will enhance our anatomical understanding and proper identification of the bronchopulmonary segments. Several imaging techniques have been used to describe anatomical variations of the lung, but studies that utilize dissections as tools for understanding lobar variations were limited. In this report, we described an incomplete horizontal fissure, bifurcated accessory fissure, incomplete superior and middle lobes, and fibrous condensation of the left lung pulmonary pleura observed during dissection. The knowledge of these anatomical variations will be useful in surgical segmental resection and lobectomy, and for accurate interpretations of medical diagnostic images.
A Rare Case of Primary Breast Mucosa- Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma
Authors: Marić Daliborka , Stojanov Dragan , Vujnović Saša , Dragosavljević Violeta Kovačević
Published: December 2016

Breast involvement by lymphoma is uncommon and poses challenges in diagnosis. Breast involvement by malignant lymphoma, whether primary or secondary, is a rare event. Primary breast lymphomas account for 0.38% - 0.7% of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas, 1.7%-2.2% of all extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphomas, and only 0.04% - 0.5% of all breast cancer cases. Most frequent primary breast lymphomas are diffuse large B cell lymphomas (53%). Breast mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas account for a small fraction of all the MALT lymphomas (1% - 2%). Herein we report a case of a patient with primary breast MALT lymphoma and its presentation on different imaging modalities. Two years after the presentation and treatment with eight cycles of chemotherapy, the patient is alive and well, without evidence of residual disease or recurrence.
Genotoxic effects of the carbamate insecticide Pirimor-50® in Vicia faba root tip meristems and human lymphocyte culture after direct application and treatment with its metabolic extracts
Authors: Valencia-Quintana Rafael , Gómez-Arroyo Sandra , Sánchez-Alarcón Juana , Milić Mirta , Olivares José Luis Gómez , Waliszewski Stefan M. , Cortés-Eslava Josefina , Villalobos-Pietrini Rafael , Calderón-Segura María Elena
Published: December 2016

The aim of the study was to evaluate genotoxic effects of Pirimor-50®, a pirimicarb-based formulation (50 % active ingredient), in human lymphocyte cultures and Vicia faba root meristems. Furthermore, the objective was to examine a combined influence of insecticide treatment with mammalian microsomal S9 and vegetal S10 metabolic fractions or S10 mix metabolic transformation extracts (after Vicia faba primary roots treatment with Pirimor-50®). We used sister chromatid exchange assay-SCE and measured cell cycle progression and proliferation (proportion of M1-M3 metaphases and replication index ratio-RI). Two processes were used for plant promutagen activation: in vivo activation-Pirimor-50® was applied for 4 h to the plant and then S10 mix was added to lymphocytes; and, in vitro activation-lymphocytes were treated with Pirimor-50® and S10 or S9 for 2 h. Direct treatment induced significantly higher SCE frequencies in meristems at 0.01 mg mL-1. In lymphocytes, significantly higher SCE was at 1 mg mL-1 with decrease in RI and M1-M3 metaphase proportions at 0.5 mg mL-1 and cell division stop at 2.5 mg mL1. S10 mix lymphocyte treatment showed significantly elevated SCE values at 2-2.5 mg mL-1, with cell death at 3 mg mL-1. Lymphocyte treatment with Pirimor-50® together with S9 or S10 showed slightly elevated SCE frequency but had a significant influence on RI decrease, with lowest values in S9 treatment. Since no data are available on the genotoxicity of Pirimor-50®, this study is one of the first to evaluate and compare its direct effect in two bioassays, animal and vegetal, and also the effect of plant and animal metabolism on its genotoxic potential.
Detection of heavy metals in common vegetables at Varaždin City Market, Croatia
Authors: Stančić Zvjezdana , Vujević Dinko , Gomaz Ana , Bogdan Saša , Vincek Dragutin
Published: December 2016

The present study was aimed at the estimation of heavy metal content in vegetables sold at the city market of one of the densely populated Croatian cities, Varaždin, and to establish the relationship between their levels and possible sources of contamination. Twenty-eight samples of the most common diet vegetables (red and white potato, onion, carrot, common bean, lettuce, and cabbage) were randomly bought at the market in September and October 2013. Using the atomic absorption spectrometry method, concentrations of nine heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were measured in the selected samples. The results showed that, in five out of 28 samples analysed, six concentrations exceeded the maximum levels provided for in the regulations: five for Pb and one for Cd. Maximum regulated levels for Pb were exceeded in two samples of red potato, two samples of common bean, and one sample of carrot (17.9 %), and for Cd in a sample of red potato (3.6 %). In conclusion, the cause of the overstepping of the maximum levels for Pb and Cd in the vegetables analysed was most likely the contaminated soil. The possible sources of soil contamination include traffic, nearby industry, floodwaters of rivers and streams, and the use of pesticides and fertilisers in agricultural production.
Analysis of Plastic Deformation of Double Reduced Sheets
Authors: Spišák Emil , Majerníková Janka , Duľová Spišáková Emília , Kaščák Ľuboš
Published: December 2016

This paper discusses the causes and the effects of plastic deformation of double reduced sheets under uniaxial and biaxial loading. It focuses on the specific inhomogeneity and localization of plastic deformation, which is analysed in detail. The uniaxial and the hydraulic biaxial tensile tests were used for material testing and the results were compared and evaluated. The final part of the paper deals with the microstructure of material deformations.
Surface Layer Properties of Low-Alloy High-Speed Steel after Grinding
Authors: Jaworski Jan , Trzepieciński Tomasz
Published: December 2016

Investigations of the surface layer characteristics of selected kinds of low-alloy high-speed steel after grinding were carried out. They were carried out on the flat-surface grinder with a 95A24K grinding wheel without cooling. The influence of grinding parameters was defined especially for: the quantity of secondary austenite, surface roughness, microhardness and grinding efficiency with a large range of grinding parameters: grinding depth 0.005–0.035 mm, lengthwise feed 2–6 m/min, without a cross-feed on the whole width of the sample. It was found that improvement of grinding properties of low-alloy high-speed steels is possible by efficient selection of their chemical composition. The value of the grinding efficiency is conditioned by grinding forces, whose value has an impact on the grinding temperature. To ensure high quality of the tool surface layer (i.e. a smaller amount of secondary austenite, lack of wheel burn and micro-cracks) in the case of sharpening of tools made of low-alloy high-speed steel, the grinding temperature should be as low as possible.
Impact Behaviour of Spot-Welded Thin-Walled Frusta
Authors: Kotełko Maria , Mołdawa Artur
Published: December 2016

In the paper the dynamic response of thin-walled, spot-welded prismatic frusta subjected to axial impact load is investigated. The parametric study into the influence of several parameters on the energy absorption capability, expressed by some crashworthiness indicators is performed, using Finite Element simulations. FE model is validated by experimental results of quasi-static and dynamic (impact) tests. Results of initial study concerning influence of spot welds are presented. Some conclusions are derived from the parametric study into the influence of frustum angle and wall thickness upon the energy absorption capability.
On the Numerical Solution of the Initial-Boundary Value Problem with Neumann Condition for the Wave Equation by the Use of the Laguerre Transform and Boundary Elements Method
Authors: Litynskyy Svyatoslav , Muzychuk Yuriy , Muzychuk Anatoliy
Published: December 2016

We consider a numerical solution of the initial-boundary value problem for the homogeneous wave equation with the Neumann condition using the retarded double layer potential. For solving an equivalent time-dependent integral equation we combine the Laguerre transform (LT) in the time domain with the boundary elements method. After LT we obtain a sequence of boundary integral equations with the same integral operator and functions in right-hand side which are determined recurrently. An error analysis for the numerical solution in accordance with the parameter of boundary discretization is performed. The proposed approach is demonstrated on the numerical solution of the model problem in unbounded three-dimensional spatial domain.
A Study of the Preload Force in Metal-Elastomer Torsion Springs
Authors: Sikora Wojciech , Michalczyk Krzysztof , Machniewicz Tomasz
Published: December 2016

Neidhart type suspension units composed of metal-elastomer torsion springs can be a good alternative to steel helical springs in applications such as vibration absorbers or vehicle suspension systems. Assembling this type of spring requires initial preload of the elastomeric working elements, which determines their operating properties. The results of experimental tests and numerical simulations concerning the preload of elastomeric working elements in Neidhart type suspension units are presented in the paper. The performed research made it possible to propose a new calculation model for determining the preload force value acting on the elastomeric cylindrical elements applied in this type of suspension unit. The results obtained using the proposed model exhibit good convergence with FEM simulation results within the range of the tested geometrical and material properties.
Mechatronic Device for Locomotor Training
Authors: Duda Sławomir , Gąsiorek Damian , Gembalczyk Grzegorz , Kciuk Sławomir , Mężyk Arkadiusz
Published: December 2016

This paper presents a novel mechatronic device to support a gait reeducation process. The conceptual works were done by the interdisciplinary design team. This collaboration allowed to perform a device that would connect the current findings in the fields of biomechanics and mechatronics. In the first part of the article shown a construction of the device which is based on the structure of an overhead travelling crane. The rest of the article contains the issues related to machine control system. In the prototype, the control of drive system is conducted by means of two RT-DAC4/PCI real time cards connected with a signal conditioning interface. Authors present the developed control algorithms and optimization process of the controller settings values. The summary contains a comparison of some numerical simulation results and experimental data from the sensors mounted on the device. The measurement data were obtained during the gait of a healthy person.
Characteristics of Pneumatic Tuners of Torsional Oscillation as a Result of Patent Activity
Authors: Homišin Jaroslav
Published: December 2016

Mechanical systems with combustion engines, compressors, pumps and fans, can be characterized as torsional oscillating mechanical systems (TOMS). It is therefore necessary to control their dangerous torsional vibrations. It was confirmed that dangerous torsional vibration can be reduced to acceptable level by an appropriate adjustment, respectively by tuning the TOMS. According to several authors, the most appropriate way of system tuning is application of suitable flexible element, which is flexible shaft coupling. It turned out that one of the types of shaft couplings, which are particularly suited to meeting this objective are pneumatic flexible shaft couplings, to act as so-called pneumatic tuners of torsional oscillations. The issue of research and development of pneumatic tuners of torsional oscillations, among other things is, long-term in the focus of the author. The existence of tuners creates the opportunity to develop new ways of tuning torsional oscillating mechanical systems. The author of the scientific article will focus on the characteristics of developed pneumatic tuners of torsional oscillation in terms of their design, construction, function, significance advantages and conditions imposed on pneumatic tuners based on the results of his patent activity. Simultaneously provides information about the characteristic properties of pneumatic tuners of torsional oscillations in the general design.
“Your Kung Fu is very good, Master Fiore!” Asian and European fight books in comparison
Authors: Wetzler Sixt
Published: December 2016

The phenomenon of the fight book is not restricted to the European tradition. Similar artefacts, usually combining text and image to describe the techniques of close quarter combat with and without weapons, exist also in various Asian cultures, in China, Japan, Korea, and India. In the article, the question shall be raised in how far and to which end fight books of different cultures can be taken into one perspective, and be compared. To do so, similarities and dissimilarities between European and early Chinese fight books will be pointed out, and preliminary areas for comparison will be introduced. The aim of the article is to raise awareness for the topic, and to lay the ground for further discussion between specialists on the respective European and Chinese fields.
The Future of Historical European Martial Arts Studies. A discussion
Authors: Jaquet Daniel
Published: December 2016

The two panels of the conference were concluded by a round-table aiming at discussing the future of HEMA studies, by crossing the views of the speakers on three levels: personal involvement, major contribution needed for the field, strategies to make it happen. This article will focus on (1) reviewing the most important matters discussed and to balance them with the latest published desiderata for further research, (2) situating them in the latest developments in, on the one hand, martial arts studies, and on the other, Practice as Research (PaR) in other fields of research, and finally (3) comparing them with the developments of a similar fields of study over the last 60 years, notably dance studies.
Evaluation of Agro-Industrial Co-Products as Source of Bioactive Compounds: Fiber, Antioxidants and Prebiotic
Authors: Hernández-Alcántara Annel M , Totosaus Alfonso , Pérez-Chabela M. Lourdes
Published: December 2016

Agro-industrial co-products derived of fruit processing represents an important source of bioactive compounds as fiber, antioxidants and prebiotics. The objective of this work was to determine the content of fiber, antioxidant capacity and prebiotic activity of three flours obtained from commonly co-products (banana peel, apple peel, and carrot bagasse). The results showed a higher total fiber content in carrot bagasse, and lower in apple peel. Significantly differences were found in antioxidant activity. Fruit co-products flours were a suitable carbon source increasing specific growth rate with a reduction in duplication time as compared to glucose. The prebiotic activity was positive in the three co-products, all flours survived at pH 1.0 and showed resistance to simulated gastric acid for about 60 min. Banana peel, apple peel and carrot bagasse showed to be a good source of bioactive compounds as fiber and antioxidants and can be used as prebiotics for lactic acid bacteria.
Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils from Black Pepper, Cumin, Coriander and Cardamom Against Some Pathogenic Microorganisms
Authors: Teneva Desislava , Denkova Zapryana , Goranov Bogdan , Denkova Rositsa , Kostov Georgi , Atanasova Teodora , Merdzhanov Pavel
Published: December 2016

Four popular spices black pepper (Piper nigrum L.), cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.), coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) and cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) were analyzed for their oil composition by GC-MS. Thirty compounds were identified in the black pepper oil and the main components were β-caryophyllene (20.225 %), sabinene (18.054 %), limonene (16.924 %), α-pinene (9.171 %) and α-phellandrene (5.968 %). Twenty five compounds were identified in the cumin oil – cuminaldehyde (30.834 %), 3-caren-10-al (17.223 %), β-pinene (14.837 %), γ–terpinene (11.928 %), 2-caren-10-al (8.228 %) and pcymene (6.429 %). Twenty nine compounds were identified in the coriander oil – β-linalool (58.141 %), α-pinene (8.731 %), γ-terpinene (6.347 %) and p-cymene (5.227 %). Twenty nine compounds were identified in the cardamom oil – α-terpinyl acetate (39.032 %), eucalyptol (31.534 %), β-linalool (4.829 %), sabinene (4.308 %) and α-terpineol (4.127 %). The antimicrobial activity of essential oils against pathogenic (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, Salmonella sp. (clinical isolate), Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538P, Proteus vulgaris G) microorganisms by disc-diffusion method was examined. Gram-positive bacteria were more sensitive to the oils (inhibition zones being between 8 and 12.5 mm) and the minimum inhibitory concentration was more than 600 ppm; Gram-negative bacteria were less sensitive. The obtained essential oils are suitable for use as biopreservative agents.
Physicochemical and Rheological Properties of Optimised Cocoyam-Based Composite Flour Comprising Cassava Starch
Authors: Awolu Olugbenga Olufemi , Oseyemi Grace Funmilayo
Published: December 2016

Composite flour comprising cocoyam (Colocassia esculenta), bambara groundnut and cassava starch was produced. The proximate and minerals compositions and functional properties were optimized using optimal mixture design of response surface methodology. The antinutritional, pasting and farinograph analyses of the optimum blends were evaluated. Bambara groundnut improved protein, fibre, ash and minerals contents; cassava starch improved swelling capacity, least gelation and pasting characteristics. The optimum blends CBC1 (70% cocoyam flour, 18.33% bambara groundnut flour, 11.67% cassava starch) and CBC2 (69.17% cocoyam flour, 16.67% bambara groundnut flour, 14.17% cassava starch). were comparable to wheat–based flour samples (60% wheat, 30% cocoyam, 10% bambara groundnut flours) and (72% wheat, 19% cocoyam, 9% bambara groundnut flours) in terms of pasting and farinograph analyses.
Study on the Effect of Asparagus Extracts on Promoting Metabolism of the Body
Authors: Li Xiaohong , Sun Caili , Zhang Tuanting
Published: December 2016

This study aims to analyze the effective ingredients of asparagus extracts and the changes of vitamins content in mice body after the intake of asparagus extracts, thus to conclude the effect of asparagus extracts on body metabolism during exercises. Extracts were made into different concentrations of solution and given to the mice by intragastric administration. The content of micro-elements and vitamin groups in the mice body before and after the drug administration were detected respectively and biochemical index parameter values before and after swimming were measured respectively. Results showed that, 20 min after the drug administration, the content of blood lactic acid of the mice in the swimming experiment group decreased significantly. Besides, the content of muscle glycogen decreased and correspondingly the content of hepatic glycogen increased significantly (experiment group one and two: p < 0.01; experiment group 3: p < 0.05). Thus the ethanol extract solution of asparagus can effectively improve body metabolism.
Survival Strategies and Sustainability of Small and Medium Enterprises in the Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State
Authors: Ifekwem Nkiruka , Adedamola Ogundeinde
Published: December 2016

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play an essential role in the sustainable development of countries. They help in employment generation, industrial production increase, and export, social enrichment as well as political stability. This study investigates the survival strategies and sustainability of SMEs using selected small businesses in the Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area, Lagos State. It examines the type of growth strategies that SMEs adopt, ascertains what influences their survival strategies as well as the challenges that hinder their growth. Fifty (50) SMEs were randomly sampled. Their owners and managers were interviewed using questionnaires. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson product–moment correlation coefficient statistics. Our findings reveal that there is a statistically significant relationship between survival strategies and SMEs’ sustainability. The major implication of the findings is that maintaining small but committed and motivated employees is critical in guaranteeing the survival of the SMEs in a volatile economy. The study recommends that there be a need for orientation and educational programmes to change the mindset of business owners to enable them to graduate from sole atomistic proprietor devoid of modern scientific business practice and effective succession to corporate status with an apparatus of modern business management practices and corporate vision. Finally, the study further suggests some imperatives for policy makers concerned with promoting small businesses’ growth and sustainability in the Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State.
Discourses of the I: The Panic of Identity in Edward Albee’s Me, Myself and I
Authors: Prohászka-Rád Boróka
Published: December 2016

“Hello, there! My name is OTTO. [...] I want to make trouble because I want to make things even more complicated than they are around here, and then maybe I can get out of this whole mess – this family and everything. Let’s see: my name is OTTO. I have an identical twin brother. I’m trying to get rid of him, rid of all of them – but it’s not easy: you know how twins are; well, maybe you don’t” – OTTO, one of the identical twin brothers (both named Otto) of Edward Albee’s Me, Myself and I opens the play addressing the audience. Albee’s wit and sharp irony dominate the play, managing to “engage, to upset, to trouble” audiences and readers. In my paper I analyze the methods Albee employs in transforming the stage into a meta- and intertextual “space” subverting and undermining any belief in identity and language as fixed, stable and functional “entities.”
The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice in Coetzee and Rilke
Authors: Veres Ottilia
Published: December 2016

J. M. Coetzee’s The Master of Petersburg (1994) is a text about a father (Dostoevsky) mourning the death of his son. I am interested in the presence and meaning of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice in the novel, compared to the meaning of the myth in R. M. Rilke’s poem “Orpheus. Eurydice. Hermes.” (1904). I read the unaccomplished encounter between Orpheus and Eurydice as a story that portrays the failed intersubjectity plot of Coetzee’s novel(s). Following Blanchot’s reading of the myth, I examine the contrasting Orphean and Eurydicean conducts – Orpheus desiring but, at the same time, destroying the other and Eurydice declining the other’s approach. I argue that Orpheus’s and Eurydice’s contrasting behaviours can be looked at as manifestations of a failure of love, one for its violence, the other for its neglect, and thus the presence of the myth in The Master of Petersburg is meaningful in what it says about the theme of intersubjectivity in Coetzee’s oeuvre.
Literature as Enchantment or the Regained Grandeur of the Novel: An Essay on Salman Rushdie’s NovelThe Enchantress of Florence
Authors: Andriescu Garcia Anca
Published: December 2016

My essay intends to analyze the dialectic relationship between historical reality and fiction in the novelThe Enchantress of Florenceby Salman Rushdie. I will point out a sophisticated and playful story in which the author interweaves elements of history and literature, a game-story that transcends the canonical limits of postmodernism where the novel has constantly been placed by the critical establishment, and goes back to the beginnings, to the anthropological function of play as an essential human activity that was once defined by Johan Huizinga inHomo Ludens: A Study of the Play-element in Culture. Moreover, my paper will explore how this play becomes Rushdie’s attempt to return to the original function of literature which used to enchant and inform at the same time. Once these roots have been reached, however, and the secondary reality of the literary game is well-established, Rushdie manages to break the barriers between reality and fiction, and through versatile textual mechanisms, to intermingle history and reality in a way that makes them merge. Consequently, he composes a play within fiction that is just as powerful as reality itself and suggests the fact that representation has more ontological consistency than the represented body or event itself. We exist as long as we are written and talked about, and nothing in the order of reality can be as powerful as the reality of language.
The Genetic Essence of Houses and People: History as Idealization and Appropriation of an Imagined Timelessness
Authors: Pierini Francesca
Published: December 2016

Marina Fiorato’s The Glassblower of Murano (2008) tells the story of Eleonora, a young woman who travels to Venice in search of her genealogical past and existential roots. Coming from London, Eleonora incarnates a “modern” outlook on what she assumes to be the timeless life and culture of Venice. At one point in the novel, admiring the old houses on the Canal Grande, Eleonora is “on fire with enthusiasm for this culture where the houses and the people kept their genetic essence so pure for millennia that they look the same now as in the Renaissance” (2008, 15). This discourse of pure origins and unbroken continuities is a fascinating fantasizing on characteristics that extend from the urban territory to the people who inhabit it. Within narratives centred on this notion, Italian culture, perceived as holding a privileged relation with history and the past, is often contrasted with the displacement and rootlessness that seem to characterize the modern places and people of England and North America. Through a discussion of two Anglo-American popular novels set in Italy, and several relocation narratives, this paper proposes an exploration of the notion according to which history is the force cementing the identities of societies perceived as less modern and frozen in a timeless dimension. From a point in time when the dialectics of history have been allegedly transcended, Anglo-American popular narratives observe Italy as a timeless, pre-modern other.
Reticence in Cicero’s Discourse
Authors: Pap Levente
Published: December 2016

M. Tullius Cicero is one of the most prominent figures of ancient rhetoric. His rhetorical speeches are characterized first and foremost by outspokenness and offensiveness and they do not lack in temper either. Since he also dealt with rhetorical theory, Cicero was fully aware of the fact that not only the uttered words and revealed facts hold significance in a rhetorical speech but also concealment and omissions. The latter rhetorical techniques are used mainly in his ad personam attacks. An eloquent example of this is his invective against Piso which I would like to present in more detail.
Wild roses and hawthorns of urban area: a case study of Piła in Poland
Authors: Sołtys-Lelek Anna , Gruszka Wojciech
Published: December 2016

The paper presents a study on the distribution of wild roses and hawthorns in the town of Piła (NW Poland). The main purpose of the study was to provide a full list of wild Crataegus and Rosa taxa growing in the researched area. Field studies (2014-2015) and formerly published data made it possible to recognize 19 taxa, among them 14 native taxa (including two rose nothospecies), 4 anthropophytes and 1 hybrid. Eleven new taxa were found in the explored area during the studies. These were: Crataegus rhipidophylla, C. × macrocarpa, C. × subsphaericea, C. × media ‘Rubra Plena’, Rosa majalis, R. villosa, R. rubiginosa, R. × subcollina, R. glauca, R. rugosa, R. multiflora and interspecific hybrid Rosa canina × R. rubiginosa.
Population structure ofLiparis loeselii(L.) Rich. in relation to habitat conditions in the Warta River valley (Poland)
Authors: Błońska Agnieszka , Halabowski Dariusz , Sowa Agnieszka
Published: December 2016

The paper presents results of a study on the population structure of the orchidLiparis loeseliigrowing in the Warta River valley peat bog in Myszków (Woźnicko-Wieluńska Upland, S. Poland). Individuals ofL. loeseliioccurred in patches ofMenyantho trifoliatae-Sphagnetum teretisandEleocharitetum pauciflorae– associations. The demographic structure ofL. loeseliipopulations was described by variations in plant height, the length and width of leaves and the number of flowers of the constituting individuals. It was observed that habitat conditions such as conductivity, pH and the percentage cover of tall perennials had the strongest effect on the structure ofL. loeseliipopulations.
Importance of old rural areas of Lubuskie Lakeland and central Pomerania for maintenance of vegetation diversity
Authors: Wojterska Maria , Brzeg Andrzej , Jasińska Katarzyna
Published: December 2016

The study areas, located in northern and western Poland, comprised 30 villages of the Lubuskie Lakeland region and 18 in central Pomerania. A total number of recorded associations and local communities of similar rank was counted as 243. In the list prevailed natural and seminatural communities. The endangered associations composed about 47.3% of the whole list of communities. Altogether, 8 communities, assessed as directly endangered, occurred in the villages or their vicinity. Comparison of plant communities of both regions revealed that the structure of vegetation shows many affinities, while the differences are more of qualitative than quantitative character. The diversity of vegetation of rural landscapes was slightly higher in the central Pomerania. The rural landscape of Lubuskie Lakeland was more transformed, richer in ruderal communities, whereas in Pomerania more represented were natural and seminatural communities. The rural landscape of both studied areas is still rich and diversified but recently undergoes transformations leading to its impoverishment and unification as a result of either abandonment of land use or its intensification and new forms of human impact.
‘New History—the New Ways of Knowing and Remembering the Caucasus in Poland’
Authors: Pierzynska Justyna
Published: December 2016

This paper aims to reconstruct the knowledge claims and memory politics in Polish public discourse about the Caucasus. As it highlights the importance of history and a production of a ‘New History’ for political use, it illuminates the role of the visual dimension in the symbolic politics of memory in Poland. The special example of the Caucasus, particularly the places of Georgia and Russia, serves to show how peripheral regions can gain prominence in the knowledge struggles and strategies of self-representation and othering of particular nations, regions and states on the geopolitical plane.
‘The Impact of Globalization on Albania’
Authors: Meçe Merita
Published: December 2016

The term globalization has been widely used in recent decades. Its definition has been subject to various tense debates and has involved a number of evolving theories which compete in the literature (Jones, 2010). Looking at different aspects of the globalization process, they analyze its features, present its advantages and discuss its disadvantages for economic restructuring, international political power and people’s lives (Martell, 2010). Consequently there is no single concept for this macro phenomenon which impacts on economic integration, the transfer of policies across borders, knowledge transmission and cultural stability, as well as the reproduction, relations and discourses of power (Al-Rodhan & Stroudmann, 2006). The main purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of globalization on Albania during the years of democratic transition towards a market economy, in the process focusing on the economic, political and social factors that continuously have underpinned it.
Homogeneous variational problems and Lagrangian sections
Authors: Saunders D. J.
Published: December 2016

We define a canonical line bundle over the slit tangent bundle of a manifold, and define a Lagrangian section to be a homogeneous section of this line bundle. When a regularity condition is satisfied the Lagrangian section gives rise to local Finsler functions. For each such section we demonstrate how to construct a canonically parametrized family of geodesics, such that the geodesics of the local Finsler functions are reparametrizations.
Variational principles and symmetries on fibered multisymplectic manifolds
Authors: Gaset Jordi , Prieto-Martínez Pedro D. , Román-Roy Narciso
Published: December 2016

The standard techniques of variational calculus are geometrically stated in the ambient of fiber bundles endowed with a (pre)multi-symplectic structure. Then, for the corresponding variational equations, conserved quantities (or, what is equivalent, conservation laws), symmetries, Cartan (Noether) symmetries, gauge symmetries and different versions of Noether's theorem are studied in this ambient. In this way, this constitutes a general geometric framework for all these topics that includes, as special cases, first and higher order field theories and (non-autonomous) mechanics.
The calculus of variations on jet bundles as a universal approach for a variational formulation of fundamental physical theories
Authors: Musilová Jana , Hronek Stanislav
Published: December 2016

As widely accepted, justified by the historical developments of physics, the background for standard formulation of postulates of physical theories leading to equations of motion, or even the form of equations of motion themselves, come from empirical experience. Equations of motion are then a starting point for obtaining specific conservation laws, as, for example, the well-known conservation laws of momenta and mechanical energy in mechanics. On the other hand, there are numerous examples of physical laws or equations of motion which can be obtained from a certain variational principle as Euler-Lagrange equations and their solutions, meaning that the \true trajectories" of the physical systems represent stationary points of the corresponding functionals.

It turns out that equations of motion in most of the fundamental theories of physics (as e.g. classical mechanics, mechanics of continuous media or fluids, electrodynamics, quantum mechanics, string theory, etc.), are Euler-Lagrange equations of an appropriately formulated variational principle. There are several well established geometrical theories providing a general description of variational problems of different kinds. One of the most universal and comprehensive is the calculus of variations on fibred manifolds and their jet prolongations. Among others, it includes a complete general solution of the so-called strong inverse variational problem allowing one not only to decide whether a concrete equation of motion can be obtained from a variational principle, but also to construct a corresponding variational functional. Moreover, conservation laws can be derived from symmetries of the Lagrangian defining this functional, or directly from symmetries of the equations.

In this paper we apply the variational theory on jet bundles to tackle some fundamental problems of physics, namely the questions on existence of a Lagrangian and the problem of conservation laws. The aim is to demonstrate that the methods are universal, and easily applicable to distinct physical disciplines: from classical mechanics, through special relativity, waves, classical electrodynamics, to quantum mechanics.
Free editors and peers: squeezing the lemon dry
Authors: Teixeira da Silva Jaime A. , Katavić Vedran
Published: December 2016

In this opinion piece, some of the practices of academic publication in the biomedical field related to the rewarding, or the lack thereof, of peer reviewers are described and discussed. The role and possibly exploitative relationship of mainstream, established publishers of prestigious journals towards their contributors (authors), and peer reviewers is considered. In addition, the role and accountability of publishers and contributors in “predatory” journals is assessed. Professionals who are recruited by the publishing industry, especially the for-profit industry, either as peer reviewers or editors, to complete a professional task, should be rewarded financially as professionals, as for other sectors of the economy, and not simply exploited for free. Points systems or discounts off a publisher’s products do not constitute sufficient, or fair, compensation.