bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
POPULATION GENETICS ANALYSIS OF Garlic virus A, Garlic virus B, Garlic virus C AND Garlic virus X
Authors: Bereda Maria , Paduch-Cichal Elżbieta
Published: October 2019

Garlic virus A (GarV-A), Garlic virus B (GarV-B), Garlic virus C (GarV-C) and Garlic virus X (GarV-X) are members of the genus Allexivirus in the family Alphaflexiviridae. In this study, we collected 10, 30, 10 and 14 isolates of GarV-A, GarV-B, GarV-C and GarV-X, respectively, from different parts of Poland. All sequences of coat protein (CP) and nucleic-acid binding protein (NABP) regions of Allexivirus isolates available in GenBank were also included in this study. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences identities within each population differed substantially depending on the region of the genome and virus species. The results of selection pressure analysis showed that populations of each Allexivirus underwent negative selection, but the extent of the negative selection varied. It was also concluded that the GarV-A and GarV-C populations underwent a decrease in population size or balancing selection, while the GarV-B and GarV-X populations underwent an increase in population size. It was concluded that both populations of GarV-X evolved independently in each respective area, in contrast to populations of GarV-A, GarV-B and GarV-C.
YIELDING AND FRUIT QUALITY OF SELECTED SWEET CHERRY (Prunus avium) CULTIVARS IN THE CONDITIONS OF CENTRAL POLAND
Authors: Szpadzik Ewa , Krupa Tomasz , Niemiec Wojciech , Jadczuk-Tobjasz Ewa
Published: October 2019

The study involving 5 cherry cultivars was conducted in 2015–2016. The varieties ‘Techlovan’, ‘Summit’, ‘Sylvia’, ‘Kordia’ and ‘Regina’ were planted in 2010 in the Experimental Orchard of the Department of Pomology in Warsaw-Wilanów on GiSelA5 rootstock. The aim of the study was to evaluate the production value and dessert fruit quality as well as health proprieties of the tested cultivars’ fruits and select the most valuable ones. It was shown that the varieties differed in fruit set and yielding as well as fruit quality (i.e. fruit size, firmness, soluble solid content, acidity) and health benefits (i.e. polyphenol, anthocyanin, and ascorbic acid content). ‘Techlovan’ trees had the lowest yield, but their fruits were of high quality. ‘Kordia’ and ‘Regina’ also provided high quality fruit with high total polyphenol content. In contrast, the ‘Sylvia’ cultivar had a high yield, but the fruit obtained from it was of poor quality. All tested cultivars had similar vitamin C content.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MORPHOLOGICAL TRAITS AND SEED YIELD OF IRANIAN GARDEN CRESS ACCESSIONS
Authors: Rahimi Vahid , Mohebodini Mehdi , Behnamian Mahdi , Azizinia Shiva
Published: October 2019

In order to evaluate the relationship between traits affecting the seed yield of the garden cress, phenotypic correlations between seed yield and yield components were detected, direct and indirect effects of yield components on yield and its role in the description of diversity were estimated, and the experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications in 2017. The ANOVA showed that the difference among accessions was significant for all traits. There was a significant phenotypic correlation between yield and most of the traits. The highest value of phenotypic correlation was obtained between seed yield and the ‘thousand seed weight’ (0.97). The regression analysis showed that the seed yield was highly in- fluenced by the ‘thousand seed weight’, leaf height and the number of seeds per silique of the lateral branches and the main axis. These three traits constituted about 89% of changes in the total yield, while the ‘thousand seed weight’ was the most effective trait that entered the model and explained 51% of the variation. The path analysis of phenotypic correlation showed that the ‘thousand seed weight’ had the greatest direct effect on the yield (7.21). The ‘thousand seed weight’ had a positive indirect impact on other traits as well. As a result of the factor analysis, 3 independent factors explained about 79.33% of the yield variation. These factors con- sisted of the number of seeds per silique of the lateral branches, the number of seeds per silique of the main axis and the ‘thousand seed weight’.
EFFICACY OF BIOCHEMICAL PREPARATIONS AND EXTRACT FROM Hypericum perforatum AGAINST BACTERIAL DISEASES
Authors: Schollenberger Małgorzata , Pudło Sylwia , Paduch-Cichal Elżbieta , Mirzwa-Mróz Ewa
Published: October 2019

The biotechnical preparations: Biosept Active (based on a grapefruit extract) and BioZell (based on thyme oil) as well as Hypericum perforatum extract, streptomycin solution and fungicide Champion 50WP (active ingredient substance – e.i. 50% copper hydroxide) were investigated for antimicrobial effects against plant pathogenic bacteria: Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae and Xanthomonas ar- boricola pv. corylina. The screening was carried out in vitro on three media: Nutrient Agar (NA Difco), Pseudomonas Agar F (Merck) – analogue of King B and 523. In the experiments, the agar plate method was applied. There were no statistically significant differences in the effect of streptomycin and Champion 50WP on the growth inhibition of three bacteria strains for medium 523 and Nutrient Agar and of P. syringae pv. syringae and X. arboricola pv. corylina for medium King B. It was determined that the antibacterial activity of Biosept Active and BioZell biopreparations and H. perforatum extract against Agrobacterium tumefaciens (strain C58), Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae (strain 760) and Xanthomonas arboricola pv. corylina (strain RIPF-x13) were dependent on the strain of pathogen as well as the growth medium used. According to the research results obtained, the Biosept Active preparation and H. perforatum extract demonstrated high bacteriostatic activity against three bacterial strains grown on the Nutrient Agar medium.
EVALUATION OF GENETIC VARIABILITY WITHIN SWEET CHERRY (Prunus avium L.) GENETIC RESOURCES BY MOLECULAR SSR MARKERS
Authors: Patzak Josef , Henychová Alena , Paprštein František , Sedlák Jiří
Published: October 2019

Sweet cherry is a vegetatively propagated, perennial plant with high level of heterozygosity and ancient breeding history. Therefore, it is necessary to keep, conserve and evaluate known genetic resources for fu- ture breeding programs and fruit production stability. In present, the utilization of DNA molecular genetic analyses is the best suitable method for evaluation of individual accessions, thus we eliminated duplications and characterized the genetic relationships. In our work, we used PCR primer combinations for 19 SSR and 2 EST-SSR loci for analyses of 123 current, old and local sweet cherry cultivars from Czech genetic resources of Research and Breeding Institute of Pomology in Holovousy. In total, 115 polymorphic fragments were amplified, which we used for hierarchical cluster analysis of genetic variability. The result dendrograms were divided into three main clusters and ten subgroups. Clustering corresponded to genealogical and geobotanical characteristics of individual accessions as breeding history of several known accessions.
A MODEL TO DETERMINE QUANTITATIVE EFFECTS OF LIGHT AND TEMPERATURE ON ORGANIC TOMATO SEEDLINGS
Authors: Sarıbaş Hatice Şeyma , Uzun Sezgin
Published: October 2019

The present study was conducted to determine the quantitative effects of light and temperature on growth and development of organic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) seedlings in a glasshouse under ecological conditions of Samsun Province of Turkey. Seedlings were grown in four different periods (seeds sown on 29 September for 1st period; 2 December for 2nd period; 18 March for 3rd period and 6 July for 4th period). In order to create different light intensities, shading material having a shading capacity of 50% in 1, 2 and 3 layers was used in each period after seeding. The effects of light and temperature on plant growth and development (leaf area, stomatal conductivity, leaf chlorophyll content, plant height, stem diameter and total plant vegetative dry weight) and the number of days from sowing to plantation of seedlings, were investigated. Obtained results revealed decreasing number of days from sowing to seedling plantation with increasing light intensities. Finally, the number of days from sowing to seedling plantation to be used in organic tomato seedling production was modeled based on the variations in temperature and light intensity (r2 = 0.92).
REDUCING THE SALINITY IMPACT ON SOILLESS CULTURE OF TOMATOES USING SUPPLEMENTAL CA AND FOLIAR MICRONUTRIENTS
Authors: Saleh Said , Liu Guangmin , Liu Mingchi , Liu Wei , Gruda Nazim , He Hongju
Published: October 2019

Salt stress is known as one of the most severe abiotic factors limiting the plant production all over the world. In this study, three additives: (i) supplemental Ca (5 mmol L–1) to nutrient solution, (ii) foliar application of micronutrients (Fe, Mn and Zn at 60, 160 and 110 mg L–1, respectively), and (iii) combination of both of them were evaluated aiming to reduce the negative impact of salt stress on tomato plants cultivated in a soilless culture and improve the internal quality of fruits. The obtained results show that salinity reduced vegetative growth and physiological parameters, fruit yield and its components, and even more lowered fruit market classification of tomatoes. Salinity treatment reduced most of essential macro- and micronutrients in tomato fruit, whilst Na content was increased. Tomato productivity and fruit quality were ameliorated under saline conditions by increasing Ca into nutrient solution and applying a foliar application of micronutrients. A com- bination of both additives ranked the first to alleviate the adverse effects of salinity on tomatoes, followed by solo supplemental Ca into saline nutrient solution. On the other hand, the internal fruit quality of antioxidant compounds, such as vitamin C, lycopene, α-carotene, β-carotene and lutein as well as acidity, total soluble solid and dry matter percent, were increased under saline conditions.
THE EFFECT OF FUNGAL ACTIVITY ON PHOTOSYNTHETIC PARAMETERS OF DIFFERENT CANNA CULTIVARS UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS
Authors: Kopacki Marek , Szmagara Mariusz , Jamiołkowska Agnieszka , Skwaryło-Bednarz Barbara , Rysiak Krystyna , Marcinek Barbara
Published: October 2019

Three-year studies (2014–2016) were conducted in Lublin in the south-east Poland. The objects of research were the plants of ten canna cultivars: ‘Aida’, ‘America’, ‘Botanica’, ‘Cherry Red’, ‘La Boheme’, ‘Lucifer’, ‘Picasso’, ‘Robert Kemp’, ‘President’ and ‘Wyoming’. Observations were carried out each year in October. Plants with symptoms of stem and root rot, leaves yellowing and wilt were noticed on the investigated plantations. The plants were studied with regard to photosynthetic activity and also by disease index for all cultivars and statistical analysis was carried out upon them. The effect of disease index on photosynthetic intensity and transpiration was determined after the calculation of Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Infected plants were collected for mycological analysis. The results of mycological analysis showed that canna plants were colonized by Fusarium spp., Sclerotinia spp. and Alternaria spp. Alternaria alternata, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium avenaceum and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum predominated among pathogenic species. The best health status and the lowest number of colonies were noticed for plants of cv. ‘Botanica’. The infection of canna leaves by pathogenic fungi has negatively affected the intensity of photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance and sub-stomatal CO2 concentration and it was largely related to the degree of infestation of specified varieties of canna. The photosynthesis process was limited especially in ‘La Boheme’, ‘Picasso’, ‘Cherry Red’ and ‘President’ cultivars, which were infected most frequently by pathogenic fungi. It was confirmed by negative Pearson’s coefficient.
EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL THINNING WITH ARMOTHIN® ON FRUIT SET, YIELD AND QUALITY OF JAPANESE PLUM (Prunus salicina Lindl.) CV. ‘FORTUNE’
Authors: Von Bennewitz Eduardo , Cabalín Andrés , Lošák Tomáš
Published: October 2019

The effects of the application of the chemical thinner Armothin® on fruit set, yield and quality of Japanese plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.) cv. ‘Fortune’ were studied during two seasons in Central Chile (34.56°S, 71.5°W). Trees were sprayed with Armothin® at 0.5%, 1% and 2% concentrations. All thinning treatments reduced the fruit set and fruitlet number (fruitlets/50 cm of branch). Armothin® at 2% conc. was the most aggressive treatment, drastically reducing the fruit set from 85.9% and 82.9% of the control and crop load to unprofitable levels during both seasons. Chemical thinning treatments at the two lowest concentrations (0.5 and 1%) did not significantly alter the crop load compared with the unsprayed control during both study seasons. Thinning costs were reduced (Armothin® 0.5%, 25.0% and 21.5% of the control treatment and Armothin® 1%, 24.6% and 24.1% of the control, during the first and second season, respectively). In general, chemical thinning increased the fruit size and total soluble solids content (TSS). Taking into account the ef- fects on thinning, crop load, fruit quality and thinning costs, Armothin® 1% and Armothin® 0.5% are the most advantageous treatments in the case of this study.
THE INFLUENCE OF BIO-ALGEEN S90 ON THE GROWTHOF MULTIFLORA ROSE SEEDLINGS (Rosa multiflora Thunb.)
Authors: Szmagara Mariusz , Pudelska Krystyna , Durlak Wojciech , Marcinek Barbara , Rojek Kamila
Published: October 2019

Striving to intensify horticultural production, new and more effective bio-preparations are being sought to stimulate plant growth and development. Bio-algeen S90 is a natural agent based on sea algae, the high bi- ological activity of which results from the high content of natural growth regulators. The aim of the study was to verify the influence of Bio-algeen S90 on the growth, morphological characteristics and chlorophyll fluorescence of Rosa multiflora seedlings. The bio-preparation was applied one, two and three times at con- centrations: 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 mg.dm−3. Following parameters were measured to evaluate the response of plants to the bio-preparation: F0 – initial fluorescence, Fm – maximal fluorescence in the dark-adapted state, Fv/Fm – maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII. All concentrations of the bio-preparation and frequency of its application stimulated the number of shoots in a bush, the length of shoots and the diameter of the root crown of plants intended for budding. The most beneficial was the two-fold bio-preparation application at a concentration of 0.4 mg.dm–3. Bio-algeen also positively influenced the chlorophyll fluorescence parame- ters. The highest mean F0 and Fm values were recorded with the two-fold preparation treatment. There was no significant effect of the bio-preparation on the Fv/Fm index, which was within the range of 0.75–0.66.
GROWTH AND YIELD RESPONSES OF FIFTEEN CUCUMBER CULTIVARS TO ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE (Meloidogyne incognita)
Authors: Mukhtar Tariq , Kayani Muhammad Zameer
Published: October 2019

Root-knot nematodes have become a grave menace to the lucrative production of cucumber throughout the world. These nematodes are mainly controlled by applying nematicides, but their use is often associated with hazards. Alternatively, the use of nematode resistant cultivars is considered to be innocuous and economically feasible. For their fitness as nematode-suppressive crops, the reduction in growth and yield parameters of these cultivars must be assessed. As there is little documented data about the effects of Meloidogyne incognita on the damage of cucumber, therefore, in the present study, the effects of M. incognita were evaluated on growth and yield parameters of fifteen cucumber cultivars. M. incognita significantly negatively affected the growth and yield parameters of all the cucumber cultivars. Shoot and root lengths and shoot weights of all the cultivars were significantly reduced as a result of nematode infection. Maximum reductions in these parameters were recorded in highly susceptible cultivars followed by susceptible ones, while the reductions were minimal in resistant followed by moderately resistant cultivars. On the contrary, the infection by M. incognita resulted in an increase in root weights of all the cultivars. The increase was found to be the maximum in highly susceptible cultivars followed by susceptible and moderately susceptible cultivars. Likewise, the minimum increase was observed in the resistant cultivars followed by moderately resistant cultivars. Similarly, significant variations in yield parameters among fifteen cucumber cultivars were also recorded as a result of M. incognita infection. In the case of highly susceptible cultivars, the reductions in yield parameters were maximum, whereas the reductions in resistant and moderately resistant cultivars were found to be minimum. As cultivars Long Green, Marketmore, Pioneer-II, Dynasty and Summer Green experienced no significant damage compared to susceptible cucumber cultivars and therefore, they are approved for cultivation in nematode infested soils.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RAPD MARKER-BY-MARKER INTERACTIONS AND QUANTITATIVE TRAITS OF CARAWAY (Carum carvi L.)
Authors: Bocianowski Jan , Seidler-Łożykowska Katarzyna , Nowosad Kamila , Kuczyńska Anetta
Published: October 2019

Application of molecular markers makes the selection process much more effective. Marker assisted selection is an important tool for plant breeders to increase the efficiency of a breeding process, especially for multigenic traits, highly influenced by the environment. Epistasis is the interaction between alleles from two or more loci determining the complex traits, and thus plays an important role in the development of quantitative traits of crops. In this paper, the relationships between RAPD marker-by-marker interactions and 22 quantitative traits of caraway (Carum carvi L.) were analyzed. Significant associations of 116 epistatic markers with at least one trait in 2004 as well as 112 in 2005 were found on the basis of multivariate regression analysis. The proportion of total phenotypic variances of individual trait explained by the marker-by-marker interactions ranged from 25.3% to 96.0%.
THE POTENTIAL APPLICATION OF Origanum dubium Boiss. ESSENTIAL OIL AS A SEED PROTECTANT AGAINST BEAN AND TOMATO SEED-BORNE BACTERIAL PATHOGENS
Authors: Basim Hüseyin , Turgut Kenan , Kaplan Begum , Basim Esin , Turgut Ali
Published: October 2019

Origanum dubium is a valuable wild oregano species of the natural flora of Antalya, Turkey. In this study, we extracted essential oil (EO) by hydro-distillation of the aerial parts of selected O. dubium chemotype with highest EO content, and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Carvacrol was the pri- mary component (85.9%) among 24 different compounds in the EO. The volatile test showed minimum inhibitory effect of the EO against Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. vesicatoria, Clavibacter michiganen- sis subsp. michiganensis, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli var. fuscans, and Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato, at 309, 303, 318, 254, and 901 µL/mL, respectively. A 1-hour treatment of bean and tomato seeds in the volatile phase of the EO effectively sterilized the seeds from bacterial pathogens without inhibiting their germination. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on the potential for the use of O. dubium EO as a seed protectant against bean and tomato seed-borne bacterial pathogens.
CAN APPLICATION OF NITROGEN FERTILIZERS AND SALICYLIC ACID IMPROVE GROWTH AND FRUIT YIELD OF CORIANDER UNDER WATER DEFICIT?
Authors: Yeganehpoor Farhood , Ehtab-Salmasi Saeid Z , Shafagh-Kolvanagh Jalil , Ghassemi-Golezani Kazem , Dastborhan Soheila
Published: October 2019

To investigate the changes in selected morphological traits and yield of coriander (Coriandrum sati- vum L.) in response to fertilization and salicylic acid foliar spraying under different irrigation intervals, two field experiments were conducted as split-factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replicates in 2014 and 2015. Treatments were three irrigation intervals (irrigation after 60, 90 and 120 mm evaporation from class A pan) and combination of fertilization (control, urea 100 kg ha–1, Nitrokara (bio-fertilizer), and 50% urea + Nitrokara) and salicylic acid (0 and 1 mM) that were allocated to the main and sub-plots, respectively. The results showed that plant height, length of the longest internode, stem diameter, branches per plant, dry weights of roots and leaves and fruit yield of coriander were reduced and root length enhanced with increasing the irrigation intervals. However, all of the nitrogen fertilizers, especially combined application of 50% urea and Nitrokara, and salicylic acid spraying, improved the selected morphological traits, and consequently fruit yield per unit area under favorable and limited irrigations.
Bioassay and alpha spectrometry in indirect monitoring of Spanish workers exposed to enriched uranium
Authors: Sierra Inmaculada , Hernández Carolina , Albendea Paula , López Maria Antonia
Published: October 2019

Workers at risk of exposure to uranium compounds should be monitored and their internal exposure quantified in terms of committed effective dose E(50) in mSv. In vitro bioassay methods can quantify uranium in urine and faeces at low activity levels. Alpha spectrometry (AS) is the most common method used for monitoring alpha-emitting radionuclides in internal dosimetry services. It provides isotopic information and low minimum detectable activity (MDA) values (≤0.50 mBq per sample). This study reports the results of a five-year monitoring of workers exposed to uranium at a Spanish Juzbado facility, which produces nuclear fuel elements enriched with up to 5 % of 235U. Monitoring included about 100 workers per year, most of whom had worked at the facility for more than 10 years before the individual monitoring programme was established. We analysed nearly 550 samples of more than 200 workers over five years. The obtained results indicate that workers were adequately protected from uranium exposure through inhalation and had an acceptably low chronic intake at the facility.
An overview of microtubule targeting agents for cancer therapy
Authors: Karahalil Bensu , Yardım-Akaydin Sevgi , Nacak Baytas Sultan
Published: October 2019

The entire world is looking for effective cancer therapies whose benefits would outweigh their toxicity. One way to reduce resistance to chemotherapy and its adverse effects is the so called targeted therapy, which targets specific molecules (“molecular targets”) that play a critical role in cancer growth, progression, and metastasis. One such specific target are microtubules. In this review we address the current knowledge about microtubule-targeting agents or drugs (MTAs/MTDs) used in cancer therapy from their synthesis to toxicities. Synthetic and natural MTAs exhibit antitumor activity, and preclinical and clinical studies have shown that their anticancer effectiveness is higher than that of traditional drug therapies. Furthermore, MTAs involve a lower risk of adverse effects such as neurotoxicity and haemotoxicity. Several new generation MTAs are currently being evaluated for clinical use. This review brings updated information on the benefits of MTAs, therapeutic approaches, advantages, and challenges in their research.
Association between shift work and obesity in a large sample of Iranian steel industry workers
Authors: Rabanipour Najmeh , Roohafza Hamidreza , Feizi Awat , Amani Tirani Shahnaz , Sarrafzadegan Nizal
Published: October 2019

Obesity is associated with several chronic diseases, and previous research suggests that shift work could be associated with the risk of overweight and obesity, but the results remain inconclusive. Furthermore, only a few studies report related findings for industrial workforce with high job-related stress. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to see if such association exists in a large sample of 3063 industrial workers in a developing country. The sample was selected among 16,000 steel company workers through multistage cluster sampling. We took anthropometric measurements, including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Information about potential confounders was collected with a self-administered questionnaire. The association between shift work and both general and abdominal obesity was established with multinomial and binary logistic regression analysis. The study sample consisted of 1683 (54.9 %) rotational shift workers and 1380 (45.1 %) day workers. Shift work was significantly associated with higher risk of overweight after adjusting for the impacts of potential confounders (OR=1.2; 95 % CI:1.04–1.4) but not with abdominal obesity. This study established that shift work was an independent risk factor for overweight in industrial shift workers. Modification of working schedules is recommended, particularly for prolonged, continuous shift work.
Chemical composition and antioxidant, cytotoxic, and insecticidal potential of Valeriana alliariifolia in Turkey
Authors: Sen-Utsukarci Burcu , Taskin Turgut , Goger Fatih , Tabanca Nurhayat , Estep Alden S. , Kessler Sonja M. , Akbal-Dagistan Ozlem , Bardakci Hilal , Kurkcuoglu Mine , Becnel James , Kiemer Alexandra , Mat Afife
Published: October 2019

Valeriana is a common plant species used for various healing purposes in folk medicine since antiquity. This study investigates the phytochemical profile, antioxidant, cytotoxic, and insecticidal activity of Valeriana alliariifolia Adams, a species that has traditionally been used in Turkey. For the analyses we prepared four root extracts of V. alliariifolia Adams using hexane (HM1), chloroform (CM1), ethanol (EM1), and water (WM1) for maceration. Additionally, two extracts were also prepared from its roots by maceration separately with ethanol (EM2) and water (WM2). One sample was prepared as a water infusion (WI), according to the procedure used in Turkish traditional medicine. The 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging and 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical cation scavenging activity tests showed that ethanol extracts had the strongest antioxidant activity: EM1 (IC50 – DPPH: 17.694 µg/mL; ABTS: 23.8 µg/mL) and EM2 (IC50 – DPPH: 20 µg/mL; ABTS: 21.5 µg/mL). The hexane extract, HM1, was the most cytotoxic (IC50<10 µg/mL against HepG2 and HUVEC) and EM2 strongly cytotoxic (IC50<10 µg/mL against HepG2 and IC50: 11.96 µg/mL against HUVEC). The extracts with demonstrated cytotoxic activities were further examined to check their insecticidal activity against adult female mosquito Aedes aegypti and first instar Ae. aegypti larvae. HM1 was the most effective (90±10 %), which was consistent with its cytotoxic activity. Because of the high antioxidant, cytotoxic, and insecticidal activities, we ran phytochemical analyses of the HM1, EM1, and EM2 extracts with GC-MS (for HM1) and LC-MS/MS (for EM1 and EM2). We also analysed the composition of the essential oil obtained from V. alliariifolia roots by micro-distillation in order to compare its content with HM1, which contains volatile compounds. Phytochemical analyses revealed that the major compound in HM1 was isovaleric acid (16 %) and in the essential oil 1,8-cineole (2.9 %). EM1 and EM2 contained 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (chlorogenic acid), verbascoside (acteoside), and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid as major components. In the light of our findings and available literature, we can conclude that V. alliariifolia has a good bioactive potential that could be used for different purposes, including the development of new agents for the treatment of various diseases. The difference in the content between the essential oil and HM1 was remarkable. It suggests that the variability observed in the activity of the samples was a result of composition and that, therefore, the aim of treatment should dictate which type of preparation is to be selected. An added value of our study is that it determined verbascoside and methylquercetin rutinoside for the first time in the Valeriana extracts.
In search of optimal psychoactivation: stimulants as cognitive performance enhancers
Authors: Rozenek Emil Bartosz , Górska Monika , Wilczyńska Karolina , Waszkiewicz Napoleon
Published: October 2019

An increasing number of people, students in particular, seek substances that improve their cognitive functioning. The most popular group of pharmacological cognitive enhancers (PCEs) are stimulants. Available studies suggest a small beneficial effect of methylphenidate and amphetamine on memory, executive functions, and processing speed. However small, this effect can make the difference between success and failure. In recent years, research has focused on the additional beneficial effect on the emotional state, increased motivation, and placebo-induced cognitive enhancement. This paper briefly reviews the latest and most important research on the relationship between popular stimulants and cognitive enhancement. One cannot understand this relationship without understanding the Yerkes-Dodson law, which explains the relationship between the degree of arousal and performance. It suggests that the effect of stimulants is a dose-dependent continuum. This law has repeatedly been confirmed by studies in which an optimal level of psychoactivation for cognitive enhancement was obtained with low stimulant doses, whereas exceeding the effective dose resulted in cognitive deficits, psychomotor agitation, and addiction. A separate section has been devoted to modafinil, an increasingly popular stimulant that differs from the rest in neurochemical profile and behavioural effects.
The occurrence of the Tulip breaking virus in tulips in the northern part of Turkey
Authors: Deligoz Ilyas , Sevik Mehmet Ali
Published: October 2019

The tulip (Tulipa sp.) is one of the most important ornamental bulbous plants, which has been cultivated as a cut-flower, potted, and garden plant, and used for landscaping in Turkey. This study investigated the occurrence of a viral disease in the tulip cultivars Strong Gold, Pretty Woman and Purple Prince that causes striping of the leaves, flames of different colours on the petals and mosaic patterns on the leaves, in Samsun province of Turkey. Surveys of virus-infected tulip plants were carried out in the Middle Black Sea Region of Turkey in 2015-2016. A total of 212 samples were collected from four locations and checked by biological, serological and molecular methods for the presence of the Tulip breaking virus (TBV). TBV was detected in the leaves and flowers by double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (DAS-ELISA) in the tulip cultivars (15.5%) tested from Samsun province. TBV infection was found at the highest rate in the cultivar Strong Gold (19.7%), followed by Pretty Woman (14.1%) and Purple Prince (12.8%). The presence of TBV in samples was further confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays. This is the first report on TBV naturally infecting tulips in Samsun province, Turkey.
The Impact of Crises on the Intellectual Capital of Companies in the Food Sector
Authors: Garncarz Jakub , Mierzejewski Mateusz
Published: October 2019

Both the financial crisis of the first decade of the 21st century, as well as the deterioration of trade relations between the European Union and the Russian Federation were events that significantly affected the functioning of the largest listed companies on the food market: on the one hand, aggravating the conditions of economic functioning, on the other hand creating a stimulus to seek new innovative solutions to help companies survive on the market. The aim of the work was to present the impact of crises on the intellectual capital of WIG-Food index companies, which is an indirect measure of innovation. The MV/BV and q-Tobin index were used for the study, as well as selected quantitative methods: multiple regression, Ward’s method and seasonal additive decomposition. The results of the work indicate that the companies are divided into two groups, within which similar trends in shaping intellectual capital are observed. In addition, one of the groups clearly noticed the impact of the financial crisis and the introduction of an embargo on the shaping of intellectual capital.
Stock-Flow Adjustment – Only a Residual Value? Evidence from European Union Countries
Authors: Banaszewska Monika
Published: October 2019

The aim of the article is to investigate the fiscal determinants of stock-flow adjustment (SFA). Previous literature suggests that SFA may be used strategically to reduce budget deficit and public debt. As such, SFA impairs fiscal transparency and may endanger fiscal sustainability. Therefore, special attention should be paid by economists and policymakers. The study pertains to the European Union countries in the years 2005-2016. The empirical analysis supports the hypothesis that SFA is inversely related to public debt, whereas the inverse relationship between budget balance and SFA is not confirmed. The article contains additional analyses for selected components of SFA as well as narrower time and space coverage.
Credibility of foreign Discriminatory Models in Relation to the Assessment of the Financial Condition of Polish Enterprises. Case Study of E. Altman’s Method
Authors: Pitera Rafał
Published: October 2019

The article is an attempt to assess whether foreign discriminatory models can be used in conditions of the Polish economy. To date, there is no one voice on this issue. There are views that this approach is wrong. It results from different factors affecting a given economy, or another character of the economy itself. Another issue is also differences in financial reporting of individual countries, which is translated into financial data. In turn, a different view is presented by the trend that foreign models can be used in the conditions of the Polish economy, while the differences that appear do not significantly affect the quality and reliability of the received diagnosis. Accordingly, the article attempts to verify both above positions. For the purposes of the study, the article presents the results of research on a sample of 25 bankrupt companies from the years 2012 to 2017, which declared liquidation bankruptcy, and their 25 healthy counterparts. The diagnosis of their financial situation was made using E. Altman’s model of 1983. The results of the study confirm the validity of the thesis that a more correct solution is to adopt the second thesis, namely foreign models can be used in the conditions of the Polish economy, but only after suitable modifications and consideration of the Polish economic conditions. In contrast, the use of foreign models without such a procedure should not take place. Such an approach may have an impact on receiving an incorrect diagnosis which does not correspond to the real situation in the surveyed entity.
The Polish Model of a Social Economy with the Financial aspects and Profits at Background – from the General Theory to Practice
Authors: Chojnacka Katarzyna J.
Published: October 2019

This article contains main trends, assumptions and thesis about the social economy in Poland, which the author agree with. The main goal of it, is to bring together fundamental facts depicting the situation of the social economy in Poland (in theory and in practice) with the conditions that must be fulfilled in order for it to grow (also from the financial side). In the article, the aspect of profit in a social enterprise, was especially emphasized. To describe the topic the descriptive methods were used. The graphical analysis refers to the last three years, but to understand how the social economy operates in practice, author uses description of the data from 1999 to now, in this paper.
Determinants of Corporate Dividend Policy in Polish Companies Listed on WSE
Authors: Gostkowska-Drzewicka Magdalena , Majerowska Ewa
Published: October 2019

The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors influencing the level of dividend payments in the companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange in 1998-2017 as well as to provide empirical evidence for their significance, using a panel data approach. The object of research comprised the companies listed on WSE, as of February 01, 2019. The subject of the analysis are the dividends paid by the companies and the factors potentially influencing the decisions regarding profit distribution. The models estimated for the panel data, based on the theory, allowed selection of the best model, which is the random-effects model. Moreover, these models allowed identification of the factors determining the changes in the level of dividend per share. The best model was the random-effects model. This model allowed identification of the factors impacting the changes in the level of dividend per share, that is, the value of the company’s total assets and the history of the company’s operation on the stock exchange market. All structural parameters (except the intercept) were positive. It means that growth of each of these variables causes an increase in the dividend per share.
Spatial and Institutional Analysis of the Voivodships Expenditure on Culture in the Years 2003 – 2015
Authors: Suchecki Adam Mateusz
Published: October 2019

Following the completion of the process of decentralisation of public administration in Poland in 2003, a number of tasks implemented previously by the state authorities were transferred to the local level. One of the most significant changes to the financing and management methods of the local authorities was the transfer of tasks related to culture and national heritage to the set of tasks implemented by local governments. As a result of the decentralisation process, the local government units in Poland were given significant autonomy in determining the purposes of their budgetary expenditures on culture. At the same time, they were obliged to cover these expenses from their own revenues.

This paper focuses on the analysis of expenditures on culture covered by the voivodship budgets, taking into consideration the structure of cultural institutions by their types, between 2003-2015. The location quotient (LQ) was applied to two selected years (2006 and 2015) to illustrate the diversity of expenditures on culture in individual voivodships.
The Efficiency of a Supplementary Old-Age Pension System – the Case of Polish Voluntary Pension Funds
Authors: Rutecka-Góra Joanna
Published: October 2019

The aim of this article is to evaluate the effectiveness of voluntary pension savings plans in Poland, based on the principles of operation and rates of return of voluntary pension funds (pol. Dobrowolne Fundusze Emerytalne, DFE). The selection of those funds from a whole range of solutions available in the 3rd pension pillar is due to the fact that only this type of voluntary pension saving plan provides complete and transparent information about the actual investment policy, the composition of pension investment portfolios, and the achieved rates of return. In order to evaluate the investment policies and the effectiveness of DFEs, the following research methods were used: a literature analysis, an analysis of financial data, and basic methods of investment efficiency assessment. The results of the evaluation lead to the conclusion that despite their adoption of similar investment strategies, the DFEs have achieved very different values of effectiveness. In the years 2013-2018, selected funds achieved higher than average rates of return, while others achieved returns that were no better than the interest rates of standard bank deposits.
The Marginal Benefit of an Active Labor Market Program Relative to a Public Works Program: Evidence from Papua New Guinea
Authors: Hoy Christopher , Naidoo Darian
Published: October 2019

Policymakers typically try to address youth unemployment in developing countries through either active labor market programs (ALMPs) or labor-intensive public works programs (LIPWs). We examine whether there is any additional benefit for unemployed youth from participating in a comprehensive ALMP compared to a LIPW. We exploit an unanticipated intervention in the largest employment program in Papua New Guinea, which resulted in one intake of the program completing a LIPW and missing out on a comprehensive ALMP. We conduct a difference-in-difference analysis between participants in the intake that missed out on the ALMP component of the program and participants in the intakes immediately before and after. In contrast to most impact evaluations of ALMPs, we show youth that completed the comprehensive ALMP were around twice as likely to be employed in the formal sector 9–12 months after the program compared to similar youth in the intake that only completed a LIWP. This effect was entirely driven by 20% of youth who participated in the ALMP staying with the employer they were placed with following the end of the program. Surveys of these employers illustrate that they use the ALMP as a low-cost, low-risk, and relatively low-effort way of hiring new employees.
A Review of Approaches for Automated Habitat Mapping and their Potential Added Value for Biodiversity Monitoring Projects
Authors: Jongman Rob H.G. , Mücher Caspar A. , Bunce Robert G.H. , Lang Mait , Sepp Kalev
Published: October 2019

Habitats are important indicators of biodiversity in their own right, as well as being linked to species, hence their widespread use in reporting on nature conservation planning and policy. For reporting consistent mapping and monitoring habitat extent and change is important. Remote Sensing techniques are becoming an important tool for this. In this paper we describe four examples of methods of semi-automated mapping using Remote Sensing. Because the most effective way of improving the accuracy of the estimation of habitat area is by increasing the sample number, it is important to develop methods for reducing in situ surveys which are expensive. Remote Sensing has the major advantage of comprehensive coverage and the four examples illustrate the potential of extrapolation from semi-automated habitat classifications. The potential for using these methods at national scales is likely to be limited by the need for validation of the automated images and the subsequent calculation of error terms. Existing major national monitoring programs are described, which still use mainly traditional in situ methods. The selection of relatively small numbers of representative samples from environmental classifications to obtain regional estimates reduces the need for large numbers of in situ survey sites and is therefore discussed. The recent development of the use of drones to acquire detailed imagery to support in situ habitat surveys is also covered. Finally, practical problems linked to the methods described in the paper are considered, as in some cases these will override the theoretical benefits of a particular approach. It is concluded that automated methods can enhance existing monitoring systems and should be considered in any biodiversity monitoring system as they represent an opportunity for reducing costs, if integrated with an in situ program.
Thermal Comfort Characteristic of 5 Patterns of a Persian Garden in a Hot-Arid Climate of Shiraz, Iran
Authors: Ojaghlou Morteza , Khakzand Mehdi
Published: October 2019

Thermal comfort in the open spaces is a significant parameter in public mentally and physically healthy. Increased hot days of cities because of the urban heat island is the common phenomenon in cities. This phenomenon effect cites quality by a different aspect such as air quality, Use of fossil fuels etc. therefore, cooling strategies in the urban and urban park’s design is one of the important issues of the designers. Urban parks have a significant effect on heat stress mitigation. Persian garden is known for its microclimate effect on pedestrians, so different patterns of Persian garden is selected to be analyzed in terms of thermal comfort condition on the hottest day of summer so far in the dry hot climate of the Shiraz(12th of July 1998 with the maximum 42°C Ta). In this paper 8 conditions are simulated by Envi-met3.1 to get environment data of these patterns and also the Rayman model is used to calculate the Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) as the proper thermal index for outdoor condition. The results demonstrate that alteration of Shortwave radiation both direct and diffuse conditions and mean radiant temperature are affected by both sky view factor and the orientation of the Persian garden. Pavilion location has an important effect in mitigation of the Tmrt by preventing the afternoon powerful sun rays through to the paths in the End.E-W pattern. Therefore, this pattern has a better condition of PET value than the others in Shiraz setting.
Deposition time and annealing effects on morphological and optical properties of ZnS thin films prepared by chemical bath deposition
Authors: Chabou N. , Birouk B. , Aida M.S. , Raskin J.P.
Published: October 2019

Nanocrystalline zinc sulfide thin films were prepared on glass substrates by chemical bath deposition method using aqueous solutions of zinc chloride, thiourea ammonium hydroxide along with non-toxic complexing agent trisodium citrate in alkaline medium at 80 °C. The effect of deposition time and annealing on the properties of ZnS thin films was investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, optical transmittance spectroscopy and four-point probe method. The X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the samples exhibited cubic sphalerite structure with preferential orientation along 〈2 0 0〉 direction. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs revealed uniform surface coverage, UV-Vis (300 nm to 800 nm) spectrophotometric measurements showed transparency of the films (transmittance ranging from 69 % to 81 %), with a direct allowed energy band gap in the range of 3.87 eV to 4.03 eV. After thermal annealing at 500 °C for 120 min, the transmittance increased up to 87 %. Moreover, the electrical conductivity of the deposited films increased with increasing of the deposition time from 0.35 × 10−4 Ω·cm−1 to 2.7 × 10−4 Ω·cm−1.
Growth, electrical, thermal, mechanical and etching studies on 4-chloroanilinium hydrogen (2R, 3R)-tartrate monohydrate-an organic NLO single crystal
Authors: Sivakumar R. , Nadaraj V.
Published: October 2019

An organic single crystal of 4-chloroanilinium hydrogen (2R,3R)-tartrate monohydrate (4CAHT) was grown by slow evaporation solution growth technique at room temperature. Single crystal XRD study confirmed that the crystal belongs to monoclinic system with the space group P21. Powder XRD analysis confirmed the crystalline nature of the compound. The presence of various functional groups in the compound was revealed by FT-IR analysis. UV studies showed the absence of absorption in the entire visible region. To determine the thermal stability of the grown crystals it was subjected to thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses. Microhardness and etching studies were also carried out for the crystal. The powder second harmonic generation efficiency of 4CAHT was tested by Kurtz and Perry powder technique and the relative SHG efficiency of 4CAHT was found to be 1.44 times greater than that of standard KDP.