bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biochemical research of hepatoprotective activity of Lavaflam tablets in rats with subchronic hepatitis
Authors: Aslanian Milena A. , Bobrytska Larisa A. , Bereznyakova Natalya L. , Shpychak Oleg S. , Hrytsenko Vita I. , Germanyuk Tamara A. , Ivko Tatiana I.
Published: May 2020

Liver damage is a common problem all over the world. To optimize the drug provision in the limited financing of the Health Care System, it is necessary to develop new drugs with hepatoprotective properties that are highly effective and of low cost. That is why we developed the original drug Lavaflam. Lavaflam is a combination of the following substances: dry concentrate of Helichrysum arenarium and Lavender oil. The purpose of the research was to assess the biochemical evidence of the hepatoprotective properties of the drug Lavaflam on the experimental model of subchronic hepatitis in rats. Construction of an experimental model of subchronic hepatitis in rats, comparison of hepatoprotective properties of Lavaflam and Carsil preparations on the basis of biochemical research. The subject of the study was to determine the hepatoprotective properties of Lavaflam tablets. Experimental subchronic hepatitis induced in rats by way of intragastrical introduction of tetrachlormethane. The study drug Lavaflam in this experimental model of subchronic tetrachlormethane hepatitis in rats showed a positive effect on oxidant processes by increasing the compensatory mechanisms of antioxidant systems; inhibiting free radical pathology; having positive effect on the processes of biliary excretion, cholestasis, reduction of infiltrative, destructive and inflammatory process in the liver; decreasing the cytolytic process; restoring the structure of the membrane components of hepatocytes; stabilizing and enhancing functional activity of the liver; restoring its protein-synthetic function; and increasing the ability of the drug Lavaflam to restore metabolic and liver damage.

As a result of the performed biochemical study of the hepatoprotective action of Lavaflam, it has been found that in the developed drug Lavaflam, the level of hepatoprotective action corresponds with the reference drug Carsil.
Diagnosis of human cytomegvirus association with malignant gliomas and pro- and anti-inflammatories
Authors: Alameedy Fadyia Mahdi Muslim , Al-mashhadi Abbas Raheem Jebur
Published: May 2020

The study was conducted on seventy individuals of both genders who have been exposed to human cytomegalovirus, a common illness in Iraq. Total cases of human cytomegvirus associated with malignant brain tumors were detected by a real time PCR technique. This resulted in only thirty-six cases of true infection. Of these 24 cases were female, while 12 cases of male infected. The titer to assay the presence of anti- and pro-inflammatories was assessed in sera of all patients by using ELISA kits to evaluate cytokines. This indicated that the pro-inflammatory IL12, after seven days increased (1.67±0.23 pg/ml), while IL4, an anti-inflammatory, decreased to reach (0.39±0.16 pg/ml) (at p<0.05) in the plasm of the experimental patients compared with the control group.
Preliminary screening of Nicotiana glauca extracts for determination of antioxidant activity by different methods
Authors: Trifa Warda , Akkal Salah , Lefahal Mostefa , Benmekhebi Lotfi , Khennouf Seddik
Published: May 2020

Nicotiana glauca (Solanaceae), or tree tobacco, is found in dry arid climates of North America, Africa and Europe. It has been reported to have both toxic and medicinal properties. The main aim of this study was to analyze the phytochemical screening and quantitative estimation of polyphenols, flavonoids and flavonols of crude extracts from the leaves of Nicotiana glauca and to evaluate its in vitro antioxidant properties. Three different solvents were used to extract bioactive compounds from powdered leaves of Nicotiana glauca: dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (AE) and n-buthanol (n-BuOH). The three extracts were then subjected to qualitative phytochemical screening using standard procedures. Total phenolics, total flavonoids and total flavonols contents of the extracts were measured by Folin Ciocalteu and Aluminium chloride methods respectively. Furthermore, the antioxidant capacity evaluation was performed using the DPPH, ABTS, DMSO alcalin, Phenantroline, FRAP and CUPRAC methods. The three extracts were then subjected to qualitative phytochemical screening using standard procedures. These methods showed the presence of polyphenols and comarines in all extracts. Moreover, flavonoids, tannins, steroids and quinones were reported in the AE and n-BuOH extracts. In addition, alkaloids were seen to be present in DCM extract, while saponines and phlobatannins were absent in all extracts. The antioxidant capacity evaluation was performed using the DPPH, ABTS, DMSO alcalin, Phenantroline, FRAP and CUPRAC methods.

Results using the DPPH method showed strong free radical scavinging activity for three extracts. This activity decreased with increasing concentration in the following order: n-BuOH>AE>DCM. In other assays, all extracts showed good antioxidant activity which decreased with increasing concentration in the following order: AE > n-BuOH > DCM. Extracts were compared with standards: BHT, BHA, Tanic acid and α-Tocopherol. The antioxidant of these extracts is probably related to polyphenols content (351.55±0.07, 284.98±0.08 and 133.8±0.06 mg/g), flavonoids (105.97±0.04, 164.44±0.07 and 1.18±0.005 mg/g) and flavonols (22.41±0.24, 18.75±0.46 mg/g) in AE and n-BuOH, respectively.

As a conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that Nicotiana glauca leaves could be considered as a potential source of natural antioxidants.
The evaluation of lipid peroxidation and oxidative modification of proteins in blood serum under obesity development and the consumption of aqueous kidney beans Phaseolus vulgaris pods extract
Authors: Yurchenko Alona , Krenytska Daryna , Savchuk Olexii , Halenova Tetiana , Raksha Natalia , Vovk Tetiana , Ostapchenko Ludmyla
Published: May 2020

Our interest has focused on the investigation of the anti-obese potential of kidney beans (P. vulgaris) pods extract. In the course of the study, obesity development in rats was induced with high-calorie diet. Control and obese rats then have consumed with aqueous kidney beans (P. vulgaris) pods extract during 6 weeks (200 mg/kg). Results show that the long-term consumption of P. vulgaris pods extract can lead to the reduction of hyperglycemia and insulin resistance development. Furthermore, we saw a normalization of lipid peroxidation parameters and oxidative modification of protein due to the consumption of the kidney beans (P. vulgaris) pods extract. Our experimental data demonstrate the ability of the kidney beans (P. vulgaris) pod extracts to mitigate obesity development but the details of this mechanism remains to be not fully understood.
Did the four-year extended programme make a difference towards the success rate of the engineering faculty?
Authors: Sutherland Trudy
Published: May 2020

The four-year extended programme was offered from 2016 to 2018 at the Vaal University of Technology and statistically never been proved to be successful. Oral feedback from the faculty always portrait the programme to be successful, as students moved fluently through their years of study. The purpose of the extended programme was to improve the academic performance of students who are at risk due to their educational backgrounds. The key role of the extended qualification is therefore, to support educationally disadvantaged students who are underprepared despite meeting minimum admission criteria, by enabling them to be placed on an extended curriculum that will give them the academic foundations for successfully completing their studies. The purpose of this paper will be to statistically prove that the students who received the extended curriculum, based on the specific model followed, will perform well and they made a positive difference towards the success rate of the engineering faculty.
VET in the Marine Higher Education – Some Challenges and Outcomes
Authors: Ilieva Galina
Published: May 2020

Vocational Education Training (VET) programs offer much more than just training and a vision to the future career path of young people. It is a serious step to broaden professional horizons, competitiveness and personal development. VET systems in Europe are based on a well-developed network of various governmental structures, industrial employers and trade unions, supported by strong system of laws, rules and legislations. VET system was introduced in Bulgaria in 2016, pilot projects are being implemented in cooperation with Switzerland, Germany and Austria. Since October 2017 the Technical University of Varna (TUV) is a key partner in project DYNAMIC. It aims at development, implementation, test and validation of programs for VET for students from the TUV.
Integrated Neuronal Network in ERP for Management Decision Making
Authors: Țîrlea Anca Victoria , Kifor Claudiu Vasile , Țîrlea Florin Cristian
Published: May 2020

Enterprise Resource Planning systems have proven to be efficient and have become a de facto standard for coordinating vital business components. However, the obvious question has arisen: if each company uses the same ERP system, what happens to the competitive aspect of the business after the implementation of the IT systems?

While for some organizations, ERPs have only become a necessity for running and organizing business, others want to exploit it to exceed the performance of competitors.

Consequently, ERP systems are often a combined solution between the legacies of the systems they have replaced and the model proposed by the ERP provider, resulting in systems with unique, customized features. Keeping this idea, we aim to add to the present paper elements of artificial intelligence within a module for managing car sales within an ERP.
Immigrants and Asylum Seekers’ Digital Entrepreneurship Competence: Evaluation of the Theoretical Framework
Authors: Melnikova Julija , Jurgaityte Virginija , Zaščerinska Jeļena , Aleksejeva Ludmila , Leete Art , Koppel Helleka , Rohdin Ingmarie , Olsson Asa Hedlin
Published: May 2020

The article reveals the concept of digital entrepreneurship and its framework for education of immigrants and asylum seekers in Baltic Sea countries. The research has been carried out in the boundaries of the Nordplus Adult project with participation of partner organisations from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Sweden. As stated in the article, digital entrepreneurship is supposed to be one of the opportunities in promoting successful integration of immigrants and asylum seekers into labour market. Therefore, by supporting the development of entrepreneurship as an integral part of adult education, and modelling new methods of combining new digital technologies and entrepreneurship education it is intended to help both immigrants and asylum seekers to acquire relevant competence for successful integration into labour markets. The article’s purpose is to disclose the relevance of digital entrepreneurship as a new competence of immigrants and asylum seekers with respect to their needs for successful integration into the socio-economic situation of a host country. The method of data collection was interview with experts. The experts found the efficiency of the framework important to some degree. In the experts’ opinion, educational goals based on the framework are achievable. However, diversity of the target group could be a risky factor.
Thermo-Oxidative Decomposition of Lovage (Levisticum officinale) and Davana (Artemisia pallens) Essential Oils under Simulated Tobacco Heating Product Conditions
Authors: Jakab Emma , Sebestyén Zoltán , Babinszki Bence , Barta-Rajnai Eszter , Czégény Zsuzsanna , Nicol James , Clayton Peter , Liu Chuan
Published: May 2020

The thermo-oxidative decomposition of lovage (Levisticum officinale) and davana (Artemisia pallens) essential oils has been studied by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in 9% oxygen and 91% nitrogen atmosphere at 300 °C to simulate low-temperature tobacco heating conditions. Both lovage and davana oils contain numerous chemical substances; the main components of both oils are various oxygen-containing compounds. Isobenzofuranones are the most important constituents of lovage oil, and their relative intensity changed significantly during oxidative pyrolysis. (Z)-ligustilide underwent two kinds of decomposition reactions: an aromatization reaction resulting in the formation of butylidenephthalide and the scission of the lactone ring with the elimination of carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide. Davanone is the main component of davana oil, which did not decompose considerably during low-temperature oxidative pyrolysis. However, the relative yield of the second most intensive component, bicyclogermacrene, reduced markedly due to bond rearrangement reactions. Davana ether underwent oxidation reactions leading to the formation of various furanic compounds. The changes in the composition of both essential oils could be interpreted in terms of bond splitting, intramolecular rearrangement mechanisms and oxidation reactions of several constituents during low-temperature oxidative pyrolysis. The applied thermo-oxidative method was found to be suitable to study the stability of the essential oils and monitor the decomposition products under simulated tobacco heating conditions. In spite of the complicated composition of the essential oils, no evidence for interaction between the oil components was found. [Beitr. Tabakforsch. Int. 29 (2020) 27–43]
Estimation of the Probability of Head Injury at a Given Abbreviated Injury Scale Level by Means of a Fuction of Head Injury Criterion
Authors: Chybowski Leszek , Przetakiewicz Wojciech
Published: May 2020

The paper presents a review of the basic literature on the determination of head injury effects. Introduction to the subject of Head Injury Criterion (HIC) applications as likelihood of head injury measures was made. Individual levels of Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) were listed as a representation of the consequences of head injury. Prasad and Mertz curves describing the relationship between the HIC value and the probability of injury for a given AIS level were presented. Exponential models, developed by the authors, representing individual curves were presented. The probability of head injuries at different AIS levels was estimated for selected case studies presented in the literature devoted to human workplace safety. The analysis was concluded with debate and conclusions on the use of the proposed models.
Identification and Solution of Safety and Operational-Economic Risks in Railway Transport
Authors: Sellner Karel , Vysloužilová Daniela
Published: May 2020

The paper is concerned with the issue of safety and risks in transport with a detailed focus on rail transport. Nowadays, when it is required to prefer safe and environmentally friendly modes of transport, the knowledge of this issue is important. Part of the paper is an analysis of individual risk factors in railway transport. These include risks in the field of railway safety, natural disasters, economic risks, risks in management systems and technical equipment, and risks related to legislative changes. Attention is paid to comparison and evaluation of individual risk factors in terms of severity and probability of occurrence - frequency. Following the analysis and evaluation of the risk level, are suggest possible or optimal ways to resolve them. The outcome of it is to eliminate or minimize them in the railway transport undertaking. The final part briefly describes the current situation in rail transport, recent developments and the main conditions and assumptions for its further development.
Using Norm-Based PSAs to Foster Green Behavior in a University: Some Preliminary Results from Lithuania
Authors: Poškus Mykolas Simas , Valickienė Rasa Pilkauskaitė , Kuzinas Arvydas
Published: May 2020

Three field studies using norm-based public service announcements were carried out in a university context. The studies yielded inconclusive results, pointing toward the need to investigate the contextual and individual effectiveness of persuasive communication based on making social norms salient. The presented studies are discussed as the first steps in introducing persuasive pro-environmental communication in a specific university context and some ways forward are proposed.
Numerical Procedures and their Practical Application in PV Module Analyses. Part IV: Atmospheric Transparency Parameters - Application
Authors: Rodziewicz Tadeusz , Rajfur Małgorzata , Wacławek Maria
Published: May 2020

The presented article relates to aspects of PV module testing using natural sunlight in outdoor conditions. It is a continuation of the article Part III: parameters of atmospheric transparency - determining and correlations. This article discusses the practical application of the indexes: atmosphere purity - k

Tm
, diffused component content - k

s/o
, beam clear sky index - K

b
- in testing various modules in outdoor conditions. Their influence on the conversion of modules made from various absorbers and various technologies is demonstrated. Their practical application in module testing in outdoor conditions is described and it - has been demonstrated that the results of the analyses carried out using the indexes conform to the results obtained using spectral parameters of solar radiation (i.e. APE and UF). These are the measurements that require the use of very expensive equipment.
An Empirical Study on How Climate and Environmental Issues Awareness Affects Low Carbon Use Behaviour
Authors: Huang Su-Ping , Ma Shan-Zi , Pan Yang , Li Yan , Yuan Yu-Hsi , Tsai Sang-Bing
Published: May 2020

Using survey, we discuss how climate and environmental issues awareness affects residents’ low carbon use behaviour. The results are following. Firstly, climate and environmental issues awareness positively affects residents’ low carbon use. Secondly, perceived effectiveness has mediate effect on the relationship between climate and environmental issues awareness and low carbon use behaviour partly. Thirdly, perceived value has negative moderate effect on the relationship between climate and environmental issues awareness and low carbon use conduct. The results of this study show that when residents feel higher perceived value about their low carbon consumption, they will engage in low carbon use even with lower climate and environmental issues awareness. It tells us that we should treat the residents differently with classification when advocate low carbon use. Specifically, there are some product and service in which consumers can gain high perceived value if the residents frugally use them with high efficiency. And we need to make effort to the following things: we improve the perceived value with hard working, and on the other hand, we make enough effort to enable the residents to deeply experience the perceived value via multiple means.
Investigation of Lead Removal from Drinking Water Using Different Sorbents
Authors: Albrektienė Ramunė , Paliulis Dainius
Published: May 2020

Lead is a heavy metal with strong toxic properties. This chemical element is found in wastewater and sometimes in drinking water. The article deals with the removal of lead(II) ions from polluted water using a sorption process to determine the most effective sorbent for the removal of lead(II) ions. Three sorbents were used in the research: clay, sapropel, and iron sludge. All three sorbents investigated reduce the concentration of lead(II) ions in water: clay efficiency was of 65.7–90 %, sapropel of 94.3–100 %, and iron sludge of 84.3–97 %, depending on sorbent type and contact duration. The research has shown that the most effective way to remove lead(II) ions from the test water is sapropel. Using different amounts of sapropel (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 g/dm3 and 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.8 g/dm3) and different duration of contact (30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 minutes), the concentration of lead(II) ions in the test water after purification did not exceed the permissible values for drinking water (10 μg/dm3), so that the lowest sapropel content of 0.1 g/dm3 can be used for sorption. Lead(II) ions are most effectively removed when contact time is 30 min.
The importance of cultural training in the hospitality sector
Authors: Roque Helena Cristina , Ramos Madalena
Published: May 2020

The human element is the most influential resource and the one that has the greatest responsibility in the organization’s effectiveness and efficiency. Therefore, the development of human resources and their training is fundamental to achieve organizational goals. Globalization facilitates the mobility of people around the world, increasing the number and diversity of tourists in hotels, from different cultures, bringing with them different perceptions of the quality of services. This new reality has become a challenge for human resources management practices, and specifically in one of its key areas, which is training. Studies show that training has a positive impact on skills development and worker performance. Given this importance, a cultural training programme is proposed for professionals of the hospitality sector that takes cultural values into account, as well as their impact on the interaction of these professionals with clients.
Impact factors for the development of a competitive and sustainable tourist destination. Case: Southern Sonora Region
Authors: Gallardo-Vázquez Dolores , Hernández-Ponce Oscar Ernesto , Valdez-Juárez Luis Enrique
Published: May 2020

Sustainability is now seen as a strategy used to encourage tourism. The objective of this research is to analyse the success factors of sustainable tourism in the southern region of the State of Sonora, Mexico. The research was carried out in 2018. The methodology used was qualitative, explanatory and non-experimental, that is, a multiple case study (Guaymas, Isla Huivulai and Alamos). It was concluded that the natural and cultural beauty, security and accessibility, as well as the environmental protection of the area were rated as important by 20% of respondents. Moreover, the business profile of the residents of a particular location with tourism potential and the accessibility of the place were rated as important by 10%. The implications of this are that as sustainable tourism projects are implemented, a variety of aspects will have to be considered in the tourism programme, also ensuring good management in order to achieve suitable conditions. In addition, governments should be encouraged to offer facilities and regulations to contribute to the improvement of these projects.
Changing the food for the future: food and sustainability
Authors: Viegas Cláudia , Lins Anna
Published: May 2020

Sustainability is currently one of the most pressing topics, and it is accepted that food has strong implications on the concept. On the other hand, food is very relevant for tourism, since not only it is part of the daily behaviour, but also it is also presented as a product. That is why we need to train food professionals with an increasing awareness to these issues in order to enable them for the design and production of sustainable and balanced meals.

Within the context of two curricular units included in the graduation on Cookery and Food Production, students were challenged to develop sustainable and balanced meals by reformulating the proportions of food, giving privilege to the vegetable component of the dish and lesser importance to products of animal origin. This includes the dish design and naming of the recipes. Some teacher–student dialogue was used, complemented with primary data collected by a questionnaire.

Results were undoubtedly good. Students became aware of the differences between the quantities normally served and those needed from the health and nutrition point of view, which also have a greater impact on sustainability. Considering the 17 United Nations (UN) Goals, several were focused, namely no. 3 – good health and well-being and no. 12 – responsible consumption and production.

Intervening and training future professionals in this area will make it easier to convey these good practices not only to the hospitality service, but also to the public daily life, with the potential to change mentalities about what should be the food for the future.
Investigation of the influence of product variety on inventories in hospitals
Authors: Aravazhi Agaraoli , Helgheim Berit Irene , Jæger Bjørn
Published: May 2020

The literature on product variety provides great insights into various businesses. However, little research has been conducted on product variety in the healthcare industry. This study aims to explore the influence of product variety on inventory in hospitals. Since most hospitals are known to replenish products using a homegrown ad-hoc system, a model is developed for exploring all possible product combinations and substitutions. This article presents the behaviour of product substitution, which may be either one-to-one or many-to-one for both sterile and non-sterile products, in the hospital with cost factors. It discusses the product variety reduction and its corresponding cost impacts. The data on a hospital inventory over the course of six years has been procured from a hospital in Norway. Based on the results, the hospital could have a potential product variety reduction of approximately 11% and cost savings from the spending of approximately NOK 3.6 million. Reducing the variety of products in hospital inventories proves to be an approach to reducing costs. The model developed for the research is universal in nature and could be used in other fields, such as retail, marketing etc.
Essential competencies for engineers from the perspective of fresh graduates
Authors: Suleiman Akram , Abahre Jafar
Published: May 2020

Determining the competencies required for engineering programmes has become important due to the increasing challenges faced by engineers after graduation and the tremendous development in technology. This research aims to identify the general competencies that fresh graduate students of engineering schools in Jordan believe they need to become competent and effective in their profession as engineers. This study was the first of its kind with students as respondents, and it was the first study of this kind in Jordan. Competencies were collected from a previous study with 48 competencies split into 11 groups. A questionnaire was prepared with these competencies, then rated for the degree of importance by answering “What engineering competencies graduates will require for their future work in Jordan?” The study showed that all competencies were vital, including technical, personal, non-technical and attitudinal competencies. This study will help to link the outputs of university education provided by engineering departments with market needs as well as to harmonise study programmes offered by Jordanian universities. Also, the research outputs are expected to facilitate the transition process of students from one university to another. The empirically identified competencies could be used to help assess different engineering study programmes in Jordan.
Can troxerutin pretreatment prevent testicular complications in prepubertal diabetic male rats?
Authors: Ghadiri Afsaneh , Bavil Fariba Mirzaei , Hamidian Gholam Reza , Oghbaei Hajar , Oskuye Zohreh Zavvari , Ahmadi Mahdi , Keyhanmanesh Rana
Published: May 2020

Objective. The vast majority of type 1 diabetes leads to a higher prevalence of reproductive system’s impairments. Troxerutin has attracted much attention owing to its favorable properties, including antihyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects. This investigation was proposed to evaluate whether pretreatment with troxerutin could prevent apoptosis-induced testicular disorders in prepubertal diabetic rats.

Methods. Fifty prepubertal male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into five groups: control (C), troxerutin (TX), diabetic (D), diabetic+troxerutin (DTX), and diabetic+insulin (DI). Diabetes was induced by 55 mg/kg of streptozotocin applied intraperitoneally. In TX and DTX groups, 150 mg/kg troxerutin was administered by oral gavage. Diabetic rats in DI group received 2–4 U NPH insulin subcutaneously. Troxerutin and insulin treatments were begun immediately on the day of diabetes confirmation. After 30 days, the testicular lipid peroxidation and antioxidant activity, apoptosis process, and stereology as well as serum glucose and insulin levels were assessed.

Results. The results showed that diabetes caused a significant increase in the blood glucose, the number of TUNEL positive cells and tubules, and the malondialdehyde level as well as a significant decrease in serum insulin level compared to controls. The stereological analysis also revealed various alterations in diabetic rats compared to controls. Troxerutin treatment improved these alterations compared to the diabetic group.

Conclusion. Troxerutin-pretreatment may play an essential role in the management of the type-1 diabetes-induced testicular disorders by decreasing blood glucose and modulating apoptosis.
The Impact of National Culture on Leadership
Authors: Janićijević Nebojša
Published: May 2020

The paper analyses the impact of national culture on leadership and leadership styles. It has been determined that national culture impacts leadership and leadership styles by defining the meanings that both leaders and their followers ascribe to the reality that surrounds them. The analysis includes the impact that the dimensions of national culture, identified in the Geert Hofstede’s and GLOBE’s researches, have on leadership. The paper analyses the impact that the dimensions of national culture have on two main dimensions used to differentiate leadership styles: authoritarianism–participative orientation and task orientation–people orientation. It has been determined that power distance and individualism– collectivism as well as uncertainty avoidance and assertiveness decisively impact the selection between authoritarian and participative leadership styles. The national culture’s “masculinity”–“femininity” dimension, as well as gender equality, performance orientation, people orientation, and future orientation correlated with it, impact the selection between people orientation and task orientation. In certain contexts, high uncertainty avoidance also impacts this leadership dimension. By intertwining two leadership styles’ dimension, four leadership styles are created, as well as cultural contexts in which each of the styles is favoured, preferred, and thereby more effective. Serbian national culture, with its assumptions and values, implies using of authoritarian people-oriented style.
Macroeconomic Еxternal (Im)Balances within the Eurozone: Core Vs Periphery
Authors: Pucar Emilija Beker , Glavaški Olgica
Published: May 2020

Since the foundation of the eurozone (EZ) until the crisis outbreak, the macroeconomic imbalances between EZ core and EZ periphery have been identified at the internal and external plan. Growing external divergence was evident in the precrisis period reflected in the chronic current account deficit of the periphery, and vice versa for the core EZ members. However, external imbalance within the EZ has been substantially narrowed in the postcrisis period. Based on the panel data framework, crucial factors of current account improvement/worsening are identified in the precrisis 1999-2007 period, as well as the postcrisis 2008-2017 period. Random effect model with standard errors robust to autocorrelation and heteroskedasticity is estimated, in which current account is analysed in dependence from economic growth, fiscal balance, EZ interest rate, real effective exchange rate, openness and dummy variable for the EZ core/periphery. Empirical findings for the precrisis period confirm macroeconomic overheating of the periphery as the main cause of current account worsening, while the postcrisis improvement has been achieved mainly through fiscal contraction and European Central Bank (ECB) loosened monetary stance.
The Relationship Between Direct Taxes and Economic Growth in Oecd Countries
Authors: Đurović-Todorović Jadranka , Milenković Ivan , Kalaš Branimir
Published: May 2020

The aim of the paper is to identify a potential linear correlation between direct taxes and economic growth. The subject of the paper includes estimating the level and intensity of correlation between direct taxes and economic growth in OECD countries for the period 1996-2016. The study analyses tax forms such as personal income tax, corporate income tax and tax on property, and their potential relationship with economic growth, measured by GDP growth rate. Also, tax revenues growth has been included to determine whether it directly affects the economic growth in observed countries. The results of the group correlation matrix have shown that there is a statistically significant relationship between tax revenues growth, personal income tax, corporate income tax and gross domestic product in OECD countries. However, it is important to note that tax on property and gross domestic product are not significantly correlated at the OECD level, which is logical given the low share of this tax in those countries.
Тhe Impact of Economic Reforms on Poverty in the Republic of Serbia
Authors: Veselinović Nevena , Mišić Ivan , Veselinović Petar
Published: May 2020

The aim of the paper is to identify the key determinants of poverty in the Republic of Serbia. The secondary goal is to show that poverty can be reduced if the classic concept of treating poverty is abandoned and the concept of social exclusion accepted, the benefits of which are to look at causes and provide a basis for preventing the problem of poverty, rather than just attempting to remedy the consequences. In the paper, statistical-econometric models are applied which correspond to the defined goal of the empirical research, but also to the selected variables. Part of the data analysis was carried out on data collected through the Survey on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC). It is an instrument that is among the most relevant when it comes to monitoring poverty, inequality, social inclusion and living standards. The contribution of work is reflected in the development of the poverty research in the Republic of Serbia with the aim of complementing the scientific knowledge fund on the implementation of state measures and instruments in the context of stimulating economic growth and increasing the living standard of the population.
Legal Nature and Role of Swap Arrangements and Options as Financial Instruments
Authors: Petrović Ružica , Kerković Tamara Milenković , Jocić Dragana Radenković
Published: May 2020

Financial derivatives are, in the last forty years, the most important financial innovation that influence the creation of new, very deep and broad financial markets. Their number is constantly increasing. There is a creation of new variants of existing derivative contracts and therefore the subjects have the opportunity to differently manage risk. Although their controversial legal nature, generally accepted view is that they were contracts. Swap is the youngest of all financial derivatives and represents a financial innovation of a later date. Market swaps recorded one of the fastest growth rate among global financial markets. Swap represents a private agreement between the two parties regarding exchange cash flow of the fixed time in the future in accordance with a predetermined pattern. The most common users of swaps are non-financial corporations, which want to receive variable, and to pay a fixed interest rate in order to limit interest expenses on bank loans or bond issues with variable interest rate, as well as banks, the governments of some supranational institutions such as the World Bank. In economic theory emphasized is the view that the comparative advantage is the basis for swaps functioning. Options are contracts in which one party has the exclusive right, while the other contracting party assumes only the obligation to buy or sell assets to which the option is created. In the nationa legislation the option contract is transferable standardized contract binding the buyer has the right to, including the payment obligation of the agreed premium on the day or days of maturity specified in the contract.
Permaculture in Portugal: Social-Ecological Inventory of a Re-Ruralizing Grassroots Movement
Authors: Oliveira Hugo , Penha-Lopes Gil
Published: May 2020

Southern European countries face a panorama of rural landscape abandonment, ageing rural population and lack of opportunities for vibrant rural lifestyles. This lead the way for over-exploitative monocultural practices and widespread abandonment of traditional land management practices, intensifying the degradation of rural landscapes, suffering already from the impacts of climate change and global economic pressures. Although policy driven initiatives can scale solutions to have wider impact, if not attuned to local contexts they can also increase the problems felt at the local level. Highlighting local grassroots innovations and locally appropriate solutions can support such attunement. Community-led grassroots initiatives have been sprouting, wishing to regenerate their landscapes grounded on ecocentric ethical approaches to Neo-rural lifestyles. Within Portugal, Permaculture, as a landscape ecological design movement and practice, has been one of those approaches, activated by young citizens wishing to recreate and innovate alternatives for the sustainable management of land, associated with lifestyle choices and local entrepreneurship. With this article, using a socio-ecological inventory as a baseline exploratory study, we are aiming to identify and start characterizing, the Permaculture landscape ecological design movement in Portugal, the motivations and perceptions of such movement, and its contribution towards the transformation of landscape management, societal trends and ecocentric innovations, to create more sustainable socio-ecological rural livelihoods within a Portuguese context.
Residents’ Attitudes Towards a National Park Under Conditions of Suburbanisation and Tourism Pressure: A Case Study of Ojców National Park (Poland)
Authors: Zawilińska Bernadetta
Published: May 2020

The article attempts to contribute to the global discussion on the social aspects of the functioning of protected areas. It explores the attitudes of local communities towards national parks and the determinants of those attitudes. The problem is presented using the example of Ojców National Park (Pol. OPN), a small-area national park located in the suburban zone of Kraków (Poland) and subject to strong pressure of tourism and suburbanisation. The analysis is based on interviews with people residing within the boundaries or buffer zone of the OPN. The residents are proud to live in a scenic location; they tend to perceive the national park in the context of its significant natural value rather than its administration and the related restrictions, and mostly approve of its existence. There is a high support for implementing the participative model of local area management. At the same time, however, the residents’ preferred methods of area management are in conflict with the need to protect the Park’s natural and landscape values. The residents favour commercial tourism infrastructure within the protected area and residential housing development in its close vicinity. The residents’ attitudes towards the Park are also shaped to a large extent by complex factors relating to the area’s history and its location within the suburban zone of a major city.
Polish Rural Sociology in the Period of Political and Social Transformation
Authors: Kaleta Andrzej
Published: May 2020

The aim of the present study is to attempt to evaluate the Polish rural sociology of development during the period referred to as a political and social transformation (1989–2019). The time of this transformation had brought up new and difficult challenges for the rural sociology, urging it to examine the social effects of the transition process in the rural society, moving from a totalitarian system to a democratic one, from centrally managed economy to market economy. Theoretical and methodological orientations, which prevailed throughout the entire period of changes, have been analyzed here by taking into consideration the most important publications, which appeared in Poland after 1989 under the banner of social research on countryside and agriculture. Moreover, attention was given to problem areas particularly intensely penetrated through empirical research such as: transformations in the agriculture as well as within the social and professional group of farmers, standard of living of rural residents, changes of the local rural communities. In the final part of the article, our attention was focused on the outlook and possibilities to confront the challenges of the future with regard to rural areas in the situation of constant weakening of the institutional base of the Polish rural sociology.
Sovereign Rating Analysis through the Dominance-Based Rough Set Approach
Authors: Couto Ayrton Benedito Gaia Do , Gomes Luiz Flavio Autran Monteiro
Published: May 2020

The classifications of risk made by international rating agencies aim at guiding investors when it comes to the capacity and disposition of the evaluated countries to honor their public debt commitments. In this study, the analysis of economic variables of sovereign rating, in a context of vagueness and uncertainty, leads the inference of patterns (multi-criteria rules) by following the Dominance-based Rough Set Approach (DRSA). The discovery of patterns in data may be useful for subsidizing foreign investment decisions in countries; and this knowledge base may be used in rule-based expert systems (learning from training examples).The present study seeks to complement the analysis produced by an international credit rating agency, Standard & Poor’s (S&P), for the year 2018.
Assessing the potential role of neutrophil elastase as a prognostic indicator in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Jaiswal Pooja , Kheur Supriya , Mahajan Pratiksha , Thirumal Raj A. , Reddy Mamatha , Madalli Roopa , Gupta Nitin
Published: May 2020

Past decade has seen the advent of several prognosticators for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Although TNM staging is still considered as the prognostic gold standard, it is not possible to obtain all the necessary information for a pathological TNM staging until excisional biopsy. Thus, it is necessary to identify features from the initial biopsy, which could aid in early prognostication.

Aim

To compare neutrophil elastase immuno-expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients with and without lymph node metastasis.

Materials and Methods

Archival specimens of 50 oral squamous cell carcinoma consisting of 25 cases with and 25 cases without lymph node metastasis were immuno-stained for neutrophil elastase.

Results

Statistically, a significant difference was noted in the neutrophil elastase staining between the 2 groups. 18 of the 25-oral squamous cell carcinoma cases with lymph node metastasis were positive and only 5 of the 25-oral squamous cell carcinoma cases without nodal involvement were positive.

Conclusion

Presence of neutrophil elastase in the lesional tissue is strongly associated with a lymph node involvement, and thus could serve as a prognostic factor for oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Growth of broadleaved species on post-agricultural lands introduced during the process of stand conversion with a use of artificial gaps
Authors: Zachara Tadeusz
Published: May 2020

This paper presents results on the restoration of Scots pine stands established on post-agricultural lands undergoing conversion into mixed stands. Sessile oak (Quercus petraea), common beech (Fagus sylvatica) and small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata) seedlings were planted in artificially created gaps (0.02 ha to 0.05 ha each) cut in six experimental plots (Forest Districts: Bielsk, Krynki, Sobibór, Dobieszyn, Skrwilno and Łupawa) located in 20–25-years-old pine stands. The experimental plots were spread across northern, central and eastern Poland and affected by root-rot fungus (Heterobasidion annosum). Nine years after planting, the number of individual trees and shrub species, their height sum and average height were calculated for fenced artificial gaps (LSO) as well as non-fenced artificial gaps (LSN) and compared to natural gaps (LN) and non-disturbed neighboring stands (D). Results were calculated separately for the planted species (oak, lime and beech) but combined for all other species. The results indicate satisfactory restoration in all of the investigated plots except in Krynki, which is located in a relatively poor site. Significant differences appeared between height sum as well as average height of planted species in fenced compared to non-fenced gaps. Furthermore, in both, natural and artificial gaps, the species composition of the young generation was enriched with natural regeneration of pioneer species, mainly silver birch (Betula pendula), rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) and aspen (Populus tremula).
Reversal of Diabetic Complications in Andrology Parameters of Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Male Wistar Rats Treated with Cleome rutidosperma Leaves
Authors: Oridupa O. A. , Ovwighose N. O. , Aina O. O. , Saba A. B.
Published: May 2020

Male infertility is one of the complications associated with diabetes mellitus. This study reported the effect of managing experimentally-induced diabetes in male Wistar rats with Cleome rutidosperma leaf extract at doses of 100 mg.kg−1, 200 mg.kg−1 or 400 mg.kg−1 for 14 days. Further deterioration or amelioration of reproductive derangement was assessed by changes in sperm morphology, sperm characteristics, and testicular histo-pathology. Andrology profile of diabetic untreated rats showed significant (P < 0.05) derangements compared to normoglycaemic rats. The profile of diabetic rats treated with the extract of C. rutidosperma, especially at the 200 mg.kg−1 dose showed a significant decrease in abnormal sperm cells, increases in sperm motility, live/ dead ratio and count compared to the untreated diabetic rats. Histopathology showed spermatogenic arrest and degeneration of Sertoli cells in the diabetic untreated rats, but was restored in the C. rutidosperma treated rats. This study showed evidence of infertility associated with diabetes and the ameliorative ability of C. rutidosperma on infertility demonstrated by improved andrological parameters. Traditional management of diabetes with C. rutidosperma leaves should therefore be encouraged in both humans and other animals, especially males with reproductive intentions.
In Vitro Study of Immune Properties of New Lactobacilli Isolates from Pheasant Gut
Authors: Karaffová V. , Revajová V. , Nemcová R. , Ševčíková Z. , Levkutová M. , Levkut M.
Published: May 2020

The goal of this paper was to study the effect of Lactobacillus reuteri B1/1, B2/1 and B6/1 on the relative expression of selected interleukins (IL-1β, IL-15), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP-1β), and the relative percentage of T lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PMBCs). The mRNA expression levels of interleukins and MIP-1β of PMBCs were evaluated at 24 h and 48 h post inoculation using the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The percentage of T lymphocyte subpopulations in PMBCs was determined by flow cytometry. The group that was administered L. reuteri B1/1 had the most significant stimulation of the expression of pro-inflammatory interleukins and MIP-1β, in particular after 24 h. Similarly, we observed a rise in the relative percentage of T cells including CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes in the groups with L. reuteri B1/1 and L. reuteri B2/1. Overall, L. reuteri B1/1 and L. reuteri B2/1 showed a promising stimulatory effect on the relative expression of pro-inflammatory interleukins, MIP-1β and percentage of T cell subpopulations in vitro. On the flip side, L. reuteri B6/1 did not induce the expression of the IL-1β gene.