bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of hepatoprotective effects of crude methanolic extract of Datura metel L. in mice
Authors: Alam Waqas , Khan Haroon , Khan Sajjad Ali , Ali Niaz , Sharif Naveed , Ghafar Rukhsana , Nazir Sana , Daglia Maria 
Published: June 2021

Datura metel has been recommended in several human disorders including a remedy for liver toxicity. The current study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of methanolic extract of D. metel in animal model. Acute toxicity of methanolic crude extract of Datura metel (MEDM) was studied in animals in various doses 500-2000 mg/kg. Mice of either sex were divided into groups (n=6). One group received normal saline intraperitonially as negative control, while other gentamicin 100mg/kg for 8 days as positive control. 3rd group received 50mg/kg silymarin as standard, 4th group received 100mg/kg of MEDM, 5th group received 200mg/kg MEDM while 6th group received 300mg/kg MEDM and gentamicin 100mg/kg for 8 days. The blood samples were collected on 9th day and the animals were then dissected and the liver of all the animals were isolated. MEDM was found safe in acute toxicity test at various doses up to 2000 mg/kg. The levels of serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase and alkaline phosphatase were elevated significantly with gentamicin treatment which significantly down-regulated by MEDM (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg) in a dose dependent manner.. The histological examination showed that the MEDM has markedly treated the inflammatory infiltrate, fatty changes and congested blood vessels which were induced by gentamicin. The findings of our study thus proved the absolute of MEDM in acute toxicity test; followed by significant hepatoprotective effect in gentamicin induced hepatotoxic mice.
LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS characterization of phenolic compounds from Prosopis farcta (Banks & Sol.) J.F.Macbr. and their potential antioxidant activities
Authors: Sharifi-Rad Javad , Zhong Jianshu , Ayatollahi Seyed Abdulmajid , Kobarfard Farzad , Faizi Mehrdad , Khosravi-Dehaghi Nafiseh , Suleria Hafiz A.R. 
Published: June 2021

Prosopis farcta (Banks & Sol.) J.F.Macbr. is an emerging medicinal plant containing a diverse array of phytochemicals, including protein, fat, carbohydrate, fibre, alkaloids, fatty acids, glycosides, and polyphenols, with strong antioxidant potential. However, the screening and characterization of phenolic compounds in P. farcta is limited. This study is conducted to determine the polyphenol contents and their antioxidant activity in P. farcta leaves samples via liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array (HPLC-PDA). Total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total tannins content (TTC) were determined for polyphenol estimation. The antioxidant properties were measured by total antioxidant capacity (TAC), 2,2'-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), and 2,2"²-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS). LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS was used to identify and characterize 47 phenolic compounds, which mainly included phenolic acids (13), flavonoids (28), other polyphenols (4), lignans (1), and stilbenes (1). According to HPLC-PDA quantification, chlorogenic acid (9.78 ± 2.15 mg/g dw) was the most abundant phenolic acid, while the main flavonoids included catechin (12.73 ± 1.29 mg/g dw) and kaempferol (7.93 ± 1.47 mg/g dw). The study demonstrated the significance of P. farcta as a rich source of phenolic compounds with antioxidant capacity that can be widely used in food, beverage, feed, and pharmaceutical applications.
LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS characterization of phenolic compounds from Pyracantha coccinea M.Roem. and their antioxidant capacity
Authors: Sharifi-Rad Javad , Song Shengnan , Ali Akhtar , Subbiah Vigasini , Taheri Yasaman , Suleria Hafiz A.R. 
Published: June 2021

Pyracantha coccinea M.Roem. is considered as an important medicinal plant contributing remarkably to health and medicinal benefits. This is attributed to the presence of abundant polyphenols with powerful antioxidant properties. However, little research has been studied on the comprehensive identification and characterization of the phenolic compounds in areal parts of P. coccinea. This study aimed to investigate, characterize, and quantify the phenolic profiles of P. coccinea through liquid chromatography electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array (HPLC-PDA. Further, it showed a significantly higher value in total phenolic content (TPC) than that of total flavonoids (TFC) and tannins (TTC). As for antioxidant capacities, P. coccinea presented the highest activity in ABTS (7.12 ± 0.25 mg AAE/g dw) compared with DPPH, FRAP, and TAC assays. The LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS analysis detected 28 phenolic compounds, including phenolic acids (12), flavonoids (13), other polyphenols (2), and lignans (1) in P. coccinea samples. The results from HPLC–PDA indicated the chlorogenic acid (11.49 ± 1.89 mg/g) was the most abundant phenolic acid, while kaempferol (14.67 ± 2.17 mg/g) was the predominant flavonoid in P. coccinea. This research confirms the benefits of the P. coccinea plant as a potential source of natural antioxidants for the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Evaluation of antihyperglycemic activity of plants in northeast mexico
Authors: Adame-Miranda Sara J. , Granados-Guzmán Graciela , Silva-Mares David A. , Acevedo-Fernández Juan José , Waksman-Minsky Noemí­ , Salazar-Aranda Ricardo 
Published: June 2021

iabetes mellitus is one of the most common non-contagious diseases. In 2017, The International Diabetes Federation reported that around 425 million people suffer from diabetes worldwide. Medications used for the treatment of diabetes lead to unwanted side effects, and thus, new safe drugs are necessary. Some natural plant-based products exhibit anti hyperglycemic activity and low toxicity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antihyperglycemic activity (using both in vitro and in vivo models) as well as cytotoxicity of the extracts obtained from various plants. Nine extracts from a total of eight plant species were subjected to in vitro Î±-amylase and Î±-glucosidase inhibition assays. Subsequently, they were assessed through the ex vivo everted sac assay, and finally, the in vivo antihyperglycemic activity was evaluated. The extracts obtained from Ceanothus coeruleus, Chrysactinia mexicana and Zanthoxylum fagara inhibited the activities of Î±-amylase and Î±-glucosidase in the in vitro assays. Ethyl acetate and hydroalcoholic extracts from Jatropha dioica, hydroalcoholic extract from Salvia ballotaeflora and Chrysactinia mexicana, as well as methanolic extract from Ricinus communis and Zanthoxylum fagara significantly reduced the glucose uptake in the ex vivo everted intestinal sac test. All the eight extracts showed antihyperglycemic effect through the in vivo model of the Glucose Tolerance Test, using starch as the carbohydrate source. The antihyperglycemic effect of the extracts could be mediated through the inhibition of digestive enzymes and/or the absorption of glucose through the intestine. However, the mechanism of action for the hydroalcoholic extract of Salvia texana and the methanolic extract of Turnera diffusa, which showed a strong in vivo antihyperglycemic effect, is unclear.
Predicting at-risk university students based on their e-book reading behaviours by using machine learning classifiers
Authors: Chen Cheng-Huan , Yang Stephen J. H. , Weng Jian-Xuan , Ogata Hiroaki , Su Chien-Yuan 
Published: June 2021

Providing early predictions of academic performance is necessary for identifying at-risk students and subsequently providing them with timely intervention for critical factors affecting their academic performance. Although e-book systems are often used to provide students with teaching/learning materials in university courses, seldom has research made the early prediction based on their online reading behaviours by implementing machine learning classifiers. This study explored to what extent university students’ academic achievement can be predicted, based on their reading behaviours in an e-book supported course, using the classifiers. It further investigated which of the features extracted from the reading logs influence the predictions. The participants were 100 first-year undergraduates enrolled in a compulsory course at a university in Taiwan. The results suggest that logistic regression supports vector classification, decision trees, and random forests, and neural networks achieved moderate prediction performance with accuracy, precision, and recall metrics. The Bayes classifier identified almost all at-risk students. Additionally, student online reading behaviours affecting the prediction models included: turning pages, going back to previous pages and jumping to other pages, adding/deleting markers, and editing/removing memos. These behaviours were significantly positively correlated to academic achievement and should be encouraged during courses supported by e-books.
Implications for practice or policy:

For identifying at-risk students, educators could prioritise using Gaussian naïve Bayes in an e-book supported course, as it shows almost perfect recall performance.
Assessors could give priority to logistic regression and neural networks in this context because they have stable achievement prediction performance with different evaluation metrics.
The prediction models are strongly affected by student online reading behaviours, in particular by locating/returning to relevant pages and modifying markers.
Developing and investigating an electronic performance support system (EPSS) for academic performance
Authors: Sezer Baris 
Published: June 2021

The aim of this study was to develop an electronic performance support system (EPSS) to improve students’ performance in the topic of scientific research methods. A review of the literature shows that EPSSs are usually developed using advanced programming technologies. This limits the widespread use of EPSS for educators and researchers. In this study, a mid-level EPSS was developed by integrating Moodle to a static (non-interactive) educational system, without using advanced programming. The study was designed and carried out using the developmental research method. Study participants were second year students from the Faculty of Medicine of Hacettepe University in Turkey. The system was designed by taking students’ needs into account, as well as other issues that the literature identified as points of consideration when developing an EPSS. The mid-level EPSS developed within the framework of this study increased the students’ academic achievement and students stated that the system met their expectations.
Implications for practice or policy:

Educators can support scientific research methods courses with EPSSs.
Educators and researchers may take advantage of detailed steps in this research, if they want to develop such an EPSS.
A mid-level EPSS is taken as reference when developing an EPSS without advanced programming skills.
Fuel loads of Neotropical migrant songbirds on autumn passage through the Darién region of Colombia: Influence of migratory distance, route, ENSO, age and body size
Authors: Cárdenas-Ortiz Laura , Bayly Nicholas J. , Hobson Keith A. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAvailable energy stores determine stopover length, migration speed and likely survival in migrating birds. We measured energy stores by estimating fuel load in 11 species of Neotropical migrant songbirds in the Darién of Colombia over five years. We evaluated 1) whether individuals flying further from breeding origin arrived with smaller fuel loads, 2) if the ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation) cycle affected fuel load and 3) if species known to migrate mostly overwater arrived with less fuel relative to those migrating overland. Breeding origin, inferred from feather δ2H values, only had a significant positive effect on fuel load in Swainson’s Thrush (Catharus ustulatus). Veery (Catharus fuscescens) and Swainson’s thrush had higher and lower fuel loads, respectively, in El Niño years. Multi-species mixed-effects models revealed support for larger fuel loads in larger-bodied species and in species taking overwater routes, contrary to our prediction. Across species, we found no support for common effects of breeding origin or ENSO on fuel loads, in contrast to community-wide effects of migration route and body-size. In general, the variables considered here explained little of the variance in fuel loads, suggesting that inter-individual differences likely have a greater impact than broad-scale factors in our study system.
Stellar Scientists: The Egyptian Temple Astrologers
Authors: Winkler Andreas 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe paper aims to collect and discuss evidence for astrologers in Egyptian temples during the Graeco-Roman period from several kinds of data, including astrological and astronomical texts, inscriptions, and documentary sources. Material evidence is also considered. It attempts to answer questions of who could act as an astrologer and what knowledge was required to become one. In addition, the paper discusses the position of astrologers in the temple hierarchy and other areas of knowledge in which astrologers were involved.
Crystal structure of tris(3-iodopyridin-1-ium) catena-poly[(hexachlorido-κ1
Cl)-(μ2-trichlorido-κ2
Cl:Cl)diantimony(III)], C15H15Cl9I3N3Sb2
Authors: Ma Yuxin , Hao Munan , Sun Ruijin , Jin Shifeng , Zhao Changchun 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
C15H15Cl9I3N3Sb2, monoclinic, C2/c (no. 15), a = 28.2633(7) Å, b = 12.4964(3) Å, c = 9.1542(3) Å, β = 99.5840(10)°, V = 3188.04(15) Å3, Z = 4, R

gt
(F) = 0.0274, wR

ref
(F
2) = 0.0687, T = 273.15 K.
Effect of the Growth Spurt on Training of Strength and Power During Mid-Adolescence in Boys
Authors: Badenhorst Joanita , Pienaar Anita E. , Gerber Barend P. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Badenhorst, J, Pienaar, AE, and Gerber, BP. The effect of the growth spurt on training of strength and power during mid-adolescence in boys. J Strength Cond Res 35(8): 2193–2204, 2021—This study determined if the growth spurt will influence the training of strength and power in boys (N = 86) of differing maturity levels. Based on a 2-group, pretest posttest design within a 2 school-year follow-up period, including 4 time point measurements, an experimental group (EG), who participated in different school sports were subjected to an additional 6 months, strength and power training program, twice a week for 45 minutes over 2 consecutive years (n = 47, 13.67 ± 0.26 years). They were compared with boys (n = 39, 13.68 ± 0.16 years) serving as a control group (CG) for normal growth who did not compete in any sports or training programs. Both EG and CG were subdivided into 3 maturity groups, late developers (LD), early developers, and typical developers (TD) based on a linear growth rate. Assessments were performed every 6 months for changes in height, body mass, strength, and power. Differences within and between the EG, CG, and maturity groups were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance and hierarchical linear modeling, whereas significance of practical differences were determined by effect sizes (d). Early developers presented with training effects, whereas TD and LD showed conditioning and adaptation responses to training. Customized training to leverage the different maturation levels in a way to optimize strength and power advancement is important for the preparation of boys for sports participation during mid-adolescence because it can positively affect adaptation and responsiveness to training in boys of different maturity levels.
Ice Hockey Forward Skating Force-Velocity Profiling Using Single Unloaded vs. Multiple Loaded Methods
Authors: Perez Jerome , Guilhem Gaël , Brocherie Franck 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Perez, J, Guilhem, G, and Brocherie, F. Ice hockey forward skating force-velocity profiling using single unloaded vs. multiple loaded methods. J Strength Cond Res 36(11): 3229–3233, 2022—This study aimed to compare skating force-velocity relationships determined throughout sprints performed against various loaded conditions or inferred from movement kinetics measured during a single unloaded sprint. Ten female ice hockey players performed one unloaded maximal skating sprint test measured with a radar gun followed by 4 resisted skating sprints against a robotic horizontal resistance with progressive loads in reference to equipped body mass (BM): 3 kg (robotic resistance), 25, 50, and 75% of equipped BM. Maximal theoretical force (F0), velocity (V0), power (Pmax), optimal velocity (Vopt) condition for producing maximal power, and slope of the linear force-velocity relationship (SFV) were determined from each method and compared using a paired sample t-test, absolute mean bias (±95% confidence intervals), Pearson correlations, and typical error of the estimate in standardized units (effect size [ES]). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. No statistical difference was found for all mechanical variables determined from the 2 methods (p ranging 0.09–0.59). Although exhibiting positive correlations ranging from moderate (r = 0.50 for SFV) to high (r ranging from 0.71 to 0.84 for F0, V0, Vopt, and Pmax) between methods, all variables exhibited large levels of error between approaches (ES ranging 0.66–1.71). Multiple loaded and single unloaded methods were comparable with determine force-velocity relationships during forward on-ice skating sprint. The low-cost fatigue-free unloaded method suggests it could be used in constrained contexts (i.e., congested schedule and low available time) or for a simple force-velocity profiling. Inversely, multiple loaded methods would be more appropriate to evaluate and individualize training for skilled ice hockey players accustomed to resistive skating sprint.
Aerobic Training With Blood Flow Restriction for Endurance Athletes: Potential Benefits and Considerations of Implementation
Authors: Smith Nathan D.W. , Scott Brendan R. , Girard Olivier , Peiffer Jeremiah J. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Smith, NDW, Scott, BR, Girard, O, and Peiffer, JJ. Aerobic training with blood flow restriction for endurance athletes: potential benefits and considerations of implementation. J Strength Cond Res 36(12): 3541–3550, 2022—Low-intensity aerobic training with blood flow restriction (BFR) can improve maximal oxygen uptake, delay the onset of blood lactate accumulation, and may provide marginal benefits to economy of motion in untrained individuals. Such a training modality could also improve these physiological attributes in well-trained athletes. Indeed, aerobic BFR training could be beneficial for those recovering from injury, those who have limited time for training a specific physiological capacity, or as an adjunct training stimulus to provide variation in a program. However, similarly to endurance training without BFR, using aerobic BFR training to elicit physiological adaptations in endurance athletes will require additional considerations compared with nonendurance athletes. The objective of this narrative review is to discuss the acute and chronic aspects of aerobic BFR exercise for well-trained endurance athletes and highlight considerations for its effective implementation. This review first highlights key physiological capacities of endurance performance. The acute and chronic responses to aerobic BFR exercise and their impact on performance are then discussed. Finally, considerations for prescribing and monitoring aerobic BFR exercise in trained endurance populations are addressed to challenge current views on how BFR exercise is implemented.
Amplitude and phase shift due to caustics
Authors: Choi A. P. , Hron F. 
Published: June 2021

abstractThe formal integral solution for an arbitrary ray in a plane parallel-layered, vertically inhomogeneous elastic medium is evaluated using a modified third-order saddle point method. The result, which reduces to the Airy function solution where the latter is valid, is shown to be more generally valid and just as simple to compute.In addition, it is shown that the phase shift due to caustics is intimately related to the occurrence of turning points along the ray. An expression is derived explicitly relating this phase shift to the number of turning points and to whether the ray is on a direct or reverse travel-time branch.
Validity and Reliability of Turkish Self Mini Nutritional Assessment Scale
Authors: Ekici Emine , Vatansever Nursel , Çolak Merve , Kozan Ezgi Hasret 
Published: June 2021

Introduction: The most common nutritional problem observed among the aged is malnutrition. The study was conducted as methodological research to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Turkish Self Mini Nutritional Assessment Scale (Self-MNA) among Turkish elderly people.
Methods: Data were collected from 131 aged individuals with the Sociodemographic Information Form, Mini Nutritional Assessment long-form (MNA), Mini Nutritional Assessment short-form (MNA-SF) and Self-MNA. In the study, test-retest, parallel form methods, lower 27%-upper 27% discrimination, ROC and correlation analysis were used to evaluate the validity and reliability of the scale. The scale was translated and then the final version was created by the views of three experts. A correlation analysis was conducted between MNA, MNA-SF and Self-MNA which are used as parallel forms.
Results: No statistically significant difference was found between test-retest scores of Self-MNA scores for reliability (p > 0.05). Positive relationships were found between Self-MNA and MNA and MNA-SF. Self-MNA scores of the upper 27% group were significantly higher than the Self-MNA scores of the lower 27% group. The appropriate cut-off value of Self MNA is determined as 12. Self-MNA scores below 12 points indicate that there may be a risk of malnutrition. The areas under the ROC curves (AUC = 0.718) were statistically significant (p < 0.05). At the cut-off value, the sensitivity is determined to be 75 and the specificity is 56.63.
Conclusion: Self-MNA is a valid and reliable tool for screening the malnutrition status of the aged in Turkey.
Effect of a Six Week-Swimming Interval Training with Resveratrol Consumption on Apoptotic Markers in the Liver Tissue of Aged Rat
Authors: Mehboodi Maryam , Asgharpour Habib , Hosseini Seyed Ali , Rezaeeshirazi Reza 
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Aging involves a decrease in physiological function, physical activity and nutrition that modulate body functions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a six week- swimming interval training with resveratrol consumption on apoptotic markers in the liver tissue of aged rat.
Methods: In this experimental study, thirty-two 20-month aged rats weighing 350-370 g were divided into four groups of 8 rats including 1) sham, 2) training, 3) resveratrol and 4) training + resveratrol. For six weeks, groups 3 and 4 received 100 mg/kg of resveratrol supplementation dissolved in 1% methylcellulose daily by gavage, and groups 2 and 4 performed swimming training three times a week. One-way analysis of variance with Tukey's post- hoc test was used to analyze the data (p < 0.05).
Results: Bcl2 Gene expression levels in the resveratrol and the exercise + resveratrol groups were significantly higher than the sham and exercise groups (p < 0.05). Bax levels in the exercise + resveratrol group were lower than the resveratrol group, and the levels in the resveratrol group were higher than the sham group(p <0.05).also Bax/Bcl2 levels in the exercise + resveratrol group were significantly lower than the exercise group(p < 0.05).
Conclusion: It seems that swimming interval training with resveratrol consumption has beneficial effects on anti-apoptotic markers, however, the effect of swimming interval training on liver apoptosis in the aging is still unknown and more studies are needed in this field.