bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and characteristics of novel azo-based diblock copolymers and their self-assembly behavior via solvents and thermal annealing
Authors: Zenati Athmen , Han Yang-Kyoo 
Published: July 2017

AbstractA series of azo-based diblock copolymers (DBCs) with various compositions were successfully synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization in anisole with PCAEMA-CTA (macro-CTA), DOPAM (new acrylamide monomer) and AIBN (initiator). Kinetic studies on diblock copolymerization manifested a controlled/living manner with good molecular weight control. Structures and properties of monomers and DBCs were determined by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Liquid crystalline (LC) phases and morphological properties were investigated using optical polarizing microscope (OPM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Experimental results demonstrated that the prepared PCAEMA-CTA and DBCs possessed low polydispersity index (≤1.37). All DBCs revealed sharp endothermic transition peaks corresponding to the smectic-to-nematic phase. DBCs with high azo contents showed batonnet textures of the smectic phase whereas DBCs of low azo segments displayed threaded textures of the nematic phase. DBC with 49 wt% of azo side-chains generated a lamellar compared to DBCs with low azo block (≤41 wt%) or non-azo block (≤38 wt%) which produced hexagonal-type nanostructures. In addition, all DBCs exhibited reversible trans-cis photoisomerization behavior under UV irradiation and dark storage at different intervals of time.
Forecasting Randomly Distributed Zero-Inflated Time Series
Authors: Doszyń Mariusz 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
The main aim of the article is to propose a forecasting procedure that could be useful in the case of randomly distributed zero-inflated time series. Many economic time series are randomly distributed, so it is not possible to estimate any kind of statistical or econometric models such as, for example, count data regression models. This is why in the article a new forecasting procedure based on the stochastic simulation is proposed. Before it is used, the randomness of the times series should be considered. The hypothesis stating the randomness of the times series with regard to both sales sequences or sales levels is verified. Moreover, in the article the ex post forecast error that could be computed also for a zero-inflated time series is proposed. All of the above mentioned parts were invented by the author. In the empirical example, the described procedure was applied to forecast the sales of products in a company located in the vicinity of Szczecin (Poland), so real data were analysed. The accuracy of the forecast was verified as well.
Factors Influencing the Choice and Quality Assessment of Hotel Facilities in Poland
Authors: Ozimek Irena , Szlachciuk Julita , Kulykovets Olena , Przeździecka-Czyżewska Natalia 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of selected factors on the choice of hotel facilities by customers. Particular attention was focused on the perception of the quality of services by consumers. The field research, the results of which are presented in the article, was conducted on a nationwide sample of 1,000 persons aged from 15 to 70 according to the author’s questionnaire.
Wettability modification of heat-treated wood (HTW) via cold atmospheric-pressure nitrogen plasma jet (APPJ)
Authors: Nguyen Tat Thang , Ji Xiaodi , Van Nguyen Thi Hai , Guo Minghui 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe modification of heat-treated wood (HTW) wettability by cold atmospheric-pressure nitrogen plasma jet (APPJ) for several treatment durations has been investigated. The effects of the modification were assessed by measurement of the advancing contact angle (ACA) of water along with determination of surface free energy. Additionally, the morphology and chemical changes of the HTW surface were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and FTIR spectroscopy. As expected, the measurements demonstrated that the ACA decreased proportionally with treatment time of APPJ. The optimal treatment time was 20 s. Clear etching traces are visible on the SEM images of HTW surfaces. The roughness of HTW increased after plasma treatment. FTIR spectra demonstrate that OH, C=O, and COOH groups are formed on the HTW surfaces. All these modifications are beneficial for the HTW wettability, which leads to better bonding strength of HTW.
Human U3 protein 14a plays an anti-apoptotic role in cancer cells
Authors: Ma Teng , Lu Chenxi , Guo Yafei , Zhang Chunfeng , Du Xiaojuan 
Published: July 2017

AbstractHuman U three protein 14a (hUTP14a) binds p53 and promotes p53 degradation. Here, we report that hUTP14a plays an anti-apoptotic role in tumor cells through a p53-independent pathway. Knockdown of hUTP14a activated the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis and sensitized tumor cells to chemotherapeutic drug-induced apoptosis. In addition, the protein level of hUTP14a decreased upon chemotherapeutic drug- or irradiation-induced apoptosis. Importantly, the decrease of hUTP14a during induced apoptosis was not blocked by pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD-FMK, indicating that the down-regulation of hUTP14a is an upstream event in apoptosis. Furthermore, ectopically expressed hUTP14a protected tumor cells from chemotherapeutic drug-induced apoptosis. In summary, our data showed that hUTP14a protected tumor cells from chemotherapeutic drug-induced apoptosis and thus might possess a potential as a target for anti-tumor therapy.
Pilot Testing of It Skills of Preschool and Elementary Education Students by the It Fitness Test
Authors: Adamkovičová Martina , Burgerová Jana , Kochová Hedviga , Piskura Vladimír 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
The present paper reports on the testing of digital skills of students of the Faculty of Education, Univerity of Presov within their undergraduate training with the aim to estimate the level of digital skills in five defined domains. The IT Fitness test 2015 consisting of 25 items was used as the measure of the target skills. The sample comprised 532 students in bachelor and master study programs. The paper provides an interpretation of the selected research findings (mean total scores, mean scores for the given domains, discrimination power of items and domains). The results of digital skills testing point at the overall overestimation of Digital Natives Skills. With respect to the challenges brought by the educational practice itself by means of the implementation of digital technologies into pre-primary and primary education, it is necessary to modify the curricula of math- and iT-oriented subjects and include further activities allowing for the development of the lacking “Digital Skills”, since these are needed not only for students′ own study but also due to increasing demands related to the use of digital technologies in primary and pre-primary education.
Transformation of legal language – Early Byzantine legal discourse
Authors: Husa Jaakko 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThis article examines the complicated legal-cultural process in which Roman law became Byzantine law and Roman legal discourse altered into Byzantine legal discourse. Roman law’s transformation into Early Byzantine law is analysed from the point of view of legal language which mutated from Latin to Greek. The approach is legal cultural and legal linguistic and focuses on the overall shape and general patterns. The goal is to highlight how legal-cultural transformation was incremental, language-bound and that there was no radical or sudden culmination point. Moreover, the analysis answers generally to the question of why sixth-century Byzantine legislative Greek contained frequent Latin loans, expressions, phrases and distortions. The discussion concentrates on the Novellae as an integral part of the process of legal cultural and linguistic change from Roman to Byzantine. Instead of going into detailed linguistic analysis, this article underlines generally the contextuality of law and the importance of legal culture
Compiling terminology in EU directives and national transplant regulations. Case study: Sweden and Poland
Authors: Hadryan Milena 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThis paper discusses the problem of translating into Polish and Swedish medical terms and definitions contained in the EU directives on human cells, tissues and organs for transplant. The author briefly discusses the issue of translating medical terms and of creating concept definitions. The translated terms and definitions are then compared with their equivalents in national regulations. Transplantology is a relatively new and dynamically developing field of medicine, hence its terminology poses a challenge to translators. The results of work done by EU translators and terminologists are verified in the course of implementing the directives into the national law. The author focuses on the Swedish methods of team work within the National Tissue Project and highlights the positive effects of this work.
Mineral Composition of Selected Serbian Propolis Samples
Authors: Tosic Snezana , Stojanovic Gordana , Mitic Snezana , Pavlovic Aleksandra , Alagic Sladjana 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
The aim of this work was to determine the content of 22 macro- and microelements in ten raw Serbian propolis samples which differ in geographical and botanical origin as well as in polluted agent contents by atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP-OES). The macroelements were more common and present Ca content was the highest while Na content the lowest. Among the studied essential trace elements Fe was the most common element. The levels of toxic elements (Pb, Cd, As and Hg) were also analyzed, since they were possible environmental contaminants that could be transferred into propolis products for human consumption. As and Hg were not detected in any of the analyzed samples but a high level of Pb (2.0-9.7 mg/kg) was detected and only selected portions of raw propolis could be used to produce natural medicines and dietary supplements for humans. Obtained results were statistically analyzed, and the examined samples showed a wide range of element content.
Proteomic Analysis of Pollen and Blossom Honey from Rape Seed Brassica Napus L.
Authors: Borutinskaitė Veronika , Treigytė Gražina , Matuzevičius Dalius , Zaikova Ilona , Čeksterytė Violeta , Navakauskas Dalius , Kurtinaitienė Bogumila , Navakauskienė Rūta 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
In the study, honey from oilseed rape Brassica napus L., and both hand-collected (winter rape Visby and Cult) and bee-collected pollen of oilseed rape were analyzed for their proteome content, in order to see if any plant proteins were present to allow the proteo-typing of the oilseed rape honey. Proteins were fractionated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE), stained by Coomassie blue and then analyzed by mass spectrometry. All identified proteins were divided into few groups due to their biological function. In 2DE gels with separated proteins from blossom honey, only bee (Apis mellifera) main proteins (Major royal jelly protein 1-5 and Glucosidase) were found. So we analyzed all proteins using gel-free based analysis with the SYNAPT G2 high definition mass spectrometry. We identified proteins that were present in both oilseed rape pollen and honey (Bna, Polygalacturonase, Non-specific lipid-transfer protein, GAPDH and others). We believe that these proteins are important for the nutritional value of plant pollen-enriched honey and further research is required on honey and honeybee pollen protein.
Application of HPLC-DAD Technique for Determination of Phenolic Compounds in Bee Pollen Loads
Authors: Waś Ewa , Szczęsna Teresa , Rybak-Chmielewska Helena , Teper Dariusz , Jaśkiewicz Katarzyna 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
A method was elaborated to determine phenolic compounds (vanillin, caffeic, p-coumaric and salicylic acids, and flavonoids: rutin, hesperetin, quercetin, pinocembrin, apigenin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, chrysin, and acacetin) in bee pollen loads using highperformance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). Phenolic compounds from bee pollen were isolated on Cleanert C18-SPE columns (500 mg/6 mL, Agela Technologies). Polyphenols were identified by comparing the retention times and spectra of compounds found in pollen load samples with the ones of the standard mixture. Quantitative analysis was conducted using the external standard method. In addition, basic validation parameters for the method were determined. For the identified compounds (except for the salicylic acid), satisfactory (≥0.997) linear correlations were obtained. The elaborated method showed high repeatability and inter-laboratory reproducibility. Variability coeffcients of the majority of phenolic compounds did not exceed 10% in conditions of repeatability and inter-laboratory reproducibility, and for the total polyphenolic content they were 1.7 and 5.1%, respectively. The pollen load samples (n = 15) differed in qualitative and quantitative composition of the phenolic compounds. In all the samples, we identified the p-coumaric and salicylic acids and flavonoids rutin, hesperetin, and apigenin nevertheless, these compounds’ contents significantly differed among individual samples. The total phenolic content in the tested samples of pollen loads ranged from 0.653 to 5.966 mg/100 g (on average 2.737 mg/100 g).
Combinatorial therapy of exercise-preconditioning and nanocurcumin formulation supplementation improves cardiac adaptation under hypobaric hypoxia
Authors: Nehra Sarita , Bhardwaj Varun , Bansal Anju , Saraswat Deepika 
Published: July 2017

Abstract

Background:
Chronic hypobaric hypoxia (cHH) mediated cardiac insufficiencies are associated with pathological damage. Sustained redox stress and work load are major causative agents of cardiac insufficiencies under cHH. Despite the advancements made in pharmacological (anti-oxidants, vasodilators) and non-pharmacological therapeutics (acclimatization strategies and schedules), only partial success has been achieved in improving cardiac acclimatization to cHH. This necessitates the need for potent combinatorial therapies to improve cardiac acclimatization at high altitudes. We hypothesize that a combinatorial therapy comprising preconditioning to mild aerobic treadmill exercise and supplementation with nanocurcumin formulation (NCF) consisting of nanocurcumin (NC) and pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) might improve cardiac adaptation at high altitudes.

Methods:
Adult Sprague-Dawley rats pre-conditioned to treadmill exercise and supplemented with NCF were exposed to cHH (7620 m altitude corresponding to pO2~8% at 28±2°C, relative humidity 55%±1%) for 3 weeks. The rat hearts were analyzed for changes in markers of oxidative stress (free radical leakage, lipid peroxidation, manganese-superoxide dismutase [MnSOD] activity), cardiac injury (circulating cardiac troponin I [TnI] and T [cTnT], myocardial creatine kinase [CK-MB]), metabolic damage (lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] and acetyl-coenzyme A levels, lactate and pyruvate levels) and bio-energetic insufficiency (ATP, p-AMPKα).

Results:
Significant modulations (p≤0.05) in cardiac redox status, metabolic damage, cardiac injury and bio-energetics were observed in rats receiving both NCF supplementation and treadmill exercise-preconditioning compared with rats receiving only one of the treatments.

Conclusions:
The combinatorial therapeutic strategy showed a tremendous improvement in cardiac acclimatization to cHH compared to either exercise-preconditioning or NCF supplementation alone which was evident from the effective modulation in redox, metabolic, contractile and bio-energetic homeostasis.
Discovery and Annotation of Plant Endogenous Target Mimicry Sequences from Public Transcriptome Libraries: A Case Study of Prunus persica
Authors: Karakülah Gökhan 
Published: July 2017

AbstractNovel transcript discovery through RNA sequencing has substantially improved our understanding of the transcriptome dynamics of biological systems. Endogenous target mimicry (eTM) transcripts, a novel class of regulatory molecules, bind to their target microRNAs (miRNAs) by base pairing and block their biological activity. The objective of this study was to provide a computational analysis framework for the prediction of putative eTM sequences in plants, and as an example, to discover previously un-annotated eTMs inPrunus persica(peach) transcriptome. Therefore, two public peach transcriptome libraries downloaded from Sequence Read Archive (SRA) and a previously published set of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were investigated with multi-step analysis pipeline, and 44 putative eTMs were found. Additionally, an eTM-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network module associated with peach fruit organ development was built via integration of the miRNA target information and predicted eTM-miRNA interactions. My findings suggest that one of the most widely expressed miRNA families among diverse plant species, miR156, might be potentially sponged by seven putative eTMs. Besides, the study indicates eTMs potentially play roles in the regulation of development processes in peach fruit via targeting specific miRNAs. In conclusion, by following the step-by step instructions provided in this study, novel eTMs can be identified and annotated effectively in public plant transcriptome libraries.
A Novel Scene-Based Video Watermarking Scheme for Copyright Protection
Authors: Shukla Dolley , Sharma Manisha 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
Many illegal copies of original digital videos are being made, as they can be replicated perfectly through the Internet. Thus, it is extremely necessary to protect the copyrights of the owner and prevent illegal copying. This paper presents a novel approach to digital video watermarking for copyright protection using two different algorithms, whereby successive estimation of a statistical measure was used to detect scene boundaries and watermark was embedded in the detected scenes with discrete wavelet transform. Haar wavelet was used for decomposition. For embedding, the approaches used were (i) the detailed subband (LH subband) and (ii) the approximate subband (LL subband) of the cover video. Imperceptibility, robustness, and channel capacity were measured using both algorithms. The system was tested for robustness in the presence of 15 different attacks of five different categories, and, under multiple attacks, ensured that a wide spectrum of attack analysis has been done. The performance metrics measured included mean square error, peak signal-to-noise ratio, structural similarity index, normalized correlation, and bit error rate. The experimental results demonstrated the better visual imperceptibility and improved performance in terms of normalized correlation and bit error rate with embedding using the LL subband. Comparative analysis with existing schemes proved the improved robustness, better imperceptibility, and reduced computational time of both the proposed schemes.
Methylation differences reveal heterogeneity in preterm pathophysiology: results from bipartite network analyses
Authors: Bhavnani Suresh K. , Dang Bryant , Kilaru Varun , Caro Maria , Visweswaran Shyam , Saade George , Smith Alicia K. , Menon Ramkumar 
Published: July 2017

Abstract

Background:
Recent studies have shown that epigenetic differences can increase the risk of spontaneous preterm birth (PTB). However, little is known about heterogeneity underlying such epigenetic differences, which could lead to hypotheses for biological pathways in specific patient subgroups, and corresponding targeted interventions critical for precision medicine. Using bipartite network analysis of fetal DNA methylation data we demonstrate a novel method for classification of PTB.

Methods:
The data consisted of DNA methylation across the genome (HumanMethylation450 BeadChip) in cord blood from 50 African-American subjects consisting of 22 cases of early spontaneous PTB (24–34 weeks of gestation) and 28 controls (>39 weeks of gestation). These data were analyzed using a combination of (1) a supervised method to select the top 10 significant methylation sites, (2) unsupervised “subject-variable” bipartite networks to visualize and quantitatively analyze how those 10 methylation sites co-occurred across all the subjects, and across only the cases with the goal of analyzing subgroups and their underlying pathways, and (3) a simple linear regression to test whether there was an association between the total methylation in the cases, and gestational age.

Results:
The bipartite network analysis of all subjects and significant methylation sites revealed statistically significant clustering consisting of an inverse symmetrical relationship in the methylation profiles between a case-enriched subgroup and a control-enriched subgroup: the former was predominantly hypermethylated across seven methylation sites, and hypomethylated across three methylation sites, whereas the latter was predominantly hypomethylated across the above seven methylation sites and hypermethylated across the three methylation sites. Furthermore, the analysis of only cases revealed one subgroup that was predominantly hypomethylated across seven methylation sites, and another subgroup that was hypomethylated across all methylation sites suggesting the presence of heterogeneity in PTB pathophysiology. Finally, the analysis found a strong inverse linear relationship between total methylation and gestational age suggesting that methylation differences could be used as predictive markers for gestational length.

Conclusions:
The results demonstrate that unsupervised bipartite networks helped to identify a complex but comprehensible data-driven hypotheses related to patient subgroups and inferences about their underlying pathways, and therefore were an effective complement to supervised approaches currently used.
Molecular identification of Candidatus Phytoplasma spp. associated with Sophora yellow stunt in Iran
Authors: Allahverdi Touhid , Rahimian Heshmatollah , Rastgou Mina 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
In the spring of 2012, sophora (Sophora alopecuroides L.) plants showing symptoms of leaf yellowing, little leaves and stunting were observed in Firooz-kuh (Tehran province), Sari (Mazandaran province) and Urmia (West Azerbaijan province) in Iran. Symptomatic plants from the three locations were subjected to nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify 16SrRNA using primer pair P1/P7 followed by primer pair R16F2n/R16R2. The amplicons were purified, sequenced and the nucleotide sequences were analyzed by virtual restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The phytoplasmas associated with the yellows disease were identified as members of the 16SrIX group (Candidatus Phytoplasma phoenicium) and the 16SrXII group (Candidatus Phytoplasma solani). The two phytoplasmas were placed in 16SrIX-C and 16SrXII-A subgroups, respectively, in constructed phylogenetic trees. This is the first report on sophora yellows associated with Candidatus Phytoplasma phoenicium.