bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of γ-ethyl-γ-phenyl-butyrolactone (EFBL), anticonvulsant and hypnotic drug, on mouse brain catecholamine levels
Authors: Rasgado Lourdes A. Vega , Villanueva Iván , Díaz Fernando Vega 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
γ-Ethyl-γ-phenyl-butyrolactone (EFBL) is a structural combination of the anticonvulsant γ-hydroxy-γ-ethyl-γ-phenylbutyramide (HEPB) and the hypnotic γ-butyrolactone (GBL), which inherits both properties. To clarify its mechanism of action, the effects of EFBL, GBL and HEPB on dopamine (DA) and noradrenaline (NA) brain levels were investigated. Influences of chlorpromazine, phenelzine and aminooxyacetic acid were also studied. EFBL increased DA in a dose-dependent manner, remaining enhanced by 80 % over a period of 24 h and augmented NA by 54 % one hour after treatment. HEPB increased DA and NA approximately 2-fold after the first hour. GBL raised DA and NA after three and 24 h, resp. EFBL reversed chlorpromazine effects but potentiated those of phenelzine on DA. Amino-oxyacetic modified neither DA nor NA brain levels, not even in the presence of EFBL. The anticonvulsant and hypnotic properties of EFBL are attributed to its effect on presynaptic dopaminergic receptors and its lasting effect on ethyl and phenyl radicals that hinder its degradation. The results support the role of DA and NA in regulating seizure activity in the brain and indicate that EFBL offers a potential treatment for refractory epilepsy without complementary drugs and Parkinson’s disease, without the drawbacks of oral therapies.
Porphyra-334, a mycosporine-like amino acid, attenuates UV-induced apoptosis in HaCaT cells
Authors: Suh Sung-Suk , Oh Se Kyung , Lee Sung Gu , Kim Il-Chan , Kim Sanghee 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
The main aim of the current research was to study the effect of porphyra-334, one of mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), well known as UV-absorbing compounds, on UVinduced apoptosis in human immortalized keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells. Due to their UV-screening capacity and ability to prevent UV-induced DNA damage, MAAs have recently attracted considerable attention in both industry and research in pharmacology. Herein, human HaCaT cells were used to determine the biological activities of porphyra- 334 by various in vitro assays, including proliferation, apoptosis and Western blot assays. The proliferation rate of UV-irradiated HaCaT cells was significantly decreased compared to the control group. Pretreatment with porphyra- 334 markedly attenuated the inhibitory effect of UV and induced a dramatic decrease in the apoptotic rate. Expression of active caspase-3 protein was increased in response to UV irradiation, while caspase-3 levels were similar between cells treated with porphyra-334 and the non-irradiated control group. Taken together, our data suggest that porphyra-334 inhibits UV-induced apoptosis in HaCaT cells through attenuation of the caspase pathway.
Biomimetic insulin-imprinted polymer nanoparticles as a potential oral drug delivery system
Authors: Paul Pijush Kumar , Treetong Alongkot , Suedee Roongnapa 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
In this study, we investigate molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), which form a three-dimensional image of the region at and around the active binding sites of pharmaceutically active insulin or are analogous to b cells bound to insulin. This approach was employed to create a welldefined structure within the nanospace cavities that make up functional monomers by cross-linking. The obtained MIPs exhibited a high adsorption capacity for the target insulin, which showed a significantly higher release of insulin in solution at pH 7.4 than at pH 1.2. In vivo studies on diabetic Wistar rats showed that the fast onset within 2 h is similar to subcutaneous injection with a maximum at 4 h, giving an engaged function responsible for the duration of glucose reduction for up to 24 h. These MIPs, prepared as nanosized material, may open a new horizon for oral insulin delivery.
Changes in Salivary Hormones Concentration during the Preparation and Competition Period in Olympic Weightlifters
Authors: Kováč Milan , Laczo Eugen , Vajda Matej , Cihová Iveta , Babková Jaroslava 
Published: June 2017

Summary
Endogenous hormones are essential for physiological reactions and influence the adaptation to weightlifting training by modulating anabolic and catabolic processes. It seems that testosterone and cortisol are playing a key role in anabolic and catabolic processes in resistance training. Eight elite Czech and Slovak weightlifters volunteered in present study. The testosterone and cortisol were measured in 4 testing sessions over 18 weeks during preparation and competition period. The training protocol consisted of three specific weightlifting exercises. The saliva samples were collected in 4 testing sessions, pre and 5 min, 15 min and 30 min after protocol, respectively. The basal level of salivary testosterone and cortisol remains unchanged during preparation and competition period. Also, acute testosterone response was not observed over the monitored period. However, acute decrease of cortisol were found between pre intervention and post 5 (p ≤ 0.01), 15 (p ≤ 0.01), and 30 min (p ≤ 0.05) during preparation periods. While in competition period was found significant decrease (p ≤ 0.05) only 5 min after testing protocol. The testosterone/cortisol ratio significantly increased during preparation periods (p ≤ 0.01), but not in competition period. Results indicated that the routine assessment of testosterone and cortisol may provide an effective way to monitor acute and chronic adaptive response to weightlifting training. Our results suggest that cortisol, not the testosterone is an important component of adaptation during elite weightlifting training.
The Swimming Ability of Children with Asthma
Authors: Benčuriková Ľubomíra , Putala Matúš 
Published: June 2017

Summary
This paper reports on findings of a pilot research to determine the level of swimming ability of children with weak respiratory system aged between 10 - 11 years, who attended special classes for asthmatics. Swimming ability was assessed by 25 m free style swimming test. The results of asthmatics were compared with healthy peers (Benčuriková 2006; Kováčová 2010; Labudová 2011). The results confirmed that the level of swimming capability of asthmatic children, despite their handicap, is significantly higher than their healthy peers.
Relation between Maximal Anaerobic Power Output and Tests on Rowing Ergometer
Authors: Šmída Matej , Clementis Michal , Hamar Dušan , Macejková Yvetta 
Published: June 2017

SummaryAim of this study was to compare relation between maximal anaerobic power output and 2,000 m test on rowing ergometer and relation between 6,000 m test and 2,000 m on rowing ergometer. It can be assumed that 2,000 m performance on rowing ergometer will significantly correlate with maximal anaerobic power output and 6,000 m performance. A group of 9 welltrained rowers (age: 18.3 years ± 2.8 years, sport age: 4.9 years ± 3.7 years, weight: 78.9 kg ± 12.2 kg, height: 182.3 cm ± 7.6 cm) performed three tests in 1 week to determine maximal anaerobic power, 6,000 m and 2,000 m performance on Concept 2 model D rowing ergometer. A value of simple maximal stroke out of 10-second all-out test with drag factor set to 200 was taken as a measure of maximal anaerobic power. Drag factor for 6,000 m and 2,000 m test was set individually. Average power during these tests was record. Research showed that both maximal anaerobic power and 6,000 m test correlated with 2,000 m test on rowing ergometer significantly (rmap= 0.93 p < 0.01, r6k= 0.95 p < 0.01). Maximal anaerobic power and 6,000 m tests seem to be good predictors for 2,000 m score on rowing ergometer. However, maximal anaerobic power test can be used to monitor rowing performance during specific training cycle instead of longer and more demanding 6,000 m test.
Varietal Distributions of Stilbenes in Grape Cane of Vitis vinifera L.
Authors: Soural Ivo , Balík Josef , Vrchotová Naděžda , Tříska Jan 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Grape cane is a waste product from viticulture, which can be used as a source of stilbenes, such as resveratrol and viniferins with high antioxidant values. These stilbenes have also important healthy effects for humans. Resveratrol and viniferins are known as phytoalexins since 1977. Biomass of grape canes in annual pruning is a very valuable source of stilbenes, e.g. trans-resveratrol, and trans-ε-viniferin in dry grape canes. The main goal of this article was to compare the distribution of resveratrol and viniferins in the grape cane varieties of Laurot, Hibernal, Malverina and Chardonnay. The highest content of trans-resveratrol was found in Hibernal (6,111 mg kg−1); for trans-ε-viniferin and r2-vinifein, the highest levels were found in Malverina (2,211 and 654 mg kg−1). These compounds can be obtained from this waste product (grape cane), by easy extraction process in winemaking or food-processing industry.
Spatial Analysis of the Biodegradable Municipal Waste Production and Disposal
Authors: Báreková Anna , Lackóová Lenka , Stejskal Bohdan 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Separate collection of biodegradable municipal waste (BMW) is the main precondition to decrease the environmental pollution by landfill gas as well as to enrich soil by the humus substances from municipal compost. However, the obligation to ensure the separation and treatment of the BMW increases the municipalities' costs for waste management. Rural areas differ from the urban ones not only by typical lifestyle, settlement character, but also by total BMW production. The urban areas do have easier access to public finances, therefore, most of them already dispose sufficient infrastructure for BMW gathering and treatment. The aim of our research was to analyze the spatial production and disposal of the biodegradable municipal waste and propose, in regard to legislation, efficient BMW treatment for rural areas of the Nitra region. The analysis revealed that only 23% of the examined municipalities dispose through composting. However, 92% of them have the estimated annual BMW production from public green areas not exceeding 100t. Organic waste processing could be managed by municipalities through “small composting” which does not require the approval by the state body in waste management.
Validation of Hydrus 1D Model in Selected Catchment of Slovakia
Authors: Tárník Andrej , Igaz Dušan 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Soil water content is very important for agricultural practice. Direct measurements of the soil moisture are being replaced by mathematical simulations and models step by step. One of the most used models for the simulation of the soil moisture is HYDRUS 1D model. This paper deals with HYDRUS 1D validity check in the Nitra River Catchment. Three different localities in the Nitra River Catchment (Malanta, Kolíňany and Dolné Naštice) were chosen for model validity check. Both, measurements and modelling of soil moisture, were made for these localities in three years (8/2011 - 8/2014). The evaluation of model validity was performed by calculation of the correlation coefficient and count of comparisons with variance of 15%. The correlation coefficients of measured and simulated data were between 0.67 and 0.95. Data comparisons with variance of 15% among measured and simulated data were between 79 to 100%. Based on these results we can declare that HYDRUS 1D model is valid for the conditions of Slovak catchments.
Feed Intake and Live Weight Gain of Hereford Bulls Offered Diets Based on Whole-Crop Barley and Whole-Crop Wheat Silages Relative to Moderately Digestible Grass Silage with or without Protein Supplementation
Authors: Huuskonen Arto , Pesonen Maiju , Joki-Tokola Erkki 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe present experiment was conducted to study the performance of Hereford bulls offered diets based on whole-crop barley (WCB) and whole-crop wheat (WCW) silages relative to a moderately digestible grass silage (GS)-based diet with or without rapeseed meal (RSM) supplementation. The experiment comprised 30 bulls and a 3×2 factorial design was used. The bulls were offered silagesad libitum. In all forage diets (WCB, WCW, GS) the concentrate used was either rolled barley alone or rolled barley plus RSM. The amount of the concentrate supplementation was 37 g/metabolic live weight/animal/day for all treatments. The crude protein (CP) content of barley was 126 g/kg dry matter (DM) and the CP content of the concentrate increased 23% with RSM supplementation. Average live weight gains (LWG) for the GS, WCB and WCW feedings were 1411, 1331 and 1181 g/d, respectively. Differences in diet digestibility and energy intake probably explain the differences in LWG among the forage types. RSM supplementation increased both silage and total DM intake in the WCB and WCW feedings but not in the GS feeding. Furthermore, RSM supplementation increased LWG 7 and 17% in the WCB and WCW feedings, respectively, but only 2% in the GS feeding.
GMRES Convergence Bounds for Eigenvalue Problems
Authors: Freitag Melina A. , Kürschner Patrick , Pestana Jennifer 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
The convergence of GMRES for solving linear systems can be influenced heavily by the structure of the right-hand side. Within the solution of eigenvalue problems via inverse iteration or subspace iteration, the right-hand side is generally related to an approximate invariant subspace of the linear system. We give detailed and new bounds on (block) GMRES that take the special behavior of the right-hand side into account and explain the initial sharp decrease of the GMRES residual. The bounds motivate the use of specific preconditioners for these eigenvalue problems, e.g., tuned and polynomial preconditioners, as we describe. The numerical results show that the new (block) GMRES bounds are much sharper than conventional bounds and that preconditioned subspace iteration with either a tuned or polynomial preconditioner should be used in practice.
Geoinformational prognostic model of mudflows hazard and mudflows risk for the territory of Ukrainian Carpathians
Authors: Chepurna Tetiana B. , Kuzmenko Eduard D. , Chepurnyj Igor V. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe article is devoted to the geological issue of the space-time regional prognostication of mudflow hazard. The methodology of space-time prediction of mudflows hazard by creating GIS predictive model has been developed. Using GIS technologies the relevant and representative complex of significant influence of spatial and temporal factors, adjusted to use in the regional prediction of mudflows hazard, were selected. Geological, geomorphological, technological, climatic, and landscape factors have been selected as spatial mudflow factors. Spatial analysis is based on detection of a regular connection of spatial factor characteristics with spatial distribution of the mudflow sites. The function of a standard complex spatial index (SCSI) of the probability of the mudflow sites distribution has been calculated. The temporal, long-term prediction of the mudflows activity was based on the hypothesis of the regular reiteration of natural processes. Heliophysical, seismic, meteorological, and hydrogeological factors have been selected as time mudflow factors. The function of a complex index of long standing mudflow activity (CIMA) has been calculated. The prognostic geoinformational model of mudflow hazard up to 2020 year, a year of the next peak of the mudflows activity, has been created. Mudflow risks have been counted and carogram of mudflow risk assessment within the limits of administrative-territorial units has been built for 2020 year.
Tablet Nuff but Life Still Rough: Technology for Early Childhood Sustainable Development in Jamaica
Authors: Kelly-Williams Suzette , Berson Ilene R. , Berson Michael J. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractEarly childhood education has a role to play in constructing a sustainable society. In particular, increasing global attention has focused on how early childhood may help alleviate poverty among children and their families and promote economic growth. Part of this discourse involves the use of technology as a means to improve the quality of early childhood education and optimize the potential for information and communication technology (ICT) to serve as an agent of development. Jamaica’s appropriation of technology as part of the early childhood development agenda has emulated Western notions of success. However, the introduction of technology innovations has cultural implications. This study describes and explains perceptions, beliefs and practices about technology among four early childhood teachers in a Jamaican infant school. The findings consider issues for capacity building, including teacher professional development in Jamaica.
Exploring the Role of Future Perspective in Predicting Turkish University Students’ Beliefs About Global Climate Change
Authors: Ateş Deniz , Teksöz Gaye , Ertepınar Hamide 
Published: June 2017

AbstractRecent studies indicate that limited understanding about causes and its potential impacts of climate change and fault beliefs by people across different countries of the world including Turkey is a real challenge. Acceptance of climate change as a real threat, believing its existence, and knowing causes and consequences are very significant for climate change adaptation and mitigation. Therefore, exploring underlying factors shaping or affecting beliefs of people is needed for designing educational interventions for a change in individuals’ attitudes and behaviours. The main purpose of the present study was to explore how and to what extent future time perspective, perceived knowledge about global climate change, and environmental attitudes explain the university students’ beliefs about occurrence, causes and consequences of GCC. A quantitative research was conducted with the participation of one thousand, five hundred and eighty undergraduate students (n=1580) of METU and the data was gathered through Future Perspective Related Beliefs about Global Climate Change Scale. The study findings suggested that ecocentric attitude and perceived knowledge are mainly two influential factors for the undergraduate students’ beliefs about global climate change. Future time perspective’s contribution although low, was found to be significant in beliefs about GCC. The results of this study would shed light to evaluate and improve educational programs and curriculum in higher education, and can be a guide because Turkish literature does not serve any research that seek students’ future time perspective related to global climate change.
Ecology Approach in Education and Health Care
Authors: Bogdanova Rūta , Šiliņa Maruta , Renigere Ruta 
Published: June 2017

AbstractIn the 21st century, numerous complex challenges in education and health care have come to the fore, among them: 1) how to implement the ecological approach in the education process and health care practice; 2) how to implement study programmes in line with the education trends forsustainable developmentand the process of formation and development of the ecological competence.The results of this research refer only to the content analysis of the essays written by the first and second year students of the programs in Nursing and Medicine on completing the study courseThe Ecological Approach in Patient Care. To increase the credibility and validity of the obtained results of the content analysis, the triangulation method has been applied to include quantitative and qualitative data. The research has looked into the concept of ecology, its application and importance in developing the ecological consciousness of students during their transformation from I-Ego to I-Eco in the process of developing their ecological competence (Salīte, 1998).
Media and Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations (ENGOs) Roles in Environmental Sustainability Communication in Malaysia
Authors: Saleh Mohamad , Saifudin Mohamad 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Considering the massive environmental problems occurring in Malaysia, the media and the ENGOs are said to play pivotal roles in delivering environmental information to the mass society in order to increase their awareness, knowledge and practices towards the environment and sustainability. This study sought to shed the light on the type of roles can be played by the Malaysian media and the ENGOs in environmental sustainability communication. For the purpose of this study, 24 interviewees encompassing 13 media interviewees from two media organizations, namely Utusan Malaysia and The Star, as well as 11 ENGOs interviewees from two ENGOs organizations, WWF and MNS. The result of this study indicated that although both media and ENGOs seem to have different organizational backgrounds, particularly the media is a profitable organization whilst ENGOs are more non-profit oriented, when it comes to environmental communication, most of them agreed that they share quite similar roles particularly in informing and educating the public about environmental issues and in conducting research on environment and sustainability matters.
Effect of daminozide and flurprimidol on growth, flowering and bulb yield of Eucomis autumnalis (Mill.) Chitt.
Authors: Salachna Piotr , Zawadzińska Agnieszka 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Eucomis autumnalis (Mill.) Chitt., commonly known as pineapple lily, is a new ornamental pot plant with great marketing potential. This work evaluated the effects of two gibberellin synthesis inhibitors (daminozide and flurprimidol) applied as commercial plant growth regulators (PGRs) B-Nine and Topflor on the growth, flowering, and bulb yield in E. autumnalis. The PGRs were applied three times as substrate drenches or foliar sprays at the concentration of 15 mg dm-3 (flurprimidol) or 4250 mg dm-3 (daminozide). Plant growth was restricted only by flurprimidol, particularly when it was applied as substrate drenches. Plant height was reduced by 48% at anthesis and by 38% at flower senescence, compared to the untreated control. Regardless of the application method, flurprimidol increased the leaf greenness index (SPAD) and bulb weight. Daminozide treatments were ineffective in controlling plant height and negatively influenced bulb weight. Foliar sprays of daminozide increased the length of inflorescences and the number of flowers per inflorescence.
Secondary antibody deficiency and immunoglobulin replacement
Authors: Li Philip H. , Lau Chak-Sing 
Published: June 2017

AbstractAntibody deficiencies can be either primary or secondary, leading to significant morbidity and mortality without appropriate management. Secondary antibody deficiency can be due to various diseases or iatrogenic causes, especially with the use of immunosuppressive agents such as B-cell depleting therapies. Unlike its primary counterpart, little is known regarding the management of secondary antibody deficiency and it remains an underappreciated entity. This is a growing concern with the growing numbers of patients on various immunosuppressant therapies and increasing survivors of autoimmune diseases and haematological malignancies. In this report, we review the diagnosis and management of secondary antibody deficiency, especially after rituximab-induced hypogammaglobulinemia.