bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antiproliferative Properties Against Human Breast, Cervical and Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines, and Antioxidant Capacity of Leaf Aqueous Ethanolic Extract from Cotinus coggygria Scop.
Authors: Gospodinova Z. , Bózsity N. , Nikolova M. , Krasteva M. , Zupkó I. 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
Cotinus coggygria Scop. leaf aqueous ethanolic extract was examined for its in vitro antiproliferative and antioxidant activity. Antiproliferative effect was assessed on four human gynecological cancer cell lines: breast (MCF7, T47D), cervical (HeLa) and ovarian (A2780) and compared to the cell growth inhibitory effect on non-cancerous breast epithelial cell line MCF10A using MTT cell proliferation assay. Radical scavenging assay with DPPH was applied to evaluate antioxidant potential of the extract. The obtained results showed that the herb inhibited cell growth of all of the tested cancer cell lines and the highest was the cytostatic effect on A2780 cells with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 30.8 μg/ml. For the other cell lines the IC50 values were in the range of 55-122.7 μg/ml. Additionally, the extract exerted considerably weaker reduction in cell proliferation of the non-cancerous cell line MCF10A compared to cancer cells, which indicates for antiproliferative selectivity. C. coggygria extract showed high free radical scavenging activity with an IC50 value of 11.2 μg/ml. The obtained data provide evidence for pharmacological potential of the tested extract and future more detailed studies concerning the molecular mechanisms of the anticancer effect of the herb are needed.
The Effects of Recreation Therapy on the Habit of Smoking and Positive–Negative Symptoms Among Patients with Chronic Schizophrenia
Authors: Pirbalouti M. G. , Shariat A. , Ghazanfari A. , Naghani Y. Sh. , Kamaliyeh N. G. 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
Schizophrenia is a psychiatric condition that has detrimental outcomes on an individual’s thinking, understanding and feelings. However, it not only affects one’s actions and emotions, but also, and quite specifically, creates an avenue for such antisocial behavior as seclusion. Hence, it is important to highlight the necessary requirements for the recovery of schizophrenic patients and subsequently delve deeper into the signs and symptoms of schizophrenia itself, especially among patients who have been confined to psychiatric care for too long. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of recreation therapy on smoking as well as the positive-negative symptoms of schizophrenia among patients who have reached the chronic stage of this condition. Essentially, this was a semi-experimental study with one pretest and one posttest. 50 patients under psychiatric care, aged between 30 to 50 years, were selected and then equally divided into the control and experimental groups. The instruments for this research were the Anderson questionnaire and the smoking cigarette questionnaire, the latter being created by the researcher. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. To evaluate the hypothesis of research, this study relied on a covariance analysis. Based on the results, it can be said that there were significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences between the control and experimental groups related to smoking as well as the positive-negative symptoms of schizophrenia. It shows that 4 months of recreation therapy was able to decrease the prevalence of smoking (19.9%), in addition to the positive symptoms (18.3%) and negative symptoms (14.7%) of schizophrenia within the experimental group. It is hoped that the results of this study will encourage the use of recreation therapy as a practical and non-pharmacological form of treatment for patients with chronic schizophrenia.
Patterns in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Osteoporosis in Men: A Questionnaire-based Survey in Central and Eastern European Countries
Authors: Boyanov M. A. , Czerwinski E. , Shinkov A. , Palička V. , Lakatos P. , Poiana C. , Payer J. , Killinger Z. , Kocjan T. , Lesnyak O. , Holzer G. , Resch H. 
Published: October 2017

SummaryTo assess the current practice patterns in the diagnosis and treatment of male osteoporosis based on questionnaires. Questionnaires were presented and filled out by osteoporosis experts from Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Russia. The questions included focused on the proportion of male referrals to DXA, the main reasons for referral, the preferred measurement sites and reference database, the definition of male osteoporosis, needed laboratory investigations, data on calcium and vitamin D supplementation as well as on treatment modalities and their reimbursement rate. Men comprised 5 to 10% of all DXA referrals. The main reasons for referral were low back pain and fractures. Most of the respondents used the International male reference database. The diagnosis of osteoporosis was based mainly on a T-score below −2.5 after the age of 50, but a few respondents added fractures as a necessary condition. Only 1/3 of men visiting DXA sites are expected to have normal BMD. A consensus for the use of laboratory investigations in male osteoporosis is practically lacking. Treatment modalities include alendronate, risedronate, zoledronate, denosumab, rhPTH and strontium (with some restrictions for the latter three). Data on treatment adherence and persistence are generally lacking except for Austria, Romania and Slovakia. The levels of reimbursement vary a lot across countries. Osteoporosis in men is an under-recognized problem in CEE countries, leading to a tremendous gap in the diagnosis and treatment.
Altruistic Surrogacy – Ethical Issues and Demographic Differences in Public Opinion
Authors: Krastev R. , Mitev V. 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
This is the first study of the attitude of Bulgarian people towards the allowing of altruistic surrogacy which is prohibited in Bulgaria. This study used an online survey which was active during one year (July 2010-June 2011) and which was answered by 951 respondents between 18-65 years of age. The majority of them (87%) are young people between 18-43 years. The respondents are men and women with secondary, university and medical university education from the capital and the countryside. They have different marital status. The data were treated with statistical package SPSS 16. The link between the demographic characteristics (gender, age, education, marital status and place of residence) and the answers of the respondents was identified. The majority of the respondents (73%) think that the altruistic surrogacy must be allowed in Bulgaria and the main supporters are the women and the residents in the countryside – married or living with partner. Only 38% of the respondents mostly divorced middle aged persons accept the access of same sex couples to surrogacy. The majority of the respondents (53%) fear that the surrogacy may transform poor women into incubators for babies. This opinion is shared by the men, by the youngest and the oldest respondents and by the unmarried persons.
Medial Orbital Epidermoid Cyst
Authors: Valkanov St. , Valkanov P. , Trifonova K. , Slaveykov K. 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
Dermoid and epidermoid cysts are among the most common orbital tumors, comprising 3% to 9% of all orbital masses. We report a rare case of upper medial orbital epidermoid cyst of a 2-year-old patient. The patient was complaining of pain in the right eye and infrequent vomiting. The neurological and radiographic examinations showed no pathological findings, only after CT scan was performed a tumor formation was found. After the extirpation a histological examination was performed proving the diagnosis.
Basic Mechanisms of Action of the Antiepileptic Drugs
Authors: Kuzmanova R. , Stefanova I. 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
Available antiepileptic drugs interact with a variety of different molecular targets. The mechanism of action of most anticonvulsants is most often complex with a number of affected regions. The combination of mechanisms of action of drugs in particular proportions can possibly determine the showcase of its antiepileptic activity. The common factor between the different supposed mechanisms for a number of drugs includes the possibility for modulating the excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission through effects upon the voltage-gated ion channels, synaptic plasticity, heterogeneous receptors, and metabolism of neurotransmitters. There are controversial data on the extent to which a specific action can be the reason for the wholesome anticonvulsive characteristics of various medications, as well as the relation with the presence of undesired drug effects. The complexity of the action of some antiepileptic drugs creates conditions for optimal choice during therapy. In many cases, the insufficient familiarity with individual genetic differences and the disease related receptor damages can hinder defining a particular drug action. Characterizing the mechanisms of action of the present antiepileptic medications would increase the understanding for the pathophysiological mechanisms of epileptic seizures, as well as the development of new therapeutic strategies. The development of novel antiepileptic drugs and the ongoing research regarding the mechanism of action of established antiepileptic drugs, are continuously increasing the level of complexity in the spectrum of molecular targets relevant for epilepsy therapy. The current state of knowledge as well as the limitations in our understanding should guide future research aiming for a more detailed elucidation of the impact of genetics and pathophysiological mechanisms on interindividual differences in expression and function of antiepileptic drug targets.
The effect of pulsed laser radiation on a thermoviscoelastic semi-infinite solid under two-temperature theory
Authors: Othman Mohamed I. , Abouelregal Ahmed E.E. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to study the thermoviscoelastic interactions in a homogeneous, isotropic semi-infinite solid under two-temperature theory with heat source. The Kelvin-Voigt model of linear viscoelasticity which describes the viscoelastic nature of the material is used. The bounding plane surface of the medium is subjected to a non-Gaussian laser pulse. The generalized thermoelasticity theory with dual phase lags model is used to solve this problem. Laplace transform technique is used to obtain the general solution for a suitable set of boundary conditions. Some comparisons have been shown in figures to estimate the effects of the phase lags, viscosity, temperature discrepancy, laser-pulse and the laser intensity parameters on all the studied fields. A comparison was also made with the results obtained in the case of one temperature thermoelasticity theory.
Quantification of the Solar Radiative Regime Variability Based on the Clearness Index
Authors: Lucaciu Sergiu , Blaga Robert , Stefu Nicoleta , Paulescu Marius 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
The fluctuation of solar radiation at ground level represents a challenge in modeling the time series of solar irradiance. A procedure for the quantification of the instability of the solar radiative regime is reported. This procedure is based on the clearness index, as the ratio of the horizontal solar irradiance measured at ground level and the estimated one at extraterrestrial level. New quantities for classifying the days from the radiative stability point of view are being introduced. A procedure for classifying days according to their stability regime as stable, variable and unstable is presented.
Pente Grammai and the ‘Holy Line’
Authors: Kidd Stephen 
Published: October 2017

AbstractA great deal of the literary evidence surrounding the ancient Greek board game pente grammai has to do with its central and proverbial ‘holy line’. Although it seems that the goal of the game was to reach this holy line, the proverb always refers to ‘moving away from’ this holy line not toward it. But why would players move away from the line which is the goal? This paper argues that there was a strategic element to the game: just like in modern backgammon and in Zeno’s ‘table’ game from late antiquity, in pente grammai a player could knock an opponent’s ‘blots’ (azuges) off the board. This explains why a player might make the odd move of leaving the holy line: the aggressive and risky act might bring an advantage if the opponent has left a number of vulnerable pieces exposed. At the end, a possible reconstruction of the game is offered.
Stranger Games: The life and times of the spintriae
Authors: Duggan Eddie 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
In 2010 a Roman token was discovered in the mud of the Thames near Putney Bridge in London. When the token was discovered to have an erotic image on one side and a Roman numeral on the other, and was identified in a Museum of London press release as a rare Roman “brothel token”, the press reported on the story in the expected manner, for example: “A Roman coin that was probably used by soldiers to pay for sex in brothels has been discovered on the banks of the River Thames” (Daily Telegraph, 4 Jan 2012) and “Bronze discs depicting sex acts, like the one discovered in London, were used to hire prostitutes-and directly led to the birth of pornography during the Renaissance” (The Guardian, 4 Jan 2012). Even before this particular spate of media interest, these curious tokens have generated confusion, speculation and prurience-often simultaneously. They are of interest to games scholars because the speculation often includes the suggestion these objects may have had a ludic function, and were used as game counters. This paper will look at some of the proposals that have been offered by way of explanation of these peculiar objects.
Isoliquiritigenin inhibits colorectal cancer cells HCT-116 growth by suppressing the PI3K/AKT pathway
Authors: Huang Ya-Li , Wei Fang , Zhao Ke , Zhang Yong , Wang Dong , Li Xin-Hua 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIsoliquiritigenin (ISL), a member of the flavonoids, is known to possess antitumor activity in different types of cancer including human breast cancer, hepatoma cancer, prostate cancer and others, bothin vitroandin vivo. In the present study, we reported the effect of ISL on cell growth in human colorectal cancer cells HCT-116. As examined by CCK8 assays, ISL inhibited the proliferation of HCT-116 cells. Additionally, the antimigratory activity of ISL in HCT-116 cells was confirmed by trans-well chamber migration assays and invasion assays. Moreover, the results of fluorescence-activated cell sorting and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis showed that ISL induced apoptosis in HCT-116 cells. Further detection using SDS-PAGE assay revealed that ISL decreased the levels of phospho-AKT (p-AKT), phospho-mTOR (p-mTOR), Cyclin D1 and phospho-p70S6 Kinase (p-P70S6K). Collectively, these findings indicated that isoliquiritigenin induced growth-inhibition and apoptosis through downregulating of PI3K/AKT in human colorectal cancer.
The production of arabitol by a novel plant yeast isolate Candida parapsilosis 27RL-4
Authors: Kordowska-Wiater Monika , Kuzdraliński Adam , Czernecki Tomasz , Targoński Zdzisław , Frąc Magdalena , Oszust Karolina 
Published: October 2017

AbstractPolyalcohol arabitol can be used in the food and pharmaceutical industries as a natural sweetener, a dental caries reducer, and texturing agent. Environmental samples were screened to isolate effective yeast producers of arabitol. The most promising isolate 27RL-4, obtained from raspberry leaves, was identified genetically and biochemically as Candida parapsilosis. It secreted 10.42– 10.72 g l-1 of product from 20 g l-1 of L-arabinose with a yield of 0.51 - 0.53 g g-1 at 28°C and a rotational speed of 150 rpm. Batch cultures showed that optimal pH value for arabitol production was 5.5. High yields and productivities of arabitol were obtained during incubation of the yeast at 200 rpm, or at 32°C, but the concentrations of the polyol did not exceed 10 g l-1. In modified medium, with reduced amounts of nitrogen compounds and pH 5.5-6.5, lower yeast biomass produced a similar concentration of arabitol, suggesting higher efficiency of yeast cells. This strain also produced arabitol from glucose, with much lower yields. The search for new strains able to successfully produce arabitol is important for allowing the utilization of sugars abundant in plant biomass.
Pyrolysis of waste tyres – The effect of reaction kinetics on the results of thermogravimetric analysis
Authors: Cherbański Robert , Wróblewski Krzysztof , Molga Eugeniusz 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
This paper presents a systematic thermogravimetric (TG) study on the kinetics of end-of-life tyre (ELT) pyrolysis. In the experimental part of this work, TG results are compared for tyre samples of different mass and size. This shows that the conduction resistance in the milligram scale (up to ~100 mg) tyre sample can be neglected. A comparison of experimental results demonstrates that the characteristic maxima on the DTG curve (the first derivative of TG signal) shift towards higher temperatures for higher heating rates. This phenomenon is explained to have kinetic origin and it is not caused by the internal heat transfer resistance. In the modelling part of this work, the kinetic parameters of the Three-Component Simulation Model (TCSM) are calculated and compared to the literature values. Testing of the kinetic model is carried out using experiments with a varying heating rate. This shows the limitation of the simplified kinetic approach and the appropriate selection method of the kinetic parameters.
Dynamical and technological consequences of multiple isolas of steady states in a catalytic fluidised-bed reactor
Authors: Bizon Katarzyna 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
Steady-state characteristics of a catalytic fluidised bed reactor and its dynamical consequences are analyzed. The occurrence of an untypical steady-state structure manifesting in a form of multiple isolas is described. A two-phase bubbling bed model is used for a quantitative description of the bed of catalyst. The influence of heat exchange intensity and a fluidisation ratio onto the generation of isolated solution branches is presented for two kinetic schemes. Dynamical consequences of the coexistence of such untypical branches of steady states are presented. The impact of linear growth of the fluidisation ratio and step change of the cooling medium temperature onto the desired product yield is analyzed. The results presented in this study confirm that the identification of a region of the occurrence of multiple isolas is important due to their strong impact both on the process start-up and its control.
Influence of rotating magnetic field on gas-liquid volumetric mass transfer coefficient
Authors: Rakoczy Rafał , Konopacki Maciej , Kordas Marian , Drozd Radosław , Fijałkowski Karol 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
The main objective of these experiments was to study the oxygen mass transfer rate through the volumetric mass transfer coefficient (kLa) for an experimental set-up equipped with a rotating magnetic field (RMF) generator and various liquids. The experimental results indicated that kLa increased along the magnetic strength and the superficial gas velocity. Mathematical correlations defining the influence of the considered factors on kLa were proposed.
Numerical analysis of momentum transfer processes in a mechanically agitated air – biophase – liquid system
Authors: Musiał Monika , Cudak Magdalena , Karcz Joanna 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe results of numerical computations concerning momentum transfer processes in an air – biophase – liquid system agitated in a bioreactor equipped with baffles and a Smith turbine (CD 6 impeller) are presented in this paper. The effect of sucrose concentration on the distributions of the velocity of the continuous phase, gas hold-up and the size of gas bubbles in the system was analysed. Simulation results were presented in the form of the contours of the analysed magnitudes. The effect of sucrose concentration on the averaged values (i.e. determined on the basis of local values) of gas hold-up and gas bubbles size was evaluated. The results of the numerical computations of gas hold-up were compared with our own experimental data.
Understanding the Different Dimensions of Human Dignity: Analysis of the Decision of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Slovenia on the »Tito Street« Case
Authors: Kleindienst Petra 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn 2011, the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Slovenia made a historical decision on the ‘Tito street’ case, thereby placing human dignity at the centre of the constitutional order. A few years later, some related doubts not resolved by the Constitutional Court remain. For instance, the Court argues that an exhaustive a priori definition of human dignity is impossible since the notion depends on the development of its historical and ethical substance over time. The question thus arises of why legislation states that human dignity is universal even though it can be perceived as being a product of time and place. In this paper, we strive to answer this question by arguing that human dignity has two dimensions, initial dignity and realised dignity, and interpret the Court’s decision from a new angle. Thereby, the aim of this paper is to build a conceptual framework of human dignity and discuss it from a fresh perspective as well as to prove its applicability by presenting Slovenian constitutional case law. The paper offers significant insights into the discussion and may therefore help to improve future interpretations of human dignity in the field of constitutional case law.
Application of Window Malmquist Index for Examination of Efficiency Change of Czech Commercial Banks
Authors: Palecková Iveta 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe aim of the paper is to apply the Window Malmquist index approach to examine the efficiency change of Czech commercial banks within the period 2004-2013. We used the Data Envelopment Analysis and theWindow Malmquist index approaches to estimate the efficiency change of Czech commercial banks. The average efficiency computed under the assumption of constant returns to scale was 73% and under the assumption of variable returns to scale the value was 83%. We estimated the average positive efficiency growth of Czech commercial banks during the period 2004-2013. We found that average scale efficiency was 88%, which means that Czech commercial banks were of an inappropriate size, especially the largest banks.
The younger, the better?: A usage-based approach to learning and teaching of English in Danish primary schools
Authors: Cadierno Teresa , Eskildsen Søren W. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThis project investigates early learning and teaching of English in Danish primary schools. Encouraged by recent calls for research to apply a complex multifactor research design to investigate early foreign language (FL) learning (Edelenbos & Kubanek 2009; Lindgren & Muñoz 2013), the project investigates the impact of starting age of learning, i.e., the age factor, and a range of contextual factors (the quantity and quality of exposure to English inside and outside the classroom) and socio-affective factors (children’s motivation and attitudes towards learning, and parents’ education, (perceived) proficiency in the FL, their attitudes towards language learning, and their use of the foreign language professionally) in children’s rate of L2 learning and short-term English language proficiency.