The influence of drought on the occurrence of aflatoxins in maize

In this study, a total of 78 maize samples harvested during September and October 2012 in Vojvodina were analyzed. Presence of aflatoxins (AFs) was deter­mined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Among the 78 analyzed maize samples, even 44 (56.4%) samples were contaminated with AFs. Concentration interval between 1-10 μg/kg, 10-50 μg/kg and 50-80 μg/kg were found in 23.1%, 17.9% and 15.4% of analyzed maize samples, respectively. It was supposed that prolonged drought during spring and summer of 2012 had a great influence on high contamination frequency and concentration of AFs. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III 46001

Neuroscience and CSR : using EEG for assessing the effectiveness of branded videos related to environmental issues

The majority of studies evaluating the effectiveness of branded CSR campaigns are concentrated and base their conclusions on data collection through self-reporting questionnaires. Although such studies provide insights for evaluating the effectiveness of CSR communication methods, analysing the message that is communicated, the communication channel used and the explicit brain responses of those for whom the message is intended, they lack the ability to fully encapsulate the problem of communicating environmental messages by not taking into consideration what the recipients’ implicit brain reactions are presenting. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effectiveness of CSR video communications relating to environmental issues through the lens of the recipients’ implicit self, by employing neuroscience-based assessments. For the examination of implicit brain perception, an electroencephalogram (EEG) was used, and the collected data was analysed through three indicators identified as the most influential indicators on human behaviour. These three indicators are emotional valence, the level of brain engagement and cognitive load. The study is conducted on individuals from the millennial generation in Thessaloniki, Greece, whose implicit brain responses to seven branded commercial videos are recorded. The seven videos were a part of CSR campaigns addressing environmental issues. Simultaneously, the self-reporting results from the participants were gathered for a comparison between the explicit and implicit brain responses. One of the key findings of the study is that the explicit and implicit brain responses differ to the extent that the CSR video communications’ brain friendliness has to be taken into account in the future, to ensure success. The results of the study provide an insight for the future creation process, conceptualisation, design and content of the effective CSR communication, in regard to environmental issues

Electronic Spectra of Cyano-5-phenyltetrazoles

Absorption and luminescence spectra of ortho-, meta- and para- cyano-5-phenyltetrazole in aqueous solutions at room and low temperature were measured. Investigations wene carried out in super acidic (H; = -8) to basic (pR = 12)media. Three dissociation forms were identified (anion, molecule and cation), and the corresponding acid-base equilibrium constants in the ground state, speetrophotometrically, and in the first excited singlet state from the titration curves and by Forster cycle were determined

PRESENCE OF AFLATOXINS IN CEREALS FROM SERBIA

ABSTRACT: Aflatoxins (AFs), one of the most toxic and the strongest natural carcinogens can be found in a variety of food commodities, including cereals. For that purpose, the aim of this study was to investigate occurrence of AFs (AFB1, AFG1, AFB2 and AFG2) in 130 cereal samples

The state of research into children with cancer across Europe : new policies for a new decade

Overcoming childhood cancers is critically dependent on the state of research. Understanding how, with whom and what the research community is doing with childhood cancers is essential for ensuring the evidence-based policies at national and European level to support children, their families and researchers. As part of the European Union funded EUROCANCERCOMS project to study and integrate cancer communications across Europe, we have carried out new research into the state of research in childhood cancers. We are very grateful for all the support we have received from colleagues in the European paediatric oncology community, and in particular from Edel Fitzgerald and Samira Essiaf from the SIOP Europe office. This report and the evidence-based policies that arise from it come at a important junction for Europe and its Member States. They provide a timely reminder that research into childhood cancers is critical and needs sustainable long-term support.peer-reviewe

Electronic Spectra of Salicylamide in Polycrystalline Form and Solid Environment

The fluorescence emission of crystalline salicylamide (λ$\text{}_{max}$ = 426 nm, Stokes shift 6500 cm$\text{}^{-1}$) is attributed to the proton-transferred species. We suppose that the peak at 359 nm in the substructure of fluorescence excitation spectrum at 77 K is in fact the position of the 0-0 transition. The luminescence and excitation spectra of protolytic forms (anion, neutral molecule and cation) of salicylamide in solid solutions were also examined, as well as the equilibria and photoprocesses in the excited state

More than words: Rethinking sustainability communications through neuroscientific methods

In the era when the overarching problem of climate change, threatening the entire humanity and all life on earth, demands actions and behavioural change from all of the societal agents, including governments, organizations, companies and individuals, the world fails to achieve unity on the matter of existence of the problem, cause of the problem and on the solution of the problem. Since the scientific consensus on climate change is achieved, this article tries to examine why it is so hard to convey the message of needed behavioural change. The neuromarketing study presented in this article focuses on marketing communications that try to convey the message that would lead to the consumers' mental, emotional and behavioural change. Effectiveness of the branded environmental videos was evaluated utilizing the neuroscience approach. Electroencephalogram and an eye-tracking device were used to register the implicit brain reactions of the study participants viewing the branded videos. For comparison reasons, the branded videos selected for the study use two different approaches for conveying the message. The first approach relies on narrative, words and logic, whilst the second one appeals primarily to emotions. The aim of the study was to answer the question whether the words are enough or there more to it?

Potential urban–rural differences in cardiorespiratory fitness and BMI in Serbian schoolchildren

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) represents an essential health-related physical fitness component most frequently assessed by Shuttle-run test (SRT). The aim of this study was to investigate potential differences in CRF between schoolchildren from urban and rural areas, with respect to their age and gender. Data for this part of study were derived from a broad national cross-sectional school-based study aimed to evaluate physical fitness and overweight/obesity prevalence. The study consisted of two parts: the pilot study that was conducted in national capital and vicinity and the national study that included schoolchildren from territory of Republic of Serbia. For the purpose of the pilot study, 2230 schoolchildren (boys n = 1163, girls n =1067, age 9 to 14 years) from urban (3) and rural primary schools (4) were included in the study. Afterwards, the study was expanded on the territory of the Republic of Serbia. For that purpose, 11607 primary schoolchildren (boys n = 5913 and girls n = 5694, age 9 to 14 years) from urban (n = 44) and rural schools (n = 54) were included in the study. All measurements were conducted during regular physical education classes. In addition to time in SRT, basic anthropometric measures were taken (body height (BH), body weight (BW) and body mass index (BMI)). Age, gender and school location interaction associated differences in SRT were examined. Schoolchildren living in the urban area of the national capital had significantly higher BH and BW than their rural peers (there was no difference in BMI between these groups). Regarding the SRT, it was gender- and age-dependent (p < 0.001). Rural schoolchildren had longer time on SRT than urban only in 3rd and 4th- grade (p < 0.001), while in higher grades no difference was observed. The results from the national study showed that urban schoolchildren from Republic of Serbia had higher BH, BW and BMI than their rural peers. Boys had better results in SRT which increased with age (p < 0.001). SRT data revealed that 3rd- grade schoolchildren (regardless of gender) from rural schools achieved better results than their urban peers, contrary to the results from 6th- and 7th- graders. Urban-rural differences in BMI were observed only for schoolchildren participating in the national study. Schoolchildren from rural area of the national capital generally had better cardiorespiratory fitness than their peers from urban area of the national capital, but those differences were mostly age and gender associated. The national study yielded results that were only partly similar to the results from the pilot study. CRF was strongly influenced by age and gender, while area of residence had small impact on CRF. Rural schoolchildren had better CRF in lower grades however due to potential influence of factors other than the area of residence (participation in organized physical activity, lifestyle, eating habits) urban schoolchildren had better levels of CRF in higher grades. © 2016 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved