Andrea Vargová

Aurothiomalate as Preventive and Chain-Breaking Antioxidant in Radical Degradation of High-Molar-Mass Hyaluronan

The potential anti‐ or pro‐oxidative effects of a disease‐modifying antirheumatic drug, aurothiomalate, to protect high‐molar‐mass hyaluronan against radical degradation were investigated along with L‐glutathione – tested in similar functions. Hyaluronan degradation was induced by the oxidative system CuII plus ascorbate known as the Weissbergers oxidative system. The time‐ and dose‐dependent changes of the dynamic viscosity of the hyaluronan solutions were studied by the method of rotational viscometry. Additionally, the antioxidative activity of aurothiomalate expressed as a radical‐scavenging capacity based on a decolorization 2,2′‐azinobis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assay was inspected. At the higher concentrations tested, L‐glutathione showed excellent scavenging of .OH and peroxyl‐type radicals, however, at the lowest concentration applied, its pro‐oxidative effect was revealed. The effects of aurothiomalate on hyaluronan degradation were similar to that of L‐glutathione, however, at the lowest concentration tested, no significant pro‐oxidant effect was observed.

Multi-Purpose Utilisation of Historic Building Glass Atrium — Case Study of the Slovak Philharmonic

This paper deals with an actual problem of covered historic building atriums in Slovakia and their adaptation to the new function concerning building physics parameters. The aim of this contribution is to quantify the parameters of the new covered atriums regarding the sound parameters. The executed measurements in selected atriums were compared with the standard values (reverberation time, flutter echo) considering their new function (cultural, social, health).

Noise Perception in Residential Building Environment

This article brings up to discussion a particularly topical issue which is the quality of sound insulation in Slovakian dwellings. An analysis of the current acoustical situation in newly built or renovated buildings is shown, as well as the importance of a subjective evaluation of acoustical comfort is highlighted. Nevertheless, it is known that the acoustical comfort is one of the most important factors of a healthy living environment and that the acoustical defects often become subject of argumentation. Concerning the growing acoustical problems in dwellings, we could debate, to what extent the real value of the apartment can be estimated.

Impact of sound insulation quality in dwellings on its financial value

A lot of research has been already done on the assessment and improvement of sound insulation quality of partitioning elements in dwellings. Fewer studies have addressed the impact of acoustic improvements on those elements. Very little information is available on the impact of sound insulation properties on the global real estate value of dwellings as a hole. This contribution reports on the analysis of questionnaires and interviews concerning the overall satisfaction of dwellers about the acoustic comfort at their homes. The importance that people living in apartment flats in Slovakia give to their acoustic comfort at home is addressed, with the part of their budget that they would potentially consider to spend for improving it used as a measure.

Reflection on Modernization of Historic Religious Architecture - Case Study: The Roman Catholic Parish Church, Rajec in Slovakia

The historic churches renovation in Slovakia actively served to the religious cult, progressively responds to the gain of new function. It is the use of culture, such as concerts, exhibitions, guided tours. Within a renovation, historic buildings need to be modernized, especially their technical equipment. In this paper we explore a case study of the church restoration in the town Rajec in the north - western Slovakia. It is registered in the list of monuments. We focused on the monitoring of the building construction design which may affect the preservation and presentation of cultural historic values (windows, floors, ventilation, illumination, electro-acoustical amplification system). We concluded that demanding procedures for authentic restoration make sense, especially for the preservation of regional cultural and historical values.