bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A critical policy analysis of Texas’ Closing the Gaps 2015
Authors: Mansfield Katherine Cumings , Thachik Stefani Leigh
Published: August 2017

This critical policy analysis uses critical race theory to provide a counter narrative to the P-16 initiative in Texas known as Closing the Gaps 2015. Findings indicate that while these reforms aim to increase educational access and achievement for people of color, they fall short of addressing systemic inequities such as enduring segregation and unconstitutional school finance policy. Using Texas as a case study illumines the ways the growing number of P-16 councils throughout the US might adapt and improve policy development and implementation to more adequately address educational inequities across racial, ethnic, and linguistic groups. The article closes with recommendations for Texas’ reiteration of Closing the Gaps 2015, titled 60x30TX, currently in revision to guide state education goals in 2016-2030.
Creating positive contexts of reception: The value of immigrant teachers in U.S. early childhood education programs
Authors: Adair Jennifer Keys
Published: August 2017

Young children of immigrants are increasingly part of early childhood programs in the United States but teachers have mixed approaches and attitudes about the immigrant families that they work with. This article details an analysis of 50 preschool teachers in five US cities using data from the Children Crossing Borders video-cued ethnographic study. The analysis finds that preschool sites that valued the insight of immigrant teachers had more positive views of immigrant communities and stronger mechanisms to communicate with immigrant parents. The article ultimately argues that policies that support the presence and meaningful input of immigrant preschool teachers can help preschool sites be positive, rather than negative or indifferent, contexts of reception.
Assessing the Impact of Customer Concentration on Initial Public Offering and Balance Sheet–Based Outcomes
Authors: Saboo Alok R. , Kumar V. , Anand Ankit
Published: August 2017

Using the notion of customer concentration, the authors argue that firms should evenly spread their revenues across their customers, rather than focusing on a few major customer relationships. Prior literature suggests that major customers improve efficiency and provide access to resources, thereby producing positive performance outcomes. However, building on industrial organizational literature and modern portfolio theory, the authors argue that concentration of revenues reduces the supplier firm's bargaining power relative to its customers and hurts the ability of the supplier firm to appropriate value, which, in turn, hurts profits. Using a sample of 1,023 initial public offerings (IPOs) and robust econometric methods, they find that customer concentration reduces investor uncertainty and positively impacts IPO outcomes, but significantly hurts balance sheet–based outcomes (e.g., profitability). The results suggest that a 10% increase in customer concentration reduces profitability by 3.35% (or about $7 million) in the subsequent year, or 9.4% cumulatively over the next four years (or about $20.32 million). Further, the authors find that the negative effects of customer concentration decrease with increase in organizational (marketing, technological, and operational) capabilities and increase with low customer credit quality.
How Encouraging Niceness Can Incentivize Nastiness: An Unintended Consequence of Advertising Reform
Authors: Jung Minah H. , Critcher Clayton R.
Published: August 2017

Enacted in an effort to discourage negative political advertising, American regulations mandate that candidates endorse their ads (“My name is ___, and I approve this message.”). Four studies suggest that mandatory endorsements enhance the perceived credibility of some ads these regulations were designed to discourage. This research tests for what types of messages mandatory endorsements have this effect, and why. Mandatory endorsements boosted evaluations of policy-focused attack ads—those typically plagued by overcomeable skepticism—but had no consistent effect on positive or character-focused ads. Mandatory endorsements boost ad believability—largely outside of participants' awareness—for two reasons: (1) the tagline offers a legitimizing association with regulation and (2) the candidates' own personally delivered endorsement language offers an implicit promise of the ads' truth value. The authors discuss how these findings bring order to and extend previous work on mandatory endorsements and ironic effects of communications requirements. Finally, they consider how regulations could be reformed to promote the public good by informing (without misleading) the electorate.
TV Viewing and Advertising Targeting
Authors: Deng Yiting , Mela Carl F.
Published: August 2017

Television, the predominant advertising medium, is being transformed by the microtargeting capabilities of set-top boxes (STBs). By procuring impressions at the STB level (often denoted “programmatic television”), advertisers can now lower per-exposure costs and/or reach viewers most responsive to advertising creatives. Accordingly, this study uses a proprietary, household-level, single-source data set to develop an instantaneous show and advertisement viewing model to forecast consumers' exposure to advertising and the downstream consequences for impressions and sales. Viewing data suggest that person-specific factors dwarf brand- or show-specific factors in explaining advertising avoidance, thereby suggesting that device-level advertising targeting can be more effective than existing show-level targeting. Consistent with this observation, the model indicates that microtargeting lowers advertising costs and raises incremental profits considerably relative to show-level targeting. Further, these advantages are amplified when advertisers can buy in real time as opposed to up front.
Identification of Drought in Western Slovakia by Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI)
Authors: Zuzulová Veronika , Šiška Bernard
Published: August 2017

The paper deals with identification of drought in western Slovakia, which is based on soil-climatological data. For this purpose, three sites were chosen: Bratislava, Piešťany and Hurbanovo, situated on the Danubian Lowland. The Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) was calculated on monthly basis for time series 1981–2010, 2021–2050 and 2071–2100. There were determined the driest periods by percentage of dry months for each site. The driest period in Bratislava and Hurbanovo was in the first evaluated time series. In Piešťany we can expect, that the second time series will be the driest. Linear trend of drying area will be revealed in period 2071–2100 for all three sites. The aim of the paper is to analyze and compare the occurrence of drought in temporal and spatial dimensions on the west part of Slovakia.
Demand for Agricultural Land in Slovakia
Authors: Dirgasová Katarína
Published: August 2017

In general, soil is perceived as an unreplaceable and unrenewable natural resource that allows plants, animals and man to live. It is significant in several ways out of which the most important is the production of food for population, the production of fodder for livestock and the production of raw materials for food and light industry. Due to these as well as the other reasons, land becomes the object of competition between different subjects which are trying to get it and use it. The aim of the paper is to map and to characterise the demand for agricultural land at the agricultural land market based on the certificates on fulfilment of the requirements on purchase of agricultural land. Based on the data collected throughout 31 months, it was proved that the demand for agricultural land is influenced by price, land quality, area, fragmentation of land ownership, distance of the offered plot from a county seat and localisation of a given land plot.
9. Bremer eBook-Tag
Authors: Hindersmann Jost
Published: August 2017

Seit 2006 richtet der Bibliotheksdienstleister Missing Link den Bremer eBook-Tag aus. Die diesjährige Veranstaltung widmete sich schwerpunktmäßig den Themen Wissenschaftliches Publizieren und eBook-Plattformen. Neben Berichten aus der Praxis gab es auch einen Erfahrungsaustausch rund um das Thema eBook. Der vorliegende Beitrag bietet einen Überblick über die Veranstaltung und fasst die Vorträge zusammen.
A new algorithm for a CFE-approximated solution of a discrete-time noninteger-order state equation
Authors: Oprzędkiewicz K. , Stanisławski R. , Gawin E. , Mitkowski W.
Published: August 2017

In the paper, a new method for solution of linear discrete-time fractional-order state equation is presented. The proposed method is simpler than other methods using directly discrete-time version of the Grünwald-Letnikov operator. The method is dedicated to use with any approximator to the operator expressed by a discrete transfer function, e.g. CFE-based Al-Alaoui approximation. A simulation example confirms the usefulness of the method.
Fractional-order models: The case study of the supercapacitor capacitance measurement
Authors: Lewandowski M. , Orzyłowski M.
Published: August 2017

At the beginning of the paper, the fractional calculus is briefly presented. Then, the models of dielectric relaxation in supercapacitors are described. On the basis of the Cole-Cole model, a fractional-order model of supercapacitor impedance is formulated. The frequency characteristics of selected supercapacitors and their voltage response to a current step are assumed as a basis for the analysis of their dynamics. An example of the fractional dynamic model application was used for the critical assessment of the IEC standard recommendation on the conditions of supercapacitor capacitance measurements. The presented study shows some imperfections of the IEC standard recommendations, which probably result from the use of an inaccurate dynamics model. At the end of the paper, the authors propose a solution to this problem by changing the measurement conditions and introducing a concept of dynamic capacitance. The conclusions of the paper indicate that the models of fractional-order dynamics may be useful not only for the control purposes but also in other domains.
Generator with modulated magnetic flux for wind turbines
Authors: Gwóźdź M. , Krystkowiak M. , Jędryczka C. , Gulczyński A. , Matecki D.
Published: August 2017

In the paper, the concept of a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) with uniquely designed stator windings for wind turbines is presented. Two 3-phase windings in the stator are used, one of which is connected in the star, while the other in the delta configuration. Six-pulse rectifiers, mutually coupled by the pulse transformer, whose primary winding is supplied by the so-called “current modulator”, are placed at the outputs of both windings. The modulator output current should meet all the necessary and strict requirements. Both rectifiers operate on a common DC circuit. These solutions provide the sinusoidal magnetomotive force in the stator of the PMSG and the quasi-sinusoidal (taking into account the non-linearity of the magnetic circuit) magnetic flux. In light of the generator principle, it has been called the “PMSG with modulated the magnetic flux”. The slightly higher complexity in the structure of the generator, as compared to the normal three-phase construction, is compensated by the exceptional simplicity of the power electronics section of the system, which allows high efficiency to be reached. The current modulator (as well as the pulse transformer) is a power electronics converter with a relatively low output power as compared to the overall output power of the system. In comparison to other known solutions, the expected cost of the system should be lower. It is also expected that a high degree of reliability in terms of its operation will be achieved, and consequently, that the the ongoing costs of its maintenance will be reduced. In the paper, concept, theoretical basis of operation, and results of the studies of the simulation models of the generator, including the basic power electronics section, are presented.
A new sensorless speed control structure for PMSM using reference model
Authors: Urbanski K.
Published: August 2017

In the paper a new sensorless control structure for the PMSM drive is presented. Such a structure is especially recommended for speed in the range of single revolutions per second (excluding standstill). The method uses a back EMF observer for position estimation. However, there is no need to estimate the speed. This is a big advantage because of possible irregularity of estimated back EMF in this speed range, which makes the calculation of speed difficult or impossible. The proposed structure is similar to the model following control, but the reference model attempts to track the motor operating point. The main idea is to utilize as a reference a model of the whole drive, including speed and current controllers and motor model. Such a model produces reference voltage for the real inverter. However, an extra unit – called rotator – is needed to provide precise control of direct axis current, which is sensitive to the improper position of the voltage vector. The rotator acts as a kind of compensator for error of position estimation.
Proposal of the hybrid solution to determining the selected fracture parameters for SEN(B) specimens dominated by plane strain
Authors: Graba M.
Published: August 2017

In the paper, new hybrid (numerical-analytical) methods to calculate the J-integral, the CTOD, and the load line displacement are presented. The proposed solutions are based on FEM calculations which were done for SEN(B) specimens dominated by plane strain condition. The paper includes the verification of the existing limit load solution for SEN(B) specimen with proposal of the new analytical formulae, which were used for building hybrid equations for determining three selected fracture mechanics parameters.
Influence of raceway waviness on the level of vibration in rolling-element bearings
Authors: Adamczak S. , Zmarzły P.
Published: August 2017

This paper provides a quantitative analysis of how raceway waviness (RONt) in 6304-type bearings affects their vibration. The waviness of bearing races was measured at the actual points of contact between the balls and the races. The measurements were conducted in the range of 16–50 undulations per revolution (UPR). The bearing vibration was analyzed in three bandwidths of frequency: low (LB) (50 ÷ 300 Hz), medium MB (300 ÷ 1800 Hz) and high HB (1800 ÷ 10 000 Hz), as well as in the full RMS bandwidth. The paper also presents the procedure used to determine the actual points of contact between the ball and each race to specify the point of waviness measurement. The method of calculation of the contact angle for a ball bearing is also discussed. The Pearson linear correlation coefficients were determined to analyze the relationships between the waviness parameters and the level of vibration. The test results show that an increase in the surface waviness on the inner and outer raceways causes an increase in the vibration level. The influence is most visible for the medium frequency bandwidth.
Artificial neural network based tool wear estimation on dry hard turning processes of AISI4140 steel using coated carbide tool
Authors: Rajeev D. , Dinakaran D. , Singh S.C.E.
Published: August 2017

Nowadays, finishing operation in hardened steel parts which have wide industrial applications is done by hard turning. Cubic boron nitride (CBN) inserts, which are expensive, are used for hard turning. The cheaper coated carbide tool is seen as a substitute for CBN inserts in the hardness range (45–55 HRC). However, tool wear in a coated carbide tool during hard turning is a significant factor that influences the tolerance of machined surface. An online tool wear estimation system is essential for maintaining the surface quality and minimizing the manufacturing cost. In this investigation, the cutting tool wear estimation using artificial neural network (ANN) is proposed. AISI4140 steel hardened to 47 HRC is used as a work piece and a coated carbide tool is the cutting tool. Experimentation is based on full factorial design (FFD) as per design of experiments. The variations in cutting forces and vibrations are measured during the experimentation. Based on the process parameters and measured parameters an ANN-based tool wear estimator is developed. The wear outputs from the ANN model are then tested. It was observed that as the model using ANN provided quite satisfactory results, and that it can be used for online tool wear estimation.
Results of Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation in Young Recipients after Age-matched and Mismatched (Old-to-young) Transplantation
Authors: Jushinskis Janis , Suhorukovs Vadims , Malcevs Aleksandrs , Ziedina Ieva , Rozentals Rafails
Published: August 2017

Introduction. During the previous years the number of organ transplantations from elderly donors increased, and lack of young donors leads to necessity to allocate organs from elderly into young recipients.

Aim of the Study. Was to analyse results of “old-to-young” allocation.

Material and methods. This retrospective study analysed results of all consecutive deceased donor kidney transplantations (DDKT) performed in one transplant centre during the period from 01.01.2004 till 31.12.2007. Patients were selected based on availability of 5-year follow-up and age < 50 years (158 DDKT). Patients were divided into 2 groups according to donor age: age-mismatched group (donor age was > 55 years and at the same time > 15 years older than recipient; n=8, male/female=2/6, age 39,4 + 4,8 years, donor age 59,4 + 2,4 years), and age-matched group (n=150, male/female=88/62, age 36,0 + 11,0 years, donor age 37,3 + 12,0 years). Groups were compared for clinical and demographical features and posttransplant outcomes (delayed graft function, s-creatinin levels at discharge and after 5 years, acute rejection rate, graft and patient 5-year survival).

Results. Comparison of demographical and clinical features revealed only relatively higher BMI in elderly donors (p=0.081) and higher frequency of age-mismatched allocation into female recipients (p=0.066). Early and late post-transplant outcomes showed no significant difference between groups, with similar 5-year graft and patient survival (p=NS for all compared factors).

Conclusion. Results showed good kidney allograft function even in cases of age-mismatched allocation, which is significant opportunity in current situation with increasing age of deceased donors.
Transapical Off-Pump Neochord Implantation in Case of Severe Mitral Regurgitation
Authors: Strazdins Uldis , Bergs Gvido Janis , Kalejs Martins , Vilumsone Indra
Published: August 2017

Mitral regurgitation is common valvular heart disease and a major cause of congestive heart failure and death. It is most often associated with degenerative changes in mitral valve which leads to valve prolapse. Transapical off-pump mitral valve repair is a new minimally invasive procedure to treat mitral regurgitation. Here we report 64-year old female who suffered from grade III mitral regurgitation due to ruptured chorda and posterior leaflet P2/P3 segment prolapse. During surgery 4 artificial chordae were implanted and postoperative echocardiography results showed minimal residual grade I mitral regurgitation, therefore significant clinical improvement can be achieved with minimally invasive approach.
Capital Markets Union – One Year On From the Action Plan
Authors: Parmentier Miriam
Published: August 2017

On 30 September 2015, the European Commission adopted its Action Plan on Building a Capital Markets Union
Market Building and the Capital Markets Union: Addressing Information Barriers in the SME Funding Market
Authors: Schammo Pierre
Published: August 2017

The Capital Markets Union (CMU) is one of the flagship policy initiatives of the Juncker Commission. The Commission’s strategy for realizing a CMU is set out in its White Paper on building a CMU. Besides describing the Commission’s vision of a CMU, the white paper includes an action plan which details the measures that are needed to build a CMU. The aim of this article is to consider the Commission’s measures in one particular area of the action plan. Specifically, this article examines the Commission’s strategy for overcoming information barriers to SME investment. By acting in this area, the Commission’s objective is to facilitate access to finance, but also to diversify sources of funding for SMEs, which are traditionally heavily dependent on bank-based finance. This article evaluates the Commission’s strategy and its prospects of success. After assessing the relevant policy measures, it will argue for a paradigm shift which is based on three pillars: a greater emphasis on market building measures; a greater emphasis on information sharing duties as one mechanism that can help to address information barriers; and a market correcting strategy to dovetail greater market building.
Big Metadata, Smart Metadata, and Metadata Capital: Toward Greater Synergy Between Data Science and Metadata
Authors: Greenberg Jane
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to provide a framework for addressing the disconnect between metadata and data science. Data science cannot progress without metadata research. This paper takes steps toward advancing the synergy between metadata and data science, and identifies pathways for developing a more cohesive metadata research agenda in data science.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper identifies factors that challenge metadata research in the digital ecosystem, defines metadata and data science, and presents the concepts big metadata, smart metadata, and metadata capital as part of a metadata lingua franca connecting to data science.

Findings

The “utilitarian nature” and “historical and traditional views” of metadata are identified as two intersecting factors that have inhibited metadata research. Big metadata, smart metadata, and metadata capital are presented as part of a metadata lingua franca to help frame research in the data science research space.

Research limitations

There are additional, intersecting factors to consider that likely inhibit metadata research, and other significant metadata concepts to explore.

Practical implications

The immediate contribution of this work is that it may elicit response, critique, revision, or, more significantly, motivate research. The work presented can encourage more researchers to consider the significance of metadata as a research worthy topic within data science and the larger digital ecosystem.

Originality/value

Although metadata research has not kept pace with other data science topics, there is little attention directed to this problem. This is surprising, given that metadata is essential for data science endeavors. This examination synthesizes original and prior scholarship to provide new grounding for metadata research in data science.
Visualization of Disciplinary Profiles: Enhanced Science Overlay Maps
Authors: Carley Stephen , Porter Alan L. , Rafols Ismael , Leydesdorff Loet
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to modernize previous work on science overlay maps by updating the underlying citation matrix, generating new clusters of scientific disciplines, enhancing visualizations, and providing more accessible means for analysts to generate their own maps.

Design/methodology/approach

We use the combined set of 2015Journal Citation Reportsfor the Science Citation Index (nof journals = 8,778) and the Social Sciences Citation Index (n= 3,212) for a total of 11,365 journals. The set of Web of Science Categories in the Science Citation Index and the Social Sciences Citation Index increased from 224 in 2010 to 227 in 2015. Using dedicated software, a matrix of 227 × 227 cells is generated on the basis of whole-number citation counting. We normalize this matrix using the cosine function. We first develop the citing-side, cosine-normalized map using 2015 data and VOSviewer visualization with default parameter values. A routine for making overlays on the basis of the map (“wc15.exe”) is available athttp://www.leydesdorff.net/wc15/index.htm.

Findings

Findings appear in the form of visuals throughout the manuscript. In Figures 1–9 we provide basemaps of science and science overlay maps for a number of companies, universities, and technologies.

Research limitations

As Web of Science Categories change and/or are updated so is the need to update the routine we provide. Also, to apply the routine we provide users need access to the Web of Science.

Practical implications

Visualization of science overlay maps is now more accurate and true to the 2015Journal Citation Reportsthan was the case with the previous version of the routine advanced in our paper.

Originality/value

The routine we advance allows users to visualize science overlay maps in VOSviewer using data from more recentJournal Citation Reports.
Clinical report: a rare co-occurrence of tuberous sclerosis complex and Rett syndrome in a girl with mental retardation, epilepsy and autism
Authors: Belousova Elena , Sukhorukov Vladimir , Dorofeeva Marina , Shagam Lev , Vlodavetz Dmitrii V.
Published: August 2017

Introduction.There are some genetic disorders with combination of mental retardation, epilepsy and autism in which the abnormal mammalian Target of Rapamycin (m-TOR) signaling is implicated. The most important of them is tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), but the disturbances of the m-TOR pathway can also be detected in Rett syndrome (RS), Fragile X syndrome and Down syndrome. We describe the rare case of co-occurrence of TSC and RS.

Case study.The female child was born at term by normal delivery after a non-complicated pregnancy. Family history was negative for epilepsy and mental retardation. The neonatal period was uneventful and psychomotor development was normal before the child became 1.5 years old. At the age of 18 months the girl developed hand-wringing stereotypes, facial hypotonia, ataxia and gait apraxia. She lost eye-to-eye contact and verbal contact with relatives, and became indifferent to the surrounding environment. When she was 2 years old, focal adversive seizures started which were readily controlled with carbamazepine. Cerebral cortical and subcortical tubers, cerebral white-matter radial migration lines and subependymal nodules on brain MRI together with hypomelanotic macules suggested the presence of TSC. Diagnosis was confirmed at age of 3 years by a heterozygous mutation c.5161-2A>G inTSC2gene on chromosome 16p13. But the rude regression of psychomotor development and speech, autistic features alongside with characteristic hand-wringing stereotypes were unexplained until at age of 4.5 years RS was diagnosed by finding a heterozygous missense mutation in exon 4 of theMECP2gene c.455C>T, resulting in a P152R substitution in the methyl-binding domain of the protein. At age of 5 the patient is not able to walk independently and has no expressive speech, she is autistic, has ataxia, limb rigidity, hyperreflexia, lack of purposeful hand movements, verbal and motor stereotypies.

Discussion.The presence of two mutations (one characteristic forTSC2and one – characteristic for RS) significantly worsened the developmental and motor delay and autistic features in our patient. Dysregulation of m-TOR way is well established in TSC and recently described in RS, Down syndrome and Fragile X syndrome.
Culturally Responsive School-Wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports: A Practical Approach to Addressing Disciplinary Disproportionality with African-American Students
Authors: Johnson Ashley D. , Anhalt Karla , Cowan Richard J.
Published: August 2017

Zero tolerance policies have contributed to suspension and expulsion becoming common methods of addressing problem behaviors in schools. If suspension and expulsion are being used as forms of punishment, they should theoretically result in a reduction of problem behavior after their administration. In reality, exclusionary disciplinary practices have not been associated with reductions in problem behaviors among students. It has also been consistently established that disproportionate discipline practices and outcomes take place in schools. African-American students, in particular, are overrepresented in their respective rates of suspension and expulsion. School-Wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) provide strategies that facilitate behavioral support for all students, including those with and without disabilities. Discourse on SWPBIS has suggested that implementation strategies are culturally neutral, and subsequently should be appropriate in all schools. However, African-American students continue to be over-disciplined when compared to their White peers, even when SWPBIS is implemented with sufficient fidelity. This information suggests that a culturally responsive adaptation of SWPBIS is needed. This article provides a framework for implementing culturally responsive School-Wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports.
Moral character effects in endorser perception
Authors: Chang Joseph W.
Published: August 2017

This research consists of two experimental studies investigating the influence of moral character on endorser perception, and the influence of perceiver characteristics on tarnished endorser perception and brand evaluations. Perceiver characteristics are discussed from the perspectives of dispositional tendency, innate moral intuitions and self-location. The first study compared the influences of moral character and warmth on endorser perception. The second study examined the impact of perceiver characteristics on tarnished endorsers and brand evaluations. The findings reveal that moral character is more influential than warmth on endorser evaluations. Tarnished endorsers with immoral character exert more negative influence than tarnished endorsers with coldness character on brand evaluations. Innate moral intuitions and self-location moderate brand evaluations. High-morality consumers and heart-locators are more vulnerable than low-morality and brain-locators to the brands endorsed by tarnished endorsers, respectively.
Intercultural marketing: Culture and its influence on the efficiency of Facebook marketing communication
Authors: Copuš Lukáš , Čarnogurský Karol
Published: August 2017

The paper deals with intercultural marketing, which is a combination of two different phenomena - marketing and culture. The first objective of the paper lies in providing theoretical definitions of the above-mentioned areas. Subsequently, the aim is to analyse marketing communication of the selected automotive companies and determine its efficiency on social media within the context of cultural differences and cultural forms as their manifestations. A considerable amount of literature has been published on intercultural marketing, but only a few studies have concentrated on the connection with modern communication tools – i.e. social media. The data come from a research conducted online focused on Facebook. In total 2606 posts on twenty Facebook profiles of selected automotive companies were analysed. Our findings show that the use of standardization and adaptation is not related to the efficiency of marketing communication of individual Facebook profiles. One of the factors that determine the efficiency is cultural specifics visible by cultural forms which were interpreted for each selected culture. The contribution and the originality of this paper lies in providing theoretical and practical information about cultural differences on social media not only for marketing managers operating in different cultures, but also for researchers interested in intercultural marketing.
Validating an instrument for measuring brand equity of CSR driven organizations in Malaysia
Authors: Singh Dara Singh Karpal , Islam Md. Aminul
Published: August 2017

The objective of this study is to develop and propose a valid and reliable instrument to measure brand equity of CSR driven organizations in Malaysia. An instrument to measure brand equity was constructed with adaptations from two key sources, namely Yew Leh and Lee (2011) and Yoo and Donthu (2001). As such the study only focuses on the development and validation of an instrument to measure brand equity of CSR driven organizations. The usable sample population included 909 respondents from 12 states of West Malaysia which were selected using a quota sampling plan. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and reliability analysis were carried out to test and validate the proposed brand equity instrument containing four components (brand awareness, brand association, perceived quality and brand loyalty) with a total of 13 items. Results from the CFA and reliability analysis indicated that all the items representing the four components were valid and can be used to measure the brand equity of organizations that are practicing CSR. The study tried to set an empirical basis for brand equity and CSR related research which could be used by future researchers in different industries and geographical locations. The study also implies the need for organizations to assess the success of their CSR efforts through the use of the proposed instrument in order to gauge whether all their CSR efforts translate to improved brand equity.
Investigating the impact of environmental attitude on the decision to purchase a green product with the mediating role of environmental concern and care for green products
Authors: Esmaeilpour Majid , Bahmiary Elahe
Published: August 2017

The intention to purchase green products is the tendency of a person who prefers to purchase a product with optimal environmental characteristics rather than usual products. Nowadays, the environment is very important and maintaining it is a vital issue for all groups of people, whether in the customer's position or in the distributor’s position. However, in spite of the increased environmental awareness among consumers and encouragements made by producers for them to buy green products, we require further investigation in this area in order to increase green purchasing among different group of people. The main objective of this study is to investigate the impact of the environmental attitude on the decision to purchase a green product with the mediating role of environmental concerns and care for green products. This research is an applied research, and correlational-descriptive in terms of data analysis. The research population includes consumers from Bushehr city, sampled based on availability. In this research, 300 questionnaires were distributed among consumers. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. The findings of this research showed that the environmental attitude of customers has significant and positive impact on caring for green products and environmental concerns. In addition, environmental concerns and care for green products have a significant and positive impact on green purchasing decision.
The Common Energy Market of the European Union–Challenges and Perspectives
Authors: Şanta Ana-Maria Iulia
Published: August 2017

The European Commission has the initiative to foster the sector of renewable energy and to build an Energy Union, with a common energy market at the level of the European Union, but is this only a utopic vision or is this possible to achieve? The topic of clean energy is very new and of great interest for the European Union, which is shown by the fact that the European Commission recently adopted on the 30th November 2016 the package “Clean Energy for All Europeans”, which contains proposals for the modernization of the energy market at the level of the European Union. But which are the challenges such a project is confronted with? According to the literature, such challenges are related to the process of liberalization of electricity markets. Conflicts between national interest and international actors of the energy market might occur. Due to the oligopolistic structure of the energy market, there are several barriers to the market entry. In order to answer to the research questions, case studies regarding the liberalization of the energy market will be analyzed in a comparative manner, offering an international overview. Furthermore, the legal provisions on which the common energy policy of the European Union relies, will be analyzed, as well as their economic and social impact. The package “Clean Energy for All Europeans” comprises a proposal of the revised Renewable energy Directive, energy efficiency measures and issues related to the Energy Union Governance. It contains as well proposals for the electricity market design, which will be analyzed and the present paper outlines the contribution of this proposal in building a common energy market of the European Union. What role does competition play in implementing the common energy market of the European Union? Which role do competition authorities have in this context? These are interesting aspects to be analyzed in the present paper.
Speech Acts in Post-Apocalyptic Games: The Last of Us (2014)
Authors: Colăcel Onoriu
Published: August 2017

Among everything else post-apocalyptic video games have come to stand for, notions of in-group versus out-group communication are paramount. The Last of Us (2014, Naughty Dog/Sony Computer Entertainment) is a case in point. I look into the game’s use of subtitles and didactic texts in order to find out to the extent speech acts shape the player’s understanding of what the video game is. As an understudied aspect of video games, HUD or menu elements, as well as characters’ exchanges and voice-over narration, disclose what it is like to be alive, dead or in-between. Essentially, they show the tensions between the avatar and the gamer: the hero makes all of the decisions by himself and the player has to abide or stop playing all together. The avatar’s identity comes alive through speech acts, while the player is left outside decision-making processes. Survival horror gaming, with a religious twist, gives insight into the in-game discussion on the representation of the zombie rather than on the zombie experience as such. On screen, the interplay between speech acts and written language amounts to a procedural language, which suggests that variability in language creates an environment conducive to learning. Particularly, language use is all about group values and communication styles that should help gamers tell apart friends from enemies, good from evil and, finally, people from zombies.
Systems Approach to Tourism: A Methodology for Defining Complex Tourism System
Authors: Jere Jakulin Tadeja
Published: August 2017

Background and Purpose: The complexity of the tourism system, as well as modelling in a frame of system dynamics, will be discussed in this paper. The phaenomenon of tourism, which possesses the typical properties of global and local organisations, will be presented as an open complex system with all its elements, and an optimal methodology to explain the relations among them. The approach we want to present is due to its transparency an excellent tool for searching systems solutions and serves also as a strategic decision-making assessment. We will present systems complexity and develop three models of a complex tourism system: the first one will present tourism as an open complex system with its elements, which operate inside of a tourism market area. The elements of this system present subsystems, which relations and interdependencies will be explained with two models: causal-loop diagram and a simulation model in frame of systems dynamics.

Design/methodology/approach: Systems methodology will be shown as the appropriate one, when we discuss complex systems challenges. For illustration, systems approach and systems methodology will be applied to tourism models. With building a qualitative causal-loop diagram we will describe the tourism system complexity in forms of system’s elements relations. Mutual influences among the elements will be presented with positive and negative loops, which forms circles of reinforcement and balance. This will help us to discuss the problem categorically. The final model will follow the causal-loop diagram. This will be a simulation model in a frame of system dynamics as an illustration of the discussed methodology.

Results: The methodology offers the solution of effective and holistic promotion of complex tourism system transformation, which has the potential to go beyond the myth of sustainable tourism and create significant shifts in the approach and acting of the participants (elements of the system) involved. Systems approach brings to tourism and the society, in general, broader dimensions of thinking, the awareness interdependency, interconnectivity, and responsibility for the behaviour of a system, which can be observed by feedback loops.

Conclusions: Findings about meaningfulness of systems thinking presented in the paper, are rarely presented to tourism society systemically and with the aim of designing sustainable complex tourism system. They show new approach, systems awareness and teaches thinking “out of the box”. Consequently, the sustainable behaviour is achieved: tourism supply and demand meet on responsible base and they connect to responsible stakeholders.
Financial System and Agricultural Growth in Ukraine
Authors: Oliynyk-Dunn Olena
Published: August 2017

Background/Purpose: An effective financial system should increase the efficiency of economic activities. This study provides evidence regarding the importance of financial development for agricultural growth in Ukraine.

Methodology: We used non-integrated and integral indicators, time series and regression analysis to investigate the link between the financial development and agricultural growth.

Results: The results based on integral indicators shows that the financial development does not affect agricultural growth in Ukraine. The study based on non-integrated indicators, which characterizes various aspects of the financial system’s banking component and agricultural growth, provided a significant link between the financial system and agriculture growth. The regression models revealed if bank deposits to GDP (%) increases the value added per worker in agriculture increases exponentially. The results of the study indicate that, agriculture is more sensitive to lending changes than the vast majority of other sectors of the economy. The increasing lending of one UAH (Ukrainian hryvnia) resulted in retail turnover growth of 1.62 UAH, while agricultural gross output, growth was UAH 5.06.

Conclusion: Our results reveal a positive relationship between financial system’s banking component and agriculture growth in Ukraine. The results indicate the necessity for continued research into further developing universal methodological approaches of appraising the nexus of the financial system’s banking component on agriculture growth in general as well separate farm groups. The results of our study has important implications on policy making authorities efforts to stimulate agricultural growth by improving the efficiency of the financial system’s banking component.
Ion-Exchange Membrane Chromatography as an Alternative Method of Separation of Potato y Virus
Authors: Treder Krzysztof , Zacharzewska Bogumiła , Przewodowska Agnieszka , Przewodowski Włodzimierz , Otulak Katarzyna
Published: August 2017

Procedures of separation of virus particles from a plant material are multistage. Furthermore often they are difficult in terms of methodology and require use of expensive, highly specialist equipment and yield of separation is often low. The antigen obtained is often degraded and contains admixtures of other proteins. Therefore, generation of high quality and specificity antibodies based on such antigen is very difficult and quality of the antibodies has impact on reliability, sensitivity and unambiguity of results of immunodiagnostic tests (e.g. ELISA) that are currently conventionally used to detect vegetable viruses. In this study three conventionally-performed methods of separation of potato virus Y (PVY) were compared and a method of separation based on membrane chromatography, as an alternative separation technique, has been presented. It has been demonstrated that in proper process conditions good quality virus preparation can be obtained.
Characteristics of Cry1Ab Protein from Bioinsecticides and Insect Resistant GM Crops
Authors: Żmijewska Ewelina , Linkiewicz Anna , Żurawska-Zajfert Magdalena , Grelewska-Nowotko Katarzyna , Sowa Sławomir , Zimny Janusz
Published: August 2017

Biological insecticides are an effective method used in plant protection. One of the most widely used active substances in biological insecticides is Cry1Ab protein, which is toxic for lepidopteran insects. This protein is produced during bacterial sporulation byBacillus thuringiensis.Other sources of Cry1Ab protein are genetically modified plants (GM) with expression ofcry1Abgene. Cry1Ab protein in both bioinsecticides and GM plants is present in the form of protoxin, which requires activation by enzymatic treatment in the gut of susceptible insects. So far, Cry1Ab mode of action is not fully understood, but there are 3 main concepts describing it. Two of them assume that a toxic protein after binding to receptors in the insect gut penetrates into the cells, causing pore formation in the gut, which leads to the death of the sensitive insect. In the third model Cry1Ab toxic action is a result of toxin-induced chemical processes initiating a cell death pathway. This work describes the structure and mode of action of Cry1Ab protein, present in biological insecticides and genetically modified plants.
Ecumenism in Liturgy?
Authors: Olkinuora Damaskinos
Published: August 2017

The Finnish Orthodox Church forms a small minority in a predominantly Lutheran country. Since the 1950s, some changes in liturgical texts have occurred because of this Lutheran presence. This paper discusses three of them: the addition “and all Christians” in the Great Entrance, the addition “through your intercessions” in the prayer formula “Most-holy Theotokos, save us”, and the commemoration of “our Bishop Irja” during the visits of the Lutheran bishop of Helsinki, Irja Askola, in the Uspensky Cathedral of Helsinki in 2015. The author proposes that the two first cases took place in order to reconcile the Orthodox population with their Lutheran surroundings by the commemoration of their non-Orthodox friends and relatives in the liturgy, on one hand, and to explain dogmatic thought that is foreign to Lutheran mentality, on the other. The additions, however, pose theological problems and should not be used as such.
The Perception of Sound in the Liturgy: Changes in Times of Change
Authors: Piqué i Collado Jordi-A.
Published: August 2017

If anything has changed during the twentieth century, it is the perception of the phenomenon of music. The irruption of sound into our lives is accompanied by changes in the use, understanding and enjoyment of music. The liturgy employs music as a sensible element for celebrating the Word and singing the same Word in the sacraments, in the liturgy of the hours and in prayer. For centuries the music was a bridge for the transcendent, today this element is thoroughly affected by the influences of the omnipresence of sound and of the challenge of real sound, that is of authenticity. We will try to respond to the question of what is changing in our societies in the matter of listening, while the liturgy continues to use sound as an element of perceiving the Mystery of God. The attention to the theological weight of these questions will underline the importance of paying attention to the contemporary world of sound for a liturgical understanding.
Adaptation
Authors: Freilinger Christoph
Published: August 2017

Adaptation of liturgy to conditions of a certain community or society is not only a possibility. Following the Constitution of the Sacred Liturgy of Vatican Council II, it is the very nature and character of the liturgy, which require adaptation to cultural patterns. It is necessary to keep the balance between tradition and present situations, between unity and diversity, between people in their specific circumstances and the heritage of faith of the church.