bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Hawthorn Leaf Flavonoids in Dehydroepiandrosterone-Induced Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Rats
Authors: Shi Yanhua , Kong Xiang , Yin Hongmei , Zhang Wentong , Wang Wei
Published: November 2018

Objective: To evaluate the potential beneficial effects of hawthorn leaf flavonoids (HLF) against polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in a rat model of disease and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism. Methods: The PCOS model was established by subcutaneous injection of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA, 60 mg/kg/day) for 21 consecutive days. HLF (200 mg/kg/day) were orally administered simultaneously or after the injection. The body weight was regularly monitored and recorded. The ovaries were weighed and histologically examined via hematoxylin and eosin staining. The number of follicular cysts was counted under a light microscope. The serous hormones were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Insulin resistance (IR) was calculated as HOMA-IR = fasting insulin (µU/L) × fasting glucose (mM)/22.5. The estrous cycle was determined by vaginal smear. The relative expression of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The superoxide dismutase activity and malondialdehyde content was determined using commercially available kits. Results: DHEA induced a significant increase of body weight, ovary weight, number of follicular cysts, serous hormones, IR, inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress, and it also impaired the estrous cycle. Oral administration of HLF greatly alleviated these complications. Little toxicity of HLF was observed in our rat model. Conclusion: HLF manifest protective effects against PCOS progression in the animal model, which may hold great promise for future clinical applications.
Body Piercing: A National Survey in France
Authors: Kluger Nicolas , Misery Laurent , Seité Sophie , Taieb Charles
Published: November 2018

Background: There are no recent data available in France regarding body piercing (BP). Objective: We examined the demographics, motivations, quality of life, cutaneous conditions, and cutaneous side effects after BP within the French population. Methods: A representative sample of 5,000 individuals (aged 15 and over) from the general population responded to a survey online between April and August 2017. Data regarding demographics, BP characteristics (location, age at first piercing, hesitation, regrets, motivations, cutaneous side effects), tobacco, skin conditions (acne, contact eczema, atopic eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, vitiligo), and tattoos were collected. Respondents also filled an SF-12 quality of life questionnaire. Results: Overall, 12% of the respondents reported at least one BP (women: 19.4%, men: 8.4%, p < 0.01). The prevalence was highest among those aged between 25 and 34 years (25.8%). Individuals with BP were more likely to smoke (p < 0.01). The most common body parts for piercings were the external part of the ear (42%), the navel (24%), the tongue (15%), and the nose (11%). Gender differences included localization (belly button and nose for women, eyebrows for men) and motivations (embellishment of the body for women, individuality and sexuality for men). A total of 33.6% of the study participants reported having skin problems after BP, primarily infection (44%). Individuals with BPs were more likely to report having contact eczema, atopic dermatitis, and acne. BP was associated with a lower mental quality of life score. Conclusion: This is the largest epidemiological study on BP in France to date. It allows us to draw a precise current snapshot of French indi viduals with BP.
The Power of Nations: Measuring What Matters
Authors: Beckley Michael
Published: November 2018

Power is the most important variable in world politics, but scholars and policy analysts systematically mismeasure it. Most studies evaluate countries’ power using broad indicators of economic and military resources, such as gross domestic product and military spending, that tally their wealth and military assets without deducting the costs they pay to police, protect, and serve their people. As a result, standard indicators exaggerate the wealth and military power of poor, populous countries, such as China and India. A sounder approach accounts for these costs by measuring power in net rather than gross terms. This approach predicts war and dispute outcomes involving great powers over the past 200 years more accurately than those that use gross indicators of power. In addition, it improves the in-sample goodness-of-fit in the majority of studies published in leading journals over the past five years. Applying this improved framework to the current balance of power suggests that the United States’ economic and military lead over other countries is much larger than typically assumed, and that the trends are mostly in America's favor.
Nationalism, Collaboration, and Resistance: France under Nazi Occupation
Authors: Kocher Matthew Adam , Lawrence Adria K. , Monteiro Nuno P.
Published: November 2018

Does nationalism produce resistance to foreign military occupation? The existing literature suggests that it does. Nationalism, however, also can lead to acquiescence and even to active collaboration with foreign conquerors. Nationalism can produce a variety of responses to occupation because political leaders connect nationalist motivations to other political goals. A detailed case study of the German occupation of France during World War II demonstrates these claims. In this highly nationalistic setting, Vichy France entered into collaboration with Germany despite opportunities to continue fighting in 1940 or defect from the German orbit later. Collaboration with Germany was widely supported by French elites and passively accommodated by the mass of nationalistic French citizens. Because both resisters and collaborators were French nationalists, nationalism cannot explain why collaboration was the dominant French response or why a relatively small number of French citizens resisted. Variation in who resisted and when resistance occurred can be explained by the international context and domestic political competition. Expecting a German victory in the war, French right-wing nationalists chose collaboration with the Nazis as a means to suppress and persecute their political opponents, the French Left. In doing so, they fostered resistance. This case suggests the need for a broader reexamination of the role of nationalism in explaining reactions to foreign intervention.
Reproductive status and burrow characteristics of females of the fiddler crab Tubuca rosea (Tweedie, 1937) (Brachyura, Ocypodidae) in southern Thailand
Authors: Keeratipattarakarn Kanitta , Tina Fahmida Wazed , Jaroensutasinee Mullica , Jaroensutasinee Krisanadej
Published: November 2018

We investigated the burrow characteristics (shapes, diameters, total and horizontal lengths, total depths, ground and mid angles, and volumes) of 39 large-sizedTubuca rosea(Tweedie, 1937) females (22 ovigerous; 17 non-ovigerous). We observed I- and J-shaped burrows in both ovigerous and non-ovigerous females, with higher numbers of J-shaped burrows in ovigerous females. However, in non-ovigerous females, I- and J-shaped burrow numbers were not different. Other burrow characteristics had higher values in ovigerous females than in non-ovigerous females. In ovigerous females, I- and J-shaped burrows were not different in diameters, total lengths, total depths, or volumes, but horizontal lengths, ground angles and mid angles were higher in J-shaped burrows. In non-ovigerous females, burrow characteristics (except diameter) were higher in J-shaped burrows than in I-shaped burrows. Our results show for the first time that burrow characteristics differ based on the reproductive status of female fiddler crabs inT. rosea.
Three new species of Pontellopsis (Copepoda, Calanoida) from Indonesian waters, with notes on their species-groups
Authors: Mulyadi
Published: November 2018

Three new species of Pontellopsis from Indonesian waters are herein described. Pontellopsis celebensis n. sp. is distinguishable by its very elongate Ur1 armed with a pair of anterolateral setules and the symmetrical P5 in the female; the right posterior corner of Pdg5 modified into a long, sickle-like process in the male. Pontellopsis bispinata n. sp. is characterized by a pair of anterolateral setules on Ur1 and the form of P5 in the female; the right posterior corner of Pdg5 is modified into a long, straight, sword-like process in the male.

Pontellopsis rajaensis n. sp. is described from female specimens only. It is distinguished by having the posterior corners of Pdg5 modified into rounded lobes and the form of P5. The establishment of five new species-groups of Pontellopsis, i.e., the P. herdmani-group, the P. macronyx-group, the P. pexa-group, the P. regalis-group, and the P. scotti-group, and in addition species as yet unassigned to groups, is here proposed.
Carapace asymmetries in crabs
Authors: Spani Federica , Scalici Massimiliano
Published: November 2018

Through the geometric morphometric approach of the landmark-based method applied on adult right-handed specimens ofCarcinus aestuarii,Liocarcinus depuratorandPotamon fluviatile, statistical analyses showed significant outcomes for fluctuating asymmetry in the three studied species, and directional asymmetry only inP. fluviatile(that showed a less convex carapace shape on the right side, where larger chela occurred). Although these findings may be correlated to some environmental constraints, such as soil composition, refuge occurrence and predatory pressure, also other interpretations may be proposed.
Two new species of gammarid amphipods from Tunisian fresh waters (Amphipoda, Gammaridae)
Authors: Ayati Khaoula , Dhaouadi Sonia , Mahmoudi Ezzeddine , Piscart Christophe
Published: November 2018

This study describes two new species of the genus Echinogammarus from springs and rivers located in northern Tunisia. These two species are related to the Echinogammarus simoni-group, but differ from those species in terms of several characteristics, such as a 3-articulated accessory flagellum of the first antennae, the lack of a dense setation on the second antennae, the presence of lateral setae on the telson and the lack of plumose setae on uropod 3. The first species, Echinogammarus carthaginiensis n. sp., is easily distinguishable from the second, Echinogammarus tunetanus n. sp., by the setation on the mandibular palp and gnathopods and the relative length of uropods 1 and 3. A full description of the two new species and information about their distribution is given in this paper.
An anomalous specimen of the deep-sea shrimp Glyphocrangon aculeata A. Milne-Edwards, 1881 (Decapoda, Caridea) from the South Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Alves-Júnior F. A. , Neumann-Leitão S. , Araújo M. S. L. C. , Souza-Filho J. F.
Published: November 2018

In this paper, we report some morphological abnormalities for the deep-sea shrimpGlyphocrangon aculeataA. Milne-Edwards, 1881, collected from the western South Atlantic. All specimens analysed herein were collected in Potiguar Basin, located in northeastern Brazil, through bottom trawls along the continental slope between 150 and 2068 m depth in 2009 and 2011. Out of 59 specimens, one ovigerous female, collected at 1074 m depth, was registered with abnormalities in some regions of the carapace, abdomen and telson. Factors such as genetic mutations, nutritional alterations, or deformities during ecdysis are suggested as being the most probable cause of the deformities reported here.
Frege’s Unmanageable Thing
Authors: Price Michael
Published: November 2018

Frege famously maintained that concepts are not objects. A key argument of Frege’s for this view is, in outline, as follows: if we are to account for the unity of thought, concepts must be deemed unsaturated; since objects are, by contrast, saturated entities, concepts cannot be objects. The author investigates what can be made of this argument and, in particular, of the unsaturated/saturated distinction it invokes. Systematically exploring a range of reconstructions suggested by Frege’s writings, and drawing on contemporary work, the author illustrates that no plausible reconstruction is forthcoming. In essence, it is altogether unclear how to simultaneously substantiate, on the one hand, the claim that unsaturated entities must be recognized in order to account for unity and, on the other, the claim that unsaturatedness is incompatible with objecthood.
Dinobryon ningwuensis (Chrysophyta, Dinobryaceae), a new freshwater species described from Shanxi province, China
Authors: JIANG XIAO-DIE , NAN FANG-RU , LV JUN-PING , LIU QI , XIE SHU-LIAN , KOCIOLEK JOHN PATRICK , FENG JIA
Published: November 2018

The new freshwater species of Chrysophyceae, Dinobryon ningwuensis is described from material collected from Pipahai Lake in Shanxi province, China. This new species is similar to D. sertularia, D. sociale and D. sociale var. americana in the shape of the lorica and organization of the colony. The cells have two heterokont flagella surrounded by a lorica and occurred both as free-living, solitary cells or in branched colonies. Our new species is characterized by having a cylindric lorica, wide and short, colonies are narrow and short in length. These features slightly differ D. ningwuensis from D. sertularia, D. sociale and D. sociale var. americana. In addition to describing the morphological structures of D. ningwuensis, a phylogenetic analysis based on sequences of the nuclear small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA), internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1), 5.8S rDNA and the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) placed this alga in single clade with a considerable sequence distance from the other Dinobryon species. Thus, results of both morphological comparisons and phylogenetic analysis based on molecular data suggest this alga as a new species, increasing the total number of recognized freshwater Chrysophyta species in China.
Cymbidium daweishanense (Orchidaceae; Epidendroideae), a new species from China: evidence from morphological and molecular analyses
Authors: ZHANG GUO-QIANG , CHEN GUI-ZHEN , LIU ZHONG-JIAN , LAN SI-REN
Published: November 2018

A new orchid species, Cymbidium daweishanense, from Yunnan Province, China, is described based on morphological and molecular analyses and illustrated. A detailed comparison between the newly discovered orchid and other members of Cymbidium was conducted. The new plant was similar to C. erythraeum, C. subgenus Cyperorchis, but differs in having smaller flowers, a lip free from even the basal margins of column and a glabrous column with many purple blotches. The phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear ribosomal ITS and plastid (matK, rbcL) sequence data support the status of C. daweishanense as a new species.
Validation of Hymenasplenium laterepens (Aspleniaceae): evidence from morphology and molecular analyses
Authors: CHANG YANFEN , HORI KIYOTAKA , MURAKAMI NORIAKI , CAO LIMIN , LU SHUGANG , SCHNEIDER HARALD
Published: November 2018

The name Hymenasplenium laterepens was first proposed by Cheng and Murakami in 1998 but was not validly published. We recently collected and studied this taxon at its locus classicus in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province in China. Molecular phylogenetic analyses and morphological observation of H. laterepens and related species clearly indicate that this is a distinct taxonomic entity worthy of species rank. Phylogenetically, H. laterepens is closely related to H. apogamum and may be involved in the reticulate evolution of the H. apogamum complex, which is comprised of several taxa with different levels of ploidy. Morphologically, H. laterepens is distinguished by the combination of its triangular laminae, large pinnae with acute apices and deeply serrated margins, and ca. 117 chromosomes at meiosis I and 32 spores in each sporangium. This work provides a complete species description and comparison to related species within the genus Hymenasplenium, particularly to other relatives of the “H. unilaterale” group. Hymenasplenium laterepens is described here with diagnosis and type designation.
The Consistency of MJO Teleconnection Patterns: An Explanation Using Linear Rossby Wave Theory
Authors: Tseng Kai-Chih , Maloney Eric , Barnes Elizabeth
Published: November 2018

The Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) excites strong variations in extratropical atmospheric circulations that have important implications for subseasonal-to-seasonal (S2S) prediction. A previous study showed that particular MJO phases are characterized by a consistent modulation of geopotential heights in the North Pacific and adjacent regions across different MJO events, and demonstrated that this consistency is beneficial for extended numerical weather forecasts (i.e., lead times of two weeks to one month). In this study, we examine the physical mechanisms that lead some MJO phases to have more consistent teleconnections than others using a linear baroclinic model. The results show that MJO phases 2, 3, 6, and 7 consistently generate Pacific–North American (PNA)-like patterns on S2S time scales while other phases do not. A Rossby wave source analysis is applied and shows that a dipole-like pattern of Rossby wave source on each side of the subtropical jet can increase the pattern consistency of teleconnections due to the constructive interference of similar teleconnection signals. On the other hand, symmetric patterns of Rossby wave source can dramatically reduce the pattern consistency due to destructive interference. A dipole-like Rossby wave source pattern is present most frequently when tropical heating is found in the Indian Ocean or the Pacific warm pool, and a symmetric Rossby wave source is present most frequently when tropical heating is located over the Maritime Continent. Thus, the MJO phase-dependent pattern consistency of teleconnections is a special case of this mechanism.
Regionally Enhanced Global (REG) 4D-Var
Authors: Herrera Michael A. , Szunyogh Istvan , Brainard Adam , Kuhl David D. , Hoppel Karl , Bishop Craig H. , Holt Teddy R. , Zhao Qingyun , Rainwater Sabrina
Published: November 2018

A regionally enhanced global (REG) data assimilation (DA) method is proposed. The technique blends high-resolution model information from a single or multiple limited-area model domains with global model and observational information to create a regionally enhanced analysis of the global atmospheric state. This single analysis provides initial conditions for both the global and limited-area model forecasts. The potential benefits of the approach for operational data assimilation are (i) reduced development cost, (ii) reduced overall computational cost, (iii) improved limited-area forecast performance from the use of global information about the atmospheric flow, and (iv) improved global forecast performance from the use of more accurate model information in the limited-area domains. The method is tested by an implementation on the U.S. Navy’s four-dimensional variational global data assimilation system and global and limited-area numerical weather prediction models. The results of the monthlong forecast experiments suggest that the REG DA approach has the potential to deliver the desired benefits.
Atrial fibrillation detected initially during acute medical illness: A systematic review
Authors: McIntyre William F , Um Kevin J , Cheung Christopher C , Belley-Côté Emilie P , Dingwall Orvie , Devereaux Philip J , Wong Jorge A , Conen David , Whitlock Richard P , Connolly Stuart J , Seifer Colette M , Healey Jeff S
Published: November 2018

Objective:

There is uncertainty about the incidence of and prognosis associated with atrial fibrillation that is documented for the first time in the setting of an acute stressor, such as surgery or medical illness. Our objective was to perform a systematic review of the incidence and long-term recurrence rates for atrial fibrillation occurring transiently with stress in the setting of acute medical illness.

Data sources:

Medline, Embase and Cochrane Central to September 2017.

Study selection:

We included retrospective and prospective observational studies, and randomised controlled trials. The population of interest included patients hospitalised for medical (i.e. non-surgical) illness who developed newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation. Studies were included if they included data on either the incidence of atrial fibrillation or the rate of atrial fibrillation recurrence in atrial fibrillation occurring transiently with stress patients following hospital discharge.

Data extraction:

Two reviewers collected data independently and in duplicate. We characterised each study’s methodology for ascertainment of prior atrial fibrillation history, atrial fibrillation during hospitalisation and atrial fibrillation recurrence after hospital discharge.

Data synthesis:

Thirty-six studies reported the incidence of atrial fibrillation. Ten used a prospective design and included a period of continuous electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring. Atrial fibrillation incidence ranged from 1% to 44%, which was too heterogeneous to justify meta-analysis ( I2=99%). In post-hoc meta-regression models, the use of continuous ECG monitoring explained 13% of the variance in atrial fibrillation incidence, while care in an intensive care unit explained none. Two studies reported the long-term rate of atrial fibrillation recurrence following atrial fibrillation occurring transiently with stress. Neither of these studies used prospective, systematic monitoring. Recurrence rates at 5 years ranged from 42% to 68%.

Conclusions:

The incidence of atrial fibrillation with medical illness may be as high as 44%, with higher estimates in reports using continuous ECG monitoring. Within 5 years following hospital discharge, atrial fibrillation recurrence is documented in approximately half of patients; however, the true rate may be higher.

Protocol registration

PROSPERO CRD42016043240
Real-life use of left ventricular circulatory support with Impella in cardiogenic shock after acute myocardial infarction: 12 years AMC experience
Authors: Ouweneel Dagmar M , de Brabander Justin , Karami Mina , Sjauw Krischan D , Engström Annemarie E , Vis M Marije , Wykrzykowska Joanna J , Beijk Marcel A , Koch Karel T , Baan Jan , de Winter Robbert J , Piek Jan J , Lagrand Wim K , Cherpanath Thomas GV , Driessen Antoine HG , Cocchieri Riccardo , de Mol Bas AJM , Tijssen Jan GP , Henriques José PS
Published: November 2018

Aims:

Mortality in cardiogenic shock patients remains high. Short-term mechanical circulatory support with Impella can be used to support the circulation in these patients, but data from randomised controlled studies and ‘real-world’ data are sparse. The aim is to describe real-life data on outcomes and complications of our 12 years of clinical experience with Impella in patients with cardiogenic shock after acute myocardial infarction and to identify predictors of 6-month mortality.

Methods:

We describe a single-centre registry from October 2004 to December 2016 including all patients treated with Impella for cardiogenic shock after acute myocardial infarction. We report outcomes and complications and identify predictors of 6-month mortality.

Results:

Our overall clinical experience consists of 250 patients treated with Impella 2.5, Impella CP or Impella 5.0. A total of 172 patients received Impella therapy for cardiogenic shock, of which 112 patients had cardiogenic shock after acute myocardial infarction. The mean age was 60.1±10.6 years, mean arterial pressure was 67 (56–77) mmHg, lactate was 6.2 (3.6–9.7) mmol/L, 87.5% were mechanically ventilated and 59.6% had a cardiac arrest before Impella placement. Overall 30-day mortality was 56.2% and 6-month mortality was 60.7%. Complications consisted of device-related vascular complications (17.0%), non-device-related bleeding (12.5%), haemolysis (7.1%) and stroke (3.6%). In a multivariate analysis, pH before Impella placement is a predictor of 6-month mortality.

Conclusions:

Our registry shows that Impella treatment in cardiogenic shock after acute myocardial infarction is feasible, although mortality rates remain high and complications occur.
Promoter-enhancer looping and shadow enhancers of the mouse αA-crystallin locus
Authors: McGreal-Estrada Rebecca S. , Wolf Louise V. , Cvekl Ales
Published: November 2018

Gene regulation by enhancers is important for precise temporal and spatial gene expression. Enhancers can drive gene expression regardless of their location, orientation, or distance from the promoter. Changes in chromatin conformation and chromatin looping occur to bring the promoter and enhancers into close proximity. αA-crystallin ranks among one of the most abundantly expressed genes and proteins in the mammalian lens. The αA-crystallin locus is characterized by a 16 kb chromatin domain marked by two distal enhancers, 5’ DCR1 and 3’ DCR3. Here we used chromatin conformation capture (3C) analysis and transgenic approaches to analyze temporal control of the mouse αA-crystallin gene. We find that DCR1 is necessary, but not sufficient alone to drive expression at E10.5 in the mouse lens pit. Chromatin looping revealed interaction between the promoter and the region 3’ to DCR1, identifying a novel enhancer region in the αA-crystallin locus. We determined that this novel enhancer region, DCR1S, recapitulates the temporal control by DCR1. Acting as shadow enhancers, DCR1 and DCR1S are able to control expression in the lens vesicle at E11.5. It remains to be elucidated however, which region of the αA-crystallin locus is responsible for expression in the lens pit at E10.5.
Parallel signaling pathways regulate excitable dynamics differently to mediate pseudopod formation during eukaryotic chemotaxis
Authors: Tanabe Yuki , Kamimura Yoichiro , Ueda Masahiro
Published: November 2018

In eukaryotic chemotaxis, parallel signaling pathways regulate the spatiotemporal pseudopod dynamics at the leading edge of a motile cell through the characteristic dynamics of an excitable system; however, differences in the excitability and the physiological roles of individual pathways remain to be elucidated. Here, we found that two different pathways, mediated by soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), caused similar all-or-none responses for sGC localization and phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate production but with different refractory periods, by undertaking simultaneous observations of the excitable properties of the two pathways in Dictyostelium cells. Owing to the shorter refractory period, sGC signaling responded more frequently to chemoattractants, leading to pseudopod formation with higher frequency. sGC excitability was regulated negatively by its product cGMP and by cGMP-binding protein C (GbpC) through the suppression of F-actin polymerization, providing the underlying delayed negative-feedback mechanism for the cyclical pseudopod formation. These results suggest that parallel pathways respond to environmental cues on different timescales in order to mediate chemotactic motility in a manner based on their intrinsic excitability.
CCDC102B functions in centrosome linker assembly and centrosome cohesion
Authors: Xia Yuqing , Huang Ning , Chen Zhiquan , Li Fangyuan , Fan Guiliang , Ma Dandan , Chen Jianguo , Teng Junlin
Published: November 2018

The proteinaceous centrosome linker is an important structure that allows the centrosome to function as a single microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) in interphase cells. However, the assembly mechanism of the centrosome linker components remains largely unknown. In this study, we identify CCDC102B as a new centrosome linker protein that is required for maintaining centrosome cohesion. CCDC102B is recruited to the centrosome by C-Nap1 (also known as CEP250) and interacts with the centrosome linker components rootletin and LRRC45. CCDC102B decorates and facilitates the formation of rootletin filaments. Furthermore, CCDC102B is phosphorylated by Nek2A (an isoform encoded by NEK2) and is disassociated from the centrosome at the onset of mitosis. Together, our findings reveal a molecular role for CCDC102B in centrosome cohesion and centrosome linker assembly.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first authors of the paper.
BIG DATA: POTENTIAL, CHALLENGES, AND IMPLICATIONS IN OFFICIAL STATISTICS
Authors: Elezaj Ogerta , Tole Dhimitri
Published: November 2018

The data explosion called “data deluge”, is already starting to transform public institutions redefining their way of producing statistics in response to Big Data. The use of Big Data is considered as an innovation in the production of official statistics facing a range of opportunities, challenges and risks. This “data deluge” requires a number of challenges to be addressed in various domains: technological, legal, methodological, and statistical. Even though big data is changing the paradigm of producing statistics in many public organizations, an open debate still exists involving both IT specialists and statisticians of national statistical institutions.  In this paper we will provide an overview regarding the concepts of Big Data as a data source in production of official statistics by government institutions with the main focus on providing a synoptic overview of opportunities, challenges and risks. Following this, in the next section we will analyse a case study related to the potential use of mobile positing data, and how this data could be used to produce national statistical indicators in the country. This study serves as an example to identify some critical issues on challenges and risks, draw conclusions and give recommendations on the proper ways to shift to Big Data paradigm usage in the government sector in Albania.
THE STORY OF THE ICY PARADISE: POLISH MIGRATION TO NORWAY AFTER THE EU ENLARGEMENT (2004) IN THE LIGHT OF RESEARCH AND STATISTICAL DATA
Authors: Gmaj Katarzyna , Iglicka Krystyna
Published: November 2018

This paper highlights basic trends in migration outflows of Poles to Norway. It focuses on the fact that Polish migrants constitute the biggest group of immigrants in Norway and addresses the question regarding their geographical distribution. The authors analyse some theoretical approaches, statistical data and trends with special emphasis on the demographics of the Polish population in Norway in relation to the labour market and family behaviours. Furthermore, the analysis presented in this paper emphasizes that, along with the networks and growing number of children, a part of the temporary Polish migration into Norway has been transformed from circular migration into permanent migration. Therefore, adaptation of Polish migrants in Norway is better explained in terms of different stages in the migratory process rather than in terms of different categories of migrants. What is more, the process of pioneering male migration followed by a family reunification seems similar to that observed in Polish migration to the UK.
CHALLENGES IN PROMOTING ECONOMIC GROWTH OF GHANA THROUGH VALUE ADDED EXPORTS
Authors: Ibrahim Isaac , Liu Haiyun
Published: November 2018

Ghana is endowed with natural resources such as gold, cocoa, crude oil, and other factor endowments that gives the country a comparative advantage in trade. Ghana, a low-middle income country, is the second largest producer of gold in Africa and 11th in the world, as well as the second largest exporter of cocoa in the world. With all the factor endowments and export potential however, the country exports basically raw materials with little value addition and therefore is deprived of the full benefits accruing to trade and exports.This paper employs an empirical method and applies the Ricardian Model of Comparative Advantage using available secondary data to explore the importance of exports to the economic growth of the country and certain challenges of value addition. The findings show that exports promote economic growth as well as that value addition can be beneficial in earnings and needs government attention in following the recommendations therein.
MANAGEMENT OF CONSOLIDATION PROCESSES IN RUSSIA: SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ASPECTS
Authors: Ignatova Tatiana , Pavlyukova Antonina , Boldyreva Lyubov , Solonina Svetlana
Published: November 2018

This article argues that to assess the consolidation of the society and its elite, it is necessary to elaborate mechanisms of national security and the methodological instruments of dialectics. It will allow as the aim of the research attempt to be the determination of the measure and limits of consolidation and reconsolidation, and to find out their essential difference from the integration and reintegration of society. It is shown that the methodology of consolidation analysis of Russian society has its qualitative and quantitative measurements. Qualitative and quantitative assessment of consolidation allows to determine the essence of the category, its modern incarnation, trends of strengthening or weakening, as well as to present mechanisms of national security provision due to a modern stage of development. Consolidation is viewed as a specific case of integration of society and state preferences, society and personal interests, interests of different elites and the state as a whole. The efficiency of the implementation of social development principles depends mostly on the integration of society The principles would adopt differently aimed interests and consolidate platforms of the society.
OHSAS 18001: 2007 IN THE PRACTICE OF BULGARIAN ORGANIZATIONS
Authors: Ivanova Radka
Published: November 2018

Using appropriate methods and management tools is a prerequisite for the effective functioning of any organization. Staff are particularly sensitive to the conditions under which they have to work, so employers should ensure compliance with specific rules and procedures, depending on the characteristics of the particular field of activity. In this regard, the implementation and certification of OHSAS 18001 is of great importance as the possession of a certificate can be considered as a guarantee of compliance with the relevant requirements. Therefore, in this paper we aim to present the main features of OHSAS 18001: 2007 currently in force as well as the peculiarities of the standard for a safe and healthy working environment which has been preparing since 2013 by the International Organization for Standardization under the name ISO 45001 Occupational health and safety management systems - Requirements with guidance for use. Currently, ISO 45001 is waiting for its completion and final publication, after which the process of transition from OHSAS 18001: 2007 to ISO 45001 will start, providing three years as a grace period for implementing the new requirements throughout organizations. We are also interested in the extent of the OHSAS 18001 standard dissemination among Bulgarian organizations, which is monitored in the sectorial and regional directions.
RISK ASSESSMENT IN SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC
Authors: Janasová Denisa , Strelcová Stanislava
Published: November 2018

The analysis and evaluation of risks are a decisive part of risk assessment in the risk management framework. Based on the results of the analysis and risk evaluation we can classify the risks as acceptable and unacceptable ones and subsequently manage them. The small and medium enterprises pay the analysis and risk evaluation the lowest attention. In our opinion this is linked with failing to utilise exact methods which seem to be complicated for their practical utilisation. They are not used especially for analysing and evaluating the risks which have their basis in epistemic uncertainty. The professional community has been discussing epistemic uncertainty for a long time. This assumption is valid mainly in the SMEs which have no competent person on the one hand and a shortage of information concerning the area assessed on the other hand. The main goal of this article is to assess the current state of implementing the process of analysing and evaluating the risk in the SMEs and to define the main problems from a questionnaire research carried out in 2017 in which 485 SMEs working in Slovakia took part. On the base of the conducted research, we can state that in spite of the fact that only high-quality risk assessment leads the companies to take suitable measures for risk reduction, the companies pay unadequate attention to the analysis and risk evaluation.
POSSIBLE USE OF A GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM WITHIN CRISIS MANAGEMENT SIMULATIONS
Authors: Jánošíková Michaela , Ristvej Jozef , Lacinák Maroš
Published: November 2018

In this paper we deal with Global Information Systems (GIS) used within simulations of crisis management through the phases of the Crisis Management Cycle. In the first part of this paper we point out the short description of the phases and the possible use of GIS within these phases and in simulations within crisis management. In the second part we introduce the GIS in the Slovak Republic with focuses on use in crisis management. The third part is giving possibilities of the interconnections among simulation technologies and GIS within crisis management with a focus on the newly built Laboratory of Modelling and Simulation of Crisis Phenomena in Transport and in different environments. Within conclusions we would like to point out the possibilities for further discussions and directions within this interesting and important topic.
LOUIS VUITTON AS AN EXAMPLE OF THE OLD AND MODERN IN THE SAME TIME LUXURY BRAND IN THE EYES OF ITS CLIENTELE
Authors: Kasztalska Anastazja Magdalena
Published: November 2018

Louis Vuitton is a brand that has exists for a very long time and it is the perfect example to visualize how a brand can develop itself according to the needs of modern consumers. The findings of this article show that when a brand changes but saves its main features, that comes from its history, it can gain more income. Louis Vuitton can generate income through the collaboration with young artists who lead the company to a success in the market of luxury fashion. The aim of this article is to show that the Louis Vuitton Brand use the same methods since years per years and they work well perfectly by increasing the income of the brand.
CONSTRUCTING A STARTUP STRATEGY FRAME
Authors: Khan Muhammad Rahatullah
Published: November 2018

Startup success is greatly attributed to pre-startup phase planning. Startups develop business plans to pitch their ideas to secure funding and/or partners. The task of reading and, relating the frameworks in the document, could be a long and cumbersome process. Similarly, there is no one page illustration that can sketch a startup’s strategy and plan as well as one that is used universally. A one page clear, concise and attractive startup strategy model a ‘startup frame’ is proposed detailing ideation to financial returns analysis. It is constructed on learnings from considerations of the design thinking approach, the business canvas along others. The frame has evolved over a period of 14 months in which two bootcamps were held. Bootcamps were attended by 266 participants. It has also been used by 28 students of a senior entrepreneurship undergraduate course (Launching Entrepreneurial Ventures) over two semesters. It provides a logical flow and connects value drivers on economic, operational and strategic levels of the startup. The frame enables identifying courses of action like, ‘Management of customer benefits (CBEN), Management of segmentation and the customer relationships (CREL), Segmentation of markets and customers (SEGM), Communication management (COMM), Strategic Goal Setting and Management (SGM), Competitor Analysis (CA), Developing Startup Frame (SF), Designing the Business, and Design Elements (DE)’.
SUPPORTING SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED BUSINESSES IN SPECIFIC SERVICES WITHIN SLOVAKIA
Authors: Kubás Jozef , Šoltés Viktor , Štofková Katarína Repková
Published: November 2018

Providing private security is considered a specific type of business service, primarily carried out by small- and medium-sized enterprises. This specific type of business complements the state services in the field of internal security. State institutions support the creation of small- and medium-sized enterprises through targeted subsidies. The principal goal of this paper is to describe the business environment within Slovakia, focusing on small and medium enterprises providing services of private security. The secondary aim of the paper is to explain the support available for such business through subsidies from public authorities. The number of enterprises that provide services of private security, along with the number of their employees, is relevant. The outputs of the paper can be used as part of the analysis of the competitive environment by subsidy applicants who plan to operate in this specific area.
EMPLOYEES’ EXTRINSIC MOTIVES AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING: INTERVENING ROLE OF AN INTRINSIC MOTIVE
Authors: Kuruppuge Ravindra Hewa , Gregar Aleš , Kudláček Ladislav , Jayawardena Chandana
Published: November 2018

Drives of knowledge sharing in businesses not only arise extrinsically from employees but also intrinsically. Accordingly, this study focuses on examining the effect of employee’s organizational identification (intrinsic motive) on the relationship between the organizational climate (extrinsic motive) and employee’s knowledge sharing in family businesses in Sri Lanka. Measures of organizational climate, organizational identification, and knowledge sharing were collected by a questionnaire survey of 126 employees working in family businesses. Stratified random sampling technique selected respondents from diverse firms and jobs. While descriptive and correlation analysis elaborated the sample characteristics, the results of the hierarchical regression indicated that extrinsic motivational factors of organizational climate have strong positive relations to employees’ knowledge sharing. Additionally, results confirmed that employees’ intrinsic motivational factor of organizational identification mediates the relationship between organizational climate and employees’ knowledge sharing. Theoretically, this study contributes to linking employees’ extrinsic and intrinsic motives of knowledge sharing in family business context to expand the employees’ behavioural theories. Practically, managers of family businesses would find new avenues to promote employees’ knowledge sharing.
PROJECT RISK IDENTIFICATION OF A NEW PRODUCT IN ENTERPRISE IN SLOVAKIA
Authors: Masár Matej , Hudáková Mária
Published: November 2018

Enterprises want to focus on successfully managed projects. Projects must be focused on fulfilling project expectations and setting project objectives. It is necessary to ensure the early identification of project risks. If managers understand and know project risks, they can mitigate them. They can use mitigation to prevent projects from failing, or financial loses in the company. The main aim of this paper is the identification of project risks of a new product in a particular company in the Slovak Republic using the method of brainstorming. Risks can positively but mainly negatively affect the implementation of the proposed project. The proposed project was created based on the methods of analysis, forecasting, comparison, synthesis and provided information from a specific enterprise. The identified risks are grouped into the specified project implementation categories, in order to better identify the identified risks as well as to implement other project risk management steps. The results of the study show that early identification of project risks should be a responsibility for project team members, for top managers and the corporate culture of each enterprise.
MODELING THE VOLUME OF PRODUCTION IN SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN THE REGIONS OF RUSSIA
Authors: Pinkovetskaia Iuliia
Published: November 2018

The object of the study is the consideration of all small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that are located in each of the regions of Russia. The purpose of the research is the evaluation of two-factor production functions that describe the dependence of the production volume of SMEs from the wage of employees and the fixed assets. The data for this reaseach was obtained from the official statistical observation of activities of all Russian SMEs in the 82 regions of Russia for 2015. The study allowed to determine the factors influencing turnover of SMEs located in all regions, to prove the high quality of approximation of the initial data by the two-factor production functions.  The functions which were determined show that the economy of the regions of the country have not yet reached a saturation point with the goods and services of SMEs, and that they have increasing returns of scale in production in addition to considerable reserves for further development. Because sum of the degree values in the coefficients of the production functions is more than 1 and with the increase of both factors production growth is faster than the factors growth.  The results of the study, namely new knowledge and tools for assessing production activities of small and medium enterprises in the regions, are of scientific and practical importance.  They  can be used by government and regional authorities to monitor the efficiency of investment in fixed assets and work resources, as well as the implementation of the Federal strategy for SMEs development for the period up to 2030. The methodology that were used in the research process can be applied to similar researches in countries with a significant amount of territorial (administrative) units.
SCIENCE COLLABORATION AS A MODERN INSTITUTION FOR DEVELOPING STATE MANAGEMENT OF INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL IN RUSSIA
Authors: Popova Ekaterina , Zolochevskaya Elena , Morozova Anastasiya
Published: November 2018

In the contemporary context of scientific and technical development, the tendency to form science collaborations is of particular importance. The main driving force in developing a knowledge economy and an information society as intellectual capital is a tool aimed at creating and accumulating knowledge, improving creative skills and abilities, and solving strategic state problems. The low level of coordination between the activities of public authorities and scientific structures has led to an urgent need for integrative capacities in the form of scientific collaborations. The article highlights features of development of these associations, providing an effective modern system of public administration in the fields of science, technology, and innovation, and increasing the appeal of investing in research and development and assist in competitiveness and economic security of the country. Authors analyzed factors limiting the realization of intellectual potential and contributing to the formation of actual intellectual framework as well as trends of development of scientific collaborations in Russia.