bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
WAYS TOWARDS ADVANCED AUTOMATIC MEASURES TO PREVENT VAT EVASION
Authors: Grona Andrew Vadimovich
Published: June 2018

This paper intends to bring a view on possible measures, which the Cabinet of Ministers and Finance Department of Ukraine are authorized to implement. These measures concern introducing new criteria for evaluating the level of risks, sufficient for stopping a registration of tax invoices/adjustment calculations, depending on a kind of the stated goods’ issue. Both the criteria and implementation of those are based on the information, received from an au- tomated VAT payers’ inventory accounting system, necessary for creationas a component of VAT electronic administration system. The paper brings a view on measures, intended to automate a processof reviewing tax payers’ written expla- nations by the SFS committee, established in accord to FDU’s order # 566 on 13.06.2017. In addition, some automatic measures to prevent realizing the “twist- ing” operations have been proposed in the paper. It was noted that the procedure for stopping the registration of risky tax invoices was introduced as a means of automatically preventing such a widespread VAT avoidance scheme as a “twist” for all goods, and not just for fuel. In this article, under the risky tax billing/ adjustment calculations, it is proposed to understand such tax invoices/adjust- ments calculations that satisfy the approved criteria of the Ministry of Finance to assess the degree of risk sufficient to stop their registration. It is noted that the principle of indiscretion has already been established in Ukraine. It is estab- lished prematurely, since it is not yet backed up by effective automatic measures to prevent VAT deviations. The real implementation of this principle is one of the key points in improving the investment climate and implementing economic re- forms in Ukraine. It will sharply increase the level of freedom of doing business in Ukraine, will open the way for an automatic VAT refund procedure and deprive enterprises of unreasonable checks that are carried out in connection with the detection of tax breaches by their counterparties (and, more often, counteragents of their counterparties).
MAIN TRENDS AND DIRECTIONS OF DEVELOPMENT OF THE SYSTEM OF PUBLIC GOVERNANCE BY SOCIAL-ECONOMIC PROCESSES OF UKRAINE
Authors: Nepomnyashchyy Oleksandr Mykhailovych , Diegtiar Oleg Andriyovych
Published: June 2018

The article analyzes the peculiarities and tendencies of the deve- lopment of the system of public administration of socio-economic processes in Ukraine. The authors paid special attention to the formation of measures aimed at implementing the principles of transparency and democracy in the activities of public administration bodies. The processes of globalization and the formation of an information society contributed to the development of these activities, which helped to improve the efficiency of public administration, and, consequently, the quality of life of society as a whole.
Under public administration, the article refers to a set of functions of public- law formations implemented on the basis of the principles of transparency, lega- lity, democracy, strategic partnership of power, population and business, ensuring sustainable feedback and involving in the process of managing the population in the form of institutionalized relations at the state, regional, municipal levels, in order to ensure sustainable socio-economic development of the territories and improve the quality of life. Consequently, for each public administration autho- rity of a particular level (state, local), in accordance with the current legislation, the implementation of certain management functions is fixed.
It is noted that the complexity and cumbersomeness of legislation in many respects complicates the control over its compliance and requires, for these pur- poses, a significant involvement of all kinds of resources by public administration bodies, which, in their constraints, is particularly critical. Implementation of the strategic partnership of government, population and business in the context of sustainable development, in our opinion, means the formation of new value sys- tems for all participants in socio-economic relations in the context of the Global Reporting Initiative and combining their efforts in balancing economic, environ- mental and social processes based on socio-economic partnership of the popula- tion, government and business.
REFORMING OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN UKRAINE: PRACTICAL ASPECTS
Authors: Mazurenko Mikhail Pavlovich
Published: June 2018

The practical aspects of the reform of local government in Ukraine at the present stage of decentralization of power are highlighted, namely: in the conditions of voluntary association of territorial communities on the example of Koropsky district of Chernihiv region. It is proved that the administrative and territorial reform of the territorial formation of the administrative unit, which will carry the name of the rayon and which will unite several united territorial communities, should be a logical continuation of the process of completion of the association of territorial communities. This should depend on the geographical location, the availability of infrastructure, the road transport network, the avail- ability of medical services, and other factors.
It was noted that in order to ensure the implementation of the provisions of the Concept for the reform of local self-government and the territorial organiza- tion of power in Ukraine, a district council of representatives of OTG should be formed in such a structural unit, which will provide the main powers of lo- cal government bodies at the district level. The district council should establish its own executive body, which should be under its control and accountable. The system of central executive authorities in the newly created administrative unit (rayon) may be represented by the relevant body set up by the Cabinet of Minis- ters of Ukraine, whose functions should include the coordination of the activities of the territorial units of the executive power on the ground and control over the targeted and effective use of the State budget funds that will be received on the development of the respective territories.
It has been determined that local authorities, which are one of the main sub- jects of public administration at the local level and, in particular, the develop- ment of territories, most in their activity take into account the traditions of the people, their mentality, the level of development of civil society and its ability.
AN OVERVIEW OF THE DISCURSIVE FIELD OF THE PROBLEMS OF THE FORMATION OF SOCIAL AND CIVIL DIALOGUE FOR PUBLIC DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Chaplay Iryna Vіtalіivna
Published: June 2018

The article features the behavior of participants in social and civil dialogue. Particular attention is paid to the formation of the main tools for the formation of the social and civilian potential of state development. The central role in shaping this process was played by the state authorities, providing the necessary communication tools of communication, which take place in all direc- tions of public administration. These tools are both formal and informal. It has been determined that these lower units in the multilayer system of com- munication support of state administration may not have sufficient powers to make a complex decision in their area of competence. This may reduce their own initiative and, in a broader sense, the habit of comfort, routine and the lack of an innovative communication process. On the contrary, a properly organized social and civil dialogue is developing on the basis of stimulating its self-organization and self-improvement.It is substantiated that the main functions of establishing a social and civ- il dialogue for state development are the coordination and coordination of the main tasks of information exchange and the formation of an atmosphere of mu- tual support and trust. The trustworthy nature of the social and civic provision of public administration is a prerequisite for a communication process through which information for a public decision is passed from one participant to another organization. This very form of social and civil dialogue has the potential to be an integrated means for uniting often conflicting participants in the communication process to ensure that common and acceptable solutions are adopted for both parties. The main problem of the formation of the socio-civilian potential of state development is due to the fact that not all information related to decision-making is in the hands of the subject of decision-making. That is why the necessary part of the democratic form of government is the establishment of meaningful com- munication tools of state authorities and the public.
STATE REGULATION OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES MARKET IN UKRAINE
Authors: Akimova Lyudmila Nikolayevna , Lysachok Alla Vasilievna
Published: June 2018

The essence of such concepts is “financial service”, “financial services market”, and “participants of the financial services market”; determined the purpose of state regulation of the financial services market; forms of state regulation of the financial services market; financial services that are present in the financial services market; the structure of state regulation bodies of the financial services market in Ukraine is given; The role of state bodies in the regulation of the financial services market was studied; to characterize the regulatory legal regulation of the financial services market in Ukraine; the main problems of functioning of the domestic market of financial services are revealed; ways to solve existing problems. It is grounded that the state regulation of financial services markets consists in the state’s implementation of a set of measures aimed at regulating and overseeing financial services markets to protect the interests of financial services consumers and preventing crisis phenomena. It is concluded that the financial services market is an important element of the development of the economy as a whole, in particular, it concerns not only the state but also society. We must understand that when this market is settled, that is, all bodies that carry out state regulation are competent in their powers, only then will we make informed, effective decisions about the normal and effective functioning of the RFP. It is important that the data of the subjects of control do not overlap, their activities should be fixed at the legislative level. It is also worth bearing in mind that appropriate conditions must be created to create compensatory mechanisms in the financial services markets by developing a system for guaranteeing deposits and providing for payments under long-term life insurance contracts, non-state pension provisions, deposits with deposit accounts to credit unions, etс.
ANALYSIS RESEARCHES ON DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC MANAGEMENT IN UKRAINE WITHIN THE SYSTEM OF INTERNATIONAL AND LEGAL STANDARDS
Authors: Al-Atti Iryna Vasylivna
Published: June 2018

Fundamentally new approaches to public management in international and legal aspect which are highlighted in scientific researchers have been defined in the article. Importance of every catalyst-reasons offered by the researches, amendments in fundamentals of public management as affected by the international law have been analyzed. Scientific researches, in the context of innovations in the sphere of public management with due regard for international and legal aspects, have been analyzed. Classification of reforms based on the principle of readiness of the Ukrainian management system for the amendments offered by the scientists has been carried out. The conclusion is made that the Ukrainian state should implement new management standards more efficiently, and it refers not only to modernization of the political sphere but also to the balanced development of administrative, economic, social, spiritual spheres of social life. It is determined that today the scientific aspects of the supranational dimension in modern social management have remained beyond the attention of the scientists. Due to the study of the peculiarities of the European experience in the organization of democratic state governance and the systemic characteristics of the development of integration processes, the following directions of improvement of public administration as part of the process of building a democratic society in Ukraine are identified: 1) strengthening of the influence of the European administrative space on the system of public administration in Ukraine; 2) optimization of public administration in accordance with criteria of EU membership, humanization and systematization of public administration. It is these directions that can serve as the subject of individual scientific studies, taking into account the adaptation of foreign experience to national conditions. It is substantiated that in the present moment in Ukraine the main possibility of mutual exchange of experience in the field of public administration is carried out with the help of international cooperation. Therefore, it is precisely on the basis of the analysis of both foreign and domestic scientific research that it is possible to develop, design, and identify the main stages of the development of public administration in Ukraine, taking into account the main and important international legal norms, traditions and principles.
PROBLEM OF FORMATION OF QUALIFICATION-PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS AS THE BASIS OF SELECTION OF PUBLIC SERVICE PERSONS IN UKRAINE: METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH
Authors: Andreev Vasyl Nikolayevich
Published: June 2018

The article analyzed regulatory documents of Ukraine, which regulate the issues of determining the professional qualification requirements for employees, and find out that these documents establish requirements that are non-systemic and can be applied to any managerial position. The author proposes, taking into account the tendencies of the development of the public service system, to identify seven types of competencies of public servants: political, legal, economic, social, psychological, managerial, moral and ethical. Political competence and moral legitimacy implies an understanding of the nature of the basic social functions and organizational structure of the modern state, the principles and forms of democracy, the nature of the interaction between different branches of government, the role of political parties in the life of society. Legal (legal) competence of civil servants is formed in the course of basic vocational training, which relates to the main branches of law and is based on the skills of its professional application in various spheres of activity. Economic competence is differentiated depending on the specialization of civil servants and within the framework of a general for all level should include an assessment of the ability to apply a comparative analysis of key economic concepts. Sociological competence is related to the awareness of civil servants of the concept of the social structure of modern society, its dynamics and its impact on political and socio-economic processes. Psychological competence is the basis for effective communication contacts, when it is necessary to understand people, their interests, motives and intentions, to find an individual approach to them. Management competence includes knowledge of management methods, value-orientation regulation, integrated management of labor motivation, development of creative potential, etc.
FEATURES OF THE MAIN APPROACHES OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION USE TO PROFESSIONAL AND AMATEUR ARTS
Authors: Lebiedieva Nadiia Anatoliivna
Published: June 2018

The article describes some peculiarities of using the basic approaches of state administration for professional and amateur arts. It is established that for the State it is necessary to provide an assistance to artistic development in all spheres of its appearance. The use of an indicative approach to professional and amateur art management is recommended. It is revealed that indicative state management of art will be able to transform the subjects of management into the subjects of responsibility, who will achieve clearly defined spiritual and educational tasks and become accountable. This will contribute to systematic assessment of the practice of state and municipal management of professional and amateur art and will allow to adjust educational policy at all levels of government — the state, the region, the settlement, a separate union of artists. It is proved that the formation of professional and amateur arts in the system of public administration should take place through the process of understanding the aspects of individual and group behavior, the system analysis, planning methods, motivation and control, quantitative methods and decision making. Applying the philosophical approach to the problem under study, I believe that a healthy society can not be imagined without art. Man in its essence tends to be beautiful, to recreate the surrounding world through the prism of their own feelings of objective reality in works of art. That is why, for the state, it is extremely necessary to ensure the promotion of artistic development in all areas of its manifestation. It is noted that one of the main approaches of the state administration to the formation of professional and amateur art is the author of this article considers the philosophical approach. There are also special connections of personality and social factors that determine the spiritual crisis of man.
CHANGING OF MENTAL MODELS FOR EFFECTIVE DECISION-MAKING
Authors: Naplyokov Yuriy Vasilievich
Published: June 2018

This article explains the role of mental models and the need of their change to make effective decisions. It is substantiated that the mental model rests on changes to save the system and minimize the risk. An example of this resistance is the complicated and slow process of political reform in Ukraine, which forms a new national mentality model. Political initiatives are aimed at creating a new legitimate mental model, which should be more effective than the previous, in a new environment. But from 2014 to 2017 of the nearly five thousand proposed legislative proposals, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has only adopted a few dozen. It is noted that the review of mental models is a complex process that requires additional energy expenditure, such as stress, loss of comfort, security, money, etc. The ability to change the mental model may require personal courage, creativity, independence, and imagination. To view mental models, the leader must apply the appropriate leadership power and styles, establish an appropriate organizational culture and climate, show positive and optimistic behavior to encourage team members and motivate them to change. It is noted that in the new environment, the decision maker can fluctuate closely to the so-called “line of comfort” for making a decision. This is a line of psychological comfort according to the existing mental model. For better and faster decision-making, you may need to create a new “line of comfort” by looking at the mental model. Thus, in a new environment, the decision maker can again make decisions on the basis of a new mental model. It is proved that mental models are relatively stable, but changing the environment makes them look. The growing conflict between the system and the environment inevitably forms a new mental model, which should again balance the system.
AN OVERVIEW OF THE DISCURSIVE FIELD OF THE PROBLEMS OF THE FORMATION OF SOCIAL AND CIVIL DIALOGUE FOR PUBLIC DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Chaplay Iryna Vіtalіivna
Published: June 2018

The article features the behavior of participants in social and civil dialogue. Particular attention is paid to the formation of the main tools for the formation of the social and civilian potential of state development. The central role in shaping this process was played by the state authorities, providing the necessary communication tools of communication, which take place in all directions of public administration. These tools are both formal and informal.

It has been determined that these lower units in the multilayer system of communication support of state administration may not have sufficient powers to make a complex decision in their area of competence. This may reduce their own initiative and, in a broader sense, the habit of comfort, routine and the lack of an innovative communication process. On the contrary, a properly organized social and civil dialogue is developing on the basis of stimulating its self-organization and self-improvement.

It is substantiated that the main functions of establishing a social and civil dialogue for state development are the coordination and coordination of the main tasks of information exchange and the formation of an atmosphere of mutual support and trust. The trustworthy nature of the social and civic provision of public administration is a prerequisite for a communication process through which information for a public decision is passed from one participant to another organization. This very form of social and civil dialogue has the potential to be an integrated means for uniting often conflicting participants in the communication process to ensure that common and acceptable solutions are adopted for both parties. The main problem of the formation of the socio-civilian potential of state development is due to the fact that not all information related to decision-making is in the hands of the subject of decision-making. That is why the necessary part of the democratic form of government is the establishment of meaningful communication tools of state authorities and the public.
IMPROVEMENT OF MECHANISMS OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN FIELD OF FIRE SAFETY AS A COMPLEX NATIONAL SECURITY
Authors: Bugaytsov Sergey Georgiyovych , Shoyko Vasyl Anatoliyovych
Published: June 2018

The article describes the objects of administrative influences from the position of development of the sphere of fire safety. Mechanisms of state management of the fire safety sphere in Ukraine are investigated. The main causes of fires in Ukraine are identified according to experts. Proposals have been made on the necessary changes to the law of Ukraine “On the Fundamentals of National Security of Ukraine”. The proposed scientific and theoretical foundations of mechanisms for the implementation of state governance in the field of fire safety. It was determined that the state should always act as a reliable guarantor of mandatory liability of organizations operating hazardous industrial facilities, establish criteria for determining the amount of financial security for civil liability for damage caused by an emergency situation related to the occurrence of a fire; introduction of scientifically sound approaches to the assessment of fire damage with the involvement of independent expert organizations; development of the regulatory and legal framework for the implementation of supervisory functions and ensuring the responsibility of managers of enterprises (institutions, organizations) and executive authorities in the field of fire safety. At the same time, it is justified that the main indicators in the state regulation should be considered: the frequency of fires, losses, the costs of measures to prevent and eliminate emergencies associated with the occurrence of a fire and prevented damage. It is specified that the understanding of the importance of fire safety as a priority component of national security is not very deep in our opinion, is also due to the fact that the losses that result from the occurrence of fires are not always properly calculated. In our opinion, the calculations of only a set of known losses can not expose all the costs that the state and society bear on the results of fires. The most obvious example is the consequences of a fire in the forest.
DECENTRALIZATION: THE MAIN THEORETICAL APPROACHES TO THE CONCEPT
Authors: Dyriv Anatolii Borysovych
Published: June 2018

The article defines and analyses the theoretical aspects of decentralization as a component of a democratic model of governance; summaries ge neral approaches to decentralization of power as an important component of democratic reforms in Ukraine; analyses the legislative basis for reform conduction; pointes to the problems of decentralization in Ukraine and proposes solutions for the improvement of democratic reforms; it is determined that the introduction of decentralization processes will contribute to the further development of democracy in the state and the stabilization of the social and economic situation. It is noted that decentralization is to provide local authorities with the maximum amount of authority and budget revenues that will become a solid foundation for the stable development of the joint territorial communities, will increase the responsibility of local self-government bodies for fulfilling their commitments on community development and ensure compliance with legislative documents. It is grounded that the process of decentralization of government bodies is a push which is possible with certain quantitative changes in society, the result of the transformation of state power, division of powers, democratization of society, provision of the population of new political rights and freedoms. It has been proved that today a considerable number of preconditions have emerged in the socio-economic, political, and cultural spheres of life of Ukrainian society, which can become the basis for decentralization of government. It has been determined that for the further development the necessary condition is the mutual co-ordination of various legislative and normative documents concerning issues of territorial communities expansion, independence and responsibility in solving problems of life support and development of territories of cities, settlements and other settlements taking into account local specifics due to effective decentralization process on the part of bodies executive.
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AS AN ELEMENT OF DECENTRALIZATION OF POWER IN UKRAINE: THE THEORETICAL, TECHNOLOGICAL ASPECT AND PECULIARITIES OF THE INTRODUCTION OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN UKRAINE
Authors: Yelinskaya Valentina Vasilievna
Published: June 2018

The article details the relationship between public administration as an element of the decentralization of power in Ukraine and the peculiarities of the implementation of public administration in Ukraine. The peculiarities of our country that distinguish it from the European countries with experience of implementation of public administration and control are considered. The main technological tools that can be used to implement public administration in Ukraine are considered. The emphasis is on public administration as the main instrument for implementing the state decentralization strategy. It is substantiated that consideration of the regulatory framework for decentralization clearly indicates the need for the allocation of public administration as the main point of involving society in state governance at the level of territorial communities. Strategically, the state has taken all necessary steps to implement the relevant reforms. However, there is still unregulated uncertainty between strategic planning and practical implementation, as there is uncertainty at the level of both the state and territorial communities about the instruments for achieving the goals. The article focuses on public administration as the main instrument for implementing the state decentralization strategy. The main differences between our country and the European countries, which have already successfully implemented the possibilities of public administration and ways to overcome these differences, are considered. The last section of the article is devoted directly to modern technological capabilities that can be used for the effective implementation of public administration at the level of territorial communities. The main existing tools and ways of their use are considered. Separately, the most perspective directions of realization of public administration and conditions of their effective implementation with support of the state and local self-government bodies are considered.
FEATURES OF RISK MANAGEMENT AFTER REALIZING PPP PROJECTS
Authors: Masik Mariya Zinovievivna
Published: June 2018

The article is devoted to the clarification of the peculiarities of risk management during the implementation of PPP projects. The author identifies a set of risks for a private partner, business risks of PPP projects and the main risks associated with the protests of the public, as well as public and international organizations. The typical risks of PPP projects are presented, including force majeure, political risks, profitability risks, operational, construction, financial risks, and the risk of default. The world experience of sharing risks between the partners is presented. Also named are the main methods for assessing the risks of PPP projects. It has been determined that the conditions on which the parties should reach agreement in order for the contract to be concluded are essential. Risk management can be implemented within the framework of the essential conditions for the allocation of risks. However, the provisions of the law provide for the allocation of only those risks identified by the results of an analysis of the effectiveness of the PPP project. Legislation does not directly determine how risks can be allocated to the risks identified during the pre-contract negotiations (or even at a later stage), but not taken into account in the analysis of efficiency. For example, suggestions on the terms of the partnership agreement as part of the bidding proposal may include suggestions on risk management mechanisms. There are no definite and can not be fully defined possible ways of managing risks in view of their specificity for a particular project. For this purpose, it is advisable to provide for a period of familiarization with the draft tender documentation and the possibility of making changes to it based on the findings received from potential contestants. It is also advisable to foresee cases in which it is possible to review certain terms of the contract without a competition. It is substantiated that the law does not restrict the possibility of foreseeing specific terms of an agreement on the implementation of the PPP project or to conclude additional (auxiliary) contractual instruments (for example, an investment agreement). At the same time, when laying down conditions not provided for by law, it is necessary to take into account the scope of competence of the state partner. Also, in order to ensure the principle of equality of conditions, the state partner should provide such additional conditions in the tender documentation.
L'insuffisance cardiaque aiguë aux urgences : présentations cliniques, diagnostic et prise en charge thérapeutique
Authors: Peschanski N. , Ray P. , Depil-Duval A. , Renard A. , Avondo A. , Chouihed T.
Published: June 2018

L’insuffisance cardiaque (IC) est une maladie fréquente dont l'incidence croît dans tous les pays développés et dont la morbimortalité est effroyable. Devant une dyspnée aiguë, maître symptôme de la décompensation, le diagnostic d’insuffisance cardiaque aiguë (ICA) reste difficile aux urgences. En effet, les connaissances ayant permis de comprendre les mécanismes physiopathologiques, le concept nosologique d’une seule entité clinique a évolué vers la notion de syndromes d’ICA (SICA) intégrant plusieurs cadres nosographiques de la décompensation d’une IC chronique au tableau de détresse respiratoire aiguë dans l’œdème aigu du poumon cardiogénique, voire au choc cardiogénique. Afin de poser le diagnostic devant ces différentes formes de décompensations aiguës, l'urgentiste a recours à des examens complémentaires qui permettent de déterminer l'étiologie de l'épisode d'IC. Si la réalisation de l'électrocardiogramme et celle de la radiographie thoracique restent indispensables, l’utilisation de biomarqueurs cardiaques, au premier rang desquels les peptides natriurétiques se sont imposés, fait aujourd'hui partie intégrante des outils nécessaires à l'élaboration de la démarche diagnostique. Par ailleurs, la généralisation progressive de l'échographie clinique au sein des services d'urgences permet aujourd'hui d'améliorer la démarche diagnostique et de proposer une approche thérapeutique plus rapide. Ainsi, le concept moderne de « Time-to-therapy » prend-il tout son sens aux urgences où l'utilisation optimisée des différents traitements médicamenteux doit s'associer aux supports d'oxygénothérapie souvent nécessaires à la prise en charge de la dyspnée aiguë. Cet article se propose de faire une revue de la littérature et des recommandations actuelles afin d'assurer une prise en charge optimale des SICA aux urgences et en extrahospitalier.
Unge voksnes beslutningsprocesser i relation til frafald: En empirisk undersøgelse blandt unge voksne i erhvervs- og almen voksenuddannelse
Authors: Wahlgren Bjarne , Aarkrog Vibe , Mariager-Anderson Kristina , Gottlieb Susanne , Larsen Christian H.
Published: June 2018

Dropout is a substantial and permanent problem in educational policy. As a consequence, dropout is a recurrent theme in educational research projects including a current Danish research project about dropout among young adults in vocational education and training and basic general learning for adults. Research into dropout mostly focuses on reasons for dropping out and only to a small degree on the students’ considerations and decision-making processes in relation to dropout, the latter being the focus in this research project.
Focusing on the student decision-making processes, the article presents the results of an empirical study based on interviews with 35 students who were considered to be at risk of dropping out. Four categories of decision-making process were derived from the empirical data: the stable course and the unstable courses which include three types of development: the positive development, the turbulent development, and the negative development. The decision-making process is guided by several factors. However, students’ goal-orientation seem to be crucial in order to understand the structure and direction of the decision-making process. The types of development are discussed, concluding in implications for further research as well as for practice.
Effect of Olive-Mill Wastewater Application, Organo-Mineral Fertilization, and Transplanting Date on the Control of Phelipanche ramosa in Open-Field Processing Tomato Crops
Authors: Disciglio Grazia , Carlucci Antonia , Tarantino Annalisa , Giuliani Marcella Michela , Gagliardi Anna , Frabboni Laura , Libutti Angela , Raimondo Maria Luisa , Lops Francesco , Gatta Giuseppe
Published: June 2018

Phelipanche ramosa (L) Pomel is a root holoparasitic weed for many crops, particularly for the processing tomato in Italy. In order to integrate the use of chemical methods to control P. ramosa (L.), there has been an increased effort to research alternative methods using natural compounds. In this regard, two experimental trials were set up in an open field in Foggia (southern Italy) during the 2016 spring–summer seasons. The first trial compared two tomato seedling transplanting dates to evaluate the effects on emerged shoots of P. ramosa. The second trial compared six organic compounds added to the soil to control P. ramosa: olive-mill wastewater and five commercial products (Allyl Isothiocyanate®, Alfaplus®, Radicon®, Rhizosum Max®, and Kendal Nem®). An untreated control was also included. The numbers of P. ramosa emerged shoots (branched plants) were significantly lower for the late tomato seedling transplanting date than for the earlier one. All of the organic products tested that were applied to the soil, particularly olive-mill wastewater, Alfaplus®, Rhizosum Max®, and Kendal Nem®, showed a significant reduction of the P. ramosa infestation of the tomato crop with respect to the untreated control, with a positive effect on the productive parameters.
Variable Pitch Approach for Performance Improving of Straight-Bladed VAWT at Rated Tip Speed Ratio
Authors: Zhao Zhenzhou , Wang Ruixin , Shen Wenzhong , Wang Tongguang , Xu Bofeng , Zheng Yuan , Qian Siyue
Published: June 2018

This paper presents a new variable pitch (VP) approach to increase the peak power coefficient of the straight-bladed vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT), by widening the azimuthal angle band of the blade with the highest aerodynamic torque, instead of increasing the highest torque. The new VP-approach provides a curve of pitch angle designed for the blade operating at the rated tip speed ratio (TSR) corresponding to the peak power coefficient of the fixed pitch (FP)-VAWT. The effects of the new approach are exploited by using the double multiple stream tubes (DMST) model and Prandtl’s mathematics to evaluate the blade tip loss. The research describes the effects from six aspects, including the lift, drag, angle of attack (AoA), resultant velocity, torque, and power output, through a comparison between VP-VAWTs and FP-VAWTs working at four TSRs: 4, 4.5, 5, and 5.5. Compared with the FP-blade, the VP-blade has a wider azimuthal zone with the maximum AoA, lift, drag, and torque in the upwind half-cycle, and yields the two new larger maximum values in the downwind half-cycle. The power distribution in the swept area of the turbine changes from an arched shape of the FP-VAWT into the rectangular shape of the VP-VAWT. The new VP-approach markedly widens the highest-performance zone of the blade in a revolution, and ultimately achieves an 18.9% growth of the peak power coefficient of the VAWT at the optimum TSR. Besides achieving this growth, the new pitching method will enhance the performance at TSRs that are higher than current optimal values, and an increase of torque is also generated.
Review on Structural Health Evaluation with Acoustic Emission
Authors: Ono Kanji
Published: June 2018

This review introduces several areas of importance in acoustic emission (AE) technology, starting from signal attenuation. Signal loss is a critical issue in any large-scale AE monitoring, but few systematic studies have appeared. Information on damping and attenuation has been gathered from metal, polymer, and composite fields to provide a useful method for AE monitoring. This is followed by discussion on source location, bridge monitoring, sensing and signal processing, and pressure vessels and tanks, then special applications are briefly covered. Here, useful information and valuable sources are identified with short comments indicating their significance. It is hoped that readers note developments in areas outside of their own specialty for possible cross-fertilization.
Accepting the Machine: A Response by Liliane Lijn to Three Questions from Arts
Authors: Lijn Liliane
Published: June 2018

Celebrated techno-art pioneer Liliane Lijn—whose participation in the landmark 1970 London “Kinetics” exhibition at the newly opened Hayward Gallery was but a waypoint in a long and adventurous career, and whose work is represented in the collections of Bern’s Kunstmuseum, MoMA, and Tate—has prepared this essay on the evolution of machine art in response to three questions from G.W. Smith and Juliette Bessette of Arts.
Changes in Cold Surge Occurrence over East Asia in the Future: Role of Thermal Structure
Authors: Heo Jin-Woo , Ho Chang-Hoi , Park Tae-Won , Choi Woosuk , Jeong Jee-Hoon , Kim Jinwon
Published: June 2018

The occurrence of wintertime cold surges (CSs) over East Asia is largely controlled by the surface air temperature (SAT) distribution at high latitudes and thermal advection in the lower troposphere. The thermodynamic background state over northeastern Asia is associated with the strength of the East Asian winter monsoon and the variation of Arctic Oscillation. This study assesses the importance of the SAT structure with thermal advection in determining the frequency of CS occurrences over East Asia through the analysis of nine atmosphere–ocean coupled global climate models participating in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5. The historical simulations can reproduce the observed typical characteristics of CS development. On the basis of this model performance, ensemble-averaged future simulations under the representative concentration pathway 8.5 project a reduction in CS frequency by 1.1 yr−1 in the late 21st century (2065–2095) compared to the present-day period (1975–2005). The major reason for less frequent CSs in the future is the weakened cold advection, caused by notable SAT warming over the northern part of East Asia. These results suggest that changes in the meridional SAT structure and the associated changes in thermal advection would play a more substantial role than local warming in determining future changes in the frequency of CS occurrences over East Asia.
Application of Intelligent Dynamic Bayesian Network with Wavelet Analysis for Probabilistic Prediction of Storm Track Intensity Index
Authors: Li Ming , Liu Kefeng
Published: June 2018

The effective prediction of storm track (ST) is greatly beneficial for analyzing the development and anomalies of mid-latitude weather systems. For the non-stationarity, nonlinearity, and uncertainty of ST intensity index (STII), a new probabilistic prediction model was proposed based on dynamic Bayesian network (DBN) and wavelet analysis (WA). We introduced probability theory and graph theory for the first time to quantitatively describe the nonlinear relationship and uncertain interaction of the ST system. Then a casual prediction network (i.e., DBN) was constructed through wavelet decomposition, structural learning, parameter learning, and probabilistic inference, which was used for expression of relation among predictors and probabilistic prediction of STII. The intensity prediction of the North Pacific ST with data from 1961–2010 showed that the new model was able to give more comprehensive prediction information and higher prediction accuracy and had strong generalization ability and good stability.
The Similarity of the Action of Franklin and ESE Lightning Rods under Natural Conditions
Authors: Cooray Vernon
Published: June 2018

In the lightning rods categorized as Early Streamer Emission (ESE) types, an intermittent voltage impulse is applied to the lightning rod to modulate the electric field at its tip in an attempt to speed up the initiation of a connecting leader from the lightning rod when it is under the influence of a stepped leader moving down from the cloud. In this paper, it is shown that, due to the stepping nature of the stepped leader, there is a natural modulation of the electric field at the tip of any lightning rod exposed to the lightning stepped leaders and this modulation is much more intense than any artificial modulation that is possible under practical conditions. Based on the results, it is concluded that artificial modulation of the electric field at the tip of lightning rods by applying voltage pulses is an unnecessary endeavor because the nature itself has endowed the tip of the lightning rod with a modulating electric field. Therefore, as far as the effectiveness of artificial modulation of the tip electric field is concerned, there could be no difference in the lightning attachment efficiency between ESE and Franklin lightning rods.
RETRACTED: Paul et al. Properties of Normal and Recycled Brick Aggregates for Production of Medium Range (25–30 MPa) Structural Strength Concrete. Buildings 2018, 8, 72
Authors: Paul Suvash , Babafemi Adewumi , Anggraini Vivi , Rahman Md.
Published: June 2018

As the authors of the title paper [1], it is with great regret that we inform the readership of Buildings that we have asked the journal’s publisher, MDPI, to retract the paper from the scientific literature[...]
Investigation of Constraints that Occur during Participation in Leisure Activities by High School Students: A Sample of Turkey
Authors: Ayhan Cihan , Ekinci Nurullah Emir , Yalçın İlimdar , Yiğit Şıhmehmet
Published: June 2018

The aim of this research was to determine the factors that may prevent high school students from participating in recreational activities and to investigate whether these factors differ within the scope of various variables. This study consisted of 1459 (681 women and 778 men) student volunteers who are educated to high school level. The easy sampling method was preferred in the present study. The face-to-face survey method was used to collect the data. The “Leisure Constraints Scale” developed by Alexandris and Carroll (1997) and adapted to Turkish by Gürbüz, Öncü, and Emir (2012) was used to determine the factors that might prevent individuals from participating in leisure activities. The data obtained for the research were first transferred to a computer and then analyzed by the SPSS program. The error margin level in the study was taken as p < 0.05. The Cronbach alpha of the study was found to be 0.91. As a result, it was found that women participated in leisure activities more than men. It was also observed that the participants met with more leisure constraints in Turkey’s eastern regions.
Three Topologies of a Non-Isolated High Gain Switched-Inductor Switched-Capacitor Step-Up Cuk Converter for Renewable Energy Applications
Authors: Almalaq Yasser , Matin Mohammad
Published: June 2018

This paper introduces three topologies of a non-isolated high gain step-up Cuk converter based on a switched-inductor (SL) and switched-capacitor (SC) techniques for renewable energy applications, such as photovoltaic and fuel cells. These kinds of Cuk converters provide a negative-to-positive step-up dc–dc voltage conversion. The proposed three topologies SLSC Cuk converters increase the voltage boost ability significantly using the switched-inductor and switched-capacitor techniques compared with the classical Cuk and boost converters. The proposed Cuk converters are derived from the classical Cuk converter by replacing the single inductor at the input and output sides with a SL and the transferring energy capacitor by a SC. The main advantages of the proposed SLSC Cuk converters are achieving a high voltage conversion ratio and reducing the voltage stress across the main switch. Therefore, a switch with low voltage rating and thus, of low RDS-ON can be used, and that leads to a higher efficiency. For example, the third topology have the ability to boost the input voltage up to 13 times when D = 0.75, D is the duty cycle. The voltage gain and the voltage stress across the main switch in the three topologies have been compared with the classical Cuk and boost converter. The proposed three topologies avoid using a transformer, coupled inductors, or extreme duty cycles leading to less volume, loss, and cost. The proposed SLSC Cuk converters are analyzed in continuous conduction mode (CCM), and they have been designed for 12 V input supply voltage, 100 W rated power, 50 kHz switching frequency, and 75% duty cycle. A detailed theoretical analysis of the CCM is represented and all the equations have been derived and matched with the results. The proposed three topologies SLSC Cuk converters have been simulated in MATLAB/SIMULINK and results are discussed.