bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preanalysis of Neutron Activation Measurements in Shielding Penetrations at JET
Authors: Stamatelatos I. E. , Vasilopoulou T. , Batistoni P. , Conroy S. , Obryk B. , Popovichev S.
Published: February 2020

In the present work, the preanalysis of activation foil experiments to determine neutron fluence rates along JET hall ducts and labyrinths is discussed. Simulations were performed using computational codes MCNPX and FISPACT-II and a detailed model of the JET hall, including the tokamak, biological shield and penetrations. The induced activity and detector count rate were predicted for activation foils placed at selected positions within the JET hall for Deuterium-Deuterium and Deuterium-Tritium JET plasma sources. The results of the calculations showed that satisfactory counting statistics can be obtained with the use of activation detectors and therefore activation analysis offers an unbiased and robust cross-benchmarking tool for comparison against other experimental and computation techniques applied in neutron streaming studies at JET.
Non-Linear Derivative Interactions in Relativistic Hadrodynamics
Authors: Gaitanos T. , Kaskulov M.
Published: February 2020

The Lagrangian of Relativistic Hadrodynamics (RHD) is extended by introducing non- linear derivative (NLD) operators into the interactions between the nucleon with the meson fields. As the novel feature of the NLD model, the nucleon selfenergy depends on both, on energy and density. Our approach contains a single cut-off parameter, which determines the density dependence of the nuclear equation of state (EoS) and the energy dependence of the nucleon-nucleus optical potential. The NLD formalism is compatible with results from microscopic nuclear matter calculations as well as with Dirac phenomenology.
Symmetry energy effects on isovector properties of neutron rich nuclei with Thomas-Fermi approach
Authors: Papazoglou M. C. , Moustakidis Ch. C.
Published: February 2020

At the present study we employ a variational method, in the framework of the Thomas-Fermi approximation, to study the effect of the symmetry energy on several isovector properties of various neutron rich nuclei. The motivation of the present work is twofold. Firstly we tried to construct a self-consistent and easily applicable density functional method to study the effect of the symmetry energy on the isovector structure properties of medium and heavy neutron rich nuclei. Secondly, our aim is, if it is possible, to combine our theoretical estimation with the relevant experimental or empirical data in order to suggest constraints on the density dependence of the symmetry energy for densities close to those of the interior of finite nuclei. According to the results, we confirm the strong dependence of the symmetry energy on the various isovector properties for the relevant nuclei, using possible constraints between the slope and the value of the symmetry energy at the saturation density.
Fission cross section measurements with the MicroMegas detector
Authors: Diakaki M. , Kokkoris M. , Kyrtsos A. , Skordis E. , Vlastou R. , Andriamonje S. , Berthoumieux E. , Lagoyannis A.
Published: February 2020

A new MicroMegas detector, based on the innovative Microbulk technology, especially developed within the context of the n TOF collaboration, was used for the first time for fission cross section measurements with monoenergetic neutron beams at the Institute of Nuclear and Particle Physics of the NCSR “Demokritos”. The detector assembly was successfully used in the case of the measurement of the 237Np(n,f) cross section while the first results on the performance of the detector as far as the gain and resolution function are concerned are reported.
Experimental energy resolution of a paracentric hemispherical deflector analyzer for different entry positions and bias simulated in SIMION
Authors: Gennarakis G. G. , Zouros T. J. M.
Published: February 2020

Results from the simulation of a biased paracentric hemispherical deflector analyzer (HDA) with injection lens are presented. The finite differences electron optics software SIMION was used to perform Monte Carlo type trajectory simulations in an effort to investigate the focusing effects of the HDA entry and exit fringing fields which are used to improve energy resolution - a novel feature of this type of analyzer. Comparisons to recent experimental results are also presented. Biased paracentric HDAs represent a novel class of HDAs, which use the lensing action of the strong fringing fields at the HDA entry, to restore the first order focus characteristics of ideal HDAs in a controlled way. The improvement in energy resolution and transmission without the use of any additional fringing field correction electrodes is of particular interest to modern analyzers using position sensitive detectors.
Experimental Study of the Astrophysically Interesting 112Cd(p,γ)113In Reaction
Authors: Asimakopoulou E.-M. , Malami E. , Mertzimekis T. J. , Foteinou V.
Published: February 2020

An experimental study of the astrophysically interesting 112Cd(p,γ)113In reaction, conducted at INPP, NCSR “Demokritos”, is presented. The purpose of the experiment was to study the total cross section and the angular distribution of the de-excited nuclei. The experiment aimed at both gaining knowledge of proton capture at low energies and serving as a validity test for the Hauser–Feshbach theory, a statistical model of compound reactions of high importance. Both in–beam and activation techniques were used during the experiment and the results are compared to TALYS calculations.
Nationalism and Dictatorship
Authors: Lisińska Magdalena
Published: February 2020

The goal of this paper is to re-examine the circumstances of the Falkland Islands crisis, caused by the Argentine annexation of the archipelago in 1982. It challenges the popular belief that the Falklands invasion was only aimed at distracting the society from the poor conditions of living caused by the deteriorating economy and lack of democracy. The paper takes into consideration a third factor: nationalism of the Argentine armed forces. The article takes both the domestic and international contexts of the Falklands crisis into consideration and presents how nationalist attitudes of the Argentine military influenced the Falklands conflict in 1982.
The United States of America and the End of Dutch Colonial Rule in Indonesia
Authors: Wyrwisz Anna
Published: February 2020

The United States had developed trade relations with the Dutch East Indies before World War I. In the 1920s, American diplomatic services prepared reports on the economic and political situation in the Dutch colony. The U.S. wanted to defend their interests in the region. In 1949, after several years of attempts to regain power in Indonesia, the Dutch withdrew in the absence of American support. A decade later, suchlike events occurred in connection with Dutch New Guinea.
Ormianie kamienieccy w ostatniej ćwierci XVII wieku – próba rekonstrukcji spisu imiennego
Authors: Agopsowicz Monika
Published: February 2020

Armenians in Kamieniec Podolski in the Last Quarter of the 17th Century − An Attempt to Reconstruct the Census Records

By examining the manuscript sources created by Armenian community in Kamieniec Podolski (Kamianets-Podilskyi), Jazłowiec (Yazlovets), Lwów (Lviv) and Stanisławów (now: Ivano-Frankivsk), the author reconstructs the names and surnames of Armenians who lived in Kamieniec Podolski before the Turkish invasion of 1672 and those who resided there immediately after 1700.
Jak kupiec Symonowicz trafił do polskiej komedii
Authors: Jarząbek-Wasyl Dorota
Published: February 2020

How Merchant Symonowicz Found his Way into Polish Comedy On 4th March 1766, Franciszek Bohomolec’s Małżeństwo z kalendarza (“Marriage by the Calendar”) was performed in Warsaw on the newly opened national stage. The play features an episodic character of a Warsaw merchant who immediately after the premiere was recognised as a satire on Symon Der Symonowicz, the owner of breweries and manufacturer of wine goods. The account of the lampoon attack on Symonowicz, though accepted as a fact, can also be called into question. The author of the article examines both the origin of this circulating account (the reports of the Saxon agent Johann Heine) as well as the text of the drama and the theatrical context (the aesthetic principles of the National Theatre) to outline a more complex and ambiguous background of the anecdote about the first Armenian in Polish comedy.
Don't do ‘the right thing’
Authors: Wirth Joel
Published: February 2020

The language of learning and classroom talk about the process of learning are two key aspects that are too often missing, especially in the STEM disciplines, says Joel Wirth
Governing boards and school leadership
Authors: McCulloch Julie
Published: February 2020

What should governing boards and school leaders expect from one another? Drawing on new guidance, Julie McCulloch looks at the tenets and boundaries of good working practice
Why lesson observations need to be challenged
Authors: Inwood Denise
Published: February 2020

A growing body of evidence is throwing into doubt some of the long-established principles of lesson observations. Denise Inwood explains
Ten principles for using research in the classroom
Authors: Beauchamp Alex
Published: February 2020

How do we engage teachers with research? And how can we turn this engagement into impact? Alex Beauchamp offers 10 principles for research-informed professional learning
A four-step plan for curriculum design…
Authors: Bromley Matt
Published: February 2020

The new Ofsted Education Inspection Framework has thrust the curriculum into the spotlight. The intent, implementation and impact of what we teach are under scrutiny as inspectors look for a broad and balanced curriculum. Matt Bromley offers us a four-step plan for curriculum design and asks some key questions about what we teach…
Getting your digital strategy right
Authors: Kingsley Al
Published: February 2020

To get the most out of Bett, you should be clear about what your school's digital strategy looks like above all else. Al Kingsley explains why and how…
The current state of bionic limbs from the surgeon’s viewpoint
Authors: Bumbaširević Marko , Lesic Aleksandar , Palibrk Tomislav , Milovanovic Darko , Zoka Milan , Kravić-Stevović Tamara , Raspopovic Stanisa
Published: February 2020

Amputations have a devastating impact on patients’ health with consequent psychological distress, economic loss, difficult reintegration into society, and often low embodiment of standard prosthetic replacement. The main characteristic of bionic limbs is that they establish an interface between the biological residuum and an electronic device, providing not only motor control of prosthesis but also sensitive feedback. Bionic limbs can be classified into three main groups, according to the type of the tissue interfaced: nerve-transferred muscle interfacing (targeted muscular reinnervation), direct muscle interfacing and direct nerve interfacing. Targeted muscular reinnervation (TMR) involves the transfer of the remaining nerves of the amputated stump to the available muscles. With direct muscle interfacing, direct intramuscular implants record muscular contractions which are then wirelessly captured through a coil integrated in the socket to actuate prosthesis movement. The third group is the direct interfacing of the residual nerves using implantable electrodes that enable reception of electric signals from the prosthetic sensors. This can improve sensation in the phantom limb. The surgical procedure for electrode implantation consists of targeting the proximal nerve area, competently introducing, placing, and fixing the electrodes and cables, while retaining movement of the arm/leg and nerve, and avoiding excessive neural damage. Advantages of bionic limbs are: the improvement of sensation, improved reintegration/embodiment of the artificial limb, and better controllability.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:65-72. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.180038
A review of informed consent and how it has evolved to protect vulnerable participants in emergency care research
Authors: Nandra Rajpal , Brockie Alan F. , Hussain Faisal
Published: February 2020

A vulnerable participant in research lacks capacity to consent or may be exposed to coercion to participate. Capacity may be temporarily impaired due to loss of consciousness, hypoxia, pain and the consumption of alcohol or elicit substances. To advance emergency care, providing life-threatening measures in life-threatening circumstances, vulnerable patients are recruited into research studies. The urgent need for time-critical treatment conflicts with routine informed consent procedures. This article reviews ethical considerations and moral obligations to safeguard these participants and preserve their autonomy. A particular focus is given to research methodology to waive consent, and the role of ethics committees, research audits, research nurses and community engagement. Research on the acutely unwell patient who lacks capacity is possible with well-designed research trials that are led by investigators who are sufficiently trained, engage the community, gain ethical approval to waive consent and continuously audit practice.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:73-79. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.180051
Complete grid pattern decoding method for a one-shot structured light system
Authors: Ha Minhtuan , Xiao Changyan , Pham Dieuthuy , Ge Junhui
Published: February 2020

Structured light 3D reconstruction methods using a De Bruijn sequence-based color grid pattern have an impressive advantage of fast and accurate decoding, which leads to fast 3D reconstruction. They are especially suitable for capturing moving objects. However, the drawback of these methods is their high false decoding rate while dealing with feature points at the object’s boundaries, and objects can be prone to becoming deformed by the uneven structure of the dynamic scene. To solve this problem, we present an efficient opened-grid-point detector and a complete grid pattern decoding method. Specifically, a new, to the best of our knowledge, color grid pattern is designed to reduce the influence of color noise and increase the density of 3D cloud points. In addition, a LCD screen projected with the proposed pattern is utilized to calibrate the camera-projector system. The experiments, conducted in a laboratory without a light curtain, demonstrate that the proposed method can fully satisfy the requirements of real applications.
Intensity fluctuations in ground-to-satellite laser beam transmission induced by atmospheric turbulence: reconsideration of strong fluctuation
Authors: Toyoda Masahiro
Published: February 2020

This paper reports beam wave intensity fluctuations in uplink (ground-to-satellite) laser beam transmission caused by atmospheric turbulence. Intensity fluctuation in the strong region was apparently induced by uplink measurement in previous experiments. Statistical values of the uplink fluctuation were estimated by numerical calculation using moment equation analysis with thin phase screen approximation. The beam profile of the uplink, the scintillation index, and the covariance of the uplink intensity fluctuation were calculated using models of the refractive index structure constant. The generation of strong intensity variation was explained as the result of a speckle pattern on the receiving plane at the satellite produced by atmospheric turbulence when scanned along with trajectory of the satellite.
Detail-preserving pulse wave extraction from facial videos using consumer-level camera
Authors: Wang Dingliang , Yang Xuezhi , Liu Xuenan , Jing Jin , Fang Shuai
Published: February 2020

With the popularity of smart phones, non-contact video-based vital sign monitoring using a camera has gained increased attention over recent years. Especially, imaging photoplethysmography (IPPG), a technique for extracting pulse waves from videos, conduces to monitor physiological information on a daily basis, including heart rate, respiration rate, blood oxygen saturation, and so on. The main challenge for accurate pulse wave extraction from facial videos is that the facial color intensity change due to cardiovascular activities is subtle and is often badly disturbed by noise, such as illumination variation, facial expression changes, and head movements. Even a tiny interference could bring a big obstacle for pulse wave extraction and reduce the accuracy of the calculated vital signs. In recent years, many novel approaches have been proposed to eliminate noise such as filter banks, adaptive filters, Distance-PPG, and machine learning, but these methods mainly focus on heart rate detection and neglect the retention of useful details of pulse wave. For example, the pulse wave extracted by the filter bank method has no dicrotic wave and approaching sine wave, but dicrotic waves are essential for calculating vital signs like blood viscosity and blood pressure. Therefore, a new framework is proposed to achieve accurate pulse wave extraction that contains mainly two steps: 1) preprocessing procedure to remove baseline offset and high frequency random noise; and 2) a self-adaptive singular spectrum analysis algorithm to obtain cyclical components and remove aperiodic irregular noise. Experimental results show that the proposed method can extract detail-preserved pulse waves from facial videos under realistic situations and outperforms state-of-the-art methods in terms of detail-preserving and real time heart rate estimation. Furthermore, the pulse wave extracted by our approach enabled the non-contact estimation of atrial fibrillation, heart rate variability, blood pressure, as well as other physiological indices that require standard pulse wave.
Non-resonant interactions and multipartite entanglement in a system of coupled cavities
Authors: Badshah Fazal , Ge Guo-Qin , Paternostro Mauro , Qamar Shahid
Published: February 2020

We study quantum state transfer and multipartite entanglement generation in the ensembles of qubits enclosed by a one-dimensional system of coupled optical cavities. Each cavity contains

N

qubits whose interaction with the quantum field of their respective cavity is governed by the Dicke Lipkin–Meshkov–Glick model. An excitation initially seeded in the ensemble at the end of the one-dimensional chain of coupled cavities transfers to the corresponding ensemble of the last cavity with success that depends on the mode-ensemble coupling

χ

, ensemble-mode detuning

δ

, photon hopping rate

λ

, and size of a given ensemble

N

. Suitable choices of such parameters enable overcoming the freezing effect induced by the choice of a far-off detuning regime. We identify working points at which three-ensemble

W

states and two-ensemble maximally entangled states emerge in the multipartite entanglement dynamics. This study provides a basis for manipulation of quantum states in a multipartite coupled cavity arrangement that may be useful in understanding very complex systems in the field of quantum information processing.
Multifunctional beam steering via switchable negative refraction, self-collimation, and zero refraction effects in conventional and annular photonic crystals
Authors: Yuan Jing , Shu Jing , Jiang Liyong
Published: February 2020

Negative refraction (NR), self-collimation (SC), and zero refraction (ZR) effects of photonic crystals play an important role in beam steering. In this work, we report a multifunctional beam steering concept in photonic crystals, i.e., integrating two or three of the NR, SC, and ZR effects together at the same frequency. We find the square-lattice dielectric ring photonic crystal is an ideal candidate to realize the switchable function of ZR-SC while the square-lattice dielectric ring photonic crystal is more suitable for realizing the ZR-SC, ZR-NR, and ZR-SC-NR functions. The photonic band theory and an equivalent waveguide model are employed to explain these switchable functions in conventional and annular photonic crystals.
Heuristic, machine learning approach to 8-CSK decision regions in RGB-LED visible light communication
Authors: Pepe Alberto , Wei Zixian , Fu H. Y.
Published: February 2020

Color-shift keying (CSK) is a modulation scheme in RGB-LED based visible light communication (VLC) where each symbol is mapped into a color of the visible spectrum. According to the IEEE 802.15.7 standard, nine valid combinations of symbols exist to construct 4, 8 or 16-CSK constellations. However, to the best of our knowledge, no formal rules are specified to determine which design performs better among the nine proposed. In this work, we presented a heuristic, machine learning-based approach to determine the best performing 8-CSK constellation and the most suitable algorithm to classify received 8-CSK modulated signals in terms of classification accuracy and bit-error rate (BER). The constellation built on the triangle with vertices at {429, 509, 564} nm scored a BER at 14 dB of 2.3E-3, 3.1E-4, 4.9E-5 and 1.6E-4 for each of the proposed algorithms that are several dBs lower than the worst performing constellations designed on the triangles {429, 564, 753} nm, {429, 564, 703} nm and {429, 564, 656} nm, demonstrating that indeed there exists a difference among the proposed designs independently of the adopted decision strategy and consequently room for improvement for the existing CSK standard.
Enhancing sensing capacity of terahertz metamaterial absorbers with a surface-relief design
Authors: Wang Wei , Yan Fengping , Tan Siyu , Li Haisu , Du Xuemei , Zhang Luna , Bai Zhuoya , Cheng Dan , Zhou Hong , Hou Yafei
Published: February 2020

Metamaterial absorbers (MAs) serve as important electromagnetic wave-absorbing devices that have captured the attention of researchers for a long term. Functioning as sensitive detectors to determine perturbations in an ambient environment is another significant subsidiary function. Here, we theoretically propose an optimized fabrication method to implement terahertz MAs with fewer steps and also evaluate both absorption and sensing performances of such MAs realized by the new method. Simulation findings demonstrate that such MAs can basically maintain the original absorption features perfectly, including near-complete absorption at resonance as well as strong robustness to wide incident angles. Specifically, the full width at half-maximum and quality factor of the absorption resonances attenuate less than 26% and 8% with this new method, remaining in the ranges of

∼
0.03
–
0.04
  
THz

and

∼
20
–
27

for two selected example MAs. More significantly, sensing capacities of this type of MA, in terms of maximum detection range (enhancing at least 9%), observable spectral modulation (increasing at least 6.3%), and refractive index sensitivity, are improved to a large extent because of more intense coupling between resonant field and matter in the case of surface-relief MAs. This stronger coupling results from exposing more spots of the resonantly high field to direct contact with an approaching analyte, which is illustrated by field profiles of the MAs at resonance in this work. Additionally, other desirable absorber features are also explored with such MAs, like functioning as building blocks to configure multiband MAs and strong robustness against fabrication errors. Such new-style terahertz MAs shown in the paper, acting as good examples, not only prove that terahertz MAs can be fabricated by the proposed time- and cost-saving route in contrast to the traditional MA fabrication process, but also can serve as novel platforms to explore other intriguing terahertz photonic effects, such as the field enhancement effect.
Implikationen von Machine Learning auf das Datenmanagement in Unternehmen
Authors: Kessler René , Gómez Jorge Marx
Published: February 2020

Machine Learning ist ein Forschungsfeld mit großen Potenzialen und weitreichenden Anwendungspotenzialen. Big Data kann dabei als Enabler angesehen werden, da große und qualitativ hochwertige Daten stets die Grundlage für erfolgreiche Machine Learning-Algorithmen und -Modelle darstellen. Aktuell gibt es noch keinen voll etablierten Standardprozess für den Machine Learning-Life Cycle, wie es im Data Mining mit dem CRISP-DM beispielsweise der Fall ist, was zur Folge hat, dass gerade die Operationalisierung von Machine Learning-Modellen Unternehmen vor große Herausforderungen stellen kann. In diesem Beitrag werden anhand der Sicht auf die Beschaffenheit der Daten, die verschiedenen Rollen in Machine Learning-Teams und den Lebenszyklus von Machine Learning-Modellen Implikationen für das Datenmanagement in Unternehmen herausgearbeitet.
Die Zukunft der Bushaltestelle vor dem Hintergrund von Mobility-as-a-Service – Eine qualitative Betrachtung des öffentlichen Personennahverkehrs in Deutschland
Authors: Hahn Andreas , Pakusch Christina , Stevens Gunnar
Published: February 2020

Die Bundesrepublik Deutschland erlebt in jüngster Vergangenheit verstärkt Dieselfahrverbote in Großstädten. Gleichzeitig erfahren Großstädte als Lebensmittelpunkt eine steigende Beliebtheit. Für Verkehrsunternehmen gilt es, der Bevölkerung nachhaltige Mobilitätslösungen zu bieten, die ein Höchstmaß an Flexibilität ermöglichen. Moderne Mobility-as-a-Service-Konzepte und Innovationen in der Mobilität stellen den klassischen, planorientierten, öffentlichen Personennahverkehr und damit auch die Existenz von Bushaltestellen infrage. Mittels qualitativer Experten-Interviews lässt sich feststellen, dass sich die Bushaltestelle in den Innenstädten vor dem Hintergrund zunehmender digitaler Vernetzung von Mobilitätsanbietern und daraus resultierender modernen Mobility-as-a-service-Konzepte verändern wird. Die Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass die Bushaltestelle in den Innenstädten auch in Zukunft bestehen bleibt und um „on demand“-Verkehre ergänzt wird. Ein radikaler Wandel, wie eine flächendeckende Einführung von autonom fahrenden Bussen, könnte langfristig eine Runderneuerung der Haltestelle zur Folge haben.
Assessment Practices in Teacher Education that Support Sustainability in the Profession: Perspectives from Australia and Sri Lanka
Authors: Wickramasinghe Malka , Weller Jacolyn Gail , Smith Dorothy V
Published: February 2020

This article explores assessment practices in initial teacher education in Sri Lanka and Australia from the perspective of two initial teacher education academics. Both are committed to teaching approaches that equip their students to productively handle their professions and see assessment as a key element achieving this goal; both are constrained by the contexts of their teaching, albeit differently. We describe these different contexts and the ideal for sustainability through assessment before exploring the different yet complementary responses from these two academics, linking these responses to their different contexts.
Performance of XMPP-Based Gateway for IoT Device Communication Services
Authors: Faiqurahman Mahar , Madani Muhammad Malik , Akbi Denar Regata
Published: February 2020

This study examines the performance of a communication gateway for IoT devices by utilizing the XMPP protocol so that these devices can be connected and communicate using the Internet. The sensor nodes, which are IoT devices, were implemented using NodeMCU connected to the DHT11 sensor module and LED lights to simulate the incoming data. Sensor nodes can communicate using the XMPP protocol gateway and process the request-response data. Gateway data transmission performance with size variations from 10-100 MB gets an average delay time of 9.3 ms, an average jitter of 0.00178 ms, and an average throughput of 161.4 kbps. The CPU usage parameter has an average increase of 12%, and memory usage tends to be constant when data transmission occurs.
Acceleration classification of earthquake signals and linear signals of human activity using smartphone accelerometer based on support vector machine algorithm
Authors: Nugroho Hapsoro Agung , Wicaksana Haryas Subyantara
Published: February 2020

The threat of earthquake calamity spread throughout most of the Indonesian archipelago. Smartphone’s accelerometer usage as a seismic parameter detector in Indonesia, of which the noise has obstacles, mainly due to human activities. This study aims to classify linear acceleration signals caused by human activity and earthquake acceleration signals as an initial effort to reduce noise caused by human activity in the smartphone’s accelerometer signals. Both signals are classified by using the Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithm of which consists of several steps, respectively, data collection, data preprocessing, data segmentation, feature extraction, and classification. These algorithms are tested to 2545 human activity signals in trouser pocket, 2430 human activity signals in shirt pocket and earthquake acceleration signals. Based on the test results by using the confusion matrix, linear acceleration signal data caused by human activity and earthquake acceleration signals can be classified properly using an SVM algorithm with Polynomial or Gaussian kernel with a small kernel scale value. The algorithms can achieve an accuracy of 87.74% to 97.94%.
Do Fabaceae species with physical dormancy occur mostly in the temperate ecosystems? A rebuttal to using global biodiversity information facility (GBIF) analysis
Authors: Jaganathan Ganesh K.
Published: February 2020

Physical dormancy (PY) is a phenomenon wherein seed coats are impermeable to water. This feature prevents immediate germination in seeds, therefore considered as an adaptive trait in species of Mediterranean and tropical ecosystem, where rainy season is the most favorable time for germination. However, using dataset available for Fabaceae collected from global biodiversity information facility (GBIF), the largest family with PY, recent studies have provided evidence contrasting this assertion. This viewpoint has arisen owing to the fact that the data were gleaned by georeferencing the Fabaceae species distribution from GBIF, which is under-represented for the tropical vegetation. This is similar to other reports available in other plant and animal distribution models, where GBIF data is not an accurate representation of distribution. A closer inspection of the data available in literature suggests that using GBIF database alone to map the distribution of Fabaceae species represents the extreme end of biased data causing misperception and could mislead the scientific community, particularly ecologists, conservationists and/or policy makers.
Legalność stosowania środków przymusu bezpośredniego w kontekście gwarancji konstytucyjnych Studium proceduralno-prawne
Authors: Kubanek Anita
Published: February 2020

State bodies have a right to resort to state compulsion, i.e. to a group of compulsion means which are an attribute of the state only. One of the most severe forms of state compulsion is direct compulsion which is applied predominantly by public officials in order to protect the rights and liberty of an individual and to ensure public safety. These means are designed to force a person to subordination to the commands based on law, which may entail the use of physical force. The purpose of this paper is to present the procedure and rules of using direct compulsion means and to discuss the level of legal interference in the individual’s rights and liberty.
Instytucja mediacji jako „żywy przepis”, a nie „martwy zapis” – jak wypracować dogodną płaszczyznę pomiędzy teorią i praktyką?
Authors: Knapczyk Ewelina
Published: February 2020

The subject of this paper is the institution of mediation, with a special emphasis on the formulation of postulates addressed to the Polish legislative, governmental institutions, local authorities, corporation of advocates, non-governmental organisations, and establishments of higher education. The Author outlines the general construction of mediation and the mechanisms of its functioning, the impact of the European Union on its Member States in the context of that institution, and touches upon the practical application of mediation in Poland, concluding that once the postulates enumerated in the paper have been addressed and realized, this will grossly reduce the piling number of unresolved disputes, and consequently will minimize the cost arising from the ever- -growing numbers of litigation and legal dispute.
The Binding Force of International Legal Standards in the Face of the Recurrent Practice of Soft Law
Authors: Boubacar Sidi Diallo
Published: February 2020

Soft law facilitates cooperation between international actors. Already, the elaboration of international law is a matter of shared competence between States, traditionally recognized as the only subjects of international law, international organizations and the typical actors. International organizations have initiated a movement towards the adoption of flexible forms of regulation of international relations. They will profoundly change the way in which international law will be created and presented to the recipients of the rule of law. From the very beginning of their activities, organizations preferred a method other than hierarchical command to encourage international cooperation. They will develop a consistent legal technique, aimed at persuading and not compelling their Member States to adopt conduct consistent with the legally binding standard. This article proposes a reflection on soft law and the results of its increasing use in international practices.
Why Legal Reasoning has to be Unique
Authors: Koszowski Maciej
Published: February 2020

This article addresses the issue of the uniqueness of legal reasoning and, specifically, the author advances the thesis that what makes legal reasoning different from the reasoning  employed in demonstrative and empirical sciences and matters of everyday life is not the actual form (scheme) of this reasoning but the legal milieu. Thus, he tries to demonstrate that some features of law – such as its normative and prescriptive nature, difficulties with the verification of its content on empirical grounds, its limitations stemming from the physical world and dependence on humans and their minds, as well as the ‘unspecialized’ character of law agents and the extraordinary role of authority – influence legal reasoning as well. At the same time these features also allow this reasoning to be unique, despite its adoption of forms of inference that are present elsewhere.
BANKACILIKTA ELEKTRONİK DAĞITIM KANALLARININ ÖNEMİ: BANKA ÇALIŞANLARININ VE MÜŞTERİLERİNİN GÖRÜŞLERİNİN İNCELENMESİ
Authors: DURER Salih , ÖZSÖZGÜN ÇALIŞKAN Arzu , AKBAŞ Halil Emre
Published: February 2020

Sürdürülebilir rekabetçi avantajın elde edilmesinin temel unsuru; müşteriye sunulan değerin arttırılmasıdır. Müşteri değerinin arttırılması için ise müşteriye sunulan hizmetin kalitesinin geliştirilmesi zorunludur. Finans sektörünün en önemli kuruluşlarından olan bankalar daha üstün bir müşteri değeri yaratabilmek amacıyla teknolojiden geniş ölçüde faydalanmaktadırlar. Bu çalışmanın amacı; banka çalışanlarının ve müşterilerinin görüşleri doğrultusunda Internet bankacılığı, telefon bankacılığı, ATM’ler, WAP- bankacılığı, Kiosk bankacılığı ve TV-bankacılığı gibi teknolojinin yoğun olarak kullanıldığı elektronik dağıtım kanallarının öneminin ortaya konmasıdır. Bu amaç çerçevesinde banka çalışanları ve müşterilerini kapsayan bir anket çalışması yapılmıştır. Araştırmanın sonuçlarına göre bankacılık hizmetlerinin sunulmasında internet bankacılığının hem banka çalışanları hem de müşterileri tarafından gerek günümüzde ve gerekse de gelecekte en önemli dağıtım kanalı olarak algılandığı tespit edilmiştir.
HİZMET PERSONELİNİN MÜŞTERİ ODAKLI DAVRANIŞLARININ MÜŞTERİLERİN ALGILAMALARI ÜZERİNDEKİ ETKİSİNİN SAPTANMASINA YÖNELİK BİR ARAŞTIRMA
Authors: DEĞERMEN Anıl
Published: February 2020

Günümüzde işletmelerin müşteri ilişkilerine gittikçe daha fazla önem vermeleri, onların müşteri odaklı bir işletme kültürünü benimsemelerine ve bu yönde faaliyetler ortaya koymalarına neden olmaktadır. Müşteri odaklı olmak, şirket ve tüm çalışanlarının, işletmedeki her eylem ve kararda sunulan ürün ve hizmetlerin müşteri tercihlerine yönelik olmasına ve onları tatmin edecek biçimde planlanmasına çalışmak ve sonuçta işletme olarak sürekli tercih edilen bir durumda olabilmektir.
Yapılan araştırmalar, müşteri odaklılık kültürünü benimseyen ve uygulayan işletmelerin performanslarının arttığı yönündedir. Ancak her ne kadar işletme performansı ile müşteri odaklılık arasında pozitif yönde bir ilişki olsa da, müşteri odaklılık ile ilgili sorulması gereken önemli bir soru da, müşteri odaklılığın müşteriler tarafından nasıl algılandığı ve onların davranışlarını ne yönde etkilediği ile ilgilidir. Esasen literatürde bu ilişkiyi ortaya koyan yeterli çalışma bulunmamaktadır. Bu nedenle çalışmanın temel amacı, işletme çalışanlarının sergilemiş olduğu müşteri odaklı yaklaşımların müşterilerin davranışlarını etkileyip etkilemediğini ortaya koymaktır. Bu bağlamda çalışmada, müşteri odaklılığın nasıl algılandığı, çalışanların değil, müşterilerin bakış açısına göre değerlendirilmiştir.
TEORİ VE UYGULAMADA MERKEZ BANKASI ŞEFFAFLIĞI
Authors: KANALICI AKAY Hülya , NARGELEÇEKENLER Mehmet
Published: February 2020

Merkez Bankası şeffaflığı, son yıllarda para politikasının temel özelliklerinden biri haline gelmiştir. Merkez Bankası şeffaflığının artması, özel sektör belirsizliğini azaltır, ekonomik karışıklıkları istikrarlı hale getirmek için Merkez Bankasına daha çok esneklik verir, üretimin volatilitesini düşürür ve Merkez Bankacılarının hareketlerini sosyal olarak optimal hale getirir. Çalışmada Merkez Bankasının İnterbank Faiz Oranları üzerine olan şeffaflık etkisi ampirik olarak ortaya konulmaktadır. Ekonomik şeffaflık arttığında faizin azalacağı ve enflasyon ile faiz oranı arasındaki pozitif ve anlamlı ilişki nedeniyle enflasyonun da azalacağı görülmektedir. Sonuç olarak ekonomik şeffaflık daha etkin bir para politikası için uygun ve öngörülebilir bir ortam oluşturmaktadır.
GÜÇLÜ EKONOMİYE GEÇİŞ PROGRAMI SONRASI TÜRKİYE - IMF İLİŞKİLERİNİN GELECEĞİ
Authors: ZÜNGÜN Deniz
Published: February 2020

IMF, parasal konularda uluslararası işbirliğini güçlendirmek ve ödemeler dengesi sorunlarını çözmek için oluşturulmuştur. Ancak, 1980'li yıllara kadar daha çok ödemeler dengesi sorunlarını gidermeye yönelik politikalar üreten IMF, 1980 sonrasında yapısal uyum programlarını denetleme yolu ile etkinliğini giderek artırmış, küreselleşme sürecine bağlı olarak yaşanan son finansal krizlerde son ödeme mercii rolünü üstlenmiştir. IMF, uygulamaya koyduğu yedi istikrar programı ve imzaladığı sayısız Stand-By Düzenlemeleriyle ayıtı misyonu Türkiye'de de üstlenmiştir. Fakat IMF çoğu gelişmekte olan ülkelerde olduğu gibi Türkiye'de de birçok kez başarısız olmuştur. Çünkü IMF uygulamaya koyduğu istikrar programlarında ülkelerin ekonomik ve sosyal yapısını dikkate almamıştır. Türkiye ise bugün IMF ile ilişkileri yönünden önemli bir noktaya ulaşmış, daha açık bir ifadeyle Türkiye, IMF ile geleceğini tekrar gözden geçirmeye başlamıştır.
BANKACILIK HİZMETLERİNDE İLETİŞİM SÜRECİ: BANKALARDA REKLAM FAALİYETLERİ
Authors: MERAL Pınar Seden
Published: February 2020

Ülkelerin kalkınmasında önemli bir rol üstlenen bankalar, hedef kitlelerinde marka bağımlılığını yaratabilmek, piyasadaki paylarını arttırabilmek amacıyla pazarlama iletişiminden yararlanmaktadırlar. Bankalar bu amaçları gerçekleştirebilmek için iletişim sürecini kullanırken, halkla ilişkiler, kişisel satış ve reklam iletişiminden faydalanmaktadırlar. Özellikle reklam iletişimi, bankaların hedef kitleye kendilerini ve ürünlerini ifade etmede, müşterilerin o bankanın hizmetlerini tercih etmesinde önemli bir role sahiptir. İşletmeler, ürün reklamları ile ürettikleri mal ve hizmetlerinin satışını artırmak ve kar sağlamayı hedeflerken, satışlar üzerinde dolaylı yoldan etkisi olan kurumsal reklamlar ile de kurumun iletişim amacını gerçekleştirmektedirler. Kurumsal banka reklamlarında müşteriye bankanın faaliyetleri, çalışmalarının iktisadi sonuçları, gelecek dönemde uygulanması planlanan çalışma programı, yeni hizmetler, pazarın durumu, devletçe alman kararlar, dış alım ve satım konusundaki görüş ve tahminler, bankanın ürünleri gibi bilgiler iletilmektedir. Diğer reklam kampanyalarında olduğu gibi, banka reklamlarının hazırlık süreci de, araştırma ve amaçların belirlenmesi, hedef kitlenin tespiti ve reklam mesajının oluşturulması, reklam bütçesi ve reklam ortamlarının tespiti gibi başlıca üç aşamadan meydana gelmektedir.
KALABALIK VE ZAMAN BASKISI ALTINDAKİ TÜKETİCİLERİN ALIŞVERİŞTEN DUYDUKLARI TATMİN DÜZEYİNİ BELİRLEMEYE YÖNELİK BİR ÇALIŞMA
Authors: ÇABUK Serap , DEMİRCİ OREL Fatma , İPLİK Esengül
Published: February 2020

Kalabalık ve zaman baskısı faktörlerinin tüketicilerin alışveriş davranışlarını nasıl etkilediğinin anlaşılması perakendeciler için önemlidir. Kalabalık, tüketicilerin mağazaya girip girmeme kararı ile mağaza içerisindeki karar ve davranışları üzerinde etkili olmaktadır. Son yıllarda, insanların yaşam standartlarının yükselmesi ve hayat tarzlarının değişmesi sonucu ortaya çıkan zaman baskısı da tüketicilerin alışveriş davranışlarını ve tercihlerini önemli ölçüde etkileyen bir diğer değişkendir. Ayrıca, kalabalık ve zaman baskısı faktörleri, tüketicilerin, yaptıkları alışverişten tatmin olma düzeyi üzerinde de etkili olabilmektedir. Bu çalışmanın temel amacı; kalabalık ve zaman baskısı faktörlerinin, tüketicilerin alışverişten duydukları tatmin düzeyini ne yönde etkilediğini saptamaktır.
Bu çalışmadan elde edilen bazı önemli bulgulara göre; (1) tüketicilerin kalabalık algısının zaman baskısı ve alışveriş güdüsüne bağlı olarak değiştiği, (2) algılanan kalabalık ve zaman baskısının tüketicilerin alışverişten duydukları tatmin düzeyini azalttığı anlaşılmaktadır.
DEĞER TABANLI BÖLÜMLENDİRME KAPSAMINDA ORGANİK ÜRÜN TÜKETİCİLERİNİ MOTİVE EDEN KİŞİSEL DEĞERLERİN BELİRLENMESİ
Authors: NARDALI Sinan , AY Canan
Published: February 2020

Son yıllarda tüketicilerin çevre ve sağlıklı yiyecekler konusundaki endişelerinin artması, organik ürünlere otan talebi de arttırmıştır. Bu anlamda organik tarımsal üretimin temel prensibi tüm canlıları kapsayacak şekilde güvenli yiyeceklerin üretilmesidir. Diğer taraftan tüketicilerin kendilerine ait kural ve tutumları da, organik ürün tüketiminde önemli rol oynamaktadır. Bu çalışmada, tüketicileri organik ürün satın almaları konusunda motive eden kişisel değer ve tutumlar ortaya konulmaya çalışılmış, bu noktada kişisel sağlık, lezzet ve çevreye ilişkin değerlerin organik ürün tüketiminde merkezi bir rol oynadığı bulgusuna ulaşılmıştır. Elde edilen bu bulgulara öncelikle faktör ve kümeleme analizleri uygulanmış, bu analizler sonucu ulaşılan bilgiler ışığında organik ürünlere ilişkin değer tabanlı bölümlendirme yapılmaya çalışılmıştır.
MARKA YAYMA STRATEJİSİNİN BAŞARISINI FARKLI DEĞERLENDİREN TÜKETİCİLERİN MARKA İMAJI YE RİSK ALGILAMALARI BAKIMINDAN FARKLILAŞIP FARKLILAŞMADIĞININ BELİRLENMESİ
Authors: YENİÇERİ Tülay , AKTURAN Ulun
Published: February 2020

Marka yayma firmanın mevcut marka adını ürün bileşimine eklediği yeni ürünler için kullanmasıdır. Marka yayma stratejisi önemli bir büyüme stratejisidir. Bunun nedeni firmalar için bir takım avantajların yanı sıra geri dönülemez bir takını riskleri de barındırmasından kaynaklanmaktadır. Bu araştırmada marka yayma kararında yayma ürünün başarısını farklı düzeylerde değerlendiren tüketicilerin risk algılamaları ve ana marka imajına ilişkin algılamaları açısından farklılık gösterip göstermediği araştırılmaktadır. Bu bağlamda araştırma literatürde, marka yayma stratejisinin başarısını etkileyen faktörlerin belirlenmesine yönelik yürütülen diğer çalışmalara nazaran marka yayma stratejisine farklı bir bakış açısı getirmektedir. Çalışmada, araştırma hipotezlerini test etmek amacıyla hiyerarşik olmayan kümeleme ve çoklu diskriminant analizi kullanılmıştır. Buna göre tüketicilerin marka yayma stratejisinin başarısını değerlendirmede üç grup oluşturdukları - başarılı, başarısız ve orta düzeyde başarılı bulanlar- ve her tüketici grubunun ana marka imajına, finansal riske ve performans riskine ilişkin algılamalarına göre ayrıştığı tespit edilmiştir.
The prevalence of virulence genes and multidrug resistance in thermophilic Campylobacter spp. isolated from dogs
Authors: Selwet Marek
Published: February 2020

The aim of the study was to determine the role of dogs as a potential reservoir of Campylobacter spp. At the next stage of the research the frequency of occurrence of selected virulence genes, i.e. cadF, flaA and iam as well as genes responsible for the formation the cytolethal distending toxin (CDT), i.e. cdtA, cdtB and cdtC was determined. The isolates obtained in the research were tested for their resistance to selected antibiotics: ciprofloxacin (CIP), enrofloxacin (EF), erythromycin (E) and tetracycline (TE). Campylobacter spp. was found in 63 (12.6%) out of a total number of 500 isolates. 61 (12.2%) isolates were identified as C. jejuni. The number of C. jejuni isolates found in the younger animals was smaller (p <0.05) than in the older ones. The frequency of occurrence of virulence genes and the genes responsible for the formation of CDT was significantly (p <0.05) higher in the older dogs. A comparison of the effect of antibiotics showed that the isolates obtained from both age groups exhibited low resistance to erythrosine (13.5% in the group aged under 1 year and 8.6% in the group aged over 1 year). Both groups exhibited the highest resistance to ciprofloxacin and enrofloxacin.
Biogenesis pathways of α-helical mitochondrial outer membrane proteins
Authors: Drwesh Layla , Rapaport Doron
Published: February 2020

Mitochondria harbor in their outer membrane (OM) proteins of different topologies. These proteins are encoded by the nuclear DNA, translated on cytosolic ribosomes and inserted into their target organelle by sophisticated protein import machineries. Recently, considerable insights have been accumulated on the insertion pathways of proteins into the mitochondrial OM. In contrast, little is known regarding the early cytosolic stages of their biogenesis. It is generally presumed that chaperones associate with these proteins following their synthesis in the cytosol, thereby keeping them in an import-competent conformation and preventing their aggregation and/or mis-folding and degradation. In this review, we outline the current knowledge about the biogenesis of different mitochondrial OM proteins with various topologies, and highlight the recent findings regarding their import pathways starting from early cytosolic events until their recognition on the mitochondrial surface that lead to their final insertion into the mitochondrial OM.
Basics and use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in diabetes therapy
Authors: Freckmann Guido
Published: February 2020

Background

For a long time, self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) was widely viewed as the essential glucose measurement procedure in the therapy of insulin-treated people with diabetes. With increasing accuracy and simplified handling of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems, this evolving technology challenges and at least partly replaces SMBG systems.

Content

Sensors of all currently available CGM systems measure glucose levels in the subcutaneous interstitial fluid for 6–14 days. The only available implantable sensor facilitates a measurement span of up to 6 months. Depending on the used system, glucose levels are either shown in real time (rtCGM systems) or after scanning (iscCGM systems). Functions such as alerts, alarms and trend arrows and data presentation encourage independent self-management of diabetes therapy. The high frequency of glucose data and the multitude of existing functions require an extensive training of people with diabetes and their caregivers.

CGM systems provide a much more detailed picture of glycemia in people with diabetes. Educated patients can use these data to react adequately to their glucose levels and therefore avoid hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic events. Studies showed that glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and hypoglycemic events can be significantly reduced by frequent use of CGM systems.