bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and pattern of beta-haemolytic streptococcal throat infections among primary school children in a rural community in rivers state
Authors: Wonodi Woroma
Published: April 2020

Background:

Group A beta-haemolytic Streptococcus (GABHS) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in humans where it causes symptomatic pharyngitis and the non-suppurative sequelae of acute rheumatic fever and post-streptococcal acute glomerulonephritis. Regional evaluation of streptococcal throat infections may be helpful in disease surveillance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and pattern of GABHS throat infections among primary school children in a rural community in Rivers State, Nigeria.

Methodology:

This cross-sectional study was carried out between May and July 2015 in Emohua local government area of Rivers State, Nigeria. Pupils were recruited using a multistaged random sampling technique. Throat swabs obtained were cultured using sheep blood and sent for microscopy and Lancefield grouping.

Results:

A total of 456 pupils aged 6–12 years were recruited, of which 54 (11.8%) had a positive throat culture of beta-haemolytic Streptococcus (BHS). The isolates were Lancefield Groups B (23; 42.6%), A (18; 33.3%), D (9; 19.6%), C (3; 5.6%) and F (1; 1.8%). No Group G BHS was isolated. Age, sex, socioeconomic class, classroom and household overcrowding did not significantly influence the prevalence of BHS throat infections.

Conclusion:

The prevalence of BHS throat infections in this rural community was similar to that in the urban areas in Nigeria. There was no significant difference between the prevalence of BHS in symptomatic and asymptomatic pupils.
Auxiliary Power Unit Electrical Interface Requirements for Class Eight Trucks
Authors:   Truck and Bus Electrical Systems Committee
Published: April 2020

This SAE Recommended Practice covers the design and application of a 120 VAC single phase engine based auxiliary power unit or GENSET. This document is intended to provide design direction for the single phase nominal 120 VAC as it interfaces within the truck 12 VDC battery and electrical architecture providing power to truck sleeper cab hotel loads so that they may operate with the main propulsion engine turned off.
DİNİ MÛSİKİ AÇISINDAN GEÇMİŞTEN GÜNÜMÜZE EZAN
Authors: KOCAKANAT Erhan
Published: April 2020

Zamanımızda genel kabul
görmüş tasnife göre Türk mûsikisi; iki ana başlık altında, “dini” ve “lâdini”
mûsiki olarak incelenmiştir. Dini mûsikinin kendi içindeki tasnife göre ise
“Cami Mûsikisi” ve “Tasavvuf (Tekke)” mûsikisi olarak iki grup vardır. Bu
çalışmada cami mûsikisinin en önemli öğelerinden olan ezan’ımûsiki açısından
incelemeye başlamadan önce Peygamber Efendimiz Hz. Muhammed (s.a.v.)’in Medine
döneminde ilk ezanın okunmasıyla başlayan tarihsel süreçteki uygulamaları
incelenmiştir. Ezanın insan sesiyle okunması sebebiyle mûsikiden faydalanma
zorunluluğu vardır. Bu sebeple ezanın bütün insanlar üzerinde etkili
olabilmesi, güzel sesli ve mûsiki bilgisi olan insanlar tarafından okunması ile
mümkündür. Dolayısıyla müezzinlik müessesesi teşkil edilmiş olup çalışmamızda
Peygamberimiz zamanından itibaren müezzinlik ve önemli müezzinler
incelenmiştir.
KÜRESEL MARKANIN KENT ve YÖRESİ İLE ETKİLEŞİMİ: STARBUCKS NEDEN ISPARTA’DA VAR, BURDUR’DA YOK?
Authors: KİRİŞ Hakan , CANSEVER Niran , PEKER YILDIZAN Ayşen
Published: April 2020

Dünyanın yeniden şekillenmesine etki eden küreselleşme kavramı, neredeyse her alanda duyulmaktadır.
Kentler, küresel geçerliliklerin öncelikli alanlarından biri olarak bu sürecin
içinde yer almaktadırlar. Elbette ki, dünya üzerinde kentler farklı sınıflandırmalar
çerçevesinde değerlendirilmelidir. Yine de küresel çağda kentlerin konumlanması
ve durumu önemli bir tartışma konusu olarak öne çıkmaktadır. Bu tartışmada
ünlü, çok büyük ve etkili metropollerin yanında büyük, orta, küçük, istisnai
gibi ölçeklerle sınıflandırılabilecek kentleri de ele almak gereklidir. Orta
ölçekli bir kent, küresel koşullardan nasıl etkilenmektedir ve ona karşı nasıl
bir duruş sergileyebilir? Makalede yürütülen tartışma ve değerlendirme, orta
ölçekli kentlerin, burada örnek olarak Isparta ve Burdur ele alınmıştır, son
yıllarda fazlaca büyüyen bir sektör olan kahve pazarındaki hâkim marka
Starbucks örneğinde küreselleşmiş markalarla kurdukları etkileşimi ele
almaktadır. Bu amaçla, söz konusu iki il merkezinde inceleme, gözlem, alan
araştırması ve görüşmeler yapılmış, istatistiki veriler derlenmiş ve bir
karşılaştırma çerçevesi oluşturulmaya çalışılmıştır. Nihayetinde Türkiye’de
kentlerin küresel koşulları dışlamayan ancak tarihi, sosyal, kültürel, doku,
coğrafi vb. özelliklerinin de göz önünde bulundurulmasının önemine dair
çıkarımlar yapılmıştır.
Impact of Choppies Enterprise in Southern Africa: An Exploratory Study on Strategic Management Perspective
Authors: Simon Taelo , Nayeem Abdur Rakib , Alam Md. Khorshed , Raja Md. Shahab Ali
Published: April 2020

Organizations nowadays are increasingly impacting in using strategic management to improve their performance; this study has mainly focused on the impact of strategic management on the performance of Choppies Enterprises. Choppies Enterprise Botswana-based Choppies is an investment holding company operating in the retail sector across sub-Saharan Africa. Its operations are food and general merchandise retailing as well as financial services transactions supported by centralized distribution channels, through distribution centers and logistical support assets in Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Zambia. This study focused on the strategic management of Choppies Enterprises. The main research problem was to make an in-depth analysis of its competitive strategy and how to implement it. The main research method was qualitative research by analyzing their company data, annual reports, and making interviews with the manager, staff, and customers in Botswana shops. The result shows a clear image of the process of strategic management by Choppies' case. Some recommendations made for Choppies help to improve their sustainable developments and support a vivid example for many companies. In the theoretical part, it described the definition, process, benefit, and challenge of strategic management. In the practical part, an exhaustive analysis of the company's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats was made by using the detailed figures.
Evaluación de la resiliencia de los servicios urbanos frente a episodios de inundación en Barcelona. El Proyecto RESCCUE
Authors: Russo B. , Velasco M. , Monjo R. , Martínez-Gomariz E. , Sánchez D. , Domínguez J. L. , Gabàs A. , Gonzalez A.
Published: April 2020

En el marco del Proyecto europeo RESCCUE, las proyecciones climáticas para la ciudad de Barcelona muestran aumentos significativos de las intensidades máximas de precipitación para el horizonte del 2071-2100. En este trabajo se presenta la evaluación de la resiliencia de los servicios urbanos de la ciudad frente a episodios de inundación para condiciones de lluvia actuales y futuras. El uso de modelos sectoriales e integrados ha permitido valorar la respuesta del sistema de drenaje de la ciudad tanto a nivel de sistema de alcantarillado subterráneo como a nivel superficial analizando el comportamiento hidráulico del conjunto de las superficies urbanas (calles, plazas, parques, etc.). Por otro lado, los parámetros asociados a las inundaciones superficiales (extensión de las zonas inundables, calado y velocidad) han sido empleados para estimar potenciales afectaciones futuras en otros servicios urbanos estratégicos como el tráfico superficial, el sistema eléctrico y el sistema de recogida de residuos.
Characterization of the light-absorbing properties, chromophore composition and sources of brown carbon aerosol in Xi'an, northwestern China
Authors: Yuan Wei , Huang Ru-Jin , Yang Lu , Guo Jie , Chen Ziyi , Duan Jing , Wang Ting , Ni Haiyan , Han Yongming , Li Yongjie , Chen Qi , Chen Yang , Hoffmann Thorsten , O'Dowd Colin
Published: April 2020

Abstract. The impact of brown carbon aerosol (BrC) on the Earth's radiative forcing
balance has been widely recognized but remains uncertain, mainly because the
relationships among BrC sources, chromophores and optical properties of
aerosol are poorly understood. In this work, the light absorption properties
and chromophore composition of BrC were investigated for samples collected
in Xi'an, northwestern China, from 2015 to 2016. Both absorption
Ångström exponent (AAE) and mass absorption efficiency (MAE) show
distinct seasonal differences, which could be attributed to the differences
in sources and chromophore composition of BrC. Three groups of
light-absorbing organics were found to be important BrC chromophores,
including compounds that have multiple absorption peaks at wavelengths
> 350 nm (12 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their
derivatives) and compounds that have a single absorption peak at wavelengths
< 350 nm (10 nitrophenols and nitrosalicylic acids and 3
methoxyphenols). These measured BrC chromophores show distinct seasonal
differences and contribute on average about 1.1 % and 3.3 % of light
absorption of methanol-soluble BrC at 365 nm in summer and winter,
respectively, about 7 and 5 times higher than the corresponding carbon mass
fractions in total organic carbon. The sources of BrC were resolved by
positive matrix factorization (PMF) using these chromophores instead of
commonly used non-light-absorbing organic markers as model inputs. Our
results show that vehicular emissions and secondary formation are major
sources of BrC (∼ 70 %) in spring, coal combustion and
vehicular emissions are major sources (∼ 70 %) in fall,
biomass burning and coal combustion become major sources (∼ 80 %) in winter, and secondary BrC dominates (∼ 60 %) in
summer.
Characterizing the surface microlayer in the Mediterranean Sea: trace metal concentrations and microbial plankton abundance
Authors: Tovar-Sánchez Antonio , Rodríguez-Romero Araceli , Engel Anja , Zäncker Birthe , Fu Franck , Marañón Emilio , Pérez-Lorenzo María , Bressac Matthieu , Wagener Thibaut , Triquet Sylvain , Siour Guillaume , Desboeufs Karine , Guieu Cécile
Published: April 2020

Abstract. The Sea Surface Microlayer (SML) is known to be enriched by trace metals
relative to the underlying water and harbor diverse microbial
communities (i.e., neuston). However, the processes linking metals and biota
in the SML are not yet fully understood. The metal (Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Ni, Mo,
V, Zn and Pb) concentrations in aerosol samples in the SML (dissolved and
total fractions) and in subsurface waters (SSWs; dissolved fraction at
∼1 m depth) from the western Mediterranean Sea were analyzed
in this study during a cruise in May–June 2017. The composition and
abundance of the bacterial community in the SML and SSW, the primary
production, and Chl a in the SSW were measured simultaneously at all stations
during the cruise. Residence times in the SML of metals derived from aerosol
depositions were highly variable and ranged from minutes for Fe (3.6±6.0 min) to a few hours for Cu (5.8±6.2 h). Concentrations of most
of the dissolved metals in both the SML and SSW were positively correlated
with the salinity gradient and showed the characteristic eastward increase
in the surface waters of the Mediterranean Sea (MS). In contrast, the total
fraction of some reactive metals in the SML (i.e., Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn) showed
a negative correlation with salinity and a positive correlation with
microbial abundance, which might be associated with microbial uptake. Our
results show a strong negative correlation between the dissolved and total
Ni concentration and heterotrophic bacterial abundance in the SML and SSW,
but we cannot ascertain whether this correlation reflects a toxicity effect
or is the result of some other process.
Introducing LAB60: A 1/60° NEMO 3.6 numerical simulation of the Labrador Sea
Authors: Pennelly Clark , Myers Paul G.
Published: April 2020

Abstract. A high-resolution coupled ocean-sea ice model is set up within the Labrador Sea. With a horizontal resolution of 1/60°, this simulation is capable of resolving the multitude of eddies which transport heat and freshwater into the interior of the Labrador Sea. The transport of these fluxes strongly governs the overall stratification, deep convection, and subsequent production of Labrador Sea Water. We implement nested domains within our regional configuration to reduce computational costs, allowing for a simulation that spans over 10 years. Three passive tracers are also included: Greenland runoff, Labrador Sea Water produced during convection, and Irminger Water which enters the Labrador Sea along Greenland. We describe the configuration setup and compare against similarly forced lower-resolution simulations to better describe how horizontal resolution impacts the Labrador Sea.
Determinants of Residency Program Choice in Two Central African Countries: An Internet Survey of Senior Medical Students
Authors: Kanmounye Ulrick S. , Temgoua Mazou , Endomba Francky T.
Published: April 2020

Background: Central African countries have an increasing burden of disease, low specialist workforce densities, and under-resourced postgraduate medical education. The residency program choice of today’s medical students will determine specialist workforce density in the near future. This study aims to elucidate the factors that influence the choice of residency programs among medical students of two Central African countries.

Methods: We designed an online questionnaire in French and English with closed-ended, open-ended, and Likert scale questions. Links to both forms were shared via the international messaging application, WhatsApp, and data were collected anonymously for one month. Respondents were sixth- and seventh-year medical students enrolled in nine Cameroonian and Congolese schools. The threshold of significance was set at 0.05 for bivariate analysis.

Results: There were 149 respondents in our study, 51.7% were female, and 79.2% were from Cameroon. Almost every student (98%) expressed the wish to specialize, and a majority (77.2%) reported an interest in a residency program abroad. Preferred destinations were France (13.7%), Canada (13.2%), and the U.S.A. (11.9%). The most popular specialties were cardiology (9.4%), pediatrics (9.4%) and obstetrics and gynecology (8.7%). The choice of specialty was made based on the respondent’s perceived skills (85.9%), anticipated pay after residency (79.2%), and patient contact (79.2%).

Conclusion: Understanding which specialties interest Cameroonian and Congolese medical students and the reasons for these choices can help develop better local programs.
Medical Education in Naples, Italy, at the Time of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Pagano Gianluca , Luglio Gaetano
Published: April 2020

SARS-CoV-2 pandemic dramatically changed our daytime routine. Our university world was deeply affected by this emergency situation and had to guarantee the teaching activity with online lessons and exams. While it is true that even in non-emergency conditions online teching is an integral part of many universities, the same cannot be said for graduation ceremonies. And what about students' clinical practice and research activity? In the present article, we will discuss about the experiences of a final-year medical student and of a young assistant professor of Surgery.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for Global Journal of Health Science, Vol. 12, No. 6
Authors: Grey Erica
Published: April 2020

Reviewer Acknowledgements for Global Journal of Health Science, Vol. 12, No. 6, 2020.
Wrench Tectonism and Intracontinental Basin Sedimentation: A Case Study of the Moku Sub-Basin, Upper Benue Trough, Nigeria
Authors: Oha Ifeanyi A. , Okonkwo Ikenna A. , Dada Silas S.
Published: April 2020

The Upper Benue trough of Nigeria consists of basins and horsts characterized by numerous structural features. Detailed study of one of the basins revealed sets of “centimetric”, riedel type “en-echelon” NE-SW trending strike slip faults contained in a number of brittle and ductile shear zones characterizing the basement/sediment boundary. Structural analysis suggests that the Moku sub-basin has been pulled apart along a releasing bend in between NE – SW strike slip faults and that three principal axes of stress were acting on the sub-basin during its formation. The maximum stress (1) with orientation 34/304 was responsible for the fault overlap (basin length), whereas the minimum stress (σ_3) with orientation 18/201 controlled the fault separation (basin width). These suggest a qualitative model showing the Moku sub-basin as a separate basin, which must have coalesced with adjacent sub-basins. Deposition of Bima sediments in the basin was closely controlled by tectonism. The immature B1 sediments are restricted mostly to the faulted margin of the basin. The more matured B2 and B3 sediments are distributed around the less disturbed areas.
Prediction of the Emissivity Curve at High Temperatures of Low Carbon Steel
Authors: de Deus Vinicius Santos , de Castro José Adilson , Corrêa Sandro Rosa Rosa
Published: April 2020

The thermography is an attractive technique to record the real-time temperature during the continuous welding processes. The temperature distribution during the weld zone is essential for understanding and evaluating the metallurgical properties of the joints. The knowledge of the material emissivity curve is necessary for the precise acquisition of thermography data. This emissivity value is usually assumed constant in the thermography software data acquisition, resulting in inaccurate thermographic data. The surface emissivity usually depends on the temperature. Thus, the values obtained in the literature may not be valid for materials of interest under the process’s conditions. Especially in the case of the low carbon steels, the emissivity data available are scarce and frequently obtained at low temperatures (below 200oC). Therefore, we proposed a methodological procedure to measure the effective surface emissivity, which considers the effect of temperatures and surface conditions. This research was focused on the development of an experimental methodology for determining the emissivity curve, using as the sample, a low carbon steel (0.07% C) with 0.21 mm thickness obtained from the productive stock of a continuous annealing line in the steel plant of the Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (CSN). The normal sample emissivity was evaluated in the temperature range from 100ºC to 800ºC. It was proposed a model based on a sigmoid function to represent the effective emissivity during temperature rise. The sigmoid model parameters were obtained by a fitting procedure using temperature measurements obtained by thermocouples. The results showed an effective emissivity variation as a function of temperature, where emissivity values raged in the interval of 0.09 to 0.83. Thus, the useful emissivity curve was used to correct the thermography data obtained in electrical resistance seam welding (RSEW) with three levels of heats inputs. The correlation for the emissivity curve incorporated in the thermography software was applied to the thermal profiles of the welds analyzed from 441ºC to 713ºC. These values are consistent with the welding process used. The developed methodology can be applied, in a similar way, in the correction of profiles in other types of welding processes.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for Modern Applied Science, Vol. 14, No. 5, May 2020
Authors: Lee Sunny
Published: April 2020

Reviewer Acknowledgements for Modern Applied Science, Vol. 14, No. 5, May 2020
Unleashing Public Private Partnership Understanding and the Ideal Underpinning Theories: A Public Sector View
Authors: Mugarura Jude Thaddeo , Ndevu Zwelinzima , Turyakira Peter
Published: April 2020

Researchers ceaselessly theorize public private partnerships (PPP) as a major innovative means to unlock public sector investment gaps, yet their contribution towards improved public service delivery has sustainably remained low mainly due to poor PPP understanding and application. This study utilises extant conceptual and theoretical studies through content analysis to provide a more concrete understanding of the PPP concept and philosophy for their effective application. The study developed a list of common PPP defining features (e.g. partnership, long-term projects and contracts, incomplete contracts, function specific tasks) and eight PPP perspectives (i.e. procurement management, urban regeneration, infrastructure, policy, moral regeneration, financing arrangements, language game, development) for better understanding of the PPP concept. Importantly, the study introduces a new and overarching PPP perspective of procurement management. Additionally, it was established that Traditional Public Management theory is not compatible with PPP practices, and the study recommends new public governance, public value, new public service, and remotely, the new public management as the most appropriate theories underpinning PPPs with in a public sector setting. This research contributes towards improved understandability of the PPP phenomenon and its practical applicability for greater impact towards sustainable public service delivery.
Developing Aesthetic Education Programme for Adults in Realization of Sustainable Development Goal Eleven (11) in Rivers State
Authors: C. Nwizu, Stella , N. Olori, Christian
Published: April 2020

The rise in population explosion characterized by influx of activities of multinational oil companies in Rivers State has called for the need to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable (SDG 11). This study therefore aimed at developing aesthetic education programme for adults in realization of sustainable development goal 11 in Rivers State, Nigeria. The study was guided by four objectives. The research and development design was adopted for the study. The population of the study was 2,022 respondents made up of 170 facilitators and 1,653 learners from the three senatorial districts in the state. The proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to select 30% of the population as the sample size. Instrument for data collection was the researchers’ structured questionnaire which was face validated by three experts. Data collected were subjected to descriptive and inferential analysis in the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) software version 21. Findings revealed that transmitting knowledge for disaster management and development of perceptual sensitivity on aesthetic experiences were some of the objectives of aesthetic education programme. The study further revealed disaster management and cultural norms and values as some of its contents. Brainstorming and observation were some of the delivery systems, while discussion and the use of video clips among others were evaluation strategies. Recommendations and implications were further provided.
Conditional Covariance Prediction in Portfolio Analysis Using MCD and PCS Robust Multivariate Scatter Estimators
Authors: Jaśko Przemysław , Kosiorowski Daniel
Published: April 2020

In this paper we compare two matrix estimators of multivariate scatter – the minimal covariance determinant estimator MCD with a new proposal an estimator minimizing an incongruence criterion PCS in a context of their applications in economics. We analyze the estimators using simulation studies and using empirical examples related to issues of portfolio building. In a decision process we often make use of multivariate scatter estimators. Incorrect value of these estimates may result in financial losses. In this paper we compare two robust multivariate scatter estimators – MCD (minimum covariance determinant) and recently proposed PCS (projection congruent subset), which are affine equivariant and have high breakdown points. In the empirical analysis we make use of them in the procedure of weights setting for minimum vari ance and equal risk contribution (ERC) portfolios.
Gale’s Economy with Multiple Turnpikes. “Weak” Turnpike Effect
Authors: Panek Emil
Published: April 2020

In the vast literature on turnpike theory it is generally assumed that the model path – called the turnpike – to which in a long time period all the optimal processes are convergent, is uniquely determined. Its geometric image in the Gale’s model (in its stationary version) is a ray in the space of all states of the economy. We call it von Neumann’s ray. In this paper we evade the assumption of the uniqueness of this turnpike (von Neumann’s ray) and study the behaviour of the stationary Gale’s economy with the compact turnpikes’ bundle. We call it multilane turnpike. We present proofs for several variants of the “weak” multilane turnpike theorem in the stationary Gales’ economy.
Power Analysis of Independence Testing for Three-way Contingency Table 2×2×2
Authors: Sulewski Piotr
Published: April 2020

The first aim of this paper is to present the theory of the proposal of the author in the form of modular statistics for three-way contingency table 2×2×2 and examine its properties in relation to known “chi-squared statistics”. The second aim is to describe the procedure of generating the content of these tables using the bar method. The third aim is to propose the measure of untruthfulness of null hypothesis as well as to compare the quality of independence tests using their power. Critical values for all analyzed statistics were determined by simulation methods of Monte Carlo.
Protection of Judicial Facilities in the Republic of Poland: An Outline of the Problem
Authors: Albrzykowska Ewelina
Published: April 2020

The aim of the article is to show the way of security agencies operation at the courts in Poland. Firstly, the author indicates the most important regulations regarding the protection of persons and services, as well as the most important rights and obligations of security officers in the general and then discussed principles of organization of protective actions in public buildings. Next, the author points out the rights and obligations of court security officers based on the regulations contained in the network and the scope of the terms of contract for protection services of selected courts in Poland. There are terms of security services in the courts of the Republic of Poland by private companies specializing in this field shortly characterized, as well as the principles of announcing a tender. This leads to the conclusion that private security agencies in Poland are very important for courts functioning, which really take into account the sense of security of all persons staying in the court.
Bioterrorism and Chemoterrorism as the Forms of Contemporary Terrorism. Attacks Prevention in the Republic of Poland
Authors: Nowak Paulina
Published: April 2020

The article discusses the issues of bioterrorism and chemoterrorism. Based on the analysis of source literature, biological weapons and chemical weapons are briefly characterized, as well as their historical outline and examples of use known from history are presented. Additionally, the systems of preventing terrorist attacks with the use of these types of weapons are discussed on the example of the Republic of Poland. Considerations lead to the conclusion that the threat of terrorist attacks using weapon of mass destruction is currently very high, therefore there is the high need for perfectly functioning and proven mechanisms of action. Poland, as a country that has not yet experienced serious terrorist attacks, must pays particular attention to the continuous development of defense systems and cooperate in that area with international organizations.
Dimensions of Intercompany Cooperation in the Construction Industry and their Relations to Performance of SMEs
Authors: Michna Anna , Kmieciak Roman , Czerwińska-Lubszczyk Agnieszka
Published: April 2020

Cooperation between companies is widely believed to have positive impact on their performance. However, there is insufficient empirical research on relationships between these constructs in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the construction industry. Moreover, cooperation is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon, and it is interesting how different dimensions of cooperation may influence the company’s performance. To bridge the research gap, the following study is performed, which: (1) identifies dimensions of intercompany cooperation, and (2) examines the relationships between dimensions of cooperation and the performance of SMEs. Eight dimensions of cooperation were identified, based on 125 observations obtained from Polish construction SMEs. It appears that a company’s openness to cooperation is dependent on the company’s maturity and the competition between partners. Surprisingly, no significant connection was observed between the cooperation, financial performance and the change in the number of employees. It is considered that the cooperation in the construction industry, although not related to financial performance in a significant or direct way, is common and may be essential for the survival of SMEs.
Forecasting Inflation: A Combination Approach
Authors: Bojaj Martin , Djurovic Gordana
Published: April 2020

The objective of this paper is to investigate and forecast the determinants of Montenegrin inflation empirically, using forecast combination methods, from January 2006 to December 2016, and out-of-sample 12-month horizon forecasting from January 2017 to December 2017. The main research problem is that given the struggle policymakers have had to define proper criteria to diagnose the onset of inflation indicators, we felt compelled to identify an approach and methodology that the government of Montenegro can use in the threshold to accessing the European Union. We examine three individual-predictor SVAR models to forecast inflation.  Model 1 examines the internal determinants of inflation. Model 2 relates to demand-pull and cost-push variables. Model 3 examines external determinants. Combining the above three forecasts, we disclose two more RMSEs: equal and inverse MSE weights. Model 1 predicts inflation at 1.3%, the inverse MSE at 1.5%, and the weighted average at 1.4%. They show forecasting performances that are sustainable and average inflation not more than 1.5% above the rate of the three best performing Member states: Cyprus (0.2%), Ireland (0.3%), and Finland (0.8%) over the 12 months covering April 2017-March 2018. Our findings allow the policymakers to understand the factors involved in identifying the onset of inflation dynamics and inflation expectations in Montenegro better and develop more effective government regulations that can be employed nationally. In so doing, this research advances and recommends the toolset needed, combining forecasts, to combat the concerns of many macroprudential policymakers in Montenegro, especially the Central Bank of Montenegro.
Signal crayfish in Lake Saimaa could be maladapted to the local conditions due toAphanomyces astaciinfection: A seven-year study
Authors: Jussial Japo , Tiitinen Vesa , Edsman Lennart , Kokko Harri , Fotedar Ravi
Published: April 2020

We conducted a seven-year survey (years 2009 - 2015) of the Lake Saimaa signal crayfish population. Lake Saimaa is the largest single waterbody in Finland, with a productive fishery and crayfishery. The signal crayfish were introduced to Lake Saimaa in mid-1990’s and a commercial fishery was initiated in the mid-2000s. At first, there was a small proportion of noble crayfish among the catch, but after 2007, an acute crayfish plague epidemic eradicated them, and the signal crayfish stock started showing frequent gross symptoms of chronic crayfish plague infection (e.g., melanised lesions, eroded uropods and pleopods, lost appendages with melanised stumps). This stock now shows gross symptoms of the infection at a rate of 45% to 79% of the annual trap catch, in addition to showing signs of eroded swimmeret symdrome (ESS) at a rate of 2.8 to 15.4%. The CPUE has remained rather low, between one and three crayfish throughout the survey, while the proportion of the commercial grade catch has been between 35% and 68% of the total catch. The signal crayfish populations in Lake Saimaa are still rather fragmented, and production is low. It appears that the Lake Saimaa signal crayfish population has developed slowly and is producing less than expected.
Geographic patterns of crayfish symbiont diversity persist over half a century despite seasonal fluctuations
Authors: Skelton James , Creed Robert P. , Landler Lukas , Geyer Kevin M. , Brown Bryan L.
Published: April 2020

We analyzed historical data from 1961-1965 for species occurrences of branchiobdellidans and their crayfish hosts throughout the Mountain Lake Region of southwestern Virginia, USA to quantify geographic variability in species composition and identify patterns in host and symbiont diversity. We collected contemporary census data of branchiobdellidan assemblages from the same region in 2011-2014 for intra-annual variation in symbiont abundance and species composition. We compared historical and contemporary records to assess the stability of geographic patterns in symbiont diversity over decadal timescales. Branchiobdellidan assemblages followed a hump-shaped relationship with Strahler stream order. Much of the geographic variation in symbiont species composition was explained by host species composition, despite low host fidelity in branchiobdellidans. There were strong seasonal cycles in branchiobdellidan abundance and species composition. A comparison of historical and contemporary records revealed little change in species distributions over 50 years. Thus, branchiobdellidan species composition changes predictably along habitat gradients, tracks variation in host composition, is repeatable across decadal timescales, and follow strong cyclic seasonal changes in total and relative abundances. These results suggest that complex but deterministic ecological processes drive symbiont population dynamics at multiple spatial and temporal scales.
Variables psicológicas asociadas a la corrupción: una revisión sistemática
Authors: Martín Julián  , Bonavia Tomás
Published: April 2020

En la actualidad, la corrupción constituye uno de los principales problemas psicológicos, sociales, económicos y políticos a nivel mundial. El objetivo del presente estudio es analizar las variables psicológicas asociadas a la corrupción a través de una revisión sistemática de las publicaciones entre 2008 y 2018. Tras realizar una búsqueda en las bases de datos Psycinfo, Web of Science y Dialnet, se encontraron 41 artículos que cumplían con los criterios de selección propuestos. Los grandes núcleos encontrados fueron la ética organizacional, creencias y valores culturales, moral y normas percibidas, y personalidad y variables relacionadas. En general, los resultados apuntan a que variables organizacionales como la percepción de la conducta de sus dirigentes o las estrategias de justificación están relacionadas con la corrupción. Valores culturales meritocráticos y materialistas también han sido ligados a la conducta corrupta, como ocurre en el caso de la percepción de un entorno corrupto y de las normas sociales. En cuanto a la personalidad, rasgos como el narcisismo y la psicopatía se encuentran íntimamente ligados a este fenómeno. Por otra parte, variables como la percepción del poder o el sexo de los participantes han recibido un sustento empírico ambiguo.

Nowadays, corruption is one of the most important psychological, social, economic and political issues worldwide. The present paper aims to analyse psychological variables related to corruption through a systematic review of publications from 2008 to 2018. After carrying out a bibliographic search in scientific databases such as Psycinfo, Web of Science and Dialnet, 41 papers were found to match selection criteria. Core topics haven been organizational ethics, cultural beliefs and values, perceived norms and moral, and personality and related variables. Overall, results have shown that organizational variables such as leaders’ behaviour and justification strategies are linked to corruption. Meritocratic and materialist values have also been linked to corrupt behaviour, just like perceiving a corrupt environment and social norms. In regard to personality, features such as narcissism and psychopathy are deeply connected with this phenomenon. On the other side, perception of power and gender have a mixed empirical support.
Reading sentences in spanish: some similarities and differences between children with dyslexia and those with deafness
Authors: Alegria Jesus , Carrillo Maria-Soledad , Rueda Mercedes I. , Domínguez Gutiérrez Ana Belén
Published: April 2020

Este estudio compara las estrategias para leer oraciones utilizadas por un grupo de escolares con dislexia (n = 107) y un grupo con sordera e implante coclear (n = 61) de lengua castellana. Los resultados indican que solo los participantes con sordera adoptan la estrategia de palabras clave (EPC), que consiste en identificar algunas de las palabras de la oración con contenido semántico propio, e ignorar las palabras funcionales. Se observa además que el uso de la EPC está asociado con un déficit sintáctico. Por otra parte, cuando los dos grupos se emparejan en el nivel lector con niños con desarrollo típico en lectura (Grupo Control, n = 785), las diferencias entre los Grupos Disléxico y Control desaparecieron. Sin embargo, los niños con sordera mantenían su tendencia a usar la EPC y seguían presentando dificultades para procesar las palabras funcionales. Estos resultados excluyen la hipótesis de que la EPC sea un procedimiento utilizado de forma general para compensar los déficits de lectura, pareciendo depender, más específicamente, de dificultades en la capacidad sintáctica

The present study compares the strategies to read sentences used by Spanish-speaking children with dyslexia (n = 107) and cochlear-implanted children with deafness (n = 61). The results show that children with deafness, but not with dyslexia, adopt the key-word-strategy (KWS), which consists of identifying some content words of the sentence while ignoring the function words. Furthermore, it appeared that the KWS was associated with poor syntactic ability. Moreover, when Dyslexic and Deaf Groups were carefully matched at reading level with normally developing children (Control Group, n = 785) all of the differences between dyslexics and normally developing children disappeared. Children with hearing loss however were still poor at dealing with function words and consequently maintained their tendency to use the KWS. These results exclude the hypothesis that the KWS is a broadly used procedure to compensate for reading deficits but seems, rather, to depend on poor syntactic ability.
HOW TO IMPROVE SUPPLIER SELECTION FOR COMPLEX ITEMS USING PRODUCT ENGINEERING: PERSPECTIVES FROM THE INDUSTRY
Authors: MEDIAVILLA MIGUEL , BERNARDOS CAROLINA , MENDIBIL KEPA , RIVERA OLGA
Published: April 2020

The supplier selection process is a complex and difficult decision-making process for practitioners but also considered a core contributor to company performance. Game-theory can be applied to the supplier selection process for explanation, prediction, or prescription, which could provide superior bargaining power over suppliers by creating competition.
Anyhow, the empirical evidences on the application of game theory to the supplier selection process has been mainly descriptive or prescriptive in nature (whats), lacking deeper knowledge regarding the design and application (hows and whys). Specifically, deeper knowledge regarding the importance of using product engineering methods and tools when applying game theory to supplier selection is needed (specially for complex and highly engineering goods).
Therefore, this work has the objective to provide a unique description of two case studies that show how and why product engineering methods and tools can be applied to the supplier selection, as well as how they contributed to enhance performance in supplier selection processes inspired by selected game-theory concepts. Among others, Value-Analysis, Reverse Engineering, QFD or FMEA have been utilized in both cases.

Key Words: supplier selection, negotiation, product engineering, value analysis, reverse engineering, QFD, FMEA, game theory
CHARACTERIZATION OF THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF TEXTILES FOR ITS SIMULATION THROUGH COMPUTER GRAPHICS
Authors: DE MIGUEL VILLALBA EDER , SAN MARTIN LOPEZ JOSE JAVIER , DOMINGUEZ GUEMES SOFIA
Published: April 2020

Nowadays, the fashion industry is introducing simulation technologies into its workflow. However, the realism of the simulations is limited by the simulation models and their parameters. To maximize this realism it is necessary to determine the parameters of the simulation models according to the actual behavior of the different textiles.
In this work we present a testing device to capture the flexural behavior of textile fabrics. The global estimation system that makes use of these data to determine the simulation parameters that minimize the differences between the real and the simulated behavior is also described.

Key Words: Testing device; Characterization of Textile Fabrics; Simulation and Numerical Optimization.
CLASIFICATION OF TYPES OF FINGERPRINT WITH NOISE USING RED SOM
Authors: HUAROTE ZEGARRA RAUL EDUARDO , FLORES MASIAS EDWARD JOSÉ
Published: April 2020

To identify the fingerprint type according to Henry's classification despite having noise present in the fingerprint image, the artificial neural network SOM of Teuvo Kohonen was used.
Erlebnis y Erfahrung (vivencia y experiencia) en Edith Stein
Authors: Ramos Gómez Miriam
Published: April 2020

La distinción de los términos Erlebnis y Erfahrung es central en la fenomenología respecto de los contenidos de conciencia, y es relevante a la comprensión del aporte steiniano en general. Se traducen por vivencia y experiencia respectivamente, pero más allá de su traducción literal, el objetivo de este artículo es contrastar en clave filosófica, algunas interpretaciones surgidas sobre el modo como esta autora entiende la distinción y relación entre esas palabras. Tras el análisis de las entradas de Erfahrung y Erlebnis, se concluye que en la filosofía posterior a la conversión de Stein hay un uso predominante de Erfahrung frente a Erlebnis. El artículo indaga en tales distinciones y sugiere que sus significados y uso por parte de Stein pueden aportar a los estudios sobre la mística.
Edith Stein y Hans Urs von Balthasar, Kleiner Diskurs über die Hölle. Apokatastasis
Authors: Meis Wörmer Anneliese
Published: April 2020

Este artículo investiga el significado de la extensa cita de Edith Stein, con que Hans Urs von Balthasar finaliza la compleja cuestión de la salvación universal en su controvertido Kleiner Diskurs über die Hölle, Apokatastasis. De hecho, la intrincada búsqueda de solución por conciliar la libertad humana con el amor omnipotente y misericordioso de Dios, se orienta por la expresión el sentido de la gracia, fórmula usada por la discípula de Husserl y confirmada por Balthasar. Según ambos autores, el sentido del existir en el mundo, debido a la relación entre libertad humana y gracia de Dios, se realiza por la gracia: al entregarse la libertad humana en-cantada por el amor de Dios, al Hijo del Padre por medio del Espíritu Santo, de tal modo que el ser humano gustosamente se pone al servicio de la humanidad.
Judgments of marital rape as a function of honor culture, masculine reputation threat, and observer gender: A cross‐cultural comparison between Turkey, Germany, and the UK
Authors: Gul Pelin , Schuster Isabell
Published: April 2020

Previous research has shown that there is higher tolerance of violence against women in cultures with salient gender‐specific honor norms, especially when the violence occurs in intimate relationships and in response to threat to male honor. The present cross‐cultural study (N = 398) extended these findings to sexual aggression (i.e., marital rape) by comparing participants from a culture that emphasizes honor (Turkey) and participants from cultures without strong honor traditions (Germany and Britain). Turkish participants blamed the victim and exonerated the perpetrator more than did German and British participants. In all cultural groups, participants blamed the victim and exonerated the perpetrator more when the husband's reputation was threatened than in the absence of such threat, and in all cultural groups, men blamed the victim and exonerated the perpetrator more than women. Yet, the effect of masculine reputation threat and this pattern of gender differences were somewhat more pronounced among Turkish than German or British participants. Results exploring the predictive role of honor norms at the individual level beyond rape myth acceptance and traditional gender role attitudes revealed that honor norms were the primary predictor of rape perceptions and blame attributions in Turkey (an honor culture), but not in Germany and Britain (dignity cultures) where rape myth acceptance was the strongest predictor. These results provide insights into the cultural factors influencing marital rape judgments in ways that may undermine victim's well‐being and fair handling of rape cases, and highlight the domains most urgently in need of potential intervention.
Directional Freeze‐Casting: A Bioinspired Method to Assemble Multifunctional Aligned Porous Structures for Advanced Applications
Authors: Shahbazi Mohammad-Ali , Ghalkhani Masoumeh , Maleki Hajar
Published: April 2020

Herein, the potential of directional freeze‐casting techniques as a very generic, green, and straightforward approach for the processing of various functional porous materials is introduced. These materials include 3D monoliths, films, fibers, and microspheres/beads, which are obtained by the assembly of network building blocks originated from cryoassembly of the various aqueous‐based systems. The process simply relies on 1) directional freezing of the slurry through contact with a cold surface, 2) maintaining the slurry at the frozen state for a particular time with controlling the freezing parameters and directions, and 3) sublimation of the created ice crystal templates inside the developed structure to translate the ice growth pattern to final porous structure. The materials developed with such a cryogenic process contain a highly complex porous structure, e.g., a hierarchical and well‐aligned microstructure in different levels, which renders a high control over the physicochemical and mechanical functionalities. Due to the versatility and controllability of this technique, the process can also be extended for the mimicking of the structures found in natural materials to the bulk materials to assemble bioinspired porous composites with many useful mechanical and physical features. The aim, herein, is to give a brief overview of the recent advances in developing anisotropic porous inorganic, organic, hybrid, and carbonaceous materials with a particular emphasis on materials with biomimicking microstructure using directional ice templating approach and to highlight their recent breakthrough for different high‐performance applications.