bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Успехи транспортного эксперимента в Крыму: функционирование горной троллейбусной линии
Authors: Цёхла Светлана Юрьевна , Симченко Наталия Александровна
Published: August 2016

В статье на основе ретроспективного анализа функционирования горной троллейбусной линии в Крыму исследуются особенности проведения данного транспортного эксперимента, характеризуется его роль в развитии региона в целом. Результаты анализа беспрецедентного в Европе эксперимента по строительству горной троллейбусной трассы позволили сделать вывод об экономической целесообразности функционирования линии и получении положительного социально-экономического эффекта для экономики Крыма. Результаты проведенных исследований будут представлять интерес для ученых, занимающихся вопросами исследования предпосылок развития транспортной инфраструктуры региона, а также работников государственных, региональных и муниципальных органов власти – при планировании мероприятий по рационализации пассажиропотоков в периоды сезонных изменений.
Эволюция и национальные черты российского маркетинг-менеджмента
Authors: Аренков Игорь Анатольевич , Зябриков Владимир Васильевич
Published: August 2016

В статье реализован системный подход к исследованию основных элементов внутренней среды фирмы и функциональных областей управления. Произведено деление инструментов современного маркетинг-менеджмента на глобальные и национальные, которые должны применяться с учетом российской специфики. Рассматривается применение инструментов стратегического менеджмента, таких как система сбалансированных показателей, теория жизненного цикла, цепочка создания стоимости, PEST-анализ для корректного сопоставления маркетинговой функции с другими наиболее важными функциями менеджмента.
Факторы, влияющие на развитие социального партнерства в сфере оплаты труда
Authors: Баранов Юрий Владимирович , Полянская Светлана Геннадьевна
Published: August 2016

В статье рассмотрены проблемы обеспечения эффективности социального партнерства в работе по регулированию заработной платы. Сформулирована и раскрыта система факторов, влияющих на развитие социального партнерства в сфере оплаты труда, и выявлены причины, сдерживающие это развитие. На основе проведенного исследования предложены рекомендации по совершенствованию социального партнерства в сфере оплаты труда и представлен ожидаемый результат их применения. Данная работа представляет интерес для исследователей в области регулирования социально-трудовых отношений.
Knowledge Translation Capacity of Arts-informed Dissemination: A Narrative Study
Authors: Lapum Jennifer L , Liu Linda , Church Kathryn , Hume Sarah , Harding Bailey , Wang Siyuan , Nguyen Megan , Cohen Gideon , Yau Terrence M
Published: August 2016

Background:  Arts-informed dissemination is an expanding approach to enhancing knowledge translation in the health sciences. Problematic is the minimal evaluation studies and the rare reporting of the influencing factors of knowledge translation. “The 7,024th Patient” is a research-derived art installation created to disseminate findings about patients’ experiences of heart surgery and the importance of humanistic patient-centred care approaches. The current study’s purpose was to explore how arts-informed dissemination (i.e., “The 7,024th Patient”) influenced healthcare practitioners’ delivery of care.Methods: An arts-informed narrative study was guided by the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services framework. The sample included a multi-disciplinary group of 19 individuals who worked with patients undergoing and recovering from heart surgery. Two interviews were conducted with each participant at the time of viewing the installation and 6 months later. A narrative analysis was conducted using Pictorial Narrative Mapping techniques.Results: Study findings indicated that the arts as a form of evidence provide an experiential and aesthetic encounter, which stimulated reflective practice. Participants’ accounts reflected cognitive and behavioral modifications related to empathy, holistic approaches and relational care. However, the complexities associated with the interpretive process and the influencing knowledge translation elements indicated a need to dialogue about the translation process, including deconstructing the evidence within the context of one’s own practice.Conclusions: Art is not just works of beauty or eccentric paintings. There is an imaginative and aesthetic capacity that can be cultivated with diligence, creativity, and rigour in the world of healthcare research and knowledge translation. Next steps require the examination of the knowledge translation capacity of different art forms with a range of populations and disciplines. Additionally, this study suggests the need to explore arts-informed dissemination that draws upon a more dialogical intervention in which knowledge users are involved in the interpretive processes of knowledge translation.
Understanding the Cognitive Processes Underlying Performance in the IELTS Listening Comprehension Test
Authors: Ghahramanlou Mohammad , Zohoorian Zahra , Baghaei Purya
Published: August 2016

The purpose of this study is to examine the cognitive processes underlying the listening comprehension section of IELTS and to investigate if they vary in terms of difficulty. For this purpose, a checklist of possible cognitive operations was prepared based on the literature and the candidates’ feedback. The checklist consisted of six cognitive operations. A sample of IELTS listening test was given to 310 upper intermediate and advanced students of English. Linear logistic test model was employed to analyse the data. Findings showed that keeping up with the pace of the speaker and understanding reduced forms were the most difficult operations for the listeners. Altogether, the six operations explained 72% of the variance in item difficulty estimates. Implications of the study for the testing and teaching of listening comprehension are discussed.
Organisational Effectiveness of NGOs with Reference to Personal Characteristics of Staff
Authors: Balaraju K.
Published: August 2016

Measuring Organisation effectiveness in the perspective of NGOs staff can give more effective feedback, with this feedback NGOs can able to know the strengths and weaknesses in given dimensions. The present study attempts to analyse an organizational effectiveness of NGOs as perceived by staff. The data have been collected from ten NGOs working in Telangana, India. Select NGOs identified by using Stratified disproportionate sampling method in which 100 staff members from 10 NGOs have responded. This study uses the standardised  28 items scale i.e. NGOs Effectiveness Instrument (NEI)  to measure the Organisational effectiveness developed by Swapan Garian(1993) additionally 3 items have been included in the instrument. The result indicated that organisational effectiveness of NGOs affected by NGOs staff personal characteristics namely gender, age, professional qualification, designation, place of work and work experience. The reasons have also been discussed.
‘Of the People or for the People’? An Analysis of Populist Discourse in the 2014 European Parliament Elections in Romania
Authors: Negrea-Busuioc Elena
Published: August 2016

Populism is on the rise in Europe; this is a fact attested by the success of populist parties in recent elections (regional, national, European). Populists’ electoral performance can be explained from a variety of perspectives, depending on the focus of the analysis; e.g. ideological, socio-economic, political factors. This paper aims to contribute insightful observations to the attempts to show how these parties have managed to score so well in elections by analyzing the communication and discursive practices used by populist politicians. I will focus on examining elements of populist rhetoric used by populist politicians, as well as by mainstream politicians in televised debates and election posters from the 2014 European Parliament election campaign in Romania.
Clinical Impact of Trunnion Wear After Total Hip Arthroplasty
Authors: Lanting Brent , Naudie Douglas D.R. , McCalden Richard W.
Published: August 2016

➢ Trunnionosis, characterized by corrosion and fretting of the taper, is a well-known entity commonly demonstrated in retrieval specimens. While there have been a number of recent reports regarding the potential for adverse local tissue reactions related to trunnionosis, it remains a relatively infrequent cause for failure of total hip replacement implants.

➢ A number of factors, including both biomechanical and bioelectrochemical factors, have a known impact on the development and severity of trunnionosis. Furthermore, specific implant design and material-related factors have been shown to influence the risk of trunnionosis leading to adverse local tissue reactions.

➢ Retention of a well-fixed femoral stem, in spite of corrosion of the male taper junction, is acceptable in the majority of cases.

➢ A ceramic head, often in combination with a titanium adaptor sleeve, is the most common replacement reported in the current literature to treat trunnionosis.

➢ In patients with modular-neck total hip replacements, revision of the femoral stem is likely required if corrosion at the modular neck-stem junction is encountered.
DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF 1536-PLEX SINGLE NUCLEOTIDE POLYMORPHISM MARKER CHIP FOR GENOME WIDE SCANNING OF INDONESIAN RICE GERMPLASM
Authors: Utami Dwinita W. , Rosdianti I. , Lestari P. , Satyawan D. , Rijzaani H. , Tasma I M.
Published: August 2016

A successful molecular breeding program requires detailed and comprehensive understanding of the diversity of rice germ-plasm and genetic base of target traits. The objective of this research was to develop the high throughput 1536-SNP chip linked to heading date and yield component traits and used it for genotyping the diverse Indonesian rice germplasm. The genotype data obtained could be used for diversity analysis and genome wide association mapping study. A 1536-SNP genome wide assay was developed using the Illumina’s GoldenGate technology. The SNP markers were selected in the rice genome regions containing heading date and yield component genes or regions where the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) of the two traits were mapped. The developed custom SNP chips were then used for genotyping 467 rice accessions showing diversity in heading dates and yield components. The assay can reliably be used for diversity analysis and mapping genes associated with heading date and yield component traits. For 1536-SNP BIO-RiceOPA-1 custom chip designed, a total of 34.832 SNPs distributed in rice genome particularly in the region of heading date and yield component genes or QTLs were identified. A total of 1536-SNP were selected and confirmed to be used for genotyping analysis. Analysis performance and quality of 1536-SNP BIO-RiceOPA1 showed that 60% (918/1536) of total SNP markers had a good differentiating power in scanning the rice accessions tested (MAF > 0.2). The 1536-SNP genome wide assay Illumina’s GoldenGate designed was useful for diversity analysis and could be used as SNP marker for large scale genotyping in rice molecular breeding involving Indica-Indica, Indica-Japonica and Indica-Tropical Japonica crosses.
IMPROVEMENT OF EARLY MATURITY IN RICE VARIETY BY MARKER ASSISTED BACKCROSS BREEDING OF Hd2 GENE
Authors: Fatimah Fatimah , Prasetiyono Joko , Dadang Ahmad , Tasliah Tasliah
Published: August 2016

Early-maturing and high-yielding rice variety is very useful for increasing rice production in Indonesia. The aim of this research was to develop new lines of Indonesian rice containing Hd2 gene using Code variety as a recipient parent and Nipponbare variety as a donor parent through targetted MAB approach using RM1362 and RM7601 in chromosom 7 for foreground selection. After two generations of backcrossing, the positive alleles of Hd2 gene from Nipponbare had successfully trans-ferred into Code. The plant number CdNp_29 in BC2F2 popula-tion had the highest genome recovery of 82.7%. The twelve BC2F3 plants were selected for self-pollination to generate BC2F4. These selected lines that carried the Hd2 gene were screened in the greenhouse for the evaluation of heading date and agronomic traits. All improved lines had Hd2 gene similar to the donor parent Nipponbare. The heading date of the breeding lines ranged from 73 to 89 days (Code 85 days) or fill the third criterion of rice maturity that is 103-104 days compared to Code of 116-119 days, whereas their agronomic performances were similar with that of Code. Application of MABc for im-proving rice early maturity has accelerated the development and selection in early generation of superior lines having genetic background of Code. It is expected that the newly developed lines of Code will be utilized to increase rice production in Indonesia.
How affordable are the costs compared to benefits brought by the euro to the Kosovo’s economy
Authors: Badivuku Dr.Sc. Myrvete , Maloku Mr.Sc. Erdin
Published: August 2016

Since January 1, 2002, pursuant to UNMIK Regulation[1] no. 1999/4, the EURO (‘’EUR’’) was adopted as the legal currency in Kosovo, and was made the factual currency of the country. All client accounts held by the Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo (CBK) and commercial banks were converted from DEM into EURO, on an irreversible currency ex-change rate of DEM 1,95583 per 1 EURO. As a result, in practice, while the Euro is legal and while accounts are held in this currency, almost all transactions made in Kosovo are titled and made in Euro. The use of a sustainable currency was important to maintaining a macro-economic stability and played a decisive role in rebuilding the people’s trust on the financial sector. On the other hand, the CBK does not emit currency, and as such, it does not perform any monetary and exchange policies. The currency regime adopted by Kosovo may be rather challenging, given the absence of traditional monetary instruments and the exchange rates. Therefore, the main concern remains whether fair policies (both fiscal and regulations related to the financial sector) will support this regime. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate costs and benefit brought upon the Kosovar economy by the use of Euro as a main currency in circula-tion, and how affordable are the costs in comparison to benefits brought by the Europeanization of the Kosovo’s economy.[1] UNMIK - United Nations Mission Interim in Kosovo.
The influence of March 2004 events in the resolution of the final status of Kosovo
Authors: Hyseni MSc. Bahri
Published: August 2016

In the paper on March 2004 events, I tried to compare relevant factors such as the lack of a defined final status, economic prob-lems, organized crime and others, and conclude on the extent of the influence of those factors on the final settlement of the Kosovo status.
Identification of toxic and other matters in wines by the method of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS)
Authors: Gashi Mr.Sc. Vlora , Begolli Mr.Sc. Bardh , Aliaga Dr.Sc. Nevzat
Published: August 2016

Quality wines are produced in our country. The main objective of this paper was identification of toxic matter, heavy metals and minerals in wines as final produce, with a view of improving nutritional quality of our wines, produced in 2008-2009.Another important fact for this research was the determination of the presence of remnants from protective solutions containing toxic elements (Cu and Pb)[1].[1] Evgjini Papazisi Tonin Rjolli Dr. Abdul Sinani "Food Technology and Environ-mental Protection (Teknologji ushqimore dhe mbrojtje mjedisi1)".
The effects of foreign banks entry in emerging market economies
Authors: Veljanoska MSc. Florida
Published: August 2016

This paper investigates the effects of foreign bank entry in emerging markets. We developed a picture of a multinational bank in an emerging markets by combining statistics from several sources, in order to explore broad range of effects that brings foreign bank entry in the developing countries. Some impacts of foreign bank entry have been thoroughly studied, while others are hardly mention. Entry of foreign bank brings large benefits to host country’s financial system and economies at large. This paper is studying those benefits very carefully, by analyzing the impact of foreign bank entry on economy, government, monetary policy, large enterprises, small and medium size enterprises, domestic bank etc. But, we also consider the fact that at the same time, foreign investment in the financial sector, rises some concerns, and therefore we analyze the negative effects as well. At the end we must admit that although there are some negative consequences from foreign bank entry in emerging markets, the benefits that arise from foreign banks penetration are much more, and this trend of foreign bank entry has brought new positive economic impulse in developing world.
Economic benefits of education – Kosovo Perspective
Authors: Reçi MSc. Arbër , Gjonbalaj Dr.Sc. Mujë
Published: August 2016

The future of economy and society of a country depends largely from the education of the labour force and advancement of their knowledge. The process of individual education does not end with graduation, but is a continuous process, in the function of economic competitively. Economic development and welfare are closely connected to investment in education. Considering that education investment is a heavy burden on taxpayers, high costs of education have been an object of debate in governments in terms of efficiency and rate of return. In circumstances in which economic and social development of Kosovo thrives, education is a challenge, but it is also an opportunity for important and inclusive change.Confident of the key role of education in economic development, the paper puts a special accent on economic benefits of an individual from higher education. Apart from this accent, a summary of empirical studies, which reflect facts and analysis of various countries, on economic benefits of education. Empirical analysis in many countries have shown that the role of education is key in a global competition, where knowledge is the key to success of economy and social development. From this perspective, young and vital population is the most important resource of Kosovo, the relevance of which will be assessed by the knowledge and skills acquired in institutions of higher education, very demanded in the labour market, as an important factor of economic and social change in the country. The results so far have shown that the investment rate of 3.3% of Gross Domestic Product allocated to education (around 6,0% in developed countries) is insufficient for the Kosovo’s economy to compete successfully with economies of other countries, in premises of an already global competition.
Credit policy and its impact in the work of Kosovo businesses
Authors: Haziri MSc. Lemane , Badivuku-Pantina Dr.Sc. Myrvete
Published: August 2016

Credit policy in Kosovo is a result and a reflection of the general development of macroeconomic policy. In the post-war Kosovo economic trends were negative. Therefore, in order to come to recovery and promotion of economic development, Kosovo needs investments. Surely credits represent one of financial resources through which material factors are provided for opening of new jobs that will be expressed in the decreasing of unemployment and increasing of the national production. Kosovo, as a part of Euro area, cannot make monetary policy, but it may make credit policy. Currently, out of the banking system of Kosovo is over 1.4 million Euros of financial means, and for this sum the credit potential is reduced, as a very important factor for business and the economy of Kosovo in general. Credits in Kosovo are characterized by high interest rates and short time of their return, so the purpose of this paper is to show how much the credits have been in the function of the development of businesses in Kosovo.
The effects of fiscal decentralization in Albania
Authors: Dragusha Dr.Sc. Blerta , Osmani Dr.Sc. Elez
Published: August 2016

“Basically decentralization is a democratic reform which seeks to transfer the political, administrative, financial and planning authority from central to local government. It seeks to develop civic participation, empowerment of local people in decision making process and to promote accountability and reliability: To achieve efficiency and effectiveness in the collection and management of resources and service delivery”1The interest and curiosity of knowing how our country is doing in this process, still unfinished, served as a motivation forme to treat this topic: fiscal decentralization as a process of giving 'power' to local governments, not only in terms of rights deriving from this process but also on the responsibilities that come with it.Which are the stages before and after decentralization, and how has it affected the process in several key indicators? Is decentralization a good process only, or can any of its effects be seen as an disadvantage?
Intellectual property
Authors: Ibrahimi MSc. Shpresa
Published: August 2016

Montenue, a distinct French scholar of intellectual property, has suggested that IP is a “tool which surprisingly helps a lot”, and this definition on science, arts, culture, since the 16th century. Now, what would be the definition of intellectual property for the 21st century? Apparently not a “strange” tool, but a necessary tool, primary for enriching human knowledge, and for the new world order, especially in the global market sphere.Intellectual property is an integral part of international trade, and its importance keeps increasing, since effective use of knowledge is increasingly influencing the economic prosperity of peoples. One may say that there is little originality in the creative sphere. Naturally, this originality can only be reflected by individuality and human identity in intellectual creativityThe author rights in the Kosovo legislation is a novelty, a necessity of developing a creative environment in the fields of science, arts and industrial property. First and foremost, the individual benefit, which is secured by the author as the creator of the work, is a moral and material right. Secondly, there is a need for harmonization, not only of values for the creator, but also for the development of science, culture, increased competitive advantage, and the public sphere, as a benefit for the public health and security, and the fiscal policy. The deficiency one must record is with the Office for Copy Rights, which is to play a strong role in implementing and protecting copy rights and other related rights by licensing collective management agencies, imposing administrative fines, awareness raising, provision of information, and other capacity building and educative measures. Naturally, the enactment of good legislation is a system without any meaning or sense if not associated with the court practice. Any establishment of a legal system not pursued with enforcement mechanisms remains only in legal frameworks.
Using Variable Speed Control on Pump Application
Authors: Spahiu Dr.Sc. Aida , Zavalani Dr.Sc. Orion , Uka MSc. Altin
Published: August 2016

Pumps are one of the most common variable speed drive (VSD) system applications and special interest has focused on improving their energy efficiency by using variable speed control instead of throttling or other less efficient flow control methods. Pumps are the single largest user of electricity in industry in the European Union, consuming 160 TWh per annum of electricity and accounting for 79 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions [1]. Centrifugal pumps are the most likely pump style to provide a favorable return based on energy savings when applied with a variable speed drive. To help illustrate this, are conducted benchmark testing to document various head and flow scenarios and their corresponding effect on energy savings. Paper shows the relationship of static and friction head in the energy efficiency equation and the effect of motor, pump and VSD efficiencies. The received results are good reference points for engineers and managers of water sector in Albania to select the best prospects for maximizing efficiency and energy savings.
Legal order and the principles of law: Case of the Republic of Slovenia
Authors: Tičar Dr.Sc. Bojan
Published: August 2016

In this article author defines law a system of rules and principles that regulate, within the boundaries of legal regularity, the vitally important external conduct and behavior of the subjects in a state-organized society. In this context he upgrades rethinking of law with definition of legal order. A legal system or legal order author see as an integrated whole of the hierarchically regulated principles of law, rules, and general legal acts which apply in a certain country, are published, and enter into effect from a certain date following adoption.In central part of the article author explains the case of legal regulation in Slovenia. He describes which legal acts are adopted in Slovenia and how is it done in the context of EU regulation.Author concludes the article with an idea that legal theoreticians have still not agreed on a uniform definition of the essence of law. Author thinks that law can be understood instrumentally. Instrumental law is a tool prescribed in advance which is composed of rules that are suitable for preventing and resolving conflicts between subjects in society.
Middle East: New Balkans of the World?
Authors: Stefan Dr.Sc. Georgescu , Marilena Dr.Sc. Munteanu
Published: August 2016

Middle East is a region whose geopolitical dynamics has many analogies with the role of the Balkans in the first half of the 19th century and up to the 3rd decade of the 20th century, namely a "Powder keg of Europe", defined in the same period as the "Eastern Issue".Moreover, Middle East is a region located at the junction of three continents: Europe, Asia and the Mediterranean Africa, and along with ancient Egypt is the cradle of Western civilization, providing for it political, economic, religious, scientific, military, intellectual and institutional models.Four millennia of civilization before Christian era did not pass without leaving a trace.Trade, currency, law, diplomacy, technology applied to works in time of war or peace, the profit based economy and the bureaucratized economy, popular and absolutist government, nationalist and universal spirit, tolerance and fanaticism – all these are not inventions of the modern world, but have their origins and methods of implementation, often even sophisticated methods, in this region.
A literature review of the trade−off theory of capital structure
Authors: Çerkezi Mr.Sc. Anila
Published: August 2016

Starting with Modigliani and Miller theory of 1958, capital structure has attracted a lot of attention from different scholars. The main question that they raised where: How do firms choose their capital structure or leverage? Does firm have a target capital structure? What are the main firm’s specific factors or determinants that influence the choice of capital structure? Does the economic conditions of the country (GDP growth rate, inflation rate, base lending rate etc.) influence on the determination of the firm’s level of debt? This paper provides a survey of the literature on trade off theory of capital structure. The aim of this paper is to give useful information in understanding corporate finance and in a particular way the trade-off theory of capital structure. This study represents a theoretical approach which has in focus the literature review of same earlier studies which have proved the existence or not of this theory in different contents. We can conclude that economists have not yet reached a consensus on how to determine the optimal capital structure, the one that would bring the maximization of firm’s value.
Information Technology as Factor in Development of Contemporary Business
Authors: Jusufi Mr.Sc. Luan
Published: August 2016

The purpose of this paper is to examine the information technology as factor in development of contemporary business. In this paper we intend to investigate the role and effect of information technology in the creation and maintenance of sustainable competitive advantages for organizations.Also we will offer basic notions related to information technology and explain the main factors that affect the application of Information Technology.As we know in current market conditions, nearly all business operations are closely related to and depend on the application of Information Technology. Information Technology enables cost reduction, market expansion, increase productivity, enables better communication, improves service and offers great opportunities to find e new business partners.Also we will become familiar with the application of computer networks such as: Internet, Intranet, and Extranet.Using the scientific and professional literature offered from several aspects to this research paper is aimed to proof the role and importance of use an Information Technology in development of contemporary business.
Social distance in terms of demographic features – Kosovo population study
Authors: Arënliu Dr.Sc. Aliriza , Bërxulli Dr.Sc. Dashamir , Haskuka Dr.Sc. Mytaher
Published: August 2016

Kosovo aims for development of a state over the Kosovo state identity, which includes all communities living in Kosovo. Integration of all communities in public institutions and life remains one of the challenges of Kosovo society. The social distance refers to the extent of understanding of another group, which characterizes parasocial and social relations. Another definition is the lack of availability and relations in being open to others. Bogardus states that social distance is an outcome of affective distance between members of two groups. Earlier studies have shown that the social distance or gap is related to the ethnic background, education level and earlier interaction with other ethnic groups. Also, studies have shown a link with social/political activism. Further, it has been proven that social distance is manifested at three different spatial dimensions, their own self in a reciprocal co-product: physical, symbolical and geometric. The study aims to explicate social distance in a relation with demographic records of respondents to a research undertaken in Kosovo in 2010, in which 1296 citizens (64.4% Albanians, 13.9% Serbs, 6.9% Turkish, 5% Roma/Ashkali/Egyptian (RAE), 6.9% Bosnian and 2.7% others). Social distance has been measured by asking the respondents about the groups or persons they would object in terms of neighborhood: they, who speak another language, have another religion, have homosexual orientation, etc. Comparisons of average social distance in relation with ethnic sub-groups, gender, level of education, experience in earlier trips to the countries of the European Union (EU), size of settlement and the region of origin of the respondent, show significant differences, at p < 0.05. Also, the research also reviewed the link between social activism and activism in civil society and social distance. In these terms, outcomes are less clearer, thereby suggesting that social activism or activism in civil society not necessarily influences the narrowing of the social gap. Outcomes are discussed in due account of permanent efforts to involve minorities in governance and public life in Kosovo.
Business TQM culture in the world compared with the situation in the Macedonian companies
Authors: Mitreva Dr.Sc. Elizabeta
Published: August 2016

In this work, it’s given analyses of the Macedonian companies about making up a business culture and a comparison with the business culture in the world. As a result of the researches, a new management system is offered that is based on the TQM (Total Quality Management) philosophy. The solution was found in improvement of the management system by accepting the new TQM philosophy and utilization of its strategy, development of the staff and promotion of the processes, and all of that is done earlier, even before the new technology and the separate IT are bought.One of the biggest changes that the new TQM strategy requests from the Macedonian companies is to change the mentality and quit the old habits and the transitional syndrome. That means that the positive characteristics in the Macedonian mentality should evaluate, and the traditional values should be successfully joined with the cultural values and the current trendy values from the west, which rule the world.
Features of the Civil Law Procedure for Protection against Discrimination
Authors: Nuhiu Dr.Sc. Agim
Published: August 2016

The prevention and protection against discrimination shall be applicable for all natural and legal persons in the process of exercise of the rights and freedoms guaranteed with the Constitution and the legislation of the Republic of Macedonia.The person considering that some right has been infringed because of discrimination is entitled to submit a lawsuit in front of a competent court. The provisions from the Law on litigation procedure are adequately applied for the procedure. A civil action is commenced with the filing of a complaint. The plaintiff must file the complaint with the court. The complaint must set forth the claims and the legal basis for discrimination.In the procedure for protection against discrimination, besides the court for general local jurisdiction, the court in whose area is the seat, or the residence of the plaintiff, also has local jurisdiction.
Supporting students' learning on 'short project' placements.
Authors: Thompson David
Published: August 2016

Much of the research into higher education and its role in work-based learning (WBL), and especially in supporting undergraduate students on placements, has focussed on longer term internships and sandwich courses. Research has also focussed on subject areas that have traditionally been associated with the above; for example, Business, Health, and Engineering. By contrast, the aim of this study was to gather data from students on a much shorter period of placement, categorised as a ‘short project’ (Brennan & Little, 1996). Furthermore, the data recovered was from students studying within the social sciences paradigm, undertaking an undergraduate degree in Education Studies (not teacher education). The social sciences and humanities more generally have not been discussed to any great extent within the context of research on placement or work-based learning (see Smith, Clegg, Lawrence, & Todd, 2007); the subject of Education Studies is not covered at all by previous research. This paper considers the different ways practitioners might blend learning and support university students’ experiential and academic learning in this short project format. The results suggest that even a relatively short period of structured placement can be of significant benefit to students although for many respondents, face-to-face contact in the form of lectures and tutorials is still an important component of a blended approach to WBL.
Physical and Numerical Simulations of Subsurface Upgrading by Use of Solvent Deasphalting in a Heavy-Crude-Oil Reservoir
Authors: Ovalles Cesar , Rogel Estrella , Alboudwarej Hussein , Inouye Art , Benson Ian P. , Vaca Pedro
Published: August 2016

Physical and numerical simulations of subsurface upgrading by use of solvent deasphalting (SSU-SDA) at laboratory conditions will be presented with a heavy crude oil and propane as a solvent. In this work, 1D propane-flood experiments were performed in a live-crude-oil-saturated (8.8°API) sand at 120°F and 1,000 psi (7.58 MPa). The results showed oil recovery of 85 wt%, with increases of °API value up to 14°API for the produced crude oil. By use of laboratory-characterization data, a new asphaltene-precipitation model was developed that involves four pseudocomponents (deasphalted oil, heavy fraction, and soluble and solid asphaltenes) and three pseudochemical reactions to numerically simulate the laboratory experiments. [In this text, asphaltenes are the fraction of the crude oil that precipitates in paraffins (propane or heptane) and are soluble in aromatics or chlorine-containing solvents (CH2Cl2)]. History match showed very good agreement between the experimental and calculated oil and gas rates and cumulative oil. Also, reasonably good match between laboratory and theoretical °API value of the produced oils was found throughout the propane-flood experiments. By use of this model, a field-scale well pair in steam-assisted-gravity-drainage (SAGD) configuration was simulated for steam only and two steam/propane cases [10:1- and 1:1-vol% ratio, as measured by liquid volume of solvent per cold water equivalent (CWE) of steam] in a typical heavy-crude-oil reservoir. Results showed accelerated oil production and higher °API values of crude in the presence of propane in comparison with the steam-only case. For the 1:1 steam/propane case, the model predicted that the oil quality improved enough to make the oil transportable through a pipeline. This work finds that SSU-SDA continues to show promise as a viable oil-recovery and -upgrading process when the complex downhole physics is modeled. It is predicted that higher propane/steam ratios are needed during SSU-SDA compared with historical solvent-based enhanced-oil-recovery field pilots to capture both the oil-recovery and -upgrading benefits of this process.
Experimental and Numerical Study of Enhanced Condensate Recovery by Gas Injection in Shale Gas–Condensate Reservoirs
Authors: Meng Xingbang , Sheng James J. , Yu Yang
Published: August 2016

This paper examines the potential of huff ’n’ puff gas-injection method to recover condensate in shale gas–condensate reservoirs by conducting experiments on a shale core. Numerical models were developed to verify experiment results. Our laboratory study shows that condensate recovery was increased to 25% by applying huff ’n’ puff gas injection on a shale core. Also, we compared the efficiency of huff ’n’ puff gas injection with that of gasflooding. At the end of same flooding with time that is the same as the time for five huff ’n’ puff cycles, the condensate recovery is 19%. From the experimental results, we found that huff ’n’ puff was more effective than gasflooding. During the experiment, condensate accumulated near the production-end region. In the huff ’n’ puff process, because the location for injection in the core was the same as that for production, the pressure in the condensate region built up faster than pressure in the flooding experiment. Also, because of the ultralow permeability, the pressure propagation was much slower in the shale core than in a conventional reservoir core, and the efficiency of gasflooding is much lower than that of the huff ’n’ puff.

This study indicates that huff ’n’ puff has the potential to effectively enhance condensate recovery in shale gas–condensate reservoirs.
The impact of executive remuneration on risk-taking in the banking industry
Authors: Swanepol Ezelda , Magdalena Smit Anet
Published: August 2016

In the aftermath of the credit crisis of 2007-2009, there was considerable public frustration with regard to executive remuneration, particularly in the banking industry. Consequently, the need for regulated remuneration practices became essential. For this purpose, the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) aims to align risk and reward by encouraging good risk management and discouraging excessive risk-taking. This paper aims to demonstrate the correlation between the health of the banking industry and economic activity, as well as the change in executive remuneration pre and post the credit crisis. In addition, the paper aims to measure the correlation between executive remuneration in the form of cash and equity, and risk-taking. The unique features of banking emphasized the interconnectedness to the broader economy. The statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) was used to perform these analyses. It was found that as executive remuneration in the form of cash increased, risk-taking decreased. In addition, as executive remuneration in the form of equity decreased, risk-taking increased. In summary, the research points to the fact that executives have in fact been remunerated in terms of equity. However, the results indicate that this may not have enticed the executives to take on more risks
Factors that influence the marketing of professional services
Authors: Enerson Meg , B. Mason Roger , M. Corbishley Karen
Published: August 2016

This study explores the marketing in a multinational professional services organization and attempts to identify marketing factors relevant to the organization. The main objective is to identify critical factors that influence the successful marketing of professional services. To accomplish this objective, research is undertaken as a case study with a quantitative survey of employees from the professional services organization. The main finding was that the 7P framework (product/service, price, place, promotion, physical evidence, people, process) was applicable and that place, physical evidence and product components were seen as most critical, with promotion and price appearing to be least critical, maybe because conservative attitudes to marketing still exist within professional service organizations. The study added to the literature on professional services marketing, giving insight into the marketing of professional services in today’s dynamic and changing economic environment. Our findings will, therefore, assist professional service organizations to utilize their marketing resources more effectively and efficiently
Use of the Testosterone/Cortisol Ratio Variable in Sports
Authors: De Luccia T.P.B
Published: August 2016

This critical review discusses the use of the testosterone/cortisol ratio in the studies of athletic performance and sports physiology. Although in most of the time physical exercise is beneficial to health, it can also be seen as a “stressor” both in men and in women. It is not completely known at what level this “physical stress” ends up its beneficial effects and begins to impair health status. In search for this putative turning point, several markers have been put forward in the last decades. One of these markers is the ratio between testosterone, considered as an anabolic hormone, and cortisol, considered as a catabolic one. Whether in search for an anabolic internal environment for strength training or to avoid performance decline during aerobic workout, the testosterone/cortisol ratio has been considered as an important physiological variable to gauge individual conditioning and responses.
Manifestation of work-life balance in the Malaysian banking workforce: Transformational leadership the potent enabler
Authors: Zakaria Azzarina , Omar Muhamad Khalil
Published: August 2016

Baby Boomers are soon reaching their retirement and the workforce vacancies will inevitably occupied by the Xers and Millennials. The two younger cohorts are drastically different from their senior echelon where work-life balance is of utmost important to them. Transformational leadership is claimed as the potent enabler to the practice of work-life balance. Consequently, this study aimed to examine the extent of the relationship between the two. Questionnaires were distributed to two domestic banks. Findings reported the relationship between transformational leadership and work-life balance. No differences, however, are shown between demographic profiles of gender, marital status and age about work-life balance.© 2016. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.Keywords: Work-life balace; Transformational leadership; Banking Baby Boomers are soon reaching their retirement and the workforce vacancies will inevitably occupied by the Xers and Millennials. The two younger cohorts are drastically different from their senior echelon where work-life balance is of utmost important to them. Transformational leadership is claimed as the potent enabler to the practice of work-life balance. Consequently, this study aimed to examine the extent of the relationship between the two. Questionnaires were distributed to two domestic banks. Findings reported the relationship between transformational leadership and work-life balance. No differences, however, are shown between demographic profiles of gender, marital status and age about work-life balance.© 2016. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.Keywords: Work-life balace; Transformational leadership; Banking
Use of Causal Diagrams to Inform the Design and Interpretation of Observational Studies: An Example from the Study of Heart and Renal Protection (SHARP)
Authors: Staplin Natalie , Herrington William G. , Judge Parminder K. , Reith Christina A. , Haynes Richard , Landray Martin J. , Baigent Colin , Emberson Jonathan
Published: August 2016

Observational studies often seek to estimate the causal relevance of an exposure to an outcome of interest. However, many possible biases can arise when estimating such relationships, in particular bias because of confounding. To control for confounding properly, careful consideration of the nature of the assumed relationships between the exposure, the outcome, and other characteristics is required. Causal diagrams provide a simple graphic means of displaying such relationships, describing the assumptions made, and allowing for the identification of a set of characteristics that should be taken into account (i.e., adjusted for) in any analysis. Furthermore, causal diagrams can be used to identify other possible sources of bias (such as selection bias), which if understood from the outset, can inform the planning of appropriate analyses. In this article, we review the basic theory of causal diagrams and describe some of the methods available to identify which characteristics need to be taken into account when estimating the total effect of an exposure on an outcome. In doing so, we review the concept of collider bias and show how it is inappropriate to adjust for characteristics that may be influenced, directly or indirectly, by both the exposure and the outcome of interest. A motivating example is taken from the Study of Heart and Renal Protection, in which the relevance of smoking to progression to ESRD is considered.