bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Behavior on Bird Mortality in Wind Energy Developments
Authors: SMALLWOOD K. SHAWN , RUGGE LOURDES , MORRISON MICHAEL L.
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT  As wind power generation is rapidly expanding worldwide, there is a need to understand whether and how preconstruction surveys can be used to predict impacts and to place turbines to minimize impacts to birds. Wind turbines in the 165‐km2 Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area (APWRA), California, USA, cause thousands of bird fatalities annually, including hundreds of raptors. To test whether avian fatality rates related to rates of utilization and specific behaviors within the APWRA, from March 1998 to April 2000 we performed 1,959 30‐minute behavior observation sessions (360° visual scans using binoculars) among 28 nonoverlapping plots varying from 23 ha to 165 ha in area and including 10–67 turbines per plot, totaling 1,165 turbines. Activity levels were highly seasonal and species specific. Only 1% of perch time was on towers of operating turbines, but 22% was on towers of turbines broken, missing, or not operating. Of those species that most often flew through the rotor zone, fatality rates were high for some (e.g., 0.357 deaths/megawatt of rated capacity [MW]/yr for red‐tailed hawk [Buteo jamaicensis] and 0.522 deaths/MW/yr for American kestrel [Falco sparverius]) and low for others (e.g., 0.060 deaths/MW/yr for common raven [Corvus corax] and 0.012 deaths/MW/yr for turkey vulture [Cathartes aura]), indicating specific behaviors or visual acuity differentiated these species by susceptibility to collision. Fatality rates did not correlate with utilization rates measured among wind turbine rows or plots for any species except burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) and mallard (Anas platyrhynchos). However, mean monthly fatality rates of red‐tailed hawks increased with mean monthly utilization rates (r2 = 0.67) and especially with mean monthly flights through turbine rows (r2 = 0.92). Fatality rates increased linearly with rates of utilization (r2 = 0.99) and flights near rotor zones (r2 = 1.00) for large raptor species and with rates of perching (r2 = 0.13) and close flights (r2 = 0.77) for small non‐raptor species. Fatalities could be minimized or reduced by shutting down turbines during ≥1 season or in very strong winds or by leaving sufficiently large areas within a wind farm free of wind turbines to enable safer foraging and travel by birds.
Bioenergy II: Group 8 Metal Complexes as Homogeneous Ionic Hydrogenation and Hydrogenolysis Catalysts for the Deoxygenation of Biomass to Petrochemicals - Opportunities, Challenges, Strategies and the Story so Far
Authors: Schlaf Marcel , Thibault Michelle E. , DiMondo Domenico , Taher Deeb , Karimi Elham , Ashok Devipriya
Published: August 2009

Biomass is characterized by a high oxygen content (typically ? 40 % w/w). Its conversion into feedstocks that can directly be used in existing petrochemical feed streams will therefore require an efficient and selective deoxygenation chemistry. Ruthenium or iron-based water/acid-tolerant and high-temperature stable metal complexes that are active ionic hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis catalysts maybe ideally suited for this purpose.
The Effects of a Video-Aided Imagery Intervention upon Collective Efficacy in an International Paralympic Wheelchair Basketball Team
Authors: Shearer David , Mellalieu Stephen , Shearer Catherine , Roderique-Davies Gareth
Published: August 2009

A multiple baseline across groups design was used to examine the effects of an imagery intervention on perceptions of collective efficacy. Members (n = 10) from an international wheelchair basketball team were separated into three regional intervention groups. Each group completed a 4 week, video-aided, motivational generalmastery (MG-M) type imagery program with team content. Collective efficacy was measured via the Collective Efficacy Inventory (Callow, Hardy, Markland, & Shearer, 2004). Collective efficacy increased for the South group and became more consistent for the Midlands group. No changes were reported for the North group. Social validation measures indicated potential mechanisms via imagery effects on individual perceptions of self-efficacy and then collective efficacy. The results provide partial support for the use of MG-M type imagery interventions to enhance both individual and team perceptions of collective efficacy in elite wheelchair basketball.
An Examination of Ice Hockey Players' Imagery Use and Movement Imagery Ability
Authors: Hallman Trista A. D. , Munroe-Chandler Krista J.
Published: August 2009

Imagery is an effective performance enhancing technique for athletes (Driskell, Copper, & Moran, 1994), and therefore has been the topic of extensive investigation in the sport psychology domain. To date, the few studies that have examined imagery across position of play have neglected to examine goaltenders as a distinct position from defense. As such, comparisons can only be made between forwards and defense. The purpose of the present study was to examine influence of playing position on imagery use and movement imagery ability in elite male ice hockey players. Participants included 258 competitive male ice hockey players (n = 122 forwards, n = 68 defense, n = 68 goaltenders), between the ages of 16 and 29 years (19.12 ±1.96). Two separate MANOVAs revealed significant overall effects for both imagery frequency and imagery ability across playing position. Univariate follow-up ANOVAs found that goaltenders use significantly more MG-M and CS imagery than forwards and defense. Furthermore, it was found that goaltenders indicated clearer and more vivid images from an internal and external perspective than forwards. Findings from the present study provide sport psychologists with research that can guide the development of more individually tailored imagery interventions for ice hockey athletes.
Chromium (VI) Adsorption on Activated Lignin
Authors: Tazerouti Nassima , Amrani Moussa
Published: August 2009

Activated lignin, having a surface area of 1023 m2 g-1, has been prepared from lignin sulfate that was treated by 30% H2O2 and carbonized at 300°C in order to test the chromium (VI) adsorption from aqueous solution. The influence of contact time, pH, initial concentration of adsorbent and adsorbate and temperature on the adsorption capacity was investigated. The maximum removal of Cr(VI) was found to be 92.36% at pH=2 and a contact time of 80 min. Optimal concentration of lignin and Cr(VI) was found to be 3.8 gL-1 and 180mg L-1, respectively. The adsorption kinetics was examined with pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order equations. The analytical data fit well to the pseudo-second-order equation, and the rate of removal of chromium was found to speed up by increasing the temperature. Activation energy for the adsorption process was found to be 18.19 KJ mol-1. The Langmuir-Freundlich adsorption isotherm models were applied to describe the isotherm and its constants for the adsorption of Cr(VI) on lignin. These constants and correlation coefficients of the isotherm models were calculated and compared with each other. Results indicated that Cr(VI) uptake could be described by the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) of Cr(VI) on lignin was 75.75 mg g-1 at a temperature of 40°C. The dimensionless equilibrium parameter (RL) signified a favorable adsorption of Cr(VI) on lignin and was found to be between 0.0601 and 0.818 (0L<1). The thermodynamic parameters such as ?G°, ?S°, and ?H° were calculated and it has been found that the reaction was spontaneous and endothermic in nature. This study indicates that lignin has the potential to become an effective and economical adsorbent for the removal of Cr(VI) from waste water.
Law in Asia: The Key Role of Law as a Productive Force for Development
Authors: Ziegert Klaus A.
Published: August 2009

The paper focuses on the potential of comparative sociology of law as an instrument for analysing the effective operation of law in society. This approach links normative and empirical approaches to legal research. Applying advanced sociological theory of law, the paper analyses how social and legal change affect development generally, and focuses the analysis on a comparative sample of countries along a geographical route linking Asia with Europe and vice versa, vaguely reminiscent of the historical Silk Roads on land and by sea.Sociological theory suggests analysing social and legal change from the perspective of the dynamics of the functional systems of world society rather than from a normative legal perspective which has individual territorial states and their national state law as a point of reference. The functional systems of world society, such as families (the family system), economics (the economic system), politics (the political system), civil society and law (the legal system) can be seen as both exerting stress on each other and adjusting to this stress by a structural change in local populations with sufficient structural adaptability towards a higher differentiation of all social structures.The rule of law emerges as a special pattern of this structural differentiation which compounds the structural adaptability of above all in the legal system and the political system world-wide. In turn, the rule of law is a condition for increasing the adaptive flexibility of social structures in local populations. The rule of law is, therefore, a crucial element in the on-going development of society. This pattern is not historically given once and for all. nor is it linked to particular forms of government and political systems. Understood in this way, the rule of law is not a normative political or constitutional wish-list but a social phenomenon which can provide comparative sociology of law with a useful set of indicators for describing the development of society and its law.
Viewpoint: Mechanisms of Action and Therapeutic Potential of Neurohormetic Phytochemicals
Authors: Mattson Mark. P. , Son Tae Gen , Camandola Simonetta
Published: August 2009

The nervous system is of fundamental importance in the adaptive (hormesis) responses of organisms to all types of stress, including environmental “toxins”. Phytochemicals present in vegetables and fruits are believed to reduce the risk of several major diseases including cardiovascular disease, cancers and neurodegenerative disorders. Although antioxidant properties have been suggested as the basis of health benefits of phytochemicals, emerging findings suggest a quite different mechanism of action. Many phytochemicals normally function as toxins that protect the plants against insects and other damaging organisms. However, at the relatively low doses consumed by humans and other mammals these same “toxic” phytochemicals activate adaptive cellular stress response pathways that can protect the cells against a variety of adverse conditions. Recent findings have elucidated hormetic mechanisms of action of phytochemicals (e.g., resveratrol, curcumin, sulforaphanes and catechins) using cell culture and animal models of neurological disorders. Examples of hormesis pathways activated by phytochemicals include the transcription factor Nrf-2 which activates genes controlled by the antioxidant response element, and histone deacetylases of the sirtuin family and FOXO transcription factors. Such hormetic pathways stimulate the production of antioxidant enzymes, protein chaperones and neurotrophic factors. In several cases neurohormetic phytochemicals have been shown to suppress the disease process in animal models relevant to neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseaess, and can also improve outcome following a stroke. We are currently screening a panel of biopesticides in order to establish hormetic doses, neuroprotective efficacy, mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential as dietary supplements.
Perspective on the use of LNT for Radiation Protection and Risk Assessment by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Authors: Puskin Jerome S.
Published: August 2009

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) bases its risk assessments, regulatory limits, and nonregulatory guidelines for population exposures to low level ionizing radiation on the linear no-threshold (LNT) hypothesis, which assumes that the risk of cancer due to a low dose exposure is proportional to dose, with no threshold. The use of LNT for radiation protection purposes has been repeatedly endorsed by authoritative scientific advisory bodies, including the National Academy of Sciences’ BEIR Committees, whose recommendations form a primary basis of EPA's risk assessment methodology. Although recent radiobiological findings indicate novel damage and repair processes at low doses, LNT is supported by data from both epidemiology and radiobiology. Given the current state of the science, the consensus positions of key scientific and governmental bodies, as well as the conservatism and calculational convenience of the LNT assumption, it is unlikely that EPA will modify this approach in the near future.
EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (PD153035) Improves Glucose Tolerance and Insulin Action in High-Fat Diet–Fed Mice
Authors: Prada Patricia O. , Ropelle Eduardo R. , Mourão Rosa H. , de Souza Claudio T. , Pauli Jose R. , Cintra Dennys E. , Schenka André , Rocco Silvana A. , Rittner Roberto , Franchini Kleber G. , Vassallo José , Velloso Lício A. , Carvalheira José B. , Saad Mario J.A.
Published: August 2009

OBJECTIVE

In obesity, an increased macrophage infiltration in adipose tissue occurs, contributing to low-grade inflammation and insulin resistance. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mediates both chemotaxis and proliferation in monocytes and macrophages. However, the role of EGFR inhibitors in this subclinical inflammation has not yet been investigated. We investigated, herein, in vivo efficacy and associated molecular mechanisms by which PD153035, an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, improved diabetes control and insulin action.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The effect of PD153035 was investigated on insulin sensitivity, insulin signaling, and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB activity in tissues of high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice and also on infiltration and the activation state of adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) in these mice.

RESULTS

PD153035 treatment for 1 day decreased the protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-6 in the stroma vascular fraction, suggesting that this drug reduces the M1 proinflammatory state in ATMs, as an initial effect, in turn reducing the circulating levels of TNF-α and IL-6, and initiating an improvement in insulin signaling and sensitivity. After 14 days of drug administration, there was a marked improvement in glucose tolerance; a reduction in insulin resistance; a reduction in macrophage infiltration in adipose tissue and in TNF-α, IL-6, and free fatty acids; accompanied by an improvement in insulin signaling in liver, muscle, and adipose tissue; and also a decrease in insulin receptor substrate-1 Ser307 phosphorylation in JNK and inhibitor of NF-κB kinase (IKKβ) activation in these tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with PD153035 improves glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and signaling and reduces subclinical inflammation in HFD-fed mice.
Brown Adipose Tissue and Seasonal Variation in Humans
Authors: Au-Yong Iain T.H. , Thorn Natasha , Ganatra Rakesh , Perkins Alan C. , Symonds Michael E.
Published: August 2009

OBJECTIVE

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is present in adult humans where it may be important in the prevention of obesity, although the main factors regulating its abundance are not well established. BAT demonstrates seasonal variation relating to ambient temperature and photoperiod in mammals. The objective of our study was therefore to determine whether seasonal variation in BAT activity in humans was more closely related to the prevailing photoperiod or temperature.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We studied 3,614 consecutive patients who underwent positron emission tomography followed by computed tomography scans. The presence and location of BAT depots were documented and correlated with monthly changes in photoperiod and ambient temperature.

RESULTS

BAT activity was demonstrated in 167 (4.6%) scans. BAT was demonstrated in 52/724 scans (7.2%) in winter compared with 27/1,067 (2.5%) in summer months (P < 0.00001, χ2 test). Monthly changes in the occurrence of BAT were more closely related to differences in photoperiod (r2 = 0.876) rather than ambient temperature (r2 = 0.696). Individuals with serial scans also demonstrated strong seasonal variation in BAT activity (average standardized uptake value [SUVmax] 1.5 in July and 9.4 in January). BAT was also more common in female patients (female: n = 107, 7.2%; male: n = 60, 2.8%; P < 0.00001, χ2 test).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates a very strong seasonal variation in the presence of BAT. This effect is more closely associated with photoperiod than ambient temperature, suggesting a previously undescribed mechanism for mediating BAT function in humans that could now potentially be recruited for the prevention or reversal of obesity.
Integration as a Tool of Destination Management - The Case of Rural and Rural Fringe Areas
Authors: Juvan Emil , Ovsenik Rok
Published: August 2009

Integration as a Tool of Destination Management - The Case of Rural and Rural Fringe Areas

It is well known that the organizational structure of the Slovenian tourism industry is changing. Tourist companies are merging, but unfortunately only a few companies empowered their capital structure and market position, so in a way we can talk about an oligopoly. The situation does not favor rural and rural fringe areas, where an underdeveloped tourism economy cannot represent a solid source of income for many tourist farms and other tourist companies. Integration is a scientifically and professionally proven method for empowering businesses. Integrative destination management, which provides the tool for tourist destinations development, aims at sustainable tourism where the community collectively develops and runs the tourism economy. This paper examines the possibilities for the development of business integration as a basis for the successful implementation of destination management in the Mislinja Valley. A survey has been conducted, where two thirds of the tourist companies in the area were investigated in relation to the destination management and tourism opportunities in the area. Analysis shows that the business environment accepts the idea of integration as a tool for empowering the regional tourism industry, however only interest integration appeares to be acceptable at this time.
The Influence of Organizational Absorptive Capacity on Product and Process Innovation
Authors: Murovec Nika , Prodan Igor
Published: August 2009

The Influence of Organizational Absorptive Capacity on Product and Process Innovation

The innovativeness of an organization has an important impact on its profitability as well as on the competitiveness of a country's economy as a whole. Since the innovativeness of Slovenian organizations is low, it is important that managers and industrial policy makers know which factors influence an organizations' innovation. One of these factors is supposed to be the organizational absorptive capacity. Absorptive capacity is one of the most important concepts that have emerged in the field of organizational research in the past years. Absorptive capacity is defined as the set of organizational routines and processes through which an organization identifies and values new external information, and then acquires it, assimilates it and applies it to commercial ends. The results of this research confirm the strong and positive impact of Slovenian organizations' absorptive capacity on process innovation and the even bigger positive influence on the organizations' product innovation.
A Best Practice Model for Useful Suggestions Management
Authors: Prodan Igor , Ahlin Branka
Published: August 2009

A Best Practice Model for Useful Suggestions Management

This paper presents the results of a research project financed by the Chamber of commerce and industry of Slovenia. The main purpose of the project was to propose a model for useful suggestions management, including concrete suggestions for businesses. This is based on (a) an in-depth literature review, (b) case studies of three innovative, export orientated Slovenian companies and (c) the results of the implementation of this model in two Slovenian companies (as a pilot project). Concrete suggestions for businesses regarding the useful suggestions management process, the implementation itself, the rewarding and monitoring of useful suggestions activity and potential adaptations of the model to changes within the company are presented. Since the paper focuses on the implementation of useful suggestions management, offering a rich insight into the concrete processes involved in both developing such policies and carrying them out, companies may achieve great business value by implementing this proposed model.
Innovativeness as Precondition for Business Excellence in Public Utility (Communal) Companies
Authors: Škafar Branko , Mulej Matjaž
Published: August 2009

Innovativeness as Precondition for Business Excellence in Public Utility (Communal) Companies

This article presents a new business excellence model for PUC (communal), especially in countries in transition as one way to business excellence. The new model has proven successful in a multinational company's daughter company in Slovenia in practice as well as in comparison with companies performing the same activity. We are aware that there are no universal models for success, but there are tools which make it easier to reach. Of course, one single tool will not make a company successful. It must have a unique (original) and requisitely holistic business model to succeed. And talking about unique, i.e. different from others, brings us to innovativeness - the main topic of this research as the background of business excellence, including the PUC. The presented new model has been evolving over ten years and proved successful in practice.
Teaching Information System Technology in Partnership with IT Companies
Authors: Mahnič Viljan
Published: August 2009

Teaching Information System Technology in Partnership with IT Companies

We describe an example of partnership between a university and some major IT companies - IBM and Microsoft - to teach a course on information systems technology. The course is taught in the fifth (final) year of the university undergraduate program when students have already mastered the basic theoretical knowledge of information system development. For this reason, the course content was restructured to pay more attention to practical experience and the learning opportunities available within the environment of professional industry. During the course, students get acquainted with IBM and Microsoft products and the tools that support the development of online information systems. Special attention is devoted to group project work, which is not just intended for the improvement of technical skills, but also for the aqusition of transferrable skills such as teamwork, management/leadership, planning and organizing, presentation and documentation, searching for information, etc. We describe our experience from teaching the course in the academic years 2005/06 and 2006/07. A description of the course content is given and the results of a survey among the students are presented. Students responded favourably to the new approach and found the course very useful and interesting.
Innovation and Human Resource Management: the Greek Experience
Authors: Katou Anastasia
Published: August 2009

Innovation and Human Resource Management: the Greek Experience

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the pathways leading from innovation to organisational performance by using structural equation modelling. Specifically, we used this analytical tool to test a research framework that is constituted by a set of causal relationships between organisational contingencies, innovation, HRM policies (resourcing, training, rewards, relations), HRM outcomes (skills, attitudes, behaviour), and organisational performance. Employing data from organisations operating in the Greek manufacturing sector, results indicate that the impact of innovation on organisational performance is positive and mediated through HRM policies and HRM outcomes, and moderated by organisational context (management style, organisational culture).
How Public Relations Impact on a Company's Effectiveness
Authors: Jerman Damjana , Vukovič Goran , Završnik Bruno
Published: August 2009

How Public Relations Impact on a Company's Effectiveness

The role of public relations is dealing with the identification of organization's strategic public and developing communications programs for building solid, open and trusting relations with them. Many companies have taken a limited view of the impact that public relations can have on company's overall effectiveness. This paper consists of two parts: the theoretical framework for the role of public relations in the overall effectiveness of the company and an empirical analysis based on the primary data collected. We classified and analyzed different public relations factors (i.e. factors related to managing and implementing public relations) that influences the effectiveness of the company. We explored the correlation between public relations and a company's effectiveness and argued that public relations factors play a critical role in that effectiveness. We used linear regression and we found a significant linier relationship between the independent variable (public relations) and the dependent variable (company effectiveness).
Corruption in Public Administration Units and Organizational Measures to Prevent and Fight Corruption
Authors: Mevc Andrejka , Pagon Milan
Published: August 2009

Corruption in Public Administration Units and Organizational Measures to Prevent and Fight Corruption

This paper presents the results of a study that investigated the attitudes of civil servants in public administration units in Slovenia regarding corruption at work. The results show that civil servants employed in public administration units take corruption seriously. The employees' perceptions of corruption and their willingness to report the offender are closely connected to their opinion on how others - their colleagues - perceive it (i.e., how serious they find corruption and whether they are willing to report the offender). There are important gender differences regarding the perceptions of corruption, as well as differences in the function they have and their membership in organizational units. The authors conclude that it is necessary to develop and strengthen the feelings of the employees' security and increase the link between perceiving corruption and one's own judgment of the seriousness of corruptive behaviour, as well as to decrease the tolerance regarding corruption.
Fuzzy SERVQUAL Analysis in Airline Services
Authors: Aydin Ozlem , Pakdil Fatma
Published: August 2009

Fuzzy SERVQUAL Analysis in Airline Services

This study is aimed at measuring and summarizing the perceived and expected service quality of passengers of an international airline and to provide the passengers' opinions to the decision makers employing fuzzy logic. The appropriate fuzzification procedure was determined to be the trapezoidal membership function. Using SERVQUAL methodology, the optimal fuzzy interval of the gap scores was determined for each item. The interpretations of these fuzzy intervals were categorized into three areas - optimistic, neutral and pessimistic passenger views - to assist the decision makers in identifying which items of services are satisfactory and which are in need of improvement.
Forecasting the Primary Demand for a Beer Brand Using Time Series Analysis
Authors: Bratina Danijel , Faganel Armand
Published: August 2009

Forecasting the Primary Demand for a Beer Brand Using Time Series Analysis

Market research often uses data (i.e. marketing mix variables) that is equally spaced over time. Time series theory is perfectly suited to study this phenomena's dependency on time. It is used for forecasting and causality analysis, but their greatest strength is in studying the impact of a discrete event in time, which makes it a powerful tool for marketers. This article introduces the basic concepts behind time series theory and illustrates its current application in marketing research. We use time series analysis to forecast the demand for beer on the Slovenian market using scanner data from two major retail stores. Before our analysis, only broader time spans have been used to perform time series analysis (weekly, monthly, quarterly or yearly data). In our study we analyse daily data, which is supposed to carry a lot of ‘noise’. We show that - even with noise carrying data - a better model can be computed using time series forecasting, explaining much more variance compared to regular regression. Our analysis also confirms the effect of short term sales promotions on beer demand, which is in conformity with other studies in this field.
Organizational Mental Map and Conative Competences
Authors: Kovač Darko , Bertoncelj Andrej
Published: August 2009

Organizational Mental Map and Conative Competences

Employees with their knowledge, skills, behavior and personal traits impact the organizational learning. The concept of organizational mental map and conative competences, as inborn underlying characteristic that is influenced by employees being involved as well as endogenous and exogenous factors, is presented. Three Slovene small to mid-sized companies were studied in respect to the individual factors, especially conative competences, of their employees. The study suggests that conative side of mind and thus conative competences can actually influence the organizational learning. What matters in contemporary management practice is how hidden potentials are set free and how they intrinsically motivate employees according to their personal differences in capabilities. As conative competences are inborn and can not be learned but only encouraged, contrary to cognitive competences, it is important to better understand employees' personal traits.
Internet Marketing Communication and Schools: The Slovenian Case Study
Authors: Tankosić Aleš , Trnavčevič Anita
Published: August 2009

Internet Marketing Communication and Schools: The Slovenian Case Study

Worldwide, some 1.32 billon people now use the Internet (Internet World Stats 2007). In the developed countries the Internet is also present in educational institutions; schools use the Internet as a means of communication with their customers. In Slovenia, however, research focusing on Internet marketing communication are rare in the field of education. This paper provides the theoretical framework and the results of the qualitative case study conducted at a school centre in Slovenia in 2005. Data were collected through group interviews and document analysis. The findings support the School Centre teachers' claim that the Internet does not enable personal contacts and the sensory collection of physical evidence, which are considered to be major disadvantages of Internet marketing communication. The teachers who consider Internet marketing communication to be an advantage stress the importance of virtuality which can function as a simulation of communication in the real world. Their adversaries, on the other hand, stress the importance of the physical world and warn us of the negative sides of virtuality.
Cost Optimal Project Scheduling
Authors: Klanšek Uroš , Pšunder Mirko
Published: August 2009

Cost Optimal Project Scheduling

This paper presents the cost optimal project scheduling. The optimization was performed by the nonlinear programming approach, NLP. The nonlinear total project cost objective function is subjected to the rigorous system of the activity precedence relationship constraints, the activity duration constraints and the project duration constraints. The set of activity precedence relationship constraints was defined to comprise Finish-to-Start, Start-to-Start, Start-to-Finish and Finish-to-Finish precedence relationships between activities. The activity duration constraints determine relationships between minimum, maximum and possible duration of the project activities. The project duration constraints define the maximum feasible project duration. A numerical example is presented at the end of the paper in order to present the applicability of the proposed approach.
The Impact of Management Control Systems - Strategy Interaction on Performance Management: A Case Study
Authors: Peljhan Darja , Tekavčič Metka
Published: August 2009

The Impact of Management Control Systems - Strategy Interaction on Performance Management: A Case Study

We study the interaction between management control systems and strategy its impact on organisational performance considering the way in which multiple aspects of control systems and dimensions of context combine in a variety of ways to enhance performance. Our purpose is to investigate the relationship among management control systems, strategy and organisational performance in a particular company. The contribution of this study is that it upgrades the existing theory in that it does not only establish a relationship between strategy and management control systems, but also considers how this relationships impacts on organisational performance. The study shows that the combination of performance-driven behaviour and regular use of management control systems leads to improved results. The second contribution of the study is that it incorporates a wider range of controls, including informal controls as being equally important as formal controls, to provide a more comprehensive analysis, as opposed to the majority of prior studies focusing on a more limited range of controls. In this way, this paper contributes to the literature in terms of examination of the broader components of management control systems than was previously done.
Organization in Finance Prepared by Stochastic Differential Equations with Additive and Nonlinear Models and Continuous Optimization
Authors: Taylan Pakize , Weber Gerhard-Wilhelm
Published: August 2009

Organization in Finance Prepared by Stochastic Differential Equations with Additive and Nonlinear Models and Continuous Optimization

A central element in organization of financal means by a person, a company or societal group consists in the constitution, analysis and optimization of portfolios. This requests the time-depending modeling of processes. Likewise many processes in nature, technology and economy, financial processes suffer from stochastic fluctuations. Therefore, we consider stochastic differential equations (Kloeden, Platen and Schurz, 1994) since in reality, especially, in the financial sector, many processes are affected with noise. As a drawback, these equations are hard to represent by a computer and hard to resolve. In our paper, we express them in simplified manner of approximation by both a discretization and additive models based on splines. Our parameter estimation refers to the linearly involved spline coefficients as prepared in (Taylan and Weber, 2007) and the partially nonlinearly involved probabilistic parameters. We construct a penalized residual sum of square for this model and face occuring nonlinearities by Gauss-Newton's and Levenberg-Marquardt's method on determining the iteration step. We also investigate when the related minimization program can be written as a Tikhonov regularization problem (sometimes called ridge regression), and we treat it using continuous optimization techniques. In particular, we prepare access to the elegant framework of conic quadratic programming. These convex optimation problems are very well-structured, herewith resembling linear programs and, hence, permitting the use of interior point methods (Nesterov and Nemirovskii, 1993).
Social Classes and Social Mobility in Slovenia and Europe
Authors: Jereb Eva , Ferjan Marko
Published: August 2009

Social Classes and Social Mobility in Slovenia and Europe

In closed social systems the social position of an individual is determined by the social position of the family into which he or she was born, whereas in open social systems mobility from one social class to another is possible. This paper concerns the relationship between the class position an individual actually occupies and the class into which he or she was born. First the concept of social class is described and different types of social mobility are presented. Than the research methodology is described and the results are presented and discussed. At the end of the paper certain comparisons to other European countries are made.
Production Control of a Polymerization Plant Based on Production Performance Indicators
Authors: Gradišar Dejan , Zorzut Sebastjan , Jovan Vladimir
Published: August 2009

Production Control of a Polymerization Plant Based on Production Performance Indicators

The specifics of process manufacturing have a great influence on production management. The focus of process-production control is to maintain stable and cost-effective production within given constraints. The synthesis of production-control structures is thus recognized as one of the most important design problems in process-production management. This article proposes a closed-loop control structure with the utilization of production-performance indicators (pPIs) as a possible solution to this problem. Suggested concept takes into account also economic issues of production. pPIs represent the translation of operating objectives, such as the minimization of production costs, to a reduced set of control variables that can then be used in a feedback control. The idea of production-feedback control using production pPIs as controlled variables was implemented on a procedural model of a production process for a polymerization plant. Preliminary results demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed methodology. At the implementation stage we must be aware that appropriate IT system has to be available which ensures needed online production data.
Accounting Treatment of Goodwill in IFRS and US GAAP
Authors: Jerman Mateja , Manzin Massimo
Published: August 2009

Accounting Treatment of Goodwill in IFRS and US GAAP

The article presents an overview of the new accounting treatment of goodwill regarding International Financial Reporting Standards and American Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Goodwill acquired through a business combination is no longer amortized but tested for impairment. Despite the fact that the objective of the new International Financial Accounting Standard has been to move towards international convergence; significant differences between standards still exist. The article presents the main changes of the regulation in the last years and the key differences between the two accounting treatments. In spite of the new accounting approach there are still lots of discussions, which indicate that the field is still not properly regulated. Finally, the article offers possible directions for future research and reporting practice.
Implementation of the Scheduling Domain Description Model
Authors: Baggia Alenka , Leskovar Robert , Kljajić Miroljub
Published: August 2009

Implementation of the Scheduling Domain Description Model

This paper presents the problem of auniform scheduling domain description. It was established that the algorithm used for scheduling is general, disregarding the type of scheduling domain. On the basis of five different scheduling domains, a general description model was developed. The research is focused on the programming application of the resource scheduling model, presented as a UML class diagram. Diverse meta-languages for the model description were considered. Of these XML, an EAV model and object oriented languages have shown to be the most effective. Even though Java is not widely used as a description language, it has proved effective as a meta-language for the description of the extensible scheduling model.
Implementation, Effectiveness and Experience With Remote Laboratory in Engineering Education
Authors: Rojko Andreja , Debevc Matjaž , Hercog Darko
Published: August 2009

Implementation, Effectiveness and Experience With Remote Laboratory in Engineering Education

Modern educational methods bring many new challenges from the pedagogical, as well as from the technical aspect. One of the more significant is the integration of information and communication technology into the educational process. These is particularly noticeable in the engineering education where the requests of the industry for a faster and more efficient acquisition of knowledge and practical skills lead to a constant search for new solutions in the learning process which would attract and motivate students, as well as be user friendly. This is especially difficult to be reached with the practical education which is usually composed of laboratory exercises that are bound to a specific time and place. One of the possible solutions are the remote laboratories which offer the possibility of the implementation of real remote laboratory experiments in the educational institutions' laboratories and, therefore, enhance the students' knowledge and capability for dealing with some technical problems without the need for their physical presence in the laboratory. In the article, the example of a successful implementation of the remote laboratory in the field of engineering, developed and operating in the Moodle environment, is presented. The laboratory does not only represent the framework for the experiment implementation, but it also offers courses with complete documentation, therefore courses can be performed on distance. As an example, the case of the most widely used course from remote laboratory is presented, i.e., the "Control of nonlinear mechanism" course. Special attention is given to the description of the booking process for remote experiments, the execution of remote experiments and the applied user interface. The evaluation of the interface usability from the point of view of end users was performed via the acknowledged SUMI method. Additionally, another questionnaire was prepared in order to investigate the students' opinion about working in the remote laboratory. The results have shown that the presented remote laboratory is user friendly and accepted by both teachers and students as a suitable and interesting supplement to the conventional laboratory exercises.
Children and Virtual Reality — Some dilemas of Education
Authors: Zloković Jasminka , Černetič Metod , Dobrnjič Olga
Published: August 2009

Children and Virtual Reality — Some dilemas of Education

Possible responses to the extremely complex and delicate question of the influence that  exercises on the development of a child as a unique personality, on the child's psycho-social development and on the education of a child generally may be provided by serious research of a cohort sequential design, either in research programmes in the field of educational sciences or of other social disciplines. The present paper confronts some dilemmas of the modern world. Particularly those between the  educational values,  families and schools and  education supplied (imposed) by virtual reality that promotes the social standardization of behaviour and the perception of values and of the world around us. The aggressiveness of the mass media in presenting  as  and without an  often results in a virtual life for a child, with virtual friends, education and even virtual families. In the time of developing technology, an important question arises: how to deal with such a situation. Do we direct young people to carefully select from what modern virtual reality has to offer and how do we do that?
Trends that will Shape the Professions of the Future Information Society
Authors: Lang Alenka , Urbančič Tanja
Published: August 2009

Trends that will Shape the Professions of the Future Information Society

In this paper we discuss the trends in present society that will have the most important influence in shaping future jobs, with an emphasis on issues related to sustainable development and an information society. We point out that based on the requirements of educated end-users, companies will have to follow the principles of sustainable development and social responsibility. In future, due to technical development, natural resources, environmental issues and demographical trends in the developed western world, the most attractive jobs will be in high technology, health and medical care, as well as the pleasure and free time industry. The most important sectors will be informatics and telecommunication, logistics, safety, healthcare and life-long education.
Data Envelopment Analysis - Basic Models and their Utilization
Authors: Martić Milan , Novaković Marina , Baggia Alenka
Published: August 2009

Data Envelopment Analysis - Basic Models and their Utilization

Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is a decision making tool based on linear programming for measuring the relative efficiency of a set of comparable units. Besides the identification of relatively efficient and inefficient units, DEA identifies the sources and level of inefficiency for each of the inputs and outputs. This paper is a survey of the basic DEA models. A comparison of DEA models is given. The effect of model orientation (input or output) on the efficiency frontier and the effect of the convexity requirements on returns to scale are examined. The paper also explains how DEA models can be used to assess efficiency.
Research on Life Objective Structures of Managers and Entrepreneurs in Serbia
Authors: Sajfert Zvonko , Nikolić Milan , Djordjević Dejan , Atanasković Predrag
Published: August 2009

Research on Life Objective Structures of Managers and Entrepreneurs in Serbia

The purpose of the paper herein is to investigate the different life objective structures of managers and specialists in public enterprises. Owners of private enterprises - entrepreneurs were analyzed as control group. Considering the data obtained by using the random sampling method, one may come to conclusions concerning the characteristics of the observed population. The research revealed that successful private owners-entrepreneurs, being the capital holders, have different structure of life objectives comparing to both managers and specialists in public organizations. The basic idea is that this can be considered as inseparable part of economic growth in any organization which also reflects on the management as well. Since the entrepreneurs invested the private capital to realize their ideas, it is logical that they want to increase their capital. On the other hand, managers and specialists in public enterprises do not have such a great sense for capital increment. They rather share the capital preferring to be sociable (clubs sponsors, great humanitarians). The reason of such acting can be found in a fact that Serbia was influenced by socialism which further resulted in poor education of managers and specialists to change their way of thinking. Managers as well as specialists should become knowledge workers who shall exchange the knowledge.
How does Networking Impact the SMEs Growth
Authors: Širec Karin , Bradač Barbara
Published: August 2009

How does Networking Impact the SMEs Growth

Today's market conditions are forcing companies to adapt to changes in order to survive, grow and be competitive. Such changes include inter-company cooperation and networks, which allow for competition and innovation in a dynamic environment. Today, almost all industries are affected by the evolution of networking relationships within and between firms; however, previous studies have revealed that companies differ in their competitive strategies, strategic and technological orientation, and methods of networking. Most of these studies have linked networking with performance, with less empirical evidence on linking networking in SMEs with company growth. Previous research has also shown that entrepreneurial potential in Slovenia is not fully utilized. For this reason, the presented paper investigates a networking in SMEs and its contribution to the companies' growth.