bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Classification for Kyphosis Based on Column Deficiency, Curve Magnitude, and Osteotomy Requirement
Authors: Rajasekaran S. , Rajoli Sreekanth Reddy , Aiyer Siddharth N. , Kanna Rishi , Shetty Ajoy Prasad
Published: July 2018

Background:

There is a lack of a classification system providing uniformity in description and guiding management decisions for kyphotic spinal deformities. We developed such a classification based on column deficiency, flexibility of disc spaces, curve magnitude, and correlation with the corrective osteotomy required.

Methods:

A classification was developed based on analysis of 180 patients with thoracolumbar kyphosis requiring osteotomy. The deformity was classified as Type I if the anterior and posterior columns were intact (IA indicated mobile disc spaces and IB, ankylosed segments). Type II indicated deficiency of only 1 column (IIA = anterior column and IIB = posterior column). Type III indicated deficiency of both columns (IIIA = kyphosis of ≤60°, IIIB = kyphosis of >60°, and IIIC = buckling collapse). A prospective analysis of 76 patients was performed to determine interobserver variability and the ability of the classification to guide selection of osteotomies of increasing complexity, including the Ponte osteotomy, pedicle subtraction osteotomy, disc bone osteotomy, single vertebrectomy, multiple vertebrectomies, and anterior in situ strut fusion procedure.

Results:

The mean age of the 76 patients was 21.2 years, the mean kyphosis was 69.9° (range, 26° to 120°), and the mean follow-up duration was 30 months. Six deformities were classified as IA, 5 as IB, 5 as IIA, 2 as IIB, 13 as IIIA, 35 as IIIB, and 10 as IIIC. Four surgeons classifying the deformities had a high agreement rate (kappa = 0.83), with the highest agreement for Types IA, IB, and IIIB. A correlation between the type of deformity and the osteotomy performed demonstrated that the classification could indicate the type of osteotomy required. All 18 patients with Type-I or II kyphosis were treated with Ponte, pedicle subtraction, or disc bone osteotomy. Forty-three (90%) of the 48 patients with Type IIIA or IIIB underwent vertebrectomy (single in 27 [56%] and multiple in 16 [33%]), and only 5 (10%) underwent disc bone osteotomy. Seven of the 10 patients with Type-IIIC kyphosis were treated with multiple vertebrectomies, with 5 of them needing preoperative halo gravity traction; the other 3 patients underwent an anterior in situ strut fusion procedure.

Conclusions:

The proposed classification based on the morphology of column deficiency, flexibility, and curve magnitude demonstrated a high interobserver agreement and ability to guide selection of the appropriate osteotomy.

Clinical Relevance:

A novel classification system for kyphosis based on spinal column deficiency, flexibility of disc spaces, and curve magnitude would bring uniformity in management and help guide surgeons in the choice of the appropriate corrective osteotomy.
Percutaneous Needle Fasciotomy Versus Collagenase Treatment for Dupuytren Contracture
Authors: Strömberg Joakim , Ibsen Sörensen Allan , Fridén Jan
Published: July 2018

Background:

Local disruption of the cord that causes contracture of the finger in Dupuytren disease can be achieved either through mechanical division by percutaneous needle fasciotomy (PNF) or through enzymatic digestion by injectable collagenase Clostridium histolyticum (CCH). This study was designed to compare clinical and patient-reported outcomes between patients who had been treated with each method.

Methods:

A prospective, randomized, single-blinded, controlled trial was designed and included 156 patients with a contracture of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint of ≥20°. The patients were allocated to treatment with either PNF or CCH. The primary outcome was a reduction of the MCP contracture to <5°. Secondary outcomes included the reduction of any concomitant contracture of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint, the presence of Dupuytren cords, and changes in patient-reported outcomes as measured with the URAM (Unité Rhumatologique des Affections de Main) and QuickDASH (an abbreviated version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand [DASH]) questionnaires and visual analog scales for patient satisfaction. All treatments were performed by a single surgeon and all blinded follow-up measurements were made by a single physiotherapist. The participants were assessed at 1 week, 6 months, and 1 and 2 years after the interventions.

Results:

A total of 152 patients (97%) were examined at 2 years, at which time 58 patients (76%) treated with CCH and 60 (79%) treated with PNF retained a straight MCP joint. No cords were detectable in >50% of the patients at 2 years. There were no significant differences in the reduction of PIP contracture, range of motion, or patient-reported outcomes between the 2 treatments.

Conclusions:

This trial demonstrated no advantage of CCH treatment compared with PNF in terms of clinical outcome at any time during the 2-year follow-up. The significant decrease in the number of pathological cords (p < 0.0001, Wilcoxon signed-rank test) after disruption regardless of the method used may indicate that resorption of pathological collagen occurs when the tension in the Dupuytren cord is diminished.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
An Innovative Laboratory Method To Measure Pore-Pressure-Dependent Gas Permeability of Shale: Theory and Numerical Experiments
Authors: Liu Hui-Hai , Lai Bitao , Zhang Jilin , Huang Xinwo , Chen Huangye
Published: July 2018

This work proposes an innovative laboratory method to measure shale gas permeability as a function of pore pressure, a key parameter for characterizing and modeling gas flow in a shale gas reservoir. The development is based on a solution to 1D gas flow under certain boundary and initial conditions. The details of the theoretical background, including formulations to estimate gas permeability and conceptual design of the test setup, are provided. The advantages of our approach, surpassing the currently available ones, include that it measures gas permeability (as a function of pressure) with a single test run and without any presumption regarding the form of parametric relationship between gas permeability and pore pressure. In addition, our approach allows for estimating both shale permeability and porosity at the same time from the related measurements. Numerical experiments are conducted to verify the feasibility of the proposed methodology.
Insights into the mechanism of antiproliferative effects of primaquine-cinnamic acid conjugates on MCF-7 cells
Authors: Mabeta Peace , Pavić Kristina , Zorc Branka
Published: July 2018

In our previous paper, we showed that three primaquine-cinnamic acid conjugates composed of primaquine (PQ) residue and cinnamic acid derivatives (CADs) bound directly by an amide linkage (1) or through an acylsemicarbazide spacer (2 and 3) had significant growth inhibitory effects on some cancer cell lines. Compound 1 induced significant growth inhibition in the colorectal adenocarcinoma (SW620), human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) and cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cell lines, while compounds 2 and 3 selectively inhibited the growth of MCF-7 cells. To better understand the underlying mechanisms of action of these PQ-CADs, morphological studies of the effects of test compounds on MCF-7 cells were undertaken using haematoxylin and eosin stain. Further analysis to determine the effects of test compounds on caspase activity and on the levels of apoptosis proteins were undertaken using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Haematoxylin and eosin staining revealed that compounds 1 and 3 induced morphological changes in MCF-7 cells characteristic of apoptosis, while 2-treated cells were in interphase. Cell cycle analysis showed that cells treated with 1 and 3 were in sub-G1, while cells treated with 2 were mainly in interphase (G1 phase). Further, the study showed that the treatment of MCF-7 cells with 1 and 3 resulted in poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage as well as caspase-9 activation, indicating that they induced apoptotic cell death. We further investigated their effects on two important processes during metastasis, namely, migration and invasion. Compounds 1 and 3 inhibited the migration and invasion of MCF-7 cells, while compound 2 had a marginal effect.
Low molecular mass chondroitin sulfate suppresses chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depression-like behavior in mice
Authors: Si Xiao-Ming , Tian Yu-Hua , Zhang Sha-Sha , Gao Hua , Liu Kun , Jin Jing-Yu
Published: July 2018

The present study is aimed at testing the antidepressant--like effects and probable mechanisms of action of low molecular mass chondroitin sulfate (LMMCS) on depression induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) in mice. Four weeks of CUMS exposure resulted in depressive-like behavior, expressed by a significant decrease in the locomotor activity and sucrose consumption and increased immobility time in the forced swim test. Further, there was a significant reduction of 5-HT level in the hippocampus region of depressed mice. Treatment of mice for four weeks with LMMCS ameliorated significantly both the behavioral and biochemical changes induced by CUMS. These novel results suggest that LMMCS produces an antidepressant-like effect in mice subjected to CUMS, which might be related, at least in part, to the increase of 5-HT concentration in the hippocampus.
Diagnosis of Q Fever and Brucellosis in Aborted Ovine Fetuses by Microbiological, Pathological and Immunohistochemical Methods
Authors: Simten Yesilmen , Turan Yaman , Hakan Sağsöz , Servet Bademkiran
Published: July 2018

Brucellosis and Q fever, two zoonoses, are important causes of abortion in ruminants, as well as economically significant diseases caused by a gram-negative bacterium. Determination of these diseases is therefore of great importance. In this study, the organs of 35 naturally infected and aborted ovine fetuses were examined for the presence of changes resulting from infections by Brucella melitensis and Coxiella burnetii, according to macroscopic, bacteriological, histopathological and immunohistochemical methods. B. melitensis was observed in 21 cases, and C. burnetii was observed in 8 cases of the aborted ovine fetuses, and these were determined with immunohistochemical methods. Brucellosis was observed in 18 of the aborted ovine fetuses, and this was determined by microbiological methods. Negative (-) results were found for all of the other fetuses. The Brucella antigen was determined to be localized as intracytoplasmic in mainly alveolar macrophages, bronchi, bronchioles, glandular epithelial cells around bronchial glands, neutrophils, hepatocytes and Kupffer cells. The Coxiella antigen was found to be localized in the alveolar macrophages in the lungs, bronchi, bronchioles and alveolus, and in the cytoplasms of bronchial gland epithelial cells, and in the cytoplasms of hepatocytes and Kupffer cells in the liver. Immunohistochemical and microbiological diagnoses of brucellosis and coxiellosis were compared; it was concluded that immunohistochemical methods were more safely applied than microbiological methods.
The Effects of Propolis and Bee Pollen Supplementation on Biochemical Blood Parameters of Broilers
Authors: Ivana Klaric , Ivan Miskulin , Vatroslav Seric , Albina Dumic , Jasna Jonjic , Maja Miskulin
Published: July 2018

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of propolis and bee pollen on selected biochemical blood parameters in broiler chickens. This experimental study was conducted on 200 Ross 308 chickens of equally distributed sex, which were divided into five groups (a control group and four experimental groups). Throughout the whole study the control group of chickens was fed the control feed mixture while the feed mixture that was fed to the experimental groups of chickens contained additives (propolis and/or bee pollen, each supplemented separately or in combination in a certain proportion). The results obtained by this study are: significantly lower blood glucose, cholesterol and calcium levels (P < 0.001), as well as significantly lower triglycerides levels (P = 0.002), but also significantly higher sodium and chloride (P < 0.001), phosphorus (P = 0.004) and globulins levels (P = 0.027) in chickens of the experimental groups compared to the chickens of the control group on the 21st day of fattening. Furthermore, this study has found significantly lower blood glucose (P = 0.033) levels and significantly higher levels of total proteins and globulins (P = 0.003), as well as albumins (P = 0.040) in chickens of the experimental groups compared to the chickens of the control group on the 42nd day of fattening. It can be concluded that the application of propolis and bee pollen as additives in broiler feeds enables the production of more vital and healthier animals, which significantly improves the fattening of chickens.
Computed Tomography Findings in a Case of Giant Frontal Sinus Mucopyocele in a Dog
Authors: Raúl Altuzarra , Carlo Anselmi , Yvonne Espada , Félix García , Xavier Moll , Rosa Novellas
Published: July 2018

A 16-month-old male crossbreed dog, which suffered a previous traumatic incident, was presented for evaluation of a chronic fluctuant right supraorbitary mass. On computed tomography, a well-defined, expansile, hypodense mass, showing a thin peripheral enhancement was occupying the right frontal sinus and extending into the cranial cavity. Imaging findings, bacteriological culture, and histopathology of the surgically excised mass were consistent with a frontal sinus mucopyocele. Frontal sinus mucopyocele should be included as a differential diagnosis for a well-marginated expansile frontal sinus mass, especially when present in young animals or/and associated with a previous craniofacial trauma.
Influence of Integrated Application of Nano-Chelated Trace Elements and Sulfur on Desi Chickpea in the Short-Season Mediterranean-Type Environment
Authors: Shadravan Borzoo , Janmohammadi Mohsen , Dashti Shahriar , Sabaghnia Naser
Published: July 2018

Chickpea is one of the most important legume crops in the Mediterranean semiarid regions. Soils of these regions generally have free CaCO3, high pH and low organic matter, which reduce the availability of micronutrients and cause their deficiencies. In order to study the effects of integrated application of different level of elemental sulfur (0, 15, 30 kg·ha−1) and nano-chelated micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Mn) on growth and agro-morphological traits of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), a field experiment was conducted in the semiarid regions of the northwestern part of Iran. Evaluation of morphological traits showed that application of high level of sulfur significantly improved plant height, the number of primary branches and canopy width compared to the control. The longest growth period was recorded for plants grown by application of high level of sulfur and nano-chelated Zn fertilizer. The obtained data revealed that application of nano-chelated Zn fertilizer resulted in a significant increase in seed number per plant and seed weight compared to other nano-micronutrient fertilizers. Overall, the best growth performance and the highest seed yield were obtained from the integrated application of Zn and high level of sulfur. The findings showed that soil micronutrient deficiencies are partly due to high alkalinity of the soil, and application of sulfur beyond 15 kg·ha−1 can be an effective method to increase the efficacy of nanofertilizers. Integrated application of micronutrient and sulfur should be considered as an efficient agronomic management option for chickpea production systems in semiarid region.
Diatom diversity in some hot springs of northern Thailand
Authors: Pumas Chayakorn , Pruetiworanan Supattira , Peerapornpisal Yuwadee
Published: July 2018

Diversity of hot spring diatoms in northern Thailand was studied. Forty-six diatom species were identified in eight localities. The dominant species according to high relative abundance were Diatomella balfouriana (41.7%), Achnanthidium exiguum (20.9%) and Anomoeoneis sphaerophora (11.2%). Moreover, Caloneis molaris, Craticula acidoclinata, Navicula subrhynchocephala and Pinnularia saprophila were recorded as species new to Thailand. The NMDS ordination revealed variation in species composition of eight different hot springs and correlation with the existing environmental variables. Silicon dioxide (SiO2), pH, conductivity, water temperature and total hardness were statistically significant factors affecting relative abundance of Achnanthidium exiguum, Amphora montana, Caloneis aequatorialis, Cocconeis placentula, Craticula cuspidata, Diploneis elliptica, Gomphonema affine, Gomphonema augur, Halamphora fontinalis, Planothidium lanceolatum, Pinnularia abaujensis, Sellaphora lanceolata and Stauroneis anceps.
Innovative Economy in the Light of Reforms and Busssiness Modernization
Authors: Đukić Petar
Published: July 2018

It is widely obvious that the modern business depends on many new previously unknown factors: innovations, technology expanding, information dispersion and collection, culture, imaginations, and other intangible productive factors. This paper deals with some of the unexpected changes that we could recognise as the most influential ones in the new economy era. Purpose and findings of the substantial theoretic and empirical analysis are oriented to the modernisation and sophistication of today business, especially in developing, emerging and small countries. All of them are exposed to severe market reforms, in order to be more efficient and effective in global and regional level. This paper contains the analysis of content of global development documents and literary materials, as well as cross-referencing of statistical and other available data. The findings of this study could result in better orientation of industrial policies and clearer path for the future broader researches to be conducted in this field.
Methods of Controlled Transactions and the Behavior of Companies According to the Public and Tax Policy
Authors: Challoumis Constantinos
Published: July 2018

This paper aims to the analysis of the most common methods of controlled transactions, and the interpretation of the arm’s length principle under the view of the tax income comparison between countries with high and low tax rates. Moreover, the factors of comparability scrutinized with a mathematical approach which shows how the tax factors interact within the countries’ economies in the frame of a global view.
The Effect of Allowance for Bad Debt Loss to the Level of Profitability
Authors: Nurdiansyah Dian Hakip , Manda Gusganda Suria
Published: July 2018

Local Bank (BPR) as one of the financial institutions in Indonesia in carrying out its activities collecting funds from the public in the form of savings and deposits and channeling back the funds collected through the provision of credit. This study aims to determine, describe and explain the Effect of Allowance for Bad Debt to the Level of Profitability in Subang BPR of Pabuaran Branch. The method used is descriptive method, and testing of the data - the data studied. The data used is data from the financial statements of PD BPR Subang of Pabuaran Branch in 2012 to 2015 with a monthly ratio reports. Any increase in the value of allowance for bad debt (X) of 1% would cause a rise in the value of profitability level in terms of the comparison of operating cost with operating income (Y) of 0.333% and vice versa. The conclusion is the level of allowance for bad debt does not significantly affect the level of profitability as measured by the comparison of operating expenses to operating income.
Importance and Impact of Foreign Investment on the Economic Development of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Šušićv Milan
Published: July 2018

From the perspective of macroeconomic indicators, investment is a significant determinant of economic development as a whole, as well as the development of economic entities in the micro segment. Investments present an essential element of any economic policy, as their presence provides a platform, not only for economic development, but also create a basic condition for the stability of economic and social trends. Foreign direct investment plays an important role in the financing of the global economy, and the most common presenting the most important tool in financing the national economies of developing countries and countries in transition. Demand for foreign investment in the global market is large and therefore the states are directing significant activities in order to create a more favorable environment to attract investors. The paper pays special attention to direct investmens in financing the economy on a global scale, their importance for the development of the global economy and particulary screens the impact of foreign direct investment in the economic development of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The emphasis is placed on activities that have to be carried out in order to realize more investments. With the use of statistical and quantitative analysis, the paper shows that the inflow of foreign capital is fundamental prerequisite for generating and accelarating of economic development in general. The inflow of foreign capital has an exstraodinary positive impact on the economic development and increase of business activities in visably undeveloped and slow economic in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Ecological Development Impact on Tourism in Pavlodar Region
Authors: Isiksal Aliya Zhakanova , Isiksal Huseyin , Zhakanovna Rakhmetullina Shynar , Sagatbayevna Savanchiyeva Armanay , Zhakanov Alibek
Published: July 2018

This article analyses the current environmental aspects and the mechanisms of environmental regulation in Kazakhstan with specific emphasis of Pavlodar Region for the development of tourism. The study showed that the environmental situation in Pavlodar Region requires the adoption of a number of activities and legal regulation for improvement and development of tourism. The improvement of tourism is very important for the regional budget and for the overall economic development of the area. It is argued that for the effective management and the development of the tourism industry, the existing taxation system that is the Tax Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan requires some amendments, sustainable development measures should put into the practice with the introduction of technological systems that based upon the use solar and wind energy, and “Green Economy” strategy should be implemented into the practical life and monitored effectively.
New data on endohelminth communities of barbel Barbus barbus from the Bulgarian part of the River Danube
Authors: Chunchukova M. , Kirin D.
Published: July 2018

Species diversity and composition of the parasite communities of barbel (Barbus barbus) at the infracommunity and component community levels were studied in the Lower Danube River, Bulgaria. During the two-year investigations, five parasite species have been found in 92 host fish: Bathybothrium rectangulum (Cestoda), Acanthocephalus anguillae and Pomphorhynchus laevis (Acanthocephala) and larval stages of Contracaecum sp. and Raphidascaris acus (Nematoda). Bathybothrium rectangulum and R. acus found in barbel represented new host records in Bulgaria. Parasite communities of barbel were species-poor and highly unbalanced. Pomphorhynchus laevis represented the dominant (core) species (prevalence 98.9 %), the second most frequent component parasite was Contracaecum sp. (P = 14.1 %) and remaining three species occurred only accidentally in barbels. Differences in species richness, prevalence, intensity of infection and ecological indices between individual seasons (spring, summer, autumn) were statistically significant, but considerably affected by unequal species structure of communities with highly prevailing P. laevis. Low parasite species diversity of barbel and low values of most ecological indices, when compared with previous studies in this area (or other Bulgarian parts of the River Danube) might indicate that environmental conditions are impaired and thus, not favourable for the development of barbel parasites (primarily to their intermediate host survival) in the Lower Danube River of Bulgaria.
The delimitation of areas of strategic intervention in Poland: A methodological trial and its results
Authors: Bański Jerzy , Degórski Marek , Komornicki Tomasz , Śleszyński Przemysław
Published: July 2018

This main aim of this study is the examination and discussion of a conceptual and theoretical model for Poland’s areas of strategic intervention. Following a review of the current strategic documents at national and regional levels, it is possible to propose two basic categories of areas of strategic intervention: 1) growth areas (territories with natural or socioeconomic properties particularly favourable for development); and 2)problem areas (territories with unfavourable features and socioeconomic and/or natural processes). Among the problem areas it is possible to distinguish three main types: the social, the economic and the natural, albeit with the possibility of applying an even more detailed typology that allows for combinations of these types. Scientific findings can be combined with the results of empirical research to encourage the proposal of a new method of delimiting areas of strategic intervention. The identification of growth areas is primarily based on expert knowledge, which is clearly qualitative. In turn, the processes by which problem areas are delimited is quantitative in nature, reflecting analyses of selected diagnostic indicators that take social, economic and natural issues into account. The results which were obtained relate to the concept of endogenous development, as well as the assumptions under pinning policies of territorial cohesion.
A cohort perspective on the fertility postponement transition and low fertility in Central Europe
Authors: Šprocha Branislav , Tišliar Pavol , Šídlo Luděk
Published: July 2018

Fertility postponement and the concomitant decline in fertility levels are the most prominent trends in the demographic behaviours of the former Eastern Bloc countries in Central Europe. A number of studies have analysed period fertility development but the cohort perspective is often neglected. The postponement transition has evolved over a long time span and affected many cohorts, so the cohort approach is appropriate for studying long-term changes in fertility tempo and quantum. A cohort analysis engenders an analysis in detail of the onset, dynamics and ultimate extent of this process. Using the cohort benchmark model, we have been able to pinpoint differences in postponement and recuperation levels and have combined it with projection scenarios. Thus we have been able to model the hypothetical trajectory of the completed cohort fertility rate. Our analysis highlights differences in the timing of the onset of the postponement transition, its trajectory and extent, as well as in the recuperation of postponed childbearing. These findings suggest differences in completed fertility across the selected four Central European countries are likely to continue and perhaps increase.
Cultural heritage markets: are traders traitors? Winners and losers from cross-border shifts of historical artefacts
Authors: Jora Octavian-Dragomir , Apăvăloaei Matei-Alexandru , Iacob Mihaela
Published: July 2018

The concept of cultural heritage covers the tangible and intangible things bequeathed from the past generations along with a spiritual signification, beyond any other serviceableness. Anthropologists, sociologists, philosophers and aesthetes are the critical reviewers of the field, while legalists and economists contribute with their own concerns: regulation and evaluation. Be it of tangible nature – i.e., buildings, sites, paintings, sculptures or various other artefacts – or of an intangible one – i.e., traditions, practices, beliefs, literary or musical compositions –, the cultural heritage has challenged the economists urging them to offer sophisticated tools to assess its value, to make cost-benefit analyses with respect to its preservation, restoration or reuse. The supporters of regulation in the cultural goods market justify it through the fact that the market cannot provide in an efficient manner this type of goods, the solution being national government intervention – i.e., for the regulation and finance of cultural/heritage goods – or even international government regulation, in cases when national states’ failure is encountered. A widespread opinion is that heritage is communal, par excellence, this view implicitly adjusting the acceptation that private property has in the cultural realm. The present paper addresses the reality and the necessity of ownership and movement of heritage goods especially in the international markets, considered as a dangerous vacuum for national cultural treasuries.
Attitude toward innovativeness based on personality traits in the SME sector. Czech Republic case study
Authors: Kozubíková Ludmila , Čepel Martin , Zlámalová Monika
Published: July 2018

The research of personality characteristics of small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) entrepreneurs in relation to EO constructs is an important part of the research of the whole entrepreneurial environment of small and medium-sized enterprises. The aim of this paper is to search for a relationship between personality traits and the attitude toward innovativeness as a construct of EO of SME entrepreneurs in the Czech Republic based on their sociodemographic factors (gender, education, and age). Results from a questionnaire-based survey of the entrepreneurial environment of SME in the Czech Republic showed that the attitude toward innovativeness differed for entrepreneurs considering perseverance and responsibility to be important for entrepreneurship based on their education level. Entrepreneurs with secondary education or secondary educated with graduation were more confident about the reputation of their business as an innovator than university educated entrepreneurs.
Salespeople’s innovativeness: a driver of sales performance
Authors: Ferdinand Augusty Tae , Wahyuningsih Wahyuningsih
Published: July 2018

The purpose of this study is to develop a conceptual model for explaining the process of how salespeople’s innovativeness leverages sales performance by introducing the organizational learning-based factors such as sales team tacit knowledge exchange, value-based selling capability, and a positive selling ambiance initiative in the selling process to enhance sales performance. The novelty of this study is its construction of a conceptual model that adopts the organizational learning framework both in cultivating the organizational memory of salespeople working in a sales organization and in processing organizational memory for leveraging capabilities that lead to better sales performance. The acceptance of the proposed hypotheses demonstrated the importance of organizational learning-based factors in supporting the success of salespeople in the consumer product market.
Trends in ethnocentrism of Romanian consumers and their attitudes towards the marketplace
Authors: Stamule Stere
Published: July 2018

This paper investigates Romanian consumer ethnocentrism and the Romanian consumers’ attitudes towards local products and towards campaigns promoting local products. The research was conducted through a questionnaire addressed to a sample containing two groups of respondents. The sample was organized also into two groups: Millennials (consumers aged between 15 and 34 years old) and Non-Millennials (35-over 65 years old). It was tested the hypothesis that Millennials are less ethnocentric compared to the Millennials. Another hypothesis of the research consists of the fact that the Millennials consumers’ attitudes towards local products and towards local campaigns promoting local products show lower scores in comparison with the consumers belonging to the other group. The obtained results of this research highlight the following: there are not significant differences between the two groups regarding the level of ethnocentrism and their attitudes towards consumption of local products and campaigns promoting local products, however Millennials show more interest to the products that offer the best value for money whether they are done or not in Romania in comparison with Non-Millennials. The Romanian consumers would also like that the state and the industry involve more in supporting the local products.
Professional Education Management: Comparative Analysis of Ukraine and European Countries’ Experience
Authors: Sheludko Inna , Bondarenko Mykola
Published: July 2018

The comparative analysis of modern foreign concepts and systems of professional training of specialists in Western European countries has been carried out. Leading ideas, principles and regularities of the development of continuous professional education have been revealed. It has been stated that most developed European countries gradually reduce vocational education. At the same time, vocational and technical profiles of upper secondary education, which exist almost everywhere, with the exception of Great Britain, are actively developing. The consequence of these changes is the disappearance of many training profiles. Everywhere there is a tendency to prepare workers of advanced specialties. Today, European countries are working to solve the problem of “reducing training profiles to the minimum number”. At the same time profiling of high school is carried out. Different approaches to reforming the system of vocational education management in the countries of the world have been highlighted. Particular attention has been paid to the main areas of modernization of vocational education as a component of continuing education, the management of this process at the state, regional and local levels. Comparative analysis of materials in these areas has been carried out, the results of which suggest that the modernization of vocational education management in foreign countries is carried out using the principle of decentralization on the basis of the developed and adopted at the state level regulatory and legal basis. All countries have a clear division of powers at all levels of government (state, regional, local).
Latino Undergraduate Perspectives on Traditional and Collaborative Culminating Presentations
Authors: Morgan Bobbette M. , Bussert-Webb Kathy , Masso Hannah
Published: July 2018

The importance of the research related to the existence of collaborative learning in higher education for Latinos, specifically pre-service teachers, has been substantiated. It has been defined that while teacher retention rates for Latinos are lower than for whites, using teamwork in the classroom might make Latinos teaching more rewarding. Most participants in the present study preferred collaborative learning as teachers. Using cognitive- and social-constructivist frameworks, the authors provide trends expressed by 371 undergraduate pre-service teachers about traditional tests and cooperative culminating experiences. Since archival data from regular collaborative pedagogies over a 10-year period have been used, the authors did not include identifying information. However, about 96 % of undergraduates are first-generation Latino/college students. Students’ responses to end-of-course surveys have been analyzed. The two major qualitative themes emerging from grounded theory analysis were social interaction and the cognitive domain. Quantitatively, most preferred group presentations over traditional exams. Statistically significant correlations between Variables 1 (perceived retention of material) and 2 (preferred culminating experience as future teachers), Variables 1 (perceived retention of material) and 3 (culminating experience for an easy A), and Variables 2 (preferred culminating experience as future teachers) and 3 (culminating experience for an easy A) have been found. Implications relate to designing more collaborative activities for nondominant college students. As the result of the conducted research it has been determined that collaborative learning needs to be well planned, students need to be prepared to work in groups, and teachers’ expectations need to be stated explicitly if the benefits attributed to collaborative learning are to be realized.
Governmental and Non-Governmental Forms of Teacher Development Organization in Poland
Authors: Maslova Tetiana
Published: July 2018

The article analyzes the activities of governmental and non-governmental institutions aimed at orginizing teacher development in the system of postgraduate education in Poland. The author pays attention to the most prominent governmental institutions involved in advanced teacher training, namely, the Center for Education Development and the National Center for Supporting Vocational and Continuing Education in Warsaw, the Polonia Teachers’ Center in Lublin, which is part of the Centre for Polish Education Development Abroad. The activities of governmental institutions for teacher training in Poland operate at such three levels as central, regional and local. These institutions realize the main goal that is mainly related to teaching staff in the system of teacher development in accordance with the priorities in the country’s education policy. The funding allocated for the activities of central institutions for teacher development is provided under the budget of the Ministry of Education. Non-govermental centers for advanced teacher training are established by natural or legal entities. There are more than 370 institutions of this kind in Poland. In addition, teachers can participate in various training courses offered through the EU projects and funded by the European Social Fund. Based on Polish experience, it was proved that the European vision of education and new quality criteria motivate the teacher to develop both national and pan-European identity in their students.
EKSTRAKURIKULER BATIK DI MAN 2 KOTA BUKITTINGGI
Authors: Sundari Sri , Widdiyanti Widdiyanti , Yanuarmi Dini , Ditto Anin
Published: July 2018

Pengabdian ini bertujuan untuk mengembangkan dan meningkatkan keterampilan siswa MAN 2 Kota Bukittinggi dalam bidang kriya khususnya membatik.  Pengembangan desain batik dilaksanakan dalam bentuk pelatihan sebagai kelanjutan dari pelatihan teknik batik  yang pernah dilakukan sebelumnya.  Pengembangan desain  ini dilakukan sebagai bentuk upaya bagi peningkatan pengetahuan dan kemampuan siswa dalam  membuat dan menerapkan motif-motif batik, sesuai dengan tahapan desain. Eksplorasi corak dan penataan ragam hias, serta jenis warna dan paduannya menjadi materi pokok dalam pelatihan ini. Materi pelatihan membatik disajikan dengan menggunakan pendekatan desain.. Kegiatan  ini dilaksanakan 1 x dalam seminggu setiap hari sabtu, setelah selesai jam pelajaran sekolah yang berlangsung selama 12 x tatap muka. Dengan jumlah peserta 15 orang yang keseluruhannya terdiri dari siswa perempuan. Setiap siswa telah dapat membuat batik  dengan menerapkan ragam hias sesuai dengan kreativitas masing – masing, yang terwujud dalam bentuk karya individual maupun kelompok, seperti batik syal dan batik taplak meja.
Influencia de Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh y Opuntia ficus-indica L. Mill en las propiedades físicas y químicas del suelo
Authors: Ortiz Torres César , Gómez Díaz Jesús David , Domínguez Álvarez Francisco Alberto , Villanueva Morales Antonio
Published: July 2018

Las plantaciones forestales son una opción viable para la forestación de áreas con suelos degradados, la utilización de especies con características de rápido crecimiento y fácil adaptabilidad permiten acelerar los procesos para mejorar algunas características físicas, químicas y biológicas del suelo. El estudio se desarrolló en la plantación “Mario Ávila Hernández”, en terrenos de la Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, misma que se estableció entre 1960 y 1962 con f ines de rehabilitar suelos erosionados en ladera. Se seleccionaron tres rodales con una superf icie de una hectárea, en donde inicialmente se estableció sobre tepetates roturados la especie Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh a una distancia de tres metros, y posteriormente se presentó la especie Opuntia f icus-indica L. Mill como especie invasora. Dos rodales tuvieron la presencia de Opuntia y un tercero solo contó con E. camaldulensis Dehnh. Las propiedades del suelo evaluadas para determinar el impacto de las plantaciones en estas fueron las siguientes: densidad aparente (DAP), estabilidad de agregados (EA) y profundidad, en las propiedades físicas, mientras que las propiedades químicas fueron nitrógeno total (Nt), fósforo (P), potasio (K), materia orgánica (MO) y pH. La plantación de E. camaldulensis ha mejorado la condición de los tepetates roturados, principalmente con la protección que se tiene del suelo por la cobertura vegetal y a través del aporte de residuos vegetales como hojarasca, ramas y corteza desprendida, propiciando una mejora en las propiedades físicas y químicas de los suelos evaluadas. Los resultados no muestran diferencias en las propiedades físicas y químicas de los suelos cuando se establece solo el E. camaldulensis o donde se tienen esta especie junto a la O. ficus-indica, solo hubo diferencias significativas del rodal con una especie comparado con los rodales donde se tiene las dos especies para el contenido de potasio que fue más alto y el pH más bajo en el rodal con solo el Eucalyptus.
Influencia del biocarbón aplicado al suelo sobre atributos de rendimiento y calidad de avena forrajera
Authors: Concilco Alberto Ernesto , Moreno Reséndez Alejandro , García Carrillo Mario , Quiroga Garza Héctor Mario , Ángel García Oscar
Published: July 2018

El suelo es un recurso imprescindible para la producción agrícola y, por lo tanto, requiere de condiciones adecuadas para favorecer una nutrición adecuada de los cultivos y generar mayores rendimientos. El biocarbón ha sido propuesto ampliamente para mejorar la calidad del suelo y la productividad de los cultivos. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar los efectos del biocarbón sobre el rendimiento y calidad de la avena forrajera, en el periodo otoño-invierno 2016-2017. Un diseño de bloques al azar con cuatro repeticiones fue usado, el cual incluía tres tratamientos y un testigo: T0 = testigo absoluto; T1 = [fertilización convencional: (120‑60‑00 kg ha‑1)]; T2 = (2.25 Mg ha‑1 de biocarbón + fertilización convencional); T3 = (4 Mg ha-1 de biocarbón + fertilización convencional). El experimento se condujo en campo abierto con una densidad de siembra de 120 kg ha-1. Las variables evaluadas fueron: altura de planta (AP), materia verde (MV), materia seca (MS); f ibra detergente neutra (FDN), f ibra detergente ácida (FDA), proteína cruda (PC), nutrientes digestibles totales (NDT), digestibilidad de la materia seca (DMS). Los datos registrados se sometieron a análisis de varianza y las medias se compararon con la prueba de Tukey (P < 0.05). Diferencias estadísticas signif icativas (≤ 0.05) se observaron para AP y MV, donde T2 registró el mayor valor de 33 y 102%, respectivamente, frente al control. Se concluye que la aplicación de biocarbón influye positivamente sobre atributos de rendimiento de avena forrajera. Sin embargo, se deben realizar estudios más detallados, considerando condiciones distintas al presente estudio.
An Edge-side communication traffic reduction method using SSN Ontology
Authors: Xu Yunkang , Kishi Tomoji
Published: July 2018

 In this WIP paper, we assume a situation where the edge side and the cloud side hold a common SSN ontology instance and transmit tagged data according to its structure, and a method of reducing the amount of communication data there The basic idea is shown below. Specifically, on the edge side, a pruning process is performed to harvest a part of the data structure including data that does not require transmission, and on the cloud side, by reconstructing the data structure reconstructed against the structure of the ontology, aim for the amount of data reduction.
MUHASEBE VE VERGİ UYGULAMALARI DERGİSİ’NDE YAYIMLANMIŞ MAKALELERİN BİBLİYOMETRİK ANALİZİ (2008-2017)
Authors: ÖZBEK Cevdet Yiğit , BADEM Ahmet Cemkut
Published: July 2018

Bibliyometri,
yayınların ya da belgelerin yazar, konu yayın bilgisi, atıf analizi ile
ilgilidir. Türkiye’de muhasebe alanındaki gelişmeyi değerlendirmek açısından
özellikle 2000’li yıllarda bibliyometrik araştırmalar yapıldığı görülmektedir.
Bu çalışma Muhasebe ve Vergi Uygulamaları Dergisi’nde yayımlanan makalelerin
bibliyometrik analizidir. Dergiden alınan veriler Microsoft Excel yazılımı
tablolarına aktarılmış, sonuçlar üretilmiş ve yorumlanmıştır.

Araştırma
sonucunda 10 yılda yayımlanan 149 makalenin yüzde 73’ü erkek yazarlar
tarafından yazılmış, en çok yayını yedi makale ile Tuğba Uçma Uysal yapmıştır.
En fazla (yüzde 28,2) yayın yapan yazarların unvanı yardımcı doçenttir.
Yazarların en çok (19 makale) adres gösterdiği kurum Gazi Üniversitesidir.
Dergideki yazar verimlilikleri, verimlilik ölçen Pareto, Price ve Lotka
yasalarında belirtilen oranların genellikle altındadır. Makalelerde yüzde 68
oranında kuramsal çalışmalar yapılmıştır. Makaleler ortalama 21,58 sayfa,
ortalama anahtar kelime sayısı 3,44, ortalama kaynak sayısı 22’dir. Makaleler
yüzde 44,9 oranında tek yazarlıdır. En çok (72 kez) M41: Muhasebe JEL kodu
kullanılmıştır. En çok çalışılan konu yüzde 22,14 oranı ile muhasebe
standartlarıdır.Araştırma sonucunda 10
yılda yayımlanan 149 makalenin yüzde 73’ü erkek yazarlar tarafından yazılmış,
en çok yayını yedi makale ile Tuğba Uçma Uysal yapmıştır. En fazla (yüzde 28,2)
yayın yapan yazarların unvanı yardımcı doçenttir. Yazarların en çok (19 makale)
adres gösterdiği kurum Gazi Üniversitesidir. Dergideki yazar verimlilikleri,
verimlilik ölçen Pareto, Price ve Lotka yasalarında belirtilen oranların
genellikle altındadır. Makalelerde yüzde 68 oranında kuramsal çalışmalar
yapılmıştır. Makaleler ortalama 21,58 sayfa, ortalama anahtar kelime sayısı
3,44, ortalama kaynak sayısı 22’dir. Makaleler yüzde 44,9 oranında tek
yazarlıdır. En çok (72 kez) M41: Muhasebe JEL kodu kullanılmıştır. En çok
çalışılan konu yüzde 22,14 oranı ile muhasebe standartlarıdır.
Bir Üniversite Öğrencilerinin Organ Bağışı Hakkındaki Bilgi ve Düşünceleri
Authors: GÜLER Selver , YAVA Ayla , KARAKAŞ DOĞAN Suna , PERİM KETENCİLER Aysun
Published: July 2018

Amaç: Bu çalışmada bir vakıf üniversitesinin öğrencilerinin
organ bağışına yönelik bilgi ve düşüncelerinin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır.Gereç ve Yöntem: Tanımlayıcı tipte olan araştırmanın
evrenini 15-30 Ocak 2013 tarihleri arasında üniversitede öğrenim gören 950,
örneklemini ise araştırmaya katılmaya gönüllü olan 504 öğrenci oluşturmuştur.
Çalışma verileri araştırmacılar tarafından geliştirilen soru formu aracılığıyla
ve öğrencilerle yüz-yüze görüşme yöntemiyle toplanmıştır. Tanımlayıcı
istatistik olarak sayı, yüzde, ortalama±standart sapma ve karşılaştırmalarda
Ki-kare analizi yapılmıştır. İstatistiksel anlamlılık için p<0.05 kabul
edilmiştir.Bulgular: Araştırma kapsamına
alınan öğrencilerin %39.5’inin sosyal, %32.1’inin sağlık, %28.4’ünün fen
bilimleri bölümlerinde öğrenim görmekte olduğu saptanmıştır. Öğrencilerin
sadece %16.9’u organ bağışının tanımını doğru yanıtladığı saptanmıştır.
Öğrencilerin %47.4’ü organ bağışı konusunda bilgi edindiklerini ifade etmiştir.
Organ bağışı tanımı bilme durumu ile öğrencilerin bilgi edinme durumu, cinsiyet
ve bölümleri arasında ilişki olmadığı belirlenmiştir (p>0.05). Öğrencilerin
sadece %3.6’sı herhangi bir organını bağışladığını, %30.1’i bağışlamayı
düşündüğünü belirtmiştir. En çok bağışlamayı istedikleri organlar; böbrek,
kalp, kemik iliği ve karaciğer olmuştur. 
“Organ bağışı konusunda toplum bilinçli mi?” sorusuna öğrencilerin
%84.9’ü “hayır” yanıtı vermiş, %70.2’i organ bağışı konusunda bilgi almak
istediğini belirtmiştir.

Sonuç: Araştırmaya katılan
öğrencilerin organ bağısı konusunda önemli ölçüde bilgi eksiği olduğu; çok
azının organlarını bağışladığı ve çoğunun bu konuda bilgi edinmek istediği
belirlenmiştir. Üniversite öğrencilerine yönelik organ bağışı konusunda bilgi
verici ve özendirici etkinliklerin düzenlenmesinin yararlı olacağı kanısına
varılmıştır.