bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systematic bias of Tibetan Plateau snow cover in subseasonal-to-seasonal models
Authors: Li Wenkai , Hu Shuzhen , Hsu Pang-Chi , Guo Weidong , Wei Jiangfeng
Published: October 2020

Abstract. Accurate subseasonal-to-seasonal (S2S) atmospheric
forecasts and hydrological forecasts have considerable socioeconomic value.
This study conducts a multimodel comparison of the Tibetan Plateau snow
cover (TPSC) prediction skill using three models (ECMWF, NCEP and CMA)
selected from the S2S project database to understand their performance in
capturing TPSC variability during wintertime. S2S models can skillfully
forecast TPSC within a lead time of 2 weeks but show limited skill beyond 3
weeks. Compared with the observational snow cover analysis, all three models
tend to overestimate the area of TPSC. Another remarkable issue regarding
the TPSC forecast is the increasing TPSC with forecast lead time, which
further increases the systematic positive biases of TPSC in the S2S models
at longer forecast lead times. All three S2S models consistently exaggerate
the precipitation over the Tibetan Plateau. The exaggeration of
precipitation is prominent and always exists throughout the model
integration. Systematic bias of TPSC therefore occurs and accumulates with
the model integration time. Such systematic biases of TPSC influence the
forecasted surface air temperature in the S2S models. The surface air
temperature over the Tibetan Plateau becomes colder with increasing forecast
lead time in the S2S models. Numerical experiments further confirm the
causality.
A numerical study to investigate the roles of former hurricane
Leslie, orography, and evaporative cooling in the 2018 Aude heavy
precipitation event
Authors: Mandement Marc , Caumont Olivier
Published: October 2020

Abstract. In southeastern France, the Mediterranean coast is regularly affected by heavy precipitation events. On 14–15 October 2018, in the Aude department, a back-building quasi-stationary mesoscale convective system produced up to about 300 mm of rain in 11 h. The synoptic situation was perturbed by the former hurricane Leslie, involved in the formation of a Mediterranean surface low that focused the convective activity. At mesoscale, convective cells focused west of a quasi-stationary cold front and downwind of the terrain. To investigate the roles of Leslie, orography and evaporative cooling in the processes that led to the observed rainfall, numerical simulations are run and evaluated with near-surface analyses comprising standard and personal weather stations. Simulations show that, in a first part of the event, low-level conditionally unstable air parcels found inside strong updrafts mainly originate from the Mediterranean Sea, east of 4.5° E, whereas in a second part, an increasing number originates from Leslie's remnants. Air masses from east of 4.5° E appear as the first supplier of moisture over the entire event. Still, Leslie contributed to substantially moisten mid-levels over the Aude department, diminishing evaporation processes. Thus, the evaporative cooling over the Aude department does not play any substantial role in the stationarity of the cold front. Regarding lifting mechanisms, most of the air parcels found inside strong updrafts near the location of the maximum rainfall are lifted above the cold front, attesting its key role in focusing convection. Downwind of the Albera Massif, mountains bordering the Mediterranean Sea, cells formed by orographic lifting seem to be maintained by low-level leeward convergence, mountain lee waves and a favourable directional wind shear; when terrain is flattened, rainfall is substantially reduced. The location of the exceptional precipitation appears to be driven primarily by the location of the quasi-stationary cold front and secondarily by the location of convective bands downwind of the orography.
Influencers en Instagram y publicidad engañosa: la necesidad de regular y autorregular
Authors: Sixto-García José , Álvarez Vázquez Amalia
Published: October 2020

Las recomendaciones de productos y servicios en Instagram por parte de influencers se han convertido en una práctica publicitaria generalizada. El 68% de los usuarios españoles de redes sociales sigue a influencers, por lo que las marcas ven en ellos un canal valioso para prescribirse y ganar consumidores. No obstante, este tipo de prácticas se realizan al amparo de un vacío legal que podría perjudicar los derechos de los usuarios. Se analizan 750 publicaciones de los 25 influencers de moda más relevantes en España para comprobar cuántas de ellas se presentan como publicidad y no como opiniones personales. Los resultados evidencian la utilización de estas técnicas de recomendación como publicidad ilícita o engañosa, lo que exige un marco regulador legal y concienciación de los órganos de autorregulación y de las propias redes para suplir estas lagunas y garantizar la calidad de la comunicación entre marcas y públicos.
Interactividad en la prensa online. Una comparativa en diarios regionales y de referencia en Cataluña
Authors: Fondevila Gascón Joan Francesc , Vila Fátima , Rom-Rodríguez Josep , Perelló-Sobrepere Marc
Published: October 2020

En el mundo interconectado y always on, los medios de comunicación y sus lectores se enfrentan a una continua transformación de sus relaciones. El multimedia, el hipertexto y la interactividad, como aspectos diferenciadores y disruptivos en la relación entre medios online y usuarios, han sido objeto de estudio desde muy diversas perspectivas y concentran hoy gran parte de la investigación del marketing en torno a los efectos y posibilidades de las estrategias de difusión de los medios de comunicación digitales. A partir del análisis comparativo de cuatro de los portales de referencia en la prensa online regional de Catalunya -Diari del Maresme, Vilaweb, Diari Ara y La Vanguardia-, esta investigación analiza la percepción en torno a los parámetros de interactividad y la naturaleza y penetración de los mismos, así como las principales dinámicas que tienen que ver con las relaciones online entre medios y lectores. Se concluye que la valoración de la interactividad y sus componentes necesarios (banda ancha, conversación, engagement, calidad de experiencia, always on, recomendación y creación de comunidad) es positiva, aunque la escucha a la iniciativa del lector en la agenda setting es mejorable.
El trabajo de la corresponsal irlandesa Gertrude Gaffney sobre la Guerra Civil española. Análisis cualitativo de la parcialidad y los estándares periodísticos
Authors: Lugschitz Renée , García-Avilés Jose Alberto
Published: October 2020

La Guerra Civil española fue el primer conflicto del que informaron muchas mujeres corresponsales de guerra. Una de ellas fue la irlandesa Gertrude Gaffney, cuyo papel como reportera en este conflicto fue notable en varios aspectos. A diferencia de sus colegas femeninas, a menudo poco experimentadas, la corresponsal del Irish Independent ya era una periodista política de gran reputación en su país. Fue una de las pocas mujeres periodistas que informó del lado de Franco, y una de las que más publicó sobre la Guerra Civil española. Utilizando la cobertura de Gaffney como estudio de caso para mostrar la relación entre la parcialidad y la calidad del periodismo, este trabajo examina el sesgo y los valores periodísticos en sus 23 artículos sobre la Guerra Civil española publicados en dos series durante 1937.
Differences between microbiota, phytochemical, antioxidant profile and dna fingerprinting of cabernet sauvignon grape from Slovakia and Macedonia
Authors: Kunová Simona , Ivanišová Eva , Žiarovská Jana , Zamiešková Lucia , Felšöciová Soňa , Trajkovska Petkoska Anka , Nikolovska Nedelkoska Daniela , Kačániová Miroslava
Published: October 2020

This study aimed to evaluate the microbiota, phytochemical, antioxidant profile and DNA fingerprinting of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from Slovakia and R. North Macedonia. There were used two samples of grape berries (one sample from Slovakia and one from Macedonia). Each sample was analyzed in triplicate. The bacteria were cultivated on Plate count agar (PCA), microscopic filamentous fungi were cultivated on Malt extract agar (MEA). MALDI-TOF MS Biotyper mass spectrometry was used for the identification of microorganisms (bacteria and yeasts) and microscopic filamentous fungi with manuals. DPPH method was used to determine of antioxidant activity of grape berries. Phytochemical and antioxidant profiles were evaluated in grape berries samples. Total genomic DNA was extracted from mature grapes by GeneJET Plant Genomic DNA Purification Kit. The number of bacteria was higher in the sample of Macedonian grape (4.13 log CFU.g-1) in comparison to the grape from Slovakia as well as the number of yeasts was also higher in the Macedonian sample (2.57 log CFU.g-1). Antioxidant activity of Slovak grape berries was 0.55 mg TEAC.g-1 and of Macedonian grape, berries was 0.51 mg TEAC.g-1. Total polyphenol content was higher in grape from Slovakia (0.81 mg GAE.g-1) than in grape from Macedonia (0.77 mg GAE.g-1), while total flavonoid content was 0.57 and 0.17 mg QE.g-1 in Slovak grape and Macedonian grape, respectively. Total phenolic acid content was higher in the sample from Macedonia (0.40 mg CAE.g-1) compared to the grape from Slovakia (0.24 mg CAE.g-1). Total anthocyanin content was also higher in Macedonian grape (0.46 mg.g-1) compared to the Slovak sample (0.05 mg.g-1). The total polymorphism for all of the used primers of 87.5% was obtained for the Macedonian sample of Cabernet Sauvignon and 89.4% for the Slovak sample.
Sensory evaluation and acceptance of food made of edible insects
Authors: Adámek Martin , Adámková Anna , Kouřimská Lenka , Mlček Jiří , Vojáčková Klára , Orsavová Jana , Bučková Martina , Faměra Oldřich , Búran Martin
Published: October 2020

This paper discusses the sensory analysis of food enriched with selected edible insect species which are labelled as a novel food – house cricket (Acheta domesticus) and mealworm (Tenebrio molitor). Energy bars of two different compositions with the addition of cricket flour and puff pastry bars sprinkled with the whole roasted mealworm larvae were evaluated by consumer tests performed via a questionnaire survey. Respondents represented both men and women in equal numbers and included consumers with the experience of the sensory analysis and edible insects to ensure accurate results. Sensory analyses revealed that respondents associated their tastes with already known flavors (salty, sweet, bitter, fish, French fries, chicken, and mushrooms). The most common answer from respondents was a salty taste, followed by a sweet taste. There were also unusual comparisons such as pine seeds. Consumers’ positive attitude to these energy bars has been registered which shows that the Czech consumer accepts edible insects in a suitable form as a novel food and possible part of the food basket.
The influence of knowledge management on lecturer performance through job satisfaction
Authors: Hasballah M. Ali
Published: October 2020

This study aims to analyze the effect of knowledge management on job satisfaction, analyze the effect of knowledge management on lecturer performance, analyze the effect of job satisfaction on lecturer performance, and analyze the effect of knowledge management on lecturer performance through job satisfaction. The number of samples in this study were 55 respondents. The analysis technique uses path analysis. The results of the analysis show that knowledge management had a significant effect on job satisfaction. Knowledge management had a significant effect on lecturer performance. Job satisfaction had a significant effect on lecturer performance. Knowledge management had a significant effect on lecturer performance through job satisfaction.
The effect of business continuity management and technology acceptance model towards lecturers’ performance moderated by servant leadership
Authors: Keradjaan Herson , Tewal Bernhard , Lengkong Viktor , Sendow Greis
Published: October 2020

This research investigates the effect of business continuity management and technology acceptance models towards performance of lecturers moderated by servant leadership. The research respondents were 86 Halmahera University lecturers. The research method used was quantitative method by examining the effect of moderation and the direct effect by the method of interaction. The model was tested with structural equation modeling approach by using Smart PLS software. The results proved that servant leadership was able to influence lecturer performance. Servant leadership could also moderate the effect of business continuity management towards lecturer performance. However, business continuity management and technology acceptance models did not affect lecturer performance independently. Servant leadership also failed to moderate the effect of the technology acceptance model towards lecturer performance. This study recommends that servant leadership be applied at all levels of leadership because of the very important role in triggering lecturer performance. The application of servant leadership can also be combined with business continuity management since the interaction between of the two can improve lecturer performance.
Competitiveness development, learning orientation, entrepreneurial commitment and business performance in the silk industry
Authors: Rostini Rostini
Published: October 2020

This study aims to examine the causal relationship between the variables of business competitiveness development, learning orientation, entrepreneurial commitment, and business performance of the silk industry in Wajo Regency, South Sulawesi Province. The population in this study were all small scale silk industry entrepreneurs, totaling 5,137 businesses spread over 14 districts in Wajo Regency. The size of the research sample based on the Krejcie and Morgan tables is 357. The data analysis technique uses a structural equation model. The results of the analysis show that the development of business competitiveness and learning orientation partially has a significant effect on entrepreneurial commitment. The development of business competitiveness does not have a significant effect on business performance but learning orientation has a significant effect on business performance. Furthermore, the development of business competitiveness and learning orientation has an indirect effect on business performance through entrepreneurial commitment. The research suggestion is that business development that is oriented towards business performance is not sufficient only based on strengthening knowledge and skills but the main thing is related to the development of the personality of the business actor.
Enhancing organizational performance in the telecommunication industry in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Yen Yuen Yee , Shatta Ahmed Jafar Salleh
Published: October 2020

The aim of this study is to provide an insight into the factors that influence the successful implementation of knowledge management and organizational performance in Saudi Arabia’s telecommunications industry. One thousand copies of survey questionnaires were sent to targeted telecommunication organization and they were distributed by hand. Middle management level was chosen to participate in this study due to their importance as stressed by many knowledge management researchers. Out of the 1000 questionnaires distributed, 441 complete questionnaires were successfully collected and used for data analysis. There is still a lack of the knowledge management research in the Saudi Arabia context. The present research focus-es on telecommunication industry in Saudi Arabia. The result of this research will be able to provide an insight into what are the overall perception overall perception of knowledge management and how various knowledge management elements (preliminary success factors, strategies and processes) affect the successful implementation of knowledge management and its organizational performance among the telecommunication organizations in Saudi Arabia. The findings are useful for the telecommunication industry. The present research serves as one of the pioneer studies that focuses on telecommunication industry in Saudi Arabia. The empirical insights from this study contributes to successful implementation of knowledge management in the telecommunication industry in Saudi Arabia.
he effect of information technology business alignment factors on performance of SMEs
Authors: Slim Ali Mechman , Sarah Omar Siti , Kadhim Kadhim Ghaffar , Ali Bashar Jamal , Hammood Ahmed Mohammed , Othman Bestoon
Published: October 2020

Strategic IT-business alignment is being expanded by researchers and professionals owing to its beneficial effect on the performance of SMEs. Luftman (2000) [Luftman, J. (2000). Assessing business-IT alignment maturity. Communications of the Association of Information Systems, 4(14), 1–50.] created the Strategic Alignment Model (SAM), which integrates various alignment viewpoints to offer a cohesive perspective on IT-business alignment. While SAM was widely implemented for western IT studies by theoreticians and practitioners, its adoption is not evident in the Middle East with few available studies. The goal of this gap is to examine the effect of small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) in Iraq of three alignment styles (communication, governance and competency) listed in SAM. The findings of the current study verified the beneficial effect of all sorts of IT alignment centered on a survey of 228 owners, IT managers, but the latter has also shown a strong positive influence across various types of alignment. Theory and implementation implications are addressed, and more research recommendations are suggested.
Impact of employee empowerment on organizational commitment through job satisfaction in four and five stars hotel industry
Authors: AlKahtani Nasser Saad , Iqbal Shahid , Sohail Mariam , Sheraz Faisal , Jahan Sarwat , Anwar Bilal , Haider Syed Arslan
Published: October 2020

The purpose of this study is to empirically test the impact of employee empowerment on organizational commitment through the mediating role of job satisfaction. The non-probability random sampling technique and time lag was used to collect data from 307 employees working at four and five Stars Hotels in two cities Rawalpindi, Islamabad of Pakistan. Smart Partial least squares-structural equation modeling (Smart PLS SEM v.3.2.8) was used to test the hypotheses. The result indicates that employee empowerment has a significant and positive impact on organizational commitment. Also, job satisfaction is considered as a potential mediator between employee empowerment and organizational commitment. Furthermore, to sup-port the results current study used the social exchange theory. Finally, some theoretical and practical contributions to employee empowerment and organizational commitment literature, and research limitations and future directions are presented.
To pay or not to pay: Measuring the effect of religiosity in the ABC theory
Authors: Ngah Abdul Hafaz , Garbarre Serge , Jeevan Jagan , Salleh Nurul Haqimin Mohd , Hanafiah Rudiah Md
Published: October 2020

This study identifies the role of religiosity in the willingness to pay for halal transportation among Muslim consumers in Malaysia by applying the ABC theory. Applying a purposive sampling method, data were gathered from questionnaires distributed to Muslim consumers at malls in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. From 250 Muslims who were approached, 200 respondents agreed to answer the questionnaire. SMART-PLS 3.3.2. was used to analyse the data for this study using a Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) approach. Out of six direct hypotheses tested, five hypotheses were found supported. From four hypotheses on mediation, only one was found as unsupported. Religiosity was found to have a moderation effect between knowledge and the WTP for halal transportation. The findings provide useful information on the WTP for halal transportation. Related parties such as governments, halal transport service providers and customers can use these findings to plan further actions in order to enhance the WTP for halal transportation. The study reveals the capability of the ABC theory to identify the factors of the WTP for halal transportation among Muslim consumers in Malaysia. The findings also show the moderation effects of religiosity on the WTP for halal transportation. The study also incorporates awareness as a mediator and as a sequential mediator within the model. The findings also enrich the literature on the WTP in halal studies.
Cyberloafing as a mediating variable in the relationship between workload and organizational commitment
Authors: Aladwan Mohammad Abdallah , Muala Imad Al , Salleh Hayatul Safrah
Published: October 2020

The availability of the internet and its usage has become accessible to all and it has contributed to the ease of employees avoiding work pressure and leading it for non-work-related matters, which is cyberloafing. It has caused many problems in organizations and the most affected are organization commitment. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of workload dimensions (psychological workload and physical workload) on organizational commitment. It also seeks to determine whether cyberloafing mediates the link between workload and organizational commitment. A survey was conducted on 304 employees of a mining company in Jordan. Descriptive statistics, correlation, multiple regression, and hierarchical regression analyses were performed to analyse the data using SPSS v23. The results showed that the workload significantly influenced the organizational commitment among the employees. Cyberloafing was found to partially mediate the link between both workload variables and organization commitment. The study was conducted in the mining industry in Jordan. Thus, future study is suggested to examine the model in other industries and countries.
Strategic thinking, strategic planning, strategic innovation and the performance of SMEs: The mediating role of human capital
Authors: AlQershi Nagwan
Published: October 2020

Strategists have unique skills and abilities to connect the past and the present in order to predict what might happen in the future. The current study is the culmination of a number of research ideas in the field of Strategic Thinking (ST), Strategic Planning (SP) and Strategic Innovation (SI) in relation of Human Capital (HC). The survey method was used to collect data from 235 SMEs in the manufacturing industry of Yemen. Results indicate that ST, SP and SI have a significant effect on HC. The mediating effects of HC on the relationship between ST, SP and SI and SMEs’ performance were also examined. Results indicate that HC mediates the relationship between ST, SP and SI and firm performance. The findings of this study offer important insights for managers of SMEs, researchers and policymakers to further understand the effects of ST, SP SI, HC and SMEs’ performance. SMEs should also be encouraged to develop their ST, SP, SI and HC to improve their performance. Finally, this study serves not only to clarify the mechanism between HC and SMEs’ performance, but also to generalize the ST, SP and SI results in the Yemen and Middle East context.
On the new type of solutions to Benney-Luke equation
Authors: Gundogdu Hami , Gozukizil Omer Faruk
Published: October 2020

In this study, the Benney-Luke equation is considered. In order to derive new type of solutions, the sn-ns method is applied to this equation. Then, we introduce trigonometric and elliptic functions solutions in addition to the hyperbolic ones which are gained by tanh-coth. Three types of solutions are derived at the same time with the help of this method. Therefore, it can be said that this method is convenient to obtain more solutions to many kinds of nonlinear partial differential equations.
Existence of some classes of N(k)-quasi Einstein manifolds
Authors: Chaubey Sudhakar Kumar , Bhaishya K. K. , Siddiqi M. Danish
Published: October 2020

The object of the present paper is to study some classes of N(k)-quasi Einstein manifolds. The existence of such manifolds are proved by giving non-trivial physical and geometrical examples. It is also proved that the characteristic vector field of the manifold is killing as well as parallel unit vector fields under certain curvaturerestrictions.
¿Investigación en psicoterapia? Claro que sí. Pero, ¿A quién le interesa?
Authors: Jiménez Juan Pablo
Published: October 2020

El presente trabajo es una reflexión crítica sobre el interés que los resultados de investigación en psicoerapia empírica tiene para:1ºLas autoridades de Salud y la industria de seguros de enfermedad, que necesitan planificar la presentación de servicios psicoterapéuticos. En este punto se alerta en contra del uso irreflexivo que las autoridades están haciendo del conocimiento empírico.2ºLos psicoterapeutas clínicos que buscan ampliar la base de evidencia de sus técnicas de tratamiento. Aquí se destacan los factores curativos en la intervención psicoterapéutica que han sido validados por la investigación, y se afirma la primacía del juicio en el proceso de toma de decisiones en la práctica.3ºLos psicoterapeutas comprometidos en docencia en psicoterapia que buscan enseñar técnicas cuya eficacia haya sido validada empíricamente. se describe como se deben usar en el entrenamiento de psicoterapeutas los datos obtenidos por las investigación empírica.
Evaluation of dynamic ground characteristics and seismic microzoning
Authors: Kitagawa Yoshikazu , Matsushima Yutaka
Published: October 2020

The maximum earthquake motions on the ground, the dynamic characteristics of soil-layers in the range of short period reflecting the shallow soil-layers on a small area are investigated, taking Sendai district damaged by the Off-Miyagi Prefecture Earthquake of June, 1978 as an example. The modeling of ground characteristics is performed based on the results of the analytical investigation of the elastic and inelastic system as well as microtremor measurements, boring data and penetration tests.

In order to establish an appropriate seismic microzoning method with particular attention to the mathematical modeling, the predominant periods, magnification factors, maximum accelerations and velocities on the ground surface and the ductility factors of super-structure are computed. The correlation between such seismic microzoning maps and the extent of real damage to buildings is satisfactory.
The seismic performance of energy absorbing dampers in building structures
Authors: Key D. E.
Published: October 2020

By separating the stiff shear walls of the structural core of a building from the more flexible column/beam/slab structure two independent structures with markedly different dynamic properties are formed. By introducing damping elements between the two, energy is absorbed during earthquakes, giving consider- ably improved response characteristics. A ten storey office structure incorporating dampers in this fashion is studied by time history analysis, using five simulated earthquakes. Dampers are provided at each floor level. The analysis treats the damping as hysteretic, based on the type described by Kelly (1972). Significant reductions in structural response are achieved by this means.
A Case Study of STEM Professionals Who Chose Teaching as a Second Career
Authors: Vaidya Sheila R. , Thompson Joji
Published: October 2020

There has been a growing increase in the numbers of STEM professionals who choose teaching as a second career for reasons such as dissatisfaction with their existing work situation, desire for life-work balance or a desire to make an impact. How do these teachers adjust to the teaching profession? What do they bring from their life and work experience? How effective are they as teachers? These are the questions that are being researched here with a group of 18 STEM career changers who enrolled in a post-baccalaureate program offered at an urban university in Philadelphia.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Journal of Statistics and Probability, Vol. 9, No. 6
Authors: Smith Wendy
Published: October 2020

Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Journal of Statistics and Probability, Vol. 9, No. 6, 2020
Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Law Research, Vol. 9, No. 1
Authors: Tai Joseph
Published: October 2020

Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Law Research, Vol. 9, No. 1, 2020
Smallsteps versus Heiploeg: wat is de stand van zaken?
Authors: van Erpers Roijaards V.M.
Published: October 2020

Smallsteps versus Heiploeg: wat is de stand van zaken?

Na het Europese Hof in het Smallsteps-arrest heeft de Hoge Raad zich in de Heiploeg-zaak onlangs uitgesproken over de arbeidsrechtelijke gevolgen van een doorstart die is voorbereid middels een pre-pack. Opvallend is dat deze uitspraken uiteenlopen. Daarom legt de auteur in deze bijdrage het Heiploeg-arrest langs de meetlat van het Smallsteps-arrest en beziet zij wat de implicaties van het Heiploeg-arrest zijn.
The testing of WDF abstracts
Authors: Stark Jon
Published: October 2020

When we use special characters like: <, >, &, *, or $, we want to ensure that our submissions will be successful 100% of the time. Anything less than that will be an issue [and we don't want that; do we?]
SHAPING SOCIAL COMPETENCES OF STUDENTS IN LIGHT OF PUBLIC POLICIES FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN GERMANY, THE NETHERLANDS, POLAND, LATVIA, CZECH REPUBLIC AND THE UNITED KINGDOM
Authors: Matuszczak Katarzyna , Chmielecka Ewa
Published: October 2020

Shaping social competences of university graduates constitutes one of the most important contemporary challenges. The cognitive objectives of the Erasmus + DASCHE project, the selected results of which are presented in this article, were (1) to identify good practices in shaping social competences of students in selected higher education institutions, (2) to support public policies with regard to higher education at both European and national levels, as well as at higher education institutions (HEIs) in the area of designing, shaping and verifying students’ social competences and formulating recommendations in this regard. For these purposes, case studies at 26 selected HEIs were carried out within the project. This article presents an analysis of public policies in Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Latvia, the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom in the context of influence of these policies on whether and how HEIs shape students’ social competences and whether HEIs are obliged, encouraged or supported by legal regulations and other instruments in this regard. The research shows a large diversity of national public policies in this respect and - with the widespread recognition by the academic staff of the importance of shaping student attitudes - a significant lack of intentional actions leading to shaping students’ competences at the national, institutional and European level.
An Improved CoCoSo Method with a Maximum Variance Optimization Model for Cloud Service Provider Selection
Authors: Lai Han , Liao Huchang , Wen Zhi , Zavadskas Edmundas Kazimieras , Al-Barakati Abdullah
Published: October 2020

With the rapid growth of available online cloud services and providers for customers, the selection of cloud service providers plays a crucial role in on-demand service selection on a subscription basis. Selecting a suitable cloud service provider requires a careful analysis and a reasonable ranking method. In this study, an improved combined compromise solution (CoCoSo) method is proposed to identify the ranking of cloud service providers. Based on the original CoCoSo method, we analyze the defects of the final aggregation operator in the original CoCoSo method which ignores the equal importance of the three subordinate compromise scores, and employ the operator of “Linear Sum Normalization” to normalize the three subordinate compromise scores so as to make the results reasonable. In addition, we introduce a maximum variance optimization model which can increase the discrimination degree of evaluation results and avoid inconsistent ordering. A numerical example of the trust evaluation of cloud service providers is given to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method. Furthermore, we perform sensitivity analysis and comparative analysis to justify the accuracy of the decision outcomes derived by the proposed method. Besides, the results of discrimination test also indicate that the proposed method is more effective than the original CoCoSo method in identifying the subtle differences among alternatives.
Ethics Education of Medical Staff and Associates
Authors: Laethem Erica ,   The National Catholic Bioethics Center
Published: October 2020

Ethics education is an essential obligation of a robust health care ethics service. Although there is no one-size-fits all approach, all ethics education should be proactive and therefore should avoid portraying ethics as mere compliance with moral norms or as an esoteric activity that applies only in cases of moral conflict. Such a negative approach can lead to an ethics of minimums and to the disempowerment of moral agency. In addition, ethics education should promote ethics competency and virtue for the sake of human flourishing through instruction and habituation. To serve the individuals from diverse backgrounds who work in Catholic health care, ethics education should reflect the Catholic teaching that faith and reason are compatible, and that ethics need not be bound to an exclusively theological approach. This will foster a flourishing moral community where medical staff and associates are united by a common mission and ethical commitments.
Why Family Is Critical to the Care of the Sick
Authors: Hosie Annmarie , Vacca Michael , Fernandes Ashley ,   The National Catholic Bioethics Center
Published: October 2020

The effects of the novel coronavirus have raised questions about the extent to which social shutdowns are appropriate. We have a responsibility to protect the lives of others and an obligation to maintain our lives and health when possible, but there are circumstances when it is just to decline certain measures that are considered extraordinary to the situation. Measures taken to protect life must be proportionate. That is, they must offer a reasonable hope of benefit and not impose excessive burdens on individuals, families, or the community. The measures enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic are not proportionate. Restrictions on family and religious activities are disproportionate to the benefit they provide, particularly to the extent that they obstruct the Church in its duty to tend to the health of souls and salvation of its members.
Manifestation of hybrid dysgenesis in Drosophila melanogaster Harwich line with tetracycline suppressed internal microflora
Authors: Gorodnyanski I. D.
Published: October 2020

Aim. To evaluate the dynamics of the manifestation of hybrid dysgenesis in the Harwich line observed under the influence of tetracycline and compare the gathered data with the data for the Oregon-R line. Methods. The line of Drosophila melanogaster Harwich was investigated. This line is considered the standard line of the P cytotype. Removal of Wolbachia from the body was implemented using antibiotic tetracycline. The level of hybrid dysgenesis was studied by the method of extracting gonad flies and assessing their condition. Results. A stable and significant increase in the proportion of dysgenic individuals within the Harwich line was recorded after suppression of the internal microflora - including Wolbachia pipientis – by tetracycline. Conclusions. The suppression of the internal microflora of Drosophila melanogaster by tetracycline significantly affects the level of manifestation of hybrid dysgenesis caused by transpositions of the P-element. The data obtained are similar to the results of a similar study of the level of manifestation of hybrid dys-genesis caused by transpositions of hobo MGE. Keywords: mobile genetic elements, hybrid dysgenesis, P-element, Drosophila melanogaster, Wolbachia pipientis.
Dynamics of indexes of reproduction and selection in three generations of the urbanized population
Authors: Kozak N. O. , Atramentova L. A.
Published: October 2020

Aim. Due to the fact that women's reproductive behavior has been changing with the development of civilization, from natural uncontrolled fertility in the early stages of human development to reproductive technologies in our time, the aim of this work was to study the direction and intensity of natural selection index and changes of the quantitative characteristics of reproduction in women residents of Kharkiv in three successive generations. Methods. Material was collected in 1990 and 2017. The obstetric and gynecological history of the inhabitants of Kharkiv was studied. The first generation included 589 women who were born in 1900–1925, 244 women born in the period 1928–1955, made up the second generation, 288 women who were born in 1956–1979, were assigned to third generation. Results. The total selection index is reduced from 0.56 in the first generation to 0.29 and 0.28 in the second and third generations, respectively. Over the eighty-year period, the differential fertility rate has decreased. The percentage of women with pathological pregnancies increased from 4.9 in the first generation, to 22.5 in the second and 18.4 in the third generation. Conclusions. The total selection index in the Kharkiv population into three successive generations has decreased by half: from 0.56 to 0.28, the index of differential mortality has decreased by almost four times.

Keywords: reproductive characteristics, Kharkov population, Crow's index, selection, generations.
SWS/NTE-dependent neuropathy is the model system to study neurodegeneration
Authors: Matiytsiv N. P.
Published: October 2020

Today there is many described neurodegenerative D. melanogaster mutants, which characterized by development of degenerative changes in brain. One of them are a swiss cheese (sws) gene mutants. Mutations in this gene causes apoptosis of neurons and hyperwrapping of their somas by the glial cells, reducing of life expectancy and decrease of locomotion. The sws gene is the ortholog of mammal’s neuropathy target esterase (NTE / PNPLA6). NTE is s neuronal, transmembrane protein, that possesses serinesterase activity, and can be the target for neurotoxic organophosphorus compounds activity. Mutations in PNPLA6 gene cause number hereditary neurodegenerative disorders, which nowadays are incurable. The search for therapeutic agents require use of model objects because researches on humans have both methodical and ethical limitations. During two last decades D. melanogaster has proven itself as a good model for study of neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we described general characteristics of D. melanogaster gene sws, consequences of its mutations and provided evidences of high conservatism of gene product.

Keywords: gene swiss cheese, neuropathy target esterase, neurodegeneration, brain, life span.
γ-tubulin gene intron length polymorphism of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Rabokon A. M. , Bilonozhko Yu. O. , PostovoitovA A. S. , Kalafat L. O. , Pirko Ya. V. , Blume Ya. B.
Published: October 2020

Aims. Verification of the possibility of using the γ-tubulin gene intron length polymorphism method in genetic studies of plants on the example of Arabidopsis thaliana. Methods. The γ-tubulin gene intron length polymorphism evaluating method was used. Amplified fragments DNA were fractionated by electrophoresis in non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel. DNA bands were detected using silver nitrate staining. Results. Arabidopsis was first time analyzed using the γ-tubulin gene intron length polymorphism method. During amplification with degenerate primers 2 amplicons (520 bp and 555 bp) were formed in all samples. However, using selected arabidopsis-specific primers for the second intron of the γ-tubulin genes, it was possible to find several samples that differ in their DNA profile. Conclusions. It is established that the proposed method can be used in molecular genetic studies of plants. Moreover, the developed specific primers for γ-tubulin gene introns can probably be used both for the study of Arabidopsis and related species. The use of degenerate primers can be useful in the study of plants for which there is no information about their genome.

Keywords: molecular-genetic markers, intron length polymorphism, γ-tubulin, A. thaliana.
The role of rabbit seminal plasma natural antioxidants in the realization of spermatozoid activity after ionizing irradiation
Authors: Klepko A. V. , Kondratova Yu. A. , Gudkov I. M.
Published: October 2020

Aim. To investigate the effects of X-rays on the content of rabbit seminal plasma L-carnitine and α-tocopherol, as well as physiological parameters of spermatozoid in 10, 30 and 90 days after whole body irradiation of animals in the dose range of 0.1–2.0 Gy. Methods. White rabbits-males Soviet Shinshila were irradiated by X-rays. Physiological parameters of sperm were evaluated by light microscopy, and the content of natural antioxidants was determined using liquid chromatograph “Agilent 1200”. Results. It was shown that low doses of ionizing radiation (0.1 Gy and 0.5 Gy) in 10 days after irradiation lead to the increase of the L-carnitine level in seminal plasma, whereas at 1.0 Gy and 2.0 Gy its concentration decreases. In additional, there is a decrease in the seminal plasma α-tocopherol content with a minimum of 2.0 Gy, although a dose of 0.1 Gy dose not cause changes in the index. The L-carnitine level is no longer different from the control for a dose 0.1 Gy in one month after rabbit irradiation, while the α-tocopherol concentration continues to decrease. Conclusions. The increasing of L-carnitine level in the rabbit’s seminal plasma at 0.1 Gy and 0.5 Gy contributes to increased motility and a radio-stimulating effect on sperm. Radiation-induced depletion of the α-tocopherol pool in semen disappears at a later period.

Keywords: ionizing radiation, rabbits, seminal plasma, natural antioxidants
Grain barley starch as a gelling agent of nutrient media for cultivation of anthers and isolated embryos of H. vulgare L.
Authors: Bilynska O. V.
Published: October 2020

Aim. Determination the possibility of agar replacement with normal and waxy type starches produced from barley seeds in the nutrient media for spring barley haploid production. Methods. Anthers of spring barley line DH00-126 were inoculated on inductive media containing N6 macro-, MS micronutrients, organic supplements, maltose (9.0 %) and differed in solidifying agents (agar, starch from barley seeds or chemically modified starch D5a-1). Trophic capacities of barley starch were determined both in anther and embryo culture of barley. Results. It was determined that barley starch of waxy type was not suitable for solidifying of nutrient medium. Use of normal type barley starch (6.5 %) resulted in sufficient decrease in the frequency of green plant regeneration. At the same time, this modification had no effect on the number of morphogenic anthers. Barley starch was inferior to pea starch in the ability to support seedling growth in embryo culture in vitro. Conclusions. Barley starch of normal type has worse trophic capacities in comparison to pea starch in embryo culture. It was appeared barley starch to be a less suitable gelling agent of medium for spring barley haploid production in anther culture in vitro than agar and chemically modified starch D5a-1.

Keywords: Hordeum vulgare L., anther culture in vitro, embryo culture in vitro, agar, barley starch.
Natives of Ukraine – famous scientists abroad
Authors: Piskun R. P. , Hrynchak N. M. , Shkarupa V. M. , Sprut O. V. , Chlestova S. S.
Published: October 2020

Aim. To highlight the distinguished names and dates of scientific activity of Ukrainian scientists who were born and educated in Ukraine and who have enriched with their scientific achievements the world biological and medical sciences. Methods. Study of biobibliographic editions, in particular personal indexes and important sources of basic scientific researches, which record the achievements of Ukrainian scientists, as well as summarize their contributions to the national and world science, culture, information about education. Results. The published information about the activity of Ukrainian scientists is of undeniable interest to all who are interested in the achievements of world and Ukrainian biological science. It is emphasized that the scientist is not only a researcher, worker and creator of the new, but also a fighter. All the life of a scientist - the struggle for the achievement of this goal, for the disclosure of the secrets of nature, for the recognition of their works, discoveries, laws, for their promulgation and approval. Unfortunately, we cannot cover the whole list of well-known Ukrainian scientists, since great people are brilliant, but we hope that every prominent scientist will not be forgotten. Conclusions. Biographies of prominent scientists from Ukraine will help them to get into their worldview, to feel the unbridled passion of the research, to understand the way they think, to trace the way in which they came to their discoveries. It is our duty to know our history, our luminaries of science, technology, and culture.

Keywords: Ukraine, scientists, biologists, doctors, researchers.
Rossel Vien, un écrivain de la clandestinité, génial et subversif
Authors: Mulaire Bernard
Published: October 2020

Originaire du Québec, Rossel Vien a vécu la majeure partie de sa vie au Manitoba où il a mené une vie publique consacrée aux médias, à l’histoire et à la poésie. Sous des pseudonymes, il a publié des nouvelles à thématique homosexuelle tant au Québec qu’au Manitoba. Ce faisant, il a exercé dans l’anonymat une présence subversive à Saint-Boniface. Le milieu conservateur de ce haut lieu franco-manitobain avait besoin des multiples talents de Rossel Vien, mais ne pouvait admettre sa différence. Ce texte aborde l’homme et l’oeuvre sous cette double réalité. La première partie situe Rossel Vien dans le contexte historique et social du Manitoba français qu’il a connu. Une analyse de sa nouvelle « Le juge » illustre l’ampleur de l’action dérangeante qui fut la sienne. La seconde partie cerne la place qu’il occupe dans l’histoire de la littérature canadienne de langue française à thématique homosexuelle, québécoise vu les circonstances de son époque. Sa nouvelle « Un homme de trente ans » révèle à quel point il mérite de prendre place parmi les précurseurs qui ont permis à ce qui allait devenir la littérature à thématique gaie de s’affirmer au grand jour, libérée des préjugés et des interdits qui avaient prévalu jusqu’alors.
L’Histoire de Roberval, coeur du Lac-Saint-Jean, un classique à revisiter
Authors: St-Martin Armelle
Published: October 2020

L’Histoire de Roberval. Coeur du Lac-Saint-Jean (1955) est la première oeuvre publiée de Rossel Vien et elle appartient à ses textes de jeunesse. Son étude est importante non seulement pour comprendre l’évolution intellectuelle de cet écrivain, mais aussi pour saisir le développement de l’historiographie au Québec. C’est ce dernier aspect qui forme l’objet de cet article. Il montre que cette monographie, publiée en 1955, est un texte précurseur des tendances positivistes en histoire, qui ne vont s’épanouir qu’avec la Révolution tranquille (1960-1966). Toutefois, l’Histoire de Roberval a encore des liens avec les ouvrages d’histoire dans lesquels domine une idéologie cléricale. Mais ils sont secondaires. Cet article décrit comment Rossel Vien met l’accent sur le développement économique de sa ville natale, thème qui oriente son interprétation du passé. Toutefois, la valeur innovatrice la plus grande de cette monographie se situe dans son discours sur les Montagnais et dans sa mise en valeur de l’action des femmes dans la colonisation du Lac-Saint-Jean.