bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Asexual reproduction of Pliocene solitary scleractinian coralTruncatoflabellum: a morphological and biometric study
Authors: Tokuda Yuki , Ezaki Yoichi
Published: February 2012

Truncatoflabellumhas been considered a free-living genus that exhibits both sexual and asexual phases; divided lower coralla (anthocauli) are specialized for asexual reproduction by transverse division through a decalcification process, whereas the upper coralla (anthocyathi) only undertake sexual reproduction, in a life-cycle strategy that includes a distinct alternation of generations. However, little evidence has been presented to support this idea of its life cycle. We elucidate the life mode ofTruncatoflabellumby identifying key fossil characters (e.g., multiple rejuvenations and decalcification records just beneath lateral spines) and statistically analyzing the size distributions of over 500 individual coralla. Results of those morphological and biometric analyses clearly indicate alternation of generations in the life cycle ofTruncatoflabellum.
Taxonomy and paleobiogeography of late Bathonian brachiopods from Gebel Engabashi, northern Sinai
Authors: Feldman Howard R. , Radulović Vladan J. , Hegab Adel A. A. , Radulović Barbara V.
Published: February 2012

A brachiopod fauna of late Bathonian age recovered from the Kehailia Formation from Gebel Engabashi in northern Sinai consists of six species (two rhynchonellids and four terebratulids) referred to six genera, of which one genus and two species are new:Globirhynchia sphaerica(Cooper, 1989) new combination,Daghanirhynchia angulocostataCooper, 1989,Ectyphoria sinaiensisnew species,Cooperithyris circularisnew genus and species, and new material:Avonothyrisspecies A, andPtyctothyrisspecies A. The brachiopods described herein comprise a fauna located at the northern part of the Indo–African Faunal Realm within the Jurassic Ethiopian Province. They extend the geographic distribution of those taxa that show great affinity with the Jurassic brachiopod fauna of Saudi Arabia described by Cooper (1989). Differentiation of the endemic faunas that is so characteristic of many of these Ethiopian Province faunas is becoming more well-defined.
Late Cambrian (Furongian; Paibian, Steptoean) agnostoid arthropods from the Cow Head Group, western Newfoundland
Authors: Westrop Stephen R. , Eoff Jennifer D.
Published: February 2012

Nine agnostoid species from late Cambrian (Paibian: Steptoean) boulders from the Cow Head Group in western Newfoundland fall into three biostratigraphically distinct faunas. TheGlyptagnostus reticulatusFauna contains only the eponymous species and correlates with the lower part of the Paibian and the basal Steptoean of North America. The “Innitagnostus”inexpectansFauna is more diverse and likely correlates into part of the lower SteptoeanAphelaspisZone of western North America. The youngest fauna, theAcmarhachis kindlein. sp. Fauna, also includes species ofHomagnostusandPseudagnostus, as well as a second new species ofAcmarhachis,A. whittingtoni. It probably correlates with theDunderbergiaZone (mid-Pabian and mid-Steptoean) of the western United States. The Laurentian speciesAcmarhachis typicalisResser (1938) andA. acuta(Kobayashi, 1938) are evaluated from restudy of type material, and types of “Innitagnostus”inexpectans(Kobayashi, 1938) from British Columbia are also reillustrated.
New artiopodan arthropods from the early Cambrian Emu Bay Shale Konservat-Lagerstätte of South Australia
Authors: Paterson John R. , García-Bellido Diego C. , Edgecombe Gregory D.
Published: February 2012

The Emu Bay Shale Konservat-Lagerstätte (Cambrian Series 2, Stage 4) on Kangaroo Island, South Australia, is the source of two new non-biomineralized artiopodan arthropods.Squamacula buckorumn. sp. is the first record outside of China of a genus otherwise known only from its type species,S. clypeata, from the Chengjiang biota. The Australian species displays the long cephalic doublure and spiniform exopod setae that are apomorphic for this genus, provides new information on the alimentary tract and midgut glands (the latter preserved as three-dimensional, permineralized structures), and indicates interspecific variability in trunk segment numbers. The distribution ofSquamaculastrengthens the biogeographic connections between early Cambrian “Burgess Shale-type” biotas of Australia and South China.Australimicola spriggin. gen. n. sp. represents a monotypic genus resolved in a cladistic analysis of Cambro-Ordovician artiopodans as most closely related to or within Conciliterga (a clade containingHelmetia,Kuamaia,Kwanyinaspis,Rhombicalvaria,Saperion,Skioldia, andTegopelte). Compared with other members of this clade from Chengjiang and the Burgess Shale, the new genus is diagnosed by an elongate trunk with 23 thoracic tergites having spatulate pleural tips and a small pygidium possessing a single, elongate pair of pleural spines, with specimens also showing a hypostome attached to an anterior (or prehypostomal) sclerite, antennae, short endopods, an annulated alimentary tract, and a series of three-dimensional, permineralized midgut glands. An alternative relationship betweenAustralimicolaand the Early Ordovician–Early Devonian Cheloniellida explains the shared anterior flexure of trunk pleurae but forces dubious homologies in other characters, such as dorsally-articulated furcae versus spines.
The trilobiteReedops(Phacopidae) in the Lower Devonian of Argentina (Malvinokaffric Realm)
Authors: Holloway David J. , Rustán Juan J.
Published: February 2012

The trilobiteReedopsis documented from strata probably corresponding to the middle part of the Talacasto Formation in the Sierra de las Minitas, at the northernmost extent of the Precordillera in La Rioja Province, northwestern Argentina. The specimens resemble the type species of the genus,R. bronni, indicating a Pragian (Early Devonian) age for the strata, and suggesting the occurrence at this time of faunal exchange between the Old World Realm, particularly the Bohemian area, and the Malvinokaffric Realm. The taxon represents the first Early Devonian macrofaunal element in the Malvinokaffric Realm with global biostratigraphical significance.
Fuzzy genetic algorithm for steel construction optimisation
Authors: Ćirović Goran , Mitrović Snežana
Published: February 2012

Modern optimisation problems in the construction industry require solutions in terms of savings in materials, energy, cost, time and disposable resources. An optimisation process based on a fuzzy genetic algorithm combined with Lagrange multipliers is carried out on a model of a multi-storey plane frame consisting of 55 elements. Through detailed analysis of the construction and its elements, it was possible to form a conceptual framework for optimal planning in design.
Liquefaction and cyclic softening potential of soils – a unified piezocone penetration testing-based approach
Authors: KU C.-S. , JUANG C.H.
Published: February 2012

Simplified procedures have been widely accepted and used in practice for assessing cyclic liquefaction resistance of sands. Extension of the simplified procedures for assessing liquefaction resistance of fine-grained soils has not achieved the same degree of success. It would be ideal to have a unified model that is based on in situ testing and is applicable to both sand-like and clay-like soils. This note examines one such model and extends its use to both sand-like and clay-like soils. Herein, verification of this unified model using field data from Adapazari, Turkey after the 1999 earthquake is documented along with comparisons with existing models. Satisfactory results are obtained, which shows that the proposed piezocone penetration test (CPTu)-based model is applicable to both sand-like and clay-like soils.
Obedience, Sabotage, Autonomy: Power Games within the Educational System
Authors: Mazurkiewicz Grzegorz , Walczak Bartłomiej
Published: February 2012

The authors' aim in this article is to use a critical approach to analyse the modernisation process of the pedagogic supervision system in Poland, looking at change not as critics but (co)authors. Their aim is not to exploit the strengths of critical sociology when applied to the processes of innovation, but to use these strengths reflexively to arrive at a better understanding of change, and of the reactions and the behaviour of all the participants in the process, including their own role in the system and its possible dangers. The authors believe that for a sociologist involved in the change process, the reflexive approach is crucial so as to comply with ethical requirements, and that it enables an active, needs-oriented involvement when making decisions about introducing change.
Chelation: A Fundamental Mechanism of Action of AGE Inhibitors, AGE Breakers, and Other Inhibitors of Diabetes Complications
Authors: Nagai Ryoji , Murray David B. , Metz Thomas O. , Baynes John W.
Published: February 2012

This article outlines evidence that advanced glycation end product (AGE) inhibitors and breakers act primarily as chelators, inhibiting metal-catalyzed oxidation reactions that catalyze AGE formation. We then present evidence that chelation is the most likely mechanism by which ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and aldose reductase inhibitors inhibit AGE formation in diabetes. Finally, we note several recent studies demonstrating therapeutic benefits of chelators for diabetic cardiovascular and renal disease. We conclude that chronic, low-dose chelation therapy deserves serious consideration as a clinical tool for prevention and treatment of diabetes complications.
Determination of anti-oxidant capacity and content of phenols, phenolic acids, and flavonols in Indian and European gooseberry
Authors: Filipiak-Szok Anna , Kurzawa Marzanna , Szłyk Edward
Published: February 2012

Phenolic acids and derivatives of quercetin in Indian (amla) and European gooseberry were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector. The calibration curves were constructed using phenolic compounds standards (the coefficient of determination (R 2) was 0.9990–0.9997 for phenolic acids and 0.9989–0.9994 for flavonols, respectively). The lowest detection limit was 0.28 mg L−1 and 0.35 mg L−1 for hyperoside and gallic acid, respectively, whereas the highest was 1.80 mg L−1 and 7.98 mg L−1 for quercetin and chlorogenic acid, respectively. The quantification limits calculated were 0.85–24.04 mg L−1 for hyperoside and chlorogenic acid, respectively. The predominant phenolic acid in amla and gooseberry is gallic acid: (5.37 ± 0.04) mg per 100 g of dry mass (d.m.) and (3.21 ± 0.03) mg per 100 g of d.m., respectively. The next one was caffeic acid, 0.65–1.22 mg per 100 g of d.m., followed by p-coumaric acid, 0.84–1.17 mg per 100 g of d.m. Out of the flavonols, rutin is predominant: (3.11 ± 0.13) mg per 100 g of d.m. and (2.12 ± 0.03) mg per 100 g of d.m., respectively. Anti-oxidant activity was also determined.
Education Policy as Proto-fascism: The Aesthetics of Racial Neo-liberalism
Authors: Webb P. , Gulson Kalervo
Published: February 2012

Education Policy as Proto-fascism: The Aesthetics of Racial Neo-liberalism

We argue that neo-liberal educational policy has emerged as a proto-fascist governmentality. This contemporary technology relies on State racisms and racial orderings manifested from earlier liberal and neo-liberal practices of biopower. As a proto-fascist technology, education policy, and school choice policies in particular, operate within a racial aesthetics that connects ultra-nationalisms with microfascisms of racialized bodies. We discuss historical examples of liberal school segregation and residential schools in relation to contemporary examples of chartered ethnic-identity schools to illustrate the complexities of proto-fascist education policy.
State Education as High-Yield Investment: Human Capital Theory in European Policy Discourse
Authors: Gillies Donald
Published: February 2012

State Education as High-Yield Investment: Human Capital Theory in European Policy Discourse

Human Capital Theory has been an increasingly important phenomenon in economic thought over the last 50 years. The central role it affords to education has become even more marked in recent years as the concept of the ‘knowledge economy’ has become a global concern. In this paper, the prevalence of Human Capital Theory within European educational policy discourse is explored. The paper examines a selection of policy documents from a number of disparate European national contexts and considers the extent to which the ideas of Human Capital Theory can be seen to be influential. In the second part of the paper, the implications of Human Capital Theory for education are considered, with a particular focus on the possible ramifications at a time of economic austerity. In problematizing Human Capital Theory, the paper argues that it risks offering a diminished view of the person, a diminished view of education, but that with its sole focus on economic goals leaves room for educationists and others to argue for the educational, social, and moral values it ignores, and for the conception of the good life and good society it fails to mention.
Foucault, Governmentality, Neoliberalism and Adult Education - Perspective on the Normalization of Social Risks
Authors: Kopecký Martin
Published: February 2012

Foucault, Governmentality, Neoliberalism and Adult Education - Perspective on the Normalization of Social Risks

The article deals with the relevance of the work of Foucault to critical analysis of the political concept of lifelong learning that currently dominates. This concept relates to the field of adult education and learning. The article makes reference to the relatively late incorporation of Foucault's work within andragogy. It shows the relevance of Foucault's concept of a subject situated within power relations where the relation between knowledge and power plays a key role. The analysis of changing relations between knowledge and power will help us to understand important features of neoliberal public policies. The motif of human capital is key. The need to continually adapt to the changing economic and social conditions follows on from the neoliberal interpretation of learning, and the individual is to blame for failure on the labour market or in life generally.
The Bologna Process as a New Public Management Tool in Higher Education
Authors: Štech Stanislav
Published: February 2012

The Bologna Process as a New Public Management Tool in Higher Education

This essentially polemical article questions whether the Bologna Process (BP) is necessary (and desirable) in the adaptation of universities to the new social conditions or whether it is a Trojan horse sent out to introduce neo-liberal changes in the field of higher education. First, it addresses the circumstances surrounding the origins of the Bologna Declaration, demonstrating that it enabled the instrumental logic of the marketization and commodification of education to pervade universities traditionally conceived of as cultural institutions of knowledge. It then investigates the eight declared objectives of Bologna and, finally, summarises the consequences that can be firmly established ten years after the event. These include the fact that three of the pillars of the BP can be interpreted as responding to the requirements of neoliberal New Public Management; namely, study structure (flexibility and market-driven profiles), credits (standardization, mobility and effectiveness) and quality assurance (external control). In conclusion, the paper suggests that the BP primarily represents a problem in understanding a situation that displays signs of the radical transformation of the social function of one dimension of societal life - higher education. Although it is clearly an adaptive reaction to the (neoliberal) transformation of society, it has also become part of the ideological games played by certain special-interest groups and, as such, we must make continual attempts to gain a deeper understanding of it.
Dispersion management in nonlinear photonic crystal fibres with nanostructured core
Authors: Buczynski Ryszard , Pysz Dariusz , Stepien Ryszard , Kasztelanic Rafal , Kujawa Ireneusz , Franczyk Marcin , Filipkowski Adam , Waddie Andrew J. , Taghizadeh Mohammad R.
Published: February 2012

The subwavelength structure of the core of a photonic crystal fibre can modify its dispersion characteristic and significantly shift the zero dispersion wavelength. The dispersion properties of photonic crystal fibres with core structures made of a 2D lattice of subwavelength air holes and various glass inclusions are studied. We show that a modification of the core structure can give flat dispersion over a range of over 300 nm and can shift the zero dispersion wavelength over 700 nm while the core diameter and photonic cladding remain unchanged. The developed photonic crystal fibre with nanorod core has successfully demonstrated supercontinuum generation in NIR.
A fast inversion method for highly conductive submicron wires on a substrate
Authors: Karamehmedović Mirza , Hansen Poul-Erik , Wriedt Thomas
Published: February 2012

A numerical method is presented for sizing of highly conductive penetrable and perfectly electrically conducting (PEC) submicron wires on substrates. For efficiency, the Method of Auxiliary Sources is used in the forward model of the inverse Kirsch-Kress Method. The radius of the circular cross section of PEC and silver wires positioned on a semi-infinite silicon substrate is estimated based on numerically simulated scattered far field. The illumination is monochromatic, transverse electric (TE) polarised, and with fixed angle of incidence. Average relative errors smaller than 1% and 5% are achieved for PEC and penetrable wires, respectively, in the dynamic ranges 0.2–1.3 and 0.8–1.3 times the operating free-space wavelength, respectively. In all cases, the inversion time is less than 1 sec.
Discontinuous space variant sub-wavelength structures for generating radially polarized light in visible region
Authors: Ghadyani Z. , Dmitriev S. , Lindlein N. , Leuchs G. , Rusina O. , Harder I.
Published: February 2012

A discontinuous space variant sub-wavelength dielectric grating is designed and fabricated for generating radially polarized light in visible region (λ = 632.8 nm). The design is based on sub-wavelength silicon nitride structures introducing a retardation of π/2 by form birefringence, with space variant orientation of the optical axis. The pattern is divided into concentric ring segments with constant structural parameters, therefore reducing electron-beam writing time significantly. The design avoids the technological challenges encountered in the generation of a continuous space variant grating while maintaining good quality of the resulting polarization mode.
In Vitro Control of Post-Harvest Fruit Rot Fungi by Some Plant Essential Oil Components
Authors: Camele Ippolito , Altieri Luciana , De Martino Laura , De Feo Vincenzo , Mancini Emilia , Rana Gian Luigi
Published: February 2012

Eight substances that are main components of the essential oils from three Mediterranean aromatic plants (Verbena officinalis, Thymus vulgaris and Origanum vulgare), previously found active against some phytopathogenic Fungi and Stramenopila, have been tested in vitro against five etiological agents of post-harvest fruit decay, Botrytis cinerea, Penicillium italicum, P. expansum, Phytophthora citrophthora and Rhizopus stolonifer. The tested compounds were β-fellandrene, β-pinene, camphene, carvacrol, citral, o-cymene, γ-terpinene and thymol. Citral exhibited a fungicidal action against P. citrophthora; carvacrol and thymol showed a fungistatic activity against P. citrophthora and R. stolonifer. Citral and carvacrol at 250 ppm, and thymol at 150 and 250 ppm stopped the growth of B. cinerea. Moreover, thymol showed fungistatic and fungicidal action against P. italicum. Finally, the mycelium growth of P. expansum was inhibited in the presence of 250 ppm of thymol and carvacrol. These results represent an important step toward the goal to use some essential oils or their components as natural preservatives for fruits and foodstuffs, due to their safety for consumer healthy and positive effect on shelf life extension of agricultural fresh products.
Epigenetic Disregulation in Oral Cancer
Authors: Mascolo Massimo , Siano Maria , Ilardi Gennaro , Russo Daniela , Merolla Francesco , Rosa Gaetano De , Staibano Stefania
Published: February 2012

Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral region (OSCC) is one of the most common and highly aggressive malignancies worldwide, despite the fact that significant results have been achieved during the last decades in its detection, prevention and treatment. Although many efforts have been made to define the molecular signatures that identify the clinical outcome of oral cancers, OSCC still lacks reliable prognostic molecular markers. Scientific evidence indicates that transition from normal epithelium to pre-malignancy, and finally to oral carcinoma, depends on the accumulation of genetic and epigenetic alterations in a multistep process. Unlike genetic alterations, epigenetic changes are heritable and potentially reversible. The most common examples of such changes are DNA methylation, histone modification, and small non-coding RNAs. Although several epigenetic changes have been currently linked to OSCC initiation and progression, they have been only partially characterized. Over the last decade, it has been demonstrated that especially aberrant DNA methylation plays a critical role in oral cancer. The major goal of the present paper is to review the recent literature about the epigenetic modifications contribution in early and later phases of OSCC malignant transformation; in particular we point out the current evidence of epigenetic marks as novel markers for early diagnosis and prognosis as well as potential therapeutic targets in oral cancer.
Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction of the Oak Silkworm (Antheraea pernyi) Pupal Oil: Process Optimization and Composition Determination
Authors: Pan Wen-Juan , Liao Ai-Mei , Zhang Jian-Guo , Dong Zeng , Wei Zhao-Jun
Published: February 2012

Supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) extraction of oil from oak silkworm pupae was performed in the present research. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize the parameters of SC-CO2 extraction, including extraction pressure, temperature, time and CO2 flow rate on the yield of oak silkworm pupal oil (OSPO). The optimal extraction condition for oil yield within the experimental range of the variables researched was at 28.03 MPa, 1.83 h, 35.31 °C and 20.26 L/h as flow rate of CO2. Under this condition, the oil yield was predicted to be 26.18%. The oak silkworm pupal oil contains eight fatty acids, and is rich in unsaturated fatty acids and α-linolenic acid (ALA), accounting for 77.29% and 34.27% in the total oil respectively.
Carbon Nanomaterials: Efficacy and Safety for Nanomedicine
Authors: Yamashita Takuya , Yamashita Kohei , Nabeshi Hiromi , Yoshikawa Tomoaki , Yoshioka Yasuo , Tsunoda Shin-ichi , Tsutsumi Yasuo
Published: February 2012

Carbon nanomaterials, including fullerenes, carbon nanohorns, and carbon nanotubes, are increasingly being used in various fields owing to these materials’ unique, size-dependent functions and physicochemical properties. Recently, because of their high variability and stability, carbon nanomaterials have been explored as a novel tool for the delivery of therapeutic molecules including peptide and nucleic acid cancer drugs. However, insufficient information is available regarding the safety of carbon nanomaterials for human health, even though such information is vital for the development of safe and effective nanomedicine technologies. In this review, we discuss currently available information regarding the safety of carbon nanomaterials in nanomedicine applications, including information obtained from our own studies; and we discuss types of carbon nanomaterials that demonstrate particular promise for safe nanomedicine technologies.
Two Linear Unmixing Algorithms to Recognize Targets Using Supervised Classification and Orthogonal Rotation in Airborne Hyperspectral Images
Authors: Averbuch Amir , Zheludev Michael
Published: February 2012

The goal of the paper is to detect pixels that contain targets of known spectra. The target can be present in a sub- or above pixel. Pixels without targets are classified as background pixels. Each pixel is treated via the content of its neighborhood. A pixel whose spectrum is different from its neighborhood is classified as a “suspicious point”. In each suspicious point there is a mix of target(s) and background. The main objective in a supervised detection (also called “target detection”) is to search for a specific given spectral material (target) in hyperspectral imaging (HSI) where the spectral signature of the target is known a priori from laboratory measurements. In addition, the fractional abundance of the target is computed. To achieve this we present two linear unmixing algorithms that recognize targets with known (given) spectral signatures. The CLUN is based on automatic feature extraction from the target’s spectrum. These features separate the target from the background. The ROTU algorithm is based on embedding the spectra space into a special space by random orthogonal transformation and on the statistical properties of the embedded result. Experimental results demonstrate that the targets’ locations were extracted correctly and these algorithms are robust and efficient.
Novel Approaches to Inhibit HIV Entry
Authors: Didigu Chukwuka A. , Doms Robert W.
Published: February 2012

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) entry into target cells is a multi-step process involving binding of the viral glycoprotein, Env, to its receptor CD4 and a coreceptor—either CCR5 or CXCR4. Understanding the means by which HIV enters cells has led to the identification of genetic polymorphisms, such as the 32 base-pair deletion in the ccr5 gene (ccr5∆32) that confers resistance to infection in homozygous individuals, and has also resulted in the development of entry inhibitors—small molecule antagonists that block infection at the entry step. The recent demonstration of long-term control of HIV infection in a leukemic patient following a hematopoietic stem cell transplant using cells from a ccr5∆32 homozygous donor highlights the important role of the HIV entry in maintaining an established infection and has led to a number of attempts to treat HIV infection by genetically modifying the ccr5 gene. In this review, we describe the HIV entry process and provide an overview of the different classes of approved HIV entry inhibitors while highlighting novel genetic strategies aimed at blocking HIV infection at the level of entry.
DRIVERS OF FIRMS’ DEBT RATIOS: EVIDENCE FROM TAIWANESE AND TURKISH FIRMS / ĮMONIŲ SKOLOS SANTYKIO NUSTATYMAS: TAIVANO IR TURKIJOS ĮMONIŲ PAVYZDŽIU
Authors: Aren Selim , Alpkan Lutfihak , Sezen Bulent , Guncu Ziya Alper
Published: February 2012

This study investigates the drivers of debt ratios of the firms listed on the stock markets of two different countries, namely Turkey, a developing country and Taiwan, a newly developed country. The factors impacting short-term, long-term, and total debts are selected as EBIT (Earnings before Interest and Tax), ROE (Return on Equity), sales, total assets, fixed assets-total assets ratio, and depreciation-total assets ratio. The findings indicate that there are differences between Turkish and Taiwanese firms in terms of the drivers’ impacts on the debt structures of the firms. The proposed regression models work better on the data collected from Taiwan as compared to the data from Turkey. Possible reasons are discussed in the final section.

Santrauka

Šis tyrimas apima dviejų skirtingų, tačiau stipriai besivystančių šalių, t. y. Taivano ir Turkijos rinkose veikiančių kompanijų skolos santykio nustatymą. Pagrindiniais veiksniais, turinčiais įtakos trumpalaikėms, ilgalaikėms ir bendrosioms skoloms, buvo pasirinktas pelnas prieš sumokant palūkanas ir mokesčius (EBIT), nuosavo kapitalo grąža (ROE), pardavimo, bendrojo turto, ilgalaikio turto ir bendrojo turto santykis bei bendrojo turto nusidėvėjimo santykis. Autorių gauti rezultatai rodo, kad vis dėlto yra skirtumų tarp Turkijos ir Taivano įmonių bei tų įmonių skolų struktūros. Straipsnio autoriai taikė regresijos metodus, kurie Taivano situaciją atspindėjo geriau nei Turkijos, o kodėl taip nutiko, autoriai argumentuoja paskutiniame straipsnio skyriuje.
CREATIVE ECONOMY AND TECHNOLOGIES: SOCIAL, LEGAL AND COMMUNICATIVE ISSUES / KŪRYBOS EKONOMIKA IR TECHNOLOGIJOS: SOCIALINIAI, TEISINIAI IR KOMUNIKACINIAI ASPEKTAI
Authors: Kačerauskas Tomas
Published: February 2012

The article deals with the philosophical questions of creative economy. Appealing to J. Howkins, R. Florida and other theorists of creative economy, the author analyses such aspects of creative economy as the need for enterprise, obsession by consuming, fusion of labour and leisure, integrality of the activities, striving for individual autonomy and privacy. The response to economical changes and social challenges could be creativeness that emerges in certain social and economical environment. The author pays attention to legal aspects of creative economy and analyses the role of technologies in the creative society. The author also focuses on the contradictory aspect of the copyright and patent right in creative economy. By expressing the creators’ right to just reward copyright restricts creative communication while patent right expresses aspirations to privatize social property, including nature. The relations between technologies and creative economy refer to social changes, too. Firstly, economic relations could be treated as social technologies. Secondly, technologies (especially e-technologies) are the base of creative industries that ensure economical growth. Thirdly, technologies are indispensable to the consuming that both demands new products and generates the very economy. Santrauka Straipsnyje nagrinėjami kūrybos ekonomikos filosofiniai klausimai. Apeliuodamas į J. Howkinsą, R. Floridą ir kitus kūrybos ekonomikos teoretikus, autorius nagrinėja tokius kūrybos ekonomikos aspektus, kaip verslumo reikmė, vartojimo manija, darbo ir laisvalaikio susiliejimas, veiklų integralumas, individualios autonomijos ir privatumo siekis. Atsakas į ekonominius ir socialinius pokyčius galėtų būti kūrybingumas, kuris kyla tam tikroje socialinėje (ekonominėje) aplinkoje. Autorius atkreipia dėmesį į teisinius kūrybos ekonomikos aspektus ir analizuoja technologijų vaidmenį kūrybinėje visuomenėje. Pabrėžiamas autorių ir patentų teisės prieštaringumas kūrybos ekonomikoje. Išreikšdama kūrėjo teisę į teisingą atlygį, autorių teisė apriboja kūrybos komunikaciją, o patentų teisė išreiškia siekius privatizuoti visuomeninį turtą įskaitant gamtą. Technologijų ir kūrybos ekonomikos santykiai taip pat išreiškia visuomeninius pokyčius. Pirma, ekonominiai santykiai gali būti traktuojami kaip socialinės technologijos. Antra, technologijos (ypač e. technologijos) yra kūrybinių industrijų, užtikrinančių ekonominį augimą, pamatas. Trečia, technologijos neatsiejamos nuo vartojimo, kuris reikalauja naujų produktų ir generuoja pačią ekonomiką.
INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT OF ORGANIZATION'S KNOWLEDGE POTENTIAL / INTEGRUOTAS ORGANIZACIJOS ŽINIŲ POTENCIALO VERTINIMAS
Authors: Bivainis Juozas , Morkvėnas Renatas
Published: February 2012

Knowledge became a vital resource to all economy subjects after humans had become capable to catalyze the creation and spreading of knowledge in the 20th century. It became urgent to be capable of measuring and assessing knowledge to enhance this resource purposefully and well-grounded. Although quite a lot of scientific articles, as well as more popular publications, analyze various aspects of knowledge management, but the problem of knowledge assessment is yet to be solved. Although plenty of scientists have researched the theoretical and practical problems of assessing organization's knowledge potential for a few decades, a unified and single methodology of assessment has not been accepted. The outcome of our research is the original concept for determining knowledge potential, essentially based on new principles. An assessment of the factors making a real impact helped in building a model including such components as employee's knowledge potential, knowledge potential synergy, and organization's environment. The quantitative specifications of the above introduced components have been prepared. Practical application of the model has been researched by an experiment and theoretical modelling. Santrauka Žinios visiems ūkio subjektams tapo ypač svarbios, kai XX a. žmogus sugebėjo iš esmės katalizuoti jų kūrimą ir sklaidą. Tai lėmė greitėjančius įvairių sričių pokyčius, o žinios buvo pripažintos svarbiausiu ištekliumi, lemiančiu individų, organizacijų ir valstybių sėkmę. Kryptingai ir pagrįstai šio ištekliaus plėtrai tapo itin aktualu gebėti išmatuoti ir įvertinti žinias. Nemažai mokslininkų jau kelis dešimtmečius tiria teorines ir praktines organizacijos žinių potencialo vertinimo problemas, tačiau visapusiška ir kompleksinė vertinimo metodologija nesukurta. Mūsų tyrimo rezultatas – originali organizacijos žinių potencialo vertinimo koncepcija, pagrįsta naujais principais. Sukurtą modelį sudaro šios pagrindinės tarpusavyje susietos dalys: darbuotojų žinių potencialo skaičiavimas, žinių potencialo sinergijos skaičiavimas, organizacijos išorinės terpės vertinimas. Modelyje išspręsta skirtingo lygio ir tipo veiksnių integravimo į vieną vertinimo sistemą problema. Šios vertinimo sistemos generuojamas rezultatas išreiškiamas vienu sintezuotu įverčiu (balais). Praktinis modelio pritaikymas buvo patikrintas atliekant empirinį tyrimą ir teorinį modeliavimą.
THE ROLE OF THE FOREIGN BANKS IN THE 5 EU MEMBER STATES / UŽSIENIO BANKŲ VAIDMENS 5 EUROPOS SĄJUNGOS VALSTYBĖSE TYRIMAS
Authors: Festić Mejra
Published: February 2012

The article tests if foreign banks have lowered their market share in the Baltic States, Romania and Bulgaria during the recent financial crisis after 2007, due to the perception of risk exposure in local markets. It has been proved that, the credit supply by foreign banks in the Baltic States, Romania and Bulgaria has remained relatively stable during the latest crisis by TSLS method. Foreign ownership generally utilizes derivative products more than domestic banks in the NMSs because they have more expertise in hedging and can diversify risks effectively with their larger parent banks in their home country. The reaction of foreign banks abroad depends on the capital adequacy of the parent bank and the business opportunities in the host economies. Santrauka Straipsnyje analizuojamas užsienio bankų vaidmuo penkiose Europos Sąjungai priklausančiose valstybėse – Baltijos šalyse, Rumunijoje ir Bulgarijoje. Autorius tyrimui pasirinko užsienio bankų užimamos rinkos dalies vertinimą ir ekonomikos krizės poveikio nustatymą šių bankų veiklos rodikliams bei rinkos daliai. Gauti rezultatai parodė, kad kreditų pasiūla, teikiama užsienio bankų Baltijos šalyse, Rumunijoje ir Bulgarijoje, išliko palyginti stabili. Tai galima susieti su tuo, kad užsienio bankai taiko ir naudoja išvestinius produktus, motyvuodami tuo, jog turi daugiau patirties ir gali diversifikuoti riziką, efektyviai naudodami juos remiančių savos šalies („motininių“) bankų finansinius išteklius. Tyrimas taip pat parodė, kad užsienio bankų reakcija į rinkos pasikeitimus vienoje ar kitoje valstybėje tiesiogiai priklauso nuo „motininio“ banko kapitalo pakankamumo ir ekonominių verslo sąlygų toje šalyje.
Économie de la fonctionnalité. Une nouvelle synergie entre le territoire, la firme et le consommateur ?
Authors: Vaileanu-Paun Ingrid , Boutillier Sophie
Published: February 2012

Résumé L’intérêt de cet article se situe dans le contexte de l’évolution des stratégies des entreprises permettant de contribuer à une croissance économique découplée du flux des matières et répondant aux enjeux écologiques et sociaux des territoires. Dans le cadre général des interrogations sur les réponses possibles aux crises écologiques, économiques, financières et énergétiques, l’article traite des changements des stratégies de création et d’évaluation de la valeur par les entreprises et par les territoires. On s’interroge sur l’émergence d’un paradigme de production/consommation renouvelé intégrant ex ante les externalités négatives et positives dans le processus économique. L’économie de la fonctionnalité s’inscrit ainsi dans une dynamique historique et une redéfinition des relations entre l’entreprise, le consommateur et le territoire. Codes JEL : L22, L53, O33
Stratégies de responsabilité sociale d'entreprise des acteurs BIO en Tunisie
Authors: Ghozzi-Nekhili Chiraz , Kamoun-Chouk Souad
Published: February 2012

Résumé Les opérateurs économiques sont désormais questionnés, non seulement sur leurs résultats financiers mais aussi sur leur équité sociale et leur impact environnemental. Le concept de Responsabilité Sociale de l’Entreprise (RSE) repose sur l’ensemble des obligations qui pèsent sur elle dans sa gestion de ses relations avec ses différentes parties prenantes externes et internes. La Tunisie est classée première en Afrique en termes de surfaces certifiées en BIO. Ce secteur bénéficie d’une attention particulière de la part du gouvernement. Le cahier des charges régissant le secteur ne contient, cependant, aucune incitation pour l’adoption d’une stratégie RSE intégrale du moins explicitement. La culture BIO semble être perçue par les institutions de l’Etat tunisien comme un nouveau créneau porteur et une quête d’avantage compétitif. La question de recherche à laquelle nous tentons de répondre est la suivante : Dans quelle mesure la perception du BIO par les institutionnels, qui transparaît des études réalisées dans ce domaine, peut-elle influencer le comportement des opérateurs de la filière ? Pour répondre à cette question, nous avons mobilisé la typologie d’Acquier (2008). L’approche empirique s’est basée sur l’analyse documentaire d’études réalisées par deux agences nationales de promotion de l’investissement. Ce qui a permis de montrer le peu d’intérêt porté aux parties prenantes autres que le consommateur étranger. La stratégie RSE des opérateurs qui pourrait être adoptée, serait de type greenwashing. Code JEL : M1, M14
Le secteur du bâtiment face aux enjeux du développement durable : logiques d'innovation et/ou problématiques du changement
Authors: Deshayes Philippe
Published: February 2012

Résumé Le « choc » du développement durable sur le secteur du bâtiment témoigne exemplairement de l’imbrication étroite entre les innovations elles-mêmes, les pratiques professionnelles et les représentations des parties prenantes. La question soulevée par cet article est celle de savoir s’il convient d’inscrire les transformations en cours du secteur du bâtiment dans les seules problématiques de l’innovation qui sont issues de notre modèle industriel de croissance. Le secteur du bâtiment ne peut-il pas apparaître comme une opportunité de questionnement vis-à-vis de ce modèle industriel et, plus largement, du lien entre pratiques professionnelles et pratiques sociales ? Au-delà, le secteur du bâtiment et de la construction n’apparaîtrait-il pas comme exemplaire pour penser les renouvellements des pratiques de l’industrie face aux enjeux en cours et à venir du développement durable ? Codes JEL : L14, L22, L74, O33, Q01
Effect of orally-administered Lactobacillus plantarum LPLM-O1 strain in an immunosuppressed mouse model of urinary tract infection
Authors: de Arellano A. Ramírez , Sánchez M. , Vera R. , Jara S. , González M. , Castro E.
Published: February 2012

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect both healthy and immunocompromised people, and they are treated with
antibiotics. However, the high recurrence of UTIs obliges the use of natural mechanisms to regulate the normal
microbiota through the use of e.g. lactic acid bacteria. In order to induce a UTI, 20 µl of the Escherichia coli (Ec-01)
strain, in doses of 2.7×107 cfu/ml, was inoculated by way of the urethra in female Balb/c mice, all of them
immunosuppressed with dexamethasone (10 mg/kg). Lactobacillus plantarum LPLM-O1 was used as a treatment,
in daily doses of 1×107 cfu/ml, which were orally administered for seven days before the infection (preventive) or
alongside the infection for seven days (curative). The oral administration of LPLM-O1 did not cause any adverse
effects when used in an immunosuppressed animal model. It was observed that, when used as a preventive measure,
LPLM-O1 induces a decrease in the infection, in the concentration of urinary leukocytes, and in the bacterial load.
This study proposes the use of this lactic bacterium as a probiotic.
Spore-forming bacteria and their utilisation as probiotics
Authors: Bader J. , Albin A. , Stahl U.
Published: February 2012

In this review article, the beneficial application of bacterial spore formers as probiotics in the food industry is discussed based on the knowledge gleaned from current publications. The summary of new scientific results provides evidence of the advantages of the utilisation ofBacillusorClostridiumstrains in the food industry. Both bacteria are able to produce a very stable duration form: the endospore. Compared to the widely used lactic acid bacteria, bacterial spores offer the advantage of a higher survival rate during the acidic stomach passage and better stability during the processing and storage of the food product. In many food products, germination of the spores does not occur. Hence the product quality of the food is not affected because of their inactive metabolism. Besides the possible utilisation and functional properties, an overview of the fast-developing knowledge about the mechanisms of the beneficial health effects of spore-forming bacteria is provided.
Essential Role for CAML in Follicular B Cell Survival and Homeostasis
Authors: Zane Nicholas A. , Gundelach Justin H. , Lindquist Lonn D. , Bram Richard J.
Published: February 2012

Calcium-modulating cyclophilin ligand (CAML) is a ubiquitously expressed protein that is important during thymopoiesis. However, whether it serves a function in mature lymphocytes is unknown. In this article, we show that CAML is essential for survival of peripheral follicular (Fo) B cells. Conditional deletion of CAML in CD19-Cre transgenic mice caused a significant reduction in Fo cell numbers and increased rates of homeostatic proliferation. CAML-deficient Fo cells showed increased cellular turnover and normal proliferative ability. Although CAML-deficient Fo cells responded to AgR stimulation and to B cell activating factor, they displayed decreased survival and increased apoptosis following stimulation with LPS and IL-4 in vitro. Failure to survive was not due to aberrant B cell development in the absence of CAML, because induced deletion of the gene in mature cells resulted in a similar phenotype. These data establish an essential and ongoing role for CAML in the long-term survival of mature B cells.
MF59 and Pam3CSK4 Boost Adaptive Responses to Influenza Subunit Vaccine through an IFN Type I-Independent Mechanism of Action
Authors: Caproni Elena , Tritto Elaine , Cortese Mario , Muzzi Alessandro , Mosca Flaviana , Monaci Elisabetta , Baudner Barbara , Seubert Anja , De Gregorio Ennio
Published: February 2012

The innate immune pathways induced by adjuvants required to increase adaptive responses to influenza subunit vaccines are not well characterized. We profiled different TLR-independent (MF59 and alum) and TLR-dependent (CpG, resiquimod, and Pam3CSK4) adjuvants for the ability to increase the immunogenicity to a trivalent influenza seasonal subunit vaccine and to tetanus toxoid (TT) in mouse. Although all adjuvants boosted the Ab responses to TT, only MF59 and Pam3CSK4 were able to enhance hemagglutinin Ab responses. To identify innate immune correlates of adjuvanticity to influenza subunit vaccine, we investigated the gene signatures induced by each adjuvant in vitro in splenocytes and in vivo in muscle and lymph nodes using DNA microarrays. We found that flu adjuvanticity correlates with the upregulation of proinflammatory genes and other genes involved in leukocyte transendothelial migration at the vaccine injection site. Confocal and FACS analysis confirmed that MF59 and Pam3CSK4 were the strongest inducers of blood cell recruitment in the muscle compared with the other adjuvants tested. Even though it has been proposed that IFN type I is required for adjuvanticity to influenza vaccines, we found that MF59 and Pam3CSK4 were not good inducers of IFN-related innate immunity pathways. By contrast, resiquimod failed to enhance the adaptive response to flu despite a strong activation of the IFN pathway in muscle and lymph nodes. By blocking IFN type I receptor through a mAb, we confirmed that the adjuvanticity of MF59 and Pam3CSK4 to a trivalent influenza vaccine and to TT is IFN independent.
Breast Metastasis from Multiple Primary Rhabdomyosarcoma in Upper Extremity
Authors: Omranipour Ramesh , Hadi Mohamad Reza
Published: February 2012

We report a 16-year-old girl with a multiple primary rhabdomyosarcoma of right upper extremity who developed contralateral breast metastasis in her clinical course. She was diagnosed to have multiple primary rhabdomyosarcoma of the right upper extremity with lung metastasis one year prior to finding a mass in her left breast. The excisional biopsy of the breast mass confirmed metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma. Despite aggressive chemotherapy and subcutaneous total mastectomy, she developed a widespread bone and lung metastasis in few months and expired. Metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma of the breast is very rare but it should be considered in adolescent females with primary alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, specially located on an extremity.