bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Teachers’ Perceptions of School Leaders’ Empowering Behaviours on the Dimensions of Psychological Empowerment
Authors: Vrhovnik Tina , Marič Miha , Žnidaršič Jasmina , Jordan Gašper
Published: June 2018

Background and Purpose: School leader has an effect on teachers in divergent ways. If school leader wants their teachers to be successful and satisfied, he or she must have the potential to prompt work conditions that build up teachers’ psychological empowerment. Main aim of our research was to empirically test the relations between teachers’ perceptions of school leaders’ empowering behaviours and all dimensions of psychological empowerment (meaning, competence, self-determination and impact). Design/Methodology/Approach: We tested four hypotheses in one structural model by using structural equation modelling (SEM). The quantitative data was collected through an online survey on a sample of 525 primary school teachers in Slovenia by using two already validated questionnaires, The School Leader Empowering Behaviours (SLEB) and Psychological Empowerment Questionnaire (PEQ). Results: Findings show that teachers’ perceptions of school leaders’ empowering behaviours are positively and statistically significantly related to all dimensions of psychological empowerment (meaning, competence, self-determination and impact). Conclusion: Knowledge of psychological empowerment can be beneficial for school leaders, because with this comprehension they can strengthen apprehension and potential in exercising empowering behaviours towards their teachers to maximize their psychological empowerment.
Factors Affecting the Intentions to Use RFID Subcutaneous Microchip Implants for Healthcare Purposes
Authors: Werber Borut , Baggia Alenka , Žnidaršič Anja
Published: June 2018

Background and Purpose: While there are many studies regarding the adoption of Radio Frequency Identification Devices (RFID), only a few of them deal with RFID subcutaneous microchip (RFID-SM) usage by individuals. After the first in vivo tests conducted on volunteers from 1998 to 2000, the use of RFID-SM in healthcare remains limited. This study examines the likelihood of adopting RFID-SM in healthcare from the end user’s point of view. Design/Methodology/Approach: The aim of this paper is to develop and evaluate the model for analysing the acceptance of RFID-SM adoption. An extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) for RFID-SM adoption is proposed and empirically tested in a cross-sectional study. Online survey was conducted using a convenience sample of 531 respondents. In addition to the three original components of TAM (Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, and Behavioural Intentions to Use), three external variables (Health Concerns, Perceived Trust, and Age) were also included in the model. The model was validated with confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling techniques. Results: Perceived Usefulness has a significant impact on behavioural intentions to adopt RFID-SM in the future, while the influence of Perceived Ease of Use is not significant. The most influential external variable is Perceived Trust, indicating the lack of confidence in personal data security ensured by the state and other institutions. As expected, Health Concerns factor has a negative effect on the Perceived Trust and Perceived Usefulness of RFID-SM. Conclusion: The results of the empirical study prove that all external variables considered in the model significantly influence the RFID-SM adoption. The Perceived Ease of Use is irrelevant to the attitude towards the RFID-SM adoption. In addition to the proposed model, the analysis of gathered data shows that the positive attitude toward the use of RFID-SM in healthcare is rising.
Regular and Temporary Employees in Project Organized Business Pay Different Attention to Preconditions for Learning
Authors: Augustsson Gunnar , Rasmusson Maria
Published: June 2018

Background and purpose: The purpose is to investigate whether regular and temporary staff differ in their perceptions of preconditions for learning and if there are some qualitative aspects that can be considered particularly significant in these differences. Design/Methodology/Approach: The approach consists of a case study based on both quantitative and qualitative data collected via an online questionnaire and individual interviews. Results: The paper question the understanding of the organization as a singular and more or less cohesive unit. On an organizational level, the project owner who hires staff does not care for competence transfer between regulars and temps, or between different groups of staff. At the individual level, temps are more focused on their specific task compared to regulars. Regulars’ seems to safeguarding a community or an organizational perspective, while temps are looking for their own good. Conclusions: There is a risk that one social unit differs, in attention payed to preconditions for learning, from another, when an organization use temporary staff. Therefore, the scientific value of this paper is that using temps may result in or be a consequence of a fragmented organization. The findings show no competence transfer in projects with both temps and regulars, and the project owner takes no active responsibility for human resource planning in terms of competence transfer between different groups of staff. The implications underline that long-term efficiency and rationality in an organization does not always have priority over organizational affiliation even with the hiring of expertise. When this happens, it may lead to a fragmented personnel group that is divided in thinkers/organizers and, performers/doers. When this happens, important practical skills fall outside of the organization, which in a metaphorical sense means that the hand is separated from the brain. Therefore, organizations with temporary staff need to plan for how to enable competence transfer between temporary and regular staff.
The Challenges of SME Business Transfers: The Evidence from Croatia and Finland
Authors: Alpeza Mirela , Tall Juha , Mezulić Juric Petra
Published: June 2018

Background and Purpose: In the life cycle of a firm, business transfer represents the critical stage of development. Underestimating the complexity and longevity of this process can have negative implications for firms, their owners and wide network of stakeholders. The aim of this paper is to compare the attitude towards business transfer of entrepreneurs aged 55 and more in Croatia and Finland and provide policy recommendations for improvement of the national business transfer ecosystems. Methodology/Approach: Both surveys targeted entrepreneurs aged 55 and more using the same questionnaire, with some adjustments to Croatian business transfer ecosystem. Finish barometer was conducted through webbased survey among members of Federation of Finnish Enterprises. Survey in Croatia was conducted with combination of CATI and CAWI collection method by a professional data collection agency. Data collected was compared based on a demographic criterion, industry background, experience in business transfer, expected future of the company, support needed and biggest challenges. Results: The research results indicated a growing number of entrepreneurs in Croatia who will be interested in selling their firm once they withdraw from the business and less than expected family business successions. In Finland the most important challenges are related to business valuation and finding a successor or a buyer. Conclusion: For further development of business transfer ecosystem in Croatia it is recommended to focus on awareness raising activities, channels for matching sellers and buyers, promotion of takeover entrepreneurship and consultancy support for micro enterprises. In Finland results indicate the importance of investing continuous efforts in raising the effectiveness of the measures implemented.
Divine Determinism and the Problem of Hell
Authors: Stratton Tim , Erasmus Jacobus
Published: June 2018

Divine determinism, though affirmed by many Calvinists, implicates God in the decisions people make that ultimately damn them to the terrible destiny of hell. In this paper, the authors argue that this scenario is a problem for divine determinism. The article contends that determinism is inconsistent with God’s love and the Scriptures that explicitly state that God does not ‘desire’ anyone to go to hell. Even human love for others strongly suggests that God, who is ‘love’, will not determine anyone to hell. On the other extreme, those who argue for universalism, though appealing to Scripture, often do so with questionable exegesis.
Mere Molinism: A Defense of Two Essential Pillars
Authors: Stratton Tim , Erasmus Jacobus
Published: June 2018

Molinism is founded on two ‘pillars’, namely, the view that human beings possess libertarian free will and the view that God has middle knowledge. Both these pillars stand in contrast to naturalistic determinism and divine determinism. In this article, however, the authors offer philosophical and theological grounds in favor of libertarian free will and middle knowledge.
Molinist Gunslingers Redux: A Friendly Response to Greg Welty
Authors: Keathley Kenneth D.
Published: June 2018

Philosopher Greg Welty contributed a chapter entitled ‘Molinist Gunslingers: God and the Authorship of Sin’, to a book devoted to answering the charge that Calvinism makes God the author of sin (Calvinism and the Problem of Evil). Welty argues that Molinism has the same problems as Calvinism concerning God’s relationship to sin, regardless of what view of human freedom Molinism may affirm. The Molinist believes that God generally uses his knowledge of the possible choices of libertarianly free creatures in order to accomplish his will. (This knowledge is typically categorized as residing within God’s middle knowledge.) But affirming libertarian freedom for humans, he argues, does not help in dealing with the question of God’s relationship to evil. Therefore, Molinism is no better than Calvinism, at least concerning this issue. In response to Welty, (1) I agree with him that Molinism does not have a moral advantage over what he calls ‘mysterian, apophatic’ Calvinism, but Molinists don’t claim that it does, and (2) I argue that, contra Welty, Molinism indeed does have a moral advantage over the Calvinist versions that do employ causal determinism. Welty does not take ‘intentions’ into consideration in his argument, and this is a serious flaw. In the libertarian model of Molinism, intent originates in the doer of evil. However, in the compatibilist model of causal determinism, ultimately God implants intent. Thus, adherents of causal determinism have difficulty not laying responsibility at the feet of God.
Super Mario Strikes Back: Another Molinist Reply to Welty’s Gunslingers Argument
Authors: McNabb Tyler Dalton
Published: June 2018

Molinists generally see Calvinism as possessing certain liabilities from which Molinism is immune. For example, Molinists have traditionally rejected Calvinism, in part, because it allegedly makes God the author of sin. According to Molina, we ‘should not infer that He is in any way a cause of sin’. However, Greg Welty has recently argued by way of his Gunslingers Argument that, when it comes to God’s relationship to evil, Molinism is susceptible to the same liabilities as Calvinism. If his argument is successful, he has undercut, at least partially, justification for believing in Molinism. While I concede that Welty’s argument is successful in that it does undercut some justification for believing in Molinism, this concession does not entail that, as it relates to the problem of evil, the Calvinist and the Molinist are in the same epistemic position. In this article, I argue that, when it comes to God’s relationship to evil, the Molinist is in a superior epistemic situation to the Calvinist. I do this in two steps. First, I argue for what I call the Robust Felix Culpa Theodicy. Second, I argue that the Robust Felix Culpa Theodicy is incompatible with Calvinism.
Molinism, Question-Begging, and Foreknowledge of Indeterminates
Authors: Laing John D.
Published: June 2018

John Martin Fischer’s charge that Molinism does not offer a unique answer to the dilemma of divine foreknowledge and human freedom can be seen as a criticism of middle knowledge for begging the question of FF (foreknowledge and freedom)-compatibilism. In this paper, I seek to answer this criticism in two ways. First, I demonstrate that most of the chief arguments against middle knowledge are guilty of begging the question of FF-incompatibilism and conclude that the simple charge of begging the question cannot be as problematic as some suggest. Determinists and open theists incorporate FF-incompatibilist notions into their respective versions of the grounding objection, their conceptions of risk and libertarian freedom, and their requirements for divine foreknowledge. Thus, while I admit that Molinism does rely upon Ockhamist and Augustinian principles in its approach to the dilemma and is guilty of presupposing FF-compatibilism, I deny that this undermines its strength as a model of providence. Second, I argue that, although all models are guilty of question-begging moves, they are not all on par with one another. Molinism offers a more orthodox and robust approach to providence than open theism and process theology, and it handles empirical data (e.g., from science) better than all of its competitors.
Monergistic Molinism
Authors: MacGregor Kirk R.
Published: June 2018

Several philosophers and theologians (including Stump, Cross, Timpe, Keathley, and Evans) have attempted to formulate monergistic, soft libertarian accounts of salvation. These accounts hold that the sinner has the ability to either resist or to do nothing at all with God’s universally given saving grace, in which latter case God will save her. However, I wonder with Cyr and Flummer whether these accounts go far enough because the nonresistant sinner voluntarily remains quiescent and is therefore arguably praiseworthy. I aim to remedy this alleged weakness by formulating a possible account on which it never crosses the nonresistant sinner’s mind to resist, making her quiescence an involuntary omission. For all sinners whose minds it crosses to resist, they, on the proposed account, freely choose to resist. Combining Molinism with the scriptural notion of blaspheming against the Holy Spirit, I proceed to explain why it may cross the mind of some sinners and not others to resist.
Tracking Sustainable Development in Politically Violent Zones: Need for Framework and Cognizance- Kashmir in Context
Authors: Mohmad Aabid , Aadil Farooq
Published: June 2018

As a conceptual framework, Sustainable Development (SD) intends to improve current Well-Being, while preserving or maintaining the basis for future Well-Being (Solow, 1991). In order to measure Sustainable Development various indicators were chosen, among which health has been considered as an important indicator. As a result, we see a huge focus on health in Sustainable Development frameworks. But, the emphasis of frameworks has been only on the physical and epidemiological factors affecting the health. In contrary, in context of a highly political turmoil zone, it is the psychological well-being that is severely affected. This component of health i.e., psychological well-being is neglected to find a significant place in Sustainable Development frameworks. Since, these frameworks are crucial for national level policy making and it is likely that policies formulated on such frameworks may not replicate the same successful results in every context (such as in Armed Conflict). With such understanding in the background, this paper will show the need to focus on mental health in armed conflict situations in Sustainable Development frameworks. This paper will attempt to show how ignoring mental health in armed conflict situations impede development. The need to develop a holistic framework which focuses on mental health in Armed Conflict situations will be highlighted in context of Kashmir.
Identifying Dominant Runoff Processes at a Regional Scale – A GIS - Based Approach
Authors: Fagbohun Babatunde Joseph , Olabode Oluwaseun Franklin , Adebola Abiodun Olufemi
Published: June 2018

Identifying landscapes with similar hydrological characteristics is useful for the determination of dominant runoff process (DRP) and flood prediction. Several approaches used for DRP-mapping differ in respect to time and data requirement. Manual approaches based on field investigation and expert knowledge are time consuming and difficult to implement at regional scale. Automatic GIS-based approach on the other hand require simplification of data but are easier to implement and it is applicable on regional scale. In this study, GIS-based automated approach was used to identify the DRPs in Anambra area. The result showed that Hortonian Overland Flow (HOF) has the highest coverage of 1508.3 Km2 (33.5%) followed by Deep Percolation (DP) with coverage of 1455.3 Km2 (32.3%). Subsurface Flow (SSF) is the third dominant runoff process covering 920.6 Km2 (20.4%) while Saturated Overland Flow (SOF) covers the least area of 618.4 Km2 (13.7%) of the study area. The result reveal that considerable amount of precipitated water would be infiltrated into the subsurface through deep percolation process contributing to groundwater recharge in the study area. However, it is envisaged that HOF and SOF will continue to increase due to the continuous expansion of built-up area. With the expected increase in HOF and SOF and the change in rainfall pattern associated with perpetual problem of climate change, it is paramount that groundwater conservation practices be considered to ensure continued sustainable utilization of groundwater in the study area.
Assessment of Regional Variation of Flood Runoff in the Republic of Moldova
Authors: Jeleapov Ana
Published: June 2018

Present study is dedicated to assessment and analysis of flood runoff and its spatial distribution in the limits of the Republic of Moldova. SCS-CN model and GIS were used as main methods and techniques for runoff assessment. Main components which were considered for flood runoff estimation are soils (soil texture and moisture condition), land cover and rainfall (for 1% probability). The results showed the region that is the most affected by flood runoff is northern part of the republic with flood runoff >100 mm, the lowest flood runoff values being estimated for the southern part of the country with <50 mm. Soil moisture conditions have a important impact on flood runoff amount, increasing its averages with 30 to 60% in case of wet condition and decreasing it with 35-65% in case of dry soil. It was also observed that flood runoff distribution is highly influenced by land cover, the average values being twice as high in urban area than under natural vegetation.
Soil Erosion Assessment in Wood Pastures and Tree-Less Pastures (A Case Study: Hârtibaciului Tableland)
Authors: Ficuț Cristina-Alina , Măcicășan Vlad , Maloș Cristian-Valeriu , Muntean Octavian-Liviu , Roşian Gheorghe , Hartel Tibor
Published: June 2018

The management of pastures is very important to reduce soil erosion. A special attention is generally needed for the wood pastures which combine livestock grazing with trees and shrubs. In this paper, we investigated the differencess between the wood pastures and tree-less pastures and their role to prevent or mitigate the soil erosion. The soil erosion assessment has been performed by using of RUSLE and GIS. The model has been applied in two study-polygons with wood pasture and tree-less pasture located in the northern part of Hartibaciului Tableland (Romania). Our outcomes showed and highlighted by comparison that wood pastures have a lower predicted annual soil loss than pastures with accidental presence of trees. This fact suggests that wood pastures are more resilient to soil erosion than tree-less pasture. The metholology tried to calibrate a preliminary model of soil erosion assessment for wood pastures into the southern part of Transylvania.
Research on the Influence of Temperature on Beech Crops Raised in Nurseries
Authors: Odagiu Antonia , Covrig Ilie , Oroian Camelia , Presecan Mădălina Florina
Published: June 2018

A particularly important determining factor for the installation and development of seedlings during the early years is their ability to withstand deviations from the normal regime of the climatic elements. Beech seedlings have poor resistance to extreme climate changes. The development of seedlings during the first years can be strongly affected by extreme temperatures. During the research, it was noticed that the frosts which may occur during the second half of April and in early May, before foliation, can cause significant injuries to the plantlets. A large part of the beech seedlings appear in early spring, approximately 7 - 10 days before the foliation of beech trees. The effects of these frosts have also been felt in the nurseries located in the area of the Sovata Forestry, in the case of crops sown in the autumn of the previous year in the Isuica Nursery, situated at an altitude of 520 - 530 m, in the vicinity of Săcădat Creek, and in the case of Solar II Nursery, situated in the village Câmpul Cetaţii, at an altitude of 610 m. The latter nursery is neighbored by the trout farm from Câmpul Cetăţii to the south, by the secondary school to the west, by private residences and estates to the east and by the village road of Câmpul Cetăţii to the north. In both nurseries the emergence percentage of the crops at the end of April was over 90%. Based on the average number of seedlings emerged per area unit, the losses recorded as a result of the frosts from 3-4 May were, in the case of the Isuica Nursery, 89% on 10 May, reaching 97% towards the end of the month. Unlike in the Isuica Nursery, in the Solar II Nursery the losses due to the frost of 3 May were not uniform. The area that was least affected by frost was situated in the immediate proximity of the larch curtain and the secondary school building, where the percentage of losses did not exceed 2%. Moving away from the larch curtain, the percentage increased progressively, reaching, at about 24 m (on the diagonal of the plot), as high as 87%. This percentage was close to that of the (uniform) losses registered in the Isuica Nursery. Thus, the maximum protective effect was recorded up to a distance of about 9 km (0.75 H), where H represents the height of the larch curtain). From this distance, the protective effect exerted by the larch curtain (and the secondary school building with a height of 8 m) started to decrease. While at a distance of about 1 H, the percentage of losses was 17 %, at 1.5 H it reached 61 %, and at approx. 2 H it neared 90 %.
Loess-Scape in the Dobrudja Plateau (Romania). Landforms and Updated Typology
Authors: Romanescu Gheorghe , Lóczy Denes , Dezső József , Carboni Donatella
Published: June 2018

The study of loess and loess-like deposits in Romania has developed considerably, over the years. C14 dating determined that the last three glaciations (Mindel, Riss, Würm) and, at least, two interglacial periods were recorded in the Dobrudja Plateau. Five other paleosol layers indicate the succession of the Quaternary interglacial stations. The loess of Dobrudja, is about 50 m in thickness. The term loess-scape is comprised of all the processes and forms specific to these deposits, which create a unique landscape, with local peculiarities. Natural and anthropic conditions created loessoid microforms (clastokarst) specific to the Dobrudja Plateau. The friability of loess-like deposits, the heavy rains, the lack of vegetation, the existence of a steep slope and of a low basic level, led to the development of a marginal (border) clastokarst on the western and northern side of the plateau (on the right of Danube bank). The aim of this study is to rename the microforms specific to loess-like deposits and to highlight new ones: solution clastic dolines, collapse clastic dolines, clastic resurgences (intermittent karst springs), piping clastic glacis, collapse clastic glacis, proluvial clastic glacis, clastic micro-waterfalls with clastic micro-cauldrons, clastokarstic curtains (drapes), and so on. Consequently, the loess-scape in the Dobrudja Plateau is distinct, just like the karstic, volcanic, glacial landscape, and so on. New clastokarstic microforms were highlighted and efforts were made to establish a proper terminology.
Considerations on Drinking Water Management in the Moldavian Plateau and Plain Region
Authors: Chirica Ștefania , Luca Alexandru-Lucian , Lateș Iustina
Published: June 2018

The Moldavian Plateau and Plain have few drinking water sources (the case of Iaşi and Vaslui Counties). The main type of fresh water sources are groundwater and surface water. The Moldavian Plateau rural settlements are affected the most by the lack of viable, unpolluted water sources to ensure a volume able to cover the consumers’ demand. The pollution phenomenon induced by the non-availability of rural sewerage systems and also by the settlements’ areas foundation rocks have decreased the groundwater and surface water sources quality parameters. The adduction, transport and distribution networks of water supply systems are affected by the „water loss“ phenomenon. Water management in a transmission and distribution network must correlate the number of water sources, available volume, acceptable quality parameters and inherent water losses from networks with the consumers’ demands. The optimisation of water management in a given geographic space has led to the establishment of „regional water supply systems“. This process relies on the minimisation of water losses. The case study carried out in Iaşi County shows the importance of the regional water supply system development through optimal exploitation of Moldavian Plateau and Plain water sources.
Estimation of Environmental Quality Based on Ecometric Climatic Indicators (on the Example of the Republic of Moldova)
Authors: Duca Gh. , Nedealcov Maria , Ivanov Violeta
Published: June 2018

Aridity in new climatic conditions requires indexes which could adequately explain this process. All the more so, the quantities of atmospheric precipitations also continue to increase on the background of the temperatures increase in the conditions of the Republic of Moldova. Their variable character in the last period of time with the installation of dry and droughty periods alternating with rainy flood-provoking periods determines the selection of the most optimal ecometric indexes that could correctly explain the occurrence of pronounced desertification in the last period of time.
The Analysis of the Flash Flood Produced During 02–04.06.2016 in the Trotuș River Basin (Romania)
Authors: Manolache Andreea-Violeta
Published: June 2018

This paper concentrates information on the flash flood produced during 02-04.06.2016 in the Trotuş River basin. Maximum flows have been analyzed by reference to the thresholds corresponding to the Defense Levels. In order to show in a suggestive way the amplitude of the event, the characteristics of the flood were highlighted as well as a series of morphometric and hydrological data on the maximum flow of the Trotuș River. The hydrometric stations in the basin area, to which reference was made, were: Lunca de Sus, Goioasa, Tg. Ocna, Onești and Vrânceni. The flow series were represented graphically to be able to easily observe the evolution of the flood over time. The analysis showed that the flood produced on the Trotuș River had a great magnitude causing significant damages.
Climate Change Policy of Turkey: An Analysis of Regular Progress Reports
Authors: Kulaç Onur , Torlak Evinç
Published: June 2018

When assessed from a global perspective; environmental problems, especially in the last five decades, have been a threat to almost all countries. International organisations and institutions struggle to develop effective solutions for arising issues. Climate change is also evaluated as one of the most crucial risks for the environment. European Commission regular progress reports hold a guiding role for the candidate countries and in light of that numerous policies of the relevant countries have aligned with the European Union (EU) acquis. The main purpose of the study is to analyze the climate change policy of Turkey within the context of regular progress reports in an effort to mend the gap fill the void in literature regarding climate change policy of Turkey. Therefore, 7 regular progress reports between the years 2010-2016, when climate change was considered as a title, will be scrutinised in terms of legislation, institutional structure and emission gas through content analysis method with the aim of having a functional assessment about the determinations and the expectations of the EU. The study reveals that although Turkey has made fundamental progress over the years regarding climate change, there are still some crucial issues that need to be reconsidered to have an effective climate change policy.
The Annual Number of Days with Precipitation and Its Assurance Degree During 1961–2016, in Maramureş County
Authors: Eugenia Șerban
Published: June 2018

The paper analyzed the annual number of days with precipitation from 4 weather stations located in Maramureş County, during 1961-2016. The frequency of these days, their spatial and temporal variability, the decennial distribution of the number of days with precipitation, the trend and the assurance degree of the annual number of days with precipitation were also studied. The result was that in Maramureș County, between 157 and 194 days with precipitation occur on average per year. The mean annual number of days with precipitation increases from west to east, as the altitude of landforms increases, but also from south to north, as latitude increases. The analysis of the rainy and dry yearly intervals reveals the appearance of several extreme years towards the end of the analyzed period, in the last decade and a half (2000-2016). The linear trend of the annual number of days with precipitation is slightly increasing at the lowest station Baia Mare and decreasing at the other stations. The wettest decades were the 5th (2001-2010) and the 1st (1961-1970), and the driest decades were the 6th (2011-2016) and the 3rd (1981-1990). On the territory of Maramureş County, the values corresponding to the characteristic assurances (1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 80 and 100%) of the annual number of days with precipitation increase from west to east and from south to north. Once every 100 years, between 225 and 273 days with precipitation can occur in Maramureș.
Trends of the Typogenetic Processes in the Carpato-Danubiano-Pontic Space. Results in Agriculture in Northeastern Area Climate Conditions
Authors: Jigau Gheorghe , Mihai Leșanu , Ana Bîrsan , Anton Blidari , Natalia Borș , Nina Plăcintă , Elena Cernolev
Published: June 2018

The chernozems evolution of the Carpatho-Danubian-Pontic space clearly shows two consecutive phases: climatogenic and anthropo-climatogenic. The latter is characterized by increasing agrogenic impact on soil climate. The soil cover of Carpathian-Danubian-Pontic space is the hierarchical functional system long-time product. Pedogenetic factors → pedogenetic regimes → pedogenetic processes → soil (soil cover). During Pleistocene, the chernozem pathogenesis in the region resumed 13 times, each time starting from the carbonic chernozem phase. Zonal climatic cyclicality has led to the differentiation of chernozem subtypes, determined by the zonal differentiation of pedogenic regimes and typogenetic elemental processes. The current stage of chernozem cleavage in the region began 10-12 thousand years ago. The evolution of soils in the soil was determined by the climate cyclicality and the increase of anthropogenic imputations and involves the succession over time of several phases: - Cryogenic with poorly developed soil by A (AO) - C Order; - Early dynamic halocene with developed zonal soil formation; - Late halocene with climatic evolution of the profile; - Natural-anthropogenic. During the last one, four eras were accelerated: natural-anthropo-turbian, naturalanthropic modification, natural-anthropic restructuring and natural-anthropic stagnation. Increasing the anthropogenic impulses led to the modification of the climatic → soil relations in the sense of increasing the degree of continentalisation of the soil climate materialized in the aridization of the soil cover, the change of the sense and intensity of the typogenic processes and the induction of some nontypical elementary processes of the chernozemic pedogenesis.
Physical and Chemical Improvement of Clay Parameters Using Doped Marl with the Pozzolan in Fez Vicnity (Morocco)
Authors: Mesrar Laila , Banamar Ahmed , Akdim Mariam , Jabrane Raouf
Published: June 2018

Given the increasing exploitation of clay in Morocco for ceramic industry and for the purpose of the benefit reuse of this resource, a study is conducted in order to carry out the identification and characterization of Miocene clay after doping with pozzolan. The objective of this work is to improve the physicalchemical characteristics of Miocene clay of Fez region, by doping it pozzolan at different contents: 5, 10, 15 and 20%. Physical and chemical characterization of this clay was carried out before and after doping with pozzolan following various analytical technics, such as the X- ray fluorescence and geotechnical investigation. The result of geochemical analysis showed a higher rate of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), iron oxide (Fe2O3) and titanium oxide (TiO2). Further characterization of Atterberg limits have shown that the plasticity of doped materials increases. Similarly the mechanical behaviour of marls doped with pozzolan have significantly improved, providing a mechanical strength of obtained materials up to 670N when firing at 1000 °C, compared to the raw marls.
Eco-Network Development in Ukraine: European, National and Regional Aspects
Authors: Hrytsku Veronika , Danilova Olga
Published: June 2018

Development of ecological network of different taxonomic ranks is a weighty contribution to regional sustainable development. It proved to be among the most efficient ways to help preserve biological and landscape diversity. National eco-network in Ukraine is being formed alongside with European network. However, its development in this country is connected with certain problems existing on both national and local levels. Our analysis of national eco-network’s present-day state showed that Ukraine is rather successful in the concept’s realization. The network’s territory dynamically increases; legal and regulatory framework and methodical/applied approaches are being developed; and neighboring states are closely and intensely cooperated with in questions of formation of econetwork elements within boundary territories. However, the major goal - formation of eco-network as an integral system with its maximally possible continuity and inter-linkage of component elements - has not yet been achieved. The situation is explained by a number of problems occurring in juridical, economic and organizational spaces.
Parametric Classification of Iași and Botoșani Meteorological Stations Sites According to W.M.O. Regulations
Authors: Tudorache George-Stelian
Published: June 2018

Selecting a meteorological platform siting is established according to World Meteorological Organization (W.M.O.) regulations so that the measurements are done in optimal conditions, thus ensuring a high quality meteorological data. The environmental characteristics of a meteorological platform can sometimes generate measurement errors that exceed the automatic meteorological station (A.W.S.) sensors tolerances. Due to the urban development in the vicinity of the meteorological station the measurement conditions of a meteorological parameter may suffer adverse changes due to the emergence of large obstacles or heat sources. At the Technical Conference of W.M.O. regarding the Observing Instruments and Methods in 2013, meteorological platform classification criteria was established, regulated by Annex 1B of W.M.O. No. 8 Guide. The classification uses the detailed documentation of the obstacles in a 100 m around the A.W.S. and assigning a class number for each measured meteorological parameter. The classification has been established to help standardize the representativeness of a meteorological platform at a small scale. Among the results of the site classification include the user's knowledge of the conditions for measuring the meteorological parameters in the initial phase of the use or implementation of a data string. The site classification needs to be applied for all weather stations in Romania's national network and in this paper a proposal for the implementation method is presented for two meteorological stations located in Moldavia, Iași and Botoșani.
A new species of the genus Acrophylla Gray, 1835 from Larat Island, Indonesia (Phasmatodea: Anareolatae: Phasmatidae: Phasmatinae: Phasmatini)
Authors: Conle Oskar V. , Hennemann Frank H.
Published: June 2018

The new species Acrophylla bhaskarai sp. n. from Larat Island, Indonesia, is described from both sexes and the egg. It is the second species of the genus Acrophylla Gray, 1835 known from outside Australia and the first record of the genus from Wallacea. The discovery raises the number of genera of the tribe Phasmatini known to occur within the boundaries of Wallacea to five.
Efficacy of Piper guineense Schumach. seed powder in the control of Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius, 1775) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) and on the nutritional and organoleptic characteristics of stored cowpea Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.
Authors: Ojiako Frank O. , Adesiyun Adeyinka A. , Ihejirika Gabriel O. , Dialoke Sunday A.
Published: June 2018

Brown pepper (Piper guineense) seed powder, used for culinary and medicinal purposes, was evaluated in the laboratory with a conventional storage chemical, actellic 2% dust (Pirimiphos-methyl), as standard, to protect stored cowpea against the cowpea bruchid, Callosobruchus maculatus. Four rates of the seed powder were used (2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 g/100 g seed with a control, 0.0 g) while actellic dust was applied at 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 g/100 g seed and 0.0 g/100 g seed as control. Data on percentage mortality, oviposition, adult emergence and seed damage were collected over a six-month period. Weevil perforation indexes (WPI) were estimated with the seed damage data. All data were analysed for variance at P≤0.05. Actellic dust at the lowest dose inflicted adult mortality (90 – 100%) in the first 48 h after treatment and prevented oviposition (95 – 100%) in the first five months of storage compared to the control. The highest rate of Piper guineense application caused mortality of up to 90.0% in 48 h, reduced oviposition (70 – 80%), decreased adult emergence (15.90 to 28.40 insects) as against the control (104.7 – 272.7 insects) and reduced seed damage by 80 % with a WPI of between 33.3 and 10.0 %. Proximate analysis and germination tests indicated that the treatment materials increased the moisture and crude fibre content, decreased crude protein content but had no significant effect on the viability of stored seeds. Organoleptic tests demonstrated that treatment materials had no significant negative effect on taste, odour, texture, appearance and overall acceptability of cooked cowpea seeds after six months of storage. It can be safely concluded that the powdered form of P. guineense seed at the highest doses (5.0 and 10.0 g) gave significant protection of cowpea seeds against the cowpea bruchid, which compared favourably with actellic dust when applied topically.
New records for fauna of the subfamily Dexiinae (Diptera: Tachinidae) in Iran
Authors: Sahebari Farnaz Seyyedi , Khaghaninia Samad , Talebi Ali Asghar
Published: June 2018

This study was carried out to identify the Tachinidae fauna in northern Iran during 2010-2011 and ten species belonging to nine genera and two tribes of the subfamily Dexiinae were found. The species Estheria petiolata, Periscepsia spathulata, Stomina caliendrata and Thelaira nigripes are new records for the Iranian tachinid fauna.
Evaluation of different insecticides for the management of onion thrips (Thrips tabaci Lindeman, 1889) (Thysanoptera, Thripidae) on onion (Allium cepa L.) crops
Authors: Asghar Muhammad , Baig Mirza Muhammad Qadeer , Afzal Muhammad , Faisal Naeem
Published: June 2018

The efficacy of five insecticides containing a.i. bifenthrin, dimethoate, spinosad, spinetoram and chlorfenapyr was evaluated following RCBD against Thrips tabaci in farmer’s field for two consecutive years. The data were recorded before and after 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 7 days of spraying. The results showed that all the insecticides reduced thrips populations compared to controls. However, the maximum reduction in thrips population and highest onion bulb yield (34.07 t/ha) was obtained with dimethoate 40EC followed by bifenthrin 10EC (33.14 t/ha). The minimum onion bulb yield (25.71 t/ha) was obtained in the control, where no insecticide was applied against thrips. If onion thrips are not controlled, the damage they cause can reduce bulb yields by 9-25%. The highest incremental return over the control (Rs.83, 600/ha), net income (Rs.82, 913/ha) and maximum cost benefit ratio were also obtained in the treatment with dimethoate 40EC.
Host-age effects and the efficiency of the pupal parasitoid Dirhinus giffardii (Silvestri, 1913) (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) against the melon fly Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett, 1849) (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Authors: Mehmood Shahid , Sohail Kamran , Qasim Muhammad , Xu Shupeng , Geng Haiyang , Usman Muhammad , Huma Zelle
Published: June 2018

Dirhinus giffardii is an efficient and aggressive pupal parasitoid of tephritid flies, including Bactrocera cucurbitae. Here we report on the various biological aspects of Dirhinus giffardii, mainly host-age preference, potential as well as the survival of this parasitoid from the pupae of different ages and its in vivo release against Bactrocera cucurbitae. The emergence rate of parasitoids was higher in old pupae than in fresh pupae. Similarly, the lifespan and potential of parasitoids emerged from older pupae were higher than those emerged from younger ones. The parasitoids reared on older pupae significantly controlled melon fly infestation in vivo. These findings suggest that parasitoids reared on older pupae of B. cucurbitae have a greater potential regarding fecundity, parasitism performance and survival, as these parasitoids effectively suppressed populations of B. cucurbitae under greenhouse conditions.
Observations of female and mixed sex swarming behaviour in Culicoides Latreille, 1809 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)
Authors: Kirkeby Carsten
Published: June 2018

Female swarming behaviour has rarely been described in Culicoides. Previous records of female swarms have only been described for females swarming in mixed swarms together with males. Two new observations of Culicoides swarms in Sweden are described here: a mixed swarm with females of Culicoides obsoletus / gornostaevae and males of C. gornostaevae, and a purely female swarm of C. impunctatus. Swarming behaviour can facilitate predator confusion. Swarming behaviour is therefore an evolutionary advantage that can explain mixed species swarms and purely female swarms.
Population Genetics of Latvians in the Context of Admixture between North-Eastern European Ethnic Groups
Authors: Krūmiņa Astrīda , Pliss Liāna , Zariņa Gunita , Puzuka Agrita , Zariņa Agnese , Lāce Baiba , Elferts Didzis , Khrunin Andrey , Limborska Svetlana , Kloviņš Jānis , Gailīte Piekuse Linda
Published: June 2018

This article presents a review on population genetics of Latvians, which alongside Lithuanians are the two extant Baltic speaking populations. The article provides a description of genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data and contains a comparative analysis of the results of studies performed on classical autosomal genetic markers, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and the non-recombining part of the Y chromosome (NRY), with data on neighbouring populations. The study also covers data of recently performed ancient DNA (aDNA) studies carried out on samples from the territory of today’s Latvia. The results of population genetic studies have shown a mixture of eastern and western genetic traits in present-day Latvians with only small differences between Latvian subpopulations. Studies of the Baltic “tribal gene” LW
b
, as well as the gene’s SERPINA1 allele PIZ have indicated the presence of a considerable Baltic admixture in the neighbouring Finno-Ugric and Slavic populations. Although mtDNA analyses have shown that Latvians genetically in general belong to the same common gene pool as most of the Europeans, the Y-chromosomal lineage composition suggests that they are most similar to Northern and Eastern European populations of Lithuanians, Estonians, and Eastern-Slavic populations, which are ethnogenetically closest to them. The analysis of aDNA from the Early and Middle Neolithic did not present any genomic evidence of gene-flow from Central European farmers or any mitochondrial or Y-chromosomal haplogroups that are typical for them in the hunter-gatherers from the territory of today’s Latvia and Lithuania.
Non-Invasive Diagnosis of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Using Gastrin- and Pepsinogen-Based Tests
Authors: Moisejevs Georgijs , Daugule Ilva , Isajevs Sergejs , Rudzīte Dace , Janciauskas Dainius , Tolmanis Ivars , Leja Marcis
Published: June 2018

Gastrin-17 (G-17), pepsinogen-1 (Pg1) and pepsinogen-2 (Pg2) reflect the functional state of gastric mucosa and are used for non-invasive diagnosis and screening of atrophic gastritis. The aim of the study was to clarify if erosive reflux disease (ERD) or non-ERD (NERD) can be distinguished from other dyspeptic conditions in patients, in a non-invasive manner using specific biomarkers. Levels of G-17, Pg1, and Pg2 were measured in 141 ERD patients (median age 48 years, males — 68), 122 NERD patients (median age 45 years, males — 32) and 410 control patients (median age 50 years, males — 97). Levels of biomarkers in ERD and NERD groups were compared to controls. Median levels of G-17 (1.94 vs 2.92 pmol/L, p = 0.036) and Pg2 (6.70 vs 7.79 µg/l, p = 0.046) were lower in the ERD group compared to control patients; no difference with respect to the control was found for the NERD group. After exclusion of the patients having at least one potential condition that might modify the levels of the biomarkers (gastric mucosa atrophy, Helicobacter pylori colonisation), no difference in levels of biomarkers was observed with respect to the control for both the ERD and NERD groups. G-17, Pg1, and Pg2 based tests cannot be used to distinguish ERD or NERD from other dyspeptic conditions in patients.
Alcohol Use Disorder and Depression in Patients with Alcohol-Related Seizures
Authors: Sūna Normunds , Gūtmane Evija , Liepiņa Lelde , Tomilova Anastasija , Folkmanis Valdis
Published: June 2018

Both alcohol use disorder and depression are important aspects of health in the general population and among patients with epilepsy. Depression is the most prevalent psychiatric comorbidity in epilepsy, thereby increasing morbidity as well as mortality rate. From our experience, we can see that one third of epilepsy inpatients experience seizures that are alcohol-related. There have been no studies conducted in Latvia about alcohol use disorder and depression in patients with alcohol-related seizures (ARS) and epilepsy. We recruited 108 patients with ARS, 44 of whom had comorbid epilepsy. 75% of patients in our study had depression according to the Hamilton depression scale. Higher score in the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test was associated with thoughts of self-harm. Greater consumption of alcohol on a typical day when drinking was associated with a higher risk of alcohol dependence. Of patients without epilepsy, 60% received antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and 17% even used 2–3 different drugs to overcome ARS. A large part of patients had not been warned by their physician that alcohol provokes seizures. Our data could help to identify greater suicidality risk and alcohol dependence risk cases in patients with ARS, as well as improve care for this group of patients in general.