bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Stakeholders in Cultural Entrepreneurship Management
Authors: Zemite Ieva
Published: June 2016

The skills and knowledge of the owners and employees of cultural enterprises on economic use of financial resources do not guarantee valuable artistic results. Therefore, a substantiated question has arisen: how to evaluate management in enterprises with bad financial ratios and outstanding artistic indicators. The existing definitions of cultural management (Aageson, 2008; Hagoort, 2007; Klamer, 1999; Stam, 2006; Nordman, 2003) also do not provide precise suggestions for determining the most important indicators in the evaluation of cultural management. The question is how to evaluate management in cultural entrepreneurship by determining the most important indicators for a cultural enterprise’s performance improvement. In order to define the goal of the stakeholders’ (artists, clients, media, arts scholars, third parties providing funds, cooperation partners) engagement, it is necessary to analyse the area of an enterprise’s activities, and in what way and by what kind of activities it is possible to engage the stakeholders. During the course of empirical research, it is planned to disclose, analyse and interpret the subjective reasons of pursuit. Although a numerical evaluation of stakeholders was obtained during the research and data analysis performed by Spearman’s rho correlation calculations, the obtained results during the interpretation have not been generalised. The research results reveal the role of the cultural enterprise’s stakeholders’ engagement in the evaluation of management, point to the importance of the goals’ analysis as well as the analysis of each stakeholder’s engagement, and define the criteria for evaluating the activities in cultural entrepreneurship.
Deceptive behaviour of Colletotrichum truncatum: strategic survival as an asymptomatic endophyte on non-host species
Authors: Ranathunge Nalika Priyanwada , Sandani Hewa Bajjamage Pavithra
Published: June 2016

Colletotrichum truncatum (syn. C. capsici), like many other members of the genus Colletotrichum, displays a highly developed infection mechanism against a number of agriculturally important crops. Among many survival strategies, C. truncatum is well known for its wide host range and high pathogenicity on several major crop species. Meticulous understanding of a pathogen’s infection mechanisms is the best way to achieve successful management of a disease. This study was carried out to evaluate the pathogenicity of C. truncatum on selected crop plants and weed species and to detect the possibility of non-host species to facilitate survival of the pathogen. Inoculation of an isolate of C. truncatum to four crops: curry chilli - Capsicum annuum (var. CA8), eggplant - Solanum melongena (var. Lena Iri), tomato - Solanum lycopersicum (var. Thilina) and green chilli - C. annuum (var. KA2) and three weed species: little ironweed (Vernonia cinerea), billygoat-weed (Ageratum conyzoides) and Bengal dayflower (Commelina benghalensis) resulted in approximately 3.5 disease severity (DS) (100% disease incidence-DI) on S. lycopersicum and C. annuum (var. KA2), followed by 2.8 and 1.8 DS (100%, 75% DI) on C. annuum (var. CA8) and S. melongena (var. Lena Iri), respectively. The three weed species were completely symptomless up to 8 weeks after the inoculation (WAI). However, microscopic studies and serial culturing of the inoculated tissues revealed the presence of the fungus in all the tested plants. Appressoria were present in all treated leaves and eventually broke their dormancy upon leaf senescence nearly 6 WAI. This study reveals the potential of C. truncatum infecting all tested crops and the capability of the three weed species in harboring the pathogen asymptomatically for several weeks. Thus, early management of inoculum in the field is suggested for C. truncatum diseases.
Identification of four Plecotus species (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) in Croatia based on cranial characters
Authors: Pavlinić Igor , Đaković Maja
Published: June 2016

In this study, we performed a craniometric analysis on four
Range extension of Mimon bennettii (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) in Brazil with comments on its systematics
Authors: Maires Hoppe João Paulo , Ditchfield Albert David
Published: June 2016

is widely distributed in South America. In Brazil, records are mainly concentrated in the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado biomes, although there are scattered occurrences in the Pantanal, Caatinga, and Amazonian biomes. In this study, we report the first occurrence of
FPL tendon thickness, tremor and hand functions in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Toktas Hasan , Dundar Umit , Kusbeci Özge Yilmaz , Ulasli Alper Murat , Toy Ozgur , Oruc Serdar
Published: June 2016

Introduction

In Parkinson’s disease (PD), a resting tremor of the thumb may affect the flexor pollicis longus (FPL) and influence hand functions. We investigated the relationship between FPL tendon thickness and hand function in PD patients and compared these characteristics with those in healthy controls.

Methods

The hand grip and pinch strengths were measured. The participants completed the Duruöz hand index, the Sollerman’s hand function test, and the Nine Hole Peg Test. The thickness of the FPL tendon was measured using ultrasonography

Results

The FPL tendon was thicker in PD patients but was not associated with tremor severity. In PD patients, despite functional performance of the hands are impaired and grip strength is decreased, pinch strengths are preserved. FPL thickness was not correlated with grip and pinch strengths.

Conclusion

The thicker FPL tendon may be associated with greater pinch and grip strengths and manual dexterity in healthy individuals. The presence of tremor is associated with a thicker FPL tendon.
Association of HOTAIR expression with PI3K/Akt pathway activation in adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction
Authors: Hui Zhang , Xianglin Meng
Published: June 2016

Objectives

Although the Hox transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR), a vital long non-coding RNA, is known to participate in the development and progression of a wide range of carcinomas, there are still no published reports regarding its expression in adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (AEJ). The aims of this study were to investigate the expression of HOTAIR, and to analyze the association of its expression with PI3K/Akt pathway activation in clinical AEJ patients.

Methods

Nine normal epithelial tissues and 41 samples of AEJ were studied comparably. The expression of HOTAIR was detected by real-time PCR according to the different tumor grades in these AEJ tissues. Western blot was performed to reveal the Ser473-phosphorylated Akt and total Akt levels. Results: HOTAIR was found to be up-regulated in higher grades of AEJ tissues compared to low grades and/or noncancerous tissues. pAkt expression was also found to be up-regulated in tissues of higher tumor stages. We found that the overexpression of HOTAIR finely correlated with elevated Ser473-phosphorylated Akt levels. Conclusion: Upregulated HOTAIR was associated with abnormal activated PI3K/Akt pathway, which might serve as a promising therapeutic strategy for AEJ treatment.
DWI and SPARCC scoring assess curative effect of early ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Qin Jian , Zhu Jianzhong , Zhang Yue , Li Changqin
Published: June 2016

Background

To investigate the magnetic diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) sequence and Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) scoring in assessing curative effect of combined treatment of Chinese and Western medicine for early ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Methods

48 cases diagnosed as early AS and treated with Chinese and Western medicine were included in the study. Magnetic routine and DWI sequence scanning image were performed to obtain the mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value of sub-articular surface bone marrow. Combined with SPARCC scoring, statistical analysis was conducted to compare the difference with the information obtained in the previous study.

Results

The mean ADC value in the sub-articular surface bone marrow of patients after clinical treatment: (4.34±0.55)×10-4mm2/s in ilium and (3.96±0.23)×10-4mm2/s in sacrum, which were both significantly lower than that before treatment (p< 0.05). There was highly positive correlation between mean ADC value and SPARCC scoring (P<0.05). The regression relationship could be demonstrated as Y=-64.420+21.262X(Y: SPARCC scoring value; X: mean ADC value).

Conclusions

Magnetic DWI and SPARCC scoring could be applied in accessing AS inflammation activity changes and in reflect of curative effect of early AS patients as well as in providing reliable radiologist evidence for clinical therapeutic efficacy.
Dysphonia – the single symptom of rifampicin resistant laryngeal tuberculosis
Authors: Paulauskienė Iveta , Mickevičienė Vaiva
Published: June 2016

Tuberculosis is still the most frequent granulomatous laryngeal disease. Absence of pathognomonic symptoms and change in clinical pattern frequently leads to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. Hoarseness is the commonest symptom of laryngeal tuberculosis and constitutional symptoms are usually rare. However dysphonia can be caused by many other more common conditions. Hoarseness can be a symptom of organic (nodules and polyps of vocal folds, tumors, vocal fold paresis) or functional (functional dysphonia, laryngeal conversion disorder, paradoxical vocal folds motion) conditions. Rarely systemic diseases as amyloidosis, sarcoidosis, Wegener’s granulomatosis or tuberculosis can cause vocal dysfunction too. That is why laryngeal tuberculosis is often forgotten in case of persistent hoarseness. In this article, we present a case of a young previously healthy woman, complaining of persistent hoarseness with no other leading symptoms. Though endoscopic image suggested a malignancy, histology showed granulomatous lesion. Detailed examination revealed laryngeal and pulmonary tuberculosis resistant to rifampicin. Conclusion: Dysphonia can be the only one symptom of laryngeal tuberculosis. The disease should be taken into consideration when a patient complains of persistent hoarseness in order to avoid delays in treatment and spread of infection.
Development of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors against EGFR T790M. Mutation in non small-cell lung carcinoma
Authors: Wang Yuli , Guo Zhitao , Li Yang , Zhou Qinghua
Published: June 2016

Individualized therapies targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations show promises for the treatment of non small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). However, disease progression almost invariably occurs 1 year after tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment. The most prominent mechanism of acquired resistance involves the secondary EGFR mutation, namely EGFR T790M, which accounts for 50%–60% of resistant tumors. A large amount of studies have focused on the development of effective strategies to treat TKI-resistant EGFR T790M mutation in lung tumors. Novel generations of EGFR inhibitors are producing encouraging results in patients with acquired resistance against EGFR T790M mutation. This review will summarize the novel inhibitors, which might overcome resistance against EGFR T790M mutation.
The diagnosis and pathological value of combined detection of HE4 and CA125 for patients with ovarian cancer
Authors: Zheng Li-e , Qu Jun-ying , He Fei
Published: June 2016

Objective

To evaluate the value of individual and combined measurement of human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) and cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

Methods

A clinical case-control study was performed in which the levels of serum HE4 and CA-125 of subjects with malignant, borderline, benign ovarian tumors and healthy women were measured before surgery. An immunohistochemistry method was used to measure the expression of HE4 in different tissues. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the relationship between the level of HE4 and the pathologic type as well as the stage of the ovarian tumors.

Results

The level of HE4 in the serum was significantly elevated in the malignant ovarian cancer group compared with other groups. Women with benign ovarian tumors and non-neoplastic lesions, and healthy women were designated as references. When the level of HE4 in the serum was 58.66 pmol/L, the sensitivity and specificity of HE4 in diagnosing malignant ovarian tumors was 82.35% and 96.03%, respectively. The level of HE4 was negatively correlated with the differentiation extent of the tumors whereas positively correlated to the clinical staging. In the groups of malignant and borderline tumors, the levels of HE4 were higher than the other groups. The expression of HE4 was significant higher in the serous types of ovarian tumors than that of the mucous types (P<0.05). The level of HE4 in the serum and tissues were positively correlated with each other.

Conclusion

HE4 can be used as a novel clinical biomarker for predicting malignant ovarian tumors and its expression was closely related with the clinical pathological features of malignant ovarian tumors.
A confusing case report of pulmonary langerhans cell histiocytosis and literature review
Authors: Li Yang , Zhen Wang , Costable Ulrich , Jun Xu , Zhe Ren , YuPing Mao
Published: June 2016

Pulmonary Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (PLCH) is a rare disease. From the insidious onset and nonspecific manifestations, it is difficult to diagnose PLCH. To help improve the diagnosis and therapy options of adult PLCH, we present this case report and literature review about a confusing case of PLCH. In this report, we present a 37-year-old male PLCH case that was negative for CD1a and S100 expression. Smoking cessation and use of prescribed Spiriva appeared to improve the patient’s symptoms. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of PLCH in which improved symptoms were seen with the use of Spiriva alone.The mechanism is not clear, but potentially has some relationship with dilating the airway, decreasing the mucous hypersecretion and promoting anti-inflammatory pathways. From this patient’s case, we may be able to find more cases to then find other first line therapies for PLCH patients.
Effect of hesperetin on chaperone activity in selenite-induced cataract
Authors: Nakazawa Yosuke , Oka Mikako , Tamura Hiroomi , Takehana Makoto
Published: June 2016

Background. Chaperone activity of α-crystallin in the lens works to prevent protein aggregation and is important to maintain the lens transparency. This study evaluated the effect of hesperetin on lens chaperone activity in selenite-induced cataracts. Methodology. Thirteen-day-old rats were divided into four groups. Animals were given hesperetin (groups G2 and G4) or vehicle (G1 and G3) on Days 0, 1, and 2. Rats in G3 and G4 were administered selenite subcutaneously 4 hours after the first hesperetin injection. On Days 2, 4, and 6, cataract grades were evaluated using slit-lamp biomicroscopy. The amount of a-crystallin and chaperone activity in water-soluble fraction were measured after animals sacrificed. Results. G3 on day 4 had developed significant cataract, as an average cataract grading of 4.6 ± 0.2. In contrast, G4 had less severe central opacities and lower stage cataracts than G3, as an average cataract grading of 2.4 ± 0.4. The a-crystallin levels in G3 lenses were lower than in G1, but the same as G4. Additionally, chaperone activity was weaker in G3 lenses than G1, but the same as in G4. Conclusions. Our results suggest that hesperetin can prevent the decreasing lens chaperone activity and a-crystallin water solubility by administered of selenite.
Clinical value of self-assessment risk of osteoporosis in Chinese
Authors: Zhang Hong-Mei , Liu Hui-Ling , Wang Xuan , Chen Wei , Chen Dan , Zhang Zhong-Zhi , Wang Han-Ming
Published: June 2016

Background

Early detection of high-risk population for osteoporosis is the key to preventing this disease. Methodology: In this cross-sectional study a continuous sample of 270 women and 89 men (age: 20–90 years) was divided into four groups by age (≤ 55 or > 55 years) and sex. Participants completed the IOF test. Low-, medium-, and high-risk grades were defined by an OSTA index of greater than -1, -1 to -4, and less than -4, respectively. Results: Most participants were categorized in the low-risk group (240 people, 66.9%), followed by the medium-risk (102 people, 28.4%) and high-risk groups (17 people, 4.7%). Compared to women, men in both age groups had significantly higher OSTA index and greater numbers of positive answers on the IOF test. 64.3% individuals were susceptible to osteoporosis risk (≥1 positive answers on the IOF test). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that family history of fragility fracture (OR: 0.503, 95% CI: 0.26–0.97), height loss exceeding 3 cm (OR: 2.51, 95% CI: 1.55–4.05), and earlier menopause (OR: 0.434, 95% CI: 0.19–0.97) were associated with higher risk grades. Conclusions: Combined use of the OSTA and IOF test is a simple and effective method for assessing the risk of osteoporosis.
Serum levels of inhibin B in adolescents after varicocelelectomy: A long term follow up
Authors: Molinaro Francesco , Cerchia Elisa , Garzi Alfredo , Severi Francesco Maria , Angotti Rossella , Petraglia Felice , Messina Mario
Published: June 2016

Introduction

To study the impact on adult’s fertility of serum inhibin B levels in adolescent patients with idiopathic varicocele after minimally invasive surgical correction and to compare fluctuation of pituitary-testis hormonal values and testicular volumes. Materials and Methods: A case-control study was carried out on a group adolescent patients (n=60) affected by idiopathic left varicocele (group V) and compared with control adolescents (n=40) in the Paediatric Surgery Section of Siena (from June 1993 till September 2013). Inhibin B levels and testicular volume before (T0) and after at 6 and 12 months from surgery (T1 and T2) were evaluated. Results: A positive correlation between testicular growth at T1 and T2 (P<0.001) was found. Linear regression analysis showed a positive correlation between inhibin B levels and testicular volume (expressed as the sum of the right and left values) (P<0.0001). Conclusions: Inhibin B levels are a valid marker for studying the effects of varicocele on the testicular function and confirm the necessity of early surgical correction for preventing the trophic testicular damage and male infertility.
Our experience in the treatment of Malignant Fibrous Hystiocytoma of the larynx: clinical diagnosis, therapeutic approach and review of literature
Authors: Testa Domenico , Motta Sergio , Marcuccio Giuseppina , Paccone Marianna , Rocca Aldo , Ilardi Gennaro , Tafuri Domenico , Mesolella Massimo , Motta Gaetano
Published: June 2016

Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) and Chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML) are both life threatening hemotologic diseases. They are rarely seen to occur simultaneously in one individual patient. Here we demonstrate a case of HS associated with CML in this study. The patient is a young female, diagnosed with HS in 2005, and was given partial embolization of the splenic artery. She got significant remission after the procedure. In 2008, she was found abnormal in blood routine test, after bone marrow routine, chromosome and fusion gene tests, she was diagnosed with CML (chronic phase). She did not receive regular treatment until 3 months prior, and is currently being treated with Dasatimib. She achieved hematological remission, but had no significant improvement in chromosome and fusion gene figures. Due to her severe condition of hemolysis, a splenectomy or an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is considered.
Integrated therapeutic approach to giant solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura: report of a case and review of the literature
Authors: Perrotta Fabio , Cerqua Francesco Saverio , Cammarata Antonino , Izzo Alessandro , Bergaminelli Carlo , Curcio Carlo , Guarino Carmine , Grella Edoardo , Forzano Imma , Cennamo Antonio , Tafuri Domenico , Rocca Aldo , Bianco Andrea , Mazzarella Gennaro
Published: June 2016

The fibrous tumors of the pleura are rare primary tumors, accounting for 5% of malignant pleural neoplasms, which generally originate from sub-mesothelial mesenchymal tissue of the visceral pleura. These tumours generally exhibit clinical benign behavior although 12% of solitary fibrous tumors can be malignant and have worse outcomes. These tumors are considered “giant” when the lesion > 15 cm. Surgical treatment is the best choice for both benign and malignant neoplasms. We retrospectively analyzed the main case series of giant fibrous tumors of the pleura. In addition we report our experience of a 76-year-old woman treated by pre-surgical embolization involving implantation of vascular plugs. Surgery was successfully carried out without complications; imaging and functional assessment 6 months post intervention demonstrated both the absence of recurrence and improvement of lung function parameters.
Room-temperature single-photon emission from zinc oxide nanoparticle defects and their in vitro photostable intrinsic fluorescence
Authors: Chung Kelvin , Karle Timothy J. , Khalid Asma , Abraham Amanda N. , Shukla Ravi , Gibson Brant C. , Simpson David A. , Djurišic Aleksandra B. , Amekura Hiroshi , Tomljenovic-Hanic Snjezana
Published: June 2016

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a promising semiconductor that is suitable for bioimaging applications due to its intrinsic defect fluorescence. However, ZnO generally suffers from poor photostability. We report room-temperature single-photon emission from optical defects found in ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) formed by ion implantation followed by thermal oxidation in a silica substrate. We conduct a thorough investigation into the photophysics of a particularly bright defect and identify other single emitters within the NPs. Photostability was observed when the NPs were removed from the growth substrate and taken up by skin cells for in vitro imaging.
Crystal structure of bis(μ
2-chlorido)-bis(di-p-tolylhydroxyphosphine-κP)-bis(di-p-tolylphosphite-κP)dipalladium(II), C56H58Cl2O4P4Pd2
Authors: Kama Dumisani V. , Brink Alice , Visser Hendrik G.
Published: June 2016

C56H58Cl2O4P4Pd2, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 12.736(2) Å, b = 18.187(2) Å, c = 12.335(2) Å, β = 109.053(4)°, V = 2700.63 Å3, Z = 2, R
gt(F) = 0.034, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0955, T = 100 K.
Crystal structure of diaqua-bis(2-methyl-1H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylato-κ2-O,N)cadmium(II) tetrahydrate, C12H22CdN4O14
Authors: Xiong Zhi-Qiang , Song Xiu-Ying , Nie Xu-Liang
Published: June 2016

C12H22CdN4O14, triclinic, P1̅ (no. 2), a = 7.188(2) Å, b = 8.895(3) Å, c = 9.771(3) Å, α = 63.148(3)°, β = 76.750(3)°, γ = 66.225(3)°, V = 509.2(3) Å3, Z = 1, R
gt
(F) = 0.0253, wR
ref
(F
2) = 0.0676, T = 296(2) K.
Nonprofit Organizations from the Perspective of Organizational Development and Their Influence on Professionalization
Authors: Dobrai Katalin , Farkas Ferenc
Published: June 2016

The aim of this paper is to give an overview of the phenomenon of professionalization that is observable in organizations from the nonprofit sector. Empirical research was conducted among Hungarian nonprofit organizations, and the data were collected within the framework of a country-wide survey. Through the analysis of the research results, the paper provides deeper insights into knowledge about professionalization trends in the nonprofit sector. It proves that organizational development positively impacts nonprofit organizations’ improvement of their professionalization level and the members of these organizations.
The Analysis of Barriers in Succession Processes of Family Business with the Use of Grey Incidence Analysis (Polish Perspective)
Authors: Więcek-Janka Ewa , Mierzwiak Rafał , Kijewska Joanna
Published: June 2016

The article presents results of research on the identification and evaluation of barriers faced by successors in family businesses during the first process of succession. The analysis of empirical material used grey systems theory, which was considered as an equivalent for the analysis of small samples and qualitative research. While conducting the literature review and empirical study, the authors concentrated on (a) the identification of barriers in the development of family firms and (b) eliciting the perspective of the new generation of owners in family firms entering the succession process through an empirical analysis of the assessed level of risk in relationships with family and business.
The Relationship between Spiritual Intelligence and Work Satisfaction among Leaders and Employees
Authors: Koražija Maja , Šarotar Žižek Simona , Mumel Damijan
Published: June 2016

This study aims to investigate the relationship between spiritual intelligence and work satisfaction among both leaders and employees. Most studies in this area have focused on researching the relationship between employees’ spiritual intelligence and work satisfaction, so we also researched the relationship between leaders’ spiritual intelligence and work satisfaction. Our leading thesis was that leaders and employees with a higher level of spiritual intelligence have a higher level of work satisfaction. In our study, we found no significant relationship between spiritual intelligence and work satisfaction for leaders, but we found a significant positive relationship between spiritual intelligence and workplace satisfaction for employees.
The use of diatoms to assess the water quality in the Wisłoka River in the town of Dębica and the surrounding area
Authors: Noga Teresa , Stanek-Tarkowska Jadwiga , Peszek Łukasz , Pajączek Anita , Kochman-Kędziora Natalia , Ligęzka Rafał
Published: June 2016

The objective of this work was to examine the water quality using three diatom indices SPI, GDI and TDI. The material for the study was collected during four seasons from autumn 2010 to summer 2011, from four sampling sites located on the Wisłoka River, in the town of Dębica and the surrounding area. The Wisłoka at all selected sites was characterized by alkaline or close to neutral pH (pH 6.5-7.7). Electrolytic conductivity ranged from 364 to 480 µS cm-1. The Wisłoka at the selected sites in the urban area and in the surrounding areas was characterized by high diatom species richness. The total of 238 taxa from 53 genera were recorded, of which the most numerous were: Nitzschia (44), Navicula (33) and Gomphonema (12). Achnanthidium minutissimum var. minutissimum, Amphora pediculus, Navicula gregaria, N. lanceolata, and Nitzschia dissipata ssp. dissipata were usually the dominant species. Chemical parameters indicated very good quality of water. However, the diatom indices used to assess the water quality, classified the studied water into a group corresponding to quality class III or IV.
Russian Exceptionalism: a Comparative Perspective
Authors: Humphreys Brendan
Published: June 2016

This article seeks to define a certain form of exceptionalism - missionist exceptionalism - and ask to what extent it applies to Russia. The method will be a broad comparative analysis. The core argument is that missionist exceptionalism is fundamentally paradoxical; that polities make largely similar claims about themselves while pleading sui generis uniqueness. This hypothesis is asserted by examining the exceptionalism of other polities. These are two rivals of Russia; the United States and Poland, a “sentimental ally” of Russia, Serbia, and a country with a deep and interesting relationship with Russia, Israel.
State Civilisation: The Statist Core of Vladimir Putin’s Civilisational Discourse and Its Implications for Russian Foreign Policy
Authors: Linde Fabian
Published: June 2016

The essay examines Vladimir Putin’s civilisational discourse, which arose in earnest with the publication of his presidential campaign articles in 2012. It argues that what makes Putin’s rendering of Russia’s civilisational identity distinctive is its strongly emphasized Statism, understood as a belief in the primacy of the state. This suggests that while his endorsement of a distinct civilisational identity represents an important conceptual turn as regards how national identity is articulated, there are also significant lines of continuity with previous presidential periods, given that state primacy has been at the heart of Putin’s political agenda since the very beginning of his presidential career. This detail also reveals a great deal about the political rationale behind Putin’s commitment to a Russian civilisational identity. It provides the government with a theoretical justification of an illiberal political course. There are important implications for foreign policy-making as well. In relation to the West, there is an attempt to limit its normative reach by depicting liberal values as less than universal. In regional affairs, Russia is attempting to legitimate its involvement in the near abroad on civilisational grounds. The loose definition of ‘co-patriots’ as foreign nationals experiencing some affinity with Russia gives it plenty of leeway in this regard. Lastly, Russia has petitioned for Ukraine’s neutrality based on the argument that the country is straddling a civilisational fault line.
Latin American vector in Russia’s Foreign Policy: Identities and interests in the Russian‑Venezuelan Partnership
Authors: Sitenko Alexandra
Published: June 2016

The crisis in Ukraine, that broke out in 2013 and escalated in 2014, has led to sanction policy and the emergence of significant political divergences between Russian Federation and the West. This has resulted in an intensification of Russia’s foreign and economic policy alliances with its neighboring countries as well as with the rest of the BRICS members. In his interview with Cuba’s Prensa Latina, Vladimir Putin further classified cooperation with Latin American states as one of the key and very promising lines of Russia’s foreign policy.

In light of the above mentioned developments, this paper addresses the Latin American vector of Russian foreign policy using the example of Russian-Venezuelan partnership, which has been intensified after 2004. It explores the underlying key elements of this partnership based on realist and constructivist assumptions and is aimed at outlining foreign policy identities, perceptions and interests constitutive for the cooperation between the two countries. The author concludes, that the cooperation is based both on realist and constructivist elements, whereas Russian interests are mainly realist and Venezuelan constructivist, and that fact could hinder long-lasting and both-way beneficial bilateral collaboration.
Afghanistan’s significance for Russia in the 21st Century: Interests, Perceptions and Perspectives
Authors: Sangar Kaneshko
Published: June 2016

Since President Barack Obama set the end of 2014 as the deadline to complete the planned troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, numerous commentators have sought to assess Russia’s Afghan policy since September 11, 2001 and anticipate Moscow’s strategy in ‘post-2014’ Afghanistan. This paper maintains that an assessment/evaluation of Afghanistan’s significance for Russia in the current system of international relations is needed to understand Moscow’s current and future Afghan strategy. Hence, the aim of this study is to identify and analyse the major factors, which lead to a conceptualization of Russia’s interests in Afghanistan. When assessing Russia’s interests in Afghanistan, one must take into account a plethora of significant issues, including Putin’s ‘great-power’ rhetoric; geopolitical, geostrategic, and geo-economic rivalries in the wider region; security threats such as the illegal narcotics emanating from Afghanistan and global terrorism and Islamic fundamentalism; the rivalry and competition for energy resources; and control over pipeline routes and energy corridors. The analysis of these substantiating factors demonstrate why in the 21st century the Afghan problem remains a significant challenge to Russia’s ‘great power’ identity, to its international strategy abroad, to its strategically important ‘near abroad,’ and to the country’s domestic socio-economic policy
A Study of Mean RSPM And SPM Levels at Selected Sites in Assam During the Recent Decade
Authors: Jamir Tongdi
Published: June 2016

Air pollution is an important issue around the world. Evidence of air pollution and its impact has been well established by the scientific communities. The effects of these changes on the smaller towns in Brahmaputra valley of Assam still need to be investigated. This study concludes that Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) and Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM) shows increasing trend in all the seasons except during the monsoon season but significant during the winter season. The study also reveals that RSPM remained above the standards throughout the decade, unlike SPM, which rose above the standards only during the years 2006, 2008 and 2009. It is also observed that during the rainy seasons Coefficient of Variation (CV) is high in maximum numbers of stations. The study concludes that exponential increase in population; vehicular activities, rainfall and wind direction as well as geographical conditions have indirectly influenced the pollutions.
Variation of Mean Seasonal Discharges in the Miletin River Basin (Moldavian Plain, Romania)
Authors: Romanescu Gheorghe , Zaharia Constantin
Published: June 2016

The hydrographic basin of the Miletin River is situated in the southeast of Europe, in a transitional temperate-continental climate, with considerable variations in the regime of precipitations. The purpose of this study is the spatial and temporal analysis of the mean seasonal discharges, meant to underline the need of implementing regulation projects for the Miletin stream. Furthermore, there are only a few specialized works on this hydrographic basin. The mean seasonal runoff presents significant seasonal and multiannual variations, caused by the high frequency of torrentiality, which characterizes the climate of the Miletin River area. Data from the rainfall stations of Nicolae Balcescu, Chiscareni, and Halceni, as well as from the hydrometric stations of Nicolae Balcescu, Sipote, and Halceni- downstream, respectively, were used. Unlike the stations with a natural runoff regime (Nicolae Balcescu, within the upper basin, Sipote within the middle basin, respectively), for Halceni-downstream (on the lower stream), the artificial runoff underlines a weak correlation with the rainfall regime. The data rows regard periods of 33-59 years, enough to conduct statistical analyses. Data from Halceni- downstream were analyzed, too, though the variables that characterize the hydrologic and rainfall regime within this region concern only 18 years. In the Miletin hydrographic basin, low and high discharge oscillations occur in all the four seasons. This characteristic is very different from those of the great hydrographic arteries that cross the east of Romania: Pruth and Siret.
Particularities of the Soil Layers in the Catchment of the Stemnic (Buda)
Authors: Bojoagă Ioan
Published: June 2016

The Stemnic river (Buda) is a right side affluent of Bârlad river, with the surface of the catchment basin of 15,662.5 ha. Situated in the central part of the Central Moldavian Plateau, the catchment of the Stemnic (Buda) is characterized by an oblong form (30.5 km, respectively 8.5 km), having a lithologic homogeneity, but also by a diversity of the superficial deposits (eluvia, diluvia, colluvia and proluvia, alluvia).

The fields in the catchment basin of the Stemnic (Buda) have been analyzed from the point of view of the soils’ quality, that have been classified into five quality classes. Besides the intrinsic characteristics of the soils, their classification included also the pedo-chemical properties of the lands, geomorphologic or climatic properties of the area.

First, second and the third quality classes are predominant in the lower half of the catchment basin, less fragmentary, with prolonged cuesta reverses, corresponding to the distribution area of the chernosols. The lands that form part of the fourth quality class are distributed, in a great percentage, on the same types of soil, but represent greater constrains because of the abrupt cliffs. The fourth class is made up of the lands with severe limitations that reduce the range of agricultural crops or that need special measures or work in order to protect and ameliorate the soil’s resources. This class cumulates a percentage of 9%, being characteristic for the area affected by landslides, prevalent mainly in North-West part of the catchment of the Stemnic (Buda). In the fifth class there are included soils with major constrains for agricultural use.

From this perspective, in the catchment, there are predominant the soils in the third quality class (37%), being followed by the second class (26%) and the first class (23%).

The main limitative factors for the agricultural production of the lands in the catchment of the Stemnic (Buda) are the erosion in surface, the landslides, humidity excess and the small quantity of nutritive elements.
Some identities for derangement and Ward number sequences and related bijections
Authors: Callan David , Mansour Toufik , Shattuck Mark
Published: June 2016

We establish an alternating sum identity for three classes of singleton-free set partitions wherein the number of elements minus the number of blocks is fixed: (i) permutations, that is, partitions into cycles, (ii) unrestricted partitions, and (iii) contents-ordered partitions. Both algebraic and combinatorial proofs are given, the latter making use of a sign-changing involution in each ease. As a consequence, combinatorial proofs are found of specific cases of recent identities of Gould et al. involving both kinds of Stirling numbers.
Remark on quasi-ideals of ordered semigroups
Authors: Kehayopulu Niovi
Published: June 2016

The aim is to correct part of the Remark 3 of my paper “On regular, intra-regular ordered semigroups” in Pure Math. Appl. (PU.M.A.) 4, no. 4 (1993), 447-461. On this occasion, some further results and the similarity between the po-semigroups and the le-semigroups are discussed.
Pattern avoidance in inversion sequences
Authors: Mansour Toufik , Shattuck Mark
Published: June 2016

A permutation of length n may be represented, equivalently, by a sequence a1a2 • • • an satisfying 0 < ai < i for all z, which is called an inversion sequence. In analogy to the usual case for permutations, the pattern avoidance question is addressed for inversion sequences. In particular, explicit formulas and/or generating functions are derived which count the inversion sequences of a given length that avoid a single pattern of length three. Among the sequences encountered are the Fibonacci numbers, the Schröder numbers, and entry A200753 in OEIS. We make use of both algebraic and combinatorial methods to establish our results. An explicit Injection is given between two of the avoidance classes, and in three cases, the kernel method is used to solve a functional equation satisfied by the generating function enumerating the class in question.
The position of negative adjectives in Aelfric’s Catholic Homilies I .
Authors: Grabski Maciej
Published: June 2016

In Old English, negative adjectives, i.e. incorporating the negative prefix -un, are said to generally come in postposition to nouns (e.g. Fischer, 2001; Sampson, 2010). This paper investigates to what extent this general rule is followed in Aelfric’s Catholic Homilies, the texts of this author being a typical choice for the study of Old English syntax (cf. Davis 2006; Reszkiewcz, 1966; Kohonen, 1978). The data have been obtained from the York-Toronto-Helsinki Parsed Corpus of Old English Prose (YCOE). The following research questions have been formulated: Do strong negative adjectives outnumber nonnegated adjectives in postposition? Do strong negative adjectives have a tendency to appear in postposition? Do strong negated adjectives occur in preposition? The results indicated that for the sample analyzed, strong adjectives in postposition are not predominantly negated. Additionally, the postposition of most of those which are may potentially be explained by other factors, such as modification by a prepositional phrase, co-occurrence with a weak preposed adjective (both mentioned by Fischer), or indirect Latin influence in a formulaic phrase. Also, the data does not appear to support the observation that negated adjectives tend to appear in post- rather than preposition.
English spelling among the top priorities in pronunciation teaching: Polglish local versus global(ised) errors in the production and perception of words commonly mispronounced
Authors: Nowacka Marta
Published: June 2016

This paper presents the results of a questionnaire and recording-based study on production and recognition of a sample of 60 items from Sobkowiak’s (1996:294) ‘words commonly mispronounced’ by 143 first-year BA students majoring in English. 30 lexical items in each task represent 27 categories defined by Porzuczek (2015), each referring to one aspect of English phonotactics and/or spelling-phonology relations. Our aim is to provide evidence for the occurrence of local and globalised errors in Polglish speech. This experiment is intended to examine what types of errors, that is, seriously deformed words, whether avoidable, ‘either-or’ or unavoidable ones, as classified in Porzuczek (2015), are the most frequent in production and recognition of words. Our goal is to check what patterns concerning letter-to-sound relations, are not respected in the subjects’ production and recognition of an individual word and what rules should be explicitly discussed and practised in a phonetics course. The results of the study confirm the necessity for explicit instruction on the regularity rather than irregularity of English spelling in order to eradicate globalised and ‘either-or’ pronunciation errors in the speech of students. The avoidable globalised errors which have turned out to be the most numerous in a production task include such areas of English phonotactics as: the letters <-old> and , ‘mute consonant letters’, ‘isolated errors’ and two categories related to the reduction of unstressed syllables: ‘reduce the vowel in stress-adjacent syllables and in syllables following the stressed one to /ə/ or /ɪ/’ and ‘reduce <-ous>, <-age>, and <-ate> in nouns and adjectives.’ The hope is also expressed that once introducing spelling-to-sound relations becomes a routine procedure in pronunciation training, the strain on part of the students of memorizing a list of true local errors, phonetically challenging pronunciation exceptions, will be reduced to the absolute minimum.
Global foreign accent rating of code-switched and L2-only sentences
Authors: Šimáčková Šárka , Podlipský Václav Jonáš
Published: June 2016

Recent studies of short-term phonetic interference suggest that code-switching can lead to momentary increases in L1 influence on L2. In an earlier study using a single acoustic measure (VOT), we found that Czech EFL learners’ pronunciation of English voiceless stops had shorter, i.e. more L1-Czech-like, VOTs in codeswitched compared to L2-only sentences. The first aim of the current study was to test the prediction that native listeners would judge the code-switched English productions as more foreign-accented than the L2-only productions. The results provide only weak support for this prediction. The second aim was to test whether more native-like VOT values would correlate with improved accentedness scores. This was confirmed for sentence-initial stops.
Injectable hydrogel-based scaffolds for tissue engineering applications
Authors: Portnov Tanya , Shulimzon Tiberiu R. , Zilberman Meital
Published: June 2016

Hydrogels are highly hydrated materials that may absorb from 10% to 20% up to hundreds of times their dry weight in water and are composed of three-dimensional hydrophilic polymeric networks that are similar to those in natural tissue. The structural integrity of hydrogels depends on cross-links formed between the polymer chains. Hydrogels have been extensively explored as injectable cell delivery systems, owing to their high tissue-like water content, ability to mimic extracellular matrix, homogeneously encapsulated cells, efficient mass transfer, amenability to chemical and physical modifications, and minimally invasive delivery. A variety of naturally and synthetically derived materials have been used to form injectable hydrogels for tissue engineering applications. The current review article focuses on these biomaterials, on the design parameters of injectable scaffolds, and on the in situ gelling of their hydrogel systems. The last section of this article describes specific examples of catheter-based delivery systems.
Accounting for Changing Tastes: Approaches to Explaining Unstable Individual Preferences
Authors: Jacobs Martin
Published: June 2016

Standard economic theory assumes individual preferences to be fixed and exogenously given. This view has been challenged by numerous empirical observations. In reaction to those challenges, economic theory has been modified, mostly by including additional arguments into individuals’ utility functions. Among the approaches that tackle preference change are new consumer theory, habit formation, interdependent and status preferences, social and emotional influences, and reference point-dependent preferences. Hence, while standard economics largely abide by their assumption of stable preferences, an array of alternative approaches is now available to account for changing tastes. Some of these approaches are old and have been discussed in the literature for many decades while others are younger. However, all approaches have in common that they, in some cases surprisingly, have not made it to standard microeconomics textbooks. This survey aims at putting the approaches in perspective. For each of them, empirical evidence as well as methodological issues are discussed.
Uncertainty and attribution of personal responsibility in organizations
Authors: Besio Cristina
Published: June 2016

Modern society complicates the attribution of responsibility to individual actors. However, processes of attributing responsibility remain a frequent occurrence - also in the context of organizations. How can we explain this phenomenon? This contribution endeavors to describe processes of attributing moral responsibility to reveal some of the functions and problems these processes produce and to explain why they assume a new role in modern society. The focus lies on highly uncertain situations as crucial moments in which organizations resort to morality. The article introduces two examples for the forms in which the attribution of moral responsibility is manifested: the first is the figure of the »scapegoat«, which is typically activated after catastrophes. The second is the figure of the »firm founder«, which provides an important reference for highly uncertain innovation processes. By activating these figures, organizations can portray themselves as moral actors and acquire, at least for a while, the internal and external backing necessary to continue operating. This is vital in the short term, but can be dangerous over time, because morality sets high expectations but gives little specific advice for action in complex systems.
Offene Hochschule
Authors: Rettig Lars
Published: June 2016

Zur flexibleren Gestaltung der akademischen Ausbildung im Sinne der “European Universities‘ charter on lifelong learning” (European University Association 2008) wird proklamiert die Hochschulen zu öffnen, um eine Durchlässigkeit des Bildungssystems zu erreichen (Esser 2014, S. 3). Die gezielte Ansprache von sogenannten nicht-traditionellen Zielgruppen stellt die Aus- und Weiterbildungsinstitutionen auch im Tourismus vor die Herausforderung, Anrechnungsverfahren von beruflich erworbenen Kompetenzen für den Hochschulzugang zu entwickeln und diese Anrechnungsprozesse transparent und nachvollziehbar zu gestalten. Das Distance and Independent Studies Center (DISC) der TU Kaiserlautern beispielsweise eröffnet Berufstätigen bereits heute die Möglichkeit eines Masterabschlusses ohne Bachelor. Ist dieses Modell übertragbar auf touristische Studiengänge? Dahingehend liefert dieser Beitrag eine Diskussion zur Tourismusausbildung in Deutschland.