bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Apicoplast fatty acid synthesis is essential for pellicle formation at the end of cytokinesis in Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: Martins-Duarte Érica S. , Carias Maira , Vommaro Rossiane , Surolia Namita , de Souza Wanderley
Published: July 2016

The apicomplexan protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, harbors an apicoplast, a plastid-like organelle with essential metabolic functions. Although the FASII fatty acid biosynthesis pathway located in the apicoplast is essential for parasite survival, the cellular effects of FASII disruption in T. gondii had not been examined in detail. Here, we combined light and electron microscopy techniques – including focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) – to characterize the effect of FASII disruption in T. gondii, by treatment with the FASII inhibitor triclosan or by inducible knockdown of the FASII component acyl carrier protein. Morphological analyses showed that FASII disruption prevented cytokinesis completion in T. gondii tachyzoites, leading to the formation of large masses of ‘tethered’ daughter cells. FIB-SEM showed that tethered daughters had a mature basal complex, but a defect in new membrane addition between daughters resulted in incomplete pellicle formation. Addition of exogenous fatty acids to medium suppressed the formation of tethered daughter cells and supports the notion that FASII is essential to generate lipid substrates required for the final step of parasite division.
Ανάπτυξη προγραμματιστικών δεξιοτήτων σε παιδιά με τη χρήση του προγραμματιστικού περιβάλλοντος Kodu. Αποτελέσματα από πιλοτικό πρόγραμμα σε μαθητές της Στ΄ τάξης
Authors: Φωκίδης Εμμανουήλ , Μπούκλα Κυριακή
Published: July 2016

Η παρούσα εργασία διερευνά το κατά πόσο το παιγνιώδες προγραμματιστικό περιβάλλον Kodu μπορεί να βοηθήσει τους μαθητές της Στ΄ τάξης δημοτικού να κατανοήσουν βασικές προγραμματιστικές έννοιες (δομή ακολουθίας, μεταβλητές και υπορουτίνες). Για το λόγο αυτό, διεξήχθη μία πιλοτική μελέτη διάρκειας επτά εβδομάδων, σε τρία σχολεία της Αττικής, με συνολικά 60 συμμετέχοντες μαθητές χωρισμένους σε τρεις ίσες ομάδες. Η πρώτη ομάδα αποτέλεσε την ομάδα ελέγχου, η δεύτερη διδάχθηκε συμβατικά και η τρίτη διδάχθηκε τις βασικές προγραμματιστικές έννοιες με την χρήση του Kodu. Οι επιδόσεις των μαθητών αξιολογήθηκαν με βάση φύλλα δραστηριοτήτων και αξιολόγησης. Από την ανάλυση των δεδομένων προέκυψε ότι οι μαθητές που διδάχθηκαν προγραμματισμό με το Kodu, σημείωσαν καλύτερες επιδόσεις σε σχέση με τα παιδιά των άλλων ομάδων. Επίσης, οι εντυπώσεις των μαθητών από την διδασκαλία με τη μέθοδο αυτή ήταν ιδιαίτερα θετικές, γεγονός που λειτούργησε συμπληρωματικά στην αποτελεσματικότητα της συγκεκριμένης ερευνητικής παρέμβασης. Τα θετικά αποτελέσματα οδηγούν στην ανάγκη περαιτέρω διερεύνησης του θέματος, εξετάζοντας παράλληλα τη δυνατότητα ένταξης αυτού του περιβάλλοντος στη διδασκαλία του προγραμματισμού στο δημοτικό σχολείο.
Regenerating the liver: not so simple after all?
Authors: Alison Malcolm R. , Lin Wey-Ran
Published: July 2016

Under normal homeostatic conditions, hepatocyte renewal is a slow process and complete turnover likely takes at least a year. Studies of hepatocyte regeneration after a two-thirds partial hepatectomy (2/3 PH) have strongly suggested that periportal hepatocytes are the driving force behind regenerative re-population, but recent murine studies have brought greater complexity to the issue. Although periportal hepatocytes are still considered pre-eminent in the response to 2/3 PH, new studies suggest that normal homeostatic renewal is driven by pericentral hepatocytes under the control of Wnts, while pericentral injury provokes the clonal expansion of a subpopulation of periportal hepatocytes expressing low levels of biliary duct genes such as Sox9 and osteopontin. Furthermore, some clarity has been given to the debate on the ability of biliary-derived hepatic progenitor cells to generate physiologically meaningful numbers of hepatocytes in injury models, demonstrating that under appropriate circumstances these cells can re-populate the whole liver.
Sweet SIXTEEN: Automation via Embedding into Classical Higher-Order Logic
Authors: Steen Alexander , Benzmüller Christoph
Published: July 2016

An embedding of many-valued logics based on SIXTEEN in classical higher-order logic is presented. SIXTEEN generalizes the four-valued set of truth degrees of Dunn/Belnap’s system to a lattice of sixteen truth degrees with multiple distinct ordering relations between them. The theoretical motivation is to demonstrate that many-valued logics, like other non-classical logics, can be elegantly modeled (and even combined) as fragments of classical higher-order logic. Equally relevant are the pragmatic aspects of the presented approach: interactive and automated reasoning in many-valued logics, which have broad applications in computer science, artificial intelligence, linguistics, philosophy and mathematics, become readily enabled with state of the art reasoning tools for classical higher-order logic.
Optimality of Quasi-Open-Loop Policies for Discounted Semi-Markov Decision Processes
Authors: Adelman Daniel , Mancini Angelo J.
Published: July 2016

Quasi-open-loop policies consist of sequences of Markovian decision rules that are insensitive to one component of the state space. Given a semi-Markov decision process (SMDP), we distinguish between exogenous and endogenous state components as follows: (i) the decision-maker’s actions do not impact the evolution of an exogenous state component, and (ii) between consecutive decision epochs, the exogenous and endogenous state components are conditionally independent given the decision-maker’s latest action. For simplicity, we consider an SMDP with one exogenous and one endogenous state component. When transition times between epochs are conditionally independent of the exogenous state given the most recent action, and the exogenous component is a multiplicative compound Poisson process, we provide an almost-everywhere condition on the reward function sufficient for the optimality of a quasi-open-loop policy. After adjusting the discount factor to account for the statistical properties of the exogenous state process, obtaining this policy amounts to solving a reduced SMDP in which the exogenous state is static. Depending on the relationship between the structure of the exogenous state process and the shape of the reward function, we can replace the almost-everywhere condition with one that applies only in expectation. Quasi-open-loop optimality holds even if the times between decision epochs depend on the Poisson process underlying the exogenous state component, and/or the Poisson process is replaced with a generic counting process.
Everyone gets better
Authors: Laxton Debra
Published: July 2016

Should we continue to provide Early Years Initial Teacher Training? This is a question that has been asked more than once recently. In this article, we hear the voice of the mentors leading the courses.
The economy of men
Authors: Murdoch Joe
Published: July 2016

The question of how to increase the number of males working across the early years sector is one that never seems to go away, simply because it is still an issue. What can be done to change this?
What we can learn from… Starting school!
Authors: Chapman Ailsa
Published: July 2016

This month, we focus on one of the key transition periods, the move from home to setting, setting to reception, or from reception to primary, and find out how to prepare children for the big move.
The Politics of Financialization in Brazil
Authors: Daniel Bin
Published: July 2016

Beginning with an analysis of the global context of substitution of neoliberal for developmentalist ideology, this article examines the financial expansion of the Brazilian economy that has taken place in the last two decennia. This process occurred in a context of a reorganization of economic relations, in which the state's role was fundamental despite the neoliberal discourse. Efforts to restore the profits of classes whose incomes were reduced by welfare policies were subjacent to this discourse. In Brazil, the neoliberal ideology began to be consolidated in the mid-1990s, with the Real Plan as its landmark. In addition to inflation control, the plan sought to attract over-accumulated capital that was circulating globally in search of profitable outlets. Reproducing the historical connection between capitalism and the state, a financial expansion of the Brazilian economy also occurred under this association, in which public debt was the great engine.
Hospitality in hospitals: The importance of caring about the patient
Authors: Kelly Rosalind , Losekoot Erwin , Wright-StClair Valerie A.
Published: July 2016

Evidence suggests that hospital patients receive the medical treatment they need but are sometimes left feeling depersonalized and alienated with their overall treatment. This New Zealand study explored the lived experience of hospitality among adults during their recent hospital stay. A hermeneutic phenomenological methodology was used to design and conduct the study. Seven participants, aged 22 to 65 years, who had spent at least three days in a hospital for elective surgery were purposively recruited. Data were gathered using semi-structured, conversational-style individual interviews. Participant-validated, coherent stories were drawn from the transcripts and analysed. The findings revealed that hospitality showed itself in different ways to the participants. When present, they experienced feelings of comfort, of being at ease and of being healed. The implications for health care practitioners are that offering often small, yet heartfelt acts of hospitality may evoke powerful lived experiences that benefit the patient, suggesting that caring about the patient is an important element of the healing process.
Global citizenship, tourism and consumerism: A narrative enquiry into the global consumer-citizen spectrum in students’ study tour experiences
Authors: Hermann Inge , Meijer Kim , Van Koesveld Sofie
Published: July 2016

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) increasingly embed international activities in their curricula as a way to stimulate global citizenship education (GCE). Nonetheless, there is much debate on the definition and impact of these activities for the development of students as reflective practitioners. Inspired by Roman’s discursive framework, this article examines three dominant conceptions of global citizenship experienced by students during study tours to Surinam. By means of a narrative analysis of 33 diaries collected during three study tours we have categorized students’ lived experiences along a global citizen-consumer spectrum. Our findings show that students’ accounts are mainly centred on notions of consumerism, including multiple colonialist and orientalist stances, while few are concerned with personal reflections related to global citizenship. Concluding, we argue that study tours are no guarantee of enhanced global citizenship; thus, much debate is still needed to determine the significance of study tours in fostering GCE.
A content analysis of corporate social responsibility: Perspectives from China’s top 30 hotel-management companies
Authors: Chen Xiaoqing , Peng Qingzhe
Published: July 2016

There is a growing demand for corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the tourism and hospitality industry, but its role in some emerging countries, such as China, has seldom been examined. The purpose of this article is to broaden research into CSR by considering it in the context of the Chinese hotel industry, so helping to fill this omission in the literature. Drawing its empirical material from CSR information released by a representative sample of Chinese hotel-management companies, this study reveals that – while there is considerable variation in the information that the 30 largest organizations provide publicly – they all place considerable importance on their highly valued stakeholders (community, environment, government, employee and customer), the other stakeholders (investor, supplier, mission and values) receive much less coverage. This uneven phenomenon is also reflected in the methods used to disseminate CSR information employed by these companies, which suggests that contextualized social, economic, and cultural differences should be taken into consideration in order to more effectively understand and practice CSR in emerging economies.
Everything goes back to the beginning: Television adaptation and remaking Nordic noir
Authors: Berger Richard
Published: July 2016

As television drama undergoes a renaissance across Europe and the United States, this article focuses on the remakes of ‘Nordic noir’ crime serials. The genre has its origins in contemporary literary fiction, and became a cinematic cause célèbre with the Swedish adaptations of Stieg Larsson’s Millennium novels, and the controversial US remake of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. While adaptation scholars have long discredited comparative approaches based on the source/target text binary organized along value-judgement lines, in terms of television remakes, the opposite is fast becoming the case; comparisons between different versions of the same narrative become a playful and almost vital aspect of contemporary adaptation. While some theorists have argued that remakes often attempt to efface previous versions, in television, the opposite can be true. In examining the remakes of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Oplev, 2009), Forbrydelsen (2007–2012), Broen/Bron (2011–) and Broadchurch, (2013–) this article proposes that a new type of ‘synchronous’ or ‘active’ adaptation invites some audiences to engage in a far more playful exchange of textual moments, augmented and overseen by social media. In this way, adaptations can act as ‘logic-gates’ upon each other, and television remakes are now reflecting this.
Publication ethics standards in Geoinformatics FCE CTU
Authors: Němečková Lenka , Adlerová Iva
Published: July 2016

Editorial
Analysis of the variations of measured values in continuous long-term geodetic monitoring
Authors: Vaněček Jan
Published: July 2016

A geodetic measurement of shifts and deformations by total station is a well-known and widely used method. There is presented the analysis of the variations over time of the measured values in continuous geodetic monitoring in this paper. There are used measured data from a specific monitoring system of a surface mine in the time period from January 2006 to July 2010 in the analysis.The aim of the analysis is to describe linear trend and periodic changes in measured data (horizontal direction, zenith angle and slope distance). The main method of the analysis is a linear-harmonic function approximation.
GPU-accelerated raster map reprojection
Authors: Sloup Petr
Published: July 2016

Reprojecting raster maps from one projection to another is an essential part of many cartographic processes (map comparison, overlays, data presentation, ...) and reducing the required computational time is desirable and often significantly decreases overall processing costs.

The raster reprojection process operates per-pixel and is, therefore, a good candidate for GPU-based parallelization where the large number of processors can lead to a very high degree of parallelism.

We have created an experimental implementation of the raster reprojection with GPU-based parallelization (using OpenCL API).
During the evaluation, we compared the performance of our implementation to the optimized GDAL and showed that there is a class of problems where GPU-based parallelization can lead to more than sevenfold speedup.
Hypotheses about geoglyphs at Nasca, Peru: new discoveries
Authors: Klokočník Jaroslav , Sonnek Jiří , Hanzalová Karolína , Pavelka Karel
Published: July 2016

The known hypotheses about the reasons why the geoglyphs in the Nasca and Palpa region of Peru were created are many: roads/paths, rituals/ceremonials, use of hallucinogens, astronomical meaning, influence of extraterrestrials, underground water… and so on. We present a new hypothesis, formulated by J. Sonnek (first published in 2011) in the context of all previous hypotheses.1 Sonnek explains the geoglyphs as tidied work areas for the production of rope and nets, although he goes much further than Stierlin. This eccentric hypothesis now has not only experimental but also archaeological and ethnographical support, which is presented here. Geoglyphs of a special shape were discovered in the pampas; they may represent technical objects – different types of ‘rope twisters’. Following this idea, Sonnek made technical devices (using today’s materials) and tested them in practice; they work perfectly, see his YouTube videos.2 In November 2012, wooden pieces, which may be the remnants of ropemaking, were collected from the pampa near the towns of Nasca and Palpa, in vicinity of these hypothetic ropemaking places. Radiocarbon testing by 14C standardized radio-carbon age according to Stuiver-Polach convention and Accelerator Mass Spectroscopy (AMS) of these wood pieces shows the age to be in a wide range from Early Nasca to the 17th century (and to our epoch with a fake geoglyph, too), thus supporting (but surely not proving) the new hypothesis. Moreover, in the Quechua language, the word huasca, waskha (read: uasca) means a rope or cord or place where these are produced. This word is very similar to ‘nasca’.
Geometric interpretation of subjective probability: random numbers and objective conditions of coherence
Authors: Angelini Pierpaolo , Maturo Antonio
Published: July 2016

In the domain of the logic of certainty we study the objective notions of the subjective probability with the clear aim of identifying their fundamental characteristics before the assignment, by the individual, of the probabilistic evaluation: probability is an additional and subjective notion that one applies within the range of possibility, thus giving rise to those gradations, more or less probable, that are meaningless in the logic of certainty. When we study the criteria for evaluations under conditions of uncertainty and their corresponding conditions of coherence we show an inevitable dichotomy between the subjective or psychological aspect of probability and the objective or logical or geometrical one. The affine properties are the basis of essential concepts of probability theory and only they make sense, being independent of the choice of a coordinate system; however, the importance of the metric properties appears in order to represent random numbers and analytical conditions of coherence.
Assessment of creativity based learning environment for major instrument courses: A case study of Buca Faculty of Education, Department of Music Education
Authors: Kaya Aslı , Bilen Sermin
Published: July 2016

The development of the creative potential of individuals is considered to be one of the requirements of modern education. As in all areas, the development of students’ creative potential is also among the objectives of education programs in music education. The ability of music teachers to achieve this objective and create creative learning environments for their own students’ creative potential, is dependent on their training in such a learning environment.In this regard, one aim of this research is to develop a scale which can assess the creativity based learning environment for Major Instrument courses carried out within faculties of Education, Fine Arts Education, Music Education programs. The second aim is to evaluate using this scale, the creativity based learning environment for the Major Instrument courses carried out in the Buca Faculty of Education, Department of Music Education.The scale was developed as 5 point Likert scale and was applied to 528 students who were studying in the Faculty of Education, Fine Arts Education, Music Education Department in several universities during the 2012–2013 academic year. The data was analyzed with SPSS 16.0. Additionally, the LISREL 8.8 program was used for confirmatory factor analyses.After items distorting the factor structure were removed, the scale was left with 12 items. The scale’s Cronbach Alpha value was determined as .928. At the end of the confirmatory factor analysis the level of fit criteria were found to be; : 4.0; RMSEA: .07; NNFI: .98; CFI: .98; GFI: .94. The data show that the scale in general has an improved fit.The scale was applied to 72 students studying at the Buca Faculty of Education, Fine Arts Education, Music Education Department in the 2014–2015 academic year with the aim of determining the Major Instrument courses’ learning environments. The scale’s Cronbach Alpha value was determined as .948.Responses by students taking Major Instrument courses showed that lessons were carried out in creativity based ( =3.95) and positive learning environments ( =4.25) in which the students’ creativity was supported ( =3.73). With regard to the creativity based learning environment, Major Instrument Guitar courses presented the highest level ( =4.55) and Major Instrument Baglama course, the lowest ( =2.95).
Decibel
Authors: Maddox Michael , Goehring David , Elmore Aaron J. , Madden Samuel , Parameswaran Aditya , Deshpande Amol
Published: July 2016

As scientific endeavors and data analysis become increasingly collaborative, there is a need for data management systems that natively support the
versioning
or
branching
of datasets to enable concurrent analysis, cleaning, integration, manipulation, or curation of data across teams of individuals. Common practice for sharing and collaborating on datasets involves creating or storing multiple copies of the dataset, one for each stage of analysis, with no provenance information tracking the relationships between these datasets. This results not only in wasted storage, but also makes it challenging to track and integrate modifications made by different users to the same dataset. In this paper, we introduce the Relational Dataset Branching System, Decibel, a new relational storage system with built-in version control designed to address these short-comings. We present our initial design for Decibel and provide a thorough evaluation of three versioned storage engine designs that focus on efficient query processing with minimal storage overhead. We also develop an exhaustive benchmark to enable the rigorous testing of these and future versioned storage engine designs.
Structures and Opportunities to Supply the Telecommunication Systems in Underground Mines
Authors: Wojaczek Antoni
Published: July 2016

Telecommunication systems in underground mines require reliable power supply both of stationary and underground devices. Special problems connected with power supply occur in a case when subscriber devices are located in explosion hazard areas. The paper presents the basic problems connected with power supply of stationary elements of safety systems as well as subscriber devices located in explosion hazard areas that are significantly distant from stationary elements. Acceptable methods of supplying the subscribers devices under technical environment conditions of mine undergrounds have been determined.
Modeling and Simulation of Coal Loading by Cutting Drum in Flat Seams
Authors: Gospodarczyk Piotr
Published: July 2016

This paper presents a methodology for modeling work of a coal shearer work in low longwall coal seams where the wall height does not exceed 1.5 m. In such conditions, an important issue is the process of loading the ore from shearer cutting drum on an armored face conveyor and selection of appropriate kinematic parameters to avoid choking. Discrete element method was used to model coal seam. This method allows for efficient simulation of physical systems composed of many separate components. Methods and algorithms based on existing theoretical models were developed to imitate coal cutting process. Main focus of analysis was put on coal stream movement for different variants of the shearer construction and kinematic parameters.
Infinitely many solutions for non-local problems with broken symmetry
Authors: Bartolo Rossella , De Nápoli Pablo L. , Salvatore Addolorata
Published: July 2016

The aim of this paper is to investigate the existence of solutions of the non-local elliptic problem

{

(

-
Δ

)

s

⁢

u

=

|
u
|

p
-
2

⁢
u

+

h
⁢

(
x
)

in 
⁢
Ω

,

u
=
0

on 
⁢

ℝ
n

∖
Ω

,

\left\{\begin{aligned} &\displaystyle(-\Delta)^{s}u\ =\lvert u\rvert^{p-2}u+h(%
x)&&\displaystyle\text{in }\Omega,\\
&\displaystyle{u=0}&&\displaystyle\text{on }\mathbb{R}^{n}\setminus\Omega,\end%
{aligned}\right.

where

s
∈

(
0
,
1
)

{s\in(0,1)}

,

n
>

2
⁢
s

{n>2s}

, Ω is an open bounded domain of

ℝ
n

{\mathbb{R}^{n}}

with Lipschitz boundary

∂
⁡
Ω

{\partial\Omega}

,

(

-
Δ

)

s

{(-\Delta)^{s}}

is the non-local Laplacian operator,

2
<
p
<

2
s
∗

{2<p<2_{s}^{\ast}}

and

h
∈

L
2

⁢

(
Ω
)

{h\in L^{2}(\Omega)}

. This problem requires the study of the eigenvalue problem related to the fractional Laplace operator, with or without potential.
Precision injection molding of freeform optics
Authors: Fang Fengzhou , Zhang Nan , Zhang Xiaodong
Published: July 2016

Precision injection molding is the most efficient mass production technology for manufacturing plastic optics. Applications of plastic optics in field of imaging, illumination, and concentration demonstrate a variety of complex surface forms, developing from conventional plano and spherical surfaces to aspheric and freeform surfaces. It requires high optical quality with high form accuracy and lower residual stresses, which challenges both optical tool inserts machining and precision injection molding process. The present paper reviews recent progress in mold tool machining and precision injection molding, with more emphasis on precision injection molding. The challenges and future development trend are also discussed.
Reforms in Rural Development and their Influence on Agricultural Extension of Uzbekistan: Experience and Challenges in Water Management
Authors: Pulatov Alim , Húska Dušan , Abdullaev Davran , Hirsch Darya
Published: July 2016

Nowadays science applies agricultural innovations in a wide range all over the world; however, number of water users in innovations is in smaller amounts. This might happen to a number of factors, for example lack of adequate knowledge exchange system, nominal extension services at places, lack of well-defined policies, barriers in ‘human’ minds change’, barriers at policy level. As for Uzbekistan, it could be said that practice of extension of innovations application and its diffusion in agricultural irrigation sector in Uzbekistan does not have much experience, however, before 1991 Uzbekistan was one of the Soviet Unions’ republics and as it is known, the Soviet Union had high practice in innovations in different sectors, as well as in agriculture. Although, since independence, Uzbekistan has continued to experience innovations in agricultural sector independently, their diffusion is at a challenging shape. This article captures the policy issue, how Uzbekistan started to develop water management issues in its economic reforms, it describes a case research on application of innovative technique on a farm level and accordingly, it tries to propose the aspects that need to be involved in future reforms to make the current situation be better managed.
Differentiating Rural Areas in Uzbekistan and Slovakia and their Classification
Authors: Ismailova Aygul
Published: July 2016

The characteristic of the concept “rural areas” is widely different, varying from country to country. Similarly, Uzbek rural areas quite differ from Slovak ones. However, in both countries there is not applied a concrete national typology for the classification of rural areas. Therefore, the main aim of the paper is to identify the differences between the rural areas in Uzbekistan and Slovakia and to classify them using the rural - urban typology based on OECD methodology. In the selected countries the rural areas are mainly identified by the number of population living in the rural local units. According to the results of the classification by using the OECD methodology, in Uzbekistan the significantly rural areas prevail whereas in Slovakia, the intermediate ones dominate. However, there is not a big difference in the share of rural population between predominantly rural areas and intermediate ones in the Slovak Republic. In contrast to Slovakia, the number of rural residents in the intermediate rural areas in Uzbekistan is about three times lower than rural population in predominantly rural areas. There is not a predominantly urban area according to this methodology in Uzbekistan, however in Slovakia, Bratislava is the only region considered as predominantly urban area where only 2.2% of rural population from the total population reside.
Evaluation of Selected Quality of Life Indicators in Lag “Dol Ná Nitra”
Authors: Baková Ingrida , Schwarcz Pavol
Published: July 2016

The paper focuses on quality of life of inhabitants in Slovak countryside as well as conditions for development of municipalities on possibilities of drawing European funds and the performance of Local Action Groups. Its main objective is to evaluate the effect of the Slovak Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 measures on increasing the quality of life in a selected region and to compare results in municipalities that were part of a public-private partnership and those they did not participate. The paper mainly deals with quality of life indicators defined in the field of employment and quality of employment.
Measuring Development of Selected Poverty Risk Indicators in V4 Countries with Specific Focus on Slovak Republic and its Regions
Authors: Beňuš Ondrej , Kováčik Marián , Žuffová Eva
Published: July 2016

This article is devoted to analysis of selected poverty indicators as measured by EU-Statistics on income and living conditions. Our orientation on these indicators underlines our focus on quantitative measurement. Spatial orientation was selected as the area of the Visegrad group countries serving as a research base for our investigation of poverty differences in the Central Europe. Further research is dedicated to Slovakia and its regions. In this article we aim to identify those quantitative poverty indicators that are responsible for poverty status of the most affected social group of people in the country.
A tumor suppressive role of lncRNA GAS5 in human colorectal cancer
Authors: Lei Yan , Jing-jing Li , Ke-nan Zhang , Qing-zhong Tian , Jin Li
Published: July 2016

Objective

It is already known that long non-coding RNA growth arrest-specific 5 (GAS5) is downregulated in human colorectal cancer (CRC) cells inhibiting cell proliferation. We further analyzed its involvement in cell cycle distribution and apoptosis induction.

Methods

We measured the expression level of GAS5 in CRC tissues and cell lines with the corresponding non-tumoral cells. We also analyzed the roles of GAS5 in modulation of cell growth, cell cycle distribution and apoptosis by the CCK-8 method and flow cytometry. Western blots were performed to evaluate the protein level of cyclin D1 and p21 after overexpression of GAS5

Results

GAS5 expression was significantly reduced in CRC samples and cell lines. Overexpression of GAS5 induced cell growth arrest and induced cell apoptosis in vitro. Meanwhile, we found that the growth suppressive role of GAS5 might be attributed to the inhibition of G1-S phase transition, reflected by the downregulation of cyclin D1 and upregulation of p21.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that GAS5 is a crucial tumor suppressor in human CRC cells.
The tourist function in a car factory Audi Forum Ingolstadt example
Authors: Cudny Waldemar , Horňák Marcel
Published: July 2016

The article presents modern car industry and tourism issues. It is a case study of a multifunctional centre - the Audi Forum Ingolstadt, situated next to a large Audi factory in Ingolstadt, Germany. It was created in order to promote the Audi brand and provide service for the customers picking up their cars in Ingolstadt. It also performs tourist functions as it focuses on providing service for the people who arrive to visit the car factory, the Audi museum mobile and the region. The centre offers specific tourist products based on particular experiences, which may be included in industrial tourism. The facilities in the Audi Forum Ingolstadt are tourist assets in themselves; they may also be seen as tourist infrastructure. It is also a place where numerous events are held, attracting tourists. The Audi Forum Ingolstadt is an example of a multifunctional centre with distinctive tourist functions, situated on the premises of a large modern car factory.
Catering for large numbers of tourists: the McDonaldization of casual dining in Kruger National Park
Authors: Ferreira Sanette L.A. , W. Van Zyl Gesina
Published: July 2016

Since 2002 Kruger National Park (KNP) has subjected to a commercialisation strategy. Regarding income generation, SANParks (1) sees KNP as the goose that lays the golden eggs. As part of SANParks’ commercialisation strategy and in response to providing services that are efficient, predictable and calculable for a large number of tourists, SANParks has allowed well-known branded restaurants to be established in certain rest camps in KNP. This innovation has raised a range of different concerns and opinions among the public. This paper investigates the what and the where of casual dining experiences in KNP; describes how the catering services have evolved over the last 70 years; and evaluates current visitor perceptions of the introduction of franchised restaurants in the park. The main research instrument was a questionnaire survey. Survey findings confirmed that restaurant managers, park managers and visitors recognise franchised restaurants as positive contributors to the unique KNP experience. Park managers appraised the franchised restaurants as mechanisms for funding conservation.
The capital agglomeration of the Republic of Korea as a fuzzy central place system
Authors: Em Pavel P.
Published: July 2016

Explosive urbanization in the Republic of Korea from 1950 to 2010 marked by a growth in extensive urban agglomerations rendered unproductive the approach that was commonly used in the central place theory and which considered every element of the settlement system as a point in a homogeneous space. The paper suggests an alternative concept of fuzzy central place that makes possible the understanding of an internal heterogeneity in the distribution of central functions within the limits of urban agglomerations. This research was conducted using the example of the Capital agglomeration - the main element of the Republic of Korea’s urban settlement system. This “island” country, isolated by North Korea, has seen fantastic economic growth in the second half of the 20th century.
The influence of self-efficacy and socio-demographic factors on the entrepreneurial intentions of selected Youth Corp members in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Moa-Liberty Alausa Waheed , Tunde Arogundade Odunayo , Tinuola Odunuga Lateefat
Published: July 2016

This study examines the influence of self-efficacy and socio-demographic factors on the entrepreneurial intentions of selected Youth Corp members. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design and a sample size of 300 National Youth Service Corp members were randomly selected in the five divisions of Lagos State with ages ranging from 18 to 30. Three hypotheses were tested using multiple regression and t-tests. The results show that there is a significant joint influence of sex, age, ethnicity and self-efficacy on entrepreneurial intentions (r2 = 0.90; P <.01]; male participants are more susceptible to entrepreneurial intentions than their female counterparts [t = 26.46, P <.01] and that Youth Corp members with a high self-efficacy rate significantly higher on entrepreneurial intentions (t = 25.09, P <.01]. Based on these findings, the study recommended that a self-efficacy programme should be included in the school curriculum so as to enhance entrepreneurial intentions among fresh graduates and, by so doing, reducing the high rate of unemployment in society. It was also recommended that future studies should use a larger sample and explore experimental methods so as to see if a causal relationship can be established among variables.
First evidence of Ostreopsis cf. ovata in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, Ecuadorian coast
Authors: Carnicer Olga , García-Altares María , Andree Karl B. , Diogène Jorge , Fernández-Tejedor Margarita
Published: July 2016

Ostreopsis cf. ovata has become one of the most studied toxic dinoflagellates in the last decade due to the production of palytoxin-like analogues by some of the strains. Nonetheless, its taxonomy is still unresolved, as the morphological features are not well defined. Currently, three genetic clades of O. cf. ovata occurring in overlapping geographical areas, and several different toxicity patterns have been described. In this investigation, 13 isolates from the coast of Ecuador in the eastern Pacific Ocean, including a geographical area from which no information existed, were analyzed for Ostreopsis genotypes and toxicity of the O. cf. ovata complex. By analyzing the ITS and 5.8S rDNA, the isolates were found to be identical and to cluster in the Atlantic/Indian/Pacific clade, and they were not toxic according to hemolytic assays. The absence of palytoxin-like compounds was confirmed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results are discussed in light of the current situation of O. cf. ovata strains, whose study has been traditionally restricted to some areas such as the Mediterranean Sea and the western Pacific Ocean. We also review the information regarding toxicity and molecular biology of O. cf. ovata strains in order to contribute to current understanding of the species complex.
Security as a Power Element within Contemporary International Relations
Authors: Gabor Gabriel
Published: July 2016

Today, more than ever, in a globalized and constantly changing world, Europe has to face new stakes and challenges. The globalization, climate change, power supply and the new threats to security are challenges that Europe of the XXIst century has to cope with. The early XXIst century coincides with a new era in the international politics, the future evolution of the worls and the new international order, with the economy and security being the central spots.
Communication and Monitoring- Necessary Processes for Managing and Measuring Conflicts, Absenteeism, Fluctuation and Work Accidents
Authors: Tănăsescu Dorina Antoneta , Florea Nicoleta Valentina , Tănăsescu Irina Antoaneta
Published: July 2016

In any organizations, between employees, between employees and management are inevitabily appearing conflicts, absenteeism, personnel fluctuation and work accidents (CAFA factors). To diminish the impact of these social dysfunctions, organizations must pay attention to the effective managing and monitoring using performance indicators and an effective communication process and implementing a good plan of evaluation.

In this article we propose to analyze these issues, to find solutions for their resolution, to develop an audit plan for their better understanding and assessment. We also describe some performance indicators that if they are used by organizations, they will find quick solutions for their solving and will obtain performance if they understand the causes/effects balance.
Auditing of the Computerised Information Systems in the Military Organization
Authors: Pîrvuţ Valentin
Published: July 2016

An internal public auditing mission is a complex process with multiple objectives and auditable objects, which offers a most complete management of the audited entity’s identified risks and proposes solutions and recommendations for limiting their impact. In the informatics segment, the calculators, informatics systems (the operation systems, the informatics applications used in the entity, the accounting management systems of the data bases), the communication networks, the procedures and operations adjacent to the informatics systems, the policies in the system are subjected to control and evaluation. To this end, due to the importance the use of the calculator grants within the entities, in some countries there have been elaborated several normative acts regulating the use, control and auditing of the electronic devices used for processing the data. Thus, the most important regulations referring to the auditing within the computerized information systems (CIS - Computerized Information Systems) are the ISA ( International Standards on Auditing) and IAPS ( International Auditing Practice Statement) standards elaborated by IFAC ( International Federation of Accountants).
Development of Basic Physical Qualities, Essential Condition for Creating a Competitive Physical Capacity
Authors: Stănciulescu Robert
Published: July 2016

Physical qualities are crucial elements constituting the training process, along with the technical, psychological or tactical training.

The more the physical qualities, speed, agility, endurance and strength are developed, the greater the major functions of the body, especially breathing and circulation have a higher activity potential and the body appropriates easier and better a wide range of basic and practical-applied physical skills.

In the modern conception, providing superior indices for physical skills development has become a prerequisite to achieving superior performance, therefore it represents the priority number one of specialists in identifying increasingly more sophisticated methods to ensure efficiency.
Influence of 4 wt.% Cr addition on the corrosion-wear synergistic effect for Al2O3/Fe(Al) composites
Authors: Bai Yaping , Xing Jiandong , Guo Yongchun , Li Jianping , Huang Qian , Gao Yimin
Published: July 2016

In this work, the corrosion-wear synergistic effect for nanocrystalline Fe(Al), 20 wt.% Al2O3/Fe(Al) composites with and without 4 wt.% Cr in artificial seawater (3.5% NaCl aqueous solution with 60 kg/m3 quartz sand) was investigated. The results showed that the main damage behavior of Al2O3/Fe(Al) composites was a corrosive effect because of its poor corrosion resistance and high hardness, whereas for Fe(Al) material, the main damage mode was a chiseling action by solid particles, due to its relatively low hardness. With 4 wt.% Cr addition, the erosion weight loss at different erosion rates decreased by more than 30%. The Al2O3/Fe(Al) composites had good pure wear resistance, while poor corrosion resistance resulted in an increase in the interaction of corrosion and wear (about 70% of the total damage amount).
Impact of National Culture on International Human Resource Management
Authors: Đorđević Biljana
Published: July 2016

In today’s business conditions, the internationalisation of business becomes an almost inevitable precondition for future growth and development of organisations. However, internationalisation of business usually requires organisations to implement some changes in the way they operated in the previous period. One of the areas that require some changes is the area of human resource management, too. Factors which require modifications in this system are related primarily to the legal regulations of other countries, but also to the characteristics of their national culture. The former influence comes from the fact that national culture exerts a powerful influence on the system of values, attitudes and behaviour of people in a particular country and, among the other things, on the preferences for policies and procedures in the field of human resources management. Starting from the above, this paper analyses the impact of certain dimensions of national culture on the preferred content of human resources management in organisations in certain countries. The aim of the paper is to provide the theoretical basis for organisations that internationalised their business, or intend to do so, to create system of human resource management in the entities abroad which, at least, will represent the balance between the system that is applied at headquarter and one that is preferred in entities abroad, in order to be effective.
Polyamidoamines (PAAs) functionalized with siloxanes as wood preservatives against fungi and insects
Authors: Bergamonti Laura , Berzolla Alessia , Chiappini Elisabetta , Feci Elisabetta , Maistrello Lara , Palanti Sabrina , Predieri Giovanni , Vaccari Giacomo
Published: July 2016

A novel treatment based on polyamidoamines (PAAs) for the preservation of wood against fungi and insects with a broad protection functionality, low effective concentration, and low environmental impact has been developed. PAAs were synthesized by nucleophile addition of ethanolamine (EtA) and/or 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) to N,N′-methylene-bisacrylamide (MBA). The molar ratios in the tested formulation were: I) MBA:EtA=1:1; II) MBA:APTES=1:1; III) MBA:EtA:APTES=1:0.5:0.5. These formulations, characterized by ESI-MS, NMR, FT-IR, were tested against: (a) the wood decay fungi (Coniophora puteana, Coriolus versicolor, and Poria placenta); (b) the subterranean termite Reticulitermes lucifugus, and the drywood termite Kalotermes flavicollis; (c) the woodborer Stegobium paniceum. Tests in combination with leaching showed that formulation II and III can be utilized as fungal wood preservatives for use classes 2–3 (EN 335:2013). In addition, all PAAs formulations were equally effective in preserving wood against the subterranean termite, and formulation II was most effective against drywood termite. On the other hand, the formulation I showed good efficacy against S. paniceum.
Situational analysis as a framework for interdisciplinary research in the social sciences
Authors: Kalenda Jan
Published: July 2016

This study presents situational analysis as a suitable framework for the development of qualitatively-oriented interdisciplinary research in the social sciences. The article argues that even though interdisciplinary research is considered a coveted form of research practice, it is not particularly well developed in the social sciences. This is partly due to institutional barriers, but also because the majority of disciplines lack a suitable theoretical and methodological framework capable of unifying a variety of theoretical bases and primarily methodological processes. Situational analysis, which is based on the work of second generation grounded theorists, is ideal for this purpose, as it offers a frame for theoretical, epistemological, empirical and methodological interdisciplinarity.
The Influence of Macroeconomic Trends on the Repayment of Loans by Households: Evidence from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Policy Reccomendations
Authors: Pašić Sanela , Omerbegović-Arapović Adisa
Published: July 2016

This paper explores the influence of macroeconomic indicators, namely GDP growth, the Consumer Price Index and the unemployment rate on the quality of loan repayments by households in the banking market of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Potential influence is observed over a period of fourteen years at the level of nonperforming household loans using regression analysis. The authors aim to determine whether macroeconomic forces actually influence loan repayment, and if so how and what can be done by banks to utilize this information in order to reduce future credit losses, and by the government to maintain the stability of the banking sector.