bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Model of Firm Performance Improvement through Entrepreneurial Competence
Authors: Sari Puteri Andika , Sari Wiendy Puspita
Published: December 2018

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are flourishing in Indonesia and contributing greatly to Gross Domestic Product of Indonesia. This attracted the attention of many people to examine more about Micro SME and its development. The purpose of this study is to identify the variable forming firm performance with case studies on food MSMEs in Bandung city. This study tried to answer questions about the MSME performance improvement model of Bandung city. The method used is survey by distributing questionnaires to 40 MSMEs in Bandung. Testing of variable in this research by using Partial Least Square (PLS) test. The findings of the study revealed that firm performance model (MSMEs) has a significant influenced by entrepreneurial competency moderated by competitive scope. The managerial implication of this research is expected that the actors of MSMEs can improve their ability on financial knowledge and organize their business in order to grow and become big company in the future which can give contribution of bigger economic development to the country.
Management of Educational Efficiency and Efficiency
Authors: Călugărescu Ana Georgiana , Preda Mihaela
Published: December 2018

Numerous specialist studies allow managers to find accessible answers on how to develop and increase the autonomy of educational establishments in the type of management model. Every school head has to have a clear vision of the school and of its connection with the society it is part of. The vision of the manager must be shared with both the institution’s staff and the local community. It should be pointed out that there is no effective school if the manager can’t express this vision with the rest of the people who come into contact with the unit. Vision is the starting point for a mission assigned to the school unit by its manager. In general, the mission of the school is to integrate each pupil in society, to continually improve the performance of the educational act in good conditions and to the required standards. The purpose of this article is to outline the new challenges of the modern world and to highlight effective management methods.
Cutaneous Manifestations of Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Chiriac Anca , Trandafir Laura , Podoleanu Cristian , Stolnicu Simona
Published: December 2018

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive affliction triggered by genetic mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator. The lung and pancreas are the most frequently affected organs in cystic fibrosis, cutaneous involvement is undervalued and underdiag-nosed. Skin lesions observed in patients diagnosed with cystic fibrosis are not well known and can create confusions with other dermatological diseases. The diagnosis of cutaneous lesions as signs of cystic fibrosis by pediatricians or dermatologists, despite their overlapping with different nutritional deficiencies, would allow earlier diagnosis and proper treatment and could improve quality of life and outcomes.
Reduction of Intra-abdominal Hypertension Is Associated with Increase of Cardiac Output in Critically Ill Patients Undergoing Mechanical Ventilation
Authors: Puiac Claudiu , Benedek Theodora , Puscasiu Lucian , Rat Nora , Almasy Emoke , Szederjesi Janos
Published: December 2018

Objective: To demonstrate the relationship between intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and cardiac output (CO) in mechanically ventilated (MV), critically ill patients.

Material and methods: This was a single-center, prospective study performed between January and April 2016, on 30 mechanically ventilated patients (mean age 67.3 ± 11.9 years), admitted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Emergency County Hospital of Tîrgu Mureș, Romania, who underwent measurements of intra-abdominal pressure (IAP). Patients were divided into two groups: group 1 – IAP <12 mmHg (n = 21) and group 2 – IAP >12 mmHg (n = 9). In 23 patients who survived at least 3 days post inclusion, the variation of CO and IAP between baseline and day 3 was calculated, in order to assess the variation of IAP in relation to the hemodynamic status.

Results: IAP was 8.52 ± 1.59 mmHg in group 1 and 19.88 ± 8.05 mmHg in group 2 (p <0.0001). CO was significantly higher in group 1 than in the group with IAH: 6.96 ± 2.07 mmHg (95% CI 6.01–7.9) vs. 4.57 ± 1.23 mmHg (95% CI 3.62–5.52) (p = 0.003). Linear regression demonstrated an inverse correlation between CO and IAP (r = 0.48, p = 0.007). Serial measurements of CO and IAP proved that whenever accomplished, the decrease of IAP was associated with a significant increase in CO (p = 0.02).

Conclusions: CO is significantly correlated with IAP in mechanically ventilated patients, and IAH reduction is associated with increase of CO in these critically ill cases.
Impact of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension on Left Ventricular Function – a Comparative Study between Scleroderma and Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Cucuruzac Roxana , Marton Emese , Hodas Roxana , Blendea Ciprian , Pirvu Mirela , Benedek Annabella , Benedek Theodora
Published: December 2018

Background: The impact of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) on left ventricular performance in patients with scleroderma is still unknown. This study aims to perform a comparative echocardiographic analysis of left ventricular function between two different etiological varieties of PAH, namely PAH caused by systemic sclerosis as a representative of systemic inflammatory diseases and PAH caused by myocardial ischemia.

Material and method: We conducted a prospective observational study on 82 patients, of which 36 were with documented PAH, with the systolic pressure in the pulmonary artery above 35 mmHg, and 46 were patients with normal pulmonary artery pressure. The study population was divided into two groups, based on the etiology of PAH: group 1 included patients diagnosed with scleroderma (n = 48); group 2 included patients with coronary artery disease (n = 35). Patients from each group were divided into two subgroups based on the diagnosis of PAH: subgroup 1A – subjects with scleroderma and associated PAH (n = 20); subgroup 1B – subjects with scleroderma without PAH (n = 28); subgroup 2A – ischemic patients with associated PAH (n = 16); and subgroup 2B – patients with ischemic disease without PAH (n = 19).

Results: A significant difference between LVEF values in patients with PAH versus those without PAH in the ischemic group (p = 0.023) was recorded. Compared to scleroderma subjects, ischemic patients presented significantly lower values of LVEF in both PAH and non-PAH subgroups (p <0.0001 and p <0.0001, respectively). Linear regression analysis between sPAP and LVEF revealed a significant negative correlation only for the ischemia group (r = −0.52, p = 0.001) and the scleroderma 2B subgroup (r = −0.51, p = 0.04). Tissue Doppler analysis of left ventricular function revealed a significant impact of PAH on left ventricular diastolic performance in the ischemic group.

Conclusions: Compared to patients with coronary artery disease, those with scleroderma present a less pronounced deterioration of LVEF in response to pulmonary arterial hypertension.
CTA Assessment of Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaque Evolution after BVS Implantation – a Follow-up Study
Authors: Ferenț Ioan , Mester András , Chițu Monica , Benedek Annabella , Rațiu Mihaela , Hodas Roxana , Benedek Imre
Published: December 2018

Background: Computed tomography angiography (CTA) occupies an important place in the evaluation of coronary atherosclerotic lesions, both before and after the implantation of bioresorbable stents (BVS), providing an accurate assessment of the treated lesions.

Aim of the study: This study aims the prospective follow-up of atherosclerotic plaques electively treated with BVS implantation via CTA evaluation in terms of morphological and virtual histology aspects.

Material and methods: This is a prospective observational study which enrolled 30 patients electively treated with BVS implantation, in whom CTA was performed after PTCA in order to assess the morphological and virtual histology aspects of coronary plaques. In order to evaluate the impact determined by pre- and post-implantation procedures, statistical analysis was performed among 6 subgroups.

Results: After BVS implantation, a significant reduction was observed in terms of stenosis % (61.63 ± 12.63% in subgroup 1A vs. 24.41 ± 12.48% in subgroup 1B, p <0.0001) and eccentricity index (0.46 ± 0.24 in subgroup 1A vs. 0.43 ± 0.24 in subgroup 1B, p <0.0001). In terms of plaque components, there were significant differences with regard to lipid volume and lipid % (20.07 ± 15.67 mm3 in subgroup 1A vs. 11.05 ± 10.83 mm3 in subgroup 1B, p = 0.01), which presented a significant reduction after BVS implantation. The calcium score evaluated locally (82.97 ± 107.5 in subgroup 1A vs. 96.54 ± 85.73 in subgroup 1B, p = 0.25) and on the target coronary artery (148.2 ± 222.3 in subgroup 1A vs. 206.6 ± 224.0 in subgroup 1B, p = 0.10), as well as the total calcium score (377.6 ± 459.5 in subgroup 1A vs. 529.5 ± 512.9 in subgroup 1B, p = 0.32), presented no significant differences when compared with and without post-dilatation lesions. As far as CT vulnerability markers are concerned, the study groups presented significant differences only in terms of spotty calcifications (66.66% in subgroup 1A vs. 79.16% in subgroup 1B, p = 0.05) and low attenuation (37.5% in subgroup 1A vs. 20.83% in subgroup 1B, p = 0.01).

Conclusions: Following the analysis of coronary artery plaques after the implantation of BVS, significant changes were noted both in the morphology of the atherosclerotic plaques treated with these devices and in the lumen and coronary wall.
Buckling Analysis of Orthotropic Thick Cylindrical Shells Considering Geometrical Imperfection Using Differential Quadrature Method (DQM)
Authors: Maleki A. , Ahmadi A.
Published: December 2018

This paper presented a three dimensional analysis for the buckling behavior of an imperfect orthotropic thick cylindrical shells under pure axial or external pressure loading. Critical loads are computed for different imperfection parameter. Both ends of the shell have simply supported conditions. Governing differential equations are driven based on the second Piola–Kirchhoff stress tensor and are reduced to a homogenous linear system of equations using differential quadrature method. Buckling loads reduction factor is computed for different imperfection parameters and geometrical properties of orthotropic shells. The sensitivity is established through tables of buckling load reduction factors versus imperfection amplitude. It is shown that imperfections have higher effects on the buckling load of thin shells than thick ones. Results show that the presented method is very accurate and can capture the various geometrical imperfections observed during the manufacturing process or transportation.
Conflict, Confrontation, and War Reflected in Mass Media: Semantic Wars, their Victors and Victims
Authors: Panasenko Nataliya , Greguš Ľuboš , Zabuzhanska Inna
Published: December 2018

War presented in mass media as a piece of hard news has three spaces: military, economic, and informational. From a linguistic point of view, conflict has two constituents: CONFLICT-STATE and CONFLICT-ACTION. The variety of conflict is confrontation, which includes physical collision, armed opposition, verbal collision, collision of outlooks and interests. Each conflict or confrontation has a cognitive script, on which confrontational substrategies are being built.
The investment activity of companies in Poland by industry
Authors: Jędrzejczak-Gas Janina , Barska Anetta , Bánociová Anna
Published: December 2018

The purpose of this article is to assess the investment activity (investing activities) of companies in Poland depending on the industry they belong to. The first part of the study presents theoretical issues concerning business investments. The second part presents a comparative study of the investment activity of Polish companies operating in various industries. In this study, in order to assess the investment activity of companies in Poland based on the industry they belong to, two selected methods of linear ordering (the method of sums and Hellwig’s method) were used, both falling within the scope of a multidimensional comparative analysis. In the analyzed period, the majority of examined industries showed high fluctuations in their investment activity, which is likely due to the uncertainty faced by Polish companies. Industries showing the highest level of investment activity in 2010-2016 in both methods are: industrial sector, administration and support activities, transportation and warehousing, real estate services. Industries showing the lowest level of investment activity are: education, trade and repair of motor vehicles.
Human development level as a modifier of education efficiency
Authors: Polcyn Jan
Published: December 2018

The aim of the study was to demonstrate the connection between education efficiency level and human development level. It was assumed that there is a connection between the value of Local Human Development Index (LHDI) and education efficiency established by means of the data envelopment analysis (DEA). The analysis covered data regarding 60 counties, recorded in 2013-2015. 30 counties with the highest Local Human Development Index (LHDI) and 30 counties with the lowest LHDI value were selected. The counties were selected based on a 2010 ranking of counties ordered according to LHDI values, published as a part of the National Report on Human Development. An additional analysis was conducted to evaluate the connection between Education Efficiency Index and the Wealth Index, Health Index and Education Index.

The data on the counties used for the analyses was obtained from the Local Data Bank kept by the Main Statistical Office of Poland (GUS) and the Education Research Institute (IBE) of the Ministry of National Education.

The efficiency analysis based on DEA-CRS was conducted with DEAFrontier software.

The final stage of the analyses involved an ANOVA unidimensional analysis of variance for multiple factors, with emphasis on contrast analysis (simple contrast). The quality predictor applied in those analyses was the class of Efficiency Index.

The analyses demonstrate that the highest Education Efficiency Index has been recorded in the counties that have the highest values of analysed variables characteristic of the largest counties. The identified dependency is also associated with the highest value of Local Human Development Index and the measures that make up LHDI.
Benefits from the implementation of project tasks with the use of virtual team
Authors: Barnowska Beata , Kozaryn Maciej
Published: December 2018

The necessity of customer oriented approach, the ability of quick adapting to changing demand and the expectations of reducing project costs have recently resulted in a strong development of cooperation between various organizations implementing joint ventures. Projects-oriented organizations, creating virtual project teams, have become more and more popular. Dissemination of this organizational form has induced the authors to consider the real benefits achieved by enterprises using virtual project teams to implement projects. The purpose of the article was to try to calculate the benefits that companies can obtain when implementing projects, by replacing traditional project teams with virtual project teams (ceteris paribus). The presented research results show the possibility of achieving significant financial benefits due to the use of virtual project teams to carry out the projects implemented in many units with a large geographical dispersion.
Creative Industry in South Baltic Area Region
Authors: Tomczyk Monika , Spychalska-Wojtkiewicz Monika
Published: December 2018

The article presents primary and secondary data collected in research on Creative Industry in South Baltic Region. In the article authors present the wide overview on creative industries in West Pomerania region and give the background on situation of creative industries in South Baltic Area. This region is particularly interesting in research considering the diversity in the development dynamics of the creative sector. In this region there are places leading in the development of the creative sector in Europe, as well as places where this sector is just beginning to develop and take advantage of the prevailing trends.
Polish Emigrants on Organizational Culture of Austrian Companies
Authors: Chmielewska-Muciek Dorota
Published: December 2018

The paper is of theoretical and empirical character. It outlines considerations and studies pertaining to the perception of organizational culture of Austrian companies by Polish emigrants. When undertaking employment abroad, emigrants face a challenge of adapting to a new environment. The adaptation pertains to several aspects. Organizational culture is one of these. Therefore, the following research problem arises: What is the organizational culture of Austrian enterprises like?, and, Do emigrants experience problems with the cultural adaptation? Interviews with 40 Poles who worked a minimum of 5 years in Austria were conducted. The interviews revealed that respondents believed the organizational culture of Austrian companies was characterized by low power distance, individualism, activity, and status based upon achievements. The straightforward analysis was difficult to be made with regard to several values. This is true for low vs. high uncertainty tolerance, people vs. task focus, and focus on the outside vs. inside. The identified organizational culture of Austrian enterprises did not pose a significant barrier for respondents.
Efficiency Analysis of Restaurants in a Small Economy after the Implementation of Fiscal Cash Registers: The Case of Slovenia
Authors: Kukanja Marko , Planinc Tanja
Published: December 2018

Background and purpose: The aim is to analyse the efficiency of small and medium-sized (SMEs) restaurant enterprises in Slovenia after the government’s implementation of fiscal cash registers in January 2016. Strict financial supervision and the introduction of fiscal cash registers resulted in increased officially registered sales revenues, higher taxes, and more available and reliable financial data. No previous study has analysed restaurants’ efficiency in the country, as, due to fiscal malpractice, accounting data have not provided a reliable source for accurate efficiency evaluation.

Design/Methodology/Approach: Efficiency was assessed using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), based on secondary-financial data provided by the national tax authorities. Data were gathered from 142 independently run restaurant SMEs in 2017.

Results: The average efficiency score of Slovene restaurant SMEs is 85%, which indicates that, on average, restaurants have to increase their efficiency level by 15% in order to improve their efficiency according to the most efficient (best-performing) units under comparison. Our research results indicate a relatively successful and comparable level of efficiency performance in comparison to those found in previous international studies. The results also reveal that the patterns of conducting business operations in terms of efficient management are relatively similar across the restaurant sector. Surprisingly, in terms of determining the influence of different groups of operational variables on restaurants’ efficiency performance, the research results indicate that only operational financial variables (costs of goods sold, labour costs, and depreciation) influence efficiency performance, while managers’ demographic characteristics (gender, age, education, years of experience) and restaurants’ physical characteristics (size, number of competitors, location) have no statistically significant influence on restaurants’ efficiency in achieving net sales revenues.

Conclusion: Secondary-financial data represent a valuable source of information for restaurant companies’ efficiency analysis. The use of selected variables enables an internationally comparable benchmarking process and facilitates the improvement of restaurants’ efficiency performance. It is suggested that future research include longitudinal data and focus on the systematic analysis of other variables (e.g., managers’ psychographic characteristics) that might influence restaurants’ efficiency performance.
Resolving Companies in Crisis: Agile Crisis Project Management
Authors: Čelesnik Goran , Radujković Mladen , Vrečko Igor
Published: December 2018

Introduction and purpose: In practice, the existing models of tackling companies’ crises are still lacking effectiveness and efficiency. The agile crisis project management model (ACPM) is based on the crisis project management doctrines, which we upgraded with the principles and methodologies of agile project management. It was developed for the resolution of such crises.

Methods: Relying on scientific knowledge and in accordance with the defined research problem, we decided to use the qualitative research methods while using a method of highly structured interviews for data collection. A comparative case studies method was used for the comparative comparison of effectiveness and efficiency among the sample companies, which were divided into groups A and B. Companies in group A used the non-project approach, the traditional project, and/or the hybrid non-project–traditional project approach (CM approach) in implementing the planned measures and activities in the restructuring process and/or renovation; companies in group B used the agile project and/or the hybrid agile project–traditional project approach (ACPM approach).

Results: The studied companies facing crises used various implementation approaches for the planned measures and activities within the framework of the crisis solution. The companies using the ACPM approach (group B) completed their restructuring and/or renewal process more quickly and were more effective and efficient after the crisis than during the pre-crisis period. At the same time, their net sales growth was also higher than the growth of companies using the CM approach (group A).

Conclusion: The article demonstrates the results of the research, which studied the effectiveness and efficiency of resolving the sample companies’ crises. In accordance with the research results, we conclude that supplementing the crisis project management with an agile project approach when resolving company crises positively affects the efficiency and effectiveness of companies after the crisis.
IT Governance Mechanisms and Contingency Factors: Towards an Adaptive IT Governance Model
Authors: Levstek Aleš , Hovelja Tomaž , Pucihar Andreja
Published: December 2018

Background and Purpose: In this paper, we aim to propose a guideline for further research towards development of an adaptive strategic IT governance (ITG) model for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The use of IT has the potential to be the major driver for success, as well it provides an opportunity to achieve competitive advantage and support digital transformation. In order to achieve IT benefits, enterprises need an effective and successful ITG model, which follows and adapts to business needs. Available ITG models are too generic and do not differentiate for enterprises of different industry, size, maturity etc.

Methodology: In order to review existing ITG mechanisms, their definitions and identify contingency factors, we performed an extensive literature review (LR). For the initial set of databases, we used the list of journals, which are indexed in the Journal Citation Reports. We also used Web of Science to identify articles with the highest number of citations.

Results: This paper provides the most important definitions of ITG and proposes its comprehensive definition. Next to this, we introduce ITG mechanisms, which are crucial for the effective implementation and use of ITG. Lastly, we identify contingency factors that influence ITG implementation and its use.

Conclusion: Despite extensive research in ITG area, considerable work is still needed to improve understanding of ITG, its definition and mechanisms. Multiple efforts to develop methods for governing IT failed to achieve any significant adoption rate of ITG mechanisms. To enable ITG to become an integral part of Corporate Governance, further research needs to focus on the development of an adaptive strategic ITG model. In this paper, we propose a next step for more practical method for ITG implementation and its use.
To Show, But Not to Disclose. The Willingness of Polish Political Parties to Disclose Information On their Structures
Authors: Skrabacz Ewa
Published: December 2018

Constituting the key element of a democratic system, political parties are among entities obliged by the Polish legislator to comply with the principle of disclosure by providing public information. The main objective of this paper is to determine the level of Polish political parties’ disclosure, understood here as their willingness to disclose information on their own structures. It seems that the practice of disclosing such basic organizational data may constitute a specific measure of Polish political parties’ respect for the idea of disclosure. The subject matter of the conducted research was particular parties’ sites in the Public Information Bulletin as well as their official websites. An attempt was made to acquire data concerning party structures by way of direct contact with particular parties’ organizational units – questionnaires were sent to both central and regional/district organizational units. In order to acquire a wider perspective, the research also included data provided by the Central Statistical Office concerning political parties’ organizational structures and election manifestos. The conducted analysis was summarized in the form of a ranking of the examined political parties based on a proposed political party disclosure index. This attempt to measure disclosure on the basis of data on internal structures provided by parties themselves is of a preliminary character which, nevertheless, makes it possible to capture the general properties of the phenomenon under analysis. Among the examined parties, it is PSL, SLD, and PO that, to an acceptable degree, follow the principle of disclosure in the analysed scope (indexes at the level of 60%-80% of the maximum value). Four other parties, i.e. N, Wolność, Razem, and Kukiz’15, are on the edge of the zone making it possible to regard their disclosure as sufficient (indexes at the level of around 50% of the maximum value). In the case of PiS, whose index does not reach 20% of the maximum value, it should be concluded that this party implements the principle of disclosure at a minimum level. The ranking did not show relationships between parties’ willingness towards providing information and their sizes or positions on the political scene (parliamentary parties vs. extra-parliamentary parties).
Trade Embargo as a Geopolitical Tool: A Case of Nepal-India Trade Relations
Authors: Chand Deepjyoti
Published: December 2018

As interdependence grows, economic issues are increasingly political in their nature and impact, and political issues are increasingly economic. The interdependence is acute in issues that relate to international trade, and especially in the case of landlocked countries. Nepal is one such land-locked country, being between India and China, whose economy depends on the trade relations with its neighbouring countries. Two-thirds of Nepalese trade depends on India. The article presents a summary of Nepal-India trade cooperation, primarily the Nepalese dependence in trade and transit route to India and its effects. It also presents an overview of the trade pattern between the two countries and focuses on the trade embargoes by India. The article analyses the reason behind the embargoes of 1969, 1989 and 2015 and how the situations have been resolved. The embargoes imposed by India on Nepal seem to be more political in nature and their impacts are both political and economic. The Indian embargoes in Nepal follow an objective of compliance, deterrence and subversion. By analysing India’s pursuance of trade embargoes against Nepal, the article reaffirms that landlocked nations such as Nepal are susceptible to manipulation by geopolitical threats since neighbouring countries adjust trade ties or use trade ties to fulfil their political, security and economic interests.
The Opposition to Communism in the Political Thought of The Exiled Democratic Socialist Adam Ciołkosz
Authors: Paszkiewicz Lilla Barbara
Published: December 2018

The Polish socialist movement has undergone various stages of development over more than 100 years of history. In the first half of the 20th century it was, to a large extent, identified with European Social Democracy. After the Second World War and the seizure of power in Poland by the communists, the socialist movement was replaced by a communist ideology that completely distorted the authentic democratic socialism and appropriated the values it represented. The unmasking of communist counterfeits was dealt with by the Polish émigré activist – Adam Ciołkosz, who as active politician and theoretician of socialism, showed a special activity in the contestation of communism. His views as an authentic Social Democrat had a significant impact on the political thought of the Polish socialist movement outside Poland. Ciołkosz, as an anti-Communist, represented such values as: respect for human rights and social justice, humanistic sensitivity, Christianity and above all socialism. At the same time, he promoted the need to fight communism and expose the criminal ideology. He pointed to the need to introduce a system of social justice (i.e. democratic socialism).
Clinical Usefulness of 99mTc-HYNIC-TOC and 131I-MIBG Scintigraphy in the Evaluation of Adrenal Tumors
Authors: Vukomanovic Vladimir , Matovic Milovan , Djukic Aleksandar , Ignjatovic Vesna , Djukic Svetlana , Vukomanovic Ivana Simic
Published: December 2018

Disorders and morphological abnormalities affecting the adrenal gland, could lead to profound clinical consequences, owing to its biochemical structure-activity and morphological characteristics.

The recent focus on theranostic approach has led to a need for tumors characterization and early diagnosis at the molecular level. Many radiotracers have been developed with specific imaging characteristics for the adrenal tumors, by exploiting different physiological mechanisms of uptake and metabolism.

The aim of present study is to provide a prospective confirmation of 131I-MIBG and 99mTc-HYNIC-TOC scintigraphy, for the evaluation of patients with known or suspected tumors of the adrenal region.

The research is designed as a cross-sectional observational study of the clinical correlates and diagnostic accuracy of radionuclide-based imaging methods in relation to in vitro analysis, clinical manifestations and morphological characteristics of these tumors. Furthermore, the present study also evaluates the usefulness and the clinical impact of each radiopharmaceutical for the detection and management of tumors, and functional imaging modality as well.

Visual scintigraphic appearance of an increased focal tracer uptake in the suspected tumor site revealed that 99mTc-HYNIC-TOC is highly sensitive and reliable tumor-seeking radiotracer for adrenal tumors, but does not distinguish between adenoma and pheochromocytoma, and the existence of hormone secreting adrenocortical tumor cells. However, 131IMIBG scintigraphy is highly sensitive and specific method only in differentiating catecholamine-secreting adrenal tumors.

Clinical significance of this research is in the accurate localization of adrenal tumors, and is of paramount importance for an algorithmic diagnostic approach and management, and provide the rationale to different therapeutic possibilities.
Can a Presepsin (Scd14-St) Obtained from Tracheal Aspirate Be a Biomarker for Early- Onset Neonatal Sepsis
Authors: Savic Dragana , Simovic Aleksandra , Pavlovic Radiša , Knezevic Sanja , Folic Nevena , Trikos Bojana , Djordjevic Zorana , Igrutinovic Zoran
Published: December 2018

In absence of clear clinical signs and clear definition, neonatal sepsis is still one of the major cause of morbidity and mortality. Most researchs in past time was directional on finding new biomarkers with greater sensitivity and specificity in detection of neonatal sepsis. The aim of our study was to investigate if presepsin obtained from tracheal asprate in intubated newborns, can be a novel biomarker of systemic bacterial infection. Our ‘’case control’’ study included 60 newborns, 11 with suspected neonatal sepsis. Tracheal aspirate for examination was taken in the usual toilets, in aseptic conditions, by lavage with 2 ml of 0.9% NaCl in Mucus suction set. In the same day were mesured presepsin (blood), CRP, PCT, leukocytes and neutrophyls, as well as blood culture. Our research showed higher levels for PCT and presepsin (blood) in septic newborns, as well as in newborns with clinical signs of SIRS. Presepsin obtained from a tracheal aspirate had high score for septic newborns. As the coefficients of simple linear correlation showed, there was quantitative agreement between presepsin (blood) with presepsin (tracheal aspirate)- increase in the value of one leads to an increase in other. In conjunction with an already validated markers of infection, presepsin obtained from tracheal aspirate cam be turned on in diagnostic procedures.
„Sprechen Sie Deutsch? A. Merkel Nori Daugiau Vokiečių Kalbos Europoje“ (Delfi, 19.06.2013): The Image of German in Lithuanian Media Discourse
Authors: Eidukevičienė Rūta
Published: December 2018

The paper aims to analyze the attitudes to German language in the Lithuanian public discourse. Texts written on this topic and chosen for the analysis appeared in two news portals – the national news portal delfi.lt and the regional news portal kaunodiena.lt. The database covers the period from 1 January 2011 to 1 March 2017; it consists of 82 articles from both news portals. For studying the image of German, the present study applies the framework of Critical Discourse Analysis taking into account different argumentation strategies for learning or not learning German as a foreign language as well as main topical priorities. The general attitudes towards countries can serve as an important foundation for motivation to language learning, so the analysis starts with the discussion of the specifics attributed to Germany and German-speaking countries (effectiveness governing the world, sympathy, economic success, and reliability). The analysis of the selected texts confirms that the image of Germany in Lithuania is quite positive: Germany, especially on delfi.lt, is presented as a target country for qualified Lithuanian experts, as an economically stable country having a large degree of political and cultural influence in the world. Regarding the status of German, the analyzed texts reveal a more ambiguous picture: on the one hand, it is stated that German is not popular in Lithuania, on the other hand it is emphasized that the popularity of the German language is increasing. The argumentation scheme for learning German consists of several argumentation lines: German is represented as a commodity in such domains as a professional career in Germany, in dealing with bilateral business relations, and to some extent in building a professional career in one’s home country and upholding cultural relations.
Potensi Pembangunan Pelabuhan Wisata Bahari Di Kabupaten Sorong
Authors: Biasane Dewi Indira
Published: December 2018

Pemanfaatan destinasi pariwisata bahari di Indonesia hingga saat ini masih rendah. Hal ini dikarenakan masih belum optimalnya penyediaan dan pengembangan sarana, prasarana dan sistem transportasi yang ada khususnya di Indonesia bagian timur. Seperti halnya di Kabupaten Sorong yang banyak memiliki destinasi wisata bahari yang cukup banyak. Selain dikenal sebagai pintu masuk ke destinasi wisata Raja Ampat, Sorong juga dikenal memiliki destinasi wisata bahari lain, seperti Pulau UM, Pantai Mailan Makbon, Pantai Tanjung Kasuari dan lain-lain. Keterbatasan dermaga dan kurangnya kapal yang melayani ke destinasi wisata bahari tersebut masih menjadi alasan utama. Metode analisis menggunakan analisis SWOT dan deskriptif. Pengamatan di lapangan menunjukkan bahwa aktifitas kepelabuhanan di Sorong masih bergantung pada Pelabuhan Sorong dan belum ada pelabuhan/terminal/dermaga khusus yang melayani kegiatan wisata bahari. Oleh karena itu, dalam rangka pembangunan dan pengembangan pelabuhan untuk peruntukkan kegiatan wisata bahari dapat mempertimbangkan strategi yang telah dihasilkan menurut analisis SWOT diatas. Berdasarkan analisis SWOT, posisi pembangunan dan pengembangan pelabuhan wisata bahari di Sorong menempati kuadran III, dengan arti bahwa pembangunan dan pengembangan pelabuhan wisata bahari memiliki peluang yang sangat besar, tetapi di pihak lain memiliki kelemahan internal.
PENGATURAN PERTANGGUNGJAWABAN KORPORASI DALAM TINDAK PIDANA LINGKUNGAN HIDUP / THE REGULATION OF CORPORATE LIABILITY IN ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMINAL ACT
Authors: Mardiya Nuzul Qur'aini
Published: December 2018

Kebakaran hutan dan lahan khususnya lahan gambut selama ini menjadi perhatian pemerintah secara nasional dan lintas negara. Penegakan hukum tindak pidana lingkungan bagi korporasi yang melakukan pembakaran hutan dan lahan menjadi hal penting karena berdampak pada kerusakan lingkungan dan gangguan kesehatan. Ketentuan mengenai tanggung jawab bagi korporasi dalam tindak pidana lingkungan telah diatur dalam Undang-Undang Nomor 40 Tahun 2007 tentang Perseroan Terbatas yang menyatakan Direktur Perusahaan tidak dapat melepaskan dirinya dari pertanggungjawaban pidana dalam hal perusahaan yang dipimpinnya mencemari dan atau merusak lingkungan. Senada dengan itu, Undang-Undang Nomor 32 Tahun 2009 tentang Perlindungan dan Pengelolaan Lingkungan Hidup juga mengatur bila pertanggungjawaban dapat dikenakan kepada badan hukum dan para pengurusnya secara bersama-sama, dalam hal kegiatan dan/atau usaha korporasi tersebut menyebabkan terjadinya pencemaran dan atau kerusakan lingkungan hidup. UU PPLH ini kemudian didukung dengan perangkat aturan penanganan perkara di Mahkamah Agung yakni Peraturan Mahkamah Agung Republik Indonesia Nomor 13 Tahun 2016 tentang Tata Cara Penanganan Perkara Tindak Pidana Oleh Korporasi dan Keputusan Ketua Mahkamah Agung Republik Indonesia Nomor: 36/KMA/SK/II/2013 tentang Pemberlakuan Pedoman Penanganan Perkara Lingkungan Hidup.Land and forest fire especially peatland so far had been a serious concern for the government that pay  attention nationally and cross country. Law enforcement of environment for a criminal that burn forests and land areas are important because resulted in an impairment of health and environmental damage. Provisions on corporate accountability for the environment in a criminal offense has been regulated in Law Number 40 of 2007 on Limited Liability Company that had been said the company could not set them free from criminal responsibility in terms of companies made pollution and damage the environment. Law Number 32 of 2009 on The Protection And Environmental Management (PPLH) also regulate if accountability may be subject to the body of laws and the managers together, in activities and/or corporate business if it causes the pollution and or damage environment. PPLH Law were then supported with a device rules of case handling in the Supreme Court such as Supreme Court Regulation Number 13 of 2016 on the procedures for case handling of a criminal act in corporate and Decree of Chief Justice of The Republic of Indonesia Number: 36/KMA/SK/II/2013 about the guidelines of case handling in environmental issue.
Developing Political Strategies across a New Democratic and State Architecture
Authors: Wampler Brian
Published: December 2018

Under new democratic regimes, civil society organizations (CSOs) alter their political strategies to better engage public officials and citizens as well as to influence broader political debates. In Brazil, between 1990 and 2010, CSOs gained access to a broad participatory architecture as well as a reconfigured state, inducing CSOs to employ a wider range of strategies. This article uses a political network approach to illuminate variation in CSOs’ political strategies across four policy arenas and show how the role of the state, the broader configuration of civil society, the interests of elected officials, and the rules of participatory institutions interact to produce this variation. Data for this article’s analysis come from a survey of three hundred CSO leaders in the Brazilian city of Belo Horizonte. The survey identified the strategies they employed to promote policy change and direct resource allocation in the arenas of participatory budgeting, health care, social services, and housing. Sociographs generated from survey results reveal a distinct clustering within each policy arena of the strategies employed by CSOs, providing further support to the usefulness of the analytical framework.
The Other Taxation: An Ethnographic Account of “Off-the-Books” State Financing
Authors: Dewey Matías
Published: December 2018

This article contends that previous research has failed to consider resources that are systematically collected by way of informal taxation and channeled to support the provision of public services. Drawing on extensive ethnographic fieldwork in the markets for stolen auto parts and counterfeit clothing in Greater Buenos Aires, this article describes how state agencies informally tax these economies, and “follows the money” extracted. While a portion of these resources does end up in private pockets, the article shows that a greater share of the resources are directed toward enhancing state performance: welfare programs, everyday police duties, and political activities. An analysis of informal state financing schemes helps us to understand a state’s true capacities and its structural transformation over time.
Direito e Estado: Uma Análise da Teoria da Justiça em John Rawls.
Authors: Ramos Katury Rayane , Fernandes Roberto Carlos , Spinosa Suyane Albuquerque
Published: December 2018

Questionamentos e indagações sobre o que é o direito permeiam a história da humanidade. Esse processo é o que podemos chamar de fenômeno jurídico. As produções filosóficas antigas tiveram como premissa problematizar essas questões formulando respostas de acordo com os contextos sociais e as ideias aceitas como dominantes na época. As origens e discussões sobre o que é justiça iniciam com os filósofos sofistas preocupados em estabelecer uma organização em torno desses debates. Antes dessas ideias, a noção atribuída ao divino era o foco das decisões e julgamentos. Desta feita, surge a problematização norteadora deste artigo: o Estado é fruto da natureza ou das convenções? A teoria da equidade trazida pelo autor John Rawls nos ajuda a compreender a lógica do funcionamento da justiça baseada no construto social moderno. Os pressupostos metodológicos dessa análise são estudos qualitativos comparativos fundamentados em teorias filosóficas e sociológicas sobre a teoria da justiça.
Considerações Sobre o Princípio da Não-Contradição na Perspectiva Aristotélica: Linguagem, Ontologia e Lógica.
Authors: Denk Neto Rodolfo
Published: December 2018

O presente artigo tem o intuito de analisar o princípio da não-contradição através de diversas perspectivas filosóficas, sendo que privilegiaremos os vieses ontológico, lógico e linguístico. A partir disso, procuramos mostrar que o princípio da não-contradição em sua forma clássica é fundamental para construirmos uma linguagem coerente e coesa. Tal princípio torna-se o fundamento da racionalidade filosófico-discursiva tradicional.
(Bio)Saber-(Bio)Poder: Saberes y Objetivación en la Lectura Foucaulteana de la Biopolítica
Authors: Gabriel Dalmau Iván
Published: December 2018

A lo largo del presente trabajo se pretende dar cuenta de la imbricación entre lo epistemológico y lo político que atraviesa a la problematización de los saberes elaborada por Michel Foucault en el contexto de sus trabajos sobre biopolítica. En ese sentido, no es la biopolítica en cuanto tal lo que constituye el objeto de nuestra indagación, sino que más bien es a través del abordaje foucaulteano de la misma que buscaremos desbrozar la mencionada densidad de los saberes.
Chasing Aqueous Biphasic Systems from simple salts by exploring the LiTFSI/LiCl/H2O phase diagram
Authors: Dubouis Nicolas , Park Chanbum , Deschamps Michael , Abdelghani-Idrissi Soufiane , Kanduč Matej , Colin Annie , Salanne Mathieu , Dzubiella Joachim , Grimaud Alexis , Rotenberg Benjamin
Published: December 2018

Aqueous Biphasic Systems (ABS), in which two aqueous phases with different compositions coexist as separate liquids, have first been reported over a century ago with polymer solutions. Recent observations of ABS forming from concentrated mixtures of inorganic salts and ionic liquids raise the fundamental question of how "different" the components of such mixtures should be for a liquid-liquid phase separation to occur. Here we show that even two monovalent salts sharing a common cation (lithium) but with different anions, namely LiCl and lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI), may result in the formation of ABSs over a wide range of compositions at room temperature. Using a combination of experimental techniques and molecular simulations, we analyze the coexistence diagram and the mechanism driving the phase separation, arising from the different anion sizes. The understanding and control of ABS may provide new avenues for aqueous-based battery systems.
Processos de aumento e de diminuição de valência verbal em Oro Wari’ (Wari/Pacaa Nova, Txapakura)
Authors: Xiyein Marcelina Oro Waram , Apontes Selmo Azevedo , Camargos Quesler Fagundes
Published: December 2018

Este trabalho tem por objetivo oferecer uma breve descrição e análise de operações de mudança de valência verbal verificadas na língua Oro Wari’ (Pacaa Nova, família Txapakura). Vamos mostrar dois processos que aumentam a valência verbal: a causativização e a aplicativização. Em termos descritivos, a partícula {araɁ} introduz o significado de causação e adiciona um novo argumento agente (o causador) à estrutura argumental. Essa língua possui ainda as seguintes partículas aplicativas: {win}, {miʔ}, {het}, {ka} e {pe}, as quais introduzem um argumento na estrutura verbal com as funções semânticas de comitativo, beneficiário, fonte, alvo e locativo. Investigaremos ainda três categorias de diminuição de valência: o reflexivo {ʃiye-}, o recíproco {kaɾakan} e o intransitivizador {maw}. Nas construções reflexivas e recíprocas, uma estrutura sintática é usada para indicar que alguém ou alguma coisa está realizando uma ação sobre ou para si. Contudo, como os argumentos de sujeito e objeto são referencialmente idênticos, apenas um participante é expresso. Finalmente, a partícula {maw}, a qual gera estruturas estativas resultativas, é a categoria de mudança de valência que remove o argumento agente da posição de sujeito, e o argumento paciente deve ocupar a posição de sujeito.