bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification and Classification of Real Estate Features for the Purpose of an Algorithm-Based Valuation– Case Study within Szczecin
Authors: Kokot Sebastian , Gnat Sebastian
Published: December 2019

Research background: The article discusses the issue of the identification and measurement of market characteristics of real estate for valuation purposes. This problem is the most difficult stage of the whole valuation process in terms of both a substantive, methodological and analytical basis.

Goal: The aim of the research is to outline and explore on the basis of literature studies as well as developed problems to be solved in the process of mass valuation together with the presentation of an exemplary solution.

Methodology: In the theoretical part a hypothetical-deductive method which consists of developing a certain hypothesis and deducing its consequences was applied. The empirical section uses the method of scientific discussion among scientists and practicing valuers and, for the presentation of the results; some graphical methods were used for a statistical analysis.

Results: As a result of the conducted research, criteria to be used in identifying and classifying market characteristics for the purposes of valuation were identified and a set of market characteristics of properties was developed along with a method of identifying their states for the purposes of mass valuation.

Novelty: The article proves that the problem of the identification and classification of market characteristics of real estate for valuation purposes is extremely important from the point of view of the valuation process and the results obtained as a result of it as well. In addition, for some features, it is proposed to develop special measures such as the plot shape attractiveness ratio. This meets the problem of the objective measurement of market features of real estate. In relation to other features, the legitimacy of the expert approach was pointed out.
An Assessment of the Nexus Between Government Expenditure and Inflation in Nigeria
Authors: Oyerinde Adewale Atanda
Published: December 2019

Research Background: The on-going debate concerning the exact relationship that exists between inflation and government expenditure especially in the long and short run prompted this research.

Purpose: The study assesses the relationship between government expenditure and inflation in Nigeria. Apart from government expenditure and inflation rate, other variables such as exchange rate and money supply are included to ensure a robust model.

Research Methodology: Secondary data from 1980 to 2017 were collected and analysed using the Johansen Cointegration analysis and vector error correction model.

Results: The results showed that apart from the bi-directional relationship that exists between the variables, there exists a strong relationship between government expenditure and inflation rate and that a significant impact is sustained from the short run through the long run. The exchange rate and money supply also exhibit a strong association with government expenditure.

Novelty: The study has underscored the importance of the inflation rate in Nigeria as it affects government spending by focusing more on inflation rather than the movement that was the focus of most of the previous studies. It has also shown the causality flow from both inflation and government expenditure, which hitherto remains contentious.
Sector Diversification of Statements of Comprehensive Income Illustrated with the Example of Entities Listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange
Authors: Prewysz-Kwinto Piotr
Published: December 2019

Research background: The rules of preparing the statement of comprehensive income are included in the International Accounting Standard 1 “Presentation of Financial Statements” which gives a lot of freedom in the way information is presented in these documents. So the following question was asked whether the way of presenting information regarding results between enterprises representing the same industries manifests similarities or differences?

Purpose: The main aim of this paper is to verify whether despite the high level of flexibility given by IAS 1 in presenting information, the statements of comprehensive income prepared by entities belonging to the same sectors, manifest significant similarities.

Research methodology: The research covered the financial statements prepared for the financial years 2015–2017 and by almost 200 entities listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange and representing 14 different industries. The method of descriptive statistics was used in the quantitative analysis.

Results: The results obtained allowed to show many similarities in statements drawn up by entities representing the same sectors concerning among others: the forms of drawing up this document, the variant of a statement, its internal construction and presentation of other comprehensive income.

Novelty: Research on sector differentiation of information in the statement of comprehensive income on a group of entities listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange has not been conducted yet.
Information and Strategic Aspects of Financial Statements in the Assessment of their Users
Authors: Voss Grażyna
Published: December 2019

Research background: General purpose financial statements constitute a source of financial information used by different groups of stakeholders. However, the frequency of changes concerning the form and content of reports insinuates uncertainty in relation to the credibility and thorough understanding of included information.

Purpose: The aim of the article is to verify the suitability and utilisation of financial statements in decision-making processes and evaluation of their reliability as assessed by unit managers and tax advisors.

Research methodology: In the first half of 2018 a survey was conducted among 60 tax advisors concerned with legal and tax services of economic entities and an identical survey was conducted among 60 managers of entities recognised as big economic entities functioning in the area of Kuyavian-Pomeranian and Pomeranian Voivodships.

Results: The surveys conducted in selected groups of stakeholders make it possible to indicate the areas in which the presented contents are not fully used and do not provide any basis for them to be recognised as compatible with the rules of ethics.

Novelty: For the first time, questionnaires were conducted in various groups of users of financial statements, they determined the level of their interest in particular elements of the report and the principles of accounting ethics.
Psychological correlates of nonspecific electrodermal responses
Authors: Bari Dindar S.
Published: December 2019

Spontaneous fluctuations in electrodermal responses are known as nonspecific electrodermal responses (NS.EDRs). The use of NS.EDRs as a tool in applied psychophysiological research has resulted in a variety of publications. NS.EDRs are examined separately as associated with the (as a biomarker of) levels of anxiety. The aim of this study was to compare changes (in terms of amplitude, frequency and time components) in NS.EDRs at two different (pre and post of an external stimulus) resting phases. NS.EDRs (nonspecific skin conductance responses (NS.SCRs), nonspecific skin potential responses (NS.SPRs), and nonspecific skin susceptance responses (NS.SSRs)) were recorded from 50 apparently healthy volunteers simultaneously at the same skin area. They were scored as NS.SCRs and NS.SSRs for changes greater than 0.02 μS and NS.SPRs greater than 0.02 mV. It was found that NS.EDRs, in particular NS.SCRs and NS.SPRs, were significantly changed in the second resting period, following the specific stimulus. More specifically, the amplitude of NS.EDRs were significantly decreased for NS.SCRs (p<0.001) and for NS.SPRs (p<0.005), but NS.SSRs remained stable. Moreover, the rise time of NS.SCRs was decreased in the second resting time. Furthermore, the frequency of responses was also changed. The computed NS.EDRs, in particular NS.SCRs and NS.SPRs could be of psychological interest and be used to study the electrodermal responses in detail. NS.SSRs were found to be robust with respect to nonspecific stimuli at various relaxation periods and their role was found to be less important in analysis of NS.EDRs in comparison to NS.SCRs and NS.SPRs at low frequency (20 Hz AC current). This should be considered in analysis of NS.EDRs. The computed NS.EDRs, especially NS.SCRs and NS.SPRs may be used as a useful measure of arousal due to their fast response and sensitivity to nonspecific stimuli and may also be used in assessment of individual differences.
Probing for stomach using the Focused Impedance Method (FIM)
Authors: Haque Rashida , Kadir Muhammad Abdul , Rabbani K Siddique-e
Published: December 2019

For probing deep organs of the body using electrical impedance, the conventional method is to use Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT). However, this would be a sophisticated machine and will be very expensive when a full 3D EIT is developed in the future. Furthermore, for most low income countries such expensive devices may not deliver the benefits to a large number of people. Therefore, this paper suggests the use of simpler techniques like Tetrapolar Impedance Measurement (TPIM) or Focused Impedance Method (FIM) in probing deeper organs. Following a method suggested earlier by one of the authors, this paper studies the possibility of using TPIM and FIM for the stomach. Using a simplified model of the human trunk with an embedded stomach, a finite element simulation package, COMSOL, was used to obtain transfer impedance values and percentage contribution of the stomach region in the total impedance. For this work, judicious placement of electrodes through qualitative visualizations based on point sensitivity equations and equipotential concepts were made, which showed that reasonable contribution of the stomach region is possible through the use of TPIM and FIM. The contributions were a little over 20% which is of similar order of the cross-sectional area percentage of the stomach with respect to that of the trunk. For the case where the conductivity of the stomach region was assumed about 4 times higher, the contributions increased to about 38%. Through further studies this proposed methods may contribute greatly in the study of deeper organs of the body.
Questioning the aloe vera plant and apple memristors
Authors: Pabst Oliver , Andersen Steinar , Bhatti Soban Ali , Brevik Jørgen , Fallaas Simen Anthony , Fjeldstad Mads , Gubaidulin Artiom , Madsen Kjetil Vermundsen , Nomedal Mats Ricardo , Slettemoen Sondre Fortun , Adriaenssens Halvard Yri , Hansen Sean Andre , Myrvik Tommy , Rostad Eivind , Skår Torleif , Tuv Kristian , Wood Sebastian Edmund Pedersen , Åsen Daniel
Published: December 2019

Non-linear electrical properties of a (biological) tissue can be revealed by non-linear electrical measurements, which means that the applied stimulus itself affects the measurement. If resulting voltage–current plots exhibit pinched hysteresis loops, the underlying tissue may be classified as a memristor, a state dependent resistor. The aloe vera plant and apples have been found to be memristors. However, polarization processes on the electrodes are also non-linear and may affect the measurement. Apples and aloe vera conduct electrical current very well and it is likely that the recordings are actually dominated by the polarization impedance of the electrodes. Here, we study the non-linear properties of aloe vera and apples with two different measurement electrode types. Furthermore, we measured also on the extracted liquids from one aloe vera leaf and one apple, leading to similar results. We concluded, unlike previous studies on these subjects, that the memristive properties originate from electrochemical reactions on the electrodes rather than the apples or aloe vera themselves.
Constitutional Resilience Between Rupture of History and Continuity of Resistance
Authors: Magliacane Alessia J.
Published: December 2019

The overture of the paper provides a brief survey of the philosophical positions (from Aristotle to the contemporary debate) focusing the conjecture of the legal and constitutional continuum as a problematic presupposition of theories of constituent power. The positions of the authors that we can call as continuist authors (up to Kelsen and the neo-normativism, including Soviet jurists and theorists of the constitutional cycles) constitutes the dominant part of the theoretical evolution. We discuss it (respectfully) even if we openly criticize it, with a peculiar debate involving that other position called as discontinuist (whose authors are especially Marxists philosophers, anti-fascist intellectuals like Piero Gobetti, and their references in philosophy such as Leibniz and Vico).

In the first movement of the paper, we reconstruct the equivoque at the basis of the conjecture of the continuum. It corresponds to a «three-time» scheme of constitutional dynamics: (revolutionary) rupture – transition – constitution. This structure makes useless (conceptually unusable, and perhaps sources of logical contradictions) both rupture and transition.

The second and final movement underlines the theoretical demand to consider the transition and the constitution as coextensive domains. Transition is, in other words, already Constitution, and the constitution is always a transition. To the latter ones, we introduce and add another phenomenon characterizing the historical phase of the transition, namely the Resistance.

The fact of resistance escapes the constitutionalisation, and imposes upon the latter a necessary character of transition.
Immutable Values – Durability of the Constitution from a Historical Perspective and Contemporary
Authors: Szymański Łukasz
Published: December 2019

On the dogmatic basis, many constitutional classifications stand out, some of them have been functioning for hundreds of years based on a few basic statements, others update in different intervals temporal internal political forces of individual states. Factors influencing the durability of basic legal acts are numerous and diverse. The assumption of the construction of constitutional acts is their durability and rigidity of the rules they regulate. The features of constitutional laws are the invariability of provisions, the scope and detail of regulations, the degree of public involvement in the process of making them, and superiority in relation to other legal acts established by state authorities. It seems impossible to indicate the factors implying the necessity to make changes in the basic acts. However, one may wonder how much influence on their functioning exerts, for example, changes in the system of international forces and international law, ongoing armed conflicts or international integration processes. The aim of the article is to indicate the catalog of factors determining the constitution’s durability as a fundamental legal act in the state. The author would like to answer the question whether it is possible in the rapidly changing modern world to maintain the basic principles from a few or several decades ago. The comparative analysis will be based on the indicated objective of the basic laws of selected countries.
Constitutional Tribunal in an Argument with the President, Government and Parliament of the Polish Republic in 2015
Authors: Górski Grzegorz , Górska-Szymczak Joanna
Published: December 2019

The judicial decision of the Constitutional Tribunal from 3rd December 2015 (K/34/15) is the subject of the analysis. In this case the Tribunal considered the matter of the constitutional character of the act on the Constitutional Tribunal from June 2015.

The authors focused on the question of justification of the Tribunal opinion regarding the regulations which were the basis for the appointment of five judges of the Constitutional Tribunal by the Sejm of VII term.

While discussing the justification of the Tribunal the authors emphasize that the Tribunal justified its opinion, according to which it acknowledged the constitutional basis for the appointment of three individuals and questioned the constitutional character of the same regulations in case of two others, in an entirely superficial manner.

The authors present as a significant element of their reasoning the circumstances of adopting by the American Supreme Court in 1803 the adjudication in the Marbury v. Madison case in order to emphasize in this context the weight of rational and thorough argumentation of the grave constitutional matters. Taking the above into account, it is even more clearly visible that in the discussed judicial decision the Constitutional Tribunal limited its reaction to the laconic set of arguments regarding this key matter.
Constitution, Ethos and Change of Life in Common: Some Introductive Reflections on the Example of Icelandic Constitutional Project
Authors: Policastro Pasquale
Published: December 2019

The Icelandic constitutional movement was created to address and develop a new constitutional form based upon transparency, responsibility and participation. Taking into consideration the events, which took place in 2008 this expectation appeared more than legitimate. Furthermore, the quality of the debate, which took place within the civil society and in the cooperation between civil society and Constitutional Council, are very meaningful elements supporting a genuine possibility of change. The aim of implementing a participation-based constitution may lead to the diversification of the Icelandic project with respect to the typology of the existing constitution. This may produce as a result the development of new checks and balances. For this reason the development of public local services may be an opportunity to develop a social balance with respect of the constitution in force, as well as a living constitution starting from below. In this way the values purported by civil society may lead to higher levels of political freedom and finally to the approval of a new constitution. To keep the Icelandic process communicatively open in a transnational perspective may thus permit other persons to contribute to the development of Icelandic democracy. It may furthermore offer the Icelandic example as a useful tool that could be used by many world societies aiming to implement transparency, responsibility and participation in their public life. Indeed, even though the Constitutional Bill of 2011 will not finally be validly approved as the Icelandic constitution, the problems that it posed, and the possibilities that we see are stemming from them, have in our opinion a general importance for constitutional reflections.
Constitutional Sources of Law in the Russian Federation on the Basis of Acts Regarding the Conservation
Authors: Micińska Magdalena
Published: December 2019

The constitutional catalogue of the sources of law, clear and unambiguous division of acts into commonly binding and internal ones, is of fundamental meaning for the realization of the state of law rules, i.e. legalism and the rule of law, from the perspective of European democracies. Since it is the essence of every democratic legislation to base its functioning on the law established by organs that have been assigned for that aim, binding its addressees and executed by public authorities, also with the use of the means of coercion.

This article aims at presenting the outline of the constitutional system of the sources of law in the Russian Federation and illustrating it, as much as it is possible, with acts regarding the conservation of the environment. In particular, the objective of this work is to determine the name of a given source, an organ competent to issue it, its function and position in the hierarchy, as well as the rule of promulgation. The key research issue here is the distinguishing between the sources of commonly binding law and the ones of internal law, as the regulation of the Russian Federation Constitution does not preordain explicitly. Yet this issue is of crucial significance when it comes to the status of law subjects. Acts of internal character may be directed merely at organizational units submitted to an organ issuing the acts and may not directly regulate the sphere of rights and obligations, neither constitute the bases of decisions concerning citizens, legal entities or other subjects.
Optimization of medium composition for propagation of recombinant Escherichia coli
Authors: Lipničanová Sabina , Chmelová Daniela , Godány Andrej , Ondrejovič Miroslav
Published: December 2019

Recombinant protein production in heterologous hosts often seems a simpler and more effective way than its production by natural producer. The secretion of recombinant protein inEscherichia colihas many advantages comparing to than in insect or mammalian cells. The important factor for high-level recombinant protein production is the sufficient amount ofE. colibiomass. Therefore, the aim of this study was to optimize the composition of propagation medium resulting in the maximum biomass yield of recombinantE. colias the part of fermentation strategy for neuraminidase (NA) production. Three independent variables including glucose, asparagine and phosphate concentrations, and four dependent variables, such as biomass yield, residual concentrations of glucose or asparagine and pH of the propagation medium after fermentation, were chosen to the optimization by Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The optimal conditions for the maximum biomass yield expressed as dry cell weight (DCW) (16.57±0.55 g DCW.L−1) were as follows: glucose concentration of 39.37 mM, asparagine concentration of 62.68 mM and phosphate concentration of 14.80 mM. For this model, the predicted values for the responses are close to the experimental values. The yield of desired pET15b-neu plasmid fromE. colicells cultivated in optimized propagation medium was almost 23 % higher than in commonly used Luria-Bertani (LB) medium suggesting that asparagine may be involved in the induction of plasmid amplification.
Targeting transgene to seed resulted in high rate of morphological abnormalities of Camelina transformants
Authors: Šutá Dominika , Matušíková Ildikó , Blehová Alžbeta
Published: December 2019

False flax (Camelina sativa L.) is currently under-exploited but highly promising oilseed crop. Combining Camelina’s attractive agronomic traits with its unprecedented ease for genetic engineering makes it an ideal plant chassis for biotechnology applications, in particular synthetic biology strategies. For targeted expression of transgene particularly to seeds requires identification and application of seed specific promoters. In the present study two cultivars of Camelina, namely Zuzana and Smilowska, were used for transformation at early flowering stage using the floral dip method. The plants were inoculated with Agrobacterium bearing a construct for expression of red fluorescent protein (RFP) under the control of the seed specific cruciferin promoter CRUC from Arabidopsis. Transgenic seeds and plants were identified on the basis of red fluorescence (RFP) and kanamycin resistance. Relatively high transformation efficiency of 8 % was achieved particularly for the cultivar Zuzana. However, many of regenerants exerted developmental deformations such as lack of shoot apical meristem, deformed or absent cotyledons, etc. Furthermore, the activity of the CRUC promoter was still active also in true leaves rendering this promoter as inappropriate for seed targeting of the transgene. Nevertheless, genetic transformation remains a tool for direct modulation of pathways for oil synthesis in oilseed crops.
Physicochemical properties, kinetics and thermodynamic studies of polyphenol oxidase from sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) for potential use in industry
Authors: Fatoki Toluwase Hezekiah , Sanni David Morakinyo
Published: December 2019

Advances Polyphenol Oxidase (PPO) from Sorghum bicolor (white and yellow varieties) grains were investigated for optimum processing condition. The partially purified enzyme was obtained from two varieties of Sorghum bicolor by step-wise separation through ion-exchange and size-exclusion chromatography. The final purification gave a yield of 7.33 % and 12.3 % for PPO from white and yellow sorghum respectively. The PPO has Vmax and Km of 2.66 U.mL−1 and 19.72 mM for white sorghum, 1.33 U.mL−1 and 12.92 mM for yellow sorghum. The optimal pH of PPO activity was found at pH 4 and pH 7 for white and pH 4 and pH 8 for yellow sorghum. The pKa 7.4 and 8.7 were obtained for PPO from white sorghum, and pKa 5.4, 7.4 and 8.5 for yellow sorghum. The PPO residual activity were above 70 % at 5 hours of incubation within the neutral pH ranges for white sorghum, while those of yellow sorghum were below 40 %. The optimum temperature of 40 ºC and 30 ºC for white and yellow sorghum PPO respectively. The average value of enthalpy (ΔH), entropy (ΔS) and Gibbs free energy (ΔG) obtained at 20 min of incubation and temperature 50 – 80 °C were respectively 49.03 kJ.mol−1, - 129.52 J.mol−1.K−1, and 92.81 kJ.mol−1 for white sorghum PPO, and 90.1 kJ.mol−1, - 9.29 J.mol−1.K−1, and 93.37 kJ.mol−1 for yellow sorghum PPO. Zn2+, Fe2+ and ascorbic acid inhibited PPO while Cu2+, Na+ and K+ activated the enzyme. The results suggest the processing parameters for controlling PPO in potential industrial application of white and yellow sorghum grains.
Deleterious amino acid substitutions with a series of putative damaging effects on egg components are revealed in the ovalbumin gene family; an in silico approach
Authors: Al-Shuhaib Mohammed Baqur S.
Published: December 2019

This study was conducted to identify the most deleterious nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) in the ovalbumin gene family, including OVALX, OVALY, and OVAL genes, which are involved in the synthesis of the most important components in the chickens’ eggs using a comprehensive in silico approach. Ten different computational servers were utilized to prioritize the possible deleterious effects of the retrieved nsSNPs in terms of structure, function, and stability. Results indicated entirely damaging effects of H365P in OVALX, I167T in OVALY, and V209G, L231P, F307C, and S317P in OVAL proteins. Further prediction tools showed that all of these deleterious nsSNPs were positioned in variable locations within several α-helix motifs in all studied ovalbumin proteins. Furthermore, all witnessed nsSNPs were predicted to be resided in the receptors binding sites, signifying remarkable involvement of such nsSNPs in damaging of the altered proteins. In conclusion, the present study provides the first inclusive data with regard to the most deleterious nsSNPs in OVALX, OVALY and OVAL genes in chickens. The present bioinformatics data may be useful for breeders who intend to raise chickens for egg production, in such a way the presence of any of these deleterious nsSNPs in any selected breed may possess several damaging effects on the egg components, which may impair egg production. Therefore, it can be stated that breeders have to confirm the absence of any of these deleterious nsSNPs before being proceeded further for large-scale egg-production purposes.
The efficiency of a low-cost hydrogen sulphide (H2S) kit as an early warning test for assessing microbial rainwater quality and its correlation with standard indicators microorganisms
Authors: Malema Mokaba Shirley , Kahinda Jean-Marc Mwenge , Abia Akebe Luther King , Tandlich Roman , Zuma Bongumusa M. , Ubomba-Jaswa Eunice
Published: December 2019

Testing microbial quality of the harvested rainwater remains a challenge in many countries. The H2S test kit is a low-cost microbiological field-based test which can be used in areas where water testing facilities are limited. This study compares its efficiency with the standard indicators microorganisms in the detection of faecal contamination of rainwater in South Africa. A total of 88 rainwater samples were collected from various tanks in the Eastern Cape, South Africa over three months in 2016. The collected samples were analysed for faecal bacterial contamination using the H2S test kit, Colilert-18/Quanti-tray®/2000 and the membrane filtration technique for faecal coliforms (MFT). The correspondence rate of the H2S test kit with MFT was 88 %, while for the Colilert®it was 76 %. The H2S test kit confirmed faecal contamination when concentrations of standards indicators microorganisms were 5 most-probable number of cells/100 cm3or higher. Overall, the best correspondence of the H2S test kit with Colilert®was observed atE. coliconcentrations above 50 most-probable number of cells/100 cm3. Results of the H2S test kit correlated better with MTF, while the medium used has strongly influenced the enumeration of faecal contamination. Results point to strong effect of media used and revealed the need to calibrate the correspondence between the standard indicator microorganisms and the H2S test kit under local conditions for specific settings.
Identification of in vitro and in vivo potential metabolites of novel cardiovascular and adrenolytic drugs by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with the aid of experimental design
Authors: Szultka-Mlynska Malgorzata , Pauter Katarzyna , Buszewski Boguslaw
Published: December 2019

Drug metabolism in liver microsomes was studied in vitro using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Relevant drug was incubated with dog, human and rat liver microsomes (DLMs, HLMs, RLMs) along with NADPH, and the reaction mixture was analyzed by LC-MS/MS to obtain specific metabolic profile. GRACE analytical C18 column, Vision HT (50 × 2 mm, 1.5 μm) was implemented with acetonitrile and water (+ 5 mM ammonium acetate) in a gradient mode as the mobile phase at a flow 0.4 mL.min−1. Different phase I and phase II metabolites were detected and structurally described. The metabolism of the studied drugs occurred via oxidation, hydroxylation and oxidative deamination processes. Conjugates with the glucuronic acid and sulfate were also observed as phase II biotransformation. The central composite design (CCD) showed that factors, such as time incubation, liver microsomal enzymes concentration and NADPH concentration, along with drying gas temperature, nebulizer gas pressure and capillary voltage significantly affected the final response of the method. This study describes the novel information about the chemical structure of the potential metabolites of selected biologically active compounds, which provide vital data for further pharmacokinetic and in vivo metabolism studies.
Novel Interactions of Adrenodoxin-Related [2Fe-2S] Plant Ferredoxins MFDX1 and MFDX2 Indicate Their Involvement in a Wide Spectrum of Functions in Plant Mitochondria
Authors: Shematorova Elena K. , Slovokhotov Ivan Yu. , Shmakov Vladimir N. , Khaliluev Marat R. , Shpakovski Dmitry G. , Klykov Valery N. , Babak Olga G. , Spivak Svetlana G. , Konstantinov Yuri M. , Shpakovski George V.
Published: December 2019

Electron transfer chains of plant organelles (both chloroplasts and mitochondria) contain their own special set of ferredoxins. The relatively recently described adrenodoxin-like [2Fe-2S]-ferredoxins MFDX1 and MFDX2 of plant mitochondria are among the least studied of these. Until now, the only established function for them is participation in the final stage of biotin biosynthesis. In this work, using genetic and biochemical approaches, we searched for possible partners of these proteins in the genomes and proteomes of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) and foxglove (Digitalis purpurea L.) plants. MORF9 protein, one of the auxiliary components of the RNA editing complex of organelles (editosome), was found among the most prominent protein partners of adrenodoxin-like [2Fe-2S] tobacco ferredoxins. According to the results obtained from the yeast two-hybrid system, NtMFDX1 and NtMFDX2 of tobacco also bind and interact productively with the previously uncharacterised long non-coding polyadenylated RNA, which, based on its structural features, is capable of regulating the function of a number of components of complexes I (Nad1, Nad5) and III (protein of the cytochrome c synthesis system CcmF) and contributes to the formation of Fe/S-clusters in the corresponding protein complexes of the respiratory chain of plant mitochondria. We found one of the main components of the thiazol synthase complex (mitochondrial protein DpTHI1) to be the partner of ferredoxin DpMFDX2 of Digitalis purpurea. Finally, additional arguments were obtained in favour of the possible participation of MFDX1 and MFDX2 in the very ancient, but only recently described ‘progesterone’ steroid hormonal regulatory system: in leaves of the previously constructed CYP11A1-transgenic tomato plants, only the mature form of mitochondrial cytochrome P450scc (CYP11A1) of mammals is able to enter the mitochondria, where the above-mentioned components of the electron transport chain are localised. In summary, all of the newly revealed interactions of adrenodoxin-like [2Fe-2S] ferredoxins MFDX1 and MFDX2 indicate their participation in a wide range of functions in plant mitochondria.
Genetic and Agronomic Analysis of Latvian Fescue (Festuca Spp.), Ryegrass (Lolium Spp.) Accessions and their Hybrids
Authors: Bērziņš Pēteris , Ruņģis Dainis Edgars , Rancāne Sarmīte , Stesele Vija , Vēzis Ivo , Jansons Aldis
Published: December 2019

The development of ecologically adaptable fodder crop varieties is of increasing importance, particularly in the context of climate change. New varieties should be phenotypically and ecologically plastic and able to adapt to differing climactic and soil conditions, ensuring high yields and persistence. Combining Festuca and Lolium species and the development of hybrid (Festulolium) cultivars can be a promising method of combining high yield, high feed quality, persistence, as well as cold, frost and drought tolerance. Breeders at the Institute of Agriculture of Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies have been utilizing Festulolium germplasm for several decades. Currently, in cooperation with the molecular genetics laboratory and Latvian gene bank at the Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava”, analysis of Festuca, Lolium and their hybrids with DNA markers has been initiated, in order to gain additional knowledge about the breeding material and to increase the efficiency of the breeding process. Results of the assessment of morphological and agronomic traits in long-term field trials are combined with DNA markers analyses in order to determine the correlation of genetic and phenotypic traits.
Application of Metabolomic Analysis in Exploration of Plant Genetic Resources
Authors: Loskutov Igor G. , Shelenga Tatyana V. , Rodionov Alexander V. , Khoreva Valentina I. , Blinova Elena V. , Konarev Alexander V. , Gnutikov Alexander A. , Konarev Aleksey V.
Published: December 2019

The article addresses the issues of using metabolomic analysis to study genetic resources of cereal crops in order to (1) determine phylogenetic linkages between species (the degree of domestication); (2) within species to describe genetic diversity according to its responses to biotic and abiotic stressors and biochemical characteristics (chemical compounds) determining food, feed and technological quality indicators; and (3) select the most resistant and highest-quality geno-types for complex breeding use.
High-Temperature X-Ray Diffraction and Fluorescence Spectra of SnSe Single Crystal
Authors: Huseynov Jahangir , Mamedova Rena , Abbasov Ibrahim , Askerov Dunyameddin , Sadig Khaver
Published: December 2019

The temperature dependence of unit cell parameters was studied using high-temperature X-ray diffraction and the coefficient of thermal expansion of SnSe single crystal was determined. Fluorescence spectra of SnSe single crystal grown by the Bridgman-Stockbarger method were examined using a Cary Eclipse spectrophotometer at room temperature in the wavelength range 200–900 nm. When the samples were irradiated by a pulse at a wavelength of 230 nm, the fluorescence spectra exhibited maxima at wavelengths 313.07, 423.03, 458.93, 495.07, and 530.00 nm.
Jānis Oļģerts Ērenpreiss and his School of Cancer Research: Commemorating the 90th Anniversary
Authors: Ērenpreisa Jekaterina
Published: December 2019

Jānis Olģerts Ērenpreiss (1929–1996) was a prominent Latvian cancer researcher and theoretician. Starting out as a student, he contributed to the embryonal theory of cancer, experimentally proving the differentiation and regenerative normalisation capabilities of tumour cells. His theoretical work, presented in its most complete form in his final monograph Current Concepts of Malignant Growth (Zinātne Publ., Rīga, 1993), postulates that oncogenes are abnormally activated genes that are involved in gametogenesis and embryogenesis, and that carcinogenesis and senescence are mutually linked processes arising when the cell is exposed to stressful conditions. This article demonstrates how advancements in cancer research over the last decade have confirmed these core concepts, which were far ahead of their time, and how J. O. Ērenpreiss’ legacy continues both under the guidance of the author and in foreign laboratories, expanding understanding of the nature of malignant tumours and the perspectives of cancer treatment.
Instructional Practices for Addressing Computer Science Standards: Using Computer Kits in Preservice Teacher Education
Authors: Ozogul Gamze , Karlin Michael , Ottenbreit-Leftwich Anne , Ding Ai-Chu Elisha , Liao Yin-Chan , Guo Meize
Published: December 2019

This article examines the instructional practices used to teach the computer science (CS) standard of computer devices and systems to undergraduate preservice teachers (PSTs). With computer science education (CSE) gaining an international focus, there is a need to explore a variety of instructional practices used to teach these topics. This descriptive, exploratory case study presents an examination of the instructional practices used in a CSE licensure course. In this study, the instructor utilised two commercially available computer kits to provide hands-on, learner-centred learning experiences for PSTs. PSTs perceived these kits to be valuable for learning about computing devices and systems topics and for teaching these topics in their future classrooms. Additionally, results showed that PSTs considered the usability, grade level and ability of the kits to build interest in CS when reflecting on their future use. Limitations to the instructional practices included a lack of transfer to subject areas outside of CS and a lack of focus on the integration between hardware and software.
Opportunities and challenges of e-portfolios in teacher education. Lessons learnt
Authors: Totter Alexandra , Wyss Corinne
Published: December 2019

Portfolios are often used in higher education for learning, promotion, assessment and appraisal. Thanks to technical developments in recent years, portfolios are increasingly digital rather than physical. E-portfolios provide a comprehensive way to document personal progress, to reflect on work activities, to support learning and to serve as a tool for feedback and evaluation. However, there has been very little research conducted on the use of e-portfolios for learning purposes in higher education. This paper focuses on the use of e-portfolios in teacher education. Six students in a master programme work with e-portfolios in the course of their practical vocational training. In a mixed-methods design, the students were interviewed about their experiences and the process of writing e-portfolios. In addition, a document analysis of the e-portfolio entries has been conducted in terms of content and structure. The findings of this study provide indications on how e-portfolios can be used effectively in teacher training and which promoting and inhibiting conditions students encounter.
Eye-tracking glasses for improving teacher education: the e-Teach project
Authors: Faiella Filomena , Mannese Emiliana , Savarese Giulia , Plutino Antonina , Lombardi Maria Grazia
Published: December 2019

This paper is about “Improvement of teaching techniques by eye tracking in technology enhanced classrooms” (e-Teach), an innovative project funded by the Erasmus Plus Programme (KA2 - Strategic Partnership in the field of School Education). The project aims to study teachers’ eye movements in real teaching situation using eye-tracking glasses and compares the teachers’ use of digital technologies between novices and experts teaching the same school subject. The purpose of this study was to provide indicators of skill gaps between novices and experts which can be addressed appropriately with highly targeted teacher education. The first part of the paper reviews recent developments in conceptual frameworks for digital competence and in digital competence descriptors. The second part describes the project status, the methods and its phases. In conclusion, the paper gives a brief overview of initial findings of ongoing research, focusing largely on the Italian experience, and development tasks for the next project phases. The initial findings suggest that teachers valued the benefits of using digital technologies in classrooms and recognized the necessity of professional development. They also provided specific insights for the purpose of developing an online course for teacher education in four languages: English, Turkish, Italian and Lithuanian.
A “psychopathic” Artificial Intelligence: the possible risks of a deviating AI in Education
Authors: Zanetti Margot , Iseppi Giulia , Cassese Francesco Peluso
Published: December 2019

This work analyses the use of artificial intelligence in education from an interdisciplinary point of view. New studies demonstrated that an AI can “deviate” and become potentially malicious, due to programmers’ biases, corrupted feeds or purposeful actions. Knowing the pervasive use of artificial intelligence systems, including in the educational environment, it seemed necessary to investigate when and how an AI in education could deviate. We started with an investigation of AI and the risks it poses, wondering if they could be applied also to educative AI. We then reviewed the increasing literature that deals with the use of technology in the classroom, and the criticism about it, referring to specific use cases. Finally, as a result, the authors formulate questions and suggestions for further research, to bridge conceptual gaps underlined by lack of research.
Information Systems for the Support of Human Capital Management
Authors: Sibilová Mária , Putovná Simona , Michalková Terézia , Mičiak Martin , Kucharčíková Alžbeta
Published: December 2019

Human Capital Management (HCM) is a modern strategic and planned approach to the management of people in enterprises to meet the goals of the organization. It focuses on the effective use of human capital, its development and effective investment in it. The concept of HCM along with the management of generations are complementary concepts to the current concept of the human resource management. The aim of this paper is to identify and compare several information systems that can be used to facilitate the implementation of the HCM process in business practice.
Factors of Work Motivation and Coexistence of Generations at the Workplace
Authors: Fero Martin , Dokoupilová Lucie
Published: December 2019

This paper focuses on the characteristics of the main challenges posed by the changes in demographic composition of labour market and requisite to adjust motivational programs to expectations of employees in industrial enterprises in Slovakia, but also to develop strategies to manage the cooperation between different generations. The paper describes the situation in Slovakia based on the analysis of data from quantitative research collected in 2018 on a sample of 534 employees in industrial enterprises. The empirical findings presented, which describe the differences between generations, focus mainly on the importance of work motivation factors and the level of achievement of these factors in correlation with the stated intention to change employment. Analysed data confirmed that relationships with colleagues are generally the most important work factor for all generations, but we found some significant differences between generations in work motivation items such as career advancement, personal growth, achievement, advantageous working hours and benefit to society.
Age Discrimination, Release of Employees and Sustainable Law Strategy in Industrial Enterprises
Authors: Babeľová Zdenka Gyurák , Stareček Augustín , Vraňaková Natália , Császár Martin , Šarmír Marek , Sakál Peter , Cagáňová Dagmar
Published: December 2019

The implementation of new trends into industrial practice as well as the influence of various external and internal factors affects the operation of industrial enterprises and their performance. Industrial enterprises that have developed a sustainable human resource management strategy are able to resist negative impacts. A sustainable law strategy defines the range of options for the implementation of a sustainable human resources management strategy. A sustainable law strategy, as a base of business strategy is affecting other strategies in industrial enterprises and also it provides a framework for business sustainability as part of an ecosystem in sustainable corporate social responsibility strategy. The importance of the consistency of mentioned strategies is contained in the presented paper. Consistency of strategies ensures fair treatment of employees as a key internal factor in business success. It is important that employers treat their employees fairly, especially in the case of negative measures. The main aim of the paper is to present results of the research focused on identified discrimination and release of employees in industrial enterprises. The research sample consisted of n = 692 respondents composed of industrial enterprises employees. Among the significant results, the authors of the paper advise the finding, that a significant part of the respondents did not encounter age discrimination. The conclusion contains recommendations for the development of sustainable law strategy regarding to findings related to the release of employees and age discrimination.
Human Resource Management in Service Company
Authors: Máchová Mariana , Dulina Ľuboslav , Gregor Milan , Bigošová Eleonóra , Więcek Dorota
Published: December 2019

The article deals with the analysis of personnel management in a company and his importance in meeting the company’s strategic goals. Under current conditions, human resources are the most important resource. Caring for and developing human capital is becoming a strategy for achieving company productivity and performance.
Successful Management of Generations
Authors: Polakovič Ľuboš , Szabó Peter , Czifra György
Published: December 2019

In the management literature is often encountered with the concept of generation. For example, generation X, Y, millennia’s, and so on. In this article we are looking for an answer to what is the generation, as it is characterized from a management point of view. From the management perspective we consider the selection of those parameters that support managerial decision-making in a real situation. Therefore, they are practically applicable. In the first part we examine the correlation between the generations and Kopčaj development cycles. The second part dealt with the appropriateness of certain characteristics and parameters of generations to manage. In the third part we describe briefly the results of the survey of these parameters in the Slovak companies. Conclusions: 1. there is a very strong correlation between the generations and Kopčaj development cycles. This allows to more accurately characterize the generation, its behavior, characteristics and interaction with employers.

2. on the management characteristics of the generation (or any group) are suitable parameters such as potential, knowledge and energy measured by entropy over the conditions of stability.

3. the survey shows that for the successful integration of generation into the company it is necessary to harmonize these parameters.