bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gas-Particle Partitioning of Formaldehyde in Mainstream Cigarette Smoke
Authors: John Edward , Coburn Steven , Liu Chuan , McAughey John , Mariner Derek , McAdam Kevin G. , Bakos István , Dóbé Sandor
Published: May 2020

A diffusion denuder apparatus has been used to investigate the gas-particle partitioning of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein and crotonaldehyde in cigarette mainstream smoke (MS), compounds that are of interest owing to their toxicity and near quantitative retention in the body during cigarette smoking. Formaldehyde showed the best performance in denuder experiments with simple aldehyde-air mixtures owing to the relatively fast rate of the heterogeneous reaction formaldehyde(g) + dinitrophenylhydrazine(s) → hydrazone(s). Analysis with the Gormley-Kennedy equation revealed that formaldehyde denuder removal approached, but did not attain, complete efficiency even under optimized operational conditions. Acetaldehyde, acrolein and crotonaldehyde were trapped with considerably lower efficiency than formaldehyde under the denuder conditions used, and more effective denuder wall coatings would be required to examine gas-particle partitioning of these other carbonyls. The proportion of formaldehyde in the smoke particulate phase initially entering the denuder was > 99%, but loss of formaldehyde from the smoke particles was relatively rapid leading to 35%–61% deposition over the denuder length. The temperature dependence of formaldehyde deposition in the denuder was well predicted using Henry's law constant for aqueous formaldehyde solutions. These observed properties of formaldehyde are primarily due to reversible reactions of formaldehyde with water in cigarette smoke leading to the much less volatile species methanediol, its oligomers and hydrate. These data suggest that cigarette smoke inhalation is likely to expose the deeper-lung generations of smokers to greater relative formaldehyde exposure, and greater genotoxic risk at those generations than might occur through inhalation of formaldehyde vapour alone.

Risk assessments of formaldehyde in cigarette smoke should be updated to recognise this modified risk profile.
Integration of Time and Spatially Resolved In-Situ Temperature and Pressure Measurements With Soft Ionisation Mass Spectrometry Inside Burning Superslim and King-Size Cigarettes
Authors: Deng Nan , Ehlert Sven , Cui Huapeng , Xie Fuwei , Heide Jan , Li Bin , Liu Chuan , McAdam Kevin , Walte Andreas , Zimmermann Ralf
Published: May 2020

Background

Combustion as well as pyrolysis of tobacco greatly affect the type and levels of toxicants in cigarette smoke. We previously developed an approach to combine simultaneous temperature and pressure measurements with fast in-situ microprobe chemical sampling inside a burning cigarette, producing a series of temperature and gas-flow velocity maps that characterize this dynamic system in response to externally applied air flow.

Aim

Two cigarette types differing only in diameter were puffed under ISO 3308 and Health Canada Intense (HCI) regimes to further understand the dynamic interaction of air flow and cigarette design parameters on tobacco combustion and pyrolysis by applying the thermophysical and thermo-chemical mapping approach.

Methods

Three types of sampling probes were inserted, which are thermocouple arrays for gas-phase temperature, quartz tubes for pressure measurement, and a heated sampling microprobe coupled to a single-photon soft ionisation mass spectrometer for chemical analysis. Two kinds of similarly constructed cigarettes with the same blend were analysed: superslim (17 mm circumference) and king-size (24 mm circumference).

Synchronization among the sampled signals was achieved by mapping two probes (e.g., temperature/chemistry or temperature/pressure) at a time. The physical and chemical events were visualised and compared between the cigarettes and puffing regimes.

Results

A series of temperature, pressure, and chemical maps were obtained for the superslim and king-size cigarettes under ISO and HCI conditions. The pressure in the burning cigarette was higher in the superslim cigarette, and the temperature distribution differed between the two cigarette formats. As expected, temperatures and pressures were higher under HCI puffing than under ISO puffing for both cigarette formats. Thermochemical maps for e.g., benzene and nitric oxide formation were qualitatively similar between the superslim and king-size cigarettes. For other substances the distribution was markedly different.

Conclusion

The application of multi-probe in-situ chemical sampling is suitable to analyse highly dynamic combustion and pyrolysis processes occurring inside the two types of cigarettes. Ultimately, a direct comparison of cigarette circumferences on the complex combustion processes and formation of smoke constituents was achieved. [Beitr. Tabakforsch. Int. 29 (2020) 44–54]
Assessment of Technical Safety of Employees During the Operation of the Laser Cutter
Authors: Palega Michal
Published: May 2020

The operation of various types of machinery and equipment constituting a material work environment exposes employees to many different hazards (especially mechanical hazards). According to the Polish law, the basic duty of both machine manufacturers and employers is to limit the level of these hazards and to provide employees with broadly understood safety. The article presents the basic issues related to the technical safety of laser cutter operators on the example of a selected industrial plant. Technical and organizational solutions used to reduce the level of risk associated with the use of the selected machine were assessed.
Education, Competences - Labor Market Analysis Against the Challenges of Industry 4.0 Economy
Authors: Wiśniewska-Salek Anna
Published: May 2020

Building a strong economy depends on numerous factors: technological, political, geographical but also and above all social ones. Currently, the ongoing fourth industrial revolution is primarily based on digitization of all processes in the conducted activities. The acquisition and processing of vast amount of data generates information which is very complex and not always unambiguous. Industry 4.0 also assumes that employees will understand both technical needs and those not related to the production process. This means that the present education system (definitely the one related to technical science) should also be changed so that engineers acquire more managerial skills. The article presents the educational assumptions in the face of challenges posed by Industry 4.0 in the context of the current opportunities of the labor market and education in Poland and in Europe.
Analysis of Work-Related Injuries in Mining Industry in Serbia
Authors: Ivaz Jelena , Petrović Dejan , Nikolić Ružica R. , Djoković Jelena M.
Published: May 2020

The mining industry in Serbia has an important place in the country's economic development. Bearing in mind that the number of injuries that occur in the mining industry is unacceptably high, occupational safety and health is a challenge that existing and future mines will have to deal with. Studying injuries in mining, it was noticed that injuries requiring an absence from work for more than three days (especially fatal ones) are diametrically different in relation to the cause and manner of events related to injuries for which an absence from work is not necessary. In this research, authors focused on injuries that were characterized as ones requiring an absence from work. The statistical analysis of work-related injuries in mining is presented, as well as analysis of the direct causes of injuries, which are described as unsafe conduct of employees, unsafe conduct of company's management and/or unsafe working environment. In relation to classification of causes of injuries, a recommendation on what needs to be changed in order to remedy this situation in Serbia is given.
The Role of Big Data in Industry 4.0 in Mining Industry in Serbia
Authors: Tylečková Eva , Noskievičová Darja
Published: May 2020

The current age characterized by unstoppable progress and rapid development of new technologies and methods such as the Internet of Things, machine learning and artificial intelligence, brings new requirements for enterprise information systems. Information systems ought to be a consistent set of elements that provide a basis for information that could be used in context to obtain knowledge. To generate valid knowledge, information must be based on objective and actual data. Furthermore, due to Industry 4.0 trends such as digitalization and online process monitoring, the amount of data produced is constantly increasing – in this context the term Big Data is used. The aim of this article is to point out the role of Big Data within Industry 4.0. Nevertheless, Big Data could be used in a much wider range of business areas, not just in industry. The term Big Data encompasses issues related to the exponentially growing volume of produced data, their variety and velocity of their origin. These characteristics of Big Data are also associated with possible processing problems. The article also focuses on the issue of ensuring and monitoring the quality of data. Reliable information cannot be inferred from poor quality data and the knowledge gained from such information is inaccurate. The expected results do not appear in such a case and the ultimate consequence may be a loss of confidence in the information system used. On the contrary, it could be assumed that the acquisition, storage and use of Big Data in the future will become a key factor to maintaining competitiveness, business growth and further innovations. Thus, the organizations that will systematically use Big Data in their decision-making process and planning strategies will have a competitive advantage.
The Use of Navigation in Operations Supporting Drilling Processes
Authors: Kuryło Piotr , Cyganiuk Joanna , Krzysztof Góra
Published: May 2020

The paper presents the analysis of navigation processes used in wells and around-drilling processes. Most common navigation systems used in drilling processes are described. The authors have presented a concept of applying navigation to operations supporting drilling processes, including operations ensuring the safety of drilling staff. Also, they have discussed around-drilling processes which have not been supported by navigation systems. Finally, they have presented ideas of their possible applications as well as benefits resulting from using navigation systems.
Corrosion Resistance of SiMo- and SiCu-Types of Nodular Cast Iron in NaCl Solution
Authors: Vaško Alan , Zatkalíková Viera , Kaňa Václav
Published: May 2020

Nodular cast irons are used in a wide range of industrial applications, especially in the automotive industry. SiMo-type of nodular cast iron is suitable for high-temperature applications, for example the exhaust manifolds of the combustion engines; SiCu-type of nodular cast iron is used in various components of tribotechnical units. These automotive components often work in a corrosive environment. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to compare the corrosion resistance of two types of the nodular cast irons (SiMo-type and SiCu-type). Corrosion resistance was determined by the exposure immersion test at ambient temperature. Specimens of both types of nodular cast iron were immersed in 3.5 % NaCl solution (to simulate sea water) and gradually removed from the solution after 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks. Subsequently, the weight loss (g) and the average corrosion rate (g m−2 day−1) were calculated. Experimental results show that nodular cast iron alloyed by Si and Mo has higher corrosion resistance than the nodular cast iron alloyed with Si and Cu. Moreover, the mechanical properties (evaluated by tensile test, impact bending test and hardness test) and fatigue properties of both types of nodular cast iron has been compared in the paper.
The Impact of the Agressive Acid Environment on RC Constructions
Authors: Blikharskyy Yaroslav , Khmil Roman , Blikharskyy Zinoviy , Shnal Taras
Published: May 2020

The main issue of the article is the corrosion of the reinforced concrete elements by the co-influence of the aggressive and power factors. The problem of corrosion is ex-tremely actual one. Therefore the tests were carried out upon the specimens considering the corrosion in the acid environment, namely 10 % H2SO4. The acid environment H2SO4 was taken as a model of the aggressive environment. Conclusions concerning the corrosion model of the cross section and investigation of stress-strain state have been made. That material concerns the problem of the reinforced concrete corrosion as a whole construction. Reinforced concrete beams were tested with and without the co-action of the aggressive environment and power factor.
Determination of the Optimum Percentage of High Strength Bars in RC Beams with Combined Reinforcement Using Fem
Authors: Selejdak Jacek , Blikharskyy Yaroslav , Bobalo Taras , Kopiika Nadiia
Published: May 2020

In this work on the basis of the developed and tested mathematical model, the numerical experiment is conducted in order to study in more detail the specifics of performance of concrete beams` with combined reinforcement. For this purpose nine series of reinforced concrete beams with different combination of steel bars (A400C, At800, A1000) and ribbon reinforcement (C275) were modeled. In the developed series two classes of concrete were used: C50/60, C35/45. The functions derived on the basis of mathematical modeling allow us to determine the recommended percentage of high-strength reinforcement of common reinforced concrete structures with single reinforcement. Therefore, the possibility is obtained to reduce the total structures` reinforcement percentage, increasing their deformability by the specified value without affecting the bearing capacity.
Production of Zinc Coatings by Electro-Spark Deposition
Authors: Radek Norbert , Pietraszek Jacek , Klimecka-Tatar Dorota
Published: May 2020

The paper describes the method of producing a zinc coating on steel by electro-spark deposition technology. The technology of applying electro-spark zinc to the surface was presented. Microscopic observations and corrosion resistance tests were made. The possibilities of practical application of this type of coatings in the process of repairing zinc coatings, either damaged or with manufacturing defects, were analyzed.
Safety and Automatization of Machining Line
Authors: Fíla Ondřej , Sellner Karel , Vysloužilová Daniela , Klimecka-Tatar Dorota
Published: May 2020

the paper deals with problematic of machining lines of machine components for the automotive industry. There is a current issue of increasing labor productivity and economic efficiency of production with full safety of production and environmental protection. Therefore, for a specific practical assignment, the replacement of existing machinery using manual workpiece handling is performed by a fully automated safety-accessible one. For this purpose, an analysis of the technical and operating parameters of the proposed NC machines has been prepared. Attention is paid to optimization of material flow and arrangement of individual workplaces of production machines including handling and transfer of material between individual workplaces. Particular attention is paid to the safety of workers and improves the environmental conditions of the production plant. Finally, the overall efficiency of the proposed solution is evaluated in detail compared to the current solution.
Creating of Transnational Cooperation Network as a Factor of Competitiveness
Authors: Kiełbus Anna , Karpisz Dariusz
Published: May 2020

The paper presents good practices and selected problems of creating cooperation networks. The basics of creating and disseminating new forms of cooperation between enterprises and universities have been described. Based on the implemented international project “3DCentral - Catalyzing Smart Engineering and Rapid Prototyping”, selected conclusions from creating network and management of many project activities including innovative technologies are presented.
Threats in Cyber Safety - Outline of the Problem
Authors: Gliń Wojciech , Stasiak-Betlejewska Renata
Published: May 2020

Currently, the industry is called as Industry 4.0, Internet of Things, Industrial Internet of Things, where devices, machines, information, organizations and people are connected to the network. Every day meet new solutions for Industry 4.o can be met, but in parallel with these solutions there are also threats in the field of security of industrial networks. Such threats have been called cyber-attacks or cyber threats. Cybersecurity is the global name of a field aimed at counteracting all types of threats on the web. Cybersecurity is to raise awareness, inform, control and introduce solutions to counteract cyber threats. Enterprises, organizations dealing with the promotion of Industry 4.0, IoT, IIoT, form the appropriate groups, departments, companies whose goal is to counteract all types of cyber-attacks. At present, the thesis can be formulated that cybersecurity of the broadly understood network is more important than the implementation of Industry 4.0. The publication will attempt to present the threats that cybersecurity enterprises must face and the ways and methods to counter them.
The Pre-Service Teachers’ Attitudes Towards Inclusive Education: An Empirical Study in Yogyakarta City, Indonesia
Authors: Ediyanto  , Maulida Restuti , Atika Iva Nandya , Kawai Norimune
Published: May 2020

The pre-service teachers’ attitudes is one indicator to show whether the inclusive education system is successfully implemented. However, no research studies have been conducted to reveal pre-service teachers’ attitudes towards inclusive education in Indonesia. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to know the attitudes towards inclusive education of pre-service teachers in Indonesia. The current study investigated 177 Indonesian pre-service teachers who have studied the inclusive education course in Yogyakarta city using the teachers’ attitudes towards inclusion scale. The findings of the current study were 1) the pre-service teachers had moderate attitudes and beliefs towards inclusive education, 2) there were no differences in attitudes toward inclusive education between males and females, and between those who have never interacted with students with special education needs and those who have such experiences.
Electrical Conductivity and pH in Surface Water as Tool for Identification of Chemical Diversity
Authors: Potapowicz Joanna , Szumińska Danuta , Szopińska Małgorzata , Czapiewski Sebastian , Polkowska Żaneta
Published: May 2020

In the present study, the creeks and lakes located at the western shore of Admiralty Bay were analysed. The impact of various sources of water supply was considered, based on the parameters of temperature, pH and specific electrolytic conductivity (SEC
25). All measurements were conducted during a field campaign in January–February 2017. A multivariate dataset was also created and a biplot of SEC
25 and pH of the investigated waters was performed. The average temperatures of the investigated waters were 0.10-8.10 °C. The pH values indicate that most of the water environments of the analysed area are slightly acidic to alkaline (5.26–8.50) with two exceptions: Siodlo II Creek (9.26) and Petrified Forest Creek (8.95), which are characterised by greater alkalinity. At the measurement points closest to the Baranowski Glacier and Ecology Glacier, SEC
25 values were the lowest (26.8–61.1 µS·cm–1), while the remaining values ranged from 79.0 to 382 µS·cm–1 for the whole studied area. Based on the results it is concluded that the periodic intensive inflow of ablation waters, combined with morphological changes in the glacier front, causes a significant variability in the outflow network, creating the conditions for changes in basic physicochemical parameters. Moreover, it is observed that local depressions in the terrain form sedimentation traps in which, alongside fine-grained deposits, compounds can accumulate that originate from in situ sedimentation and that are also associated with surface runoff from the melting of snow cover, buried ice and permafrost.
Treatment of Leachate Using Up-Flow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactors/Vertical Flow Subsurface Constructed Wetlands
Authors: Tulun Şevket
Published: May 2020

The composition of local solid waste consists mainly of biodegradable waste with high moisture and organic content. After being landfilled, the waste decomposes through a series of combined physico-chemical and biological processes, resulting in the generation of landfill leachate. Unless treated properly, the leachate poses a serious threat to the environment and to public health. In this study, the use of an engineered system consisting of an up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor and a vertical flow subsurface constructed wetland for the treatment of landfill leachate was investigated. The leachate obtained from a landfill facility in Aksaray, Turkey was fed into both systems and laboratory tests showed that, over the 6-week study period, the systems were able to efficiently remove chemical oxygen demand (88.6 %) and total nitrogen (80.7 %). The results of this study suggested that Typha angustifolia significantly increased the removal of total nitrogen. The higher ammonia removal occurred in the anaerobic system and also the removal efficiency increased in planted bed, it is presumed to be the result of the ammonia nitrogen uptake by the roots of the plant.
Influence of Digested Sludge Conditioning on the Dewatering Processes and the Quality of Sludge Liquid
Authors: Bień Beata , Bień Jurand D.
Published: May 2020

To increase the dewatering effect, sewage sludge should be properly prepared before dewatering. Sludge conditioning is a process whereby sludge solids are treated with chemicals or various other means to improve dewatering characteristics of the sludge by reducing the specific resistance and compressibility of the sludge. The aim of the research was to determine the possibility of increasing the efficiency of sewage sludge dewatering by applying chemical agents and ultrasonic field. Some parameters, such as suspension, chemical oxygen demand (COD), phosphorus and ammonium nitrogen content in sludge supernatant, were also analysed. Digested sludge belonged to the group of hardly dewatered sludge, its capillary suction time (CST) was of high value (2639 s). The lowest CST value (88.5 s) was obtained for the unsonicated sludge prepared only with PIX 113 at a dose of 7.0 mg/g d.m. Both the dose and the type of chemicals used, as well as the time of sonication, had an impact on the changes occurring in sludge properties. The increase in mechanical dewatering efficiency was obtained by using a combination of methods applied for sludge preparation, where the sonication of sludge was used at the preliminary stage and followed by dosing chemical substances. This resulted in the reduction of sludge final hydration and changes of other parameters. In addition, combined action of PIX 113 and Zetag 8180 allowed to reduce the content of suspended solids and COD in sludge supernatant.
The Carbon Footprint of Volunteer Tourism
Authors: Geneidy Sami El , Baumeister Stefan
Published: May 2020

Tourism is growing at a fast rate and so is its carbon footprint. Alongside conventional tourism, a new form of tourism, so-called voluntourism, has emerged. The discussion on voluntourism in the existing literature has hereby mainly centred around its positive impacts on the health and education of communities and the local environment in developing countries. Nevertheless, little attention has been drawn to its climate impacts. This study set out to investigate the carbon footprint of voluntourism. The data were collected at a local non-governmental organisation (NGO) in India working with voluntourists. Both the carbon footprint of the stay in India and that from the round trip by air were taken into consideration. The results showed that although the carbon footprint of voluntourists during their stay is comparable with that of locals, the flight significantly contributes to the carbon footprint of voluntourism. Depending on the distance flown and the length of the stay, the average share of the carbon footprint stemming from the flight can be between 83% and 96%. The article concludes that faraway destinations and short stays should be avoided; otherwise voluntourism might cause more harm than good. On the basis of the findings, this article provides recommendations for policymakers and further research.
A Spatial Approach for Framing the Development of Tourism: Bahía Solano – Colombia
Authors: Gómez Helmuth Yesid Arias , Antošová Gabriela
Published: May 2020

The article explores the natural context and the geographical conditions for developing tourism and for designing sectorial plans. The objective is to offer basic visual rendering as a resource for appreciating the natural environs in which the tourist activity evolves and use such resource as useful input during the planning and designing exercises. The methodology relies on the application of cartographic and spatial tools as instruments for recognising the territory and the natural landscape. The results render the current condition of natural resources and the territorial reality, as a general frame for proposing sustainable strategies of tourism planning. The contribution of the analysis can be appreciated amid the scarcity of local and specific cartographic analysis, and the precarious stock of inputs that could guide the tourism and the territorial planning in lagged territories. An overwhelming conclusion of our exercise is that the awarness and valuations of natural endowments are key elements for preserving the environment and for applying an adequate planning strategy in order to reconcile the economic necessities and the preservation of natural environment.
Change of Circumstances and Force Majeure Clauses in Serbian Legal System and Sources of International Uniform Law
Authors: Ditrih Stefan , Marković Svetlana , Milošević Olgica
Published: May 2020

The effects of globalisation are many. One of them is the effect that globalisation has on commercial contracts and contractual relations between contracting parties. Due to a fast pace of economy and the speed and volume of the conclusion of contracts in international trade, participants must rely on stable and reliable legal framework for contractual obligations. In globalised economy, traders from different countries bring with them individual trade practices and norms of national legislation, often diametrically opposed, and sometimes the legal institutes that are regulated in one country don’t even exist in another. This is the case with the institutes of force majeure and a change of circumstances. Due to large differences in the regulation of these two institutes in national legal systems, there have been demonstrated some attempts of standardisation and creation of a unified system of exemption from liability for non-performance, due to force majeure or a change of circumstances. This problem becomes even more evident when dealing with the long term contracts, which are prone to the effects of unforeseen circumstances. This paper aims to explore the nature of the above mentioned legal institutes in some of the most important sources of international commercial law. With a special attention paid to the Serbian regulatory solutions, in order to further understand the similarities and differences between the national legal systems and sources of international law. The first part of the paper deals with applicable legal framework in Republic of Serbia, concerning force majeure and a change of circumstances. The second part of the paper deals with the international sources of commercial law, such as UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods of 1980; UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts; Principles of European Contract Law; Draft Common Frame of Reference; and Common European Sales Law.
Overcoming the Effects of Restrictive Fiscal Policy: The Case of Argentina and Serbia
Authors: Todorović Miloš , Marković Ivan , Grahovac Dijana
Published: May 2020

The paper analyses one of the most important economic issues relevant to most countries. The issue involves how to as painless as possible overcome the problems of high budget deficits and excessive accumulated public debt. Argentina and Serbia are used as an example. Argentina implemented rigorous saving measures in 2002 and Serbia began to implement restrictive budgetary measures in 2014. The effects of such a policy can be designed for the future. Results indicate that the key to Argentina’s success lies in the transition to a floating exchange rate and the high level of correlation between the growth of the foreign exchange rate and growth in exports. When comparing strict fiscal policy in Argentina and Serbia, it should be emphasised that the measures in Serbia are far less stringent than those that were established in Argentina. But it also means that the effect of reducing budget expenditures should have less of an impact on GDP reduction than in the case of Argentina.
Revealed Comparative Advantages and Competitiveness of the Manufacturing Industry of the Republic of Serbia
Authors: Ćorović Enes , Gligorijević Živorad , Manasijević Aleksandar
Published: May 2020

Тhе key research questions in this paper are related to determining the effects and impacts of a new economic growth model on the comparative advantages and competitiveness of exports of Serbian technological manufacturing product groups on the EU-28 market. The research used some of the analytical instruments of the methodology developed by the International Trade Center (ITC), as well as a modified RCA index. There was conducted a comparison of results of measuring export competitiveness using the methodology and RCA index according to the Balassa formula. All relevant analyses brought up similar conclusions regarding the modest effects of the reformed growth model, the low level of export competitiveness of medium and high technology products, but also regarding Serbia’s lagging behind its competitors from the immediate surrounding and the world average. The results indicate that Serbia has failed to balance the structure of sources of financing for the new economic growth model, especially in terms of under-representation of domestic, public and private investments. They reflected on the low volume of gross investment, investment in industry in particular, their inadequate structure and the slow growth of export in production sectors, being the most affected by technological progress.
The Importance of Active Leadership Style for Organizational Innovativeness
Authors: Bjekić Radmila , Jelača Maja Strugar , Marić Slobodan
Published: May 2020

The aim of the paper is to investigate if there is any correlation between active leadership style and organizational innovativeness in the case of middle and large companies that operate on the territory of the Republic of Serbia. For this research authors have used Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) on the sample of 159 organizations that have more than 50 employees. Respondents were managers. For data analysis Hierarchical Multiple Regression and Spearman’s correlation was used. Results of analysis show that there is a statistically significant positive relationship between active leadership style and organizational innovativeness in companies in the Republic of Serbia. Available literature and results of previous surveys pointed out all benefits of this leadership style and in this paper results of research show that active leadership style is one of the crucial factors which encourage organizational innovativeness. Due to its positive influence on creating innovative atmosphere and growth of innovativeness, managers should pay more attention to active leadership style and implement it.
Development of the Agricultural Innovation Brokerage Concept in Eastern European Countries, Based on a Hungarian Situation Analysis
Authors: Ujj Apolka , Bálint Csaba , Goda Pál , Jancsovszka Paulina , Mutua Kennedy
Published: May 2020

The Agro-innovation Broker (AIB) concept was introduced by the European Commission solely to increase the vast spread of innovative solutions in Agriculture. The concept can be perceived as an intermediary between the demand and supply of agricultural research and extension services. This paper’s results are derived from the international research work that aims to develop a training curriculum in the field of agricultural innovation services with effective materials to boost capacity building actions in Central and Eastern European Countries (CEE). Based on consultations with stakeholders, the Hungarian situation analysis allowed comparison with other CEE countries and the expansion of an AIB vocational training curriculum. It helps to better understand the needs of agricultural innovation services through a clear view of advisors’ competences. Our results suggest that apart from the similar knowledge requirements and skills of AIBs across CEE countries, country-specific expectations and needs should be addressed in AIB training.
Differential expression and functional analysis of two short-chain alcohol dehydrogenases/reductases in Hedychium coronarium
Authors: Chen Hua , Yue Yuechong , Yu Rangcai , Fan Yanping
Published: May 2020

In this study, the full cDNA sequences of HcADH2 and HcADH3 were cloned from Hedychium coronarium. The amino acid sequences encoded by them contained three most conserved motifs of short-chain alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), namely NAD+ binding domain, TGxxx[AG]xG and active site YxxxK. The highest similarity between two genes and ADH from other plants was 70%. Phylogenetic analysis showed that they belonged to a member of the short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases 110C subfamily, but they were distinctly clustered in different clades. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses showed that HcADH2 was specifically expressed in bract, and it was expressed higher in no-scented Hedychium forrestii than other Hedychium species, but was undetectable in Hedychium coccineum. HcADH3 was expressed higher in the lateral petal of the flower than in other vegetative organs, and it was expressed the most in H. coronarium that is the most scented among Hedychium species, and its expression levels peaked at the half opening stage. HcADH2 and HcADH3 had almost no significant expression in leaves, but HcADH2 was expressed in response to external stimuli. The mechanical injury and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment could induce expression of HcADH2 in leaves, whereas HcADH3 could have an induced expression only by MeJA. The recombinant HcADH3 protein, but not HcADH2, expressed in Escherichia coli-catalysed conversion of geraniol into citral. It was speculated that HcADH3 had an induced expression in vegetative organ of H. coronarium and took part in monoterpenoid biosynthesis in H. coronarium flowers, but the role of HcADH2 is relevant only for defensive reactions.
Applying abundance/biomass comparison curves to small mammals: a weak tool for detect urbanization-related stress in the assemblages?
Authors: di Bagno Ermellina , Battisti Corrado , Zullo Francesco , Amori Giovanni
Published: May 2020

Urbanization is a form of pervasive human-induced disturbance. We tested the effectiveness of Abundance/Biomass Comparisons (ABC) as an approach in detecting stress due to landscape urbanization in large small mammal assemblages obtained from pellets of Barn Owl (Tyto alba; Strigiformes). We compared three assemblages sampled in not urbanized contexts (agro-mosaic landscapes) with three assemblages preyed in highly urbanized contexts. In all assemblages, the role of strictly synanthropic species (in our case: rodents) emerged since almost all of total biomass was assigned to these species: indeed, everywhere (both in agro-mosaic and urbanized sites) species of low trophic level (i.e. omnivorous/herbivorous rodents) significantly prevail in biomass when compared to insectivorous species (i.e. shrews, Soricomorpha) linked to less anthropized habitats. This biomass dominance in rodent species is highlighted by the data on evenness, showing lower values in biomass when compared to abundance. This pattern did not match with the classic assumption expressed by the ABC model (i.e., species with higher biomass are typical of undisturbed assemblage) and could be wrongly interpreted. Our study evidenced as ABC approach is a not reliable tool to detect the effect of urbanization as landscape disturbance acting on small mammal assemblages. Therefore we suggest that the ABC assumptions are not universal but limited only to assemblages where high body mass species coincide to species of a higher trophic level.
Beech bark disease in Slovakia related to fungi of the genus Nectria S.l. and the anatomy of necrotised bark and wood: a brief review
Authors: Račko Vladimír , Mihál Ivan , Mišíková Oľga
Published: May 2020

This short review summarises the history and current knowledge regarding beech bark disease (BBD) in Slovakia. Moreover, the results of ongoing long-term disease monitoring are summarised. The article also provides a list of the 29 Nectria s.l. species found to date in Slovakia, complete with information about their occurrence on host tree species. Above all, we highlight the need for histopathological research on beech tissues attacked by different Nectria spp. Notably, neither the defensive response mechanisms of host cellular tissues at the anatomical and biochemical levels nor the strategy of decomposition by different pathogens have been explored in beech.
Lack of Association between Academic Achievement and Social Phobia among High School Students of Kathmandu
Authors: Adhikari Pralhad , Poudel Upama
Published: May 2020

Objectives

The general objective of this research was to see if academic achievement significantly relates with social anxiety of high school students. There were other specific and auxiliary objectives also. One among these was to gather prevalence data of social anxiety among adolescents of Kathmandu.

Method

A survey was conducted among 696 high school students of Kathmandu to see if academic achievement was associated with their social phobia. Convenient sample from a high school was used. Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN), a self-report test, was used to measure social anxiety disorder of adolescent students. Some demographic data were also collected. Data were organized in MS Excel and analysed in SPSS.

Results

The prevalence of ‘very severe’ social phobia among boys was 2.01% and girls had that of 1.71%. One-way ANOVA showed that academic achievement did not have a relationship with social phobia, F (2, 613) = 1.74, p > 0.05.

Conclusions

Academic achievement was not associated with social phobia among students of a high school in Kathmandu. Boys have more prevalence of severe forms of social anxiety than girls when they are in adolescence.
Short-term effects of cadmium and mercury on soil nematode communities in a pot experiment
Authors: Lü Y. , Chen X. , Xue W.F. , Zhang W.D.
Published: May 2020

Analysis of soil nematode feeding groups and functional guilds were used as a valuable tool to detect heavy metal pollution. Effects of cadmium (Cd) at 5 mg/kg, mercury (Hg) at 20mg/kg, combined Cd and Hg at 5+20mg/kg on the nematode communities were studied after three months application. Nematodes were collected from soil in rhizosphere of Morning glories (Pharhiris nil) which were applied as heavy metal accumulators and were grown in the experimental pots. Both single and combined heavy metals had marked effects on the nematode abundance, life-history strategies and feeding type composition. Bacteriovores and c-p 2 group were found to be the most abundant trophic group and functional guild, respectively. Acrobeloides and Pratylenchus were the most two abundant genera, decreasing number of them was responsible for the significant difference between control and polluted treatments. Cd-5 and Cd-Hg 5+20 presented lower values of nematode diversity index (H’) and evenness index (J’) than Hg-20. The combination of Cd and Hg showed lower nematode trophic diversity (TD), in comparison with single Cd or Hg. Conversely, heavy metals addition exhibited no pronounced effect on Maturity index (MI), structural index (SI) and enrichment index (EI). Our results demonstrate that genera composition is a better indicator to short-term heavy metal effects than some common indicator indices and emphasize that deeper assemblage analyses are needed for a correct interpretation of short-term disturbance on soil nematodes.
Soil and sand contamination with canine intestinal parasite eggs as a risk factor for human health in public parks in Niš (Serbia)
Authors: Ristić M. , Miladinović-Tasić N. , Dimitrijević S. , Nenadović K. , Bogunović D. , Stepanović P. , Ilić T.
Published: May 2020

Regarding geographical distribution and clinical relevance, the most common canine geohelminths areToxocara canis, ancylostomatids, andTrichuris vulpis. Canine intestinal parasites from the soil and sand present an important potential serious human health hazard, especially for the children preschool and school – age. This paper aimed to establish the degree of contamination of soil and sand with zoonotic parasites from the canine feces and the degree of risk they could pose for human health in public places and playgrounds in the city of Niš. Our parasitological study involved 200 soil samples and 50 sand samples from the public parks in the city of Niš in southeastern Serbia (43°19′15″N, 21°53′45″ E). From several locations, about 100 g of soil and sand was collected based on the bioclimatic indices. Parasitological diagnosis was performed using conventional qualitative and quantitative coprological methods, abiding by the recommendations about the diagnosis of parasitic diseases. In 38 – 46 % of soil samples and 40 % of sand samples seven species of endoparasites were diagnosed. In the samples of soil, a medium and high degree of contamination with the ascaridT. canis(14 – 22 %) was detected, as well as a low and medium degree of contamination with ancylostomatids (4 – 12 %), and in the samples of sand, a variable degree of contamination with the helminthsT. canis(26 %) andA. alata(16 %) was found. A statistically significant difference was found in the contamination withA. alataeggs between the samples of sand and samples of soil. The studied public surfaces represent the reservoir of zoonotic parasites, which is a public health problem requiring a synergistic action of several factors to be successfully resolved, i.e. the implementation of prevention, surveillance, and control measures.
Guiding Paving Block Porous for Blind People
Authors: Isradi Muhammad , Hidayat Acep , Prasetijo Joewono
Published: May 2020

Porous concrete is a simple form of lightweight concrete made by eliminating the use of fine aggregates (sand). That is a mixture of cement, water and coarse aggregate. Use of the guiding paving block porous for blind people is one of the efforts that will be made to overcome the inundation due to water spills from sufficiently high rainfall, providing comfort and safety for users so as not to slip easily due to slippery road surfaces, that will be used must have a measurable value of permeability and porosity to optimize the function of using porous concrete. Guiding paving block porous for blind people are very economical and have a great advantage in absorbing water so the surface is always dry, and can reduce accidents due to slippery roads. Another advantage is that the product is environmentally friendly with handmade, designed using a mixture of plastic bottle waste material can be made apart from the manufacturing process in various shapes and various colors. From the test results it has a strength of 10-15 mpa in the precast age of 28 days with a water absorption capability of up to 10L / m2.
Determinants of foreign direct investment outflow from India to Poland
Authors: Dygas Robert
Published: May 2020

This article concerns the determinants of foreign direct investment (FDI) outflow from India to Poland with some insights to other European countries. This topic strongly relates to globalization of foreign trade and especially new economic initiatives between European Union (EU) and India, which was one of the first countries to develop trade relations with EU. According to CEIC data – Financial Data and Economic Indicators, India’s FDI outflow increased slightly to 1.4 billion USD in September 2019 in comparison with 996.5 million USD in September 2018, but it is still below the average of 1.8 billion USD for a period of 2007–2019.

Available at: https://www.ceicdata.com/en/india/foreign-direct-investment-outflow/foreign-direct-investment-outflow (accessed October 19, 2019).

Very limited number of the scientific research can be found in European literature about India’s FDI outflow to EU countries in period of 2004–2019. Indian economists made some research on that topic. Professor J. Ramachandran (listed among the Best Management Thinkers for the year 2015, the first Bain Fellow in India) from Indian Institute of Management Bangalore in 2004 and Professor Jaya Prakesh Pradhan from Central University of Gujarat in 2008 explored the evolution in Indian outward FDI, referring to a shift in the pattern of overseas expansion and basis of competitiveness of Indian companies. The main goal of this article is to explain what really triggers Indian investors to go to Poland and what kind of businesses they form. Some examples of the Indian-based companies are mentioned to support the analysis. The author of this article also researched on different governmental bilateral trade agreements and initiatives, trying to find any direct impacts of that on the India FDI outflow to Poland and other EU countries. He used empirical method of the analysis based on accessible data for period 2004–2019 and literature in that topic and also direct interviews with private Indian investors who made decision to start and run their business in Poland or other EU countries. The main conclusion is that Poland the leader of Visegrad Group is an interesting investment for India and India can be for Poland a counterpart investment partner to China.
What’s New in the 2019 Esc Guidelines on Chronic Coronary Syndromes?
Authors: Ilieșiu Adriana
Published: May 2020

The European Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Coronary Syndromes (CCS) were published in 2019 with a different title than the previous 2013 Guidelines that referred to “chronic stable coronary heart disease”, underlining the dynamic nature of the atherosclerotic process. The main changes in these guidelines refer to the most frequent clinical presentations of CCS, to the assessment of the pretest probability of atherosclerotic coronary heart disease with the recommendation to include cardiovascular risk factors and other factors, as well as the choice of invasive anatomical and/or functional diagnostic tests, invasive and/or non-invasive, depending on the probability of the existence of the disease.

Regarding the treatment, these guidelines underline the importance of a healthy lifestyle and the modalities for the implementation and the strategy of anti-ischemic drug treatment, antithrombotic therapy being more widely addressed. Recommendations for myocardial revascularization on top of drug treatment for symptoms control and for improving prognosis are less restrictive in these guidelines. The recommendations of the CCS guidelines are harmonized with the recommendations of the other European guidelines, especially with those on diabetes, prediabetes and cardiovascular diseases which were also published in 2019.