bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knowledge cities: a taxonomy for analyzing software and information service clusters
Authors: Tigre Paulo Bastos , La Rovere Renata Lebre , Teixeira Francisco Lima , López Andrés , Ramos Daniela , Bercovich Néstor , Pinheiro Alessandro de Orlando Maia , Araújo Silvio , Rodrigues Ricardo Furtado
Published: July 2014

Software and information services (SIS) have become a field of increasing opportunities for international trade due to the worldwide diffusion of a combination of technological and organizational innovations. In several regions, the software industry is organized in clusters, usually referred to as "knowledge cities" because of the growing importance of knowledge-intensive services in their economy. This paper has two primary objectives. First, it raises three major questions related to the attractiveness of different cities in Argentina and Brazil for hosting software companies and to their impact on local development. Second, a new taxonomy is proposed for grouping clusters according to their dominant business segment, ownership pattern and scope of operations. The purpose of this taxonomy is to encourage further studies and provide an exploratory analytical tool for analyzing software clusters.
La nueva gramática democrática frente a la integración autónoma latinoamericana y caribeña
Authors: Preciado Coronado Jaime Antonio
Published: July 2014

La "democratización liberal y de mercado", se propone amortiguar la crisis global y sistémica por la que atraviesa América Latina, región cuya memoria histórica registra traumáticos procesos de autoritarismo de mercado sobre sus sistemas políticos. La democracia procedimental y los sistemas multipartidistas monopolizan la representación, pretendiendo convertirse en antídoto contra el autoritarismo y fuente de un futuro desarrollo prominente. Mientras tanto, el discurso neoliberal que enaltecía las ventajas del libre mercado, la desregulación, las privatizaciones y el Estado mínimo, de acuerdo al Consenso de Washington, estableció este modelo ideológico como conductor de la integración, y condicionante para la estabilidad democrática y macroeconómica. Sin embargo, la democracia liberal-procedimental en la región, asociada al proceso de integración neoliberal, produjo un conflictivo triángulo Estado-Sociedad-Mercado, donde la imposición de un modelo de organización política y un sistema de valores homogéneo anglo-eurocéntrico, promovido como democracia global, fue el discurso dominante. Ante la desigualdad y la exclusión producto de ese modelo, emergen propuestas post-neoliberales orientadas a redibujar la integración democrática en la pizarra latinoamericana. Desde los movimientos sociales, surgen proyectos políticos con una nueva gramática democrática de resistencia, y reconocimiento de agendas sociales relacionadas con la integración autónoma latinoamericana.
Da democracia participativa à pluralidade da representação: breves notas sobre a odisseia do PT na política e na ciência política brasileira
Authors: Reis Bruno P. W.
Published: July 2014

Este artigo parte da constatação de um deslocamento do lugar ocupado pela ideia da representação na esquerda contemporânea para embasar um diagnóstico da experiência do PT na história política recente no Brasil. Embora tivesse partido de uma contestação da "democracia representativa", o PT terminou por patrocinar o mais vasto experimento de multiplicação de formas e instâncias de representação em curso no Brasil contemporâneo, frequentemente sob a rubrica de um ideal "participativo". O artigo tende a sublinhar o caráter inapelável dessa "deriva" rumo à representação, bem como identificar a raiz desses experimentos num compromisso político do partido com certos setores até então periféricos da população, bem mais que numa presumível clareza ideológica quanto a diagnósticos teoricamente orientados sobre o Brasil.
As políticas culturais brasileiras na contemporaneidade: mudanças institucionais e modelos de agenciamento
Authors: Silva Rodrigo Manoel Dias da
Published: July 2014

O artigo objetiva evidenciar um conjunto de mudanças institucionais sofridas pelas políticas culturais brasileiras na contemporaneidade, em escala nacional, e compreender como tais configurações produziram novas formas de agenciamento cultural e de ação política, em escalas locais. Para tal, inicialmente realizou-se uma revisão de estudos sobre as políticas culturais no Brasil, conforme literatura específica. A seguir, mediante acompanhamento sistemático destas políticas em duas cidades brasileiras - Gramado (RS) e São Luiz do Paraitinga (SP) - analisou-se sua implementação e os modos de ação dos atores nesses processos, considerando suas tensões, disputas e interesses em jogo.
Colonialismo, capitalismo e segmentaridade: nacionalismo e internacionalismo na teoria e política anticolonial e pós-colonial
Authors: Ferreira Andrey Cordeiro
Published: July 2014

O objetivo deste texto é apresentar algumas reflexões teóricas e epistemológicas sobre o colonialismo, a colonialidade e a teoria da revolução. Para isso, dialogaremos criticamente com algumas teses dos estudos descoloniais/pós-coloniais. Entendemos que é necessário não somente aprofundar a crítica epistemológica, mas desenvolver instrumentos para análise sociológica do colonialismo e da situação pós-colonial. O texto mostra ainda como o internacionalismo, a teoria do imperialismo e da segmentaridade podem ajudar nessas tarefas.
Avaliação e qualidade do desenvolvimento profissional docente
Authors: Gatti Bernardete Angelina
Published: July 2014

O artigo trata de três questões básicas: qual perspectiva avaliativa se assume ao desenvolver uma avaliação de natureza educacional, o que se está entendendo por qualidade, e, qual o significado atribuído a desenvolvimento profissional. Levanta perspectivas diferentes em processos avaliativos, o que determina atitudes e impactos, levanta o problema e os dilemas na conceituação do que seja qualidade docente, lembrando que o trabalho docente é diferenciado de outros focos de trabalho uma vez que envolve um alto grau de subjetividade. Por fim, aborda a questão do desenvolvimento profissional, assumindo a perspectiva de evoluções/revoluções nos diferentes ciclos da vida de um profissional docente, no âmbito do desenvolvimento humano adulto, associado a espaços de trabalho. Trata, então de algumas formas avaliativas utilizadas e finaliza lembrando que o modo de iniciar e implementar processos avaliativos colocam exigências formativas e de posturas para os avaliadores e os avaliados.
Avaliação, qualidade e equidade
Authors: Leite Carlinda , Fernandes Preciosa
Published: July 2014

O artigo, focado na avaliação da aprendizagem dos ensinos fundamental, médio e superior, tem como objetivo debater possibilidades e limites da avaliação de aprendizagem constituir um meio para promover uma educação de qualidade que viabilize o princípio de justiça social. Partindo de uma análise de políticas internacionais que têm associado a avaliação à institucionalização de uma educação de qualidade, o artigo dá conta de princípios e caraterísticas que marcam os discursos académicos e legais, sobre a avaliação da aprendizagem, em Portugal. Com base nesta caraterização, são identificadas proximidades e distâncias entre esses discursos e práticas de avaliação. O artigo termina com uma reflexão sobre o contributo da avaliação da aprendizagem para uma educação de qualidade que cumpra requisitos de equidade e justiça social.
Análise de comportamento térmico de HIS térreas unifamiliares em Santa Maria, RS
Authors: Grigoletti Giane de Campos , Linck Gabriela Inês
Published: July 2014

Muitos estudos sobre habitação para a população de baixa renda têm sido desenvolvidos recentemente, apontando problemas similares em distintos países. A adoção de soluções não adequadas ao clima é uma causa para o baixo desempenho térmico. Este artigo apresenta uma análise de desempenho térmico de habitações de interesse social (HIS) construídas na Zona Bioclimática 2, sul do Brasil, pelo levantamento da satisfação de usuários. O desempenho térmico foi determinado por coeficientes globais de ganhos e perdas de calor, condensação sobre superfícies internas e assimetria da radiação térmica. A satisfação foi apurada com a aplicação de questionários, duas vezes por semana, em janeiro, fevereiro e julho de 2012, pela escala de valores proposta pela ISO 7730. Quando da aplicação dos questionários, foram medidas simultaneamente as temperaturas interna e externa das habitações. Verificaram-se o baixo desempenho térmico e a inadequação do envelope da edificação ao clima. A cobertura é o elemento que mais contribui para o baixo desempenho térmico. Os usuários consideraram suas casas mais desconfortáveis no verão, revelando maior tolerância ao frio. Durante as entrevistas, temperaturas da ordem de 39 ºC no verão e de 8 ºC no inverno foram registradas no interior das habitações no momento das entrevistas.
Flora vascular da Reserva Biológica da Represa do Grama, Minas Gerais, e sua relação florística com outras florestas do sudeste brasileiro
Authors: Forzza Rafaela Campostrini , Pifano Daniel Salgado , Oliveira-Filho Ary Teixeira de , Meireles Leonardo Dias , Faria Patrícia Lobo , Salimena Fátima Regina , Mynssen Claudine M. , Prado Jefferson
Published: July 2014

Este trabalho apresenta o levantamento florístico das plantas vasculares da Reserva Biológica da Represa do Grama, um remanescente de floresta estacional semidecidual do Domínio Atlântico, situado no município de Descoberto, Minas Gerais. Foram realizadas coletas quinzenais de material fértil entre agosto de 1999 e dezembro de 2004. Além do levantamento, fez-se a comparação da composição florística através de análises multivariadas de agrupamento com outras nove áreas (3 de floresta estacional e 6 de ombrófila), cujos levantamentos florísticos de angiospermas tiveram abordagem semelhante. Cada análise foi processada para o conjunto total das espécies e para oito hábitos: árvores (incluindo arvoretas), arbustos, trepadeiras (lenhosas e herbáceas), ervas terrícolas, ervas saxícolas, epífitas, hemiepífitas e parasitas. Na ReBio do Grama foram registradas 644 espécies de angiospermas, distribuídas em 370 gêneros e 100 famílias. Licófitas e samambaias estão representadas por 64 espécies, distribuídas em 37 gêneros e 16 famílias. Seis espécies de angiospermas foram descritas como novas para a ciência. Fabaceae (55 spp.) foi a família com maior riqueza específica, seguida de Rubiaceae (50 spp.), Melastomataceae (28 spp.), Bignoniaceae e Orchidaceae (27 spp. cada) e Myrtaceae (25 spp.). As análises multivariadas sugeriram que os gradientes longitudinais, latitudinais e altitudinais interferem de formas distintas sobre os padrões de riqueza dos diferentes hábitos. O número reduzido de espécies compartilhadas entre as áreas, associado com alta riqueza regionalizada de alguns hábitos demonstra a importância da conservação de fragmentos nas diferentes regiões geográficas da Floresta Atlântica como estratégia para maximizar a conservação da diversidade existente neste domínio fitogeográfico.
Flora da Usina São José, Igarassu, Pernambuco: Poaceae
Authors: Maciel Jefferson Rodrigues , Alves Marccus
Published: July 2014

O presente estudo tem como objetivo realizar o levantamento da família Poaceae em fragmentos de Floresta Atlântica em Pernambuco. Foram conduzidas coletas entre 2005 e 2009, com intensificação dos esforços entre fevereiro de 2007 e maio de 2008. A identificação das espécies seguiu os métodos usuais em taxonomia e informações sobre distribuição foram obtidas de fontes diversas. Como resultados foram identificadas 54 espécies classificadas em 31 gêneros. Neste trabalho são apresentados chaves de identificação, material testemunho e comentários sobre a distribuição de espécies e habitats onde cada uma foi encontrada.
Cactaceae na Serra Negra, Minas Gerais, Brasil
Authors: Gonzaga Diego Rafael , Zappi Daniela , Furtado Samyra Gomes , Menini Neto Luiz
Published: July 2014

Apresenta-se o estudo taxonômico de Cactaceae na Serra Negra, Minas Gerais. A família está representada na área por cinco gêneros e nove espécies, listados a seguir: Arthrocereus melanurus subsp. magnus, Hatiora salicornioides, Lepismium houlletianum, Opuntia monacantha, Rhipsalis elliptica, R. floccosa subsp. pulvinigera, R. juengeri, R. lindbergiana e R. pilocarpa, sendo a primeira e a última consideradas ameaçadas de extinção na flora de Minas Gerais. Ainda deve ser destacado o fato de que Arthrocereus melanurus subsp. magnus teve o conhecimento de sua área de distribuição ampliada, pois era considerada endêmica do Parque Estadual do Ibitipoca. Os dados apresentados demonstram que a conservação de áreas como a Serra Negra, uma área atualmente não protegida, é de suma importância. Esta região vem sofrendo distúrbios devido a frequente visitação desorganizada, acompanhada de coleta ilegal de plantas, assim como transformação de remanescentes florestais e áreas de campo em áreas de pastagem aumentando o status de ameaça que já atinge algumas das espécies ali encontradas. São apresentadas chave de identificação, descrições, ilustrações, comentários taxonômicos e ecológicos para as espécies.
Características adaptativas da associação simbiótica e da fixação biológica do nitrogênio molecular em plantas jovens de Lonchocarpus muehlbergianus Hassl., uma leguminosa arbórea nativa do Cerrado
Authors: Moreira Vitor , Justino Gilberto Costa , Camargos Liliane Santos , Aguiar Leandro Ferreira
Published: July 2014

O nitrogênio mineral afeta negativamente a simbiose e a fixação biológica do nitrogênio em plantas cultivadas. Entretanto, este efeito não é verificado em algumas espécies arbóreas, pouco estudadas até o momento. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a capacidade de Lonchocarpus muehlbergianus, espécie arbórea nativa do Cerrado, em utilizar o nitrogênio molecular, na presença do nitrogênio mineral (nitrato), característica desejável para plantas fixadoras crescendo em solos com nitrato como principal forma de nitrogênio disponível. Foram determinados o número e a massa seca dos nódulos, da parte aérea e das raízes, bem como o conteúdo de nitrato, aminoácidos e ureídeos, transportados pelo xilema e a atividade da redutase do nitrato. Foi observado que o número e a massa seca dos nódulos não foram negativamente afetados pelo nitrato. Ocorreu pequeno aumento na massa seca da parte aérea e do sistema radicular de plantas noduladas tratadas com nitrato, resultado verificado também para os teores de aminoácidos, ureídeos e atividade da redutase do nitrato. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que a espécie tem capacidade de utilizar tanto nitrogênio mineral quanto molecular, uma vez que o transporte de ureídeos, do sistema radicular para a parte aérea, não foi reduzido em plantas noduladas tratadas com nitrato.
A questão do autor em Bakhtin
Authors: Ará Pampa Olga
Published: July 2014

Gostaria de refletir sobre a questão do autor em Bakhtin, objeto de numerosas abordagens ao longo de sua obra: como personagem, como ideólogo da arquitetônica, como voz mascarada, como ouvido polifônico, como interlocutor no diálogo cronotópico. Proponho percorrer essas posições a partir do vínculo entre a história intelectual do autor pensador Bakhtin e sua noção teórica de autor (autoria), a qual, embora vá adquirindo diferentes modulações, trata sempre da questão do sujeito, seu modo de existência e de consciência, da produção de diferentes formas de conhecimento de si mesmo e do mundo através de relações intersubjetivas. Com Bakhtin assistimos a um processo de transformação do sujeito civilizatório da Modernidade e sua substituição por um sujeito moral do discurso. Finalizo com uma breve comparação com o texto de Barthes sobre a morte do autor.
Solubilização de fosfatos in vitro por Aspergillus brasiliensis Varga, Frisvad & Samson na presença de fontes de carbono
Authors: Coutinho Flavia Paiva , Silva Jennifer Figueiredo da , Santana Izabela Pinheiro de , Felix Wagner Pereira , Yano-Melo Adriana Mayumi
Published: July 2014

Os fungos solubilizadores de fosfatos desempenham importante papel na disponibilização de fósforo para as plantas, pois apresentam capacidade de reverter fosfatos insolúveis em formas solúveis. No entanto, a solubilização de fosfatos pode ser influenciada pelo crescimento do fungo, que depende da disponibilidade da fonte de carbono. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a capacidade e o potencial de solubilização de fontes de fosfato in vitro por Aspergillus brasiliensis na presença de fontes de carbono convencionais (amido, glicose e sacarose) e alternativas (coprodutos da vinificação), na região do Vale do São Francisco, Petrolina, PE, Brasil. Todas as fontes de carbono foram assimiladas pelos espécimes, proporcionando diferentes respostas. Os coprodutos da vinificação estimularam mais o crescimento fúngico, proporcionando maior solubilização dos fosfatos. Conclui-se que os coprodutos da vinificação podem ser utilizados na agricultura como alternativa viável e de menor custo para produzir inóculo de fungos solubilizadores e estimular o crescimento de fungos autóctones, visando a otimização na disponibilização de fontes não renováveis.
Overwintering Biology of Egg Parasitoids of Dalbulus maidis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) on Perennial Grasses, Volunteer Maize, Stubble, and Drip-Irrigated Maize
Authors: Moya-Raygoza Gustavo , Becerra-Chiron Iskra M
Published: July 2014

Dalbulus maidis (DeLong & Wolcott) (Hemiptera: Ciaadellidae) is the most important leafhopper vector of maize plant pathogens in the Americas. However, until now, no study has investigated the overwintering biology of its egg parasitoids. The objective in this study was to find egg parasitoids of D.maidis in perennial grass, volunteer maize, stubble, and drip-irrigated maize habitats in the winter season. Two-week-old D. maidis females were allowed to oviposit on young maize plants for 72 h under laboratory conditions. The oviposited healthy D.maidis eggs (sentinel eggs) on the young maize plants were exposed to natural parasitism maintained on perennial grasses, volunteer maize, and stubble 2 mo after the onset of winter, and on perennial grasses, volunteer maize, and drip-irrigated maize at the end of winter. The abundance of D. maidis adults in these habitats was also determined. Two months after the start of winter, D.maidis eggs were parasitized by the wasp Oligosita sp. from perennial grasses and volunteer maize, whereas at the end of winter, the eggs were parasitized by the wasps Oligosita sp. and Anagrus columbi Perkins from perennial grasses, volunteer maize, and drip-irrigated maize. Overall, more adult parasitoids of D. maidis eggs were found on perennial grasses. Adult corn leafhoppers were absent from perennial grasses at the end of winter; however, other Deltocephalinae leafhopper species were present, suggesting that egg parasitoids of D. maidis use another leafhopper host during winter. Furthermore, adults of five Deltocephalinae species were parasitized by dryinids and strepsipterans throughout the 2012–2013 winter in perennial grasses.
The Role of Executive Function Deficits in Domestic Violence Perpetration
Authors: Corvo Kenneth
Published: July 2014

Of the probable psychological or neuropsychological vulnerabilities or risks in domestic violence perpetration, deficits in executive function may be one of the least explored. This integrative review contains overviews of domestic violence theory, the literature on psychological and neuropsychological risk for violence, the literature on executive function, and the literature on coping. The neuropsychology and neuroanatomy of violence typically involves deficits in the frontal lobes and their role in cognition and impulse control and/or excessive activation of the limbic structures with their role of mediating primary emotions and drive-related behavior. Domestic violence perpetration can be understood as maladaptive and destructive coping, symptomatic of disorders of impulsivity, neuropsychological impairment, and emotional dysfunction activated within the context of intimacy or primary relationships, often (if not usually) exacerbated by substance abuse or dependency. Conceptualizing domestic violence perpetration as maladaptive coping, impaired by executive deficits, psychopathology, often worsened by substance abuse, opens up a wide range of alternative intervention strategies. Instead of assuming (often incorrectly) that a perpetrator’s intentions are only patriarchal domination, careful assessment of neuropsychological vulnerability and coping abilities can lead to both a more accurate picture of risk as well as guided change strategies. Assessment of executive function can provide a framework for understanding and improving both the cognitive capabilities of perpetrators to form and use adaptive strategies as well as their abilities to manage or inhibit affective arousal to violence.
Adopting Primary Plastic Trickling Filters as a Solution for Enhanced Nitrification
Authors: Wilson Simon P. , Ouki Sabeha K. , Saroj Devendra P. , Pearce Pete A. , Bancroft Louise , Germain Eve
Published: July 2014

The wastewater industry is under pressure to optimize performance of sewage treatment works (STW), while simultaneously reducing energy consumption. Using a process configuration selection matrix, this paper explores the practicability of placing a hypothetical cross flow structured plastic media (CFSP) trickling filter (TF) immediately ahead of an existing conventional trickling filter process (CTFP), without intermediate clarification. The viability of this configuration is subsequently demonstrated using an empirical multi‐species TF model. This predicts the enhanced nitrification performance of the CTFP by simulating prior removals of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). The model predictions propose that prior 50–80% BOD removals can allow for further reductions in effluent ammoniacal nitrogen (NH4‐N) concentrations of 40–70%, respectively. This illustrates that adopting low energy TF technologies can eliminate the requirement for more energy intensive alternatives, such as submerged aerated filters (SAF). Moreover, this configuration maximizes the potential of existing assets, while simultaneously improving nitrification robustness when compared with tertiary nitrification processes.
SimpleConcepts: A lightweight extension to C++ to support constraints on generic types
Authors: Milewicz Reed , Mernik Marjan , Pirkelbauer Peter
Published: July 2014

Generic programming plays an essential role in C++ software through the use
of templates. However, both the creation and use of template libraries is
hindered by the fact that the language does not allow programmers to specify
constraints on generic types. To date, no proposal to update the language to
provide concepts has survived the committee process. Until that time comes,
as a form of early support, this paper introduces SimpleConcepts, an
extension to C++11 that provides support for concepts, sets of constraints on
generic types. SimpleConcepts features are parsed according to an island
grammar and source-to-source translation is used to lower concepts to pure
C++11 code.
Optimal design of a DC MHD pump by simulated annealing method
Authors: Bouali Khadidja , Kadid Fatima , Abdessemed Rachid
Published: July 2014

In this paper a design methodology of a magnetohydrodynamic pump is proposed.
The methodology is based on direct interpretation of the design problem as an
optimization problem. The simulated annealing method is used for an optimal
design of a DC MHD pump. The optimization procedure uses an objective
function which can be the minimum of the mass. The constraints are both of
geometrics and electromagnetic in type. The obtained results are reported.
Performance analysis of a re-circulating heat pump dryer
Authors: Yamankaradeniz Nurettin , Sokmen Furkan , Coskun Salih , Kaynakli Omer , Pastakkaya Bilsay
Published: July 2014

A re-circulating heat pump dryer (HPD) system was designed, constructed and
tested at steady state and transient conditions. Refrigerant 134a was used as
a refrigerant in this system. The tests were performed to observe behavior of
HPD system. So, changes of temperature and relative humidity of drying air
through the dryer and heat pump operating temperatures were observed during
the drying process and effects of bypass air ratio (BAR) on the system?s
parameters as system performance and specific moisture extracted ratio (SMER)
at steady state were investigated. The HPD system was also tested to
investigate temperatures and relative humidity changes of drying air during
drying process on the system?s parameters depend on time. Air flow rate
circulated through the HPD system was 554m3/h during the all tests. According
to test results, the system?s parameters did not change up to 40% of BAR.
Then the COP and SMER values were decreased after 40% of BAR. While SMER
values changed between 1.2 and 1.4, COPsys changed between 2.8 and 3.3 depend
on BAR. As well as during the drying process, the COP and SMER values were
also affected and decreased depend on time.
Comments on "Effects of variable viscosity and thermal conductivity on unsteady MHD flow of non-Newtonian fluid over a stretching porous sheet", by Gamal M. Abdel-Rahman [Thermal science: year 2013, vol. 17, no. 4, pp. 1035-1047]
Authors: Mahmoud Mostafa
Published: July 2014

nema
The Association between Sustainability Governance Characteristics and the Assurance of Corporate Sustainability Reports
Authors: Peters Gary F. , Romi Andrea M.
Published: July 2014

This study provides evidence on whether sustainability-oriented corporate governance mechanisms impact the voluntary assurance of corporate sustainability reports. Specifically, we consider the presence and characteristics of environmental committees on the Board of Directors and a Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) among the management team. When examining assurance services, we make a distinction between those services performed by professional accountants, consultants, and internal auditors. We find that the presence of a CSO is positively associated with corporate sustainability report assurance services, and this association increases when the CSO has sustainability expertise. Supporting the position that some firms establish sustainability-related governance merely to conform to socially desired behavior, we find that only those environmental committees containing directors with related expertise influence the likelihood of adopting sustainability assurance. Presently, environmental committees with greater expertise appear to prefer the higher-quality assurance services of professional accounting firms. Expert CSOs, on the other hand, prefer assurance services from their peers with sustainability expertise, as evidenced by their choice to employ consultants. When analyzing firms' environmental contextual characteristics, we find that firms employing a CSO and exhibiting poor environmental performance, relative to other firms in their industry, prefer to report sustainability results without assurance. While we do find that larger firms in the U.S. are significantly less likely to employ assurance, this result decreases over time. Further, we provide initial evidence that the value-relevance of sustainability assurance is increasing with time.
Communication Apprehension of South African Accounting Students: The Effect of Culture and Language
Authors: Coetzee Stephen A. , Schmulian Astrid , Kotze Lizette
Published: July 2014

Developing communication skills is an objective of many accounting education programs. Students' communication apprehension may hamper this. This study explores South African accounting students' communication apprehension and the association thereof with culture and home and instruction language. Data were collected using the Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA-24) and Written Communication Apprehension (WCA) self-report questionnaires. South Africa provides an example of the salience of race, given past racial segregation. Culture is, however, more complex than physical appearance. Significant differences were identified in communication apprehension between students from previously disadvantaged African communities attending poorly resourced schools, and African and White students attending well-resourced, Westernized schools. Further, this study suggests that students who receive instruction in the business language in which they are to function as graduates exhibit less communication apprehension in that language, regardless of their home language. While this study considers South African students, the results may be of interest in other multicultural or multilingual environments, particularly where socio-economic differences pervade. The adoption of pedagogy to remedy the communication apprehension of a student may aggravate the apprehension of another. To limit such unintended consequence, instructors need to look beyond appearance in anticipating a student's predisposition to communication apprehension.
Bluffing computer? Computer strategies to the Perudo game
Authors: Boros Norbert , Kallós Gábor
Published: July 2014

In this paper we present the elaborated computer strategies which we developed to a less-known dice game, Perudo. Moreover, the related analysis is presented, with the results of our machine players against human players. The main contribution of our paper is a strategy which involves bluffing. An important goal of this work is the remembrance to John v. Neumann; with our means we pay a tribute to the activity of the ”founding father”; on the occasion of his 110th birthday.
A computational model of outguessing in two-player non-cooperative games
Authors: Balogh Tamás László , Kormos János
Published: July 2014

Several behavioral game theory models aim at explaining why “smarter“ people win more frequently in simultaneous zero-sum games, a phanomenon, which is not explained by the Nash equilibrium concept. We use a computational model and a numerical simulation based on Markov chains to describe player behavior and predict payoffs.
Coloring the nodes of a directed graph
Authors: Szabó Sándor , Zaválnij Bogdán
Published: July 2014

It is an empirical fact that coloring the nodes of a graph can be used to speed up clique search algorithms. In directed graphs transitive subtournaments can play the role of cliques. In order to speed up algorithms to locate large transitive tournaments we propose a scheme for coloring the nodes of a directed graph. The main result of the paper is that in practically interesting situations determining the optimal number of colors in the proposed coloring is an NP-hard problem. A possible conclusion to draw from this result is that for practical transitive tournament search algorithms we have to develop approximate greedy coloring algorithms.
On vertex independence number of uniform hypergraphs
Authors: Chishti Tariq A. , Zhou Guofei , Pirzada Shariefuddin , Iványi Antal
Published: July 2014

Let H be an r-uniform hypergraph with r ≥ 2 and let α(H) be its vertex independence number. In the paper bounds of α(H) are given for different uniform hypergraphs: if H has no isolated vertex, then in terms of the degrees, and for triangle-free linear H in terms of the order and average degree.
Seasonal Differences in Growth, Photosynthetic Pigments and Gas Exchange Properties in Two Greenhouse Grown Maize (Zea Mays L.) Cultivars
Authors: Hussain Iqbal , Wahid Abdul , Rasheed Rizwan , Muhammad Akram Hafiz
Published: July 2014

The greenhouse (GH) effect has emerged as a major factor in changing cropping patterns and limiting crop yields. This study was conducted to determine the comparative growth and photosynthetic responses of selected heat-resistant (cv. Sadaf) and heat-susceptible (cv. Agatti-2002) cultivars of maize to simulated GH conditions during spring and autumn seasons at seedling, silking and grain filling stages in 2007. Fifteen day old plants were shifted to plexiglass-fitted canopies to create GH conditions and data were recorded at each growth stage. The results revealed that the seasons, GH conditions and cultivars had large effects on plant growth and photosynthetic attributes. Simulated GH conditions increased the canopy temperature 4-7 °C in spring and 3-5 °C in autumn, but increased relative humidity by 2-3% in spring and 5-9% in autumn season. Although GH reduced the growth of both cultivars, shoot dry mass was reduced more in spring grown heat-susceptible maize at all growth stages. Although the cultivars showed a decrease in growth and photosynthesis, GH conditions resulted in less damage to cv. Sadaf than cv. Agatti-2002 in both seasons. Major indicators of sensitivity to GH effect were loss of chlorophyll b and carotenoids, reductions in net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance, and possibly reduced ability of Rubisco to fix CO2 in sensitive maize.
Plant Diversity and Chemical Soil Composition of Rocky Pastures in Relation to the Sheep Grazing Intensity on the Northern Adriatic Islands (Croatia)
Authors: Ljubičić Ivica , Britvec Mihaela , D. Jelaska Sven , Husnjak Stjepan
Published: July 2014

Optimal grazing pressure on rocky pastures is beneficial to the development of plant species and maintenance of plant diversity. Both abandonment of grazing and overgrazing gradually reduce plant diversity. This paper correlated abundance patterns of the flora on rocky pastures with the values of the chemical composition of the soil resulting from the degree of sheep grazing intensity. The study was carried out in the period from 2008 to 2010 on the islands of Pag, Krk and Cres. At 30 sites, 310 taxa of vascular plants were found. The highest plant diversity and 220 plant taxa were found on moderately grazed pastures. Abandoned pastures with a total of 93 plant taxa observed show the dominance of phanerophytes (35.5%) and the highest proportion of the Mediterranean floral element when compared to pastures of moderate and heavy grazing intensity. The highest concentration of total nitrogen in the soil (0.71%) was recorded on plots of heavy grazing intensity. The results of the study indicate that moderate grazing intensity, from 1 to 1.5 sheep ha−1, can be recommended on the northern Adriatic islands. This should contribute not only to the preservation of plant diversity, but also to the improvement of ecological sheep farming.
Physiological and Biochemical Responses of Fibigia Triquetra (DC.) Boiss. to Osmotic Stress
Authors: Vujčić Valerija , Radić Brkanac Sandra
Published: July 2014

Water deficit in the soil leads to osmotic stress in plants. The type of stress affects plant water relations, osmolyte accumulation and oxidative stress balance. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of osmotic stress on the Croatian perennial species Fibigia triquetra (DC.) Boiss, adapted to a hot and dry habitat. Plants grown in culture conditions were subjected to isoosmotic concentrations of mannitol and polyethylene glycol (PEG) and certain physiological and oxidative stress parameters were analyzed during a period of 14 days. Dry weight and proline content in Fibigia triquetra shoots increased in response to osmotic stress while the relative water content decreased. After an initial rise, chlorophyll and carotenoid levels in treated plants dropped to untreated plant levels. Oxidative damage to proteins and especially to lipids was evident upon PEG-induced osmotic stress. Superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase appear to play an essential protective role in stressed plants. Regardless of the osmotic agent, accumulation of heat-shock proteins of 70 kDa was noticed under osmotic stress. The tolerance of the plant species to osmotic stress seems to be associated with increased capacity of the antioxidative system and efficient photoprotective system.
lmpact of aluminium sulphate fertiliser on selected soil properties and the efficiency and quality of pine seedlings in the forest ground tree nursery
Authors: Januszek Kazimierz , Stępniewska Hanna , Błońska Ewa , Molicka Joanna , Kozieł Krzysztof , Gdula Anna , Wójs Anna
Published: July 2014

The alkalisation of soil is a common phenomenon in forest ground nurseries. Liming, inadequate fertilisation and the use of hard water for irrigation are the main reasons for this alkalisation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of fertilisation with aluminium sulphate on soil pH, the activity of selected soil enzymes, efficiency as well as the growth parameters of pine seedlings.

The study was conducted in a forest nursery, on a plot with soil pH 6.4 in water and 5.9 in 1M KCl. Such a pH is not conducive to the production of conifer seedlings, particularly pines. Two different doses of aluminium sulphate fertiliser were applied: 740 kg ha-1 and 1110 kg ha-1.

Both doses significantly reduced the soil pH, whereas soil enzyme activity did not change. The lower dose had a positive impact on the growth parameters of pine seedlings, while the higher dose led to their deterioration. We observed statistically significant differences in average primary and lateral root lengths, number of short roots, and thickness of the neck root of seedlings. One- and 2-year-old seedlings did not show symptoms of nutrient deficiency and neither did concentrations of the investigated macronutrients and selected micronutrients in needles indicate such. After applying the higher fertiliser dose, we observed a favourable change in the composition of mycorrhizae. Out of the potential seedling pathogens we found Cylindrocarpon spp., Fusarium spp.,Phytophthora spp., Pythium spp. and Rhizoctonia solani of which the most frequent were Fusarium oxysporom, Pythium spp. and R. solani. Their occurrence frequency differed between the treatments used in this experiment.

This study confirms the positive effects of a low aluminium dose on the performance and growth parameters of pine seedlings. However, on the basis of the conducted experiments, it is difficult to say, whether this positive effect is due to a direct action of aluminium on the seedlings or rather an indirect effect caused by lowering the soil pH, which in tum impacts on mycorrhizae composition and hence pathogen development.
Do natural processes at the juvenile stage of stand development differentiate the spatial structure of trees in artificially established forest stands?
Authors: Szmyt Janusz , Korzeniewicz Robert
Published: July 2014

Structural diversity is one of the most interesting phenomena that have been studied by forest ecologists and practitioners. Amongst the different characteristics of forest structure, spatial diversity of trees and their attributes seem to be very important The more spatially structured a population is, the higher its diversity in terms of size and species richness. Because most forests in Europe are managed and were artificially established, they are subjected to conversion processes turning them into more complex systems. The approach presented here aims at elucidating whether natural processes, such as self-thinning, can cause the self-differentiation of spatial structure in artificially planted stands.

Our analyses focused on untended Scots pine and pedunculate oak stands in the juvenile phase of development and were based on spatially explicit structural indices for positioning and size differentiation (diameter, total height and crown length). The obtained results indicate that live trees were dispersed more or less regularly. Unlike the anglebased index, which mostly indicated randomness in tree location, a distance-based index showed clear regularity. We also found that the distribution of tree attributes auto-correlates to tree location as indicated by significantly tower index values compared to values resulting from random reassignment of the examined attributes. This low degree of spatial differentiation is further confirmed by the distribution of indices in differentiation classes. Our results allow us to conclude that, in the case of light demanding species (pine and oak.), natural processes do not increase spatial diversity of the stand, although, both species showed a certain degree of deviation in this respect.
Environmental issues of the corporate social responsibility
Authors: Misztal Agnieszka , Jasiulewicz-Kaczmarek Małgorzata
Published: July 2014

The article is dealing with the environmental corporate responsibility. Taking this research topic stems from a growing awareness of entrepreneurs in this area and is associated with the popularity of proving the social responsibility before a group of stakeholders. The article discussed past literature achievements relating to environmental management as one of the areas of corporate social responsibility. There were also presented current imperatives of this aspect, which became the subject of practical research to find effective ways of their compliance. Practical examples of solutions to grouped environmental requirements were described in the second part of the article.
The implementation of selected elements of the CSR concept on the example of agribusiness enterprises from Warmia and Mazury
Authors: Ratajczak Marcin
Published: July 2014

The concept of corporate social responsibility , functioning under the name of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), which is the responsibility of the business, is becoming more popular not only in academia, but also business. The purpose of this paper is to present the issues related to the implementation of selected elements of the concept of CSR (codes of ethics , norms and standards for quality management and dialogue with stakeholders) in the surveyed enterprises agribusiness. Research on business opinion on the concept of CSR has been carried out in the second half of 2013 and included 174 micro-enterprises (0-9 persons), small (10-49 employees ) and medium (50-249 employees) businesses agribusiness established in rural areas of Warmia and Mazury . The results showed that it is necessary first of all to think of entrepreneurs in terms of CSR and strategic approach to community engagement in the area where the company knows best. It is important to create their own solutions among companies understood as a business strategy , not just the actions taken occasionally.
The Role of Formal and Informal Structures In Shaping the Corporation’s Relational Capital
Authors: Haber Lesław
Published: July 2014

The paper presents the origin of the term of ‘relational capital’ by reference to such previous management systems as human relations, organizational culture, or human resources management. At the same time, the author indicates the significance of relational capital in the recent conceptions associated with the treatment of management as a process. On that background, the roles of formal and informal structures in shaping relational capital are discussed, marking both positive and negative influence of such capital in the corporate management system.
Training and knowledge transfer at the interface of cultures
Authors: Winkler Renata
Published: July 2014

The paper discusses different approaches to the problems of knowledge transfer. In the paper factors that influence cross cultural knowledge transfer with training is presented. It can be argued that the impact of national culture on the transfer of knowledge is less than the influence of such elements of the transfer process like: number of canal, source’s willingness to share knowledge, sender’s willingness to acquire knowledge, absorptive capacity of the receiver and to what degree Knowledge Resources was transformed.
Influence of the selected factors on the capital structure of enterprises in the construction industry
Authors: Jędrzejczak-Gas Janina
Published: July 2014

These are the issues related to shaping the capital structure of enterprises that are fundamental problems of corporate finances. Capital structure has been of interest to the researchers in the field of finance theory for over 60 years. However, the studies of the literature indicate that there was relatively little research on the capital structure and the factors shaping it in Poland. The purpose of this article is to identify and to examine the strength and the direction of the influence of the selected microeconomic factors on the capital structure of the enterprises belonging to the construction industry and quoted on the NewConnect share market. It is in order to accomplish this objective that the correlation analysis and the linear regression methods were applied. The enterprises being the object of the analysis are companies quoted on the NewConnect share market. At the very moment, there are 32 companies belonging to the construction industry quoted on this market. Out of this group, there were 15 companies selected for the needs of this study, because they met the selection criterion, which was the publication of the financial data for the period 2009-2012.
Cultural determinants of attitudes toward career
Authors: Jaremczuk Kazimierz , Mazurkiewicz Anna , Molter Anna
Published: July 2014

This article is focused on the culture’s influence on the employees’ career. The career itself has been interpreted with a particular emphasis on its contemporary understanding. The issue of values internalization has been focused on. To organizational culture’s importance in the career development has been given consideration here - a career in the subjective perspective i.e. identification with a professional group, as well as perceived from both organization’s and the environment’s perspective as well. In particular, the problem regards organizational culture as a derivative of the employees’ environmental cultures.
Dysfunctions in communication in business organizations in Southern Poland
Authors: Makowiec Marek , Potocki Arkadiusz
Published: July 2014

In the study authors, on the basis of completed two different tests, pointed out the most common difficulties and dysfunctions in communication in contemporary organizations. Both traditionally functioning economic entities and organizations which employ teleworkers, where there is much more variety of problems, including due to lack of physical contact between people, were analyzed. In such situations a big impact on improving the process of information flow between people has modern technology and IT technology, which, however, has a negative impact on humans.
Conditions necessary to maintain work-life balance of employees - in the light of the research results
Authors: Stankiewicz Janina , Bortnowska Hanna , Łychmus Patrycja
Published: July 2014

The article presents the results of research concerning worklife balance of employees of enterprises located in lubuskie voivodeship. The working conditions provided by employers were analyzed. The authors of research checked whether they favor, according to the respondents, the homeostasis between work and private life. The results showed some deficits in this area. This led to reflection on the potential remedial actions which can be applied in the organization, such as a policy of „family friendly employment”.
Evolution of managers’ opinions on usability of different resources for developing competitive advantages
Authors: Bielski Ireneusz
Published: July 2014

Nowadays, in order to survive and operate on the market, enterprises need to focus on developing competitive advantages as well as on using all the available methods one of which being entrepreneurial strategy. This strategy provides the possibility to achieve success on the market by being able to detect the opportunities that appear in the constantly changing business environment and take advantage of them using the available resources. Effectiveness of the accepted strategy is determined by selection of the resources that are to be used for developing competitive advantages. Managers; opinion on the subject of particular resources, apart from the world economic crisis, is also affected by specificity of the target markets. The world economic crisis has changed attitudes to different resources In terms of their being used for generation of competitive advantages. In all cases, these are intangible factors that have become of more value rather than tangible ones, particularly human resources, leadership and educational mobility.