bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non-observation RINEX compression
Authors: Bezručka Juraj
Published: May 2018

RINEX format is a result of an effort to standardize exchanging GNSS related data in human readable receiver independent format. Besides observation data, RINEX is also de facto standard for exchanging navigation message or meteorological data. The paper describes simple compression methods for navigation messages and meteorological data files. Both formats have their specific features, therefore different methods were used. Followed by standard compression the algorithms reduce the file size by more than 20 percent compared to standard compression. Thanks to the properties of weather and regular parameter observations it allows to reduce the file size of meteorological RINEX to a mere fraction of its original size.
A Stand-alone Station and DSP Method for Deep Sky Objects Astrophotography
Authors: Suszynski Robert
Published: May 2018

This article presents the basic assumptions and aspects of the design of a stand-alone station for deep sky objects (DSO) astrophotography. It describes the main elements of a project concerned with automatization, remote control and autoguiding [1-5] of a system. The article also covers in further detail the innovative use of a driver with an ATMEGA16 microcontroller and dedicated software for controlling the astronomical dome and its synchronization with telescope movement. Furthermore, a new concept of reprogrammable digital circuit implementation for auto-guiding systems is shown, which operates with a popular CCD webcam and ST4 compatible equatorial mounts. This idea was verified by the circuit prototype implemented on an Altera Cyclone II FPGA device and tested with real sky objects. A fully functional solution for performing automatic observation is presented. The project was also designed for amateur-astronomy, and therefore, user-friendly configuration and maintenance constituted very important factors, which were taken into consideration.
Cluster Based Optimization of Routing in Distributed Sensor Networks Using Bayesian Networks with Tabu Search
Authors: Bhajantri Lokesh B. , N. Nalini
Published: May 2018

Distributed Sensor Networks (DSNs) have attracted significant attention over the past few years. A growing list of many applications can employ DSNs for increased effectiveness especially in hostile and remote areas. In all applications a large number of sensors are expected and requiring careful architecture and management of the network. Grouping nodes into clusters has been the most popular approach for support scalability in DSN. This paper proposes a cluster based optimization of routing in DSN by employing a Bayesian network (BN) with Tabu search (TS) approach. BN based approach is used to select efficient cluster heads and construction of BN for the proposed scheme. This approach incorporates energy level of each node, bandwidth and link efficiency.

The optimization of routing is considered as a design issue in DSN due to lack of energy consumption, delay and maximum time required for data transmission between source nodes (cluster heads) to sink node. In this work optimization of routing takes place through cluster head nodes by using TS. Simulations have been conducted to compare the performance of the proposed approach with LEACH protocol. The objective of the proposed work is to improve the performance of network in terms of energy consumption, throughput, packet delivery ratio, and time efficiency of optimization of routing. The result shows that the proposed approach perform better than LEACH protocol that utilizes minimum energy, latency for cluster formation and reduce overhead of the protocol.
A preliminary Exploration of Operating Models of Second Cycle/Research Led Open Education Involving Industry Collaboration
Authors: Olsson Ulf
Published: May 2018

Scientists from five Swedish universities were interviewed about open second cycle education. Research groups and scientists collaborate closely with industry, and the selection of scientists for the study was made in relation to an interest in developing technology-enhanced open education, indicated by applications for funding from the Knowledge Foundation 2013. The study is founded on Conole’s (2012) seven organizational purposes for open education, Coursera’s eight models (Daniel, 2012), and Clarke’s (2013) four strategies for open education, and raises the question whether open education and MOOCs might be a way to reinforce research collaborations and research environments. The researchers displayed a positive attitude towards expanding the technology-enhanced learning and openness, and foresee few problems with openness when industry participates in teaching. Nonetheless, the scientists’ operating models and strategies for developing technology-enhanced learning and open education, are vague. Conclusively: although the interest is obvious, in order to succeed with technology-enhanced open education and strengthening the research groups, the variables for purposes, operating models, strategies, pedagogic models, and obstacles need to be calibrated and made more deliberated, preferably in collaboration between the scientists and industry.
Intercultural Blended Design Considerations: A Case Study of a Nordic-Baltic Course in Autism Intervention
Authors: Käck Annika , Roll-Pettersson Lise , Alai-Rosales Shahla S , Høium Kari , Männikkö-Barbutiu Sirkku , Fors Uno G.H
Published: May 2018

Specialized educational programs previously unavailable to many students are now accessible to students spread throughout the world. In particular, this globalization presents new opportunities and challenges for universities educating professionals in the field of autism treatment. The aim of the present case study is to analyse the experiences of students who participated in an intercultural graduate level blended learning course in applied behaviour analysis with an autism focus. Students were enrolled in universities in four Nordic-Baltic countries. Country based focus group interviews and surveys were used to explore student’s experiences and perceptions. Results indicate that access to expertise and interacting with other cultures were noted to positively affect learning experience. Risk for cultural divide due to discrepancies in technology, differing pedagogical traditions, and understanding of English were also reported. Implications regarding the potential risks and benefits inherent in intercultural blended learning courses are discussed and suggestions are offered for enhancing the success of such courses.
Connecting Multiple Intelligences through Open and Distance Learning: Going Towards a Collective Intelligence?
Authors: Medeiros Vieira Leandro Mauricio , Ferasso Marcos , Schröeder Christine da Silva
Published: May 2018

This theoretical essay is a learning approach reflexion on Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences and the possibilities provided by the education model known as open and distance learning. Open and distance learning can revolutionize traditional pedagogical practice, meeting the needs of those who have different forms of cognitive understanding. This tool has in itself the potential to build knowledge collectively. The conclusions raise new questions for future discussion, shedding some light on the open and distance learning not as a mere tool to spread education, but as a means to reach new levels of comprehension and consciousness, reflecting on the role of education itself.
Engineering College Lecturers Reluctance to Adopt Online Courses
Authors: Pundak David , Dvir Yoav , Valley Jordan
Published: May 2018

The paper investigates difficulties involved in integrating online courses in academic colleges. Despite their growing prevalence in Israel and worldwide there are still no online courses offered as part of the learning process in many colleges. In order to identify factors for this phenomenon, a study was conducted to investigate the attitudes of 137 lecturers in an academic college concerning online courses. A questionnaire was employed to examine attitudes in four areas: cognizance of the online courses, willingness to teach these courses, influence of online courses on the college’s reputation and teaching methods in online courses. The study identified four sources of reluctance among college instructors to teach in these courses: lack of knowledge concerning teaching methods, fear of a heavy work burden, concern that students’ achievements might fall and impairment of the college’s reputation. Since there is desire to integrate online courses in academic colleges, it is recommended that an online pedagogy support centre should be opened in these colleges, and that colleges should consider making it mandatory for students to take at least one compulsory online course during their degree course.
Sibling Rivalry: Estimating Cannibalization Rates for Innovations
Authors: van Heerde Harald J. , Srinivasan Shuba , Dekimpe Marnik G.
Published: May 2018

To evaluate the success of a new product, managers need to determine how much of its new demand is due to cannibalizing the company’s other products, rather than drawing from competition or generating primary demand. A new model allows managers to estimate cannibalization effects and to calculate the new product’s net demand, which may be considerably less than its total demand. The new methodology is applied to the introduction of the Lexus RX 300 using detailed car transaction data. This case is especially interesting since the Lexus RX 300 was the first crossover SUV, implying that its demand could come from both the SUV and the Luxury Sedan categories. As Lexus was active in both categories, there was a double cannibalization potential. Indeed, demand is shown to originate from different sources and to vary over time. The results contain valuable insights for evaluating and managing brand extensions.
Seeding a Message to Harvest Reach. Predicting and Optimizing the Spread of Electronic Word-of-Mouth
Authors: van der Lans Ralf , van Bruggen Gerrit , Eliashberg Jehoshua , Wierenga Berend
Published: May 2018

In a viral marketing campaign organizations stimulate customers to forward marketing messages to their contacts. To optimize a viral campaign it is necessary to predict how many customers will be reached, how this reach evolves, and how it depends on promotion activities. a new Viral Branching model can provide these results. It is based on insights from epidemiology and the spread of viruses and was adapted to a marketing context and an electronic environment. The model is applied to an actual viral marketing campaign in which over 200,000 customers participated during a six-week period. The results show that the model quickly predicts the actual reach of the campaign and serves as a valuable tool to support marketing decisions related to online campaigns
Does Quality Win? Competing Against an Entrenched Market-Leader in High-Tech Markets
Authors: Tellis Gerard J. , Yin Eden , Niraj Rakesh
Published: May 2018

In recent years, with some early entrants to a market commanding huge market shares, critics have wondered whether the best quality products win in the market place. Early entrants can gain a position of wide-spread acceptance among users. The fact that a critical mass already uses the product might prompt new consumers to snowball onto this early choice leading to consumer lock-in. Many economists fear that such “network effects” may enable inferior products to defend their entrenched positions even against higher quality alternatives. This article tests the validity of this premise in 19 high-tech markets including hardware, software, and services.

Results indicate that contrary to the above fear, healthy market evolution occurs in most cases without regulatory intervention. Better quality entrants gain market dominance within three to five years of entry. The findings also show that it makes sense to invest in developing high quality products even if the market seems dominated by an entrenched industry leader and that network effects even increase market efficiency in some cases
Customization: A Goldmine or a Wasteland?
Authors: Franke Nikolaus , Keinz Peter , Steger Christoph J.
Published: May 2018

Should firms invest in customization strategies? Customization is a “hot” topic advocated in many popular books and articles. On the other hand, spectacular failures in the recent past have raised doubts. We experimentally tested the value customization generates for customers in the diverse product categories of newspapers, fountain pens, kitchens, skis, and cereals. The findings are clear: customization by far outperforms the more traditional strategies of segmentation and mass marketing
MIR talks to Vinita Bali, Managing Director and CEO of Britannia Industries
Authors: Reddy Srinivas K.
Published: May 2018

Today we live in a truly global economy, no matter whether we talk about goods, services or manpower. Whereas economic growth rates in Europe and North America remain moderate, many Asian countries are booming despite last year´s economic downturn. This is reason enough for MIR to take a closer look at one of the rising stars: India. In June 2010, MIR talked to Vinita Bali, one of the few female CEOs of leading companies, who has worked in influential marketing positions on five continents. In describing how Britannia, one of the most famous Indian brands, handles everyday business and marketing challenges, she delivers a bright picture of the Indian economic situation
Doing Well While Doing Good. Linking A Social Cause To Product Promotions: Why It Works And How To Make It More Effective
Authors: Henderson Ty , Arora Neeraj
Published: May 2018

An increasing number of brands in the marketplace are being linked to social causes. Such enhancements are called embedded premiums (EP) and can be quite effective as a sales promotion strategy. Across three experiments, using a nationwide internet panel, we find that (i) at low denominations EP is more effective than an equivalent price discount, (ii) EP benefits an unknown brand more than a known brand, (iii) an identifiable segment of individuals prefer the “other” over “self,” suggesting possible EP optimization and segmentation strategies, (iv) a customization strategy is shown to be more effective than a coverage strategy. These findings have broad implications for brand managers in regard to resource allocation and EP program ROI.
MIR talks to Pieter Nota, Beiersdorf AG
Authors: Diller Hermann
Published: May 2018

Today, it is not enough for Marketing Intelligence services to merely generate insights: it also has to manage them in such a way that they can ultimately result in successful marketing activities. In February 2010, MIR talked about such topics to Pieter Nota, Executive Board Member of Beiersdorf AG, a leading global player within the cosmetics industry. Pieter Nota is responsible for brand leadership of well known brands such as Nivea and Eucerin and he is renowned for his challenging ideas in marketing management.
Dynamic Pricing Support Systems for DIY Retailers – a Case Study from Austria
Authors: Natter Martin , Reutterer Thomas , Mild Andreas
Published: May 2018

Merchandise managers have long dreamt of automated dynamic systems to help them make well-informed pricing decisions. However, such systems have proved as elusive as the Holy Grail - until now, that is. The story of an Austrian DIY retailer shows often undetected opportunities to use valuable information, hidden in retailers’ data warehouses, on consumer reactions to previous price changes in order to make automatic pricing and promotion decisions.
On the internal boundary layer related wind stress curl and its role in generating shallow lake circulations
Authors: Józsa János
Published: May 2018

The paper demonstrates that the wind stress curl as an external vorticity source plays an important role in shaping large scale shallow lake circulations. The analysis of purpose-oriented simultaneous wind and current measurements data from the Hungarian part of Lake Neusiedl reasonably fits well the internal boundary layer development theory over the lake surface. A 2-D vorticity formulation of wind-induced flows is used to demonstrate mathematically the IBL-related large scale circulation generation mechanism well reflected in the measured data. Further validation of the findings is carried out by means of simple 2-D numerical flow modelling, in which details on the flow pattern besides the measurement sites could be also revealed. Wind-induced lake circulations linked to IBL development shows a novelty to be implemented in up-to-date numerical flow models.
Analysis of efficiency of pollution reduction measures in rural basin using MIKE Basin model. Case study: Olšava River Basin
Authors: Kaiglová Jana , Langhammer Jakub
Published: May 2018

This paper presents the results of testing the applicability of the MIKE Basin model for simulating the efficiency of scenarios for reducing water pollution. The model has been tested on the Olšava River Basin (520 km2) which is a typical rural region with a heterogeneous mix of pollution sources with variable topography and land use. The study proved that the model can be calibrated successfully using even the limited amount of data typically available in rural basins. The scenarios of pollution reduction were based on implementation and intensification of municipal wastewater treatment and conversion of arable land on fields under the risk of soil erosion to permanent grassland. The application of simulation results of these scenarios with proposed measures proved decreasing concentrations in downstream monitoring stations. Due to the practical applicability of proposed measures, these could lead to fulfilment of the water pollution limits required by the Czech and EU legislation. However, there are factors of uncertainty that are discussed that may delay or limit the effect of adopted measures in small rural basins.
Wavelet based deseasonalization for modelling and forecasting of daily discharge series considering long range dependence
Authors: Szolgayová Elena , Arlt Josef , Blöschl Günter , Szolgay Ján
Published: May 2018

Short term streamflow forecasting is important for operational control and risk management in hydrology. Despite a wide range of models available, the impact of long range dependence is often neglected when considering short term forecasting. In this paper, the forecasting performance of a new model combining a long range dependent autoregressive fractionally integrated moving average (ARFIMA) model with a wavelet transform used as a method of deseasonalization is examined. It is analysed, whether applying wavelets in order to model the seasonal component in a hydrological time series, is an alternative to moving average deseasonalization in combination with an ARFIMA model. The one-to-ten-steps-ahead forecasting performance of this model is compared with two other models, an ARFIMA model with moving average deseasonalization, and a multiresolution wavelet based model. All models are applied to a time series of mean daily discharge exhibiting long range dependence. For one and two day forecasting horizons, the combined wavelet - ARFIMA approach shows a similar performance as the other models tested. However, for longer forecasting horizons, the wavelet deseasonalization - ARFIMA combination outperforms the other two models. The results show that the wavelets provide an attractive alternative to the moving average deseasonalization.
The Collisions Between Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Manned Aircraft / Kolizje Bezzałogowych Statków Powietrznych Z Załogowymi Statkami Powietrznymi
Authors: Cwojdziński Leszek , Lewitowicz Jerzy , Żyluk Andrzej
Published: May 2018

Combat missions of both a single multi-role manned aircraft (MMRA) and a group of aircraft. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and operations thereof. Airspace for combat missions. Issues of UAV control. Scenarios of air operations with MMRA and UAVs engaged. The risk of collision in the airspace. Probability that flight routes overlap and hence, the risk of collision.
A Maintenance System to Support Air Operations / System Eksploatacyjny Wspomagania Operacji Lotniczej
Authors: Cwojdziński Leszek , Lewitowicz Jerzy , Żyluk Andrzej
Published: May 2018

A system to support maintenance, approached with respect to particular maintenance actions. The modelling of a smart system to support maintenance of multi-role aircraft. Diagnostic- properties determining accomplishment of an air operation. A standard maintenance cycle. A maintenance programme targeted at the multi-role aircraft fleet.
The Quality of Being Able to Operate Safely – An Important Property of Safe Performance of a Air Mission / Bezpieczność – Ważna Właściowość Bezpiecznej Realizacji Misji Lotniczej
Authors: Lewitowicz Jerzy
Published: May 2018

The quality of being able to operate safely (S, in Polish - bezpieczność) and the quality of being hazard-prone (Z, in Polish - zagrożeniowość, zagrażalność), Z being the opposite of S, are important properties of any maritime vessel and/or aircraft, i.e. any engineering system/device (UT). The rates WS and WZ considered in terms of probability and remaining within the [0, 1] interval are measures of these properties. High value of WS enables the engineering system/device (UT) to be operated with the possibly maximum safety. The sum of WS and WZ is one (unity), whereas the product thereof satisfies the following condition: WS x WZ ≤ 1. The derived equation of indeterminacy points out to the fact that any increase in the value of WS by subsequent increments ΔWs, which makes the WS approach the limit of unity, demands ever greater amount of power and abilities, i.e. energy (expenses).
Reducing the Negative Impact of Public Transport on the Environment by Using CNG as a Fuel / Ograniczenie Negatywnego Wpływu Komunikacji Miejskiej Na Środowisko Naturalne Poprzez Zastosowanie CNG Jako Paliwa
Authors: Merkisz Jerzy , Fuc Paweł , Bajerlein Maciej , Dobrzynski Michał , Rymaniak Łukasz , Ziółkowski Andrzej
Published: May 2018

The paper presents the results of emission research city buses fueled by compressed natural gas and diesel. The exhaust emission tests were performed under actual traffic conditions on a regular bus line. For the measurement was used a mobile exhaust analyzer for the group of PEMS - SEMTECH DS by Sensors Inc. Based on the obtained of the result the test determined the impact of applied compressed natural gas to reduce exhaust emissions for a vehicle fueled by diesel.
The Analysis of the Emission from SUV Vehicle Fitted with Ci Engine and Start-Stop System / Analiza Emisyjności Pojazdu Kategorii Suv Z Silnikiem Zs Wyposażonego W System Start-Stop
Authors: Merkisz Jerzy , Rymaniak Łukasz , Ziółkowski Andrzej
Published: May 2018

The article presents the results of emission test Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) with diesel engine, equipped with start-stop system. Measurements was carried out in on-road conditions in urban traffic. Article presents a method of work implemented start-stop system, and the characteristics of the implemented battery Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM). Analysis of the results allowed to indicate the effectiveness of the system and its impact on emission per second. In addition was determined road emission and fuel consumption from performed test. For measurement was used mobile gas analyser SEMTECH DS included in Portable Emissions Measurement Systems (PEMS)
Scottish and Slovak university student discussions about stigmatized persons: A challenge for education – moving towards democracy and inclusion
Authors: Plichtová Jana
Published: May 2018

The paper compares discussions in 12 groups of university students (6 Slovak and 6 Scottish) equal in sex and age. The participants discussed the same problem - how to control the spread of HIV/AIDS and respect medical confidentiality (MC). Systematic comparisons revealed striking differences between the two national groups. The Scottish discussants were more cooperative than the Slovaks; they devoted more attention to analysing the problem and to creating a shared understanding of it. Although there was a temptation to contravene MC and the individual rights of those infected with HIV in both the Slovak and Scottish groups, only the Scottish discussants came to the conclusion, collaboratively and through argumentative exchange, that such proposals would be counterproductive in controlling the spread of HIV or in protecting public health. In the Slovak groups even participants who were opposed to discriminative proposals were not able to convince their fellow discussants that MC should not be contravened. Links are drawn between the findings and critical pedagogy and inclusion.
FREQUENCY ANALYSIS OF SINGULAR FIRST-PERSON PRONOUNS AND VERBS IN THE UTTERANCES OF SCHIZOPHRENIA PATIENTS AND HEALTHY CONTROLS. A RESEARCH REPORT
Authors: Obrębska Monika
Published: May 2018

The purpose of this article is to present the results of a frequency analysis of first-person pronouns and verbs in utterance texts of schizophrenia patients and healthy controls. Method: The study involved 130 hospitalized psychiatric patients diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and 130 healthy individuals. As a result of the study, the largest corpus to date of marked utterance texts of schizophrenic patients in the Polish language was obtained. The ratio of the number of singular first-person personal pronouns and verbs to the total number of personal pronouns and verbs used in any particular text was calculated and was then averaged for each of the four studied groups: a group of patients with positive schizophrenia symptoms, a group of patients with negative schizophrenia symptoms, a control group for the patients with positive symptoms, and a control group for the patients with negative symptoms. Results: The highest mean was found for the group of patients with positive schizophrenia symptoms, and the lowest for the group of healthy individuals. This difference was found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: The “egocentric orientation” and difficulty in defining one’s own identity experienced by psychotic patients, especially those with the positive type of schizophrenia, are reflected in their lexical choices.
Achieving Levels of Project Management Maturity in Organization / Poziomy osiągania dojrzałości projektowej organizacji
Authors: Szpitter Agnieszka
Published: May 2018

The article demonstrates achieving levels of project management maturity and presents research company V on construction levels of project management maturity by the project team organization while creating a new collection of women’s clothing. The results relate to five areas: knowledge areas of design, build structures common processes, build a single methodology, the types of benchmarking and the use of the idea of continuous improvement within the company. Identify research gaps in the maturity of design and knowledge gaps in the test design company, which provides guidance and recommendations for the future.
Factors determining the profitability of equity in small and mediumsized enterprises in Poland / Czynniki determinujące rentowność kapitału własnego w małych i średnich przedsiębiorstwach w Polsce
Authors: Jędrzejczak-Gas Janina
Published: May 2018

The equity capital profitability indicator is one of the basic measures of the financial position of the company. It is considered to be one of the most synthetic evaluation metrics of the companies activity. It’s level is influenced by the overall economic phenomenons taking place in the company. The purpose of this article is to identify factors influencing the return on equity of small and medium-sized enterprises and to examine the strength and direction of the impact of these factors on the level of ROE based on Du Pont model. To accomplish this objective were used three different methods: correlation analysis, deterministic (differentiation) method and the method of linear regression. The correlation coefficient analysis shows that trends in changes of return on equity and return on sales were strongly related. Trends of changes in return on equity and asset rotation (the turnover) were moderately similar. Trends of changes of return on equity and the capital structure were moderately dissimilar. The method differentiation method allowed to determine that, in most years of the period, both in small and medium-sized enterprises, the strongest factor affecting the change in return on equity was the return on sales. In the consideration of β, both small and mediumsized enterprises the key importance has the profitability of sales.
The Use of Age Management to Professional Activiation of the Elderly / Wykorzystanie zarządzania wiekiem w obszarze aktywizacji zawodowej osób starszych
Authors: Niewiadomska Anna
Published: May 2018

The increase in interest in the topic of aging is associated - to some extent - with the currently unavoidable demographic changes. On the one hand, life expectancy increases, on the other hand, fertility rates fall. As a consequence the proportion of younger generations is reduced, and the share of older generations. A disturbing fact has been the low level of economic activity of the elderly, among others in Europe for many years. The reasons for this are complex. However, looking for ways and means that would allow greater involvement of older people in the labour market should be considered. One such method, which in developed countries is gaining more and more interest is the management of age. The purpose of this article is to indicate the extent to which age management can be useful in improving the professional activity of generations of people 50 +. The background to the issue is the statistics on the labor force participation of older people in Europe.
Forecasts an employment rate of older workers in Poland with time – area analogy method /
Authors: Gondek Anna
Published: May 2018

This article presents the research which aim was to construct forecasts of an employment rate of older workers in Poland for next few years. The time - area analogy method was use in this study and brought high credibility forecasts of the employment rate based on analogies between Poland and UE countries in research phenomenon
Results account as a source of economic information / Rachunek wyników jako źródło informacji ekonomicznych
Authors: Nowak Edward
Published: May 2018

Financial result is one of the fundamental economic categories subject to measurement within the accounting system. Financial result is a complex economic category, since its fluctuations are determined by expenses and revenues. The volume of financial results is related to activities in each of the individual areas of business operation and to selected external factors. Information on company results is of interest to all stakeholders, both internal and external, but the information requirements of each group are dissimilar. One common denominator here is the use of financial information in economic decision-making processes. This paper presents the role of results account as an important source of information used for decision-making purposes by company stakeholders, both external and internal.
Role of Debt and the Ability to Create Equity in a Family Farm
Authors: Bereżnicka Joanna
Published: May 2018

The aim of the work was to assess the dependence between debt level and the creation of equity for the farmer. In this paper were verified the opinions found in literature concerning the positive impact of debt-to-equity farmer. The study was carried out on family farms belonging to the “large” farms according to the classification of the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN PL) based on economic size ESU (that is about 45 ESU). The farms were divided into two different groups on account of level their debt. To analyze data were used the descriptive statistics method and regression models. Family farms with a larger level of debt showed better results and the regression models confirmed the positive influence of debt on the ability to create value for farms. This model is consistent when farmers benefit from preferential credit. This form of debt was dominated in the studied farms. The results of the research may constitute an exit point for conducting analysis for farmers considering to take out a loan or credit.
An Analytic Hierarchy Process Based Model for the Selection of Decision Categories in Maintenance Systems
Authors: Ierace Stefano , Cavalieri Sergio
Published: May 2018

This paper presents a model, based on Analytic Hierarchy Process, to support a maintenance manager with a suitable tool for focusing on the most relevant choices which need to be prioritized. The paper provides an insight on how structural and infra-structural decision elements, traditionally conceived for assessing the manufacturing strategy of a company, could be adopted as criteria for configuring a maintenance system. A model based on Analytic Hierarchy Process has been developed and tested in two industrial case studies in order to demonstrate how it can guide a maintenance manager in keeping the strategic decisions coherently with the overall company’s manufacturing strategy.

Main beneficiaries are mainly maintenance managers who have to tackle relevant strategic decisions in managing their maintenance systems. Given the increasing role of maintenance within the operations strategy of a company, the heterogeneity of actors involved, with the relevant risk of assuming conflicting decisions, it is of utmost importance to lever on adequate and shared decision support systems rather than relying on a mere empirical knowledge. The model proposed in this paper, based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process, fills this gap since it provides a structured support in the decision making process by comparing and prioritising the relevant strategic decisions pertaining to the configuration of a maintenance system.
Customer Needs Linked to Production Strategy and Firm’s Dynamic Capabilities
Authors: Koskinen Jari , Sahebi Daniel
Published: May 2018

This study identifies and analyzes the key factors of an efficient customer oriented production strategy. The paper supports the view that dynamic capabilities can be used successfully for improving company’s efficiency. This research is a case study research related to production strategy. In a case company, totally 31 interviews were made from 16 subsidiaries and 13 from end customers. The present paper focuses more on end customers’ than internal customers. Key findings can be identified as follows: effective information flow, flexibility, speed and responsiveness need more focus in the study of dynamic capabilities. Delivery accuracy is the key, while short delivery time is a competitive factor. This research is focused to power electronics business segment which is research limitation. To make wider conclusions, more empirical studies are needed. As a Practical implications, this research helps firms to improve their strategy process by understanding real customer needs. The research results bring additional value to the previous studies regarding company strategy, business environment, innovativeness and operational excellence.
Reducing Time Losses in Operational Actions of a Food Production Lines
Authors: Lintilä Jukka , Takala Josu
Published: May 2018

Most of the companies are interested in developing their production processes. With production process development, companies can meet their customers demands better. Tight competition is one reason that forces companies to use their production equipment as efficiently as they can. Improved production processes result in cost savings, flexibility, and in opportunities to plan companies activities more efficiently. The purpose of this research is to examine and cut operational times in food production processes. Two production lines were chosen for closer examination: spread/butter production line and quark production line. The main focus was to prevent operational time losses in these production lines. Research is divided into two separate sections: theoretical and empirical part. Theoretical part formulates guidelines and theoretical basis which is then employed in the empirical part. The theoretical part discusses Lean management philosophy, OEE indicator, SMED and questionnaire research method that comes from the sense and respond theory. In the empirical section, SMED and questionnaire method are used to examine operational activities. The focus is in finding critical characteristics from the production line’s starting-, product change-, and closing-setups. Result was that certain characteristics can be found to be critical factors. Those characteristics are connected to operational time losses. Another result is, that SMED and questionnaire research method are an effective way to examine issues with production. Both methods produced similar results in finding development targets from the production line, hence the simultaneous use of both is beneficial, as additional confirmation for the first methods findings can be obtained by securing the result with the other one.
The Life Safety and Risk Management Optimization Problem
Authors: Skrypnyk Andrii
Published: May 2018

It was considered the possibility of optimization approach of the risk management problems based on the stochastic nature of the losses. Since the losses functional magnitude is a random variable, then it was considered the value of losses on a significance level (losses probability).It was shown decision existence which minimized expected losses. The problem has practical application in coal mining, occasional transportation and other business projects associated with the possibility of life losses.
Chipformers Reliability in Inconel 625 Longitudinal Turning
Authors: Słodki Bogdan
Published: May 2018

The paper deals with longitudinal turning of Inconel 625 as a representative of difficult - to - cut materials. Two chipformers were tested on especially prepared research stand in the range of tool manufactures recommendations concerning depth of cut and feed. Chip form creation process was observed by means of high speed camera recording system. Then, the chips were evaluated and classified into three groups. The results are presented in the form of diagrams and tables. They show poor effectiveness of chipformers acting in small values of feed. A few examples of chip breaking sequences are presented. An algorithm leading to correct cutting data selection has been proposed. The algorithm uses a simulation procedure to verify chip groove filling in off line procedure.
Liquid Film Thickness Estimation using Electrical Capacitance Tomography
Authors: Cui Ziqiang , Yang Chengyi , Sun Benyuan , Wang Huaxiang
Published: May 2018

In air/oil lubrication systems, the flow parameters, e.g., flow pattern, liquid film thickness, and air/oil flow rate, are of great importance to the transportation efficiency. In most cases, the on-going two-phase flow is annular flow with the oil moving along the tube wall and the air travelling at high speed in the center. This usually results in the formation of a thin oil film, the thickness of which is a key parameter determining the efficiency of the lubrication system. As the oil film thickness of the on-going air/oil flow varies dynamically, there is actually no applicable method for a non-intrusive test. In this paper, the use of electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) to investigate the air/oil flow has been studied. Capacitance measurements are made from an externally mounted electrode array in a non-invasive and non-intrusive manner. Both average and distributed oil film thicknesses can be calculated from the reconstructed ECT images. Simulation and experimental results show that the ECT technique can provide satisfactory results of online oil film thickness estimation
ATONEMENT THEORY REVISITED: CALVIN, BEZA, AND AMYRAUT ON THE EXTENT OF THE ATONEMENT
Authors: Harding Matthew S.
Published: May 2018

Throughout the bulk of the Reformed Tradition’s history within both Europe and the United States, most scholars have dismissed pastor and theologian Moïse Amyraut as a seventeenth century French heretic whose actions and theology led to the demise of the Huguenots in France. However, upon further introspection into Amyraut’s claims as being closer to Calvin (soteriologically) than his Genevan successors, one finds uncanny parallels in the scriptural commentaries and biblical insight into the expiation of Christ between Calvin and Amyraut. By comparing key scriptural passages concerning the atonement, this article demonstrates that Reformed theologian Moïse Amyraut in fact propagated a universal atonement theory which parallels Calvin’s, both men ascribing to biblical faithfulness, a (humanistic) theological method, and similar hermeneutic. As such, both Calvin and Amyraut scripturally contend that God desires and provided the means for the salvation of the whole world. Further, the article demonstrates that Calvin’s successor, Theodore de Beza, could not in fact make the same claims as Amyraut, this article demonstrating that Beza went beyond Calvin’s scriptural approach to Christ’s expiation. Therefore, this article supports a more centrist approach from within and outside the Reformed tradition by demonstrating that Calvin and Amyraut concentrically held to God’s gracious provision in Christ for the saving of the whole world, for those who would believe in Christ for salvation.
CHARLES FREER ANDREWS. A PARADIGM SHIFTER IN MISSION WORK IN INDIA
Authors: Giorgiov Adrian
Published: May 2018

Charles Freer Andrews is one of the outstanding personalities in the history of Christian missions in India. The description of his portrait and missionary activity is not an easy task, especially because of his involvement in the nationalistic movement in India. Andrews was a revolutionary primarily in the area of missions. He applied some missionary principles which are widely accepted today, but were hardly understood in his time. It is not the purpose of this study to give a biography of Charles Freer Andrews. There are a number of biographical works that deal with it. This study gives only a short account of his biography in terms of dates, places and events. It is the purpose of this study to reflect on Andrews’ work in India and for India as well as on how his contemporaries and later critics evaluated his philosophy, activity, and achievements.
Crispbreads with Carrot and Pumpkin Processing by-Products
Authors: Konrade Daiga , Kļava Dace , Grāmatiņa Ilze , Kampuse Solvita , Kince Tatjana
Published: May 2018

The results of carrot and pumpkin processing are by-products like bark and peel. Therefore, food processing waste has the potential to be converted into useful products and utilised as a source of functional compounds for consumers. Carrot and pumpkin by-products contain carotenoids, precursors of vitamin A, and dietary fibre. The consumption of these is linked to decreased incidence of cardiovascular disease, diverticulosis, and colon cancer. The aim of the study was to investigate means to increase nutritional compound content in extruded crispbread with carrot and pumpkin processing by-products. Samples were prepared from wheat flour 70%, rice flour 24%, and wheat bran 4% as control with addition of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20 % dried and grinded carrot and pumpkin by-products. Products were extruded in GÖTTFERT 1 screw Extrusiometer L series. The temperatures for extrusion zones were set at 78/83/98 °C. Total carotenoid content of the new products was determined by spectrophotometry. Total dietary fibre content was determined with Enzymatic-Gravimetric Method, AOAC 985.29. The total carotenoid content increased significantly with addition of pumpkin and carrot by-products in crispbread samples. The increase of dietary fibre content was from 9.3 mg·100 g−1 in wheat crispbread to 15.89–16.08 mg·100 g−1 in products with added carrot and pumpkin by-products.
Determination of Biological and Sensory Profiles of Biscuits Enriched with Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) Powder
Authors: Ivanišová Eva , Mickowska Barbara , Socha Peter , Režová Ivana , Kántor Attila , Haris Ladislav , Tokár Marián , Terentjeva Margarita , Kačániová Miroslava
Published: May 2018

The aim of this work was to characterise the biological and sensory profile of biscuits enriched with green (1 and 3%) and black tea (1 and 3%) powders. Biscuits without the addition of tea were used as a control. Phenolic concentration, flavonoid concentration, and antioxidant activity were determined spectrophotometrically. Amino acid composition was determined using automatic amino acid analyser AAA 400 and crude fibre content using an Ancom analyser. Sensory profiles were evaluated by comparison of enriched and control biscuit samples. The enriched biscuits showed higher phenolic and flavonoid concentration and antioxidant activity estimated by DPPH and phospholybdenum method in comparison with levels in the control group. The best results for antioxidant activity estimated by DPPH and phosphomolybdenum methods were achieved in biscuits enriched with black tea powder (3%): 2.25 and of 32.64 mg TEAC·g−1, respectively. Total phenolic concentration was 1.16 mg GAE·g−1, and total flavonoid concentration was 0.13 mg QE·g−1. These biscuits had higher concentration of crude fibre in comparison with the control group and the highest concentration (0.64%) was found in biscuits with addition of 3% green tea powder. The amino acid composition in samples, including in the control sample was balanced, with slightly higher concentration of threonine, serine, and methionine in enriched samples, but this parameter was not statistically significant. Biscuits enriched with green and black tea had higher sensory scores for taste, smell and aftertaste.
The Translation of the Septuagint – Then and Now
Authors: Meiser Martin
Published: May 2018

The program of „translating faith” was also inherent to the coming-into-existence of the so-called Septuagint. Jews living in Egypt began to translate their holy texts for pedagogical needs. The awareness of Greek cultural superiority required efforts to demonstrate that Jewish culture is equally valuable. Because of the non-Jewish political rulership, Jews had to emphasize their loyalty (Ex. 22.27 [28]; Deut. 17.15); anti-Jewish oppression built the desire of liberation (Isa. 9.3). The translation of the Septuagint therefore includes elements of inculturation (e.g. Gen. 1.26; Ex. 3.14) and dissociation (e.g. Prov. 3.19). Common language (between Jews and non-Jews) did not refer to a common religious feeling; and differences of language (between the Jews in Egypt and the Jews in Israel) did not imply “confessional controversies”. The translation of holy texts into Greek is hence no direct model for shaping ecumenical relationships nowadays, but an appeal to an ethos of speaking, writing, and translating in one’s own way.
Cardio-Metabolic Risk Factors Control in Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetic Subjects
Authors: Florea Mirela , Niţă Cristina , Florea Răzvan , Hâncu Nicolae
Published: May 2018

Background and Aims. The aim of this study was to assess the control of the cardiometabolic risk factors in subjects with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2DM) one year after initiating the clinical management. Material and Methods. We conducted a prospective observational study including 673 persons with newly diagnosed T2DM, registered at the Clinical Center of Diabetes Cluj-Napoca, between 2006-2008. Results: Of the total T2DM subjects who were followed-up until the end of the first year after diagnosis, the proportion of those reaching the optimal goals for major risk factors was 72.1% for HbA1c, 58.6% for blood pressure (BP) and 40.3% for LDL cholesterol. All three goals were met by only 6.9%. Achieving glycemic targets is associated with a lower HbA1c value at diagnosis (OR:0.66, 95%IC: 0.54-0.81). The parameters which were initially identified as associated with achieving the objectives of the clinical management were represented by age, male gender, clinical parameters (HbA1c, body mass index, BP), hypertension, pharmacotherapy. Conclusions: Implementing clinical management in newly diagnosed T2DM subjects resulted in improved glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factors one year after diagnosis. The management of newly diagnosed people with T2DM focused specifically on achieving the glycemic target