bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficiency Comparison of Different Photovoltaic Modules
Authors: Kafui Atsu Divine , Seres István , Farkas István
Published: April 2019

Solar photovoltaic power generation capacity is rising continuously as a result of various regional, sub-regional renewable energy policies and the impact of technology development, as well as the increasing environmental concerns. Characteristics of photovoltaic modules are provided by manufacturers after they have been tested indoors under standard test conditions. These parameters may vary under exterior conditions. It is thus imperative to establish the quantity of the energy produced by photovoltaic modules under real operation conditions. This study sought to assess the performance of different kinds of photovoltaic module technologies in the city of Gödöllő, Hungary, and ascertain the behaviour of the modules under real outdoor conditions. Modules include amorphous silicon (a-Si), monocrystalline silicon (mc-Si), polycrystalline silicon (pc-Si), transparent monocrystalline silicon module (mc-Si). Measurement of the module characteristics was performed and various meteorological parameters were obtained. Performance parameters such as performance ratio and efficiency are given and analysed. Module temperature was estimated and evaluated in comparison with experimental values. Energy conversion rates of the modules were determined as 9.4%, 4.4%, 10.3%, 8.2% and 10.4% for mc-Si module transparent glass (165 Wp), a-Si module (glass 40Wp), pc-Si module (105 Wp), pc-Si module (60 Wp) and mc-Si (PV-T 180 Wp), respectively. Under the given outdoor conditions, the highest average performance ratio of 85.2% was obtained for the mc-Si module (transparent glass, 165 Wp), exhibiting the best performance, while pc–Si module (60 Wp) showed the least average performance ratio of 71.8%.
Virtual Modelling and Laboratory Research of Parameters of Planting Unit’s Working Parts
Authors: Kosolapov Vladimir Viktorovich , Kosolapova Elena Valentinovna , Igoshin Denis Nikolaevich , Skorokhodov Anatoly Nikolaevich , Rudenko Alexander Alekseevich
Published: April 2019

Research relevance is determined by the need of agricultural producers of Nizhny Novgorod Region to increase the profitability of sugar beet cultivation and to reduce seed losses at sowing. Another important factor is optimal energy efficiency of sowing machines, which can be achieved by reducing the draft force input required to operate the working parts. Leading approach to the research of this issue is to conduct a multifactorial laboratory experiment, taking into account several factors that have the greatest influence on the process of interaction of working parts with the soil. Virtual simulation methods were applied with use of Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) FlowVision®(TESIS Group) engineering analysis system, allowing creation of close-to-real controlled conditions. Relationships between the lift angle and the span angle of a duckfoot opener were identified; influence of soil moisture content, speed of working parts and their working depth on draft force input and quality of the formed seedbed was determined with justification of their optimal combination. Presented technology and the planting unit assure the technological process quality, they are of practical value for agricultural and engineering companies, as well as for research institutes for design of modern agricultural machinery.
A familial case report of a 13;22 chromosomal translocation with recurrent intracytoplasmic sperm injection failure
Authors: Verma S , Shah R , Bhat A , Bhat GR , Dada R , Kumar R
Published: April 2019

The importance of cytogenetic analysis in a family with reproductive failure in two siblings is highlighted, where two siblings and their mother presented with a balanced translocation between chromosomes 13;22. The clinical evaluation had shown the female to be normal and the male to be oligoasthenoteratozoospermic despite repeated semen analysis. The couple was referred to our laboratory after three consecutive intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) failures at a local assisted reproductive technique (ART) center. Peripheral blood lymphocytes, obtained for karyotyping, were studied by a standard G-banding technique. Chromosomal analysis of the members of the pedigree, including the probands, showed the presence of the same translocation, t(13;22)(q21.2;q13.3), carried by three generations of the family. The sister and the mother of the proband had multiple spontaneous abortions in the first trimester. The spouses, when examined cytogenetically, were found to be normal. We propose the involvement of a balanced t(13;22)(q21.2;q13.3) chromosomal translocation in the pathogenesis of recurrent ART or spontaneous reproductive failures. Hence, it is suggested that all cases with structural chromosomal abnormalities be counseled prior to opting for ART and undergoing pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). This would prevent recurrent financial, physical and emotional stress in couples seeking ART.
Rare case of a heterozygous microdeletion 9q21.11-q21.2: Clinical and genetic characteristics
Authors: Ivanov HY , Stoyanova V , Ivanov I , Linev A , Vazharova R , Ivanov S , Balabanski L , Toncheva D
Published: April 2019

Intellectual disability is affecting 3.0-4.0% of the general population. Copy number variants (CNVs) are a significant cause leading to neurodevelopmental disorders such as intellectual disability, epilepsy, autism spectrum disorders and developmental delay. The use of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-array and array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) as diagnostic tools has led to the recognition of new microdeletion/microduplication syndromes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. It is also useful for further characterization of marker chromosomes. Here, we report a girl with mild intellectual disability and mild facial dysmorphisms. Cytogenetic analysis showed a marker chromosome in some percent of the cells and was followed by SNP-array karyotyping that detected, in addition, a 9655 Mb de novo interstitial deletion at 9q21.1-9q21.2.
Myotonic dystrophy-2: Unusual phenotype due to a small CCTG-expansion
Authors: Finsterer J , Stöllberger C , Reining-Festa A , Loewe-Grgurin M , Gencik M
Published: April 2019

Myotonic dystrophy type 2 (MD2) is a multisystem disease, predominantly affecting the proximal limb muscles, eyes, endocrine organs, heart and intestines. Longterm asymptomatic creatine kinase (hyper-CKemia) of more than 20 years duration, in association with hyperlipidemia and diabetes, as a manifestation of MD2 has not been reported. A 52-year-old female with a history of hyper-CKemia since the age of 32 years associated with diabetes, hyperlipidemia and hyperuricemia, developed anginal chest pain and proximal muscle weakness together with clinical myotonia when opening the fists at age 51 years. Examination revealed a left anterior hemiblock, sensorimotor neuropathy, extensive myotonic discharges on needle electromyography (EMG) and a CCTG-expansion of 134 bp on the ZNF9 gene. The family history was positive for hyper-CKemia and muscle weakness. In addition, over the previous years, she had developed vesico-ureteral reflux, cutaneous melanoma, renal cysts, cervix dysplasias, thrombocytosis, cataracts, arterial hypertension, heterozygous Factor V Leiden mutation, cholecystolithiasis, multiple ovarial cysts and vitamin D deficiency. Asymptomatic, long-term hyper-CKemia in association with multisystem disease should raise the suspicion of a MD2. Rare manifestations of MD2 may be thrombocytosis, hyperuricemia, vesico-ureteral reflux, gallstones, hypertension and cyst formation. In patients with asymptomatic hyper-CKemia, needle EMG should be considered. Myotonic dystrophy type 2 may take a mild course over many years if the CCTG-expansion is short.
Characteristic diagnostic clues of metatropic dysplasia: The lumbothoracic humpback with dumbbell appearance of the long bones
Authors: Gucev Z , Kalcev G , Laban N , Bozinovski Z , Popovski N , Saveski A , Daskalov B , Plaseska-Karanfilska D , Tasic V
Published: April 2019

Metatropic dysplasia (MD) is a rare skeletal dysplasia associated with heterozygous mutations in the TRPV4 gene. We describe a 28-month-old boy with knock-knees referred for metabolic investigation suspected of carrying vitamin D-resistant rickets. He has received regular vitamin D prophylaxis at the usual dose. Laboratory investigations revealed normal values for calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase. He was short (-3.5 SDS), his mental development was normal, and he started to walk at the age of 22 months. The diagnostic clue for the diagnosis of metatropic dysplasia was the presence of the hump back in the upper lumbar and lower thoracic vertebrae, in addition to a long and narrow chest. An X-ray survey of the skeleton revealed platyspondyly, dysplastic metaphyses with dumbbell appearance of the long bones, kyphoscoliosis, and narrow and elongated thorax with short ribs. This is the first patient with MD in the Republic of Macedonia. Knock-knees were the cause of his referral, as a peculiarity of his phenotype. The very presence of the hump back, and the dumbbell appearance of the long bones distinguished the MD from other bone dysplasias with similar characteristics. We believe that the presence of those two features can shorten the path to accurate diagnosis in the crowded field of overlapping skeletal dysplasias. The diagnosis of MD in this patient was further confirmed by the discovery of the mutation c.2396C>T; p.Pro799Leu (P799L) of the TRPV4 gene.
VoIP Steganography Methods, a Survey
Authors: Deepikaa S. , Saravanan R.
Published: April 2019

Achieving secured data transmission is not always an easy job. Secret data sharing requires confidentiality and Undetectability. Steganography is preferred than cryptography to achieve undetectability. Steganography hides the secret data inside the other file such as text, audio, video, so that the existence of the secret data is completely hidden. Recent research focuses much on utilizing Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calls as a carrier for data hiding. VoIP calls are much preferred among internet users for its wide availability, dynamic time limit and low cost. This paper focuses on data hiding methods that uses VoIP as a carrier. The paper also analyzes the performance of the algorithms using the three metrics undetectability, bandwidth and robustness.
Deep Learning for Plant Classification and Content-Based Image Retrieval
Authors: Gyires-Tóth Bálint Pál , Osváth Márton , Papp Dávid , Szűcs Gábor
Published: April 2019

The main goal of the present research is to classify images of plants to species with deep learning. We used convolutional neural network architectures for feature learning and fully connected layers with logsoftmax output for classification. Pretrained models on ImageNet were used, and transfer learning was applied. In the current research image sets published in the scope of the PlantCLEF 2015 challenge were used. The proposed system surpasses the results of all top competitors of the challenge by 8% and 7% at observation and image levels, respectively. Our secondary goal was to satisfy the users’ needs in content-based image retrieval to give relevant hits during species search task. We optimized the length of the returned lists in order to maximize MAP (Mean Average Precision), which is critical to the performance of image retrieval. Thus, we achieved more than 50% improvement of MAP in the test set compared to the baseline.
Multi-Channel Target Shadow Detection in GPS FSR
Authors: Kabakchiev Hristo , Garvanov Ivan , Behar Vera , Kabakchieva Dorina , Kabakchiev Kalin , Rohling Hermann , Kulpa Krzysztof , Yarovoy Alexander
Published: April 2019

The paper offers new application of a Multi-channel Forward Scatter Radar (MFSR), which uses GPS signals for detection of air targets on their GPS radio shadows. The multi-channel GPS MFSR detector consists of several channels, which process information from several satellites simultaneously. The phenomena of diffraction in the near area is used for shadow target detection. The target is considered to be detected, if it is detected at least in one of detector channels. Two experiments have been made to verify the proposed detection algorithm. The results obtained show that the proposed multi-channel detection algorithm can be successfully used for detection of low-flying air targets at very short distances or the near area of diffraction. Such targets are undetectable in GPS bistatic radar.
Social Insurance for Farmers in Poland and Lithuania – a Comparative Analysis
Authors: Miceikiene Astrida , Walczak Damian , Pieńkowska-Kamieniecka Sylwia
Published: April 2019

The aim of the article is to present the social insurance of farmers in Poland and Lithuania. In the study, the following research methods were used: the descriptive method, a literature review, statistical analysis, and an economic analysis of the law. On the basis of the study results, it was concluded that both countries have a different model of social insurance for farmers. This results from political decisions, but also from other aspects which have an impact on agriculture in those countries. It needs to be stressed that in Poland this type of insurance is about 90% subsidized, whereas in Lithuania this system is self‑sustaining.
Problems of the Institutional‑Legal and Organizational Provision of Systemic Innovation Policy: the Case of Ukraine
Authors: Koblianska Inna , Kalachevska Larysa
Published: April 2019

The article investigates the “systemic” dimension of the existing institutional‑legal and organizational peculiarities of the innovation policy in Ukraine, based on the IS approach, which is seen as one of the main guidelines for the innovation policy formation, and, in particular, underlies the Ukrainian framework as well. The authors found that state strategic documents do not sufficiently reflect the systemic character of the NIS, nor do they place linkages or firms at the core of the national innovation system. Areas are determined where the innovation policy cannot be realized completely because of the current organization of activities and powers of the central executive authorities in this field, specifically: the impact on business, the formation of infrastructure, and the development of linkages. European countries’ experience in the field of innovation policy implementation is explored, particularly, the creation and operating of the models of the national innovation agencies as well as the spectrum of their functions. Based on the European experience, it is proposed that a State Agency for Innovation and Development in Ukraine be created that will integrate the functions of regional project funding, provide advice, and realize the basic functions of the innovation intermediary.
A Century of Humanistic Sociology and the Biographical Method
Authors: Kaleta Andrzej
Published: April 2019

The paper presents a synthetic résumé of the writings of Florian Znaniecki and Józef Chałasiński, with a particular focus on their most fundamental works: The Polish Peasant in Europe and America and Młode pokolenie chłopów (‘The Young Generation of Peasants’). The author analyses the theses discussed in the books, stressing their contribution to the development of sociology world-wide, particularly in terms of rural sociology and the so-called Polish Method. The article discusses theoretical approaches and methodological solutions introduced by these two scholars, while also drawing attention to changes in the reception of the two cited works.
Development Perspectives of Rural Tourism Policy – a Comparative Study of Rural Tourism Competitiveness Based on Perceptions of Tourism Workers in Slovenia and Serbia
Authors: Gajić Tamara , Penić Mirjana , Vujko Aleksandra , Petrović Marko D.
Published: April 2019

This paper deals with the development of rural areas in Slovenia and Serbia. The article identifies the main characteristics of rural tourism competitiveness in Slovenia and Serbia, analysing the main contributions and making a series of proposals to guide a future research agenda. The aim of the paper is simplified and clarified around one clearly defined objective: point out the competitiveness of rural tourism. The data for this study was collected using Dwyer and Kim’s (2003) Integrated Model of Destination Competitiveness to observe Slovenia’s and Vojvodina’s (Serbia) destination competitiveness. Determinants were assessed using a survey evaluating 24 indicators (demand factors and supporting factors), based upon a Likert Scale.
Knowledge Networking in Agricultural Practice. Case study from Slovenia
Authors: Ličen Nives , Božnar Franja , Podgoršek Jože
Published: April 2019

This study analyses knowledge networking between educational institution/knowledge provider, associations and knowledge users in the agricultural sector within the local environment in Slovenia. It is based on the theory of expansive learning and the concept of knowledge networking. A qualitative research paradigm using ethnography and in-depth semi-structured interviews has been used and involved various actors included in selected activity systems (the educational institution, associations and knowledge users). Our findings indicate that cooperation between associations and the educational institution has advantages for all involved and that, according to research participants, it fosters the transfer of knowledge from the academic/research sphere into practice.

In the case studied, we describe the development of new forms of connections between local knowledge and academic knowledge, both developing as a part of real-world complex learning environment. Knowledge networks have thus been built by enabling the transfer of explicit and tacit knowledge through social networks and by the development of new practices.
Homo Economicus and the Shepherd: the Traditional Sheep Farmer Facing the Modernisation (or Intensification) of European Livestock
Authors: de Arriba Raul , Barac Maja
Published: April 2019

The economic importance of sheep farming is somewhat reduced from a macroeconomic point of view and only makes up a small part of agrarian income and employment. The quantitative macroeconomic evidence shows that the activity of traditional sheep farming is not profitable enough, while the trends seem to be moving toward a reduction in the number of farms, in their concentration and in their intensification. The paper presents the research results with the focus on voactional motiations of farmer.
Relations between risk attitudes, culture and the endowment effect
Authors: Derecskei Anita Kolnhofer
Published: April 2019

The main purpose of this research was to examine whether systematic cross-national differences existed in risk preferences. As a part of the survey, it was also tested how the subjects decided on behalf of their friends. Considering the type of risk-taking and the role of endowment plus relevant cultural backgrounds, the answerers were grouped, and each segment could be identified. Finally, this segmentation could be correlated with behaviour in risk decisions. Here, the Allais situation was used testing respondent behaviour in risky decision-making on behalf of others. This paper used the validated DOSPERT Scale, measuring risk perceptions and risk preferences of international students (n=244). The used survey contained different risk attitudes depending on decision making and involved the following criteria: Ethical, Financial, Health or Safety, Recreational, and Social Risks. Applying the DOSPERT Scale, differences were also found between ‘Risk-Taking’, ‘Risk-Perceptions’, and ‘Expected Benefits’. This result can be explained by different risk attitudes particular to people making decisions involving measured risks. At the same time, thanks to the worldwide sample, this paper focused on cultural differences and observed the impact of different cultural backgrounds on risk-taking. Comparing personal traits with Hofstede’s cultural UAI (Uncertainty Avoidance Index) helped us understand deeper cultural influences. The sample was widely heterogeneous, which led to some changes in the original research question and provided a new method in the conceptual model. Based on the state of the art, a conceptual model was deduced, three hypotheses were tested, and three various segments were identified regarding the personal DOSPERT (Domain-Specific Risk-Taking Scale) Risk Preferences. In the second part of the paper, Personal Risk Preferences were connected and tested not only using the national culture background but also attitudes towards the endowment. Although there was no significant correlation between the distribution of risk perception, the styles of each role might show how the cultural heritage impacts various decisions and risk levels.
Construction and analysis of a library of miRNA in gold-coloured mutant leaves of Ginkgo biloba L.
Authors: Li Weixing , He Zhichong , Yang Shunbo , Ye Yunling , Jiang Huiru , Wang Li
Published: April 2019

To gain insights into the regulatory networks of miRNAs related to golden colour formation in Ginkgo biloba leaves, we constructed an sRNA library of golden-green striped mutant leaves. A total of 213 known miRNAs comprising 54 miRNA families were obtained, and 214 novel miRNAs were identified in the mutant leaves. We further constructed a normal green leaf sRNA library as a control and compared the expression of miRNAs between mutant and normal leaves. We found 42 known and 54 novel differential expression candidate miRNAs; 39 were up-regulated and 57 down-regulated in mutants compared to normal leaves. Our transcriptome analysis and annotation of the predicted targets indicated that the potential roles of miRNAs in G. biloba leaves included involvement in the ‘Glutathione metabolism’, ‘Plant circadian rhythm’, and ‘Phenylalanine metabolism’ categories. miRNAs and their targets were further validated by qRT-PCR. The expression of miR159a and miR159c, in particular, was significantly higher in mutant leaves than in normal leaves, while their potential target gene CLT3, which is associated with chloroplast development, displayed the opposite expression pattern. In addition, the expression of miR396g-3p and miR396h was also significantly higher in mutant leaves than in normal leaves, while the target genes ABP1 (auxin-related gene) and PPR32 (chloroplast RNA editing protein), respectively, showed the opposite expression pattern. Combined with the transcriptome analysis, these data suggest that miR159, miR396, and their targets may participate in chloroplast development and hormone metabolism to regulate colour formation in G. biloba leaves.
Effectiveness of mycorrhizal fungi in the protection of juniper, rose, yew and highbush blueberry against Alternaria alternata
Authors: Mazur Stanisław , Nadziakiewicz Małgorzata , Kurzawińska Halina , Nawrocki Jacek
Published: April 2019

After conducting two-year observations in nurseries in the Małopolska province, Poland, the species of shrubs on which symptoms of discoloration and withering of the leaves/needles and shoots, and sometimes of whole plants, occurred most frequently were selected for further study. The species included juniper (Juniperus horizontalis ‘Wiltonii’, rose (Rosa ‘Star Profusion’), yew (Taxus × media ‘Hillii’) and highbush blueberry (Vaccinum corymbosum ‘Patriot’). The predominant fungus isolated from the diseased plants was Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl. A pathogenicity test performed in the laboratory confirmed the pathogenic effects of A. alternata on all of the tested species of shrubs. In 2011-2014, a field experiment was conducted with A. alternata inoculum introduced into the growth substrate. The presence of the pathogen reduced considerably the annual growth of all the shrubs tested. The applied mycorrhizal inocula had an effect on some morphological characteristics of plants, such as height and number of shoots. Moreover, the plants whose roots had been treated with the mycorrhizal inocula and were grown in the substrate inoculated with the pathogen also achieved greater increases in growth in comparison with the plants treated with the pathogen as well as relative to the control. The protective role of mycorrhizal inocula against the damaging effects of the pathogen was evident in all the species of shrubs.
The use of a magnetic flux leakage in the assessment of the technical state of a steel wire rope subjected to bending
Authors: Mazurek Paweł , Kwaśniewski Jerzy , Roskosz Maciej , Siwoń-Olszewski Ryszard
Published: April 2019

The technical state of steel wire ropes has a decisive impact on the safety of people using the equipment in which they are installed. The basis for increasing safety is the ability to assess the condition of the working steel wire. The article presents the use of magnetometric sensors to determine the relationship between the number of steel wire rope bends and its magnetic field induction value. This knowledge, referred to ropes working on real objects, allows to determine the state of stress prevailing in them as well as their condition.
Estimation of Government Spending Multiplier in EU Economies
Authors: Senekovič Marko , Kavkler Alenka , Bekő Jani
Published: April 2019

The aim of this paper is to estimate government consumption multiplier and to examine the effect of various characteristics of countries on the size of fiscal multiplier. We apply a panel VAR model following Ilzetzki et al. (2013) for a sample of 28 EU countries covering the period from 1995 to 2017. Key findings are, first, the estimated average fiscal multiplier is larger than unity. Second, the size of fiscal multiplier is larger in the cases of lower public indebtedness, for more developed European countries and for more financially open economies, which is also in line with relevant empirical literature. Regarding the role of trade openness, the results are inconclusive. In addition to this, membership of countries in the European integrations positively affects the size of fiscal multiplier. Therefore, fiscal policymakers should use fiscal stimuli as the instrument of boosting short-term economic growth selectively and consider country-specific characteristics. This paper contributes to the ongoing discussion in two ways, it examines the effect of additional characteristics of countries on the size of fiscal multiplier and updates existing empirical literature.
The Black Dog of Swimming: Mental Illness and Australia’s Sporting Industrial Complex
Authors: Kampmark Binoy
Published: April 2019

This article considers the cultural and social crisis facing the sporting celebrity, with specific reference to the Australian athlete in the field of swimming. In that sense, this paper argues that parallels in other political systems for ruthless, sustained success, and the loss occasioned by it to individual sports figures, should be considered. Liberal democracies can still be perpetrating systems of sporting depression and mental illness, undermining their representatives in a relentless drive for performance and medals. The problem lies in what might be best described as a sporting industrial complex, one that emerged in Australia with the professionalization of sports.
Differences in the Perceived Attractiveness of Non-contact and Combative Athletes' Facial Pictures
Authors: Vajda Petr , Strašilová Kateřina , Reguli Zdenko
Published: April 2019

Female mating strategies and partner preferences are influenced by many factors. Depending on the life context, the preference for either a long-term or a short-term relationship, the willingness to have off-spring, or the current fertility conditions can be key factors. Differences can largely be traced to the perception of physical masculinity and the ability to provide and raise offspring. This study seeks to obtain data that will help to describe changes in the female perception of the attractiveness of facial photographs of male elite golfers (non-contact sport) and MMA fighters (combative sport) in connection with the following factors: age, sexual activity/passivity, use of hormonal contraceptives, duration of actual relation-ship, and number of children. Data for this study were collected using an anonymous questionnaire that included photos of the athletes in a random order and a 1-10 rating scale (10 indicating the most attractive). The research sample consisted of 1,035 female participants. The statistical significance was analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests, Eta2, and Cohen's d for the average ratings of the contact and non-contact athletes. The female participants slightly preferred the golfers’ pictures. This preference grew significantly with age and number of children. A possible explanation for these results may be the participants’ decreasing fertility or the willingness to have another child in the Czech socio-culture. In such cases, the strong masculine features typical of combative athletes could be less important. In contrast to some earlier findings, contraceptive use did not affect the perception of male attractiveness compared to the entire sample's average ratings, furthermore, neither did sexual activity/passivity.
Sentimentality versus Transformation of the Historical Traditional Rural Landscape (A Case Study: The Landscape of Dutch Law Settlement in Poland)
Authors: Markuszewska Iwona
Published: April 2019

The study concentrated on social attitudes towards landscape heritage and the how the place of living was perceived in the context of the transformation of the rural landscape that is currently taking place. The following question was formulated: Are individuals’ approaches to landscape and their attachment to their place of living essential in terms of landscaping and future landscape changes? The research revealed that individual perceptions of rurality and the historical traditional rural landscape (HTRL) varied in different groups of interviewees. Nevertheless, observing the loss of the landscape’s beauty was a traumatic experience, and destructive changes to the landscape were difficult to accept for most of individuals who had spent their lives in the countryside and who felt a strong sense of patrimony. Conversely, the HTRL presented a less important value to other respondents, thus the destruction they observed of the local heritage induced less painful feelings in them. Overall, the results suggest that it is one’s personal interest that will ultimately decide about his/her preservation of the HTRL in the nearest future.
The Delimitation of Landscape Units for the Planning of Protection – The Example of the Forests by Upper Liswarta Landscape Park
Authors: Sobala Michał , Pukowiec-Kurda Katarzyna , Żemła-Siesicka Anna
Published: April 2019

The delimitation of landscape units can be helpful in the preparation of studies related to landscape protection and landscaping. The aim of this article is to propose the modification of the method of local landscape delimitation developed for the landscape audit for the needs of protected areas. The comparison of two methods of delimitation indicates that the same area can be assigned to different landscape types and subtypes. The proposed modification of the method of landscape unit delimitation allows a more detailed reflection of the landscape and its links to the administrative boundaries of administrative communities.
Culinary Heritage as an Opportunity to Make Lubelskie Voivodeship’s Tourist Offer More Attractive (E Poland)
Authors: Skowronek Ewa , Brzezińska-Wójcik Teresa , Stasiak Andrzej
Published: April 2019

Lubelskie voivodeship has been standing out from other Polish administrative regions because of its agricultural function that has been shaped for centuries. Food and agricultural products originating in this region are seen as healthy, ecological and tradition-based. These resources have been noticed and used by the local government for building the regional brand and for promoting it. The main aim of this paper was to present the level of Polish people’s familiarity with lubelskie culinary heritage. Research findings obtained by means of the preliminary study and the diagnostic poll prove initiatives that have been undertaken to be effective. Inhabitants of other voivodeships do recognise lubelskie voivodeship and its culinary tradition, furthermore, a great majority know regional products from lubelskie. A development of tourism based on such a heritage is therefore an opportunity to make lubelskie voivodeship’s tourist offer more attractive. The offer may also become an important component for creating the brand.
Dasymetric Modelling of Population Distribution – Large Data Approach
Authors: Dmowska Anna
Published: April 2019

Existing resources of population data, provided by national censuses in the form of areal aggregates, have usually insufficient resolution for many practical applications. Dasymetric modelling has been a standard technique to disaggregate census aggregates into finer grids. Although dasymetric modelling of population distribution is well-established, most literature focuses on proposing new variants of the technique, while only few are devoted to developing broad-scale population grids that could be used for real-life applications. This paper reviews literature on construction of broad-scale population grids using dasymetric modelling. It also describes an R implementation of fully automated framework to calculate such grids from aggregated data provided by national censuses. The presented implementation has been used to produce high resolution, multi-year comparable, U.S.-wide population datasets that are the part of the SocScape (Social Landscape) project.
Geomorphological Classification and Landforms Inventory of the Middle-Atlas Volcanic Province (Morocco): Scientific Value and Educational Potential
Authors: Amine Abdelmounji , El Amrani El Hassani Iz-Eddine , Remmal Toufik , El Kamel Fouad , Van Wyk De Vries Benjamin , Boivin Pierre
Published: April 2019

Through the tabular morphology of northwestern part of the Middle-Atlas in Morocco, numerous uncovered monogenetic volcanoes arise structured of pyroclastic product layers and lava flows. Our fieldwork results witness a wide-ranging volcanic shape spectrum, as cones, maars, tuff-rings, and cone-maar mixes, generally associated with a later lava flow discharge that could develop many surfaces and appearances. There are withal sundry eruptive products such as pahoehoe lava, scoria, tuff, lapilli, peperites, base-surges, bombs, etc. This monogenetic volcanic field of practically 1000 km2 offers remarkable eruptive landforms, referred to as the largest, and the youngest volcanic field in Morocco, which consists of a large area within the Ifrane National Park. This fieldwork study provides a renewed volcanic geomorphological classification table and GIS data to be used by a wide public range for both educational and geo-touristic interest and access effectively to such a high-mountain natural museum. In the event that these volcanic structures were appropriately dealt with, the high educational scientific content and the notable touristic vocation would almost certainly create business openings and new financial wages for neighborhood populaces. This work focuses to share our outcomes and emphases the scientific value about the monogenetic volcanic field around the tabular Middle-Atlas in Morocco.
Remote Sensing Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Tourist-Recreation Lake Evaluation and Development
Authors: Borkowski Grzegorz , Młynarczyk Adam
Published: April 2019

This article concerns the use of remote sensing methods to assess the potential of tourism and recreation of lakes by using unmanned aerial vehicles as a tool that offers new measurement possibilities in such difficult areas to research as river and lake systems. For the purpose of the study, air surveys over three lakes used for tourism and recreation purposes were planned and carried out. These were the following lakes: Swarzędzkie, Wolsztyńskie and Zbąszyńskie located in western Poland. The photos were taken with a RGB and a multispectral cameras. On the basis of calculated orthophotomaps and digital surface models, anthropogenic and natural values were assessed. The examples of the research show the versatile possibilities of using drones dependent on the type sensor used. Remote sensing performed from the deck of an unmanned aircraft is widely used in the study of lakes and is an alternative to existing land and water research methods.
Franziscean Cadastre in Landscape Structure Research: A Systematic Review
Authors: Dolejš Martin , Forejt Michal
Published: April 2019

Historical and archival sources are of cardinal importance in landscape research addressing the processes and course of landscape changes in European regions. The Franziscean cadastre from the 19th century is among the most widely used historical sources in Central Europe. We identified 1440 records, finally providing 104 articles reporting the use of the Franziscean cadastre for in-depth analyses in order to identify (i) the practice of the cadastral data processing, (ii) purpose and spatial extent of the study, (iii) use of complementary sources and (iv) particular land use/land cover classes under study. We have found the increasing attention towards the Franziscean cadastre as a source for landscape research reflected by the doubling number of records in the past decade with majority of the case studies located in Czechia (79), followed by Austria (9) and Italy (3). We have identified the trends in the use in landscape trajectory research and application to hydrology, agriculture and forestry. As regards the data processing, several issues connected with the methodology or design of the records were found (e.g. geographic information system processing description and data source specification). We further problematize the suitability of the supplementary data used and conclude our review with a set of recommendations to contribute to the discussion on the methodology of landscape reconstruction with historical datasets.
Four Basic Argument Forms
Authors: Wagemans Jean H. M.
Published: April 2019

This paper provides a theoretical rationale for distinguishing four basic argument forms. On the basis of a survey of classical and contemporary definitions of argument, a set of assumptions is formulated regarding the linguistic and pragmatic aspects of arguments. It is demonstrated how these assumptions yield four different argument forms: (1) first-order predicate arguments, (2) first-order subject arguments, (3) second-order subject arguments, and (4) second-order predicate arguments. These argument forms are then further described and illustrated by means of concrete examples, and it is explained how they are visually represented in the Periodic Table of Arguments.
The importance of sexual, asexual and mixed ramet clusters in production of descendant ramets in populations of Solidago ×niederederi (Asteraceae)
Authors: Pliszko Artur , Kostrakiewicz-Gierałt Kinga
Published: April 2019

In this study, we focused on the potential production of descendant ramets in sexual, asexual, and mixed ramet clusters of Solidago ×niederederi Khek (Asteraceae), a natural hybrid between the North American S. canadensis and the European S. virgaurea. We selected eight populations of the hybrid occurring in southern Poland. The ANOVA results proved the significant effect of cluster type and population on the number of descendant ramets in sexual, asexual, and mixed ramet clusters. The post-hoc Tukey test showed that the number of descendant ramets in sexual and mixed ramet clusters differs significantly (p < 0.001). The number of descendant ramets was positively correlated with the number of maternal ramets in sexual, asexual, and mixed ramet clusters, reaching the coefficient values of 0.78, 0.64, and 0.82, respectively. Moreover, the number of descendant ramets was positively correlated with the height of maternal ramets in mixed ramet clusters, reaching the coefficient value of 0.25. The post-hoc Tukey test revealed the significant differences between the height of ramets originating from sexual and asexual ramet clusters (p < 0.001). Our results complemented the current state of knowledge and brought evidence that the number of descendant ramets might be influenced by a type of ramet cluster.
De Bello Robotico. An Ethical Assessment of Military Robotics
Authors: Campa Riccardo
Published: April 2019

This article provides a detailed description of robotic weapons and unmanned systems currently used by the U.S. Military and its allies, and an ethical assessment of their actual or potential use on the battlefield. Firstly, trough a review of scientific literature, reports, and newspaper articles, a catalogue of ethical problems related to military robotics is compiled. Secondly, possible solutions for these problems are offered, by relying also on analytic tools provided by the new field of roboethics. Finally, the article explores possible future developments of military robotics and present six reasons why a war between humans and automata is unlikely to happen in the 21st century.
How an Advanced Neurocognitive Human Trait for Religious Capacity Fails to Form
Authors: Rappaport Margaret Boone , Corbally Christopher
Published: April 2019

The authors present an evolutionary model for the biological emergence of religious capacity as an advanced neurocognitive trait. Using their model for the stages leading to the evolutionary emergence of religious capacity in Homo sapiens, they analyze the mechanisms that can fail, leading to unbelief (atheism or agnosticism). The analysis identifies some, but not all types of atheists and agnostics, so they turn their question around and, using the same evolutionary model, ask what keeps religion going. Why does its development not fail in one social group after another, worldwide? Their final analysis searches for reasons in important evolutionary changes in the senses of hearing, vision, and general sensitivity on the hominin line, which together interact with both intellectual and emotional brain networks to achieve, often in human groups, variously altered states of consciousness, especially a numinous state enabled in part by a brain organ, the precuneus. An inability to experience the numinous, consider it important, or believe in its supernatural nature, may cleave the human population into those with belief and those with unbelief.
COGNITION AND COMMUNICATION: METAPHOR IN THE SPANISH MEDIA DISCOURSE
Authors: Larionova M. V. , Romanova G. S.
Published: April 2019

Te process of thinking and the process of cognition inevitably include metaphorization as one of the ways of conceptualization of the reality, when new and unknown things are thought through categories of already known. Metaphor as a mental operation based on analogy, represents a universal category of thinking. Nevertheless, metaphors are part of a national cultural worldview. Te stability of the metaphorical system due to cognitive constants does not exclude the variability of metaphorical models that depend on social, national-cultural, historical and other parameters of the discursive context. Te key principle of metaphor is the principle of fctitiousness - als ob - as if: one area of knowledge borrows the concept from another area. Cognitive properties of metaphors allow not only to name, but also to model the reality; therefore in media discourse the functional load of the metaphorical nominations is very high. Scientifc and technological progress and the speed that operates social, economic and political transformations of the surrounding reality leads to inevitable creation of metaphors for naming new concepts and realities of our life. In the article, metaphor as a special cognitive model and a way of modeling the reality is investigated from the point of view of cognitive and communicative approaches, on the example of the materials of the Spanish media discourse.
CONCESSIVE CONNECTORS IN JAPANESE
Authors: Chironov S. V.
Published: April 2019

Tis paper uses corpus data in an attempt at a combined description of three concessive connectors in contemporary Japanese - (sore)demo; nimokakawarazu; noni. Concessives are interpreted as markers of a contradiction to expectations arising out of an interfering counterforce – thus, cancelling a presupposed “normal consequence of events”. Te three markers, viewed in the specifc paradigm characteristic of the Japanese connectors, are analyzed in respect to their semantic and discourse functions. Tese signal procedural meanings relevant to the construal of the contradicting situations or states of aﬀairs, parameters of the communicative situation. Te main thrust of the present work lies in the application of Russian-based methods of linguistic analysis to the Japanese material. In this way we are able to pick some (presumably universal) pragmasemantic features for discursive connectors, including scale of contradiction, involvement of the speaker, assessiveness, and text orientation. In fact, the three connectors appear to portray roughly three distinct linguistic attitudes to a challenge that a discovered contradiction is – mentalist (correct one’s position to fnd a solution), normative (conserve status quo, forestall conﬂict), and emotional (manipulate, appealing to one’s subjective state).
THE SYMBOLISM OF COLORS IN THE ETHNIC PICTURE OF THE WORLD OF THE ARABS
Authors: Kuhareva E. V.
Published: April 2019

Te article studies symbolic meanings of colors in the Arab on the material of Arabic sacred, literary texts, dictionary editions, and folklore. Tere is considered the place of each element of the color palette in the Arab ethnic picture of the world, which expresses moral and ethical values and worldview of the Arab ethnic group, and the importance and inﬂuence of colors on the Arab mentality. Te analysis reveals the similarities and diﬀerences in the perception of colors and their symbolic meanings in the Arab and Russian languages. Arabs’ perception of a particular color is based on their fgurative system, in which all the phenomena of the surrounding world appear not in the form of philosophical abstract generalizations, but as a realistic perception of the surrounding reality. Symbolism of their perception is revealed in their practical life, the basis on which national consciousness and national mentality is formed. Color symbolism depends on the place and conditions in which an ethnic group lives. A national picture of the world, however, is not only and not so much a reﬂection of these conditions, it is a reﬂection of their moral, ethical and aesthetic conceptualization, fxed in various linguistic forms and transmitted from generation to generation as a moral code allowing people to preserve their national identity.
Welcome to a New Generation of Entertainment: Amazon Web Services and the Normalization of Big Data Analytics and RFID Tracking
Authors: Grandinetti Justin Joseph
Published: April 2019

The 2017 partnership between the National Football League (NFL) and Amazon Web Services (AWS) promises novel forms of cutting-edge real-time statistical analysis through the use of both radio frequency identification (RFID) chips and Amazon’s cloud-based machine learning and data-analytics tools. This use of RFID is heralded for its possibilities: for broadcasters, who are now capable of providing more thorough analysis; for fans, who can experience the game on a deeper analytical level using the NFL’s Next Gen Stats; and for coaches, who can capitalize on data-driven pattern recognition to gain a statistical edge over their competitors in real-time. In this paper, we respond to calls for further examination of the discursive positionings of RFID and big data technologies (Frith 2015; Kitchin and Dodge 2011). Specifically, this synthesis of RFID and cloud computing infrastructure via corporate partnership provides an alternative discursive positioning of two technologies that are often part of asymmetrical relations of power (Andrejevic 2014). Consequently, it is critical to examine the efforts of Amazon and the NFL to normalize pervasive spatial data collection and analytics to a mass audience by presenting these surveillance technologies as helpful tools for accessing new forms of data-driven knowing and analysis.