bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Empirical evaluation of professional traineeships for young people up to 30 years of age
Authors: Hora Ondřej 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
In this article, we evaluate ‘Professional traineeships for young people up to 30 years’, an active labour market policy measure implemented in the Czech Republic. Professional traineeships were one of the possibilities for suitable offer to young people within Youth Guarantee in the Czech Republic in 2014 and 2015. First, we conducted a process evaluation (document analysis and interviews) to uncover the design and implementation aspects of the program. Next, we followed the counterfactual impact evaluation approach towards the estimate of returns to unemployment (competing risk analysis) based on individual administration data from public employment services. We have found that professional traineeships were successful in attracting the interest of both young people and employers. Mainly young people with middle and high level education have entered the program. Most of them have been provided with on-the-job subsidies in the private sector. When considering the impact of the program on the unemployment of participants and a control group, it was shown that after two years, the measure was effective only for young people with long pre-program Employment Office registration. When we consider the reasons for leaving Employment Office registration, the measure seems to be more effective, since many young people in the control group left the Employment Office register in favour of options that were outside of the labour market.
The content of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b in leaves of undergrowth species in hornbeam-oak forest stands of the forest-steppe zone in Western Ukraine
Authors: Zaïka Volodymyr , Bondarenko Taras 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
In this study, the biosynthesis of the plastid pigments chlorophyll a and b was examined for the most common shrubs in hornbeam-oak forest stands of the Western forest-steppe zone of Ukraine. The characteristics of the pigments’ biosynthesis were determined in terms of plant species, vegetation period and growth conditions (under canopy cover and out in the open). The gathered data on the changes of the pigment complex with respect to the examined variables confirms the sensitivity of plastid pigment biosynthesis to environmental factors.
Evaluation of the corridor method for oak (Quercus sp.) cultivation using research objects in the Mircze and Kościan Forest Districts as an example
Authors: Paluch Rafał , Gil Wojciech 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
The corridor method of oak (Quercus sp) cultivation is an old, forgotten silvicultural method. It was developed around the turn of the 19th and 20th century on the south-eastern borders of Poland (Podole, Wołyń) and Russia and made use of other species such as hornbeam, linden and birch as a cover for oak, which is a tree species sensitive to frosts. The nowadays recurring phenomenon of oak disease initiated a search for silvicultural alternatives and thus the usefulness of reviving the corridor method for oak regeneration was investigated by examining existing tree stands established in this way. Our research plots were located in five young stands and two in mature as well as old stands.
In the stands of the 2nd and 3rd age classes, the density of oaks was observed to be 1500–3500/ha, which accounted for 30–50%. The density of oak in old stands (7th age class) was similar to model-predicted values. Furthermore, the corridor method gave very good production results as exemplified by the oak stands growing on the fresh broadleaved site, which had a very high stand quality index. In addition, the species composition was observed to diversify throughout these oak stands’ development, thus supporting arguments for the conservation and preservation of oak-hornbeam forests. To summarise, the prerequisites for the success of the corridor method are systematic cuts of young stands (forest cultures and thickets) to inhibit the growth of accompanying undesired species and limiting the number of grazing animals.
Morphometric analysis of metacarpal and metatarsal bones of cave bears (Carnivora, Ursidae)
Authors: Baryshnikov Gennady F. , Puzachenko Andrey Yu. 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
For the first time, morphometric variation has been studied in metacarpal and metatarsal bones of all known taxa of cave bears, which belong to different molecular genetic groups (deningeri, kudarensis, spelaeus, and ingressus haplotypes). The examined material involves nearly three thousand specimens from 28 localities of Europe, the Urals, Caucasus, and Central Asia. For comparison we used samples of fossil and recent Ursus arctos, as well as U. etruscus, regarded as a common ancestor of brown bears and cave bears. Methods of univariate and multivariate statistical analyses of metapodial bones were employed, providing an opportunity to ascertain the degree of sexual dimorphism in different taxa, the degree of morphological difference between taxa, and to define “size” and “shape” morphospaces for concise description of morphological diversity and classification of cave bears. Our study reveals that, on average, sexual dimorphism is more pronounced in U. arctos and U. kudarensis praekudarensis than in cave bears. Sexual dimorphism of bear metapodia is greater than sexual dimorphism of the skull (Baryshnikov and Puzachenko 2011). The contribution of sexual dimorphism to size of the metapodials is close to a contribution associated with morphological disparity between the bears belonging to different taxa. By the example of two chronosubspecies of Kudaro cave bear: U. kudarensis praekudarensis from Middle Pleistocene and U. k. kudarensis from Late Pleistocene, we succeeded in detecting a decrease of sexual dimorphism over time, which suggests that earlier cave bears inherited a pronounced sexual dimorphism from ancestral taxa. Metacarpal and metatarsal bones of cave bears are easily distinguished from those of U. etruscus and U. arctos, simultaneously demonstrating similarity between cave bears from different genetic groups, involving the species U. kudarensis (the basal taxon for all cave bears, including U. deningeri); some peculiarities of these bones are revealed only in the smaller U. rossicus. The examples have shown the presence (U. k. kudarensis) as well as absence (U. deningeri, U. kanivetz ingressus) of evident spatial (geographical) and temporal patterns in metapodial variability. It is determined that taxa can be better differentiated by metacarpals rather than by metatarsals, because the latter proved to be more “conservative” and less variable over time. It is hypothesized that very rapid modification of metapodial bones occurred at an early stage of evolution of this group, which was presumably a result of occupation of a special ecological niche by cave bears. This study reveals that the size and shape of metacarpal and metatarsal bones did not have an observable link with the taxonomic or evolutionary position of cave bears. At the same time, the clear morphological differences between brown bears and cave bears reflect an early evolutionary divergence between “arctoid” and “spelaeoid” lineages.
A review of the Pleistocene dwarfed elephants from the Aegean islands, and their paleogeographic context
Authors: Sen Sevket 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
This paper provides a synthesis of the present knowledge on dwarfed endemic elephants from the Pleistocene of the south Aegean islands. Pleistocene elephants are quite well documented from Crete and Tilos, but with scarce remains on other islands. The systematics and affinities of these elephants are discussed here in the light of recent knowledge on their dispersal history and morphological features. There were apparently three different species on Crete, an older species of Early Pleistocene age and related to Mammuthus, and two others of Middle or Late Pleistocene age, namely Palaeoloxodon creutzburgi and P. chaniensis. The unique m3 from Kassos is similar in size and morphology to P. creutzburgi. From the other islands, the most famous and particularly well-documented species is P. tiliensis from Tilos. It was a dwarfed form estimated as being 1.8 m at the shoulders. Other important records are from the islands of Rhodos, Naxos, Dilos, Kalymnos and Kythera. These islands yielded palaeoloxodontine elephant fossils presumably of the Middle-Late Pleistocene age. The pattern of their dentition and the character of the limb bones, when known, resemble those of the European straight-tusked elephant P. antiquus, and the general opinion is that they were derived from this species. The main question discussed in the present study is the relationship between the elephant occurrences and palaeogeographic evolution of the Aegean domain. It appears that elephants populated Crete at least twice at different times using sweepstake roots. On other islands, elephants probably became isolated because of the subsidence of the Aegean domain and the sea level rise during the Late Pleistocene, which reduced land surfaces and food resources. Hence different degrees of dwarfism existed in these elephants and varied from one island to another.
Light and shadows in the evolution of South European stenonoid horses
Authors: Palombo Maria Rita , Alberdi Maria Teresa 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
The appearance of monodactyl equids in Eurasia and their dispersal towards South Europe is a significant event that marks the beginning of the Quaternary period. During the Pleistocene, horses were a common element in most European large mammal faunal assemblages, providing important palaeoecological clues, but their taxonomy, nomenclature and phylogeny, as well as their actual biochronological significance have been widely debated by scholars. The evolutionary history of horses here regarded as “stenonoid” (Equus livenzovensis, Equus stenonis, Equus ex gr. E. senezensis, Equus altidens, Equus hydruntinus, the large-sized horses Equus major and Equus suessenbornensis, sometimes referred to as the so-called “Equus bressanus-Equus suessenbornensis group”), is one of the most intriguing. This study, mainly focusing on the South European representatives of this group, aims to highlight and discuss the major debated issues, re-examining the taxonomy of some Early and early Middle Pleistocene horses. Alternative phylogenetic hypotheses will also be discussed with the aim of providing new clues on the chronology and palaeoecology of some key species/samples.
A detailed description of Cricetodon hungaricus (Kordos, 1986) (Rodentia, Mammalia) from Hasznos (N. Hungary, Nógrád County)
Authors: Hír János 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
The large-sized cricetid rodents (Tribe Cricetodontini) are of primary importance in the biostratigraphy of the Middle Miocene in Hungary. Cricetodon hungaricus is especially remarkable due to its original morphology and stratigraphic range. New excavations in the type locality of the species, namely Hasznos (Nógrád County, Hungary; Middle Badenian, MN 6) resulted in the acquisition of important new fossil material. The aim of this contribution in honor of Prof. O. Fejfar is to provide a detailed description, emended diagnosis and detailed comparison of the Cricetodon material with a taxonomical, biogeographical and paleoenvironmental context.
Eomys helveticus n. sp. and Eomys schluneggeri n. sp., two new small eomyids of the Chattian (MP 25/MP 26) subalpine Lower Freshwater Molasse of Switzerland
Authors: Engesser Burkart , Kälin Daniel 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
Two new small Eomys species of the Chattian Lower Freshwater Molasse of Central Switzerland are described. Eomys helveticus n. sp. and Eomys schluneggeri n. sp. from the localities Rigi 1 and Rigi 2 are characterized by their relatively small dimensions and the metalophid of the lower molars not being connected to the anterolophid. In addition, E. schluneggeri n. sp. shows some morphological similarity to the genus Eomyodon Engesser, 1987. The two new Eomys species have so far never been found in any of the numerous MP 25 and MP 26 localities in Central Europe. In both faunas Eomyidae and Gliridae were extremely frequent, whereas the Theridomyidae, usually the most frequent rodent family in the Late Oligocene, were very rare or absent. We interpret these peculiarities as being linked with the special ecological conditions, namely a relatively wet, forested environment.
Late Miocene (Early Turolian) vertebrate faunas and associated biotic record of the Northern Caucasus: Geology, palaeoenvironment, biochronology
Authors: Tesakov Alexey S. , Titov Vadim V. , Simakova Alexandra N. , Frolov Pavel D. , Syromyatnikova Elena V. , Kurshakov Sergey V. , Volkova Natalia V. , Trikhunkov Yaroslav I. , Sotnikova Marina V. , Kruskop Sergey V. , Zelenkov Nikita V. , Tesakova Ekaterina M. , Palatov Dmitry M. 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
Late Miocene continental deposits overlying the Khersonian marine sediments near the city of Maikop bordering the Belaya River (North Caucasus) yielded a diverse biotic record including palynology, ostracods, fresh-water and terrestrial molluscs, fishes, amphibians and reptiles, birds, and mammals. The obtained data indicate predominantly wooded landscapes along the banks of a large fresh-water estuarine or lagoonal basin with occasional connection with the sea. The basin existed in a warm temperate to subtropical climate with a high humidity and an estimated mean annual precipitation above 800 mm. The mammalian assemblage with Hipparion spp., Alilepus sp., Paraglirulus schultzi, Eozapus intermedius, Parapodemus lugdunensis, Collimys caucasicus sp. nov., Neocricetodon cf. progressus, etc. is referable to the early Turolian, MN 11. The data regarding composition and stage of evolution of the small mammal content combined with mostly normal polarity of the fossiliferous deposits, and the age estimates of the upper Khersonian boundary as between 8.6 and 7.9 Ma indicate a plausible correlation with Chron C4n and an age range between 8.1–7.6 Ma.
Democricetodon fejfari sp. nov. and replacement of Cricetidae by Muridae in Siwalik deposits of Pakistan
Authors: Lindsay Everett 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
Democricetodon is a core genus within the family Cricetidae; it is recorded in many regions of Asia and Europe, and has left many descendants. One of the early radiations of Democricetodon was in southern Asia, where it radiated for about 10 my, from about 18 Ma to about 8 Ma, during the Miocene epoch. Democricetodon was replaced in southern Asia by one of its cousins, Antemus, in the family Muridae, the Muridae later became one of the most diverse and abundant family of mammals. Cricetidae and Muridae persisted together in Siwalik deposits for a period of about four million years (18 Ma to 14 Ma).
Genus Apodemus in the Pleistocene of Central Europe: when did the extant taxa appear?
Authors: Knitlová Markéta , Horáček Ivan 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
The extant species of the genus Apodemus represent the most common small mammals of Central Europe. Unfortunately, their phylogenetic past is only poorly known. With the aid of detailed biometric analyses we tried to identify the first appearance of the phenotypic patterns characterizing the extant populations. We examined dental material of Apodemus from 53 community samples from the territory of the Czech Republic and Slovakia dated from the early Villanyian (MN 16/17) to the late Middle Pleistocene (Q 3) with particular respect to their correspondence with the morphometric characteristics of the extant species. While the Toringian (Q 3) interglacial samples invariably include forms identical with the extant taxa A. flavicollis, A. sylvaticus and supposedly A. uralensis (including the items corresponding to A. maastrichtiensis), the samples of Early Pleistocene age (MN 17 – Q 2) exhibited clear differences in the variation pattern which results in questioning the possibility of their co-identification with the respective extant species. In most instances they varied within the limits in resembling A. sylvaticus but exceeded its variation ranges in some non-metric characters. Regarding serious doubts on real taxonomic status of other named fossil species we propose to denote these Plio-Pleistocene sylvaticus-like phenotypes provisionally with the prior name A. atavus Heller, 1936.
From a Culture of Borders to Borders of Cultures: Nationalism and the “Clash of Civilizations” in International Relations Theory
Authors: Bayeh Joseph N. , Baltos Georgios C. 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
The Peace of Westphalia signed in 1648 signaled the beginning of the modern international system of states. International relations (IR) theory identifies this treaty as the founder of the principle of political sovereignty whereby each nation-state has full control over its territory and domestic affairs, thus it is the beginning of an international system of states. The latter is based on the sanctity and inviolability of interstate borders as its main defining feature. This paper investigates the recent developments in international relations and their significance to the concept of borders in IR theory; on the one hand, a “clash of civilizations” thesis assumes that new “fault lines” borders among civilizations of, mainly, different religions are taking precedence over traditional territorial borders of nation-states, while, on the other hand, a rise in conservative nationalism and, possibly, protectionism, over the traditionally liberal West reasserts the primacy of territorial borders in IR. In particular, this study examines whether such developments signal a paradigm shift in IR theory that may necessitate revisiting certain fundamentals of mainstream respective theories.
Chronic Statin Therapy and Histologic Gastric Changes
Authors: Negovan Anca , Țilea Ioan , Voidăzan Septimiu , Mocan Simona , Szoke Andreea , Stoica Andreea , Pantea Monica 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Background: The additional benefits of certain frequently used chronic drugs such as statins or aspirin are investigated for their possible effect of influencing various types of cancer, including gastric cancer. The possible role of statins in the occurrence of pre-neoplastic gastric lesions has not been investigated.

Aim: The study aims to determine the influence of chronic statin therapy on premalignant gastric lesions (glandular atrophy, intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia), adjusted with the most important aggressive environmental factors of the gastric mucosa (Helicobacter pylori [H. pylori] infection, low-dose aspirin [acetylsalicylic acid, ASA], biliary reflux, smoking, alcohol consumption).

Method: The study included 566 patients with cardiovascular diseases who underwent an upper endoscopy: 222 patients with chronic statin therapy (atorvastatin 20–80 mg/day or rosuvastatin 5–20 mg/day for at least 6 months) and 344 patients without statin intake. A complete set of biopsies from the gastric antrum and corpus were routinely processed and examined, and demographical, clinical, and pathological variables were recorded.

Results: Active H. pylori infection in gastric biopsies (p = 0.45), biliary reflux (p = 0.74), alcohol consumption (p = 0.43), or prior ulcer disease (p = 0.07; OR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.33–1.04) were not associated with an increased risk for premalignant lesions, neither in the statin, nor the no-statin group. Smoking was associated with premalignant lesions in both groups (p = 0.01; OR: 2.24; 95% CI: 1.12–4.47; and p = 0.04; OR: 1.72; 95% CI: 1.01–2.94, respectively), while chronic use of ASA had no influence (p = 0.24, respective p = 0.35). In multivariate regression models, chronic treatment with statins had a protective effect (p = 0.006; OR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.4–0.8), while smoking (p = 0.01; OR: 1.99; 95% CI: 1.17–3.39) and age >50 years (p <0.01, OR: 3.09; 95% CI: 1.84–5.21) were predictors for pre-neoplastic lesions. H. pylori infection, gender, alcohol consumption, biliary reflux, or prior ulcer disease were not associated with premalignant lesions (p >0.05). Conclusions: In the studied population, chronic statin treatment seems to be associated with a decreased risk for premalignant gastric lesions, while age over 50 years and smoking, regardless of gender or ASA consumption, remain the most important risk factors for premalignant gastric lesions.
Social and Political Theory of Social Movements for the Social State
Authors: Koffas Stefanos 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
Social movements, as collective entities, develop to stand up against the existing institutional status quo with a view to its reformation or radical transformation, while the degree to which they are political depends on wider socio-political factors. The diverse action that evolved through their organized mobilization marked the radical transformation of political response, but also the type of state intervention. Social movements exactly because they constitute wider socio-political undertakings that aim to bring about changes in the social, political, economic but also cultural processes, which seek to annul or sideline established standardizations, are considered one of the most readily available ways to express political and social claims; here they are understood to be dynamic interventions in institutionally and structurally complete social systems as in the case of the social state. Within the context of political mobilization and collective social action, social movements functioned at two interrelated levels: the level of expansion, but also of redefinition of social intervention processes in order to achieve the goals of the social state, and the cultural level, a symbolic promotion, in order to establish a greater degree of social justice. Mobilization of resources, collective behaviour for making claims, even contentious action and transaction with institutions and authorities, constitute views of social transformation and political process in the context of the creation and development of the social state.
Influencing Factors of Cross-cultural Adaptation Process of Chinese Students Studying in the Upper Northern Thai Universities
Authors: Kang Sun , Yossuck Pradtana , Panyadee Chalermchai , Ek-lem Bongkochmas 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
With the development of China’s ‘One Belt and One Road’(OBOR) Initiative, many Chinese students have chosen Thai universities for foreign study in recent years. As usual, problems of cross-cultural adaptation becoming the primary issues they encounter during their stay in Thailand. Based on a survey of 314 Chinese undergraduates studying at eight universities in the upper northern region of Thailand, this study analyzed the influencing factors of the cross-cultural adaptation process of these Chinese students. It tested the Young Yun Kim’s structure model, which contains six dimensions of determining aspects on international students’ cross-cultural adaptation process. A quantitative research method was applied in this article by using a structured questionnaire as a tool to collect primary data. The data analysis was conducted by using Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient and Multiple Regressions. The findings indicated that five dimensions, i.e., Communication Competence (CC), Host Social Communication (HSC), Intercultural Transformation (IT), Environment (EN), and Predisposition (PR) are significant determining aspects for the cross-cultural adaptation process of Chinese students. Furthermore, nine influencing factors out of these five dimensions had significant positive impacts on the cross-cultural adaptation process. Therefore they are considered as the main influencing factors.