bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variability of Otolith Morphology and Morphometry in Eight Juvenile Fish Species in the Coastal Eastern Adriatic
Authors: Ferri Josipa , Bartulin Karmen , Škeljo Frane 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
Sagittae otoliths of eight juvenile species: Boops boops, Diplodus vulgaris, Diplodus puntazzo, Sarpa salpa (family Sparidae), Liza ramada, Liza aurata (family Mugilidae), Atherina boyeri, Atherina hepsetus (family Atherinidae) were analysed and compared using descriptive morphological characters and morphometric indices. The noticeable differences among the otoliths of the investigated species are in their overall shape, margins (i.e. irregular, sinuate or crenate) and anterior region. Otolith shape varied from elliptic to pentagonal in sparids, elliptic to rectangular in mugilids and elliptic in two atherinids. Aspect ratio (OW/OL), ratio of the sulcus length occupied by the cauda length (CL/SL) and ratio of the sulcus length occupied by the ostium length (OSL/SL) were calculated for all species. The otolith contour was described using wavelets. The Canonical Analysis of Principal Coordinates (CAP) gave an overview of the otolith shape differentiation between eight juveniles. Using the Wavelet coefficients, the first principal component (CAP1) explained 58.1% of the variation among species and the second principal component (CAP2) 25.2%.
Optimal Bus Stops’ Allocation: A School Bus Routing Problem with Respect to Terrain Elevation
Authors: Prah Klemen , Keshavarzsaleh Abolfazl , Kramberger Tomaž , Jereb Borut , Dragan Dejan 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
The paper addresses the optimal bus stops allocation in the Laško municipality. The goal is to achieve a cost reduction by proper re-designing of a mandatory pupils’ transportation to their schools. The proposed heuristic optimization algorithm relies on data clustering and Monte Carlo simulation. The number of bus stops should be minimal possible that still assure a maximal service area, while keeping the minimal walking distances children have to go from their homes to the nearest bus stop. The working mechanism of the proposed algorithm is explained. The latter is driven by three-dimensional GIS data to take into account as much realistic dynamic properties of terrain as possible. The results show that the proposed algorithm achieves an optimal solution with only 37 optimal bus stops covering 94.6 % of all treated pupils despite the diversity and wideness of municipality, as well as the problematic characteristics of terrains’ elevation. The calculated bus stops will represent important guidelines to their actual physical implementation.
Comparison of Lowest-Slot and Nearest-Stack Heuristics for Storage Assignment of Steel Bar Sets
Authors: Marolt Jakob , Lerher Tone 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
Our research objective is to lower intralogistics costs by minimizing the number of shuffling operations in a steel plant company commercial warehouse. The process of dispatching products consists of retrieving set of steel bar (SSB) from a floor stored stack or a special stacking frame by an overhead crane. To retrieve a targeted merchandise all SSB above targeted must be reshuffled. Proper assignment of storage locations is a key logistics problem for efficient order picking. We are comparing two heuristics, that do not require information of dispatching sequence of any stored products. We simulated the problem at hand with both methods. Our objective is to count the number of reshuffles using each heuristic on randomly generated examples and decide which is better in the long run. Our problem has similarities with storage assignment of steel plates or steel coils for minimization of reshuffling operations. The problem is also comparable to storage assignment of containers in a container yard. In our case we are dealing with a special stacking configuration of products, that demands different approach. We want to demonstrate which heuristic should be used in companies that lack necessary storage information infrastructure.
Analysing 21st century meteorological and hydrological drought events in Slovakia
Authors: Fendeková Miriam , Gauster Tobias , Labudová Lívia , Vrablíková Dana , Danáčová Zuzana , Fendek Marián , Pekárová Pavla 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
Several quite severe droughts occurred in Europe in the 21st century; three of them (2003, 2012 and 2015) hit also Slovakia. The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and Standardized Precipitation and Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) were used for assessment of meteorological drought occurrence. The research was established on discharge time series representing twelve river basins in Slovakia within the period 1981–2015. Sequent Peak Algorithm method based on fixed threshold, three parametric Weibull and generalized extreme values distribution GEV, factor and multiple regression analyses were employed to evaluate occurrence and parameters of hydrological drought in 2003, 2011–2012 and 2015, and the relationship among the water balance components. Results showed that drought parameters in evaluated river basins of Slovakia differed in respective years, most of the basins suffered more by 2003 and 2012 drought than by the 2015 one. Water balance components analysis for the entire period 1931–2016 showed that because of continuously increasing air temperature and balance evapotranspiration there is a decrease of runoff in the Slovak territory.
Comparison of two concepts for assessment of sediment transport in small agricultural catchments
Authors: Hlavčová Kamila , Kohnová Silvia , Velísková Yvetta , Studvová Zuzana , Sočuvka Valentin , Ivan Peter 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
The erosion, transport and deposition of sediments in small valley reservoirs represent a significant impact on their operations, mainly with regard to reducing the volume of their accumulation. The aim of this study is a comparison and uncertainty analysis of two modelling concepts for assessment of soil loss and sediment transport in a small agricultural catchment, with an emphasis on estimating the off-site effects of soil erosion resulted in sedimentation of a small water reservoir. The small water reservoir (polder) of Svacenicky Creek which was built in 2012, is a part of the flood protection measures in Turá Lúka and is located in the western part of Slovakia, close to the town of Myjava. The town of Myjava in recent years has been threatened by frequent floods, which have caused heavy material losses and significantly limited the quality of life of the local residents. To estimate the amount of soil loss and sediments transported from the basin, we applied two modelling concepts based on the USLE/SDR and WaTEM/SEDEM erosion models and validated the results with the actual bathymetry of the polder. The measurements were provided by a modern Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) hydrographic instrument. From the sediment data measured and the original geodetic survey of the terrain conducted at the time of the construction of the polder, we calculated changes in the storage volume of the polder during its four years of operation. The results show that in the given area, there has been a gradual clogging of the bottom of the polder caused by water erosion. We estimate that within the four years of the acceptance run, 10,494 m3 of bottom sediments on the Svacenicky Creek polder have accumulated. It therefore follows that repeated surveying of the sedimentation is very important for the management of the water reservoir.
An approximate method for 1-D simulation of pollution transport in streams with dead zones
Authors: Sokáč Marek , Velísková Yvetta , Gualtieri Carlo 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
Analytical solutions describing the 1D substance transport in streams have many limitations and factors, which determine their accuracy. One of the very important factors is the presence of the transient storage (dead zones), that deform the concentration distribution of the transported substance. For better adaptation to such real conditions, a simple 1D approximation method is presented in this paper. The proposed approximate method is based on the asymmetric probability distribution (Gumbel’s distribution) and was verified on three streams in southern Slovakia. Tracer experiments on these streams confirmed the presence of dead zones to various extents, depending mainly on the vegetation extent in each stream. Statistical evaluation confirms that the proposed method approximates the measured concentrations significantly better than methods based upon the Gaussian distribution. The results achieved by this novel method are also comparable with the solution of the 1D advection-diffusion equation (ADE), whereas the proposed method is faster and easier to apply and thus suitable for iterative (inverse) tasks.
Pedagogical Innovation of French-Language Teaching as a Tool for Educating Managers in the Context of Internationalization
Authors: Strelinger Jan , Kita Pavol , Kita Jaroslav , Mazalanova Veronika Kitova , Dano Ferdinand 
Published: October 2018

Abstract

Objective: Characterize pedagogical innovation in the context of internationalization of French-language education on the example of international study programme in French language - Sales management at the Faculty of Trade of the University of Economics in Bratislava and testing of its attractiveness from the perspective of the relationship between students and educational institution.

Methodology: Article deals with the analysis of the influence of internationalization of the university education within the study programme Management of sale, as well survey of the opinions of its graduates.

Findings: Pedagogical innovation is not only the tool of the educational policy but also creates conditions of the project European term and excellence in the development of Professional competences of the future managers.

Value Added: International study programme in French language overcomes cultural and disciplinary barriers and contributes to offsetting of the national and international differences.

Recommendations: Introducing of pedagogical innovations is the tool of new approaches, strategies, methods, as well as new content and new organization of education to guarantee employability of students on the home and international markets.
Job Satisfaction and Satisfaction with Work-Life Balance across Cultures
Authors: Walga Tamene Keneni 
Published: October 2018

Abstract

Objective: To determine the extent of and the relationship between Job Satisfaction (JS) and Work-Life Balance (WLB) across cultures.

Methodology: European Social Survey (ESS) data 2012 were used to answer the research questions put forth. To organize and make meaning of the data, both descriptive and inferential statistics have been used. Mean scores and standard deviations of job satisfaction and satisfaction with work-life balance (WLB) were computed for all the 29 countries. Correlation analysis was used to discern and test for the correlations among the variables of interest. Independent samples t-test was used to compare countries with high power distance and those with low power distance on job satisfaction and satisfaction with work-life balance (WLB).

Findings: Mean scores of job satisfaction and satisfaction with WLB and correlation coefficients between the two varied across the countries under study as expected. Mean scores of job satisfaction ranged from 6.53 in Ukraine to 8.20 in Denmark. Similarly, mean scores of satisfaction with WLB varied from 6.08 in Russia to 7.65 in Denmark. Pearson’s coefficients of correlation between job satisfaction and satisfaction with WLB varied from .301 in Finland to .667 in Ukraine. Of the six dimensions of culture, only power distance had moderate inverse relationships with both job satisfaction and satisfaction with WLB. Furthermore, as a group, countries with low power distance (PD) had significantly higher job satisfaction than countries with high power distance.

Value Added: The study highlighted the relevance and importance of job satisfaction and satisfaction with WLB in organizations. It also showed the universality and culture-specificity of job satisfaction and satisfaction with WLB.

Recommendations: Managers need to pay attention to enhancing employees’ job satisfaction and satisfaction with WLB to ensure organizational effectiveness regardless of organizational context. Managers also need to employ culturally appropriate managerial strategies in promoting job satisfaction and satisfaction with LWB.
Analysis of the User’s Influence on Reliability of Public Cloud Services
Authors: Stąpór Paweł , Laskowski Dariusz 
Published: October 2018

AbstractUniversal access to cloud computing services means that users expect services to be provided in a reliable and secure manner. The availability of newer and more efficient end devices raises the question of whether the mobile device used affects an access reliability. In the article the authors taking into account the type of mobile device (laptop, tablet and smartphone) and the access method (WiFi and LTE) heck what effect the end device on the reliability of access has.
Risk Assessment in Road Transport – Strategic and Business Approach
Authors: Tubis Agnieszka 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
In the presented paper, author focus on the issues related to risk assessment of transport processes performance. The author presented the characteristics of the traditional approach to risk assessment in transport, which is popular in the literature. This approach addresses the strategic risk assessment for the road transport system and it focuses primarily on aspects related to the transport safety. The business approach to risk assessment from the perspective of the managers of the transport process is presented in the next part of the article. In this case, the subject of the analysis is the operational risk, which focuses on the risks affecting the implementation of the transport process and the achievement of the company’s operational objective. The article concludes with a summary, including directions for further research.
The physico-chemical diversity of pit lakes of the Muskau Arch (Western Poland) in the context of their evolution and genesis
Authors: Pukacz Andrzej , Oszkinis-Golon Małgorzata , Frankowski Marcin 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
In the vegetation seasons 2016–2017, a survey of 30 pit lakes localized in the eastern part of the Muskau Arch (Western Poland) was carried out. The aim of the study was to characterize the habitat conditions of the selected lakes, based on the physico-chemical water characteristics. We hypothesized that the age and genesis of pit lakes are the main factors responsible for their hydro-chemical diversity. Therefore, in each of the lakes 27 physico-chemical parameters and chlorophyll a were measured in the water surface, in the peak of the vegetation season (July–August). Additionally, they were described in terms of genesis, origin and age. The results showed that the investigated lakes display a high diversity of habitat conditions reflected in varied physico-chemical water properties (significant lake-to-lake differences). The parameters mostly responsible for the differences were: Secchi depth (transparency), pH, EC, colour, hardness, TP, TN, TC, Ca2+, Mg2+, Fe, Al, Mn, S and Chl a. The comparison of the type of excavated aggregate showed significant differences for four parameters only. Much greater differences were found for the genesis of lakes (mining method) – 15 of the 28 analysed parameters significantly differentiated the lakes. Further analysis showed that half of the studied parameters were significantly correlated with the age of the pit lakes. Our results suggest that in addition to natural changes, secondary human-caused transformations (mostly neutralization and fertilization of the water) were among the key factors responsible for the differentiation of the lakes.
Investigation of Cu(In, Ga)Se2 solar cell performance with non-cadmium buffer layer using TCAD-SILVACO
Authors: Sara Bechlaghem , Baya Zebentout , Zineb Benamara 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
The purpose of this work is to achieve the best efficiency of Cu(In, Ga)Se2 solar cells by replacing the CdS buffer layer with other nontoxic materials. The simulation tool used in this study is Silvaco-Atlas package based on digital resolution 2D transport equations governing the conduction mechanisms in semiconductor devices. The J-V characteristics are simulated under AM1.5G illumination. Firstly, we will report the modeling and simulation results of CdS/CIGS solar cell, in comparison with the previously reported experimental results [1]. Secondly, the photovoltaic parameters will be calculated with CdS buffer layer and without any buffer layer to understand its impact on the output parameters of solar cells. The simulation is carried out with the use of electrical and optical parameters chosen judiciously for different buffers (CdS, ZnOS and ZnSe). In comparison to simulated CdS/CIGS, the best photovoltaic parameters have been obtained with ZnOS buffer layer. The structure has almost the same open circuit voltage Voc and fill factor FF, and higher short circuit current density Jsc, which results in slightly higher conversion efficiencies.
Investigations of reconstruction of passivation layer on stainless steel surface using AFM-based techniques
Authors: Błaszczyk Marlena , Durko Martyna , Iwanicka Zuzanna , Lochyński Paweł , Sikora Andrzej 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
Continuous development of stainless steel technology forced by the increase in the growing demands on the operating parameters of various stainless steel alloys, is the motivation for implementation of research for understanding the complexity of electrochemical processes ongoing on the surface of a material during various technological processes and during exploitation of the finished components. In this paper, the use of atomic force microscopy (AFM) is presented as a tool for observation of reconstruction process of passivation layers on the surface of previously electropolished stainless steel. For this purpose, a technique called nanoscratching was used, in which scratches are made on the surface of a material by means of diamond scanning probe, which violates the continuity of the passivation layer. Then, the dynamics of the process of reconstruction of that layer was assessed using continuous imaging of the scratched area in AFM semicontact mode. Studies of this type can be used to evaluate the impact of various factors on the spontaneous reconstruction of the passivation layer as well as possible susceptibility of the material on the course of corrosion processes initiated as a result of mechanical defects arising during operation of the material. By using the AFM, it was possible to observe changes in the depth of scratches with a subnanometer resolution. Obtained results proved that the presented AFM application allowed observation of the dynamics of passivation layer reconstruction process in a quantitative fashion, therefore it seems to be a very useful tool in the investigation of the impact of various conditions on this phenomenon. The results showed that changes in surface modification were occurring in a continuous manner. Changing dynamics of said process was presented. It should be underlined that no such experiments have been reported so far.
Crystallization, habit modification and control of nucleation of glycine polymorphs from aqueous solutions doped with magnesium sulfate impurity
Authors: Azhagan S. Anbu Chudar , Kathiravan V.S. , Priya N. Sathiya 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
The influence of magnesium sulfate as an additive in the nucleation of α and γ-polymorphs of glycine crystallized from aqueous solutions has been explored for the first time. Based on crystallization experiments, it was concluded that lower concentration of magnesium sulfate, say less than 2 g/mL, favors α-nucleation sites, whereas the optimized concentration of magnesium sulfate impurity to yield -nucleation sites is 2 g/mL and above. The nucleation time span (in days), solubility and pH were measured for α- and γ-nucleation sites in the aqueous solutions doped with magnesium sulfate. The glycine polymorphs α- and γ-single crystals were grown by slow solvent evaporation technique at ambient temperature. Crystal habit of glycine polymorphs was investigated and analyzed using goniometry. The unit cell dimensions and space group of the as-grown crystal were identified by single crystal XRD analysis. Both α- and γ-polymorphs of glycine were characterized structurally by powder XRD studies. The percentage of magnesium present in the grown glycine crystals was estimated by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry elemental analysis (ICP-OES). The nonlinear optical properties of the γ-glycine crystals were examined by Q-switched high energy Nd:YAG laser. The second harmonic generation output efficiency of the as-grown gamma glycine single crystals was computed to be 1.31 times superior than that of the reference material potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP).
Use of internet as source of medical information and its impact among young Transylvanian Hungarian people - a comparative study
Authors: Loránd Kocsis , Mónika Szabó 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
The internet is the most popular information source in our digital world. Studies confirm that numerous people are using the internet to look up health-related information. There is no information about this trend among the Transylvanian Hungarian population. Our purpose was to assess the role of the internet in answering health-related problems for young Hungarian Transylvanian people, and its impact.
The participants (N=351) completed an online questionnaire with 28 items, which was available on Facebook, on the first page indicating their consent to a voluntary and anonymous survey. Our target was the generation below the age of 45. Descriptive, then comparative analysis was performed, based on gender and region of origin.
95.3% of the participants used the internet for finding health-related information, diagnosis, treatment or diet, without significant difference between subgroups, 70% at least once a month. Only 3.3% were instructed by their physician about the websites that provide health information, while 90% would require it. At least 64% of the respondents makes self-diagnosis at least sometimes, women more often, and nearly 25% frequently or always check the doctor’s opinion and/or the recommended treatment online. 40% of cases consider that their self-diagnosis was often the same as the physician’s final diagnosis, but only 33,2% agreed totally with their doctor. 47,4% of them were scared and/or became worried because of the information from the internet, especially women.
Based on the above, it is clear that online health information overtakes the traditional doctor-centered health information and makes it necessary for us to change our perspective of digital healthcare.