bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High incidence of macrotroponin I with a high-sensitivity troponin I assay
Authors: Warner Janet V. , Marshall George A. 
Published: April 2016

Abstract

Background:
Cardiac troponin is the preferred biomarker of myocardial injury. High-sensitivity troponin assays allow measurement of very low levels of troponin with excellent precision. After the introduction of a high-sensitivity troponin I assay the laboratory began to receive enquiries from clinicians about clinically discordant elevated troponin I results. This led to a systematic investigation and characterisation of the cause.

Methods:
Routine clinical samples were measured by the Architect High Sensitive Troponin-I (hsTnI) and the VITROS Troponin I ES assays (VitrosTnI). Results that were elevated according to the Architect but not the VITROS assay (Group 1) or results elevated by both assays but disproportionately higher on the Architect (Group 2) were re-analysed for hsTnI after re-centrifugation, multiple dilutions, incubation with heterophilic blocking reagents, polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation, and Protein A/G/L treatment. Sephacryl S-300 HR gel filtration chromatography (GFC) was performed on selected specimens.

Results:
A high molecular weight complex containing immunoreactive troponin I and immunoglobulin (macrotroponin I) was identified in 5% of patients with elevated hsTnI. Patients with both macrotroponin and myocardial injury had higher and longer elevation of hsTnI compared with VitrosTnI with peaks of both macrotroponin and free troponin I-C complex on GFC.

Conclusions:
Circulating macrotroponin I (macroTnI) causes elevated hsTnI results with the Architect High Sensitive Troponin-I assay with the potential to be clinically misleading. The assay involved in this investigation may not be the only assay affected by macrotroponin. It is important for laboratories and clinicians to be aware of and develop processes to identify and manage specimens with elevated results due to macrotroponin.
Statistical approach for optimization of external quality assurance (EQA) studies of molecular and serological viral diagnostics
Authors: Rumer Leonid , Domingo Cristina , Donoso Mantke Oliver , Dobrydneva Yuliya , Greiner Matthias , Niedrig Matthias 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Management of viral diagnostic quality is based on external quality assurance (EQA), where laboratories involved in diagnostics of a targeted virus are offered to analyze a panel of blinded samples. The utility of EQAs is compromised because of the absence of an approach to EQA design which upfront defines acceptance criteria and associated statistical analysis ensuring fair and consistent interpretation. We offer a rigorous statistically based approach for EQA planning. Instead of a conventional performance characteristic (the score) which is calculated as the sum of the points for correctly identified samples in a blinded test panel, Youden index is used as the performance measure. Unlike the score, Youden index requires an estimate of sensitivity and specificity and incorporates the relationship of these performance parameters. Based on the assumption that the coordinator is a reputable expert of viral diagnostics, the performance of the coordinator’s laboratory is defined as a proficiency standard for performance evaluation. The immediate goal of EQA is defined as to obtain a statistically reliable estimation for every laboratory whether its performance meets the proficiency standard, while the overall goal is to match every laboratory to its specific performance level. Dependence of informational capacities of test panel from the panel size and content is quantitatively analyzed and the optimal design and informational capacities of both idealized panels (whose size is not restricted by financial factors) and currently feasible panels are considered. Our approach provides the basis both for rational design of currently feasible EQA test panels and for an increased panel size.
The Radiochemical and Radiopharmaceutical Applications of Radium
Authors: Gott Matthew , Steinbach Jörg , Mamat Constantin 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThis review focuses on the chemistry and application of radium isotopes to environmental monitoring, analytical, and medicinal uses. In recent years, radium has been used primarily as a tracer to study the migration of radioactive substances in environmental systems. Tracing the naturally occurring radium isotopes in mineral and water sources allows for the determination of source location, residence time, and concentrations. An understanding of the concentration of radionuclides in our food and water sources is essential to everyone’s health as alpha particle decay is highly damaging in vivo. Due to this high radiobiological effectiveness, there is increased interest in using alpha-emitting radionuclides to prepare new, therapeutic radiopharmaceutical drugs. Selected studies from the recent literature are provided as examples of these modern applications of radium isotopes.
Drei Gefahren philosophischer Begriffsanalysen von Verantwortung
Authors: Vogelmann Frieder 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Most conceptual analyses of responsibility fail to sufficiently account for the historicity of the concept – bothwithin philosophical reflections and within non-philosophical practices. Three frequently encountered problems are: First, “responsibility” is often read retrospectively in texts where the concept is not present; second, the necessary and sufficient conditions that account for responsibility’s meaning are often derived from contemporary usage alone; and third, the non-philosophical usage of “responsibility” is often dismissed as “defective” too quickly. To avoid all three problems, I argue for a Foucauldian analysis of practices in which “responsibility” is used.
Satisfying the Principle of Fairness in Consumption Tax
Authors: Đorđević Marina 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Consumption taxes have an important place in the tax systems of modern states. They provide a large amount of revenue for the state budget. However, they are generous, but they are very regressive. It is a bad characteristic. The regressivity problem of the tax burden implies that the consumption tax is burdensome for the population with lower income. They pay similar tax rate as people with high income. The aim of this paper is to point to the existence of the problem of regressivity in underdeveloped and developed countries. This paper analyses the possibilities of reducing this problem in order to satisfy the principle of fairness in taxation.
Determinants of Currency Substitution in Southeast European Countries
Authors: Pepić Marina , Marinković Srđan , Radović Ognjen , Malović Marko 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Currency substitution is widespread in less developed countries. Since it increases financial vulnerability and limits the effectiveness of monetary policy, it is often in the focus of scientists and experts. In this paper, we analyze the importance of euroization determinants in Serbia and neighboring countries - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, FYR Macedonia, Romania and Croatia for the period 2003-2014. We examine the impact of domestic inflation, nominal exchange rate of the domestic currency against the euro, interest rate spread on domestic and foreign currency, foreign currency inflow in the form of foreign direct investments and exports, as well as the euroization of banks’financial resources on the degree of loan euroization. The results obtained by multiple regression panel methods confirm the statistical significance and assumed direction of the influence of all analyzed variables except inflation and current account balance.
Analysis of Cultural Resources of Southeast European Countries as a Factor of Tourism Competitiveness
Authors: Jovanović Sonja , Đekić Snežana , Ilić Ivana 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
The former role of tourism in terms of provision of accommodation and food has become outdated. Tourist offer increasingly includes additional activities, such as visits to various tangible and intangible cultural sites, and events that tourists perceive visually. In the contemporary tourism trends, cultural resources of Southeast European countries have become an important factor that maintains the competitiveness under conditions of the growing competition on a world scale. Cultural resources directly affect tourism, but there is also an inverse relationship reflected in the impact of tourism on cultural resources that are becoming an important factor for the choice of tourist destinations. The subject of this paper is to review the contribution of cultural resources to the development of tourist destinations with the help of the analysis of elements of Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index - TTCI.
A Comparative Analysis of Modern Performance Measurement and Management Models of Companies
Authors: Janjić Vesna , Todorović Mirjana , Jovanović Dejan 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Modern business conditions have led to the development of a large number of different models for strategic performance management, which view performance measurement through the prism of financial and non-financial indicators, from multiple perspectives. Strategic performance management models should enable efficient and effective management, i.e. an adequate response to continuous changes in the business environment. Theory and practice in this area suggest the development and implementation of various integrated frameworks (models) for performance management of companies, in order to achieve business excellence. In addition to the well-known integrated models, such as the Balanced Scorecard (BSC), Performance Pyramid, SAILS model (Strategy Aligned Integrated Linked Scoring System), GRASP model (Goals-Resources-Actions-Structure-People), and others, Kanji’s Business Excellence Model (KBEM) and Kanji Business Scorecard (KBS) have been developed as well. Kanji’s model was created with the objective of eliminating the weaknesses and shortcomings of previous models, particularly the Balanced Scorecard. The application of multidimensional performance measures should increase the informational power of management in making strategic business decisions. The goal set by this paper is to consider some of the basic features of modern performance measurement and management models of companies that are represented in theory and applied in practice, and, on the basis of comparative analysis, to draw conclusions about their advantages and disadvantages.
Sectoral State Aid in the European Union and the Western Balkan Countries
Authors: Stojanović Boban , Stanišić Tanja 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
State aid aimed to certain market participants, especially some of its categories, carries a risk of distortion of competition. Therefore, it is necessary to control allocation of state aid and its direction from the sectoral objectives towards more justified horizontal objectives of allocating. This paper examines the practice of assigning sectoral state aid in the European Union and in the selected Western Balkan countries by using the methods of comparative and correlation analysis. The aim is to identify deviations and point out to the preferred ways of state aid allocation.
Research on Elementary School Teacher Satisfaction in the Republic of Serbia
Authors: Simić Ivana , Mladenović Jelena , Stojković Nebojša 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Employees’ satisfaction is one of the frequently analyzed subgroups of human attitudes connected to organizational environment. The authors’ aim is to study different categories of satisfaction or dissatisfaction of teachers in elementary schools in the Republic of Serbia, as a specific category of employees. The results of the research carried out have shown that teachers are dissatisfied with salaries, awards and benefits. The next category concerning the intensity of dissatisfaction is teachers’ dissatisfaction with operational procedures. On the other hand, teachers are mostly satisfied with the work they are doing, with their superiors, their colleagues and system of communicating within schools.
An Analysis of Factors and Effects of Product Design Quality
Authors: Bošković Gorica , Radosavljević Marija 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
The aim of this paper is to highlight the fact that there is a significant relationship between design quality and process quality, and then the quality of the finished products (internal quality) and the later use of the products by the consumers (external quality). The paper outlines the model of the synergy between design management and process management. Since design quality is the first link in this chain of creating quality, it is necessary to adequately carry out the design process, or provide high-quality design. High-quality design includes connectivity and collaboration between functions that can contribute to the design process, such as: research and development, production, marketing and supply. In order to achieve this, it is important to continuously work on education and training of employees. In addition, it is necessary to apply the tools characteristic for providing quality design, but also the common tools important for quality management. Accordingly, the subject of the paper is examining the impact of employee training, the implementation of quality management tools and application tools for quality design as a factor in establishing links between business functions that should be included in the design process. Based on the application of tools such as regression analysis, cluster analysis and correlation analysis, the results of empirical research suggest that these factors affect the establishment of links between the observed business functions, and facilitate providing the quality of the design process.
A continuous flow process for the green and sustainable production of N-alkyl imidazoles
Authors: Fekete Melinda , Kocsis Lászlo , Dormán György , Jones Richard V. , Darvas Ferenc 
Published: April 2016

Abstract

N-alkyl imidazoles are the basic components of the widely used and studied imidazolium ionic liquids. The need for these materials multiplied since the field of ionic liquids has been gaining more and more importance. Our aim was to develop a continuous flow method for the N-alkylation of imidazole that provides the alkylated derivatives with high productivity and selectivity, using only cheap, preferably green starting materials. Herein, we report a novel method for the preparation of N-alkyl imidazoles over a zeolite catalyst using high temperature and pressure in a heterogeneous catalytic flow reactor. The yield and selectivity exceeded 95% for n-chain alcohols while the residence time was kept at 13 min, thus, the productivities were between 9 g/h and 14 g/h. The only side product in the reaction is water, thus, the process expresses high atom economy.
Characteristics of Dynamics Sorption Isotherms of Date Flesh Powder Rich in Fiber
Authors: Fikry Mohammad , Al-Awaadh Alhussein M. 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Dynamic vapor sorption equipment (AQUADVS) was used to determine adsorption and desorption isotherms for powder rich in fiber (PRF) produced from Palm Date flesh of Sifri cultivar (Phoenix dactylifera L.) at temperatures 25, 35 and 45 °C in a wide range of water activity (0.09–0.87). Equilibrium was achieved within 29 and 25 h for the adsorption and desorption process respectively. The obtained data were fitted to ten models (Peleg, GAB, BET, Halsey, Oswin, Smith, Modified Henderson, Adam and Shove, Modified Oswin and Modified Halsey). The results indicated that the PRF followed type III behavior. The empirical Peleg model was found to be the best to represent the experimental data in the water activity range 0.09–0.87. The isosteric heat of sorption and the differential entropy decreased by increasing the moisture content and can be predicted by polynomial functions. Glass transition temperatures (T
g) of PRF were determined. The T
g decreased as the moisture content increased and can be correlated using the Gordon and Taylor model (R
2=0.976). The PRF should be stored at moisture less than 9 d.b.% and temperature less than 35 °C.
Regulierte Netzzugangsentgelte in der Elektrizitätswirtschaft und gesellschaftliche Wohlfahrt
Authors: Bier Christoph , Schmidtchen Dieter 
Published: April 2016

Summary
Companies active in electricity generation or supply that also own transmission or distribution network assets are generally presumed to have an economic interest in using its monopoly position as network owner to prevent or hinder competition in other areas of the value chain. This can happen in many ways such as raising rivals’ costs, price squeezes or by providing essential information only to affiliated companies. All of these practices distort a level playing field. In order to limit the risk of such behavior from occurring Member States of the European Union introduced a “regulated third party access” regime under which third parties have a right to access the network in a non-discriminatory manner. It is the purpose of the paper to derive the welfare implications of a regulation of access charges for electricity grids taking the costs of transmission as a benchmark. It shows that a cost-based regulation is second-best optimal only if the gap between the incumbent’s and the downstream entrant’s efficiency is sufficiently large. In all other cases an access charge deviating from the transmission costs is second-best optimal. There is no simple and generally applicable rule for the determination of second-best optimal access charges.
Wechselkursrisiko und Risikopolitik in internationalen Unternehmen
Authors: Broll Udo , Wahl Jack E. 
Published: April 2016

Summary
The aim of this study is to analyze the importance of the elasticity of risk aversion with regard to an increase in exchange rate risk for exports and hedging in an international firm. Mean-variance preferences allow for an immediate study of the entailed substitution and income effect. These effects may cancel out, that is to say, the optimal hedge ratio remains unchanged although the exchange rate risk increases. The elasticity of risk aversion provides an unambiguous answer to the question how to measure such risk effect.
Prediction Markets: Prognosemärkte in Praxis und Theorie
Authors: Berneburg Marian 
Published: April 2016

Summary
A common joke among economist is: Why has god created meteorologists? To make the forecasts of economist look less bad! At the heart of this joke stands the critique that economic forecasts are notoriously inaccurate. Prediction Markets are an attempt to improve these forecasts by aggregating the knowledge of many.
The present article takes a closer look at these Prediction Markets. By analyzing the existing literature in terms of the relevant theoretical as well as empirical basis, it is shown that an adapted version of the model by Kyle (1985) with noise and insider traders is able to explain the high degree of predictive accuracy, i. e. informational efficiency, of prediction markets. At the same time such a model is able to cope with the Grossman-Stiglitz Paradox (1976) or the No-Trade Theorem (Milgrom & Stokey, 1982), both are common theoretical arguments against informational efficiency. This allows the interpretation of market prices as event probabilities.
Even though some empirical artefacts (e. g. the favorite-longshot bias) exist and more research, especially in terms of prediction markets covering economic events, is needed, the overall verdict on these forecasting tools has to be that they are roughly semi-strong efficient. They hence provide an interesting, very accurate and additional tool in forecasting.
Markt – Staat – Wettbewerb in der Sozialwirtschaft
Authors: Meyer Dirk 
Published: April 2016

Summary
The article shows the different forms of the legal relation in the welfare state in a three level system. The system change in the social economy from a corporate system to a competitive system occurs centrally by two instruments: First by personalized budgets respectively cash value vouchers instead of payments in kind and second by public tender of services in a competitive award procedure. In case examples the practical implementation and efficiency of competitive instruments is shown under completely different framework.
Sport und Arbeitseinkommen
Authors: Cornelißen Thomas , Pfeifer Christian 
Published: April 2016

Summary
We analyze the impact of participation in sports activities during adolescence and as an adult on labour market earnings. Sport might increase productivity due to better physical and social skills. Using the rich information from the German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP), we estimate earnings functions with different sets of control variables. Large parts of the wage premium are explained by higher educational attainment of individuals who have participated in youth sports and who do sports as an adult. However, even after controlling for many productivity relevant characteristics (e. g., education, health, and soft skills) and sorting into firms and industries, sizable wage premiums remain. Interesting gender differences arise. Whereas youth sport effects are larger for females than for males, adult sport has only a positive wage effect for males.
Finanzhilfen bei internationalen Verschuldungskrisen?
Authors: Dreisbach Dina D. , Fehr Hans , Kindermann Fabian 
Published: April 2016

Summary
The present paper focuses on the trade-off between official liquidity provision and debtor moral hazard in sovereign debt problems. The financial crisis is caused by the interaction of bad fundamentals, self-fulfilling runs of private investors and optimal policies of the national government and the official lender. Building on the global games approach of Morris and Shin (2006), we extend their analysis by calculating numerical solutions for different values of fundamental and strategic uncertainty. Our results indicate that limited financial support may even strengthen government efforts and improve welfare when fundamentals are weak but not too weak. On the other hand, we are also able to identify debtor moral hazard and welfare reducing catalytic effects with stronger fundamentals.
Wirksame Grenzen für die Staatsverschuldung – eine Illusion?
Authors: Caesar Rolf 
Published: April 2016

Summary
In Germany and in the EU legal provisions exist in order to restrict public deficits and public debt. It seems that in the past these legal debt limits have been hardly respected by policymakers in their decisions on public households. In addition, during the worldwide financial and economic crisis since 2008 fiscal deficits have exploded in nearly all industrial and developing countries. This paper raises the question whether effective constraints on public debt are illusionary. It starts from the traditional welfare- theoretical discussion on the pros and cons of public debt. Then, public deficits are analyzed from a public-choice perspective, resulting in the conclusion that public debt should be effectively regulated. As the existing legal limits in Germany and in the EU apparently do not fulfill this requirement, some alternatives are outlined which could provide better safeguarding against irresponsible policymakers. Finally, a preliminary assessment of the new German „debt brake“ shows that, though this reform is an important progress, doubts remain concerning its actual future performance.