bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Index of Fossiliferous Localities of the TŘenice Formation
(Lower Ordovician of the Prague Basin, Czech Republic)
Authors: Kraft Jaroslav , Mergl Michal , Hroch Tomáš , Kraft Petr 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Twenty nine fossiliferous localities of the Třenice Formation are
described. As we were able to find they represent all fossil sites ever been
described from that basal unit of the Prague Basin. Based on critical evaluation
of the previously published data fossil taxa from all relevant publications are
summa-rized and historic names used for the localities are mentioned. Updated
lists of fauna are compiled for each locality as well as for the formation as a
whole.
Factors Influencing IPO Decisions. Do Corporate Managers Use Market and Corporate Timing? A Survey
Authors: Szyszka Adam 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
This paper explores the motives for Initial Public Offerings (IPOs); that is, whether market mispricing or the behavioral inclinations of investors and analysts impact corporate decisions about rising equity, with a particular focus on market and corporate timing practices of managers going public. To do so, an anonymous survey was conducted of 166 managers of firms that recently went public at the Warsaw Stock Exchange in Poland (being the second most active IPO market in Europe, after London). The resulting data reveals that managers attempt to time bullish markets and good historical corporate financial results.
Inflammasome activation by danger signals: extracellular ATP and pH
Authors: Takenouchi Takato , Tsukimoto Mitsutoshi , Hashimoto Makoto , Kitani Hiroshi 
Published: November 2014

AbstractExtracellular ATP has been recognized as a danger signal that alerts the innate immune system. High extracellular concentrations of ATP can trigger the maturation and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., interleukin-1β and interleukin-18) through the inflammasome-dependent activation of caspase-1. The P2X7 receptor, an ATP-gated cation channel, plays a pivotal role in ATP-induced NLRP3 inflammasome assembly. Recently, intriguing evidence has emerged that acidic extracellular pH acts as a danger signal that activates inflammasomes. Extracellular acidification frequently occurs at sites of inflammation, infection, or injury. In addition, large amounts of ATP are readily released into the extracellular space from damaged cells at such sites. Thus, it is assumed that the ATP/P2X7 receptor pathway regulates the inflammatory response under acidic extracellular conditions. Here, we briefly discuss the mutual effects of extracellular ATP and pH on inflammasome activation and consider their roles in the regulation of inflammation.
Physical properties of unproductive soils of Northern China
Authors: Malik Zaffar , Akbar Malik Muhammad , Yu-Tong Zong , Sheng-Gao Lu 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
.The general characteristics: particle size distribution, pH, cation exchange capacity, organic matter content, total NPK, surface area; and physical properties: coefficient of linear extensibility, tensile strength, shear strength and cracking, were investigated in unproductive soils of Northern China. Principle component analysis showed that tensile strength, cohesion, cracking characteristics, clay content, cation exchange capacity and coefficient of linear extensibility were positively correlated with each other, whereas negatively correlated with angle of friction, indicating that these properties were subjected to clay % and smectite content. These correlations might be mainly responsible for low productivity (low yields) in Northern China.
Business Client Segmentation in Banking Using Self-Organizing Maps
Authors: Bach Mirjana Pejić , Juković Sandro , Dumičić Ksenija , Šarlija Nataša 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Segmentation in banking for the business client market is traditionally based on size measured in terms of income and the number of employees, and on statistical clustering methods (e.g. hierarchical clustering, k-means). The goal of the paper is to demonstrate that self-organizing maps (SOM) effectively extend the pool of possible criteria for segmentation of the business client market with more relevant criteria, including behavioral, demographic, personal, operational, situational, and cross-selling products. In order to attain the goal of the paper, the dataset on business clients of several banks in Croatia, which, besides size, incorporates a number of different criteria, is analyzed using the SOM-Ward clustering algorithm of Viscovery SOMine software. The SOM-Ward algorithm extracted three segments that differ with respect to the attributes of foreign trade operations (import/export), annual income, origin of capital, important bank selection criteria, views on the loan selection and the industry. The analyzed segments can be used by banks for deciding on the direction of further marketing activities.
Forest Cover Changes and Land Use Dynamics in Oluwa Forest Reserve, Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Orimoogunje Oluwagbenga O. I. 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
This study examined the extent of resource use and the level of degradation consequent upon land use. Three distinctive trends were observed in terms of forest and land cover dynamics. These are forest degradation, deforestation and regeneration. The paper integrated both, topographical map of 1969 and satellite imageries from Landsat MSS 1972, and Landsat TM 1991 and 2000 with ground truthing and socio-economic surveys to assess changes in forest resource use and land cover in South-western Nigeria. The satellite images were analysed using ILWIS software version 3.4. Based on ground truth data and remotely sensed data, the study area was classified into five categories using the supervised maximum likelihood classification technique. The accuracy assessment was carried out on the remotely sensed data. A total of 30 points for each dataset were selected for this operation and the overall accuracy of 90%, 86.7% and 85% respectively was obtained from the three image datasets. Results showed three dominant ecological communities in Oluwa Forest Reserve while two effects of changes on species were identified. The first was the replacement of what could be considered as the original species by other species tolerant to the ‘new’ ecosystem. The other was the reduction in the range of the original species that could be found. This was an indication that the area had been fragmented comparing to its original status. Results suggest that resource utilization and land cover change dynamically over time. The study also revealed that the creation of forest reserve to restrict local access and resource use would have been an effective tool for regulating encroachment and logging activities if there was an effective enforcement of regulation. It is therefore obvious that the main aim of environmental management should be the protection of the natural living space of humankind and integration of environmental scarcity in making decision on all economic issues and activities.
The Method for Motivation by Quality Function Deployment (QFD)
Authors: Akao Yoji 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
This paper presented a study on proposing a method for motivation with the use of QFD. It was reported by three students who majored in MOT at Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Yamagata University in 2009. QFD has been widely used in manufacture and service industries for making improvement with the existing products and programs. However, in this study, QFD was not used in the sense of “activation” to improve motivation. Rather, it took the viewpoint of “what is required by customers”, the central theme QFD, to approach the problem. With reference to the process of knowledge conversion suggested by the SECI Model, the study operated with the basic principles and steps of QFD. In the paper, the major steps of QFD leading to setting quality planning were outlined and the implication of the study was discussed.
Challenges to Business Excellence: Some Empirical Evidence
Authors: Brown Alan 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
The business excellence models are used by many organisations around the world as a strategic driver for business improvement and in some cases as the basis for applications for awards based on the models. These include the Baldrige, EFQM, Australian Business Excellence Framework and many other national and regional models. Whilst many award recipients showcase their achievements, comparatively little is known about the challenges and impediments they face in reaching and sustaining high levels of success as evidenced by winning awards. This paper seeks to identify challenges faced by examining the experience of a sample of Australian Business Excellence Award winners. Findings suggest that the primary challenges include; leadership support, drive and consistency throughout the organisation and communicating strategy and making it meaningful for people at all levels. The study also found variability in challenges across organisations.
Innovative Engineering Organizational Excellence Best Practices Through Capturing Tacit Knowledge: Evidence from Saudi Arabia
Authors: Magd Hesham A. E. 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
This article studies the way tacit knowledge is dealt with in a high turnover business environment through a qualitative research approach in an engineering organization in Saudi Arabia with respect to organizational culture and values and the effect in competitive stance. The study found peer review process and managerial supervisory style to be effective in enabling new employees in a short time with knowledge critical for them to do a successful job, core values, and open door policy to be necessary factors in forming a fertile environment for a quick tacit knowledge harvesting. The study also showed that a good competitive stance and customer satisfaction can be achieved and maintained through implementation of an innovative peer review process. The study revealed that noneffective utilization of knowledge management technical resources was evident in the current study which may impact on achieving competitive advantage.
The effect of selected supercritical CO2 plant extract addition on user properties of shower gels
Authors: Vogt Otmar , Sikora Elżbieta , Ogonowski Jan 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
The formulations of washing cosmetics i.e. shower gels, containing extracts obtained during supercritical CO2 extraction process as active ingredient, were developed. The subject of the study was the analysis of the physicochemical and user properties of the obtained products. In the work supercritical CO2 extracts of black currant seeds, strawberry seeds, hop cones and mint leafs were used. The formulation contains a mixture of surfactants (disodium cocoamphodiacetate, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, cocoamide DEA, cocoamidepropyl betaine, Sodium Laureth Sulfate). Various thickener agents were applied to the obtained desired rheological properties of the cosmetics. Among others, sorbitol acetal derivatives, methylhydroxypropylcellulose and C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer were used. For stable products, the effect of extracts addition (black currants seeds, strawberries seeds, mint and hops, obtained from supercritical CO2 extraction process) on the cosmetics properties, such as pH, viscosity, detergency and foam ability, were determined. The obtained results showed that the extracts could be used as components of shower gels.
An experimental study on drying characteristics and kinetics of figs (Ficuscarica)
Authors: Sarvestani F. Sabet , Rahimi A. , Hatamipour M.S. 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
In this study, the thin-layer drying characteristics of Figs (Ficus carica) are investigated in a pilot scale forced convective dryer. Experiments carried out under various operating conditions including air temperature (40, 50, 60, 70°C), air velocity (0.65, 2.1, 3.45, 4.85 m/s) and air humidity (0.005, 0.010, 0.015 kg/kg) and the effects of these operating conditions on the drying kinetics and the drying time determined. The obtained kinetics data are fitted into a conceptually developed model. The equilibrium moisture content of the dried figs is determined at different values of temperature and relative humidity of air. The values of effective moisture diffusivity (Deff) are obtained from the Fick’s second law and a temperature-dependent relation is proposed for this parameter.
Role of Preschoolers in Motivation for Physical Activity in Their Families
Authors: Piech Krzysztof , Grad Rafał 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Introduction. Family-oriented strategies of promoting physical activity are underused. In the last few years there has been a significant decrease in number of research on family as a promoter of physical activity. The research, when conducted, focuses on the influence parents' activity has on that of their children. There is a need for assessment of child's influence on parents' physical activity. Material and methods. The survey utilises an opinion poll in the form of a questionnaire. The sample consisted of 100 parents who were invited together with their children to a recreational fair. Results. The survey shows that child may be the person encouraging their parents to active recreation. Symptoms of this are: encouraging the parents to take part, satisfaction with the decision to take part in the event and the amount of positive sensations during play. The parents were of opinion that their both, children's as well as teacher's encouragement, was the most important factor in their decision to participate. Conclusions. The research indicated that after the fair children encouraged their parents to play together, whereas parents used games from the fair in their family free time. Because of the fact that the offered model of recreational event for families engaged and interested the participants, it is worth promoting in pedagogical sphere.
Synchronous SSVEP Data Acquisition System
Authors: Kotyra Sławomir , Wójcik Grzegorz M. , Smolira Marcin 
Published: November 2014

AbstractSteady State Visually Evoked Potentials have been known for several decades and they appear in the primary visual cortex of brain as a result of light stimulation of the sense of sight. In this article a simple method for electroencephalographic data acquisition is presented. The system is based on the DSM-51 unit connected to goggles with blinking diodes and Mindset-1000 EEG amplifier with 16 channels. We present self-developed hardware and method of effective synchronization for the light stimulation and brain activity recording.
Rare Late Miocene Seal Taxa (Carnivora, Phocidae) from the North Sea Basin
Authors: Koretsky I. , Rahmat S. , Peters N. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractRare Late Miocene Seal Taxa (Carnivora, Phocidae) from the North Sea Basin. Koretsky, I., Rahmat, S., Peters, N. - Th e discovery of new late Miocene fossil true seals from the North Sea Basin in Northern Europe provides important information regarding the radiation of monachines and phocines in the Eastern Atlantic. Examination of the first fossil seal remains from the Gram Formation, western Denmark, allowed redescriptions and emended diagnoses of several taxa. Analysis of diagnostic material recovered from western Denmark and Th e Netherlands shows the presence of at least three phocid genera and reveals new information on the taxonomic variability of true seals. Due to the close relationships that exist between these phocid faunas, a correlation was demonstrated between different localities of Northern and Western Europe and provides the opportunity to associate localities of the Western and Central Paratethys with the eastern and western shores of the North Atlantic. Morphological analyses of postcranial material identifi ed three new late Miocene species (Pontophoca jutlandica, Subfamily Monachinae; Gryphoca nordica and Platyphoca danica, both Subfamily Phocinae), suggesting that the maximum evolutionary diversity of mid-Tertiary phocids occurred first in the Paratethys and later in the North Atlantic Basins.
Spatial Variation of the Land Snail Brephulopsis Cylindrica (Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Enidae): A Fractal Approach
Authors: Kramarenko S. S. , Dovgal I. V. 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Spatial Variation of the Land Snail Brephulopsis cylindrica (Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Enidae): a Fractal Approach. Kramarenko, S. S., Dovgal, I. V. - Th e results of investigations of intrapopulation patterns in the land snail Brephulopsis cylindrica (Menke, 1828) variation are discussed in the article. Th e self-similar intrapopulational groups (demes) with sets of random (chaotic) and ranked (clinal) patterns of morphological characters were observed. It is argued that the self-similar elements lead to the formation of spatial variability patterns with distinct fractal nature. Thus the relative roles both of the random and the regular components can be detected for separate characters according to the degrees of nearness or remoteness of fractal dimension to 2.0.
Importation de matériel céramique ifriqiyen en Mauritanie
Authors: Louhichi Adnan , Picon Maurice 
Published: November 2014

The Tagdaoust excavation in Mauritania yielded a large number of imported ceramic artifacts. Originating from different countries bordering on the Mediterranean, these artifacts suggest the existence of well established trade routes across the Sahara during the medieval period.
It is possible to demonstrate that a certain number of these ceramic artifacts were indeed imported to Tagdaoust from Tunisia. In no way do they differ from those specimens resulting from the excavations undertaken on many medieval habitats in the Kairouan area. However, additional research to determine whether the production sites of these artifacts are located either in the Kairouan area or in the Tunis area, must be undertaken.
In an attempt to demonstrate that some of the Tegdaoust findings actually originated in Tunisia, a geochimical method was u- sed.This research permits one to highlight and to discuss the various principles upon which the determination of the origins of such artifacts is based, within the context of such above-mentionned methodologies.
Classification des lampes importées sur le site de Tegdaoust (Mauritanie)
Authors: Davidson Robert , Picon Maurice 
Published: November 2014

Les lampes importées des pays riverains de la Méditerranée ont été classées en 13 types différents. La répartition chronologique de ces différents types, l'aspect visuel des pâtes et les caractéristiques de formes permettent de supposer qu'on a affaire à des importations régulières provenant d'un petit nombre d'ateliers, aux IXè, Xè et Xlè siècles. Avant cette période et après les importations seraient plus irrégulières et d'origines variées.
L'étude en laboratoire confirme les grandes lignes de l'interprétation archéologique. Elle illustre bien ce qu'on peut tirer d'une simple classification chimique des pâtes, sans disposer d'aucune référence d'origine connue. En introduisant dans la classification précédente de telles références , on peut montrer que les régions de Kai- rouan,de Tunis et de la Kala'a des Banu Hammad ne font pas partie des principaux centres de production qui approvisionnèrent Tegdaoust en lampes.
Silver evaluation in Roman Republican Victoriatus
Authors: Mancini Carlo 
Published: November 2014

La méthode de la transmission de neutrons a été employée pour déterminer la concentration d'argent dans les « Victoriatus » Romains Républicains.
L'analyse de 361 monnaies a révélé un titre d'argent moyen d'environ 65 %.
La comparaison des résultats obtenus, dans les mêmes monnaies, avec la NAA et l'analyse chimique prouve la validité de l'analyse par transmission de neutrons.
L'apport de la thermoluminescence dans l'étude d'un foyer préhistorique. Exemple de la structure de combustion A17 du gisement magdalénien d'Étiolles (Essonne, France)
Authors: Coudret Paule , Larrière-Cabiran Marylène 
Published: November 2014

Le foyer de l'habitation A 17 du gisement magdalénien d'Etiolles (Essonne) est constitué d'une petite cuvette ceinturée par un double cercle de blocs de grès calés par des fragments de calcaire et de meulière.
Son étude s'attache à résoudre les problèmes inhérents à sa nature, son organisation et sa fonction. L'apport de la thermoluminescence (TL) dans une telle étude nous a permis de préciser et d'expliciter les résultats obtenus par les méthodes purement archéologiques que sont les reconstitutions de pierres fragmentées et les analyses macroscopiques des traces d'altération décelables sur ces roches. L'examen des courbes de TL a conduit à classer les pierres en deux catégories : les pierres dont la température de chauffe a été insuffisante pour effacer la TL géologique (T inférieure ou égale à 250 °C), et les pierres chauffées entre 300 et 550 X dont la TL géologique a été partiellement ou complètement effacée. La confrontation des températures obtenues Sur les échantillons avec leur localisation au sein de la structure de combustion a abouti à la mise en évidence des aménagements successifs dont cette structure a fait l'objet.
Contribution méthodologique à l'analyse quantitative des propriétés mécaniques des roches fragiles élastiques
Authors: Prost Dominique Christian , Chatellier Jean-Yves 
Published: November 2014

Les expériences empiriques de taille effectuées par des préhistoriens montrent que des roches comme le silex, l'obsidienne, le basalte, etc., n'en présentent pas moins des différences non négligeables pour celui qui les taille.
Le but de ce travail a consisté à mesurer non plus empiriquement, mais quantitativement, ces différences. L'élasticité et l'isotropie sont apparues comme les propriétés mécaniques déterminantes à mesurer. Nous avons testé plusieurs méthodes d'analyse : seule, la méthode ultrasonore à ondes stationnaires semble la mieux adaptée pour résoudre ce genre de problème.
Grâce à elle, on peut, avec une grande précision, mettre en évidence des variations d'élasticité ou d'isotropie relativement faibles. Cela permettrait à l'avenir d'aider à résoudre certains problèmes dans les domaines de la technologie lithique, de l'étude fonctionnelle des outils et du choix de la matière première.
Influence de l'anisotropie du champ primaire en magnéto-tellurique et en prospection électrique avec champ primaire uniforme pour la détection à faible profondeur
Authors: Tabbagh Alain , Hesse Albert 
Published: November 2014

Les champs primaires uniformes en prospection géophysique présentent l'avantage d'une plus grande profondeur d'investigation ; en contrepartie les anomalies subissent des déformations très importantes selon la direction du champ et on dispose de peu d'indications sur la profondeur des structures.
Ces effets sont présentés et analysés à partir de modèles calculés et d'expériences systématiques sur le terrain avec différentes orientations d'émetteur E.M. ou d'électrodes linéaires pour l'injection d'un courant. Par analogie avec la réduction au pôle utilisée en prospection magnétique, un calcul verticalisant le champ primaire pour réduire les effets d'anisotropie apparente est proposé, mais son intérêt est limité du fait de l'appauvrissement de l'information qu'il entraîne.