Cooperative learning and teamwork effectiveness: impacts of education period on cadets

Abstract Maritime industry is a multinational industry where participants of several languages and cultures operate in a global teamwork environment. Seafarers' operating procedures are totally based on a teamwork infrastructure and climate. By the introduction of Safety Management Systems, shore-based human resources are also included in the wider system of the maritime teamwork of the company where information and communication technologies have accelerated this integration. Goals and tasks for the team, team composition, team-player styles, phases of team development, communication and interpersonal skills, decision making, leadership, and evaluation of team performance are the key elements in developing the structure of the teamwork based systems. Training and development is the main instrument in preparing the human resources for the teamwork climate of modern organizations. Education methodologies that support the characteristics, which encourage teamwork and cooperation, are widely applied in maritime education. Cooperative learning and problem-based learning are among those approaches. This study analyzes the effects of cooperative learning dimensions among the cadets in a maritime higher education institute with regard to teamwork effectiveness. An empirical study has been realized to measure the effects of cooperative learning dimensions on 1) individual performance in groups, 2) effective team members. To comment on the impacts of the education period on these dimensions, the study aims to realize a comparative analysis among the cadets of a senior clas s, before and after a simulator based bridge team management course

Recent advancements in the breeding of sorghum crop: current status and future strategies for marker-assisted breeding

Sorghum is emerging as a model crop for functional genetics and genomics of tropical grasses with abundant uses, including food, feed, and fuel, among others. It is currently the fifth most significant primary cereal crop. Crops are subjected to various biotic and abiotic stresses, which negatively impact on agricultural production. Developing high-yielding, disease-resistant, and climate-resilient cultivars can be achieved through marker-assisted breeding. Such selection has considerably reduced the time to market new crop varieties adapted to challenging conditions. In the recent years, extensive knowledge was gained about genetic markers. We are providing an overview of current advances in sorghum breeding initiatives, with a special focus on early breeders who may not be familiar with DNA markers. Advancements in molecular plant breeding, genetics, genomics selection, and genome editing have contributed to a thorough understanding of DNA markers, provided various proofs of the genetic variety accessible in crop plants, and have substantially enhanced plant breeding technologies. Marker-assisted selection has accelerated and precised the plant breeding process, empowering plant breeders all around the world

Maritime Transport as an Area of Competitive Advantage in International Marketing

This study considers the maritime transport industry as a part of the international marketing system and analyses the factors affecting the competitive advantage of exporters as customers of the industry. Turkey is a leading exporter of dried fruits -the locus of this study- and maritime transport is the main transport mode employed. Exporters with annual export figures higher than 150,000 dollars have been approached and a response rate of 87.14% was achieved. Based on company profiles on business and transport functions, factor analysis -including reliability analysis- has been undertaken. The study presents the 13 factors that help strengthen the competitive position of exporters. Among these factors, the ones related to maritime transport have received highest loadings and highest frequencies. With the support of reliability analysis it has been shown that exporters consider transport in general, and maritime transport in particular, as factors important in creating and sustaining competitive advantage.International Journal of Maritime Economics (2000) 2, 49–67; doi:10.1057/ijme.2000.6

Evaluation of Fatty Acid Waste in the Synthesis of Oligo(Ether-Ester)s

In this study, the waste of sunflower oil refinement was converted to a fatty acid glycidyl ester (FAGE). An unsaturated oligo(ether-ester) (OEE) was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization using propylene oxide (PO) and FAGE. Oligo(ether-ester) production was achieved with a high yield of 80% at 5 h and 0°C when the mole ratio of PO : FAGE was 1 : 1. Synthesized OEE was characterized by FTIR and several chemical analysis methods. According to the TGA results, T5, T10, and T50 values of OEE-styrene copolymers increased up to a 7 : 3 mole ratio then decreased. The weight losses of these copolymers changed in the range of 3-5%. The data of longitudinal and transversal wave velocities showed that copolymers with styrene had better elastic properties and impact resistances compared to those with pure polystyrene