Creativity in fashion design in Slovakia: the case study of Bratislava region

This paper is focused on creativity in the fashion design in Slovakia. The fashion design in Bratislava region was selected as one of the creative industry for our research. The aim of the paper is to analyze creativity and innovation activities between Slovak fashion designers. In the paper will be presented results from research carried out between Slovak fashion designers located in Bratislava region. The empirical work that provides the basis for this case study used a case study approach and qualitative methodology to discuss development of fashion design in Slovakia and determinants in terms of creativity and innovation activities between Slovak fashion designers. Slovakia has already long tradition in the clothing industry. The continuity in the clothing production was interrupted, with the closure of former state clothing factories. Also fashion design in Slovakia has overcome interesting development together with economic and social transformation in the 1990s. We will draw our attention also to history of fashion design in Slovakia. More in detail we anaåyze the value added chain of Slovak fashion producers, cooperation between fashion designers in Bratislava region, relationship with their main suppliers and customers, markets etc. The paper examines also recent state of the impact of global economic crisis on the fashion industry in Slovakia. Creative industries generally and fashion design as well has clear tendency to localize in the big or capital cities ? ?fashion centres? or ?fashion cities?. Bratislava as the most important Slovak fashion centre has also attracted the famous fashion designers from other Slovak regions. These fashion designers are leaders on the Slovak fashion scene and they have succeeded with their own original fashion collection regularly presented on the fashion shows

Linking city development and adaptation to climate change

Climate change is happening, projected to continue and poses serious challenges also for cities' development. Extreme weather events resulting in hazards such as heat waves, floods and droughts are expected to happen more frequently in many parts of Europe. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts global temperatures to rise an additional 2-4˚C by the end of this century and graduation of weather extremes. While urban areas will generally experience the same exposures to climate change as surrounding regions, the urban setting can alter these local impacts. The replacement of natural vegetation with artificial surfaces and buildings creates unique microclimates altering temperature, moisture, wind direction and rainfall patterns. Moreover cities forms difficult dynamic systems with high density of people, hub of services and infrastructure so the climate change impacts have and will have potentially serious consequences for human health, livelihoods, and assets and ultimately influence the development of the entire city and its surroundings. However, many city managements are still inactive in this field. It is caused mainly by lack of information, low awareness and knowledge and absence of positive good examples. On the other hand an increasing number of cities around the world have begun to plan for climate change by developing stand-alone climate plans or incorporating climate considerations into existing plans, policies, and projects to become more resilient towards existing and future climate impacts, thereby limiting their magnitude and severity. City of Kosice, Slovakia namely, its largest city district West in cooperation with the research institution Carpathian Development Institute had implemented (as one of the first in Slovakia) the process of climate change adaptation in order to be better prepared and adjust proactively for the heat waves as the critical climate change impact on the city borough residents. The adaptation strategy is built on the principle "low cost quick win" based on assumption that increasing resilience requires not only robust decision making and big investments, but also a strong web of institutional and social relationships that can provide a safety net for vulnerable populations. Through both formal planning activities and concrete measures preparations, city is building their capacity to adapt effectively to existing and future climate impacts, while also experimenting and innovating in policy making and planning. The paper highlights key lessons learned from planning and implementing climate adaptation process as a part of innovative and integrated city development policy

Governing development of regions- case of Slovakia

Dynamism of development and competiveness of regions, as spatially and administratively defined units, depend not only on their natural, economic, social, and territorial potential but also on quality of regional development governance. At the time of creation of the regional level of territorial management in Slovakia there was expected that by introducing this new governance level the regional governments would become strong players in the field of regional development policy and provide supra-local and sub-national public services more effectively and with better quality. The paper, in its first part, concentrates on critical assessment of the current position and performance of entrusted tasks of the regional self-governments after 12 years of their existence, particularly in terms of their real opportunities to influence integrated development of territories pursuing principles of 'good governance'. Emphasis is put on analysis of key determinants conditioning legitimacy and power of regional self-governments in the area of ensuring and coordinating regional development. Findings suggest that territorial and administrative definition of the Slovak regions for fulfilling their core mission is not optimal. Furthermore there are gaps in their competencies, financial strength, fiscal autonomy and quality of development processes. We can state that despite regional governments are responsible, pursuant to law, for the comprehensive integrative development of the region, their direct impact on economic, social and environmental development of their territories is relatively small. The current status is confronted with the focus of the European policy for the period 2014-2020 and the need to react also on this level on global challenges such as climate change, ageing, lack of renewable resources, opening disparity scissors between regions etc. The paper, in its second part, in order to achieve higher quality of governing regional development within existing legal, economic and institutional framework in Slovakia, presents the innovative model of good governance in conjunction with planning and implementation of development processes. Through the analysis of individual components of the model the set of recommendations has been elaborated with the aim of optimizing position of the regional self-government as the key actor in development of its territory having not only responsibility but also adequate conditions and tools. The paper is based on results of the three years research within the project Governance financed by the Norwegian financial mechanism

Effect of Oregano and Marjoram Essential Oils on the Physical and Antimicrobial Properties of Chitosan Based Systems

The effect of two essential oils (EOs), from Origanum vulgare and Origanum majorana, their structural properties, and concentration on physical and antimicrobial characteristics of chitosan based solutions as well as films was investigated. Results showed that significantly different behaviour was induced by variation in the compositions of given essential oils. Film-forming solutions (FFS) containing oregano oil comprised considerably greater particles in comparison with the marjoram samples. Similarly, structural changes were confirmed by SEM analysis of chitosan films modified with the EOs; the smaller particles of the marjoram oil demonstrated better compatibility with chitosan matrix. However, chitosan films enriched with the oregano oil showed significantly superior antimicrobial activity compared to the marjoram. The dissimilar effects of the two EOs were also observed by water vapour pressure (WVP) measurement; increasing the amount of oregano oil triggered a drop in the WVP of the prepared films, whereas the marjoram oil had a negligible impact in this respect. These results suggest that the structural features of active substances in the EOs play a crucial role in determining the final properties of FFS and biofilm systems. © 2017 Jana Sedlaříková et al

Raising Energy Efficiency of High-Head Drinking Water Pumping Schemes in Hilly India – Massive Potential, Complex Challenges

Investigations of energy efficiency of 25 pumps showed wire-to-water efficiencies ranging from 30% to 60%, with an average of 47%. Raising the efficiency of just 7 pumps to the realistic target of 60% would require an initial investment of 126 k€ and represent a net present value (profit) of 446 k€ over a 10-year pump lifetime, saving 8.6 kt of CO2 emissions. The primary measures for raising efficiency are in order of priority: 1) improving pre-filtration of raw water to prevent rapid mechanical wear due to suspended particles during monsoon, 2) providing training, improved working conditions, and better tools and spare parts among pump operators and 3) replacing aging, oversized pumps with properly sized pumps operating close to peak efficiency. As of January 2014 the results have been confirmed by a Bureau of Energy Efficiency-certified energy auditor and the extent and funding of efficiency measures implementation is in planning

Chitosan/thyme oil systems as affected by stabilizing agent: Physical and antimicrobial properties

Antimicrobial biopolymer films and coatings are of great interest for many applications. Different chitosan systems were prepared and characterized to evaluate the effect of their composition on the physical and antimicrobial properties. Three types of emulsifiers (Tween 20, 80, and 85) were used as stabilizing agents, combined with thyme essential oil (from two producers) applied as an active substance. A predominant role of the applied stabilizer and its hydrophilic-lipophilic balance value was proven. The incorporation of thyme essential oil and surfactant into the chitosan matrix led to a significant decrease of particle size in film-forming solutions, as well as a thickness increase and the enhancement of the barrier properties in chitosan films. Antimicrobial effects were provided even at the lowest tested concentration of thyme essential oil. Hence, the prepared chitosan films represent promising candidates in antimicrobial packaging applications. © 2019 by the authors

Quasiparticle scattering in superconductors

We compare results of high-resolution magnetic flux (susceptibility) measurements in very weak magnetic field, performed of three classes of superconductors. They reveal astonishing details of the transition to the superconducting state. Although Pb behaves also on this scale according to BCS predictions, La is more reminiscent of HTS materials, which exhibit anomalous features. We suggest that known structure peculiarities are due to a strong electron-lattice instability and lead to a resonance electron back scattering