109 research outputs found
Cooperative business models in steel enterprises in Poland
The paper presents the concept of cooperative business models in steel enterprises in Poland. The starting point is the presentation of the concept of business models, which is defined as a way of doing business based on cooperation between enterprises. This paper presents two collaborative business models, namely outsourcing and alliance networks, comparing the theoretical assumptions with the results of research carried out in steel enterprises in Poland
Worm Grunting, Fiddling, and CharmingâHumans Unknowingly Mimic a Predator to Harvest Bait
Background: For generations many families in and around Floridaâs Apalachicola National Forest have supported themselves by collecting the large endemic earthworms (Diplocardia mississippiensis). This is accomplished by vibrating a wooden stake driven into the soil, a practice called ââworm gruntingââ. In response to the vibrations, worms emerge to the surface where thousands can be gathered in a few hours. Why do these earthworms suddenly exit their burrows in response to vibrations, exposing themselves to predation? Principal Findings: Here it is shown that a population of eastern American moles (Scalopus aquaticus) inhabits the area where worms are collected and that earthworms have a pronounced escape response from moles consisting of rapidly exiting their burrows to flee across the soil surface. Recordings of vibrations generated by bait collectors and moles suggest that ââworm gruntersâ â unknowingly mimic digging moles. An alternative possibility, that worms interpret vibrations as rain and surface to avoid drowning is not supported. Conclusions: Previous investigations have revealed that both wood turtles and herring gulls vibrate the ground to elicit earthworm escapes, indicating that a range of predators may exploit the predator-prey relationship between earthworms and moles. In addition to revealing a novel escape response that may be widespread among soil fauna, the results sho
On Unbounded Composition Operators in -Spaces
Fundamental properties of unbounded composition operators in -spaces are
studied. Characterizations of normal and quasinormal composition operators are
provided. Formally normal composition operators are shown to be normal.
Composition operators generating Stieltjes moment sequences are completely
characterized. The unbounded counterparts of the celebrated Lambert's
characterizations of subnormality of bounded composition operators are shown to
be false. Various illustrative examples are supplied
PET Molecular Targets and Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging of Atherosclerosis
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: With this review, we aim to summarize the role of positron emission tomography (PET) and near-infrared fluorescence imaging (NIRF) in the detection of atherosclerosis. RECENT FINDINGS: (18)F-FDG is an established measure of increased macrophage activity. However, due to its low specificity, new radiotracers have emerged for more specific detection of vascular inflammation and other high-risk plaque features such as microcalcification and neovascularization. Novel NIRF probes are engineered to sense endothelial damage as an early sign of plaque erosion as well as oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) as a prime target for atherosclerosis. Integrated NIRF/OCT (optical coherence tomography) catheters enable to detect stent-associated microthrombi. Novel radiotracers can improve specificity of PET for imaging atherosclerosis. Advanced NIRF probes show promise for future application in human. Intravascular NIRF might play a prominent role in the detection of stent-induced vascular injury
Interference of H-bonding and substituent effects in nitro- and hydroxy-substituted salicylaldehydes
Two intramolecular interactions, i.e., (1) hydrogen bond and (2) substituent effect, were analyzed and compared. For this purpose, the geometry of 4- and 5-X-substituted salicylaldehyde derivatives (Xâ=âNO2, H or OH) was optimized by means of B3LYP/6-311â+âG(d,p) and MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ methods. The results obtained allowed us to show that substituents (NO2 or OH) in the para or meta position with respect to either OH or CHO in H-bonded systems interact more strongly than in the case of di-substituted species: 4- and 3-nitrophenol or 4- and 3-hydroxybenzaldehyde by âŒ31%. The substituent effect due to the intramolecular charge transfer from the para-counter substituent (NO2) to the proton-donating group (OH) is âŒ35% greater than for the interaction of para-OH with the proton-accepting group (CHO). The total energy of H-bonding for salicylaldehyde, and its derivatives, is composed of two contributions: âŒ80% from the energy of H-bond formation and âŒ20% from the energy associated with reorganization of the electron structure of the systems in question
Reducing the development gaps between regions in Poland with the use of European Union funds
The paper evaluates the processes of regional income convergence in Poland. This new research approach involves an attempt to assess the process of convergence from the point of view of development gaps. Six key development gaps were considered in the region of Eastern Poland, which is a singular case, significantly different from other regions. A dynamic panel data model was applied to investigate the impact of EU funds on the progress made towards closing these development gaps. Among the analysed development gaps, only the structural gap was not reduced in the period 2004â2015. Studies have also revealed the different impact of structural funds on each category of development gaps (a positive impact on reducing the regional transport accessibility gap and the investment gap, but negative â on reducing the innovation gap). Research has suggested the need for a change in the structure of using EU funds in the period 2014â2020 to favour stronger support for entrepreneurship and the creation of new jobs. Greater stimulation of the economic structure of peripheral regions has been proposed as the prerequisite for the future reduction in the discrepancies between regions and for the intensification of convergence.
First published online 2 April 201
How protecting a suburban forest as a natural reserve effected small mammal communities
NâHâŻO versus OâHâŻO: density functional calculation and first principle molecular dynamics study on a quinoline-2-carboxamide N-oxide
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