Do international standards influence the development of smart regions and cities?

Rast gradskog stanovništva utječe na održivost i razvoj pametnih regija. Međunarodni standardi mogu pružiti dobre prakse u širokim područjima koja se odnose na ekološke, sigurnosne i društvene aspekte koji doprinose postizanju gospodarskog i održivog rasta, dobrobiti i sigurnosti okoliša. Cilj ove studije je istražiti postoji li povezanost između razine pametnih gradova u različitim regijama i broja certifikata koji bi mogli pokrenuti daljnji razvoj pametnih i održivih gradova. Analizirali smo standarde koji podržavaju razvoj održivih i pametnih gradova iz različitih zemalja i istražili njihov utjecaj na razinu pametnih i održivih gradova. Za mjerenje uspješnosti gradova koristili smo UN-ovu inicijativu za prosperitet grada (CPI) i njezinih šest dimenzija: produktivnost, razvoj infrastrukture, kvalitetu života, jednakost i društvenu uključenost, održivost okoliša i urbano upravljanje i zakonodavstvo. Za analiziranje utjecaja međunarodnih standarda na inicijativu pametnih regija i gradova proveli smo SEM analizu. Rezultati istraživanja potvrđuju da postoji značajna razlika između razine pametnih gradova u različitim regijama i broja certifikata koji bi mogli pokrenuti daljnji razvoj pametnih i održivih gradova. Nadalje, potvrđen je pozitivan utjecaj međunarodnih standarda na razvoj pametnih regija i gradova. Vjerujemo da predstavljeni pristup može pružiti dodatni uvid u čimbenike koji utječu na razvoj pametnih regija i gradova i pokrenuti daljnja istraživanja o toj temi.The growth of city population has consequences on the sustainability and development of smart regions. International standards can provide good practices in wide areas related to environmental, security and social aspects that contribute to the achievement of economic and sustainable growth, well-being, and safe environment. The aim of this study is to explore if there is an association between the level of smart cities in different regions and the number of certificates that could initiate further development of smart and sustainable cities. We analysed standards that support the development of sustainable and smart cities from different countries and explored their influence on the level of smart and sustainable cities. To measure the performance of cities we used the UN-habitat City Prosperity Initiative (CPI) and its six dimensions: Productivity, Infrastructure Development, Quality of Life, Equity and Social Inclusion, Environmental Sustainability, and Urban Governance and Legislation. To analyse the influence of international standards on smart regions and cities initiative we conducted SEM analysis. The results of the research have proved that there is a significant difference between the level of smart cities in different regions and the number of certificates that could initiate further development of smart and sustainable cities. Additionally, a positive impact of international standards on the development of smart regions and cities is confirmed. We believe that the presented approach might provide additional insights into the factors which impact the development of smart regions and cities and initiate further studies on the topic

Prilagodbene promjene u staničnim masnim kiselinama bakterija izdvojenim iz sjevernog Jadrana– odgovor na trofičke razlike

The adaptational changes in cellular fatty acids and morphology of γ-Proteobacteria belonging to different genera (Vibrio, halomonas, Pseudoalteromonas) isolated from northern Adriatic waters and cultured in four media (Marine Broth, R2 Broth and tenfold dilutions of both) were investigated. The bacterial strains with identical 16S rRNA sequences isolated from different waters used differ- ent mechanisms, or different extent of the same mechanism, to adapt their growth in equal culture media. In contrast, a similar growth strategy in each of the used cultures was employed by different strains isolated from the same water body. Divergence in nutrient quality and requirement in cul- tures from that presented in the bacterias’ natural environment induced important changes in cel- lular fatty acids; (i) unsaturation, (ii) cis to trans isomerisation, (iii) chain elongation (iv) branching and/or morphology (Winnie-the-Pooh effect) or even cell division blocking. The results strongly suggest that growth and the appropriate cellular response of bacteria in culture is predetermined by nutritional conditions in their true environment and can be useful for interpretation of trophic differences between proximate environments.Istražene su prilagodbene promjene u staničnim masnim kiselinama i morfologiji γ-Proteobacteria koje pripadaju različitim svojtama; Vibrio, Halomonas, Pseudoalteromonas; izoliranih iz sjevernog Jadrana i uzgojenim na četiri hranjive podloge (Marine Broth, R2 Broth i deseterostruko razrjeđenje od oba). Sojevi s jednakim 16S rRNK sekvencama izolirani iz različitih vodenih masa koristili su različite mehanizme ili jedan mehanizam različitog intenziteta kako bi prilagodili rast u istom mediju uzgoja. Nasuprot tome, sličnu strategiju rasta su koristili različiti sojevi izolirani iz iste vodene mase. Odstupanje u kvaliteti hranjiva i potreba u kulturi od onih prisutnih u prirodnom okolišu izaziva važne promjene u staničnim masnim kiselinama (i) nezasićenost, (ii) cis/trans izomerizacija, (iii) produljenje acilnih lanaca, (iv) razgranavanje acilnih lanaca ili/i promjene morfologije stanica (Winnie-The-Pooh učinak), te zaustavljanje dijeljenja stanica. Rezultati upućuju da su rast i odgovarajući stanični odgovor bakterija u kulturi unaprijed određeni stanjem hranjiva u prirodnom okolišu, te mogu poslužiti za interpretaciju trofičkih razlika između bliskih okoliša

Bihevioralna namjera učenika u e-učenju tijekom pandemije Covid-19

Due to the appearance of COVID-19, the newly emerged situation has provoked numerous reactions in the field of education, both in the world and in Serbia. Prompted by this problem, the authors of this paper conducted a survey to determine students\u27 behavioural intention, as well as their readiness to use e-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. E-learning has integrated technology and education and has proven to be a powerful tool that enables the education system to respond to the challenges of modern society. In this research, an online questionnaire was distributed to the students of the University of Belgrade. To process the results, the SEM methodology was employed, which enabled the testing of the proposed hypotheses. The obtained results showed the students’ behavioural intention can be directly and indirectly predicted by the joint influence of the role of authority, innovative orientation, user-friendly learning, expected performance, and quality of e-learning. This knowledge enabled a comprehensive analysis that encompassed the e-learning experiences students gained during a state of emergency.Zbog pojave virusa COVID-19, novonastala situacija izazvala je brojne reakcije u obrazovanju, kako u svetu tako i u Srbiji. Potaknuti ovim problemom, autori ovog rada proveli su istraživanje kako bi utvrdili namjere ponašanja učenika, kao i njihovu spremnost na korištenje e-učenja tijekom COVID-19. E-učenje je integriralo tehnologiju i obrazovanje te se pokazalo kao moćan alat koji obrazovnom sustavu omogućuje da odgovori na izazove modernog društva. U ovom istraživanju studentima Sveučilišta u Beogradu podijeljen je online upitnik. Za obradu rezultata korištena je SEM metodologija koja je omogućila provjeru postavljenih hipoteza. Dobiveni rezultati pokazali su da se Bihevioralna namjera korištenja e-učenja može izravno i neizravno predvidjeti zajedničkim utjecajem uloge autoriteta, inovativne orijentacije, učenja prilagođeno korisniku, očekivanog učinka i kvalitete elektroničkog učenja. Ovo saznanje omogućilo je provođenje sveobuhvatne analize koja je obuhvatila iskustva učenika u e-učenju tijekom izvanrednog stanja

Pokazatelji kvalitete e-učenja: poslovanje naspram obrazovanja

Nowadays, the technological revolution brings significant changes in all spheres of society, including learning in both the business and education environments. Consequently, the quality and usefulness of e-learning systems are gaining importance in the contemporary competitive market. In order to enhance users’ satisfaction, organizations have to put more effort into identifying and understanding significant influential factors. This study strives to establish quality indicators as factors that affect e-learning user satisfaction by comparing business and education contexts. The results gathered through 1350 valid questionnaires are evaluated using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The conceptual model is developed and consists of six quality indicators: Individual Impact, Cooperation Quality, Information Quality, System Quality, Usefulness, and Satisfaction. By considering relationships between Information Quality and System Quality according to the Usefulness of e-learning, findings indicate important differences between education and business users’ perceptions. This research contributes to the dual observation of the expectations and attitudes of the observed groups of respondents.U današnje vrijeme tehnološka revolucija donosi značajne promjene u svim sferama društva uključujući učenje u poslovnom i obrazovnom okružju. Posljedično, kvaliteta i korisnost sustava za e-učenje dobivaju važnost u suvremenom konkurentnom tržištu. Kako bi se povećalo zadovoljstvo korisnika, organizacije moraju uložiti više napora u identificiranje i razumijevanje značajnih utjecajnih čimbenika. Ovo istraživanje nastoji uspostaviti pokazatelje kvalitete kao čimbenike koji utječu na zadovoljstvo korisnika e-učenja uspoređujući poslovni i obrazovni kontekst. Rezultati prikupljeni putem 1350 važećih upitnika procjenjuju se korištenjem modeliranja strukturnih jednadžbi (SEM). Konceptualni jemodel razvijen i sastoji se od šest pokazatelja kvalitete: individualni učinak, kvaliteta suradnje, kvaliteta informacija, kvaliteta sustava, korisnost i zadovoljstvo. Razmatrajući odnose između kvalitete informacija i kvalitete sustava prema korisnosti e-učenja, nalazi ukazuju na važne razlike između obrazovanja i percepcije poslovnih korisnika. Ovo istraživanje doprinosi dualnom promatranju očekivanja i stavova promatranih skupina ispitanika.

Dopaminergic control of ADAMTS2 expression through cAMP/CREB and ERK: molecular effects of antipsychotics

A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms that participate in the development and clinical manifestations of schizophrenia can lead to improve our ability to diagnose and treat this disease. Previous data strongly associated the levels of deregulated ADAMTS2 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients at first episode of psychosis (up) as well as in clinical responders to treatment with antipsychotic drugs (down). In this current work, we performed an independent validation of such data and studied the mechanisms implicated in the control of ADAMTS2 gene expression. Using a new cohort of drug-naïve schizophrenia patients with clinical follow-up, we confirmed that the expression of ADAMTS2 was highly upregulated in PBMCs at the onset (drug-naïve patients) and downregulated, in clinical responders, after treatment with antipsychotics. Mechanistically, ADAMTS2 expression was activated by dopaminergic signalling (D1-class receptors) and downstream by cAMP/CREB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/ERK signalling. Incubation with antipsychotic drugs and selective PKA and MEK inhibitors abrogated D1-mediated activation of ADAMTS2 in neuronal-like cells. Thus, D1 receptors signalling towards CREB activation might participate in the onset and clinical responses to therapy in schizophrenia patients, by controlling ADAMTS2 expression and activity. The unbiased investigation of molecular mechanisms triggered by antipsychotic drugs may provide a new landscape of novel targets potentially associated with clinical efficacy.Acknowledgements: We are highly indebted to the participants and their families for their cooperation in this study. We also thank IDIVAL biobank (Inés Santiuste and Jana Arozamena) for clinical samples and data as well as the PAFIP members (Marga Corredera) for the data collection. This work was supported by: SAF2016-76046-R and SAF2013-46292-R (MINECO and FEDER) to B.C.F., PI16/00156 (isciii and FEDER) to J.P.V., LUCHAMOS POR LA VIDA project to F.R.J. and J.P.V., SAF2017-83702-R (MINECO and FEDER), Red TERCEL RD12/0019/0024 (ISCIII) and GVA-PROMETEO 2018/041 (Generalitat Valenciana) to S.M. J.P.V. is supported by the RyC research programme (RYC-2013-14097) and F.R.J. by the predoctoral research programme (BES-2014-070615), from MINECO and FEDER

Dopaminergic control of ADAMTS2 expression through cAMP/CREB and ERK: molecular effects of antipsychotics

© The Author(s) 2019.A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms that participate in the development and clinical manifestations of schizophrenia can lead to improve our ability to diagnose and treat this disease. Previous data strongly associated the levels of deregulated ADAMTS2 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients at first episode of psychosis (up) as well as in clinical responders to treatment with antipsychotic drugs (down). In this current work, we performed an independent validation of such data and studied the mechanisms implicated in the control of ADAMTS2 gene expression. Using a new cohort of drug-naïve schizophrenia patients with clinical follow-up, we confirmed that the expression of ADAMTS2 was highly upregulated in PBMCs at the onset (drug-naïve patients) and downregulated, in clinical responders, after treatment with antipsychotics. Mechanistically, ADAMTS2 expression was activated by dopaminergic signalling (D1-class receptors) and downstream by cAMP/CREB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/ERK signalling. Incubation with antipsychotic drugs and selective PKA and MEK inhibitors abrogated D1-mediated activation of ADAMTS2 in neuronal-like cells. Thus, D1 receptors signalling towards CREB activation might participate in the onset and clinical responses to therapy in schizophrenia patients, by controlling ADAMTS2 expression and activity. The unbiased investigation of molecular mechanisms triggered by antipsychotic drugs may provide a new landscape of novel targets potentially associated with clinical efficacy.This work was supported by: SAF2016-76046-R and SAF2013-46292-R (MINECO and FEDER) to B.C.F., PI16/00156 (isciii and FEDER) to J.P.V., LUCHAMOS POR LA VIDA project to F.R.J. and J.P.V., SAF2017-83702-R (MINECO and FEDER), Red TERCEL RD12/0019/0024 (ISCIII) and GVA-PROMETEO 2018/041 (Generalitat Valenciana) to S.M. J.P.V. is supported by the RyC research programme (RYC-2013-14097) and F.R.J. by the predoctoral research programme (BES-2014-070615), from MINECO and FEDER

LIMITATIONS IN THE APPLICATION OF THE ONLINE MODEL OF EDUCATION IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN SERBIA

Given that the 4th Industrial Revolution encompasses not only the private but also the public sector, including the educational system also, all the educational institutions strive to be digitally transformed to the extent it is possible. Also, the COVID-19 period of time conditioned them to implement an online model of education without much time for the transition process. Also, there is an indication that the education system, in general, will move towards a combined (online and onsite) model in the future, as a response to new trends in Industry 4.0 era. Thus, the aim of this paper is to identify crucial limitations in the application of the online model of education for both teachers and pupils. The sample size is 166 respondents. The research instrument is the questionnaire that includes an evaluation of potential limitations in the application of the online model of education in primary schools in Serbia. The results could be used to give an adequate insight for decision-makers in this area

Second-hand smoke exposure in 4-year-old children in Spain: Sources, associated factors and urinary cotinine

Introduction Second-hand smoke exposure (SHS) in children remains as a major pollution problem, with important consequences for children's health. This study aimed to identify the sources of exposure to SHS among 4-year-old children, comparing self-reports to a urinary biomarker of exposure, and characterize the most important variables related to SHS exposure in this population. Methods 4-year-old children's exposure to SHS was assessed by a parental-reported questionnaire and by urinary cotinine (UC) measurements in 1757 participants from 4 different areas of the Spanish INMA (INfancia y Medio Ambiente – Environment and Childhood) Project. The questionnaire about SHS included information about smoking habits at home by household members, and about exposure to SHS in other places including other homes, bars, restaurants or transportation. The association between quantified UC levels (>4 ng/ml) and sociodemographic variables and the different sources of SHS exposure was examined using logistic regression. Results Based on parental reports, 21.6% of the children were exposed to SHS at home and 47.1% elsewhere; making a total 55.9% of the children exposed to SHS. In addition, 28.2% of the children whose parents reported being not regularly exposed to SHS had quantified UC values. Children from younger mothers (<34 vs. ≥39.4 y) had a higher odds of exposure to SHS [OR (95% CI): 2.28 (1.70–3.05) per year], as well as from families with a lower educational level [OR secondary: 2.12 (1.69–2.65); primary or less: 2.91 (2.19–3.88)]. The odds of quantifiable UC in children dropped after the smoking ban in public places [OR=0.59 (0.42–0.83)]. Regarding the sources of SHS exposure we observed that quantifiable UC odds was increased in children whose parents smoked at home in their presence [OR mother occasionally: 13.39 (7.03–25.50); mother often: 18.48 (8.40–40.66); father occasionally: 10.98 (6.52–18.49); father often: 11.50 (5.96–22.20)] or in children attending other confined places, mainly other houses where people smoked [OR: 2.23 (1.78–2.80)]. Conclusions Children's SHS exposure is nowadays an unresolved major public health problem in Spain. After the ban of smoking in public places health care professionals should put more emphasis to the parents on the importance of controlling the exposure of their children in private spaces.INMA project is funded by grants by the Carlos III Instituto de Salud (Red INMA G03/176 and CB06/02/0041) and Fundación Roger Torné. The studies in the specific regions were funded by the Spanish Ministry of Health (FIS-FEDER 03/1615, 04/1436, 04/1509, 04/1112, 04/1931, 05/1079, 05/1052, 06/0867, 06/1213, 07/0314, 08/1151, 09/02647, 04/2018, 09/02311, 11/02591, 11/02038, 13/02032, 13/02429, 14/0891, 14/1687, and MS13/00054), the Generalitat de Catalunya (CIRIT 1999SGR00241), the Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa (DFG06/004), the Department of Health of the Basque Government (2005111093), the Regional Government of Andalucía (SAS 07/183), and support of Obra Social Cajastur/Fundación Liberbank, University of Oviedo and the Conselleria de Sanitat Generalitat Valenciana. http://www.proyectoinma.org/instituciones-participantes/en_entidades-colaboradoras/. The authors are grateful to all fieldworkers for their assistance in administering the questionnaires. A full listing of the INMA project researchers can be found at http://www.proyectoinma.org/presentacioninma/listado-investigadores/en_listado-investigadores.htm