International Interchange Research Articles

In Memoriam: Mats Morell

In Memoriam: Mats Morell

Agricultural Parameters and Essential Oil Content Composition Prediction of Aniseed, Based on Growing Year, Locality and Fertilization Type-An Artificial Neural Network Approach.

Predicting yield is essential for producers, stakeholders and international interchange demand. The majority of the divergence in yield and essential oil content is associated with environmental aspects, including weather conditions, soil variety and cultivation techniques. Therefore, aniseed production was examined in this study. The categorical input variables for artificial neural network modelling were growing year (two successive growing years), growing locality (three different locations in Vojvodina Province, Serbia) and fertilization type (six different treatments). The output variables were morphological and quality parameters, with agricultural importance such as plant height, umbel diameter, number of umbels, number of seeds per umbel, 1000-seed weight, seed yield per plant, plant weight, harvest index, yield per ha, essential oil (EO) yield, germination energy, total germination, EO content, as well as the share of EOs compounds, including limonene, cis-dihydro carvone, methyl chavicol, carvone, cis-anethole, trans-anethole, β-elemene, α-himachalene, trans-β-farnesene, γ-himachalene, trans-muurola-4(14),5-diene, α-zingiberene, β-himachalene, β-bisabolene, trans-pseudoisoeugenyl 2-methylbutyrate and epoxy-pseudoisoeugenyl 2-methylbutyrate. The ANN model predicted agricultural parameters accurately, showing r2 values between 0.555 and 0.918, while r2 values for the forecasting of essential oil content were between 0.379 and 0.908. According to global sensitivity analysis, the fertilization type was a more influential variable to agricultural parameters, while the location site was more influential to essential oils content.

Editorial: Biographical Memoirs , Volume 68

Editorial: <i>Biographical Memoirs</i> , Volume 68

Usage of Standards to Integration of Hospital Information Systems

Introduction: Data exchange across healthcare facilities is a major issue in healthcare information systems. Standards play an important role in the context of communication. In this paper, we surveyed the usage of standards in the hospital information systems (HISs) in the affiliated hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences.Material and Methods: This survey was performed in 2014-2015. A total of 17 hospitals with HISs were surveyed. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The design of the questionnaire was based on a literature review and consisted of three parts. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data.Results: XML, HL7 and DICOM are commonly used international interchange standards. In the case of security standards, 76.5% of HISs do not support the HIPPA and CEN TC 251 security standards. ICD was the most commonly used terminology standard in the HISs. Several studies have indicated that HISs should cover data exchange, security and terminology standards to provide integration of heterogeneous systems.Conclusion: In the current study, the role of standards in the architecture of the HISs was inconspicuous. To make the HIS effective, it is necessary to consider the standards when developing the system. In this matter, legislation could help.

Foreign e-procurement: the case of the Czech economy in the context of employing it professionals

This paper analyses the entry into public tenders within the EU by the Czech companies. This paper investigates which industries have the highest shares of foreign public tenders. This share is compared to the number of hired IT professionals. This paper is based on the thesis that competing in global markets requires skilled labor force in the form of IT specialist. IT specialists (outsourced or employed) can manage electronic supply chain communication and international data interchange. They can integrate systems or adapt them to global opportunities in the public sectors. The dataset is based on the data from the Information and Communication Technologies Questionnaire 2014. The statistical evaluation is based on the probability estimation and detailed summary statistics. Public tenders are a good way for companies from less developed countries because of the lower material and labor costs. The sample of firms is limited to enterprises able to provide goods and services to the public sector. Results suggest that there are differences between industries (services, trade, manufacturing) in the foreign e-procurement and the number of IT workers depend positively on the participation in foreign e-procurement.

“Attitudes do matter”: generic competences in the selection of Business graduates

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine what competences are considered critical for team and human resources (HR) managers when selecting inexperienced Business graduates. Second, the authors aim to find out differences existing among businesses and organizations according to company size, and very particularly, the resources used with respect to the inexperienced graduate personnel selection practices. Design/methodology/approach To this end, the authors have performed an empirical study consisting of two qualitative data-gathering processes and a survey. First, the authors completed 12 in-depth interviews, followed by three world cafés with HR managers and consultants. Second, a survey was also conducted with 186 experienced Business graduates, team managers or middle-level staff. Findings The main results support the idea that generic competencies are the ones most appreciated in graduates. Attitudes are among the generic competencies considered most critical in inexperienced Business graduates. In particular, intra-personal, followed by inter-personal attitudes and values, were the most frequently cited and highly valued competencies. In contrast, most of the specific knowledge competences that are required for Business graduates are taken for granted. For its part, the authors found that excelling inexperienced graduates are those who show convincing proofs of holding attitudinal competences, signaled through some experience of international interchange programs, or pre-graduate internships in companies. Also, the authors found that HR managers and consultants show clear differences of preference for a set of competences or another depending on the size of the recruiting company. In particular, generic competences of knowledge, abilities, attitudes and values rate higher among small firms than larger ones. Originality/value Finally, the authors give recommendations for faculties and business schools headed to a more intensive development of generic competences, and the learning of skills on how to tailor curricula during studies and how to find jobs.

The Liberating Potential of Oral Literature in a Globalized Context

Without sounding like a dissenter or an arch pessimist, it is pertinent to assert that indigenous African cultures are today at the brink of extinction due to marginalization and the imposition of European values made possible largely by advanced information technology that is a function of globalization. This erosive tendency, if unchecked, has the potential to obliterate African cultures and ways of life particularly given the rate at which globalizing trends that aim at international integration and interchange of world views, products and ideas, including democratic ideals, are fast enveloping African states, even at traditional levels. Already, African cultures are dubbed primitive, African democracy plastic and unsophisticated, even by Africans themselves. To attempt to reverse this trend and focus attention on the upliftment of the African image and identity, this paper explores the role oral literature can play within the current context of globalization and the attainment of democratic ideals. The paper therefore posits that the neglect of oral literature accounts for the continuous enslavement of the African mentality leading to the excessive reliance on Eurocentric paradigms for the interpretation of reality. It concludes that for Africa and Africans to impact democratically in todays globalized context, Africans should have recourse to the liberating potential of oral literature to strengthen their image and identity which can then be bandied positively in the modern capitalist market economy driven by globalization.

The study of policy for Compound Youth Cultural Art Work and Civil Competence

This study aims to understand the relationship between youth cultural art work and civil competence to create social postulate and provide political aid for the younger generation to foster the competence of democratic citizen through youth work, proposing plans linked to related policies. Through analyzing preceding studies about relationship between youth art work and democratic citizen, citizenship, and civil competence, the study examined relationship and effectiveness of youth work and civil competence in the realm of youth voluntary work, club activity, participation work, and international interchange which showed positive influences and connections, also exploring suggestions. As a result of the analysis, theological foundations and legal basis for constructing political linkage between youth work and civil competence were found insufficient. In addition, it was found for juveniles to grow as democratic citizens, activity programs to foster civil competence, an evaluation system, and active education programs focusing on participation and experience must be developed and operated. Especially, an organic network with local society resources shall be enhanced to foster democratic citizens by relating with school curriculum. Based on the research, the study proposes plans to promote juveniles to be democratic citizens such as establishing an exclusive system, training expert human resources, securing budget for active education activities, and using juvenile facilities as coordinative facilities.

What Kind Of International Interchange Is Beneficial? Experiences Of Taiwanese Indigenes

Because of globalization, international interchanges among indigenes in every country have become more frequent. Influenced by international multicultural trends, Taiwans government not only supports indigenous populations to revive their traditional cultures, but also encourages the promotion of the international interchange activities among indigenous populations. This research focused on specialists familiar with indigenous relative affairs to evaluate the benefits and the order of international interchanges. A self-developed questionnaire was used and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and descriptive statistics were employed to measure the relative importance of the factors and international strategies chosen by the indigene affair specialists, respectively. The correspondence analysis aims to explore the relationship between the goal and strategy of indigenous international interchanges. Finally, based on the findings and discussion, some suggestions are provided for promoting indigenes international interchanges.

Use of the VNTR typing technique to determine the origin of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated from Filipino patients in Korea

With increasing international interchange of personnel, international monitoring is necessary to decrease tuberculosis incidence in the world. This study aims to develop a new tool to determine origin of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated from Filipino patients living in Korea. Thirty-two variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) loci were used for discrimination of 50 Filipino M. tuberculosis strains isolated in the Philippines, 317 Korean strains isolated in Korea, and 8 Filipino strains isolated in Korea. We found that the VNTR loci 0580, 0960, 2531, 2687, 2996, 0802, 2461, 2163a, 4052, 0424, 1955, 2074, 2347, 2401, 3171, 3690, 2372, 3232, and 4156 had different mode among copy numbers or exclusively distinct copy number in VNTR typing between Filipino and Korean M. tuberculosis strains. When these differences of the VNTR loci were applied to 8 Filipino M. tuberculosis strains isolated in Korea, 6 of them revealed Filipino type while 2 of them had Korean type. Using the differences of mode or repeated number of VNTR loci were very useful in distinguishing the Filipino strain from Korean strain.

Continuing the conversation: British and Japanese progressivism

This paper offers an account of the historic and ongoing international interchange between Britain and Japan in the field of progressive education. Concentrating on the last half-century, it takes two reference points from Roy Lowe’s writings in 1977 and 2006. Eveline Lowe Primary was a newly built model progressive school when documented by him in a seminal work on school architecture, later becoming a key point of interest for Japanese educationists. The British educational policy context against which this exchange of ideas and practices occurred was later documented by Lowe in a major book. Contemporaneous debates and events within Japanese society and government meanwhile provided the impetus for networks of research and transmission of progressive practices. The most recent turn in the narrative presented here demonstrates Japanese support for independent progressive practice continuing in the UK. Responding to an extensive historical research literature on transnational migration of educational ideals and practices this paper constitutes a micro-study that draws on personal memory, oral testimony, records of classroom observation on site and by means of video-conferencing, in addition to more formal documentation of conference proceedings and policy-making.

LASER safety through international information interchange: An introduction to the International Laser Safety Conference (ILSC®) and report of the “ILSC 2013”

LASER safety through international information interchange: An introduction to the International Laser Safety Conference (ILSC®) and report of the “ILSC 2013”

Desenvolvimento curricular em Matemática no Brasil: trajetórias e desafios

In this article our objective is to present aspects of curricular organization’s trajectory in Brazil and raise some challenges faced for the next decades in community of Mathematical Education. It is based on inquiries of a called group Organizacao e Desenvolvimento Curricular em Matematica e Formacao de Professores and with authors as Bishop, Doll Jr., Keitel, Kilpatrick, Sacristan, among others. It also detaches differences between curriculum prescribed and practiced for professors and differences between dominant pedagogical speeches and its concretion in classrooms. To finish, we consider some challenges to be faced for the community of Brazilian mathematical educators, whom they estimate to place the debate on curricular organization and macro-evaluations in guideline of quarrels, to carry through studies and experiences that support the process of election and organization of contents, to incorporate the Brazilian society and professors of Mathematics in curricular debate and to consolidate existing groups and to constitute new stop to extend and to deepend research on curricular development, establishing international interchanges stop exchange of knowledge and experiences.

Statistical parainformation platform - foundation of information transparency in heterogeneous international environment (with special reference to the Eastern Partnership initiative)

1. Transparency and coherence of social and economic information between countries is the prerequisite and of international cooperation and strengthening relations based on partnership and mutual trust. The closer are institutionalized and informal relations between countries, their governments, NGO's, businesses and citizens, the stronger is the need for transparency in all spheres of social and economic information. 2. The mission of official statistics in globalized, more open economy is to (a) providing methods and tools of quality control of public information, (b) producing information relevant to the needs of all users and (c) widening and facilitating the accessibility and international interchange of information. 3. In modern ICT environment the international parainformation platform embedded in official statistical systems of cooperating countries is the optimal, efficient, easy to implement and relatively cheap instrument to provide information transparency in international, heterogeneous environment. 4. General conceptual foundations and function of the platform are presented. It is stressed that the participation in information interchange via the platform does not need to introduce any changes in existing information systems of cooperating countries. The value added of the platform for all stakeholders would be the homogeneous retrieving of data from accessible systems and data bases both statistical and administrative systems via the platform. Important value added would be the integration of statistical parainformation resources of countries in one database, i.e. the base storing verified and updated information on accessible systems, information resources and the institutions managing those systems and resources of all cooperating countries and organizations. 5. The role and contribution of the statistical parainformation platform in strengthening the integrity of statistical information systems and relevant administrative and scientific information systems on international scale, with special reference to the needs of the Eastern Partnership, are discussed.

The international interchange program for freshmen.

The international interchange program for freshmen.

A comparison of the health and related quality of life between middle‐aged Korean and Chinese women

The proportion of middle-aged people in one's total life cycle has increased. Health providers are required to promote and manage their health, and improve the quality of their life, especially middle-aged women. As international interchanges in nursing are growing between Korea and China, understanding of the level related to health and quality of life between middle-aged Korean and Chinese women is critical to improve their health and quality of life. To compare and examine the health perception, anger expression, self-esteem and quality of life between middle-aged Korean and Chinese women. A cross-sectional survey was conducted. The participants were comprised of a total 430 middle-aged Korean (n=220) and Chinese (n=210) women aged 40-64 years. The survey included a set of four questionnaires. All measures were self-administered. Data were analysed using the statistical package, SPSS/WIN Ver16.0 (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Middle-aged Chinese women had higher health perception than middle-aged Korean women. Anger expression, self-esteem and quality of life of middle-aged Korean women were higher than in middle-aged Chinese women. Also, there were the differences in the health perception, anger expression and self-esteem according to the general characteristics in all middle-aged Korean and Chinese women. Various nursing intervention strategies should be developed and adjusted to improve the self-esteem and quality of life for all middle-aged Korean and Chinese women, especially middle-aged Chinese women. Additionally, the individual characteristics and national culture of the middle-aged women should be considered as a basis for the nursing intervention.

Professionalism: the major factor influencing job satisfaction among Korean and Chinese nurses

The nursing shortage has become an internationally important issue. Nurses' professionalism and job satisfaction have been recognized as strong factors influencing their turnover. As international interchanges in nursing education are growing between Korea and China, understanding the commonalities and differences in factors associated with job satisfaction is critical to improving nurses' job retention. To compare the factors influencing job satisfaction among Korean and Chinese nurses. A cross-sectional survey was conducted. The participants were comprised of 693 nurses at three general hospitals in Jinan, People's Republic of China and 593 nurses at two general hospitals in Seoul, Korea. A questionnaire was designed to measure the nurses' professionalism and job satisfaction. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed to identify factors related to job satisfaction. Professionalism was the common factor influencing job satisfaction in Korean and Chinese nurses. Professionalism was positively related to job satisfaction in both groups. Additional factors associated with job satisfaction were demographics and job characteristics such as age, job position and department of work, which were significant only in Korean nurses. Professionalism was the most important factor influencing job satisfaction in both Korean and Chinese nurses. Enhancing nursing professionalism is recommended as a common strategy to improve nurses' job retention across different healthcare systems.

Computational Modeling in Complex Multinational Domains

Computational modeling faces two major challenges. First, because modeling has demonstrated its value for relatively simple tasks, practitioners are asking for help with tasks in increasingly complex domains. Second, as international interchanges increase in importance, military, corporate, and humanitarian leaders urgently need to capture and better understand national and regional differences. Computational modeling promises to be a powerful tool for representing complex tasks and testing the validity of these representations. Models might also support decision aids and serve as platforms for training. It's time to extend modeling to better accommodate complexity and to include the variations in behavior, roles, values, and cognition that influence international interchange.

A Note on the XIX IMEKO World Congress Fundamental and Applied Metrology

This paper is a continuation of the article “A Critical Note on the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM)” published in Economic Quality Control 23. Unfortunately, the critique expressed on the GUM in that paper has so far been ignored by the metrology community. This paper shall illustrate and discuss the flawed use of statistical terms and methods in metrology. The GUM was published more than a decade ago, and undergoes presently a revision. Therefore, it is to be hoped that the here discussed weak points might be avoided in a new version of the GUM.The IMEKO is a very important organization. On the IMEKO homepage one can read the following words: International Measurement confederation, IMEKO is a non-governmental federation of 39 Member Organizations individually concerned with the advancement of measurement technology. Its fundamental objectives are the promotion of international interchange of scientific and technical information in the field of measurement and instrumentation and the enhancement of international co-operation among scientists and engineers from research and industry. Founded in 1958, the Confederation has consultative status with UNESCO and UNIDO and is one of the five Sister Federations within FIACC: Five International Associations Co-ordinating Committee, further consisting ofIFAC- International Federation of Automatic Control,IFIP - International Federation for Information Processing,IFORS - International Federation of Operational Research Societies andIMACS - International Association for Mathematics and Computers in Simulation.In September 2009, the IMEKO World Congress was organized in Lisbon, and the latest “scientific results” were exchanged by the leading metrologists. In this paper some of these results shall be examined and evaluated.

Professional Knowledge in Initial Teacher Education (ITE): a Preliminary Review of Hispanic Literature

The global dominance of English as the principal language of international interchange in the teacher education field has, perhaps, diverted English-speaking scholars from the task of reviewing discourses in non-English languages. Taking as its focus the issue of professional knowledge in ITE, the present article considers scholarship predominantly of Spanish origin - to a lesser extent Portuguese and Latin American also - in an effort to begin to form an understanding of both historical antecedents and more recent approaches to professional knowledge in a Hispanic context. While the remit of the present article is one of introducing the work and ideas of significant scholars, it ends in pointing towards the need for further research in seeking to identify more fully what might be distinctive about the Hispanic contribution to a global discussion in the face of new 21 st -century realities in teacher