Transfer Of Know-how Research Articles

GENDER ROLE IN POST HARVEST ACTIVITIES: A STUDY IN ASSAM

study conducted on 900 farm families in six agro-climatic zones of the State which clearly indicate an active participation of both women and men in most of the selected activities in the area of post harvesting. Data were collected with the help of interview schedule by personal interview method. Participatory interviews with individual member of the households by using a combination of PRA techniques to quantify gender perspectives were used for data collection. The results indicated that majority of the rural women were working with male members almost in all the activities leaving aside marketing and management of produce at commercial level. . The role of rural women in post harvest operations especially in drying, storage and cleaning of grains was more prominent. It necessary to transfer of technical knowhow on these aspects to women, the technical guidance would help in enhancement of their efficiency and reduced the losses during storage. Such education would lead to increase their income and active role in post harvest activities An effort has The purpose of the study is to recognize the gender role in post harvest activities in rural areas of Assam.The been made in this study to understand the gender role in post harvest operation in Assam so as to know their present participation status. The data will enable for area based programmes to develop capacities of farm women.

TRENDS IN OCCUPATIONAL INJURIES – AN OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY INDICATOR IN FORESTRY SECTOR OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Occupational safety is the prevention and elimination of dangers and hazards that can cause workplace injuries, occupational and other diseases and damage to the employees’ health. According to the modern concept, it implies constant monitoring of the situation with the aim to explore ways and design measures for the improvement of an occupational health and safety system. An effective way to monitor the situation in an occupational health and safety system is to define performance or success indicators, whereas, in practice, the most commonly used tool is occupational safety indicators. Indicators of work-related injuries can be absolute and relative. Since absolute indicators do not provide a realistic image of the state of workplace safety, we shall use relative indicators. A relative indicator of occupational safety often used is the injury frequency index. This indicator was obtained as the ratio of the number of injuries and effective working hours over the observation period or the number of employees in the production and business system. Also, the same indicator can be calculated in relation to the volume of production.In the forestry sector, where occupational injuries are frequent and often fatal, monitoring indicators of occupational injuries allows us to see the movement of the observed phenomenon (occupational safety) in a certain period, and also to determine the general trend of its movement (decline or growth) and most importantly to develop preventive measures. In addition, the analysis of workplace injuries using the indicators enables the comparison of occupational safety in business systems from the same activity and, thus, foster the transfer of know-how and good practice from the systems with high levels of occupational safety.

ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ ВИДІВ ВПЛИВУ УКРАЇНСЬКОЇ ДІАСПОРИ, ОЦІНКА КОНКРЕТНИХ ПРИКЛАДІВ ТА ЇХ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА В АСПЕКТІ СУЧАСНИХ ПОТРЕБ УКРАЇНИ

This article analyzes the impact of the Ukrainian diaspora on Ukraine using an extensive survey of more than sixty opinion leaders, scholars, representatives of Ukrainian organizations in the diaspora, as well as data shared by these organizations and relevant scientific literature. The article attempts to identify the main types of influences by areas and nature of the activity of the diaspora. One type of influence of the diaspora is informational or propaganda influence. Through the Ukrainian media, literature, art, scientific works, petitions, actions, and protests, the Ukrainian diaspora promotes information about Ukraine, contributing to the creation of a positive international image for the country. During the massacres and imprisonment of Ukrainian dissidents worldwide, student and human rights organizations set up committees to defend political prisoners under the leadership of Ukrainian diaspora representatives. The struggle for the release of Ukrainian political prisoners was also waged by the Ukrainian media that published self-published works (samvydav), research, memoirs, and documents of many Ukrainian political prisoners, documents and bulletins of the Ukrainian Helsinki Group, as well as many other materials about Soviet arbitrariness in Ukraine. Today, all Ukrainian diaspora organizations, to a greater or lesser extent, are fighting against Russian propaganda. Another type of influence of the diaspora is political influence, i.e., the ability of the diaspora to facilitate the adoption of political decisions beneficial to Ukraine by their host countries. Ukrainian diasporas are actively lobbying for Ukraine’s interests, which resulted in the proclamation of Captive Nations Week in the USA, recognition of the Holodomor as genocide of the Ukrainian people in 17 countries, the introduction of the Defending American Security from Kremlin Aggression Act and other bills to the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, establishment of support groups for Ukraine in the US and Canadian Parliaments, adoption of numerous laws and political documents worldwide that condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, impose sanctions on the Russian Federation, and create a legal basis for providing financial, humanitarian, and military assistance to Ukraine. The economic or financial influence of the Ukrainian diaspora on the homeland is represented by remittances sent by representatives of the diaspora to their relatives who still live in Ukraine and by financial aid provided to Ukraine by diaspora organizations and patrons to achieve specific goals. Thanks to the diaspora efforts, millions of dollars in assistance were provided to Ukraine during the years of its independence. Significant results have been achieved in the field of cultural and educational impact. The most notable examples of educational and cultural influence are the return of Ukrainian folklore and traditions to Ukraine taken away by the Soviet oppression; the establishment or restoration of organizations such as Plast, the Shevchenko Scientific Society, the Ukrainian Youth Association; organization of internship programs for Ukrainian students and young specialists; creation of advisory programs for the Government of Ukraine with the participation of highly-qualified Western specialists; transfer of know-how; and creation of training programs for Ukrainian police and army. Specific examples given in the article can demonstrate the extraordinary efforts made by the diaspora to support and assist Ukraine.

4IR technologies in the Israel Defence Forces: blurring traditional boundaries

ABSTRACT This paper explores how Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies obscure the traditional boundaries associated with the military realm. As the first examination of the conditions underlying the assimilation of 4IR technologies in Israel’s armed forces, this paper makes several contributions. It expands the knowledge on the military assimilation of 4IR technologies and describes the interaction between military doctrine and technology using current evidence. It also enriches the evolving discussion on the strategic effect of emerging technologies. Finally, it demonstrates how emerging technologies involve neither straightforward spinoff or spin-on processes but a reciprocal transfer of know-how between the military and civilian sectors.

Implementation of an Air Quality Forecasting Operating System for Health Surveillance and Sustainability in the Salvador Metropolitan Region, Brazil

Air pollution is a threat to public health in the 21st century. In Latin America, more than 100 million people are exposed to air pollution. There is a gap in air quality monitoring in cities around the world. Environmental risk factor monitoring and forecasting systems are strategic for the adoption of preventive measures and health surveillance alerts. The engagement of stakeholders is crucial to develop strategies to control air pollution. Objective: To define air quality and health risk indicators relevant to health surveillance and civil defense, allowing the mapping of areas of higher risk and vulnerability for the population. Methodology: The SOPRAR project was built through an articulated intersectoral mobilization, scientific institutions, private and public sector. The project includes the configuration of emission, chemical, and transportation models to represent the local conditions. The system operates based on CHIMERE model runs (48h forecast) forced by weather forecast simulations (WRF) performed by the local civil defense, integrating a updated emissions inventory. Model results, pollutants concentration maps and air quality index, will be available by WEB service. A tailored health risk indicator will be developed to make the SOPRAR system. The project is committed with the technology and know-how transfer to local actors. Results: The emission inventory was updated based on available local data regarding traffic, road network, industries processes and land use. Total emissions in the Salvador Metropolitan Region corresponds to 3327.03 tons/year of Particulate Matter, 14964.32 tons/year of Sulfur Dioxide, 75572.28 tons/year of Carbon Monoxide, 24756.30 tons/year of Nitrogen Oxides and 21756.64 tons/year of Volatile Organic. Considerations: The system is as an innovative management tool based on urban environment air quality modeling and will provide support for the activation of air quality protection and communication service protocols for use in research, public policies for primary care and health surveillance.

The precarious public policies related to asbestos in Brazil

Abstract In this decade, Brazil was the world's third largest producer of asbestos, and the fourth largest consumer, with an estimated 500,000 Brazilian workers being exposed to asbestos during the working day, and millions of users to several asbestos materials. In Brazil, the precarious public policies related to asbestos production and commercialization contributes to the invisibility of the problems related to its exposure. Thus, an immersion in the discussion of public policies related to asbestos was necessary. A qualitative investigation of an exploratory type was conducted, based on documentation research of requirements of commissions, ordinances, bills, and public hearings published in the period from 1970 to 2019, related to asbestos, by the Brazilian National Congress. We found 624 occurrences/documents, which were analyzed and discussed in this study. The complexity of the interrelations between actors and the State in the formulation and implementation of public policies is demonstrated, asbestos being the subject on the decision-making agenda several times, however, the creation of a national public policy occurred only on a few occasions. International scientific cooperation is one of the ways to cope with asbestos-related diseases, as it allows the transfer of know-how of best practices. When discussing the Brazilian reality, it is possible to disseminate the attitudes that were important in the process of policy construction in Brazil, thus preventing the waste of time and practices in procedures that have already proved wrong. Key messages Precarious public policies contributes to the invisibility of the asbestos problems. International scientific cooperation is one of the ways to cope with asbestos related diseases.

The rise of Indian business in the global context in the twentieth century: A review and introduction

The focus of this special edition is on Indian business within its wider global context. Indian business was not immune to influences from the wider world. There is a considerable body of literature that establishes the history of the global interconnectedness of the Indian economy in the 18th and 19th centuries. This special edition of Business History seeks to build on this body of work to locate the development of Indian business in the wider world economy, the practices that have grown from this relationship of exchange and the transfer of knowledge, know-how and competences.

The COVID-19 Pandemic: R&D and Intellectual Property Management for Access to Diagnostics, Medicines and Vaccines

The ongoing rapid spread of COVID-19 is challenging the capacity of governments and of the World Health Organization (WHO) to timely put in place a global coordinated response to the pandemic. Developing countries and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in particular in Africa are especially vulnerable to the unfolding effects of the public health crisis. A priority area for global collaboration is to advance research and development (R&D) for vaccines and medicines that are made available, affordable and accessible worldwide.There is currently no vaccine and no proven safe and effective direct therapy for COVID-19. There is also the need to accelerate testing capacity and tools in developing countries and LDCs with increased access to low-cost diagnostics. The approach to the management of intellectual property rights by research institutions, pharmaceutical and biotech companies and R&D funders will decisively affect availability and access, as well as the transfer of technology and know-how. Governments must ensure that they have legislative and procedural frameworks in place to enable them to over-come any patent, data exclusivity and trade secret barriers to procure and produce COVID-19 diagnostics, vaccines, medicines and other therapeutics.

Bringing Safe and Standardized Cell Therapies to Industrialized Processing for Burns and Wounds.

Cultured primary progenitor cell types are worthy therapeutic candidates for regenerative medicine. Clinical translation, industrial transposition, and commercial implementation of products based on such cell sources are mainly hindered by economic or technical barriers and stringent regulatory requirements. Applied research in allogenic cellular therapies in the Lausanne University Hospital focuses on cell source selection technique optimization. Use of fetal progenitor cell sources in Switzerland is regulated through Federal Transplantation Programs and associated Fetal Biobanks. Clinical applications of cultured primary progenitor dermal fibroblasts have been optimized since the 1990s as “Progenitor Biological Bandages” for pediatric burn patients and adults presenting chronic wounds. A single organ donation procured in 2009 enabled the establishment of a standardized cell source for clinical and industrial developments to date. Non-enzymatically isolated primary dermal progenitor fibroblasts (FE002-SK2 cell type) served for the establishment of a clinical-grade Parental Cell Bank, based on a patented method. Optimized bioprocessing methodology for the FE002-SK2 cell type has demonstrated that extensive and consistent progenitor cell banks can be established. In vitro mechanistic characterization and in vivo preclinical studies have confirmed potency, preliminary safety and efficacy of therapeutic progenitor cells. Most importantly, highly successful industrial transposition and up-scaling of biobanking enabled the establishment of tiered Master and Working Cell Banks using Good Manufacturing Practices. Successive and successful transfers of technology, know-how and materials to different countries around the world have been performed. Extensive developments based on the FE002-SK2 cell source have led to clinical trials for burns and wound dressing. Said trials were approved in Japan, Taiwan, USA and are continuing in Switzerland. The Swiss Fetal Transplantation Program and pioneer clinical experience in the Lausanne Burn Center over three decades constitute concrete indicators that primary progenitor dermal fibroblasts should be considered as therapeutic flagships in the domain of wound healing and for regenerative medicine in general. Indeed, one single organ donation potentially enables millions of patients to benefit from high-quality, safe and effective regenerative therapies. This work presents a technical and translational overview of the described progenitor cell technology harnessed in Switzerland as cellular therapies for treatment of burns and wounds around the globe.

Transferencia de saberes tradicionales alimentarios. El caso de las productoras de tlayudas en Tlalixtac de Cabrera, Oaxaca (México)

Objetivo: el documento reporta los resultados de un estudio de caso cuyo objetivo fue analizar los factores sociales y familiares que intervienen en el proceso de transferencia de saberes alimentarios tradicionales dentro de la producción de tlayudas en el municipio de Tlalixtac de Cabrera, Oaxaca.Metodología: en el estudio se emplearon métodos mixtos que incluyeron la realización de entrevistas semiestructuradas y el levantamiento de una encuesta a 110 productoras. Resultados: se encontró que la elaboración de tlayudas en el municipio ha perdurado a lo largo del tiempo en el marco de un sistema agroalimentario localizado, en el que resulta central la transferencia de un saber-hacer tradicional. Esta “sistematización” y “localización” salvaguarda un componente cultural, social y simbólico de la actividad productiva frente a shocks externos que afectan contextualmente a los pequeños productores en el estado. Limitaciones: no se tuvo acceso a todos los agentes que participan en la cadena de valor. Conclusiones: la continuidad de la producción de tlayudas frente a shocks externos que han presionado al sistema sugiere que dicha actividad ha sido reinterpretada como un patrimonio cultural que, en el contexto de la globalización, se convierte en un recurso estratégico para el desarrollo económico, siendo la participación de la mujer fundamental como portadora del patrimonio alimentario que se concreta en un nuevo espacio de consumo.

A project to improve awareness for cyber security in smart textile applications

The textile and clothing industry is facing structural changes and will enter into the interdisciplinary market of Smart Textiles. This market has a high market potential, but there is also plenty new challenges. That is why our project systematically investigates the integration and IT security of electronic communication systems in textile products. The main objectives are the scientific investigation of the area of IT security of smart textile products, the transfer of existing security concepts as well as the development of secur innovative prototypes. Based on the knowledge gained, guidelines for further action are deduced and courses for the textile and clothing industry will be created, ensuring an intensive multidisciplinary and cross- industry know-how transfer. This challenge is to be solved by an interdisciplinary team of scientists and companies from the fields of textile and clothing as well as information technology.

Transfer of knowledge through international scientific mobility: Introduction of a network-based bibliometric approach to study different knowledge types

Although international mobility is associated with various positive outcomes, the process of knowledge transfer resulting from working abroad has not yet been sufficiently investigated. The main reason why the relationship between international mobility and knowledge transfer is still underresearched is that there are not yet reliable methods to identify knowledge transfer. The current study aims to close this research gap by introducing a network-based approach that is capable of indicating knowledge flows. Assuming that coauthorship constitutes one instance through which knowledge transfer can take place, the approach relies on coauthorship networks. In the first approach to be presented, the transfer of published knowledge is operationalized as the use of rarely cited publications. In the second approach, the transfer of methodological know-how is operationalized as the occurrence of lexical terms in abstracts of publications. The study focuses on German scientists who were internationally mobile and acted as knowledge transmitters between the country of mobility and Germany. The results show that the network-based approach is well suited to identifying the sources of knowledge, knowledge transmitters, and the recipients of knowledge. Moreover, the findings suggest that knowledge transfer processes are field specific.

Challenges and Issues in Promoting 'Eco-Patenting: A Techno-Legal Weapon to Mitigate Climate Change'

This paper aims to analyze the matter concerning the challenges and issues in promoting “Eco-Patenting: A techno-legal weapon to mitigate climate change”. The paper broadly covers and attempts to answer the prominent questions like, what encourages green technology transfer? What is the impact of green technology on climate change? Does IP law inhibit technology transfer? What role do patents play in encouraging green technology innovation? How can compulsory licensing be used in green technology? Further, it also discusses the requirement of the de-blocking provisions and the generous experimental use clause in patent laws for encouraging improvements and know-how transfer in green technology. Furthermore, the paper elaborates on the importance of invoking compulsory licensing provisions in developing countries for ESTs in light of public health and welfare. Also, the paper mentions the use of the proposed “modified” international exhaustion principle to maintain a balance between the interest of innovators and public needs. The author proposes to build an environment in developing countries like India that can resolve the issues of climate change using the model of Eco-patenting without prejudicing the rights and interests of innovators. [enter Abstract Body]

Foreign Intelligence and Pharmaceutical Industry in Poland. Part 1

In the 1960s, Polish society was still not affected by lifestyle diseases to such a large extent as in the developed countries of Western Europe. However, the statistics on cancer and cardiovascular diseases started to rise in the 1970s, along with dynamic economic development of Poland under communist party’s secretary Edward Gierek. Meanwhile, the government of the People’s Republic of Poland could not afford to invest simultaneously in all critical sectors of the economy. Particular priority was given to capital-intensive automotive and electronics industries as well as to traditional but important for Polish exports of raw materials (copper, coal). In the 1980s, as a result of the Cold War escalation along with the subsequent tightening of the strategic embargo by NATO states, and — finally — because of the gigantic foreign debt, the financial resources of Poland were reduced almost to zero. The lack of funds for research and development in the field of pharmacy and biotechnology was to be compensated for by an illegal transfer of know-how from the OECD area. Polish foreign intelligence services had already considerable experience in the field of purchasing technical documentation on the black market. In the 1970s, at least a dozen or so antibiotic manufacturing technologies were clandestinely obtained in the West and passed on to the Polish R&D and industry. The article examines the involvement of Polish intelligence in the transfer of medicines, active substances and other pharmaceutical products (including medical equipment) to Poland. The “socially useful” function of communist secret services becomes a fascinating problem in this context. The article is partly based on the documents produced or collected by the Polish foreign intelligence service in 1960–1990, which have been declassified and are now accessible to the public in the Archive of the Institute of National Remembrance.

Cooperation and Competition in Manufacturer–Key Retailer Relationships: a Business Model Perspective

The study investigates relationships between manufacturers and their key retailers in the Polish durable consumer goods industry from the manufacturer’s perspective. The importance of this topic has been growing with such global phenomena in retailing as concentration and internationalization, the emergence of mega-retailers, the growth of private brands and the rise of the Internet. The balance of this factors has led to a shift in bargaining power towards retailers. On this backdrop, the goal of this study is to examine how a manufacturer’s dependence on the key retailer shapes this relationship in terms of its cooperative/competitive dimensions, scope and outcomes, and if the dominant business models of manufacturers are moderating the focal relationship. The three types of business models include: Traditionalists (unwilling to enter into longterm partnerships despite lacking unique assets), Market Players (the most flexible of the three in choosing their partners and deciding on the scope of cooperation due to their unique assets) and Contractors (the most dependent on their business partners due to their lack of well-developed marketing functions). Data for the study were collected through a representative CATI survey of 580 manufacturers and analyzed with PLS structural equation modeling. The findings indicate that high manufacturer dependence on the key retailer can have positive impacts on manufacturers by inducing greater benefits from cooperation. This effect is the most pronounced among Traditionalists and is the least visible in Market Players, with Contractors showing intermediate effects. Some likely reasons for these positive effects include know-how transfers, extension of the distribution network, manufacturing contracts for private labels and marketing support from the key retailer.

DEVELOPMENT OF SOFTWARE FOR THE KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER PROCESSES INTENSIFICATION

The article provides a detailed analysis of the problem of technology transfer in the world and inUkraine, formulates methods and approaches for the software development, the purpose of which is to intensify the transfer process. The authors have developed a modern knowledge transfer network SmartTransfer that simplifies and accelerates the technology and know-how transfer between scientific sectors and industry, and provides an opportunity to effectively look for partners and investors for cooperation and application of high-tech research and developments, which contributes to the development of technology transfer and the country’s economy as a whole. The direction of software development is the consolidation of information resources of state, public and private Ukrainian innovative structures, enterprises, institutions and organizations into a unified network. The target group is subjects of technology transfer. SmartTransfer is oriented to inventors, technology owners, innovation centres, information networks, mass media, government agencies, investors, potential buyers of technologies, companies, universities, and research institutes ofUkraine. The two main concepts of the Network are technological requests and offers. As one of the tools to study the current state of knowledge transfer inUkraine, the authors propose to use information graphics. The technologies used are the following: SVG, Google Chart Tools API,AJAX, JavaScript.

Determinants of Chinese SMEs’ Entry to ASEAN Renewable Energy Market

ASEAN communities seek such resources as technologies and products from other countries to develop solar energy for sustainable development. In response to that, major renewable-utilization advanced countries including China has introduced funds, technology, and products into ASEAN. Despite the fact that China SMEs have a strong willingness to enter ASEAN solar energy market and ASEAN has demanded to develop the solar energy industry, only a few of them have succeeded in operation in the long-run. Introducing renewable energy technology and products from one place to another or bringing them from laboratory into community is not just a process of capital equipment supply from one firm to another but also includes the transfer of skills and know-how for operating and maintaining technology hardware, and knowledge for understanding this technology so that further independent innovation is possible by recipient. The purpose of this research was to determine the dynamic elements for China SMEs entering into the solar energy market of middle-income ASEAN member states. This participatory research collects data from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data sources include a questionnaire for 408 respondents of whom background across government officials, research personnel and industry, and interviews for 24 of them. Secondary data include reports from the Asian Development Bank, ASEAN Centre for Energy and other related documents from ASEAN governments. Data collected from the questionnaire were firstly analyzed through quantitative way: the value of Mean, Standard Error of Mean, Median, Standard Deviation (Std.) and Variance of each element were calculated. Information collected from interviews were then analyzed through the qualitative way. The results showed that policy environment, level of industrial and economic development, people’s willingness to cooperate, correct policy interpretation, capacity building and the presence of a third-party intermediary agency are the determinants of Chinese SME's successful entry to ASEAN renewable energy market. The mature policy environment of the ASEAN, need of industrial upgrading and sound economic development would facilitate the development of renewable energy industry, meanwhile, the strong willingness to cooperate, correct policy interpretation on preferential policies, well capacity building of both cooperative sides and the presence of a third-party intermediary agency would promote the cooperation between Chinese SMEs and relevant partners of ASEAN and the sustainable operation of Chinese SMEs in ASEAN.

Discussing the Role of Universities in Fostering Regional Entrepreneurial Ecosystems

Over the past two decades, various policies have been implemented on an international and national level to support regional competitiveness, in which Universities are often called on to play a crucial role. Taking into account their contribution to the combined performance of education, the advanced research and the networking of knowledge, Universities are recognized as knowledge-intensive institutions and environments that foster human capital development, innovation and entrepreneurship. According to the current practice, Universities include in their mission not only a generalized transfer of know-how, but also the promotion of business thinking and entrepreneurial culture, the establishment of institutions, actions as well as the creation of venture capital, thus contributing further to the promotion of regional entrepreneurial ecosystems. By examining the entrepreneurship development in teaching and learning through the various actions of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Units of the Greek Universities between 2011 and 2015, the present article aims at assessing the contribution of the Greek Universities to the fostering of regional entrepreneurial ecosystems, making a comparative evaluation of them and strengthening the role of the Greek Universities in regional entrepreneurial ecosystems. Firstly, the theoretical approaches of regional entrepreneurial ecosystems as well as the role of Universities in Regional Development are examined and analyzed. Secondly, it is attempted to record the role of the Greek Universities through the collection and processing of innovation information and actions, utilizing, as a case study, the structures of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Units. Thirdly, taking into account the results of the research, proposals for the national and regional policy are made.

Ethnographic Documentation of Professional Seamstresses of Folk Clothing in Selected Localities of Southeast Moravia

Abstract The article aims to point out the continuity of folk clothing creation and to document the active creators - professional seamstresses who have been sewing parts of folk clothing. The research was carried out in the Moravian Slovakia region, namely in the Strážnice and Veselsko areas. The text follows the previous long-term researches of the last generation of folk clothing wearers who wore folk costumes every day in the area. Wearing folk costumes is a dying phenomenon today. The text documents a generation of professional seamstresses working in Strážnice at the beginning of the 20th century which still existed at a time when folk clothing was worn on a daily basis mainly by women. The personalities of Anděla Tvrdoňová – Baňařová (1907) and her mother Marie Tvrdoňová (1878) were described to the detail. These women lived in Strážnice and worked as professional seamstresses and made clothes for the inhabitants of the surrounding villages. The research of this generation of seamstresses used the family chronicle and memories of the respondents Marie Baňařová, the daughter-in-law of Anděla Tvrdoňová-Baňařová, both very unique sources of information that provide authentic testimonies. The article also publishes photographs from a family album depicting work and sewing and embroidery training. Subsequently, the research is focused on the current generation of professional tailors who continue the work of previous generation. Two seamstresses Ludmila Kočišová from Strážnice and Alena Šikulová from Kněždub were chosen. They are both engaged in making folk clothing professionally, but not commercially, i.e. they don’t have their own business in this field. The research focuses mainly on the transfer of know-how and therefore in-depth interviews with respondents of the current generation were used. The study does not deal with material study of folk clothing and its typology. The today’s generation of seamstresses of folk clothing defines a number of problems that prevent from maintaining the traditional aesthetics of clothing, such as the lack of typical materials (fabrics and lace). The respondents also pointed out the overall transformation of clothing aesthetics and its impact into the wearing of folk clothing. The contribution of the article to the field of ethnology consists in the description of way of intergenerational transfer of knowledge associated with folk clothing and its aesthetics.

Perspectives of Powder Metallurgy in the 2020s

In the automotive industry there is a clear trend towards alternative drivetrain systems, away from the classical internal combustion – gasoline or diesel - engines. This poses a challenge to the traditional markets of powder metallurgy, the ferrous precision parts for automotive engines and transmissions which form the major tonnage of today’s powder metallurgy [1, 2], but also the hardmetal tools for machining automotive components from stock material or for finishing [3]. To counter these trends, powder metallurgy can rely on its high flexibility regarding materials, geometries, processing and properties and finally applications, which enables PM to adapt itself to changing requirements in a changing industrial environment [4]. In the present article, examples are given both for PM precision parts and hardmetals but also functional materials such as soft magnetic composites. It is shown that the potential of ferrous PM parts regarding mechanical performance is still higher than currently used, high and graded density being attractive ways [5]. Also the use of advanced alloying systems offers economical and technical advantages and should enable PM to enter non-automotive markets for precision parts. In the hardmetal branch, non-automotive applications, e.g. in construction and mining, should be considered while from the material viewpoint replacing tungsten and in particular Co as binder metal are intensely studied. PM functional materials such as Fe-Ni, Fe-Co and in particular soft magnetic composites will find markets in electrical drive systems [6], enabling new designs for electric motors. On the other end of the spectrum, superhard rare earth magnets are regularly produced by the powder route. Finally, the multitude of additive manufacturing techniques offers chances for powder metallurgy since most of these processes start from metal powders [7]. In addition to the well known laser and electron beam based “direct” AM systems, also indirect, binder-based, variants are attractive, avoiding many problems encountered with the direct systems and enabling transfer of knowhow accumulated in metal injection moulding. In general, future will show how many other technologies and products has to offer in addition to the classical press-and-sinter routes which however will remain for their specific product groups. when designing your figures and tables, etc