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Ventimolina stellata gen. et sp. nov. (Haptophyta, Papposphaeraceae) from Warm Water Regions
Get PDFIt has been known for some time that the distinctive polar weakly calcified coccolithophores are also present in samples from lower latitudes. While polar species may actually have a geographic range that vastly extends beyond the polar realms, it is often the case that the warm water regions contribute species that can be allocated to genera previously described based on polar material. We are currently in the process of formally dealing with the warm water species diversity affiliated with the family Papposphaeraceae. In this paper we describe a new genus and species Ventimolina stellata based on material from the Andaman Sea (type locality) and the NW Mediterranean
Nebela kivuense Gauthier-Lièvre et Thomas, 1961 (Amoebozoa, Arcellinida), Missing for a Half-century; Found 11,500 km from “home”
Get PDFIn 1961, the testate amoeba Nebela kivuense Gauthier-Lièvre et Thomas, 1961 was described for the first and only time from an area near Lake Edward in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (at 0.002° N Latitude). The lack of recent reports of this species, despite exhaustive surveys of the testate amoebae fauna of the major continents of the world, suggested that N. kivuense was a rare species perhaps endemic to a small, local equatorial region of the African continent. This paper reports its rediscovery from two wetland-conifer forest ecosystems in southern Ontario, Canada (at 44° N Latitude), thus changing dramatically our previous perception of its very restricted global distribution. This has implications for the idea held by many students of biogeography that there is a special category of microscopic protists that contains truly rare species and their rarity, perhaps together with specific habitat requirements and tolerances, limits opportunities for dispersal around the world. The N. kivuense story is a clear example of the dangers of inferring endemism from rarity
A Hotspot of Amoebae Diversity: 8 New Naked Amoebae Associated with the Planktonic Bloom-forming Cyanobacterium Microcystis
Get PDFThe colonies of Microcystis, one of the most common bloom-forming cyanobacteria worldwide, harbor a diverse community of microorganisms. Among these, naked amoebae feeding on Microcystis cells can strongly influence natural Microcystis population dynamics. In this study, we investigated the species diversity of these amoebae based on 26 Microcystis-associated amoebae (MAA) strains from eutrophied water bodies in Belgium and elsewhere in western Europe. A detailed morphological characterization in combination with 18S rDNA (SSU) phylogenies revealed the presence of no less than 10 species. Nine of these belonged to the known genera Vannella (2 species), Korotnevella (2), Copromyxa (2), Vexillifera (1), Cochliopodium (1) and the recently described Angulamoeba (1). Only two were previously described, the others were new to science. One taxon could not be assigned to a known genus and is here described as Schoutedamoeba gen. n., representing a new variosean lineage. The discovery of so many new species from only one very specific habitat (Microcystis colonies) from a rather restricted geographical area indicates that the diversity of planktonic naked amoebae is much higher than previously appreciated and that only a tiny fraction of the total diversity of naked amoebae is currently known
Benchmarking in university development towards a learning organization
Get PDFBackground. Universities possess an inherent imperative of self-improvement derived from their mission and they act as a source, transformer and propagator of learning and knowledge. Therefore incorporating a learning organisation concept in higher education institutions (HEIs) seems natural. Research aims. A lack of clear and explicit practical hints on how to incorporate the concept into a university was identified as a cognitive gap in the literature. The key research aim of the paper was to analyse the concept of a learning organisation in the context of HEIs, present conditions facilitating implementation of the concept in HEIs and indicate how systematic usage of benchmarking can help HEIs to become learning organisations. Method. In the paper an in-depth study and critical analysis of literature on learning organisation in the context of HEIs was performed. The author points to benchmarking as a tool enhancing the impact of the learning organisation concept. In the study a set of recommendations for HEIs aiming at becoming a learning organisation was developed. Key Findings. In the paper the thesis that systematic usage of benchmarking helps a university to become a learning organisation was stated and supported. Benchmarking comprises interorganisational learning. It involves descriptive learning about competition and the environment of the organisation. Universities willing to become learning organisations should develop a climate of creativity and lateral thinking which enhances learning in the process of benchmarking
The Concept of a Knowledge Base to Aid in Cost Estimating of Sports Facilities
Get PDFBackground. Reasoning based on cases is one of the heuristic techniques which is used in making right decisions in complex situations. Inference systems typically use previously acquired knowledge which is the basis for creating tools to represent and process information. So far, there has been a wide variety of solutions developed to make inference in conditions of incomplete knowledge, but this process appears in very few studies related to civil engineering.Research aims. This article will provide a concept of the model of knowledge base and a method of describing sports facilities. The cost estimation model will be based on the prices of the integrated works which, being based on the indicated system, will allow to create the module supporting cost and tender calculations. Methodology. The authors present the main assumptions of the concept of estimating the costs of sports facilities with the use of the system of inference on the basis of cases (CBR – Case-Based Reasoning).Key findings. The indicated method is designed to improve the accuracy of estimating the costs of planned sports investments and improve the decision-making process at the planning stage
The impact of the core competencies on enterprise innovativeness
No full textThis article concerns the issue of core competencies concentration. The theory introduced by Hamel and Prahalad has not been extensively empirically investigated. This paper is an attempt to interlink empirically the utility of core competencies concentration with the enterprise innovativeness. In other words, there was verified the assumption about positive impact of key competencies on enterprise innovativeness measured with relation to its main competitors. In order to test the proposition empirical data were collected from 108 Polish enterprises. Both theoretical and well as empirical results of investigation lead to the conclusion that focus on core competencies is interlinked with enterprise innovativeness. The logic is straightforward, derived from the knowledge-based theory of enterprise. Innovativeness encompassing product, processes, as well as organizational and marketing aspects is rooted in knowledge and its managing, which affects core competencies differentiating competitors. Thus, the role of core competencies might be interpreted as to generate a sustainable advantage of which an important theoretically recognized dimension is innovativeness
Influence of introducing controlling in a company on the profitability of production
No full textThe efficiency of introduced controlling solutions was examined in the work in the enterprise on the basis of the analysis of the case. It was affirmed, it did not have the influence on the improvement of profitability from introduction and modernizing the system helping the management. One can not exclude that the introduction of this system did not have the positive influence on the efficiency of functioning the organization on this basis. As that rentability is shaped by external, necessary factors the position of the larger pressure seems on the development of the techniques which will be of service the analysis of the closer and farther surroundings of the enterprise. To lead this to the identifying coming into being areas of the risk maybe and prevention unfavourable tendencies
Evaluation of conditions for metal work and machine cluster development in Podlasie
No full textThere are no doubts about clusters being a perfect form of knowledge sharing and mutual learning, transferring multi-field knowledge that crosses the borders of a sector or a company. They also constitute a new approach to the cooperation of companies that compete with each other on the market. Clusters can, according to the experience of Western countries, become the driving force behind the development of companies and whole regions. However, the act of cluster creation or acceding a cluster does not guarantee success. The subject literature focuses mainly on the benefits of cluster structures creation whereas there is a limited notion, if any, about dangers that might appear. Some of the Italian clusters can serve as an example. The text refers to some chosen problems in the creation and development of clusters and especially the problems regarding defining individual trades and priority ones. The aim of this work is, first of all, to present the results of research on the analyses of the real conditions for metal work and machine cluster development in Podlasie
Finite element analysis of lateral earth pressure on a lagging in soldier pile walls
Get PDFThe main aim of this article is to show how different ways of modelling a construction process of soldier pile walls influence the development of the computational lateral earth pressure in this type of structure. Moreover, the paper includes an analysis of soldier pile systems designed in both traditional (Coulomb, Rankine etc.) and numerical approaches. In order to analyse the above problems, several numerical models of soldier pile walls were built and the results obtained were then compared
Use of numerical models to forecast the phenomena’s dynamics in a storage reservoirs
Get PDFThis article deals with applying numerical finite element models to forecast the phenomena’s dynamics in retention reservoirs. Due to the fact of diversity and the dynamism of these phenomena on storage reservoirs, it is important to predict them for a good management of these objects. Historical observations can be a good source of clues for proceeding in a specific case. It is not directly used to all the possibilities. It is important to use a tool, which can estimate probable scenarios. Thanks to the use of simulation programs, it is possible both to predict physical and chemical processes, and to use the solutions to forecasts and research plans