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A tool for detecting neobanking users
Get PDFThe banking sector is experiencing significant disruption due to technological advancements and evolving customer demand. This study analysed over 2000 banking and/or neobanking users across 28 countries. A multinomial logit model was applied to examine three user characteristics groups: demographics, banking habits, and neobanking habits. Several interesting effects were found. Higher-educated and single users are more likely to use neobanks, while self-employed and lower-income users are less likely. Neobank users prioritize affordability, availability, and speed, while traditional bank users prioritize stability and personal interaction. We have developed a tool to identify clients likely to leave traditional banks, fully or partially, with high reliability. Even partial outflows mean banks lose important services generating significant revenue to competitors. A crucial factor here is the single banking market, which eases switching between banks. Neobanks further reduce barriers, enhancing customer mobility. Moreover, opening an account with a neobank takes only minutes. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for banks and neobanks, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of users’ characteristics that reflects current customer demand and enables new strategies to better address them
Tackling blind spot challenges in metaheuristics algorithms through exploration and exploitation
Get PDFThis paper defines blind spots in continuous optimization problems as global optima that are inherently difficult to locate due to deceptive, misleading, or barren regions in the fitness landscape. Such regions can mislead the search process, trap metaheuristic algorithms (MAs) in local optima, or hide global optima in isolated regions, making effective exploration particularly challenging. To address the issue of premature convergence caused by blind spots, we propose LTMA+ (Long-Term Memory Assistance Plus), a novel meta-approach that enhances the search capabilities of MAs. LTMA+ extends the original Long-Term Memory Assistance (LTMA) by introducing strategies for handling duplicate evaluations, shifting the search away from over-exploited regions and dynamically toward unexplored areas and thereby improving global search efficiency and robustness. We introduce the Blind Spot benchmark, a specialized test suite designed to expose weaknesses in exploration by embedding global optima within deceptive fitness landscapes. To validate LTMA+, we benchmark it against a diverse set of MAs selected from the EARS framework, chosen for their different exploration mechanisms and relevance to continuous optimization problems. The tested MAs include ABC, LSHADE, jDElscop, and the more recent GAOA and MRFO. The experimental results show that LTMA+ improves the success rates for all the tested MAs on the Blind Spot benchmark statistically significantly, enhances solution accuracy, and accelerates convergence to the global optima compared to standard MAs with and without LTMA. Furthermore, evaluations on standard benchmarks without blind spots, such as CEC’15 and the soil model problem, confirm that LTMA+ maintains strong optimization performance without introducing significant computational overhead
Measurement of droplet size distribution on the nozzle using a laser system
Get PDFV magistrskem delu smo preučevali sistem VisiSize za merjenje porazdelitve velikosti in hitrosti delcev. Postavili smo merilno progo in izvedli eksperimentalne meritve na razpršilni šobi. Uporabili smo različne masne pretoke ter tlake atomizacijskega zraka in zraka za oblikovanje vzorca, ter spremljali njihov vpliv na lastnosti delcev. Ugotovili smo, da tlaka zraka pomembno vplivata na velikost in hitrost delcev, medtem ko ima masni pretok manjši vpliv. Izvedli smo tudi meritve na različnih razdaljah od šobe. Izkazalo se je, da z ustreznimi nastavitvami lahko zagotovimo zanesljive in ponovljive rezultate, ki pomembno prispevajo k razvoju in optimizaciji razpršilnih naprav.This master\u27s thesis investigates the VisiSize system for measuring the distribution of particle size and velocity. A measurement setup was constructed, and experimental tests were performed on a spray nozzle. Various mass flow rates, atomization air pressures, and pattern air pressures were applied to observe their influence on particle characteristics. The results showed that air pressures significantly affect droplet size and velocity, while the mass flow rate has a smaller effect. Measurements were also conducted at various distances from the nozzle. The findings show that with appropriate settings, it is possible to achieve reliable and repeatable results that significantly support the development and optimization of spray devices
Special needs students during history classes
Get PDFUčitelji se v osnovni šoli, tudi pri pouku zgodovine, srečujejo z različno skupino učencev, tudi z učenci s posebnimi potrebami. Delo načrtujejo tako, da lahko vsi učenci pri pouku napredujejo. Pričujoče magistrsko delo obravnava učence s posebnimi potrebami pri pouku zgodovine. Razdeljeno je na teoretični in empirični del, kar je omogočilo, da smo na koncu lahko potrdili ali zavrgli hipoteze. Učitelji zgodovine se pri pouku najpogosteje srečujejo z učenci, ki imajo bralno-napisovalne težave in s tujci. Ugotovili smo, da se učitelji zavedajo, da so za učence s posebnimi potrebami pri pouku potrebne prilagoditve, da pa kljub temu pri delu naletijo na težave. Izkazalo se je, da bi potrebovali dodatna vedenja, kako učencem s posebnimi potrebami prilagajati gradiva, teste, preverjanja znanja ter kako načrtovati pouk, da bodo vsi učenci čim bolj vključeni. Učitelji pri pouku uporabljajo ustrezen sedežni red, poskrbijo za fotokopije zapiskov, povečana besedila in razmike, napovedano ocenjevanje ipd., manj pa denimo možnost ustnega ocenjevanja namesto pisnega. Prav tako smo ugotovili, da se učitelji na omenjenem področju veliko samoizobražujejo ter da se zavedajo, da je timsko delo pri delu z učenci s posebnimi potrebami pomembno.In primary school, even in history lessons, teachers meet a diverse group of students, including students with special needs. They plan the work in such a way that all students can equally progress in the lessons. The current master\u27s thesis deals with students with special needs in history lessons. It is divided into a theoretical and an empirical part, which allowed us to finally confirm or reject the hypotheses. During lessons, history teachers most often encounter students who have reading and writing problems and foreigners. We found that teachers are aware that adaptations are necessary for students with special needs in class, but they still encounter problems in their work. It turned out that they would need additional skills, how to adapt materials, tests, knowledge tests to students with special needs, and how to plan lessons to include them as much as possible. Teachers use an appropriate seating arrangement during classes, take care of photocopies of notes, enlarged texts and spacing, predicted assessment, etc., and less, for example, the possibility of oral assessment instead of written. We have also found that teachers in the mentioned field do a lot of self-education and are aware that teamwork is important when working with students with special need
Thermodynamic properties and formulations of cbd for release in the gastrointestinal system
Get PDFCBD je nepsihoaktiven fitokanabinoid, pridobljen iz konoplje, ki izkazuje številne farmakološke lastnosti, kot so protivnetne, antimikrobne, antioksidativne in citoprotektivne. Zaradi nizke topnosti v vodi ima omejeno biološko razpoložljivost. Namen magistrske naloge je bil pripraviti formulacije, ki omogočijo boljšo biološko uporabnost CBD-ja. V okviru magistrskega dela smo najprej ovrednotili topnost CBD-ja v superkritičnem CO2 pri temperaturah 40 °C, 60 °C in 80 °C ter tlakih med 100 bar in 600 bar. Na podlagi pridobljenih rezultatov o topnosti smo izvedli PGSSTM postopek z različnimi razmerji CBD/PEG 4000. Poleg tega smo pripravili tudi organogele, hidrogele in suspenziji, ki temeljita na sestavah konvencionalnih zdravil Epidiolex in Sativex. Preliminarna študija sproščanja v simuliranem črevesnem sistemu je pokazala, da je PGSSTM formulacija omogočila najbolj učinkovito sprostitev CBD, kar je vidno iz izrazitih spektralnih vrhov. Sproščanje je zaznano tudi pri suspenzijah, medtem ko pri organogelih in hidrogelih ni bilo zaznane sprostitve aktivne komponente. Rezultati antimikrobne aktivnosti so pokazali, da PGSSTM formulacija najbolj učinkovito zavira rast Gram pozitivne bakterije Straphylococcus aureus (sev MRSA) z minimalno inhibitorno koncentracijo (MIC) 1,95 μg CBD/mL gojišča. Antimikrobna aktivnost je bila opažena tudi pri eni vrsti suspenzije in dveh organogelih, vendar z dvakrat oziroma štirikrat višjimi vrednostmi MIC. Nobena formulacija ni bila učinkovita proti kvasovki Candida albicans ali Gram negativni bakteriji Escherichia coli.
Kot najuspešnejša formulacija se je izkazala PGSSTM, ki predstavlja inovativno in doslej neraziskano možnost izboljšanja topnosti in posledično biološke razpoložljivosti CBD.CBD is a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid derived from hemp, exhibiting numerous pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytoprotective effects. Due to its low water solubility, it has limited bioavailability. The aim of this master\u27s thesis was to develop formulations that improve the bioavailability of CBD. As part of experimental work, we first evaluated the solubility of CBD in supercritical CO2 at temperatures of 40 °C, 60 °C, and 80 °C, and pressures ranging from 100 bar to 600 bar. Based on the obtained solubility data, we performed the PGSSTM method using different CBD/PEG 4000 ratios. In addition, we prepared organogels, hydrogels, and suspensions based on the compositions of conventional drugs Epidiolex and Sativex. A preliminary release study in a simulated intestinal system showed that the PGSSTM formulation enabled the most effective CBD release, as evidenced by pronounced spectral peaks. Release was also detected in the suspensions, while organogels and hydrogels showed no detectable release of the active component. Antimicrobial activity results indicated that the PGSSTM formulation most effectively inhibited the growth of the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA strain), with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1.95 μg CBD/mL of culture medium. Antimicrobial activity was also observed in one type of suspension and two organogels, albeit with MIC values two to four times higher than that of the PGSSTM formulation. None of the formulations showed efficacy against the yeast Candida albicans or the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli.
The PGSSTM formulation proved to be the most successful, representing an innovative and previously unexplored approach to improving the solubility and consequently the bioavailability of CBD
The influence of organizational culture on employee satisfaction in an international company
Get PDFzadovoljstvo zaposlenih ključno za uspešen in trajnosten razvoj organizacij. Organizacijska kultura namreč neposredno oblikuje delovno okolje, vpliva na zavzetost, motivacijo ter učinkovitost zaposlenih in s tem na konkurenčnost podjetja.
Namen naše raziskave je bil poglobljeno raziskati zaznavanje obstoječe ter pričakovane organizacijske kulture in analizirati dejavnike, ki vplivajo na zadovoljstvo zaposlenih v evropski podružnici izbranega mednarodnega podjetja. Ključen cilj raziskave je bil ugotoviti razkorak med zaznano in želeno kulturo ter preučiti, kako ta razkorak vpliva na zadovoljstvo zaposlenih pri delu.
Raziskava je temeljila na kvantitativnem pristopu, pri katerem smo uporabili standardizirana vprašalnika OCAI in ESI, ki sta omogočila celosten vpogled v trenutno stanje organizacijske kulture ter zadovoljstva zaposlenih. Rezultati so razkrili izrazita neskladja med zaznano in želeno kulturo, pri čemer so se ključne razlike nanašale na stil vodenja, kakovost komunikacije ter stopnjo vključenosti zaposlenih v odločanje in razvoj. Ta neskladja so pomembno povezana z nižjo ravnjo zadovoljstva zaposlenih, zlasti na področjih inovativnosti, komunikacije, povezanosti, sodelovanja in vodstvenih praks. Ugotovitve poudarjajo nujnost prilagoditve organizacijske kulture vrednotam in pričakovanjem zaposlenih, kar bi pripomoglo k večjemu zadovoljstvu in posledično dolgoročni uspešnosti podjetja.
Na podlagi analize rezultatov izvedene raziskave smo oblikovali tudi predloge za prilagoditev želene organizacijske kulture za podporo pričakovanja zaposlenih in izboljšanje njihovega zadovoljstva.In the modern business environment, understanding the role of organizational culture and its impact on employee satisfaction is crucial for the success and sustainable development of organizations. Organizational culture directly shapes the work environment, influences employee engagement, motivation, and effectiveness, and thereby affects the company’s competitiveness.
The purpose of our research was to conduct an in-depth investigation of the perception of the existing and desired organizational culture and to analyze the factors that influence employee satisfaction in the European branch of a selected international company. A key objective of the study was to identify the gap between the perceived and desired culture and to examine how this gap affects employee job satisfaction.
The research was based on a quantitative approach, using standardized questionnaires OCAI and ESI, which provided a comprehensive insight into the current state of organizational culture and employee satisfaction. The results revealed significant discrepancies between the perceived and desired culture, with key differences related to leadership style, quality of communication, and the degree of employee involvement in decision-making and development. These discrepancies are importantly linked to lower levels of employee satisfaction, particularly in areas of innovation, communication, connectedness, collaboration, and leadership practices. The findings highlight the necessity to adapt organizational culture to align with employees’ values and expectations, which would contribute to greater satisfaction and, consequently, the company’s long-term success
The strong vertex span of trees
Get PDFThe strong vertex (edge) span of a given graph G is the maximum distance that two players can maintain at all times while visiting all vertices (edges) of G and moving either to an adjacent vertex or staying in the current position independently of each other. We introduce the notions of switching walks and the triod size of a tree, which are used to determine the strong vertex and the strong edge span of an arbitrary tree. The obtained results are used in an algorithm that computes the strong vertex (edge) span of the input tree in linear time
Opinion of students at the Faculty of Criminal Justice and Security of University of Maribor on the work carried out by municipal wardens
Get PDFMagistrsko delo obravnava mnenje študentov Fakultete za varnostne vede Univerze v Mariboru o delu občinskih redarjev, ki predstavljajo pomemben del lokalnega varnostnega sistema. V teoretičnem delu naloga zajema zgodovinski razvoj občinskega redarstva v Sloveniji, zakonsko ureditev, strukturo in pooblastila občinskih redarjev, njihovo strokovno usposabljanje ter nadzor nad njihovim delovanjem. V empiričnem delu pa je predstavljena raziskava, izvedena med študenti Fakultete za varnostne vede, s katero smo želeli ugotoviti njihovo stopnjo seznanjenosti z delom občinskih redarjev, podporo, ki jo izkazujejo njihovemu delovanju, ter stopnjo zadovoljstva s posameznimi vidiki njihovega dela.
Rezultati raziskave kažejo na zmerno raven podpore in zadovoljstva študentov z delom občinskih redarjev, hkrati pa tudi na nizko stopnjo seznanjenosti z njihovimi nalogami in pooblastili. Anketiranci so izrazili največje zadovoljstvo pri vidikih, kot so nepristranskost obravnave in pripravljenost redarjev za pomoč, medtem ko so bili najmanj zadovoljni z njihovo prisotnostjo na terenu in reševanjem problemov v lokalni skupnosti. Večina študentov ni naklonjena podelitvi dodatnih pooblastil, ki trenutno sodijo v izključno pristojnost policije, občinskim redarjem. Ugotovitve nakazujejo potrebo po večji prepoznavnosti občinskega redarstva, izboljšanem usposabljanju in tesnejšem sodelovanju z lokalnim prebivalstvom.The master\u27s thesis explores the opinions of students at the Faculty of Criminal Justice and Security, University of Maribor, regarding the work of municipal wardens, who represent an important part of the local security system. The theoretical part of the thesis covers the historical development of municipal warden services in Slovenia, the legal framework, structure and powers of municipal wardens, their professional training, and supervision of their work. The empirical part presents a study, conducted among students of the Faculty of Criminal Justice and Security, aimed at determining their level of awareness of municipal wardens\u27 work, the support they express for their role, and their level of satisfaction with various aspects of their performance.
The results indicate a moderate level of support and satisfaction with the work of municipal wardens, alongside a relatively low level of awareness regarding their tasks and powers. Respondents expressed the highest level of satisfaction with aspects such as impartiality and willingness to assist individuals, while the lowest levels of satisfaction were reported regarding their presence in the field and problem-solving in local communities. Most students are not in favour of expanding the municipal wardens’ powers, especially those currently reserved exclusively for the police. The findings highlight the need for greater public visibility of municipal wardens, improved training, and closer cooperation with local residents
Viticultural Terminology in Jeruzalem
Get PDFV magistrskem delu so predstavljeni izsledki raziskave, v kateri smo zbirali narečno vinogradniško terminologijo v Jeruzalemu. Delo je nastalo z namenom, da bi se dokumentiralo in ohranilo čim več narečnih izrazov. Na začetku predstavljamo geografski in zgodovinski oris Ljutomersko-Ormoških goric ter kraja Jeruzalem. Sledi narečna umestitev krajevnega govora v Jeruzalemu v prleško narečje panonske narečne skupine, natančneje v spodnjeprleški govor. Na kratko je opisano tudi vinogradništvo kot panoga in kot del življenja v regiji. Poglavitni del naloge predstavlja tematski slovar vinogradniške terminologije, kjer predstavljamo zbrano narečno besedje s področja vinogradništva, ki smo ga zbrali s pomočjo dveh informatorjev, pri čemer smo se oprli na vprašalnico vinogradniške terminologije in na njune pripovedi. Zbrali smo 207 različnih eno- in večbesednih leksemov, jih slovarsko uredili, njihov pomen obogatili s ponazarjalnim gradivom, ugotavljali njihov izvor in primerjali izpričanost v Slovarju slovenskega knjižnega jezika ter Pleteršnikovem slovarju. Ugotovili smo, da informatorji dobro poznajo narečno izrazje, tudi pripadniki srednje generacije. Večina zbranih leksemov je sicer izvorno slovanska, vendar je na besedje precej vplival nemški jezik, kar dokazuje kopica prevzetih besed germanskega izvora. Pri primerjavi s slovarji ugotavljamo, da tako SSKJ kot Pleteršnikov slovar beležita približno isto število narečnih izrazov.The master\u27s thesis presents the results of research in which we collected dialectal viticultural terminology in Jeruzalem. The thesis was written with the aim of documenting and preserving as many dialectal terms as possible. In the beginning, we present a geographical and historical outline of the Ljutomersko Ormoške Gorice region and the town of Jeruzalem. This is followed by the dialectal classification of the local speech of Jeruzalem in the Prlekija dialect of the Pannonian dialect group, more specifically in the Lower Prlekija dialect. Viticulture as an industry and as part of life in the region is also briefly described. The main part of the thesis is a thematic dictionary of viticultural terminology, in which we present the collected dialectal vocabulary in the field of viticulture, gathered with the help of two informants, relying on a questionnaire of viticultural terminology and their narratives. We collected 207 different single- and multi-word lexemes, arranged them in dictionary form, enriched their meanings with illustrative material, investigated their origins, and compared their occurrence in the Dictionary of Standard Slovene (SSKJ) and Pleteršnik\u27s Dictionary. We found that the informants had a good knowledge of the dialectal terminology, including members of the middle generation. Although most of the collected lexemes are originally Slavic, the vocabulary has been significantly influenced by the German language, as evidenced by several borrowed words of Germanic origin. When comparing the dictionaries, we find that both the SSKJ and the Pleteršnik dictionary record approximately the same number of dialect terms
Energetski prehod v občinah – model za trajnostno upravljanje z obnovljivimi viri energije
No full textThis study explores optimal strategies for utilizing the electricity generated from already installed PV systems at the local level, aiming to reduce electricity costs and increase revenues through the sale of surplus electricity. Two scenarios are analyzed: (1) individual consumption of the generated electricity within each building and the sale of surplus electricity at the time of production, and (2) collective energy management through a municipal energy enterprise, where surplus electricity is distributed among buildings, and the remaining surplus is sold on the free market. By analyzing existing research and case studies, the study seeks to determine which strategy is more efficient regarding energy efficiency and financial viability, and to propose a model for the collective management of electricity generated from PV systems at the municipal level.Študija raziskuje optimalne strategije za izrabo električne energije, proizvedene iz že nameščenih fotonapetostnih sistemov na lokalni ravni, s ciljem zmanjšanja stroškov električne energije in povečanja prihodkov s prodajo presežne električne energije. Analizirana sta dva scenarija: (1) individualna poraba proizvedene električne energije znotraj vsake stavbe in prodaja presežne električne energije v času proizvodnje ter (2) kolektivno upravljanje energije prek občinskega energetskega podjetja, kjer se presežek električne energije porazdeli za energetske potrebe stavb, preostali presežek pa se proda na prostem trgu. Z analizo obstoječih raziskav in študij primerov želi študija ugotoviti, katera strategija je učinkovitejša glede energetske učinkovitosti in finančne upravičenosti, ter predlagati model za kolektivno upravljanje električne energije, proizvedene iz fotonapetostnih sistemov na občinski ravni