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How to evaluate the financial performance of soccer clubs
No full textProfessional soccer is the most popular sport in the world with growing social and eco-nomic importance. It has constructed its own sector and is a continuously enlarging economy, making it mandatory for the stakeholders in this industry to be able to evalu-ate the financial performance of soccer clubs. This thesis aims to detect how the finan-cial performance of soccer clubs can be evaluated. For this purpose, multicriteria deci-sion analysis (MCDA) methods and industry-specific factors are used to evaluate the financial performance of ten of the biggest soccer clubs in Europe for the seasons end-ing 2018, 2019, and 2020. To be precise, five different MCDA methods are used as well as a Performance Assessment Model (PAM), which includes sporting performance indicators into the calculation. Furthermore, the correlation between financial and sport-ing performance is being examined. The results show that the use of a multitude of MCDA methods, while also considering sporting performance indicators next to finan-cial ratios, is the best way to evaluate the financial performance of soccer clubs. Addi-tionally, there are other non-financial indicators influencing the financial performance of a soccer club that have to be taken into consideration as well. There is no statistically significant correlation between financial and sporting performance, but they influence each other indirectly due to a club’s strategies and objectives
Urban Agriculture: an alternative to alleviate poverty and food insecurity in Panama
No full textThere is an evident global rapid urbanization which has also impacted Panama. People immigrate from rural areas to the cities because they are seeking for better economic opportunities and stability. Agriculture in the countryside, is in Panama a sector with low productivity and incentives. However, with an increasing urban immigration, issues such as food insecurity, in already vulnerable cities emerge. The interest of the study is to analyze the current scenario of Urban Agriculture in Panama and to link the existing gap with studies from different countries in the region that were selected. To measure the impact of Urban & Peri-Urban and Family agriculture, studies which used the ‘Food Insecurity experienced-based scales’ as an assessment indicator, were included. Four out of five studies showed a positive correlation between households who produced their own food, and their Food Security levels. It is concluded that Urban Agriculture & Peri-Urban and Family agriculture may not be systems that can substitute the traditional system on supplying enough food to feed everyone but with support from the estate and enough public policies it has the capability of supplying a good portion that can help alleviate food security and poverty levels
7/2022 Dritte Änderungssatzung zur Rahmenprüfungsordnung für die Bachelor- und Masterstudiengänge an der Hochschule Rhein-Waal vom 29.04.2022
No full textComparative analysis of guide RNA design tools
No full textClustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR), has rapidly come to the forefront of genome engineering and has revolutionized the field. Today, CRISPR-Cas is regarded to be the most effective and efficient tool in genome editing. It is considered to have many applications in medicine, agriculture and biotechnology. The Cas protein and gRNA are two of the most crucial components of the CRISPR-Cas system. Currently, there are barriers that prevent the full potential of CRISPR-Cas systems in clinical applications, including, ethical concerns, off-target effects, immune system response, method of delivery. Off-target prevention relies heavily on gRNA analysis. With the help of technology and algorithms developed based on researches, there have been many bioinformatical tools focused on the off-target activity inhibition and increasing efficiency. In order to achieve practical use of CRISPR systems, there needs to be more predictive bioinformatical tools to minimize the off-target activity. This thesis aims to review some of these tools and discusses the criteria for future bioinformatical tools’ development by addressing the current limitations and challenges.
This thesis is written theoretically by using various reputable resources such as PubMed in English. Because many of the tools covered in this thesis had no prior reviews, the author had to learn how to use them, therefore this thesis does not cover all of their features for professional users.
In the result section, the author has provided figures from the interface of the tools along with description of the functionality of the algorithms in use. All of the mentioned tools are then examined in the discussion part. There, features such as speed, ease of use for beginners, price, being open-source, being web or local based, flexibility in working with other tools and batch analysis are reviewed and compared. There short conclusive results are also depicted in a table for effective comparison
Evaluating the influence of adaption to the vegan lifestyle on protecting the right of farm animals and challenges faced by them due to climate change
No full textThis research is on evaluating the influence of vegan lifestyle on the protection of animal rights. There are different factors that influence the adaption of veganism, such as ethical reasons or health reasons for choosing a vegan lifestyle. Those factors have been evaluated in this research in the context of European countries. There are different steps taken by the European countries to improve animal protection at livestock farms, which have also been determined in this research. The evaluation has identified that there are different initiatives taken by European countries and EFSA to ensure that the animals feel less pain and distress on livestock farms. Climate change also has an influence on animal protection. Specifically, it is related to the livestock farms as well because it impacts the quality of crop and water supply. It have been identified that both livestock farms and climate change have an influence on each other, and the steps are being taken to overcome the challenges related to the influence of climate change on livestock farms
Photovoltaic power potential in Cyprus and how the synergies observed in an Agrivoltaic system affect the efficiency of food and energy production
No full textCyprus plans to drastically increase its share of RES grid penetration from 16.7% in 2020 to 22.9% in 2030 by taking advantage of the sun’s energy abundance in the region and the favorable climatic conditions available. In this study, the solar potential of Cyprus through PV technology will be assessed and quantified with the use of PVGIS tool on three different levels: theoretical, practical and economical, while spatial representation of the region’s potential will allow for better comprehension of the concept. Land use constraints being a major limitation for the implementations of such concepts can be avoided with the dual use of land in a scheme known as Agrivoltaics. The coexistence of crop and energy production can give rise to synergies that affect the efficiency of such schemes. This paper using a qualitative approach will investigate and analyse these possible synergies and will identify barriers that might arouse. Results demonstrate yearly GHI and DNI values of 1963.62 kWh/m2 and 2201.61 kWh/m2 respectively, while yearly PVOUT accounts for 1828.75 kWh/kWp with a seasonality index of 1.4 and LCOE value of €0.053/kWh, evidencing undoubtedly the resource’s potential in the region. Within an agrivoltaic system nine categories of synergies where identified indicating an overall positive effect in the efficiency of food-energy nexus. The limpid representation of the PV energy resource potential in Cyprus and the comprehensive description of the arousing synergies can propel further exploitation of the agrivoltaic concept within the region
Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on plant growth, yield, and plant-parasitic nematode control in organic tomato production: A field study and a systematic review
No full textThe symbiotic relationship between plants and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is widely known. However, the effect of AMF on plant growth and overall yield, together with plant physiology and soil metabolism under inappropriate field conditions, shows ambiguous conclusions. Moreover, AMF in organic farming systems may be less effective because organic farming excludes most biocides and water-soluble fertilizers and generally have more diversified rotations. AMF can be used as a natural tool to reduce the effect of plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN) as well. Therefore, this study aims to assess the impact of AMF on plant growth, yield, and PPN in organic tomato production. The study consists of a field study and a systematic review. A renowned tomato variety and a mixture of AMF inoculum were used in an organic greenhouse with a controlled irrigation system for the field experiment. In addition, a Systematic Literature Review using the PRISMA framework was conducted to investigate the effect of AMF on the PPN population. For the simplicity of this review, PPN Pratylenchus spp. (PS) was only included, as AMF inoculated plants exhibit better tolerance under PS pressure. Results showed no significant increase in overall tomato production in response to AMF application. However, a positive correlation was found between AMF and PS population densities, as most studies indicated no effect or decrease in the PS population. Different AMF and PS interaction results indicate the involvement of different cultivars, soil characteristics, temperature, and various AMF and crop species. The mechanisms involved in these interactions are reviewed and could be an object for further study
Etablierung von digitaler betrieblicher Gesundheitsförderung im Unternehmen anhand eines Praxisbeispiels im Handlungsfeld Ernährung
No full textDiese Masterarbeit skizziert die aktuelle Entwicklung der Digitalisierung im Bereich des Betrieblichen Gesundheitsmanagements (BGM) mit Fokus auf die Betriebliche Gesundheitsförderung (BGF) in Deutschland. Auf Grundlage von sieben Experteninterviews werden die Anforderungen für die langfristige Etablierung einer dBGF abgeleitet. Dabei werden die Rahmenbedingungen und Voraussetzungen für die Anbieter*innen im Bereich des BGM/BGF sowie für die Betriebe, die digitale BGF-Maßnahmen für ihre Mitarbeitenden einsetzen möchten, ausgearbeitet und in der Struktur eines PDCA-Zyklus erläutert. Anhand eines skizzierten Praxisbeispiels werden die Umsetzungsmöglichkeiten in digitalen BGF-Angeboten aufgezeigt. Das Praxisbeispiel skizziert ein Jahreskonzept im Handlungsfeld Ernährung, welches im Rahmen dieser Masterarbeit in Auftrag der Kraaibeek GmbH angepasst wurde.
Die Masterarbeit soll folgende Fragestellungen beantworten: Wie kann eine digitale BGF nachhaltig in Unternehmen etabliert werden?
Die Methodik besteht zum einen aus einer Literaturrecherche zum aktuellen Stand der digitalen BGF sowie den Voraussetzungen und Umsetzungsmöglichkeiten digitaler Maßnahmen im Bereich der BGF. Hierfür wurden sieben leitfadengestützte Experteninterviews zur Beantwortung der Forschungsfrage, nach der qualitativen Inhaltsanalyse von Mayring, ausgewertet.
Aus den Ergebnissen der qualitativen Inhaltsanalyse wurden Anforderungen für die Etablierung einer dBGF abgeleitet. Die Anforderungen sind grundsätzlich auf den bereits bestehenden Anforderungen einer klassischen BGF aufzubauen, müssen jedoch um einige wesentliche ressourcenintensive Aspekte ergänzt werden. Eine höhere Aufmerksamkeit erhalten die Faktoren: Kommunikation mit methodisch-didaktischen Veränderungen, Strukturierung und Bewerbung der Maßnahmen, Einbezug der Führungskräfte, Datenschutzrichtlinien, technische Umsetzungsmöglichkeiten sowie die Aufklärung und der stetige Einbezug der Mitarbeitenden Die aus den Experteninterviews abgeleiteten Anforderungen wurden auf Grundlage eines PDCA Zyklus strukturiert dargestellt.
Schlagwörter: digitale Betriebliche Gesundheitsförderung (dBGF), digitale Betriebliches Gesundheitsmanagement, Gesundheitsförderung im Homeoffice, Digitale Gesundheitsförderung im Betrie
A critical assessment of the impact of an organization’s affiliationtosocial movements on brand equity: A study of the Black Lives Matter Movement
No full textBrands and advertising agencies have successfully tapped into the cultural momentum of social and political issues to attract new customers and promote their products. Numerous studies have examined the link between marketing and social and political movements, but advertising firms have largely ignored them. This study was titled “Acritical assessment of the impact of an organization’s affiliation to social movements on brand equity: A study of the Black Lives Matter Movement”. The study was guided by the objectives which were to identify the benefits of organizational allegiance to social movements on brand equity, determine the factors affecting social allegiance to social movements on brand equity, and recommend strategies that enhance brand equity. The study adopted a mixed methods approach whereby using a sample size of 65, online surveys were administered. Data was analyzed using descriptive means and SPSS was the main analysis tool. Findings illustrated that organizational allegiance to social movement has an impact on brandequity, profitability, and brand recognition. Brands are increasingly using social movements to promote their products, and much recent research has been done to understand what constitutes a socio-political activist brand, to explore consumers' attitudes, and determine if the perception of a brand as being socio-politically engaged has animpacton consumers' product use. When companies adopt a socio-political stance, they give consumers a far better opportunity to identify with them, while also allowing them to differentiate themselves from competitors by using secondary sources of meaning. Nonetheless, there are still untapped resources to be discovered, particularly in connection to the relationship between organizational allegiance and social movement participation
Detection of the Fish Pathogen Vagococcus salmoninarum via Quantitative real-time PCR for Aquaculture
No full textPHOTO-SENS is a project that aims to develop photonic biosensing chips as a means of allowing onset detection of pathogenic infections in aquaculture. These chips are meant to be a way for quick and simple routine testing that would enable aquaculture facilities to recognize potential outbreaks and minimize their effects. The chips detect target bacteria using short DNA sequences known as probes which are complementary to target DNA. One of the fish pathogens under consideration for the course of this project is Vagococcus salmoninarum, that is a causative agent of Vagococcosis.
For this work, a primer and probe set specific to V. salmoninarum was designed. These primers and probes were then tested via qPCR for their selectivity and sensitivity and most importantly, quantification of DNA in samples using two different standard dilution series. Due to V. salmoninarum being a Gram-positive bacteria, three methods of DNA extraction were used and compared for maximum efficiency. Moreover, experiments were also conducted to mimic capture of eDNA (environmental DNA) from highly diluted water samples.
Upon comparing the three DNA extraction methods, the improved 5% Chelex protocol that included rapid agitation via glass beads, yielded the highest amount of DNA that was closest to expected SQ. The detection of all samples, including very low copy number, was possible via qPCR. The first standard series which was the gBlocks standard series had the lowest detection limit of 1 copy with an efficiency of 105.8% and the second standard series that is the CFU standard series had a detection limit of 10 copies and had an efficiency of 104.2%. The filtration experiment also showed detection in diluted, filtered samples.
Since detection using the designed probe was successful, the probes are therefore considered suitable for detection of Vagococcus salmoninarum in the PHOTO-SENS project