University of Rijeka

About: University of Rijeka is a education organization based out in Rijeka, Croatia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Tourism. The organization has 3471 authors who have published 7993 publications receiving 110386 citations. The organization is also known as: Rijeka University & Sveučilište u Rijeci.

The competitiveness versus the wealth of a country

Abstract: Politicians world-wide frequently promise a better life for their citizens. We find that the probability that a country will increase its {\it per capita} GDP ({\it gdp}) rank within a decade follows an exponential distribution with decay constant $\lambda = 0.12$. We use the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) and the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) and find that the distribution of change in CPI (GCI) rank follows exponential functions with approximately the same exponent as $\lambda$, suggesting that the dynamics of {\it gdp}, CPI, and GCI may share the same origin. Using the GCI, we develop a new measure, which we call relative competitiveness, to evaluate an economy's competitiveness relative to its {\it gdp}. For all European and EU countries during the 2008-2011 economic downturn we find that the drop in {\it gdp} in more competitive countries relative to {\it gdp} was substantially smaller than in relatively less competitive countries, which is valuable information for policymakers.

Discovery of TeV gamma-ray emission from the Pulsar Wind Nebula 3C 58 by MAGIC

Abstract: Context. The pulsar wind nebula (PWN) 3C 58 is one of the historical very high-energy (VHE; E >100 GeV) -ray source candidates. It is energized by one of the highest spin-down power pulsars known (5% of Crab pulsar) and it has been compared with the Crab nebula because of their morphological similarities. This object was previously observed by imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes (Whipple, VERITAS and MAGIC), although it was not detected, with an upper limit of 2.3 % Crab unit (C.U.) at VHE. It was detected by the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) with a spectrum extending beyond 100 GeV. Aims. We aim to extend the spectrum of 3C 58 beyond the energies reported by the Fermi Collaboration and probe acceleration of particles in the PWN up to energies of a few tens of TeV. Methods. We analyzed 81 hours of 3C 58 data taken in the period between August 2013 and January 2014 with the MAGIC telescopes. Results. We detected VHE -ray emission from 3C 58 with a significance of 5:7 and an integral flux of 0.65% C.U. above 1 TeV. According to our results, 3C 58 is the least luminous VHE -ray PWN ever detected at VHE and has the lowest flux at VHE to date. The di erential energy spectrum between 400 GeV and 10 TeV is well described by a power-law function d /dE= f0(E/1 TeV) with f0 = (2:0 0:4stat 0:6sys) 10 13 cm 2 s 1 TeV 1 and = 2:4 0:2stat 0:2sys. The skymap is compatible with an unresolved source. Conclusions. We report the first significant detection of PWN 3C 58 at TeV energies. We compare our results with the expectations of time-dependent models in which electrons upscatter photon fields. The best representation favors a distance to the PWN of 2 kpc and far-infrared (FIR) values similar to cosmic microwave background photon fields. If we consider an unexpectedly high FIR density, the data can also be reproduced by models assuming a 3.2 kpc distance. A low magnetic field, far from equipartition, is required to explain the VHE data. Hadronic contribution from the hosting supernova remnant (SNR) requires an unrealistic energy budget given the density of the medium, disfavoring cosmic-ray acceleration in the SNR as origin of the VHE -ray emission.

Development of Metacognitive Knowledge of Reading Strategies and Attitudes Toward Reading in Early Adolescence: The Effect on Reading Comprehension

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to examine developmental changes in metacognitive knowledge of reading strategies and attitudes toward reading during early adolescence (from 10 to 14 years), taking gender into account. A secondary aim was also to test a model of the relationships among gender, attitudes toward reading, metacognitive knowledge of reading strategies, and reading comprehension. The sample for this longitudinal study consisted of 175 students. The first data collection took place when the students were enrolled in grade 4 (10 years old), and the follow-up measurements were conducted in grades 6 and 8. At each measurement point, measures of metacognitive knowledge of reading strategies and attitudes toward reading were applied in addition to text comprehension tasks. The obtained results indicated that metacognitive knowledge of reading strategies continuously improved during early adolescence, while attitudes toward recreational reading showed continuous decline from the fourth to the eighth grade, and attitudes toward academic reading dropped significantly between sixth and eighth grades. Girls consistently demonstrated better metacognitive knowledge, as well as more positive attitudes toward both recreational and academic reading when compared to boys. The model that included only attitudes toward recreational reading fitted the data better than the model comprising both academic and recreational reading attitudes. The findings of the path analysis indicated that gender had an effect on recreational reading attitudes that consistently predicted text comprehension directly and indirectly through metacognitive knowledge during early adolescence. The model fitted the data better as students got older.

Influence of storage temperature on quality parameters, phenols and volatile compounds of Croatian virgin olive oils

Abstract: The influence of low storage temperature (+4 °C and －20 °C) and conventional storage room temperature on the quality parameters, phenolic contents and volatile profiles of Buža, Crna and Rosinjola monovarietal virgin olive oils after 12 months of storage was investigated in this study. Virgin olive oils stored at low temperatures maintained better quality parameters than oils stored at room temperature. A negligible decrease in the total phenols was detected after 12 months of storage at all investigated temperatures. The total volatile compounds, aldehydes, alcohols and esters in almost all stored samples were unchanged compared to fresh oils. Total ketones increased after storage, although at a lower temperature these changes were less notable. An increase in the oxidation indicators hexanal and hexanal/ E -2-hexenal ratio was the lowest in oils stored at +4 °C.Storage at temperatures lower than room temperature could help to prolong the shelf-life of extra virgin olive oil by maintaining high quality parameters and preserving the fresh oil’s volatile profile.

Femoral neck fractures in children and the role of early hip decompression in final outcome.

Abstract: Background Femoral neck fractures in children are very rare and account for about 1% of all paediatric fractures. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyse the clinical and radiographic outcome in paediatric femoral neck fracture and to review the role of early decompression of the hip in the final outcome. Patients and methods The study was performed at the Department of Paediatric Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University Children's Hospital in Belgrade, Serbia from January 1996 to January 2010. The study included 28 patients, 12 female and 16 male, aged 4–14 years. Patients who were aged over 14 years or who had pathological femoral neck fractures or metabolic disturbances were excluded from the study. The type of neck fracture was determined according to the Delbet and Colonna classification. The patients were treated using different surgical procedures: closed reduction and cast immobilisation, closed reduction and percutaneous fixation with Kirschner wires (K-wires), closed reduction and fixation with cannulated screws and open reduction with Wagner plate stabilisation. The final outcome was evaluated using the clinical outcome (based on the Howorth–Ferguson scale), radiographic outcome and occurrence of complications. Results The median age of patients included in the study was 10.75 years and the average follow up was 9 years. According to the Delbet classification, there was one patient with type I, eight patients with type II, 16 patients with type III and three patients with type IV femoral neck fracture. Based on the Colonna classification, there were 23 displaced and five non-displaced femoral neck fractures. Decompression of the hip was performed in 21 patients. Avascular necrosis (AVN) developed as the main complication in 11 patients. The final outcome was excellent in 14 patients, good in four patients and poor in 14 patients. Conclusion Our study unequivocally confirms the positive effect of urgent treatment on the incidence of AVN as well as on the outcome. We have established a 12-hour interval after injury as an optimal time limit for commencing treatment. Unambiguously positive effects of hip decompression on the incidence of AVN were also noted. We found similar efficiency for open and needle hip decompression.