Bøger udgivet af AV Akademikerverlag

Nowadays businesses face multiple issues regarding new phenomena like cloud computing, which has a great business driver: with the minimisation of capital expenditure (CAPEX) on IT infrastructure and personnel the efficiency can be improved. Technically this is not a new invention, but it is changing the approach to the IT service, which become outsourced, highly adaptive and scalable. Of course the change in the technical landscape always implies security issues. Information security is not just a set of technical countermeasures: information security is also a business requirement. It will help to avoid financial loss, avoid bad reputation or increase trust among clients. The work shows the technical features and the security issues of cloud systems. It gives a global overview of information technology¿s industrial security standards that are widely used internationally, such as ISO/IEC 27001:2013, PCI DSS and COBIT. It also shows some legal regulation in the field of IT security. In the last part the author is presenting the results of a field research which compares two possible risk analysis methods in the case of cloud computing.

As cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, it becomes clear that efforts on finding new antineoplastic agents is a priority in today¿s world. New synthetic agents with possibly fewer side effects are now being sought after more than ever. The rate-limiting enzyme ribonucleotide reductase (RR) is responsible for the de novo synthesis of deoxyribonucleotides (dNTPs). It is found in all growing cells and is especially upregulated in malignant tissues, since these have an amplified need of deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates. Therefore RR is considered an exceptional target for cancer chemotherapy. In this work, a novel group of thiosemicarbazones (VG-series) was investigated for their anticancer activity in the human HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cell line. VG-22, the most promising compound out of the series, was designed on the basis of the best QSAR model and reviewed in depth for its cytotoxicity. It was tested on its ability to inhibit RR activity, thus arresting DNA replication, its ability to induce apoptosis and its capability to cause general cell growth arrest.

The information about a product¿s attributes plays a central role in the consumer¿s evaluation of the good and the decision making of whether to approach or avoid it. Thereby, product information can vary in the content it addresses and in the amount that is readily available. This quantitative study investigates the influence of aesthetic versus functional and less versus more product information on several variables of consumer response. These textual stimuli are manipulated in four scenarios and tested by means of an online survey questioning 125 respondents. Additionally, the individual¿s involvement with the product is measured. The results show that less available information on aesthetic attributes is sufficient to generate greater aesthetic appreciation of and more positive attitude toward the object. Furthermore, we find that information on functional aspects leads to a higher perceived product quality, which is particularly true for less-involved consumers, and that more information given about the product increases its likeliness of purchase. The theoretical and managerial significance of the findings is discussed.

Chronic kidney disease is defined according to the presence or absence of kidney damage and level of kidney function¿irrespective of the type of kidney disease (diagnosis). Among individuals with chronic kidney disease, the stages are defined based on the level of kidney function. Identifying the presence and stage of chronic kidney disease in an individual is not a substitute for accurate assessment of the cause of kidney disease, extent of kidney damage, level of kidney function, comorbid conditions, complications of decreased kidney function, or risks for loss of kidney function or cardiovascular disease in that patient. Defining stages of chronic kidney disease requires ¿categorization¿ of continuous measures of kidney function, and the ¿cut-off levels¿ between stages are inherently arbitrary. Nonetheless, staging of chronic kidney disease will facilitate application of clinical practice guidelines, clinical performance measures and quality improvement efforts to the evaluation, and management of chronic kidney disease.

2008 saw the highest oil price in history dropping to a moderate level due to the beginning of the global financial crisis. During the last year the discussion about ¿peak oil¿ has started. Nevertheless, hydrocarbon energy will play an important role for the next generations. The work describes the current status of reserves, an overview of the current situation of the oil and gas industry, but also some technologies of alternative energy. Based on the history of some exploration and production companies the most important influencing factors can be found. For four different scenarios, the oil price and the energy target 2020 are varied from low to high. The energy mix 2020 and the main trends for the next few years are described in four different scenarios. The main strategic issues for an integrated European oil and gas company are found by using the scenario technique.

Fathers can have a tremendous impact on their daughter¿s development, wellbeing and on every aspect of their lives, just as a father¿s absence can cause a devastating emotional and financial vacuum within a family. The father-daughter relationship is explored from a psychological standpoint, and paternal absences and their consequences are examined. These conclusions are subsequently discussed through referencing three famous relevant literary examples, chosen also to emphasize how often family and its dissolution are a recurring topic throughout American literature.

Despite the impressive growth in both, the luxury sector in general and luxury online sales in particular, a vast number of luxury brands is still hesitant to operate own e-boutiques. Generally, many luxury marketers doubt the compatibility of luxury with the World Wide Web due to the so-called ¿Internet dilemmä of luxury brands: The Internet is characterized by the ubiquity of its offering and maximum price transparency. The status of luxury brands, on the other side, is based on their exclusivity and a premium price. Nevertheless, research seeking to resolve the Internet dilemma is scarce. Thus, luxury brand managers lack guidance when it comes to the creation of a compelling luxury shopping experience for the growing online customer segment. This work makes a step towards filling this gap. It contributes to the extant literature through the identification of luxury-specific web characteristics. Designing luxury e-boutiques that are aligned with these characteristics enables luxury brands to drive sales growth without the risk of diluting their exclusive status.

In 2014, the 28 member states of the OECD disbursed $137.2 billion in net official development assistance (ODA). This spending of 0.3% of their gross national income missed by far the 0.7% goal proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly and the OECD. ODA is aimed at economic growth in recipient nations as poverty eradication is a principal development goal. Development economists¿ research, as discussed in this work, examines the effectiveness of ODA in regard to stimulating macroeconomic growth in developing countries. This contribution starts with a presentation of the state of research, which can be structured in three strands. It then scrutinizes Burnside and Dollar¿s hypothesis on the link between a developing country¿s macroeconomic policy and ODA¿s effect on growth. Their critics¿ estimations will as well be assessed. Some results point towards a positive impact of ODA, which is subject to conditions of the country context. This recommends ODA allocation by effectiveness. ODA allocation policy suggestions will also be discussed before drawing generalizable conclusions.

This book documents my life experiences through Writing, my Beliefs & Images. It is my way to be more authentic and share my knowledge and experiences with the world. I¿m always keen to take on new challenges and to make a positive contribution to the world. This book is dedicated to anyone who overcomes challenges and strives to grow into their full potential by, continuously fighting fear, doubt and insecurities and believes and knows about who God created them to be.

In this work I review theories and empirical studies on corporate diversification by means of which I reveal numerous factors influencing a firm¿s decision to diversify as well as the diversification¿s effect on firm value. In addition to driving forces, I identify a number of firm- and industry-specific prerequisites for corporate diversification. Obviously, the trends in diversification strategy have changed over time and so have also empirical conclusions about the diversification¿s effect on firm value. Even though arguments in favor of the diversification discount seem to prevail, recently, there has been risen a vast amount of critique and evidence questioning this conclusion. Apparently, diversification per se might be considered value-maximizing strategy. Yet, diversification may result in a decrease in firm value conditional upon several factors - scale and scope of diversification, expansion strategy, firm structure as well as current business environment.