bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Involution, No Revolution: Technocapitalism and Intern Labour
Authors: Fung Anthony , He Wei , Chen Feier
Published: April 2024

The global economic downturn due to the pandemic has resulted in shrinking the digital market in big economies such as the USA and China. After the pandemic, many of the major tech and internet-based companies had to take action to reverse their declining balance sheets and look for ways to financially rebound. Illustrated in this paper is how these tech firms in China could further advance their economy by minimising their paid manpower by working with/under the education system and inventing new temporary intern positions as semi-(im)material labour to expand their workforce. Based on our ethnographic work and interviews with interns, we elucidate the case of a Chinese tech intern, which exemplifies what we refer to as involution. Involution is a process by which the new generation is induced to accept a much more precarious economy as a result of nominal pay, yet can nevertheless survive, meet their daily needs and dwell in big cities, rather than engaging a radical change or revolution.
Understanding Racism in Digital Capitalism. Racialisation and De-Racialisation in Platform Economies, Infrastructural Racism and Algorithmic Opacity
Authors: Animento Stefania
Published: April 2024

Recent literature has argued that digital technologies reinforce existent inequalities along race, class and gender. However, the relationship between digital capitalism and racism is yet to be explored in depth. How does digitalisation rework social relations and social cooperation to produce new forms of racialised hierarchisation and differentiation? The article is based on an international project on platform labour spanning seven European cities. It focuses on the sector of ride-hailing in Berlin and analyses the interactions between processes of platformisation and (de-)racialisation. Finally, it shows how racism becomes infrastructural when platforms organise its circulation.
The Neofeudalising Tendency of Communicative Capitalism
Authors: Dean Jodi
Published: April 2024

Communicative capitalism is becoming neofeudal. From network effects, to plaformisation, and the rise of a service-based economy, the tendencies of networked communications are neofeudalising.
Chained to the App: German Bike Couriers Riding into Digital Capitalism
Authors: Schreyer Jasmin
Published: April 2024

In the digital age of platformization and digital capitalism, this study demonstrates the significant role of institutionalized relationships in influencing autonomy-control dynamics within platform companies. By contrasting multinational food delivery corporations with local cooperative courier services in Germany, we find that algorithmic management centralizes control in commercial platforms, thereby limiting worker autonomy. In contrast, cooperative models prioritize communication, trust, and self-determination. These findings underscore that works councils and collective representation of interests serve as countervailing powers in commercial platforms, actively advocating for worker protections. In summary, this study highlights the pivotal role of institutionalized relationships in shaping the evolving landscape of work, emphasizing their significance in achieving a more equitable and humane work environment.
Trend Analysis of the Employment Rate in Slovakia Regions in the Period 2013–2022
Authors: Hurbánková Ľubica
Published: April 2024

The paper deals with the analysis of the employment rate. The au­thor analyses this indicator in Slovakia regions using the data in the period 2013 – 2022. The analysis of the trend uses relative characteristics of time se­ries analysis – growth rate, and average growth rate. The purpose of the pa­per is to find out the uniformity, respectively variability of growth rate using absolute geometric deviation and average absolute geometric deviation. The author quantifies absolute changes, relative changes and parallel absolute and relative changes by difference rate. The employment rate in the Košice region increased the most in 2022 com­pared to 2021 by 5.78%. The trend was the most uniform in Bratislava and Prešov regions. When comparing the years 2022 and 2013 using the difference rate, the employment rate in the Žilina region increased the most, absolute­ly by 15.3 percentage points, relatively by 26.24%, in the case of a combined comparison by 3.5656.
Empowering Romanian Entrepreneurs to Develop Social Business
Authors: Staiculescu Oana
Published: April 2024

Social economy is essential for local or regional development. In Romania, social business is trying to scale, promoting the development of an alternative model of social inclusion for vulnerable groups. The establishment of a social enterprise represents a benefit both for the area in which it will carry out its activity and for the national economy as well, developing along with increasing the level of education and living of the population. Global­ly, in April 2023, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolu­tion “Promoting the Social and Solidarity Economy for Sustainable Develop­ment” (A/77/L.60) which provides an official definition of social and solidari­ty economy and it can contribute to the achievement and localization of sus­tainable development goals. Therefore, this paper aims to come up with pro­posals to empower Romanian entrepreneurs to develop social businesses in order to carry out activities that will represent a real gain for the community and an important step in solving various problems.
Risk Disclosures Related to Credit Derivative Use by U.S. and German Corporate Bond Funds between 2004 and 2010 – An Evaluation
Authors: P. Galkiewicz Dominika
Published: April 2024

This study aims to investigate whether the comments made by funds regarding their use of CDS in periodic fund reports are con­sistent with their disclosed CDS holdings. For several funds in the U.S., the po­tential losses that may arise from selling CDS protection are almost as high as their net assets and in Germany, this potential can be even higher. The results of the study suggest that the comments provided by funds about their use of CDS in periodic reports are often vague and sometimes misleading. For in­stance, in Germany, funds that use more short than long CDS often claim that they only use long CDS for hedging purposes. This means that investors may need to analyze portfolio holdings to learn about the true investment behav­ior of funds. Based on the results, it is advisable for regulators in both coun­tries to strengthen their monitoring activity and implement more standard­ized disclosure policies.
Customs Performance Measurement – the Evidence from North Macedonia
Authors: Miloshoska Danijela
Published: April 2024

Improving the effectiveness and efficiency of each customs admin­istration largely depends on understanding the complexity of customs perfor­mance measurement. There are two basic reasons. Firstly, different customs ad­ministrations have different priorities: some are focused on law enforcement and the protection of society, others are focused on fair and effective revenue collection, and others are focused on trade facilitation and security. Secondly, it is recognized that developing key performance indicators (KPIs), or metrics, is very challenging and there is no “one- solution- fits- all” for the KPIs. This study attempts to offer an analysis of performance measurement in customs and to present a list of essential KPIs for Macedonian customs. The study revealed a se­ries of difficulties with calculating the indicators as a result of the absence of suf­ficient data. The study provides general recommendations that should serve as a basis for the development of a more practical model for measuring the perfor­mance of Macedonian customs.
Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals in European and Western Balkans Countries
Authors: Jovanovic Gavrilovic Velibor
Published: April 2024

Sustainable development is one of the key topics in contempo­rary discussions on development. Over time, the concept has evolved from a vague vision of development centered on environmental issues to a compre­hensive development paradigm that includes economic, social and environ­mental aspects. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN, which are the focus of this paper, reflect that broader, modern approach to sustain­able development. The paper aims to measure the progress of the countries of the EU and the Western Balkans in terms of achieving SDGs. For this pur­pose, the composite SDG Index, developed by the Bertelsmann Stiftung and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, was used. This index is de­composed into three pillars – economic, social and environmental, in order to monitor and analyze the achieved results more easily. Conducted research re­veals the weak points in the implementation of SDGs and indicates the prior­ity directions of action.
How Innovation Drives Firm Performance in the Post COVID-19 Pandemic?
Authors: Kosta Brunilda
Published: April 2024

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of product in­novation, process innovation and delivery innovation on firm performance, in response to unexpected crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. For this purpose, the author conducted a survey with 115 Albanian companies. By employing the regression analysis, the study uncovered that product innovation has a posi­tive significant impact on firm performance in the aftermath of COVID-19. The study also uncovers a positive yet non-significant relationship between process innovation and firm performance. Contrary to expectations, the research iden­tifies a counterintuitive outcome in the context of delivery innovation, indicat­ing a negative and statistically significant impact on firm performance. This re­search contributes to our understanding of the complex interplay between in­novation and firm performance, offering valuable insights for businesses navi­gating the challenges of the post-pandemic landscape. The findings prompt a reevaluation of strategic approaches to innovation and underscore the need for nuanced and context-specific strategies to optimize firm outcomes.
Current Challenges Affecting the Development of Human Resources in Slovakia
Authors: Dudová Iveta , Matúšová Silvia
Published: April 2024

The paper defines the key factors influencing human resources in the current economic development in Slovakia and points to possible ways of adapting human capital to the rapidly changing world. The paper aims to char­acterize the expected features of the foreseen digital and knowledge transfor­mation of the Slovak economy and society and to identify possible paths of hu­man resource development, based on the definition of the knowledge economy and the learning society.
The Importance of R&D Projects in Serbia – The Role of Human Capital
Authors: Pavlović Aleksandra , Janjić Ivana
Published: April 2024

Research and development (R&D) projects are crucial for the im­plementation of a company’s strategy and a prerequisite for achieving a com­petitive advantage. In globalized conditions, the success of R&D projects sig­nificantly depends on the capabilities of human capital. Human capital is the most valuable resource of any country, therefore, the cooperation of scientif­ic-research organizations with companies from the private sector in the field of realization of R&D projects has become inevitable. The primary goal of this pa­per is to examine the relationship between R&D project investments and hu­man capital (employees in the R&D area and highly-educated employees), from 2008 to 2021. For that purpose, multivariate linear regression has been applied. The results revealed that a highly educated workforce is of key importance for the growth of investments in R&D projects, hereby, the proposal for policymak­ers would be to encourage greater investments in higher education, as well as to strengthen better cooperation between science and business.
The Emotional Intelligence of the Leader – Is It a Must?
Authors: Yordanova Silvena
Published: April 2024

The leader is a fascinating figure with his behavior, and his vision for development and is a complete role model. He not only aims to bring his associ­ates together but is mainly concerned with team building and solving problems of all kinds, including interpersonal ones. Therefore, the leader is emotionally intelligent, and able to unite people from different cultures, thus showing em­pathy and his inherent intelligence, namely on an emotional level. The current paper introduces emotional intelligence, by providing arguments why a leader needs to be emotionally intelligent. At the same time, the employee benefits of being led by an emotionally intelligent leader are also presented. Cases on emo­tional intelligence are also presented.
Relationship between Hierarchical Values of Professional Activities and Theoretical and Practical Knowledge
Authors: Vukosavljevic Pavlovic Valentina
Published: April 2024

An indispensable aspect that can greatly influence the profile of the managerial structure in enterprises is the educational system. At the end of the last century, under the pressure of the second wave of globalization caused by technological development, there was a need to reexamine and redefine the role of the university. The subject of analysis in this paper is the relationship between the hierarchical values of professional activities and theoretical and practical knowledge from the point of view of managerial structures in private and public enterprises on the example of one unit of local self-government in the Republic of Serbia. Based on the opinion of representatives from the private (1.85) and public sector (1.85) on the scale of hierarchical values of profession­al activities, the adopted systematic theoretical and practical knowledge were evaluated in the first place. Through the analysis of the responses received from both observed groups, it was found that modern managers are the most open social group for improvement, motivated to acquire new knowledge arising from the need for more effective adaptation to changes.
Financial Market Knowledge of the Young Generation: An Empirical Analysis of European Students
Authors: Gałkiewicz Dominika P. , Situm Mario , Hartleif Lukas
Published: April 2024

In the recent survey of 262 European students, we try to assess the level of financial market knowledge of the young generation around the age of 23 years. We can identify the following highlights in the first out of three parts: 54.3% out of 256 people, who answered the question, purchased at least once shares, bonds, mutual funds or made comparable investments in the past and the experience made by 179 out of 262 (68.3%) people was perceived to be very positive. Similarly, the attitude of 230 out of 262 (87.8%) European students to­wards buying shares, bonds, mutual funds, or making comparable investments is very positive. However, the attitude of 247 and 249 people out of 262 attendees, respectively, towards the general economic situation driven by inflation and the observable increase in prices of everyday goods are rated rather low. In the main part of our survey, we analyze the level of competence of our European students to deal with calculus-related exercises (e.g. impact of the time value of money, in­terest or/and inflation, functioning of financial markets and instruments). We ob­serve the following tendencies: 86.3% of people correctly stated that investments in shares offer the highest risk, which shows that European students understand the basic finance relationship between higher risk potentially leading to high re­turns or high losses. 82.8% of participants correctly stated that the possibility of losing money decreases with a higher degree of diversification. The third set of questions focuses on the knowledge related to investment possibilities and po­tential preferences for investments. For example, 45.4% of people signalized their willingness to invest their money into real estate investment funds, 43.9% chose shares, 28.2% mentioned ETFs, 20.2% would decide on bonds and 11.8% for cryp­tocurrencies. European students seem to be financially knowledgeable on an av­erage level and the majority can choose instruments that fit their preferences.
Factors Determining Inflation in the American Economy: A Quantitative Analysis
Authors: Tsvetkov Tsvetomir , Atanasova Irina
Published: April 2024

This paper aims to examine the factors that determine inflation in the United States. To accomplish the research objective, a quantitative analy­sis employing the linear least squares method is conducted. The authors pres­ent empirical arguments that the factors that determine inflation in the US are structural-cost ones.
From Awareness to Action: How Social Media Users Respond to Femicide Cases
Authors: Sherovska Gjorgjina
Published: April 2024

Femicide is a grave violation of fundamental human rights, such as the right to life, liberty, and personal security, as well as a formidable hin­drance to social and economic progress. By definition, femicide is the premed­itated killing of a female person due to their gender. This phenomenon is the result of a multitude of risk factors at the individual, interpersonal, communi­ty, and societal levels. The magnitude of what has been dubbed the “shadow pandemic” is evidenced by the mounting violence inflicted on women. This re­search seeks to analyze the role of social media marketing in bringing aware­ness to the issue of femicide, namely, its effect on public opinion, the degree to which it increases awareness of the rising femicide rate, and the reactions of social media users when confronted with individual cases. To achieve this, a phenomenological study with a Likert scale was conducted, involving 100 participants in North Macedonia aged between 18 and 60. The findings in­dicate that the majority of respondents do not believe that social media pro­vides an impetus for people to take action against femicide and their concern­ing note is witnessing online harassment or bullying related to femicide or vi­olence against women on social media. Empowering the potential of creat­ing a safe and supportive environment for discussing and addressing issues of femicide and violence against women in the social media space.
Impact of the Country of Origin on Pharmaceutical Products in the Albanian Market
Authors: Shyle Irma
Published: April 2024

Country image is essential as a country of origin information in mar­ketplaces, especially for pharmaceutical products in developing countries. The origin of the products is used as a surrogate indicator for quality and safety. The pharmaceutical sector in Albania continues to be a developing sector, yet, lo­cally produced products, while growing recently, continue to occupy and sup­ply a small share of the total market. Imports dominate the Albanian drug mar­ket, and the country’s most notable international brands exist. The study aimed to analyze the impact of the country of origin on the decision to purchase me­dicaments from the pharmaceutical sector in Albania and also to highlight the most critical factors affecting the impact of the country of origin on the choice of pharmaceutical products. Two hundred pharmacists, doctors, and chemists participated in the study. The results show that the country of origin is essen­tial in assisting pharmacists in purchasing. The pharmacist’s decision is driven mainly by the higher customer demand to purchase the country of origin at­tribute due to their low information on the product. The latter leads to select­ing the best and most effective medicaments from countries perceived to have high quality.
Development of a Tourist Experience Model with the Aim of Increasing Economic Efficiency – On the Example of the Destination Sofia
Authors: Emilova Irena , Misheva Margarita , Doneva-Yankulova Violeta
Published: April 2024

The research examines current trends in destination development and the increasing demand for services that create experiential value through additional services and travel opportunities. This pursuit of experiences aims to facilitate rejuvenation, capitalizing on the abundant tourism resources, ex­emplified by Sofia city. Objective: This study aims to construct a comprehensive tourism experi­ential model for the given destination, employing an integrated approach that harnesses the untapped potential of various resources within the tour­ist area. The primary goal is to enhance the destination’s economic efficien­cy. This approach envisions multifaceted benefits, including bolstering the tourism sector, contributing to GDP growth, and fostering sustainable ad­vancement for urban destinations. Furthermore, it aims to foster year-round growth in demand and supply for tourist products and services in Sofia. The focal point lies in exploiting the destination’s developmental prospects, fue­led by evolving consumer preferences, driven by the quest for authentic and distinct travel experiences.
Paleontological Tourism in the Cold World as a Promising Direction of the Arctic Tourism Development
Authors: Romanova Ekaterina , Zamorshchikova Liudmila
Published: April 2024

The strategy of the geopolitical component of the Arctic and the North is being updated. Tourism plays an important role in solving social problems, ensuring employment growth, and improving the well-being of the population. In the global aspect, tourism is one of the important areas that affect the growth of the economy, including the development of economic activity areas such as the services of travel companies, transport, communi­cations, trade, production of souvenirs and other products, food and others, moreover, it represents a powerful innovative resource for the socio-econom­ic development of the region. The concept of the development of Arctic tour­ism in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), the most northern territory of Russia, reflects the current situation in the northern regions of the republic, its recre­ational resources, and tourism potential. Thus, unique natural, historical and cultural resources and objects of historical and archaeological heritage are concentrated on the territory of this region. Such a wide range of potential­ly attractive tourist sites and complexes can be very popular with Russian and foreign tourists, as well as residents of the republic. The relevance of the re­search is also connected with the world narrative associated with global envi­ronmental at societal challenges – climate changes and sustainable develop­ment of the arctic territories and indigenous peoples. One of the important components of Arctic tourism in Russia should be the paleontological tourism in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) because of the big zone of permafrost. The promotion of paleontological tourist destinations and knowledge in the modern world is associated with unique finds of fossil fauna (primarily related to the Mesozoic era), as well as ancient monuments associated with the remains of the first people.
The Employment of Standardized Recipes, an Essential Prerequisite for Consistent Quality of the Culinary Product
Authors: Naumov Kliment
Published: April 2024

A standardized recipe can be defined as guidance for the con­stant preparation of an assemblage of food or drink at an expected qual­ity. The use of standardized recipes is justified for the reasons of inventory control, creativity, simplicity and consistency. The standard recipe or techni­cal sheet includes certain irreplaceable elements: recipe name, yield, portion size, weight/amount, measure/unit, ingredients, instructions, and notes. The technical sheet is one of the most powerful documents in a food service operation. The benefits of the standardized recipes are vast. It is the basis for the planning of the kitchen and its inventory. It enables the chef to pre­dict and control the quality, quantity and portion cost of the final product by stating all the ingredients and preparation details. There is an increase in consumer satisfaction due to the constant delivery of high-quality and con­sistent food. There is better control over the yield and the number of the pro­duced portions. Standard recipes are important for faster training of food service employees because of the supply of relevant information and set standards ensuring logical flow of work and increasing labor efficiency. And finally, the risk of foodborne illnesses is limited if the instructions on techni­cal sheets are accurately followed.
Climate Change Impact on Agricultural Production
Authors: Camelia Slave , Carmen Mihaela Man
Published: April 2024

The purpose of this study is to provide a model with the help of GIS technology to monitor the negative consequences of climate change that oc­cur in Dolj County as a consequence of the aridification phenomenon. The two crops are also presented with the areas occupied by them and the pro­ductions obtained over 8 years. The CLC map of the study area provides data on surface occupation. The information can be used to invest in the county’s agriculture. An inventory can be made of areas affected by climate change, subjected to significant investments through the planting of protective acacia curtains and irrigation. Surface and production data are available for free download from the National Institute of Statistics for the period 2015-2022.
Tourism Impacts on the Air, Light and Noise Pollution
Authors: Žunić Lejla
Published: April 2024

Various activities in the tourism sector, especially transportation, have a negative impact on the atmospheric complex. The paper aims to re­search tourism’s impact on global carbon dioxide emissions, the generation of photochemical smog, and noise and light pollution. Various tourism in­dustry activities have been identified, as well as tourist transport factors on which the intensity of air pollution depends. To demonstrate the harmful effects, statistical indicators and other results of modern scientific research were used, including the consequences of pollution on the living world. The paper provides current knowledge in the field, highlighting the risks of mass tourism, and the global need for more rational planning of sustainable tour­ism development.
Some Alternative Strategies Applied to Brewery Spent Grains for the Development of Sustainable Recycling Solutions in the Agro-Food Industry
Authors: Pinguli Luljeta , Malollari Ilirjan
Published: April 2024

Brewer’s spent grain (BSG) is a raw material produced during beer production that has a high potential for sustainable reuse. BSG is con­sidered an important feedstock for producing several products. Brewer’s spent grain (BSG) is the main by-product obtained after wort production commonly used as animal feed. Recently research work has focused on ap­plication in different areas, because of BSG’s low cost, large availability, and valuable chemical composition. Brewer’s spent grain forms 85% of the total by-products generated. Of the breweries that produce potential by-products, their recovery is an­other cost-effective pollution prevention option that can provide a facili­ty with significant economic benefits while simultaneously reducing waste production. BSG water content is around 80 – 85 %. Dry BSG content has around 60-63% hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin, protein content is around 22-25%, lipids 8-9%, phenolic compounds 1.7-2%, ash 2.5%. In Albania spent grain is used as feed for animals without any other pre­treatment. Our experiment is focused on spent grain pretreatment and sta­bilization techniques to extend BSG’s life. BSG pretreatment/stabilization techniques can be employed as a function of their future destination such as energy production, food additives production, using BSG as a substrate for enzyme production, etc. In this paper, we have used three different pretreat­ment/stabilization procedures. Thin layer drying technique, alginate treat­ment of BSG, and vacuum filtration of BSG with cold and hot water. For each sample, we have monitored drying kinetics based on the remaining water content and BSG’s life.
The Recognition of the Right to a Healthy and Protected Environment in Europe and Romania
Authors: Popoviciu Gabriela A. , Mancia Mircea-Sebastian , Dragomir Emanuela-Iulia , Dragomir Iuliu-Cristian
Published: April 2024

The present paper wants to bring more knowledge regarding the environment, the legislation regarding environmental conservation, as well as notions regarding ecology and environmental protection. The authors consider the topic exciting due to its topicality, expansion and importance, requiring extensive research and documentation, to assemble the knowl­edge necessary for its development. Environmental protection is a major is­sue of the last decade debated worldwide, a fact that has given rise to nu­merous disputes between developed and developing countries. Our envi­ronmental policies ensure a clean environment for the health of the coun­try’s inhabitants, decrease poverty and environmental damage, ensure eco­nomic growth for the benefit of current and future generations, and harmo­nize specific environmental legislation with that of the European Union. But, without behavioral transformations from human beings’ side and our edu­cation in this sense, sustainable development can’t be ensured.
Short Considerations Regarding the European and Romanian Legislation on the Recovery of Municipal and Similar Waste in Energy Recovery Incineration Plants
Authors: Marta-Claudia Cliza , Laura-Cristiana Spataru-Negura
Published: April 2024

The scope of this study is to make a summary presentation of the as­pects concerning the Romanian regulation on the recovery of municipal and similar waste in energy recovery incineration plants. The authors underline that, just like the European legislation, Romanian national legislation supports and encourages recovery operations, so that the waste is used as much as pos­sible, including for obtaining electricity and/or thermal energy, and the quanti­ty of municipal waste disposed in waste storage facilities is reduced as much as possible. One of the targets required by the Romanian National Waste Manage­ment Plan, was that the quantity of stored municipal waste to be reduced to a maximum of 10%, until 2030, Romania being granted the opportunity to bene­fit from an additional five-year term, provided that all measures required in or­der to reduce the quantity of stored municipal waste to 20% of the total quan­tity of generated waste are implemented until 2030. NWMP also provides that one of the priorities of Romania in what concerns waste management and pre­vention is encouraging the production of energy from waste that cannot be re­cycled, by providing at the same time that the incineration of municipal waste with energy recovery is a very used and well-known technology.
Corporate Fraud and Liability Provisions in Albania
Authors: Burnazi Mitllari Ledja
Published: April 2024

Corporate fraud is a very problematic and serious phenomenon, regardless of company size, place of business, branches and way of doing business. Considering fraud not only as a random phenomenon of corporate reality but to a great extent as a criminal offense as provided for in almost all laws, responsible persons (those who commit such an offense) bear criminal as well as civil liability, depending on the circumstances and jurisdiction to which they belong. This paper will critically approach the concept of corpo­rate fraud following the Albanian legal framework and jurisdiction. It will fo­cus on the key aspects of the company in question, the civil and criminal pro­visions related to the liability that would be borne by the executives and/or the corporation, the fiduciary duties of the executives, the interpretation of the court cases established so far, case studies and analyzing the effectiveness of the application of the respective legal provisions.
Role of Courts in Whistleblowers Protection in the Czech Republic
Authors: Pachmann Aleš
Published: April 2024

DIRECTIVE (EU) 2019/1937 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 23 October 2019 on the protection of persons who report breaches of the Union was implemented in the Czech Republic by the law no. 171/2023 Coll. effective from 1st August 2023. So far there is a modest related court practice concerning the abovementioned Directive from the Czech Re­public. The aim of this paper is to evaluate and analyse existing court deci­sions in this way. The author of this paper as a whistleblower managed to initi­ate these proceedings as a plaintiff and he is not aware of similar proceedings in this way in the Czech Republic until now. Even delays in proceedings were qualified as retaliatory measures.
The Role of Criminal Psychology in Albania’s Criminal Justice System
Authors: Konini Ivas
Published: April 2024

Forensic psychology is an emerging field that has gained increasing attention in the Albanian justice system. It encompasses the application of psy­chological knowledge and principles to aid judges, attorneys, and law enforce­ment officials in understanding complex legal issues, investigating crimes, and making informed decisions. The purpose of this paper is to explore the role and significance of forensic psychology in the Albanian justice system. Forensic psychologists in Albania play a crucial role in criminal proceedings by providing expert psychological assessments of defendants, witnesses, and vic­tims. They evaluate the mental capacity and state of mind of defendants at the time of the crime, which helps judges and juries to make informed decisions. Fo­rensic psychologists also assist with profiling, risk assessments, and other inves­tigative techniques to aid in criminal investigations. One of the essential benefits of using forensic psychology in the Albanian jus­tice system is to reduce prejudice and bias. Forensic psychologists provide ob­jective, scientific evidence to the court, which improves the fairness and accu­racy of criminal trials. The challenge facing forensic psychology in Albania is the lack of specialized training and education programs in forensic psychology. There are few profes­sionals in the field, and therefore, forensic psychology services are not widely available. Investing in more education and training programs would increase the number of qualified experts in the field, thus leading to more extensive and effective utilization of forensic psychology in criminal proceedings. In conclusion, forensic psychology is a vital aspect of the Albanian justice sys­tem. Its use can help reduce bias and prejudice in criminal trials while improv­ing the accuracy of decisions. However, the field faces challenges in terms of the need for specialized training and education programs for professionals. By find­ing the right balance between complexity and variation, we can ensure that our content is engaging and informative.
Earth-Fault Detection Using Fuzzy Logic in Electrical Distribution Networks
Authors: Moise Razvan
Published: April 2024

The optimal functioning of electrical distribution networks is to maintain the voltage to acceptable limits in order not to affect the insulation of the electric lines. During a nominal regime the voltage variation is not so big due to the several voltage regulation methods, but during a fault regime, usually during earth-faults can occur overvoltages that affect the line insu­lation. That is why earth-fault must identified and eliminated as quickly as possible. In the present medium voltage networks, the earth-fault detection is made using the admittance and current injection method. That means that in the normal regime, the system measures the reference homopolar admittances of every electric line that is supplied from the substation busbar after each tun­ning cycle for the Petersen Coil. By injecting a current in the coil it can discov­er the line with the biggest asymmetry in a 20-30ms time interval, which is the earth-faulted line. This method is perfectly functional when is precisely known the homopolar current and the capacitive current of the grid. There are pro­jects where the Holmgreen filter is chosen with a big nominal current and the measuring of the homopolar current is done with errors because of the small earth-fault current in the medium voltage networks with Petersen coil and this way the earth-fault detection can function with errors. The classic meth­od needs precise data in order to have good results. The article is researching the possibility of detecting the earth-faults with fuzzy logic. The fuzzy logic uses artificial intelligence and allows earth-fault detection even if the input data is not so accurate because of the errors giv­en by the instrument transformers. So using several logic rules, the phase and the circuit with earth fault can be successfully identified even if the input data is not so precise. The expert fuzzy systems can be successfully used in earth-fault detection and also in detecting any kind of fault with superior results to the classical meth­od because using the data with errors can obtain good results using the logic small, normal, and big for currents and voltages in the system can take deci­sions similar to the human operator.
Comparison of Two Nitrite UV-VIS Spectrophotometric Analysis Methods in Meat Processed Product
Authors: Boci Ilirjana
Published: April 2024

In most countries, the use of nitrite in meat processed products ei­ther ingoing or the residual amount, is regulated by law. This regulation is continuously updated reflecting the newest and most relevant data after bet­ter understanding nitrite’s potential harmful effects and its transformation pathways in organisms. Sodium nitrite added to meat products is partly con­verted to the heat stable NO-myoglobin and to nitrate by oxidation, acting this way as an antioxidant. These biochemical red ox reactions are not ful­ly understood because they depend on many variables in meat matrixes. Ni­trite residual content is limited at lower than 100 mg/kg product for most of the meat processed products, but because of the abovementioned biochemi­cal often simultaneous reactions, its monitoring should be continuous based on a scientific sampling methodology and accurate methods of analysis. This paper aims to compare two UV-Vis spectrophotometric methods against the reference ISO method for nitrite analysis to recommend their use in specific cases. These methods mainly differ in the nitrite extraction procedures from the meat matrices. The SF UV-Vis AOAC method based on nitrite extraction in natural meat sample conditions and the method proposed by Merino L. in al­kaline conditions are compared to the ISO method by plotting the interaction graph of the data obtained. The results obtained are satisfactory and the au­thor recommends the Merino method when nitrate is to be analyzed in the same sample, otherwise, the AOAC method would be the choice as not much sample handling is required.
Will There Be Dependencies between Oil Prices and Clean Energy Indexes?
Authors: Chambino Mariana , Dias Rui , Morais da Palma Cristina
Published: April 2024

This paper analyses whether clean energy stock indexes, name­ly WilderHill Clean Energy, Clean Energy Fuels, and Nasdaq Clean Edge Green Energy indexes, can be considered coverage assets for the dirty ener­gy stock indexes such as the Brent Crude Spot and Euro Stoxx Oil & Gas in­dexes during the events that occurred in 2020 and 2022. The results suggest low levels of integration, which shows that clean energy indexes are isolat­ed. Based on these findings, the clean energy index may offer a better op­portunity to cover oil prices. However, it is important to highlight that mar­ket conditions, transaction costs, and asset performance affect hedge strat­egy returns. Therefore, it is important to carefully assess the potential risks and benefits of any hedge strategy before making investment decisions. In addition, past performance does not guarantee future results, and market conditions can change quickly and unpredictably.
Cryptocurrency Market: Overreaction to News and Herd Instincts
Authors: Dias Rui , Chambino Mariana , Morais da Palma Cristina
Published: April 2024

The present research focuses on the phenomenon of cryptocur­rency market overreactions, especially examining the behavior of Bitcoin, DASH, EOS, Ethereum, Lisk, Litecoin, Monero, NEO, Quantum, Ripple, Stel­lar, and Zcash from January 2, 2018, to March 1, 2023. The findings show that there are both positive and negative autocorrelations, which might re­sult in lowered volatility and more moderate fluctuations in prices. These re­sults possess the potential to assist investors in making well-informed choic­es since they are less susceptible to being influenced by exaggerated reac­tions to news or information hitting the market. However, before invest­ing in cryptocurrency markets, investors should exercise caution and care­fully examine their risk tolerance, since market circumstances may change quickly, making it impossible to perform consistently profitable trades.
The Impact of the Economic, Energy Crisis and the Geopolitical Context on the Price of Construction
Authors: Mancia Mircea-Sebastian , Popoviciu Gabriela A. , Mancia Aurora
Published: April 2024

The present research focuses on the phenomenon of cryptocur­rency market overreactions, especially examining the behavior of Bitcoin, DASH, EOS, Ethereum, Lisk, Litecoin, Monero, NEO, Quantum, Ripple, Stel­lar, and Zcash from January 2, 2018, to March 1, 2023. The findings show that there are both positive and negative autocorrelations, which might re­sult in lowered volatility and more moderate fluctuations in prices. These re­sults possess the potential to assist investors in making well-informed choic­es since they are less susceptible to being influenced by exaggerated reac­tions to news or information hitting the market. However, before invest­ing in cryptocurrency markets, investors should exercise caution and care­fully examine their risk tolerance, since market circumstances may change quickly, making it impossible to perform consistently profitable trades.
Contemporary Priorities in the Development of the General Agricultural Policy of the European Union
Authors: Zagorova Krasimira
Published: April 2024

This study contains a retrospective analysis of the development of the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union in modern condi­tions, spanning the period 2007-2013 up to the present 2020-2025 program­ming period. In particular, the object of analysis are the priorities in the ag­ricultural sector of the Community, known as “key areas”, defined in three main directions: (1) promotion of the competitiveness of farms in the agri­cultural and forestry sectors, (2) improvement of the environment and the natural assets in the agricultural regions, (3) improvement of the quality of life in rural areas. In the course of the analysis are reflected the trends of re­ducing the cost of intervention on agricultural markets with European Ag­riculture Guarantee Fund resources, particularly pronounced in the 2014- 2020 programming period, still going on in the next indicative period after the year 2020. Finally, conclusions have been drawn, taking into account the invariability of the fundamental goals of the EU Common Agricultural Poli­cy ever since its introduction by the Treaty of Rome (1958). In conclusion, it is pointed out that in parallel with the market and social goals protecting the interests of both European producers and consumers, the objectives of the European Agricultural Policy at this stage are complemented by new ones, which, by supporting primary agricultural activity, namely the production of foods, add other dimensions as well.
The Effectiveness of the Albanian Monetary Policy
Authors: Kumi Evis
Published: April 2024

This article aims to assess the efficiency of the Bank of Albania’s monetary policy in attaining its goals of price stability and economic ex­pansion. Price stability is essential for ensuring a favorable business environ­ment, preserving the purchasing power of the currency, and reducing uncer­tainty in the economy. The analysis takes into account the unique character­istics and challenges faced by the Albanian economy. This article offers in­sights into the effectiveness of the monetary policy framework in Albania by assessing the primary instruments and tactics used by the BoA, including in­terest rates, reserve requirements, and open market operations. It also inves­tigates how external influences affect the efficacy of monetary policy and makes suggestions for improvement. This paper concludes with suggestions for boosting the Albanian mone­tary policy’s efficacy. It recommends actions to strengthen the transmission mechanism, improve data quality and availability, enhance coordination between monetary and fiscal policies, and boost the institutional capability of the central bank. It also stresses how crucial it is to have a consistent and well-defined policy framework. In the end, this article provides recommendations for enhancing the effec­tiveness of the Albanian monetary policy. It suggests measures to strength­en the transmission mechanism, improve data quality and availability, en­hance coordination between monetary and fiscal policies, and increase the central bank’s institutional capacity. Additionally, it emphasizes the impor­tance of maintaining a stable and predictable policy framework.
Implications of Publication Requirements for the Research Output of Arab Academics of Library and Information Science in Scopus in 2011– 2022 (Bibliometric Study)
Authors: Ibrahim Khader
Published: April 2024

The Arab can be considered as a new emergent region in the world by using advanced bibliometric methods, the development of science and technology in Unsure is explored. Purpose: This article explores the implications of publication requirements for the research output of Arab academics of library and information science in Scopus, and reviews (12) years of Library and information science research in the Arab World affiliated with the (22) countries of the Arab League: a bibliometric study 2011–2022. As such it contributes to the existing body of knowledge on quantitative and qualitative effects of research evaluation policies. Design/methodology/approach: Three metrics were chosen to analyses the implications of publication requirements for the quality of research output: publications in predatory journals, publications in local journals and publications per SNIP quartile from the disciplinary perspective. Findings: Study results highlight, that: Firstly: publications of Arab academics of library and information science in predatory journals rose to (12.162 % in 2011-2013) – (39.190 in 2020-2022). Secondly: the share of publications in local journals reached the Peak of fourth period 44.595% in 2020-2022. Thirdly: though the total number of publications has risen dramatically since 2011, but the share of Q3+Q4 has exceeded the share of Q1+Q2. Summaries: the study findings highlight, that research evaluation policies are required to contain not only quantitative but also qualitative criteria. Research limitation: The study does not explore in detail the effects of a particular type of publication requirements. Practical implications: The findings of the study have practical implications for policymakers and university managers aimed to develop research evaluation policies. Originality/value: This paper gains insights into the effects of publication requirements on the research output of Arab academics of library and information science in Scopus & local journals.
Calcium oxalate nephrosis in a cat
Authors: Paulino Leite Gomes Ana Laura , Loureiro Bracarense Ana Paula
Published: April 2024

The aim of this study was to report a case of sudden death due to acute renal failure by oxalate calcium nephrosis. Among the main differential diagnoses, there are ethylene glycol intoxication, lily intoxication and primary congenital hyperoxaluria. Epidemiology and clinical signs suggest intoxication by ethylene glycol, a nephrotoxic substance present in several products. There are few reports of this condition in Brazil, and it should be considered in cases of renal failure and sudden death.