bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of the Key Causes and Measures to Prevent Building Collapses in Nigeria
Authors: Nwosu Chiemezie Chisom , Zima Krzysztof
Published: January 2022

Buildings collapse in the Nigerian major urban cities continues to engender an excessive number of fatalities, injuries and property damage. The collapse of building infrastructure, though prominent in developing economies, is a worldwide issue. Building developments collapse at the construction stages and in some cases after commissioning. Examples abound in recent times in Abuja and Lagos. The major problem is the unquantifiable resources wasted when building construction development collapses. If the answer to this endemic problem is proper project management, it becomes imperative to institutionalize its activities in Nigeria. Building Collapse is an occurrence that has been notorious over the decades. It is caused by many factors which have their great impact on the lives and properties of man. This study reviews current causes in the building industry. In view of this development, this study is aimed at demonstrating how real estate project management strategy helps in building collapse. Data from the primary source were basically from the designed instrument, which were distributed to the population of 100 professionals in the building industries. In this paper, it was concluded that the key causes of building collapse are weak/faulty foundations, inefficient stringent quality control in material utilization, and management, boycotting the professionals, absence of proper site investigation, the absence of proper site investigation and the engagement of inexperienced personnel. The aim of the study was to identify the factors influencing the occurrence of construction disasters in Nigeria in order to prevent them in the future. However, the analysis of the results gathered, reveal that, there was variance in opinions, as to the causes of building collapse among professionals in an attempt to exonerate themselves from the blame for building collapse. These were classified as the areas in the building sector that were prone to building collapse. Therefore, this study claims that the above-listed causes of building collapse are predominant in the Nigerian construction industry.
Geometry Optimalization of the Ventilated Insulating Panel
Authors: Wójcik Andrzej , Wójcik Jakub , Grymin Witold , Konca Piotr , Gawin Dariusz
Published: January 2022

An EPS ventilated panel, which may be applied as an external insulation to humid walls, is investigated. Dimensions of the air channel sections have been determined using the Ansys software. Afterwards, the drying rate of the walls externally insulated with EPS, mineral wool and EPS ventilated panel has been compared using the WUFI software. The ventilated panel increases the drying rate when compared with the standard polystyrene panel and increases the heat loss through the wall by less than 20%.
Repair and Renovation of the Historic Church in Ruda Śląska After Many Failures Caused by Mining Exploitation
Authors: Drobiec Łukasz
Published: January 2022

This paper describes a case of the church, which for nearly 70 years was exposed to the impact of 26 mining exploitations conducted under the church or very close to the church at different depths. These caused damage in the form of superficial cracks of vaults and walls as well as the loosening of the front layer of stone façade of towers. The construction has been preserved due to the continuous monitoring and numerous repairs and renovations. Currently, there is no mining exploitation under the church.
Improvement of the Mechanical Behavior of Composite Materials with Different Binders Based on Local Plant Fibers Alfa and Diss
Authors: Belkhir Zohra , Merzoud Mouloud
Published: January 2022

Concerned about the environmental and economic impact, composite materials are increasingly used in the construction sector. Indeed, the use of plant fibers as reinforcement in construction materials have been the subject of several researches in recent years; the main motivation is the weight gain combined with high mechanical characteristics. The objective of this research concerns the study of the physicomechanical properties of composite materials with cement and clay matrices reinforced with Alfa and Diss fibers with dimensions ranging from 2 to 8 cm. This involves evaluating the performance of these materials according to the formulation, for a volume ratio (Alfa or Diss / Matrix fibers equal to 4), using dry fibers and pre-wetted fibers. The study of the mechanical properties showed a drop of the performance for both compression and bending strength compared to the reference material without adding fibers (cement or clay paste). It should be noted that the best mechanical performance is obtained for the case of composites materials with cementitious matrix with pre-wetted fibers. On the other hand, in the case of composites with clayey matrices, pre-wetting does not improve the mechanical characteristics. It is also noted that the best dimensions of fibers which improve the mechanical characteristics in bending are generally 6 cm for composites with a clay matrix and between 2 and 4 cm for cementitious composites. In all cases, the fibers in composite materials with cement or clay matrix create a bridging effect, making it possible to limit the progression of cracks during loading. This phenomenon gives to the various composite materials a ductile behavior.
Planning and Implementation of Construction Investments - The Basic Stage of Works
Authors: Noga Karol
Published: January 2022

The subject of this article is the evaluation of geodetic and geotechnical works with the use of an appropriate program for this type of work. On the example of a selected investment in Podkarpacie, the research analyzed the validity of conducting current geodetic and geotechnical control works. It should be emphasized that most of the technical specifications do not recommend the use of this type of control work. The paper presents exemplary test results and calculations based on the software used.
Surface Morphology of a Microplastic as an Indicator of Its Microscale Degradation
Authors: Majewski Kamil A. , Myszograj Sylwia , Płuciennik-Koropczuk Ewelina
Published: January 2022

Most of the plastic produced, being one-use plastic packaging, is finally disposed of into the environment. Several agents such as solar radiation, mechanical forces, and microbial action may enable the degradation of these plastics. The purpose of this article is to present a method for studying the properties of a surface of a microplastic particle affected by erosion at the microscale level, which occurred with the help of destructive forces associated with the impact of the sea. The results of analysis of the morphology of the tested sample of microplastic (consisting of poly(propylene)) allowed observing how it was degraded. Examining the surface of a microplastic, one can analyze a number of factors as well as determine the possible path the material has traveled until it was collected as a sample. By determining the scale of the patterns, it is possible to estimate how long the sample and other microplastics present in marine environments have been there. The use of an Atomic Force Microscope not only allows the surface of the sample to be imaged in a non-destructive manner but also enables the degree of degradation to be calculated mathematically, provided a baseline is established from which erosion can be assumed to have originated.
Chemical toxicity assessment and Physiological investigation in rats exposed to pyrethroid insecticide type 1 and possible mitigation of propolis
Authors: Hassan Amal I. , Bondouk Ibrahim I. , Omar Khalid , Esawii Heba A. , Saleh Hosam M.
Published: January 2022

The current investigation aims to study the potential protective effects of propolis methanolic extract (100 mg/kg BW) on the systemic toxic effects after dietary exposure concentration (1/100 LD50 for 30 days) of permethrin (PM) administered in experimental rats. In this experiment, we added propolis four weeks after PM -administration to examining the medicinal effects. Therapeutic use of propolis mitigated PM -induced deterioration of liver and kidney functions and myocardial damage measured by cardiac enzymes lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) in serum. In addition, propolis treatment (prophylactic and therapeutic) prevented PM-induced apoptosis index, including B-cell lymphoma protein 2 (BCL-2)-associated X (BAX) protein activates, and lipid peroxide (LP). The results showed propolis induced a significant decrease in serum levels of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interferon-gamma (INF-γ), interleukin one beta (IL-1β), interleukin 12 (IL-12), and interleukin 6 (IL-6). Besides, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB), acetylcholine esterase (AChE), and hematological constituents. Cardiac biomarkers, liver, and kidney functions were substantially lower in propolis treatment. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC- MS) of the propolis-MeOH extract showed valuable antioxidant phenolics and flavonoids capable of alleviating oxidative stress through the free-radical scavenging efficacy and regulating signaling pathways of proinflammatory cytokines.
SARS-CoV-2 Alpha Variant Infection of a Patient Immunized by Inactive Sinovac (CoronaVac) Vaccine
Authors: Ozverel Cenk Serhan , Tulay Pinar , Ergoren Mahmut Cerkez , Guler Emrah , Baddal Buket , Suer Kaya , Sanlidag Tamer
Published: January 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first detected in December 2019, and shortly after pandemic has been declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) due to its unstoppable global spread. Considerable amount of effort has beenput around the World in order to develop a safe and effective vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. Inactivated and RNA vaccines have already passed phase three studies showing sufficient efficacy and safety, respectively. Nowadays, there is a noticeable dominance of SARS-CoV-2 variants with various mutations over the wild type SARS-CoV-2. However, there is no report showing the efficacy of these vaccines on these variants. This case study describes a thirty-eight-year-old male reported to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 alpha variant following two doses of inactive CoronaVac administration with a protective level of SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies. The variant analysis of the virus reported to be positive for N501Y mutation.This is the first case in the literature demonstrating that inactive SARS-CoV-2 vaccine might have a lower efficacy on alpha variant.
From Culinary Practice to Printed Text: The Eighteenth-Century Language of London Cookbooks
Authors: Butoescu Elena
Published: January 2022

The present article will explore the role that cookbooks had in eighteenth-century London, being extremely popular and highly pirated, probably the most successful women's printed genre of the eighteenth century. These cookery books represented a reliable source of information not only about social distinction and food practices, but also about urban development and marketability. This is not only an analysis of the literature and culture of food as printed in the eighteenth-century by well-known London publishing houses, but also an insight into the vast scope of city dwellers. I will look at how the rhetoric of food reveals the mentality, customs, and culinary developments of eighteenth-century urban practices, ranging from the private area of the home to the public space of the print market. The catalog of didactic language on how to pluck poultry, burn charcoal, or prepare dishes in a clean and hygienic environment expresses the richness of food-related terminology, as well as the diversity of epithets praising the quality of the book or indicating the expected market. The article argues that the terminology used in these cookbooks, the paratexts and the systematic structure of the recipes reflect a specific country/city divide, since they provided instruction on how to adapt rural recipes to an urban kitchen, acknowledged the social division between servant and mistress, and shaped a new consumer behaviour.
Underground Film Translations in 1980s Romania: A Gateway to Freedom
Authors: Ciocan Dana Georgiana
Published: January 2022

The context of the communist regime in the late 1980s Romania was definitely a most peculiar one. During this period of time, translations from other languages were scarce and only the ones which were in accordance with the communist ideology were allowed. It was a time when people had neither many rights nor did they have many choices to make. In the latter part of the 1980s more and more foreign films were smuggled into the country and most of them were obviously American. Such films revealed a new and different world for those who watched them. Consequently, these films needed to be translated and the most well-known voice to have done it was Irina Margareta Nistor's. Her task was both interesting and demanding but also dangerous at the same time given the political context. This essay investigates the manner in which underground film “dubbing”

The translation technique used, in reality a combination between the techniques of voice-over and simultaneous interpretation, was mistakenly named ‘dubbing.’

was done and describes the particularities of the clandestine film “dubbing” by discussing how it was performed and by analysing the translations qualitatively.
The Effects of Spaceflight on Mucin Production in the Mouse Uterus
Authors: Forsman Allan D. , Nier Heath A.
Published: January 2022

The effects of microgravity on biological tissues are relatively unexplored, especially in regard to the mammalian female reproductive system. To begin to address this issue, the uterine tissue of female mice flown on NASA shuttle mission STS-118 was studied. Three sets of female mice, each consisting of 12 animals, were utilized in this study: flight animals, ground control animals, and baseline animals. The flight animals were housed in the Animal Enclosure Module (AEM) of the Commercial Biomedical Testing Module-2 (CBMT-2), which was a part of the payload of the shuttle’s mid-deck locker. Ground control animals were housed in ground-based AEMs, which were kept in a room specifically designed to mimic the environmental conditions of the flight units with regard to temperature, humidity, and light/dark cycles on a 48 hour delay. Baseline animals were housed in standard rodent cages at ambient temperature and humidity and a 12/12 light/dark cycle. The uterine tissue was stained using an Alcian Blue Periodic Acid Schiff staining procedure and the apical mucin layer thickness was subsequently analyzed. Analysis of the mucin layer in the uterus revealed that the thickness of the mucin layer in the flight tissue was significantly thicker that the mucin layers of the ground control and baseline tissue.
A Computational Study of the Mechanics of Gravity-induced Torque on Cells
Authors: Haranas Ioannis , Gkigkitzis Ioannis , Zouganelis George D.
Published: January 2022

In this paper we use Nace’s previous work in order to model the effects of gravity in cells and similar objects. In the presence of the gravitational field of a primary body, the gravity vector can result in numerous effects, some of which are tension, shear, and finally torque. To model the torque effect we use a complete expression for the gravitational acceleration, as this is given on the surface of a planetary body as well as in orbit around it. In particular, on the surface of the Earth the acceleration is corrected for the effect of oblateness and rotation. In the gravitational acceleration the effect of oblateness can be modeled with the inclusion of a term that contains the J
2 harmonic coefficient, as well as a term that depends on the square of angular velocity of the Earth. In orbit the acceleration of gravity at the point of the spacecraft is a function of the orbital elements and includes, only in our case, the J
2 harmonic since no Coriolis force is felt by the spacecraft. We derive analytical expressions and calculate the resulting torque effects for various geocentric latitudes, as well as circular and elliptical orbits of various eccentricities and inclinations. We find that elliptical polar orbits result in higher torques, and that higher eccentricities result in higher the torque effects. To any measurable extent, our results do not drastically impact any existing biophysical conclusions.
The Effects of Gamma and Proton Radiation Exposure on Hematopoietic Cell Counts in the Ferret Model
Authors: Sanzari Jenine K. , Wan X. Steven , Krigsfeld Gabriel S. , Wroe Andrew J. , Gridley Daila S. , Kennedy Ann R.
Published: January 2022

Exposure to total-body radiation induces hematological changes, which can detriment one’s immune response to wounds and infection. Here, the decreases in blood cell counts after acute radiation doses of γ-ray or proton radiation exposure, at the doses and dose-rates expected during a solar particle event (SPE), are reported in the ferret model system. Following the exposure to γ-ray or proton radiation, the ferret peripheral total white blood cell (WBC) and lymphocyte counts decreased whereas neutrophil count increased within 3 hours. At 48 hours after irradiation, the WBC, neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts decreased in a dose-dependent manner but were not significantly affected by the radiation type (γ-rays verses protons) or dose rate (0.5 Gy/minute verses 0.5 Gy/hour). The loss of these blood cells could accompany and contribute to the physiological symptoms of the acute radiation syndrome (ARS).
New Perspectives in the Treatment of Acute and Chronic Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction
Authors: Stătescu Cristian , Sascău Radu , Clement Alexandra , Anghel Larisa
Published: January 2022

Acute and chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is a major public health problem, studies showing a 25% survival rate at 5 years after hospitalization. If left untreated, it is a common and potentially fatal disease. In recent years, the medical and device therapies of patients with HFrEF have significantly improved. The aim of our review is to provide an evidence-based update on new therapeutic strategies in acute and chronic settings, to prevent hospitalization and death in patients with HFrEF. We performed a systematic literature search on PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews, and we included a number of 23 randomized controlled trials published in the last 30 years. The benefit of beta-blockers and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors in patients with HFrEF is well known. Recent developments, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, vericiguat, transcatheter mitral valve repair, wireless pulmonary artery pressure monitor and cardiac contractility modulation, have also proven effective in improving prognosis. In addition, other new therapeutic agents showed encouraging results, but they are currently being studied. The implementation of personalized disease management programs that directly target the cause of HFrEF is crucial in order to improve prognosis and quality of life for these patients.
Magnitude of ST-segment Elevation Is Associated with Increased Acute Inflammatory Response and Myocardial Scar in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction Undergoing pPCI
Authors: Mester Andras , Cernica Daniel , Opincariu Diana , Rat Nora , Hodas Roxana , Kovacs Istvan , Benedek Theodora , Benedek Imre
Published: January 2022

Background: The integrated ST segment elevation score (ISSTE) score objectively quantifies the ECG changes before and after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) for ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The inflammatory response is a major component in scar formation and remodeling process of the myocardial tissue following myocardial infarction (MI). Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) precisely quantifies the cardiac function and assesses the pattern of the myocardial scar tissue. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relations between the ISSTE score and: (1) acute inflammatory biomarkers and (2) extent of the myocardial scar determined by CMR in STEMI treated with pPCI. Material and methods: One hundred thirty STEMI patients were included in the study, who underwent pPCI in the first 12 hours from symptom debut. ISSTE-1 was calculated at presentation and 2 hours following pPCI (ISSTE-2). Inflammatory biomarkers were determined at admission and day 5, followed by LGE-CMR at 4 weeks, with quantification of cardiac function and extent of infarct size (IS) and transmurality. Patients were divided in low and high ISSTE groups based on the median values. Results: No significant differences were noted in terms of CMR parameters or inflammatory biomarkers and between the groups with low or high ISSTE-1. Significantly higher levels of day-5 hs-CRP (p = 0.03) and day-1 IL-6 (p = 0.02), MMP-9 (p = 0.05) were recorded in high ISSTE-2 groups. LV IS mass (23.11 ± 5.31 vs. 57.94 ± 8.33, p = 0.001), percentage (13.55 ± 6.22 vs. 27.15 ± 7.12, p = 0.001) and transmurality (p = 0.001) was significantly higher in ISSTE-2 group. ISSTE-2 significantly correlated with LV IS mass (r = 0.391, p <0.0001), percentage (r = 0.541, p <0.0001) high transmurality (r = 0.449, p <0.0001) and LV EF (r = -0.397, p <0.0001). Conclusions: A high ISSTE-2 score is associated with increased inflammatory response exhibited by elevated serum IL-6 and MMP-9 levels determined on the day of admission, and with persistently increased serum hs-CRP levels on day 5 of the acute event. A higher ISSTE-2 score is associated with larger myocardial scar extent expressed by IS, higher transmurality and reduced LV EF at 1-month LGE CMR follow-up.
Exploring an Infrastructure Investment Methodology to Risk Mitigation from Rail Hazardous Materials Shipments
Authors: Vaezi Ali , Verma Manish
Published: January 2022

Railroad is one of the primary modes to transport hazardous materials (hazmat) in North America. For instance, Canadian railroads carried around 50 million tons of hazmat in 2018. Given the inherent danger of trains carrying hazmat, this study aimed at exploring a novel way towards mitigation of the associated risk. This study sought to investigate whether proper rail track infrastructure investment can mitigate the risk from hazmat shipments. To this end, a methodology was developed and then applied to the Canadian railroad network. The proposed three-step methodology captured the differing perspectives of rail carriers and regulatory agencies, and entailed (1) ascertaining the risk-level of various yards and links in the given railroad network, (2) specifying potential candidates for infrastructure investment, and (3) finding the optimum set of investment decisions. The proposed methodology was then applied to the Canadian railroad network to demonstrate that significant risk-reduction can be achieved by adding alternative rail-links around the riskiest locations (i.e. the network hot-spots), and also to show that risk-reduction function is non-linear with non-monotonous behavior. The study showed the possibility of significant hazmat risk reduction through alternative rail-links that could take traffic away from the network hot-spots. The methodology and the results from the Canadian case can be used by railroad companies and policy makers to estimate the value of potentially risk-reducing infrastructure investments.
Opinion of Pre-service Preschool Teachers on Responsiveness: A Comparative Study of Latvian and Polish Students in the Aspect of Sustainable Education
Authors: Jurgena Inese , Cēdere Dagnija , Keviša Ingrīda , Szerlag Alicja , Jedrzejowska Agnieszka
Published: January 2022

The contradictions of modern human development are related to educational space, which is characterized by globalization and technology-driven changes; therefore, the social dimension of teacher education emphasizes the humane character of education – respectful communication, participation, empathy, flexibility, and the ability to change so that a teacher would be able to ensure an emotionally safe and supervised learning environment.

The aim of the article is to analyze and compare the opinions of students, pre-service preschool teachers, about teacher’s responsiveness in Latvian and Polish institutions of higher education. The research methodology includes the theoretical method – analysis of academic literature – and the empirical method – a survey of 307 Latvian and Polish full-time and part-time students in the period of 2020–2021. The survey was conducted online. Data processing was performed using the SPSS program. The results show that, in general, the understanding of prospective preschool teachers about the importance of teacher responsiveness in pedagogical activities and the need to undertake responsibility and leadership in regulating children’s reactions is positive. However, several differences have been identified between the opinions of Latvian and Polish students.
The Information Search Habits Investigated by an Eye Tracking Technique: How to Manage the Documentary Heritage of the National Library of Latvia
Authors: Java Oskars
Published: January 2022

The aim of the large-scale research entitled “Exploring Documentary Heritage for Building Synergies between Research and Society” is to investigate previously unexplored aspects of the documentary heritage, including the part of the legacy that has previously been subject to censorship and has therefore not been studied in depth. In order for these layers and stories to reach the public, it should initially be informed of the existence of such information, which, in turn, could create awareness and encourage action. As part of the large-scale research, the present article, using an eye tracking tool, reveals how target groups search for information on the Internet. The usability test indicates that respondents do not go to a specific information resource to search for specific information, but search is primarily started using one of the Internet search engines. The main conclusion is that, in order to ensure the availability of reliable high-quality information to the public, which is one of the key conditions for sustainable development, databases of the National Library of Latvia (NLL) should be designed in such a way that Google search engine can easily index the information contained in them.
Open Innovation Model of Student’s Research Activities
Authors: Dvoryatkina Svetlana N. , Zhuk Larisa V. , Smirnov Evgeniy I. , Khizhnyak Anastasia V. , Shcherbatykh Sergey V.
Published: January 2022

The study is aimed to develop the open innovation model of student’s research activities based on the adaptation of modern scientific achievements in the context of transition to sustainable development of the education system. It advances a general approach to the design of the structure and implementation of main components of hybrid intelligent system to integrating a production-frame model of knowledge and neural network algorithm for the formation of an individual learning scenario. The software implemented as a hybrid intellectual environment for organizing student’s research activities is conventionally represented as a combination of blocks: a graphical user interface; technological core of hybrid learning environment, including a neural network classifier and a training data bank; a system for interaction and activation of third-party software and software and hardware. The technological basis for the individualization of the learning trajectory is the automated construction, forecasting of development and interactive correction of competence-oriented and associated models of a subject area. As a technological core, it uses a hybrid system of interaction between an artificial neural network and an expert system functioning based on a database of research projects. The presented innovation algorithm makes it possible to implement the technology of student’s research activities organizing as a process of setting up the generalized constructions of complex knowledge. Further research prospects consist of the program implementation of hybrid intellectual learning environment for the development of student’s research activities and its preparation for trial operation.
Motivation and Challenges of Teleworking Employees of Educational Institutions in Latvia During COVID-19
Authors: Rozentale Sarmite , Grintale Ieva , Paegle Linda , Vanadzins Ivars , Matisane Linda
Published: January 2022

This study reflects motivation as one of the most important resources for achieving the goals of sustainable education. Motivation is a challenge as well as an important goal for the sustainability of education. The impact of COVID-19 has reached such proportions that the professional life of educators may never be the same again. Some of the key questions to consider in the context of educational sustainability: What are the most effective tools for motivating educators? What are the most important mechanisms for supporting telework?

The aim of this study was to find out the motivation and challenges of teleworking employees of educational institutions in Latvia during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data of the study were obtained using an employee survey of 495 remote-working respondents in the period from September to October 2020. The main sources of theoretical data were the analysis of literature, policy documents and publications. For quantitative data processing, IMB SPSS and MS Excel software were used.

The authors found remarkable differences and similarities in motivation and challenges between the employees of educational institutions and the rest of the group of employees. The results showed that the main work motivations were salary, good working conditions, social guarantees, stable work, career opportunities, training opportunities and the interesting job.
Protective ability of lead corrosion products in indoor atmosphere with acetic acid vapours
Authors: Švadlena J. , Prošek T. , Boháčková T. , Kouřil M.
Published: January 2022

Lead corrosion products can undergo certain changes over the time in terms of composition. How these changes affect the corrosion of the underlying lead is an important question for protection of historical lead artefacts. In this work, we focus on characterization of changes in composition of lead corrosion products and how the composition affects corrosion of the lead substrate. Prepared model corrosion products on lead coupons were exposed to air at different relative humidity and concertation of acetic acid vapours. Composition of the corrosion products was analysed by XRD and corrosion rate was calculated from gravimetric data. Measurement of polarization resistance was implemented to get more insight into the protective ability of formate corrosion products. With lead formate covering the surface, the corrosion rate of lead coupons was minimal even in humid air with 400 ppb of acetic acid vapours. Acetic acid was however able to alter lead carbonate corrosion products resulting in increased corrosion rate.
Detection of Enterotoxigenic Potential of Staphylococcus Aureus Isolates from Cheese Samples with Two Different Methods
Authors: Manovska Marija Ratkova , Prodanov Mirko , Jankuloski Dean , Sekulovski Pavle , Blagoevska Katerina
Published: January 2022

The primary objective of our study was to detect the occurrence of enterotoxigenic Staphylococcus aureus in diverse types of cheese (cow’s milk cheese and mixed milk cheese) samples from R.N. Macedonia. Cheese samples were analyzed for enumeration and isolation of the S. aureus strains according to ISO 6888-1. We detected the toxigenic potential of the strains by the use of the Enzyme Link Fluorescent Assay VIDAS system, and we confirmed the presence of the SEs (sea, seb, sec, sed, see) genes by multiplex PCR. The results showed that out of 270 samples of cheese, coagulase-positive staphylococci (CPS) were detected in 27 (10%), and coagulase-negative staphylococci in five samples (1.8%). Biochemically, all 27 CPS samples were confirmed to be Staphylococcus aureus. With VIDAS SET2 test we confirmed that 11 isolates are producers of one of the toxins limited by the test. With the conventional PCR we confirmed genes in only 7 isolates. Most common detected gene was seb n=3 (42.8%), followed by sea n=2 (28.6%), and sec n=2 (28.6%). Additionally, sed and see genes were not detected in any of the S. aureus isolates. Discrepancies between the two test methods for detection of enterotoxigenic potential are not uncommon. The presence of viable Staphylococcus aureus cells that have enterotoxin potency demonstrates the importance of appropriate hygiene practices in the diary process and also the maintenance of the products in order to obtain a safe final product for the consumers.
Exploring Emerging Markets’ Demographic and Macroeconomic Dynamics and the Middle Class Growth: The Case of China and India
Authors: Vide Romana Korez , Zavrl Irena , Hunjet Anica
Published: January 2022

Emerging markets’ political, economic, and social transition processes led to altered demographic trends and new macroeconomic dynamics in these economies. These changes triggered the growth of the middle class that became an essential factor of emerging markets’ attractiveness for sales and production activities of foreign firms. The purpose of this article is to analyze the demographic and macroeconomic trends of China and India in the decades before the COVID-19 crisis, aimed at estimating their role in the growth of the middle class and the consequent attractiveness of these two important emerging markets for foreign firms. We formulate our research findings on the extensive theoretical foundations and empirical analysis of selected demographic and macroeconomic indicators related to the growth of the middle class. We established that India fell behind China considerably concerning demographic transition and macroeconomic dynamics in the observed periods. China enforced a radical demographic transition. The comparative analysis of macroeconomic dynamics showed a solid leadership of China in economic growth, international trade and investment openness, technological advancement, employment, the structure of the output, domestic investment, urbanization, and salaried workers. Consequently, we estimated the lower growth of the Indian middle class and its lower importance in foreign firms’ decisions to enter the Indian market. The findings brought some implications for international managers at segmenting and selecting target foreign markets.
Factors Influencing the Perception of Destination Brand Luxuriousness
Authors: Krupka Zoran , Dobra Andreja , Vlašić Goran
Published: January 2022

The main purpose of this paper is to identify and investigate the factors that influence the building and managing of luxury destination brands. Based on a review of existing literature, the authors identified eight crucial factors: accommodation quality, quality of gastronomy offers, premium price, service quality, luxury shopping, unique experience, transportation infrastructure, and celebrity. The research was conducted on a sample of 619 respondents from 16 countries. Factor and regression analyses were used. The results indicate that the availability of celebrity and luxury shopping has the strongest significant influence on luxury destination brand building, while the impact of accommodation quality and a premium price is non-significant, and, interestingly, transportation infrastructure has a negative and significant impact. A convenience sample and the possibility of omitting certain factors (e.g. safety) from the research represent the main research limitations. This research contributes to marketing and brand management literature by identifying and investigating the factors that help in building and managing a luxury destination brand, which to date has been neglected in literature.
Analysis of psycho-sociodemographic features in referred male psychiatric patients with suicidal ideation
Authors: Edina Dimény , Attila Brassai
Published: January 2022

Suicide is defined by the World Health Organization as an act in which an individual ends his or her own life. Suicidal behavior is a major public health problem worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, the global suicide rate is 10,5/100.000 – 13,5/100.000 in case of men and 7,7/100 000 in case of women and is the 2nd most common cause of violent death. Suicide is a multifactorial phenomenon that can be approached from different perspectives. In Romania, this rate is similar to the global rate: in 2016, the estimated suicide rate was 10.4/100,000, well below the European average. Suicide rates vary by region, age group, gender, ethnicity, and registration of mortality statistics. The aim of the present study is to investigate the psycho-socio-demographic indicators of a cohort of patients with suicidal thoughts emergency referred to a particular psychiatric ward in one year. In our research, we performed a case-control, analytical, randomized, observational study at the Clinical Hospital of Neurology and Psychiatry Brasov among adult psychiatric patients admitted during 2014. The following data on patients were processed: demographic data (age, gender, place of residence), psychosocial data (social background, marital status, education), chronic somatic comorbidities, family history of psychiatric illness, pre-existing psychiatric illnesses, previous suicide attempts and their characteristics. The risk of suicide was assessed by the Modified Scale for Suicide Ideation - Miller et al. Questionnaire and distinguished 3 categories. In our sample of 77 cases we identified 14 patients with low suicide risk, 17 with moderate risk and 46 with high suicide risk. The focus of our study was on suicidal behavior. Suicide attempt, as a complex clinical problem with a waste complexity of ethiology, has high demands on psychiatric care. Being familiar with the different psycho-socio-demographic profiles by gender is proved to be a useful tool in both “screening” and in subsequent case management. These principles can facilitate decision-making, can increase adherence to treatment, and reduce the risk of repetitive attempts.
Big Data Analytics in Basketball Versus Business
Authors: Branga Vlad-Alexandru
Published: January 2022

Nowadays, because of the advancements in technology and the spread of globalization, information about game / player statistics or demographics of local and national workforce is only one click away. Information, or data, plays a very important role in basketball as it can make a difference in the selection process of players. On the other hand, human resources departments from various businesses can analyze big data from an internal (ex.: talent analytics) and external (ex. local and national demographics) perspective. Big data analysis is an activity that has gained more and more importance throughout time as it proved that it could help organizations make not only better decisions but also to better prepare for future games / negotiations. That is why, the purpose of this paper is to identify if and how basketball clubs and businesses - through their human resources department, use big data in order to attract and select the right people for their teams. More so, how big data is used in order to provide basketball clubs and businesses with a competitive advantage in the championship / on the market. By comparing how organizations such as basketball clubs use and interpret big data and how human resources departments of various businesses do it, some similarities but also big differences have been identified. Furthermore, the results also show that big data analytics can help basketball clubs and businesses to better identify the best-suited candidates for their teams. In conclusion, through the use of big data, basketball clubs and businesses can make more objective decisions regarding the people they recruit and how to develop them.
Evaluating the Organizational Culture from Romanian Private Companies Using the Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI)
Authors: Dobrin Cosmin , Dinulescu Ruxandra , Dima Cristina
Published: January 2022

Today's society framework is linked to qualities that might impact corporate organizations, such as competitiveness, globalization, market economy, and even economic crises, on both national and international scale. In this environment, a private business must follow current trends by seeking continual quality improvement of its operations to prevent stagnation. The goal of this research is to examine the organizational culture of Romanian private-sector businesses, as this is a unique feature that, if not managed effectively, can have a detrimental impact on a company's quality and competitiveness. The tool used for this research to diagnose the dominant direction of Romania’s private companies was the Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI). Results indicated that employees would prefera clan culture, more specifically, a place where people share the same values, and loyalty and traditions are key fora friendly work environment.
Local Products Dynamics and the Determinants of Purchasing Behaviour
Authors: Karelakis Christos , Papanikolaou Zacharias , Theodosiou George , Goylas Apostolos
Published: January 2022

In recent years the redistribution of economic activities due to the volatile economic and business environment has led to the return of part of the urban population back to the countryside. This resulted in a renewed interest by consumers in authentic local products and services related to tradition, heritage and culture. The rise of local products characterized by some peculiarity in their ingredients can be an essential advantage in developing the agricultural economy, as there will be an improvement in farmers' income, whilst attracting visitors if combined with actions to highlight a place's natural and cultural elements. The present study investigates local products' dynamics in urban markets and explores the socio-demographic characteristics shaping consumer attitudes towards local products. Primary data, collected through a quantitative survey to a sample of 503 consumers, were assessed through exploratory factor analysis, Multiple Regression Analysis and Cluster Analysis. The results indicate that the consumer's education, the products' marketplace, the product labelling and the consumer information about these products define their purchasing behaviour. The study's findings may help formulate policy proposals to increase the demand and consumption of local products, thus creating a greater penetration of local products in the market.
Exploring the Generic Understanding of Managing Sustainability
Authors: Panţa Nancy Diana
Published: January 2022

The intensive use of resources and the environmental impacts associated with the growth of the world's population have made it clear that the traditional twentieth-century way of doing business is not enough for a sustainable future. Thus, businesses are forced to make a transition towards new forms of management, adapted to the reality of the global - social, political, economic, ecological and technological - context, which is becoming more and more unpredictable and raises more challenges than it did a decade ago. Thus, stakeholders expect and demand improved products and services, made with a low negative impact on the environment and society. The requirements end up being applied not only to every facet of the business, but also to its partners. Overall, changing the way we do business today is undoubtedly not only complex, but also exciting for many managers who need to integrate sustainable development and sustainability into their strategic approach. In addition, a new sense of responsibility is developing for future generations as the effects of resource overexploitation and pollution increase. The sense of responsibility also evolves in the relationship between stakeholders and companies, which is why the latter are moving towards adapting their own strategic orientation. me one of the starting points for sustainable development. Under these circumstances, the question arises on how managers are supposed to integrate sustainability into their strategies. Consequently, this paper aims to explore the understanding of managing sustainability and provide a generic clarification for it.
Innovating in Emerging Markets By Building Meaningful it Alliances
Authors: Papapanagiotou Konstantinos , Rotsios Konstantinos , Sklavounos Nikolaos
Published: January 2022

This research examines important firm specific characteristics for the expansion of innovative IT start-ups through strategic partnerships and affiliate networks in the emerging markets of South East (S.E.) Europe. The case of a Greek IT start-up currently seeking to expand in S.E. Europe through partnerships is investigated. The case study analysis reveals that the existence of codified knowledge and the establishment of formal systems and processes enhance successful knowledge transfer in business partnerships and contribute in alliance success. Furthermore, firms should pursue partnerships with reputable firms, while working simultaneously in developing their own reputation that will enable them to more efficiently attract potential business partners. They should also seek for partners with prior collaborative experience in order to increase the development of trust in their alliances which is a critical success factor in business partnerships. In addition, firms should build a team with a diverse academic background and business experience, in order to increase the chances for successful international partnerships. This analysis further enhances the understanding of company characteristics that better position IT startups to form meaningful and successful alliances in emerging markets. Lastly, it provides useful insights on important parameters that startups need to consider and develop in order to more efficiently form strategic partnerships.
Considerations on the Role of the School in Social Mobility
Authors: Rotariu Traian
Published: January 2022

The role of the school in the process of status attainment for individuals with different social origins should be analysed both from the perspective of social mobility flows (absolute rates of mobility) and inequality of social chances (relative rates and odds ratios). Inspired by Raymond Boudon’s earlier studies in the 1970s, the author scrutinises the complex relationships between expanding access to higher levels of education, social mobility trajectories, and inequality of chances of status achievement in the context of persistent inequalities in contemporary capitalist societies. He concludes that at the societal level, an increase of the dependency of achieved social status on educational qualification will lead to greater immobility if the inequality of educational chances remains constant. At the level of individuals, the same process will lead to greater probability of upward mobility in the case of people with higher levels of educational qualification, and greater probability of downward mobility for those with lower educational qualification.
Dépasser la frontière. La traduction des realia dans la version française de România pitorească d’Alexandru Vlahuță
Authors: Mokhtari Mathieu
Published: January 2022

This paper deals with the translation of cultural references in Alexandru Vlahuță’s book România pitorească. Indeed, this work is full of culture-specific items that require special attention and appropriate translation strategies to preserve all the linguistic savour of the source text. This translation, carried out by Mărgărita Miller- Verghy – one the few Romanian women translators –, will be analysed in order to study the difficulties raised by the translation of those realia and the solutions provided. In the same way, we will show to what extent the cultural boundaries are permeable.