bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Remediation of the Epic in Digital Games: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Authors: Melnic Vlad
Published: April 2021

This paper examines whether certain computer games, most notably RPGs, can be thought of as examples of the postmodern epic. Drawing on more recent critical frameworks of the epic, such as the ones proposed by Northrop Frye, Adeline Johns-Putra, Catherine Bates or John Miles Foley, the demonstration disembeds the most significant diachronic features of the epic from its two main media of reproduction, that of text and oral transmission, in order to test their fusion with the virtual environment of digital games. More specifically, I employ the concept of “epic mode” in order to explain the relevance of The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim for the history of the epic typology, which must now be understood as transmedial. I illustrate the manner in which this representative title assimilates the experience and performance of the epic, as well as several meaningful shifts in terms of genre theory, the most notable of which is an intrinsic posthuman quality. The experience of play inherent to Skyrim does not only validate the latter as an authentic digital epic of contemporary culture, but it also enhances the content, role and impact of the typology itself, which is yet far from falling into disuse.1
“One does what one can (on fait ce qu’on peut)”: Joseph Conrad as Translator
Authors: Stevenson Randall
Published: April 2021

Joseph Conrad’s fiction – Lord Jim especially – contains several instances of characters struggling with translation, or with foreign languages more generally, or transferring speech or syntactic patterns from one language to another. These features have much to suggest about Conrad’s own multilingual early life and his eventual adoption of English for his writing. They also have wider implications concerning his vision and tactics as a novelist – including his reliance on French fiction, and his regular emphases on cultural difference and on the cognitive and epistemological challenges of communicating experience. These challenges, in turn, initiate or anticipate concerns widely apparent in modernist fiction, indicating stresses in an advancing, globalised modernity which made its innovations so necessary. Appreciating Conrad’s interest in translation elucidates and confirms Fredric Jameson’s judgement of his writing as a key factor in the emergence of modernism in the early twentieth century.
Pharmaco-Botanical Mapping and Evaluation of the Medicinal Flora – Potencial along the Niraj and Târnava Mică Rivers
Authors: Nagy Zsolt
Published: April 2021

This study offers the partial results of the botanical studies, botanical cartography, and the evaluation of the medicinal flora potential in the ROSCI0297 Natura 2000 area (Dealurile Târnavei Mici – Bicheș). From March 4th, 2016 to March 3th, 2017, in a 1000 ha sample area and a 34 days long fieldwork the specific location of 101 officially applied medicinal plant species was identified and mapping was achieved. Simultaneously, 26 medicinal plant analogues, 300 other valuable taxa (e. g. plants under protection, rare orchids etc.), and the cartography of invasive plants were documented. Another important result of the first year is the identification, listing and analysis of the reshaping, influential and impairing factors of the vegetation and habitats.
The Effect of Music on Heart Rate Variability (Review)
Authors: Parizek D , Sladicekova K , Tonhajzerova I , Veterník M , Jakus J
Published: April 2021

Music therapy and the use of music in medical practice have now become rapidly advancing and promising areas of non-invasive alternative medicine. However, the opinions of physicians and therapists on the implementation of this complementary therapy, especially in the process of treating the patient, are constantly different. In addition, the effect of music and individual methodological procedures are not uniform and defined in detail. Therefore, this review study summarizes the results and conclusions of some selected high-quality publications over the last decade and makes suggestions for improvement and further research. It focuses mainly on the evaluation of changes in heart rate variability (HRV) as an indicator of the activity of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in connection with the application of music in the process of passive music therapy.
Correlation of Increased Total Serum Immunoglobulin E Levels and Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Authors: Ballova A , Vorcakova K , Pec J
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a typical formation of inflamed nodules, abscesses, and sinus tracts usually in the axillary, inguinal, and anogenital region. We decided to investigate the possible association of hidradenitis suppurativa and total IgE elevation and to explore the patients’ characteristics which can be related to high IgE levels.

Methods: We performed a retrospective observational study which included 67 patients with moderate-to-severe stage of hidradenitis suppurativa followed up in our outpatient dermatology department. Total IgE, IgA, IgG, IgM, and CRP serum levels were measured. A personal and family history was taken. We asked them about allergic diseases and cigarette smoking and determined the basic parameters such as the weight and height of the patients.

Results: Elevated total IgE levels were noticed in 21 patients (31.3%), of which 6 had a history of allergic disorder. Three of them had allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and the other three were suffering from atopic dermatitis. The mean total IgE level was 203.0 IU/ml with a maximum value of 1,954 IU/ml. Analysis of the factors, such as cigarette smoking, sex, elevated CRP, body mass index, and the number of affected areas, did not show an association with increased IgE levels.

Conclusion: Our study showed a higher mean value of total IgE in patients with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa than in the general population. However, we did not confirm an association with any characteristics of the patients. Limitations of this work include a small number of patients and a lack of the control group, therefore further and more extensive studies are needed to support these results.
Theoretical study of lumichrome, 1-methyl-lumichrome and lumiflavin binding ability with thymine
Authors: Cagardová Denisa , Michalík Martin , Lukeš Vladimír
Published: April 2021

Gas-phase geometry and electronic structure of lumichrome, 1-methyl-lumichrome and lumiflavin in the electronic ground state and their excited states were investigated using the Density Functional Theory. Their binding ability with thymine was estimated for model van der Waals dimers with two intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The influence of hydrogen bonds on their photophysical properties was analyzed. Obtained theoretical data were compared with available experimental absorption and fluorescence spectra.
Influence of sea buckthorn juice addition on the growth of microbial food cultures
Authors: Schubertová Svetlana , Burčová Zuzana , Greifová Mária , Potočňáková Marianna , Janotková Lívia , Kreps František
Published: April 2021

The aim of the article was to investigate the effect of sea buckthorn juice addition on the growth of microbial cultures in growth medium and juice mixtures. Pure sea buckthorn juice was found to inhibit the growth of all 11 monitored microbial cultures. Lactobacillus plantarum CCM 7039, Lactobacillus plantarum K816, Lactobacillus brevis CCM 1815 and, to a lesser extent, the probiotic strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, grew in a growth medium containing a 25 % addition of sea buckthorn juice. Lactobacillus plantarum K816 and Lactobacillus brevis CCM 1815 grew better in this mixture than in pure growth medium. Moreover, we focused on finding a suitable ratio of sea buckthorn and apple juice for Lactobacillus plantarum CCM 7039, leading to malolactic fermentation, which results in an increase in the pH value and an improvement in the sensory properties of juices. The intention was to incorporate the highest possible addition of sea buckthorn juice while maintaining the viability of Lactobacillus plantarum CCM 7039 for malolactic fermentation to occur. The best results were achieved using 40 % sea buckthorn juice. Practical application of the results points to the possibility of preparing a fermented fruit beverage and a dairy product containing sea buckthorn juice. The results of this work extend the current options of sea buckthorn juice processing increasing thus the consumption of healthy juice.
Radiocarbon data from the archaeological site of Turdaş-Luncă (preventive research of 2011)(IV)
Authors: Luca Sabin Adrian , Sava Tiberiu Bogdan , Ilie Maria , Dima Andreea , Pascal Daniela , Sava Gabriela , Mănăilescu Cristian , Perianu Florentin , Teodorescu Raluca
Published: April 2021

The preventive archaeological researches of 2011 led to sensational discoveries. These include evidence for the extraction of radiocarbon data. We analyze new evidence from the periods: neolithic and eneolithic (Turdaş culture), eneolithic (Petreşti culture) and classical dacian period (1st century AD).
Radioactivity of soil in Croatia I: naturally occurring decay chains
Authors: Šoštarić Marko , Petrinec Branko , Avdić Mak , Petroci Ljerka , Kovačić Milica , Zgorelec Željka , Skoko Božena , Bituh Tomislav , Senčar Jasminka , Branica Gina , Franić Zdenko , Franulović Iva , Rašeta Davor , Bešlić Ivan , Babić Dinko
Published: April 2021

The assessment of environmental radioactivity much relies on radionuclide content in soil. This stems from the significant contribution of soil to both external and internal exposure to ionising radiation via direct emission of gamma radiation and soil-to-plant radionuclide transfer, respectively. This motivated us to carry out a systematic research on the radioactivity of soil in Croatia to obtain relevant data that can be used as a basis for understanding the related effects of geomorphological, biogeographical, and climatological properties of the environment. We collected samples of the surface layer of uncultivated soil (0–10 cm) at 138 sites from all over the country and measured them for radionuclide activity concentrations by means of high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry. This resulted in radioactivity maps containing data on activity concentrations of representative radionuclides in the environment. In this paper, which is the first in our two-part presentation, we focus on the naturally occurring 232Th and 238U decay chains and their correlations with the diversity of Croatian regions. For both of the chains, activity concentrations were the highest in the Dinaric region, the lowest in the Pannonian region, and intermediate in the Adriatic region. Relatively high concentrations of 226Ra in the soil of the Dinaric region implied a possibility of an enhanced emanation of its progeny 222Rn into the air. Activity concentrations of 210Pb were additionally elevated in areas with dense vegetation, most probably due to an atmospheric deposition of airborne 210Pb onto the surface of plants and their eventual decomposition on the ground.
Application of a new in situ calibration technique for gamma spectrometry and comparison of in situ and laboratory measurements
Authors: Rašeta Davor , Petrinec Branko , Babić Dinko , Šoštarić Marko
Published: April 2021

In situ gamma ray spectrometry was developed to quickly measure large areas of land following nuclear accidents. However, a proper calibration of detectors for in situ measurements is a long and complicated process. One tool designed to make this calibration quick is the InSiCal software. We compared 5,000 s in situ measurements with two different HPGe detectors calibrated using the InSiCal software and laboratory measurements of samples collected at the same locations. Our findings suggest that in situ gamma spectrometry using InSiCal software can provide reasonably accurate data, but some improvements are needed.
Unusual aetiology of a type 2 myocardial infarction: a case-based review
Authors: Toma David , Toma Tania-Emima , Bologa Cristina , Lionte Cătălina
Published: April 2021

Organophosphate pesticide (OP) poisoning is quite common and can cause cardiovascular complications and even direct myocardial injury. However, no guideline has included an acute poisoning as a potential cause for a type 2 myocardial infarction (MI) so far. Here we present a case of a 61-year-old woman brought by ambulance to emergency department one hour after accidental ingestion of an unknown quantity of a solution she used against flea infestation. The patient presented with dizziness, myosis, excessive sweating, hypersalivation, sphincteric incontinence, muscle fasciculation, tremor of the extremities, pale skin, alcoholic and pesticide breath odour. Even though we had no guidelines to fall back on, we successfully treated the patient with low-molecular-weight heparin, antiplatelets, statin, diltiazem, antidote therapy, and supportive care. Physicians should be aware that OP poisoning can induce type 2 MI as a complication within a few hours since exposure, and emergency management should always include close cardiac monitoring.
Characteristics of work-related COVID-19 in Croatian healthcare workers: a preliminary report
Authors: Žaja Roko , Kerner Ivana , Macan Jelena , Milošević Milan
Published: April 2021

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are considered to run a higher occupational risk of becoming infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and develop coronavirus disease (COVID-19) than the rest of the population. The aim of this study was to describe and analyse the characteristics of work-related COVID-19 in Croatian HCWs. Study participants were HCWs who contacted their occupational physician between 1 May 2020 and 12 November 2020 with a request for the registration of COVID-19 as an occupational disease. All participants filled out our online Occupational COVID-19 in Healthcare Workers Questionnaire. The study included 59 HCWs (median age 45.0, interquartile range 36.0–56.0 years). Most (78 %) were nurses or laboratory technicians, and almost all (94.9 %) worked in hospitals. Hierarchical cluster analysis revealed three clusters of COVID-19-related symptoms: 1) elevated body temperature with general weakness and fatigue, 2) diarrhoea, and 3) headache, muscle and joint pain, anosmia, ageusia, and respiratory symptoms (nasal symptoms, burning throat, cough, dyspnoea, tachypnoea). Almost half (44.6 %) reported comorbidities. Only those with chronic pulmonary conditions were more often hospitalised than those without respiratory disorders (57.1 % vs. 2.5 %, respectively; P=0.001). Our findings suggest that work-related COVID-19 among Croatian HCWs is most common in hospital nurses/laboratory technicians and takes a mild form, with symptoms clustering around three clinical phenotypes: general symptoms of acute infection, specific symptoms including neurological (anosmia, ageusia) and respiratory symptoms, and diarrhoea as a separate symptom. They also support evidence from other studies that persons with chronic pulmonary conditions are at higher risk for developing severe forms of COVID-19.
Contemporary Food Markets within Budapest’s Large Housing Estates: Factors Influencing the Design Process
Authors: Benkő Melinda , Antypenko Hlib , Losonczy Anna Kornélia
Published: April 2021

Food markets provide a continuous urban function at the centre of urban quarters, and their structures are an important component of the local identity. Therefore, they could be crucial in the complex renewal process of a mass housing neighbourhood, indeed. The paper focuses on the contemporary markets within Budapest’s three large housing estates, in Újpest Centre, Békásmegyer, and Havanna, opened in 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively. The research is based not only on the study of relevant literature, design documents, publications, fieldwork, but also on a survey conducted with three well-recognized Hungarian architects in order to understand and compare their views on the complex context beyond the urban and architectural solutions. The questions focused on the crucial or determining factors of the design process such as the budget, the main players, references, physical context (built and natural), social context, program, and technology. These public projects of varied scale were used for exemplary contemporary food market case studies from Budapest, in which the people involved took into consideration the existing social and material problems and the potential of the heritage of modern mass housing neighbourhoods.
Possible Relations between Brightest Central Galaxies and Their Host Galaxies Clusters and Groups
Authors: Samir R. M. , Shaker A. A.
Published: April 2021

The r-band of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) for 17,924 brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) in clusters and groups within 0.02 ⩽ z ⩽ 0.20 are used to study possible environmental relations affecting the nature of these galaxies. We find a correlation between BCGs physical properties (the effective radius (Re
), absolute magnitude and central velocity dispersion (σ
0)) and their host groups and clusters velocity dispersion (σcl
). This type of relations suggests that the most massive groups or clusters host larger central galaxies. On the other hand, the σ
0/σcl
ratio as a function of σcl
is consistent with [10].
Comparative study on the dynamics and structure of the number of enterprises in Poland, Romania and Hungary
Authors: Zsido Kinga Emese
Published: April 2021

The number of enterprises, respectively their structure by fields of activity, influences the level of the national economy, so it is extremely important to know the “map” of economic agents in terms of evolution and level of competition by areas of activity. The purpose of this paper is to present in a descriptive way the evolution of the number and structure of active enterprises in Romania (by legal form and field of activity), as well as a comparative presentation of the situation of enterprises in Hungary and Poland. In all three countries, the total number of enterprises shows a continuous growth trend, but with significant differences in the growth rate, analyzed by areas of activity.
Psychological Characteristics of Patients with Diabetes
Authors: Pápai Annamária , Cozma Maria Melania , Coşa Lucica Emilia , Mihai Adriana
Published: April 2021

The aim of this study is to establish the psychological characteristics of patients with diabetes. In the present study we included subjects with diabetes (n=60), and control group (n=62). In order to study the psychological characteristics of patients with diabetes, we have applied the following tests: Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ), Strategic Approach to Coping Scale (SACS), Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ), Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ-S3), Attitudes and Beliefs Scale (ABS II). The results of this study outlined psychological characteristics of patients with diabetes which consists of neurotic, anxious personality with a high level of activity, dysfunctional coping strategies like: indirect action, antisocial action, aggressive action and catastrophizing, irrational thinking and few maladaptive cognitive patterns. The study highlighted the need to restructure the maladaptive cognitive schemes, irrational beliefs, dysfunctional coping strategies for people with diabetes with a psychological program in order to improve endocrine symptoms and increase quality of life.
Polymorphism of OPN and AREG Genes in Relation to Transcript Expression of a Panel of 12 Genes Controlling Reproduction Processes and Litter Size in Pigs
Authors: Korwin-Kossakowska Agnieszka , Pierzchała Dorota , Lewczuk Dorota , Faliszewska Grażyna , Pierzchała Mariusz
Published: April 2021

The aim of this study was to define the transcript expression of 12 genes, identify new polymorphisms in selected 2 genes and to estimate the association between the level of expression, gene polymorphism and litter size in sows. Two groups of sows were selected: 71 crossbred sows and 328 purebred sows. For transcript analysis endometrial tissue samples were collected, while blood was sampled for the purpose of DNA polymorphism analysis. For all animals data on litter size and weaned piglets were obtained. Transcript analysis of 12 genes was performed in the uterine endometrium of sows in the luteal and follicular phases. Eight out of 12 genes showed higher mRNA expression levels during the luteal phase (AREG, FABP3, IL1A, ITGAV, ITGB3, NMB, OPN, RBP4). In turn, higher expression levels in the follicular phase were observed for 4 genes (IL1B, PPARG, S100A8, SELL). Analysis of six new polymorphic sites within the OPN and AREG genes revealed the highest heterozygosity for OPNe6_Knoll, OPNp3_617 and AREGe2_317 polymorphisms and the lowest heterozygosity in the AREGe3_561 locus. Association analyses concerning transcript expression levels of the 12 genes and the OPN and AREG genotypes in the two groups of sows showed a significant relationship between the IL1A, ITGB3 transcript expression and the OPNe7_603 genotype also between OPNp3_617 genotype and ITGB3 transcript expression. With regard to the litter size and the number of weaned piglets a significant relation with the OPNp3_617, OPNe6_462 and AREGe2_317 genotypes was observed only in the purebred sows. Transcript expression of the genes encoding osteopontin and amphiregulin in the uterus of the sows affect reproductive traits by preparing the uterus for embryo reception.
Yucca schidigera Extract Dietary Supplementation Affects Growth Performance, Hematological and Physiological Status of European Seabass
Authors: Mansour Abdallah Tageldein , Fayed Walied Mohamed , Elkhayat Bassem Khalil , Omar Eglal Ali , Zaki Mohamed A. , Nour Abdel-Aziz Moussa , Morshedy Sabrin Abdelrahman
Published: April 2021

The study herein evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with different yucca (Yucca schidigera) extract levels on rearing water quality, growth performance, protein utilization, hematological and immunological status, and economic benefits of cultured European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles. Yucca extract (YE) was incorporated in an experimental diet at levels of 0, 0.25, 0.50, and 1 g YE kg−1, and offered to fish reared in 70-L glass aquaria (15 fish per aquarium; three replicates each). Dietary YE supplementation significantly (P<0.05) decreased ammonia-nitrogen levels in water. Compared with the control, groups fed 0.50 and 1 g YE kg−1 diets showed improved growth performance (by 26.02% and 36.98%, respectively) and protein efficiency ratio (by 31.39% and 37.29%, respectively). In addition, hematological parameters (red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, white blood cells and neutrophil) and innate immune parameters (globulin fractions and lysozyme activity) improved with increasing dietary YE levels. Growth, hematological, and immunological parameters increased with a polynomial second-order regression models, with curves peak close to 1 g YE kg−1 diet. The cortisol level decreased significantly (P<0.05) with increasing dietary YE levels. The groups fed the 0.50 and 1 g YE kg−1 diets generated significantly (P<0.05) higher revenue than groups fed the 0.25 g YE kg−1 and the control diets. The using of YE is recommended as a dietary feed additive at a level of 1 g kg−1 for reducing the environmental footprint of fish protein production, accelerating growth, and improving health status of cultured seabass in a short-term feeding period.
Digital City as a Metaphor for New Experiences of Reality
Authors: Komatina Dragan F. , Jašarović Ema Alihodžić
Published: April 2021

In the era of already spent utopias and ideas about the city the experience of the city is transformed into a new perceptual grammar that is a consequence of the new virtual reality. With the revolutionary computerization of architecture a new architectural discourse was created that enabled virtual one – cyberspace, producing a new experience of transposed reality. The concept of a digital city does not exist without a virtual community, which on the other hand problematizes the issue of digital city ethics, bearing in mind that its use is conditioned by technical and technological possibilities, which are still not available to everyone. Digitalization of space communicates the newly created virtual dialogue between the user and space, outside of his physical and sensory experience and interaction with space, thus agreeing to the digitalization of the experience of space. By creating a new reality and a new era of the utopia of virtual architecture and virtual city, a new, cyberidentity of city was produced. Identity digitization policies in this regard will consciously use methods to promote virtual values, digitizing all aspects of identity, heritage, and even memory, and memory values of the city, producing a new, virtual identity, which largely leads to mutation of its original – existing – built identity. In this way, cities are positioned and valued in relation to the degree of their digitized representation, i.e., the extent to which their digitized identity is present and visible in cyberspace. The digital transition is one of the priorities of the “smart city” concept, which indicates that the future of cities is directed towards their digital transformation.
Transylvanian Autonomy: Romanian and Saxon Models between the Two World Wars
Authors: Miklósné Zakar Andrea
Published: April 2021

The establishment of Greater Romania between 1918 and 1920 induced several social, political, administrative, and economic problems in the new state. The differences between the history and traditions of the diverse parts of the country impeded the unifying centralization efforts. The peculiarities of Transylvania and the issue of the autonomous Transylvania appeared in the writings of several intellectuals and politicians between the two world wars. In addition to the Hungarian plans, Romanian and Saxon ideas were also born, emphasizing the importance and possibilities of Transylvanian autonomy. The study tries to present some aspects of the special regionalism of Transylvania between the two world wars and to analyse some Romanian and Saxon models.
Territorial Interrelation between Innovation and a Number of Social/Infrastructural Indicators in Central and Eastern Europe (V4 + Romania)
Authors: Szilágyi Ferenc , Debrenti Edith
Published: April 2021

The study examines the performance of the Visegrád countries and Romania. As an indicator of innovation performance, we used the number of researchers measured from the active population. Due to the large variations in the size of the administrative-territorial units, the use of this ratio seems more adequate than using absolute values. The innovation indicator and the other indicators used are included in the analysis database in a regional breakdown. All indicators have an overview map of the entire large region for the purpose of establishing the territorial profile. In the course of the statistical investigation, each indicator was individually compared to the innovation index.
Taxation and Humans in the Age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution – Financial and Ethical Comments
Authors: Cseh Balázs , Varga József
Published: April 2021

In our study, we focused on the fourth industrial revolution, which is the revolution of machines at the same time and which affects the world of worthy human work significantly. Let us examine the reasons behind the machine wrecking in the modern era and the technophobia, the negative and positive outcomes of additional spare time, and the state of unemployment. We touch upon the historical antecedents of modern machine wrecking and its present situation. We briefly draw possible alternatives as regards the subthemes. In this study, ethics is ascribed a focal attention since we approach the trends that affect the world of work and have an economic significance in the context of the fourth industrial revolution. We examine the process of Industry 4.0, which has led to a significant transformation of production processes from the aspect of taxation – for example, how the automation of the production processes influences the transformation of the tax system, where humanity is in the changing financial world, or which aspects of the tax system change in the age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Optimization of Sodium Lignosulfonate Treatment on Nylon Fabric Using Box–Behnken Response Surface Design for UV Protection
Authors: Singh Gangwar Arun Kumar , Shakyawar D B , Singh Mukesh Kumar , Vishnoi Prashant , Jose Seiko
Published: April 2021

Graphical Abstract
Wrested from Oblivion: General Ludwik Mierosławski’s Strategy Game Rediscovered
Authors: Heyn Oliver
Published: April 2021

During the first half of the 19th century, liberal and nationalist uprisings erupted in all corners of Europe. While militant revolutionaries fought against restorative monarchies for more tolerant legislation or even full national independence, their countries slid into turmoil. In this European struggle, which set parts of Germany, Poland, France and Italy aflame, Ludwik Mierosławski (1814–1878) was one of the key insurgents. Besides being a keen partisan of Polish independence, Mierosławski enjoyed thorough military training and proved himself an astute theoretician of military strategy. It might be argued that he was probably one of the most inventive minds of his time, creating among other things an early tank vehicle and a bulletproof knapsack that could be used as a shield.

This article brings a hitherto unknown invention of Mierosławski to light: A strategy game depicting military maneuvers on an abstract map. Defying complicated rules and adhering to pure simplicity, the game was both fast-learning and captivating. Moreover, contemporary critics praised its way of introducing players to the fundamentals of strategic thinking and military geography. Several matches were even played at the French military academy at St. Cyr in 1858. The extensive research of this article not only reveals the background of Mierosławski’s invention but also his methods of making the complete game public. The last chapter of this contribution contains a summary of the game rules, enabling the readers to bring this invention to life by themselves. In the end, the study of his game allows us to approach and discover Mierosławski’s ideas and ways of thinking, thereby shedding further light on this complex personality.
The Sellers of Catan: The Impact of the Settlers of Catan on the United States Leisure and Business Landscape, 1995-2019
Authors: Price Erica
Published: April 2021

While Monopoly is still one of the best-known board games in the United States today, increasing attention is paid to The Settlers of Catan, a mid-1990s German immigrant to the United States and a mid to late 2010s staple in popular culture and on store shelves. However, the one place where Catan has seen a drop in popularity over the past decade is in its first world, that of hobby board games. With so many new and innovative games and mechanics flooding the hobby market each year, Catan struggles to find a place. This struggle is due in part to its lack of innovation, attempt to keep pace with game trends, and seemingly, a reluctance to buy into the popularity of app-supported games (though solely mobile versions of Catan exist), crowdfunding, and new mechanics. This research explores Catan’s history in the United States to illustrate the paradox of its growing popularity with the general public while also experiencing a downturn in accolades from within the hobby, all while functioning as a barometer against which we can measure trends in the selling and playing of hobby board games.
Fitness profiles of professional futsal players: identifying age-related differences
Authors: Sekulic Damir , Gilic Barbara , Foretic Nikola , Spasic Miodrag , Uljević Ognjen , Veršić Šime
Published: April 2021

Study aim: The aim of this study was to determine the fitness profiles of senior and junior futsal players and to identify potential differences between the studied age groups.

Materials and methods: 44 male futsal players from 5 professional futsal teams participated in this study. Subjects were divided into two age groups (seniors [>18 years; n = 26] vs juniors [<18 years of age; n = 18]). Players were tested for anthropometrics (body mass, body height and body fat percentage), jumping capacity (countermovement jump and standing broad jump), kicking speed (for dominant and non-dominant leg), sprinting capacity (5- and 10-meter sprints), 20-yard test, futsal-specific reactive agility, and futsal-specific change-of-direction speed tests.

Results: No significant differences between age groups were apparent for anthropometrics. Seniors achieved better results than juniors in tests of kicking speed, for both the dominant (106.81 ± 6.94 km/h and 100.94 ± 5.33 km/h, respectively, t-test: 3.02 [p < 0.001], Cohen’s d: 1.02) and nondominant leg (95.54 ± 8.57 km/h and 85.28 ± 8.71 km/h, respectively, t-test: 3.88 [p < 0.001], Cohen’s d: 1.25).

Conclusions: Seniors did not achieve significantly better results than juniors in most of the observed variables. Since the maximum biological maturity occurs up to 18 years, and studied juniors were in their late adolescence, we can assume that differences between groups are related to other indices (i.e. technical skills, tactical knowledge).
Physical fitness changes among amateur soccer players: effects of the pre-season period
Authors: Silva Rui , Lima Ricardo , Camões Miguel , Leão César , Matos Sérgio , Pereira Joel , Bezerra Pedro , Clemente Filipe Manuel
Published: April 2021

Study aim: To assess changes in physical fitness of amateur soccer players after a pre-season training period and baseline fitness dependencies.

Material and methods: Twenty-one amateur soccer players were assessed during the pre-season. The following physical variables were assessed before and after a two-month pre-season training period: (i) cardiorespiratory fitness, (ii) strength and power, and (iii) change of direction (COD).

Results: Significant decreases were found for countermovement jump (CMJ) (p < 0.001; d = 1.161), drop jump (DJ) (p = 0.014; d = 0.958), and horizontal jump (HJ) (p = 0.042; d = 0.640), while no significant changes were found for the overall variables from the beginning to the end of pre-season. Fit players revealed significant decreases for CMJ (p = 0.002; d = –2.495), DJ (p = 0.004; d = –1.760), HJ (p = 0.028; d = –1.005), COD deficit (p = 0.034; d = 1.013), and maximal aerobic speed (MAS) (p = 0.026; d = –4.053). No significant changes were found for unfit players.

Conclusions: Amateur soccer coaches should consider assessing physical qualities at the beginning of pre-season and use the free-of-charge monitoring tools such as session-rate of perceived exertion (s-RPE) during the training process.
The International Criminal Court, Sitting Heads of State Prosecutions, and the Paradox of the Balance of Power
Authors: Cacciatori Mattia
Published: April 2021

Compliance with international law is commonly accepted as strengthening inter--state relationships and, therefore, consolidating inter-state politics. This article argues that, in certain circumstances, hostility to international law can be regarded as indicative of shifts in the balance of power that undermine the enforcement of injunctions of international law. These, it will be shown, need to be addressed through inter-state dialogue. To sustain the argument proposed, the article focuses, from an international relations perspective, on the resistance to the practice of prosecuting sitting Heads of State by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The prosecution of a sitting Head of State is considered in this article as the poster--child of liberal institutionalism. The track record of the ICC in this domain is worrying: out of 3 situations (Omar al Bashir in Sudan; Uhuru Kenyatta in Kenya; and Muammar Gaddafi in Libya) the Court was unable to finalize a single one. Following theoretical plexuses derived from the English School of international relations, and particularly Hedley Bull’s “Paradox of the Balance of Power”, the article draws attention to the case of Gaddafi in Libya and to the international debate on the potential prosecution of Bashar al Assad in Syria. This is done to show that the transition between the two is exemplificative of a paradoxical dynamic: international law is more efficient in situations of balance of power; but violations of international law are, in specific cases, necessary to rectify it. Ultimately, the article argues, more attention should be dedicated to the resistance to the prosecutions of sitting Heads of State to understand the implications that this might have for the balance of power, and in the construction of a truly pluralist international society based on inter-state dialogue.
“Felix Cohen Was the Blackstone of Federal Indian Law:” Taking the Comparison Seriously
Authors: Habermacher Adrien
Published: April 2021

This paper explores the many facets of Rennard Strickland’s comparison between Sir William Blackstone, author of the 1765–69 Commentaries on the Laws of England, and Felix Cohen, architect of the 1942 Handbook of Federal Indian Law. It consists of a side by side analysis of both authors’ master works, political and educational projects, as well as general contribution to jurisprudence. It reveals that despite the stark differences between Blackstone’s work on the English common law from his professorship at Oxford in the late eighteenth century, and Cohen’s endeavors on the US federal law concerning Native Americans as a civil servant at the turn of the 1940s, there are remarkable similarities in the enterprises of legal scholarship the two jurists took on, the larger political projects they promoted, and their role in the development of legal thought. The idea that “Felix Cohen was the Blackstone of Federal Indian Law” has stylistic appeal and could have been little more than a gracious way to celebrate Cohen. An in-depth comparative examination of legal history and jurisprudence however corroborates and amplifies the soundness of the comparison.
Methodology of Measuring Stress – Effects on Motivation & Performance in Public and Private Organisations in Kosovo
Authors: Tolaj Sejdë , Havolli Ymer
Published: April 2021

Stress has emerged as an increasing problem in organisations and companies over the recent decades. The workplace has become a place of rapidly changing forces, such as increasing competition, quality pressure, innovation and increasing pace of doing business. As a result, employees’ demands have increased dramatically and this has led to the creation of stress at work. Despite the awareness of the importance of occupational stress, the growing number of stress research and stress measurement methodologies at workplace, there are still major empirical gaps in Kosovo, where this topic is not explored enough. Therefore, the present research seeks to provide scientific contribution to the spread of stress among organisations in Kosovo and to identify factors that cause stress among public and private sector employees. To achieve this goal, as part of the Doctoral Thesis, a methodology of measuring stress has been applied in organisations, and the effects of stress on motivation and performance of employees has been studied. The study has shown that there are several stress factors in organisations, and managers need to undertake specific interventions to manage the occupational stress. Findings of this paper suggest that occupational stress is mainly caused by job insecurity, lack of information on developments in the organisation, work overload, inadequate treatment by the employer, destructive relations among colleagues, lack of general working conditions and resources. The findings also show that occupational stress negatively affects the employees, in particular by reducing employee performance, reducing work efficiency and decreasing their motivation. Furthermore, the results indicate that both public and private sector employees consider similar factors as stressful and experience relatively similar levels of stress. Based on findings from primary data collected through surveys and secondary data from international literature, it is recommended to undertake periodic stress tests, engage senior management level in re-designing jobs, increasing decision-making authority of the employees, reducing workload, reducing role conflict, and continuously providing training.
Topological graph persistence
Authors: Bergomi Mattia G. , Ferri Massimo , Zuffi Lorenzo
Published: April 2021

Graphs are a basic tool in modern data representation. The richness of the topological information contained in a graph goes far beyond its mere interpretation as a one-dimensional simplicial complex. We show how topological constructions can be used to gain information otherwise concealed by the low-dimensional nature of graphs. We do this by extending previous work in homological persistence, and proposing novel graph-theoretical constructions. Beyond cliques, we use independent sets, neighborhoods, enclaveless sets and a Ramsey-inspired extended persistence.
Pupils’ Preconceptions About Heat, Temperature and Energy
Authors: Kramarová Lenka , Prokša Miroslav
Published: April 2021

This article is focused on finding out pupils’ preconceptions about heat, temperature and energy. As a research tool we used a didactic test with individual types of tasks about the concepts. A total of 122 respondents aged 12 to 14 participated in the research. The research sample consisted of two groups of pupils. One group consisted of pupils attending a school assigned for talented pupils, for simplicity they are referred as talented pupils. The second group consisted of pupils who do not attend this type of school, we marked them as “general population”. The number of respondents in the sample of talented pupils was 54. The number of respondents in the sample “general population” was 68 pupils. In the research we compared ideas about concepts heat, temperature and energy of talented pupils and pupils of the “general population”. We also compared talented pupils and pupils of the “general population” in solving of conceptual and algorithmic tasks in didactic test. We found out pupils of the age from 12 to 14 have misconceptions about the concepts. We also identified the misconceptions and the most common are also mentioned in this article.
Conditions for Experimental Activities at Elementary and High Schools from Chemistry Teachers’ Point of View
Authors: Rusek Martin , Chroustová Kateřina , Bílek Martin , Skřehot Petr A. , Hon Zdeněk
Published: April 2021

School experiments represent a necessary means of subject-matter presentation in chemistry education and are important for chemical (scientific) thinking. Despite being a focus of several texts, a complex view on the experimental activity in chemistry education in Czechia is missing. The results of a questionnaire survey among 466 lower-secondary, lyceum and grammar school teachers focused on types of conducted experiments, their frequency, the place they are conducted. The most frequently used chemicals and sources of inspiration are presented in the paper. The results show that despite experiments’ significant role in education, its occurrence is rather seldom and teacher’s demonstrations prevail over students’ experiments. The list of the most often used chemicals suggests the experiments are mostly focused on inorganic chemistry. These results open further questions regarding occupational safety at schools as an important factor which could also be the reason for such a low representation of experiments in Czech chemistry education.
Water Quality and Ichthyofauna Habitat Conditions in Lake Czolnowskie (N-W Poland)
Authors: Brysiewicz Adam , Czerniejewski Przemysław , Kozioł Agnieszka , Rogacki Michał , Dąbrowski Jarosław
Published: April 2021

Increasing anthropopressure affects natural ecosystems and may express itself in regional or spot contamination of water and soil environment. The quality of ground and surface waters depends to a large extent on drainage area management, where biogenic substances (i.e. nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) are transported with surface run-offs to the environment. The article discusses results of studies on the drainage area of Lake Czolnowskie (Zachodniopomorskie Province). Studies covered physical and chemical assessment of soil conditions and water quality; additionally, fish was caught using two independent methods - gillnets and power generator (pursuant to CEN EN 14011 2003 and PN-EN 14011 2006). Results obtained confirm regular run-off of biogenic materials from the surface of farmed drainage area to Lake Czolnowskie. During the period of studies, the reservoir was exposed to i.e. reduction of water oxygen (3.56 mg/dm3) and permanently elevated level of general phosphorus (0.15-0.27 mg/dm3) and ammonium acid (0.16-0.27 mg/dm3), which degraded the quality of life for ichthyofauna inhabiting the lake.
Determining Cellulolytic Activity of Microorganisms
Authors: Grata Katarzyna
Published: April 2021

Decomposition of cellulose to glucose requires complex cooperation of glycoside hydrolase enzymes. As a result of glycoside β-1,4 bonds hydrolysis, shorter chains of cellulose, oligodextrin, cellobiose and glucose are created. A number of bacteria and fungi demonstrate the capacity to degrade cellulose. Their activity can be assessed with the use of qualitative and quantitative methods. Qualitative methods with the use of e.g. Congo red, are used in screening studies, however, they do not provide information about the quantity of the produced enzyme. Spectrophotometric methods are more accurate and they measure the quantities of reducing sugars with the use of appropriate substrates, e.g. carboxymethylcellulose is used to determine endoglucanases, avicel cellulose to determine exoglucanases and Whatman filter paper to determine total cellulolytic activity. Activity of microorganisms depends not only on their species or type but also, among others, on substratum composition, cultivation conditions and the appropriate selection of parameters of the carried out enzymatic reactions.
Sustainable Development of Urban Spaces towards Climate Protection and Adaptation to its Changes
Authors: Wojtyszyn Bogusław
Published: April 2021

The article concerns urban spaces highly responsible for climate change in the country, Europe, and the world. This topic is now of major importance because it reflects on every citizen of Europe and the world in that we all confront the necessity of climate protection and adaptation also in law, to climate change in urban areas. It is associated with a radical change of lifestyle in the world’s cities, mainly in terms of energy consumption and its methods of production. The research results presented in the article indicate the need to adapt current methods for slowing down adverse climate change into functional and spatial systems of urban development and their economic, legal, and social conditions affecting the pace of implementation of new technologies for climate-friendly sources such as low-carbon, energy-saving, and renewable energy. Attention was also paid to the possibility of ecological revitalization of the existing urban structure of buildings, among other things, in order to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions adversely affecting the climate. On the other hand, modern ideas for an Eco-City and solutions for a Green-City and Solar-City, presented in the article, implemented through sustainable development in the field of planning activities and energy management methods, can be additional indicators of the direction of sustainable development for Polish cities for climate protection and adaptation to its changes.