bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Energy efficiency of combined compressor-ejector vapor compression systems applied in industrial concentrators
Authors: Gjerasimovski Aleksandar , Gjerasimovska Natasha , Sarevski Vasko
Published: December 2024

Investigations of the energy characteristics of thermocompression systems
applied in industrial concentrators are presented in this paper. A
significant increase of the energy efficiency in comparison with traditional
industrial concentrators is achieved with the implementation of
turbocompressor and/or ejector thermocompression. Single stage centrifugal
compressors with water (R718) as a refrigerant are especially suitable for
application in concentrators for production of fruit or grape concentrates
because of the relatively small temperature difference between condensation
and evaporation temperatures (Tc-Te). The heat pump cycle in the ejectors
is realized with thermocompression of one part of the waste water vapor in
the solution, which together with the primary steam from the boiler, or
other heat generator, is used as a motive steam for the process of
concentration. Several solutions of highly efficient single stage and
multistage concentrator systems with turbocompressor and/or ejector
thermocompression are proposed. The process of boiling - evaporation of the
water from the treated solution in the concentrator is realized at low
temperatures, under deep vacuum conditions, which is a guarantee for a high
product quality. Due to the low costs of conventional fuels used in the
processes of production of concentrate, the products made with these
procedures are relatively low-priced, which makes them competitive on the
market. A solution of a polygeneration system for production of electricity
and thermal energy (steam and hot water) for the needs of technological
processes in industrial concentration plants is presented.
Natural convection in a porous square cavity filled with a ternary hybrid nanofluid: A numerical study
Authors: Revnic Cornelia , Groșan Teodor , Khanafer Khalil , Pop Ioan
Published: December 2024

A new theoretical ternary hybrid nanofluid, by suspending three types of
nanoparticles with different physical and chemical bonds in a porous square
cavity, is proposed in this paper. The ternary hybrid nanofluid is formed by
suspending three types of nanoparticles with different physical and chemical
bonds into a base fluid. In this study, the nanoparticles Alumina (Al2O3),
Copper (Cu) and Titania (TiO2) are suspended into water (H2O) thus
forming the combination. The system of governing partial differential
equations, are numerically solved using finite element formulation based on
the Galerkin along with ADINA software (Adina v 9.20) method. The average
Nusselt number ?Nu is computed for three values of the Rayleigh number: 10,
100 and 1000, with the results of other authors from the open literature. An
excellent agreement, and therefore, we are deeply confident that the
numerical results obtained are correct and very accurate. We wish to point
out that the numerical results of the present paper are completely new and
original with very important results for practical applications of the
ternary hybrid nanofluid in the modern industry. To our best of knowledge,
the results of the present paper were never published by any researcher.
Aerodynamic analysis of field wind turbine: a comparative study of computational methods with experimental validation
Authors: Vilotijevic Vidosava , Svorcan Jelena , Sekularac Milan , Vusanovic Igor , Hondzo Miki
Published: December 2024

The study compares performance predictions from Blade Element Momentum
Theory, Computational Fluid Dynamics methods, and experimental results for a
2.5 MW horizontal wind turbine across various wind speeds. The results
indicate that Computational Fluid Dynamics or in complex flow conditions,
although Blade Element Momentum Theory remains useful during the initial
design stages. The analysis also underscores the influence of wind speed and
shear stress transport on performance metrics such as turbine power output
and flow characteristics. Despite certain modeling simplifications, such as
the omission of detailed blade tip geometryies, the findings suggest that
both numerical methods exhibit trends consistent with the field experimental
data. The study highlights the importance of detailed simulations for
optimizing wind turbine performance and outlines future research focused on
noise reduction and its impact on biodiversity.
Mortality from plastic ingestion and net entanglement in marine birds - description of three cases
Authors: Garcês Andreia , Soeiro Vanessa , Loio Sara , Pires Isabel
Published: December 2024

Plastic debris is a significant threat to marine ecosystems, notably affecting seabird populations globally. In this report, the authors document deaths related to plastic ingestion in a Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus, Linnaeus, 1758) and net entanglement in a Yellow-Legged Gull (Larus michahellis, Naumann, 1840) and a Northern Gannet (M. bassanus, Linnaeus, 1758) in Northern Portugal. All three animals died as a result of either plastic entanglement or ingestion. While this report highlights just three cases, it emphasizes the severe negative impacts of plastic on seabirds, ultimately leading to the deaths of these animals.
Does Perceived Data Analytic Sophistication and Anticipated Supervisor Performance Evaluation Impact Auditors’ Decisions?
Authors: Koreff Jared , Hoang Huy
Published: December 2024

The rise of technology-assisted analysis offers accounting firms an opportunity to enhance audit quality. To address audit staff’s resistance to those tools, firms can emphasize the sophistication of the tools as a means of encouraging adoption. This article summarizes a study by Koreff and Perreault (2023) that examines whether perceived sophistication of a tool interacts with audit supervisor preferences to affect auditors’ anticipated performance evaluation from their supervisor and evidence assessment decisions. The results suggest that, with information held constant, perceived tool sophistication and audit supervisor preferences jointly influence auditors’ anticipated performance evaluations and, in turn, evidence assessment decisions for complex accounting estimates. Thus, perceptions of data analytic tool sophistication by auditors have the potential to impact the audited financial statements to a significant degree.

JEL Classifications: M41; M42.
The Effects of Internal Audit’s Core Principles on Audit Characteristics
Authors: Calvin Christopher G. , Eulerich Marc
Published: December 2024

We investigate the effect that adherence to the Institute of Internal Auditors’ Core Principles has on mission-based internal audit (IA) characteristics. Using 255 survey responses from Chief Audit Executives in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, we find that adherence to the Core Principles is associated with a greater scope of IA work, alignment with the strategic goals of the organization, usage of IA work product by a greater number of stakeholders, and a greater extent of IA work product usage by those stakeholders. We find that only three of the Core Principles are associated with at least one of these characteristics and that no Core Principle is dominant in explaining all characteristics. Our results expand upon the fledgling academic literature on the globally mandated Core Principles, add to the existing literature on IA quality, and support practitioner adoption of the Core Principles as a means of achieving IA effectiveness.

Data Availability: Please contact the authors. This project was sponsored by a national IIA chapter.

JEL Classifications: M40; M42; G34; M4; G3.
DECARBONISATION OF INDUSTRIAL GAS EMISSIONS BY ADSORPTION METHODS
Authors:   Lviv Polytechnic National University, Sabadash Vira , Lopushansky Oleksiy ,   Lviv Polytechnic National University
Published: December 2024

The article is dedicated to the problem of decarbonising industrial gas emissions using adsorption methods. The article examines promising approaches to reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions using adsorption materials with high selectivity and efficiency in capture processes. The purpose of the study is to determine the adsorption capacity of various types of adsorbents, including synthetic and natural materials, in particular, fly ash synthesised by the hydrothermal method, zeolite obtained by the sintering method, natural zeolite, and fly ash from thermal power plants. The research showed that the most effective adsorbent for absorbing CO₂ is zeolite synthesised by hydrothermal, demonstrating a high adsorption capacity among the studied materials. Natural zeolite and thermal power plant fly ash have a much lower adsorption capacity, but they can be used as cost-effective alternatives for processes with moderate performance requirements. The study also highlights the importance of selecting adsorbents depending on operating conditions, such as temperature and pressure, which affect adsorption. According to the research results, synthetic zeolites have a significant advantage in adsorption efficiency due to their high specific surface area and porous structure, which allow effective absorption of CO₂ even at relatively low gas concentrations. The generalised conclusions of the article indicate that the use of adsorption methods for decarbonising industrial emissions can significantly reduce the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This research has the potential to significantly impact the field of environmental science and engineering, providing valuable insights for future studies and practical applications.
Deixis Analysis in Audio Material of English for Nusantara untuk SMP/MTs Kelas VIII Textbook
Authors: Riosepriyatna Riosepriyatna , Rezeki Yanti Sri , Wardah Wardah
Published: December 2024

This research focuses on the concept of deixis within pragmatics, specifically examining the audio materials of the English for Nusantara untuk SMP/MTs Kelas VIII textbook used for teaching the English language in Indonesia. Deixis involves using language to point to specific entities or characteristics within a given context. The study aims to identify the various types of deixis present, determine the dominant types employed, and describe the reference meanings associated with deixis in the materials. Through qualitative descriptive research and content analysis methods, the study identifies three primary deixis categories within the audio material: Person Deixis (56.76%), Temporal Deixis (30.63%), and Spatial Deixis (12.61%). The dominant use of Person Deixis underscores its importance and role in language use within the educational materials. These findings contribute significantly to a deeper understanding of deixis in language learning contexts, emphasizing its pragmatic significance and relevance in instructional materials.
Deflections of Cantilever Beams Subjected to A Point Load At the Free End
Authors: Söylemez Alper Oğulcan , Akgöz Bekir
Published: December 2024

In this study, the displacements of cantilever beams for various slenderness ratios under point load are analyzed using Timoshenko and Bernoulli-Euler beam theories. The variation of the slenderness ratio is achieved only by changing the beam length. The results from these theories are compared with those from SolidWorks, which is considered a reliable simulation software. With this comparison, the % difference rates between the simulation and theoretical results are determined. This study explains under which conditions the Timoshenko and Bernoulli-Euler beam theories should be applied and evaluates the accuracy of the simulation software. Detailed research is carried out to examine its compatibility with these two theories. Some numerical results are presented to demonstrate their validity and sensitivity.
Application of Polymeric Materials for 3D Printed Dentures: A review
Authors: Alaa Raad Ali  , Shihab Suha , Sheymaa Alazzawi  , Jabbar Gattmah
Published: December 2024

The development of three-dimensional printing technology (3D printing) has revolutionized the dental industry by providing a rapid, dependable, and affordable way to create a variety of dental products, including denture bases. This review article presents in-depth research on polymeric materials and their effect on different properties and aspects of dentures manufactured by 3D printing processes. This study indicated that Poly (methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) is a popular material in the 3D printing process of dentures. Despite its widespread use in dentures, more research is required to overcome some disadvantages like brittleness and poor mechanical qualities by utilizing additives to this material for improvement. The polyether ether ketone (PEEK) has remarkable mechanical and thermal properties and is perfect for dentures.  A variety of medical and dental applications can benefit from Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) toughness and chemical resistance, our review investigation uncovered several potential applications of ABS for printed dentures. Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer derived from renewable resources and it has been used in dentures. However, additional study is required to enhance its performance in dentures. Furthermore, it was found that the most appropriate 3D printing technology for denture printing is the vat photopolymerization process. Advances in material qualities are assisting in the durable and biocompatible dental prostheses that meet the evolving needs of patients and doctors.  Furthermore, in-depth evaluations of environmental sustainability and biocompatibility are essential for advancing the discipline ethically and responsibly.
Experimental and Finite Element Analysis of Deep Curved Box Girders: Impact of Concrete Strength and Geometry
Authors: Asaad Dawood Asala , Saleem Abdul-Razzaq Khattab , Shawky Abdulsahib Wael
Published: December 2024

Reducing the ratio of box girders' span to their height reduces bending moments and makes them deep members that are controlled by shear behavior. The presence of horizontal curvature generates torsional moments and different deflection between the outer and inner web as a result of twisting. Two experimental specimens with the same dimensions were cast and tested, one straight and the other horizontally curved. The two specimens were numerically modeled using the ABAQUS software for the purpose of verifying the numerical model to study more parameters. The finite element analysis showed a good agreement with the experimental values with a difference of (98-99) %, (94-97)% and 103% of the experiment for ultimate loading, deflection and twisting angle, respectively. It also showed stress paths that match the experimental and theoretical results that explain the behavior of deep beams, such as the Strut and Tie method (STM). The effect of compressive strength, whole width, and the width of the bearing and supporting plates was studied. Results showed that increasing the concrete's compressive strength by about 40-120%, increased the load capacity and decreased its deflection by approximately 6-14% and 3-15%, respectively. The deep box section torsional resistance increased when its width was increased by approximately 17–50%, although this had no significantly affect on the load capacity level. A reduction of 17-33% in the width of the loading and supporting bearing plates caused a 6-16% drop in load capacity besides a notable decrease in stiffness.
Optic Nerve Pilocytic Astrocytoma in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report
Authors:   Neurosurgery Division, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Udayana – Prof. Dr. I.G.N.G. Ngoerah General Hospital Bali, Pramantara I Made Stepanus Biondi , Satyarsa Agung Bagus Sista , Golden Nyoman , Niryana I Wayan , Mahadewa Tjokorda Gde Bagus , Maliawan Sri ,   Neurosurgery Division, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Udayana – Prof. Dr. I.G.N.G. Ngoerah General Hospital Bali, Pramana Suarjaya I Putu ,   Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Udayana–Prof. Dr. IGNG Ngoerah Hospital, Bali
Published: December 2024

Pilocytic astrocytoma is a type of low-grade glioma that can develop in any part of the central nervous system. It primarily affects individuals in the pediatric and young adult age groups. Optic nerve pilocytic astrocytoma is an uncommon, gradually developing type of brain tumor known as a glioma. It is categorized as a grade I tumor by the World Health Organization (WHO). We aim to report rare optic nerve pilocytic astrocytomas and discuss their clinical findings and interconnection with the current literature. A 7-year-old male patient exhibited left-sided eye proptosis and complete loss of vision. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed before surgery showed the presence of a tumor in the left eye socket. The mass has a spherical shape and smooth boundaries, resulting in the compression of the left optic tract from behind. The left optic tract appears darker on T1-weighted images and brighter on T2-weighted images. On contrast administration, there is heterogenous contrast enhancement. A total resection of the mass was performed. Histopathology results show pilocytic astrocytoma (WHO Grade I). Optic nerve pilocytic astrocytoma is a tumor that can affect the optic nerve pathway. Early diagnosis and multidisciplinary team management are required. Treatment must be individualized, and the options include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgical intervention. Surgery is only recommended in cases of painful or disfiguring proptosis and exposure keratopathy in eyes with severe vision impairment.
La buena composición visual
Authors: Olalde Ramos María Teresa
Published: December 2024

La composición es el paso más importante en la construcción de un mensaje visual, porque a través de ella se ordenan y organizan los elementos que lo integran, marcando el propósito y significado de este. En una composición visual es necesario tomar en cuenta que tanto la imagen como la narrativa del texto juega un papel muy importante en la comunicación de la información y por lo tanto en la efectividad del mensaje. Hay que considerar que en la elaboración del diseño de mensajes visuales se requiere el trabajo interdisciplinar, porque si bien el redactor habla al oído, el diseñador habla a los ojos. Esto quiere decir que uno es la construcción de la narrativa y el otro la disposición de todos los elementos dentro del plano de la composición, incluyendo imagen y texto. De acuerdo a lo anterior es importante considerar la sintaxis del lenguaje visual para la elaboración de cualquier composición. En el proceso de componer para lograr un equilibrio visual, es necesario tomar en cuenta las relaciones espaciales entre todos los elementos y el campo visual que les da soporte, porque una de las principales características de una buena composición es el equilibrio natural. La composición visual que tiene como objetivo la unidad busca que los elementos utilizados estén colocados según un orden específico que haga que se perciba como un conjunto estructurado, en donde la simplicidad sea su característica primordial. Son muchos los aspectos que hay que tomar en cuenta, en la correcta presentación de la información en un mensaje visual cuyo objetivo sea el aprendizaje virtual, porque tanto la imagen como del texto, son un factor importante en la comprensión de la información y el logro del aprendizaje.
O adolescente infrator e a efetividade da aplicação da medida socioeducativa de liberdade assistida
Authors: Oliveira Sthefany Cristhine de , Bueno Mariza Schuster
Published: December 2024

O presente artigo visa à análise e a efetividade da medida socioeducativa de liberdade assistida imputada aos adolescentes infratores, com forma de ressocialização. Os objetivos específicos buscam abordar os direitos da criança e do adolescente; analisar o ato infracional e a liberdade assistida; e observar a aplicação das medidas socioeducativas com foco na liberdade assistida e a ressocialização do adolescente infrator. A metodologia adotada é qualitativa e segue o método dedutivo, com fundamento na legislação pertinente, obras jurídicas e artigos científicos sobre a temática adotada, bem como entendimento jurisprudencial. Conclui-se que a ressocialização dos adolescentes infratores que cumprem medida socioeducativa de liberdade assistida possui maior efetividade em razão do cumprimento em liberdade, diferentemente de quando ocorrem em estado de privação de liberdade, em que as condições que os estabelecimentos proporcionam aos adolescentes infratores são degradantes e, inclusive, podem acabar contribuindo para a reincidência.
Direito à liberdade de expressão ou discurso de ódio nas mídias sociais
Authors: Santos Gedielson Gabriel dos , Bueno Mariza Schuster
Published: December 2024

O presente trabalho tem por objetivo analisar a liberdade de expressão como um direito fundamental e a possibilidade de tornar-se um discurso de ódio como forma de desqualificação de pessoas ou grupos. O direito à liberdade de expressão é uma garantia fundamental prevista constitucionalmente no Art. 5°, IV da Constituição Federal de 1988, no qual se destaca que é livre toda e qualquer forma de manifestação de pensamento, porém esse direito não é absoluto, pois se encontra limitado pelo princípio da Dignidade da Pessoa Humana. Com a ascensão da internet e das mídias digitais, se fortalece um fenômeno denominado de Hate Speech ou Discurso de Ódio, que são ofensas gratuitas com o propósito de humilhar, rebaixar, menosprezar e até mesmo agredir a moral de grupos ou indivíduos. A pesquisa é realizada a partir do método dedutivo numa abordagem de revisão bibliográfica, contemplando estudo da lei vigente, doutrina e posicionamento jurisprudencial brasileiro. Nessa perspectiva questiona-se: Qual a linha divisória entre a liberdade de expressão como livre manifestação e o discurso de ódio?, diante da ausência de textos normativos que fixem a responsabilização diante de mensagens de intolerância e discriminatórias, as restrições, que devem ser preservadas para casos extremos, ocorrerão pela ponderação dos interesses em jogo em conformidade com uma metódica de proporcionalidade, de modo a evitar decisões desproporcionais que interditem o debate público.
Proximate analysis and profiles of amino acids, fatty acids, and minerals in insect-based foods for dogs
Authors: Ryu Min-Ok , Lee Kyung-Hye , Ha Hae-Min , Kim Hye-Ra , Ahn Woo-Seok , Kim Se-Hoon , Seo Kyoung-Won
Published: December 2024

OBJECTIVE

To analyze crude protein, crude fat, crude ash, crude fiber, amino acids, fatty acids, and minerals in insect-based dog foods and to evaluate their compliance with nutritional guidelines.

METHODS

Proximate analysis, mineral analysis, amino acid profiling, and fatty acid composition analysis were conducted from November 27, 2023, through February 2024 on 18 commercially available insect-based dog foods formulated for all-life-stage or adult dogs.

RESULTS

Proximate analysis results revealed that all 18 pet foods met the Association of American Feed Control Officials guidelines. However, discrepancies were observed between the values listed on the packaging and those measured in 7 foods. Mineral analysis showed that while all foods met the Association of American Feed Control Officials guidelines for magnesium, discrepancies were found in calcium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, and copper content, with several samples failing to meet recommended levels. Additionally, 2 foods exceeded the recommended maximum ratio for certain fatty acids. Black soldier fly larvae–based foods contained higher levels of lauric and myristic acids compared to other insect-based foods.

CONCLUSIONS

Insect-based dog foods show promise as sustainable protein sources, but discrepancies in mineral content and fatty acid ratios highlight the need for both stricter regulation and better enforcement of existing guidelines to ensure nutritional adequacy for dog health and accurate labeling.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This study provides valuable insights into the nutritional composition of insect-based dog foods, revealing inconsistencies in mineral content and fatty acid ratios. These findings can help the pet food industry develop more nutritionally consistent insect-based diets.
Wage Differences in Poland at the County Level and their Determinants
Authors: Luśtyk Agata , Połeć Anna , Voznyuk Inna
Published: December 2024

This study investigates the impact of unemployment and labour productivity on relative wages in Polish counties (powiats) from 2008 to 2021. Labour productivity is measured as the ratio of sold industrial production to the number of workers. The data is sourced from the Local Data Bank of Statistics Poland. The analysis employs the Solow model of efficiency wages, the neoclassical Solow model, and the Durbin model of spatial econometrics. The results reveal that both unemployment and labour productivity are statistically significant in explaining relative wages, with unemployment having the strongest, albeit negative, effect during the study period. Notably, changes in unemployment rates or wages in a county influence wage changes in neighbouring counties. The issue of spatial wage differences at the county level in Poland has not been sufficiently explored in recent years. Although recent research has focused on regional (voivodeship-level) wage differences, there remains a gap in understanding wage differences at the county level. Given changes in the Polish labour market, particularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this study aims to update previous findings and provide a more detailed analysis.
Generational shifts in scientific atheism: Ideology and strategy in 20th century Czechoslovakia
Authors: Kalajtzidis Ján
Published: December 2024

The paper delves into scientific atheism, distinguishing between atheist thought as mere opinion and its development into a comprehensive worldview under Marxist-Leninist influence. It explores scientific atheism’s role as both a philosophical discipline and an ideology that has significantly impacted philosophers from our region across generations. Initially, scientific atheism represented an ideological commitment to materialism and rationalism. However, for subsequent generations, it evolved into a pragmatic strategy for consolidating political power, fostering social unity, and enhancing state control. This study not only outlines the integration of dialectical and historical materialism into Czechoslovakia’s mid-20th-century scientific and education systems but also examines the shifting perception of scientific atheism through different philosophical generations, highlighting its practical significance in Marxist-Leninist-dominated regions.
Slovak philosophical generations: From the middle of the 19th to the middle of the 20th century
Authors: Dupkala Rudolf
Published: December 2024

The leitmotif of the article is an analysis and interpretation of disputes about the nature of Slovak philosophy in the contexts of the formation of individual philosophical generations from the middle of the 19th to the middle of the 20th century. In the content core of the article, the dispute is about the nature of Slovak philosophy in the first generation of its representatives, which was represented by the followers of the so-called “Štúr School”. As a follow-up to this dispute, the article analyzes the ideological confrontations of followers of religious and secular philosophical thought in Slovakia during the first Czechoslovak republic. It is a dispute between followers of classical (European) positivism and, partly, Masarykism with the representatives of contemporary religious philosophy in Slovakia. At the end of the paper, the trend of disputes about the nature of Slovak philosophy is outlined even in the period after the Stalinist, and, later, the so-called normalization indoctrination of Slovak philosophy.
Jaroslav Čelko and his role in the development of scientific atheism as secular humanism in Slovakia
Authors: Švaňa Lukáš
Published: December 2024

The post-war generation of Marxist Slovak intelligentsia was formed from people who had experience with the war and this experience in the fight against fascism, together with the pre-war social situation, were the main reasons of their inclinations towards the theory of socialism and at the same time caused their sharp criticism of the Church and its ideas. Jaroslav Čelko can also be included in the generation of these authors, and this paper describes and explores his ideas and their influence on the development of secular humanism during the existence of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic and after its disintegration. At the same time, the aim of the paper is to evaluate the influences and connections between the ideas of scientific atheism (including examples of the works of Jaroslav Čelko) and secular humanism in Slovakia.
The Importance of Selected Clauses in International Sales Contracts from the Point of View of Risk Perception and Attitude
Authors: Hinčica Vít , Řezanková Hana , Janků Dominika
Published: December 2024

Research background

Universally, it remains unknown which clauses used in international sales contracts are seen by the business sector as crucial for reducing perceived risks. It is also unknown whether there is a relationship between companies’ attitudes toward risks and the number of clauses they consider essential in international sales contracts for this purpose.

Purpose

The paper surveys how Czech companies assess the importance of selected clauses in an international sales contract when trying to reduce the risks they perceive. The primary purpose is to learn whether there is a concordance with the available literature on the number of clauses considered important, key, or necessary for reducing risks.

Research methodology

Companies were offered nine clauses commonly used in international sales contracts and were asked to rate them according to their importance for reducing risks. Furthermore, possible relationships between companies’ attitudes toward risk and the number of clauses these companies perceive as important from the point of view of their risk attitude were investigated.

Results

Whereas the existing literature provides different numbers of key clauses a sales contract shall include to make such a contract safe enough from the perspective of the perceived risks, the 114 surveyed Czech companies mostly gave the highest level of importance to four of the nine assessed clauses only. These clauses are the identification of parties, price setting, the object of sale and payment terms. There is an indication that companies with an aggressive attitude toward risks could consider fewer clauses as important.

Novelty

The study suggests that the number of clauses that are formulated with enough care for the sake of risk reduction is lower than the numbers proposed by the existing sources. The authors contradict extant academic business literature and expert texts on the issue in question by launching the first survey among companies ever.

Note

This paper is a significantly modified and extended version of a text presented at the 48th EIBA Annual Conference – Oslo, in December 2022.
Life Situation of Polish Seniors – Their Subjective Assessment
Authors: Przybysz Klaudia , Stanimir Agnieszka
Published: December 2024

Research background

Seniors wield influence across a spectrum of social spheres. Understanding their attitudes, needs, challenges, and expectations emerges as imperative for shaping effective social policies and social inclusion. Their significant heterogeneity necessitates the repetition and deepening of analyses for an objective picture possible.

Purpose

The main aim of our studies was to broaden the knowledge about seniors, their life situation, life satisfaction, quality of life and everyday problems and challenges.

Research methodology

Two rounds of pilot studies were conducted. The first taking place in the Q1 2020, and the second in the Q1 2024. The same interview questionnaire for both rounds was used. Sampling for each study was conducted using the snowball method.

Results

The image of seniors depicted in our research aligns with that of seniors across the EU. While there have not been many changes observed over time, we observed their increased willingness to engage in social interactions post – COVID-19 pandemic.

Novelty

The study’s significance stems from its direct engagement with seniors, enabling candid discussions wherein they shared insights into numerous facets of their lives. We discovered seniors’ aversion to self-identifying as ‘seniors’ and their reluctance towards utilizing services explicitly aimed at their demographic age group. The study underscored the imperative of addressing seniors’ needs holistically, as exemplified by Stanimir’s House of Seniors’ Needs framework.
Income Inequalities Between Women And Men In Selected European Countries
Authors: Trzcińska Kamila
Published: December 2024

Research background

Income inequalities between women and men often constitute an important area of research related to social inequalities. Differences in incomes between genders are frequently analyzed in the context of gender equality, social justice, and economic equity. Disparities in wages between women and men are observed in many societies. A key tool in studying wage and income distributions, as well as income inequalities, is the approximation of theoretical models to empirical data. Another important tool is the use of income inequality measures. Research on income distributions between women and men is significant for various reasons, including facilitating an understanding of social and economic inequalities.

Purpose

In Europe, there is diversity in economic models, with individual countries adopting different approaches to organizing their economic systems. The paper considers four European countries representing diverse economic approaches. A comparative analysis of income inequality between men and women was conducted in the countries under consideration.

Research methodology

The study used data from the Central European Bank from 2017. All analyzes were based on the Dagum model. The maximum likelihood method was used to estimate the model parameters. The Theil coefficient decomposition was also applied.

Results

The analysis reveals that men earn the highest incomes in all countries. Visualization of the Lorenz and Zenga curves, along with calculated inequality indices, showed that the greatest income inequalities occur in women’s incomes in all cases. Interestingly, it was found that men’s incomes make the largest contribution to the overall income inequalities.

Novelty

The paper explores the topic of income inequality, which is a significant and contemporary socioeconomic challenge. It utilizes statistical information from the Eurosystem Household Finance and Consumption (HFCS) to examine and assess the financial status of households, focusing on both genders, in Finland, Germany, Poland, and Spain.
Value Co-Creation In E-Commerce Platforms: The Role Of Personality Traits And Trust
Authors: Widyastuti Widyastuti
Published: December 2024

Research background

It is important for companies to pay attention to the value of co-creation in order to encourage innovation and the development of new products where the source of ideas for innovation and new products comes from consumers. Participation in value co-creation is voluntary and depends on the consumer’s willingness to be involved, so there needs to be motivation within the consumer to carry out value co-creation. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the consumer’s personality which can encourage co-creation.

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the factors that influence online value co-creation in e-commerce platforms. This study attempts to examine the value co-creation that occurs online by emphasizing the interaction between consumers. In addition, the researcher examines the role of personality traits on value co-creation.

Research methodology

The population in this study are consumers aged 16 to more than 40 years who have experience in purchasing products in e-commerce and have given ratings, reviews, or comments on products and services in e-commerce. The Purposive sampling technique was used to select the sample of 152 consumers. PLS-SEM was used as an analytical technique.

Results

The results reflect that personality traits and beliefs are the driving factors for online co-creation. This study also reveals that trust does not act as a mediator in the influence of personality traits on value co-creation. Conscientiousness is the dominant trait in the influence of personality traits on trust and value co-creation. This study only uses two dimensions of personality traits, namely conscientiousness and agreeableness. Future research should consider using the five dimensions of personality traits. The implication of this research is to enrich knowledge about the factors that influence the occurrence of value co-creation online and it is projected for marketers to provide ease of use features for further co-creation.

Novelty

This research discusses interactions between consumers in e-commerce as a form of co-creation that has not been widely done.
Unlocking Multilingual Classrooms: Preprimary Teachers’ Perspectives on Inclusive Pedagogy in Spain
Authors: López-Medina Beatriz , Agustín Mercedes Pérez
Published: December 2024

This study addresses the challenges faced by pre-primary teachers (specialists and non-specialists in additional languages) in multilingual settings, with a specific focus on attention to diversity. Nowadays, schools are becoming more diverse both linguistically (Robinson-Jones, Duarte & Günther-van der Meij, 2022) and through the inclusion of special educational needs (SEN) students (Ramberg & Watkins, 2020). This study aims to identify the teachers’ needs in these contexts and to bring to light emergent topics on multilingualism and diversity. Ten focus groups were conducted for this purpose, and participants (pre-primary teachers) were asked to reflect on their competencies to address groups of young learners in multilingual settings. The participants originate from five different locations in Spain, characterized by different linguistic and social realities. The discussions were recorded and transcribed verbatim, and the software MAXQDA was used to facilitate the content analysis of the obtained data. Information was gathered from two perspectives: specialists and non-specialist teachers of additional languages. The findings reveal the complexity of adopting and incorporating the tailored approaches required by the increasingly linguistically diverse students and by those with special educational needs. Several key findings emerged, including the difficulties of the teachers when adapting to changing educational contexts, the lack of guidelines to facilitate teaching in multilingual contexts, and the teachers’ concern about diverse students. The results of this research underscore the importance of providing pre-primary teachers in multilingual contexts with multifaceted support (specific legal framework, training sessions, and classroom assistants, among others) to facilitate the inclusiveness of diverse young learners. The research, embedded in a national research project on pre-primary teachers’ competencies in multilingual contexts, contributes insights into teaching strategies in diverse multilingual settings.
EMI Dynamics: An Empirical Study on Students’ Perspectives at Tertiary Level in Türkiye
Authors: Özçelik Arzu Ekoç , Kavanoz Suzan , Yılmaz Selahattin
Published: December 2024

The unprecedented adoption of English-Medium Instruction (EMI) in higher education on a global scale has brought about challenges as well as opportunities for students, which necessitates a careful consideration of factors impacting their perceptions and experiences. Recognizing this critical need, our study attaches significant importance to delve into the attitudes of tertiary-level students towards EMI and aims to evaluate the attitudes and language-related challenges encountered by students in full EMI undergraduate programs. Data were collected from 278 undergraduate students in various full EMI programs at a Turkish public university. Utilizing the culturally and linguistically adapted form of Yeh’s (2014) EMI questionnaire, the study focused on students’ backgrounds, motivations, and attitudes towards EMI courses, challenges, learning strategies, and beliefs about EMI policies. The findings indicate generally positive attitudes towards EMI. Students perceive EMI as beneficial to their academic and professional development, viewing it as an opportunity to enhance their English proficiency. Nevertheless, challenges arise from coping with specialized terms, heavy learning load, and lecturers’ accents. These results offer valuable insights into the experiences of undergraduate students in full EMI programs at a state university, highlighting both the positive facets and challenges they encounter in settings where English is used as a vehicle for academic growth.
Does Political Stability Matter for the UK and the USA? The Time Variant Analysis through Rolling Window Causality Approach
Authors: Ali Sajid , Raza Syed Ali , Ahmed Maiyra
Published: December 2024

The study aims to examine the time-varying causality between political stability and economic growth. Secondly, study also evaluates the effect of political stability on economic growth of the United Kingdom and the United States. Therefore, a time-series model is proposed to assess the framework’s constancy with time, which assumes that the coefficients are stable throughout time. A rolling window technique has been applied to the dataset from the year 2002 to 2019, respectively. The results indicate that the time-varying positive bidirectional causality is present between political stability and economic growth for a particular subsample, verifying the effect of political stability on economic growth and vice versa. Hence, our results exhibit that the connection between two-series would benefit the economy due to the positive yet significant relationship. Therefore, uncertain political conditions would directly affect the economy’s growth rate in terms of tourism, currency value, investment, and other growth factors. Whereas, if the uncertainty regarding the political environment reduces, it would be advantageous for economic development.
Perfect Competition and Competitive Dynamics in Europe; Analysing the Gap Between Theory and Reality
Authors: Tomić Daniel
Published: December 2024

While the construct of market is one of the basic concepts in Economics, the term competition became the elemental paradigm in apprehending the organisation of markets. For economic assessment, it is crucial to understand how markets are organized, how they function, and how firms operating within them behave. Economists remain interested in how different market structures and the concentration of sellers affect market prices and quantities. Long before the advent of neoclassical economics and its equilibrium in a perfectly competitive economy, Adam Smith advocated for competitive markets as the preferred market structure because they lead to socially optimal economic outcomes. This concept essentially encapsulates the entire theoretical background of microeconomics. There are numerous arguments for clarification of the EU competitions rules as some of them are pointed at improving market efficiency for the benefit of consumers while others are driven by purely political and/or competitiveness scrutiny. Hence, the goal of this study is to test perfect competition conditions and therefore the competitive dynamics among European countries, as to analyse the disparity between the theoretical positions and empirical reality. Evaluation is based on testing the equality of prices and marginal cost in the long run, as well as in the short run within a panel structured sample of 38 European countries for the period of 1960-2022. Various estimation methods indicated the absence of the equality between prices and marginal costs across the panel sample and different sub-samples, but with the presence of long term cointegration between these variables, indicating that these variables share a common long run trend.
The Unending Methodological Debates in Economics
Authors: Sharma Soumitra
Published: December 2024

Economic science, its contents, scope, and significance have been, for over a century and a half, dominated by intense methodological debates among scholars concentrating over issues of positivism, normativity, optimality, and empiricism. The debates are still going on. In this brief review, the author wishes to refresh the ongoing methodological debates that have haunted thewider field of social sciences.
The Role of Demographics and Entrepreneurial Motives in Digital Sales Adoption
Authors: Plecko Samuel , Hojnik Barbara Bradač , Tominc Polona
Published: December 2024

Digital transformation gradually changes businesses, which is also connected with sales. Despite these advancements, the motives to accept digitalization in sales are undiscovered. In our study, we examine demographic factors (gender, age, education), entrepreneurial motives, and the developmental stage of entrepreneurs using data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), encompassing 25,633 entrepreneurs from 47 countries. Logistic regression and subsequently Cramer’s V were employed for a more precise determination of the relevant influences of the explanatory variables. The findings indicate that younger and early-stage entrepreneurs more often accept digital technologies in sales. This also applies to entrepreneurs who are motivated by higher income and wealth and the desire to make changes in the world. These results suggest that digital technologies can contribute to reducing the divergence between profitable and sustainable goals, as entrepreneurs perceive their utility in achieving both sets of objectives.
Mastering Computing in the Presence of Functional vs. Emotional Technostress: The Moderating Influence of Technology and Task Dependency
Authors: Techmanska Alicja , Ortner Elisabeth , Stöckmann Christoph
Published: December 2024

Our study investigates the moderating effects of perceived task interdependence (PTI) and ICT-Dependence (ICTD) on the relationship between various technostress creators and computer self-efficacy. We advance the technostress literature by introducing a framework that categorizes technostress creators into emotional (techno-insecurity, techno-uncertainty) and functional (techno-invasion, techno-complexity, techno-overload) dimensions. Using data from 187 employees and a cross-sectional design with two measurement points, we confirmed distinct inhibitory effects depending on the type of technostress creator. Our findings highlight the need to consider individual perceptions of technostress and demonstrate that different technostress creators trigger varied stress responses. Additionally, the study emphasizes the critical role of organizational measures in managing technostress within digitalization strategies. By distinguishing between different technostress causes and identifying key interactions with organizational factors, this research provides a foundation for future studies to further refine and test our framework.
Impacts of Regional Trade Agreements on the Trade Effects of Financial Development
Authors: Zhang Juan , Chen Jiahui , Liu Zuanshi
Published: December 2024

Regional trade agreements (RTAs) significantly reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers, facilitate capital flow and improve financing conditions, which can help exporters ease financing constraints and promote export. This paper studies the impacts of RTAs signed by member countries of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) on the trade effects of financial development, using the gravity model with industry level bilateral trade data from 2000 to 2021. The results show that with RTAs, exporters’ dependence on financial development of home countries has decreased, and there is a similar mechanism in importing countries. However, exporters’ decreasing dependence on financial development is different, i.e., the decreasing dependence of exporters in industries rely heavily on external financing is smaller than that in other industries.