bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atomic Force Microscopy Study of the Surface of Films of Chitosan and Its Salts with Organic Acids
Authors:   Saratov State University, Rudenko Darya A. , Bratashov Daniil N. ,   Saratov State University, Shipovskaya Anna B. ,   Saratov State University
Published: December 2020

The results of the study of the morphology and surface topography of chitosan films of the salt (S-) and basic (B-) chemical form by atomic force microscopy are presented. The films were cast from polymer solutions in acetic, lactic, citric and succinic acid. NaOH and triethanolamine were used for the salt → chitosan base reaction. Surface tomograms were obtained; the main morphological characteristics and roughness parameters of the film samples were estimated. It was found that the morphology, the degree of order, root-mean-square roughness and the height of the surface roughness were determined by the polymer chemical form, the nature of the acid used and the reagent of the polymer-like conversion reaction. The surface of the S-form chitosan films is characterized by fibrillar structural ordering (also dendritic for chitosan succinate), and that of the B-form is globular. The smallest size of surface supramolecular elements was observed for the S-form chitosan films, while the greatest roughness was for the B-form ones. Changing the reagent of the chitosan S → B reaction did not affect the morphological characteristics of the films; however, it affected the microrelief roughness. A more uniform basic chitosan film is formed in an organic base environment. It was suggested that the formation of fibrillar supramolecular structures was due to the unfolding and straightening of macrochains because of the repulsion of the same charged monomer units, while the globular ones were formed due to the folding and densification of macrocoils after neutralizing the total charge of the macrochain.
Dependence of Taxonomic Flora Parameters on Sample Sizes
Authors:   Institute of Ecology of the Volga River Basin RAS, Ivanova Anastasia V. , Kostina Natalia V. ,   Institute of Ecology of the Volga River Basin RAS, Aristova Margarita A. ,   Institute of Ecology of the Volga River Basin RAS
Published: December 2020

The problem of assessing the completeness of the identification of flora is a very significant element of study. The approach proposed in this work is based on an assessment of the complex of parameters of the taxonomic spectra of flora (generic and family). As a model object, the authors considered the flora of the Soksky physical-geographical region, located in the Trans-Volga sector of the Samara region. To solve this problem, the authors used 124 source floristic lists and their combinations (over 400). Depending on the increase in the number of species according to the parameters of taxonomic spectra, the authors determined the main levels of floristic sampling. Such levels determine the reliable characteristics of the flora, corresponding to the ecological and geographical conditions. The authors found that, in the spectrum of families, the first triad of leading families (Asteraceae – Poaceae – Fabaceae) was established after 700 species were in the sample. The fourth place in the spectrum is occupied by the Rosaceae family, and the fifth, designated by us as the leading Brassicaceae, effectively takes its place with only 1000 species in the sample. The content of species in the top ten families tends to a value of 61–60% with 800 species or more. As part of the flora of the Soksky district, among families containing one species, there are 80% of families, which for this territory we can consider really repetitive? The formation of the spectrum of genera is somewhat slower than that of the spectrum of families. Leading genera (Carex, Galium, Potentilla, Artemisia, Astragalus, Salix) appear in the spectrum when the number of samples is already 300 species or more and is stably present in its composition. However, they all move to the head of the spectrum only after reaching a sample size of 1100 species.
Complex Assessment of the Viability and Decorativeness of Species of the Genus Crataegus L. in the Kola North Conditions
Authors:   Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden-Institute of the Kola Science Center RAS, Goncharova Oxana A. , Zotova Olesya Evgenievna ,   Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden-Institute of the Kola Science Center RAS
Published: December 2020

The paper presents the results of a comprehensive assessment of the viability and decorativeness of 20 samples of 17 taxa of the genus Crataegus L. when introduced into the Kola North. The study is one of the stages of a systematic description of the adaptive state of plants of the genus Crataegus when introduced into the conditions of the Far North. The main part of the studied samples are highly decorative quite viable plants that have high winter hardiness, maintain their growth shape, are able to produce germinating seeds, and have attractive inflorescences and fruits. C. chlorosarca, C. chlorosarca f. pyramidalica, C. cuneata, C. dahurica, C. douglasii, C. flabellata, C. laevigata, C. maximoviczii, C. pinnatifida, C. sanguinea, C. x schroederi. C. arnoldiana, C. canadensis and C. foetida are nonviable and undecorative plants. For the introduction of promising species of the genus Crataegus into the landscaping of cities of the Kola Peninsula, preliminary testing is required. Maintaining a highly decorative state is possible while observing the care of woody plants.
La Banca Cooperativa en México
Authors: Hurtado Maldonado Jesús , Lara Gómez Graciela
Published: December 2020

Con este trabajo se buscó conocer cuál ha sido el avance y presencia de la banca cooperativa en México. Para tal efecto, se realizó una aproximación teórica y un análisis histórico sobre la banca cooperativa y la banca social en el contexto europeo y americano, enfatizando la trayectoria que se ha mantenido en la realidad mexicana, para luego hacer una revisión de los ordenamientos jurídicos que dieron origen a las cooperativas y otras figuras jurídicas similares desde finales del siglo xix y hasta la actualidad. Los resultados muestran que la banca cooperativa tuvo vida legal en diferentes épocas y que su existencia estuvo vinculada con la política vigente en la administración federal en turno. Se pudo establecer que en la legislación cooperativa de 1994 se preveía la existencia de un banco cooperativo, disposición que posteriormente fue derogada, dando paso a nuevas estrategias del Estado para tratar de resolver la problemática de inclusión financiera.

Recibido: 16 octubre 2020Aceptado: 26 noviembre 2020
Retos y perspectivas para el cooperativismo mexicano
Authors: Lara Gómez Graciela , Pérez Hernández Carla Carolina
Published: December 2020

Considerando la relevancia de las cooperativas en el contexto internacional y nacional, se analizan los retos y perspectivas que deben afrontar las cooperativas en México. Para tal efecto se destacan los beneficios de cumplir con el mandato constitucional de promover la existencia de las cooperativas, así como los aspectos legales que impulsan o limitan su fortalecimiento y expansión. También se aborda la situación sanitaria actual y cómo las diferentes experiencias de las cooperativas de consumo, producción y de ahorro y préstamo contribuyen en la atención de los desafíos para sostener las experiencias locales, permaneciendo en el mercado y dando continuidad a los beneficios sociales. Por lo que se propone que las cooperativas deben ser el instrumento de cambio que conduzca a las mejoras económicas y sociales para todos.

Recibido: 16 octubre 2020Aceptado: 27 noviembre 2020
A Multilevel Framework and Method for Learning Analytics Integrated Learning Design
Authors: Law Nancy , Liang Leming
Published: December 2020

Efforts to realize the potential of learning analytics (LA) to contribute to improving student learning and learning design have brought important advances. A review of successful cases of learning analytics applications reveals that 1) there is a tight coupling between the learning outcome (LO) goals, task sequence design, and the learning analytics and feedback in each case, and 2) the learning analytics to be deployed and the feedback to be provided to learners and/or teachers are integral to the learning design (LD) rather than constructed after the LD is completed. Learning design frameworks in the literature have focused on generic learning task taxonomies and are unable to scaffold LA-integrated LD practice. This paper proposes a multilevel framework for LA-integrated LD, which provides a hierarchically nested multilevel structure for the design of LD and LA elements based on 60 STEM curriculum units collected from authentic classrooms. The framework includes a design process model in the form of a Learning Design Triangle and the concept of Learning Analytics integrated Curriculum Component Design Patterns (LA-CCDP). Operationalization of the framework is illustrated using one STEM curriculum unit. This framework can be adopted for professional learning and technology development to support LA-integrated LD practices.
Social Responsibility- Sustainable Challenge for Public and Private Sector
Authors:   Valahia University from Targoviste, Romania, Pruteanu Sorela-Maria , Nita Marius ,   Valahia University from Targoviste, Romania
Published: December 2020

The focus on social responsibility is even more pronounced given that competitiveness in the private sector can be surpassed by responsible business policies towards both the environment and the community. All institutions from public sector should act in the interest of the communities they represent, promoting at the same time the benefits of the “social responsibility” concept. Including this concept within the public sector creates an added value, in terms of both the morality of the decisions (taken by the legal representatives of the communities) and this kind of behaviour’s promotion by the organizations working for the public sector or by the companies which represent the private sector. Since ancient times, moral judgements were concepts debated by both psychology experts and within the church, however, at present, this area has been expanded so that major companies are building their development strategy by placing customer satisfaction as the central element; and the public sector has the same target: solving citizen’s needs. Making ethical decisions, by taking into consideration communities’ benefits, is a goal both public and private sectors are trying to achieve in their approach of carrying out their mission: act for the good of the community by including social measures and environmental protection in the foundation of their decisions. Competition between community initiatives and socio-environmental projects where companies get involved is getting tighter and tighter in a context where business practices are more and more visible.
Social Inequality and Solutions to Sustainable Development in the European Union
Authors:   School of Advanced Studies of the Romanian Academy (SCOSAAR), Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Romania, Munteanu Paula , Ciornei Laurenţiu ,   Center for Study and Research for AgroForestry Biodiversity “Acad. David Davidescu”, Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Romania
Published: December 2020

Although the process of accession to the European Union supposed the fulfillment of certain conditions, called the “Coopenhagen Criteria”, although there were economic, social and cultural differences, the fact that accession was based on democratic impulses determined development to evolve differently. Differences between countries have intensified over time, being determined by the fact that not all EU countries are in the Eurozone or in the Schengen area. Romania has not been able to raise the living standards of its citizens since its accession to the European Union. Although the number of employed people has increased, one-fifth of them remain poor. This shows that the measures taken so far have not been effective or sustainable. In order to understand the effects on sustainable development that Romania could fully feel in this difficult period that the world is going through as a result of the pandemic generated by Covid-19, in this analysis we considered the global assessment of social disparities in conjunction with the particularities of the "multi-speed" European Union. Results show that Romania is struggling with a social situation inferior to the Member States, and, without concrete measures to recover and counteract, social inequality will continue to deepen.
Relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility and Entrepreneurship - Evidence from Romanian Entrepreneurs
Authors:   ", Tăbîrcă Alina Iuliana ,   1 Decembrie 1918",   University of Alba Iulia, Alba Iulia, Romania, Ivan Oana Raluca ,   "1 Decembrie 1918" University of Alba Iulia, Alba Iulia, Romania
Published: December 2020

Nowadays, one of the essential issues of any business is represented by CSR. Corporate Social Responsibility is also known, from a European view, as the “Responsible Business Conduct” of everyone, and so this paper highlights the importance of being responsible from early beginnings. Being actual “revolutionary forces”, entrepreneurs contribute to national wealth and growth, job creation, productivity stimulation, adaptation and innovation to meet ongoing changes in market demands. We analyze the conduct of young entrepreneurs and discuss their knowledge in the matter of CSR. We ask young entrepreneurs: What type of CSR actions their firms undertake? How their age and size of the firm influence CSR actions? Their answers are to be analyzed and discussed in a broader context as one of the European Union. Measuring CSR awareness among young entrepreneurs shows a significant increase at a macro level but still a low rate when looking at other UE countries. Our findings prove that entrepreneurs are aware of the concept and dimensions of CSR, but still, profit is more important. We conclude and highlight the importance of productive entrepreneurial activities supported by integrating CSR actions into the company’s strategy and development directions to ensure the balance between the company’s objectives and its interests.
Managing Opportunities - Achieving Smart Growth in a Digital Landscape
Authors:   Valahia University, Targoviste, Romania, Costovici (Mema) Denisa-Atena , Ion Amalia-Elena ,   Valahia University, Targoviste, Romania
Published: December 2020

Globalization, automation, the process of reducing carbon emissions and the development of digital technology have a profound and immediate impact on the industrial sectors, jobs, profitable businesses and the way the economy and society operate and evolve. The digitization process has acquired multiple characteristics, becoming not only imperative but also universal and imminent for innovation and progress. However, Romania ranks 26th out of the 28 EU member states in the Digital Economy and Society Index for 2020. Connectivity has improved, but the available infrastructure is still insufficient of widespread to meet the rapidly growing needs in this area. In order to improve the situation, the EU has decided to redirect the funds available to support the digitalisation of its economies and societies by setting up a new funding program, called Digital Europe, for the period 2021-2027. Therefore, in the next financial period, the Romanian state has the premises for the increasing of digitalization by accessing and using specially dedicated funds. This scientific research aims to identify areas that require technological improvements, incorporating both public institutions and private entities. Following the obtained results, untapped opportunities for digitization will be analysed and proposals will be made for the extension of the technological sphere in Romania. The main hypothesis highlights the sustainability of the economy generated by the modernization of public services and the versatility of business. The present research can provide support for reforming public services and industrial sectors and is useful in supporting the adoption of legislative measures to digitally transform a state that has the necessary know-how, qualified human resources and wide availability of high and very high speed fixed broadband networks (especially in urban areas).
Efficient Workforce Management within the Concept of "Smart City". Using Artificial Intelligence as Part of the Future Counterterrorism Strategy
Authors:   Valahia’ University of Targoviste, Doctoral School, Targoviste, România, Constantin Mihai , Bucur Anamaria ,   Valahia’ University of Targoviste, Doctoral School, Targoviste, România, Borţea Andra-Nicoleta ,   Valahia’ University of Targoviste, Doctoral School, Targoviste, România
Published: December 2020

Today, the world is going through an unprecedented wave of urbanization, an evolution that tends to focus on both the biggest social problems and the biggest opportunities in the area of big cities. Once the concept of "smart city" appeared brought its new challenges for our society. In addition to the many benefits, such as increased quality of life, a smart city is challenging the current government. The security of the citizens in the smart cities is gaining new perspective, but also brings a number of threats, mostly considering the strategies regarding counter-terrorism. The human component, specifically the workforce adapted to the smart city, faces new challenges: the emergence of artificial intelligence, increased demand for digital skills, a must have also in labour market, together with the technologization of all areas of activity, which produces changes in all aspects of daily life. Under these conditions, the human factor is affected by all these changes. One side of the story regards the training and, also, the education of individuals, which must increase digitalisation skills; the other side involves the government who must adapt its strategies and policies to enable these changes in a safe manner for citizens and public workers, who perpetuate these changes through local administrations. Therefore, human resources are an important component in the project that aims developing smart cities that includes also developing adapted protection for citizens, specific to these cities. The use of artificial intelligence in smart cities seems to be the solution to the problems raised by smart cities in relation to the human factor and its vulnerability. But at what cost?
The Problem of Self-Disclosure of Self-Harming Behaviour in Adolescence
Authors:   University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava, Slovakia, Demuthova Slavka , Vaclavikova Ivana ,   University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava, Slovakia, Selecka Lenka ,   University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava, Blatny Marek ,   University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava, Slovakia
Published: December 2020

Self-disclosure is the key prerequisite for the provision of help and professional intervention in the case of mental difficulties. Self-harming behaviour is a problem in this area that has been a remarkably strong taboo, and as such, this form of behaviour is often hidden. The most at risk category in this context are adolescents who demonstrably receive the least psychological intervention and for whom self-harm is a high-risk behaviour (considering its prevalence, health risks, lethality and consequences for their future mental health). This study observes the prevalence of self-harming behaviour (45.3%) in a sample of 2,210 adolescents aged from 11 to 19, and subsequently observes the willingness of the subjects to self-disclose self-harming behaviour in a sample subset of 1,002 self-harming adolescents (mean age = 15.37; 68.6% female). 55.2% of self-harmers were willing to provide data on this topic; and only 51.5% of them stated that they had disclosed their self-harming behaviour to someone else, most frequently to their peer(s) (80.0%). Female subjects disclosed this information significantly more often than men (p = 0.000) and were significantly more willing (p = 0.025) to provide data about their behaviour in this area. There were no age specificities observed in the self-disclosure by self-harming adolescents. The analysis of the results suggests a need to provide the target group of adolescents with information regarding the help available to self-harming individuals as well as a need of further scientific observation of possible barriers, facilitators or interventional (e.g. personality-related) variables.
Determination of Differences in Personality Characteristics in Indi-vidual Types of Perfectionism in Humanistic Sciences
Authors:   Univerzita sv. Cyrila a Metoda v Trnave, Slovakia, Doktorová Dominika , Piteková Nikola ,   Univerzita sv. Cyrila a Metoda v Trnave, Slovakia
Published: December 2020

The main goal of this work is to compare the personality characteristics in individual types of perfectionism. In order to determine the perfectionism, we used Frost’s Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (F-MPS) and NEO five-factor personal inventory (NEO-FFI) for personal characteristics. There questionnaires were administered to humanistic science students (N=344) in the age span of 19 to 26. Through the non-hierarchical aggregate analyse we identified three types of perfectionists in the sample: functional, dysfunctional perfectionists and non-perfectionists. The comparison of the individual typed of perfectionism with personality characteristics showed statistically significant differences in the following way: compared to the other two type the dysfunctional perfectionists achieved the highest score on the scale of neuroticism. Other differences between the perfectionist types did not show any statistical importance.
Public Facilities Assessment Methodology
Authors:   University of Architecture and Urbanism Ion Mincu Bucharest, Romania, Opris Ana , Necsulescu (Popa) Andreea ,   University of Architecture and Urbanism Ion Mincu Bucharest, Romania
Published: December 2020

The paper presents the results of several substantiation studies concerning public facilities assessment for various Romanian municipalities, made in order to substantiate urban development plans. The study outlines main methodological steps for public amenities assessment emphasizing the importance of the territorial context, socio-economical context, as well the necessity of development of a compulsory legal frame at national level. The studies conducted by the authors tried to develop specific methodologies designated to assess public facilities provision at city level in order to propose their enhancement if case. The study compares different public facilities assessment conclusions for several cities in Romania and outlines that the average offer and need (public request) is generated by different elements (built and natural), not only the perceived urban barriers but also the unseen elements (as perceived neighbor hoods, sense of belonging of different urban areas). Also, one of the conclusions of this survey is that public amenities (green areas, education facilities, leisure, cultural health and transportation facilities) are one of the main features of urban structure that has to be addressed when planning development at urban or zone level. This focus on public amenities approach can substantiate development decisions at urban level, despite that it is the most disregarded element due to urban development pressures, especially within the new urban development areas. Assessment of public facilities provision at urban level should be subject of the urban development plans in terms of sustainable urban development.
Identifying the Students’ Needs for Guidance at Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School
Authors:   Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus, Özmen Serdar , Hursen Cigdem ,   Assoc. Prof. Dr., Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus
Published: December 2020

The purpose of this study is to identify the needs of vocational and technical Anatolian high school students for guidance. A mixed research methodology is employed in this descriptive study. With the guidance needs analysis survey, quantitative data was collected about the needs of students for guidance from a total of 2228 participants including 1437 students, 304 teachers and 487 parents. The qualitative data in the research were collected from school counsellors employed in vocational and technical high schools, from the heads of guidance services employed in guidance research centres, from psychological guidance and counselling specialists working in the Ministry of National Education, from psychological counsellors representing Turkish Psychological Counselling and Guidance Association and those engaged by educational unions. The research revealed findings that the students need intensive guidance on topics such as identification of future career goals, learning effective studying methods, self-knowledge of interests and abilities, knowledge of professions and their basic requirements, focusing attention during lessons, protection from addiction, knowledge of developmental features of adolescence, university admission exams and opportunities for higher education. Furthermore, it was revealed that the guidance needs of the students were not met sufficiently, they needed services in all areas of personal-social, educational and career guidance, female students needed guidance services more than male students, and students felt more need of guidance services at higher grades. In line with the results of the study, further recommendations are presented to provide for the guidance needs of students.
The Role of Multinational Corporations in the European Union
Authors:   PhD student, Valahia University of Targoviste, Romania, Pârjoleanu Raluca
Published: December 2020

Organizations such as multinational corporations are the most important form of business globally. The defining role on the world economy could be seen at the onset of the financial crisis of 2008, but also in the recent events related to the Covid-19 pandemic, when corporations transformed their production lines to respond to the need for protective equipment for the frontline workers in the health system, but also for the broader population. Through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), multinational corporations make a positive impact on economies around the world. In addition to contributing to the local development of areas where they setup subsidiaries, multinational corporations are a form of integration of a local economy into the global economy. In the Romanian economy, multinational corporations play a decisive role, representing the companies with the highest turnover, but also the most desired employers for those looking for a job.
Ethics and Academic Integrity Elements of Ethics in Electrical Engineering
Authors:   „Stefan cel Mare” University of Suceava, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Suceava, România, Grosu Oana Vasilica , Toader Eusebiu ,   „Stefan cel Mare” University of Suceava, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Suceava, România
Published: December 2020

Ethics is the science that studies the theoretical part of the human condition and its values. The individual has the responsibility to conduct ethic decisions and to have an ethical behavior. This article presents the ethics from the research and engineering perspective, its main characteristics; lack of honesty, confidentiality, conflict of interests and intellectual property. The engineering teaching is the act which includes multiple ethic subjects in order to educate the student about the importance of ethics and its repercussions. The students have the right to benefit of ethical behavior from their teachers from the staff of the school. The ethic is essential in all the educational and working fields, but we insisted specially on the electrical engineering field.
Software Engineering Ethics
Authors:   „Stefan cel Mare” University of Suceava, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Marcu Daniela , Milici Dan Laurenţiu ,   „Stefan cel Mare” University of Suceava, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Danubianu Mirela ,   „Stefan cel Mare” University of Suceava, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Published: December 2020

Over the past 30 years, computer engineering has developed a lot. Currently, computer and software applications have a central role in business, medicine, security, communications, industry, education, and everyday life. Software developers, peoples who manage computer networks, data security analysts can do well, but they also have the potential to cause suffering and harm to the clients or ordinary peoples, willingly or not. For this reason, IT activities must be regulated by specific laws. From the beginning, we argue that the law is not the same thing as ethics, even if both promote the good. Certain ethical principles can be strengthened by law. In the field of computer science and technology, can exists theft, privacy violations, violence and harassment. To combat and punish such actions and behaviors, law is needed. But is software engineering a profession? If so, are there codes of professional ethics whereby specialists in the field can regulate their professional activity, as is the case, for example, in areas such as justice or medicine? In relation with that, Gibbs and Ford have identified 8 components of a professional infrastructure. Some of that is: initial vocational training, professional accreditation, licensing, continuous vocational training, the existence of code of ethics. (Ford & Gibbs, 1996). With the fact that software engineering is a profession, in this article we present the main principles of behavior. The principles are not legally binding. This are grouped by interest categories depending on who or what is involved in the interaction with software engineering.
About iSTEMIA – Innovation in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Informatics and Arts
Authors:   „Stefan cel Mare” University of Suceava, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Milici Dan L. , Paval Mihaela ,   „Stefan cel Mare” University of Suceava, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Published: December 2020

Then involvement is essential. You cannot stand aside as a member of a community. The real involvement presupposes first a connection at the level of understanding the phenomenon, an empathic relationship with the studied phenomena and processes, relationship that generate intuitions, leaps in understanding and knowledge, discoveries, revelations. The paper is based on the idea that information technology and communications today generate a global interaction based on a complex computer network, which forms a sphere that covers the planet, assimilated with a global intelligence, to which we can consciously adhere becoming a synapse. a global neural network.
Fear of Death as the Foundation of Modern Political Philosophy and Its Overcoming by Transhumanism
Authors:   Professor and researcher, Universidad de los Andes, Chile, Quer Matías
Published: December 2020

Fear, which has always been one of the most powerful of human passions, has grown in importance during modernity. First with Machiavelli and later especially with Hobbes, fear has become one of the foundational ideas of modern political philosophy. If fear, especially fear of death, does indeed occupy a central place in the foundation of modern politics, then it is necessary to study carefully the implications and consequences of the transhumanist attempt to overcome death. Among the main aspirations of transhumanism is the search for almost infinite longevity and, eventually, the total abolition of aging. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the specific role that fear of death has played in modern political philosophy to understand the possible effects that an eventual overcoming of death would have, albeit partial, as wanted by transhumanists. While the possibility of achieving immortality seems unlikely, this doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t study what’s behind this transhumanist aspiration. In this way, transhumanism seems the final consequence of modern development, since it’s in continuity with the modern attempt to respond to the fear of death, but it does so by trying an ultimate solution to it through the elimination of death, at least by sickness and old age. In this paper, we will review the role of fear of death in the founding of modern political philosophy by Machiavelli and Hobbes, and then we will analyse the transhumanist attempt to overcome death as a consequence of this fear and its possible political effects.
Social Responsibility in Romanian Advertising during State of Emergency
Authors:   Senior Lecturer Ph.D., West University of Timisoara, Department of Philosophy and Communication Sciences, Timisoara, Romania, Petrovici Iasmina , Bader Simona ,   Senior Lecturer Ph.D., West University of Timisoara, Department of Philosophy and Communication Sciences, Timisoara, Romania, Sirb Corina ,   Assistant Professor Ph.D, West University of Timişoara, Department of Philosophy and Communication Sciences, Timisoara, Romania
Published: December 2020

In what way were the messages conveyed in Romanian advertisements influenced by the state of emergency declared due to COVID-19 pandemic? What kind of visual and textual messages did advertisements deliver to the target audience in this unique social context? Were there any specifics regarding their narrative or visuals? Based on the aforementioned questions, our hypothesis is that some Romanian advertisements that were distributed during the state of emergency had a social responsibility message, which is rather uncommon in commercials. The first part of our study will underline the theoretical framework of this problem: defining and explaining social responsibility and its implications. The second part of the study will present our research. Its aim is to conduct a qualitative analysis of the advertising discourse from pragmatic, rhetoric and semiotic perspectives. The corpus of our research consists of several advertisements and campaigns that were most visible in the public sphere during the state of emergency, both online. We will start by identifying the visual elements, narrative techniques and argumentative strategies, explaining the way they function as an instrument to increase social responsibility. We will approach the message of the advertisements from a speech acts theory point of view, then undergo a process of identifying the argumentative tactics that are being used and, finally, we will conduct a semiotic analysis. In the end, we will underline a series of conclusions regarding the narrative and the visual specifics of the analysed contents and we will highlight some ethical aspects of the advertisements.
Metacognitive Schemes as a Tool for Teaching English to Young Learners: Psychological Discourse
Authors:   KryvyiRih State Pedagogical University, Tokareva Natalya , Tsehelska Maryna ,   KryvyiRih State Pedagogical University, KryvyiRih, Ukraine
Published: December 2020

The article presents the results of a theoretical and empirical analysis of the problem of optimizing teaching English to students of primary school age, taking into account the requirements of the modern information society. It was stated that training should format an active approach to modeling the knowledge and competencies of students. This position of the authors allows us to consider thinking in a foreign language as the goal of learning and an indicator of the degree of language proficiency. As a research problem, the authors considered an attempt to evaluate the heuristic and developing resource of metacognitive schemes in the logic of projective-recursive technology for teaching English to primary school children. The authors present the results of a study of the dominant type of thinking of primary school students as an indicative construct of metacognitive development. It is proved that younger students are mostly characterized by sign and symbolic thinking; this confirms the possibility of using metacognitive schemes in teaching English to children of this age group. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the practical experience of using metacognitive schemes in the practice of teaching English to primary school children at the Educational Centre «Interclass» (Kryvyi Rih). This technique involves the construction of a mental denotative graph that performs the function of sense formation and mental interpretations modeling in the students' minds. The obtained results complement the materials presented by scientists regarding the trends in teaching English to primary school children using a resource of metacognitive schemes.
Linguistic and Non-Linguistic University Students’ Attitude towards Error Correction in EFL Learning
Authors:   Babushko National University of Ukraine on Physical Education and Sport, Rostyslavivna Svitlana , Serhiivna Liudmyla ,   Solovei Borys Grinchenko Kyiv University
Published: December 2020

The research implies that in EFL learning there are some differences in the attitudes towards error correction shown by linguistic and non-linguistic university students. Supposedly, they are caused by the purpose of EFL acquisition – to achieve language proficiency and accuracy or to develop communication and interaction skills. The combination of qualitative and quantitative methods is used in the research paper to experimentally and theoretically justify these differences. The necessary data were collected with the help of the questionnaire specially designed for the research. The study concludes that the future profession of the respondents greatly influences their attitude towards error correction. Future EFL teachers are more open and eager to being corrected while non-linguistic respondents do not like it, though they recognize its importance. Other differences include benefits that error correction can bring, remembering of errors, analysis of the errors made in the written speech. The knowledge of students’ different attitudes towards error correction can help teachers choose the most appropriate EFL teaching methods. Hence, a set of general and specific recommendations for EFL teachers working with linguistic and non-linguistic university students has been worked out on the basis of the obtained research results.
Students’ Perspectives on Academic Writing in European Higher Education (Based on 2019 Erasmus Teaching Experience in Slovak and Hungarian University)
Authors:   the University of Zilina, Zilina, Slovakia, Hundarenko Olena
Published: December 2020

Although studies on the approaches and methods of teaching Academic Writing in university classroom are extensive, comparative studies on students’ evaluation of the classroom strategies and techniques applied are still scant. Therefore, this research implies a quantitative study based on comparative analysis of Slovak and Hungarian EFL learners’ responses on a special questionnaire in English Academic Writing. The objective of the study was to explore senior university students’ attitude to the academic writing tasks, specificity of a writing program at the university, its advantages and disadvantages; to evaluate their own writing abilities and provide recommendations concerning feedback and writing instructions in class along with the ways of their improvement. It accords to the area of study on effective writing assignments, techniques and methods involved in everyday practice in Central European universities, which can make academic writing both a productive and joyful tool in English language acquisition process.
Studying Innovation as the Factor in Professional Self-Development of Specialists in Physical Education and Sport
Authors:   Vinnytsia Мykhailo Kotsiubynskyi State Pedagogical University, Vinnytsia, Ukraine, Palamarchuk Olha , Gurevych Roman ,   Vinnytsia Мykhailo Kotsiubynskyi State Pedagogical University, Vinnytsia, Ukraine, Maksymchuk Borys ,   Izmail State University of Humanities, Gerasymova Irina ,   Vinnytsia Мykhailo Kotsiubynskyi State Pedagogical University, Vinnytsia, Ukraine, Fushtey Oksana ,   Vinnytsia Мykhailo Kotsiubynskyi State Pedagogical University, Vinnytsia, Ukraine, Logutina Nataliia ,   Vinnytsa National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Kalashnik Nataliia ,   Vinnytsa National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Kylivnyk Anatolii ,   Vinnytsia Мykhailo Kotsiubynskyi State Pedagogical University, Vinnytsia, Ukraine, Haba Iryna ,   Vinnytsia Мykhailo Kotsiubynskyi State Pedagogical University, Vinnytsia, Ukraine, Matviichuk Tetiana ,   Lviv State University of Physical Culture, Solovyov Valeriy ,   Lviv State University of Physical Culture, Maksymchuk Iryna ,   Mariupol State University
Published: December 2020

Lifetime employment of specialists in physical education and sport is possible only under the conditions of enhancing their professional self-development, whose essential component is innovative activity. The article aims to identify the current level of innovation of professional activities of specialists in physical education and sport. It is also essential to determine the main characteristics of the innovation indicator during professional self-development of specialists in physical education and sport. The selected psychodiagnostic methods have made it possible to diagnose specialists in physical education and sport and reveal the main characteristics of the innovation indicator, namely, average, quadratic deviation, asymmetry and excess. The paper also used following methodologies: self-efficacy diagnosis, the level of subjective control and the style of response to changes. The research sample comprised of specialists in physical education and sport of different age groups, with different experience and qualification degree. In total, the study involved 209 participants. The total dispersion of the selected factors for the research groups with a prevailing conservative style is approximately 61%. The development of capability for innovation in specialists in physical education and sport involves enhancing their psychological qualities such as particular sensitivity to professional changes, readiness to take risks and be responsible for possible failures, independent judgment while taking professional decisions, focus on personal and professional self-development, willingness to search for new professional ideas.
Family Influence on Leisure Time of Schoolchildren
Authors:   University of Niš, Faculty of Philosophy, Serbia, Petrović Jelena , Dimitrijević Dragana ,   University of Niš, Faculty of Philosophy, Serbia
Published: December 2020

Education for leisure time makes a great challenge for educators in contemporary society because wrong choices and passive attitude in leisure time can have negative impact on the development of a child. Family is an important factor in education for leisure time, but educators have to account for how much family should and can influence children’s choices. Educators pay special attention to unstructured leisure time activities because those activities mostly depend on children’s choices, and are not dependent place or on regular schedule. The main aim of this paper is to find out whether families influence children choices, and if they do, whether the influence is stronger in structured or unstructured leisure time activities. The research encompassed a sample of 189 elementary school students (4th and 7th grade) from rural and urban surrounding. The third variable was parents’ employment, since we assumed that unemployed parents had better control and more influence over their children’s free time. The data was gathered through a specially constructed Likert-type questioner. Results showed that students recognised family’s influence, especially regarding unstructured leisure time activities and, as expected, families have stronger influence on younger children’s choices. There were slight, but statistically not significant differences within researched population regarding social surrounding and parents’ employment. These results can help further development of leisure time education within family, and are very encouraging for two reasons. First, it is unstructured activities that are more prone to negative influences, and they need more educational attention, so families in our research proved to make greater influence where it is more needed. And the second comes from the conclusion that families generally fulfil their role in leisure time education regardless of social circumstances.
School-family Interaction in Forming Adolescents’ National Identity: the Ukrainian Pedagogical Experience
Authors:   Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor. Department of Theory, Practice and Translation of the English Language, National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”, Fedorenko Svitlana , Voronina Hanna ,   PhD, National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”, Kyiv, Ukraine, Zhurba Kateryna ,   Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Institute of Problems on Education of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
Published: December 2020

The paper highlights the issue of school-family interaction in forming adolescents’ national identity in the settings of the Ukrainian school on the basis of synthesizing the findings of humanistic psychology and pedagogy, Socratic pedagogy, ethics of care and culturally relevant pedagogy. The theoretical foundations of the concept “national identity” are considered. National identity is viewed as one of the components of individual social identity which refers to the life activity of individuals in a particular culture of a state and reflects the deep spiritual ties within society. Regarding national identity as a social construction in the system of individual identity, it is stated that its understanding and significance can change under the influence of various circumstances, and change quite quickly due to psychological as well as sociocultural contexts. According to the authors of the paper, the essence of the national identity of an adolescent is manifested in the subjective experience of belonging to the Ukrainian people, Ukrainian nation, conscious acceptance of moral values, and characterized by the identification and formation of the corresponding national self-concept on the basis of national dignity, responsibility for the destiny of the native land, love for Ukraine, and the desire and readiness to protect Ukraine. The Ukrainian pedagogical experience of school-family interaction in forming adolescents' national identity through the methods of psychological and pedagogical diagnostics and counseling, interactive methods and methods of encouraging reflexivity is outlined.
Urban/Rural Workplace – A Relevant Factor in Manifesting Intercultural Sensitivity
Authors:   Vasile Alecsandri University of Bacau, Romania, Cojocariu Venera-Mihaela , Boghian Ioana ,   Lecturer, PhD, Vasile Alecsandri University of Bacău, Bacău, Romania
Published: December 2020

Our paper presents the results of a questionnaire-based inquiry aimed to investigate the level of intercultural sensitivity concerning respondents’ workplace background, namely urban versus rural. The main purpose of our research is to highlight possible differences in intercultural sensitivity levels at teachers working in urban and rural schools, which constitutes our contribution to the research existing in the field. The general hypotheses of our research are: the workplace background (urban/rural) impacts the level of manifesting intercultural sensitivity; the urban workplace of respondents is connected to a higher level of manifesting intercultural sensitivity. This investigation is part of wider research that aims to identify teacher training practices that may raise pre- and in-service teachers’ levels of intercultural sensitivity and better prepare them to work with groups of students characterized by diversity, as well as solutions to educational issues in the Romanian context by considering the two different contexts in which education takes place, namely urban and rural. Our findings have revealed higher levels of intercultural sensitivity at teachers working in urban schools, compared to those working in rural schools and the results obtained for each specific hypothesis and objective reveal the particularities involved for each scale dimension.