bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FACTORS AFFECTING PARTICIPATION IN A COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAM: PADANG CITY-WEST SUMATRA'S EXPERIENCE
Authors: Abdul Rahman Mohd Shahril , Naumar Afrizal , Mohammed Abdul Hakim , Azis Shazmin Shareena Abdul
Published: June 2021

Improving the quality of life of a community or an individual is an important aspect for society. This can be achieved in a number of ways that involve the participation of a number of parties. One way is through a community-based sanitation program (SANIMAS). However, community participation is another challenge that we should consider in order to ensure the success of promoting participation in a community-based program as one of the ways to improve the quality of life of society as a whole. The aim of present study is therefore to identify factors influencing community participation in a SANIMAS program. Community participation was measured in the form of frequency and quantitative descriptive distribution on the basis of the Likert scale. Findings discusses a number of internal and external factors related to community participation in the SANIMAS program. It contributes to the current literature review of various internal and external factors that promote the participation of the community in improving their quality of life. This study may be used as a reference for the Government and may be established at other locations for the development of environmental infrastructure in the context of the participation of the urban community.
SUMMARY DIABETES SELF-CARE ACTIVITIES (SDSCA) AMONG ELDERLY POPULATION
Authors: B N Harikrishna , Kardalkar Shruti , M Pisudde Pravin , Annimalla Venkatesham
Published: June 2021

Back ground: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic progressive metabolic disorder, most common non-communicable disease globally.The global prevalence of diabetes among adults over 18 years of age rose from 4.7% in 1980 to 8.5% in 2014. In 2016, diabetes was the direct cause of 1.6 million deaths. Objectives: To assess the self-care practices among elderly with type 2 diabetes mellitus and to know the factors influencing it. Methodology: A community based crosssectional study was conducted by selecting elderly through systematic random sampling; socio-demographic details and self-care practices were assessed by Summary Diabetes Self-Care Activities questionnaire (SDSCA).Data were entered in excel,descriptive statistics and chi-square were calculated.Results:177 elderly diabetics participated in the study. A majority of 49.71% were in the age group of 69-70years. 58.76% were females, 40.11% were literates, and 55.93% resided in joint families. The self-care practices were computed based on Summary Diabetes Self-Care Activities questionnaire (SDSCA) 72.88% had good and poor self-care practices.Significant factors were 60-69 years age group, male gender, literates and duration of diabetes (1-5years) (p<0.05).Conclusion: Diabetes and related complications impose a high-burden of catastrophic economic costs by increasing out of pocket expenditure.Self-care in diabetes plays a pivotal role in managing the disease, which has to be practiced more efficiently at individual level with the support from family and community so as to promote healthy ageing amid co-morbidities.
PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT, DEPRESSION AND INSOMNIA AMONG NURSING STAFFS DURING COVID-19
Authors: S.R Inthumathi , Sudhakaran B. , Ruckmani V. Smitha
Published: June 2021

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is affecting the mental health of people especially the frontline health care workers.
Frontline professionals might experience sleep disturbances due to work pressure, stress, anxiety, depression and
various other psychological factors. Social support plays a protective role in preventing depression and insomnia
among frontline health care professionals. Thus, this study focused on “Perceived Social Support, Depression and
Insomnia among Nursing Staffs during COVID-19”. Objectives of the study is to explore the levels of depression and
insomnia among nursing staffs during the pandemic situation and in finding the relationship between Perceived Social
Support,Depression and Insomnia among Nursing Staffs during COVID-19.
The hypothesis of the current study is that there will be a significant relationship between Perceived Social Support and
Depression among nursing staffs,there will be a significant relationship between Perceived Social Support and insomnia
among nursing staffs and there will be a significant relationship between Depression and Insomnia among nursing staffs.
Nature of the study was quantitative and purposive sampling technique was used to collect data. Data was collected
through Google forms around Chennai using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Patient Health
Questionnaire-9 and Athens Insomnia Scale from a sample of 51 nursing staffs. Data were analysed using Pearson's
Coefficient of Correlation through SPSS Software. Results showed that there is a significant negative relationship
between perceived social support and depression.There is no statistically significant relationship between perceived
social support and insomnia.There is a significant positive relationship between depression and insomnia.The present
study gave insight about the importance of social support especially during the pandemic situation. Intervention for
depression and insomnia are recommended in the phase of the current pandemic.
Fast Whole-Genome Phylogeny by Compression: the COVID-19 case
Authors: Vitanyi Paul , Cilibrasi Rudi
Published: June 2021

We analyze the whole-genome phylogeny and taxonomy of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, causing the COVID-19 disease, using compression in the form of the alignment-free NCD (Normalized Compression Distance) method to assess similarity. We compare the SARS-CoV-2 virus with a database of over 6,500 viruses. The results comprise that the SARS-CoV-2 virus is closest in that database to the RaTG13 virus and rather close to the bat SARS-like corona viruses bat-SL-CoVZXC21 and bat-SL-CoVZC45. Over 6,500 viruses are identified (given by their registration code) with larger NCD's. The NCD's are compared with the NCD's between the mtDNA's of familiar species. We treat the question whether Pangolins are involved in the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The NCD method or shortly the {\em compression method} is simpler and possibly faster than any other whole-genome method, which makes it the ideal tool to explore phylogeny. Here we use it for the complex case of determining this similarity between the COVID-19 virus SARS-CoV-2 and many other viruses. The resulting phylogeny and taxonomy closely matches earlier efforts by alignment-based methods and a machine-learning method, providing the most compelling evidence to date for the compression method showing that one can achieve equivalent results both simply and fast.
РОЛЬ ДЕРЖАВНОГО ФІНАНСОВОГО АУДИТУ В СИСТЕМІ КОНТРОЛЮ БЮДЖЕТНИХ УСТАНОВ
Authors: Бессонова С. І. , Кленін О. В.
Published: June 2021

У статті розкрито контрольну функцію державного фінансового контролю, визначено основні завдання аудиту, такі як: відповідність ведення бухгалтерського обліку та фінансової звітності на основі національних стандартів державного сектору; контроль над використанням бюджетних коштів згідно з кошторисом та нормативно-законодавчою базою; перевірка держзакупівель; перевірка доцільності використання матеріальних ресурсів бюджетного закладу; виявлення фактів неефективного витрачання ресурсів та нецільового їх використання; визначення ефективності управління внутрішнім фінансовим контролем. Проаналізовано діяльність Державної фінансової служби аудиту за останні п’ять років. Спостерігається поступове зниження тиску на розпорядників бюджетних коштів. Перевірки державного фінансового контролю замінюють аудитом, який спрямований на попередження порушень та їх недопущення у діяльності бюджетної установи, надання рекомендацій щодо організації ефективного внутрішньогосподарського контролю. Зростання правопорушень також може свідчити про різне трактування та нечітке розуміння нормативних документів, тому саме вдосконалення законодавчої бази державної аудиторської служби, розвиток методичного інструментарію, стандартизація державного фінансового аудиту повинні сприяти усуненню цих недоліків. Для оцінки ефективності фінансово-бюджетного контролю може бути використано низку показників ефективності роботи інспекторського складу органу фінансово-бюджетного контролю. Вирішення основних проблем може бути досягнуте лише завдяки розробленій стратегії вдосконалення, яка має відповідати вимогам сучасності та спиратися на прийняті у всьому світі норми. Необхідність упровадження норм міжнародних стандартів у національні стандарти зумовлена необхідністю підвищення ефективності діяльності державного фінансового аудиту, підвищення його результативності, прозорості, формування довіри суб’єктів аудиторської перевірки. Особливо це стає актуальним в умовах реформування місцевого самоврядування та територіальних органів виконавчої влади. Фінансовий контроль бюджетної сфери, що здійснюється державою, служить інструментом виявлення неефективного використання нефінансових та фінансових ресурсів бюджетної організації, недотримання або неправильного трактування законодавчої бази, нецільового використання грошових коштів.
КОНТРОЛЬНО-АНАЛІТИЧНІ ПРОЦЕДУРИ В СИСТЕМІ КРИЗИС-МЕНЕДЖМЕНТУ ПІДПРИЄМСТВА
Authors: Коцеруба Н. В.
Published: June 2021

Загострення кризи світової економіки актуалізує необхідність мінімізації впливу кризових ризиків на результати економічної діяльності підприємств. Події попереднього та поточного років свідчать про те, що найбільше потерпають від наслідків кризи мікро-, малі та середні підприємства, які на відміну від великих підприємств не мають ефективних запобіжників для своєчасного виявлення та попередження кризових загроз. Це вимагає від суб’єктів підприємницької діяльності своєчасного виявлення, перш за все, операційних ризиків, до яких належать зменшення обсягів діяльності і, як наслідок, уповільнення зростання операційних доходів і зменшення операційного прибутку, що призводить до загострення фінансових ризиків – зниження рентабельності операційної діяльності, а також рентабельності активів та капіталу підприємства і погіршення фінансового стану підприємств. Чинники кризи як предмет антикризового управління являють собою явища, що є причинами порушення стабільного розвитку підприємства. Залежно від середовища виникнення чинники кризи розподіляються на зовнішні (на зміну яких окреме підприємство впливати не може) та внутрішні (які піддаються регулюванню з боку систем антикризового управління підприємством). Ефективне антикризове управління підприємством торгівлі ґрунтується на використанні інформації стосовно показників операційної і фінансової діяльності, негативна зміна яких призводить до утворення кризових ситуацій. Із метою визначення проблемних ланок діяльності підприємства торгівлі запропоновано моделювання операційного прибутку, що розраховується методом прямого рахунку: збільшення доходів та зменшення витрат створюють приріст прибутку, а зниження доходів та зростання витрат зменшують прибуток на відповідну величину. Для зниження ризику та втрати платоспроможності підприємства рекомендовано використання платіжного календаря. Грошові потоки у платіжному календарі групуються за видами діяльності відповідно до напрямів надходження і витрачання коштів, що дає змогу своєчасно встановити потенційні кризові загрози та сформувати критерії оцінки ризику неплатоспроможності. Доцільне використання методики оцінки потенційного банкрутства за системою формалізованих і неформалізованих критеріїв, що доповнена показником власного оборотного капіталу, від’ємне значення якого є ознакою критичного фінансового стану суб’єкта господарювання. Зважаючи на обмежені ресурси кризис-менеджменту значної кількості підприємств, що діють на товарному ринку України, у статті запропоновано систему контрольно-аналітичних процедур, застосування яких дає змогу оцінити ризики та визначити орієнтири безпечної економічної діяльності, не залучаючи фахівців консалтингових аудиторських фірм та маркетингових агентств.
ПЕРЕДУМОВИ ЕФЕКТИВНОГО РОЗВИТКУ ПІДПРИЄМСТВ ХАРЧОВОЇ ПРОМИСЛОВОСТІ
Authors: Ощипок І. М. , Бліщ Р. О.
Published: June 2021

У статті розглянуто питання формулювання чинників ефективного розвитку харчової промисловості України. Обґрунтовано теоретичні і прикладні засади визначення факторів ефективної виробничої діяльності підприємств харчової промисловості у напрямі підвищення рівня їхньої конкурентоспроможності на внутрішньому та зовнішньому ринках. Розглянуто роль інноваційних центрів із реалізації результатів наукових досліджень або наукової діяльності, в яких наукові знання перетворюються на справжній прибуток і які супроводжуються незмінними маркетинговими дослідженнями, організацією каналів збуту і комерційних угод. Розглянуто розроблення наукомісткої продукції для харчової промисловості на основі результатів інноваційного процесу як паралельно-послідовного здійснення науково-дослідницької, науково-технічної, виробничої, маркетингової діяльності підприємства. Описано структуру інноваційного процесу високотехнологічних підприємств (плантаріїв) харчової галузі промисловості на основі чотирьох основних етапів: фундаментальних, прикладних досліджень, дослідних і технологічних робіт, виробництва нової продукції та її комерціалізації. Показано, що всі етапи взаємопов’язані і взаємозалежні та узгоджуються з метою систематизації механізмів управління. Установлено найважливішу потреба сучасних харчових виробництв і підприємств – можливість зміни їхньої структури з метою перепрофілювання на випуск нової продукції, затребуваної ринком або державою. Показано, що харчова індустрія володіє специфічним життєвим циклом, до якого входять продукти, виробничо-територіальні локалізації і самі підприємства, що формуються з окремих рубежів. Сформульовані основні напрями формування та використання конкурентних переваг харчових підприємств. Зазначено, що вільна підприємницька діяльність дає можливість підприємствам харчової промисловості не лише залучати та використовувати доступні чинники виробництва відповідно до своїх потреб, а й здійснювати роботу з формування нових конкурентних переваг у тих сферах, які є більш привабливими та необхідними.
СТАН І ТЕНДЕНЦІЇ ЗАЙНЯТОСТІ У МАЛОМУ ПІДПРИЄМНИЦТВІ
Authors: Статівка Н. В. , Орел Ю. Л. , Кучерява К. Я.
Published: June 2021

У статті досліджено стан і основні тенденції зайнятості у малому підприємництві. Аналіз основних показників зайнятості показав, що за період 2013-2019 рр. чисельність зайнятих на малих підприємствах скоротилася на 13,3 %, у фізичних осіб-підприємців, навпаки, зросла на 12,8 %. У таких видах економічної діяльності, як «освіта», «тимчасове розміщування й організація харчування», «інформація та телекомунікації», «оптова та роздрібна торгівля, ремонт автотранспортних засобів і мотоциклів» малий сектор забезпечує більш ніж три чверті робочих місць по країні. Натомість у «промисловості», «оптовій та роздрібній торгівлі; ремонті автотранспортних засобів і мотоциклів», «тимчасовому розміщуванні й організації харчування», «фінансовій та страховій діяльності», «професійній, науковій та технічній діяльності» частка зайнятих скорочується і такі структурні зміни є результатом абсолютного відтоку трудових ресурсів, а не переміщення в інші галузі. Встановлено, що впроваджувані урядом зміни у сфері регулювання трудових відносин сприяли частковій легалізації зайнятих у малому підприємництві, зростанню показників рівня витрат на оплату праці та рентабельності витрат на персонал. Здійснені розрахунки виявили тенденцію зростання рівня продуктивності праці відносно витрат на її оплату. При цьому рівень заробітних плат на малих підприємствах надалі лишається низьким, вдвічі меншим порівняно з великими. Але достовірність офіційних показників та отримуваних розрахунків знижують недоліки у класифікації суб’єктів господарювання за їх розмірами, верифікації суб’єктів малого підприємництва, статистичній інформації та високий рівень тінізації малого підприємництва в цілому. Проведене дослідження дає підстави висновувати, що малий сектор виконує свою соціальну функцію, є однією з основних сфер працевлаштування, надаючи робочі місця для 47,9 % зайнятого населення. Проблема із зайнятістю криється не у самих масштабах працевлаштування, а у забезпеченні таких умов, за яких малий бізнес легально працював би та сплачував конкурентоспроможну заробітну плату. Не вичерпними, але основними стримуючими факторами зайнятості у малому підприємництві визначено складність адміністрування та податкове навантаження.
Aggregate Subgrade Improvements Using Quarry By-products: A Field Investigation
Authors:   University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Qamhia Issam , Tutumluer Erol ,   University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Wang Han ,   University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Published: June 2021

This report presents a case study for constructing aggregate subgrade improvement (ASI) layers using quarry by-product aggregates (QBA), a quarry mix of large primary crushed rocks (PCR) and sand-sized quarry fines. The construction took place at Larry Power Road in Bourbonnais Township in Kankakee County, Illinois, where the Illinois Department of Transportation placed two QBA mixes. The first mix (QBA_M1) consisted of 45% quarry by-products and 55% railroad ballast–sized 3×1 PCR. The second mix (QBA_M2) consisted of 31% and 69% quarry by-products and PCR, respectively. Two conventional ASI sections were also constructed conforming to Illinois Department of Transportation’s CS02 gradation. All sections consisted of a 9 in. (229 mm) QBA/PCR layer topped with a 3 in. (76 mm) dense-graded capping layer. Laboratory studies preceded the construction to recommend optimum quarry by-product content in the QBA materials and construction practice. The Illinois Center for Transportation research team monitored the quality and uniformity of the construction using nondestructive testing techniques such as dynamic cone penetrometer, lightweight deflectometer, and falling weight deflectometer. The segregation potential was monitored by visual inspection and imaging-based techniques. Short-term field evaluation of the constructed QBA layers, particularly QBA_M2 with a 31% quarry by-product content, showed no evidence of abnormal segregation and did not jeopardize the structural integrity of the QBA ASI layers, which had slightly lower but comparable strength and stiffness profiles to the conventional ASI sections. The use of QBA materials in ASI was field validated as a sustainable construction practice to provide stable pavement foundation layers.
Modified Backscatter Communication Model for Wireless Communication Network Applications
Authors: Zong Chen Joy Iong
Published: June 2021

The green communication and large-scale connection issues will be faced by the wireless communication networks with futuristic sixth generation (6G) technology. The radio-frequency (RF) and spectrum sources may be shared simultaneously to achieve optimal communication in these networks by means of backscatter devices (BD) that may function in constrained spectrums as well as the stringent energy scenarios of green Internet-of-things (IoT) by means of the proposed novel modified backscatter communication model (BCM). Unlicensed eavesdroppers may interfere with the BD due to its vulnerability caused by the wireless communication channels and their broadcasting nature. The intrusion of an unlicensed eavesdropper is detected in an efficient manner by means of the proposed BCM. The analytical derivations of intercept probability (IP) and outage probability (OP) are invoked to analyze the security and reliability of the proposed architecture. Under high main-to-eavesdropper ratio (MER) regime, the IP and under high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) regime, the OP asymptotic behaviors are estimated additionally. Based on the results of performance evaluation, it is evident that there is a decrease in the security of BD with the increase in MER while there is a simultaneous increase in the legitimate user security. Various system parameters may be adjusted for optimizing the security and reliability performance trade-off. For diverse orders, the existence of error floors are indicated by the non-zero fixed constant of BD and the legitimate user’s OP when high SNR value is observed at the system.
ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICT WITH CENTER TOWN OF TARGOVISHTE AS A TOURIST DESTINATION
Authors:   University of Veliko Tarnovo "St.St. Cyril and Methodius", Markov Ivan , Dimitrov Slavi ,   University of Veliko Tarnovo "St.St. Cyril and Methodius"
Published: June 2021

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in domestic travel. There are many destinations that have attractive natural sites and still limited research cultural, historical, religious, architectural and others. One of these destinations is an administrative district with the center in Targovishte. The study attempts to analyze the state of resource potential, tourism development and opportunities to increase tourist flow.
TOURIST RESOURCES FOR BUSINESS TOURISM IN SOFIA AND PLOVDIV
Authors:   Agricultural University - Plovdiv, Mihaylov Pelo
Published: June 2021

The article presents the resources for business tourism in Sofiya and Plovdiv. These events are described in the "Catalogue of fairs and exhibitions in Bulgaria". In Sofia, such events are held at the Inter Expo Center, the Central Department Store, the National Palace of Culture, the Universiade Hall and Sofia Tech Park, while in Plovdiv they are organized only at the International Fair. The article uses the terms exhibition day, when a fair or exhibition is held and calendar day when one or more exhibitions are held in the city. Intensity interval is the ratio between the exhibition days and the calendar days by rounding to the second decimal place and it can be explained as the number of exhibitions that residents (visitors, tourists) of (in) a city can visit in one day.
ANALYSIS OF COMPETITIVE TOURIST DESTINATIONS
Authors:   University "Dr. Assen Zlatarov" - Burgas, Ivanov Rozalin
Published: June 2021

The report attempts to analyze the development of tourism in the Balkan countries and some other neighboring competitive destinations by analyzing Eurostat data for the region and the specifics of individual countries. Some inaccuracies and inconsistencies due to errors in the methodologies for collecting statistical information will be analyzed. Explanations for the achieved results and reasons for possible omissions will be sought.
PRESERVE OF CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL HERITAGE DURING 1945-1989. A CONSTRUCTION OF PROSPECTIVE TOURIST RESOURCES
Authors:   Agricultural University - Plovdiv, Sukarev Vidiin
Published: June 2021

In 2014 Plovdiv was elected for European capital of culture in 2019. This big international recognition of the contemporary city would be impossible without the contributions from the time of the Communist regime 1944-1989 when were created the bigger part of the modern urban infrastructure, the cultural institutions and many traditions in the cultural and intellectual life of the society. The present paper is focused mainly upon the preserve of the cultural and the historical heritage in conjunction with the tourist development. This short review presents both the achievements and the substantial problems with actual significance nowadays.
REVIEW OF THE POSSIBILITY TO IMPLEMENT A TAX POLICY WITH A SPECIFIC FOCUS ON TOURISM
Authors:   University of Economics - Varna, Doneva Yana
Published: June 2021

The fiscal policy is one of the instruments of the state, with the help of which it fulfills its main obligations to form and control the directions and rates of growth in tourism. The tourism industry is characterized by significant instability and is particularly sensitive to changes in economic conditions and taxation. The purpose of the report is not only to examine the innovations in the tax system in recent years, affecting the sector, but also to assess the feasibility of implementing a tax policy with a specific focus. The current survey is based on an analysis of the present situation in the country. The types of fiscal policy, the flat system of taxation and tax preferences are considered.
PROCESSES OF INTELNATIONALIZATION OF THE TOURIST BUSINESS IN BULGARIA
Authors:   D. A. Tsenov Academy of Economics - Svishtov, Gorcheva Tania
Published: June 2021

The development of the tourism business over the last decades in our country has been reasoned by a number of foreign economic factors by virtue of the open character of our national economy, the course of the transition economy reforms, as well as the peculiarities of the Bulgarian economy EU integration. That is why the subject of internationalization in the tourist business sector in our country is topical, at the same time complex and debatable as it is bound both to the processes of transformation of our national economy and to the processes of uniform European market integration. For this reason, we have grounds to think that looking for objective arguments to establish the degree of internationalization within Bulgarian tourist business is a serious motivation as well as a challenge in which problems and hardships in development must be studied in parallel with the achievements and traditions in this sphere.
THEMATIC ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION OF HOTEL BRAND EFFECTIVENESS
Authors:   Southwestern University "Neofit Rilski", Angelova Gergana
Published: June 2021

Brand effectiveness plays an important role in the business bottom line. It depends on customer desire, purchase decision, satisfaction and loyalty. Brand exists in customers' mind, it brings forth distinct associations and is predominantly perceived as something intangible and hard to describe and evaluate. This paper has the objective to analyze and evaluate the hotel brand effectiveness through a proper set of factors (indicators). The research methodology entails a thematic analysis of tourists' reviews made on the TripAdvisor website, where data has been derived from.
SWOT ANALYSIS OF HIKING AND TREKKING TOURISM IN BULGARIA
Authors:   College of Tourism - Varna, Plyakov Stanislav
Published: June 2021

Walking is part of most of the tourist activities and in 2020 trekking and hiking experienced a new surge thanks to the pandemic, and now many issues have to be reevaluated. The SWOT analysis I propose is bringing into consideration the strengths and weaknesses of hiking and trekking activities in Bulgaria, as well as new insights on the opportunities and threats. While most of the proposed by experts considerations back in 2000 are still valid, some issues became unexpected opportunities due to the changing trends. For example our empty spaces or small scale of the mountains are allowing easy accessibility, this is why they are perceived as a major advantage by savvy international trekkers.
AD EXEMPLUM SUSTAINABLE ACCOMMODATION PRACTICES ON THE BULGARIAN BLACK SEA COAST
Authors:   University of Economics - Varna, Popova Katina , Malcheva Miroslava ,   University of Economics - Varna
Published: June 2021

Tourism in Bulgaria is a cross cutting sector of particular importance for unemployment and poverty eradication. As a source of foreign exchange earnings and direct investments it ensures viable medium and long-term economic benefits for both the destination and the local community. In recent years, the sustainable development of tourism on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast is seriously threatened, mainly due to the consequences of mass sea tourism, the short-sighted use of available resources and the territorial concentration of accommodation facilities. The aim of the present study is to establish the achievements of the hospitality business on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast in terms of sustainability and environmentally friendly lifestyle.
ACHIEVING CUSTOMER LOYALTY THROUGH A HOTEL BRAND DIFFERENTIATION
Authors:   University of National and World Economy, Sofia, Karadakova Irina
Published: June 2021

Understanding the hotel guests' needs and providing a hospitality service that delivers on their expectations is crucial for achieving guest satisfaction and - eventually - for creating customer loyalty. This is why the hotel operators, along with their constant efforts to deliver consistent services by unifying the operating standards and procedures, also try to know their guests better, so that they can align their services with the guest's preferences and deliver more personalized experience. This is why the major hotel operators develop portfolios of various hotel brands, positioning them to different market segments and thus targeting travelers with specific needs. However, in the modern world the guest expectations are not just of a nice experience. Nowadays the hotel guests are more and more interested in the way the hotel operators do their business. They follow their words and actions and expect that the brand shares (or at least aligns with) the client's personal values. But these expectations also present an opportunity for the hoteliers to establish a long-lasting, authentic relationships with the client. Also, by aligning their behavior and brand purposes with the guest expectations, the hoteliers are now able to build a collective sense of brand belonging with their clients.
PRODUCT DIFFERENTIATION IN SPA TOURISM AS A MAIN COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
Authors:   University of National and World Economy, Sofia, Bashova Violeta
Published: June 2021

Development in the spa industry is going through difficulties caused by the world situation of tourism recovery. In days of compliance with anti-epidemic measures and social distance, the restoration of the spa offer will be based on innovative solutions for diversity in the spa services and products. This is the challenge of more enterprising and resourceful professionals in business to avoid the struggle for survival. One of their main fulcrums is reorientation towards non-price competition, which is based on the distinctive features of the product. Either it consists of innovative product design or mere market segmentation, product differentiation typically involves externalities across competitors, which clearly play an important role in firm's competitive incentives to invest in differentiation. The purpose of this report is through research and analysis of supply and development in spas, to prove the hypothesis that the diversity of spa products and services is fundamental to recovering in a highly competitive and further financially aggravated, current environment in tourism.
RESEARCH ON THE BRAND ASSOCIATION OF VARNA MUNICIPALITY AS A TOURIST DESTINATION FROM THE POSITION OF THE FOREIGN TOURISTS
Authors:   University of Economics - Varna, Aleksandrova Marianna
Published: June 2021

Associations are a key asset, creating customer-based equity of tourist destination brands. The present study aims at researching real visitors' perception for the image of Varna. The object of the study is those visitors' associations concerning Varna, after having gained tourist experience with the destination. For the purpose of the hereby study the following methods have been used: research, literature review, content analysis.
THE SARS-CoV-2 PANDEMIC IN BULGARIA AND THE CHALLENGES OF REAL-TIME DISTANCE LEARNING FOR TOURISM UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
Authors:   University of Food Technologies - Plovdiv, Obreshkov Ivan
Published: June 2021

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 pandemic brought changes in various aspects of life, including educational field. The present study reveals some of the challenges related to real-time distance learning for university students majoring in tourism in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The study includes Bulgarian and international students in full-time and part-time bachelor's and master's tourism programs, in which real-time distance education was introduced for the first time. The current study could be a starting point for improving the organization and quality of education of Tourism students, as well as for faster overcoming of related difficulties in communication with students.
TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSFORMATION AND DIGITALIZATION OF HOTEL BUSINESS: OPPORTUNITIES AND PERSPECTIVES
Authors:   University of National and World Economy, Sofia, Ivanov Iliya
Published: June 2021

At the advent of the 21st century, digital technologies have changed the way that hotel industry brings value to tourists around the world. The aim of this scientific report is to present the opportunities and perspectives for hotel business for digital transformation, as a crucial instrument for the growth of the industry and for meeting the needs of the new digital generation of consumers. With its potential, digital transformation is reshaping the industry, giving strategic advantages to companies focused on digital transformation of the business.
OPPORTUNITIES AND PERSPECTIVES FOR THE TRAVEL AGENCY RESTART IN BULGARIA AFTER THE PANDEMIC OF COVID-19
Authors:   University of Economics - Varna, Santana Hristina
Published: June 2021

The recent worldwide pandemic situation registered total lockdown in the travel and tourism business. No matter traditional or online travel agent, travel package aggregator have faced the chaos of cancelled flight programmes, closed national borders and withdraw of customer requests. Many professionals were forced to stop all activities and reorganise future business plans. It is of crucial importance to forecast and prepare the travel restart in full speed in order to keep their business after the pandemic of COVID-19. The paper aims to propose perspectives and proper working plans to be implemented on time to secure liquidity exchange and market niche retainment
SPECIFICS OF CRUISE TOURISM: THEORETICAL AND EMPIRICAL DIMENSIONS
Authors:   University of Economics - Varna, Atanasova Svetla
Published: June 2021

In the present study the main goal is to analyze and interpret the specific aspects related to cruise tourism and on the pedestal thus built is an analysis of cruise tourism in Bulgaria. In order to achieve the research goal thus set, the price of the cruise, the process of forming the cruise product and the purpose of the cruise are clarified in sequence.
THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON SHARING ACCOMMODATION
Authors:   University "Dr. AsenZlatarov"- Burgas, Georgieva Katia
Published: June 2021

Shared accommodation based on internet platforms is a relatively new phenomenon in tourism, but in a short time it has gained both many supporters and fierce opponents. The crisis caused by COVID-19 is a kind of test of the stability of this economic model and reveals in greater depth a number of disputed characteristics. This report aims to examine the impact of the pandemic on demand for shared accommodation.
SPECIALIZED PRODUCTS OF TOUROPERATORS IN MICE TOURISM IN THE CONDITIONS OF CRISIS
Authors:   University of National and World Economy, Sofia, Georgieva Ralitsa
Published: June 2021

The relevance of the researched topic is determined by the impact of the current pandemic situation on the tourist indicators worldwide. The tourism industry is facing a unique challenge to quickly restore the pace of travels. Trends of transformation of the consumer's preferences and behavior in tourism are determined and as a result - the need of forming a new type of tourism products by the tour operators in order to maintain their market position and competitiveness. The present study aims to explore and analyze the possibilities for creating innovative approaches of tour operators in order to diversify tourism products of specialized types of tourism - business, by modeling new forms of traveling for business in conditions of global economic crisis and restrictions on conducting international traveling.
EXPECTATIONS FOR WELLNESS TOURISM AFTER COVID-19
Authors:   University of National and World Economy, Sofia, Dimova Denitsa
Published: June 2021

The tourism is one extremely dynamic and flexible sector that stimulates revenue and generates employment to the world economy. Unfortunately, the recent worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 has brought the world to a standstill and especially the tourism that has been worst affected. Last several months were extremely tough for tourism and brought new challenges in front of the sector. In this report, we will focus on the wellness tourism and the consequences of the pandemic situation. The purpose of this report is to provide a clear understanding of what wellness tourism is and the future forecast post the pandemic. Even there are still a lot of unknowns in front of us and the situation we are all in, we can outline some new trends that will follow and will overtake the wellness sector.
DEVELOPMENT OF THEMATIC RESTAURANT PRODUCT IN MUNICIPALITY OF ISPERIH
Authors:   University of Economics - Varna, Mokanov Ayhan
Published: June 2021

In this report, firstly, we are going to talk about thematic restaurant, when the idea was born, which was the first thematic restaurant. Secondly we are going to talk about the role and significance of thematic restaurant in a small municipality, especially municipality of Isperih, Bulgaria. We are going to take a look at a restaurant, located in the city, called "Mehanata", talk with the owners about customers, prices, number of seats etc, we are going to compare it with the other restaurants in the city and make some conclusions.
MODERN CHANGES IN HOTEL SERVICE
Authors:   University of Economics - Varna, Foteva Mirena
Published: June 2021

Hotel service is a complex process that can be considered from different aspects. New technologies are constantly entering the hotel service. "Smart hotels" are the wonder of the 21st century. The smartphone is becoming the main asset in the hotel. With it we control everything - we open our rooms, book various services, etc. Virtual and augmented reality are one of the main trends in the hotel industry. The possibilities of such technologies are endless. They can be used during the booking process, but mostly during the guest's stay at the hotel. Another important topic here is the sustainable development of tourism. More and more hotels are betting on the eco trend by using eco products and recycling materials and resources. This saves energy costs, which overall improves business results.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF BEE TOURISM IN THE NORTHEASTERN REGION OF BULGARIA
Authors:   University of Economics - Varna, Vladimirov Kosyo
Published: June 2021

The main purpose of this report is to bring awareness to the importance of the bee tourism and benefits of bees as a whole. As we all know there are numerous different variations of honey and the range of the things it is used for is quite vast. The goal is to do a research in terms of how many beekeepers are active in the northeast part of Bulgaria and to exploit the benefits of the bee tourism. For example, its medicinal usage and the various healing methods that can be created with the help of the different kinds of honey and with those statistics to improve the bee tourism in the country which along the way will help to preserve the nature and Earth as a whole.
THE TOURIST BLOG: BETWEEN PERSONAL TRAVELOGUE AND COMMUNICATION FOR VALORISING CULTURAL HERITAGE
Authors:   Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", Markova Anna
Published: June 2021

In the context of the specifics of tourism discourse and communication through blogs, the paper presents an analysis of the image of the cultural heritage of the municipality of Kazanlak in 30 publications in French-language tourist blogs from the last ten years. The various discursive strategies and linguistic tools that can be identified in these texts are explored through the prism of their contribution to structuring a presentation that goes beyond the story of personal travel and emphasizes authenticity, identity and axiological charge, aesthetic value and the invitation to discover alterity in the described tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Elements that bring the discourse thus constructed closer to a communication that valorises cultural property. Thus, beyond the possibility of outlining the image of cultural heritage perceived by the foreign tourist, useful with a view to the efforts to promote it, the issue of the foreign tourist blog as a potential interesting component of communication campaigns in the field of cultural tourism deserves attention.
EXTRACURRICULAR TRAINING IN THE SPECIALTY "TOURISM" AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS-VARNA
Authors:   University of Economics - Varna, Yancheva Krasimira
Published: June 2021

The publication presents the extracurricular education as a part of the curriculum of the specialty "Tourism" at the University of Economics-Varna. The report aims to acquaint the readers with the specifics of its implementation in the Department of "Economics and Organization of Tourism", as well as to analyze and systematize its forms and manifestations. Extracurricular education is a valuable method used in the education of students majoring in "Tourism", which in recent years has become increasingly relevant and is even more widely used in the university environment.
BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY OF WETLANDS AND RAMSAR PLACES IN THE CROSS-BORDER REGION OF BULGARIA, NORTHERN MACEDONIA, ALBANIA AND GREECE AND DEVELOPMENT
Authors:   SWU "Neofit Rilski", Blagoevgrad, Georgiev Georgi
Published: June 2021

According to the definition of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), wetlands on Earth are areas that are flooded or saturated with water, artificial or natural, permanently or temporarily flooded with standing, sitting or running water. These areas include areas where water is the predominant element, such as swamps, wetlands, peatlands, estuaries, sea branches and lagoons, lakes, rivers and artificial reservoirs with a depth of more than six meters. Considering the importance of these territories and with the deep conviction that the preservation of their flora and fauna can be ensured by combining long-term national policy with coordinated international action, the scientific community reacted to the encroachments and unreasonable attitude to them by concluding 02.02. 1971 of the Convention on wetlands of international importance, especially as waterfowl habitats, known to the general public as the Ramsar Convention. The main objectives of this document are to manage wetlands as sites of great economic, cultural, scientific and conservation value, to avoid damage and loss and to preserve them through prudent use, i.e. through their continuous development. The object of study in the present work is the biological diversity, in particular the avifauna of some of the internationally important wetlands in the border areas between Bulgaria, Greece, the Republic of North Macedonia and Albania in view of the opportunities they offer for the development of some forms of alternative types of tourism.
Sofrimento psíquico durante a pandemia de covid-19
Authors: Melo Daniel
Published: June 2021

O objetivo é discutir a relação entre a materialidade da vida, o uso da tecnologia e o sofrimento psíquico durante a pandemia de Covid-19. Trata-se de uma discussão teórica que toma a compreensão existencialista sobre a condição humana como a dialética entre a condição material (o sujeito enquanto corpo-performance-de-subjetividade diante do Outro), e a consciência como absoluto de subjetividade em sua dinâmica nadificadora. O sofrimento psíquico é expressão da maneira como o sujeito contemporâneo experiencia o paradigma da tecnologia frente à crise sanitária oriunda da pandemia. Recorre-se a noções fundamentais do existencialismo – consciência, angústia, Outro, situação – a fim de apresentar a relação entre o que se chama aqui de materialidade da vida, o sofrimento psíquico e a pandemia. Há um comprometimento da materialidade da vida na vivência de relações interpessoais e de trabalho mediadas pela tecnologia. O isolamento social enquanto medida de enfretamento da pandemia é uma questão nevrálgica e atravessa o sofrimento psíquico contemporâneo.
A Pilot Study of Silymarin as Supplementation to Reduce Toxicities in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients Treated With First-Line FOLFIRI Plus Bevacizumab
Authors: Chang Tsung-Kun , Yin Tzu-Chieh , Su Wei-Chih , Tsai Hsiang-Lin , Huang Ching-Wen , Chen Yen-Cheng , Li Ching-Chun , Chen Po-Jung , Ma Cheng-Jen , Chuang Kuo-Hsiang , Cheng Tian-Lu , Wang Jaw-Yuan
Published: June 2021

Irinotecan, a topoisomerase inhibitor, is a common cytotoxic agent prescribed for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients. Diarrhea is the most common adverse event (AE). The underlying mechanism of irinotecan-induced diarrhea is intestinal mucosal damage caused by SN-38 (active
metabolite of irinotecan) hydrolyzed from SN-38G (inactive metabolite) by bacterial -glucuronidase (G). According to an animal study, silymarin reduces the activity of bacterial G without impairing antitumor efficacy. We conducted a prospective open-label pilot study to evaluate the effect
of silymarin as supplementation in reducing toxicities of mCRC patients undergoing irinotecan-based chemotherapy. We enrolled and randomized 70 mCRC patients receiving first-line FOLFIRI (5-fluorouracil/leucovorin/irinotecan) plus bevacizumab. In each treatment cycle, the study group was administered
silymarin capsules (150 mg) three times daily for 7 days. The study group experienced less AEs in diarrhea (5.7% vs. 14.6%, p=0.002) and nausea (27.0% vs. 40.2%, p=0.005) in comparison with the control group, but no significant differences in hepatic toxicities were observed.
In conclusion, simultaneous administration of silymarin is a potential effective supplementation for reducing toxicities in mCRC patients undergoing first-line FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab, especially in diarrhea and nausea.
Methods to split cognitive task data for estimating split-half reliability: A comprehensive review and systematic assessment
Authors: Pronk Thomas , Molenaar Dylan , Wiers Reinout W. , Murre Jaap
Published: June 2021

Estimating the reliability of cognitive task datasets is commonly done via split-half methods. We review four methods that differ in how the trials are split into parts: a first-second half split, an odd-even trial split, a permutated split, and a Monte Carlo-based split. Additionally, each splitting method could be combined with stratification by task design. These methods are reviewed in terms of the degree to which they are confounded with four effects that may occur in cognitive tasks: effects of time, task design, trial sampling, and non-linear scoring. Based on the theoretical review, we recommend Monte Carlo splitting (possibly in combination with stratification by task design) as being the most robust method with respect to the four confounds considered. Next, we estimated the reliabilities of the main outcome variables from four cognitive task datasets, each (typically) scored with a different non-linear algorithm, by systematically applying each splitting method. Differences between methods were interpreted in terms of confounding effects inflating or attenuating reliability estimates. For three task datasets, our findings were consistent with our model of confounding effects. Evidence for confounding effects was strong for time and task design and weak for non-linear scoring. When confounding effects occurred, they attenuated reliability estimates. For one task dataset, findings were inconsistent with our model but they may offer indicators for assessing whether a split-half reliability estimate is appropriate. Additionally, we make suggestions on further research of reliability estimation, supported by a compendium R package that implements each of the splitting methods reviewed here.