bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EXPLORING TOURIST EXPENDITURES OF THE GJIROKASTRA DISTRICT IN ALBANIA: A CLUSTER ANALYSIS
Authors: Boboli Irena , Dashi Etleva Muça
Published: December 2021

Tourism expenditures are an important indicator for measuring the impact of tourism on a destination. Information taken from the micro data of tourism expenditures, together with other socio-demographic characteristics of visitors, provides important data on the tourist demand for a destination. Visitor costs in combination with other variables can be used to profile the demand for tourist goods and services in the destination area. In this paper, the daily expenses of visitors in the Gjirokastra district of Albania are analysed. The Gjirokastra district is one of the more preferred regions and attracts a considerable number of domestic and foreign visitors, because it offers a diversity tourist attractions and services. For the purposes of this study, a survey of 200 visitors was conducted. The survey results were analysed with descriptive statistics via a cluster analysis. The survey provides detailed data on the daily expenses of visitors, divided into six main categories of a typical travel budget. Through the use of data mining cluster analysis, we identified and analysed the tourists’ daily expenses based on the purpose of their visit to the area of Gjirokaster.
“Understanding opens a wide realm of possibilities ...”. Humanities and education in a functionalized world
Authors: Hubig Christoph , Radinkovic Zeljko
Published: December 2021

Starting from Wilhelm Dilthey?s concept of understanding, the article
inquires into modes of forming competencies within the experience of
reflexive education. In line with moder?nity?s understanding of science, the
text designates the role of sciences as instances of po?ssible real values
(of optional values), whereby the spiritual sciences are ascribed the role
of giving meaning by broadening horizons. The article questions the ground
that allows for spiritual and pedagogical sciences within the
commercialization of university teaching and research activities. In all
this, functionalization conducts a process leading to the weakening of the
constructive role of these sciences in the formation of competencies.
Elaboration of a theory of resistance
Authors: Wiegerling Klaus
Published: December 2021

The theory of resistance here elaborated is based on considerations current
since the 18th century and concern the proof of reality of the external
world. However, what is ignored in the course of these proofs are the
social, psychological, and in particular the logical aspects of resistance.
The idea of a theory of resistance is inspired by tendencies in the
philosophy of technology, as well as other current philosophical and
scientific lines of thought that obscure their metaphysical underpinnings,
advocating a position of complete achievability of human and natural
relations. The theory of resistance seeks to show that resistance is a
reflexive term that concerns relations, not objects or those relations that
can be expressed in qualities and quantities. Furthermore, this concept has
a positioning role, important in epistemological, as well as ethical and
anthropological sense. Resistance is a central, although not the sole
characteristic of reality. As an ethical category, it is articulated, for
example, in the idea of dignity if understood as hostility to mere
typologization and subjection to calcu?lation. The theory of resistance does
not advocate some existing reality, but limits the domain of validity of
constructivist and narrativist theories.
Pictures, titles, personifications
Authors: Cipranic Milos
Published: December 2021

The article provides a critical review of the books Rijec je o slici by Jagor
Bucan and Slika i rec by the Serbian Society for Aesthetics. From the titles
it is already evident that they share the same topic. The paper points out
the similarities between the two texts on both what is present and what is
absent in them, which also seems important for understanding the
theoretical problems they deal with.
The pronoun sto and its semantic and syntactic derivatives in the vernacular of the Sirinic county
Authors: Veljovic-Popovic Bojana , Mladenovic Radivoje
Published: December 2021

This paper analyzes the pronoun sto and its semantic and syntactic
derivatives in the Prizren - South Morava dialect in the Sirinic county
(Sirinicka Zupa), in the northern part of the Sar Mountains. The paper
focuses primarily on the syntactic use of sto, while its semantic
derivatives are outlined mainly in terms of references to the previous
research on the subject. The dialect corpus shows that this lexeme has a
wide range of syntactic realizations - it can be used as a relativizer in
defining and non-defining relative clauses, as a conjunction in the
clauses of reason and declarative clauses, and it can also be used as a
pronoun and adverb. Moreover, the research includes the cases in which sto
was found to be a part of multi-word conjunctions in hypotactic or
paratactic structures. This paper primarily aims to determine and examine
the syntactic positions in which sto is realized and the environment in
which it is used. In the majority of the observed cases, there were also
other corresponding syntactic devices, so that the focus was also placed on
determining the frequency of the lexeme sto in these positions in relation
to its synonymous syntactic counterparts. The fact that the form sto is
widely used in the Sirinic vernacular as a conjunction in relative clauses
points to its provenance in a wider Serbian-Macedonian area as well as to
its not being included in the standard Serbian language, in lieu of which
the form koji is predominantly used. In the vernacular of Sirinic county,
the lexeme sto is used as a conjunction in declarative object clauses, and
it is also the principal conjunction in the clauses of reason.
Effect of laser beam wobbling on the overlap joint strength of hot-press-forming steel over 2.0 GPa tensile strength
Authors: Kim Kwangsoo , Kang Namhyun , Kang Minjung , Kim Cheolhee
Published: December 2021

High-strength hot-press-forming (HPF) steel is extensively utilized in the automotive industry to lower the weights of car bodies. Resistance spot welding is commonly used when assembling car bodies; however, laser overlap welding is gradually replacing resistance spot welding owing to its high productivity and quality. The joint strength of laser overlap-welded HPF steel with a tensile strength of 2.0 GPa was investigated in the present study. Laser wobble welding was employed to increase the interface-bead width and the resultant joint strength. In laser overlap welding without wobbling, all the specimens were fractured at the interface during the tensile-shear test where the maximum load was 8.2 kN. An increase in the wobbling width not only induced an increase in the interface-bead width but also splitting of the weld bead. The interface-bead width (6.7 mm) was much higher than the base metal thickness (1.2 mm), with a wobble width of 1.6 mm. The wide interface-bead width resulted in a fracture load of 10.7 kN, and the fracture location moved from the interface to the upper plate. Laser wobble welding was confirmed to be an effective approach for increasing the joint strength in laser overlap welding.
Adequação dos sítios eletrônicos das unidades acadêmicas e cursos da Universidade Federal de Alagoas à LDB e LAI
Authors: Filho Jovino `Pinto , Silva Rafael Diego Jaires da , Cruz Nicholas Joseph Tavares da , Pinto Ibsen Mateus Bittencourt Santana
Published: December 2021

A presente pesquisa teve o escopo de verificar se os sítios eletrônicos das unidades acadêmicas e cursos do Campus Aristóteles Calazans Simões, da Universidade Federal de Alagoas, estão dispostos conforme a legislação determina. Para esse fim, verificou se os sítios virtuais atendem aos requisitos impostos pela Lei de Acesso à Informação - LAI e pela Lei de Diretrizes e Bases da Educação Nacional - LDB, assim como propôs alterações na em sua estrutura. O estudo se caracteriza como quanti-qualitativo, exploratório-descritivo, com meio de investigação documental e pesquisa bibliográfica, instrumentalizado por formulário de observação com requisitos determinados pelas leis que foi aplicado em 22 sítios virtuais de unidades acadêmicas e 53 sítios de seus cursos. Diante do resultado de cumprimento integral da LDB em apenas 22,2% dos itens e da LAI em apenas 13%, pode-se inferir que os sítios virtuais não estão em consonância com a legislação, destarte, de acordo com as inadequações encontradas, foram sugeridas 12 propostas que condensaram as informações e modificações estruturais necessárias para o atendimento aos requisitos legais.
Comparative study between chaos theory and the innovation process
Authors: Souza Crisomar Lobo de , Kuniyoshi Márcio Shoiti , Freitas Adriana Buarque de Gusmão Gomes de
Published: December 2021

This article aims to make a correlation between chaos theory and the innovation process. Unlike what the name seems to be, chaos theory is linked to discovering simple patterns and laws that govern several complex phenomena. The complex is also innovation; therefore, this article makes an analogy of the innovation process from its conception to its implementation in the market with three principles of chaos theory: system, nonlinearity, and complexity.  The innovative organization is characterized by constant innovation and complexity in nature. Uncertainty is an essential feature of innovation, which means an inability to predict the prospecting processor's outcome to set the best way to achieve a goal. Unpredictability is one of the characteristics of chaotic systems in which any minimal initial change in their conditions causes drastic changes in their course. Based on these premises, analogies were made to serve as a basis for further studies.
Gestão de patrimônio público
Authors: Silva Joyce Vanuele , Andrade Daniela Meirelles , Vieira Luciana dos Santos , Silva Camila de Assis
Published: December 2021

Esse estudo tem o objetivo de descrever o funcionamento do setor de patrimônio numa prefeitura localizada na região sul do estado de Minas Gerais. Especificamente, pretende-se identificar possíveis gargalos e apresentar soluções para os mesmos. Para tal, a pesquisa utilizou-se do método do estudo de caso. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas guiadas com os funcionários do setor de patrimônio e com servidores que utilizam dos serviços prestados pelo setor, norteada por um roteiro de entrevista. Por meio da pesquisa, foi possível perceber as dificuldades enfrentadas, quais sejam: a falta de comunicação entre os setores envolvidos, a rotatividade de funcionários, a inexistência de treinamento e a ausência de controle e acompanhamento dos bens existentes no município.
Quando o materialismo histórico encontra o direito
Authors: Teixeira Marcelo Tolomei
Published: December 2021

O presente artigo tem como objetivo analisar o Direito na sociedade capitalista e suas possibilidades de contribuir ou se opor para as necessárias mudanças sociais, justificando-se a importância do tema ante crises capitalistas e as devidas respostas esperadas dos explorados.  A metodologia utilizada é o materialismo histórico. A estrutura dos tópicos apresenta o Direito, em primeiro plano, na sua função de dominação de classe, após seu papel ideológico e, por último, sua possibilidade de autonomia no sentido de arma de luta dos explorados. A pesquisa apresenta como conclusão que o Direito na sociedade capitalista tem papel de dominação de classe e papel ideológico fincado, principalmente, na categoria do sujeito de direito, dando-lhe um papel moral transcendente, quando sua função real está na venda da força de trabalho e em articular o conceito de universalidade do Estado.
Caminhos para uma hermenêutica jurídica aplicável às empresas transnacionais
Authors: Vailatti Diogo Basilio
Published: December 2021

A presente tese realizou uma análise das Empresas Transnacionais e a ética empresarial dentro de um modelo de construção da norma jurídica, buscando traçar um sistema próprio de hermenêutica aplicável para tal setor empresarial. Neste sentido, partindo da ideia de que existem tanto lacunas quanto excessos textuais relativos ao arcabouço textual aplicável às Empresas Transnacionais, o cerne do problema vislumbrado foi o de verificar quais seriam as fontes e critérios hermenêuticos que podem ser utilizados em tais casos. Para tanto, a pesquisa foi dividida em três capítulos. O primeiro capítulo analisou o sistema público de regulação empresarial. Já o segundo capítulo tratou do sistema privado de autorregulação empresarial. O terceiro e último capítulo, verificou de que forma os sistemas público e o privado são utilizados em conjunto com a ética para a construção da norma jurídica relacionada ao setor empresarial transnacional, de forma que se verifique o modelo próprio da hermenêutica em tal segmento. Importante ressaltar que a pesquisa está inserida na linha de pesquisa “Ética, Linguagem e Direito”, tendo foco voltado tanto para a Filosofia do Direito quanto para Teoria Geral do Direito. Quanto às técnicas de pesquisa, o trabalho utilizou da análise bibliográfica e documental. Já em relação aos métodos, o trabalho valeu-se do hipotético-dedutivo.
Livro: A Globalização do Processo de Produção Antecipada de Provas: A Lei e a Prática da Seção 1782 do Título 28 do Código dos EUA
Authors: Thompson Oscar
Published: December 2021

Resenha do livro de Lucas V. M. Bento, intitulado “The Globalization of Discovery: The Law and Practice under 28 U.S.C. § 1782”, Editora Kluwer Law International (ISBN – 9041188401, 2019). O estudo da obra de Bento tem pelo menos dois benefícios aos profissionais da área de contencioso estratégico no Brasil. O primeiro é entender como funciona a Seção 1782 e como a correta utilização desse instituto nos EUA pode beneficiar disputas nas cortes brasileiras. O segundo é aproveitar as experiencias e lições oriundas da prática do instituto americano para aprimorar as práticas da produção antecipada de provas em território nacional.
Epävarmuudesta arvokkaaseen lopputulokseen - serendipisyys tiedonhankintakäyttäytymisessä
Authors: Wilén Raine , Holopainen Mika
Published: December 2021

A serendipitious event in everyday life is common: it means unexpected information that yields some unintended information and potential value later on. Serendipity as a word has been around for hundreds of years. As a studied concept it is rather recent. Serendipity is not just the unexpected information or experience but rather the ability to recognize and do something with it. Serendipitious discovery of information is different from purposive or known item search as it is  more complicated and lasts  much longer. The discovery of information by chance or accident is still looking it’s explicit place in models and frameworks of information behaviour. It is still not clear what constitutes the core of the research area of serendipity in information behaviour.
The qualities of interaction among people, information, and objects differ in physical vs. digital environments. The bisociation, a creative association between different peaces of information may be computer supported.
This article presents an overview of the research study of serendipity in information seeking behaviour. We explore serendipity mainly in the digital information environment. As a setting for our study we use six main drivers of serendipity research relating to digital enviroments presented in McCay-Peet and Toms (2017). The drivers are: 1. Theoretical understanding of the phenomen of serendipity, 2) physical vs digital, 3) information overload, 4) filter bubbles, 5) user experience, and 6) user strategies.
A new refined temporal model of information encountering by Erdelez and Makri (2020) is also presented in this article. The model presents a framework for better understanding of the temporal dimension of the information acqusition. At a macro level the model positions information encountering within contextual factors related for user, information, task and environment related characteristics.
Experience Distributed in the Biodiversity Science-Base
Authors: Mackenzie Adrian
Published: December 2021

Critics of biodiversity science and environmental governance point to exclusion and absence of diverse experience from science-based governance, sometimes effectively dividing domains of science and experience/values. This paper, following an alternate line of thought drawn from John Dewey’s Nature and Experience, analyses a series of scientific publications on biodiversity from 1989-2020. It argues that experience abundantly populates the biodiversity science-base, although in highly distributed forms. Dewey’s account suggests that knowledge of biodiversity derives from an unanalyzed continuum of experience. Reading the publications as traces of occurrences of encounters preceding, accompanying, and sometimes deriving from knowledge, the paper locates and characterises differentiated, sometimes impersonal gradients of experience, developing a figurative model of distributed biodiversity experience. It concludes that experiential diversity occurs widely in the science-base, but communication of and participation in this experience is frequently marginalised by the primacy of knowing.
Warm versus Cold Water Island Tourism: A Review of Policy Implications
Authors: Baldacchino Godfrey
Published: December 2021

Not sun, sea, sand but ice, isolation, indigenous people: the critical exploration of extreme tourism in cold water locations has barely started. Cold water island locations tend to have harsh, pristine and fragile natural environments, characterized by wide open spaces. They become contexts for an exceptional and expensive form of vigorous, outdoor, adventure or cultural tourism, and direct encounters with nature. The nature and practices of the tourism industry suggest a more sustainable form of island tourism, very different from what is experienced on the warm, tropical and exotic island stereotype. This paper critically reviews some of the salient contrasts between the ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ versions of island tourism. It discusses how, on many ‘cold water’ island locations, sound strategic management, limited civilian ‘buy in’, low populations and an absence of pluralism in political life, can conspire with climate and relative inaccessibility to limit tourism to a small scale, lowimpact industry with a relatively high, locally-retained value added. Some ‘warm water’ islands are trying to follow this model for tourism development, with mixed results.
Bruny on the Brink: Governance, Gentrification and Tourism on an Australian Island
Authors: Jackson Rebecca
Published: December 2021

This paper examines the influence of islandness on development and governance of Bruny Island (offshore from Tasmania, Australia’s only island state). While traditional economic activities, particularly agriculture, are in decline, tourism is increasingly important to the island economy. While some 600 people live on the island all-year-round; there are some 2,000 ratepayers, including holiday home owners. This location is being rapidly ‘discovered’ by people drawn from interstate and overseas to the island lifestyle, and this is leading to a process of gentrification, with consequences for islanders. Bruny Island’s local governing authority is based on the Tasmanian mainland and hence is another source of externally-driven change. Amidst these pressures, island community visioning can be an important source of resilience.
SPECIFIC MORPHOMETRIC FEATURES OF SUPERIOR SAGITTAL SINUS IN ADULTS
Authors: Yu. M. Vovk  , S. V. Bondarenko
Published: December 2021

In order to determine the individual peculiarity of the shape, size, position and relations of the upper sagittal sinus, depending on the type of structure of the head in adults, craniometry and morphometry of the head sinuses were performed. The most significant venous collector of the brain is the upper sagittal sinus, which is located in the sagittal plane along the ridge of the lattice to the inner occipital projection. This formation is characterized by a triangular shape. The upper wall is formed by the leaves of the convex part of the solid membrane, and the two lateral walls by splitting the sickle of the cerebellum in the parasagittal plane. In adults, the upper wall contacts the inner surface of the parietal and occipital bones of the cranial vault. According to our data, the upper sagittal sinus has a specific range of variability depending on age, sex and head shape. The range of individual variability of the structure of the upper sagittal sinus was determined, which is characterized by the greatest values of length and height in adults, irrespective of gender with dolichomorphic head shape (narrow-headed) and increase in latitudinal parameters in people with meso- and brachymorphic head (middle and wide).
COMPREHENSIVE TREATMENT OF DIABETIC FOOT SYNDROME
Authors: M. G. Honchar  , O. V. Pyptiuk  , V. D. Skrypko  , I. K. Chuprii  , S. B. Telemukha  , I. Ya. Mykhaloiko  , V. O. Pyptiuk
Published: December 2021

The aim was to develop a comprehensive treatment of DFS, using reconstructive surgeries and indirect revascularization methods. Our work is based on 25 year experience of treatment of 1107 patients with DFS, who were treated in Ivano-Frankivsk Central hospital. Patients were examined on admission: common clinical methods, angiography, densitometry, electronic microscopy and histochemical examination of limb tissues, TcpO2 and regional cytokine reaction. Results showed that reconstructive operations on limb arteries, in case if it was possible, were the best method of treatment. Indications for surgery were TcpO2≤25 mm.hd. Mekenberg sclerosis III was contraindication for reconstructive surgery. Tissue vitality, its future regeneration possibility depends on succinate dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase. In vital mussels of the hip, shin and foot succinate dehydrogenase range was 3-5 points, in dead tissues- 0. Acid phosphatase in vital 0-1 points, in dead tissues- 4-5. Surgical tactic algorithm was developed ccording to electronic microscopy and histochemistry. It was based on tissue vitality and gave us an answer to what part of limb must be amputated. Indication for amputation was high level of acid phosphatase, bone tissue destruction, massive purulent destructions of soft tissues, gangrene. Bone trepanation causes decreasing of internal bone tissue, decreasing of intraossal receptor irritation, increases local microcirculation. For elimination of myelodepresion and erythropoiesis stimulation we offered intraspongious automyelotransplantation which caused to extra anatomical connection’s between intraossal and muscular neoangiogenesis. Topical treatment of trophic ulcers was performed by auto desmoplastic and cultures of fibroblasts which can cover defect as by themselves and as causes to better skin autotransplant healing. We get a positive effect of prolonged intraarterial antibiotic therapy with erytrocytal containers which make antibiotic exposition in infection localization up to 36 hours.
MORPHOLOGICAL STRUCTURAL FEATURE OF THE SPERMATIC VEINS IN VARICOCELE
Authors: A. M. Shamsiev  , N. D. Kodirov
Published: December 2021

Varicocele is pathological expansion and tortuosity of the scrotum. The term Varicocele refers mainly to the expansion and tortuosity of the components of the venous plexus draining the testicles. This plexus is located on the back of the testicles and epididymis. The morphological method is one of the most objective in assessing the state of varicose and convoluted veins with Varicocele. Knowledge of the morphological status of varicose veins of the scrotum can serve as a determining factor in choosing the method of surgery. However, there is a small number of studies of structural changes in v. spermatica with Varicocele. To study varicose veins of the seminal veins, their fragments were obtained during surgical excision of persons aged 15-20 years. Samples were fixed in 10-12 % solution of neutral formalin. After appropriate treatment, the pieces were poured into paraffin and sections were prepared 5-7 μm thick. The general morphological picture was studied on sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin. For scanning electron microscopy the preparations after fixing in 2.5 % solution of glutaraldehyde on phosphate buffer were subjected to dehydration in alcohol-acetone. Among the identified accumulations of blood cells, erythrocytes dominate, and their pathological forms are echinocytes. Identified features should be considered when conducting surgical treatment of Varicocele.
Organism's intoxication rate and elasticity of vessels in newborn rats – offsprings of the rats, which were exposed to the action of tobacco smoke
Authors: T. V. Gorbach  , V. Yu. Yunusov  , S. N. Martynova
Published: December 2021

The influence of passive tobacco smoking various variants by rats-parents on indices of lipid peroxidation in blood serum and content of collagen and elastin in vessels was studied. It was established that passive tobacco smoking of rats-parents led to elevation of TBA-active products and middle weight molecules in blood serum of newborn rats. It indicated the toxic action of tobacco smoke components on the fetus. The significant decrease in elastin amount and increase of collagen/elastin ratio in aorta and femoral artery of newborn rats were observed. The most noticeable changes were found in cases when both parents were „tobacco smokers”.
The individual selection of ozone therapy dose in treatment of pyoinflammatory complications in pancreatic diabetes
Authors: S. U. Karatieieva
Published: December 2021

The application of intravenous ozone therapy for the patients with purulent inflammatory processes with individual selection of ozone dose due to the severity of the disease using a lymphocytotoxical test causes the stop of the spreading of the suppurative necrotic nidus on the third day. The development of the granulation tissue in the wound and the edge epihtelization occur on the 6th – 8th day of the stay in the hospital of the patients according to the blood sugar level and the reduction of the hospital term of the patients in 3- 5 days in comparison with the control group.
Mutations in the genes of glutathione-S-transferase in patients with breast cancer and their close relatives living in chernivtsi region
Authors: T. V. Kruk  , O. P. Peresunko  , R. A. Volkov
Published: December 2021

Based on genotyping study of two variants (GSTP1 and GSTT1) of gene mutations glutathione-Stransferase (GST) in the blood plasma of patients with breast cancer, relatives of I degree of kinship and healthy women of Chernivtsi region, we made a conclusion as to the usefulness of this study as additional molecular genetic marker, determining high-risk disease as a prognostic factor for further observation and specifying diagnostics.
Peculiarities of multiple sclerosis dynamics among Subcarpathia inhabitants depending on certain social risk factors of this disease
Authors: L. B. Orynchak
Published: December 2021

The influence of such exogenic risk factors of MS on the disease dynamics among Subcarpathia inhabitants has been studied: education level, work conditions, marital status and concomitant diseases in the family. It has been found that the biggest percentage of the examined patients was married, and the number of the divorced was significantly lesser. Obviously, the marital status does not influence clinical characteristics of MS. The education level has an influence on the rate according to EDSS scale. The biggest part of the examined patients with MS had secondary vocational education, slightly lesser number had higher and incomplete secondary education, and the least number of patients at the time of examination were students. Thus, the lowest point was observed in the group of students with MS and the highest point among the people with incomplete secondary education. Relapse remitting disease dynamics type predominated among all the examined patients with MS.
Influence of persistent inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on the mucosal barrier of bronchi and intestines (reference review)
Authors: S. V. Kovalenko
Published: December 2021

The article presents the current literature data concerning the mechanisms of influence of persistent inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on the state of the mucous barrier of bronchi and intestines. We consider a variety of factors that get activated during inflammation and adversely affect the progression of changes in mucosal barrier. It is shown that the progression of disorders in bronchial mucosal barrier occurs by developing peribronchial fibrosis and activation of connective tissue with the formation of irreversible airflow obstruction and remodeling of the bronchial tree. Integral interrelations of many stimuli, including growth factors and matrix-generating signals that are involved in inflammation, repair and fibrosis launch epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT), which may lead to loss of epithelial cells and contribute to the destruction of the parenchyma and fibrosis. Detection of EMT in biopsy samples may be diagnostically significant and represent a new biomarker of progression of chronic lung disease.
The problem of the communicative culture of students in the aspect of medical deontology
Authors: S. S. Romanyshyn
Published: December 2021

The article analyzes the content of communicative culture of medical students in the aspect of medical deontology. The effective ways to improve the communicative culture of future doctors in the course of their training have been determined.
超人類主義的“人與天一”式審度
Authors: ZHANG Wanqiang
Published: December 2021

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in Chinese; abstract also in English.

Professor Wang Jue reflects on transhumanism through the Confucian idea of harmony between man and nature and proposes from a Confucian perspective that we should supervise the formation of our posthuman future. I agree with this suggestion. Here, I discuss transhumanism using Zhuangzi's idea of “Harmony between Man and Nature” and the concept of immortality. My conclusion is that from Zhuangzi's point of view, it would be wrong to use technology solely to plan and control the future of mankind; however, this does not mean that Zhuangzi is an anti-technologist. I think Zhuangzi's ideas offer limited support for the Confucian suggestion that we should supervise the formation of our post-human future.
再議儒家對超人類主義的態度
Authors: CHEN Zhiwei
Published: December 2021

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in Chinese; abstract also in English.

Superhumanism or posthumanism has become our reality. To deal with the resulting humanitarian dilemma, we can consult the abundant theoretical resources provided by Confucianism. Confucius's “The Gentleman is No Vessel”, Zengzi's important concept of filial piety, and Mencius' understanding of human nature contribute valuable theoretical perspectives for reflection on the real-world consequences of transhumanism.
View Synthesis: LiDAR Camera versus Depth Estimation
Authors: Xie Yupeng , Fachada Sarah , Bonatto Daniele , Teratani Mehrdad , Lafruit Gauthier
Published: December 2021

Depth-Image-Based Rendering (DIBR) can synthesize a virtual view image from a set of multiview images and corresponding depth maps. However, this requires an accurate depth map estimation that incurs a high compu- tational cost over several minutes per frame in DERS (MPEG-I’s Depth Estimation Reference Software) even by using a high-class computer. LiDAR cameras can thus be an alternative solution to DERS in real-time DIBR ap- plications. We compare the quality of a low-cost LiDAR camera, the Intel Realsense LiDAR L515 calibrated and configured adequately, with DERS using MPEG-I’s Reference View Synthesizer (RVS). In IV-PSNR, the LiDAR camera reaches 32.2dB view synthesis quality with a 15cm camera baseline and 40.3dB with a 2cm baseline. Though DERS outperforms the LiDAR camera with 4.2dB, the latter provides a better quality-performance trade- off. However, visual inspection demonstrates that LiDAR’s virtual views have even slightly higher quality than with DERS in most tested low-texture scene areas, except for object borders. Overall, we highly recommend using LiDAR cameras over advanced depth estimation methods (like DERS) in real-time DIBR applications. Neverthe- less, this requires delicate calibration with multiple tools further exposed in the paper.
Antecedents of green purchase intention: a cross-cultural empirical evidence from Vietnam and Poland
Authors: Cong Doanh Duong , Gadomska-Lila Katarzyna , Thi Loan Le
Published: December 2021

Research background: Even though antecedents of green consumption have already been considered in numerous scientific articles, their findings still remain inconsistent. Furthermore, far less attention has been paid to understanding the underlying mechanism of cultural values, including collectivism and long-term orientation, and perceived environmental knowledge influencing intention to purchase environmentally friendly products, as well as the meditating role of green purchase willingness in the linkages between antecedents and green purchase intention. In addition, some previous studies suggested that it might be meaningful and significant to explore these linkages in the cross-cultural context with different levels of economic development.

Purpose of the article: This study explored the effects of cultural dimension, perceived environmental and green purchase willingness with regard to intention to purchase environmentally friendly products of Vietnamese and Polish customers. Moreover, the mediating role of green purchase willingness was also investigated in this study.

Methods: To achieve the objectives of this research, customer surveys were conducted in two developing countries ? Vietnam and Poland. Two convenience samples of 611 Vietnamese consumers and 301 Polish consumers have been recruited from 03 May to 03 October 2020. The structural equation modelling (SEM) was utilized to examine the conceptual framework and test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings & value added: The research revealed that green purchase willingness became the most influential factor to predict green purchase intention in both cultures. Also, perceived environmental knowledge was found to have substantial effects on willingness and intention to purchase environmentally friendly products in both countries, even though the influential degree in Poland was much higher than that in Vietnam. Remarkably, cultural dimensions were found to significantly affect green consumption in the collectivist culture of Vietnam, while these relationships were not significant in Poland. This study was expected to significantly contribute to the existing literature by boosting our understanding of the importance of cultural values and perceived knowledge environment in promoting green consumption in the cross-cultural context.
Demand forecasting: an alternative approach based on technical indicator Pbands
Authors: Kolková Andrea , Ključnikov Aleksandr
Published: December 2021

Research background: Demand forecasting helps companies to anticipate purchases and plan the delivery or production. In order to face this complex problem, many statistical methods, artificial intelligence-based methods, and hybrid methods are currently being developed. However, all these methods have similar problematic issues, including the complexity, long computing time, and the need for high computing performance of the IT infrastructure.

Purpose of the article: This study aims to verify and evaluate the possibility of using Google Trends data for poetry book demand forecasting and compare the results of the application of the statistical methods, neural networks, and a hybrid model versus the alternative possibility of using technical analysis methods to achieve immediate and accessible forecasting. Specifically, it aims to verify the possibility of immediate demand forecasting based on an alternative approach using Pbands technical indicator for poetry books in the European Quartet countries.

Methods: The study performs the demand forecasting based on the technical analysis of the Google Trends data search in case of the keyword poetry in the European Quartet countries by several statistical methods, including the commonly used ETS statistical methods, ARIMA method, ARFIMA method, BATS method based on the combination of the Cox-Box transformation model and ARMA, artificial neural networks, the Theta model, a hybrid model, and an alternative approach of forecasting using Pbands indicator.  The study uses MAPE and RMSE approaches to measure the accuracy.

Findings & value added: Although most currently available demand prediction models are either slow or complex, the entrepreneurial practice requires fast, simple, and accurate ones. The study results show that the alternative Pbands approach is easily applicable and can predict short-term demand changes. Due to its simplicity, the Pbands method is suitable and convenient to monitor short-term data describing the demand. Demand prediction methods based on technical indicators represent a new approach for demand forecasting. The application of these technical indicators could be a further forecasting models research direction. The future of theoretical research in forecasting should be devoted mainly to simplifying and speeding up. Creating an automated model based on primary data parameters and easily interpretable results is a challenge for further research.
Management of Astrakhan region development in conditions of digital economy formation
Authors: Nabiev Ramazan Abdulmuminovich , Luneva Tatiana Viktorovna , Zverev Vladimir Vladimirovich
Published: December 2021

Digitalization of all spheres of the economy and social relations in the country sets the vector of changes in the management of regional economies. Having analyzed the most important directions for the domestic economy, enshrined in the national program Digital Economy of the Russian Federation, the absence of any significant references to the regions as subjects of the digital economy was revealed. It has been stated that for the effective transition to a digital economy the regions should independently develop and implement regional projects taking into account the risks of lagging behind, the potential of the region and available resources. There are considered the opportunities and threats for the regional economies during the transition to the digital economy. The analysis of the role of the state and regions in the formation of the digital economy is carried out. Examples of complex programs and concepts for the development of the digital economy in the regions of Russia are given, the main trends in the implementation of regional digital initiatives are listed. Structural changes in the economy are based on the internal technological and organizational modernization ensuring an increase in the efficiency of economic entities. The priority directions of digitalization of the most important industries and spheres for the Astrakhan region - agriculture, healthcare and city management - are substantiated. For the effective implementation of measures for the transition to the digital economy, it is proposed to create educational pools, taking into account the scientific and educational potential of the region. The formation of educational pools will increase the competitiveness of scientific institutions and educational organizations of region within the framework of training specialists in the above-mentioned industries and spheres.
Risk identification in projects of transition to renewable electricity consumption
Authors: Pupentsova Svetlana Valentinovna , Prokofiev Pavel Andreevich , Lukyanov Andrey Vyacheslavovich
Published: December 2021

Due to the increasing electricity consumption in the world, rapid spread of renewable energy sources (RES) and the loss of basic generation capacities the electric networks will become vulnerable. There is stated a threat of periodic blackouts, which will be impossible to control. There has been carried out the study aimed to assess the risks of projects of transition to the consumption of renewable electricity. The general scientific methods of comparative analysis, collection and study of information sources, statistical data analysis and synthesis were used. The brainstorm method was used to identify risks. The relevance and directedness of the modern energy industry development has been proved, taking into account the global environmental trends. A SWOT analysis of the distribution and use of renewable energy was carried out. The damage and probability of the main risks of projects of transition to the consumption of renewable electricity are identified and assessed. There have been proposed the methods of risk management of projects of transition to the consumption of renewable electricity. A complete transition to renewable electricity consumption is found impossible for Russia due to high natural, technological, investment, legal and business risks. There is expected a high probability of technological risks affecting the construction of renewable energy generating structures and their connection to the energy system. It has been inferred that for the country’s energy system, its high level of reliability and the ability to switch to backup power sources at any time are important
Factors influencing trajectories of performance-program budgets: survey in municipalities of the middle Euphrates provinces of Iraq
Authors: Alrawazqee Abdulzahra Salman , Tsatkhlanova Tamara Tavinovna
Published: December 2021

The paper presents the analysis and determines factors effecting the budget program implementation, which leads to decrease the efficiency and effectiveness for budget outcomes provided to public. The importance of a municipality budget program is related to the standards of population living, thus obstructing the implementation of programs cause a direct negative impact upon people’s life. Municipalities seek to optimize the use of resources and allocate them to the planned programs in order to obtain the best results in terms of quantity. Distribution of financial allocations to the planned projects is one of the most important steps in preparing the budget. A negative impact of some factors on the budget programs implementation is proved. There was used a questionnaire to investigate the managers and employees from the related department as accountants, administrators, engineers, and auditors in municipalities of the middle Euphrates of Iraq. Basically, there were interviewed the department managers to design factors affecting the implementation of budget programs and preparing questioners for their employees. There was suggested the hypothesis for the research and determined the factors influencing budget programs trajectories rather than quality or quantity. Among the most important recommendations are emphasized the protection of municipal departments from political parties’ interference, increasing coordination between the municipal departments and the central and local governments, and rehabilitating the controlling system.
Shaping the Canon. The International Profile of Viața Românească (1906-1916)
Authors:   Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Gârdan Daiana
Published: December 2021

The present paper aims to investigate the circulation of foreign cultural input in one of the most important Romanian literary periodicals of the prewar era. The main focus of the present research revolves around the means by which the editorial group of Viața Românească (The Romanian Life), have managed to create an international dialogue oriented towards Western models that helped shape the modernization of both the autochthonous literary production and the critical or theoretical national systems. Generally considered a rather reactionary community, with nationalistic tendencies, the aforementioned literary group has engaged in many occasions into transplanting foreign theoretical and critical models. The amplitude of these communications and its quite remarkable effects on the Romanian cultural scene may still come as a surprise. By means of quantitative and digital methods, the present proposal attempts to measure and investigate this very particular process.
Reconsidering The World Republic of Letters: A Qualunque Community of Literatures
Authors:   Yeditepe University, Karaman Hatice
Published: December 2021

In the preface to the English edition of The World Republic of Letters, Pascale Casanova focuses on the existence of a literary world/universe, which maintains a relative autonomy from the world and its political disparities and restrictions. This suggested ideal of a literary space is an attempt to posit world literature as an alternative chronotope in which literary production can survive and multiply transnationally. My paper will offer a reconsideration of this global literary space, read via a philosophical perspective, shaped by the famous discussion of the common and community as conducted by Giorgio Agamben, Maurice Blanchot, Georges Bataille, among others. Within the above theoretical frame, my attempt will be to reread Casanova’s contribution to World Literature as a desired community of literature(s), formed by the coming together of qualunque singularities which co-exist and co-belong without “any representable condition of belonging” (Agamben). Furthermore, the idea of qualunque (whatever) will constitute the starting point for the ethico-political reconsideration and reconceptualisation of the global literary space offered by Casanova, not only without borders but also without hierarchies.
Mission Possible: Intercultural Communication and the Quest for Finding Shared Meaning
Authors:   Babes-Bolyai University, Alajlani Zaher
Published: December 2021

The source of objective meaning is a controversial topic. For most of human history, religion had a monopoly on meaning, truth, and values. But from the nineteenth century onwards and with relativism gaining more popularity, this began to change, leaving most people divided into two main camps: those who believe in the existence of objective meaning and truth and those who maintain that such concepts simply do not exist. The resulting impossibility of finding shared meaning is very problematic, especially when it comes to intercultural communication. In fact, to speak of communication is to speak of common meaning. In this paper, I attempt to provide a definition for intercultural communication, explore the issue of shared meaning, and propose a culture-free approach to the latter—one that is based on reverting to an axiomatic understanding of the notion of meaning. My aim is to conclude that the failure of both dogmatism and relativism to sustain intercultural communication should not be interpreted pessimistically. Quite the opposite, it should be viewed as an opportunity to investigate other promising alternatives, mainly Sam Harris’s science of morality.
Switching between Codes, Social Personas and Seminar Activities. A Case Study of Localized Hypersubjectivities Constructing a Laboratory-Based Superdiverse Micro-Community
Authors:   Babes-Bolyai University, Papuc Oana
Published: December 2021

One perspective bound to rouse interesting ideas in relation to efforts of mapping out World Theory, especially in the interplay between ‘local cultures’ pinned against the backdrop of globalization, might just come in the form of sociolinguistics. The author argues that the code-switching practices (polylingual practices, cf. Jørgensen) observed taking place between two groups of highly creative tri-/tetra-and pentalingual Erasmus students solving Physiology-related tasks during laboratory hours, are the perfect site for studying a superdiverse micro-community. The clash and intertwinement of not only every student’s linguistic baggage, but of their various background cultures and performed social personas, in the midst of switching back-and-forth between their locally co-constructed English(es) as Lingua Franca(s), are reflective of the challenges posed by accelerated patterns of migration. This linguistic behavior is also emotionally-driven and socially fluid. Therefore, micro- and even niche-subcultures exhibit a tendency to be reduced to hypersubjectivities co-existing in ad-hoc micro-communities (Hall).