bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Creativity and Intercultural Experiences: The Impact of University International Exchanges
Authors: De Prada Elena , Mareque Mercedes , Pino-Juste Margarita
Published: April 2021

Based on recent findings that highlight the strong links between creativity and interculturality, we will attempt to establish a relationship between intercultural experiences and creativity within the context of international university exchanges in order to propose specific courses of action for improving these skills. The methodology used is based on a quasi-experimental design for a sample of 303 university students from a Spanish university. Data were obtained from a survey that measured creativity with two different instruments (RIBS-s and Divergent Thinking), English proficiency, and intercultural experiences abroad. Results show a strong relationship between creativity and intercultural experiences, suggesting that those students who lived abroad and in a higher number of foreign countries are more creative. Additionally, the most significant differences appear when we establish a comparison between those students who have not lived abroad and those who have done so in more countries, which contributes to highlighting the close relationship between interculturality and creativity. Of special significance is the strong link found between English proficiency and having experiences abroad, suggesting that when the level of a shared international language, English in this case, is higher, there will be more options to increase students’ creativity. Likewise, students who have a higher level of English are more creative. Designing programs for higher education students that combine and integrate foreign language skills, creativity, and interculturality appear to be essential. Thanks to foreign language skills, students will be in a better position to acquire intercultural sensitivity and improve their creativity, making their international experience a valued source of fulfilment both for their personal life and their career.
Ferry Crossing, Travelling and Change in the Northern Sudan
Authors: Kurcz Maciej
Published: April 2021

In the past few years, the transport infrastructure of Sudan has radically changed. New roads, transport hubs, or means of transport have had a significant impact on the culture of travelling, and many of the older institutions connected with the phenomenon are things of the past now. One of those dying out phenomena is ferry crossing on the Nile. It was not long ago that a ferry was the basic means of transport throughout the riverine area of Sudan. It was the way of transporting people and goods, both along the river and across it. Today, because of the new era of modern motorways and bridges, its time is coming to an end. What can we learn about the Sudanese travel practices from the perspective of the Nile ferry? This is a fundamental question I will provide an answer to. In the paper I refer to the field observations made in the Northern Sudan in the village of ad Ghaddar in 2013.
Specific Form of Identity among Namibian Czechs
Authors: Miškařík Pavel
Published: April 2021

The main goal of the paper is to explain specific ways in which the group of so-called Namibian Czechs identifies itself and how we can conceptualize their specific form of identity. For this reason, the article presents specific theoretical concepts focused on identities such as diaspora or transnational and bicultural identity. In recent years, all three of these concepts are gaining more attention, and an ever-growing number of communities are labelled as diaspora, transnational, or bicultural. Affiliation with one of those categories can potentially lead to a variety of political claims for such a group. The article aims to explain which of the concepts is best suitable for the group of Namibian Czechs, a group of fifty-six former child war refugees, who were educated and accommodated in Czechoslovakia between 1985 and 1991.
Women and Medicine: A Historical and Contemporary Study on Ghana
Authors: Adu-Gyamfi Samuel , Amakye-Boateng Kwasi , Nyaaba Ali Yakubu , Acheampong Adwoa Birago , Awuah Dennis Bafour , Oware Richard
Published: April 2021

Women have always been central concerning the provision of healthcare. The transitions into the modern world have been very slow for women because of how societies classify women. Starting from lay care, women provided healthcare for their family and sometimes to the members of the community in which they lived. With no formal education, women served as midwives and served in other specialised fields in medicine. They usually treated their fellow women because they saw ‘women’s medicine’ as women’s business. They were discriminated against by the opposite sex and by the church, which regarded it as a taboo to allow women to practice medicine. This study points to a Ghanaian context on how the charismas of women have made them excel in their efforts to provide healthcare for their people. The study also focused on the role of indigenous practitioners who are mostly found in the rural areas and modern practitioners who are mostly found in the peri-urban, urban areas and larger cities in Ghana.
Chemical Oxidation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Water By Ferrates(VI)
Authors: Antošová Barbora , Hrabák Pavel , Antoš Vojtěch , Wacławek Stanisław
Published: April 2021

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a common part of the environment where they come from burning fossil fuels (through an incomplete combustion process). From a toxicological point of view, PAHs are considered to be carcinogens with a mutagenic and teratogenic effect. On the other hand, ferrates are generally believed to be the ideal chemical agent for water treatment due to their strong oxidation potential. Herein, the efficiency of degradation of PAHs (with the special emphasis on B[a]P) by ferrates under laboratory conditions was studied. The formation of degradation products was also considered. For this, two types of ferrates were used and both of them efficiently degraded B[a]P. When comparing ferrates that were bought from a Czech and USA company, no significant changes in terms of B[a]P degradability were observed. It was determined that the degradation efficiency of PAHs by ferrates was dependent on their molecular weight. Two and three cyclic PAHs have been completely degraded within 30 minutes, whereas five (and more) cyclic PAHs, only partially. The results obtained with ferrates were compared to the ones obtained with a classical oxidizing agent - KMnO4. In a qualitative test to detect degradation products of PAHs, two were identified, namely fluoren-9-one derived from fluorene and acentaphthylene, formed from acenaphthene.
Effects of Plant Extracts and Disinfectant Huva-San TR 50 on the Quality of Carrot (Daucus carota L.) Seeds
Authors: Górski Romuald , Szopińska Dorota , Dorna Hanna , Rosińska Agnieszka , Stefańska Zuzanna , Lisiecka Jolanta
Published: April 2021

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. (Aloe) and Morinda citrifolia L. (Indian mulberry) plant extracts and disinfectant Huva-San TR 50 (hydrogen peroxide stabilized with silver ions) on carrot seed quality. The seeds of two carrot cultivars Amsterdam (sample I) and Berlikumer 2 (sample II), were soaked in solutions of Aloe and Indian mulberry extracts and Huva-San TR 50 at concentrations of 0.025 %, 0.05 % and 0.1 % for 30 min. Untreated seeds and seeds soaked in distilled water for 30 min were used as controls. Seed germination was assessed after 7 and 14 days of incubation. The speed and uniformity of seed germination (vigour) were evaluated. Mycological analysis was performed using a deep-freeze blotter test. Sample I was characterized by lower germination at the first and the final counts than sample II and higher seed infestation with Alternaria radicina. Treating seeds of sample I with Morinda citrifolia plant extract at concentrations of 0.025 and 0.05 % reduced their infestation with Alternaria alternata and A. radicina, increased germination at the first and the final counts, and did not affect seed vigour. The effects of Aloe extract and disinfectant Huva-San TR 50 on seed quality parameters varied depending on their concentration. Hence, further studies are necessary to establish the optimal conditions for carrot seed treatment.
A Multicriteria Analysis on Regional Disparity of Economic and Demographic Development in the Republic Of Serbia
Authors: Petrović Jelena , Radukić Snežana , Radović Milica
Published: April 2021

The disparities between the regions are the main obstacle to a balanced and harmonious economic and social development. Increasing regional disparities in the countries in transition has led to the increasing attention paid to multicriteria analysis of regional disparity of economic and social development. The regional development in Republic of Serbia, as a country in transition, after wave of recession faced with additional challenges, such as: increasing the economic gap between regions and increasing regional demographic regression. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the regional disparity of economic development as well as the regional disparity of demographic development in the Republic of Serbia. The aim is to analyze the interdependence between economic and demographic development of the regions. According to the six indicators of economic development and the six indicators of demographic development, this paper makes the analysis by VIKOR and the method of ENTROPY as well as correlation analysis. The results of research indicate that there is a statistically significant relationship between economic and demographic development of regions in the Republic of Serbia. This paper indicates the need for a further research in order to identify the main obstacles that countries face within the process of economic and demographic development.
Impact of Digitalisation on Economic Growth, Productivity and Employment
Authors: Arsić Milojko
Published: April 2021

Since the industrial revolution, technological innovations have enabled rise in productivity, employment, standard of living and the total population several times. In the last 15 years productivity growth has slowed-down in the most of large economies, probably due to slow diffusion of advanced IT solutions, but also due to inadequate statistical measurement of the value of IT services and slow progress in complementary and other technologies. The acceleration of productivity growth in the future is possible to foster through larger public investment in infrastructure and fundamental research, tax incentives and subsidies attached to innovations in the private sector, as well as through promotion of entrepreneurship and the reform of education system. The development and diffusion of digitalisation and other technologies is expected to trigger a slight acceleration in productivity, while explosive growth in productivity, as predicted by some theoreticians, is not likely to happen. The net effect of digitalisation on employment will be probably negative, but it is uncertain how much will be offset by a rise in availability of goods and services and creation of new types of goods and services. Employment will depend on the speed of adjustment of education system to technological changes and labour market requirements, as well as on the possibilities for vocational education and change in qualifications. An important reserve, which may reduce a drop in employment and enhance the welfare of citizens, lies in additional reduction of the working hours. In the long run, it is expected that the world population growth is to slowdown and then become negative, which will lead to a decrease in the labour force. In that case, full employment will be attained even with the decline in the number of jobs. In case of long-term massive unemployment, there is also an option for introduction of universal basic income or other type of social benefits, in order to prevent a significant rise in economic inequality.
Journey through the writing process: Metaphors of thesis writing experience
Authors: Hanić Jasmina , Pavlović Tanja , Jašić Alma Jahić
Published: April 2021

This paper aimed to investigate metaphorical images used by master’s students in order to gain an insight into their schemata for thinking about the process of master’s thesis writing. Semistructured interviews on the topic of master’s thesis writing with three students coming from humanities, social sciences and natural sciences served as a corpus from which the data were extracted. The paper analysed participants’ unconscious use of metaphorical language in their narratives, mirroring their perception of the thesis writing process. The results revealed that the participants’ personal experience revolves around the concept of journey as the central image they share and the journey metaphor, along with a group of related specific metaphors, serves to illustrate the complexity of the writing process itself.
Consumers Engagement Toward Food Brands – The Case of Dairy Products
Authors: Gazdecki Michał , Goryńska-Goldmann Elżbieta
Published: April 2021

Research background: As food markets continue to develop the role and position of food consumers evolve as well. Food producers redefine their market strategies and focus on creating loyalty, building good contacts and consumers’ engagement towards brands.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the engagement of consumers towards selected food brands in the category of dairy desserts.

Research methodology: The paper was prepared and based on the data collected in the survey among 200 respondents. The research subjects were consumers who declared the consumption of milk based desserts and the object of analyses was consumers’ brand engagement considered at the behavioral level.

Results: Consumers with the opportunity to interact with a brand increase their propensity to recommend, which is a necessary condition for creating a reference market. As for the smaller companies, gaining sales growth through distribution and promotional activities may be difficult due to budget constraints, actions aimed at creating a reference market may be more effective.

Novelty: Although the issue of consumer engagement is an important area of scientific work, there is less interest in this field in the context of food markets. This paper provides additional knowledge about the context of food market products, which should be continued in further research. Based on our results, marketing strategies, mainly for a SME’s, can be developed.
The Role of Technology in Building a Competitive Advantage – Programmatic Buying and Its Impact on the Competitiveness of an Organization
Authors: Kozielski Robert , Sarna Nikodem
Published: April 2021

Research background: Recent years have brought a real explosion of new tools and methods of conducting market activities based on new technologies. Solutions based on new technologies carry great development potential for an organization. There is a belief that new technologies – in particular, programmatic buying (analyzed in this article) – also impact an organization’s ability to compete. Programmatic buying (PB) is a tool but also a new model of sales and purchase of advertising, under which the current package approach (traditional) has been replaced by a fully automated individualized approach.

Purpose: The aim of the article is to assess the impact of technology on an organization’s ability to compete with the example of PB.

Research methodology: The empirical basis is both qualitative and quantitative research conducted in 2018–2019.

Results: The empirical material provides the basis for rejecting the main research hypothesis which claims that the usage of PB increases the effectiveness and efficiency of advertising and thanks to this on a companies’ ability to compete. PB has a positive impact only on the effectiveness and efficiency of graphic ads. The same relation was not observed in terms of video ads. Nevertheless the results are not clear. It is recommended to deepen the analysis.

Novelty: Due to the fact that programmatic buying is a relatively new technologic solution there is no research that proves its impact on the marketing activities efficiency as well as its role in building the competitive advantage of a company, especially on the Polish or European market. This research starts the discussion of the role of PB in companies’ market activities and fits in the dispute of the significance of new technologies.
Geocaching in education – a review of international experiences Part 2. Recipient, location and subject matter of education
Authors: Referowska-Chodak Ewa
Published: April 2021

This article discusses the recipient, locations and subject matter of education using geocaching, based on a literature review. The aim is to aid the implementation of similar methods of education in Poland, including forest education, by providing practical information and guidelines.

In the literature, the most frequently mentioned recipients of geocaching education are pupils, especially between 10–18 years of age, and university students. This is due to the fact that the authors of the publications were mostly school and academic teachers, as well as students and doctoral students of teaching and social faculties. For the same reason, the preferred locations of educational geocaching were also school/university areas and their immediate vicinity, as well as urban areas, including parks. Locations modified to a lesser degree by anthropogenic influences such as protected areas, waterfronts and forests were also mentioned. The subject range of geocaching classes is very wide, although geography, mathematics, biology, ecology, history, culture, modern technology/equipment, linguistics and physical education were particularly frequently mentioned. Subjects related to geology, local society, economy and art were also reported. Regarding recipients of educational geocaching, the literature clearly indicates limitations in its application to the youngest age groups, while at the same time its great usefulness in the education of all other age groups is highlighted. In addition to the currently dominating anthropogenic geocaching locations, Poland offers a large variety of natural places, such as forest areas, which are already used for informal field education. These locations furthermore enable multidisciplinary education, which is in line with the extremely wide range of subject content proposed for educational geocaching.
Characteristics of Pulsed Blue and Green Light Stimulated Luminescence Signals of Quartz and Feldspars
Authors: Qin Jintang , Chen Jie , Li Kechang
Published: April 2021

The post-infrared (post-IR) pulsed blue light stimulated luminescence (PBLSL) signal has been employed to determine the equivalent dose (De) of feldspar contaminated quartz grains, but it sometimes suffers from the interference of feldspars. Since the green light stimulated luminescence (GLSL) signal of feldspars might be more reduced by a prior IR stimulation, we compared the characteristics of post-IR PBLSL and post-IR pulsed GLSL (post-IR PGLSL) signals of quartz and feldspars in this study to evaluate the feasibility of employing the green light for pulsed stimulation. We investigated the effect of the signal integration period, pulsed stimulation temperature, and prior IR stimulation temperature on the intensities of post-IR PBLSL and post-IR PGLSL of quartz and feldspars, and evaluated the potential feldspar interference on these two signals for the hypothetical and artificial quartz-feldspar mixture. The results demonstrate a lower feldspars contribution for the post-IR PGLSL signal. The feldspar interference only slightly increases with the increase of integration period for the post-IR PGLSL signal measured at low stimulation temperature, which permits a long integration period to be employed to enhance the signal to noise ratio. This study shows that the green light is a promising alternative for pulsed stimulation to suppress the feldspar contribution.
Further species within Arecaceae (Palmae; Coryphoideae) to non-native flora of Tunisia and North Africa
Authors: Mokni Ridha El
Published: April 2021

Five new alien taxa are here recorded from Tunisia. Reported taxa (Livistona chinensis, Phoenix canariensis, P. reclinata, P. theophrasti and Washingtonia robusta) belong to the subfamily Coryphoideae (Arecaceae). Updated nomenclature, brief descriptions, general and national distributions are provided for each species. Livistona chinensis and Phoenix theophrasti are here reported for the first time in North Africa. Identification keys are also provided.
Comparative assessment of Western Podolia meadow steppes (Ukraine) based on the synphytoindication method
Authors: Lysenko Henadii M. , Danylyk Ivan M. , Iemelianova Svitlana M. , Borsukevych Liubov M. , Sosnovska Svitlana V.
Published: April 2021

The aim of our study is to establish the determinant ecological factors that have the greatest differential impact on the distribution of meadow steppe plant communities of Western Podolia (Ukraine) on the base of a synphytoindication analysis. There were 8 study sites within the study area in the L’viv and Ivano-Frankivsk regions. To determine the coenotic affinity of the studied species, 48 relevés were analyzed. Numerical classification based on the Modified TWINSPAN algorithm divided the dataset into five clusters, which have been identified as the associations Pastinaco sativae-Arrhenatheretum elatioris, Geranio sanguinei-Trifolietum alpestris, Inuletum ensifoliae, Jurineo calcareae-Stipetum capillatae and Lembotropio nigricans-Potentilletum arenariae. The results of gradient analyses indicate that the distribution of meadow steppe communities in the Podolia Upland closely correlates with a number of climatic (thermoregime and continentality of climate) and especially edaphic (soil humidity, soil acidity and carbonate content) ecological factors.
Geobotanical characterisation of the Trifolion squamosi nom. corr. alliance (class. Juncetea maritimi) in Catalonia and the Western Mediterranean
Authors: Corominas Gabriel Mercadal i
Published: April 2021

We present a summary of part of the phytogeographic results described in the author’s PhD thesis. In this case, we characterise and validate several syntaxa of subsaline meadows in the Trifolion squamosi nom. corr. alliance (class. Juncetea maritimi) in Catalonia (incl. NE Spain and SE France) and in other regions of the Western Mediterranean (N Algeria, Languedoc and Provence). In total, we study six syntaxa in geobotanical terms, based on synthetic tables and factor analyses of correspondence published previously in the thesis: one alliance (Trifolion squamosi), two associations and three subassociations (Agropyro-Trifolietum subass. typicum, subass. festucetosum comb. nova, subass. brachypodietosum nova; Festucetum arundinaceae).
Syntaxonomical analysis of sandy grassland vegetation dominated by Festuca vaginata and F. pseudovaginata in the Pannonian basin
Authors: Penksza Károly , Csontos Péter , Pápay Gergely
Published: April 2021

Festucetum vaginatae Rapaics ex Soó 1929 em. Borhidi 1996 is a characteristic association of the calcareous sandy areas of the Pannonian basin; its dominant grass species is Festuca vaginata. Another typical species of these sandy areas is the newly discovered F. pseudovaginata. The question is whether F. pseudovaginata forms an independent coenotaxa? Our study proved that F. vaginata and F. pseudovaginata populations grow separately and compose different associations. Stands dominated by F. pseudovaginata had a higher species richness and harboured twice as many Festuco-Brometea species compared to the Festucetum vaginatae stands. Diagnostic species of the Festucetum pseudovaginatae association are Festuca pseudovaginata, Colchicum arenarium, Ephedra distachya, Koeleria majoriflora, and Astragalus onobrychis. The number of species, the density of the individuals, and the variability and diversity of the vegetation separated it from the Festucetum vaginatae association; thus, it can be considered an independent endemic association. Festucetum pseudovaginatae has its own differentiating and dominant species: Carex stenophylla, Cynodon dactylon, Eryngium campestre, Kochia laniflora.
The Eurasian Dry Grassland Group (EDGG) in 2019–2020
Authors: Dengler Jürgen , Aleksanyan Alla , Ambarlı Didem , Biurrun Idoia , Dembicz Iwona , Kuzemko Anna , Török Péter , Venn Stephen
Published: April 2021

This report summarizes the activities and achievements of the Eurasian Dry Grassland Group (EDGG) from July 2019 to December 2020. During this period, Covid-19 allowed only one live event, the 14th EDGG Field Workshop to the alpine vegetation of Switzerland, organised ad hoc as a replacement for the cancelled Field Workshop in the Ukrainian steppes. The cancelled Eurasian Grassland Conference in Spain found a partial replacement in “Talk Grasslands!”, a series of online talks during winter 2020/2021. EDGG’s own diamond open access periodical, Palaearctic Grasslands, is a novel combination of scientific journal, photo magazine and member newsletter. With five issues during the reporting time it contributed much to EDGG’s attractiveness. EDGG edited four Special Features in international journals (Tuexenia, Hacquetia, Flora) and contributed 13 chapters on grasslands and shrublands of the Palaearctic biogeographic realm to the Encyclopedia of the world’s biomes. EDGG’s vegetation-plot database GrassPlot with multi-scale and multi-taxon diversity data of grasslands and other open habitats of the Palaearctic is now integrated into the EDGG website with the GrassPlot Diversity Explorer.
In-Season Strength Training in Elite Junior Swimmers: The Role of the Low-Volume, High-Velocity Training on Swimming Performance
Authors: Marques Mário C. , Yáñez-García Juan Manuel , Marinho Daniel A. , González-Badillo Juan José , Rodríguez-Rosell David
Published: April 2021

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of long-term combined strength training (ST) and plyometrics on strength, power and swimming performances in elite junior swimmers during a competitive season. Ten elite junior swimmers (5 women and 5 men) completed the study (age: 16.6 ± 0.7 years; mass: 62.2 ± 5.4 kg; stature: 1.70 ± 0.07 m). The participants trained twice a week during 20 weeks. The ST program consisted of upper- and lower limbs exercises with low loads and low volume, lifting the load at maximal intended velocity. The effect of the training protocol was assessed using the 1RM in the full squat (SQ) and bench press (BP), jump height (CMJ), the maximal number of repetitions completed in the pull-up (PU) exercise and time during 50-m freestyle. Training program resulted in significant improvements in CMJ (12.1%, ES: 0.57), maximal dynamic strength in the SQ (16.4%, ES: 0.46) and BP (12.1%, ES: 0.34) exercises, the maximum number of repetitions completed during the PU test (90.7%, ES: 0.57) and swimming performance (-3.9%, ES: 0.45). There were no significant differences between both genders. The relative changes in swimming performance showed significant relationship with the relative changes in 1RM of SQ for pooled data (r=-0.66, p<0.05) and the relative changes in the PU exercise in female swimmers (r=-0.99, p<0.05). Therefore, coaches and strength and conditioning professionals should consider including in-season dry-land ST programs within the training routine in order to obtain further improvements in swimming performance.
Comparison of Muscle Activation and Kinematics in 6-RM Squatting With Low and High Barbell Placement
Authors: Tillaar Roland van den , Helms Eric
Published: April 2021

The aim of this study was to compare 6-RM muscle activation and kinematics in back squats with low and high barbell placements. Twelve resistance-trained males (23.5 ± 2.6 years, 86.8 ± 21.3 kg, 1.81 ± 0.08 m) with a minimum of 2 years of squatting experience performed a 6-RM using high and low barbell placements while muscle activation of eight muscles and joint kinematics were measured. During high barbell placement squats, lifting time was longer, with lower average velocity than low barbell placement. This was accompanied by a lesser knee flexion angle at the lowest point of the squat, and larger hip flexion angles during high, compared to low barbell squats. Furthermore, peak angular ankle, knee and hip velocities in the descending phase developed differently between conditions. No significant differences in muscle activation were found between conditions. Thus, our data suggests gross muscular adaptations between barbell placements may be similar over time, and therefore, from a muscular development standpoint, both squat styles are valid. Furthermore, unlike the low barbell placement, fatigue may manifest earlier itself in the high barbell squats during 6-RMs as sets progress toward a lifter’s maximal capacity, altering kinematics, especially in the last repetition.
Individual language management and language strategies of Hungarian students in Bratislava
Authors: Satinská Lucia Molnár
Published: April 2021

The paper focuses on the individual language management of Hungarian minority students from Southern Slovakia who migrated to study at university in the capital city of Slovakia, Bratislava. It presents language strategies of five students, based on their language biographies. Each student was interviewed three times during their first three years of study. The language problems of these students include maintaining their mother tongue and improving their skills in Slovak as well as balancing between the two languages in various spheres of life. Factors affecting the language use of the students are family, institutions, peer group and overcoming fear. The students deal with their everyday multilingualism according to several models, which can be described on the axis between Hungarian only to Slovak only, but the students mostly find themselves somewhere in between the two, depending on various spheres (family, university, jobs, peers).
Environmental Armed Conflict Assessment Using Satellite Imagery
Authors: Garzón Fernando Arturo Mendez , Valánszki István
Published: April 2021

Armed conflicts not only affect human populations but can also cause considerable damage to the environment. Its consequences are as diverse as its causes, including; water pollution from oil spills, land degradation due to the destruction of infrastructure, poisoning of soils and fields, destruction of crops and forests, over-exploitation of natural resources and paradoxically and occasionally reforestation. In this way, the environment in the war can be approached as beneficiary, stage, victim or/and spoil of war.

Although there are few papers that assess the use of remote sensing methods in areas affected by warfare, we found a gap in these studies, being both outdated and lacking the correlation of remote sensing analysis with the causes-consequences, biome features and scale. Thus, this paper presents a methodical approach focused on the assessment of the existing datasets and the analysis of the connection between geographical conditions (biomes), drivers and the assessment using remote sensing methods in areas affected by armed conflicts. We aimed to find; weaknesses, tendencies, patterns, points of convergence and divergence. Then we consider variables such as biome, forest cover affectation, scale, and satellite imagery sensors to determine the relationship between warfare drivers with geographical location assessed by remote sensing methods. We collected data from 44 studies from international peer-reviewed journals from 1998 to 2019 that are indexed using scientific search engines. We found that 62% of the studies were focused on the analysis of torrid biomes as; Tropical Rainforest, Monsoon Forest / Dry Forest, Tree Savanna and Grass Savanna, using the 64% Moderate-resolution satellite imagery sensors as; Landsat 4-5 TM and Landsat 7 ETM+. Quantitative analysis of the trends identified within these areas contributes to an understanding of the reasons behind these conflicts.
Age related differences in acute coronary syndrome: An observation at a central hospital in Vietnam
Authors: Anh Dinh The , Minh Huynh Van , Binh Ho Anh , Bao Tran Quang , Hai Nguyen Thi Thai , Nam Le Xuan , Anh Tran Duc
Published: April 2021

Background and Objectives

There is little data regarding the characteristics of young Vietnamese patients (<40 years old) who get acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This study aimed to compare the risk factors, clinical-subclinical characteristics, coronary lesions, and mortality prediction (based on the GRACE and TIMI scores) of young ACS patients with their older counterparts.

Methods

A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted amongst 69 patients with ACS at the Cardiovascular Center of Hue Central Hospital from May 2017 to December 2018. These patients were divided into two groups: 33 patients were < 40 years old (group 1), and 36 patients were ≥ 40 years old (group 2). Demographic data, risk factors profile, clinical-subclinical characteristics, coronary lesions, and mortality prediction were compared between the two groups.

Results

Compared with group 2, group 1 had a higher proportion of severe angina (the prevalence of angina graded III-IV by CCS classification was 69.7% in group 1 versus 36.1% in group 2, P = 0.0108) and lower systolic pressure (median was 120 mmHg in group 1 versus 135 mmHg in group 2, P = 0.006). The prevalence of unstable angina and STEMI was higher in group 1 (51.5% and 36.4% in group 1 versus 30.6% and 11.1% in group 2, respectively), while NSTEMI was higher in group 2 (58.3% in group 2 versus 12.1% in group 1, P = 0.0002). The prevalence of single-vessel CAD, normal coronary angiography (CAG), nonobstructive CAD in group 1 was also higher and multi-vessel CAD was lower than group 2 (45.5%, 33.3%, 12.1% and 9.1% in group 1 versus 33.3%, 2.8%, 2.8% and 61.2% in group 2, respectively). The Gensini, GRACE, and TIMI scores were lower in group 1 (median was 5; medium was 78.55 and median was 2 in group 1 versus 37.5, 130.22 and 3 in group 2, respectively). Smoking was a risk factor for obstructive CAD in group 1 (OR = 7.12, 95% CI: 1.25–40.63, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Young patients with ACS tended to be males, smokers, and with positive familial history; the grade of angina was more severe, and systolic pressure was lower; the prevalence of unstable angina and STEMI was higher. Smoking was a risk factor for obstructive CAD in young patients.
Projected Destination Image: A Content Analysis of Promotional Videos for City-level Tourism Destination
Authors: Drule Alexandra M. , Băcilă Mihai F. , Souca Luiza M. , Ciornea Raluca
Published: April 2021

The current paper used content analysis to examine 50 commercials featuring the most internationally visited cities in the world as of 2019. It analyzed the components, scenes, and frames used to create the projected image of an attractive tourism destination, appealing to tourists from all walks of life. Regardless of the region to which the city belongs, most promotional videos used items from all the significant dimensions identified: natural resources; atmosphere of the place; culture, history, art; tourist infrastructure; entertainment resources; shopping resources; social environment; other resources. Overall, the most common frames identified were outdoor sports activities, historical and archeological buildings, and restaurants, and fine dining. In contrast, the least common frames were tourist information center, smart city aspects, and awards and distinctions. The analysis shows that most Asia and the Pacific, and European cities choose frames depicting historical and archeological buildings, while cities in the Americas, and the Middle East and Africa go for frames depicting outdoor sports activities. From an affective perspective, the atmosphere of the place depicted for Asia and the Pacific, and American cities emphasizes inclusivity, European cities are relaxing, and for the Middle East and Africa is vibrancy. As a subcategory, inclusivity defined as racial, age, sexual and gender, religious, and disability related diversity, had the best representation for racial diversity in all the regions, sexual and gender, and age-related diversity were polarized by region, while religious diversity and disability-related diversity were the least visible.
Analysis of selected mineral and waste sorbents for the capture of elemental mercury from exhaust gases
Authors: Wdowin Magdalena , Macherzyński Mariusz , Panek Rafał , Wałęka Mateusz , Górecki Jerzy
Published: April 2021

Several mineralogically, chemically and texturally diverse minerals and waste materials were selected for the testing of elemental mercury capture in exhaust gas, namely tyre char resulting from the burning of pyrolytic rubber tyres, class C fly ash, mesoporous material type MCM-41 and glauconite. Each material’s mineralogical, chemical and textural characteristics were explored. In order to conduct experiments in conditions similar to those during the contact of sorbent with real coal exhaust fumes at a temperature of about 110-120°C, the experiments were carried out using a test device consisting of a furnace for burning powdered coals, a thermostatic cage for sorbent reactors and mercury gas analysers, which are able to measure and compare the effects of individual sorbents with exhaust gas. The study found that the best results for mercury sorption in the exhaust atmosphere were obtained for class C ash resulting from brown coal combustion.
Integral inequalities via harmonically h-convexity
Authors: Merad Meriem , Meftah Badreddine , Souahi Abdourazek
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we establish some estimates of the left side of the generalized Gauss-Jacobi quadrature formula for harmonic h-preinvex functions involving Euler’s beta and hypergeometric functions. The obtained results are mainly based on the identity given by M. A. Noor, K. I. Noor and S. Iftikhar in [17].
A Frequency-Time Algorithm of Parameter Estimation for Sinusoidal Signal in Noise
Authors: Chen Peng , Chen Qin , Xie Zhijun , Chen Xiaohui , Zhao Shaomei
Published: April 2021

In this paper, a computationally efficient and high precision parameter estimation algorithm with frequency-time combination is proposed to improve the estimation performance for sinusoidal signal in noise, which takes the advantages of frequency- and time-domain algorithms. The noise influence is suppressed through spectrum analysis to get coarse frequency, and the fine frequency is obtained by denoising filtering and using linear prediction property. Then, estimation values of the amplitude and initial phase are obtained. The numerical results indicate that the proposed algorithm makes up for the shortcomings of frequency- and time-domain algorithms and improves the anti-interference performance and parameter estimation accuracy for sinusoidal signal.
Role of the Construction Market and the Firm for Sustainable Development and Sustainable Construction
Authors: Marichova Aneta
Published: April 2021

Sustainable development and sustainable construction present every firm with new challenges. The concept of sustainability is the new driving force for the firm and decision making, which are part of the overall sustainable strategy. The implementation of this strategy is a factor for creating, offering and realizing additional economic, social and environmental value for the client, stakeholders and society as a whole, and building competitive advantages. Detailed knowledge of the principles and requirements for sustainability and the necessary changes at the market and company level are mandatory for every construction manager. The main goal of the research is 1) analysis of the role of the construction market and the firm for sustainable development and sustainable construction, 2) outlining the necessary changes in the organization and management of the firm in order to create sustainable construction firm and development sustainable construction.
Comparative Analysis by Mathematical Modeling and Simulation of the Two Thermal Systems Using Solar Radiation as a Source of Energy
Authors: Toma Petrică Daniel
Published: April 2021

This paper presents comparative analysis by mathematical modeling and simulation of two thermal systems for hot water production consisting of solar collectors and storage tank with and without inbuilt heat exchanger. Thermal hot water systems use solar radiation as the source of energy, and mathematical models of their simulation are developed in Scilab-Xcos. An example of simulation of these thermal systems is also presented in this paper.
Systems to Protect and Improve the Behavior of Buildings Located In Macroporous Lands Susceptible to Wetting
Authors: Pericleanu Bucur Dan , Pericleanu Mihaela , Grămescu Ana Maria
Published: April 2021

Macroporous lands sensitive to wetting represent a category of sites with high vulnerability during construction exploitation. In this regard an effective measure is the protective shielding measures against the main factors influencing its behavior. The paper deals with a complex case study by both its importance functions and the fact that the objective analyzed is a part of historical monuments of particular value to the local community, namely the water tower in Braila Public Garden - România.
Surrogate (Replacement) Motherhood or should the uterus be rented?
Authors: Donev Dejan
Published: April 2021

After the birth of the “test-tube baby,” the triumphant success of reproductive technologies has dramatically accelerated scientific research in many fields and given hope to couples struggling with the problem of infertility. However, at the same time, new and numerous moral, ethical, bioethical, legal, social, cultural, and gender dilemmas and controversies have been imposed, especially in countries where trends of negative population growth are increasingly emphasized. These assisted reproductive technologies are making a difference, and not just from the aspect of medicine towards sterility. They are also profoundly affecting social and cultural patterns of marriage, partnership, parenting, and gender. Surrogate or surrogate motherhood, as part of the field of reproductive technology issues, calls for an urgent rethinking of the possibilities for institutionalized motherhood practices in contemporary society and its effects in everyday life. In other words, it is an attempt to demystify, denaturalize, and re-evaluate maternal norms, which always indicate relationships in specific material conditions of centralizing or decentralizing public or private power or sociability. However, they primarily and above all are related to the possibility of prior (bio)ethical evaluation, which would ensure sound legal regulation with respect to the possible (evil) use and commercialization of human life.
Algorithm for the development of systemic pharmaceutical care messages aimed at clinicians as exemplified by community – acquired pneumonia
Authors: Zimenkovsky Andriy , Sekh Myroslava , Yanyshyn Ulyana
Published: April 2021

Introduction. Medication errors, which are increasing in number every year worldwide, represent a significant part of the development of adverse pharmacotherapy results, what creates the need to develop additional tools and means that could effectively provide mechanisms of rational pharmacotherapy.

Aim. Development of an algorithm for the creation of systemic messages of pharmaceutical care aimed at clinicians, concerning specific nosology.

Material and methods. The object of the study was the medical documentation of 540 patients of the therapeutic unit who were diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia. The quality analysis of the prescribed pharmacotherapy was conducted according to our modified European Classification Scheme PCNE V5.01 for detection of drug-related problems (DRP).

Results. As many as 8386 DRPs were detected in the analyzed 540 medical prescriptions. Based on them, 276 systemic pharmaceutical care messages were formed, which are related to nosology in general and aimed at clinicians.

Conclusions. According to the results of the pharmacotherapy quality assessment of 540 patients, in particular those with community-acquired pneumonia, 8386 DRPs were identified, which confirmed our scientific hypothesis regarding its low quality. The proposed algorithm for the development of systemic pharmacy care messages aimed at clinicians may serve as an additional tool that could effectively provide rational pharmacotherapy mechanisms.
The level of the illness acceptance among patients of the Department of Alcohol Addiction Therapy
Authors: Chmielowiec Krzysztof , Kasprzycki Andrzej , Grzywacz Anna , Masiak Jolanta , Chmielowiec Jolanta
Published: April 2021

Introduction. The illness acceptance is one of the most effective strategies to cope with a chronic illness.

Aim. The purpose of this study is to recognize which factors determine and favor acceptance of a chronic illness, in regard to the personal resources of alcohol-dependent patients.

Material and methods. The study was conducted on 60 alcohol-dependent patients. During the study, the following research tools were used: Rosenberg’s SES questionnaire and AIS scale questionnaire.

Results and conclusions. The study group is characterized by an average level of acceptance of the disease. The level of self-esteem is an important factor in determining the level of acceptance of the disease in patients.
Attitudes of students of nursing major towards people of geriatric age
Authors: Szadowska-Szlachetka Zdzisława , Drążek Aneta Małgorzata , Piasecka Katarzyna , Drop Bartłomiej , Irzmańska-Hudziak Anna , Stanisławek Andrzej , Muraczyńska Bożena
Published: April 2021

Introduction. Geriatric age is a natural stage of human ontogenesis, which is usually characterized by a decrease in overall efficiency, increased degradation of mental and physical functions.

Aim. Assessment of attitudes of students of nursing major towards people of geriatric age.

Material and methods. The study covered 202 students of nursing major; a diagnostic survey using own survey questionnaire.

Results. Students declared that they were treating elder people with respect and kindness, they pointed to a positive image of the elderly person, however associated the phenomenon of ageing with disability and diseases. Unfortunately, almost half of the respondents would not like to work with elderly people in the future. Most of the respondents declare helping elderly people – these were younger people as well as people living with seniors. Nearly half of the respondents would not allow their loved ones to be taken to a special facility even if they had a severe illness and most often it related to people who have elderly people in their surroundings.

Conclusions. The majority of respondents shows positive attitudes towards people of geriatric age and points to their positive image, while the majority of respondents associates old age in a negative way. Nearly half of the respondents would not like to work with elderly people in the future. Nearly half of the respondents would not allow a loved person to be taken to a special facility even if they had a severe illness and a significant proportion of respondents help elderly people.