bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self-Plagiarism in AAAS Science Article about Pubpeer’s President, Brandon Stell
Authors: Teixeira da Silva Jaime A.
Published: August 2020

In publishing ethics, self-plagiarism or text recycling is subject to a correction or retraction. This paper examines a high-profile case of ethical exceptionalism in the publishing status quo. Jennifer Couzin-Frankel, a science writer for the magazine Science, published by The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), was the first reporter to publicly reveal the identity of Brandon Stell, the President of The PubPeer Foundation, which owns PubPeer, a science whistle-blower website. The AAAS is a Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) member publisher. Couzin-Frankel published two articles, one of which self-plagiarized (i.e., the use of text written by the same person but not properly cited, or acknowledged) about 25% of text in the other article. Couzin-Frankel has also employed nested self-citation, which is the citation of a separate part of a paper such as a table or text box, to give the impression of a separate publication. These aspects call into question how strictly information is vetted and edited at AAAS’s Science. Despite alerting the AAAS, this heavily self-plagiarized paper has not been corrected or retracted. How then do the AAAS and COPE justify the continued publication of both texts?
Does Bank Competition Enhance or Hinder Financial Stability? Evidence from Indian Banking
Authors: Rakshit Bijoy , Bardhan Samaresh
Published: August 2020

The primary purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the impact of bank competition on financial stability in India. We use a dynamic panel model to examine whether an increase in bank competition hindrances financial stability of commercial banks in India over the period 1996 to 2016. Findings reveal that in India, a higher degree of bank competition is positively associated with the prevalence of non-performing loans. Additionally, the positive impact of the Lerner index on Z-score lends support to competition-fragility hypothesis. However, we argue that both the views of competition-stability and competition-fragility can coexist in a single banking system like India.
Monetary Consequences of Fiscal Stress in a Game Theoretic Framework
Authors: Nguyen Dat Thanh , Hoang Viet Anh
Published: August 2020

This paper maps Leeper and Walker (2011) model into a game theory framework to study about the strategic aspects of monetary and fiscal interaction under a fiscal stress caused by an ageing population problem. The paper reveals that the outcomes of the game depend on the parameters of the underlying model, the size of the projected transfers and the public inflation expectation. The findings show that commitment to the target (inflation, government transfers) plays a crucial role in the policy interaction.
Uncertainty and Effectiveness of Monetary Policy: A Bayesian Markov Switching-VAR Analysis
Authors: Nain Zulquar , Kamaiah Bandi
Published: August 2020

There is a growing body of literature examining the effectiveness of the monetary policy on the macroeconomy in different contexts for developed and developing countries. However, lately, especially after the GFC, the focus of research shifted to examine the role of uncertainty in economic activity and on the monetary policy effectiveness. Both theoretical and empirical studies suggest that uncertainty does influence monetary policy effectiveness. However, until now, empirical studies are restricted to only developed countries. To this end, the present study examines the influence of uncertainty on monetary policy effectiveness for a developing country, namely India. We applied a non-linear VAR, which allows us to examine the effect of monetary policy shocks during high and low uncertainty periods. The results exhibit that uncertainty influences the effectiveness of monetary policy shocks. We find weaker effects of the monetary policy shocks during high uncertainty regime relative to low uncertainty regime.
The Diagnostic and Prognostic Role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C in Sepsis and Septic Shock
Authors: Almasy Emoke , Szederjesi Janos , Grigorescu Bianca Liana , Badea Iudita , Petrisor Marius , Manasturean Cristina , Negrea Valentina , Timar Agota-Evelyn , Coman Oana , Azamfirei Leonard , Santini Ario , Copotoiu Sanda Maria
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Variations in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) could be used as a biomarker in critically ill patients with sepsis and septic shock. Inflammation potently upregulates VEGF-C expression via macrophages with an unpredictable response. This study aimed to assess one of the newer biomarkers (VEGF-C) in patients with sepsis or septic shock and its clinical value as a diagnostic and prognostic tool.

Material and methods

The study involved 142 persons divided into three groups. Group A consisted of fifty-eight patients with sepsis; Group B consisted of forty-nine patients diagnosed as having septic shock according to the Sepsis -3 criteria. A control group of thirty-five healthy volunteers comprised Group C. Severity scores, prognostic score and organ dysfunction score, were recorded at the time of enrolment in the study. The analysis included specificity and sensitivity of plasma VEGF-C for diagnosis of septic shock. Circulating plasma VEGF-C levels were correlated with the APACHE II, MODS and severity scores and mortality.

Results

The mean (SD) plasma VEGF-C levels in septic shock patients (1374(789) pg./m), on vasopressors at the time of admission to the ICU, were significantly higher 1374(789)pg./mL, compared the mean (SD) plasma VEGF-C levels in sepsis patients (934(468) pg./mL); (p = 0.0005, Student’s t-test.) Plasma VEGF-C levels in groups A and B were shown to be significantly correlated with the APACHE II (r = 0.21, p = 0.02; r = 0.45, p = 0.0009) and MODS score (r = 0.29, p = 0.03; r = 0.4, p = 0.003). There was no association between plasma VEGF-C levels and mortality [p = 0.1]. The cut-off value for septic shock was 1010 pg./ml.

Conclusions

VEGF-C may be used as a prognostic marker in sepsis and septic shock due to its correlation with APACHE II values and as an early marker to determine the likelihood of developing MODS. It could be used as an early biomarker for diagnosing patients with septic shock.
Hypoxic Respiratory Failure Further Complicated During Airway Exchange Catheter Placement
Authors: Ali Osman , Verceles Avelino C. , Barrett Matthew L. , Franklin Christopher M. , Khan Imran , Naderi Negar , McCurdy Michael T.
Published: August 2020

Introduction

An airway exchange catheter is a hollow-lumen tube able to deliver oxygen and maintain access to a difficult endotracheal airway. This case report demonstrates an undocumented complication associated with an airway exchange catheter and jet ventilation, particularly in a patient with reduced airway diameter due to thick endotracheal secretions. Due to the frequent use of airway exchange catheters in the intensive care unit, this report highlights an adverse event of bilateral pneumothoraces that can be encountered by clinicians.

Case Presentation

This case report describes a 24-year-old female with severe adult respiratory distress syndrome and thick endotra-cheal secretions whose hospital course was complicated by bilateral pneumothoraces resulting from the use of an airway exchange catheter connected to jet ventilation. During the exchange, the catheter occluded the narrowed endotracheal tube to create a one-way valve that led to excessive lung inflation.

Conclusion

Airway exchange catheters used with jet ventilation in a patient with a narrowed endotracheal tube and reduced lung compliance have the potential risk of causing a pneumothorax. Clinicians should avoid temporary concomitant oxygenation via jet ventilation in patients with these findings and reserve the use of airway exchange catheters for difficult airways.
Eucalyptus in Malaysia: Review on Environmental Impacts
Authors: Zaiton Samdin , Sheriza Mohd Razali , Ainishifaa Rosman , Alfred Khaw , Norfaryanti Kamaruddin
Published: August 2020

Development of forest plantation is mainly intended to provide income opportunity and to ensure the improvement of the socioeconomics of society. Sabah Softwood Berhad (SSB) is one of the private companies that pioneered the development and commercialization of fast growing timber species and forest plantation. The Eucalyptus plantation in SSB was initiated in response to the emergence of fungal disease that implicated the environment. Nevertheless, the impacts of plantation to the environment regarding water use, soil erosion, nutrient loss, pest and disease, biodiversity, soil quality and hydrology are reviewed. The disputes among various scientists over the physiological and plantation aspects of Eucalyptus, especially their implication towards the environment are also discussed. This paper aims to present information on the impacts posed by the Eucalyptus plantation that will guide the planters and policy makers in facilitating a management plan to mitigate the impacts of this species to the environment.
Geography, Military Balance, and the Defence of NATO's Borderlands
Authors: Motin Dylan
Published: August 2020

The enlargement of NATO and the defence of its borders have occupied an important place in the security debate in the last few years. This study discusses the situation of the NATO members and candidate states which are most directly exposed to Russian military power. After analysing the cases of the three Baltic republics, Norway, Georgia, and Ukraine, I conclude with a paradox; although NATO is on the aggregate level stronger, it cannot hope to guarantee the security of its eastern borderlands. This reality could push these states to bandwagon with Russia.
Ovarian neoplastic changes in dairy cows with adenomyosis - histopathological study
Authors: Katkiewicz Maria
Published: August 2020

Introduction

This paper presents the results of the microscopic examination of dairy cow ovaries.

Material and Methods

The examined dairy cows were culled in a slaughterhouse. In all of them, pathological changes (n = 82) associated with adenomyosis had been previously diagnosed, and additionally in some cows (n = 18) so had mammary gland cell injury, including mastitis purulenta.

Results

There was vast variability among the investigated individuals in the degree of disease and type of pathological changes in the examined tissue specimens. In all examined ovaries, the most prominent lesions were neoplastic metaplasia of various cell types. They were PEComa, rete ovarii cell neoplasm, granulosa cell tumour, and a single case of haemangioma cavernosum, and the first of these types of ovarian tumours was the prominent neoplasia. In some cases, they grew simultaneously with the other types of tumours, but tumour tissue never extended beyond the ovarian capsule. Sometimes, the ovarian tumours were of microscopic volume, for instance the foci of granulosa cell tumours.

Conclusion

The lack of changes in ovarian anatomic structure, and minute neoplastic tissue foci, make it impossible to diagnose these lesions in the ovaries of living animals. The presented original data may be valuable in understanding the aetiology of dairy cow infertility, as well as in facilitating urgently needed research into findings new methods, which might be used in the diagnosis of neoplastic diseasesante mortem.
Pressure dependence of the band gap energy for dilute nitride and antimony GaNxSbyAs1−x−y
Authors: Zhao Chuan-Zhen , Ren He-Yu , Sun Xiao-Dong , Wang Sha-Sha , Lu Ke-Qing
Published: August 2020

Dilute nitride and antimony GaNAsSb alloy can be considered as an alloy formed by adding N and Sb atoms into the host material GaAs. Under this condition, its band gap energy depending on pressure can be divided into two regions. In the low pressure range, the band gap energy is due to two factors. One is the coupling interaction between the N level and the Γ conduction band minimum (CBM) of GaAs. The other one is the coupling interaction between the Sb level and the Γ valence band maximum (VBM) of GaAs. In the high pressure range, the band gap energy depends also on two factors. One is the coupling interaction between the N level and the X CBM of GaAs. The other one is the coupling interaction between the Sb level and the Γ VBM of GaAs. In addition, it has been found that the energy difference between the Γ CBM and the X CBM in GaNAsSb is larger than that in GaAs. It is due to two factors. One is the coupling interaction between the N level and the Γ CBM of GaAs. The other is the coupling interaction between the N level and the X CBM of GaAs.
Gamification as a Tool for Civic Education – A Case Study
Authors: Jaskulska Marta , Starba Joanna
Published: August 2020

The article aims at presenting the possibilities of using games, most of all the board ones, in civic education of children, the youth and adults. The article will demonstrate activities of Pomorskie Stowarzyszenie Aktywni Lokalnie (Pomeranian Society Locally Active-PSAL), which has taken advantage of games in its activities popularizing public participation as well as in ecological education.
Dzieci Z Orzeczeniem O Potrzebie Kształcenia Specjalnego Na Etapie Edukacji Przedszkolnej – Refleksje Praktyka
Authors: Wiśniewska Karolina
Published: August 2020

Abstrakt

Artykuł składa się z krótkiego wprowadzania i refleksji na temat kształcenia specjalnego na etapie edukacji przedszkolnej w Polsce. Dalej omawiam istotne elementy procesu diagnozy i terapii w polskim systemie oświatowym. Opisuję rolę rodziców i poradni psychologiczno-pedagogicznej w tym procesie. Kolejnym elementem niniejszego opracowania jest charakterystyka dziewczynki, u której po trzech latach edukacji w ogólnodostępnym przedszkolu niepublicznym, zdiagnozowano zespół Aspergera. Zwięźle prezentuję jej historię jej pobytu w przedszkolu. Rozważania kończę opisem umiejętności dziewczynki na koniec tego etapu nauki. Historia ta pokazuje, że nawet późna diagnoza ma sens i może być szansą na rozpoczęcie kształcenia w szkole ogólnodostępnej na kolejnym etapie edukacji. Podsumowanie stanowi prezentacja wniosków płynących z własnego doświadczenia i lat przeżytych wraz z dziećmi z zaburzeniami w ich rzeczywistości terapeutycznej, często od momentu diagnozy do pokonywania kolejnych etapów edukacyjnych.
Pedagogical Prudence as a Attitude of Teacher and Educator. the Reinterpretation of the Aristotelian-Thomist Concept of the Prudentiae Politicae in the Context of Pedagogical Practice
Authors: Machowski Adam
Published: August 2020

In this article, I would like to attempt to reinterpret political prudence – a key skill for political action according to classical philosophy (Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas) – as a useful and even necessary skill for educators and teachers. This reinterpretation is made possible primarily by the fact that a significant part of the political works of classical authors is concerned with the upbringing and education of children and adolescents.
Key factors affecting disposal of radioactive waste in the sustainable development approach
Authors: Tantau Adrian , Vitioanu Greta-Marilena
Published: August 2020

The radioactive waste disposal is a well investigated issue worldwide because of its importance for a safe and sustainable use of nuclear energy. Such waste is subject to final storage in deep geological disposals. Many factors have a direct contribution to the success of such innovative facility. The objective of the study is to identify the principal factors which contribute to the radioactive waste location. Factors that influence public acceptance are recognized and emphasized in the paper. The methodology is based on a questionnaire for empirical data obtaining and interviews with a selected group of experts to explore the insights of a disputed topic. The study reveals the quantitative analysis of the key factors as well-established contributors for understanding how and where to construct a radioactive waste facility. General information about the respondents was considered, as well as the possibility and the level of cooperation with stakeholders, the degree of information and the motivation of the given benefits as important influential factors over location and construction of a radioactive waste disposal. Overall, the study has shown that various factors influence the general public attitude, and this aspect leads to a direct influence on the location and construction of such a facility. The novelty of the research consists in key factors investigation that specially influence the location and the construction of a radioactive waste disposal, especially because the available literature studies in this area are not so strong developed yet.
Comparative study on quality assurance for mandatory energy audits in Romania and Germany
Authors: Krutwig Michael , Starosta Kejo , Tantau Adrian
Published: August 2020

The commitment to an activity always requires the assurance of the quality of the result. Article 8 of the Energy Efficiency Directive 2012/27/UE of the European Parliament (EED) requires large companies in all member states to carry out an energy audit at least every four years. An energy audit follows the standard EN-16247-1, but this standard does not take into account a possible reluctance of the company carrying out the audit and thus compliance with a minimum qualitative standard. The various national implementations therefore define further rules for carrying out these audits. In Romania, Article 8 of the EED was implemented in the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP). The coordinating authority for the energy audits is the Autoritatea Nationala de Reglementare în domeniul Energiei (ANRE). In Germany, the Erneuerbare Energien Gesetz (EEG) was created for this purpose, with the Bundesamtes für Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle (BAFA) being responsible for coordination. This study compares the differences in the respective regulations. In a comparative review, we analyze the national rules that companies in Romania and Germany have to follow when carrying out audits. Factors such as minimum sizes, balance sheet limits, calculation of measures, qualification of the auditor and also sanctions in the event of violation of the audit obligation are compared. This is intended to enable conclusions to be drawn as to whether there are differences in the requirements and minimum quality of energy audits in different countries and what influence the mandatory audit has on companies.
The need for rethinking the model of assessing value in the digital economy context
Authors: Ioniţă Cătălin Gabriel
Published: August 2020

In recent years, companies have begun to promote an economy based on knowledge and information, characterized by rapid economic changes, so the production of tangible goods has no longer been the main source of value, this being replaced by the creation and management of intangible assets, which are often not reflected in the accounting documents at the real market value because of the restrictive criteria for accounting valuation and recognition. Nowadays, the economy is based mainly on intangible assets and therefore they must be recognized in the financial statements of the companies, so that the shareholders and the investors have a clearer picture of company value. This paper aims to propose a model that can analyze the effects of intellectual capital and subcomponents of intangible assets on company value and the sustainable growth of firms listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange. Until now, it is unknown which kind of sub-components of intangible assets make firms listed at Bucharest Stock Exchange to have sustainable growth or are more useful to enhance firm value. The proposed model includes data referring to intellectual capital, computerized information, innovative property, economic competences and VEKTOR index, which was developed by the Romanian Investor Relations Association so that the shareholders and the investors have a clearer picture of company when it comes to Relationship with Investors, Corporate Governance, Proactive Approach in IR, Interactive IR Instruments, Coverage by Financial Analysts and Sustainability.
Does the shareholder salience influence the corporate social responsibility of entities from energy sector?
Authors: Ionescu Bogdan-Ștefan , Feleagă Liliana , Dumitraşcu Luminița-Mihaela
Published: August 2020

The stakeholder salience framework has become, over the past two decades, a tool often used to identify, asses and prioritize stakeholders and has demonstrated considerable theoretical and managerial implications. The objective of this paper is to determine to what extent stakeholder salience influences how different stakeholder categories are represented in the sustainability reports of entities from energy sector. In this respect, an interpretative content-based analysis of the social and environmental information disclosed by entities is used. The sample encompasses six energy entities that are comprised of Dow Jones Sustainability Europe Index (DJSI) constituent’s list on September 19, 2016. The results highlight that stakeholders who hold power have a high score of salience, being followed by those who possess legitimacy and then by those who possess urgency. The obtained results suggest the need to continue to focus on the normative theory of the stakeholders. The results also highlight that there is a link between the stakeholder salience, on the one hand, and the number and type of attributes held by each category of stakeholders, on the other hand. Stakeholders who hold power have a high score of salience, being followed by those who possess legitimacy and by those who possess urgency.
IFRS implementation in Romania. Insights from a professional’s perspective
Authors: Stoica Dragos Andrei , Dobre Florin , Nechita Elena
Published: August 2020

The widespread adoption of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), by many countries around the world, tries to achieve a greater level of transparency in the reporting area. The research analyses the vision of audit professionals, from an emerging economy, of the implementation of the International Financial Reporting Standards. The paper aims to highlight the challenges and benefits of applying the standards from a professional’s perspective. We try to achieve this insight by applying a questionnaire to audit professionals employed in audit firms from the BIG4 group in Romania.
Improvement of the real estate transparency through digitalisation
Authors: Ionaşcu Elena , Anghel Ion
Published: August 2020

Taking into account that the transparency is a quality of communication of sustainability information, as well as the role of digitalisation in ensuring the transparency, we proposed to study the perception of real estate entities related to promoting transparency in the relationship with stakeholders and the integration of information and communication technology in their business models. Applying a qualitative approach, we critically analysed the sustainability reports published by real estate companies from the EU, which represent important non-financial information sources for stakeholders. Transparency is mainly reflected in corporate governance, as real estate entities are increasingly concerned with maintaining open relationships with stakeholders and knowing their expectations to integrate them into the business strategy. We have noticed a broader approach of transparency in REIT entities and in reports that include an assurance statement. New digital technologies serve the purpose of improving transparency, which, although still poorly explored in real estate, offer new solutions to increase the efficiency and productivity of real estate activities. Property technology can improve real estate market transparency and liquidity, bringing lower transaction costs, which should positively impact the value of investment assets.
New Training Trends in High-Risk Technology Fields
Authors: Tudoran Cristian
Published: August 2020

The more developed new and sophisticated technologies are, as in the energy sector, paradoxically, the more critical people are in terms of competences. A prophecy for 2020 was that machines and robots would replace people. It happened mainly for routine activities. Therefore, humans remain a crucial element in the technology world, especially in high-risk areas, such as nuclear. Companies developing, using high-risk technologies employ people with high-technical knowledge - not enough. Poor communication, failing leadership, improper management, decision reluctance, generation gap, lacking teamwork competencies were human errors that caused accidents. Besides technical competences, these people also need consistent training and workshops on soft skills, leadership, and strategy. Besides generic skills, requirements for training staff in long-life cycle technologies should consider: specific reaction patterns for various generations; the high-risk technologies are a combination of technologies with various durations, e.g., Silicon-based digital technology life cycle is about five years. However, the digital technology evolution to new ones, like quantum computing, may trigger unexpected interfaces with the underlying reactor technology, dominant in a nuclear plant, and requirements for training of staff. Extended use of the well-trained competencies can make the difference between life and death; Training? Because it is a combination of knowledge and practice; Coaching? Because it generates new behaviors in ordinary situations and improves the work-unit relationship; Leadership? Because there are moments when people need someone leading them to accomplish tasks efficiently. The methodology used to investigate such aspects was of team-group interviews for diverse generations involved in a nuclear project for risk analyses and master students, by using the same combination of training and coaching exercises. The paper presents the results of these investigations, considering the aspects mentioned and contributes to raising awareness of strategic development approaches for employees to aim at the emergence of new leaders.
Knowledge transfer between universities and smes and regional development. The role of the clusters as communities of practice
Authors: Lianu Costin , Rădulescu Irina Gabriela , Dobre Gudei Corina Simona , Lianu Cosmin
Published: August 2020

The Exchange of knowledge between universities and SMEs became a source of sustainable competitive advantages. The innovation capacity of SMEs is under pressure for various reasons since knowledge management is more costly and innovation readiness more difficult to be achieved. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) became in this context critical players in the knowledge-based economy to interact with small companies. The traditional functions of universities are the generation of knowledge (research) and its transmission (teaching) are reconsidered in order to better serve the managers.

This paper investigate conditions SMEs and universities may better work together, assuming that a pro university-SMEs cooperation behaviour at the level of the SMEs managers and universities is an essential factor of an efficient transfer of knowledge. Evidence of this interaction from development regions of Romania are shown in order to identify emerging cooperation patterns. Another area this paper investigates is the interaction of universities and SMEs when they are bound together in a longer cooperation alliances, in clusters. Actions to develop clusters include universities as central resource. The research intends to review the role of the university in cluster development for Romanian development regions on their struggle to occupy a role in European smart specialization processes. As a main conclusion, the article argues that smart specialization and communities of practice are interconnected concepts enabling innovation processes in university-industry interaction. Knowledge transfer may be more efficient when clusters and universities are interacting on a long-term basis.
Some Considerations on the Assessment of Learning in Higher Education
Authors: Curmei Cătălin-Valeriu
Published: August 2020

This paper deals with presenting the main aspects of the assessment of learning in higher education, with an emphasis on the challenges that the evolution of the society imposed to this process. The main assessment techniques are presented and explained, insisting on their ability of coping with different objectives that can be assumed by the evaluation process. The paper insists on the importance of choosing the adequate methods for the assessment of learning and on the need to create new ones able to fit better to the needs of the new generations. It also tackles the limits of using these methods and the nexus generated by the conflict between adopting the optimal methods for the assessment of learning from a scientific point of view and the need for imposing working procedures and standards in the higher education system that sometimes prevent from achieving the optimum. Also, the factors that have a role to play in the choice of the design of the assessment of learning process are described in a special section. The paper also insists on the need of creating a versatile assessment of learning process that would offer the right combination of assessment methods able to support the learning process and that can be achieved only if a large liberty is given to the professional judgement of the teachers as opposed to bureaucratical procedures imposed by the society.
Discrepancies in European Union Funding across member nations and sectors as of 2019
Authors: Olteţeanu Angel-Cristian
Published: August 2020

This paper aims to explore the discrepancies in attracting European Union funding across member states and across different sectors of activity. Specifically, it aims to discover if there is a set of rule or model that can be attributed to the structure of European Union funding across nations and sectors to discern if some sectors are much more lucrative from the point of attracting European Union funding than others. In addition, beyond the purely economic and business considerations, the article wants to investigate if some ideologies, regimes, or parties are more successful in general in attracting European Union funding by sharing membership between European international parties or other reasons such as funding majoritarian populist parties to sustain European Union membership. The topic is of recent international economics significance in the context of Brexit and the buildup of Eurosceptic sentiments across the European Union as well as the international polarization between blocks of political power in the global trade war. This topic has been addressed partially before, mostly by journalists but represents a niche novelty in academic studies of International Relations. The methodology used will be both through argumentation of historical and current evidence as well as empiric data collection.
FEED - Modeling the relationship between education and food waste
Authors: Ghinea Valentina Mihaela , Cantaragiu Ramona Elena , Ghinea Mihalache
Published: August 2020

As formed by humans, which are living creatures full of contradictions, our society is characterized as well by lots of paradoxes. One could say that it has never been so wealthy and educated, while others would declare themselves as being grateful for a simple glass of water or a slice of bread, as the world wide abundance of goods and opportunities is counterpointed by deep scarcity, sometimes not too far from the sources of waste. Therefore, quite large amounts of edible food that could have been consumed end up in landfills, thus contributing to environmental pollution and social disparities. Despite many studies conducted in order to better understand the causes of this phenomenon, and although at the EU and UN level some actions were taken in order to reduce consumer food waste, the topic still remains open and it lacks a clear and impactful approach. In this light, we made use of the results of previous studies, and we built the causal model, FEED, based on system dynamics, with the aim to explore the impact of the evolution of educational attainment on the aggregate of household food waste. We then translated the model into the tenet of the dynamic simulation software, TRUE. There was no reinforcing loop displayed by FEED causal loop version, fact aligned with the evolution of our goal-variable when the simulation of the model was run, a result that make us to suspect the possibility of reducing food waste in the foreseeable future.
Innovation trends in Romanian logistics providers industry
Authors: Negruţiu Cristian , Onea Alexandra , Bădescu Ruxandra
Published: August 2020

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the innovation efforts employed by Romanian logistics service providers. Innovation in the service sectors, namely in logistics and supply chain, has gained increased interest from scholars in the last years. The implications in the business environment are to be noticed, since logistics and supply chain are the backbone of any business in the world. In this sense, the performance of the supply chain can make the difference between failure or success for many companies. A tendency that has become prominent in the last years is the outsourcing of a part or the entire supply chain to professional logistics providers. Romania makes no exception to this trend, although is relatively new and has been consolidated in the last few years with the emergence of major international players. However, in order to be performant, the logistics providers need to be innovative on a constant and consistent basis. This characteristic is emphasized by the relevant literature as a prerequisite for delivering a superior service to the customers. The aim of this paper is to complement the current research on this matter and determine the relationship between innovative efforts of the global/regional logistics services providers present on the Romanian market.

In order to understand this preoccupation, there have been reviewed the innovation and/or sustainability reports of 12 logistics services providers. The results identified common trends on innovation, but also few major differences. The present study is a first step in a larger research on innovation in Romania and it will be continued through several sectorial reviews.
Lean and Agile model implementation for managing the supply chain
Authors: Hassani Youssef , Ceauşu Ioana , Iordache Adrian
Published: August 2020

Even though both researchers and practitioners propose several approaches to supply chain management research and the scientific literature shows that several methods have been implemented for supply chain management, the studies carried out have not revealed a formalized process or a clear method for supply chain integration. Indeed, there is a specific way to achieve this integration in the supply chain and there are differences in how one company does it compared to another. More recently, an alternative based on the Lean and Agile paradigms has been presented. The implementation of the Lean and Agile models to the supply chain aims to improve and simplify the production and the process of minimizing or eliminating wastes of all kinds, raise the productivity of the supply chain, increase the capability to respond quickly to unpredictable and changing customer demands and to take advantage of the uncertainty and the volatility of the market in the medium term. The main objective of this paper is to conduct an impact study on the implementation of Lean and Agile models in the supply chain, based on a review of the scientific literature concerning the models implemented to improve the productivity of the supply chain. We aim to identify and analyze the research carried out regarding the implementation of Lean and Agile models in order to improve the supply chain management, the results achieved and future research directions. Although the Lean and Agility paradigms are distinct and can be developed differently, they can be successfully integrated into a well-designed supply chain integration that involves a substantial degree of ambiguity in terms of significance and level of application across different supply chains, in order to increase the capacity to act, react and adapt to changes in demand and supply.
Indefinite vs. fixed-term work contracts: the impact over the teachers’ work-engagement
Authors: Mişu Sorina Ioana
Published: August 2020

A teacher’s work during the school year should be seen as a marathon or as a sprint? This paper intends to contribute to the expanding body of literature on the work-engagement issues of education employees from a perspective of strategic human resources management. It investigates how the length of their working contracts influences the level of engagement shown for their work. It was assumed that the existence of an indefinite or a fixed-term work contract brings up aspects such as stability, predictability and coherence for a teacher’s work, all thought to be parts of a positive engagement state of mind. Nevertheless, the acknowledgement and the acceptance of a short time collaboration could bring just as good results if the focus remains on the present moment. In order to gain a better understanding it was performed a quantitative research materialized in a questionnaire, answered by school teachers employed under both forms of contracts. The findings of this study are of value for any of the educational field stakeholders as the system’s human resources are the most valuable asset for a qualitative result. In the end, implications of a predominant engaged or disengaged stuff will be discussed and human resources management suggestions will be made.
Theories and Strategies of Economic Development in the Region
Authors: Manea Gheorghe Cosmin
Published: August 2020

The concern for increasing macroeconomic stability is specific to both, small and large countries within the European Community. In that paper are presented ways in which are made links between the states of the world policies and economies development characteristics. That study has imposed a new type of characterization sustained by the national economies manifestation whose is correlated with the interaction between governmental policies and also with national and regional factors. This interaction is conditioned by specify effect of the economic, scientific, demographic, social and cultural development of each country, part of European Union. Taking into account all the imminent obstacles over the years of nations existence, is demonstrated that the European Union is supposed over and over of a new development process, being considered one of the most economically prosperous areas in the world and also one of the most competitive. However, major weaknesses arise due to the existence of significant disparities in prosperity and productivity between Member States and component regions. The complexity of the regional development policy arises at the level of the European Union, from its objective of reducing the economic and social disparities existing between the different region of Europe’s that was and will be an objective that it has implications on important areas for development, such as economic growth, labor force, transport, agriculture, urban development, environmental protection, education. Registered at different levels (local, regional, national and European) - regional policy, deals with the coordination of the different sectors and with the cooperation between the decision levels and the balancing of the financial resources. The conclusion is related with the idea of a must follow regional development economies starting from national level respecting a certain dynamic. That aspect must also take into account the continuous changes determined by the restructuring of the production and the increase of the competitiveness at national and local level.
Current account deficits and implications on Romanian economy
Authors: Niţă Sorin Cristian , Radulică Marilena Ionica , Dorneanu Mihai
Published: August 2020

The current account deficit is becoming a concerning matter with regards to the Romanian`s economy growth`s perspectives, also holding the attention of international financial institutions and rating agencies. Deficits and surpluses with regards to the current account are, to some extent, normal features of each economy and, by definition, do not constitute macroeconomic imbalances that need to be corrected immediately. Even so, by the international`s standards Romania`s current account deficit is a significant one. This paper aims to analyze the reason behind the increased current account deficit and also issue a series of recommendations in order for the economy to function as close to it`s potential as possible.
Smart grids, prosumers and energy management within a smart city integrated system
Authors: Savastano Marco , Suciu Marta-Christina , Gorelova Irina , Stativă Gheorghe-Alexandru
Published: August 2020

Due to a significant increase in electricity consumption globally, governments have to look and to identify better, more efficient and effective alternatives and sustainable energy sources to meet this high demand. This becomes more and more important in the context of implementing modern approaches such as those that might be applied in cases of smart cities and cultural and creative communities. Electricity can be produced based on conventional sources, but also on an emergent use of renewable sources. The electricity grid is usually designed as unidirectional. We consider that in case of smart cities and creative-innovative communities there is a need to implement mostly new smart grids that are bidirectional. This may allow and support the emergency of a new type of electricity user, called “prosumers”, who produces electricity from renewable sources, next uses & shares them smartly within the smart grid and finally stores them. Globally, photovoltaic energy prosumers are considered one of the most important actors in the energy transition and seem to be ready to introduce significant amounts of electricity within the grid. We anticipate that people living in households in smart cities and communities among most regions of the world will tend in the future to improve their self-consumption from the production of smart energy. This paper supports the idea that using mostly electricity from renewable alternative sources, especially solar, can be also developed with the help of households acting within smart cities and communities. The paper will also present briefly an overview of the scientific literature dedicated to this topic. We will also provide further interesting insights through a number of case studies representing good practices regarding prosumers in Italy and Romania.
The lobby regulations caught between public policies and the interest of the groups
Authors: Ionaşcu Alexandru
Published: August 2020

The intensification of integration led to the establishment of supranational structures, which influenced the volume of regulations and interaction between states, interest groups and the will of the people. The European Union is beginning to regulate several areas of public life and is gradually shifting the balance of regulations in relation to internal policies. As a result, the national governments are trapped between the interests of different economic and social groups and domestic politics, which is gradually becoming an element that is no longer representative for nationals. This article proposes a historical analysis of the matter with emphasis on how, the new approach has changed the paradigm of formulating European public policies from a classic method of regulation, in which the Commission collaborated with stakeholders and expert communities in developing regulation, to a subsequent one that embraced the method of policy coordination. The paper also aims to demonstrate the usefulness of transparent legislation in the field of relations between interests and decision-makers, especially in Eastern European states. The analysis was elaborated by researching primary and secondary sources plus the presentation of a representative case study. Lobby regulation is a recent concept in most Member States. Currently, only seven Member States have legislation on lobbying, as well as a mandatory register of interest group representatives. In some countries, there are codes of professional ethics drawn up by public relations and consultancy agencies, but they are not included in any set of laws. Future regulation will have the capability to create the premise of drafting rules between interest groups and state structures? Which are the essential principles that must be respected in the interaction between lobbyists and decision makers? Is the transparency of their efforts essential to legitimate the service of democracy?
Considerations on the European Companies and holdings
Authors: Chirieac Roxana Maria
Published: August 2020

In a political and economical climate that one might qualify as troubled, and on the background of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union, and therefore no longer offering the city of London as a light tax haven for the companies that don’t undergo transactions of economical substance on its territory, one might question the survival of transnational companies across the European Union. In this context, we thought of analysing the European companies, their history and their present day formation as well as their administration. The idea that one might carry out their activity throughout the European Union, using a simpler and lighter form of company, the idea that the administration of such company is easier and one doesn’t have to comply to the national legislation of each member state is indeed appealing. But what of the success of this regulation? Is the procedure indeed as simple as it was thought out to be, and if so, are the natural and moral persons using it to its full capacity? Also, on the other hand, what of the holding institution, generated by the common law system, a lot longer ago, which allows one to administer various companies in various states through a company that is located anywhere in the world. How are holdings incorporated, how are they administered and is this institution still in use in the European Union, considering the fact that one might set up a European company as a holding?