bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigation of Lead Removal from Drinking Water Using Different Sorbents
Authors: Albrektienė Ramunė , Paliulis Dainius 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Lead is a heavy metal with strong toxic properties. This chemical element is found in wastewater and sometimes in drinking water. The article deals with the removal of lead(II) ions from polluted water using a sorption process to determine the most effective sorbent for the removal of lead(II) ions. Three sorbents were used in the research: clay, sapropel, and iron sludge. All three sorbents investigated reduce the concentration of lead(II) ions in water: clay efficiency was of 65.7–90 %, sapropel of 94.3–100 %, and iron sludge of 84.3–97 %, depending on sorbent type and contact duration. The research has shown that the most effective way to remove lead(II) ions from the test water is sapropel. Using different amounts of sapropel (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 g/dm3 and 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.8 g/dm3) and different duration of contact (30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 minutes), the concentration of lead(II) ions in the test water after purification did not exceed the permissible values for drinking water (10 μg/dm3), so that the lowest sapropel content of 0.1 g/dm3 can be used for sorption. Lead(II) ions are most effectively removed when contact time is 30 min.
The importance of cultural training in the hospitality sector
Authors: Roque Helena Cristina , Ramos Madalena 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
The human element is the most influential resource and the one that has the greatest responsibility in the organization’s effectiveness and efficiency. Therefore, the development of human resources and their training is fundamental to achieve organizational goals. Globalization facilitates the mobility of people around the world, increasing the number and diversity of tourists in hotels, from different cultures, bringing with them different perceptions of the quality of services. This new reality has become a challenge for human resources management practices, and specifically in one of its key areas, which is training. Studies show that training has a positive impact on skills development and worker performance. Given this importance, a cultural training programme is proposed for professionals of the hospitality sector that takes cultural values into account, as well as their impact on the interaction of these professionals with clients.
Impact factors for the development of a competitive and sustainable tourist destination. Case: Southern Sonora Region
Authors: Gallardo-Vázquez Dolores , Hernández-Ponce Oscar Ernesto , Valdez-Juárez Luis Enrique 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Sustainability is now seen as a strategy used to encourage tourism. The objective of this research is to analyse the success factors of sustainable tourism in the southern region of the State of Sonora, Mexico. The research was carried out in 2018. The methodology used was qualitative, explanatory and non-experimental, that is, a multiple case study (Guaymas, Isla Huivulai and Alamos). It was concluded that the natural and cultural beauty, security and accessibility, as well as the environmental protection of the area were rated as important by 20% of respondents. Moreover, the business profile of the residents of a particular location with tourism potential and the accessibility of the place were rated as important by 10%. The implications of this are that as sustainable tourism projects are implemented, a variety of aspects will have to be considered in the tourism programme, also ensuring good management in order to achieve suitable conditions. In addition, governments should be encouraged to offer facilities and regulations to contribute to the improvement of these projects.
Changing the food for the future: food and sustainability
Authors: Viegas Cláudia , Lins Anna 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Sustainability is currently one of the most pressing topics, and it is accepted that food has strong implications on the concept. On the other hand, food is very relevant for tourism, since not only it is part of the daily behaviour, but also it is also presented as a product. That is why we need to train food professionals with an increasing awareness to these issues in order to enable them for the design and production of sustainable and balanced meals.
Within the context of two curricular units included in the graduation on Cookery and Food Production, students were challenged to develop sustainable and balanced meals by reformulating the proportions of food, giving privilege to the vegetable component of the dish and lesser importance to products of animal origin. This includes the dish design and naming of the recipes. Some teacher–student dialogue was used, complemented with primary data collected by a questionnaire.
Results were undoubtedly good. Students became aware of the differences between the quantities normally served and those needed from the health and nutrition point of view, which also have a greater impact on sustainability. Considering the 17 United Nations (UN) Goals, several were focused, namely no. 3 – good health and well-being and no. 12 – responsible consumption and production.
Intervening and training future professionals in this area will make it easier to convey these good practices not only to the hospitality service, but also to the public daily life, with the potential to change mentalities about what should be the food for the future.
Investigation of the influence of product variety on inventories in hospitals
Authors: Aravazhi Agaraoli , Helgheim Berit Irene , Jæger Bjørn 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
The literature on product variety provides great insights into various businesses. However, little research has been conducted on product variety in the healthcare industry. This study aims to explore the influence of product variety on inventory in hospitals. Since most hospitals are known to replenish products using a homegrown ad-hoc system, a model is developed for exploring all possible product combinations and substitutions. This article presents the behaviour of product substitution, which may be either one-to-one or many-to-one for both sterile and non-sterile products, in the hospital with cost factors. It discusses the product variety reduction and its corresponding cost impacts. The data on a hospital inventory over the course of six years has been procured from a hospital in Norway. Based on the results, the hospital could have a potential product variety reduction of approximately 11% and cost savings from the spending of approximately NOK 3.6 million. Reducing the variety of products in hospital inventories proves to be an approach to reducing costs. The model developed for the research is universal in nature and could be used in other fields, such as retail, marketing etc.
Essential competencies for engineers from the perspective of fresh graduates
Authors: Suleiman Akram , Abahre Jafar 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Determining the competencies required for engineering programmes has become important due to the increasing challenges faced by engineers after graduation and the tremendous development in technology. This research aims to identify the general competencies that fresh graduate students of engineering schools in Jordan believe they need to become competent and effective in their profession as engineers. This study was the first of its kind with students as respondents, and it was the first study of this kind in Jordan. Competencies were collected from a previous study with 48 competencies split into 11 groups. A questionnaire was prepared with these competencies, then rated for the degree of importance by answering “What engineering competencies graduates will require for their future work in Jordan?” The study showed that all competencies were vital, including technical, personal, non-technical and attitudinal competencies. This study will help to link the outputs of university education provided by engineering departments with market needs as well as to harmonise study programmes offered by Jordanian universities. Also, the research outputs are expected to facilitate the transition process of students from one university to another. The empirically identified competencies could be used to help assess different engineering study programmes in Jordan.
Can troxerutin pretreatment prevent testicular complications in prepubertal diabetic male rats?
Authors: Ghadiri Afsaneh , Bavil Fariba Mirzaei , Hamidian Gholam Reza , Oghbaei Hajar , Oskuye Zohreh Zavvari , Ahmadi Mahdi , Keyhanmanesh Rana 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Objective. The vast majority of type 1 diabetes leads to a higher prevalence of reproductive system’s impairments. Troxerutin has attracted much attention owing to its favorable properties, including antihyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects. This investigation was proposed to evaluate whether pretreatment with troxerutin could prevent apoptosis-induced testicular disorders in prepubertal diabetic rats.

Methods. Fifty prepubertal male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into five groups: control (C), troxerutin (TX), diabetic (D), diabetic+troxerutin (DTX), and diabetic+insulin (DI). Diabetes was induced by 55 mg/kg of streptozotocin applied intraperitoneally. In TX and DTX groups, 150 mg/kg troxerutin was administered by oral gavage. Diabetic rats in DI group received 2–4 U NPH insulin subcutaneously. Troxerutin and insulin treatments were begun immediately on the day of diabetes confirmation. After 30 days, the testicular lipid peroxidation and antioxidant activity, apoptosis process, and stereology as well as serum glucose and insulin levels were assessed.

Results. The results showed that diabetes caused a significant increase in the blood glucose, the number of TUNEL positive cells and tubules, and the malondialdehyde level as well as a significant decrease in serum insulin level compared to controls. The stereological analysis also revealed various alterations in diabetic rats compared to controls. Troxerutin treatment improved these alterations compared to the diabetic group.

Conclusion. Troxerutin-pretreatment may play an essential role in the management of the type-1 diabetes-induced testicular disorders by decreasing blood glucose and modulating apoptosis.
The Impact of National Culture on Leadership
Authors: Janićijević Nebojša 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
The paper analyses the impact of national culture on leadership and leadership styles. It has been determined that national culture impacts leadership and leadership styles by defining the meanings that both leaders and their followers ascribe to the reality that surrounds them. The analysis includes the impact that the dimensions of national culture, identified in the Geert Hofstede’s and GLOBE’s researches, have on leadership. The paper analyses the impact that the dimensions of national culture have on two main dimensions used to differentiate leadership styles: authoritarianism–participative orientation and task orientation–people orientation. It has been determined that power distance and individualism– collectivism as well as uncertainty avoidance and assertiveness decisively impact the selection between authoritarian and participative leadership styles. The national culture’s “masculinity”–“femininity” dimension, as well as gender equality, performance orientation, people orientation, and future orientation correlated with it, impact the selection between people orientation and task orientation. In certain contexts, high uncertainty avoidance also impacts this leadership dimension. By intertwining two leadership styles’ dimension, four leadership styles are created, as well as cultural contexts in which each of the styles is favoured, preferred, and thereby more effective. Serbian national culture, with its assumptions and values, implies using of authoritarian people-oriented style.
Macroeconomic Еxternal (Im)Balances within the Eurozone: Core Vs Periphery
Authors: Pucar Emilija Beker , Glavaški Olgica 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Since the foundation of the eurozone (EZ) until the crisis outbreak, the macroeconomic imbalances between EZ core and EZ periphery have been identified at the internal and external plan. Growing external divergence was evident in the precrisis period reflected in the chronic current account deficit of the periphery, and vice versa for the core EZ members. However, external imbalance within the EZ has been substantially narrowed in the postcrisis period. Based on the panel data framework, crucial factors of current account improvement/worsening are identified in the precrisis 1999-2007 period, as well as the postcrisis 2008-2017 period. Random effect model with standard errors robust to autocorrelation and heteroskedasticity is estimated, in which current account is analysed in dependence from economic growth, fiscal balance, EZ interest rate, real effective exchange rate, openness and dummy variable for the EZ core/periphery. Empirical findings for the precrisis period confirm macroeconomic overheating of the periphery as the main cause of current account worsening, while the postcrisis improvement has been achieved mainly through fiscal contraction and European Central Bank (ECB) loosened monetary stance.
The Relationship Between Direct Taxes and Economic Growth in Oecd Countries
Authors: Đurović-Todorović Jadranka , Milenković Ivan , Kalaš Branimir 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
The aim of the paper is to identify a potential linear correlation between direct taxes and economic growth. The subject of the paper includes estimating the level and intensity of correlation between direct taxes and economic growth in OECD countries for the period 1996-2016. The study analyses tax forms such as personal income tax, corporate income tax and tax on property, and their potential relationship with economic growth, measured by GDP growth rate. Also, tax revenues growth has been included to determine whether it directly affects the economic growth in observed countries. The results of the group correlation matrix have shown that there is a statistically significant relationship between tax revenues growth, personal income tax, corporate income tax and gross domestic product in OECD countries. However, it is important to note that tax on property and gross domestic product are not significantly correlated at the OECD level, which is logical given the low share of this tax in those countries.
Тhe Impact of Economic Reforms on Poverty in the Republic of Serbia
Authors: Veselinović Nevena , Mišić Ivan , Veselinović Petar 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
The aim of the paper is to identify the key determinants of poverty in the Republic of Serbia. The secondary goal is to show that poverty can be reduced if the classic concept of treating poverty is abandoned and the concept of social exclusion accepted, the benefits of which are to look at causes and provide a basis for preventing the problem of poverty, rather than just attempting to remedy the consequences. In the paper, statistical-econometric models are applied which correspond to the defined goal of the empirical research, but also to the selected variables. Part of the data analysis was carried out on data collected through the Survey on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC). It is an instrument that is among the most relevant when it comes to monitoring poverty, inequality, social inclusion and living standards. The contribution of work is reflected in the development of the poverty research in the Republic of Serbia with the aim of complementing the scientific knowledge fund on the implementation of state measures and instruments in the context of stimulating economic growth and increasing the living standard of the population.
Legal Nature and Role of Swap Arrangements and Options as Financial Instruments
Authors: Petrović Ružica , Kerković Tamara Milenković , Jocić Dragana Radenković 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Financial derivatives are, in the last forty years, the most important financial innovation that influence the creation of new, very deep and broad financial markets. Their number is constantly increasing. There is a creation of new variants of existing derivative contracts and therefore the subjects have the opportunity to differently manage risk. Although their controversial legal nature, generally accepted view is that they were contracts. Swap is the youngest of all financial derivatives and represents a financial innovation of a later date. Market swaps recorded one of the fastest growth rate among global financial markets. Swap represents a private agreement between the two parties regarding exchange cash flow of the fixed time in the future in accordance with a predetermined pattern. The most common users of swaps are non-financial corporations, which want to receive variable, and to pay a fixed interest rate in order to limit interest expenses on bank loans or bond issues with variable interest rate, as well as banks, the governments of some supranational institutions such as the World Bank. In economic theory emphasized is the view that the comparative advantage is the basis for swaps functioning. Options are contracts in which one party has the exclusive right, while the other contracting party assumes only the obligation to buy or sell assets to which the option is created. In the nationa legislation the option contract is transferable standardized contract binding the buyer has the right to, including the payment obligation of the agreed premium on the day or days of maturity specified in the contract.
Permaculture in Portugal: Social-Ecological Inventory of a Re-Ruralizing Grassroots Movement
Authors: Oliveira Hugo , Penha-Lopes Gil 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Southern European countries face a panorama of rural landscape abandonment, ageing rural population and lack of opportunities for vibrant rural lifestyles. This lead the way for over-exploitative monocultural practices and widespread abandonment of traditional land management practices, intensifying the degradation of rural landscapes, suffering already from the impacts of climate change and global economic pressures. Although policy driven initiatives can scale solutions to have wider impact, if not attuned to local contexts they can also increase the problems felt at the local level. Highlighting local grassroots innovations and locally appropriate solutions can support such attunement. Community-led grassroots initiatives have been sprouting, wishing to regenerate their landscapes grounded on ecocentric ethical approaches to Neo-rural lifestyles. Within Portugal, Permaculture, as a landscape ecological design movement and practice, has been one of those approaches, activated by young citizens wishing to recreate and innovate alternatives for the sustainable management of land, associated with lifestyle choices and local entrepreneurship. With this article, using a socio-ecological inventory as a baseline exploratory study, we are aiming to identify and start characterizing, the Permaculture landscape ecological design movement in Portugal, the motivations and perceptions of such movement, and its contribution towards the transformation of landscape management, societal trends and ecocentric innovations, to create more sustainable socio-ecological rural livelihoods within a Portuguese context.
Residents’ Attitudes Towards a National Park Under Conditions of Suburbanisation and Tourism Pressure: A Case Study of Ojców National Park (Poland)
Authors: Zawilińska Bernadetta 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
The article attempts to contribute to the global discussion on the social aspects of the functioning of protected areas. It explores the attitudes of local communities towards national parks and the determinants of those attitudes. The problem is presented using the example of Ojców National Park (Pol. OPN), a small-area national park located in the suburban zone of Kraków (Poland) and subject to strong pressure of tourism and suburbanisation. The analysis is based on interviews with people residing within the boundaries or buffer zone of the OPN. The residents are proud to live in a scenic location; they tend to perceive the national park in the context of its significant natural value rather than its administration and the related restrictions, and mostly approve of its existence. There is a high support for implementing the participative model of local area management. At the same time, however, the residents’ preferred methods of area management are in conflict with the need to protect the Park’s natural and landscape values. The residents favour commercial tourism infrastructure within the protected area and residential housing development in its close vicinity. The residents’ attitudes towards the Park are also shaped to a large extent by complex factors relating to the area’s history and its location within the suburban zone of a major city.
Polish Rural Sociology in the Period of Political and Social Transformation
Authors: Kaleta Andrzej 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
The aim of the present study is to attempt to evaluate the Polish rural sociology of development during the period referred to as a political and social transformation (1989–2019). The time of this transformation had brought up new and difficult challenges for the rural sociology, urging it to examine the social effects of the transition process in the rural society, moving from a totalitarian system to a democratic one, from centrally managed economy to market economy. Theoretical and methodological orientations, which prevailed throughout the entire period of changes, have been analyzed here by taking into consideration the most important publications, which appeared in Poland after 1989 under the banner of social research on countryside and agriculture. Moreover, attention was given to problem areas particularly intensely penetrated through empirical research such as: transformations in the agriculture as well as within the social and professional group of farmers, standard of living of rural residents, changes of the local rural communities. In the final part of the article, our attention was focused on the outlook and possibilities to confront the challenges of the future with regard to rural areas in the situation of constant weakening of the institutional base of the Polish rural sociology.
Sovereign Rating Analysis through the Dominance-Based Rough Set Approach
Authors: Couto Ayrton Benedito Gaia Do , Gomes Luiz Flavio Autran Monteiro 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
The classifications of risk made by international rating agencies aim at guiding investors when it comes to the capacity and disposition of the evaluated countries to honor their public debt commitments. In this study, the analysis of economic variables of sovereign rating, in a context of vagueness and uncertainty, leads the inference of patterns (multi-criteria rules) by following the Dominance-based Rough Set Approach (DRSA). The discovery of patterns in data may be useful for subsidizing foreign investment decisions in countries; and this knowledge base may be used in rule-based expert systems (learning from training examples).The present study seeks to complement the analysis produced by an international credit rating agency, Standard & Poor’s (S&P), for the year 2018.