International Scientific Publications
Not a member yet
2817 research outputs found
Sort by
HYDROLYTIC ACTIVITY AND FIRMNESS OF BERRIES FROM SOFT AND FIRM TABLE GRAPE (VITIS VINIFERA) VARIETIES DURING RIPENING
Get PDFGrape berries (Vitis vinifera L.) of “Muscat Hamburg” and “Sugraone Seedless”, soft and crisp variety, respectively, were harvested at seven developmental stages, from pre-veraison to ripening. During the first two stages and, in both varieties, a dramatic loss of firmness was observed, which was accompanied by a rapid increase in soluble sugar content and a decrease in acidity. Polygalacturonase, β- galactosidase, galactanase, pectin methylesterase, β-glucanase, α-galactosidase, β-glucosidase and xyloglucanase enzymatic activities in the berries of both varieties showed maximum activity during the pre-veraison and veraison stages, after which they decreased or remained more or less constant until the end of ripening. Throughout ripening, polygalacturonase and galactanase showed by far the highest activity of all the enzymes. During the first stages of ripening, polygalacturonase, galactanase, β- galactosidase and xyloglucanase activities were higher in the soft variety (“Muscat Hamburg"), while pectin methylesterase, β-glucanase and α-galactosidase were higher in the firm variety. The relationship between berry softening during ripening and the enzyme activities is discussed
PRODUCTION AND EVALUATION OF NANOLIPOSOMES LOADED WITH CAPPARIS SPINOSA EXTRACT
Get PDFIn this study, after extracting capparis spinosa extract and determining the amount of its phenolic compounds, nanoliposomes containing capparis spinosa extract were prepared in different ratios of lecithin and cholesterol. Then, the effect of cholesterol-lecithin concentrations on particle size, particle size distribution, encapsulation efficiency (EE), physical stability of nano- liposomes and stability of phenolic compounds loaded in nano-liposomes during the storage time were evaluated. The amount of phenolic compounds were obtained 6.328 mg of GAE/g dry sample. The average particle size as Z-Average was in the range of 95.05-164.25 nm. By increasing the cholesterol concentration, particle size increased. The particle size distribution was in the acceptable range of 0.3-0.5 (PI≤0.5). Addition of cholesterol increased zeta potential from -60.40 to -68.55. Higher zeta potential values, indicate a higher and longer- term stability of the particles. Also, cholesterol led to increase encapsulation efficiency (EE) and even the stability of phenolic compounds loaded in nano- liposomes during storage time. The results showed that the problem of instability of phenolic compounds, which leads to their limited commercial application, can be solved by encapsulation
DETERMINANTS OF BOARD GENDER EQUALITY
Get PDFGender equality on the company leadership positions still seems to be a significant issue in many countries. Bord of Directors gender diversity is in most of the cases imbalanced in favor of male representatives. In the recent years, we can observe increasing number of studies analyzing the factors or consequences of women presence in the company leadership. By our study we seek to contribute to the discussion on determinants of Board of Directors gender equality. We analyze the impact of various company characteristics on Board gender diversity structure measured by the percentage of Board female representatives. The focus of our study is on international corporations from 39 countries all around the globe. Linear regression results reveal that company characteristics can be considered as determinants of Board gender equality
USING A QUEUING MODEL TO ANALYZE AND RECOMMEND CHANGES IN THE NEWS COMING SERVICE PERFORMANCE OF A NATIONAL MEDIA
Get PDFThe culture of media business service in Albania is being shaped day by day by giving up the old tradition of orientating itself toward the in-out flow rather than considering the out-in flow, meaning the greater importance of reader service that makes changes happen from outside, having them into focus. This empirical study focuses on solving a critical service problem in the news from the specific media we must concentrate on. In our case, it concerns measuring the performance of a queue service for the news coming service. It is the queue theory that helps us understand the problem modeling. Thus, performance analysis reaches out by testing the actual waiting time to improve the news manipulating time service, therefore business costs. The methodology used here is based on the Little Law, which relates the average arrival rate with the average waiting time (Poisson distribution) and item number in the queue, combined with the formula that calculates the total economic cost. The model is applied to our specific queue dataset. The data are obtained from one-month observations of news arrival time in a business organization that is focused on the media sector products. The results show that the business must employ another service channel (journalist)
THE FUTURE ACCOUNTANTS AS SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS AND FINANCE PROFESSIONALS
Get PDFIn light of the Covid-19 crises that challenges global economy, growing environmental concerns that shape the sustainable organization of the future and the businesses facing dramatic transformation due to technological breakthroughs, accounting profession continues to transform, driven by the changes in the economy, environment, society, technology and workforce. It turns out, that the change is more fundamental than the expected “hybrid work” of accounting professionals and the needed skill set goes beyond the required digital capabilities due to AI and ML implications for the profession. Among the key competences of the future professionals, complementing their technical expertise, digital skills, and ethics, are critical thinking, project management, innovation, and business acumen for bringing valuable insight to organization. Moreover, collaboration is considered one of the key capabilities for the future regardless of the role accountants play within organization boundaries as interacting with others is in the focus now. It implies engagement to build and maintain fruitful relationships, clear communication by using appropriate technologies, inclusivity by appreciating and valuing diversity, influence and stakeholders focus. Drive, related to professionals’ attitude and motivation, is also outlined as a core skill for the future. Associated drive capabilities comprise of lifelong learning, determination, change orientation, authenticity, and leadership. Sustainability is another essential core capability as future accountants should take a leading role in creating, protecting, and communicating long term value for the organization, environment, and society. Motivated by the continuously evolving accounting profession, this paper aims at highlighting the new role and core skills of the future accountants considered as sustainable business and finance professionals. The new career opportunities are discussed through the lens of the drivers of change that shape their role over the next decade at the heart of organizations, seeking to create sustainable long- term value
RESOURCE POTENTIALS FOR AN INNOVATIVE SME - CONCEPTION AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES
Get PDFFor the last decade, it has been noticed that non-chain retailers are steadily diminishing and being squeezed out by other forms of retailing. Particularly noteworthy is the structural change from stationary retail to online retail. Presumably, this structural change has been intensified in recent years by the measures implemented to combat the Covid pandemic. It can be assumed that one solution to combat the decline is to increase sales. Consequently, there is a high interest in providing retailers with an omni-channel distribution solution, to ensure that the stationary retail sector will remain in the future. This paper examines the impact of live-commerce on the retail industry. Project management tools are used to evaluate the market potential of a live-commerce start-up. For this purpose, different revenue models are developed, and a forecast of the future economic potential is made. The analysis and evaluations are based on the German market. This can be seen as representative of all western markets
PROPOSAL FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CUSTOMER SERVICE OF THE “VASO DE LECHE” NATIONAL PROGRAM IN ONE DISTRICT IN LIMA UNDER THE DMAIC QUALITY METHODOLOGY APPROACH
Get PDFIn Peru, one of the most important problems is the high rate of malnutrition of the population related to a low socio-economic level. For this reason, in 1985 the “Vaso de Leche” (Glass of Milk) program was created. However, it has had cases of mismanagement and inefficiency throughout its history. The objective of this article is to define the most convenient improvement proposals under the DMAIC methodology to optimize the “Vaso de Leche” program in one district in Lima from the customer service point of view. An exploration was carried out through interviews and the SERVQUAL questionnaire was applied. With the information obtained, points of improvement were defined, and a root cause analysis was carried out to conclude improvement proposals that were validated using the Delphi method with experts and stakeholders. The chosen proposals were aligned to the perceptions and expectations of the users and focused on the improvement of the communication channels and health monitoring. It was concluded that the application of these techniques is appropriate for these types of studies
INNOVATIVE COURSE-RELATED INTERDISCIPLINARY PLANNING PROJECT FOR SMART BUILDING ENGINEERING STUDENTS
Get PDFThe interdisciplinary course Smart Building Engineering combines the disciplines of architecture, civil engineering and electrical engineering and information technology into a new course that prepares students for the new and digital problems in the construction industry. For practical training, a real building was developed as a course-related planning project across all different involved trades that realistically depicts the interacting planning components of a larger construction project, just as the students would expect in their later professional life. The building was completely planned and developed during the course of study in six consecutive semesters. The complexity increases with each trade and the resulting interfaces and influences over the course, although they are always embedded in overarching questions and tasks relating to the "digital twin" and the entire planning process of a building. A central component is interdisciplinary and team-oriented project work in the different modules representing all involved trades, which becomes more and more complex during the course of study. This course-related project gives students the opportunity to use and practice what they have learned into a higher-level practical context and to apply it directly. Decisive skills for a future digital world of work are expanded, in particular process and system thinking and interdisciplinary skills such as project organization, teamwork and creativity, combined with special digital skills such as collaborative online work. The project is therefore also a good preparation for the thesis, in which the students should independently work on a real task within a given timeframe in order to show that they can practically apply the skills required for the engineering profession
RELEVANCY OF JUST WAR THEORY IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY: MOHAMMED HANIF’S RED BIRDS, AS A POST-WAR CASE STUDY
Get PDFThe paper discusses the inception of just-war theory and the way it has been manipulated over the course of time, to the advantage of the few. The research focuses on the consequence of armed conflicts that undermine the moral aspect linked with jus-bellum justum. Developing its case on Hanif’s latest novel Red Birds, the paper deconstructs the notion of just-war and pre-emptive strikes and focuses on the post-war ramifications that are entirely ignored. The research utilises a fictional narrative to shed light on the fact that United States befittingly wielded its financial and military ascendency to evade the international jurisdictions and to materialise the desired geo-strategic significance in a third-world country. It\u27s witnessed that frequent bombings constitute an everyday survival routine of the characters. The novel transcends the enforced doctrine of warfare to support mankind through its narrators. Momo, Mutt, Mother Dear, and an American war pilot, Ellie, enlighten a liminal space between acceptance and reverberations. The satiric connotations shake the western weltanschauung of appropriation of the Persian-speaking population. The paper intends to give a critical interpretation of asymmetric warfare, war repercussions, and of the absence of post-war responsibility that is adding to the human devastation in the twenty-first century
THE ROLE OF THE LECTURER IN CREATING A POSITIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT: MOTIVATING AND ACTIVATING STUDENTS
Get PDFThe academic community of the 21st century is strongly influenced by the principles of modern world cosmopolitism, the change of didactic regulation and the principles of modernization of the education system. The success and outcomes of the study process directly depend on the ability of the teacher and the learners to communicate and collaborate properly – as well on the established common objectives, the choice of the proper ways of teaching and learning, and the ability to motivate each other. Changes in the student contingent are affected by the change in the number of generations and the increase in the number of study programs for foreign citizens. An intergenerational conflict or cultural conflicts can complicate the learning process and affect learning outcomes. The article presents the data and analysis of the research of the scientific attitude of students and lecturers carried out at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences and the correlation of the data with the results obtained during the teaching experiment. According to this data, the importance of the students’ motivation in the study process is discussed by highlighting the importance of the role of the lecturer in increasing motivation of non-humanitarian students for learning languages. The learning environment significantly impacts the level of motivation; thus, the lecturer is responsible for taking part of the responsibility for the increase of motivation by considering the basic psychological needs of the students. Moreover, the results of the teaching experiment confirmed that student’s potential of obtaining a sufficient amount of qualitative information and their ability to properly engage in the study process greatly depend on the foreign language level. It has been proved that students that are better at foreign languages are more confident in themselves and their abilities: they not only participate in the learning activities more actively but also reflect on the studying process more bravely by engaging in the difficult but also valuable job of learning