OJS (University of Applied Sciences Velika Gorica)
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Sustainable disposal of waste from the flower industry for energy production
No full textRapid urbanization around the world, exponential population growth and industrialization have led to a waste management challenge that is increasing daily. Waste from floriculture is also a major problem, as flowers play an important role in people's lives, beautifying interiors and landscapes as well as promoting human health. However, flowers are perishable and complex plant organs that need to be properly handled and stored to maintain their value and quality, which can be lost due to leaf or petal drop, leaf chlorosis, geotropic stem snap, excessive respiration/transpiration or storage/handling at high temperatures. Fresh flowers are the most attractive on the market, but their shelf life is very short, which is why they fetch high prices. Despite the widespread use of flower species, only part of the plant is used, usually only the petals, while the larger part remains unused and becomes waste. Therefore, the question arises whether the residues that remain after the use of marigolds in various industries can be used for energy production.
For this reason, the biomass of different flower species was used in this work. The basic energetic properties were determined according to the given standards, namely the content of water, ash, coke, fixed carbon and volatile matter as well as the upper and lower calorific value and the content of C, H, N and S. The results obtained showed that the waste from the flower industry is an ideal raw material for energetic utilization due to the calorific value of 15.60 MJ/kg and can be best utilized in biogas production due to the high water content of 91 %
Security challenges of tourist destinations in Croatia: A comparative analysis of continental boutique destinations and coastal destinations affected by overtourism
No full textThe challenges of contemporary tourism vary depending on the destination, with safety being a primary concern. Croatia is recognized as a safe tourist destination, supported by global1 and domestic2 research. The beauty and safety of the destination are among the top reasons for tourist arrivals3. Maintaining a high level of tourist safety is crucial to sustaining Croatia's attractiveness as a globally desired destination, serving as a critical marketing asset.
Continental tourism shows a slower development characterized by increases in overnight stays, arrivals, and tourist spending compared to coastal destinations. Despite non-conflicting motivations such as nature and city breaks, tourists predominantly choose coastal Croatia due to the diversity of accommodation structures4. Coastal and near-coastal destinations face the challenges of overtourism, yet they maintain high economic tourism indicators. Given the diversity of destinations, this paper aims to identify and differentiate their main security challenges and propose guidelines for enhancing destination safety. The study employs data analysis methods collected from relevant documents and comparisons of existing domestic and international research.
The document acknowledges the crucial role of adopting a comprehensive approach to managing security at the national level. It emphasizes integrating security measures as a critical element of destination sustainability to ensure visitors' safety and the tourism industry's well-being. However, it also underscores the importance of implementing tailored security measures in specific destinations to address their unique security needs. This includes considering factors such as the volume of visitor traffic, the type of activities and attractions available, and the prevailing security threat landscape in the area. By targeting security, authorities can enhance destinations' overall safety and security while promoting a positive visitor experience.
[1] European Best Destinations. (2022). Coronavirus: Safest destinations to visit in Europe in 2022. Retrieved from https://www.europeanbestdestinations.com/best-of-europe/coronavirus-safest-holiday-destinations/
2 Kolombatović, R.R., Barbir, R., Knežić, P., Maretić, M., Stegić, K., Štefanac, D., ... Kružić, I. (2021). Tourist's Perception of Safety in the Republic of Croatia in 2019. Transactions on Maritime Science, 10 (02), 511-519. https://doi.org/10.7225/toms.v10.n02.019
3 Croatian National Tourist Board. (2023). Strategic marketing plan of Croatian tourism 2023-2027 - Summary. Retrieved from https://www.htz.hr/sites/default/files/2023-08/SMOPHT_2023-2027_sazetak.pdf
4 Croatian National Tourist Board. (2023). Strategic marketing plan of Croatian tourism 2023-2027 - Summary. Retrieved from https://www.htz.hr/sites/default/files/2023-08/SMOPHT_2023-2027_sazetak.pd
Fire protection in homes for the elderly and infirm persons
No full textHomes for the elderly and the infirm are intended for housing people who, due to their age and/or various progressive diseases and conditions, have mostly limited and reduced mobility, and their cognitive and motor abilities are greatly reduced. Given the number of people housed in such homes, and their their reduced mobility, homes for the elderly and infirm require specific measures to ensure their safety in the case of any unwanted event, especially in the case of fire. Specific fire protecion measures are related to specifity of the building itself, type of the building, the fire protection systems that should be present in such buildings and the training of personnel to act in emergency situations. In order to achieve adequate protection and safety of the users and wards accommodated in the homes, in relation to the potential danger of fire break out in any part of the building, it is necessary that all the factors mentioned above work together correctly. Fire protection measures in homes for the elderly and infirm in the Republic of Croatia are generally regulated by the Law on Fire Protection and the Ordinace on Fire Resistance and other requirements that building must meet in the case of a fire. Since there is no special domestic rulebook in the field of fire protection that would regulate this issue, foreign guidelies such as the American NFPA 101 Life Safety Code or the Austrian TRVB N 132 are used in accordance with the mentioned regulations. It successfully complements the current national laws and regulations. The aim of this paper is to determine whether homes for the elderly and infirm in the area of Dubrovnik-Neretva County meet all the previously mentioned specific fire protection measures. Qualitative and quantitative research methods will be used in the work. The methodology used in this paper consists of an analysis of the regulations that regulate the area of fire protection in homes for the elderly and infirm and their implementation on the example of homes in the area of Dubrovnik-Neretva County. For the purposes of this paper, a survey was conducted on a conveniet sample, which included public and private homes for the elderly and infirm in the area of Dubrovnik-Neretva Couty, in order to determine the actual situation. The survey qouestionnaire that was sent to homes for the elderly and infirm in Dubrovnik-Neretva County consisted of sixteen questions, the aim of which was to determine the presence of fire protection measures trough all three aspects – the building itself, the implemented systems and the readiness of the staff. The statistical processing of the collected data did not confirm the hypothesis that majority of homes for the elderly and infirm in the area of Dubrovnik-Neretva County meet fire protection conditions. Only one out of thirteen homes located in the area of Dubrovnik-Neretva County generally meets basic requirements for fire protection. One of the homes did not provide data, while other eleven homes provided data from which is visible that most of them do not meet the basic conditions of the building itself, available fire protection systems nor the trained staff. The purpose of this research was to gain a better insight into the issue and if the hypothesis is not confirmed, as it is the case here, to recognize the risks and propose necessary measures so that the basic conditions for the safety of the elderly and infirm accommodated in homes can be fully satified over time, in order to increase their security. For the correction of certain measures, it is necessary to carry out certain interventions in buildings itself with additional adequate financial investments. However, some of the measures, such as trained personnel, do not require any additional financial resources and they can be implemented relatively easily and quickly with appropriate education and professional support
Transportation of patients in medical vehicles - Problems and comfort solutions
No full textMedical vehicles are produced on the basis of cargo vans, transporters. Such vehicles, without adequate modifications, do not offer comfort necessary for transport of patients. Harmful body vibrations cause discomfort and can worsen the condition of the patient lying on the stretcher. The patient is not protected and cannot receive adequate care due to the vibrations. The research problem lies in the suspension of such vehicles, which is intended for the transport of cargo and is not adapted for the transport of sick and injured or hospitalized patients.
The experiences of patients when transported over long distances bring desperate stories. Severe bounces, vibrations, shocks, jolts and side-to-side rolling of the vehicle can not only cause secondary injuries to patients, but can also affect the use of instruments and equipment in the vehicle. The paper presents the method of installing such a suspension in a medical vehicle. By replacing the old metal spring with an active air bellow, harmful vibrations are reduced and eliminated, thus increasing the comfort of transporting patients with medical vehicles
Transportation of patients in medical vehicles - Problems and comfort solutions
Get PDFMedical vehicles are produced on the basis of cargo vans, transporters. Such vehicles, without adequate modifications, do not offer comfort necessary for transport of patients. Harmful body vibrations cause discomfort and can worsen the condition of the patient lying on the stretcher. The patient is not protected and cannot receive adequate care due to the vibrations. The research problem lies in the suspension of such vehicles, which is intended for the transport of cargo and is not adapted for the transport of sick and injured or hospitalized patients.
The experiences of patients when transported over long distances bring desperate stories. Severe bounces, vibrations, shocks, jolts and side-to-side rolling of the vehicle can not only cause secondary injuries to patients, but can also affect the use of instruments and equipment in the vehicle. The paper presents the method of installing such a suspension in a medical vehicle. By replacing the old metal spring with an active air bellow, harmful vibrations are reduced and eliminated, thus increasing the comfort of transporting patients with medical vehicles
Security risk management strategies in postal traffic: Approaches, challenges and guidelines
No full textThe paper investigates the management of security risks within the postal system. Thefocus is on analyzing security risks associated with key elements and processes in postal traffic,considering the likelihood of occurrence and the consequences of potential adverse events. Thepaper emphasizes that complete security and protection in a technical sense are neitherachievable nor economical; therefore, it proposes the application of methods for risk balancingand control using the Trade-Off method. The use of the concept of risk-tolerant intensity inoperational and security assessments is suggested. The paper systematizes security risks interms of the potential for material or non-material damage due to the exploitation of systemweaknesses by threats under certain circumstances
Particularities of the police tactic in security accidents
No full textThe tactics of police action is a complex and very important aspect of the scope, function andsecurity role of police organizations and services. This is a sui generis tactic that is most ofteninherent exclusively to the police scope, but due to the heterogeneity of assumed and real situationsto which this scope refers, this tactic assumes an inter and multi disciplinary approach, both in thecreation of its material meaning and even more so in the cataloguing of the implementationspectrum of procedures, measures and instruments that make up this tactic. With its elementaryform and content, police tactics is placed in the field of organizational sciences and management,but due to its police meaning, this tactic also creates a new discipline that can be placed in thecontext of police sciences.Security events such as accidents in industrial infrastructures, due to their characteristics,especially due to the potential threat to the security situation in the immediate or distantenvironment, assume the urgent action of numerous and different services with the primary goalof protecting and saving people's lives and property. However, police tactics in such events arestrongly determined by a double function, which is imperative to achieve two important tacticalgoals. The primary goal is the rescue and protection of people and property, as well as theprevention of the spread of threats and harmful consequences, while the second is related to crimeinvestigation and processing of events.This paper points to the immediate implementation of tactical measures and the need forcoordination of police intervention with other emergency services, but also analyses thepeculiarities of work at the scene for the purpose of criminal investigation of the event. At thesame time, the aim of the paper is to question the specifics of the applied police tactics with thepurpose of improving and more efficiently organizing police work in accidental events.MethodologyIn accordance with the subject of the research, and the composition and goal of this paper,respectively the peculiarities of police tactics in accidental security events, a specialmethodological framework of analysis was created. Since the goal of the research is an empiricallybased questioning of the adequacy and specificity of police tactics in accidental security events, asa basis for the description and testing of individual phases, measures, and actions, the method ofcase analysis (case study) was used.Through the created form, respectively the created matrix, the common and specific features ofseveral selected, complex, typical accidental security events in which the application of policetactics is manifested were extracted as variables. Based on the analysis, all variables weresynthesized, which were then interrogated through a multi-level normative framework and rulesof police behaviour and profession with the ultimate goal of identifying critical points and ratingthe adequacy and uniqueness of the applied tactics.ResultsThe description of the selected (5) subject cases, structured according to about 10 variables, relatedto and was carried out on about fifty positions in the created analysis matrix. These positionsrepresent indicators and measurable indicators of the applied tactical measures, respectively thedevelopment and course of the intervention, but also the outcomes and achieved tactical goals.By looking at the normative framework as an element of legal admissibility and regularity, as wellas the lege artis aspects and the logical justification of the tactical measures and actions it can beassessed that the police forces in the analysed cases acted in accordance with legal norms, bylawsand professional principles, and successfully achieved the expected and assumed tactical goals.Tactical measures in the function of creating assumptions for the successful operation of otheremergency services (firefighters, emergency medical assistance, civil protection, etc.), especiallytactical measures in traffic (control, blockade and diversion), are usually considered routine, butoften they represent an obstacle and complicating the action of all services at a security event.Criminalistic differential diagnosis is inseparable and assumes simultaneous tactical measures andactions already with the first knowledge or tactical measure of action according to the informationabout the event. However, this diagnosis of the event usually requires numerous tactical actionsrelated to the scene of the event, as well as actions in relation to the relevant participants, such asperpetrators, victims, witnesses, etc. The peculiarities of tactical measures in the function ofcriminal investigation, as well as those in the function of creating assumptions for the effectiveoperation of other emergency services, were checked and determined in the managerial cyclesegment as well. The police organization and management system are often put to the test inaccidental security events, but research confirms relatively high compliance and functionality ofall levels from programming and planning to monitoring the implementation of tactical measuresand actions.The results also reveal that one of the most significant peculiarities of police tactics is the level ofsituational efficiency and competence of police officers as immediate executors of the analysedtactical measures and actions. This segment of tactics is connected to other disciplines (especiallykinesiology), so it is not inspected in depth in this paper, but it is important to point out that thesuccess of achieving tactical goals depends significantly on the psychophysical conditions andoverall abilities of police officer
Sustainable tourism in protected areas
Get PDFThroughout history, various geological changes took place, after which natural beauties were created. Unfortunately, due to human activity, much of the uniqueness and richness of nature has diminished over time. Part of the priceless natural wealth was thus lost, and it was realized that the irrational use of natural resources can cause irreversible changes and thus irreparable damage to man. We are becoming aware that nature conservation and tourism must not be rivals, but our primary goal must be global awareness of nature conservation. Due to their exceptional beauty and uniqueness, certain areas of nature must be protected and preserved. However, if we want to protect them and at the same time enable long-term management of tourism in these areas, it is necessary to implement sustainable tourism that will fully consider its current and future economic, social and environmental impact and meet the needs of visitors, industry, the environment and host communities. The concept of sustainable development is emerging as a response to the extremely rapid growth of the world's population. Growing disparities in socioeconomic development and rapid environmental degradation led to sustainable development at the beginning of the 1990s. It is defined as a form of development that meets the needs of present generations without endangering the equal opportunities of future generations. We can reduce the negative impacts of tourism on natural beauty by developing sustainable and socially responsible tourism. For the quality implementation of sustainable tourism in protected areas, it is necessary to strategically plan and implement various activities and a visitor management model. In the paper, this model is shown on the example of the Dubravica Special Botanical Reserve, which was almost destroyed at the beginning of this millennium, but managed to be preserved thanks to the efforts and work of the Public Institute and the local community. Therefore, it is necessary to work on preservation in the future as this protected area has become part of the identity and symbol of the destination. The paper used methods of description and interpretation whose data were found in scientific literature. However, qualitative research, i.e. a semi-structured interview with an expert in the field of nature protection, was used to investigate the specific example. In short, for the successful development of sustainable tourism in protected areas, it is necessary to set threshold values for acceptable changes, to determine the instruments of nature protection and sustainable development, as well as to determine conservation areas and regimes for conservation goals. In addition, it is necessary to establish interactive strategic networks, a visitor management model, but also to analyze possible problems and monitor activities and management efficiency
ChatGPT: Revolution communication in crisis situations
No full textChat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT) is a free-use artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot. Developed by OpenAI, it was trained on 570 gigabytes of data and over 300 billion words. It has the ability to generate human-like responses to user inputs and uses Reinforcement Learning with Human Feedback (RLHF) to optimize its responses (Open AI, 2023.). Machine learning algorithms utilize various techniques to enable computers to learn from data and improve their performance without being explicitly programmed. These techniques include supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning, among others. By processing and analyzing data, these algorithms can make predictions, recognize patterns, and generate insights. It also learns from these interactions and can adapt its future responses to past exchanges.As an AI language model, ChatGPT has the potential to revolutionize crisis management systems and transform the way we respond to emergencies. This work discusses how ChatGPT can be effectively utilized for crisis management and how it can change the current crisis management framework. There are eight main features that can improve management in crisis situations that will be analyzed in the paper: Scalability, Availability, Speed, Cost-effectiveness, Offering emotional support, Assisting with resource allocation, Monitoring social media, Personalizatio