OJS (University St. Kliment Ohridski)
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THE IMPACT OF THE ZEOLITE ON THE GROWTH OF THE COMMERCIALLY GROWN RAINBOW TROUT
Full text linkThis study evaluates the impact of zeolite supplementation in feed on the growth and condition of commercially grown rainbow trout. Over 12 weeks, 600 rainbow trout were divided into three groups (200 fish per group) and reared under standardized conditions. Group A received only commercial feed, while Groups B and C were supplemented with 1% and 2% zeolite, respectively. Growth performance and Fulton’s condition factor were assessed biweekly on eight occasions. The greatest growth was observed in Group B, followed by Group C, with the lowest growth in Group A. Fulton’s condition factor decreased as fish mass and length increased, ranging from 1.34 to 0.91 in Group A, 1.34 to 0.84 in Group B, and 1.12 to 0.96 in Group C. Notably, Group C demonstrated the best final condition factor (0.96) and feed conversion efficiency. Zeolite supplementation, particularly at 1%, significantly enhances growth performance in rainbow trout, while 2% supplementation improves condition factor and feed efficiency. These findings highlight zeolite\u27s potential as a beneficial feed additive in aquaculture systems. Further research is recommended to optimize dosage and evaluate long-term effects
ASSESSING THE NEED FOR MANUAL THERAPY IN THE PELAGONIA REGION: A REGIONAL HEALTHCARE STUDY
Full text linkIntroduction: Manual therapy, including massage is widely used to treat musculoskeletal disorders, reducing pain and improving mobility. In the Pelagonia region of North Macedonia, characterized by physically demanding occupations in agriculture and industry, there is a critical need for manual therapy. Despite this, access to these services remains limited due to logistical, financial, and infrastructural challenges. Methodology: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted with 30 participants, aged 20-45, who were selected based on their likelihood of benefiting from manual therapy due to their physically demanding jobs. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire assessing demographics, previous massage experience, reasons for seeking massage, and satisfaction with treatment. Results: 93.1% had previously received massage therapy, with 46.67% seeking it for pain relief and 33.33% for relaxation. A balanced gender distribution was observed, with 53.33% male and 46.67% female. The majority of participants expressed satisfaction with the therapy, with a median satisfaction score indicating generally positive feedback. Discussion: The findings highlight the widespread need for manual therapy in the Pelagonia region, particularly for persons in physically demanding occupations. While participants reported high satisfaction, barriers such as limited access to services and lack of public awareness persist, obstructing the effective delivery of therapy. Conclusion: Manual therapy is essential for managing musculoskeletal disorders in the Pelagonia region. Efforts to improve access, raise public awareness, and overcome logistical challenges are necessary to improve health outcomes for the local population. This study focuses on the importance of integrating manual therapy into regional healthcare services
ECO ATTITUDES AND CHALLENGES OF YOUTH TOWARDS URBAN MOBILITY
Full text linkTo identify critical issues and opportunities to improve the sustainability of urban transport systems, this academic student paper explores the attitudes of youth and the broader public – citizens, about urban mobility and traffic. Based on information gathered from an extensive poll, the report provides a detailed analysis of how the general population views public transportation, other forms of mobility including walking and bicycling, and the effects of traffic on the environment. The results highlight significant differences between younger and older people\u27s viewpoints, especially regarding mobility-related safety, accessibility, and environmental factors. The study emphasizes the urgent need for better infrastructure to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians, as well as the significance of raising awareness about the use of sustainable transportation options. The results and suggestions encourage the creation of strategies and action measures that actively involve the next generation in decision-making, which will improve the mobility standard of living in urban areas
UNDERSTANDING INFLATION DRIVERS IN NORTH MACEDONIA: AN ECONOMETRIC ANALYSIS
Full text linkInflation plays a key role in a country’s economy, especially in terms of its economic stability and growth. Understanding its determinants is essential for formulating effective policies. This paper analyzes the factors influencing the rate of inflation in the Republic of North Macedonia in the period 20022023. The objective is to identify and assess the impact of the money supply (M2), the real effective exchange rate of the Macedonian denar (MKD), and the unemployment rate (independent variables) on the inflation rate (dependent variable) in the analyzed period. In the paper, a statistical analysis was performed that identified the possible correlations between the dependent variable and the three independent variables. Also, econometric modeling and evaluation of the model was performed using the ordinary least squares (OLS) linear regression method. The results of the research have been properly interpreted and relevant conclusions have been drawn based on that. This research is particularly useful for economists, policymakers and the Central Bank of the country, as it provides insights into inflation dynamics. Based on this information, they will be able to develop and implement appropriate monetary policies to control and manage the economy, which is crucial for achieving economic stability and growth
DIETARY HABITS OF DIFFERENT CONSUMER CATEGORIES REGARDING THE CONSUMPTION OF FUNCTIONAL FOOD
Full text linkThe aim of this paper is to study consumer dietary habits regarding the consumption of functional foods, with a particular focus on functional dairy products as one of the elements of sustainable development. Functional foods, enriched with additional nutritional components (probiotics, antioxidants, vitamins), positively influence human health and well-being, the preservation and stability of biodiversity, climate change, and environmental protection. The research was conducted on 373 respondents who varied by gender, age, and educational level. They answered an anonymous questionnaire consisting of 48 questions regarding the demographic characteristics of the respondent, the frequency, and habits of consuming functional dairy products. The questionnaire was created using Google Forms and distributed electronically. For statistical processing and analysis of the data, tools from Microsoft Office Excel and SPSS 21 statistical software were used.According to the results, women prefer functional food more frequently than men (4.5 vs. 4.1 points). By age: the category of individuals aged 14-18 years are the most frequent consumers of functional food (4.7 points); those aged 19-34 years consume it the least (4.11 points), while among individuals aged 35-50 years and over 51 years, no significant differences were observed, with an average of 4.2 points (on a scale of 1-6). Regarding education level, respondents with higher education consume functional food more than those with secondary education (4.36 vs. 4 points).From the results obtained, it can be concluded that dietary habits and the consumption of functional foods differ among various categories of respondents, depending on their demographic characteristics, but an upward trend in the consumption of functional dairy products is expected with the application of ecological and economically sustainable practices
MACEDONIAN HIGHER EDUCATION AGAINST THE PRINCIPLES AND GUIDELINES ON EQUITY, INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY: SOCIAL DIMENSION OF BOLOGNA
Full text linkSocial dimension of the Bologna process has continuously attracted attention of high-level discussions in the EU and EHEA and refers to policies and measures that aim to foster equity, inclusion, and diversity within higher education institutions (HEIs). The goal of this paper is to examine the existing national HE policies in the Republic of North Macedonia against the principles and guidelines (P&Gs) for the promotion of equality and inclusiveness in HE developed by the Bologna Follow-up Group (BFUG) and adopted at the Ministerial Conference in Rome in 2020. The research data collection includes the available data from 2020/2021 as a reference year, while the analysis investigates the existing top-level strategy documents, law and bylaws and the country report data from the Bologna Implementation Report 2020. The paper provides an overview of the key findings on how far these policies are aligned with the P&Gs in addressing the social dimension. It also summarizes how the Macedonian HE system with 12 points fare in terms of the 38 basic and 10 scoreboard indicators developed to serve monitoring of these principals. At the end the paper discusses what the key challenges along the way are and provides conclusions and recommendations for improvement
MAPPING MODELS FOR FOOD WASTE AND LOSS: FRAMEWORKS, METHODOLOGIES, AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT WITHIN THE WEFE NEXUS
Full text linkFood waste (FW) and food loss (FL) have become global challenges, with severe impacts on the environment, economy, and society. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive understanding of the drivers, patterns, and potential mitigation strategies across various stages of the food supply chain. This study provides a structured mapping of FW and FL models, offering insights into their methodologies, underlying principles, and applicability across diverse regions and sectors. Our research examines existing models in terms of their approach to data collection, processing, and analysis, focusing on frameworks that quantify FW and FL in terms of volume, economic loss, and environmental impact. By categorizing models based on food supply chain stages—production, processing, distribution, retail, and consumption—we identify key variables influencing FW and FL and highlight the scope and limitations of each model. Additionally, this study addresses emerging models incorporating advanced technologies, such as machine learning and IoT, to predict and manage food waste more accurately. Integrating Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies, our analysis also emphasizes the environmental impacts of FW and FL, particularly related to carbon emissions, water use, and energy consumption, aligning with the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) nexus. This mapping facilitates the identification of critical gaps in FW and FL research and proposes a pathway for developing more holistic, region-specific, and scalable models. By establishing a comprehensive overview of FW and FL models, this study contributes to advancing sustainable food systems, reducing resource wastage, and promoting informed policy-making
ANALYSIS OF THE TRENDS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN IT COMPANIES IN REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA
Full text linkIn recent years there is an increasing need for "high" technology skills on a global level, that are critical for the success of many businesses. Acquiring highly qualified employees, as well as recognition and appropriate management of personal and organizational knowledge increases the business productivity. Poor knowledge sharing practices can damage businesses multiple times. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of knowledge management in national and international IT companies in North Macedonia. The focus of the paper is on what companies do today, how they manage the knowledge of their employees and through which techniques or ways they could improve knowledge management to work more efficiently, more productively, achieve a competitive advantage in the market as well as launch quality products and services
USING AUTOMATIC SPEECH RECOGNITION TO SUPPORT STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Full text linkThe transformative potential of digital technologies, such as using the benefits of AI and automatic speech recognition techniques, in order to improve the accessibility of students with disabilities in the education, is the main focus of this paper. As education increasingly shifts toward digital platforms, traditional barriers can be mitigated through innovative tools that cater to diverse needs. Automatic speech recognition (ASR) techniques empowers students with disabilities by providing real-time transcription, facilitating note-taking, and enhancing participation in classroom discussions. Additionally, it offers immediate feedback for language learners and supports those with writing difficulties, allowing for the expression of ideas in a verbal format. The goal of this paper is to propose an approach for implementing ASR techniques in combination with NLP translation in the educational process for students with disabilities. The proposed approach aims to create inclusive and effective learning environment for students with disabilities. Comparative analysis of several AI pre-trained models available on Hugging Face, including Wav2Vec 2.0, HuBERT, DeepSpeech and Jasper is covered in the paper. Furthermore, main challenges and best practices for implementing the proposed approach are included too
AN OVERVIEW OF THE MACEDONIAN ELECTORAL SYSTEM: AN EXAMPLE OF INCLUSIVE VOTING, OR GERRYMANDERING?
Full text linkSince 2002, Macedonian MPs have been elected according to the proportional system, using the D’Hondt formula, and the country is divided into six electoral districts. In each of the districts, 20 MPs are elected. This electoral system was introduced following the Ohrid Framework Agreement, which ended the 2001 Insurgency in the country, due to the inclusive politics promoted by the mentioned agreement. 22 years later, the same electoral system is used, but it shows many weaknesses and is often criticized. One of the most important characteristics of this system is that the sixth electoral district, mostly populated by the Albanian minority, has a significantly smaller voter turnout percentage than the other electoral districts. Is this situation acceptable? Is this an example of positive inclusive measure, or is it an example of electoral engineering? Does the “Gerrymandering” exist in the Macedonian parliamentary electoral system? Should the electoral system be reformed, and which solution is the best for this country, with the heterogenic ethnic structure of its population in mind? In this paper, I will analyze the Macedonian electoral system, used for the parliamentary elections. I will try to answer the questions set before and locate the strengths and weaknesses of the Macedonian electoral system. I will also try to express my view on the current electoral system in the country, and my view on the reforms needed in the electoral laws