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First records of three Hericium species (Basidiomycota) in Kosovo
Full text linkThis study presents the first report of three Hericium species in Kosovo: Hericium cirrhatum (Pers.) Nikol., H. coralloides (Scop.) Pers. and H. erinaceus (Bull.) Pers. These species were found in mixed deciduous and oak forests in the central-eastern part of the country
KAKO ATIPIČNA AMBALAŽA PRIVLAČI POZORNOST I POBUĐUJE EMOCIJE: ISTRAŽIVANJE TEMELJENO NA PRAĆENJU POGLEDA I IZRAZA LICA
No full textConsumers tend to select everyday products quickly. One way to attract attention is to differentiate from the competition and use an atypical text design, illustrations, or style. This study aims to determine how a package design atypicality influences the package's ability to attract attention, evoke positive emotions, and influence choice. The methodology was based on eye-tracking of consumer reactions to packaging designs. Product names, text style, illustrative images on the packaging, and the graphic style of these images were changed. The findings show that neither first-noticed packages with a very typical design nor a very atypical design were preferred. Moderate typicality is best for catching attention, evoking positive emotions, and influencing choice. Atypical design changes may not lead to more attention or preference when developing product packaging. The research highlights the importance of typeface and the graphical style of illustration. Care is needed when choosing typefaces and illustrations.Potrošači obično brzo biraju svakodnevne proizvode. Jedan od načina da se privuče pozornost jest razlikovanje od konkurencije korištenjem netipičnim dizajnom teksta, ilustracija ili stila. Cilj je ovog istraživanja utvrditi kako atipičnost dizajna ambalaže utječe na sposobnost ambalaže da privuče pozornost, pobudi pozitivne emocije i utječe na izbor proizvoda. Metodologija se temeljila na praćenju pokreta oka (eye-tracking) kako bi se analizirale reakcije potrošača na različite dizajne ambalaže. Mijenjali su se nazivi proizvoda, stil teksta, ilustracije na ambalaži i grafički stil tih ilustracija. Rezultati pokazuju da ni ambalaže s izrazito tipičnim dizajnom ni one s vrlo atipičnim dizajnom nisu bile najpoželjnije. Umjerena tipičnost pokazala se kao najbolja za privlačenje pozornosti, izazivanje pozitivnih emocija i utjecaj na izbor. Atipične promjene u dizajnu ne moraju nužno rezultirati većom pozornošću ili preferencijom pri razvoju ambalaže proizvoda. Istraživanje ističe važnost tipografije i grafičkog stila ilustracija. Treba paziti pri odabiru tipografije i ilustracija
Tadija Milikić i Stanko Perica, Migrantsko pitanje u svjetlu kršćanskoga nauka i djelovanja = The Migrant Issue in Light of Christian Teachings and Action
Full text linkMultidecision criteria models for Logistics Performance Index in the EU countries
No full textKey factors influencing multicriteria logistics performance in the European Union (EU) include the weighting of evaluation criteria, infrastructure efficiency, logistics quality, and environmental impact. The Logistics Performance Index (LPI), which evaluates logistics systems across six dimensions, highlights how the importance assigned to these criteria significantly impacts national rankings. This study aims to enhance the understanding of logistics performance dynamics within Europe, supporting informed decision-making and continuous improvement in the region's logistics sector. To determine country rankings, the study applies the CRiteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) method for weighting criteria, alongside the Measurement of Alternatives and Ranking according to COmpromise Solution (MARCOS), Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), and Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) methods. The analysis utilizes LPI indicators from the 2023 World Bank dataset. The results indicate that Finland maintains its leading position in the LPI ranking. However, a significant number of countries experience shifts in their rankings depending on the weight assigned to each criterion, underscoring the sensitivity of logistics performance evaluation to methodological choices
Research Progress on Uneven Cooling in Horizontal Direct Chill Casting of Aluminum Alloys
No full textTraditional vertical direct chill (VDC) casting faces challenges such as discontin-uous production and safety risks. In contrast, horizontal direct chill (HDC) casting has gained attention for its continuous operation, enhanced safety, and cost-effectiveness. However, fundamental studies on HDC of aluminum alloys remain limited, particularly concerning quality defects caused by asymmetric cooling within the mold. This article reviews the origins of cooling inhomogeneity in aluminum alloy HDC and the strategies developed to mitigate it, with emphasis on mold design optimization, process parameter control, and modification treat-ments. Research shows that optimized casting speeds, low-frequency electromag-netic fields, combined magnetic fields, and power ultrasonic techniques can refine grains, reduce surface segregation layer thickness, and suppress solute segrega-tion. Despite these advances, challenges remain, including microstructural defects from uneven cooling, limited effectiveness of grain refiners, and an incomplete understanding of multi-field synergistic mechanisms. Future research should fo-cus on developing multi-physics numerical models to establish quantitative links between external field parameters and solidification structures, creating ra-re-earth-enhanced composite modification methods for greater compositional flexibility, designing modular external field devices to improve energy field uni-formity in large ingots, and applying AI-driven multi-objective optimization for precise process control
Effect of probiotic complex of spore-forming bacteria Bacillus on the intestinal microbiome of normal and overweight horses
No full textDysbiosis in horses leads to changes in the microbiota composition, fermentation patterns and, ultimately, metabolic disorders. Spore-forming probiotic strains are considered a potential method for restoring normal microbiota and preventing diseases caused by an imbalance of gut microbial pathogens. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of a probiotic complex of bacteria of the genus Bacillus on the qualitative and quantitative parameters of the intestinal microbiome in dysbiosis in horses using the 16S sequencing method. The study was conducted on 16 horses (eight healthy working horses and eight overweight animals, both stallions and mares) of different breeds aged 3 to 8 years. It was established that the hindgut microbiome of the studied horses was represented by the phyla Bacillota (ranging from 43.9 to 64.2%), Bacteroidota (to 5.6%), and Pseudomonadota (to 4.8%), with the absence of Actinomycetota, Verrucomicrobiota, and Fusobacteriota. Following the administration of a probiotic complex of Bacillus spp., clinically healthy animals exhibited an increase in the levels of Clostridiaceae and Eubacteriaceae to 7.92% and 23.33%, respectively. Within the Bacillota phylum, the families Staphylococcaceae, Streptococcaceae, and Paenibacillaceae increased to normative levels, ranging from 5.39 to 6.57%, while Peptococcaceae, Veillonellaceae, and Enterococcaceae increased to 2.02–4.74% compared to values before treatment. In overweight animals, a significant increase was observed only to the lower threshold of normative values in Eubacteriaceae (3.17%) and Staphylococcaceae (4.98%), whereas Streptococcaceae increased only to minimal levels (2.88%) relative to pre-treatment values. The relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae was 2.3 times higher in clinically healthy horses compared to overweight animals, whereas prior to treatment, these bacteria were completely absent in the intestines of all studied horses and influenced the overall microbiome balance. Colonisation of the gut microbiome also involved five probiotic Bacillus strains, which were detected in minimal quantities in clinically healthy horses (up to 1.07%) and in overweight animals (up to 0.36%)
Autohtoni sojevi bakterije Lactobacillus izolirani iz majčinog mlijeka kao potencijalne probiotičke starter kulture
No full textResearch background. Human milk is rich in bioactive molecules and beneficial bacteria that contribute to shaping the newborn's microbiota. In this study, we aim to evaluate lactic acid bacteria strains isolated from human milk of healthy Croatian women as potential functional starter cultures.
Experimental approach. In order to define novel potential probiotics for use in dairy products, eight strains of lactobacilli were analysed for their proteolytic, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity as well as their survival rate during freeze-drying.
Results and conclusions. Based on the results obtained, the exopolysaccharide-producing Limosilactobacillus fermentum MC1, the surface (S)-layer-producing Levilactobacillus brevis MB2 and the plantaricin-producing Lactiplantibacillus plantarum MB18 strains are candidates for the production of fermented dairy products with potential functional and nutritional relevance for the host. The selected strains exerted high casein degradation capacity, a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity and a promising 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl hydrate radical scavenging activity. They also fulfilled the primary technological criterion by having a high survival rate during freeze-drying.
Novelty and scientific contribution. The data presented emphasise the importance of human milk as a valuable source of lactic acid bacteria with unique technological and functional properties, which are important both as a basis for scientific research and for the development of novel starter cultures for functional products.Pozadina istraživanja. Majčino mlijeko bogato je bioaktivnim molekulama i korisnim bakterijama koje pridonose oblikovanju mikrobiote novorođenčeta. Svrha je ovoga rada bila procijeniti sojeve bakterija mliječne kiseline izolirane iz majčinog mlijeka zdravih žena u Hrvatskoj, kao potencijalne funkcionalne starter kulture.
Eksperimentalni pristup. Radi odabira mogućih novih probiotičkih sojeva za primjenu u mliječnim proizvodima, ispitana je proteolitička, antimikrobna i antioksidacijska aktivnost osam sojeva laktobacila, kao i stopa njihova preživljavanja tijekom liofilizacije.
Rezultati i zaključci. Na osnovi dobivenih rezultata, sojevi Limosilactobacillus fermentum MC1, koji proizvodi egzopolisaharide, Levilactobacillus brevis MB2, koji proizvodi površinske S-proteine, te Lactiplantibacillus plantarum MB18, koji proizvodi plantaricin, izdvojeni su kao kandidati za proizvodnju fermentiranih mliječnih proizvoda s potencijalnim funkcionalnim i nutritivnim značajem za korisnika. Odabrani sojevi imali su dobro svojstvo razgradnje kazeina, širok spektar antimikrobnog djelovanja, te obećavajuću sposobnost hvatanja slobodnih radikala 2,2-difenil-1-pikrilhidrazil hidrata. Također su zadovoljili osnovni tehnološki kriterij visoke stope preživljavanja tijekom liofilizacije.
Novina i znanstveni doprinos. Prikazani podaci naglašavaju važnost majčinog mlijeka kao izvora bakterija mliječne kiseline s jedinstvenim tehnološkim i funkcionalnim svojstvima, što predstavlja vrijedan temelj za buduća znanstvena istraživanja i razvoj novih starter kultura za funkcionalne proizvode
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POTENTIAL PARTICIPANTS IN THE DIGITAL LABOUR PLATFORMS
No full textDigitalization has strongly influenced the functioning of all sectors of the economy, and consequently the development of the platform economy has led to a transformation of the labour markets. As there is no consensus among researchers on the impact of the increasing share of platform work on the economic status of individuals, some scholars argue that platform work acts as a stabilizer that narrows the gap in unequal incomes, while others argue that platform work increases employment insecurity. Regardless of one's point of view, it is a fact that in today's digital environment, the number of employees working through platforms is rapidly increasing. The aim of this paper is to find out why people participate in platform work and to determine the socio-demographic characteristics of workers who choose to work via platform. For this purpose, the results of a questionnaire conducted on 103 respondents in two Croatian counties (Dubrovnik-Neretva and Split-Dalmatia) in the period from August 2023 to August 2024 were used. The results of the study suggest that platform work is often an additional source of employment, but can also be a necessary solution for those who cannot find job in the traditional sectors of the economy. In terms of the socio-demographic characteristics that can be attributed to people who work via digital platforms, the results show that older people are significantly less interested in this type of work. Women are almost three times more likely to work on platforms than men, while people with a university degree are less likely to work on platforms compared to those with a lower level of education
CHALLENGES OF MASS TOURISM IN SINTRA: A CASE STUDY ON STAKEHOLDER PERSPECTIVES AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
No full textMass tourism is rising globally, and Sintra, located near Lisbon, exemplifies its challenges. Once picturesque, the town now faces frequent overtourism episodes. This qualitative, descriptive case study explores the issue. After a literature review, eight stakeholder interviews were conducted. Participants included heritage managers, DMCs, guide associations, and two residents’ groups focused on sustainability and quality of life. Although key institutional actors declined participation, the study evaluates tourism’s impact on Sintra’s development. Butler’s model was also used to find the current development stage of this tourist destination, which has great cultural and natural importance. Findings reveal widespread concerns and strategic suggestions. To reduce pressure, stakeholders call for better information systems, capacity management tools, and promotion of lesser-known areas. Improved infrastructure – parking and public transport – is also advised. Mass tourism has tarnished Sintra’s image and visitor experience. Without integrated management, cultural and environmental damage looms