Tomas Bata University in Zlín
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Symbolic coping: Young people's perspectives during the COVID-19 pandemic in three central european countries
No full textThe aim of this study was to find out what interpretive repertoires young people use in the symbolic management of the pandemic. Qualitative research using several methods on a sample of 172 young people in three countries, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Austria, and the subsequent discursive analysis showed that young people symbolically coped during the Covid-19 pandemic with the help of widespread concepts such as cutting off, closing sci-fi and panic. The interpretations used by young people to symbolically deal with the pandemic are close to those present in the public discourse the discourses of threat, loss, emotion but there was also a search for the concepts and language for use by experts and the general public in communicating about the pandemic. There were no significant differences in the interpretations of life during the Covid-19 pandemic in the three Central European countries.Slovak Research and Development AgencySlovak Research and Development Agency [APVV-18-0303]; VEGA grant Psychological, sociocultural and biological sources of love [1/0426/18]Agentúra na Podporu Výskumu a Vývoja, APVV: APVV-18-0303; Vedecká Grantová Agentúra MŠVVaŠ SR a SAV, VEGA: 1/0426/1
Eco-friendly whey/polysaccharide-based hydrogel with poly(lactic acid) for improvement of agricultural soil quality and plant growth
Get PDFA set of renewable and biodegradable hydrogels based on acid whey and cellulose derivatives blended with poly (lactic acid) (PLA) were designed as eco-friendly biopolymeric material for sustainable agricultural applications. The physico-chemical properties of the hydrogel were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and rheological measurements. The effect of the whey/poly-saccharide/PLA hydrogel on soil quality improvement (water retention study, biodegradability, loading capacity and release of the fertilizers) and the growth pattern of Raphanus sativus and Phaseolus vulgaris has been also studied. The addition of PLA has been found to improve mechanical properties of the hydrogel. The introduction of 20% wt PLA extended decomposition time of hydrogels by 25% which makes the material more stable in the environment and maintaining the soil humidity for longer. The increasing the amount of PLA led to a rise in hydrogel viscosity brought about better entrapment efficiency of the fertilizers (86-92% for KNO3 and 87-96% for urea, resp.) compared to control (82% for KNO3 and 85% for urea, resp.). The novel hydrogels with swelling ratio of up to 500% showed potential as a sustainable water reservoir for plants improving water retention capacity of the soil by 30%.Ministerstvo Školství, Mládeže a Tělovýchovy, MŠMT: RP/CPS/2020/002; Ministerstvo Zemědělství: QK1910392Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic [QK1910392]; Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic [RP/CPS/2020/002
New approach to prepare cytocompatible 3D scaffolds via the combination of sodium hyaluronate and colloidal particles of conductive polymers
Get PDFBio-inspired conductive scaffolds composed of sodium hyaluronate containing a colloidal dispersion of water-miscible polyaniline or polypyrrole particles (concentrations of 0.108, 0.054 and 0.036% w/w) were manufactured. For this purpose, either crosslinking with N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl-N-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride and N-hydroxysuccinimid or a freeze-thawing process in the presence of poly(vinylalcohol) was used. The scaffolds comprised interconnected pores with prevailing porosity values of similar to 30% and pore sizes enabling the accommodation of cells. A swelling capacity of 92-97% without any sign of disintegration was typical for all samples. The elasticity modulus depended on the composition of the scaffolds, with the highest value of similar to 50 kPa obtained for the sample containing the highest content of polypyrrole particles. The scaffolds did not possess cytotoxicity and allowed cell adhesion and growth on the surface. Using the in vivo-mimicking conditions in a bioreactor, cells were also able to grow into the structure of the scaffolds. The technique of scaffold preparation used here thus overcomes the limitations of conductive polymers (e.g. poor solubility in an aqueous environment, and limited miscibility with other hydrophilic polymer matrices) and moreover leads to the preparation of cytocompatible scaffolds with potentially cell-instructive properties, which may be of advantage in the healing of damaged electro-sensitive tissues.Czech Science Foundation [20-28732S]; Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic-DKRVO [RP/CPS/2022/001, RP/CPS/2022/003]RP/CPS/2022/001, RP/CPS/2022/003; Ministerstvo Školství, Mládeže a Tělovýchovy, MŠMT; Grantová Agentura České Republiky, GA ČR: 20-28732
Methodology of identification and protection of soft targets of transport infrastructure – initial study
No full textThis article is focused on the methodology of identification and protection of soft targets of the transport system. In our research, we try to find new possibilities of protection of the soft targets. The first step is identifying which objects, places or events are the soft targets and calculating their vulnerability in the other action. We create our methodology for the calculation of the vulnerability of the soft targets, especially the transport system. Nowadays, the methodology is in the beginning and we describe the initial study. This article defines the soft targets, shows statistics of attacks, and presents our methodology and results. © 2021 Kaunas University of Technology. All rights reserved
The role of self-care activities (SASS-14) in depression (PHQ-9): Evidence from Slovakia during the COVID-19 pandemic
Get PDFIn the ongoing situation, when the world is dominated by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the development of self-care programs appears to be insufficient, while their role in mental health may be crucial. The aim of the study was to evaluate the associations between self-care activities and depression in the general Slovak population, but also in its individual gender and age categories. This was achieved by validating the self-care screening instrument, assessing differences, and evaluating the associations using quantile regression analysis. The final research sample consisted of 806 participants [males: 314 (39%), females: 492 (61%)] and data were collected through an online questionnaire from February 12, 2021 to February 23, 2021. Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for depression (alpha = 0.89) and Self-Care Activities Screening Scale (SASS-14) [health consciousness (HC) (alpha = 0.82), nutrition and physical activity (NPA) (alpha = 0.75), sleep quality (SLP) (alpha = 0.82), and interpersonal and intrapersonal coping strategies (TICS) (alpha = 0.58)] were used as screening measures. Mild depressive symptoms were found in 229 participants (28.41%), moderate depressive symptoms in 154 participants (19.11%), moderately severe depressive symptoms in 60 participants (7.44%) and severe depressive symptoms in 43 participants (5.33%). The main findings revealed the fact that individual self-care activities were associated with depression. This supported the idea that well-practiced self-care activities should be an immediate part of an individual's life in order to reduce depressive symptoms. Sleep quality played an important role, while HC indicated the need for increased attention. Other dimensions of self-care also showed significant results that should not be overlooked. In terms of depression, females and younger individuals need targeted interventions. The supportive educational intervention developed based on the self-care theory can help manage and maintain mental health during a stressful period, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Health policy leaders should focus on health-promoting preventive self-care interventions, as the demand for them increases even more during the pandemic.Internal Grant Agency of FaME Tomas Bata University in Zlin [RO/2020/05]; Scientific Grant Agency of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research, and Sport of the Slovak Republic; Slovak Academy Sciences as part of the research project VEGA [1/0797/20
Considerations Regarding the Profile of Tourists from Băile Felix – Băile 1 Mai Spa Destination, Romania
Get PDFBackground: Amid the exponential development of the tourist industry in general and spa tourism in particular that characterises the beginning of the century, the knowledge of tourists' perception regarding the destination image is of utmost importance in order to enhance competitiveness. In this regard, the purpose of this study is to investigate the perception of tourists from Baile Felix - Baile 1 Mai (Romania) about this spa area, in order to establish the profile of the tourist interested in this destination.
Material and methods: Data was collected by applying a questionnaire (face-to-face technique), structured on eleven questions regarding the degree of knowledge of the destination, the habits of tourist consumption and the perception of the quality-price ratio according to tourist consumption.
Results: Research results indicate a high degree of satisfaction among tourists regarding the destination. They declare themselves satisfied with most services and this determines their quite frequent return and spending an extended period of time at the destination.
Conclusions: As a result, due to the qualitative and quantitative services and tourists' positive perception, Baile Felix - Baile 1 Mai area is one of the most significant spa tourist destinations in Romania.Bihor Destination Management AgencyOnline Computer Library Center, OCLC; European Society for Clinical Investigation, ESC
Influence of marketing communication tools on brand building in the context of marketing management and corporate prosperity
No full textModern marketing communications must respond to new trends, to the social development, the development of information technology, changing demographic, psychographic and behavioural characteristics of customers, their shopping behaviour and lifestyle preferences. Shortening of time and distances, when communication even over large distances can take place in real time, is the paradigm of these changes. Modern marketing communications are based on relationship marketing, whose basic philosophy is comprised of creating positive experience with the brand, focus on supporting the customers’ repetitive purchases, direct interaction between the product supplier and the customer, value of the brand from the point of view of the customer, high level of customer services. The study demonstrates the importance of particular criteria for the creation of an image as the result of the use of marketing communication tools. The goal of marketing communication is to create a positive image of a brand, create a love brand, which has an impact on corporate prosperity. Creating a brand is the responsibility of the entire company. In order to manage the company effectively, it is necessary that all the members of particular levels of the corporate structure adopt this philosophy. This approach gives rise to the necessity to systematically form the image towards the external public as well as towards the internal public—employees of the company. Building of the image then becomes an effective tool for marketing management, the source of competitive advantage and long-term prosperity. © 2017, Springer International Publishing AG
Enhancing practice in continuity with innovative thinking: The primary task of higher education
No full textThe Strategic innovation represents a process, whose primary aim is the restoration or revision of the corporate strategy to support the growth of enterprises or organizations with the reflection in a competitive advantage, together in continuity with strengthening the interest in customers, and the increasing orientation towards the establishment of social values. Should we focus our attention to the nonprofit sector, it becomes obvious that the strategic management enables the vision of an organization to be fully developed, and at the same time to assimilate with the competition within the ever-changing economic as well as technological environment. The winners of the growing competition are those who are able to significantly promote their business in the market. To achieve this, they need some well-prepared marketing and promotion professionals and also the development of innovative thinking. Higher education plays the irreplaceable role, and its primary task should be the versatile training of students employable in the contemporary labor market with the orientation to the key competencies development, reflecting in the need to enhance the now insufficient integration of the theory and practice. The study presents both the current condition of the Czech higher education, and the present views of university students from the Faculty of Multimedia Communications at TBU on the necessity of the key competencies development in continuity with the requisites of nonprofit entities with the outcome in a solution proposal interconnecting collaboration of the academia and the nonprofit sector on the practical basis in relation to the regional development. © 2019, Springer Nature Switzerland AG
Marketing decisions of young product designers: A study in the university environment in the Czech Republic
No full textCustomer requirements for products are often volatile and influenced by culture or current trends. The role of designers is therefore not simple. They have to make serious decisions concerning two strong aspects—functionality and design (aesthetics of the design). These are not easy decisions. Moreover, designers have to take into consideration customer requirements. This study gives insight into how university students—young designers—perceive the importance of specific aspects of product design. This article aims to determine the most important aspects of designing products by young designers who are future graduates of applied arts. To achieve the goal, the article is based on the partial outputs of the research conducted through a questionnaire survey in 2018. Altogether, 136 university design students were approached. They were encouraged to share their preferences when deciding on customer requirements in the following aspects: overall visual appearance of the product, ergonomic aspects, aesthetic aspects, functionality, manipulability, and selection of material. Furthermore, students were asked to deal with customer preferences from the ecological, economic, aesthetic, functional, and technological point of view. To evaluate the obtained data, descriptive statistics is used. In addition, the ANOVA test is applied too in order to measure the differences tested for statistical significance in the 5% significance level between opinions of the investigated statement and a view of customer product preferences from the perspective of young designers. The presented outcomes of the research are useful for understanding the attitudes that the generation of young designers has towards the design in general, more specially towards the design process, and most importantly towards complex design thinking showing their new, modern, and innovative approach in terms of customer engagement. © 2020, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.Univerzita Tomáše Bati ve Zlín
Do fintech-related keywords influence bank return? A case study from Vietcombank and Sacombank in Vietnam
Get PDFThe study is conducted to answer the question 'Do fintech-related keywords on searching Google influence bank return?' The weekly data from 2016w1 to 2021w2 is extracted from Google Trends and the Vietstock website. The findings by VAR (Vector Autoregression) show no evidence of the association of fintech-related keywords with bank returns. Using OLS (Ordinary Least Squares), the Vietcombank return is not significantly influenced by the fintech-related keywords. In contrast, the term “financial technology” and the lag one week of the Vietnamese form of “mobile payment” are negatively significant with the Sacombank return, and the Vietnamese form of “peer-to-peer lendings” is significantly positive with the same. Moreover, the fintech-related keywords in English are more preferred than the Vietnamese forms. © 2021 SCMS Group of Educational Institutions. All rights reserved