The Knowledge Society at Crossroads: The Road Map and Incubating Role of the Competitive Intelligence, Digitalization and Neurosciences

The today human being is part of the technological and scientific development dominated by information as a both raw material and base of knowledge. The easy and open accesses to information thrust forward the frontiers of development and communication, enlarge the development\u27s paths and generate amazing changes, faster than ever happened. The way that data bases increase its volume becomes the most actual and complex problem. The ability to extract and process the knowledge and the speed of its processing represent unknown and provocative challenges for business profit and the intelligent society success. Their extraction from the informational noise and the ability to react and rapidly communicate are also important to be accurately customized and harmonised with the social elements. This paper demonstrates the usefulness of neuroscience, neuro-technologies and cognitive computing in finding innovative and customized solutions for solving complex problems in business. The conclusion of our study is that, in order to have an advanced and competitive European Union, it is absolutely necessary to develop innovative solutions for Competitive Intelligence that would include the fundamental elements of neuro-technologies and advanced Artificial Intelligence as Cognitive Business profitable keys

THE KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY AT CROSSROADS: THE ROAD MAP AND INCUBATING ROLE OF THE COMPETITIVE INTELLIGENCE, DIGITALISATION AND NEUROSCIENCES

The today human being is part of the technological and scientific development dominated by information as a both raw material and base of knowledge.The easy and open accesses to information thrust forward the frontiers of development and communication, enlarge the development's paths and generate amazing changes, faster than ever happened. The way that data bases increase its volume becomes the most actual and complex problem.The ability to extract and process the knowledge and the speed of its processing represent unknown and provocative challenges for business profit and the intelligent society success. Their extraction from the informational noise and the ability to react and rapidly communicate are also important to be accurately customized and harmonised with the social elements.This paper demonstrates the usefulness of neuroscience, neuro-technologies and cognitive computing in finding innovative and customized solutions for solving complex problems in business.The conclusion of our study is that, in order to have an advanced and competitive European Union, it is absolutely necessary to develop innovative solutions for Competitive Intelligence that would include the fundamental elements of neuro-technologies and advanced Artificial Intelligence as Cognitive Business profitable keys

Competitive Intelligence and Neuro-Technologies: The New Strategic Tools to Boost The Digital Economy

Purpose – This paper aims to bridge the conceptual gap between the competitive intelligence domain and the current digital transformation and adaptation to the new values, norms, requests and expectations of Industry 4.0. Starting with the theoretical and chronological background attributed to the current developments, the following pages proceed to developing the argument that the Competitive Intelligence domain has become an imperative for the whole process of decision-making involved in Industry 4.0, applied to all businesses, disregard their status, domain, or turnover. Design/methodology/approach – Adopting a multidisciplinary perspective, the paper uses both a theoretical and practical approach to the main concepts involved: Competitive Intelligence, neuro-technologies, Industry 4.0. While defining those central concepts and presenting the chronological evolution of the economic domain, it also provides examples of key tools and their application in the current Digital Era. Findings – The current times are marked by a process of transition from digital transformation to digitization in almost all global businesses. The transition to digitalization affects the entire organizational ecosystem by integrating with digital solutions the value chain of global business. While the paper limits itself to setting the stage for future research, it still provides a valid range of theoretical knowledge and pragmatic applicability of the discussed concepts in the context of the current developing global reality. Originality/value – Beyond the theoretical and chronological analysis, a valuable content of this paper is the discussion of innovative tools within the domain of competitive intelligence and neuro-technologies to enhance the adaptability to rapidly changing conditions, the agility in decision-making and the flexibility to redesign the existing strategies based on pertinent analysis of a great influx of informatio

Competitive Intelligence and Academic Entrepreneurship as Innovative Vectors of a Resilient, Business-Oriented Education

Purpose – The present paper substantiates that the concepts of competitive intelligence and academic entrepreneurship are genuinely connected to the modern society and, through their perpetual and versatile evolution, have an important role in moving the development on the right way. Design/methodology/approach – Their evolutive is completed by a comparative analysis as appropriate method to point out similarities and differences and identify the way their application may serve innovation as a tool for those activating in the related domains of education, within our highly dynamic world. Findings – The development of the concepts is meant to link and accelerate the technological and operational innovation to a highly competitive academic environment, business-oriented, as a contribution to its wide potential for profit. Originality/value – The correlation between the two concepts provides an innovative tool able to serve as a platform helping the competitive intelligence, as design and functions, for any academic entrepreneurship business-oriented

Somato-Functional Profile of Children at Risk of Educational and Social Exclusion in Western Romania

This paper aims to identify the somatic and functional profile of middle-school students from three areas of Romania (South-West, West and North-West). A group of 364 students (173 girls and 191 boys) aged between 10 and 16 years (12.75 ± 1.2) from 6 different schools in Mehedinti, Caras-Severin and Bistrita-Nasaud counties took part in this study. The target group category includes Roma ethnic students, students from disorganised families and students at high risk of early school dropout, from both urban and rural areas. The calculated statistical indicators were: arithmetic mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation and Pearson coefficient. The anthropometric measurements made to identify the somatic and functional profile of students were height, weight, BMI, arm span and Ruffier test. The results show an upward trend in the height of boys aged between 10 (1.44 m) and 16 years (1.67 m), the maximum value recorded for girls aged 14 years being 1.59 m. The highest value of body weight was identified in boys aged 15 years (58.91 kg) and girls aged 14 years (52.63 kg). The highest value for arm span was found for 15-years-old boys (167 cm) and 14-years-old girls (158.83 cm). BMI values for both boys and girls were between 17.22 and  21.52 points. In Ruffier test, the scores obtained by students ranged between 9.95 and 13.4. This research is part of the “Sustainable social and education integration through sport activities” project (PNP001). </p

Global burden and strength of evidence for 88 risk factors in 204 countries and 811 subnational locations, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Understanding the health consequences associated with exposure to risk factors is necessary to inform public health policy and practice. To systematically quantify the contributions of risk factor exposures to specific health outcomes, the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 aims to provide comprehensive estimates of exposure levels, relative health risks, and attributable burden of disease for 88 risk factors in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, from 1990 to 2021. Methods: The GBD 2021 risk factor analysis used data from 54 561 total distinct sources to produce epidemiological estimates for 88 risk factors and their associated health outcomes for a total of 631 risk–outcome pairs. Pairs were included on the basis of data-driven determination of a risk–outcome association. Age-sex-location-year-specific estimates were generated at global, regional, and national levels. Our approach followed the comparative risk assessment framework predicated on a causal web of hierarchically organised, potentially combinative, modifiable risks. Relative risks (RRs) of a given outcome occurring as a function of risk factor exposure were estimated separately for each risk–outcome pair, and summary exposure values (SEVs), representing risk-weighted exposure prevalence, and theoretical minimum risk exposure levels (TMRELs) were estimated for each risk factor. These estimates were used to calculate the population attributable fraction (PAF; ie, the proportional change in health risk that would occur if exposure to a risk factor were reduced to the TMREL). The product of PAFs and disease burden associated with a given outcome, measured in disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), yielded measures of attributable burden (ie, the proportion of total disease burden attributable to a particular risk factor or combination of risk factors). Adjustments for mediation were applied to account for relationships involving risk factors that act indirectly on outcomes via intermediate risks. Attributable burden estimates were stratified by Socio-demographic Index (SDI) quintile and presented as counts, age-standardised rates, and rankings. To complement estimates of RR and attributable burden, newly developed burden of proof risk function (BPRF) methods were applied to yield supplementary, conservative interpretations of risk–outcome associations based on the consistency of underlying evidence, accounting for unexplained heterogeneity between input data from different studies. Estimates reported represent the mean value across 500 draws from the estimate's distribution, with 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs) calculated as the 2·5th and 97·5th percentile values across the draws. Findings: Among the specific risk factors analysed for this study, particulate matter air pollution was the leading contributor to the global disease burden in 2021, contributing 8·0% (95% UI 6·7–9·4) of total DALYs, followed by high systolic blood pressure (SBP; 7·8% [6·4–9·2]), smoking (5·7% [4·7–6·8]), low birthweight and short gestation (5·6% [4·8–6·3]), and high fasting plasma glucose (FPG; 5·4% [4·8–6·0]). For younger demographics (ie, those aged 0–4 years and 5–14 years), risks such as low birthweight and short gestation and unsafe water, sanitation, and handwashing (WaSH) were among the leading risk factors, while for older age groups, metabolic risks such as high SBP, high body-mass index (BMI), high FPG, and high LDL cholesterol had a greater impact. From 2000 to 2021, there was an observable shift in global health challenges, marked by a decline in the number of all-age DALYs broadly attributable to behavioural risks (decrease of 20·7% [13·9–27·7]) and environmental and occupational risks (decrease of 22·0% [15·5–28·8]), coupled with a 49·4% (42·3–56·9) increase in DALYs attributable to metabolic risks, all reflecting ageing populations and changing lifestyles on a global scale. Age-standardised global DALY rates attributable to high BMI and high FPG rose considerably (15·7% [9·9–21·7] for high BMI and 7·9% [3·3–12·9] for high FPG) over this period, with exposure to these risks increasing annually at rates of 1·8% (1·6–1·9) for high BMI and 1·3% (1·1–1·5) for high FPG. By contrast, the global risk-attributable burden and exposure to many other risk factors declined, notably for risks such as child growth failure and unsafe water source, with age-standardised attributable DALYs decreasing by 71·5% (64·4–78·8) for child growth failure and 66·3% (60·2–72·0) for unsafe water source. We separated risk factors into three groups according to trajectory over time: those with a decreasing attributable burden, due largely to declining risk exposure (eg, diet high in trans-fat and household air pollution) but also to proportionally smaller child and youth populations (eg, child and maternal malnutrition); those for which the burden increased moderately in spite of declining risk exposure, due largely to population ageing (eg, smoking); and those for which the burden increased considerably due to both increasing risk exposure and population ageing (eg, ambient particulate matter air pollution, high BMI, high FPG, and high SBP). Interpretation: Substantial progress has been made in reducing the global disease burden attributable to a range of risk factors, particularly those related to maternal and child health, WaSH, and household air pollution. Maintaining efforts to minimise the impact of these risk factors, especially in low SDI locations, is necessary to sustain progress. Successes in moderating the smoking-related burden by reducing risk exposure highlight the need to advance policies that reduce exposure to other leading risk factors such as ambient particulate matter air pollution and high SBP. Troubling increases in high FPG, high BMI, and other risk factors related to obesity and metabolic syndrome indicate an urgent need to identify and implement interventions

Global, regional, and national burden of disorders affecting the nervous system, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

BackgroundDisorders affecting the nervous system are diverse and include neurodevelopmental disorders, late-life neurodegeneration, and newly emergent conditions, such as cognitive impairment following COVID-19. Previous publications from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factor Study estimated the burden of 15 neurological conditions in 2015 and 2016, but these analyses did not include neurodevelopmental disorders, as defined by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-11, or a subset of cases of congenital, neonatal, and infectious conditions that cause neurological damage. Here, we estimate nervous system health loss caused by 37 unique conditions and their associated risk factors globally, regionally, and nationally from 1990 to 2021.MethodsWe estimated mortality, prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), with corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs), by age and sex in 204 countries and territories, from 1990 to 2021. We included morbidity and deaths due to neurological conditions, for which health loss is directly due to damage to the CNS or peripheral nervous system. We also isolated neurological health loss from conditions for which nervous system morbidity is a consequence, but not the primary feature, including a subset of congenital conditions (ie, chromosomal anomalies and congenital birth defects), neonatal conditions (ie, jaundice, preterm birth, and sepsis), infectious diseases (ie, COVID-19, cystic echinococcosis, malaria, syphilis, and Zika virus disease), and diabetic neuropathy. By conducting a sequela-level analysis of the health outcomes for these conditions, only cases where nervous system damage occurred were included, and YLDs were recalculated to isolate the non-fatal burden directly attributable to nervous system health loss. A comorbidity correction was used to calculate total prevalence of all conditions that affect the nervous system combined.FindingsGlobally, the 37 conditions affecting the nervous system were collectively ranked as the leading group cause of DALYs in 2021 (443 million, 95% UI 378–521), affecting 3·40 billion (3·20–3·62) individuals (43·1%, 40·5–45·9 of the global population); global DALY counts attributed to these conditions increased by 18·2% (8·7–26·7) between 1990 and 2021. Age-standardised rates of deaths per 100 000 people attributed to these conditions decreased from 1990 to 2021 by 33·6% (27·6–38·8), and age-standardised rates of DALYs attributed to these conditions decreased by 27·0% (21·5–32·4). Age-standardised prevalence was almost stable, with a change of 1·5% (0·7–2·4). The ten conditions with the highest age-standardised DALYs in 2021 were stroke, neonatal encephalopathy, migraine, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, diabetic neuropathy, meningitis, epilepsy, neurological complications due to preterm birth, autism spectrum disorder, and nervous system cancer.InterpretationAs the leading cause of overall disease burden in the world, with increasing global DALY counts, effective prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation strategies for disorders affecting the nervous system are needed

THE KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY AT CROSSROADS: THE ROAD MAP AND INCUBATING ROLE OF THE COMPETITIVE INTELLIGENCE, DIGITALISATION AND NEUROSCIENCES

The today human being is part of the technological and scientific development dominated by information as a both raw material and base of knowledge.The easy and open accesses to information thrust forward the frontiers of development and communication, enlarge the development's paths and generate amazing changes, faster than ever happened. The way that data bases increase its volume becomes the most actual and complex problem.The ability to extract and process the knowledge and the speed of its processing represent unknown and provocative challenges for business profit and the intelligent society success. Their extraction from the informational noise and the ability to react and rapidly communicate are also important to be accurately customized and harmonised with the social elements.This paper demonstrates the usefulness of neuroscience, neuro-technologies and cognitive computing in finding innovative and customized solutions for solving complex problems in business.The conclusion of our study is that, in order to have an advanced and competitive European Union, it is absolutely necessary to develop innovative solutions for Competitive Intelligence that would include the fundamental elements of neuro-technologies and advanced Artificial Intelligence as Cognitive Business profitable keys

Securing the Mind: The Emerging Landscape of Cognitive Warfare

Cognitive warfare, as a multidimensional and rapidly evolving domain, presents formidable challenges within the contemporary information-driven world. The purpose of this article is to conduct an assessment of the current traits in the terrain of cognitive warfare, centering on its various facets, strategies, and ramifications. By scrutinizing recent research and studies, we undertake an exploration of the dynamic interplay between visual stimuli, emotional reactions, and the dissemination of information in the molding of cognitive warfare tactics. The paper draws upon previous research that focused on the meticulous selection and analysis of video materials employed in cognitive warfare campaigns, discussing their classification as either news or propaganda, their temporal extent, and their pertinence to specific occurrences. Through an examination of video materials from diverse array of sources, encompassing Russian, Ukrainian, and international news channels, we acquire insights into the purposeful deployment of narratives, visual components, and linguistic cues to exert influence over public opinion and perception. Furthermore, the paper investigates the role of techniques for acquiring biological data comprehending the impact of cognitive warfare. By utilizing EEG devices, eye-tracking technology, measurements of galvanic skin reaction, mouse tracking, and high- speed cameras, researchers unearth valuable insights into human cognition, attention, and emotional responses during exposure to propaganda materials. This facilitates deeper comprehension of the mechanisms employed by agents of cognitive warfare to exploit vulnerabilities andshape narratives. Additionally, the relevance of data processing and analysis in cognitive warfare research is also discussed. By employing advanced computational techniques and engaging in collaborative efforts with multidisciplinary teams of experts, researchers can effectively eliminate artifacts, detect patterns, and validate their findings. This rigorous approach serves to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the obtained results, thereby enhancing our understanding of the intricate dynamics at play within cognitive warfare. In conclusion, the paper provides a comprehensive mapping of the emerging landscape of cognitive warfare, discussing invaluable insights into the multifaceted nature of cognitive warfare and, at the same time, contributing to the development of efficacious countermeasures, strategies, and policies aimed at fortifying the mind and safeguarding societies against the manipulative tactics employed within the realm of cognitive warfare

English: English

The paper assesses the importance of the models used to determine the efficiency and the environmental impact of the heating products like heating pumps (HP). An appropriate model of evaluation may help identifying the presence of greenhouse gases and reducing their influence. The paper's novelty resides in the way the hidden sides linked to greenhouse gases' presence, are identified, and eliminated. The research methodology considers an environmental model linked both to the Global Emission Model for Integrated Systems on energy efficiency indicators and to the break-even analysis for greenhouse gases. The model gives hints on reducing the high costs to upgrade the living conditions in residential buildings. The results illustrate the environmental and societal impact and the social potential and highlight the technical implications for such operating systems. They incite optimizing the Heat Hybrid Pumps' design within decentralized energy systems to strengthen energy networks' flexibility and the environmental convenience. The research straightens out the understanding of heat pumps mechanisms, delineates the efficiency of their increasing use through the block-chain technology outlining its future potential for people and society's health and benefit