Evaluating the Attractiveness and Competitiveness of a Tourist Destinations (Atd) Balkan Mountain Centers

Model for evaluating the attractiveness and competitiveness of a tourist destinations (ATD) is developed and applied to six competitive mountain destinations in the Balkans, which have not been the subject of similar research. Authors proposed a 15 indicators of ATD model, and classified them into two basic value groups: tourist and functional values. The model is based on survey research with focus on respondents -tourists, who are familiar with all destinations that are the subject of the survey. This study, in addition to the scientific contribution reflected in the presented indicators for assessing the attractiveness of mountain tourist destinations and the developed ATD model, also has a practical contribution. It is seen in the results, which should clearly indicate the attractiveness of the destination, their mutual competitiveness, as well as the segments to which the tourist destinations management should focus in the future when planning and creating a tourist offer, The results indicate differences and similarities among the analyzed tourist destinations, and could help define the development strategies for the destinations, The positioning of mountain tourist destinations in the same field of tourist attraction on the ATD Matrix, indicates that these destinations are competitive

Evaluating the Attractiveness and Competitiveness of a Tourist Destinations (Atd) Balkan Mountain Centers

Model for evaluating the attractiveness and competitiveness of a tourist destinations (ATD) is developed and applied to six competitive mountain destinations in the Balkans, which have not been the subject of similar research. Authors proposed a 15 indicators of ATD model, and classified them into two basic value groups: tourist and functional values. The model is based on survey research with focus on respondents -tourists, who are familiar with all destinations that are the subject of the survey. This study, in addition to the scientific contribution reflected in the presented indicators for assessing the attractiveness of mountain tourist destinations and the developed ATD model, also has a practical contribution. It is seen in the results, which should clearly indicate the attractiveness of the destination, their mutual competitiveness, as well as the segments to which the tourist destinations management should focus in the future when planning and creating a tourist offer, The results indicate differences and similarities among the analyzed tourist destinations, and could help define the development strategies for the destinations, The positioning of mountain tourist destinations in the same field of tourist attraction on the ATD Matrix, indicates that these destinations are competitive

A new type of bentonite-based non-woven composite

Sandwich-like composites based on clays and textiles are extensively applied in various fields, including civil engineering and environmental protection. In this paper, the synthesis of a new type of composite with embedded bentonite particles within a non-woven polyester matrix is presented. The synthesized composite has improved mechanical properties compared to the corresponding non-woven matrix. Although more than two-times thinner, the synthesized composite showed mechanical properties similar to those of a commercial composite chosen for comparison. Sorption test results confirmed that the contribution of the textile component to the sorption of aqueous Cu(II) ions by the composite was negligible. The sorption of aqueous Cu(II) ions on the synthesized composite was best-fitted using the Langmuir model. The presented study confirmed that the loss of bentonite particles from the composite can be eliminated using the suggested synthesis method.Kompoziti na bazi glina i tekstila sa 'sendvič' strukturom imaju primenu u različitim oblastima, uključujući građevinarstvo i zaštitu životne sredine. U ovom radu sintetisan je novi tip kompozita sa česticama bentonita ugrađenim u netkanu poliestarsku matricu. Sintetisani kompozit ima poboljšana mehanička svojstva u poređenju sa odgovarajućom netkanom matricom. Iako dva puta tanji od komercijalnog, sa kojim je upoređivan, sintetisani kompozit je pokazao slična mehanička svojstva. Sorpcionim ispitivanjima potvrđeno je da tekstilna komponenta zanemarljivo utiče na sposobnost kompozita da sorbuje Cu(II) jone. Sorpcija Cu(II) jona na sintetisanom kompozitu najbolje se opisuje Lengmirovim modelom. U ovom radu je potvrđeno da se korišćenjem predložene metode sinteze kompozita eliminiše problem ispadanja čestica bentonita iz kompozita

Molecular Aspects of MAFLD—New Insights on Pathogenesis and Treatment

Metabolic-associated liver disease (MAFLD) affects up to 70% of overweight and more than 90% of morbidly obese people, and its pathogenesis is rather complex and multifactorial. The criteria for MAFLD include the presence of hepatic steatosis in addition to one of the following three criteria: overweight or obesity, presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), or evidence of metabolic dysregulation. If the specific criteria are present, the diagnosis of MAFLD can be made regardless of alcohol consumption and previous liver disease. The pathophysiological mechanisms of MAFLD, including inflammation, lipotoxicity, mitochondrial disfunction, and oxidative stress, as well as the impact of intestinal gut microbiota, are constantly being elucidated. Treatment strategies that are continually emerging are based on different key points in MAFLD pathogenesis. Yet, the ideal therapeutic option has still not been found and future research is of great importance, as MAFLD represents a multisystemic disease with numerous complications