GEOGRAPHICAL ASPECTS OF SPACE-TIME EVOLUTION OF INDEPENDENT STATES

This study aims to analyze the space-time evolution of independent states as a support for the assertion of regionalization as an integral part of the larger phenomenon called globalization. In this context, the results obtained aim to highlight the role and importance of proclaiming and asserting independent states in shaping regionalization

TOURISM AND LOCAL DEVELOPMENT. STUDY CASE: BĂILE FELIX-BĂILE 1 MAI TOURISM SYSTEM, BIHOR COUNTY, ROMANIA

The study presented has the purpose of highlighting the role and importance of tourism in the development of the local economy of the touristic system Băile Felix – Băile 1 Mai, Bihor County, Romania. This fact is concluded from the results of several analyses and corelations between the following factors : the numbers of companies, employees, fiscal value and recorded profit between the years 2000-201

Women’s basketball at the Olympic Games

The article refers to the evolution of Women Basketball Olympic Tournaments, trying to present and analyze these tournaments by associating the information related with the study of basketball to mapping representation. In the first part, the authors refer to a number of papers able to approach the research of sports as a result of the common study of specialists in physical education and sports, and also geography. There are also presented the main events that determined the inclusion of women basketball in the Olympic Games program. The gradual evolution of Women Basketball Olympic Tournaments, the participation of national teams, the medals obtained are presented and analyzed by associating the map with different ways of graphical representation

STUDY RELATED TO THE EVOLUTION OF TABLE TENNIS IN OLYMPIC GAMES FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF SPORT HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY

Our intention is to study the evolution of Olympic tournaments of table tennis, both from the perspective of the history of Olympic Games and geography. In the introductory part, the authors attempt to place this article into the present works written on this subject, addressing several research essays related to sport and particularly to the Olympic sport as a result of joint study made by specialists in sport and geography. Then, we describe the main events that led to the inclusion of table tennis in the Olympic Games competitions. The evolution in time of table tennis Olympic tournament, the athlete’s attendance and medals obtained by them are described and analyzed by linking maps to tables and by using various graph representations. Studiu privind evoluția tenisului de masă la Jocurile Olimpice din perspectiva istoriei sportului și geografiei. Autorii lucrării și-au propus să studieze evoluția turneelor olimpice de tenis de masă, atât din perspectiva istoriei mișcării olimpice, cât și al geografiei. În partea introductivă, se încercă încadrarea articolului în sfera de preocupări de până acum în această direcție, făcându-se referiri la o seamă de lucrări care abordează cercetarea sportul, în general, și cel olimpic, în mod deosebit, ca rezultat al studiului comun al specialiștilor din domeniul sportului și al geografiei. În continuare sunt prezentate principalele evenimente care au condus la includerea tenisului de masă în programul Jocurilor Olimpice. Evoluția în timp a turneelor olimpice de tenis de masă, participarea sportivilor, medaliile obținute de către aceștia sunt prezentate și analizate prin asocierea hărții cu tabele și diferite modalități de reprezentare grafică. Cuvinte cheie: tenis de masă, Jocurile Olimpice, istoria sportului, geografie

The coastal fog and ecological balance for plants in the Jizan region, Saudi Arabia

Fog water collection provides a sustainable resource for watering of crops. The Jizan region is one of the smallest states in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) but very rich with unique flora, fauna, landscape diversity, and occurrence of fog. According to satellite data from the period between (1991–2021) the average visibility in this fog belt varied between 5 m and 100 m. Specific relief properties, such as elevation contrast, present rare space for flora preservation and sustainable fog utilization and use in the watering of crops. Some results showed that number of foggy days is not equal and can be divided in three big cycles. It was estimated that 8 × 1013 L, or 80 m3 of fresh water from fog per year, could be used for drinking and partly for farming in Jizan region from settlements Al Araq and Al Gandla, city of Jizan, Al Madaya, Al Mubarakiyah, Muwassam. This amount of water varied through time. The last observational period had large amount of water, 10 × 1013 L or 100 m3. The main methodologies used in this research were advanced GIS (Geographical Information Systems), Remote Sensing (RS), and numerical analysis. Satellite data were downloaded from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Landsat 8 and 9 satellite missions. This kind of alternative water may produce stability for three main plants in Jizan region, palm, wheat and olive. Typical arid regions in KSA can be transformed by water used from the fog

Old maps and the effectiveness of chitosan as antimicrobial agent

[EN] In the case of tangible cultural heritage items made of natural fibres, biodegradation due to microorganisms can lead over time to undesirable deterioration, including physical, mechanical and chemical damage as well as aesthetic alteration of materials. In this study, the antifungal activity tests were performed on 3 old maps (on silk, on canvas and on paper) using the AATCC 30-2004 test method. Map samples were immersed in a chitosan solution (10 g/l) and evaluated using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with a Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (ULTRA 55, ZEISS). The process showed that, due to its antimicrobial effect, chitosan treatment is effective for removing external agents and microorganisms present on fibre surfaces. The technique is simple, efficient and the results indicated that chitosan can be transformed into a very good and cheap antimicrobial solution for the conservation and preservation of heritage objects.The research article was produced with equal scientific involvement of all authors. We acknowledge the partially contribution of University of Oradea Grants, Competition "Scientific Research of Excellence Related to Priority Areas with Capitalization through Technology Transfer: INO-TRANSFER-UO", Projects No. 329/2021; No. 317/2021.Indrie, L.; Capablanca Francés, L.; Erden, E.; Kilic, M.; Ilies, DC.; Grama, V.; Safarov, B.... (2022). Old maps and the effectiveness of chitosan as antimicrobial agent. Industria Textila. 73(4):420-425. https://doi.org/10.35530/IT.073.04.20215642042573

Considerations regarding the profile of tourists from Baile Felix - Baile 1 Mai Spa Destination, Romania

Background: 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 Agenc

Vilarejos de Interesse Turístico e Marketing Através de Redes Sociais na Internet: o Caso de Madruga, Cuba

The social nets have become a fundamental working tool in the tourist sector. Their capacity to take the information to millions of people in question of seconds, they have returned them a half promotional of success in the one that not very well-known destinations have been able to obtain recognition and to grow inside the market. Before this impronta, the present investigation pursues as general objective the elaboration of a proposal of stocks for the use of the social nets of Internet, in the promotion of the historical-cultural and natural securities of he/she Gets up early, like town of tourist interest, focused fundamentally toward the tourism of health and well-being, potentialized the use of its miner-medicinal waters. Starting from methods and tools like the interviews to agents, specialists, directives and inhabitants, an analysis of the environment, a statistical study related with the employment of the social nets in Cuba and the world, as well as he/she is carried out a benchmarking in tourist towns of reference: Hallstatt, Alberobello and the Floating Islands of the Auroches. The main results were associated with determining the potential that presents he/she gets up early like town of tourist interest and in connection with their promotion in social nets that facilitated the proposal of stocks in function of taking advantage of the advantages of the platforms in reborning of the tourist activity in this community.Las redes sociales se han convertido en una herramienta de trabajo fundamental en el sector turístico. Su capacidad de llevar la información a millones de personas en cuestión de segundos, las han vuelto un medio promocional de éxito en el que destinos poco conocidos han podido obtener reconocimiento y crecer dentro del mercado. Ante esta impronta, la presente investigación persigue como objetivo general la elaboración de una propuesta de acciones para el uso de las redes sociales de Internet, en la promoción de los valores histórico-culturales y naturales de Madruga, como pueblo de interés turístico, enfocada fundamentalmente hacia el turismo de salud y bienestar, potenciado el uso de sus aguas minero-medicinales. A partir de métodos y herramientas como las entrevistas a gestores, especialistas, directivos y habitantes, un análisis del entorno, un estudio estadístico relacionado con el empleo de las redes sociales en Cuba y el mundo, así como un benchmarking en pueblos turísticos de referencia: Hallstatt, Alberobello y las Islas Flotantes de los Uros. Los principales resultados estuvieron asociados con determinar el potencial que presenta madruga como pueblo de interés turístico y en relación con su promoción en redes sociales, que facilitaron la propuesta de acciones en función de aprovechar las ventajas de las plataformas en el renacer de la actividad turística en esta comunidad.As redes sociais se tornaram uma ferramenta de trabalho fundamental no setor do turismo. Sua capacidade de levar informações a milhões de pessoas em questão de segundos os transformou em um meio promocional bem sucedido no qual destinos pouco conhecidos foram capazes de ganhar reconhecimento e crescer dentro do mercado. Em vista disso, o objetivo geral desta pesquisa é desenvolver uma proposta de ações para o uso das redes sociais da Internet na promoção dos valores históricos, culturais e naturais de Madruga, como cidade de interesse turístico, focada principalmente no turismo de saúde e bem-estar, potencializando o uso de suas águas minerais-medicinais. Com base em métodos e ferramentas como entrevistas com gerentes, especialistas, diretores e habitantes, uma análise do meio ambiente, um estudo estatístico relacionado ao uso de redes sociais em Cuba e no mundo, assim como o benchmarking em vilas turísticas de referência: Hallstatt, Alberobello e as Ilhas Flutuantes dos Uros. Os principais resultados foram associados à determinação do potencial de Madruga como cidade de interesse turístico e em relação à sua promoção em redes sociais, o que facilitou a proposta de ações a fim de aproveitar os benefícios das plataformas no renascimento do turismo nesta comunidade

TOURIST PERCEPTION OF THE „NIGHT OF THE MUSEUMS” EVENT. CASE STUDY IN ORADEA MUNICIPALITY, ROMANIA

Cultural events have a significant influence on the local economy. Cultural festivals can attract tourists, extend the tourist season and add vitality to a city. However, there is relatively little research on how festivals influence a destinat ion's tourist experience or outcomes, such as satisfaction. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the tourist perception of the participants on the Night of the Museums event held in Oradea municipality, Bihor County, Romania, assuming that a good tourist perception among the population can represent an element of identity for a destination, thus contributing to the increase of its capacity to attract tourists. The results emphasize the positive effects at the socio-cultural level. The festival provides multiple possibilities to spend free time in a pleasant way, it sustains the development of cultural life, a nd it improves the educational and the cultural level of community

Effects of sepiolite addition to acrylic-latex paint on pull-off adhesion strength in nanosilver-impregnated and thermally-modified beech (Fagus orientalis L.) wood

Sepiolite is a silicate mineral that improves the fire properties in solid wood when mixed with a water-based coating. The present study was carried out to investigate and evaluate the effects of sepiolite addition to acrylic-latex paint on the pull-off adhesion strength, as an important characteristic of paints and finishes used in the modern furniture industry and historical furniture as well for preservation and restoration of heritage objects. Sepiolite was added at the rate of 10, and brushed onto plain-sawn beech (Fagus orientalis L.) wood specimens, unimpregnated and impregnated with a 400 ppm silver nano-suspension, which were further thermally modified at 185 °C for 4 h. The results showed that thermal modification had a decreasing effect on the pull-off adhesion strength, primarily as a result of the thermal degradation of cell-wall polymers (mostly hemicelluloses). Still, a decreased wettability as a result of condensation and plasticization of lignin was also partially influential. Based on the obtained results,thermal modification was found to have a significant influence on pull-off adhesion strength. Sepiolite addition had a decreasing effectin all treatments, though the effect was not statistically significant in all treatments. The maximum and minimum decreases due to sepiolite addition were observed in the unimpregnated control (21) and the thermally-modified NS-impregnated (4) specimens. Other aspects of the sepiolite addition, and further studies that cover different types of paints and coatings, should be evaluated before coming to a final firm conclusion in this regard