The Perception of Students from the Economic Area on the New Learning Methods in the Knowledge Society

The competition that exists among the higher education institutions involves great efforts to adapt to the new requirements of the modern society. The educational offers must face the new challenges that require flexibility, rapidity, complexity and provide students both with specific habits and efficient work tools. Our research aimed at identifying the perception of students from the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration (FEAA), which belongs to “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iaşi, concerning the utility and degree of acceptance of the new e-learning methods. We try to analyze the degree of opposition in adopting them, the limits and motivations, the preference for a certain type of teaching-learning (usual, e-learning, mixed), as well as at finding out the way in which students perceive the assessment of their knowledge by using the new information technologies. The research demonstrates that there are significant differences between what is required and what is expected on a theoretical level from the new educational systems as well as the way in which they are accepted and used by students in practice. The main identified barrier is the students’ reluctance towards the new learning methods due, in our opinion, to the human opposition to change on the one hand and on the other hand to the lack of information about its advantages. We consider appropriate expanding research topic article to the other universities in the country in order to understand the impact of current e-learning as a whole, at national level.e-Learning, the knowledge technology, e-universities, students, communication, virtual, education

A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF LITERATURE PERTAINING TO FINANCIAL AND NON-FINANCIAL INDICATORS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF SMEs: EVIDENCE FROM THE TOURISM SECTOR

The study aims to bring to the attention of tourism managers and entrepreneurs an up-to-date review of the information sources related to the most important financial and non-financial indicators used in the decisional environment in order to determine the adaptation strategies of a company to the marketplace. The data has been collected, starting in august 2022, by analyzing the Scopus database from three perspectives: indicators, performance and tourism. 90 articles have been identified based on the criteria commonly used during the last 10 years. The results show that the indicators are used both from the financial and non-financial perspectives. Last, the main indicators used in the management of the smart enterprises in tourism have been identified. These indicators are clustered together in a portfolio of analysis methodologies, such as balance score card, specific to each company, which are the foundation of the process of adoption of the strategic decisions concerning the companies’ adaptation to the marketplace. This study is among the first to offer theoretical and empirical proofs of the manner in which the non-financial indicators become key aspects in the administration of the tourism businesses. The implementation of the new strategic pathways and the continuous evaluation of the results obtained will provide the tourism businesses long term competitive advantages and they will ensure a lasting loyal customer base

Preparation of electromechanically active silicone composites and some evaluations of their suitability for biomedical applications

Some films based on electromechanically active polymer composites have been prepared. Polydimethylsiloxane-α,ω-diols (PDMSs) having different molecular masses (Mv = 60 700 and Mv = 44 200) were used as matrix in which two different active fillers were incorporated: titanium dioxide in situ generated from its titanium isopropoxide precursor and silica particles functionalized with polar aminopropyl groups on surface. A reference sample based on simple crosslinked PDMS was also prepared. The composites processed as films were investigated to evaluate their ability to act as efficient electromechanical actuators for potential biomedical application. Thus, the surface morphology of interest for electrodes compliance was analysed by atomic force microscopy. Mechanical and dielectric characteristics were evaluated by tensile tests and dielectric spectroscopy, respectively. Electromechanical actuation responses were measured by interferometry. The biocompatibility of the obtained materials has been verified through tests in vitro and, for valuable films, in vivo. The experimental, clinical and anatomopathological evaluation of the in vivo tested samples did not reveal significant pathological modifications

Scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration

Introduction. There are many types of scaffolds prepared in order to regenerate bone tissue defects [2]. In performed research were tested matrices of natural origin. Materials and methods. Collagen sponges were obtained from collagen extracted from the bovine Achilles tendon [3], which were cross-linked with 25% Glutaraldehyde (GA) vapors, and with 25 mM Riboflavin solution under the action of UV-A rays during one hour. Rabbit femoral and iliac wing bones were demineralized in 0.6 M HCl solution. Bone cells (BC) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) were isolated from rabbit [4, 5], to perform the MTT assay and to evalulate cellular adhesion on scaffolds with DAPI. The ultrastructure of the scaffolds was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results. The MTT assay on BC and MSC showed a high cellular activity. Also, seeded cells had a good adhesion and proliferation on the prepared scaffolds at 7 and 14 days of culture. At SEM examination was determined a high porosity of both cross-linked sponges, and thin walls (2-4 µm) with many small cavities in them, through which the pores communicate. However, it is determined that the pores of sponges cross-linked with riboflavin generally have larger sizes (70-220 µm) compared to those cross-linked with GA (50-150 µm) (p <0.01). Also semnificative difference (p <0.01) between pore size was determined in demineralised femoral (25-80 µm) and iliac wing bones (140-520 µm), and with different wall thickness (p <0.01). Conclusions. The obtained scaffolds had a good biocompatibility and a very nonhomogeneous structure

Risk of infection in people undergoing hemodialysis: case study

Introdução: A doença renal crónica (DRC) em estadio 5 é uma das doenças com mais impacto a nível mundial no que diz respeito a qualidade de vida dos utentes submetidos a hemodiálise. Os utentes hemodialisados estão numa situação propicia para adquirir uma infeção. Por um lado, porque a DRC em estadio 5 está associada à depressão do sistema imunológico, à diabetes mellitus e à hipertensão arterial, por outro, devido à frequência de procedimentos invasivos. Objetivo: elaborar um plano de cuidados de enfermagem focado na prevenção e controlo do risco de infeção. Métodos: Estudo de caso elaborado seguindo as diretrizes da CARE. Refere-se a uma pessoa com 61 anos do sexo feminino, diagnosticada com DRC estádio 5. Foi elaborado um plano de cuidados de enfermagem com base no Modelo de Orem e segundo taxonomia NANDA-I, NIC e NOC. Resultados: após a elaboração do estudo de caso aprofundou-se assim o diagnóstico de Risco de Infeção, com as respetivas intervenções e resultados de enfermagem. Conclusão: a enfermagem tem um papel fulcral no controlo de infeção, através de boas práticas de enfermagem e educação para a saúde realizado aos utentes hemodialisados, podendo assim, contribuir para controlar e prevenir o risco de infeção

Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Plant Extracts Films: Preparation, Surface Characterization and Antibacterial Studies against Gram Positive and Gram Negative Bacteria

In this study, we aim to obtain biomaterials with antibacterial properties by combining poly(vinyl alcohol) with the extracts obtained from various selected plants from Romania. Natural herbal extracts of freshly picked flowers of the lavender plant (Lavandula angustifolia) and leaves of the peppermint plant (Mentha piperita), hemp plant (Cannabis sativa L.), verbena plant (Verbena officinalis) and sage plant (Salvia officinalis folium) were selected after an intensive analyzing of diverse medicinal plants often used as antibacterial and healing agents from the country flora. The plant extracts were characterized by different methods such as totals of phenols and flavonoids content and UV-is spectroscopy. The highest amounts of the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, respectively, were recorded for Salvia officinalis. Moreover, the obtained films of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) loaded with plant extracts were studied concerning the surface properties and their antibacterial or cytotoxicity activity. The Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared analysis described the successfully incorporation of each plant extract in the poly(vinyl alcohol) matrix, while the profilometry demonstrated the enhanced surface properties. The results showed that the plant extracts conferred significant antibacterial effects to films toward Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and are not toxic against fibroblastic cells from the rabbit

Novel Mg-0.5Ca-xMn biodegradable alloys intended for orthopedic application: an in vitro and in vivo study

Mg-based biodegradable materials, used for medical applications, have been extensively studied in the past decades. The in vitro cytocompatibility study showed that the proliferation and viability (as assessed by quantitative MTT-assay—3-(4,5-dimethyltiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) were not negatively affected with time by the addition of Mn as an alloying element. In this sense, it should be put forward that the studied alloys don’t have a cytotoxic effect according to the standard ISO 10993-5, i.e., the level of the cells’ viability (cultured with the studied experimental alloys) attained both after 1 day and 5 days was over 82% (i.e., 82, 43–89, 65%). Furthermore, the fibroblastic cells showed variable morphology (evidenced by fluorescence microscopy) related to the alloy sample’s proximity (i.e., related to the variation on the Ca, Mg, and Mn ionic concentration as a result of alloy degradation). It should be mentioned that the cells presented a polygonal morphology with large cytoplasmic processes in the vicinity of the alloy’s samples, and a bipolar morphology in the remote region of the wells. Moreover, the in vitro results seem to indicate that only 0.5% Mn is sufficient to improve the chemical stability, and thus the cytocompatibility; from this point of view, it could provide some flexibility in choosing the right alloy for a specific medical application, depending on the specific parameters of each alloy, such as its mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. In order to assess the in vivo compatibility of each concentration of alloy, the pieces were implanted in four rats, in two distinct body regions, i.e., the lumbar and thigh. The body’s reaction was followed over time, 60 days, both by general clinical examinations considering macroscopic changes, and by laboratory examinations, which revealed macroscopic and microscopic changes using X-rays, CT(Computed Tomography), histology exams and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy). In both anatomical regions, for each of the tested alloys, deformations were observed, i.e., a local reaction of different intensities, starting the day after surgery. The release of hydrogen gas that forms during Mg alloy degradation occurred immediately after implantation in all five of the groups examined, which did not affect the normal functionality of the tissues surrounding the implants. Imaging examinations (radiological and CT) revealed the presence of the alloy and the volume of hydrogen gas in the lumbar and femoral region in varying amounts. The biodegradable alloys in the Mg-Ca-Mn system have great potential to be used in orthopedic applications

Novel titanium-apatite hybrid scaffolds with spongy bone-like micro architecture intended for spinal application: In vitro and in vivo study

Titanium alloy scaffolds with novel interconnected and non-periodic porous bone-like micro architecture were 3D-printed and filled with hydroxyapatite bioactive matrix. These novel metallic-ceramic hybrid scaffolds were tested in vitro by direct-contact osteoblast cell cultures for cell adhesion, proliferation, morphology and gene expression of several key osteogenic markers. The scaffolds were also evaluated in vivo by implanting them on transverse and spinous processes of sheep's vertebras and subsequent histology study. The in vitro results showed that: (a) cell adhesion, proliferation and viability were not negatively affected with time by compositional factors (quantitative MTT-assay); (b) the osteoblastic cells were able to adhere and to attain normal morphology (fluorescence microscopy); (c) the studied samples had the ability to promote and sustain the osteogenic differentiation, matrix maturation and mineralization in vitro (real-time quantitative PCR and mineralized matrix production staining). Additionally, the in vivo results showed that the hybrid scaffolds had greater infiltration, with fully mineralized bone after 6 months, than the titanium scaffolds without bioactive matrix. In conclusion, these novel hybrid scaffolds could be an alternative to the actual spinal fusion devices, due to their proved osteogenic performance (i.e. osteoinductive and osteoconductive behaviour), if further dimensional and biomechanical optimization is performed