Social Responsibility Concerns of SMEs in Romania, from the Perspective of the Requirements of the EFQM European Excellence Model

The paper highlights some of the results obtained within a questionnaire-based survey conducted in the SMEs from Romania, the objectives being measurement of the degree to which these enterprises fulfil the EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management) requirements regarding the social responsibility and measurement of the impact that the implementation of a quality management system according to the ISO 9001 standard has on the degree of fulfilment of these requirements. The research was carried out on a representative sample of SMEs from Romania, in the period 2007-2010, with data being processed from 918 filled-in questionnaires. The results of the research show that SMEs in Romania are especially concerned with reducing and preventing health and occupational safety risk. In contrast, SMEs are less concerned with: the active involvement in the community life, the assessment of the community’s perception on the organization’s social impact and the use of performance indicators related to this impact. However, it was confirmed that the implementation of a quality management system according to the ISO 9001 standard had a positive impact on the ability of SMEs in Romania to fulfil the requirements of the EFQM Excellence Model related to social responsibility. This work received support from CNCSIS –UEFISCSU, through the ID_856 PNII – IDEI research project, code 273//2007.social responsibility, the EFQM Excellence Model, quality management system, SMEs

THE IMPACT OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION ON STRATEGIC BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

The research paper aims to identify and showcase key drivers of strategic business management development in the light of the recent waves of digital transformation experienced by companies around the globe. The paper consists of an overview on the existing literature and a concise outline of the research conducted. Both research results from professional associations as well as recognized publishers were considered. Furthermore, expert interviews as well as market data were factored in for drawing a comprehensive picture on strategic management theories and frameworks, as well as the history and influence of digital transformation. Our research revealed that digital transformation is worldwide phenomena; however the regional impact differs significantly depending on the regulatory environment and the level of economic sophistication. In essence, the disruptive nature of this trend has the potential to shake the foundations of industries which requires firms to fundamentally change their strategic management approach. The introduction of the digital transformation strategy framework aims to address these challenges and aims to foster additional research in this field. The research was conducted as part of the Research Centre of Business Administration in The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Romania

Can non-small cell lung cancer histologic subtypes predict survival? A single institution experience

Introduction. The latest histological classification of lung adenocarcinoma includes lepidic, acinar, papillary, micropapillary, and solid as subtypes. Testing these subtypes for their prognostic and predictive value is an ongoing scientific challenge. The present research article aims to describe the influence this classification has on patient survival. Materials and Methods. Thirty-three patients were included in the trial. The most important enrollment criterion was the clear specification of the adenocarcinoma subtype in the pathology report. Patients were stratified into three groups which included the adenocarcinoma pathological subtypes as follows: lepidic (LEP), acinar and papillary (ACN/PAP), and micropapillary/solid (MIP/SOL). The primary endpoint was progression-free survival. Other endpoints included overall survival. Results. The lepidic subtype of ADC had superior PFS and OS, regardless of stage. Papillary and acinar subtype showed an intermediate prognosis, whereas micropapillary and solid subtypes were the most aggressive. Conclusions. The experience of this single center confirmed data in the literature. Further studies are needed to demonstrate all the possible implications of this pathology classification

Ingestion of NSAIDs a serios problem in young children

UMF Gr. T. Popa, Iasi, Romania, Conferința ştiinţifico-practică naţională cu participare internaţională ”Promovarea sănătăţii – o prioritate a sănătăţii publice” 22-24 iunie 2016 Chișinău, Republica Moldov

Diagnostic dilemma: Multiple Autoimmune Syndrome versus incomplete Graham-Little-Piccardi-Lassueur Syndrome overlap mixed connective tissue disease

Objectives. We present a very rare case of incomplete Graham-Little-Piccardi-Lassueur syndrome (GLPLS) overlap with Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) versus Multiple Autoimmune Syndrome (MAS). Case Presentation. A 53- year-old female with a long history of more than two years of patchy hair loss on scalp like “footprints in the snow”, partial loss of eyebrows' hair, face erythema, scaly atrophied red/brown patches on face, grouped follicular papules 2-3 mm in diameter with a pointed or hair-like horny spine extending approximately 1-2 mm around the tip of the follicle on lumbar area. The histopathological results from biopsies of scalp and lumbar areas confirmed the clinical diagnosis of cicatricial alopecia induced by lichen plan pilaris (LPP) and also presence of lichen spinulosus (LS) on lumbar area. The description provided by pathologist is however borderline regarding so called interface dermatosis like chronic cutaneous lupus erythematous (CCLE) or Pseudopelade of Brocq (PPB) as the end stage of CCLE or LPP. Blood tests showed both Antinuclear antibodies and U1-nRNP in high titers and the absence of anti-Sm, anti SS-A, anti SS-B and anti-dsDNA antibodies, and also peculiar antibody patterns of MCTD. Outcome. After thorough investigation, MCTD was proven by antibodies results. After one year of treatment a lot of clinical features dramatically responded under therapy. Conclusions. Clinical manifestations in the pathology with strictly cutaneous or systemic localization in conjunction or overlap with other autoimmune diseases (grouped in the MAS) represent a rare diagnostic in daily practice

Commonalities and Dissimilarities in the Process of Innovation Management. A Comparable Perspective Based on Business Size

Innovation is essential in the development of well-established companies, and economies. Companies that place a high priority on innovation are better prepare to overcome obstacles and to identify new growth opportunities. However, developing an effective innovation strategy can be a difficult and complicated task. To study the way innovation is approached in food organizations, in Romania, was carried out exploratory research, structured on 5 important topics: how organizations are defining innovations, what kind of innovations are developed, how innovation is implemented and managed, what measurement methods are used, and which is the strategy for the innovation management. The aim of the paper is to point out the commonalities and dissimilarities in the definition and process of innovation in small and medium organizations in parallel with big organizations. The authors could reveal important aspects to be considered for an innovation management model that could fit all food businesses, regardless of size

Sub-harmonic entrainment of cortical gamma oscillations to deep brain stimulation in Parkinson's disease: model based predictions and validation in three human subjects

Objectives The exact mechanisms of deep brain stimulation (DBS) are still an active area of investigation, in spite of its clinical successes. This is due in part to the lack of understanding of the effects of stimulation on neuronal rhythms. Entrainment of brain oscillations has been hypothesised as a potential mechanism of neuromodulation. A better understanding of entrainment might further inform existing methods of continuous DBS, and help refine algorithms for adaptive methods. The purpose of this study is to develop and test a theoretical framework to predict entrainment of cortical rhythms to DBS across a wide range of stimulation parameters. Materials and Methods We fit a model of interacting neural populations to selected features characterising PD patients' off-stimulation finely-tuned gamma rhythm recorded through electrocorticography. Using the fitted models, we predict basal ganglia DBS parameters that would result in 1:2 entrainment, a special case of sub-harmonic entrainment observed in patients and predicted by theory. Results We show that the neural circuit models fitted to patient data exhibit 1:2 entrainment when stimulation is provided across a range of stimulation parameters. Furthermore, we verify key features of the region of 1:2 entrainment in the stimulation frequency/amplitude space with follow-up recordings from the same patients, such as the loss of 1:2 entrainment above certain stimulation amplitudes. Conclusion Our results reveal that continuous, constant frequency DBS in patients may lead to nonlinear patterns of neuronal entrainment across stimulation parameters, and that these responses can be predicted by modelling. Should entrainment prove to be an important mechanism of therapeutic stimulation, our modelling framework may reduce the parameter space that clinicians must consider when programming devices for optimal benefit

Creating a hyperpolarised pseudo singlet state through polarisation transfer from parahydrogen under SABRE

The creation of magnetic states that have long lifetimes has been the subject of intense investigation, in part because of their potential to survive the time taken to travel from the point of injection in a patient to the point where a clinically diagnostic MRI trace is collected. We show here that it is possible to harness the Signal Amplification By Reversible Exchange (SABRE) process to create such states in a hyperpolarised form that improves their detectability in seconds without the need for any chemical change by reference to the model substrate 2-aminothiazole. We achieve this by transferring Zeeman derived polarisation that is 1500 times larger than that normally available at 400 MHz with greater than 90 % efficiency into the new state, which in this case has a 27 second lifetime

ANALYSIS OF THE CORRELATION BETWEEN INVESTMENTS, THE REAL COST WITH LABOR AND TOTAL EMPLOYABILITY IN THE EU, IN THE ECONOMIC CONTEXT MARKED BY THE COVID-19 PADEMIC

The objective of the study conducted by the authors is the analysis of the impact of two indicators - the total value of investments and the real cost of labor - on the indicator total employability, in the current economic context, marked by the COVID-19 pandemic. To achieve this goal, the linear regression model was used in the analysis of the correlation between total employment, real unit labor costs and total investment volume. As a result of determining the correlation coefficients, it turned out that the number of employees depends largely on the total value of investments, which has a major impact on the labor market. On the other hand, it turned out that, in the current economic context, the need for jobs is much higher and employability no longer depends on real unit labor costs. These results are consistent with existing theoretical studies. We consider that the estimates made on the impact of the total value of investments and the real cost of labor on employability are useful in testing and implementing theories of investment and consumption in conditions of uncertainty

APPLICATION OF LEXICOGRAPHIC METHODS IN FINDING NEW SOLUTIONS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF SWITCH FAUCETS

Methods and techniques to stimulate creativity are indispensable in the process of obtaining more reliable and competitive products. For the elaboration and efficient use of logical-deductive methods and techniques in creativity, it is necessary to know a minimum of combinatorics, which include arrangements, combinations, permutations, graphs and finite networks. From the multitude of methods of orderly enumeration of all ensembles, without omissions or repetitions, the lexicographic method is recommended, according to which, the assemblies are ordered in ascending order according to the sum of the component elements index. The main purpose of this paper is to apply the lexicographic method to obtain a more efficient flow faucet body in terms of working fluid behavior. Thus, the pressure, flow, velocity variation and degree of fluid vorticity have better values for the faucet body obtained by applying the lexicographic method. Therefore, by applying the flow simulation method, it was possible to characterize the behavior of the working fluid