Enterprises in Romanian Agriculture – Management, Present and Perspectives

The paper work contains synthetic references relating to agricultural enterprises found in structures of exploitations in Romanian agriculture. Their concerns over these units appear to be lower, their number is not large. The work combines aspects of representing these units to management and their particularities in comparison with units from other branches, with their regarding functionality and the factors who determine their prospects in agriculture in the next years and the conclusions learned from the study undertaken.reform; enterprise; private initiative; empirical and scientific management; risk; cost; competitiveness.

STUDY REGARDING INTEGRATION OF NATURAL DISADVANTAGED AGRICULTURAL AREAS IN ECONOMIC CYCLE

The agriculture potential output is influenced by several factors. Some of them are general, centered on economic and financial leverages; others are more specific, focusing on natural disasters vector results. Yet all of them can generate local microclimate and environmental changes that reflect on economical dimension of agricultural exploitations or areas. Our study is based on analysis, synthesis and data processing from specific areas of Bacau County and aims to provide social rehabilitation and economical integration support decision suggestions.disadvantaged areas, rational exploitation, ecological products, anti-erosion measures, cultivation specific system

Endoscopic Ultrasound Assessment of the Duodenal Wall Lesions

Subepithelial tumors (SETs) in the upper digestive tract are rare and only 10% of are located in the duodenum. Assessment of lesions protruding from the duodenal wall is difficult. Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy and computed tomography (CT) are not able to completely distinguish between different tumors and guide their subsequent management. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has a significant diagnostic yield in this context. EUS is able to accurately diagnose duodenal lesions, perform a biopsy if considered useful, guide the approach for resection and provide appropriate follow-up. SETs reported during upper GI endoscopy are more commonly cysts, polyps, lipomas, Brunner’s gland adenoma, ectopic pancreas, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) or neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). In addition, although more rarely, adenocarcinomas and lymphomas can be identified. EUS should be performed for any duodenal lesion larger than 1 cm that lacks the endoscopic characteristics of a cyst or a lipoma

Effects on corporate stakeholders and limitations of the implementation of the Non-Financial Reporting Directive (2014/95/EU)

Research question: What are the effects of non-financial reporting (NFR) for companies and stakeholders? Motivation: We draw on previous research that examines the effects and limitations of the Non-Financial Reporting Directive on key stakeholders. Idea: This article investigates the increasing significance of the sustainability orientation in corporate operations, as well as the role of NFR in providing information about social, ethical, and environmental aspects of a particular organization. Additionally, the article explores the possible benefits of sustainability reporting, such as improved reputation, in addition to the company’s ability to contribute to the sustainable development goals. Data and tools: This paper provides a scoping review that explores the influence of NFR on the decisions of various stakeholders, such as companies, investors, governments or regulators, accountants and auditors, employees, and the general public. The review discusses existing studies in the literature focusing on NFR and the legislative context in respect to the transition from NFR to sustainability reporting. Findings and Contribution: This article shows that Directive 2014/95/EU positively influenced the quality and transparency of the sustainability disclosure process of companies. Also, we identify various gaps in the literature, along with challenges faced by firms when reporting on non-financial information and ensuring accuracy and completeness. Based on summarized evidence from the literature, the limitations of NFR include inconsistent formats, lack of standardization, weaknesses in the reliability and comparability of information used in decision-making process, and limited assurance. Finally, our study highlights the importance of transitioning from NFR to sustainability reporting, the latter having significant effects in increasing stakeholder participation, safeguarding business reputation, boosting investor confidence and achieving the sustainable development goals, while complying with legislation. It explores the challenges and opportunities linked to NFR (a synonym of ESG reporting) and specifies the necessary components of sustainability reporting frameworks

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome associated with COVID-19: An Emulated Target Trial Analysis.

RATIONALE: Whether COVID patients may benefit from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) compared with conventional invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) remains unknown. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the effect of ECMO on 90-Day mortality vs IMV only Methods: Among 4,244 critically ill adult patients with COVID-19 included in a multicenter cohort study, we emulated a target trial comparing the treatment strategies of initiating ECMO vs. no ECMO within 7 days of IMV in patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (PaO2/FiO2 <80 or PaCO2 ≥60 mmHg). We controlled for confounding using a multivariable Cox model based on predefined variables. MAIN RESULTS: 1,235 patients met the full eligibility criteria for the emulated trial, among whom 164 patients initiated ECMO. The ECMO strategy had a higher survival probability at Day-7 from the onset of eligibility criteria (87% vs 83%, risk difference: 4%, 95% CI 0;9%) which decreased during follow-up (survival at Day-90: 63% vs 65%, risk difference: -2%, 95% CI -10;5%). However, ECMO was associated with higher survival when performed in high-volume ECMO centers or in regions where a specific ECMO network organization was set up to handle high demand, and when initiated within the first 4 days of MV and in profoundly hypoxemic patients. CONCLUSIONS: In an emulated trial based on a nationwide COVID-19 cohort, we found differential survival over time of an ECMO compared with a no-ECMO strategy. However, ECMO was consistently associated with better outcomes when performed in high-volume centers and in regions with ECMO capacities specifically organized to handle high demand. This article is open access and distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives License 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

Virtual Classroom Extension for Effective Distance Education

We present the design, implementation, and initial results of a system for remote lecture attendance based on extending on-campus classrooms to accommodate remotely located students. A remote student is modeled with a real-time video sprite. The sprites are integrated into a geometric model that ~rovides a virtual extension of the classroom. The A-virtual extension is rendered and projected onto the back wall of the classroom. The remote students are displayed at a natural location within the field of view of the instructor, who can conveniently get a sense of their body language and of their facial expression. The system has been deployed in a first classroom and a pilot study indicates that the system promises to deliver quality education remotely. The system relies exclusively on commodity components, therefore it can be deployed in any classroom to allow any course to offer distance education seats. Keywords I.3.6.d Interaction techniques, I.3.7.g Virtual reality, I.3.2.a Distributed/network graphics

Functionalized Hemodialysis Polysulfone Membranes with Improved Hemocompatibility

The field of membrane materials is one of the most dynamic due to the continuously changing requirements regarding the selectivity and the upgradation of the materials developed with the constantly changing needs. Two membrane processes are essential at present, not for development, but for everyday life&mdash;desalination and hemodialysis. Hemodialysis has preserved life and increased life expectancy over the past 60&ndash;70 years for tens of millions of people with chronic kidney dysfunction. In addition to the challenges related to the efficiency and separative properties of the membranes, the biggest challenge remained and still remains the assurance of hemocompatibility&mdash;not affecting the blood during its recirculation outside the body for 4 h once every two days. This review presents the latest research carried out in the field of functionalization of polysulfone membranes (the most used polymer in the preparation of membranes for hemodialysis) with the purpose of increasing the hemocompatibility and efficiency of the separation process itself with a decreasing impact on the body