POSSIBILITIES AND CONSTRAINTS OF REGION BRANDING IN TOURISM – THE CASE OF DALMATIA

This paper presents the authors\u27 original model for branding the region as an umbrella brand in tourism, in line with the Gad\u27s 4 dimension branding. Dalmatia, as the Croatia\u27s region featuring most of natural and cultural-historical tourism attractions, has served as the model for the development and marketing management of the tourism system, with the aim of branding the region. According to the authors\u27 model, the region is an "umbrella brand" consisting of different but mutually interrelated tourism clusters. Each of them develops their "point-of-parity" that makes them part of the region and which is characteristic for the region, as well as the "point-of-difference", i.e. their own recognisable image within the tourism region, in accordance with the principles of sustainable development in tourism. Furthermore, the paper presents a comparative analysis of the tourism turnover between Dalmatia and Istria, kindred and nearby Croatian tourism region. Although it is geographically much smaller and featuring less natural and cultural-historic attributes, Istria has so far achieved better results in tourism than Dalmatia, due to a better structured marketing and management model, compared with Dalmatia which is fragmented by administrative boundaries. Finally, the authors have made a critical analysis of constraints that impede the development of similar marketing and management models in the tourism industry of Croatia and, it is assumed, in other post-transition countries

Effect of Neuromuscular Training Program on Quality of Life After COVID-19 Lockdown Among Young Healthy Participants: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Study in the period of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown and the effect of different exercise training programs on the quality of life (QoL) dimension are limited. This randomized control study as a part of which the impact of an 8-week neuromuscular training program on the 90 healthy young individuals’ QoL after COVID-19 lockdown was assessed using a short form of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire comprising of four domains (physical health, psychological health, social relations, and the environment). The intervention group (NT) (n = 47) took part in a neuromuscular training program consisting of dynamic neuromuscular stabilization and whole-body vibration training. In contrast, the control group (CG) (n = 43) did not participate in any programmed physical activity. From pre- to post-intervention test, the NT group significantly and substantially improved [mean change (95% CI)] all the QoL domains, physical for 12.78 scores (8.89, 16.64), psychological for 13.12 scores (9.51, 16.74), social relationships for 20.57 scores (16.12, 25.02), and environmental for 24.40 scores (21.45, 27.35). These results suggest that the NT program could enhance QoL in young and healthy participants following COVID-19 lockdown

INGREDIENTS OF FOOD AND SUPPLEMENTS NUTRITION IN SUPPORT OF TREAT-MENT OF SIGNIFICANT SKIN DISEASES

Uvod: Stalna izloženost stresu, neprimjerena prehrana uz nedostatak esencijalnih nutrijenata i protek-tivnih sastojaka, te unos rafiniranih vrsta hrane mogu se odražavati na zdravlje i izgled kože. Zbog toga je u podršci liječenju nekih bolesti kože značajno preporučiti način prehrane kao i upotrebu dodataka prehrani. Cilj i metode rada rada: Cilj rada je bio prikupiti i analizirati stručne i znanstvene informacije vezane za prehranu i dodatke prehrani koji se mogu koristiti kod najčešćih bolesti kože. Rezultati i rasprava: Postoje brojne bolesti i stanja koja se mogu ispoljiti na koži. Najčešće bolesti kože zbog kojih se pacijenti obraćaju liječnicima i ljekarnicima su atopijski dermatitis, akne, ekcemi, psorijaza, herpes te rak kože. Osim medicinskog tretmana kod liječenja atopijskog dermatitisa i ekcema preporučuje se konzumacija sastojaka iz hrane i dodataka prehrani kao što su: vitamini (piridoksin, askorbinska kiselina i tokoferol), minerali (selen i cink), karotenoidi astaksantin i beta-karoten, a od biljnih preparata konopljika i ulje pupoljke. U liječenju akni najčešće se preporučuju vitamin E, cink i selen, a za herpes lizin, vitamini C i E, mineral cink, te od biljnih preparata krema od matičnjaka i gospina trava. U tretmanu psorijaze preporučuje se izbjegavanje citrusa, a od dodataka prehrani najčešće se preporuču-je konzumiranje ribljeg ulja, omega 3 masnih kiselina, antioksidansa posebno vitamini C i E, minerali selena i cinka, te od biljnih preparata sikavica. Kod većine ovih bolesti preporučuju se namirnice koje su imunostimulansi kao i hrane koja je bogata antioksidansima, te antimikrobnim sastojcima iz hrane. Postoje i druge kožne bolesti na koje prehrana može dati doprinos u tretmanu kao što su porfirija, rozacea, te bolesti čiji se simptomi odražavju preko kože. Zaključak: Prehrana ima važan utjecaj na zdravlje i izgled kože. Dobro odabrani dodaci prehrani u kombinaciji sa zdravom i uravnoteženom prehranom mogu da daju dobre rezultate u podršci liječenju kožnih bolesti.Introduction: Constant exposure to stress, inadequate nutrition with a lack of essential nutrients and protective ingredients, and intake of refined foods can affect the health and appearance of the skin. Therefore, in support of the treatment of some skin diseases, it is important to recommend diet and the use of dietary supplements. Objective and methods of work: The aim of the paper was to collect and analyze expert and scientific information related to nutrition and nutritional supplements that can be used in the most common skin diseases. Results and Discussion: There are numerous diseases and conditions that can be expressed on the skin. The most common skin diseases that cause patients to see doctors and pharmacists are atopic dermatitis, acne, eczema, psoriasis, herpes and skin cancer. In addition to medical, for treatment of atopic dermatitis and eczema, recommended to consume food ingredients and dietary supplements such as: vitamins (pyridoxine, ascorbic acid and tocopherol), minerals (selenium and zinc), carotenoids astaxanthin and beta-carotene, and from herbal preparations Mary goldflower and Primrose Evening oil. Vitamin E, zinc and selenium are most commonly recom-mended in the treatment of acne, while for herpes lysine, vitamins C and E, mineral zinc, and from herbal preparations, Balm beaves and St. John\u27s wort. In the treatment of psoriasis, it is recommended to avoid citrus, and of the dietary supplements, the most commonly recommended consumption of fish oil, omega 3 fatty acids, antioxidants especially vitamins C and E, selenium and zinc minerals, and herbal preparations of Milk Thistle. For most of skin diseases, foods that are immunostimulants, foods rich in antioxidants and antimicro-bial ingredients from foods are recommended. There are other skin diseases where nutrition can contribute to treatment such as porphyria, rosacea, and diseases whose symptoms are reflected through the skin. Conclusion: Nutrition has an important impact on skin health and appearance. Well-chosen dietary supplements combined with a healthy and balanced diet can produce good results in supporting the treatment of skin diseases

INGREDIENTS OF FOOD AND SUPPLEMENTS NUTRITION IN SUPPORT OF TREAT-MENT OF SIGNIFICANT SKIN DISEASES

Uvod: Stalna izloženost stresu, neprimjerena prehrana uz nedostatak esencijalnih nutrijenata i protek-tivnih sastojaka, te unos rafiniranih vrsta hrane mogu se odražavati na zdravlje i izgled kože. Zbog toga je u podršci liječenju nekih bolesti kože značajno preporučiti način prehrane kao i upotrebu dodataka prehrani. Cilj i metode rada rada: Cilj rada je bio prikupiti i analizirati stručne i znanstvene informacije vezane za prehranu i dodatke prehrani koji se mogu koristiti kod najčešćih bolesti kože. Rezultati i rasprava: Postoje brojne bolesti i stanja koja se mogu ispoljiti na koži. Najčešće bolesti kože zbog kojih se pacijenti obraćaju liječnicima i ljekarnicima su atopijski dermatitis, akne, ekcemi, psorijaza, herpes te rak kože. Osim medicinskog tretmana kod liječenja atopijskog dermatitisa i ekcema preporučuje se konzumacija sastojaka iz hrane i dodataka prehrani kao što su: vitamini (piridoksin, askorbinska kiselina i tokoferol), minerali (selen i cink), karotenoidi astaksantin i beta-karoten, a od biljnih preparata konopljika i ulje pupoljke. U liječenju akni najčešće se preporučuju vitamin E, cink i selen, a za herpes lizin, vitamini C i E, mineral cink, te od biljnih preparata krema od matičnjaka i gospina trava. U tretmanu psorijaze preporučuje se izbjegavanje citrusa, a od dodataka prehrani najčešće se preporuču-je konzumiranje ribljeg ulja, omega 3 masnih kiselina, antioksidansa posebno vitamini C i E, minerali selena i cinka, te od biljnih preparata sikavica. Kod većine ovih bolesti preporučuju se namirnice koje su imunostimulansi kao i hrane koja je bogata antioksidansima, te antimikrobnim sastojcima iz hrane. Postoje i druge kožne bolesti na koje prehrana može dati doprinos u tretmanu kao što su porfirija, rozacea, te bolesti čiji se simptomi odražavju preko kože. Zaključak: Prehrana ima važan utjecaj na zdravlje i izgled kože. Dobro odabrani dodaci prehrani u kombinaciji sa zdravom i uravnoteženom prehranom mogu da daju dobre rezultate u podršci liječenju kožnih bolesti.Introduction: Constant exposure to stress, inadequate nutrition with a lack of essential nutrients and protective ingredients, and intake of refined foods can affect the health and appearance of the skin. Therefore, in support of the treatment of some skin diseases, it is important to recommend diet and the use of dietary supplements. Objective and methods of work: The aim of the paper was to collect and analyze expert and scientific information related to nutrition and nutritional supplements that can be used in the most common skin diseases. Results and Discussion: There are numerous diseases and conditions that can be expressed on the skin. The most common skin diseases that cause patients to see doctors and pharmacists are atopic dermatitis, acne, eczema, psoriasis, herpes and skin cancer. In addition to medical, for treatment of atopic dermatitis and eczema, recommended to consume food ingredients and dietary supplements such as: vitamins (pyridoxine, ascorbic acid and tocopherol), minerals (selenium and zinc), carotenoids astaxanthin and beta-carotene, and from herbal preparations Mary goldflower and Primrose Evening oil. Vitamin E, zinc and selenium are most commonly recom-mended in the treatment of acne, while for herpes lysine, vitamins C and E, mineral zinc, and from herbal preparations, Balm beaves and St. John\u27s wort. In the treatment of psoriasis, it is recommended to avoid citrus, and of the dietary supplements, the most commonly recommended consumption of fish oil, omega 3 fatty acids, antioxidants especially vitamins C and E, selenium and zinc minerals, and herbal preparations of Milk Thistle. For most of skin diseases, foods that are immunostimulants, foods rich in antioxidants and antimicro-bial ingredients from foods are recommended. There are other skin diseases where nutrition can contribute to treatment such as porphyria, rosacea, and diseases whose symptoms are reflected through the skin. Conclusion: Nutrition has an important impact on skin health and appearance. Well-chosen dietary supplements combined with a healthy and balanced diet can produce good results in supporting the treatment of skin diseases

Adaptive Evolutionary Neural Networks for Forecasting and Trading without a Data-Snooping Bias

In this paper, we present two neural‐network‐based techniques: an adaptive evolutionary multilayer perceptron (aDEMLP) and an adaptive evolutionary wavelet neural network (aDEWNN). The two models are applied to the task of forecasting and trading the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average (DIA), the iShares NYSE Composite Index Fund (NYC) and the SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) exchange‐traded funds (ETFs). We benchmark their performance against two traditional MLP and WNN architectures, a smooth transition autoregressive model (STAR), a moving average convergence/divergence model (MACD) and a random walk model. We show that the proposed architectures present superior forecasting and trading performance compared to the benchmarks and are free from the limitations of the traditional neural networks such as the data‐snooping bias and the time‐consuming and biased processes involved in optimizing their parameter

Environmental sustainability and industry

Increasing population and living standards cause consumption rate to grow and cannot do forever. Finding ways to use materials more efficiently is a prerequisite for a sustainable future. Recent global attention to the issues and challenges of sustainable development is forcing industries to conduct self-assessments to identify where they stand within theframework for sustainability, and more importantly, to identify opportunities, strategies and technologies that support achieving this goal. Design for environmental sustainability is the long-therm view: that of adaptation to a lifestyle that meets present needs without compromising the needs of future generations. Technological development to be sustainable, it need to take account of social and ecological factors, as well as economic ones. In this paper a brief overview of the wide range of technological issues at an industry level was made emphasizing the need for an integrated approach and understanding of the different components of a sustainable system. Technology plays a very important role in sustainable development because it is one of the most significant ways in which we interact with our environment; we use technologies to extract natural resources, to modify them for human purposes, and to adapt our man-made living space. It is through use of technology that we have seen drastic improvements in the quality of life of many people. Large areas of land worldwide are converted for agricultural production. The increasing use of technology, fuels and chemicals has dramatically increased crop production, but has also created the chronic agricultural impacts. Sustainable agriculture and food production combines the goals of environmental and economic health and social equity. Sustainable technologies use less energy, fewer limited resources, do not deplete natural resources, do not directly or indirectly pollute the environment, and can be reused or recycled at the end of their useful life

The Impact of Production Intensity on Agricultural Land Prices

This paper is one of the first attempts to utilize the theoretical framework of the new economic geography for explaining agricultural land prices. We adopt a model proposed by Pflüger and Tabuchi (2010), which allows to consider land as a production factor. We derive a short-run equilibrium that relates land rental prices to production intensity. The latter is measured as labor intensity, i.e., the ratio of labor cost and land used for agricultural production and additionally by livestock density. The model is applied to the agricultural sector in West Germany using county level price and cost data of the FADN. A spatial lag model clearly rejects the null hypothesis of no impact of labor and livestock intensity on land rental prices