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Contemporary society is more and more service-oriented, with more and more opinions claiming that it is a service society, with a steadily increasing tertiary sector. Tourism has become one of the most important economic activities due to the income from European tourists. It is also one of the main sources of jobs in many countries. Though Romania has an extraordinary tourism potential, tourism services it supplies and high prices compared to the quality of the services have not turned Romania into one of the most desirable places to go to in Europe; therefore, income from tourism are much lower than income from tourism in Hungary, The Czech Republic, Poland, or Bulgaria.

Farm tourism can be an alternative to agricultural jobs in rural communities with real agri-tourism potential. To improve destination management, we need to implement a type of management based on knowledge management. A second type of management that is a must in farm tourism is the integrated management of agri-tourism destination quality based on a code of good practices in the integrated management of quality. In order to improve agri-tourism management quality, we need to apply best management practices, i.e. 15 basic principles that contribute to the improvement of farm tourism management. These three types of management, if implemented on any agri-tourism farm, can contribute to the improvement of destination management.

Among the many activities man contributes to environmental damage are tourism activities, carried out irrationally and uncontrolled, in the land. Unlike other negative impacts on the environment of some activities such as agricultural ones – whose effects can be, hopefully, rather limited – tourism can contribute significantly not only to stop the degradation of the natural landscape, but also to protect and conserve the environment by adopting specific, efficient regulations.

The aim of this study was to assess phenotypic diversity in terms of fruit quality traits and yield, and also to establish valuable genotypes for breeding purpose suitable for different direction of use. Ten cultivars of hot peppers bred at VRDS Buzau were collected and fruit quality (dry matter content, fruit firmness, the total soluble solids, titratable acidity and ascorbic acid content) was evaluated at different ripening stages. A very highly significant difference (p

Pawpaw or Northern banana (Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal) is the only representative of the Annonaceae family that can be cultivated in temperate areas. The increasing demands from the consumers for this nearly unknown fruit with high nutraceutical potential require specific researches. The aim of this study is to present the fruits pomological characteristics for 23 genotypes analyzed, cultivated in the Bucharest area. For each genotype yield, fruit size, average number of seeds per fruit, average weight of seeds and seeds size were measured. Fruit biochemical analyses as dry matter, total soluble solids, ascorbic acid content, acidity, were done for several genotypes. Fruit quality evaluation through sensorial analyses was conducted for 13 genotypes. The most valuable genotypes from the Experimental field according to the analyses performed and the consumer’s preferences are taken in consideration for further research.

Climate changes and particularly global warming are topics carefully treated by specialists already since decades. The most pregnant factor that influences climate change is pollution, namely the high level carbon dioxide emissions. Besides other substances used by the most of the industries (oil, charcoal, fertilizers, etc.), plastics are not to be ignored when talking about pollution. Plastic waste affects animals and humans, as well as their habitat. In this respect, food industry engages in preserving the good functioning of the environment by developing and using biodegradable and bio-based resources for food packaging. The aim of this literature review was to identify the optimal sustainable packaging solution used for berries. The results of the study pointed out that the most used environmentally friendly packaging technique is the one that involves modified atmosphere. In terms of packaging materials, the literature is limited when it comes to biodegradable/bio-based solutions. However, active packaging gains popularity among researchers, considering the endless possibilities to include sustainable compounds in a biopolymer based matrix, in order to prolong the shelf-life of berries or fruits in general.

This paper examines the relationship between social class, economic perceptions, and their influence on voting behavior, particularly regarding support for incumbents. Leveraging political science research, it investigates how distinct economic experiences and challenges across social classes shape perceptions of the economy and incumbent policies, influencing electoral choices. The paper seeks to answer three critical questions: the impact of economic perceptions on voting for the incumbent, the interaction between social class and economic perceptions on voting behavior, and how social class moderates this relationship. Utilizing logistic regression models, the research highlights how social class and economic perceptions interact to influence voting decisions, contributing to the discourse on class voting's impact. The findings offer new insights into the dynamics of voting behavior, emphasizing the enduring importance of social class in political decision-making, and enriching our understanding of electoral dynamics in incumbent elections.

This paper presents the evolution of the level of public debt in Central and Eastern European countries outside the Monetary Union and explores the sustainability of public debt through the analysis of socioeconomic and institutional factors. We analyze the relationship between economic factors (budget deficit, economic growth rate, interest rate), social factors (unemployment rate, life expectancy), institutional factors (efficiency of public administration, degree of democratization, level of corruption) and public debt. Research on this geographical area has been relatively scarce. Using an OLS regression design, the results indicate and quantify the importance of the dynamics between public debt, budget deficit, interest rate, and economic growth. We find that, for CEE countries, sustainability of the public debt/GDP level depends to a high extent on life expectancy: 1 percentage point increase in life expectancy leads to an increase in public debt of approximately 6.5%. The results have significant policy implications as high levels of debt can strain government finances, leading to potential fiscal crises.

Abstract This article investigates the relationship between risk perception and electoral participation of citizens. To assess this, we use the case study of the novel coronavirus and its relationship with voter turnout during the 2020 Romanian elections. We assess the relationship between COVID-19 and citizens’ intention to cast a vote by employing an individual model. Additionally, using the share rate of the infected population with COVID-19, we examine the association between the intensity of the outbreak across counties and electoral participation. Either though our research is cross-sectional and focuses on covariation rather than causal relationships, provides insightful results. The individual model shows that the higher the risk perception of infection is, the lower the intention to cast a vote. The aggregated exploratory model employed shows that an increase in the percentage of the shared infected population decreases the chance of electoral participation.

Bacterial decontamination of root canals can be improved by directly irradiating the dentinal walls with dental lasers or by irradiating/activating the irrigation solutions, the laser having an indirect clinical action. Inside the root canal, laser irradiation produces a thermal effect on the dentine walls and bacteria, which generates unwanted side effects, if the therapeutic protocol is not followed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the root canal walls by stereomicroscopic ex-amination, after their chemo-mechanical instrumentation and conventional laser irradiation. For this study, 35 palatal roots of upper first molars were used. For some of the palatal canals, con-ventional laser irradiation was performed using a diode laser with a wavelength of 980 nm and two different irradiation protocols. The root canal walls were examined stereomicroscopically at different degrees of magnification. The study demonstrated the effectiveness of the stereomicro-scope in examining the walls of prepared and laser irradiated root canals. Areas of morphological alteration were identified and measured on the walls of the root canals for which the irradiation protocol was not applied correctly.

Though ubiquitous in nature, polyphenols gained scientific prominence only after the pioneering work of researchers like E. Fischer and K. Freudenberg, who demonstrated their potential beyond traditional applications, such as in the leather industry. Today, these bioactive compounds are recognized for their diverse therapeutic roles, including their use as adjuvants in cancer treatment, cancer prevention, and their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Additionally, polyphenols have demonstrated benefits in managing obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and neuromodulation. Their synthesis is influenced by environmental and genetic factors, with their concentrations varying based on the intensity of these variables, as well as the stage of ripening. This review provides a comprehensive overview of polyphenols, covering their classification, chemical structures, and bioavailability. The mechanisms influencing bioavailability, bioaccessibility, and bioactivity are explored in detail, alongside an introduction to their bioactive effects and associated metabolic pathways. Specific examples, such as the bioavailability of polyphenols in coffee and various types of onions, are analyzed. Despite their promising biological activities, a significant limitation of polyphenols lies in their inherently low oral bioavailability. However, their systemic circulation and the bioactive by-products formed during digestion present exciting opportunities for further research and application.

Advanced hemodynamic monitoring is fundamental in the management of the critically ill. Blood pressure and cardiac function are key markers of cardiovascular system function;, thus, having accurate measurements of these parameters in critically ill patients is essential. Currently, there are various methods available to choose from, as well as a greater understanding of the methods and criteria to be able to compare devices and select the best option for our patients’ needs. Cardiac ultrasound and transpulmonary thermodilution help tailor the therapy for a patient’s individual needs by putting the results of a thorough hemodynamic assessment into context. Both these hemodynamic monitoring techniques have their advantages, drawbacks and limitations. Cardiac ultrasound is a safe, non-invasive, less expensive, efficient bedside tool for diagnosing, monitoring and guiding critically ill patients’ therapy management. It is recommended in the consensus guidelines as the first-choice method, especially when it comes to identifying different types of shock or the various factors involved. Pulse index contour continuous cardiac output (PiCCO) is a minimally invasive hemodynamic monitoring technique, integrating various static and hemodynamic parameters through a combination of trans-cardiopulmonary thermodilution and pulse contour analysis. The PiCCO method provides guidance to fluid and vasoactive therapy in critically ill patients and is also used for intraoperative and postoperative fluid management and monitoring in cardiac surgery. While invasive methods such as PiCCO are recommended for hemodynamic monitoring and can provide accurate information, they are not always necessary and are contraindicated in some cases.

Liposomes are nanoscale spheroidal vesicles, predominantly composed of phospholipids, that offer a hydrophilic core surrounded by a hydrophobic bilayer. Their unique structure endows them with excellent biocompatibility and the ability to house both hydrophilic and lipophilic agents, making them exceptionally suited for targeted delivery applications. This versatility has seen liposomes gain widespread use in various industries, including medicine, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals. This comprehensive review meticulously examines the spectrum of liposome fabrication techniques, providing insight into their respective advantages and limitations. Specifically, we scrutinize methods such as reverse phase evaporation, freeze drying, the Bangham method (also known as the thin film hydration technique), ethanol injection, the emulsion method, and ultrasonication. Each of these methodologies contributes to the array of liposomal forms, influencing their final characteristics and suitability for different applications. The present review categorizes liposomes based on the fabrication technique, offering a comparative perspective that is instrumental for researchers and practitioners in selecting the optimal method for their specific delivery system needs.

This study presents the preliminary results on the non-destructive, DA meter-based optimum harvest maturity models for several Romanian disease resistant pear genotypes, cultivated in the Bucharest area. Six cultivars (Tudor, Cristal, Orizont, Corina, Euras, and Romcor) and three new hybrid selections (R3-146, Hl2-83-79, and H5-5-84) on their own roots, in vitro propagated, or grafted on quince (CTS 212) and pear (Farold 40) were analyzed. The results bring important details about the post-harvest maturation of the studied pear genotypes using the lAD index. Each cultivar has its maturity index correlated to lAD and consumer preferences and further research is needed to calibrate for each cultivar the optimal harvesting moment and the appropriate lAD value for shelf life after storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the years, several theories regarding the etiology of bruxism have been proposed. Even though these theories are difficult to confirm or infirm, due to the controversial particularities of this disease, most of them suggest a multifactorial etiology. Many authors have emphasized the importance of separating sleep bruxism from awake bruxism, as they might have different etiologies, ending with the New Consensus which provided two different definitions for those two forms of bruxism. In 2020, experts proposed the creation of a standardized system for bruxism evaluation – STAB (Standardized Tool for the Assessment of Bruxism). According to this system, future research over bruxism will be oriented in two directions: axis A that will include studies regarding evaluation methods, and axis B that will concern studies related to etiology, risk factors and predisposing factors.

Macroeconomic expectations influence long-term output, investment, and employment through households’ behavior. Policymakers and politicians attempt to predict the behavior of citizens and voters. How individuals form expectations and perceive sovereign indebtedness brings into question public finance sustainability and incumbents’ credibility. Based on a cross-country survey in Central and Eastern European countries, we estimate several probit regressions to uncover the effects of economic knowledge on sovereign debt expectations. Robustness tests and additional control confirm the initial results. We find that knowledge about public debt increases the chances of forming negative expectations, while higher financial literacy tends to have the opposite effect. More specifically, individuals with higher public debt knowledge are 5.4 percentage points less likely to show positive expectations, while individuals with higher levels of financial literacy (interest rate and inflation knowledge) are approximately 3.5 percentage points more likely to form positive expectations. The results indicate that public debt expectations are driven by negative biases resulting from the lack of economic knowledge together with insufficiency in understanding economic causal mechanisms. Financial literacy programs could benefit from including information about macroeconomics in curricula. Improving individual abilities to understand macroeconomic mechanisms, including public debt, has the potential to influence expectations and shift behaviors towards desired policy outcomes.

Copyright of Lucrari Stiintifice, Universitatea de Stiinte Agricole Si Medicina Veterinara Ion Ionescu de la Brad Iasi, Seria Horticultura is the property of University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine (Editura Ion Ionescu de la Brad) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aim of the study:The aim of this study was to highlight the histopathological lesions of the oral mucosa adjacent to acrylic removable denture. Material and methods: The histopathological study was performed on 21 fragments of human oral mucosa, collected from subjects wearing removable acrylic dentures, who presented at the Clinic of Dental Prosthetics and Oral Rehabilitation of the Faculty of Dentistry in Craiova, between January 2018 and May 2020. Results: The most common lesions in the epithelium were acanthosis, parakeratosis, associated with the presence of papillomatosis and hypertrophy of connective papillae. The lesions of the lamina propria were mostly of the chronic granulomatous inflammatory type or of the lymphoplasmocytic type, with macrophages in some places. Conclusions: The possibilities of the oral mucosa to react in the contact area with a removable partial acrylic denture are multiple, ranging from simple adaptive histopathological changes to the appearance of acute or chronic histopathological lesions.

The main cause of perishability of fruits and vegetables is their high water content. Many methods or combination of methods were used in order to increase their shelf life, osmotic dehydration being one of them. In this study, cubes of 10 mm were cut from peeled apples and subjected to osmotic dehydration at 30°C and 50°C and over a range of 1 - 3 hours in two sugar based osmotic solutions (30% and 50%). The evolution of water activity (aw), dry matter (DM) and total sugars parameters during osmotic dehydration of apple cubes were monitored. Fresh apple was considered control. It was found that osmosis pretreatment proved to be beneficial for the final characteristics of dried apple. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs) represent a form of tooth wear, characterized by the irreversible loss of dental hard tissues at the enamel–cement junction, without the involvement of caries and dental trauma. The aim of this study was to highlight the morphological elements of NCCLs via their stereomicroscopic examination and to confirm the role of this examination in the diagnosis of early lesions. In addition, the association between the morphological aspects identified during the stereomicroscopic examination of NCCLs and their etiological factors was determined. For this study, extracted teeth with NCCLs were examined with a stereomicroscope. The morphological aspects of NCCLs were evaluated at magnifications up to 75×. In wedge-shaped NCCLs, the stereomicroscopic examination allowed the identification and measurement of scratches, furrows and cracks. In saucer-shaped NCCLs, the stereomicroscopic examination highlighted the smooth appearance of the walls. The presented study highlighted the role of stereomicroscopic examination in the assessment of NCCL morphology and in their early diagnosis. The study confirmed, in particular, the role of occlusal overloads and tooth brushing in determining the morphology of NCCLs.

Aim of the study This study investigated the knowledge amongst dentists and senior dental students from Romania, regarding the clinical forms of tooth wear, its etiology and various treatment options for non-carious cervical lesions. Material and methods A questionnaire was sent electronically to Romanian dentists and dental students using social media. The survey had 16 questions regarding the prevalence of non-carious cervical lesions in the participants dental practice, the awareness of their clinical signs, etiological mechanisms and treatment options. Results Romanian dentists and dental students felt competent in diagnosing and treating tooth wear and non-carious cervical lesions, although the awareness of their etiology was moderate. For the restoration of non-carious cervical lesions, the material preferred by Romanian dentists and dental students was flowable composite. Conclusions Our study showed the need for further clinical and laboratory studies of the etiological mechanisms of tooth wear and non-carious cervical lesions for a better understanding amongst dental practitioners.

The rapid evolution of laser technology and the better understanding of laser-tissue interaction, allowed the growth of possible laser treatments, including laser assisted endodontics. Diode laser was introduced in endodontic procedures in late 1980’s and today is used for decontamination of the root canals. Lasers are used in association with various endodontic techniques, either to irradiate directly the dentinal walls, or to irradiate/activate photoactive substances/irrigants, having an indirect clinical effect on the endodontic system. Side effects resulting from irradiation with laser light do not appear if the correct parameters are used. Further clinical studies are necessary in order to evaluate the healing of endodontic diseases from laser assisted therapy.

The success of endodontic treatment is dependent on the removal of bacteria. A modern strategy to reduce bacterial load is laser irradiation. During this procedure, there is a local increase in temperature with possible side effects. The aim of this study was to determine the thermal behavior of a maxillary first molar when performing the conventional irradiation technique using a diode laser. For this study, a 3D virtual model of a maxillary first molar was created. The preparation of the access cavity, the rotary instrumentation of the palatal root canal and the laser irradiation protocol were simulated. The model was exported in a finite element analysis program where the temperature and heat flux were studied. Temperature and heat flux maps were obtained, and the temperature increase on the internal wall of the root canal was analyzed. The maximum temperature value exceeded 400 °C and was maintained for less than 0.5 s. The obtained temperature maps support the bactericidal effect of diode laser and the limitation of damage to surrounding tissues. On internal root walls, the temperature reached several hundred degrees Celsius, but for very short durations. Conventional laser irradiation is an adjuvant method of decontamination of the endodontic system.

Drastic growth in the amount of global food waste produced is observed every year, not only due to incessant population growth but also economic growth, lifestyle, and diet changes. As a result of their increasing health awareness, people are focusing more on healthy diets rich in fruits and vegetables. Thus, following worldwide fruit and vegetable consumption and their processing in various industries (juice, jams, wines, preserves), significant quantities of agro-industrial waste are produced (pomace, peels, seeds) that still contain high concentrations of bioactive compounds. Among bioactive compounds, anthocyanins have an important place, with their multiple beneficial effects on health; therefore, their extraction and recovery from food waste have become a topic of interest in recent years. Accordingly, this review aims to summarize the primary sources of anthocyanins from food waste and the novel eco-friendly extraction methods, such as pulsed electric field extraction, enzyme-assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, pressurized liquid extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, and ultrasonic-assisted extraction. The advantages and disadvantages of these techniques will also be covered to encourage future studies and opportunities focusing on improving these extraction techniques.