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Oat and spelt husks (OH and SH, respectively) lignocellulosic biomass derived fillers have been compared with commercial wood flour (WF) in respects to their morphology, chemical composition, bulk density, aspect ratio, and thermal stability. OH and SH have been obtained by both mechanical milling and steam explosion auto-hydrolysis treatment at various processing conditions. Reinforcement efficiency of OH and SH derived lignocellulosic biomass fillers on the flexural properties of maleic acid-grafted polypropylene (PPgMA) compatibilized polypropylene (PP) composites is compared with that of WF. The compatibilized PP composites have been manufactured by melt compounding. Flexural test specimens of the compatibilized PP composites have been manufactured by injection molding. It has been demonstrated that both the husks derived lignocellulose fillers can be used to improve flexural modulus and maximal flexural strength of PP, although its modifying effect is somewhat smaller in comparison to WF reinforcement, most probably due to higher cellulose content of the latter. Husks derived lignocellulose filler-reinforced PP composites, however, demonstrate increased flexibility in comparison to WF-filled systems., INTRODUCTION The concept of bio-based materials is becoming increasingly important by considering deficiency of fossil resources. EU has declared the bio-based products sector to be a priority area with high [...]

In the context of sustainable materials, this study explores the effects of accelerated weathering testing and bacterial biodegradation on poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV)/rapeseed microfiber biocomposites. Accelerated weathering, simulating outdoor environmental conditions, and bacterial biodegradation, representing natural degradation processes in soil, were employed to investigate the changes in the mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of these materials during its post-production life cycle. Attention was paid to the assessment of the change of structural, mechanical and calorimetric properties of alkali and N-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMMO)-treated rapeseed microfiber (RS)-reinforced plasticized PHBV composites before and after accelerated weathering. Results revealed that accelerated weathering led to an increase in stiffness, but a reduction in tensile strength and elongation at break, of the investigated PHBV biocomposites. Additionally, during accelerated weathering, the crystallinity of PHBV biocomposites increased, especially in the presence of RS, due to both the hydrolytic degradation of the polymer matrix and the nucleating effect of the filler. It has been observed that an increase in PHBV crystallinity, determined by DSC measurements, correlates with the intensity ratio I1225/1180 obtained from FTIR-ATR data. The treatment of RS microfibers increased the biodegradation capability of the developed PHBV composites, especially in the case of chemically untreated RS. All the developed PHBV composites demonstrated faster biodegradation in comparison to neat PHBV matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of international trade for the economic development of any country, on the one hand, and the decreasing rates of goods turnover within the EU countries in recent years, on the other hand, reveal the relevance of the research on the assessment of Latvia’s trade potential with the EU countries.

Ternary nanocomposites, composed of polyoxymethylene (POM), ethylene octene copolymer and zinc oxide (ZnO), are prepared by melt compounding. The effects of two types of ethylene-octene copolymers, differing with aoctene content (38% for EOC38 and 17% for EOC17), as well as nanostructured ZnO on thermal behavior of POM are investigated. The content of EOC in the POM based composites is varied between 10 and 50 wt%, while the content of ZnO is 2 wt%. Thermal behavior of POM based systems are studied by using differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Results of thermogravimetric analysis show that, by rising either the elastomer or ZnO content, thermal stability of the investigated POM composites can be increased. The modifying effect of EOC17 in respect of thermal resistance is somewhat greater than that of EOC38. Simultaneous addition of EOC and ZnO to POM is synergistic with respect to thermal stability of the composite material., INTRODUCTION Development of the composites as perspective substitutes of traditional materials becomes increasingly popular in new material design. Over the last years polymer nanocomposites have attracted much interest because addition [...]

Today, one of the most challenging and unpredictable forms of terrorism are violent terror acts committed by single individuals, often referred to as lone wolf terrorists or lone actor terrorists. One of the major problems with detecting possible lone wolf terrorists is that there is no consistent or typical profile.Lone wolf terrorists pose a large threat to modern society. The purpose of this paper will be focused onone of the most unpredictable forms of terrorism acts-those committed by a single individual, a so-called ”lone wolf terrorist”.The phenomenon of so-called lone wolf terrorism has increased with more and more attacks perpetrated by single actors. The shifting nature of terrorism has prompted a debate over how to accurately describe individuals that act independently of a terrorist organization’s chain of command.Lone-wolf terrorists’ acts are not only meant to inflict pain and death but also to spreadterror and fear. They commit these crimes to catch the attention of the public andindeed of the state. Their expectations are that terrorising nations will create pressurefrom the public and force states to amend their policies and subsequently meet theirdemands.The concept of the lone wolf terrorist is increasingly common in recent decades, often attracting media attention as a “new” and “dangerous” threat. Live television news events have been dominated by incidences involving lone-wolfterrorist attacks recently. This has presented new challenges to the broadcast newsmedia.It is a growing phenomenon, but research on this topic has been accompanied by major shortcomings, because this type of violence may be one of the most mysterious and unforeseeable forms of terrorism. Therfore, the lone wolf concept needs to be reevaluated and adapted to changed circumstances.The current ability to identify and stop these kind of terrorists before they commit a terror act is limited since they are very hard to detect using traditional methods. However, these individuals often make use of Internet to spread their beliefs and opinions, and to obtain information and knowledge to plan an attack.Lone wolf terrorism has been considered as a serious threat to public security in recent years and an extremely difficult challenge for security-they are relatively unpredictable, undetectable and effectively unstoppable. The unique features of lone-actor terrorism, including the challenges of interdiction and potential of copycat attacks, mean that the media is likely to play a particularly important role in shaping the reactions of the public, affected communities and copycat attackers.Furthermore, socioeconomic approaches need to be adopted to tackle the phenomenon of terrorism from the roots because policing and counterterrorism operations alone have proven to be insufficient.It means displaying interest, respect and appreciation for others’ linguistic, cultural and religious traditions.Currently, there are more questions than answers on the content and validity of the lone wolf concept, but we should be alert and aware that the external conditions have changed, and old responses may not be appropriate anymore to present-day lone actor terrorism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: As many studies have shown, one of the most important tendencies of employees nowadays is to achieve work- life balance. Organizations should develop various activities and create supportive climate, within the framework of which employees will have opportunities to realize aforementioned goals which in turn would increase work productivity and work motivation. The aim of this paper was to examine how subjective well-being (life satisfaction and exhaustion) is associated with commitment to work and family roles under the conditions of strongly and weakly perceived organizational support for family life among health care professionals, teachers and bankers in Macedonia. Marriage duration and the number of children were introduced as control variables.Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 198 full-time employed doctors, nurses, teachers and bankers. Research variables were assessed using self-reported measures/ questionnaires. Hierarchical multiple linear regression was performed for data analysis.Results: It was revealed that occupational role commitment contributed to highly expressed life satisfaction, while exhaustion was predicted by marital role commitment. These relationships were stronger among surveyed employees who reported positive family-supportive organization perception, but tested moderation effect of this variable was not statistically significant. Findings demonstrated that family-supportive organization perception moderated association of the number of children with life satisfaction, that is, participants who perceived an organization as family-supportive and had more children were more satisfied with their life in general.Conclusions: Results highlighted the importance of organizational orientation toward employees, their commitment to work and family roles, and their subjective well-being, as characteristics that might contribute to higher work engagement, success and family satisfaction. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2018;31(3):281-291. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with a serious and contemporary problem that refers to three significant sociological phenomena: the media „installation" in contemporary society, the refugees as a marginalized group, who were part of the reality of our spaces and the public „discourse". The paper starts from the view that the media in the global society are one of the most influential factors that create the public opinion and from the content aspect shape the media space and set the appropriate media „installation". On the other hand, refugees as marginalized sections of the population are a kind of challenge facing modern democratic societies, as well as societies in transition. In this context, the media were put before a „test" for the proper and proper treatment of „one" category of marginalized refugee groups. The media „installation" of refugees in the public space was a kind of attempt to break down the myth of „refugee's media invisibility" as a marginalized group and disprove their media establishment in the public space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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One of the cultural practices that gives the most promising hope and gives confidence to improve interethnic contacts and social cohesion in a society as a tool for peace and reconciliation initiative at all levels (ethnic, social, political, religious, etc..), certainly are traditional games and sports. Therefore, this paper explores the role of traditional games and sports as a model of social and ethnic inclusion, integration and cohesion among pupils of school age in societies like ours - in post-conflict and transitional ones. We have used a sample of 208 school age children from 9 to13 years from six municipalities in the territory of the Republic of Macedonia. Traditional games and sports are often strongly identified by the European and national political leaders and policy makers as a field of actions that improves the spirit of unity and promotes intercultural understanding and mutual respect within a community and between communities in a society. The evident social power of sport is reflected in the fact that it has become a very important factor in intercultural relations and social stability within the European sports policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]