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The ongoing transformation of the fashion industry is driven by an increasing focus on sustainability, ethical practices, and responsible consumer behavior. Simultaneously, social media platforms have emerged as influential forces in this field, shaping fashion trends and consumer preferences. Despite a substantial body of literature investigating consumer preferences between fast and sustainable fashion, a gap in understanding the intricate relationship between fashion preferences, socio-economic profiling, and social media engagement is evident. Thus, this research was aimed at comparatively decoding EU consumers’ preferences for fast fashion against sustainable fashion by exploring the interplay of demographic factors ‒ age, gender, and geographical location ‒ on fashion preferences, as expressed through the digital engagement with fashion-related content on the Meta social platforms. The research methodology implied resorting to logistic regression analysis, aiming to uncover the underlying patterns that fundamentally characterize consumers’ preferences for fashion in the EU. The results provide novel insights into how digital engagement with fashion-related content can act as a barometer for regional fashion identities and preferences, useful for the identification of both convergence and inflection points. Moreover, findings offer a robust foundation for crafting strategies that promote sustainable fashion practices, tailored to specific EU age, gender, and location demographics, by leveraging the insights gained about EU consumer preferences.

Applications of the Drosophila melanogaster (D.m.) research model have an important means both for genetic investigations and for the study of metal toxicity, because D.m. has physiological mechanisms comparable to those in human organisms. In this research, the toxic effect of lead (Pb2+) and copper (Cu2+) on four D.m. genotypes—the wild genotype (Oregon-R, used as control) and three mutant genotypes (white, brown, and white-vestigial)—was compared. Five replicates were made to observe the development progress of monitorized genotypes exposed to five different concentrations 0, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, and 2.00 mM of copper (CuSO4) and lead Pb(C2H3O2)2. Proliferation rates of larvae, pupae, and adults depend on genetic factors, metals used (copper or lead), and their concentrations. The white-vestigial mutant genotype showed the greatest sensitivity at IC50 concentration (inhibition of proliferation of more than 50% compared with the control sample) at doses of 1.00 mM for Cu2+ and 2.00 mM for Pb2+. In contrast, the control genotype (Oregon-R) showed only an inhibition IC50 concentration of 2.00 mM for Cu2+. The white-vestigial mutant genotype showed the greatest sensitivity at IC50 concentration (inhibition of proliferation of more than 50% compared with the control sample) at doses of 1.00 mM for Cu2+ and 2.00 mM for Pb2+. In contrast, the control genotype (Oregon-R) showed an inhibition at the IC50 concentration of 2.00 mM for Cu2+. The results conclude that (i) the dose influences the prolificacy rate in a directly proportional way, (ii) the comparative analyses between Cu2+ and Pb2+ revealed a more acute effect of Cu2+, and (iii) differentiated prolificacy values according to genotypes were recorded. Those reflect the importance of using D.m. as a research model in the comparative studies of the interactions between genetic factors and metal toxicity. Also, this study provides significant information on non-toxic maximum doses for organisms.

The cultivation of alfalfa is crucial for farmers as it is an excellent forage crop with a high nitrogen-fixing capacity, making it indispensable in crop rotations. Breeding programs face challenges in advancing more rapidly in genetic diversity to achieve a higher heterosis effect and, consequently, greater yield. In this study, we used 30 alfalfa varieties, which were used for molecular analyses by 5 ISSR primers and 13 RAPD primers. The results obtained highlighted the greater efficiency of ISSR primers in identifying genetic diversity. On the other hand, the simultaneous use of ISSR + RAPD allowed for clearer clustering of varieties that enabled more efficiently distinguishing the genetic diversity. The most efficient ISSR primer, A17, generated 31 polymorphic bands, while the most efficient RAPD primer, L-07, generated only 21 bands. Varieties such as "Pastoral" and "F1413-02" exhibited low similarity coefficients (0.39), suggesting their potential for enhancing genetic variability through crossbreeding, thereby increasing the potential of achieving a greater heterosis effect. Conversely, varieties with high similarity coefficients, such as "Cristal" and "Viking" (0.81) are less suited for this purpose. The correlation between specific markers highlights that using both ISSR and RAPD markers together offers a clear understanding of genetic diversity in alfalfa, aiding in more effective selection for crossbreeding in breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salt stress induces cytotoxicity at the cellular level, influencing the vacuolization process, disrupting mitotic division, and thus inhibiting plant growth. The results for a range of species used in agriculture have shown that high soil salt levels affect germination, chlorophyl content and yield. In this study, an experiment was carried out in the laboratory using NaCl concentration treatments of 0, 100, 125 and 150 mM on sunflower seeds of the inbred line HA-89 obtained from the USDA gene bank. For the experiment, the seeds were germinated in a salt solution and analyzed cytologically by calculating the mitotic index, chromosomal aberration index, provacuolar index and vacuolization index. Following our cytological studies, we observed that the vacuolization phenomenon was caused by salt stress and progressively accentuated by the salt concentration levels and exposure times. The formation of vacuolized cells is due to the fusion of provacuoles, which contributes to a uniform or non-uniform distribution of genetic material around them. According to our results, the vacuolization index showed high values depending on the NaCl concentration and stress exposure time. Similarly, high salt concentrations significantly decreased the mitotic index and increased the chromosomal aberration index. The effect of salt stress causes cell vacuolization, a decrease in the mitotic index and an increase in the number of chromosomal aberrations in meristematic tissues, inhibiting growth and development and consequently leading to a reduction in productivity per unit area.

Permanent grasslands are characterized by herbaceous flora adapted to local conditions, with deep root systems that facilitate resource uptake and provide resistance to anthropogenic and abiotic stresses. This study aimed to develop and implement efficient diagnostic and agronomic management tools for farmers. In order to demonstrate the methodology, we selected five diverse grasslands with different characteristics. The research tested the grass typology method to diagnose these areas and establish optimal management practices based on floristic composition. The method was applied to achieve the rational management of the grasslands studied. The results provided valuable data on floristic composition, species frequency, and specific functional indices. The characterization of the five grasslands in Moșnița Nouă in Timiș County enabled us to recognize optimal grassland strategies for each area, maximizing production based on the grass typology. Thus, the study demonstrated the impact of using simplified tools to improve grassland diagnosis and management, significantly contributing to the more sustainable maintenance of the permanent grasslands for farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ongoing transformation of the fashion industry is driven by an increasing focus on sustainability, ethical practices, and responsible consumer behavior. Simultaneously, social media platforms have emerged as influential forces in this field, shaping fashion trends and consumer preferences. Despite a substantial body of literature investigating consumer preferences between fast and sustainable fashion, a gap in understanding the intricate relationship between fashion preferences, socio-economic profiling, and social media engagement is evident. Thus, this research was aimed at comparatively decoding EU consumers' preferences for fast fashion against sustainable fashion by exploring the interplay of demographic factors ‒ age, gender, and geographical location ‒ on fashion preferences, as expressed through the digital engagement with fashion-related content on the Meta social platforms. The research methodology implied resorting to logistic regression analysis, aiming to uncover the underlying patterns that fundamentally characterize consumers' preferences for fashion in the EU. The results provide novel insights into how digital engagement with fashion-related content can act as a barometer for regional fashion identities and preferences, useful for the identification of both convergence and inflection points. Moreover, findings offer a robust foundation for crafting strategies that promote sustainable fashion practices, tailored to specific EU age, gender, and location demographics, by leveraging the insights gained about EU consumer preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of digital technology in agriculture, such as sensors, satellites, and artificial intelligence, for developing sustainable agriculture and controlling the impacts of climate change, has been enhanced under the European Green Deal. Given the environmental exigencies, the agricultural sector must adapt to new technologies that ensure the sustainable development of the whole agri-food sector. This paper emphasizes the importance of measuring carbon footprints in agriculture as a tool for further improving the sustainability of the sector. Specifically, the research addresses the importance of sustainable technologies and practices, including agriculture, circular economy, and conservation agriculture, which play an important role in reducing carbon emissions from the agricultural sector. Thus, in the framework of the European Green Deal and digitalization, a bibliographic analysis was carried out using the Web of Science database to review the scientific interest on carbon footprint generated by farms. The aim of the paper is to tackle the significance given by the scientific community on the carbon footprint of farms in order to enhance the development of a comprehensive set of measures that can incorporate the sector's social and environmental responsibility, and ensure further the right path towards a sustainable future without affecting the profitability of the small farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The macroeconomic mode of economic growth, the backward-pyramidal evolution from the capitalist structure, the emergence of the free enterprise, and the corporate form of business organizations in our system of free markets are all examined in this research. This study aims to provide insight into the particularities of the many aspects of the governance process. This study focuses on privately held businesses that are publicly held by shareholders or social part owners. It also examines the state-corporate relationship and its effects on geo-social, political, and economic spheres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to analyze the accessing degree of the European funds allocated to Romania for the period 2007 - 2013, in order to achive an efficent use of funds for future programming phase. From the analysis it is found that the National Rural Development Programme has a good degree of access compared to other operational programs implemented in Romania. To enhance the competitiveness of the agricultural sector and the quality of life in rural Romania, it is important to allocate funds for the next programming period that contributes to equitable and sustainable development of rural areas.

The article examines the links between the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the transformative aspects of establishing an encompassing agri-food trade policy in the European Union (EU). Starting with a review of the Sustainable Development Goals, this article focuses on the goal of sustainable agriculture and food security. The paper then investigates the transformative aspects of building a fair agri-food trade policy, including the significance of international trade agreements and the need for effective monitoring and enforcement. Research also includes a quantitative analysis of the scientific community's interest in the EU's effectiveness in implementing its agri-food trade policy, with a focus on the policy's impact on global food security. The findings indicate that the EU is making progress toward achieving its objective of boosting global food security, but significant impediments remain to be surmounted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sunflower cultivation is particularly important for vegetable oil production worldwide. Therefore, breeding programs have intensified research and development to increase yields by producing F1 hybrid seeds from crosses of inbred lines through the introduction of cytoplasmic androsterility. For the experiment, we used sterile sunflower inbred lines and restorer inbred lines to isolate the restorer gene in a segregation ratio of 1:2:1 in self-fertilization and 1:1 in backcrossing with PET1-type cytoplasm. The results of our research offer breeders the possibility of achieving greater dynamics in the development of inbred lines, the introgression of genetic resistances to sunflower diseases and the stimulation of a greater number of genotypes to increase the combined capacity of sunflower inbred lines. This was achieved by reducing the breeding program from three inbred lines to two inbred lines using sterility genes and heterozygous fertility genes. The use of segregating restoration genes on sterile cytoplasm enables the breeder to form valuable genotypes, adapt quickly to new herbicide technologies and efficiently introduce resistance genes to new disease nomenclatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agri-food sector in our country faces development gaps compared to other states in the European Union. The agricultural potential of our country is high and European Union finances this sector through the two pillars of the Common Agricultural Policy, namely market measures and rural development policy. The paper represents an analysis of GDP, population employed in agriculture, productivity and investments realized in the agricultural sector from Romania, in the period 2009 - 2021. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural competitiveness is a complex, multifaceted concept that goes beyond outright economic results. Balassa, in 1965, operationalized one of the most common methods of measuring competitiveness – the revealed comparative advantage (RCA) or the “Balassa Index.” However, scholars and practitioners argue for more holistic competitiveness approaches. Thus, this research aimed to add layers to the concept of agricultural competitiveness through a value chain analysis based on national production, trade balance results, and the Balassa Index for the EU-27 countries. Data were extracted from INTRACEN and FAOSTAT databases. Statistical analyses were carried out for two types of products – cereals (raw agricultural products) and cereal preparations (processed foods) – to explain why the Balassa Index alone is not enough to capture, characterize, and ultimately define agricultural competitiveness. Findings confirm comparative advantage trade-offs between raw agricultural products and processed foods, based on a resource management paradox, demonstrated by (a) countries with a trade balance surplus in cereals and low RCA values for cereal preparations and (b) countries with a trade balance deficit in cereals and high RCA values for cereal preparations. The novelty factor of this paper resides in providing a competitiveness assessment framework based on an agri-food value chain analysis that proved that the resource management systems in countries with factor endowments were poor. Tracking value chain flows at all its link levels is essential for better measurement of a sector’s degree of competitiveness when compared with other regions. Competitiveness indices must be further developed in this direction. Research findings can support decision-makers in making better strategies for agricultural resource management through efficient food processing and international trading activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Romanian accessing to European Union does not automatically represent its integration. The integration of agro food system in the European Union involves a series of issues, first should agricultural economy integrate into the national economy and second, the agro food sector should integrate into the EU structures. After 4 years of accessing to EU, Romanian agriculture still faces a series of problems, mainly regarding the average yields per hectare. In the paper it is presented a comparative analysis regarding the cereal production for Romania vs. France and the main conclusion is even if the Romanian cereal producers has half of the cost of the France producers, he still receives 3 times less of the price per hectare.

Globalization of trade expands distribution of products and services worldwide, making it more difficult to control the content and quality. To prevent "food terrorism it is necessary to know the evolution of animals from birth to end of life. As long as an animal remains in the same group is easily identified by group ID. But once it leaves the farm, things become more complicated and traceability implementation must take into account many factors. For analysis, the firm needs information about vaccination, food, medication and supervision. To prevent consumer illness it is very important to monitor (track) the products chain. If a contaminated batch of food is found it will be easier to identify where they were distributed, and what point in the chain of traceability has been contaminated. Monitoring traceability is a complex process, if we consider the steps taken to obtain meat, and therefore, involves the use of a computer system; making it the classic way is difficult and expensive.

The fundamental objective and role of any state in the world is to ensure the ability to provide to people with security and safety, namely to protect and maintain the rights of its citizens and to provide them with an environment conducive to the satisfaction of all their needs. Among the dimensions of national and international (collective) security, food security and safety represent the most important dimension of the internal security of any individual state. The right to eat is a fundamental right, equivalent to the right to life, respectively to health. Food security and safety are closely related to economic development and social progress, to natural resources and environmental security, to individual security and demographic evolution, to international and geopolitical relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper represents an analysis of the evolution of Romania's trade balance at the level of the national economy, as well as that of agri-food products, from 2000 to 2021. The degree of coverage of import by export was also determined, an indicator that reflects the economy's ability to export an adequate volume of goods and services to cover import needs during a year. It is calculated in percentage terms as a ratio between the value of exports and imports. At the level of the national economy, the degree of coverage of imports by exports fluctuated between 2000 and 2021. In 2021, it registered a slight decrease compared to 2000, by 3.3%. By category of agri-food products, there are significant increases in the degree of coverage in the case of cereals and decreases in the case of vegetables, as a result of the increase in imports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food fraud remains an ever-existing issue, and especially in the context of the current COVID-19 crisis. Along with the recession that followed this pandemics, as well as lacking food supplies in some regions, criminal organizations around the world are trying to further expand their financial gains by means of various forms of food fraud, either counterfeiting, labeling or lack of adequate documentation. The present paper begins with a short theorization on food fraud and finishes with an analysis of the latest Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed report, in order to capture the essence of food fraud incidents that have occurred since May 2019 until present: the most frequent subject of incidents and degree of impact, their nature, along with the products mostly affected. Our results show that food fraud incidents consisted mostly of lacking documentation pertaining to each food product. While animal hides and certain poisonous substances have been detected only in certain cases, their importance is not be ignored in terms of public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]