The COVID-19 pandemic that resulted in a shift towards on-line teaching and learning resulted in countless difficulties concerning the access to efficient education, especially in the case of children from families with a lesser-endowed socio-economic and cultural background, or children with learning problems, with ADHD or various disabilities (visual or healing impairment, intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, etc.). Moreover, even pupils who actually have technical access to the new teaching-learning system run the risk of losing their motivation for learning. The efficient activity of and the results obtained by many teachers whose approach has been successful have shown the efficiency of integrated curricula whose teaching tasks are structured in learning sequences and whose testing patterns are personalized. By putting into practice, the principle of cognitive motivation development through an interactive process of teaching and learning that relies on structured learning sequences and employs personalized assessment techniques, reaching formative pedagogical objectives becomes possible even in the on-line teaching-learning system.

Tourist motivation and satisfaction gain a different weight when appraised in conjunction with generational groups as there are significant differences between these groups in tourist behaviour coordinates. The purpose of this research is to analyse the independent and integrated influences of internal and external tourist motivation upon satisfaction perceived at destination in the case of Romanian Generation Y. Questionnaires were distributed among 434 Romanian tourists aged between 18 and 35 years old using a stratified sample based on age, gender and income level. Employing three linear regressions, the influences of internal motivation, external motivation and internal and external motivation on satisfaction were tested. The findings of this research reveal a positive influence between internal and external motivation considered independently and as a single group, and tourist satisfaction with the external motivation having a greater impact when assessed independently and in the integrated approach based on the number of variables.

The etiology and the characteristics of specific language impairment.After "Mapping Theories", with integrative and systemic perspective, the developmental language impairment involve the different deficits and disorders: a) the deficits of auditory processing and speech perception; b) the deficits of perception and awareness of phonemes; c) specific phonological deficit hypothesis; d) phonological memory deficits; e) the limitations in working memory capacity; f) the deficits of language memory circuits.This different deficits and disorders have the impact on lexical and morphological learning in the context of language impairment

The need for reliable data on thermophysical properties of materials has increased continuously in the last period. The existing data, except for some pure elements or alloys and compounds, often unreliable, and in many cases the need for accurate and acceptable data, can only be achieved by measuring a given property. This paper focuses on elements of the used test methods associated with the description of the newly introduced parameter (effectiveness of dental coating). The selected method was the “pulse method” for determining thermal diffusivity (the method allows simultaneous determination of thermal diffusivity, specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity) directly applicable in the study of the thermal compatibility of metal-ceramic systems in dental applications.

Although the literature describes many studies that attempt to define and interpret the interaction between the metal component and overlying sintered ceramic mass, researchers still have conflicting opinions. It is not yet fully understood the hybrid layer occurrence phenomenon that rises by diffusion at the sintering temperature between the compositional elements of the alloy and the ceramic mass. Also, there isn’t a standardized technology test for the compatibility between the alloy for this technology and a specific plating ceramic mass, from the strength of the bond between the two components at the interface point of view.This paper aims to present the composition, properties and the interaction between the two materials that participates in obtaining metal-ceramic fixed prostheses, and tries to expose a possible method for analysing the bonding strength and compatibility between dental alloys and ceramic masses. However, the mechanical surface contamination by the migration of the chemical elements it is possible, due to the mechanical stresses during cutting and polishing due to the hardness differences between the prosthesis components.Electron microscopy analysis allows the diffusion phenomenon evaluation and of the fact that the elements with reduced concentration within the ceramic have a higher diffusivity (Al as compared with Si), and that metallic elements diffuse in the ceramic mass. The extent of this interdiffusion is probably the degree of adhesion between the two components of the mixed metal-ceramic crown.

As yet, production of hydroxyapatite through thermal treatment of animal hard tissues is one efficient and economical alternative to classical chemical synthesis and provides a suitable similarity with bone tissue. The production methods' optimization requires the proper assessment of tissue transformations induced by the variation of heat treatment parameters. The present study aimed to emphasize the chemical, structural and morphological modifications defined by heat treating the bovine bone at different temperatures (1000, 1100, 1200 and 1300 degrees C) by subsequently characterising it using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). SEM results confirmed that increasing the heat treatment's temperature will lead to a growth of the hydroxyapatite grain size and a gradual decrease of porosity. The FT-IR analysis showed some modifications in the phosphate ions vibrations for the samples heat-treated at 1100 and 1200 degrees C. After that, the structural evaluation performed by XRD identified some minor structural transformations after heat treating the samples at 1300 degrees C, but the general analysis proved that increasing the heat treatment's temperature has no significant influence upon the crystallinity. The complementary analysis showed that the thermal treatment's temperature is one of the factors that influence the characteristics of bovine bone derived products.

The aim of the study is to highlight the influence of the cooling conditions on cortical bovine bones derived hydroxyapatite. Bone samples with thicknes of 50 mm were cut from the central part of the bovine femur with a jigsaw. Then, they were processed in order to remove all the proteins and collagen traces by boiling for 4 hours and heating and holding them at 450°C for 2 hours. They were heat treated at temperatures ranging from 1000° to 1300°C, being held for 3 hours and then rapidly cooled in air atmosphere or ice-water. A natural fracture of the samples appeared after the applied heat treatments, which allowed us to analyse the fragments without a further preparation. The morphological changes that occurred during the sample processing were highlighted using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The morphological changes occurred not only between the heat treated samples at different temperature, but also in samples cooled in different environments. Also, it was noticed that crystals sizes proportionaly increased with temperature, while the porosity considerably decreased and also a condensation of the porous matrix/structure appeared.

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is one of the most common ceramic materials used for bone substitutions or reconstructions [1]. HA synthesis from natural sources is convenient relative to synthetic HA preparation while ensuring a similarity with viable bone tissue in terms of chemical composition and some other properties. One of the most important markers used for hydroxyapatite identification and differentiation from other calcium phosphates is the Ca/P ratio [2]. In order to perform a proper identification, this ratio should be evaluated with high accuracy, which involves a correct determination of the elemental concentrations. This study was made on a series of samples, derived from bovine osseous tissue, thermaly treated at 1000, 1100 and 1200°C. Establishing the influence of sample preparation on the Ca/P ratio assessment from the energy dispersion spectrometry (EDS) coupled with scanning electron microscopy determinations was intended. The samples were prepared by two completely different methods: mechanical fracture (without further preparation) and milling followed by homogenization. Regardless the sample preparation method, the analytical results represents the five measurements average performed on different spots.The EDS results showed that, within the same group, the compositional dissimilarities between the samples treated at different temperatures do not exceed 10% regardless of the sample preparation technique. For the same thermal treatment temperature, slight differences between the elemental chemical compositions of differently prepared samples were observed. The most important effect was a 20% decrease of the average Ca/P ratio for the samples prepared by milling and homogenization in regard to the mechanical fractured ones. Thereby, heat treated bovine bone samples’ milling and further homogenization for performing semi quantitative EDS analysis allows the Ca/P ratio assessment with a better accuracy.

Generation Y, one of the four generational groups, prompts distinct traits with a significant influence on the buying and consumption behaviour already greatly impacting various markets. The fashion industry must tap into the minds of the Generation Y individuals as they will be the biggest spenders for many years to come but this huge opportunity comes together with challenges induced by the heterogeneity between the different age layers, each seeking distinct benefits in their purchases. This study, performed on 400 individuals from Bucharest between 20 and 24 years old with at least a high school education, sheds light on what the young Romanian consumers look for when buying apparel. It also clarifies aspects related to fashion buying decision criteria and how different variables correlate to explain dimensions of the consumption behaviour. This population segment prompts a rather rational purchasing behaviour for clothes with a significant consideration for the brand's social value. Although the present research delivers significant insight it needs to be treated as a longitudinal study subsequent data being needed to determine the persistence of these behavioural dimensions and to unveil any new developments prompted by changes of hexogen and endogen nature.

The reason I choose to analyze this issue is the fact that the proper functioning of the market economy is based on a solid and profitable banking financial system. The experience of the last 20 years in corroboration with the global financial crisis shows that banks in our country must face the challenges coming from both the international market and especially the national market. In this context, it becomes increasingly clear that to obtain a good market positioning (which will automatically lead to increased turnover and hence profitability) is needed in more than one marketing innovative, appropriate to market conditions. Traditional marketing seems to be overtaken by technological development, which is why we need a revival of the marketing system. The contribution of marketing department is vital to the success of the bank

This paper represents a consistent analysis of the automotive industry in Romania based on secondary data.The secondary data already exist, being collected for other purposes (Catoiu et al, 2009). By analysing such data, a company can comprehend the main directions and traits of a particular situation being a fast, cheap (Kotler and Armstrong, 2008) and even reliable solution. Anyway,the analysis of the secondary data sources is seldom a complete solution for uncovering the necessary data but definitely can be considered a suitable starting point (Kotler and Keller, 2006) for decision making.The present analysis was performed using a model proposed in 2009 (Catoiu and Edu, 2009)and tested and improved in 2011 and 2012 through the analyses of the Romanian marketing companies (Edu and Negricea, 2011), banks (Catoiu, Edu and Negricea, 2011) and Internet Service Providers (Catoiu, Edu and Negricea, 2012). This model consists of a grid split mainly into seven sections: marketing environment, buying and usage behaviour, product, price, marketing communication, distribution and personnel policies.

A strong brand is able to help the company to make a difference from its competitors to be better than these and be able to influence the consumer purchasing decision, to create customer loyalty and maximize the financial performance of the company. It is surprising how brands continue to stimulate public interest in spite of many prophets and experts who say that brands don't have a future. In business there are only a few strategic assets available to companies that can bring competitive advantages but the life of these assets is becoming shorter. Trademarks are through these assets, besides Research & Development, customer orientated, efficiency culture, ability to change and rapid reactivity to the environmental change. In an increasingly materialistic society, people want to give a meaning to their use. Only brands can bring added value to the product and tell a story about who purchases it or provide a meaning to the product. The reason I chose this topic is that Toyota is a strong brand and in the last years there were complex events that affected his fairness and how it is perceived by customers. I limited the case study on United States because Toyota is a major player on the U.S. market and most recalled cars were in this area so the effect on the brand it was stronger there.

The importance of the marketing activity is shown first by the continuous development of competition in the financial-banking sector in spite of the diffiulties of entering and exiting a market, and second, by the globalization and the increased interest of the market players which determine high levels of intensity of the commercial activities in this sector.

For those who work in international business, it is sometimes amazing how different people in other cultures behave. We tend to have a human instinct that 'deep inside' all people are the same - but they are not. Therefore, if we go into another country and make decisions based on how we operate in our own home country - the chances are we'll make some very bad decisions. Geert Hofstede's research gives us insights into other cultures so that we can be more effective when interacting with people in other countries. If understood and applied properly, this information should reduce your level of frustration, anxiety, and concern. But most important, Geert Hofstede will give you the 'edge of understanding' which translates to more successful results.

Although e-learning has proven to be a useful tool it? the educational process, improvements can be mode in order to accommodate specific needs. In this paper we contrast alternative forms of distance learning and we point out the impact information technology on the modern educational process, We take a closer look at the role of computers, telecommunications and multimedia techniques in open and distance learning across time, from the point of view of their scope and efficiency. In conclusion. we show the results of a study regarding needs of distance learning implementation in two universities of Romania (Polytechnic University of Timisoara and Romanian-American University of Bucharest). And we identified what the student's needs for this type of university learning are.

Transformation of the European Union in accordance with the objectives proposed by the Lisbon strategy in the most competitive and dynamic economy based on knowledge, able to provide jobs, sustainable development and ensuring social cohesion, involves the development of various institutions of personalized relationships with customers aiming for their loyalty. It shapes such relationship marketing which has the main purpose to develop long term relationships with the clients in order to retain them and therefore attract new ones.

It should not be surprising that Japanese marketing practices vary from traditional Western marketing practices, because marketing is the process of satisfying wants and needs and these desires vary tremendously among cultures. In fact, it would have been surprising if differences were not seen because, in many aspects, the American culture and the Japanese culture are practically diametrical opposites. Of all the business disciplines, marketing is by far the most culturally sensitive. The critical questions most Japanese ask are not Am I making any money? or, How much money am I making? but rather, Am I a leader in my business? How do I compare with my competitors? What must I do to survive in the 21st century? Technological self-sufficiency, market share, and industrial rank (status) are the key phrases in Japanese business practices. The Japanese system of decision-making imposes a predisposition to enter new technologies to keep up or gain an advantage on competitors. The Japanese undertake a research project not because it will solve a particular problem, but because it may contribute to solving a number of seemingly unrelated problems. Americans, in contrast, are more narrowly focused.