The Integration of the Eastern and Western Balkans into the EU and NATO

This chapter puts the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of the Balkans into the spotlight and further analyzes the reactions from Russia. This integrative process is a relevant intention, especially after the revolutionary changes of the 1990s and the collapse of the communist bloc. Literature is scarce, lacks an integrated approach, and barely addresses the topic from a comparative perspective. This research seeks to fill this gap through an empirical, systematic, and comparative analysis of the integration and disintegration processes across the region. The argument is that the integration is asymmetric, both between the two international organizations and between the two sub-regions, and that Russian investment decreases as integration goes forward. Findings highlight the complex interactions and interdependencies of the three mutually exclusive processes: the integration into the EU and NATO, the internal fragmentation of the region, and a transformation in the relationship with Russia when chasing the enlargement into these structures.

A plea for teaching writing as an integrative process meant to serve a functional purpose

In the Romanian context, writing is in a paradoxical situation: it is claimed to be important though it is one of the skills that is little invested in and moreover it undergoes strong opposition from the parents who would opt for digitalization as a preventive opportunity for their children in the future. Mistreated by both school and society, writing is given meagre chances of proving its determining role in the intellectual formation of the young generation. In this line of thought this paper aims at mapping writing as a school-taught skill by first outlining the Romanian approach to school writing (as product or process) and secondly by carrying out an analysis of the writing tasks regularly assigned, with a view to emphasizing their ups and downs and to suggesting changes that might improve not only the perception on writing in the Romanian curriculum, but also the quality of the educational output. In order to obtain a good representation of how writing is viewed by the Romanian educational system, it is deemed as appropriate to analyse the school curriculum issued and approved by the Ministry of National Education and to evaluate the implementation of the official guidelines into school textbooks. The justification for the interest of the authors in writing is related to the high rates of functional illiteracy, to the preponderant evaluation type of the pupils (a written one) and to the largely acknowledged inability of pupils to successfully manage their written tasks.

An integrative process-driven model for biomass and yield estimation of hardneck garlic (Allium sativum)

We introduce an integrative process-driven crop model for garlic (Allium sativum). Building on our previous model that simulated key phenological, morphological, and physiological features of a garlic plant, the new garlic model provides comprehensive and integrative estimations of biomass accumulation and yield formation under diverse environmental conditions. This model also showcases an application of Cropbox to develop a comprehensive crop model. Cropbox is a crop modeling framework featuring declarative modeling language and unified simulation interface for building and improving crop models. Using Cropbox, we first evaluated the model performance against three datasets with an emphasis on biomass and yield measured under different environmental conditions and growing seasons. We then applied the model to simulate optimal planting dates under future climate conditions for assessing climate adaptation strategies between two contrasting locations in South Korea: the current growing region (Gosan) and an unfavorable cold winter region (Chuncheon, Gangwon-do). The model simulated the growth and development of a southern-type cultivar (Namdo, Jeju-do) reasonably well. Under RCP (Representative Concentration Pathway) scenarios, an overall delay in optimal planting date from a week to a month and a slight increase in potential yield were expected in Gosan. Expansion of growing region to northern area including Chuncheon was expected due to mild winter temperatures in the future and may allow Namdo cultivar production in more regions. The predicted optimal planting date in the new region was similar to the current growing region that favors early fall planting. Our new integrative garlic model provides mechanistic, process-driven crop responses to environmental cues and can be useful for assessing climate impacts and identifying crop specific climate adaptation strategies for the future.

In situ curing and bonding of epoxy prepregs in epoxy thermoset injection molding

In this study, epoxy molding compounds are combined with fast-curing epoxy prepregs in thermoset injection molding using a new integrative process. The combination is carried out under the varied parameters of mold temperatures and curing times, which are dominant factors in thermoset processing. The focus of the investigations is the bond strength in the interface resulting from these parameters, as the interface is known as the weak point of hybrid components. To identify causes for possible increases and decreases of the bond strength, additional rheological and thermoanalytical analyses are done under near-process conditions. The influence of prepreg pre-crosslinking, a function of the mold temperature, is also described by means of additional tests in which specific pre-crosslinking of the prepreg is adjusted by the temperature storage and then functionalized in integrative process combination. The aim of the study is to identify and understand initial process limits for the integrative process combination for a potential process window.

FORECASTS OF ECONOMIC RECOVERY IN THE POSTPANDEMIC PERIOD

The globalized system brings with it global problems, solvable through solutions applied worldwide, with the involvement of global and regional actors. The COVID-19pandemic that humanity has gone through has led to an integrative process of managerial policies and practices, through which competing states, and not only, that have so far developed on the idea of adversity, have become functionally compatible. This proves that the fundamental advantage at the end of the global pandemic can be determined, which is the ability of organizations to generate models, solutions and directions relevant to overcoming crises.Organizations have had to respond to a sudden, unforeseen crisis, the rapidly changing nature of which shows that organizational readiness depends on the ability to make use of human strengths, such as decision-making and adaptability, not just during a one-time crisis, but on a regular basis. It means constantly cultivating resilience, courage, judgment and flexibility to navigate a dynamic reality. Keywords: digital economy, pandemic crisis, economic recovery.

Researching Change and Changing: Integrating Collaboration and Action Through Interiority

In this essay, we are arguing that the field of organizational change and development is positioned to face the challenges of researching change and changing for the next decade and beyond. The core values in the field—that researching change and enacting changing are collaborative ventures undertaken in the present tense where the outcome is actionable knowledge, and that it serves the practical ends of organizations and generates the knowledge of how organizations change—are of utmost relevant for the emerging workplace and organizations. Through differentiated consciousness interiority challenges the polarizations that beset the field (between science and practice) and provides an integrative process focused on the operations of human knowing.

Social Systems in Higher Education: Collectivities and Technology

This study investigates the core concepts and views that underlie the theories of social systems as explained by four theorists. It critically assesses and analyzes the role of the higher education system within society, as well as the role of the educator within this social system as defined and articulated by Durkheim (1956), outlined and explained from a hierarchical perspective by Parsons (1951), identified as an integrative process by Bertalanffy (1968), and viewed as a web of relationships by Capra (1996). Major themes from each theorist are analyzed with respect to what role social systems play in higher education and how educators are affected by internal social subsystems and collectivities. An example is presented on how collectivities exist online and use technology to continue at a university during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The essential neurological examination in telemedicine consultations in the context of COVID 19/ O exame neurológico essencial nas consultas de telemedicina no contexto da COVID 19

Introduction: In clinical evaluation, the neurological area is one of the most complex and extensive to be analyzed, besides that, when added with Neurophobia it becomes even more difficult. With the COVID-19 Pandemic, there was an accelerated process of migration from outpatient clinics to digital platforms, requiring doctors to update their way of examining patients. The essential neurological examination, the tool that collaborates in this updated assessment, demonstrates greater objectivity in confirming the normality of the neurological system. The practice of checklists is a tool that helps these doctors to better evaluate their patients, optimizing their time and exams, contributing to its clinical diagnosis. Methodology: Review study integrative process that culminated in the elaboration and adaptation of new measures for essential neurological therapy in patients in the context of COVID-19 through Telemedicine. Results and Discussion: When comparing the essential neurological exam with the knowledge experienced by the authors of this article and the global pandemic context, were recommendations on the application of telemedicine were made. In addition to the need for doctor-patient communication to be audible and visible, without external interference so as not to impair the exams, the participation of a patient's companion is important to assist the doctor in exams. With that done, we identified that some of the exams essential neurological conditions become difficult to perform digitally, being: Indirect fundoscopy and reflexes (Biceps, Brachioradialis, Triceps, Patellar, Aquileu). However, exams such as direct fundoscopy, pupillary reflex, eye chase, mimic facial, gait, and plantar reflex can be examined via digital platforms as long as always the patient is accompanied. Conclusion: It is concluded that, amid pandemic, essential neurological examination becomes outdated, but useful in several areas, helping the doctor to take more informed measures.