An analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the number of tourists arriving in Romania using the correspondence factor analysis

Due to the restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, but also to the reluctance of the consumers to travel, tourism is one of the most affected sectors worldwide. Romania was no exception to this truth, as most vacations were canceled, and travel budgets were cut. However, Romanians have not lost their appetite for travel, opting, as will be seen in this study, for holidays in their own country, for destinations as close to home as possible, with the possibility of canceling without a penalty. Those who chose foreign destinations preferred Bulgaria, Greece or Turkey. This paper aims to carry out a dynamic analysis of the number of tourists arriving in Romania in the 2018-2020 period by two distinct categories: Romanian tourists and foreign tourists, and to identify the links between the statistical variables: year and region. Our conclusion was that 2020 was the year of the rediscovery of Romania by Romanians, this pandemic representing a chance to reposition our country among European destinations.

Growth of small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises and export market integration by smallholder farmers

Small and medium-sized enterprise (SMEs) growth and survival constitute opportunities for the smallholders to become integrated into the export market. Smallholders can gain additional incomes from their transactions with SMEs and in turn, poverty problem could be alleviated. This article aims to better understand how export SMEs’ growth and survival strengthens smallholders’ market integration development and livelihood improvement. We collected data from 52 SMEs involved in the cassava and shea butter sectors in Benin. Interviews were organized, based on the need of value market access, with cassava producers in the Center Region, and women collecting and transforming shea nuts into butter in the Center and Northern Regions. When developing the measurement instrument, its validity and trustworthiness are concerned. SPSS was used for descriptive statistics and R was used for Multiple Correspondence Factor Analysis. Results suggest that 96% of SMEs exporting firms perceived exporting as profitable and resources generation tool. 95% of smallholders appreciate SMEs as value added markets for their products. SMEs are institutional context for smallholders exchange experience in value added process, customers’ needs and expectations satisfaction. They earn more profits from their selling when export SMEs grow and survive. Growth and survival are explained by export selling, share of exporting in total selling, satisfaction of Teklehaimanot exporting, manager perception of success and profitability and export profit.

Evaluating Insects as Bioindicators of the Wetland Environment Quality (Arid Region of Algeria)

The wetland of Naâma situated in the arid region of Alegria offers an important fauna and flora diversity due to its geographical location it constitutes the main resting place in North Africa for migratory birds. Insects are used as bioindicators, due to their sensitivity to environmental conditions which, because of their ecological peculiarities, gives information on the characteristics of terrestrial and aquatic environments. The aim of this study is to know and specify the entomofauna bio-indicator of the quality of the aquatic environment of the wetland Naâma (SW Algeria). The study carried out in the wetland from September 2017 to September 2020. Benthic insects were sampled according to the IBGN protocol (Standard Global Biological Index). Study and statistical analysis of insects communities was based by the use of the structural and statistical index, Correspondence factor analysis (CFA), and The ascending hierarchical classification (C.H.A). The results show that the collected insect 51 species, belong to 9 orders, The Coleoptera order is the most represented with 11 species, followed by the Odonata with six species, Lepidoptera ranks third with five species followed by Diptera with 03 species. The various indicators used, namely the specific richness (51 species), the Shannon index (1.01 bits), and fairness (0.56) show that this environment is characterized by significant fauna biodiversity. The study of the hydro-biological quality of the water courses of this site, assessed by the IBGN method showed a good hydro-biological quality with moderate pollution (IBGN = 14). This pollution is precisely marked by the requirement of Ephemeroptera and the disappearance of Plecoptera. These results lay the foundation for any biomonitoring action of the ecological quality of the waters of this wetland.

Mosquito-Borne Diseases: Social Representations of a University Community in Endemic Outbreaks

(1) Background: Studying social representations as lay theories allows for a better understanding of the common sense knowledge constructed around mosquito-borne diseases and the impact this may have on attitudes and behaviors. (2) Methods: A hierarchical evocation questionnaire was circulated through an Australian academic community and analyzed by prototypical analysis and correspondence factor analysis. (3) Results: Representational areas are regulated by participant age and whether or not they had contracted a mosquito-borne disease. (4) Conclusions: Collecting and understanding social representations has the potential to help social actors implement strategies that encourage people to access information and adopt behaviors in line with the scientific reality of the phenomenon, rather than limiting lay theories.

Mental Burden of Hospital Workers During the COVID-19 Crisis: A Quanti-Qualitative Analysis

Context: This study is a quanti-qualitative analysis of all contacts to a helpline service for hospital workers during the COVID-19 crisis. Our aim was to describe the nature of mental burden in hospital workers and factors subjectively associated to this burden from the workers' perspective.Methods: We included all 50 contacts from 25 different workers and 10 different professions over the course of 1 month. We described the corpus and reported the computerized qualitative analysis of summary of contacts. We performed a descendant hierarchical analysis and analyzed specificities of classes of age with a correspondence factor analysis.Results: The corpus was composed of three classes: (1) distress specific to the COVID-19 situation, (2) help provided, and (3) pre-existing psychological vulnerability. Factors subjectively responsible for mental distress were: (a) the contamination risk, (b) confinement, and (c) the rapidly evolving situation and changing instructions. Lack of “COVID-free time” seemed to increase negative emotions. Reassignment to a high viral density unit was a stressor, especially in older workers. Young workers mentioned pre-existing vulnerability more than others. Fear of death was shared by all classes of age, regardless of the objective risk of contamination.Discussion: Hospital workers experience mental distress factors both in common with the general population and specific to the hospital environment. Preserving and organizing support for the mental health of all hospital workers is a critical challenge, including those with poorly recognized professions. Leads for institutions to avoid additional stressors for hospital workers are presented. Young workers with pre-existing vulnerability seem particularly impacted.

Social Mobility and the Social Representation of Sparkling Wine in Brazil and France

Wine is a social object, established in the Old World and later migrated to the New World. Champagne is an internationally important and famous French sparkling wine, significantly present worldwide. Brazil, a New-World wine producer, has a recent but expanding history of sparkling wine production and consumption. As to its social aspect, this product has different representations and roles in both these countries. Therefore, this study aims to understand how culture and social status influence the organization of social representations associated with sparkling wines in Brazil and France. Thus, we used the Social Representation approach, a theory of knowledge and communication. For content collection, we carried out a verbal association task. Two hundred and thirteen Brazilians and one hundred ninety-eight French participants provided the first four words which came to mind after hearing four inducted words. The verbal associations were categorized using semantic contextualization. Then, we performed a Correspondence Factor Analysis. The results supported our hypothesis that culture, social status, and social origins all influence social representations associated with sparkling wine, revealing this kind of wine to be a product of social distinction and affluence.

UNA MIRADA A LAS PRODUCCIONES EN HISTORIA DE LA EDUCACIÓN MATEMÁTICA EN EL VII SEMINARIO INTERNACIONAL DE INVESTIGACIÓN EN EDUCACIÓN MATEMÁTICA

Nuestro objetivo es analizar los trabajos presentados en el VII Seminario Internacional de Investigación en Educación Matemática (2018), pertenecientes al Grupo de Trabajo número 15 (GT15), Historia de la educación matemática. Tenemos la intención de responder las preguntas: ¿Cuáles son los grupos de investigación (GI’s) presentes en el GT15? ¿Qué supuestos teóricos y metodológicos se utilizan? ¿Qué temas se están abordando? Utilizamos conceptos de Fleck y Bourdieu para abordar la producción, la constitución del campo científico y las relaciones entre el colectivo de investigadores. Con el software IRaMuTeQ presentamos una nube de palabras, además de aplicar el análisis factorial de correspondencia que ayuda a visualizar la proximidad y las distancias entre los trabajos presentados en el GT15, contribuyendo así a la identificación de temas comunes. Observamos que los GI’s más presentes, dentro deste universo, son GHEMAT y GHOEM. La mayoría de los trabajos presentados provienen de instituciones de la región sureste, como UNESP y UNIFESP. Finalmente, utilizamos el software Gephi para construir una red de referencias compartidas, destacando la investigación que trata problemas en el campo científico de la Historia de la educación matemática, y sus diálogos con Historia, Filosofía y Sociología. Palabras Clave: Campo científico, Gephi, grupos de investigación, IRaMuTeQ, SIPEM.Um olhar sobre as produções em História da educação matemática no VII Seminário Internacional de Pesquisa em Educação Matemática ResumoNosso objetivo é analisar os trabalhos apresentados no VII Seminário Internacional de Pesquisa em Educação Matemática, em particular aqueles pertencentes ao Grupo de Trabalhos número 15 (GT15), intitulado História da educação matemática, realizado em 2018. Pretendemos responder aos seguintes questionamentos: Quais são os grupos de pesquisa (GP’s) presentes no GT15? Quais pressupostos teóricos e metodológicos são mobilizados? Quais as temáticas que estão sendo tratadas? Utilizamos conceitos de Fleck e de Bourdieu para tratar a produção, a constituição do campo científico e as relações entre o coletivo de pesquisadores. Com o software IRaMuTeQ apresentamos uma nuvem de palavras, além de aplicarmos a análise fatorial de correspondência que auxilia na visualização das proximidades e distanciamentos entre os trabalhos apresentados no GT15, contribuindo assim para a identificação de temáticas comuns. Observamos que os GP’s mais presentes, dentro desse universo, são o GHEMAT e o GHOEM. A maioria dos trabalhos apresentados é oriunda de instituições da região sudeste, como UNESP e UNIFESP. Finalmente, utilizamos o software Gephi para construir uma rede de referências compartilhadas, evidenciando as pesquisas que tratam das problemáticas do campo científico da História da educação matemática, e seus diálogos com a História, Filosofia e Sociologia.Palavras-chave: Campo científico, Gephi, grupos de pesquisa, IRaMuTeQ, SIPEM.An Overview at the productions in the History of Mathematics Education at the VII International Research Seminar on Mathematics EducationAbstract The main aim of this paper is to analyse the contributed papers presented at the VII International Research Seminar on Mathematics Education, in 2018, particularly those belonging to Working Group 15 (WG15) entitled History of Mathematics Education. We try to answer the following: Which are the research groups (RGs) present in the GT15? Which are the main theoretical and methodological approaches? What topics are being addressed? We used concepts by Fleck and Bourdieu to address the production and constitution of the scientific field and the relationship between the collective of researchers. Using IRaMuTeQ software we produce a word cloud and also apply a correspondence factor analysis that helps in visualising the proximity and distances among the contributed papers presented in WG15, thus contributing with the identification of common themes. We observed that the most present RGs are GHEMAT and GHOEM. Most presented papers come from institutions from the Southeastern region of Brazil, such as UNESP and UNIFESP. Finally, we use Gephi software in order to create a shared references network, highlighting researches addressing questions in the History of mathematics education scientific field, and its dialogues with History, Philosophy and Sociology. Keywords: Scientific field, Gephi, research groups, IRaMuTeQ, SIPEM.

Perceptions paysannes de la dégradation des ressources naturelles des bas-fonds en zone soudano-sahélienne: cas du sous bassin versant du Nakanbé-Dem au Burkina Faso

Le Sahel burkinabé est caractérisé par une forte dégradation des ressources naturelles. Cette régression est imputable à des facteurs naturels et anthropiques. La présente étude concerne les bas-fonds du sous bassin versant du Nakanbé-Dem situé dans la limite australe du Sahel. Dans cette zone dominée par l’agriculture pluviale et l’élevage extensif, les zones humides revêtent une importance capitale. Face à leur dégradation continue, la participation des communautés est nécessaire pour une gestion durable des bas-fonds. Cette étude analyse les indicateurs endogènes de la dégradation des bas-fonds de la zone soudano-sahélienne. Des données d’enquêtes semi-structurées ont été collectées auprès de 325 exploitants de six bas-fonds. Des statistiques descriptives et une analyse factorielle par correspondance (AFC) ont été appliquées. Les résultats montrent que les paysans perçoivent clairement la dégradation des bas-fonds. Les paysans se servent d’éléments météorologiques, floristiques et physiques pour caractériser l’état de dégradation des bas-fonds. La disparition de plusieurs espèces et l’apparition d’espèces ubiquistes leur permettent d’évaluer la dégradation des terres des bas-fonds. Ces indicateurs endogènes varient en fonction du sexe et du niveau d’instruction. L’étude a souligné l’importance des connaissances endogènes dans l’analyse du phénomène de dégradation des bas-fonds. Elle suggère la nécessité d’en tenir compte désormais dans la mise en oeuvre des techniques de restauration des bas-fonds dégradés.Mots clés : Indicateurs endogènes ; dégradation des bas-fonds ; perceptions ; bassin versant, Burkina Faso. English Title: Farmers' Perceptions of lowland's natural resources degradation in Sudano Sahelian area: case of Nakanbe-Dem Sub-Watershed in Burkina FasoThe Burkina Faso Sahel is characterized by a great degradation of natural resources. This regression is due to natural and anthropogenic factors. This study concerns the lowlands of the Nakanbé-Dem sub-watershed, located in the northern limit of the Sahel. In this area dominated by rain farming and extensive livestock, wetlands are very important. In this context of continuous lowlands degradation, the participation of communities is necessary for a sustainable management. This study analyses the local indicators of lowlands’ degradation in Sudano-Sahelian zone. Data from semi-structured surveys were collected from 325 farmers in six lowlands of Nakanbé-Dem sub-watershed. Descriptive statistics and correspondence factor analysis (CFA) were applied. The results show that farmers clearly perceive the degradation of the lowlands. Farmers use meteorological, floristic and physical elements to characterize the state of lowlands degradation. The loss of several species and the appearance of ubiquitous species allow them to assess the degradation of the lowlands. These local indicators vary according to sex and education level. Farmers also apprehend degraded lowlands flora reshaping and identify taxa indicative of lowland ecosystems health. The study highlighted the importance of the endogenous knowledge in the analysis of lowlands’ degradation. It suggests the need to take into account local indicators in the implementation of lowlands’ restoration techniques. Keywords: endogenous indicators, lowlands degradation, perception, Watershed, Burkina Faso.

Late Neolithic plant subsistence and farming activities on the southern margins of the Massif Central (France)

Seed and fruit remains from archaeological sites provide the most direct source of evidence on ancient crops and plant food resources. Earlier studies on late Neolithic sites (3500–2200 BC) in the Grands Causses and Hérault valley areas focused on cave and rock-shelter sites. Here, we discuss new and previously published archaeobotanical evidence from open-air settlements, which should be considered as more representative of the standard subsistence and farming economy. Patterns in the data have been analyzed through sample densities, diversity index, taxa ubiquities, and abundance by means of correspondence factor analysis. Contrary to what is assumed in other Western European regions for that period, the available dataset indicates that cereals were consumed and therefore probably cultivated on a regular basis in the Grands Causses and Hérault valley. The range of crops and collected wild fruits was the same in both areas but certain differences existed. As in other regions, einkorn played a significant role during the late Neolithic, but it was more common in the Hérault valley than in the Grands Causses plateaux. On the other hand, the collection of wild fruits seemed to be of more importance in the hinterland than in the littoral area. The more striking difference concerns crop processing activities and the use of glume wheat by-products. They are much more common in the Grands Causses samples.