Obraz Košíc v slovenskej historiografii v rokoch 1918 – 1938

Author(s): Ondrej Ficeri / Language(s): Slovak Issue: 1/2015

The aim of the article is to reconstruct the image of the town of Košice produced by members of Slovak historiography, and by Czech historians working in Slovakia in the period of existence of the First Czechoslovak Republic 1918 – 1938. The article focuses on answering the questions: how was the „magyarized“ image of the town „slovakized“ by Czechoslovak historians, how they refl ected on the pre-Trianon Magyarization of the town, how they referred to importance of Košice in the Hungarian nation narrative; which processes and events in the history of Košice were emphasised, and which were obeyed. The article deals with variety of strategies in picturing the town and in reinterpretation of the respective historical events in its history. It also attempts to evaluate what role Košice played in the constructed Czechoslovak national discourse. Finally, the article aims to explain reasons, why Košice in the inter-war period, despite becoming a strategic metropolitan hub of East Slovakia, was left in the peripheral position in the context of the Slovak national narrative.

THE DILEMMA OF PRESENT DAY: GUERRILLA, TERRORIST AND ASYMMETRIC WARFARE

Author(s): Jarosław J. Piątek / Language(s): English Issue: 5/2014

In order to describe the environment surrounding us, so complex in terms of relations resulting from using violence, we easily employ terms such as 'partisan' or 'militant', just in order to define the very same ones as terrorists a while later. Probably the benchmark of contemporary description, especially of political action is the lack of clear-cut attitudes. Terrorism is nothing new, and this statement in itself is not very revealing. However, for many contemporary researchers of this issue, there is never too much information. Terrorism has always accompanied the history of oppressive regimes as well as resistance movements and uprisings. All the same, within the anti-colonial insurrectionary movements of the mid-20th century which led to the fall of European colonial empires over a short period of time, terrorism achieved new quality. It should also be emphasized that it achieved considerable political successes compared to the social-revolutionary terrorism of the late 19th century. The attribute 'terrorist' serves as an excluding one in different relations. By employing such term, one that their cause is an unconventional one – leastways as long as specific ways of using violence are applied. On the other hand, groups classified as terrorist ones often describe themselves as partisans who are fighting for the liberation of certain social or ethnic groups and who have to employ “unconventional” methods of using force because of the military superiority of the oppressive regime. By describing certain actions as 'terrorist' one usually intends on bereaving it of every sort of political legitimation. Is there any aspect that terrorism and guerrilla actions have in common? In certain socio-revolutionary or ethno-separatist strategies of violence, the concept of terrorism consists in the idea of a 'starter' which is to create the conditions to commence the guerrilla war. There could also be groups acting as partisans on one front line, and as terrorists on the other. The example is Al-Qaeda: in Central Asia its network operated only temporarily, as a kind of guerrilla, while in the global scale it employed terrorist strategy.

Българската общност в Австрия – историческо, лингвистично и етноложко проучване. Том 2. Съставители: Ива Пенкова, Владимир Пенчев. София: ДАБЧ, Изд. „Парадигма”, 2016

Author(s): Valentina Ganeva-Raycheva / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2017

Book Review

Между носталгията по социализма и свободния достъп до европейския пазар на труда

Author(s): Nadezhda Zhechkova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 3/2017

The article draws attention to some aspects of the political culture of the Bulgarian Turks. On one hand, there is a pronounced nostalgia for socialism associated with the individual security and economic stability. On the other hand, the positive assessment of European integration is understood as free access to Western European labor markets. How does the “economic” factor influence the political culture of this population at the beginning of the XXI century?

The Russia-Ukraine War and Its Impact on Global Food Security. Are GMO Products a Good Alternative?

Author(s): Marwan Abou-Raya,Amira Youssef / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2022

This paper shows how governments are reluctant to take decisions to allow GMO products for human use and to change them. It also draws a comparison about the allowance and usage of GMO products between Russia and Egypt (with the United States of America representing the largest country around the world in using GMO products). The results of the study are supported by the data of a survey among certain age groups from the Russian and Egyptian populations, conducted by the authors of the paper. As a solution, the Egyptian and Russian governments should allow imports and cultivation of GMO crops under supervision by departments to guarantee their safety. The authors see that GMO products are the best solution to face the potential food shortage for most of the countries dependent on foods imported from Ukraine and Russia because of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Application and Challenges of Web 3.0 in Smart Cities

Author(s): Joshua Olusegun Fayomi,Zainab Abdulqadir Sani / Language(s): English Issue: 01/2023

Citizens are becoming more directly involved in the advancement of sustainability in smart development in areas where web 3.0 promises to transform urban cities into advanced smart cities and where ICTs are integrated in strategies for participation and co-production. This study's aim is to investigate and pinpoint the applications and difficulties in using Web 3.0 technologies in smart cities in Lithuania. A systematic questionnaire with open-ended questions was created after a thorough study in order to elicit 250 replies from citizens, managers, and online workers in Lithuania. The information gathered was examined. Our research findings in this paper offer a multidisciplinary understanding of web 3.0's applications and difficulties in smart cities, as well as insights into the chances for citizen participation in decision-making and service delivery. Future cities will likely need a stronger technological connection with smart technology, with an emphasis on the rising role of the digitally "empowered" citizen. In order to improve surroundings in web 3.0 contexts, this study examines the difficulties and applications of implementing such a futuristic idea. It will be said that although much of the technology needed to realize the vision of Web 3.0 applications in smart cities is already available, further research is still required in several important areas.

Using RPA for data generation using OCR platforms in Mediterranean University of Albania

Author(s): Gerild Qordja / Language(s): English Issue: 01/2023

The increase in the amount of data today has led to the use of computer applications in order to manage processes precisely. Robotic process automation (RPA), also known as software robotics, uses automation technologies to mimic back-office tasks of human workers, such as extracting data, filling in forms, moving files, et cetera. Optical character recognition (OCR) is sometimes referred to as text recognition. An OCR program extracts and repurposes data from scanned documents, camera images and image-only pdfs. OCR systems use a combination of hardware and software to convert physical, printed documents into machine-readable text. Hardware such as an optical scanner or specialized circuit board copies or reads text then, software typically handles the advanced processing. Process Automation in Azure Automation allows you to automate frequent, time-consuming, and error-prone management tasks. This service helps you focus on work that adds business value. In this paper, I will use the above-mentioned technologies to realize the automatic data generation process for the construction of an online library. In addition, the level of data accuracy will be studied in the automation of data generation from pdf files to mySql. The application will be built in front end html and back end php programming language and mySql database. These tests will be done by inserting more than 17000 books in pdf format.

Exchange rate forecasting with Artificial Intelligence

Author(s): Zela (Male) Katerina / Language(s): English Issue: 01/2023

This study concerns the problem of forecasting the exchange rate between the official currency of EU member states, Euro and Albanian Lek, aiming to identify the best predictive model for financial time series future trend prediction. We compare the forecasting performance of linear and nonlinear forecasting models using monthly data for the period between January 2002 until January 2022. We discuss various forecasting approaches, including an Autoregressive Integrated. Moving Average model, a Nonlinear Autoregressive Neural Network model, a BATS model and Exponential Smoothing on the collected data and compare their accuracy using error term measuring indicators, choosing the model with the lowest Mean Absolute Percentage Error value. Finding the most accurate forecasting model would help improve monetary and fiscal politics, as well as orient future personal investments.

Geopolitical Assessment of Cultural Diffusion in the Moscopole (Voskopoja) of the 18th Century

Author(s): Arben Belba / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2019

The paper “Geopolitical assessment of cultural diffusion in Moscopole of the XVIII century” is a professional effort to convey to scholars, teachers, specialists of local and central government, tourism and entrepreneurship, findings and interesting facts about Moscopole, a mountainous resort village, in the southeastern Albania. This paper deals with the concept of cultural diffusion of the medieval city of Moscopole (XVIII century). The paper analyzes the indicators that highlight the flourishing of the city of Moscopole in the years 1750–1769 and the cultural richness that this nucleus of civilization conveyed to Albanian territories and further in the Balkans. The methodology followed is based on the research method, intertwined with information processing, comparison, and data synthesis analysis. This cultural diffusion and rich historical heritage have turned Moscopole into a model for the development of mountain tourism.

BANK PROFITABILITY DETERMINANTS: EVIDENCE FROM KOSOVO AND ALBANIA

Author(s): Vesë Qehaja-Kekaë,Skender Ahmeti,Muhamet Aliu / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2023

This research aims to examine the factors that impact the profitability of commercial banks in Kosovo and Albania. Profitability is crucial in the financial sector as it directly affects policymakers, regulators, and bank management. The study focuses on several determinants of bank profitability, including the number of employees, loan interest rate, non-performing loans, and total loans. The study employed quarterly secondary data spanning from 2010 to 2020, resulting in 400 observations. The analysis used multiple linear regression, influenced by the huge number of observations and the applicability of ordinary least squares (OLS) for such studies. This method allowed for a thorough examination of the interactions between the dependent and independent variables, providing a more in-depth understanding of the factors driving bank profitability. The statistical significance was determined using software such as STATA and SPSS. The dependent variables in the analysis are return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE). The findings reveal that the loan interest rate, total loans, and non-performing loans significantly influence the profitability of the analyzed banks in Albania and Kosovo. Furthermore, the total number of loans and employees are statistically significant determinants of ROE. These findings provide valuable insights for bank management and policymakers in enhancing bank profitability and stability.

Together or not? The Effects of Individual and Group Work of the Faculty of Philology Students During E-learning Online

Author(s): Anna Ślósarz / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2023

This article tested a widespread belief that by working in groups distance education students achieve cognitive goals of learning, and develop their social competencies and skills. The subject of the study was the achievements of 655 bachelor and master degree students enrolled in 22 on-campus and blended learning units offered within 2 university courses, full-time and part-time, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, i.e. in the academic years 2020/2021 and 2021/2022. An instrumental case study was carried out: the grades students obtained for individual work were compared with grades obtained for work done in pairs and groups of threes within the same courses. It was found that a statistically significant difference did not exist. But the highest grades (on average 83.81) were obtained by students who had worked individually, and the lowest (81.64%) by those who had worked in groups of three. The highest grades were obtained by the final-year students. They showed an understanding of the assessment criteria and the ability to follow such. Also, they wanted to pass on the first attempt in order to have time to prepare for the final examination. International students were reluctant to work in groups. They focused on achieving good grades and preparing for the thesis due to the time limits of student visas and the unrest caused by the war in Ukraine. First-year students who had no experience in adhering to the assessment criteria and problems with communicating due to isolation caused by the pandemic obtained the lowest grades.

Kobieta – naukowiec – mutant. Płeć w opowiadaniach Julii Nideckiej

Author(s): Kinga Wyskiel / Language(s): Polish Issue: 1 (21)/2023

Kinga Wyskiel’s article concerns the issue of gender in science fiction stories by Julia Nidecka. The following stories have been analysed and interpreted: “Wilki na wyspie” [Wolves on the Island], “Taśmy prawdy” [Tapes of Truth], “Kwiaty w bukiecie” [Flowers in a Bouquet] and “Goniący za słońcem” [Chasing the Sun]. Wyskiel considers two dominant strategies for the representation of femininity in these stories and focuses on Nidecka’s images of the woman scientist and the mutant woman present in them. Wyskiel also points out that gender is an a priori category in Nidecka’s future worlds and that, consequently, the construction of those worlds has been based on the gender matrix.

„Dajcie nam cywilizację naukową” – federacja ludów Europy, Naukowa Liga Narodów i ostatnia wojna o pokój. Ritchiego Caldera i Stefana Barszczewskiego fantastyczne wizje pokoju

Author(s): Jerzy Stachowicz / Language(s): Polish Issue: 1 (21)/2023

In this article, Jerzy Stachowicz examines selected literary works the represent the science fiction genre of the interwar period. He focuses on pacifist visions of the future in those works and argues that these scientistic, military, and superpower fantasies have an anti-war potential, and that fantasy literature itself can, to some extent, be regarded as a „pacifist practice”.

Научна конференция и научно издание по темата за факторите на икономическия растеж в историческа перспектива

Author(s): Emilia Vacheva / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2024

Влияние на европейската политика за сигурност и отбрана върху развитието на космическия сегмент

Author(s): Tsveta Monova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2024

This report is devoted to research and examines the impact and role of the modern space industrial industry and is related to its space technology and innovation.

Войната в Украйна и сътрудничеството между Япония и НАТО: японската перспектива

Author(s): Boryana Miteva / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2s/2024

During 2023 NATO Vilnius Summit Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that “no other partner is closer to NATO than Japan”. Indeed, Japan and NATO have a long history of interaction. The war in Ukraine significantly changed global security environment. This new challenge had an impact on the relationship between NATO and its Indo-Pacific partners, including Japan. NATO last two summits in Madrid and Vilnius were important not only for the European security, but for Indo-Pacific as well. This study aims to analyze how the war in Ukraine affects Japan-NATO relations, and what is the future of their cooperation and NATO‘s role in the Indo-Pacific region.

Научно-образователен анализ на правния режим на достъпа до пазара на труда на граждани на трети държави

Author(s): Emine Ilyaz / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 4s/2024

Attracting qualified workers from a third country is an important element for maintaining the economic development and competitiveness of the Republic of Bulgaria. In Bulgaria, as in other member states of the European Union, the access of third-country nationals to the labor market is regulated in order to ensure controlled migration and protect jobs for the local population. The purpose of this presentation is to make a general scientific and educational analysis of the legal regime of the right to access the labor market and to present to the reader in a systematized form only those provisions of the law that refer to the types of legal regime of access to the labor market of third country nationals.

Употреби на смартфон за производство на журналистическо съдържание. Практика и обучение в България

Author(s): Nikolai Kolev / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 16/2024

Mobile Journalism is often the subject of debate - is every journalistic assignment outside a studio or newsroom Mobile Journalism and whether the mobility of devices makes journalism mobile? This study presents another angle to the topic of Mobile Journalism, namely focusing on Smartphone Journalism. Why does one particular device stand out among the many technological innovations? The revolution in the field of journalism comes precisely from smartphones due to a specific reason – the liberalization of content distribution channels. These are the first devices in such a wide-scale use, where traditional media systems no longer control the channels for content to reach audiences. The article presents data, collected as part of the International Project: “Mobile Journalism Practice and Education in Central-East European Countries”

Commercialization of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. Prospects and Challenges in the Second Decade of the 21st Century

Author(s): Dolores Gracja Piwek / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2024

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are fulfilling increasingly important roles in the economies of countries around the world, providing a more economical and convenient tool for performing tasks that are dangerous to humans or during which the use of specialized equipment is expensive and/or inefficient. The subject of the provided research in this article is the process of commercialization of UAVs and the opportunities and challenges associated with its implementation. The purpose of this article is to identify the most important prospects and challenges facing the UAV industry in the second decade of the 21st century. The main research problem was formulated in the form of a question: What are the most important opportunities and challenges related to the commercialization process of UAVs in the second decade of the 21st century? The article reveals the issues that determine the most important trends in the operation of unmanned aircraft and the opportunities and challenges associated with their commercialization in the context of aviation safety in Poland and Europe. An additional purpose of this paper is to fill the gap in the collection of scientific studies devoted to the subject matter. From an analysis of the available literature, it appears that among scientific studies, there is a lack of those that address the subject matter discussed in this publication within the proposed scope. The observed increase in interest in UAVs—from companies offering specialized services using them, scientists using UAVs for research, and private users—makes it important to analyze the latest trends in UAV development and the challenges facing the aeronautical industry in this area. This applies especially to the areas of the use of UAVs, alternative methods of powering them, and commercial operations using UAVs. The main conclusion of the study is that the development of unmanned aircraft systems services, supported by a competitive sector, can greatly promote Europe’s double transition to a green and digital economy, as well as contribute to the EU economy’s post-COVID-19 recovery and future resilience. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles have the potential to become facilitators of our economic and social lives, in addition to a driving force in the growing digitalization of the European economy, from daily commuting to product delivery.

Analysis of Public Communications in the Event of A Terrorist Act – Communication Response of the Authorities and Coverage in the Media

Author(s): Uri Ben Yaakov / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2025

This article examines the critical analysis of public communications during and in the aftermath of terrorist attacks, concentrating on the dual responsibilities of authorities and the media. It seeks to examine the intricacies of communicating information during crises, assessing how strategic communications can mitigate the negative consequences of terrorism on public sentiment and societal stability. This study sheds light on the shifting dynamics between media coverage, public perception and state responses, by conducting a qualitative analysis of case studies and covering historical and recent terrorist attacks. The research emphasizes important obstacles in striking a balance between informed reporting and the potential for sensationalism, highlighting the ethical dilemmas which journalists and politicians face. The findings highlight the need for a refined framework that controls crisis communication, as well as procedures that ensure information sharing is accurate, sensitive, and timely. This study adds to the greater discussion on counterterrorism methods by suggesting actionable norms and ethical standards for crisis reporting, emphasizing the critical significance of good communication in maintaining public trust and resilience. The study not only adds to the academic understanding of crisis communication, but it also provides practical insights into how media and authorities may work together more effectively to combat terrorism.