Polytechnic Lavoslav Ružička Vukovar

<p>This paper provides a critical overview of contemporary knowledge of the impact of digital transformation on the financial management of companies of different sizes and different sectors. It analyses key technologies that are shaping the new financial environment, artificial intelligence, automated reporting systems and predictive analytics of large databases. A special focus is placed on changes in planning, control and financial decision-making processes, as well as new forms of performance and risk monitoring. The paper points out that digital transformation enables faster and more accurate processing of financial information, reduction of operating costs and increase of overall business transparency. At the same time, it highlights that companies face challenges related to high initial investments, a lack of digital competences and the need to adapt to legislative frameworks. By analyzing secondary sources and relevant literature, it is determined that the<br />effectiveness of digital transformation depends on the level of integration of technology into strategic goals and organizational culture of the company. It is emphasized that the digital transformation of financial management is a key prerequisite for long-term competitiveness, sustainability and resilience of companies to growing market challenges.</p>

Inclusive education is a complex concept that involves the interplay of practice, culture, and policy, all of which shape inclusive practices through intricate interrelationships. Teachers, as the promoters of inclusive education, play a crucial role. Attitudes are a complex construct consisting of three components(cognitive, affective, and behavioral). Since attitudes are tendencies that can guide behavior, teachersare more likely to implement inclusive practices if they have positive attitudes. The research aimed to de-termine the metric characteristics and construct validity of the MATIES multidimensional scale on teachers’ attitudes towards inclusive education (IE) and to explore how teachers at primary schools in Croatia evaluate each of the three components of their attitudes towards IE. The study was conducted between May 1 and July 30, 2024, as a cross-sectional study of a probabilistic sample of 478 primary school teachers across Croatia (F = 445, M = 33) via an online questionnaire using the multidimensional MATIES scale. A four-point Likert scale was used, with descriptive indicators and t-tests set at 2.5 for a neutral stance. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the construct validity of the MATIES questionnaire. All three subscales showed high internal reliability. Teachers’ attitudes were generally positive (M = 2.60), and all three components of the attitude were also positively assessed: the cognitive component (M =2.60), the affective component (M = 2.96), and the behavioral component (M = 3.23). The behavioral component of attitude accounted for the largest percentage of variance, with 38.65%, followed by the affective component with 12.53% and the cognitive component with 9.65%. The translated and validated MATIES questionnaire exhibits satisfactory psychometric characteristics and is a reliable instrument that can be utilized in further research in its current form. The finding that teachers have positive attitudes toward inclusion should encourage inclusive policymakers to provide additional support to teachers in order to maintain teachersʼ positive attitudes.

Demografska struktura stanovništva jedan je od ključnih čimbenika demografske slike nekog područja te utječe na gospodarsko stanje države. Demografske promjene glavni su pokretač društvenog razvoja Europske unije i njezinih država članica, a posljedično utječu na društveno-gospodarski razvoj. U analizi demografske strukture stanovništva najčešće se razmatraju biološka (stanovništvo prema dobi i spolu), ekonomska, socio-profesionalna, obrazovna, nacionalna, religijska i kulturno-etnička obilježja stanovništva. Dobno-spolna struktura stanovništva temelj je fiziološke podjele rada i važna je za trenutačni gospodarski razvoj neke države. Zajedno s veličinom i gustoćom stanovništva, dobno-spolna struktura postavlja demografske okvire širenja društvene podjele rada. Poduzetnici imaju ključnu ulogu u tržišnim ekonomijama zbog njihove inovativnosti i utjecaja na gospodarstvo. Poduzetnički uspjeh ovisi o samom poduzetniku i njegovim karakteristikama, a olakšavaju ga čimbenici poput stupnja obrazovanja, obuke, iskustva, okruženja i demografskih karakteristika. Dob, spol i obrazovanje također utječu na poslovna postignuća poduzetnika. Za potrebe ovog rada putem online upitnika provedeno je istraživanje demografskih karakteristika poduzetnika u Republici Hrvatskoj. U istraživanju je sudjelovalo 100 poduzetnika(N = 100). Metodologija istraživanja temelji se na primjeni deskriptivne statistike, a analizirani podaci prikazani su pomoću ključnih mjera centralne tendencije. Cilj istraživanja bio je utvrditi demografsku strukturu poduzetnika. Rezultati istraživanja pokazali su da su poduzetnici većinom visokoobrazovani muškarci koji žive u gradu i vlasnici su mikropoduzeća. Dobiveni rezultati mogu se primijeniti u svrhu promicanja poduzetništva među određenim strukturama stanovništva.

This study is the first investigation into the content of heavy metals (ecotoxic) and metalloids in the available water resources of the Papuk Nature Park (Croatia), conducted after the war in Croatia. Analyses of 13 elements, As, B, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Sr, V and Zn, were carried out on 21 water samples from rivers and their tributaries using the ICP-MS method. The concentration of heavy metals and metalloids in the water of the rivers and their tributaries was low, revealing an intact water environment. Depending on the area of sampling, medians (in µgL−1) were 0.50–4.22 (As), 1.90–141.78 (B), 0.31–60.01 (Ba), 0.16–0.57 (Cd), 0.095–0.62 (Co), 0.18–0.66 (Cr), 1.59–15.89 (Cu), 12.1–1692.2 (Fe), 0.26–8.21 (Ni), 0.017–4.45 (Pb), 0.039–126.09 (Sr), 0.48–2.53 (V), and 3.01–25.95 (Zn). Higher concentrations of Fe (median ranged from 155.42 to 968.20 µgL−1) were found in the northern part of the Papuk Nature Park and are considered to be of natural origin; therefore, anthropogenic influences are excluded. The watercourses of the Papuk Nature Park are generally characterized as a clean ecosystem. This, in part, can be attributed to the human activism legislation that declared Papuk a Nature Park, and the self-healing potential of nature.

Type 1 diabetes has become prevalent among the adult population, who have increasingly gained access to sensing technology. This study delved into the impact of diet, nutritional status, and the use of a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGM) on glycemic regulation among adults diagnosed with T1D. Employing a prospective design, data were gathered from 151 participants aged 18-60 across multiple cycles. Participants utilized the FreeStyle Libre (FSL) Flash Glucose Monitoring (FGM) System and provided dietary details via questionnaires and diaries. The findings unveiled correlations between dietary patterns and glycemic control, with higher protein intake associated with improved glycated hemoglobin A1C values (p = 0.019), yet elevated fat and protein consumption was linked to heightened rates of hyperglycemia. Conversely, no significant relationship was observed between dietary variables and hypoglycemia occurrence. Interestingly, subjects with more readings of glucose levels consumed fewer carbohydrates (p = 0.004) and more proteins (p = 0.000). Furthermore, physical activity and marital status correlated with glycemic stability, while higher education was associated with enhanced glycemic control (p = 0.021). This study confirmed the importance of structured education on glycemic regulation and the importance of dietary patterns in glucose management. Also, the educational role of the FGM system in changing dietary habits was confirmed, which is one of the key factors for improving glycemic regulation in continuous glucose monitoring system users.

Schizophrenia is a complex psychiatric condition that, if not adequately treated, can affect functional limitations. The exact etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia remains unknown. Research suggests an interaction between many factors, including genetic susceptibility, environment and psychological processes. Specific authors describe the association of a valuable mineral in the human body, iron, with pathophysiological mechanisms and related etiological factors in the development of the severe mental illness of schizophrenia.Iron has important roles in the human body and affects various physiological processes. Some studies have shown a connection between the dysregulation of iron levels and the development of different mental disorders, including schizophrenia. Abnormal levels of iron in a specific region of the brain have been observed in people with schizophrenia. Iron levels may contribute to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia in combination with other genetic, environmental and dietary factors. Iron can also contribute to the better cognitive functioning of a patient with schizophrenia, and due to frequent malnutrition and undernourishment in this group of patients, it is crucial to take into account the need for routine hematological examinations and the determination of essential nutritional deficiencies.Finally, our goals were to systematically review the literature published in the last two decades using PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar. We described the clinical aspects and etiological factors of schizophrenia. We determined whether schizophrenia can be associated with iron concentration disorders to recognize and identify potential patients with iron deficiency and treat them promptly in daily clinical practice.

The aim of the paper was to do diachronic linguistic research in Corporate English by doing a lexical analysis of American and British annual reports for fiscal years 2002 and 2021. Corporations, as entities of creative disruption, stay at the heart of capitalism and act as the engine of technological development in the world. However, the language of their communication with their owners (shareholders) and other stakeholders interested in their performance, such as employees, suppliers, lenders, and prospective owners, has not been empirically analysed. The article provides the results of diachronic corpus-based research of multi-word expressions (MWEs) in Corporate English. The annual reports of ten American and ten British corporations for fiscal years 2001 and 2021 were analysed separately to get information about the lexical changes that occurred in these financial documents in two variants of English over two decades. The results of the research revealed both differences and diachronic changes at the lexical level in American and British Corporate English and the same can be used in BE classes to make BE students aware of two varieties of English by presenting and practicing real empirically proved vocabulary. The results of the research can be used in BE classes in a variety of ways, bearing in mind that BE students, to communicate effectively, should be exposed to the newest vocabulary used in the business world.

In this study, micronized-ethylene-propylene-diene monomer powders (m-EPDM) by the physical crushing method were added to EPDM rubber, and their effects on physical and mechanical properties were examined. Micronized EPDM powders were added at rates of 10-20-30%. EPDM rubber was pulped with micronized EPDM powder using a 1.5-liter laboratory type mini banbury. The obtained paste was vulcanized in the press at 180 °C for 20 min., and test plates were acquired. Rheological and fluidity properties of EPDM rubber with m-EPDM powder added were examined by pre-press rheometer (Moving Die Rheometer_MDR) and Mooney viscosity tests. Tensile and permanent deformation tests were performed to determine mechanical properties density, Shore A hardness tests were performed to determine physical properties and dispersion analysis was performed to distribute the additives in EPDM rubber. As a result of the study, minimum torque (ML) values increased while maximum torque (MH) values decreased depending on the amount of m-EPDM. Mooney viscosity of EPDM/30m-EPDM rubber increased by 40.9%. It was observed that cure rate index (CRI) did not change depending on the amount of m-EPDM. With the addition of 30% m-EPDM, breaking strength decreased by 39.2%, and elongation at break was reduced by 9.87%.

Aim:This study aimed to evaluate mortality risk associated with readily accessible laboratory parameters and underlying conditions in hospitalized older adults.Materials and Methods:This retrospective study included geriatric patients admitted for inpatient care to the internal medicine wards of two major university hospitals in two different regions of Turkey. Data related to the patients were collected by retrospective review of patient charts and electronic records. Survival data were obtained from the Death Reporting System of the Turkish Ministry of Health. Survival after admission at 30 days and 1 year was noted.Results:The study included 1.465 hospitalized older adults with a median age of 74 years, of whom 51% were women. Of these patients, 115 (7.8%) died within 30 days and 382 (26.1%) died within 12 months. For 30-day mortality, independent risk factors appeared to be infectious diseases [odds ratio (OR) 2.109, p=0.006], receiving palliative support (OR 5.982, p=0.006), malignancy (OR 2.514, p=0.001), Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) (OR 1.219 per unit increase, p<0.001), MPV (OR 1.525 per unit increase, p<0.001), and CRP (OR 1.006 per unit increase, p<0.001). For 12-month mortality, independent risk factors were found to be infectious diseases (OR 1.978, p=0.01), palliative support (OR 6.506, p<0.001), malignancy (OR 2.654, p<0.001), CCI (OR 1.200 per unit increase, p<0.001), and CRP (OR 1.006 per unit increase, p<0.001).Conclusion:The results of this study show that CCI, CRP, and NLR were associated with higher mortality both at 30 days and 12 months. A one-unit increase in MPV was an independent risk factor for 30-day mortality and increased the odds of mortality by 52.5%.

Music lessons provide many opportunities for cross-curricular connections with other subjects. As part of the work, research was conducted on a sample of 110 teachers who teach Music Culture in elementary school. The aim of the research was to find out the teachers' views on the implementation of cross-curricular connections between the teaching of Music Culture and other subjects, the frequency and methods of conducting such teaching, as well as possible statistically significant differences between teachers in the attitudes and implementation of cross-curricular connections with regard to sociodemographic variables. We believe that the results of this research indicate the need for more intensive implementation of cross-curricular connections between the teaching of Music Culture and other subjects.