This study aimed to determine the impact of teacher verbal encouragement on physical fitness performance, technical skill, and physiological responses during small-sided soccer games (SSGs) of adolescent female students’ during a physical education session. Fifty-two adolescent female students were divided into a verbal encouragement group (VEG, 15.57 ± 0.50 years) and a contrast group (CG, 15.50 ± 0.51 years). Anthropometric measurements, soccer-specific cardiorespiratory endurance (Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1; YYIRT1), muscle power (countermovement jump (CMJ); 5-jump-test (5JT), agility (t-test), sprint speed (30 m)), technical skill, and heart rate (HR) responses during SSG were measured. Additionally, heart rate (HR) was recorded throughout the SSG, and video analysis was used to quantify technical actions. The independent samples Student’s t-test was used to compare the difference between the verbal encouragement group and the CG. There was no difference between the verbal encouragement group and the CG in anthropometric characteristics and 30 m speed (p > 0.05). The total distance measured with YO-YOIRT level 1, t-test performance, CMJ, and 5JT performance results of the verbal encouragement group were considerably higher than the CG (p = 0.001, ES = 1.8, large; p = 0.001, ES = 1.09, large; and p = 0.001, ES = 1.15, large, respectively). Furthermore, the ball contacts, successful balls, and average heart rate were higher in the verbal encouragement group compared with the CG (p = 0.001, ES = 3.69, large; p = 0.001, ES = 5.25, large; and p = 0.001, ES = 5.14, large, respectively). These results could inform teachers of the usefulness of verbal encouragement in the teaching-learning process in the school setting during small-sided soccer games.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of flat foot on the frontal alignment of calcaneus and tibia in 23 children with flat feet, aged 7-9 (7.43±0.58 years old). To evaluate the foot, the Foot Posture Index-6 (FPI 6) was used, while the posture of the calcaneus and the tibia was analyzed using the Global Postural System 400. The statistical results indicate strong intensity links between flat foot and the frontal alignment of the calcaneus and the tibia, as follows: FPI 6 right foot score and calcaneus - right foot angle (r= 0.824; p < 0.001), tibia - right foot angle (r= 0.588; p < 0.001); FPI 6 left foot score and calcaneus - left foot angle (r= 0.824; p < 0.001), tibia - left foot angle (r= 0.853; p < 0.001). Our study demonstrates that pediatric flat foot has the capacity to significantly influence the values of the angle of the calcaneus and tibia in a frontal plane. Keywords: pediatric flat foot, Foot Posture Index-6,proximal segments

This article presents a comprehensive analysis of the European Union’s e-commerce market within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It examines the correlation between demographic factors and the territorial convergence of e-commerce activities across EU member states. By leveraging empirical data and employing the General Linear Model – Repeated Measures (GLM-RM) to analyze temporal changes in the phenomena of interest across EU countries, the study provides a nuanced understanding of the market’s evolution during and after the pandemic. The research reveals a notable expansion in the EU’s e-commerce market value, leading to a reduction in economic disparities among member states. It highlights the role of consumer demographics in shaping online shopping behavior, with age being a pivotal factor that demonstrates significant variations. Additionally, the study delves into the differential performance of various product categories, reflecting a pattern of selective sectoral convergence. A key finding is the pandemic’s dual role as a disruptor and an accelerator for digital integration, particularly in enhancing digital inclusivity in less economically developed EU regions. This study contributes to the broader discourse on e-commerce market dynamics in times of global crises, offering valuable insights for policymakers and business strategists.

This article presents some of the results of a study on the importance that employers attach to some of the professional competencies of university graduates, as well as on the level of satisfaction with graduates' competencies, respectively the need to improve them. The research was conducted at the level of a sample of 50 recruiters with reference to graduates of a higher education institution. The results of the research attest that for employers competencies such as: Teamwork, Specialized training – practical and theoretical, Communication Management of time, material resources and human resources, Critical and prospective thinking, Use of elements specific to digitization or information and communication technology are considered, on average, very important. It is also found that although they are satisfied or relatively satisfied with the competencies of graduates, employers consider it necessary for them to improve. This fact highlights the need for permanent improvement of employees' competencies as a way of adapting to the dynamics of the economic, social and technological environment in which organizations operate.

This research examines how the implementation of International Auditing Standard 701 – Communicating Key Audit Matters in the Independent Auditor’s Report (ISA 701), introduced by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) in 2015 and mandatory since December 2016, affects the transparency and integrity of financial reports of companies listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange (BSE). ISA 701 encourages more effective communication of key audit matters, emphasizing their importance in strengthening the quality of statutory audit. This study focuses on how these key matters are identified and communicated in the audit reports and on their impact on investor behavior and management decisions. The paper had as starting point 83 entities listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange, and following the application of strict criteria, in order to ensure the relevance and comparability of information, the sample was reduced to 40 entities for which the trends in presentation of key audit matters between 2020 and 2022 were analyzed. The results suggest a significant link between the clarity and breadth of communication of these matters and strategic management decisions, which are directly reflected in the financial evolution of companies. This analysis contributes to the literature by highlighting the role of effective communication of key audit matters in promoting transparency and accountability within listed entities, highlighting the positive potential for investor confidence and capital market stability.

Municipal waste management is a major challenge for sustainable development, as it is strongly influenced by socioeconomic dynamics, seasonality, and the local institutional framework. In this context, this study aims to analyze the seasonality and structure of municipal waste streams at the county level, using monthly operational data provided by the Integrated Waste Management System in Bacău County, Romania. The analysis is based on descriptive statistical methods, seasonal indicators, nonparametric statistical tests, and exploratory multivariate techniques. Seasonal variability was assessed by calculating monthly and seasonal indices, and differences between seasons were tested using the Kruskal–Wallis test. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) were used to explore the relationships between waste generation patterns and selected temporal, socioeconomic, calendar, and climatic factors. The results of the analyses reveal a pronounced seasonal pattern, characterized by minimum waste generation during the cold season and maximum generation during the summer months. Residual waste dominates the overall composition throughout the year, while the share of recyclable waste remains low, and the fractional composition remains relatively stable across seasons. Statistical tests confirm the existence of significant seasonal differences between contrasting periods, and multivariate analyses indicate that municipal waste variability is more closely associated with temporal factors and with the socioeconomic indicator considered in this study (average monthly net wage), while climatic variables show weaker associations. From an operational perspective, the results highlight the need to seasonally adjust municipal waste collection, transportation, and treatment capacities, particularly during peak generation periods. By providing a detailed case study at the county level, based on real data, the research contributes to the literature on the seasonality of municipal waste and supports evidence-based management decisions at the local and regional levels, in line with European policy objectives.