As recently shown by BCG’s teams of experts (September 24, 2024), who looked at the Draghi Report used by the EU President Ursula von der Leyen, who has already used it decide the form of EU commissioners’ priorities, this report’s recommendations “takes a more unified approach to the sectoral reality and competitive advantages of the EU economy,” while the competitiveness-first (sector-by-sector) approach could designate a turning point in the industrial strategy theory and practice. Also recently, McKinsey’s senior partners, fellows and expert consultants (Bradley, C., Chui, M., Russell, K., Ellingrud, K., Birshan, M. and Chettih, S., October 23, 2024) focused on potential future arenas’ development (providing a solid foundation for growth and dynamism scenarios over the next decades) based on their understanding of today’s arenas.

Within this special context, the Annual Conference of the Romanian Competition Council (the event was hosted at the “Carol I” Central University Library of Bucharest, on October 30, 2024) had a particularly salutary effect, by enjoying a significant professional representation, and reconfirming the importance (for the correct valuation of professional practice) of delivering specific activity results to the agreed quality standards and deadlines. The launch of the new Romanian Competition Council’s Report on competition in key sectors – 2024 (https://www.consiliulconcurentei.ro/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Raport-Sectoare-Cheie-2024-25-oct.pdf) was highly well attended, and showed a true focus on insurance of a functional market economy and real competition between economic operators so as to ensure that citizens benefit from the best goods and services at one fair value for money.

The conference was opened by Bogdan M. Chiriţoiu, the President of the Romanian Competition Council (RCC), who kept the distinguished audience engaged, getting it really interested at the confluence of these VUCA times and the increasing pressure of protecting the current competitive environment on the basis of continuously improving RCC’s expertise in ensuring the systematic implementation of reforms of the competition regime. He highlighted this year’s conference topics’ importance in this period full of challenges, considering the role that Romania can play in the EU economy and the directions of action for increasing the relevance of our national economy, in the context of the launch by the EC of the Draghi Report on competitiveness.

This year’s RCC report reconfirmed that success is coming only from really hard work on the path to both consumer welfare (promoted by well-functioning, competitive markets), choice (effective competition being facilitated by effective consumer choices) and fairness, one hand, and economic efficiency, efficacity (consumers being served by ensuring that markets remain competitive by encouraging new market entrants and creating incentives for innovation), freedom and plurality, on the other hand. Without doubt, RCC can and must continue to provide the necessary framework for continuing on the right path, and on building on delivering for consumers, its valuable activity being essential to make sure businesses and companies compete fairly with each other, and create a wider choice for consumers and help reduce prices and improve quality.

This reputed scientific event, the 15th in a series (being an actively contribution to improving the world by the rich academic tradition of the Faculty of Economics, from Valahia University of Târgoviște, Romania since 1994), brought together academics and researchers to discuss the latest trends and challenges in specific various topics and perspectives, the well-organized lessons and the engaging keynote speakers reconfirming that content is everything.

The inspiring Conference Opener, the Head of the Organizing Committee, Assoc. Prof. PhD Maria-Cristina Ștefan, Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Valahia University of Târgovişte, demonstrated the qualities of decisiveness and clear communication, being innovative, energetic, and enjoying making things happen. The attendees benefitted of a well-planned professional event, appreciating the memorable experience created by the Organizing Committee (Prof. PhD Valentin Radu, Assoc. Prof. PhD Luiza Ionescu, Prof. PhD Florin Radu, Assoc. Prof. PhD Laura Marcu, Prof. PhD Gabriel Croitoru, Assoc. Prof. PhD Gabriel Cucui, Lect. PhD Cristina-Maria Voinea, Lect. PhD Andreea-Violeta Andreiana, Assoc. Prof. PhD Marius-Dan Coman, Lect. PhD Loredana-Cristina Tănase, Assist. Prof. PhD Alina-Iuliana Tăbîrcă, Assoc. Prof. PhD Valentina-Ofelia Robescu, Laborant Emanuel Itigan).

The Official Opening took place on Thursday, October 24, 2024, the valuable Opening Speakers (introduced by the Head of the Organizing Committee, Assoc. Prof. PhD Maria-Cristina Ștefan, Dean of the Faculty of Economics) capturing audience’s attention and creating an enriching experience: Prof. PhD Claudia Gilia, President of the Senate, and Assoc. Prof. PhD Ion Claudiu Sălișteanu, Rector, Valahia University of Târgovişte; Prof. PhD Doina Banciu, President, Academy of Romanian Scientists; Prof. PhD Maria Negreponti Delivanis, President, Doctor Honoris Causa Club of Valahia University (she is also a distinguished member of the editorial board of our Romanian Distribution Committee Magazine: https://www.crd-aida.ro/2010/11/l%e2%80%99eminente-madame-maria-negreponti-delivanis-s%e2%80%99est-joint-au-comite-de-redaction-de-la-revue-du-comite-roumain-de-la-distributio/); Prof. PhD Alain Redslob, President, Association Internationale des Economistes de Langue Française, France (Professeur émérite en Sciences économiques, Université Paris-Panthéon-Assas); Prof. PhD Marian Siminică, Executive Director, Institute of Financial Studies, Romania o Prof PhD Ion Stegăroiu, Former Dean, Faculty of Economics, Valahia University.

There have been 8 (+5) speakers in the Plenary Session: the above-mentioned distinguished Professors Alain Redslob and Maria Negreponti Delivanis; Kanji Tanimoto, Professor of Business and Society at School of Commerce, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan; Alain Burlaud, Professeur émérite du Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers (CNAM), Ancien titulaire de la chaire de Comptabilité et contrôle de gestion; Prof. Bénédicte Fauvarque-Cosson, General Administrator of the French National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts (CNAM, France) – Video message; Prof. Maria Niculescu (and Cristina-Elena Voicu, CeSAD, West University of Timișoara, Romania); Prof. Dedhy Sulistiawan, Felizia Arni Rudiawarni, Yudha Aryo Sudibyo (University of Surabaya and Universitas Jenderal Sudirman, Indonesia), and Valentin Radu, University of Targoviste, Romania; Prof. Lyudmila Mihaylova and Emil Papazov (University of Ruse “Angel Kanchev”, Bulgaria and University of National and World Economy – Sofia, Bulgaria).

It is also worth mentioning other two aspects:

▪ The distinguished Professor Maria Niculescu (former Professor at Valahia University of Târgoviște) highlighted, among other aspects, the imperative of taking into consideration “The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive” (https://finance.ec.europa.eu/capital-markets-union-and-financial-markets/company-reporting-and-auditing/company-reporting/corporate-sustainability-reporting_en ), that entered into force on 5 January 2023. Allow us to also remember that as first Romanian Director of the National Institute of Economic Development (INDE, ASE Bucharest, in collaboration with CNAM France), she supported the Romanian Distribution Committee during the proceedings of the 24th International Congress of A.I.D.A. Brussels (organized in Bucharest, at Athénée Palace Hilton, on 18-19 May 1998; the reception dinner took place at the Palace of the National Military Circle, and the next day, at the Palace of the Parliament, there was a Folkloric Evening, with the participation of the Army Artistic Ensemble).

▪ The first two E.C.R. National Symposia (Efficient Consumer Response) were organized by the Romanian Distribution Committee organized in partnership with Valahia University of Târgoviște, in 1996 and 1997, in Târgoviste, both events enjoying the remarkable involvement and participation of the distinguished Founder and Rector of Valahia University of Târgoviște, Prof. Dr. Doc. Eng. FLOREA OPREA (see the last picture below).

The 15th Supply Chain Management for Efficient Consumer Response Conference, SCM 4 ECR, Business & Academic Partnership 2024, took place on 17-18 October 2024, in the historic city of Târgovişte – with the theme “How Generative AI supports the optimization of Sustainable and Innovative Value Network Processes”. The Conference was chaired by Professor Virgil POPA Ph.D., Valahia University of Târgovişte, Romania, and co-hosted by Ruediger HAGEDORN, End-to-End (E2E) Value Chain Director, The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF), Paris (the Global Network Serving Shopper & Consumer Needs). The event organizer was the Faculty of Economic Sciences, Valahia University of Târgovişte, and special partner The Consumer Goods Forum – E2E Value Chain.

Conference Co-Chairs were: Dr. Gerd WOLFRAM, CEO and Owner IoT Innovation & Consult, Partner Digital Connection (Cologne Area, Germany), The Founder RFID Implementation METRO Group, Head of the METRO Group Future Store Initiative, Author; Professor Costel NEGRICEA, Ph.D., Habil, Rector of the Romanian-American University Member of the Board and Honorary Member of the Romanian Distribution Committee (Board of Directors – Comitetul Roman al Distributiei); Professor Florin RADU, Ph. D., Habil, Vice-Rector of Valahia University of Târgovişte; Professor Michael BOURLAKIS, Ph.D., Director of Research for Cranfield School of Management, Group Head (Logistics, Procurement and Supply Chain Management) and Director of Centre for Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Cranfield University; Professor Theodor PURCAREA, Ph.D., President of the Romanian Distribution Committee, Professor at the Romanian American University, and Member of the Advisory Board of the Romanian Competition Council; Professor Borna ABRAMOVIC, Ph.D., Head of Chair of Railway Transport Management, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences; Prof. Marta STAROSTKA-PATYK, Ph.D. Habil, Czestochowa University of Technology, Poland; Col. Prof. Tomasz JAŁOWIEC, Ph. D. Habil, War Studies University, Poland; Assoc. Prof. Gökhan KIRBAÇ, Ph.D., Istanbul Kültür University, Turkey; Associate Prof. Ed LINDOO, Ph. D., Regis University, Denver, Colorado, USA.

Welcome addresses were delivered at the beginning of the conference by the Conference Hosts & Organizers Virgil POPA and Ruediger HAGEDORN, as well as by the Vice Rector Valahia University of Târgoviște, Professor Daniel Emil Constantin DUNEA, PhD. ing. hab., and by the Conference Academic Chairman Theodor PURCĂREA. Conference audience’s real interest, attention, and participation during the presentations was kept engaged from the very beginning thanks to the Conference Founder Virgil POPA and recognized Keynote Speaker Ruediger Hagedorn, who shared their valuable insights and expertise, as well as to the other distinguished speakers (https://www.scm4ecr.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/1st-Draft-Program-SCM4ECR-Conference-2024-V-10.0.-docx.pdf). It was an interesting and useful conference based on current topics, interactive sessions, high-quality speakers, and engaged participants in determining a shared understanding of the work ahead. The conference confirmed again the well-known passion, competence and perseverance of the builder of this reputed brand – SCM 4 ECR Conference – Professor Virgil POPA (who is also a Member of the Board and Honorary Member of the Romanian Distribution Committee), Founder & Editor-in-Chief of the Supply Chain Management Journal, Valahia University of Târgoviște. Also, the SCM 4 ECR Conference benefited of the traditional very good conference presenter, Alina TĂBÎRCĂ, Assist. Prof., Ph.D., allowing the audience to engage effectively with the presenters’ messages.

The wonderful SCM 4 ECR Conference highlighted the need of optimizing value network processes with the help of Gen AI, benefiting from implementing value networks by identifying innovative solutions, and advancing value chain analysis, so as to transform the value chain along each step with the help of Gen AI, consequently improving performance including by valorizing LLMs and intensifying compliance. There is no doubt about the imperative of accelerating the supply chains’ transformation, further improving businesses’ sustainability and end-to-end consumer experiences, considering the role of data-driven decisions regarding sustainable value chains and Gen AI-managed supply chains, so as to progress on the path to innovation and sustainable growth. Also, it was underlined within this context, for instance, how based on a quantitative model (focused on data center–based GenAI inference) built by the reputed Azeem Azhar (Exponential View) and experts from the valuable BCG Henderson Institute to test the claim that we are on the way to face a severe scarcity of computing power, that GenAI rapid adoption “will not by itself outpace the world’s capacity to produce the required computing hardware”.

It is also worth mentioning that on that special occasion of the SCM 4 ECR Conference were presented some research findings by Dr. Matei Purcarea with regard to the valorization of disruptive technologies impacting e-commerce (including Gen AI) by the e-commerce SMEs, being advanced a pyramid of solutions, each solution representing a combination of confirmed or emerging practices, the phasing being able to be respected, adapted or even developed depending on the stage of the specific infrastructure and without using excessive resources.

In Remembrance Of

Eliot Sorel

October 2, 1940 – October 13, 2024

The distinguished Professor Eliot Sorel passed away on October 13, 2024. It is a tremendous loss for all those who knew him, but also for the academic world. His funeral will take place in Olney, Maryland (16 km north of Washington, D.C.), on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.

A reputed Member of the Editorial Board of the Romanian Distribution Committee Magazine (RDCM), Professor Eliot Sorel has recently been highlighted in the last RDCM issue (vol. 15(3), pp. 44-53, September), in an article entitled: “Looking at SANABUNA 2025 Fălticeni as a Perfect Touch to Creative Minds Capturing the Essence Based on Information-Driven Approach to Memorable Experiences” (https://crd-aida.ro/RePEc/rdc/v15i3/5.pdf).

Honorary President of the SANABUNA International Congress (“Health, Nutrition, Fitness and Wellbeing”), Professor Eliot Sorel was recognized as an internationally global health leader, educator, health systems policy expert and practicing physician. He was also well-known as a catalyzer in promoting Romania’s culture in the United States of America, initiating and leading the so-called „Opening the Gates to Romania” project at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, in 1999. Recently, in July 2024, we saluted the wonderful work done within the context of the memorable event “Romania at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival – 25th Anniversary Celebration 1999-2024” (https://www.crd-aida.ro/2024/07/rememorarea-prezentei-romaniei-la-festivalul-de-viata-populara-smithsonian-1999-moment-istoric-binecuvantat/). Romanian Athenaeum celebrated the Romanian-American friendship, with Gershwin and Enescu, on July 1, 2024. With regard to this special context, we expressed our thankfulness to the great Professor Eliot Sorel for his wonderful work done (https://www.sanabuna.ro/romanian-athenaeum-celebrating-the-romanian-american-friendship-with-gershwin-and-enescu-july-1-2024/). Also, on July 1, 2024, on the occasion of the special event (https://www.sanabuna.ro/1-iulie-2024-rectorul-umfcd-viorel-jinga-discurs-de-inalta-tinuta-academica-dedicat-profesorului-eliot-sorel/) that took place at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila” Bucharest (Professor Eliot Sorel was awarded the title of Doctor Honoris Causa of this University in 2009) it was agreed that the works of the SANABUNA 2025 International Congress will take place once again at Fălticeni (this city being considered a landmark for Romanian national culture and science). Professor Eliot Sorel was born in Fălticeni.

The Rector of the Romanian-American University, Costel Negricea (a Member of the Board of the Romanian Distribution Committee), who was very honored to have been given an invitation by the distinguished Professor Eliot Sorel at Cosmos Club, Washington, D.C., June 2023 (https://www.sanabuna.ro/rau-rector-costel-negricea-invited-by-the-distinguished-professor-eliot-sorel-at-cosmos-club-washington-d-c-june-2023/) stated today: “After the joy produced by our reunion in July this year, it is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Professor Eliot Sorel, who always generously shared his vast expertise, being a great leader and inspirer of people, having a deep impact. May his legacy continue to inspire generations to come. Our heartfelt sympathy is with the Family and Friends of the Professor Eliot Sorel.”

Without doubt, there really are not words big enough to express how much tenderness we all have for the Family of the Professor Eliot Sorel.

May his memory be for a blessing.

În Aula Academiei Române s-a celebrat în ziua de 2 iulie 2024 un moment istoric binecuvântat: rememorarea prezenţei României la Festivalul de viață populară Smithsonian 1999 (https://festival.si.edu/past-program/1999; https://acad.ro/institutia/comunicate/2024/28_42_Smithsonian.html; https://acad.ro/evenimente/evenimente/2024/42_eveniment.html; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzlxwu5ViLQ). În cuvântul de deschidere a lucrărilor evenimentului Preşedintele Academiei Române, Academicianul Ioan Aurel POP (reputat istoric, care a adus în mod constant elemente superioare în idei, argumentare şi metodă, fiind un luptător neobosit pentru cunoaştere/lumină şi comunicarea adevărului în sine), a ţinut să cinstească „memoria unuia dintre protagonistii de atunci” (din 1999), Augustin BUZURA. După cum a precizat în prealabil Academia Română, coordonatele Proiectului România la Festivalul de viață populară Smithsonian 1999 au fost inițiate de academicianul Augustin BUZURA și Profesorul Eliot SOREL de la Universitatea George Washington. De altfel, cu o zi înainte, luni, 1 iulie 2024, Profesorul Eliot SOREL a făcut trimitere, în contextul evenimentului organizat de Universitatea de Medicină și Farmacie „Carol Davila” din Bucureşti (https://www.sanabuna.ro/1-iulie-2024-rectorul-umfcd-viorel-jinga-discurs-de-inalta-tinuta-academica-dedicat-profesorului-eliot-sorel/), la Maramureş, centrul Europei Centrale şi de Est.

A doua zi, marţi, 2 iulie 2024, Preşedintele Academiei Române, Academicianul Ioan Aurel POP, a evidenţiat cum cel născut în Maramureş, Augustin BUZURA: „s-a bucurat să vadă Biserica de lemn de acasă străpungând cerul de lângă Capitoliu”; „a lăsat ca testament dorinţa de continuare a acţiunilor de cunoaştere a României în Statele Unite.” Această evidenţiere a necesităţii continuării acţiunilor respective este cu atât mai valoroasă cu cât, după cum s-a precizat chiar atunci, în 1999, programul Festivalului de viață populară Smithsonian 1999 și procesul de realizare a acestuia au reprezentat o colaborare importantă între România și Statele Unite (https://festival.si.edu/past-program/1999). Nu întâmplător, Comitetul Român al Distribuţiei şi-a exprimat aprecierea deosebită pentru punctele de vedere ale Preşedintelui Academiei Române (de ex.: https://www.distribution-magazine.eu/la-multi-ani-romania-la-multi-ani-domnule-presedinte-al-academiei-romane/; https://www.crd-aida.ro/2021/02/dezbatere-lectii-de-retinut-studiul-istoriei-economice-si-importanta-intelegerii-trecutului/). Se cuvine a aminti aici de bucuria noastră, ca iubitori ai scrierilor lui Augustin BUZURA, de a discuta (cu ani în urmă) cu ilustrul om de cultură, la Casa Academiei, în biroul colegului nostru Valeriu IOAN-FRANC, membru corespondent al Academiei Române (https://www.crd-aida.ro/2023/11/contributie-remarcabila-a-dr-valeriu-ioan-franc-la-sesiunile-academice-racef-si-ale-retelei-de-cercetare-barcelona-economics-network/). În fond, aşa cum comentam recent, pe 1 iulie a.c., într-o conversaţie cu Vicepreşedintele Academiei Române Mircea DUMITRU (care a luat cuvântul pe 2 iulie a.c. imediat după Preşedintele Academiei Române), înţelepciunea universală a confirmat că întâlnirile sunt importante deoarece umanitatea este alcătuită în mod fundamental din întâlniri, fiind bine să cunoști oameni, să întâlnești oameni valoroşi.

La rândul său, Prof. univ. Daniel DAVID, membru corespondent al Academiei Române și Rectorul Universității „Babeș-Bolyai” (https://news.ubbcluj.ro/event/academia-romana-si-ubb-in-parteneriat-cu-smithsonian-institution-si-cu-implicarea-autoritatilor-nationale-si-a-altor-parteneri-internationali-inclusiv-ambasada-s-u-a-in-romania-onoreaza-si-proiect/) a subliniat importanţa privirii către viitor, pornind tocmai de la acest eveniment major din 1999 care „a introdus România şi cultura română spre americani.”

Inițiatorul (în 1997) Proiectului Romania la Smithsonian 1999, Profesorul Eliot SOREL, s-a referit de la bun început la faptul că prezenţa României la Festivalul de viață populară Smithsonian 1999 a fost un moment providenţial, binecuvântat. Domnia Sa a mărturisit în context prima discuţie purtată cu Directorul Festivalului Richard KURIN… şi identificarea punctului comun pe harta României… Fălticeni (mereu un reper pentru cultura şi ştiinţa naţională). Fără a intra în detaliile riguroasei prezentări, vom mai aminti doar de pledoaria Familiei SOREL pentru aducerea culturii părinţilor în educaţia copiilor (rolul culturii în politica educaţională). Dovadă, emoţionanta imagine prezentată de Profesorul Eliot SOREL (valorând cât o mie de cuvinte) cu a sa Soţie şi ai săi Copii confirmând armonia şi prospeţimea specifice cromaticii portului popular românesc.

Profesorul Eliot SOREL a punctat rolul autenticului, precum şi importanţa parteneriatului foarte productiv şi unic dintre România şi Statele Unite, după care a lansat invitaţia de a lua cuvântul Excelenţei Sale Doamna Kathleen KAVALEC, Ambasadorul Statelor Unite ale Americii în România. Excelenţa Sa a reliefat semnificaţia Festivalului de viață populară Smithsonian 1999 de moment cheie pentru parteneriatul dintre Statele Unite ale Americii şi România. Discursul în limba română a captat, ca de obicei, atenţia audienţei, ceea ce ne-a adus aminte de momentul memorabil de la festivitatea de deschidere a noului an universitar 2023-2024 la Universitatea Româno-Americană (https://holisticmarketingmanagement.ro/excelenta-academica-invatare-inovare-si-colaborare-internationala/).

Nota calitativă a discursurilor din Aula Academiei Române s-a menţinut în continuare graţie următorilor distinşi vorbitori: Diana Loreta PĂUN, Consilier Prezidențial – Departamentul Sănătate; Liviu Sebastian JICMAN, Președinte al Institutului Cultural Român; Emil CONSTANTINESCU, Preşedintele României (29 noiembrie 1996 – 20 decembrie 2000); Simona-Mirela MICULESCU, Ambasador extraordinar și plenipotențiar, delegat permanent al României pe lângă UNESCO; (mesaj video) Distinsul avocat şi diplomat american Alfred H. MOSES, Ambasador al SUA în România (1994 – 1997; https://www.crd-aida.ro/2020/02/excelenta-sa-alfred-h-moses-la-conferinta-jurnal-de-bucuresti-memoriile-unui-ambasador-american/; https://holisticmarketingmanagement.ro/his-excellency-alfred-h-moses-romania-progressing-from-darkness-to-light/); (mesaj video) Distinsul savant și Ambassador-at-large Richard KURIN; (mesaj video) Mircea GEOANĂ, Secretar General Adjunct al NATO.

În acest frumos context al celebrării prezenţei României la Festivalul de viață populară Smithsonian 1999, în seara zilei de 1 iulie a.c., la Ateneul Român, a avut loc un concert extraordinar al Orchestrei Medicilor Dr. Ermil NICHIFOR, care a încântat audienţa cu interpretări ale unor renumite compoziții ale lui George ENESCU (Rapsodia Română) și George GERSHWIN (Rhapsody in Blue). Se cuvine a mai aminti de o altă interesantă coincidenţă, chiar în legătură cu Profesorul Eliot SOREL (Preşedintele de Onoare al Congresului Internaţional SANABUNA începând cu anul 2011) şi Orchestra Medicilor Dr. Ermil NICHIFOR. Astfel, în ziua de 8 aprilie 2015 am postat o ştire despre faptul că “Bucharest Doctor’s Orchestra proved again its vocation of energizing for life” (https://www.sanabuna.ro/bucharest-doctors-orchestra-proved-again-its-vocation-of-energizing-for-life/). Două zile mai târziu, pe 10 aprilie 2015, în ştirea intitulată “Professor Eliot SOREL, a catalyzer in promoting Romania’s culture” (https://www.sanabuna.ro/professor-eliot-sorel-a-catalyzer-in-promoting-romanias-culture/) precizam următoarele: “It is also worth to remember, within this context, that the distinguished Professor Eliot Sorel (also well-known as a catalyzer in promoting Romania’s culture in the United States of America: the Romanian monasteries, food, crafts, music and dance) initiated and led the so-called “Opening the Gates to Romania” project at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, in 1999. On that occasion, a wooden Maramures church was also build piece by piece on the National Mall in the center of Washington as part of the year 1999’s Festival. The world’s largest museum and research complex, the Smithsonian (founded in 1846), is a true steward and ambassador of cultural connections, its generous work wisely promoting understanding of world cultures.”