bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND EXTREMISM IN PAKISTAN: FROM DEOBANDI MILITANCY TO A RISING SUFI FANATICISM
Authors: Shah Syed Subtian Hussain
Published: January 2020

Aim. The aim of this research article is to verify waves of fanaticism among thefollowers of the Barelvi sect, a branch of Sufi Islam along with continuation of violentextremist activities by the followers of the Deobandi brand of the Muslim religion inPakistan. It has been evidenced that Pakistan’s society has been badly infl uenced byreligious extremism since the 1980s (Gul, 2012). Fitzgerald (2011) termed the religion asa force of nature which is absolutely appropriate for the case of religious extremism inPakistan. The religious extremism in Pakistan can be examined through the concept ofsocial constructivism which emphasizes characterisation of human identity, values andnorms in the society (Sajjad, 2015).Method. The qualitative method of research was employed to analyse circumstancesrelated to growing Sufi ’s fanaticism in Pakistan. The data was collected from differentsources including books, scientifi c journals, research articles, newspapers and websites.Results. By using various valuable references, it has been verifi ed that support of thestate in the 1980s caused growth of Deobandi extremism, as well as support by the state inorder to counter some of the Deobandi fanatic groups in the 1990s and 2000s led to occurrenceof Barelvi fanaticism in the country.Conclusion. The study confi rms that Pakistan, which was already witness of Deobandimilitancy, is facing the more challenging fanaticism of Barelvis, having strong tendencies toward radicalization and extremism on the religious issues like blasphemy.
Marriage vs cohabitation - an alternative or opposition?
Authors: Wieteska Magda
Published: January 2020

Thesis

Informal relationships are very popular in modern times. The number of people choosing marriage is slowly decreasing. The author of the article discerns the similarities and differences between cohabitation and marriage. The author puts forward the thesis that it is impossible to assess whether marriage is superior to cohabitation and vice versa.

Concept

The author presents the definitions and legal regulations of marriage and cohabitation. Additionally she lists the types of cohabitation and types of marriage.

Results and conclusion

In times of "liquid postmodernity" one should accept the coexistence of marriage and cohabitation, without assessing which of these forms is better, more beneficial, richer.

Originality/Cognitive value

In the subject literature cohabitation is presented as a short-term relationship, deprived of mutual obligations of partners, based only on sexual attachment and living together. It stands in opposition to marriage, which is as a permanent relationship based on mutual obligations of spouses and a strong emotional bond.
Divided science
Authors: Kobylarek Aleksander
Published: January 2020

This article analizes the causes of a dissonance between significant collective civilizational progress and injudicious individual choice. To show these causes, five basic hypotheses are presented, based on inter-disciplinary analyses : viz. political manipulation, media manipulation, an ineffective education system, inadequate scientific communication, and misunderstanding. The possibility of constructing social consensus and harmony can be perceived in the general education of knowledgable and responsible teachers on all levels and spheres of education, who will be able to explain the complexity of the world and transform the educational system.
STUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVES ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MUSICAL ACTIVITIES IN PRESCHOOL EDUCATION
Authors: Stramkale Ligita
Published: January 2020

Aim. The aim of the study is to find out students’ perspectives on the necessity, readiness and disturbing factors of implementing musical activities in preschool. The theoretical part of the paper describes the particularity of preschool teachers’ work, the children’s interest in musical activities, and the benefits of implementing musical activities in preschool. 

Method. The empirical study involved 168 students (N=168), of which 132 students (N=132) are already working as preschool teachers in parallel with their study at the university. The study identified three questions: why do preschool teachers use musical activities? What factors prevent a preschool teacher from using musical activities? Is there a relationship between the competence of a preschool teacher in the field of music and the implementation musical activities in preschool? In order to answer the study questions, a questionnaire consisting of twelve statements was created, which had to be assessed on a four-point Likert scale.

Results and conclusion. As a result of the analyses of the data obtained in the study, it was ascertained that preschool teachers use musical activities to make children happy and improve their abilities. The use of musical activities is connected with preschool teacher’s willingness to do that. One of the key factors that hinder the implementation of musical activities is an insufficient material base in the preschool. The study also found that there is a correlation between the competence of a preschool teacher in the field of music and the implementation of musical activities.
Value Orientations of People Learning Toward Different Types of Culture
Authors: Rybak Oksana Stepanivna
Published: January 2020

Aim. The aim of the research is to generalize the most topical scientific approaches to value orientations, disclose the importance of value orientations in personality development, and highlight the influence of culture on value orientation development.

Methods. One hundred and eighty Ukrainian participants comleted the Milton’s Rokeach Test ‘Value Orientations’ (1973), Vladimir’s Sopov and Ludmila’s Karpushyna Morphology Test of Life Values (2001), Ludmila’s Pochebut Test ‘Cultural and Value Orientations’ (2004), Ivan’s Diachuk Test ‘Understanding of Moral Values’ (2010)Dmitrij’s Leontiev Test ‘Life Sense Orientations’ (2000). Answers to the tests made it possible to divide participants by different types of culture and built out hierarchy of values preferable for them.

Results. The analysis shows that two clusters of examinees leaning toward different types of culture are empirically outlined. Their value orientations and dependence of the established values on the type of culture they lean toward is studied. The research has also indicated that  in traditional culture and modern culture there is different hierarchy of values.

Conclusions. Outlining of such types of culture as traditional, modern and dynamically developing culture enables clarification of special features of culture in general. Division of culture as the system into simpler subsystems, which are characterized by certain features, enables analysis of the very phenomenon of culture in detail. Besides that, in this study the importance of values and value orientations as an integral characteristic of culture is stressed.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FOREIGN LANGUAGE ENJOYMENT AND GENDER AMONG SECONDARY GRAMMAR SCHOOL STUDENTS
Authors: Mierzwa Ewelina
Published: January 2020

In the context of second language acquisition, foreign language enjoyment (FLE) is a relatively new concept. For that reason, none of the few research carried out in the field thus far has been focused on whether gender might be an important determinant of either a high or a low level of FLE. Thus, the purpose of the present paper was to examine the influence of FLE on learning English as a foreign language, as well as to investigate this relationship from the perspective of gender. The results of this study revealed that there are no statistically significant differences between males and females in FLE, while such differences are found in terms of the sources of FLE each gender perceives as the most crucial ones. It has been proved that FLE increases with the level of students’ proficiency, and a high level of FLE results in students’ greater academic achievement.
INTERDISCIPLINARITY AND COLLABORATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION ENGINEERING COURSES
Authors: Morgado Margarida , Gaspar Marcelo , Régio Mónica
Published: January 2020

Aim: The aim of the research is to discuss if the lean thinking methodology may contribute to enhance interdisciplinarity and collaboration in higher education engineering courses, namely when applied to engineering students at a Portuguese Higher Education Technology School.

Methods. Lean thinking is an organisational methodology that uses innovation to organise and optimise human activities with the aim of eliminating waste. This methodology can be applied to a wide range of activities envisaging to mainly perform tasks that effectively add value to the related processes. When used in an educational context, this approach may also contribute to identifying which activities successfully contribute to add value to the students’ learning process, as opposed to being ineffective for that aim.

Results. Current study focuses on interdisciplinarity through a set of collaborative Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) tasks that were planned, tested and assessed in an engineering Higher Education context.

Conclusion. One of the main aspects envisaged through the developed CLIL tasks was to contribute to the enhancement of peer-to-peer collaborative learning in an interdisciplinary context, another was to reflect on reciprocal cooperation methodologies that enhance interdisciplinarity in Higher Education.
Architectural design contest with social participation as a part of building culture in Europe
Authors: Kowalczyk Maciej Wojciech
Published: January 2020

Thesis. The culture of organising architectural competitions has a long tradition in Europe. The architectural desgin contest is used as a democratic tool for selecting the best design solution. In today’s European building culture there is a constantly growing need for the social input into the  design process. In effect, architectural competitions are facing changes. On the one hand, an architectural design contest needs to fulfill the EU’s legal frames. On the other hand, the traditional forms of competions are questioned by society, that is searching for a more transprent selection process.

Methods. The study shows the concept of the building culture (Baukultur) as an ideological background of all the building activity in Europe. It describes the role of an architectural competition as an instrument for the high quality development. The author shows current legal frameworks for the design contests included in the EU directives and presents different competition practices in Europe with a focus on Poland.

Results. There are not many examples of architectural competitions that anticipate the social input. It is an effect of not adjusted procurement law. Nevertheless, some exceptions have already been made.

Conclusions. The main difficulty in architectural design contest with social participation is the need of maintaining the legal framework  based on the anonymity of the participant. The social input in the case hampers the preservation of this condition, hence various attempts to modify the existing, traditional formulas.
Immigrant children education as means of integration: the Lithuanian case
Authors: Orechova Monika
Published: January 2020

Aim. This research paper discusses the educational process of immigrant children in Lithuania with the intention to determine the integration trajectory most likely to be chosen by the immigrant students.

Methods. The research methods include legal analysis of Lithuanian legislations related to immigration, immigrant integration and education, meta-analysis of previous research on immigrant integration into Lithuanian society as well as semi-structured interviews with experts of the field.

Results. Having completed the research, the following conclusion has been drawn: immigrant children education in Lithuania does not tend to create conditions for successful integration and more often than not influences immigrant students to choose those integration paths that may inspire inner or outer conflict. This is due to the lack of integration policy and strategy at the state level as well as the tendency to create a cultural hierarchy wherein the Lithuanian culture is implicitly considered as above others.

Practical application. The results of the research can be used to improve the conditions of immigrant children education in Lithuanian schools on the national level as well as by schools willing to foster the integration of immigrant students; the results can also be considered in the process of establishing integration policy on the state level.
“GOD’S NOT DEAD 2” DILEMMA: SELECTED RELIGIOUS LIBERTY ISSUES OF K-12 SCHOOL TEACHERS
Authors: Zamkowska Iwona
Published: January 2020

The aim of the research is to confirm whether “God’s Not Dead” (2016) production is an adequate portrayal of religious liberty of school officials in present-day K-12 schools in the United States. The author limited the discussion to the essential problem questions inspired by the production, such as teachers’ right to express their religious views both in the formal setting of a class discussion, and out-of-class informal exchange with students and fellow faculty members. The problem was discussed against the backdrop of selected legal and legislative acts that determine the scope of teachers’ religious expression, such as selected courts’ decisions, official federal guidelines issued by the Department of Education as well as the guides published by non-government organizations. The results of the Bible Literacy Project as well as interviews with several school officials were utilized to further verify the basic concepts of the research. The source texts were analyzed using a close reading method. The study seems to prove that due to the complexity of the legal system as well as the discrepancy between the lines of decisions reached in lower courts it difficult to unambiguously assess the probability of the scenario featured in the movie. However, observable trends in case law and governmental control over teachers’ in-class speech appear to imply that the script is definitely accurate in its portrayal of a legal liability of teachers, and possibly less so in respect of the favorable outcome of the dispute.
Shifting between cultural identities: The voice of preschool children
Authors: Popa Maria Cristina
Published: January 2020

Aim. The purpose of this research is to capture the shift between two cultural identities, for a group of Romanian children enrolled in a German teaching preschool class, and to closely analyze the impact on cultural identity components.

Methods. In this study 27 children, aged 3 to 6, were involved, together with their parents and two teachers. During one year of investigation, they were analyzed using participative observation, focus groups and in-depth interviews conducted in a public preschool.

Results. The analysis reveals witch cultural identity components of this children undergo transformation, in what amount and with what impact considering the school environment and the influence of both parents and teachers. For this research, the exploration of cultural identity components was done under the conceptualization proposed by Ching Wan and Pony Yuen-Ga Chew (2013), namely: cultural knowledge, categorization and social relationships (the self-expressed in attitudes and behaviors).

Conclusions. Although a positive image emerges for the German culture as a future culture of belonging, we notice the children's effort to achieve the cultural shift desired by their parents and an emotional subtle discharge in their free play and verbalized mental models. The different vision of parents and teachers over education strengthens some components of cultural identity by broadening the autonomy-shame ambitus that increases the level of self-confidence, which receives a distinct German cultural mark.
The interdisciplinarity and innovativeness of methods in rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Jakubowska Luba , Kazimierska-Zając Magdalena , Nowak Karolina
Published: January 2020

Thesis. Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders resulting from damage to the central nervous system in the early stages of its development. The aim of the rehabilitation of persons with CP is to make their dependence on the assistance of others as little as possible and to improve their quality of life, as well as the quality of life of their families. New methods are developed in which new technologies are employed and a holistic approach to the patient, requiring the cooperation of specialists in various fields, is assumed.

            The most commonly used methods of working with children with cerebral palsy include the NDT-Bobath method and the Vojta method. Apart from them unconventional methods are also employed, including hippotherapy, virtual reality, the sensory integration method, the conductive education method, and the space suit method.

Aim of the paper. The aim of the paper is to present the methods employed in increasing the agility of children with cerebral palsy. Focus has been placed on traditional and commonly used methods, as well as the unconventional methods which are currently undergoing evaluation.

Results. Thanks to diversifying rehabilitation with new methods and enriching it with the experience of specialists in areas outside medicine patients with cerebral palsy are able to fully benefit from their own potential. Quality of life is improved, independence is increased, and new opportunities are discovered. Some of the newest methods may serve to supplement traditional therapies, others can substitute for them in the future. What is crucial is to focus not only on heightening the physical agility of the patients, but also to make the course of the therapy more attractive, and to work on improving the patients’ functioning in other areas of life, as well, such as social contacts or hobbies.
PREPARING FUTURE LEADERS OF THEIR RACES -THE POLITICAL FUNCTION OF CHILDREN’S CHARACTERS IN CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN AMERICAN PICTURE-BOOKS
Authors: Klęczaj-Siara Ewa
Published: January 2020

Aim. The aim of the article is to analyse the ways African American children’s characters are constructed in selected picture-books and to determine whether they have any impact on the conduct of contemporary black youth facing discrimination in their own lives. It also argues that picture-books are one of the most influential media in the representation of racial problems.Methods. The subjects of the study are picture-books. The analysis pertains to the visual and the verbal narrative of the books, with a special emphasis being placed on the interplay between text and image as well as on the ways the meaning of the books is created. The texts are analysed using a number of existing research methods used for examining the picture-book format. Results. The article shows that the actions of selected children’s characters, whether real or imaginary, may serve as an incentive for contemporary youth to struggle for equal rights and contribute to the process of racial integration on a daily basis.Conclusions. The results can be considered in the process of establishing educational curricula for students from minority groups who need special literature that would empower them to take action and join in the efforts of adult members of their communities.
A study of research skills of Kosovar students: An assessment of the influence of inclusion, exclusion, ethnicity, parental education and gender
Authors: Shala Arif , Grajcevci Albulene
Published: January 2020

Aim. The aim of the current study is to address a gap in literature as well as explore the factors influencing the perceptions that Kosovar students hold over their research skills. To that end, the study assessed students’ perceptions on their research abilities as well as the variables which influence these perceptions, namely inclusion, exclusion, ethnicity, gender and parental education.

Methods. The study employed the quantitative research approach and 303 Kosovar university students participated in the study by answering an instrument composed of three different scales measuring the variables in the study, namely the research skills scale, inclusion scale and exclusion scale. In addition the participants answered ten demographic questions. Participation in the study was on a volunteer basis and the results were analyzed with the SPSS package.

Results. Participants in this study reported the highest levels of research skills when they reported being included in academic settings. Ethnicity was a powerful influencing variable. Participants who belonged to minority groups were the ones to report the lowest levels of abilities. Contrary to existing literature, gender did not influence perceptions on abilities. Additionally, unlike in a vast number of research studies, parental education did not influence perceptions that Kosovar students held over their research skills.

Conclusions. This study is the first one to research skill acquisition among student populations in Kosovo; a region that is almost absent in international literature. This research presents an overview of variables predicting perceptions held by Kosovar students on their research skills with ethnicity and inclusion being detrimental to perceptions of research skills.
The Other As a Source of Knowledge and a Reference Point for the Learning Adult
Authors: Semków Jerzy
Published: January 2020

Aim. The aim of this paper is to discuss the possibility of adult learning by way of communicating with the representatives of other nations, cultures, and religions.

Methods. The method used in the paper consists in the analysis of scholarly opinions wherein authors point out at the role of the Other human being in the process of our getting to know the world (from childhood: parents, neighbours – to the older age: people from different nations and cultures). The theory of learning introduced by Albert Bandura and Joanna Rutkowiak is utilized as a theoretical background.

Results. The relation with the other can take many forms and fulfil different, albeit important in terms of education and functions. The other is a person who in numerous life situations becomes a source of knowledge for the learning adult, at the same time playing a role of a specific reference point. The recognition of the value of such resources acquires special meaning in the current situation wherein one can observe the emergence of attitudes of xenophobia and chauvinism. Moreover, learning through intercultural interactions can be seen as an effective way of gaining knowledge about the world of rapid changes.

Conclusions. The paper concludes with the following questions:

To what extent does the rising atmosphere of intolerance impoverish the cognitive sphere of the adult learner?

In what way does the lack of acceptance of the Other destroy the field of sensitivity of the adult person?

What are the prospects – given the current socio-political climate in Poland – and what kind of possibilities can be opened by the dialogical strategy of understanding Otherness?
Education in the post-scientific culture
Authors: Kobylarek Aleksander
Published: January 2020

This essay presents an interdisciplinary study of the role of the net society in education, and the appearance of a post-scientific culture in the Internet. However, the theory of a society rendered stupid by the Internet is one-sided and does not bear closer analysis. The appearance of incompetence and stupidity is only one of many behavioural traits of people using the Internet, and the net society, despite its specific nature, is in many ways similar to those functioning outside the Internet. Post-scientific culture need not be the only (or even the dominant) voice in the general Internet discussion. The creation of net societies which can perform the role of groups relating to a new scientific culture in the Internet have particular significance. A significant role can be played by new leaders and educated individuals who should be engaged in promoting a scientific culture. The Internet creates suitable conditions for transformative and emancipative learning, and it is only necessary to perceive them and use them appropriately.
Developing efficient foreign language classroom environment for older adult learners
Authors: Słowik-Krogulec Agata
Published: January 2020

Aim: The aim of the research is to present which elements related to teaching English to older adult learners have the greatest influence on creating a propitious and friendly learning environment. In order to achieve this firstly, I wish to present older adults’ observations regarding problems encountered in the classroom environment related to the lack of teaching materials, mixed age and ability groups or being discriminated against by fellow students and teachers. Secondly, I would like to propose some solutions to improve the efficiency of both students and teachers in the classroom environment.

Methods: The subjects of the study were 40 older adult learners of English who attended the classes at the University of the Third Age in Wrocław. In the study the participants were asked to choose the answers which, according to them, have the greatest influence on their learning the foreign language in later life. The participants also wrote additional comments that explained their choices. The analysis was qualitative in nature.

Results: The analysis shows that teachers (n=35) and teaching materials (n=31) are considered to be the two most important factors in learning a language in later life. The third most vital factor in creating a good classroom environment is related to other students (n=17). The subjects’ comments, however, point to numerous problems encountered in the aforementioned areas that affect the process of foreign language learning in later life.

Conclusions: Older adult learners’ needs, abilities and learning preferences should be taken into account while designing language courses as, according to the subjects of the study, at present it is not the case. Moreover, there should be more awareness on behalf of the teachers as to the age-related changes that make certain tasks difficult and the learning environment unnecessarily hostile.
MAPPING THE CONCEPT OF A GOOD SCHOOL WITH TEACHERS’ CHARACTERISTICS IN THE CONTEXT OF A GOOD SCHOOL CONCEPT
Authors: KRIAUČIŪNIENĖ Roma , TARGAMADZĖ VILIJA
Published: January 2020

Aim. The concept of Good School was formed in 2015, however, the implementation of it has been rather slow. Therefore, the research aim of this article is to identify the educational experts’ viewpoints on the concept. The following questions have been raised to specify the aim: if the concept of the school of general education, presented as Good School, is adequately understood, what features should a teacher have in order to implement the concept of Good School?

Methods. To answer the research questions a qualitative research by using structured interviews was carried out, i.e. experts’ written surveys were analyzed. The study revealed three positions that are discussed in this article: the concept of Good School, the mission and teachers’ features, which are interpreted in the context of the concept of Good School, albeit in a particular way. Results. The analysis of the empirical research data revealed that insufficient emphasis is placed on the value aspect, modelling of community-based school activities and their reflection. The research findings also showed that there has been a considerable lack of attention paid to some of the teacher's competences – there has been a lack of experts’ focus on the personalization of the educational content, its construction in the interaction with the elements of the pedagogical system, the reflection of pedagogical activities, and others.

Conclusions. The concept of Good School is understood by the experts as a map, a conceptual idea, a guideline unfolding the schools’ specificity. The implementation of the concept of Good School should be based on the ideas of constructionism  that open the pathways of common  development,  realization, and improvement of Good School.
PECULIARITIES OF VARIOUS TYPES OF CIVIC IDENTITY
Authors: Petrovska Inha
Published: January 2020

Aim. The aim of the research is to determine the psychological peculiarities of citizens with various types of civic identity.
Methods. 190 Ukrainian citizens were interviewed about their relations with parents (or guardians) in the childhood , features of family upbringing, priority values of the parents' family, experience of interpersonal relationships with peers, participation in school/student activities, lifestyle, etc. The following psycho-diagnostic techniques were also used: questionnaire "Level and Type of Civic Identity" (Petrovska, 2018); "World Assumptions Scale" (Janoff-Bulman, adapted by Padun & Kotelnikova, 2008); "Portrait Values Questionnaire" (Schwartz, adapted by Semkiv, 2013); "Interpersonal Trust Scale" (Rotter, adapted by Dostovalov, 2000); questionnaire "Level of Social Frustration" (Vasserman, 2004); "Social Activity Scale" (Lewicka, adapted by Cholij, 2010).
Results. The typology of citizens ("devoted", "moderate", "disappointed", "indifferent" and "alienated") was created in accordance with the specificity of the formation of civic identity components (cognitive, value, affective, behavioral). Significance (value)/insignificance, positive/negative attitude towards belonging to the state and community of citizens and forms of activity/inactivity in relation to the state and citizens made up the basis of the classification. Also, psychological peculiarities of citizens with foregoing types of civic identity were determined.
Conclusions. The main factors in the formation of a certain type of civic identity are basic beliefs (in particular, the justice of the world, the ability to control the events of one's life and self-value); civic behavioral patterns of reference persons (including civic attitudes of reference persons); social integration and social acceptance (experience of interpersonal relationships with peers); subjectness activity (defending own position, wide range of interests, initiative, active participation in many events); value-semantic orientations (in particular, universalism, self-regulation, safety, tradition); prosocial focus (focus of activity on socially useful affairs); social trust; the fact of meeting the needs of physical and social existence in the state (level of social frustration); experience of interaction with the state in the form of its various agencies.
The effect of Zumba exercises on body composition, dynamic balance and functional fitness parameters in 15-17 years old women with high body mass index
Authors: Eroğlu Kolayiş I. , Arol P.
Published: January 2020

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in body composition-dynamic balance and functional movement capacity of 60 female high school students with body mass index (BMI) over 24.9 before and after the eight-week zumba exercise program. Material: The study included 60 volunteer healthy young women whose body mass index was higher than 24.9 (mean age: 16.75 ± 0.43 years, mean weight: 75.99±10.91 kg, mean body fat: 36.83 ± 6.1%, BMI: 29.56 ± 4.12). The portable stadiometer Seca-213 was used to determine the lengths of the study group. TANITA-Bc 545 N Innerscan Segmental Body Composition Analyzer, “Y-Balance Test was implemented to determine the dynamic balance values for the lower and upper extremities, Functional Movement Screen (FMS) test was used to determine functional movement capacity. To determine the number of heart beats during zumba exercises, Polar M430 Heart Rate Monitor was used and a total of 24 zumba exercise sessions were conducted from three days a week for eight weeks. Results: According to the findings of the study, during the 8-week zumba training program, it is seen that it provided statistically significant improvement in total body weight loss (p=.000), BMI parameter (p=.000), body fat % (p=.002), FMS values (p=.000) and lower an upper extremity dynamic balance parameters (p=.000). Conclusions: It was found that the eight-week zumba training program had positive effects body composition values, functional mobility assessment results and dynamic balance parameters of high school students with a high body mass index of 15-17 years of age.
Theocratic Legal Revolution and the Origins of Modern Secularism in Dante
Authors: Vatter Miguel
Published: January 2020

This article discusses an anti-sovranist variant of political theology. Recent work on the sociology of modern constitutionalism has identified its source in the so-called Papal legal revolution that proclaimed the autonomy of the Church in relation to the Empire. The claim is that this legal revo-lution contributed to the “secularization” or de-sacralization of political power and established legali-ty as the principle of legitimacy. This paper critically discusses this genealogy of constitutionalism. It proposes an alternative route to modern secularism and constitutionalism that passes through the reception of Averroistic doctrines in the philosophy of Dante.
Analysis of the Relationship between Real Effective Exchange Rate, Common Equity and Return on Equity: Evidence from Turkey
Authors: KILCI Esra N. , KIRAN BAYGIN Burcu
Published: January 2020

The analysis of the relationship between exchange rate fluctuations, common equity and return on equity is of high importance to be able to improve adequate policies with the purpose of maintaining stability in foreign exchange rate, when it is taken into consideration that mentioned fluctuations lead to the loss in bank capital and profitability. Hence, the studies in the related literature have been increasing in great amount recently. The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between real effective exchange rate, common equity and return on equity in the period of 2014:01 - 2018:09. The unit root properties of the series are tested by using Carrion-i Silvestre et al.(2009) unit root test and the cointegration relationship between the series is investigated by employing Maki(2012) cointegration test. Both tests take into account multiple structural breaks. The results indicate that there is only a long run relationship between real effective exchange rate and return on equity for Turkish Banking Sector with structural breaks.
Comparison of the Global, Local and Semi-Local Chaotic Prediction Methods for Stock Markets: The Case of FTSE-100 Index
Authors: İŞİ Ayşe , ÇEMREK Fatih
Published: January 2020

Chaotic prediction methods are classified as global, local and semi-local methods. In this paper, unlike the studies in the literature, it is aimed to compare all these methods together for stock markets in terms of prediction performance and to determine the best prediction method for stock markets. For this purpose, Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) neural networks from global methods, nearest neighbour method from local methods, radial basis functions from semi-local methods are used. The FTSE-100 index is selected to represent the stock market and applied the all methods to these data. The prediction performance is measured in term of root mean square error (RMSE) and normalized mean square error (NMSE). As a result of the analysis; it has been determined that the best prediction method for the FTSE-100 index is the semi-local method. While it is possible to make a maximum of 5 days prediction with global and local methods, it has been determined that up to 20 days prediction can be made with the semi-local prediction methods. The results show that semi-local prediction methods are successful in predicting the behaviour of stock market.
Banking Sector Instability and Economic Growth: Evidence from Turkey
Authors: BAYAR Yilmaz , GÜNDÜZ Murat , SEZGİN Funda
Published: January 2020

The banking sector, an important component of the financial system, can affect the economic growth through raising and mobilizing the savings, channeling the funds to the productive uses and enhancing the efficiency. However, the deteriorations in the banking sector stability may negatively affect the economic growth through preventing the efficiently functioning of the aforementioned interaction channels. This study investigates the effect off banking sector instability and banking sector development on the economic growth in Turkey during August 2006-December 2018 through time series analysis. We revealed that the banking sector instability negatively affects the economic growth, but banking sector development positively affects the economic growth.
Yeni bir kompozit restoratif materyalin mikrosertlik ve Bis-GMA salımı yönünden değerlendirilmesi
Authors: BEK KÜRKLÜ Zeliha Gonca , KALKAN DEVECİ Ceren
Published: January 2020

Amaç: Bu
çalışmanın amacı posterior restorasyon için üretilen yeni mikrohibrit bir
kompozitin mikrosertlik, dönüşüm derecesi ve Bis-GMA salımını sıkça kullanılan
mikrohibrit bir kompozit materyal ile karşılaştırmaktır.Gereç ve Yöntem: Bu
çalışmada mikrohibrit doldurucu içerikli yeni üretilmiş (NOVA Compo-HS,
Imicryl, Konya, Türkiye) ve piyasada bulunan mikrohibrit doldurucu içeren
başka bir kompozit rezin materyeli (Filtek Z-250, 3M ESPE, St. Paul, MN, ABD)
kullanıldı. Her bir materyalden silindir şeklinde (2x2x2 mm boyutlarında)
20’şer örnek hazırlandı. Her materyal için hazırlanan 20 örnekten 10 adetinde
salınan Bis-GMA miktarı yüksek performanslı sıvı kromatografisi (HPLC)
(Shimadzu, Model SPD 20A, Shimadzu Corporation, Kyoto, Japonya) ile analiz
edildi. Her materyal için geri kalan diğer 10 örneğin Vickers yüzey mikrosertlik
dereceleri ölçüldü ve polimerizasyon derinliği Vickers sertlik oranı
hesaplanarak değerlendirildi. İstatistiksel analizler bağımsız gruplar t-testi
ile yapıldı.Bulgular: NOVA
Compo-HS ve Filtek Z250 arasında üst ve alt yüzeylerde kaydedilen sertlik
değerlerinde istatistiksel bir fark olduğu görüldü (p<0.001). NOVA Compo-HS
ve Filtek Z250 kompozitlerine ait Bis-GMA salım miktarı ortalama 1.28 mg/L ve
0.78 mg/L idi. Gruplar arasında istatistiksel olarak fark vardı (p<0.001).

Sonuç: Mikro
dolduruculu yeni kompozit rezin materyal olan NOVA Compo-HS, mekanik
özellikleri (yüzey mikrosertlik dereceleri ve alt/üst yüzeyin Vickers
mikrosertlik oranı) bakımından diğer mikro dolduruculu kompozit kadar yeterli
bulunmadı. NOVA Compo-HS kompozitten salınan Bis-GMA monomer miktarı, Filtek
Z250’ye göre daha fazlaydı.
Comparative Analysis of Starting Technique in Competitive Swimming and Finswimming
Authors: Liashenko A. M. , Dielova I. O. , Omelchenko T. O.
Published: January 2020

The study purpose was to determine time characteristics of the start phases: “jump” and “flight” performed by highly-skilled swimmers in competitive swimming and finswimming during the start from the starting block.

Materials and methods. The participants of the pedagogical study were 8 competitive swimming female athletes, 7 – bifin swimming athletes, 4 – monofin swimmers. The swimmers were highly-skilled: among them were three international masters of sport, thirteen masters of sport of Ukraine, and three candidate masters of sport. The study recorded the following indicators: motor reaction time, horizontal flight speed (in different sections); flight acceleration (in different sections).

Results. The difference in horizontal speed in the first section is not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The bifin swimming athletes show higher speed in sections 2 and 4; in section 3, higher speed is shown by the monofin swimmers (p < 0.001). The bifin swimmers show higher results in flight acceleration in sections 1, 2 and 4; in section 3, higher acceleration is shown by the monofin swimmers (p < 0.001).

Conclusions. For comparative analysis of the starting technique, it is advisable to use such indicators as motor reaction time, horizontal flight speed, flight acceleration, and flight trajectory indicators as the main criteria.

The study found that the time of motor reaction in competitive swimming is the shortest and it is the longest in monofin swimming. The athletes show the highest horizontal flight speed in section 3, the highest acceleration in section 2. The monofin swimming athletes show the highest acceleration in section 3. The second discriminant function with the emphasis on the most informative variables can be used to select the most rational starting technique in finswimming.
Relationship Between Maximum Aerobic Speed Performance and Volleyball Game Motor Power-Explosive Abilities
Authors: Zerf Mohammed , Hadjar Kherfane Mohamed , Kohli Kamel , Louglaib Lakhdar
Published: January 2020

Purpose. This study aims to estimate the relevant maximum aerobic speed performance and its relationship with volleyball game motor power-explosive abilities. Shown in rugby and soccer science literature, maximal aerobic speed is considered as a critical factor for improving the athlete’s ability to recover from high-intensity and fatiguing actions. 

Materials and methods. To achieve this goal, we categorised the motor abilities (vertical jump, spike approach, block jump, 20-meter sprint, T-Test (agility) and standing triple jump) results of 60 elite male players (age 23 ± 1.56 with playing experience up to 5 years in the Oran elite leagues). We based ourselves on their MAS results in two levels (+ or – 4 m/s) in 1200 m Shuttle Test as a valuable test to measure player maximal aerobic speed profile. 

Results. Our results approved the performance level of maximal aerobic speed archived at up to 4 (m/s) as the enhanced level directly related to notable levels of players’ motor abilities studied in the present study. 

Conclusions. Our protocol of maximum aerobic speed performance confirmed level 4 (m/s) as the relevant MAS level positively related to motor abilities components such as agility, balance, coordination, power, reaction, and speed, contrary to its lows.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) v1
Authors: The Nonprofit Plasmid Repository Addgene
Published: January 2020

This protocol is for performing Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). To see the full abstract and additional resources, visit https://www.addgene.org/protocols/pcr/. Basic PCR Program Initial Denaturation for at : This initiation step heats the double stranded DNA template strand to the point where the strands start denaturing and the hydrogen bonds are broken between the nucleotide base pairs. Denature at : Continued denaturation of double stranded DNA. Anneal primers for at : The forward and reverse primers are stable within this temperature range to anneal to each of the single stranded DNA template strands. The DNA polymerase is also stable enough to now bind to the primer DNA sequence. Extend DNA for at : The Taq polymerase has an optimal temperature around - so this step enables the DNA polymerase to synthesize and elongate the new target DNA strand accurately and rapidly. Repeat steps 2-5, 25-30 times. Final Extension for at : A final extension to fill-in any protruding ends of the newly synthesized strands.
Vivir transnacional y participación en la elección extraordinaria de gobernador en Puebla (2019)
Authors: Espinosa Márquez Araceli , González Ramírez Misael , León de la Rosa Jesús Mario
Published: January 2020

La migración MEX-USA es centenaria en contraste con la de Puebla, pues sus flujos masivos tienen alrededor de 50 años. Estas personas tienen un vivir transnacional al mantenerse unidos a la familia extensa en ambos lados de la frontera. En Nueva York y sus alrededores se encuentran la mayor cantidad de poblanos en el mundo y por ello se indagó sobre la importancia de este proceso electoral. Los resultados se obtuvieron a partir del análisis de discurso del debate, y a partir de 5 grupos focales. Esto demostró que aunque en la elección ordinaria del 2018 se dio la mayor participación en el siglo, en la elección extraordinaria de 2019 hubo una escasa participación debido a un mecanismo institucional complejo que impide la libre difusión de las campañas y a que el discurso de los candidatos no considera relevante al tema migratorio.
El protocolo, la puesta en escena y la persuasión en los debates políticos televisados
Authors: Barrientos Báez Almudena , Caldevilla Domínguez David , Vargas Delgado José Jesús
Published: January 2020

Un debate político televisado hace referencia a un enfrentamiento entre candidatos de diferentes partidos cuyo objetivo principal es generar un feedback entre el público asistente, telespectadores y los protagonistas del debate. Deben desarrollarse con fluidez y con técnicas persuasivas para trasladar el mensaje al máximo número de personas y generar el mayor eco posible en las redes sociales. Todo esto y más se logra con el arte de saber hacer bien las cosas: el protocolo. Pretendemos analizar en profundidad la mecánica organizativa y protocolaria del funcionamiento de los debates políticos televisados realizando un estudio pormenorizado sobre la importancia de la comunicación y el protocolo en este tipo de eventos con audiencia millonaria. El método empleado de estudio será deductivo ya que partiremos de una premisa general y a partir de ahí podremos obtener conclusiones con la observación y análisis de los debates de la historia reciente de Estados Unidos, Alemania y España entre otros. El objetivo principal del siguiente estudio es determinar el uso de las herramientas que proporciona el protocolo y describir las técnicas de persuasión y comunicación creando para ello un marco de trabajo adecuado.
Structural changes of mitochondria related to apoptosis: swelling and megamitochondria formation.
Authors: Wakabayashi T
Published: January 2020

Recently we have found that the formation of megamitochondria in culture cells of various sources, induced by chemicals capable of generating free radicals, is followed by apoptotic changes of the cell. Detailed analysis on functional and morphological aspects of megamitochondria has enabled us to speculate that the formation of megamitochondria may be a prerequisite for free radical-mediated apoptosis: free radicals modify the mitochondrial membranes resulting in the fusion of adjacent mitochondria (megamitochondria formation). If the intracellular level of free radicals is continuously kept high, the permeability transition pores of the megamitochondria membranes are opened and megamitochondria become swollen. Oxygen consumption and the ability to synthesise ATP by swollen megamitochondria decrease distinctly. At the same time, cytochrome c is released from swollen megamitochondria into the cytoplasm. If lowered rates of the generation of reactive oxygen species from swollen megamitochondria, possibly due to decrease in their oxygen consumption, are effective enough to lower the intracellular level of free radicals, megamitochondria may return to normal. If not, decrease in the membrane potential of megamitochondria membranes causes the release of apoptosis-inducing factor into the cytoplasm. Cytochrome c and apoptosis-inducing factor thus released into the cytoplasm may cause cytoplasmic and nuclear apoptotic changes. Experimental data to support this hypothesis are presented.
Transcription factors as targets of anticancer drugs.
Authors: Gniazdowski M , Czyz M
Published: January 2020

Several general and gene- and cell-selective transcription factors are required for specific transcription to occur. Many of them exert their functions through specific contacts either in the promoter region or at distant sequences regulating the initiation. These contacts may be altered by anticancer drugs which form non-covalent complexes with DNA. Covalent modifications of DNA by alkylating agents may prevent transcription factors from recognizing their specific sequences or may constitute multiple "unnatural" binding sites in DNA which attract the factors thus decreasing their availability in the cell. The anticancer drug-transcription factor interplay which is based on specific interactions with DNA may contribute to pharmacological properties of the former and provide a basis for the search for new drugs.