bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Last Man's Culture--Revisited
Authors: Dokulil Miloš ,   Institute for Interdisciplinary Research
Published: January 2021

At the end of the second millennium, we seem to be somewhat nervous agairn. Twentieth-century scientific developments have opened up fascinating new fields of study both in the micro- and macrocosmos. Yet none of the new codes, paradigms, and ideologies appear to bring us nearer to some new and generally shared creed. Life without work for many, not only in the Third World, the successful integration of Europe, armed conflicts on local battlefields, as well as superficialities on TV screens, are our near-to-be contemporaneity. The seeming unlimited technical possibilities of artificial intelligence, the relativtatim of civic values, and a cartoon-like culture portend risks for the fiiture. Yet, while secular and lacking a binding sense of responsibility, postmodem society epitomizes spiritual hunger. Nurtured by good family traditions, the spiritual quest promises an open-ended, post-Godotian future.
The Third Yugoslavia
Authors: Gruenwald Oskar ,   Institute for Interdisciplinary Research
Published: January 2021

This essay offers hope that beyond the specter and tragedy of the Yugoslav civil war lie the prospects for peace, democratization, economic and political reconstruction, and the evolution of a democratic Third Yugoslavia. But, to realize this hope, there is a need for the development of a genuine civic culture and civil society in the Yugoslav successor states based on democratic values, pluralism, and tolerance, rooted in the conception of universal human rights, constitutionalism, and equality before the law. The South Slavs may have to retrieve their historical memory which predates the fateful divisions along ethnic, cultural, and religious lines. The Swiss model of autonomous cantons, four major languages, neutrality, but a pronounced common national identity is also instructive for democratic prospects of a possible future South Slav (con-) federation and peace in the Balkans, A proposed Illyrian Constitution would bind the South Slavs together, reconnecting individual human rights to community. Above all, moral and spiritual renewal are the necessary precondition for peace and reconciliation, as well as economic and political reconstruction and the genesis of a democratic Third Yugoslavia.
Culture and Ethnic Identity in Daghestan
Authors: Sivertseva Tamara ,   Institute for Interdisciplinary Research
Published: January 2021

This field research report summarizes the results of interviews during special research trips to Daghestan from 1992-96. These interviews were conducted with both secular and religious leaders in villages, district centers, and the capital of Makhachkala. We found indigenous cultures, ethnic identities, and the entire North Caucasus region in transition from a Russian sphere of cultural and political influence to that of Islam, epitomized by a split cultural and generational identity of fathers versus sons. Yet indigenous cultures show great resilience toward both the former Soviet influences of atheism and modemization and the contemporary revival of Islam, which seeks to integrate all aspects of individual and community life. Curiously, just like the British Empire, the former imperial Soviet State evokes ambivalent feelings of nostalgia and admiration, mixed with apprehension, while Islam now appears as the major agent transformation of indigenous cultures toward a new geo-political identity.
Newman, Theology and the Crisis of Liberal Education
Authors: Hittinger John P. ,   Institute for Interdisciplinary Research
Published: January 2021

In his classic, The Idea of a University, John Henry Cardinal Newman advanced three arguments for the inclusion of theology in the liberal arts curriculum. These include the very nature of a university in its profession to teach all subjects, the interdisciplinary value of theology, and the danger of academic quackery and usurpation, when a subject matter is not given its due place in the curriculum. The arguments for theology are intimately connected to Newman's high ideal of education, rightly celebrated by educators today. The crisis in contemporary liberal education is reflected in a dispute between Edward O. Wilson and Richard Rorty over the concept of "consilience." Yet there are promising signs of a renewal of liberal education through a deeper appreciation of theology in the course of studies in higher education.
Sinn und Bedeutung der philosophischen Gottesbeweise
Authors: Berchem Christophe ,   Institute for Interdisciplinary Research
Published: January 2021

Der Sinn der philosophischen Gottesbeweise besteht in der Widerlegung pseudowissenschaftlicher Argumente des Atheismus und in der reflexen Unterstützung des religiösen Glaubens. Zwischen der philosophischen Theologie und der Religion kommt eine wesentliche Dialektik zur Geltung. Wird die philosophische Theologie, die eben philosophischen Gottesbeweis kulminiert, abgelehnt, so tritt an ihre Stelle die Gefahr des Abgleitens in einen irrationalen Dezisionismus. Alle Sätze der philosophischen Theologie sind Sätze über die Welt und den Menschen; sie erklären deren Bedingung Möglichkeit und Wirklichkeit, samt den Implikationen dessen, was ihr "Urgrund" ist Einerseits sucht der (weit verstandene) Glaube reflexe Einsicht, andererseits Iässt theoretische Gotteserkenntnis dasjenige intakt, worauf es dem religiösen Menschen unbedingt ankommt: die "Funktion" der freien Hingabe.
Providence and the Christian Scholar
Authors: Giberson Karl W. , Yerxa Donald A. ,   Institute for Interdisciplinary Research
Published: January 2021

God's action in the world poses a challenge for the Christian scholar. At the scholarly level of one's discipline, invocations of divine Providence as an explanatory category are considered unacceptable. Yet the scholar-believer necessarily acknowledges that God is indeed active in His Creation. Generally, this tension is resolved via the assumption of methodological naturalism at the level of one's discipline and the embrace of theism at the level of one's faith. This can result in an incoherence between the commitments of one's discipline and one's faith. Yet both theology and physics suggest that this tension may be relieved somewhat by acknowledging that the physical universe is no longer understood to be closed to the possibility of divine action. Consequently, Christian historians may want to reconsider the value of Providence as an explanatory category.
Causality Within Complexity
Authors: Austriaco Nicanor P. G. ,   Institute for Interdisciplinary Research
Published: January 2021

By nature, every man is a philosopher who continuously seeks explanations for both the universe and the human condition. In the modern era, scientific explanations based on the scientific method and its accompanying philosophical framework of quantification, naturalism, and reductionism have obscured other approaches to explaining the world. Curiously, the emerging science of complexity and complex systems is challenging scientists to develop a more holistic approach to nature. The resulting more comprehensive view of nature combines traditional modeling based on the scientific method and empirical verification, complemented by modeling based upon philosophical principles. Aristotle's philosophy of nature suggests a model of complex systems which is both intellectually satisfying and complementary to the mathematical models already in use. The rediscovery of a philosophy of nature would contribute to a holistic worldview, providing a neutral middle ground in the science-religion dialogue.
The Place of Hermann Cohen’s Ideas in the Philosophy of Dialogue
Authors: Dvorkin I.
Published: January 2021

My aim is to prove that Hermann Cohen was not only a philosopher of dialogue but has played an exceedingly important role in the history of that current of thought. His books Ethics of Pure Will (1904) and Religion of Reason out of the Sources of Judaism (1919) offer a detailed analysis of the relationships between I and Thou, I and It, I and We. In the first book these relationships are considered from the ethical-legal point of view and in the second from the viewpoint of religious anthropology. However, Cohen considers the problem of inter-personal relationships not in isolation, but as an important component of his entire philosophical system. Deduction of the concept of personality in Ethics of Pure Will is based on Cohen’s logic of the origin expounded in the first part of his system in The Logic of Pure Cognition. Cohen explains that the origin of the self-consciousness of I as a personality is not the external world, but another person, i.e. Thou. In turn, the partnership relationships between I and Thou create the community We which forms the basis of the law-governed state. The process of artistic creation in the framework of inter-personal relationship is explored in Aesthetics of Pure Feeling. Finally, Religion of Reason out of the Sources of Judaism formulates the conception of religion as the most complete realisation of inter-personal relationship. Thus, dialogism became an important dimension of Cohen’s entire philosophical system, a fact noted by Martin Buber. Franz Rosenzweig, in unfolding dialogical thinking, expressly appeals to all the elements of Cohen’s system. There are signs of his influence on Bakhtin’s doctrine. Thus, examining Cohen’s doctrine as part of the philosophy of dialogue gives insights into this entire trend as a coherent whole.
In vitro propagation and medium-term conservation of autochthonous plum cultivar 'Crvena Ranka'
Authors: Vujović Tatjana , Jevremović Darko , Marjanović Tatjana , Glišić Ivana
Published: January 2021

In vitro strategies for the propagation and conservation of indigenous species contribute to the sustainable use of plant diversity and are essential for breeding programs as well. In this study, we established an efficient protocol for the micropropagation of autochthonous plum 'Crvena Ranka' and examined the survival and regrowth capacity of in vitro shoots after 3, 6 and 9 months of cold storage (CS) at +5 oC in total darkness. Aseptic culture was established on the Murashige and Skoog medium containing 2 mg l-1 BA, 0.5 mg l-1 IBA and 0.1 mg l-1 GA3 (leaf rosette initiation being 68.8%). During in vitro propagation on the medium of constant hormonal composition, a significant increase in the multiplication index was observed in the third subculture, whereupon it was mainly stable until the fifth subculture. The effect of BA concentration and/or type of auxins (IBA or NAA) on multiplication parameters, as well as on fresh and dry weights of shoots was evaluated. BA at 1 mg l-1 in combination with NAA significantly increased shoot multiplication parameters. The effect of auxins on rooting parameters was monitored as well. Shoots cultured on the medium supplemented with NAA also displayed higher rooting ability (60%), in comparison with those grown on the medium containing IBA at the same concentration (20%). In vitro shoots can be conserved over the medium term under CS conditions up to six months. High survival was achieved after three (94%) and six months (82.5%), while severe signs of necrosis (100%) were noticed after nine months of conservation. Shoots subcultured under standard growth conditions after CS promptly regained their morphology although their capacity for multiplication and rooting was slightly lower than that of non-cold-stored shoots.
Grain yield potential of spring dry pea varieties
Authors: Milošević Branko , Mihailović Vojislav , Karagić Đura , Vasiljević Sanja , Milić Dragan , Petrović Gordana , Katanski Snežana , Živanov Dalibor , Mikić Aleksandar , Đalović Ivica , Dolapčev Anja , Uhlarik Ana
Published: January 2021

Field peas are mostly used for animal nutrition in the Balkan region and in the countries of the former USSR, while in the countries of Western Europe, Canada, the USA and the Middle East they are mostly used for human nutrition. Over three years (2010-2012), the yield and grain yield components of the most widespread field pea varieties were examined. The lowest number of plants was determined in 'NS Junior' intended for combined use (65 plants/m2), while 'Dukat' and 'Partner' had 88 and 85 plants/m2 on average, respectively. The average stem height was 158 cm for 'NS Junior', and 65 and 70 cm for 'Dukat' and 'Partner', respectively. 'Dukat' (4846 kg/ha) and 'Partner' (4521 kg/ha) had significantly higher grain yields compared with 'NS Junior' (2717 kg/ha). The content of crude protein in the grain was highest in 'NS Junior' (27.6%), while 'Dukat' and 'Partner' had lower contents (23-25%).
Analysis of fresh and processed carrots and beets from organic and conventional production for the content of nutrients and antioxidant activity
Authors: Pavlović Nenad , Zdravković Milan , Mladenović Jelena , Štrbanović Ratibor , Zdravković Jasmina
Published: January 2021

In order to popularise organically produced vegetables, two vegetable crops most commonly grown in organic systems in Serbia were studied. This research aimed at investigating differences in phytonutrient content between organically and conventionally produced beet and carrot, in fresh roots, juices pasteurised at different temperatures (70 and 90oC) and dried products. Multivariate analysis (principal component analysis) was used in order to determine the main components accounting for the highest variance, from both systems of production, according to the average content of phytonutrients in beet and carrot. The samples were divided into two clusters, one for carrot and one for beet, each containing two subgroups. The subclusters for beet were: I - BDO, BDC, BJ90C, and BJ90O - dried samples and juices pasteurised at 90oC, from both systems of production; and II - BFC, BFO, BJ70O and BJ70C - fresh beet and pasteurisation at low temperatures. The two sub-clusters for carrot were: I - CDO and CDC - dried samples; and II - pasteurised juices and fresh carrots from both systems of production. In this research, carrot was more stable for processing than beet, as determined for samples from the study area, from both systems of production and for the phytonutrients covered by this research.
Approaches in cereal breeding
Authors: Knežević Desimir , Laze Artiona , Paunović Aleksandar , Đurović Vesna , Đukić Nevena , Valjarević Danijela , Kondić Danijela , Mićanović Danica , Živić Jelica , Zečević Veselinka
Published: January 2021

The main goal of plant breeding is to improve quality traits, yield and resistance to abiotic and biotic stress factors. A thousand years ago, people selected the best plants, seeds or fruits to produce seed for new crops and food for human and animal nutrition. Modern plant breeding is based on genetic principles and contributes to increases in yield and quality components (contents of protein, amino acids, fat, sucrose, mineral elements etc.). Breeders in conventional breeding programs in the last six decades have made changes to plant phenotypes, significantly improved resistance to diseases, earliness, and frost and drought resistance, and improved scientific farming practices, baking and milling technologies, and beverage production technology. Through bioinformatics and improved technology, breeders have developed ways to improve and accelerate the breeding process to combine desired traits in new genotypes as well to operate at the level of individual cells and their chromosomes. Nowadays, modern biotechnology is used to improve human nutrition, and develop genotypes with significantly higher yields and quality compared with genotypes created by conventional breeding. By genetic modification it is possible to add, modify or delete a trait without interfering between two complete genomes. However, genetically modified crops can be used after their assessment in terms of human health, food safety and the environment.
In vitro antioxidant activity of essential oil of aerial parts of Mentha pulegium L
Authors: Hariri Ahmed , Ouis Naouel , Bouhadi Djilali , Benatouche Zouaoui
Published: January 2021

This work was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the essential oil obtained from the aerial part of Mentha pulegium. The antioxidant power of the essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus was evaluated by using three methods: free radical-scavenging activity, reducing power and liver lipid peroxidation assay. Results showed that Mentha pulegium oil displayed good quality according to its physicochemical characteristics, and a higher yield 5.1 ± 0.2%. The essential oil of Mentha pulegium showed a higher DPPH radical scavenging activity 90.54 ± 1.5 % at a concentration of 1000 µg/mL. This value was close to the results obtained with ascorbic acid 96.23 ± 1.2%, and catechin 94.50 ± 1.4%. This oil exhibited significant potential for reducing iron (the value observed by optical density was 1.8 ± 0.3), while ascorbic acid and catechin provided an OD of 2.069 ± 0.03 and 2.66 ± 0.016 at the same concentration of 1000 µg/mL. The tested oil protected against lipid peroxidation induced by Fe+2, and considerably increased the percentage of anti lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner. The studied oil displayed a good degree of antioxidant activity and can be exploited in food and pharmaceutical industries.
The impact of financial performance on workplace bullying and mistreatment in Serbian organizations
Authors: Stankov Sanja , Poštin Jasmina , Konjikušić Marko , Jagodić-Rusić Aleksandra , Mićić Daliborka
Published: January 2021

This paper presents the results of research into the impact of organizational financial performance items (and financial performance dimension) on workplace bullying and mistreatment. The research was conducted in organizations in Serbia, and the respondents were employees in these organizations. A total of 536 questionnaires were collected, which were valid for further analysis. The results showed that most of the observed financial performance items did not have a statistically significant impact on workplace bullying in organizations. However, the item Salaries; statistically significantly, strongly and negatively affects all observed workplace bullying dimensions and self-labelling (mistreatment) items. Thus, low employee salaries provide fertile ground for the development of workplace bullying. Conversely, with an increase in employee salaries, there is a decrease in all aspects of workplace bullying. The paper gives explanations for these phenomena. It is important for leaders and managers in business organizations to know the processes and relationships researched here. Special care should be taken in conditions of unfavourable organizational financial performance, and especially low salaries of employees.
Virus diseases of Apiaceae
Authors: Stanković Ivana , Krstić Branka
Published: January 2021

The Apiaceae are a large plant family consisting of approximately 250 genera and over 3,000 species grown worldwide. Its representative vegetables are carrot, parsley, parsnip and celery, as well as some wellknown spice plants such as fennel, anise, caraway, dill, and coriander. Their production is imperiled by numerous pathogens, among which viruses are of great importance. Globally more than 30 viruses are known to affect carrot and other plant species belonging to family Apiaceae. The principal viruses are: Celery mosaic virus (CeMV), Parsnip yellow fleck virus, (PYFV), Carrot red leaf virus (CtRLV) and Carrot mottle virus (CMoV). In Serbia, three viruses are present on carrot and celery: CeMV, Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and Tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (TSWV). The economic importance of viruses infecting umbelliferous has long been recognised due to the foliar symptoms and viral dieback of seedlings. These viruses affect carrot crops only sporadically, but when they do occur they can be devastating. Other umbelliferous viruses are known to occur worlwide, however, their effects are not clear.
Trap cropping: Principles and possibilities of application in root vegetable production
Authors: Ignjatović-Ćupina Aleksandra , Ivezić Aleksandar
Published: January 2021

Vegetable production is one of the most intensive parts of agricultural production in Serbia. There are several different classifications of vegetable species, but the most common is based on the edible part of the plant. This classification emphasizes root vegetables as a special and very important category. During the entire vegetation period, root vegetables are exposed to numerous pests, which reduce the value and quality of the final product. In addition to insects, which represent the most numerous group of animals, vegetables are also damaged by mites, nematodes, snails, rodents and some species of birds. One of the ecologically acceptable methods in the protection of vegetables is trap cropping, whereby certain plant species, the so-called trap plants are used to attract pests, in order to reduce the damage of the main crop. In modern agricultural production, trap crops are used as a common tool in Integrated Pest Management. Rising interest of agricultural producers for trap cropping is primarily attributed to the public concern about the potential negative effects of pesticides to human and environmental health, as well as to the increasing problem of pest resistance to insecticides. Since root vegetables intended for the market are primarily in fresh condition, an important segment of production is the effective protection of vegetable crops, which implies production of healthy and safe food. In that sense, the consideration of trap crops application in protection of root vegetables is more than justified, because trap cropping represents an environmentally friendly method and an effective alternative to conventional protection of vegetables from economically important pests.
Mathematics teacher's perceptions about influence of different ICT usage strategies on their competencies
Authors: Ljajko Eugen
Published: January 2021

Teacher competencies are among the key factors of a successful mathematics instruction. The main goal of the study was to compare teachers' beliefs and attitudes affected by different strategies in organizing the instruction process. The study gives a comparison of teachers' competencies in three groups of teachers - one teaching mathematics without ICT, the second using ready-made GeoGebra applets and the third one developing their own GeoGebra applets in cooperation with their students. The survey includes 65 mathematics teachers working in 21 primary and secondary schools in southern regions of Serbia. We observed, assessed and compared affective-motivational characteristics of teachers - their beliefs and professional motivation. Results indicate that the teachers' affective-motivational characteristics depend on the way they employ technology in representing the content they teach. If the technology is used in an inappropriate manner it can impede the students' creativity, but it also obstructs teachers in deploying their full abilities in the process. The results also bring to the fore issues concerning ways to maintain positive effects achieved through ICT empowered instruction organized in the way the third group of teachers did.
Reexamination of Okun's law: Empirical analysis from Panel Granger Causality
Authors: Sasongko Gatot , Artanti Niken , Huruta Andrian , Lee Cheng-Wen
Published: January 2021

This study aims to confirm the existence of Okun's coefficients in Indonesia. Authors conducted panel data of 34 provinces in Indonesia for the period from 2014 to 2019, obtained from the Central Bureau of Statistics. The data were analyzed by using the panel data model and Panel Granger Causality. The Panel Granger causality analysis results show that there was one-way causality between the economic growth and the unemployment. It was caused by several influencing factors, such as education level, population, and employment opportunities. Based on the Fixed Effect Model and Panel Granger Causality results, authors conclude that Okun's Law has not been proven for 34 provinces in Indonesia.
Nanostructures management technology to reduce the fire risk in the oil and gas industry: Performance, features and implementation
Authors: Ivanov Aleksei , Dali Farid , Ivakhnyuk Grigoriy , Skripnick Igor , Simonova Marina , Shikhalev Denis
Published: January 2021

Oil and gas enterprises are characterized by an increased fire risk. There is high probability of occurrence and spread of large fires when oil production and processing, transportation and storage of oil products occurs. There is high probability of large fires during the oil production, oil processing and during the transportation and storage of petroleum products. New materials created using nanotechnology principles are needed to improve the efficiency of fire prevention and extinguishing systems. The technology for controlling the properties and performance characteristics of nanofluids based on liquid hydrocarbons and water is based on the methods of functionalization and interaction of clusters of the base liquid and multilayer carbon nanotubes, methods for stabilizing nanofluids, for changing the thermophysical, rheological and electrostatic properties of substances and materials on their basis. The proposed technology makes it possible to create nanomaterials based on various scenarios for the development of emergency situations and to apply them to reduce fire risk at oil and gas facilities.
Pre-hospital delay in patients with acute chest pain
Authors: Milovanović Lidija , Živanović Slavoljub
Published: January 2021

Introduction: Incidence of chest pain and discomfort varies in general population between 2 % and 5 %. Total prehospital delay involves two components: the time it takes for patients to recognise their symptoms as severe and seek medical attention, ie the decision-making time, and the time from seeking help to hospital admission, ie the transport time. Scope of the study was to analyse time loss in patients with chest pain hesitating to contact healthcare services, as well as distribution of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and angina pectoris (AP) among them. Methods: Retrospective analysis of medical records of physicians working at the emergency medical services (EMS) Department of the City of Belgrade, Serbia, from 20 April 2006 to 22 July 2013 on a total of 5,310 completed field interventions. When placing a call to the EMS, 10.43 % of patients cited chest pain as a major symptom. After deducting all those ones who denied having the symptom on examination thereafter and those for whom there were no data, 349 patients remained, ie 6.57 % of the total number of calls available for analysis. Results: The average time between the onset of chest pain and the decision to call the EMS was 11.97 h, median 2 h and mode 1 h. Patient's minimum prehospital delay was 2 min and the maximum was 20 days. Most patients who experienced chest pain or discomfort waited less than an hour before calling the EMS. Most commonly diagnoses made for a symptom of chest pain were AMI and AP, ie AMI with 12.32 % of the total diagnoses, as well as the elevated arterial pressure. There were more female patients, with no difference found among the age groups. Conclusion: For the majority of patients with chest pain and discomfort presented in this paper the decision-making time was up to one hour, with cardiovascular causes being the at the top of the list.
A comparative study of active and passive adverse drug reaction reporting systems in terms of false reporting rate
Authors: Bansal Alka , Agrawal Ashish , Sharma Lokendra , Jain Smita
Published: January 2021

Background: World Health Organisation Uppsala Monitoring Centre (WHO-UMC) was set up in 1968 to collect Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) periodically for all drugs across the globe. It identifies two main approaches to pharmacovigilance: active (intensive) and passive (spontaneous). However, very few studies are available to compare these two methods of adverse drug reaction reporting. Methods: A prospective observational study was done on 303 newly diagnosed patients with tuberculosis receiving directly observed therapy short-course (DOTS) in the Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital, Jaipur between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2019. They were randomly divided into groups A (150 patients) and B (153 patients). Group A patients were followed actively at fixed intervals of time for ADRs till next six months through electronic conversation or personal interview. Group B patients were required to report spontaneously for any ADRs to pharmacovigilance centre. After data collection causality assessment was done using the WHO-UMC scale to identify false reporting and finally results were analysed statistically by means of the t-test using Minitab 14 software Pennsylvania, USA. Results: 153 ADRs were reported in active and 39 in passive group. Hence the yield of ADR was four times more in active method. After causality assessment, 31 in group A and 12 in group B were found to be falsely related (unlikely) to antitubercular drugs. Two sample t-test revealed active method reported more false ADR (p = 0.005). Conclusion: Although active method of surveillance identifies more ADRs than passive method, it is also more prone to false reporting. Hence its benefits should be weighed against its cost before adopting it for countries with limited resources.
Attitudes of the local residents towards the possibilities of ecoturism development in the area of the Special Nature Reserve 'Deliblato Sands'
Authors: Zeljković Marija
Published: January 2021

Ecotourism is a form of tourism, increasingly developed within protected natural areas due to its ability to minimize negative impacts on the environment and contribute to the preservation and improvement of natural values. In addition to natural potentials, scientific literature emphasizes the importance of the involvement of the local community in ecotourism development, through which multiple socioeconomic benefits for the local population are obtained. Deliblato Sands is an area protected as a Special Nature Reserve, thanks to its specific morphological features, rich biodiversity, rare species and exceptional landscape values. This research examines the attitudes of the inhabitants of the municipalities of Vrsac, Bela Crkva, Kovin, Alibunar and Pancevo, on whose territories the borders of SNR "Deliblato Sands" are located, about the development of ecotourism in Deliblato Sands, its impact on the environment and community and readiness of local population for direct involvement in ecotourism development. The attitudes of 339 respondents were collected through an online survey, and the results of the research were presented by descriptive analysis. It was determined that the inhabitants of municipalities in South Banat have a positive attitude towards the development of ecotourism in the area of SNR "Deliblato Sands", and a proactive approach to direct involvement in further ecotourism development of this area.
English in the Linguistic Landscape of Thailand: A Case Study of Public Signs in Hat Yai
Authors: Vivas-Peraza Ana Cristina
Published: January 2021

During the last decades, English has become an international language in all kinds of contexts, including business and tourism, and Asian linguistic landscapes are a good reflection of this phenomenon. This paper focuses on Thailand and the city of Hat Yai, where a corpus of 165 public signs were collected. These were analysed quantitatively to discuss the functions that English performs in public domains, and also qualitatively, by means of a multimodal analysis, to observe the Thai and English prominence in the case of multilingual signs. The results show the importance of English, not only as an international communicative tool, but also as a language of prestige and media impact. Furthermore, some features of written Thai English or Tinglish were found in some signs, which may confirm the early stages of development of a possible new emerging variety of World Englishes.
How Theatre Develops Democracy
Authors: Linder Eva-Liisa
Published: January 2021

Twenty years after regaining its independence, Estonia is proud of its economic record, but faces challenges concerning the development of democracy. Into this situation, a small theatre company, Theatre NO99, led by stage director Tiit Ojasoo, has recently introduced a new style of postdramatic political theatre that raises questions about capitalism, civil society, racism, nationalism, the energy crisis and other sensitive issues. Furthermore, the company’s European tours and collaborations with German and British companies have brought European debates to the Estonian stage. Recently, however, NO99 came up with two unparalleled and overtly political ‘one time actions’. In 2010, Unified Estonia, a fictitious political movement, exposed the populism of the leading parties and drew 7200 people to its ‘convention’, thus making it one of the largest theatre events in modern European theatre history. Two years later, NO99 staged a ‘first reading’ of a semi-documentary play about a funding scandal that engulfed the prime minister’s party, thereby contributing to provoke a series of civic and political events. This case study looks at how the theatre company has introduced itself as a morally sensitive institution (in the spirit of the German Enlightenment) and helped spark debates about national and democratic values in Estonia.
Residual shear strength of shales from the Gemas Formation based on ring shear tests
Authors: Raj J.K.
Published: January 2021

Fresh, dark grey to black, shales with minor sandstones of the Triassic Gemas Formation outcrop at the slope cut between Km 81.30 and 81.05 (southbound) of the North-South Expressway near Ayer Hitam in Johore State. The beds strike 165o with eastward dips of 35o to 43o and have thickness of between 0.2 and 1.5 m. Over-lying the fresh bedrock along an irregular boundary is a bleached zone, some 14 to 18 m thick, comprising light grey to white, in situ oxidized shales and sandstones. Three samples were collected from a thick shale bed; fresh samples A and B at 18 m and 15 m depth, respectively, and a bleached shale sample C at 11 m depth. All samples were air dried, finely ground, and then passed through a wire mesh sieve with 180 μm aperture sieve. The remoulded samples were tested with the Bromhead ring shear apparatus, employing the pre-shearing test procedure with multi-stage loading. Plots of shear stress versus cumulative horizontal shear displacement under low normal stresses (<150 kPa) yield failure envelopes with residual friction angles of 27.4o, 27.4o and 27.9o for samples A, B, and C, respectively. Under moderate to large normal stresses (150-350 kPa), plots of shear stress versus linear displacement sometimes slope upward due to increased friction as a result of sample extrusion and settlement of the top platen. It is concluded that the pre-shearing test procedure with multi-stage loading is best suited for low to moderate, effective normal stresses (<250 kPa). Based on the test results, the residual friction angle for shales from the Gemas Formation is between 27o and 28o.
First discovery of Stegodon (Proboscidea) in Malaysia
Authors:   Department of Geology, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Muhammad Ros Fatihah , Lim Tze Tshen ,   Paleontological Society of Malaysia, Ibrahim Norliza ,   Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Abdul Razak Mohd Azmi ,   Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Mohd Razif Fakhrulradzi , Kem Zarris , Ching Boon Tat
Published: January 2021

A cheek tooth of Stegodon, an extinct genus of Proboscidea, had been discovered in a cave in Gopeng, Perak. The discovery represents the first fossil of Stegodon ever found in Malaysia. Embedded in lithified cave infillings are the associated dental remains from at least three or four other different taxa of fossil mammals commonly found among Southeast Asian Pleistocene-Holocene faunas. The finding provides a unique chance for investigations into the evolution dynamics of Stegodon in this part of Southeast Asia and the species diversity of Proboscidea in prehistoric Peninsular Malaysia. Fossil mammal assemblages from different phases of Pleistocene-Holocene period collected from karstic caves in Peninsular Malaysia, when considered with similar assemblages from other parts of Southeast Asia, have the potential to contribute to our understanding of prehistoric faunal migrations and species compositional changes among the biogeographic (sub)divisions in Southeast Asia. This may ultimately lead to a better knowledge of the possible paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic fluctuations that influenced patterns of migration and adaptive responses of mammalian faunas in Quaternary Southeast Asia.
The patient experience of bariatric surgery: a longitudinal qualitative study
Authors:   , Homer Catherine
Published: January 2021

Morbid obesity is a major public health concern. It is associated with a range of physical and psychological comorbidities including cardiovascular disease, stroke, depression and experiences of psychological distress and stigma. In the UK, treatment for morbid obesity is provided through a tiered pathway of services including bariatric surgery. Outcomes of surgery are not universally positive, with some regaining weight following surgery or experiencing unintended outcomes. This study explored what influences outcomes of bariatric surgery from the patients’ perspective. It aimed to identify how patients measure the success of bariatric surgery, the support needs and mechanisms which influence success and the implications for clinicians, commissioners and policy makers. Using qualitative interviews and modified Photovoice methodology alongside validated quality of life (QoL) measures this longitudinal study explored the expectations and experiences of patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Data was collected in five cycles across the bariatric patients' journey: pre-surgery (n=18); three months post-surgery (n=16); nine months post-surgery (n=15); 18 months post-surgery (QoL measures only) (n=10); and, two years post-surgery (n=13). This is the first study to investigate the experience of more than one service of a tiered obesity pathway. It found that the burdens of living with obesity and expectation of life post-surgery affected the way in which patients determined the success of bariatric surgery. Achieving normality was as important as the standard clinical measures of weight loss and reduced comorbidities. Psychological, physical and social support needs influence the potential for success in these terms. There was clear evidence of temporality, as the measures of success and support needs changed along participants’ bariatric surgery journey. Mechanisms which could address or hinder these support needs included: what participants believed to be a successful outcome; the obesity service pathway; support networks; physical activity and exercise; and excess skin. The findings inform the understanding of what influences the success of bariatric surgery. They are then used to develop practice and policy recommendations including: measures of success should be determined by individual patients and revisited across the journey; health care professionals supporting people living with morbid obesity to lose weight require training to understand the physiological and psychological impacts of bariatric surgery; specialist input from psychological and exercise specialists needs to be available and accessible across the pathway; and clinicians, commissioners and policy makers need to consider the levels of the socio ecological system and respond to the changing support needs in order to maximise chances of long-term successful outcomes for patients.
La distancia psíquica como herramienta para analizar el teatro musical del Siglo de Oro
Authors: Rozenbergaite Ieva Emilija
Published: January 2021

Este artículo mostrará mi propuesta de análisis de la recepción en el teatro musical del Siglo de Oro desde la perspectiva del concepto de “distancia psíquica”. Consciente de la gran laguna en los estudios de la recepción en el Siglo de Oro español, me dispongo a proponer un método esteticista para abordar un acercamiento al público aurisecular. En primer lugar, presentaré el propio fenómeno de distancia psíquica y, a partir de allí, me iré adentrando en mi propuesta para plantear un estudio filosófico-cultural. Con el fin de ilustrarla, ejemplificaré mi análisis del plano visual en tres obras del compositor Juan Hidalgo: Los celos hacen estrellas, Los juegos olímpicos e Ícaro y Dédalo.
Olivier Messiaen y Pablo d'Ors: una relación en la escucha atenta de la plegaria
Authors: Sánchez-Alarcos Raúl Fernández
Published: January 2021

Este trabajo, desde el análisis de las obras del compositor Olivier Messiaen y del escritor Pablo d’Ors, pretende llevar a cabo un estudio de naturaleza interartística que cabe en el marco teórico de la Literatura Comparada. A partir de algunas referencias de la cultura occidental en torno a cómo la poesía y la música han tratado históricamente el problema de la plenitud del sentido, se analizan algunas obras de los autores citados, para destacar, en primer lugar, su contenido religioso y espiritual y, en segundo, el carácter vanguardista e innovador de sus respectivos lenguajes artísticos. Por último, y frente a la abolición de los vínculos tradicionales y el nihilismo propio de la modernidad, se destaca que tanto Messiaen como d’Ors tienen en común la propuesta de una poética de la afirmación o de la luz.
Foreign trade of Russia and the German states in 1815-1837 in the context of customs reforms
Authors: Kovalenko Maria Iliinichna
Published: January 2021

The object of this research is the trade relations between Russia and the German states after the Congress of Vienna, established in the conditions of the large-scale customs reforms. Such changes were substantiated by the provisions of the Final Act and the need for renewal of trade systems in accordance with the relevant requirements. The article examines the stages of trade relations prior to the creation of the German Customs Union, which led to fundamental changes in trade situation in the German space. The author also analyzes trade in the initial years of existence of the German Customs Union for assessing its effectiveness and role in foreign trade relations between the German states and Russia. The main conclusion consists in confirmation of the thesis on sustainable trade relations with Prussia as the key trade partner of Russia in the German space. This conclusion was made due to the absence of evidence in the available sources and historiography on trade relations with other German states, except scarce information on the trade with Hanseatic League. After the establishment of the German Customs Union, Prussia is still in the picture of the Russian foreign trade statistics, which testifies to its crucial role in the new union and international disregard of the German Customs Union in the initial years of its existence. The article may be valuable for the audience studying the economic history of Russia and the German states in the first half of the XIX century.
From the history of statistical studies in the Imperial Academy of Sciences (XVIII – early XIX centuries)
Authors: Skrydlov Andrei
Published: January 2021

The problematic area of this research is the evolution of organizational forms of statistical science in the Russian Empire. The author analyzes the establishment of statistical studies in the Saint Petersburg Academy of Sciences. The article relies on the basic methods of historical science: problem-chronological, historical-genetic, and historical-comparative. Modern methodology allowed determining the role of the Academy of Sciences in the process of institutionalization of statistics in Russia, as well as highlighting the objective and subjective factors affecting the trajectory of its development. Special attention is given to analysis of the fundamental principles of political science – the early vector of statistical science, which define the form of statistical descriptions during the period under review. In the course of this research, it is deemed that alongside Russian scholars, an important role in the advancement of statistical knowledge was played by the invited into the Academy European professors. They contributed to proliferation of the German model and principles of political science in Russia. It is noted that at the initial stage the development of statistics was based merely on personal enthusiasm of certain academicians, as prior to adoption of the Regulations of 1803 this discipline fell outside the academic curriculum. The article analyzes various forms of support of statistical studies by the Academy – assistance to scholars in overcoming administrative barriers in acquisition of materials from state departments; publishing activity; distribution of statistical knowledge via periodicals. The conclusion is made that the emergence of new scientific centers in the early XIX century led to gradual loss of leading position of the Academy in the area of statistical studies. This was substantiated by the specificity of organizational form, limitation of material and human resources of the historically first scientific organization in the country.
Criminological characteristics of the heads of organized crime groups related to terrorism (the first stage of criminological research)
Authors: Vasnetsova Anastasiya Sergeevna
Published: January 2021

One of the most widespread directions of counterterrorism efforts is a targeted influence on the potential terrorists before they actually start their terrorist activity. To perform this complicated task, it is necessary to have the exact information about the characteristics of such personalities, which can be collected only by means of scientific interpretation of various significant data. It can help to find out what factors promote the formation of a personality of a terrorist and choose the measures aimed at their elimination thus preventing terrorist organizations from recruiting new members. The author studies such factors as the motive and the circumstances characterising the personality of a convict, which are subject to proving in the course of criminal proceedings according to part 1, article 73 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation. The author formulates the following conclusions: crimes of terrorism are ususally committed by young men (under the age of 30) with a low level of education; the increase of immigration to the Russian Federation leads to the increase of the number of the members of international terrorist organizations in the country; the reasons and  conditions leading to terrorist crimes are not being studied sufficiently enough; there is an interrelation between the criminological characteristics of terrorists’ personalities and the mechanisms of their involvement into terrorist activity, and the specificity of the roles performed by them in an organized crime group; the social sphere of regular terrorists is narrow, which determines their susceptibility to the terrorist ideology.   