bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving the Conceptual and Procedural Knowledge of Prospective Teachers through Multisensory Approach: Experience from Indonesia
Authors: Yurniwati Yurniwati
Published: March 2019

Abstract. In mathematics, there is conceptual and procedural knowledge. Conceptual knowledge is about ideas or mathematics understanding but procedural knowledge is about procedure to solve mathematics problems. Multisensory approach involve many senses like kinaesthetic,  visual and auditory to gain knowledge. This research aims to find information about how to apply multisensory approach to improve conceptual and procedural knowledge of prospective teacher in Jakarta State University. This action research study used Kemmis and Taggart model and implemented in two cycles. The data were collected through questionnaires and observation sheets. Then, the data was analyzed descriptively.  The research results showed that the multisensory approach can enhance the conceptual and procedural knowledge of the prospective teachers. The Kinaesthetic approach was implemented in hands-on activity using concrete materials while the visual using images. The concrete materials and image provide different presentation but it helped to constructed concepts and abstraction. Furthermore, the auditory approach was developed along learning activities trough discussion to produce and clarify the ideas. Keywords: Conceptual knowledge, Procedural knowledge, Multisensory approach
A Metaphor for Identities in Transition through Urbanization and Globalization: Tofu and One Hundred Surnames
Authors: Jing Yang
Published: March 2019

The Chinese artist Chen Qiulin has been taking displacement and the resulting unrest in people’s identity as her persistent theme since the early 1990s. Focusing on a series of her works made since 2004 dealing explicitly with tofu and Chinese surnames, this paper examines her exploration of identities in transition in the context of China’s mass urbanization and globalization. By showing the artist’s conceptual evolution, her preference for materials and mediums, and her exhibition strategy, this paper explores two issues. First, it illuminates how the artist has transformed “tofu” and “surname” into a metaphor for the dilemma of identity under the urbanization in China. Second, it discusses how the artist has integrated her trans-cultural experience with Chinese migrant communities in Australia, to reflect the continuity and fluidity of cultural identity under global migration. The Tofu and One Hundred Surnames series provides a useful case study for examining the complexity of identity transition in Chinese contemporary art, which was previously not fully recognized.

 

Keywords: Chinese contemporary art, symbolic mobility, identity, memory, displacement, transition, diaspora, urbanization, global migration
Lise Öğrencilerinin Bilişsel Esnekliklerinin Cinsiyetlerine ve Mizah Tarzlarına Göre İncelenmesi
Authors: Aktepe Rüveyde
Published: March 2019

Bu çalışmanın amacı, lise öğrencilerinin
bilişsel esneklik düzeyleri ile mizah tarzları arasındaki ilişkinin
incelenmesidir. Bu amaçla araştırmaya 402 lise öğrencisi katılmıştır.
Araştırmada veri toplama aracı olarak Bilişsel Esneklik Ölçeği ve Mizah
Tarzları Ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Araştırmada
lise öğrencilerinin bilişsel esneklik düzeyleri ile katılımcı mizah tarzları
arasında ve bilişsel esneklik düzeyleri ile kendini geliştirici mizah tarzları
arasında pozitif yönde anlamlı bir ilişki bulunurken; bilişsel esneklik
düzeyleri ile saldırgan mizah tarzları arasında negatif yönde anlamlı bir
ilişki bulunmuştur. Araştırma sonucunda lise öğrencilerinin bilişsel esneklik
düzeyleri ve kendini geliştirici mizah tarzlarının cinsiyet değişkenine göre
anlamlı bir farklılık göstermediği görülmüştür. Araştırmada katılımcı mizah
tarzının kız öğrenciler lehine anlamlı düzeyde farklılaştığı sonucuna
ulaşılırken; saldırgan mizah ve kendini yıkıcı mizah tarzının erkek öğrenciler
lehine anlamlı düzeyde farklılaştığı belirlenmiştir.  Araştırma bulguları, ilgili literatür
çerçevesinde tartışılmış ve öneriler sunulmuştur.
Northeast China’s Renewable Energy Transition: Drivers and Challenges
Authors: LI He , ZHU Liyuan
Published: March 2019

Northeast China is undergoing a remarkable renewable energy transition. Driven by the challenges of resource depletion and climate change, fossil fuel production has declined significantly, and the production of renewable energy has climbed sharply. However, the transition is facing challenges in terms of wind and solar curtailment, burdening local economic growth, and rising dependency on energy imports. Technological innovation, infrastructure investment, and policy reforms are required to address these issues.
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Annelerin okuma yazmaya hazırlık sürecine ilişkin görüşleri
Authors: Özen Altınkaynak Şenay
Published: March 2019

Bu araştırmanın amacı, annelerin okuma yazmaya hazırlık sürecine ilişkin görüşlerinin belirlenmesidir. Nitel desende yürütülen araştırma sürecinde uygulanan Aile Temelli Okuma Yazmaya Hazırlık Programının öncesinde ve sonrasında aileler ile yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmeler yapılmıştır. Araştırmanın çalışma grubu, Kars ilinde Milli Eğitim Bakanlığı’na bağlı bir ilkokulun anasınıfında eğitimin gören 25 anne oluşturmaktadır. Araştırmanın verilerini elde etmek için yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu kullanılmıştır. Araştırmada ailelerin okuma yazmaya hazırlık sürecine ilişkin görüşlerini ve uygulamalarını belirlemek için içerik analizi yapılmıştır. Elde edilen bulgular, uygulanan programının öncesinde ve sonrasında ailelerle yapılan görüşmelerin farklılaştığını, ikinci görüşmelerde ailelerin okuma yazmaya hazırlık sürecine ilişkin görüşlerinin ve uygulamalarının olumlu yönde değiştiğini göstermiştir.
Istraživanje razlika između percepcije i očekivanja korisnika zdravstvenih usluga primjenom modela SERVQUAL
Authors: Marković Suzana , Regent Turkalj Irena , Racz Aleksandar
Published: March 2019

Uvod: Kvaliteta usluga u zdravstvu sve je češće predmet različitih istraživanja. Posebno mjesto u takvim istraživanjima zauzima mjerenje kvalitete zdravstvenih usluga, pri čemu važnu ulogu ima određivanje načina na koji ih percipiraju korisnici.

Cilj i metode: Primjenom prilagođenoga modela SERVQUAL u ovom radu istražena su očekivanja i percepcija 178 korisnika zdravstvenih usluga u Specijalnoj bolnici za medicinsku rehabilitaciju bolesti srca, pluća i reumatizma Thalassotherapia Opatija.

Rezultati: Dimenzije su koje su mjerene ovim istraživanjem: opipljivost, pouzdanost, sigurnost, razumijevanje i odgovornost. Rezultati provedenoga empirijskog istraživanja potvrdili su
prikladnost modela SERVQUAL za mjerenje kvalitete zdravstvenih usluga. Utvrđeno je da postoji znatan jaz između percepcija i očekivanja korisnika usluga. Jaz je bio najveći pri ocjeni opipljivosti, tj. fizičkih elemenata pružanja usluga, dok je najmanji jaz kod razumijevanja (–0,11) i sigurnosti (–0,13) te odgovornosti (–0,17), što znači da su korisnici, iako je jaz negativan, ipak dobili očekivanu uslugu. Ispitanici su bili zadovoljni ukupno primljenim uslugama (6,65/7) i boravkom te imaju povjerenje u ustanovu uz ocjenu da je zdravstvena usluga premašila očekivanja (6,28/7). Skloni su ustanovu preporučiti drugima (prosječna ocjena tvrdnje 6,65), a i sami se ponovno
koristiti njezinim uslugama (6,74/7). Očekivanja, ali i percepcije, ovise i o spolu, dobi i obrazovanju. Žene imaju veća očekivanja od muškaraca, ali i bolje percipiraju kvalitetu dobivene usluge. Stariji korisnici dobivenu uslugu percipiraju kvalitetnijom od mlađih korisnika.
Korisnici s višom razinom obrazovanja statistički značajnije, u odnosu na ostale ispitanike, očekuju da osoblje nađe vremena odgovoriti na njihova pitanja i da razumije njihove specifične potrebe te očekuju točnost u vremenu pružanja usluge. Kada je u pitanju percipirana kvaliteta usluga, statistički značajna razlika ne postoji s obzirom na vrstu korištene medicinske usluge pa se može zaključiti da je ocjena kvalitete usluga Thalassotherapije Opatija slična, bez obzira na vrstu usluge kojom su se ispitanici koristili u ustanovi.

Zaključak: Istraživanje je potvrdilo da je koncept kvalitete zdravstvenih usluga višedimenzionalan te da je uz primjenu modela SERVQUAL moguće na jednostavan i učinkovit način saznati očekivanja, potrebe i želje korisnika zdravstvenih ustanova, kao i njihove stavove o dobivenim uslugama, a zatim ih iskoristiti u svrhu kreiranja kvalitetne ponude.
El registro paleoambiental del Pleistoceno tardío al presente en la Laguna de Lobos, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Authors: Dangavs Nauris
Published: March 2019

Se caracterizó el medio físico del ambiente, la fisiografía, régimen hidrológico y la historia geológica de la cubeta lagunar. La geología superficial está representada por seis unidades litoestratigráficas y dos pedoestratigráficas, que abarcan del Pleistoceno temprano al tardío y del Holoceno medio al presente. La más antigua, la Formación  Ensenada, constituye el sustrato regional, sobre el cual se ubican cuatro unidades eólicas, las Formaciones Buenos Aires, La Postrera I, III y IV, los Geosuelos Sin Nombre y Puesto Berrondo y el Aluvio reciente. Los sedimentos colmatantes fueron obtenidos mediante perforaciones, reconociéndose siete unidades litoestratigráficas (cinco subácueas y dos subaéreas). Las subácueas corresponden a la Formación Luján, Miembros La Chumbiada, Lobos, Río Salado y Monte (Pleistoceno tardío al Holoceno tardío) y al Aluvio reciente. Los depósitos subaéreos a las Formaciones La Postrera I y IV del Pleistoceno tardío y Holoceno tardío-tardío, respectivamente. La excavación de la cubeta se inició en la etapa seca del ?Bonaerense?, la posterior alternancia climática: seco-húmedo facilitó la evolución. Las etapas secas se caracterizaron por deflación, generación de cubetas, sabkhas o lagos salados, precipitación de sales y acumulación de depósitos eólicos. En las húmedas predominó la sedimentación y la pedogénesis.  De esta manera, el conjunto de depósitos posteriores a la Formación Ensenada está representado por cinco episodios de clima seco, que abarcan del Glacial Temprano a la Pequeña Edad de Hielo y cinco húmedos, cuyas acumulaciones límnicas conforman los cuatro miembros de la Formación Luján, el aluvio actual y los suelos sincrónicos S4, S1 y S0.
Evidence-based paradigm shifts in veterinary behavioral medicine
Authors: Overall Karen L.
Published: March 2019

There is now a large body of research in veterinary behavioral medicine that is clinically relevant and could enrich patients’ and practitioners’ lives. Too often, however, this research is published in journals that may not be readily available to veterinarians in private practice. Four important topics in the area of veterinary behavioral medicine for which belief has not kept pace with the published data are the unmet need for behavioral medicine in veterinary practice, the veterinary experience as a contributor to fear and distress in dogs and cats, social signaling in dogs and the ongoing “dominance” debate, and punishment as an intervention to change behavior. The present article seeks to provide a critical overview of recent research that is shifting existing paradigms on these topics and should alter the way veterinarians observe and care for patients.
Complications and clinical utility of ultrasonographically guided pyelocentesis and antegrade pyelography in cats and dogs: 49 cases (2007–2015)
Authors: Etedali Nahvid M. , Reetz Jennifer A. , Foster Jonathan D.
Published: March 2019

OBJECTIVE

To describe the diagnostic utility and clinical safety of ultrasonographically guided percutaneous pyelocentesis and antegrade pyelography in cats and dogs.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

ANIMALS

39 cats and 10 dogs with 55 affected kidneys.

PROCEDURES

Medical records were reviewed to identify cats and dogs that underwent ultrasonographically guided pyelocentesis and antegrade pyelography between June 1, 2007, and December 31, 2015. Data collected included procedure descriptions; results of diagnostic imaging, urine cytologic evaluation, and bacterial culture; and evidence of complications. Animals were assigned to the pyelocentesis group (underwent only pyelocentesis) or to the antegrade pyelography group (underwent pyelocentesis followed immediately by pyelography).

RESULTS

The diagnostic rate for pyelography was 94% (31/33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 80.4% to 98.9%). The total, minor, and major complication rates for both treatment groups combined were 25% (95% CI, 15.8% to 38.3%), 24% (95% CI, 14.4% to 36.3%), and 2% (95% CI, 0.09% to 9.6%), respectively. Performing bacterial culture of urine obtained by pyelocentesis did not provide an advantage over performing bacterial culture of urine obtained from the lower urinary tract.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Findings indicated that ultrasonographically guided pyelocentesis and antegrade pyelography were well-tolerated techniques for investigating upper urinary tract disease in cats and dogs and that pyelography had a higher diagnostic rate than previously reported; therefore, pyelography should be considered for identification of mechanical and functional ureteral patency abnormalities in cats and dogs.
Evaluation of prognostic indicators for goats with pregnancy toxemia
Authors: Simpson Katharine M. , Taylor Jared D. , Streeter Robert N.
Published: March 2019

Objective

To evaluate potential prognostic indicators for does with pregnancy toxemia (PT) and their offspring.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

ANIMALS

56 does.

PROCEDURES

Medical records were searched to identify does with PT. Signalment, history, clinical signs, examination findings, treatments, number of offspring present, and duration of hospitalization for does as well as outcome (death vs survival to hospital discharge) for does and their kids were recorded. Variables of interest were examined for association with outcome by contingency table analyses.

RESULTS

Boer goats were overrepresented, compared with the general population of goats for the facility in the last year of the study. Most (15/36) does had appropriate body condition scores. All pregnancies involved twins (11/56), triplets (37), or quadruplets (7). Neutrophilia (26/26) and hyperglycemia (32/40) were common in does. Most (39/56) does survived to hospital discharge. Does with high BUN concentration and those with serum bicarbonate concentration < 15 mEq/L were more likely to die than does without these findings. Forty-nine does survived to delivery of offspring; survival to discharge for these does was positively associated with outcome of their offspring. Among offspring of dams that survived to their delivery, twins had a higher survival rate than quadruplets. Death was more likely for offspring delivered by cesarean section than for those delivered vaginally.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Results suggested Boers were more likely to develop PT than goats of other breeds in the population examined at the study hospital. In contrast with other studies, hyperglycemia was common in affected does. Further research is needed to confirm associations with outcome identified in this study.
Use of tube cystostomy in the surgical management of obstructive urolithiasis in a Bactrian camel
Authors: Rosser Julie M. , Jacob Sarah I. , Brounts Sabrina H.
Published: March 2019

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 6-year-old castrated male Bactrian camel was evaluated because of a 14hour history of oliguria and stranguria that progressed to anuria.

CLINICAL FINDINGS

Perineal urethral pulsations and intermittent tail flagging with no accompanying urination were observed. Ultrasonography of the urethra revealed multiple hyperechoic foci with shadowing artifact indicative of calculi present in the penile urethra distal to the sigmoid flexure. Rectal palpation revealed a pulsating hard urethra and intact distended urinary bladder. Further clinical examination was not possible because of challenges associated with handling the camel.

TREATMENT AND OUTCOME

Urethral catheterization through a perineal urethral incision failed to achieve urinary bladder decompression. Tube cystostomy was performed to prevent bladder rupture. Urethrocystography performed 3 days after surgery revealed a urethral rupture at the level of the prepuce. Five weeks after surgery, the camel could urinate a steady stream via the urethrotomy site. Seven weeks after surgery, the cystostomy tube was removed, and the urethrotomy site was modified to provide a permanent urethral opening via perineal urethrostomy. During 6 years of subsequent periodic follow-up by telephone, the owner reported that the camel continued to do well and urinate through the revised opening.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first detailed description of a tube cystostomy in an adult camel with obstructive urolithiasis that includes information on the patient's long-term outcome. This technique was a viable option in the surgical management of obstructive urolithiasis in this camel and may be useful for other large camelids as well.
Goethe Lyrics from a Schubertian Point of View. Analysis of Converse Paths of Creation
Authors: Severin Oana Andreea
Published: March 2019

Throughout the entire evolution of events in the history of music, we are finding the presence of a miniature genre, with a fulminatory evolution in the Romantic period. A syncretic genre, by combining poetry with music, lied generated a highly complex and artistically refined result, hence the preferred leaning of musicians towards it. In the approach of a mythologic page transposed into a Romantic view, in Ganymed we find two figures of genius connected: Goethe – writer and philosopher with a special inclination towards versified creations, with a remarkable, long-lasting activity and with a highly profound view on life – and Schubert – prolific composer, with the most representative contribution in the evolution of this genre, by setting down demarcations and also excelling from a quantitative point of view. This analysis begins from the opposite decoding of the acoustic message, from the point of view of the vocal interpreter, including here most of the implicit aspects: from phonetics to prosody, from dynamics to voice quality in the lied genre, from agogics to breathing and pneumo-phonic accord, from formal organization depending on the construction of the stanza.
The Bretan Case: a Paradox between Value and Promotion
Authors: Iaţeşen Loredana
Published: March 2019

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the passing of the Transylvanian musician Nicolae Bretan (1887-1968), known during the interwar period due to his complex field of activity (interpreter, director, conductor, composer), we consider it necessary to elaborate a study that is critical for several reasons. Starting with the dilemmatic comments existent in the current bibliography, we propose, on the one hand, to systematize the information regarding the reception of his personality in the context of the age in which he lived and worked, and on the other hand, to outline the premises that generated the appearance of controversial writings, but especially to question their effects on the deformed stylistic perception of the musician at national and international level. We consider that this is one of the ways in which the “phenomenon of Bretan’s rebirth” can be objectively reevaluated, appreciating the existence and real contributions of a minor musician, who, although endowed with talent, could not be in the same compositional direction that included national models (George Enescu, Mihail Jora, Paul Constantinescu), are comparable to those in the universal space of the first half of the 20th century.
Ancient Greek Myths in Romanian Opera. Pascal Bentoiu’s Jertfirea Ifigeniei [The Sacrifice of Iphigenia]
Authors: Vasiliu Laura Otilia
Published: March 2019

Romanian composers’ interest in Greek mythology begins with Enescu’s peerless masterpiece – lyrical tragedy Oedipe (1921-1931). The realist-postromantic artistic concept is materialised in the insoluble link between text and music, in the original synthesis of the most expressive compositional means recorded in the tradition of the genre and the openness towards acutely modern elements of musical language. The Romanian opera composed in the knowledge of George Enescu’s score, which premiered in Bucharest in 1958, reflect an additional interest in mythological subject-matter in the poetic form of the ancient tragedies signed by Euripides, Aeschylus and Sophocles. Significant Romanian musical works written in the avant-garde period of 1960 to 1980 – Doru Popovici’s opera Prometeu, Aurel Stroe’s Oedipus at Colonus, Oresteia I – Agamemnon, Oresteia II – The Choephori, Oresteia III – The Eumenides, Pascal Bentoiu’s The Sacrifice of Iphigenia – to which titles of the contemporary art of the stage are added – Cornel Ţăranu’s Oreste & Oedip – propose new philosophical and artistic interpretations of the original myths. At the same time, the mentioned works represent reference points of the multiple and radical transformation of the opera genre in Romanian culture. Emphasising the epic character, a heightened chamber dimension and the alternative extrapolation of the elements in the syncretic complex, developing new modes of performance, of sonic and video transmission – are features of the new style of opera associated to the powerful and simple subject-matter of ancient tragedy. In this sense, radio opera The Sacrifice of Iphigenia (1968) is a significant step in the metamorphosis of the genre, its novel artistic value being confirmed by an important international distinction offered to composer Pascal Bentoiu – Prix Italia of the Italian Radio and Television Broadcasting Company in Rome. The poetic quality of the text quoted from the masterpiece of ancient theatre, Euripides’ Iphigenia in Aulis, the hymnic-oratory character of the music, the economy and expressive capacity of the compositional means configured in the relationship between voice, organ, percussion, electro-acoustic means – can be associated in interpreting the universal major theme: the necessity of virgin sacrifice in the process of durable construction.
The last lieder of Theodor Grigoriu. Stylistic and interpretive aspects
Authors: Petrescu Cezara
Published: March 2019

Theodor Grigoriu, a reference figure for the XXth century Romanian music, as a senior of the post-enescian generation of composers, with a moderately modern attitude towards composing, had explored the expresive resources of the human voice in the vocal-symphonic and vocal-chamber genres. Although, from a quantitative point of view, his voice and piano works are not too numerous and the vocal-chamber genre had not been a constant focus of the composer, lied remains one of the most representative areas of his entire creation, marked by an accomplished literary taste and harmoniously neighboured by the halo of poetry. The lied had marked Theodor Grigoriu’s professional existence, beginning with the first childhood experiments which proved decisive for his future career, up to the inconstant achievements of his creative maturity. Although approached in a non-consistent manner, the diversity, mastery of composition and the abutment to works from a more ample genre to which he resonates and configures genuine “creation laboratories”, the voice and piano cycles of works represent what can truthfully be called lied creation. Letter to birds on words by St. Francisc of Assisi (2004) and The iconographer – The poem of a church painter (2011) on words of a patriarchal, novel text with no poetic aspirations, are the last lieder of Theodor Grigoriu, published posthumously. As a binding of music and poetry into a one poethico-musical universe, they are an exponent of accumulations and transformations of musical language, spectacular compositions, of paramount originality, which harmoniously complete the spiraled path of the genre in the context of the composer’s entire creation.
Art and Meaning. Messiaen Influences on Romanian Composition Universes
Authors: Nezelschi Claudia
Published: March 2019

In this paper, we will tackle several dominant Messiaen influences, as concerns ideas and/or technical approaches, on important Romanian composition systems, with reference to concepts such as musical character, number, Time/time, repetition. We will refer to characters as structures, characters as tuning systems and characters as musical/cultural paradigms as they occur in Aurel Stroe’s creation, and then we will turn our attention to Ștefan Niculescu’s melody-musical character with memory. Surprising but/and natural, objective but/and inspired, Niculescu opens up different perspectives on the personality of musical character as well. Numbers (what is fascinating is that they are mainly just figures) prove to be an example of simplicity as they comprise in a condensed manner technical information, emotions and musical inspiration. We will prove/illustrate this relying on three technical/semantic perspectives: poetry of numbers-duration in Liviu Glodeanu’s creation, numbers defining dodecaphonic series cells in Roman Vlad’s work, or numbers-foundation for the whole modal edifice in Vieru’s perspective. As for time/Time, which is the main character of Messiaen’s (and actually everyone’s, even humanity’s) musical, poetic, philosophical and theological thinking, we will only dwell on two hypostases, namely Stroe’s and Niculescu’s perspectives. Stroe conceives time as an element integrated in the sphere of memory and identity, as the recurrence in the present time of slices of memories involves the superposing of slices of time. For Niculescu, time is foundation, a condensation of the fact that syntax relies on two temporal categories, succesivity and simultaneity. We will dwell on the repetition “character” in the context of Aurel Stroe’s mobiles, or in parts of monodies of periodicities, screens and loops in Anatol Vieru’s creation. The conclusions will naturally follow the line of art and meaning.
Aurel Stroe – Ten Years of Eternity (2008-2018)
Authors: Coroiu Petruţa-Maria
Published: March 2019

Ten years after he passed away, Aurel Stroe remains one of the most valuable composers that Romania has offered to the world in the post-Enescu era. Belonging to an area of novelty and extreme originality of composition and musical thinking, Aurel Stroe was similarly neither understood nor appreciated enough (especially at home) and only to limited extent sung and scheduled within symphonic concerts and chamber music. But abroad, Aurel Stroe remains one of the most performed Romanian composers of modern music. Ten years after his passing away, we will attempt to create an overall view of his musical creations, and the inheritance of his composition thinking.
Values of neo-protestant choral works in Romania
Authors: Almăşanu Carmen
Published: March 2019

Borne from the relevant and efficient expression in the context of contemporary culture, neo-protestant choral spirituality uses a diversified and meaningful language. From the very beginning of the existence of neo-protestant cults on the territory of our country, the establishment of a liturgical repertoire intended for common intonation or by various choral or vocal-instrumental bands has been one of the primordial preoccupations. Along with choral creations translated from the universal literature, there is a significant number of original works created by Romanian composers within the religious services. Due to extremely diverse themes and extrovert character, neo-protestant choral music includes different styles specific to the great tradition of classical, romantic or modern music as well as influences from the extra-European sphere. The text of these creations, which has biblical inspiration or created by the composer, is a means of great diversification in the reproduction of the sound material. Composers and arrangers with high quality music training and a profound understanding of biblical truths, through sound art wanted to contribute to the enrichment of contemporary neo-protestant choral music repertoire, leaving posterity a significant amount of valuable choral pages as inheritance.
Settlement Type and Educational Effectiveness of Polish Schools on the Example of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivoideship
Authors: Murawska Iwona , Przyborowska Beata , Kopińska Violetta , Błajet Piotr
Published: March 2019

The article presents and analyses data on the educational potential of schools in relation to settlement type in Poland. On the example of two types of schools – successful and requiring help – their distribution was shown in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship. For this purpose, data from the Educational Value Added (EVA) index for voivodeship schools were interpreted. On this basis, it was determined what type of school the branches represent, and then classification and analysis was made for the village/city and the number of inhabitants. The results show that the educational potential of rural schools is lower than that of schools in cities. The results were interpreted on the basis of theories of cultural reproduction, bearing in mind the importance of settlement type for the construction of cultural capital.
Spatial analysis and urban land use planning emphasising hospital site selection: a case study of Isfahan city
Authors: Soltani Ali , Inaloo Rasoul Balaghi , Rezaei Mohammad , Shaer Fatemeh , Riyabi M. Akbari
Published: March 2019

Providing appropriate and equal healthcare to the various classes of society is among the major issues in social welfare. The spatial distribution and locating of health service centres are significant in addressing the healthcare needs of citizens. This issue needs to be evaluated using quantitative and qualitative approaches throughout those cities with high populations and activity density levels. By taking Isfahan metropolitan area as the case study area, in this study, a combination of Network Analyst tool within Geographic Information System (GIS) and an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) model was used to evaluate the catchment areas of the 26 existing hospitals within the study area. Thus, with effective data collection in the form of layers of information such as transportation network, population density, land use, etc. using (GIS), the authors categorised urban land in seven categories from poor to very good for the construction of hospitals. The result of analysis indicated that existing hospitals covered approximately 24% of active urban areas within a standard access time. The result can be used for policy making and healthcare planning.
Cultural Clusters as a Local Economic Development Strategy in Rural Small-Town Areas: Sarah Baartman District in South Africa
Authors: Drummond Fiona , Snowball Jen
Published: March 2019

Theory suggests that cultural and creative industries (CCIs) cluster in cities where levels of socio-economic development are higher and where they can take advantage of the city’s hard and soft infrastructure. However, some South African rural areas and small towns have identified CCIs as potential economic drivers. This paper investigates the relationship between the presence of CCIs in non-metropolitan spaces and levels of socio-economic development using a municipal level socio-economic status index and GIS mapping. The results show a positive relationship between larger numbers of CCIs and higher levels of development. It is suggested that a threshold level of development must be met before CCIs will cluster in an area and become a viable option for promoting local economic development.
The spatial pattern of voter choice homogeneity in the Nigerian presidential elections of the fourth republic
Authors: Nwankwo Cletus Famous
Published: March 2019

The return of democratic rule in 1999 after many years of military intervention has left some electoral geographic imprints on Nigeria: voting pattern has varied over this period. This paper analyses the pattern of voter choice homogeneity (VCH) and tests the effect of religion on VCH in the presidential elections of the fourth Nigerian republic from 1999 to 2015. The study found that some economic indicators have a positive and significant effect on VCH from the 2003 election but were all insignificant and with a negative impact in the 2015 election. The influence of religion on VCH was negative in the 1999 election but remained positive in subsequent elections and had an increasingly upward trajectory signifying the snowballing importance of faith in citizens’ political choices at the presidential polls. The analysis shows that the pattern of VCH in 1999 was random, but clustered from 2003 to 2015, although the 2011 geographical clustering of VCH was dissected and the 2015 pattern was regionalised. Thus, the article argues that voting patterns structured Nigeria’s political landscape from a random to clustered but dissected electoral landscapes to a clustered but regionalised mi-lieu of a nation of two voting worlds. The pattern of a nation of two voting blocs was witnessed in the 2015 election, in which the VCH sharply depicts the religious cleavage of the country and to some degree also depicts ethnic fault-lines.
Forest Fire Trend and Influence of Climate Variability in India: A Geospatial Analysis at National and Local Scale
Authors: Ahmad Firoz , Goparaju Laxmi
Published: March 2019

Climate change and its severity play an important role in forest fire regime. Analysing the forest fires events becomes a prerequisite for safeguarding the forest from further damage. We have made an assessment of the long-term forest fire events at the district level in India and identified the forest fire hotspot districts. The spatial seasonal (January to June) district wise pattern and forest fire trend were analysed. In the second part of the study area (central part of India), we have evaluated the forest fire events in grid format with respect to the climatic/weather datasets, and the statistical analysis Cramer V coefficient (CVC) was performed to understand its association/relationship with forest fire events.

The study revealed that Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills districts of Assam of India have the highest forest fire percent among all districts equivalent to 3.4 and 3.2% respectively. Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh and Garhchiroli district of Maharashtra of India occupied 3rd and 4th rank with value 3.1 and 3.0% respectively. The grid-based evaluation (local scale) revealed that most of the fire equivalent of 80% was found in the month of March and April. Forest fire frequency of the month of April is spread over 88 % of the grids over the study area. The 11 years average seasonal month-wise (February to June) maximum temperature, wind velocity, relative humidity, and solar radiation were found in the range of (25.9 to 40.6), (1.69 to 2.7), (0.301 to 0.736) and (14.21 to 22.98) respectively. The percentage increase (in the month of March) of maximum temperature, wind velocity, and solar radiation were 36, 39 and 62% respectively, when compared with the preceding month; whereas, a 60% decrease to relative humidity that was observed in the same month is usually the major cause of forest fire events in the month of March onwards.

The evaluation of Cramer V coefficient (CVC) values of rainfall, relative humidity, potential evapotranspiration, maximum temperature, wind velocity, and solar radiation were in decreasing order and in the range of 0.778 to 0.293. The highest value of rainfall (0.778) showed its strongest association with the forest fire events. In the month of June, these areas receive adequate rainfall, which leads to an increase in the soil moisture and a reduction in forest fuel burning capacity by absorbing the moisture and it is a strong reason for less forest fire events during this month. Geospatial technology provides an opportunity to evaluate large datasets over various spatial and temporal scales and help in decision making/formulating various policies.
First Detection of Nosema ceranae Infecting Apis mellifera in India
Authors: Sharma Divya , Katna Sapna , Sharma Reena , Rana Bachittar S. , Sharma Harish K. , Bhardwaj Vinay , Chauhan Avinash
Published: March 2019

Apis mellifera colonies were sampled for over twelve months to study the Nosema infection in different apiaries of Himachal Pradesh, India. We found that the infection incidence was highest in the winter season (48.40 %) followed by autumn and rainy months. The infection was diagnosed conventionally through the microscopic analysis detection of Nosema species spores. However, with the recent findings that both N. ceranae and N. apis affect western honey bees, more sensitive and species specific molecular techniques are required that reliably differentiate between species of microsporidia. Therefore, molecular studies were conducted to precisely differentiate between Nosema species infecting honeybee colonies in India. Species specific multiplex PCR amplification using previously reported primers derived from 16S rRNA fragments were performed in a single reaction mixture. A single diagnostic band size of only 143 bp for N. ceranae was observed in the agarose gel. Furthermore, a diagnostic band size of 252 bp was observed with primer NoS, thus reconfirming the presence of N. ceranae. This study appears to be the first to report the detect of N. ceranae species from India in samples of A. mellifera.
Determination of Antioxidant Activity, Phenolic Compound, Mineral Contents and Fatty Acid Compositions of Bee Pollen Grains Collected from Different Locations
Authors: Özcan Mehmet M. , Aljuhaimi Fahad , Babiker Elfadıl E. , Uslu Nurhan , Ceylan Durmuş Ali , Ghafoor Kashif , Özcan Mustafa Mete , Dursun Nesim , Ahmed Isam Mohamed , Jamiu Fadimu Gbemisola , Alsawmahi Omer N.
Published: March 2019

The objective of the present work was to investigate the influence of locations on bioactive propertiest, phenolic compounds and mineral contents of bee pollens. The oil content of pollen grains changed between 3.50% (Alanya) and 6.85% (Russia-Perm Region). The highest total phenolic content (720 mg/100g) and antioxidant activity values (81.4%) were observed in pollens obtained from the Russia-Perm Region and Alanya districts, respectively. Additionally, the highest carotenoid was found in a pollen sample collected from Karaman (Sarıveliler) (98.6 mg/g). The major phenolic compounds were (+)-catechin (66.75-337.39 mg/100g) and quercetin (61.2-1221.7 mg/100g) in all pollen samples. The pollen samples were observed to be a significant source of potassium (3846-6287 mg/kg), phosphorus (2947-5010 mg/kg), calcium (1022-2424 mg/kg) and sulfur (1744-2397 mg/kg). All of the analysis results were significantly affected by supplying locations. The antioxidant activity values of pollens were found partly similar and varied depending on locations. The content of saturated fatty acid (palmitic) was high (20-30%) in the tested pollen samples but did not exceed the content of linoleic acid.
Developing Urban Green Space Classification System Using Multi-Criteria: The Case of Kuala Lumpur City, Malaysia
Authors: Nor Amal Najihah Muhamad , Abdullah Saiful Arif
Published: March 2019

In many countries urban green spaces are stated in a set of different administrative regulatory framework. However, their definition and characteristics are inconsistent and developing a systematic classification has been recognized to avoid the inconsistency. Several efforts have been made but the approach mainly based on a few criteria and classified manually according to the types that stated in the regulatory framework. Therefore, this study developed a classification system based on multi-criteria that represents the structure and function of urban green spaces using Kuala Lumpur City, Malaysia as a model. The useful of the systematic classification for urban green spaces planning and management was interpreted through landscape pattern analysis. In this study, land use map of Kuala Lumpur City was used as a based. Through field observation, information from Kuala Lumpur City Hall and satellite image interpretation, seven criteria were identified to develop the classification system. Landscape pattern was based on landscape metrics analyzed using FRAGSTAT 3.3. The analysis defined five categories of urban green spaces: conservation green space, greenway, community green space, residential green space and amenity green space. Landscape pattern analysis has allowed to interpret what category needs attention to improve their quality and quantity as well as to protect them from any land use development. It can be assumed that the multi-criteria approach can be considered as a first step to introduce a more systematic way to categorize urban green spaces and addressing the inconsistency issue which is important for the city to develop sustainably.
Sustainable Urban Landscape Management: An Insight Into Urban Green Space Management Practices in Three Different Countries
Authors: Darkhani Faiza , Tahir Osman Mohd , Ibrahim Roziya
Published: March 2019

To achieve high-quality urban landscape management, it is important to have a proper management system. Some developing countries like Afghanistan are facing a decline of green spaces due to lack of proper management. This is a qualitative study with content analysis which provides a brief review of the management system in three selected countries, namely England, Malaysia and Singapore, by examining their urban landscape management systems. It also highlights the importance of establishing more appropriate programs to achieve the goal of sustainability. The findings show that good and proper planning, as well as programs and activities in the local government system, can enhance and increase urban green space in urban landscape. The contribution of this paper is to increase the local authority’s knowledge of managing the urban landscape and decreasing the deterioration and decline of urban green spaces in urban landscape.
The Potential of Manor Gardens for Natural Habitats Conservation
Authors: Šantrůčková Markéta , Demková Katarína , Dostálek Jiří , Frantík Tomáš
Published: March 2019

Historical gardens established around manors form an integral part of the European cultural landscape. Recent studies have revealed that manor gardens may serve as local hotspots of biodiversity and provide cultural ecosystem services within urban areas but also in rural landscapes. As a consequence of dramatic land-use changes in recent centuries, followed by a significant loss and degradation of natural habitats, manor gardens often serve as refugia for organisms within the cultural landscape. To compare the proportion of natural habitats in manor gardens with the surrounding landscape, intensively used and semi-natural landscapes were distinguished within a grid using Coordinated Information on the Environment (CORINE) land cover data for the Czech Republic. One hundred manor gardens were randomly selected, followed by a grid overlay of data from the Natura 2000 mapping system. Proportions of natural habitats were calculated for each garden in relation to the surrounding landscape. The results confirmed that manor gardens, compared with the surrounding landscape, play an important role in the conservation of natural habitats, especially in areas with a high level of human impact. For the gardens studied, occurrences of the following natural habitat types from the Natura 2000 system were recorded: forests (25.4 % of the garden area), secondary grasslands (4.4 %), streams and water bodies (1.6 %) and wetlands and riverine vegetation (0.5 %). The proportion of natural habitats within the gardens compared to the surrounding areas was significantly higher in the majority of cases.
Importance of Sugar Beet in the Frame of Carbon Quantification in the Czech Republic
Authors: Vrublova Katerina , Filippovova Jarmila
Published: March 2019

Climate change impacts are related to the state and land-use of agriculture landscape. Best agriculture practice principles in climate change conditions should be focused on agriculture management maintaining and enhancing the organic matters stocks in the soils. Biogeochemical carbon cycle has a serious role there. The paper deals with sugar beet dominance among agriculture crop in the frame of carbon quantification in the Czech Republic. Modelling of carbon quantification in arable lands and aboveground biomass of agriculture crop indicate importance of sugar beet, which is a dominant kind of agriculture crop for carbon sequestration in the Czech Republic.
The Never-ending Story: Czech Governments, Corruption and Populist Anti-Corruption Rhetoric (2010–2018)
Authors: Naxera Vladimír
Published: March 2019

Corruption is a phenomenon with significant effects – economically, politically and culturally. Corruption tends to be viewed negatively by the public. As such, anti-corruption rhetoric may be an ideal election strategy for individual political parties. Nevertheless, anti-corruption rhetoric does not necessarily translate into an actual anti-corruption policy. This study analyses the impact of anti-corruption rhetoric that does not reflect the actual practices of its speaker and has been used strategically to gain favour. My focus is on elections and the subsequent formation and exercise of government in the Czech Republic. I analyse how anti-corruption rhetoric directed at political opponents works as an election success strategy. At the same time, I show how electoral success, transformed into real political power, strengthens the ability of actors to engage in activities that amount to borderline or outright corruption, irrespective of any anti-corruption rhetoric.
Numerical analysis of a serial connection of two staged SOFC stacks in a CHP system fed by methane using Aspen TECH
Authors: Pianko-Oprych Paulina , Palus Mateusz
Published: March 2019

The objective of the study was to develop a steady-state system model in Aspen TECH using user-defined subroutines to predict the SOFC electrochemical performance. In order to achieve high overall fuel utilization and thus high electrical efficiency, a concept of Combined Heat and Power system with two-stage SOFC stacks of different number of cells was analyzed. The concept of two-stage SOFC stacks based system was developed in the framework of the FP7 EU-funded project STAGE-SOFC. The model was validated against data gathered during the operation of the proof-of-concept showing good agreement with the comparative simulation data. Following model validation, further simulations were performed for different values of fuel utilization to analyze its influence on system electrical performance. Simulation results showed that the concept of two-stage SOFC stacks configuration was viable and reliable. The model can be useful for development the optimal control strategy for system under safe conditions.
Inulin as an effectiveness and safe ingredient in cosmetics
Authors: Nizioł-Łukaszewska Zofia , Bujak Tomasz , Wasilewski Tomasz , Szmuc Edyta
Published: March 2019

Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) and chicory (Cichorium intybus) are valuable pharmaceutical raw materials on account of their high content of inulin, a natural prebiotic. Inulin-rich plants are also increasingly employed in the formulation of cosmetic products. The paper presents the biological properties of aqueous and aqueous-ethanolic extracts of Jerusalem artichoke and chicory. The extracts have been found to have a high free radical scavenging ability, with the most beneficial antioxidant properties being observed for the aqueous-ethanolic extract of Jerusalem artichoke. Inulin isolated from both plant types is a safe and non-toxic raw material. Inulin added to model body wash gel formulations markedly reduces their potential to cause skin irritation and sensitization.