bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prospects for Implementing of Technologies of Nuclear Medicine in the FMBA of Russia
Authors: Уйба В. , Uyba V. , Удалов Ю. , Udalov Yu. , Лебедев А. , Lebedev A. , Шулепова Л. , Shulepova L.
Published: April 2019

The article is devoted to development prospects of nuclear medicine in the Russian Federation. One of the first to provide nuclear medicine in Soviet Union was A.I. Burnasyan. He headed the 3d Directorate General of Ministry of Health (the FMBA of Russia at present). The Institute of Biophysics and the Institute of Medical Radiology (Obninsk), was established in the 50s – 60s of the 20th century, laid the foundation for nuclear medicine and developed it. With their efforts, nuclear medicine in USSR has become the world leader. However, in the 1980s – 1990s, there was a serious lag in this area due to radiophobia that arose after the Chernobyl accident, as well as the collapse of the USSR and the severe economic crisis, overcoming which in the beginning of the 21st century made it possible to pay considerable attention to nuclear medicine. Today the FMBA of Russia leads in the development and application of nuclear medicine technology. In the departments of the FMBA of Russia – the Siberian Research and Clinical Center (Krasnoyarsk) and Northern Medical Clinical Center N.A. Semashko (Arkhangelsk) – carries out high-tech diagnostics and treatment of cancer, neurological and cardiac diseases. Currently, in Dimitrovgrad city, the creation of the Federal High-Tech Center for Medical Radiology of the FMBA of Russia (FHCMR, FMBA of Russia) under the state program “Establishment of Federal Centers of Medical Radiological Technologies” is being completed. FHCMR, FMBA of Russia will provide high-tech medical care to the assigned contingent of the FMBA of Russia and the adult population of the Central, Volga, North-West federal districts. In the article noted the need for training specialists in the nuclear medicine. Training of specialists is already being conducted at the Training and Education Center of the Federal Siberian Research and Clinical Center of the FMBA of Russia. An important aspect of the introduction of nuclear medicine technologies and the operation of such centers are issues of legal regulation. The article pays attention to the licensing of nuclear medicine objects in accordance with the requirements of the Federal Law No. 170-FZ of November 21, 1995 “On the Use of Atomic Energy”. The tasks that need to be addressed for the development of nuclear medicine technologies are formulated, including through the implementation of the public-private partnership mechanism, as well as by expanding international cooperation with the EAEU member states.
Physics of Proton Therapy Treatment Planning
Authors: Климанов В. , Klimanov V. , Самойлов А. , Samoylov A. , Гаджинов А. , Gadzhinov, A. , Пешкин Я. , Peshkin Ya.
Published: April 2019

The most important stage of radiation therapy of oncological diseases is the planning of radiation treatment. In this work, this complex process in relation to proton therapy is proposed to be divided into medical and physical planning. In conventional therapy with photons and electrons, the latter is usually called dosimetric planning, however, when applied to proton radiation therapy, this stage involves a significantly wider range of tasks related to the modification and scanning of the proton beam, spreading and compensation of ranges, taking into account when planning for uncertainties and finiteness of proton ranges, a decrease in the contribution to the dose of secondary neutrons, the creation of error-tolerant optimization algorithms for dosimetric plans, and, finally, a precision calculation of dose distributions. The paper discusses the main stages and problems of physical planning of proton radiation therapy. Particular attention is paid to the formation of an extended high-dose region (extended Bragg peak) using the beam scattering method and scanning method, and to the algorithms for calculating the dose distributions created by protons in the scattering and beam scanning systems. The most detailed consideration is given to different versions of the proton pencil beam method, which allows to increase the dose calculation accuracy and take into account the transverse scattering and fluctuations in proton energy losses, especially at the end of the path (halo effect), analytical and numerical methods. Scanning are divided into three main technologies: homogeneous scanning, single field uniform dose (SFUD), multi-field uniform dose (MFUD), often called intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT). Actual accounting problems are considered when planning the irradiation of the movement of organs, and uncertainties in determining path lengths and optimization of irradiation plans. In particular features, problems and modern approaches to the optimization of dosimetry plans of proton radiation therapy are discussed. It is noted that one of the most promising practical solutions for the uncertainty management in determining the path lengths of protons in optimization is to include possible errors in the objective function of the optimization algorithm. This technique ensures that an optimized irradiation plan will more reliably protect normal tissues and critical organs adjacent to the irradiation target from overexposure.
Evolution of University Third Mission Activities in Slovakia: What Role for a Public Policy?
Authors: Rehák Štefan , Šipikal Miroslav , Lešková Alexandra
Published: April 2019

Purpose: Universities are an important component of regional innovation systems. There have been a number of studies during recent years in developed countries which analysed activities of universities aiming to increase their contribution in regional innovation. The aim of this article is to explore the evolution of third mission activities of universities in Slovakia and explore the role of public policy in this process.Methodology/Approach: We used a document analysis of annual reports of all public universities in Slovakia to see which third mission activities universities claim to perform and how the situation has changed over the years. We also compared universities according to their focus and location. Several personal and telephone interviews were conducted to verify or supplement the information.Findings: We found that among all third mission activities, the greatest change was observed in research and cooperation activities with businesses. This mainly resulted from a change in government policy but mostly due to very strong support from EU structural funds.Research Limitation/implication: The study is based on annual reports of universities which do not necessarily cover all activities that universities actually perform.Originality/Value of paper: The paper provides the first complete overview of the third mission activities performed by universities in Slovakia with a focus on their development over time. Also, it identifies the role which governmental policy plays in these processes.
University and Practice – Cooperation in Research and Science: Case study of the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra
Authors: Jarábková Jana , Chrenekova Marcela , Roháčiková Oľga
Published: April 2019

Purpose: Besides their educational and research functions, universities are currently essential for dissemination of knowledge in innovation processes, thus affecting the economic and social development of their environments. The formalized cooperation of the Slovak University of Agriculture (SUA) in Nitra and its partners in research and science was examined in this context.Methodology/Approach: Formal cooperation of the university with working life partners in terms of their sectoral and geographic affiliation was analyzed in the paper. The Central Register of Contracts and the SUA Internal Register of Contracts were used as principal sources of data. Based on interviews and selected studies conducted in the Slovak Republic we further focused on identification of barriers to the transfer of the results of research into practice.Findings: The paper confirmed cognitive and spatial proximity between SUA and its partners. The sectoral focus of the partners is closely related to the profile of the university. From the spatial point of view, more significant concentration of SUA partners in the region of Western Slovakia was confirmed. We identified several barriers to the transfer of the results of scientific research activities from the university environment into practical life.Research Limitation/implication: We conducted research on the example of one university, thus it is not possible to generalize the results.Originality/Value of paper: The paper analyzes the collaboration of the University in science and research with partners in practical life and identifies weaknesses and barriers to this cooperation.
Base Principles and Practices for Implementation of Total Productive Maintenance in Automotive Industry
Authors: Pačaiová Hana , Ižaríková Gabriela
Published: April 2019

Purpose: IATF 16949:2016 standard requirements do not represent a totally new approach of quality improvement within the automotive industry. The change of the last, from 2009 year ISO/TS), the quality management standard is only an expected consequence of changes, which, in managerial systems, was brought by ISO Organization in 2012 (Annex SL). Implementation of the Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) requires several important steps. The article describes framework of TPM implementation on a basis of PDCA (P-plan; D-do; C-check; A-Act) cycle and evaluates influence of Occupational health and safety pillar (OHS) on the “stability” of TPM house.Methodology/Approach: Individual steps of TPM implementation are analysed and added with suitable tools for making the effective integration of TPM and IATF (which is expansion of ISO 9001:2015).Findings: Implementation of autonomous maintenance and other TPM pillars requires support from management. Although the 5S tool is understood as a basic TPM tool, knowledge from its implementation suggest the fact that 5S is also a significant tool of management integration within organisation.Research Limitation/Implication: Research presented in this article is influenced of the maturity of organisation as well as its size and types of its activities.Originality/Value of paper: Method of TPM implementation analysis in the conditions of integrated approach with an emphasis on 5S and its relation to OHS management is original approach.
Analysis of Markov Influence Graphs
Authors: Berkhout Joost , Heidergott Bernd F.
Published: April 2019

There is a growing interest in the analysis of networks found in the World Wide Web and in social networks. A common feature of these networks is that the finite-state Markov chain modeling the influence relation between nodes typically has several (nearly) ergodic classes. This paper introduces a new decomposition algorithm for Markov chains that allows to split the graph of the Markov chain into subgraphs such that the connectivity of the chain—measured by the Kemeny constant—is maximally decreased. In other words, we show how the structure dormant in a nearly decomposable chain can be brought to light. We present applications to influence ranking in social networks, decomposition of a social network into subnetworks, and cluster analysis.
Analysis of the Parental Support Perceived by Pre-Service Music Teachers in Instrumental Education in Line with Some Variables: Uludag University Sample
Authors: Arslanhan Ecehan , Onuray-Egilmez Hatice , Engur Doruk
Published: April 2019

In this study, it was aimed to examine existing condition of parental support taken by pre-service music teachers in instrumental education according to some variables and to determine the relationship between them. 123 students, who study in Uludag University Department of Music Education, constitute the sample of the research. The data collected with “Parental Support Scale Perceived in Instrumental Education” is analyzed with t-test, ANOVA and Mann-Withney U test. The results demonstrated that parental support perceived in instrumental education does not change according to gender, living together/separate status of parents, mother’s working/not working status, income level of parents or students living together/separate with parents’ status. Nevertheless, when the class level increases, the parental support perceived in instrumental education decreases. Also, it is determined that the students who has someone playing musical instrument in their family has higher points for parental support perceived in instrumental education. There was a significant linear trend, indicating that as the education level of mother increased, both the sub-dimensions and total scores of parental support perceived in instrumental education increased proportionately. On the other hand, as the education level of father increased, only the total scores increased proportionately.
Evaluation of Pre-service Science Teachers’ Argumentation Skills, Knowledge Levels and Attitudes Regarding Organ Transplantation and Donation
Authors: Gurkan Gulsah , Kahraman Sibel
Published: April 2019

The purpose of this study was to evaluate pre-service science teachers’ argumentation skills, attitudes and knowledge levels regarding organ transplantation and donation (OTD). Teachers play a fundamental role in providing information to children/adolescents and could inﬂuence their attitudes. Organ transplantation is a life-saving hope for many people, but shortage of organs for transplantation is a universal problem. Having a positive attitude and true knowledge are essential for teachers that affect students’ future attitude toward this topic. The research method was descriptive and cross-sectional. The sample of research was 472 pre-service science teachers, who were sampled by using convenient sampling method and are students of Science Education Department at four different public universities. Data collection instruments were developed by researchers as valid and reliable questionnaire in order to determine the attitudes, knowledge levels and argumentation skills of pre-service teachers regarding OTD. Results observed that the pre-service science teachers' argumentation skills in a socio-scientific subject such as OTD were at a very low level, their attitudes were at a moderate level, and their knowledge level was above the average. Results of the study have shown that graduated high school type and grade level have played important roles in the positive attitudes, high argumentation skills and high knowledge level about organ donation. No significant difference was found in the attitudes and knowledge level of pre-service science teachers toward OTD in terms of gender. The gender only affected the ability of argumentation.
The Politics of Food in Venezuela
Authors: Felicien Ana , Schiavoni Christina , Romero Liccia
Published: April 2019

Few countries and political processes have been subject to such scrutiny, yet so generally misunderstood, as Venezuela and the Bolivarian Revolution. This is particularly true today, as the international media paints an image of absolute devastation in the country, wrought by failed policies and government mismanagement. One way to comprehend the complexities of what is happening in Venezuela today—missed entirely by the dominant, mainstream narrative—is by homing in on the dynamics around Venezuela's most highly consumed staple foods.
The Birth of the Cuban Polyclinic
Authors: Fitz Don
Published: April 2019

During the 1960s, Cuban medicine experienced changes as tumultuous as the civil rights and antiwar protests in the United States. While activists, workers, and students in western Europe and the United States confronted existing institutions of capitalism and imperialism, Cuba faced the even greater challenge of building a new society.

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Notes from the Editors, April 2019
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Published: April 2019

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In the midst of the U.S.-directed coup attempt against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in January–February, Donald Trump delivered a number of verbal attacks on socialism in Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua. The immediate object was to justify U.S. attempts to overthrow the Bolivarian Republic. The less immediate, but hardly less important, goal was to tarnish the growing social democratic (self-styled democratic socialist) movement in the United States, associated with figures like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. In order to safeguard their ambitious social-reform program, the new coterie of Democratic Party socialists have thus sought to separate themselves from Venezuela and other Latin American socialist states, presumably abandoning these countries to their fates at the hands of U.S. imperialism. This raises the historic question of social imperialism—a policy of social reform at home and imperial hegemony abroad.
Assessment of toxicity on the basis of total phenolic content in oleander leaves (Nerium oleander L.) against Myzus persicae (Sulzer, 1776) (Hemiptera: Aphididae)
Authors: NIA Billal , FRAH Naama , LEKBIR Adel , BENHMED Khadidja
Published: April 2019

Nerium oleander is an evergreen flowering shrub or small tree distributed widely in the Mediterranean region. It is also a source of polyphenols and cardenolides ?? with insecticidal effect which could be a safe alternative of chemical control of insect pests. In the present work, five concentrations (0 %, 1 %, 2.5 %, 5 %, and 10 %) of ethanolic extract from Nerium oleander leaves were evaluated for its insecticidal effect against 3 to 4 days old Myzus persicae individuals under laboratory conditions. Obtained results showed a significant insecticidal effect with 70 % of mortality at the highest concentration (10 %). Total phenolic content of leaf ethanolic extract of this plant was 1721.36 mg gallic acid equivalent 100 g-1 dry matter. The results obtained suggest that we could make bioinsecticides based on leaves ethanolic extracts from N. oleander which rich in polyphenols for use eventually in integrated pest management.
Comparative growth and physiological responses of tetraploid and hexaploid species of wheat to flooding stress
Authors: KHOSRAVI Mohammad Sadegh , HEIDARI Reza , JAMEI Rashid , MOUSAVI KOUHI Seyed Mousa , MOUDI Maryam
Published: April 2019

Present study is aimed to comparatively investigate the response of two ploidy levels of wheat including a tetraploid (Triticum turgidum L.) and a hexaploid (Triticum aestivum L.) wheat to different durations of flooding stress. Wheat seedlings were exposed to flooding stress for 0, 3, 6 and 9 days. Results showed that all flooding treatments significantly decreased the shoot and root length, and chlorophyll content of both species of wheat. The decrease in chlorophyll content of tetraploid wheat was more than that of hexaploid one. In both species, ADH activity of root was significantly increased under flooding stress, where the increase was more in hexaploid wheat. Flooding stress did not significantly affect root and shoot water content, root porosity, and shoot protein content of any wheat species. Tetraploid and hexaploid wheat used different mechanisms for better tolerance of flooding condition, where tetraploid wheat increased the proline content but in hexaploid wheat, an increase in soluble sugar content was observed.
Humic acid and boron treatment to mitigate salt stress on the melon plant
Authors: SHALABY Osama Abd El-Salam , EL-MESSAIRY Mohamed Moustafa
Published: April 2019

Salinity is one of the main abiotic stress factors which limit the growth and productivity of plants, however, the nutritional status of plants is the first brick in the resistance wall against stresses. Therefore, a factorial experiment was undertaken to investigate effects of soil applied humic acid (0, 7, 14, 21 l.ha-1) and boron foliar spraying (0, 50, 100 ppm) and their interaction on growth and yield of melon plant under saline conditions. The results suggested that the treatments soil application of humic acid and the boron spraying successfully mitigated the deleterious effects of salt stress and influenced growth and yield of melon plant. Humic acid at 21 l.ha-1 or boron spray at 50 ppm exhibited an improvement in growth and yield of melon, in terms of plant length, plant fresh and dry mass, chlorophyll (SPAD), fruit mass, total yield, and also leaf nutrient content (N and K) and total soluble solids (TSS) of fruits, while reduced the sodium content of leaves. The combined treatment of humic acid at 21 l.ha-1 and boron spraying at 50 ppm was found to be more effective for the melon plant to improving growth performance and the crop yield by 21 % as compared with the control group under saline conditions.
Validation of the multiresidual GC-MS method for determining plant protection product residues in strawberries
Authors: BAŠA ČESNIK Helena
Published: April 2019

Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry was used for the introduction and validation of the multiresidual method for determining of plant protection product residues in strawberries. During the validation procedure, limits of quantification were set and the method was checked for its recovery, linearity, repeatability, reproducibility and measurement uncertainty. An interlaboratory comparison was also performed to check the accuracy of the method. The method was proven to be fit for purpose. Afterwards 19 strawberry samples were analysed for the presence of plant protection product residues using the validated method. In the strawberries 5 active substances, all fungicides, were found: chlorothalonil, cyprodinil, fludioxonil, metalaxyl+metalaxyl-M and pyrimethanil. Residues of these active substances were in range 0.01 – 0.44 mg/kg. No cases exceeding the maximum residue levels were measured.
Behavioral and biological responses of black bean aphid (Aphis fabae, Scopoli, 1763) on seven Algerian local broad bean cultivars
Authors: MERADSI Fouad , LAAMARI Malik
Published: April 2019

We studied the behavioral and biological parameters of Aphis fabae (Homoptera: Aphididae, Scopoli, 1763) on seven local Vicia faba L. cultivars. The antixenosis was conducted under laboratory controlled conditions of the temperature, light regime and relative humidity (18 ± 0.25 °C; L16: D8; 37.5 ± 0.6 %) for test in light, and (19 °C; 42 % relative humidity) for test in dark. The least preferred host plants for attractivity was the cultivar 141 in both tests while the cultivar 145 was the most preferred in light test, and the cultivar 107 in dark test. The antibiotic experiment was conducted also under laboratory conditions (L16: D8 photoperiod, 17 ± 1 °C, and 43.5 ± 5 % r. h.). Antibiosis was determined by studying the pre-reproductive period, reproductive period, adult longevity, survival, daily and total fecundity. The analysis of variance indicated that no significant differences on pre-reproductive period and daily fecundity of the A. fabae among the cultivars. However, the longest times of reproductive period, adult longevity, and survival were recorded on cultivar 135 followed by cultivar 141. The highest (85.8) and the lowest (15.8) number of progeny were observed on 135 and 141 cultivars, respectively.
Salicylic acid and jasmonic acid alter physiological performance, assimilate mobilization and seed filling of soybean under salt stress
Authors: GHASSEMI-GOLEZANI Kazem , FARHANGI-ABRIZ Salar , BANDEHAGH Ali
Published: April 2019

This research was conducted to investigate the morpho-physiological effects of salicylic acid and jasmonic acid on soybean performance and productivity under salinity. Leaf chlorophyll content index, carotenoids and anthocyanins content, photosystem II efficiency, relative water content, leaf area, leaf mass, specific leaf area, water use efficiency, seed filling duration, assimilate mobilization efficiency and seed mass decreased, but leaf temperature, specific leaf mass and electrolytic leakage of leaves increased with enhancing salinity. Salicylic acid improved leaf chlorophyll content index, anthocyanins content, leaf area, specific leaf area, water use efficiency, seed filing duration, assimilate mobilization efficiency and seed mass under both saline and non-saline conditions. The superior effects of salicylic acid on some traits such as maximum quantum yield of PSII, relative water content and leaf electrolytic leakage only occurred under different salinity levels. Jasmonic acid improved leaf mass, specific leaf mass, carotenoids content, relative water content, seed filling rate and reduced chlorophyll content index, leaf temperature, leaf area, specific leaf area, seed filling duration, assimilates mobilization efficiency and relative electrolytic leakage of soybean, with no significant effects on photosystem II efficiency and seed mass. Application of salicylic acid was, therefore, the superior treatment for enhancing physiological performance and seed mass of soybean plants under different salinity levels.
Impact of temperature stress on secondary metabolite profile and phytotoxicity of Amaranthus cruentus L. leaf extracts
Authors: CAWOOD Maria Elizabeth , ALLEMANN Ingrid , ALLEMANN James
Published: April 2019

In this study Amaranthus cruentus plants were grown under controlled optimal conditions (28/21 °C) for three months and then subjected to cold (14/7 °C) and hot (33/40 °C) temperatures. We investigated the influence of these temperature regimes on the metabolite profile of the leaves through analyses of data by TLC, HPLC and GC-MS spectrometry. The phytotoxic potential of a methanol-water (MW) and dichloromethane (DCM) extract from the aerial parts were examined through in vitro screening of germination and growth of lettuce and pepper. The optimal extracts displayed the highest diversity of secondary metabolites, and the highest total phenolics and flavonoids content. Through TLC and HPLC analysis the significantly lower phenolic content in the hot temperature treated samples was confirmed. A wide range of metabolites were detected in the DCM extracts through GC-MS analyses. The phytotoxicity of both the MW and DCM extracts were demonstrated, as germination and growth of pepper and lettuce were significantly inhibited, indicating the presence of more than one allelochemical compound which may affect the allelopathic activity of A. cruentus during changes in environmental temperatures.
Assessing government grants: evidence from greenhouse tomato and pepper farmers in Kosovo
Authors: FRANGU Blend , POPP Jennie SHEERIN , THOMSEN Michael , MUSLIU Arben
Published: April 2019

Genetic matching with an evolutionary algorithm was applied to evaluate the impact of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (MAFRD) grant programs to support greenhouse vegetable production in Kosovo. The primary contribution of the paper is to assess whether grants have an impact on the farmers’ gross seasonal revenue after matching similar grantees to non-grantees. The findings showed that greenhouse tomato grantees make 2,151.80 euros more per growing season in comparison to the non-grantees (95 % confidence interval -324.71 to 4,628.31 euros). Similarly, greenhouse pepper grantees make 2,866.69 euros more per growing season compared to non-grantees (95 % confidence interval 446.42 to 5,286.96 euros). The study identified farmers’ education and region as important matching variables which may be of interest to policy researchers in Kosovo.
Trichopria drosophilae (Diapriidae) and Leptopilina heterotoma (Figitidae), native parasitoids of Drosophila suzukii, confirmed in Slovenia
Authors: MODIC Špela , ŽIGON Primož , RAZINGER Jaka
Published: April 2019

The Spotted-wing drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931) (Diptera, Drosophilidae) was recorded for the first time in Slovenia in autumn 2010. Shortly thereafter, it turned out to be one of the most important insect pests of soft and stone fruit in Slovenia and elsewhere. Within the expert work in the field of plant protection, more precisely within task inventarisation of beneficial organisms for biological control, the presence of indigenous D. suzukii parasitoids was investigated in 2018. Sentinel traps baited with D. suzukii larvae and pupae in banana slices enriched with artificial food medium for drosophilids were used for inventorying D. suzukii parasitoids in raspberries. The pupal parasitoid Trichopria drosophilae (Perkins, 1910) (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae) and the larval parasitoid Leptopilina heterotoma (Thompson, 1862) (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) were recorded parasitizing D. suzukiifor the first time in Slovenia in August 2018 in Central Slovenia (Ljubljana).
Impact of beneficial soil microorganisms and endophytes on plant defense against insects
Authors: JAGODIČ Anamarija , LIKAR Matevž
Published: April 2019

Soil borne microorganisms such as mycorrhizal fungi and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria help plants to overcome abiotic and biotic stress. Mechanisms used in this situtations are: growth promotion and induced resistance. Beneficial soil microorganisms also interact with foliar insects (herbivores, natural enemies and pollinators). This kind of interactions are getting more and more important in different ecosystems, especially in agriculture. A better knowledege of these systems would certainly help to deepen the understanding of multitrophic interactions.
American Art Matters: Rethinking Materiality in American Studies
Authors: Doss Erika
Published: April 2019

The “material” turn has steadily gained currency in cultural studies and the humanities, with scholars increasingly attentive to theorising things and examining their presence, power, and meaning in any number of fields and disciplines. This essay stems from the keynote lecture given at the conference MatteReality: Historical Trajectories and Conceptual Futures for Material Culture Studies, held on March 23, 2017, at the Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies, University of Freiburg. Focused in particular on the meaning of materiality in American art history and American Studies today, it opens with an examination of the factors of monetisation and mobility and segues to a consideration of more efficacious ways to assess, theorise, and critique the material turn. Two areas that are particularly relevant in terms of rethinking, and mediating, materiality in American art and American Studies are those of technological process and affect: how things are made and how things make us feel.
Theorising Things, Building Worlds: Why the New Materialisms Deserve Literary Imagination
Authors: Tischleder Babette B.
Published: April 2019

The New Materialisms constitute a rich field of critical inquiry that does not represent a unified approach; yet there is a general tendency to theorise objects by highlighting their agency, independence, and withdrawnness from human actors. Jane Bennett speaks of “thing power” in order to invoke the activities of “nonsubjects,” and she suggests to marginalise questions of human subjectivity and focus instead on the trajectories and propensities of material entities themselves. This essay takes issue with Bennett’s and other New Materialist thought, and it also offers a critical engagement with Bruno Latour’s notion of nonhuman agency. In his recent work, Latour has been concerned with the question of how we can tell our “common geostory.” Taking up his literary example (by Mark Twain) and adding one of my own (by William Faulkner), this essay argues that our understanding of the powers of rivers and other nonhuman agents remains rather limited if we attend primarily to the mechanics of storytelling in the way Latour does. Rather, it is the aesthetic and experiential registers of literary worlding that offer alternative venues for imagining nonhuman beings and our interactions with them in the era of the Anthropocene.
A Tale of Two Pianos: Actants, Sociability, and Form in Jane Austen’s Emma
Authors: Hatton Nikolina
Published: April 2019

This essay examines the materiality of the two pianofortes in Jane Austen’s Emma (1815). Rather than focusing on the piano’s symbolic function—its cultural capital, for instance—this essay highlights how the physical qualities of the piano as an object enable specific plot and aesthetic effects within the novel. The instrument’s conspicuousness—the continuous human attention that it demands—allows these two instruments to become objects of sustained discourse within the plot. However, in addition to affording certain narrative effects, the piano also functions as a site of interpretive ambiguity, as the object continues to call attention to itself even after its narrative fecundity has been allegedly resolved. By examining the novel’s engagement with these pianos, this essay argues for a more open understanding of narrative agency—one that acknowledges the narrative generating and genre-undermining power of things.
Estimation of Local Heading Patterns of Nocturnal Migrants using Orientation Cages
Authors: Busse Przemysław
Published: April 2019

Busse P. 2018. Estimation of local heading patterns of nocturnal Migrants using orientation cages. Ring 40: 31-58

The main aim of this paper is to compare the results of two data evaluation procedures used for presenting the data from the orientation cage field tests. Both procedures accept multimodality of the data and multimodality of the headings of an individual bird as well as migrating population. The goal is to reach acceptable level of migration patterns presentation in biological sense, taking under consideration a flexibility of the real movements, depending on specific weather and landscape parameters. Such knowledge is absolutely necessary for estimating migration bottle-necks and the long-term studies on influence of the climate changes on migration patterns. The material used for the comparison of the procedures was collected in years 2001-2007 by the team of the Bulgarian Ringing Station Kalimok (44°00’N, 26°26’E) within the frame of the SEEN (SE European Bird Migration Network) activity and kindly shared for evaluation. The data were obtained using the standard SEEN methods, with the standard Busse’s cage working procedure of the field tests. The material contains data on four species of nocturnal migrants living in different habitats: the Great Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus arundinaceus (ACR.ARU), the Sedge Warbler, A. schoenobaenus (ACR.ENO), the Willow Warbler, Phylloscopus trochilus (PHY.LUS) and the Whitethroat, Sylvia communis (SYL.COM). There are confirmed earlier conclusions that so called „classic” unimodal procedure is not applicable to the orientation cage data resulted from any field procedure. There are available two evaluation procedures that base on the same general assumptions: multimodality of distributions that reflects combination of several unimodal partial distributions, that can be described both using sophisticated Bayesian „Calculation” method and much simpler „Estimation” procedure. Results of both procedures are enough close to each other that they can be used for describing local and general heading patterns of migration of the nocturnal migratory movements studied using orientation cages.
Zwischen Literaturgeschichte und Zeitgenossenschaft
Authors: Schmidt Henrike
Published: April 2019

The article serves as an introduction to the thematic cluster of papers devoted to the work of Bulgarian poet and literary theoretician Pencho Slaveykov (1866–1912), which present the outcomes of a workshop dedicated to the 150thanniversary of the poet at the Department of Slavic and Hungarian Studies, Humboldt University (Berlin 2016; supported by the German Research Foundation DFG). As Slaveykov, while a leading representative of Bulgarian modern literature, is not an established figure in comparative literary studies, the paper sketches briefly the biography of the author, or rather the “biographemes” out of which he constructs his self-representation. In summarizing the main findings of the cluster contributions, it outlines the ways in which Slaveykov and his work—as a phenomenon ‘untimely’ to his era—have been embedded into the narratives of Bulgarian literary history of the 20thand early 21stcentury, which reach from postmodernism and postcolonialism to new engagement, or to entangled histories.
‚Die Erfindung der Gegenwart‘
Authors: Schmidt Henrike
Published: April 2019

Slaveykov’s fictitious anthologyOn the Isle of the Blessed(Na Ostrova na blaženite, 1910) is among the most recognized and discussed works in Bulgarian literature and literary history. This literary project is often labeled “extraordinary” in its conceptual and projective power, and continues to generate new interpretations up to the present day. The focus on theIsle’s singular status in Bulgarian scholarship does however obstruct the view at times, regarding its entanglement in what could be called a European matrix of mystification practices and poetics, reaching from Scottish romanticism (James Macpherson’sOssianproject) to the scandalous forgeries of the Slavic national renaissance (the infamous Czech manuscript controversy for example), and onto the modern mask play, as represented for instance in Valery Bryusov’sRussian Symbolists(Russkie simvolisty, 1894–1895). The latter examples are examined in more detail, regarding intertextual and structural parallels with Slaveykov’s imaginaryIsle. The article forwards the hypothesis that Slaveykov, explicitly aware of his precursors and their mystification models, no longer strives to “invent a tradition,” but, on the contrary, aims at simulating contemporaneity. Thus this contribution has a double aim: Firstly, to convey a comparative survey and analysis of theIsle of the Blessedwithin European contexts. Secondly, it intends to relate Slaveykov’s sophisticated poetics of forgery and pseudo-translation to contemporary research in this field, which understands literary fraud as the ground on which concepts of fictionality flourish in the first place.
„Die Welt außerhalb“ in der Anthologie Auf der Insel der Seligen (1910) von Penčo Slavejkov
Authors: Dakova Bisera
Published: April 2019

The article scrutinizes the inimitable literary project On the Isle of the Blessed (Na Ostrova na Blažennite, 1910) by Pencho Slaveykov (1866–1912) from an innovative perspective: the inscription of the utopian island into extra-literary reality, taking into account the explicit geographical and cultural topoi used in the book. This analysis investigates relations of closeness / distance between those spheres in the work that are evidently fictional, and those that comment on real geographical spaces. It illuminates their reciprocal referencing and overlapping, in which fiction exists side by side with reality. In doing so, a number of the book’s specific mental maps are reconstructed and related to the cultural meaning ascribed to “the Italian,” “the French,” “the Germano-Scandinavic,” and not least the so-called “Own” [“nashensko”]. Taken together, these form the backbone of the value system of this geo-poetical literary project.
Journey from academics to employment: labor market insertion of the Fitness and Motor Performance Master Physical Education Faculty of Timisoara West University Alumni 2011-2016- a pilot study
Authors: Nagel Adrian , Mirică Silvia Nicoleta , Domokos Martin , Domokos Cerasela , Bota Eugen , Negrea Cristian
Published: April 2019

Introduction: The great changes that occurred in the domain of sports and physical education requested the formation of a high qualified human resource. The concept of sport science greatly supported and promoted within European academic area was adopted also by Physical Education and Sport Faculty of The Timisoara West University (PESF-TWU) that has aligned its educational offer by developing the Master degree program in the field of Fitness and Motric Performance (FMPM). Thus, the framework for preparing a highly qualified human resource, capable to adjust to the changes of the labor market was established.

Aim: The aim of this pilot study was to analyze the dynamics of the professional insertion journey of FMPF Alumni. We evaluated the following category of parameters: alumni demographic indices, education level and parameters that characterize the job insertion.

Results: The data analysis showed a significant increase of the alumni during the last 5 years with a particular dynamics of age distribution during the study period: 80% of the participants were included in the 28-31 years of age category. The evaluation of dynamics during the years revealed that extreme age categories: 24-27 years and > 31 years presented a constant increase during the years comparing to the most representative age category. In terms of education, over 50% of the Alumni followed complementary courses and specializations in order to increase their expertise with an interesting gender distribution in favor of male group (male: 74% vs. female: 26%, p< 0.0001). Referring to the parameters that characterize job insertion data showed an increased speed in terms of first job employment: 82% of the Alumni were employed within a 6 month interval after graduation and only 3.8% of the Alumni are jobless even after 3 years.

Conclusion: The results of this pilot study indicate that FMPM Alumni are well trained and able to adapt to the specific labor market needs in the field of sports and physical activity and education, suggesting that PESF-TWU through its education programs respects the high standards of performance promoted by the TWU.
Effects of physical activity on the quality of life among adult women
Authors: Kalman Klára , Hanţiu Iacob
Published: April 2019

Aim: the purpose of our study was to analyze the effect of a physical activity program on the quality of life of adult women. Methods: The study involved 95 adult women from Oradea, practitioners of physical exercises in a fitness center. Period of the study: February 2015 - June 2016. Anthropometric measurements were made (height, weight) and it was calculated the body mass index (BMI). The SF-36 short form questionnaire was used to assess the quality of life. The physical activity program consisted of Step - aerobics, Pilates and strength training in the gym, 3 times a week for 60-90 minutes, for 12 months.

Results: BMI revealed that of the 95 women enrolled in the initial evaluation 71% were normal weight, 16% were overweight, 8% underweight, 4% obese class I and 1% obese class II. At the final assessment 74% were normal weight, 13% were overweight, 9% underweight, 4% obese class I and no one had class II obesity. The analysis of the answers to the questionnaire revealed the following: the initial average quality of life score was 85.01 and the final score was 89.40; the initial average score of the physical health component was 87.54 and the final score was 92.10; the initial average score of the mental health component was 82.48 and the final score was 86.69.

Conclusion: Applying the physical activity program for 12 months led to an improvement in the quality of life, so we can conclude that practicing physical exercise on a regular basis has the effect of increasing the quality of life.
Modification of heart rate in lactacid anaerobic effort among amateur athletes
Authors: Honceriu Cezar , Trofin Florin Petruț
Published: April 2019

Lactacid anaerobic efforts are frequently encountered in the practice of physical exercises by amateur athletes, while the modification of heart rate in such activities differs from one athlete to another, mainly depending on the training level. The purpose of the paper is to monitor the heart rate in lactacid anaerobic effort and to highlight the immediate modification caused by effort. 15 male amateur athletes performed the race of 200 m, at peak intensity. The modification of heart rate during effort, in 13 of the athletes, did not reach Hrmax calculated by the formula 220 – age, but it exceeded in case of two of the research subjects.
The Theological Use of Eating and Drinking Metaphors in Origen’s De
Principiis
Authors: Soler Fernando
Published: April 2019

This article focuses on the theological use of the eating and drinking metaphors in Origen’s De principiis. The work is organized in three parts: 1. Physiological convictions regarding eating and drinking, where it is briefly shown how Origen understands this process in a biological approach; this is important because these convictions operate as assumptions within which the Alexandrian constructs his theology. 2. Methodological remarks about the semantic field of eating or drinking, at a level both biblical and cultural; this is important in order to justify the use of these metaphors in theological contexts. Finally, 3. Theological uses of the metaphors, which demonstrate how Origen uses these metaphors to explain and/or clarify important theological issues.
The nature, function, and destiny of the human body—Origen’s interpretation of 1 Cor 15
Authors: Jacobsen Anders-Christian
Published: April 2019

In this article, I will investigate Origen’s use of two metaphors: The seed metaphor and the clothing metaphor. Both metaphors are found in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, which Origen uses as his biblical foundation in the passage from On First Principles that will be analyzed in this article. My focus will be on how Origen understands the nature, the function, and the destiny of human beings and especially of human bodies. According to Origen, the nature of the human body is changeable and unstable. This is because the bodily matter has merely been added to the rational beings at a certain time and will disappear again when its function is fulfilled. The function of the human body is to clothe the rational being on its way through fall and spiritual progress towards perfection. Thus, the body allows the rational being to be punished and educated. The destiny of the human body is eventually to disappear, but this will only happen when the body has gone through many stages of fall and progress in its service of the rational being.
Angelic humans, glorious flesh: Jerome’s reception of Origen’s teachings on the resurrection body
Authors: Pålsson Katarina
Published: April 2019

One of the most important theological questions in the first Origenist controversy was that of the resurrection of the dead. Jerome accused both Origen and contemporary “Origenists” of speaking only of the resurrection of the body, and not of the flesh, and he claimed that an idea of resurrection without the flesh could not guarantee the identity between the body living on earth and the resurrected body. I argue that although Jerome attempted to maximize the difference between himself and Origen by speaking of flesh instead of body, and by emphasizing the sameness of the body, it is clear that he, too, thought that the resurrection would imply a profound change. At closer scrutiny, Jerome’s way of understanding this change, namely as the nature remaining the same while the glory increases, shows striking similarities to Origen’s explanation of change. I argue that Jerome was dependent on Origen’s ideas about the resurrection, even in his polemics against him. Jerome’s heresiological strategies, I argue, have had consequences for modern historical reconstructions of his eschatological thought, which is often presented in opposition to Origen’s more spiritual understanding. Awareness of the rhetorical strategies used by Jerome in the context of controversy is crucial, I claim, in assessing a continuing reception of Origen in his theology.
Volumetric Particle Size Distribution and Variable Granular Density Soils
Authors: Beemer Ryan D. , Bandini-Maeder Alexandre , Shaw Jeremy , Cassidy Mark J.
Published: April 2019

This article discusses particle size distribution (PSD) by sieving as it relates to variable granular density soils such as hemipelagic calcareous sediment and pyroclastic pumice. These soils tend to have low-density porous sand-sized particles and high-density solid silt and clay-sized particles. When mass fraction passing each sieve is used to create the gravimetric PSD, the quantity of sand-sized particles in these soils can be underestimated, because of their low density. This article presents the volumetric PSD as a new method to account for granular density variation in these unique sediments.