Clock Towers From The Ottoman Period In The Territory Of Today’s Montenegro

The study provides a research about all the clock towers built in today's Montenegro territory during the Ottoman period (1496-1912), with the aim of making a holistic image of their importance. Although previous research on the topic are available, a complex and a thorough examination of this topic has not been undertaken so far. The clock towers in this territory appeared rather early compared to the more developed areas of the Ottoman Empire. Besides the local architectonic features, they reflect a strong influence of the Ottoman architecture. This paper examines the clock towers in cities that used to be under Ottoman rule for a period of time: Pljevlja (1465-1912), Bar (1571-1877), Ulcinj (1571-1880), Podgorica (1474-1878) and Herceg-Novi (1482-1687). Pljevlja is situated in the north of Montenegro, Bar and Ulcinj are south, at the Adriatic Sea, while Podgorica is in the central part of the country. Herceg-Novi is situated on the west side of the Adriatic coast, bordering with Croatia. The paper examines the social-historic context in which the clock towers appeared. Besides their specific history and architectural characteristics, their stylistic features have been described and their architects have been scrutinised. A comparative analysis of clock towers was made and a three-dimensional recording was presented, underpinned by drawings, gravures, as well as archived and present-day photo-documentation. Research results have been systematised and presented, thus providing contribution not only to the cultural heritage of Montenegro, but also of the former Ottoman Empire territory. All the presented clock towers still exist today, representing significant urban landmarks in their respective cityscapes, and as such, are protected as immovable cultural property of the State

When is it democratic to postpone an election? Elections during natural disasters, COVID-19 and emergency situations

Holding regular elections is an essential feature of democratic practices. The case for postponing elections is often made during emergency situations, however. Despite the critical nature of the issue for democracy, peace, and security, there has been sparse academic literature on election postponement. This article provides a new typology of reasons why elections might be delayed to disentangle the causal factors and normative rationale. It distinguishes the humanitarian case for temporary postponements during natural disasters. It then argues that substantive concepts of democracy and electoral integrity, rather than existing international/national laws and standards, should be used to inform decisions about postponement by relevant stakeholders, be it an electoral management body (EMB), government, parliament, or the judiciary. The possible effects of natural disasters on electoral integrity are traced through a comparative analysis of past cases. The article holds that variations in context and the ability of actors to strategically adapt to situations will make the effects contingent. Nonetheless, holding elections during natural disasters will often lead to severely compromised opportunities for deliberation, contestation, participation, and election management quality. There is therefore a strong, democratic case for time-limited postponement. However, the postponement will break institutional certainty, which could pose threats of democratic breakdown-especially in presidential systems. The best available safeguards for electoral integrity during natural disasters include the introduction or expansion of low-tech solutions such as early voting, strengthened risk management, but also transparency and inclusivity in decision making. Overall, there are important lessons for the broader scholarship and practice of democracy during emergency situations

Attitudes of high school students towards visualization of mathematical content

Teaching is a process for which its plan should contain reflection onto previous experience. With that in mind, teaching situations should be continuously researched and improved in accordance with the research results. Led by this thought and the fact that students are uncritically using visualization to solve mathematical problems, we defined the aim of this research–determine the attitude of students about the visualization of mathematical content (VMC). The subject of this research are the attitudes of students towards VMC. By analyzing our research subject, we have discovered the research problem–students use visual aid to solve problems uncritically. Based on this problem, we have set the aim of our research. Our aim was to determine the students’ attitudes (and their opinions) about VMC. Based on the aim of our research, we have set four research tasks. Based on these research tasks, we have established the main (leading) research question–What is the attitude of high school students towards the application of VMC? We divided the main research question into five questions: Do high school students consider that they understand the term ‘VMC’? Who considers they use more methods of solving mathematical problems using visual aid–high school male students or female students? Students of which grades consider that they use solving problems using visual aid more? What is the attitude of high school students about the relationship between the substantiality of the picture (the amount of data it encompasses) and the difficulty of solving the problem? What is the attitude of students about the use of software to solve mathematical problems? The research has been conducted with 1,240 high school students from Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina. For the purposes of this article, we employed a survey, questionnaire-based research. The research was created as part of a larger study conducted in the context of preparing a doctoral dissertation related to VMC. It is one fundamental research. An essential aspect of this research involves students’ attitudes toward VMC. After obtaining all necessary approvals from relevant institutions and parents, students proceeded to testing and surveying in their school classrooms, under the supervision of designated individuals who facilitated the conduct of the research. The distribution of the data was not normal, so we used the Pearson Chi-square, likelihood ratio Chi-square, and linear-by-linear association test to examine the association between student attitudes and categorical variables (gender and grade). In addition, we used frequencies and percentages. It has been concluded that the students are mostly positive towards applying visualization in their process of solving mathematical problems and these should be used in the direction of improving the students’ success, their confidence and their level of contentment in their mathematics class, as well as in other life situations that encompass mathematical content. In future research, it could be examined why students expressed such attitudes about the presented situations. Additionally, it would be significant to explore why students do not consider themselves successful in applying VMC, despite claiming to understand the term. The analysis could extend to the content presented in textbooks or instructional materials students use–how visualized the content is or whether students are required to visualize it themselves. It would also be worthwhile to investigate the extent to which teachers encourage students to visualize specific tasks or do so on their behalf. Given the fluctuation in results (we observe affirmative answers–partially or completely) observed across grades–initial decrease, subsequent increase, followed by another decrease–it might be explored whether this is related to the curriculum taught in each grade (such as content, volume, number of class hours, etc.). Regarding images leading to incorrect conclusions, it would be interesting to investigate the types of images students have in mind, how frequently they encounter such situations, where they use these images, who creates them, and similar aspects. These are just some questions for future research

OXYGEN SATURATION INDEX FOR ASSESSMENT OF RESPIRATORY FAILURE IN NEONATES

Introduction: Acute respiratory failure (ARF) is the most common problem seen in the preterm and term infants admitted to neonatal intensive care units. Etiology is not uniform, and mostly depend on gestational age. For adequate treatment is certainly important to recognize and treat underlying disease, but at the same time, we have to supply adequate respiratory support, tissue perfusion and oxygen deliveries. For a good outcome we need reliable estimation method for functional state of respiratory system, as well as monitoring the effects of treatment. Current assessment ARF is with blood gas, chest X-ray and Oxygenation index (OI). OI is quite aggressive assessment method for neonates, because it involves arterial blood sampling. Promoted in recent studies, Oxygen saturation index (OSI) measured by pulse oximetry, attempts to objectively score respiratory disease with parameters available non-invasively. The aim of our research is to evaluate correlation between OSI and OI in neonates with ARF requiring mechanical ventilation. Material and methods: In a retrospective cohort study 101 neonates were selected, treated at the Department of intensive therapy and care, Pediatric clinic of Tuzla, due to ARF requiring mechanical ventilation. We reviewed data such as gestational age, birth weight, gender, Apgar scores, values of Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology-Perinatal Extension, all the parameters from the arterial blood gas analysis, pulse oximetry values, Oxygenation Index and Oxygenation Saturation Index, that were calculated by the formulas. OSI and OI were calculated and correlated. Mean values of OSI and OI correlated with Pearson's coefficient of 0.76; p<0.0001 (95%CI=0.66-0.83). OSI correlated with SNAP-PE with Pearson's coefficient of 0.52; p<0.0001 (95%CI=0.36-0.65). Comparing the values of OSI between patients who died and those who survived, we found that OSI correlated with the outcome with Spearman's coefficient of -0.47; p<0.0001 (95%CI= -0.16 - -0.31). Bland-Altman plot confirmed correlation between OSI and OI in mean values, identifying discrepancy between two indices for extreme values. In conclusion, OSI correlates significantly with OI in infants with respiratory failure. This noninvasive method of oxygenation assessment, utilizing pulse oximetry, can be used to assess the severity of ARF and mortality risk in neonates

Spontaneous atypical muscle bleeding of the anterior abdominal wall in patient with COVID-19 – case report

COVID-19 is an unpredictable disease that can lead to multiorgan dysfunctions. There is a high frequency of venous and arterial thrombosis, among other symptoms,. Spontaneous bleeding in COVID-19 patients has also been described, but rarely, whether or not they are on anticoagulant therapy. We report a case of a 65-year-old female COVID-19 patient treated in our hospital. During the hospitalisation, she experienced sudden, severe pain in the lower part of the abdomen and had signs of hemorrhagic shock. CT of the abdomen and pelvis revealed a spontaneous giant haematoma of the anterior abdominal wall. A surgical procedure was done. We identified spontaneous bleeding in the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall. The patient recovered well. Rapid diagnosis and timely intervention are crucial to ensure a good patient outcome

Orientational Reaction as a Way of Adjusting to Space

This paper defines basic terms of movement and system of reference points in a city. We can conclude that primary difference in the perception of space and spatial orientation depends on the fact whether the subject lives in the city or he is a foreigner to that space. In this respect, we can conclude that when it comes to space orientation, foreigners mostly rely on visually and dimensionally strong and visible reference points, which can simultaneously be historical or morphological in terms of their character. On the one hand, the subject who is familiar with the area typically moves within a system of individual reference points. Individual system of reference points does not necessarily require any of the physical features that recommend an object as a reference point. On the other hand, there were numerous theories among which Lynch, after conducting a series of experiments related to space perception, pointed out that orientation depends solely on one’s ability. Based on the analysis of the system of reference points, position of focus points and their relations, we can conclude that Podgorica, as most towns in Montenegro has a problem in terms of visual readability

Significance of management in valorization of old urban units based on Montenegrin example

This paper, through study case of Montenegro, deals with significance of sophisticated management in process of activation of old urban units and some architectural facilities for tourist purposes. Starting fact is that one of the most important segments of tourist offer is immobile cultural heritage, having the value manifested in few segments, emphasizing two most famous. The first one represents urban agglomerations, successfully transposed into tourist offer, while the other segment is vencular residential architecture of indeginous type, which can also contribute to tourist offer with appealing its contents. This work also gives the example of target potentials. Examples mentioned in this work proved as successful and profitable (in economic way). Also, some of examples in the work are opportunities missed because of serious devastation of architectural and urban designing heritage, as well as real chances certain localities have. Specific case analysis proved that management is not present enough and not educated enough - it is far below disposable potentials Montenegro possesses. This work also points, through implemented researches, the degree of personnel, who are in charge for promoting values of traditional architecture for tourist purposes. However, logical conclusion can be drawn that the conscience about quality of old urban entities and vernacular heritage is not developed enough. That initiates requirement for educating managers and forming of multidisciplinar teams so the knowledge could be used for proper valorization of potentials. Significance of proper and qualified personnel is specially emphasized when this topic is studied, because investors are not educated enough on this issue, so disposable means are used for some other things marked and recognised as proper and profitable investments

INTERNATIONAL JURISDICTION RULES IN MATTERS OF PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY IN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA: THE CONCEPT OF HABITUAL RESIDENCE V NATIONALITY

The rules of jurisdiction in matters of parental responsibility contained in the Brussels II bis Regulation are based on the concept of habitual residence, while the legislation in B&H in this area gave priority to the principle of nationality. Analyzing these concepts, the author of the paper points to the importance of interpreting the concept of habitual residence by the European Court of Justice, and gives possible directions for reform of the relevant provisions of the PIL Act in terms of their compliance with EU law

The importance of vertical buildings in perception and memorising the city

Being aware of the surrounding we live in, among other things, means establishing of spatial relationships between oneself and the environment, equally important as relationship between oneself and others. Environment consists of facilities and space. Space, „gift by itself“, is defined by terrain topography, sky horizon, plants and animals. The architecture, as a profession, is interested in space created distinctively. Perception, as elementary process of consciousness and psychological life, deals with being conscious about something. In this case, physical structures that create a city. Psychological experience of urban environment is important factor having effect on perception, memorising and orientation in urban space. Gestalt psychology of perceiving is area applying to and significant for architecture either. The importance of vertical lies in its perceiving the gravitation, forming perceiving focus, landmark, for urban units and subunits to be memorised, creating spatial hierarchy and perception logics, remembering and orientation in space. This work analyses reasons for building upright with comparative analyses in their participation in space and on human psychology. This paper’s purpose is to, using fundamental facts, show the importance of vertical buildings, not as a spatial use phenomenon, but also as significant phenomenon