The Origin and Transmission of the Alphabet

Problem The origin of the alphabet has been a puzzle for scholars since Herodotus. Although there are today many theories concerning the origin and transmission of the alphabet to the Greeks, this subject is ctill debated. New archeological findings are brought to light every year, and the increase of knowledge of the script used in the Mediterranean world may support or oppose the current hypotheses. Therefore this subject should be reviewed anew in the light of these facts. Methodology A review of selected literature was made to determine the actual state of this subject. A paleographic study was done, based on paleographic materials found in the area under study. Conclusions The Pseudo-Hieroglyph script was the mediator between the Egyptian Hieroglyphs and the Proto-Canaanite alphabet, and the transmission of the alphabet to the Greeks took place in three progressive stages

Challenges for performance improvement in education

The quality of education is part of the political agenda of most countries worldwide. The contemporary nature of the quality theme is related to a new program of social policies, that we believe corresponds to both a reduction of the political education field, and a need to legitimate the state. From an 'educator-state' we are evolving towards an 'evaluator-state'. After a description of the main measures that have been taken to improve the quality of education, the article enumerates four challenges, that the author considers relevant for dealing with the problem of educational quality with a social and political perspective

The Textual Relation of the Peshitta of Ezekiel 1-12 to MT and to the Ancient Versions (Tg-J and LXX)

Problem . The dilemma of the Syriac version is its mysterious provenance and the direct relationship it may have to the other versions (particularly G [Septuagint] and CJ [Targum Jonathan]). Thus some scholars have automatically discarded or ignored the Peshitta version as a useful tool (as a textual witness) for the study of the Hebrew text. The knowledge of textual problems, in this case the relationship of S [Peshitta Version] to the ancient versions, is of extreme importance in the analysis and study of the Hebrew Bible. The awareness of G [Septuagint], CJ [Targum Jonathan], and M [Masoretic Text] employed in the textual composition of S [Peshitta Version] will help in exegetic, semantic, and linguistic studies of the Old Testament. Method . Critical editions of the OT with their apparatus constitute the basic database for this study. This work consists of a comparative, analytic, and evaluative study of the Peshitta version of Ezekiel in relationship to the ancient versions (G [Septuagint] and CJ [Targum Jonathan] and to M [Masoretic Text]. The study covers the first twelve chapters of Ezekiel, but only those readings in the S [Peshitta Version] that indicate a probable relationship to an external source are taken into consideration. Conclusion . S [Peshitta Version] (Ezek 1-12) was based on a Hebrew text similar to that of M [Masoretic Text], and any relationship to another ancient version can be explained as a mere coincidence or by the use of a common translation technique. In this case S [Peshitta Version] is useful as a tool in textual criticism of the Hebrew Bible, for it is a valuable witness to a Hebrew consonantal text very similar to M [Masoretic Text]

On the opening of higher education institutions to a new public: the Portuguese case

The recent “opening” of higher education institutions (HEI) to “new publics” raises some questions: first of all, that of the transformation (or not) of an education subsystem often described as conservative. The unsolved problem of the lack of devices directed to the recognition of adults’ prior learning (at a higher education level) might work as a challenge that could contribute to solve this problem, that is, the knowledge (often unrecognised by the subjects themselves, but also by others, namely through formal devices of recognition) acquired and developed by adults, in their lives and with their lives, together with the needs that they seek to satisfy through education and training, could invite HEI to change. This paper intends to explore part of the wide range of meanings that adults construct concerning higher education, stressing the obstacles and facilitators of adult learning, in a journey through three spheres: individual, social and institutional. The research plan presented here intends to draw a conceptual and critical framework of the problematic, based on the perspectives of HEI directors, professors and adult learners. Even though the study privileges the local level, both concerning the institutions and the individuals, the national and transnational governance devices and processes have been considered as well. The analytic dimensions embrace the processes and products of adult learning, the assessment methodologies, the pedagogical practices, the curricular plans and frameworks, the (career and pedagogical) guidance and support devices — namely tutorship —, as well as the courses, programmes and institutions’ functioning and organization.A recente “abertura” das instituições de ensino superior (IES) a “novos públicos” suscita interrogações, desde logo a da transformação (ou não) de um subsistema de ensino muitas vezes descrito como conservador. Os saberes — válidos, mas por reconhecer — de que os adultos são portadores poderão promover este convite à mudança. Este artigo, numa viagem por três esferas — individual, social e institucional —, intenta explorar alguns dos inúmeros sentidos e significados que os adultos constroem com relação ao ensino superior, sublinhando os obstáculos e os aspectos facilitadores da aprendizagem. O plano de investigação aqui apresentado procura traçar um quadro conceptual e crítico do problema, com base na perspectiva de directores das IES, docentes e aprendentes adultos. Conquanto a investigação privilegie o nível local, das instituições e dos indivíduos, considerar-se-á também os dispositivos e processos de “regulação” nacional e transnacional desta oferta educativa. As dimensões de análise serão os processos e produtos de aprendizagem dos adultos, as metodologias de avaliação, as práticas pedagógicas, os planos curriculares, os mecanismos de orientação (profissional e pedagógica) e de apoio — nomeadamente tutorial —, bem como o funcionamento e organização dos cursos, dos programas e das instituições

Latent content in tourism photos: the case of dark tourism in Costa Morte (Galiza)

Até que ponto uma fotografia pode ser uma representação da identidade de um lugar, contagiar emoções, simular/ emular experiências e motivar a visita ao destino? Este estudo procura explorar o fascínio (gaze) pela imagem, influência da interpretação da paisagem, da perceção autenticidade, da densidade psicológica associada a imagens de turismo negro? Que elementos e símbolos são possíveis de forma explícita ou latente? Qual o papel do turista na co-criação da imagem do destino? Este estudo tem como ponto de partida e unidade de análise o património imaterial e a “aura” emanada por diversos lugares e paisagens da Costa da Morte na Galiza condimentadas pelas lendas e mitologia de um passado histórico rico em acontecimentos. Usando uma abordagem metodológica que incluiu a seleção e análise qualitativa de fotografias, documentários e livros, a observação direta, a netnografia passiva e photo elicitation, foram propostos diversos elementos ou categorias de classificação de conteúdos latentes.To what extent can a photograph be a representation of the identity of a place, spread emotions, simulate / emulate experiences and motivate the visit to the destination? This study seeks to explore the fascination (gaze), the influence of landscape interpretation, the perception of authenticity, the psychological density associated with images of black tourism? What elements and symbols are possible in an explicit or latent way? What is the role of the tourist in the cocreation of the image of destiny? This study has as its starting point and unit of analysis the intangible heritage and the "aura" emanated by various places and landscapes of the Costa da Morte (Coast of Death) in Galicia spiced by the legends and mythology of a rich in events historical past. Using a methodological approach that included qualitative selection and analysis of photographs, documentaries and books, direct observation, passive netnography and photo elicitation several latent content elements or classification categories were proposed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

City sustainable governance and city marketing monitoring system : a meta-analysis

According to the maxim “you can only manage what you can measure” so the “explosion of interest in the quality of governance is driving an explosive growth in the use of governance indicators” (Arndt and Oman, 2006, p.11). The author suggests the adoption of an integrated approach (Braun, 2008) in order to measure the most relevant indicators resulting from the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) adopted by the UN member states in the year 2000 and the “Right to the city” paradigm, the inclusive and sustainable city model. This paper develops a meta-analysis of city governance indicators systems and aims to discuss the role of strategic planning and territorial marketing adding a new dimension or category (UN-Habitat, 2010): the city marketing/branding indicators system.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologi

Performance evaluation of directional antennas in ZigBee networks under NLOS propagation conditions

Many authors suggest directional antennas to enhance the transmission performance of ZigBee networks. For line-of-sight propagation, directional antennas can extend the transmission range or reduce the transmit power. Directional antennas may also reduce interference between networks operating in the same frequency channel. However, these antennas may not perform similarly under non-line-of-sight propagation conditions. This work presents a study with ZigBee modules comparing the performance of a directional antenna with an omnidirectional one. The measurements were conducted on a university campus for different propagation outdoor environ ments. A deconvolution technique was applied to estimate the received signal as a function of the azimuth angle. The results demonstrated that the received power followed the gain difference between antennas only for paths with low attenuation. Considering the same Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP), the system with directional antennas started to lose packets at the same distance as the omnidirectional antennas. The directional antenna did not allow the increase in the link range compared to the omnidirectional antenna. The power consumption was also measured for different transmit power levels of the ZigBee radio. The study showed that the control circuits of directional antennas typically consume more power than omnidirectional antennas operating at a higher transmit power level.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio