Religious themes in the texts of Drago Ćepulić

Ovaj je rad podijeljen na tri dijela. U prvom dijelu autor donosi kratki životopis Drage Ćepulića te nabraja njegova najvažnija dje- la. Drugi dio rada govori o glavnim karakteristikama Ćepulićeva stvaralaštva u cjelini kako bi se okvirno stekao uvid u njegovo stvaralaštvo. Treći dio, a ujedno i glavni dio rada, govori o vjer- skim temama u Ćepulićevim tekstovima. Autor je prikazao neko- liko najvažnijih vjerskih tema kojima se Ćepulić za života bavio: o svetcima kao uzorima, na poseban način o Ivanu Merzu, o molit- vi, o Crkvi, o vjeri, o križu i o protestantima. Iz prikazanih vjerskih tema očito je kako je Ćepulić čvrsto stajao na gledištu katoličkog učenja ujedno odbacujući protestantizam, tražio je da se vjerski odgaja buduće naraštaje te je vjeru smatrao iznimno važnom za očuvanje europske kulture u cjelini. Tekstovi su objavljivani u dne- vnim i tjednim novinama te je na taj način Ćepulić mogao doći do velikog broja čitatelja. U vjerskim tekstovima ne nalazimo pretje- rivanja i vjerskog sentimentalizma, nego su tekstovi odmjereni i iznimno poticajni te poučni za čitatelje.This work is divided into three parts. In the first part the author presents a short biography of Drago Ćepulić and lists his most important works. The second part discusses the major characteristics of Ćepulić’s creativity as a whole in order to give an approximate insight into his work. The third part, and also the main part of the work, is talking about religious themes in the author’s texts. The author presents a number of important religious issues to be dealt with for the author’s life: the saints as role models, in a special way Ivan Merz, about prayer, about the Church, about faith, about the cross and the Protestants. From the religious theme it is obvious that Ćepulić is firmly standing on the position of Catholic teaching, at the same time rejecting Protestantism and asking for the future generations to be raised in Catholic religion. He considered the Catholic faith extremely important for the preservation of European culture as a whole. His texts were published in the daily and weekly newspapers and thus Ćepulić could reach a large number of readers. In his reli- gious texts one cannot find exaggeration, religious sentimental- ism or heresy, but they are measured and extremely stimulating and instructive for the readers

Age-related structural changes in the myenteric nervous plexus ganglion along the anterior wall of the proximal human duodenum: A morphometric analysis

Background/Aim. Aging is one of the most complex biological processes which probably affect structure and function of the enteric nerve system. However, there is not much available information on this topic, particularly in humans. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of aging on the structure of the myenteric ganglia in the anterior wall of the human proximal duodenum. Methods. We examined the myenteric ganglia in the proximal duodenal anterior wall specimens obtained from 30 cadaver persons aged from 20 to 84 years. Tissue samples were classified into three age groups: 20-44, 45-64 and 65-84 years. After standard histological preparation, specimens were stained with HE, Cresyl Violet and AgNO3. Morphometric analysis of all the specimens, using a multipurpose test system M42, was performed. The data were subjected to the ttest. Results. The myenteric ganglia of very old humans contains an empty space, i.e. the respective parts of ganglia show a decreased number of neuron as compared to younger population. The average number of neuron per cm2 of the duodenum in the youngest people (20-44 years) was 69,370 ± 1,750.00, in the people aged 45-64 years 69,211 ± 1,573.33, and in the oldest persons (65-84 years) 57,951 ± 1,291.52. The loss of neurons in the oldest persons was 16.46%. The applied statistic test demonstrated a significant difference between the observed groups (p < 0.0001). Conclusion. Aging does not induce changes in size and surface of neurons in the ganglia, but it decreases the number of neurons. The nerve structures in the elderly are partly emptied of bodies of nerve cells (“empty ganglions”), which indicates the existence of changed myenteric ganglia in the duodenum. These changes could be related to the duodenum motility disorder associated with aging

The effect of subchronic supplementation with folic acid on homocysteine induced seizures

Influence of folic acid on the CNS is still unclear. Folate has a neuroprotective effect, while on the other hand excess folate can exacerbate seizures in epileptics. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of subchronic administration of folic acid on behavioural and electroencephalographic (EEG) characteristics of DL homocysteine thiolactone induced seizures in adult rats. The activity of Na+/K+-ATPase and Mg2+-ATPase in different brain regions was investigated. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into groups: 1. Controls (C, 0.9% NaCl); 2. DL homocysteine-thiolactone 8.0 mmol/kg (H); 3. Subchronic supplementation with folic acid 5 mg/kg for 7 days (F) and 4. Subchronic supplementation with F + single dose of H (FH). Seizure behaviour was assessed by incidence, latency, number and intensity of seizure episodes. Seizure severity was described by a descriptive scale with grades 0–4. For EEG recordings, three gold-plated recording electrodes were implanted into the skull. Subchronic supplementation with folic acid did not affect seizure incidence, median number of seizure episodes and severity in FH, comparison with H (p > 0.05). The majority of seizure episodes in all groups were of grade 2. There were no significant differences in lethal outcomes at 24 h upon H injection in the FH vs. H group. The activity of Na+/K+-ATPase and Mg2+-ATPase was significantly increased in almost all examined structures in the FH vs. H group. Subchronic folic acid administration did not exacerbate H induced seizures and completely recovered the activity of ATPases

Metabolic Perspectives for Non-classical Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia With Relation to the Classical Form of the Disease

Non-classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NC-CAH) represents mild form of CAH with the prevalence of 0. 6 to 9% in women with androgen excess. Clinical and hormonal findings in females with NC-CAH are overlapping with other hyperandrogenic entities such as polycystic ovary syndrome hence causing difficulties in diagnostic approach. Metabolic consequences in subjects with NC-CAH are relatively unknown. We are lacking longitudinal follow of these patients regarding natural course of the disease or the therapeutic effects of the different drug regiments. Patients with NC-CAH similarly to those with classical form are characterized with deteriorated cardiovascular risk factors that are probably translated into cardiometabolic diseases and events. An increased preponderance of obesity and insulin resistance in patients with NC-CAH begin at young age could result in increased rates of metabolic sequelae and cardiovascular disease later during adulthood in both sexes. On the other hand, growth disorder was not proven in patients with NC-CAH in comparison to CAH patients of both gender characterized with reduced final adult height. Similarly, decreased bone mineral density and osteoporosis are not constant findings in patients with NC-CAH and could depend on the sex, and type or dose of corticosteroids applied. It could be concluded that NC-CAH represent a particular form of CAH that is characterized with specificities in clinical presentation, diagnosis, therapeutic approach and metabolic outcomes.This study was funded by the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development (grant numbers 175032 and 41009)

Problem of protection of original appearance of prefabricated concrete facades and energy improvement measures - example of New Belgrade

As a result of renewal of the Serbian capital after the World War II, a newly built residential settlement named New Belgrade was erected on the left bank of the river Sava. The most intensive time of its construction includes the period from 1950 to 1980, when prefabricated construction systems were omnipresent. As a manner and reflection of that time, diverse design solutions were applied on residential buildings from New Belgrade in which concrete was the main façade material. The most widespread finishes were: exposed concrete panels with different textures and reliefs; coated, i.e. painted concrete panels; concrete panels with ceramic tiles finishing; combined façades of exposed concrete and brick. Today, in many cases of New Belgrade residential blocks, there are serious damages of concrete façades that require extensive repair. At the same time, some of the blocks enjoy the status of previous protection as cultural monuments. On the other hand, referring to existing buildings, the question of energy efficiency as one of the imperatives of nowadays building practice implies the need for additional thermal insulation along the building’s thermal envelope. This type of intervention is, in most of the cases, applied externally, representing in this way a measure that might significantly change the original building appearance. In both cases, preservation of appearance of concrete façades is questionable, which raises the problem of protection of original appearance of analysed buildings. This paper strives to present the overview of the applied concrete façades and their present condition in selected residential blocks from New Belgrade in the light of energy performance of their facade envelopes in the present state. This review should point out potentials and limitations for their further improvement having in mind the need for preservation of authenticity of the analysed buildings

Development for CO2 emissions reduction by the use of solar thermal collectors in the process of urban planning

Using RES is one of the most important characteristics of the sustainable and resilient development. Nowadays, need to minimize CO2 emissions is obligatory, especially in the sector of urban and architectural planning, since in Serbia approximately 50% of produced energy is spent in buildings. The CO2 emission, in urban structures, can and must be reduced at the different levels: building level, block, and city level. For the city of Kragujevac, based on urban parameters defined in General Urban Plan, typical urban block was chosen and typical building structure developed. Calculation were made, based on recommendations developed by the Ministry of mining and energy and Serbian regulations, for the energy needed for domestic hot water preparation. In this paper, the influences of architectural and urban parameters on the use of solar thermal collectors at the typical building and urban block level is investigated. Recommendations are prepared for principles of urban and architectural design in order to enable the use of collectors for domestic hot water preparation and in that way CO2 emission reduction. Developed methodology for the city of Kragujevac can be applied in defining design principles in whole the country and Balkans region, not only for the use of solar thermal collectors but also for the use of other RES

Editorial

Uvodna riječ glavnog i odgovornog urednik

The Relationship between »Culture« and »the Religious« in An Introduction to the philosophy of history by Julije Makanec

U ovom se radu bavimo odnosom kulture i religioznoga u djelu Uvod u filosofiju poviesti hrvatskoga filozofa Julija Makanca. Rad je podijeljen u dva dijela. U prvome dijelu predstavljen je njegov životni put i najvažnija djela. Drugi dio govori o središnjoj temi našega rada gdje su prikazane najvažnije Makančeve misli o kulturi i njezinu odnosu prema vrijednosti religioznoga: Makančevo shvaćanje kulture; Makančevo shvaćanje religioznoga; Vrijednosti u odnosu jednih prema drugima; O potrebi apsolutnih vrijednosti, Odnos religiozne vrijednosti i svetoga. Makančeva vizija kulture nadilazi naturalističko materijalističku viziju te je skloniji vjerovati u božanstvenost svijeta nego u svemogućnost vremena. To uvjerenje dovodi ga i do zaključka kako vječnost stoluje nad prolaznošću ili, negativno rečeno, materija nikako ne može biti posljednja stvarnost.This paper deals with the relationship between culture and the religious in the work titled, An Introduction to the Philosophy of History by the Croatian philosopher Julije Makanec. The essay consists of two sections. The first acquaints us with his life and most important works, while the second discusses the central theme involving Makanec’s thoughts on culture and its relationship to the religious, namely, Makanec’s understanding of culture, his grasp of the religious, the values of each in relation to the other, the need for absolute values, and finally, the relationship between religious values and the sacred. Makanec’s vision of culture transcends the naturalistic–materialistic vision, and he is more inclined to affirm the divinity of the world than the omnipotence of time. This conviction leads him to the conclusion that eternity has dominion over the transient, or negatively expressed, that matter cannot ever be the ultimate reality

Rite of ordination and the role of ordained servants (priests) in the Church of Scientology

U ovom se radu bavimo obredom ređenja te ulogom zaređenih službenika u Scijentološkoj crkvi. Prvi dio naslovljen je „Obred ređenja“. U njemu smo predstavili sam obred ređenja novih službenika u Scijentološkoj crkvi: mjesto ređenja (kapelica); slobodna volja svakog ređenika; završene škole; prihvaćanje dvaju kodeksa Scijentološke crkve; prihvaćanje kandidata od strane crkve; scijentološki križ; kongregacija; te, na koncu, obred bez boga. Drugi dio rada naslovljen je „Uloga svećenika u zajednici“. U ovom smo poglavlju prikazali koja je uloga i koje su zadaće zaređenih službenika u scijentološkoj zajednici: nedjeljna služba, krštenja, vjenčanja, sprovodi. Jedna od vrlo važnih zadaća zaređenog službenika Scijentološke crkve jest tehnika auditinga te duhovno vodstvo. Službenik Scijentološke crkve upotrebljava knjige, tehnike, itd. koje su ili duhovna baština L. R. Hubbarda ili su na njegovu učenju utemeljeni, kao što su pojedini religiozni principi, etika, itd.In this paper we deal with the ordination rite and ordained ministers in the Church of Scientology. The first part is entitled “Rite of Ordination“. In this we present the ordination ceremony of new officers in the Church of Scientology: the place of ordination (chapel); the free will of every ordained person; school; acceptance of two codes of the Church of Scientology; acceptance of candidates from the church; the Scientology cross; congregation, and finally, the non-theistic ceremony. The second part of the paper is entitled “The role of the priest in the community“. In this section, the roles and tasks of ordained ministers in the Scientology community are described: Sunday service, baptisms, weddings, funerals. One of the very important tasks of ordained officers of the Church of Scientology consists of auditing techniques and spiritual guidance. It is important to emphasize that an ordained minister of the Church of Scientology uses books and techniques, etc. that are either the spiritual heritage of L. R. Hubbard or are teachings based on this heritage, such as certain religious principles, ethics, etc