Virtual and Actual Corporealities in Bronze-Age Cyprus: Exploring Humanity through the Study of Anthropomorphic Figurines and Material Culture

My current research constitutes an extension of my earlier studies of Neolithic and Early Bronze Age (EBA) anthropomorphic figurines of the Aegean. One of the aspects that I was particularly concerned with was the deconstruction of decorative syntheses displayed on figurines in an attempt to gain insights into the manipulation of external appearance for the construction of social identity and relationships. The representation of human form holds valuable information on what it meant to be hu..

Phosphido pincer complexes of platinum: synthesis, structure and reactivity

A series of platinum(II) complexes supported by the tridentate bis(phosphine)phosphido ligand bis(2-diisopropylphosphinophenyl)phosphide) [iPr–PPP] have been synthesized and characterized (1–4). X-Ray structural studies of [iPr–PPP]PtCl (1) and [iPr–PPP]PtCH3 (3) complexes show meridional [iPr–PPP] ligands around approximately square-planar platinum centers. Structural data and NMR analysis highlight a strong trans influence for the phosphido phosphorous donor, comparable to that of the anionic aryl carbon of the classic PCP pincer complexes. A series of thermally stable [PPP]Pt(IV) compounds, including [PPP]Pt(CH_3)_2X [X = I (5) and SbF_6 (6)], were also synthesized. The study of the binding affinity of SO_2 and NO to complex 1 has also been addressed

INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCES AND INTERCULTURAL DIALOGUE. CASE STUDY ON BUCHAREST UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS

The paper debates the topics of intercultural competences and intercultural dialogue. The main research whose results are being disseminated through this paper are part of a national research project, "Equality of chances and intercultural dialogue", project granted by competition and which benefits from the expertise of a dynamic team of University Professors and lecturers as well as enthusiastic PhD students. The authors present the results of their academic and research activities involving students (both Romanian and foreign) studying Economics in foreign languages (at the Faculty of Business Administration taught in foreign languages, English section within the Bucharest University of Economics).intercultural dialogue, intercultural competence, intercultural sensitivity, knowledge-based society

Creative Economy-Feasible Option for România

The paper’s objective is the scientific foundation of the necessity to implement the topic of creative economy in Romania. The term of creative economy is widely used in the context of the knowledge-based society. Its importance to sustainable development, wealth and prosperity is commonly recognised mostly due to the amplified crisis effects. The creative communities and industries have moved from the fringes to the mainstream. The special needs of creative industries are reflected more in policy development at national, regional and microeconomic levels. The paper presents part of the results obtained within the research project “IDEI 1224”: “The creative economy and knowledge-based society. Challenges and opportunities for Romania” The general perspective of this paper is aimed at presenting our vision regarding the most important challenges and opportunities for Romania on its road towards a knowledge-based society and creative economy. Creative economy is crucial for Romania while it is facing the global crisis. In order to manage the current crisis (its complex nature derives from the fact that it is much more than just an economic crisis) in a competent way we have to seriously take into account the opportunities creative economy can provide. According to the authors’ vision, creative economy is a feasible option for Romania. The creative economy has to foster a holistic vision of development including socio-cultural, economic and environmental dimensions, offering new opportunities for Romania on its road towards a knowledge-based society.creative economy, creative class, creative communities, creative cities

Movers and Shakers: Kinetic Energy Harvesting for the Internet of Things

Numerous energy harvesting wireless devices that will serve as building blocks for the Internet of Things (IoT) are currently under development. However, there is still only limited understanding of the properties of various energy sources and their impact on energy harvesting adaptive algorithms. Hence, we focus on characterizing the kinetic (motion) energy that can be harvested by a wireless node with an IoT form factor and on developing energy allocation algorithms for such nodes. In this paper, we describe methods for estimating harvested energy from acceleration traces. To characterize the energy availability associated with specific human activities (e.g., relaxing, walking, cycling), we analyze a motion dataset with over 40 participants. Based on acceleration measurements that we collected for over 200 hours, we study energy generation processes associated with day-long human routines. We also briefly summarize our experiments with moving objects. We develop energy allocation algorithms that take into account practical IoT node design considerations, and evaluate the algorithms using the collected measurements. Our observations provide insights into the design of motion energy harvesters, IoT nodes, and energy harvesting adaptive algorithms.Comment: 15 pages, 11 figure

In vitro screening of the effect of three glucosinolate derived nitriles on soil-borne fungi

Glucosinolates are allelochemicals present in all plants of the order Capparales that are hydrolysed by endogenous enzymes (myrosinases) forming a variety of compounds with biological activity. ‘Biofumigation’ is the term used to describe the effect of these compounds on soil-borne pathogens and it has normally been attributed to isothiocyanates. At acidic pH and in the presence of redox co-factors such as glutathione, glucosinolate hydrolysis yields also nitriles, which are more hydrophilic and stable than isothiocyanates. Three nitriles (allyl-, benzyl- and phenethyl cyanide) were tested against soil borne fungi of economic importance: Aphanomyces euteiches var. pisi, Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici and Verticillium dahliae. The nitriles were initially tested at 1 mM and four additional concentrations were further tested in order to determine LD50. At 1 mM, allyl cyanide showed in all cases less than 10% inhibition and it did not inhibit fungi growth at higher concentrations. LD50 of benzyl cyanide was 2.5 mM for Verticillium and Aphanomyces, whereas it was as low as 0.5 mM for Gaeumannomyces. LD50 of phenyl ethyl cyanide was 2.5 mM for Verticillium, 1.4 mM Gaeumannomyces and 1.25 mM Aphanomyces. Although nitriles are generally less toxic than ITCs, their role in biofumigation should not be disregarded

INCLUSION OF IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE STUDENTS WITH DISABILITY IN EDUCATION: A QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

In the modern globalised environment, the extended immigrant and refugee crisis is at the centre of the scientific, social, and political debate. Meanwhile, the field of Intercultural Education is of paramount importance for social cohesion as the education system is affected by the aforementioned crisis. Against this complicated backdrop, the double challenge of the promotion of educational inclusion of students with diverse cultural backgrounds and disability should be the focus of attention for teachers and policymakers. The present study examines the issue of inclusion of immigrant and refugee students with disability. It employs the qualitative method of thematic analysis, collecting data through semi-structured interviews with teachers who work in Reception Classes and Typical Classes of Intercultural schools in the Prefecture of Epirus, Greece. The data analysis revealed that the participants highlighted the need for restructuring the Greek education system on two levels: the macro level and the micro level. This study underlines the need for systemic change and cooperation to create an environment without exclusion.  Article visualizations

Pengaruh pengawasan fungsional, pengelolaan keuangan, dan kejelasan sasaran anggaran terhadap akuntabilitas kinerja inspektorat kota malang

This research was conducted to examine and determine the effect of functional supervision, financial management, and clarity of budget targets on the performance accountability of the Inspectorate of Malang. This type of research is quantitative research, the source of the data used is primary data, sampling techniques using total sampling method, then analyzed with multiple linear regression models. The results showed that functional oversight, financial management and clarity of budget objectives simultaneously affect performance accountability, functional supervision partially influences performance accountability, financial management influences performance accountability and clarity of budget targets affects performance accountabilit

Understanding the Extent, Composition, and Characteristics of the Poor

Probing deeper into the poverty picture, this Policy Note examines the extent, composition, and characteristics of the poor, using various rounds of the Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) and Annual Poverty Indicator Survey (APIS) as panel data sets. Understanding these aspects could provide insights that may guide the government in formulating specific types of interventions for different groups of households, especially the chronic and transient poor.Philippines, chronic poor, transient poor, panel data