Maintenance of shared spaces: courtyards of Tbilisi

Purpose The courtyard dwellings of Tbilisi form a critical part of the city’s architectural identity. However, the multiple occupation of these buildings is blamed for confounding their prospects for repair and consequent valorisation as a world heritage site. Models for the shared ownership of residential blocks, have been adapted globally. Some have established communal sources for rehabilitation and maintenance applicable to historic buildings. This paper assesses the relevance of such precedents to the complex and urgent context of Tbilisi’s threatened architectural heritage. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses existing literature and data to establish a hypothesis in support of adopting a collaborative approach for the maintenance and rehabilitation of shared buildings in a challenging and specific context. Using socio-economic data to characterise the occupants of such buildings and current critical sources, the paper investigates how existing collective communities can be empowered to capitalise from their unique social frameworks. Findings It finds evidence to support theoretical claims that there is scope for co-operative networks to flourish there. Originality/value This paper addresses a critical problem in the formulation of conservation plans for Old Tbilisi, it tests the relevance of global exemplars for community repair programmes by reference to existing data for the care of the predominantly domestic architecture of Old Tbilisi at a time of rapid change

Promoting Cross-cultural Engagement Among the Pastors in the Greater New York Conference

Problem. Cultural diversity in the Greater New York Conference has created frequent conflicts among pastors and workers. Examples of the types of circumstances engendering conflict may be seen in the following: (a) Lack of cross-cultural evangelism. An outstanding evangelist of one ethnic group does not have the opportunity to do evangelism with another ethnic group. (b) Lack of adequate representation for all ethnic groups. In choosing speakers for camp meeting, seminar presenters for workers’ meetings, or job placements, there is sometimes inadequate representation of all the ethnic groups which may cause disharmony and disunity among the workers and members. (c) Lack of social and cultural programs among pastors of different ethnic groups. Pastors generally meet at workers’ meetings and joint camp meetings, but during this time, interaction between pastors of various groups is minimal. (d) Lack of pulpit exchange preaching. Pastors preach within their own ethnic group, but only on rare occasions will someone cross into another sector to preach. (e) Lack of evangelism funds for areas of greatest need. Evangelism funds are distributed proportionately to the ethnic groups. This distribution plan fails to provide sufficient funds for areas of greatest need. Examples of conflict (c) and (d) will be the focus of this project because the other three examples are beyond the jurisdiction of the local pastor. Method. A selection of pastors (N=7) from the conference formed a core group of participants who took part in an experimental model of cultural integration to gather information for cultural diversity resolution. Through a string of six social monthly gatherings and a pulpit exchange preaching assignment at the Crossroads SDA Church, the participants interacted with each other and the church members, and gained a deeper understanding and appreciation for cultural diversity. Themes were drawn from the pastors’ journal reflections to explore the effect of the experiment on cultural diversity conflict among the pastors in the conference. Results. Five of the seven pastors completed all the required activities of the project, while the other two fulfilled 80%. An average of more than 85% completion suggested a high level of interest among the pastors in cultural diversity. However, one out of the five major groups was not represented in the sample of individuals that may have biased the findings. Nevertheless, from the data collected, it is evident that the pastors benefitted from the study. The study also provided suggestions that can nurture stronger and broader intercultural relationships. Conclusions. Notwithstanding the limitations and apparent biases inherent in this study, promoting cross-cultural engagement among the pastors in the Greater New York Conference demonstrated a spirit of togetherness that can reduce cultural diversity conflict. The practical lessons gained by the participants and the researcher of this study authenticate the fact that this project needs further reflection and implementation with an inclusive sample of the pastoral sectors. In addition, the social gatherings should be more frequent in order to deepen impression, and increase the possibility for pastoral diversity togetherness. Reducing cultural diversity conflict among pastors in the conference demands relentless effort and time in order for the pastors to make adjustments in their perceptions and behaviors to have cultural flexibility. Consequently, the intervention described in this study can serve as an encouragement to the pastors, assuring them that they have additional resources to assist them in their quest for pastoral unicity

Petrography and geochemistry of the Masoke Iron Formation and its associated ferruginous counterparts, kanye basin Botswana

A sequence of Transvaal Supergroup sediments extends into southern Botswana beneath Kalahari cover as the Kanye basin, these are known to host billions of tons @ 60>Fe. Masoke Iron Formation (Kanye Basin) which is stratigraphic correlative of The Ghaap Group and Chuniespoort Group of the Griqualand West basin and Transvaal basin, respectively. The Palaeoproterozoic Transvaal Supergroup in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa hosts high grade (>60% Fe) hematitic and specularitic iron and manganese mineralisation. It is therefore important to study and record the petrographic, mineralogy and geochemistry of Masoke Iron Formation, compare the results to the much known Kuruman and Griquatown Iron Formations. This study systematically investigate and record the petrography, mineralogy and geochemistry of all Masoke Iron Formation of Taupone Group in the Kanye Basin, which is stratigraphic correlative of The Ghaap Group and Chuniespoort Group of the Griqualand West basin and Transvaal basin, respectively. The further objective is to compare Masoke Iron Formation to the equivalent units in the Transvaal basin and Griqualand basin. In contrast to both Transvaal and Griqualand West Basin the Masoke iron Formation (Kanye Basin) has not been the subject of systematic scientific investigations. The study covers three main areas in the Kanye Basin: Keng Pan Area, Ukwi/Moretlwa hill and Janeng Hill Area. The mineralogy and geochemistry of these areas are presented in this study. Kanye Basin has a potential to host a large iron ore deposit, the geological setting in this area incorporates many of the elements necessary for iron ore formation. These include: banded iron formation (BIF), major unconformities with prolonged periods of weathering, carbonate sequences etc. In addition, several large deposits and mines are known from this area. This area can potentially have both hypogene and supergene enrichment of BIF. In this model, prospectively for new deposits is a function of the following: presence of iron formation units, proximity of mapped Asbestos Hills and Voëlwater BIF, thrust faulting (as indicated by the aero-magnetic interpretation), duplication of the ore horizon by folding, intersection of the BIF by major extensional fault, proximity of Olifantshoek/Waterberg outcrop, Gamagara unconformity, presence of carbonates (dolomites) and thin Kalahari sand cover. Major BIF units in the area of study include: the Masoke Iron Formation, equivalent to Kuruman Formation of the Asbestos Hills Subgroup, the Rooinekke iron formation of the Koegas Subgroup and the Hotazel Formation of the Voëlwater Subgroup. Supergene enrichment of these BIFs may occur wherever they are overlain by a major regional unconformity. The base of the Waterberg and the OlifantshoekSupergroups represent major unconformities in this regional target area. Potential for hypogene deposits is indicated by faulting (preferably extensional) proximal to BIF

The Changing Status of Women in the Philipines

Among many peoples in the Far East, masuline domination has been flagrantly exhibited. Women have been, until lately, relegated to the background in social, economic, and political affairs. By their customs, traditions, and laws, most women have been held in utter subjection to the men. That women in the Philippines are on an equal footing with the men socially, economically, and politically would seem incredible to people in the Wast who grow up with the conception that Oriental women lead secluded and downtrodden lives and are generally slaves to the man. In their opinion, the Philippines, being in the Far East and exposed to the Oriental ideal which renders woman inferior to man, would naturally produce women who are repressed, degraded, and forever dependent upon the male. This is far from the truth. Quite the contrary, even before the Spaniards set foot on Philippine soil, the Filipino woman enjoyed a relatively high position in so- ciety as well as in the economic and political life of the people; and, although her position suffered somewhat a setback during the Spanish rule, it grow in importance as the years rolled by. Today the Filipino woman is fully emancipated; she has achieved equality with men

Cultural voraciousness - A new measure of the pace of leisure in a context of 'harriedness'

A new measure of 'voraciousness' in leisure activities is introduced as an indicator of the pace of leisure, facili-tating a theoretical linkage between the literature on time pressure, busyness and harriedness in late modernity, and the literature on cultural consumption. On the methodological side it is shown that time use diaries can pro-vide at least as good a measure of the pace of leisure as survey based measures. Respondents with a high score on the voraciousness measure ('harried' respondents) are not less likely to complete their diaries than less harried respondents. In accord with the findings from the literature on cultural omnivorousness, the most voracious groups are those with high levels of social status and human capital. However, these associations are not due to these groups having either higher income or greater quantities of available leisure time. The pace of leisure ac-tivities must therefore be due to other factors, for example, could a fast pace of out-of-home leisure participation be conceived of as a new marker of status distinction?Time pressure, harriedness, leisure, busyness, time-use diaries, cultural omnivorousness

PRE-COLLEGE ACCESS AND FINANCIAL LITERACY

Student loan debt within the United States has reached insurmountable default rates worth trillions of dollars. While the federal government debate lingers on student loan debt reauthorization legislation known as Promoting Real Opportunity, Success, and Prosperity Through Education Reform (PROSPER ACT), a vote must pass to finalize the provision for this legislative policy (Baime, 2018). Meanwhile the issue of high student default rates disproportionately affects minoritized, first-generation, low-income students attending public and private institutions of higher education. This exploratory qualitative case study research approach (Yin, 2009) of the Upward Bound Program, aims to examine the sense of awareness of financial literacy knowledge of high school college prep alumni. The goal is to acknowledge the importance of pre-college prep programs that promote financial literacy education among first generation student populations as applied to making sound financial decisions. The study begins by assessing alumni awareness of financial literacy, which includes any knowledge they have about their financial aid award packages, loans, scholarships, and grants. The study will investigate how involvement in TRIO’s Upward Bound program assists first-generation low-income students in recognizing the pitfalls of attaining high student loan debt as the result of exposure to content specific programs and workshops. This study is comprised of an in-depth analysis of twelve multiple cases with Upward Bound alumni, representing four target high schools, in addition to one administrative staff, two workshop leaders and two parents. The intent was to examine how the effect of being exposed to financial literacy concepts had on alumni’s decision-making process regarding their college acceptances and financial aid packages. Drawing from interviews, through field notes, observation, conversations, photos and pertinent documents. These findings will provide insight into first-generation gender and ethnic differences regarding financial education literacy. Additionally, this study will call attention to the importance of exploring the systemic changes to government and institutional policies including the approaches to student loan repayment and default policies that will curtail student loan interest rates and repayment amounts. Keywords: first generation, low-income, student loans, financial literacy, financial capability, racial capitalis

Central American Enunciations from US Zones of Indifference, or the Sentences of Coloniality

This essay explores Central American diasporic experiences in the US as sites for the continued exertion and reproduction of coloniality. A longstanding matrix of power transgressing all forms of borders and permeating all aspects of life—an irreversible and transgressive disease—coloniality operates so forcefully that it upholds its own survival. In the process, we live its plural incongruity and even extend its most contemptuous signs. Surveying a series of narrative texts produced from within the Central American diaspora in cities like Los Angeles and New York—Roberto Quesada’s Big Banana, Oscar René Benitez’s Inmortales, Hector Tobar’s Tattooed Soldier, and Mario Bencastro’s Odyssey to the North—this article examines the diverse ways through which the diasporic subject experiences coloniality, and how this subject unquestioningly contributes to its endurance

Dry Eye Post-Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis: Major Review and Latest Updates

Dry eye is one of the most common complications occurring after laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), with virtually all patients experiencing some degree of postoperative dry eye symptoms. Enhanced understanding of the pathophysiology and mechanism of dry eye development in addition to preoperative screening of patients who are prone to dry eye is essential for better patient satisfaction and for improving short-term visual outcome postoperatively. This article reviews the latest studies published on LASIK-associated dry eye, including epidemiology, pathophysiology, risk factors, preoperative assessment, and management