Cultural Heritage Education for Intercultural Communication

In this paper, cultural heritage is considered as an important aspect of intercultural communication and social cohesion, both in local communities as well as on the European level. In European societies of today, the role of the cultural heritage of arts and crafts is under discussion. Attention has turned to the importance of conserving and developing traditional knowledge and techniques. On the basis of this and the practical experiences from craft and cultural heritage projects in Finland and Cyprus, we briefly outline the project plan and its theoretical background. The main idea is to develop a European network of craft professionals and craft teachers who will develop and implement a series of training events and projects. Apart from supporting continuing professional development, the network will also initiate cooperation between artists, professionals and teachers. The aim is to create school and youth projects as well as cooperation between institutions in various countries in order to promote transnational projects. Occupation with traditional arts and crafts is not restricted to formal learning but expands to informal and lifelong learning activities. In this context, the transfer of trans-generational knowledge will be supported through community projects.School of Applied Educational Science and Teacher Education, University of Eastern Finland, P. O. Box 111 FI-80101 JOENSUU, "Anazitisi" Cultural Centre, Erechtheiou 18, 2121 Aglantzia, Cyprus

Measurement based investigation of cooperative relaying

Abstract — In this paper we present measurements that involve two access points (APs) and two user terminals, each of which is equipped with 4 antennas, in an indoor office environment. The data allow for the simultaneous characterization of the multiple input-multiple output (MIMO) links from the APs to the user terminals and between the user terminals, and are, to the best of our knowledge, the first of their kind. We show that the links between user terminals are impaired by body shadowing, and have therefore much lower gains than the direct links to the APs. Moreover we investigate the statistics of the links, and their correlation. Based on these measurements, we investigate the performance of cooperative relaying in terms of rate improvement (for this analysis the data from only one AP are used). We show that a significant rate improvement can be achieved if the relaying node is free to set the power level at which it transmits, and if it is free to select which of its antennas is used to perform the relaying. I

Body mass index, central obesity, and dietary patterns in a group of young adult men

Over the last decades, obesity has been increased in alarming rates not only in our country but also worldwide, tending to become one of the major health problems in the western world. Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to explore the relationship between dietary patterns and body mass index, as well as central obesity in young adult men. Method and Material: Study sample consisted of 1,000 army recruits and data was collected during their first referral for medical examination post recruitment. Collection of data was performed by means of a specifically designed questionnaire, which recruits were asked to complete themselves. Basic anthropometric measures were calculated and recorded by the examining physicians. Analysis of data was performed using the SPSS 15 statistical package and one-way ANOVA and t-tests were applied for the statistical process. Results: Regarding age, 13.8% of participants were 19-21 years old; 50.8% were 22-24 years old, and 30.7% were 25-27 years old, while 4.7% of participants were 28-30 years old. Regarding educational background, a 4.7% had received only basic education; 31.6% had received high-school education; and 63.7% had attended some college or university. 54.8% of participants considered their weight being "normal"; 5.1% considered weight being slightly or excessively above normal rates; and 40.3% reported that their weight was below normal rates. However, measurement results showed that only 58.7% of recruits were actually of normal body weight; 37.2% were overweight; and 4.1% were obese. Regarding central obesity, 50.3% of responders were classified as belonging to "low risk" group, with a 48.6% belonging to "moderate risk" group, and another 1.1% to "high risk" group. Statistic analysis of data revealed that the specific pattern of nourishment is associated to body mass index and to central obesity. More in advance, it was found that persons possessing optimal body weight were consuming significantly more frequently poultry, fish, or roast beef, p=0,022, as well as less bread, p=0,036 compared to the overweight participants. In addition, persons possessing optimal body weight were found to consume more frequently refreshers, sports drinks or soft drinks, p=<0,001, as well as snacks and desserts, p=<0,001 compared to both overweight and obese persons. Interestingly, persons with normal body weight reported consuming significantly more frequently fast-food meals, eggs, and sandwiches in their lunch-time, p=0,007 and p=0,040, respectively. Relatively to central obesity, recruits in "moderate risk" consumed significantly more frequently fast-food meals, p=0,005, more bread, p=0,035 and less fruit, p=0,030 than those in "low risk" for central obesity. Conclusions: Results of the present study suggest that the pattern of nourishment is not directly correlated to body mass index, but rather to central obesity

The value of PRL in predicting prolactinοma in hyperprolactinemic PCOS

Background To identify a serum prolactin (PRL) cut‐off value indicative of a PRL‐producing adenoma in women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and hyperprolactinemia and characterize such patients. Materials and methods In the present retrospective case‐control study the medical records of 528 PCOS women were reviewed. Pituitary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in PCOS patients with PRL levels ≥94.0 ng/mL and/or symptoms suspicious of a pituitary adenoma (PA). Prolactinoma diagnosis was made in the presence of an MRI‐identifiable PA with biochemical and radiological response to dopamine agonists. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to determine a serum PRL threshold that could identify hyperprolactinemic PCOS subjects with prolactinomas. Clinical, metabolic and endocrine parameters were also analysed. Results Among 528 patients with PCOS, 60 (11.4%) had elevated PRL levels. Of 44 (73.3%) patients who had pituitary imaging, 19 had PAs, 18 normal MRI and 7 other abnormalities. Patients harboring prolactinomas had significantly higher PRL levels compared to patients without adenomas (median PRL 95.4 vs. 49.2 ng/mL, p<0.0001). A PRL threshold of 85.2 ng/mL could distinguish patients with prolactinomas with 77% sensitivity and 100% specificity [Area Under the curve (AUC) (95%) 0.91(0.8‐1.018), p=0.0001]. PCOS women with prolactinomas were younger and had lower LH levels compared to women without prolactinomas. Conclusions In women with PCOS, PRL levels exceeding 85.2 ng/mL are highly suggestive of a prolactinoma warranting pituitary imaging. Pituitary MRI could also be considered in young PCOS patients with milder PRL elevation and low LH levels

A post-war reconstruction proposal in Al Farafra district

LAUREA MAGISTRALELa ricostruzione doppo guerra è un processo in cui la progettazione è chiamata ad affrontare le questioni che riguardano la società in modo cruciale; tuttavia, la responsabilità dell’architetto è fornire soluzioni adeguate attraverso la creazione e intrecciare valori pratici con valori simbolici. Siccome una guerra non lascia alla società solo danni fisici ma anche il trauma. Il luogo di questo progetto si trova nella zona di Al Farafra nella città di Aleppo, in Siria. È un quartiere residenziale che ha subito gravi danni durante la guerra civile siriana, iniziata nel 2011 e fino ad ora in corso. Lo scopo di questa proposta è fornire alloggi funzionali alle famiglie dei siriani e allo stesso tempo presentare un’opportunità di lavoro, attraverso la creazione di un complesso di laboratori comunitari collegati all’asse di mercato della città. Inoltre, si propone una centro educativo e una struttura alberghiera. Queste strutture sono progettate per coprire le esigenze educative e la necessità di residenza temporanea, in particolare per le persone che stanno attualmente affrontando l’instabilità nei loro insediamenti. Le struttore sono disegnata sequendo principi di flessibilita, siccome la idea è di soddisfare le esigenze del presente e, allo stesso tempo, poter assere addatate secondo le necessità di domani. Ogni unità abitativa è progettata con una mentalità modulare, che può essere divisa o ampliata, a seconda dei desideri dei suoi residenti, mentre il concetto per l’hotel e di fornire una varietà di spazi per attività come riunioni, studio e intrattenimento. Infatti, le strutture del hotel possono essere utilizzate sia come unità abitative per le necessità di oggi, e dopo che la città riprende dalla guerra può essere utlizzato come albergo turistico.Post war reconstruction is a process where architectural composition is called upon to tackle issues that affect society in a pivotal way; however, the architect’s responsibility is to provide adequate solutions through creation, and to intertwine practical values with symbolic ones. The locus of this project is the Al Farafra district in the city of Aleppo, in Syria. It is a residential district that sustained heavy damage during the Syrian civil war, which began in 2011 and is still ongoing to this day. The aim of this proposal is to provide functional housing for the families of Syrian people and at the same time present a career opportunity, through the creation of a complex of community laboratories connected to the market axis of the city. In addition, a community school and a hotel structure are also incorporated and designed so as to cover education needs as well as the need for temporary residence, especially for the people who are currently facing instability at their settlements. In order to more closely adhere to the concept of a design that caters to emerging needs while, at the same time, anticipating future development, all the structures are flexible with regards to future additions and minor transformations. Each housing unit is designed with a modular mindset, capable of being divided or expanded, depending on the wishes of its residents, while the emphasis placed on the hotel aims towards providing a variety of spaces for collective activities, such as meetings, studying and entertainment; the end goal being for it to be used in the present as a collective housing unit and, in the future, as a tourist settlemen

SWORDS AND THE CITY: SOCIAL FUNERARY ARCHAEOLOGY AND THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE “WARRIOR GRAVE” IN 8th c. BCE ATHENS

Swords and other weapons had been placed into Athenian graves for over 700 years when thepractice was abandoned in the late 8th century BCE. The Greek world during this periodwitnessed several dramatic shifts in political, economic, and cultural realities from centralizedMycenaean authority to the “Bronze Age Collapse”, and four centuries of fragmentation andpopulation decline followed by an unprecedented explosion of literacy, art, and geographicalexpansion in the 8th century. How is it that these so-called “warrior graves” were a persistentfeature of such a dynamic cultural landscape? And if the practice was so persistent throughoutchanging cultural circumstances, why was it finally abandoned? Through a comprehensiveliterature review, this paper recontextualizes swords as bearers of meaning that, when used infunerary contexts from ca.1450-720 BCE, co-constituted Athenian communities’ social realities.Synthesizing and following work in social funerary archaeology and theorizations ofentanglement, this paper argues that burials with swords ceased in late 8th century Athensbecause power was no longer attached to elaborate funerals incorporating swords as multitudesof new objects were being made and traded, and political and religious institutions opened upnovel arenas for display and competition. This case study illustrates that the transformation andrecasting of time-honored traditions is part of the complexity of living culture, and does notreflect loss of authenticity or corruption of heritage. These insights are relevant to the fiercecontemporary debates surrounding decolonization of the political, economic, and academicinstitutions that shape public discourse and policy

Ανάπτυξη μετάλλων με τεχνολογία 3D printing και δομικός χαρακτηρισμός τους

Εθνικό Μετσόβιο Πολυτεχνείο--Μεταπτυχιακή Εργασία. Διεπιστημονικό-Διατμηματικό Πρόγραμμα Μεταπτυχιακών Σπουδών (Δ.Π.Μ.Σ.) “Επιστήμη και Τεχνολογία Υλικών

Dužinsko-maseni odnos crvenoperke Rutilus rutilus (Linnaeus, 1758) u jezeru Volvi (sjeverna Grčka)

Length-weight relations (LWRs) and different indices of condition factor for roach from Lake Volvi (Northern Greece) were estimated. Results showed that roach are heavier of a given length in Lake Volvi than in other areas worldwide, with females exhibited higher weight than males of the same length. Significant differences (P<0.05) of LWRs were also exhibited between sexes depending on month. CLARK condition factor peaked at the end of summer displaying no significant difference between sexes, whereas the other three estimated condition factors (Allometric, FULTON, LE CREN) peaked in winter. The estimation of different proxies of condition factor disaggregated by sex might reduce the uncertainty raised by the estimation of fish growth.Procijenjeni su odnosi duljine i težine (LWR) i različiti indeksi uvjeta za crvenperku u jezeru Volvi (sjeverna Grčka). Rezultati su pokazali da je ženka crvenperke iz jezera Volvi jednake dužine kao i primjerci iz cijelog svijeta teža nego u drugim područjima širom svijeta. Također, ženke su pokazivale veću težinu od mužjaka iste duljine.Značajne razlike (P <0,05) LWR-a također su bile između spolova, ovisno o mjesecu. Clarkov kondicijski čimbenik dosegnuo je vrhunac krajem ljeta, ne pokazujući značajnu razliku između spo-lova, dok su ostala tri procijenjena čimbenika stanja (alometrija, Fulton, Le Cren) dosegla vrhunac zimi. Procjena različitih zastupljenih faktora stanja prema spolu može smanjiti nesigurnost koja se javlja procjenom rasta ribe

Constant sign and nodal solutions for a class of nonlinear Dirichlet problems

We consider a nonlinear Dirichlet problem with a Carathéodory reaction which has arbitrary growth from below. We show that the problem has at least three nontrivial smooth solutions, two of constant sign and the third nodal. In the semilinear case (i.e., p =2), with the reaction f(z, .)being C1and with subcritical growth, we show that there is a second nodal solution, for a total of four nontrivial smooth solutions. Finally,when the reaction has concave terms and is subcritical and for the nonlinear problem (i.e., 1 <p <∞) we show that again we can have the existence of three nontrivial smooth solutions, two of constant sign and a third nodal