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The Lament of Men and the Funeral Dance in art performace
No full textThe Lament of Men (gjama e burrave) and the Funeral Dance are among the oldest traditions of the Albanian people, originating from the ancient Illyrian civilization, and have been passed down to our society today. The lament is widespread primarily in Northern Albania, but also in the territory of Kosovo. The funeral dance is a cycle of the men\u27s lament, but it is performed by both genders. Bassed on the funerary monument—a stone relief found in Kamenica dating back to antiquity, the 4th century—the cycle of the funeral dance is depicted. These two elements have been and still are part of the codes of male honor and grief. They have served a social function: unity, honor, preservation of collective memory, and cultural heritage. These traditions, which inherently involve performance, are typical examples of performative art and are part of our cultural heritage and artistic expression. Therefore, the interpretation of these rituals in contemporary art adds artistic value. Student Jona Brahimi from AMD, whom I mentor, has brought this into performance. This is a good example of how these rituals can be transformed into a form of performative art without stripping them of their deep cultural meaning
Analysis Design and Optimization of RC Beams According to Eurocode 2
No full textRC beam is an important member of reinforced concrete structures. In order to automate the tedious task of analyzing, designing and optimizing the geometry of beams in function of loads, geometry, material properties and boundary conditions, an excel VBA program module has been developed. This module has been prepared based on the Eurocode 2 design provisions. The main objective of this work is to study more closely the parameters that govern the design of RC beams, before proceeding further in to developing a stand-alone practical application for preliminary design of RC beams. This kind of software is meant to greatly facilitate the process of analysis and design of RC beams in commercial FEM based software
Generating Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences in Java: A Mathematical Approach
No full textThis paper demonstrates how mathematical sequences, particularly arithmetic and geometric sequences, can be implemented in programming using Java arrays. In mathematics, sequences are ordered sets of numbers following a specific pattern, whereas in computer science, these sequences can be implemented as arrays. The main goal is to show the similarities between mathematics and programming. A simple Java program generates arithmetic and geometric arrays automatically, allowing students to visualize patterns and understand how to apply mathematical principles in code. This paper explains the process of writing the Java program and provides examples of output arrays. This approach solidifies the understanding of sequences while providing concrete programming experience. By combining theory and practical implementation, students can see the direct application of mathematics in computer science. The method used is simple and suitable for educational purposes or further exploration in computational contexts
Leveraging Data Mining to Analyze User Behavior in Social Networks
No full textThis thesis focuses on the development of an innovative platform for exploring topics on Twitter and extracting information about users and their interconnections. The platform leverages modern technologies such as Flask, Python, NLTK, HTML, CSS, and Docker to collect and analyze tweets, performing sentiment analysis on the content. The system generates interactive visual reports that highlight trends and relationships among users, providing a comprehensive overview of specific topics and their perception on social media. This project enables in-depth analysis and knowledge enrichment of selected themes through digital examination of tweets, offering users unique insights to inform decision-making and engagement strategies. By combining sentiment evaluation and user interaction mapping, the platform serves as a valuable tool for marketing, social support initiatives, and other applications that require understanding of public opinion and online discourse
Evaluation of Er: YAG laser conditioning with two pulse modes on shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets
No full textThe aim of this in vitro study is to compare the shear bond strength (SBS) of orthodontic brackets bonded to enamel prepared by Er: YAG laser with two pulse modes and conventional acid etching. Samples (n=30) were divided into 5 groups. Gr 1 was etched with 37% phosphoric acid for 30 s, Gr 2 with Er:YAG laser (SSP, 90 μs) for 15 s, Gr 3 with Er:YAG laser (SSP, 90 μs) for 10 s + 37% phosphoric acid for 30 s, Gr 4 with Er:YAG laser (QSP, 600 μs) for 15 s, and Gr 5 with Er:YAG laser (QSP, 600 μs) 10 s + 37% phosphoric acid for 30 s. All groups were subjected to 12000 thermal cycles. Quasar 2.5 testing machine was used to measure shear bond strength. Group 3 showed a higher mean of shear bond strength (12.85 ± 6.97 MPa) compared to the control group (11.74 ± 3.53 MPa). One-way ANOVA results showed no statistically significant difference among the groups (F = 0.305, p = 0.872)
Molar–Incisor Hypomineralization: Current Approaches in Diagnosis and Treatment
No full textMolar–Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH) is a term used to describe a distinct hypomineralization defect affecting one to four first permanent molars and, in many cases, the permanent incisors. In affected teeth, the presence of opacities, enamel defects, structural breakdown, increased caries susceptibility, hypersensitivity, and pain significant challenges for dental practitioners. The definitive diagnosis can usually be established between the ages of 8 and 11, corresponding to the eruption period of the first permanent molars and incisors. Early preventive and protective interventions are essential to minimize enamel breakdown and caries development. In advanced cases with substantial tissue loss, restorative treatments and full coverage crowns may be required. This presentation aims to provide updated information on the diagnosis and management of molar–incisor hypomineralization, supported by clinical case examples
The Impact of Health System Digitalization on Advancing Oral Public Health in Kosovo
No full textDigitalization of health systems has emerged as a transformative force in improving healthcare delivery and accessibility worldwide. In the context of Kosovo, where oral public health faces challenges such as limited preventive programs, low awareness, and restricted access to specialized services, digital health solutions can play a key role in advancing both efficiency and equity of care.This study explores the impact of health system digitalization on advancing oral public health in Kosovo, with a focus on identifying opportunities, challenges, and perceptions among key stakeholders.A qualitative research design was applied, utilizing a structured questionnaire distributed to three groups of respondents: (1) dental and oral health professionals, (2) public health officials and policymakers, and (3) civil society representatives engaged in healthcare advocacy. The questionnaire included open-ended and Likert-scale questions assessing perceptions of digitalization, current gaps in oral health services, and potential improvements through e-health tools. Responses were analyzed thematically to extract key insights.Findings indicate a strong consensus among participants that digitalization— through electronic health records, tele-dentistry platforms, and public health databases—can significantly enhance oral health surveillance, patient education, and preventive care. However, barriers such as insufficient infrastructure, limited training of professionals, and lack of standardized digital policies were highlighted as critical challenges. Respondents emphasized the necessity of integrating oral health into broader national e-health strategies to ensure sustainability.Digitalization holds substantial potential to advance oral public health in Kosovo by improving service delivery, preventive strategies, and policy planning. To achieve these benefits, coordinated efforts are required to strengthen infrastructure, build professional capacities, and embed oral health priorities into the digital health agenda
Revolutionizing Dentistry with Artificial Intelligence
No full textThe integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into dentistry represents a paradigm shift in diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning. Traditional approaches to radiographic interpretation, implantology, and prosthodontics, while effective, are inherently limited by inter-operator variability, time constraints, and the complexity of patient-specific factors. Recent advances in AI, including machine learning, deep learning, and predictive analytics, provide tools capable of analyzing large, complex datasets with precision and consistency beyond human capability. This paper aims to critically examine the role of AI in enhancing diagnostic accuracy and optimizing treatment planning in dentistry. A comprehensive literature review highlights AI’s significant contributions across three main domains: diagnostic imaging, implantology, and prosthodontics. In imaging, AI algorithms demonstrate superior performance in detecting caries, periapical lesions, and bone density variations, while reducing diagnostic errors. In implantology, AI facilitates prosthetically driven planning, enhances the accuracy of surgical guides, and provides real-time intraoperative support, thereby minimizing placement errors. In prosthodontics, AI-driven virtual articulators, occlusal analysis, and esthetic simulations enable personalized prosthetic designs and improved clinical outcomes. Beyond clinical practice, AI is increasingly integrated into dental education and digital record management, offering simulation-based training and secure, traceable data systems. The findings suggest that AI enhances accuracy, efficiency, and personalization in dental care, positioning it as a cornerstone of precision dentistry. However, its successful adoption requires balancing technological innovation with clinician oversight, ethical safeguards, and practical frameworks. AI, when responsibly integrated, will augment, not replace, clinical expertise, shaping the future of dentistry through data-driven and patient-centered care
Impacts of Pesticides and Herbicides on Air, Soil, and Water Ecosystems
No full textPesticides and herbicides, widely used agents in modern agriculture and environmental management for controlling pests and weeds, contribute to increased food production. However, their massive and often uncontrolled use has raised serious concerns about negative impacts on natural ecosystems. This paper comprehensively analyzes their effects on three key environmental components: air, soil, and water. In terrestrial ecosystems, these chemicals alter microbial biodiversity, harm beneficial organisms such as earthworms and pollinating insects, reduce soil fertility, and persist and bioaccumulate. In aquatic ecosystems, they contaminate surface and groundwaters through runoff, leaching, and atmospheric deposition, cause acute and chronic toxicity to aquatic organisms (fish, amphibians, invertebrates), and contribute to eutrophication. Evaporation and wind dispersal transport them over long distances, polluting the air and affecting non-target organisms. Exposure pathways and synergistic effects are discussed, and mitigation strategies such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM), organic farming, and strengthening the regulatory framework are proposed. A thorough understanding is crucial for sustainable agricultural practices and ecosystem protection
Comprehensive Evaluation of Pesticide Residues in Albanian Tomatoes by Advanced Chromatographic and Mass Spectrometric Techniques
No full textThe presence of pesticide residues in agricultural produce is a critical concern for both consumer health protection and compliance with international food safety standards. In this study, 22 tomato samples collected from different regions of Albania were analysed to detect and quantify pesticide residues. The analyses were performed using multi-residue methods based on GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS, enabling the detection of a broad spectrum of active substances. The results revealed the presence of multiple pesticide residues, with fungicides and insecticides representing the dominant groups of the identified pesticides. Several samples contained more than one compound reflecting the widespread use of combined plant protection strategies in tomato cultivation. While some residues were below the maximum residue limits (MRLs), others approached or exceeded these thresholds, raising concerns for consumer safety. The study highlights the widespread contamination of Albanian tomatoes with pesticides of diverse chemical groups and emphasises the importance of continuous residue monitoring. Furthermore, the study highlights the need to strengthen farmer training on rational pesticide use and to reinforce national regulatory frameworks to minimise residues and safeguard food safety outcomes