Studia Universitatis Babeş-Bolyai
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Die jüdische Interpretation der Erprobung Abrahams und ihr Erscheinen im Neuen Testament
Get PDFThe Jewish Interpretation of the Trial of Abraham and Its Appearance in the New Testament. In view of the diverse depiction of the events on Mount Moriah in early Jewish literature, it is quite surprising that the story of Isaac’s sacrifice is only clearly recognizable in two texts in the entire New Testament: the Book of Hebrews and the Epistle of James. We will touch upon these two texts at the end of our brief study. The aim of our investigation is to show how the two authors weave the threads from the Hellenistic-Jewish tradition into their own material and further interpret the story of Abraham’s test
A család ereje: A házasságban élés és a nagycsaládos lét kapcsolata a jóllét különböző mutatóival
Get PDFThe Strength of the Family: Links between Marital Status, Large Family Structure, and Indicators of Well-Being.THEORETICAL BACKGROUND – Based on previous empirical findings, the relationship between family formation, the number of children, and subjective well-being cannot be considered unambiguous. This complex association is shaped by various individual and social factors. While having children may foster a sense of meaning in life and enrich individuals with emotionally fulfilling experiences, an increasing number of children may, in certain circumstances, strain the stability of family functioning. Regarding the positive consequences of parenthood, religiosity is frequently identified in the literature as a protective factor, and increasing attention has also been given to additional psychological resources – particularly social support and gratitude.
GOALS – In this paper, we examine the subjective well-being, perceived social support, and dispositional gratitude of married individuals with large families. The investigation also explores how these psychological phenomena relate to key sociodemographic variables such as age, gender, and religiosity.
METHODS – A cross-sectional, quantitative survey was conducted with 809 participants (626 women and 183 men; M_age = 40.8 years, SD = 13.85). The sample included 220 married individuals raising three or more children, while 363 participants reported regularly practising their religion. In addition to providing sociodemographic data, respondents completed the Bern Subjective Well-Being Questionnaire, the GRAT Gratitude Questionnaire, and the Perceived Social Support Questionnaire.
RESULTS – The analyses indicated that being married and having a large family was primarily associated with higher levels of perceived social support. Participants in this group reported significantly greater instrumental (t(473.28) = -5.505, p < .001, Cohen’s d = -0.398), emotional (t(472.37) = -5.720, p < .001, d = -0.414), and socially interactive support (t(440.30) = -5.505, p < .001, d = -0.480) compared to individuals in other relational statuses raising fewer children. In contrast, the large-family status did not emerge as an independent shaping factor of subjective well-being when other sociodemographic variables were controlled. A more nuanced pattern emerged for gratitude: marital and large-family status (F = 15.348, p < .001, η² = 0.015), gender (F = 21.764, p < .001, η² = 0.022), and religiosity (F = 64.754, p < .001, η² = 0.065) all showed significant associations with dispositional gratitude.
CONCLUSIONS – The findings highlight the complex interplay between gratitude and family as well as religious background. The protective function of dispositional gratitude may be especially relevant for the development of psychological prevention and intervention programmes, as it can contribute both to the enhancement of perceived social support and the maintenance of subjective well-being
GROUNDWATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT IN DOMESTIC WELLS OF HODĂI-BOIAN, CEANU MARE COMMUNE, ROMANIA
Get PDFThis study provides a comprehensive chemical assessment of groundwater quality from 37 domestic wells in the rural village of Hodăi-Boian, Ceanu Mare commune, Romania, with emphasis on contamination risks arising from anthropogenic activities. Key water quality parameters—nitrites(NO₂⁻), nitrates(NO₃⁻), ammonium(NH₄⁺), pH, turbidity, and electrical conductivity(EC)—were determined according to standardized analytical protocols and compared against Romanian and European regulatory thresholds. Exceedances of the maximum admissible concentration for NO₂⁻ were detected in seven wells, indicating recent contamination events likely linked to the proximity of animal shelters and latrines. NO₃⁻ and NH₄⁺ concentrations remained below legal limits, although elevated NH₄⁺ levels signal persistent microbiological activity. The findings revealed pronounced mineralization and frequent surpassing of conductivity limits, while pH values below 7.0 in selected wells suggested active organic fermentation processes. Water temperature ranged from 11–13 °C, confirming the shallow aquifer character. Correlative analysis demonstrated strong associations between well proximity to pollution sources, livestock density, and water quality deterioration. The results underscore the necessity of regular water quality monitoring, rigorous enforcement of protective distances, and technical improvements to well construction. Strengthening public health education and upgrading sanitation infrastructure are imperative to mitigate health risks and safeguard the safety of groundwater resources in vulnerable rural environments
CELLULOSE AND LIGNIN FIBERS MEDIATED REMOVAL OF THE OIL SPILL POLLUTION
Get PDFVegetal matter like hemp wastes, peat and sawdust have fibrous and porous morphology if they are properly shredded as observed in SEM images. Polarized light microscopy has been used to study the crystalline structure of biomass and FTIR spectroscopy evidences their specific chemical bonds. Hemp wastes reveal porous husk remains of about 50 – 500 μm abundant in lignin and cellulose fibers lint having length of about 5 – 50 μm. Shredded peat reveal finer cellulose fibrous formation of about 50 μm length and lignin shell like particles of about 20 – 200 μm. Saw dust contains mainly cellulose fibers grouped in flake particles of about 700 μm with fringed edges. These samples were subjected to diesel and oil spills. The gravimetric test indicates the best specific absorption for diesel of 1.76 g/g obtained by sawdust and the lower value of 1.48 g/g was measured for hemp waste. The oil spill was better absorbed by sawdust having a specific absorption of 2.28 g/g and the weaker absorption was measured for hemp wastes around 1.66 g/g. The lower values measured for peat are caused by the presence of quartz particles as forest soil impurity
AN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF ENERGY STORAGE USING THE RESTORE CONCEPT: ANALYSIS OF THE GMUNDEN CEMENT PLANT
Get PDFThe RESTORE initiative explores an innovative method of energy storage based on the thermochemical cycling of copper sulphate. During periods of surplus renewable electricity, such as for example solar-rich summer months, the system stores energy through the dehydration of copper sulphate. The stored energy is subsequently recovered during colder periods, such as winter, when energy demand increases and renewable availability declines, via the rehydration of the material. The current investigation focuses on the industrial RESTORE application at the Gmunden cement plant in Austria, proposing the integration of Thermochemical Energy Storage (TCES) with an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) and a Heat Pump (HP). The sustainability of the system was evaluated through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), conducted in accordance with the standard LCA framework, using version 10.8 of the LCA for Experts software. Environmental performance was quantified based on eleven key indicators derived from the ReCiPe 2016 assessment method. The functional unit for this study was set as the generation of 1 kWh of thermal energy, enabling a consistent comparison between the two construction alternatives of storage tanks, relevant to the industrial use case: carbon steel against high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The system boundaries were established to encompass the complete life cycle, segmented into three primary stages: i) Upstream activities; ii) Core operational processes; iii) Downstream operations. The use of HDPE outperformed carbon steel in key impact categories, cutting global warming potential (GWP) by over 55%, while significantly lowering other indicators. However, increased impacts in terms of fossil depletion and freshwater ecotoxicity potential are registered, likely due to the petroleum-based nature of HDPE. Several discussions and interpretations of the most relevant environmental key performance indicators are provided, underlining the effectiveness of the proposed concepts
Bridging Cultures, Leading Peace: Leadership and Interculturalism in the Israel-Egypt Peace Negotiations
Get PDFThe 1979 peace treaty between Israel and Egypt marked a historic turning point in Middle Eastern diplomacy, establishing the first formal recognition of Israel by an Arab state. This article revisits the Israeli-Egyptian peace process to examine the interplay between political leadership and intercultural competence in the achievement of breakthrough agreements. While the roles of Anwar Sadat, Menachem Begin, and U.S. President Jimmy Carter have been widely acknowledged, this study argues that visionary and courageous leadership, though indispensable, was not sufficient on its own. Instead, it contends that the leaders\u27 ability to navigate intercultural dynamics—through empathy, symbolic communication, and cultural sensitivity—was a critical enabling factor that amplified the effectiveness of their leadership. Drawing on historical analysis and theoretical perspectives from international relations, the article explores how intercultural competence contributed to building trust, overcoming misperceptions, and sustaining diplomatic engagement. By integrating leadership theory with insights from intercultural communication, this study advances a dual proposition: that exceptional leadership is a necessary condition for landmark peace agreements, and that its success in culturally complex conflicts depends significantly on the leader’s intercultural acumen. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the conditions under which diplomatic breakthroughs occur and offer practical implications for contemporary conflict resolution and negotiation strategy
The Benefits of Dry-Land Training for Swimmers: A Systematic Review
Get PDFIntroduction: In competitive swimming, dry-land training has routinely become an important aspect of the training programme for swimmers. In contrast, traditional swimming training remains the main method emphasised, focusing heavily on the development of endurance and speed, which are characteristic of the sport. Aim: The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review to observe the effects that strength training can have on a swimmer’s training cycle, specifically whether there is a positive correlation between it and swimming performance. Research methods: Using the Prisma platform methodology, 354 articles published between 2013 and 2024 were retrieved from the PubMed, ScienceDirect, Medicine & Science in Sport & Exercise, American Physiological Society databases, of which a sample of 50 articles were used after meeting the criteria. Results: From this review, they suggested that the inclusion of physical training in the training programme of swimmers can have a positive effect on performance over different distances by improving force transmission in the biomechanics of swimming style. Conclusions: The swimmers’ dry-land training focused on the development of abdominal muscular endurance, along with strength and power as the most important qualities. The training included specific core strengthening exercises as well as weightlifting sessions. This approach had a positive impact on the swimmers, preparing them for their respective trials and successful competitions.
Article history: Received 2025 May 09; Revised 2025 July 22; Accepted 2025 July 24; Available online 2025 July 30; Available print 2025 August 3
Correlations Between Body Composition Indicators and Performance in Sprint and Agility Tests Among Handball Referees
Get PDFIntroduction: Refereeing plays a decisive role in the development of handball games, as referees enforce the rules of the game and facilitate the functioning of the other components, essential to success. To remain consistently prepared, referees must maintain optimal physical condition to support both essential and complementary motor abilities. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the correlations and regression models between body composition variables and performance in sprint and agility tests among handball referees. Methods: A sample of 12 referees underwent anthropometric assessments using bioelectrical impedance analysis (Tanita MC-580) to explore the correlations between body composition and performance in sprint and agility tests. Statistical analyses included correlation and regression tests to identify significant predictors. Results: The findings indicate a positive correlation between sprint speed and agility, and a negative correlation between sprint speed and bone mass. Conclusions: Despite the limited sample size, the findings suggest that fat-free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM) influence referees’ physical performance. Further research on larger samples is recommended to validate these results.
Article history: Received 2025 May 29; Revised 2025 July 14; Accepted 2025 July 16; Available online 2025 July 30; Available print 2025 August 3
CONFLICT THE EMERGENCE OF PEACE BETWEEN JAPAN AND THE UNITED STATES: A DIALOGUE
Get PDFWhat follows is a dialogue about the difficulties of peace-making at the end of active hostilities, particularly where the conflict is multigenerational, the assignment of responsibility is muddied, and the prevailing power has conflicting demands on its time, people, and resources in connection with current and former allies and opponents, and domestic and foreign security concerns
COMPARATIVE REGIONALISM: A FIELD WHOSE FRAMEWORK HAS COME?
Get PDFAs the literature on Comparative Regionalism studies increases, more and more scholars take a chance at creating a new or better tool to explain how regions have become more integrated, and what has caused them to want to come together in the first place. As one of the new researchers, I have seen a huge fragmentation in my attempts to find a suitable methodology for my case of comparing two regions (through pure interregionalism). As such, this research brings together a collection of scholars who have extensively exchanged knowledge and papers, with some who belong to other research fields, in an attempt to settle this need. This is how the ecological framework, a tool that aims to be both extensive and flexible, has been created. While limited, for the moment, by a strong political lens, and with a focus on EU and AU literature, it can provide a reliable analysis of various integration processes