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MONSTROUS ACTS AND PARENTAL ABSENCE IN MARY SHELLEY'S FRANKENSTEIN
No full textIn this paper we will deal with the concept of the monstrous acts and the importance of parental responsibility in the novel Frankenstein. It is highlighted that it is easier to understand the reasons behind some “crimes” when the family relationships are analysed thoroughly. In the novel Frankenstein, there are some certain types of family relationships and under the shadow of these relationships, the relationship between father-like scientist and his creation is held successfully. By analysing some monstrous acts in the light on the flaws of parent-child relationship, we endeavour at demonstrating that Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is not a simple retelling of a monster fabricated by a disturbed mind. This way, the novel represents a cross between the influence of parents’ role in a child’s life and the degradation of Enlightenment ideas according to which only science and logic can reveal human “truths”, whereas Romanticism worked as a medium to veil or hinder personal fulfilment. Finally, this paper helps us see the real “monster” in our lives and parental responsibilities nowadays socially and historically, where Enlightenment ideologies and concerns such as intellectualism or humanism are still a groove of heightened debate
From Welfare to Well-being: new approaches for a good life
Get PDFIn this paper we reflect on some analysis conducted by researchers as Laura Balbo, Mary Catherine Bateson and Martha Nussbaum who, although having not had direct relations among them or specific partnerships, have greatly contributed to elaborate concepts and categories regarding our new vision of the well-being. This concept, so dear to the economist Amartya Sen, draws nourishment from thoughts and lived belonging to women’s life experience, particularly as concerning their capacity to organize their daily and family life, taking care of others, shouldering the vulnerabilities and building their biographical paths with creativity and adaptation. So we can understand what is a good life through the realization of our abilities, that is of each person, and not using a utility calculation. This involves a new approach to life quality and human development, that is exactly the capabilities approach described by Sen, rehashed by Nussbaum but, for some aspects, it was already present into the studies which characterize the gender prospective
Repairing and Seismic Strengthening of Damaged Reinforced Concrete Structures with External Steel Shear Walls
Get PDFIn this study, a new strengthening technique for earthquake-damaged reinforced concrete (RC) structures was experimentally investigated. Within the scope of the study, three-dimensional, two-storey RC model was constructed. During the production of this model, some of the common structural inadequacies in existing RC structures were taken into consideration. For this purpose, initially a reference model was exposed to lateral loads up to 1.7 % drift. Then, the damaged structure was repaired with epoxy injection. Finally, the repaired model was strengthened with External Steel Shear Walls (ESSW) and subsequently tested under the same load pattern. Chevron braced system is selected as ESSW. The results show that existing RC structures damaged under earthquake effects can be strengthened rapidly by proposed strengthening technique and the lateral load capacity and stiffness of these structures can be increased significantly
Usage of ferrocement jacketing for strengthening of damaged unreinforced masonry (URM) walls
Get PDFIn this paper, it is presented the usage of ferrocement jacketing technique as an effective method to improve structural performance of unreinforced masonry panels. Nine diagonal compression tests were conducted on plain, pre-cracked repaired and reinforced masonry panels on six specimen with nominal dimensions of 1.2 x 1.2 x 0.25 m, built and tested in laboratory. The results of the diagonal compression tests were compared in terms of increase in shear strength, drift and the mode of failure.
Additionally, finite element modelling using discrete micro-modelling and non-linear analyses were performed using midas FX+ for DIANA 9.6 commercial software to simulate the behavior of plain and reinforced panels.
As a result, it was observed that ferrocement jacketing made a considerable improvement in shear strength and deformation capacity for both, repaired and reinforced masonry panels
Steel Slag Concrete for Pavement Construction
Get PDFSteel Slags are by-products of Steel Industry using the Electric Arc Furnace method for steelmaking. This methodology is widely used in South Europe where the research on steel slag applications in concrete has been developed. In this paper, the properties in fresh and hardened state of concrete for pavements are described as well as a pilot application of steel slag concrete in road pavement. Based on the results it is obvious that the use of steel slags in pavement application is very advantageous from technical point of view. Basic desirable characteristics are enhanced or significantly increased, such as the compressive strength, ductility and resistance to abrasion. Furthermore, the anti slipping properties of the pavements are considerably enhanced. A comparison of conventional concrete pavement with steel slag concrete is made based on the cost and environmental footprint considerations, taking into account the maintenance cost during the service life of the pavement
Road Safety Audit at the Western Balkan Countries
Get PDFRoad accidents are caused by a combination of factors although relationships between accidents and those factors causing them, or contributing to the causes, are not well understood. The interaction between road, vehicle and the road user obscures the determination of accident causes. In qualitative terms, it is a well-known fact that physical features of a road network, together with the traffic volumes on that network are the main explanatory factors of the mean number of accidents happening on that network. Western Balkan Countries (WBC) countries are among the “worst road safety performers in Europe” based on road fatalities per population. Even though that each country incorporated in to the law, strategy and target RSA and RSI of new projects and of the existing roads in reality not much is happening. The objective of this paper is the comprehensive presentation of the current road safety conditions from the design point of view in Western Balkan Countries in particular to the road network of Albania and Kosovo as these two countries are leading with the number of accidents with significant number of fatalities. As a case study was taken one section of recently constructed dual carriageway in Kosovo where were noticed significant omissions of design in relation to the road safety and some of the road sections in these two countries where design did not considered the safety subject
The Development Of Education In Kosovo By The End Of Serbian Dominion And In The Beginnings Of Ottoman Rule
Get PDFThe condition of education in Albanian territories before and after ottoman invasion of the country reflects the change of existing social structures and the beginning of the process of building new ones. These changes were reflected in education system as well. Due to the contradiction that Papati and catholic powers of Europe made upon Ottoman invasion in Balkan, the High Gate held a hostile attitude towards Catholic Church, while Patriarchana recognized the Ottoman rule and the rights of the orthodox people to govern a spiritual life for them. In the first years of Ottoman rule, the Catholic Church and schools financed from it, survived only in several civic centers and in rural areas where the authority of Ottoman administration was not settled yet. Meanwhile, schools that were kept from orthodox clerics still continued their activities, although they decreased in number, as a result of the dominion. In the meantime, with the beginning of the process of Islamization the first Ottoman schools were born. The presence of Muslim religious schools in Turkish-Arab languages, of catholic ones in Latin and orthodox ones in Slavic, influenced a growth in the educational level of population. But, the presence of Slavic schools in pressure conditions of Islamization made that a part of Albanian community to assimilate in Serbs. In these occurrences, religious education of this period was linked tight with the development of the events in the land and had a distinct political character. In this case it should be emphasized that due to the specifications of the historical development in Kosovo, Islamic education did not follow the natural process of transition to national education. In conclusion, it ought to be noted that, in the brink of the ottoman conquest and in the first years of the Ottoman rule, it continued educational tradition and Albanians had their clerics and their educated men, who performed the function of the teacher and they gave the education in foreign language the features of the environment and of the Albanian tradition
Gender Equity In Education: Teacher Visions And Classroom Practices In Albania
Get PDFPedagogy entails teacher-student interaction which influences the learning process more than any other educational component. Teachers play a crucial role in helping children understand how gender roles work and can encourage pupils to challenge the gender stereotypes or simply conform to them. Teacher awareness of gender equity in education can influence children’s classroom practices and their performance to great extents. This research aims at discussing teachers’ expectations of pupils’ classroom behavior and analyzing classroom practices using a gender equality perspective. Classroom observation and interviews conducted with teachers aimed at discovering the reality behind classroom doors regarding gender stereotypes and teachers’ interaction with children. Some of the teachers’ visions and perceptions are openly expressed; others are more subtle and indirect. The research methodology consists of classroom observations and key informant interviews with teachers in different schools. Results show that teachers who have received additional qualification tend to articulate more easily and show higher levels of awareness regarding gender equity practices in the classroom
Judicial Reform in AlbaniaChallenges and Opportunities Toward the EU
Get PDFThis study examines the judicial system in Albania in accordance with the EU standards, and its challenges, mainly corruption as an issue of political character and the necessity to implement a new draft reform in judicial system. It discovered that a corrupted, inefficient judiciary has existed for many years in Albania and recently the Albanian authorities, in cooperation with European Union and other international actors, are trying to finalize the creating the new draft reform. The thesis briefly points some of the reasons behind this issue, as political influence on the judicial system, lack of efficiency in the organization of the courts and loss of the trust in the judges and prosecutors in the country. It also analyses about the objectives of the new draft reform and further recommendations from the EU in the fight against corruption. This study finds that new draft reform faces difficulty to be implemented since most of the politicians and other judicial officials are part of the corrupted cases and this prevents the progression of the judicial system and results the deterioration of the standard of living in the country.Epoka Universit
The Specialist Court for Kosovo: continuity or departure from the hybrid courts model?
Get PDFThe issue of whether to establish Specialist Chambers within the Kosovo justice system for alleged war crimes committed in Kosovo has been, arguably, one of the most heated debates not only from a political and social point of view, but also from a legal one. While the required amendments in the Constitution and several laws of Kosovo necessary to establish the Specialist Chambers in furtherance of the agreement dated 14 April 2014 between the Republic of Kosovo and the European Union on the Mission of the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (“EULEX”) will certainly create heated debates in the political level, one may argue that the legal issues that are expected to be encountered when the Specialist Chambers will be operational, may be even more pressing. This is in consideration of the peculiar nature of the Specialist Chambers, which are meant to have their basis within the laws of Kosovo, but at the same time, be independent from them and from control of Kosovo authorities. The purpose of this article is to delineate the possible legal issues that might confront the Specialist Chambers of Kosovo. Its main argument is that, while the Specialist Chambers seem to follow the experience of other hybrid internationalised courts, it still differs from them in some aspects. The challenges that the new Specialist Chambers may need to tackle deal with its jurisdiction and position within the Kosovo Judicial system, and its legitimacy and legal basis