Throughout history, Silk Road played an important role with connecting more than 50 countries between its endpoints. Reviving this ancient trade route is a contemporary discussion among politicians. There are many pro...Throughout history, Silk Road played an important role with connecting more than 50 countries between its endpoints. Reviving this ancient trade route is a contemporary discussion among politicians. There are many projects realized and proposed for the resurgence of the modem Silk Road, including the railroad project connecting Baku, Tiflis and Kars of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey; the undersea rail tunnel under the Bosphorus strait, Marmaray; the Silk Road Economic Belt proposed by China; and the Maritime Silk Road, again proposed by China. Just like the original Silk Road, it was not only a route for caravans or trade, but it was a meeting point for cultural, religious, and philosophical exchanges that served humanity for centuries; today＇s modem Silk Road initiatives should be considered as bridges between Eastern and Western civilizations that will serve the same purpose of its ancient predecessor. The revived Silk Road will facilitate strengthening of relationships in between countries that experienced harmony in history. The railways, transportation facilities, transnational gates, energy corridors, and natural gas pipelines that constitute the Silk Road will transform the region with improving its economy and bringing peace and economic prosperity. With recent developments, it witnesses the importance of geopolitical and historical ties in establishing contemporary alliances. Although there are great expectations with the revival of the modern Silk Road, authors would like to emphasize that it should be an agreement to foster shared interests rather than the interest of bigger partners.展开更多
A research group at the University of Botswana has been investigating how culture and construction delivery system stability affect the Botswana construction industry performance. The government of Botswana is attempt...A research group at the University of Botswana has been investigating how culture and construction delivery system stability affect the Botswana construction industry performance. The government of Botswana is attempting to increase the construction performance and sustainability of the Botswana construction industry in an environment of local contractors who do not seem to have the expertise and experience. Currently, the Botswana industry is heavily dependent on foreign contractors. The researchers are trying to identify if the problem is the underdeveloped industry and Botswana culture, or potentially the combination of culture and unstable delivery system, and can a stable delivery system raise the performance of Botswana contractors. The two potential areas of interest are the country culture, and the project delivery/management model. The authors are using deductive logic, logical and simplistic models, and dominant or extreme information to minimizing the need to get into a long drawn out study of details which may be difficult to obtain and not necessarily solve the issue. The objective of the paper is to identify the best method to increase the performance of the construction industry, addressing both the cultural and delivery system problems. The preliminary measurement of the success of the solution is the acceptance of the concepts by major users in Botswana. This paper will propose the potential solution, which will be tested starting January 2011. If this solution is valid, it has a tremendous potential in underdeveloped countries.展开更多
Russian language and literature theorist Mikhail Bakhtin （1895-1975） is an expert of carnivalized literature. In Rabelais and His Worm （1984） and Problems of Dostoevsky＇s Poetics （1987）, Bakhtin has shown how R...Russian language and literature theorist Mikhail Bakhtin （1895-1975） is an expert of carnivalized literature. In Rabelais and His Worm （1984） and Problems of Dostoevsky＇s Poetics （1987）, Bakhtin has shown how Rabelais＇ and Dostoevsky＇s vision of the world is turned to the artistic way of seeing. The author of this paper has studied a novel and its connection to a writer＇s world view by using the theory of Bakhtin. The purpose of this paper is to show how the author has used Bakhtin＇s ideas and perspectives in her study. The subject of the author＇s doctoral dissertation is Finnish author Algot Untola （1868-1918）, who published whole his ambiguous production by using pen names. Main research data are Untola＇s early works which include novels and newspaper articles that are written in the years 1906-1909. The research problem has been whether Untola＇s first novel Harhama （1909） carnivalized literature or not. The study has revealed that Untola＇s carnivalesque writings opposed the Finnish nationalist official culture. In previous study it has not been seen, because has not been taken into account his world view and its close relationship with the folk＇s unofficial laughing culture.展开更多
The time has come to recognize the extreme importance of the archaeological sites in Jordan. They provide a wealth evidence and precise information regarding ancient civilizations and cultures. The safeguarding of thi...The time has come to recognize the extreme importance of the archaeological sites in Jordan. They provide a wealth evidence and precise information regarding ancient civilizations and cultures. The safeguarding of this cultural heritage is one of the most urgent priorities, that involve the proper conservation and preservation methods of all artifacts and buildings that have an important artistic and historic value. Conservation is a whole field in regarding the care and treatment of valuable artifacts, both movable and immovable. It has two aspects： （1） the control of the environment--to minimize the decay of artifacts and materials and （2） the treatment of these--in order to stop or slow down any deterioration and to stabilize them where possible against further dilapidation. The museum environment is a limited space dedicated not only to exhibition but also to the appropriate conservation of works of art. This article presents an overview of the types of damage and deterioration that air pollution causes to indoor cultural heritage materials and monuments. It identifies the main damaging air pollutants from outdoor sources to be sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone and sulphide gases.展开更多
TEN years ago the notion that Chinese contemporary art could so much as raise a flicker of interest in foreign climes - never mind drive Western cultural pundits into a delirious frenzy - would have been dismissed a...TEN years ago the notion that Chinese contemporary art could so much as raise a flicker of interest in foreign climes - never mind drive Western cultural pundits into a delirious frenzy - would have been dismissed as pure fancy. At that time Chinese art was assumed to be nothing more than classical calligraphy,展开更多
This paper is built on the study of one key blog-Wang Xiaofeng＇s No Guess （2006-2011） to explore how a Chinese intellectual uses his satirical skills in the blogosphere, how his blog reshapes the form of political ...This paper is built on the study of one key blog-Wang Xiaofeng＇s No Guess （2006-2011） to explore how a Chinese intellectual uses his satirical skills in the blogosphere, how his blog reshapes the form of political culture, and how the blogosphere through such interventions proceeds in the development of political communications in China. Two key issues are addressed in the paper. Firstly, drawing on the concept of ＂blogging culture＂, the author argues that blogging has potentially reconfigured political information around people＇s everyday lives, offering alternative modes of ＂public talk＂. The case of Wang Xiaofeng shows that satire can be used to make fun of the state, policies, and established ideologies, improving a previously restricted communicative environment toward more open. Secondly, the rise in the value placed on individualism in China, and the rise of peer-to-peer media mean that bloggers who pursue self-expression simultaneously through such self-expression. In other words, Wang Xiaofeng＇s No Guess blog demonstrates that individual opinions across the blogosphere have implicitly challenged political discourse; however, they always have to struggle with an ongoing censorship, negotiate an unstable discursive space and thus, can only enjoy a limited success.展开更多
Objectives:As Watson's Human Caring Theory continues to evolve and guide the discipline of nursing,the challenge is to find ways to integrate it into practice.The purpose of this study is to describe interprofessi...Objectives:As Watson's Human Caring Theory continues to evolve and guide the discipline of nursing,the challenge is to find ways to integrate it into practice.The purpose of this study is to describe interprofessional team members'perspectives on human caring based on the Ten Caritas Processes(R)/Caritas-Veritas Literacy of Watson's Human Caring Theory within the Unitary Caring Science.Methods:This is a qualitative directed content analysis study,taking place in a Children's Hospital in the United States between November 2017 and April 2018.Information redundancy was utilized to guide the recruitment.Data were collected via a one-time face-to-face individual interview.A qualitative directed content analysis was conducted using Watson's Ten Caritas Processes(R)/Caritas-Veritas Literacy as a coding framework.Results:Twenty-seven healthcare professionals participated in the study.Interprofessional human caring,based on the Ten Caritas Processes(R)/Caritas-Veritas Literacy,was referred to as performing lovingkindness to patients,each other,and self;maintaining faith-hope in teamwork;valuing intersubjective interactions and building trust among team members;cultivating heart-centered-caring relations;acknowledging and processing positive and negative feelings non-judgmentally;applying all ways of knowing in caring;encouraging reciprocal teaching-learning;developing caring-healing environments collaboratively;respecting human dignity of patients and each other;and being open-minded to the unknowns and believing in miracles.Conclusions:Watson's Human Caring Theory can be an underlying guide to enrich human-to-human relations and create a caring-healing environment.When human caring is applied in interprofessional teams,healthcare professionals find a caring consciousness to care for oneself and each other and promote patient care.展开更多
In this paper, I read several literary texts, in order to demonstrate the relation between the viewing subject and the gazed object, in terms of love, illusion, and and aesthetic ecstasy. Walter Benjamin＇s untitled p...In this paper, I read several literary texts, in order to demonstrate the relation between the viewing subject and the gazed object, in terms of love, illusion, and and aesthetic ecstasy. Walter Benjamin＇s untitled poem illuminates love and blessing through artistic images, as in Giorgio de Chirico＇s painting, The Song of Love （1914）. Love in London is somehow a dream-like image--a surreal illusion of love, which stays in the viewer＇s mind as a poem of colours, representing etemity. Virginia Woolf＇s Night andDay says it better, when Mary walks into the British Museum and gazes at the Elgin Marbles, thinking how much she is in love with Ralph. John Keats＇ ＂On Seeing the Elgin Marbles＂ also depicts the way in which a gaze of love could be an eternal moment of aesthetic ecstasy .展开更多
In this paper I like to revisit Bhumisukta of the Atharvaveda in the backdrop of present-day environmentalism. It is divided into three parts. In Part 1 I like to give a synoptic view of contemporary environmentalism,...In this paper I like to revisit Bhumisukta of the Atharvaveda in the backdrop of present-day environmentalism. It is divided into three parts. In Part 1 I like to give a synoptic view of contemporary environmentalism, as reflected in Arne Naess＇s Deep Ecology. In Part 2 I make an exposition of the Bhumisukta, particularly those verses （mantras） which are directly relevant to our environmental concerns. To say the truth, this Bhumisukta （also called the Pcthivisitkta） epitomizes the Vedic Hindu eco-culture. The Bhumisukta （which literally means, the Hymn or Prayer to the Earth） is the oldest and the most evocative environmental discourse. It is called ＂the first natural anthem＂ in the history of mankind. It constitutes the first anuvgtka of dvgtda~ kgm. da of the Atharvaveda and contains 63 verses （mantras） devoted to glorifying the Earth as sacred and inviolable. Many prayers have been sung for the preservation and conservation of Nature and its gifts of splendor. The Bh^misftkta talks about human dependence on the Nature and respect for the same that follows naturally. It proclaims of the Earth as the mother, and humanity as her children Bhumisukta, putro＇ham pr. thivyah＂ In Part 3 1 like to make a brief but critical observation regarding the loss of continuity of Vedic tradition in view of an objection made by some Western environmentalists. In this concluding part I like to respond to the objection that so called eco-sensitive cultures could not avert environmental pollution and depletion of Nature in countries, like India.展开更多
The paper deals with non-traditional but highly needed issues： to formulate criteria of a scientific activity. It is really unbelievable that in the period of information and scientific society such criteria do not e...The paper deals with non-traditional but highly needed issues： to formulate criteria of a scientific activity. It is really unbelievable that in the period of information and scientific society such criteria do not exist and there are no fixed rules for assessment of scientific activities. However, in many fields of science, e.g., in reviews of scientific works or papers, reviewers are asked to assess whether or not the submitted work or text is scientific. Naturally, this decision is not objective even if done by leading scientific individuals. Scientists may possess rather different individual criteria, and especially in doctoral studies, but not only there, it is desirable to make the review more objective. A doctoral thesis should be accepted only in case it brings some scientific achievement. Keeping in mind how difficult it can be to formalize and evaluate science, the authors try to propose attributes of scientific activities and to formulate some basic recommendations how to assess scientific work. Of course, the paper does not intend to formulate any generally imperative rules, but rather to start a broader discussion of these topics.展开更多
This paper briefly presents the methods and the results of the investigation conducted within the doctoral study. The goal is to investigate the phenomenon of fado songs in the context of cultural transformations that...This paper briefly presents the methods and the results of the investigation conducted within the doctoral study. The goal is to investigate the phenomenon of fado songs in the context of cultural transformations that take place in the uniting Europe. During the investigation, we tried to verify the problem of national and cultural identity of the Portuguese and their attitude towards ethno-cultural auto-identification in fado. According to the research results, the Portuguese are profoundly conscious of the relation between fado and their national and cultural identity. The results show that the Portuguese also consider the songs so strongly tied to their own nation, history, and places in Portugal, that this makes impossible for the foreigners to understand the message （even though some listeners claim, that they ＂feel＂ fado, though not being able to understand the lyrics）. The research results proved that the Portuguese consider fado as a carrier of their identity, or even ＂Portuguese soul＂.展开更多
文摘Throughout history, Silk Road played an important role with connecting more than 50 countries between its endpoints. Reviving this ancient trade route is a contemporary discussion among politicians. There are many projects realized and proposed for the resurgence of the modem Silk Road, including the railroad project connecting Baku, Tiflis and Kars of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey; the undersea rail tunnel under the Bosphorus strait, Marmaray; the Silk Road Economic Belt proposed by China; and the Maritime Silk Road, again proposed by China. Just like the original Silk Road, it was not only a route for caravans or trade, but it was a meeting point for cultural, religious, and philosophical exchanges that served humanity for centuries; today＇s modem Silk Road initiatives should be considered as bridges between Eastern and Western civilizations that will serve the same purpose of its ancient predecessor. The revived Silk Road will facilitate strengthening of relationships in between countries that experienced harmony in history. The railways, transportation facilities, transnational gates, energy corridors, and natural gas pipelines that constitute the Silk Road will transform the region with improving its economy and bringing peace and economic prosperity. With recent developments, it witnesses the importance of geopolitical and historical ties in establishing contemporary alliances. Although there are great expectations with the revival of the modern Silk Road, authors would like to emphasize that it should be an agreement to foster shared interests rather than the interest of bigger partners.
文摘A research group at the University of Botswana has been investigating how culture and construction delivery system stability affect the Botswana construction industry performance. The government of Botswana is attempting to increase the construction performance and sustainability of the Botswana construction industry in an environment of local contractors who do not seem to have the expertise and experience. Currently, the Botswana industry is heavily dependent on foreign contractors. The researchers are trying to identify if the problem is the underdeveloped industry and Botswana culture, or potentially the combination of culture and unstable delivery system, and can a stable delivery system raise the performance of Botswana contractors. The two potential areas of interest are the country culture, and the project delivery/management model. The authors are using deductive logic, logical and simplistic models, and dominant or extreme information to minimizing the need to get into a long drawn out study of details which may be difficult to obtain and not necessarily solve the issue. The objective of the paper is to identify the best method to increase the performance of the construction industry, addressing both the cultural and delivery system problems. The preliminary measurement of the success of the solution is the acceptance of the concepts by major users in Botswana. This paper will propose the potential solution, which will be tested starting January 2011. If this solution is valid, it has a tremendous potential in underdeveloped countries.
文摘Russian language and literature theorist Mikhail Bakhtin （1895-1975） is an expert of carnivalized literature. In Rabelais and His Worm （1984） and Problems of Dostoevsky＇s Poetics （1987）, Bakhtin has shown how Rabelais＇ and Dostoevsky＇s vision of the world is turned to the artistic way of seeing. The author of this paper has studied a novel and its connection to a writer＇s world view by using the theory of Bakhtin. The purpose of this paper is to show how the author has used Bakhtin＇s ideas and perspectives in her study. The subject of the author＇s doctoral dissertation is Finnish author Algot Untola （1868-1918）, who published whole his ambiguous production by using pen names. Main research data are Untola＇s early works which include novels and newspaper articles that are written in the years 1906-1909. The research problem has been whether Untola＇s first novel Harhama （1909） carnivalized literature or not. The study has revealed that Untola＇s carnivalesque writings opposed the Finnish nationalist official culture. In previous study it has not been seen, because has not been taken into account his world view and its close relationship with the folk＇s unofficial laughing culture.
文摘The time has come to recognize the extreme importance of the archaeological sites in Jordan. They provide a wealth evidence and precise information regarding ancient civilizations and cultures. The safeguarding of this cultural heritage is one of the most urgent priorities, that involve the proper conservation and preservation methods of all artifacts and buildings that have an important artistic and historic value. Conservation is a whole field in regarding the care and treatment of valuable artifacts, both movable and immovable. It has two aspects： （1） the control of the environment--to minimize the decay of artifacts and materials and （2） the treatment of these--in order to stop or slow down any deterioration and to stabilize them where possible against further dilapidation. The museum environment is a limited space dedicated not only to exhibition but also to the appropriate conservation of works of art. This article presents an overview of the types of damage and deterioration that air pollution causes to indoor cultural heritage materials and monuments. It identifies the main damaging air pollutants from outdoor sources to be sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone and sulphide gases.
文摘TEN years ago the notion that Chinese contemporary art could so much as raise a flicker of interest in foreign climes - never mind drive Western cultural pundits into a delirious frenzy - would have been dismissed as pure fancy. At that time Chinese art was assumed to be nothing more than classical calligraphy,
文摘This paper is built on the study of one key blog-Wang Xiaofeng＇s No Guess （2006-2011） to explore how a Chinese intellectual uses his satirical skills in the blogosphere, how his blog reshapes the form of political culture, and how the blogosphere through such interventions proceeds in the development of political communications in China. Two key issues are addressed in the paper. Firstly, drawing on the concept of ＂blogging culture＂, the author argues that blogging has potentially reconfigured political information around people＇s everyday lives, offering alternative modes of ＂public talk＂. The case of Wang Xiaofeng shows that satire can be used to make fun of the state, policies, and established ideologies, improving a previously restricted communicative environment toward more open. Secondly, the rise in the value placed on individualism in China, and the rise of peer-to-peer media mean that bloggers who pursue self-expression simultaneously through such self-expression. In other words, Wang Xiaofeng＇s No Guess blog demonstrates that individual opinions across the blogosphere have implicitly challenged political discourse; however, they always have to struggle with an ongoing censorship, negotiate an unstable discursive space and thus, can only enjoy a limited success.
基金This study was supported in part by a Seed Grant from the College of Nursing at East Carolina University received by the first author
文摘Objectives:As Watson's Human Caring Theory continues to evolve and guide the discipline of nursing,the challenge is to find ways to integrate it into practice.The purpose of this study is to describe interprofessional team members'perspectives on human caring based on the Ten Caritas Processes(R)/Caritas-Veritas Literacy of Watson's Human Caring Theory within the Unitary Caring Science.Methods:This is a qualitative directed content analysis study,taking place in a Children's Hospital in the United States between November 2017 and April 2018.Information redundancy was utilized to guide the recruitment.Data were collected via a one-time face-to-face individual interview.A qualitative directed content analysis was conducted using Watson's Ten Caritas Processes(R)/Caritas-Veritas Literacy as a coding framework.Results:Twenty-seven healthcare professionals participated in the study.Interprofessional human caring,based on the Ten Caritas Processes(R)/Caritas-Veritas Literacy,was referred to as performing lovingkindness to patients,each other,and self;maintaining faith-hope in teamwork;valuing intersubjective interactions and building trust among team members;cultivating heart-centered-caring relations;acknowledging and processing positive and negative feelings non-judgmentally;applying all ways of knowing in caring;encouraging reciprocal teaching-learning;developing caring-healing environments collaboratively;respecting human dignity of patients and each other;and being open-minded to the unknowns and believing in miracles.Conclusions:Watson's Human Caring Theory can be an underlying guide to enrich human-to-human relations and create a caring-healing environment.When human caring is applied in interprofessional teams,healthcare professionals find a caring consciousness to care for oneself and each other and promote patient care.
文摘In this paper, I read several literary texts, in order to demonstrate the relation between the viewing subject and the gazed object, in terms of love, illusion, and and aesthetic ecstasy. Walter Benjamin＇s untitled poem illuminates love and blessing through artistic images, as in Giorgio de Chirico＇s painting, The Song of Love （1914）. Love in London is somehow a dream-like image--a surreal illusion of love, which stays in the viewer＇s mind as a poem of colours, representing etemity. Virginia Woolf＇s Night andDay says it better, when Mary walks into the British Museum and gazes at the Elgin Marbles, thinking how much she is in love with Ralph. John Keats＇ ＂On Seeing the Elgin Marbles＂ also depicts the way in which a gaze of love could be an eternal moment of aesthetic ecstasy .
文摘In this paper I like to revisit Bhumisukta of the Atharvaveda in the backdrop of present-day environmentalism. It is divided into three parts. In Part 1 I like to give a synoptic view of contemporary environmentalism, as reflected in Arne Naess＇s Deep Ecology. In Part 2 I make an exposition of the Bhumisukta, particularly those verses （mantras） which are directly relevant to our environmental concerns. To say the truth, this Bhumisukta （also called the Pcthivisitkta） epitomizes the Vedic Hindu eco-culture. The Bhumisukta （which literally means, the Hymn or Prayer to the Earth） is the oldest and the most evocative environmental discourse. It is called ＂the first natural anthem＂ in the history of mankind. It constitutes the first anuvgtka of dvgtda~ kgm. da of the Atharvaveda and contains 63 verses （mantras） devoted to glorifying the Earth as sacred and inviolable. Many prayers have been sung for the preservation and conservation of Nature and its gifts of splendor. The Bh^misftkta talks about human dependence on the Nature and respect for the same that follows naturally. It proclaims of the Earth as the mother, and humanity as her children Bhumisukta, putro＇ham pr. thivyah＂ In Part 3 1 like to make a brief but critical observation regarding the loss of continuity of Vedic tradition in view of an objection made by some Western environmentalists. In this concluding part I like to respond to the objection that so called eco-sensitive cultures could not avert environmental pollution and depletion of Nature in countries, like India.
文摘The paper deals with non-traditional but highly needed issues： to formulate criteria of a scientific activity. It is really unbelievable that in the period of information and scientific society such criteria do not exist and there are no fixed rules for assessment of scientific activities. However, in many fields of science, e.g., in reviews of scientific works or papers, reviewers are asked to assess whether or not the submitted work or text is scientific. Naturally, this decision is not objective even if done by leading scientific individuals. Scientists may possess rather different individual criteria, and especially in doctoral studies, but not only there, it is desirable to make the review more objective. A doctoral thesis should be accepted only in case it brings some scientific achievement. Keeping in mind how difficult it can be to formalize and evaluate science, the authors try to propose attributes of scientific activities and to formulate some basic recommendations how to assess scientific work. Of course, the paper does not intend to formulate any generally imperative rules, but rather to start a broader discussion of these topics.
文摘This paper briefly presents the methods and the results of the investigation conducted within the doctoral study. The goal is to investigate the phenomenon of fado songs in the context of cultural transformations that take place in the uniting Europe. During the investigation, we tried to verify the problem of national and cultural identity of the Portuguese and their attitude towards ethno-cultural auto-identification in fado. According to the research results, the Portuguese are profoundly conscious of the relation between fado and their national and cultural identity. The results show that the Portuguese also consider the songs so strongly tied to their own nation, history, and places in Portugal, that this makes impossible for the foreigners to understand the message （even though some listeners claim, that they ＂feel＂ fado, though not being able to understand the lyrics）. The research results proved that the Portuguese consider fado as a carrier of their identity, or even ＂Portuguese soul＂.
