Updating the Abstract-Concrete Distinction in Ancient Near Eastern Numbers

The characterization of early token-based accounting using a concrete concept of number, later numerical notations an abstract one, has become well entrenched in the literature. After reviewing its history and assumptions, this article challenges the abstract-concrete distinction, presenting an alternative view of change in Ancient Near Eastern number concepts, wherein numbers are abstract from their inception and materially bound when most elaborated. The alternative draws on the chronological sequence of material counting technologies used in the Ancient Near East—fingers, tallies, tokens, and numerical notations—as reconstructed through archaeological and textual evidence and as interpreted through Material Engagement Theory, an extended-mind framework in which materiality plays an active role (Malafouris 2013).

Performance of Self Compacting Concrete Replaced with Saturated Recycled Aggregate

The use of recycled aggregate in any concrete saves the virgin coarse and fine aggregates to create for the production of concrete. This concept will deliver an ecofriendly, reduced eviction of natural resources and produce a green concrete concept. Coarse aggregate consists of more than 60% of total volume in ordinary concrete but only 40% is required for Self Compacting Concrete (SCC) by weight. Demolished concrete wastes which are crushed and sieved to the size are used as substitute for natural coarse aggregates. In this paper natural coarse aggregate in self-compacting concrete is replaced with 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% & 100% recycled aggregates in mix design. Furthermore, a detailed study on workability and hardened properties of specially proportioned mixes are also carried out and satisfactory results are obtained. Thus the derived SCC can come up with reduced CO2 emissions, economical and energy saving with all additional well-known advantages of fluid concrete.

ANALISIS KUAT TARIK BELAH TERHADAP PEMANFAATAN LIMBAH STRAPPING BAND SEBAGAI SUBSTITUSI PASIR PADA BETON NORMAL

The advancement era, the use of strapping band in the process of shipping goods was increases because of the more practical needs and stronger straps make the waste from strapping band was increases. With a large amount of waste by shredding it into smaller sizes it can be used as a substitute for fine aggregate in concrete mixture with synthetic fiber reinforced concrete concept at the Laboratory of Civil Engineering Politeknik Negeri Malang. The objectives of this research were to analyze the characteristics of concrete with the substitution of strapping band waste against fine aggregate in compressive strength and split tensile strength test. The research method including: aggregate test and strapping band test, the mix design of concrete mixture was using the reference SNI 03-2834-2000. The experiments sample for each variation of 0%, 5%, and 8% were performed with 24 cylinder specimens for compressive strength and 6 cylinder specimens for split tensile strength. The compressive strength on 28 days with 0%, 5%, and 8% variation resulted in 27.67 kg/cm2; 26.82 kg/cm2; 17.83 kg/cm2. The split tensile strength on 28 days with 0% 5%, and 8% variation resulted in 2.42 kg/cm2; 1.90 kg/cm2; 1.51 kg/cm2. The average weight of cylinder specimens with 0%, 5%, and 8% variation resulted in 12.62 kg; 12.04 kg; 11.61 kg. Substitution of strapping band waste decreases compressive strength, split tensile strength and average weight concrete. Key words : Strapping band waste, compressive strength, split tensile strength

Prototype Semantic Analysis of Abstract and Concrete Concepts Among Jordanian and American Students

The aim of the present study was to investigate the extent to which culture may play a role in constructing the prototypical structure of every daily life concepts. Two concepts were investigated in this study: an abstract concept (freedom) and a concrete concept (drinks). The sample of the study comprised two distinct cultures, Jordanians and Americans, who are undergraduate students. To come up with the findings, the researchers carried out two experiments. The first experiment aimed at examining the impact of culture on generating semantic features and examples of the target concepts. The second one investigated the effect of culture on rating the prototypicality of the generated features and examples. To answer the first research question, the researcher calculated the frequency and the percentage of each response. The researcher used the SPSS to answer the second research question. The researcher used the t-test for independent samples (Jordanians and Americans) to calculate the means and the standard deviations in order to examine any possible significant differences that may result from cultural difference. Briefly, the findings showed that culture affected, to a considerable extent, the processes of generating and prototypicality rating of the examples and features of the target concepts.

Religious Diversity and the Concept of Religion

SummaryThe article deals with the concept of religion in the contemporary theology of religions. Many theologians in the current debate work with a general concept of religion. Such a conception of religion unifies the distinctive religious diversities. This article argues that against the background of the previous debate, a theology of religions must proceed from a concept of religion as communication. This concept emerges out of the Christian religious tradition: it carries a particular meaning and hence should not be treated as universally applicable. Starting with a concrete concept of religion, a theology of religion has the task neither to give a foundation for other “religions”, nor that of Christianity. Only this could be a basis for a real pluralistic conception. From this starting point follows the question on how other religions understand religion.