Elbasan Region Research Articles

Paleopalynological Analysis of Primulaceae Family Evolution during the New Holocene Period in Elbasan, Albania

This paper presents pioneering paleopalynological data concerning the Primulaceae family during the New Holocene period in Elbasan, Albania. Fossil pollen data were extracted from soil deposits dating back to the last 20th centuries, shedding light on the evolutionary trajectory of Primulaceae Family plants in the region. Soil samples, primarily weighing approximately 0.5 kg and retrieved from depths ranging from 4 m to the surface, were collected at five stations in the Elbasan area using a dry rotary drilling probe between October and November 2023. The study aims to unveil the evolutionary dynamics of Primulaceae plants during the New Holocene, offering novel insights into their paleoenvironmental interactions. The Holocene epoch marks a critical period characterized by significant shifts in climate and ecological conditions. Understanding plant evolution during this era provides valuable insights into environmental dynamics and human impact on vegetation. A total of 485 Primulaceae palynomorphs were identified across all analysed soil samples, indicating consistent presence throughout the New Holocene period. The abundance and distribution of Primulaceae pollen suggests enduring resilience and adaptation within the local ecosystem. Furthermore, the study highlights a significant correlation between changes in vegetation patterns and human cultivation practices, underscoring anthropogenic influences on regional flora dynamics. The prevalence of Primulaceae palynomorphs across soil layers underscores the plants adaptability to varying environmental conditions. Human activities, particularly cultivation practices, emerge as key drivers shaping vegetation dynamics in the Elbasan region. The consistent presence of Primulaceae palynomorphs underscores their resilience amidst changing environmental dynamics. Human intervention emerges as a significant determinant of regional vegetation patterns, highlighting the intertwined relationship between human activities and plant evolution.

Albanian challenges for sustainable development: Nature-based tourism sector evidence from entrepreneurs' point of view

Sustainable development and the related challenges are the focus of the 2030 Agenda within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Albania is also a country that is part of these ambitious programmes and has continuously received funds from international organisations to achieve these objectives. Considerable progress has been made, and there is still much work to be done. An important sector that has experienced immediate and incredibly significant development in the economy of the country in recent years is tourism in general and natural tourism in particular. The flourishing of natural tourism has been noticed all over the country, and as a developing sector, we have tried to identify the challenges faced by new entrepreneurs and draw some conclusions and recommendations in this article. The study was performed in the Elbasan region from February to June 2023. Through direct interviews, it was noted that their challenges are related to the macroenvironment, the microenvironment, and the internal environment.

The “Sustainable Destination Structure” for Sustainable Tourist Demand - Selective Marketing for Sustainable Tourism Demand for Unpolluted Areas

Observing the recent developments of the demand for tourist products, we notice some very important changes in the tourists’ preferences of consumption toward a different sense of quality, asking for new quality models based on virginity, pure nature, highly maintained clean spaces, authenticity, cultural heritage and high responsibility and consciousness on sustainability. The natural environment represents the main resource to this demand on many tourism destinations. This is related to the fact that tourists increasingly are interested in spending their holidays in unspoiled natural territories. To this end, destination managers recently are under increased pressure to improve their eco-quality, maximize the hygiene, as well as to implement ecologically sustainable practices and systems. Based and stimulated by this evidence, a process of selective targeting/segmentation of tourist market could be an approach to sustainable destination management, both generally in the international market, but very promising to the Albanian case of the tourist sector future development, focusing at the region of Elbasan. Considering and analyzing the ecological footprint of Albania, and particularly that of Elbasan region, this paper will try to test these possibilities. To observe the feasibility of this approach, the study will be focused on tourists, between Albanians and foreign visitors, regarding their main reasons of returning in the same destinations. The questions to be treated will be mainly focused on the quality of the tourist services, the environmentally friendly behavior, as well as psychographic, behavioral, and socio-demographic personal characteristics of the tourists. Focusing and deepening in sustainable tourism destinations’ management could foster the increase in the number of day-vacations for one year, strongly also influencing the normal development of the supporting industries. This asks for techniques which focus on eco-tourism and sustainability at the destinations, even why the tourist himself generally may not necessarily be interested in protecting and caring to the local environment. In conclusion, the study confirms the increasing trend of the orientation of the tourist demand toward unpolluted destinations and attractions, as well as the tendency to safeguard the environment and to use sustainable tourist resources

Pollinosis caused by the representatives of Gramineae family

There are a large variety of plants belonging to different families in the Elbasan region, Albania. Some of them are of a high medicinal value, some are honey plants and some others are nutritive, forage and spontaneous. An important place in this variety of plants take the one with allergic pollen which cause irritation of airways in persons who are susceptible to allergic factor, including representatives of the Gramineae family. In this study are featured the allergic cases of 251 patients for the period from January 2018 to December 2019. Results were obtained after allergy trials with 8 herbal allergens of the Gramineae family [Avena sativa (oat), Cynodon dactylon (bermuda grass), Dactylis glomerata (cock’s-foot), Hordeum vulgare (barley), Phleum pratense (timothy grass), Poa pratensis (meadow-grass), Secale cereale (rye) and Triticum aestivum (wheat)]. The study found that in 72 patients, Phleum pratense pollen is the main cause for allergic disease; the most affected age group by pollen grains of Gramineae family is 21 to 30 years, the male gender is most affected by pollinosis and allergic diseases are encountered most in urban areas, with 141 cases. The study was accompanied by photos of the plants in the habitat where they were found, by photos of pollen grains as well as graphs showing the variability of allergic morbidity between age groups and gender.

Survival of the patients after the first episode of AMI according to the risk factors

Introduction: The term “risk factors” describe those characteristics that are found in healthy persons that are connected in an independent way with the occurrence of the associated cardiovascular disease. This term includes the lifestyle, biochemical and physiological modified characteristics, and also the personal unmodified characteristics such as: age, gender, and family history in the occurrence of cardiovascular disease in the early age (male<55 year’s old, female<65 years old). Aim: Evaluation of predictive ability of risk factors of patients at the moment of the hospitalization in long-term prognosis of the patients with a new myocardial infarct, during the progression of 3 years of the patients after a new episode of myocardial infarct in the Elbasan region. Methodology: It is a cohort study for a period of 3 years, to value the prognostic abilities of the clinical characteristics of the patients in the moment of hospitalization in undesired results in long-term like the new occurrence of the infarct. To assess the effect of risk factors of cardiovascular disease in the occurrence or not in an another episode of AMI, we used the analysis curve of survival Kaplan Meier in the SPSS 16. A p<0.05 is considered significant. Results: From 65 patients involved in the study, at the end of the study period, 16 of them had had an interest events (death/reinfarct) that is a significant way lower than its non-repeating (p 0.05). Changes in the level of survival of individuals according to the cholesterol level normal or high, presence or not of the diabetes has changes in the statistics (Log Rank p<0.05). Conclusion: Knowledge of the risk factors that are also a prognosis factor of the patient performance with AMI helps in defining patients that needs to undergo a more specific check-up to avoid these undesired results. The reason that patients has been smokers, have, hypercholesterolemia history are at a higher risk to have a reserved prognosis of the disease (recurrence of myocardial infarct or death). Knowledge of this group would help in composition of personalized pursuance of the patients trying to reduce chances of the repeating of AMI and elimination in the time the recurrence of AMI.

The Effects of Rural to Urban Migration in the Region of Elbasan, Albania

Migration seems to always be present within the cycle of the human life and sometimes it also seems inevitable. We are living in a time when migration in its logical and linguistic sense exists almost as a similiar phenomenon within time and space. In developing countries and in countries or regions with sustainable socioeconomic parameters it is presented with general typologies and almost unchanged ones. Migration is reasonably first related to the economic factor, but social circumstantial factors encourage and advance it. We are today facing people’s movement towards larger urban centers for a more prosperous life, for more employment opportunities, in order to join family or social circles which migrated earlier and testify success stories. These stories are related to the fact of finding a job, often a stable one, which entails other expected, premeditated benefits. We will have to refer to the economic and identity picture, the chances, the opportunities and the environment of their implementation. Moving from one place to another, from a village to a city, or from one state to another, is often difficult. Problems consist in several elements but what makes the difference is the perspective point of view. An economist would undoubtedly head of by the market supply and the jobs’ demand in the host city. A sociologist would understand all issues of economic security, and employment in particular, but would appreciate as a problem not at all secondary, the dealing with the unknown, the adaption to a new life and what is essential to life the social reintegration. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2016.v5n3s1p305

CAUSES OF DIVORCES IN ALBANIA

The statistics of divorce cases in Albania is very high compared to the number of population in the region. Various social and economic reasons have led to the separation of many Albanian families. Some of these reasons are related to immigration, which is a very widespread phenomenon in our society today. Some of the social causes of divorce include coldness in the couple’s relationships, adultery, ongoing conflicts between partners, and interventions from partners' parents. Other social problem which is the major cause of divorce is using violence against women, or the excessive drinking habit of their spouse. Economic reasons for divorce include unemployment; the economic plight in which many families are, as a result of difficult economic conditions in the country; abuse of wives; lack of household income; and gambling. Due to the high level of unemployment in the country, many Albanians have chosen to immigrate. This is because they believed they will have the opportunity to gain employment and earn a good source of income. However, even when the economic status of the family has been improved, other problems still accompany divorce cases. In this article, I will be present some of the main factors which leads to divorce. The data of this study was obtained from the court statistics of Elbasan. The study included data obtained during the analysis of divorce files provided by the Office of the psychologist. The study was conducted in the region of Elbasan.

Palynological Data of Cupressaceae Family in Elbasan Region, Albania

The study is performed in Elbasan city. A lot of biological studies have been realized in this region during two last decades’ periods. This city is situated in the middle of Albania. It is one of the biggest cities of Albania, with a population of around 100,000 and an area of 1,290 km². It lies down along Shkumbini River in the District of Elbasan at elevation 150 m. This study provides some palynological data about the dispersion of Juniperus genus, part of Cupressaceae family in depositions of last XX centuries (last historic period of New Holocene, last Quaternary, in the area where is situated Elbasan. The aim of this paper is to present the correlation between the depth and dispersion of Cupressaceae family on different periods of time. For this purpose we took some samples from various layers of soil, starting from the surface to four meters depth. Palynological data for this family were provided for the first time in the Albania’s palynological literature. Observations, counting and photos of palynomorphs it was carried on using light microscopes, magnification up to 1000x. According to the analyses of these samples we found out several interesting data that showed clearly the correlation between the depth and number of spores and pollens for this family. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2015.v4n2s2p204

PREVALENCE AND CORRELATES OF OSTEOPOROSIS IN ELBASAN REGION, ALBANIA

BACKGROUND: The information on the size and determinants of osteoporosis in population-based studies from Albania is scarce. The aim of this study was do assess the prevalence and correlates of osteoporosis in Elbasan, which constitutes one of the biggest regions in Albania. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Elbasan prefecture in 2013. A representative sample of 983 primary health care users aged 50 years and over was included (57% females, 43% males; overall response rate: 98%). B one densitometry was used to establish the presence of osteoporosis among study participants. Binary logistic regression was employed to assess the association of osteoporosis with covariates. RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of osteoporosis in this sample was 59% (N=579). There was evidence of a positive association of osteoporosis with female gender (OR=12.8, 95%CI=9.4-17.4), older age (OR=2.0, 95%CI=1.5-2.6), heredity (OR=1.7, 95%CI=1.3-2.3), a low-calcium dietary pattern (OR=1.7, 95%CI=1.3-2.2), physical inactivity (OR=1.8, 95%CI=1.3-2.4) and a lower body mass (OR=1.8, 95%CI=1.2-2.7). CONCLUSION: Our study provides useful evidence about the prevalence and correlates of osteoporosis in Elbasan region. Female sex, older age, a positive family history of osteoporosis, a dietary pattern low in calcium, physical inactivity and a lower body mass were all positively and significantly associated with osteoporosis in this study population. Keywords: Albania, bone densitometry, Elbasan, fractures, osteoporosis.

Reflections on Movement Patriotic in Elbasan in the Years 1909-1910

The development of education in the Albanian territories under Ottoman Empire witnessed a rapid evolution after the announcement of Hyrjetit (the Turkish Constitution of 1908). Thus, in the years 1909-1910 patriotic movement in the Albanian territories will mark a new phase of her, revealed at the opening of schools and courses in Albanian language in the new conditions of constitutional freedoms. In this period, through the organization of the Congress of Monastir displayed in 1908, was unveiled final resolution of the case and the use of a common alphabet writing Albanian language. But despite such a situation, Albanians will not enjoyed for a long period of so-called constitutional freedom. The Young Turks (Young Turks) newly consolidated their political positions in the Ottoman Empire, tried with any form to prevent the spread of great little bit he received learning Albanian. In the years 1909 - 1910, the Albanian National Movement difficulties faced even greater. Through this work we aim to highlight not only the achievements of the patriotic movement in the region of Elbasan Albanian education center, but most are focused on coverage of issues; obstacles and difficulties faced by the patriotic movement in this region in the years 1909-1910. The Young Turks use of all forms and, using all opportunities to curb educational movement in the region of Elbasan, using new tactics more sophisticated you put sticks under the Elbasan Patriots wheels. But it must be said that at the same time, taking advantage of the weaknesses of the Albanian patriotic movement, contradictions and differences that existed between the Albanian political elite of the time. Meanwhile, in moments when new tactics did not give the expected result, they turned to old methods of violence and terror.

MAGNITUDE OF BIRTH DEFECTS IN ELBASAN REGION, ALBANIA, FOR THE PERIOD 2003-2013

BACKGROUND: Birth defects are a major cause of childhood mortality and morbidity in Albania, similar to the situation observed in other post-communist countries in Europe. Our aim was to describe the magnitude and distribution of birth defects in Elbasan region, a rather polluted area in transitional Albania. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Elbasan region covering the period 2003-2013. The information for the period 2003-2009 was available from the Albanian Ministry of Health, whereas the information for the period 2010-2013 was based on the national surveillance system on congenital malformations which was established in Albania in 2009. Cox-Stuart test was used to assess the linear trend in the increase of birth defects in Elbasan region for the period 2003-2013. Conversely, Fisher’s exact test was used to assess the distribution of birth defects by socio-demographic characteristics and birth-related factors for the period 2010-2013. RESULTS: Overall, there was evidence of an increase in the rate of birth defects n Elbasan region from 1.1/1000 births (in 2003) to 8.7/1000 births (in 2013). The trend over time was inconsistent notwithstanding the evidence of a borderline statistical significance (linear trend: P=0.063). During 2010-2013, there was evidence of an increase over time regarding the proportion of newborns with birth defects pertinent to rural areas of Elbasan region (P=0.04), but no relationship with mothers’ age or educational level, duration of pregnancy, and newborns’ sex or birth weight. CONCLUSION: Our study provides useful evidence on the magnitude and distribution of congenital malformations in Elbasan region, which consists of a highly polluted area in post-communist Albania. Health professionals in Albania and other transitional settings should be aware of the means of treatment and especially prevention of birth defects. Keywords: Albania, birth defects, congenital malformations, Elbasan, surveillance system

Effects of the Patriarchal Mentality on Domestic Violence Appearance in the Region of Elbasan, Albania

The violence toward women in Elbasan district, Albania. The violence toward women in Elbasan district is very concerning and too evident. This situation is proved to be true even by the study realized in this district. In order to realize this study, two questionnaires were filled by 1200 persons included of different ages such as 13-23 years old and 18-60 years old. These questionnaires were delivered in these cities: Elbasan, Peqin, Gramsh and Librazhd. The factors that have an influence on the violence toward women are the patriarchal mentality, the low economic state, communication, the usage of alcoholic drinks, etc. The factors that cause violence might be various, but the violence of gender reason in each society is unjustifiable. If we accept the violence of gender reason, we can accept even the violence for religion reasons, the violence according to the origin, the people can be divided into groups and can accept violence according to each division. One of the main reasons of violence in the Elbasan district is Mediterranean patriarchal mentality, which is more widespread in the rural areas DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2014.v3n3p306

Role of the School Psychologist in the Inclusion Education from the Teachers’ Point of View: A Case Study

The aim of this paper is to analyze the role of the school psychologist in the inclusion education from the teachers’ point of view. We use a qualitative methodology by the analysis of 50 questionnaires addressed to the teachers of different elementary and secondary schools in the region of Elbasan (Albania). The school psychological services in Albania have become an essential need of the society supported by a legal framework, which supports the entire restructuring process. Despite this, problems of education in schools have faced difficulties because social phenomena such as: inclusion, bullying and drugs that today are diverse. Even the students with special needs are facing a lot of problems related mainly to their acceptance by the other students in the mainstream classes. In Albania the inclusion in education is still in its first steps although we have a good legal framework. Actually there is not an appropriate infrastructure for the special need students and even the reconstructions or the constructions of the new schools are bypassing this special infrastructure. DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2014.v4n2p304

The Values and the Problems of the Natural Heritage of the Region of Elbasan

Various studies, among them geographical ones, like the application of the new concepts on the Natural Heritage, since 1990, helped in the construction of the biodiversity protection strategy, which served as a basis for providing legal support conservation and management of Natural heritage for identifying and proposing new protected sites, which now accounts around 16% of the territory of Albania and are represented by the six categories of protected areas provided by the IUCN. Studies continue to expand about the protected areas and preparation of their management plans. In this context, particular importance have the studies of the natural heritage for particular regions of the country. Our article has the object of study of Natural Heritage of the region of Elbasan,concentrating mostly on the natural momuments of this region. This article makes evident this valuable asset emphasising in this way the scientific,echological, cultural,spiritual and turistics values of its sites:in the many problems of the protected areas and it analyses and proposes the aplication of better models in the managment with the porpose: the protection and regeneration of the values, their return in a source of scientific informaiton, in didactic laboratories and ecological and patriotc education notably in attractive turistic objects with the intantion of the stable development of the region. DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2014.v4n2p103