PROGRAM NO.1: ANTHROPOLOGICAL STRUCTURE OF THE HISTORICAL AND PREHISTORICAL POPULATIONS ON THE ROMANIAN TERITORY - CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL ANTHROPOLOGY

• Theme 1: Biological, demographic and pathological investigations on some historical and pre-historical populations from the Romanian territory

Chief Project: Dr. Miu Georgeta, c. s. II.

• Theme 2: Study of some traditional romanian values in the context of globalization

Chief Project: Dr. Gheorghita Geana, c. s. I.
Research Team: Dr. Marin Constantin, c. s. III; Dr. Stefan Dorondel, c. s. III; Dr. Gabriel-Ionut Stoiciu, c. s.; drd. Liviu Mantescu, a. c. s.
Presentation: Property, artisanship, beliefs and rituals are approached as values incorporating economical, legal, aesthetic, philosophical aspects. Also, some ideas, theories and figures of the national patrimony are reinterpreted in view of the contemporary intellectual paradigms. The strategy is to reveal the identity of Romanian spirituality in the new international socio-political configurations.

• Theme 3: Palaeoanthropological researches about archaeological discoveries of human bones on Romanian territory

Coordinator: Dr. Nicolae Miritoiu, c. s. III.
Research Team: Dr. Andrei D. Soficaru, c. s.; drd. Mihaela M. Gatej, a. c. s.; drd. Mihai D. Constantinescu, a. c. s.; Alexandra Ion, a. c. s. (studii medii).
Presentation: Research contract between University of Tübingen, „Hieronymus” Cultural Association and „Fr. J. Rainer” Institute of Anthropology, Laboratory of Paleoanthropology regading the Medieval necropolis from Sibiu – Piata Huet. In this collaboration contract were studied 662 graves with 913 skeletons. First the osteological remains were washed, restored and second, they were analyzed on follow criteria: bones inventory, sex determination, age estimation, pathology, and metrics. The obtained results will be studied this year and this project will finalize with a book.

• Theme 4: Culture, Systems of values, health and history (2008-2011)

Coordinator: Dr. Matei Stircea-Craciun, c. s. I.
Research Team: Dr. Valentin Toma, c. s. III; Dr. Nicolae Leasevici, c. s. III; Alexandra Macovei, a. c. s.
Sub-proiect 1 : Symbolic anthropology
Faza pentru anul 2009: Explorarea si valorificarea dimensiunii metodologice a studiilor de antropologie simbolica asupra artei abstracte
Sub-proiect 2 : Psychiatric anthropology
Heredity, Psychiatry and Eugenism in Modern Romania, c. 1870-1950
Sub-proiect 3 : Religious anthropology
The anthropological persoective in the works of Father Staniloaie

PROGRAM NO.2: ANTHROPOLOGICAL STRUCTURE OF THE CURRENT POPULATIONS ON THE ROMANIAN TERRITORY - BIO-PSYCHO-MEDICAL ANTHROPOLOGY

• Theme 1: Anthropological Atlases

B. Anthropological Atlas of the Danube Delta (2008-2010)
Coordinators: Dr. Stirbu Maria, c.s.I; Dr. Tarcă Ana, c.s.I
Research Team: Dr. Miu Georgeta, c.s. II;  Dr. Simalcsik Angela, c.s. III; Dr. Fedor George-Catalin, c.s.III; drd. Simalcsik Robert-Daniel, a.c.s.; Asiminei Vasilica Monica, a.c.s.; Plugariu Elena, technician.
Presentation: The atlas is the result of a complex anthropological study on the population of the Danube Delta, considered both globally and according to its ethnic groups, illustrating the variability of the cephalo-facial and bodily anthropometric indices, as well as the morphological, typological, hemato-typical, physiometrical, dermatoglyphic and demographic characteristics.

• Theme 2: The influence of life stile and socio-economic conditions upon the corporality of the child and teenager from urban environment (2008-2010)

Research Manager: Dr. Cristina Glavce, c.s. I
Research Team: Dr. Emilia Elena Iancu, c.s. I; Dr. Elena Radu, c.s. I; Luminita Ciotaru, c.s..III; Drd. Nicoleta Milici, c.s.; Drd. Cristina Stan, c.s.; Dr. Consuel Ionica, a.c.s.; Ion Popa, c.s. ; Iulia Lapadat, a.c.s.; Iuliana Constantin, a.c. studii medii; Ioana Fulga, a.c. studii medii; Mihaela Pavel, a.c. studii medii; Simionescu Ionut, a.c. studii medii; Nicolae Tiurbe, technician

a) The influence of life stile and socio-economic conditions upon the growth and development of the child and teenager from urban environment (2008-2010)
Research Team subproject a): Dr. Elena Radu, c.s. I ; Luminita Ciotaru, c.s. III; drd. Nicoleta Milici, c.s.; Dr. Consuel Ionica, a.c.s.; Iuliana Constantin, a.c. studii medii; Ioana Fulga, a.c. studii medii; Nicolae Tiurbe, technician
Presentation: Socio-economical changes of the present period of time, especially of the life stile, perturbed by modifications in the traditional alimentary diet and by massive invasion of IT technologies in the life of children and teenagers have led to an increased number of overweight and obese subjects from Romanian urban environment. Their physical activities have dramatically decreased, favoring a sedentary life stile.

b) The influence of life stile and socio-economic conditions upon the growth and development of the third age persons from urban environment (over 65 years old)
Research Team subproject b): Dr. Emilia Elena Iancu, c.s. I; Ion Popa, c.s.; Iulia Lapadat, a.c.s. ; Iuliana Constantin, a.c. studii medii; Ioana Fulga, a.c. studii medii; Nicolae Tiurbe, technician
Presentation: With the increase of the life-hope, third-age segment population becomes one of the most vulnerable inside the system of social assistance, according with OMS's definition. Biological health and comfort for this segment of population are a difficult task, because of financial and social motives. Decrease of natality and aging of population lead to an increased number of lonely old persons, who are more exposed to isolation in the urban environment. The life-stile associated with socio-economic factors determines that concept of normal aging, a tendency of the whole world. To understand bio-medical and psycho-social limits of normal, the study of the persons over 65 years old becomes a priority for the medical anthropology, and this normal is determined by socio-economic conditions and the life stile of the subjects of this category.

c) Health-risk behaviors of teenagers (2007-2010)
Research Team subproject c): Dr. Elena Radu, c.s. I; Luminita Ciotaru, c.s. III; Mihaela Pavel, a.c. studii medii; Simionescu Ionut, a.c. studii medii
Presentation: Behaviors at risk for the health of teenagers is a project which uses anthropological method for early discovery of nutritional health unbalances of the children and teenagers population and also for finding the critical age for the beginning of pathological manifestations as the obesity, which are the foundations for other chronic and degenerating disease's chain reaction starting process.

• Theme 3:  A complex anthropological investigation on children, teen-agers and younths-biological, dermatoglyphic and sociological aspects

Coordinators: Dr. Stirbu Maria, c.s. I; Dr. Tarcã Ana, c.s. I
Research Team: Dr. Simalcsik Angela, c.s. III; drd. Fedor Cãtãlin-George, c.s. III; drd. Simalcsik Robert-Daniel, a.c.s.; Asiminei Vasilica Monica, a.c.s.; Plugariu Elena, technician.
Presentation: The study analyzes the level of physical development of the newborns from the rural area of the Kishinew district (Republic of Moldova), comparatively with the rural area of the Iaşi district (Romania), of the stature-weight ratio in adolescents from the Iaşi city – as correlated with the socio-economic (mainly alimentary) factors, as well as of the modifications observed in the digital and palmar dermatoglyphic picture of children with ages between 6 and 18 years, suffering from eneuresis.

• Theme 4: Psychological reference points of the family into systemic and anthropological approach  

Coordinator: Dr. Cornelia Rada, c.s. III
Research Team: Drd. Suzana Manolescu, c.s.; Drd. Adriana Borosan, a.c.s; Marinela Tatulea, a.c. studii medii; Nicolae Tiurbe, technician
Presentation: The determination and the extensive assessment of the marital and family system health, using a battery of psychometric tests in correlation with bio social and demographic characteristics. Clinical assessment of the family profile by circumplex model, identification of the behaviour problems or mental disorders with family impact, determination of the emotional intelligence level and also the sexual reproductive health diagnosis, in the context of the “demographic winter”.

• Theme 5: Biomedical research of the family. The anthropological study of children and teenagers with disabilities in the context of genetic and environmental factors and possibilities of their social integration (2007-2009).

Chief Project: Dr. Corneliu Vulpe, c.s. I
Research Team: Dr. Eleonora Luca, c.s. II; Dr.  Lacramioara Petre, c.s.; Monica Petrescu, a.c.s.; Marius Radu, a.c.s.
Presentation: The project proposes the study of children and teenagers with disabilities, both of bio-anthropological aspect and of their health and social life. The study has an especial present importance for medical and social assistance, taking in to account the possibility of their future integration in various professional groups. The results will form a complex anthropological picture, specific to the age of these children and correlated with their handicap.

• Tema 6: Anthropo-medical and electro-graphic diagnostic optimization studies for adaptive response estates to the modern life conditions

Research Manager: Dr. Cornelia Guja, c.s. I
Research Team: Dr. Adina Baciu, c.s.; Drd.  Mircea Ciuhuta, a.c.s.
Presentation: Trans-disciplinary (anthropometric, medical, electro-physiological etc.) investigation of representative lots of healthy or sick people for the extension of Anthropology of Individual Laboratory database and for elaboration of scientific papers with practical applicability and with future potential for anthropological research. For the year 2009: defining the basics for the optimization of anthropo-medical diagnostic; documentation and data gathering; correlations with other factors (anthropological or from other domains); methodologies; method application and exploration; collaborations.

PROJECTS

CONTRACTS AND GRANTS DURING 2008 (Romanian Academy):

• GAR no.134/2007-2008, „Anthropo-demographic and socio-medical aspects of the over 60 years old population” - Coordinator drd. Manolescu Suzana (Founds in 2008: 5000 lei)

• GAR no.220/2007-2008, „The Visual Anthropology of the Interethnic Peasant Artisanship in Dobrodja, Banat, and Transylvania” – Name of the grantee: Dr. Marin Constantin (The contract amount in 2008: 4150 lei)

Presentation: The grant research has attempted to make evidence and interpretation of the corellation between the ethnic identity and the practice of peasant crafts, with regard to several villages of Hungarians, Turks, and Croatians that live in Transylvania, Dobrodja, and Banat. Among the abovementioned ethnic groups, the folk artisanship reveals important symbolical and representational properties, as concerns the community sense of belonging and cohesion.

• GAR no.121/2007-2008, „Development of a protocol for anthropometric studies of the head by a 3-D model with applicability in oralo-facial domain” – Coordinator: Dr. Cristiana Glavce. (Founds 2008: 6800 lei)

Presentation: Knowing the dimensional relationships between the cranialo-facial direct measurements and the radiological ones is very important in facial recontruction and in normalization of dimensions or positions of some oralo-facial segments.  Inside this project has been realized an easy-to-apply correspondence between the direct and radiologic measurements. The direct measurements, being more accessible through a statistic-mathematical protocol, established inside this project, can replace the 3-d measurements, bringing more and precise information.

• GAR no.138/2007-2008, „Anthropological Atlas of the Danube Delta”  - Coordinator Dr. Radu Elena (Founds 2008: 4000 lei)

• GAR no.136/2007-2008, „Investigation of elderly chronic stress syndrome. Anthropological methods for the regulation of stress level,”  - Coordinator Dr.Iancu Emilia (Founds 2008: 4500 lei)

Presentation: A study of 190 elderly subjects has shown that the subjective perception of self carried more weight in stress generation than the objective image obtained through biomedical and psycho-social assessments. The study underlines the need of psychological counseling in elderly people to reduce stress and its morbidity.

CEEX PPROJECTS:

• Partner project CEEX no.106/2006-2008: “Detection and monitoring of somatic and psycho-behavioral deficiencies of children and teenagers (10-18 years old). Pilot study, collaboration with U.M.P. “Carol Davila” Bucharest (resp. CEEX Dr. Sarah Nica ; resp. for the Institute: Dr. Cristiana Glavce) - (Founds/Institute: 80.000 lei) – 2008 = 80 000 lei;

Presentation: In this interdisciplinary project we made and analyzed the anthropological data base for the studied subjects. To detect somatic deficiencies we have measured approx. 1100 subjects, grouped by lots of 30 people related on age or sex. We made statistic-mathematical interpretation, which aloud for the dimensional and conformational analysis od lots and individuals, showing the border-cases, with decelerated or accelerated somatic development, according with sex and real age. Correlation between somatic, medical and psycho-behavioral diagnose has permitted the revelation of developmental deficiencies, understanding of their causes and the attempt of correction by an adequate monitoring for the subjects.

• CEEX no.116/2006, Studies about realization of modular dental equipments based on mecatronic systems: ergonomic solutions for a double prevention of the diseases, 2006-2008, Coordinator: Cristina Stan,  founds in 2008 = 40.000 lei;

• cod CNCSIS 44 Spain, Barcelona, CNCSIS PROGRAM - HUMAN RESOURCES – MOBILITIES FOR YOUNG RESEARCHES PN-II-RU-MC-2008-2 Title of the application: High prevalence of Wilson disease in a small mountain village in Romania EUROPEAN CONFERENCE OF HUMAN GENETICS 2008, MAI 31 - JUNIE 3, 2008, founds in 2008 = 3048,55 RON

CONTRACTS WITH FOREIGN PARTNERS:

 (Romanian partner, Institute of Anthropology « Francisc I.Rainer »)

• PICS (Programme International de Coopération Scientifique franco-roumain n°4341/ 2008 - 2010), Dymanique des comportements et statut nutritionnel des adolescents roumains, Romanian Academy/CNRS France (between Institute of Anthropology « Francisc I.Rainer » and Museum of  Man, Paris; founds in 2008 = 5000 Euro. French coordinator: Dr. Françoise Rovillé-Sausse. Romanian coordinator: Dr. Cristiana Glavce

Presentation: with socio-economic changes and free economic exchanges the alimentary behavior of Romanian teenagers has become similar with that of French teenagers, thus the number of overweight and obese people alarmingly increasing the difference is that in Romania the obesity affects the middle and upper classes, but in France it affects the lower classes, especially the emigrants. This fact signifies a bad understanding regarding the consume of alimentary products with high level of calories and without nutrients in Romania vs. France, in the last the problem of a healthy diet being a daily preocupation, especially for middle and upper classes.

• Univ. Tübingen, Germany and Cultural Association „Hieronymus”, contract no. 307 / 07.04.2008, 6865 lei; Coordinators: Dr.Nicolae Miritoiu and drd.Mihai Constantinescu.

• Univ. Tübingen, Germany and Cultural Association „Hieronymus”, contract no. 1042 / 01.10.2008,  6993 lei; Coordinators: Dr.Nicolae Miritoiu and drd.Mihai Constantinescu.

• Univ. Tübingen, Germany and Cultural Association „Hieronymus”, contract no. 1065 / 07.10.2008, 1401 lei. Coordinators: Dr.Nicolae Miritoiu and drd.Mihai Constantinescu.

CURRENT PROJECTS

Dr. Marin Constantin, cs III

• Narratives of Ethnomorphosis among the Minority Ethnic Groups in Romania. The project is supported by Firebird Foundation for Anthropological Research (USA), in the period April 2010-January 2011. It will basically rely upon an ethnographic research dealing with the oral traditions of ethnic relevance for the Hungarian, German, Russian, and Roma minority groups and identities in Romania.

Dr. Stefan Dorondel, c.s.III

• Rural Transformation, Social Differentiation and Land Use Change in Postsocialist Romania The project, financially supported by the New Europe College. Institute for Advanced Studies Bucharest (2008-2009), looks at social differentiation linked to the changes in the nature of the state and access to natural resources in postsocialist Romania. I analyze in this project the emergence of new rural elite with differentiated access to natural resources.

• Social Security and Local State in a postsocialist village of Romania (2009-2011) is unfolding within the project Social Security and Local State in Rural Hungary, Romania, and Serbia. The project is supported by Volkswagen Foundation within Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology Halle, Germany. It analyzes the effects of social security services and the role played by the local state in a hilly village from Southern Romania.
  

Dr. Rada Cornelia, csIII, Prof. Dr. Geană Gheorghită, cs I (participants)

• Grant Code 72, Coordinates medical anthropological and psycho-sexual and reproductive health in urban and rural populations  – PN II Program: Ideas, 2009-2011, National Council for Scientific Research in Education (NURC)