bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
महाभारत में सनत्सुजातका अध्यात्मज्ञान
Authors: Patel Sureshbhai
Published: November 2020

नमोऽस्तु ते व्यास विशालबुद्धे फुल्लारविन्दायतपत्रनेत्र ।
येन त्वया भारततैलपूर्णः प्रज्वालितो ज्ञानमयः प्रदीपः।।
महाभारत भारतीय संस्कृतिका विश्वकोश कहाजाता है । महाभारत में उचित हि कहा है कि, “ यन्न भारते तन्न भारते ।” अर्थात “ जो महाभारत में नहीं वह भारत में नहीं ।” समाज जीवनकी ऐसी कोई समस्या नहीं जिनको महर्षि व्यासने स्पर्श नहीं किया हो । महाभारतकी द्रढ़ प्रतीति थी कि – “न मानुषात् श्रेष्ठतरं हि कश्चित् ।” व्यासजीने मानव जीवनके चार पुरुषार्थोकी विस्तृत चर्चा की है, जिसका महात्म्य बताते हुए कहा गया है कि –
धर्मे चार्थे च कामे च मोक्षे च भरतर्षभः ।
यदिहास्ति तदन्यत्र यन्नेहास्ति न तत्क्वचित् ।।
विश्वप्रसिद्ध श्रीमद्वेदव्यास विरचित ऐतिहासिक महाभारत नामका महाकाव्य है । यह महाभारत महाकाव्य अठ्ठारह पर्वो में और एकसो उपपर्वो में विभाजित है । बाण और सुबंधुकी गद्य कथाओं से जाना जाता है, कि इशुकी षष्ठी सताब्दी या उनसे पूर्व उनका यह ‘शतसाहस्री’ संहिता यानेकी एक लक्ष श्लोकवाला स्वरूप प्रचलित था –
इदं शतसहस्रं हि श्लोकानां पुण्यकर्माणाम् ।
सत्यावत्यात्मजेनेह व्याख्यातममितौजसा ।।
महाभारतके उद्योगपर्व में ‘सनत्सुजातीय दर्शन’ नामक मर्मस्पर्शी दिव्य उपाख्यान है, वह चार अध्याय में विभक्त और करीबन एकसो उनपचास श्लोक में वर्णित है । जिस में वैशम्पायन, धृतराष्ट्र और सनत्सुजात यह तीन पात्र के संवाद में मर्मस्पर्शी जैसे की सृष्टि, उत्पत्ति, मृत्यु, लोक-लोकांतर, धर्म, अधर्म, ज्ञान, तप, ब्रह्मविद्या, ब्रह्मचर्य, ब्रह्मका स्वरुप, आत्माका स्वरुप इत्यादिका तत्त्वज्ञान प्रदर्शित होता है ।
‘तत्वज्ञान’ शब्द में दो शब्द हे ‘तत्त्व’ और ‘ज्ञान’ तत्व = तत् + त्व अर्थात् “मानव आत्माकी वास्तविक प्रकृति या विश्वव्यापी परमात्माके समनुरूप विराट सृष्टी या भौतिक संसार” और ‘ज्ञान’ अर्थात् ज्ञा + ल्युट् = जानना समझना अर्थात् आत्मसाक्षात्कार या परमात्मा से मिलनकी बात सिखलाता है ! अथवा तो विशेष कर उस धर्म और दर्शनकी ऊँची सच्चाईयों पर मनन से उतपन्न ज्ञान जो मनुष्य को अपनी प्रकृति या वास्तविकताको जानना ! इसी प्रकार ‘तत्वज्ञान’ शब्दका अर्थघटन हो सकता है !
समग्र विश्व के लिए अंतिम लक्ष्य शांती और आत्यंतिक सुख है ! सुख ये भौतिक पदार्थो और परिस्थितिके आधिन नहीं है ! यह सर्वविदित सिद्धांत है ! मानवजीवनके सनातन सुखको ढूढने जब हम निकलते है तब निश्चिंत रूप से यह खजाना महाभारतके सनत्सुजातीय दर्शन में छुपा हुआ है यह स्वीकारना पड़ेगा यह सनातन ज्ञानका आदर्श आधुनिक समाजको अपनी प्रासंगिकता पूर्ण करता है !
Over-accumulation of Capital as the Basis of Crises in the USA, Russia and the World
Authors: Sorokin Aleksandr , Tenyakov Ivan
Published: November 2020

The article provides a theoretical understanding of crisis as a manifestation of capital accumulation. The process of over-accumulation in the precrisis period becomes visible in a particular dynamics of interrelated indicators - growth of investments, employment, wages, and reduction in unemployment. Two options: (1) if investments grow faster than employment, this is an evidence of a large-scale impending crisis, (2) if at a similar or slower pace, then this is an evidence of a smaller scale of the crisis. Over-accumulation results in crisis as a sharp drop in the general rate of profit. Overcoming the crisis and restoring the values of the general rate of profit is accompanied by the depreciation of accumulated capital, reduction in investment, increase in unemployment, and drop in wages. The authors introduce the indicator of macroeconomic rate of return, an exoteric estimate of Marx’s general rate of profit, and present the calculation of macroeconomic rate of return in the US economy for the period of 1929-2018 and the Russian economy for the period of 1995-2018. The paper shows that the theory of crisis is confirmed by the statistics of world economic crises of the past three decades, US statistics for 1929-1970 and statistics of the Russian economy.
Current Problems in Monitoring Compliance with Labor Laws by Economic Entities in the Russian Federation
Authors: Bogatyreva Svetlana , Kozlenko Nikita
Published: November 2020

The purpose of the paper is to find the ways to solve problems that arise in the work of the Federal Labor Inspectorate to improve the effectiveness of its monitoring and supervisory activities. The article examines the legislative and regulatory documents, treats most urgent violations in the field of labor legislation, assesses the risk-oriented approach to determining the entities controlled. Drawing on the assessment of legal acts that regulate the procedure for carrying out inspections, the authors make proposals to amend certain provisions of the current legislation in the area under study. The article proposes an additional determinant of employers’ classification for the appointment of a scheduled inspection based on the likelihood of informal registration of workers and informal payments.
Key Performance Indicators of Small Business in Russia
Authors: Kuznetsov Vasiliy
Published: November 2020

Lack of transparency predetermines the shortage of private investment in small business. Financial statement presents the only source of information which reflects the performance of a company but does not provide the investor with sufficient data for proper decision making. Therefore, it is mandatory to develop a set of key performance indicators that will assess the viability of a company and reduce investment risks. Specific nature of small business determines the need to use a minimum number of parameters. To develop the system, the author examines two groups of enterprises: with a bankruptcy claim and without it. The data set consists of financial statement indicators and economic indicators. The use of random forest methods and gradient boosting confirmed the existence of differentiating parameters between successful and unsuccessful businesses: short-term accounts payable, profitability ratio, revenue trend, equity to total assets, receivables index, gain and loss on sale. The established system offers high accuracy for company’s success/bankruptcy forecast. Applying the findings will ensure greater transparency and investment attractiveness of small businesses.
Conjuncture Theory of Money and Industrial Crises by M.I. Tugan-Baranovsky
Authors: Nazarova Irina
Published: November 2020

The article investigates the conceptual provisions of the theory of industrial crises of M. I. Tugan-Baranovsky, which marked the shift of emphasis from the analysis of exogenous factors to the in-depth study of on-farm phenomena of economic instability. Mechanisms and levels of pricing are revealed. The role of monetary instruments of market regulation and the influence of state monetary policy at the moment of transition from the “fake” recovery to the crisis are revealed. The “monetary version” of the phenomenon of the “price revolution” by M. I. Tugan-Baranovsky as a function of the transformation of the economic system is shown. The article traces the development of the views of Russian economists (at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries) on the problems of crises. The “conjunctural” theory of money of M. I. Tugan-Baranovsky is considered in the article as a logical conclusion of his theory of cyclic development of economy. The author concludes that the theory of industrial crises and the conjunctural theory of money of M. I. Tugan-Baranovsky characterize the national economy as a multi-level integrated economic system that combines micro-and macroeconomic processes.
Analysis of etiological factors for emergence of endometrial hyperplasia in perimenopause
Authors: Sima Aneta , Arsovska Anita , Simeonova-Krstevska Slagjana , Daneva-Markova Ana , Dabeski Drage
Published: November 2020

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible reasons for the emergence of endometrial hyperplasia in perimenopause. Material and methods: A total of 71 patients with irregular bleeding were analyzed, at the age of 40-50 years, who should have undergone diagnostic curettage. Depending on the histopathological findings, we divided them into 2 groups: group 1-findings for endometrial hyperplasia, group 2 - atrophic or endometrium with deficient secretory changes. Body mass index (BMI) was determined (obesity defined with BMI >30 kg/m2); we measured blood pressure (cut-off value was 135/90 mmHg), waist circumference (cut-off value was 88 cm) as well as data of anamnesis (age, physical activity, type of diet, smoking cigarettes). All these data were analyzed as etiological factors in the emergence of endometrial hyperplasia.Results: The mean age of patients was 47 years, and the results obtained were very similar in both examined groups. BMI and waist circumference were increased, more than 60% of patients had hypertension, but not all had a statistical significance. Most of them were with completed secondary education, and city living statistically significantly increases the risk of endometrial hyperplasia (p <0.05). As for the lifestyle (physical activity, caloric diet, smoking), the results have shown that a small number of patients are active, almost half of them consume caloric food and smoke, but without a statistical significance.Conclusion: Increased body weight and elevated blood pressure have a major impact on the onset and progression of pathological changes in the endometrium. As clinicians, we should always think of hyperplasia in obesity and patients with hypertension who are irregularly bleeding. At the same time, we should educate them to change the lifestyle in order to prevent gynecological and internistic morbidity.
Prevalence of carotid artery disease in patients with metabolic syndrome
Authors: Deleva-Stoshevska Tatjana
Published: November 2020

There is a growing body of scientific evidence on the impact of metabolic syndrome (MetS) on the progression of atherosclerosis, imposing the need for research of the association of MetS with carotid artery disease (CAD) as a significant risk factor for cerebrovascular insult (CVI) and transient ischemic attack (TIA). The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of CAD as a risk factor for CVI and TIA in subjects with MetS. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was performed including a total of 118 subjects, 65 men, 53 women, with MetS according to NCEP ATP III criteria that were analyzed clinically, biochemically and ultrasonographically in the City General Hospital "8th September" - Skopje in the period from January 2017 to January 2018. Waist circumference, blood pressure, glycemia, triglycerides, and HDL cholesterol were determined according to standard routine protocols. The evaluation of the extracranial carotid trunk was done with a Color Doppler Duplex sonography with a linear probe of 7.5MHz. CAD assessment was performed using Ultrasound Consensus Criteria for Carotid Stenosis. An objective neurological assessment of the existence of CVI and TIA was performed by a standard protocol for neurological examination and brain CT results from medical history were reviewed. Results: The prevalence of CAD in this study was 77 subjects (65.25%), of which 35 subjects (29.66%) had symptomatic CAD, 17 subjects (48.57%) had CVI, 18 subjects (51.43%) had TIA. Regarding the degree of carotid artery stenosis (CAS) in the total number of subjects with MetS and CAD, no subjects with normal findings were registered, 16 subjects had stenosis <50% , 29 subjects had stenosis 50-69% , 23 subjects had stenosis 70-99% , while 9 subjects had occlusion. Conclusion: The results obtained in this study have shown that asymptomatic CAD is dominant in patients with MetS, which further imposed the need for timely extracranial ultrasonographic evaluation of the carotid trunk. This would achieve both effective prevention and adequate treatment of CVI and TIA, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality from cerebrovascular events which has a great health and socioeconomic significance.
Predictive Value of Risk Factors for Chronic Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura in Patients with Acute Type of Disease
Authors: Bahoush Gholamreza , Ghasemi Saeede , Razavi Seyed Mohsen , Faranoush Mohammad , Nojoomi Marzieh
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND: Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune disease in which autoantibodies react with platelet surface antigens and results in mild to severe thrombocytopenia due to decreased platelet count or inhibition of platelet production. Given the relatively high prevalence of ITP among children and the lack of standard diagnostic testing for the diagnosis of chronic disease, this study evaluated the predictive value of risk factors for chronic ITP in hospitalized patients.
METHODS: This prospective cohort study was performed on 65 children with ITP who referred to Ali Asghar and Rasool Akram Hospitals in Tehran, Iran, during the years 2017 and 2018. Relationships between different risk factors, including age of diagnosis, gender, white cell count, primary platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), history and type of the previous patient infection, FCG gene mutation, and type of FCG mutation with a chronic disease incidence were investigated using multiple logistic regression model.
RESULTS: Of 65 patients, 31 (47.69%) were male and 34 (52.31%) were female included in the study. Twenty-eight patients (43.08%) had acute ITP and 37 (56.92%) had chronic ITP. Frequency of FCG gene mutation in patients with chronic and acute type ITP was 16.36% and 7.27%, respectively (p = 0.51). No association was found between the history of the previous infection and its type with the chronic incidence of ITP. The multiple logistic regression model showed that three factors, including the absolute number of lymphocytes, age of diagnosis, and primary white blood cells (WBC) count were directly linked to chronic ITP. Furthermore, three factors of platelet, sex, and MPV were indirectly related to chronic ITP. In addition, the absolute number of lymphocytes, age of diagnosis and primary WBC count were significantly associated with chronic ITP. The receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the cutoff rate of these factors was 0.31. Further analysis of these risk factors in comparison with the gold standard demonstrated that the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of these risk factors for chronic ITP were 73.08% and their specificity was 88.57%, indicating the high importance and predictive power of these risk factors.
CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of this study, for the first time in Iran, six risk factors, including the absolute number of lymphocytes, age at diagnosis, sex, MPV level, platelet level at time of diagnosis, and primary WBC count were considered as the most important risk factors affecting the incidence of chronic ITP. Of course, more comprehensive studies can definitely lead to more comprehensive models.
Treatment of Moderate-sized Kidney Stone with Third-generation Electromagnetic Shock Wave Lithotripter
Authors: Stojanoski Ivica , Krstev Toni , Iievski Lazar , Tufekgioski Nerhim , Stavridis Sotir
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND: The extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a non-invasive method in the treatment of urinary tract stones and its discovery has led to a complete change in the therapeutic strategy for urolithiasis. Due to the low morbidity and excellent fragmentation of the stones, ESWL has proven to be an effective and non-invasive method in the treatment of renal stones.
AIM: The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the ESWL as a monotherapy in the treatment of moderate size kidney stones with stone area (SA) of 100–300 mm².
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We made a retrospective study of 98 patients with moderate size kidney stones with SA of 100–300 mm², divided into two subgroups, into a group with a SA of 100–200 mm² and with 200–300 mm², treated with ESWL in the period of November 2018–December 2019. The patients were treated with a third-generation electromagnetic lithotripter (Lithoskop®, Siemens Medical Systems, Erlangen, Germany), with a source of electromagnetic shocks (Pulso™) and dual ultrasonographic/fluoroscopic system for detection of the stones. The stone location, size, maximum energy used, localization technique, number of shock waves, sessions, re-treatment rate, and additional procedures were reviewed. All the patients before the intervention had a complete laboratory and radiological examinations. Postoperatively, patients were monitored on the 1st, 30th, and 90th post-operative days.
RESULTS: Ninety-eight patients with solitary kidney stone with a SA of 100–300 mm² were treated with ESWL. The study included 58 men (59.18%) and 44 women (40.81%). The average length and width of the stone were 15.47 ± 2.68 mm and 12.99 ± 2.83 mm, respectively. The average surface area of the stones in our series was 203.78 ± 72.85 mm². The mean number of treatments for the entire series of patients was 1.82 ± 0.91. The mean number of shock waves for the total series of patients was 3899.11 ± 40. The mean energy used for the overall patient series was 110106.17 ± 21489.61 mJ. The total re-treatment rate was 47.95%. The entire rate of additional procedures was 19.38%. The overall success rate (SR) in our study was 77.55%. The efficiency quotient for the upper-middle and lower calyx was 55.57, 57.15, and 30.81, respectively.
CONCLUSION: ESWL is a safe and effective method in the treatment of renal stones, and we recommend as the first method in the treatment of moderate size kidney stone with a surface area of 100–300 mm². The treatment of each patient should be individualized and take into account all favored and non-favored factors that influence the decision to choose extracorporeal lithotripsy as a method of treatment of medium-sized stones.
Morphology and phylogenetic analysis of five deep-sea golden gorgonians (Cnidaria, Octocorallia, Chrysogorgiidae) in the Western Pacific Ocean, with the description of a new species
Authors: Xu Yu , Zhan Zifeng , Xu Kuidong
Published: November 2020

Explorations of seamounts in the Western Pacific Ocean and South China Sea resulted in collecting 18 specimens of golden gorgonians. Based on the morphology and the genetic analysis of mtMutS, they are described as one new species,Chrysogorgia carolinensissp. nov., and four known species, includingChrysogorgia dendriticaXu, Zhan & Xu, 2020,Metallogorgia melanotrichos(Wright & Studer, 1889),Metallogorgia macrospinaKükenthal, 1919, andPseudochrysogorgia bellonaPante & France, 2010.Chrysogorgia carolinensisbelongs to theChrysogorgia“group A, Spiculosae” with rods or spindles distributed in the polyp-body wall and tentacles, and differs from all of its congeners exceptC. dendriticaby the 1/3L branching sequence and amoeba-shaped sclerites at the basal polyp body. The mtMutS sequence ofC. carolinensissp. nov.has six deletion mutations compared to those of its congeners, supporting the establishment of the new species. Although no genetic variability was observed between the closely related speciesC. dendriticaandC. abludoPante & Watling, 2012, the former is different from the latter by the apparently irregular sclerites in the polyp body wall. The two specimens ofMetallogorgia melanotrichosmatch well with the original description except for relatively larger polyps, while theM. macrospinaspecimens have slightly smaller polyps than the holotype. The juvenile ofMetallogorgiahas an obvious morphological difference with the adults in the colony shape and branches, but they can be unified by the same polyps and sclerites as well as mitochondrial MutS sequences. Thus, the generic diagnosis ofMetallogorgiais slightly extended to include the morphology of juveniles. The morphology ofPseudochrysogorgia bellonaPante & France, 2010, as a new record for the South China Sea, matches well with that of the original description. In the phylogenetic trees, theChrysogorgiaspecies are separated into two clades, and whileMetallogorgiaandPseudochrysogorgiaformed a sister clade.
Effect of microwave, deep frying and oven cooking on destruction of zearalenone in spiked maize oil
Authors: Sadeghi E. , Oskoei L. Bohlouli , Nejatian M. , Mehr S. Solaimani
Published: November 2020

Mycotoxins are one of the most common types of chemical hazards related to edible oils. Although the refining process can remove such contaminations, they may still be present in the final oils due to defects during the refining steps. In addition, most oils produced in local manufactories are not refined and as such may be contaminated with mycotoxins. However, the effect of various cooking methods on the stability of mycotoxins in edible oils has rarely been studied. Hence, this study evaluated the impact of microwave, deep frying and oven cooking on the degradation of spiked zearalenone (50, 100 and 200 μg/l) in maize oil. Measurements were done by high performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection. The results showed that the majority of treatments, including time-temperature combinations of frying (130-190 °C for 2.5 and 5 min), oven cooking (110-230 °C for 2.5 and 5 min) and exposure time of microwave (2.5, 5 and 10 min) reduced zearalenone levels. Microwave cooking of samples containing 200 μg/l of zearalenone for 10 min showed the highest degradation of the toxin (~ 38%) following first order kinetics. The extent of destruction achieved by frying and oven cooking was also dependent on the initial concentration of zearalenone. These findings can be helpful to evaluate the chemical safety of edible oils or foods prepared by them.
Fusarium and mycotoxin content of harvested grain was not related to tillage intensity in Norwegian spring wheat fields
Authors: Hofgaard I.S. , Aamot H.U. , Seehusen T. , Riley H. , Dill-Macky R. , Holen B.M. , Brodal G.
Published: November 2020

To mitigate the risk of erosion and nutrient runoff, reduced tillage has become more prevalent in Norway. Within within recent decades, there have been some years with relatively high occurrence ofFusarium head blight and mycotoxins in Norwegian cereal grain. This is thought to have been caused by an increased inoculum potential (IP) ofFusarium spp. due to larger amount of crop residues remaining on the soil surface, in combination with weather conditions promoting fungal growth and infection of cereal plants. The objective of this work was to elucidate the influence of different tillage practices on the IP ofFusarium spp. and the subsequentFusarium-infection and mycotoxin contamination of spring wheat grain at harvest. Tillage trials were conducted at two locations in southeast Norway (Solør and Toten) over three years, 2010-2012. Residues of wheat from the previous year were collected in spring.Fusarium avenaceum andFusarium graminearum were the most commonFusarium species recorded on wheat straw residues. IP was calculated as the percentage of the residues infested withFusarium spp. multiplied by the proportion of the soil surface covered with residues. The IP ofFusarium spp. was lower in ploughed plots compared to those tilled with harrowing only. Ploughing in spring resulted in a similarly low IP as autumn ploughing. In contrast, harrowing in autumn generally reduced IP more than did spring harrowing. The mycotoxin levels in the harvested wheat were generally low, except for deoxynivalenol at high levels in Solør 2011. Despite a lower IP of ploughed versus harrowed plots, this was not reflected in the content ofFusarium and mycotoxins in harvested grain. TheFusarium species that dominated in the residues examined in this study were the same as those detected in the harvested grain, supporting the finding that residues are an important source of inoculum.
Zenitistični koncept barbarogenija kot kritika zahodnoevropske kulture
Authors: Pranjić Kristina
Published: November 2020

Članek tematizira podobo balkanskega človeka barbarogenija, kot jo zasnuje eden od osrednjih predstavnikov jugoslovanske avantgarde Ljubomir Micić. Ideji barbara-genija in balkanizacije/barbarizacije Evrope se razvijeta v reviji Zenit, prav tako pa sta zastopani v Micićevi poeziji in prozi (roman Barbarogenij Decivilizator). Podobne sintagme najdemo tudi pri Srečku Kosovelu in akterjih ljubljanske revije Tank. Le-te kažejo na oblikovanje posebne lokalne identitete, ki vzpostavlja tudi nacionalni kontekst njihovega dela. S tem pa pričajo tudi o izvirni misli in umetnostno-zgodovinski specifiki jugoslovanske avantgardne struje, povezane s specifičnimi družbeno-političnimi dogodki v prvih desetletjih 20. stoletja. Funkcija avantgardističnega vračanja k nacionalnim koreninam je sprevračanje hierarhiziranega razmerja do Zahoda z radikalno avtostereotipizacijo. Tako internacionalizacija/kozmopolitskost kot radikalno izpostavljanje nacionalnih karakteristik se kažeta kot strategiji za transgresijo identitet in vzpostavljanje Balkana kot pluralne kulturne identitete s svojo ustvarjalno močjo znotraj jugoslovanske avantgarde.
Misliti medkulturno literarno zgodovino na Slovenskem
Authors: Skapin Anja
Published: November 2020

Razprava obravnava medkulturnost kot problematiko literatur v intra- in intersubjektivnem ter v intra- in interdiskurzivnem stiku, obenem pa osvetljuje nekatere možnosti za nadgradnjo slovenske literarne zgodovine in kanona. Osredotoča se na čas po osamosvojitvi, ko se je po eni strani povečalo zanimanje za raziskovanje preteklosti, po drugi strani pa so se že začele kazati smernice homogeno usmerjenega knjižnega (globalnega) trga. Slovenija se je po osamosvojitvi še vedno soočala z dvema prelomnicama: kako ohranjati lastno identiteto, kar je bilo takrat prvič povsem v rokah državne avtonomnosti; in kako poskrbeti za identiteto ter prepoznavnost malega naroda in male književnosti po padcu v hitro rastoči globalni knjižni trg. Na podlagi modela medkulturne literarne vede lahko vidimo, kako se lastno in tuje prepletata na vseh ravneh človekovega delovanja in posledično delovanja družbe ter kakšen vpliv ima to na izgradnjo dinamične identitete in dinamičnega literarnega kanona.
The Search for Meaning and the Illusion of Escaping: Martin Walser’s Runaway Horse – a Novella about the Midlife Crisis
Authors: Osmanović Sabina
Published: November 2020

This article is an analysis of Martin Walser’s novella Runaway Horse (1977) about the midlife crisis. It describes the search for meaning of a man in his mid-fifties, his imprisonment in futility and the illusion of a possible flight from this abyss. With this novella, Walser embarked on the broad field of philosophy, the ambiguity of postmodern existence and the questioning of traditional lifestyles. In addition, Walser is one of the first writers to artistically address the challenges and crises of age—especially in times of demographic change and the “aging of society,” a highly controversial topic. The question that runs through Walser’s novella is: how to live and how to love? Walser does not offer simple answers to all these questions, but he exacerbates the problems that we perceive only vaguely in our everyday life, at the highest level in literature and philosophy. That is why Walser’s characters appear so credible and why Runaway Horse represents a palpable example of the expressive power of literature.
Problem-Oriented Technology Innovation and Participatory Technology Assessment in China
Authors: Zhou Chunfang , Henriksen Lars Bo , Kerndrup Søren
Published: November 2020

China is developing an ‘innovation-oriented nation' and meanwhile meeting challenges in both innovation practice and research. This chapter contributes to the book that introduces a problem-oriented approach to develop innovation research to a Chinese context that responses to the increasing challenges. Three questions will be focused on: 1) What are the main problems and challenges of innovation and research in China to become a front runner in the knowledge economy? 2) What is a problem-oriented innovation approach? and 3) How does it conceptualize the China's innovation challenge? Briefly, this chapter deepens the understanding of a new conceptual framework of a problem-oriented approach to innovation research and suggests new methods of technology assessment to China. It also provides implications for researchers in other cultural contexts around the world.
Using Collective Creativity and Industry 4.0 Technology to Reduce the Negative Impact of a Pandemic on Entrepreneurs
Authors: Fields Ziska , Abdullah Zainab Mahammad , Musisi Aidah Nakayiwa , Mitchley Nadine Kirsten
Published: November 2020

Across many domains, research has shown that a gap in knowledge exists on exploring the relationship between concepts such as collective creativity combined with the fourth industrial revolution. Furthermore, limited conceptual knowledge of how they may aid entrepreneurs when faced with a crisis of disruption trade due to external forces such as a pandemic. The primary objective of this study is to explain how collective creativity and Industry 4.0 technology can be used to reduce the negative effects of COVID-19 on local entrepreneurial enterprises by developing a framework of preparedness. A qualitative study, based on one-on-one interviews pertaining to local entrepreneurs located in Gauteng, South Africa. The results of the primary study and conclusion are yet to be established.
Wicked Problem and Gender Inequality in the Educational Sector
Authors: Ganiyu Idris Olayiwola , Adeniyi Adeshina Olushola
Published: November 2020

Since the coinage of the term ‘wicked problem' in the 1970s, various dimensions of the concept have emerged. Various social ills such as inequality, political instability, terrorism, diseases, famine, poverty, and corruption are considered as wicked problem. Many of the wicked problems are so called because of their complexities and difficulties of finding solutions to the problems. A major wicked problem that is pervasive in many African countries is gender inequality in education. Universal access to education for girls and boys is one of the objectives of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In addition, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) also emphasized quality education and gender equality as two of the main agendas that should be achieved by developed and developing countries. This chapter explores the gender inequality in the educational sector in selected Sub-Saharan African countries. A comparative analysis of the inequality on school enrollment in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa was explored. The implication for policy and practice is discussed in this chapter.
Collaborative Learning Strategy and Students' Academic Performance in Mathematics and Computer Programming
Authors: Adekunle Salako E. , Adepoju Solomon Adelowo
Published: November 2020

Humans are facing complex problems such as learning how to solve computational problems and academic failures. This research focused on the impact assessment of collaborative learning strategy on solving computational problems among students in Nigeria. A mixed research design was used and the population was 1600 senior secondary school students. A stratified random sampling method was used to select 240 SS III students for the study. The mathematics and computer programming performance tests instrument for data collection were validated by experts in educational measurement and evaluation. A reliability coefficient of 0.79 was obtained for the test instrument. The data collected were analysed using mean, standard deviations and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) statistical tools. Findings revealed that the use of collaborative learning strategy was effective on student's academic performance in solving mathematical and programmatically based problems. Recommendations on students' learning activities were suggested for the enhancement of students' learning experiences.
Innovative Practices in Primary and Secondary School Learning Environments
Authors: Maher Damian
Published: November 2020

There have been numerous changes to the design of learning spaces, inviting educators to innovate the way they teach. This chapter focuses on innovation and how this is shaping practices in primary and secondary schools with a focus on learning environments. The chapter begins with an examination of the notion of innovation exploring the role of leaders and technology-driven education. The focus of the chapter then shifts to frameworks that are used to guide teachers' knowledge looking at the technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) framework and the technology, pedagogy, content, and spaces (TPeCS) knowledge framework. The focus then moves to explore innovative learning environments and the innovative practices occurring in them with a consideration of pedagogy and flexibility. This is then followed by recommendations for further research.
School-Based Professional Development of Teachers
Authors: Adjei-Boateng Emmanuel , Cobbinah Joseph E.
Published: November 2020

School-based professional development of teachers is gradually gaining roots as an effective, relevant, and context-specific alternative to teacher learning and development. Apart from helping to update teachers' knowledge, understanding, and skills, it promotes the establishment of learning communities and for that matter, a community of practice in schools. It is cost-effective and collaborative in approach. This chapter attempts to link school leadership with school effectiveness through the application of school-based professional development of teachers. It is aimed at introducing school heads/principals, especially those in developing countries, to school-based professional development of teachers, as a viable option to teacher learning and development, in terms of its nature, principles and processes, theoretical basis, and models that can be applied in different school contexts. It also examines the strategic role of school heads/principals in promoting the learning community in their schools through the adoption and implementation of school-based professional development of teachers.
Blended Teacher Training Program
Authors: Ota Marcos Andrei , Nagata Andreia Cristina , Ferreira Tatiane Carvalho
Published: November 2020

Nowadays information is processed quickly, and it provides new ways of interaction between the students and the teachers. The digital learning process has entered in our schools and has also brought a great discussion: how to teach in the digital age. To answer it, the authors aim to present a case study about the teacher training program developed in a blended model. Its purpose was to support the teaching practices and to rethink the learning spaces as well as to generate reflections on the issues of how to evaluate the application of active methodologies which are used in the basic education. A total of 20 teachers from four private schools in São Paulo have completed the training program. Thus, it enabled considerable advances in the planning of active classes. It was noticed, according to the results, that the teaching methodologies represent a challenge to be overcome in new training programs.
The Potential of Distance Education for the Inclusion of Students in Higher Education
Authors: Freire Carla , Mangas Catarina , Costa Rogério , Costa Adriana Lage
Published: November 2020

We live in a changing world, where the role of educational institutions is being transformed. The available technologies allow new conditions to access learning; however, as they evolve very fast, sometimes it is challenging to track this evolution regarding the changes that entail to all of us, which may contribute to a digital divide if it is not well addressed. This chapter intends to present distance education as a reliable modality to include students in higher education. For that, it presents the universal design for learning and its crucial role to make inclusive virtual learning environments. Like every modality that exists, there are some challenges that need to be addressed, as well as some benefits that allow to see the potential of this modality to learning, overcoming some adversities that may occur, like the lack of time to go to face-to-face education or even the need of social isolation by risk of getting a disease.
Agribusiness in South Asia
Authors: Sakib Md. Hashmi , Afrad Md. Safiul Islam , Harun-Al-Rashid Ahmed , Kausar A K M Golam
Published: November 2020

Agribusiness plays a key role in the sustainable economic development of rural poor by fulfilling daily needs. In South Asia, all the countries have a similar pattern of societies, resources, climates, practices, and people located close to each other. Crop cultivation, dairy production, fishery, and forestry are the main agribusiness sectors for trading agricultural produce in markets. In contrast, factors (i.e., global warming due to climate change, natural calamity, environmental pollution, unsafe foodstuff, labor unavailability, marketing limitations, and financial crisis) are responsible for a serious fatal to agribusiness activities. Unless we uproot challenges, agribusiness cannot contribute effectively to the economy of developing nations in South Asia. Thus, future strategies may be standing on contemporary scientific research approaches on crop science, restoring resources, controlling food quality, introducing modern types of machinery, best marketing practices, and inclusive financing.
Agricultural Information Systems and Sustainable Food Value Chain Development
Authors: Muktar Bashir Garba , Man Norsida , Orifah Martins Olusegun
Published: November 2020

The oil boom of the 1970s in Nigeria has negatively impacted the young generation's psychology about agriculture. This has led to a continued drain of workforces. The general view on agriculture is of a ‘murky' business, as such always relegated within choices. Myriad programs and projects are being rolled out to revamp agriculture and attract youth in Nigeria. However, they remain largely with insignificant positive results and most of them with little or no deliberate appeal strategy towards enchanting youth. This research analyses the level of youth involvement in agribusinesses in Jigawa, describes and analyses ICTs landscape, then presents innovative approaches towards enchanting youth for agri-preneurial enterprises. Purposive sampling was used to select locations of data collection while convenient sampling was employed to elicit data. Results reveal that the youth entrepreneurial involvement is towards marketing, while a robust ICTs platform exist for supporting enterprises. Also, three packages were drawn and presented for the promotion of agri-prenuership in Nigeria.
Agricultural Information Systems (AGRIS) as a Catalyst for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa
Authors: Raimi Lukman , Che Ferdinand Ndifor , Mutiu Rufai Mohammed
Published: November 2020

The absence of well-developed agricultural information systems (AGRIS) has continued to hinder agricultural development in Africa. Efforts designed to modernize agriculture through AGRIS by the public and private sectors have been hindered by administrative bottlenecks, weak political will from governments, display of ineptitude by farmers/associations, and institutional corruption. In view of the foregoing, this chapter discusses AGRIS as a catalyst for SDGs in Africa. An effective AGRIS will strengthen decisions on the general management of the agricultural sector. Deploying the AGRIS for the management of agriculture will boost food production, increase the GDPs and directly strengthen the actualization of SDG 1, SDG 2, SDG 3, SDG 8, SDG 9, SDG 10, SDG 11, SDG 12, SDG 14, SDG 15, SDG 17, and indirectly impact other SDGs. Ultimately, this chapter suggests leveraging AGRIS for mitigating all the identified challenges to agricultural development in the continent.
Branding Digital in Higher Education Institutions
Authors: Del Pino Ariana Daniela , Garcia Ariana Andrea
Published: November 2020

branding is a process that allows building brands and consumer products with high market acceptance, and it has gained more popularity because more and more higher education institutions (HEI) that are interested in applying good branding management in their organization, due to the value it can generate and the reputation they seek to be more visible. Public or private universities are educational systems that must be managed as a company and compete globally to be the best, so they are weighted using indicators that demonstrate their impact on society. In addition, branding offers universities strategies to manage their brands, which are normally used for brand positioning. This chapter presents a review of the literature on updated concepts and strategies on the digital brand applied to higher education institutions. Elements such as image, mission, vision, corporate values, commercial motto, and brand are used along with new proposals such as the academic part and the digital aspects, within the management of the brand.
The Impacts of Social Media in Higher Education Institutions
Authors: Gutiérrez Verónica , Del Pino Ariana Daniela
Published: November 2020

Today, social networks have become an important part of an individual's life. Most people use social networks to interact and communicate not only with people, but also with different companies or institutions in search of information. This includes higher education institutions. The role of social networks in a higher education institution is important; It helps show what the university does, what services it offers, the achievements of its students, what achievements they get, etc. Social networks, with the right strategies, can create a great impact on how students see the university and what to do, and also they become an admission tool to generate interest in future students.
Collaborative and Open Education by Interdisciplinary Women's Networks
Authors: Robles Mateo Elena
Published: November 2020

This chapter describes FemTechNet, a case study that exemplifies the way in which an informal network of professional women can develop alternative dissemination formats for digital educational content. FemTechNet is an interdisciplinary and transnational network formed by women feminist scholars, educators, and artists mainly from North America, also Europe and Asia. Aiming to apply feminist principles to online education content on gender and technology, FemTechNet created in 2013 the DOCC, a feminist approach to collaborative open formats for online education, especially focused on feminism, new media, and liberal arts. While new formats of massive online courses perpetuate old patterns of hierarchical educational structures, this network aims to promote open pedagogic and inclusive content off and online by the collaboration of the different nodes implicated internationally. This chapter explores FemTechNet principles and methods that made from it a unique network that has successfully addressed contemporary problematics on open accessible content online.
Knowledge-Based Work and Network Enterprise in Modern Egyptian Organizations
Authors: Zidan Marwa Mousa
Published: November 2020

The current chapter aims is to identify the interactive relationship between knowledge-based work and the network enterprise in modern Egyptian organizations, by discussing the characteristics of modern Egyptian organizations, focusing on the network enterprise, its implications for supporting innovation, through exploratory study organizations working in information and communication technology, using case study method, secondary data analysis. Based on the theoretical perceptions of Anthony Giddens, Manuel Castles, as well as Richard Florida, the chapter concluded: modern organizations are resilient and use teamwork, networking for the potential to transform into learning organizations. There is an interactive relationship between the network enterprise and support for innovation within these organizations as they are more flexible and open, and these organizations have developed many network enterprises working with other organizations, which led to support for innovation, and the chapter ended with a set of recommendations and research directions in the future.
Third-Spaces and the Creation of Socio-Spatial Identity
Authors: Abdrabo Amal Adel
Published: November 2020

This chapter provides a polite critique of the conventional ways of thinking about space and the intertwined dialectics of the socio-spatial narratives. Conventionally, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) main document on the Creative Cities Network (UCCN) emphasizes two crucial pillars of sustainable development and urban regeneration which are creativity and culture. The first term deals with creative cities and urban areas, while the second addresses culture as the human product that takes either a tangible or an intangible form. Regarding the meaning of activities in contemporary human society, one of the aims of this chapter is to decode the cultural activities in the city of Basel in Switzerland. In other words, this chapter is about exploring some aspects of the cultural life and creativity in the ancient city of Basel from a sociological perspective. Theoretically, Basel's culture of festivals and carnivals could be seen as the fundamental quality that brings the people of the city together. For instance, the cultural features of Basel Fasnacht, Morgenstreich, and Basel Herbstmesse reveal highly important aspects of the tangible and intangible dimensions of the culture of Basel as an ancient, medieval European city dating back to the 4th century AD. Methodologically, this chapter aims to represent and produce anthropological knowledge using visual media of research through the methodology of the “Actor-Network Theory”. This method of research comprises three main steps: 1) collecting visual ethnography, 2) designing the Actantial model based on Aristotle's semiotic square, 3) creating visual storyboarding to finalize the Actantiality map through analyzing power dynamics among the human narratives, the historical and cultural narratives, the spatial-environmental narratives, and the official narratives of the state. The main findings of this chapter may confirm or rebut the author's two hypotheses, stating “the city's identity is a mutual manifestation of human-spatial interaction,” and “not all creative cities have to be modern ones; some ancient cities are indeed creative cities based on their cultural, historical and social uniqueness.”
Towards Creative Mixed-Use Axes in the Upper Middle Class Residential Zones in Cairo Metropolitan Context
Authors: Ali Arbab Iman Talaat
Published: November 2020

Mixed-use development is one of the applications for achieving sustainability goals and quality of life in cities, and one of the creative city tangible characteristics indicators as well. Mixed-use approach was adopted in development strategies for two global examples in this chapter. This study sheds light on the unplanned generated mixed-use axes in upper middle class residential zones in Cairo, the paradigm in which they have been formed and the factors leading to the current mixed-use axes, and their effects on the quality of life for the same urban contexts, how might the stakeholders' needs be achieved without urban deterioration, how these axes could be creative places, and the importance of community involvement in urban development and management processes. A field survey of three local case studies will answer these inquiries in this chapter. Expected results will set guidelines for mixed-use axes in upper middle class residential zones to enhance the quality of life. These guidelines could be applied to transform/design the existing/new cities to be creative cities.
Knowledge-Based Policymaking for Urban Development
Authors: El Sayed Omkolthoum
Published: November 2020

This chapter provides a view on the healthy city project that started in the 1980s. The healthy city project is a WHO initiative launched to incorporate health in the agenda of city governments. One of the main challenges in the project implementation is the evidence synthesis, especially at local levels. The author explores this limitation in the literature relevant to the healthy city project. The author conducted a narrative review to examine the position of different aspects of evidence-informed policymaking in the studied literature and documents. Four categories of research work were charted: Theoretical Framework, Guides, Measurement, and Evidence Use in Urban Planning. The chapter concludes that despite the increased efforts, there is a room for further development of knowledge-based policymaking. More attention to the actual practice of using evidence in policymaking and outputs of such a process should be given despite focusing on the inputs of the process.