bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
KALKULASI DAN KOMPARASI KANDUNGAN KARBON DALAM PEMILIHAN BAHAN STRUKTUR UNTUK MEWUJUDKAN STRUKTUR BERKELANJUTAN
Authors: Partama I Gusti Ngurah Eka , Pamungkas Tri Hayatining
Published: December 2024

Upaya pengurangan penggunaan beton dalam kontruksi berdampak pada pemilihan  bahan alternatif untuk bahan konstruksi selain beton, salah satunya menggunakan  baja. Baja untuk bisa diaplikasikan menjadi komponen struktur prosesnya juga cukup panjang, mulai dari pengolahan bijih besi sampai diinstalasi menjadi komponen struktur, yang sepanjang proses produksi sampai instalasi juga memberikan kontribusi terhadap emisi CO2e. Untuk mendukung semangat struktur keberlanjutan di Kota Densapar diperlukan suatu kajian berupa komparasi material struktur beton dan baja terkait  jejak karbon keduanya. Analisa dilakukan dengan menyusun modeling bangunan lantai 1 yang dirancang dengan material struktur beton dan baja, yang selanjutnya dilakukan perencanaan struktur dan dihitung biaya serta kandungan karbonnya. Hasil kajian dan analisa berdasarkan simulasi dan modeling yang dibuat dapat disimpulkan biaya struktur beton di Kota Denpasar lebih murah dan memiliki jejak karbon yang lebih rendah dibandingkan dengan struktur baja. Simulasi ini merekomendasikan penggunaan struktur beton bertulang untuk mendukung struktur berkelanjutan, namun tetap mengupayakan pengurangan beton dalam kontruksi.
Advanced Generative Models for 3D Multi-Object Scene Generation: Exploring the use of Cutting-edge Generative Models like Diffusion Models to Synthesize Complex 3D Environments
Authors:   USA, Singh Vedant
Published: December 2024

The evolution of generative models has been quite rapid, and this has greatly impacted the field of 3D scene generation. It was previously impossible to
build such detailed 3D scenes automatically and with relative simplicity because the process demanded considerable human input alongside significant
computational power. At the same time, it could be a labor-intensive task, especially when a large number of scenes needed to be generated. New generative
synthesis methods such as diffusion models and GANs have made it much easier and more efficient to synthesize high-quality 3D scenes. Of these, the
diffusion models have turned out to excel at crafting diverse and highly complex multi-object 3D scenes that are photorealistic and provide a new record
in scene generation. Such technologies have enabled new opportunities across industries such as VR, augmented reality, gaming, robotics, and automation,
where approximate and more realistic 3D models are increasingly becoming useful. The diffusion models, notably, show comparatively high performance
in creating complex spatial patterns and a high level of detail, which is beneficial for realistic applications. This paper discusses the basics, uses, limitations,
and innovations of current generative models, with an emphasis on diffusion models, with a view to applying them mainly to 3D scene generation. Thus,
this review highlights the possibilities and oversights of diffusion models to demonstrate the possibilities of the future of automated 3D content creation
across several technological domains.
Leveraging AI to Predict and Manage Infectious Disease Outbreaks: Insights Gained from COVID-19
Authors:   Concepts IT Inc, USA, Kumar Manoj
Published: December 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has underlined the transformation potential of artificial intelligence in predicting and managing infectious diseases. This article
attempts to discuss in detail the role of AI in the burden reduction of an epidemic or pandemic by early detection, real-time contact tracing, and resource
allocation with a best-optimization approach. The huge data of genomic sequences, mobility, and clinical records were used by the ML models during
COVID-19 times for the prediction of disease spread, defining hotspots, and smoothing health responses. AI-driven systems enabled diagnostics at a
quicker pace, efficient vaccine distribution, and effective public health interventions. It draws from experiences in COVID-19 to assess various successes
and challenges encountered in the integration of AI into pandemic management and goes deep into the fight against the outbreaks of the future. Key lessons
learned include robust data infrastructure, cross-sector collaboration, and ethics in deploying AI technologies. In all, these findings underline the potential
of AI to revolutionize the management of infectious diseases by providing scalable, proactive, and exact solutions that fit global health crises.
Harnessing Kubernetes for Container Orchestration with Review on Benefits, Challenges & Best Practices
Authors:   Independent Researcher, Sanugommula Harika
Published: December 2024

Kubernetes has emerged as a leading container orchestration platform, enabling organizations to automate the deployment, scaling, and management
of containerized applications. This paper explores the architecture of Kubernetes, its key components, and common use cases and comparison of EKS,
AKS & GKE. The advantages and challenges of implementing Kubernetes in production environments are also discussed along with the best practices.
The Integration of Robotic Systems in Healthcare Infrastructure: Challenges and Solutions
Authors:   Senior Systems Engineer Systems Engineering, Design and Development Robotics, Pasupuleti Shashank
Published: December 2024

The integration of robotic systems into healthcare infrastructure is a groundbreaking advancement that holds great potential for improving patient outcomes,
enhancing the precision of medical procedures, and optimizing healthcare workflows. Robotic systems, including surgical robots, rehabilitation devices, and
patient monitoring systems, rely on complex software-hardware integration to function effectively. This paper examines the key elements involved in the
integration process, focusing on real-time control systems, feedback loops, and the equations governing data transmission and command execution. These
elements are crucial for ensuring that robotic systems respond accurately and efficiently to patient data and external commands in time-sensitive situations,
such as surgeries and emergency interventions.
In addition to these technical and operational challenges, the paper discusses financial barriers to adopting robotic systems, including high initial costs and
the ongoing expenses associated with maintenance, software updates, and training. Strategies for overcoming these financial challenges, such as shared-cost
models and predictive analytics to estimate long-term savings, are also examined. By addressing these challenges and proposing practical solutions, this paper
aims to provide a comprehensive framework for the successful integration of robotic systems into healthcare, ultimately contributing to improved patient
care and more efficient healthcare delivery
Effective Utilization of Messaging Systems with SOA in Healthcare
Authors:   Engineer (Product), Cardinal Health, Kalpinagarajarao Gopikrishna
Published: December 2024

Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) has emerged as a transformative approach for designing and deploying enterprise systems. By enabling loosely coupled,
interoperable, and reusable services, SOA provides a robust foundation for addressing the communication and operational challenges in complex domains like
healthcare and supply chain management. Messaging systems, a critical component of SOA, facilitate seamless communication between diverse systems and
applications. Effective utilization of these systems is essential for improving efficiency, data accuracy, and decision making in healthcare and supply chain systems.
Optimizing Service Desk Operations: Enhancing Customer Support in the Digital Age
Authors:   Independent Researcher, USA, Sanugommula Harika
Published: December 2024

This paper examines the critical role of service desks in modern organizations, focusing on their functionalities, challenges, and best practices. As a central
hub for customer support and IT service management, service desks facilitate communication between users and service providers, ensuring prompt
resolution of issues and enhancing user satisfaction. Here we discuss with an example of opening a ticket in a Service Desk for Technical Issues. The findings
emphasize the importance of adopting best practices and technologies to meet the evolving demands of customers in an increasingly digital landscape.
Tėvų akademinė parama ir paauglių perdegimas mokykloje: ar jie susiję?
Authors: Paulina Statkevičiūtė  , Justė Lukoševičiūtė-Barauskienė
Published: December 2024

Tyrimo tikslas – išanalizuoti paauglių perdegimo mokykloje sąsajas su tėvų suteikiama akademine parama.Tyrimo dalyviai. Šiame žvalgomajame tyrime dalyvavo 60 respondentų, kurių amžiaus vidurkis buvo 17,2 metų (SN = 0,98), iš jų 48,4 proc. vaikinų (n = 29) ir 51,6 proc. merginų (n = 31).Tyrimo metodai. Tėvų suteikiama akademinė parama matuota naudojant Suvokiamos tėvų akademinės paramos skalę (angl. Perceived parental academic support scale;PPASS),sudarytą iš 31 teiginio. Tiriamųjų buvo prašoma 5 balų Likerto skalėje pažymėti nuo 1 („visiškai nesutinku“) iki 5 („visiškai sutinku“), kiek jie su teiginiu sutinka arba ne. Paauglių patiriamas perdegimas mokykloje matuotas naudojant Mokyklinio perdegimo įvertinimo klausimyną (angl. School-burnout inventory;SBI),kurįsudaro 9 teiginiai. Teiginiai buvo vertinami pagal Likerto skalę nuo 1 („visiškai nesutinku“) iki 6 („visiškai sutinku“). Papildomi tyrėjos sukurti klausimai apėmė socialinius ir demografinius rodiklius (amžių ir lytį) ir vidutiniškai mokymuisi skiriamą laiką (darbo dienomis ir savaitgaliais).Tyrimo rezultatai. Išanalizavus paauglių perdegimą paaiškėjo, kad didžioji dalis tiriamųjų (46,7 proc.) jaučia aukštą arba vidutinį perdegimą mokykloje, nepriklausomai nuo lyties (p = 0,301) ir amžiaus (p = 0,741). Kas antras (48,4 proc.) tyrime dalyvavęs moksleivis jautė vidutinę arba aukštą tėvų akademinę paramą. Merginos jautė didesnę akademinę paramą iš tėvų nei vaikinai (p = 0,011), tačiau akademinės paramos lygis nesiskyrė priklausomai nuo amžiaus (p = 0,523). Galiausiai buvo nustatytas silpnas (rho = 0,2) ryšys tarp paauglių perdegimo ir tėvų suteikiamos akademinės paramos, nors ir nesiekė reikšmingumo ribos (p = 0,135).Tyrimo išvados. Beveik pusė tiriamųjų jautė vidutinio, o trečdalis – aukšto lygio perdegimą mokykloje. Kas antras respondentas jautė vidutinę tėvų teikiamą paramą. Merginos, palyginti su vaikinais, jautė aukštesnę teikiamą akademinę paramą iš tėvų. Paauglių patiriamas perdegimas nebuvo susijęs su tėvų teikiama akademine parama.
HISTORICAL CITY IN A HISTORICAL CITY: EXPERIENCE OF UNDERSTANDING THE PHENOMENON OF AUTONOMY OF THE SOCIALIST CITY OF CHERNIKOVSKIN THE SPACE OF THE CITY OF UFA (THROUGH THE PRESS OF HISTORIOGRAPHICAL RESEARCH)
Authors: RUBIN V.A. , RYABUKHA A.S. , SPIRIDONOVA E.V
Published: December 2024

This study is devoted to the issue of understanding the phenomenon of autonomy of the socialist city of Chernikovsk in the space of the city of Ufa on the basis of identified bibliographic literature and sources. The relevance of the scientific article is due to theincreased attention of the state and society to the issues of preservation and state protection of monuments, ensembles, and places of interest, as well as the lack of knowledge of the problem. The object of the study is the history of the formation of historical and cultural spaces, the subject of the study is the period of existence of the unique Soviet city of Chernikovsk, which grew on the “foundation” of the settlement of Chernikovka and was subsequently included in Ufa, but retained its identity as a socialist city. The purpose of the study is a historiographic analysis of the history of the settlement of Chernikovka, the emergence of the socialist city of Chernikovsk and its inclusion in the city of Ufa, the streets of Chernikovka (Chernikovskaya), and the activities of the architect M. N. Kupriyanova. The authors come to the conclusion that the vast majority of publications do not contain references to central and regional archives and are of local history and journalistic nature, that is, the history of the city of Chernikovsk requires serious scientific research. The analyzed works indicate the need to recognize the autonomy and uniqueness of the territory of the northern part of Ufa - Chernikovka (the city of Chernikovsk) and make legal decisions on the identification of cultural heritage sites, a landmark, and, possibly, the historical settlement “Socialist city of Chernikovsk”.
Estilhaços: políticas e poéticas queer
Authors: Dias Alfrancio Ferreira , Brito Ariel Matos , Rocha Késia dos Anjos
Published: December 2024

Estilhaços: Políticas e Poéticas Queer é uma coletânea ousada e necessária que explora as múltiplas camadas das escrevivências trans* e queer, entrelaçando política, educação e arte em uma narrativa potente de resistência e transformação. Organizado por Alfrancio Ferreira Dias, Ariel Matos Brito e Késia dos Anjos Rocha, o livro mergulha nas experiências de dissidência sexual e de gênero, trazendo vozes que rompem com os padrões opressivos da cisheteronorma.

Por meio de capítulos que discutem epistemologias trans*, pedagogias queer e vivências que desafiam as normas acadêmicas e sociais, a obra é um convite à reflexão crítica sobre diversidade, inclusão e justiça social. Um grito contra a invisibilidade e um manifesto pela valorização das identidades transviadas e de suas produções de conhecimento.

Ideal para educadores, ativistas, pesquisadores e leitores que desejam desconstruir narrativas normativas e amplificar as possibilidades de existências plurais.
Neuroeducation and Cognitive Behavioral Interventions: A Narrative Review
Authors: Antonopoulou Hera
Published: December 2024

This paper provides a comprehensive narrative review at the intersection of neuroeducation and cognitive behavioral interventions (CBI), exploring how insights from cognitive neuroscience can enhance educational practices. It traces the historical progression of neuroeducation, proposes theoretical frameworks linking reading disabilities with comorbid conditions, and details the methodology underpinning the review. Key themes include the role of neuroplasticity in learning, memory, and cognitive development, and the application of CBIs in managing anxiety and other psychological factors in students. The review emphasizes the need for integrating neuroscientific theories into education, the potential of gamified programs and specialized platforms, and the importance of teachers' emotional involvement in student learning. Furthermore, it highlights significant gaps in current research and offers practical recommendations for incorporating neuroeducational principles into teacher training and educational policies. The findings underscore the impact of narrative reviews in advancing neuroeducation, pinpoint key interdisciplinary collaborations, and advocate for ongoing research to support innovation and transformation in education.
Doelbewust herhaaldelijk inslikken van vreemde voorwerpen. Hoe deze problematiek te begrijpen en benaderen?
Authors: Van Geem J. , Heylens G.
Published: December 2024

Deliberate repeated foreign body ingestion
How to understand and approach this problematic phenomenon

Deliberate and repeated swallowing of potentially harmful foreign objects such as knives and batteries is characterised as impulsive, difficult to treat, and often results in urgent medical intervention. This behaviour has a major impact on the patient and their environment, placing significant pressure on healthcare systems. Problematic swallowing behaviour is most frequently observed in patients from early adulthood to middle age who are admitted to psychiatric hospitals, staying in prison institutions, and/or are mentally retarded. These patients usually have a traumatic history of sexual abuse and exhibit various forms of self-destructive behaviour. This phenomenon can be categorised into several diagnostic subgroups, including pica, nonsuicidal self-harm in personality disorders, simulation, OCD, and psychosis. In an emergency setting, predefined directives and multidisciplinary collaboration are essential to reduce stress and prevent further swallowing incidents. For long-term psychiatric care, various psychopharmacological treatments and psychotherapeutic interventions are advised. Adequate support and training of practitioners is recommended, given the severity of care required for these vulnerable patients.
Investigating Empirical evidence on the Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Bibliometric analysis of the 100 topmost cited publications on Tuberculosis Disease
Authors: Musa Taha Hussein , Fornah Lovel , Akintunde Tosin Yinka , Musa Idriss Hussein , Musa Hassan Hussein , Turay Gabriel Maxwell , Al-sharai Maram Abdulhakim Abdulkarem
Published: December 2024

Tuberculosis (TB) disease remains a growing threat in public health globally. This study explored the epidemiology, diagnosis, management, and bibliometric analysis of the top 100 most cited articles on TB. The study adopted a narrative review and bibliometric analysis to explore publications on TB disease. Publications in the Web of Science were retrieved to provide extensive selection process. The present study of top 100 articles which are mostly cited are reported between 1969 to 2018. Reported documents were published in 37 journals, and a total of 1058 authors contributed with 10.5 authors per document, and 12 countries contributed, with most of TB research originating from the US (N=51) articles. We found 1058 occasional authors, and of these, 971 authors (0.003%) presented only three articles, followed by 11 authors (0.010%) and 18 authors (0.017%), respectively. About (n=34) research was published in General & Internal Medicine and Science & Technology. New England Journal of Medicine with 14 was top journal. The lead research institution was the University of Cape Town. The significant correlations were found between the number of citations and documents per year (r=0.9579, p<0.0001), countries (r=0.9570, p<0.0001), article per journal (r=0.8721, p<0.0001), and authors (r=0.4601, p<0.0001), and documents per Institution (r=0.6159, p<0.0001). A new insight into TB scientific production was through social network. The evidence from this study provides a template for understanding the epidemiology of TB and the trends in research. It also exposes the hotspot of research along with research gaps for future studies.
The efficacy of Merit-based Recruitment in Amolatar district in Northern Uganda
Authors: Ocwer Bruno , Okuna Victor , Mwesigwa David
Published: December 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the success of merit-based recruitment in Amolatar District Local Government Administration, Uganda.
Methodology: A case-study research design was adopted backed by quantitative and qualitative analysis that involved a careful and in-depth investigation of a particular unit or events under study for the purposes of generalization. It was conducted in Amolatar District. We chose this area because merit-based recruitment had failed as a result of weak decision-making processes by the district service communion and the influence-peddling by political leaders in the district. We took a sample of 60 respondents and interviewed 52 respondents living within the District Headquarters and in Amolatar Town Council.
Findings: The results revealed that the success of merit-based recruitment in Local Government Administration is very essential in terms of stakeholder responsibility, enhancing citizen confidence in the local government institution, and enabling the district service commission to recruit the best human resources for the provision of quality service. 
Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: This study is central as it strengthens the merit-based recruitment model over and above other models of recruitment as well as enabling local governments to prioritize meritocracy over political patronage in every staff recruitment cycle.
A Survey to Capture the Mobility Behavior of Residents in the Republic of Cyprus
Authors:   Cyprus University of Technology, Department of Civil Engineering and Geomatics, Limassol, Cyprus, Fayad Philip , Kyriakidis Phaedon ,   Cyprus University of Technology, Department of Civil Engineering and Geomatics, Limassol, Cyprus, Tsioutis Constantinos ,   European University of Cyprus, School of Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus, Kavroudakis Dimitris ,   University of the Aegean, Department of Geography, Mytilene, Greece
Published: December 2024

In today's highly mobile world, people of all age groups constantly move between various locations, such as their homes, grocery stores, schools, and workplaces, reflecting the dynamic nature of modern society. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the profound impact of human mobility on the rapid spread of the virus within and between urban areas. The current study investigates the daily mobility behaviors of residents of the Republic of Cyprus. Through a comprehensive survey, the research documents travel patterns, commuting habits, and transportation preferences across various age groups and districts of Cyprus. With a total of 787 responses from all districts of Cyprus, data was collected through an online survey from 20/11/2023 to 20/02/2024. Data analysis includes descriptive methods and statistical modeling techniques in order to provide insights into the patterns of human mobility. Key findings include insights into travel distances, frequencies, duration and means of transportation, and timelines of mobility activities during typical workdays, as well as during weekends.
A Review on the Technology of Size Reduction Equipment
Authors: Ms. Najiya Chand Khetiwale  , Mr. Dipak S. Tonchar
Published: December 2024

Size reduction, also known as comminution, diminution, or pulverization, is the act of breaking down big solid units into small, coarse, or fine particles. There are numerous kinds of size reduction equipment that are frequently used in different contexts after being empirically created to handle particular materials. Since nearly all size reduction strategies involve developing new surface area, which necessitates adding energy proportional to the bonds holding the feed particles together, hardness is likely the most significant property determining size reduction. in addition to the milling process's usual changes. The benefits and drawbacks, mechanisms, theories, methods, developments, and therapeutic uses of size reduction technologies are highlighted in this systematic review
Percepción de los estudiantes de Artes visuales sobre su profesión
Authors: González Sanjur Félix A.
Published: December 2024

La carrera de Artes Visuales tiene una serie de salidas laborales que quizás no sean advertidas. Se piensa que el estudio de las artes visuales tiene fin único “el ser artista”, lo que da como resultado un sesgo sobre las posibilidades en el campo laboral. La formación universitaria tiene como fin la profesionalización del estudiante, lo que implica que quien estudia artes visuales se está formando como un profesional de esta disciplina. Lo anterior no es exclusivo ni excluyente de la posibilidad de desarrollarse como artista. Con la intención de entender la percepción que tienen los estudiantes de la carrera de Artes Visuales de la Universidad de Panamá sobre su profesión, se analizó el plan de estudio, para tener el panorama curricular sobre la misma; y se aplicó un instrumento con escala de actitudes y opiniones, con un grupo focal a los estudiantes de todos los niveles y turnos. De esa manera se examinó hasta dónde los estudiantes consideran el alcance de su preparación universitaria, para desarrollarse como profesionales; encontrando limitaciones significativas sobre los espacios laborales que estos consideran pueden desempeñar.
Urban mining potential in demolition and design for innovative material reuse within a circular model
Authors: Üçer Erduran Deniz
Published: December 2024

A significant Soviet-era building from the 1970s in Moscow was demolished in 2019 after being excluded from the heritage list and left abandoned for an extended period. Constructed with bricks, precast slab panels, and a steel roof, the building underwent rapid destruction by machinery. The metals were sent to a recycling facility, while the concrete-brick mixture was transported to a dumping site, where it was partially stored and landfilled. The demolition process was monitored daily and documented through photographs, forming the initial phase of the current research. This research focused on creating an urban mining strategy to enhance the circularity of materials within an innovative architectural design. Detailed observations were made regarding the unit types and bonding style, the characteristics of the precast panels and jointing technique, the materials and fabrication of the trusses. This information was used to identify potential endof-life applications for the materials within a circular model from around the world. The research identified a strategy that prioritized deconstruction and reuse, which included cutting and reshaping walls into new load-bearing blocks, slicing slab panels and reassembling them into perforated facades, and converting the trusses into cross-braced columns. Using 3D modelling, each stage of the proposed scenario—including the state of the components and their transformation into new architectural materials—was digitally visualized. Additionally, the necessary tools and processes for this transformation in a real-world context were determined. Finally, the innovative architectural appearance created from these repurposed materials, showcasing their rich composition and textures, was presented. The benefits of the proposed management strategy were highlighted, emphasizing the intrinsic and architectural value of the materials, as well as their positive environmental and social aspect.
Reformation of the Literal
Authors: Lundeen Erik
Published: December 2024

What does it mean to read the Bible 'literally'? Recent debates on the Protestant reformers have focused on whether they were stridently literal interpreters or maintained a place for allegorical readings. However, in this nuanced book, Lundeen argues that the question of what in fact constituted the Bible’s literal sense was also a key question in early modern debates.

There is no clean binary of literal versus allegorical; instead, reformers subtly produced a variety of competing literalisms. There was not one literal sense in the Reformation, but many.

To make this case, Lundeen comparatively analyzes Reformation-era commentaries on the prophet Isaiah. He further highlights the little-known but influential works of the Basel reformer Johannes Oecolampadius, who was the first Christian to publish commentaries on most of the biblical prophets in the sixteenth century.

By placing Oecolampadius in conversation with a host of his better-known Christian and Jewish predecessors and contemporaries, this book reframes a central aspect of Reformation-era biblical exegesis, while also providing a constructive resource for those who seek to read the Bible’s ancient prophets as Christian scripture today.
Armenians in Turkey after the Second World War
Authors: Suciyan Talin
Published: December 2024

This reader brings to light newly discovered archival material compiled by the Soviet Consulate in Istanbul. The book reveals the lives and experience of Armenians in Turkey in the 1940s, with a particular focus on the process of emigration to Soviet Armenia. The accounts, translated for the first time into English, are comprised of Soviet officials’ reports and first-hand testimony by survivors of their lives during the post-genocide period, making this an invaluable new contribution to the existing collections of Armenian survival testimonies. Placing the archival records on emigration in the context of both life in post-genocide Turkey and the ‘repatriation’ (nergakht) project in the Armenian Diaspora, this book, which also includes the original Russian documents, will be a useful resource for researchers and students of Armenian and Turkish history.
A New Imperial History of Northern Eurasia, 1700-1918
Authors: Gerasimov Ilya , Glebov Sergey , Mogilner Marina B.
Published: December 2024

A New Imperial History of Northern Eurasia, 1700-1918proposes a new language for studying and conceptualizing the spaces, societies, and institutions that existed on the territory of today’s Northern Eurasia, until recently part of the USSR. Traditional concepts and genealogies that frame human experience have to be avoided or reframed: this is not the story of a certain present-day state or people evolving through consecutive historical stages. Rather, the book’s point of departure is a modern analytical approach to the problem of human diversity as a fundamental social condition. In the form of cooperation and confrontation, various attempts to manage diversity fostered processes of societal self-organization, as new ideas, practices, and institutions were developed virtually from scratch or radically altered when borrowed. Essentially, this is the story of individuals and societies who creatively responded to their natural and social environments and sought answers to universal problems in unique historical circumstances.

This volume, which brings together leading scholars from both the United States and Russia, covers the period during which the enormous landmass from the Carpathian Mountains in the west to the Pacific Ocean in the east, from the Polar Circle in the north to the steppe belt in the south was put under the control of a single polity: the Russian Empire. Previously, the competing local scenarios of self-organization had taken specific political forms that suited them best. This book shows that the Russian Empire faced the daunting task of coordinating multifaceted diversity within a single political and legal body, under constantly changing domestic and international circumstances. The study reveals that, to this end, the imperial regime employed various means, from violence to science, from segregation to integration, and yet was still unable to block multiple political actors within the empire from advancing their own strategies of belonging, resistance, and participation.
Aristophanes: Wasps
Authors: Jendza Craig
Published: December 2024

This is the first book-length study dedicated to Aristophanes’Wasps(422 BCE), which is arguably one of his most hilarious and inventive comedies.At the heart ofWaspsis a comic conflict between an Athenian father named Philocleon and his son Bdelycleon; at stake are issues of political discourse, the judicial system, social class and mental illness. Alongside Aristophanes’ striking scenes involving a chorus of citizen wasps, a dog trial, and a concluding dance-off between tragedy and comedy, the reader is shown the theatrical genius of the playwright which is able to find the humor in the political, social and generational problems of his time.

Ideal for students with no experience in Greek comedy or for researchers wanting an updated analysis of the play, this book exploresWaspsin terms of Aristophanes’ particular brand of Old Comedy, its historical context, innovative stagecraft and its reception up until the present day. While early modern playwrights such as Ben Jonson and Jean Racine tended to co-opt memorable scenes fromWaspssuch as the dog trial, more recent productions have interpreted the play as a political comedy about the fragility of democratic institutions. This is the ideal companion for anyone studyingWaspsand its effect on later theater.
Story Thinking and the Real-world Applications of Sci-Fi and Fantasy Writing
Authors: Marshall Helen , Wilkins Kim , Bennett Lisa
Published: December 2024

In the 21st century, the rapid advance of technology and the existential threat of climate breakdown mean the real world increasingly resembles something out of fiction, filled with ambiguity and uncertainty. Such challenges need imaginative, creative solutions. To find them, teams of experts must pool their knowledge, make new connections, and forge paths forward.

InStory Thinking, award-winning authors Helen Marshall, Kim Wilkins, and Lisa Bennett show how the principles of science fiction and fantasy writing – which speculate about and imagine different futures, people, and worlds - can enrich research in such areas as government policy, technology innovation, and healthcare within universities and various industries. When transferred to research, story thinking as a method can help to build teams with a shared sense of purpose, offer new patterns of thought for improvisation, rapid perspective shifts, worldbuilding, pleasure and playfulness. Split into two parts - conceptualizing story thinking and story thinking as it has been employed in the field - Marshall, Wilkins and Bennett bring together theories of creativity from business, psychology, futures studies, gaming, and medicine among others, with 4 key practices from SFF storytelling – envisioning, engaging, inhabiting, and empathizing. They then provide practical tools for collaborative problem solving alongside case studies of their own successful applications of Story Thinking in various fields, including defense innovation and future scenario modelling with world governments; developing empathy and enhancing well-being in medical education; designing gaming and simulation tools for researchers; and futureproofing digital identity technologies with the UNHCR, the agency responsible for protecting and aiding refugees

Showing how writing can be adapted for new and exciting contexts,Story Thinkingbridges the gap between the humanities and outside fields and lays the foundations for more creative approaches that more deeply engage in the process of making a better future.
London Uncanny
Authors: Bloom Clive
Published: December 2024

From Kensington to the East End, under candlelight, gas lamp and then neon signs, London is both a bustling physical metropolis and a stirring psychic encounter. The most depraved depictions of London in fiction, film, poetry, television and theatre have irrevocably merged with the reality of its dark history, creating a phantasmagoria defined by murder, vice and the unnatural.In this panoptic look at the capital at its most eerie and macabre, Clive Bloom takes a tour of Gothic London's uncanny literature, arcane events and its infamous and imagined geographies.

From David Bowie to T S Eliot, Thomas de Quincey to Aleister Crowley, the prophetess Joanna Southcott to the 'ghosts' of Abba and the worlds of Neil Gaiman and Clive Barker, these are the figures that populate a city lost in fog and blind alleys, where the dead can be raised, the living sacrificed and the clandestine thrive. Suturing together fact and fantasy,London Uncannypresents the urban landscape of the capital as a space of wonder and madness, haunted by its past and haunting the present. Stalking through disease and degeneracy, death and murder, spiritualism, lunacy and the occult, Bloom crafts a singular, integrated concept of a London where dreams and nightmares meet.
Munich Crisis of 1938
Authors: Majewski Piotr M.
Published: December 2024

Bringing together a range of perspectives from across Europe, this book examines the Munich crisis of 1938. It reveals how the actions of the West, Nazi Germany, Italy, Czechoslovakia and others influenced each other at this time, driving the world to the brink of a new war.

The Munich Crisis of 1938explores the critical political dimension to events as they unfolded, but it also offers insights into military aspects, pivotal private meetings, street riots, demonstrations, and reports in the international media to offer a rounded study of the subject. Piotr M. Majewski shines a light on the internal turmoil in Prague and the Czechoslovak preparations for war, the dramatic Anglo-German summits, Hitler's anti-Czech fury, the Polish sabre-rattling, the Hungarian hesitation, the duplicitous manoeuvres of the Soviets, the underhand political intrigues, and the intricate intelligence battle which ensued throughout. Majewski convincingly contends that 1938, and the appeasement that came with it in the name of saving peace, saw Europe take a decisive leap towards a disastrous war.
Multitude in Spinoza
Authors: Ricci Cernadas Gonzalo
Published: December 2024

With the rise of populist governments and corresponding popular protests, this book turns renewed focus on Baruch Spinoza’s idea of the political multitude.Acting at once as a body with a single mind and a state with its own political-institutional structure, the multitude mirrors some of the central actors in democratic movements across early 20th-century Europe – from Occupy Wall Street to Indignados and Nuit Debout.

Gonzalo Cernadas draws from two of Spinoza’s key works on this subject in hisPolitical TreatiseandTheological-Political Treatise, setting out the progress of his ideas: how Spinoza conceives of the body, how that body can become part of the multitude, and how that multitude can form a political society. In recovering Spinoza’s relevance to contemporary political phenomena, Cernadas explains why this early modern thinker has found renewed importance three hundred and fifty years after his death, and ultimately how he could even prompt us to reassess democracy as the best form of government.
Equality and Freedom in Rancière and Foucault
Authors: Blaney Stuart
Published: December 2024

Responding to the increasing need for new and peaceful forms of emancipation, Stuart Blaney offers a unique solution in the synergy between two pioneering strands of continental philosophy: Michael Foucault’s ideas on freedom and JacquesRancière’s ideas on equality.

Building a dialogue between these two thinkers, Blaney presents new perspectives on their work and a clear picture that emancipation comes from everyday practices rather than any particular movement or revolution.

In exploring these combined views of equality and freedom, Blaney draws on some of the central facets of both concepts, including revolution, disagreement, care for the self, free speech and stoicism. To put these ideas into a practical framework of real, lived experience, we are introduced to the figure of Louis-Gabriel Gauny the 19th-century worker-poet and self confessed plebeian philosopher. Gauny is a nexus for Rancière’s and Foucault’s ideas; his life exemplifying a dual mode of existence in-between conformity and political revolution. This lived philosophy of equality and freedom shows the strong synergy between the two concepts, with one reinforcing the other and strengthening their efficacy as forms of emancipatory practice.
Birds of Spain
Authors: Lowen James , Bocos Carlos
Published: December 2024

The definitive photographic guide to the avifauna of Spain.

Spain is recognised as one of Europe’s richest birdwatching destinations, one that offers a host of regional specialities. It includes famous birding hotspots such as the vast Coto Doñana wetlands, mountainous areas such as the Pyrenees and Picos de Europa, the Mediterranean oak forests of the south, the migration crossroads of the Strait of Gibraltar and the plains of Extremadura.

Completely revised and updated, this new version ofBirds of Spainprovides photographic coverage of more than 320 species that regularly occur in the region, from the Hoopoe to the Golden Eagle. Concise text for each species includes information on identification, songs and calls, behaviour, distribution and habitat, with each photo having been carefully selected to aid identification. A guide to the best birdwatching sites in Spain is also included.

Portable yet authoritative, this is the perfect companion for any wildlife-friendly visitor to this spectacular and bird-rich country.
Where to Watch Birds in Surrey and Sussex
Authors: Phelps Matt , Stubbs Ed
Published: December 2024

This site guide covers the counties of East Sussex, West Sussex and Surrey, including sites in southwest Greater London.

From the heaths of Surrey to the chalky grassland of the North and South Downs, the great forests of the Weald and the headlands, shingle beaches and river valleys of England's south coast, these three counties are a bird-rich part of the country, with perhaps the most diverse range of habitats in the country, and all within easy distance of London, the southwest part of which contains birding sites such as Barnes wetland centre.

This new book by Matthew Phelps and Ed Stubbs is the definitive guide to the birding highlights of the region. It contains a comprehensive review of all the major sites, and many lesser-known ones, with maps, notes on access, and information on target species and when to visit.Where to Watch Birds in Surrey and Sussexis indispensable for any birder heading to this bird-rich region, or anyone in London who wants to head south to enjoy some of the best birding England can offer.
Storm-petrels
Authors: Thomas Rob
Published: December 2024

The first definitive work on the European Storm-petrel and its relatives, by one of the world's leading experts on the species.

Imagine a bird as small as a sparrow, which lives most of its life on the open ocean yet can survive for decades. It walks on water, and migrates half way around the world, returning to remote islands to breed underground, often in the same rock crevice each year. At night it lays an enormous egg, feeding its chick until the nestling weighs more than both parents put together. It seems to have little fear of humans, but was itself feared by ancient seafarers.

This might sound like the stuff of legend but is actually the description of a real creature, the storm-petrel: walker on water, global wanderer, climate sentinel and open-ocean survivor.

In this beautifully written monograph, Rob Thomas explores the remarkable life of the European Storm-petrel, comparing and contrasting its behaviour and ecology across its range, and with the other storm-petrels of the world. We learn about their evolution, taxonomy, migration and adaptations to a life in the harsh open ocean, while also discovering what these enigmatic seabirds are revealing about what humans are doing to our planet.

Illustrated with 150 photographs, and including the author’s personal anecdotes and observations,Storm-petrelshighlights some of the most exciting recent research findings and sets a trajectory for future discoveries.
Power of Nuclear
Authors: Visscher Marco
Published: December 2024

From the pilot's seat in the B-29 that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, to Chernobyl's exclusion zone and to the site in Finland where highly radioactive waste will be buried, this is the incredible story of nuclear power.

Providing a vivid account of the characters and events that have shaped the world's most controversial energy source and our thinking around it, The Power of Nuclear weaves politics, culture and technology to explore nuclear power's past and future.

In his quest to disentangle myth from facts, Marco Visscher asks: How dangerous is radiation? What should you do after a nuclear accident? Have nuclear weapons really made the world less safe? And why do some still reject the evidence showing the atom can provide unlimited clean energy, free countries of their dependence on fossil fuels and combat climate change?

This is an informed look at what we might do with nuclear power - and what nuclear power is doing to us.
Ones Who Got Away
Authors: Yenne Bill
Published: December 2024

A remarkable collection of accounts of intrepid American aircrew shot down over enemy lines during World War II and how they got away.

To be an airman in the Eighth Air Force flying over the war-torn skies of Europe required skill, tenacity, and luck. Those who were shot down and evaded capture needed all of that and more if they were to make it back to friendly lines. These are their stories. Each is compiled from the original intelligence debrief written by the pilots or aircrew themselves.

Bill Yenne details how a spider web of escape routes sprang up, created by the local Résistance. Downed airmen were clothed, given false papers, and hidden so they could be smuggled back to England. These efforts were then supplemented by Allied intelligence agents. But the risks remained the same. Capture could mean death.

Their accounts are sometimes funny, often heartbreaking. P-47 pilot Joel McPherson feigned appendicitis and was able to escape from the local German military hospital –afterhe had his appendix removed. He spent weeks operating as a getaway driver for a Maquis bank robber gang before making it into neutral Spain. Bomber crewmen Fred Hartung and Norman Therrien found refuge at a Frenchchâteau, but later nearly froze to death crossing the icy Pyrenees with the Gestapo on their trail. The accounts of these men and others from the Mighty Eighth make this a story of defiance, foolhardiness, and bravery against the odds.
Midway
Authors: Stille Mark E.
Published: December 2024

A detailed re-examination of Midway, one of the most significant battles in the Pacific Theater of World War II.

In April 1942, the Combined Fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy was at the zenith of its power. It had struck a severe blow against the US Navy at Pearl Harbor in December 1941, before spearheading the Japanese advance through Southeast Asia and rampaging across the South Pacific. Only a few months later, in June 1942, the US Navy managed to inflict a decisive defeat on this mighty force off Midway Atoll and the strategic initiative in the Pacific Theater passed to the US Navy.

Midway is the most famous naval battle of the Pacific War, and one of the most mythologized. The traditional view of the battle, popularized in its immediate aftermath and surviving through to the present day, is of a heavily outnumbered American force snatching victory in the face of overwhelming odds. This view is simplistic and, in many respects, wrong.

Pacific War expert Mark Stille provides a detailed analysis of this pivotal battle, and argues that Midway was neither a miraculous American victory, nor a product of good fortune, but that the plans, personalities, doctrines, ships and weapons of the two sides meant that a Japanese defeat was the more likely outcome. This new study provides an unparalleled level of insight and thorough analysis into one of the decisive moments of the Pacific War.
House of War
Authors: Mayall Simon
Published: December 2024

A powerful new history detailing the most significant military clashes between Islam and Christendom over the 1,300 years of the Muslim caliphate.

From the taking of the holy city of Jerusalem in the 7th century AD by Caliph Umar, to the collapse of the Ottoman Empire following the end of World War I, Christian popes, emperors and kings, and Muslim caliphs and sultans were locked in a 1300-year battle for political, military, ideological, economic and religious supremacy.

In this powerful new history of the era, acknowledged expert on the history of the Middle East and the Crusades Simon Mayall focuses on some of the most significant clashes of arms in human history: the taking and retaking of Jerusalem and the collapse of the Crusader states; the fall of Constantinople; the sieges of Rhodes and Malta; the assault on Vienna and the ‘high-water mark’ of Ottoman advance into Europe; culminating in the Allied capture of Jerusalem in World War I, the final collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the dissolution of the sultanate and the caliphate, and the formation of modern Europe and the modern Middle East.

The House of Waroffers a wide, sweeping narrative, encompassing the broad historical and religious context of this period, while focussing on some of the key, pivotal sieges and battles, and on the protagonists, political and military, who determined their conclusions and their consequences.