bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dionysius and the City of Rome
Authors: Poletti Beatrice
Published: February 2025

In Dionysius and the City of Rome: Portraits of Founders in the ‘Roman Antiquities’, Beatrice Poletti examines Dionysius of Halicarnassus’ description of figures traditionally regarded as the founders of the political and religious institutions of Rome. She considers the function of each of them in the narrative development of the Roman Antiquities to show how Dionysius portrayed legendary Roman characters for an empire-wide, Greek-speaking audience, and how such portraits served his historiographical and pedagogical aims. The literary work of Dionysius represents a milestone in the contemporary discourse about Greek and Roman identities. Dionysius composed a history of Rome from the aftermath of the Trojan War to the outbreak of the First Punic War, aiming to reconcile Greek intellectual opposition to Rome with Roman domination by demonstrating that the Romans were originally Greek and lived by Greek moral principles. He also intended his history as ‘exemplary’ by offering his readers models of good leadership through his characters. The author contextualizes Dionysius’ effort within the cultural and political climate of Augustan Rome to illustrate the extent of contemporary influences on Dionysius’ project.
Hellenistic Influence and Twins in the Gospel of Mark
Authors: Pettis Jeffrey B.
Published: February 2025

Hellenistic Influence and Twins in the Gospel of Mark: Fiery Angels examines Jesus’ twin disciples James and John. Jesus gives them the name Boanerges, “Sons of Zeus” referring to the Dioscuri, mythological figures known for their saving action in times of human danger and distress. This book addresses various questions prompted by Jesus’ naming of James and John. Is the author embracing Hellenistic myth and mythology as part of his story? Does he portray Jesus as one who himself is influenced by Hellenistic culture, and if so, to what extent? To gain insight into these questions, Jeffrey B. Pettis examines various sources—dioscuric figures in Second Maccabees 3, three visitors in Genesis 18-19, traces of dioscurism in the Markan boat stories. Major themes include fire and sacrifice, theophany, personal saviors, and old and new religion. Of particular interest is the extent to which myth and mythology grasp the hearer’s attention and occur as something which makes an impression. Does the author of Mark make use of myth for just this reason—to capture attention and to make and awaken his community to a larger world?
Moses among the Idols
Authors: Balogh Amy L.
Published: February 2025

In Moses among the Idols: Mediators of the Divine in the Ancient Near East, Balogh simultaneously redefines one of the greatest figures in the history of religion and challenges the historically popular understanding of ancient Mesopotamian idols as the idle objects of antiquated faiths. Drawing on interdisciplinary research and methods of comparison, Balogh not only offers new insight into the lives of idols as active mediators between humanity and divinity, she also makes the case that when it comes to understanding the figure of Moses, Mesopotamian idols are the best analogy that the ancient Near East provides. This new understanding of Moses, idols, and the interplay between the two on the stage of history and within the biblical text has been made possible only with the recent publication of pertinent texts from ancient Mesopotamia.

Drawing from the fields of Assyriology, biblical studies, comparative religion, and archaeology, Balogh identifies a problem with Moses’s status, and offers an unexpected solution to that problem. Moses among the Idols centers on the question: What is it that transforms Moses from an inadequate representative of Yahweh who is “uncircumcised of lips” to “god to Pharaoh” (Exodus 6:28-7:1)? In this moment, Moses undergoes a status change best understood through comparison with the induction ritual for ancient Mesopotamian idols as described in the texts of the Mīs Pȋ, “Washing” or “Purification of the Mouth.” This solution to the problem of Moses’s status explains not only his status change, but also why Moses radiates light after speaking with YHWH (Exod 34:29-35), and his peculiar relationship with YHWH and people of Israel. The comparative, interdisciplinary perspective provided by Balogh allows one to read these and other millennia-old interpretive issues anew, and to do so in a way that underscores the contribution of in-depth comparison to our understanding of ancient civilizations, texts, and intellectual frameworks.
The Lost Supper
Authors: Colvin Matthew
Published: February 2025

What did Jesus intend when he spoke the words, “This is my body”? The Lost Supper argues that Jesus’ words and actions at the Last Supper presupposed an already existing Passover ritual in which the messiah was represented by a piece of bread: Jesus was not instituting new symbolism but using an existing symbol to speak about himself. Drawing on both second temple and early Rabbinic sources, Matthew Colvin places Jesus’ words in the Upper Room within the context of historically attested Jewish thought about Passover. The result is a new perspective on the Eucharist: a credible first-century Jewish way of thinking about the Last Supper and Lord’s Supper— and a sacramentology that is also at work in the letters of the apostle Paul. Such a perspective gives us the historical standpoint to correct Christian assumptions, past and present, about how the Eucharist works and how we ought to celebrate it.
Decolonizing Revelation
Authors: Burnett Rufus
Published: February 2025

At a time when ideas like “post-racial society” and “#BlackLivesMatter” occupy the same space, scholars of black American faith are provided a unique opportunity to regenerate and imagine theological frameworks that confront the epistemic effects of racialization and its confluence with the theological imagination. Decolonizing Revelation contributes to this task by rethinking or “taking a second look” at the cultural production of the blues. Unlike other examinations of the blues that privilege the hermeneutic of race, this work situates the blues spatially, offering a transracial interpretation that looks to establish an option for disentangling racial ideology from the theological imagination. This book dislocates race in particular, and modernity in general, as the primary means by which God’s self-disclosure is read across human history. Rather than looking to the experience of antiblack racism as revelational, the work looks to a people group, blues people, and their spatial, sonic, and sensual activities. Following the basic theological premise that God is a God of life, Burnett looks to the spaces where blues life occurs to construct a decolonial option for a theology of revelation.
Hild of Whitby and the Ministry of Women in the Anglo-Saxon World
Authors: Inman Anne E.
Published: February 2025

This book tells the story of Hild, the abbess of a highly successful double monastery at Whitby in Northumbria, where she was responsible for the education of five future bishops. Here she exercised an authority which in subsequent centuries would be reserved exclusively for men.

At thirteen Hild was baptized by Paulinus, who had come to Britain to join Augustine’s mission. Augustine had been sent by Pope Gregory to convert Britain, which had largely lapsed into paganism after the fall of the Roman Empire. Augustine in fact had little success in converting the Britons beyond Kent, and even in Kent Christianity had already been partially re-established by Queen Bertha, who had brought her Catholic Chaplain with her from Gaul upon her marriage to King Ethelbert.

There were many powerful women, like Bertha, who had been at the forefront of keeping the faith alive in the "Dark Ages," but whose agency has been written out of history or down-played in favour of the actions of famous men. Hild’s story is brought back to life alongside Mary, who founded a desert community at Tabenisi; Macrina, the teacher (didaskalos) of Gregory of Nyssa, Basil of Caesarea; Ita, confessor to Brendan; the formidable Aelffled, who succeeded Hild at Whitby, a co-worker and confidante of Cuthbert.

As the Catholic Church struggles under the weight of centuries-old misogyny, it is surprising to see how, in the early medieval period, abbesses had shared governance with bishops. As that church struggles with a shortage of male priests to celebrate the sacraments, it is instructive to see how many sacramental ministries were once exercised by female monastics. Confession, for example, was once practiced in the same way whether the confessor was a man or, as in Hild’s case, a woman.

The span of Hild’s life covers the period before and after the establishment of clericalism, the unbridgeable gap between the higher plane of the male priesthood and the lower plane of religious women. Bede’s telling of Hild’s life was already downplaying her authority as a powerful leader in the Anglo-Saxon church. It is time for that to be remedied.
The Nations in the Divine Economy
Authors: Campbell William S.
Published: February 2025

Core to Paul's gospel is the relationship between Israel and the Nations in light of the coming of Christ. But historic Christianity, in claiming to be a new Israel, and in not recognising the purpose of God in Christ for Jews and the nations, has ignored its Jewish roots, the scriptures of Israel, and the Jewishness of Jesus and the apostles leaving a lacuna in its own identity, which Campbell argues, can only be overcome by a covenantal understanding of diversity in Christ. The denial of the covenant leads to a negation of God's revelation to Israel, and leaves Christianity with a deficient self-understanding.

Although covenant language is not prominent in Paul's letters it remains the basis of his thought in differentiated ways concerning Israel and the nations. The covenant remains God's covenant with Israel. But through the covenant re-ratified in Christ, non-Jews although not included in the covenant, participate through Christ in the Abrahamic promises. Hence participation language is prevalent in Paul's letters since these address non-Jews in Christ as representatives of the nations. Rather than being 'indifferent to difference', Paul's gospel is not anti-ethnic, but is focused on the continuation of difference in Christ. God's purpose is designed to relate to differing peoples, not in their becoming one and the same, but in reciprocal blessing among those who remain different. The corollary of this respect for difference is the call for reconciliation as an essential part of following Christ, a fundamental element in Paul's gospel. God created a diverse world so that his people will find blessing in its rainbow diversity.
To Live in the Spirit
Authors: Naveros Córdova, CDP Nélida
Published: February 2025

To Live in the Spirit: Paul and the Spirit of God brings to light a fresh understanding of the Greek concept πνεῦμα (spirit) in Paul’s ethical teaching. Placing Paul and his mixed audience within the Hellenistic Jewish and Greek (philosophical) traditions of the ancient world, this book examines his new message concerning πνεῦμα’s primary function in the acquisition of virtues and avoidance of vices. Looking in detail at the various ways in which Paul views πνεῦμα in his seven undisputed letters, Naveros Córdova explores πνεῦμα’s development from Paul’s initial ethical reflections in his early letters to a more mature view in his later letters. Naveros Córdova argues that it is within these traditions, represented by major Hellenistic Jewish and Greco-Roman writers, that Paul construes the framework of his ethical teaching. Paul finds in the power of God’s πνεῦμα a new ethical alternative for his mixed audience to living lives pleasing to God outside the observance of the Mosaic Law. Naveros Córdova demonstrates how Paul draws upon Platonic (immaterial πνεῦμα) and Stoic (material πνεῦμα) language that would have been familiar to his hearers in the early Christian communities to create a persuasive understanding of ethical performance and to show that the moral life of the believers springs from that πνεῦμα received from God. In his efforts to highlight πνεῦμα’s central role in his ethics, Paul moves beyond both traditions by describing the “Christification” of πνεῦμα not only in Stoic terms, but also in Middle Platonic categories of the first century CE.
Sin in Origen's Commentary on Romans
Authors: Bagby Stephen
Published: February 2025

Sin in Origen’s Commentary on Romans examines Origen as a critical third century voice seeking to articulate a cogent doctrine of sin, and presents his magisterial Commentary on Romans as a unique window to understanding his mature thought on the subject. It argues that Origen’s teaching on original and volitional sin demonstrates continuity with and divergence from the prevailing theological tradition. It offers a substantial, revisionist account of the thought of one of the most important thinkers in early Christianity and takes up important anthropological and soteriological questions in Origen, as presented in a key, but often neglected text, in Origen’s corpus of biblical commentary.
An Agnostic in the Fellowship of Christ
Authors: Goodin David K.
Published: February 2025

An Agnostic in the Fellowship of Christ: The Ethical Mysticism of Albert Schweitzer details the theology, ethics, and philosophy of the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965). It surveys his entire corpus of religious writings, including his unfinished estate works, and explores the intellectual history behind his distinctive theological synthesis. David K. Goodin traces Schweitzer’s intellectual and spiritual development from childhood to his academic years and throughout his time at the African medical mission. It also places Schweitzer into dialogue with other Protestant theologians including Martin Luther, Karl Barth, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Thomas Altizer, as well as with contemporary philosophers like Jacques Derrida. The aim is to reveal what a living faith and mysticism can mean for the modern world, and where common ground can be found for traditional and liberal Protestant theology today.
St. Augustine, His Confessions, and His Influence
Authors: Rorem Paul
Published: February 2025

This book introduces Augustine of Hippo and his influence on Christian theology. Part One works through all thirteen books of the Confessions, introducing the life and thought of the bishop of Hippo with commentary on frequent but brief quotations. The Confessions reveal Augustine’s major doctrinal concerns, some of them explicitly and thoroughly (such as the Manichees, Platonists, scripture), others implicitly (monasticism, Donatism, ministry), and some in passing (Trinity) or as a preview (Pelagians). Part Two sketches the medieval reception of the Augustinian theological legacy, not chronologically but topically, in the order of the concerns in the Confessions, such as original sin, St. Monica, medieval Manichees, monastic communities, new Donatists, Neo-Platonism, the introspective soul, symbolic scripture, the Trinity, and above all the recurring Pelagian controversies over free will and grace, election and predestination, that continued into the Reformation.
The Mysteries, Resurrection, and 1 Corinthians 15
Authors: Moore Terri
Published: February 2025

Often ignored, misunderstood, or compared with Christian belief in a haphazard or inconsistent manner, the Mysteries of the Graeco-Roman world, when handled carefully and consistently, can aid in elucidating the context of New Testament texts. By closely examining the Eleusinian Mysteries and the Mysteries of Isis, and particularly their promises of a pleasant afterlife in Hades for those initiated into the cults, this work offers insight into difficult interpretational issues in First Corinthians 15.

The work proceeds from a methodological commitment to understanding the Mysteries in their own right and without an overlay of Christian belief. The book includes a broad overview of the Eleusinian Mysteries and the Mysteries of Isis and their place in Graeco-Roman culture, taking a deep and careful dive into conceptions of the afterlife in these cults. In each instance available historical data is considered, from works of mythology to dramas to archeological fragments, all with a focus on afterlife beliefs. With an ultimate goal to better understand Paul’s writing in First Corinthians 15, the study includes an overview of Corinthian society and a particular examination of the available evidence concerning the impact of the Mysteries on Corinthians’ expectation of the afterlife.

Having considered the Mysteries independently, the work turns to First Corinthians 15 with a brief exegetical overview before drawing careful comparisons between Paul’s teaching and the afterlife beliefs of the Mysteries. The book concludes with suggestions for interpretational issues on Paul’s teaching in first Corinthians 15 regarding death and resurrection and baptism for the dead.
Aspekte der magischen Weisheit in den epischen Liedern der Edda und der finnisch-karelischen Volksdichtung
Authors: Schmalzer Sabine
Published: February 2025

In der epischen Dichtung des nordeuropäischen Raumes werden magische Handlungen und die sie tragende Institution des Zauberkundigen auf eine charakteristische Art und Weise vorgestellt. Die zentrale Rolle nehmen dabei die magischen Fähigkeiten der Protagonisten ein, die sich auf eine besondere Weisheit stützen, deren Erlangung nur dem ausgewählten Kreis der Zauberkundigen möglich zu sein scheint.

Gegenstand dieser vergleichenden Studie sind die poetischen Überlieferungen der altisländischen Handschriften und der überwiegend im 19. Jahrhundert gesammelten finnisch-karelischen Volksdichtung. Die Untersuchung findet neue Antworten auf die Frage, wie mit Quellen, die aus einem unterschiedlichen Überlieferungskontext stammen, kritisch umgegangen werden kann und erhellt zugleich die in den epischen Liedern tradierte Vorstellungswelt der Mythen.

 

Biographische Informationen

Sabine Schmalzer studierte Finnougristik, Nordische Philologie und germanistische Mediävistik an der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München und der Universität Helsinki mit den fachlichen Schwerpunkten finnische Literatur, altnordische Mythologie und Heldenepik. Neben dem wissenschaftlichen Schreiben widmet sie sich auch dem literarischen Übersetzen aus dem Finnischen und Altisländischen.

 

Reihe

Münchner Nordistische Studien - Band 29
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-associated Pneumonitis: A Narrative Review
Authors: Li Chang , Faiz Saadia A. , Boysen-Osborn Megan , Sheshadri Ajay , Wattana Monica K.
Published: February 2025

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), such as pembrolizumab, nivolumab, durvalumab and ipilimumab, have signiﬁcantly enhanced survival rates for multiple cancer types such as non-small cell lung cancer, melanoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and breast cancer, and they have emerged as an adjunct or primary therapy for malignant disease. Approximately 40% of patients with cancer on ICI therapy experience side effects called immune-related adverse events (irAE). While not the most common, pulmonary toxicities can be rapidly progressive, potentially fatal, and pose a three-fold increased risk for requiring intensive care unit-level of care. Pneumonitis is a focal or diffuse inﬂammation of the lung parenchyma, and clinical manifestations may be highly variable. While the onset is generally observed 6–12 weeks after the initiation of therapy, drug toxicity can develop rapidly within days after the ﬁrst infusion or many months into therapy. Pneumonitis symptoms can be subtle or non-speciﬁc; therefore, a thorough and systematic evaluation considering other possible etiologies is crucial. Moreover, extrapulmonary ﬁndings, such as skin lesions, colitis, or endocrinopathies, should raise suspicion for irAE as drug toxicity can affect multiple organs simultaneously. Due to the signiﬁcant overlap of clinical features between ICI-associated pneumonitis and respiratory infections, it can be challenging to differentiate the two conditions based on clinical presentation alone. A multidisciplinary approach to management is recommended for the treatment of ICI-associated pneumonitis, and classiﬁcation of severity helps to guide interventions. Treatment options in more severe cases include systemic immunosuppression. Given the increased use of ICIs and greater probability that patients with ICI-associated pneumonitis will be seen in the emergency department, we aimed to provide a comprehensive framework for the diagnosis and management. In addition, identifying potential challenges in diagnosis and/or other contributors of respiratory symptoms and radiographic manifestations is highlighted.
Detecting Inference Attack Accuracy: Safeguarding Smart Healthcare Using Federated Learning
Authors: Ali Shah Munam , Riasat Sidra
Published: February 2025

The increasing adoption of smart health
systems has revolutionized the healthcare industry,
offering improved diagnosis, personalized
treatments, and efficient healthcare management.
However, the security and privacy of sensitive
patient data remain one of the major concerns.
Federated machine learning has emerged as a
promising approach to address these challenges by
enabling collaborative learning across multiple
healthcare institutions without sharing raw data.
This paper investigates and detects the inference
attack accuracy of federated machine learning
algorithms in the context of smart healthcare. The
research examines popular algorithms such as
FedAvg, FedSGD, FedDP, and SecAgg using
multiple datasets specific to smart healthcare. The
findings highlight the effectiveness of these
algorithms in protecting sensitive healthcare data,
with FedDP consistently achieving the highest
accuracy. The study contributes to the field by
providing evidence of effective methods for
safeguarding patient privacy in smart healthcare.
Furthermore, the paper explores the strengths,
limitations, and trade-offs of different algorithms,
enabling researchers and practitioners to make
intelligent decisions in selecting appropriate
algorithms for privacy-preserving analytics. The
study also discusses the ethical considerations, the
data collection process, and the experimental
methodology employed. The results of this research
enhance the understanding of federated machine
learning in smart healthcare and contribute to the
development of robust mechanisms for data privacy
and security. The findings foster trust among
patients, healthcare providers, and stakeholders,
paving the way for the secure and responsible use
of advanced technologies in healthcare.
A Novel Model for Pneumonia Detection Using Hybrid CNN Architecture
Authors: Ali Shah Munam , Tahir Tahreem
Published: February 2025

A chest x-ray is considered to be a readily
available and a reliable and fast method for the diagnosis
of the pneumonia. In literature, different object detection
algorithm are used to the x-ray images. Since, pneumonia
can be highly life threatening, the decisions made by the
object detection model can influence the lives of thousands
of people. It is imperative that we precisely know the
performance and the accuracy of the model so that the
stakeholders have a wider view of how trustworthy the
results are. There is a need to understand the performance
and accuracy of the underlying deep learning model. The
architecture of the model such as number of neural layers
or the computation cost poses a great impact on the
accuracy and efficiency. In this paper, our contribution is
twofold. Firstly, we have proposed a new deep learning (DL)
strategy for the automated identification of pneumonia
employing a convolutional neural network (CNN) with
improved accuracy. We have introduced a hybrid model in
which we have used a pre-trained CNN model, a vision
transformer (ViT) and applied N times and N number of CNN
layers to improve the accuracy and computational
performance. We have identified a point where the accuracy
of the model is highest and computational cost is
acceptable. Secondly, we have compared our proposed
model with different other classifiers such as You Only
Look Once (YOLO) v4, and CNN and its multiple layers.
Using a publicly accessible dataset, this study attempted to
pre-process the input chest X-ray images in order to detect
the presence of pneumonia. The experimental results have
revealed that the accuracy level of the proposed hybrid
CNN model reached a level of 97.6% on datasets of varying
sizes.
Three-dimensional printing in medical education: transforming learning and practice!
Authors: Farooq Abdullah , Mushtaq Taimour
Published: February 2025

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is revolutionizing medical education, particularly in surgical training, by transforming digital images into tangible models. These models, derived from patient radiological data, allow for enhanced anatomical understanding and hands-on learning. Studies have shown that 3D-printed models significantly improve medical students’ comprehension of complex anatomical structures and foster interest in specialized fields such as cardiology. Additionally, 3D printing offers cost-effective solutions for creating both normal and pathological models, which is particularly beneficial in resource-limited settings. While challenges remain, including material limitations and ethical considerations, 3D printing holds tremendous potential in advancing medical education globally.
The Lie and the Confessional
Authors: Curran Marie H. ,   After Dinner Conversation
Published: February 2025

Does your motivation to do good matter? A 92-year-old nun, nearing the end of her life, decides to confess a long-held secret. She reveals to the priest that her decision to join the nunnery was not driven by a divine calling or a selfless desire to serve God. Instead, her motivations were rooted in a desire for education, travel, and a life beyond the limited options available to women in her time. She confesses to living a lie, having served as a nun while not believing in God. The priest, however, offers a different perspective, suggesting that her actions and their positive impact on others matter more than her initial motivations. He absolves her of her sin, leaving her to reconcile her newfound truth with the life she has lived.
The Levitation of Mrs. Caruso
Authors: Kennedy Lyon ,   After Dinner Conversation
Published: February 2025

Do the elderly get a pass for their outdated views? Mrs. Caruso, an elderly woman nearing the end of her life, finds herself grappling with loneliness, fear, and a changing world. She is assigned a gay male home health aide, Jeremy, who challenges her preconceived notions about sexuality and companionship. Mrs. Caruso's discomfort with Jeremy's sexuality leads her to request a replacement, revealing her internalized homophobia. As she navigates through a series of caregivers, each with their quirks and challenges, she also confronts her anxieties about death, her changing relationship with her sons, and her longing for connection.
Guinea Pigs
Authors: Lang Yvonne ,   After Dinner Conversation
Published: February 2025

Is it okay for the government to be unethical for the common good? A group of volunteers participate in a sleep experiment designed to enhance learning and skill acquisition. However, the experiment takes a sinister turn as they become trapped in a series of simulated disaster scenarios, forced to relive traumatic events repeatedly. As their memories of their real lives fade and the lines between simulation and reality blur, they must find a way to break free from the experiment's control and reclaim their autonomy. The story explores the ethical implications of manipulating human consciousness, the resilience of the human spirit, and the power of collective action in the face of adversity.
El cuerpo, la sensación y el arte de la medicina en los primeros escritos de Agustín (386-395)
Authors: Djuth Marianne ,   Order of Augustinian Recollects
Published: February 2025

In this essay I defend Augustine’s conception of the body against critics who maintain that Augustine ignores the fact of embodiment in his early writings. Instead of devaluing the body as some of his critics have done, a careful analysis of his writings reveals a more positive side of the body. In fact, a more positive assessment of the body is necessary if Augustine is to overcome the negative view of the body he held as a Manichaean. The body also holds a prominent place in Augustine’s early writings because it functions as a reminder of the fall and the penalty of sin that humankind must endure as a result of its misuse in paradise. Despite the fact that Augustine’s dependence on Platonism is at its strongest during this period, he develops an understanding of human nature that is compatible with Christian belief. In order to portray the positive aspects of the human body, I focus on three related topics: the body and its use, sensation, and the art of medicine. These topics correspond to the first three degrees of the soul that Augustine mentions in De quantitate animae: animation of the body, sensation through the body, and art about the body.
Los salmos en el ‘contra Faustum’ de san Agustín
Authors: Eguiarte Enrique A. ,   Order of Augustinian Recollects
Published: February 2025

The article discusses the quotations from the Psalms that are mentioned by Augustine in his Work contra Faustum, in order to highlight not only how the Psalms reveal the prophetic quality of the Old Testament, but also to compare the Psalm form used in the contra Faustum and in the enarrationes in Psalmos, as well as elsewhere in Augustine's work. The article highlights the context in which Augustine comments on the Psalms in the contra Faustum as well as in the enarrationes in Psalmos. It also shows that on many occasions the text of the psalms is quoted in contra Faustum as a Testimonia, as a biblical text adequate to support a certain theological or spiritual affirmation.
El Regreso a sí mismo en Casiciaco
Authors: Manninen Eeto B. ,   Order of Augustinian Recollects
Published: February 2025

The article considers the Augustinian notion of ‘return’ and its underlying philosophical presuppositions from different points of view. In order to do so, we first investigate Augustine’s use of the terminology of return as a way of conceptualising the relation of the soul with the sensible and intelligible realities. This is followed by a review of Augustine’s Platonic epistemological thought on sense perception and sensible reality itself. Thirdly, Augustine’s thought on the role of the ‘double way’ of authority and reason (or the Liberal Disciplines) in the realisation of this ‘return’ is examined. Finally, some conclusions are presented.
La intención de Agustín al pasar de ‘mens, notitia, amor’ a ‘memoria, intellegentia, voluntas’
Authors: Yam Colten Cheuk-Yin ,   Order of Augustinian Recollects
Published: February 2025

The two triads mens, notitia, amor (trin. 9) and memoria, intellegentia, voluntas (trin. 10) are crucial for understanding Augustine’s Trinitarian triads in De Trinitate. However, Augustine’s intention in proceeding from mens, notitia, amor to memoria, intellegentia, voluntas remains unclear. There is a common tendency to regard the latter triad as superior to the former one because the latter one is an inward progression to the mind in analogizing the Trinity. This perspective of inward progression, however, cannot give a full account of the complicated relationship between these two triads. This article calls attention to Augustine’s use of knowledge and love in these two triads. The analysis of the pattern of knowledge and love reveals that Augustine understands knowledge and love in a different way in these two triads. In mens, notitia, amor, Augustine personalizes knowledge and love and regards them as analogous to the Son and the Holy Spirit. In memoria, intellegentia, voluntas, however, Augustine interprets knowledge and love as actions and portrays the mind’s self-knowing and self-loving as components of human spirituality. The different patterns of knowledge and love show that the second triad is not intended to be superior to the first. Rather two triads should be understood as complementary. Moreover, the turning from mens, notitia, amor to memoria, intellegentia, voluntas also shows that Augustine intends to include a spiritual dimension into his Trinitarian theology. This means that one should expect that Augustine’s Trinitarian theology has connections to his soteriology.
The Role of Formal Education for Poverty Reduction and Development in the Digital Era: A Study of Study of Sogakope, South Tongu District, Ghana
Authors: Senna Richard
Published: February 2025

Bridging the gap between poverty and advancement, formal education plays a transformative role in economic and social development in the digital era. The study explores the role of formal education in poverty reduction and community development in the South Tongu District, Sogakofe, Ghana. It examines indigenous perceptions of education’s impact on poverty reduction and the relationship between household income and children's educational achievement. The study has used a mixed methods approach. The study has collected quantitative data through Likert scale questionnaires and qualitative data from key informant interviews. With a sample size of 80, findings reveal a strong agree that formal education significantly contributes to poverty reduction, improved employment opportunities, and enhanced social and cultural development. In the digital era, access to quality education, including digital literacy and technological skills, is increasingly critical for economic mobility. Respondents acknowledged that well-educated individuals foster social cohesion and economic growth. Household income plays a decisive role in educational success, as financial constraints hinder access to quality education. In the digital era, integrating technology in education can bridge socio-economic gaps, enhance learning outcomes, and drive sustainable development. Policymakers must prioritize digital inclusion in education to break the poverty cycle and ensure long-term prosperity.The contribution of this research expands the knowledge of the relationship between education and poverty reduction. In addition, it offers practical insights for designing effective interventions and policies in local and international contexts in the era of digital education.
Is there anybody (new) out there? Seven new species of Ligidium (Isopoda, Oniscidea, Ligiidae) from the Southern Appalachians, eastern North America
Authors: Recuero Ernesto , Caterino Michael S.
Published: February 2025

In this study, we describe seven new species of Ligidium Brandt, 1833 from the Southern Appalachian Mountains based on morphological and molecular data: Ligidium enotahensis sp. nov., L. nantahala sp. nov., L. protuberans sp. nov., L. gadalutsi sp. nov., L. pacolet sp. nov., L. whiteoak sp. nov., and L. schultzi sp. nov. Our findings significantly enhance the known diversity of this genus in the Nearctic, particularly in eastern North America. Morphological diagnoses are primarily based on traits of the male pleopod 2 endopodite, while molecular data, including mitochondrial Cox1 and nuclear 28S and NaK genes, help delimit all newly described species. Together these genes reveal considerable genetic divergence among the new species and from previously described ones. Phylogenetic analyses revealed clear genetic distinctions among the new species, but did not resolve all relationships. Furthermore, we propose elevating three subspecies of Ligidium elrodii (Packard, 1873) to full species status based on consistent morphological differences, Ligidium chatoogaensis Schultz, 1970, L. hancockensis Schultz, 1970, and L. scottensis Schultz, 1970, thereby increasing the total number of Ligidium species to 68. This research underscores the high species diversity in the Southern Appalachians and the importance of integrating morphological and molecular approaches in taxonomy.
EKSPLORASI SISTEM DAN PROSEDUR PEMBELIAN ALAT KESEHATAN : PERSPEKTIF PENGENDALIAN INTERN
Authors: Puspita Dyah Rangga , Rahmatika Lisa Aulia , Agustiningtias Eka , Setiyowati Arie Ika
Published: February 2025

Medical equipment is vital for providing healthcare services in hospitals. To ensure that medicalequipment procurement is both effective and efficient, a strong purchasing system and robust internal controls are necessary to prevent budget deviations and misuse.This study explores the medical equipment purchasing system and procedures at RS Khusus Bedah Hasta Husada, focusing on improving internal controls. Utilizing a qualitative approach, the research involves datam collection through interviews, observations, and documentation. The analysis evaluates the purchasing system and procedures, including related functions, the documents used, record-keeping, management information needs, and procedural networks. It also assesses internal control elements such as organizational structure, authorization systems, best practices, and the quality of employees relative to their responsibilities.The study finds that the hospital's medical equipment purchasing system is generally effective.Nonetheless, there are notable weaknesses in internal controls that need to be addressed: 1) Insufficient oversight and authorization in the purchasing process as per the Budget Cost Plan (RBA), and 2) Inadequate employee training hinders the enhancement of Human Resource quality
OPTIMALISASI FUNGSI PENGANGGARAN DPRD DALAM PRESPEKTIF GOOD GOVERNANCE PADA DEWAN PERWAKILAN RAKYAT DAERAH KOTA BATU
Authors: Dwi Sofian Octa , Rulliansyah Iqbal , Dewantara Cicilia Evie , Zulkarnaen M. Ivan
Published: February 2025

This study aims to determine the optimization of the DPRD budgeting function in the perspective of good governance in the Batu City DDPRD. The problem is focused on optimizing budgeting which includes: community participation, accountability, transparency and value of money. As well as inhibiting factors that refer to the government's internal control system (SPIP). This study refers to the concept and elements of good governance as an analysis of the discussion of the problem. The research method used is descriptive qualitative by analyzing budgeting optimization using elements of good governance. Data were collected through interviews with Batu City DPRD Members, Mrs. Susanti Leverika, who serves as a member of Commission C. This study concludes that in optimizing budgeting, the Batu City DPRD has implemented the principles of good governance and there needs to be budget integration in evaluation.
Load Frequency Control (LFC) Strategy for an Isolated Microgrid Integrated with Electric Vehicles
Authors: Visa S. B. , Chun A.D. , Charles I. H. , Hassan Rufai , Gasin S. C.
Published: February 2025

The growing demand for efficient and sustainable energy solutions has driven the widespread adoption of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and microgrids. However, the intermittent nature of DERs and the low inertia of isolated microgrids present significant challenges for Load Frequency Control (LFC). Primary frequency control alone often fails to maintain system frequency within acceptable limits. To address this issue, this research proposes an LFC strategy for a hybrid standalone microgrid (SMG) leveraging electric vehicles (EVs). The approach incorporates a Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller in the SMG design model. The objective function is formulated using the Integral of Time-Weighted Absolute Error (ITAE), and the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm is employed to optimize the PID gain parameters. Furthermore, Flywheel Energy Storage System (FESS) and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) components are integrated with the PID controller's output to enhance LFC performance. The system capitalizes on the high-energy density and bidirectional charging/discharging capabilities of EVs to effectively regulate frequency variations. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated through three simulation scenarios. In Scenario 1, the proposed technique achieves a 61.82% improvement in frequency deviation and a 40% reduction in settling time. Scenario 2 shows further enhancement, with improvements of 78.26% in frequency deviation and 61.54% in settling time. The simulation results consistently demonstrate that the proposed technique outperforms existing methods across all scenarios in terms of frequency deviation and settling time improvements.
Thermodynamic Studies on Adsorption of Methylene Blue and Congo Red Dyes Using Groundnut Shell and Sorghum Husk Biosorbents
Authors: Hammari Abubakar M. , Hammanadama Faruk A. , Gadc Ajuji I.
Published: February 2025

The effects of temperature on the adsorption of Methylene Blue (MB) and Congo Red (CR) dyes using groundnut shell (GS) and sorghum husk (SH) biosorbents were investigated. Adsorption capacities were determined through spectrophotometric analysis, and thermodynamic parameters including Gibbs free energy (ΔG), enthalpy (ΔH), and entropy (ΔS) were calculated. The study found that MB adsorption onto SH was spontaneous and endothermic, while other conditions exhibited non-spontaneous and exothermic behavior. These findings demonstrate the potential of GS and SH as viable, low-cost biosorbents for dye removal in wastewater treatment, highlighting their practical application in sustainable environmental remediation.
Implementasi Teknik Torch dan Firewall di Mikrotik Untuk Memblokir Aplikasi Pada Jaringan Sawarga Network
Authors: Lelita Tiara
Published: February 2025

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan produktivitas di lingkungan kerja melalui penerapan manajemen lalu lintas jaringan menggunakan perangkat Mikrotik, dengan fokus pada penggunaan teknik Torch dan Firewall untuk membatasi akses ke aplikasi yang tidak relevan, berdasarkan data Statista, rata-rata waktu yang dihabiskan untuk mengakses media sosial mencapai 3 jam 49 menit per hari, yang dapat mengganggu efisiensi kerja. Teknik Torch memungkinkan pemantauan lalu lintas jaringan secara real-time, sementara aturan Firewall digunakan untuk memblokir aplikasi yang menyerap bandwidht berlebihan. Pengujian ini menguji penerapan teknik tersebut pada jaringan dengan hasil yang menunjukkan adanya pengurangan penggunaan bandwidht yang tidak perlu dan terciptanya lingkungan kerja yang lebih stabil dan terkendali. Hasilnya menunjukkan bahwa penerapan teknik ini efektif dalam meningkatkan produktivitas dan kesadaran pengguna akan penggunaan internet yang bertanggung jawab di tempat kerja. Solusi ini dapat diterapkan pada organisasi lain dengan hasil yang serupa, mendukung terciptanya lingkungan kerja yang lebih kondusif dan produktif.
Pendampingan Tenaga Kerja Mandiri Pemula untuk Pengembangan Wirausaha Berkelanjutan
Authors: Saputri Utamy Sukmayu , Hidayat Muhammad
Published: February 2025

Program pendampingan tenaga kerja mandiri pemula ini dilaksanakan di Kecamatan Cicurug, Kabupaten Sukabumi, dengan tujuan meningkatkan kapasitas kewirausahaan peserta yang mayoritas telah memiliki usaha masing-masing. Pelatihan meliputi perencanaan bisnis, strategi pemasaran digital, dan pengelolaan keuangan sederhana. Pendekatan partisipasi digunakan untuk melibatkan peserta dalam perencanaan dan implementasi kegiatan, yang menghasilkan peningkatan keterampilan teknis, kepercayaan diri, dan pertumbuhan usaha. Hasilnya, beberapa kelompok usaha berhasil meningkatkan omzet hingga 25% dan menerapkan strategi pemasaran berbasis digital. Namun, tantangan keberlanjutan, seperti akses modal tambahan dan literasi keuangan, masih memerlukan perhatian lebih. Program ini memberikan kontribusi positif dalam pemberdayaan ekonomi tenaga kerja muda pemula dan dapat di replikasi di komunitas lain dengan kondisi serupa.
Behavioral Theory and Organizational Culture: The Interplay of Transformational Leadership, Team Dynamics, and Motivation in Driving Change at Tridinanti University of Palembang
Authors: Irayani Irayani , Melvani Frecilia Nanda , Azrin Amrillah , Mikial Msy.
Published: February 2025

This research investigates the impact of behavioral theory on organizational culture at Tridinanti University of Palembang, focusing on the roles of transformational leadership, team dynamics, and employee motivation in driving cultural change. Behavioral theory offers a framework for understanding how psychological and social factors shape individual behaviors within organizations, ultimately influencing the overall culture. At Tridinanti University, transformational leadership plays a critical role in aligning the university's vision with the efforts of staff and faculty, inspiring them to exceed performance expectations and embrace new initiatives. In conjunction with leadership, positive team dynamics contribute to effective collaboration, trust, and communication, creating a supportive environment for innovation and change. Employee motivation, both intrinsic and extrinsic, further strengthens this relationship by ensuring that staff members are engaged, proactive, and committed to the university's success. The purpose of this study is to explore the interplay between these three key factors and how they collectively influence the cultural transformation process within the university. Through qualitative methods, this research analyzes the experiences of leaders, teams, and employees, providing insights into how organizations can foster a culture that supports adaptability, innovation, and continuous improvement. The findings suggest that transformational leadership, when combined with strong team dynamics and high employee motivation, serves as a catalyst for developing an organizational culture that is resilient and forward-thinking. The implications of this study offer practical recommendations for higher education institutions seeking to create and sustain an organizational culture that promotes long-term growth and success. By leveraging the principles of behavioral theory, Tridinanti University and similar institutions can cultivate an environment that enhances both individual and collective contributions to institutional goals.
Mapping Research Trends on Open Innovation Strategies in Multinational Collaboration
Authors: Judijanto Loso , Nofirman Nofirman , Syamsulbahri Syamsulbahri , Rusdianto Rusdianto , Jayadi Jayadi
Published: February 2025

This bibliometric analysis study explores the evolving landscape of open innovation strategies within multinational collaborations over the last two decades. Utilizing data extracted from the Scopus database, this research maps out the thematic and collaborative networks to understand how open innovation has been integrated into different research areas and industries. Key themes such as knowledge management, technology transfer, and sustainable development were identified as closely linked to open innovation. The study also highlights significant geographic distributions, pinpointing the United States, China, and several European countries as central nodes in the global research network. These countries not only dominate the field in terms of publications but also in their roles in fostering international academic collaborations. The findings suggest that open innovation is a vibrant and integral part of modern business strategies and research, benefiting significantly from multinational and interdisciplinary collaborations. This study contributes to the literature by providing a comprehensive overview of the field’s evolution, highlighting influential researchers and identifying emerging trends that could guide future research directions.