bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental Substantiation of Antimicrobial Efficiency of a New Composite Polymeric Material Based on Poly(2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate) under the Action of Low-Intensity Current without External Power Supplies
Authors: Nagaichuk Vasyl , Chornopyshchuk Roman , Gerashchenko Igor , Kukolevska Olena , Sidorenko Anatolie
Published: July 2021

Active use of polymeric materials has become an integral part of all areas of modern medicine. Wound dressings capable of prolonged release of drugs directly into the lesion occupy a special place among them. The possibility of using such materials in the presence of low-intensity currents without external power supplies in a comprehensive treatment program for patients with burn injuries remains promising. The aim of the work is to study experimentally the antimicrobial efficacy of a new composite polymeric material based on poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), saturated with the antiseptic decamethoxine, under conditions of low-intensity current without external power supplies. The method of free radical thermal polymerization of a mixture of liquid monomer 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, crosslinking agent triethylene glycol dimethacrylate, polymerization initiator azobisisobutyronitrile was used for the synthesis of composite polymeric material. In addition, fourfold volume of distilled water as a pore-forming agent and decamethoxine as an antimicrobial component were administered. Known dressings of synthetic and biological origin were selected for comparison, some of which were pre-soaked in a 0.02% solution of decamethoxine. The study of conductivity of the materials without external power supplies was performed on the surface of a dense nutrient medium in a Petri dish using VITA-01M measuring device. Determination of antibacterial properties was performed by diffusion into agar. The obtained results allowed to establish the ability of the suggested polymeric material to conduct low-intensity currents without external power supplies, exceeding the duration of other traditional dressings. Comparison of antimicrobial activity of the studied samples confirmed the synergism of the action of physical factors and a new polymer-based composite material with the addition of antimicrobial substance to inhibit the growth of the test museum and clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus. The ability of low-intensity currents without external power supplies to potentiate the antimicrobial properties of a new composite polymeric material based on poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), modified with a pore-forming agent, with the addition of decamethoxine was experimentally established.
Colloid-Chemical Regularities of Reagent Wastewater Treatment of Dairies
Authors: Andronov Vladimir , Danchenko Yuliya , Makarov Yevhen , Obizhenko Tatyana
Published: July 2021

A comparative characterization of chemical reagents Al2(SO4)3, FeSO4 and FeCl3 in the process of wastewater treatment of dairies. The colloid-chemical regularities of the course of hydrolysis of chemical reagents depending on the nature, concentration and acidity of wastewater are established. It was found that the greatest degree of purification from ether-soluble substances 87-88% is provided by the addition of FeCl3 at a concentration of 150-200 mg / l at a pH of 9.5-10.
Use of PET Granules for Improving a Surface Runoff Treatment
Authors: Grytsenko Anatolii , Matsak Anton , Rybalova Olha , Bryhada Olena , Dadashov Ilgar
Published: July 2021

Pollution of surface and ground waters by surface (rain and melt) waste water is a big problem for many countries of the world. In addition to anthropogenic factors leading to the pollution of surface runoff, one should add runoff, which is formed after extinguishing fires of various scales and territories. As a result of extinguishing fires, a large amount of pollutants enters surface wastewater, which creates an additional load on soils, groundwater aquifers and water bodies. The paper proposes a wastewater treatment method using PET granules and polyurethane foam granules as a filtering layer. The use of PET packaging waste for the purification of rain and melt wastewater allows to reduce the anthropogenic load on the environment and to increase the use of plastic waste.
Co-Mo-W Galvanochemical Alloy Application as Cathode Material in the Industrial Wastewater Treatment Processes
Authors: Hapon Yuliana , Chyrkina Maryna , Tregubov Dmytro , Romanova Olesia
Published: July 2021

The article deals with the role of electrodes materials in improving the industrial wastewater treatment from pollutants by electrochemical action. The instability constants of the complexes and coordinated ligand molecules were calculated. Based on the research conducted regarding the rationalisation of the poly-ligand electrolytes and electrolysis modes, a variative flow scheme of the coatings deposition by triple alloy has been developed. The corrosion resistance characteristics of the coatings obtained in the form of alloy, that were obtained from complex electrolyte that satisfy the necessary coatings requirements for effective treatment of wastewater have been researched. The obtained coatings have better corrosion resistance than in special steels of electrochemical purpose.
Influence of Cracks on the Safe Functioning of Building Structures
Authors: Vyrovoy Valeriy M. , Korobko Oksana , Antoniuk Nadiia , Zakorchemny Yuryi
Published: July 2021

Active elements are objectively existing necessary structural components, which largely determine the physical and technical properties of the material and the functional stability of the structure in operational conditions. To manifestation the creative (structure-forming) role of the active elements of the structure, it is necessary to ensure that their initial distribution at various levels of structural heterogeneities is capable of initiating metastable elements and ensuring structural changes of the system without losing its functional purpose.
Detection of Dangerous Defects and Damages of Steel Building Structures by Active Thermography
Authors: Kolesnichenko Sergiy , Popadenko Andrii , Selyutin Yurii
Published: July 2021

The article presents the results of a study of use thermographic non-destructive testing to search for cracks in steel structures. Theoretical substantiation of thermal non-destructive method of control for detection of cracks in steel structures. A practical study proving the possibility of using thermal non-destructive testing to detect cracks in steel structures is described. The problems that arise during the thermal non-destructive method of control and possible ways to solve them. The authors conclude that the method of thermographic control can be used during the inspection of steel structures for qualitative assessment of cracks.
The Use of Sol-Gel Method for Obtaining Fire-Resistant Elastic Coatings on Cotton Fabrics
Authors: Skorodumova Olga , Tarakhno Olena , Chebotaryova Olena , Bezuglov Oleg , Emen Fatih Mehmet
Published: July 2021

Based on the generalization of research results on the processes of obtaining SiO2 sols using tetraethoxysilane and ethyl silicates, the main factors influencing the elasticity of silica coatings on cotton fabrics and their fire-retardant properties are considered. The possibility of forming covalent bonds between the functional groups of cellulose, gel coating and flame retardant layer is considered, which explains the strong fixation of a thin layer of coating on the fibers of the fabric and improve its fire protection. The use of the developed compositions for fire-retardant elastic coatings based on ethyl silicate allows to increase the time of complete burning of cotton from 30s (untreated fabric) to 600s (treated with binary coating).
Investigation of the Effect of Fillers on the Properties of the Expanded Coke Layer of Epoxyamine Compositions
Authors: Hryhorenko Oleksandr , Zolkina Yevheniia , Saienko Natalia Vyacheslavovna , Popov Yuri Viktorovich
Published: July 2021

Intumescent fire-retardant coatings based on epoxy resins, compared to traditional fire-retardant compositions, have improved performance properties – high strength, chemical and atmospheric resistance, adhesion to many materials. However, unmodified epoxy polymers are combustible and to obtain IFR based on them, flame retardants and mineral fillers are added to their composition. Intumescent systems for flame retardant coatings based on epoxy oligomers (non-halogen-containing) usually consist of ammonium or ammophos polyphosphate as an acidic agent and a wide range of fillers, both inert and gaseous, or which are an additional source of carbon. Each component of the fire-retardant intimate coating in different ways affects the processes of coke formation, which determines the requirements for their choice. Thus, the aim of this work is to conduct experimental studies of the dependence of the characteristics of the expanded coke layer on the composition of the intumescent epoxyamine composition. The results of experimental studies of the effect of ammonium polyphosphate and binary mixtures of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) with aluminum hydroxide (AH), sodium tetraborate decahydrate (STD), titanium oxide TiO2 (TO), pentaerythritol (P), aerosil (A) and expandable graphite are presented (EG) on the multiplicity of expanding and weight loss of epoxy compositions at study temperatures of 350, 400 and 450°C. Studies have shown that the production of intumescent flame retardant coatings based on epoxy oligomers is possible provided they are filled with ammonium polyphosphate in an amount of more than 20 mass parts. The most effective in terms of expanding are additives titanium oxide and aluminum hydroxide in an amount of 20 mass parts, which allows to obtain intumescent fire-retardant coatings with a linear coefficient of expanding 30-32 and 24-27, respectively, throughout the range of temperatures. The obtained data are useful in the development of fire-retardant coatings based on epoxy oligomers.
Preserving the heritage of limnology in Italy
Authors: Bertoni Roberto , Bertoni Filippo
Published: July 2021

This article is simultaneously a call for, a study of, and a contribution to the preservation of scientific heritage. Focusing on the heritage of a disciplinary niche like that of limnology, we take the specific heritage of the Istituto Italiano di Idrobiologia ‘Dr. Marco De Marchi’ (Istituto) as a case study to illustrate the present challenges and possibilities for the conservation and study of limnological scientific heritage. In particular, we highlight two different forms that this heritage takes at the Istituto: its ongoing scientific publication – the current Journal of Limnology, and its collection of scientific instruments – the Crypta Baldi. Showing both the limitations and potential of these collections, we offer insights into the history of limnology through the lens of the Istituto. Furthermore, we bring these insights to bear on broader reflections about the importance of preserving the scientific heritage that shaped and continues to shape our world, and holds the promise of helping us not to lose sight of the past as well as the future of a scientific field like limnology.
An annotated checklist and bibliography of the Diaptomidae (Copepoda, Calanoida) of Italy, Corsica, and the Maltese islands
Authors: Alfonso Giuseppe , Stoch Fabio , Marrone Federico
Published: July 2021

Calanoids of the family Diaptomidae are the most widespread copepods in the lentic inland waters of the Palearctic region. In Italy, studies on the family date back to the end of 19th century. Since then, several papers contributed to increasing the knowledge on their presence, distribution, and ecological preferences. Nevertheless, new records for the area and the discovery of putative new species stress that the current knowledge on these inland water crustaceans is still far from being exhaustive. This paper presents an updated and annotated checklist and bibliography of the Diaptomidae of the Italian peninsula and surrounding islands, including Corsica and the Maltese islands, compiled through a critical review of the existing literature and carrying out further field research. The doubtful records reported in the literature are discussed and clarified. The updated checklist includes 30 diaptomid species and subspecies; among them, an alien species and three putative new species pending formal description are reported. About 20% of the observed species are endemic or subendemic to the study area. The faunal provinces ascribed to the Mediterranean limnofaunistic region host the highest species richness and contribute to the checklist with rare species and unique occurrences. The high species richness observed in the Mediterranean area supports the hypothesis of a long-lasting persistence of an ancient and peculiar copepod fauna.
Distribution and Molecular Characterisation of Lactobacilli in the Oral Cavity of Children
Authors: Ahirwar Sonu Singh , Snehi Sunil K , Gupta M.K.
Published: July 2021

Background:

Dental caries is a chronic and multifactorial disease mainly caused by microorganisms that are accumulated on soft and hard tissues of oral cavity. Lactobacillus is one of that kind, produces acid after metabolic breakdown of dietary sugar and reduces the pH of oral environment, resulting in teeth demineralisation or dental caries.

Aim:

The present study focuses on the distribution and characterisation of lactobacilli in the oral cavity of children which are associated with dental caries formation.

Methods:

Total 116 swab samples were collected from different age groups of children by swabbing the caries surface of teeth. Physiological, morphological and biochemical characteristics of Lactobacillus were analysed. Whole cell protein profiling using SDS-PAGE was also performed for their characterisation. Molecular characterisation of selected isolates was done using 16S-rRNA sequencing for identification.

Results:

Total 269 isolates were successfully isolated and identified by physiological and biochemical tests according to Bergey's Manual Systematic Bacteriology, which belongs to the seven species of Lactobacillus i.e., L. acidophilus, L. casei, L. delbrueckii, L. helveticus, L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus, L. salivarius. All the isolates were further differentiated by whole cell proteins profiling and species level identification was done by 16S-rRNA gene sequencing method.

Conclusions:

The present study, suggested that the occurrence of the species of Lactobacillus changes with the age of the individual, but L. rhamnosus (20.54%) and L. acidophilus (18.21%) were abundantly found in age group of 3-12 yr which could be the possible causative agent of dental caries formation in the children of Central India.
Contribution of low impact development practices-bioretention systems towards urban flood resilience: case study of Novi Sad, Serbia
Authors: Greksa Amela , Grabić Jasna , Blagojević Boško
Published: July 2021

Bioretention systems are globally the most accepted Low Impact Development (LID) practices. In this study, we simulated bioretention performances for four locations in the city of Novi Sad, with RECARGA modelling software. The primary objective of the research was to evaluate potential of bioretention systems for runoff reduction. The second research objective was to suggest RECARGA model as a support for future decision-making processes. Analysis of the sensitivity of bioretention design parameters on bioretention performances, involved variations related to different sizes of bioretention systems, application of an underdrain, the difference in soil texture and changes in the depth of each individual bioretention layer. The total average volume of retained runoff by bioretention systems ranged from 43.33 to 93.84%, while some single simulation results were 100%. Among all tested design parameters, bioretention size and the native soil hydraulic conductivity have shown the greatest influence on the runoff reduction rate. This study provides information about the developing a site-specific bioretention solutions needed to prevent urban flooding in the area of research where this systems are still not sufficiently applied in practice. The obtained methodology can be applied for other locations and also it can be extended to other cities with similar urban flooding problems.
¿Cupisnique en la Sierra Central? Piezas de “Cupisnique Clásico” en Piquimina y Campanayuq Rumi
Authors: Matsumoto Yuichi , Nesbitt Jason
Published: July 2021

Este artículo presenta evidencias de cerámica asociadas al estilo “Cupisnique Clásico” en los sitios de Campanayuq Rumi en la sierra centro-sur y Piquimina en lasierra central. Estas muestras del “Cupisnique Clásico” identificadas fuera de su lugar de origen en la costa norte, permiten evaluar la naturaleza e implicancias de las interacciones sociales de carácter interregional durante el Periodo Inicial.
A contribuição da neurolinguística no entendimento do processo de leitura e compreensão textual
Authors: Hauth Catyane Roberta , Narciso Rodi
Published: July 2021

Neurolinguística é uma ciência oriunda das Neurociências e da Linguística responsável por pesquisar os mecanismos neurofisiológicos incumbidos da aquisição e processamento da linguagem. O presente estudo trata de expor, de maneira sucinta, os resultados dos estudos provenientes desta nova ciência, buscando explanar seus campos de investigação nas questões que abordam o processo de obtenção, uso, leitura e compreensão textual. Com isso, objetivou-se elaborar um texto puramente bibliográfico, seguindo esta ordem temática: definição do que é Neurolinguística e seus pressupostos teóricos-metodológicos oriundos da Neurociência e da Linguística. Seguido da concepção de comunicação e linguagem (processamento/compreensão da linguagem oral e escrita), pelo viés neurocientífico e neurolinguístico. A posteriori, apresentou-se a questão social que engloba a inevitabilidade do ato de ler e escrever na formação do leitor, assim como a carência de informações sobre essa necessidade. Sucedido, finalmente, pela apresentação dos efeitos causados pela leitura no cérebro, a curto e longo prazo, elencados pela neurolinguística e neurociência. Esta pesquisa busca responder a seguinte questão norteadora: Qual a contribuição da neurociência, linguística para a neurolinguística no conhecimento/entendimento do processo de leitura e interpretação textual? Da qual conclui-se que é inegável o avanço alcançado pela neurolinguística no que tange ao processo de aquisição, processamento e uso da linguagem; logo será possível compreender todos os processos sofridos pelo cérebro no processo de leitura e compreensão textual, e de semelhante modo, enfatizar da importância da formação de leitores linguisticamente aptos.

 

Palavras-chave: Neurolinguística. Linguagem. Leitura. Compreensão.
Análisis sobre la aplicación de un programa de natación a nivel formativo
Authors: Rojas Bajaña Roberto Andrés , Morales Neira David Job , Saltos Aldaz Luis Alberto , Olivo Solis Johnny Edison , Rondán Elizalde Manuel de Jesús , León Jácome Gabriel Omar
Published: July 2021

Introducción: Este estudio detalla el análisis de la programación de natación a nivel formativa que fue aplicado en nadadores novatos del Club Deportivo Diana Quintana (CDDQ), donde los resultados son la principal fuente de información para generar una amplia discusión de argumentos debidamente fundamentados basados en el mejoramiento los aspectos: calidad técnica-táctica, aumento del rendimiento físico, beneficios a nivel de la salud corporal, incremento de las habilidades sociales, optimización de la autoeficacia. Objetivo: Analizar las ventajas y desventajas de la programación que certifiquen los logros en los campos de la salud, entrenamiento físico y habilidades para la vida. Método: Se presenta un diseño metodológico mixto para interpretar los diferentes resultados obtenidos de los diferentes tipos de investigación descriptiva, documental y analítica. Resultados: Se cumplen parámetros de la socialización del programa de natación a los padres de familia y mejoró la asistencia y cumplimiento de las actividades acuáticas y terrestres, asimismo se obtuvo un mejoramiento en el estado físico mediante los test pedagógicos y esto corroboraron los padres de familia a través de las encuestas donde mencionan que los nadadores optimizaron sus actitudes y aptitudes, que se refleja los buenos resultados obtenidos en las competencias de novatos provincial y nacional. Conclusión: La aplicación de la programación de natación formativa es pertinente y adecuada porque posee más aspectos positivos que negativos y además todas las actividades realizadas contribuyeron en el desarrollo motriz e integral de los nadadores beneficiando la salud y mejorando su calidad de vida.
Incidencia de los juegos predeportivos en el desarrollo de la técnica del lanzamiento en mini baloncesto
Authors: Tacuri Peláez Elsa Leonor
Published: July 2021

Introducción: Los juegos predeportivos aplicados a los deportes de cooperación-oposición han sido una alternativa didáctica en la etapa de iniciación deportiva y como contenido fundamental de la educación física, existiendo la posibilidad de mejorar el desempeño técnico al perfeccionar la forma lúdica motriz, incorporándose componentes específicos del deporte al juego como método educativo. En tal sentido, es útil establecer las posibles influencias que los juegos predeportivos como contenidos didácticos pudieran tener en el perfeccionamiento de la técnica deportiva del mini baloncesto. Objetivo: Determinar la incidencia de los juegos predeportivos en la efectividad de lanzamientos al aro en mini baloncesto. Métodos: Se aplicó un programa de juegos predeportivos en 24 jugadoras de mini baloncesto (6-8 años) de la Unidad Educativa Cardenal Spellman, Quito-Ecuador, se aplicó un test de efectividad del lanzamiento en dos momentos de la preparación, antes y después de implementada la propuesta de intervención durante un mesociclo tradicional. Resultados: Se demuestra una mejora significativa según la prueba de Rangos de Wilcoxon (p=0,000). Del análisis de los resultados del programa se comprueba que hay una incidencia positiva, deduciéndose una influencia cualitativa de los juegos predeportivos en la mejora de la efectividad del lanzamiento al aro en mini baloncesto, recomendándose ampliar el estudio a una muestra mayor de jugadoras.
movimiento sindical e indígena de Ecuador de la década de 1980
Authors: Trujillo Rivadeneira Fabián Antonio
Published: July 2021

El presente artículo tiene el objetivo profundizar en la investigación del intrincado proceso de protesta social ocurrido en Ecuador durante la década de 1980 según el análisis de la acción política y las reivindicaciones de redistribución del movimiento sindical, su relación con el Estado y su paulatina crisis, al igual que las reivindicaciones de reconocimiento del movimiento indígena y su crecimiento exponencial en el escenario político de esta época. La hipótesis de la investigación es que las políticas neoliberales de los gobiernos de la década de 1980 incidieron en una reconfiguración del escenario de contienda política donde las demandas de identidad se superpusieron a las de redistribución de los movimientos sociales.
plan estratégico de defensa del partido de Arica y sus consecuencias en el mando civil-militar durante los conflictos anglo-francés y anglo-español (1787-1792)
Authors: Cabrera Gerardo
Published: July 2021

La disputa diplomática de Francia contra la alianza anglo-prusiana sobre el conflicto político interno en los Países Bajos, como también la posterior disputa diplomática anglo-española sobre la bahía Nootka-Sound, fueron acontecimientos que obligaron a la corona española a establecer un plan estratégico de defensa imperial preventivo. Para el caso de la Intendencia de Arequipa, sus esfuerzos se concentraron en la movilización de las milicias y en el mejoramiento de la defensa del puerto y ciudad de Arica, dirigido de acuerdo a un plan estratégico-militar elaborado por el intendente Antonio Álvarez y Jiménez. Sin embargo, la ejecución del plan de defensa causó una abierta confrontación entre las autoridades civiles y militares, así como también una lucha en la dirección del mando entre oficiales veteranos y coroneles de milicias. Por estas consecuencias, las reformas militares borbónicas introducidas en el sur peruano, durante la segunda mitad del siglo XVIII, más que una solución a los problemas políticos-militares de seguridad imperial, fueron una causa clave en la escalada de las luchas de poder entre criollos y peninsulares.
fracaso de la Industrialización por Sustitución de Importaciones en Uruguay a mediados del siglo XX (1940-1960)
Authors: Pérez Gómez Ricardo
Published: July 2021

Este ensayo revisa el fracaso de las políticas de industrialización por sustitución de importaciones (ISI) en Uruguay a mediados del siglo XX, desde un enfoque funcionalista y de análisis de la gestión de las medidas adoptadas por el gobierno uruguayo de la época. Primeramente, se presenta un resumen de las razones que motivaron en América Latina la adopción de las políticas ISI, tales como la repercusión de las dos guerras mundiales en su economía y el agotamiento del modelo económico de división internacional del trabajo. Se escoge a Uruguay por reunir condiciones muy favorables para el proyecto de cambio económico, tales como su alto desarrollo gubernamental, sus positivos indicadores económicos y sociales y el apoyo político de un poderoso liderazgo democrático. Para la obtención de los datos económicos se recurre a fuentes secundarias de información, tales como las ponencias de las jornadas anuales de investigación de la Asociación Uruguaya en Historia Económica, las series históricas que elabora periódicamente la Comisión Económica para América Latina (CEPAL) y los manuales de historia económica latinoamericana, entre otras. Los datos se analizan y discuten a la luz de interpretaciones de distintos investigadores sobre el proceso de la ISI.
The Cyprus Problem and Greek Cypriot Preferences for a Solution after Their “No” to the Annan Plan
Authors: Webster Craig
Published: July 2021

The Greek Cypriots made a clear choice to reject the Annan Plan for their country in a referendum in April 2004. The Annan Plan offered a dichotomous choice to the electorate to accept or reject a federal solution to reunite Cyprus. In this paper, the author investigates the Greek Cypriot population’s preferences for a solution to the Cyprus Problem by performing multivariate analyses of data obtained from one thousand Greek Cypriots following the April 2004 referendum. The analyses find that preferences for solutions are a function of age and attitudes towards the ability of the two communities to interact successfully. Younger Greek Cypriots tend to prefer some form of separation while the older ones prefer some form of unification. Those who feel that the communities can co-mingle tend to favor unification. Refugee status, socio-economic status, and educational levels appear to play little or no role in shaping preferences for a solution.
Boardroom and Bedroom: Consulting with Organizations and Family Systems
Authors: Hibel James , Katz Neil
Published: July 2021

Neil Katz is a loyal St. Louis Cardinals fan and a career organizational consultant. Jim Hibel is a loyal Florida Marlins fan and a career family therapist. Nova Southeastern University brought their professional disciplines under the same roof at the Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences and the Cardinals and Marlins now share the same Spring Training Facility. Over the past several years, Neil and Jim have met regularly for Cardinal and Marlins spring training games, shared their mutual love of the game, and found ways to appreciate their different teams. In between innings, and rain delays they often talked about the passion, satisfaction, assumptions, and challenges they both experienced in their different professional practices. Through these conversations they became aware that though their disciplines have traditionally been isolated from one another, there are many interesting and potentially useful points of intersection. Thinking that these conversations might be beneficial to professional practitioners in organizational conflict, family therapy, and other related fields they decided to tape and edit some of their conversations. In the edited transcript that follows, Dr. Hibel is identified as JH and Dr Katz is identified as NK.
An Introductory Essay: Are We in “the Age of Resistance” in a Post-9/11 World?
Authors: Linstroth J.
Published: July 2021

This introductory article to the Special Issue of Peace and Conflict Studies asks, “are we in the ‘Age of Resistance’ in a post-9/11 world?” It is argued the concept of “resistance” may be framed in a broad theoretical context to include multiple and contested meanings by social and political actors as well as by scholars and through intellectual debate. The article questions recent ideas prevalent in fauxpolitical science studies which promote a clash of civilizations, essentialize histories, support anachronistic Orientalist-approaches, and bolster foreign policy initiatives by removing the human element. The contention is for researchers and theorists to concentrate on “invisible histories”, which reveal the less understood elements of history, social organization, and the inter-connectedness of conflict and violence across a broad range of cultures. Anthropology as a discipline demonstrates how invisible histories are revealed in multi-valent and nuanced ways of the past in the present and through the social interrelatedness of violent expressions and their analytical understanding. Beyond this, it is claimed that epistemological conceptions of nationalism may be examined on different levels through cultures, localities, and regions as contested and multiple expressions, which confront generalist and monolithic images. Partially this is explained through the notion of the “distributed” and “partible” person, as an extension of human activity, political agency, and political ideology to complementary and constituent parts of collective but detotalized wholes. To conceptualize this theory, the Basques will be utilized as exemplifying how such ideas are applicable. In all, this Special Issue of Peace and Conflict Studies will present some new approaches for comprehending our post-September 11 world, not only in our understanding of conflict but our role as conflict-resolution-specialists.
From Conflict Protraction to Peace Actualization in Palestinian-Israeli Relations
Authors: Sarsar Saliba
Published: July 2021

This article makes the case for harmonizing top-down peacemaking and bottom-up peace building in order to create and sustain a culture of peace. The analysis, focused on Palestinian-Israeli relations, finds the answer in the convergence of middle-line peacemakers and peace builders in “a center of peace actualization.” Such a safe space would allow for a shared concept of history, moderate action, and collaborative work on behalf of coexistence and social justice. Implied is the need for peacemakers and peace builders to become involved in each other’s domain and for all concerned to support middle-line peacemakers and peace builders as they advance peace. Such a concern is especially important and pertinent in our post- 9/11 world as the problems associated with the Palestinian-Israeli conflict persist and as the search for new ways for building a lasting peace in the Middle East continues.
What We Don't Know Can Help Us: Eliciting Out-of-Discipline Knowledge for Work with Intractable Conflicts
Authors: Goldman Jennifer , Coleman Peter
Published: July 2021

In this article, the authors present the results of a study in which a diverse variety of experts in fields outside the traditional conflict domain were interviewed about their ideas regarding intractable conflicts. The purpose of this study was to gather frame-breaking insights and practical approaches that could shed new light on complex, persistent conflict that has been particularly resistant to resolution. The authors argue that outsiders to the field are more likely to provide fresh perspective and radical approaches to the conflict field’s most intransigent problems because they are not constrained by the field’s pre-existing normative frames. This article examines some of their findings—from ideas on how globalization has exacerbated intractable conflicts, to ways that Biblical metaphors can be used to promote reconciliation, to an analysis of how philosophical concepts such as morality and impartiality can be used to produce fair outcomes, to ideas on the creation of an independent, international regional facilitation corps. In addition to a summary of content findings, methodological recommendations for future similar studies are offered.
Understanding Oil Company – Community Conflicts in the Niger Delta (Nigeria)
Authors: Ibaba Ibaba
Published: July 2021

This paper examines the contradictory realities that have thrown up the conflicting relationship between oil companies and oil producing communities in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. To achieve this objective, the paper, after the introduction which provides the background and framework of analysis, situated the conflict in its political setting. It established that the privatization and ethnicisation of politics in Nigeria, has resulted to a resource distribution system that alienates Oil Producing Communities from the oil wealth. State legislations on the oil industry and manipulations of the revenue allocation system have made this possible. The article demonstrates that although the causes of the conflicts are complex and interrelated, material deprivation is central to the conflicts. It highlights oil based environmental degradation induced productivity losses and occupational disorientation, inadequate compensation for damages caused by oil industry activities, poor channels of communication by the oil companies, failed community development programmes of the oil companies, among others as causes of the conflicting relationship. The paper notes that current policies have not addressed these factors that motivate conflict. In addition to compensation, the paper suggests the integration of the people into the oil economy, and the direction of public resources to public good as the likely solution.
Challenges in Laotian Refugees Search for Freedom
Authors: Stobbe Stephanie
Published: July 2021

The small, landlocked country of Laos has followed a challenging path towards freedom. The conflict of the Vietnam War led to massive exodus of Laotian refugees. The paper will explore Amartya Sen’s concept of freedoms and Martha Nussbaum’s central human capabilities as applied to Laotian refugees in Canada. A discussion of Laotians’ understanding of freedom, challenges of resettlement, and effective processes in adjustment to western culture will be presented. This dialogue is critical in developing policies and programs to address conflicts faced by refugees as they strive to increase their quality of life.
“They Understand Only Force” A Critical Examination of the Erruption of Verbal Violence in a Jewish-Palestinian Dialogue
Authors: Maoz Ifat , Bar-On Dan , Yikya Siham
Published: July 2021

This study focuses on an outburst of verbal violence during a Jewish-Palestinian dialogue, aimed at improving the relations between the sides. The turning point was when Waffa, a Palestinian female said to a Jewish male participant: ” …Would you be willing to be friends with a Nazi?” Following up with a clarification of the analogy she is drawing between Nazis and Jews: “I can understand why it is difficult for you to befriend Nazis. Your situation with Nazis that caused you pain and harm is the exact same situation that we have, and this is why I cannot befriend Jews, with what they do to us as we live in this state”. From this point forward the dialogue became highly destructive, with reciprocal exchanges of verbal attacks Through a critical examination of the processes that led up to verbal violence, we hope to contribute to the understanding of intergroup hatred and aggression on both the micro and macro levels of socio-political relations between the sides.
The International Fund for Ireland: Economic Assistance and the Northern Ireland Peace Process
Authors: Byrne Sean , Fissuh Eyob , Matic Mislav
Published: July 2021

The role of the International Fund for Ireland (IFI) is examined within the context of the conflict in Northern Ireland through the perspectives of community groups, civil servants and development officers. Specifically, this paper examines the views of 36 study participants from Northern Ireland and the Border Area—that have direct experience with protracted ethnopolitical conflict and with the IFI. Further, this paper explains the importance of economic and social development to peacebuilding within Northern Ireland.
The Maintenance of Republican Ideology and Tactics in the Discourses of IRA Former Prisoners
Authors: Shirlow Peter , Tonge Jonathan , McAuley James
Published: July 2021

The debate concerning ideology and ideological shifts during peace-building in Northern Ireland has generally failed to account for the attitudes and opinions of former combatants concerning the nature and meaning of discursively constructed identities and political strategies. This invisibility is peculiar in that debates concerning ideological shifts have been driven by academic analysis or by those former combatants who maintain that the Irish peace process is paralleled by core ideological abandonment. The material presented within this article indicates that former Provisional Irish Republican prisoners do not view the peace process as involving ideological ditching but instead that their commitment to republican discourse remains complete.
The Six University Consortium Student Mobility Project: Promoting Conflict Resolution in the North American Context
Authors: Tennent Pauline , Senehi Jessica , Fowler Michael , Byrne Sean
Published: July 2021

This article focuses on the North American Conflict Resolution Program - a twenty-first century mobility consortium in which universities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States exchanged students of conflict resolution. Drawing on student perceptions and, in particular, the experiences of the universities of Manitoba and Louisville, the authors discuss the positive outcomes of mobilizing students to study conflict resolution abroad for the students themselves, for faculty members involved, for university and other communities, and for the field of conflict analysis and resolution.
The Promise of Spirituality in Mediation: The Significance of Spiritual-Based and Faith-Based Approaches in Mediation
Authors: Jones Debra , Georgakopoulos Alexia
Published: July 2021

This article advocates greater exploration and incorporation of spirituality or religion in the mediation process. As religious or spiritual values constitute an element of one’s culture, which inevitably forms a lens through which one interprets the world, the authors suggest a greater acceptance of exploring and acknowledging the power of addressing one’s own religious or spiritual makeup. The authors present an agenda for mediation research and practice for the twenty-first century and consider several examples to encourage model development. In particular, the following discussion presents potentially valuable elements for an alternative approach to mediation which incorporates either religion or spirituality.
Labor Law Reforms: China’s Response to Challenges of Globalization
Authors: Zhang Yunqiu
Published: July 2021

The post-Mao years witnessed vigorous labor law reform efforts in China, which can be partly understood in terms of globalization, economic and legal. In the economic globalization, China was increasingly integrated into the world economic system and exposed to international pressures to reform its traditional labor system and follow internationally-accepted labor rules. In other words, the economic globalization created the need for labor law reforms in China. In the legal globalization, China was apparently the recipient or borrower of foreign legal ideas including ideas about labor legislation. These ideas inspired the Chinese to build a new legal system concerning labor.
An Emerging South-South Coalition Strategy: China, Africa and Latin America
Authors: Gray Tricia
Published: July 2021

Concomitant with the astronomical rise of China in international politics, there has been an increased frequency and intensity of foreign relations between Global South states. This research attempts to, first, illuminate these largely overlooked foreign policy activities, and, second, to evaluate the implications of the trends. A South-South strategy is based on improving the position of developing countries in multilateral organizations, struggling against international marginalization, enhancing economic and technical cooperation, and challenging hegemonism and imperialism. This study concludes that a South-South coalition framework is a useful model for understanding Global South states’ foreign policy behavior and for addressing future conflicts.
Peacebuilding in Northern Ireland: The Past, Present and Future
Authors: Ryan Stephen
Published: July 2021

This article explores the reasons for the slow progress being made in the Northern Ireland peace process. It examines complications that exist in dealing with the past, present, and future of the conflict between the two main communities whilst also arguing that it is hard to separate these time frames in practice. In terms of the present, some well known difficulties with the consociational approach are identified. Recent studies have also demonstrated a failure to address sectarianism at the grass-roots level and there has been a resurgence in activity by spoilers and rejectionists. When thinking about the future the two communities still have competing views about the final constitutional destiny of Northern Ireland and this inhibits the development of a sense of a shared future. Although there have been a plethora of initiatives for dealing with the past and for truth recovery, there does not appear to have been a satisfactory approach to this important dimension of peacebuilding. The article concludes by advocating two key strategies. The first is the development of initiatives based on the pursuit of superordinate goals. The second endorses Rorty’s idea of sentimental education as a way of building greater solidarity.
Rethinking Reconciliation: The Lessons from the Balkans and South Africa
Authors: Žagar Mitja
Published: July 2021

Reconciliation, described as coming to terms with the past, is considered an important component of normalization and development in post-conflict societies. The international community and some political elites promote it as a desired approach to (re)establishing trust and cooperation, ideally leading to clean slate situation, which might be possible only if all sides are fully committed to the process and unconditionally accept its outcomes. Reality, however, is often different. Exploring concepts, practices and experiences in the Balkans and South Africa the contribution studies successes, problems and failures of reconciliation. It attempts to rethink and re-conceptualize reconciliation and develop alternative approaches.
The Perception of Economic Assistance in the Northern Ireland Peace Process: The Impact of IFI and EU Peace I on Equity and Awareness
Authors: Byrne Sean , Irvin Cynthia , Fissuh Eyob , Karari Peter
Published: July 2021

Most international donors believe that promoting economic development deescalates ethnic conflict, thus enhancing the prospects for peace as ethnic communities negotiate settlements and bridge their political divisions. However, little empirical research has addressed the potential effects of external economic assistance in the rebuilding of those societies. This study explores the perceptions of a representative sample of Northern Irish citizens on their awareness of the activities of International Fund for Ireland and the European Peace I fund toward economic development, the perceived equity of its distribution, and its contribution to building peace in Northern Ireland.
A Hermeneutics of Blessing as a Meta-Requisite for Reconciliation: John E. Toews’ Romans Paradigm as a Case Study
Authors: Redekop Vern
Published: July 2021

Within an overall framework of reconciliation as a transformation of mimetic structures of violence to mimetic structures of blessing, teachings of blessing are needed throughout the process. “Teachings” are considered as paradigmatic stories, principles, insights, and practical wisdom that are derived both from religious traditions and the human sciences. “Blessing” refers to that which contributes to sustained human well-being at the individual, collective and relational levels. A hermeneutics of blessing is a deliberate interpretive endeavour directed toward the generation of teachings of blessing. It can be used with any particular source and the insights can be both direct and inverse, identifying what is helpful and not helpful for reconciliation processes. John E. Toews, biblical scholar specializing on the book of Romans in the New Testament, is examined as someone practicing a hermeneutics of blessing. His paradigm of Romans shows how it can be viewed as a letter addressing an identity-based conflict involving Jews and Gentiles. A set of practical teachings of blessing is synthesized from Romans 12 to 15, using the Toews hermeneutical paradigm.
Letters of Intent, Costly Signals, and Local Peacemaking in the Georgian-Abkhaz Conflict
Authors: Meredith Spencer
Published: July 2021

A state of near-war lasted for almost two decades between Georgia and the separatist region of Abkhazia. Localized violence plagued neighboring communities while United Nations agencies, humanitarian groups, and religious organizations worked with both sides to resolve the conflict’s underlying causes. Unfortunately, those diverse and long-standing efforts proved fruitless when the parties went to war in August 2008. This article examines the reasons for the conflict’s enduring nature and presents an example of grassroots peacemaking completed by university students focused on the plight of Georgia’s domestic refugees. An in-depth case study reveals the impact of their unilateral peacemaking efforts to present costly signals of benign intent.
Constructive Noncooperation: Living in Truth
Authors: Mattaini Mark , Atkinson Kristen
Published: July 2021

Mohandas Gandhi often indicated that nonviolence was “a science,” and he appears to have meant this literally. Consistent with this vision, in this paper, we outline and apply principles of behavioral systems science, an emerging data-based approach to understanding the dynamics of complex cultural systems, to the practice of constructive noncooperation (Gandhi’s “constructive programme”). Although Gandhi emphasized that constructive action was the most important and potent of nonviolent strategic options, constructive alternatives have been the least developed in the literature of nonviolent struggle. The reconceptualization of constructive noncooperation in behavioral systems terms offered here suggests that rigorous analysis of Havel’s “living in truth” and Gandhi’s “truth force” may be both possible and practically useful in challenging oppression and supporting human rights.