bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AN EXPLORATORY STUDY REGARDING THE RELEVANCE OF BUDGETS AMONG ROMANIAN COMPANIES
Authors:   Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iaşi, URSU Ionela
Published: February 2025

Budgets always played an important role in the business companies over the years. Budgeting is used for many purposes: planning, performance appraisal, employee motivation, allocation of the company resources, control. In the current literature studies, there is a debate if the budgets are still relevant or not for companies, some authors lean towards a management without budgets and others are proposing that budgets should be improved and used together with other controlling instruments. The purpose of this paper is to examine the current trends regarding the budgeting practice among the Romanian companies. Is the traditional budgeting approach predominantly used by the firms? Is there a tendency to abandon this tool? Is budgeting still adding any value to the companies? Are companies taking into account a management without budgets? To answer to all of these questions a survey was used as research method. Results show that Romanian companies are still using budgets, for planning aspects, control (means performance evaluation) and resource allocation. Fixed budgeting model is still used by most of the companies, followed by rolling budget and incremental budgeting. The budgeting process is still adding value in reaching the company goals. Budgets are still important for management during the decision making process especially for costs purposes, invests and strategic aspects. Companies do not want to abandon budgets as a tool but are also open to make some improvements to the classical approach.
Adaptación de la Gamificación para el Desarrollo de Habilidades Blandas en Estudiantes de Tercero de Bachillerato FIP Informática
Authors: Zambrano-Ortiz Martha Candelaria , Zambrano-Ortiz Marlene Isabel , Marín-Marín Fernando , Martínez-Pérez Odette
Published: February 2025

Las habilidades blandas son fundamentales en el desarrollo integral de los estudiantes, ya que les permiten mejorar su comunicación, fomentar la empatía y abordar problemas de manera creativa. Estas habilidades facilitan la adaptación a cambios y desafíos, lo cual es vital en un mundo en constante evolución. En la Unidad Educativa Pichincha, de la ciudad de Quito, se ha detectado un débil proceso de desarrollo de las habilidades blandas dentro del proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje de los estudiantes de tercero de Bachillerato Técnico de la Figura Profesional Informática, lo cual provoca un déficit de atención en los alumnos, resultando un bajo rendimiento académico. Por ello, esta investigación tiene como objetivo general adaptar estrategias de gamificación en estudiantes de tercero de bachillerato informática para el desarrollo de habilidades blandas.  Está investigación fue de enfoque mixto, con alcance descriptivo-explicativo y se manejó un tipo de investigación bibliográfica, no experimental y de campo. La población fue de tipo finita por 20 estudiantes, de tercero de bachillerato con una muestra intencional y a conveniencia de estos 20 estudiantes. El muestreo fue no probabilístico y para el diagnóstico se utilizó la técnica de la encuesta y para ello se diseñó como instrumento un cuestionario de 10 preguntas bajo la escala de Likert para recopilaran datos sobre la percepción de los estudiantes sobre la gamificación. El procesamiento de datos se realizó a través del método estadístico y se utilizó como instrumento el software Microsoft Excel. Además, se presenta una guía didáctica que incorpora estrategias gamificadas orientadas a la educación técnica, para optimizar el aprendizaje y la integración de habilidades esenciales para el ámbito académico y profesional. Se concluye que la gamificación constituye una metodología innovadora y efectiva para la formación en Bachillerato Técnico, facilitando la transferencia de conocimientos en entornos dinámicos y colaborativos.
La influencia del poder político en el poder judicial y la inmunidad parlamentaria en Ecuador
Authors: Loyola-Granda Layla Lizeth , Zamora-Vázquez Ana Fabiola
Published: February 2025

La independencia judicial es un principio fundamental en los sistemas democráticos, sin embargo, la injerencia del poder político ha afectado su correcto funcionamiento en Ecuador. La inmunidad parlamentaria, concebida para proteger la labor legislativa, ha sido utilizada como un mecanismo que obstaculiza la administración de justicia, generando desigualdad ante la ley. El estudio tuvo como propósito analizar la influencia del poder político sobre el poder judicial y su impacto en la correcta administración de justicia. Asimismo, se planteó evaluar la inmunidad parlamentaria en Ecuador y proponer una reforma que garantice la igualdad ante la ley y evite su uso como herramienta de impunidad. La inmunidad parlamentaria ha permitido que legisladores eviten procesos judiciales, generando desconfianza en la administración de justicia y vulnerando el principio de igualdad. En múltiples casos, la Asamblea Nacional ha negado el levantamiento de la inmunidad de sus miembros, impidiendo el debido proceso y fortaleciendo la impunidad. Se utilizó un enfoque cualitativo con métodos dogmático-jurídicos y socio-jurídicos. Se realizó un análisis documental de normativas nacionales e internacionales, jurisprudencia y doctrina, complementado con estudios de casos y entrevistas. Se concluyó que una reforma legal es necesaria para garantizar la igualdad ante la ley y fortalecer la independencia judicial en Ecuador.
A TRANSIÇÃO PARA O ENSINO FUNDAMENTAL PELA ANÁLISE DO CURRÍCULO E PRÁTICAS TRANSDISCIPLINARES: O QUE DIZEM AS PESQUISAS
Authors: Krueger Eliane de Andrade , Massuchetto Laiz Maria
Published: February 2025

O trabalho buscou responder a problematização “O que as pesquisas apontam sobre a transição da educação infantil para o ensino fundamental a partir da análise do currículo e de práticas pedagógicas transdisciplinares?”. Usou-se a metodologia exploratória e foram selecionados artigos e um ensaio na base de dados da CAPES com ideias de Carbonieri e Magalhaes (2021); Filho e Alves (2021); Lopes (2022); Pase e Rossetto (2024); Pereira, Ortigara e Vieira (2022); Silva, Santana e Nascimento (2021); Silva (2021); Souza, Pinho e Santos (2022); Stein e Bonin (2022); Thiesen e Veiga (2020). O aporte teórico envolveu Morais (2015) e Nicolescu (1999), que se articulam com a literatura mencionada nos trabalhos encontrados e a organização da Base Nacional Comum Curricular (2018) também foi investigada. A pesquisa contribuiu para fazer um levantamento da situação e seu objetivo foi identificar como acontece o processo de transição da educação infantil para o ensino fundamental pela análise do currículo e de práticas pedagógicas transdisciplinares, por meio de pesquisas acadêmicas e da Base Nacional Comum Curricular (BNCC). Os resultados apontaram fragilidade no processo de transição entre educação infantil e ensino fundamental, sendo que as práticas transdisciplinares ocorrem lentamente no ensino fundamental, os docentes estão preocupados com a aprendizagem e a necessidade de mais formação.
Artificial intelligence in the Otorhinolaryngology class
Authors: Carías Alejandro , Auza-Santivañez Jhossmar Cristians , Carías Pablo , Díaz Bonilla Vilma , Bautista-Vanegas Freddy Ednildon , Vallejos-Rejas Daniel Ramiro Elías , Márquez-Molina Jorge
Published: February 2025

Introduction: The development of curricular changes for the training of future doctors in the use of Artificial Intelligence includes the perception that medical students have about this technology and medical students are not always familiar with Artificial Intelligence. Objective: to analyze the academic performance between two groups of students who took the Otorhinolaryngology subject in the sixth year of the medical degree, one that was exposed to Artificial Intelligence and the other to the traditional method, National Autonomous University of Honduras, 2023. Methods: quantitative, correlational study, sample of 34 students, through non-probabilistic convenience sampling, statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS version 25 doing descriptive analysis of central tendency, grouping, and inferential with p value = 0.05 using Pearson's R test.Results: 15 (44.1%) of the students had been studying medicine for 5 years; before taking the class, 2 (5.9%) of the students did not know what the Otorhinolaryngology specialty consisted of; There is a correlation between the curricular approach and the methodology of the subject, so that the student can learn, with a p value of 0.006 (0.005-0.008); there is a correlation between the level of knowledge acquired in Otorhinolaryngology and the methodology of the subject, p value of 0.042 (0.038-0.046). Conclusions: There is a significant correlation between the curricular approach and the methodology of the subject, which directly influences the student's learning process. Similarly, the level of knowledge acquired in Otorhinolaryngology is closely related to the methodology used in its teaching. In the current context, Artificial Intelligence does not replace traditional teaching given by a professor in the Medicine degree and even less so in clinical areas such as Otorhinolaryngology, where practical experience, direct observation and interaction with the patient are essential for the development of medical skills. However, it is undeniable that AI has become a valuable complementary tool, optimizing access to information, facilitating self-directed learning and offering interactive resources that enrich theoretical understanding. In addition, it allows teaching to be personalized according to different learning styles, improving knowledge retention and the overall educational experience.
MODELING GROWTH OF STAR GRASS (Cynodon plectostachyus) IN THE SUBTROPICAL REGIONS OF CENTRAL MEXICO
Authors: Yong Gilberto , Pires-Silveira V.C. , Aviles-Nova F. , Castelan-Ortega O.A.
Published: February 2025

The present work describes a mathematical model that simulates growth and biomass production of Star grass in the lowland subtropical areas of Central Mexico. The Star grass model simulates growth of the different plant structures such as the root, stem and shoots, and it has five submodels: growth, photosynthesis, mineral intake, ontogenic and disturbances submodels. The growth submodel simulates nutrient partition and growth of root, stem and leaves. The photosynthesis submodel simulates the transformation of solar energy and carbon into biomass, and it is determined by irradiation, ambient temperature and the leaf area index. The mineral uptake submodel represents the interphase between the soil and the plant, and it simulates a plantâ€™s uptake of nitrogen and phosphorous as well as the different factors that determined their availability, such as soil water content and the mineralization rate. The ontogenic submodel emulates the vegetative phase and the senescence of the plant. The disturbances submodel simulates the effect of factors such as harvest, fire and grazing on the above-ground part of the plant. The original model was developed for C3 plants so it was necessary to modify its parameters for simulating a C4 plant like Star grass. The parameters of soil, drought tolerance, nitrogen content (in the degradable fraction of the plant) and temperatures for maximum and minimum plant growth were modified. The phenological phase of the plant was modified and the reproductive routine was eliminated since Star grass is propagated by stolons and generally remains in the vegetative stage. The re-growth of new shoots begins when soil temperature is above 11o C and soil water content above 0.5. Minimum data set for model development was collected from a sward planted with Star grass and located in the Tejupilco municipality (18Âº 45Â´ 30â€ North and 99Âº 59Â´ 07â€ West) MÃ©xico, and data from literature was also used. Daily climate data was obtained from the local meteorological station. Model predictions were validated with data sets collected from two more swards located in the same region. Results indicated that the modelâ€™s predicted dry matter yield during the entire production cycle was very close to observed data (R2=0.92, P<0.05), and also that precision was high because observed and predicted regression lines were almost overlapping. Model predictions for the other two paddocks were also very close to observed values (R2=0.88 and R2=0.96, P<0.05). It was concluded that the Star grass model was successful in predicting dry matter yield for a Star grass paddock located in the lowland areas of central Mexico.
APPARENT DIGESTIBILITY OF RHODE ISLAND RED HEN DIETS CONTAINING Leucaena leucocephala AND Moringa oleifera LEAF MEALS
Authors: Abouelezz Fouad Mohammed Khaled , Sarmiento Franco Luis , Santos Ricalde Ronald , Solorio Sanchez Javier
Published: February 2025

This study consisted of two trials aimed to evaluate the dietary digestibility by Rhode Island Red (RIR) hens' fed on different levels of Leucaena leucocephala (LLM) or Moringa oleifera (MOLM). In each experiment, thirty six Rhode Island Red hens at 36 weeks of age were randomly divided into four groups each of nine birds which were allocated in individual cages. The four groups were corresponded to four dietary treatments containing 0 (control), 5, 10 and 15 % of LLM (Exp 1) or MOLM (Exp 2). All groups received smashed diets containing similar metabolizable energy and crude protein (16% CP and 2900 kcal ME/kg diet, as fed basis). The hens were fed the experimental diets for six weeks and during the last four days, feed intake was individually recorded every day and excreta was totally collected twice daily and weighed individually. Considerable amounts of CP were found in LLM (23.61% DM) and MOLM (19.76% DM). The dietary treatments had no significant effect on the intake of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), gross energy (GE), crude protein (CP) or neutral detergent fiber (NDF) in both experiments, while the acid detergent fibers (ADF) consumption increased linearly (P<0.01) with the increase of LLM and MOLM levels. The results of apparent nutrients' digestibility showed a linear decrease for DM, CP, ADF, and OM accompanying the increase of LLM and MOLM levels. MOLM treatments did not show significant effects on apparent metabolizability of energy (AME), while it decreased linearly in LLM experiment. LLM and MOLM could be recommended for RIR hens at low levels, between 5 and 10% of the diet.
BOTANICAL AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF COMMON GRASS SPECIES AROUND DIP–TANK AREAS IN SEMI–ARID COMMUNAL RANGELANDS OF SWAZILAND
Authors: Beyene Solomon Tefera , Mlambo Victor
Published: February 2025

Communal rangelands in arid and semiâ€“arid areas of southern Africa are the source of virtually all feeds for wild and domestic ruminants. However, the quality and quantity of feed fluctuates in response to rainfall patterns. Little is known about the capacity of these rangelands to support ruminant productivity during the 4-month dry season. This study was therefore designed to assess the botanical composition of grasses and determine nutritive values of selected grass species growing in the communal rangelands of Swaziland at the start of the dry season. Vegetation survey and sampling were carried out in two semiâ€“arid ecological zones (Lower Middleveld (LMV) and Lowveld (LV) savannas). Dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), minerals, neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) contents were determined. Of the 20 grass species identified in the two zones, 9 were perennials and 11 were annuals. Only 3 the grass species were classified as highly palatable. Grass species showed significant (P<0.05) (LMV) and nonâ€“significant (LV) variations in the DM yield. In both ecological zones the highest NDF level was measured in Panicum maximum and Urochloa mosambicensis and lowest in Digitaria longiflora and Eleusine coracana. In the LV region, P. maximum ranked first in CP content, while E. coracana ranked last. In the LMV region, the level of CP was highest in P. maximum, and lowest in D. argyrograpta. In most instances, macro and trace elements showed variations (P<0.05) between grass species. Grass species collected from the two ecological zones showed great variations in NDF, ADF, CP, macro and microminerals. P<0.05â€“ It was concluded that most grasses were deficient in protein, phosphorus and potassium. It is recommended that protein and mineral supplements should be offered to animals to optimize the utilization of grasses and improve animal productivity during the dry season.
LIVESTOCK AND NATURAL RESOURCES IN A NATURE RESERVE IN SOUTH SONORA, MEXICO
Authors: Zarate-Valdez Jose Luis
Published: February 2025

Cattle ranching is the main activity and the principal user of natural resources in Alamos, Mexico, extending in 93% of this municipality. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of livestock production on natural resources, in the municipio of Alamos, Sonora and in the “Sierra de Álamos-Río Cuchujaqui” nature reserve, which was established in 1996. Overgrazing, deforestation, botanical composition of the rangeland, soil cover and soil erosion risk were the main indicators evaluated. From 1995 to 2005 livestock herd size increased by 13%. By the year 2005, overgrazing was over 200% in all the sites evaluated, (reaching values as high as 550%), taking as a reference COTECOCA (the Mexican agency for the determination of rangeland grazing load) recommendations for animal rangeland load. Deforested area within the nature reserve remained relatively unchanged in 5,150 ha between 1996 and 2006. In the 155 sites sampled for vegetation and soil cover, on the other hand, we found a low percentage of cattle-preferred species, whereas species with low nutritional quality and less preferred by the cattle, represented 65 to 90% of the identified plants.
RECIPROCAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN AGGREGATE STABILITY AND ORGANIC CARBON CHARACTERISTICS IN A FORESTED ECOSYSTEM OF NORTHERN NIGERIA
Authors: Lawal Halima Mohammed , Ogunwole J.O. , Uyovbisere E.O.
Published: February 2025

Soil organic matter associated with different size aggregates differ in structure and function; therefore, play different roles in soil organic carbon (SOC) turnover. This study assessed the relationship between aggregate stability and soil organic carbon fractions in a forested soil. Aggregate stability characterized by mean weight diameter (MWD) was correlated with the various pools of SOC in a regression model. Mean weight diameter presented a 46% influence on total organic carbon (TOC) while, TOC accounts for 21.8% 0f aggregate stability. The unprotected and physically protected soil organic carbon did not significantly dictate stability of these soils. However, chemically protected and biochemically protected SOC influenced significantly aggregate stability of these forested soils.
ISOLATION OF NATIVE STRAINS OF TRICHODERMA SPP, FROM HORTICULTURAL SOILS OF THE VALLEY OF TOLUCA, FOR POTENTIAL BIOCONTROL OF SCLEROTINIA
Authors: Garcia-Nuñez Hilda G. , Romero-Gomez Sergio de J. , Gonzalez-Esquivel Carlos E. , Nava-Bernal E. Gabino , Martinez-Campos Angel Roberto
Published: February 2025

The presence of Trichoderma mold strains was evaluated in seven localities in the southern part of the Valley of Toluca in the State of Mexico. This area has a high potential for growing vegetables. In the study, native strains of Trichoderma were isolated from soil samples, physiographic factors were identified, as well as the physicochemical properties of the soil which may affect Trichoderma occurrence. The potential of Trichoderma strains for control of Sclerotinia spp., a pathogenic fungus which causes soft rot in lettuce, was evaluated. Eleven strains were isolated, most of them associated with the type of soil found in the San Francisco Putla and San Francisco Tetetla localities. Logistic regression analysis showed no relationship between the soil properties (organic matter content and pH) and the presence of Trichoderma. Tukey test (p<0.05) showed significant differences between the percentage of inhibition of Sclerotinia by the eleven native strains of Trichoderma. The TF10, TL4 y TX8 strains had a high biocontrol potential, with inhibition percentages of 80%, 86% y 88%, respectively. These strains are an ecological alternative for the control of Sclerotinia spp.
Dermatología Integral: Diagnóstico, Tratamientos y Avances en Enfermedades de la Piel Tomo 1
Authors: Vaca Rojas María de Fátima
Published: February 2025

"Dermatología Integral: Diagnóstico, Tratamientos y Avances en Enfermedades de la Piel – Tomo 1" es una obra fundamental que aborda el manejo clínico y terapéutico de las principales afecciones dermatológicas, con un enfoque basado en la evidencia y la innovación en tratamientos.

Destaca el capítulo "Candidiasis cutánea: Abordaje Integral en Dermatología", donde se exploran los factores predisponentes, métodos diagnósticos y estrategias terapéuticas más efectivas para el manejo de esta infección fúngica, desde tratamientos tópicos hasta enfoques sistémicos.

Con una presentación clara y práctica, este libro es una referencia indispensable para dermatólogos y médicos generales interesados en el diagnóstico y tratamiento avanzado de enfermedades cutáneas.
GAMBARAN KUALITAS TIDUR PADA REMAJA DENGAN KECENDERUNGAN GAME ONLINE
Authors: Dessi Purnamasari
Published: February 2025

Teenagers are considered more often and more prone to online game addiction than adults. As a result, adolescents who are addicted to online games tend to be less interested in other activities and feel restless when they cannot play online games and poor sleep quality and sleep deprivation are common among students. For students who make good use of time between study, play and sleep have a very related relationship. Students who are able to divide their time between studying, playing and socializing, these students can have sufficient quality sleep so that their sleep is of quality, but not all students have coping skills to manage study time and socialize so that sleep time is reduced. In this study it can be concluded that the majority who play online games are 15 years old, as many as 37 (82.2%) respondents, the gender of respondents who play online games is mostly male, as many as 30 people (66.7%), respondents who always play online games as many as 23 people (51.1%), and respondents who have poor quality as many as 33 people (73.3%).
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From Peasant to Patriarch
Authors: Shusherin Ioann
Published: February 2025

Nikon (1605-1681), patriarch of Moscow and all Russia, is best known for imposing the religious reforms that ultimately led to the schism of the Russian Orthodox Church. Yet only the Account of Birth, Life, and Upbringing of His Holiness Nikon, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (1680s), comes close to immortalizing the vicissitudes of Nikon's entire life. Written by Ioann Shusherin's (d. 1693), the patriarch's protZgZ and confidant, the Account presents Nikon as he appeared to his contemporary supporters. The biography chronicles Nikon's steady rise through the ecclesiastical ranks, dramatic downfall, and extraordinary rehabilitation. While discussing Nikonian religious reforms, the Account focuses on Nikon's relationship with the Romanov royal family and his monastery building program, especially the early history of the New Jerusalem Monastery and its main sanctuary, the Church of the Resurrection. This unique narrative features rare eyewitness accounts of momentous and daily life during a period of unprecedented political, religious, and social change in Russia. From Peasant to Patriarch is the first English language translation of the Account. Dr. Kevin Kain and Dr. Katia Levintova offer extensive commentary, parallel texts, and a glossary of Russian terms that contribute to the depth of this text. From Peasant to Patriarch opens new doors to the study of Russian history, religion, and culture.
Gender and the American Presidency
Authors: Sheckels Theodore F. , Gutgold Nichola D. , Carlin Diana Bartelli
Published: February 2025

In Gender and the American Presidency: Nine Presidential Women and the Barriers They Faced, Theodore F. Sheckels, Nichola D. Gutgold, and Diana Bartelli Carlin invite the audience to consider women qualified enough to be president and explores reasons why they have been dismissed as presidential contenders. This analysis profiles key presidential contenders including Barbara Mikulski, Nancy Pelosi, Nancy Kassebaum, Kathleen Sebelius, Christine Gregoire, Linda Lingle, Elizabeth Dole, Dianne Feinstein, and Olympia Snowe. Gender barriers, media coverage, communication style, geography, and other factors are examined to determine why these seemingly qualified, powerful politicos failed to win the White House.
Machiavelli and Epicureanism
Authors: Roecklein Robert J.
Published: February 2025

This book investigates the influence of Epicurean physics on the argument developed in Machiavelli’s Discourses on Livy. Towards this end, the full philosophical history and origins of atomist philosophy are investigated during the first three chapters. Plato’s critique of the atomist philosophy, from his dialogue the Parmenides, is a part of that investigation. In fact, Plato provides a refutation of the atomist philosophy in the Parmenides. A significant amount of scholarship has been accomplished that demonstrates the currents of Lucretian atomism in Machiavelli’s Florence. Evidence is supplied as to Machiavelli’s exposure to the Lucretian text, and the book then proceeds to investigate the transformational arguments of the Discourses On Livy itself. Machiavelli’s Discourses are saturated with terminology that is borrowed from physics: ‘materia’ (Matter), ‘corpo’ (body), ‘forma’ (form), ‘accidente’ (accident). English translators have usually employed some theory as to which tradition of physics Machiavelli is relying upon, in order to conduct their translations. By borrowing the terminology of Lucretian physics, Machiavelli becomes able to conceive of the people in a political society as something less than human: as ‘matter’ or materia without form. In my analysis of Machiavelli’s deployment of the concepts from Lucretian physics, it is attempted to unveil the brutality that is inherent in Machiavelli’s new definitions of the elements of politics, and the general hostility of his political science to the Aristotelian concept of the human being as political animal. The classical physics of Aristotle, which Machiavelli has rejected for a model, indicates the forward looking momentum of natural beings. For Aristotle, nature intends human political society as the arena for human fulfillment. In Aristotelian physics, nature aims at an end in generation, i.e. at a culmination of the natural being in its proper condition of excellence. For human beings, this is justice, the quality of relationships that makes happiness possible. In Machiavelli, a new politicized physics is revealed. In Machiavelli’s model, the human beings of formed matter are repeatedly sent, through new institutions and methods of government, ‘back to their beginnings’, i.e. to a condition of isolation, destitution, injury, and pain. The last chapter of the book concludes with an examination of the particular institutions and methods that Machiavelli holds out to us for employment, if his new vision of a republic is to be realized.
American Ethnic Practices in the Twenty-First Century
Authors: Lackey Jill Florence
Published: February 2025

American Ethnic Practices in the Early Twenty-first Century: The Milwaukee Study is a work based on a twelve-year research project conducted in the greater Milwaukee area by Urban Anthropology Inc. The qualitative study examined the current strength of ethnicity and the contributions that ethnic practices have made to the wider society. Since Barth (1970), social scientists—especially sociocultural anthropologists—have moved toward deconstructing ethnicity by concentrating on the malleability of ethnic identity. This work takes a new approach by focusing on ethnic practices. The most prominent findings in The Milwaukee Study were the ways that community-building activities of ethnic groups contributed to the wider society; and how this, in turn, can help restore a needed balance between individualism and collectivism in the United States. Since the first edition of Habits of the Heart (Bellah et al, 1985), public discourse about ways to restore this balance has been ubiquitous. Most discussions have focused only on strengthening families, faith communities, or neighborhoods, and have ignored the activity and potential of ethnic groups, even though it was during this span of time that interest in multiculturalism in education and politics reached its peak.
Strategic Cooperation
Authors: Slobodchikoff Michael O.
Published: February 2025

Power inequalities and mistrust have characterized many interstate relationships. Yet most international relations theories do not take into account power and mistrust when explaining cooperation. While some scholars argue that power relations inhibit cooperation between states, other scholars expect interstate cooperation regardless of the power relations and level of trust. Strategic Cooperation: Overcoming the Barriers of Global Anarchy argues that although states benefit from cooperation, they are also wary of the power relations between states, making cooperation difficult. Successful and cooperative bilateral relationships are formed between strong and weak states that are power asymmetric and have mistrust of one another, but they are built in such as way as to overcome the problem of power asymmetry and mistrust.

This book answers how and why states that are in power asymmetry and have mistrust of one another are able to build a cooperative bilateral relationship. It argues that states forge a relationship due to strategic needs such as economic or security needs. Slobodchikoff has developed a database composed of the whole population of bilateral treaties between Russia and each of the former Soviet republics, and examines all of these bilateral relationships. He finds that Russia indeed forged relationships with the former republics based on its strategic interests. However, despite Russia's strategic interests, it had to build a bilateral relationship that would address the issues of mistrust and power asymmetry between the states. To achieve this, Russia and the former Soviet republics created treaty networks, which served to legitimize as well as legalize the independent status of each of the former republics while also increasing the cost to Russia of violating any of the treaties. This book argues that strong treaty networks account for a more cooperative relationship between states, allowing both states to cooperate by alleviating the problems of mistrust and power asymmetry.
Recovering Hegel from the Critique of Leo Strauss
Authors: MacDonald Sara , Craig Barry
Published: February 2025

Recovering Hegel from the Critique of Leo Srauss offers a defense of modernity against the critique of the influential mid-twentieth century political philosopher, Leo Strauss. Strauss, whose influence on contemporary conservative political theory is well documented, discovered the ground of much of what he found wanting in contemporary political and social life to lie in the philosophy of the 19th century German philosopher, G. W. F. Hegel. Specifically, Strauss accused Hegel of being the greatest exponent of historicism and thus the relativism that afflicts modern thought. Ultimately, according to Strauss, this has led to the nihilism and general mediocrity that characterizes modern western culture. In this book, Sara MacDonald and Barry Craig examine Strauss’s reading of Hegel and argue that in fact it is a mis-reading. Contrary to Strauss’s interpretation, this book holds that Hegel was no relativist and in fact sought to show the compatibility of objective, eternal truth with modern human subjectivity. At the same time, it illustrates the way in which Hegel’s thought prepared the ground for enlightened modern liberal democracies and also remains relevant to current social and political conversations.
Freedom of the Press 2008
Authors:   Freedom House
Published: February 2025

Freedom House's annual press freedom index, now covering 195 countries and territories, has tracked trends in media freedom worldwide since 1980. Featuring an overview of the state of press freedom from senior researcher and editor Karin Deutsch Karlekar, Freedom of the Press 2008 provides comparative rankings and examines the legal environment for the media, political pressures that influence reporting, and economic factors that affect access to information. The survey is the most authoritative assessment of media freedom around the world. Its findings are widely utilized by policymakers, scholars, press freedom advocates, journalists, and international institutions.
The Constitution on the Campaign Trail
Authors: Busch Andrew E.
Published: February 2025

The Constitution is the fundamental governing document of the United States. But to what extent do candidates and parties make constitutional arguments in the course of American elections? By examining party platforms, candidate messages, presidential debates, and television ads, The Constitution on the Campaign Trail answers four main questions: How often does constitutional rhetoric appear in campaigns? How much of it is explicit and how much implicit? What constitutional topics receive the most attention? And how often do the electoral competitors engage in an actual constitutional dialogue? The Constitution on the Campaign Trail finds evidence for a long, broad decline in the use of constitutional rhetoric since the mid-19th century. Making matters worse, the modern medium most responsible for conveying campaign messages on a day-to-day basis_television advertising_-has proven least conducive to constitutional argument. To that extent, concerns about a deconstitutionalization of politics are well placed. However, and perhaps surprisingly, American campaigns have actually seen a limited resurgence in constitutional rhetoric over the past four decades, driven in large part by increased concern with judicial issues, rights, and federalism. The book concludes with explanations of past trends and a look to the future. The political analysis found in The Constitution on the Campaign Trail is firmly grounded in historical research and the conclusions reached are trenchant.
The Dominican Republic and the Beginning of a Revolutionary Cycle in the Spanish Caribbean
Authors: Álvarez-López Luis
Published: February 2025

In this book, _lvarez-L-pez details the history of revolution in the Dominican Republic, which was an infant independent nation struggling to preserve its political independence from Haiti and from the expansionist policies of northern European countries and the United States. In 1861, the Dominican Republic was annexed to Spain. The Spanish empire expansionist policy sought to preserve Cuba and Puerto Rico, and the acquisition of the Dominican Republic strengthened Spain's hold on the Antilles Empire. Spain's policies strengthened the political objectives of the Dominican ruling class, which were political stability and control of the political power under a Caucasian empire. While both these objectives were achieved, the new colonial experiment was a total failure. The exclusion of the native ruling class, over taxation, economic exploitation, coercive imposition of the Catholic Church customs, prejudice against blacks and mulattos led to war, ending with the defeat of the Spanish Empire. This defeat opened a revolutionary cycle in the Spanish Caribbean.
Visionaries in Our Midst
Authors: Silberberg Allison
Published: February 2025

Visionaries In Our Midst is Allison Silberberg's inspiring collection of essays that profiles ordinary people who are changing our world. Silberberg shares the stories of individuals who identified critical needs in their communities and responded with courage and conviction. This is a book about those who inspire hope, those who struggle, and those who make something happen. This is a book about catalysts—those who innovate and work to build a better life for others. This is a time to discover what is possible when individuals stand up for one another.

Named a Finalist for ForeWord Reviews' Book of the Year Award for 2009 and #1 on Amazon's list of Philanthropy & Charity, Visionaries In Our Midst is a thought-provoking book that takes the reader on an unforgettable journey.

For more information, please see: allisonsilberberg.com
Transmitting the Ideal of Enlightenment
Authors: Mak Ricardo K.S.
Published: February 2025

Transmitting the Ideal of Enlightenment is a collection of articles that shed light on different aspects of university education in China since the late nineteenth century and address how far the ideal of modern university education, which has gradually been developed in the West since the age of European Enlightenment, was adopted or creatively transformed by Chinese universities. In addition to examining the influence of Western universities' visions, curricula, institutions and experiences on Chinese higher education, this volume attempts to show the degree of success achieved by Chinese universities in delivering the goals of personal emancipation, broad-based education, freedom of teaching and learning, academic professionalism, etc. that their Western counterparts had endeavored to attain in the last centuries.
Crossing Sidelines, Crossing Cultures
Authors: Franks Joel
Published: February 2025

Since Crossing Sidelines, Crossing Cultures was originally published in 2000, new findings in Asian Pacific American sports have come to light. Moreover, Americans of Asian Pacific ancestry have made the sports world incredibly more exciting than before. Crossing Sidelines, Crossing Cultures tells intriguing tales of athletes, now often forgotten-such as aquatic legend Duke Kahanamoku, diving gold medalist Vicki Manalo, courageous female golfer Jackie Liwai Pung, and baseball pioneer Buck Lai. It explores how Asian Pacific Americans have asserted a vibrant, joyful sense of community through sports, while encountering racism and nativism. Since 2000, talented athletes of Asian Pacific ancestry have emerged-athletes such as the great Tiger Woods, but also Tim Lincicum, Troy Polamalu, Bryan Clay, Natasha Kai, and Logan Tom. These athletes have chipped away at prevailing stereotypes, and their stories, too, will be told in this second edition of Crossing Sidelines, Crossing Cultures.
Understanding Muslim Discourse
Authors: Lo Mbaye Bashir
Published: February 2025

Understanding Muslim Discourse provides a well-illustrated account of the major ideas currently in use within the Muslim discourse, and also examines the mechanics whereby Bin Laden's message has become popular, legitimate, and one of the most dominant voices in this discourse. The book, therefore, explores the ways in which Bin Laden's popularity and legitimacy are rooted in his eloquence and ability to manipulate the poetic and religious traditions, as well as the collective memories of Islam, in his attempt to disseminate his own vision of the Muslim faith.
Basic Physics for All
Authors: Kumar B. N.
Published: February 2025

Basic Physics for All focuses on the fundamental concepts of physics. Suitable for eleventh and twelfth grade students, as well as first year college students at two-year and four-year institutions, this book is a valuable tool for non-science and science majors alike. The text can be used extensively with teachers in training and students reviewing for the SAT in physics as well as the MCAT Quick Review. Simple and easy to read and follow, Basic Physics for All will help students across the board. The basic facts are articulated with clear and succinct descriptions. It covers the core requirements, including concepts and skills. This text has proven to help students of average ability and below ability, as well as the trained instructors. It helps to build concepts with confidence. Numerous examples, solutions, and applications are covered in this text. It has been used to supplement the author's own classes and has helped students who have difficulty mastering the basic concepts and fundamental principles in an exclusive environment.
Curing the Philosopher's Disease
Authors: Jones Richard H.
Published: February 2025

Curing the Philosopher's Disease is a philosophical examination of the mysteries surrounding the foundations of science, philosophy, and religion. Much of Western philosophy and science is discussed in order to see our epistemological and metaphysical situation. The love/hate relation philosophers have with mystery is explored, as are the contributions of reductionists and antireductionists, postmodern relativists and critical realists, naturalists and the religious, and theologians and mystics. The thrust of the arguments affirms that there are limits to what philosophy, science, religion, and mystical experiences can tell us about reality. By acknowledging that some questions may be unanswerable and understanding the importance of that fact even as the answers remain ambiguous, our true situation in the world is revealed. Mystery should be reinstated as a basic feature when we reflect upon the nature of what we know and who we are. Mystery frames all of our claims to fundamental knowledge, and we must accept that it will remain a permanent fixture. Thus, the importance of mystery needs to be reaffirmed today, during an era when the fullness of reality is often ignored.
Shakespeare's Spiral
Authors: Gleyzon François-Xavier P.
Published: February 2025

Shakespeare's Spiral aims to explore a figure forgotten in the dramatic texts of Shakespeare and in Renaissance painting: the snail. Taking as its point of departure the emergence of the gastropod object/subject in the text of King Lear as well as its iconic interface in Giovanni Bellini's painting Allegory of Falsehood (circa 1490), this study sets out to follow the particular path traced by the snail throughout the Iuvre. From the central scene in which the metaphor of the snail and of its shell is specifically made manifest when Lear discovers, in a raging storm, the spectacle of Edgar disguised as Poor Tom coming out of his shelter (III.3.6-9) to the monster, this fiend, displaying on the cliffs of Dover, 'horms whelked and waved like the enridg_d sea' (IV.6.71), this work is the trace of a narrative - of a journey of the gaze - during the course of which the cryptic question of the gastropod - 'Why a Snail [_]?' (I.5.26) - does not cease to be developed and transformed. Incorporating a wide-ranging post-structuralist critique, the study aims to bring to light the particular functions of this 'revealing detail' in both its textual and visual dimension so as to put forward a new and innovatory understanding of the tragedy of King Lear.
The Geography of Southeast Asia
Authors: Rumney Thomas A.
Published: February 2025

In The Geography of Southeast Asia, Rumney discusses an area that has long been of interest to geographers and other academics. As interest in Southeast Asia has grown, particularly over the past forty years, the volume and variety of scholarly publications on the varied geographical aspects of the region have also increased. This collection is an attempt to identify, organize, and present as many of these works as possible. The region as a whole, and each individual country of the area, are covered in individual chapters. Each chapter is further systematically organized by topic, including general works, cultural-social geography, economic geography, historical geography, physical geography, political geography, and urban geography. This book presents a myriad of sources, such as atlases, books, chapters, articles, dissertations, and theses are included, as well as works written in English, French, German, and other languages, providing the reader with a thorough view of Southeast Asian geography.
Koreans in Central California (1903-1957)
Authors: Cha Marn J.
Published: February 2025

The Korean Kingdom and the United States signed a Treaty of Amity and Commerce in 1882. This treaty opened Korea to American missionaries who proselytized Christianity to the Koreans. When Hawaii sugar planters recruited Koreans to come to Hawaii to work in the Hawaii sugar plantations, they picked most of the Korean Hawaii emigrants from the Korean Christian converts. Between 1902 and 1905, some 7,000 of them immigrated to Hawaii. Of those 7,000, about 2,000 transmigrated to the mainland. Most of these Hawaii Korean trans-migrants settled on the West Coast, primarily in California. This book tells the Korean immigrants' life stories in California's eight San Joaquin Valley farm communities: Fresno, Hanford, Visalia, Dinuba, Reedley, Delano, Willows, and Maxwell. It describes how they survived through discrimination and injustices in early twentieth-century America, and also details the Korean immigrants' efforts to regain their lost motherland from Japanese colonialism (1910-1945).
Greater Freedom
Authors: McKinney Charles W.
Published: February 2025

Greater Freedom offers a groundbreaking long-term community study of Wilson County, North Carolina. Charting the evolution of Wilson's civil rights movement, Charles McKinney argues that African Americans in Wilson created an expansive notion of freedom that influenced every aspect of life in the region and directly confronted the state's reputation for moderation. Through exhaustive research and a compelling narrative, McKinney chronicles the approaches and perspectives that blacks in this eastern North Carolina county utilized to confront white supremacy. In the face of violence, intimidation, and marginalization, voting rights activists, educational reformers, the collaboration of union members, students, and working class black women activists in Wilson built a grassroots movement that helped shape the course of the national civil rights movement in America.
The Synaptic Gospel
Authors: Rodkey Christopher D.
Published: February 2025

In this book, Christopher D. Rodkey asks how the brain worships and responds by engaging ideas from neurological science, philosophy, ritual theory, and religious education. From this exploration, two new paradigms for pastoral ministry emerge. First, Rodkey proposes a “pan-generational” principle, advocating an empathy-based approach for fostering faith communities, a principle that is radically inclusive to all generations. Second, Rodkey argues that worship and religious education should converge to include a shared goal of teaching individuals to “live liturgically.”

In The Synaptic Gospel, Rodkey argues that living and thinking liturgically are learned behaviors that may be promoted through pan-generational worship. The book concludes with a special emphasis on practical suggestions for youth ministry. The Synaptic Gospel will prove to be a useful theoretical tool for pastors, religious educators, youth ministers, church music professionals, and seminary students.