bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
El bienestar emocional del alumnado mediante el blogging en el aprendizaje del inglés
Authors: Montaner-Villalba Salvador , Martel-Robaina Alexis
Published: September 2024

Este artículo propone una aproximación a la temática del bienestar emocional del alumnado, analizándolo como un constructo que, junto con otros, contribuye a facilitar el proceso de aprendizaje en la Enseñanza Secundaria Obligatoria. De una forma más específica, nuestro objetivo consiste en verificar si el uso de la tecnología educativa y, en particular, el blogging como herramienta de aprendizaje puede ser determinante para mejorar el bienestar emocional del alumnado durante el proceso de aprendizaje del inglés como lengua extranjera. Además, se pretende también corroborar si el bienestar emocional influye positivamente durante todo el blogging con el fin último de confirmar si surge un aprendizaje significativo. Para tal fin, se analiza el uso de los blogs en la enseñanza y aprendizaje del inglés en 4º curso de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria. Los alumnos participantes realizaron una prueba a principios del curso, la cual arrojó como resultado que el alumnado tenía un nivel A2, según el Marco Europeo de Referencia para las Lenguas. Tras haber identificado una baja motivación del alumnado en la Educación Secundaria, se establecieron dos preguntas de investigación a fin de verificar si tanto el blogging como el bienestar emocional del alumnado influyeron positivamente durante la experimentación y, por tanto, si los alumnos mejoraron su nivel de expresión escrita mediante el blogging. A partir de estas preguntas de investigación, se plantearon dos hipótesis de partida. Se utilizó el cuestionario de bienestar subjetivo y, por tanto, se emplearon métodos cualitativos.
Análisis del liderazgo ejercido por los equipos directivos para fomentar una comunidad educativa inclusiva
Authors: Arias García Michael Francisco , Arnaiz-Sánchez Pilar , De Haros Rodríguez Remedios
Published: September 2024

La educación inclusiva es una cuestión de derechos y su aplicación es fundamental para garantizar el aprendizaje y la participación de la diversidad en las escuelas. La República Dominicana en los últimos años ha dado pasos significativos para generar escuelas inclusivas, abiertas y participativas en donde se refleje la presencia de la diversidad en las escuelas regulares. Así se evidencia en los planes y proyectos del sistema educativo dominicano.  Precisamente, en el presente estudio se analizan las actuaciones desarrolladas en los centros educativos por los equipos directivos para favorecer una comunidad educativa inclusiva en siete centros educativos del nivel primario pertenecientes al Municipio de Las Matas de Santa Cruz, República Dominicana. Para estos fines, se utilizó un diseño de investigación descriptivo, no experimental, tipo encuesta. La muestra la compone un total de 60 participantes (directores de centros, coordinadores, orientadores y profesores). Para la recogida de información se utilizó el instrumento “LeiQ. Liderando la educación inclusiva en centros de educación obligatoria- Equipo docente”. Para el análisis de los resultados se llevó a cabo un análisis de estadísticos descriptivos. Los resultados muestran que las actuaciones desarrolladas por los equipos directivos no favorecen del todo la generación de una comunidad educativa inclusiva. Lo que evidencia la necesidad de impulsar acciones que permitan generar comunidades inclusivas.
Transición escolar de dos alumnos inmigrantes de 1,5 generación de origen chino en el sistema educativo español: Un estudio cualitativo
Authors: Li Tiantian
Published: September 2024

La intención de realizar esta investigación parte de las observaciones y reflexiones personales sobre la inserción y la inclusión de la comunidad china en la sociedad española. Para realizar un estudio a fondo, el presente trabajo se desarrolla centrándose en la transición escolar de alumnado inmigrado de origen chino al sistema educativo español. Por ello, nos acercamos a la vivencia migratoria y la experiencia escolar, siendo dos piezas clave para entender el proceso. Asimismo, buscamos reflexionar sobre las historias singulares construidas por los dos protagonistas, basado en varios factores principales como el idioma, el apoyo familiar entre otros aspectos. Empezamos con una reflexión sobre los retos y desafíos encarados por el alumnado inmigrado, la definición del migrante de la generación 1,5, y los conceptos en torno a la educación intercultural en España, a la raíz de cual surgen las preguntas que nos ayudarán a diseñar el estudio y a marcar los objetivos. De cara a la realización, nos situamos desde la metodología cualitativa, adoptando la entrevista semiestructurada a dos jóvenes de nacionalidad china como método de la recogida de información. Tras el análisis de los datos, se observa un papel de vital importancia que desempeña el profesorado en la transición del alumnado chino, en particular, en la expectativa académica del alumnado inmigrante y su potencialidad de finalizar con éxito sus estudios.
"Estamos obligados a pensar para no ser pensados por otros”. Entrevista a Amador Fernández-Savater
Authors: Caparrós Martín Ester , Sierra Nieto J. Eduardo , Bazaga Sanz Rosana
Published: September 2024

Entrevistamos a Amador Fernández Savater, investigador independiente, filósofo pirata -como él mismo se define-, activista y editor. En el marco de la entrevista, Amador nos abre a pensar el mundo y la sociedad desde una filosofía práctica.
En defensa de la persona humana: vocación y teoría en la vida de Dietrich von Hildebrand
Authors: Grande Sánchez Pedro José
Published: September 2024

Este artículo explora la vida y filosofía de Dietrich von Hildebrand, destacando su resistencia contra el nazismo y su incansable defensa de la persona, la verdad y la justicia. A través de un análisis profundo de diez eventos significativos de su vida, se revela cómo esta defensa constituyó el núcleo de su misión y pensamiento. Se argumenta que la postura de Hildebrand contra el nazismo no fue solo una elección de vida, sino una manifestación de su profunda convicción metafísica y antropológica, colocando a la persona y a la comunidad humana en el centro de sus reflexiones.
La naturaleza del alma en el Timeo de Platón
Authors: Ramírez Daza y García Rómulo
Published: September 2024

La presente investigación tiene por finalidad la aclaración conceptual de la dimensión mítica del discurso platónico sobre el alma, su fundamentación epistémica y la pretensión de su explicación definitiva en el Timeo. En efecto, este texto de Platón es un legado de su última producción escrita (17 a-92 c), en donde resume todos los conocimientos que sobre el tema de las ultimidades del universo tenía, o al menos aquellos que en esencia quiso transmitir a la posteridad, siendo –dada su evolución pensante o progreso intelectual– la expresión más acabada de su pensamiento, escrito para tales objetos. Nos enfocamos, específicamente, al tema de la configuración del alma individual y su destino, que a su vez es derivación directa del alma del mundo, y creación indirecta del Demiurgo o supremo hacedor de este cosmos viviente. Así mismo, nos focalizamos en las condiciones argumentativas que de la naturaleza del alma podemos tener en términos racionales, y apuntamos su vinculación justificativa con las ideas místico-religiosas del mismo Platón.
A humeral intracondylar fissure elevates maximum principal bone strain in the humeral condyle and lateral epicondylar crest in French Bulldogs
Authors: McCarthy Jessica , Irandoust Soroush , Muir Peter
Published: September 2024

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether a humeral intracondylar fissure (HIF) alters bone strain in the French Bulldog humerus, we developed a quantitative CT-based 3-D finite element (FE) model for virtual mechanical testing. We hypothesized that higher strains would be seen in the intracondylar region and lateral epicondylar crest if there was a HIF.

METHODS

Patient CT scans from 3 (n = 3) French Bulldogs were selected. Dog 1 had a closed distal physis and no HIF. Dog 2 had an open distal humeral physis but no HIF. Dog 3 had an open distal physis and a HIF. A 3-D FE model was built for FE analysis, and pressure was applied to the humerus over the region that contacts the radial head.

RESULTS

The maximum principal bone strain patterns differed in each of the models. A path of strain concentration mimicking the typical pattern of a lateral condylar fracture was only found in dog 3. Maximum principal strain exceeded 1% in parts of the lateral epicondylar crest in all 3 dogs.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed a patient-specific, quantitative CT-based 3-D FE model for virtual mechanical testing. We accepted our hypothesis. Strain concentration occurred in the intracondylar region and along the lateral epicondylar crest only when a HIF was present.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The presence of a HIF in French Bulldogs elevates maximum principal bone strain in this region and alters its path in an FE model, which suggests an increased risk of a lateral humeral condylar fracture.
Chemistry of Igneous rocks–[Part] 1, Differentiation Index
Authors: Thornton Charles Perkins , Tuttle Orville Frank
Published: September 2024

Recent experimental studies corroborate the evidence Bowen used in 1937 to demonstrate that fractional crystallization of complex magmas produces liquids which move toward and, for all practical purposes, eventually reach the system SiO 2 -NaAlSiO 4 -KAlSiO 4 , petrogeny9s residua system. In a volcanic rock series the distance a given magma has travelled toward this goal can be quantitatively measured by calculating the norm and summing the constituents of petrogeny9s residua system; this value is called the differentiation index. It is a useful coordinate for variation diagrams and is a measure of the basicity of a rock. A series of frequency distribution diagrams have been prepared from 3,000 analyses in Washington9s Tables. Using these diagrams, any rock analysis can be compared at a glance with all the analyses and any deviations from the "average" can readily be seen.
Diabasic and Gabbroic Intrusions in the Frost Mountain Area, South-Central Cascade Mountains, Washington
Authors: Stout Martin Lindy
Published: September 2024

Diabasic and gabbroic intrusions in the Frost Mountain area, approximately 70 mi. SE. of Seattle, represent at least in part feeders for 2 different sets of basalt flows. The older Naches basalt flows are probably Eocene in age, and the younger Yakima basalt flows are Mio-Pliocene. Field relations are of prime importance in distinguishing the 2 generations of intrusive bodies, but it is also generally possible to separate them by differences in degree of alteration.
Use of Hydrothermal Solution Equipment to Determine the Solubility of Anhydrite in Water From 100 Degrees C to 275 Degrees C and From 1 Bar to 1000 Bars Pressure
Authors: Dickson F. W. , Blount Charles W. , Tunell George
Published: September 2024

Specially designed hydrothermal solution equipment was used to determine the solubility of anhydrite H 2 O from 100 degrees C. to 275 degrees C. and from 1 bar to 1000 bars. The solubility of anhydrite decreases with increasing temperature and increases with increasing pressure. The hydrothermal solution equipment consists of a deformable teflon sample cell held in a stainless steel pressure vessel and sealed in such a way as to prevent interchange of material between the sample cell and the steel bomb. Separate pressure lines leading to the sample cell and to the steel bomb allow liquid to be pumped into or taken out of each container independently. Liquid and solid phases may be allowed to come to equilibrium in the teflon cell at constant temperature and pressure. The experimental mixtures are stirred by means of a teflon-coated bar magnet turned by an externally applied pulsating magnetic field. An internally filtered liquid sample can be withdrawn without significant disturbance of the equilibrium temperature and pressure, by pumping the liquid into the steel vessel at the same rate that saturated solution is removed from the teflon cell. From the solubility data obtained the following geologic conclusions can be drawn. Initially saturate solutions of anhydrite in water, migrating toward the Earth9s surface, would become undersaturated. The increase in solubility caused by decreased temperature more than compensates for the decrease in solubility caused by decreased pressure. Anhydrite would precipitate from saturated solutions in sediments as burial takes place and the temperature rises, or from ground waters moving downward to regions of higher temperature. Anhydrite would precipitate from saturated solutions moving from a region of high pressure to a region of low pressure, as would be the case in rocks near openings toward which a fluid pressure gradient exists.
Some Calc-Silicate Equilibrium Relations
Authors: Newton Robert C.
Published: September 2024

P-T curves determined experimentally for univariant equilibria are: (1) zoisite+quartz=anorthite+grossularite+vapor; (2) grossularite+quartz=anorthite+wollastonite; (3) zoisite+sillimanite=quartz+anorthite+vapor. Thermodynamic constants calculated from the results and published data give P-T curves for other reactions in the system CaO-SiO 2 , -Al 2 O 3 -H 2 O, entropy of grossularite and zoisite, and delta G for sillimanite. Reactions 1 and 2 agree with natural assemblages. The calculated anorthite breakdown curve lies at a lower pressure but close to the curve of albite (Birch and Le Conte, 1960) indicating that intermediate plagioclase may break down as a unit during a subcrustal phase change.
Denudation Rates in Northeast Papua From Potassium-Argon Dating of Lavas
Authors: Ruxton B. P. , McDougall I.
Published: September 2024

The Hydrographers andesitic strato-volcano in northeast Papua is in a late planeze-early residual mountain stage of dissection. Potassium-argon dates of fresh massive lavas from near the original surface range in age from 650,000 to 700,000 years. Assuming an age of 650,000 years for the beginning of dissection of the volcano, denudation rates range from 8 centimeters per 1000 years at a relief of 60 meters to 75 centimeters per 1000 years at a relief of 760 meters. These rates are similar to those estimated by conventional methods in west Irian, Indonesia, the Philippines, Guatemala, and northeast Queensland in comparable hot-moist climates and hilly and mountainous terrain.
Feldspar-liquid Equilibria in Peralkaline Acid Liquids; an Experimental Study
Authors: Thompson Robert Neville , Mackenzie W. S.
Published: September 2024

The liquidus surfaces of four pseudoternary joins have been determined. A plot of the molecular ratio (Na 2 O + K 2 O)/Al 2 O 3 (peralkalinity) versus Na 2 O/(Na 2 O + K 2 O) (sodicity) for peralkaline acid volcanic and plutonic rocks shows a distribution of points closely corresponding to that predicted from the experimental results. This gives support to the hypothesis that crystal-liquid processes have played important parts in the genesis of these rocks. Fractional crystallization or partial melting of any slightly alumina-undersaturated, silica-saturated trachyte or syenite, or of a similarly alumina-deficient rhyolite or granite, would be likely to give rise to a sodic peralkaline acid liquid.
Pendidikan Inklusif Gender sebagai Upaya Pencegahan Kekerasan Seksual di Pondok Pesantren
Authors: Oktaviani Indah , Elanda Yelly , Alie Azizah , Prastiyo Endri Bagus
Published: September 2024

This study aims to address two primary questions: Why does sexual violence occur in Islamic boarding schools (pondok pesantren)? How can sexual violence in these institutions be prevented? The methodology employed is a literature review based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The data collection process involves four stages, starting with inclusion and exclusion criteria using Google Scholar with keywords such as “Sexual Violence in Islamic Boarding Schools” and “Inclusive and Gender-Responsive Education in Islamic Boarding Schools.” The findings reveal that the root causes of sexual violence in Islamic boarding schools are the hierarchical relationship between the kiai (religious leader) and the santri (students), the perpetuation of patriarchal culture, and the total obedience of the santri to the kiai. These factors also contribute to the underreporting of sexual violence cases, as victims and their families often feel intimidated. To address this issue, gender-inclusive education is necessary, manifested through a Gender Equality Curriculum (KKG). This curriculum ensures that all components involved in the educational system adopt gender-responsive thinking and behavior based on justice and gender equality. Gender-inclusive education will also create a non-segregated learning environment.AbstrakPenelitian ini bertujuan untuk menjawab dua pertanyaan utama: Mengapa kekerasan seksual di pondok pesantren bisa terjadi? Bagaimana upaya pencegahan kekerasan seksual di pondok pesantren? Metode yang digunakan adalah studi literatur berdasarkan Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Proses pengumpulan data melibatkan empat tahapan, mulai dari tahap inklusi dan eksklusi menggunakan mesin pencarian Google Scholar dengan kata kunci “Kekerasan Seksual di pondok pesantren” dan “Pendidikan Inklusif dan Responsif Gender di pondok pesantren”. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa akar masalah kekerasan seksual di pondok pesantren disebabkan oleh adanya hierarki antara kiai dan santri, pelanggengan budaya patriarki, dan kepatuhan total santri kepada kiai. Ketiga faktor ini juga menyebabkan kasus kekerasan seksual di pondok pesantren jarang dilaporkan karena korban dan keluarganya merasa takut. Untuk mengatasi hal tersebut, diperlukan pendidikan inklusif gender yang termanifestasi melalui kurikulum kesetaraan gender (KKG). Dengan adanya kurikulum ini, semua komponen dalam sistem pendidikan akan memiliki pola pikir dan perilaku yang responsif gender, berbasis keadilan dan kesetaraan gender. Pendidikan inklusif gender juga akan menciptakan sistem pembelajaran yang non-segregasi gender.
Mapping the Intellectual Structure of Asset Pricing: A Bibliometric Study
Authors: Jai Pal Sharma Pooja
Published: September 2024

This paper presents a bibliometric analysis of research on asset pricing and identifies and highlights the most significant authors, keywords, articles, and journals based on a systematic literature review and Bibliometric analysis of 915 documents published over 33 years (1989-2022), obtained from the web of science database, to discover the noticeable landscape and research horizons in the field of asset pricing theory. This descriptive study demonstrates an upward trend in ”asset pricing’ papers in business and finance journals. According to the report, the United States is the leading contributor to the ”asset pricing” study, followed by the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Canada, and France. The authors, papers, and citation-based analyses show that Acharya vv; Albuquerque R, Aih, and Acciaio B are the most effective and influential asset pricing researchers, followed by Affleck Graves J and Akdeniz L. In terms of restrictions, our research is limited to the Web of Science database. Investigations from other databases could be used in future studies. We’ve also limited Bibliometric analysis to a few dimensions. Future research would look at networking from a different perspective. In our analysis, we limited ourselves to simply looking at scientific articles. Despite these flaws, we feel the study has research and management implications
Exploratory Assessment of the European Union Contries’ Climatic Profile
Authors: Boitan Iustina Alina , Shabban Wafaa
Published: September 2024

The paper subscribes to the broad strand of literature that examines the inter- play between banking activity and climate risk, by particularly focusing on identifying and classifying European Union countries into similar, homogenous groups based on their intrin- sic pattern related to climate vulnerability and readiness to cope with the negative effects of natural disasters. By applying an unsupervised learning clustering algorithm on a novel input dataset comprising six proxy indicators for the physical risk associated with climate challenges, we reveal the climate profile of the EU countries. A direct implication of our findings consists of ascertaining which banking systems are more exposed to environmen- tal risks arising from physical sources in the home country they headquarter or in the host countries envisaged for the conduct of transnational financial activity. Results indicate that the least vulnerable EU countries to physical risks, being at the same time best performers in the process of climate risk adaptation, prevention, and management are Denmark, Lux- embourg, Germany, Sweden, and Finland. Hence, their banking systems are less exposed to the adverse consequences of the physical risks. In contrast, banks operating in Bulgaria, Croatia, Poland, and Romania are the most exposed to the ripple effects of these risks, due to countries’ increased vulnerability to climate risk and to the low degree of performance in implementing climate policies.
Track-II Diplomacy in the Format of Situational Analysis: The Experience of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Authors: Alikberov A. K. , Naumkin V. V.
Published: September 2024

This paper examines the practice of implementing Track-II diplomacy as practiced by the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IORAS) in the form of situational analysis, a methodology developed by Academician Yevgeny Primakov. This approach represents an effective tool for resolving international conflicts and enhancing global security by combining science with diplomacy. Special attention is given to a series of three expert discussions on the Concept of Collective Security in the Persian Gulf region, held at IORAS from 2019 to 2023. These discussions demonstrated the method's ability to bring together a broad range of experts for in-depth interdisciplinary analysis of complex international situations. The practical focus of the results from these situational analyses makes them valuable for both policy recommendations and long-term strategic planning. The application of this method fosters the creation of trustful relationships between conflicting parties and the establishment of sustainable mechanisms for international security. The paper also highlights the significance of this practice for the development of Russian foreign policy strategy and its contribution to the interdisciplinary study of international relations.
The Promise and Failure of Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process in 1990s: A Literature Review
Authors: Morozov V. M. , Shebalina E. O. , Melnikova S. V.
Published: September 2024

In 2023, the world marked 30 years since the start of the Oslo process, which sought to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Given the ultimate breakdown of these negotiations, it is crucial to examine the evolution of academic research on this process, identifying its key themes and trends. This literature review focuses on both empirical and theoretical studies of the Oslo process, with a particular emphasis on research that investigates the reasons behind its failure. Such studies provide valuable insights for developing more effective models of negotiation and conflict resolution. Initially, the commencement of the Oslo negotiations was met with optimism in the academic community, with scholars highlighting the pivotal role of individual leaders in successfully launching the process. However, as the peace process faltered, the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations were analyzed through existing theoretical frameworks. Various scholars critically examined the Oslo Accords from the perspective of international law and highlighted economic factors that obstructed the path to a lasting peace. Other studies explored indirect influences on the peace process, such as public opinion and electoral dynamics, often employing Robert Putnam's “two-level games” theory. Nevertheless, these studies mainly address the immediate causes of the peace process’s failure and do not fully account for the underlying motivations driving the behavior of actors in the negotiations. Research into the deeper causes of the Oslo process’s collapse has highlighted socio-psychological barriers, such as the “conflict syndrome” and issues of ontological security. Scholars have investigated the roles of historical memory, collective trauma, and cultural identities in shaping negotiation outcomes. The rise of interdisciplinary approaches—combining insights from psychology, philosophy, and linguistics—has been essential for understanding the complex dimensions of this conflict. The diverse body of research and theories inspired by the Oslo peace process continues to influence the field of negotiation and conflict resolution studies, underscoring the enduring significance of this critical episode in diplomatic history.
Unsuccessful Peace-making: the Mission of Francesco da Collo and Antonio de Conti to Moscow (1518-1519)
Authors: Kudriavtsev O. F.
Published: September 2024

This article explores the peace mission of Francesco da Collo and Antonio de Conti, envoys of Emperor Maximilian I of the Holy Roman Empire, to Grand Prince Vasily III of Moscow in 1518–1519. The mission aimed to mediate between Moscow and the PolishLithuanian Commonwealth, seeking to align both states for a planned united Christian campaign against the Ottoman Empire, whose expansion in Southeastern Europe posed a serious threat. The study centers on da Collo’s report from the mission, which not only chronicles the negotiations but also provides rare insights into Russian diplomacy and courtly traditions of the early 16th century. The article underscores the critical role of ceremonial practices, such as receptions, banquets, and hunts, in the diplomatic culture of the period.Particular focus is given to da Collo's accounts of his interactions with Vasily III and his entourage, highlighting the crucial importance of personal meetings and informal contacts in the diplomatic process of the time. Despite the envoys' efforts, the mission achieved only a temporary one-year truce, with insurmountable barriers to a comprehensive peace including territorial disputes—especially over the control of Smolensk—and the issue of repatriating Russian prisoners of war from Poland.Furthermore, da Collo’s report serves as an early illustration of how Muscovy was constructed as an eastern, despotic power, offering one of the first examples of Russia being depicted as the “Other” in early modern European thought. The study sheds light on the complex dynamics of diplomacy in this era and reveals how these interactions contributed to the broader European perception of Russia as an alien and adversarial state.
The Evolution of Mediation in International Conflicts from 1940s to 2020s
Authors: Lebedeva M. M.
Published: September 2024

The article analyzes the evolution of international mediation from the middle of the 20th century to the present day. How do changes in international environment influence mediation and research on it? The paper’s hypothesis is that the transformation of international order and political organization of the world, the dynamics of (de)globalization and changes in the nature of international conflict determine the specifics of international mediation and shape the relevant research. Over the last 80 years international mediation evolved through three stages. During the first stage, shaped by the cold war, conflicts were mostly of interstate nature and were settled by states and international organizations. Meanwhile, the growing activity of non-state actors led to the emergence of mediation via “track II diplomacy”. At this stage, the study of international mediation becomes an established research area. The second stage, since the end of 1980s to the beginning of the 21st century, witnessed a rapid progress in the settlement of many protracted regional conflicts, aided by the mediation efforts of the USSR and the United States. In Russia, research on international mediation, previously fragmentary and legalistic, developed into a separate subfield of international studies. During the third stage, in the 21st century, the political organization of the world has been undergoing a turbulent transformation at all the three levels: Westphalian system, the system of interstate relations, and political systems of individual states. The all-encompassing nature of this change increases conflict potential and changes the nature of international conflicts, which become multidimensional and involve a variety of actors. Responding to the demand for managing complex conflicts, new trends in mediation emerge, such as the growth in mediation attempts by developing nations, engagement of peacekeeping missions in mediation, the use of digital technologies for mediation purposes. At the same time, the erosion of the old political organization of the world triggers the rise in identity-based conflicts that involve disagreement over values. As parties to such conflicts are less likely to seek interestbased compromises, the likelihood of successful mediation decreases.
Time to Consensus in International Negotiations
Authors: Aronov I. Z. , Maksimova O. V.
Published: September 2024

Contemporary international relations, anchored in the principles of multipolarity, frequently employ consensus-based decision-making, which prioritizes respect for all negotiating parties and ensures that the views of all participants are considered equally. While consensus remains a core mechanism for many international organizations, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), it has increasingly come under criticism for its inefficiency and substantial time requirements. This highlights the importance of examining the factors that influence the time needed to reach consensus. Utilizing formal mathematical modeling based on a modified DeGroot model, this article explores how variables such as the size of the negotiating group, the level of authoritativeness, dominance dynamics within the group, and coalition formation affect the time required to achieve consensus. The findings indicate that an increase in group size, on its own, results in only a minor increase in the time needed to reach consensus, becoming a significant factor only when paired with high levels of authoritativeness among the participants. Conversely, the presence of a highly authoritative member within a negotiating group significantly prolongs decision-making time, even in smaller groups, and the formation of coalitions (e.g., due to multiple highly authoritative members) can make reaching consensus impossible. The "consensus minus k" rule, intended to break deadlocks, is found to be ineffective for international organizations with numerous participants and divergent interests. In hierarchical structures, consensus is typically achieved through preliminary negotiations within subgroups, which further prolongs the consensusbuilding process.
Challenges in the Implementation of the City Statute's Instruments for Promoting the Social Function of Property
Authors: Alfonsin Betânia , Mota Júnior Roberto José Costa
Published: September 2024

Objective: This study aims to analyze the challenges in implementing the instruments provided by the City Statute, such as compulsory subdivision, building, or use (PEUC), the progressive Urban Property Tax (IPTUp), and expropriation-sanction, in order to promote sustainable urban development and ensure the social function of property.
 
Theoretical Framework: The work is based on theories about urban policies and the social function of property, discussing the importance of these concepts in the context of sustainable urban growth in Brazil.
Method: The research adopts a qualitative approach with a literature review and case study analysis in various Brazilian cities. Secondary data were collected from municipal reports, academic studies, and official documents.
 
Results and Discussion: The findings highlight the lack of Master Plans in many municipalities, the absence of complementary legislation, political and judicial resistance, and insufficient technical training as the main obstacles to the effective application of the Statute’s instruments. The analysis suggests the need for investments in technology, revision of Master Plans, and increased community participation to overcome these barriers.
 
Research Implications: The research emphasizes the importance of coordination among different levels of government to promote the social function of property. It is proposed that future studies investigate the social and economic impacts of these policies and explore the integration of new technologies in urban monitoring.
 
Originality/Value: This study contributes to the debate on sustainable urban development in Brazil by identifying specific challenges in the application of the City Statute’s instruments and proposing strategies for their improvement.
Microfluidics and Chip Development
Authors: Baxter Callum
Published: September 2024

During the course of the summer, I had the privilege to work with Dr. Carlos Escobedo and his team of researchers on the topics of microfluidics and Lab-On-Chip (LOC) technology. Microfluidics is a branch of fluid dynamics which utilizes small volumes of fluid to perform tests under ideal conditions, and LOC is the process of using microfluidics for experiments in small-scale environments. I participated in two LOC projects, the first for bacterial analysis and the second for microplastic separation.
The goal of the first project was to observe if Vibrio Cholerae bacteria was attracted to a variety of chemo attractants. To observe this interaction under microfluidic conditions, we developed a chip which when flooded with chemoattractant trapped a portion in the chip. We could then remove the non-entrapped chemoattractant from the sides and refill the chip with bacteria. Observations of the bacteria’s movement were then taken using a microscope attached to a digital camera.
The second project focused on microplastics, which are plastic particulates under 5mm in diameter, our smallest sample being 10μm. Due to their size standard filtering techniques were ineffective at separating them, which led to us using Deterministic Lateral Displacement (DLD). DLD utilizes an array of pillars to create spots of changing pressure for passing particles. The array is designed so larger particles are unaffected while smaller particulates will be redirected and collected separately. To arrange the plastics into their types, a centrifugal design was used. This design functions similarly to a centrifuge, which by rapidly spinning a substance separates out materials based on density.  The chip works under a similar theory, but instead uses a spiral channel to force the particles in a repeated circular spinning motion. The particles then exit with differing directionalities based on where they were in the channel, allowing for collection.
Minimizing Defects in Additive Manufacturing and Laser Welding Through Energy Coupling Experiments and Dynamic Modelling
Authors: Sheahan Eilis , Reed Madison
Published: September 2024

Additive manufacturing is a revolutionary technology that produces complex components as a single piece, replacing traditional assemblies and reducing waste. Laser powder bed fusion, a type of additive manufacturing, allows for limitless design freedom by building intricate parts layer-by-layer through melting and fusing metal powder. However, build quality remains inconsistent, with deformations like pores and spattering occurring. To improve modelling of the behaviour of melted metal, thus minimizing defects, an experiment which determined the metal’s absorptance of laser energy through integrating sphere radiometry was conducted. The integrating sphere, which spatially integrated a fraction of measured light to calculate full radiance, had to sit above the build plate and not interfere with powder spreading. I designed two parts which attached the integrating sphere to the motorized powder spreading blade. Utilizing small ridges in the enclosure as weight-bearing tracks, the blade’s torque was reduced while allowing precise movement of the sphere. Through implementing these parts, the experiment was conducted, whose results will aid in our understanding of laser-metal interactions.
Defects like spattering also occur during laser welding, due to the vaporization of unstable liquid metal. To combat this, novel beam shapes have been seen to increase the stability of the keyhole. To model this effect, I created a phenomenological, dynamic model of the keyhole depth during a copper weld. Two differential equations were created to model the keyhole depth’s rate of change using a dual mode and single mode laser, depending on absorptance and incident laser intensity. The dynamic depth of the keyhole for both modes was numerical solved in Python and iterated using existing copper weld data. Through better quantitative understanding of energy coupling and numerical modelling of the resulting dynamics, defects in laser welding and additive manufacturing can be minimized.
Barriers to Healthcare Access for Black Communities in Kingston and London, Ontario
Authors: Dapaah Camille , Inikori Rukevwe
Published: September 2024

Healthcare access is recognized as a fundamental human right by the World Health Organization. In Canada, the Canada Health Act mandates equitable and accessible healthcare for all. However, many communities, particularly the Black community, continue to face significant barriers due to socioeconomic factors. These challenges are deeply rooted in systemic racism, socio-economic barriers, and cultural biases, which disproportionately impact the health outcomes of Black individuals.
This study explores the specific barriers to healthcare access within the Black community using pre-existing qualitative data. We analyzed semi-structured interviews with 15 Black community members in Kingston and 10 in London, Ontario, using NVivo software to systematically code the data and identify key themes. Additionally, a literature review was conducted, which revealed recurring themes such as lack of culturally competent care, distrust of healthcare institutions, and economic barriers.
The analysis of the interview data confirmed these themes and highlighted additional issues related to service type, time and availability, and experiences of racism and discrimination. Despite individual differences, these findings consistently emphasize the pressing need for targeted interventions and policy reforms to address these disparities. However, our study was constrained by the limited availability of race-based data in Canada, underscoring the urgent need for increased research and data collection to advocate for equitable healthcare access and monitor the effectiveness of health services for marginalized communities.
Evaluating Exercise Training Effects on VO2max: A Systematic Review of Protocol Efficacy and Measurement Variability
Authors: Mudwi Ahmed , Wu Zeyu
Published: September 2024

Background: Despite extensive research on the effects of exercise training on VO2max, current literature still lacks to be more conclusive regarding the optimal protocols for maximizing these effects. Variability in study designs, participant populations, and measurement techniques has contributed to inconsistencies in findings, leaving important questions unanswered regarding the most effective exercise strategies. Purpose: This systematic review aims to integrate current research to understand better how different exercise interventions influence VO2max outcomes.
Methods: Using Covidence, a web-based platform for systematic reviews, 22,617 studies were initially imported. Following rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria, such as focusing on experimental studies with human participants aged 18 or older, VO2max measured via indirect calorimetry, and supervised aerobic training, 724 studies were selected for detailed analysis.
Results: A swift analysis of imported studies reveals that most of the studies included in this review were conducted in the United States (n=158), Canada (n=75), and Australia (n=59), reflecting a predominance of research from these regions. Among the studies analyzed, 159 employed moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), 100 utilized high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and 54 implemented sprint interval training (SIT). This distribution highlights the varied approaches to exercise training across different geographical locations and research settings, providing a broad base for understanding how these protocols impact VO2max.
Conclusion: The findings from further analysis of this data will help clarify the impact of various exercise intensities and modalities on VO2max, offering guidance for optimizing training protocols, as such it serves as a crucial tool for addressing key questions in exercise physiology, including whether there are significant sex differences in VO2max responses and which exercise training protocols are most effective.
Are Shade-Tolerant Plants Also Drought-Tolerant
Authors: Gillon Emily , Balfour Kelly
Published: September 2024

This study examines the relationship between drought and shade tolerance in herbaceous plants, which is traditionally assumed to be mutually exclusive due to divergent resource allocation strategies. By collecting and analyzing relevant biochemical and morphological traits on a variety of plants native to grasslands in south eastern Ontario, a quantitative approach to analyzing the relationship between these two stress responses can be employed. This research aims to enhance our characterization of the interplay and relationship of drought and shade tolerance in relation to these plant species.
Enhancing Mass-Cytometry Imaging Analysis
Authors: Tuitt-Barnes Dream
Published: September 2024

Mass cytometry imaging is a technique that utilizes mass spectrometry instead of fluorescent flow cytometry to detect metal-conjugated antibodies binding to single cell antigens. This method generates multi-dimensional images, a complex data type with significant computational and interpretation challenges due to the absence of a standardized analysis workflow. To address this, our project evaluated the quality and efficacy of a previous study’s proposed workflow to advance the interpretability and accuracy of mass cytometry data analysis. 
The approach evaluated whether the previously proposed workflow could effectively analyze alternative samples classified by previous studies as “mixed” immune structure. The methods included an in-depth examination of cell labeling based on spatial proximity, which emerged as a secondary analytical outcome.
This research advances spatial labeling by enhancing the spatial information related to physical connections between interacting cells and incorporating biological interactions, such as protein involvement. By integrating these factors, this research proposes a method for more accurate labeling, contributing to a more robust analysis workflow for this complex data type.
Unstructured “mixed” samples remained distinguishable, though less effectively than structured “compartmentalized” samples. Future applications involve exploring additional datasets to further develop means of distinguishing between contact and non-contact interactions among cancer and immune cells.
Biomimetic Soft Robotic Jellyfish for Lentic Ecosystem Monitoring
Authors: Morales Antonio , Bedenik Graziella
Published: September 2024

Environmental monitoring of lentic ecosystems is well suited for swarm robotics applications since they can operate autonomously and cover large regions. For such a task, a locomotion mechanism is necessary for traversal. Due to the challenging nature of underwater environments, researchers often draw inspiration from nature to improve robot mechanical performance. A box jellyfish in a good inspiration due to their efficient jet propulsion. Soft and smart materials are helpful in mimicking their propulsion because they can perform flexible and complex movement. Shape memory alloy (SMA) springs have been used for this purpose, but their slow actuation rate is a well-known disadvantage. This project aims to improve cycle rate and thus swim speed by implementing a bistable spring configuration into a soft robotic jellyfish. The bistable mechanism stores energy slowly in the expansion of the elastic silicone bell, then releases it suddenly in a contraction which propels the robot forwards with a higher force than would be possible with direct SMA actuation. Additionally, the antagonistic arrangement of SMA springs reset each other and produce the same outward expansion on both up and down stroke, improving cycles speeds by removing the need for a dedicated reset stroke which is typically required before using the springs again. Also, increasing the number of spring pairs does not interfere with the actuation, meaning cycle rates can be further improved by cycling which pair of springs is active. The proof-of-concept device operates at a frequency of 0.4 Hz, and produces enough thrust while tethered to swim through a tank. Future work involves performing fluid visualization tests to validate a simple mathematical model of flow through the bell, as well as optimize the design, integrate onboard environment sensors and implement autonomy to allow operation in a larger swarm.
Critical Interculturality and CALL in ELT: A Necessary Approach in Colombian Contemporary Education
Authors: Potes-Morales Andrés Mauricio
Published: September 2024

The most recent events in contemporary history have accelerated not only the evolution of technology but also multiple fields of knowledge which include models of teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL). However, Colombian education has resisted the changes of the XXI century due to the generational clash between “digital natives” and “digital immigrants” (Prensky, 2001). Furthermore, EFL in Colombian public schools has been faithful to Western models that elude local contexts and contribute little to reflection, development of proposals, and students’ agency regarding our society’s day-to-day reality. Such actions, as proposed by Catherine Walsh, fall within the realm of what Critical Interculturality (CI) promotes (Walsh, 2010). Coupled with this, the integration of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) to develop this approach has been limited since its usage has mainly been focused on improving linguistic skills. In this article I will present some theoretical foundations and empirical      studies that unveil the importance of developing more studies that facilitate the integration of CI and CALL tools in EFL at the public secondary school in Colombia.