bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
APPRECIATION, AWARENESS AND ATTITUDE OF THE NAMASUDRA COMMUNITY TOWARDS FLOOD-HAZARD AND ITS IMPRESSION ON SOCIAL LIVES AND LIVELIHOODS PATTERN IN DAKSHIN DINAJPUR DISTRICT, WEST BENGAL: A PERCEPTION STUDY
Authors:   State Aided College Teacher (SACT), Department of Geography, Dr. Meghnad Saha College, Itahar, Uttar Dinajpur, 733128,West Bengal & and Doctoral Fellow Department of Geography, Raiganj University, West Bengal, INDIA, ROY ARABINDA , KUMAR DR. SANJEEV ,   Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Raiganj University, Raiganj, Uttar Dinajpur, 733134, West Bengal, INDIA
Published: July 2021

Understanding and improving the public perception and attitude has become an important issue regarding flood hazard and risk management worldwide. Extreme floods have serious social and economic impacts on environment and livelihood pattern of the world community. This paper reports a study of the perceptions, awareness and attitude of the Namasudra community regarding flood-hazard and its impact on their social lives and livelihoods pattern in Dakshin Dinajpur district, West Bengal. The research adopted both quantitative and qualitative techniques using pre-tested households questionnaires, group discussions, perception study and Life History Methods for key informants. A sample of 753 (1.73 %) Namasudra households were interviewed applying Purposive Multi-Stage Stratified Random Sampling method and sample size was validated by using the Fisher formula. Descriptive statistics were used for the analysis of the data. Microsoft Excel v2007, SPSS v17.0, QGIS v2.8 software platform were used for statistical analysis and preparation of map and diagrams. The present study revealed that previous flood experience, proximity to the river, and length of residence were positively related to perception and awareness level. The paper also highlighted that flood hazard has become a serious threat in the eyes of the Namasudra community and severe floods destroyed their livelihood patterns with its tangible and intangible elements.
HIGHER EDUCATION AND SOCIAL STEREOTYPES: EXPLORING THE PERSPECTIVES OF FEMALES OF HARYANA
Authors:   Doctoral Student, Department of Education, University of Delhi, Delhi- 07, Tiwari Anjali
Published: July 2021

Education of females has been considered as one of the crucial agencies for bringing social development, changes, empowerment and subsequently social mobility. Higher education has been accorded a major position in such transformations, as at this stage, learners get the opportunity to engage with critical texts and this may also help in developing critical outlook amongst them on social stereotypes. This paper probes upon such concerns and possibilities in details in the context of educated females of one of the states of India, i.e., Haryana. It engages with critical question like- does higher education influence the perspectives of females towards social stereotypes? If yes, what are the new frames of thought? The mixed method research design was used for the execution of the study. Questionnaire and focus group discussion were used as tools for the data collection process. After the analysis, it was observed that there are significant variations in the perspective of females towards social stereotypes, specifically in the context of caste and gender in the public sphere. But socialization, familial ties and social pressure have more influence in the personal sphere of females. So, there is a scope for more agentic interventions in this arena.
Anti-Indian factions in Bangladeshi Politics (1971 – 2014): A Brief Survey
Authors:   Phd Research Scholar, Jadavpur University. 188, Raja S.C. Mallick Road,  Kolkata, West Bengal, INDIA, DasGupta Soham
Published: July 2021

India played an active role in the liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971. The relation between the two countries remained cordial in the initial years but it soon soured with the coup d’etat of 1975. This also marked the rise of the anti-Indian elements in the Bangladeshi politics. This article makes a brief survey of anti- Indian elements that has remained a part and parcel of the political fabric of Bangladesh since 1971. It also looks into the ways in which the anti-India stance has been instrumental in garnering popular support to hold on to political power. The article begins with the background of the creation of Bangladesh and India’s active role in it which was followed by the friendship treaty signed between the two countries. Then it moves to the changing scenario following the coup d’état of 1975 which marked the visible changes within the polity of Bangladesh. The nature of nationalism underwent change moving from secularism to a religious character which found expression in the policies of the state. The military rule most often found it convenient to use the anti-Indian stance in order to please the fundamentalist elements of the country in its bid to garner popular support. The issues of water sharing, refugees and issues of fomenting possible insurgency with active support of India were highlighted. Even after the restoration of democracy, the anti-Indian factions remained active in opposing the government of Sheikh Hasina’s foreign policy with regard to India. Radical religious factions, who had throughout opposed the liberation war, still play a major role in fanning the anti-Indian sentiments in Bangladeshi politics.
APPLICATIONS OF FUZZY TECHNOLOGY IN CIVIL ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT: THE SPECIAL ISSUE IN THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF LOTFI ZADEH
Authors: Liao Huchang , Plebankiewicz Edyta
Published: July 2021

In papers published in Journal of Civil Engineering and Management, many applications of fuzzy logic can be found. To commemorate the contributions of the fuzzy set theory proposed by Professor Lotfi Zadeh to the fields of civil engineering and construction management, seven papers were selected for this special issue. These papers combined fuzzy set theory with appropriate methods to solve specialized problems in the fields of civil engineering and construction management, and provided good insights for the applications of fuzzy technology in solving problems related to civil engineering and construction management.
MOA-2007-BLG-400 A Super-Jupiter-mass Planet Orbiting a Galactic Bulge K-dwarf Revealed by Keck Adaptive Optics Imaging
Authors: Bhattacharya Aparna , Bennett David P. , Beaulieu Jean Philippe , Bond Ian A. , Koshimoto Naoki , Lu Jessica R. , Blackman Joshua W. , Vandorou Aikaterini , Terry Sean K. , Batista Virginie , Marquette Jean Baptiste , Cole Andrew A. , Fukui Akihiko , Henderson Calen B. , Ranc ‪Clément
Published: July 2021

We present Keck/NIRC2 adaptive optics imaging of planetary microlensing event MOA-2007-BLG-400 that resolves the lens star system from the source. We find that the MOA-2007-BLG-400L planetary system consists of a 1.71 ± 0.27M
Jup planet orbiting a 0.69 ± 0.04M
⊙ K-dwarf host star at a distance of 6.89 ± 0.77 kpc from the Sun. So, this planetary system probably resides in the Galactic bulge. The planet–host star projected separation is only weakly constrained due to the close-wide light-curve degeneracy; the 2σ projected separation ranges are 0.6–1.0 au and 4.7–7.7 au for close and wide solutions, respectively. This host mass is at the top end of the range of masses predicted by a standard Bayesian analysis. Our Keck follow-up program has now measured lens-source separations for six planetary microlensing events, and five of these six events have host star masses above the median prediction under the assumption that assumes that all stars have an equal chance of hosting planets detectable by microlensing. This suggests that more massive stars may be more likely to host planets of a fixed mass ratio that orbit near or beyond the snow line. These results also indicate the importance of host star mass measurements for exoplanets found by microlensing. The microlensing survey imaging data from NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (formerly WFIRST) mission will be doing mass measurements like this for a huge number of planetary events.
Enhanced Doppler Beaming for Dust-enshrouded Objects and Pulsars in the Galactic Center
Authors: Zajaček Michal
Published: July 2021

Stars within the innermost part of the nuclear star cluster can reach orbital velocities up to a few percent of the light speed. As analyzed by Rafikov, Doppler boosting of stellar light may be of relevance at the pericenter of stellar orbits, especially with the upcoming high-precision photometry in the near- and mid-infrared bands. Here we analyze the previously neglected effect of the infrared spectral index of monitored objects on the Doppler-boosted continuum emission in a narrow photometric band. In contrast to main-sequence stars, the detected compact infrared-excess dust-enshrouded objects have an enhanced Doppler-boosting effect by as much as an order of magnitude, with the variability amplitude of the order of 10% for the most eccentric orbits. In a similar way, pulsars dominated by nonthermal synchrotron emission are also expected to exhibit a stronger Doppler-boosted signal by a factor of at least 4 in comparison with canonical S stars. In case the stellar orbit is robustly determined, the relative flux variation can thus provide hints about the nature of the objects. For extended dust-enshrouded objects, such as G1, that are variable due to tidal, ellipsoidal, bow-shock, and irradiation effects, the subtraction of the expected Doppler-boosting variations will help to better comprehend their internal physics. In addition, the relative flux variability due to higher-order relativistic effects is also modified for different negative spectral indices in a way that it can obtain both positive and negative values with the relative variability of the order of 1%.
Proliferative Activity of Myoepithelial Cells in of Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma
Authors: Alali Faisal Mehsen , Tarakji Bassel , Alqhtani Nasser Raqe , Nabhan Abdullah Bin , Alrafedah Ali , Alenzi Adel , Kochaji Nabil
Published: July 2021

AIM: The aim of the study is to investigate the role of myoepithelial cells in the pathogenesis of mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) using the double immunohistochemical staining; α _smooth muscle actin (_α-SMA)as specific marker for the myoepithelial cell differentiation and proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) as a marker for proliferative activity of myoepithelial cells.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of twenty salivary gland specimens (ten MEC and ten normal salivary glands) were studied using double immunohistochemical labeling for α _smooth muscle actin α-SMA) and proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The SPSS statistical package was used for data analysis (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0, Released 2011, IBM Corp, and Armonk, NY, USA).

RESULTS: In mucoepidermoid carcinomas, no positivity of α-SMA was seen in neoplastic cells (Frequent test), and it was just observed in the stroma of tumor, in the walls of blood vessels whereas, PCNA was positive, especially in high-grade tumors. In contrast, in normal salivary glands, the proliferating myoepithelial cells are stained by both α-SMA and PCNA.

CONCLUSIONS: We believe that the myoepithelial cells have no a role in the development of mucoepidermoid carcinoma.
Construct Validity of the Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (RAPID3) in the Evaluation of Axial Spondyloarthritis
Authors: García-Valle Andrea , Andrés-de Llano Jesús María , Fariña-González Aarón Josué , González-Benítez Roberto Daniel , Queiro-Silva Rubén
Published: July 2021

Objective

Although there are different tools to evaluate axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), they are hardly used in routine clinical practice due to time constraints. The Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (RAPID3) is a composite measure feasible for use as a sole metric in busy clinics. We aimed to test its measurement properties in patients with axial SpA in a real-world clinical setting.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 131 consecutive patients with axial SpA. The convergent (Spearman ρ) and discriminant (receiver-operating characteristic [ROC] curve analysis) validity of RAPID3 were tested against several axSpA-specific measures (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index [BASDAI], Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score [ASDAS], Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index [BASFI], and modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score [mSASSS]). A multivariate model was built to detect disease factors associated with RAPID3 remission (values ≤ 3).

Results

The study included 82 men and 49 women, with a median age of 55 (IQR 46–61) years, and a median disease duration of 11 (IQR 6–24) years. Mean RAPID3 was 9.45 ± 6.7. The BASDAI showed moderate correlation with ASDAS (ρ 0.66,P< 0.0001), but higher correlations with BASFI (ρ 0.78,P< 0.0001) and RAPID3 (ρ 0.75,P< 0.0001). The ASDAS had moderate correlations with BASFI, BASDAI, and RAPID3 (ranges 0.66–0.68,P< 0.0001). Higher correlations were found between BASFI and BASDAI (ρ 0.78,P< 0.0001), and BASFI and RAPID3 (ρ 0.73,P< 0.0001). The mSASSS did not show any correlation with any of the above composite measures. κ agreement between RAPID3 remission and other SpA remission criteria was moderate (κ 0.46–0.56). The RAPID3 thresholds to define remission ranged from values ≤ 2 to ≤ 6 with areas under the ROC curve between 0.86–0.91. Female sex (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.12–0.90,P= 0.03) and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug intake (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.10–0.66,P= 0.005) were independently associated with lower odds of achieving RAPID3 remission.

Conclusion

RAPID3 demonstrated construct validity in this cross-sectional study. This index can be useful for a more comprehensive assessment of axSpA in busy clinical settings.
Ear, Nose, and Throat Manifestations of COVID-19 in Children
Authors: Kumar Banu , Scheffler Patrick
Published: July 2021

The article reviews and analyzes the different ear, nose, and throat (ENT)-related manifestations reported in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-positive pediatric patients (age <18 years) in peer-reviewed and published literature. We searched the PubMed database using medical subject headings and associated key words, focusing on ENT symptoms in children with COVID-19. We included relevant published and peer-reviewed articles in English and excluded case reports and articles in press. There were 1,140 children positive for COVID-19 (56% boys) in the 23 studies included in this review. Although 11% of patients were asymptomatic, the most common symptoms reported were fever (48%) and cough (37%). Nasal symptoms (stuffy nose, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea) and sore throat occurred in about 22% of all patients. Otitis, dizziness, anosmia, and ageusia are hardly reported in children with COVID-19. Although fever and cough are the most common symptoms, ENT manifestations are frequently observed in pediatric patients with COVID-19.

[
Pediatr Ann
. 2021;50(7):e277–e281.]
Congenital and Neonatally Acquired Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Authors: Bhuskute Aditi , Page Nathan
Published: July 2021

Hearing loss is one of the most common congenital diagnoses, recognized in large part by a robust newborn hearing screening program. Ensuring appropriate follow-up of failed newborn hearing screening is crucial to avoid delay in initiation of treatment for hearing loss. The most common etiology for congenital hearing loss is genetic, but some cases can be acquired. Understanding of the etiology aids in counseling for the family and in direction of treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment results in dramatically improved speech and developmental outcomes for affected children. Treatment including amplification, speech therapy, adaptations in the classroom, and family support leads to gains in academic performance, parental satisfaction, and quality of life. Early cochlear implantation has been shown to be beneficial in obtaining speech and language skills in patients with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss and should be considered in the appropriate patient population.

[
Pediatr Ann
. 2021;50(7):e292–e296.]
Senecio alatopetiolatus (Compositae), una nueva cita para la flora colombiana
Authors: Calvo Joel , Ávila Fabio
Published: July 2021

Senecio alatopetiolatus se cita por primera vez en Colombia. Se incluye una discusión de su variabilidad morfológica y se aportan fotografías de plantas en su hábitat.
Les usages et les significations du terme « autocéphale » (αὐτοκέφαλος) à Byzance
Authors: Blanchet Marie-Hélène , Vetochnikov Konstantinos
Published: July 2021

L’adjectif αὐτοκέφαλος n’est pas attesté en grec classique. Dans l’ensemble des textes byzantins conservés, il n’apparaît qu’au début du VIe siècle de notre ère, dans des récits relatifs au statut indépendant qu’a obtenu l’Église de Chypre en 431, c’est-à-dire le droit pour son synode provincial d’ordonner lui-même son primat. On trouve deux autres contextes où le terme αὐτοκέφαλος est utilisé dans les textes byzantins des VIIe-XVe siècles. Dans le premier cas, αὐτοκέφαλος apparaît dans l’expression « archevêque autocéphale », qui désigne le détenteur d’un siège épiscopal élevé à la dignité d’archevêché sans suffragant. D’autre part, il revêt un sens politique et désigne le statut indépendant de certains peuples. Tant dans cette dernière acception que pour ce qui concerne les Églises autocéphales, l’intervention du pouvoir politique, qui garantit par un privilège impérial l’indépendance obtenue, semble déterminante.
La jurisprudence ecclésiastique dans l’archevêché autocéphale de Bulgarie/Ohrid (1020-ca. 1400)
Authors: Prinzing Günter
Published: July 2021

Le tsar Samuel (987-1014) avait placé l’Église de Bulgarie sous l’autorité d’un patriarche qu’il avait lui-même désigné (probablement vers 996). Toutefois, après la défaite de la Bulgarie en 1018 et son annexion à l’Empire byzantin, Basile II réorganisa l’Église bulgare en un archevêché byzantin de Bulgarie, avec son centre à Ohrid. À partir de cette date et jusqu’en 1334, les archevêques successifs ont été nommés par les empereurs byzantins. Ce n’est qu’en 1767 que le siège d’Ohrid a été placé sous l’autorité directe du patriarche de Constantinople. Cependant, les privilèges de Basile II pour l’archidiocèse de Bulgarie n’évoquent qu’indirectement son autocéphalie, qui n’est mentionnée explicitement qu’au XIIe siècle dans les textes de Michel de Déabolis et de Nil Doxapatrès ainsi que dans la notice de Velbužd. Dans la correspondance des archevêques d’Ohrid ce statut n’est évoqué que dans les documents de Théophylacte Héphaistos et de Dèmètrios Chomatènos. Ce dernier et ses successeurs se sont appuyés sur la pseudo-théorie qui identifiait Ohrid avec Justiniana Prima. L’autocéphalie ne laissa une empreinte sur la pratique juridique que sous Chomatènos, renforçant son autorité qui reposait sur sa compétence d’expert reconnu. Cette estime lui permettait d’agir comme un patriarche, pratique qui fut reprise à l’époque de l’archevêque Grégoire Ier.
Le concile de Florence comme prélude à la symphonie russe
Authors: Gonneau Pierre
Published: July 2021

Alors que la délégation russe, présidée par le métropolite Isidore, a souscrit à l’Union de Florence (5 juillet 1439), cette décision est rejetée à son retour en Russie (automne 1440). Isidore abandonne sa métropole à l’automne 1441 et, au terme de sept ans de « veuvage », elle devient de fait autocéphale quand un synode épiscopal réduit élit l’évêque de Rjazan’ Jonas métropolite (décembre 1448). Cet épisode-clé est relaté de manière différente dans les sources narratives russes de la deuxième moitié du XVe siècle et du début du XVIe siècle qui, peu à peu, dégagent une version officielle de l’événement qui prend des libertés avec le déroulement réel des faits. L’élection de Jonas est justifiée rétroactivement par le fait qu’il aurait dû prendre la tête de l’Église russe dès 1432, suite au décès du métropolite grec Photios (2 juillet 1431). Les versions tardives complètent le récit des événements par l’insertion de documents diplomatiques (encycliques, lettres du grand-prince de Moscou Vasilij II au patriarche de Constantinople ou à l’empereur byzantin), dont certains sont authentiques et d’autres ont été fabriqués pour la circonstance. Ces textes donnent déjà au souverain moscovite une dimension impériale et un rôle de défenseur de l’orthodoxie.
Uniatisme et autocéphalies dans les minorités slaves orientales (XVIe-XVIIIe siècle) : réflexions sur le localisme ecclésiastique à l’époque post-tridentine
Authors: Tatarenko Laurent
Published: July 2021

La chute de l’Empire byzantin et les conquêtes ottomanes dans les Balkans ont créé un cadre nouveau pour les rapports entre le patriarcat de Constantinople et les Églises locales placées sous sa juridiction, en particulier celles de l’espace orthodoxe slave. En dehors du cas moscovite, dont l’autocéphalie autoproclamée a évolué rapidement vers le modèle patriarcal, la confrontation militaire entre chrétiens et musulmans mais également le développement de la polémique confessionnelle ont façonné de nouveaux modes d’expression des aspirations à l’indépendance ecclésiastique, amenant les clergés orientaux à négocier avec des autorités non orthodoxes. Dans ce contexte, aux côtés des héritages laissés par les autocéphalies médiévales, l’uniatisme est devenu l’un des outils mobilisés dans ces reconfigurations politiques. Alors qu’en apparence, ce phénomène semblait se situer à l’opposé de l’autocéphalie, l’histoire des Églises uniates nées au cours des XVIe-XVIIe siècles (en Pologne-Lituanie, en Croatie, en Hongrie royale et en Transylvanie) montre qu’elles ont fait partie d’une démarche commune au service de la consolidation des particularismes institutionnels ou culturels locaux.
L’autocéphalie revisitée : les quêtes d’indépendance ecclésiastique dans les espaces soviétique et post-soviétique
Authors: Rousselet Kathy
Published: July 2021

Dans l’espace soviétique, les processus d’indépendance ecclésiastique s’inscrivent dans un triple contexte : la sécularisation forcée orchestrée par l’État athée, les relations entre les nations au sein de l’Empire soviétique et l’antagonisme géopolitique entre Est et Ouest. Après la chute de l’Union soviétique, les évolutions territoriales, la concurrence accrue entre les patriarcats de Moscou et de Constantinople, ainsi que les relations nouvelles entre l’Église orthodoxe russe et l’État ont relancé tant les processus d’autonomisation que l’affirmation de la souveraineté moscovite face au patriarcat de Constantinople. L’autocéphalie est de plus en plus devenue une notion réinterprétée au gré des conjonctures politiques, par les politiques comme par les religieux. Les Églises n’ont pas pu trouver de consensus avant le concile panorthodoxe de Crète en juin 2016. Et c’est en partie l’imprécision de la définition juridique du terme qui a provoqué l’inflation des autocéphalies auto-proclamées.
L’autocéphalie dans l’Église orthodoxe : les réalités ecclésiales du XXe siècle. Une analyse canonique
Authors: Grigoriță Georgică
Published: July 2021

Dans l’Église, l’autocéphalie est le système qui reconnaît à une Église locale le degré maximum d’autonomie ecclésiastique, ce qui inclut l’élection sans ingérence extérieure de son propre proto-hiérarque. Au deuxième millénaire, plusieurs problèmes liés à l’autocéphalie sont apparus, notamment du fait du désir du patriarcat œcuménique de revendiquer déraisonnablement un rôle particulier et un pouvoir primatial au sein de l’Église orthodoxe. Au XXe siècle, ces problèmes se sont matérialisés par des conflits entre le patriarcat de Moscou et le patriarcat œcuménique concernant le droit de concéder l’autocéphalie ainsi que les modalités permettant de reconnaître une nouvelle Église autocéphale. Récemment, le patriarcat œcuménique a réintégré deux communautés schismatiques ukrainiennes se réclamant des « orthodoxes », raison pour laquelle le patriarcat de Moscou a rompu la communion avec le patriarcat œcuménique qu’il considère comme schismatique. Cette décision a ouvert la voie au schisme dans l’Orthodoxie, raison pour laquelle il est nécessaire d’appliquer les principes canoniques fondamentaux qui stipulent que l’unité de l’Église est reconquise par la réorganisation autour de l’Église canonique locale constituée et reconnue dans un lieu.
Using Mathematics Digital Interactive Notebooks as Authentic Integrated Online Assessments
Authors: Galanti Terrie McLaughlin , Baker Courtney K. , Kraft Tammy , Morrow-Leong Kimberly
Published: July 2021

In response to the global health crisis, K-12 mathematics teachers were forced to rapidly transition to online learning and assessment. The mathematics teacher educators in this study identified an unprecedented opportunity to design and facilitate more equitable assessments that leveraged emergent collaborative technologies. They replaced traditional written reflections with a digital interactive notebook (dINB) in a graduate synchronous online geometry and measurement course for practicing teachers. This prototype of an authentic integrated online assessment model emphasized cycles of reflection and revision based on instructor and peer feedback. While the K-12 teachers enrolled in this course valued the dINB as evaluative of their own progress toward content mastery, they faced challenges in realizing the full potential of this model to integrate formative, summative, and ipsative assessment functions in their own classrooms. Implications for the development of K-12 teachers' TPACK (Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge) and their readiness to use more innovative forms of assessment in virtual learning are presented.
Transforming Teaching for Virtual Environments
Authors: Lyublinskaya Irina , Du Xiaoxue
Published: July 2021

This chapter describes pedagogical practices and teaching strategies with instructional technology used in an online summer course with preservice K-12 teachers. The course provided preservice teachers (PSTs) with experiences in using technology in K-12 classrooms from both students' and teachers' perspectives, engaged PSTs in active explorations of various K-12 curriculum topics using technology that could enhance high-impact teaching strategies, and supported PSTs in development of virtual lessons using instructional technology. The study identified effective practices with instructional technology to support preservice teachers' development of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) for their own online teaching. Study findings suggest that online immersive experience created a virtual student-centered space to nurture collaborative inquiry and that contributed to the growth of PST's TPACK. However, this experience also brought challenges and concerns for sustaining and transforming teaching and learning with instructional technology to an online environment.
Classroom Management, Lesson Planning, and Technology Integration . . . Oh My!
Authors: Webb C. Lorraine , Barrios Amy M. , Kohler Karen L.
Published: July 2021

This chapter aims to share the results of a study of faculty in teacher preparation programs across the state of Texas to identify ways educator preparation has shifted its instruction as a result of COVID-19. Both quantitative and qualitative data results are shared, along with implications. The research provides some clarity regarding how future educator preparation programs and K-12 classroom teachers can adjust instructional practices as the shift to a virtual learning environment continues. The authors offer suggestions for best practices in virtual instruction for lesson planning, classroom management, and technology integration for K-12 teachers, as well as recommendations for teacher preparation programs to prepare pre-service teachers for successful implementation in those three areas while teaching in a virtual environment.
What Now?
Authors: Smith Jess , Talbert Sandra , Choucair Mona
Published: July 2021

This descriptive case study centers the experiences of 12 preservice secondary English Language Arts (ELAR) teachers in their final two years of study as they navigate changing school environments in light of COVID-19 restrictions. The preservice teachers discuss successes and challenges with regard to their preparedness to teaching in online or hybrid modalities, their struggles to build learner engagement with social distancing restrictions within the classroom and some students who never log into class live, and similar struggles with intentional relationship building. From these emergent themes, the authors make recommendations on praxis for pre- and inservice teachers, teacher educators, and teacher education programs.
Current Approaches in Teacher Learning on Digital Social Platforms
Authors: Southerton Emily , Lee Victor R.
Published: July 2021

Within digital ecologies, teachers routinely find an abundance of information related to their teaching. While many teachers pursue brute force searches for online ideas and resources, during the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers had to address pressing new challenges in online teaching in the most efficient ways possible. This chapter reports on an ongoing study of 16 teachers and how they relied upon digital social platforms to make the move to online teaching. Analysis revolves around socially-distanced video-recorded interviews with these teachers. Given their limited time, teachers had to be selective about what they deemed useful and relevant to their immediate needs. Strategic uses of digital social platforms served to address some of those needs. Specific strategies observed in the data regarding the development of pedagogy included joining teacher collectives, accessing expert-like spaces, and finding pedagogical inspiration within posts by teacher-influencers.
Use of a Blockchain-Based Marketplace to Incentivize Participation in Virtual Clinical Trials
Authors: Olla Phillip , Abumeeiz Mustafa Taher , Elliott Lauren Kay , Rajasekar Vijay , Bartol Stephen
Published: July 2021

There is an emerging need for advancements in how clinical trials are conducted in the current pandemic situation. Healthcare institutions are moving towards using digital technologies to avoid physical interactions between doctors and clinical trial participants. However, difficulties in recruiting and retaining participants are still prevalent. To overcome this issue, an incentive system that can be trusted by doctors as well as trial participants is required. The authors present a detailed report of Cashish, a blockchain-based incentivization system that rewards trial participants in the form of cryptocurrency tokens that they can utilize in an online marketplace that is also backed by the same blockchain. Usage of blockchain technology to provide research participation incentives eliminates the need for trust systems and ensures transparency between doctors and clinical trial participants, while ensuring participant anonymity.
Digital Social Support for Undergraduate Students during Covid-19: Pivotal Support for the Digital Transformation
Authors: Rashid Shaista , Fayez Orchida , Ismail Hala , Khan Raheen Fatimah
Published: July 2021

Background

In a time of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, digital social support can prove helpful in buffering the stress and anxiety especially for students whose lives were being affected both socially and academically. The present study aims to explore the emotional and informational social support available to students during the online transformation of their education. It further investigates factors affecting anxiety and stress among students.

Design and methods

An online survey was administered among 479 undergraduate students at a private university in Saudi Arabia from 2nd March till 17th June 2020. Descriptive analysis was used to report the findings of students’ self-reported data.

Results

The results revealed that more than 70% of the students reported that they were satisfied with the informational and emotional support available to them via digital platforms. However, they felt less connected with the teachers and academic administration. Feeling sick (46%), being locked down at homes and isolation (43%) were major causes of stress and anxiety. 71% of the students reported their ability to keep themselves busy, however, only 55% of students mentioned that they did not feel lonely while confined to their homes. In these circumstances, the continuation of studies via online platforms helped students reduce stress and anxiety (52%).

Conclusions

Although this online transformation was not planned, the university was able to provide adequate informational support to the students. However, students were dependent upon friends, family and relatives for emotional support. The results of the study point towards the need of training for teachers and academic administrative staff in order to better address students’ needs for social support during the crisis. The results also contribute to the body of data reporting the various effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on students in a way to reach a sustainable framework for supporting students.
Volcanic mercury emissions - research in support of the UNEP 2023 global mercury assessment
Authors: Outridge P
Published: July 2021

Goal: Help fill key knowledge gap in natural Hg cycle (volcanic systems' emissions), a weakness in global Hg budget supporting Minamata Convention on Mercury, 2017.
Focus on Icelandic volcanic systems (possible high Hg emitters).
Progress on schedule.
Impact of climate change on monthly streamflow in the Verde River Basin using two hydrological models
Authors: Carvalho Vinícius Siqueira Oliveira , Alvarenga Lívia Alves , Oliveira Conceição De Maria Marques de , Tomasella Javier , Colombo Alberto , Melo Pâmela Aparecida
Published: July 2021

This study assessed the impact of climate change on monthly streamflow in the Verde River Basin, located in the Grande River Basin headwater. For this purpose, the SWAT and VIC hydrological models were used to simulate the monthly streamflow under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios, obtained by Regional Climate Models Eta-HadGEM2-ES, Eta-CanESM2 and Eta-MIROC5 in the baseline period (1961-2005) and three time-slice (2011-2040, 2041-2070, and 2071-2099) inputs. At the end of the century, the Eta-HadGEM2-ES showed larger decrease of precipitation in both radiative scenarios, with an annual reduction of 17.4 (RCP4.5) and 32.3% (RCP8.5), while the Eta-CanESM2 indicated major warming, with an annual increase of 4.7 and 10.2°C under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, respectively. As well as precipitation changes, the Eta-HadGEM2-ES also showed greater impacts on streamflow under RCP4.5 for the first time-slice (2011-2040), with an annual decrease of 58.0% for both hydrological models, and for the RCP8.5 scenario by the end the century (2071-2099), with an annual reduction of 54.0 (VIC model) and 56.8% (SWAT model). Regarding monthly streamflow, the Eta-HadGEM2-ES and Eta-CanESM2 inputs indicated decrease under the RCP8.5 scenario by the end the century, varying from 7.2 to 66.3 % (VIC model) and 37.0 to 64.7% (SWAT model). In general, Eta-MIROC5 presented the opposite in terms of direction in the simulations with both hydrological models at the end of the century.  Combined effects of climate models, hydrological model structures and scenarios of climate change should be considered in assessments of uncertainties of climate change impacts.
Polityczny i ideologiczny wymiar konfliktu z 1948 r. między Związkiem Sowieckim a Jugosławią w świetle raportów belgijskich dyplomatów
Authors: Kawka Inga
Published: July 2021

Political and Ideological Dimension of the 1948 Conflict Between the Soviet Union and Yugoslav in the Light of the Reports of Belgian Diplomats

The article concerns the conflict between Tito and Stalin in 1948. The aim of the article is to define how the Belgian diplomacy perceived the split between the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, and, above all, how it diagnosed its causes and effects. Moreover, the analysis of Belgian diplomatic documents shows the great importance that Western countries attached to the first major breach in the Eastern bloc.
Partie tworzące koalicję Zjednoczonych Patriotów (2016− 2019) wobec mniejszości tureckiej i Republiki Turcji
Authors: Fijołek-Kwaśniewska Katarzyna
Published: July 2021

The aim of this paper is to identify the individual political elements of the United Patriots’ coalition. The nationalist electoral alliance formed in 2016 by Attack, the IMRO -Bulgarian National Movement and National Front for the Salvation of Bulgaria took a part of the third Boyko Borissov government. Starting this new partnership with the populist radical right, the GER B has resigned from promoting EU values, including minorities’ rights, much more than before. This coalition established xenophobia and making racists statements as a standard of Bulgarian parliamentary discussion. Its attitude towards the Turkish minority in Bulgaria and the Republic of Turkey shows hostility and prejudice.
Reason versus Ian Hacking’s styles of scientific reasoning
Authors: Abimbola Kola
Published: July 2021

There is a view in contemporary philosophy of science according to which scientific methodology itself is subject to radical change as part of scientific progress. According to this view, change in science is not confined to accepted theories. The core principles of scientific theory appraisal, including the rules and categories used to rank and confer truth-values on theories, are also said to be subject to radical change as science develops. In this paper, I examine Ian Hacking’s (1975; 1980; 1982; 1983; 1985; 1996; 1999; 2012) version of this no-invariant-methodology thesis. I argue that, just like Thomas Kuhn’s “paradigms,” Larry Laudan’s “research traditions,” and Imre Lakatos’ “research programmes,” Hacking’s “styles of reasoning” fail to give an adequate account of scientific progress.
Conflict Engagement: A Contingency Model in Theory and Practice
Authors: Rothman Jay
Published: July 2021

The systematic study and applied practice of conflict resolution is now a few decades old and is evolving into its own field and perhaps towards its own discipline (Avruch, 2013). I believe an essential way forward towards a more robust field and discipline is to build a parsimonious contingency approach. That is, an approach for applying our best theoretical and analytical tools to diagnosing the nature and status of a given conflict and then systematically and adaptively matching up the best methods for constructively engaging the conflict as it evolves. Fisher and Keashly (1991) pioneered contingency theory in international conflict resolution, while Sander and Goldberg suggested “fitting the forum to the fuss” in domestic ADR a few years later (1994). Since then the notion has caught on and is now somewhat in “vogue” (Fisher, 2012). However, surprisingly little development has occurred in this arena given the promise it holds. The contingency model described in this article builds on this early theorizing and suggests different conflict intervention methods according to conflict type and stage of development. Conflicts are divided into three different types: resource-based, objectives-based and identity-based. Each type is conducive to a different mode of engagement.
Civil Society at the Negotiation Table, Legitimacy Beliefs and Durable Peace
Authors: Kanol Direnç
Published: July 2021

It is argued that including civil society at the negotiation table can increase the perceived legitimacy of peace treaties. As a result, it can contribute to the consolidation of peace. In this paper, the author presents the findings from a controlled experiment in order to test the impact of inclusive peace negotiations on the perceived legitimacy of peace treaties. Contrary to the expectations of the scholars working on the inclusiveness and the consolidation of peace hypothesis, the results show that the treatment group in the experiment does not perceive inclusive peace agreements to be more legitimate.
Toward a Buddhist Theory of Structural Peace: Lessons from Myanmar in Transition
Authors: Arai Tatsushi
Published: July 2021

This essay analyzes the result of in-depth interviews that the author conducted with Burmese Buddhist leaders, with a view toward building Buddhist theories of social conflict, reconciliation, and structural peace. Findings include their shared understanding of the deeply spiritual, inner-directed nature of conflict and reconciliation, and their highly divergent, contested understandings of the structural roots of human suffering in today’s globalized and interconnected world. To meet these structural challenges, this essay introduces the concept of structural awareness, which it defines as educated, enlightened consciousness to appreciate and act responsibly on the complex chains of causal relations in which well-intended action can inadvertently generate the suffering of others.
Lessons from the Kerry Peace Initiative and the Need for a Constructive Approach
Authors: Schiff Amira
Published: July 2021

The failure of the most recent peace efforts in the Israeli Palestinian conflict, by Secretary of State Kerry, followed by the Palestinians’ decision to pursue the unilateral track, underlines the need to examine the factors that led to this failure and to draw lessons that perhaps will provide a better understanding of what is possible to achieve in a future negotiation. The following analysis indicates that the failure of the process can be attributed to structural factors, substantive factors and the third party’s conduct, including setting a goal that was unrealistic, asymmetrical conduct and a lack of understanding of the complex political and cultural factors on both sides. Any attempt to resume the peace talks between the parties will have to take these factors into consideration.
The Effect of the Induced Compliance Paradigm on Emotions During Inter-group Conflict
Authors: Edelstein Roi , Rosen Yigal
Published: July 2021

The existence and intensity of a conflict are dependent in part on the attitudes and emotions of an individual. Previous studies demonstrated the effectiveness of creating cognitive dissonance in order to change attitudes towards out-group members. The current study examines the ability to decrease negative emotions and to increase the empathy in a conflict situation through the induced compliance paradigm. An experiment was performed on 60 Jewish students in Israel regarding the context of the conflict between Jewish and Arab-Israeli citizens in Israel. Some of the participants (n=43) performed an induced-compliance task focused on writing an essay as an Arab-Israeli student about their emotions after reading an authentic case study. Results revealed that after performing the task, cognitive empathy decreased significantly, while hatred levels increased significantly. In general, activities which were hypothesized to decrease negative emotions and increase empathy caused opposite effects. Findings are discussed in the context of this study’s hypothesis and in respect to related research in this field. Insights from this study may provide useful recommendations for building experimental frameworks which aim to develop and increase empathy during conflict situations. Future research directions are discussed in the context of emotion regulation in regards to inter-group conflict.
You Have Atomic Bombs, We Have the Martyrdom-Seekers: Ayman Al-Zawahiri’s Narrative Arc of the Martyr
Authors: Huffman Tim
Published: July 2021

Martyrdom has an undeniable rhetorical dimension, and part of a martyr’s voice is the manner of his or her death. However, martyrdom does not stand alone. It is contextualized and constructed by the voice of ideologues. This project looks at the spoken and written rhetoric of Ayman Al-Zawahiri, leader of al-Qaeda, and seeks to understand his descriptions, attributions, and stories about martyrs and martyrdom. An analysis of 93 statements by Zawahiri was performed to identify his overarching martyr narrative and archetype. Major findings include a taxonomy of martyr attributes and a narrative trajectory of martyrdom. While pro-USA rhetoric constructs al-Qaeda’s martyrs as radical terrorists, Zawahiri tells a tale of stalwart, pious, and simple men.
U.S. Domestic Vulnerability and the Supply of Third-Party Mediation
Authors: Todhunter James
Published: July 2021

Most U.S. presidents will pursue third-party conflict mediation sometime during their administration. However, the approach and level of commitment to those endeavors vary greatly across time and results are often minimally successful. This study explains this variation in terms of domestic political considerations, suggesting that the potential risks and payoffs in the domestic sphere primarily drive the supply of mediation, rather than conflict characteristics, “ripeness” for resolution, or the national interest. Presidents are shown to engage in mediation when they are relatively secure domestically, enjoying legislative success in Congress. The results are consistent with the notion that presidents prefer political cover when engaging in foreign policy. Thus, the argument informs the literature on mediator behavior by linking it with theories of foreign policy decision making and suggests that the political context in which mediation is offered will influence its prospects for success, often explaining why mediation efforts fall short. Moreover, given the trend toward divided government in the United States, the results presented here suggest that mediation will become less prevalent in U.S. foreign policy.
The British Colonization of Australia: An Exposé of the Models, Impacts and Pertinent Questions
Authors: Genger Peter
Published: July 2021

By adopting the purview of Peace and Conflict Studies and the expository approach of historical archaeology of colonialism, this paper succeeds in enumerating the models the British used to establish and perpetuate colonial violence on the Indigenous Australians, and the traumatizing impacts the violence is exerting on them. The sole essence of the paper is not only to re-establish that the British colonization of Australia was deliberate, just as the heinous models they used. Most essentially, the paper identifies the following institutions: Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS), the UN and challenges them to move from their current inert condemnation of colonial violence and adopt effective, concrete and practical frameworks that will “overthrow” the Australian colonial violence. Their sincere disposition and uncompromised commitment to this cause is important and imperative. In conclusion, the paper poses some pertinent questions to prove that colonialism is a dispensable evil.
Transition from Civil War to Peace: The Role of the United Nations and International Community in Mozambique
Authors: Adedokun Ayokunu
Published: July 2021

With the heavy involvement of the United Nations (UN) and the international community, the Rome General Peace Agreement of 1992 ended more than 16 years of civil war in Mozambique. The peace agreement and post-conflict initiatives by the international community was successful in transforming the Mozambique National Resistance (Renamo) from a rebel group into a viable political party. Key components of the United Nations and the broader international community success in negotiating peace and creating conditions for political stability and democracy in Mozambique were (a) the provision of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) before democratisation, (b) decentralization of humanitarian and relief efforts to provincial and district levels, (c) provision of financial support directly for the development of political parties, and (d) budget support to sectors relevant to peacebuilding. Though imperfect, Mozambique remains an important case study in how the UN and international community can help in post-conflict environments. Thus, the paper argues that success in peacebuilding operations depends on credible and impartial international support through the UN, as opposed to peacebuilding operations through the United States of America or Russia.