bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pembentukan Akhlakul Karimah Siswa melalui Pembiasaan Shalat Dhuha di MAN 2 Bekasi
Authors: Muammar Alwi Muhammad , Latipah Siti Latipah , Maulidina Ana
Published: February 2025

This study aims to identify the impact of the habit of dhuha prayer on the formation of students' noble morals. With the existence of dhuha prayer in the school environment, it is hoped that it can provide encouragement/motivation to improve education in Indonesia by instilling and accustoming students to practice good morals in an orderly and responsible manner and to cleanse qalbu from impurities of lust and anger so that the heart becomes clean. The research method used in this study is a type of qualitative research. The type of approach used in this study is the type of phenomenology, which is research that reveals events with actual events. The research location at MAN 2 Bekasi is located on Jl. Amaraden No.2, Cibening, Setu District, Bekasi Regency, West Java. The results of this study reveal that the benefits of dhuha prayer for MAN 2 Bekasi students are that students feel comfortable, calm, and have a clear mind. As well as the benefits of dhuha prayer in the formation of moral character of MAN 2 Bekasi students are that students have better behavior, such as discipline in carrying out dhuha prayers and carrying out daily activities at MAN 2 Bekasi.
Pengembangan Media Digital Papan Pintar Mata Pelajaran PAI Untuk Kelas 3 Sekolah Dasar
Authors: Yudi Hadiansyah  , N.Fitri Amaliya  , Zaky Abdullah
Published: February 2025

Based on the results of a survey conducted at Pamanukan Elementary School, Subang City, it is known that not all classes apply digital media in the classroom. The aim of this research is to create smart products from media products and to improve the effectiveness and quality of PAI learning for basic education students. This research uses the reach and development method with research setting in basic education. These media are divided into 5 categories. The first category is analysis, the second category is design, the third category is development, the fourth category is implementation, and the fifth category is evaluation.
Relevansi I’jazul Qur’an dalam Tantangan Modernitas
Authors: Rohman Taufikur
Published: February 2025

This study examines the relevance of the Qur'an in facing modern challenges with the aim of exploring the relevance of the Qur'an in three main dimensions: linguistic, scientific, and socio-ethical. This study uses a literature review method with a descriptive-analytical approach. The data sources consist of the Qur'an, classical and contemporary interpretations, as well as scientific articles relevant to. The analysis is carried out through thematic identification. The results of the study show that the linguistic dimension of the Qur'an reflects a unique, precise, and cohesive language structure that surpasses human capabilities. Its scientific dimension shows the harmony between revelation and science, especially in the fields of embryology and astronomy, without compromising its spiritual value. Meanwhile, the social and ethical relevance of the Qur'an offers practical guidance for building a just, inclusive, and moral society. This finding emphasizes that I’jazul Qur’an is an eternal miracle that is able to answer the challenges of the times. The conclusion of this study confirms that I’jazul Qur’an, through the integration of these three dimensions, can be a multidimensional solution in facing the challenges of modernity.
Integrasi Pengajaran Interaktif Melalui Inovasi Pembelajaran Dalam Meningkatkan Minat Belajar Siswa
Authors: Komala Sari Lulu , Komalasari Ratna , Faisal Hakim Muhammad , Firmansyah Ridwan , Asiah Siti
Published: February 2025

This study aims to explore the integration of interactive teaching through learning innovations at SMKN 1 Cikarang Barat as an effort to enhance students' learning interest. The background of the research indicates that conventional teaching methods, which are still dominant, such as lectures, are ineffective in increasing student engagement. Therefore, interactive teaching that utilizes technology, such as Google Slides and Google Forms, is expected to create a more engaging and enjoyable learning environment. This study also identifies the challenges faced, including resource limitations, differences in perceptions between teachers and students regarding character education, and the need for support from parents and the community. Using a qualitative approach, this research collects data through interviews and observations to understand the views of teachers and students regarding character education and interactive teaching. The results of this study are expected to provide broader insights into the effective implementation of learning innovations that support the character development of students at SMKN 1 Cikarang Barat.
Teologi Lingkungan dalam Al-Qur’an Perspektif Ibrahim Abdul Matin
Authors: Muhammad Amiruddin  , Masiyan M. Syam  , Jamaluddin Arsyad
Published: February 2025

This study aims to examine environmental issues and their resolution through the lens of Islamic environmental theology, drawing on Ibrahim Abdul Matin’s ideas. The focus is to explore how Islamic teachings from the Qur'an and Hadith can provide a theological foundation for addressing environmental challenges and raising Muslim awareness of the environmental crisis. Using a qualitative library research method, data from relevant primary and secondary sources are collected and analyzed based on predetermined categories. The findings reveal that Islam's environmental theology rests on six key principles: Tauhid (God’s unity with creation), Reflecting on God’s Signs, Khalifah (Earth stewardship), Amanah (Trust), ‘Adl (Justice), and Mizan (Balance). These principles affirm that environmental preservation is a spiritual obligation in Islam and promote human responsibility toward nature.
Penerapan Model Cooperative Learning TGT untuk Meningkatkan Keaktifan Siswa
Authors: Della Bristiana Putri  , Dias Raisya Nur Azizah  , Fadiyah Halimatus Sa’diyah  , M. Makbul  , Nur Aini Farida
Published: February 2025

Lack of student activity in PAI subjects is a problem often found by teachers. The reason for the lack of student learning activity is the use of still conventional learning methods. It requires an interactive teaching model applied by educators to enhance student learning activity. The research is aimed at finding out whether the implementation of the cooperative model type TGT is capable of improving the learning activity of students on the PAI subject in Class IV C SDN Kondangjaya III of 34 students by using Class Action Research as a type of research carried out over 2 cycles. There are four stages of research: planning, implementation, observation, reflection. Researchers collect data through observation sheets, study evaluation tests, field records, and documentation. The results show that the implementation of the cooperative teaching model of the TGT type in PAI subject can improve the learning activity of students of the fourth grade in SDN Kondang Commission III, East Karawang. In the first cycle, the average student data obtained was 71% with the interpretation “Good” and increased the number of 20% to 91% in the second cycle with the “Very Good” interpretation.
Problematika Pendidikan Agama Islam di Daerah 3T (Terluar, Tertinggal, dan Terdepan)
Authors: Munawir  , Nizar Ibrahim Muhamad , Islamiah Rahmatul
Published: February 2025

Islamic religious education in the 3T region experiences various challenges, which affect ease of access, quality and relevance of Islamic religious learning. These areas are often neglected in infrastructure development, including educational infrastructure, resulting in limited access for their residents. In addition, a shortage of qualified teaching staff and limited learning materials are serious obstacles to providing quality Islamic religious education in the region. Unstable social and economic conditions also complicate the situation, reducing the availability of human resources who can become qualified Islamic religious teachers. This research aims to dig deeper into the problems of Islamic religious education in the 3T area. This research uses a literature study research method (Literature Reviev) which relies on library sources from books and articles in scientific journals related to the topic of discussion. The research results highlight several problems, such as limited learning materials that suit local needs, a lack of number and quality of teachers, and a lack of facilities that support learning. Social and economic instability is also a factor that influences the effectiveness of Islamic religious education in the 3T region.
ANALISIS SENTIMEN PUBLIK TERHADAP PENJUALAN IPHONE 16 DAN KEBIJAKAN TKDN DI INDONESIA
Authors: Hidayat Fajar Maula , Sanjaya Hafidz
Published: February 2025

Kebijakan Tingkat Komponen Dalam Negeri (TKDN) terhadap produk Apple di Indonesia telah memicu berbagai opini di media sosial, terutama di platform X. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis sentimen publik terhadap kebijakan tersebut menggunakan metode machine learning. Data dikumpulkan melakukan teknik crawling, kemudian diproses dengan tahapan preprocessing untuk meningkatkan kualitas teks. Algoritma Random Forest diterapkan untuk mengklasifikasi opini menjadi kategori negatif, netral, dan positif. Hasil eksperimen menunjukkan bahwa model Random Forest mencapai akurasi 91%, presisi 91%, recall 91% dan f1-score 89%. Temuan ini memberikan wawasan bagi pelaku industri dan pembuat kebijakan dalam memahami persepsi masyarakat terkait kebijakan TKDN terhadap produk Apple, sehingga dapat menjadi pertimbangan dalam perumusan kebijakan selanjutnya.
Mechanical Behaviour of Cardboard in Construction
Authors: Schönwälder Julia  , Rots Jan
Published: February 2025

Recently the interest of architects grows in using cardboard for constructions. For the realization of any structure adequate knowledge of the mechanical properties of the building material is essential. For structural application the mechanical behaviour and the load bearing capacity have to be predictable as well. However, there is not enough information about the mechanical properties of cardboard in terms of a building material. Common numbers and codes are not established yet. In the presented PhD project the mechanical behaviour of cardboard and cardboard structures are investigated concerning structural application. Also a computational model based on the finite element method will be developed as a prediction tool. The project combines material testing, structural design and computational modelling. In this regard preliminary beams completely made of cardboard were designed and tested. In this paper the outline of the PhD thesis and the first outcome of the preliminary design of the beams are presented.
The Design and Building Process of a Cardboard Pavilion
Authors: van Kranenburg Kees  , van Dooren Elise  , Veer Fred
Published: February 2025

The Faculty of Architecture, University of Technology Delft, has been looking at the possibilities that cardboard offers architectural engineers since 2000. Different disciplines are involved in this research group.
A House of Cardboard
Authors: van Dooren Elise  , van Iersel Taco
Published: February 2025

Paper and cardboard are being used on a small scale in the building industry. One of the most common products is wallpaper, less well known are honeycomb door cores and cellulose insulation panels. Some architects use the material for an advanced agenda and more professionally: Shigeru Ban uses cardboard tubes for construction purposes and there are various projects in the realm of temporary housing.
Industrial Building Systems Design & Engineering
Authors: Halman Joop
Published: February 2025

The process of building facades encompasses many different parties, beginning with the user and ending with the supplier of buildings systems. The process therefore requires certain ways of decision making.
Afterthoughts to the Symposium
Authors: Thallemer Axel
Published: February 2025

The work of Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Axel Thallemer consistently crosses the borders between traditional disciplines – one reason why he was invited to contribute to this “Multidisplinary Approach”. In 1994 he was founder and head of Festo Corporate Design and created, amongst other beautiful products, “Airtecture” – pneumatic lightweight constructions that made him well known amongst architects. His works are inspired by nature and are, in many cases, strongly related to architecture. Since 2004, Prof. Axel Thallemer is Dean of Industrial Design at Kunstuniversität Linz, Austria.
Roadmap for the Future Envelope
Authors: Knaack Ulrich  , Klein Tillmann
Published: February 2025

Naturally, we also used this conference to evaluate and readjust our own research – the multidisciplinary approach delivers a broad range of influences and opportunities that need to be organised and directed meaningfully: the roadmap drawn from the conclusion of the conference.
Aircraft Structures in the Century Ahead
Authors: Beukers A.  , van Tooren M.  , Vermeeren C.
Published: February 2025

Prof. ir. Adriaan Beukers is a specialist for lightweight construction and composite technology in the field of aerospace engineering. The construction of airplane fuselages can be compared to that of building envelopes, although there a significant differences. Security issues are of major importance, since the failure of any part can result in a total loss. Also, airplanes are usually manufactured in larger quantities, and the financial capacities of the parties involved are bigger than in the building industry. These are some of the reasons for the aerospace industry's drive toward technology advancements.
Overlapping Boundaries
Authors: Lowings Luke
Published: February 2025

M.A. Luke Lowings introduced his paper as an approach “that tries to argue for other than ‘quantifiable’ criteria in judging and developing designs”. He is principal of Carpenter/Lowings Architecture & Design and in this series of papers he was invited to claim the role of the artistic architect. Every building, its structure, space and material are located in a specific architectural and urban setting. Besides functional necessities, the building envelope within its particular location calls for a careful approach to strengthen the connection between the building and the human environment.
Performance as a Goal Integration as the Approach?
Authors: Auer Thomas
Published: February 2025

The Future Envelope is not conceivable without a direct and strong contribution to the climate concept of the entire building. Climate design is one of the younger disciplines that relate to façade construction, implementing environmental aspects.
Evolution or Revolution of Systems in Façade Technology
Authors: Klein Tillmann
Published: February 2025

The metal-glass façade has almost reached its final development stage.
Cooperative Behavior of Multiple Robots by Chain of Monolithic Policies for Two Robots
Authors: Kobayashi Keisuke  , Ueda Ryuichi  , Arai Tamio
Published: February 2025

We propose a novel method for cooperative behavior of multiple robots. To control more than two robots, the proposed method utilizes multiple policies that are created for not more than two robots. By chaining those policies redundantly, we can approximate the optimum policy for all robots, which is never obtained due to the curse of dimensionality. In simulations and experiments on the domain of RoboCup four-legged league, we verify that the proposed method can realize effective cooperation of robots.
Decentralized cooperative exploration: Implementation and experiments
Authors: Franchi Antonio  , Freda Luigi  , Marchionni Luca  , Oriolo Giuseppe  , Vendittelli Marilena
Published: February 2025

We present an implementation of the SRG method, a decentralized cooperative exploration strategy. In this method, a roadmap of the explored area with the associate safe region is stored in a compact data structure, called Sensor-based Random Graph (SRG). No task decomposition and/or allocation is performed. The roadmap is incrementally built through a simple decentralized mechanism: each robot moves towards its local frontier to access areas that, on the basis of the available information, appear to be unexplored by the rest of the team. A detailed description of the software architecture used to implement the strategy is given. Preliminary experiments with a team of Khepera III robots are presented to show the performance of the proposed technique.
PatrolGRAPH: a Distributed Algorithm for Multi-Robot Patrolling
Authors: Baglietto M.  , Cannata G.  , Capezio F.  , Grosso A.  , Sgorbissa A.  , Zaccaria R.
Published: February 2025

This paper describes PatrolGRAPH, a novel real-time search algorithm which has been specifically designed to solve the “patrolling problem”, i.e., the problem of repeatedly visiting a set of specific locations in the environment. The algorithm has extremely low requirements in terms of computational power, does not require inter-robot communication, and can even be implemented on memoryless robots. Moreover, the algorithm is proven to be statistically complete as well as easily implementable on real, marketable robot swarms for real-world applications.
An Experimental Environment for Optimal Spatial Sampling in a Multi-Robot System
Authors: Kemppainen Anssi  , Mäkelä Toni  , Haverinen Janne  , Röning Juha
Published: February 2025

In our research, we are concerned with sensing the environment using mobile robots. This enables selection of optimal sampling locations in order to produce maximum information about the environment. Selection of sampling locations plays a key role in hospital environments, for example, where humidity and temperature levels or carbon dioxide concentration may require regular monitoring. On the other hand, the accuracy of a regression model depends on the sampling locations, which is significant, for example, in planetary exploration.
Topological Edge Cost Estimation through Spatio-Temporal Integration of Low-level Behaviour Assessments
Authors: Braun Tim  , Berns Karsten
Published: February 2025

Edge cost measures for topological maps should be consistent with the actual difficulties experienced upon map edge traversal. This is a non-trivial problem for robots steered by a behaviour-based control subsystem, as little a priori information is available about the real trajectory emerging during motion. As solution, the paper proposes to learn consistent estimates of major cost factors for topological edges through a posteriori observation of situation assessments produced by the low-level control layer. These observations are then subjected to a spatial or temporal integration, yielding a multi-dimensional cost vector. Simulation results show that increasingly accurate cost estimates can indeed be derived using this strategy. This allows the use of the appealing abstract topological map representation for high-level navigation planning even in cluttered terrain, where consistent edge traversal cost estimates are indispensable for efficient path computation.
Metsäpaviljonski, Form Follows Wood
Authors: Suau Cristian
Published: February 2025

Wood as Symphony of Lines; the Tectonics of the Textile; Forest Frame of Metsäpaviljonski; Form Follows Matter; Finale; Notes
Preventative Conservation of Modern Architectural Heritage Study Programme
Authors: Ghersi Rassi Maria-Elena  , Gonzalez Bastidas Alvaro
Published: February 2025

Introduction: A Diagnosis; Proposal; Approach to Preservation of Modern Architecture; Academic Structure; Case Study: Caracas; Summary
Concrete Repairs and Coatings for Frank Lloyd Wright's Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Authors: Thomas Trienens Amanda  , Boornazian Glenn  , Weiss Norman
Published: February 2025

Introduction; Color Investigation; Substrate Conditions; Preliminary Product Selection; Test Panel Preparation; Testing Programme; Accelerated Weathering by QUV-Spray; Accelerated Weathering by Freeze-Thaw; Water Vapor Transmission Rate; Testing Programme Findings; Accelerated Weathering by QUV-Spray; Accelerated Weathering by Freeze-Thaw; Water Vapor Transmission Rate; Adhesion Testing; Spectrophotometry; In situ Mock Ups of Repair Materials; Notes
Eliminating the paper medical archive by bulk document scanning of historic folders and implementing revised workflows for scanning new documents
Authors: Bellon Erwin  , Feron Michel  , Peeters Klaas  , Sweertvaegher Matthias  , Neyens Paul  , Homble Herman  , Ons Christel  , Lagae Rita  , Van den Bosch Bart
Published: February 2025

We made the decision in our hospital to radically eliminate the paper archive by bulk scanning over a million medical records. This reorganization goes together with installation of new workflows for injecting information that is still captured on paper as automatically as feasible into the electronic medical record. In this article we describe our organizational and technical approach and we highlight principles which our experience suggests to be useful.
Conceptual Design of Cannabinoid CB
Authors: Lange J.H.M.
Published: February 2025

Cannabinoids constitute an area of intensive research, both in industry and in academic institutions. Approximately 15 years ago, tremendous progress has been made in the molecular characterization of endogenous cannabinoids and their receptors. Cannabinoid CB1receptor antagonists showed clinical efficacy in the treatment of obesity and improved cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors. They have good prospects in other therapeutic areas, including smoking and alcohol addiction. Solvay's research achievements in the fast-moving field of CB1receptor antagonists are highlighted in relation with the general state of the art. Solvay pursued several medicinal chemistry strategies. The application of the concept of conformational constraint led to the discovery of rigidified analogs of the prototypic CB1receptor antagonist rimonabant. Modifications at the 4-position of the pyrazole ring in rimonabant led to a novel compound with retained CB1receptor antagonistic potency but with a different predicted biodegradation profile. Bioisosteric replacement of the central heterocyclic pyrazole ring in rimonabant yielded imidazoles, triazoles and thiazoles as selective CB1receptor antagonists. Dedicated medium throughput screening efforts delivered one diarylpyrazoline hit. This initial hit showed poor pharmacokinetic properties but could be successfully optimized into the orally active and highly CB1/CB2receptor selective drug candidate ibipinabant, which is the subject of a development agreement between Solvay and Bristol-Myers Squibb.
A Thermodynamic Platform for Drug Discovery and Optimization
Authors: Freire Ernesto
Published: February 2025

The application of newly developed thermodynamic guidelines for drug development has yielded unprecedented results in the design and optimization of drug candidates against important diseases. By experimentally monitoring not only binding affinity but the thermodynamic forces that determine binding, enthalpy and entropy, it is possible to significantly accelerate the development process, as these forces reflect different types of drug-target interactions. A thermodynamic platform allows faster potency and selectivity optimization in conformity with existing rules for the design of drug-like molecules and oral bioavailability.
Structure-Based Design: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Kuntz I.D.
Published: February 2025

This overview presents the Structure-Based Drug Design, with a focus on what can be accomplished and its long-term potential. While database mining has repeatedly been able to identify compounds in the Available Chemical Directory (ACD) that inhibit enzymes and allosteric systems in the low micromolar range, it is only with extensive chemical efforts that nanomolar inhibitors have been developed. Merging combinatorial chemistry strategies with structure-based design principles has had a major impact on our ability to identify sub-nanomolar inhibitors with the selectivity and pharmaceutical properties to be plausible preclinical candidates.
Sense and Nonsense in Drug Discovery: A Chemical Perspective
Authors: Oprea Tudor I.
Published: February 2025

Drug discovery relies on our ability to mine the chemical and biological data in an integrated manner. From the initial choice of chemical descriptors to the similarity coefficient itself, each user- and software-made decision will modify the perception of chemical similarity and influence the results of chemical space exploration. Such decisions will alter even the meaning of “similar”, leading to counter-intuitive neighbors. This effort is further complicated by the existence of chemical and target affinity cliffs, which is also noted in the area of marketed drugs. Indeed, similar molecules may have a different activity profile for the same array of properties, leading to a different clinical profile. Minor changes are sometimes responsible for the difference between “launched” and “withdrawn”. The “Black Swan”, a metaphor for the impact of the highly improbable, appears to be an inherent quality of the drug discovery enterprise. Predictions are based on the past, and can not substitute for proper design and use of experiments. Systems chemical biology may alleviate some of the inherent limitations related to prediction, by better integrating available experimental data.
Synthesis at the Interface of Chemistry and Biology: How and Why?
Authors: Ottenheijm Harry C.J.
Published: February 2025

Medicinal chemistry is a biology-based and chemistry driven discipline. One of the main drivers in medicinal chemistry is synthetic chemistry.
Targets for Therapy. Are we Doing Anything Well?
Authors: Goodford Peter
Published: February 2025

The definition of a ‘Target’ for drug design; the selection by a pharmaceutical company of a particular Target; and the responsibilities of the pharmaceutical industry to Society as a whole are briefly discussed.
Hypothesis Generation for Scientific Discovery. Examples from the Use of KEM®, a Rule-Based Method for Multi-Objective Analysis and Optimization
Authors: Jullian Nathalie  , Jourdan Nathalie  , Afshar Mohammad
Published: February 2025

Hypothesis generation is an essential step in scientific discovery. It involves an analysis of existing evidence, the generation of a “theory” (or model) which leads to a hypothesis (about the unknown) tested by new experiments. The design of new drugs follows a similar scheme starting with an effective mining of a huge amount of collected experimental in vitro and in vivo data. These data often come from many different areas such as chemistry, biology, pharmacology, toxicology etc. and in various formats. Extracting the critical information is a challenging task that is performed by medicinal chemists and other scientists. Our goal is to assist the hypothesis generation and decision process by mimicking as much as possible the human reasoning. To do so, we have developed a decision-support system KEM (Knowledge Extraction and Management), based on the Galois lattices theory. KEM assists the scientist for efficiently generating and managing consistent hypothesis from experimental data. KEM® is a machine learning software that can guide multi-objective optimisation. We present here a few examples of data analysis by using KEM.
Does Size Matter? Facts and Thoughts on Recombinant Drugs
Authors: Dingermann Theodor
Published: February 2025

Since the approval of insulin in 1982 as the first recombinant protein, an impressive development has taken place. Meanwhile, more than 120 of recombinant drug substances have been approved and become available as extremely valuable therapeutic options. Based on a somewhat artificial but useful system one can classify recombinant drugs as first generation (changes due to technological concessions), second generation (authentic biomolecules), third generation (deliberately introduced modifications in order to improve mainly pharmacokinetic properties) and fourth generation drugs (newly invented, artificial proteins). Authenticity – exact copying of the most common human form – is not anymore a value per se, as challenges primarily related to the pharmacokinetics of artificial recombinant drugs can be overcome by diverging from the original. On the other hand, relatively minor changes in manufacturing or packaging may impact safety of therapeutic proteins.
Can Nanotechnology Improve the Oral Delivery of Therapeutic Proteins?
Authors: Robillard G.T.  , Scholtmeijer K.  , Haas M.  , Smisterova J.
Published: February 2025

Achieving effective oral delivery of therapeutic proteins means circumventing physiological barriers which seem to have evolved specifically to prevent this process. There are two classes of barriers, the intestinal wall and enzymatic degradation. Permeation constraints at the intestinal wall are attributed to the large molecular size of the proteins which prevent the paracellular route of permeation while their high aqueous solubility/hydrophilicity greatly constrains transcellular diffusion. The GI tract, on the other hand, contains a variety of proteases designed to degrade large proteins all the way to di-and tri-peptides by the time they reach the basolateral side of the epithelial cell layer of the small intestine.
Administration of the Arab State: synthesising diverse traditions
Authors: Jabbra Joseph G.  , Jreisat Jamil E.
Published: February 2025

In some respects, the Arab world, composed of 22 Arabic-speaking members of the Arab League, shares a common administrative legacy. It represents the fruit of parallel development of all the countries concerned in one geographical region under the powerful influence of certain dominant factors. These factors have been chiefly: a) a harsh physical environment, and the economy of scarcity; b) Islam, a driving force and a pervasive doctrine, acknowledging no clear separation of Church and State; and c) a heritage encompassing some very diverse streaks derived from the Sassanian and Byzantine Empires, but mostly from the Ottomans, who dominated the region for almost six centuries, and from the Western powers that followed suit: firstly Britain and France, especially in the inter-war years, and the United States, since World War II.
The South Asian Administrative Systems: heritage and challenges
Authors: Dwivedi O. P.
Published: February 2025

The nations of South Asia were the first among the developing countries to receive their independence from the British, immediately after World War II. These nations share a common administrative style and bureaucratic culture, which flow from their imperial legacy. However, a quick mapping expedition reveals the presence and resilience of the classical administrative style of India, which continued to be present until the end of the 12thCentury, in spite of repeated invasions from Alexander the Great to those of the Scythians, Huns, Afghans and Turks. This was modified somewhat when Mohamed Ghuri established Muslim rule in the region. Thereafter, the five centuries of Muslim governance were followed by 200 years of British rule. Thus, there emerged, in South Asia, a high degree of convergence between the ancient Hindu culture and subsequent Islamic and Christian values systems. As a consequence of this, the administrative tradition of India and its neighbours shows three distinct characteristics: persistence from classical times, convergence with the Islamic and Christian mores and patterns, as well as some divergence in the wake of independence. This chapter examines these features. It also explores the challenges which the countries of the region face today. Foremost among them are politicisation of the bureaucracy, the need to fight corruption and the difficulty of reforming entrenched bureaucratic procedures. The chapter concludes by suggesting that, despite these daunting challenges, the process of modernisation is slowly taking hold and opening new prospects for a vibrant, inclusive and empowered India and neighbouring South Asian states.
Servidores Públicos Latinoamericanos para el Siglo XXI
Authors: Pichardo Pagaza Ignacio
Published: February 2025

En los últimos 15 años la comunidad internacional ha aceptado un conjunto de Objetivos, Metas y Convenios que constituyen los propósitos que la humanidad se ha propuesto cumplir en los próximos decenios del siglo. En primer término, La Convención Marco de la ONU sobre Cambio Climático (1991); las metas acordadas en la Asamblea de la ONU de Río de Janeiro sobre la protección del medio ambiente (1992); El Convenio sobre Diversidad Biológica (1992); El Plan de Acción de la Conferencia sobre Población y Desarrollo (1994); Los Objetivos del Desarrollo del Milenio de la ONU (2000); el Protocolo de Kyoto (2002) y la reunión de Bangkok (2008); La Convención de la ONU de Lucha contra la Desertificación y la Sequía (2003); y, se deben agregar, también las aportaciones académicas en esta materia como los trabajos del Premio Nobel Amartya Sen, del profesor Jeffrey Sachs y el libro de IIAS, “El Mundo que Queremos Alcanzar” 2005.
Le Facteur Humain dans la Gouvernance Globale : Une perspective européenne
Authors: Timsit Gérard
Published: February 2025

La place du facteur humain dans la gouvernance – et donc dans la gouvernance globale – a toujours été sous-évaluée ou faussée dans les fictions unidimensionnelles – politico – administrative, économique ou sociale – sur lesquelles se sont construits les différents modèles d'administration qui se sont succédés jusqu'aujourd'hui. Ce n'est que si l'Etat cessait d'être perêu comme simple dispositif technique d'exercice de la puissance publique – appareil de contrainte et de coercition – pour être enfin analysé pour ce qu'il est vraiment – une collectivité d'hommes et de femmes dont l'adhésion fonde les actions qu'il entreprend – que l'on pourrait s'acheminer vers une meilleure gouvernance des sociétés. Une telle perspective impliquerait alors, d'une part, face aux déficits de légitimité qui affectent le fonctionnement des Etats, de chercher les voies d'une re-légitimation de leur action, sans pour autant tomber dans les pièges, – facilités ou tentations – d'une sous- ou d'une sur-légitimité ; et d'autre part, face à la croissante complexité des collectivités et des organisations qui les gèrent, de s'attacher à retisser en leur sein les liens sociaux menacés de désagrégation, par la refondation de ce que l'on appelle volontiers l'Etat stratège sur des mécanismes décisionnels et normatifs associant pleinement les membres des sociétés à leur fonctionnement.
A Global Public Service towards the World We Could Win: Conclusions and Recommendations
Authors: Members of Working Group
Published: February 2025

The principles of “solidarity”, “shared responsibility”, “tolerance for diversity” and of “respect for nature”, which form the basic premises on which this Group has built, are certainly not new. Highlighted in the Charter of the United Nations in 1945, they were reiterated in the landmark Declaration of the Millennium Assembly (September 2000). Although in six decades since the end of WWII, the world has been transformed in many significant ways, the challenges facing humanity have anything but vanished. Rather, they have increased in scale and in complexity but, more than anything else, migrated to a higher plane. Indeed, many such problems present themselves today as truly transborder in scope, requiring novel processes and different approaches for broader, global treatment and resolution. The structures and the culture to this effect were briefly touched upon in a previous publication of the IIAS entitled “The World We Could Win”. The focus of this Group has been the Human Factor; the profile of the leaders required for global governance; and the making of such leaders as public service professionals. Working under the auspices of the IIAS, the Group has advanced a number of recommendations, which are reproduced below in the hope of serving as framework for a truly global debate on these important issues.
Human Factor and Human Resources Development
Authors: Argyriades Demetrios
Published: February 2025

Must international bureaucrats and governments be blamed for humanity's current predicament? The question has been raised in recent years insistently, as challenges have mounted calling to question the effectiveness of the international structures and policies in place for the purpose of addressing them. After a hopeful start in 1945 and more than three decades of decolonisation and development, the world experimented with new approaches to governance. Allied to implicit faith in private sector capacity to drive the growth agenda, the concept of the “Shrinking State” emerged as a critical element of the “Washington Consensus” which dominated the scene during the eighties and nineties. Promoted by the Bretton Woods and other key international financial institutions, the new model deflected attention from traditional concerns with public service reform and state capacity-building, calling instead for “outsourcing”, massive privatisation and “at will employment practices” in the public sector. Applied to the international, as well as to the national and the sub-national levels, these glamourised solutions have seldom brought about the hoped-for results. Rather in many cases, have they compounded the problems which they were meant to address. At the dawn of this new century, the Millennium Declaration listed those problems succinctly and introduced a “road map” towards their partial solution by 2015. Half-way towards this target date, the challenges have mounted and new ones have emerged. Climate change, corruption and lawlessness, with poverty and insecurity, now top the list internationally.
Introduction
Authors: Argyriades Demetrios
Published: February 2025

We call it “Human Factor” because, of all the inputs to the productive process and to decision-making, it carries greatest weight and really makes the difference. It has been rightly called both “wayward” and “uncertain” (K.Popper) because, as all the literature and history have shown, it can lead to sublime but also disastrous results; to peaks of creativity, but also depths of depravity. How to harness the human potential towards constructive ends, not merely for the good of segments of humanity and to short-term advantage, but for the global good and long-term public interest has been the goal assigned to the present exploration. Lip service notwithstanding, as this report will show, the structures and the culture required for global governance – the “what”, the “how” and the “who” of global public service and public administration – have not yet received the attention which they deserve. The striking disconnect, between the current rhetoric and failure to provide convincing responses to challenges which confront our Planet Earth, account for the decline of public trust and the mood of disenchantment which is currently sweeping the world. To address this looming crisis, we must start by restoring the substance of governance to democratic government. It is becoming clear that the future of our Planet cannot be left to chance, to a sleight of the “invisible hand” or the forces of the market. The diversity and complexity of the problems facing the world call for solid institutions of multi-layer governance but, more than anything else, for a compact group of professionals with deep knowledge of the issues, solid practical experience, exceptional technical skills and above all an ethos and firm commitment to serve the global public good. Divided in two main Parts, this study offers insights into the many challenges confronting global governance, the profile and the role required of human resources to face up to these challenges and – in the Second Part – the current state of training and development of public service cadres in some of the world's regions; the problems that afflict the public service world-wide and what needs to be done to make the human factor a catalyst of change towards the World We Could Win.
Developing Global Public Servants for Good Governance and Sustainable Development
Authors: Auluck Randhir  , Levin Richard
Published: February 2025

In recent years increasingly, Public Administration has become a discipline with relevance not only to the national, the local and other sub-national levels, but also the transborder, regional, international and global service levels. Specific issues pertaining to institutional support and development structures, decision-making processes and their staffing have progressively become a focus of both training and research. This chapter focuses on these issues. It argues that developing and retaining a strong cadre of global public servants represent urgent imperatives, as well as preconditions for solutions to a growing list of global challenges. They range from global warming and climate change to poverty reduction, post-conflict reconstruction and socio-economic development. It is further argued that the creation of a cadre of global public servants is an important and necessary element of any strategy aimed at addressing the institutional challenges of global governance. The context, in which human resource development for global public service takes place, requires multilateral structures. These are needed to address skills shortages, particularly acute in the developing countries, while ensuring that the developed world, which benefits from the migration of skilled workers and professionals, offers something in return. The chapter proposes the establishment of a Global Public Service Academy to coordinate a global network of accredited institutions. The Academy could be established within the existing United Nations system. It should develop a set of minimum quality standards and criteria upon which institutions seeking accreditation would package and customise their programmes and course offerings.
Beyond Efficiency and Effectiveness: the significance of ethics and spiritual dimension of service
Authors: Argyriades Demetrios  , Dwivedi O.P.
Published: February 2025

Crises, man-made or otherwise, have marked this first decade of the 21stcentury. A decade which started on an upbeat note with the landmark Declaration of the Millennium Assembly (September 2000), will soon approach its end amidst the uneasy awareness that new, more daunting challenges may soon overshadow the problems which the Millennium Assembly and its Development Goals had cogently tried to address. From wars in Western Asia, through persisting absolute poverty and steeply rising prices, to planetary perils entailed in climate change, rapidly mounting crises have exposed for all to see a startling capacity-deficit in governance and governments both to contain the extent and to provide solutions to problem situations, which take on global dimensions and are spinning out of control.
Precipitation in the Antarctic gradually decreased
Authors: Vasiliev L.N.
Published: February 2025

Despite forecasts that global warming will increase Antarctic snowfall, there is some evidence that exactly the opposite is true. Analysis of the Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) data indicates a decrease in the accumulation on the Antarctic ice sheet over the last 29 years. The GPCP satellite remote sensing data, spanning the years 1979 to 2007, exhibits 6-year cycles in precipitation rate. Precipitation in these cycles from 1982 to 2005 has gradually decreased by 15%. This reduction is statistically significant.
Remote sensing monitoring to preserve ancestral semi-natural mountain meadows landscapes
Authors: Pôças I.  , Cunha M.  , Marçal A.R.S.  , Pereira L.S.
Published: February 2025

“Lameiros” are ancestral semi-natural meadows, essential elements of mountain landscapes in Northern Portugal. In the “lameiros” a traditional irrigation system is used and water is applied all year around. They are mainly used for forage production for autochthonous bovine feeding, but they are also important for the water and nutrients cycle regulation, erosion control and as barrier to forest fires propagation. Although recognized for their economical, environmental, landscaping, cultural and genetic value, the perpetuation of these “lameiros” could be at risk, at medium term, due to human desertification in the mountain regions and to the announced constraints in use of water resources. To preserve these landscapes it is essential to know them better and to better characterize them. Therefore a monitoring program using remote sensing tools is now being developed to evaluate different patterns of “lameiros”, and their spatial extent and evolution. Two important questions are determinant in this program: the selection of the most appropriate spatial resolution for monitoring “lameiros”, and the availability of satellite historical data. In this context, NDVI were compared in two selected test sites, with and without full irrigation. Data were derived from several field campaigns with a spectroradiometer and using different sensors: i) Landsat 5 and Landsat 7 (30m pixel), ii) SPOT 4 and SPOT 2 (20m pixel), iii) SPOT 5 (10m pixel). The NDVI temporal series produced were evaluated considering “lameiros” management and weather data. Results obtained so far indicate that the SPOT images provide data at the most adequate scale.
Current state of terrestrial and earth observation techniques for biomass estimation in Europe
Authors: Kalaitzidis C.  , Zianis D.
Published: February 2025

Methods of estimating vegetation biomass are invaluable, as they allow the forecast of potential bioenergy production, the assessment of carbon sequestration and the sustainable planning of natural resources. Traditionally, biomass estimation procedures have been employing in situ measurements of plant characteristics, which accurately determine the current and predict potential biomass production. As remote sensing platforms and sensors evolve, earth observation is developing in a reliable source of information that can be used towards the same purpose.
Evaluation of data fusion methods for agricultural monitoring based on synthetic images
Authors: Rodrigues A.S.  , Marçal A.R.S.  , Cunha M.
Published: February 2025

There are several data fusion methods widely used to produce a high resolution multi-spectral image from a pair of images – a panchromatic high resolution and a multi-spectral lower resolution image. Although the fused images can be visually satisfactory, it is not clear whether they provide additional information for quantitative measurements made from satellite images. A methodology to evaluate data fusion algorithms is proposed, based on the production of synthetic images that reproduce real satellite images. An experiment was conducted testing the performance of six data fusion methods in the production of NDVI values for land parcels from SPOT HRG and Landsat TM data. The fusion methods evaluated were: Brovey, IHS Hex-cone, IHS Cylinder, PCA, Wavelet IHS and Wavelet Single Band. The best data fusion method overall was found to be Wavelet IHS, although better results were obtained by using directly the lower resolution multi-spectral data instead. The software tools developed and a number of test images datasets are freely available at the SITEF website (www.fc.up.pt/sitef).