bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital innovation in the teaching of history: The impact of Genially on Ecuadorian education
Authors: Herrera Córdova Alba Viviana , Pardo Capa Lucia Efigenia , Torrales Avilés Orlando Máximo , Villalta Leon Betty Alexandra , Avilés Haiman Esmilda Leonor
Published: February 2025

Education in Ecuador faced the challenge of modernising and adapting to the digital age, especially in the teaching of history, where student motivation and understanding were traditionally problematic. In this context, the use of interactive tools such as Genially was proposed as an innovative alternative to make learning more dynamic and encourage student participation (Cabero, 2020). Studies such as those by Gómez and López (2020) and Fernández and Ortega (2021) showed that the use of digital resources improved motivation and knowledge retention. At the Vilcabamba High School, 85% of students said they felt more motivated and 78% said they understood historical content better with Genially compared to traditional methods. However, the lack of teacher training and limited access to technological infrastructure made its implementation difficult (Villalta, 2023). The Ecuadorian educational context was regulated by the Organic Law of Intercultural Education (2021) and the General Regulations of the LOEI (2023), which recognised the importance of technology in education. Despite this, problems persisted, such as the digital divide and resistance to methodological change (Guale, 2024). To guarantee a more inclusive and high-quality education, it was considered essential to strengthen teacher training, invest in technological infrastructure and establish strategies that encourage the use of interactive tools in the teaching of history, in line with the objectives of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) and the 2030 Agenda.
Fostering critical thinking through art: A study of high school students in Jipijapa
Authors: Medina Wilson , Tepán María Y. , Monar Rosa , Barandica Evelyn , Quimiz Adriana
Published: February 2025

The study evaluated the impact of artistic workshops on artistic self-assessment and divergent thinking of first-year high school students at the ‘Ocho de Enero’ Fiscal Educational Unit in Jipijapa. It was identified that the Ecuadorian education system prioritises traditional methods, limiting creativity and innovative problem solving. To address this situation, workshops in music, dance, theatre and visual arts were designed with the aim of strengthening the individual expression and critical thinking of the students. The research adopted a mixed approach, with quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Sixty students were divided into an experimental group and a control group. Artistic self-assessment questionnaires and divergent thinking tests were administered before and after the intervention. In addition, interviews were conducted with teachers and students to understand their perceptions of the implementation of the workshops. The results showed a 40% increase in students' confidence in their creative abilities and improvements in the fluidity and flexibility of ideas. Teachers also noted greater participation and interest in artistic activities. Despite the observed benefits, challenges in implementation were identified, such as the need for teacher training and the lack of adequate infrastructure. It was concluded that the integration of art workshops into the educational curriculum is essential to enhance creativity and critical thinking in students.
Socio-critical pedagogy in training for educational development
Authors: Macías Karleny
Published: February 2025

Transdisciplinary vision in the permanent training of the teacher for active learning in Bolivarian secondary education", San Fernando Municipality, Apure state, as it is considered as a priority need to relate theory with the pedagogical practice developed by the teacher; which is scarcely oriented towards Active Learning. Its importance is justified by offering topics and contents of interest, which make it easier for teachers to consider actions focused on critical pedagogy, in order to promote changes in the didactics of teaching and achieve significant performance in the student. Methodologically, it is framed in the Postpositivist Paradigm, it is a Qualitative research, based on Dilthey's Hermeneutical Method, based on Observation and Semi-structured Interview to collect information from seven (07) key informants (teachers – student). The scenario is made up of 03 educational establishments attached to circuits 008 and 007 of the Municipality of San Fernando, the information was analyzed based on Atlas.ti, in order to generate an analysis of the findings found. Descriptors: Critical Pedagogy, Transdisciplinarity, Lifelong Learning, Active Learning, General Secondary Level.
Influence of the Strength of Faith, Emotional Intelligence, and Post-COVID-19 Psychological Well-being in Peruvian Adults
Authors: Yufra-Urrutia Daysi M. , Méndez-Zavaleta Esther E. , Conde-Rodríguez Isaac A. , Sairitupa-Sanchez Liset Z. , Wilter C. Morales-García Wilter C. Morales-García
Published: February 2025

The strength of faith and emotional intelligence can be predictors of good mental health in survivors of the COVID-19 pandemic in sociocultural contexts such as Peru. This study aims to explore the influence of the strength of faith and emotional intelligence on psychological well-being in Peruvian adults post-COVID-19. A total of 390 adults (Mean: 39.36; SD: 13.91) participated, responding to the Santa Clara Religious Faith Strength Questionnaire, Wong Law Emotional Intelligence Scale, and Mental Health Inventory (MHI-5). The instruments showed good structural validity and adequate reliability levels (> .70). The strength of faith has a significant and positive effect on psychological well-being (β = 0.23; p < 0.05). Emotional intelligence has a significant and negative effect on psychological distress (β = -0.53; p < 0.05) and a significant and positive effect on psychological well-being (β = 0.48; p < 0.05). The overall model fit indices indicate favorable and acceptable indicators (RMSEA = 0.031; CFI = 0.990; TLI = 0.989). This study highlights the positive influence of the strength of faith and emotional intelligence on the psychological well-being of COVID-19 survivors. These findings underscore the importance of considering the spiritual dimension and the development of emotional skills in recovery and psychological support efforts.
PERLINDUNGAN HUKUM BAGI PEKERJA PEREMPUAN YANG MENGALAMI KEKERASAN SEKSUAL
Authors: Nurhayati Indah , Dewi Sartika , Abas Muhamad
Published: February 2025

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis kasus kekerasan seksual yang terjadi di tempat kerja berdasarkan undang-undang nomor 12 tahun 2022 tentang tindak pidana pelecehan seksual dan pertanggungjawaban pelaku. Kemudian menganalisis kondisi-kondisi kebergantungan dilihat dari motif kronologi kasus. Metode yang penulis gunakan yaitu metode kualitatif dengan menggunakan pendekatan yuridis empiris. Data diperoleh dari hasil wawancara tiga orang korban, hasil penelitian didapatkan bahwa adanya tindak pelecehan sesksual. Di dalam undang-undang nomor 12 tahun 2022 tentang tindak pidana kekerasan seksual terdapat hak penanganan, hak perlindungan dan hak pemulihan bagi para korban, akan tetapi di PT.Plasess Indonesia tidak terdapat perlindungan pelecehan seksual bagi para pekerja wanita yang mengalami pelecehan seksual. Di dalam undang-undang nomor 12 tahun 2022 tentang tindak pidana pelecehan seksual menyebutkan bahwa penerapan sanksi pelecehan seksual nonfisik berupa sanksi pidana penjara selama 9 bulan dan denda sebanyak Rp.10.000.000 (sepuluh juta rupiah). Sedangkan di PT.Plasess Indonesia sendiri tidak ada sanksi khusus untuk pelaku pelecehan seksual maupuan perlindungan hukum bagi pekerja perempuan yang mengalami pelecehan seksual sebagai mana yang tertera dalam PKB (perjanjian kerja Bersama).
PtSnNi Trimetallic and Their Catalytic Activities in Ethanol Electrooxidation
Authors: Syafei Hilman , Raudhatul Hadawiyah  , Mulya Muhammad Nur
Published: February 2025

The declining availability of fossil fuels and their environmental impacts have driven the search for cleaner, renewable energy alternatives, such as direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs). However, the widespread application of DEFCs faces challenges due to the complex kinetics of ethanol electrooxidation, necessitating the development of effective catalysts. Platinum (Pt) is widely regarded as the most effective catalyst for this process. However, its use is hindered by high costs and susceptibility to poisoning by intermediates formed during the ethanol electrooxidation reaction. To address these issues, the addition of Sn and Ni to the Pt catalyst is expected to enhance its performance. In this study, PtSnNi trimetallics were synthesized using the electrodeposition method. The samples were then characterized using scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) and electrochemical tests to evaluate their catalytic activity and stability. The SEM image reveals that PtSnNi2 has the smallest particle size compared to other PtSnNi samples. Additionally, the results indicate that PtSnNi2, with a composition of 73% Pt, 26% Sn, and 1% Ni, exhibits the optimal electrolyte concentration, leading to the highest catalytic activity and stability. This is evidenced by the lowest Rct, lowest Ib/If ratio, and highest current density in the ethanol oxidation reaction.
Morphology-Dependent Antioxidant Activity of Gold Nanoparticles Prepared Using Different Electrolyte Concentrations
Authors: Abd Aziz Azri Farhanah , Suliasih Babay Asih
Published: February 2025

Antioxidants play a crucial role in protecting the body from oxidative stress by neutralizing free radicals. The synthesis of antioxidant-active materials, such as gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), offers significant advantages due to their unique physicochemical properties. In this study, AuNPs were successfully synthesized using the electrodeposition method on indium-tin oxide substrates, with varying Na₂SO₄ electrolyte concentrations. Scanning electron microscopy analysis confirmed that the synthesized AuNPs exhibited a round to slightly irregular morphology, with an average particle size ranging from 48 to 65 nm. X-ray diffractometer characterization revealed that the nanoparticles possessed a face-centered cubic crystal structure, confirming their high purity. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH assay, where AuNPs synthesized with 0.5 M Na₂SO₄ exhibited the highest DPPH inhibition of 72.39%. This enhanced antioxidant performance is attributed to the smaller particle size, which increases the available surface area for free radical neutralization. These findings highlight the potential of electrodeposited AuNPs as effective antioxidants and provide valuable insights into optimizing nanoparticle synthesis for biomedical and nanotechnological applications.
Decisiones colectivas en municipios indígenas de Oaxaca frente a emergencia sanitaria global
Authors: Sánchez Juárez Gladys Karina
Published: February 2025

Con la pandemia de COVID-19 que el mundo enfrentó durante el año 2020 y 2021 se observaron un conjunto de desigualdades y también se observaron procesos locales en los que la población procuró su autocuidado, por esta razón considero relevante plantear un análisis cuyo objetivo general es analizar las acciones que tomaron algunos gobiernos locales indígenas en el estado de Oaxaca, derivadas de las medidas de aislamiento por la pandemia del coronavirus que se presentó en el mundo en el año 2020, al tiempo que consideramos de relevancia conocer las formas en que tomaron esas decisiones y los resultados de las mismas. Hecho que se presentó en México a partir del mes de marzo del 2020, en dónde diversos municipios indígenas fueron cuestionados con sus decisiones. Para este análisis se recurre a la perspectiva teórica histórico estructural que nos permite explicar las transformaciones en el mundo a partir del desarrollo del capitalismo y su proceso actual que denominamos globalización económica, al tiempo que para explicar los procesos de carácter local recurrimos a la categoría de análisis de gobernanza local para entender las decisiones de gobiernos locales enmarcados en el proceso de globalización. Finalmente debido a que el análisis se realiza a partir de tres municipios de Oaxaca en México, la información empírica se obtuvo mediante entrevistas realizadas a las autoridades de los municipios de Ixtlán, Ixtepeji y Guelatao durante los meses de noviembre y diciembre del año 2020.
Fekete polynomials of principal Dirichlet characters
Authors: Chidambaram Shiva , Mináč Ján , Nguyen Tung , Tân Nguyen Duy
Published: February 2025

Fekete polynomials associated to quadratic Dirichlet characters have interesting arithmetic properties, and have been studied in many works. In this paper, we study a seemingly simpler yet rich variant: the Fekete polynomial F_n(x) = ∑_a=1^n χ_n(a) x^a associated to a principal Dirichlet character χ_n of modulus n. We investigate the cyclotomic factors of F_n and conjecturally describe all of them. One interesting observation from our computations is that the non-cyclotomic part f_n of F_n(x)/x seems to be always irreducible. We study this factor closely in the special case that n is a product of two odd primes, proving separability in specific cases, and studying its coefficients and special values. Combining these theoretical results with computational evidence lets us identify the Galois group of fn for small n, and raises precise questions in general.
Random Modular Symbols
Authors: Ash Avner , Yasaki Dan
Published: February 2025

Let Γ denote the subgroup Γ_0^± (N) of GL_2(Z), N prime. Let V be the space of holomorphic modular forms for Γ. Let V_α ⊂ V denote the various Hecke eigenspaces, with the last V_α denoting the Eisenstein subspace. If M ∈ V is a modular symbol, define the type of M to be (t_1,...,t_k,t_E) where t_α = 1 if the projection of M to V_α is nonzero, and t_α = 0 otherwise.

For each N ≤ 100, we compute the types of the modular symbols in an increasing series of concentric boxes. We prove an obstruction for a given type to occur, related to the existence of “Eisenstein primes.” For any given type that survives this obstruction, we give computational evidence that the proportion of its occurrence in a box stabilizes as the boxes grow larger. We interpret the limit of this ratio (assuming it exists) as the box size goes to infinity as the probability that a random modular symbol will have this type.

Contrary to our original expectation, it does not appear to be the case that with probability 1 a random symbol will project nontrivially to each Vi. Whether the limit referred to in the previous paragraph actually exists, and why the limits have the various values that appear in our computations, are open questions.
Pengaruh Pajak Kendaraan Bermotor (PKB) dan Bea Balik Nama Kendaraan Bermotor (BBN-KB) terhadap Pendapatan Asli Daerah Melalui Kepatuhan Wajib Pajak di Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan
Authors: Erwin Erwin
Published: February 2025

Pengaruh Pajak Kendaraan Bermotor (PKB) dan Bea Balik Nama Kendaraan Bermotor (BBN-KB) terhadap Pendapatan Asli Daerah melalui Kepatuhan Wajib Pajak di Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui, dan menganalisis pengaruh Pajak Kendaraan Bermotor (PKB) dan Bea Balik Nama Kendaraan Bermotor (BBN-KB) terhadap Pendapatan Asli Daerah (PAD) melalui Kepatuhan Wajib Pajak di Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan. Desain penelitian yang digunakan dengan pendekatan kuantitatif. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan pada Kantor Badan Pendapatan Daerah Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan. Dengan menggunakan 72 data panel. Teknik analisis data yang digunakan adalah analisis jalur (path analysis). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Pajak Kendaraan Bermotor berpengaruh positif dan tidak signifikan terhadap Pendapatan Asli Daerah melalui Kepatuhan Wajib Pajakdi Propinsi Sulawesi Selatan, begitu juga dengan Bea Balik Nama Kendaraan Bermotor Bermotor berpengaruh positif dan tidak signifikan terhadap Pendapatan Asli Daerah melalui Kepatuhan Wajib Pajakdi Propinsi Sulawesi Selatan. Adapun saran yang diberikan yaitu hendaknya Pemerintah berupaya untuk lebih meningkatkan penerimaan pajak daerah khusunya Pajak Kendaraan Bermotor dan Bea Balik Nama Kendaraan Bermotor dengan cara memperbanyak sosialisasi
ANALISIS BIAYA KECELAKAAN LALU LINTAS BERDASARKAN KORBAN KECELAKAAN MENGGUNAKAN METODE GROSS OUTPUT DI KABUPATEN JEMBER
Authors: Ganda Surahman  , Springfield Dzackirendy
Published: February 2025

Traffic accidents in Indonesia continue to increase and remain a major issue in road transportation. Traffic accidents are unexpected incidents on the road involving vehicles, either with or without other road users, resulting in human casualties and/or material losses. The material losses caused by these accidents are referred to as traffic accident costs. This study aims to analyze changes in the number of accidents and calculate the total cost of traffic accidents in Jember Regency. The calculation of accident costs is conducted using the gross output (human capital) method. Data on fatalities (MD), serious injuries (LB), minor injuries (LR), and material losses (KM) from 2018 to 2023 were obtained from the Jember Police Traffic Unit (Satlantas Polres Jember). The analysis results show that the highest increase in the number of accidents occurred in 2022, with a rise of 71.49% compared to 2021. Meanwhile, the largest decline in accidents happened in 2020, with a decrease of 16.78% from 2019. Based on the Gross Output method, the highest cost of traffic accident victims was recorded in 2019, with the Biaya Besar Korban Orang (BBKO) reaching Rp 303,423,395,039.79.
PEMETAAN KARAKTERISTIK PASIR SUNGAI DI WILAYAH BANYUWANGI SELATAN
Authors: Anisa Nindi , Rifqi Mirza Ghulam
Published: February 2025

Banyuwangi Regency is a regency located at the southern coastal tip of the island of Java. Banyuwangi has abundant natural resources, especially in the southern region, one of which is river sand as a building material. This research was conducted to find out how the characteristics and quality of river sand in 6 sub-districts located in the southern region. This research uses SNI and ASTM as the basis of research, the things studied include: specific gravity, volume weight, sieve analysis, sand absorption water content, mud content, and sand moisture. The results showed that the average fineness modulus (FM) is included in the gradation zone 2 with FM values of 2.50-3.00, which is classified as moderately coarse sand. The specific gravity of sand in Pesanggaran, Gambiran, and Tegalsari 2 (North) sub-districts does not meet the standard requirements (2.4-2.7). In the volume weight test, all sand samples from seven sub-districts met the requirements. The infiltration water content varied, with the smallest value in Tegalsari 1 (east) sub-district at 1.45% and the highest value in Purwoharjo sub-district at 2.92%. Mud content was generally below 5%, except in Kecamatan Pesanggaran where it reached 5.45% (dry) and 5.30% (wet). Sand moisture in Siliragung, Bangorejo, and Tegalsari 1 (East) sub-districts met the requirement of no more than 2%. The sand cleanliness test for organic matter showed that the sand in Bangorejo sub-district was free of organic matter, while the sand in the other 6 sub-districts was indicated to contain organic matter.
ADoTe: Approach to teaching and learning functional testing technique criteria supported by Testing Dojo
Authors: Belinski Vladimir , G. Serra Seca Neto Adolfo , Emer Maria Claudia
Published: February 2025

Context: Students of computer science and related courses (including those who have already graduated) often have knowledge gaps on software testing and low levels of motivation and interest in learning this subject. Functional testing technique criteria, for example, are usually required and used in industry, but their teaching still needs support. Faced with the problems caused by such gaps and a historical shortage of qualified testing professionals, improvements in testing education are demanded by the industry for the academy. Dojos may contribute in this context since positive results are usually reported regarding their impact on the motivation and perception of learning of students. However, their use is still little explored in the testing area. Objective: In this study we aimed to define and evaluate an approach supported by testing dojo to teaching and learning functional testing technique criteria in higher education. Methods: We defined the approach (named ADoTe) iteratively, supported by literature data and by quali-quantitative analysis of the results of two executions of a controlled experiment that evaluated the impact of ADoTe (compared to a traditional teaching approach) on the learning (measured by knowledge tests) and motivation (measured by a questionnaire named Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI)) of students. Results: From the analysis of data collected from 44 participants we noticed that, although the averages for learning and general motivation of the groups submitted to ADoTe were greater than those of the groups submitted to a traditional teaching approach, it was not possible to state that, for these variables, there was a statistically significant difference between the approaches evaluated. However, the results of the IMI subscale related to intrinsic motivation were statistically significant, indicating that students feel more interest/enjoyment in learning functional testing technique criteria through ADoTe (the averages of the groups submitted to ADoTe were 15.80% and 19.71% higher than those of the control groups). Additionally, the results of thematic analyses carried out on the answers to a retrospective questionnaire showed that ADoTe was well accepted by students and reinforced the importance of its steps and guidelines. Conclusion: ADoTe positively impacts the learning and motivation of students and, compared to traditional teaching, tends to lead to greater levels of interest/enjoyment in learning functional testing technique criteria.
What Leads to the Success of Agile Transformation Initiatives? A Study on Critical Success Factors
Authors: Santos Gleison , Dutra Eliezer , Mattos Claudio Saraiva , Fortuna Alessandra , Pereira dos Santos Rodrigo , Ramos Luiz Felipe , Júnior da Cruz Andrade Álan
Published: February 2025

Background: Agile methods and practices have been consistently adopted in recent years as alternatives to traditional software development processes to address the ever-changing needs of IT organizations. In previous research, we identified twelve critical success factors of agile transformations from a project management perspective and evaluated their relevance with practitioners. In this research, we also identified other factors suggested by the study’s participants. Objective: In this article, we extend our investigation of how practitioners perceive the relevance of these factors and whether other factors should be considered. In addition, we investigate the relevance of the effects these factors have on agile transformations. Method: We conducted a survey involving project managers from several organizations undergoing agile transformations. We analysed the data quantitative and qualitatively. Results: The participants’ perceptions provided valuable insights into the relevance of the critical success factors. Additionally, we identified four new critical success factors: capacity building and continuous learning, improving processes to meet business needs, organizational change management, and focusing on product quality. These newly identified factors foster the understanding of organizations’ challenges during an agile transformation and contribute to a more comprehensive depiction of the challenges involved with such endeavour. Based on the results and the literature, we present three propositions representing recommendations capable of promoting agile transformations. Conclusions: The evidence gathered in this article indicates that the factors and effects investigated are highly relevant. Moreover, organizations should consider them to enhance the chances of success of agile transformation initiatives.
Quality Assessment of Coffee Beans Using Convolutional Neural Networks with Wavelet and CLAHE Techniques
Authors: Reis Marcus Vinicius Diniz dos , Sousa Pedro Moises de
Published: February 2025

This paper presents an analytical study comparing different filtering techniques applied to a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) for coffee bean classification. The results demonstrated that the CLAHE (Contrast Limited Adaptive Histogram Equalization) filter achieved the highest performance, with an accuracy of 0.8875 on the test set. The findings indicate that applying filtering techniques can enhance the performance of the ResNet18 network. CLAHE’s effectiveness is attributed to its ability to improve image details and contrast, leading to superior classification results. This study underscores the potential of advanced filtering methods to boost CNN performance in image classification tasks.
Coffee bean quality analysis using convolutional neural networks
Authors: Duarte Bernardo Silva Ribeiro , Carneiro Alan Diego Aurelio , Sousa Pedro Moises de
Published: February 2025

Coffee grading is the main procedure in its production. One of the processes to grade coffee is done manually, requiring a lot of training and experience from experts. The main objective of this work is to use technologies based on Artificial Intelligence, with Convolutional Neural Network models, and together with the application of image processing techniques, to improve the quality analysis of coffee beans. We performed a comparison of pre-trained models, namely AlexNet and DenseNet, using a coffee bean dataset. A total of 4272 coffee bean images from the USK-COFFEE database were used in this work. The model training, testing and validation processes were performed with an 80/10/10 division of the obtained images. Classification metrics such as Recall, F-1 Score, were used for the detailed analysis of the performance models. ROC curves were used to analyze their distinction.
Breast Density Classification Using Convolutional Neural Networks and Analysis of the CLAHE Technique
Authors: Nishida Luana Amie Shimomaebara , Sousa Pedro Moises de
Published: February 2025

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer and one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Early detection is essential to increase the chances of successful treatment, but current conventional methods still have limitations. Artificial intelligence has shown promise in aiding diagnosis. The project therefore seeks to use Convolutional Neural Networks to classify breast density, which is an important factor in the diagnosis of breast cancer. These networks learn automatically from raw data, classifying more accurately. The convolution operation and pooling layers are used to process the inputs and extract complex features. Fully connected layers classify and identify features. The dataset used was a combined dataset between INbreast and RSNA, pre-processed and using the CLAHE technique to increase the contrast of the mammograms. The end result was an accuracy of 89.29% for ResNet-50 and ShuffleNet.
Classification of Histopathological Images of Breast Cancer Using Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Miranda Bernardo Teixeira de , Sousa Pedro Moises de
Published: February 2025

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) play a crucial role in early diagnosis detection, aiding healthcare professionals in decision-making. This study utilizes different CNN architectures (AlexNet, ResNet-50, and EfficientNet) to classify breast cancer histopathological images as benign or malignant, using the BreakHis dataset. The models were trained and evaluated with various magnifications and epochs, measuring the performance of each model based on metrics such as accuracy, recall, and specificity in image classification. The results showed that EfficientNet achieved an average of 98.15%, ResNet-50 reached 98.18%, and AlexNet obtained 95.47%.
Cybersecurity and the Future of Work in Information Technology
Authors: Boaventura Júlia Marques , Rosa Phelipe Romano Magalhães , Veríssimo Rafael , de Castro Ryan Marques , Santos Vinícius Meireles Pereira , Soares Liziane Santos
Published: February 2025

Cybersecurity is constantly evolving, driven by the growing need for specialized professionals as threats become more sophisticated. With the increasing number of mobile and distributed devices connected to the Internet of Things (IoT), vulnerabilities are more exposed. Advanced Artificial Intelligence models, like Deep Learning, are crucial for detecting ransomware, phishing, and DDoS attacks before they occur. The global shift toward remote and hybrid work, accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic, has introduced new challenges, including securing home networks and protecting sensitive data outside corporate environments. This article highlights the importance of cybersecurity for the future of IT work, focusing on the current landscape, challenges related to IoT security, the role of Artificial Intelligence in defending against cyberattacks, the rising demand for cybersecurity professionals, and future prospects in the field.
Matemáticos da Selva: A Digital Game for Teaching Mathematics in Middle School
Authors: Sousa Hiago Henrique de , Sousa Pedro Moises de
Published: February 2025

This paper presents the development and application of Matemáticos da Selva, a digital educational game focused on teaching mathematics to middle school students. Developed using Unity3D, the game aims to provide an engaging and enjoyable way to teach mathematics. In the game, players use the help of animals to defend forests from monsters threatening to destroy them, and through mathematical knowledge, they gain benefits to ensure the forests' safety. Matemáticos da Selva was tested in a school with a class of 22 students and demonstrated positive results as an educational tool, contributing to the use of digital games in teaching.
Exploring Greek History: “Odisseia a Sabedoria - A Jornada de Atenas” in an Educational Digital Game
Authors: Matos Mikaelly Elídia , Sousa Pedro Moises de
Published: February 2025

This article introduces “Odisseia à Sabedoria - A Jornada de Atenas,” a digital game designed to teach Ancient Greek history to middle school students. Created using the Unity 3D platform and aligned with curricular goals, the game provides an immersive experience in historical events and Greek mythology. The development followed an iterative-incremental agile methodology, allowing for continuous adjustments based on feedback from tests conducted in public schools. The interactive environment of the game plays a key role in the students' learning process. Initial results highlight the effectiveness of digital games in history education and the importance of technology in modern education.
The Furniture of John Shearer, 1790-1820
Authors: Davison Elizabeth A.
Published: February 2025

This book is a full-color catalogue raisonne interprets the distinctive furniture made by John Shearer, one of the most accomplished and intriguing furniture makers during the post-Revolutionary period. Shearer emigrated from Scotland in the late 18th century and retained loyalist sympathies throughout his life, evidenced by the imagery and inscriptions sympathetic to various British causes_such as the suppression of the Irish rebellion in 1798 and the British victory in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805_that he worked into his furniture. Davison provides insight into the furniture's appeal to Anglo-American patrons, not secret loyalists, but men still culturally tied to Great Britain. Shearer's pieces are scattered among various collections, and many of them have been identified only in the last 25 years. This catalog is the only work in which all of Shearer's known pieces of furniture are presented in a single volume.
Exploring Maya Ritual Caves
Authors: Chládek Stanislav
Published: February 2025

Exploring Maya Ritual Caves offers a rare survey and explication of most of the known ancient Maya ritual caves in Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. The caves were the Maya underworld, where rituals, including animal and human sacrifice, were carried out. The Maya cave cult and mythology, construction and modification of the caves, and cult art and artifacts are discussed. Chládek, an intrepid explorer, then describes important caves that he has recently visited and provides photos of their wonders.
UNESCO, Cultural Heritage, and Outstanding Universal Value
Authors: Labadi Sophia
Published: February 2025

This book explores the international legal framework developed by UNESCO to identify and protect world heritage and its implementation at the national level. Drawing on close policy analysis of UNESCO’s major documents, extensive professional experience at UNESCO, as well as in-depth analyses of case studies from Asia, Europe, and Latin America, Sophia Labadi offers a nuanced discussion of the constitutive role of national understandings of a universalist framework. The discussion departs from considerations of the World Heritage Convention as Eurocentric and offers a more complex analysis of how official narratives relating to non-European and non-traditional heritage mark a subversion of a dominant and canonical European representation of heritage. It engages simultaneously with a diversity of discourses across the humanities and social sciences and with related theories pertaining not only to tangible and intangible heritage, conservation, and archaeology but also political science, social theory, tourism and development studies, economics, cultural, and gender studies. In doing so, it provides a critical review of many key concepts, including tourism, development, sustainability, intangible heritage, and authenticity.
Combat Trauma
Authors: Johnson James D.
Published: February 2025

Much has been written of the short-term experience of combat trauma. Almost nothing has been documented about how that trauma impacts individuals years after their first conflict experiences and into later life. Here, Johnson relates the stories of fifteen of his combat brothers to share with the world what their terror of four decades ago has done to them and how it affects them to this day. With candor and vivid detail, they reveal how their combat trauma symptoms still infect their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors on a daily basis. Those returning from battle now and their family and friends will find here a roadmap of what to expect from those suffering from PTSD as a result of combat. With this knowledge, today's veterans and those who love and care for them can tackle the issues and challenges so that symptoms may be minimized and addressed. Those who still carry these wounds will find that they are not alone, and that there are ways of dealing with the horror, no matter how long ago it may have been. Johnson concludes the book with resources for obtaining help and mending the spirit in the face of what can be debilitating thoughts and fears.
The Retirement Maze
Authors: Pascale Rob , Primavera Louis H. , Roach Rip
Published: February 2025

Millions of baby boomers are just beginning to retire, and in doing so many are likely to run into adjustment problems, such as loss of identity, deterioration of marriage and social life, and feelings of disconnectedness to the world. Studies have found that as many as 40% of retirees have difficulty adjusting, and even those who claim to enjoy retirement may experience some uneasiness as they adapt to a life lacking in structure and direction.

This book investigates the struggles faced by retirees in building a new life outside of the workforce. It provides an honest assessment of retirement, based on the not-always-acknowledged fact that it is a difficult transition with pitfalls and obstacles to be overcome.

But along with uncovering problems, the authors also propose solutions to enable both current and future retirees to be better prepared, allowing them to avoid being blind-sided by unexpected situations. By reading about the experiences of their peers, current and future retirees will come to understand that others share their difficulties adjusting, and that tactics are available to improve their comfort level in retirement as well as their overall well-being. Retirees and those planning for retirement will find in these pages what they need to make retirement successful and enjoyable.
The Reporter Who Knew Too Much
Authors: Davis Donald E. , Trani Eugene P.
Published: February 2025

During his career at The New York Times, Harrison Salisbury served as the bureau chief in post-World War II Moscow and reported from Hanoi during the Vietnam War, and in retirement witnessed the Tiananmen Square massacre firsthand. Davis and Trani's engaging biography of the two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist makes use of Salisbury's personal archive of interviews, articles, and correspondence to shed light on the personal triumphs and shortcomings of this preeminent reporter and illuminates the twentieth-century world in which he lived.
Marine Safety
Authors: Consulting ABS
Published: February 2025

Marine Safety provides a toolbox of field-tested and proven tools for assessing and managing marine risks and making better-informed decisions to prevent marine casualties.

Using this book as a guide, managers in the marine industry learn to apply 12 common risk-based decision-making tools that help them make practical and technically-defensible decisions for managing port and waterway operations, conducting inspections, and preparing and responding to accidents. The authors thorough examine the 12 tools and include discussions on each tool's concepts, limitations, common uses, procedures, terminology, and applications to marine safety in a clearly outlined, user-friendly format.

Marine Safety examines such tools as Pareto Analysis, Checklist Analysis, Relative Ranking/Risk Indexing, Change Analysis, What-if Analysis, Hazard and Operability, Fault Tree Analysis, and Event and Causal Factor Charting. In addition, Marine Safety examines key factors for choosing risk assessment methods and suggest risk assessment approaches to support different types of decision making, depending on each situation. Examples of common marine-oriented situations, illustrative charts, graphs, and diagrams are included for easy understanding.
China's Mongols at University
Authors: Zhao Zhenzhou , On Lee Wing
Published: February 2025

Minority students in China often receive preferential treatment for access to universities. However, very little is known about minority student experiences and perceptions on campus after they are accorded what's called "meaningful access" to university.

The Mongols emerged as a distinct ethnic group in China starting in the 11th century and, in the centuries that followed, conquered a large part of the world. However, in modern times this nomadic people's influence has declined, and even their survival in China has been threatened. This decline is evidenced by the fact that increasing numbers of Mongols have abandoned their native language and traditional customs, especially those who live in cities.

How do Mongol university students, who form the backbone of the Mongol intellectual community, identify themselves in a modern Chinese context? How do they react as university students to the way in which their culture is recognized and represented? Do Mongol students suffer from injustice in the cultural dimension of campus life? China's Mongols at University: Contesting Cultural Recognition seeks to answer these questions.

Zhenzhou Zhao addresses these issues by comparing the university discourse (on minority culture policy, institutional structure and daily life) and the Mongol student discourse (concerning their experiences, perceptions of recognition, and dedication to self-representation on campus) Additionally, Gao compares three universities in China. Located in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Beijing, and Hubei Province, respectively, each of these universities represents one of three types of higher education accessible to minority students in China: universities located in ethnic areas, standard universities, and universities for nationalities.

China's Mongols at University explores and discusses an intrinsic connection between marketization and globalization and the disadvantages faced by minority groups. This book argues that China must move from a policy of preferential tre
Entrepreneurship in the Catholic Tradition
Authors: Percy Anthony G.
Published: February 2025

Entrepreneurship in the Catholic Tradition is a theological and historical exploration of the treatment of entrepreneurship, business, and commerce in the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church. Moving from Scriptural exegesis to modern papal social encyclicals, Anthony G. Percy shows how Catholic teaching had developed profound insights into the ultimate meaning of entrepreneurship and commerce and invested it with theological, philosophical, and economic meaning that surpasses many conventional religious and secular interpretations. Entrepreneurship is illustrated as being as much a potential contributor to all-round integral human flourishing as it is to economic growth and development. In this sense, Entrepreneurship in the Catholic Tradition challenges the stereotype of the Catholic Church having a negative view of economic liberty and the institutions that enhance its productivity. Instead we discover a tradition in which first millennium theologians, medieval scholastics, and modern Catholic thinkers have thought seriously and at length about the character of free enterprise and its moral and commercial significance.
The Story of Western Furniture
Authors: Oates Phyllis Bennett
Published: February 2025

As well as fulfilling a functional need, furniture has always been an index of status. From the throne of Tutankhamen or the bed of State of Louis XIV to the austere Shaker chest or the Charles Eames chair and later modern pieces from Europe, the Far East and the United States, the style of each piece tells much about the outlook of the makers and the needs and skills of the time.

This absorbing history traces the development of furniture design and production, from the days of ancient Egypt to the present, describing what articles were made in each period, how they were made, and what were the social and economic conditions that affected style and finish. The author discusses techniques such as joinery, turning, veneering, marquetry, polishing, upholstery, bentwood work and lamination. Many examples are shown in the illustrations, which are invaluable recognition sources and a lively visual accompaniment to the text.
News Narratives and News Framing
Authors: Johnson-Cartee Karen S.
Published: February 2025

News Narratives and News Framing is a revealing look at how the media's construction of news affects our political, economic, and social realities. In this introduction to the theory behind news framing, Karen Johnson-Cartee pulls together elements from communication, journalism, politics, and sociology to create a picture of how news forms these realities for the public. With its comprehensive reference section and suggestions on how to influence the news agenda, this is a beneficial resource for students in political communication, media criticism, and communication theory.
No Experience Necessary Writer's Course
Authors: Edelstein Scott
Published: February 2025

A unique stress-free approach for anyone who has ever wanted to write.
Life and Food in the Caribbean
Authors: Mackie Cristine
Published: February 2025

The West Indian kitchen today, five hundred years after Columbus, is a wonderful blend of flavors and cooking styles. The islands are blessed with some of the richest soils in the world, and the different peoples who have settled there have developed a vibrant hybrid cuisine. Scottish rebels, enslaved Africans, indentured Portuguese and Chinese, and finally the East Indians–all of these brought with them their traditional foods and cooking techniques.

This book takes as its framework the stratified history of the islands from the early times of European exploration to the present day. The author draws extensively on original sources, such as diaries, which describe voyages from the China Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Atlantic, and the implantation of new lives in the islands. She has collected recipes from the differing cuisines of all the peoples who live on the islands, and she portrays the way of life that has developed through the generations. She writes: "The Caribbean is an esthetic as full of emotion as a work of art. The air you breathe, the light that fills you, the myriad voices of nature and the past, the soil that provides for you-all these, wrapped together, are expressed in the kitchen."
Tehran Rising
Authors: Berman Ilan
Published: February 2025

The Islamic Republic of Iran today constitutes the single greatest challenge to the United States and the War on Terror. In the Persian Gulf and Central Asia, Iranian policymakers are busy cobbling together alliances intended to elevate it to the status of a regional superpower at the expense of the U.S. and its European allies. In Iraq, Iran is spending millions to perpetuate a lingering insurgency that threatens to transform the former Ba'athist state into another Islamic Republic. Iran remains the world's most active sponsor of terrorism, fueling the activities of Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah and al-Qaeda. And through its nuclear advances, mature chemical- and biological weapons programs, and an expanding conventional military, Iran is gaining the capability to catastrophically alter the balance of power far beyond its immediate neighborhood. All of this has been guided by an ambitious strategic agenda that is designed to make the Iranian regime the center of gravity in the post-Saddam Middle East. As evidence of this threat mounts, one thing remains crystal clear to Ilan Berman: 'Washington is woefully unprepared to deal with this mounting peril.' Berman's approach is hard-hitting, provocative and unflinchingly critical. But he takes the exploration of Iran's menace one step further, providing what has been missing so far in the foreign policy discourse regarding Iran, both within the U.S. government and outside it_practical policy prescriptions designed to contain Iran's strategic ambitions.
Library Board Strategic Guide
Authors: Miller Ellen G. , Fisher Patricia H.
Published: February 2025

View the author's companion website for more information and extra materials

Whether they have full governance powers or are just there in an advisory capacity, trustees on library boards need to understand the complex issues that affect a library's ability to provide its community with materials and services that support lifelong learning, jobs, and quality of life. Authors Ellen G. Miller and Patricia H. Fisher have created a strategic guide that will help library board leaders handle important issues such as managing risk; local values and first amendment rights; leadership capable of achieving the library's ideal vision; getting and growing diverse funding sources; and becoming part of the community's leadership team. These issues are discussed in laymen's terms designed for busy trustees and directors who have only a few hours per month together to consider options and make decisions.

Library Board Strategic Guide: Going to the Next Level seeks to help trustees and their directors in three broad areas: understanding complex issues and their local impact, assessing the trustee's role in addressing those issues, and reviewing experiences and best practices from other libraries. With many other uses, including use as a tool for board meeting discussions, for self-study, or as a benchmark for assessing your board's performance, this guide will help your library leaders reach that next level of community support.