bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Comparative Study of mmWave vs. Sub-6 GHz 5G Networks for Urban Environments
Authors:   USA, Shah Krupal
Published: December 2024

The performance of the millimeter-wave (mmWave) and Sub-6 GHz frequency bands for 5G networks are compared in this work, particularly for urban
scenarios. Considering that the 5G technology is evolving, these two bands have their features providing specific opportunities and issues for populous
regions. It assesses the utilization of KPIs such as data rate, coverage, latency, and penetration capacity that is significant in meeting smart city connectivity
needs; mmWave bands have high data rate and low latency suitable for near real-time applications like self-driving cars and telesurgery, but its restrictive
coverage and sensitivity to physical obstacles limit it when used in large areas. On the other hand, Sub-6 GHz frequencies offer wider coverage and better
penetration through barriers for lower data rates. They are more suitable for general broadband internet and many other applications with acceptable delay.
This paper explains using band-wise mmWave’s and Sub-6 GHz’s pros and cons in detailed graphical analysis and case studies while presenting a novel
mixed model for mmWave and Sub-6 GHz bands to uncover their best attributes. These bands, when integrated, will help 5G networks meet multifaceted
needs of connectivity in cities, providing high-speed connections in dense areas and sustaining steady links across vast distances. This has implications for
future urban network planning; it brings into focus issues of intelligent network management and energy-efficient sustainable formations of infrastructure.
The findings from this study offer meaningful recommendations for enhancing the utilization of 5G in urban settings to support smart city projects and
future smart economy development.
Designing Real-Time Monitoring for Restaurant POS Systems using Datadog
Authors:   USA, Gill Akash
Published: December 2024

Real-time monitoring has become central in POS-adapted restaurant business operations and the reliability and customer satisfaction of an evolving food
service industry. This paper discusses the importance of real-time monitoring in dealing with issues like downtimes, cyber security threats, and others.
It highlights the centrality of Datadog as comprehensive monitoring and security software to the fundamentals of restaurants' POS systems management.
Datadog provides prospects for real-time monitoring, anomaly detection, and sophisticated analytics to guarantee maximum performance of POS systems
during hours of pressure. It is designed for multi-location operations and third-party integrations that help restaurants have a macro perception process
while delivering an excellent micro-customer experience. Additional security measures in Datadog protect the information, align it with all compliance
requirements, and guarantee the customer's trust. The article focuses on Datadog as software and examines how to set up agents, appropriately identify
business metrics, and develop unique dashboards. Specific metrics underlying Datadog's value for applications comparable to SpotOn are presented,
including time saved and minimized downtimes, better system availability and reliability, and an upgraded basis for operational decisions. By implementing
real-time monitoring solutions such as Datadog, restaurants will ensure that they counteract all the technical inconveniences that may hinder them from
providing service optimizations in resource use, thus improving their services. It helps stress that real-time monitoring is an innovation and a necessity for
restaurants to survive online. In the long run, such innovations would still be instrumental in establishing sustainable competitive advantage and growth
of the industry
Building a Scalable API for Restaurant Online Ordering Systems
Authors:   USA, Gill Akash
Published: December 2024

The digital transformation of the restaurant industry has made online ordering systems indispensable, enabling convenience for customers and operational
efficiency for businesses. This article delves into the pivotal role of scalable APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) in enhancing restaurant operations
amidst increasing consumer expectations and technological demands. APIs enable seamless communication between software components, addressing
critical challenges such as managing high transaction volumes, integrating online ordering with Point of Sale (POS) systems, providing real-time updates,
and ensuring data security. The key features of scalable APIs include real-time inventory synchronization, dynamic menu management, robust error
handling, and multi-platform compatibility. These capabilities ensure that restaurants can adapt to high-traffic situations, minimize operational errors, and
deliver a unified customer experience. Leveraging modern technologies like microservices architecture, event-driven designs, and programming languages
like Go (Golang), APIs facilitate elastic scalability, ensuring operational efficiency even during peak demands. Additionally, the case study of SpotOn
demonstrates the tangible benefits of implementing scalable APIs. These include improved transaction handling, seamless system integration, enhanced
customer satisfaction, and operational resilience. APIs also support long-term growth by enabling third-party integrations, automating processes, and
adapting to emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT). As the industry evolves, scalable APIs will be
instrumental in driving innovation, meeting consumer demands, and fostering sustainable growth. This article positions APIs as not just technical enablers
but strategic assets essential for restaurants aiming to thrive in a rapidly digitizing and competitive market.
Integrating Large Language Models with Computer Vision for Enhanced Image Captioning: Combining LLMS with Visual Data to Generate more Accurate and Context-Rich Image Descriptions
Authors:   USA, Singh Vedant
Published: December 2024

The field of image captioning that combines computer vision and natural language processing has progressed immensely with the aid of modern large
language models and advanced image processing methods. This integration also fosters accurate and contextual image description by relating vision
within context to language as it solves problems such as depth, details, and complexity of the context. Lately, the advances have improved the relevancy as
well as the richness of the solutions for a wide variety of purposes, including accessibility, automatic content generation as well as interactive systems and
interfaces, and enriched a number of user experiences, particularly in e-commerce, education, and social networks. Recent cooperation with state-of-theart computer vision techniques like convolutional neural networks (CNNs) extended the possibilities of describing object interactions, as well as coming up
with natural-sounding descriptions. Furthermore, the inclusion of multimodal data enables more effective context interpretation of captions and is more
precise in fulfilling users’ requirements. The present paper discusses methods for combining the features of computer vision and NLP outlines an approach
to improve the synergy of such systems and considers the possible uses of multimodal interfaces in practice for designing intelligent personal assistants
and automotive applications. Although recent advancements have been made, existing challenges include the issues related to biases in the training data,
challenges in scaling these models, and the computational complexity of MMMs, which may dampen their widespread usage. Also, the ethical issues
are distinguished, such as misinterpretation possibilities and the lack of representativeness in the datasets used for images. Overcoming these problems,
together with better interdisciplinary cooperation and an increased understanding of algorithms, can continue the advancement of this quickly developing
area and achieve disruptive applications in numerous spheres while considering the social impact of such technologies.
Leveraging AI and Machine Learning for Cyber Threat Analysis
Authors:   Plano, TX, USA, Patel Udit
Published: December 2024

This paper explores how AI and Machine Learning is becoming a key participant in cybersecurity's emergence and constantly shifting nature. It disillusioned
traditional forms of detection, such as signature-based detection and rule-based systems, with the idea that they are suitable for dealing with new complex
threats like zero-day vulnerabilities, APTs, and social engineering attacks. AI and ML provide enhanced features for accurate time operation, real-time
threat identification tools, anomaly identification tools, behavioral tools, and predictive analysis, and therefore, have become helpful in the modern context
and central to the cybersecurity architecture of many organizations. The paper fleshes out the strengths of AI in intrusion detection, dynamic malware
analysis, and phishing detection, among others. The following AI methods are covered in detail: Supervised and unsupervised learning algorithms are used
in processing datasets, and autoencoders are used. Deep learning models are suitable for processing big data in real-time. The issues of AI incorporating
false positive outcomes, adversarial AI, and data quality problems are also addressed, along with ethical and privacy considerations. The roles of automated
incident reporting and self-learning security systems, as forecasted for AI's contributions in managing cyber threats, are designated as crucial. Finally, the
paper concludes by stressing the need for organizations to adopt AI solutions for the preemptive approach in the cybersecurity domain.
Comprehensive Study of Git and Github & Implementing Them as Learning Objectives in Modern Education
Authors:   Independent Researcher, Sanugommula Harika
Published: December 2024

Git and GitHub are pivotal in modern software development, providing developers with robust tools for version control and collaboration. Git, a distributed
version control system, allows multiple developers to work on code simultaneously while maintaining a comprehensive history of changes. GitHub, built on
Git, enhances this functionality by offering a platform for hosting repositories, facilitating collaboration, and integrating various development tools. This
paper explores the architecture of Git, the features of Git & GitHub, common workflows, how to integrate Git & GitHub, best practices along with mainly
implementing Git & GitHub in modern day ed
Navigating Compliance: Strategies for Continuous Monitoring through Industries
Authors:   USA, Madhava Reddy Haritha
Published: December 2024

In a digital age where the smallest oversight can lead to massive financial penalties or reputational damage, maintaining constant oversight of compliance is not just prudent - it’s essential for survival. As businesses navigate an era of heightened regulatory scrutiny and growing cybersecurity threats, continuous compliance and controls monitoring (CCM) has shifted from being an optional safeguard to a critical necessity. Across industries, organizations are grappling with the dual challenge of meeting evolving regulatory demands while mitigating risks in a deeply interconnected global environment. This paper examines the core principles of CCM, highlights its strategic advantages, and presents a comprehensive framework designed to support its effective
adoption across various sectors.
Satisfaction and Adherence to Exercises in Patients for Home Health vs Clinic PT
Authors:   Fox Rehabilitation, Jersey City, USA, Chaughule Shivangi
Published: December 2024

Patient satisfaction and adherence to prescribed exercises are critical factors influencing the success of physical therapy (PT). This article explores the
comparative dimensions of clinic-based and home health PT settings, analyzing how these environments impact patient outcomes. Clinic-based PT offers
structured settings with access to specialized equipment, fostering accountability and precise monitoring, but logistical challenges and time constraints may
hinder satisfaction and adherence. Home health PT provides convenience, personalized care, and a focus on functional training within a patient’s familiar
environment, yet it may face limitations in equipment availability and potential distractions. By examining the advantages and disadvantages of both settings,
this article sheds light on the importance of tailoring PT delivery to individual patient needs to optimize engagement, satisfaction, and therapeutic outcomes.
Intelligent Smart Mirror with Voice Recognition and Home Automation
Authors: P.V. Kishore Kumar  , Naveena Tatapudi  , Chandini Kolla  , Siva Ram Rayala  , V. P. V. S. Prakash Gupta
Published: December 2024

The Project illustrates the design and development of a clever mirror that shows an exquisite interface for glimpsing data. Intelligent mirror, which continues the workings today, and will take its place in technology
forthcoming, provides both mirror and computer-served information amenities to its users. "Smart Mirror System Development" includes weather, time, date, Google Assistant, and Home Automation. It utilizes Raspberry pi-3. Through its microphone, the smart mirror enables voice commands to operate certain devices. The smart mirror displays applications so that you can check the weather, local news, and so on while you're getting ready in the morning. This smart mirror would do smart thinking for the user. This smart mirror aims to reduce and possibly eliminate the need for the user to make time in their daily morning or night routines to check their pc, tablet, or smartphone for the users. The makings of this smart mirror include a microcontroller called Raspberry Pi3 which acts as a brain of the interactive system. The microcontroller would be powdered using Python scripts for mirror software as well as a personal assistant. After installing the software, the function can be accessed via a command line once it is set up. A 10-inch Display would be placed below an acrylic two-way mirror sheet and the model would be placed in an aluminum frame. We will build a separate personal assistant that will be able to recognize and perform speech-to-text operations. The personal assistant is named Jarvis. The project is extensive and AI plays a crucial role in today's world.
Exploratory Analysis of Skin Cancer Dermatoscopic Image Datasets and Classification Methods
Authors: Prof. Dipali Ghatge  , Prathmesh Sankpal  , Vedantika Gharge  , Rutuja Patil  , Shivam Zanjurne
Published: December 2024

Skin cancer is a critical global health issue, where early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes. In this review paper, titled Exploratory Analysis of Skin Cancer Dermatoscopic Image Datasets and Classification Methods, we systematically explore the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and skin cancer diagnosis. Our approach began with a detailed literature survey of 40 research studies, providing insights into advancements and challenges in AI-based classification methods. This survey emphasizes the role of machine learning algorithms, particularly convolutional neural networks (CNNs), and datasets such as HAM10000, ISIC 2019, and ISIC 2024 in improving diagnostic performance. Next, we conducted exploratory data analysis (EDA) on the HAM10000, ISIC 2019, and ISIC 2024 datasets, uncovering critical patterns related to lesion distribution, anatomical sites, and demographic factors. These analyses highlight biases and imbalances in the datasets, which are crucial to address for robust model training. Finally, we discuss the creation and evaluation of a machine learning model trained on a separate dataset. Initial experiments revealed challenges such as overfitting and class imbalance. Through advanced data augmentation techniques and the integration of an Augmentor pipeline, we mitigated these issues, achieving improved accuracy and generalizability. This paper provides a comprehensive framework for integrating literature insights, dataset analysis, and iterative model improvement to develop effective AI-based solutions for skin cancer detection. It underscores the importance of addressing dataset biases, adopting diverse datasets, and refining methodologies to advance AI applications in dermatology.
A Study on Internationalisation of Higher Education Among Youth
Authors: Jyothika George  , Ann Mary Varghese  , Arsha Benny  , Vivek V Vijayan
Published: December 2024

This study explores the internationalization of higher education among youth focusing on the motivations, perceptions, and trends that influence students’ decisions to pursue education abroad. Objectives include examining the reasons behind the choice for overseas education, identifying factors that attract students to foreign institutions, assessing the awareness levels regarding international education opportunities, and offering suggestions to retain talent within national institutions. Data were collected from 80 participants through questionnaires, revealing that factors like quality of life, advanced technology, and global exposure are primary motivators for studying abroad. Although international education is perceived as a promising opportunity, challenges such as high living costs and cultural adaptation were highlighted. The findings offer insights for policymakers and educational institutions to develop strategies that enhance local educational opportunities and support students’ aspirations for global competency.
IOT Based Monitoring Brain’s ‘MTCCH’ Function and Activity
Authors: Sajith Mon PS  , Anton Roy  , Sharon Varghese Bino  , Tibin Joseph Tom  , Amal James  , Cini Joseph
Published: December 2024

IOT-based system for continuous monitoring of neural activity across critical brain regions: the medulla oblongata, cerebellum, cerebrum, thalamus, and hypothalamus. These regions are central to functions such as autonomic control, motor coordination, sensory processing, emotional regulation, and homeostasis. Leveraging a network of IOT-enabled biosensors, including EEG and fMRI-compatible devices, the system collects and transmits real-time neural data to a cloud platform, where machine learning algorithms analyze patterns and detect irregularities. And also, these types of mechanism which help in the field of law and revealing the truth of the crime cases for Example: A person hit someone’s back portion of the head and the person get unconscious due to the lack of oxygen. Because the medulla oblongata of that person got damaged. We can find the defendant with the help of the device.
Modelado de la erosión hídrica del suelo mediante la metodología USLE en la cuenca del río Caplina al sur de Perú
Authors: Calderón Cárdenas José Miguel , Vizcarra Soto Sundus Delia del Pilar , Román Arce Carmen Rosa
Published: December 2024

La erosión hídrica es uno de los procesos más comunes de degradación del suelo a nivel mundial, especialmente en regiones áridas y semiáridas, con efectos negativos en la productividad agrícola, la estabilidad ecológica y los recursos hídricos. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo modelar la pérdida de suelo en la cuenca del río Caplina, ubicada en Tacna al sur de Perú, mediante la metodología de la Ecuación Universal de Pérdida de Suelo (USLE) y herramientas de Sistemas de Información Geográfica (SIG), evaluando factores como la erosividad de la lluvia, la erodabilidad del suelo, la pendiente y longitud del terreno, la cobertura vegetal y las prácticas de manejo del suelo. Los resultados mostraron que la erosión nula o ligera predomina en más del 55 % del área, mientras que las zonas con erosión alta y crítica, aunque menos extensas, se concentran en pendientes pronunciadas con escasa cobertura vegetal. El análisis multitemporal evidenció un incremento leve en áreas con menor vulnerabilidad, mientras que las zonas críticas permanecen estables, lo que subraya la necesidad de acciones específicas. Finalmente, se resalta la importancia del monitoreo continuo, la implementación de técnicas de conservación del suelo y la promoción de prácticas agrícolas sostenibles, elementos clave para reducir la vulnerabilidad a la erosión y garantizar un manejo sostenible del suelo en la región.
Calidad microbiológica de agua de riego y su impacto en áreas verdes
Authors: Barreda Gaete Diego Martin , Lazo Ramos Richard Sabino
Published: December 2024

En muchas ciudades del mundo, la calidad del agua utilizada para el riego de áreas verdes y la gestión de los suelos en estos espacios públicos se ha convertido en un problema de salud pública. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la calidad del agua de riego y la presencia de contaminantes microbiológicos y parasitarios en los suelos de 10 áreas verdes públicas en Tacna, Perú. Se recolectaron muestras de agua y suelo de parques y plazas de la ciudad, las cuales fueron analizadas para detectar bacterias y parásitos zoonóticos, además de evaluar el estado de conservación de estos espacios. Los resultados fueron contrastados con los estándares nacionales para verificar el cumplimiento de los parámetros establecidos. Los hallazgos indicaron que los niveles de coliformes y Escherichia coli en el agua de riego superaban los límites permitidos por las normativas sanitarias, lo que representa un riesgo significativo para la salud. Asimismo, el 10 % de las muestras de suelo contenían parásitos zoonóticos. En cuanto a la infraestructura, el 70 % de los parques y plazas fueron clasificados como "poco amigables", debido a la acumulación de residuos y la falta de mantenimiento. Este estudio resalta la necesidad urgente de mejorar la calidad del agua y la gestión de los suelos, así como de implementar políticas públicas más estrictas en la conservación de áreas verdes urbanas.
Reducing Healthcare Maintenance Costs: A Machine Learning Model to Improve Seasonal Vaccine Accessibility and Acceptance Using Vaccination History and Social Determinants of Health
Authors: Tetala Vidya Rajasekhara Reddy , Inukonda Jaishankar , Hallur Jayanna
Published: December 2024

Purpose: This paper will explain how machine learning models using vaccination history and social determinants of health can predict vaccine acceptancy. With this approach, a health care system can benefit significantly due to enhanced vaccine coverage and avoiding a considerable number of hospitalizations. It especially targets persons with probabilities of vaccine acceptance ranging from 40% to 75%.
Methodology: The proposed study will develop predictive ML models using integrated datasets that combine vaccination history with SDOH variables. Multiple ML algorithms will be trained and tested, which will be evaluated on metrics such as accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, and AUC. A comparative analysis has been performed showing the strengths and weaknesses of each approach.
Findings: The article has exemplified that machine learning models are capable of predicating vaccine acceptancy by comparing patterns in historic data and with SDOH factors, hence finding health care-eligible populations. This can be duly utilized by health care systems while seeking to find those populations wherein the probabilities of vaccine acceptances are average, making outreach most effective with optimum efficiency at reduced cost using more effective vaccines. The findings bring front and center the need for ethics practice, robust privacy mechanisms, and cloud-based deployments that can assure scalability and reliability.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy, and Practice: This current research contributes to the theoretical understanding of vaccine hesitancy through complex modeling interactions that involve vaccination history and SDOH. It could use this to inform health policy on evidence-based strategies for increasing vaccine uptake and efficiently allocating resources. More practically, it lays out the basic technical and ethical structure needed to deploy predictive models in real-world health care settings by incorporating SRE into such initiatives to make them reliable and scalable. It helps bridge the gap through a holistic approach-from data science, to public health policy, to operational implementation.
Introduction to Herbal Drug Used as a Local Anesthetic
Authors: Payal Ramesh Hulgunde  , Ashwini D Uke  , Vivek Mohale
Published: December 2024

Herbal medications were historically studied for possible uses as local anesthetics since they include natural bioactive components with analgesic and numbing characteristics. Plants such as Echinacea, Capsicum, Corydalis, and Clove have shown promising results in preclinical tests for their capacity to block nerve transmission and relieve pain when applied topically. These herbal medicines frequently interact with the neurological system, either by blocking nerve impulse transmission or by altering the ion channels involved in Pain perception. Herbal local anesthetics have gained popularity as alternatives to synthetic medications since they have been shown to be less harmful and have fewer adverse effects. While herbal medications have benefits, their efficacy, safety, and mechanism of action require additional clinical research to support their use in medical practice.
This review investigates the pharmacological features of numerous herbal medicines with local anesthetic effects, highlighting their potential in pain management as well as the difficulties that remain for their clinical application. any herbal remedies contain anesthetic effects. Herbal medicines with local anesthetic qualities include clove, cinchona, datura, thymol, and spilanthes acmella, which are used in medicine and dentistry. However, their potential applications in dentistry have yet to be completely analyzed.
Herbal medications have been widely used in traditional medicine for therapeutic purposes, specially as local anesthetics. This review will look at the numerous herbal compounds known for their local anesthetic properties, including their chemical compositions, methods of action, and clinical efficacy
Occupational Therapy Interventions and Early Engagement for Patients in Intensive Care: A Systematic Review
Authors: Smith Morgan , Tsai Stephanie , Peterson Elyse
Published: December 2024

Importance: Patients in intensive care units (ICUs) experience complex functional, physical, and cognitive needs that affect their engagement in activities of daily living (ADLs). Occupational therapy practitioners are uniquely positioned to address these needs to optimize patients’ functional recovery.

Objective: To examine occupational therapy–specific interventions as they relate to early engagement for patients in the ICU.

Data Sources: CINAHL, PubMed, ProQuest, OTseeker, and Cochrane Library databases.

Study Selection and Data Collection: The Cochrane methodology was used to collect, evaluate, and analyze articles, then reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Guidelines for conducting a systematic review. Articles published from January 2012 to December 2021 evaluating adults who received occupational therapy interventions in ICUs with Level 1b, 2b, or 3b evidence were included.

Findings: Nine articles met the inclusion criteria and the research objective. Findings showed moderate evidence for ADLs, physical rehabilitation, and cognitive interventions in promoting functional outcomes for patients in the ICU.

Conclusions and Relevance: This systematic review introduces the term early engagement to describe occupational therapy–specific interventions for patients recovering in the ICU and supports occupational therapy’s role in this setting. Further research is needed to strengthen the evidence for occupational therapy–specific interventions and early engagement in the ICU.

Plain-Language Summary: Patients in the intensive care unit experience complex needs that affect their participation in activities of daily living (ADLs). Current research demonstrates moderate evidence for early engagement with ADLs, physical rehabilitation, and cognitive interventions performed by occupational therapy practitioners. This systematic review introduces the term early engagement, which captures how occupational therapy practitioners provide holistic interventions for patients in the intensive care unit to promote patient well-being and functional recovery.
Habakkuk (ITC)
Authors: Duby Steven J. , Swain Scott R.
Published: December 2024

Steven J. Duby provides a close verse-by-verse exegesis of the book of Habakkuk, setting forth the important literary and historical considerations with a view to their bearing on the theological content of the text. Duby shows how Habakkuk fits within and contributes to the larger mosaic of God’s self-revelation in redemptive history and reflects on how this intersects with important points of Christian doctrine. The work incorporates key concepts and doctrinal insights from the church’s dogmatic tradition showing how they in turn can shed light on the scriptural text. The commentary includes excurses (for example, on the doctrine of justification) elaborating on how Habakkuk’s message can inform biblical exegesis and Christian theology today.
Public Theology and Violent Rhetoric Examined in a Queer Womanist Critical Ethnography
Authors: Smallwood Teresa L.
Published: December 2024

Public theology is an emerging constructive tool. In its inception, public theology was largely contextualized as the ‘public church.’ However, this thoughtful and empathetic book situates our publics everywhere. Smallwood contends that those who have been harmed by violent rhetoric from speech actors who would ‘other’ them retain the capacity to have and hold a theology. This different entry point allows for people of faith, those who are and those who are not associated with a particular communion of faith or denominational affiliation to claim public space for theologizing. Here, public theology is about the capacity of those who are ‘othered’ to affirmatively express their faith and to critically engage with those who would deny and denigrate their ontology.

‘Enduring hardship as a good soldier’ does not mean exposing oneself to verbal abuse week after week. Many LGBTQIA+ persons are assaulted, degraded, humiliated, and derogated from the pulpits and podiums of places of worship. This abuse caused many to turn away from their faith. Those who withstood protracted verbal abuse turned it inward and began to hate themselves. Through ethnography, Smallwood tackles these tough truths and engages with LGBTQIA+ persons. This book critically examines both the harm done to them and the help that is to come from a paradigmatic shift in care. Smallwood emphasises how spiritual self-assessment, ritual, and indigenous spiritual practices offer a way to wholeness and healing. Drawing from Yoruba epistemology, this work offers a framework for rebirth, renewal, and reclamation.
Sin and the Vulnerability of Embodied Life
Authors: Bray Charlotte
Published: December 2024

This book explores how Catholics should speak about sin and grace in a world where structural injustice holds sway causing violence and harm.Bray brings diverse voices into creative dialogue to explore why unjust social situations can properly be called sin from a Catholic theological perspective, and how this sin can be understood to impact one’s agency, freedom, and historical condition vis-à-vis God.

Discussing disparate thinkers such as John Paul II, Judith Butler, Thomas Aquinas, and key Latin American liberation theologians, Bray deepens and constructively develops the Catholic understanding of social sin. She argues that the language of social sin presents us with an idea more theologically profound than just the identification of structural injustice; it depicts the power of collective human sinfulness to shape our lives and environments in ways which harm our relations with God, one another, and the rest of the created world.
Tunisia Under Ben Ali
Authors: Zisenwine Daniel
Published: December 2024

Here, Daniel Zisenwine looks at Tunisia under the rule of Ben Ali, from 1987 when he rose to power until the 2011 protests that led to his downfall.

Sparked by the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi in Sidi Bouzid in Tunisia, a wave of protests and uprisings spread across North Africa and the Middle East in late 2010 and 2011. The case of Tunisia has since been held up as an example of a ‘successful’ revolution, ousting its erstwhile ruler Zayn al-‘Abidin Ben Ali, leading to relatively free elections in October 2011. Zisenwine offers an analysis of this authoritarian regime from its early days, to the attempts in the 2000s to reform economically (but not, crucially, politically) and the societal discontent that eventually led to the 2011 protests. This book is vital for those researching the Middle East and North Africa, as well as for those interested in the anatomy of authoritarian regimes and their downfall.
New Turkey and the Far Right
Authors: Koru Selim
Published: December 2024

Turkey is among a league of revisionist powers who are challenging the world order.Erdogan and his Islamist movement have aimed to create the “New Turkey”, preparing for a future that is less dependent on Western treaty allies and with an alliance structure of its own.

This book is about the political ideas driving Turkey’s regime change and foreign policy. It de-exceptionalizes Turkish politics, arguing that the “New Turkey” is part of a global trend of far-right nationalist movements like that of Donald Trump in the United States or Narendra Modi in India. In particular, the book reveals how far-right nationalist strands in Turkey have been nurtured by an existential resentment of the West, similar to those we are seeing in Russia. In tracing this resentment and its historical roots, the book invites policymakers and experts to better understand the new relationships Turkey is building with fellow revisionists including China and Russia, as well as Turkey’s involvement in the wars in Syria and Ukraine and Erdogan’s grand strategy for expansion.

The book is based on interviews with senior politicians and civil servants from across the country’s political spectrum. It also benefits from the author’s personal knowledge of Turkey’s far-right and Islamist traditions.
Russian Intelligentsia
Authors: Read Christopher
Published: December 2024

The Russian Intelligentsiais the first single-volume history of a small but tremendously influential group of Russian intellectuals who achieved world renown in a variety of spheres. While previous accounts have addressed the history of individuals within this collective, Christopher Read offers the first explanation of the intelligentsia as a group. Read traces the vast debates that broke out between, and within, a multitude of intellectual factions, and contextualizes the ideas of the group within the framework of cultural, social, political, and economic development from the late 18th century to the present day.

This comprehensive yet accessible account demonstrates how the Russian intelligentsia morphed from one incarnation to the next, and effectively situates this change and continuity within a pan-European context. It considers the role of the intelligentsia throughout its origins, its transformation during the Russian Revolution, and since the collapse of communism, and highlights the beliefs of key figures such as Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Ivan Pavlov, Vladimir Lenin, Leon Trotsky, and Mikhail Gorbachev. In doing so, Read provides an essential guide to a fascinating aspect of Russia’s social and cultural history.
In Private
Authors: Turney Joanne
Published: December 2024

The 1970s is often considered the period that design forgot.In Privatesets out to challenge this view, offering a cultural history of domestic interior design in Britain and America over the course of a decade that shaped the contemporary relationship between fashion and interiors.

With each chapter dedicated to a different room in the house, this book explores style, design and socio-cultural influence from the sitting room to the sauna, and from the kitchen to the conservatory. Considering the key critical discourses which arise from the style and function of each space,In Privatelooks at how the public sphere informed the decorating styles, furniture and furnishing of the private home, from shag pile carpets to Swedish duvets.

Demonstrating how the cultural environment of the 1970s sparked the ideas, styles and practices that have become common currency in today’s interior design, the book examines questions of sensuality, tactility, fashion, fantasy and gender. Illustrated throughout and packed with original research, it provides an insight into 1970s innovation and eclecticism in fashion, textiles and the domestic interior.
Post-work
Authors: Hester Helen , Stronge Will
Published: December 2024

What does the future hold for work in our new age of crisis? How do we make sure that the uncertain future into which we are heading is heavenly and not hellish? How can we take the pleasures of work with us and eliminate the pains?

The answer: we need a post-work vision.

Questioning the received wisdom that work is good for you, that you are what you do and that 'any job is a good job',Post-workoffers a new challenge to the work-centred society. This timely book provides a vital introduction to the post-work debate - one of the most exciting political and theoretical currents of recent years. It explores not only what the future of workwillbe like, but more importantly what the future of workshouldbe like.
Pop & Postfeminism
Authors: Weidhase Nathalie
Published: December 2024

Nathalie Weidhase conceptualises the female dandy as a figure that simultaneously embodies and disrupts postfeminist notions of femininity, including maintaining a physique conforming to contemporary beauty standards, constant self-surveillance and self-improvement, and the naturalisation of gender difference and heterosexuality.

She examines how music videos function as spaces in popular culture where the politics of the feminine can be articulated. These spaces allow female pop stars to be valued as artists with distinct contributions to popular music. Focusing on Amy Winehouse, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Lana Del Rey, Weidhase illuminates different characteristics of the postfeminist dandy in popular music. Amy Winehouse's work makes visible the commodification of the female spectacle in popular culture, highlighting how her image and persona were marketed and consumed. Rihanna performs black femininity as postfeminism’s abject Other. Lady Gaga queers monstrous motherhood and celebrates female musical lineage. Lana Del Rey's work demonstrates how whiteness operates as a canvas for postfeminist and post-racial fantasies, offering a platform for their deconstruction and critique.

In doing so, Weidhase provides a comprehensive understanding of how these pop stars navigate and challenge the intricate landscape of postfeminism, offering a nuanced perspective on contemporary femininity and its representations in popular culture.
Strabo
Authors: Lightfoot Jessica
Published: December 2024

This book provides a short and accessible introduction to Strabo’s life, times and cultural context.It outlines the importance of geography and geographical writing in the Augustan period and its development in ancient Greece and Rome, as well as explaining Strabo’s significance and impact in antiquity and beyond. Jessica Lightfoot also explores how Strabo engages heavily with the works of Homer and other prominent Greek literary figures of the past. Our ancient geographer has much to tell us about myth, fiction and literature and their relation to geographical and historical prose. As a result, the reader is given an insight into the fundamentally philosophical origins of geography and the first development of that discipline in antiquity.

Strabo of Amasia is known to us today as the writer of theGeography, a seventeen-book monumental survey of the known world which dates to the early first century AD. As the earliest major ancient geographer whose work we possess, Strabo occupies an important place in the history of ancient culture, literature and science. His work is crucial in assessing the emergence of geography as a discipline. Its later reception had an important impact on conceptions of the world and the development of geographical and travel writing, especially in the 15th and 16th centuries.

This book provides a short and accessible introduction to Strabo’s life, times and cultural context. It outlines the importance of geography and geographical writing in the Augustan period and its development in ancient Greece and Rome and explains Strabo’s significance and impact in antiquity and beyond.
How Words Help Us Think
Authors: Salay Nancy
Published: December 2024

A capacity to act for reasons is a key indicator of intelligence. A leaf floats this way and that as the wind currents shift, a drone moves up or down with the movements of its controller, but a cognitive agent decides to walk to the store to get some food. This deliberative capacity to think through hypothetical situations, to choose between the grocery store or the restaurant, requires representational intentionality, the ability to think about real and possible situations in the world. According to the mainstream zeitgeist in the cognitive sciences, this capacity exhaustively reduces to lower level processes and, as a consequence, cognitive research has been driven increasingly inwards and downwards to focus on activity at the neural and molecular levels.

Here, Nancy Salay argues that this move is deeply misguided. After revealing the central problems with this internalist idea, Salay puts forward an externalist paradigm of intentionality supported by recent empirical work in neuroscience, computer science, philosophy, animal cognition and developmental psychology. Drawing all of these insights together, she provides a unified framework in which to situate externalist views of intentionality, making progress towards a viable theory of cognition. This is a comprehensive theoretical guide and a valuable empirical resource for those who view cognition through an extended and enactive lens.
Decolonizing Environmentalism
Authors: Kashwan Prakash , Hasnain Aseem
Published: December 2024

We live in a moment rife with mixed emotions—existential anxieties about catastrophic climate change, presumptuous confidence in planet-hacking geoengineering technologies, and hopefulness of youth climate activism.Decolonizing Environmentalismhelps us navigate these emotions and reimagine our approach to environmental stewardship.

The authors cast a critical eye on wealthy and influential environmental groups that committed to anti-racist strategies in the wake of the racial awakening of 2020. Yet, they continue to embrace false solutions like carbon markets and biodiversity offsets, which carry deeply racialized consequences. By tracing the roots of these misplaced priorities to detrimental modernity steeped in colonialism and capitalism, the authors call for transformational changes in human-nature relationships. They distil lessons from the divestment movement, which has questioned the fossil fuel industry's moral standing, and food sovereignty activists, who have mobilized global civil society to hold agribusiness corporations accountable.

Amidst calls for "apocalyptic optimism," Kashwan and Hasnain offer a radical vision grounded in intersectional ecofeminism, Indigenous sovereignty, and strategies honed in the trenches of transnational environmentalism. In these extraordinary times,Decolonizing Environmentalisminvites readers to embark on a transformative journey to embrace anti-racist, emancipatory, and regenerative approaches to environmentalism.
Semiotics of Performances
Authors: Bouissac Paul
Published: December 2024

What is a live performance? And why is semiotics the best approach for the analysis and interpretation of the performing arts?

Drawing on semiotic developments of the past five decades, this book introduces students to the semiotic analysis of live performances and provides them with a clear method for untangling the multimodal complexity of performance from the spectator’s point of view.

Presenting live performances as two-way communication processes, social events, and cognitive and affective experiences, each chapter of this highly accessible book begins first with an overview of the basics. This is followed by a case study, and moves through to a more advanced discussion, accompanied by suggestions for exercises and further reading. Diagrams and flow charts help to clearly illustrate the conceptual tools used in the analytical process, and a companion website contains recorded extracts from the live performances discussed in the book, which students can use to put their knowledge into practice. The book explores a broad range of performance types from across different cultures, including music, opera, ballet, theatre, circus, mime, improvisation, and immersion. It offers a guide for understanding the way in which a performance is produced, from an initial idea through to the final presentation in front of a live audience, and provides the reader with the tools and understanding they need for a successful semiotic analysis of live performance.
Militant Historian
Authors: Purcell Kerry William
Published: December 2024

This is the first wide-ranging analysis of Alain Badiou’s use, development and transformation of the concept of history.Despite the wealth of perspectives now available on how social and cultural practices take shape, historicism still appears to be the most dominant.The Militant Historianexamines this primacy and reveals how Badiou’s work offers a radical riposte. Exploring key texts in Badiou’s oeuvre and how his philosophical ideas disrupt dominant conceptions of history and the role of the historian, Kerry William Purcell addresses how these ideas could transform our approaches to the historical and what it means to ‘do history’ as a meaningful endeavour. Adopting a chronological approach to Badiou’s work, each chapter explores specific conceptual developments in his writing and how they lend themselves to a reconsideration of the subject who speaks history. From these new and disruptive modes of doing emerges the figure of the militant historian – a role with the potential to impact how we practice history outside the narrow strictures of academic life.
Soviet and Nazi Posters
Authors: Boterbloem Kees , Pine Lisa
Published: December 2024

This book examines the key content and propaganda value of posters in the dictatorships of Stalin’s USSR (1927-53) and Hitler’s Germany (1933-43), using posters as a point of entry for discussing key Soviet and Nazi policies. In so doing,Soviet and Nazi Postersprovides a compelling account of the posters utilised by both regimes for the first time. Kees Boterbloem and Lisa Pine employ a comparative approach throughout, analysing commonalities and differences, and inspecting the regimes’ use of posters as propaganda.

Richly illustrated with 50 images, 25 of which are in colour,Soviet and Nazi Postersencourages the development of vital source skills in the pursuit of understanding the complexities of 20th-century European dictatorships. What do these posters yield to the historian? What do they tell us about the regimes and their intentions? Ultimately they offer a compelling visual point of entry into Nazism and Stalinism here explored in rewarding detail.

Boterbloem and Pine convincingly make the case that the use of posters as a medium of propaganda by Stalin and Hitler was advanced at the time and far-reaching. The poster campaigns were very powerful in terms of the impact on their populations and point to how the regimes could influence people outside their homes and in public places to support the regimes and their policies. The book looks at specific posters to discuss key regime policies associated with them and this offers us new insights into the nature of these authoritarian governments and the way in which they addressed their populations.