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This paper examines the art forms that use motion as the main medium. It focuses on the various kinds of movable books that share the capacity for physical transformation and are collectively known as pop-up books. In the last 30 years, contemporary art museums have included them in their publishing programs; museum bookstores have increased the number of special displays, creating a physical neighborhood with kinetic artworks, which are primarily associated with motion-based art. Consequently, the problem of the relationship between the two arises. Despite the common forms and themes they tackle, there is a distinct gap between kinetic art and the pop-up book in theoretical discourse. It manifests itself, first, in vocabulary, as a lack of clear definitions and terms; second, through the isolation of the theoretical studies in these two domains. Referring to ideas of Frank Popper and George Rickey on kinetic art and focusing on the spectator’s perspective, I seek to define the elements of a common vocabulary. Based on a comparative study of kinetic artworks and pop-up books, I propose a classification of art forms from two perspectives – the first relying on motion and physical mechanisms and the second centered around the effects of movement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many authors argue that candidates are more popular among voters from their own region. Two potential explanations have been suggested: voters' identification with their home region, and the representation of regional interests. The information on candidates' residence can be transmitted to voters in different ways, the most easily accessible way being information printed on the ballot paper. However, most studies on "friends and neighbour voting" use aggregate data. Studies that rely on individual level data usually put respondents in hypothetical situations and confront them with synthetic candidates, reducing their realism. To bridge this gap and to test the effect of providing information on the candidates' residence, we use data from a survey experiment to analyze voters' responses to ballot paper information on the regional background of real candidates in the 2014 European election in Germany. We find that voters in an open list PR election are more likely to support regional candidates if ballot paper information on the candidates' geographic background helps them to do so. The appeal of personal ties is a stronger explanation for vote preference than the one based on regional interests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many theories of motivation recognize a person's identity adds value to the prediction of behavior; albeit indirectly, through constructs such as social norms, self-efficacy, perceived behavioral control, and values. Recently, behavioral research has more directly assessed the influence of identity on behavior; however, it is unclear whether such research aligns with the theoretical establishments of identity. This review investigated the identity theory alignment of existing behavior research by systematically searching, screening, and reviewing identity-behavior relevant papers, across three behavioral psychology databases. Twenty-three papers meet the inclusion criteria for review (original research with a primary focus on identity and behavior, within healthy adult population), and data relating to identity-behavior theoretical viewpoints, research methods, and study findings were extracted and synthesized to provide a scoping overview of current research. Most reviewed papers presented identity as a loosely defined construct; commonly operationalized as social identity, omitting the theorized multiplicity of social and self-identities. Overall outcomes suggested that identity influences behavior indirectly through intention strength, rather than directly as a post-intention mechanism. While existing research has been crucial in illuminating potential influences of identity on behavior, there is a need to strengthen current understandings and theoretical alignments within future research relating to identity and behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geometric Optics is a rapidly-evolving field with implications for a broad range of applications, from biomedical imaging to advanced materials engineering. This comprehensive bibliometric analysis presents an in-depth examination of global research in Geometric Optics from 2012–2021, using data from the Scopus database. The analysis reveals a total of 5,388 publications authored by 15,277 individuals, with a steady annual growth rate of 3.7% and an impressive citation impact of 11.99% per paper. The top 20 productive authors are identified, who contributed to 18.5% of global publications and 11.1% of citations, and the international collaboration networks that have emerged around key research areas are mapped. The study also reveals an expanding research landscape, with emerging areas such as nanophotonics and metamaterials gaining traction. These findings provide a comprehensive overview of the global research landscape in Geometric Optics, which can be used to guide future research and collaborative efforts. The study represents a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers alike, seeking to advance the field and unlock its full potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 14th International Conference on Radiation Shielding and 21st Topical Meeting of the Radiation Protection and Shielding Division (ICRS 14/RPSD 2022) was successfully held in Seattle, Washington. The conference featured 123 presented papers and had attendees from Japan, Korea, and several European countries in addition to North America. The conference included plenary talks on various topics related to nuclear reactor concepts, shielding and radiation protection, and the situation at Fukushima Daiichi. The conference also recognized individuals with awards and included workshops on computer codes used for radiation shielding applications. A special issue of Nuclear Science and Engineering (NSE) contains a selection of papers from the conference. [Extracted from the article]

The editors are pleased to announce that the winner of the best paper prize for 2023 is Addis Yimer for his paper titled, 'The effects of FDI on economic growth in Africa', published in volume 32, issue 1, pages 2–36. We congratulate Dr. Yımer, who will receive a prize of 500 pounds. [Extracted from the article]

The document is a thank you message from the editor of the journal Critical Reviews in Toxicology (CRT) to the authors and reviewers of papers published in 2023. The editor expresses appreciation for the effort and high standards of the authors in preparing scientific review papers. The role of the anonymous external reviewers is also highlighted, as their voluntary service is crucial in maintaining the journal's quality. The document mentions that CRT is ranked 15th out of 128 toxicology journals and has a global presence in terms of readership and authorship. The editor encourages authors to continue submitting high-quality manuscripts and invites them to track their peer review contributions through the Web of Science platform. [Extracted from the article]

The document is an editorial introducing selected papers from the 4th International Symposium on Thermal-Fluid Dynamics (ISTFD 2023). Thermal-fluid dynamics is a crucial field that impacts various subjects and technologies, including energy generation, aerospace, automotive engineering, and more. The ISTFD series was established in 2019 to promote research and progress in thermal-fluid dynamics. The 4th symposium was successfully held in Nanjing, China, in 2023, with over 200 participants from 15 countries. This special issue contains 15 peer-reviewed articles showcasing recent research progress in thermal-fluid dynamics and interdisciplinary research. [Extracted from the article]

The eight papers making up this special issue on promoting women in mathematics consider the underrepresentation of women in mathematics and the experiences and observations of authors who are immersed in this work. In this editorial, we identify common themes we see across many of these papers, framing our discussion with the "social identity framework of mathematical development" presented in the first paper. This framework consists of three beliefs conducive to the pursuit of mathematics, and we discuss how the authors address each of these beliefs in their work. We also present data to illustrate that the underrepresentation of women in mathematics continues to be an issue, and we hope the papers in this issue will be informative for others who want to lead gender-based initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as an innovative technology with the potential to revolutionize various industries including libraries and information science. Academic libraries are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance services, improve efficiency, and enhance user experience. This study utilizes a bibliometric approach to comprehensively analyze current research on AI in academic libraries (AI in ALs). This study employed bibliometric indicators to identify key trends, patterns, and research gaps in the existing literature. A comprehensive dataset of 373 research papers on AI in ALs published between 2002 and 2022 was collected and analyzed using the Scopus database. Various bibliometric tools, such as Biblioshiny, VOSviewer, and BibExcel, have enhanced this analysis. The findings of this study provide important insights. By 2022, there were 64 publications, constituting 17.16% of the total corpus, accompanied by 65 citations. In contrast, 2019 witnessed only 33 publications yet accumulated a substantial number of citations, amounting to 294, representing 8.85% of the overall citations. Conference papers exhibited the highest frequency among different publication types, with 165 publications, whereas journal articles had the highest citation count, accumulating 217 citations. Geographically, China emerged as the leading contributor with 119 publications, and Wuhan University stood out as the most prominent affiliation. Notably, the "Lecture Notes in Computer Science" series emerged as the most prolific source title, publishing 15 articles, of which eight were cited. The authors Wang J., Wang C., and Wang X. from China demonstrated significant contributions, consistently publishing four papers annually from 2010 to 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Course-based research experiences (CBREs) are highly valued for science learning and research. Most are discipline-centered, but there is a great deal of interest in developing them to promote interdisciplinarity. Yet, we have much to learn about how CBREs work, and even more to learn about how disciplinary diversity operates as an element of design to promote learning and research. This mixed methods case study triangulates data on student experience, research networks, research artifacts and fieldnotes from participant observation to understand how disciplinary diversity factors into productive engagement for learning and research in an interdisciplinary course-based research experience (I-CBRE). A common boundary object (scientific paper) mediated developmental interactions among individuals both within and beyond the course. The boundary object also facilitated the productive engagement of students as instrumental actors in broader interdisciplinary research networks. This study shows how an "object tracing" approach can be used to examine productivity in disciplinarily diverse scientific contexts, and reveals some of the distinctly syncretic moves that participants deploy to make progress as learners and researchers. Extending work by Engel and Conant, the study emphasizes the importance of designing for "productive syncretic engagement" in research experiences characterized disciplinary diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the determination mechanism and dynamics of shipping freight rates has significant implications for practitioners, economists, and regulators of maritime transport. This paper systematically reviews the relevant papers on shipping freight rate published between 2000 and 2019. Specifically, it provides empirical insights including the major influencing factors of shipping freight rates and differences among the shipping sectors, and discusses the dominant methods and their applicability, strengths and weaknesses, and opportunities for new methods. Furthermore, the omissions and limitations in methods are explored to identify the research gaps and set a future research agenda. It is found that there is a strong focus on temporal dynamics with a wide range of modelling methods applied, while discussion on cross-sectional dynamics on how shipping freight rates are determined by vessel characteristics, contract terms, market competition, etc., is limited. Besides, the collaboration network analysis shows that more knowledge sharing and cross-discipline collaboration efforts can create potential for more inspired insights with advanced methods in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative geographical methods have played an important role in COVID-19 research. To complement and extend previous review studies, we conduct a scoping review of COVID-19 studies employing quantitative geographical approaches by focusing on 331 papers published in 45 journals in geography, urban studies, and planning. We identify four major research themes (clusters): (1) how SARS-CoV-2 viruses spread in cities, (2) the COVID-19 mortality (death) rates and their association with socioeconomic variables, (3) how the COVID-19 pandemic changed people's mobilities, and (4) how the COVID-19 pandemic affects air pollution. We conclude that spatial models play a key role in COVID-19 quantitative geographical approaches, and human mobility is an important and widely studied topic. We also reveal a lack of research focusing on environmental pollution (other than air pollution) that potentially worsened during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the importance of the peer-review process in contributing to the field of research. The author shares a positive experience with an author who received constructive feedback on their declined paper and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to improve their work. The article also explains the peer-review process used by the journal, which involves a desk review, gatekeeper review, and full peer-review. The goal of the process is to ensure that published papers contribute to the body of knowledge in the field. The article acknowledges that the peer-review process may have imperfections but emphasizes the volunteer efforts of the community in sharing research and providing expertise. [Extracted from the article]

"Volatile States in International Politics" by Eleonora Mattiacci explores the increasing unpredictability of state behavior in world politics. The book combines statistical data and archival frames of reference to explain the concept of "volatility" in international politics, its causes, impact, and potential remedies. The author examines factors that contribute to interstate volatility, such as relative power and resource availability, and proposes novel methods for measuring volatility. The book also provides a detailed assessment of countries engaged in strategic rivalry and explores the prevalence of volatility in interactions between countries with defensive commitments. While the book emphasizes the importance of understanding volatility, it neglects the larger context of the security dilemma and the potential value of creative diplomacy in countering volatility. Overall, "Volatile States in International Politics" is a well-written and valuable introduction to the concept of volatility in international politics. [Extracted from the article]

"George Orwell's Perverse Humanity: Socialism and Free Speech" by Glenn Burgess is a book that explores the relationship between liberalism and socialism in Orwell's work. The author argues that Orwell's vision combines both ideologies and that they are mutually dependent on each other. The book examines Orwell's views on real-world experiences, political violence, and the importance of freedom of speech. However, the book also addresses contemporary issues such as "wokeism" and the debate surrounding cancel culture, although the evidence presented in this regard may be less convincing. Overall, the book provides a comprehensive analysis of Orwell's political thinking and his contributions to the fields of liberalism and socialism. [Extracted from the article]

The way a young child uses language has an impact on their future life. Early language acquisition is a determinant in adult employment, mental health and relationships with others. At the same time there is a broad evidence base that play and learning in the natural environment is beneficial for young children's physical, emotional, social and cognitive development. However, literature about how these two contributions to children's early development intersect and combine, in particular whether and how early language learning in children aged between 3 and 7 years might be enhanced in nature, is harder to find. For this paper, we undertook a systematic literature review to explore and report on research within this important area. Based on an in-depth study of 181 articles, we found that scant literature exists about how children's language is developed within natural environments. Although this appears to be a topic that is discussed in practice-oriented publications, it was found that very few researchers are focusing on and reporting within this area. Twelve papers were thoroughly analysed and three themes identified and discussed; desire to communicate, communication skills and literacy skills. This paper concludes by suggesting areas for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the importance of integrating educational theory and research into the production and evaluation of educational media. It highlights the lack of grounding in educational theory and research in many educational media products, such as apps. However, it also acknowledges examples of educational media, like Sesame Street, that are built upon a strong foundation of theory and research. The article introduces a special section of papers that provide insight into the integration of theory and practice in the creation and evaluation of an educational television series, using Sesame Street's curriculum focus on "playful problem solving" as an example. These papers trace the development of the curriculum from its theoretical underpinnings to its implementation and impact on the target audience. The article concludes by emphasizing the educational benefits of Sesame Street and Playful Learning, and encourages educators, producers, and researchers to share their insights and experiences to further merge theory and practice in educational media. [Extracted from the article]

This article sets out the findings of a systematic review on research into career guidance policy in the Nordic countries between 2008 and 2022. In total 60 papers were reviewed from across the Nordic region. They focused on national career guidance systems, career guidance systems for young people, the adult guidance system and career guidance for migrants. The corpus proved to be methodologically diverse with studies utilizing a wide range of different research strategies, although important differences were found between academic and grey literature. Most of the papers reviewed were atheoretical, with the remaining, mainly academic, literature drawing heavily on critical theory. The thematic analysis identified four major themes in the corpus: the context for career guidance policy; career guidance provision and practice; technologies of governance; and beneficiaries and outcomes of career guidance policies. The findings are discussed in relation to the strengths and weakness of the corpus and used to propose a research programme for the next 15 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthocyanins, a significant subclass of polyphenols, are prevalent across various plant species. Known for their vibrant colors, which make them desirable as natural pigments, anthocyanins have also garnered attention for their diverse biological activities, leading to their widespread use in food processing and supplement development. However, their structural instability poses a challenge, as it directly impacts their bioavailability and, consequently, their nutritional efficacy. This review paper delves into the chemical structure and food sources of anthocyanins and examines strategies to enhance their stability and bioavailability, particularly through improved understanding of their digestion and absorption in the human body. Additionally, it explores the broad spectrum of anthocyanins’ biological activities, including their antioxidant, hypoglycemic, anticancer, cardiovascular, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects, analyzing these properties from a mechanistic perspective. Factors such as pH, temperature, light exposure, solvent interactions, and metal ions are known to negatively affect anthocyanin stability. Thus, future research should prioritize processing techniques that can preserve their structure more effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article comprises a set of commentaries for the paper written by Carroll and Esposito Amideo from different scholars and OR practitioners. The commentaries agree on the importance of documenting the gender situation across the OR community and the need to address it through multiple actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nguyen Minh Khoa has responded to the editor's letter regarding their article titled "On the polyconvolution operator with a trigonometric weight function for Hartley integral transforms and applications." They express gratitude for the feedback and address specific points raised by the anonymous reviewer. They confirm the accuracy of the factorization equality and Placherel's type theorem. However, they point out an error in the condition of Watson's type theorem and provide the corrected version. Nguyen Minh Khoa appreciates the comments and aims to improve the quality of their article. [Extracted from the article]

The 14th International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Applications of Accelerators (AccApp'21) was held in 2021 as an embedded topical meeting during the ANS Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C. The conference aimed to promote accelerator-based research and development and covered various research topics, including accelerator facilities, nuclear data, medical applications, and industrial applications. A total of 120 abstracts were submitted, and 105 presentations were given. The conference faced challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic but was successful with the support of participants and sponsors. The conference proceedings were published in Nuclear Science and Engineering (NSE). [Extracted from the article]

As the 75th anniversary of the Journal of the Operational Research Society is celebrated, the opportunity is taken here to reflect on the contributions made by the six editors of the first 35 volumes. During this time the journal changed from a 15-page Operational Research Quarterly issue containing one paper, which was published four times per annum, to a journal, published twelve times per annum, whose typical issues contained eight papers in 100 pages, with several book reviews. The work of Davies, Eddison, Lawrence, Cuninghame-Green, Haley and Amiry is worthy of acknowledgment and celebration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Breaks in the Air: The Birth of Rap Radio in New York City" by John Klaess is a significant contribution to the history of New York hip-hop culture. The book explores the early days of rap radio in New York, when stations like WBLS played a crucial role in shaping the sound and culture of hip-hop. Klaess uses interviews and cassette recordings to provide insights into the inseparable relationship between rap, radio, and diverse listening communities. The book also examines the impact of deregulation on the commercial radio industry and the role of radio in advancing Black social progress. Overall, "Breaks in the Air" offers a valuable perspective on the history of rap radio in New York City. [Extracted from the article]

"Big Bend National Park: Mexico, the United States, and a Borderland Ecosystem" by Michael Welsh is a historical exploration of Big Bend National Park, situated on the border between Mexico and the United States. The book examines the unique landscape of the park, shaped by the Rio Grande river, and the challenges posed by its borderland ecosystem. Welsh discusses the efforts of conservationists, politicians, and scientists in establishing the park and highlights the potential for binational cooperation and collaboration. The book also addresses the tensions between preservation and development in national parks and the need to navigate the changing cultural and political landscape. While the book lacks an examination of the park's future in the face of climate change and public policy, it offers valuable insights for students and scholars interested in national identity, border relations, and environmental protectionism. [Extracted from the article]

"Mass atrocities and the police: A new history of ethnic cleansing in Bosnia and Herzegovina" edited by Christian Axboe Nielsen examines the role of the police services in the descent into violence in Bosnia. The book argues that the war in Bosnia began with the police and that understanding the issues of policing and crimes committed by the police is crucial in understanding the war and subsequent peace. The author provides detailed analysis of how politics drove ethnicity and how ethnicity drove politics, leading to the collapse of internal security. The book focuses primarily on the activities of the Bosnian Serbs and their support by the Serbian government, but also touches on the early activities of the Croatian security forces. The author highlights the close cooperation between the Bosnian Serb police and various paramilitary forces, as well as the militarization of the Bosnian Serb police and their role in committing war crimes and crimes against humanity. The book does not extensively address the actions of the Croatian and Bosniak police, but the author argues that further study is needed to provide a more nuanced comparative analysis. Overall, the book provides valuable insights into the overlooked role of the police in the violence in Bosnia. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the importance of heat exchangers in industrial and commercial processes and the negative impact of fouling on their efficiency. It highlights the significance of the Heat Exchanger Fouling and Cleaning Conference, which brings together experts from around the world to share research and advancements in fouling science, mitigation strategies, and cleaning technologies. The 14th conference took place in Wagrain, Austria, in 2022, after a hiatus due to the global pandemic. The conference covered various topics related to fouling and cleaning, and nine papers were selected for inclusion in a special issue of Heat Transfer Engineering. The upcoming conference is scheduled to be held in Portugal in April 2024. [Extracted from the article]

In the book "Teuflische Allmacht: Über die verleugneten christlichen Wurzeln des modernen Antisemitismus und Antizionismus" by Tilman Tarach, the author argues that there is a tendency to overlook the Christian roots of antisemitism and anti-Zionism. Tarach traces the history of antisemitism back to early Christian pogroms and emphasizes the influence of Christianity on Nazi ideology. He also highlights the role of the Catholic and Protestant churches in perpetuating antisemitic beliefs. The book demonstrates that antisemitism has deep historical roots and remains connected to Christianity. [Extracted from the article]

"The 7 Deadly Myths: Antisemitism from the Time of Christ to Kanye West" by Alex Ryvchin explores the historical and contemporary manifestations of antisemitism. The book examines various myths surrounding the discrimination and persecution of Jews, including the blood libel, the belief that Jews are Christ-killers, and the myth of Jewish global domination. Ryvchin also addresses the concepts of Jewish chosenness, Jewish wealth, dual loyalties, and the perception of Jews as oppressors. The author concludes by emphasizing the importance of exposing and combating antisemitism to create a more inclusive and tolerant society. [Extracted from the article]

"France before 1789: The Unraveling of an Absolutist Regime" by Jon Elster is a book that examines the period leading up to the French Revolution. The author explores different interpretations of the revolution and focuses on the psychology of social groups and the political actors of the time. Elster's extensive knowledge of French history and his use of various thinkers and philosophers contribute to his analysis. While some historians may question the inevitability of the revolution, Elster presents it as a result of changing circumstances and the reaction of the third estate. The book also highlights the need for further research on the subject. [Extracted from the article]

The Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Location-Based Service is receiving more and more attention due to its high ranging accuracy and good time resolution. However, the None-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) propagation may reduce the ranging accuracy for UWB localization system in indoor environment. So it is important to identify LOS and NLOS propagations before taking proper measures to improve the UWB localization accuracy. In this paper, a deep learning-based UWB NLOS/LOS classification algorithm called FCN-Attention is proposed. The proposed FCN-Attention algorithm utilizes a Fully Convolution Network (FCN) for improving feature extraction ability and a self-attention mechanism for enhancing feature description from the data to improve the classification accuracy. The proposed algorithm is evaluated using an open-source dataset, a local collected dataset and a mixed dataset created from these two datasets. The experiment result shows that the proposed FCN-Attention algorithm achieves classification accuracy of 88.24% on the open-source dataset, 100% on the local collected dataset and 92.01% on the mixed dataset, which is better than the results from other evaluated NLOS/LOS classification algorithms in most scenarios in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To increase agricultural production and feed the growing human population, the control of phytopathogens, known to affect the quality and yield of fruit and vegetable production, is of utmost importance. Chemical pesticides are by far the most used defensives to control plant diseases, which, despite their effectiveness, are already associated with several health issues in humans, besides their toxic and cumulative effects on the environment and food chain. In this context, natural products appear as viable alternatives to reduce the volume of pesticides used in the field and yet, have a recognized potential to be used in disease management programs. This systematic review highlights the use of essential oils (EOs) as control agents against microbial phytopathogens. Defined as oily, aromatic, and hydrophobic liquids obtained from any part of the plants, EOs are known for their diverse activities, such as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and others. Furthermore, EOs are classified as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) when used as food additives due to their moderate effects on mammals and low persistence in the environment. These characteristics point to EOs as viable alternatives in the research and development of new products and approaches for the control of diseases caused by phytopathogens. The present systematic review reports on scientific novel papers published between January 2019 - June 2023 (approximately five years) that relate the use of EOs against phytopathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The four papers printed in this themed issue of the journal are on the general topic of seventeenth-century attempts to devise a philosophical language scheme or what was known as a 'real character'. Each article approaches the topic from a distinctive perspective: two of the papers focus on the work of a single thinker; a third paper examines the technical notations being concurrently developed in the areas of mathematics, music, and chemistry; and the fourth explores the way such schemes rest on semi-submerged and controversial assumptions about the nature of speech and writing. What is common to the four papers is a consensus that, while previous work in this area has tended to focus primarily on a handful of the fully worked-out schemes, there are rich avenues yet to be fully exploited if the scope of research is re-oriented towards the study of notational systems in the context of their specific application. It is in this sense that we invite readers to view our topic as an open cross-roads of intersecting avenues for study, rather than as a closed market-place for the display and comparison of the models available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decision to implement a biogas production project involves the evaluation of multiple variables, such as the problem to be solved, the biodigester, business model, investment, and final products. An integrative literature review was conducted, in which 58 papers were obtained and relevant criteria for decision-making in biogas production projects from organic waste were identified. Three stages were considered in the analysis of the biogas production cycle: initial, plant, and final, as well as the economic, environmental, and social aspects that influence the decision. In general, the publications are dispersed over 30 different journals. The methodology used in most studies is empirical, quantitative, and descriptive, with data collected mainly from secondary sources. From the studies, 499 original criteria were identified, which were classified into one of four categories: economic, environmental, social, and technical, which cover a total of 39 sub-criteria. Economic and technical criteria were the most frequent in publications, while environmental and social criteria were less common and less prioritized. This suggests that there is a tendency to prioritize economic and technical dimensions over environmental and social dimensions in the analysis of the papers found. Finally, a preliminary decision-making model based on the findings is proposed. Implications: The integrative review of the literature on biogas and decision-making presented in this study holds significant implications for policy and practice in the field of sustainable energy production, organic waste management and decision making for public managers. By analyzing 159 papers and developing a comprehensive classification system, we have identified key sub-criteria for decision-making in various stages of the biogas production cycle. The predominance of technical and economic sub-criteria demonstrates the priorities of the current state of biogas projects and, at the same time, the need to promote balance between the technical, economic, social and environmental spheres in decision-making in order to achieve truly sustainable biogas projects. Policymakers can utilize these findings to promote the adoption of more holistic decision-making approaches that consider diverse factors, fostering the development of environmentally-friendly and socially equitable biogas ventures. This research provides valuable insights into aligning biogas production with broader sustainability goals and guides policymakers in formulating evidence-based strategies for the advancement of renewable energy technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the diverse range of materials used for sizing in Iranian paper manuscripts during the Timurid (fifteenth century) to Safavid (sixteenth century) and Qajar (nineteenth century) periods. Our approach combined historical analysis with scientific examination of reconstructed sizings. We reconstructed 15 sizing materials based on identified Persian historical recipes and analysed their physical, optical, and spectral characteristics. Additionally, we assessed their behaviour against the mould fungus Aspergillus flavus. The results revealed distinctive properties for each sizing material, shedding light on their potential applications in paper preservation. Furthermore, our investigation demonstrated variations in hygroscopicity, thickness, grammage, and ash content post-sizing. The sizing materials also exhibited different effects on paper reflectance properties. Additionally, our study revealed insights into the impact of sizing on burnished papers, indicating that the mechanical process of burnishing did not significantly alter the chemical composition or spectral properties of the paper, with only minor changes in brightness observed in specific cases. All tested sizing materials supported varying levels of mould growth, indicating potential implications for paper conservation. Our findings provide valuable insights into the historical practices of Iranian paper sizing and offer practical considerations for the preservation of paper manuscripts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes the outcomes of a faculty partnership between a math professor and a composition professor to improve the final paper in a research-focused senior capstone math course. Much attention has been paid in recent years to the importance of undergraduate research experiences and how to best create and support such endeavors. However, little space has been dedicated to helping math faculty design and scaffold writing assignments to support their students' development as scholars. We describe how our partnership took place, the changes we made to existing assignments and the creation of new ones, and an assessment of our efforts completed by an interdisciplinary group of faculty and students, which showed marked improvement in the areas of information literacy, critical thinking, and quality of writing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an editorial for a special issue of the journal "Innovation & Development" focused on the financing of innovation for development in the Global South. The editorial highlights the need to address the relationship between finance and innovation, particularly in underdeveloped countries. It discusses the role of public financial institutions, such as national development banks, and explores novel forms of financing for innovation, such as micro-finance and venture capital. The editorial also introduces six research papers included in the special issue that touch on various aspects of finance and innovation in the Global South. Overall, the editorial aims to inspire new research questions and studies in this field. [Extracted from the article]

Teacher professional learning workshops have been frequently used to prepare in-service and pre-service teachers for effective use of technology in education. Evaluation of these workshops is crucial to identify the effectiveness of these programmes in terms of improving teaching skills, increasing knowledge, changing attitudes, and developing capabilities which support the achievement of student learning outcomes. Multiple approaches for evaluating professional development programmes have been developed, though each with different emphases and theoretical positioning. In this systematic review, 41 research-oriented teacher professional development workshops on technology use were critically analysed to understand how such workshops are evaluated. This study examines content evaluation, instrument types, and common professional development frameworks in teacher professional development workshops and reports on their usage and alignment. Based on the findings, the majority of papers in the systematic review did not deploy comprehensive professional development evaluation models to assess teacher professional development workshops. The majority of studies did not report on the use of established instruments for the purposes of data collection. It was further observed that the majority of these studies did not attempt to evaluate different dimensions of teacher change or different dimensions related to evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we suggest that in most cases there is no need for a lengthy description of methodological procedures in qualitative higher education journal articles. Doing so often adds no real value beyond creating a scientific façade, and the space this requires as a proportion of the total paper word limit could be better utilized for crafting a more critical contribution for the field. With the relatively short word limits allowed for articles, there is always a trade-off between what can be covered and what might be needed. However, our preference would be to have journals and authors use the space to develop a deeper conceptual or theoretical engagement with the topic of interest, rather than writing about interview protocols and how codes and themes were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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"English Renaissance Manuscript Culture: the paper revolution" by Steven W. May is a book that explores the paper revolution and its impact on manuscript culture during the English Renaissance. May argues that the transition from script to print was not as simple as previously believed and offers correctives to earlier accounts. He also challenges the notion of exclusive coteries and highlights the open and freely circulating nature of texts during this period. May reconstructs the network of manuscript culture through compilers' testimony, textual criticism, biographical research, and handwriting analysis. The book invites further research and emphasizes the importance of understanding the circulation of manuscripts during the English Renaissance. [Extracted from the article]

The Journal of Critical Realism has issued a call for papers for a special issue on Morphogenetic Régulation (MR). MR is a theoretical and methodological framework that examines complex systemic transformations within contemporary capitalism. It builds on the Immanent Causality Morphogenetic Approach (ICMA) introduced by Knio in 2018, which combines Margaret Archer's Morphogenetic Analysis with Spinoza's concept of immanent causality. The call for papers invites contributions that apply MR to various themes and disciplines in the social sciences. The submission deadline for full papers is September 31, 2024, and all papers will undergo peer review. [Extracted from the article]

This document is an editorial from the Journal of Development Effectiveness, focusing on a special issue dedicated to transparency and ethics in impact evaluations. The editorial highlights the increasing number of evaluations being conducted to improve development outcomes and the importance of integrating evidence into policy-making. It also acknowledges concerns about the credibility and reproducibility of existing evidence. The special issue includes five papers that cover various themes related to transparency and ethics in evidence generation. The editorial concludes by discussing initiatives taken by the journal to promote transparency and ethics in research and identifies areas for future research in this field. [Extracted from the article]