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Goal 4 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) concerns inclusive, equitable quality education and promotion of lifelong learning opportunities for all. Libraries excel at early-education offerings and lifelong or recreational learning. However, less prevalent is support for the "middle"—adults with higher education aspirations. An educated workforce supports an information-resilient society, yet individuals in rural communities experience informational barriers and underrepresent degree holders. This research examines the provision of college planning programs and information in central Appalachia through a content analysis of 89 public library websites. Though the region enjoys a close-knit connectedness that could place libraries at the forefront of degree attainment and information resilience, findings suggest there is much room for improvement if the libraries aim to support goal 4 as related to postsecondary education. This research is relevant to audiences worldwide as postsecondary education has been shown to impact economic development in international lower-income contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometer was used to study the reactions of U+ with N2 and NO. Reaction cross sections were measured over a wide range of energy for both systems. In each reaction, UN+ is formed by an endothermic process, thereby enabling the direct measurement of the threshold energy and determination of the UN+ bond dissociation energy. For the reaction of U+ + N2, a threshold energy (E0) of 4.02 ± 0.11 eV was measured, leading to D0 (UN+) = 5.73 ± 0.11 eV. The reaction of U+ + NO yields UO+ through an exothermic, barrierless process that proceeds with 94 ± 23% efficiency at the lowest energy. Analysis of the endothermic UN+ cross section in this reaction provides E0 = 0.72 ± 0.11 eV and, therefore, D0 (UN+) = 5.78 ± 0.11 eV. Averaging the values obtained from both reactions, we report D0 (UN+) = 5.76 ± 0.13 eV as our best value (uncertainty of two standard deviations). Combined with precise literature values for the ionization energies of U and UN, we also derive D0 (UN) = 5.86 ± 0.13 eV. Both bond dissociation energies agree well with high-level theoretical treatments in the literature. The formation of UN+ in reaction of U+ with NO also exhibits a considerable increase in reaction probability above ∼3 eV. Theory suggests that this may be consistent with the formation of UN+ in excited quintet spin states, which we hypothesize are dynamically favored because the number of 5f electrons in reactants and products is conserved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular dynamics and density functional theory simulations are used to predict the lattice and electronic contributions of thermophysical properties for UN, PuN, and mixed (U,Pu)N systems. The properties predicted include the lattice parameter, linear thermal expansion, enthalpy, and specific heat capacity, as a function of temperature. The simulation predictions for high temperature specific heat capacity are compared against experimental measurements to understand the behavior, and why differences in the experimental measurements are observed. The influence of adding U vacancies, N interstitials, and Pu to UN is also examined. For this, a new PuN potential parameter set is developed and used with the Kocevski UN potential, enabling the dynamics of mixed (U,Pu)N systems to be studied. How defects impact the thermophysical properties is important for understanding fuel behavior under different reactor conditions, and these mechanistic predictions can be used to support fuel performance codes where data is scarce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the importance of incorporating climate education in business curricula and highlights the challenges faced by educators in doing so. It introduces En-ROADS, a computer simulation model developed by Climate Interactive, the MIT-Sloan Sustainability Initiative, and Ventana Systems, as a promising tool for experiential learning about climate change and the role of businesses in addressing it. The simulation allows participants to propose actions that can mitigate climate change and assess their impact on global temperatures and equity considerations. The article emphasizes the effectiveness of En-ROADS in increasing knowledge, engagement, and optimism towards climate action, and highlights its versatility and availability as open-source software. [Extracted from the article]

INTRODUCTION Food is a basic requirement for survival and a national strategic and security resource [1]. Relatedly, the human right to adequate food is one of the most fundamental human [...], The human right to adequate food is one of the most fundamental human rights crucial for the sustenance of the planet, and the prosperity of all people. It is firmly established in international human rights instruments and is clarified in the United Nations' General Comment 12 (GC 12). However, deep vulnerabilities and deprivation of the right to adequate food in the form of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition have persisted in many parts of the world. The climate-induced disasters also continues to devastate many communities, thereby depriving them of their rights including adequate food. This commentary provides a broader perspective on the 25 years of the GC 12 to stimulate further debate and actions to entrench human rights, especially the right to adequate food, at the centre of the food systems transformation and overall sustainable development agenda. This year 2024, marks 25 years of the Global Compact 12 on the human right to adequate food. While it is an important opportunity to celebrate this great achievement of engraining this right into the wider sphere of global reference at the United Nations level, the domestication in countries into actions that concretely address the problem of hunger and malnutrition has been slow in many countries. The world is now faced with the grim realities of starving populations arising from unnecessary and unjust wars, and food continues to be used as a weapon of war against international law and human imagination. Worse still, in the current environment of climate change and its adverse effects on food systems, SDG2 (Zero hunger by 2030), seems unrealistic. Finally, it is no longer a question of providing carbohydrates, as the need to address quality, safety, nutrition and cultural acceptability is ever so pressing. Going forward, there is a need to accelerate advocacy efforts, research and policy formulation that fully operationalise GC 12 in country-level food systems and nutrition interventions. Realization of the right to adequate food benchmarks in GC 12 should certainly be the penultimate of such interventions as strategic food reserves, poverty and hunger reduction programmes, humanitarian disaster preparedness, contingency funding, social protection and child care among others.

Arguably, one of the most successful campaigns in Air Power history was Operation Allied Force (OAF). In its im mediate aftermath, on June 6, 1999, the preeminent military historian, John [...]

The 37th meeting of the International Task Force for Disease Eradication (ITFDE) (1) was convened in a hybrid (virtual and in-person) format at the Carter Center in Atlanta (GA), USA, [...]

Organisations are having difficulty in determining and integrating Industry 4.0 technologies (I4.0T) to improve social dimensions of sustainable performance. We address this issue by showing how to identify the impact degree and path of I4.0T using the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs). First, we identify the SDGs associated with I4.0 and establish an evaluation framework. Second, we introduce an evaluation method that integrates hesitant fuzzy sets, rough sets, decision-making, trial evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) and interpretative structural modelling methods to identify the impact degree and path of I4.0T on SDGs. Third, we confirm the effectiveness of our framework and method using secondary case data from World Economic Forum reports. The case results show that I4.0T have varying direct and indirect influences on SDGs. Policy makers should consider that 'Big Data and Analytics' and 'Cloud Computing' are central I4.0T that link other technologies and SDGs. The prioritisation of I4.0T can lead to contributions to addressing 'Responsible consumption and production' and indirectly improve SDGs. The findings set an initial stage to help sequence investment in various technologies depending on SDGs. We identify sequential paths that can aid in planning for and investing in adopting I4.0T to better achieve SDGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundEach year an estimated 2.3 million newborns die in the first 28 days of life. Most of these deaths are preventable, and high-quality neonatal care is fundamental for surviving and thriving. Service readiness is used to assess the capacity of hospitals to provide care, but current health facility assessment (HFA) tools do not fully evaluate inpatient small and sick newborn care (SSNC).MethodsHealth systems ingredients for SSNC were identified from international guidelines, notably World Health Organization (WHO), and other standards for SSNC. Existing global and national service readiness tools were identified and mapped against this ingredients list. A novel HFA tool was co-designed according to a priori considerations determined by policymakers from four African governments, including that the HFA be completed in one day and assess readiness across the health system. The tool was reviewed by > 150 global experts, and refined and operationalised in 64 hospitals in Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, and Tanzania between September 2019 and March 2021.ResultsEight hundred and sixty-six key health systems ingredients for service readiness for inpatient SSNC were identified and mapped against four global and eight national tools measuring SSNC service readiness. Tools revealed major content gaps particularly for devices and consumables, care guidelines, and facility infrastructure, with a mean of 13.2% (n = 866, range 2.2-34.4%) of ingredients included. Two tools covered 32.7% and 34.4% (n = 866) of ingredients and were used as inputs for the new HFA tool, which included ten modules organised by adapted WHO health system building blocks, including: infrastructure, pharmacy and laboratory, medical devices and supplies, biomedical technician workshop, human resources, information systems, leadership and governance, family-centred care, and infection prevention and control. This HFA tool can be conducted at a hospital by seven assessors in one day and has been used in 64 hospitals in Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, and Tanzania.ConclusionThis HFA tool is available open-access to adapt for use to comprehensively measure service readiness for level-2 SSNC, including respiratory support. The resulting facility-level data enable comparable tracking for Every Newborn Action Plan coverage target four within and between countries, identifying facility and national-level health systems gaps for action.

On June 30, 1960, the independence of the Belgian Congo, once personal possession for 23 years of the Belgian King Leopold II, was proclaimed as the 'Republic of the Congo'. Emery-Patrice Lumumba (1925-1961) played a capital role in this emancipation which resulted in the consecration of Joseph Kasavubu as first President of the Republic of Congo and himself, Emery Patrice Lumumba, as Prime Minister. Congo has proclaimed its independence, but the new country remains plagued by violence and infighting. Belgian troops and peacekeepers from the United Nations intervene in the territory as a standoff begins between Kasavubu and Lumumba. On September 14, 1960, Colonel Joseph Desire Mobutu led a first coup d'etat which was followed by the arrest and assassination of Lumumba. The following years would be punctuated by rebellions and fighting interspersed with ceasefires in protest against the dictatorship established by the Mobutu regime after its second coup d'etat, five years later, during a new political crisis. After thirty-two years of unchallenged reign, Mobutu was ousted from power by Mzee Laurent Desire Kabila in May 1997 and since then, it has been difficult to speak of the real independence of the country, which became the Democratic Republic of Congo. Keywords: formal independence, real independence, Independence Day, Zaire, Democratic Republic of Congo, colonization, decolonization, political emancipation, sovereignty., Introduction Lorsque le Congo-belge accede a sa souverainete nationale et internationale, la ceremonie officielle a lieu en presence du roi Baudouin, du President Kasavubu et du Premier Ministre Lumumba, ainsi [...]

In the dynamic landscape of sustainable development, culture and cultural heritage are emerging concepts, taking more and more space in the academic literature. In the process of maintaining the balance between past, present and future, it is unrefutably important to understand the connection between cultural protection and promotion and actions towards sustainable development and environmental protection. This article aims to explore the complexities culture orientated actions, while having in consideration the sensitive issues of the permeability of cultural heritage over time. We discuss the relationship between cultural heritage and sustainable development, the actions that the EU takes to ensure cultural sustainability and the partnership between Romania and the EU could improve to maximize the impact on culture and sustainable development. Keywords: European Union, Romania, culture, sustainable development, Introduction Cultural heritage is the basis for tourism development in many European countries and further afield. Countries such as Greece, France and Italy are economically dependent on heritage tourism (which [...]

Strong foreign relations among nations are crucial for fostering global stability, economic growth, and cross-cultural understanding. A stable global system that resolves conflicts through dialogue rather than confrontation benefits from positive foreign relations. This paper examines Turkiye's changing foreign policy approach towards Sub-Saharan African regional blocs, with an emphasis on their political, cultural, and economic facets. Turkiye's strategic involvement with influential regional bodies such as the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), among others, reflects its broader objective to expand its influence and cultivate multifaceted partnerships across the African continent. The scope of this paper is limited to the AU and ECOWAS. Through a comprehensive analysis, the paper evaluates Turkiye's economic initiatives, including trade agreements and investment flows, as well as its contributions to infrastructure development. The findings established Turkiye's peacekeeping roles, cultural diplomacy, diplomatic efforts, and educational exchanges. Through the investigation of these diverse aspects, the conclusion outlines a comprehensive understanding of Turkiye's place in geopolitical dynamics and regional integration in Sub-Saharan Africa. Keywords: Foreign Policy, Foreign Relations, Turkiye, Sub-Saharan Africa, Regional Blocs, Introduction Following the end of the Cold War, a new concept emerged to deal with international and foreign affairs. This concept was dubbed the 'New World Order.' (1) However, the [...]

This article derives from an interview with Dr. Ryser conducted by Zoltan Grossman on October 5, 2009. It was published in the book Asserting Native Resilience: Pacific Rim Indigenous Nations Face The Climate Crises, edited by Zoltan Grossman and Alan Parker, and released in 2012. In this essay, Dr. Ryser comprehensively explores the role indigenous sovereignty plays in addressing the challenges posed by climate change. Emphasizing the importance of traditional knowledge and governance structures in fostering environmental resilience and effective adaptation strategies, he highlights the critical need for indigenous peoples to assert their authority as regulators and standard-setters in the face of climate change., If one wants to find the green parts of the world, look only where the Indigenous people live, and there's a reason for that. There is a strong motive to [...]

Fourth World knowledge systems vary widely but in the contemporary international environment, nations may be seen as engaging neighboring nations, states and international institutions with differing capacities. Understanding the different [...]

Global governance of artificial intelligence (AI) must grapple with four monumental challenges. AI is a tough problem to govern given the speed, scale, and uncertainty of its progress. Various aspects of the AI problem require governing because of the range of benefits, risks, and impacts on other global issues. Multilateral efforts on AI are nascent, as is national-level policy. And the multilateral system is under immense pressure from institutional gridlock, fragmentation, and geopolitical competition. No one global governance model for AI is perfect, or desirable. Instead, policymakers must pursue several governance models, each starting in a targeted and focused manner before evolving. They must make clear what policy outcomes are being sought and which institutional functions are needed to reach those outcomes. AI governance within regional and multilateral issue-based groupings would commit nations to action and test models for governing AI globally. And national champions will be critical to success. This pragmatic yet optimistic path will allow humanity to maximize the benefits of artificial intelligence applications and distribute them as widely as possible, while mitigating harms and reducing risks as effectively as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyzes the problem of implementing freedom of speech in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, as well as compares the actual situation of observing the human right to freedom of speech before and after Russia’s annexation of four regions of Ukraine in 2022. During the study, cases of arbitrary restriction of this freedom by the occupation administration of the Russian Federation were characterized and the reasons for such restrictions were determined. The article emphasizes that the real purpose of establishing restrictions on freedom of speech and other human rights and freedoms by the aggressor state is to ensure the internal stability of the Russian authoritarian regime. In order to achieve this goal, the Russian political nomenclature resorts to the practice of underestimating or excluding the role of representative institutions, as well as canceling or significantly limiting the political rights and freedoms of residents of the territories controlled by Russia. The article states that due to the effective control of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions by the Russian Federation since 2014, the Russian establishment managed to spread its autocratic practices on the territory of the self-proclaimed «republics» even before their annexation. In order to realize this goal, the occupation administration created formal grounds that allowed it to significantly limit the rights of residents in the territories under its control, although arbitrary restrictions on human rights, in particular the right to freedom of thought and speech, to the free expression of views and beliefs, were observed in the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions from the first days of their transition under the control of Russian militants. As a result of conducting a comparative legal analysis of the real situation of freedom of speech in the occupied territories of Ukraine before and after their annexation by the Russian Federation, it was concluded that the annexation by Russia of four regions of Ukraine in 2022 made it more difficult for residents to exercise their right to freely express their views and beliefs. The deterioration of the situation with civil space and fundamental freedoms in the occupied regions of Ukraine is explained by the fact that, as a result of the violent and illegal temporary rejection of part of the territory of Ukraine, Russia extended the effect of its administrative-delict and criminal legislation to these territories, in particular the so-called «fakes laws», by which the Russian Federation introduced military censorship on its territory in March 2022. Compared to the territory of the Russian Federation, in the occupied Ukrainian regions the realization of human and citizen rights and freedoms is further complicated by the introduction of martial law by the Russian occupation administration, which gave Russia a formal opportunity to continue arbitrarily restricting a number of rights and freedoms in the aforementioned territories. Taking into account these and other arguments presented in the article, the conclusions were reached that improving the situation of freedom of speech in the respective regions is possible only in the case of restoration of Ukrainian sovereignty over the temporarily occupied territories and the prevention of any form of interference of the Russian authoritarian regime in the public and political life of Ukraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polio vaccine hesitancy remains high in Pakistan due to various socio-political, religious, and economic factors. To address this, the government of Pakistan and its international partners such as UNICEF have devised a multipronged communication strategy to counter resistance to polio vaccine in hard-to-reach areas of the country. In this strategy, mainstream news media has been identified as a key stakeholder, as they have the potential to reach a wide range of population and disseminate easy to understand messages including both visuals and text. However, less scholarly attention has been paid to how mainstream news media in Pakistan frame polio and polio vaccine in their visuals. This study aims to fill this gap. Using visual framing as a theoretical framework, we analyzed 115 images from three selected newspapers published from 2010 to 2022. Our results suggest that the newspapers depicted hard-to-reach areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province which were more affected by polio and highlighted the criminality and securitization of polio vaccine in the country. In addition, female polio healthcare workers, who are instrumental in eradicating the disease, have been given marginal coverage, reflecting the importance of gender sensitivity in the region. Overall, this study contributes to the fields of visual communication, health communication, and international communication, particularly related to the Global South. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The requirement of excellent flexural stiffness in construction elements has initiated the use of fibre reinforcement. However, the processing complexity involved in the manufacture of synthetic fibres is environmentally hazardous. The use of natural fibres in geopolymer concrete (GPC) structures was investigated in this work using a hybridisation of natural and synthetic fibre. Natural basalt fibre (BF) was used with synthetic steel fibre (SF) in various proportions in GPC and tests were conducted to evaluate the workability, compressive strength, split tensile strength and flexural strength. It was found that, compared with the plain GPC, the addition of 1.5% BF and 0.5% SF resulted in 45%, 27% and 12% improvements in compressive, split tensile and flexural strengths, respectively. The compatibility between the SF and BF resulted in enhanced post-peak flexural behaviour, with 37% improvements in the modulus of elasticity and stiffness. As BF possesses more tensile strength than SF, the use of 1.5% BF and 0.5% SF provided better flexural and ductility properties than the use of SF alone, which could lead to the development of ductile GPC members under dynamic loading conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In international cooperation on taxation, countries strive to achieve equality in international taxation and, thus, create the basis for a fair international tax system. Justice exists in an international system of taxation only when states allocate taxing powers among themselves in a manner consistent with dominant views of justice internationally. A fair international tax system will not exist until there is some international consensus on how countries should allocate axing powers among themselves. International cooperation allows countries to improve the coordination of tax policy at the international level. We can talk about several types of coordination. For example, one type aims to make a country's tax system more similar to others - in other words, to harmonize taxes. Other types aim to establish minimum or maximum tax rates to avoid double taxation of cross-border income streams, prevent transfer pricing, coordinate arrangements with competent authorities and limit harmful tax competition. The current official agreements mean business activities through a permanent establishment and give the source country the primary right to tax profits from this operation. The country of residence is obliged to exempt these profits from tax, at least to the extent that they were taxed by the country of source. A tax treaty also often provides for an exemption from taxation of the employee's income from personal services provided the employee is in the country for no more than a specified period of time and the compensation is received by a non-resident employer without a permanent establishment. The treaty usually reduces or eliminates withholding tax on at least some items of investment-type income, such as interest, dividends, rents and royalties, that are not attributable to business carried on through a permanent establishment. The tax treaty also provides that the country of residence can tax capital gains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-income urban and rural communities in Sub-Saharan Africa are habitats for more than 556 million profoundly poor people, and the United Nations and the African Union are pessimistic that sustainable development goals will be met. The number of people falling into poverty is increasing, and policy initiatives to reduce poverty have been confounded by various economic, political, social, structural, and environmental issues. Despite a wealth of natural and human assets, there is no systematic approach to sustainable development for poverty alleviation in Sub-Saharan Africa. This case study of an urban community in Ghana, West Africa, investigates the potential role of digital twins in a systematic approach to sustainable development for poverty alleviation. Aerial and community surveys of the built environment and social and economic surveys of businesses and households were compiled to inform a virtual representation of the study area. A small e-commerce business intervention was introduced, and data was recorded for studies on the impact of the intervention. A 3D interactive view, extensive video, and fixed images provided a comprehensive view of the built environment. A limited view of the social and economic environment was obtained from a small population sample. It was observed that online transactions increased in the businesses receiving the e-commerce intervention, demonstrating a willingness of businesses and their customers to engage in e-commerce when incentives are provided. A single successful community-centric initiative has little value unless it can be generalized across the broader society. This limited case study focused on developing and testing virtual and physical constructs to enhance a deeper understanding of the community, community engagement, and pathways to sustainability. The scale of the intervention was too small to conclude generalizability. Future research will focus on improving the data collection processes, fidelity of virtual representations, visualization methods, and methodologies for constructing viable virtual interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines lessons learned from the Force Intervention Brigade in relation to the fundamental principles of peacekeeping. Whilst the Security Council declared that the Brigade, deployed in the dr Congo in 2013, was created ‘without a precedent or any prejudice to the agreed principles of peacekeeping’ this article will consider how it has challenged our understanding of these principles and will question to what extent a precedent has been set within peacekeeping. As the UN’s peace operation in the Congo, monusco, is set to withdraw and regional actors involved in the creation of the Brigade seek to deploy forces, the article will argue that the Brigade expanded peacekeeping to its very limits, amounting to a ‘conscious departure’ from the peacekeeping principles which should be avoided in any future UN peace operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This manuscript examines the adaptation and integration of intergenerational learning to create an inclusive marketing education environment. The development of innovative course designs to promote intergenerational learning and age-friendly curricula is an opportunity for educational institutions, given a demographic shift in many parts of the world. An innovative course design is featured that addresses a gap in marketing education literature regarding intergenerational classrooms, aligning with AACSB’s societal impact objectives and the UN Sustainable Development Goal #4 – to promote inclusive education and lifelong learning opportunities for all. Guided by the contact hypothesis, we discuss a modular approach to intergenerational classrooms that promises to break down barriers for older adult learners, increase the effectiveness of intergenerational learning, and benefit students of all ages. This manuscript features a three-week intergenerational module integrated into a semester-long (16-week) consumer behavior course consistent with experiential learning theory principles. We use this module to illustrate the potential of integrating intergenerational learning in marketing education and highlight the necessary conditions to adopt similar modules in other marketing classes. This approach fosters environments conducive to inclusivity and societal wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents findings from interview research with Canadian police officers deployed to the UN peacekeeping missions in Haiti between 2004 and 2017. Focusing on the problem of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), we present three discourses that emerge from this research and their reasoning about the problem of SEA. These discourses suggest that (1) other contributing countries are responsible for the problem of SEA; (2) the UN fails to sanction SEA in practice, while Canada does sanction SEA; and (3) Haitians and Haitian culture undermines efforts to reduce SEA. Using tools of critical discourse analysis, we show how discourses on SEA reinforce a mentality of self-exemption that treats sexual misconduct as a problem in which Canada and Canadians are largely innocent, while the UN, other contributing countries, and Haitians themselves, bear much more fault. We argue that these discourses reproduce a narrative of innocence and contribute to Canada's national mythology as a do-gooder nation that is largely exempt from perpetrating SEA, despite evidence to the contrary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the return to democracy in Argentina, the definition of new roles and missions for the armed forces became imperative in order to establish civilian authority over the military and contribute to the consolidation of the democratic regime. After seven years of military dictatorship (1976–1983), the transformation of repressive and war-prone armed forces into law-abiding and peaceful ones was needed to achieve three key political goals: To strengthen the newly restored yet weak rule of law, to rebuild the country's battered international image, and to help professionalise an ill-reputed military. This article argues that since the return to democracy in 1983, successive governments have pursued these goals by linking issues traditionally falling within the military and security realm to the country's external agenda. Building upon the defence diplomacy literature – that is, the use of defence and military cooperation as a diplomatic tool – the article develops a conceptual framework to apply to the Argentine case, focussing on how defence diplomacy is developed in three stages which we conceptualise as inward-looking, outward-looking, and symmetrical military-to-military relations. Overall, we contend that defence diplomacy – though still a recent and weakly systematised concept in the field – is a useful tool which should be taken into account when analysing the democratic transitions and the pursued civilian control over the armed forces in Global South countries like Argentina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experimental programme was conducted to observe, non-destructively, the influence of aggregate particle size and low water/cement (w/c) ratios on alkali–silica reaction (ASR) in concrete using micro-computed tomography scanning. The results were analysed using a model developed as part of a previous study. ASR expansion and cracking was observed to increase to strain levels of around 0.010 with a decrease in particle diameter up to a 'pessimum' diameter of 1–2 mm. Below the pessimum diameter, expansion was low: around 0.001 strain. Analysis using the previously developed model clearly illustrated a transition from above the pessimum diameter, where ASR was the main process occurring, to below this size, where a pozzolanic reaction dominated. ASR expansion increased with a decrease in the w/c ratio, reaching strains of around 0.015. The model indicated that this is fundamentally a result of extended periods of restraint of ASR gel around aggregates, ultimately ending in much greater expansion when fracture eventually occurred. Additionally, cracking of aggregate coincided with an accelerated rate of expansion in mixes with w/c ratios below 0.6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the synergistic influence of bottom ash as a Portland cement (PC) and natural fine aggregate (NFA) replacement in concrete. Coal bottom ash (CBA) is a heavy ash that settles at the bottom of the combustion chamber of a thermal power plant. It was ground (GCBA) for two hours prior to replacing 10–30% PC, while CBA was used in raw form to replace 25% and 50% NFA. The mechanical properties along with durability properties (accelerated carbonation and chloride penetration) were studied after 28 days and 90 days of curing. Non-destructive tests were also performed to check the quality of CBA-based concrete. Microstructural characterisation was conducted using various techniques, namely X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The concrete with 20% GCBA and 25% CBA (G20C25) reported the best performance in terms of parameters studied owing to the pozzolanic reactivity of GCBA and the filler effect of fine CBA. The microstructural investigations also validated the findings and trends observed in the experimental results. Well-fitted mathematical models were derived and optimisation was carried out using the desirability function approach. Multi-objective optimisation recommended 21.80% GCBA and 24.17% CBA as the optimum amount, resulting in a significant reduction of 19.19% and 18.19% in carbon footprint and eco-cost, respectively, compared to the control mix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes course-based projects in a Masters of Social Work class designed to explore the importance of environmental issues on the interactions between humans and animals. Three service-learning projects were implemented within a community "EarthFest" event to promote increased awareness of sustainability and actions to protect the environment while enhancing both welfare of animals and health and human well-being. Therapy and robotic animals were integrated into the projects to provide direct, hands-on benefits and interaction for participants. These projects reinforced social work values of service and social justice while developing student's skills in creating and facilitating an animal-assisted activity focused on sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The connections between sport events and violence against women are an emerging area of research and align with the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 5–Gender equality. This article explores the connection between sport event leverage initiatives and raising awareness about violence against women, through a case study of an arts and cultural initiative that ran in conjunction with the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games: One Million Stars to End Violence (OMSTEV). Event leverage literature and a gendered lens informed our study. We focused on the official messaging of the initiative, as a key aspect in social event leverage. We conducted a document analysis of 30 documents including event reports, government media releases, and public media articles to explore how official messaging and media coverage reported the initiative to the broader public. We found official messaging and media coverage portrayed OMSTEV as a successful community engagement initiative that produced a beautiful artistic installation. However, the official reporting and media coverage failed to communicate in a way to raise the broader public's awareness regarding violence against women. We provide suggestions for practice and research to better contribute to the value of sport events for targeted social causes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The UN undertakes numerous human rights activities. Various UN entities have been established solely to promote and protect human rights, such as the Human Rights Council and the human rights treaty bodies. Others, such as the Security Council, have mandates intrinsically connected to human rights. Furthermore, a variety of UN specialized agencies, programmes and funds work in areas associated with human rights. However, the work these entities undertake lacks coordination. In his 2020 Call to Action, UN Secretary-General António Guterres spoke of the need to enhance 'synergies between human rights and all pillars of the work of the United Nations' and encouraged the use of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process as a way of doing so. Furthermore, one of the 'principles' of UPR is that it should 'complement and not duplicate other human rights mechanisms'. There has been little exploration of the extent to which UPR does, in fact, complement the UN's other work in human rights. This article seeks to fill that gap. Drawing on data from the first three cycles of UPR, it demonstrates the extent to which states have complemented UN efforts to protect and promote human rights in UPR recommendations. Building on these empirical observations, it explores how UPR recommendations could be used to further coordinate and reinforce the UN's human rights work by avoiding generic references to the UN, expanding their focus beyond the 'core' UN human rights bodies to engage with the work of all UN entities, and encouraging engagement with all aspects of a particular entity's mandate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability is a critical societal aim, and local governments (LGs) play an important role in fostering sustainability, as the implementation of the global aims set by the United Nations—namely, the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs offer novel accounting, reporting, and management perspectives for LGs. The objective of the study is to understand the role of the accounting–management nexus which is needed to institutionalize sustainability in LG practices. We adopted an institutional work perspective to investigate how actors at the field, organizational, and suborganizational levels of LGs can foster sustainability in accounting and management. Based on interviews with managers and other representatives from the 18 largest LGs in Finland, we found that although sustainability integration is still in the early stages and there is considerable heterogeneity in LGs' handling of sustainability issues, there is clear potential for the simultaneous deployment of different institutional work types. This has positive implications for the institutionalization of sustainability accounting and management practices in LGs, enhancing understanding of how sustainability is fostered in public sector accounting and management by focusing on organizational‐level institutional work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

With 2030 quickly approaching and hence the end of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) timeline, it is necessary to start the conversation as to what the post- 2030 international development goals, that will take over from the SDGs, will look like. Building on the experiences of implementing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and SDGs, there is the possibility of making the post-2030 goals the most efficient and successful to date. This perspective explores the lessons that have been learnt from the MDGs and SDGs, and together with a consideration of emerging global trends develops proposals for post-2030 goals and targets. In total seven goals are suggested: (1) Operate within planetary boundaries (2) Create growth within resource limits (3) Provide access to basic services for all (4) Eliminate poverty and hunger (5) Reduce inequality (6) Deliver good health and education for all (7) Build strong institutions and international partnerships. The goals are categorised as being: (i) Environmental and Economic (ii) Physical Assets (iii) Social, and (iv) Collaboration. System interdependencies and possible causal connections between the proposed post-2030 goals are also explored. A novel approach of five yearly assessments of the risks involved if the targets are not met, together with suggestions for corrective action is discussed, which will help inform governments and decision makers of the urgent actions needed. To avoid a disruptive future, careful formulation of the post SDG period beyond 2030 is urgently needed to provide a fair and consistent framework to hold both government and industry to account at local, national, and international levels. This will require the strengthening of existing international institutions and strategies for the financing of development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractRecent studies have shown that United Nations (UN) peacekeepers are deployed to active conflict zones and are effective in reducing violence against civilians and between armed actors. Yet, while existing research has explored where peacekeepers are initially deployed, we know less about where peacekeepers patrol after deployment in which existing evidence remains largely anecdotal. We contend that UN peacekeeping patrols are generally conducted in areas where they are most needed in areas of armed violence and where civilians are targeted as UN peacekeepers are mandated to anticipate and respond to violence. We assess this argument using unique, geocoded mission report data compiled by the Joint Mission Analysis Center (JMAC) on UNAMID patrols across Darfur between January 2008 and April 2009. We find that, while UN patrols often stayed closer to the base, many patrols did venture far from base into the “sea of instability,” in locations with armed clashes and civilian violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Aim Methods Results Discussion Conclusion and implications for nursing, health, and social policy Representing half of the global health workforce, nurses are critical to health promotion, disease prevention, and the economic and social needs of populations. However, nursing expertise is underutilized in the UN System, and nurses are underprepared for roles in policy to influence global health and sustainable development. Innovative education strategies are necessary to address the sidelining of nursing expertise in these spaces and build nursing literacy in shaping global policy.This quality improvement project aimed to develop and evaluate a model to build a USA‐based school of nursing's literacy and engagement with the United Nations (UN) System.A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student developed an innovative educational model, the United Nations Essentials for Global Nursing Leadership, in partnership with a school of nursing (SON), to build faculty knowledge and skills on initiating and sustaining bidirectional engagement with the UN. In 2023, SON faculty piloted the model, and pre‐/post‐intervention survey data were utilized for improvement.Participants reported increased knowledge, awareness, and confidence related to the UN System and their ability to engage as policy influencers, health diplomats, and global citizens. In total, 100% of participants volunteered to hold the role of UN champion for the SON.This innovative model advances nursing knowledge and coherence in the UN System and key areas of policy, diplomacy, and global governance for meaningful UN engagement.Models that invest in closing the global nursing leadership preparation gap can raise the profession's visible UN presence and strategic policy influence at a critical time for people and the planet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The last decade has witnessed an urgency to adopt integrated and sustainable practices within construction manufacturing processes. With this in mind, this study examines individuals' experiences of the sector's uptake of BES 6001 to determine themes and propose methods for improving the process driving towards a sustainable future. Using a phenomenological methodology and a strategy for purposive sampling of architecture, engineering and construction industry professionals involved in the certification of products under the BES 6001 framework, semi-structured interviews (n = 6) were used to collect 'lived-experience' data. The key benefits of implementation include (a) management belief; (b) BES 6001 providing automated, transparent and accountable reporting; and (c) BES 6001 providing assurance to stakeholders. Meanwhile, the key barriers include (a) the complexity and cost of administration of the assessment; (b) access for small and medium-sized enterprises/small supply chain members being challenging; and (c) the perception of value. Based on the findings, the following recommendations are proposed: (a) there should be consultation and assessment of planned future revisions of the BES 6001 standard; (b) there should be analysis of evidence production for BES 6001 accreditation, with a view to provide in-depth support to organisations – such as a guidance manual or similar; and (c) a clear and integrated approach to responsible sourcing should be explored, considering multiple third-party accreditations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steel corrosion is one of the main factors limiting the durability of existing reinforced concrete components. Based on the corrosive circumstances, different prevention and repair methods can be applied. In the case of carbonation-initiated corrosion, chemical re-alkalisation (CRA) is one of the standard measures to counteract alteration processes in the concrete that lead to reinforcement corrosion. The current state of research on the CRA of carbonated concrete and the various materials that have been investigated in terms of their applicability for this repair measure are summarised. The review summarises current research results in the field of carbonated concrete and the proven pozzolanic reactivity of the carbonation products in contact with portlandite, which suggests an inhibitory effect on CRA, although this has not yet been investigated. There are also initial attempts that deviate from the application of classic Portland cement as a repair material, but their applicability in practice must be questioned. The use of alternative binders and the associated different compositions of pore solutions and varying alkalinity of these binders (e.g. composite cements with a high substitution rate or alkali-activated binders), have not yet been investigated for repair processes such as CRA, although the chemical composition of binders is of the greatest importance for successful application of the repair measure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkali-activated materials (AAMs) are regarded as a substitute for Portland cement. They have high chloride resistance and a low carbon dioxide footprint. The aim of this review is to provide a multi-scale perspective to understand material–product–microstructure–property relationships in terms of the chloride binding behaviour of AAMs. The physical and chemical chloride stability of different reaction products is summarised from nanostructure, to microstructure to macro properties. An analysis of studies in the literature gives an overview of recent progress in chloride transport in AAMs influenced by different reaction products. Results show that a higher calcium/silicon, aluminium/silicon molar ratios and alkali content increase the formation of amorphous phases, leading to a denser microstructure and lower chloride penetration in AAMs. Higher magnesium oxide and aluminium oxide contents result in increased formation of hydrotalcite. The enhanced physical and chemical absorption of chloride by hydrotalcite leads to higher resistance of chloride penetration in AAMs. Investigation of increasing chloride resistance could potentially focus on increasing gel and hydrotalcite formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article argues that the international institutions in which negotiations have often taken place have been challenged by increased conflict among member states in the early 21st century. Multilateral international institutions function best when common interests are viewed as paramount by the state parties, because they allow the state parties to negotiate structures and processes that serve their shared interests and values. The paper analyzes the difficulties in managing international conflicts in the UN, osce, nato, and EU since 2000 due in part to the inability to achieve consensus within fractured and stalemated institutions. These problems have increasingly limited the role of these institutions in managing some of the most dangerous global conflicts, including on arms control and disarmament and managing the Russian war in Ukraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]