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Non-violent Communication and Narrative Medicine for Promoting Sustainable Health (New Paradigms in Healthcare)
by Maria Giulia MariniThe Covid-19 pandemic and current international circumstances have left many individuals feeling vulnerable, both economically and psychologically. At the same time, pressure is put on healthcare systems, particularly in Europe, resulting in doctor shortages, heavy workloads, and low salaries for healthcare workers. Patients are experiencing longer waiting lists, shorter visiting times, and emergency rooms that underestimate patients' clinical problems. As a result, episodes of self-violence and violence resulting from different causes are happening more frequently, also in hospitals. However, there is hope, and it starts with sharing our needs, thoughts, and feelings. This is where narrative medicine comes into play, as it helps bring stories to light, listen, ask open questions, analyze the spoken words, metaphors, and timing of communication, and promote a non-violent narrative. The key is to transition from violent to non-violent narratives and the consideration of relationship as a fundamental part of the therapeutic process, deserving an in-depth educational program. This is even more true if one considers that the ecosystem of health, together with the inclusion of diversity and the promotion of peace, is one of the main pillars of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.This book aims to inspire care for one another through the narratives of people with disabilities, patients, nurses, doctors, students, carers, and individuals who meet otherness and resolve conflicts.
Connecting Wisdom: Human Narratives for Resilience (essentials)
by Ronald Deckert Hendrik Müller Katja ArztWe paint a comprehensive picture of human wisdom and networking, striving for a holistic understanding of resilience. To make this perspective tangible, we use narratives. These narratives encompass scientific categories of the Anthropocene, ancient stories from antiquity, and deeply personal insights. We believe that the connections of humans with nature as well as with our inner selves will be crucial to develop forward-looking attitudes. Our perception of the world determines what we see, feel, and the actions we undertake. By using legends, fairy tales, and stories of sustainability and resilience, we aim to reconnect us. The essence of wisdom lies in the courage to write our own individual narratives as a contribution to the broader picture and to listen to each other with open hearts.
Radicalisation and Crisis Management: Shifts of Radical Right Discourse (Springer Series in Electoral Politics)
by Vasiliki TsagkroniThis book discusses theories of crisis management and the radical right, to shed light on how responses to crisis influence radical right parties in their presence, discourse, and evolution. The book offers a comparative perspective by examining case studies with various traditions of radical right actors, presenting data on how crisis exploitation can assist in exploring, reconsidering, bargaining, and learning about the prospects of change of political parties. The book focuses on the debate on radicalization and crisis management. Similar to the already existing economic, political, post-Brexit, and migration crises in Europe, discourses of fear around the latest health crisis are paving the way for further radicalised discourse from the far right. The book looks into how radical right parties in Europe have responded to these crises. It monitors and explores how crisis exploitation impacts political strategies, opportunity-seeking behaviours, and the evolution of the discourse of radical right parties in the contemporary political landscape. Therefore, this book is a must-read for researchers, students, and policy-makers, interested in a better understanding of populism, radical right parties, electoral studies, as well as comparative politics in general.
Navigating Integration Policies of Forced Migration in the United States: The Case of Syrian Refugees
by Wa'ed AlshoubakiThis book investigates the integration of Syrian refugees in the United States, and it identifies the challenges that hinder their successful integration. After providing a comprehensive analysis of the U.S. legal instruments in national and international laws and obligations to receive forced migrants, the book then highlights the resettlement process and programs as a coordinated interagency process that entails a collaboration between the UN Refugee Agency and the related U.S. departments and agencies and the nongovernmental partners and refugee advocacy organizations. Moreover, it delves into integration as a proxy theory and governance that entails an analytical component from a theoretical lens to understand some aspects of realities that revolve around the resettlement of forced migrants' concepts, principles, and policies. Built on rich qualitative data from Syrian refugees in the U.S. to understand their resettlement experiences and their integration in multidimensional analysis, the book shows how the lack of federally driven integration policies and institutions in the U.S. negatively affects just integration. Relying on voluntary organizations leads to uneven outcomes among forced migrants, affecting social equity. Alongside this book's theoretical and practical implications, it highlights the ethical consideration of studying forced migrants and the synergy between forced migrants' vulnerability and cultural sensitivity. Ultimately, the book discusses the roadmap for implementing integration policies in the U.S. Among the topics covered: Introduction: The History of Managing Forced Migration in the U.S.: Political Climate and Global Events The U.S. Legal and Institutional Frameworks of the Resettlement of Syrian Refugees The Syrian Refugees' Integration Challenges in the U.S. and the Roadmap for Integration Policies Navigating Integration Policies of Forced Migration in the United States: The Case of Syrian Refugees is relevant reading for researchers who are interested in integration and refugee-related topics; academics who conduct research in social policies, refugee integration, and resettlement; public policymakers who are involved in formulating refugee integration policies; practitioners at various levels who assist resettled forced migrants; and graduate students studying political science, public administration, social work, and sociology. Politicians with left-wing views who are advocating for improved human security for everyone also would find the book a useful resource.
Corporate Crisis Recovery: Managing Organizational Deviance, Reputation, and Risk
by Petter Gottschalk Christopher HamertonThe principal aim of Corporate Crisis Recovery: Managing Organizational Deviance, Reputation, and Risk is to complement and expand criminological discourse on the concept of the social license to operate as a means of influencing the behaviour of corporations. In recent years, the wide-spanning consequences of some very public globalized corporate crises – including fiscal and environmental impact, staff retention, and organizational survival – have led to a growing body of research on crisis perception and responsive strategic management. Developments that position corporate crisis recovery as an anticipated requirement of visible compliance to normalized and anticipated standards of ethical practice and business conduct. Utilizing convenience theory to illustrate how corporations, and the individuals therein, are able to lose, repair, and recover the corporate license to operate after corruption and scandal, the book develops to evaluate the responses of the public and criminal justice process to serious reputational damage and substantial breach of trust.
Information and Communication Technologies in Tourism 2024: ENTER 2024 International eTourism Conference, Izmir, Türkiye, January 17-19 (Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics)
by Lyndon Nixon Katerina Berezina Aarni TuomiFor more than 30 years, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has been revolutionizing travel, tourism, and hospitality, and as we look to the next 30 years, the change of pace does not seem to be diminishing. This open-access book provides an extensive overview of the latest developments of ICTs in the tourism and hospitality industry. Featuring papers presented at the International Federation for IT and Travel & Tourism’s (IFITT) 31st annual ENTER International eTourism Conference (ENTER24) held in Izmir, Türkiye, this book presents research on topics such as artificial general intelligence (AGI) in tourism and hospitality; emerging technologies in tourism education; virtual reality; technologies for sustainability, health and wellbeing; big data and analytics, among others. This is an open access book.
Surface Defects in Wide-Bandgap LiF, SiO2, and ZnO Crystals: Experiments and Simulations (SpringerBriefs in Materials)
by Utkirjon SharopovThis book deals with surface defects in wide-bandgap crystals of lithium fluoride, silicon dioxide, and zinc oxide. Encompassing topics such as radiation-induced amorphization, crystallization, and various microstructural developments arising from defect production and annealing, the book delves into controlled modifications of physical and chemical properties, micro and nano-structuring of surfaces, and the creation and behavior of structures far from thermal equilibrium, including supersaturated solid solutions, ion tracks, and surfaces treated with electron- and high-intensity ion beams. Beyond its relevance to the academic community, this monograph serves as a valuable resource for design and installation organizations, offering insights for specialists involved in the development of modern, new, and energy-efficient innovative materials. The applicability extends to traditional silicon energy and semiconductor electronics, providing practical knowledge for professionals engaged in these fields. Additionally, the work is of significance to a broad spectrum of specialists and managers in various organizations involved in the development of lithium-ion batteries for energy storage systems, especially those employing cutting-edge high-performance materials. As a comprehensive reference in materials science, this monograph caters to a diverse audience engaged in the ongoing advancements and applications within this dynamic field. It is suitable for scientific and engineering professionals, as well as researchers specializing in materials science, physics, semiconductors, photovoltaics, defects engineering, laser technology, solid-state physics, and beam-enhanced synthesis and modification of materials.
Topics in Cryptology – CT-RSA 2024: Cryptographers’ Track at the RSA Conference 2024, San Francisco, CA, USA, May 6–9, 2024, Proceedings (Lecture Notes in Computer Science #14643)
by Elisabeth OswaldThis book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the Cryptographer's Track at the RSA Conference 2024, CT-RSA 2024, held in San Francisco, CA, USA, during May 6–9, 2024. The 18 full papers presented in this volume were carefully reviewed and selected from 46 submissions. The conference presents papers on subjects such as public key cryptography; symmetric cryptography; signatures; homomorphic encryption; identity-based encryption; constructions; and threshold signatures and fault attacks.
Plasticity Theory: Yield Conditions in the Invariant Space (SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology)
by Andreas ÖchsnerThis book provides a comprehensive exploration of the fundamentals, experimental techniques, and simulation methodologies related to advanced engineering materials. It addresses the challenges posed by these materials, introduces the concept of stress invariants, and demonstrates their implementation in finite element programs for accurate simulations. The book serves as a valuable resource for researchers, engineers, and students interested in the cutting-edge developments in materials science and engineering.
Aligning the Energy Transition with the Sustainable Development Goals: Key Insights from Energy System Modelling (Lecture Notes in Energy #101)
by George Giannakidis Maryse Labriet Brian Ó Gallachóir Kari EspegrenThis open access book brings together concrete analyses from around the world, spanning various scales, that shed light on strategies for implementing essential energy and climate transitions within the broader context of UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) imperatives. Specifically, the book exemplifies the advancement, adaptation, and utilization of energy systems models to address intricate policy issues around pathways to achieve net-zero emissions, enhance energy security, optimize investments, and understand their societal implications. It explores the intricate connections between the SDGs concerning energy, climate action, and other developmental priorities such as employment and economic growth, industrial innovation, urban development, responsible consumption and production, and collaborative partnerships. Organized into four sections, the book illustrates the necessary adjustments of energy system models to guide SDGs, evaluates the role of modeling to advance both renewable energy and energy security, and showcases how energy systems are harnessed to engage with international, national, and local policymakers.
Random Variables for Scientists and Engineers (Synthesis Lectures on Engineering, Science, and Technology)
by Ramalingam Shanmugam Rajan ChattamvelliThis book provides an introductory overview of random variables and their transformations. The authors approach the topic with statistics students in mind, along with researchers in various fields who are interested in data analysis. The book begins with by defining and explaining mathematical expectation. The authors then discuss transformations of random variables, including distribution functions and special functions. The book also covers joint probability distribution and its applications. The authors have updated and expanded upon their writing on these topics, which they originally covered in their previous book, Statistics for Scientists and Engineers.
The Almonds and Related Species: Identification, Characteristics and Uses
by Thomas M. Gradziel Alireza RahemiAlmond and peach species have global importance as food crops as well as use in landscaping including restoration and reforestation. Because currently available breeding germplasm has a very narrow genetic base, genetic improvement programs are turning to wild germplasm as sources of improved quality, productivity and resistance traits. This germplasm is also enabling the dramatic modification of traditional cropping systems as with the transfer of self-fruitfulness from related wild almond and peach species to normally self-sterile cultivated almond. While presence of an extensive wild almond and related germplasm has been documented in the literature over the past century, most information remains dispersed and often not generally accessible owing to its publication in treatises and journals of limited distribution. This monograph brings together a comprehensive characterization of almond and its related species including the cultivated and wild peaches. Because it represents the only comprehensive source of information on almond, peach and their wild relatives, it represents a basic reference text of interest to researchers in both the basic and applied plant and ecological sciences.
Healthcare Corruption: Causes, Costs, Consequences and Criminal Justice
by Graham BrooksThis book offers a broad international analysis of healthcare corruption, drawing upon criminology, sociology, psychology, law, political and behavioural economics and nudge theory. It engages with the existing key debates on how to define healthcare corruption and the measurement of it but builds on this and offers new analysis of these issues in the private healthcare sector too. Furthermore, it moves beyond the analysis of funds lost to healthcare and includes the impact and costs of healthcare corruption on victims and family members of victims and the CJS. It also uniquely considers that the healthcare sector victimizes patients and its own employees, with the healthcare sector as part of a carceral state to help highlight how different disciplines can contribute to our understanding in reducing healthcare corruption.
International Conference on Applied Technologies: 5th International Conference on Applied Technologies, ICAT 2023, Samborondon, Ecuador, November 22–24, 2023, Revised Selected Papers, Part III (Communications in Computer and Information Science #2051)
by Miguel Botto-Tobar Marcelo Zambrano Vizuete Pablo Torres-Carrión Sergio Montes León Benjamin DurakovicThe three-volume proceedings set CCIS 2049, 2050 and 2051 constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Applied Technologies on International Conference on Applied Technologies, ICAT 2023, held in Samborondon, Ecuador, November 22–24, 2023. The 66 papers included in these proceedings were carefully reviewed and selected from 250 submissions. They are organized in sections by topics as follows: Intelligent Systems, Communications, e-Commerce, e-Government, e-Learning, Electronics, Machine Vision, Security, Technology Trends, and Z AT for Engineering Aplications.
Reshaping Power Dynamics Between Sustainable Growth and Technical Disruption: 6th International Conference on Economics and Social Sciences, ICESS 2023, Bucharest, Romania (Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics)
by Alina Mihaela Dima Sorin VâlceaThis book covers various topics related to economics and the social sciences, such as artificial intelligence, sustainability, ESG, and tax administration. The respective contributions provide insights and perspectives on the current challenges and opportunities in these fields, while also showcasing the latest research and innovations from scholars and practitioners around the world. The book is based on the papers presented at the 6th International Conference on Economics and Social Sciences, ICESS 2023, which was held in Bucharest, Romania.
Techniques for Analysis of Mineral Raw Materials (Topics in Mining, Metallurgy and Materials Engineering)
by Carlos Pérez BergmannThis book presents a comprehensive exploration of fundamental concepts crucial for assessing the industrial viability of raw materials. Each chapter delves into a phenomenological understanding of various techniques, placing practical insights at the forefront while minimizing reliance on complex mathematical formalism. While recognizing the importance of select mathematical formulations to underpin the underlying physical principles, the primary emphasis remains on accessibility and real-world applicability. Readers will gain a solid understanding of pivotal concepts, equipping them with the proficiency to articulate the symbiotic relationship between analytical techniques and the acquisition of commercially significant insights.
The Great Family of Life: Rethinking the place of Homo sapiens in the Biosphere
by David Rodríguez-RodríguezThis book explains the causes, consequences and desirable solutions to the unbalanced and unfair relationship between Homo sapiens and the other species that inhabit Planet Earth in a succinct, enjoyable and thought-provoking way. Major sociological, economic, political, educational, religious and phylosophical perspectives are reviewed in order to understand why we have reached the current alarming status of global biodiversity during the Anthropocene, and how we can react to it to attain not just human welfare, but global happiness. The target audience is wide, from the general public interested in the deep inner causes of environmental degradation, to college and university students and lecturers, notably in the fields of environmental ethics, environmental philosophy, environmental law and environmental politics.
Molecularly Imprinted Polymers as Artificial Antibodies for the Environmental Health: A Step Towards Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
by Santanu Patra Mika SillanpaaThis book covers the fundamental principles of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) and their synthesis methodologies, offering readers a solid understanding of these unique materials. It delves into the design and selection of template molecules for imprinting, as well as polymerization techniques and strategies for optimizing MIP performance. With a focus on real-world applications, the book showcases the wide range of environmental health problems that MIPs can address. It discusses the detection and quantification of pollutants in air, water, and soil using MIP-based sensors and biosensors. Additionally, it explores the use of MIPs in environmental remediation, such as the adsorption and removal of contaminants, as well as the development of MIP-based materials for water and soil treatment. The book also highlights the analytical applications of MIPs in environmental health, including separation and purification techniques, sample preparation, and preconcentration methods. It examines how MIPs can be integrated into analytical instrumentation and detection systems to enhance environmental analysis. By bringing together interdisciplinary knowledge from the fields of environmental science, chemistry, polymer science, analytical chemistry, and environmental engineering, this book provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of the potential of MIPs as artificial antibodies for environmental health. With its emphasis on real-world applications and case studies, it offers practical insights that researchers, academics, and professionals can apply in environmental monitoring, remediation, and analysis projects.
Congenital Spine Malformations: Clinical and Surgical Aspects
by Hashim Talib Hashim Khaled Fares AlAliThis book offers a clinical and surgical overview on congenital spine malformations, which are abnormalities that occur during fetal development, leading to structural issues in the spine. The fetal spine begins to develop shortly after conception and continues to grow throughout pregnancy. This book covers the various congenital spine malformations, their aetiologies and development, diagnosis and management. Since many of these disorders are rare, they do not have a final cure and their management is important - their consequences on the physical, psychological and developmental condition of the patient are massive. This book is of interest to orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, and pediatric specialists - the team who take care of the surgical management of congenital spine malformations.
Monitoring and Early Warning Technologies on Karst Lands: Surface Collapse and Groundwater Contamination (Advances in Karst Science)
by Wanfang Zhou Mingtang Lei Xiaozhen Jiang Jianling Dai Xiao Ma Fubiao Zhou Zongyuan PanThis book compiles a broad range of monitoring and early warning technologies focused on high-resolution in-situ water quality parameters at springs and monitoring wells. The surface collapses often cause severe damage to infrastructures, properties, and loss of lives, whereas contaminated groundwater poses risks to human health and the environment. Collapses are critical in karst systems, sparsing a seventh of Earth’s land surface. Karsts are also very relevant for drinking water, yet karst represents a fourth of global drinking water. Mitigating collapses and contaminated groundwater in karst aquifers can be complicated and costly. These parameters detect hydrodynamics, internal soil erosion, and ground deformation changes as karst collapse and pollution proxies. This book represents the most comprehensive overview of decades of research on karst collapse and groundwater contamination. This book is of interest to researchers and policymakers.
Information, Knowledge, and Technology for Teaching and Research in Africa: Data and Knowledge Management (Synthesis Lectures on Information Concepts, Retrieval, and Services)
by Dennis Ocholla Omwoyo Bosire Onyancha Aderonke Olaitan AdesinaThis book focuses on data and knowledge management for teaching and research in Africa. The importance of the information and knowledge society in current times is recognized and adopts a meta-analysis to demonstrate that modernization theory could be applied to economic development and rapid transformation of ISWEs in South Africa. The book argues that modernity and the information and knowledge society present the shift and transition from the traditional way of doing things through information and communication technologies (ICTs), which could bring about developing, progressing, and advancing developing communities, particularly Informal Sector Women Entrepreneurs (ISWEs). The book also has further shows how the modernization theory could be applied to the plight of ISWEs to assist them in leapfrogging from their situation and enjoying global business platforms. Various techniques and strategies for collaborative engagements among academics towards strengthening scholarly ties within institutions, and across borders, especially in Africa, are presented. This is a valuable source for understanding the contemporary issues in information and knowledge management/sharing and collaboration among university academics for undergraduates and postgraduate students in the library and information science profession. Tacit knowledge is also presented as an asset that boosts innovation and generates competitive advantage for organizations in all walks of life. Global research data management (RDM) literature is emphasized in higher education institutions (HIEs) and their libraries. The status of RDM services, as well as the competency requirements of employees responsible for providing RDM services and researchers, are addressed in the examined literature.
Robotics, Computer Vision and Intelligent Systems: 4th International Conference, ROBOVIS 2024, Rome, Italy, February 25–27, 2024, Proceedings (Communications in Computer and Information Science #2077)
by Joaquim Filipe Juha RöningThis volume constitutes the proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Robotics, Computer Vision and Intelligent Systems, ROBOVIS 2024, which was held in Rome, Italy, during February 25-27, 2024. The 8 full papers and 21 short papers are presented in this book were carefully reviewed and selected from 33 submissions. They focus on topics on research and development in robotics, computer vision, and intelligent systems.
Deep-Sea Mining and the Water Column: Advances, Monitoring and Related Issues
by Rahul SharmaThis book focuses on general issues of deep-sea mining for seafloor mineral deposits, as well as the scientific, technical, legal and policy issues related to impacts on the water column. The topic is a growing area of significance due to the ongoing conversations on this issue in the world community, in view of the large-scale consequences resulting from operations of different components of deep-sea mining systems. The chapters are divided in five sections, and are contributed by highly acclaimed scientists, technologists, lawyers and administrators who have decades of experience working on these topics. The information compiled in the book is expected to serve as an important reference for all stakeholders including researchers, contractors, mining companies, regulators and NGOs involved in deep-sea mining and marine environmental conservation. Section 1 provides an overall view of the current status of deep-sea mining and issues related to the water column. Section 2 looks at the engineering considerations for technology related to mining, handling of bulk solids in the marine environment, transporting the ores from seabed to shore as well as processing of deep-sea minerals. Section 3 discusses various approaches for assessment of impacts of deep-sea mining on the water column. Section 4 assesses the chemical, physical and biological characteristics of the water column in different oceans of the world. Finally, section 5 deals with legal, policy and economic aspects of deep-sea mining.
Electronic Structure of Semiconductor Interfaces (Synthesis Lectures on Engineering, Science, and Technology)
by Winfried MönchThis concise volume examines the characteristic electronic parameters of semiconductor interfaces, namely the barrier heights of metal–semiconductor or Schottky contacts and the valence-band discontinuities of semiconductor–semiconductor interfaces or heterostructures. Both are determined by the same concept, namely the wave-function tails of electron states overlapping a semiconductor band gap directly at the interface. These interface-induced gap states (IFIGS) result from the complex band structure of the corresponding semiconductor. The IFIGS are characterized by two parameters, namely by their branch point, at which their charge character changes from predominantly valence-band- to conduction-band-like, and secondly by the proportionality factor or slope parameter of the corresponding electric-dipole term, which varies in proportion to the difference in the electronegativities of the two solids forming the interface. This IFIGS-and-electronegativity concept consistently and quantitatively explains the experimentally observed barrier heights of Schottky contacts as well as the valence-band offsets of heterostructures. Insulators are treated as wide band-gap semiconductors.
Family Ties and Psychosocial Processes in an Ageing Society: Comparative Perspectives (International Perspectives on Aging #42)
by Alejandro KleinThis book contributes to the discussion on the ageing society by addressing the new psycho-social structures of the ageing society, the problems around family bonds and ties, and the structures of care and protection. The book sheds light on the new roles of grandparents and new grandparents, and the empowerment and resilience initiatives, thereby providing a broad discussion of what the ageing society implies in psychosocial terms. These issues are addressed in an interdisciplinary way, but also in an approach that is also rare, comparing different realities between Europe and Latin America. The [basis of the] English translation of this book from its Spanish original manuscript was done with the help of artificial intelligence. A subsequent human revision of the content was done by the author.