International Field Research Articles

Knowledge Map of Learner characteristics in Blended Learning: A Bibliometric Analysis

The study of learner characteristics in blended learning has consistently emerged as a central theme in the global discourse on blended learning, and occupies a central position in research in international fields of education and psychology. The aim of this study is to explore the research focal points, trends, and cutting-edge developments related to learner characteristics in blended learning. CiteSpace was used to visually analyse 2,672 high-quality literature articles related to learner characteristics in blended learning in the Web of Science database spanning from 2014 to 2023. The data obtained from the Web of Science database includes titles, abstracts, years, keywords, authors, academic institutions, journals, and citation counts. To facilitate visualization, we employed CiteSpace visualization software for literature analyses, knowledge mapping, collaborative network analyses, cluster analyses and keyword bursts. A total of 2672 articles related to learner characteristics in blended learning were identified. The highest number of articles were published in the United States (400 papers), followed by China (396 papers) and Australia (247 papers). The most commonly occurring keywords were 'higher education', 'engagement', 'performance', 'satisfaction', and 'online learning'.

The Impact of NFT Digital Collection Attributes on Brand Co-Creation in the Context of Virtual Communities

With the continuous updating and reform of digitization and blockchain technology, digital currency and digital assets are getting more and more attention from the public, and their research is widely used in the field of technology and finance, and gradually extended to the field of management. In recent three years, NFT (Non-Fungible Token), as an emerging product based on blockchain technology, has made a name for itself in the international field of vision, and in domestic incarnation of a more localized concept of digital collectibles known to consumers, and at one time, there was a burst of fire within the public figures. However, due to its rapid development and dissemination, the theoretical level of the research lag is obvious, most of the domestic exploration of NFT digital collectibles are still in the legal level and the artistic level of the basic definition, for the practical significance of its has in the field of commercial marketing is not fully in-depth, as a strong correlation with the brand as a product of the impact of the mechanism has not yet been elucidated. Therefore, this paper proposes the effect of NFT digital collection attributes on brand co-creation in the field of branding, introducing perceived value as a mediator variable and brand attitude as a moderating variable, in order to explore its clear inner mechanism path.

A Consensus Framework for Evaluating Dispute Resolution Alternatives in International Law Using an Interval-Valued Type-2 Fuzzy TOPSIS Approach

This research is motivated by the arbitrary nature of decision-making environments and the dynamic changes in decision patterns, particularly in international dispute resolution. These challenges introduce uncertainties that could be effectively managed by fuzzy logic, which provides a robust framework for evaluating alternatives under multiple criteria. In this study, an Interval-Valued Type-2 Fuzzy TOPSIS approach is proposed to assess various dispute resolution methods, including negotiation, good offices, mediation, international inquiry, conciliation, international organization, arbitration, and international jurisdiction. Common criteria are determined by examining academic literature and by interviewing relevant experts.—cost-efficiency, duration, impartiality, binding nature, and generalizability are considered essential in determining the best resolution method. The proposed method allows for a nuanced evaluation by incorporating both primary and secondary levels of uncertainty, enabling decision-makers to determine the best alternative solution more reliably. This method’s application extends not only to the international law field but also to industrial engineering, where complex, uncertain decision environments require similarly sophisticated multicriteria decision-making tools. By systematically analyzing these resolution methods, this study aims to provide a structured, quantifiable approach that enhances the decision-making process for both international legal practitioners and engineers working with uncertain and dynamic systems. The results of this study ultimately contribute to improved decision-making outcomes and greater efficiency in multidisciplinary problem solving. The assessments of experts in international law, international relations, and political science in their respective fields of expertise have been gathered to form a consensus. This study contributes to the literature as it is the pioneering application of fuzzy multicriteria decision-making techniques in the field of international law. The results of this study imply that the best option from the different decision-maker evaluations is international jurisdiction. Consequently, the utilization of multicriteria decision-making tools can result in more informed and effective decisions in complex and uncertain situations, which is advantageous to both legal practitioners and engineers. Additionally, incorporating different disciplines can help streamline the decision-making process and improve overall efficiency in solving multidisciplinary problems.

Explore the Transformation Mode of Perforation Research Results by Brand Leading

This paper discusses how China National Logging Corporation (CNLC) promotes the transformation of perforation technology research achievements through brand building. As perforation technology is a key link in oil and gas exploration and development, CNPC Logging has effectively enhanced the popularity, recognition and influence of perforation technology in domestic and international professional fields through the establishment of the “CPPerf” brand, which has continuously improved the value of scientific research achievements in terms of production and efficiency. The article analyzes the background of the brand creation, including the challenges since reorganization and the difficulties and confusions in the process of brand building, as well as how CNLC Logging has successfully enhanced its brand awareness and market competitiveness through the “Best Seller Strategy” and the “1+3” brand transformation strategy of scientific and technological achievements in the “Three Transformation Strategies”. In addition, the article discusses the sustainability of brand building and the necessity and must benchmarkbuilding an international first-class brand, objectively analyzes the challenges faced by CPPerf, and expects that the brand will continue to make progress, which will provide experience and inspiration for other enterprises in the transformation of scientific and technological achievements.

A quiet convergence: The 2022 full‐scale Russian invasion of Ukraine and Italian Parties' positions on the European Union

AbstractWe investigate the impact of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine on domestic party competition over the European Union (EU) in its immediate aftermath, with a focus on the case of Italy. Drawing on a discursive neo‐functionalist framework, we perform OLS regression analysis on a dataset of more than 10,000 Facebook posts retrieved via CrowdTangle. Our findings show that Italian parties converged towards supportive EU positions following the full‐scale Russian invasion due to a decrease in anti‐EU claims. Furthermore, the degree of convergence of individual parties varied depending on their ideological orientation. While extreme left‐wing and green parties significantly decreased their discursive opposition to the EU, anti‐Europeanism did not abate in radical right parties, which remained consistent in their Eurosceptic stances throughout the analysed timeframe. Compared to COVID‐19, the different surrounding international context and policy fields involved in this crisis are associated with different party reactions vis‐à‐vis the EU.

A taxonomic monograph of the Eurasian holoparasitic plant genus Lathraea L. (Orobanchaceae)

A taxonomic monograph is presented for Lathraea L. (Orobanchaceae), a genus of holoparasitic plants distributed across Europe and Asia. Plants in this genus are characterised by their underground stems, achlorophyllous scales with internal gland-lined cavities, and, in some species, explosive seed dehiscence. Despite their conspicuousness, no taxonomic treatment of the genus has been written since 1930. Our work draws upon extensive international field data and a comprehensive survey of herbarium specimens. Detailed descriptions are provided for each species, along with full synonymy, distribution maps, and notes on habitat, host specificity, phenology, ecology, ethnobotany and threat risk. We present evidence to consolidate Lathraea into five species, resolving taxonomic confusion. The infrageneric classification is reviewed and a key to species is provided. Species are illustrated with photographs of living and dried material.

Exploration of Academic English Listening and Speaking Teaching Mode for PPE Majors Based on POA

In the era of globalization, PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics) is the preferred “composite major” in the field of humanities and social sciences in the world to cultivate new interdisciplinary high-level applied talents. In order to support this interdisciplinary program in the university, academic English courses are offered to PPE majors to meet the students’ interdisciplinary research demand in the world. As part of college English teaching reform carried out in China, academic English courses have been offered in universities for many years, among which academic English listening and speaking courses are not highly valued instead. In order to cultivate multi-talented students who can effectively use English to communicate in academic exchanges in the international field, we attach great importance to the teaching approach of academic English listening and speaking. This paper analyzes the problems in present courses and finds that improvement and innovation should be made in its teaching content and teaching approach. This paper aims to explore the integration of Production-Oriented Approach (POA) and project based blended teaching method in teaching the Academic English Listening and Speaking. Action research methodology will be applied in this research. The teaching design is developed to explore an effective way to help students cultivate the communication skills in the academic study and exchanges.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: A Translation Analysis of Culture Load Words Through the Perspective of Post-Colonialism

Post-colonial translation theory examines translation research from a brand new view. It begins to take into account the factors outside of the text that affect translation. Said’s view reveals the political character of post-colonial translation. Homi K. Bhabha‘s third space theory has attracted wide attention due to its great view and inclusive spirit. The film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a representative success of Chinese films in the international film field. The success of the film comes from both the rich Chinese culture and the naturalized translation strategy. Through case analysis, this article finds that in the process of subtitle translation of the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, the meaning of some cultural loaded words cannot be completely and comprehensively transformed. This is related to the characteristics of subtitle translation and also to the cultural habits of the target groups of the film. The article proposes that such a translation strategy is conducive to Chinese films to find a place in the market, but we can also find a balance between retaining the culture and seizing the market.

Investigating uncertainties in air quality models used in GMAP/SIJAQ 2021 field campaign: General performance of different models and ensemble results

The international field campaign, GMAP/SIJAQ 2021, was conducted in Korea from October 18th to November 25th to enhance the performance and validation of the Geostationary Environment Monitoring Spectrometer (GEMS) products algorithm and obtain a better understanding of the current air pollution status of the Korean Peninsula. Five chemical transport models (CTMs), including CMAQ, CMAQ-GIST, CAMx, WRF-Chem, and WRF GEOS-Chem, were utilized during the campaign to assist in organizing the observation plan and identifying changes in pollutant concentrations and their spatiotemporal distribution in Korea following the Korea–United States Air Quality (KORUS-AQ) 2016. In this study, we evaluated the forecasting performance, strengths, and limitations of these five CTMs and their ensemble in simulating air quality. Intensive measurement data and intercomparisons were employed to explain discrepancies between observed and simulated results. A comparison of the CTM ensemble results for PM2.5 and various gaseous pollutants between the current GMAP/SIJAQ 2021 and previous KORUS-AQ 2016 campaigns showed the R-value for the total mass PM2.5 concentration increased from 0.88 to 0.94. This improvement is related to CTM updates, including the emission inventory and better reproductions of the concentrations of gaseous species. However, the models consistently underestimated carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations, similar to the results from KORUS-AQ. This finding still suggests a further challenge that requires consideration of missing anthropogenic sources. The results of the ensemble model agreed well with the chemical composition of PM2.5 observed at the intensive monitoring station. However, for NO3− and NH4+, discrepancies were primarily due to inaccuracies in the meteorological inputs, such as precipitation, relative humidity (RH), and nighttime planetary boundary layer height (PBLH) in the CTMs. Hence, all models overestimated the concentration of elemental carbon (EC), therefore, it is necessary to revise EC emissions in the SIJAQv2 inventory, as these apply to unusual levels recorded in Seoul during the reference year of 2018.

ANALYSIS OF INTERNATIONAL LEGISLATION REGARDING REGULATION OF THE MANIFESTATIONS OF CORRUPTION IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

The article is devoted to the analysis of international legislation on the regulation of manifestations of corruption in public administration. The introductory part states that corruption affects all spheres of social life, contributes to the spread of organized crime, creates social tension, creates uncertainty among the population in the ability of the authorities to implement organizational and practical measures to overcome the systemic crisis and revive Ukraine. Various approaches to the interpretation of the concept of «corruption» have been presented, in particular that it is both a «struggle for obtaining the maximum benefit» and «a social evil that spreads a negative image, or public crimes that usually intensively spread a negative image and practices», or «abuse state powers to create personal benefits» etc. It is noted that developing countries are more susceptible to the influence of corruption for various reasons, including the following: total poverty and low wages in the public sector; the absence of any risk-sharing mechanisms, such as insurance and a developed market; opportunities provided by complex, ill-defined, constantly changing and inadequate rules and regulations; lack of properly established laws and principles. A number of different international acts (conventions) adopted to combat corruption in a strategically planned manner are analyzed. It was emphasized that the introduction of changes in the legislative sphere took place on the basis of global surveys. It was concluded that the process of systematic updating and analysis of the international legal field contributes to the development of capacity, and also establishes benchmarks for the effectiveness of public administration, which can be monitored and measured. In view of global achievements, there is a need to develop and adopt a national system of integrity, which will provide a basis for analyzing both the causes of corruption and the adequacy and effectiveness of anti-corruption reforms.

The VII International Field Symposium was held in Yugra “West Siberian peatlands and the carbon cycle: past and present”

The article covers the results of the VII International Field Symposium "West Siberian Peatlands and the Carbon Cycle: Past and Present", which was held in the Khanty-Mansiysk autonomous okrug – Yugra (Khanty-Mansiysk, Beloyarsky) in August 16–26, 2024. The Symposium brought together over 180 scientists specializing in bog science, ecology and carbon balance. The main topics of the plenary and sectional sessions were: the role of bogs in the global carbon cycle, environmental modeling, biodiversity and ecology of bogs, biogeochemical cycles of natural andanthropogenically disturbed bog ecosystems, biogeochemistry of peat and bog waters, paleoecology and history of bog ecosystems development, the impact of modern climate change on forest-bog ecosystems. At the roundtable meetings, the participants discussed the possibilities of using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the study and mapping of bog ecosystems, and shared their experience in implementation of forest-climate projects.

The Neotropical Biodiversity Mapping Initiative: Transforming Venezuelan biodiversity monitoring and capacity building

Tropical Latin America is home to an enormous share of the world's biodiversity. Despite its immense natural wealth, the region faces a significant deficit of reliable biodiversity data and lacks the local capacity necessary to collect such data. The Neotropical Biodiversity Mapping Initiative (NeoMaps or NeoMapas) is a long-term biodiversity monitoring program. NeoMaps has not only addressed these gaps in biodiversity data in one of the megadiverse tropical countries, Venezuela, but has also emerged as a model for efficiently surveying biodiversity while strengthening the local capacity needed to conduct these surveys. After three nationwide systematic surveys and international field courses in 2006, 2009, and 2010, NeoMaps assembled an invertebrate collection and biodiversity database with over 170,000 records of occurrence and abundance for birds, dung beetles, and butterflies. NeoMaps activities lead to direct outcomes by reducing biodiversity knowledge gaps for three taxonomic groups and training more than 60 conservationists from Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Uruguay, and Spain. NeoMaps had a broader impact on national capacity building programs, and made important contributions for improving, sharing and applying national biodiversity knowledge.

Multilingualism rather than English-only: policy and practice in classical music higher education

ABSTRACT The rise of English-medium education in (European) higher education has attracted considerable attention, but most analyses of the topic to date have been conducted in traditional universities. Highly international fields such as that of classical music higher education (CMHE) remain under-researched. Dafouz, E., and U. Smit. 2016. “Towards a Dynamic Conceptual Framework for English Medium Education in Multilingual University Settings.” Applied Linguistics 37 (3): 397–415 and Dafouz, E., and U. Smit. 2020. ROAD-MAPPING English Medium Education in the Internationalised University. Palgrave Macmillan. The ROAD-MAPPING framework provides an analytical tool for examining such complex contexts and unpacking the various factors at play in these multilingual university settings. In this paper, we present a mixed-methods case study at one of Austria’s largest state-funded music universities, comprising a policy analysis, a survey and semi-structured interviews with students, teachers and management. Using the ROAD-MAPPING framework to guide our analysis, we found that university policy and reported practice were coherent among all groups, with German as the default medium of education. English is explicitly designated the second academic language, while multilingualism and multimodality are actively promoted as a means of achieving educational and professional goals. However, we also noted that many strategies for coping with these multilingual teaching and learning contexts seem to be rather ad hoc, suggesting that there is a need for more awareness of multilingual pedagogy, and confirming the value of the ROAD-MAPPING framework for examining such complex settings.

An international field study for the reliability and validity of the EORTC communication questionnaire EORTC QLQ-COMU26

BackgroundThe EORTC Quality of Life Group has developed a questionnaire to evaluate cancer patients’ perception of their communication with healthcare professionals (HCPs): the EORTC QLQ-COMU26. In this study we test the validity and reliability of this novel measure in an international and culturally diverse sample of cancer patients.MethodsCancer patients completed the following EORTC questionnaires at two time points (before and during treatment): the QLQ-COMU26 (including a debriefing questionnaire), the QLQ-C30, and specific IN-PATSAT32 scales. These data were used to assess: the cross-cultural applicability, acceptability, scale structure, reliability, convergent/divergent validity, known-groups validity, and responsiveness to change of the QLQ-COMU26.ResultsData were collected from 498 patients with various cancer diagnoses in 10 European countries, Japan, Jordan and India (overall 5 cultural regions). At most, only 3% of patients identified an item as confusing and 0.6% as upsetting, which indicates that the questionnaire was clear and did not trigger negative emotional responses. Confirmatory factor analysis and multi-trait scaling confirmed the hypothesised QLQ-COMU26 scale structure comprising six multi-item scales and four single items (RMSEA = 0.025). Reliability was good for all scales (internal consistency > 0.70; test–retest reliability > 0.85). Convergent validity was supported by correlations of ≥ 0.50 with related scales of the IN-PATSAT32 and correlations < 0.30 with unrelated QLQ-C30 scales. Known-groups validity was shown according to sex, education, levels of anxiety and depression, satisfaction with communication, disease stage and treatment intention, professional evaluated, and having a companion during the visit. The QLQ-COMU26 captured changes over time in groups that were defined based on changes in the item of satisfaction with communication.ConclusionThe EORTC QLQ-COMU26 is a reliable and valid measure of patients’ perceptions of their communication with HCPs. The EORTC QLQ-COMU26 can be used in daily clinical practice and research and in various cancer patient groups from different cultures. This questionnaire can help to improve communication between patients and healthcare professionals.

Big Science and the Universe: mega-projects in astronomy

Abstract Astronomy studies the constituents of the Universe and seeks to understand physics at the largest scales. The Universe is the ultimate big physics laboratory – we can observe but not influence. Today Astronomy is a cooperative, international field of ‘Big Science’. Our largest telescopes cost billions of dollars. Each telescope has systems specialised in detecting signals from one part of the electromagnetic spectrum or alternatively, in responding to particle streams or gravitational wave phenomena.

How has health literacy and digital health literacy scholarship evolved? A global, qualitative study.

Health literacy (HL) is a key social determinant of health (SDoH) and is of increasing importance in public health research and intervention for improved health outcomes. Definitions of HL and digital health literacy (DHL) have evolved over time as the field has expanded conceptualization from an individual focus to the broader community and organizational levels. Careful consideration of HL and DHL for a variety of contexts and audiences is critical given increased global adoption of digital technologies and responses to emerging public health challenges. This study aimed to capture researchers' conceptualizations of HL/DHL and their motivations to engage in this research with attention to SDoH and equity principles. We developed a survey comprising 32 open-ended and multiple-choice questions from which we present participant demographics and overall research affiliations (n = 193), and results from two multiple-choice and three open-ended questions. The three open-ended questions were inductively reviewed and coded using thematic analysis and iterative discussions between multiple coders, while the two multiple-choice questions were descriptively analyzed via SPSS. Findings are situated within the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and inform the international field of HL/DHL research by highlighting momentum and opportunities for increased scholarship.

A Bibliometric Literature Review on Trends in the Internationalization of Higher Education

In recent years, the internationalization of higher education has become a critical theme, reflecting global interconnectedness and the increasing mobility of students and academics. This study aims to identify and analyze trends in internationalization research from 2015 to 2024. Utilizing a bibliometric analysis of 9,180 articles and 44,000 keywords from Web of Science and Scopus databases, the research synthesizes developments in nine key fields over the past decade. Methods include data cleaning, keyword determination, and the use of Excel for data processing and analysis. The results reveal significant progress in understanding the complexities of internationalization, such as student mobility, societal and cultural integration, educational methods, and quality assurance. The study highlights the accelerated role of digital technology due to the COVID-19 pandemic and emerging national security issues. Conclusions offer new theoretical and practical insights into the role of internationalization in higher education outcomes and predict future trends. The findings have significant implications for policy-making, institutional strategies, and future research directions. This research contributes to the literature by providing a comprehensive analysis of past trends and suggesting directions for future studies, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts from educational institutions, governments, and international organizations. Emphasis is placed on inclusivity and sustainability, with a call for innovative strategies to address emerging challenges and leverage new opportunities in the field of higher education internationalization.

Family firms’ equity entry modes: Bridging family business and international business

Abstract In the global economy, the international strategies of family firms, influenced by family ownership and management, remain underexplored. Bridging the family business and international business fields, we use the socioemotional wealth lens to examine 1,236 international expansions from 2007 to 2013. Categorizing firms into pure family, nearly pure family, borderline family, and non-family typologies, we assess the influence of internal (experience, knowledge) and external (country risk) factors on their entry modes. Results indicate that higher family involvement in ownership/management increases the preference for greenfield investments over acquisitions or equity alliances, a relationship further moderated by international experience and country risk. This study provides nuanced insights into the international behaviors of family firms.

Legislation and policy for involuntary mental healthcare across countries in the FOSTREN network: rationale, development of mapping survey and protocol.

Several countries are currently revising or have already revised their mental health laws to align with the global movement to reduce the use of coercive care. No government has yet fully implemented the recommendation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) to eliminate the use of coercion in mental healthcare. Consequently, the international field of mental health law and policy is in a degree of flux. To describe the rationale, development and protocol for a project that will map and examine how mental health laws, policies and service capacity across European countries relate to the use of coercive measures, including involuntary admissions and treatment, restraints and seclusion. This will help to better understand the current situation and explore future directions of policies regarding coercive care. The project is being carried out under the purview of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) action network, entitled FOSTREN (Fostering and Strengthening Approaches to Reducing Coercion in European Mental Health Services). A multidisciplinary group of experts developed a comprehensive survey assessing mental health laws, policies and service frameworks, based on World Health Organization and UNCRPD recommendations. The survey was piloted in three countries, revised and disseminated to 30 FOSTREN country representatives. The survey will provide data for three strands of work on legislation, policies and service-level context. A comprehensive evaluation will be conducted, drawing on findings from all work packages. The project could inform the development of strategies, interventions and legislation to address gaps and promote compliance with international standards.

Towards a Comprehensive Definition of Pandemics and Strategies for Prevention: A Historical Review and Future Perspectives.

The lack of a universally accepted definition of a pandemic hinders a comprehensive understanding of and effective response to these global health crises. Current definitions often lack quantitative criteria, rendering them vague and limiting their utility. Here, we propose a refined definition that considers the likelihood of susceptible individuals contracting an infectious disease that culminates in widespread global transmission, increased morbidity and mortality, and profound societal, economic, and political consequences. Applying this definition retrospectively, we identify 22 pandemics that occurred between 165 and 2024 AD and were caused by a variety of diseases, including smallpox (Antonine and American), plague (Justinian, Black Death, and Third Plague), cholera (seven pandemics), influenza (two Russian, Spanish, Asian, Hong Kong, and swine), AIDS, and coronaviruses (SARS, MERS, and COVID-19). This work presents a comprehensive analysis of past pandemics caused by both emerging and re-emerging pathogens, along with their epidemiological characteristics, societal impact, and evolution of public health responses. We also highlight the need for proactive measures to reduce the risk of future pandemics. These strategies include prioritizing surveillance of emerging zoonotic pathogens, conserving biodiversity to counter wildlife trafficking, and minimizing the potential for zoonotic spillover events. In addition, interventions such as promoting alternative protein sources, enforcing the closure of live animal markets in biodiversity-rich regions, and fostering global collaboration among diverse stakeholders are critical to preventing future pandemics. Crucially, improving wildlife surveillance systems will require the concerted efforts of local, national and international entities, including laboratories, field researchers, wildlife conservationists, government agencies and other stakeholders. By fostering collaborative networks and establishing robust biorepositories, we can strengthen our collective capacity to detect, monitor, and mitigate the emergence and transmission of zoonotic pathogens.