Geographical Boundaries Research Articles

Distance and closeness in translated global news coverage: bilingual representations of culture-bound themes from Bolivia to the world

ABSTRACT Global news agencies are major sources of information about events often happening far away from their international audiences; information that rapidly transcends geographic, cultural, and linguistic boundaries. There is a twofold purpose to the analysis in this study of bilingual feature stories dealing with the representation of faith in Bolivia, published by the news agencies Associated Press, Agencia EFE, and Reuters in Spanish and English. First, it implements an analytical framework to characterize bilingual news coverage by describing types of transcultural transfers, singling out the translation techniques applied, and bringing into focus how the culture-bound elements were rendered. Second, the contrastive textual analysis prompts a methodological discussion on the potential of studying translation distance and closeness in multilingual news production from a non-mainstream locale. Results point to close renditions that may not be considered a typical practice in news translation, yet are ostensibly purposeful both from a translational and from a journalistic perspective. Since journalism and translation coexist in multilingual newsrooms, where the latter often goes unacknowledged, this article ultimately attempts to reveal the role of translation in producing international news about distant realities, such as Bolivia, where cultural specificities are ubiquitous.

Amazon Sales Prediction Model Using ML Algorithms

The e-commerce landscape has rapidly evolved, becoming a cornerstone of modern business with its digital paradigm for buying and selling goods or services. This dynamic and expansive platform, facilitated through websites and applications, transcends geographical boundaries, offering unprecedented access to a global consumer base. In this context, the ability to predict product sales has emerged as a critical facet for businesses operating in the e-commerce domain. The digital marketplace is characterized by fierce competition and rapid changes in consumer preferences. As businesses strive to optimize their operations, enhance profitability, and stay ahead of the curve, the predictive modelling of sales becomes invaluable. By forecasting sales, businesses can strategically adjust pricing strategies, manage inventory effectively, and tailor marketing efforts based on anticipated demand. The three fundamental factors—Price, Review, and Rating—constitute the core elements influencing consumer decisions in e-commerce. Understanding the intricate interplay of these variables is essential for businesses seeking a competitive edge. This research employs the Design of Experiment (DOE) technique to meticulously examine the relationship between Price, Review, Rating, and product sales. Leveraging a diverse dataset from Amazon, the study provides a comprehensive analysis of how these factors synergistically impact consumer behaviour and purchasing patterns. The resulting mathematical model demonstrates a promising capacity to forecast product sales accurately. In essence, the significance of predicting sales in e-commerce lies in its transformative potential for businesses, offering actionable insights that pave the way for informed decision-making, enhanced customer satisfaction, and sustained competitiveness in the ever-evolving digital marketplace. Keywords: E-commerce, Sales, Marketplace, DOE, Mathematical Model, Forecast.

Enhancing support system: Identifying and addressing service gaps in humanitarian response to Ukrainian refugees in Georgia

The war in Ukraine changed hundreds of millions of lives. Families have been displaced, communities have been disrupted and the region's social fabric has been significantly altered. The consequences of this conflict extend far beyond geographical boundaries, touching the lives of not only those directly affected by the war but also resonating on a global scale. As we delve into the complexities of this conflict and its aftermath, it becomes clear that understanding its implications requires a comprehensive examination of the multifaceted challenges and transformations that have emerged. This exploration is crucial to shedding light on the experiences of those affected and developing strategies for addressing the far-reaching consequences of the war in Ukraine. More than 180,000 citizens of Ukraine have entered the territory of Georgia since February 24, 2022 (UNHCR, 2023). As of November 2022, around 25,000 remain in Georgia. Around 25% of Ukrainians staying in Georgia are minors. The present study aims to investigate and describe the needs assessment process among refugees with disabilities from Ukraine and gaps in response to this crisis from the volunteering organization in Tbilisi.

The impact of physical geography factors on the division of Kurdish language – taking the dialect of Surchi tribe as example

The title of our research is about (The impact of physical geography factors on the division of Kurdish language – taking the dialect of Surchi tribe as example). In this study, we will try to highlight the physical geography factors which can divide a language into several dialects, there are similar factors that divided the Kurdish language into four main dialects, each of which is divided into several sub-dialects, we will also try to focus on a physical geography factor which is the Great Zab River in the territory of ​​the Surchi tribe, which has made the population belonging to the tribe on both sides of the river, although whose main language is Kurdish, their speech styles may differ in terms of language levels, and these distinctions are more noticed by linguists. In this research, we have done several field visits and interviews with villagers of some villages belonging to the Surchi tribe on both sides of the Great Zab River. After researching and interviewing in these areas, we decided to take two villages as samples of our research, each of which is different in terms of physical geography and speech styles. Zerav village is located on the bank of a river on the right side of the Great Zab, while Kalakin village is located on the left bank of the Great Zab. This study is divided into three main parts: First part concerns Kurdish Language and its dialects, second part is about physical geography factors on division of the Kurdish language, third part presents Surchi tribe, it describes the geographical boundaries of Surchi tribe, then analyzes the speech style of Surchi tribe in general and identifies the phonemes of both villages (Kalakin Sarchia) and (Zerav) in particular, then compare them with each other in terms of phonology.

Human resources challenges in global health organizations: Managing a diverse and dispersed workforce

In the dynamic landscape of global health organizations, Human Resources (HR) faces unique challenges in managing a diverse and dispersed workforce. This review explores the multifaceted issues that HR professionals encounter while navigating the intricacies of global health settings. One of the foremost challenges is the diversity inherent in the workforce of global health organizations. These entities often bring together professionals from diverse cultural, educational, and professional backgrounds, creating a melting pot of perspectives and approaches. HR must devise strategies to foster inclusivity, address cultural differences, and promote effective communication to harness the collective strength of this diverse talent pool. Furthermore, the dispersed nature of global health organizations presents a logistical challenge for HR management. With teams spread across different geographic locations, time zones, and cultural contexts, coordinating and integrating human resources practices becomes inherently complex. Virtual collaboration tools and innovative communication strategies become imperative to bridge the geographical gaps and create a cohesive organizational culture. Managing talent retention and development in such a context becomes crucial. HR professionals need to design policies and programs that cater to the professional growth and well-being of employees regardless of their physical location. This involves implementing virtual training programs, mentorship initiatives, and performance evaluation systems that transcend geographical boundaries. Moreover, compliance with local and international labor laws adds another layer of complexity to HR management in global health organizations. Navigating the legal landscape and ensuring adherence to diverse regulatory frameworks require a nuanced approach and continuous monitoring. Human Resources faces a myriad of challenges in global health organizations, from fostering diversity and inclusion to navigating the complexities of a dispersed workforce. Successfully addressing these challenges demands a strategic and adaptive HR approach, leveraging technology, cultural sensitivity, and innovative practices to create a unified and thriving global health workforce.

Water-energy nexus: A review of policy and practice in Africa and the USA

This comprehensive review explores the intricate relationship between water and energy in the contexts of Africa and the United States, shedding light on the evolving policies and practices that shape the Water-Energy Nexus (WEN). As the demand for both water and energy intensifies globally, understanding the interdependencies and synergies between these critical resources becomes imperative for sustainable development. In Africa, the WEN presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities. The region grapples with water scarcity, unreliable energy access, and the impacts of climate change. This review assesses the diverse policy frameworks implemented across African nations to address the WEN, examining their effectiveness and identifying gaps for improvement. Furthermore, it highlights innovative practices and successful interventions that have emerged within the African context, contributing valuable insights for sustainable water and energy management. Contrastingly, the United States, with its matured infrastructure and advanced technologies, navigates the complexities of the WEN with a different set of dynamics. The review delves into the multifaceted policy landscape in the U.S., analyzing federal, state, and local initiatives aimed at optimizing the interplay between water and energy resources. Lessons learned from the American experience offer valuable benchmarks for other regions striving to enhance resource efficiency, resilience, and environmental sustainability. Key themes addressed in this review include integrated planning, technological innovations, regulatory frameworks, and community engagement. The synthesis of experiences from Africa and the USA provides a nuanced understanding of the global challenges associated with the WEN and offers a foundation for future research and policy development. Ultimately, this review underscores the importance of holistic approaches that transcend geographical boundaries, encouraging collaborative efforts to address the pressing issues at the intersection of water and energy.

Repositioning Ethnomathematics in European Context as a Matter of Social Justice

The aim of this theoretical article is to, on the one hand, highlight the need for rethinking about EM—considering it as a dynamic field of knowledge and action, and taking into consideration the context in which EM has emerged and developed in counterpoint with current global conditions. On the other hand, this article demonstrates the importance of an EM perspective within the European context; this requires a shift from the experience of colonialism, within which Europe had the central and formative role, toward the more recent phenomenon of coloniality, that is, with the structures, epistemologies, and power relations that maintain societal and cultural hierarchies, in particular, those institutional and social structures that constitute and inform education and mathematics education. Europe, identified as a totality with the exercise of power, has made the recognition of asymmetric power relations within its own geographic boundaries less explicit; this situation has also hampered the development of EM in the European context. The identification within Europe of the Symbolic South (Santos, 2015), and the associated forms of epistemicide of (mathematics) knowledge that comes from out-of-mainstream (marginalized) populations within Europe, for example Roma mathematical practices, activated together the efforts reflected in this article. Methods of ethnomathematics, informed by the analysis of the Symbolic South present in European communities and ongoing structures of coloniality that create epistemicide, can respond to issues of inequity and social justice. ME in the European context and in dialogue with non-structural theories can also broaden the typical EM perspective and methods.

“We Are Bulletproof”: The Transcultural Power of Fandom in #StopAsianHate

Fears of COVID‐19, alongside existing anti‐Asian sentiment, resulted in 11,467 documented hate incidents against Asians/Asian Americans in the United States between March 2020 and March 2022, per the Stop AAPI Hate Reporting Center. In response, #StopAsianHate and #StopAAPIHate were used on Twitter to increase public awareness. Considering anti‐Asian racism transcends geographic boundaries, we interrogate: how does engagement with these hashtags reflect the transculturality of responses to anti‐Asian racism in a digital environment? We analyzed 920,271 tweets between March 19, 2020, and May 31, 2022, containing either hashtag, defining a “spike” in engagement as any day with >5,000 tweets, and found that of 25 spikes, 11 immediately followed the 2021 Atlanta‐area shootings—however, another 12 spikes were related to South Korean megagroup BTS. We further compare the results of two topic modeling methods, LDA and NMF, to examine how the use of and engagement with these hashtags shift over time primarily due to BTS fans (“ARMY”). This work joins emerging scholarship on race, fandom, and activism through cultural production in order to advance our collective understanding of modern digital activism and racial politics. Overall, we interrogate fandom's contributions to combating anti‐Asian sentiment, build on existing literature exploring the potential for fandoms to advocate for social justice, and argue that the transculturality of BTS, ARMY, and their affective ties represent an opportunity for accessible global discourse about anti‐Asian racism.

Balancing cleaner energy and geopolitical interests in the complex transition of the European electricity mix: from Fukushima to the Ukraine war

In the modern world, electric energy plays a pivotal role in sustaining life and driving technological, scientific, and human development. Consequently, the selection and availability of the energy sources used for electricity generation have become crucial elements of strategic planning for countries and economic blocks. Moreover, the impact of these choices extends beyond the mere energy demand/supply, affecting economies, societies and the environment across geographical boundaries. This study delves into the various factors influencing the composition and the recent expansion of the European electricity mix. It explores the interplay of environmental, climatic, political, economic, and external factors that shape Europe’s energy choices. To conduct this analysis, we utilized data from the International Energy Agency on electricity generation and GHG emissions. Data mining techniques were employed to uncover patterns and trends in the monthly data from 2010 to 2022, from which political and economic milestones such as the shutdown of nuclear power plants and the European Union’s increased reliance on natural gas imports from Russia were examined. The study also discusses the impact of using natural gas for power generation on increasing GHG emissions. Ultimately, this research reveals that the European Union choices in transitioning towards a cleaner electricity mix have not yet proven efficient. In fact, these choices may have inadvertently created favorable conditions for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, triggering, not only a humanitarian crisis, but also an economic downturn in Europe due to soaring energy prices. This crisis could potentially extend beyond Europe and impact the whole planet in 2023 and on, including developing countries that rely on stable energy prices for their sustainable growth.

Characteristics of Natural Ti-Bearing Nanoparticles in Groundwater within Karst Areas of Northern China

Karst areas are widespread in China and can be divided into southern karst and northern karst based on the geographical boundary of Qinling Mountains and Huaihe River. In northern karst regions, karst springs are the predominant landform. Previous studies on karst springs have predominantly focused on macroscopic perspectives, such as water chemistry characteristics, with less attention given to the microscopic characteristics of springs. Therefore, this study focused on the Jinan Baotu Spring area, representative of a typical northern karst region, and investigated the natural nanoparticles present in different aquifers at various depths from a microscopic point of view. Through the observation of nanoparticle tracking analyzer (NTA), numerous nanoparticles were identified in the groundwater samples. The particle size range of the particles contained in groundwater is mainly concentrated in the range of 150–500 nm, and the particle concentration is mainly concentrated in the range of 1.5–5.0 × 105 Particles/L. The microstructure, chemical composition, and element distribution of these nanoparticles were analyzed using TEM-EDS techniques. The results unveiled the presence of Ti-bearing nanoparticles in various groundwater layers, including both crystalline and amorphous states, as well as nanoparticles exhibiting the coexistence of crystal and amorphous structures. By comparing the measured lattice spacing with PDF cards, the crystalline Ti-bearing nanoparticles were identified as rutile, brookite, anatase, ilmenite, pseudorutile, and ulvospinel. Furthermore, the main components of the amorphous Ti-bearing nanoparticles predominantly consisted of Ti or a mixture of Ti and Fe. EDS analysis further indicated that the Ti-bearing nanoparticles carried additional metal elements, such as Zn, Ca, Mn, Mo, Cr, and Ni, suggesting their potential role as carriers of metal elements during groundwater transportation. This discovery provided new insights into the migration of metal elements in groundwater and underscores the capacity of nanoparticles to enhance the mobility of inorganic substances within the water environment. Notably, brookite was detected in three different areas, including the direct discharge area, indirect recharge area, and discharge area, which may indicate that some special natural nanoparticles could serve as natural mineral tracer particles in the process of groundwater migration.

Enhancing the Adoption of Financial Innovations to Foster Socioeconomic Welfare

The integration of digital technologies has garnered global attention, with a primary focus on their potential to streamline the convergence of digital and non-digital economies. This trend is poised to generate self-employment opportunities and spur socio-economic development, transcending geographic boundaries. In the context of Georgia, where the number of digitally connected individuals is on the rise, it becomes imperative to ascertain the extent to which financial technologies deployed in the financial services industry contribute to the well-being of the population and business representatives. This research aims to assess the benefits of these technologies while acknowledging that their utilization does not impede the future implementation of novel financial innovations by institutions in the sector. While including both, qualitative and quantitative analysis, the study examines the significance of financial technologies in the country's economy in terms of financial resources and the impact on the well-being and growth of the population and companies. Emphasizing user-centricity, it underscores the need to prioritize the fulfillment of users' requirements. Notably, it is not solely traditional financial institutions that shape the landscape, but also technology firms offering innovative products and services, which exert a critical influence on fostering a dynamic business environment. Furthermore, the evaluation of emerging technologies such as cloud computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, and blockchain elucidates their potential impact in enhancing the well-being of businesses and the general population. Nevertheless, given the current stage of their development, a comprehensive nationwide implementation of these technologies remains challenging.

Cultural Harmonies: Exploring Compositional Techniques and Cultural Fusion in Guizhou Ethnic Minority Music

This study investigates compositional techniques within Guizhou Ethnic Minority Music, focusing on the transformative influence of cultural fusion. Through interviews with local musicians from the Miao, Dong, Yi, and Shui ethnic groups, the research identifies recurring elements and variations in musical practices. Cultural fusion emerges as a dynamic force shaping compositional creativity, where deliberate blending of traditional instruments, melodic motifs, and rhythmic patterns transcends individual ethnic styles. The impact on the listener's perception reveals enhanced accessibility and relatability, attracting a diverse audience. The dual role of cultural fusion is evident—preserving cultural identity while catalyzing musical evolution. As musicians adapt tradition to contemporary contexts, Guizhou Ethnic Minority Music becomes a bridge between heritage and innovation. The study contributes to broader discussions on global music by highlighting the power of cultural fusion in fostering cross-cultural understanding. Guizhou's musicians emerge as cultural ambassadors, shaping a narrative that transcends geographic boundaries, inviting scholars and enthusiasts to explore the intricate interplay of tradition, innovation, and cultural exchange in the musical realm.

Detection and genetic characterization of orf virus from sheep and goats in Nigeria.

Orf is a contagious, viral epitheliotropic disease of small ruminants. We investigated the molecular epidemiology of orf virus (ORFV) in breeds of small ruminants to determine the evolutionary diversity in Nigeria. Out of 54 small ruminants screened, the number of animals that were positive for ORFV in the three locations were 25. The distribution of positive animals by location were FCT 45.0% (n = 9/20), Oyo State 42.9% (6/14), and Plateau State 50.0% (n = 10/20). ORFV sequences from this study clustered with viruses detected in Taiwan, Iran, USA, and France. Our findings highlight the risk of transmission across geographic boundaries in Nigeria and West Africa, and reinforces the need for increased surveillance to prevent and control spread. Comprehensive characterization of ORFV in small ruminants as well as in humans in Nigeria is required to better elucidate the epidemiological dynamics and the virus evolution.

Life cycle assessment of nutrient recovery strategies from domestic wastewaters to quantify environmental performance and identification of trade-offs

Increase in anthropogenic activities proliferated the consumption of resources such as phosphorus; and increase the adverse environmental impacts especially eutrophication on water resources such as lakes. Nutrient recovery from domestic wastewaters to produce a fertiliser has been explored to address these challenges in the context of a sustainable circular nutrient economy. Life cycle assessment (LCA) was performed to holistically assess the impacts of integrating a nutrient recovery system on wastewater and water resource management using Laguna de Bay, Philippines as the geographical boundary. The inventory was developed based on the results of the emerging nutrient recovery reactor operations and the application of the recovered fertiliser on the agricultural crops. The LCA results for the proposed scenario showed environmental benefits of about 83.6% freshwater eutrophication, 102.5% terrestrial ecotoxicity, 26.9% water consumption, 100.7% mineral resource scarcity, while the global warming potential is 95.4% higher than the baseline scenario. Results imply policy review for septage management, system optimisation, and evaluation of alternative methods of wastewater management, in terms of life cycle thinking and sustainability across the globe.

"ᚁ is Beith and means birch” - an exploration of Ogham in online fanfiction featuring King Alfred the Great

Through an analysis of three selected case studies, this study unveils how Ogham's integration into contemporary narratives generates fresh layers of meaning and revitalises this ancient alphabet. The chosen focus on Alfredian fanfiction offers a contextualised exploration of the role of this ancient Irish script in shaping novel interpretations, bridging historical languages with the digital age, and shedding light on how fan communities reconfigure cultural heritage across temporal and geographical boundaries within the dynamic landscape of internet culture. By employing a comprehensive approach, this research elucidates the intricate interplay between Ogham, historical narratives, and contemporary fan creativity, providing valuable insights into how this ancient script sparks innovative meanings and propels narratives within the digital realms of fan culture.

State labeling's impact on geographic boundaries of local

AbstractLocal labeling is an important issue within the horticultural industry as many producers have devoted considerable resources to advertising their products as local. Further, all states have implemented some form of local labeling program to increase local purchasing. As states expand the reach of these programs, the programs begin to compete as awareness and perception move across state lines. Using an online survey to study consumers in the Southeastern United States, we look to identify how state labeling programs are viewed in nearby states. Notably, we assess awareness, perception, and its impact on the local definition of these programs in their “home” state as well as nearby states. Specifically, we evaluate the impact of nine Southeastern state‐level branding programs. Our results indicate that consumers are more aware of their home state's local label, but awareness does exist for other states' labels. We also find that a home state label moves some consumers to a more state‐level local boundary, while seeing another state's label increases the boundary for what is perceived as local [EconLit Citation: Q13].

Contextualizing and generalizing drivers and barriers of urban living labs for climate resilience

AbstractUrban Living Labs are open innovation ecosystems that integrate research and innovation activities within urban communities. However, while solutions co‐created and tested in the Urban Living Labs must be contextualized and tailored to each city's uniqueness, broader impact requires generalization and systematic replication across geographical, institutional, and sectoral boundaries. This article examines nine Living Labs in European coastal cities, identifying several barriers and drivers for mainstreaming and upscaling solutions to increase climate resilience through the Living Lab Integrative Process. Our analysis focuses on three main categories. First, social and cultural aspects highlighted include stakeholder engagement and awareness, communication, and dissemination. Second, we assess institutional and political aspects, such as silos, bureaucracy, and resources. Last, we investigate technical factors as knowledge and experience, technical and internal capacity, data availability and accessibility, climate‐related policies and actions, and long‐term perspective. The results suggest that while some barriers and drivers are common across the cases, providing generalizable patterns, there are also specific differences requiring tailored solutions at the local scale. Nonetheless, the diversity in drivers indicates the potential for sharing knowledge across cases to translate, embed, and scale solutions, enhancing the transition toward climate resilience. Learning and innovation in real‐life contexts are fundamental in the Living Lab approach, and our findings demonstrate that cross‐case learning can enhance an iterative process of contextualizing and generalizing innovative climate solutions.

Amitav Ghosh’s Gun Island: The Climate Crisis and Planetary Environmentalism

ABSTRACT Amitav Ghosh’s Gun Island (2019), in addressing the planetary scale of the climate crisis, gestures to the possibility of, and the imperative for, multispecies as well as multi-ethnic and cross-cultural cooperation as a way of facing climate change. The parallel that Ghosh draws between human and animal migrations, resulting from climate change, underlines the novel’s emphasis on multispecies climate justice. By connecting the refugee influx into the Western world to the environmental crisis beyond the West, the novel also concerns itself with social, racial, and historical injustices, drawing attention to the role of European colonization and the present-day global capitalism in escalating the climate crisis. I discuss the characteristics of environmentalism that I identify within Gun Island using the term “planetary environmentalism.” This kind of environmentalism extends beyond any geographical boundary created by humans, as borders lose their meaning when the future of the whole planet is at threat. I argue that the novel, through planetary environmentalism, raises a cry for multispecies justice as a question of multispecies survival to face the challenges of the planetary crisis caused by climate change.

Cyber dating violence- a case report

Purpose: Cyber dating violence includes both the state of the victim to be harmed by threats, the dissemination of confidential information under the name of cyber violence, and the harassment of controlling the social relations of the victims, called cyber control, by constantly checking what they are doing on social media at any time. In the face of this type of violence that goes beyond spatial and geographical boundaries, the well-being of the victims is adversely affected because they consider the situation to be unresolved. Method: In this case report, a 13-year-old girl who has been exposed to cyber dating violence will be mentioned. Findings: After 3 months of virtual friendship with a 17-year-old man, whom this adolescent met on the computer games, she started to send him nude photos, they had virtual sex during the video call, the man guided her and offered to be a husband and wife with her during virtuel sex. It has been learned that she inserted a pen in front of the screen through his genitals and it hurt a lot. In the following days, they communicated to meet outside, the boy persuaded the teenage girl to take her home to introduce her to his family. The girl's family who followed them on their suspicions intervened in the situation, it became clear that they were faced with gang members. It has been revealed that throughout the time they communicated, the gang has collected a lot of data about the family’s income level over the internet and social media and asked the girl’s family for money through blackmail. In conclusion; with the legal complaint of the family, the gang members received legal punishment and the adolescent girl was taken to psychiatric treatment with the diagnosis of “post-traumatic stress disorder”.

The crucial role of English language in intercultural communication within global healthcare

The English language's pivotal role in global healthcare communication is essential. It serves as a bridge across diverse cultures, enabling seamless interaction among healthcare professionals and patients from various linguistic backgrounds. In today's interconnected healthcare landscape, English acts as a unifying medium, transcending geographical and linguistic boundaries. Its prevalence is not just convenient but foundational, facilitating collaboration, research dissemination, and universal implementation of medical advancements. Beyond mere functionality, English embodies inclusivity, democratizing access to healthcare information and empowering patients in their care decisions. This paper delves into the significance, challenges, and considerations surrounding English as the primary language for intercultural communication in medicine.