Interdisciplinary Research Approach Research Articles

The Church of Pobeten in the XIV–XV centuries: historical and virtual reconstruction

The purpose of our work is to study the history and virtual reconstruction of the church of Pobeten, an object of historical and cultural heritage of the XIV-XV centuries. The method of analogy, creation of a digital model, photogrammetry, methods of historical informatics were used in the work. Special attention is paid to the history of the church of Pobeten and the work on creating its virtual copy. It describes working with various tools (Agisoft Metashape, Sculptris Alpha, Geomagic Studio and Sketch Up) to create photogrammetric and three-dimensional models of a historical object of the XIV century. The possibilities of using photogrammetry and three-dimensional modeling methods in the synthesis to create a virtual reconstruction of the Pobeten church are considered. The result of the work was the receipt of versatile historical data about the church of Pobeten and a virtual three-dimensional model based on them, which has the ability to edit: it can be supplemented with various elements, as well as integrated into larger works. The scope of application of the work and the results obtained can be historical local lore, preservation of objects of historical heritage, the use of the resulting product in museum installations. An interdisciplinary approach in historical research combined with computer science methods, specifically with three-dimensional computer modeling, provides exceptional opportunities, especially with the growth of information technology development, and is an actual tool of historical research in modern science.

Intelligibility of Post-War Reconstruction in French Bombed Cities

In the aftermath of the WWII, many French cities faced a great need for reconstruction in response to the heavy destruction caused by the bombardments. Reconstruction plans were developed and implemented at relatively short notice in response to a critical and urgent situation. However, not all cities adopted the same approach: (a) some proposed and implemented a new layout; (b) others tried to recreate the old street layout but with some updates such as widening and alignment; and finally, (c) some have preferred to resort to more targeted interventions. The choice of approach was motivated by various factors associated with the level of destruction, the futuristic vision of the architect or urbanist in charge, or the historic value of the place destroyed. This article assesses the impact of these approaches on the urban tissue by measuring changes in the overall morphology and intelligibility of multiple city centres before and after the reconstruction based on their cadastral maps. Intelligibility is first measured as a configurational property of the street layout and then as a result of public participation in a navigation task using these maps and digital technology that records the speed of movement and trajectories. This allows a comparison between the original street layout and the new one, as well as across the different cities. Drawing on indicators of spatial cognition, this interdisciplinary research approach provides a means to measure and better understand the impact of the reconstruction on the intelligibility of urban environments.

On the Concept of Russian Environmental Education in the International Context

The paramount importance of mankind in solving environmental problems, the acuteness of which continues to increase, gives rise to a planetary discourse around the concepts of education for sustainable development. The discussion focuses on the issues of their goals, priorities, organization principles, correlationwith environmental education. The article confirms the conclusion of foreign researchers that today there is not a single serious discussion about the transition to sustainable development, which would not include, on the one hand, the change of goals and methods of education and, on the other hand, would not be connected with the mission of environmental education to form a culture of sustainable development. On the example of comparison of conceptual approaches to environmental education in Western (USA) and Eastern (India) countries the author makes a conclusion about their originality as well as similar understanding of problems of environmental education for sustainable development, its goals, principles of realization, place in education for sustainable development. In the light of solution of raised problems, typical for different countries, main provisions of domestic Conception of environmental education in the system of general education (2022) are considered. Both its adherence to general world tendencies and novelty of solutions suggested by it are proved. Ways of making environmental education for sustainable development “transversal” and interdisciplinary character in the general education system are considered: development of metalanguage, common for all school subjects; introduction of basic model of personal environmental culture as a result of environmental education; realization of general subject ecologization technology; use of scientifically grounded system of criteria and indicators of environmental education, as well as combination of its forward-looking and regenerative orientation. The article notes that the key provisions of the concept have been tested for over 10 years in the course of experimental studies in 18 regions of the country in interdisciplinary research, combining pedagogical, culturological, activity, axiological and semiotic approaches.

Archival evidence as a source of memory representation on the history of political repressions

Historical memory as a way of storing and broadcasting past events, being an integral part of human culture, determines many interdisciplinary research approaches. The authors focused on the history of political repressions that left the deepest imprint in the public consciousness of the Kazakh community. Despite the fact that the historiography of the proposed topic has fundamental works, serious scientific publications, new discoveries and interesting results, not all sources of the history of political repressions have become the object of scientific research. The presented author's research for the first time introduces into scientific circulation fragments of the archival evidence of S. Baibulin’s case, a native of Kazakhstan, who was arrested in the city of Kyiv in 1937, convicted by the Special Council and repressed by the NKVD of the Ukrainian SSR. The case of S. Baibulin was deposited in the archives of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). The authors presented a source study analysis of the archival evidence, demonstrated the possibilities and methods of extracting information in order to form the framework / frame of the personal memory of the victim of political repressions. The uniqueness of the scientific content of the article lies in the opportunity to get acquainted with the structure of the archival evidence, as a source of memory representation on the history of political repressions in the focus of the presented ego-documents. Such a representation of memory can be considered as the practice of public commemoration of the victim, whose personal data remained only in a single source - an archival evidence. The authors’ goal was restoring historical justice for the victim of political terror, despite the presence of rehabilitation in accordance with the Law of the Ukrainian SSR "On the rehabilitation of victims of political repression in Ukraine" dated April 17, 1991, S. Baibulin, as a repressed person, does not appear in the camp lists of Belomor-Baltic Forced Labor Camp where he served time, and his data are not included in the lists of those rehabilitated, neither in Ukraine, nor in Kazakhstan.

ОБ ОПРЕДЕЛЕНИИ ДИСЦИПЛИНАРНОГО СТАТУСА ИССЛЕДОВАНИЙ ТУРИЗМА

The article is devoted to one of the most controversial topics in tourism research – whether there is a tourism science. This problem has been in the focus of specialists’ attention for almost half a century. The author traces the discussion history, from the first questions posed to monodisciplinary research and discussion of an interdisciplinary approach, as well as describes the waves of scientific interest caused by the development of the research object – tourism on the one hand, and the processes taking place in science itself on the other hand. The essence of the discussion is presented. The main discussion groups are identified: two polar ones – supporters of the integrated tourism science and their opponents, as well as an intermediate group. Their main arguments are outlined. The purpose of the work is to assess the state of tourism research in Russia and abroad and the prospects for its development. The article analyzes the conceptual and methodological difficulties in understanding tourism. The dominance of multidisciplinarity is shown to be the main obstacle to the elaboration of the general theoretical foundations of tourism development, and the current task of forming an interdisciplinary approach in tourism research is set. The possibilities of scientific integration on the basis of civilizational, humanitarian, and territorial platforms as well as the ‘Sustainable Development’ platform are considered. The importance of integration processes for the development of tourism research is emphasized. In the longer term, a breakthrough in tourism research is associated with overcoming disciplinary restrictions and the transition to non-disciplinarity (transdisciplinarity). Theoretical positions are supported by a large amount of illustrative material. The article is addressed to specialists in various fields of knowledge interested in the problems of the tourism and recreation development, and is designed for a broad discussion of the future research issues in this area.

Bio-futures for transplanetary habitats

How can biotechnologies and biomaterials shape and sustain habitats in extreme and space environments? Biotechnologies and biomaterials have been considered essential to the design of habitats in extreme environments such as outer space. Recent advancements in biotechnological research present novel ways in which materials, artefacts and architectural systems can be designed and developed to support life in extreme environments in space and on Earth. Different bioaspects are also researched to address the increasingly extreme environments on Earth due to climate change. Some of these innovations include the use of microbial ecologies and mycelium-based materials to grow radiation-resistant, self-healing and adaptable space architecture. Designing for extreme environments is a complex activity and benefits from an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research approach. We invite a diverse range of research contributions that explore, critically evaluate, and shape potential biotechnological futures in extreme and space environments. This includes innovative biomaterials and biodesign ranging from artefacts to habitats and systems that shape and sustain interactions between biological systems to enable advancement of space exploration.

Hunting and hunters of the Amazonian manatee in a Brazilian protected area

The Amazonian manatee has been hunted since antiquity and is part of local culture and tradition. Although protected by law, manatees continue to be hunted for food and trade. In most regions where the species occurs there are no reliable data on current hunting pressure. In addition, difficulty in determining its abundance prevents the definition of the species’ conservation status. Through an interdisciplinary research approach bringing together quantitative and qualitative data in the context of a trusting relationship with our local community partners, we assess current hunter profiles and associated hunting data. Hunting manatees in this region is linked to strong family traditions. The belief that ‘manatees are not for everyone’ as well as the considerable value given to their meat, results in hunters being recognized and admired. The manatees of Amanã are vulnerable to hunting year-round, throughout their route of in-reserve seasonal migration, and probably throughout other migration routes in the region. We conclude that if conservation is to be effective, the professionals, policies, and practices involved must consider local traditions related to manatee consumption. Likewise, the difficulty for local communities to fully grasp the threat of extinction to the species poses a significant challenge to conservation efforts. The information on manatee hunting in the Amanã Sustainable Development Reserve generated by this work is unprecedented for the species and has served as the basis for monitoring and establishing conservation measures appropriate to the local reality.

Responsible supply systems for macroalgae: Upscaling seaweed cultivation in Ireland

To address societal challenges and attend to the increasing demand for seaweed while avoiding the over-exploitation of wild resources, the future expansion of the Irish seaweed industry depends on upscaling macroalgal cultivation. Through an interdisciplinary research approach, this study aimed to conduct an in-depth investigation of the prospects of upscaling seaweed aquaculture in Ireland through the lens of sustainability management. The identification of responsibilities of emerging enterprises was aligned with socio-ecological dimensions of sustainability and found to be related to: 1) the natural environment, 2) the development of rural coastal communities, 3) the engagement with local actors and 4) the customer segment. Moreover, seaweed cultivation still faces many uncertainties and bottlenecks from the operational up to institutional levels. Distinct from seaweed collected from the wild, cultivated seaweed has more phases added to the supply chain cycle. This includes, for example, the optimal site selection, the granting of an aquaculture licence and potentially social licence to operate, seed supply, and optimal timing for cultivation or harvest depending on the species, processing capacity and end-uses. The results contribute to an enhanced and holistic understanding of macroalgal cultivation in Ireland, as well as the social responsibility of emerging enterprises over socio-ecological systems and for the establishment of new supply chains based on seaweed. This can help to guide better decision-making of prospective growers, certification bodies, and policymakers in Ireland and beyond.

Does Interdisciplinary Research Lead to Higher Faculty Performance? Evidence from an Accelerated Research University in China

The current trend of building accelerated research universities in China that explore the pursuit of interdisciplinary research (IDR) approach to yield academic excellence and innovation through institutional reforms is aspiring to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Employing data from faculty Curriculum Vitae and bibliometric records from a pilot accelerated research university in China, this study provides a case study to empirically quantify the impact of interdisciplinary research on 490 faculty’s performance, including research productivity, impact, and prestige. Results show that faculty involved in interdisciplinary research outperform their non-interdisciplinary counterparts in terms of research productivity, impact, and prestige. The degree of interdisciplinary as measured by subject categories is positively associated with faculty research performance. However, there are heterogeneous effects across faculty subgroups since faculty in applied-oriented disciplines reap more benefits while young faculty may suffer. Additionally, this study finds that faculty individual interdisciplinary research behavior can be affected by school-level concentration and dispersion of the degree of interdisciplinarity, which suggests the existence of peer effects.

A Review of Research on the Cultivation of Socialist Core Values since the 19th CPC National Congress

Since the 19th National Congress, scholars have mainly studied the cultivation of socialist core values from three aspects: basic theories, problems and challenges, and paths. In the process of future research, the research content can be appropriately enriched, the research methods improved, the cultivation objects increased, and the interdisciplinary research approach applied, so as to promote the further implementation of socialist core values, the implementation of details, and the implementation of the small, and to provide theoretical reference for the cultivation of socialist core values and the consolidation of the dominant position of socialist ideology.

Shifting Border, Shifting Interpretation: what the Anglo-Norman Castle of Dodleston in Cheshire might be trying to tell us about the eleventh-century northern Anglo-Welsh Border

This chapter follows on from research and publication by this author on the form and placing of Anglo-Norman castles situated within the northern Anglo-Welsh medieval borderland, recently interpreted and newly termed the Irish Sea Cultural Zone (Swallow 2016). This interpretation argues for the Anglo-Normans’ reuse of pre-existing monuments dating from the prehistoric and Romano-British periods for the deliberate placing of their castle builds. Dodleston Castle was situated within the fluctuating borders of this frontier borderlands zone, and, it is argued, played a significant role in the continuity of strategic and commercial movement along the entirety of the Anglo-Welsh border and the Irish Sea Region. Within this context, and taking a cross-period and interdisciplinary research approach to re-examine the earthworks and landscape of Dodleston Castle in more detail than hitherto, the earthworks at Dodleston may reveal a meeting point of significance over millennia. It will be demonstrated, for instance, that Dodleston’s earthworks likely represent an Anglo-Saxon assembly site situated at the meeting points of important medieval administrative boundaries within the Irish Sea Cultural Zone. By considering the wider spatial significance of Dodleston beyond the temporal confines of the Anglo-Norman period, it is therefore possible to understand better, and reinterpret, the form of the castle earthworks as they exist in the landscape today.

An interdisciplinary approach to characterize peanut-allergic patients-First data from the FOOD@ consortium.

BackgroundPeanut allergy is a frequent cause of food allergy and potentially life‐threatening. Within this interdisciplinary research approach, we aim to unravel the complex mechanisms of peanut allergy. As a first step were applied in an exploratory manner the analysis of peanut allergic versus non‐allergic controls.MethodsBiosamples were studied regarding DNA methylation signatures, gut microbiome, adaptive and innate immune cell populations, soluble signaling molecules and allergen‐reactive antibody specificities. We applied a scalable systems medicine computational workflow to the assembled data.ResultsWe identified combined cellular and soluble biomarker signatures that stratify donors into peanut‐allergic and non‐allergic with high specificity. DNA methylation profiling revealed various genes of interest and stool microbiota differences in bacteria abundances.ConclusionBy extending our findings to a larger set of patients (e.g., children vs. adults), we will establish predictors for food allergy and tolerance and translate these as for example, indicators for interventional studies.

Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems and Biocultural Heritage: Addressing Indigenous Priorities Using Decolonial and Interdisciplinary Research Approaches

The food systems and territories of Indigenous Peoples sustain much of the world’s biodiversity, cultivated and wild, through agroecological practices rooted in Indigenous cosmovision and cultural and spiritual values. These food systems have a critical role to play in sustainability transformations but are widely threatened and have received limited research attention. This paper presents the results of four virtual workshops with Indigenous Peoples: a global workshop and local workshops with communities in coastal Kenya, northeast India and southwest China. Indigenous participants highlighted the role of their food systems in resilience to climate change, nutrition, sustainability and resilience to pandemics, and threats from agriculture, development and conservation policies. They called for research on the rapid loss of Indigenous knowledge; Indigenous Peoples’ land rights and food sovereignty; and the impacts of industrial agriculture on Indigenous food systems, stressing the need for decolonial approaches to revitalise Indigenous knowledge. The paper presents a decolonial and interdisciplinary framework for action-research on Indigenous food systems past and present, from farm to plate, drawing on the virtual workshops, Andean decolonising methods and historical approaches. It concludes that decolonising action-research, led by Indigenous Peoples, is urgently needed to reverse the rapid loss of food-related biocultural heritage.

Modelling J-Curve by Using Differential Equations: Studies in Finances and Entrepreneurship

In this paper, a mathematical formalism for defining the J-Curve phenomenon is set up in the form of a corresponding differential equation with practical application. An explicit form of the differential equation to describe the J-Curve, as well as the solution of the differential equations in terms of polynomials with coefficients satisfying a particular property was presented for the first time. The J-Curve and S-Curve are modelled as Riccati's nonlinear differential equation of the 1^st order. A mathematical form of the differential equation is proposed that corresponds in structure to the Laguerre Polynomials (linear differential equation of the 2^nd order), resulting in J-Curve as a solution. To confirm this, it is necessary to fulfil two main criteria for the mathematical validation of the J-Curve - confirmation of the structure of Laguerre polynomials (a polynomial equation with coefficients of alternating sign) and an R-squared score greater than 0.6. Two case studies are presented to validate the theoretical concepts and demonstrate the application of J-Curve mathematical modelling - Returns on Venture Investments (where returns from start-up investments are analysed over a 12-year period) and Returns on Long-Term Stock Investments (based on actual financial data for the period from 2016 to 2020 for the NIFTY 500 Index of the National Stock Exchange of India). A direct connection between the mathematical formulation and the graphs obtained is shown, which corresponds to the mathematical validation of the J-Curve phenomenon. It is mathematically shown how the financial data manifest the J-Curve behaviour, satisfying the initial assumptions of such a model. The mathematical model set up in this way can be verified in practice on different other types of data, which could create interest in an interdisciplinary approach in such research. This could include studies particularly from other economic fields such as micro- or macroeconomics.

Parallel cognition: hybrid intelligence for human-machine interaction and management

As an interdisciplinary research approach, traditional cognitive science adopts mainly the experiment, induction, modeling, and validation paradigm. Such models are sometimes not applicable in cyber-physical-social-systems (CPSSs), where the large number of human users involves severe heterogeneity and dynamics. To reduce the decision-making conflicts between people and machines in human-centered systems, we propose a new research paradigm called parallel cognition that uses the system of intelligent techniques to investigate cognitive activities and functionals in three stages: descriptive cognition based on artificial cognitive systems (ACSs), predictive cognition with computational deliberation experiments, and prescriptive cognition via parallel behavioral prescription. To make iteration of these stages constantly on-line, a hybrid learning method based on both a psychological model and user behavioral data is further proposed to adaptively learn an individual’s cognitive knowledge. Preliminary experiments on two representative scenarios, urban travel behavioral prescription and cognitive visual reasoning, indicate that our parallel cognition learning is effective and feasible for human behavioral prescription, and can thus facilitate human-machine cooperation in both complex engineering and social systems.

The Missing Link? Insights from an Innovative Feedback Exercise for Household Electricity and Travel Behaviour

The objective of this study was to explore how individuals perceive their different types of energy use and evaluate if this information could be useful for further understanding energy demand reduction. Based on a literature review, an innovative feedback exercise was developed that gave participants feedback on electricity use, travel, and then both electricity use and travel simultaneously. Through the use of an interdisciplinary mixed methods research approach, the findings indicate that electricity use and travel are viewed as being very different, there is an opportunity to improve travel-related feedback when compared to electricity, and most do not see a link between electricity and travel. A small number of participants did see a link between electricity and travel, and this was also explored. These findings, which until now have not been explored in the literature, take a first attempt at comparing how individuals perceive their different types of energy use and highlight the relevance of this type of research in order to further advance energy demand management. Implications for a low carbon energy transition and future areas of research were identified and discussed, including decreasing travel in a way that is perceived as being advantageous, improving feedback that illustrates the importance of individual choices, and the importance of examining multiple energy behaviours simultaneously.

Sustainable Global Supply Chains: The Human Rights Aspect

The objective of this paper is to examine Global Supply Chains (GSC) from the perspective of human rights. Economists and international business scholars focus on the economic nature of this phenomenon and its complex international structure. International institutions (such as the WTO, OECD and others) direct their efforts to the regulation of the relations within the structure and to the measurement of the contribution of GSC to national economies and global trade. Human Rights activists, on the other hand, are tackling violations of human rights at the various stages of the supply chains. At present, politicians, regulators and a limited number of scholars are also trying to deal with the issue of human rights within GSC from a different angle – namely, the behaviour of business with regard to human rights issues in international business activities. The paper builds on the author’s previous research on global supply chains in their role as stakeholders within the corporate governance system. The author adheres to the view that the study of human rights issues in the context of GSCs demands an interdisciplinary research approach and utilizes an adequate conceptual framework that should be further developed. Theoretical observations are combined with a survey on the business attitude towards human rights. Venue for following studies is drafted. Keywords: words: global supply chains, human rights; international business; stakeholders; corporate governance, adverse impact, modern slavery JEL: M54, M55, K3, J28, F2

Application of Fairclough's Critical Discourse Analysis Model to Quranic Verses Discussing Peaceful Dealing with Hypocrites

Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) is an interdisciplinary research approach which declares that discourse is mutually related to social activities and power relations. This approach decodes the structure and hidden ideology of a text by describing and analyzing its language, context and current social and temporal situation. Some of the verses in the Holy Qur’an that deal with hypocrisy discuss dealing with hypocrites peacefully and have a discursive structure. The present study examined these verses as an ideological discourse based on Fairclough’s CDA to elucidate thematic verses’ capacity in the process of meaning creation and open up new horizons for researchers to analyze the thematic verses. The results have revealed that, at the description level, discourse components such as the expressive value of words, active and imperative sentences, and modality in verses are closely tied to dealing with hypocrites peacefully. The situational context analysis at the interpretation level has revealed that the enunciation style of the verses’ textual layer is fully compatible with the social and temporal conditions at the time of their revelation. Analysis at the explanation level demonstrated the depth of the Divine revelation about hypocrisy, suggesting that these verses aim to promote the hegemony of monotheism, trust in God, patience, piety, and forgiveness in the Islamic society in addition to peaceful coexistence.
 Keywords: The Holy Qur’an, Peaceful coexistence, Discourse analysis, Fairclough’s approach, Ideology

How do general practitioners handle complexities? A team ethnographic study in Japan

BackgroundGeneral practitioners (GPs) are often faced with complex problems, including patients with socio-economic and medical problems. However, the methods they use to approach these complexities are still not understood. We speculated that elucidating these methods using complex adaptive systems (CAS) methodology to comprehensively assess GPs’ daily activities would contribute to improving the professional development of GPs. This study aimed to clarify how expert GPs handle complex problems and adapt to their community context through the ethnography of GPs and other healthcare professionals in terms of CAS.MethodsWe adopted the interdisciplinary team-ethnographic research approach. Five hospitals and four clinics in Japan which were considered to employ expert GPs were selected by purposive sampling. 62 individuals of various backgrounds working in these nine facilities were interviewed. Using field notes and interview data, the researchers iteratively discussed the adequacy of our interpretations. The first author (JH) prepared a draft report, which was reviewed by the GPs at the participating facilities. Through critical and iterative consideration of the different insights obtained, the final findings emerged together with representative data.ResultsWe identified four approaches used by GPs to deal with complexities. First, GPs treat patients with complex problems as a whole being and address their problems multi-directionally. Second, GPs build horizontal, trusting relationships with other healthcare professionals and stakeholders, and thereby reduce the degree of complexity of problems. Third, GPs change the learning climate while committing to their own growth based on societal needs and by acting as role models for other professionals through daily interpersonal facilitation. Fourth, GPs share community vision with multi-professionals and thereby act as a driving force for organizational change. These various interactions among GPs, healthcare professionals, organizations and communities resulted in systematization of the healthcare and welfare network in their community.ConclusionsExpert GPs developed interconnected multidimensional systems in their community health and welfare networks to adapt to fluctuating social realities using four approaches. GPs’ work environment may be considered as a complex adaptive system (CAS) and the approach of GPs to complexities is CAS-based. Our findings are expected to have practical applications for GPs.

University-Based Researchers as Knowledge Brokers for Climate Policies and Action

Responding effectively to climate crisis requires strong science-policy links to be put in place. Past research on the research-policy interface indicates longstanding challenges that have become more acute in the case of climate science, since this requires multi-disciplinary approaches and faces distinctive political challenges in linking knowledge with policy. What can be learned from the experiences of university-based researchers seeking to influence policy as they try to operate in the brokering space? With this in mind, an empirical study was designed to capture the detailed views and experiences of forty researchers in four universities across four countries—Bangladesh, Germany, Uganda and UK. It found a wide range of different researcher attitudes to policy engagement, diverse methods of engaging, a preference for working with government and civil society over private sector policy actors, and a perceived need for more university support. The findings suggest a need to rethink conditions for engagement to create spaces for knowledge exchange and cooperation that can contribute to policies for societal transformation. More attention also needs to be paid to interdisciplinary research approaches, improving research connections with private sector actors, and strengthening university research links with local communities. Finally, the position of university based researchers in the Global South will require strengthening to improve North–South knowledge exchange, capacity development, and incentives for policy engagement.