Interdisciplinary Perspective Research Articles

The Bubble Metropolis: Manhattan Island Crises in Contemporary Science Fiction

As “the island at the center of the world,” Manhattan has inspired countless writers and has served as a spatial archetype in science fiction’s world-building. From the interdisciplinary perspective of literature and economics, this article discusses the crisis imagination of the “bubble metropolis” in five contemporary Manhattan-related science fiction novels including Cities in Flight (1970), The Blister (1975), Terminal World (2010), Zone One (2011), and New York 2140 (2017). The spatial variety of Manhattan Island in these science fiction novels is closely combined with its economic condition. The characters, plots, and spatial imagery of these novels gather to reflect the different stages of the operation of a bubble economy, illustrating a historical cycle of capitalism that can never be escaped. Manhattan Island has long been the symbol of the world’s rush for wealth. The fear of economic recession, environmental degradation, and class conflict have formed the special geographical features of the island in the future. The crisis imagination of the “bubble metropolis” also seeks to stimulate critical thinking on economic ethics, urban design, and high technology, calling for social justice and public welfare.

How to Create and Foster Sustainable Smart Cities? Insights on Ethics, Trust, Privacy, Transparency, Incentives, and Success

This paper describes the motivation, framework, concepts, method, implementation, and results of the HCII2023 Design Café, a dedicated participatory highly interactive design workshop held in Copenhagen in July 2023. Motivated by the ubiquitous challenges our world is facing, this initiative had the goal to explore six main issues from an interdisciplinary perspective with a focus on the UN SDG 11: “Sustainable Cities and Communities” and the HCI Grand Challenge 2 “Human-Environment Interactions.” The six issues were formulated as questions and presented to the participants working in small groups. (1) How to create inclusive and ethical smart cities? (2) How to establish trust between people and smart environments? (3) How to address privacy concerns in smart environments that adopt the “disappearing computer” paradigm? (4) How to promote explainability and transparency of policies and measures to citizens of smart cities or in smart environments in general? (5) How to design incentives and rewards for engagement and sustainable behavior in smart cities at a personal as well as collective/corporate level? (6) How to measure success and impact in sustainable smart city projects? The method and approach of the Design Café is a tailored composition of a guided, structured format combined with and inspired by processes of informal communication and exchange of knowledge and ideas. Aligned moderation, a minimum set of rules, a set of relevant topics and an interdisciplinary group of motivated participants working in rotating formations provides the structure for achieving results. The results show that the six issues are not independent of each other, but require a holistic view, considering the various dependencies as well as synergies when exploring solutions. Nevertheless, the importance of first establishing higher-level goals based on ethical and inclusive approaches fostering human dignity and human rights were key. Acceptance of overall goals, processes, rules, and regulations was considered as the fundamental pre-requisite for sustainable change towards a declared goal. Acceptance needs trust and privacy as well as explainability and transparency of policies and measures. The role of incentives and rewards for engagement and sustainable behavior was twofold. Offering incentives must include planning on how to measure their impact. Effective measurement of success and impact depends heavily on how the institutions address privacy. Explainability and transparency should become one of the ethical guidelines that steer and control concepts, decision making, and implementations of all activities. The scale of these societal challenges still needs to be recognized by those responsible. It is essential to educate decision makers in the psychological needs and effects of sense making, comprehensibility, and finally acceptance and well-being moving towards a humanity-centered design.

Freedom as cultural-discursive resource

Humanity has never suffered so much from racial repression, social division and cultural domination as in the contemporary world. Freedom is under the severest attack the mankind has ever seen. Erno and Birk timely seize the issue of human freedom and contend that psychologists must turn their attention to it from a practical, political and interdisciplinary perspective, thereby opening up new avenues to human flourishing and self-actualization. And yet this proposal has given still insufficient heed to the cultural nature of freedom. It is the objective of this essay to argue for and sketch out a cultural-discursive approach that purports to provide not just a systematic and precise account of freedom but also a methodological framework for its research.

Training Future Managers to Address the Challenges of Sustainable Development: An Innovative, Interdisciplinary, and Multiregional Experience on Corporate Sustainability Education

This paper presents an innovative experience involving students and professors from diverse backgrounds and regions that was designed to integrate corporate sustainability (CS) knowledge into undergraduate programs. An action research approach was adopted, with the course running over one semester. The course involved 146 students with diverse academic backgrounds from universities across Brazil along with eight professors from Brazil, Chile, and South Africa. The proposed approach provides actionable insights into the integration of sustainability concepts in the higher educational setting, thereby contributing to the development of a more environmentally and socially conscious generation of professionals. The learning outcomes are discussed in the light of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Agenda, particularly SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), SDG 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure), and SDG 13 (climate action). In addition, it is important to highlight that the dissemination of the course’s key features can be useful for universities, professors, and researchers engaged in training future professionals capable of addressing real-world problems of innovation and sustainability. By employing an action research methodology and fostering collaboration among students and professors with diverse academic backgrounds and from different countries, including Brazil, Chile, and South Africa, this paper presents a multiregional and interdisciplinary perspective that sets it apart from conventional practices. The emphasis on providing actionable insights and its potential applicability for universities, professors, and researchers involved in training future professionals further underscore its distinctive contribution to education for sustainable development.

Bark beetle-driven community and biogeochemical impacts in forest ecosystems: a review

Abstract Bark beetles are a principal source of tree mortality in conifer forests, with beetle distribution and beetle-associated tree mortality increasing in frequency and extent. While bark beetles are associated with large-scale outbreaks that affect landscape structure, function, and wood quality, they are also drivers of important ecological processes that modify forest ecosystems. Bark beetle activity may affect biogeochemistry and forest decomposition processes by mediating microbial and detrital communities and by facilitating the turnover of deadwood. The turnover of deadwood in bark beetle-attacked forests has important implications for forest biogeochemical cycling, as dead wood releases CO2 into the atmosphere and carbon, nitrogen, and other nutrients into surrounding soils. However, our understanding of how initial physical, chemical, and biotic changes to bark beetle-attacked trees affect the succession of detrital organisms and decomposition of beetle-generated deadwood remains poor. Furthermore, the relationship between woody decomposition and landscape-level changes in biogeochemical processes in forest ecosystems following bark beetle activity is not well unified. This review article bridges this divide and provides an interdisciplinary perspective on tree mortality, ecological succession, and woody decomposition mediated by bark beetles.

One Health Education Nexus: enhancing synergy among science-, school-, and teacher education beyond academic silos.

The fact that the daily lives of billions of people were affected by the medical, social, and political aspects of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic shows the need to anchor the understanding of One Health in society. Hence, promoting awareness and deepening the understanding of the interrelation between human health, animal health, and ecosystems must be accomplished through quality education, as advocated by UN Sustainable Development Goal 4. The often-questioned and discussed measures taken by governments to control the global pandemic between 2020 and 2023 can be seen as an opportunity to meet the educational needs of civil society solutions in multi-stakeholder settings between public, universities, and schools. This paper focuses on the integration of One Health principles in educational frameworks, particularly within the context of the higher education teaching framework "Teaching Clinic." This master-level course in the domain of pre-service teacher education serves as a potent vehicle for facilitating One Health Education, bridging the gap between research, higher education, and schools. Through the presentation of two case studies, this article demonstrates how the Teaching Clinic approach fosters interdisciplinary perspectives and provides a dynamic learning environment for pre-service teachers, as well as for pupils involved in the educational process. In both cases, the integration of educational One Health school teaching-learning settings effectively enhanced pupils' understanding of complex topics and engaged them in active learning experiences. Pre-service teachers played a crucial role in developing, implementing, and evaluating these interventions. In Case I, pupils demonstrated proficiency in analyzing data and evaluating mathematical models, while in Case II, the chosen instructional approach facilitated One Health knowledge acquisition and enjoyment among pupils. These results underscore the potential of the One Health Teaching Clinic as a valuable educational framework for enhancing teaching and learning outcomes for pre-service teachers and fostering pupil engagement in socio-scientific One Health-related topics. The discussion delves into the significance of breaking down disciplinary silos and the crucial role of teacher education in promoting a holistic approach to education, emphasizing the intersectionality of One Health Education and Education for Sustainable Development. This article underpins the significance of collaborative efforts across multiple (scientific) disciplines and across secondary and tertiary education levels to reach a nexus. Moreover, it emphasizes the alignment of this approach with the 2030 Agenda, Education for Sustainable Development, and Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting the potential for collective action toward a more sustainable future.

Enhancing Learning Outcomes in Social Sciences through the Integration of Research-Based Teaching Strategies

In the dynamic landscape of social sciences education, the integration of research-based teaching strategies stands as a transformative approach to enriching learning outcomes and cultivating critical thinking skills among students. This abstract elucidates the profound impact of infusing research-based methodologies into social sciences pedagogy, highlighting the multifaceted benefits and implications for educators and learners alike. Research-based teaching strategies epitomize a pedagogical paradigm rooted in empirical evidence and scholarly inquiry, aimed at facilitating deeper understanding and engagement with course content. Within the realm of social sciences, where complex societal phenomena and interdisciplinary perspectives abound, the integration of such strategies offers a strategic pathway to navigate the intricacies of the discipline and foster intellectual curiosity among students. Central to the efficacy of research-based teaching strategies is their ability to stimulate active learning and student-centred exploration of subject matter. By incorporating experiential learning activities, inquiry-based projects, and collaborative research endeavors, educators empower students to construct knowledge collaboratively and apply theoretical frameworks to real-world contexts. Through hands-on engagement with primary sources, data analysis, and critical reflection, students develop the analytical acumen and problem-solving skills essential for navigating the complexities of contemporary social issues. Furthermore, research-based teaching strategies serve as catalysts for cultivating a culture of inquiry and intellectual rigor within the classroom environment. By encouraging students to critically evaluate evidence, interrogate assumptions, and engage in disciplined inquiry, educators foster a spirit of intellectual curiosity and scholarly inquiry among learners. Through exposure to diverse methodological approaches and research methodologies, students gain insight into the nuances of social scientific inquiry and develop the capacity to formulate evidence-based arguments and perspectives. Moreover, empirical research underscores the positive impact of integrating research-based teaching strategies on learning outcomes and student engagement in social sciences education. By aligning instructional practices with evidence-based principles of effective teaching and learning, educators can optimize student retention, mastery of content, and academic achievement.

In the Shadows of Disinformation

This study examines the interconnected phenomenon of disinformation and fake news and their relationship to the struggle for human rights. Through an interdisciplinary perspective, we explore the crucial role of the deliberate dissemination of false information in threatening and violating human rights globally. The focus is on how disinformation has become a subtle form of conflict, often circumventing traditional perceptions of war and confrontation. Our study reflects on developing effective strategies and mechanisms to counter disinformation. It suggests multidimensional approaches combining legislative, educational, and technological efforts to comprehensively address this emerging challenge.

Positioning antagonistic discourses in the (de)bounded spaces of power

Abstract Scholarship has underlined how radical right-wing populism (RRWP) emphasizes border control aiming to protect the “people”. Although increasing attention is being paid to the discursive dimensions of border construction, the complexity of the phenomenon suggests the need for further analysis in an interdisciplinary perspective and with an emphasis on the geometry of spatial powers (Massey 1999, 2005). Understanding power dynamics in space is all the more important now that radical right-wing populism (RRWP) is becoming a key political phenomenon. The use of the border in right-wing populist narratives draws on the representation of power struggles in space concerning the management of flows (people, goods, services, capital, ideas, values, etc.). The scope of the introduction to this special issue is to address the connection between radical right-wing populism, borders, and spaces of power, and to present the research articles investigating this link through a series of different case studies.

About the difficult art of helping. Book reviev Refugees Among Us Aid in an Interdisciplinary Perspective edited by Ewa Kurantowicz

The article is a discussion of a book dedicated to aid activities addressed to refugees from Ukraine after the start of hostilities. The reviewed book was based on projects which showed the socio-cultural dimension of helping. The projects was carried out in Wrocław by an interdisciplinary team of researchers.

Therapeutic Targets in the Management of Dry Eye Disease Associated with Sjögren's Syndrome: An Updated Review of Current Insights and Future Perspectives.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a continuing medical challenge, further worsened in the autoimmune inflammatory hyperactivation milieu of Sjögren's syndrome (SS) due to disturbances to innate and adaptive immunity with malfunctioning neuro-endocrine control. However, the pathogenetic mechanisms of SS DED are not fully established. This review summarized the available evidence, from systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized clinical trials, for the efficacy and safety of the available ocular therapeutics for the management of SS DED. Relevant studies were obtained from major databases using appropriate keywords. The available largely empirical symptomatic, supportive, and restorative treatments have significant limitations as they do not alter local and systemic disease progression. Topical therapies have expanded to include biologics, surgical approaches, scleral lens fitting, the management of lid margin disease, systemic treatments, nutritional support, and the transplantation of stem cells. They are not curative, as they cannot permanently restore the ocular surface's homeostasis. These approaches are efficacious in the short term in most studies, with more significant variability in outcome measures among studies in the long term. This review offers an interdisciplinary perspective that enriches our understanding of SS DED. This updated review addresses current knowledge gaps and identifies promising areas for future research to overcome this medical challenge.

Scientific Knowledge in Bacon Philosophy: Insights from Dialectical Materialism

Francis Bacon occupies a central position in the history of the philosophy of science, representing a pivotal shift from medieval to early modern scientific thought. Therefore, in the contemporary context, understanding Bacon's philosophy is crucial for appreciating the foundations of modern science and its ongoing evolution. The purpose of the article is to examine the enduring relevance of Francis Bacon's philosophy of science, particularly in the context of his emphasis on empirical methodology, experimentation, and the socio-cultural dimensions of scientific knowledge. By analyzing Bacon's contributions, the study aims to elucidate his methodological innovations and their implications for contemporary scientific practice and theory. The work uses thematic and comparative analysis to determine the role of F. Bacon's philosophy in the analysis of the concept of knowledge.The research highlights Bacon's seminal contributions to the philosophy of science, emphasizing his advocacy for empirical methodology, systematic experimentation, and the socio-cultural context of scientific inquiry. By critiquing the methodological limitations of scholastic philosophy and advocating for a methodological overhaul grounded in experience and observation, Bacon laid the groundwork for modern experimental science. In the conclusion, his integration of dialectical materialism and interdisciplinary perspectives underscores the significance of collective scientific endeavor and the foundational role of natural history in establishing the ontological basis of scientific knowledge. By elucidating Bacon's vision for a science that serves the general welfare of society, the study underscores the continued importance of his insights for addressing contemporary challenges and advancing scientific knowledge for the betterment of humanity.

TRANSLATING AYAHS ALEUDUL العدول IN THE QURANIC CONTEXTS: AN INTERDISCIPLINARY JURISPRUDENTIAL LINGUISTIC STUDY

The current research paper aims to critically study translating Ayahs Aleudul العدول in the Quranic contexts from an interdisciplinary jurisprudential linguistic perspective. The findings of the study showed that Aleudul العدول in the Qur'anic context is a phenomenon that reoccurs in many ayahs. The researcher selected one of the many: the Quranic Arabic Aleudul العدول in Ayah 33 of Surat al-Ahzab to explain the phenomenon and discuss it in detail. The study also showed that the Quranic Arabic Aleudul العدول came in the Qur'anic context to reveal the importance of the meaning to be explained in the context to which it is assigned. The foremost of the problems encountered by translators of the Holy Quran was the dearth of most exegesis relating to this recurring phenomenon in the Holy Qur'an. This is because exegesis is founded on the segmentation of the ayahs rather than a single ayah to determine their denotations and memorize the rulings from them only once.

Revolutionizing cellular energy: The convergence of mitochondrial dynamics and delivery technologies

The intersection of mitochondrial dynamics and delivery technologies heralds a paradigm shift in cellular biology and therapeutic intervention. Mitochondrial dynamics, encompassing fusion, fission, transport, and mitophagy, are critical for cellular energy production, signaling, and homeostasis. Dysregulation of these processes is implicated in a myriad of diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Concurrently, advances in delivery technologies, such as nanocarriers, targeted delivery systems, and gene editing tools, offer unprecedented opportunities to manipulate mitochondrial function directly. This review synthesizes current knowledge on mitochondrial dynamics, examines recent breakthroughs in targeted delivery methods, and explores their potential convergence to modulate cellular energetics for therapeutic purposes. By integrating insights from biology, chemistry, and bioengineering, this review highlights the innovative approaches being developed to enhance mitochondrial function, underscoring the potential of this convergence to address complex diseases. This interdisciplinary perspective not only broadens our understanding of cellular processes but also paves the way for novel therapeutic strategies, marking a significant step forward in the quest for precision medicine and targeted interventions in mitochondrial-related diseases.

A REVIEW OF THE CULTURAL LEVELS OF THE ARTISTIC CHARACTERISTICS OF YANGJIABU NEW YEAR WOODCUT PRINTS

YangJiaBu New Year woodcut prints, integral to China's intangible cultural heritage, encapsulate the nation's rich folk traditions and artistic expressions. This study investigates their evolving cultural significance in the context of global cultural shifts. It adopts the method of literature analysis to explore in depth the inheritance and innovative application of these prints, offering insights into their historical background, development patterns, and cultural values. The research draws on interdisciplinary perspectives to articulate the cultural evolution of these prints and their implications for cultural attributes, artistic aesthetics, and innovation direction. The YangJiaBu prints, embodying traditional Chinese culture's ethos, have undergone significant transformations across dynasties, reflecting the changing societal values and aspirations. This paper presents a tiered analysis using cultural genetics and cultural level theories, examining the prints' role in enhancing social connections and individual life experiences. It emphasizes their potential in design innovation, cultural heritage preservation, and fostering societal progress. The study also explores the interplay between art and technology, proposing a systematic design paradigm to integrate traditional culture into modern contexts. This synopsis retraces YangJiaBu prints' historical and cultural journey, highlighting their potential to enrich modern design and cultural innovation.

Do employees and firms benefit from autonomous work practice? Curvilinear effects on collective turnover and productivity of firms

The present study focuses on the opportunity dimension of the ability–motivation–opportunity framework and explores the implications of autonomous work practice (AWP) for the collective turnover and productivity of firms. Given the trade-offs between the costs and benefits of AWP and its potential double-edged sword effects, we adopt the interdisciplinary perspective on job design (i.e. mechanistic and motivational models) as basis to theorize the curvilinear effects of AWP. We further hypothesize the interaction between AWP and work flexibility, consistent with the internal fit perspective of strategic human resource management. The current framework is validated by analyzing multisource, time-lagged data collected from 1,240 firms over a two-year period. The analysis confirms the hypothesized curvilinear effects of AWP, in which collective turnover is low only when the level of AWP is moderate. The detriment of a high level of AWP on increasing collective turnover is amplified for firms with low work flexibility. By contrast, firm productivity is high when the AWP level is either low or high, and the benefit of a high level of AWP on increasing productivity is pronounced for firms with high work flexibility.

The urban environmental system perspective on socio-environmental risks of urban flooding

In the context of urban socio-environmental issues, floods stand out due to the amplitude of their impacts on building spaces and populations' lives. This problem has become an object of study in several knowledge areas, particularly from an interdisciplinary perspective, for understanding and identifying risks and socio-environmental vulnerabilities associated with hydrological disasters. The occurrence of extreme precipitation events recorded in Brazilian cities has also drawn attention of both public managers and agents, since the floods of urban rivers have caused, each year, serious damage to the population and services located in risk areas. Overall, floods in large, medium-sized, and even small cities are related to land use and land cover, as well as to rainwater management in urban spaces. Driven by these issues, this study presents results regarding the socio-environmental risks of urban flooding in Francisco Beltrão, a town located in Paraná State-Southern Brazil. It is based on the Urban Environmental System (UES) methodology, which is applied to identify social and environmental factors that intervene in the production of risks and vulnerabilities related to hydrological disasters. In the social subsystem domain, material losses related to urban flooding in Francisco Beltrão evidence the vulnerabilities of the affected population and the economic and social damage. On the other hand, regarding the natural subsystem domain, there is an increased hazard of extreme hydrometeorological events, which might lead to river flooding. Considering the urban socio-environmental system of Francisco Beltrão, the population's exposure to the flood hazard and the environmental degradation of urban rivers points to the use and occupation of risk areas.

Meta-competences in complex environments: An interdisciplinary perspective

In today's increasingly complex, uncertain environments, disciplinary knowledge alone is no longer sufficient to cope with new societal challenges and real-world problems. Meta-competences, which include advanced thinking skills and creativity, go beyond these domain-specific competences. Along those lines, a methodological question arises regarding how such a complex phenomenon can be investigated and adequately described.In our research, we applied proposition-based expert round tables, a method developed to analyze complex real-world problems. In a two-year project, eight experts from the University for Continuing Education Krems collaborated in an interdisciplinary approach including system and innovation research, management science, engineering, the arts and humanities, and higher education. Each expert proposed what meta-competences entail from their own perspective, and the different knowledge was subsequently reviewed, analyzed, and integrated following a collaborative approach over the course of several iterative discourses.As a result, the experts produced an integrative model with four interdependent factors of readiness: (1) iterative learning to continuously expand one's competences, (2) resilient improvisation to deal with unexpected events, (3) dynamic viability to cope effectively with volatile environments, and (4) sustainable innovation to co-creatively innovate. Those factors interact and reinforce each other and should ultimately enhance one's readiness to continually apply knowledge gained in new contexts and communicate that application accordingly.Meta-competences have, thus far, been discussed only in certain scientific disciplines. In our study we conducted expert round tables to continuously generate in-depth interdisciplinary knowledge that can be applied to other complex, real-world phenomena. The result is an initial interdisciplinary model that offers a relatively comprehensive view on the meta-competences required in today's increasingly complex environments.

Pain and salivary biomarkers of stress in temperomandibular disorders were affected by maxillary splints.

Longitudinal intervention studies on treatment options in temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) including self reports and salivary biomarkers of stress are rare and the exact therapeutic function of occlusal splints widely unknown. We examined the therapeutic effects of a Michigan splint with occlusal relevance in patients with TMD using a placebo-controlled, delayed-start design. Two intervention groups received a Michigan splint, while one of them had a placebo palatine splint for the first 3 weeks. We collected pain intensities (at rest and after five occlusal movements), salivary measures associated with stress (cortisol and alpha-amylase) and self-reported psychological distress (stress, anxiety, catastrophizing) at baseline and 3 and 7 weeks after onset of intervention. At baseline, we observed increased pain intensity and psychological distress in TMD patients compared to 11 matched healthy controls. Baseline anxiety was linked to movement pain intensity through stress. Over therapy reductions in pain intensity and morning cortisol were more pronounced in those patients starting immediately with the Michigan splint, while psychological distress decreased similarly in both groups. Our results suggest that perceived stress plays a role for the association between anxiety and TMD pain and underlines the need for an interdisciplinary perspective on the pathogenesis and therapy of TMD in a setting where psychotherapeutic knowledge is still scarce or rarely applied.

What means civic education in a digitalized world?

The hope of reaching diverse and large target groups has motivated civic education practitioners to offer their content on social media. The question has therefore long ceased to be whether civic education should take place on the internet, but rather how civic education goals can be implemented digitally to foster civic literacy. At first glance, the possibility of reaching a broad audience in a short time seems tempting. At a second glance, social media reveals several challenges that can impair educational processes. The present paper discusses the following questions: What are the opportunities and pitfalls of civic education in social media? How can we ensure successful civic education in a digitalized world? In our article, we want to provide an interdisciplinary perspective on the topic by drawing among others from the literature in the fields of media psychology, communication studies, and education science. By integrating insights from various disciplines, our paper seeks to enrich the academic dialogue and to promote a nuanced understanding of the evolving dynamics of civic education in the digital realm. With its practical focus, our paper further aims to underscore the applicability of scientific research.