Balanced Perspective Research Articles

Critical Discourse Analysis of Television News Coverage on the Relocation of Indonesia’s Capital City

The new phase of the State Capital Relocation (IKN) began in 2019, after President Joko Widodo inaugurated that Indonesia's capital would move to East Kalimantan. The relocation has been ongoing since then and has entered the infrastructure development stage. However, beyond the grandeur of the IKN construction, many aspects have been affected. This research aims to understand how the examined media construct discourse on capital relocation. This research employs a qualitative method, utilizing Norman Fairclough's critical discourse analysis model. Discourse analysis is conducted through three stages: text analysis, discourse practice analysis, and sociocultural analysis. Data collection methods were carried out using observation techniques, documentation studies through television media reporting, and in-depth interviews with informants representing Trans TV, Kompas TV, SCTV and NET. The research results in the text dimension indicate that the majority of the reporting is not in favour of the government's decision to relocate the capital because it is considered rushed in planning and has various negative impacts. In the discourse practice dimension, the reporting is heavily influenced by the media's socio-economic status (SES) in shaping the discourse. In the sociocultural dimension, it is shown that the capital relocation is one of the political strategies, and there is disagreement among various parties regarding the relocation. Therefore, the researcher suggests that the examined media should present balanced reporting and provide a balanced perspective in their coverage. Furthermore, caution is needed from the media to avoid being influenced by external media domination, ensuring that the information reported is accountable and prioritizes the public interest.

MULTI LEVEL MARKETING DALAM ISLAM (ANTARA KEHALALAN DAN ETIKA BERTRANSAKSI BERDASARKAN FATWA MUI No. 75/DSN-MUI/VII/2009)

Multi Level Marketing (MLM) is a marketing innovation that often generates controversy. Some scholars declare that this system is permissible according to Sharia, while others highlight financial risks and ethical concerns in transactions, such as honesty, justice, and prudence. This study aims to analyze MLM practices in the context of Islamic economic law and transaction ethics, intending to provide a balanced perspective on the permissibility and ethical implications of MLM in Islam. The research employs a descriptive qualitative approach with a literature study. Data are collected from scholarly literature such as books, journals, articles, and fatwas from Islamic scholars related to MLM. Data analysis is conducted using content analysis methods, examining relevant texts about MLM. Source triangulation is used to ensure consistency and validity of the findings. MLM involves selling products through a network of distributors who earn commissions from direct sales and sales made by recruited members. Fatwa DSN MUI No. 75/DSN-MUI/VII/2009 states that MLM is permissible if the products sold are beneficial, transactions are conducted transparently without deception, commissions are based on product sales, and the recruitment system does not harm new members

Deciphering temporal perspectives: A key to happiness and optimism for healthy aging in nursing practices”

BackgroundWith the global population of older individuals increasing rapidly, it is important to understand the factors contributing to their well-being. The study aimed to investigate the relationship between older adults' time perspective and their experiences of happiness and optimism. MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted on a substantial sample size of 300 older adults from January to March 2023. The study utilized reliable and validated measures, including the Short Version of the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory and the Arabic Scales of Happiness, Optimism, and Pessimism. ResultsThe study found that older adults with a negative view of the past (PN perspective) had lower levels of happiness (r=-0.374, p<0.01), while those with a hedonistic view of the present (PH perspective) had higher levels of happiness (r=0.266, p<0.01). Additionally, a fatalistic view of the present (PF perspective) was associated with lower levels of happiness (r=-0.178, p<0.05) and optimism (r=-0.168, p<0.05). Negative views of the future (FN perspective) were correlated with lower happiness levels (r=-0.546, p<0.01), while positive views of the future (FP perspective) were associated with higher levels of optimism (r=0.432, p<0.01). ConclusionOlder adults with a balanced time perspective, marked by positive and negative views of the past and an optimistic outlook on the future, reported moderate happiness and optimism. Older adults with a negative view of the past and a fatalistic view of the present tend to have lower levels of happiness and optimism. On the other hand, those who have a hedonistic view of the present and a positive view of the future tend to have higher levels of happiness and optimism. Older adults with a pessimistic outlook toward past experiences or the future may require additional emotional support and targeted interventions to foster a more positive mindset.

Spatial-temporal variations in evapotranspiration across the continental United States: An atmospheric water balance perspective

Accurate estimation of terrestrial evapotranspiration (ET) is crucial for understanding land–atmosphere interactions, but is challenging on the regional scales. The water balance approach, including terrestrial and atmospheric water balance (TWB and AWB), provides a simple tool for estimating regional ET. This study estimated ET values based on the AWB approach (ETAWB) over the continental United States (CONUS) for the period 1979–2021. Validations using TWB-based ET estimates (ETTWB) suggest that ETAWB is accurate. ETAWB demonstrates comparable interannual variability with the other three long-term ET products over the CONUS and is consistent with ETTWB in the majority of basins. The 43-year CONUS averaged ETAWB is 548 ± 26 mm/year, with higher values in the eastern region and the coastal regions in the western CONUS, and lower values in the western arid regions. During 1979–2021, increasing trends of ETAWB are observed in the eastern CONUS, while decreasing trends occurred in the western regions. The intercomparison between ETAWB, GLEAM, Noah, and ERA5 illustrates similar spatial patterns and linear trends. In the water-limited arid basins, ETAWB anomalies over time show strong agreements with precipitation anomalies. The results of this study indicate that the AWB approach provides reasonable regional-to-continental terrestrial ET estimates over the CONUS, serving as a reference for hydrological and climatic modeling.

Modeling and Analyzing of Financial Data within Digital Transformation Era and its Impact on Balanced Scorecards Utilizations: A Theoretical Review

The present theoretical review outlines the interaction between digital transformation and financial data modeling and the use of Balanced Scorecards in improving strategic management in organizations. Considering the context of rapid technological processes and the growing influence of international competition, the principle question of this work is how current management accounting methods, most of which are inspired by digitization, shift the theoretical perspective of how organizations use (BSCs) for strategic forecasting and performance assessment. By conducting a thorough review of the literature within the realms of management accounting, information systems, and strategic management, this theoretical review identifies the main trends, the rationale, and the challenges behind the use of (BSCs) and digitization. The current finding indicates that the implementation of digital technologies into the process of financial data modeling substantially increases the potential of (BSCs) by offering real-time, useful information for strategic decision-making. At the same time, the implementation process raises a set of challenges, such as security issues, hefty financial investments into technological infrastructures, and human factors of organizational change. Despite these hurdles, the potential benefits of digitally-enhanced (BSC) framework-such as improved decision-making accuracy, strategic agility, and operational efficiency-underscore the importance of adopting a holistic approach to digital transformation in strategic management practices. This review calls for a balanced perspective that considers both the technological and cultural dimensions of implementing digital innovations within (BSC) frameworks. It concludes with recommendations for future research, emphasizing the need for empirical studies to validate theoretical insights presented and explore the practical implications of digital transformation organizations-BSCs effectiveness in diverse organizational context.

AI’s Bipolar Effect on Mitigating and Motivating Frauds

In the time of digital innovation, Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands at the forefront, signaling new capabilities in fraud management but also new vulnerabilities. This paper aims to dissect AI's paradoxical influence on fraud, portraying its roles in both promoting and mitigating fraudulent activities. The research seeks to bridge the gap in understanding the dual nature of AI, highlighting the need for ethical and regulatory frameworks to traverse the complications AI introduces into fraud detection and prevention. Utilising secondary data from Google News and academic databases with the keyword 'AI fraud,' this study adopts a keyword-based analysis to sift through the most relevant literature. The approach is designed to capture a comprehensive snapshot of the current discourse, underlining the bipolar impact of AI on fraud. The analysis reveals AI's significant potential in enhancing fraud detection systems through rapid data analysis and pattern recognition. However, AI technologies can be exploited to facilitate sophisticated fraud schemes. The study underscores an urgent need for evolving practices and policies that counteract AI's potential for misuse, weighing in the emerging concept of self-regulatory AI systems as a promising direction for future research. This paper contributes insights into the dualistic role of AI in fraud, adding depth to the discourse on its implications for security, ethical considerations, and regulatory challenges. It advocates for a balanced perspective on AI's capabilities.

Personality Functioning, Narcissism and Borderline Traits in the General Population Predict Deviations from the Optimal Time Perspective

Abstract The aim of this article is to clarify and describe the relationships between levels of personality functioning, pathological personality traits from the borderline and narcissistic functioning, and time perspective (TP). The study was conducted online, and 210 participants completed eight questionnaires: Inventory of Personality Organization, Boredom Proneness Scale, Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, Hypersensitive Narcissism Scale, Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire, Depressive Experience Questionnaire, and Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory. The results reveal that the pathological personality functioning was consistently associated with a deviation on each dimension of TP and the Deviation from the Balanced Time Perspective (DBTP) while the higher functioning personality indicator was associated with a balanced time perspective. When accounting for all traits in the regression, pathological personality traits predicted variance of Past-Negative, Present-Hedonistic, Present-Fatalistic, and the DBTP. Borderline and narcissistic traits were associated with the DBTP but demonstrated different time perspective profiles. Borderline traits showed an overall negative TP with a tendency to seek quick and intense pleasure in the present with no regards toward the future. These results show that there can be TP profile differences between borderline personalities, depending on their specific trait profile. Impulsivity plays an important role in how borderline personalities cope with their negative temporalities. Vulnerable narcissism is characterized by a negative past with the ability to recruit the future, while grandiose narcissism denotes an overall more balanced time perspective than their vulnerable counterpart.

The Role and Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Supply Chain Management: Efficiency, Challenges, and Strategic Implementation

This research paper delves into the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on supply chain management, focusing on enhancing demand forecasting, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction, while also managing costs and streamlining logistics operations. The adoption of AI in supply chains offers significant opportunities to improve service delivery and operational capabilities, which are crucial for maintaining competitiveness in the rapidly evolving business landscape. The study underscores the importance of AI technologies in reshaping supply chain dynamics by providing a comprehensive analysis of both the benefits and challenges associated with its implementation. Key benefits highlighted include the optimization of inventory management, enhanced accuracy of demand forecasting, reduced operational costs, and improved customer service. These enhancements are pivotal in achieving a competitive edge and adapting to changing market demands.However, the integration of AI into supply chains is not devoid of challenges. The paper identifies critical obstacles such as the need for significant cultural shifts within organizations, data security concerns, and the complexities of navigating legal and regulatory frameworks. These challenges require strategic management to ensure successful AI adoption and to mitigate associated risks.The research includes case studies of Arab companies that have integrated AI into their supply chains, offering practical insights into the real-world application of these technologies. These examples demonstrate both the potential rewards and the difficulties encountered, providing a balanced perspective on the practicalities of AI deployment in supply chain settings.In conclusion, while AI presents substantial opportunities for advancing supply chain management, it also necessitates careful consideration of various implementation challenges. The paper provides strategic recommendations for Arab companies aiming to leverage AI technologies effectively. These guidelines emphasize the need for thorough planning, continuous risk assessment, and fostering an adaptive organizational culture. By addressing these key areas, companies can harness the full potential of AI to enhance their supply chain operations and achieve sustainable growth.

Limitations of recent cellulose studies: How overzealous dispersion technique, fluorescence labeling and interpretation limit the findings of recent safety assessments for cellulose materials

Microfibrillated, nanofibrillated, and nanocrystalline cellulose materials are next-generation biobased cellulose materials with applications in the food industry as food contact materials and functional ingredients. Manufacturers have adopted a proactive approach to demonstrate the safety of these cellulose materials as they contribute toward a more sustainable economy. Animal studies and alternative testing approaches are needed to fill data gaps in the literature for the physicochemical and toxicological characterization of cellulose materials. Recently, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) funded a project that used New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) to assess the hazards of nanofibers, including methods to evaluate simulated gastrointestinal digestion, cellular uptake, local effects via simulated oral exposure, and gut-on-a-chip toxicity models. Upon review, we identified methodological and analytical limitations in these studies, which may affect the study conclusions that oral exposure to cellulose materials is associated with adverse effects. The aim of this Short Communication is to discuss the limitations of the reported findings in the NAM study and provide a balanced perspective of the study and of the safety of cellulose materials. This Short Communication highlights a major concern that the NAM study was published in the public domain without any peer review from cellulose experts. We identify and discuss several major limitations, including an unrealistic dispersion method, lack of controls in fluorescent labeling, lack of proper control groups in the experimental design, incomplete reporting of statistical analyses, bias toward reporting adverse effects, and inconsistent explanations of discordant results within the greater scientific literature.

Antibiotic resistance partitioning during on-farm manure separation and high temperature rotary drum composting

Manure application as fertilizer can increase environmental exposure risk, as antibiotics, antibiotic resistance bacteria (ARB), and antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) can be transmitted to agricultural fields, and adjacent natural systems. Understanding how specific antibiotics and ARGs respond within different manure fractions during on-farm management is limited. The study objective was to conduct a mass flow analysis determining the fate of antibiotic resistance factors (antibiotics, ARGs, and ARB) through solid-liquid separation, with the solid fraction continuing through a bedding recovery unit (BRU) via high temperature rotary composting for use of the manure solids as dairy cow bedding. The results show that most of the manure mass containing the antibiotic resistance factors went untreated following solid-liquid separation, with 95 % of the mass leaving the separator as a liquid and pumped to a storage lagoon for field application and 5 % proceeding to BRU processing. The tetracyclines and tulathromycin sorbed to the manure solids, while the beta lactams, ampicillin, and benzylpenicilloic acid were only found in the liquid fraction. The removal of antibiotic residuals during the BRU composting was insignificant, yet 40 %-73 % of the antibiotics were in the liquid fraction. The BRU composting was 100 % effective in removing the ARB examined. Five of the eight ARGs (intl1, sul1, tetQ, tetX, and tetM) had significant reduction (>95 %) following the BRU composting treatment. While the three other ARGs (tetW, ermB, and bla2) remained constant despite treatment. This study highlighted the importance of examining manure management from a mass balance perspective and understanding antibiotic resistance risk factors.

Unveiling the profound influence of sucralose on metabolism and its role in shaping obesity trends.

Artificial sweeteners, prominently exemplified by sucralose, have become pervasive in contemporary diets, prompting intriguing questions about their impact on metabolism and their potential role in the unfolding trends of obesity. Covering topics from its discovery to analytical methods for detection and determination in food samples, the manuscript scrutinizes the metabolic effects of sucralose. Notably, the association between sucralose intake and obesity is examined, challenging the conventional belief of its role in weight management. The document comprehensively examines in vivo studies, revealing sucralose's implications on insulin resistance, gut microbiota, and metabolic syndrome, providing a nuanced comprehension of its impact on human health. Additionally, it explores sucralose's effects on glucose and lipid metabolism, blood pressure, and cardiovascular health, underscoring its possible involvement in malignancy development. The review concludes with a call for increased public awareness, education, and updated dietary guidelines to help individuals make informed choices about sweetener consumption. The future perspectives section highlights the need for longitudinal studies, exploring alternative sweeteners, and refining acceptable daily intake limits to ensure public health recommendations align with evolving regulatory guidelines. Overall, the manuscript provides a comprehensive overview of sucralose's multifaceted impact on health, urging further research and a balanced perspective on sweetener consumption.

Knowledge spillovers and innovation performance of the originator: The moderating effect of technological alliances

Under what conditions do originators of innovation benefit from knowledge spillover by learning from knowledge recipients, and when do they not? This study examines how originator firms’ learning from recipients differs depending on their spillover characteristics. These characteristics were captured using the Spillover Knowledge Pool (SKP). It also examines how technological alliances moderate the relationship between SKP characteristics and originator follow-on innovations. An analysis of 62 firms over 10 years confirms that while the technological diversity of the SKP has a positive impact on the originator's innovation, the technological overlap of the SKP relative to the originator's knowledge has a negative impact. Furthermore, technological alliances enhance the positive effect of technological diversity while exacerbating the adverse effects of technological overlap. This study contributes to the literature on knowledge spillover, particularly within the knowledge-based view of firms, by providing a balanced perspective that addresses the dual impact of knowledge spillover on originator firms. Furthermore, this research highlights the contingent effects of knowledge spillover by examining the interplay between spillover phenomena and strategic factors, specifically technological alliances. The findings have concrete managerial and policy implications conducive to enhancing firms’ innovation performance in the context of knowledge spillover.

Exploring the Potential of Echinococcus Granulosus Antigens in Immunotherapy for Cancer

Background: Echinococcus granulosus, intrigues researchers due to its unique biology and immunogenicity. Recent studies show a negative relationship between echinococcosis incidence and cancer progression, emphasizing significant similarities between E. granulosus and cancer antigens. This article will review the anti-cancer effects of E. granulosus antigens and their application in cancer immunotherapy. Main Body: It begins with an introduction, highlighting the significance of E. granulosus antigens in contemporary cancer treatment. Subsequently, an overview of hydatid cysts, the source of these antigens, elucidating their structure and immunogenic properties is provided. Our review extends to the interactions between echinococcosis and both the innate and acquired immune systems, shedding light on the mechanisms involved. We delve into the intriguing connections between echinococcosis and cancer, exploring the direct and indirect anti-cancer effects of these antigens and their potential in cancer immunotherapy. To offer a balanced perspective, we also weigh the pros and cons of using E. granulosus antigens in cancer therapy. Conclusion: In conclusion, the promising attributes of E. granulosus antigens, as highlighted throughout this review, suggest a bright future for their utilization in cancer therapy. Their ability to trigger potent immune responses and target cancer cells holds great potential for the development of effective and tailored therapies, offering new hope for improved cancer treatment outcomes. Further research and clinical trials are needed to fully realize the potential of E. granulosus antigens in the field of cancer immunotherapy.

From rhymes to revelation:A qualitative study of listeners’ meaning-making of hip-hop music

Hip-Hop as a music genre is a popular music genre both in commercial success and global impact and there is a variety of academic studies on the origins, creation, effects, and uses of hip-hop. What remains understudied, yet fundamentally important, is a perspective that takes hip-hop consumers and the way they give meaning to hip-hop as a musical genre. The current in-depth interview study (N = 20) aimed to understand how hip-hop listeners came to give meaning to hip-hop music in their own words and from the perspective of their everyday lived experiences. Results outlined four themes that are relevant in the meanings constructed around hip-hop music, 1) how listeners define hip-hop, 2) how they experience listening to hip-hop, 3) how hip-hop is used as a source in identity-formational practices, and 4) how listeners employed a societal perspective in evaluating hip-hop as a musical genre. As such, the current study provides a balanced empirical perspective on hip-hop music and sheds light on the meaningful role it has in the lives of its listeners.

The Role of Wikipedia as a Student Reference: A Critical Examination

This article examines the role of Wikipedia in the academic research process, highlighting its emergence as a pivotal resource for students seeking initial insights across various disciplines. It delves into the advantages of Wikipedia, such as its accessibility, the diversity of perspectives it encompasses due to its collaborative nature, and its capability to offer real-time updates on a wide array of subjects. However, the article also addresses the challenges associated with its reliability, including concerns over the accuracy of its open-editing model and the potential for bias and vandalism. By exploring educators’ views on leveraging Wikipedia for academic purposes and providing guidelines for its effective use, this review aims to present a balanced perspective on navigating its benefits and limitations. It encourages a critical approach to information evaluation, underscoring the importance of corroborating Wikipedia-derived knowledge with authoritative sources. Through case studies and a discussion on the impact of Wikipedia on research methodologies, the article ultimately seeks to equip readers with a comprehensive understanding of its role in enhancing academic endeavors, advocating for a discerning utilization that acknowledges both its utility and inherent challenges.

Advancements in catalysts for zero-carbon synthetic fuel production: A comprehensive review

The quest for sustainable and environmentally friendly energy sources has intensified the focus on zero-carbon synthetic fuel production. Catalysts play a pivotal role in this process, enhancing the efficiency and feasibility of transforming renewable energy sources into synthetic fuels. This comprehensive review delves into recent advancements in catalyst development for zero-carbon synthetic fuel production. It examines the innovative materials and techniques that have emerged to optimize catalytic performance, including nanostructured catalysts, hybrid materials, and biomimetic approaches. The review highlights the significant progress made in understanding and manipulating catalyst properties to achieve higher activity, selectivity, and stability under various reaction conditions. It also explores the integration of advanced characterization techniques and computational modeling in catalyst design, providing insights into the molecular-level interactions and mechanisms driving catalytic processes. Special attention is given to the development of catalysts for key reactions such as water splitting, carbon dioxide reduction, and hydrogenation. The review discusses the challenges associated with scaling up these technologies and the potential environmental impacts, offering a balanced perspective on the feasibility of widespread adoption. Furthermore, the review addresses the synergistic effects of combining different catalytic materials and the potential of using earth-abundant elements to reduce costs and enhance sustainability. The role of electrochemical and photochemical catalysts in driving efficient energy conversion processes is also explored, showcasing the versatility and potential of these technologies in achieving zero-carbon fuel production. In conclusion, this review underscores the transformative potential of advanced catalysts in the quest for sustainable synthetic fuels. It provides a roadmap for future research and development, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary approaches and collaborative efforts to overcome existing challenges and accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon energy landscape. The advancements in catalyst technology not only promise to revolutionize synthetic fuel production but also contribute significantly to global efforts in mitigating climate change and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Unveiling the Inner World: Exploring Emotional Intelligence, Faith, and Time Perspective among Italian Nuns

The aim of this study was to verify whether emotional intelligence and intrinsic religious orientation have a positive influence on a balanced time perspective (BTP) in the lives of Italian consecrated women. A positive, balanced time perspective, together with the ability to recognize one’s own emotions and those of others, is integral to people’s experience of religiosity in their lives. In this way, a balanced time perspective can open the experience of religiosity, contributing to a better world, along with all those who are engaged in a religious sentiment that is no longer limited to single segments of self-interest. In this study, we provided evidence that religious beliefs (not just participation in corporate religious life) can provide an alternative source of understanding emotions and perceiving time, for the religious people who live their consecrated life together. We tested whether this phenomenon was specific to the potential associations between various aspects of religious belief, emotional intelligence, and time perspective. This research was conducted on a sample of 283 Italian nuns, and it was verified that both emotional intelligence and intrinsic religiosity contribute significantly to a BTP. Furthermore, the fact that emotional intelligence is mediated by intrinsic religious orientation increases the benefits of emotional intelligence on the BTP of Italian nuns. Altogether, our results suggest that religiosity is linked to a balanced temporal profile and to a positive way of understanding emotions. More specifically, the pattern of relationships between religion, emotions, and time can influence and deepen both the individual and collective understanding of humanity among these religious women and create space for mutual engagement despite obvious differences. These results are in line with the requisites of Public Theology, as they allow us to specify selectively the developments on a more secure and empirical basis of how religiosity can affect the life of people, by exposing the submerged theological assumptions that characterize the internal beliefs of religiosity. Moreover, the research data indicate that the deep aspects of religiosity influence greatly the day-to-day living of religious women. This practical influence of religiosity confirms the urgency of opening up theological reflection in the public sphere of life. In fact, as long as the religiosity of the nuns is not reduced to private practice, theological reflection will also be opened to its public significance in the different fields of their apostolic mission.

(De) Escalatory Framing Analysis of Photographs of Terrorist Organisation in the Press of Pakistan

This research focuses on analysing the representation of the Taliban conflict in four popular Pakistani dailies: Nawa-i-Waqat, Express, The News, and Dawn during three different regimes of Pakistan’s government from 2004 to 2015. The research is concerned with the analysis of escalatory and de-escalatory images to examine the patterns of media reports on the events at different phases of the conflict. The observation confirms that with references to intensity of the war, there is more conflicts reflected in photographs identified. High tension symbolic pictures of the conflict accompanied with violent images were most commonly used, stressing the role of media in presenting the conflict merely as the act of violence. Positive peace messaging or what I refer to here as de-escalatory photos, largely encompassing effort to denote phases of war, were noted frequently during the containment and agreement phases though tremendously reduced during phases of escalation. This implies a change of editorial policies and possibly a change of tack in how media handles the reporting of conflict. There are also observations regarding newspaper’s preference – Express prefers more of strong escalatory photos while Dawn is moderate. Indeed, it was possible to observe only miniscule shifts in the application of the general principles of peace journalism that are supposed to offer a more balanced perspective of the conflict. It therefore supports the notion the media plays an important role in informing the public on conflict. The type of images the media specialising in the conflict with the Taliban used in its outputs shifted with time and primarily focused on escalation because of the changes in the editors’ concerns and audience interests. Keywords: Photographs, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, (De) Escalation, Peace Journalism, Conflict

Evaluating Teacher Effectiveness: Methods, Challenges and Implications

This research paper examines the multifaceted nature of effective teacher evaluation, drawing on insights from various sources. The paper discusses various evaluation methods, the challenges faced in implementation, and the implications for educational policy and practice. By integrating diverse evaluation strategies and addressing common issues, the paper aims to provide a balanced perspective on enhancing teacher effectiveness through comprehensive evaluation systems by integrating diverse evaluation strategies and addressing common issues.

Responses of precipitation and water vapor budget on the Chinese Loess Plateau to global land cover change forcing

There have been notable changes in precipitation patterns on the Loess Plateau (LP) of China in recent decades, and numerous attribution studies have focused on sea surface temperature anomalies and atmospheric circulation changes induced by aerosols and greenhouse gases emission. However, the influences of global land use and land cover change (LULCC) as an important forcing factor in the climate system on regional precipitation remains poorly understood. In this study, we quantified the impacts of LULCC on precipitation and the water vapor budget in the LP region, utilizing data from LULCC forcing experiments conducted by the sixth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6). Although global LULCC forcing exerted a negative effect on long-term mean precipitation on the LP region from 1850 to 2014, the different response characteristics were detected during different time periods. The global LULCC caused a decrease of 14 mm in annual precipitation during the period of 1850–1960. Conversely, from 1961 to 2014, it led to an increase of 6.4 mm, which is largely attributed to the enhanced water vapor transport along the southern boundary and westerly belt of the LP region. Moreover, from the perspective of the net water vapor balance of the entire LP, although LULCC caused net water vapor export during both periods 1850–1960 and 1961–2014, the export during the latter period (0.20 × 104 kg s−1) was smaller than that during the former period (0.28 × 104 kg s−1), indicating that the global expansion of grassland and cropland, along with the continuous rise in the leaf area index from 1961 to 2014, contributed to retaining more water vapor within the LP, which in turn was more favorable for precipitation. These findings provide valuable insights into the reasons behind precipitation variations in the LP region, emphasizing that global vegetation restoration and greening play a significant role in improving precipitation in ecologically fragile areas.