Open Access Books

Women's beauty has been spectacularly showcased and evaluated long before "Germany's Next Top Model." Commercial beauty pageants have captivated people for over a hundred years. In Germany, they have been observed since 1909 at the latest. However, they only really gained momentum in the 1920s, during the Weimar Republic – a time when contemporaries were virtually obsessed with the outward appearance of themselves and their fellow human beings. This study examines the beauty pageants between 1909 and 1933 in their local, regional, national, and transnational networks, thus providing groundbreaking research. The focus is on women as economic actors. The study shows that although they were dependent on societal norms and patriarchal structures, they nevertheless managed to purposefully use their agency to achieve spatial and social mobility – and to pursue careers.

The Jesus trilogy: Critical reflections on Jesus' divinity, ascension and resurrection brings together three deeply reflective theological essays that challenge and reimagine some of the most enduring assumptions about the person and work of Jesus of Nazareth. Written by Chris Jones, this scholarly, yet accessible collection invites readers into an honest, critical and compassionate pilgrimage focused on central Christian doctrines, not to undermine faith but to recover its depth, integrity and human significance. The trilogy originated from the suspension of Dr Peter Nagel by the Dutch Reformed Church following his thought‑provoking article ‘Problematising the Divinity of Jesus: Why Jesus is not θεός’ (2019). In defending Nagel, Jones began a theological exploration that developed into three interconnected essays. The first in this trilogy of essays examines the question of Jesus' divinity, tracing how a metaphorical understanding of ‘Son of God’ gradually evolved into an ontological dogma that risks overshadowing the humanity of Jesus. The second essay reflects on the ascension through dialogue with the late Emeritus Professor Andries Gideon van Aarde, whose critical yet faithful scholarship deeply shaped Jones's thought. The third, written in memory of Van Aarde, explores the resurrection as a metaphor for spiritual transformation and renewed human consciousness rather than a literal, physical event. Drawing on biblical scholarship, philosophy and historical theology, The Jesus trilogy argues that Christian faith and ethics should be rooted not in metaphysical speculation but in the radical humanness and moral vision of Jesus. His message of mercy, justice and inclusivity remains as relevant and transformative today as it was in the first century. By recovering Jesus' ethical and spiritual message from the layers of dogmatic tradition, Jones offers a compelling contribution to contemporary Christological discourse. This book will engage theologians, clergy and all studious readers seeking a faith that is intellectually honest, ethically grounded and spiritually alive.

Vor der Einwanderung der ersten Griechen (Mykener) war Griechenland nicht leer. Im 3. Jt. v. Chr. waren (nach den Neolithikern aus Anatolien) bereits erste indogermanische Stämme eingewandert, die den Mykenern einen reichen Wortschatz und viele Orts- und Gewässernamen weiterreichten. Der reich illustrierte Band erforscht die Herkunft und Bedeutung der bedeutendsten Namen dieser vorgriechischen Zeit auf dem Festland und den Inseln, z.B.: Athen, Amnissos, Dodoni, Eleusis, Erymanthos, Hellas, Ilion, Kerkyra, Korinth, Larissa, Lemnos, Mykene, Mykonos, Olymp, Odessos, Parnass, Salamis, Samos, Tiryns, Tylissos, Zominthos.

La Compagnie des Compteurs a été un acteur et un témoin majeur des mutations de l'industrie française aux XIXe et XXe siècle. En une dizaine d'années, Gabriel Chamon, acquéreur en 1872 d'un atelier de ferblanterie, employeur d'une quinzaine de compagnons, avait réussi à fédérer plusieurs entreprises de la filière du gaz, de l'eau et de l'électricité pour constituer la Compagnie pour la fabrication des compteurs et matériel d'usines à gaz qui s'honorait, en 1919, d'un effectif de 7 500 personnes. Au fil d'un siècle fertile en bouleversements politiques, économiques, sociaux, urbanistiques, caractérisé dans sa seconde partie par l'intégration de technologies radicalement nouvelles, la société dirigée par trois générations de la famille Chamon est devenue, en 1959, la Compagnie des Compteurs avec pour sigle CdC. Elle était riche d'un effectif d'environ 22 000 personnes dont 8 000 à Montrouge en 1968, à la veille de son absorption par Schlumberger Limited en 1970. Sous la raison sociale Compteurs Schlumberger, elle conserve renommée et activité qui perdurent et prospèrent sous la marque Schlumberger Industrie dans les dernières décennies du XXe siècle. Dans les années 2000 et jusqu'à nos jours, les entreprises acquéreuses de ces activités se prévalent, sous leurs raisons sociales respectives, de l'historicité de leur commun ancêtre centenaire. L'acquisition du site de Montrouge par Crédit Agricole S.A., concomitante à l'installation des différentes entités du Groupe, révèle la capacité d'une société de services à restaurer le bassin d'emploi équivalent de la société industrielle d'antan. Conjointement, l'inscription à l'inventaire général du patrimoine et l'adaptation d'anciens bâtiments industriels aux normes écologiques et la préservation du parc, de sa flore et de sa faune, élaborées en 1985 par Renzo Piano et Alexandre Chemetoff sous l'égide de Schlumberger, contribuent à l'histoire en mouvement de la ville de Montrouge.

This open access book provides a comprehensive analysis of the EU's crucial support for the implementation of the Havana Peace Agreement between the Colombian government and the FARC-EP. It explores the use of new approaches and instruments that, despite some limitations and criticisms, could go beyond conventional liberal peace and provide useful lessons. Particular attention is paid to three axes: strengthening civil society, protection of human rights and a territorial peace perspective, as a contribution to the "local turn" in peace policies. The book first outlines the background of the conflict, the EU's two-decade defense of a negotiated peace, and the complexities of the peace process. Then, it analyses the development cooperation and political support provided in different areas: the collective reinsertion of ex-guerrillas, women and gender initiatives, the rights of ethnic communities, the sophisticated transitional justice system, as well as activities on reconciliation, victims and protection of human rights defenders.

This article deals with art, fashion design, and cultural practice as both critique and creativity. It analyses artworks by William Kentridge, Sue Austin, and Lina Iris Viktor, as well as the fashion of Viktor & Rolf, reading these different works as modes of resistance and revolt against current forms and relations of power and knowledge. The authors place emphasis on new materialism and posthuman theory as theoretical frameworks that expand the range of cultural critique. They add a thematic focus on the actual bodies, the materials of cultural action, and the role of non-human elements in the making of artworks. With reference to feminist, decolonial and indigenous theories, the article analyses the workings of counter-cultural memories in contemporary art and fashion design practices.

Technology development, mainly for telecommunications and computer systems, was a key factor for the interactivity and, thus, for the expansion of e-learning. This book is divided into two parts, presenting some proposals to deal with e-learning challenges, opening up a way of learning about and discussing new methodologies to increase the interaction level of classes and implementing technical tools for helping students to make better use of e-learning resources. In the first part, the reader may find chapters mentioning the required infrastructure for e-learning models and processes, organizational practices, suggestions, implementation of methods for assessing results, and case studies focused on pedagogical aspects that can be applied generically in different environments. The second part is related to tools that can be adopted by users such as graphical tools for engineering, mobile phone networks, and techniques to build robots, among others. Moreover, part two includes some chapters dedicated specifically to e-learning areas like engineering and architecture.

An urgent case for climate change action that forcefully sets out, in economic, ethical, and political terms, the dangers of delay and the benefits of action.The risks of climate change are potentially immense. The benefits of taking action are also clear: we can see that economic development, reduced emissions, and creative adaptation go hand in hand. A committed and strong low-carbon transition could trigger a new wave of economic and technological transformation and investment, a new era of global and sustainable prosperity. Why, then, are we waiting? In this book, Nicholas Stern explains why, notwithstanding the great attractions of a new path, it has been so difficult to tackle climate change effectively. He makes a compelling case for climate action now and sets out the forms that action should take.Stern argues that the risks and costs of climate change are worse than estimated in the landmark Stern Review in 2006—and far worse than implied by standard economic models. He reminds us that we have a choice. We can rely on past technologies, methods, and institutions—or we can embrace change, innovation, and international collaboration. The first might bring us some short-term growth but would lead eventually to chaos, conflict, and destruction. The second could bring about better lives for all and growth that is sustainable over the long term, and help win the battle against worldwide poverty. The science warns of the dangers of neglect; the economics and technology show what we can do and the great benefits that will follow; an examination of the ethics points strongly to a moral imperative for action. Why are we waiting?

Oxidative stress (OS) is recognized as a pivotal contributor to the pathogenesis of various, chronic human ailments, including cardiovascular and renal diseases, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, inflammatory conditions, and the aging process. It manifests as an imbalance between the generation and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) within cells and tissues. OS occurs when the production of these species surpasses the detoxification capacity of the biological system. This compilation comprises cutting-edge research articles and reviews elucidating the interplay between OS and disease pathogenesis, as well as exploring the potential of natural antioxidants in mitigating such pathological conditions.

This book is intended to provide basic information and an overview of emerging researchable issues related to the use of biochar for mitigating climate change, water scarcity, soil degradation, and food security in a sustainable manner. We have aimed to compile information from diverse sources into a single volume and provide comprehensive information and analysis on biochar production technology and its implications in agriculture. This book represents basic and applied knowledge and acts as a vital tool for scientists, policymakers, and students working for global sustainability.

La lección inaugural de Albert V. Dicey de 1883 es una de las culminaciones del movimiento de reformas de la enseñanza jurídica comenzado en Inglaterra alrededor del año 1846 a la vez que un episodio clave para comprender las ambiguas relaciones entre la universidad y el mundo de los ejercientes representado por las Inns of Court en una época de cambios sociales y creciente democratización.

The coronavirus has promoted the semantic change in the words virus and pandemic. We believe that, increasingly, a metaphorical use of both words is occurring (as happened in the past with cancer). Therefore, in this study, the semantic characteristics of this change are systematized and detailed in the first place. Subsequently, we have designed a corpus with 480 sentences, balanced sociolinguistically to analyze the change quantitatively and qualitatively. Quantitatively, it will be reviewed if the change is present in all social groups and if any group promotes it. Qualitatively, it will be found that the metaphorical use of virus, pandemic and cancer is complementary: each of these words is used in very specific semantic collocations.

This pioneering collection addresses the prospective fundamental/human right not to use the Internet and the challenges that the non- use of the Internet poses for democracy. As the Internet has increasingly ceased to be a mere option and rather turned into a de facto obligation for anyone who exercises their rights or fulfils duties, these developments bring about profound ramifications for the very existence and the functioning of democracy, and therefore merit a critical reflection. With contributors from academia and legal practice from all over Europe, this edited volume offers timely critical analysis of the right not to use of the Internet, at times supplemented with policy advice and postulates for law reform. This book is of key interest to scholars and students of – predominantly – law, political science and philosophy as well as to policymakers, judges and nongovernmental organisations at national, supranational and international levels. The Open Access version of this book, available at www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (CC-BY-NC-ND) 4.0 license.

The aim is to analyze the free time of patients at Wieniec-Zdrój Spa, located in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship. The research interests include issues such as patients’ free time, its quantity and method of use. The free-time behavior of patients on rehabilitation was observed, both in the spa area and during sightseeing trips. An important element was the classification of the activities of patients and the creation of an original typology of residents visiting health resorts. The research shows that the tourist and recreational activity of patients is diverse and depends on many factors, as residents try to spend their free time actively. The following research methods were used: a diagnostic survey (the tools were a survey and interview questionnaire), participant observation and photographic documentation.

In an innovative cultural history of Argentine movies and radio in the decades before Peronism, Matthew B. Karush demonstrates that competition with jazz and Hollywood cinema shaped Argentina's domestic cultural production in crucial ways, as Argentine producers tried to elevate their offerings to appeal to consumers seduced by North American modernity. At the same time, the transnational marketplace encouraged these producers to compete by marketing "authentic" Argentine culture. Domestic filmmakers, radio and recording entrepreneurs, lyricists, musicians, actors, and screenwriters borrowed heavily from a rich tradition of popular melodrama. Although the resulting mass culture trafficked in conformism and consumerist titillation, it also disseminated versions of national identity that celebrated the virtue and dignity of the poor, while denigrating the wealthy as greedy and mean-spirited.