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An Analysis of the Changing Modus Operandi of Terrorist Attacks in Europe
Get PDFThere is a sharp increase in both the number of incidents and the deaths caused by different types of attacks in Europe recently. The assailants claimed these attacks either on behalf of Islamic State in Iraq and Levant (ISIL) or as lone wolves with no direct affiliation to the ISIL. However, there has been some change in the way some of the attacks were carried out. Also, there was a shift in their target selection. Security experts and authorities have indicated significant factors contributing to this development. This paper examines the apparent alarming trend in the change of terrorist modus operandi in Europe. The authors gathered a dataset from various open sources, primarily from Global Terrorism Database (GTD). The findings reveal that terrorists’ modus operandi -- techniques, tactics, and procedures (TTP) -- has been influenced by international events and conflicts
Fluxus: The Significant Role of Female Artists
Get PDFThe Fluxus movement of the 1960s and early 1970s laid the groundwork for future female artists and performance art as a medium. However, throughout my research, I have found that while there is evidence that female artists played an important role in this art movement, they were often not written about or credited for their contributions. Literature on the subject is also quite limited. Many books and journals only mention the more prominent female artists of Fluxus, leaving the lesser-known female artists difficult to research. The lack of scholarly discussion has led to the inaccurate documentation of the development of Fluxus art and how it influenced later movements. Additionally, the absence of research suggests that female artists’ work was less important and, consequently, keeps their efforts and achievements unknown. It can be demonstrated that works of art created by little-known female artists later influenced more prominent artists, but the original works have gone unacknowledged. If recognition and credit is not given to innovative artists without bias, then the subsequent literature on this material will be skewed.
To address my research question, I conducted my research through traditional methods used in the field of art history. I gathered information about each artist that I studied, their works of art, and the contexts in which they worked in relation to both the Fluxus movement and future art movements. I carried out my research using scholarly journals, books on Fluxus, relevant artworks, primary sources relevant to the Fluxus movement, and catalogues of subsequent retrospective exhibitions. I found that the likely explanation for the absence of scholarly literature about the female artists was due to either their exclusion by George Maciunas from the movement, lack of collaborative participation, or association with other art movements that hindered their perceived presence in Fluxus. I also found that the performative works of female Fluxus artists were pivotal in the development of performance art as a medium and the feminist art movement. These artists’ notable absence from the scholarly literature has been a topic that art historians are just beginning to address
Establishing Cultural Identity in American Concert Dance: How Corporate Funding Can Revitalize the World of Dance
Get PDFIn a country that has rapidly evolved in many industries, it has always mystified me as to why advancement in the arts, specifically dance, has lagged behind. My hypothesis as to why this is occurring is that concert dance in America is not as synonymous to the cultural identity of the nation as it is in comparison to its European ancestors. I began my research with the creation of ballet in order to determine the cultural roots that were established within particular societies. I then compared the funding models between the nations with this deep attachment to the funding models of our country. After making the comparison, it was evidently clear that the difference lies within our economic structure. America being capitalistic and the European nations being socialist, the state can only have so much influence in its contributions to the companies. I also realized that the companies, being primarily nonprofit institutions, are not fully utilizing their resources. I then proposed that the only way to establish the cultural identity of concert dance within America is to do what America does best: establish corporate sponsorships. By understanding the current sports marketing, advertising, and sponsorship tactics being utilized by major corporations, I proposed the same tactics be used for concert dance companies. The financial risks would then be lifted from the companies whose sole purposes should be to create meaningful art. One way to fully test the effectiveness of this method would be a corporate sponsorship of a small dance company to see how it affects its growth. Because major companies have already established a rapport with its community, the effectiveness of the tactics would not be as apparent. After its effectiveness is evaluated, corporations could see the potential benefits of associating their brand with the brand of a cultural institution
Rehearsal Injuries in Soft-Soled Character Shoes: Injury Rate of Female Collegiate Dancers Wearing Soft-Soled Character Shoes with 2.5 or 3.0 Inch Heels in Musical Theatre Rehearsals
Get PDFHigh-heeled shoes (HHS) have been known to present biomechanical imbalances in lower-leg mechanics at the pedestrian level, but have not been thoroughly studied in the context of highly dynamic movement, such as dance. In order to analyze the effects of 2.5-inch and 3.0-inch soft-soled character shoes (CS) worn by female collegiate musical theatre dancers during rehearsals, selected subjects completed a written questionnaire, the star balance excursion test, and a heel raise test. It was predicted that both heel heights would promote irregularities in subjects’ sense of balance and lower leg stamina, while 3.0 inch CS would cause greater rates of injury overall. The resulting data showed that while there was no difference in the number of reported injuries among subjects wearing either 2.5-inch CS or 3.0-inch CS during rehearsals, there was less range of motion (RoM) and stability observed in 3.0-inch CS. The median number of heel rises from the heel raise test was approximately 10, showing a wide range of strength and stamina among subjects individually. Additionally, only 35% of subjects reported warming up in CS before rehearsals, and 13% reported cooling down after dancing in rehearsal. These results indicate a great need for supplemental strengthening for dancers, as well as the development of a comprehensive warm-up and cool-down aiming to prepare dancers to effectively wear CS for extended periods of time and continue to counter potential injury
HIV/AIDS Knowledge & Perceptions On a College Campus
Get PDFOur research project surveyed students at Pace University (both on the New York City and Pleasantville campuses) and looked into their understanding of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) & Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The goal was to better understand students’ knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS, and the ways in which they might be misinformed. Our research looked to see if there was any stigma surrounding student’s perceptions of the virus and its transmission. The study also asked students about their sexual practices. Specifically, we utilized an Institutional Review Board approved survey, to ask students about their sexual behavior to see if they were taking the necessary steps to protect themselves from contracting HIV and AIDS. The survey included questions on HIV general knowledge, transmission, and prevention methods. This included a section on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PeP). The survey was conducted online and students were sent a link to complete the survey on their own. In total 202 students participated in the study and 169 complete responses were recorded. The demographics of the respondents were representative of the Pace University community and the student body. The results of the research supporting the finding that although students are aware of the measures to prevent against HIV, this knowledge does not always translate over to student sexual behaviors. In relation to students and their perception of HIV, the research found that some of this stigma still exists, but students who are more educated on HIV are less likely to maintain this stigma. Based on the findings of this project a number of suggestions for Pace University and for the Pace Health Care Center have been outlined. Through an integration of these suggestions, Pace University can better support students in their understanding of HIV the different resources available to students while at Pace
Humanitarian Islam
Get PDFIn the aftermath of mass shootings by violent extremists and amid increasing anti-Muslim prejudice and discrimination, many Muslim Americans have responded to these and other social, legal, and political developments with philanthropic initiatives inspired by orthodox Islamic teachings. This humanitarian impulse in Islam, which has shaped the religion since its founding, is relatively unknown to non-Muslim Americans. Humanitarian Islam is defined here in largely oppositional terms to so-called the “radical Islam.” In contrast to the violence, aggression, death, and destruction commonly associated with “radical Islam,” selfless volunteerism, benevolence, altruism, and charitable giving in service to others are characteristic of humanitarian Islam. This Article presents interdisciplinary research in its inquiry into humanitarian Islam and employs case studies to achieve a number of objectives. First, through the unique lens of philanthropy, it reveals the Muslim lived experience in contemporary America, from countering violent extremism to challenging discrimination. Second, it explores the minority faith community’s varied contributions in geographically diverse regions of the country. Third, this Article examines the communal relations that Muslim Americans have formed with non-Muslim Americans. Fourth, it illuminates the role, extent, and influence of Islamic faith beliefs and practices among Americans who are Muslims and a distinct perspective regarding Islam in America
Bringing the European Eel Back from the Brink: The Need for a New Agreement under the Convention on Migratory Species
Get PDFThe European eel is considered “Critically Endangered.” Its population has been declining due to overutilization, barriers to migration such as dams, pollution, and climate change. The international community has responded by including the European eel in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (“CITES”) to regulate international trade and Appendix II of the Convention on Migratory Species (“CMS”) to help improve the species conservation status. The EU has taken regional action to prohibit imports into and exports from EU Member States, although intra-EU trade is permissible. Despite these actions, the eel’s conservation status might not be improving. The eel’s Appendix II status on CITES regulates only international trade. The CMS Appendix II listing does not impose any specific conservation obligations on the Parties. No other international treaty has the competence to manage the full suite of threats across the eel’s range.
Thus, European eel conservation would benefit from a new international legal instrument negotiated under the auspices of CMS. Unlike other agreements, a legal instrument negotiated under CMS can cover the full range of the European eel’s freshwater and marine habitat and address the full range of threats to the species. CMS Agreements can be legally binding or not. Regardless of the instrument’s legal status, it should prohibit or regulate taking; prohibit or regulate trade, potentially through a CDS; establish an advisory body to assess new scientific information and review management strategies; and include reporting obligations to help monitor the success or failure of management strategies
Low Carbon Land Use: Paris, Pittsburgh, and the IPCC
Get PDFThis article describes strategies that local governments are employing to both mitigate and adapt to climate change, using their state-given powers to plan community development and to regulate private building. Local governments have significant legal authority to shape human settlements and, in so doing, lower CO2 emissions from buildings and vehicles, increase the sequestration of carbon by the natural environment, and promote distributed energy systems and renewable energy facilities that lower fossil fuel consumption. Local elected leaders are highly motivated to avoid the on-the-ground consequences of our changing climate. The effects of climate change manifest themselves at the local level, where people are killed or injured, property is destroyed, businesses are shuttered, ecosystems are fouled, and where our democratic system is most vibrant and able to respond. In 2014, the international community caught up with local governments in the global race against climate change. That year the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change embraced the critical role of municipal governments in mitigating the causes of climate change. In 2015, the Paris Climate Agreement adopted by the Conference of the Parties followed suit. This has encouraged localities to redouble their efforts and creates new and exciting opportunities for intergovernmental partnerships to manage climate change
A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of the Feasibility of a Group Treatment for Depression Among Immigrant High School Students
No full textDespite the well-known efficacy of evidence-based treatments in treating depression in youth (Weersing & Weisz, 2002), few studies have examined their effectiveness among immigrant youth, nor the process of implementing these treatments in schools with diverse populations (Huey & Polo, 2008; Ngo et al., 2008). Accordingly, there has been a call for research examining the effectiveness of evidence-based treatments with culturally diverse youth (David-Ferdon & Kaslow, 2008; Kataoka, Novins, & Santiago, 2010), particularly immigrant youth (Pena et al., 2008; Potochnick & Perreira, 2010). This study represents an important first step in that process, the examination of the feasibility of a group treatment for depression among immigrant high school students. An evidence-based group treatment was offered to immigrant students who displayed depressive symptoms in a diverse, urban high school, and data was collected on the implementation process. Quantitative data revealed that therapists were able to implement the majority of treatment components with satisfactory fidelity. However, low student attendance and retention rates suggested that the group treatment was not feasible as implemented. Qualitative analyses of interviews and treatment notes provided a detailed description of the barriers and facilitators of the group treatment and also suggested avenues for improving the feasibility of future mental health interventions in diverse school settings. Results will inform future efforts to transport evidence-based treatments into diverse, urban schools, thus improving outcomes for immigrant youth
Coming and Going: Movements in-and-out of Orthodox Judaism
No full textMovements in-and-out of Orthodox Judaism are poorly understood. Religious change occurs when someone increases or decreases their level of religious observance and community involvement. The existing literature suggests that religious change happens in conjunction with significant psychological processes. In this qualitative grounded theory study, 31 participants (13 Ba\u27alei Teshuva and 18 Off the Derech) were interviewed in order to elucidate the motivations and experiences of those who enter the world of Jewish Orthodoxy and those who leave it. Open coding procedures were conducted to determine themes and concepts within the data. For both returnees and defectors of Orthodox Judaism, attachment theory and theories on identity formation are heavily implicated. Mental health implications and the long-term effects of abuse are discussed. A grounded theory emerged from the data, suggesting that a search for truth and purpose is the driving motivator for individuals belonging to both groups. When the two groups were compared, containment emerged as the primary motivating and experiential factor for Ba\u27alei Teshuva , while for Off the Derech participant\u27s freedom and liberation were the main motivating and experiential factors. As clinicians engage with these individuals in psychotherapy it is crucial that they understand the developmental processes at play and consider the ways in which their approach to the therapeutic alliance may effect the treatment. Suggestions are provided to clinicians in regards to conceptualization and treatment of Ba\u27alei Teshuva and those who have gone Off the Derech