DOAB - Directory of Open Access Books
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Explainable Artificial Intelligence
No full textThis open access five-volume set constitutes the refereed proceedings of the Second World Conference on Explainable Artificial Intelligence, xAI 2025, held in Istanbul, Turkey, during July 2025. The 96 revised full papers presented in these proceedings were carefully reviewed and selected from 224 submissions. The papers are organized in the following topical sections: Volume I: Concept-based Explainable AI; human-centered explainability; explainability, privacy, and fairness in trustworthy AI; and XAI in healthcare. Volume II: Rule-based XAI systems & actionable explainable AI; features importance-based XAI; novel post-hoc & ante-hoc XAI approaches; and XAI for scientific discovery. Volume III: Generative AI meets explainable AI; Intrinsically interpretable explainable AI; benchmarking and XAI evaluation measures; and XAI for representational alignment. Volume IV: XAI in computer vision; counterfactuals in XAI; explainable sequential decision making; and explainable AI in finance & legal frameworks for XAI technologies. Volume V: Applications of XAI; human-centered XAI & argumentation; explainable and interactive hybrid decision making; and uncertainty in explainable AI
Connecting Philosophy and Public Administration
No full textThis open access book provides a novel framework for understanding the connections between philosophy and public administration. It proposes four key directions of inquiry to help better understand the relationship between these two areas of research and practice: philosophy for public administration, mapping backwards, aligning philosophy and public administration, and philosophy of public administration. Each of these directions of inquiry are analyzed in turn, underlining the functions that philosophy applied to public administration perform, and the ways in which philosophy and philosophical thinking can benefit the development of public administration and governance. A research program outlining the features of a philosophy of public administration for the 21st century is delineated. An essential read for both academics and practitioners, the book will appeal to all those interested in public administration, public management, governance, and philosophy
Medical Device Management
No full textMedical Devices are an extremely important, versatile and complex product category within healthcare. However, compared to medicinal products, hospitals, medical staff, etc., there is much less general awareness and understanding of medical devices. This book illuminates different facets of medical devices in a holistic manner. It describes the complexity of the industry, markets, manufacturers, and numerous other stakeholders as well as related regulations, required competencies, and future trends. More specifically, it describes a range of products and innovations, safety risks and regulations, legal aspects, and certification processes. It also examines the market from the point of view of the manufacturer from start-ups to large companies and conglomerates. Finally, this book looks at the special role sustainability and ESG plays in the future of medical device innovation, production, and usage. Featuring industry case studies this book is ideal for individuals, from scientists to managers, interested in healthcare and who would like to understand the overall relevance of medical devices from different perspectives, specifically interactions, developments and dynamics between the different business areas and stakeholders. This book is open access
Threats to Our Ocean Heritage: Deep Sea Mining
No full textThis open access brief is a pioneering work that is one of the first book publications to cover underwater cultural heritage and deep seabed mining. Bringing together a variety of perspectives, the work is designed to serve several purposes and educate a few different types of readers. The work introduces and offers a history on deep seabed mining, the legal context, and how it fits into the new UN Convention on Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ treaty), the International Seabed Authority (DSM governing body), and the ecological impacts of deep seabed mining. The brief is also aimed at marine ecologists and other ocean scientists who may already be aware of the DSM and the ecological impacts, but not of the cultural heritage at risk. It introduces deep-water archaeology to them and a few case studies of heritage at risk, like in New Zealand or polluting wrecks. Finally, the book offers suggestions for steps forward and case studies of cultural heritage being included in environmental impact assessments. By the end of the book, all parties should feel educated enough to begin championing a ban on, or more regulations for, seabed mining. One additional strength of the book is that it gives voice to those without a traditional academic background. Intangible cultural heritage has been a hotbed issue in mining regulations and many indigenous voices, especially from the Pacific, have been loudly outspoken at the ISA. While writing thousand-word academic journal articles was not in their wheelhouse, they have given permission for their speeches to be transcribed and included in the book. This will bring a new set of voices into the scientific discourse on the issue. The book is also set up to have many images to de-mystify the deep and show readers the beauty that must be protected
Shaping Circular Transitions in the Built Environment
No full textThis open access book explores how to operationalise circular economy principles in the built environment by turning barriers into enablers of systemic change. Drawing on research from the COST Action CircularB, it examines technical, regulatory, economic, and cultural obstacles while highlighting the enabling role of digital tools, innovative business models, and harmonised indicators. The book examines how circularity is integrated into European and national policies, public procurement, and urban strategies, offering a comparative analysis of best practices and policy gaps. It also addresses the need for standardised terminology and frameworks to support the integration of circularity in design, assessment, and construction. Featuring a curated glossary of over 400 terms, the book fosters shared understanding across disciplines. Combining critical analysis with actionable insights, it equips professionals and policymakers with tools to support a regenerative and resource-efficient transition in the construction and urban sectors
Erfolgreiche Qualitätsentwicklung für die Ganztagsschule
No full textDie Qualitätsentwicklung von Ganztagseinrichtungen erfordert eine fachkundige Begleitung. Dieses Manual bietet eine wissenschaftliche fundierte Grundlage für Fachkräfte aus der Beratung, der Bildungsverwaltung und bei den Bildungsträgern mit einem Fokus auf kind- und jugendorientierte Qualitätsentwicklung. Es zeigt, wie Steuerung gezielt gestärkt, Konzepte entwickelt und Angebote verbessert werden können. Durch wissenschaftliche Fundierung und praxisnahe Ansätze unterstützt es Beratende dabei, Entwicklungsprozesse wirksam zu steuern und nachhaltige Veränderungen im Ganztag zu begleiten.; The quality development of all-day centres requires expert support. This manual provides a scientifically sound basis for counsellors with a focus on child- and youth-oriented quality development. It shows how management can be specifically strengthened, concepts developed and programmes improved. With its scientific basis and practical approaches, it supports counsellors in effectively managing development processes and accompanying sustainable changes in all-day education
African Livestock Genetic Resources and Sustainable Breeding Strategies
No full textThis open access book is a rich resource that chronicles the abundant livestock genetic resources in Africa. Organized in five sections, the chapters trace special productive and adaptive attributes of African livestock breeds, past breed improvement efforts, capacity building and strategies to effective utilization of available genetic resources in the era of modern technologies. The authors cover major farm animal groups as well as dromedaries, rabbits and grasscutters. In view of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (in particular SDG 2, Zero Hunger, and SDG 15, Life on Land), the purpose of this volume is to catalogue opportunities that can be leveraged with available technologies and technical knowhow for achieving rapid genetic gain and improved livestock productivity in Africa. It fosters the utilization of genetic resources and the protection of indigenous livestock biodiversity. Natural selection and humans have generated genetically diverse breeds of domesticated farm animals which can significantly contribute to the livelihoods of millions of Africans today. Africa’s indigenous livestock are particularly hardy and well-adapted to local production contexts, having evolved adaptations to the continent’s diverse climatic conditions and environmental pressures. In spite of the wealth of desirable genetic traits, however, some of Africa’s iconic and lesser-known livestock are disappearing at an alarming rate. Moreover, despite increasing recognition of what this diversity portends, little has been done to understand and optimally harness the full potential of these genetic resources. By combining scientific basis and practical instructions, this work is a valuable manual for a diverse readership, including students, researchers, livestock farmers, livestock and non-governmental organizations, policy makers and business professionals who want to understand the uniqueness of African livestock genetic resources, production systems and strategies for sustainable improvement for the African environment
Nachhaltigkeit und Bildungsmedien Sustainability and Educational Media
No full textBildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung soll gemäß den Vereinten Nationen dazu befähigen, in einer globalisierten Welt aktiv, eigenverantwortlich und verantwortungsbewusst die Zukunft zu gestalten. Dazu zählt neben einem sorgfältigen Umgang mit der Erde und ihren Ressourcen auch die Gestaltung einer friedlichen und gerechten Gesellschaft. Dass auch Bildungsmedien zu BNE einen erheblichen Beitrag leisten können, machen die Beiträge dieses Bandes deutlich. Darin befassen sich Wissenschaftler*innen unterschiedlicher Disziplinen aus zahlreichen Ländern mit Perspektiven auf Nachhaltigkeit in historischen und aktuellen Bildungsmedien, sowohl für die Schule (etwa Fibeln oder Geographiebücher) als auch für die außerschulische Bildung (z.B. edukative Comics). Des Weiteren werden Medien für die Lehrkräftebildung eingeführt und didaktisierte Orte in der Natur (wie Lehrpfade) als Bildungsmedien vorgestellt. Beiträge zu einer nachhaltigen Erstellung und Distribution von Bildungsmedien runden den Band ab
Chapter 3 Journalism and the economic crisis
No full textFocusing on an oft-neglected geographical region of study, this book critically analyses the state of journalism in the European South and considers challenges that may indicate a profession under duress. Focusing on three Mediterranean media systems, Greece, Cyprus, and Malta, this book summarizes the basic characteristics, threats, and challenges for journalism in the region. The book first examines the “North-South” divide in Europe and the challenges Mediterranean media systems have faced in recent years. It then analyzes points of dispute for journalism, such as press freedom, investigative reporting, corruption, post-crisis economic challenges, and the evolving dilemmas of journalism ethics. The second section of the book looks more closely at the three case studies, using data extracted over a turbulent 20-year timeframe up until 2023. Based on a mixed-methods approach, the study comprises findings of interviews with journalists in the three countries under study and time series analysis of feedback regarding challenges discussed earlier in the book. The book concludes on whether journalism today is indeed under attack and reflects critically on what are the main threats that have emerged in media systems of the Mediterranean region. This book will be of particular interest to scholars and researchers of journalism and media systems in Europe, although also bears implications for anyone studying wider issues of press freedom and journalism practice
Academic Coaching in Modern Online Education
No full textIn modern online education, academic coaching is a critical support system for student success. As virtual learning environments expand, the role of academic coaches becomes important in bridging the gap between course content and student engagement. By providing personalized guidance and accountability, academic coaching empowers learners to navigate the challenges of online education and achieve long-term academic and personal goals