Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB)
Not a member yet
85081 research outputs found
Sort by
Passivisation in Semitic, Iranian, Armenian, and Beyond
This volume brings together research on passive voice constructions in low-resource languages of Western Asia, a region marked by extraordinary linguistic diversity as well as a long history of cultural suppression and marginalisation. The contributions showcase the passive voice in Semitic, Iranian, Armenian, Greek, and Turkic languages, many of which are endangered, understudied, or confined to diaspora communities and disappearing language islands. Education and cultural expression in these languages remained heavily restricted across parts of Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran, underscoring the urgent need for documentation and revitalisation. The chapters explore the rich typological variation of passive voice constructions, examining their typological traits, synchronic microvariation and diachronic developments. Drawing on Siewierska’s definition, the studies investigate processes of agent demotion and patient promotion, reductions in transitivity, and the fuzzy boundaries between passive and other detransitivisation strategies such as middles, anticausatives, statives and light verbs as well as impersonal subjects and agent omission. They also shed light on the impact of text genre, verbal aspect, and language contact on passivisation. By integrating theoretical, typological, historical, and areal perspectives, the volume discusses the internal stability of detransitivisation strategies, their evolution from earlier source constructions, and their position in voice systems more broadly. It raises fundamental questions about whether cross-linguistic tendencies in passives reflect universal patterns or area-specific historical contingencies. This collection thus provides an essential resource for scholars of all theoretical persuasions that are interested in voice and valency and/or in Western Asia’s linguistic diversity, while foregrounding the pressing need to support communities whose linguistic heritage is at risk
Reflexivities and Knowledge Production in Migration Studies
This open access book brings together cutting-edge work on reflexive approaches within migration studies and emphasizes the boundedness and political character of knowledge production. Beyond presenting a state-of-the-art of the problematic aspects of knowledge production in migration studies, this volume is innovative insofar as the contributions all formulate alternatives. They should lead to transform knowledge production in relation to migration and therefore contribute to alter our ways to do research and tackle established power relations. By discussing a diverse range of topical subjects – among others, epistemology, power, ethnocentrism, racism, decoloniality, gender and methodology – this volume is a great resource to students, to junior and senior academics in migration studies and social sciences more general as well as to policy-makers in European countries
Heroines of Greek and Roman Myth
This volume offers students a fresh approach to reading Latin through the lens of women’s stories in classical myth. Too often, the myths encountered in Latin classrooms center on men, while women are pushed to the margins or depicted primarily as victims of violence. This reader deliberately shifts focus, presenting narratives of nine heroines without requiring students to navigate accounts of sexual assault—an important consideration when the challenge of mastering Latin syntax is already demanding. The stories, carefully adapted from ancient sources, progress in grammatical and stylistic difficulty, beginning with accessible prose and gradually building toward the complexity of authentic classical Latin. Drawing on Dickinson College’s Latin Core Vocabulary, the book ensures that learners are practicing the most useful words, while less common terms are glossed in-line to promote fluid reading rather than constant translation. Designed for students completing an introductory Latin sequence or beginning an intermediate course, the volume reinforces core grammar through repeated exposure while introducing more authentic word order and stylistic patterns in later chapters. Both practical and engaging, this book smooths the transition from textbook Latin to unadapted texts, making the voices of classical heroines central to the learning experience
A New Blueprint for Brain Health
This open access book presents an integrative vision to achieve better brain health. Across the globe is a growing awareness of the impact of neurological conditions and mental health on wellbeing. Also as populations age, the number of people impacted by brain health conditions also grows, shining a light on the need for brain health “solutions” that are sustainable. Although the knowledge of what is working for a variety of brain health conditions continues to expand, we need to realize that not all solutions will come from medical research. What is needed to address brain health in a more sustainable way is a better understanding of the care that community provides and how a vision of better brain health will be found by deepening our understanding of the role of community and elevating the value of their contributions. Community organizations provide frontline care and have a tangible understanding of the needs that accompany the populations above. This means they are well equipped to provide local and accessible care. Community is a place in which brain health solutions can be delivered in a sustainable, effective, efficient, equitable and person-centered way. As such, the knowledge community organizations can contribute to the bigger picture of health care is important. This project responds to the need to better understand community care by highlighting how the role of evaluative thinking in the community sector can help us generate evidence to navigate towards better brain health futures. By first recognizing and then supporting community-led care, we can expand how we view and receive care. Along these lines, the book moves from a view of healthcare as being only delivered in hospitals and clinics to recognizing the continuum of care and integration of healthcare options. It provides a space for stories of health care solutions that indeed have connected health to the social and the community sectors. By exploring community interventions that have been integrated with biomedical/neuroscientific solutions, we will learn how integrated sustainable solutions can be created. The role of evaluation in helping facilitate the creation of such solutions also will be explored. This project is a partnership between the Ontario Brain Institute and the Evaluation Centre for Complex Health Interventions and reflects our collective learnings from our work in developmental evaluation and brain health
Thyroid Eye Disease
This open access book provides a comprehensive, open access reference on thyroid eye disease for healthcare professionals. It is structured for easy reference around the key topics in thyroid eye disease management, with sections on natural history and pathogenesis, diagnosis and investigation, medical management, surgical management and psychological impact. The support of Thyroid Eye Disease Charitable Trust ensures that the book includes consideration of patient-centered care throughout each chapter. Thyroid Eye Disease: A Collaborative Open Access Reference is an essential resource for ophthalmologists around the world (particularly oculoplastics specialists) as well as endocrinologists, nurses, optometrists and orthoptists
Mechanism of Composite Explosion Inhibition and Venting Protections
This open access book examines the mechanisms of composite explosion inhibition and venting protection. It focuses on the characteristics and influencing factors of methane–coal dust two-phase mixture explosions, including: · The inhibition of methane/coal dust hybrid explosions using ultrafine water mist · The suppression characteristics of ultrafine water mist on gas/dust two-phase mixture explosions · The venting behavior of gas/dust two-phase explosions and the factors that influence it In particular, this book clarifies the mechanisms behind vapor cloud explosions and the chain reactions triggered by explosion venting flames. While current research has primarily concentrated on suppressing explosions of single flammable substances using ultrafine water mist, this work emphasizes the importance of understanding flame propagation dynamics and explosion parameters under varying mist conditions. Gathering accurate experimental data is essential for revealing the inhibition mechanisms of gas/dust hybrid explosions. The venting process involves complex coupling effects, including multiphase reactions, interphase heat and mass transfer, and turbulence, all influenced by numerous variables. Therefore, this book provides critical insights for both practical applications and the theoretical understanding of explosion inhibition and venting mechanisms
Medical Device Management
Medical 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
Beyond the Cities
This open access book examines migrant settlement in regional Australia, offering policy recommendations and conceptual frameworks for sustainable integration. With a focus on key areas such as socio-political contexts, employment, education, health, and family challenges, this book provides a holistic approach to understanding and addressing the complexities of migrant settlement. Australia's rich cultural landscape is shaped by its status as a migration nation, with over half of its population either born overseas or having at least one migrant parent. While migration is a key element of Australia's growth, regional areas face unique challenges in attracting and retaining migrants. Despite government initiatives, skill shortages persist in regional industries, prompting a need for comprehensive policy addressing migrant needs and regional development. This book fills a critical gap in the literature, offering valuable insights for academics, policymakers, and service providers. It not only highlights the challenges faced by migrants in regional Australia but also underscores the importance of community capacity-building and support services in facilitating successful settlement
Diasporas, Voting and Linguistic Justice
This open access book analyses the relationship between language proficiency and political participation from abroad among Italians living in Australia, focusing specifically on second- and third-generation Italians. It evaluates how confident second- and third-generation Italians in Australia are in understanding and participating in Italian political debates from abroad. The book also assesses how effective Italy’s language policies are in providing Italians in Australia with the language skills necessary to understand and participate in those debates and be informed voters. Furthermore, it advances more general policy proposals to improve language proficiency and political participation among transnational communities abroad. By providing a solid empirical analysis based on mixed methods combining survey data and semi-structured in-depth interviews, informed by a rigorous theoretical framework, this book is a great resource for students and academics working on migration studies,transnational politics, and linguistic justice as well as for policymakers and other key stakeholders concerned with the promotion of homeland languages among citizens living abroad
Climate-Resilient, Low-Carbon, and Sustainable Cities
This open access book is a proceeding of the Conference on High-Quality Urban Development and Beautiful Countryside Construction (UDCC). This book focuses on the latest thoughts, ideas, models, methods, solutions, and practices on resilient, low-carbon, and sustainable city through planning and design, covering interdisciplinary topics in architecture, urban-rural planning, meteorology, building and construction engineering, material engineering, geographic sciences, public health, public administration, computer sciences, etc. This book can provide students and researchers from urban planning, urban design, urban meteorology, civil and construction engineering and urban governance with better understanding of urban climate sciences, innovative ideas, and tangible solutions