Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB)
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Chapter Inequalities in access to the food market: the city as a producer of norms in the fourteenth century (Low Countries)
No full textThis article examines the unequal organisation of the grain market in the Low Countries in the fourteenth century. It looks in turn at the ways in which several towns compensated for their difficulties in accessing food by asserting their leadership over secondary towns and their hinterland, and at the ways in which urban legislation guaranteed specific privileges of access to certain categories of buyers or sellers. Finally, the article discusses the caution that must be exercised in attempting to relate the flowering of urban legislation in the fourteenth century to the context of repeated crises during that century
Ergasteria
No full text<p><em >Ergasteria </em>offers insights into aspects of creation, manufacture and processing in antiquity, viewing craftsmen and artists in their socio-cultural and geopolitical setting. New finds from Greece, North Africa, the Black Sea, Italy and Central Europe provide a trigger for discussion. Bronze foundries for life-size statues were the birthplace of proportions and harmony which imbued the perception of beauty, but could also be a source of nuisance. The mastery of modelling in any material evolved from coping with constraints in the course of manufacture, and craftsmen invented ways of overcoming obstacles. Polyvalent ateliers suggest the artisans’ adaptability, in addition to their specialisation. An investigation of the first step in the process, namely the extraction of material, reveals that quarries were manned with a specialised workforce (stonecutters, sculptors) who carved the marble volumes to an advanced stage, prior to their refinement. Meticulous preparation was also crucial in the field of logistics, particularly in large-scale public works, such as temples or fortifications. Interaction of artists with architects and the workforce in general can be primarily observed in sanctuaries, which became open-air workshops of stonemasons, carpenters etc. Accordingly, part of the book is devoted to construction-sites, the mobility of craftspeople who propelled the diffusion of knowledge, and the range of practices employed in individual settings thereby allowing us to grasp both the diversity of artistic expression and the composite population that it may reflect. The mountainous, littoral, urban or suburban space in which manufacturing took place is also taken into account, along with the socio-historical context, which had an impact upon artisans, as politics and military coalitions could instigate or disrupt a creative process. Cases of adaptive reuse are evaluated from the viewpoint of aesthetics, ergonomics, managerial issues concerning spolia, and the technical skills required. The book benefits from the intersection of the contributors’ perspectives, mirroring the multifaceted nature of the topic.</p>
Renewable Energy and Utility System Optimization for Sustainable Industries
No full textThis Special Issue is a collection of cutting-edge research addressing the integration of renewable energy into industrial systems. This reprint brings together innovative studies and real-world applications focused on improving energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and optimizing utility systems in industrial settings. Topics include renewable energy integration, energy storage, smart grids, demand-side management, biorefineries, biofuels, and sustainable industrial practices. With contributions from international experts, the Issue highlights both theoretical advancements and practical solutions that support the transition toward greener, smarter, and more resilient industrial infrastructures. Whether you are a researcher, engineer, policymaker, or sustainability professional, this Special Issue offers valuable insights into how industries can lead in the global energy transition
Creep Effect and Prediction Method of Dynamic Disaster of Surrounding Rock
No full textThis open access book provides a comprehensive overview of the author’s in-depth insights into the theory, prediction methods, and developmental trends of creep instability and failure in coal-rock masses within mining stopes. The content primarily covers topics such as creep instability of coal-rock masses in stopes, creep instability of surrounding rock in roadways, large-scale roof creep instability, creep instability of overlying strata in goaf, rockburst, gas outburst, and principles and prediction of roof creep instability in fully mechanized mining faces. Additionally, it explores theoretical advancements in analyzing the energy principles of coal-rock masses and acoustic wave monitoring of coal-rock systems. This book serves as a valuable reference for professionals and researchers in mining engineering, mine construction, underground space engineering, and geotechnical engineering, as well as for faculty and students in related fields
Effect of Additives/Admixtures on the Properties of Concretes and Cementitious Composites
No full textDear Colleagues, In today's cement and concrete industry, chemical admixtures have become one of the essential components of cement-based materials. The addition of a certain amount of chemical admixture to cement concrete can improve the defects of the cementitious material itself or improve the performance of the cementitious material. There is a wide range of chemical admixtures in cement concrete, such as water-reducing agents, retarders, early strength agents, accelerators, quick setting agents, air-entraining agents, etc. However, regardless of the admixture added to achieve a particular effect, the addition of admixture will affect the cement hydration process. With the high performance of cement and concrete and the wide application of various chemical admixtures and mineral admixtures, the systematic study of the effect of various admixtures on cement hydration is of great theoretical and engineering significance in terms of understanding the interaction between different chemical admixtures and cement and regulating the hydration process of cement. This Special Issue brings together the latest developments in the field of concrete admixtures. Articles in this Special Issue cover a variety of topics including but not limited to the preparation of new concrete admixtures, alkali-activated material admixtures, and high-performance composite admixtures
Beyond Inhumanity
No full textBeyond Inhumanity explores harms caused by acts of brutality, such as historical wounds of transatlantic slavery, colonialism, and contemporary racism, as well as other forms of structural injustice. It gathers voices and perspectives across the disciplines to argue that by understanding and addressing such multi-dimensional harms of inhumanity, we can identify meaningful approaches that contribute to collective healing and just societies
From Media Hype to Twitter Storm
No full textThe word media hype is often used as rhetorical argument to dismiss waves of media attention as overblown, disproportional and exaggerated. But these explosive news waves, as well as - nowadays - the twitter storms, are object of scientific research, because they are an important phenomenon in the public area. Sometimes it is indeed 'much ado about nothing' but in many cases these media storms have play an important role in political issues, scandals and crises. Twitter storms sometimes ruin reputations within hours. Although different concepts are used, such as media hypes, news waves, media storms, information cascades or risk amplification, all the studies in this book refer to the same process in which key events trigger a chain of reactions and interactions, building up huge news waves in the media or rapidly spreading social epidemics in the social media. This book offers the first comprehensive overview of this important topic. It is not only interesting for scholars and students in media and journalism, but also for professionals in PR and communication, crisis communication and reputation management
Malaika and the Seven Heavens
No full textMalaika and the Seven Heavens explores Toyin Falola’s personal journey with Islam, beginning with his early years in Ibadan, Nigeria. Growing up in environments where Islam coexisted with traditional African religions and later living in a predominantly Christian country, he witnessed the complexities of cultural and religious diversity. In this memoir, Falola shares stories of deep understanding, personal development, and the beauty of a faith that transcends language, nationality, and culture. Although faith is a lifelong journey, Falola identifies key moments in his upbringing that shaped his perception of faith, such as observing Islamic prayers, witnessing the significance of pilgrimage, engaging with spiritual leaders, and interacting with both Muslims and non-Muslims. By blending personal observations and reflections with the broader historical and cultural contexts of Islam, the book provides a unique perspective on the lived experiences of Muslims. In addition, Falola’s comparative perspective on the interaction of Christianity, Islam, and African Traditional Religion illustrates how these faiths influence and coexist with one another. Chapters explore firsthand experiences at madrassas, Islamic education, the influence of Islamic music on Yoruba culture, the historical importance of places like Oja Oba in Ibadan, the role of women in Islam, the intersection of traditional medicine with Islamic healing practices, and the broader social and political implications of Islam in Nigerian cities such as Ilorin and Lagos. Ultimately, Malaika and the Seven Heavens aims to foster a deeper appreciation for our shared humanity, inspire meaningful conversations that bridge cultural divides, and enrich our collective knowledge
Heritage – Between and Beyond Nature, Culture and Agency
No full textIn an era of climate emergency and political upheaval, heritage demands radical rethinking. This volume confronts the Enlightenment-rooted dualisms that fragment heritage into opposing categories. By embracing posthumanist concepts like naturecultures and agency, this volume explores entangled human and nonhuman pasts, from the contested Białowieża Forest to ancient sensory environments. Through case studies spanning archaeology, museum studies, and literary analysis, contributors unravel heritage as a dynamic, more-than-human meshwork. This collection is an urgent call to transcend reductive binaries, fostering an ethical, responsive, and sustainable heritage practice attuned to our shared, precarious futures
Comminution and Comminution Circuits Optimisation
No full textThis reprint presents cutting-edge research on the comminution of mineral ores and the necessary tests for characterising the ore to understand its breakage requirements. It guides readers from the blasting stage to the milling stage, followed by the separation stage. The optimisation of the comminution stages covered in this reprint is made possible through an understanding of ore characteristics, which researchers have thoroughly assessed through breakage tests also described in the reprint. The effects of ore pre-treatment and the numerical assessments of comminution circuits are also investigated, with important insights drawn. The papers in this reprint were authored by leading experts in the field, making substantial contributions toward the achievement of sustainable comminution circuits