753 research outputs found
Review of the book "Small Wars, Big Data" by Eli Berman, Joseph H. Felter, e Jacob N. Shapiro
No full textIn the intentions of the authors, Small Wars, Big Data, is aimed to address the complex issue of civil or intrastate wars and their impact on civilians. This is certainly a topical issue, and it will be a key topic in the coming years, given the spreading of unconventional conflicts. Ongoing conflicts in Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan, addressed in the chapters of this book, show how the boundary between international and non-international conflicts became blurred after the Second World War.
The impact of conflicts on the civil population is the authors' greatest concern. Civilians have always been the innocent victims of every war, but, although protected by the Geneva Conventions, they have become the subject of indiscriminate attacks since 1945 (e.g. the allied bombing of Dresden, Hiroshima and Nagasaki).
At the core of this work, there is the change in the type of warfare. It is a thorny issue, which would require a discussion of what is meant by terrorism and whether and when guerrilla warfare is to be considered a legitimate tactic by insurgents – guerrilla was categorized as "terrorism" from a certain point in time. Today everything from political opponents to hybrid conflicts and even organized crime is "terrorism".
Originally, terrorism was an offshoot guerrilla military tactic employed by resistance groups. Early examples of insurgencies and guerrilla warfare can be traced back to the Túpac Amaru indigenous uprising in highland Peru against Spanish control in the 1780s and in the Caste War in the Yucatán peninsula of Mexico in the 1840s and 1850s (Castro, 1999).
From the fifties onwards, in the aftermath of the Cuban Revolution, insurgency in Latin America was grounded on Marxist-Leninist ideology, and characterized by the use of a variety of violent and nonviolent tactics, including terror, to overthrow governments with guerrilla warfare (Debray, 1967). This phenomenon, previously classified as "insurgency" and/or "guerrilla", was then rebranded "terrorism".
The meaning of terrorism has changed over time. Since the early sixties the term has often been used in a political sense to label national liberation movements in Africa and later in Latin America. It took hold as an instrument in political struggles against governments in the U.S. and Europe, and finally has been identified with the Islamic world.
Any violence can be terrorism, or anti-terrorism. Legitimate defence or aggressive attacks are semantics that depend on the arbitrary judgment of the involved parties. This, by definition, defeats the concept of justice and legality. Terrorism is an effective method of conflict because it is limited in scope, targeted against civilians, and almost impossible to eradicate. This isolates it from the traditional military applications, and by extension, from the same legal and judicial argumentation. However, there are cases where terrorists were those who defended their land from invaders, and the invaders were the ones who marked them as terrorists. There needs to be a clear division between what is and what is not terrorism, and only then will it be possible to clearly define the terms and the scope of conflict against those who are terrorists.
The words "terrorist" and "terrorism" became fluid terms, easy to be manipulated. Today everything, from political opponents to hybrid conflicts and even organized crime, can be construed as terrorism. The very concept of terrorism has changed since the word has a political meaning. Thus, it becomes difficult to distinguish ‘true’ terrorists from those who are political opponents or just common criminals. Terrorism has become an umbrella term encompassing criminals and political opponents. It seems that the problem in labelling acts as terrorism is not what is done, but who does it. Klabbers (2003, p. 300-1) argues that "today's terrorist is tomorrow's freedom fighter", due to the "state-centric nature of international law" and to the "sheer supremacy of politics over law".
The authors correctly frame the international, transnational and hybrid nature of terrorism, as well as its various purposes, whether purely criminal, or political. The limitation of this approach is that the hypothesis that terrorism can also have a state matrix, as demonstrated by several parts, is not taken into consideration at all – this is especially true regarding the recent conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, undertaken in the name of the "War on Terror".
There are hundreds of definitions of terrorism, none of them tackle the problem of state terrorism. Currently the term ‘terrorism’ is commonly used to describe acts committed by non-state or subnational entities, thereby excluding acts committed by lawful governments – it allows those who determine the merit of inclusion the ultimate decision-making power, and there is no accountability, and no oversight of these decisions. Those who pursue these tactics are not persecuted, nor are their methods questioned thoroughly. It would be appropriate to develop a definition of terrorism that would encompass the possibility of a pseudo-state led by terrorists, and the appropriate response in case of a conflict with such a state (e.g. ISIS).
Bockstette (2008, p. 8) wrote that terrorism is "political violence in an asymmetrical conflict that is designed to induce terror and psychic fear (sometimes indiscriminate) through the violent victimisation and destruction of non-combatant targets (sometimes iconic symbols)". Deeming that terror acts are performed by "an illicit clandestine organisation", he excludes their being carried out by a government or its agents. In his definition we perceive Bockstette's typically military vision, which makes a distinction between tactics ("short-and midterm political goals") and strategy ("desired long-term end states").
Through the ten chapters of this book, are analysed conflicts that occurred in the last twenty years in Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria and in the Philippines, establishing a relationship between rebels, governments and civilians. The authors conclude that ‘conventional military methods’ might succeed but undermine lasting peace.
In my opinion, the difference between conventional/unconventional – both legally undefined terms – seems to be outdated. A knife, a broken bottle neck (if it cuts your jugular), even a fork, a hammer, a baseball bat, or a stone – according to the biblical story David kills Goliath by hurling a stone from his sling and hitting him in the centre of forehead – are all unconventional and potentially lethal weapons. Nevertheless, distinguishing between weapons, their effect and consequence, is necessary in order to avoid a cascade effect and undesirable outcomes (i.e., civil casualties).
Practitioners and researchers will find this publication useful, as it provides a comprehensive case study of the main conflicts that have occurred in the last twenty years. Small Wars, Big Data does not come to general conclusions, but it’s instead a compilation of stories and lessons learned, that could be useful to policymakers and military leaders to ‘open up political space to get deals done’; this is the strong point of the book.Review of the book "Small Wars, Big Data" by Eli Berman, Joseph H. Felter, and Jacob N. Shapiro, Princeton University Press, 2018, ISBN: 978-0-691-17707-6. The author gratefully acknowledges the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), Portugal, for supporting this publication through research grant SFRH/BD/136170/2018
Berman, Louise M., Perspectives and Imperatives: Re-Searching, Rethinking, and Reordering Curriculum Priorities, Journal of Curriculum and Supervision, 1(Fall, 1985), 65-71.
No full textIdentifies ten priorities in curriculum as viewed by the author
Chemical annotation of small and peptide-like molecules at the Protein Data Bank
No full textOver the past decade, the number of polymers and their complexes with small molecules in the Protein Data Bank archive (PDB) has continued to increase significantly. To support scientific advancements and ensure the best quality and completeness of the data files over the next 10 years and beyond, the Worldwide PDB partnership that manages the PDB archive is developing a new deposition and annotation system. This system focuses on efficient data capture across all supported experimental methods. The new deposition and annotation system is composed of four major modules that together support all of the processing requirements for a PDB entry. In this article, we describe one such module called the Chemical Component Annotation Tool. This tool uses information from both the Chemical Component Dictionary and Biologically Interesting molecule Reference Dictionary to aid in annotation. Benchmark studies have shown that the Chemical Component Annotation Tool provides significant improvements in processing efficiency and data quality.Peer reviewe
Villiers de L´Isle-Adam: tradução e exorcismo ou a propósito das palavras pesadas em balanças de teias de aranha e do fantástico em Claire Lenoir
No full textTese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Comunicação e Expressão, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Literatura, Florianópolis, 2011A presente tese é fundamentada na obra Tribulat Bonhomet, de Villiers de L'Isle-Adam (1838-1889). Obra composta de quatro contos e uma novela. Tanto a obra quanto o autor permitem muitas reflexões acerca da literatura, desde a literatura de humor até a de horror, mas sobretudo literatura fantástica. E é sobre esta que me detenho, especificamente na novela Claire Lenoir. Como Tribulat Bonhomet permanece inédito em português, apresento uma tradução e sobre essa tradução ? que se encontra ao fim, como anexo ? elaborei minha tese, sobre uma via dupla: tradução e teoria literária. Dedico o Capítulo 1 a essa duplicidade, separadamente, apresentando em 1.1 a literatura fantástica, fazendo o esboço de um tipo de literatura que provoca um exorcismo do real, um afastamento entre o leitor e a realidade. Na seqüência, em 1.2 abordo as perspectivas de tradução de um texto literário, a partir, principalmente, de Friedrich Schleiermacher (1768-1834) e Antoine Berman (1942-1991). Ambos os tópicos servirão de base para os dois capítulos subseqüentes. No Capítulo 2, dedico-me ao processo de tradução do romance, levando em conta as perspectivas abordadas no Capítulo 1.2, fazendo comentários acerca da tradução e comparando-a com outras traduções. Por último, no Capítulo 3, partindo da forma como Villiers de L'Isle-Adam mescla realidade e ficção ? e tomo aí como base o texto traduzido ? retomo os temas esboçados no Capítulo 1.1, da literatura fantástica, para especificar os elementos estranhos que geram o fantástico na obra e provocam um exorcismo do real. A conclusão, portanto, dá-se sobre uma duplicidade: há um exorcismo do real na literatura fantástica; e há um exorcismo do real em Villiers ? mediante a inserção de elementos fantásticos.Cette thèse est basée sur l'oeuvre Tribulat Bonhomet, de Villiers de L'Isle-Adam (1838-1889). Oeuvre composée de quatre récits et une nouvelle. L'oeuvre et l'auteur permettent de nombreuses réflexions sur la littérature, de la littérature d'humour jusqu´à l'horreur, mais surtout sur la littérature fantastique. Et c'est sur cette dernière que je me pencherai spécifiquement avec la nouvelle Claire Lenoir. Comme Tribulat Bonhomet reste inédite en portugais, je présente une traduction, et c´est sur cette traduction ? qui se trouve en fin de volume en pièce jointe ? que j´ai élaboré ma thèse selon une double voie: la traduction et la théorie littéraire. Je consacre le Chapitre 1 à cette duplicité, séparément, en présentant en 1.1 la littérature fantastique, faisant le croquis d'un type de littérature qui provoque un exorcisme du réel, une distanciation entre le lecteur et la réalité. Ensuite, en 1.2 je discute sur les perspectives de la traduction d'un texte littéraire, à partir, principalement, de Friedrich Schleiermacher (1768-1834) et d'Antoine Berman (1942-1991). Les deux thèmes formeront la base des deux chapitres suivants. Dans le Chapitre 2, je me consacre au processus de traduction de l'oeuvre, en tenant compte des perspectives discutées dans la partie 1.2, en faisant des commentaires concernant la traduction et en la comparant à d'autres traductions. Enfin, au Chapitre 3, à partir de la manière dont Villiers de L'Isle-Adam mélange fiction et réalité ? et je me base ici à partir du texte traduit ? je reprends les thèmes mentionnés dans le Chapitre 1.1, sur la littérature fantastique, en précisant que des éléments étranges génèrent le fantastique dans l'oeuvre et provoquent un exorcisme du réel. La conclusion, donc, se fonde sur une duplicité: il est un exorcisme du réel dans la littérature fantastique, et il est un exorcisme du réel chez Villiers ? par l'inclusion d'éléments fantastiques
Computing Galois Groups for Certain Classes of Ordinary Differential Equations
No full textAs of now, it is an open problem to find an algorithmthat computes the Galois group G of an arbitrary linear ordinary differential operator L in C(x)[D]. We assume thatC is a computable, characteristic-zero,algebraically closed constant field with factorization algorithm.In this dissertation, we present new methods forcomputing differential Galois groups in two special cases.An article by Compoint and Singer presents a decision procedure to compute G in case L is completely reducible or, equivalently, G is reductive. Here, we present the results of an article by Berman and Singerthat reduces the case of a productof two completely reducible operators to thatof a single completely reducible operator;moreover, we give an optimization of that article's core decision procedure.These results rely on results from cohomologydue to Daniel Bertrand.We also give a set of criteria to compute the Galois group of a differential equation of the formy⁽³⁾ + ay' + by = 0, a, b in C[x].Furthermore, we present an algorithm to carry out this computation in case C is the field of algebraic numbers.This algorithm applies the approach used inan article by M. van der Put to study order-two equations with one or two singularpoints. Each step of the algorithm employs a simple, implementable test based on some combination of factorization properties, properties of associated operators,and testing of associated equations for rational solutions. Examples of the algorithm and a Maple implementation writtenby the author are provided
Retradução comentada de Corinne ou l'Italie de Mme de Staël
No full textTese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Comunicação e Expressão, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Estudos da Tradução, Florianópolis, 2014.Esta tese, vinculada à linha da "Teoria, crítica e história da tradução" objetiva a retradução comentada de Corinne ou l'Italie (1807) de Madame de Staël. No primeiro capítulo, descrevem-se a vida e as obras da autora, com ênfase para Corinne ou l'Italie, que foi traduzida e retraduzida em outras línguas, principalmente o inglês, italiano e alemão. Em seguida, no capítulo 2, apresenta-se a primeira tradução para o português do Brasil Corina ou a Itália (1945, Edições Cultura). Como terceira etapa, comenta-se a retradução com base nas reflexões teóricas de Berman, Pym, Venuti, Gambier. Apresentam-se exemplos dos aspectos semânticos, culturais, estilísticos presentes ao longo dos XX livros, a partir do original e da retradução. Os comentários do processo de tradução permitem uma frutífera troca literária e cultural e a tradução, o estudo e conhecimento da obra de Madame de Staël, por consequência, enriquecem o cânone da literatura francesa traduzida no Brasil.Abstract : This thesis, linked to the research field "Theory, criticism and history of translation" attempts to do a commented retranslation of Mme de Staël's Corinne ou l'Italie (1807). The first chapter describes the life and the works of the author, with emphasis on Corinne ou l'Italie, which was translated and retranslated into other languages, mainly English, Italian and German. In Chapter 2, the first translation of Corinne ou l'Italie into Brazilina Portuguese (1945, Cultura Printings) is presented. In chapter 3 the retranslation is analyzed through comments based on theoretical reflections of Berman, Pym, Venuti and Gambier. Examples of semantic, cultural and stylistics aspects of the XX books (original and retranslated version) are presented. The comments of the translation process allow a rich literary and cultural exchange. As well as a deeper investigation about Madame de Staël's work enriches the standard of French literature in Brazil
A window into the Early to mid-Cretaceous infrastructure of the Yukon-Tanana terrane recorded in multi-stage garnet of west-central Yukon, Canada
No full textAmphibolite facies metasedimentary schists within the Yukon-Tanana terrane in the northern Canadian Cordillera reveal a two-stage, polymetamorphic garnet growth history. In situ U-Th-Pb Sensitive High Resolution Ion Microprobe dating of monazite provide timing constraints for the late stages of garnet growth, deformation and subsequent decompression. Distinct textural and chemical growth zoning domains, separated by a large chemical discontinuity, reveal two stages of garnet growth characterized in part by: (i) a syn-kinematic, inclusion-rich stage-1 garnet core; and (ii) an inclusion-poor, stage-2 garnet rim that crystallized with syn- to post-kinematic staurolite and kyanite. Phase equilibria modelling of garnet molar and compositional isopleths suggest stage-1 garnet growth initiated at ~600 °C, 8 kbar along a clockwise P-T path. Growth of the compositionally distinct, grossular-rich, pyrope-poor inner portion of the stage-2 overgrowth is interpreted to have initiated at higher pressure and/or lower temperature than the stage-1 core along a separate P-T loop, culminating at peak P-T conditions of ~650-680 °C and 9 kbar. Stage-2 metamorphism and the waning development of a composite transposition foliation ( ST) are dated at c. 118 Ma from monazite aligned parallel to ST, and inclusions in syn- to post- ST staurolite and kyanite. Slightly younger ages ( c. 112 Ma) are obtained from Y-rich monazite that occurs within resorbed areas of both stage-1 and stage-2 garnet, together with retrograde staurolite and plagioclase. The younger ages obtained from these texturally and chemically distinct grains are interpreted, with the aid of phase equilibria calculations, to date the growth of monazite from the breakdown of garnet during decompression at c. 112 Ma. Evidence for continued near-isothermal decompression is provided by the presence of retrograde sillimanite, and cordierite after staurolite, which indicates decompression below ~4-5 kbar prior to cooling below ~550 °C. As most other parts of the Yukon-Tanana terrane were exhumed to upper crustal levels in the Early Jurassic, these data suggest this domain represents a tectonic window revealing a much younger, high-grade tectono-metamorphic core (infrastructure) within the northern Cordilleran orogen. This window may be akin to extensional core complexes identified in east-central Alaska and in the southeastern Canadian Cordillera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]Peer reviewedFinal article publishedin situ monazite geochronologyYukon‐Tanana terraneSHRIMPP–T–t pathmulti‐stage garne
MIKHAIL ALEKSANDROVICH BERMAN-TSIKINOVSKII: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE WORK OF A PROLIFIC JEWISH SOVIET ÉMIGRÉ AUTHOR
No full textMiddle Jurassic to earliest Cretaceous mid-crustal tectono-metamorphism in the northern Canadian Cordillera: Recording foreland-directed migration of an orogenic front
No full textIn situ sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe monazite geochronology and garnet isopleth thermobarometry reveal a previously unrecognized Middle Jurassic to earliest Cretaceous mid-crustal tectono-metamorphic event in the eastern part of the Yukon-Tanana terrane (Finlayson Lake district, southeast Yukon) in the northern Canadian Cordillera. Intersection of garnet end-member compositional isopleths applied to single-stage, growth-zoned garnet records progressive garnet growth from 550 °C and 6.1–6.6 kbar to 600 °C and 7.5 kbar. Monazite textures, chemical zoning, and in situ U-Pb ages record a single protracted episode of monazite growth from ca. 169 to 142 Ma coeval with the development of transposition fabrics and the late stages of garnet growth. This event post-dates widespread Early Jurassic exhumation of Yukon-Tanana terrane rocks west of the Tintina fault in west-central Yukon, which were previously ductily deformed and metamorphosed in the Permo-Triassic. The lack of evidence for Permo-Triassic ductile deformation and high-grade metamorphism within the Finlayson Lake district, and its position east of the Permian arc center and west of Permian blueschists and eclogites, suggests this eastern part of the terrane occupied the cool forearc at this time. These data indicate younger, more protracted mid-crustal orogenesis in the northern Cordillera than was previously recognized, with deformation and metamorphism migrating toward the foreland and downwards in the Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous, in part contemporaneous with and analogous to that in the southeastern Canadian Cordillera.Peer reviewedFinal article publishe
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