Abstract:

This article examines the insights of Portuguese historian Vitorino Magalhães Godinho regarding the extraordinary 18th-century concentration of wealth and land in Portugal’s Catholic Church and nobility—estimated at around 95%—and how these arrangements shaped enduring mentalities. Such structures, grounded in aristocratic privilege and clerical power, discouraged the valuation of labor and marginalized merit-based advancement. We explore how these historical patterns were transferred to Brazil, creating a persistent environment of patrimonialism, public-office impunity, and the devaluation of intellectual and scientific labor. Drawing on Godinho’s works and comparative perspectives from other contexts, as well as data on contemporary Brazilian wealth distribution, corruption cases, and structural inefficiencies in research and development, we argue that these historically ingrained mentalities have hindered Brazil’s scientific and technological progress. Through a discussion of counter-trends and reforms, we highlight potential avenues for transforming these legacies. Ultimately, we propose that recognizing and addressing the historical roots of patrimonialism is essential for fostering a culture that values productive work, upholds the rule of law, and supports scientific innovation in Brazil, a nation of over 200 million inhabitants still awaiting its first Nobel Prize in science.

Abstract:

Background: Ableism obstructs employment equity for disabled individuals. However, despite protective legislation, research lacks a comprehensive understanding of how ableism multidimensionally manifests across job types, disability types, stages of employment, and intersecting identities. Objectives: This scoping review examined how ableism affects disabled workers and jobseekers, as well as its impacts on employment outcomes, variations across disabilities and identities, and best practices for addressing these. Eligibility Criteria: Included articles were 109 peer-reviewed, empirical studies conducted in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland between 2018 and 2023. Sources of Evidence: Using terms related to disability, ableism, and employment, databases searched included Sociology Collection, CINAHL, PsycInfo, Web of Science, SCOPUS, Education Source, Academic Search Complete, and ERIC. Charting Methods: Data were extracted in tabular form and analyzed through thematic narrative synthesis to identify study characteristics, ableist barriers within employment, intersectional factors, and best practices. Results: Ableism negatively impacted employment outcomes through barriers within the work environment, challenges disclosing disability, insufficient accommodations, and workplace discrimination. Intersectional factors intensified inequities, particularly for BIPOC, women, and those with invisible disabilities. Conclusions: Systemic, intersectional strategies are needed to address ableism, improve policies, and foster inclusive workplace practices.

Abstract:

The article explores Bangladeshi university students’ Mathematics test anxiety using a quantitative survey. It analyses the general level of Mathematics test anxiety of the students and the gender and course effect on this anxiety level. Data were gathered from around 700 university Mathematics students in Bangladesh and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings reveal the participants are somehow anxious about mathematics tests, although gender or course type does not impact it. The conclusion calls for common awareness of students, teachers, and parents to reduce its effects on learning and performance.

Abstract: The paper presents a pedagogical intervention targeted at secondary school students developed by two researchers in physics. The project seeks to address the gender gap in STEM fields by fostering students’ critical awareness on gender stereotypes and roles, helping them to recognize the influence that gender has on their educational choices and professional aspirations. Unlike other orientation programs, here STEM subjects are not the explicit content, rather the working methodology. Our intervention adopts a project-based learning approach introduced by a board game designed to engage students in the topic. Students are guided in carrying out an autonomous investigation of gender discrepancies within their family, school, and peer contexts through a scientific approach, by administering surveys, gathering and analyzing data, and using gender indicators. The final objective is developing a Gender Report of the school. After presenting the project, we report a qualitative analysis of students’ Reports focusing on the gender dynamics they have identified. Our analysis shows that traditional gender roles and stereotypes persist, yet first-hand observation may stimulate students’ critical thinking skills from a gender perspective.

Abstract: The field of capacities has experienced rapid evolution, exerting influence across various aspects of the global community. This paper aims to identify and assess relevant research on the relationship between capacities and resilience in construction organizations, focusing on how various capacity-building measures influence disaster resilience outcomes and preparedness. A systematic review was conducted, analyzing research papers focused on capacities and resilience published from 1987 to 2023. Through bibliometric analysis, several key characteristics were identified: 1. The primary articles predominantly revolve around resilience through adaptive and coping capacities. 2. Prominent authors primarily explore resilience in capacity building. 3. Emerging trends in resilience and capacities encompass demographic characteristics, climate change, human psychology and behavior towards resilience, ecological resilience, adaptive management, risk assessment, vulnerability, healthcare, and the impact of COVID-19. The findings highlight the pivotal role of capacities in advancing disaster resilience, with studies reporting significant impacts on adaptive strategies and organizational preparedness. By consolidating current knowledge and trends, this paper provides a novel conceptual framework that bridges resilience theory and practice within the construction industry. Its contributions lie in identifying underexplored areas and promoting cross-disciplinary approaches to capacity-building, offering valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. This study is a critical step in fostering innovative research directions and supporting evidence-based strategies to enhance disaster resilience in construction organizations globally.

Abstract: The rapid advancement of digital technologies has significantly impacted academic practices, particularly in the area of plagiarism detection. As universities and research institutions adopt tools to safeguard academic integrity, concerns arise about their effectiveness and potential limitations. This study investigates the role of automated plagiarism detection tools in higher education, examining how they influence academic practices and the detection of both traditional and AI-generated plagiarism. Despite the sophistication of tools like Turnitin, PlagScan, GPTZero, and QuillBot, the research finds that these systems often struggle with accurately interpreting context, resulting in false positives and overlooked instances of plagiarism. The study underscores the necessity of combining technology with human judgment, recognizing that such tools should be seen as supplementary rather than definitive measures of originality. Grounded in theoretical frameworks such as Technological Determinism, Actor-Network Theory (ANT), and Socio-Technical Systems Theory (STS), the research highlights the complex relationship between technology, academia, and societal expectations. Through a qualitative analysis of existing literature, the study identifies key challenges and suggests that hybrid approaches, blending technological tools with human oversight, may offer a more balanced and effective approach to plagiarism detection. The findings encourage further exploration into the ethical implications of reliance on automated systems in education and their broader impact on academic integrity.

Abstract: This study explores the relationship between Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) symptoms, meas-11 ured using the BSL-23, and experiences of covert social violence, assessed via the IVISEM scale and an open-12 ended survey. Results highlight significant emotional intensity in participants, particularly related to shame 13 and vulnerability, suggesting these emotions are linked to structural violence, including covert social vio-14 lence. Biological explanations for emotionality, such as references to "hormonal" changes and "menstruation," 15 reinforce the idea that women's intense emotions are natural, overlooking broader societal factors. The results 16 increase the need for psychological approaches that address both the symptoms of BPD and the impact of 17 societal and structural violence on women's emotional health. The study sample underscores the main idea 18 of the study: BPD is predominantly diagnosed in women, which underlines the need to rethink diagnostic 19 tools and professional interventions. The qualitative data show how women's emotionality is often patholo-20 gized through gender stereotypes, with terms such as "crazy" and "intense. This suggests the importance of a 21 feminist critique of the BSL-23, advocating for a reevaluation of how emotional symptoms are interpreted, 22 considering gendered societal pressures and the impact of covert violence on women’s mental health.

Abstract: This booklet, Building Bridges: A Peace Education Manual for Church Youth Leaders in the Democratic Republic of Congo, represents a vital resource for fostering a culture of peace and reconciliation in a nation grappling with complex social, political, and environmental challenges. By addressing foundational aspects of peacebuilding and conflict resolution through the lens of biblical values, this manual equips youth leaders with the tools and understanding necessary to become catalysts for transformation in their communities.

Abstract: Blockchain technology can completely transform sports, including athlete smart contracts and data management, fan interaction, betting, ticketing, and legitimacy. It can make safe, clear ticketing processes, authenticate sports collectibles, and establish fan loyalty programs. Athlete contracts and payments can be automated via smart contracts, and blockchain-based loyalty schemes can potentially reward fans with digital tokens. Blockchain technology can enhance sports in terms of player identity, scouting, performance, and dynamic price. Though more creative uses are starting to emerge, general adoption is still in its early stages, despite its promise. With this background in mind, a survey was created based on earlier research approved by an ethics commission to examine sports experts' perceptions of the advantages of blockchain in sports performance. Through the use of SEM Smart PLS and a cluster analysis, the research validated the hypothesis that in Romania the implementation of Blockchain Apps in sport fosters trust in blockchain benefits and improves the national and European athlete performance.

Abstract: A simple hypergraph H with vertex set X and edge set E is representable as a family of Von Neumann- Morgenstern stable sets -or VNM- if there exists an irreflexive simple digraph D with vertex set X such that each edge of H is a VNM--stable set of D. It is shown that a simple hypergraph H is VNM if and only if each edge of H is a maximal clique of the conjugation graph of H. A related algorithm that identifies finite VNM-hypergraphs is also provided.