Search Results (59)

The word “curiosity” has an opaque history with contradictory attitudes and connotations acquired ever since Antiquity. This poses an interesting problem in the case of Leo Africanus, who never uses the word in his Cosmographia de l’Affrica yet exhibits curiosity at every turn as a traveler and a writer. This essay relies on a distinction that Michel Foucault makes regarding types of curiosity: that which produces conventional knowledge (which he rejects) and that which seeks extraordinary knowledge that “enables one to get free of oneself”, resulting in “the knower’s straying afield of himself”. Both as a traveler and a writer, Michel de Montaigne demonstrates that such an attitude was a living reality in sixteenth-century Europe. Montaigne’s many reflections on his “straying afield of himself” provide a bridge to interpreting Leo Africanus’s practices of traveling and writing. Leo’s profession as a diplomat, his economic expertise and his training as an Islamic legal expert all led to his far-reaching journeys, particularly in Islamic Africa but also Asia as of a young age, bringing about his many encounters with historical figures and events while also granting him access to uninhabited nature, as well as every sort of human settlement, from remote villages to great cities. His will to knowledge—curiosity that leads him to ‘stray afield of himself’ by seeking out the unusual and the unknown—proves to be the key to his travel and his writing. Full article

Emerging technologies and the so-called information and communication technologies (ICT or IT) are transforming society, interpersonal relationships, and our way of understanding the world and, by extension, also law and the legal profession. Emerging technologies will have a significant impact on society in the coming years and will pose new challenges and legal issues in the legal sector that will surely affect the development, evolution, and way of understanding the legal practice. The future of the legal industry will be comprise occupations that do not yet exist, or areas and subjects that are little or not yet known or even explored. The key for law firms will therefore be to specialize in these sectors. This Topic has become a window into the new challenges of law and policies in relation to emerging technologies. Full article

(1) Background: Each year, significant volumes of healthcare data are generated through both research and care. Since fundamental digital processes cannot function effectively without essential data competencies, the challenge lies in enhancing the quality of data management by establishing data literacy among professionals in outpatient healthcare and research. (2) Methods: Within the DIM.RUHR project (Data Competence Center for Interprofessional Use of Health Data in the Ruhr Metropolis), a didactic concept for interprofessional data literacy education is developed, structured as a learning objectives matrix. Initially conceived through a literature review, this concept has been continually developed through collaboration with interprofessional project partners. The study was conducted between February 2023 and June 2024. (3) Results: The foundational structure and content of the didactic concept are based on various scientific studies related to general data literacy and the outcomes of an interactive workshop with project partners. Eight distinct subject areas have been developed to encompass the data literacy required in healthcare professions: (1) Fundamentals and general concepts, (2) ethical, legal, and social considerations, (3) establishing a data culture, (4) acquiring data, (5) managing data, (6) analyzing data, (7) interpreting data, and (8) deriving actions. Within these, learners’ data literacy is assessed across the four competency areas: basic, intermediate, advanced, and highly specialized. (4) Conclusions: The learning objectives matrix is anticipated to serve as a solid foundation for the development of teaching and learning modules aimed at enhancing data literacy across healthcare professions, enabling them to effectively manage data processes while addressing the challenges associated with digital transformation. Full article

Amidst the rapid digital transformation reshaping the legal profession globally, this study examines the interplay between AI tools, social media usage, and lawyer job performance in China. While prior research has extensively explored factors influencing the job performance of lawyers, due to the relatively small number of lawyers in China and the legal and ethical limitations in their use of social media and AI tools, systematic investigations into the roles of AI and social media in this context remain limited. We use an ensemble Bayesian network model to examine causal mechanisms, analyzing 313 questionnaires on their use of AI and social media. This study constructs a robust causal network to analyze the impacts of nine key variables, including excessive social use of social media at work, AI-supported employee training and development, AI-driven workload reduction for employees, and strain, among others. The findings reveal that AI-driven workload reduction, AI-supported leadership, and strain directly influence lawyer job performance. Notably, excessive cognitive use of social media at work (ECU) exerts the most significant impact, while strain and work–technology conflict serve as critical mediators in the relationship between ECU and performance. The ensemble Bayesian network framework not only enhances the methodological rigor of this research but also facilitates a comprehensive understanding of the complex interdependencies among the considered factors. Based on the results, practical recommendations are proposed for the optimization of the job performance of lawyers. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on lawyer job performance through the introduction of an advanced analytical approach, as well as offering actionable insights for law firms and informing legal technology legislation and policy development navigating the digital era. Full article

The UNESCO world heritage site of the old town of Ohrid represents a unique spatial and historical area of the Balkan peninsula. Over time, it has changed due to new construction caused by social challenges and mass tourism, damaging its authentic value. This research examines the issue of new infill design from the perspective of preserving the authenticity of Ohrid’s built heritage. Some new additions have arisen in the period of absence and/or inadequate application of the legislative protective framework, while others reflect a historical replication approach encouraged by official construction guidelines. The study aims to verify whether this legally accepted approach suits the area. The research relies on field study and questionnaire survey analysis regarding the perception of authenticity among the local community, non-Ohrid residents, and architecture and urban planning experts. The field study shows that fostering historical replication has led to low-quality imitations of inherited aesthetics. This trend prevents modern reflection of contemporary architectural design and has created fake historical continuity. The survey results indicate a different opinion on this issue, with variations based on profession and living place. The research outcomes create an opportunity for further education within the local community and dialogue regarding preserving Ohrid’s heritage. Full article

The impact of the Reformations, in Switzerland and elsewhere, on the regulation of sexuality has been extensively researched in recent decades. Laws against adultery and premarital fornication were strengthened and promulgated, leading to the decline of the late-medieval public brothel. However, the impact of these theological, legal, and institutional changes on the women who engaged in transactional or commercial sex outside of marriage has been harder to capture. Even the authorities’ definitions of such women remain difficult to pin down: were they viewed as promiscuous sinners to be punished, laborers in a dishonorable profession, poor vagrants to be exiled, or all or none of the above? This paper first discusses the historiography of prostitution to show how previous research terminology and definitions of the phenomenon are insufficient for the early modern context. It then analyses a case study from sixteenth-century Zurich in which different understandings about premodern prostitutes coexisted, intersected, and conflicted with the argument that these individuals were conceived of in terms of authorities’ fears rather than a specific set of characteristics. Full article

Veterinarians face ethical challenges during their careers, but despite evidence of work-related stress and burnout in veterinarians, moral distress has been poorly investigated. Using an online survey, professional experience, moral distress, and burnout were investigated in 704 Italian veterinarians caring for companion animals, farm animals, or both. The reliability of the moral distress questionnaire was optimal, and Factor analysis identified four factors for moral distress: I. Conflict with owner/farmer; II. Relationships with colleagues/superiors; III. Legal context/unsupportive Professional Institutions; IV. Unshared requests for euthanasia. Veterinarians reported rather low levels of moral distress but high levels of work-related stress/anxiety and a decline in empathy over time, mainly toward owners/farmers. More than 50% of veterinarians reported medium/high levels of burnout, and client-related burnout was significantly higher than animal-related burnout. Levels of work-related stress, moral distress, and burnout were higher in women, and experience exerted a protective effect. Moral distress was positively correlated with emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and, to a lesser extent, lower professional fulfillment. The relatively low level of moral distress that emerged in the study needs further investigation, especially considering the high levels of work-related stress and anxiety reported by veterinarians. Women’s greater sensitivity to moral distress and burnout should not be overlooked given the progressive feminization of the veterinary profession worldwide. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study examines the impact of anxiety and depressive symptomatology on self-esteem among Greek practicing lawyers. The high-stress environment of the legal profession is known to heighten the risk of mental health issues, yet limited research exists on Greek lawyers. The study aims to explore associations between anxiety, depressive symptoms, and self-esteem, hypothesizing that increased anxiety and depression correlate with reduced self-esteem. Method: The study utilized a correlational design with a sample of 80 Greek lawyers, recruited through professional associations. Participants completed the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression were used to assess the relationships between anxiety, depression, and self-esteem. Results: The findings indicated significant negative correlations between self-esteem and both depressive (r = −0.631, p < 0.001) and anxiety symptoms (r = −0.405, p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that both depression (β = −0.558, p < 0.001) and anxiety (β = −0.225, p = 0.014) were significant predictors of lower self-esteem, explaining approximately 44% of the variance in self-esteem scores. Conclusions: The study concludes that higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms significantly lower self-esteem among Greek lawyers, underscoring the need for mental health support within this profession. Addressing mental health issues in legal professionals may promote better self-esteem and overall well-being, with potential benefits for both lawyers and their clients. Full article

Background: In the transition to a professional learning environment, healthcare professionals in their first year of specialized postgraduate clinical training (known as residents in Spain) are suddenly required to handle confidential information with little or no prior training in the safe and appropriate use of digital media with respect to confidentiality issues. The aims of this study were: (1) to explore the usefulness of an advanced clinical simulation program for educating residents from different healthcare disciplines about confidentiality and the dissemination of clinical data or patient images; (2) to explore the use of social networks in healthcare settings; and (3) to explore participants’ knowledge and attitudes on current regulations regarding confidentiality, image dissemination, and the use of social networks; Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Data were collected from all 49 first-year residents of different health professions at a Spanish hospital between June and August 2022. High-fidelity clinical simulation sessions designed to address confidentiality and health information dissemination issues in hospital settings, including the use of social networks, were developed and implemented. Data were assessed using a 12-item ad hoc questionnaire on confidentiality and the use of social media in the healthcare setting. Descriptive of general data and chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test were performed using the SPSS 25.0 software; Results: All the participants reported using the messaging application WhatsApp regularly during their working day. A total of 20.4% of the participants stated that they had taken photos of clinical data (radiographs, analyses, etc.) without permission, with 40.8% claiming that they were unaware of the legal consequences of improper access to clinical records. After the course, the participants reported intending to modify their behavior when sharing patient data without their consent and with respect to how patients are informed; Conclusions: The use of advanced simulation in the training of interprofessional teams of residents is as an effective tool for initiating attitudinal change and increasing knowledge related to patient privacy and confidentiality. Further follow-up studies are needed to see how these attitudes are incorporated into clinical practice. Full article

Landscape, as an essential component of quality of life for humans all over the world, is undergoing a period of rapid and profound changes, mainly due to such phenomena as climate challenges and social crises. Landscape Architects, more than ever, are expected to play a significant role in responding to current environmental and social challenges. Although many claim that Landscape Architecture is the profession of the 21st century, it is still struggling to gain proper recognition worldwide and in Europe. In the meantime, numerous legal instruments have been developed to facilitate the regulation of various professions in Europe. This paper aims to map the status and factors affecting the regulation process across Europe and investigate the role of legislation and legal recognition regarding Landscape Architect’s services, their professional title, and mobility. In order to achieve such goals, a short literature overview of the most recent and relevant research of mapping the profession and studies undertaken by IFLA Europe was performed as well as a collection of data for the survey and the composition of a questionnaire that was sent to all Delegates of the National Associations. The results were compiled into separate documents for the regulated and non-regulated countries. They present the specificities of the profession that constitute the basis for its regulation, the importance of the legal recognition of the profession for a stronger professional environment for Landscape Architects, and the catalyst role of legislation determining professional recognition. Full article

This research investigates the application of deep learning in sentiment analysis of Canadian maritime case law. It offers a framework for improving maritime law and legal analytic policy-making procedures. The automation of legal document extraction takes center stage, underscoring the vital role sentiment analysis plays at the document level. Therefore, this study introduces a novel strategy for sentiment analysis in Canadian maritime case law, combining sentiment case law approaches with state-of-the-art deep learning techniques. The overarching goal is to systematically unearth hidden biases within case law and investigate their impact on legal outcomes. Employing Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)- and long short-term memory (LSTM)-based models, this research achieves a remarkable accuracy of 98.05% for categorizing instances. In contrast, conventional machine learning techniques such as support vector machine (SVM) yield an accuracy rate of 52.57%, naïve Bayes at 57.44%, and logistic regression at 61.86%. The superior accuracy of the CNN and LSTM model combination underscores its usefulness in legal sentiment analysis, offering promising future applications in diverse fields like legal analytics and policy design. These findings mark a significant choice for AI-powered legal tools, presenting more sophisticated and sentiment-aware options for the legal profession. Full article

Multiple civic crises facing American constitutional democracy—deepening political polarization and dysfunction, loss of confidence in major institutions and professions, and collapse of confidence in higher education—can be simultaneously redressed by restoring traditional civic education in universities and colleges. A nascent national reform in public universities, establishing departments of civic thought and leadership, reintroduces a blend of classical liberal arts and American civic education. This restores a core mission of truth-seeking and Socratic debate to universities, while providing the higher civics needed to perpetuate the American legal and constitutional order through non-partisan, non-ideological preparation of thoughtful citizens and leaders with the necessary civic knowledge and civic virtues, including commitment to the rule of law and American constitutionalism. Full article

The present study aims at providing an overview of the international, European, and national legal frameworks relating to the obligation of intermediaries of financial transactions to report to tax authorities, and the professional secrecy which applies to their professions, as well as the conflict between the two. The authors address these topics from theoretical and jurisprudential perspectives, both at national and European levels, using doctrinaire, documentary, and comparative approaches. The analyses pointed out that the focus is placed on lawyer–intermediaries’ activities and liabilities when their activity is covered by confidentiality and legal privilege. Specific attention was revealed to be necessary when the conditions under which an exemption from the reporting obligation applies, and the particularities of the effects of the regulation in these scenarios. The topic of observing the legal framework and solving the possible conflicts generated by the divergent regulation of the law enforced has been the subject matter of recent European case laws that impact all the legal systems of the European Union’s member states, which has necessitated an examination of the hierarchy of law systems within the European Union member states and to emphasize the practical jurisprudential effects. Full article

(1) Background: The role of Al-Andalus’s women were the result of Arabization and Islamization in Spain. The 10th to the 14th centuries were a time of significant cultural diversity in the region. Female physicians and midwives were important for providing care to women. Despite existing studies, there is still a lack of focused research on the professionalization of these trades, including their requirements, intervention areas, and treatments. (2) Methods: To address this gap, we conducted a scoping review using the dialectical structural model of care (DSMC). Primary medical and legislative sources were used. (3) Results: two kinds of midwife, or qābila, were discovered, along with a woman physician, or ṭabība, who also acted as a midwife. These professions underwent diverse training and fulfilled duties as obstetricians and pediatricians. Midwives were esteemed members of society and were the sole female professionals who needed qualified training. Their performance in the courts was exemplary. Tools for facilitating childbirth and interventions related to female health were discovered in the study. (4) Conclusions: The patriarchal societies suffer from significant inequality in terms of academic training, knowledge transmission, and healthcare provision. Midwives functioned in segregated domestic and legal spaces and were responsible for providing public care to communities from the 10th to 14th centuries. Full article

In this study, we explore the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the job market and argue for the growing importance of critical thinking skills in the face of job automation and changing work dynamics. Advancements in AI have the potential to disrupt various professions, including, for example, programming, legal work, and radiology. However, solely relying on AI systems can lead to errors and misjudgments, emphasizing the need for human oversight. The concept of “job-proof skills” is introduced, highlighting the importance of critical thinking, problem-solving, empathy, ethics, and other human attributes that machines cannot replicate with the same standards and agility. We maintain that critical thinking can be taught and learned through appropriate classroom instruction and transfer-focused approaches. The need for critical thinking skills is further reinforced by the influx of information and the spread of misinformation in the age of social media. Moreover, employers increasingly value critical thinking skills in their workforce, yet there exists a gap between the demand for these skills and the preparedness of college graduates. Critical thinking is not only essential for the future of work, but also for informed citizenship in an increasingly complex world. The potential impact of AI on job disruption, wages, and employment polarization is discussed, highlighting the correlation between jobs requiring critical thinking skills and their resistance to automation. We conclude by discussing collaborative efforts between universities and labor market organizations to adapt curricula and promote the development of critical thinking skills, drawing on examples from European initiatives. The need to prioritize critical thinking skills in education and address the evolving demands of the labor market is emphasized as a crucial step for navigating the future of work and opportunities for workers. Full article