International relations scholars have increasingly debated the evolving landscape of actors that challenge the traditional state-centric world order. A key element of this transformation is the rise of sub-state actors, which engages in alternative diplomacy parallel to the state, transcending traditional state-centric frameworks. This paper explores the significant shifts in international actorness over the late 20th century, focusing on the emergence and implications of sub-state diplomacy, or "paradiplomacy." First, the study introduces sub-state actors and their role in challenging the dominant state-centric discourse. It then examines the dynamic evolution of paradiplomacy, highlighting how sub-states have expanded their global engagement, the opportunities this presents, and the potential threats it poses. Through a multi-scalar analysis, the paper critically assesses paradiplomacy's impact on long-held beliefs about regions, states, actors, and the international political system. Furthermore, the study shows how states can leverage their sub-national entities to deal with problems that threaten their sovereignty and global standing. The findings suggest that both the state and sub-state actors can engage in ambitious international activities, fostering greater global cooperation within the complexities of modern governance and competition.
We report on using a CO2 (10.6 µm) laser to debond the lithium disilicate veneers. Sixty-four sound human premolar teeth and 64 veneer specimens were used in the study. The zigzag movement via CO2 laser handpiece along with an air-cooled jet to prevent temperature elevation above the necrosis temperature limit (5.5 C°) was applied. The optimal deboning irradiation time was super-fast, at about 5 seconds at 3 Watt CO2 laser power. It is 20 times less than any previously published work for veneers debonding. The enamel beneath the debonded veneers has been assessed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and shear stress technique as criteria for the easiness of debonding. The
... Show MoreImproving students’ use of argumentation is front and center in the increasing emphasis on scientific practice in K-12 Science and STEM programs. We explore the construct validity of scenario-based assessments of claim-evidence-reasoning (CER) and the structure of the CER construct with respect to a learning progression framework. We also seek to understand how middle school students progress. Establishing the purpose of an argument is a competency that a majority of middle school students meet, whereas quantitative reasoning is the most difficult, and the Rasch model indicates that the competencies form a unidimensional hierarchy of skills. We also find no evidence of differential item functioning between different scenarios, suggesting
... Show MoreVisceral leishmaniosis is one of the most fatal old-world neglected disease with estimated 90 thousand worldwide cases emerge each year. In Iraq, the cutaneous and visceral form are endemic but available chemotherapies are either toxic with diverse side effects, expensive available drugs or parasite …
A total of (90) blood samples were collected from male patients infected with Toxoplasmosis who recovered from COVID- 19 and attended Kamal Alsamiraai Hospital from 15 January to 15 September 2021. We measured anti-Toxoplasma antibodies (IgG and IgM) detected by ELISA, whereas Anti-COVID-19 antibodies (IgG and IgM) were estimated using Elisa and Afilias. The semen characteristics were also studied among fertile, healthy individuals (control group) and sub-fertile patients. Results showed that the mean sperm count was high among the control group (40.5±1.3x 106/ml) compared with that of the sub-fertile patients (10.3±1.75 and 8.8±1.9 x 106/ml for oligozoospermia, and oligoasthenozoospermia respectively), and it was the highest (44.7±1.4
... Show MoreThe effect of 532nm Diode Pumped Solid State (DPSS) laser at power density of 5.234 W/cm2 on the growth of Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus was evaluated. These bacteria were isolated from samples taken from burn and infected wound areas of 55 patients admitted to the burn-wound unit in Al-Kindy teaching hospital in Baghdad during the period from October 2012 to March 2013. Each isolate was identified using microscopic, cultural and biochemical methods. A standard bacterial suspension was prepared for each isolate. Serial dilutions were then prepared and a dilution of 10-5 was selected. Irradiation experiments included four groups: (L-P-) bacterial suspension in saline solution, (L-P+) bacteria
... Show MoreThe phenomenon of the social movements of researchers, based on the scope of their influence on political events, and the nature of the wide role played, and its ability to influence, through its activities and various activities and various. It has practiced its activities through new and non-traditional peaceful means, with clear slogans and specific objectives. And was able to mobilize activists from different strata of the Iraqi people, and its categories and social strata. As the demands focused on freedoms, rights, dignity and social justice
The study aims to identify the role of family in inculcating the moral values of voluntary work among adults, as it constitutes the basic social institution that is responsible for raising and control children. It has regarded as the first phase of constituting societies, where family plays a significant role in changing the behavior of individuals positively or negatively through provided patterns. The moral values act as organizer of human relationship in which misusing of these values would affect the interaction between people. This study focuses on how to employ the moral values in voluntary work as a civilized behavior helps in developing and strengthening societies. The researcher adopted the analytical-descriptive approach as mor
... Show MoreThis study aims to identify how the Zakat Fund contributes to financing entrepreneurial projects; and the role that these projects play in achieving economic and social development, despite the importance that contracting projects have in most countries as the main engine of growth; however, they still face many challenges that In the forefront of which is the challenge of obtaining financing; in this regard, it is possible to resort to the use of Zakat funds in the Islamic economy as it is a funding source that is closely proportional to the characteristics and goals of entrepreneurial projects in achieving development;
 
... Show MoreThe study aimed to identify the role of the teacher in confronting intellectual extremism in high school students, and identify the differences of statistical significance in the role of teacher in confronting intellectual extremism in secondary school students according to gender variable (males, females) and the duration of service (less than 5 years more than 5 years), the sample was consisted of (100) teachers with (50) male and (50) female in the city of Bayaa, Dora and Sadiya, the measure of intellectual extremism was applied by the researcher, and the study reached a role of the teacher in facing the intellectual extremism at Secondary school students, and the existence of differences of statistical significance in the role
... Show MoreThe research aims to measure the relationship and impact of the operations of the knowledge of management of the six dimensions (diagnosis knowledge, define knowledge objectives, knowledge generation, knowledge storage, distribution of knowledge, application of knowledge) in the fiscal performance of the General Authority for taxes of the four dimensions (financial, customers (taxpayers), Operations Interior, learn and grow), the research aims also to the use of computerized programs for training and career development of the Authority that helps to add knowledge workers in the Authority, and to reach an appropriate arrangement for knowledge management processes in the Authority, as well as analysis of the reality of the Authority to get
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