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"Volatile States in International Politics" by Eleonora Mattiacci explores the increasing unpredictability of state behavior in world politics. The book combines statistical data and archival frames of reference to explain the concept of "volatility" in international politics, its causes, impact, and potential remedies. The author examines factors that contribute to interstate volatility, such as relative power and resource availability, and proposes novel methods for measuring volatility. The book also provides a detailed assessment of countries engaged in strategic rivalry and explores the prevalence of volatility in interactions between countries with defensive commitments. While the book emphasizes the importance of understanding volatility, it neglects the larger context of the security dilemma and the potential value of creative diplomacy in countering volatility. Overall, "Volatile States in International Politics" is a well-written and valuable introduction to the concept of volatility in international politics. [Extracted from the article]

"George Orwell's Perverse Humanity: Socialism and Free Speech" by Glenn Burgess is a book that explores the relationship between liberalism and socialism in Orwell's work. The author argues that Orwell's vision combines both ideologies and that they are mutually dependent on each other. The book examines Orwell's views on real-world experiences, political violence, and the importance of freedom of speech. However, the book also addresses contemporary issues such as "wokeism" and the debate surrounding cancel culture, although the evidence presented in this regard may be less convincing. Overall, the book provides a comprehensive analysis of Orwell's political thinking and his contributions to the fields of liberalism and socialism. [Extracted from the article]

"Big Bend National Park: Mexico, the United States, and a Borderland Ecosystem" by Michael Welsh is a historical exploration of Big Bend National Park, situated on the border between Mexico and the United States. The book examines the unique landscape of the park, shaped by the Rio Grande river, and the challenges posed by its borderland ecosystem. Welsh discusses the efforts of conservationists, politicians, and scientists in establishing the park and highlights the potential for binational cooperation and collaboration. The book also addresses the tensions between preservation and development in national parks and the need to navigate the changing cultural and political landscape. While the book lacks an examination of the park's future in the face of climate change and public policy, it offers valuable insights for students and scholars interested in national identity, border relations, and environmental protectionism. [Extracted from the article]

"Wayfaring Strangers: The Musical Voyage from Scotland and Ulster to Appalachia" is a book by Fiona Ritchie and Doug Orr that explores the cultural pathways of traditional Scottish and Irish folk music as it traveled to Appalachia. The book examines the influences of Welsh, English, German, Dutch, French, African American, and Cherokee cultures on these songs. It is structured into three main sections and includes photographs, maps, and sidebars covering various topics related to folk music. The authors also exchange letters discussing their perspectives on Old and New World music. The book sheds light on the history of American folk music and its connection to immigrant experiences. It includes a contextual timeline, resource centers, a discography, and a bibliography for further exploration. Scholars and music enthusiasts will find this book to be a valuable resource. [Extracted from the article]

"Finding a Way to the Child: Selected Clinical Papers 1983–2021" is a collection of important papers written by Margaret Rustin, a renowned Child and Adult Psychotherapist. The first volume focuses on Rustin's clinical work and her commitment to close observation in psychoanalytic practice. The book covers various topics, including migration and adolescence, assessment in child psychotherapy, working with children who have experienced abuse and neglect, and parent work. Rustin's writing is engaging and offers valuable insights into the complexities of child psychotherapy. This book is a valuable resource for professionals working with children and families, providing inspiration and guidance for contemporary challenges in the field. [Extracted from the article]

"English Renaissance Manuscript Culture: the paper revolution" by Steven W. May is a book that explores the paper revolution and its impact on manuscript culture during the English Renaissance. May argues that the transition from script to print was not as simple as previously believed and offers correctives to earlier accounts. He also challenges the notion of exclusive coteries and highlights the open and freely circulating nature of texts during this period. May reconstructs the network of manuscript culture through compilers' testimony, textual criticism, biographical research, and handwriting analysis. The book invites further research and emphasizes the importance of understanding the circulation of manuscripts during the English Renaissance. [Extracted from the article]

Sara Austin's book, "Monstrous Youth: Transgressing the Boundaries of Childhood in the United States," explores the portrayal of monsters in mass media and their connection to cultural fears and the changing social boundaries of identity and citizenship. Austin discusses how monsters in popular culture are used by adults to educate or control young people, while young people themselves can embrace and identify with these monstrous figures. The book examines different time periods, including the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, the 1980s, and the 1990s, and analyzes various forms of media such as comic books, picture books, television shows, and movies. Austin's work provides a cultural lens through which to understand and analyze monstrous works of horror and their impact on children. [Extracted from the article]

"Schools and Screens: A Watchful History" by Victoria Cain explores the use of screens and their content in American classrooms from the New Deal Era to Y2K. The book examines the historical and cultural significance of screens in education, focusing on four core issues: citizenship, race, private money, and teachers. Cain discusses the challenges and successes of incorporating film, television, and computers into the education system, highlighting the impact of private funding and the commercialization of educational technology. The book emphasizes the complex and nuanced role of screens in shaping and being shaped by the American education system. [Extracted from the article]

"Reaching Through Time: Finding My Family's Stories" by Shauna Bostock is a highly acclaimed book that aims to educate non-Aboriginal Australians about the historical injustices faced by Aboriginal Australians. Bostock, a Bundjalung historian, writes as an academically trained historian with a strong connection to her family and community. The book tells the compelling stories of her ancestors, connecting them to broader events in Australian history. It also serves as a guide for Indigenous Australians researching their own family histories and advocates for truth-telling and understanding between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians. [Extracted from the article]

We developed a disposable paper battery aiming to reduce the environmental impact of single-use electronics for applications such as point of care diagnosis, smart packaging and environmental sensing. The battery uses Zinc as a biodegradable metal anode, graphite as a nontoxic cathode material and paper as a biodegradable substrate. To facilitate additive manufacturing, we developed electrodes and current collector inks that can be stencil printed on paper to create water-activated batteries of arbitrary shape and size. The battery remains inactive until water is provided and absorbed by the paper substrate, taking advantage of its natural wicking behavior. Once activated, a single cell provides an open circuit potential of 1.2 V and a peak power density of 150 µW/cm2 at 0.5 mA. As a proof of concept, we fabricated a two cell battery and used it to power an alarm clock and its liquid crystal display. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]