3,045 research outputs found
Nation Building and the Politics of Islamic Internationalism in Guinea: Toward an Understanding of Muslimsâ Experience of Globalization in Africa
This article discusses the historical role of Islam in the political evolution of Guinea in the broader context of Muslimsâ experience of nation/state building and globalization in Africa. This role is examined on the premise that Islam is one of the major globalizing forces (more in the body of the paper on this idea of Islam as a globalizing force) responsible for the formation of what experts have conceptualized as Africaâs âtriple heritageâ or the juncture of African traditional values, Islamic influence, and the legacy of Western colonialism. The article examines Islamâs role in the creation of cultural identities, territorial polities, and complex regional and trans-continental networks of trade and scholarship in pre-colonial West Africa; the formation of fronts of resistance to European colonial conquest and occupation; and the mobilization of new nationalist forces which sparked the national liberation struggle of the 1940s and 50s in the region. The discussion of key concepts such as nationalism, nation/state building, internationalism, and globalization exposes the limited applicability of existing theories to the African experience by highlighting the complexity of post-colonial cultural reconstruction and nation building on the continent. From this perspective, the article focuses upon the political and ideological contradictions having marked the relations of the regime of the Parti DĂ©mocratique de GuinĂ©e (PDG) under President Ahmed SĂ©kou TourĂ© and conservative Guinean Muslim circles in the early years of independence, due in part to TourĂ©âs Marxist and socialist leanings of the time. Also comprehensively discussed is this regimeâs subsequent ideological incorporation and diplomatic use of Islam in an effort to curb anti-PDG opposition at home and abroad and to free itself from isolation by the West. Hence, President TourĂ©âs successful policy of âoffensive diplomatiqueâ geared primarily toward Arab and Muslim nations and organizations but also, though somewhat indirectly, toward Western powers, serves as an example of the dynamics of Islamic internationalism in Cold War global affairs. Past experiences of party-centered and state-controlled regimentation of religious organizations under TourĂ©âs state-party regime is compared to the current trend of self-decentralization and self-internationalization of Islamic forces in light of the challenges of religious radicalism and post-Cold War politics in Africa
The Ecosystem of Online Learning in the Philippine Setting: A Case of Pangasinan State University
This is a funded study by the researcher granted by the Pangasinan State University through BOR No. 158, s.
2020 under the title âImplementation of Flexible Learning in PSU Lingayen Campusâ.This study aimed to assess the initial implementation of the Flexible Learning Modality of Pangasinan
State University Lingayen Campus during the School Year 2020-2021. It explored on the issues and
challenges faced by both teachers and students during flexible instruction. Using extracts from the
responses of teachers (n=123) and students (6370) in the survey questionnaire, the findings showed
that an unstable, weak and poor internet connection and no comfortable teaching and learning spaces
at home appear to pose as greatest barriers for online learning to both the faculty and students.
Further, the study noted that PSU was quick to implement an online learning platform but found that
the gadgets available for use by a number of the respondents could not run the app or at least run its
full features, and which led to another challenge found on the difficulty to download teaching and
learning resources using the software. The researchers concluded that the PSU Lingayen Campus was
prepared in aspects under its control including provision of and orientation to online platforms, and
plans to provide printed guides, but have an understandable lacking on challenges met including
teaching and learning spaces, poor internet connection, and the capacity to purchase mobile load as
means of students to attend classes online. The researchers recommend periodic assessment of the
PSUâs policies for Flexible Learning to provide continued and improved service delivery for both the
faculty and students.Pangasinan State University through BOR No. 158, s.
202
Nation Building and the Politics of Islamic Internationalism in Guinea: Toward an Understanding of Muslimsâ Experience of Globalization in Africa
This article discusses the historical role of Islam in the political evolution of Guinea in the broader context of Muslimsâ experience of nation/state building and globalization in Africa. This role is examined on the premise that Islam is one of the major globalizing forces (more in the body of the paper on this idea of Islam as a globalizing force) responsible for the formation of what experts have conceptualized as Africaâs âtriple heritageâ or the juncture of African traditional values, Islamic influence, and the legacy of Western colonialism. The article examines Islamâs role in the creation of cultural identities, territorial polities, and complex regional and trans-continental networks of trade and scholarship in pre-colonial West Africa; the formation of fronts of resistance to European colonial conquest and occupation; and the mobilization of new nationalist forces which sparked the national liberation struggle of the 1940s and 50s in the region. The discussion of key concepts such as nationalism, nation/state building, internationalism, and globalization exposes the limited applicability of existing theories to the African experience by highlighting the complexity of post-colonial cultural reconstruction and nation building on the continent. From this perspective, the article focuses upon the political and ideological contradictions having marked the relations of the regime of the Parti DĂ©mocratique de GuinĂ©e (PDG) under President Ahmed SĂ©kou TourĂ© and conservative Guinean Muslim circles in the early years of independence, due in part to TourĂ©âs Marxist and socialist leanings of the time. Also comprehensively discussed is this regimeâs subsequent ideological incorporation and diplomatic use of Islam in an effort to curb anti-PDG opposition at home and abroad and to free itself from isolation by the West. Hence, President TourĂ©âs successful policy of âoffensive diplomatiqueâ geared primarily toward Arab and Muslim nations and organizations but also, though somewhat indirectly, toward Western powers, serves as an example of the dynamics of Islamic internationalism in Cold War global affairs. Past experiences of party-centered and state-controlled regimentation of religious organizations under TourĂ©âs state-party regime is compared to the current trend of self-decentralization and self-internationalization of Islamic forces in light of the challenges of religious radicalism and post-Cold War politics in Africa
New Media and Ethno-Politics in the Guinean Diaspora
This paper discusses the resurgence of ethno-politics in Guinea in conjunction with the reintroduction of multiparty politics after three decades of single-party and military rule, and the trendâs multilayered repercussion into the Guinean Diaspora of North America. It further examines the principal ways in which ethno-regionalist organisations populating that Diaspora use and misuse new media outlets (web sites,web radio stations, and blogs) in order to promote the political agenda of their respective ethno-political elites. The article scrutinises the deficit of professionalism that characterises the performance of most of those publishing on such web sites and broadcasting on such stations and the effects of their discourse upon Guineaâs democratisation process. Additionally, the article analyses the concerted actions of concerned members of the same Diaspora aimed at mitigating the impact of ethnopolitics
New Media and Ethno-Politics in the Guinean Diaspora
This paper discusses the resurgence of ethno-politics in Guinea in conjunction with the reintroduction of multiparty politics after three decades of single-party and military rule, and the trendâs multilayered repercussion into the Guinean Diaspora of North America. It further examines the principal ways in which ethno-regionalist organisations populating that Diaspora use and misuse new media outlets (web sites,web radio stations, and blogs) in order to promote the political agenda of their respective ethno-political elites. The article scrutinises the deficit of professionalism that characterises the performance of most of those publishing on such web sites and broadcasting on such stations and the effects of their discourse upon Guineaâs democratisation process. Additionally, the article analyses the concerted actions of concerned members of the same Diaspora aimed at mitigating the impact of ethnopolitics
Benediction and Malediction in Fulani Culture: Exploring an Afro-Muslim Perception of the Socio-Spiritual Dimensions of Success and Failure
This article is a discussion of the Fulani belief in barki (benediction) and kuddi (malediction) in an attempt to show how it informs this deeply religious West African society\u27s perception of success and failure and how, in turn, this perception affects the society\u27s understandings of the political and economic challenges in Africa. Because the Fulani are an Afro-Muslim society, the article is also a discussion of the convergence of indigenous African traditions and Islamic ones as observed in the socio-religious beliefs of the Fulani of Guinea
StretchâInduced Increase in Cardiac Contractility Is Independent of Myocyte Ca\u3csup\u3e2+\u3c/sup\u3e While Block of Stretch Channels by Streptomycin Improves Contractility After Ischemic Stunning
Stretching the cardiac left ventricle (LV) enhances contractility but its effect on myoplasmic [Ca2+] is controversial. We measured LV pressure (LVP) and [Ca2+] as a function of intra-LV stretch in guinea pig intact hearts before and after 15 min global stunning ± perfusion with streptomycin (STM), a stretch activated channel blocker. LV wall [Ca2+] was measured by indo-1 fluorescence and LVP by a saline-filled latex balloon inflated in 50 ΌL steps to stretch the LV. We implemented a mathematical model to interpret crossbridge dynamics and myofilament Ca2+ responsiveness from the instantaneous relationship between [Ca2+] and LVP ± stretching. We found that: (1) stretch enhanced LVP but not [Ca2+] before and after stunning in either control (CON) and STM groups, (2) after stunning [Ca2+] increased in both groups although higher in STM versus CON (56% vs. 39%), (3) STM-enhanced LVP after stunning compared to CON (98% vs. 76% of prestunning values), and (4) stretch-induced effects on LVP were independent of [Ca2+] before or after stunning in both groups. Mathematical modeling suggested: (1) cooperativity in cross-bridge kinetics and myofilament Ca2+ handling is reduced after stunning in the unstretched heart, (2) stunning results in depressed myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity in the presence of attached cross-bridges regardless of stretch, and (3) the initial mechanism responsible for increased contractility during stretch may be enhanced formation of cross-bridges. Thus stretch-induced enhancement of contractility is not due to increased [Ca2+], whereas enhanced contractility after stunning in STM versus CON hearts results from improved Ca2+ handling and/or enhanced actinomyosin cross-bridge cycling
Die widerstandsf Àhigkeit der rinderklauen, ein ökonomischer faktor der industriellen milch- und fleischproduktion
International audienc
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