This thesis explains the dynamics and nature of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s (KRI) de facto statehood since its inception in 1991, in particular the vicissitudes de facto independence since then.... Show moreThis thesis explains the dynamics and nature of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s (KRI) de facto statehood since its inception in 1991, in particular the vicissitudes de facto independence since then. This dissertation characterises de facto statehood in Kurdistan, and uncovers the dynamics of de facto statehood in Iraqi Kurdistan at internal, national and international levels. Kurdistan’s de facto statehood (such as territorial control, monopoly on the use of violence, and engagement with the international community) is shown to be inherently characterised by fluidity. In this thesis, fluidity is defined as a highly unstable nature of de facto statehood in the relational context of non-recognition. The dissertation reports on interviews with a number of high profile politicians and policy makers from the region to provide unique insights, among others the three main factors at play in the fluidity of the de facto state of Iraqi Kurdistan: the balance of power between the regional capital of Erbil and the Iraqi national capital of Baghdad; the level and form of internal fragmentation; and the change of strategies to gain international recognition. Show less
For many students, algebraic formulas are abracadabra: they lack symbol sense. Symbol sense includes identifying the structure of algebraic formulas, giving meaning to them, and reasoning with and... Show moreFor many students, algebraic formulas are abracadabra: they lack symbol sense. Symbol sense includes identifying the structure of algebraic formulas, giving meaning to them, and reasoning with and about formulas. Besides basic skills, symbol sense is needed to solve algebraic problems and it is not known how to teach symbol sense systematically.In this research we have studied how teaching graphing formulas by hand (i.e. sketching a graph of a formula) could promote grade 11- and 12-students’ symbol sense. Our GQR-design (Graphing formulas through recognition and qualitative reasoning) is based on expert research and pays explicit attention to recognition of basic function families and features, and to qualitative reasoning, that focuses on the global shape of a graph, with global descriptions and ignoring what is not relevant. These aspects get little attention in regular education, that often focuses on algebraic manipulation.We found that students improved their insight into formulas and found a positive correlation between students’ abilities to graph formulas and their abilities to solve non-routine algebra problems with symbol sense. The students were able to use essential aspects of symbol sense, learned in the context of graphing formulas, such as taking a global view for recognition, qualitative reasoning, and questioning a formula, when solving algebra problems.In the future, when technology will take over the manipulation of algebraic formulas, symbol sense will become even more important. Graphing formulas could promote students’ symbol sense in upper secondary school, and therefore deserves a prominent place in mathematics curriculum. Show less
This dissertation investigated what the legal framework for recognition of foreign bank resolution actions should be. It aims to fulfil the current gap in legislative actions and scholarly research... Show moreThis dissertation investigated what the legal framework for recognition of foreign bank resolution actions should be. It aims to fulfil the current gap in legislative actions and scholarly research on the issue of cross-border bank resolution and attempts to formulate rules that would facilitate resolution actions effective across borders so as to achieve the ultimate goal of a global orderly resolution for banks. This dissertation conducts both normative and positive analysis and compares three jurisdictions, namely, the European Union, the United States and China. Building on the traditional legal doctrines of private international law, financial law and insolvency law, this dissertation proposes ten principles that should apply in recognition of foreign bank resolution actions. Show less
Objectives: Patient recall of medical information is usually poor. Healthcare providers can employ affect-oriented (i.e., showing care) or cognition-oriented communication styles (i.e., structuring... Show moreObjectives: Patient recall of medical information is usually poor. Healthcare providers can employ affect-oriented (i.e., showing care) or cognition-oriented communication styles (i.e., structuring information) to enhance recall, but research evidence is limited especially among clinical and/or older patient populations. This video-vignette study manipulated provider caring and information structuring to examine effects on recall and trust among cancer patients/survivors.Methods: In an online survey, 148 participants (M-age = 62) were randomized to one of four video conditions in a two (standard communication vs. enhanced caring) by two (standard vs. enhanced structuring) design, and completed measures of active recall, recognition, and trust.Results: Increased caring or structuring did not enhance active recall or recognition, instead both were higher among younger, female, or highly educated participants. The caring condition induced higher perceived trust in the provider within the whole sample, but trust was significantly correlated with decreased recall (r = -.268) among younger participants.Conclusions: Provider caring can strengthen the patient-provider relationship by enhancing trust. Yet, increased trust may impair recall among younger patients. Structuring treatment information did not enhance recall and recognition, but additional research is needed.Practice implications: Providers may use additional ways of structuring/organizing information to help enhance recall (e.g., written information). (c) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Show less
Boeft, M. den; Huisman, D.; Wouden, J.C. van der; Numans, M.E.; Horst, H.E. van der; Lucassen, P.L.; Hartman, T.C.O. 2016
This study is concerned with the Shi‘is in Indonesia and their position as a minority Muslim group within the overwhelming Sunni majority, and the ways in which they act to gain recognition in the... Show moreThis study is concerned with the Shi‘is in Indonesia and their position as a minority Muslim group within the overwhelming Sunni majority, and the ways in which they act to gain recognition in the country. In analysing this, the study employs the theory of stigma proposed by sociologist Goffman in that the stigmatised group tend to adopt strategies that fit into social system dominated by the majority. While Sunnism has become a norm in the Muslim world, Shi‘ism is considered ‘abnormal’ and the Shi‘is have to implement strategies in order to gain recognition from the Sunni majority. Despite the lack of data, it is certain that the Shi‘is constitute a very small minority among Indonesian Muslims. Even though Shi‘ism has been evident in Indonesia in the past, the majority of the Shi‘is are actually converts from Sunnism following the victory of the Iranian revolution of 1979. Different groups of Shi‘is can be identified in Indonesia: the Arab descendants (one of the most significant elements), Qum alumni, and campus graduates. The relationship between them has been a complex one. While all three share a common objective and they tend to cooperate with each other, disputes have coloured their relationship. As a consequence of the difference in background among the Shi‘is, there is no single person that is recognised as the top leader by all of them. The leaders can be classified into two groups: ustadh and intellectuals. As a distinct denomination within Islam, Shi‘ism has a complex set of beliefs and practices which set it apart from Sunnism. This includes the belief in imamate and justice, the Mahdi, the practice of Ja‘fari jurisprudence and aspects of Shi‘i piety and the implementation of taqiyya (dissimulation of faith). In their struggle for recognition, the Shi‘is carry out da‘wa, education, publishing, and socio-religious organisation in which taqiyya is implemented. One of the most important achievements of the Shi‘is is that their gaining legal formal recognition of IJABI (Ikatan Jamaah Ahlul Bait Indonesia) form the Ministry of Home Affairs even though it experiences rejection and criticism from many ustadh of Qum alumni. Furthermore, there have been negative responses to the existence and development of the Shi‘i group in the forms of varied activities such as publishing, preaching, seminars, and appealing the government, besides moderate attitude of eminent Muslim intellectuals that protect the existence of the Shi‘is as a minority religious group and this is said to pave way for the spread of Shi‘ism in the country. Show less
