20th Century Research Articles

The history of hydrological studies on the Mekong floodplains – from colonial experiments to computational models

ABSTRACT This paper investigates the interwoven history of hydrological studies and water infrastructure development on the Mekong floodplains. On the basis of an extensive literature review, archival work, and key informant interviews, we unravel the making of an expert-led understanding of the Mekong floodplains – from the detailed reports written by colonial engineers during the French protectorate in the late 19th century to the development of the first computational models, developed in the 1960s on punch-cards and in Fortran. We show how these studies not only reflect the objectives of successive powers and their relationships to local communities but also shaped the landscape and hydrology of the Mekong floodplains and continue to do so through a variety of water infrastructure development projects. This serves as a call to conceive of hydrological knowledge as contingent rather than as a neutral depiction of physical processes that exists independently from the conditions of its production.

Advancements in Hydroponic Systems: A Comprehensive Review

Hydroponics, the practice of growing plants without soil using mineral nutrient solutions in water, represents a significant shift in agricultural methodologies. Modern hydroponic systems have evolved substantially since the early 20th century, with advancements in system design, automation, nutrient management, and environmental control enhancing efficiency, scalability, and applicability. This review examines recent innovations that have addressed traditional challenges and created new opportunities for hydroponic cultivation. Hydroponics offers advantages over traditional soil-based agriculture, including precise nutrient control, reduced water usage, and the elimination of soil-borne diseases and pests. These benefits are critical in addressing modern agricultural challenges such as soil degradation, water scarcity, and the need for increased food production for a growing global population. Hydroponic systems can be implemented in diverse environments, making them adaptable solutions for enhancing food security and sustainability. Key developments in various hydroponic systems are highlighted, including the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT), Deep Water Culture (DWC), Ebb and Flow, Aeroponics, Wick Systems, and Drip Systems. Innovations in these systems focus on optimizing nutrient delivery, oxygenation, and integrating sensors for precise control, improving overall performance and yield. Technological advancements, such as automation and control systems, sensors, and monitoring technologies, have revolutionized hydroponic farming by enabling real-time data collection and environmental management. The integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart farming practices, combined with data analytics and machine learning, has further optimized system performance and decision-making. LED lighting and vertical farming techniques have maximized space utilization and improved crop yields, particularly in urban environments. Advances in nutrient solutions, disease management, and water quality have optimized plant health and resource efficiency. Economic and environmental considerations, including cost-benefit analyses and comparisons with traditional agriculture, highlight the potential for hydroponics to offer better returns on investment and reduce environmental impact. Despite the significant progress, challenges such as high initial setup costs and technical complexities remain. Future research opportunities and interdisciplinary collaborations are essential to address these challenges and drive further innovation in hydroponic farming.

The High-Resolution Archaeology of Shared Courtyards at Old Dongola (14th–16th Century a.d., Sudan): an Intensive Approach to Domestic Open Spaces

ABSTRACT Identifying the dynamics of domestic open spaces remains a challenging task. This research applies an adjusted theoretical framework of activity areas to characterize domestic open spaces in the 14th–16th century a.d. in Old Dongola, Sudan. Activity areas were defined as sedimentations of residues of recurring cycles of changing actions rather than stable components of space. To identify domestic space, this research utilizes high-resolution methods: analyses of multiple chemical elements, spatial distribution of objects, and botanical remains of courtyard occupational surfaces, combined with spatial statistics using local Moran’s I autocorrelation. The relationships between the remains of human and non-human actions are discussed in terms of the material affordances affecting their deposition within the archaeological layers. Application of these methods allowed for the identification of areas of domestic tasks related to high concentrations of elements, as well as clusters of tools located on their edges. Botanical data corroborated often vague identifications of activities based on geochemistry.

Relationship between Molecular Structure and Surface Activity of Ionic Surfactants.

A new model is developed to quantify the surface tension of ionic surfactants from surface affinity and ionization equilibrium. The model successfully predicts two important molecular structure-surface activity factors: the length of single-branch homologues and the nature of counterions. The modeling results also clarify the underlying mechanisms of the two processes. Changing the counterion only affects the ionization, not the affinity. On the other hand, increasing carbon length dramatically increases the affinity while having a small effect on ionization. The modeling framework consistently resolves structure-activity observations, some of which have been reported since the 19th century. The model can be extended for surfactants with more than one ionic state and surfactant/electrolyte mixtures.

Communal Palaces in the Venetian Territorial State (15th-16th Centuries): The Case of Treviso

Beginning in the 15th century, the reconstruction of Venetian state communal palaces, which served as the institutional seats of the city councils and judiciaries, was often seen as an opportunity for civic magistrates, along at times with Venetian officers, to develop plans to renovate their cities. These projects often led to the enlargement of central districts and to the transformation of cities’ roads and squares. I look at communal palaces from across the Venetian territorial state, focusing on Treviso, which clearly elucidates how the modification of public buildings often led to a redefinition of central urban space. An array of mostly unpublished drawings proposing urban redevelopment projects that were not always realised are key to reconstructing the city’s history, demonstrating better than other documents how communal palaces have enhanced its fabric.

Genetic connectivity of wolverines in western North America.

Wolverine distribution contracted along the southern periphery of its range in North America during the 19th and 20th centuries due primarily to human influences. This history, along with low densities, sensitivity to climate change, and concerns about connectivity among fragmented habitats spurred the recent US federal listing of threatened status and special concern status in Canada. To help inform large scale landscape connectivity, we collected 882 genetic samples genotyped at 19 microsatellite loci. We employed multiple statistical models to assess the landscape factors (terrain complexity, human disturbance, forest configuration, and climate) associated with wolverine genetic connectivity across 2.2million km2of southwestern Canada and the northwestern contiguous United States. Genetic similarity (positive spatial autocorrelation) of wolverines was detected up to 555km and a high-to-low gradient of genetic diversity occurred from north-to-south. Landscape genetics analyses confirmed that wolverine genetic connectivity has been negatively influenced by human disturbance at broad scales and positively influenced by forest cover and snow persistence at fine- and broad-scales, respectively. This information applied across large landscapes can be used to guide management actions with the goal of maintaining or restoring population connectivity.

Study on the Cross-cultural Acceptance and Influence of Dickens' Literary Works

This research is entitled "The Reception and Effect of Charles Dickens' Works in cross-cultural Communication", which can analyze the reception of Dickens' works in China and its deep penetration into Chinese society, culture and literature in the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China. Focusing on the period from 1895 to 1915, when Western ideas flooded into the land of China, Dickens, one of the leading figures in Western literature, whose passages were translated into China, immediately triggered profound reverberations. This paper begins with an overview of the initial transformation of Dickens' works in the Chinese environment, and studies the translation methods, publication history, and the reaction and experience of the early readers. Further, by depicting the Chinese society from 1895 to 1915, it reveals how Dickens's works interwoven dialogue with the ideological changes in China at that time, especially insight into how the intellectual elite reflected on and challenged the established social structure with Diellet's words, and further promoted social changes. Then this study also focuses on the localization process of Dickens' works in the Chinese cultural circle, focusing on the reshaping of themes, the adaptation of literary techniques and narrative techniques, and the driving force of these variations on the evolution of modern Chinese literature. Finally, individual texts such as Oliver Twist and A Tale of Two Cities are analyzed to deepen the insight of illusion and innovation in cross-cultural communication. The conclusion shows that China's absorption of Dickens goes beyond mere literary transaction, and actually reflects the confrontation and fusion of the blend of Chinese and Western. These imported works not only broadened the Chinese people's vision of literature and art, but also boosted the modernization of Chinese society and brought new vitality to the prosperity of Chinese literature. This study contributes a new view into the Sino-English cultural intersection in the late 19th century and early 20th century, and also provides a valuable reference for further research on the acceptance and influence of cross-cultural literature.

The Development of Overseas Corporate Culture of Chinese Bank in the Qing Dynasty: A Case Study of Heshengyuan

The Heshengyuan (合盛元) Bank is a paradigmatic example of the Shanxi merchants (晋商) during the Qing Dynasty. Established in the early 19th century, the bank actively expands its domestic operations and takes the initiative to extend its services eastward. It establishes branches and subsidiaries in Korea and Japan, engaging in financial transactions. During its overseas expansion, the firm develops an innovative corporate culture that includes the following elements: a proactive approach to business expansion and the exploration of international financial territories; an astute awareness of customer demands, with a business strategy oriented towards market needs; and a policy of prioritizing the employment of young executives and the hiring of expatriate personnel. These culturally open and progressive corporate values facilitate Heshengyuan’s significant commercial influence within the East Asian region and bequeath a legacy of corporate ethos that serves as a valuable reference for subsequent generations.

The Impact of Biotechnology in Shaping the Modern Agriculture

Advances in biotechnology have created new opportunities for food diversity in terms of both quantity and quality, as well as for collecting food in proportion to the world's expanding population and ensuring food security. With the advancement of molecular biology, DNA sequencing, and recombinant DNA in the middle of the 20th century, modern-day advancement of molecular breeding gave rise to genetic engineering and recombinent DNA techniques that are today frequently connected to biotechnology. This expansion has been facilitated by a variety of fields, including genetics, molecular biology, and biotechnology. The use of genetic engineering in agriculture has grown due to its ability to precisely create and insert a gene from any living organism. Molecular markers are also utilized to identify disease and pest resistance in order to increase agricultural output using traditional techniques. Genetic engineering plays a crucial role in agriculture, representing the scientific and technical advancement of traditional methods for crop enhancement. Recombinant DNA technology, RNA interference, and CRISPR genomic editing are some of the instruments and methods used in genetic engineering. The emergence of biotechnological innovations aimed at improving the nutritional composition of individual foods has led to the growing problem of a malnourished world population, where a growing number of people rely on large regions of the world for food used as the only source of protein, carbohydrates, fats and several essential minerals and vitamins, in addition to being a source of energy.

Momentum – the Archilles’ Heel of Causality-based Physics

Galileo famously discovered the inverse square law of gravitation on earth and also formulated the concept of momentum as “mv” (mass x velocity) for the dynamics of moving bodies. But the momentum “mv” was at an odd with his inverse square law of “Fee Fall” as pointed out later by G.W. Leibniz, who gave the correct formulation of momentum as “mv^2”. G.W.F. Hegel later showed that the momentum expressed as “mv” is incompatible with what he called, “the laws of absolutely free motion” discovered by Kepler’s three laws of the planetary system. However, in spite of the controversy raised by J. Kepler, Leibniz and Hegel; the continued use of “mv” as the measure of momentum of moving bodies in physics and dynamics since R. Descartes and I. Newton; until now, even after the recognition of the quantum phenomena at the turn of the 20th century; is leading to more and more mysteries and myths; impeding further developments in physics and cosmology. It can now be shown that developments in Quantum electrodynamics and dialectics abolishes any notion of Newtonian mystery of “First Impulse” for matter and motion (momentum) from God. Leibniz’s formulation of momentum as “mv^2” is more appropriate and its use can resolve many of the problems in modern theoretical physics and cosmology; including in extra-terrestrial dynamics of the heavenly bodies and gravitation, electrodynamics and in quantum electrodynamics. The recognition of Leibniz’s vis viva, Hegel’s “absolute dynamics” and momentum as “mv^2” (“mv^3” only for neutral quantum particles like light photons); would represent the end of all mysticism and myths of cosmology, created since Isaac Newton’s “negation” of the Copernican revolution; later reinforced and accentuated by Albert Einstein’s theories of relativity.

Język polski w jednoklasowych szkołach podstawowych w guberni grodzieńskiej po 1906 roku: niespełnione obietnice rządu

This article examines the implementation of one paragraph of the Tsar’s decree of 22 April 1906, to which historians have paid little attention. It stipulated that in those one-class schools that were located in the Polish populated part of Grodna Province, the Polish language could be taught as a subject and used to teach arithmetic. The overseer of the Vil’na school district, Boris Wolf, and some other local officials tried their best to implement the decree not only because the regulations passed by the higher authorities had to be enforced but also because they believed that the loyalty of non-Russians could be ensured by meeting their cultural requirements. In the end their efforts were in vain. The official version was that the‚ ethnographic expeditions’ and meetings of local administration officials did not indicate the exact area where Poles would dominate numerically, but this interpretation was a pretext, not a cause. The Polish language in primary school was seen by many officials as a tool for the Polonisation of Belarusian Catholics, so those close to the principles of nationalist nationality politics obstructed the implementation of the decree of 22 April 1906 in the Grodno Governorate. They would also have been aware that the introduction of the Polish language in primary schools, together with other measures confirming that the area was a Polish ‚national territory’, could lead to parts of the Białystok and Bielsk districts being included to the Kingdom of Poland in the event of future territorialization of ethnicity. The likelihood of the implementation of such projects on the western borderlands of the Romanov empire grew in the early 20th century, until their eventual implementation in the Soviet Union.

Cultural Heritage Management in the Context of Sustainable Tourism: The Case of Öşkvank Monastery (Uzundere, Erzurum)

This research was carried out at the Öşkvank Monastery, located within the Uzundere district of Erzurum province in the northeast of Turkey. Öşkvank Monastery is a significant cultural heritage and tourism asset for the region with a history dating back to the 10th century. Despite its importance as a tourism attraction, the monastery currently lacks any protection or management strategy that threatens the transfer of the monastery to future generations. This research focuses on the management of cultural heritage through sustainable tourism development, and it was conducted using a mixed methodology, combining quantitative and qualitative studies. As part of the research, a survey was made, and Öşkvank Monastery was evaluated in terms of sustainable tourism principles. The survey results showed that the participants did not appreciate Öşkvank Monastery regarding sustainable tourism principles. A SWOT analysis was performed through a focus group study to identify the internal (strengths, weaknesses) and external (opportunities, threats) conditions of the region in relation to sustainable tourism. Based on the SWOT analysis, a TOWS matrix was developed and strategies for sustainable tourism development were formulated. TOWS strategies were classified by the content analysis method, and an eight-step Cultural Heritage Management Framework (CHMF) was prepared.

Is the decline of war a delusion? The long peace phenomenon and the modernization peace – the explanation that refutes or subsumes all others

ABSTRACT The wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and the China challenge, revive the question of whether the world is becoming more peaceful. Realists’ claim that we told you so compares oranges with cabbage. Today’s world is divided into a “zone of peace”, encompassing all the developed countries, and a “zone of war”, comprising less developed countries. Within the former, interstate wars, civil wars, and the “security dilemma” itself have all disappeared. The Long Peace since 1945 is widely attributed to nuclear deterrence. However, the sharp decrease in war had begun during the 19th century. The effect of industrialization is the greatest lacuna in IR theory. The Malthusian Trap that plagued premodern societies has been broken. Wealth is no longer finite and a zero-sum game. This transformation has made democracies as well as nondemocracies fight much less, and has sharply increased international trade. It underlies both the democratic/liberal and capitalist/trade interdependence peace.

Methods of Terminology Development for Al-Tahtawi

Objectives: In the 19th century, a problem arose concerning the Arabic language in the cultural interaction between Arabs and the French. The French had an advantage in using a language adapted to the pace of scientific progress. In contrast, the Arabic language did not linguistically evolve compared to the French language, leading to terminology issues. This study aims to identify the translation methods and techniques used by Rifa'a al-Tahtawi in his writings to address these terminology challenges. The study highlights the role of translation in formulating and constructing terms, as the Arab culture in the 19th century witnessed continuous progress in this field. Methods: The study adopted an analytical approach, examining examples and other relevant studies to draw conclusions based on relevant sources. Results: Rifaa al-Tahtawi launched the project of developing terminology based on various translation techniques, including semantic and literal translations. The resulting methods included the revival of ancient words and its use for the average citizen, Arabization, and finally, generating new terms. This enriched the Arabic language with new scientific and progressive vocabulary. Conclusions: Thus, it can be concluded that a language remains alive through its interaction with other languages, and translation proved to be one of the primary channels for introducing terminology into the Arabic language.

A new clinical entity bridging the cardiovascular system and the kidney: The Chronic Cardiovascular-Kidney Disorder.

Background The complex relationship between heart and kidney dysfunction has been a subject of medical inquiry since the 19th century. The term "cardio-renal syndrome" (CRS) was introduced in the early 2000s and has since become a focal point of research. CRS is typically categorized into five subtypes based on the sequence of cardiovascular and kidney disease events. Summary The Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) syndrome, as defined by the American Heart Association (AHA), describes a set of interrelated metabolic risk factors and their effects on the kidneys and cardiovascular system. This syndrome emphasizes the complexity of managing patients with combined conditions and identifies several knowledge gaps, including disease mechanisms, clinical phenotype variability, and the impact of social determinants of health. The Chronic Cardiovascular-Kidney Disorder (CCKD) framework proposes a shift from the term "syndrome" to "disorder," focusing on concurrent cardiovascular and kidney problems regardless of their sequence. Key messages • The CCKD concept calls for simplification and conceptual clarity, arguing that understanding the bidirectional acceleration of disease progression between heart and kidney dysfunction can lead to more effective treatment strategies. • Both CKM and CCKD share common pathophysiological mechanisms and risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and dyslipidemia. Managing these conditions requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the underlying risk factors and pathophysiological mechanisms. • Future directions include embracing precision medicine, public health strategies, interdisciplinary care models, and ongoing research and innovation. Both frameworks underscore the need for comprehensive, interdisciplinary care models and innovative treatment strategies to address the complex interplay between cardiovascular and kidney diseases.

Hacia una arqueología de la inmersión visual. Reflexiones sobre la pantalla en el estereoscopio de Wheatstone y el Sensorama de Heilig.

When we refer to the idea of visual immersion, we imagine a displacement towards a virtual space in which we immerse ourselves and with which we interact. Proposals associated with immersion, such as the topic of travel, were already presented in advertising images of the early twentieth century. In this article, we will establish that these notions of immersion have been developed since the middle of the 18th century, specifically with the creation of the lenticular stereoscope in 1851. Using medial archaeology as a methodological approach, we will demonstrate that devices such as the stereoscope (18th century) and the Sensorama (20th century) not only transformed the form of visualization, but also offered immersive experiences that linked the viewer to both physical and virtual spaces.

Unique copper and lead sculpture in the 20th century

Unique copper and lead sculpture in the 20th century

Navigating pedagogical dilemmas in interdisciplinary education: a reflective practice perspective

Interdisciplinary education is increasingly recognized as essential in higher education for addressing complex real-world issues. Although this paradigm shift began in the 20th century, challenges in interdisciplinary pedagogy persist, including classroom preparation, delivery, assessment, and feedback. One significant challenge is disciplinary distance, the disparities between disciplines that hinder effective interdisciplinary teaching and learning. Additionally, the varying degrees of disciplinarity—from intradisciplinary to transdisciplinary—complicate this landscape. Despite interdisciplinary pedagogy's potential to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving, it presents numerous dilemmas. As a graduate teaching assistant, I have faced several such dilemmas. This reflection discusses these interdisciplinary dilemmas and explores epistemological and pedagogical practices to navigate them. Leveraging my experience as a PhD researcher and educator, I examine how teachers with multidisciplinary backgrounds can navigate the complexities of interdisciplinary education.

Long-term changes in the French fisheries for crustaceans in the Eastern English Channel: 1901 to 2020

Abstract Small-scale crustacean fisheries in the English Channel have existed for centuries but have never been formally assessed; hence, concerns about their ecological and socio-economic sustainability could be raised. This study explores trends in this fishery’s landings from 1901 to 2021, based on historical and recent landings data in two of the main administrative fishing divisions of the area, Cherbourg and Boulogne-sur-Mer quartiers. Crustacean fisheries were reported for both divisions from the beginning to the end of the time period considered, demonstrating that a dedicated crustacean fishery existed in the area since at least the 20th century. The species composition of the crustacean’s catch (e.g., edible crab, Cancer pagurus Linnaeus, 1758; European lobster, Homarus gammarus (Linnaeus, 1758); European spider crab, Maja brachydactyla Balss, 1922) was almost impossible to track before the 2000s. Important fluctuations were observed in catch volume reports along time that might be related to two phenomena: technological advances that would have improved the fishery performances and the decline of some previously targeted species that might have led to a transfer in fishing effort.

Navigating pedagogical dilemmas in interdisciplinary education: a reflective practice perspective

Interdisciplinary education is increasingly recognized as essential in higher education for addressing complex real-world issues. Although this paradigm shift began in the 20th century, challenges in interdisciplinary pedagogy persist, including classroom preparation, delivery, assessment, and feedback. One significant challenge is disciplinary distance, the disparities between disciplines that hinder effective interdisciplinary teaching and learning. Additionally, the varying degrees of disciplinarity—from intradisciplinary to transdisciplinary—complicate this landscape. Despite interdisciplinary pedagogy's potential to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving, it presents numerous dilemmas. As a graduate teaching assistant, I have faced several such dilemmas. This reflection discusses these interdisciplinary dilemmas and explores epistemological and pedagogical practices to navigate them. Leveraging my experience as a PhD researcher and educator, I examine how teachers with multidisciplinary backgrounds can navigate the complexities of interdisciplinary education.