20th Century Research Articles

The main factors of socialization of peasant girls (on the example of the Kursk province at the turn of the XIX - early XX centuries)

Relevance. The family is the foundation on which the life of society and the state as a whole is formed. To identify the essence of these processes in the present time, it is advisable to rely on the experience of the past. In the 19th century the peasant population prevailed in Russia, so family education and the process of socialization will be most clearly presented on the example of a peasant family. It is worth noting that certain areas of peasant life have been studied more thoroughly, but there are a number of less studied aspects. It can clearly be seen at the regional level. Thus, in this work the stated topic will be studied on the example of peasant girls.The purpose of the study is to analyze the processes of spiritual and labor education, as well as the specifics of literacy education and medical care of peasant girls in the Kursk province at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries.Objectives of the study are: to reflect the influence of traditional methods of peasant education on the process of socialization of girls; to identify the features of education and health care for peasants, taking into account the regional specifics of these processes.Methodology. The following methodological principles were used in the work: objectivity, historicism, dialecticism and reliability. The interrelation of the singular, the special and the general was revealed.Results. The paper analyzes the main factors of socialization of peasants of Kursk province in the period of the late XIX – early XX centuries. The processes of spiritual, moral and labor education, the features and accessibility of education and medical care, both in the peasant environment itself and in zemstvo institutions, are considered in detail.Conclusions. According to the results of the conducted research, it was possible to fully realize the goals and objectives, on the basis of factual material and documents, to consider the main factors influencing the process of socialization of young peasants of the designated period and region.

Шаманские идолы «человеко-бабочки» в проекции советской внешней политики на Дальнем Востоке во второй половине ХХ в.

The purpose of the study is to trace the transformation of shamanic idols of the Amur peoples under the influence of Soviet foreign policy in the Far East in the second half of the 20th century. The scientific novelty of the article is to identify the connection between the development of international relations in the Soviet Far East in the second half of the 20th century and changes in the appearance and religious purpose of some samples of cult sculpture of the Amur peoples. The article reveals that in the second half of the 20th century, when international contacts with Japan and especially with China intensified, some shamanic idols of the Amur peoples acquired attributes associated with Japanese and Chinese shamanism, in particular wings made from black soybeans, which in Japan are used for the ritual of "exorcism". The results of the study showed that such borrowings are natural in conditions when the peoples of different states have common cultural roots, and the results of foreign policy can have religious "side effects".

Schmorl's nodes in two 19th-20th century Spanish osteological collections from Valladolid and Granada.

This study examines how age at death, sex, and socio-historical context relate to the frequency, location, and severity of Schmorl's nodes. The sample comprised thoracic and lumbar vertebrae of 192 skeletons from two contemporary documented osteological collections from Spain, in Valladolid and Granada, both of which contain individuals who died during the second half of the 20th century. Schmorl's nodes were recorded on the superior and inferior surfaces of vertebral bodies and their location was categorized in one of three areas: center, canal, and periphery. The prevalence of Schmorl's nodes was 57.42 % for the Valladolid collection and 67.39 % for Granada, with no significant differences between collections. Statistically significant differences were found between the sexes, but age at death did not correlate with the presence of the lesion. This analysis supports the absence of a direct relationship between the pathology and the aging process, but shows a greater predisposition in male individuals, suggesting that vertebral morphology and/or physical activity might be key etiological factors. This research enhances our understanding of the etiology of Schmorl's nodes by highlighting sex as a key variable and suggesting a lack of association with age. The absence of data on occupational activity prevents correlating this variable with the presence of Schmorl's nodes. Conduct studies on geometric morphometric data to corroborate the evolutionary hypothesis proposed by other authors.

Earth to Ashes: Cultural Transformations in the Cremation Rites of Modern and Contemporary South Korea.

Under Japanese rule in 1912, cremation was legalized in Korea, marking a shift from a strictly prohibited practice to an accepted funeral option. Initially viewed as a Japanese custom, cremation gradually transformed into a "civilized" choice, a perspective pushed by Japanese colonial authorities and some Korean modernizers. However, this narrative overlooks the gradual acceptance of cremation among Koreans. In the post-war era, cremation saw renewed popularity, steadily increasing from the late 1990s, with rates surpassing 90% by 2021. This shift reflects the influence of capitalistic values, framing cremation as a practical option due to its efficiency, economic benefits. This paper examines the evolution of cremation in Korea and how it symbolizes changing attitudes toward death from the 20th century to today.

Teacher development from the perspective of a training action in Brazil – literature review

The work presented here was guided by the revisionism of what the main authors have written about the educational theme in the teaching profession, emphasizing the issue of continuous education. Various theorists have researched how educational action takes place, its benefits, and its contexts – in Brazil and abroad. The paper has an introduction with contextualization, followed by the methodological proposal; a review of the literature with a qualitative-exploratory approach. The historical findings, from the end of the 20th century to the present day, reflect the educational update, focused on teacher-student issues, classroom dynamics, and virtual objects or resources to support pedagogical practice. A comparison of the authors' thoughts is then made, followed by the conclusion of the study.

Design and Construction of the Real Felipe Fortress of Callao: Analysis of the Military Treatise and Layout Using Photogrammetry and GIS

Peru constituted the most important Viceroyalty of the Spanish Empire in South America, with the Port of Callao controlling the South Pacific trade routes. Although it was safe in its infancy, Callao suffered coastal attacks leading to its fortification. However, on 28 October 1746, an earthquake and tidal wave devastated the port, leading to its relocation and the construction of the Real Felipe Fortress of Callao, the South Pacific’s most significant fortification. The fortress was based on 18th century military conceptions adapted to the specific conditions of the coastal lands of the Peruvian Viceroyalty, such as the lack of stone, the use of adobe, and the frequent earthquakes. This research sought to identify the architectural theories influencing its design, the adaptations necessary for its coastal location, and the underlying mathematical and military concepts. Photogrammetry based techniques and a geographic information system (GIS) were used for georeferencing historical planimetry, along with the analysis of historical documents. This allowed us to reconstruct the original design and make evident how European ideas were adjusted to the particularities of the American territory, thus contributing to the improvement of knowledge about Spanish military architecture in America.

A Landscape of Cancer Initiation and Cancer Stem Cells.

Exposure to radiation and chemicals, oncogenic viruses, microbiomes, and inflammation are the major events of cancer initiation. DNA damage and chromosomal aberrations are classically considered the main causes of cancer. The recent idea of epigenetics is broadening the concept, including the suggestion that oncogenic virus infection disrupts various intracellular signaling cascades. Chronic inflammation was proposed as the origin of cancer in the 19th century, and the molecular level of events has been made clear with scientific development. Much knowledge of cancer initiation has become available for integration into research. Simultaneously, the presence of cancer stem cells has been identified and characterized. However, the point of shift from normal to malignant still appears obscure even when taking cancer stem cells into consideration. From these points of view, the advent of cancer stem cells and cancer initiation are briefly discussed as the points of shift from normal to malignant in this paper.

Phule and Ambedkar’s critical philosophy of education and knowledge

Historically, Indian philosophy is asymmetric in its world view. It is broadly divided into Brahminic and Shraminic schools of thought. However, each school of thought is divided into several sects. Arguably, Brahminism or Brahminic philosophy eminently dominates society. Brahminism is premised upon Varnashramadharma (An inherited system of graded inequality), which itself is a system of education and knowledge that has a generational impact on the lives of people in the Indian subcontinent. Therefore, it is imperative to problematise the historical and philosophical ascendancy of Brahminism. In the 19th and 20th centuries, Jotirao Phule and B. R. Ambedkar critically engaged with the Brahminical education of the knowledge system. Phule and Ambedkar exposed the Brahmin monopoly of education. Alternatively, they argue that education is a fundamental right of each individual in society. For them, education is an agency to challenge the power of the Brahminical knowledge system. They argue that knowledge is acquired through education, in which their experience redefines the meaning of education and knowledge in the pursuit of universal human good. This paper philosophizes Phule and Ambedkar’s critical perspectives on education and knowledge. I argue that both of the thinkers contributed to Indian philosophical tradition, specifically its egalitarian, critical, emancipatory, educational and knowledge-based discourses. Their radical perspective redefines the meaning of education and knowledge that imparts the moral and critical consciousness fostering justice.

Reconstructing the environmental impact of mining on mountain lakes.

Mountain lakes are particularly fragile ecosystems undergoing important ecological and depositional transformations associated with ongoing global change. However, the history of anthropogenic impacts on mountain lakes and their catchments is much longer, in many cases featuring millennia of summer pastoral farming. More recently, the growing demand for raw materials and energy linked to industrialization, particularly accelerated since the 19th century CE, meant a further increase in human impact on mountain areas. The Cantabrian Range (northern Spain) constitutes a paradigmatic case of southern European mountain range experiencing intense human impact during the past millennia and particularly the past two centuries. Here, we have reconstructed the environmental dynamics of this area during the last millennium, with a particular focus on the impact of mining, based on the multidisciplinary analysis (sedimentology, biogeochemistry, magnetic susceptibility, diatoms, pollen, charcoal and dung fungal spores) of sediment cores from Lago de La Cueva (43°03'N, 6°06'W, 1550ma.s.l.). Fire induced deforestation during the 15th century CE increased erosion during the Little Ice Age. The onset of iron mining in the catchment 200years ago significantly impacted the lake, increasing sedimentation rates and mining waste containing hematite and potentially toxic elements. Diatoms showed that lake regulation since the early 20th century CE severely altered the natural hydrological regime introducing rapid seasonal lake-level oscillations and increasing lakeshore erosion, water turbidity and nutrient loads. The recent environmental restoration, finished in 2006, involved the re-deposition of mine tailings. Although mining wastewater still reaches the lake, restoration effectively reduced erosion and nutrient loads. This study illustrates the complex interactions between human activities (grazing, mining, hydropower) and climate change in shaping mountain landscapes through time. Our findings highlight the usefulness of Paleolimnology to quantitatively assess the effectiveness of lake restoration programs.

“Immune from a Thousand Ailments”: Advertising Immunity in Australia, 1890–1945

ABSTRACT In the late 19th century, as the Australian public was adjusting to germ theory, a narrative of immunity provided new ways to understand resistance to disease. Advertising, particularly for patent medicines, frequently adopted a hyperbolic rhetoric of immunity to sell products. In this article, we use the Trove database to present the ways immunity was presented to the public in newspaper advertising between 1890 and 1945. Our article combines a broad overview of portrayals of immunity with three focused analyses that demonstrate immunity’s discursive range, its decoupling from immunological understandings and its insertion into capitalism. First, we show how clothing brands framed their products as modes of enhanced boundary protection superior to patent medicines. Second, we look to the connections between immunity and racial identity, revealing how advertisements followed an immunological logic: White Australians, advertisements implied, could immunise themselves against the unfamiliar by incorporating small elements of difference into their diet and health regimes. Finally, we unpack the advertisements’ oscillation between immunity as an enhancement to the body and as a remedy for an inherent bodily weakness. This movement, illuminated through Jacques Derrida’s logic of the supplement, reinforced the alignment of immunity with products and brands rather than immunological functions.

Paths well travelled: Imaginative contours of the juridical ummah

ABSTRACT This article explores how the subaltern Muslim animated the imaginative politics and juridical contours of the Ottoman nation between 1876-1913. I discuss how the members of the ummah, the global 'Muslim nation', were called to settle and work the lands of the Ottoman Empire. In the late 19th century, the ports and provincial capitals of the empire welcomed immigrants from across the Balkans-to-Bengal axis. However, not all who landed in the Levantine shores enjoyed the entitlements of property and protection promised by the Ottoman immigration state. The provenance of immigrants, the legality of their arrival, and the racial fault lines running through the ummah each set the terms of their inclusion in or their exclusion from the Ottoman nation. Building on the 1902 Resolution to the Ottoman Immigration Law of 1857, this article further explains how the Ottoman nation was delineated by a juridical identity—Ottoman nationality—that was categorically majoritarian and contractually exclusionary because of, and not despite, its global aspirations. I argue that Ottoman sovereignty conceived in the image of a juridical ummah found its terrestrial expression in the Ottoman nation: to the categorical exclusion of non-Muslims, predominantly Armenians; the conditional inclusion of subaltern Muslims; and the tacit rejection of Black Africans. This article thus explores imaginative entanglements of law, race, and religion in the age of empires.

Nitrogen content of herbarium specimens from arable fields and mesic meadows reflect the intensifying agricultural management during the 20th century

Abstract Arable fields and mesic meadows have been affected by intensifying agricultural management and nutrient input during the 20th century, but direct evidence for the long‐term impact of intensification on plant nutrient contents remains scarce. Non‐destructive novel spectroscopic methods can produce such data from herbarium specimens, making it possible to investigate how contents of leaf nutrient traits, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, changed over the last century, and what role habitat type and management practices play. We carried out a resurvey study of functional traits in arable field and mesic meadow communities. We used specimens from two German herbaria with a high coverage of their local floras: the herbaria Senckenberg Görlitz and Senckenberg Haussknecht in Jena. Following specimen information, the same plant species were resampled in the field in 2022 at the same locations. We employed near‐infrared spectroscopy to predict leaf nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon content of herbarium and field specimens. Nutrient content changes over time were compared with public records of regional P and N fertilization. Overall, 1270 specimens of 76 species from both herbarium and field were studied, the oldest from the 19th century. Leaf nitrogen and the leaf nitrogen:phosphorus ratio increased significantly through time, while leaf phosphorus and carbon content decreased significantly over time. Arable field species showed a stronger response in leaf phosphorus content and leaf nitrogen:phosphorus ratio than mesic meadow species. The total amount of nitrogen or phosphorus fertilizer applied per year on a regional scale was found to be significantly correlated with the respective leaf nutrient content levels. Synthesis: Our study shows a long‐term increase of leaf nitrogen in the studied habitats, paralleling increased chemical fertilizer applications in Germany. Our data indicate a shift from predominantly N‐limited towards more P‐limited growth conditions. The stronger response of species from arable fields compared to species from mesic meadows could indicate a faster adjustment to environmental pressures. This study thus also serves to showcase the potential of the combination of herbarium collections and NIR spectroscopy.

Haidouks and Brigands in the Bulgarian Lands (the 15th – the 17th century) through the Eyes of European Travellers

Haidouks and Brigands in the Bulgarian Lands (the 15th – the 17th century) through the Eyes of European Travellers

Intergenerational trends in body size among Moscow's young adults: socio-demographic influences of the 20th century.

This study aimed to investigate the influence of socio-demographic and epidemiological factors on the secular changes in body size indicators (height, weight, and BMI) among young adults aged 17-22 years in Moscow from the early 20th century to the present. Published average anthropometric data from screening surveys conducted from 1880/1925-26 to 2020-21 were analysed (4,823 males and 5,952 females), along with demographic data from the Federal State Statistics Service of the Russian Federation. Findings revealed consistent anthropometric trends and strong associations between secular changes in body size of Moscow youth and socio-demographic indicators such as population size, life expectancy, and infant mortality rates. An increase in height and weight was noted against the backdrop of urbanisation, increased life expectancy, and reduced infant mortality. These results indicate that the urbanisation process and the transformation of the epidemiological landscape in 20th-century Russia - marked by enhancements in public health, modernisation of the healthcare system, and medical advancements - have had a significant impact on changes in body size across generations. Notably, from the mid-20th century onwards, with the exception of the final decade, conditions favourable to growth and development were established, culminating in a significant increase in definitive anthropometric parameters across successive generations. The findings underscore the imperative for policymakers to bolster investments in urban development, healthcare, and education. Such strategic investments are essential for sustaining and amplifying the positive physical development trends witnessed.

El marcaje de la plata en Castilla y Aragón. Segunda parte: Aragón

After having presented the marking of silver in Castile and in some European centres, we study, in this second part, the peculiar silver marking in the Kingdom of Aragon, which is not related to that existing in Castile, France or the Netherlands. In Saragossa, the silver marking was supervised by jurors elected by the City Council from among its members, although they had the technical help of silversmiths. The result was that the silver was marked with a mark alluding to the city. It was not necessary for silversmiths to mark silver with their personal mark. The marking system of the city of Zaragoza/Saragossa was also used in other important cities of the Kingdom such as Tarazona, Calatayud or Daroca, although some silversmiths added their personal mark due to the influence of the marking of Castile. However, throughout the 18th century, and especially after the decree of 1752 on the marking of silver, the triple Castilian marking was generalized in the cities of the Crown of Aragon.

Jamaica in the 17th Century as Part of Oliver Cromwell’s Western Project

Jamaica in the 17th Century as Part of Oliver Cromwell’s Western Project

The return of raptors to Scotland's skies: Investigating the diets of reintroduced red kites and white-tailed eagles using stable isotopes.

Species reintroductions are increasingly seen as important methods of biodiversity restoration. Reintroductions of red kites Milvus milvus and white-tailed eagles Halieaeetus albicilla to Britain, which were extirpated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, represent major conservation successes. Here, we measured stable isotope ratios of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) in feather keratin and bone collagen of museum specimens of red kites and white-tailed eagles, which were collected from across Scotland between the 1800s and 2010s. Our objectives were to investigate dietary differences between species and between the pre- and post- reintroduction periods. Among reintroduced birds, δ13C values were significantly less negative and δ15N values higher in feather keratin and bone collagen of white-tailed eagles compared to red kites, likely reflecting a greater reliance on marine resources by the former. Our stable isotope data showed a wide range, confirming the dietary diversity observed in conventional diet studies of both taxa, with white-tailed eagles, in particular, having wide dietary niches and a considerable degree of inter-individual variability. Isotopic data from pre-introduction red kites mostly fell within the range of post-reintroduction birds, suggesting they had similar diets to the pre-reintroduction birds, or the prey base for modern birds is isotopically indistinguishable from that of their historic counterparts. For white-tailed eagles, several pre-reintroduction birds were isotopically distinct from the post-reintroduction population. These differences may indicate a changing prey base, although these conclusions are complicated by shifting distributions and small population samples. Overall, our study demonstrates the utility of natural history collections in examining changes in diet, environment, and interactions with humans in reintroduced species compared with pre-extirpation indigenous populations.

Establishment and Changes in the Diocese of the Bishopric of Niкopol in the 17th–19th Centuries. Introductory Notes

Establishment and Changes in the Diocese of the Bishopric of Niкopol in the 17th–19th Centuries. Introductory Notes

History of Interdental Brushes: Origins, Developments, Perspectives.

To trace the history of interdental brushes (IDBs) from their origins to the present, highlighting their development and future prospects compared to other interdental hygiene aids. A literature search using digital databases, manual reviews and on-site research in museums were carried out. Although extensive literature exists on toothbrushes, flosses and toothpicks, there has been no comprehensive study of IDBs. Twisted brushes for oral hygiene were mentioned as ear-ly as the late 19th century. The exact origins of their use in interdental spaces remain unclear, but evidence narrows it to the early 20th century. IDBs have been in documented use since at least 1960, with publications emerging in the 1970s. Historically, evaluations of IDBs have been mixed, balancing high expectations with scepticism regarding efficacy and safety. By the early 21st century, IDBs were often considered superior for interdental cleaning. Advances included modifications in brush head designs, handle types, and the establishment of standards like ISO 16409, though these did not always facilitate proper selection and use. Recent literature still highlights limited evidence-based statements on IDB efficacy, with some questioning their superiority over other aids like dental floss. Consumer-friendly alternatives, such as rubber picks, are sometimes rated higher, however, without allowing for a final assessment. For IDBs to meet the standards of Frugal Dentistry, they must improve oral health, be widely demanded, and cost-effective. Future research should provide more precise indications for IDBs and scientifically sound recommendations for various sizes and designs, ensuring they are easy to use and effective for different interdental spaces.

Developing a population grid in a historical context: The Valencia region in late 19th century

In this work, we introduce a method to develop a population grid in a historical context. Our approach is based on generating numerous points (geographic coordinates) and delineating contours, and it has been applied to a specific case, the Valencia region in late nineteenth century. To generate points, we digitized and georeferenced the Nomenclator of Spain of 1888 (NE1888), a directory of the population entities. Besides, and using detailed building information from the Spanish Cadastre, we delineated contours that were linked to the NE1888 population entities. Population can therefore be allocated not only to points but to 1 km × 1 k m cells. Finally, we discuss the limitations and potential of this approach for historical research.