Contemporary Changes Research Articles

The brave new world of unstable jobs hiding in plain sight: A reply to Murphy and Turner

The article Employment stability and decent work published in the Journal of Industrial Relations by Murphy and Turner presents evidence forming the basis of a claim that job instability has not increased in Ireland between 1998 and 2021. This contrasts with a rich literature in industrial relations and the sociology of work and organizations, which documents the fundamental transformation of employment relationships since the 1990s toward greater insecurity. In this response paper, I question the empirical foundations of Murphy and Turner's claims. Analyzing the same data set used in their study, I provide clear evidence that an increase in job instability consistent with the precarious work literature has been hiding in plain sight. I also engage with their efforts at theorizing the nature of the recent transformation of employment relationships in Ireland specifically, and in Liberal Market Economies more broadly. In doing so, I suggest research avenues that go beyond a polarized debate in whether or not job instability has increased in order to contribute to a more complex understanding of contemporary changes in career trajectories.

Memahami Metode Tafsir Al-Qur'an: Pendekatan Tradisional Dan Kontemporer Dalam Memahami Pesan Pesan Ilahi

This study aims to understand the methods of interpretation of the Qur'an used in traditional and contemporary approaches in understanding the divine messages contained in the Qur'an. This study uses a qualitative research method with a literature study approach. Primary data was obtained from primary sources such as classical interpretations by well-known scholars, while secondary data was obtained from literature relevant to the research topic. This study explores the differences between traditional and contemporary approaches in the method of interpreting the Qur'an. The traditional approach applies interpretation methods such as interpretation bil ma'tsur, ta'wil, and interpretation bi al-ra'yi, which have been used for centuries by prominent scholars. Meanwhile, the contemporary approach involves methods of interpretation that are more contextual, such as linguistic, historical and social approaches. This research identifies the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, as well as their impact on understanding the divine messages written in the Qur'an. The results of this study indicate that the traditional approach provides a deep understanding of the text of the Qur'an and maintains the intellectual heritage of earlier generations. However, this approach also has limitations in dealing with contemporary challenges and changing times. On the other hand, the contemporary approach provides an understanding that is more contextual and relevant to the current social and cultural context, but can pose a challenge in maintaining the continuity of an authentic understanding of the Qur'anic text. This research provides valuable insights for researchers, mufassir, and Al-Qur'an readers in understanding Al-Qur'an exegesis methods used in traditional and contemporary approaches. This research also underscores the importance of engaging in a holistic and comprehensive method of exegesis in understanding the divine messages written in the Qur'an, taking into account the historical, cultural and social context.

Assessment of the conditions for the development of the photovoltaic investment in the countries of the Visegrad Group – Comparative study of the researched countries

This paper presents the most important directions of contemporary changes taking place and their conditions on the solar energy market in the Visegrad Group countries. The aim of the article was to identify the factors influencing the development of solar energy in the V4 and assess their impact over the period of 2010–2018. In addition, presents changes in the photovoltaic market. The development of this field of energy is to, on the one hand, ensure the right amount of energy, and, minimize the negative impact on the natural environment, on the other. Such an approach is particularly important energy security and counteracting climate change contributing to significant economic losses. The development of solar energy systems is uneven, particularly in countries with similar economic and social conditions. The dynamic panel model using the generalized method of moments was applied. The changes occurring in this market showed a high variability of dependencies and the necessity of continuous monitoring of the transformations and effects of the policy pursued. The study points to the importance of economic conditions, in particular subsidies for investors, economic growth and the development of renewable energy sources in stimulating the development of solar energy. It showed the sense of ensuring a stable path of economic growth. The role of subsidies, often used in this market, is ambiguous and their effects are spread over time and show different directions of impact in particular time intervals. The article allows for a better understanding of the conditions for the development of photovoltaic investments, so that in the future photovoltaics can become a global source of energy. The results provide valuable information for shaping policies aimed at increasing the use of renewable energy sources. The research showed the great significance importance for the implementation of the development in accordance with the microeconomic model.

Similarity and Change Detection of Relief in a Proglacial River Valley (Scott River, SW Svalbard)

This study focuses on contemporary geomorphic changes in the proglacial valley floor of the Scott River catchment (northwest of Wedel Jarlsberg Land, southwestern Spitsbergen). The similarity and variability of landforms along the entire 3.3 km length of the unglaciated valley floor was assessed using precision terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) measurements made in July/August 2010–2013. Digital terrain models (DTMs) were generated from the high-resolution TLS survey data, followed by a geomorphon map, which was then used for a similarity and changes of morphology analysis performed with GeoPAT2 software. The study revealed a large spatial variation of contemporary processes shaping the valley floor and changes in its morphology. Their spatial distribution relates to the geologically determined split of the valley floor into three morphological zones separated by gorges. The upper gorge cuts the terminal moraine rampart, which limits the uppermost section of the valley floor, which is up to 700 m wide and is occupied by the outwash plain. The study showed that this is the area characterised by the greatest dynamics of contemporary geomorphic processes and relief changes. The similarity index value here is characterised by a large spatial variation that in some places reaches values close to 0. In the middle section stretching between the upper gorge (cutting the terminal moraine) and the lower gorge (cutting the elevated marine terraces), a much smaller variability of processes and landforms is observed, and the found changes of the valley floor relief mainly include the area of braided channel activity. Similarity index values in this zone do not fall below 0.65. The lowest section, the mouth of the alluvial fan, on the other hand, is characterised by considerable spatial differentiation. The southern part of the fan is stable, while the northern part is intensively re-shaped and has a similarity index that locally falls below 0.5. The most dynamic changes are found within the active channel system along the entire length of the unglaciated section of the Scott River. The peripheral areas, located in the outer zones of the valley floor, show great stability.

Ideology and Theatre Translation in Contemporary Turkish Theatre

This paper aims to explore the relationship between drama translation and ideology in contemporary Turkish theatre. After delineating the distinction between state/city theatres and independent (private/alternative) theatres, it will then focus on the 2000s with a special emphasis on the translation activities of independent (private/alternative) theatres. In particular, it shall draw attention to how actor/director translators working with or for these theatres have become significant cultural agents and have challenged the status quo by either choosing to translate plays with provocative content or by retranslating plays that were forced to undergo (self-)censorship. The paper will also challenge the general impression in the Turkish context that the reason for retranslating classical plays into Turkish is merely a need to follow and reflect contemporary changes in the language.

Periglacial resurfacing of hillslopes and channels with large boulders in the Virginia Appalachians

AbstractLarge, resistant, quartz‐rich boulders deposited on hillslopes and in channels armour the landscape, trap sediment and influence hillslope angle and erodibility. In the Virginia Appalachians, such boulders are a significant component of hillslopes and channels. Establishing the timing of and processes responsible for bedrock fracture and boulder deposition is a critical piece of understanding the landscape as a system. In this study, we use cosmogenic 10Be exposure dating to resolve the timing of boulder deposition at three sites in the Virginia Valley and Ridge province: Gap Mountain, Brush Mountain and Little Stony Creek, and at one site in the Virginia Blue Ridge: Devil's Marbleyard. The correlation between measured boulder exposure ages (101.7 ± 6.9 ka to 10.8 ± 0.8 ka; n = 23) and the Wisconsin Glacial Stage and subsequent Laurentide Ice Sheet (LIS) deglaciation (~115–11.7 ka) suggests a periglacial origin for deposition of large hillslope and channel boulders in the Virginia Appalachians. The lack of boulder exposure ages corresponding to the Last Interglacial Stage or following Wisconsin LIS retreat suggests interglacial non‐deposition and stability. The absence of exposure ages from the penultimate Illinoian or older Quaternary Glacial Stages suggests that periglacial hillslope processes allow the landscape to be resurfaced with large boulders during each return to cold climate conditions. This cyclic resurfacing of hillslopes and channels is an example of how climatic oscillations insert disequilibrium into the landscape cycle and contributes to our appreciation of the timescales over which contemporary climate change may impact boulder dominated landscapes in rapidly warming alpine and arctic environments.

Scaling procedures in climate science: Using temporal scaling to identify a paleoclimate analogue

Using past episodes of climate change as a source of evidence to inform our projections about contemporary climate change requires establishing the extent to which episodes in the deep past are analogous to the current crisis. However, many scientists claim that contemporary rates of climate change (e.g., rates of carbon emissions or temperature change) are unprecedented, including compared to episodes in the deep past. If so, this would limit the utility of paleoclimate analogues. In this paper, I show how a data adjustment procedure called “temporal scaling,” which must be applied to both contemporary and past rate data, complicates the claim that contemporary rates are truly unprecedented. On top of giving actionable recommendations to scientists, this paper advances the philosophical literature concerning the use of models that are known to be somewhat disanalogous to their target systems.

Everything flows... On the role of knowledge sources and the significance of comparative research in the modern world

Contemporary changes in the socio-cultural reality, associated with the revolution in the field of information and the development of new technologies, provide a context for reflection on the problem of the sources of knowledge. The wide access to resources of various data, information and knowledge, related nowadays, in particular, to questions about the manners and limits of using artificial intelligence (AI) at the borderlines of science and education, provokes reflection on the role of contemporary science and its representatives. The reflections are undertaken from the perspective of comparative education, which is treated as a scientific discipline that studies different materials (sources) and constitutes also a field (source) of knowledge. The text presents three aspects of reflection: the origins and development of pedagogical comparativism; its contemporary opportunities and challenges; and the role of the researcher embedded in a vision of the future. Comparative education is presented as the discipline which, through actions and works of comparativists, establishes the value of progress and continuity as inherent developmental forces in culture.

Changes in the area of early childhood education. Collage of theory and practice

The aim of the article is to show contemporary changes in various areas of early childhood education, including the opinions of educational theorists and practitioners participating in the INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE "EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IN THE COLLAGE OF THEORY AND PRACTICE OF THE NEW REALITY". The conference was organised by the Institute of Pedagogy of Maria Curie-Skłodowska University and the Elementary Education Section of the Committee of Pedagogical Sciences of the Polish Academy of Sciences.

The Impact of Cervical Spine Ailments and Dysfunctions on the Quality of Life of Professionally Active Nurses

Introduction. In the era of contemporary changes and evolution of the nursing profession, changing work standards and ergonomics, the professional group of people suffering from cervical spine problems is growing. So far, little research has been conducted on the occurrence of spine problems and their impact on the quality of life of professionally active nurses.
 Aim. The aim of the study was to analyse and assess the impact of cervical spine complaints on the quality of life of professionally active nurses.
 Material and Methods. The research was conducted among nursing staff employed in the surgical and preventive departments of the Specialist Municipal Hospital of Nicolaus Copernicus in Toruń. The study group consisted of 100 people, women and men, of whom 80 were qualified for further stages of the study. The prospective studies used survey techniques as well as observation and measurement. In the assessment of dysfunctions related to spinal problems, the Polish version of the questionnaire, the indicator of disability caused by pain in the cervical spine — Neck Disability Index (NDI), was used.
 Results. The analysis of the conducted research shows that the majority of respondents significantly experience increased pain resulting from work-related stress. Statistical analysis showed that the demographic factors influencing the occurrence of pain are: age (p=0.001), work experience of the respondents (p=0.003) and work system (p=0.026). There was no relationship between gender (p=0.726), marital status (p=0.528) and education of the respondents (p=0.507) and the occurrence of pain.
 Conclusions. 1. Work-related stress significantly increases the incidence of cervical spine problems among nurses and worsens their quality of life. 2. The most common complaints among professionally active nurses are headaches and tingling and numbness in the limbs. 3. The occurrence of ailments is determined by demographic factors. 4. Professionally active nurses describe their quality of life as average. 5. The nursing team does not consult a doctor before implementing pharmacological treatment. (JNNN 2023;12(3):127–133)

The different erosion fate of the headland-embayed beaches on the muddy and sandy coasts of China

<p>China’s beaches exhibit different geomorphic characteristics depending on location. Due to increasing contemporary climate change, induced storm activities and human activities, beaches along the Chinese coast have been exposed to the risk of erosion. This article examines the different shoreline evolution processes from 1973 to 2021 as well as the erosion vulnerability of 9 headland-embayed beaches (of which 5 beaches, each at Baishawan, Dasha, Dongdan, Nanshajiao, and Mushao are on the muddy coast in Southern China and 4 beaches, namely, Bathing Beach 1, 2, 3 and Shilaoren Beach are on the sandy coast in Northern China) based on the inherent geomorphic characteristics and nearshore hydroclimatic factors of the beaches. In the analysis, there were 3 stages. During the first stage, erosion dominated both the muddy and sandy coasts as a result of intense storm conditions. During the second stage, the beaches had earlier recovered as a function of natural processes, however, storm activities later eroded the beaches. During the third stage, most of the beaches accreted as a result of coastal engineering interventions and beach nourishment project. The shoreline analysis results indicate that beaches on the muddy and sandy coasts have been eroding in the long term. During the first erosion stage, erosion is more severe on the muddy coast than on the sandy coast in the short term. On the sandy coast, the beaches recorded severe erosion from 1973 to 1998. Of the 9 beaches, the most eroded location was at Dasha on the muddy coast (LRR: –5.315 m/y; EPR: –5.671 m/y; NSM: –141.94 m) between 1974 and 1998. In summary, beaches on muddy coasts are more vulnerable to erosion than those on sandy coasts. On the muddy coast, there has been a shortage in the supply of sediment from the Yangtze River-derived sediment to the coast. The primary source of sand material for the studied beaches on the muddy coast has been the regular storm condition that changes the sand-mud transition line on the coast. For the sandy beaches, the primary factor responsible for the vulnerability and beach modification includes a shortage in the natural supply of beach material and storm activities, however, recent beach nourishment and coastal protection procedures are gradually stabilizing the beaches. Ultimately, the outcome of this research is suitable for beach management procedures on the Chinese coast.</p>

The necessary confluence of sociology and social impact assessment in the era of global change

Despite the intrinsic and natural connection between sociology and social impact assessment, the latter often does not hold a prominent place in the academic theory and practice of sociology. This monograph aims to justify and reclaim the rightful position of social impact assessment within the sociological discipline, through the contributions of some of the most renowned international experts in this field. This introductory article reflects on the necessary mutual contribution between sociology and social impact assessment, which, through their epistemological, methodological and axiological dialogues, establish an applied working space aimed at providing solutions for real-world problems. Sociology and social impact assessment must join forces to become agents not only of knowledge production but also of improvement of the living conditions of those in situations of social vulnerability, being this an urgent task in the face of contemporary global changes and growing inequalities.

The Role of the Catholic Church against Changes and Threats to the Value of Work

The purpose of the article is to present the role played by the Catholic Church in Western Europe against civilization’s threats to the value of work in the context of Catholic social teaching. There are historical and contemporary changes and threats to the value of work. The importance of work was analyzed in terms of antiquity, the Middle Ages, during the nineteenth-century industrial revolution and in the era of contemporary IT changes. We present how the value of work was perceived, what role Christianity played and the position of the Catholic Church in relation to social changes and the progress of civilization. It was pointed out how socio-economic transformations and, above all, scientific and technical progress, influenced the threats regarding the personal dimension of work and the subjective role of a man. The evolution of the legal protection of the state against employees and employers, and the position taken by the Catholic Church in this matter were described. It has been shown that old and modern forms of work under the guise of facilities are a threat to the value of work and a human’s subjectivity. The analysis of the positions and documents of Catholic social science allowed us to show a change in the role of the Church, which, from the attitude of real influence in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, became directed in the 21st century to strengthen active attitudes in the work environment among Catholics. It expects the sensitivity of conscience and open brotherhood, and adopts an attitude of charity and committed action for the benefit of the economically excluded and people deprived of decent work.

Media Review: The University and the Global Knowledge Society

Since the first universities were established more than a millennium ago, we have seen a remarkable rise of universities worldwide. Yet, over time widespread concerns have repeatedly been raised about the crisis of the university and research on universities is largely occupied with contemporary changes. Research also tends to focus on cross-national differences in the operation, governance and organization of universities. At the same time, universities are recognized everywhere, the main idea of a university stays robust and generalized. Characterizations of universities as ivory towers are still dominating many discussions and spur reforms. Lots of resources are poured into seeking to increase their exchange with society at large. But, universities have constantly changed with society and are central for the emergence of a global knowledge society. The book The University and the Global Knowledge Society fills an important need of contrasting the many current discussions on crisis, changes and variations across universities with the unprecedented success of one of our societies’ grand institutions.

Narratives of Global Order and Re-Ordering from the Global South

The global order is shifting from a unipolar world dominated by the West to a multipolar one with Asia emerging as a major centre of gravity. Narratives of order and re-ordering are powerful tools that shape policy agendas and enable local, national, and global actors to make sense of contemporary or historical orders or changes in those orders. Such narratives emanating from the Global North have dominated Social Science fields such as International Relations (IR). Global South narratives of order have received much less scholarly attention. This article contributes to filling this gap by examining narratives of global order and re-ordering from state and non-state actors in the Mashreq, India, the Maghreb (focusing on Morocco), and Iran. The cases provide a diverse array of narratives for interdisciplinary analysis, highlighting the importance of understanding global narratives from non-Western perspectives. Taking stock of such perspectives in policy and academic analyses is essential for methodological, conceptual, and theoretical pluralism in Social Sciences in general and for the task of globalizing the field of IR in particular.

Unlocking avian museum collections to enable and advance environmental change research

The rate and magnitude of contemporary changes in natural systems is unprecedented in the Earth's history. Studies of wild birds have been critically important in helping us understand and address these environmental changes. Avian collections provide a potentially unique perspective on change through time, but their role in environmental change research is limited by the availability of collections data. Here we describe how avian collections might be unlocked to enable environmental change research, and discuss the opportunities and constraints associated with this. We use the concept of the extended specimen to describe the types of data that could be unlocked from basic data for discoverability to enhanced data that might be directly applied to environmental change questions. We illustrate the type of environmental change research these data might support. We argue that data creation and access is currently limited by funding for digitization, a rather patchy understanding of the needs of the research community and less than adequate data‐sharing by institutions and researchers. We develop a blueprint for addressing these issues which includes (1) improvements in sharing the data we are already creating and (2) building a better case for digitization at scale. As one of the largest avian collections in the world, the Natural History Museum, UK, is committed to unlocking our collections, but we will need input and support from the avian research community to do so.

How conspicuousness becomes productive on social media

Increasing attention has been paid to social media influencers and their self-branding strategies; yet, a perspective that specifically focuses on such practices in terms of social status has still to be fully developed. This paper analyses how Instagram micro-influencers use self-branding practices as ways to construct and display social status and, secondly, contributes to shed light on the contemporary changes in status gaining and signalling. Moving from Veblen’s theory of conspicuous consumption, I contend that conspicuousness represents the main cultural logic underpinning micro-influencers’ practises, and it's characterised by a productive display of consumption. Departing from Veblen’s theorisation, the display is not an expression of wastefulness, but a productive element in the construction of social status. Employing a methodological approach comprising digital methods and qualitative interviews, the research shows how the logic of conspicuousness unfolds and becomes productive through consumption practices characterised by accumulation, access, and circularity. Furthermore, the results highlight how micro-influencers follow the logic of conspicuousness to construct social status by seeking exclusivity or negotiating belongingness.

Time Window Oriented IoT Vehicle Pathway Study for the Dynamically Changing Needs of E-Commerce Customers

The main dynamic truck routing problem also presents a significant difficulty in the logistics sector, which is an unavoidable development trend of the contemporary technological changing society. A dynamic vehicle routing problem with time window model is suggested by the study in order to establish an effective and low-energy dynamic response method. The fundamental concept is to disrupt the conventional strategy of static dynamic consumers responding in time slots by dividing the dynamic time window into a static time window with several time slice intervals. The study makes use of cutting-edge ideas including dynamic attitude, before-and-after time slicing, and continuous optimisation while proposing a new method for model solution to optimise dynamic vehicle route issues effectively and affordably. The study employs the Solomon optimisation dataset and runs simulation studies on the Java platform to confirm its efficacy. The experimental findings demonstrated that the optimisation technique employed in the study reduced the cost of travelling by 83.8 miles while also considerably increasing the average vehicle utilisation by 3.6%. Because driving distance cost and vehicle number cost are typically positively connected with dynamic attitude, the study employs solutions that can increase dynamic response efficiency and save money. As a result, their robustness is higher.

Rethinking community security in Uganda: Integrating community policing with intelligence-led policing

ABSTRACT Contemporary changes in crime reveal the need to enhance law enforcement methods such as Community Policing with intelligence-based approaches for sustained community–police partnerships and improved community participation in ensuring safety. Community participation and partnership with law enforcers is essential for identification of threats and vulnerabilities, collection, analysis and sharing of crime data and problem solving. Uganda’s Community Policing has since 1989 focused on image construction, trust and confidence building for the police within the community and underscoring police relevancy in a transitional democracy while crime remained steadily high. The introduction of crime preventers and Local Defence Units (LDUs) to back-up police in handling crime, patrol neighbourhoods and gather intelligence has instead attracted accusations against law enforcers for excessive use of force, human rights violations and involvement in crime. Intelligence led policing (ILP) aims at enhancing community safety based on analysed information for strategic, operational and tactical benefits in crime prevention. Using secondary sources of data, the paper argues that while Community Policing has been preferred in crime prevention, intelligence gathering for purposes of investigating and preventing crime has remained poor. It recommended that Community Policing is integrated with ILP for effective detection, prevention, management of crime and enhanced community security.

Wildfire activity in northern Rocky Mountain subalpine forests still within millennial-scale range of variability

Increasing area burned across western North America raises questions about the precedence and magnitude of changes in fire activity, relative to the historical range of variability (HRV) that ecosystems experienced over recent centuries and millennia. Paleoecological records of past fire occurrence provide context for contemporary changes in ecosystems characterized by infrequent, high-severity fire regimes. Here we present a network of 12 fire-history records derived from macroscopic charcoal preserved in sediments of small subalpine lakes within a c. 10 000 km2 landscape in the U.S. northern Rocky Mountains (Northern Rockies). We used this network to characterize landscape-scale burning over the past 2500 yr, and to evaluate the precedence of widespread regional burning experienced in the early 20th and 21st centuries. We further compare the Northern Rockies fire history to a previously published network of fire-history records in the Southern Rockies. In Northern Rockies subalpine forests, widespread fire activity was strongly linked to seasonal climate conditions, in contemporary, historical, and paleo records. The average estimated fire rotation period (FRP) over the past 2500 yr was 164 yr (HRV: 127–225 yr), while the contemporary FRP from 1900 to 2021 CE was 215 yr. Thus, extensive regional burning in the early 20th century (e.g. 1910 CE) and in recent decades remains within the HRV of recent millennia. Results from the Northern Rockies contrast with the Southern Rockies, which burned with less frequency on average over the past 2500 yr, and where 21st-century burning has exceeded the HRV. Our results support expectations that Northern Rockies fire activity will continue to increase with climatic warming, surpassing historical burning if more than one exceptional fire year akin to 1910 occurs within the next several decades. The ecological consequences of climatic warming in subalpine forests will depend, in large part, on the magnitude of fire-regime changes relative to the past.