Contemporary Literature Research Articles

Research Progress of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Post-Stroke Depression

Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a prevalent complication in stroke survivors, characterized by persistent mood disorders that hinder rehabilitation and reduce quality of life. This study examines recent scholarly endeavors focusing on acupuncture (AC) as a feasible therapeutic approach for PSD. By analyzing contemporary literature, it elucidates the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective on PSD and evaluates AC's effectiveness. AC stands out as a promising modality of treatment owing to its potency and negligible side effects, with mechanisms including neurotransmitter modulation, neurotrophic factor regulation, neuronal apoptosis inhibition, inflammatory response modulation, and so on. This review offers valuable insights into PSD from a TCM perspective and highlights AC's potential as a therapeutic intervention, contributing to knowledge advancement and informing clinical practice in PSD management.

A Narrative Review of Identity, Data and Location Privacy Techniques in Edge Computing and Mobile Crowdsourcing

As digital technology advances, the proliferation of connected devices poses significant challenges and opportunities in mobile crowdsourcing and edge computing. This narrative review focuses on the need for privacy protection in these fields, emphasizing the increasing importance of data security in a data-driven world. Through an analysis of contemporary academic literature, this review provides an understanding of the current trends and privacy concerns in mobile crowdsourcing and edge computing. We present insights and highlight advancements in privacy-preserving techniques, addressing identity, data, and location privacy. This review also discusses the potential directions that can be useful resources for researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers.

STRATEGI EFEKTIF INTERNALISASI NILAI KRISTEN DALAM PEMBENTUKAN KARAKTER DAN SPIRITUALITAS REMAJA KRISTEN

This study aims to identify effective strategies for internalizing Christian values in shaping the character and spirituality of Christian youth. This research explores theological literature relevant to Christian spiritual formation strategies using a descriptive qualitative approach and literature analysis. The findings reveal that using Bible stories, reflective discussions, social service, and the active involvement of pastors, families, and church communities are vital components in the internalization process of Christian values. A holistic approach integrating Biblical teaching with practical experience is highly effective in cultivating Christian youth character deeply rooted in solid spirituality. The originality of this research lies in the synergy between spiritual formation and the role of church communities in shaping youth spirituality, a topic that has rarely been explored in depth in contemporary theological literature.

Manifestasi Nilai Kemanusiaan dalam Cerpen Kontemporer dan Relevansinya Sebagai Materi

This research examines the manifestation of humanistic values in six selected short stories from Kompas in 2021-2022 as an alternative literary teaching material. The phenomenon of declining understanding of humanitarian values among students and the importance of instilling these values through literary works serve as the background for this study. The goal is to identify and analyze the representation of humanism in contemporary Indonesian literature. The research method uses a descriptive qualitative approach with content analysis techniques. The analysis results show that the six short stories studied are rich in humanistic values such as openness, responsibility, solidarity, justice, self-sacrifice, care, and mutual assistance. The structure of a short story, including characters and setting, plays an important role in conveying those values. "The Holy Family" depicts openness, "The Three-Colored Bahar Roots" emphasizes sacrifice, "This City is a Well" explores solidarity, "About the Name of Majid Pucuk" showcases the struggle for justice, "The House that Always Smells Bad" illustrates mutual aid, and "The Fading Spark in His Eyes" highlights family care. This finding has implications for the development of more contextual literature teaching materials, encouraging a deeper understanding of humanism among students.

Role of Chikitsa Sutrani to Formulation a Treatment Protocol

The "Role of Chikitsa Sutras in Formulating Treatment Protocols" bridges ancient Ayurvedic wisdom with modern medical practices. Ayurvedic Samhitas, foundational texts, offer therapeutic principles in Chikitsa Sutras. This abstract explores the integration of these guidelines into contemporary protocols, aiming to enhance therapeutic efficacy, optimize patient outcomes, and foster a holistic healthcare approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study employs a multifaceted approach, drawing insights from Ayurvedic Samhitas and contemporary medical literature. The ancient texts, including Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Ashtanga Hridaya, are meticulously reviewed to extract Chikitsa Sutras relevant to various ailments. Additionally, modern medical databases are searched for evidence-based treatment protocols corresponding to these conditions. By juxtaposing Ayurvedic principles with modern therapeutic strategies, this study elucidates synergies and disparities, facilitating the formulation of integrated treatment protocols. RESULTS: The combination of Ayurvedic Chikitsa Sutras with modern treatment paradigms yields profound insights and practical implications. Analysis reveals congruencies in fundamental principles such as holistic patient assessment, personalized treatment approaches, and emphasis on preventive healthcare. Ayurvedic guidelines offer nuanced perspectives on disease aetiology, classification, and management, supplementing modern diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. Integration of Ayurvedic principles into treatment protocols enhances therapeutic efficacy, minimizes adverse effects, and promotes patient-centred care. Moreover, the holistic framework of Ayurveda fosters a comprehensive understanding of health and disease, encouraging lifestyle modifications and preventive measures to augment long-term wellness.

MAPPING THE FEMVERTISING LANDSCAPE: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

In this systematic literature review, the aim is to explore the place of the concept of femvertising in academic literature. Accordingly, articles published in journals indexed in the Web of Science database that use the keyword "femvertising" have been analyzed. The results revealed that research on femvertising has been conducted since 2016, with most studies focusing on the business category. More than half of the articles have employed qualitative research methods. The review of contemporary literature reveals a growing body of research centered around the concept of femvertising, with a particular emphasis on the interplay between social media, women empowerment, and consumer attitudes. A notable gap in the existing literature is the paucity of studies investigating the intersection of femvertising and corporate social responsibility. After the VOSviewer analysis, the most frequently cited sources are revealed as the Journal of Advertising, International Journal of Advertising, Female Media Studies, and Sex Roles. The presence of Female Media Studies and Sex Roles emphasizes the interdisciplinary aspect of femvertising research, thus suggesting that a comprehensive understanding of the topic requires perspectives from both marketing and gender studies. This underscores femvertising's relevance in both fields. Also, the analyzed articles mainly used qualitative methods, with content analysis, interviews, discourse analysis, and textual analysis being the most common. Quantitative methods like experiments and structural equation modeling were also used, though studies combining both approaches were rare. There is a notable deficiency in research employing big data analytics.

Exchange rate fluctuations and industrial production in Malaysia: evidence from dynamic simulated ARDL analysis

Contemporary literature argues that the exchange rate serves as an important instrument of industrial policy to boost economic growth. However, it is difficult to design effective exchange rate policies owing to the uncertainty shrouding the outcomes of the exchange rate movement for industrial growth. Therefore, this study uses a dynamic simulated autoregressive distributive lags approach to study the impact of positive and negative changes in the real effective exchange rate on industrial production of Malaysia for the period 1970–2022. We employ an extended production function to study this relationship by incorporating capital, labour and globalisation as additional explanatory variables. The findings suggest that positive (negative) changes in real effective exchange rate are followed by positive (negative) changes in economic growth in the long run. Furthermore, positive changes in capital affect economic growth positively and significantly in both the short and long run. Finally, positive (negative) movement in labour and globalization positively (negatively) and significantly affect industrial production in the long run respectively. Policymakers should depreciate currency to expand industrial production in Malaysia. Moreover, to boost industrial production, short-term loans should be introduced for capital accumulation.

Future directions in transmasculine genital gender-affirming surgery: tissue substitutes and transplant.

The present study reviews contemporary literature focused on transplantation and tissue substitutes for the purposes of masculinizing genital gender affirming surgery. Additional background is provided for both topics to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the modern applications. Genitourinary vascularized composite allotransplantation has become a reality in recent years with several cases reported worldwide in cisgender men with promising reports of urinary and sexual function. A natural extension might be to apply these techniques to gender affirming surgery (GAS). Technical barriers include anatomic differences between vasculature supporting penoscrotal and vulvovaginal anatomy as well as size discrepancies between the corporal bodies which complicate the required anastomoses. Whether the smaller caliber of biologic female pelvic vasculature can support erection of a neophallus is another obstacle. Ethically, resource allocation, elective immunosuppression, society response to organ donation and gender identity, as well as the psychosocial safety of the patient given charged public opinion must all be considered.Tissue substitutes have long been used in urologic reconstruction but more recently applied to masculinizing gender affirmation surgery which has traditionally relied on autografting. The focus has been on restoring form and function to the donor site as well as facilitating treatment of urethral stricture and wound complications after phalloplasty. Furthermore, aesthetic applications have also been described, most recently for glans atrophy. The field of masculinizing gender affirmation surgery represents an exciting frontier for surgeons and patients alike. Given the relative nascency of the specialty and its propensity to draw techniques from various surgical disciplines there exists a unique opportunity for rapid innovation to overcome challenging problems posed by these complex procedures as evidenced by discussions around applying penile transplantation and the use of novel tissue grafting techniques.

Development and Validation of Yoga Program for Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a widespread health issue impacting millions globally. Recognizing the potential benefits of yoga in enhancing physical and mental well-being, this research aims to develop and validate a yoga module tailored for CKD patients, with a specific focus on improving their general health. The yoga module was meticulously crafted through an extensive review of traditional and contemporary literature, incorporating postures, breathing techniques and meditation practices deemed safe and beneficial for CKD patients. Content validity was established through input yoga experts with over 7 years of experience. The study spanned from January 2020 to December 2021. The final version of the yoga module retained 83.33% of the proposed yoga techniques, incorporating modifications suggested by experts. The content validity index for the entire yoga module averaged 0.83. This work establishes the viability, validity and practicality of a yoga module designed for CKD patients. With 35 out of 42 items retained, the module exhibited significant health improvements after 12 weeks of practice. The findings position yoga therapy as a potentially effective complementary treatment for CKD patients, offering improvements in general health and quality of life and potentially slowing disease progression.

The Copenhagen School’s widening security theory in relation to cybersecurity. Applicability and Implications

This paper critically examines the relationship between cybersecurity and Copenhagen School’s widening security theory, with the aim of assessing the possibility of applying this theoretical framework to the cyber realm. As cybersecurity is a relatively recent addition to the security discourse, this research explores whether the Copenhagen School’s traditional framework, which was primarily focused on securitisation processes in the five main sectors (military, political, economic, environmental, and societal), adequately encompasses the unique aspects and dynamics of cyber domain. The research question is: Why the cybersecurity field can’t become a separate constructivist sector? The study begins with a detailed overview of both cybersecurity landscape and Copenhagen School’s fundamental principles to provide the context for a comparative analysis of the Copenhagen theory and contemporary cybersecurity literature. In doing so, the research delves into the features of cybersecurity, with a focus on the evolving nature of cyber threats and vulnerabilities. By performing a qualitative analysis of the existing literature, the paper assesses the limitations of integrating these two concepts, ultimately concluding that cybersecurity lacks the distinct characteristics required to be considered a separate sector under the Copenhagen School’s framework. The findings contribute to the ongoing discussions regarding the adaptation of traditional security theories to address contemporary security challenges in the digital age.

Engagement of stakeholders in action-oriented education for sustainability: a study of motivations and benefits and development of a process model

ABSTRACT Purpose Engagement of non-academic stakeholders is an important element of education for sustainability, but is rarely mentioned in contemporary agricultural education literature. This article investigates the process of engagement of non-academic stakeholders into higher education programs on agriculture. Non-academic stakeholders refer to private firms that are focused on the acquisition of knowledge with the objective of achieving a competitive advantage. Design/methodology/approach Eleven cases of agricultural education at the undergraduate (Bachelor’s degree) and graduate (Master’s degree) levels in three different countries (Italy, Greece, Norway) were analysed through interviews with teachers and stakeholders and in-situ observations. Findings Qualitative analysis revealed three categories of motivation (inspiration, marketing, sharing experience), two benefits (energy, problem-solving) and four combined categories (exchange, new knowledge, new workers, practical contribution). A conceptual model, developed in the study, provides guidelines for the engagement process, enabling more collaborative education approaches in agriculture and food. Practical implications The proposed model provides educational institutions with a tool for assessing stakeholder engagement process in new/existing education initiatives, enabling transformation of education from narrow individual disciplines to integration of knowledge sources and a variety of learning arenas in education. Theoretical implications Within the framework of university-industry collaboration in combination with action-oriented education for sustainability, findings provide unique insights into the engagement of stakeholders in education. Originality/value This study contributes to knowledge by applying principles of action learning and focusing on the education side of engagement. The results demonstrated that engagement in action-oriented collaborative education offers several benefits to non-academic stakeholders. This was found to have real effects on farm businesses, manifested as changes in production processes and discovery of new marketing opportunities.

Construction of a Teaching Platform of Modern and Contemporary Chinese Literature From the Perspective of Diversified Intelligence

This paper discusses the functional principle of the theory in detail based on the theory of diversified intelligence and constructs a teaching platform of diversified intelligence. Then, this platform is applied to teaching in different cities, and the application of modern and contemporary literature teaching platforms in different cities is compared. According to the application indicators of each inter city teaching platform, the measures to improve the application rate of this teaching platform are put forward. In short, based on the theory of multiple intelligences, this paper provides some experimental and theoretical support for the development and progress of modern and contemporary Chinese literature.

The Market Efficiency Debate: Developments of Financial Market Theories

A united hypothesis to explain the price movement of financial assets has been a significant research goal over the past few decades. This paper reviews the existing literature on both Efficient Markets and Behavioral Finance, concluding with more contemporary literature that attempts to combine the two theories. It summarizes the EMH and Behavioral Finance concepts, the debate between them, and the evidence supporting both. By recognizing the vast swaths of evidence in support of both hypotehses, one can conclude that the questions surrounding the efficiency or inefficiency of markets remain unanswered. Instead, the evidence supporting both hypotheses suggests the necessity of a compromise to rationalize these results instead of relying on one hypothesis or another. The compromise between both hypotheses, in turn, makes the debate between efficiency and inefficiency almost moot. Researchers must account for human misbehavior and rational expectations on a spectrum when formulating new market hypotheses, remaining open to changes in market theory as new variables continue to be discovered.

Comparative Study of Air Pollution with Ayurveda and its Management

Background Environmental pollution is increasing day by day and imposing severe and irreversible damage to the world. Air pollution is one of the biggest threats for the environment and affecting humans, animals, crops, cities, forests, aquatic ecosystems. Environmental Toxicology is the science concerned with study of harmful effects of various chemical, biological and physical agents on living organisms. In Ayurveda Charakacharya has briefly described the environmental health in chapter named Janpadodhvansaniyavimanam. Ayurveda has a dedicated branch called Agadatantra which deals with the toxicological aspects of living entities of environment. Aims and objectives We aim to relate and validate this knowledge pertaining to the air pollution. Material and method the references available regarding the air pollution in classical texts were studied and compared with the available information in the contemporary medical literatures. Signs of air pollution given in the text compared and studied with signs of Air pollution. Discussion Ayurveda terms of Vikrut and Prakrut Vayu described in Granthas are found to be relatable with contemporary findings. Conclusion Air pollution described in Ayurveda are very precise and explanatory. Management of air pollution with this ancient science are the new open windows for healthy air breathing for every living organism.

Demystifying open access misconception for improved research discoverability

The dissemination of knowledge and scholarly communication depends heavily on open-access publishing. Open access refers to free and instant online access to research articles paired with the rights to use these articles fully in the digital environment, in the context of scholarly communication. However, financial limitations, antiquated academic infrastructure, and misunderstandings about open access sometimes impede access to scientific knowledge and research discoveries in developing nations. Erroneous beliefs about lower study quality, copyright issues, and financial hardships sometimes deter researchers from adopting open access. In addition, the benefits and guiding principles of open-access publication are not well known to many scholars and organizations in developing nations. This study hopes to dispel these myths and demonstrate the value in the discoverability and distribution of worthwhile research, which will advance science and advance the socioeconomic growth of these countries. The article aims to establish open access as an opportunity by addressing the misconception that frames it as a threat. The study conducted a literature review on open access. A structured assessment of past and contemporary literature enhanced the selection, categorization, and summarization of findings and deliberation on open access publishing quality control, marketing of intellectual output, copyright, and achieving compliance in institutions of higher learning. The study findings created awareness of the potential benefits of higher citations and exposure that emerge from open access integration into academics' operations. Also, the study demonstrated how open access unlatch the institution to the public and eludes a culture of secrecy and scepticism that has been pervasive throughout scientific research. The study will significantly influence policies on scholarly activities resulting to more open access publishing.

Islamic Entrepreneur in the Business Concept of Prophet Muhammad SAW: A Conceptual Review

This research examines the concept of Islamic entrepreneurship based on the Prophet Muhammad's business practices and its relevance to the modern business context. Through a systematic literature review method, this research analyses primary and secondary sources on the history of Islamic economics, the biography of Prophet Muhammad, and contemporary literature on Islamic business ethics. The main findings show that the Prophet's business practices were based on fundamental Islamic principles such as tawhid, justice, and social responsibility. The main characteristics of Prophet Muhammad's busines s include honesty, professionalism, quality orientation, focus on customer satisfaction, and fair partne rship. This research reveals that the concept of Islamic entrepreneurship has strong relevance to the contemporary business context, especially in the asp ects of business ethics, leadership with integrity, and corporate social responsibility. Although its implementation faces challenges such as lack of in depth understanding and conflict with conventional systems, there are significant opportunities for the development of Islamic entrepreneurship, especially in countries with large Muslim populations. The s tudy concludes that the concept of Islamic entrepreneurship offers a more ethical, sustainable and benefit oriented business paradigm, which can provide inspiration for global efforts in building a more just economic system. Recommendations are put forward for business practitioners, policy makers, academics, educational institutions, and Islamic business organizations to encourage the implementation and further development of this concept.

Ruralism in Contemporary Literature. How Close the Cold Rains Are, by Bogdan Coșa

Over time, ruralism in Romania has taken on various forms, evolving from the idyllic image of the traditional village at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century to the portrayal of its disintegration during the socialist period. After 1990, in the context of paradigm shifts, it is depicted in an advanced state of decay. In his novel, Bogdan Coșa captures the impact these changes had on Romanian society in rural areas and small industrial towns, metonymically representing the drift of an entire society.

Healthy in ancient and modern times

Background: Health practices have evolved from ancient holistic approaches to modern scientifically driven methods. This comparative study aims to explore the continuity and transformation in healthcare practices from ancient times to the present, highlighting the enduring principles of wellness and the advancements in medical science. Methods and Material: The research employs a comparative analysis of ancient health practices, such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, against modern health practices influenced by scientific and technological advancements. Sources include archaeological findings, historical texts, and contemporary scientific literature. Results: Ancient health practices emphasized a holistic approach, integrating diet, lifestyle, and spiritual practices to maintain balance and harmony. Modern health practices prioritize evidence-based treatments, technological interventions, and preventive care, leading to significant improvements in health outcomes. Both approaches highlight the importance of preventive measures, personalized care, and a comprehensive understanding of health and well-being. Conclusion: This study reveals that despite the methodological differences, the fundamental objective of fostering health and well-being remains constant across time. Integrating ancient wisdom with modern scientific advancements offers a more holistic approach to health, addressing physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of well-being.

Recovered History: Chicanx Representation in the Dual Credit Classroom

Abstract Recent legislation in Texas effectively prohibits K-12 educators from addressing issues of racism and explicitly prevents teachers from discussing the place of racism in Chicanx relations across Texas history. University educators, and dual-credit instructors especially, must intercede if future generations of learners are going to encounter the true and complete history of border culture, colonialism, and the complex relationship that Chicanx people have with the Southern region of the United States. I argue that the use of digital archives and recovered history like the internet project Are We Good Neighbors? Mapping Discrimination Against Mexicans in 1940s Texas, which catalogs racial discrimination through individual testimony, the Library of Congress database of Mexican American documents, and Chicano! History of the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement offer educators an opportunity to incorporate key research skills into the classroom while also establishing a linear context for liminality as a feature of identity formation in contemporary Chicanx literature. The combination of research and critical inquiry is vital to instructing students on the realities of Chicano relations and introducing them to the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement, a key element of American history that is not only conspicuously absent from most K-12 curricula but also an inescapable influence on identity formation and contemporary discussions around Mexican American relations. The use of digital archives to recover and center Chicanx history is actionable on a small scale and serves as an important opportunity to resist anti-ethnic legislation in real time, a vital act of subversion that sidesteps prolonged challenges to censorship at the legislative level.

The Philosophy of Openness in Terms of Accessibility through Virtual Worlds: The Case of Distance Education

This article aims to investigate the role of virtual worlds in enhancing the philosophy of openness in terms of accessibility in distance education. A bibliographic research was conducted, based on specific sampling criteria, to search and collect contemporary and topic-related literature, emphasising the last ten years. Articles and books on openness, accessibility, distance education, and virtual worlds were collected through research sources, such as Google Scholar, HEAL-Link and ERIC, utilising relevant keywords. This information was then organised and synthesised to show the importance of using virtual worlds to enhance accessibility in Open and Distance Education. According to the literature, Second Life is the most prevalent virtual platform within the educational community, thanks to its openness and the diverse opportunities for creating interactive virtual learning environments that foster the skills necessary for contemporary education. It is also noteworthy that virtual worlds, like Second Life, increase accessibility for people with disabilities, breaking down many physical barriers and providing significant opportunities for socialisation and learning. In conclusion, in the context of Open and Distance Education, virtual worlds like Second Life offer: a) an interactive, creative and collaborative environment with numerous possibilities and diverse sensory stimuli; b) accessible environments without spatiotemporal constraints; c) inclusive environments for users with disabilities and other vulnerable social groups, d) virtual visits to historical and art projects, workshops, and more, e) the creation of personalised learning experiences of high aesthetic value, and f) the democratisation of knowledge, since virtual communities, projects and activities in the virtual environment, can be open without spatiotemporal and economic constraints most of the time. Utilising virtual worlds increases accessibility, a strong indicator of openness in any educational context.