Contemporary Times Research Articles

Reimagining Tourism Sustainability in the North-Western Himalayas: A Community-Based Perspective

ABSTRACT In contemporary times, the prominence of inclusive tourism participation is gaining traction worldwide. This research examines the residents’ perspectives on sustainable tourism development in the north-western Himalayas and determines the theoretical validity of the sustainable tourism attitude scale (SUS-TAS). For carrying out the study, a random survey technique with a structured questionnaire (N = 351) has been used at Sonamarg, which forms the ideal site for assessing community perceptions toward sustainable tourism. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with Varimax rotation was employed to identify the SUS-TAS dimensions. Our findings support the seven SAS-TAS dimensions with 42 items that maintained validity and reliability. Overall, the study findings infer that in six out of seven factors, residents’ level of agreement was above 70%. These insights highlight the quintessence of incorporating residents’ attitudes in the intersection of the decision-making process and tourism planning strategies. By quantifying residents’ perceptions of sustainable tourism, it becomes feasible to prioritize management measures in concert with the rights of the local community. Furthermore, this study forms the basis for a prospective sustainable tourism framework in mountain tourist destinations worldwide and in the Himalayan belt particularly owing to the growing tourist footprint in the region.

On the Significance of Classical Instrumental Performance Style in Contemporary Times

The paper explores the significance of classical instrumental performance style in contemporary music,By analyzing the musical structure, emotional expression and playing skills of the classical period, the profound influence of classical music on contemporary music creation and performance is studied.,Discuss the inheritance and innovation of classical music style in neoclassical works based on examples. The research results show that the classical instrumental performance style plays an important role in contemporary music education, the integration of technology and aesthetics, and cross-cultural music exchange, promoting the development and integration of global music and art.Therefore, the classical instrumental performance style has important educational significance and practical value in contemporary times, and can provide players with dual guidance of technology and art.

An Epistemology of Revelation

The aim of this article is to approach the epistemology of revelation through the approach of political anthropology. It departs from Max Weber’s distinction between ordinary and out-of-the-ordinary situations, which led to his idea of charismatic power. This article complements the Weberian perspective by introducing the anthropological term “liminality” for such situations, as well as the term “trickster” for figures who have a specific affinity for appearing in such situations, creating havoc instead of offering a solution. Ordinary knowledge does not apply to liminal void situations of incommensurability; incommensurable knowledge can be gained by magic and religion. Magic forces the transcendent and claims to produce effects, while religion is based on revealed knowledge, the validity of which is established by trust. Under particularly anguishing liminal conditions, the hardly tolerated practitioners of magic might gain positions of power. An important such example is offered by Persian Magi. Turning to the present, modern rationalism, with Bacon and Descartes, undermined both ordinary and revealed knowledge. The possible relevance of revealed knowledge in contemporary times is discussed through the related phenomena of apocalyptic expectations and Marian apparitions.

Reviewing Concentrated Poverty Literature Through an Antiblackness Lens to Reveal a Concentrated Debt

The relationship between concentrated poverty and educational outcomes has received substantial attention in academic research over the last 3 decades. Researchers have argued that neighborhood characteristics are associated with academic achievement, educational attainment, dropout rates, college entry, cognitive abilities, attendance, and grade repetition. Given that Black students constitute a large proportion of those living in concentrated poverty, coupled with the urgency of contemporary times where state-sanctioned violence is on full display in the United States, assessing how education scholars are conceptualizing concentrated poverty is vital. Utilizing an antiblackness lens to critically review 64 recent articles addressing concentrated poverty and educational outcomes, we explicitly drew on anti-Black scholarship to expand the discourse from “concentrated poverty” to a “concentrated debt.” A concentrated debt constitutes education, racial capital, placemaking, and humanity debts. We argue that to address these debts, we must move beyond deficits, lacks, and disorganization of Black neighborhoods and toward humanizing Black students and their families by investing in their homes, schools, and communities.

Conservation beyond biopolitics: Vulnerability and abundance in Chennai's nature‐cultures

AbstractThis paper examines the possibilities for nature in contemporary times through a ground‐up investigation of nature practices in Chennai, India. It navigates dissonant strands of scholarship on the promise of urban regions as sites of exemplary social natures with an analytical framework that examines how autonomous nonhuman life in Chennai is variously enabled and inhibited. By studying a breadth of natures and nature practices within this urban site (instead of focusing on a particular species or habitat), the paper illuminates the socio‐material processes that undermine some natures even while supporting others, highlighting paradoxical responses to nonhuman agencies and resilience within the domain of ecological concern. The simultaneous analysis of Chennai's abundant and diminishing natures explains dissonances in urban natures scholarship, while offering fresh insights on more equitable approaches to nonhuman nature in human‐dominated landscapes. Specifically, it points to the value of reconfiguring concepts and practices of nature, both within and beyond conservation, in ways that are attentive to the plural forms of nonhuman flourishing and experiential vulnerability. Any meaningful prospect for more‐than‐human futures in urbanising worlds, the paper argues, rests not on biopolitical conservation that seeks to reproduce the past or build future ecologies of ‘legitimate’ natures, but on desisting from the displacement of, and re‐allowing room – conceptual, material and ethical – for already existing natures, whether scientifically valued or unintentional, whether imperilled or flourishing.

Practical Applications in Building a Proposed Program for Islamic Education

The problem of the current research lies in the importance of the program in the educational process and the importance of the Islamic education subject, which is intended to studyIssuesandChallengesthatI was busyMany nations, andfacing our societiesIn contemporary times andNecessaryThe orderIn addressing many contemporary issuesOn the one hand, and also to achieve the desired goals on the other hand, So the problem liesCurrent researchWith the questions (What topics does the program include and what are its components?Suggested program for Islamic education). Hence, the current research aims to: (identify topics, build a program in light of those topics), and the current research is defined as (teachers of teaching methods in colleges in Baghdad), and to achieve the research objectives, the researchers adopted a set of procedures that included identifying the research sample from its community, which numbered (110), and the total sample was (60) chosen randomly and this sample constituted (10%) of the research community, and the researchers used the questionnaire as a tool for their research after verifying its validity and reliability, and the data was processed statistically, and the result that the researchers reached was that the topics included in the research tool had all received the approval of the research sample, and in light of that, those topics became the basis for building a program for the subject of Islamic education for the primary stage, and in light of those results, the researchers reached a number of numerous recommendations and proposals.

Chanakya's Economic Doctrine: Insights from the Arthashastra

This paper delves into the intellectual depth of Chanakya's economic doctrines, as presented in his seminal work, the Arthashastra. By exploring Chanakya's perspectives on agriculture, trade, taxation, and Monetary policy, this paper not only aims to illuminate the economic principles that shaped ancient Indian society but also underscores their enduring relevance in contemporary times. This significance is particularly highlighted when considering the historical context, socio-economic conditions, and Chanakya's pragmatic governance approach.

Gen-Z’s engagement with micro-cores: Exploring aesthetics and identity in contemporary times

Gen-Z’s engagement with micro-cores: Exploring aesthetics and identity in contemporary times

Tibetan Dance and Its Artistic Value Rediscovered

Tibetan dance carries a rich history, culture and national feelings, and its history can be traced back to the Neolithic Age. At that time, the ancestors of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau had begun to express their lives and emotions in the form of dance. After thousands of years of development and evolution, Tibetan dance has formed a unique artistic style and a complete dance system, which not only reflects the profound historical and cultural heritage, but also shows the unique aesthetic pursuit and national spirit of the Tibetan people. This paper reviews the historical development of Tibetan dance, sorts out the characteristics and changes of Tibetan dance in different historical periods, analyzes the dance posture, rhythm and costumes of Tibetan dance, and discusses the value of Tibetan dance in contemporary times.

Speculative investigation of performance & combustion of waste plastic oil blended with diesel as an alternate fuel in single cylinder diesel engine employing is: 10000 standards

In contemporary times, plastic waste recycling has emerged as a crucial trend, presenting significant potential for plastic reformulation and recyclability. Waste plastic, owing to its high calorific value and abundance, serves as a promising energy source. Through the pyrolysis process, plastic waste can be converted into pyrolysis oil, which exhibits properties akin to conventional diesel fuel and can be seamlessly integrated into engines. This study investigates the synthesis of waste plastic oil (WPO) via pyrolysis using a diverse feedstock comprising various types and grades of plastic. The resulting oil, resembling diesel in characteristics, is evaluated for its performance in a compression ignition (CI) engine equipped with a variable compression ratio.Experimental tests are conducted using blends of WPO and diesel ranging from 0% to 100%, across different engine loads spanning from partial to full load conditions (2 kg to 12 kg). The combustion characteristics, engine performance metrics, and emission profiles are meticulously analyzed and compared against those of conventional diesel fuel. The findings indicate that the engine exhibits comparable performance with WPO at higher loads, akin to that with diesel. However, at lower loads, an extended delay period is observed, contributing to engine stabilization.These results underscore the potential of renewable plastic oil as a viable alternative fuel for diesel engine applications, particularly under specific operating conditions. The study provides valuable insights into the feasibility and performance implications of integrating waste plastic oil into compression ignition engines, contributing to the ongoing discourse on sustainable energy solutions and waste management practices.

Gender Affirmative Actions and Greater Participation Female in Politics: Overcoming “Inaptitudes” With Amartya Sen

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate affirmative actions within the framework of John Rawls' and Amartya Sen's theories, with the aim of analyzing how these theories have influenced the strengthening of the idea of human dignity in contemporary times and the promotion of female political participation. Theoretical Framework: This section presents the main concepts and theories that underpin the research. The focus is on John Rawls' theories of justice and Amartya Sen's capabilities approach, providing a solid foundation for understanding the context of the investigation. Method: The methodology adopted for this research comprises a jurisprudential review and an analysis grounded in a dialectical perspective. Data collection was conducted through the analysis of judicial cases and legal documents, particularly within the Brazilian context of fictitious candidacies and the demand for the implementation of gender equality policies. Results and Discussion: The results revealed the necessity for decisions by national courts in cases of gender quota fraud to also be based on a gender perspective. In the discussion section, these results are contextualized in light of the theoretical framework, highlighting the implications and relationships identified. Possible discrepancies and limitations of the study are also considered in this section. Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this research are discussed, providing insights on how the results can be applied or influence practices in the field of gender equality in politics. These implications may encompass the formulation of public policies and judicial actions in cases of electoral fraud. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by proposing the maintenance of legitimately elected female candidates who did not participate in electoral fraud, and, from this number, the recalculation of the legal quota proportionality, as a means of strengthening the fundamental right to gender equality. The relevance and value of this research are evidenced by the potential application of its results in improving the effectiveness of affirmative actions in the political context.

African students consuming the Chinese higher education market: the role of pre-mobility capital(s) in transnational social reproduction strategies

ABSTRACT Despite the sharp growth in numbers and geopolitical significance of African students in China, studies focusing on Sino-African student mobility remain relatively limited. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 15 self-financed students from five different African countries, we employ Bourdieu’s central concept of capital(s) to explore the decision-making process of student migrants studying at a vocational college in southeast China. Though traditionally elite and upper-ranked universities are endowed with a high level of symbolic value, our study shows that the motivation to study abroad is significantly mediated by access to pre-mobility capitals(s). In considering students as consumers of the Chinese higher education market, the research broadens the mobilities optic within the Global South by documenting the transnational reproduction strategies of the African middle – and working-classes in contemporary times.

Studi Literatur tentang Faktor-Faktor yang Mempengaruhi Kemunduran Pendidikan Islam

Uu's research investigates changes and setbacks in Islamic education from its heyday to contemporary times. The research methodology used is a Literature Study/Library Study approach, by collecting data from various sources such as digital libraries and the internet. Analysis was carried out on the factors that influenced the decline of Islamic education, including the tendency of excessive philosophy, lack of appreciation for scientists, internal and external conflicts, as well as the impact of Mongol attacks and the Crusades. The results of the research showed that the decline of Islamic education had significant impacts such as stagnation in motivation, a decline in the quality of education and intellectual thinking and a narrowing of the curriculum in madrasas. However, efforts to purify Islamic teachings in the eighteenth century gave hope for a more progressive renewal of Islamic education

The Biopolitics of COVID-19

Abstract This article is heavily inspired by Michel Foucault's lectures on biopolitical power over life as a starting point for thinking about contemporary global response to COVID-19. The article examines how the government of Ghana deployed biopolitical interventions in response to the pandemic. COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the biopolitics of the current moment, demonstrating the levels of intrusiveness that state power structures have on biological life of the population. The article theorises that the government of Ghana's response to the pandemic indicates that the biopolitical critique of the extension of regulatory governance of life has become blurred in our contemporary times. In conclusion, the article investigates the biopolitics of the pandemic governance from the perspective of conceptualising a ‘beyond’ of such biopolitics, arguing that a critique of existing biopolitics needs to account for its embeddedness in the affirmative modes of biopolitics.

Aestheticizing Politics and Politicising Aesthetics: Principles of Aesthetics in the Context of Totalitarianism

This article examines the complex interplay between art, society, and power, focusing on the aesthetic strategies employed by totalitarian regimes, particularly Hitler’s Nazi Germany and Stalin’s Soviet Union. Both regimes harnessed aesthetics to propagate their ideologies and suppress dissent. While Nazi Germany aestheticized politics to promote their ideology of racial purity, the Soviet Union politicised aesthetics to glorify the proletariat and the Soviet state through Socialist Realism. The regimes’ manipulation of aesthetics reveals how art can become instrumental in enforcing authoritarian control and shaping public perception through manipulating emotions. The paper further examines common aesthetic principles utilised by totalitarian regimes, aiming to raise awareness about practices of aestheticizing politics and politicising aesthetics, making the topic relevant in contemporary turbulent times. The article thus underscores the contemporary relevance of these strategies in the digital age, where art continues to influence political discourse and public behaviour. It calls for a critical engagement with the ethical dimensions of art in politics and advocates for supporting artistic freedom to ensure art serves as a tool for empowerment of the silenced, resistance against totalitarianism, and positive social change. Through historical and contemporary lenses, this study highlights the dual potential of art to both oppress and liberate, emphasising the need for vigilance in maintaining its ethical use in society.

Primary pyeloplasty for uretero-pelvic obstruction in the USA adult population with or without double-J indwelling ureteral stents. Insurance claims data on contemporary time to removal trends, perioperative complications, health care costs, and re-intervention rates.

Using a large population-based dataset, we primarily sought to compare postoperative complications, health-care expenditures, and re-intervention rates between patients diagnosed with ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) undergoing stented vs. non-stented pyeloplasty. The secondary objective was to investigate factors that influence the timing of DJ stent removal. Patients ≥18 years old with UPJO treated with primary open or minimally-invasive pyeloplasty were identified using the Merative™ Marketscan® Databases between 2007-2021. Multivariable modeling was implemented to investigate the association between Double-J (DJ) stent placement and post-pyeloplasty complications, hospital costs, and re-intervention rates and the role of the perioperative predictors on time to DJ stent removal. Subgroup analyses stratified by ureteral stenting duration were additionally performed. Out of 4872 patients who underwent primary pyeloplasty, 4154 (85.3%) had DJ placement. Postoperative complications were rare (N.=218, 4.47%) and not associated with ureteral stenting (odds ratio [OR]: 0.78, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.55-1.12). The median cost for in-hospital charges was $21,775, with DJ stent placement independently increasing the median aggregate amount (OR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.09-1.53). Overall, re-interventions were performed in 21.18% of patients, with DJ stenting found to be protective (OR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.66-0.96). Higher Charlson Comorbidity Index, longer hospital stay, and open surgical approach were independent predictors for prolonged DJ stenting time to removal. Our study suggests that patients undergoing stent-less pyeloplasty did have a higher rate of secondary procedures, but not higher complications when compared to those undergoing stented procedures. Concurrently, the non-stented approach is associated with decreased health-care expenditures, despite the increased rates of secondary procedures.

이주-난민의 이동으로서 밀항

This paper addresses the concept of migration-refugee as an interconnected notion, addressing the relationship between migration and refugees. It delves into the perception issue, which underlies the interpretation and application of laws and regulations, rather than focusing solely on the legal frameworks. Although it is an “illegal” act, we reviewed the meaning of stowaway as an escape and return for those who have no choice but to migrate and have lost their place to live. In Europe, where cross-border movements of migration-refugee persist, stowaway acts are connected to crime and targeted for crackdowns and control. Although the illegality and hazard of stowaways are emphasized to curb their movement, stowaways cannot be defined simply as illegal activities in that movement across boundaries. The Jeju people, who crossed borders between Jeju and Japan around 1950, were similarly forced into stowaway activities for survival due to restrictions on their mobility. Stowaway practices, which have persisted across modern and contemporary times and spaces, extend beyond mere illegal acts; as a form of migration-refugee movement, they provide a critical view of the power and capital operating within this mobility.

Consumers’ Perception of Online Shopping in Kota Samarahan, Sarawak

In contemporary times, individuals commonly employ a combination of conventional and modern approaches to get products and services, driven by shifts in consumer purchasing patterns. This is seen in the growing preference for cashless payment methods when making purchases. This study aims to examine the elements that impact customers' perception of online shopping in Kota Samarahan and assess the correlation between two variables that influence consumers' impression of online shopping. The sample approach employed for this investigation is random simple sampling. The data was obtained using a survey conducted in person, where participants scanned a QR code to access the questionnaire. A total of 208 respondents were included in this survey, and the data was analyzed using descriptive analysis and Pearson correlations. This study identified four factors that impact consumers' impression of online purchasing. The study identified four distinct characteristics that influenced customers' view of online buying: convenience, website design/feature, time efficiency, and security. These aspects were considered independent variables, while consumers' perception of online shopping was the dependent variable. All the results from the correlation coefficient data were determined to be positive, suggesting a direct association between the variables.

A Comprehensive Analysis of Social Media Platforms and their Impact on E-Consumer Purchase Behavior (With Reference to Coimbatore City)

In contemporary times, social media has emerged as a highly effective platform for establishing direct connections with prospective clients. Through deeper user engagement, community social networking sites have garnered customer trust and are predominantly utilized for social interactions. Since the beginning of the year, many manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers have adopted social media marketing strategies. Marketers are increasingly exploring diverse social media channels and introducing innovative social initiatives at an unprecedented rate. The exponential expansion and rapid evolution of social media marketing are extraordinary, reflecting a transformative shift in promotional strategies. Recognizing its immense potential, multinational corporations have integrated social media marketing into their campaigns, significantly enhancing their outreach and engagement efforts. This paper examines the level of awareness among e-consumers regarding social media sites and analyzes the impact of social media advertisements on these consumers. Additionally, it provides a comprehensive overview of Coimbatore's social media marketing practices.

THE PLACE OF DIGITAL LITERACY IN RESUSCITATING NIGERIAN EDUCATION TOWARDS VOCATIONAL, ENTREPRENEURAL AND PROFESSIONAL TRANSFORMATION

Education for national development and transformation has become fundamental in the process of nation building across different societies. In Nigeria, the education sector is largely faced with multiple problems that have undermined it from pre-colonial to contemporary times. This study used qualitative data that were collected from secondary literature and Bandura’s theory of social learning to develop the content of the study. The study found that the professional workplace in the Nigerian setting have become fundamentally undermined by the multiple effects of the challenges faced in the Nigerian education. The study therefore explained how digital literacy could be applied to vocational and entrepreneurial education in other to attained transformations in the professional workplace.