Contemporary Work Research Articles

The 1912 notebook of Fr. Julian Malumbres, O.P. on the properties of the churches the Dominicans administered in Cagayan until 1898

This paper is a transcribed thirty-one-paged notebook of a compilation of three reports: (1) the property survey of the Spaniard Don Senen Palao, (2) notes of Fr. Julian Malumbres, OP and (3) letters of three surviving friars that left the Philippines after the Philippine Revolution of 1898. An English translation is provided and annotations are used as cross-references into contemporary works and later researches to further enrich and simplify the referencing of the information provided. The data on the ecclesiastical properties are tabulated for easier reading. A brief description of them and attached maps (scaled and unscaled) related to the towns are mentioned, as well as supplemental photographs to show a glimpse of the totality of the narrative of the notebook of Fr. Malumbres. This also opens the opportunities to revisit Cagayan due to the historical, architectural, and archaeological interest the notebook holds to further understand the scope of the Dominican properties in the province until 1898.

The Demise of the Early Church in North Africa: Teaching Lessons for the Contemporary Nigerian Church

This article explores the decline of the early Christian church in North Africa and its implications for the contemporary Nigerian church. By examining historical, sociopolitical, and theological factors that contributed to the disintegration of a once-thriving ecclesiastical community in 2nd – 7th Century, the study aims to draw meaningful lessons for present-day Nigerian Christians facing similar challenges. The research employs a historical-analytical methodology, utilizing primary texts from early church writings, contemporary scholarly work, and secondary sources to trace the transformations that led to the church's demise. The main argument posits that internal divisions, external pressures from rising imperial powers, and cultural assimilation played pivotal roles in the decline of early North African Christianity. However, key findings from the study reveal that, Christianity spread from Jerusalem to Africa especially North Africa before it later went to the Western countries. This dispels the false concept among Africans that “Christianity is a white man’s religion.” Secondly, while the early church in North Africa was confronted with internal challenges ranging from theological differences, cultural clashes to power tussles on the other hand, a combination of external factors, which includes the rise of Islam, political instability, invasions, economic hardship and state persecutions ultimately stroked the church and led to its demise. Finally, the demise of the early church in North Africa had profound implications. The loss of theological institutions, cultural richness, political power, religious freedom, economic prosperity, and social cohesion has left a lasting impact on the church in Africa. In light of these findings, the article recommends proactive strategies for the Nigerian church, including fostering unity in diversity among denominations, strengthening theological education, and emphasizing contextual faith practices. Ultimately, this study serves as both a cautionary tale and a source of hope for a vibrant Christian future in Nigeria.

A Kantian Theory of Employment, or How Domestic Right Structures Contemporary Work: A Reply to Williams

This article shows how Kant’s framework of domestic right can be understood as a model for modern employment law, a suggestion made by Garrath Williams in a commentary on Kant’s Theory of Labour. I begin by exploring how Kant’s historical context informed his account of labor relations and argue that he made three key innovations: the theorization of domestic right, the linkage of work and political standing, and the development of contract right to make sense of the material dependency and formal equality of “free” contract workers. This account of contract-based work, however, sketches a dangerous “fantasy” of free contract that we see echoed in contemporary defenses of the gig economy. I show that this argument is central to understanding Kant’s evolving conception of the relationship between labor and citizenship, but I defend the claim that modern employment resembles domestic right more closely than contract right, by attending to both the formal structures of modern employment law and the lived experiences of professional employment in the digital age. Finally, I explore how drawing on the domestic model for understanding modern employment can help us to see the limits of both Kantian and contemporary accounts of the public good, by highlighting the ways that public law is deployed to formalize asymmetrical relations of dependence, to check their capacity for exploitation and domination. In so doing, public law acts to limit the scope of the state’s responsibility for both the formal and material conditions of equality, freedom, and flourishing, enforcing conditions in which citizens must rely on private employers for goods like health insurance, sick leave, and a minimum income.

Work Passion and Entrepreneurial Self-Employment in an Artisan Economy: Individual- and Field-Level Dynamics of Inequality

ABSTRACT Sociologists identify work passion—in which work is seen as an activity for the expression of personal passion and individual self-realization—as an important organizing and meaning-making force amongst contemporary workers and employers. I extend this literature into a new empirical context often framed as a pinnacle of work passion: entrepreneurial self-employment through artisan microenterprise. Applying a mixed-methods approach to handmade bicycle fabricators in the United States, I explore how these artisans pursue a livelihood in a field where many participants are willing to pay a “passion penalty” of reduced remuneration to remain engaged in the trade. I show that a large volume of passion-driven entrants into this field of self-employment without credentialing ultimately creates an “immiserating field” that privileges those with household-level resources and outside work to sustain their business. These dynamics destabilize the occupational field itself and stymie organizational efforts that might be collectively beneficial. My findings underscore the salience of the work-passion analytical frame and suggest the value of future comparative inquiry into entrepreneurial self-employment.

The Origin and Development of Contemporary Andai Dance Stage Works

Contemporary Andai dance has gone through the origin and development stages from small-scale song and dance works to song and dance dramas and then to dance dramas. In this article, we mainly study the three development peaks of contemporary Andai dance stage works, and make a more detailed combing and research on their origin and development, with the aim of explaining and clarifying the origin and development of contemporary Andai dance stage works, and at the same time being able to better inherit and develop contemporary Andai dance.

Use of magnetic sheets in vertical deformation treatment of textile supports of contemporary paintings

The practice developed during a conservation and restoration intervention does not always follow common or traditional standards, whether due to technical limitations, or space constraints related to the size of the works, or by the material requirements that the works themselves can present. In the light of various particularities and needs, research was initiated into the use of harmless and satisfactory methods in the occasional treatment of deformations of the support of contemporary pictorial works, using magnetic sheets. In its use, different valences were evaluated, such as the control in the iteration of the work, the effectiveness and control of humidity and time during the performance of the treatments, and the results obtained. This article will reflect on the process developed with the application of four case studies, presenting the advantages and disadvantages in the use of this method.

Zwischen Biologie und Bürokratie: Unheimliche Bürolandschaften in Georg Kleins <em>Miakro</em> und Jeff VanderMeers <em>Authority</em>

Following a brief overview of various forms and functions of office settings in fantastic literature, this article will discuss the representation of the supernatural workplace in Georg Klein’s Miakro (2018) and Jeff VanderMeer’s Authority (2014). Both novels bring together seemingly disparate worlds: the natural and the bureaucratic sphere. Klein’s text is about a group of employees who work and live in an animated organic office without a traditional public-private divide, which turns out to be part of a giant mushroom. VanderMeer’s novel concerns itself with the stealthy invasion of a secret government agency by Area X, an ecosystem of extraterrestrial origin that transforms human beings into posthuman creatures. In this this paper, I analyze how Kleins novel deploys its grotesque office setting to reflect dystopian tendencies in contemporary work culture by discussing ramifications of capitalist labor practices such as alienation, worker exploitation, distorted work-life balance and social conformity. Moreover, I will argue that the parasitic office creature can be interpreted as a symbolic manifestation of hyperobject capitalism. VanderMeer, in contrast, uses the haunted house in decline trope as a metaphor for the downfall of human civilization: the bureau. The story of the destruction of the governmental agency by a pristine wilderness therefore questions an anhropocentric worldview by dissolving the dichotomy between the human and the nonhuman. I will demonstrate how the author links the collapse of the bureaucratic rule with the impending end of the human episteme. Paying particular attention to the description of spatial relations, I will furthermore examine how the texts use elements of Gothic and Weird Fiction in order to turn man-made uncanny places into monstrous nonhumanen spaces.

The National Association of EMS Physicians Compendium of Prehospital Trauma Management Position Statements and Resource Documents

This prologue to the NAEMSP Prehospital Trauma Compendium describes the rationale for and the process used in developing the compendium manuscripts. It also provides a summary of other contemporary works discussing additional elements of prehospital trauma care including hemorrhage control, airway and ventilation management, pain management, care for traumatic brain injury, and trauma triage.

An AAT technique based fatigue evaluation of composite corrugated steel web girders under coupled flexural load and temperature gradient

Medium-to-long spanned composite corrugated steel web (CSW) girders have recently been extensively constructed in the hot-humid terrains. Their degraded structural behavior in service has been concerning due to the presence of surface cracks under vehicle load-induced fatigue and repeated temperature fluctuation as coupled loads. This paper presents an experimental coupled loading study for such a structure with a CSW dimensional scale factor comparable to contemporary research work. An innovative artificial acceleration testing (AAT) technique was developed to fulfill the fatigue experimental test under controlled periodic variation of temperature. The structural deterioration modes during the whole fatigue loading progress have been analyzed. A new equation was proposed for the calculation of the coupled stress field incorporating the compatible strain condition at the steel-concrete interface under coupled loads. The resultant S-N relations based on fracture mechanics are demonstrated to be reasonably consistent with codified detail categories. The stress intensity factor allowing for crack geometry and the heat flux due to the prescribed temperature difference was developed and justified for the analytical remaining fatigue life analysis. The results can provide a reference for the development of AAT technology and the basic theory of thermal-structural analysis for these girders in the future.

Cross-Cultural Views on Contemporary Philippine Literature in English

This study explores cross-cultural views on contemporary Philippine literature in English, focusing on how foreign critics engage with and interpret Filipino literary works written in the postcolonial language of English. While Philippine literature in English has gained traction globally, varying interpretations among foreign critics reveal a unique reception shaped by differing cultural frameworks. However, a gap exists in fully understanding how these cross-cultural perspectives influence both the global visibility of Philippine literature and its local authenticity. This study aims to investigate this gap by analyzing the critical reception of contemporary works, where colonial and postcolonial identities are often discussed but less often reconciled. The research employs a qualitative content analysis method, drawing on secondary data from literary reviews, journal articles, and critiques from publications. The analysis reveals that while foreign critics often appreciate the political engagement and thematic depth of Philippine literature in English, they may overlook its cultural specificity, leading to a somewhat generalized perception. The study concludes that greater cultural sensitivity in criticism could enrich global understanding and appreciation of Philippine literature. It also recommends more collaboration between Filipino scholars and foreign critics to address these cross-cultural disconnects. The findings underscore the importance of critical discourse in enhancing the global literary standing of Philippine contemporary works.

Semantic Analysis of the Linguistic Heritage of the Golden Horde Period: Based on the Material of “Gulistan Bit-Turki” by Seif Sarai and “Khosrov and Shirin” by Qutb

The aim of this study is to examine the written monuments from the Golden Horde period and contemporary literary works, focusing on the frequency of use, functionality, and stylistic features of both indigenous and borrowed vocabulary within literary texts. The lexical units were analyzed using methods such as linguistic-statistical, contextual, historical-comparative, semantic, and contextual analysis. This study explored the literal and figurative meanings of words of Turkic, Arabic, and Persian origin used in the written monuments of the Golden Horde. The research provides insights into the primary lexical layers of the Turkic languages, the time of their formation, and their frequency of use in the literary tradition. Emphasis was placed on examples of contexts that confirm specific lexical meanings, as well as on metaphorical and figurative transformations aimed at achieving stylistic effects. The study also considered the history of the formation of Turkic languages, the adaptation of borrowed lexical layers, and the modification of primary meanings (metaphorical, figurative). Kipchak, Karluk, and Oghuz language elements were highlighted through the analysis of the written monuments, along with their frequency of integration. Contemporary literary texts were examined in terms of the use of lexical elements (both indigenous and borrowed) for artistic purposes. This research can be used for comparative analysis of closely related Turkic languages, the study of contemporary literary texts in terms of the use of indigenous and borrowed lexicon, and for forming an understanding of the ancient lexical layers of various Turkic languages.

Performance evaluation of different photovoltaic array configurations under partial shading

In Partial Shading Conditions (PSCs), Photo Voltaic (PV) systems often experience notable output power and efficiency reductions due to weather variations. This study is dedicated to determining the most effective PV array configuration under partial shading. Various configurations, including Series Parallel (SP), Total Cross Tied (TCT), Bridge Linked (BL), Honey Comb (HC), Double Tied (DT), and hybrid connections, are simulated and evaluated under PSCs. Nine shading patterns, such as vertical, horizontal, centre-wise, upper triangular, cross-wise, expansive, arbitrary, L-shaped, and diagonal, are examined using a 6 × 6 array of PV Configuration. Performance analysis is based on parameters such as open circuit voltage (Voc), short circuit current (Isc), Global Maximum Power Point (GMPP), maximum voltage (Vm), maximum current (Im), Fill Factor (FF), Mismatch Loss (ML)/Power Loss (PL), and efficiency (η). Additionally, hybrid configurations like Alternate- Total Cross Tied -Bridge Linked (ALT-TCT-BL), Alternate -Total Cross Tied -Double Tied (ALT-TCT-DT), and Alternate -Total Cross Tied -Triple Tied (ALT-TCT-TT) are investigated and compared with existing configurations. Hybrid configurations with fewer cross-ties are recommended to simplify circuit complexity. MATLAB/Simulink software is employed for simulation, using a Sunpower SPR-E18-295-COM panel. Comparative analysis confirms that hybrid configurations exhibit higher efficiency for various shading patterns than existing configurations, equal or at par with the TCT connection. For eight connections and nine shading scenarios along with zero (no) shading conditions, eighty distinct combinations have been analysed, and on comparative analysis with contemporary work, the optimal output is obtained from the connections considered under PSCs. For all the shading patterns considered, the proposed work fetches maximum efficiency compared to the contemporary work, and it ranges between 13.61 % and 17.84 % for different shading patterns. The maximum value of efficiencies for horizontal, vertical, diagonal, centre-wise, expansive, arbitrary, upper triangular and L-shaped shading patterns is 13.77 %, 17.24 %, 17.84 %, 15.66 %, 13.61 %, 17.21 %,17.35 % and 15.11 % respectively. The hybrid configuration achieves higher efficiency than current methods for all shading patterns and configurations, with improvements in efficiency ranging from 2.1 % to 42.22 % across all cases.

Ernst Jünger, Theodor Adorno, and the Idea of Natural History

This essay sets out an approach to Theodor Adorno’s rearticulation of the idea of natural history that foregrounds the undecidable relationship between symbol and allegory. This relationship is the structural condition of Ernst Jünger’s writing, from his protofascist journalism of the 1920s through to his postwar work, in which anthropocentric visions of world history are based on perishable symbolic identifications. As this becomes an increasingly prominent part of his thinking, he radicalizes the concept of natural history and, in the idea of planetary history superseding world history, anticipates some of the most topical contemporary work in the environmental humanities.

Old Data and New Investigations The Urartian and Orontid Fortress of Körzüt in Muradiye Plain, Turkey

This article presents an important archaeological site located on the north-eastern shore of Lake Van, Turkey. The site was one of the first to be associated with the kingdom of Urartu, thanks to the grandeur of its characteristic architecture and the pottery visible on the surface. Körzüt is composed of a vast fortified complex, within which there were certainly a temple, palatine structures, storage rooms, a settlement, and a necropolis. Presumably contemporary hydraulic works have been documented near the site. Körzüt has been the subject of numerous illegal excavations in past and present times, which over the years have brought to light a considerable amount of epigraphic material. This has allowed us to attribute the construction of the complex to King Minua, between the end of the ninth and the beginning of the eighth century BCE. Numerous recent illegal excavations on the site have led to emergency excavations. These investigations have led to the discovery of important remains, which are discussed and contextualised in this paper, together with what was already known in terms of epigraphic and architectural evidence. Furthermore, Körzüt can be added to the list of settlements that were also used in the post-Urartian era in the years in which the Armenian Highlands was dominated by the Orontid dynasty.

The elegance of lacquer: Unveiling traditional lacquer techniques in East Asia

This research delves into the intricate world of lacquer art in East Asia, aiming to unravel the relationships among artisan perspectives, aesthetic values, and the contemporary relevance of this ancient craft. The purpose is to provide a comprehensive understanding of how historical development, apprenticeship traditions, and evolving aesthetic values shape the intricate landscape of lacquer artistry. Employing a qualitative approach, this study conducts in-depth interviews with artisans and experts in the field of lacquer art. The research involves a comparative analysis of past literature, drawing upon historical and contemporary works to contextualize the findings within the broader trajectory of lacquer art. Thematic analysis is also applied to unravel the nuances of artisan perspectives, the transmission of knowledge through apprenticeship traditions, and the cultural and aesthetic dimensions embedded in lacquer paintings. This mixed-methods approach enriches the study by providing a holistic and nuanced exploration of the identified variables. The findings illuminate the enduring significance of apprenticeship traditions in preserving traditional lacquer techniques, with artisans actively navigating challenges posed by globalization and digital platforms. Aesthetic values, including symbolism and visual harmony, are revealed as integral components contributing to the narrative richness of lacquer paintings. The study uncovers the dynamic relationships among these variables, emphasizing the adaptive nature of lacquer art in a contemporary context. The implications extend to cultural preservation, heritage management, and educational initiatives, offering valuable insights for practitioners, policymakers, and educators involved in the realm of traditional crafts. The study contributes to theoretical frameworks on cultural continuity, knowledge transmission, and the socio-cultural dynamics of artistic practices.

Analysis of the reasons for the decline in the marriage rate and fertility rate among women

In recent years, there has been a significant decline in marriage and fertility rates around the world, probably because women are more independent and reluctant to get involved in marriage and pregnancy. Therefore, this article delves into three reasons women are reluctant to marry. From the standpoint of gender mismatch in modern society, fewer men meet women’s needs, creating a mismatch between demand and supply. From the perspective of the contemporary working environment, the improvement of women’s intelligence makes women put more experience into work, and marriage and childbirth may ruin women’s careers. At the same time, sexual harassment in the workplace makes women resentful of men and reluctant to get married. From the perspective of social and cultural influences, the traditional conservative ideas of the past still exist in modern society, which has caused an imbalance in the gender division of labor and made women rebellious. Therefore, women may be reluctant to marry because it becomes a prudent issue and needs to be carefully considered before making a decision.

Nepali English creative writing: historical trajectory and strategies adopted by Nepali English creative writers

ABSTRACT The paper sets out to trace the history of Nepali English creative writing and identify the strategies used by Nepali English creative writers in creating Nepali English literature. The first section of the paper chronicles the historical trajectory of Nepali English creative writing, illustrating Nepali English bilinguals’ increased use of English as an alternative medium of creative expression. The second section of the paper analyzes four contemporary Nepali English literary works in light of bilinguals’ creativity and notions of abrogation and appropriation processes. The analysis revealed the writers’ adoption of four nativizing strategies: leaving cultural references untranslated, cultural references accompanied by explicitation/English translation, hybrid innovations, and syntactic meshing. Through these strategies, the writers inscribed and foregrounded Nepali-specific linguistic and cultural features in their English literary works, resourcing their bi/multilingual creativity. These findings imply further recognition of emerging literatures in English and their use as resources in ESL/EFL pedagogy.

State and law of the Chaghadai Ulus and early Timurid state as they were seen by foreign contemporaries

Research objectives: An analysis of official documents and notes of foreign contemporaries to clarify some aspects of political and legal life of the Chaghadai Ulus and early Timurid state in the 13th– beginning of 15th centuries. Materials and methods of research: The basic materials are official documents (diplomatic correspondence), travelers’ reports and notes, diaries and memoirs of travelers from different countries of Europe and Asia who visited the Chaghadai Ulus with different missions in the analyzed period as well as some official documents (diplomatic correspondence) between foreign and Mongol rulers. The methods of research are formal and historical legal research of historical documents, comparative legal analysis as well as historical approach in general. Scientific novelty: The state structure and legal relations in the Chaghadai Ulus and early Timurid state still have not been objects of special research. The author proposes to use works of foreign contemporaries as a tool to clarify some questions of political and legal life in the Chaghadaid state, finding similarities with other Chinggisid states and specific features of the region, its traditions, etc. Results of the research: The information of the analyzed historical documents, naturally, doesn’t allow one to reconstruct all aspects of political structure of Chaghadai Ulus and early Timurid state and their legal system in general, but adds valuable details to the information of other sources on history of this state – that is, historical chronicles (mainly of Timurid age) and legal monuments (khans’ yarliks and other official documents of the ulus). At that, we cannot ignore the fact that the Chaghadai Ulus before Timur was not considered as a full and authoritative member of international relations which is why contemporaries paid more attention to other Chinggisid states: The Golden Horde, Ilkhanate, Yuan Empire. However, the analysis of contemporaries’ notes could stimulate scholars to study some specific aspects of the Chaghadai Ulus’ history which were not researched before.

The Evolution of Indian Sculptural Traditions: Interweaving Art, Culture, and Contemporary Practices

Indian sculptural art has historically been intertwined with various artistic forms, such as music, dance, and painting, creating a distinct narrative that has shaped the country's cultural identity. Among these, religious idol-making holds a significant role in reflecting societal values, spiritual beliefs, and artistic expression. Over centuries, idol-making techniques have evolved while adhering to traditional aesthetic and religious principles. This paper explores the evolving traditions of Indian sculpture, with a particular focus on Rajasthani stone sculptures, and examines how modern Indian sculptors are adapting ancient practices to contemporary sensibilities. The research adopts a qualitative approach, employing historical analysis and interpretative methods. Archival materials, such as ancient texts and scholarly commentaries, are used to trace the continuity and transformation of traditional sculptural practices. Fieldwork conducted in Rajasthan, specifically in Jaipur and Alwar, documents the current state of traditional sculpture workshops. Interviews with contemporary sculptors provide insights into the adaptation of traditional techniques to modern artistic trends, while secondary literature on art history situates these changes within a broader cultural and religious context. Results indicate that religious idol-making continues to be a central form of artistic expression in Indian culture, with Rajasthani sculptors preserving traditional methods while incorporating modern materials and techniques. Proportions, aesthetic purity, and spiritual symbolism remain key components of traditional idol-making, influencing contemporary works. However, modern sculptors are expanding their themes to include social, political, and philosophical concepts, reflecting the changing socio-political landscape of India. In conclusion, Indian sculptural traditions have shown resilience and adaptability, balancing cultural heritage with modern innovation. This study highlights the evolving nature of Indian sculpture, particularly in Rajasthan, as artists continue to redefine their craft in response to contemporary cultural shifts.

Knowledge and Anguish at Work: the Clinical Case of a Telephone Operator

Objective: The objective of this study was to understand the meaning of mental symptoms manifested at work by articulating their material basis present in the work context and the subject's historical singularity. Theoretical Framework: Psychoanalytic theory is used in this case study as a basis for understanding the relationship between knowledge and anguish at work. On the other hand, it is in ergology that we find the necessary theorizations for a reading of what affects the subject in tele-service work. Method: This is a clinical case study based on the psychoanalytically oriented notes of a telemarketer with work-related symptoms. Results and Discussion: As the main result, we read symptomatic production both as a response on a level of direct material causality to the inconsistency of the assumption of knowledge attributed to the trade and the value of work, and as a way out that the subject finds for their symptomatic position. Implications of the research: We conclude that the orientation of the treatment must seek to preserve the assumption of knowledge in the subject and in their work and enable subjective and material accountability. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by combining psychoanalysis and ergology in the search for an understanding of illness at work. The relevance and value of this research is evidenced by the fact that it presents an original clinical case that seeks to highlight the relationship between the place reserved for knowledge in contemporary work and the symptoms produced by it.