Modern Context Research Articles

Narrative of Malaysian modernity: COVID-19, Malay women portrayals and popular television serials

Academic studies often explore the dynamics between Malay women and popular culture within the context of Malaysian modernity. Researchers commonly investigate resistance to the government’s moral initiatives for women in society. This article examines how popular culture, specifically serial television drama, depicts the portrayal of Malay women during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on the concepts of obedience, disobedience, and control. The government’s “Duduk Rumah” [Stay at home] and “Kita Jaga Kita” [We take care of ourselves] campaigns, initiated by then Prime Minister Muhyidin Yassin to combat the COVID-19 epidemic, placed additional burdens on women, assigning them significant domestic responsibilities as household managers, including the well-being and education of their children, as well as maintaining family cohesion. We argue that these targeted government policies exacerbated the concerns and uncertainties experienced by Malay women during lockdowns. Furthermore, we contend that the government demonstrated less sensitivity, care, or coordination in managing the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to an increase in domestic violence, divorce, depression, and emotional stress among Malay women. These challenges were prominently depicted in Malay television serials, serving as a vital platform for contemplating the impact of the government’s moral initiatives on Malay women. Our research offers insights into the enduring progress, or lack thereof, in the status of women both within and beyond the domestic sphere, as part of Malaysia’s pursuit of modernity.

Administrative and legal factors influencing the formation of sustainable development of the region in a changing external environment

In the modern context of global changes, the study of the influence of administrative and legal factors on the sustainable development of regions is of particular relevance, which is also due to the hyperdynamics of the external environment. The main purpose of the article is to identify and streamline the main administrative and legal factors influencing the formation of sustainable development of the region in a changing external environment. Key research methods are the method of hierarchical analysis, paired comparison, expert analysis and the Delphi method. A scientific question has been formulated based on the results of a literature review, which is how to more effectively implement administrative and legal support for the formation of sustainable development of the region. Valid methods are disclosed due to their step-by-step application. An analysis of the dynamics of key indicators of sustainable development of one of the regions was carried out. A modern model for the formation of sustainable development of the region is proposed, considering the conditions of the changing external environment and focusing on administrative and legal principles, which is characterized by blocks and a schematic explanation. A methodological approach to modelling the definition and ordering of the main administrative and legal factors influencing the formation of sustainable development of the egion in a changing external environment has been developed. Based on the results of the modelling, it was determined that the most significant factors of influence within the framework of administrative and legal support for the formation of sustainable development of the Lviv region in a changing external environment are martial law, administrative court proceeding and local self-government and decentralization. The effectiveness of the proposed method has been proven through the ability to satisfy all information needs of subjects of sustainable development in the region. The practical significance of the research results is revealed in the possibility of using the proposed model and methodological approach in the work of public services and the public administration system of the region

Tiresias in T. S. Eliot’s The Waste Land: Exploring Transgender Representation in the Modern Context

This research paper delves into the representation of transgender identity through the character of Tiresias in Thomas Stearns Eliot’s ‘The Waste Land,’ a landmark modern poem that explores life in London in the aftermath of World War I. Tiresias is the character appearing in ‘The Fire Sermon’ section of the poem who transverses both male and female genders thereby emerging as an embodiment of gender fluidity. This research portrays Tiresias as transgender to discuss transgender representation in the modern context. For this, the study draws upon mythological allusions, literary analysis, queer theory, artistic expressions, and legal initiatives across the world. The research aims to contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the transgender experiences including the struggles and challenges faced by them in the contemporary world to foster empathy. The findings of this study signal the beginning of the Trans era that holds promising possibilities for the future of trans individuals.

Emotional-evaluative communicemas in contemporary prose

The subject of research in this article is emotional and evaluative communicemas in two works of modern literature: M. L. Stepnova’s «The Garden» and E. S. Chizhova’s «The Time of Women». The object of the study is communicemas – communicative, non-predicative units of syntax related to the level of syntactic expressiveness. Author pays special attention to the structural composition and semantic functional characteristics of the communicemas in a literary text-dialogue in order to display the psychological emotions, states and relationships of the characters, thereby increasing the tension and reality of the situation. The purpose of the work is to identify the connection between communicemas as a means of expressing emotional assessment and social and speech characteristics of characters in texts of modern literature. The article identifies the main types of communicemas used by the heroes of the works «The Garden» and «The Time of Women», proposes their classification depending on the functional role in the character’s speech and in the dialogue. The methodological basis of the study consists of structural-semantic, descriptive, comparative and classification methods. The theoretical basis of the study is work in the field of linguistic description of means of expressing emotional assessment, in particular, communicemas as ways of transmitting an emotional reaction through speech. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the comprehensive analysis of the semantic structure and pragmatics of emotional-evaluative communicemas within the framework of modern prose dialogic contexts. As a result of the study, it was revealed that communicemas as a phenomenon of living speech are one of the forms of conversational and dialogical speech and are indispensable as a means of effective expressiveness of the author in literary works. The results of the study can be used to provide information to students during classroom teaching, as well as for scientific research. By analyzing dialogue situations in literary works, one can better understand the author's intentions and the emotional characteristics of the characters. At the same time, it helps students improve their literary reading abilities and better understand the subtext of literary works and the cultural and historical background behind them.

The “blossoming of lilac-bush”: A Study of the Post-War Reception of The Waste Land

T. S. Eliot’s ‘The Waste Land’ has developed a contemporaneity by effectively transcending the Modernist context within which it is born. The poem exhibits certain features that have stayed relevant for the later generations of poets and readers even after much of the Modernist intentions have ceased to exist. In our presentation, we will identify those features by providing a brief analysis of the responses to the poem from multiple poets, mostly those after World War I. The principal observation resulting from the readings would be that the poem contains a restorative promise which proved commensurable with the democratizing tendency characterizing much of the post-war era at a time when a critical attitude towards Modernism was developing among the Late-Modernist and Postmodern poets. While not denying the essentially Modernist nature of ‘The Waste Land’, this paper will show how almost all the conflicting receptions of the poem have converged upon the vision of revitalization.

"Dialogue Between Franklin and the Gout" Reexamined.

Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the United States, was not just a politician and a political philosopher but an inventor with a scientific temperament. He was overweight and likely suffered from the consequences of metabolic syndrome including gout. He woke up with a gout attack on October 22, 1780 and wrote the "Dialogue Between Franklin and the Gout." His observations on the risk factors for gout are re-examined in the modern context 243 years later.

Rickets and the industrial revolution in France: The example of Provence

AbstractThis article aims to estimate the prevalence of rickets and its development during the Industrial Revolution in southeastern France through the study of a large skeletal collection from two recently excavated sites in La Ciotat and Marseille. In total, 790 individuals were selected based on their state of preservation: 556 adults and 234 nonadults. All individuals were systematically examined for macroscopic paleopathological evidence of rickets, based on 13 features indicative of vitamin D deficiency. Rickets was rare in our population, with only 3% of the sample showing signs of the disease. Individuals who died during childhood were more likely to present lesions associated with rickets: 7.7% of the nonadult population show signs of rickets against 1.1% of the adult one (Fisher's exact test: p < 0.001). Moreover, these lesions generally indicated early stages with mechanical bowing of long bones being particularly rare, unlike metaphyseal deformities. Far from the expected increase described by medico‐historical literature, incidence was low and showed no change from the 16th to the 20th century. Furthermore, an increase in residual cases in adults results suggest better survival of vitamin D deficiency, which could reflect better handling of the disease. This is the first study dealing with rickets during the Industrial Revolution in France, and based on osteological material, forthcoming analyses should now focus on the incorporation of radiographic and microscopic criteria to further validate our cases and working hypotheses. Additionally, future research could benefit from the inclusion of a broader sample of individuals from early and late modern contexts, but also from the consideration of local medieval contexts providing a detailed overview that could highlight secular changes over a long period.

A biogeographic–macroecological perspective on the rising novelty of the biosphere in the Anthropocene

AbstractThe concept of novel ecosystems has been discussed for over more than a decade to describe ecosystems that have an altered species composition and function, such that the community has crossed a threshold forbidding a return to its historical state. While spatial and temporal community compositional change has been well studied in biogeography, studies on novel ecosystems in a modern context are few and tend towards classifying novelty based on a static baseline. Given that the abiotic and biotic drivers of novelty are in a state of rapid change, and reaching levels unprecedented within the last hundred thousand to million years, defining such a threshold requires additional thought. Here, we discuss a biogeographical–macroecological perspective on novel ecosystems, exploring how such a threshold for novelty can be defined in an environment undergoing progressive global change and suggesting pathways through which the emergence and spread of novelty can be further explored, understood and managed.

Investigating the Influence of YouTube on Speaking proficiency in English Major Students at Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade

YouTube has attracted a lot of interest from researchers and educators who specialize in the English language in the modern context of rapid technological development. The advent of YouTube videos as a resource has demonstrated the value and applicability of such movies in helping teachers and students participate in productive language instruction, particularly when it comes to speaking exercises. This study set out to critically examine how the YouTube platform affects students' ability to speak more when they practice. The poll included 100 third-year English majors at Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade (HUIT), with 65 males and 35 females. The participants ranged in age from 20 to 22 years old. The study employed a mixedmethods design, utilizing data collection instruments such as surveys and interviews. After looking at the questionnaire responses and interview recordings, it was found that the students in the experimental group liked the idea of using YouTube videos in speaking activities. The channels that participants like watching the most are Let's Talk and VOA Speaking English. Furthermore, the study identified some prevalent subjective and objective difficulties encountered by individuals during the consumption of YouTube content. Additionally, suggestions for educators and researchers are included at the conclusion of the text.

Building person-centred homes: a case study of a cluster-designed home for adults with intellectual disability in Australia

AbstractA case study of 20 families investigated a cluster design of new homes for 15 adults with intellectual disabilities in Australia. It explored how families created a cluster home model for adults to live in their own homes with paid support in a modern context by answering three research questions: What type of home did parents choose for their children with intellectual disabilities and why? What type of home did they achieve? How did they overcome challenges to accomplish building the home? Families adopted a participatory design approach, collaborating as learning partners to secure government funding for purchasing land and constructing their cluster design. However, it was a complex project requiring many stakeholders with conflicting interests and priorities. Specifically, families rejected the group home model preferred by government agency staff, shifted the focus from technical building rules and design standards to prioritise each adult’s needs and preferences for their home, rejected institution-like fixtures/fittings when installed and used family governance to choose key support workers directly. Ultimately, the families created security of place through tenancy in attractive homes with government funding, welcoming neighbours and chosen support workers.

Correlation Between Carbon Emission Treaty and Inequality

The paper discusses the relationship between the imposition of international carbon emission treaties and economic inequality. The paper draws a positive correlation between carbon emission treaties and economic inequality, the matter is most pronounced in developing countries. The substantiation, realization, and understanding of the relationship is crucial in the modern context. Following the pace of globalization, a thorough comprehension of the concept of inequality is quintessential to the resolve of international conflicts and/or affairs. As countries grow increasingly correlated, it is in the stakeholders common interest that historical legacies can be objectively evaluated and thus have the inter-nation historical discrepancies recognized and thereby worked upon; thus, the carbon emission historical discrepancy and the treaties that further inequality across the globe is of utmost importance to be researched, and discussed upon.

The Implications Of Islamic Law On The Rights Of Religious Minorities In Muslim-Majority Countries

The study explores the complex implications of Islamic law on the rights of religious minorities in countries with majority Muslim populations. Through a comprehensive literature analysis, this review aims to summarize information from various relevant text sources. The study's findings reflect the complexity of religious minority rights issues in Muslim-majority countries. In the context of an analysis of the impact of Islamic law on the rights of religious minorities, it appears that Islamic law may provide a potential basis for protecting the rights of religious minorities. However, its interpretation and application may vary between countries. However, implementing Islamic law in state policy often creates tensions between religious and universal human rights principles, requiring careful efforts to strike the right balance. In addition, in modern contexts, such as the impact of globalization and information technology, Muslim-majority countries are faced with challenges that encourage them to constantly adapt to ensure effective protection of the rights of religious minorities. Therefore, to address these challenges, a comprehensive approach that includes legal reform, interreligious dialogue, and community education is needed to ensure that the rights of religious minorities are respected and substantially protected.

Call it as it is – Why medical education should reconsider disease eponyms

Medical disease names should be reflective of the pathophysiologic processes underlying them. Medical education has propagated the use of outdated eponyms when referring to diseases named after individuals who discovered or described the diseases in question. This is confusing and harmful to medical students learning about these diseases and can present a seemingly insurmountable barrier to understanding complex pathologies. The renaming of diseases that are colloquially referred to by individuals’ names is proposed. Medical schools are encouraged to adopt this nomenclature so that students will effectively understand pathophysiology and eventually provide optimal patient care. While it is not feasible to be completely systematic in this approach, striving for this change will enable a spotlight to shine on the disease and not the individuals who popularized the condition. Numerous examples are given of diseases that are either appropriately or inappropriately named, with recommendations for renaming given where applicable. An exploration of the benefits and disadvantages of renaming includes both historical and modern contexts for making the change.

Study of the need of Gandhi ideology in the Present Era

This review paper examines the enduring relevance of Mahatma Gandhi's ideology in the contemporary world. Gandhi, an iconic figure in the Indian independence movement, was a proponent of nonviolent resistance, self-reliance, social justice, and ethical leadership. In an era marked by global conflicts, environmental challenges, and social inequalities, Gandhi's principles of nonviolence and peaceful resistance continue to offer valuable insights for addressing complex issues. This paper conducts a comprehensive analysis of the applicability of Gandhi's ideas in modern contexts, drawing on examples from various regions and disciplines. It explores how his philosophy resonates with contemporary concerns such as environmental sustainability, social justice, and ethical leadership. By critically assessing the strengths and limitations of Gandhi's ideology, this paper provides a nuanced understanding of its relevance in addressing pressing challenges in the 21st century. The findings of this review paper underscore the timeless wisdom of Gandhi's principles and their potential to inspire positive change and progress in the present era.

Classic Theories of Nationalism in the Context of Minority Nationalism in Great Britain:regional nationalist movements as a “marginal” subject of modern historiography of nationalism

The purpose of this study is to analyze the possibility of classical theories of nationalism use in analysis of the minority nationalisms histories in the British historiographical situation. The author analyses the complexities of integration and assimilation of the ideal models of Ruritania and Megalomania as imagining nationalising and modernising societies proposed by Ernest Gellner, as well as Miroslav Hrochs’ periodisation of nationalism as “ideal” interpretive models in the contexts of British historiography. The subject of the article is classical modernist theories of nationalism, the object is the possibility of their application in British historical research. It is assumed that the processes of nationalist modernisation and the development of regional nationalisms, on the one hand, are perceived through the prism of a constructivist approach. On the other hand, the author believes that the British historical material is characterised by a significant degree of resistance and therefore the use of classical theories of nationalism in the context of the conservatism of the historiographical imagination in Great Britain is debatable. The article analyses the difficulties of integrating the history of regional minority nationalisms and English nationalism into the contexts of sociocultural modernism of classical theories of nationalism. The results of the study suggest that the modern British historiographical situation is simultaneously characterised by an interest in the problems of the social history of regional nationalisms and significant conservatism, which expresses itself in ignoring classical theories of nationalism, despite the effectiveness of their interpretive models.

An Analysis of the Causes of Alienation in Edward Hoppers Works

Known as a representative of the school of American Realism, Edward Hopper has made a substantial impact on American art and pop culture, including the film industry. The works of Edward Hopper are known to demonstrate a sense of alienation among subjects. His subjects usually appear with a sense of loneliness, even when they are not physically alone. This essay attempts to explore the causes behind the sense of alienation conveyed in Hoppers paintings. The study of alienation has a long history, and this analysis focuses on a more modern context. Thus, alienation will be discussed as a product of urbanization and industrialization. Alienation results from both external and internal causes; external causes emerge from the social milieu of the late 19th and 20th century, while internal causes originate from Hoppers life experiences. Additionally, this essay also analyzes the different manifestations of alienation in the works of Edward Hopper through selected works, such as Soir Bleu, Room in New York, Office in a Small City, etc.

Sustainable entrepreneurship in equine services

The equine industry is in continuous development, offering opportunities to entrepreneurs in the implementation and advancement of their sustainability visions. This paper explores sustainable entrepreneurship in the equine industry through a qualitative research approach to bridge the gap between the needs of society, the environment and entrepreneurs. Structured interviews with equine industry representatives from various countries were employed to collect data, and a thematic content analysis with the Leximancer programme was conducted to seek insights. Using the theory of reciprocal determinism, the paper also explores whether there are influencing factors between the sustainability of a business in the horse industry and the entrepreneur's gender or entrepreneurial experience. This research shows that women with less than ten years of entrepreneurial experience are much more inclined towards sustainability. The entrepreneurs in the horse sector need to be aware of the potential of this industry, to promote themselves in this direction and to support each other to strengthen their self-efficacy. This study contributes to the expansion of knowledge about sustainable entrepreneurship, specifically the issues and strategies used by entrepreneurs in today’s equine sector, with a specific focus on the modern context, with the inclusion of sustainability as a key factor in business success.

Prospects for the Development of Ethnocultural Packaging in Ukraine

The article is devoted to the study of prospects for the development of ethno-cultural packaging in Ukraine with an emphasis on the use of traditional design elements that reflect national identity. The purpose of the article is to analyze and evaluate the use of ethnocultural motifs in the design of modern packaging, as well as to study their impact on the interaction between the consumer and the brand. The research methodology is based on a multidisciplinary approach containing elements of sociology, psychology, cultural studies, economics, design and other disciplines; and also – on the analysis of modern examples of packaging using ethno-cultural elements, including the study of colors, shapes, textures and other visual elements. The scientific novelty consists in a comprehensive approach to the study of ethno-cultural elements of national identity in the context of packaging design. In particular, the study revealed several key trends in the use of ethnocultural elements: emphasis on geometric ornaments, emotional resonance, integration of traditional folk symbols into the modern context and adaptation of historical motifs to the needs of the modern consumer; as well as the importance of its promotion to the international level, high interaction of the consumer with the brand. Among the main principles of implementing such a design in product packaging, one can name the focus on authenticity, adaptation to modernity by combining tradition and innovation and maintaining a balance between them. The findings demonstrate the importance of integrating ethno-cultural elements to strengthen brand identity and emotional connection with the consumer, pointing to the potential for innovation and further development in this area. Conclusions highlight the importance of integrating ethnocultural elements to bolster brand identity and foster an emotional connection with consumers, pointing to the potential for innovations and further growth in this domain. The results of research into the design of the packaging of Ukrainian branded products prove that traditional Ukrainian motifs in combination with modern design solutions can expand the possibilities of visual communication, giving the product a unique character, and become a key factor in distinguishing it on the market.

The Ukrainian Identity of the Calligraphy of Grigory Skovoroda in the Context of Multi-scriptural Writing

The purpose of the study: Conduct a paleographic and cultural analysis of Hryhorii Skovoroda’s manuscripts. To find and describe the most characteristic letters and calligraphic methods inherent in the philosopher, and to emphasize the features of the eighteenth-century handwriting in general. To form a paleographic database of letters that can be used to create fonts and designs for modern projects that emphasize the aesthetics of the Ukrainian Baroque. Research methods. Systematization of scientific sources, artistic analysis, synthesis and generalization of the obtained results, method of comparative analysis, creation of a paleographic database and systematization of empirical material based on it. Scientific novelty. For the first time in Ukrainian science, the manuscripts and handwriting of Hryhorii Skovoroda were examined from the point of view of paleographic and calligraphic analysis in the context of multicultural influences of the European and Greek writing traditions. Characteristic features of Hryhorii Skovoroda’s handwriting have been identified, which can be used to determine the attribution of certain texts to the philosopher. Based on this research, practising calligraphers and type designers can create inscriptions and fonts in the style of the Ukrainian philosopher. Conclusions. The individuality of the philosopher’s handwriting reflected not only the philosophical view of the author, his character and aesthetic preferences, but also the multicultural spirit of the late Ukrainian Baroque era. The study of Skovoroda’s calligraphy made it possible to fill the gap in the little-studied field of paleography related to eighteenth-century writing and aesthetics and to give impetus to the representation of these results in contemporary design and typeface projects. However, it is not enough to explore the visual connections between Skovoroda’s handwriting and artistic preferences, it is important to continue the started line of style and use this aesthetic of letters in the modern context of searching of the Ukrainian identity.

Gender Features of Art Practice of Ukraine and the East in Modern Context

The purpose of this study is to elucidate the contextual narrative of artistic expression of gender in the artistic practices of the East and Ukraine. The research methodology combines the analytical method of reviewing secondary sources. Moreover, the research is carried out in accordance with interdisciplinary knowledge principles, taking into account the intersection of gender psychology, art history, and cultural studies in addressing the specified issue. The methodological approach facilitated the synthesis and modelling of a shared artistic perspective on gender issues, unveiled within the trend of glocalisation for creative resistance in both Ukrainian and Eastern traditions. The scientific novelty of the study lies in its comparative approach, transcending monolithic and indigenous studies of artistic practice. The juxtaposition of Ukrainian and Eastern practices forms the basis for a synthetic description of gender as an artistic category within a cross-cultural context. In conclusion, significant contrasts in the aesthetics and techniques of the Ukrainian and broader Eastern artistic spaces are shaped by the tradition of forming a socio-cultural paradigm. Concurrently, these ethnic communities utilise common and similar approaches in contemporary artistic exploration of gender identity, memory, and critique. Despite significant divergence in creative methodologies, artists from both regions leverage traditional artistic elements and digital technologies to craft hybrid forms and narratives of masculinity and femininity that challenge societal norms and contribute to artistic resistance. It is noteworthy that gender appears within the cultures of the East (specifically within the Ukrainian context) as a variant of dialogue regarding the colonial narrative. The similarity in opposition to patriarchal and socialist ideologies indicates a broader ethical vector within the aesthetic system. The presented results contribute to the re-evaluation of global artistic narratives. The ongoing assimilation of artistic ideas in the context of globalisation dynamics is transforming contemporary art practices, promoting the development of glocalisation as a form of resistance, not only within the confines of artistic work, but also in its projections onto socio-psychological reality. The article emphasises emergence, revealed in the close interplay of numerous factors shaping the artistic practice of individual communities in the global world.
 Keywords: art practice, gender discourse, artistic resistance, glocalisation.