Cultural Resistance Research Articles

Driven to Drink: Café Culture and Somatic Resistance

Driven to Drink: Café Culture and Somatic Resistance

El cine de Isabel Sarli y Armando Bó. Una lectura decolonial

Drawing from Walter Mignolo's decolonial theory and the concept of latsploitation, this article explores how Sarli and Bó’s films challenge Eurocentric standards and represent identities marked by colonial wounds. Thanks to this reading it is possible to highlight the political nature of Bó and Sarli’s productions, despite having been considered a commercial entertainment cinema. By analyzing the decolonial stance in the films of Isabel Sarli and Armando Bó, this article concludes the necessity of challenging and questioning the unequivocal binary between commercial and political cinema. This study seeks to contribute to a broader understanding of Sarli and Bó’s cinema, and its role in cultural resistance against coloniality.

The Role of Fashion and Art in First Nations Healing, Decolonisation, and Cultural Practice

This paper explores the intersection of art, fashion, and decolonisation within First Nations communities, focusing on how clothing and adornment are powerful tools for healing, cultural survival, and resistance. Through art programs, fashion workshops, and community-based projects, First Nations peoples reconnect with culture, land, and history, fostering identity and continuity while addressing the traumas of colonisation. This paper examines how First Nations artists and designers engage with traditional garments, such as kangaroo skin cloaks and shell necklaces, to reclaim ancestral practices and challenge colonial traumas. By reinterpreting colonial clothes and creating new forms of fashion, artists engage in truth-telling, amplify resilience, and promote reconciliation. This paper highlights the role of art and fashion as an aesthetic expression and a strategy for cultural survival and resistance. It concludes by offering recommendations for policies and programs that support First Nations fashion initiatives, fostering economic opportunities, social well-being, and intergenerational healing. Ultimately, this paper advocates for the transformative power of art and fashion as pathways to decolonisation and empowerment for First Nations communities.

IMPLEMENTATION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SOLUTIONS IN THE BRAZILIAN PUBLIC SECTOR: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been gaining prominence in the Brazilian public sector, with the promise of improving the efficiency and quality of government services. However, the successful implementation of AI faces challenges, including complex regulation, a lack of adequate technological infrastructure, a shortage of qualified AI professionals, and organizational culture resistance. This article aims to provide clear and practical recommendations for overcoming the challenges faced in implementing Artificial Intelligence in the Brazilian public sector, to promote a more effective and efficient public administration. To this end, the main obstacles encountered in the implementation of AI in the Brazilian government were analyzed, and success stories that demonstrate how these challenges were overcome were reviewed. Based on this research, practical and actionable recommendations were drawn to guide future initiatives to implement AI in the public sector.

Positive Intraoperative Bile Culture and Antibiotic Resistance Increase the Risk of Pancreatic Fistula in Patients After Pancreatoduodenectomy.

Background/Objectives: A positive intraoperative bile culture (bacterobilia) is considered to be a risk factor for increased morbidity after pancreatoduodenectomy. The aim of our study was to describe the frequency of bacterobilia with a special emphasis on antibiotic resistance and to analyze the association of these findings with postoperative complications, in particular with postoperative pancreatic fistula. Methods: From a prospective database, patients with available intraoperative bile cultures (n = 95) were selected and analyzed. Microbiological test results reported the type of bacteria as well as sensitivity and resistance patterns. Associations between culture results, antibiotic resistance, and postoperative outcomes were assessed. Results: Among 95 patients that were included in this trial, 71 (74.7%) had a positive bile culture. A total of 29.6% (21/71) of patients with positive bile cultures developed POPF grade B/C compared to 8.3% (2/24) of patients with negative bile cultures (p = 0.052). The difference in CR-POPF became statistically significant when at least one of the isolated microorganisms was resistant to ampicillin/sulbactam, the perioperative antibiotic administered for prophylaxis. CR-POPF was diagnosed in 38.5% (15/39) of patients with antibiotic resistance vs. 14.3% (8/56) of patients without resistant microorganisms (p = 0.007). We also identified the isolation of Enterococcus spp. (p = 0.006), resistant Enterobacter (p = 0.031), or resistant Escherichia coli (p = 0.027) as risk factors for pancreatic fistula. Conclusions: The isolation of antibiotic-resistant strains in a positive bile culture is a major risk factor for the development of pancreatic fistula after pancreatoduodenectomy. The most relevant bacteria in our study were Enterococcus spp., Enterobacter cloacae, and Escherichia coli. Thus, broad-spectrum antimicrobial prophylaxis with efficacy against these microorganisms and with low resistance rates should be routinely administered perioperatively.

A Mediação Comunitária como Instrumento de Polícia de Proximidade no Brasil: Uma Análise da Implantação na Polícia Militare Perspectivas Futuras

This article investigates the implementation of community mediation as a tool for proximity policing in the Brazilian Military Police, analyzing its challenges, potentialities, and future perspectives. The relevance of this theme lies in the search for alternatives to the traditional model of public security, often criticized for its emphasis on repression and the use of force, to the detriment of prevention and dialogue with the community. The research, exploratory in nature and based on a bibliographic review, examines the legal and institutional framework of community mediation in Brazil, the structuring of Community Mediation Centers (NUMECs) in the Military Police, the types of conflicts mediated, and the challenges and potentialities of the tool. The results indicate that, although in the consolidation phase and still facing challenges such as cultural resistance within the corporation and the need for greater investment, community mediation shows promising results in reducing crime, improving the institutional image of the Military Police, and building a culture of peace. The article argues that community mediation, implemented strategically and in partnership with the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Judiciary, and other social institutions, can strengthen proximity policing, making it more citizen-oriented, dialogical, and closer to the community, in addition to contributing to social justice and cohesion.

Enhancing Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) performance: Analyzing the role of human resource practices in Sri Lanka's telecommunication industry through Lewin's change management model.

This study explores the integration of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education in Sri Lanka, utilizing the Health Belief Model (HBM) to predict the perceived quality of SRH education among non-state undergraduate students. In many Asian countries, including Sri Lanka, cultural resistance and skepticism often challenge SRH education initiatives. The research is based on a questionnaire survey, examining factors influencing the perceived quality of SRH education, such as cultural norms, embarrassment, attitudes, awareness, and institutional support. In recent years, the Sri Lankan telecom industry has experienced significant expansion and transformation, leading to a notable increase in mergers and acquisitions (M&A). This study investigates the impact of human resource practices on M&A performance, utilizing Lewin's Change Management Model as a framework. The research is based on a questionnaire survey, examining factors influencing the performance of M&A in Sri Lanka Telecom industry, such as communication (Unfreeze), training (Change), leadership (Refreeze), and performance (M&A outcomes). Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) reveals that communication significantly influences training (β = 0.800), while training has a strong effect on leadership (β = 1.062), both directly and indirectly via communication (β = 0.850). Additionally, performance is positively impacted by training (β = 0.819) and leadership (β = 0.459), with communication exerting a substantial indirect influence on performance (β = 0.655). These results underscore the necessity for an integrated approach that enhances organizational performance and adaptability in an evolving business landscape. To optimize M&A outcomes, organizations are encouraged to prioritize leadership development, invest in comprehensive training programs, and align communication strategies effectively. This research contributes valuable insights into the management of change within the telecom sector, promoting sustainable growth and success in future M&A endeavours.

Change Management in the Implementation of the Independent Curriculum in Sekadau District Secondary Schools

The implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum in secondary schools in Sekadau Regency, represents advancement in addressing globalization and technological progress, with the objective of fostering a more flexible, student-centered education that enhances student competency and engagement. This study seeks to examine change management during the introduction of the Independent Curriculum in secondary schools within Sekadau Regency. This study employs qualitative methodologies, using data gathering via semi-structured interviews and direct observation. Interviews were performed with school principals, educators, and administrative personnel to understand the problems and tactics employed in the curriculum modification process. Field observations were conducted to assess the implementation of the curriculum in classroom activities. The findings identify five principal barriers: the necessity for teacher retraining, technological and infrastructure constraints, cultural resistance, teacher fatigue during the shift, and insufficient training. This study underscores the significance of ongoing training, enhancement of technology infrastructure, and systematic change management within context. Proactive support from government and educational leadership is crucial for the effective implementation of the Independent Curriculum and the enhancement of educational quality in Sekadau Regency.

APT: The Intersection of Music, Culture, and Societal Resistance in a Globalized World

APT: The Intersection of Music, Culture, and Societal Resistance in a Globalized World

Bibliometric Analysis of Data-Driven Decision Making in Business Intelligence

This study conducts a bibliometric analysis to explore the research landscape of data-driven decision-making (DDDM) in Business Intelligence (BI). By examining 748 papers published between 2000 and 2024, the study identifies key themes, influential authors, collaborative networks, and emerging trends. The findings highlight the evolution of research from foundational topics like big data and analytics to application-driven themes such as sustainability, policy, and operational efficiency. The United States emerges as the central hub in global research collaboration, with significant contributions from India, China, and European countries. Challenges, including data quality, integration, cultural resistance, and ethical concerns, are identified as barriers to BI adoption. The study emphasizes the need for future research on emerging technologies, industry-specific applications, and ethical frameworks to advance the field. These insights provide valuable guidance for researchers and practitioners aiming to optimize decision-making processes through BI.

Native American Voices: Decolonial Perspectives on Selected Texts of Alexie and Momaday

This paper explores the Native American voices through a decolonial reading of a range of selected texts of Sherman Alexie and Navarre S. Momaday. The aim is to understand indigenous culture as a prototype for retrieving the lost identity of American Indians. The decolonization of mind is realized through cultural resistance and counter-discourse that articulates the liminal experiences of the marginalized and the ostracized. Therefore, the literary representation of peripheral voices not only defies the dominant voice but also creates new avenues for cross-cultural communication with the mainstream discourse. This study employs the dialogic approach of Greg Sarris and Louis Owens as theoretical support for analysing the selected texts. The slippery frontier position of American Indians is not separatist but conversational that subverts stereotypes and, simultaneously, acknowledges difference. This essay principally explores how cross-reading Native American subversive texts can serve as a tool for cross-cultural communication. The indigenous writers with their lost identity (due to their living on reservations) write passionately about their past, traditions, and customs to make their voice heard in the mainstream discourse for their survival. This paper, therefore, proposes that the gap between Natives and Euro-Americans may be bridged through literary resistance for reconciliation instead of creating antagonism between them.

Health Promotion for the Prevention of Extraordinary Events or Outbreaks: A Systematic Review

Background: Health promotion is key in dealing with extraordinary events or outbreaks. This approach empowers the public to understand disease risks, adopt preventive behaviors, and improve compliance with health protocols. Various health promotion interventions have been implemented in recent decades to deal with outbreaks such as dengue fever, influenza, and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a systematic study is still needed to evaluate the strategies' effectiveness and identify existing challenges and opportunities. This study aims to systematically assess the role of health promotion in managing outbreaks, focusing on best practices, barriers, and opportunities for implementation. Methods: This study uses a systematic review method by following the guidelines of PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses). Data is obtained from major databases, such as Google Scholar, Science Direct, and PubMed. Article searches were carried out systematically from 2019-2024 using several keywords, namely " Health Promotion ", or " Extraordinary Events ", or " Outbreaks ". The selection process includes identifying, screening, selecting, and analyzing articles based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria Results: Of the 2,000 articles identified, 45 met the inclusion criteria. Furthermore, it was selected into the 10 best articles by the author. The results showed that health promotion effectively increased public awareness, changed behavior, and prevented disease spread. Community-based interventions, digital media campaigns, and the involvement of local figures have proven successful. However, obstacles such as low health literacy, cultural resistance, and limited resources are still the main obstacles.. Conclusion: Health promotion has a significant role in preventing outbreaks. An integrated, adaptive, evidence-based approach to local contexts involving multiple stakeholders is needed to improve its effectiveness. By addressing existing challenges, health promotion can be a key pillar in preventing and dealing with future outbreaks

Knowledge Management Practice on Digital Financial Innovation

The study examines the influence of knowledge management (KM) on digital financial innovation in banks. The research was conducted in Bharatpur, involved surveying 161 bank employees at various management levels through purposive sampling. The study found that digital financial innovations significantly enhance customer satisfaction, with popular trends such as AI, digital platform integration, advanced data analytics, and blockchain technology. Banks effectively manage knowledge sources to improve performance and demonstrate competitive responsiveness. The banking sector actively promotes knowledge integration among employees and external partners, emphasizing the importance of knowledge-sharing cultures. Statistical analysis revealed moderate positive relationship between knowledge utilization, acquisition, and integration with digital financial innovation. The study identified barriers to KM, such as organizational culture, technological infrastructure, regulatory constraints, and worker resistance. It also identified significant KM challenges for digital financial innovation, including internal expertise, resistance to change, integration issues, and security concerns. Regular training, workshops, and internal newsletters were the main methods for disseminating knowledge about innovations. The study concludes that banks should prioritize customer needs and invest heavily in digital financial innovation to maintain competitiveness and enhance customer satisfaction

The impact of agile methodologies on IT service management: A study of ITIL framework implementation in banking

This paper explores the impact of integrating Agile methodologies with the ITIL framework in IT Service Management (ITSM) within the banking sector. As banks face increasing pressure to innovate and respond swiftly to changing market conditions and regulatory requirements, Agile's flexibility and ITIL's structured approach offer a promising solution. The paper examines how Agile influences ITIL processes, leading to faster service delivery, improved collaboration, and enhanced customer satisfaction. The challenges of cultural resistance and balancing structure with flexibility are also discussed. The implications for ITSM in banking, including the potential for more dynamic and strategic service management, are also considered. The paper concludes with recommendations for future research on the long-term impact and best practices for Agile-ITIL integration in banking IT services. Keywords: Agile Methodologies, ITIL Framework, IT Service Management (ITSM), Banking Sector, Agile-ITIL Integration.

Cultural Shifts and Policy: How Government Actions Shape Social Behavior

Shaping social behavior through public policy is a basic yet complex process, necessitating a delicate balance between government intervention, societal norms, and individual rights. Policies are created to address a wide array of social issues, such as public health and safety, economic inequality, and environmental sustainability, in an attempt to influence societal behavior for the greater good. However, most of those policies are usually opposed by resistance to change, unintended consequences, and difficulties in enforcement. This paper examines some of the main challenges to the use of policy in designing social behavior: cultural resistance, policy misalignment with social realities, ethical concerns, and political opposition. In addition, it considers the need to consider long-term impacts on society, ensure resource allocation, and adapt policies to evolving needs. This paper reviews challenges in depth and consequently underlines the complexity of using policy to achieve behavior change; it underscores the need for thoughtful design, public engagement, and ongoing adaptation in the quest for successful outcomes from social policy.

Erasure and Empire: Uyghur Muslim Cultural Resistance to Genocide under the Global War on Terror

This article analyzes resistance of Muslim Uyghurs to the genocide perpetrated against them by the Chinese government under the global war on terror. We use historical, political, and cultural analysis of journalism, personal narrative, poetry, film, and traditional music to argue that Uyghurs use cultivation – bearing witness, zikr and remembrance, communal religious practices, and ecopoetry – as part of their practices to actualise survival and liberation. In doing so, we uncover how the global war on terror is employed as a policy and justification by a network of states (China, the United States, and countries in the Arab world) to serve the conflicting political and economic interests that enable settler-colonial dispossession, displacement, and elimination of Indigenous and racialised people – Uyghurs and Palestinians – especially women and children.

The Prevalence of Multidrug Resistance in Enterobacterales Is Higher in Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Antimicrobial resistance is a global public health emergency. Patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) are at increased risk for severe infections with multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms, although more data are needed on the relative burden of MDR Enterobacterales (MDR-E) in immunocompromised populations. In this study, we compare the prevalence of Enterobacterales resistance in cultures from patients undergoing HCT with that of non-HCT patients seeking care at a large healthcare system in North Carolina, USA. We analyzed electronic health data from 52 067 patients aged ≥18 years with a culture positive for Enterobacterales species (2000-2023). Of these, 271 had undergone HCT prior to culture-recovered Enterobacterales. We compared resistance trends over time for specific antibacterial classes using a 5-year moving average and used generalized linear models to estimate prevalence ratios and differences of MDR-E in HCT versus non-HCT patients. HCT recipients overall had a higher prevalence of MDR-E (37.7% vs 19.4%) and resistance for all individual antibiotic classes analyzed. Comparing HCT vs non-HCT groups, the highest prevalence ratio was observed for resistance to aminoglycosides (2.10 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.65-2.68]); the largest adjusted absolute difference in nonsusceptibility was observed with quinolones (20.4 [95% CI, 14.9-25.8]). MDR-E infections were associated with double all-cause mortality at 1 year. This large longitudinal study highlights how antimicrobial resistance has consistently been a substantial problem in HCT recipients over the prior 2 decades. Targeting antimicrobial resistance mitigation efforts will be key in reducing the risk of MDR infections in HCT.

External validation of predictive models for antibiotic susceptibility of urine culture.

To develop, externally validate, and test a series of computer algorithms to accurately predict antibiotic susceptibility test (AST) results at the time of clinical diagnosis, up to 3 days before standard urine culture results become available, with the goal of improving antibiotic stewardship and patient outcomes. Machine learning algorithms were developed and trained to predict susceptibility or resistance using over 4.7 million discrete AST classifications from urine cultures in a cohort of adult patients from outpatient and inpatient settings from 2012 to 2022. The algorithms were validated on a cohort from a geographically-distant hospital system, ~1931 km (~1200 miles) from the training cohort facilities, from the same time period. Finally, algorithms were clinically validated in a contemporary cohort and compared to the empiric therapy prescribed by clinicians. Appropriateness of the antibiotics selected by clinicians and the algorithm during the clinical validation was compared. Algorithms were accurate during clinical validation (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] 0.71-0.94) for all 11 tested antibiotics. The algorithms' accuracy improved as the organism was identified (AUC 0.79-0.97). In external validation in a geographically-distant cohort, the algorithms remained accurate even without additional training on this group (AUC 0.69-0.87). When the algorithms were trained on the antibiogram from the geographically-distant hospital, the accuracy improved (AUC 0.70-0.93). When algorithms' performances were tested against clinicians in a contemporary cohort for the empiric prescription of oral antibiotics, the drug agent suggested by the algorithms more frequently resulted in adequate empiric coverage. Machine learning algorithms trained on a large dataset are accurate in prediction of urine culture susceptibility vs resistance up to 3 days prior to urine AST availability. Clinical implementation of such an algorithm could improve both clinical care and antimicrobial stewardship.

Girls’ Education, Social Constraints and State Policies in Northern Ghana, 1909–1960

ABSTRACT This article examines the complex socio-political factors that hindered the growth of girls’ education in northern Ghana during the colonial and early postcolonial periods. While previous research has focused on broader regional disparities between the North and the South, the gendered aspects of educational disparity within the North remain relatively unexplored. We demonstrate that colonial policies and local customs combined to create barriers to girls’ education. In the early colonial period, the imperial objective of producing native interpreters and administrators, combined with cultural resistance to girls’ education, discouraged the provision of educational facilities for girls. Additionally, Christian missions, unlike in the South, were restricted in their activities in the North. While African agency influenced girls’ education, colonial ideology and policies exerted a substantial impact on girls’ education in northern Ghana. This article supports Diana Barthel’s conclusion that cultural and political factors interacted to deprive girls of access to Western education.

The Rise and Assimilation of Western Queer Cinema: Resistance and Dilemma in the Mainstream

Queer cinema has risen to prominence in recent years, frequently featured at major international film festivals and gaining a foothold in the global market. As an extension of queer theory, which highlights the fluidity of gender and sexuality, queer cinema initially aimed to challenge traditional gender norms and heteronormativity through radical narrative structures and visual expressions. Early queer films often subverted mainstream narratives, offering an alternative, politically charged lens to explore marginalized identities. However, as queer cinema has increasingly entered the mainstream market, it has been subjected to assimilation and commodification pressures. This has led to a dilution of its radical and subversive elements, as the narratives are increasingly shaped to fit within heteronormative frameworks. Queer characters, once at the centre of challenging societal norms, are now often marginalized or simplified to meet the expectations of broader, more mainstream audiences. This paper examines how capitalism and patriarchy have contributed to the assimilation and marginalization of queer cinema, limiting its political expression and cultural impact. While Russo highlights how Hollywood perpetuates lazy stereotypes of queer characters, White suggests that cinema, as a tool of capitalist and patriarchal power, helps maintain normative gender and sexual roles. Despite these challenges, queer cinema remains an important cultural tool for breaking down stereotypes and resisting the dominance of heteronormativity. To maintain its relevance and continue its political and cultural resistance, queer cinema must resist commodification and strive for more diverse, authentic representations of queer identities.