Unique Culture Research Articles

Education – Language – Identity

AbstractIn our paper we explore the intricate relationship between language and identity within the Hungarian language minority residing in Slovakia, examining the patterns of identification among high school students in Western Slovakia. Focusing on upper-secondary Hungarian-medium high school students, we investigate the role of the Hungarian language in shaping identity patterns and cultural unity. Through a mixed-methods approach, combining a quantitative questionnaire survey with qualitative focus group discussions, we address research questions regarding the construction of community belonging and adolescents' attachments to their region and homeland. Our study, encompassing 414 students from five Hungarian-medium gymnasiums, sheds light on the identity formation of the Hungarian national minority and highlights divergent tendencies between different age groups. The findings are part of an ongoing state-level research project.

The Essential Network (TEN): consulting stakeholders and experts to better understand implementation of a blended care mental health support services for Australian health professionals

ABSTRACT Objective The Essential Network (TEN) is a blended care mental health support service for Australian health professionals. We conducted a series of semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders and researchers to understand health professionals’ needs, canvas suggested changes to TEN, and examine methods of improving service uptake. Method Nine semi-structured individual or group interviews were conducted with 10 TEN stakeholders (external stakeholders) and eight interviews were conducted with 18 researchers or related roles with experience implementing or evaluating mental health services for health professionals (internal experts). De-identified transcripts were thematically analysed using an inductive and deductive approach. Results Participants highlighted the need for confidentiality, with mandatory reporting concerns being a key barrier to health professionals engaging with mental health services. External stakeholders viewed digital services as advantageous due to accessibility and anonymity, although both groups noted that concerns around effectiveness were a barrier to engagement with digital services. Both groups agreed that peer endorsement was key to implementation. Conclusions Digital services were viewed as promising, but best employed alongside person-to-person options in a blended care format. Services that address the unique workplace culture of healthcare, including stigma and systemic barriers to help-seeking, can create effective and scalable support for health professionals.

Analysis of Islamic Legal Anthropology on The Marriage Traditions of The Mbojo and Samawa Tribes

This research aims to describe the similarities and differences in the traditional marriages of the Mbojo and Samawa tribes, as well as how Islamic legal anthropology analyzes these aspects. The study employs qualitative research through field research methods. A qualitative approach is used to observe and convey information that will produce clear data, based on community activities regarding how they are subjects within the research object. This research also contains comparative elements, which involve comparing two situations, events, and occurrences. In this case, the researcher applies a comparative method to the traditional marriages of the Mbojo tribe (Bima) and the Samawa tribe (Sumbawa). Data collection techniques in this study are obtained through direct observation in the field and interviews. Additionally, the data used in this research is supported by literature sources such as books, theses, journals, internet media, and others that support the research. The results of this study indicate that one of the purposes of marriage is to create a family that is peaceful, secure, and harmonious, in line with the concept of sakinah mawaddah wa rahmah. Marriage is a sacred bond between a man and a woman. In anthropology, culture is a system of ideas, actions, and human works that encompass beliefs, arts, morals, laws, and customs. In Indonesia, each region has its own unique culture, including in wedding ceremonies, such as those of the Mbojo tribe in Bima and the Samawa tribe in Sumbawa. Although they have different names and processes, the traditions of peta kapanca and barodak rapacar share the same purpose: to purify oneself in order to achieve a good and harmonious household.

Can't Buy Me Love? The Use of Gifts in the Residency Application Process.

To set themselves apart, some programs use gifts or promotional items to highlight the residency program or unique local culture. The distinction between advertisement and persuasion may be blurry in this case. We sought to quantify the prevalence of gifts to applicants and how frequently the US federal threshold for "nominal gifts" was exceeded. We reviewed a publicly accessible, Internet resource called the "ERAS Megathread." This is a Google spreadsheet found on Reddit where applicants participating in The Match can anonymously contribute information about their experience. The incidence of "gifts" was quantified for surgical residency programs, along with the nominal value if indicated. The spreadsheets were reviewed for 2021, 2022, and 2023. Over the past 3 application cycles, 15.1% [11.1%-18.2%] of general surgery residency programs provided a gift to applicants. Of these programs, the majority (70.2%) are university-based programs. In 2023, 57.9% of these gifts exceeded US$20. Given the anonymous nature of the data set, and the lack of transparency in the match process, it was not possible to correlate gift giving with its effect on recruitment. Students are courted by residency programs, and a significant minority of programs provide a gift to applicants. The impact of a substantial gift on a financially vulnerable student is difficult to quantify. It behooves us as a specialty to determine what should be a universal standard and to consider outlining explicit guidelines for The Match.

A pilot study of Chinese parents’ perceptions of friendships in autistic children

Objectives Previous research has reported that parental perceptions and expectations regarding friendship for their autistic children varies across different cultural contexts, but investigations of parents’ attitudes towards their autistic children’s friendships in eastern cultures are scarce. Settled in the unique collectivistic culture in China, the purpose of this study was to explore Chinese parents’ perceptions and expectations of friendships for their autistic children. Methods A qualitative research method was adopted in this pilot study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 parents regarding their perceptions, expectations, and perceived barriers to friendship development in their autistic children (n = 11, age mean = 9.18). Thematic analysis was employed to interpret the data. Results The results revealed that Chinese parents generally perceived a low level of their children’s friendship status and that they hold low expectations for their children’s friendship development. Additionally, cognitive and environmental barriers were identified as the major obstacles to friendship development for children with autism. Conclusions This pilot study investigated how Chinese parents of autistic children perceive their children’s friendship and identified social and cultural barriers to the development of their autistic children. It highlighted the need for cultural investigations in future research to promote efficient friendship development in autistic children.

Collaborative Governance Networks Supporting Sustainable Ecotourism: A Case Study of Gili Iyang Island, Indonesia

The development of sustainable ecotourism on Gili Iyang Island, known for its high oxygen levels and unique local culture, requires collaboration among diverse stakeholders through effective governance networks. This study investigates the roles and contributions of key stakeholders—including the Sumenep District Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Sports Office (Dinas Pariwisata, Kebudayaan, Pemuda, dan Olahraga Kabupaten Sumenep or Disparbudpora), the Andang Taruna Tourism Awareness Group (Kelompok Sadar Wisata Andang Taruna or Pokdarwis), village governments, and local communities—in developing ecotourism on Gili Iyang Island, Indonesia. Using a qualitative case study approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and document analysis. Findings show that governance networks are crucial in enhancing community empowerment, building local capacity, and improving infrastructure to support ecotourism. Nevertheless, challenges remain, including limited resources, conflicts between villages, and minimal private-sector engagement. Strengthening Pokdarwis’ managerial capacity, fostering inter-community synergies, and attracting private sector involvement are identified as essential strategies to ensure sustainable ecotourism. This research contributes to the broader literature on collaborative governance in remote island ecotourism, offering practical insights for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to create resilient, community-driven tourism initiatives that can be adapted to similar island settings.

How to Show You're a "Good Fit" During an Interview

This article discusses strategies for job applicants to effectively demonstrate cultural fit during the interview process. It emphasizes the importance of fit in today's competitive hiring environment, as employers seek candidates who will seamlessly integrate into their team and advance organizational goals. The article outlines ways for applicants to research the company and role thoroughly, align examples of their background to the employer's stated values, highlight enthusiasm for the position and company, provide substantive examples to evidence a compatible work style, and showcase relevant industry knowledge. It presents real examples of how candidates have persuasively shown cultural fit. Overall, the article provides research-based guidance on customizing stories and responses during interviews to communicate passion and compatibility through tangible scenarios that leave hiring managers confident in an applicant's long-term potential for success within their unique culture.

Silk road heritage: The artistic representation of port trading culture in the images of characters in Qing Dynasty Guangzhou export paintings.

As customized artistic commodities, export paintings mirrored Guangzhou's unique overseas trade culture and social power in a microscopic view, nevertheless, few researchers have delved into the cultural relationship between the use of the painting techniques and the characters of the export paintings. Based on an iconographic approach, this article aims to analyze the historical iconography information of the Qing dynasty export paintings from the perspective of the trade development and cultural exchange between the East and West during the 18th century by the study of the export paintings' characters expressions and costumes colors, providing insights into the exploration of the value of tangible cultural heritage. In the process of our research, shows that: 1) the dominant laboring characters in the export paintings present standing postures, and most of them demonstrate negative emotions; 2) many of the characters of the export paintings show high similarities due to the assembly-line mode of painting during manufacture; 3) the portrayal of the characters in the export paintings reflects a return of a sense of humanity. This is evident in the fact that the subject of the paintings abounds in the scenes showing local folklore, working views, and daily life in Guangzhou. Meanwhile, the characters in the painting are vividly portrayed in a realistic style. The use of mixed colors on the costumes of different characters reflects a universal value of having regard for the equality of all men; 4) Guangzhou export painting decorative art evolution of the development of the dual development of Chinese and Western fusion of veins. Guangzhou export paintings of the Qing dynasty satisfied the customers' reverie for 'Oriental Civilization' and their purpose of seeking novelty of foreign cultures. It also revealed the subtle dynamics of the interplay between Guangzhou's social power, trading capital, and blending art.

Polifem między nomos oraz physis. Homer, Sofiści i „prawa ludzkiej miary” w dramacie satyrowym "Cyklop" Eurypidesa

At the height of their development and popularization, the Odyssey and the Iliad were part of a rich tradition of oral epic poetry. And while the transmission of Homer’s epics was facilitated by a Panhellenic framework, these works themselves became catalysts for the consolidation and unification of Greek culture; they shaped a shared Greek identity and a common value system. Particularly significant in this regard is the episode from Book IX of the Odyssey, namely the scene of the Odysseus-Polyphemos encounter. The island of the Cyclopes, as I argue in this article, represents a structural inversion of a civilized and orderly human community; the image of Polyphemos embodies “wildness” and delineates (or redefines) the boundaries of discourse on civilization, culture, and community. This motif anticipates, thus, the debate on nomos (“law”) and physis (“nature”) that engaged the intellectual elite of Athens, known as the sophists, around the turn of the 5th and 4th centuries BCE. This article traces the reception of the Polyphemos motif within this sophistic discourse of that period. Euripides’ satyr play Cyclops, filled with allusions to the sophists who were keenly interested in the Homeric motif of the island of the one-eyed monsters, serves as the focal point for this analysis. Furthermore, I will show that Euripides uses the dramaturgical framework inspired by Homer’s epic to confront two worldviews: on the one hand, respect for tradition and values associated with ancient poetry (the attitude represented by Odysseus), and on the other, the rationalism, radicalism, and tradition-directed criticism that characterized Euripides’ contemporary political thinkers and philosophers (represented by Polyphemos).

The formation of tea culture in British

When foreign people think of British culture nowadays, they can easily picture gentlemen and ladies elegantly dressed, surrounded by fine furniture and utensils, enjoying afternoon tea. The unique tea culture has already become a strong impression of Britain. This article explores the positioning of tea within the map of cultural differentiation, highlighting its status as a significant symbol of British culture, despite Britain not being its country of origin. The success of tea arose from the collision of Eastern and Western civilizations, with Chinese tea being introduced to Britain by Dutch merchant ships in the 17th century, marking its economic rise. The paper raises key questions about how tea transformed from an exotic product into a British cultural icon and whether the promotion of tea culture in Britain is mere imitation or rooted in local traditions. Additionally, it reviews research by Chinese and foreign scholars on British tea culture, focusing on the origins of tea culture in China, including the history of tea cultivation and consumption, and the evolution of tea culture in various dynasties. The second half describes in detail the thriving process of tea trade in Britain since the 17th century, the background of tea culture breaking the gender status and other restrictions in British society, and the different connotations and influences of tea culture in the British upper society and working class.

Consumers’ attitudes towards healthy eating: a qualitative comparison between older and younger Chinese consumers

PurposeUnhealthy diets are associated with an increased risk of non-communicable diseases and present a significant public health challenge. When developing effective interventions and policies, consideration must be given to the unique social culture in which food choice is embedded. Health vulnerabilities to poor nutrition exist throughout life but may be influenced by socio-cultural factors such as age. This study aimed to assess the attitudes of older or younger Chinese consumers towards healthy eating and explore the factors influencing their food choices.Design/methodology/approachSemi-structured interviews were conducted in Wuhan, China, with 20 consumers aged 18–25 (Group A) and 20 consumers aged 65 and over (Group B).FindingsThematic analysis revealed that the two groups had positive attitudes towards healthy eating, although Group A participants were more knowledgeable. Time pressure, food prices and social networks differentially influence healthy eating practices across age groups.Originality/valueGiven China’s economic and cultural context, healthy eating interventions should consider the individual characteristics and food preferences of the different age groups. This approach can optimize targeted healthy eating interventions, and media communications related to healthy eating.

Subsistence and population development from the Middle Neolithic B (2800-2350 BCE) to the Late Neolithic (2350-1700 BCE) in Southern Scandinavia.

The present study aims to explore the hypothesis of a link between a population increase derived from intensified food production and the development from the widespread cultural diversity of the Middle Neolithic B (MNB) to the cultural unity towards the end of the Late Neolithic (LN) in Southern Scandinavia. We explore this through quantitative modelling of radiocarbon dates, aoristic time series of material culture and palynological data. On this basis, we propose three main results that may explain the transformation: (1) A supra-regional population increase, culminating in the middle of the LN (c. 2100 BCE). (2) A depopulation in Western Jutland at the transition from the MNB to the LN (c. 2400-2300 BCE) counterbalanced by a population increase in North and East Denmark. (3) A population boom in Southern Sweden around 2250-2000 BCE, possibly leading to migrations towards west. Furthermore, we propose an overall decline in population in the final LN (c. 1850 BCE).

Small institutions with special missions through the lens of women's colleges

AbstractThe universe of small institutions includes “special mission” institutions. Although these institutions share several similarities, each plays a special and distinct role in higher education, providing a unique culture and experience for their students. They include women's colleges, Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Hispanic‐serving institutions (HSIs), Tribal colleges and universities (TCUs), faith‐based institutions, and military colleges, among others. Through the lens of women's colleges, the author will highlight these institutions and their important role in higher education.

Autism and Communication Skills: Perspectives of Special Education Teachers in Saudi Arabia.

The experiences of special education teachers in Saudi Arabia are quite different from the experiences of their counterparts from other countries as they work in a unique culture and educational system. The educational system in Saudi Arabia is gender segregated, and the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Education (MoE) provides an equal budget, salaries, and subsidies and implements the same policies and uses the same curriculum regardless of the location, size of the city, or the number of students. This country's unique characteristics may influence special education teachers' experiences, which raises the need to investigate and understand the experiences of Saudi special education teachers. We sought to understand the experiences of special education teachers in Saudi Arabia, focusing on teaching communication skills to autistic students. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 13 Saudi special education teachers to gain deeper insights into the experiences of these teachers within the Saudi context. The themes that emerged from the interviews revolved around evaluating and teaching communication skills, the role of the Saudi MoE, and the perceived challenges and needs related to teaching communication skills. Building on our findings, we propose a set of recommendations for special education teachers and the Saudi MoE.

A Study of the English Translation of Characteristic Cuisines of the Hexi Corridor from the Perspective of Multimodal Discourse Analysis

Given the diversity of geographical and cultural backgrounds, it is difficult to find precise counterparts of many food-related vocabularies in the unique dietary culture of the Hexi Corridor in the target language, making it challenging to fully convey the essence of its local dietary culture in translation. To achieve the purpose of translation, the theory of multimodal discourse analysis provides an ideal translation approach through the language mode, image mode, sound mode, and the synergistic effect of multimodalities, which can accurately address the deficiencies in the translation of dietary culture. Through this research, it is not only possible to highlight the unique charm of the dietary culture of the Hexi Corridor but also to build a bridge for its international dissemination, promoting cross-border cultural exchanges and mutual understanding.

The Impact of Catholic Culture on the Cultural and Spiritual Lives of Contemporary Vietnamese Students

Catholicism has been practiced in Vietnam for more than four centuries. Over seven and a half million people are members of the Vietnamese Catholic community as of the year 2022. The most notable examples of Catholic culture in Vietnam are these forms. A deeper relationship between Vietnamese spirituality and Catholic culture has been established due to the phenomenon known as "Vietnamese" Catholicism. Beyond the confines of the Christian community, Catholic culture is now pervasive throughout Vietnamese society. Students constitute a significant component of the Vietnamese population, particularly the younger generation. In light of this, the question arises as to how the spirituality of Vietnamese students has been influenced by Catholic culture. In order to investigate the process of Catholic cultural assimilation among Vietnamese people, the writers use empirical analysis to investigate four typical narratives: New Year's Day on January 1, Valentine's Day on February 14, and Christmas Day on December 25. It provides a complete explanation of the cultural shifts in society due to globalization. In addition to being inspired by Confucian culture, Vietnam is open to Western culture, particularly Catholicism. Vietnam has a long and illustrious past and a unique culture.

Лепная посуда могильника Алмалык-Дере

The article describes the molded dishes of the burial ground of the 4th-7th centuries. AD Almalyk-dere, located in the South-Western Crimea. A comparative typological analysis of this group of archaeological finds, in general, demonstrates its general cultural unity with molded dishes from other Crimean burial grounds of the late Roman and early medieval times, with the presence of certain differences. Common features are manifested in the technique and technology of production of stucco products, as well as in the composition and structure of the ceramic complex, and differences are in the morphology and ornamentation of vessels. The study of Almalyk molded dishes allows us to say that the emergence of the burial ground is associated with the arrival of a group of new population in southwestern Taurica, consisting of the numerically predominant Alans, as well as Germans and, obviously, some part of the Bosporans and late Scythians.

Neuropeptide signalling orchestrates T cell differentiation.

The balance between T helper type 1 (TH1) cells and other TH cells is critical for antiviral and anti-tumour responses1-3, but how this balance is achieved remains poorly understood. Here we dissected the dynamic regulation of TH1 cell differentiation during in vitro polarization, and during in vivo differentiation after acute viral infection. We identified regulators modulating T helper cell differentiation using a unique TH1-TH2 cell dichotomous culture system and systematically validated their regulatory functions through multiple in vitro and in vivo CRISPR screens. We found that RAMP3, a component of the receptor for the neuropeptide CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide), has a cell-intrinsic role in TH1 cell fate determination. Extracellular CGRP signalling through the receptor RAMP3-CALCRL restricted the differentiation of TH2 cells, but promoted TH1 cell differentiation through the activation of downstream cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3). ATF3 promoted TH1 cell differentiation by inducing the expression of Stat1, a key regulator of TH1 cell differentiation. After viral infection, an interaction between CGRP produced by neurons and RAMP3 expressed on T cells enhanced the anti-viral IFNγ-producing TH1 and CD8+ T cell response, and timely control of acute viral infection. Our research identifies a neuroimmune circuit in which neurons participate in T cell fate determination by producing the neuropeptide CGRP during acute viral infection, which acts on RAMP3-expressing T cells to induce an effective anti-viral TH1 cell response.

Հայոց եկեղեցու փոխհարաբերությունները Բյուզանդիայի և Մերձավոր Արեւելքի եկեղեցական կենտրոնների հետ

In his time John (Hovhannes) of Odzun (d. 728) proclaimmed that the hierarchical structure, theological conceptions and the rite of the Armenian Church were inherited from the time of the apostles. Along with the restoration of the public institutions in the Bagratid period (880s-1045), the Armenian authorities granted vast privileges to the Church, which turned into the most influential leverage for maintaining the inner and foreign policy of the state. In order to shatter the Bagratid Kingdom, the Byzantine Empire resorted to inciting conflicts between the Chalcedonian and anti-Chalcedonian Churches. Trying to subjugate Armenians and their territories at any cost, the Byzantine emperors weakened the religious structure of the Armenian Church. With the Seljuq raids of the 11th century we see that policy of Byzantium led to the Byzantine secession of the Minor Asian provinces where the Iconian Sultanate (or Sultanate of Rum, 1077-1308) and the Danishmandid State (1104-1178) were created by the Seljuq Turks. This continued with the gradual loss of the entire Minor Asian holdings of the Byzantine Empire and the emergence of the Ottoman Empire over the Byzantine territory. Finally the capital Constantinople was taken in 1453. The history of Armenian-Byzantine church relations shows that the mentioned churches had multifaceted religious and cultural relations. Over the centuries, they have made attempts to settle religious differences. In the process, each of them created a unique culture and civil system, the study of which allows us to understand their role in the modern world. To understand the characteristics of these cultures, detailed studies of ecclesiastical and literary monuments are assumed.

Stories of women's marriage and fertility experiences:Qualitative research on urban and rural cases in Bali, Indonesia.

As a Hindu-majority province in Indonesia, Bali presents a unique and distinctive culture. Patrilocal ( purusa) marriage and patrilineal inheritance as a continuation of the patriarchal system puts a male in the key role of family representative and successor. Having a son is a priority for a married couple in Balinese society. As a consequence, Balinese women experience several constraints related to their economic productive, reproductive, and adat (ritual) roles. When a family does not have a male heir, their daughter is pressed to find a spouse willing to accept sentana (daughter succession) marriage. This secondary form of marriage brings another complication for Balinese-Hindu women and does not necessarily relieve their submissive position. This study analyzes Balinese-Hindu women's perspectives on their marriage experiences and fertility decisions in patrilineal society in changing rural and urban conditions. The data was collected in two areas representing rural (Gianyar) and urban (Denpasar) locations in Bali Province, Indonesia from November 2019 to February 2020. Primary data was based on in-depth interviews of six rural and six urban married Balinese-Hindu women. This qualitative inquiry into Balinese women's experience of the marriage system and fertility options in urban and rural Bali revealed varying degrees of social expectation to provide male descendants for their families. At the same time, economic burdens still haunted them in this development era and manifested conflicting implications for family size. Their stories of purusa and sentana marriage were complex because it has strongly associated with customary law ( adat) in traditional society. Paradoxically, this study found that it was predominantly rural women who opted for the sentana arrangement and expressed a preference for smaller family sizes. This study explores women's fertility aspirations, notably regarding son precedence. It problematizes the sentana marriage alternative as a potential solution to alleviate the expectations and burdens placed on women.