Cultures In Different Regions Research Articles

The Artistic Characteristics of the Sculptures in Shanxi Merchants Courtyard and the Evolution of Cultural Connotation

By comparing and analyzing the sculptures of Jinzhong courtyards, we can distinguish the sculptures of Shanxi Merchants courtyards formed under the backgrounds of patterns, shapes, environments, and cultures in different regions, and understand the relationship between the evolution of Shanxi transplanted texts and the aesthetic decoration of carvings, which can help us understand more In-depth and comprehensive understanding of Jinzhong Shanxi merchant culture. Therefore, focus on the sculptural features of the Jinzhong merchant courtyard, compare the patterns, shapes, environment, culture and other elements, and the background of the Shanxi merchants, and summarize their respective sculpture characteristics, so as to gain insight into the humanistic charm of the Jinzhong merchants.

Recipe Recommendation by Ingredients Detection

Abstract: Cooking is a daily chore for many individuals and hence can become a monotonous activity. Sometimes it is difficult for one to decide what new & interesting can be cooked from the available ingredients. Lack of culinary expertise can lead to disproportionate use of ingredients resulting in wastage. Also while cooking, one’s hands are unclean to be able to look the recipe in their smart device or recipe books. For beginners cooking can also become a hassle because they might not know names of many ingredients. Our proposed system intends to help everyone with their daily cooking. Using our application one will be able to escape their monotonous cooking routine by using ingredients detection system along with recommendation model. Using our application user will be able to scan the available ingredients through which we will recommend best suitable recipe for them. For detecting the ingredients we will apply CNN algorithm with parameter optimization. CNN is the state-of-theart approach to the deep learning, with significantly higher accuracy then traditional support-vector-machine-based algorithm. Our application will store the detected ingredients of the user in the database and recommend recipe accordingly in the home page. Further recommendation on the home page would be based on the historical patterns of the user, while recommending we will be using various factors such as cuisine preference, ingredients, cooking time, etc. Using NLP we will serve the voice control feature to the users through which they will be able to hear the recipe at their own pace, in case their hands are unclean. Through NLP our motive is to overcome the regional barrier so anyone unfamiliar with English will also be able to use our application and can experience the culture of different regions through their cuisine. Keywords: object detection, deep learning, convolution neural network, recipe recommendation, natural language processing, voice assistance, hybrid based recommendation.

The role of ICT and effect of national culture on economic growth

ABSTRACT The ubiquitous nature of ICT makes it an inevitable choice to address economic growth of a nation. The literature indicates a positive significance of ICT on economic growth, but intensity of the usage of ICT highly depends on the nature of the society. This study uses the perspective that sustained usage of ICT is highly dependent on various factors and facets of the society. Using national culture as a societal facet, the study demonstrates the necessity of congruence between ICT usage and national cultural values to attain desired level of economic growth. The results indicate that national culture dimensions and ICT have a significant influence on the economic growth of a nation. The study demonstrates variations in using ICT for economic growth depending on cultures in different regions of the world. The study has implications for policy makers at national and international levels regarding the usage of ICT for economic growth.

The Role of ICT and Effect of National Culture on Human Development

ABSTRACT Human development is one of the prominent factors that captures the essence of livelihoods in societies. In the current information era, the unprecedented reach and diffusion of information and communication technologies (ICT) to the remotest countries of the world make it a catalyst to achieve the desired target of human development. But ICT cannot be highly overrated, while the world acknowledges the benefits of incorporating ICT to solve societal issues, the world reports also indicate that nearly 70% of ICT designed projects for development are mere failures. The reason can be attributed to the societal norms and cultural aspects of the community toward the usage of technology. This study builds on the thought that the sustained usage of ICT is highly dependent on the various factors and facets of the society. Using national culture as a societal facet, the study demonstrates the necessity of congruence between ICT usage and national culture values to attain the desired human development. The results indicate that national culture dimensions of low-power distance, collectivism, femininity, short-term orientation, and restraint with ICT have significant influence on human development index. The study demonstrates the variations in using ICT for human development depending on cultures in different regions of the world. The study has implications for policymakers at national and international levels regarding treatment of ICT for human development.

Nostalgia for “Golden Age” in Soviet-era culture

The prerequisites for the study are the relevant trends in modern humanities that study the “era of nostalgia”, the “demand for the past” in the culture of different regions of the world (Z. Bauman, S. Boym, D. Lowenthal and others), and the interest of the global science in the processes that occur in Russian culture. The “taboo on nostalgia” (S. Boym) should be overcome in the Russian intellectual milieu (the consequence of revising the Soviet sociocultural experience) as a factor that introduces subjectivity into research. The purpose of the study is to identify the prospects for the comprehensive study of the mythologization of the Russian “Golden Age” and the functions of the neomyth in Russian culture of the 20th century; the goal is to define the specific features of the key stages in nostalgic mythmaking (from pre-Soviet to post-Soviet). The initial hypothesis: although different generations have their motives for seeking the ideal in the “Golden” 19th century, each stage can only be interpreted in the context of the single mythmaking process. Research methods are based on the interdisciplinary approach; the authors summarize research data in the field of literature, cultural history, and cultural sociology. The result of the analytical review in the study is the significant elaboration of the notions of the most important nostalgic “plot” of 20th-century Russian culture: 1) over the previous century, the neomyth of the Russian “Golden Age” is actualized almost continuously; 2) the latent stages of the neomyth have been the time of creative individuals’ personal searches, their fruits being later in demand by society; 3) a long cycle of the retrospective search for Russian culture ends with a complete change in the meaning-making social context in the post-Soviet era. In the conclusion, the prospect for scientific discussion is outlined.

Evolution of Neolithic site distribution (9.0–4.0 ka BP) in Anhui, East China

Based on archaeological surveys of Neolithic cultural development and GIS spatial analysis, this study reproduced the main characteristics of temporal distribution and settlement selection of the sites from the Neolithic Age in Anhui and identified a relationship between environmental evolution and human activity. The results show that altitude, slope direction, and slope gradient were consistent among the settlements at different stages of the Neolithic Age in Anhui, and the sites were mostly distributed in hilly and plain areas on southeast- or south-facing slopes of low gradients close to rivers. We determined that early Neolithic Age (9.0–7.0 ka BP) sites were scattered in small numbers and likely had little cultural exchange with communities of other provinces. The environmental characteristics of various regions in Anhui indicated that the climate was warm and humid with extensive water distribution. The sites of the mid Neolithic Age (7.0–5.0 ka BP) increased rapidly with wide distribution. They were mainly distributed in the plain area north of the Huaihe River and the southwestern areas of Anhui. In the mid Neolithic Age, the warm and humid climate gradually dried, and our ancestors slowly developed cultural exchanges. The largest number of sites existed during the late Neolithic Age (5.0–4.0 ka BP), and were distributed throughout the province. During this period, the overall climate was relatively dry, but humans could still obtain water and other resources through migration. The relatively benign climate facilitated cultural interaction and exchange, which increased during this time, and the Wanjiang culture matured. We also determined that as early civilization evolved, cultures in different regions responded differently to environmental changes. In humid subtropical regions, especially in low-lying plains and areas beside lakes, rivers, and coastal areas, the relatively dry climate in the late period of the middle Holocene, prefaced by a period of high humidity, was conducive to the development of human culture. The evidence from the Neolithic settlements in Anhui therefore reflects this subtropical man-land relationship between cultural development and environmental conditions.

Rádio regional: um patrimônio cultural imaterial e um lugar de memória

O rádio faz parte da história e da cultura de diversas regiões do Brasil. Na forma representativa com que se relaciona com estas culturas, o rádio regional, em especial, pode ser considerado como patrimônio cultural imaterial e lugar de memória. Isso vemos acontecer no programa Ranchinho do Jajá, da Rádio Mantiqueira AM 550 de Cruzeiro-SP, objeto deste artigo, que traz como objetivo analisar como os conceitos de patrimônio cultural imaterial e lugar de memória podem ser aplicados ao rádio. Seguindo a abordagem qualitativa, utiliza a estratégia de análise de conteúdo dos comentários de ouvintes do programa. Os resultados mostram que os conceitos de patrimônio cultural e lugar de memória podem ser aplicados ao rádio, a partir do sentido que a recepção dá para o seu conteúdo e seus elementos. A pesquisa contribui, portanto, com os estudos sobre o rádio como patrimônio cultural imaterial.

Archaeonics - (Geo)archaeological studies in Anthropogenic Dark Earths (ADE) as an example for future-oriented studies of the past

This review paper examines the potential of (geo)archaeological data of past human-environment systems to contribute to the development of sustainable land use and soil management strategies. Looking at past land use systems and their socio-economic background extends our understanding of the slow processes and low frequency events that appear to be the key in deciding whether land use systems lead to sustainability or to collapse. As an example, the paper focuses on so-called Anthropogenic Dark Earths (ADE). These highly fertile soils were managed or actively created by ancient cultures in different regions of the world. Since they are rich in humic matter and carbon, and are highly stable to biochemical oxidation, they appear very relevant both as a model for sustainable soil and land management systems and as a tool for climate change mitigation on different scales - local as well as global. The paper argues in favor of a historical perspective to learn about risks and possibilities of land use strategies. We propose a co-adaptive transdisciplinary problem-solving approach ("Archaeonics"), which includes the study of the past as well as respective technical and social implications for the future.

Socio-cultural aspects of global economic processes

The paper considers existing theoretical approaches to the analysis of socio-cultural aspects of globalization economic processes. The relevance of the study is the fact that the process of globalization, which manifest sit self in various spheres of public life, since the second half of the twentieth century, provides both new opportunities and new challenges for humanity not only in the economy and geopolitics, but also in demography, ecology, technology, culture. Today, it is clear that the spread of the influence of globalization on the value-normative foundations of national cultures in different regions of the world often leads to problems of cultural identification. The subject of research of the article is the socio-cultural aspects of global economic processes. The goal is to study the evolution of the theoretical approaches to the analysis of the socio-cultural aspects of globalization economic processes and their impact on the overall civilization development. The objective is to research the issue of existing theoretical approaches to the analysis of socio-cultural aspects of globalization economic processes. General scientific methods are used, such as system analysis. The following results were obtained: today it is obvious that the spread of the influence of globalization on the value-normative bases of national cultures in different regions of the world often leads to problems of cultural identification. Conclusions: on the basis of the conducted research, it was concluded that globalization, which is understood as the aspiration of humanity to a single global space while preserving the diversity of peoples and cultures, cannot be effectively realized without changing the general paradigm of human development towards creating a harmonious system of universal value sand socio-cultural practices national cultures.

East and West: Different Geographies of Thinking and Their Implications for Actual Problems of Today´s World

Although the current globalization eliminates and blurs the differences between cultures in different regions of the world, different inclinations and preferences in thinking between East and West, historically grounded cultural specificities and different hierarchy of values play an important role in the approach to solving current problems of our time. Differences in perception of the world in relation to its surroundings, organization of human relations, emphasis on socio-economic aspects and models of management of public affairs between East and West are so great that we can talk about different geography of thought. This is particularly the comparison of Western culture and Confucian East Asian societies. It is reflected not only at the individual positions, but at system approaches that are a kind of form of identification of the collective consciousness of these cultures. In some cases these approaches and perception are contradictory and can be compared in terms of «versus» oppositions. It includes topics such as individuality vs. community, holistic vs. reductionist solutions, social order vs. revolt, responsibilities vs. rights, pragmatism vs. ontological beliefs, conflicting vs. complementary perception of the world and other concepts. The work seeks to contribute to the understanding of these divergent concepts and help bridging model approaches between the two spheres of civilization.

Changing preference among Indian Consumers on the use of Skin Care Products – Are they moving towards Natural Products?

The study focuses on emerging trends and developments in India's Skin care segment. The study is aimed at in Mapping the current consumer needs, Behaviour and expectation in Facial care products. The Emerging Trend in India is linked to consumers’ behaviour and Psychological Patterns that reflects the unique thinking and culture of different regions- North, South, West and East India.

Culture and diversity in knowledge creation

Is the paradise of effortless communication the ideal environment for knowledge creation? Or, can the development of local culture in regions raise knowledge productivity compared to a single region with a unitary culture? In other words, can a real technological increase in the cost of collaboration and the cost of public knowledge flow between regions, resulting in cultural differentiation between regions, increase welfare? In our framework, a culture is a set of ideas held exclusively by residents of a location. In general in our model, the equilibrium path generates separate cultures in different regions. When we compare this to the situation where all workers are resident in one region, R&D workers become too homogeneous and there is only one culture. As a result, equilibrium productivity in the creation of new knowledge is lower relative to the situation when there are multiple cultures and workers are more diverse.

The contemporary significance of Confucianism

I have delivered speeches on the topic “The Contemporary Significance of Confucianism” several times, including in the 1980s and 1990s of the last century. Now, I will continue to address it in the twenty-first century. In addition to me, more and more scholars have started to address this topic. Why? I think there are two important reasons: One is that we are on the eve of the great revival of the Chinese nation. So now, we must review our historical and cultural tradition. Karl Jaspers presented the notion of “the Axial Age.” He thought that great thinkers emerged in ancient Greece, Israel, India, China, and other countries almost simultaneously around 500 B.C., and they all presented unique ideas on problems which concern all human beings. Aristotle and Plato in ancient Greece, Prophets of Judaism in Israel, Sakyamuni in India, and Laozi and Confucius in China independently initiated and formed distinctive cultural traditions. Through 2,000 years of development, these cultural traditions have become central to human intellectual wealth, but these different cultures in different regions developed independently at the beginning and did not originally influence each other. He says, until today mankind has lived all by what was thought and created during the Axial Age. In each new upward leap, it returns in recollection to this period and is fired anew by it. Even since then, it has been the case that recollections and reawakening of the potentialities of the Axial Period—renaissances—always afford a spiritual impetus. The return to the root is the continuous thing in China, India, and West (see Jaspers 1989, p. 14). For instance, the Europeans in the renaissance looked back at the origin of their culture, ancient Greece, which revived European civilization and left its mark on global culture. Similarly, Song and MingNeo-Confucianism in China was stimulated by Indian Buddhism; the Confucian thinkers, by “recalling” Confucius and Mencius in the pre-Qin period, had promoted the ingenious Chinese philosophy to a new height. When we enter into the new millennium, the world’s intellectual circle has started to appeal for the arrival of “a New Axial Age.” Thus, it has become important to review and research ancient thoughts and wisdom and recall the origin of our own culture in order to respond to the new, diverse world culture. Secondly, in the new century, our country has brought forward a great project to build a “harmonious society.” Fei Xiaotong has raised the issue of “cultural self-consciousness.” In order to build a “harmonious society,” we have to know our own “culture.” What is “cultural self-consciousness”?

DRINKING PATTERNS AND THEIR GENDER DIFFERENCES IN EUROPE

To compare drinking habits and to examine differences between drinking cultures in different regions and countries in Europe; to examine gender differences in drinking habits and to compare them over countries. Data consisted of independently conducted, centrally analysed surveys in the general population aged 20-64 years in 14 European countries. Central measures were abstention, frequency and volume of drinking overall and by beverage type, amounts drunk per drinking day, and heavy episodic drinking. There were clear gender differences in all drinking measures, except for wine drinking. Differences between genders were often smaller than average in northern Europe. Gender ratios did not show systematic changes by age, with the exception that young men and women differed less than older men and women in the frequency of heavy episodic drinking. The results on beverage preferences indicate that the distinction among wine/beer/spirits cultures have implicitly been based on male drinking. Our expectation was for more daily light drinking integrated in everyday life in the Mediterranean countries, more heavy episodic drinking associated with weekends and celebrations in the North, with the traditional beer countries somewhere in between. The differences observed were usually in the direction expected. However, no country represented an ideal type of drinking culture, i.e. drinking for 'mood-changing effects' only or for 'nutritional purposes' only; all countries were mixtures of these two extremes. There were clear and consistent gender differences in all countries, while the differences in drinking between countries and regions were not as obvious.

Morphology of the retina in the freshwater fish Metynnis roosevelti Eigenmann (Characidae, Serrasalminae) and the effects of monochromatic red light

The retina of Metynnis roosevelti Eigenmann, 1915, a very active freshwater fish, was investigated by light and electron microscopy and was found to have a complex neuronal structure that allows rapid responses of visual stimuli. Retina photoreceptors are double cones, single long cones, single short cones and rods. Cone inner segments are arranged as mosaics. The outer nuclear layer contains small nuclei of twin cones, long and wide nuclei of long single cones, spherical large nuclei of short cones, and small dense nuclei of rods. Horizontal, amacrine, bipolar and ganglion neurones are responsible for connections and integration between photoreceptor cells and afferent neurones. The pigmented epithelium comprises a single layer of cylindrical cells each with elongated nuclei, mitochondria at the basal region, and melanin grains that can migrate inside long cell processes, depending on light intensity. In darkness, pigment is concentrated in the basal region of the cells and in daylight it is concentrated in the processes, surrounding and protecting the outer segments of photoreceptors. When exposed experimentally to monochromatic red light, expansion of melanin pigments was provoked at the beginning of light period, followed by their withdrawal after exposure to long wave lengths. No active movements of cones or rods were observed. Considerable renewal of photoreceptor membrane discs occurred after one week in red light, caused by higher level of activation of rods to allow the fish to see in relative darkness. Metynnis roosevelti is a native fish from Brazilian tropical and sub-tropical regions. More recently trials were made to use it in fish cultures in different regions of the countiy. Its capacity to adjust to different photic environments facilitates for rearing in varied environments.

Modern Political Movements in Somaliland. II

Opening ParagraphIn a preceding article I discussed the organization and aims of modern Somali political movements in the light of the traditional political structure. Three types of political organization were distinguished: clan, regional (or tribal), and nationalist. These three types reflect traditional variations in the social structure and culture of different regions of Somaliland and also varying degrees of political evolution. I drew attention to the extent to which all parties—especially those with nationalist aims—have adopted a religious ideology and pointed out that Islam, through the traditional organization and aims of the Sufi Dervish Orders (ṭariiqas), has provided a precedent for pan-Somali solidarity. I now attempt to assess the extent of nationalist feeling in the different Somali territories, and examine the degree to which recent constitutional changes in government and administration have recognized the growth of nationalist aspirations and promoted their extension. I discuss first the present position in the five Somali territories: French and British Somaliland; Harar Province of Ethiopia; Somalia; and the Northern Province of Kenya. Finally, I consider the importance of Islam in furthering nationalism and in helping to overcome the cleavages of clan and Dia-paying group affiliation which oppose the formation of a unified Somali nation.