Distinct Cultures Research Articles

Textbooks, hunger, and humanitarian narratives: representations of U.S. food policies to Germany on a regional scale (1949–89)

AbstractThis article investigates the significance of United States (U.S.) post-WWII food aid to Germany in West German textbooks from a regional angle during the Cold War period. Previous studies have predominantly focused on interpreting the significance of U.S. aid in West Germany from a national standpoint, overlooking regional variations in humanitarian narratives. This study challenges the national scale as the exclusive basis of collective meaning. By exploring educational materials from three different German regions—Berlin, Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia, it examines the different afterlives of U.S. aid in West German humanitarian narratives. Further attention for nuances in reconstructing humanitarian narratives not only does justice to the distinct regional histories and memory cultures, but also gives scope to reassessments of dominant narratives.

Towards a history of parliamentary culture in the early modern world: concept, geopolitical scope, and method

ABSTRACT This article proposes an innovative approach to early modern representative institutions, from the later fifteenth century to the early eighteenth. It argues that only a transnational, interdisciplinary, and comparative study of such bodies can reveal their shared culture and prominence in contemporary political discourse, public memory, and cultural production. Central to this new approach is the concept of ‘parliamentary culture’, which sees representative assemblies as collective constructs and embodiments of a political community, and encompasses the transnational tradition of customs, ideas, and cultural expressions associated with them. The article aims to: (1) sketch out the institutional, geopolitical, and historical scope of our enquiry; (2) define parliamentary culture as a collection of practices of legitimation, negotiation, and debate in political assembly that are central to the life of a community; and (3) demonstrate that the distinctive institutional cultures of representative assemblies were an essential component of the public life and political thought of early modern countries; and that there was a common culture of representative assembly shared and recognized throughout Europe which was variously transplanted to and adapted in the overseas territories of the Iberian, Anglo-British, and Dutch empires, often through interaction with Indigenous traditions of assembly. The underlying argument is that only by looking at early modern representative bodies in this way can we appreciate the vitality and significance of this type of political organization.

The Interaction of Substate Actors with the Global Public:

This article aims to explain the external persuasive actions of the Aceh Provincial Government in maintaining its Islamic identity through “The Light of Aceh” branding towards the global community. This action is referred to as paradiplomacy. As one of the subnational actors in Indonesia, Aceh Province is an area that has social and political dynamics from before independence to the present. Aceh has a distinctive identity and culture known as Serambi Mekah. Because of its efforts to maintain this identity, Aceh once fought for independence from Indonesia. Aceh's paradiplomacy certainly has different dynamics. However, the effort to maintain its identity has been a struggle from the past to the present. In the independence era, Aceh tried to fight for its identity with the struggle for independence, but in the post-independence era, Aceh fought for its regional interests through the framework of Regional Autonomy by establishing foreign relations and diplomacy to the global community. This research uses the theories of paradiplomacy and social identity to explain the persuasive actions taken by the Aceh Provincial Government through paradiplomacy to maintain its social identity. This research uses a qualitative method with data collection from interviews with relevant informants, documentation studies and internet-based studies. The results of this research show that the Aceh Provincial Government's paradiplomacy efforts to maintain its Islamic identity are carried out through branding “The Light of Aceh” by incorporating Islamic values in various components of the branding such as the main values of branding, logo philosophy, and branding commercial advertising videos. These values are socialised to the global community through various international activities by showcasing culture in dances, poems of clothing at international festivals, so that Aceh is better known by the global community with its Islamic identity.

Madhu-Sravani: A cultural reflection of Maithil brahmins

Culture is an integral part of human life, shaping our identity, values, traditions and lifestyle. India is a melting pot of various religions, castes, languages, and cultures, providing us with a distinct and vibrant cultural legacy. Different religions in India have their own distinct culture, languages and traditions, showcasing our national unity and cultural diversity. This study is about a colorful and sound festival of Mithila region known as Madhu-Sravani which is celebrated by the newly bride and groom in the parent’s place of the bride, this festival continues for fifteen days with some rules and traditions attached with it. This festival is seen not only to bring joy and excitement to the newlyweds in their married life but also to foster social cohesion and unity within the family and community. Newlyweds along with their family members and villagers connect beautifully with one another, the ritual of folk stories and folk songs by the elder women of the village adds fun element to this and make it more interesting.

Global prescriptions and local adaptations: the role of political culture in shaping governance strategies for university funding

ABSTRACT This article explores the influence of New Public Management (NPM) reforms on local higher education (HE) governance in the context of globalisation, focussing on the funding mechanisms of universities in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Through the development of an analytical framework for governance strategies, the study examines the principles underlying funding allocation and distribution decisions in these regions. The findings show that, although both regions adopt performance-based funding aligned with NPM principles, significant differences emerge due to their distinct political cultures and societal expectations. Taiwan’s strategy is characterised by regulatory oversight driven by societal shifts and electoral pressures, while Hong Kong’s approach is market-oriented, reflecting its British colonial heritage and alignment with industry demands. This study highlights the role of path dependency in shaping localised adaptations of global governance models, demonstrating the diversity and adaptability of HE governance strategies. The paper concludes by proposing directions for further research into the interplay between political culture and HE governance, advocating for the development of context-sensitive frameworks that address evolving governance strategies.

The culture of small institutions: Unique spaces for meaningful and sustainable collaboration between academic affairs and student affairs

AbstractCollaboration between academic and student affairs fosters meaningful student engagement, supports academic achievement, and facilitates a robust campus community. Although these partnerships can be challenging to develop, small institutions occupy a unique position in higher education, as these collaborations are highly valued as fundamental to the campus culture and an essential factor in the practical life of the institution. By focusing specifically on the role of the faculty in collaboration with student affairs professionals at small institutions, this article demonstrates the unique and tremendous power of small institutions in fostering meaningful, robust, and sustainable partnerships between academic and student affairs. Because of their histories, traditions, and structure, small institutions possess a strong and distinct foundation for collaborative work with corresponding benefits and challenges. Finally, this article provides practical recommendations for student affairs professionals at small institutions about ways to draw upon their distinct culture and to understand why these partnerships are important for our students and their development, for faculty and student affairs professionals, for our institutions that are faced with mounting economic, social, and political pressures, and for the public good more broadly.

Tackling health inequalities by creating new practices of integrated health access

Abstract Background Health inequalities often emerge in-between health and social care sectors, as part of transitions between providers across the two sectors. Integrated health access is important for addressing these inequalities. Therefore, we need to understand processes of organising integrated health access and how these shape pathways of accessing care. We draw on sociological understandings of organising as practice that emerges as part of interactions between professionals and users. Methods We did observations of interactions between professionals and users (n = 18 days) and semi-structured interviews with users, professionals, and managers (n = 33) in the specialised mental health services in Central Denmark Region and FACT-inspired teams in 3 municipalities. We also conducted 3 focus groups with regional and municipal professionals from these teams. Data was analysed through a qualitative thematic analysis. Results Each team had distinct cultures of collaboration and different levels of cross-sectoral collaboration. Creating new, more integrated practices seemed to rely on both, supportive organisational structures and committed engagement in inter-sectoral spaces to change professional meaning systems. When teams were able to collaborate closely, it was easier to retain hard-to-reach users in treatment. However, professional differences could easily create division and therefore maintaining and building relationships were highly important. These mechanisms illustrate the importance of ensuring meaningful spaces for cross-sectoral work, where professionals can interact and create the needed changes. Conclusions Organising integrated health access is not merely about providing structures but is also highly dependent on interactions between professionals and users. Analysing interactions between professionals from across sectors, is important to understand the sustainability of integrated health access. In turn, this could help to tackle social inequalities in health. Key messages • Introducing integrated health access is highly dependent on interactions among professionals. • Integration of professional practices across sectors helps retain hard-to-reach users in treatment.

EDUCATIONAL PROBLEMS AND NEEDS OF TRIBAL STUDENTS AT THE SECONDARY LEVEL IN ALIPURDUAR DISTRICT, WEST BENGAL, INDIA

India is home to over 84.4 million tribal people, or Adivasis, who represent some of the country's poorest communities, still reliant on traditional practices such as hunting, agriculture, and fishing, with distinct cultures, languages, and lifestyles. In West Bengal's Alipurduar District, over 80% of the population belongs to ethnic tribes. This study investigates the educational problems and needs of secondary-level tribal students in Alipurduar, focusing on gender differences. A survey of 60 students was conducted using the standardized "Educational Problems Questionnaire" and a self-developed "Educational Needs Questionnaire." The findings revealed that 51% of students face challenges in teaching methods, 54% in the social and educational environment, 56% in organizational and administrative issues, and 59% due to cultural and historical factors. Additionally, 48% of respondents expressed educational needs related to school education, 55% expressed societal support, and 44% expressed family involvement. These results underscore the importance of addressing the specific educational challenges faced by tribal students to promote equitable learning outcomes.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0710/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Counter Home: Unravelling the Socio-Spatial Dynamics of Hijra Dwellings of Khulna, Bangladesh

Amidst limited social acceptance and scant governmental and non-governmental support for third gender communities in Bangladesh, this paper explores the intricate relationship between the conception of hijra and its profound impact on redefining the notion of home. In the queer tropics, hijra communities form a unique identity within South Asia’s urban fabric. Employing ethnographic methods and spatial analysis, this multidisciplinary study investigates the hijra home-making process in Khulna, Bangladesh, shedding light on their lived experiences. It unravels the complex interplay of tropical architecture leading to their transformation into, and stigmatisation as, hijras, investigating the spatial implications of their stigma in the organisation of household spaces based on hijra notions of publicness-privateness, spatial sequencing/order, layering, and hierarchy. The formal articulation of homes and their integration into the larger urban scale signifies a distinctive counter-spatial culture within this marginalised community, which acts to counter prevailing ideas of stability, ownership, and family within the concept of home. This counter-culture, as the paper unveils, makes the hijra home dynamics a process of socio-spatial transaction where gender identities manifest and are subverted/shaped by the domestic space. The findings of the paper enrich our understanding of the diverse spatial ways social discriminations are interwoven into the ordinary fabric of contemporary urban living in the tropical city of Khulna.

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.

Understanding the Socio-economic and Political Ramifications of the 2021 Military Coup on the Communities in the Indo-Myanmar Borderlands

Myanmar has experienced two major military coups since its independence in 1948. These coups have had a significant impact on the socio-economic and political landscape of the country, particularly in the Indo-Myanmar border region. The region, which shares a 1,643-km-long border with India, is home to diverse ethnic groups with distinct cultures and languages. Military coups have not only disrupted the lives of these communities but have also perpetuated long-standing conflicts in the region. This article aims to unravel and scrutinise the ramifications, shedding light on the intricacies of socio-economic disparities, political destabilisation and the erosion of fundamental rights and freedoms by elucidating the complex interplay between military rule, socio-economic inequalities and political dynamics and the far-reaching implications of the 2021 military coup in the Indo-Myanmar borderland. The article employs a qualitative research methodology, drawing on primary and secondary sources, to provide a comprehensive analysis of the impact of military coups on the Indo-Myanmar border region.

Why path dependence leads to a fossilized Alberta: regionalism and the climate transition in Canada

ABSTRACT Canada is the world’s fourth largest producer of oil and fifth largest producer of natural gas. Yet, the country faces a ‘twin’ challenge in tackling the climate crisis. On the one hand, Canada’s federal climate goals state that it must achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. On the other hand, regionalism stronghold in fossil-producing provinces lead to difficult trade-offs between an ambitious climate transition and reluctant actors supporting the fossil fuel industry. This situation is characterized as ‘fossilized’ petro-provinces by political scientist Angela Carter. This article explores how Alberta, Canada’s largest oil and natural gas producer, became fossilized. The article develops a path dependence argument organized around the role of regionalism in Alberta’s political development. Regionalism is a crucial persistent feature of Alberta to explain its fossilization because it influenced the formation of an interdependence between the government and the industry, a distinct political culture, and a conservative-led party system.

Experiences in Awake Craniotomy from Borneo: A Case Series from Sarawak General Hospital.

The indications for awake craniotomy now spans from resection of tumours at eloquent areas of the brain, deep brain stimulation and treatment of aneurysms to name a few. In the region of East Malaysia where patients have various ethnic backgrounds and native languages, planning and execution of these procedures can be somewhat challenging. This is a retrospective analysis of 11 awake surgeries conducted by the Department of Neurosurgery in Sarawak. The indications for awake craniotomy surgery in our sample population were intra-axial lesions in eloquent regions involving important cortical areas and subcortical tracts which were at risk of damage during tumour excision. Patients were assessed for intra-operative and post-operative neurological deficits. Eleven patients aged 20 years old-70 years old were included in this series. All patients were diagnosed with lesions in eloquent areas of the brain requiring surgical excision. Patients were of various ethnic backgrounds. The spoken language of these patients also varied based on their ethnicity. The histopathological diagnosis of nine patients were consistent with gliomas with three being of high grade. Three patients (27%) developed intra-operative deficits that were not present pre-operatively. This case series serve to demonstrate the feasibility of awake craniotomies even in centres without vast experiences in awake surgeries and ideal adjuncts which in comparison may be readily available in different centres. Although careful patient selection has been emphasised, it is a difficult feat in a region consisting of at least 30 different ethnic groups with distinct languages and cultures.

Social comparison and self‐determination in luxury consumption motivations

AbstractThis study integrates social comparison theory) and self‐determination theory to examine the roles of escapism, conformity, and individual cultural values in shaping luxury brand attitudes. Concepts related to consumer upward and downward social comparison are complemented by aspects related to self‐determination and autonomy. Drawing on survey data from the United States and Colombia, the research employs partial least squares structural equation modeling and fuzzy‐set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to investigate the complex drivers of luxury consumption. The findings reveal that escapism and conformity, complementary motivations grounded in social comparison and self‐determination theories, positively influence luxury brand attitudes. Furthermore, individual cultural values, such as self‐enhancement and self‐transcendence, moderate the relationships between these consumer motivations and attitudes. The cross‐cultural comparison highlights differences in the influence of cultural values on luxury consumption between two distinct cultures. The fsQCA—results uncover distinct configurations of motivations and values sufficient for driving positive luxury attitudes, extending the understanding of the complex interplay of factors shaping luxury consumption. By integrating social comparison theory and self‐determination theory perspectives, examining cultural values, and employing advanced methodological approaches, this study contributes to the theoretical understanding of luxury consumption. It also offers valuable insights for luxury brand managers navigating the evolving global market. Future research directions emphasize the potential for further integrating these two theoretical frameworks in the luxury domain.

Barrier-free, open-top microfluidic chip for generating two distinct, interconnected 3D microvascular networks

Developing microphysiological cell culture platforms with a three-dimensional (3D) microenvironment has been a significant advancement from traditional monolayer cultures. Still, most of the current microphysiological platforms are limited in closed designs, i.e. are not accessible after 3D cell culture loading. Here, we report an open-top microfluidic chip which enables the generation of two sequentially loaded 3D cell cultures without physical barriers restricting the nurture, gas exchange and cellular communication. As a proof-of-concept, we demonstrated the formation of two 3D vasculatures, one in the upper and the other in the lower compartment, under three distinct flow conditions: asymmetric side-to-center, symmetric side-to-center and symmetric center-to-side. We used computational modelling to characterize initial flow pressures in cell culture compartments. We showed prominent vessel formation and branched vasculatures in upper and lower cell culture compartments with interconnecting, lumenized vessels with in vivo-relevant diameter in all flow conditions. With advanced image processing, we quantified and compared the overall vascular network volume and the total length formed in asymmetric side-to-center, symmetric side-to-center and symmetric center-to-side flow conditions. Our results indicate that the developed chip can house two distinct 3D cell cultures with merging vessels between compartments and by providing asymmetric side-to-center or symmetric center-to-side flow vascular morphogenesis is enhanced in terms of overall network length. The developed open-top microfluidic chip may find various applications in generation of tissue-specific 3D-3D co-cultures for studying cellular interactions in vascularized tissues and organs.

Application of chatbots for enhancing communication skills of IT specialists

Abstract The paper deals with the urgent issue of application of chatbots in training IT specialists for enhancing their communication skills. The background of application of chatbots in learning from using ordinary chatbots which converse in the language studied to development and implementation of special chatbots created for studying has been described. Main features, advantages and disadvantages of certain chatbots have been analysed. Taking into account the results of the analysis the teaching-oriented chatbot BEbot for developing communication skills of IT specialists has been introduced, some specifics and challenges of its creation, its peculiarities and contents have been presented. It is emphasized that along with developing business-like communication skills, language-in-use skills, cultural distinction knowledge, command of business writing style and delivering presentations in a businesslike manner have been enhanced through communication with BEbot. The results of the surveys of students on their experience in the chatbot use and their particular experience with BEbot have been highlighted.

Penerapan Elemen Budaya Korea Pada Perancangan Korean Cultural Center Indonesia di Jakarta Selatan

South Korea is a country that is developing and progressing rapidly in all fields, including politics, economy, culture, and technology. Despite its rapid development, South Korea still maintains its cultural distinctiveness. This is a distinct advantage for the Korean state compared to other developed countries where most of the original culture has faded due to the development of the economy and technology. As a Cultural Center, it should have facilities such as facilities to introduce the culture of a country, but the interior atmosphere of KCCI still does not reflect Korean Culture and has not brought up Korean branding (Hallyu). Therefore, there is a need for a new design of the South Korean Cultural Center which has the aim of spreading Korean culture to increase the branding of the Korean state in accordance with the vision and mission of KOCIS by providing educational, informative, and recreational facilities to the people of Indonesia. The provision of Korean cultural elements is also very influential in this design including the provision of Korean calligraphy, Korean paintings, Mugunghwa flower motifs, and wood materials to give a more aesthetic impression of Korean culture itself.

Political and Intercultural Communication in Determining Presidential Candidates in the Indonesian Elections 2024

This study explores the dynamics of political communication in Indonesia, focusing on the 2024 presidential elections. As the country prepares for the presidential election in February 2024, since the general election is a form of post-reformation democratic process implementation that began in 1998, the process of forming political coalitions has become a significant aspect of the political landscape. Utilizing a phenomenological approach, the research examines the interplay between three distinct political cultures—parochial, subject, and participant—and their influence on voter engagement and candidate selection. Through in-depth interviews and participatory observation, the study reveals how political parties can tailor their communication strategies to resonate with diverse voter segments, thereby enhancing electoral participation and fostering a more inclusive democratic process. The findings highlight significant implications for political actors and scholars alike. By recognizing the unique characteristics and needs of each political culture, parties can develop effective coalition-building strategies that bridge cultural divides and mobilize support across Indonesia's heterogeneous electorate. This research not only fills existing gaps in the literature regarding the role of intercultural communication in Indonesian politics but also provides practical recommendations for political parties aiming to improve their engagement with voters. Ultimately, the study underscores the critical importance of adaptive communication strategies in promoting a more informed, engaged, and representative democratic system in Indonesia. Keywords: Elections, intercultural communication, political communication, political parties, presidential candidate.

Tumor Cell Spatial Organization Directs EGFR/RAS/RAF Pathway Primary Therapy Resistance through YAP Signaling.

Non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) harboring common mutations in EGFR and KRAS characteristically respond transiently to targeted therapies against those mutations, but invariably, tumors recur and progress. Resistance often emerges through mutations in the therapeutic target or activation of alternative signaling pathways. Mechanisms of acute tumor cell resistance to initial EGFR (EGFRi) or KRASG12C (G12Ci) pathway inhibition remain poorly understood. Our study reveals that acute response to EGFR/RAS/RAF-pathway inhibition is spatial and culture context specific. In vivo, EGFR mutant tumor xenografts shrink by > 90% following acute EGFRi therapy, and residual tumor cells are associated with dense stroma and have increased nuclear YAP. Interestingly, in vitro EGFRi induced cell cycle arrest in NSCLC cells grown in monolayer, while 3D spheroids preferentially die upon inhibitor treatment. We find differential YAP nuclear localization and activity, driven by the distinct culture conditions, as a common resistance mechanism for selective EGFR/KRAS/BRAF pathway therapies. Forced expression of the YAPS127A mutant partially protects cells from EGFR-mediated cell death in spheroid culture. These studies identify YAP activation in monolayer culture as a non-genetic mechanism of acute EGFR/KRAS/BRAF therapy resistance, highlighting that monolayer vs spheroid cell culture systems can model distinct stages of patient cancer progression.

The Impact of Journalistic Cultures on Social Media Discourse: US Primary Debates in Cross-Lingual Online Spaces

This cross-lingual project examines how social media posts of Spanish- and English-language media impact incivility in user comments during the 2020 primary political debates in the United States. We analyzed Facebook posts of news organizations that hosted the debates and used a state-of-the-art machine-learning model to analyze the corresponding comments. Our findings reveal distinct journalistic cultures on the post-level: English-language media are significantly more likely to use interpretation while Spanish-language media employ more audience-engagement and factual reporting strategies. We argue that in order to understand incivility in social media discourse during political debates, we need to consider journalistic cultures: While interpretative reporting explains lower levels of incivility in the English-language discourse, factual reporting explains lower levels of incivility in the Spanish-language discourse. We suggest that we need to consider how features of news reporting (textual and visual) impact discourse quality directly but also indirectly via emotional arousal in comments.