Early 20th Century Research Articles

Small Architectural Forms in Tomsk Wooden Buildings in 19–20th Centuries

The paper considers small architectural forms in the wooden manor buildings of Tomsk late in the 19th and early 20th centuries and their impact on the historical image of the city. The paper also studies preservation of historical cities and loss of historical and architectural wooden heritage.Purpose: To identify the types of small architectural forms in the wooden houses of Tomsk and determine their role in the city image.Methodology: Historical photographs, drawings, and field survey of wooden buildings, archival documents and photographs by local historians P. N. Kokhanenko and R. Perushin, allowing to determine lost small architectural forms and systematize them.Research findings: Determination of small architectural forms in preserving individual history and culture of the historical city.Practical implications: The obtained results can be used to study wooden buildings of Siberian cities and develop projects for their reconstruction in Tomsk.

The exploitation of silver deposits in early medieval Europe: some documentary, economic and social problems

AbstractFocusing on Southern Europe, this article sheds light on the mining landscape of the early Middle Ages. Based on the current state of historical and archaeological knowledge, the article raises a number of questions that can be extended to other European regions. The documentary problem shows that the scarcity of sources is due to a less developed mining historiography of the early Middle Ages. The few references show that it was not a question of ignorance, nor of the terrain, nor of the potential, nor of the techniques, taking into account the work in Melle and in the Harz. The study of production from the angle of an economic problem forms the basis of a hypotheses for selective and centralized exploitation during the Carolingian period and of an unbridled mining boom from the early 11th century. Even with the current paucity of documentary evidence, it is reasonable to assume that early medieval societies did not choose to exploit all the resources available to them. Finally, there is the social question. Who was behind the work and trade in ingots? The model of elite dirigisme will be discussed and it will be suggested that the role of the elite be reduced in favour of other actors such as entrepreneurs. Finally, the article argues for the extension of archaeological research to production areas in order to date operations, establish reference systems for ores and read archaeological remains from a social perspective.

Metaphor patterns in Sesotho fiction: The case of the novel Chaka

In this study, we examine the nature, distribution, and stylistic effect of metaphors used in the Sesotho novel Chaka. Previous studies have discussed the metaphoric language in Thomas Mofolo’s work, revealing that, among others, Mofolo uses metaphors to articulate his themes and for stylistic effect. We begin our analysis by identifying and listing all the linguistic and underlying conceptual metaphors used in our sample data. We then analyse the linguistic and conceptual metaphors in terms of whether they are conventional or novel and whether they are creatively employed or not. We also explore the distribution of linguistic metaphors across word classes. Lastly, we explore the stylistic effects of these metaphors. The metaphor patterns in Chaka reflect a strong influence of Sesotho cultural and cognitive structures, including orature. The majority of the linguistic metaphors in the novel are the conventional and non-creative ones whose metaphorical meanings are found in Sesotho dictionaries and whose function is to create a text that can resonate with early 20th century Basotho. Our analysis shows that, to a lesser extent, the metaphors were used to create a text similar to Western literary texts and to promote Christianity. Seemly, it is this attribute of having a deep relationship with other Sesotho texts and cultural practices, including Sesotho orature, that led to the delay in the publication of the novel after it had been completed.

Statistical Committees and Establishment of Museums in Russia during Late 19th to Early 20th Centuries

This article examines the activities of provincial and regional statistical committees as centers for the establishment of provincial museums in pre-revolutionary Russia. It highlights that, despite a considerable number of studies dedicated to the emergence of museum practices and the contributions of individual statistical committees to the creation and development of museums, this topic has yet to undergo systematic investigation. The formation of museum collections and the emergence of a network of museums affiliated with statistical committees are traced, beginning with the first museums established by the Vladimir and Arkhangelsk committees and concluding with the unsuccessful attempts to open museums by the Nizhny Novgorod, Saratov, and Transbaikal statistical committees. Common features in the development of provincial museums and the specific organizational characteristics of those associated with statistical committees are identified. The article emphasizes the classification of statistical committees as state-type institutions and clarifies the specialized focus of museum activities. Particular attention is paid to the reasons for the reorganization and separation of museums from statistical committees in the late 19th to early 20th centuries. Based on the examined sources, it is established that many museums previously under the auspices of statistical committees transitioned to scientific societies, archival commissions, and specially created committees.

The Pores of Kohn, an Overlooked Pulmonary Structure: A Review

Many studies from the early 20th century on the significance of the pores of Kohn were assessed based on the pathogenesis and pathology of pneumococci pneumonia occurring in man. The pneumococci were carried in the edema fluid directly from alveolus to alveolus through the pores of Kohn and from bronchiole to bronchiole as a result of repeated aspirations, aided by breathing, coughing, and gravity. With the emerging minimally invasive and non-invasive techniques experimentations and the current medications; tackling exacerbations and improving the pulmonary function in various lung diseases remains a dilemma for clinicians and researchers. In this article, we aim to review specifically the pores of Kohn as this is the portal for the spread of infection but also lung recruitment during breathing.

The Image of China in Russian Literature from the Early 20th Century to the 1950s

Abstract: In recent years, scholars from various countries have begun to focus on the theme of the East in their literary studies, and more attention has been paid to the image of China in Russian literature. However, most of the studies on Russian literature in the first half of the 20th century focus only on the Silver Age, and pay less attention to the image of China in Russian literature of other eras. This article focuses on the early 20th century to the 1950s, when Russia interacted with China most frequently, systematically combing it with the specific historical background and international situation of the times, and presents a complete image of China in the Russian literature. The study found that although Russian writers of each era had different experiences about China, and their own writing intentions were different, even the images of China written by Russian writers of the same era presented different characteristics, Russian literature from the early 20th century to the 1950s consistently reflected the social realities of both China and Russia. In fact, the process that Russian writers from the early 1900s to the 1950s constructed a more realistic and complete image of China was also a process that literary creation broke through national stereotypes. The evolution of the image of China in Russian literature from the beginning of the 20th century to the 1950s reflects the process of mutual interaction between the cultures of China and Russia, and also symbolizes the macro-trend of the world's national cultures to continuously eliminate the barriers between them and mingle with each other.

MHPpred: Accurate identification of peptide hormones using multi-view feature learning

Peptide hormones were first used in medicine in the early 20th century, with the pivotal event being the isolation and purification of insulin in 1921. These hormones are integral to a sophisticated system that emerged early in evolution to regulate growth, development, and homeostasis. They serve as targeted signaling molecules that transfer specific information between cells and organs, ensuring coordinated and precise physiological responses. While experimental methods for identifying peptide hormones present challenges such as low abundance, stability issues, and complexity, computational methods offer promising alternatives. Advances in machine learning and bioinformatics have facilitated the prediction of peptide hormones, further enhancing their therapeutic potential. In this study, we explored three different computational frameworks for peptide hormone identification and determined that the meta-approach was the most suitable. Firstly, we evaluated the discriminative power of 26 feature descriptors using a series of baseline models and identified seven feature descriptors with high predictive potential. Through a systematic approach, we then selected the top 20 performing baseline models and integrated their predicted probabilities to train a meta-model, leveraging the strengths of multiple prediction strategies. Our final light gradient boosting-based meta-model, mHPpred, significantly outperformed the existing method, HOPPred, on both benchmarking and independent datasets. Notably, mHPpred also demonstrated superior performance compared to the hybrid and integrative framework approaches employed in this study. This superiority demonstrates the effectiveness of our multi-view feature learning strategy in capturing discriminative features and providing a more accurate prediction model for peptide hormones. mHPpred is publicly accessible at: https://balalab-skku.org/mHPpred.

The integrated Mexican nation-state building in the 20th century

Since gaining independence in the early 19th century, Mexico embarked on a path toward building a nation-state. In criticizing the evolutionism that promotes white supremacy, Mexican society has embarked on a journey of introspection, delving into the essence of its indigenous national character. Following the Mexican Revolution at the turn of the 20th century, a nationalism advocating for integration was firmly established. The Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) government incorporated the principles of national integration into the broader building of the nation-state. On the one hand, it affirmed the crucial role of indigenous peoples and their cultures, tracing the origins of the Mexican nation-state back to these roots. On the other hand, the promotion of unified education, coupled with the implementation of a land-centered state corporatist system, aimed to achieve the integration and governance of Indigenous peoples, thereby incorporating them into the nation-building process and ultimately facilitating the integration of the nation-state. While the PRI government’s integration efforts led to tendencies towards marginalization and assimilation of indigenous peoples, alongside insufficient attention to their rights and political participation, it fundamentally changed the historically unrecognized status of indigenous communities since the colonial era. These efforts primarily addressed the issues that had challenged Mexican social development concerning indigenous peoples since the colonial era, contributing to maintaining national stability over an extended period.

Were the tables of Ibn Isḥāq al-Tūnisī known in Paris c.1300?

Two Latin sources from the years around 1300 (John of Sicily’s commentary on the canons to the Toledan tables and a parchment slip documenting the astronomical activities and observations of Alard of Diest) contain brief references suggesting that Parisian scholars of this period had access to a set of astronomical tables for Tunis known as tabulae Benesac. According to the argument developed in this article, the tables in question probably corresponded to a Maghribī zīj originally created by Ibn Isḥāq al-Tūnisī in c.1222. The article goes on to discuss the possible channels of transmission that could have brought these tables to Paris as well as the potential implications of this finding for the history of Latin astronomy in the late 13th and early 14th century. Attention is also drawn to the presence of eclipse-related material from the Muqtabas zīj by Ibn al-Kammād in a Northern French manuscript of the second half of the 13th century, which was independently translated from the Arabic and accordingly does not derive from the well-known translation by John of Dumpno (Palermo, 1260).

Building Identities: Ancient Legacies and Modern Visions in Architecture of the Americas

Review of Antes de America: Fuentes originarias en la cultura moderna, an exhibition at the at Fundación Juan March, Madrid, Spain, 6 October 2023–10 March 2024, curated by Manuel Fontán del Junco, María Toledo Gutiérrez, and Rodrigo Gutiérrez Viñuales. This exhibition explored the artistic and architectural connections between Spain and the Americas, focusing on the reinterpretation of the forms and meanings of ancient Indigenous cultures of the American continent from the late 18th century to the early 20th century. It also highlighted the fascination with ‘the ancestral’, a paradigm that has significantly influenced the aesthetics of both the recent past and the present.

The Warsaw Governorship General as a Transit Destination for Emigration from the Russian Empire in the Late 19th – Early 20th Centuries

The Warsaw Governorship General played a significant role in the illegal emigration from the Russian Empire, which became a significant state problem at the turn of the XIX–XX centuries. Based on pre-revolutionary legislation and a wide range clerical work documents from the archives of Russia and Poland, the peculiarities of crossing the state border within the Warsaw Governorship General up to the outbreak of the First World War are considered. The proximity to German ports on the Baltic Sea, the existence of extensive networks of emigration offices, the difficulty of legal emigration, the absence of natural barriers and the unsatisfactory state of border protection led most emigrants to choose an illegal crossing of the border. The authorities of the Russian Empire have developed an extensive system of norms regulating the border regime in the Warsaw Governorship General. The rules established to simplify cross-border contacts served to those who, pretended to be residents of the border strip, illegally crossed abroad. The connivance of officials contributed to this. The local population was also involved in the organization of illegal emigration and helped to supply emigrants with legal documents for the right to leave the empire.

Food and Environment During the Late Roman Age at the Site of Alba Fucens (Abruzzi, Italy)

Archaeobotanical analyses in Italy are uneven in terms of geographical and chronological distribution. Amongst the different regions, Abruzzi is poorly represented, with only one study covering the Roman Age. In this framework, the analyses carried out on carpological remains collected from the Late Roman (late 5th–early 6th century AD) filling of a well in the Sanctuary of Hercules in Alba Fucens represents an important addition to the state of the art. The plant assemblage consists of over 1500 remains attributed to 68 different taxa. These are partly represented by gathered fruit plants, such as Corylus avellana, Juglans regia and Sambucus nigra, while cereals and pulses are missing. An interesting aspect is represented by evergreen plants (Pinus pinea and Cupressus sempervirens) that are likely to have been used for ritual purposes rather than for human consumption. Finally, the impressive amount of ruderal and spontaneous plants represents a unicum for this type of study, allowing us to describe the past environment surrounding Alba Fucens, characterized by substantial water availability, Apennine grasslands and influenced by human presence.

The Walt Disney Companys Challenge

Walt Disney is the most famous and largest entertainment company in the world. However, it also met plenty of problems from the time it started until now. These problems can occur on the financial side, it can happen in the copyright of the films and characters, and it also can occur in the making of the movie and the relationship with their employees because no one company can be operated mainly without any challenges. Walt Disney Company met different problems during different periods. For example, in early 1940, the company had a severe financial problem. In the early 20th century, the company met the challenge of its film industry. In the 21st century, the company had the risk of being outdated with the rapid development of the internet and the entertainment platform. In 2019, the company was influenced by the covid-19, during the pandemic period, the global economy into recession, the tourism industry was declined significantly. This article analyzes Walt Disney's solution to face these challenges.

Economic Shifts and Cultural Transitions: Unraveling the Complexities of Gentrification in Urban Landscapes with the Case of SoHo in New York City

With the continuously changing urban landscape since the early 20th century, influenced by various economic and social factors, this paper investigates the impact of urban gentrification on diverse community groups, especially in metropolises. Examining housing, economic, and cultural dimensions, the study explores the challenges and opportunities within dynamic urban landscapes. Focused on SoHo, New York City (NYC), once an artistic haven, the research employs the lens of gentrification to analyze disparities in housing accessibility and cultural preservation. Additionally, it assesses the economic implications of sustainability initiatives on various socioeconomic strata, unraveling their influence on urban community fabric. Through a concise exploration, the study contributes nuanced insights into the complexities of gentrification and sustainable urban development, given the impact on the original artistic community, long-time residents, and small businesses that have faced challenges or displacement in the wake of rising property values, using SoHo as a case study to deepen our understanding of economic shifts and cultural transitions in urban landscapes.

Explaining the Madurese Migration Tradition

The Madurese historically have a very strong migration tradition. This study aims to analyze the historical process of Madurese migration, especially to East Java, and the factors that influence the migration pattern. The main problem raised is how this migration is influenced by internal and external conditions, including colonial policies and infrastructure development. The method used in this study is the historical method by utilizing both primary and secondary historical sources in the form of historical literature. The research findings show that Madurese migration continues to increase, especially with the improvement of transportation and job opportunities in commercial plantations. This migration not only plays a role in reducing economic pressures in Madura, but also forms a significant Madurese community in the East Java region. The eastern tip of Java has become the main area for Madurese migration. The demographic structure in the Tapal Kuda area shows the dominance of the Madurese ethnic group, with several areas such as Panarukan and Bondowoso having a Madurese population percentage reaching more than 90% in the early 20th century. In fact, the number of Madurese in the eastern tip of Java is much larger than the number of Madurese on Madura Island itself.

Maintenance and Supply of Post and Telegraph Stations in the Semirechye

The article explores the material supply of post and telegraph stations in the Semirechye region during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The management of postal routes, transport safety, and the construction and equipment of stations were determined by the state, private entrepreneurs, and the local Kazakh population, who were taxed for these services. In addressing these challenges, the Russian Empire drew from European experiences, directly applying the postal station management model from Russia. Postal routes facilitated the transportation of correspondence, cargo, and passengers, thus solving essential communication issues within society. Government officials and soldiers also relied on these stations as key support points. Although the station attendants (overseers) were under the authority of post offices, they independently managed operations and relied on station-generated income. This arrangement was cost-effective for the state, allowing it to minimize expenses on postal institutions. The Russian government consistently worked to improve postal communication, and the system was subject to ongoing changes. However, despite some positive developments, both the Russian Empire and the postal system in Semirechye lagged behind European standards of postal transport.

Tikkun Olam

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the revitalization of the women’s suffrage movement in the United States (U.S.), and rising antisemitism in Eastern Europe during the same period prompted a rapid increase in the U.S. Jewish population. The simultaneity of these historic events naturally proposes an inquiry into the role of Judaism and the growing Jewish community in the U.S. women’s suffrage movement. Jewish teachings about the equality and dignity of humankind positioned the Jewish community to support women’s suffrage. Traditions of tzedek (pursuing justice) and tikkun olam (repairing the world) were central to the practical religion of American Jews and motivated them to pursue active roles in orchestrating this social change. Furthermore, Jewish lived religion and experiences with antisemitism evoked an empathy that inspired many Jewish individuals and communities to combat discrimination and inequality against other marginalized groups, such as by participating in the women’s suffrage movement. Contemporary American Jewry continues to uphold these traditions of activism as pursuing social change is part of performing mitzvot (commandments and good deeds) in Judaism. Thus, religion can inspire social change by empowering individuals to work towards a better world.

Ethnobotanical Documentation of Yerba Mate in Syria

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Yerba Mate (_Ilex paraguariensis_) is a traditional herbal beverage consumed for its stimulating effects and health benefits, with a deep cultural association in Syria following its introduction by migrants from South America in the early 20th century. This study documents the cultural, social, and health-related practices surrounding Yerba Mate in Syria, highlighting its integration into local customs and herbal preparations. OBJECTIVE: To explore and document the traditional uses, social practices, and preparation methods of Yerba Mate among Syrian consumers, and to investigate the health benefits and cultural significance attributed to it. METHODS: An electronic survey was distributed to 430 participants from different regions across Syria, collecting data on Yerba Mate consumption habits, social practices, reasons for use, perceived effects, and traditional preparation methods. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using statistical software. The Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) index was used to assess the prevalence of herbal additives in Yerba Mate preparations. RESULTS: Yerba Mate is consumed regularly by 89.2% of participants, with health benefits being a key motivator for 60% of users. Syrian traditions enhance Yerba Mate with local and imported herbs, with 68.6% of regular drinkers incorporating herbs like wormwood (_Artemisia herba-alba_) and chamomile (_Matricaria chamomilla_), each offering specific health benefits. The survey revealed high consumption patterns, particularly in group settings (51.6%), and frequent daily use by 50% of participants. CONCLUSION: Yerba Mate has become a deeply rooted part of Syrian culture, with local adaptations that incorporate traditional medicinal herbs. These combinations not only enhance the health benefits of the drink but also reflect a blend of imported traditions with Syrian herbal knowledge. The study highlights Yerba Mate's social significance in Syria and suggests the need for further research into its potential therapeutic uses in traditional medicine. Given the unique Syrian practice of mixing Mate with various herbs, further investigation is needed to assess the differences in effects, flavor, and prevalence among these herbal combinations.

Subsidence and measures in the polders of the Netherlan ds

AbstractThe Netherlands consists for 65% of polders. Impoldering activities started in the beginning of the 11th century with impoldering of coastal lowlands. In the 13th century, a start was made with reclaiming of lands gained on the sea and since early 16th century with draining of lakes. Up to several metres in depth, soils consist primarily of peat and or clay. Underneath is a thick sandy layer, with lenses of clay. Especially in peat polders, subsidence and oxidation have been significant, up to 5 m, and is still going on. In clay polders, most of the subsidence took place in the first decennia after reclamation. Maximum subsidence in these polders has been 1.25 m. Over centuries, various measures have been taken to cope with the subsidence problems. These measures consist first of all in water management measures related to management not only of the subsidence process, but also of special measures with respect to buildings, structures and infrastructure. The paper presents a review of the subsidence process in the different types of polders, as well as of measures that over the centuries have been taken to cope with the developments in the polders and to cope with subsidence problems.

Kafka and Learning

“A Report to an Academy” is a short story by Franz Kafka that presents a first-hand narration of an ape’s humanization through learning to speak and behave as an average early 20th century European. Red Peter, who receives his name after a bald red scar he got on his cheek during a hunting expedition, tells the academy how he learned to leave his apehood behind for a way out of captivity. He then confronts the reader with overt examples of ways in which notions of identity appear and are altered in education and growth. Critical of the colonial context that gives Red Peter his new identity of the oppressed and upon which most current Western education systems are built, this research project aims to identify the challenges that a close and informed reading of “A Report to an Academy” brings into the conventional understandings of identity, thus enabling a fight against the impact of colonialism for all who learn, apes or otherwise.