Historical Background Research Articles

Political accountability and social equity in public budgeting: Examining the role of local institutions

AbstractThis paper examines how local institutions in U.S. municipalities can affect budget allocations for socially disadvantaged groups, specifically focusing on eight key institutions related to electoral rules, power dynamics, and bureaucratic authority. Additionally, we develop a composite index to assess the overall level of (de)politicization within the local institutional framework. Theoretically, local institutions can shape public officials’ political accountability and administrative discretion during policy processes, thereby influencing their decision‐making on budget allocations. Empirical analyses primarily use data from ICMA's multiround national surveys and employ the historical background of municipalities as an instrumental variable (IV) to address potential endogeneity problems associated with local institutions. We find that local institutions that strengthen politicians’ political accountability to citizens lead to greater budget allocations for redistributive social welfare, thereby fostering social equity in public budgeting. Conversely, the institutions that enhance the authority of senior bureaucrats negatively affect budget allocations for redistributive social welfare.

Global Perspectives on Women’s Empowerment: Challenges, Policies, and Case Studies

Enhancing women's social, economic, political, and legal authority to guarantee equal rights and opportunities in all areas of life is the goal of the multifaceted notion of women empowerment. This overview examines the global history, present state, and potential futures of women's empowerment. It explores the historical background, tracking the movement's origins and emphasising significant turning points in the path to gender equality. The review highlights important obstacles that impede the advancement of women's empowerment, including cultural norms, economic impediments, and political resistance, by examining worldwide trends and regional variances. It also covers how international institutions and policies—like the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations—affect the advancement of gender equality. Additionally, case studies of effective empowerment programmes are included in the study to show how focused interventions can result in profound transformation. This analysis concludes by highlighting the significance of a comprehensive and inclusive strategy for women's empowerment and by promoting ongoing efforts at the individual, group, and institutional levels to build a more just and equitable society for all.

External Beam Radiotherapy for Malignant Central Airway Obstruction in a Remote Rural Patient: A Case Study

Introduction: Malignant central airway obstruction (MCAO) is a challenging therapeutic scenario, caused by tumour burden which limits airflow within the large airways. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lung accounts for 50% of MCAO seen in the setting of non-small cell lung cancer. Here, we present the challenging case of a 63-year-old Indigenous Australian Female rom a remote rural community with background history of metastatic SCC of presumed pulmonary origin, who presented with a 1-week history of dyspnoea, stridor, and hoarse voice. Case Presentation: A CT chest and neck demonstrated a superior mediastinal mass compressing the trachea to a narrowest diameter of 3 mm. The patient was stabilised in her local health centre, then transferred to our tertiary care facility for further evaluation and management. This stenotic lesion was not amenable to bronchoscopic or surgical intervention but was instead treated successfully with a short course of external beam radiotherapy, to total dose of 25Gy delivered over 10 fractions. The patient had almost complete resolution of respiratory symptoms with no significant radiotherapy related toxicity. Conclusion: Here, we discuss a challenging case of MCAO in a remote rural Australian patient and demonstrate the utility of external beam radiotherapy in this setting. We also discuss aspects of cancer related healthcare disparities which exist for Indigenous Australians. In doing so, we wish to highlight the need for improved cancer healthcare for such communities.

Temporal and Cultural Significance of the Nablus Clock Tower: An Architectural Analysis

The renowned clock tower of Nablus serves as a prominent testament to the city’s rich historical and cultural legacy. This article presents a structural analysis of the Nablus Clock Tower, examining its temporal and cultural importance within the broader regional context. By investigating its history, evolution, and functional role, the article draws on archival sources, historical documents, and architectural plans, tracing the tower’s journey from its inception to its contemporary state. The discussion not only explores Nablus’s historical background but also outlines the influences and events that culminated in the construction of the Clock Tower. The study further examines the clock tower’s practical role as a timekeeping structure, a communal gathering spot, and a symbol of urban development. Through comparisons with contemporaneous clock towers that share similar architectural characteristics, the research highlights the distinctive features that set the Nablus Clock Tower apart. The fusion of elaborate design elements and unique cultural elements, together with the innovative integration of the tower into its surrounding urban environment, has elevated the tower into both a distinguished object of public landmark and a pivotal point of cultural interaction. This examination ultimately illuminates the historical and architectural significance of the Nablus Clock Tower, emphasizing its profound cultural resonance. By sitting the tower within the broader temporal and cultural framework of the region, this work enriches the understanding of Nablus’s multifaceted heritage, providing new insights that enhance the appreciation of the city’s cultural layers across time.

Therapeutic Potential of Chinese Herbal Medicine and Underlying Mechanism for the Treatment of Myocardial Infarction

ABSTRACTMyocardial infarction (MI) is a prevalent disease with high mortality rates worldwide. The course of MI is intricate and variable, necessitating personalized treatment strategies based on different mechanisms. However, variety of postoperative complications and rejections, such as heart failure, arrhythmias, cardiac rupture, and left ventricular thrombus, contribute to a poor prognosis. Despite the inclusion of antiplatelet agents and statins in the conventional treatment regimen, their clinical applicability is constrained by potential adverse effects and limited efficacy. Additionally, the mechanisms leading to MI are complex and diverse. Therefore, the development of novel compounds for MI treatment. The use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, including MI, is grounded in its profound historical background, comprehensive theoretical system, and accumulated knowledge. An increasing number of contemporary evidence‐based medical studies have demonstrated that TCM plays a significant role in alleviating symptoms and improving the quality of life for MI patients. Chinese herbal formulations and active ingredients can intervene in the pathological process of MI through key factors such as inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, myocardial fibrosis, angiogenesis, and autophagy. This article critically reviews existing herbal formulations from an evidence‐based medicine perspective, evaluating their research status and potential clinical applications. Additionally, it explores recent advancements in the use of herbal medicines and their components for the prevention and treatment of MI, offering detailed insights into their mechanisms of action.

Overview of Hong Kong English and China English

Hong Kong English and China English are two different forms of regional variants of English. This paper provides a systematic overview of Hong Kong English and China English and explores their language characteristics, historical background, sociocultural influences, similarities and differences. The study aims to shed light on the complex nature of language contact, adaptation and variation in these regions. By examining the unique characteristics of Hong Kong English and China English, this paper contributes to a deeper understanding of language variation and the complexity of English as a global language in different sociolinguistic contexts.

Two sides of the same coin? Cross-linguistic sentiment comparison and thematic discovery of reader’s reception of Wolf Totem

Abstract Despite growing attention to the global dissemination of cross-cultural literature, rigorous research on cross-linguistic sentiment analysis remains limited, especially for works like Wolf Totem, which hold both worldwide reach and cultural depth. This study conducted a cross-language sentiment and thematic analysis of online book reviews by Chinese and English readers, utilizing advanced linguistic techniques such as BERT, MAXQDA, and ProtAnt. The analysis reveals that Chinese readers are more critical of the themes “Ethnicity and Culture”, “Society and Politics”, and “Wolf and Wolf Nature”, while English readers respond more positively to “Historical Context and Background”, “Plot and Theme”, and “Emotional Response and Reading Experience”. This study not only highlights these emotional variations but also provides robust methodological insights for cross-linguistic sentiment analysis, showcasing the integration of quantitative and qualitative approaches and enhancing understanding of how cultural identity shapes reader engagement.

Reimagining the accidentally local in English RE

ABSTRACT This paper will critically analyse the assertion that ‘The local argument for the Locally Agreed Syllabus has been lost’ (57). It will begin by briefly sketching the historical background to the unique way that Religious Education is structured in England, with each local area having its own syllabus. It will then outline some of the main points of the local/national debate, which has been an issue for over 50 years. It will then critically analyse what is meant by local, drawing on debates in History education, before turning to consider what content means in Religious Education syllabi, drawing on the work of the Religious Education Council’s Religion and Worldviews Project. It will conclude by suggesting that the initial assertion is accurate and that the concept of local content should be reimagined as a hermeneutic encounter between the pupil and the subject matter, recognising that each encounter will be unique because of the perspectives of the individuals involved in that encounter. Practically, schools should be free to determine their own curricula for RE in line with national benchmarks, as with any other subject.

Stroke in the young: infective endocarditis due to mitral valve prolapse leading to acute ischemic stroke and subsequent hemorrhagic transformation

BackgroundStroke in young needs an individualized approach before considering thrombolysis. Here we present a case of undiagnosed mitral valve prolapse presenting with stroke due to associated infective endocarditis. Young stroke patients presenting with fever need a panoramic approach.Case summaryThis 39-year-old female with a background history of fever and loss of weight for two months presented to the emergency department with a history of altered sensorium and aphasia. The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) showed a hyperacute infarct. Hence, thrombolysis with alteplase was considered. Post thrombolysis, the patient had a parenchymal bleed. The diagnostic evaluation yielded stroke secondary to infective endocarditis because of undiagnosed mitral valve prolapse.ConclusionMitral valve prolapse is not associated with stroke in young patients. However, the undiagnosed infective endocarditis and subsequent septic emboli led to an increased risk. Emergency physicians and intensivists should anticipate infective causes before considering thrombolysis, as the results could be counterproductive.

Analysis of the Education Status in China and Suggestions of Countermeasures

Abstract: After the establishment of the Peoples Republic of China in 1949, the long-term domestic chaos suspended and the economy developed rapidly but unequally. To be more specific, the coastal areas and the leasing territory during the wartime, such as Shanghai, Hong Kong and Guangdong, developed quickly because of the convenient international trading and historical background, while the rural areas, especially the mountainous areas in Chinese inland areas, such as Henan and Hunan, developed very slowly or even did not develop anymore. Based on the education situation in Hunan, China, this paper analyzes the root cause of the failures of increasing the quality of education in China and proposes some feasible solutions to solve the problem. This study finds that conducting the periodic psychological survey and providing psychological counseling, and providing the citizenship of some metropolises for the volunteer teachers who teach in the education left over areas can be some approaches to fixing this problem.

Explaining and Understanding Formal and Informal Institutions in the Age of Globalization

Our social order is shaped by institutions, which makes them important. Governmental players adhere to the formal or informal regulations that institutions set out. Any political system has informal institutions, albeit it can be challenging to understand how they relate to formal ones. An extensive examination of the many definitions of institutions is presented in this paper. Many instances from many subfields are given, which in turn emphasize how universal the key issues facing political actors in various substantive situations are. Afterwards, it is clarified what the ramifications of considering institutions in this way are and how they contribute to these strategic problems by resolving or generating them (consciously or not). Understanding how institutions function necessitates looking at their historical background. Three specific obstacles that arise when attempting to understand and justify the beginnings of institutions are identified; these issues indicate some of the domains in which our understanding of institutions is limited. This paper aims to highlight the common challenges encountered when attempting to comprehend the formation and operation of institutions, offering valid reasons for researchers in related fields to collaborate more to improve our understanding of institutions. Generally speaking, it is untrue to say that there is a boundary between absolutely "formal" and fully "informal" institutions. This paper reveals that this unexpected claim is an invitation for academics to consider several issues. Firstly, to distinguish formal and informal institutions from one another, definitions of each are required. Second, discussing the connection between formal and informal institutions is crucial. By doing this, disparities between various forms of informal institutions and their ranges of complexity are distinguished. Third, it is critical to comprehend how formal and informal institutions affect the sort of regime (autocracy vs. democracy) and vice versa. The subject of how informal institutions are generated, created, and maintained is also discussed in this context. This paper concludes with a discussion of methodological perspectives on formal and informal institutions. It considers the use of typologies that encompass formal institutions and are frequently employed in the study of governance systems for this reason. The discovery by certain researchers that informal structures have a significant and frequently surprising impact on the functioning of formal institutions serves as the foundation for subsequent discussions.

The efficacy of acupuncture in animals – Part 1 Veterinary medicine use, historical background, theoretical foundations, techniques and tools, points and meridians and physiological mechanisms of acupuncture in animals

Holistic approach in veterinary has gained popularity in recent years. However, more research is needed to fully understand the effects of acupuncture (AP) in animals and to determine its safety and efficacy. This review work aimed to describe AP in animals, regarding the use in Veterinary Medicine, historical background, theoretical foundations, techniques and tools for animals, AP points and meridians and physiological mechanisms of AP in animals. Although AP use in animals has been practiced for thousands of years, scientifically efficacy based studies are still lacking in the research community. This ancient traditional Chinese method involves inserting thin needles in specific acupoints to induce vital energy balance across skin meridians to produce biological responses from the nervous system. Understand the impact and potential healing powers that exist within these vital points is crucial, because AP can positively influence in health and well-being of animals. Musculoskeletal pain, respiratory issues, reproductive and metabolic disorders are the most frequent described AP treatments in veterinary practice. With proper application, AP can be a valuable tool in treating various health conditions and promoting well-being. It is important to consider potential risks, as well other treatment protocols and consult with a qualified veterinary before undergoing AP treatment.

Unveiling the Ecological and Pharmacological Perspectives of Lithophytic Life Form

Environmental extremes such as high temperature, cold, alkalinity, drought, and rocky substrate modulate plant growth and promulgate adaptive characteristics in plants. The same plants can be found inhabited in different life forms, namely epiphytic, lithophytic, terrestrial, halophytic, and psammophytic, based upon adaptive characteristics essential for their survival. Microorganisms residing on the surface or within rocks make a unique habitat referred to as “lithobiontic habitat,” which further facilitates weathering phenomena and accumulates water and nutrients from the ecosystem to form a lithobiontic ecological niche. Lithobionts are divided into two groups, namely epiliths and endoliths, based on their presence on rock surfaces. Lithophytes, the rock-inhabiting plants, thriving under extreme stress conditions adapted successfully and their extraordinarily challenging atmosphere encouraged them to make new forms of life. Many biotic and abiotic factors are responsible for dwelling in such environments. Lithophytes interact with their surroundings to obtain vital elements necessary for their metabolism and, because of natural selection, their morphology and physiology help them with better adaptation. Another factor that facilitates such adaptation in lithophytes is the association of a fungus with lithophytic roots to ensure nutrient supply for their survival and facilitate growth in extreme conditions. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) root fungal associations commonly found among plants under stressed conditions help hosts adapt and promote plant life. In lithophytes, AM association aids in nutrient uptake from soil and facilitates plant survival under harsh conditions. The present review provides a comprehensive account of lithophytic life forms and covers different aspects of rock-dwelling plants concerning their historical background, classification, habitat, distribution in various families, root adaptive mechanisms, and phytopharmacological status. This review focused on plant species that can be considered among the most common representatives of lithophytes. This manuscript furnishes insights into different perspectives on the ecological and biological properties of the most common lithophytic species adapted to extreme rocky structures and explains their wide array of applications for pharmacological use.

The imaginaries of the city of Norilsk, from the Soviet industrial utopia to the contemporary nickel legend

Norilsk is a polar city in Russia, located to the South of the Taimyr Peninsula in the Arctic Circle. The city’s surroundings are rich in unique deposits of polymetallic ores, and life in the city is organised around metal extraction. This is a reason why Norilsk is an interesting object for analysis of the social representation of the city’s image. Social representation is a fairly new socio-philosophical concept. By the word ‘representation’ we mean perceptions that are formed on the basis of reality. In the case of Norilsk, it is the result of all perceptions of the city and its environment. The study is based on contemporary documentary films, geographical, historical and journalistic documents. The analysis of perceptions of Norilsk allows us to understand the reasons for ideological debates around the history of Russia, such as discussions about memorials to victims of political repressions. Statements about Norilsk are contradictory. Negative statements are related to negative perceptions of the city, while positive statements are related to the residents’ love for their city. The analysis of representations related to the architecture of Norilsk allows us to identify gaps in the official discourse about the foundation of the city and explore its historical background. The study has revealed that the Soviet architectural heritage is well-preserved and documented, while statements about buildings associated with the Gulag are relegated to a marginalised space. Consideration of external and local representations of Norilsk allows us to understand the process of rewriting the history of the city.

Enhancing community potential to boost grassroots economy through value-added pickled bamboo shoots, Thailand

The objectives of this research article were: 1) to examine the community context, problems, and needs, 2) to enhance the community's capacity through the process of upgrading and adding value to fermented bamboo shoot products, and 3) to assess the capacity development of the Ban Sang Thor community, Phon Mueang Subdistrict, Lao Suea Kok District, Ubon Ratchathani Province. This study employed a mixed-methods research design. The key informants were 12 experts, 50 workshop participants selected through purposive sampling, and ten experts, 50 producers (selected through purposive sampling), and 100 consumers selected through accidental sampling for product development satisfaction evaluation. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including percentages, frequencies, means, and standard deviations. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis and descriptive explanations. The Ban Sang Thor community, characterized by a rich historical background and traditional Heet Sip Song Kong Sip Si customs, addressed socioeconomic challenges such as poverty, household indebtedness, and low income through the enhancement of fermented bamboo shoot products. The community engages in educational initiatives regarding hygienic production practices and participates in packaging design processes. The resulting products exhibit durability, aesthetic appeal, and consumer acceptance. High levels of satisfaction from experts and consumers culminate in the production of safe sanitary products with a distinct community-branded identity. Sustainable economic development contributes to the preservation of a community's cultural heritage.

Beyond the 9-to-5: Unravelling the Pros and Cons of Moonlighting in Today’s Job Market

In current years, moonlighting, defined as the practice of performing multiple tasks simultaneously, has gained prominence as an integral part of the evolving business environment. The first section explains the meaning and theoretical basis of moonlight. We explore its historical background, legal implications, and impact on employee well-being through established research. The second section focuses on our research methodology, highlighting the data selection criteria included in this study, which are carefully detailed. Strong research practices ensure the accuracy of our findings. The third category classifies motivations for moonlight behaviour. From economic incentives to personal preferences, we explore why individuals choose to balance multiple roles. The fourth section includes sector-specific research that sheds light on broad moonlighting across sectors. We explore how moonlight and gig economy trends align with traditional employment models. The relationship between moonlighting and organizational commitment is explored in Section V. We examine whether moonlighting affects loyalty, participation, and performance in an employee’s primary job. Our paper concludes by summarizing the main takeaways and proposing avenues for future research. Moonlighting is a multifaceted phenomenon, and understanding its implications is critical for employees and employers alike. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on career mobility, and provides insights for policy makers, HR professionals, and scholars alike. As organizations adapt to the changing landscape, acknowledging and addressing moonlighting practices becomes essential for sustainable workforce management.

A Study of Thing-Narrative in The Masque of the Red Death

The Masque of the Red Death is one of Edgar Allan Poe‘s most important works, which has been studied by numerous scholars from the perspectives of style, narrative aesthetics, and semiotics. However, the relevant interpretation to date has almost completely ignored the description of things in the novel. At present, there is an obvious “material turn” or “non-human turn” in the field of humanities research, that is, the research perspective turns to the “object” components that have been largely ignored in the past, including animals, plants, minerals, ecosystems, landscapes, places, etc. Therefore, from the perspective of the thing-narrative, combined with the social and historical background of the works, this paper analyzes Poe‘s use of thing-narrative techniques through close reading of the text. Through the in-depth analysis of the interaction between things and characters in the story, the author explains how castles, rooms, and ebony clocks, as cultural symbols, agents with subjectivity, exist as noumenon, influence or predict the fate of characters, and promote the development of the plot. And to further clarify Poe‘s theme in this novel - the inevitability of death.

The Changing Roles of the Building Guild in Construction, Maintenance, and Conservation of Earth Buildings: A Case Study

A guild is an association of artisans or merchants that oversee their craft or trade within a particular territory. In many cultures, building guilds have played a major role in the realisation and maintenance of earth buildings, as well as in the standardisation and dissemination of skills in the building trade. Zaria, in northern Nigeria, is one such traditional settlement where an earth building guild (magina) once played these key roles. Although the guild still exists and traditional titles are still bestowed to members of the guild, its role has changed significantly. Causes for this change are multifaceted but related, as identified during the fieldwork. The aim of this article is to present findings on the changing roles of the earth building guild (magina) in Zaria and how this change is affecting both the practice of earthen architecture and conservation of earth buildings in the city. This study began in 2021 whilst working on a conservation of earth building in Zaria, which involved the engagement of traditional builders (magina) from Zaria, led by Katukan Magina (deputy chief builder) and a member of the earth building guild from Djenne, Mali (Boubacar Kouroumanse). A deeper interest in the Zaria building guild ensued, which led to the further research presented in this article. The review of the existing literature provided a historical background to the Zaria building guild (magina). A comparative analysis of the literature and data generated from interviews and condition surveys were use for the identification of the changes that occur over time. Similarly, a proposal for positive change within the building guild was proposed using an example of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A critical update to earlier research findings about the historical roots of gonosen-no-kata – “Forms of post-attack initiative counter throws”

The purpose of the present paper is to provide a critical update to previously published findings about the historical background of gonosen-no-kata (“Forms of Post-Attack Initiative Counter Throws”), a non-officially accepted kata of Kodokan judo that achieved some popularity in select European countries. We applied historical methods and source criticism to newly acquired evidence in this way offering a careful critical analysis of this kata’s origin, history and background. Expanding our earlier finding, i.e. the kata’s first verifiable European appearance in London, 1926, from 1927 onward it was spread throughout Europe by a number of judo teachers of Japanese origin. However, the results of this paper now also lead us to firmly refute the caution we had expressed earlier that gonosen-no-kata might well not be of Japanese origin. Indeed, the kata shows up for the first time in November 1915 when it is on display as part of the program surrounding the 20th Waseda University Judo Tournament in Tokyo where it was shown by a pair of judoka, named Nagae and Endo. From then on, the kata was regularly publically demonstrated in Japan at judo contests during the Taisho era (1912-1926) whenever a team from Waseda University participated. Among its most significant early proponents in Japan were Waseda students Endo Moriya, Ninomiya Sotaro, and Yasuoka Toraki. Waseda University’s former chief-instructors Miyakawa Ikkan (1885-1944) and Takahashi Kazuyoshi (1885-1942), and dedicated student(s), such as Endo Moriya (1896-1950) remain the most likely candidates involved in the creation and development of gonosen-no-kata.

Towards a Datatset of Digitalized Historical German VET and CVET Regulations

The digitization of historical documents has gained particular interest in recent years in the digital humanities. The goal is to digitize historical documents by extracting and structuring text from scanned images. Here, we focus on the processing of historical German VET (vocational education and training) and CVET (continuing vocational education and training) regulations to support educational research. This dataset contains data from 1908 to the present and includes 2125 documents as PDF, 983 fully converted XML documents, and additional metadata for 7090 documents from the archive. We present an overview of the historical background and the challenges of processing different historical documents from three different federal states.