Historical Efforts Research Articles

Unveiling Discriminatory Structures Against Social Minorities: An Examination of Some Governmental Structures of Discrimination and Abatement in the United States

This paper examines the enduring structures that sustain discrimination in the US. It analyzes historical precedents, contemporary practices, and efforts toward its elimination. It begins by exploring legislative frameworks and highlights how policies such as the War on Drugs and immigration acts have disproportionately negatively targeted marginalized populations. It discusses how administrative practices, including law enforcement tactics and implicit bias, perpetuate differentially unequal treatment of people by categories within the criminal justice system. The study discusses how judicial precedents, notably the Supreme Court decisions, have also reinforced discriminatory structures, and how interpretations of civil rights laws have shaped policies affecting marginalized populations. Despite formal structures to combat it, persistent bias, institutionalized barriers, and power dynamics perpetuate discrimination. Lastly, the study examines how efforts towards the elimination of discriminatory structures have included legislative reforms aimed at addressing systemic disparities, affirmative action programs, and diversity and inclusion policies. The understanding of the intersectionality of multiple factors of discrimination is analyzed to be crucial in understanding the complexities of discrimination, as individuals experience multiple layers of oppression based on intersecting social identities.

Socioecological impacts of pine monocultures on Guaraní territories in Argentina: the hidden costs of modern development

ABSTRACT This study examines the socioenvironmental impacts of pine (Pinus taeda) monocultures established by forestry companies on Guaraní territories in the Province of Misiones, Argentina. Conducted from an interdisciplinary perspective, the research addresses the concerns of a Guaraní community (Puente Quemado II) about the effects on their way of life and the potential toxicological risks resulting from changes to their territory, including large monocultures of pine. By incorporating inputs from ethnography, ethnobiology, biology, ecology, ecotoxicology and toxicology, the study provides a comprehensive analysis of the impacts of the forest monoculture system on the communities. The findings indicate that the implementation of the monoculture system has negative impacts on the communities in terms of cultural and material resources, as well as toxicological risks. Collectively, these factors represent a high risk to their existence within the territory. However, conditions in the area allow rapid ecological restoration, which, with appropriate policies, could serve as a strategy for historical repair efforts and the fulfillmentt of indigenous communities’ rights.

Türkiye’s Vision for Africa: Humanitarian Diplomacy and Development Cooperation

This article aims to analyze Türkiye’s humanitarian diplomacy and development cooperation strategies toward Africa within a theoretical and conceptual framework, assessing their impact and significance on the continent. The research problem addresses how Türkiye’s unique approach, which integrates historical ties, cultural interactions, and development efforts, distinguishes it from other global and regional actors. The arguments presented highlight that Türkiye’s humanitarian diplomacy strategy, based on mutual benefit and sustainable development goals, has effectively enhanced its positive image and influence in Africa. The hypothesis posits that Türkiye’s humanitarian diplomacy and development cooperation efforts have strengthened its position as a humanitarian actor on the continent and contributed to achieving sustainable development goals. The findings suggest that the country’s activities in healthcare, education, agriculture, and socio-cultural fields have created significant impacts, improving local communities’ living conditions and fostering sustainable development. Furthermore, Türkiye’s distinct approach, unlike traditional Western policies, is characterized by an emphasis on mutual interdependence and cooperation, positioning it as a reliable partner in Africa.

Global Fight against Malaria: Goals and Achievements 1900–2022

This article examines the historical and ongoing efforts to fight malaria, a parasitic disease caused by Plasmodium species and transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes. Despite over a century of control efforts, malaria remains a major global health issue. In 2022, there were an estimated 249 million cases across 85 countries, leading to approximately 600,000 deaths. In the recently published Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016–2030, the World Health Organization (WHO) has prioritized malaria eradication. The main goals are to reduce malaria incidence and mortality by 90% by 2030 compared to 2015 levels. However, as of 2022, progress has been limited, with only a 2% reduction in incidence and a 6% reduction in mortality. This review traces the historical context of malaria, highlighting its ancient origins and the pivotal scientific discoveries in the late 19th century that paved the way for modern control measures. The Global Malaria Eradication Programme launched by the WHO in 1955 initially showed promise, largely due to the insecticide DDT, but ultimately failed to achieve its goals mainly due to logistical problems, vector resistance to DDT, and inadequate funding. Despite significant advances in the early 21st century, including the Roll Back Malaria initiative and increased international funding, malaria eradication remains a distant goal. Persistent challenges, such as weak healthcare systems, parasite and vector resistance to drugs and insecticides, and inadequate funding, continue to hamper global efforts. Therefore, this article underscores the need for a deeper understanding of malaria’s history and recent evolution to inform future strategies for eradication.

Adaptation and Adversity Acceptance as Resilience to Flooding at World Heritage Sites: A Case Study of Hoi An Ancient Town, Vietnam

ABSTRACT This article investigates long-term adaptation and resilience to floods at World Heritage sites through a case study of Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam, Vietnam. Drawing on fieldwork observation, document review, and unstructured interviews conducted in Hoi An, we examine the enduring processes and experiences of co-living with floods. The article considers residents’ ability to comprehend, acknowledge, and address the challenges of flooding using the conceptual lens of adaptation and adversity acceptance as resilience. Our findings reveal an inseparable bond between residents and their built environment, encompassing invaluable lessons and experiences, local beliefs, resource availability, and adaptive strategies aimed at harmonious cohabitation with flooding described as ‘leaning into nature’. Strikingly, residents have developed their own practices and identities shaped by the town’s inundation by flood waters over a few centuries. Various modern flood prevention measures trace their origins to historical efforts, underscoring the vital role of traditional knowledge and practices in coping with the impacts of climate change. Those efforts are also framed within the local policy context such as Heritage Management Plan, Disaster Risk Management Plan, and Regulation for the Protection of the UNESCO-listed Hoi An Ancient Town.

Integrated study on the conservation of ecocultural heritage in the Tiantai Mountain area, China

This study deeply analyzes the ecocultural heritage of the Tiantai Mountain area in Eastern China, assesses its current status and explores effective mechanisms for its conservation and construction. Employing remote sensing technology, kernel density analysis and Minimum Cumulative Resistance Model, the study comprehensively evaluated the environmental characteristics of the region and its role in historical and modern conservation efforts. The results demonstrate the unique distribution patterns of ecocultural heritage in various conservation zones, such as restoration, controlled construction and core conservation zone. Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of religious beliefs and clan systems in the preservation of traditional knowledge and practices, with significant impacts of local community participation on conservation strategies. This research provides new theoretical and practical support for the implemention of ecocultural heritage conservation and development within religiously significant areas, highlights the need for conservation measures and synergistic strategies between ecological and cultural practices.

A Review of Digital Pathology and AI Applications for Urine Cytology

The aims of this article are to review the historical perspective, current utilization, challenges, and ongoing research in digital pathology and artificial intelligence (AI) applications for urine cytology. A combination of expert opinions as well as current published literature were used to find all relevant information. The expert opinions are mostly based on the author’s research and professional experience as a practicing and board-certified cytopathologist and clinical informaticist. The Curation of literature is based on searchable publications available through Google Scholar and PubMed. The findings revealed relevant historical work as well as how the diversity of cytopathology practice can create significant challenges moving forward with digital pathology and AI. Twenty-six relevant peer reviewed publications collaborated historical and ongoing research efforts in both academic and commercial arenas. The ongoing research and commercial efforts will advance the applications of digital pathology and AI for urine cytology despite many challenges

Making Net Assessment Work: Evaluating Great-power Competition

Under conditions of intensifying strategic competition, great powers and less-than-great powers alike are reappraising their national-security strategies. Central to such reviews are assessments of power and strategic advantage – in an era of great-power competition, states need to know who is winning. This is the function of strategic net assessment, recently revived in the United Kingdom through the Secretary of State’s Office for Net Assessment and Challenge. This paper sets out the conceptual challenges involved in making assessments of power, considers the main historical efforts to do so, and offers some practical guidance as to how strategic net assessment may be used to inform strategy.

The Logic of Common Prosperity in China

The notion of common prosperity in China is deeply rooted in its historical and cultural traditions and supported by a unique social system logic. As a social ideal, it reflects the enduring intellectual aspirations of the Chinese nation. Deep feelings for the family and country and universal kinship shape the Chinese spiritual worldview, emphasizing a strong sense of community and interconnectedness. As a fundamental principle, it ensures that the essence of the socialist system, defined by labor, is firmly implemented and practically realized in the context of socialism with Chinese characteristics. As a practical endeavor, it harmonizes with historical trends and proactive development, integrating the advanced nature of the political party with scientific policy strategies, thereby clarifying the roadmap for common prosperity. As a Chinese approach, it creates a genuine community amidst diversity and differentiation, fostering a scientific understanding of prosperity in the course of development and progress, and offering a national model for building new forms of human advancement during modernization. China’s historical efforts in promoting common prosperity not only expand the contemporary understanding of “common” in a philosophical sense but also elevate the notion of “prosperity” to new heights in a civilizational context.

Advancing architectural heritage: precision decoding of East Asian timber structures from Tang dynasty to traditional Japan

The convergence of cultural and aesthetic elements in timber structures from China’s Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD) and traditional Japanese architecture provides a rich tapestry of architectural evolution and cross-cultural exchanges. Addressing the challenge of distinguishing and understanding the intricate styles of these structures is significant for both historical comprehension and preservation efforts. This research introduces an innovative approach by integrating the Multi-Head Attention (MHA) mechanism into the YOLOv8 model, enhancing the detection of architectural features with improved precision and recall. Our novel YOLOv8-MHA model not only demonstrates a notable improvement in recognizing intricate architectural details but also significantly advances the state of the art in object detection within complex settings. Quantitative results underscore the model’s effectiveness, achieving a precision of 95.6%, a recall of 85.6%, and a mean Average Precision (mAP@50) of 94% across various Intersection over Union (IoU) thresholds. These metrics highlight the model’s superior capability to accurately identify and classify architectural elements, especially within environments rich with nuanced details, utilizing the enhanced YOLOv8-MHA algorithm. The application of our model extends beyond mere architectural analysis; it offers new insights into the intricate interplay of cultural identity and adaptability inherent in East Asian architectural heritage. The study establishes a solid foundation for the meticulous classification and analysis of architectural styles in timber structures within an expansive cultural and historical context, thereby enriching our understanding and preservation of these traditions.

Global Analysis of RTS, S/AS01 Malaria Vaccine Acceptance Rates and Influencing Factors: A Systematic Review.

Malaria remains a significant global health challenge, with Plasmodium parasites transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes causing substantial morbidity and mortality. Despite historical efforts, malaria continues to affect millions worldwide, particularly in tropical regions. This systematic review aimed to assess the acceptability of the RTS, S/AS01 malaria vaccine among diverse populations. A comprehensive search strategy was employed across databases such as Cochrane Library, Embase, Google Scholar, and Medline. Studies were included based on specific criteria, including observational and cross-sectional designs involving adults. Data extraction and analysis were conducted meticulously, encompassing key variables related to vaccine acceptance rates and influencing factors. Analysis of 18 studies involving 18,561 participants revealed an overall malaria vaccine acceptance rate of 87.51%, ranging from 32.26% to 99.30%. Significant variations were observed based on demographics, with Ghana and Nigeria reporting high acceptance rates. Factors influencing acceptance included knowledge levels, past vaccination experiences, community preferences, and engagement in malaria prevention behaviors. Concerns about adverse reactions and regional disparities were noted as potential barriers to acceptance. This review highlights the importance of understanding public perceptions and concerns regarding malaria vaccines to enhance vaccine coverage and uptake. Tailored communication strategies, advocacy efforts, and targeted education interventions are crucial for addressing misconceptions and increasing vaccine acceptance. Policy recommendations should consider demographic and regional factors to ensure effective implementation of malaria vaccination programs, ultimately contributing to global malaria prevention efforts and public health initiatives.

Genetic legacy and adaptive signatures: investigating the history, diversity, and selection signatures in Rendena cattle resilient to eighteenth century rinderpest epidemics

BackgroundRendena is a dual-purpose cattle breed, which is primarily found in the Italian Alps and the eastern areas of the Po valley, and recognized for its longevity, fertility, disease resistance and adaptability to steep Alpine pastures. It is categorized as 'vulnerable to extinction' with only 6057 registered animals in 2022, yet no comprehensive analyses of its molecular diversity have been performed to date. The aim of this study was to analyse the origin, genetic diversity, and genomic signatures of selection in Rendena cattle using data from samples collected in 2000 and 2018, and shed light on the breed's evolution and conservation needs.ResultsGenetic analysis revealed that the Rendena breed shares genetic components with various Alpine and Po valley breeds, with a marked genetic proximity to the Original Braunvieh breed, reflecting historical restocking efforts across the region. The breed shows signatures of selection related to both milk and meat production, environmental adaptation and immune response, the latter being possibly the result of multiple rinderpest epidemics that swept across the Alps in the eighteenth century. An analysis of the Rendena cattle population spanning 18 years showed an increase in the mean level of inbreeding over time, which is confirmed by the mean number of runs of homozygosity per individual, which was larger in the 2018 sample.ConclusionsThe Rendena breed, while sharing a common origin with Brown Swiss, has developed distinct traits that enable it to thrive in the Alpine environment and make it highly valued by local farmers. Preserving these adaptive features is essential, not only for maintaining genetic diversity and enhancing the ability of this traditional animal husbandry to adapt to changing environments, but also for guaranteeing the resilience and sustainability of both this livestock system and the livelihoods within the Rendena valley.

Managing the oil market under misinformation: A reasonable quest?

We examine the type and quality of information OPEC needs to successfully stabilize the oil market. Our analysis considers the impact of observational errors regarding market shocks as well as erroneous judgments of demand and supply elasticities. Actual prices resulting from OPEC's historical efforts to dampen volatility are compared to counterfactual prices that would have prevailed had OPEC remained passive. Despite the potentially confounding effect of misinformation, the elevated counterfactuals indicate that OPEC has managed to substantially decrease price volatility. Indeed, during the 2017–2021 OPEC+ period we estimate price volatility would have been up to 100% greater than actual without the actions of OPEC and its allies.

Low-Speed Space Launch System Computational Fluid Dynamics: A Comprehensive Overview

In this review paper, low-speed computational work from NASA Langley Research Center in support of the Space Launch System (SLS) is discussed. This information includes both historical and present efforts with the Kestrel computational fluid dynamics solver. The low-speed aerodynamics of SLS is highly complex, and the analysis of the unsteady flowfield requires significant computational efforts. The SLS mission profile varies from the vehicle static on the launch pad through high-speed ascent. This study focuses on the prelaunch as well as liftoff and transition portions of the flight both in proximity to the launch tower and in isolation. High-alpha conditions, as large as 90 deg, result in a flowfield dominated by massive, large-scale flow separation and asymmetric vortices. High-fidelity solutions require an unsteady computational formulation to accurately capture the aerodynamics of the vehicle. A detailed discussion of the computational approach is presented, followed by key efforts to support the program, both historic and present, including information that has been either published previously or that has never before been published external to NASA.

Recognizing and Seizing Opportunities for Peace and Unification of Vietnam Following the Geneva Convention from 1954 To 1960

Purpose: The article provides an overview of the Vietnam War from 1954 to 1960, describing in detail the process of recognizing and seizing opportunities for peaceful reunification of the country after 1954 in Vietnam. Methods: The article clarifies the research problem using a combination of historical, logical, and analytical methods. Results and Conclusions: The article provides an overall, detailed picture of the basis for the Vietnam Labor Party and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam to recognize and seize the opportunity to peacefully unify the country in the period 1954–1960; the plots, acts of repression, and sabotage by the US and the Saigon government (1954–1960); and the troubles and losses to the Southern Revolution when they fail to recognize and seize the chance for success. Research implication: The article provides truthful historical arguments and efforts of the Party, the Government, and the Vietnamese people to defeat the invasion and divide plots by the US and its henchmen to achieve the goal of unifying the country. Originality/value: The article gives valuable insights into the real situation in Vietnam after 1954 and the plans and intentions of relevant parties on the issue of the unification and division of Vietnam. Drawing on previous failure lessons, it emphasizes the importance of recognizing and seizing opportunities to win the revolution war.

The Importance and Scientific Value of Long Weather and Climate Records; Examples of Historical Marine Data Efforts across the Globe

The rescue, digitization, quality control, preservation, and utilization of long and high quality meteorological and climate records, particularly related to historical marine data, are crucial for advancing our understanding of the Earth’s climate system. In combination with land and air measurements, historical marine records serve as foundational pillars in linking present and past weather and climate information, offering essential insights into natural climate variability, extreme events in marine areas, baseline data for assessing current changes, and inputs for enhancing predictive climate models and reanalyses. This paper provides an overview of rescue activities covering marine weather data over the past centuries and presents and highlights several ongoing projects across the world and how the data are used in an integrative and international framework. Current and future continuous efforts in data rescue, digitization, quality control, and the development of temporally high-resolution meteorological and climatological observations from oceans, will greatly help to further complete our understanding and knowledge of the Earth’s climate system, including extremes, as well as improve the quality of reanalysis.

Positron acceleration in plasma wakefields

Plasma acceleration has emerged as a promising technology for future particle accelerators, particularly linear colliders. Significant progress has been made in recent decades toward high-efficiency and high-quality acceleration of electrons in plasmas. However, this progress does not generalize to the acceleration of positrons, as plasmas are inherently charge asymmetric. Here, we present a comprehensive review of historical and current efforts to accelerate positrons using plasma wakefields. Proposed schemes that aim to increase energy efficiency and beam quality are summarized and quantitatively compared. A dimensionless metric that scales with the luminosity-per-beam power is introduced, indicating that positron-acceleration schemes are currently below the ultimate requirement for colliders. The primary issue is ; the high mobility of plasma electrons compared to plasma ions, which leads to nonuniform accelerating and focusing fields that degrade the beam quality of the positron bunch, particularly for high efficiency acceleration. Finally, we discuss possible mitigation strategies and directions for future research. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

INDIA'S CYBER LANDSCAPE: AN ASSESMENT OF INDIAN EFFORTS SINCE INDEPENDENCE

India, as the world's largest digitally connected democracy, recognizes the critical importance of cyberspace in the face of evolving technological dynamics. With the second-largest global internet base, India emphasizes self-sufficiency to bolster cyber resilience and reduce dependence on foreign technology. This research explores India's historical efforts, spanning from the post-independence era to contemporary times, aimed at fortifying its cyberspace. The study delves into domestic measures such as the New Electronics Policy (NEP), IT Act 2000, and the National Cyber Security Policy, complemented by the establishment of key entities like the National Informatics Centre, CERT-In, Defence Cyber Agency, and National Task Force. The analysis extends to bilateral and multilateral collaborations, elucidating India's position as a global IT industry leader. Secondary resources of data, along with the Primary documents-including India's official policies-form the basis of this research, offering a comprehensive understanding of India's digital landscape

Insights on the Use of Transgenic Mice Models in Alzheimer's Disease Research.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the leading cause of dementia, presents a significant global health challenge with no known cure to date. Central to our understanding of AD pathogenesis is the β-amyloid cascade hypothesis, which underlies drug research and discovery efforts. Despite extensive studies, no animal models of AD have completely validated this hypothesis. Effective AD models are essential for accurately replicating key pathological features of the disease, notably the formation of β-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. These pathological markers are primarily driven by mutations in the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and presenilin 1 (PS1) genes in familial AD (FAD) and by tau protein mutations for the tangle pathology. Transgenic mice models have been instrumental in AD research, heavily relying on the overexpression of mutated APP genes to simulate disease conditions. However, these models do not entirely replicate the human condition of AD. This review aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the historical and ongoing research efforts in AD, particularly through the use of transgenic mice models. It is focused on the benefits gathered from these transgenic mice models in understanding β-amyloid toxicity and the broader biological underpinnings of AD. Additionally, the review critically assesses the application of these models in the preclinical testing of new therapeutic interventions, highlighting the gap between animal models and human clinical realities. This analysis underscores the need for refinement in AD research methodologies to bridge this gap and enhance the translational value of preclinical studies.

Life Lessons: Experiences of Gender Studies in Zines in the 1990s and 2000s

ABSTRACT The early years of gender studies in the US academy can be traced through their impact on zinesters, who parsed their interactions with these studies in their self-made and distributed publications. In this paper, I argue that the way that these young people used the space of the zine to make sense of feminist theory in their lives and to understand their experience of thinking through gender and sexuality within the college setting can serve as a reminder of the necessity for feminist theory to be transformative to students’ lived experiences, and of the critical importance for feminist studies in the academy to primarily enable students to, in Sara Ahmed’s words, ‘live a feminist life’. The zines discussed here show both the excitement and promise that arose for student zinesters in their work with feminist theory at college, but also the inequalities perpetuated by the gender studies classrooms of the 1990s and 2000s. As we reach a critical moment in reimagining and rebuilding institutions of higher education, zines discussing early gender studies courses offer a rare insight into the lived experience of historical efforts to address educational inequality, and can serve to refocus conversations on the role of studying liberation in the academy today.