Mid-20th Century Research Articles

«Татары» и «Государство Татар» в памятниках древнескандинавской письменности

Research objective: The purpose of this study is to present the entire body of information about the Tatars and the Tatar State contained in Old Norse-Icelandic literature.Research materials: The materials are the works of Old Norse-Icelandic writing of various genres. These are Icelandic annals, geographical treatises, and sagas of several types: chi-valric sagas, bishops’ sagas, sagas of ancient times, and local, or original, chivalric sagas.Results and scientific novelty: An exhaustive selection of source material has been achieved for the first time in scholarly literature. The main conclusion of the study is that there is no single image of the Tatar State in the sources under discussion. The kings’ and bishops’ sagas record real historical events, although they describe them in the style of a saga narrative. The Icelandic annals also reflect actual events, information about which could have been obtained from the works of European chroniclers, gleaned from oral information circulated in Icelandic-Norwegian clerical circles, or even be the result of rumours brought from Europe to the Scandinavian North by pilgrims returning home. In cont­rast, the authors of the sagas of ancient times and local knights’ sagas create geographical descriptions as a background for their fictional narratives, built on the basis of the knowledge and ideas that the authors themselves possessed and that their Icelandic audience must have had by the mid-13th century. All sources clearly maintain the assignment of the Tatar State to the Eastern quarter of the ecumene within which (like everything little known and dangerous) it was shifted towards the north. In addition, its connection with the Old Russian state, recorded by the sources, can be traced. Despite the fantastic character of the mental map reflected in the later sagas, they have preserved valuable indirect information, namely on the knowledge of the fact that Rus’ happened to be under the rule of the Golden Horde, and the idea of the real geographical position of the Tatar State in the distant parts of the Eastern quarter of the world.

Revealing the spatiotemporal precipitation patterns of ECMWF fifth-generation reanalyses since the mid-20th century in West-Africa

Revealing the spatiotemporal precipitation patterns of ECMWF fifth-generation reanalyses since the mid-20th century in West-Africa

Large Terrace Structure Unearthed in the Heart of the City Zone of Īśānapura: Could It Be the ‘Great Hall’ Described in the Book of Sui?

The archaeological complex of Sambor Prei Kuk is identified with Īśānapura, the capital of the Chenla Kingdom in the early 7th century, a political predecessor to the Angkor Empire. Previous studies have largely focused on the eastern temple zone, where numerous Hindu religious structures are concentrated, while the western moated city area—presumably the core of urban and political activity—has remained underexplored. This paper presents the results of recent archaeological excavations at a large central mound within the city zone, which is hypothesized to have functioned as a key administrative facility. The excavation revealed a large-scale and uniquely configured terraced structure, unprecedented within the site, and radiocarbon dating suggests its construction dates from the mid 6th to mid 7th century. Notably, a Chinese historical source from the same period, the Book of Sui, describes a “Great Hall” in Īśānapura where the king administered state affairs. The characteristics and spatial context of the excavated structure suggest a possible correspondence with this account. In addition, LiDAR-derived topographic data identified multiple linear and structural features extending eastward from the mound, indicating that it may have stood at the rear of a more extensive administrative compound. These findings offer new insights into the urban structure of Īśānapura and the political architecture of early Khmer civilization.

AI-DRIVEN COMMUNICATION: THE ROLE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN SHAPING CONSUMERISM AND SOCIAL CONTROL IN BRAVE NEW WORLD AND NINETEEN EIGHTY-FOUR

This paper examines the dystopian visions of Aldous Huxley in Brave New World and George Orwell in Nineteen Eighty-Four, focusing on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) within the communication systems of these novels. Both Huxley and Orwell, writing in the early to mid-20th century, predicted the influence of media technologies on shaping modern consumer culture. Huxley’s depiction of AI-driven advertisements and Orwell’s portrayal of AI-powered surveillance highlight the potential dangers of mass media in manipulating thought and behaviour. Through these technologies, both novels present a world where communication systems foster a seemingly utopian, consumer-driven reality. This paper argues that AI and media technologies are not passive tools but active forces that manipulate populations and sustain capitalist ideologies: (1) Technology as Social Control: Advancements in AI and media technologies are used as tools for social control, pacifying populations and limiting critical thought; (2) Media and AI Reinforcing Commodification: These technologies create a consumer-driven society that reinforces capitalist dominance by commodifying human attention and interactions; (3) Digital Inequality and Social Stratification: The rise of digital communication technologies deepens social inequalities, dividing society into the “connected” and “disconnected”.

Tourism Gentrification and the Resignification of Cultural Heritage in Postmodern Urban Spaces in Latin America

This article presents a social and historical analysis of Barranco district in Lima, Peru, examining its evolution as a postmodern tourism destination. Through documentary analysis of historical records, guidebooks, press articles, and novels, we investigate the significant social milestones along history with cultural, and economic impacts on tourism development in Barranco. The research employs a methodology to identify key elements that have shaped Barranco’s trajectory from a fishing settlement to a bohemian district in a lively city and finally to its status as a “hipster” neighbourhood. Drawing on postmodern tourism theory and Hawley’s socioeconomic development theory, we argue that Barranco represents a distinctive case of how cultural capital transforms and resignifies tourism spaces through complex identity processes. Findings reveal that Barranco’s development follows three clear phases: rural settlement (until the 19th century), seaside resort (mid-19th century to 1940s–60s), and urban district with postmodern tourism appeal (1990s onward). The study concludes that while Barranco’s bohemian and artistic identity has become a distinctive tourism asset, the district faces gentrification challenges that threat its sociocultural diversity and authenticity. This research contributes to understanding how postmodern tourism influences territorial identity transformation and illuminates the social, historical, and economic forces that shape distinctive urban tourism destinations.

The Folk Clothing of the Bohuslav District of the Late Nineteenth – Mid-Twentieth Centuries (After the Materials of Folklore and Ethnographic Expedition of May–June, 2024)

The article is devoted to the investigation of traditional folk clothing of the inhabitants of the Bohuslav district of the late 19th – mid-20th centuries. The peculiarities of the folk costume of this district of Kyiv region are explored on the base of the materials collected and recorded during a folklore and ethnographic expedition to the Bohuslav district in May–June, 2024 as a part of the “Clothing and Tradition. Bohuslavshchyna” project, initiated by the members of the community organization “Around us. UA”. In total, 35 settlements have been studied during the expedition, and more than 100 respondents are interviewed. Thus, the article is aimed at the characterizing the peculiarities of folk costumes of the Bohuslav district in the late nineteenth and mid-twentieth centuries. The object of the study is traditional Ukrainian clothing worn in the Bohuslav district of the Kyiv region in the late nineteenth and mid-twentieth centuries. The subject of the submitted work includes the local peculiarities of the folk costume of the Bohuslav region of this period, the state of preservation of traditional clothing in the region in the twenty-first century. The clothes complexes (underwear, belt, chest, outerwear, belts, headdresses, jewelry and footwear) are analyzed in the terms of their aesthetic sophistication and pragmatism. The methods of making Bohuslav clothing and the materials used for this purpose are studied. The features common to the costumes of various regions of Ukraine, as well as distinctive features typical for the Middle Over Dnipro Lands are described. It is mentioned about the use of clothing elements in the ritual culture and beliefs related to attire. The influence of socio-economic factors on the formation of the features of folk clothes of Bohuslav region is emphasized. Attention is paid to the fact that, despite the gradual extinction of traditional culture, the scientists are able to record field data from authentic carriers even in 2024. It is shown that folk costumes are one of the important determinants of the identification discourse of Ukrainians, as well as an original ethno-cultural marker of a particular region.

Two Karaite books published in Warsaw in the late 19th and early 20th centuries

Warsaw was not a major centre for Karaite religious and cultural life. From the mid-19th century, Karaites had settled there sporadically, mainly as tobacco and cigarette merchants. Despite this, two Karaite books were published in the city. In 1889, Ilia I. Kazas (1832–1912), a well-known social and educational activist from Yevpatoria, published Torat ha-adam at the Alexander Gins’ press. This was his Hebrew translation of selections from Éléments de morale by the French philosopher Paul Janet. In 1904, Davar davur, a collection of folk tales, proverbs, and occasional works compiled by the Karaite clergyman Samuel, son of Shemariah Pigit (1849–1911) from Yekaterinoslav, was printed at the press of the Hebrew-language Jewish newspaper “Ha-Tsfira”. These two publications reflect two different visions for the intellectual development of the Karaite community.

NONLINEAR DYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF REINFORCED CONCRETE LARGE-PANEL BUILDING

A nonlinear dynamic analysis of large-panel reinforced concrete building (LPB) using LIRA-SAPR software is presented. LPBs, which became prevalent in the mid-20th century, have generally demonstrated good seismic performance during past earthquakes. However, the connection regions and specific structural characteristics still present challenges in accurately modeling and predicting their behavior under seismic loading. Conventional linear models often inadequately represent the complex nonlinear behavior such as strength and stiffness degradation and connection failures inherent in LPBs, highlighting the need for more sophisticated analytical approaches. A detailed nonlinear analysis methodology was applied to a full-scale reinforced concrete precast LPB, investigating various parameters including material properties, damping variation, and their effects on interstory drift ratios and displacement patterns. The analysis revealed significant differences in seismic response, particularly for lower concrete grades, emphasizing the critical role of accurate material characterization. Displacement and acceleration distributions exhibited directional dependencies, aligning with results from existing literature and full-scale testing. Despite the strengths of the LIRA-SAPR software, certain limitations were identified, such as the inability to modify the standard hysteresis model, which lowers the accuracy of the simulation of strength and stiffness degradation. The findings suggest the necessity of modifying existing building codes to include specific acceptance criteria and updated analysis procedures tailored to the unique behaviors of LPBs. Such modifications are essential for developing effective tools for seismic performance evaluation and enhancing the resilience of these structures.

Historical collections continue to support faunistic research: the first record of Saptha divitiosa (Lepidoptera, Choreutidae) from the Nicobar Islands, India

Based on a specimen collected in the mid-19th century, the first documented record of Saptha divitiosa from the Nicobar Islands is given. This record extends and reshapes the known western limit of this species’ distribution range. Image of the specimen, as well as brief considerations on the known distribution of this species are provided. The specimen also holds a certain historical value, being collected during the first “Galathea” expedition (1845–1847).

Trabajo, género y estadísticas. La actividad económica femenina en la provincia del Maule a mediados del siglo XIX

This article reflects on female labor in Chile through the lens of statistics generated for a rural province, Maule, in the mid-19th century. It examines the dimensions of female labor and the early construction of categories to define it, as well as the distinctions made between productive activities and domestic work. The study also explores gender biases present in the sources from the period, which influenced the compilation of economic statistics and the visibility —or lack thereof— of these activities. The analysis illuminates a lesser-known phase of female labor integration and contributes to current debates by proposing an innovative intersection of perspectives that integrates economic history, labor history, and gender history.

Word association and communality of thought.

The word association task has been a standard form of assessment and research tool for over a century, used for investigating how concepts are associated with each other and how they are linked to words. In the 1950s, researchers at the Loyola University, Chicago altered the original free word association test instructions in a fundamental way. They asked participants to provide the word that they thought most other people would say. The purpose of this new manipulation was to assess peoples' ability to reflect on intrapersonal knowledge. The ideas of Henry Stack Sullivan (1892-1949) and David Rapaport (1911-1960) about the role of interpersonal relations to mental health were used to frame the approach. The concept of "communality of thought" represents the mental process that was being measured. In the mid-20th century, psychologist Vincent V. Herr, SJ (1905-1971) directed a research project exploring the relation between linguistic, cognitive, and emotional resources by testing people having various age, sociocultural, educational, and personality characteristics. The aim was to assess peoples' degree of empathy to "the unknown other." This approach represented an interesting innovation in psychological assessment. It gained little traction in the field because of a variety of contextual circumstances. The development of this assessment and the theorizing around it is revisited here to consider its significance as a means of addressing research questions in psychology, psychiatry, and linguistics on issues of interest regarding a normative notion of shared social linguistic knowledge. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

김해 대성동 93호, 94호 출토 마구와 갑주 재검토 - 유물의 傳世와 移納

The Daeseong-dong Tombs in Gimhae represent a key burial site of Early Gaya, characterized by frequent overlapping of tombs due to later constructions intruding into earlier ones. Tombs No. 93 and No. 94 exemplify this pattern, with Tomb No. 93 intruding into No. 94. Based on stratigraphic relationships and typological analysis of associated artifacts, Tomb No. 94 is dated to the third quarter of the 4th century, and Tomb No. 93 to the early 5th century—indicating a chronological gap of over 50 years. However, several artifacts from Tomb No. 93, including gilt-bronze harness pendants, bridle fittings, and scale armor, stylistically correspond to the 4th century, raising questions about their association with the tomb’s construction date. This discrepancy suggests the need for a reassessment of the depositional context and a more refined chronology of the burial. The grave goods from Tomb No. 93 can be divided into two groups: ① artifacts produced and buried during the early 5th century; and ② artifacts produced in the mid-4th century, likely associated with Tomb No. 94, but subsequently relocated during the construction of Tomb No. 93. Notably, the Glit bronze horse’s-bell reflects stylistic features of the Samyeon culture, while the scale armor displays a distinctive arrangement of perforations, characteristic of 4th-century upper-body armor. These artifacts were either originally dedicated and interred, or were reburied by transferring burial goods from Tomb No. 94 during the construction of Tomb No. 93. However, considering (1) the destruction and overlapping of the two tomb structures, (2) the nature of the items as prestige goods (or foreign-origin artifacts) of equivalent value, and (3) the time gap of more than two quarters between the two tombs, greater weight can be given to the possibility of Movement of Relics.

Cuando el pan, volvió a ser pan. Nostalgia y afectividad en el consumo del ‘pan de masa madre’

Throughout the history of bread, up until the mid-20th century, it has played a significant role in people's lives. It is not until the last third of the past century that it seems to begin losing the symbolic power it once had. For the past decade, sourdough bread has come to occupy that centrality, thanks to the creation of new spaces in cities where its production has reclaimed the artisanal, resulting in a great diversity of breads with new and rich symbolic meanings. In this article, I examine bread consumption through the experience of Noemí, who stopped consuming bread because it ceased to be an important food in her life, until she encountered 'sourdough bread' and reintroduced it into her diet through affective mechanisms and nostalgia.

Investigation of Avian Reovirus Evolution and Cross-Species Transmission in Turkey Hosts by Segment-Based Temporal Analysis

Avian reovirus (ARV) has emerged as an important pathogen in turkeys, causing economic losses through tenosynovitis, necrotizing hepatitis, immunosuppression, and enteric disease. Despite its ubiquity, the evolutionary history of ARV cross-species transmission among chickens, turkeys, and wild birds remains poorly understood, hindering effective control and surveillance. This study investigates ARV temporal phylogenetics with an emphasis on interspecies transmission in turkeys. Whole genome sequences (WGSs) from seventy-seven turkey cases and one quail case at the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, along with 74–136 segment sequences per gene from GenBank (1970–2023), were analyzed. Temporal phylogenetic analyses identified chickens as the ancestral host, with spillover into turkeys beginning in the mid-20th century, followed by stable transmission within turkey populations. Migration analyses revealed predominantly unidirectional transmission from chickens to turkeys. WGS analyses showed high variability in the M2 and σC-encoding region of the S1 segment, suggesting selective pressure on outer capsid proteins. M2, S1 σC, and L3 had the highest substitution rates, implicating their role in adaptation and antigenic diversity. These findings highlight the complexity of ARV evolution across hosts and underscore the need for robust genotyping schemes and surveillance strategies to mitigate outbreaks in poultry.

Northern Birecik (Southeastern Turkey) during the Middle Bronze Age. The Kingdoms of Uršu and Mamma in the Old Assyrian route during Kultepe Ib

The Uršu kingdom is one of the outstanding archaeological questions in the Middle Bronze Age I-II of the Middle-Upper Euphrates region, which connects with the Abarsal problem, more typical of the EB III/IV period in the same area. The Uršu (Ur-šu) kingdom, cited in Ur III texts as an important kingdom, is located in Samsat Höyük, Kazane Höyük, and traditionally in the Gaziantep area, on the right bank of the river. That is, it is located within a 40-50 km stretch around the middle Euphrates, from Carchemish to further north. Right in the middle lies the pass between Tilbes and Zeugma, where theories suggest there were two cities along the Anatolian route on either bank: Abrum on the left bank and Zaqaria (Zuqarru). The point about Kazane Höyük is that this site is associated with both Uršu and Abarsal, as well as the Amorite leader Shamshi-Adad (c. 1808-1776 BC), who is thought to have conquered the area sometime during the Middle Bronze Age (MB). Materials from MB I and MB II north of Birecik modern town (in special two cylinder seals found at Tilbes Höyük) do provide evidence of a link with the caravan route and its possible connection with the kingdom of Uršu and specially the kingdom of Mamma, and suggest the hypothesis that Tilbes Höyük was a wabartum during Kultepe Ib. The occupation of Tilbes Hoyuk during the Middle Bronze Age appears to be long-lasting, but it is interrupted before the Late Bronze Age, with no occupation until an early period of the Achaemenid presence in the region, during the Late Iron Age. One of the seals from Tilbes Höyük is anepigraphic and could well date between 19th and early 17th centuries BC, connected to the karum of Kultepe, due to its style, and therefore prior to the time of Shamshi-Adad I. The other seal bears an inscription with Middle Babylonian ductus, characteristic of a period after the disappearance of Shamshi-Adad, that is, between the mid-18th and 17th centuries BC, and characteristic of a Middle Bronze II context

Grandmother, Birth Assistant, Godmother. Grandparents and Newborns in a Spanish Mountain Village (Pedro Bernardo, Ávila, 1850-1861)

Where a grandmother was alive, she took a very active part in the care of her grandchildren, from the very beginning of their existence. There is considerable evidence for this thesis from Castilian rural communities, rooted in longstanding modes of life and with family structures that encouraged close interaction between the generations. Drawing on mid-19th century parish registers from Pedro Bernardo (Ávila) this case study analyses the ratio of grandparents who were alive or dead at the baptism of their grandchildren. Data thus obtained show that most grandchildren stood a chance to know their grandparents, with a predominance of the maternal line and of women over men. These findings are consistent with evidence on grandmothers being closely attached to their children’s children and of early symbolic ties created through baptism and the choice of a grandparent’s name for the newborn.

Tabula Rasa? A History of Fetal Learning and Neonatal Perception.

Sensory capacities of the fetus and newborn are still incompletely known. This paper delineates the history of understanding and evidence. In the 2nd century, Galen propagated the tabula rasa theory comparing newborns to a blank writing tablet, without senses of sight, hearing, taste, or smell. Somatosensory: once the microscope was available, tactile receptors were identified in mid-17th century. But the tabula rasa theory persisted, and physicians maintained until the 1980s that neonates feel no pain. Auditory: the inner ear's development begins at 10 weeks of gestation at the cochlear basis and ends at its apex at 24 weeks. Researchers believed still into the 19th century that the fetus lacked auditory sensitivity. The uterus is not a quiet place, as the fetus hears uterine vessels, maternal voice, peristalsis, diaphragmatic movement, and heartbeat. In 1980, DeCasper proved that newborns preferred hearing their mothers' voice when compared to that of another mother. The evidence is weaker for sounds originating outside the maternal body. Despite little in-utero stimulation, the newborn's visual apparatus functions from birth. Infants enter the world with innate perceptual knowledge of the human face. Olfactory: human infants are attracted by the smell of their mother's breast. It took 1500 years to discard the tabula rasa theory and to grant the newborn full personhood in the 20th century. Fetal sensory organs are developed by mid-gestation. Neonates know their mother's voice and smell, which encourages maternal contact, prudent disinfectant use, and reduced noise in the nursery.

Evolution of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Historical Milestones and Advance Developments

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has a history that is a testament to the pioneering spirit of medical innovators. It is intricately linked with the development of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) technology. The journey of ECMO can be traced back to the mid-20th century when experiments started with CPB to support patients undergoing cardiac surgery. However, it was not until the 1970s that ECMO emerged as a standalone therapy. Throughout the following decades, ECMO technology advanced rapidly, with improvements in circuit design, oxygenators, and pump technology enhancing its safety and efficacy. ECMO's versatility soon became apparent as it was employed in various clinical scenarios, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), cardiac failure, and even as a bridge to lung or heart transplantation. In recent years, efforts have focused on miniaturisation, cost reduction, and developing portable systems, enabling their use outside traditional intensive care settings. Today, ECMO remains not just a tool but a lifeline in the management of life-threatening cardiorespiratory failure. It offers hope and a second chance to patients when conventional therapies fall short, underscoring its critical importance in critical care medicine, cardiology, transplant and cardiothoracic surgery. This article provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of the history and recent advancements in ECMO.

Monitoring recent (2018–2023) glacier and rock glacier changes in Central Patagonia using high-resolution Pléiades and ALOS PRISM satellite data

Glaciers and rock glaciers are essential components of the cryosphere in the Andes of Argentina and Chile, serving as significant freshwater reservoirs and playing a crucial hydrological role as the region experiences warming and drying trends. Although the climate response of glaciers and rock glaciers can be different, studies evaluating simultaneous changes in both glaciers and rock glaciers remain scarce. Here, we analyze glacier geodetic mass balance and rock glacier surface elevation changes in the Monte San Lorenzo in Central Patagonia during 2018–2023, using sub-meter Pléiades digital elevation models (DEMs). Our findings reveal a record glacier mass loss rate (−1.49 m ± 0.16 w.e. a−1), the highest recorded in the past 60 years for this region. Elevation changes in the six studied rock glaciers ranged from slightly negative to moderately positive (+0.27 ± 0.88 m to −0.46 ± 0.81 m), with their distribution patterns suggesting the occurrence of ʿice-debris complexesʾ. Additionally, we present the first (2008–2023) rock glacier kinematic assessment in the Patagonian Andes applying feature-tracking to Pléiades and ALOS PRISM satellite images, and find median velocities ranging between 0.14 m a−1 and 0.43 m a−1. While glaciers in the region showed unprecedented negative mass balance conditions since the mid-20th century -coinciding with rising air temperatures and declining precipitation- rock glacier velocities have remained relatively stable across the two sampled epochs (2008–2018 and 2018–2023). The different response of glaciers and rock glaciers reflects the particular response mechanisms and timing in which each of them couples with the climate.

From quacker to quokka

Abstract In charting the history of Australian English, little attention has hitherto been paid to Western Australia, an extremely isolated colony established in 1829, some 40 years after the First Fleet arrived on the eastern coast. Using a historical sociolinguistic third-wave perspective, this study looks at the linguistic behaviour apparent in diaries and a memoir by two sisters born in the colony in the mid-19th century, finding unconventional spellings which may signal phonological features. Different spellings for the Indigenous loan word referring to a unique local animal, codified in present-day English as quokka, also prompt further investigation of historic records, finding that the spelling and likely pronunciation of the animal’s name has changed over time. As the source language, Nyungar, has no present-day fluent speakers, the original pronunciation of the word is uncertain, but the timing of the apparent shift of its first-syllable vowel may suggest markedness levelling in an emerging dialect.