Pivotal Moment Research Articles

‘Satrah Din, Satrah Saal’: Media, Propaganda and Virtual Warfare in the India-Pakistan War of 1965

The 1965 India-Pakistan War, also known as the Second Kashmir War or the ‘Seventeen-Day War’, is usually understood through the lens of military history, regional geopolitics and the long-standing ‘Kashmir question’. This article looks instead to the construction of social and political meaning around the conflict through an examination of the war’s mediatisation in Pakistan. An analysis of different media forms—including radio broadcasts, news dailies, press photography and popular poetry—reveals how a war imaginary was shaped by both domestic crises and global ideological dissension, extending beyond the notion of a timeless Indo-Pak enmity. Taking place at a pivotal moment in the global Cold War, public narratives were built upon not only state agendas but also popular concerns regarding militarism, sovereignty and the politics of aid. These framings ultimately illustrate the deeper entanglements that exist between war, media and mass publics—extending beyond the goals of wartime propaganda alone to produce new national imaginaries and collective subjectivities.

The use of dolphins at Melka Excelsior Dolphin and Wildlife Resort in Lovina, Bali, Indonesia: a study of visitor experiences and ethical implications through netnographic research

ABSTRACT The closure of Melka Excelsior Dolphin and Wildlife Resort in Lovina, Bali, in Indonesia was prompted by the confiscation of its dolphins and mounting pressure from animal welfare advocates, marking a pivotal moment in the discourse surrounding the use of dolphins in Indonesia’s hospitality and tourism industry. To gain insights into visitor experiences and perceptions during the resort’s operation, this netnographic study analyses 128 guest reviews from TripAdvisor. The findings underscore the significance of considering animal welfare and aligning with environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles. In the context of responsible wildlife tourism, the study emphasises the urgent need for an ethical approach to animal treatment in the tourism and hospitality sector. The analysis reveals varying guest experiences, with some expressing satisfaction and delight with the dolphin encounters, while others voice genuine concern and reservations about the animals’ well-being, highlighting diverse perspectives on the use of dolphins. The study recommends prioritising animal welfare, raising awareness through education, supporting research and conservation initiatives, fostering stakeholder collaboration, and monitoring the impacts of tourism activities. By implementing these recommendations, the hospitality and tourism industry can cultivate a sustainable and responsible approach to dolphin-related tourism that prioritises the well-being of dolphins and advances conservation efforts, steering away from practices involving captivity.

The Prosaics of Weak Grammar: Novel Theory at the Crossroads of Linguistic Transformation

Abstract Novelistic sentences dramatically simplified in structure and contracted in length throughout the 1800s and early 1900s. This article places these changes within the longer process of grammatical “weakening” (the loss of inflection for regular order). Building on the linguist Otto Jespersen's theorization of the relationship between grammar and social change, the article argues that the grammar of modern novels, irrespective of their representational content or individuating style, has a proleptic relation to the rise of mass society. The problems that Georg Lukács and Theodor Adorno would articulate in terms of reification and alienation are already enacted grammatically as words break down into their linguistic properties and increasingly derive their meaning through placement. The article focuses on three pivotal moments of this development: the “prosification,” or the virtual conflation of poetic and prosaic syntax, in the Romantic era; the conspicuous intensification of uninflected prose that is generally taken to be the stylistic innovation of the modernist era exemplified by Virginia Woolf; and the sedimentation of syntax into generic idioms in subsequent decades in such writers as Doris Lessing and Samuel Beckett. Novelistic grammar, precisely by prefiguring the social changes to come, models a rationality that constrains the possibilities of moving past those changes. By analyzing the contradictions constitutive of novelistic grammar, this article questions what is reinforced or foreclosed in the endless generativity of grammar.

Analysis of abnormal returns and trading volume activity before and after the announcement of the implementation of new normal

The announcement of the New Normal implementation on June 1, 2020 is anticipated to serve as a pivotal moment poised to revitalize the previously sluggish Indonesian Capital Market during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The purpose of this study was to see whether there were differences in abnormal returns and trading volume activity between before and after the announcement of the implementation of the New Normal in Indonesia. This type of research is comparative quantitative research with an event study approach in hotel, restaurant and tourism companies. The population in this research is all company shares listed on the Indonesian capital market until 2020, totaling 711 company shares. The sample selection used purposive sampling, resulting in a research sample of 37 company shares. The observation period was carried out for 15 days, namely 7 days before, 7 days after, and 1 day of the New Normal event in Indonesia. The analysis technique uses Descriptive Statistics Test, Normality Test and Hypothesis Test. The results of the study show that there is no significant difference in abnormal returns and trading volume activity between before and after the announcement of the implementation of the New Normal in Indonesia. This proves that there is still information asymmetry between market participants regarding the announcement of the implementation of the New Normal in Indonesia which causes the market not to react to this event.

The Story of the Dilli Durbar of 1911

The Delhi Durbar of 1911 represents a pivotal moment in the annals of British India, epitomizing the zenith of imperial authority and showcasing the opulence and splendor of the British Raj. Hosted in Delhi, the capital of British India, this grand event served as a platform for King George V, the British monarch, to assert his dominion and consolidate control over the subcontinent. This paper extensively examines the significance of the Delhi Durbar of 1911 in the context of both Indian history and the evolution of Delhi, delving into its historical backdrop, the motives driving its organization, its ceremonial intricacies, and its enduring impact on the Indian nationalist movement. The Delhi Durbar of 1911 emerges as a potent emblem of fortitude, defiance, and the unyielding determination of a populace striving for emancipation. It can be asserted that this event remains a watershed moment not only in the narrative of British India, signifying the pinnacle of imperial dominance and providing insight into the intricate interplay between the colonizers and the colonized, but also in the history of Delhi itself, influencing its urban, demographic, and architectural evolution in significant ways. This paper endeavours to establish the Delhi Durbar of 1911 as a crucial focal point for the examination of Delhi's role first as the capital of the British Empire and subsequently as the capital of independent India. The carefully curated Bibliography presented in this paper serves as a valuable resource for scholars and enthusiasts of Delhi, offering a means to consolidate dispersed knowledge about this momentous event and accord it its rightful place in the layered history of Delhi as both an imperial and national capital.

KEGIATAN FUN KEMERDEKAAN 17 AGUSTUS BAGI ANAK-ANAK PANTI ASUHAN GRAHA YATIM DAN DHU'AFA (GRAY) YAYASAN HARAPAN ROBBANI


 
 
 
 The activity "Fun Independence Day on August 17 for Children of Graha Yatim and Dhu'afa Orphanage (GRAY) under the Hope Robbani Foundation" is a community service program aimed at providing valuable and festive experiences in celebrating Indonesia's Independence Day for children residing at the Graha Yatim and Dhu'afa Orphanage managed by the Hope Robbani Foundation. This activity is held to instill a sense of nationalism and love for the homeland from a young age, and to create memorable moments for children who may not have had the opportunity to fully celebrate independence. The event will involve the Association of Information Systems Student (Himasi) and several lecturers. The planned series of activities include various enjoyable and educational events, such as marbles competitions, cracker-eating contests, balloon-blowing, traditional Indonesian games, as well as the distribution of small prizes to children as a token of appreciation for their participation. In addition to the celebratory activities, this event will also encompass educational sessions with the aim of enhancing the children's understanding of the significance of Indonesia's Independence Day on August 17 and the nation's struggle to attain freedom. Through storytelling, presentations, and interactive games, the children will be introduced to national hero figures and pivotal moments in Indonesia's history. This initiative serves as a small yet meaningful step in building a foundation of patriotism and communal values among the young generation of Indonesia, and actively contributes to fostering positive community development through dedicated service.
 
 
 

THE ROLE OF ONLINE LEARNING PLATFORMS IN EDUCATION

Digitization of education is a significant trend for reform and modernization in the global education environment. Digitization refers to the conversion of various information sources, such as texts, sounds, images, and videos, into digital language. Several analysts, including Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web, consider the emergence and growth of online education as a pivotal moment in the history of education. The European Union has adopted a digitalization approach to education. The EU 2020 education development plan focuses on digital technology, which was adopted in 2014. The primary goal of this document was to make effective progress in the field of information technology by integrating modern technologies and using technology alongside education. After conducting a comparative analysis of the existing conceptual apparatus, we have identified several fundamental concepts related to this problem area. Text, graphics, and multimedia information placed on Internet sites (servers) are commonly understood as Internet resources. This information is delivered to the user's computer in the form of a set of files or documents (including an archive) in various formats, such as HTML, DOC, PDF, and TXT. Internet resources also encompass executable programs placed on servers (distribution), which can be transferred to the user's computer for further use upon request. This article discusses how the concept of Internet portals is being used to address this problem, which is relevant across all areas of human activity influenced by the Internet. By creating a unified platform that aggregates and organizes educational resources, Internet portals can significantly enhance the accessibility and effectiveness of education. Keywords: Internet resources, effectiveness of education, digitization.

Development and Decolonisation: the 1964 UN Conference on Trade and Development and the Independence of Papua New Guinea

ABSTRACT The 1964 UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is often presented as a pivotal moment in the post-Second World War relations between the Global North and Global South. At this conference, Australian policymakers devised a Middle Zone policy that sought to present Australia as neither ‘developed’ nor ‘developing’. This had significant consequences for the colonial administration of Papua New Guinea (PNG), which Australia administered as a UN Trust Territory. In the two decades following the Second World War, Australia had administered PNG in a way that promoted gradual development, arguing that the road to independence would be a slow one. By 1964, however, international pressure (exemplified by the call for UNCTAD) had made this policy less viable. This article examines the impact of UNCTAD on the decolonisation of PNG, as it sparked an acceleration of calls for PNG independence in the second half of the 1960s. The Conference also prompted indigenous leaders within PNG to engage with the increasingly diverse field of development in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Local leaders, such as Michael Somare, became increasingly prominent as decolonisation loomed large. Their developmental approaches, informed by other movements within the Global South, steadily became a part of the plan for an independent PNG. UNCTAD can be seen as a starting point for this process. By examining the connections between the 1964 UNCTAD and the decolonisation of PNG, this paper adds a new dimension to the scholarship of the Conference as well as the process of decolonisation in the Pacific.

Current State of Human Gene Therapy: Approved Products and Vectors.

In the realm of gene therapy, a pivotal moment arrived with Paul Berg's groundbreaking identification of the first recombinant DNA in 1972. This achievement set the stage for future breakthroughs. Conditions once considered undefeatable, like melanoma, pancreatic cancer, and a host of other ailments, are now being addressed at their root cause-the genetic level. Presently, the gene therapy landscape stands adorned with 22 approved in vivo and ex vivo products, including IMLYGIC, LUXTURNA, Zolgensma, Spinraza, Patisiran, and many more. In this comprehensive exploration, we delve into a rich assortment of 16 drugs, from siRNA, miRNA, and CRISPR/Cas9 to DNA aptamers and TRAIL/APO2L, as well as 46 carriers, from AAV, AdV, LNPs, and exosomes to naked mRNA, sonoporation, and magnetofection. The article also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each product and vector type, as well as the current challenges faced in the practical use of gene therapy and its future potential.

“Receive the Holy Spirit”

A pivotal moment in the Gospel of John comes when the resurrected Jesus breathes the Spirit into his disciples and sends them as he was sent. The double thrust of Johannine spirituality is desiring Jesus and desiring what he desires: on the one hand, going deeper into relationship with Jesus in trust, understanding and love; and, on the other hand, going deeper into the world now, inspired by how Jesus was sent, with learning, praying, and loving as the core practices of disciples.

From Private Circles to Public Circulation: Aldus Manutius & the Emergence of the “Public Sphere” in Renaissance Italy

The establishment of the Aldine Press in 1494 marked a pivotal moment in the history of printing and publishing in Western Europe. The range of technological and typographical innovations introduced by Renaissance educator-turned-publisher Aldus Manutius (ca. 1451–1515), as well as their lasting impact on our cultural history, has been extensively documented. However, a key aspect of Aldus’s larger cultural and intellectual mission remains understudied and merits further attention: the cultivation of a “rational-critical” literary public through the printing and wide circulation of high-quality editions of classical works. Drawing from critical reformulations of Habermas’s theory of “the public sphere” (specifically as revisited by Michael Warner), this paper seeks to investigate and understand how, and to what extent, Aldus’s expansive *pedagogical* and *civic* project contributed to the development of a proto-form of public discourse, in the modern sense, by leveraging the potential of the printing press to reach wider publics, beyond private familial and scholarly circles.

Black bodies and French colonial history: Beyoncé and Jay Z’s ‘Apeshit’ at the Louvre

In June of 2018, Beyoncé and Jay-Z (under the name The Carters) released the music video for their song ‘Apeshit’, from the album Everything Is Love, set in the Louvre Museum in Paris. Through an agreement with the Louvre, The Carters were given free rein to film in front of some of the most famous art pieces in the world. This article focuses on five instances, within the music video, where the juxtaposition between either The Carters and/or their dancers, and certain works of art, merits analysis within the French colonial and postcolonial context. Under consideration are the following scenes: first is the dance scene in front of David’s The Coronation of Napoléon (1807); the second is in front of the Great Sphinx of Tanis (2600 BCE); the third is in front of Géricault’s The Charging Chasseur (1812); the fourth is a scene in a locker room that pans to a bedroom (‘Apeshit’ 00:02:31–00:02:36); the fifth and final is ‘the hair-combing scene’ in front of DaVinci’s Mona Lisa. Each of these scenes speaks to pivotal moments in French colonial and postcolonial history, and through the analysis of the lyrics of the song and the historical context, I provide insight into the rich and deep meaning behind the specific art choices made by The Carters, within the Louvre, for their music video.

Axó of the spider woman: Black activism in Goya Lopes’s patterned fabrics

This article delves into the remarkable work and journey of Goya Lopes, an Afro-Brazilian designer, entrepreneur and activist. It explores the intersection of fashion and art within her designs of patterned fabrics, which encompass a wide range of everyday and unique garments, household items and more. The discussion highlights pivotal moments in Lopes’s career, including her 2008 solo exhibition The African Diaspora in Brazil, her collaborative book Imagens da Diáspora (‘Images of the diaspora’) with Brazilian historian Gustavo Falcón in 2010 and her 2017 installation Sentidos Afro-Baianos (‘Afro-Bahian senses’). Through examining select fabric patterns, the article unveils their significance as integral components of Lopes’s ongoing anti-racist activism, which has spanned over five decades from the region of Bahia in northeastern Brazil. Lastly, it delves into Lopes’s unique conceptualization of her fabrics as axós, drawing on the Yoruba term for aso (‘cloth’), and highlights their role as empowering, protective and militant Afro-diasporic mantles. The article underscores how Lopes employs fashion design as a form of activism and a subtle yet potent means to propagate political ideas.

Reconstructing #NotMyPM from the #backdoorgovernment: a social actor analysis of Muhyiddin Yassin

In March 2020, Muhyiddin Yassin assumed power following Mahathir Mohamad’s resignation. However, his rise to office triggered significant backlash, with the hashtag “NotMyPM” trending on Twitter, reflecting widespread public discontent. This sentiment was rooted in the perception that his ascendancy contravened the people’s mandate and the democratic values upheld in Malaysia, resulting in his government being dubbed the ‘backdoor government.’ Amid the dual challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and a pivotal moment for democracy, this paper contends that a strategically constructed portrayal of Muhyiddin Yassin possesses the capacity to sway public sentiment directly or indirectly, thereby reshaping negative perceptions of his government. Drawing on van Leeuwen’s socio-semantic Social Actor Representation (SAR) framework, we analyze the strategies employed by the local news sites in their portrayal of Muhyiddin Yassin when reporting his first speech as prime minister on the second Economic Stimulus Package (ESP) in March 2020. The findings unveil a consistent utilization of distinct linguistic features and strategies across various online news platforms, effectively contributing to the cultivation of Muhyiddin Yassin’s image as a responsible and trustworthy leader.

Strategies for enhancing the resilience of rural teachers from the perspective of Chinese rural school principals, in the post-pandemic period

The impact of pandemic control measures on student education in rural areas of China, particularly focusing on the challenges faced by educators. With the adoption of diverse pedagogical methods like online education during the pandemic, little attention has been given to the specific struggles of teachers in rural regions. The pandemic has exacerbated existing issues, leading to an alarming increase in rural teacher attrition. High turnover rates have detrimental effects on educational excellence, school culture, and the overall cohesion of educational institutions. Furthermore, the costs incurred to recruit and train new instructors in impoverished or remote communities pose additional challenges. As China lifts COVID-19 restrictions in 2022, a pivotal moment emerges for the advancement of rural education. To address challenges and support early-career teachers’ resilience, a comprehensive understanding of the rural educational environment is crucial. By prioritizing the well-being and needs of new teachers, education leaders can provide effective support and resources in the post-pandemic era, leading to a more optimistic scholastic atmosphere and improved student achievement.

Балканский полуостров в 1912–1913 годы и обострение ситуации накануне Первой мировой войны

The key issues of increasing international tension on the Balkan Peninsula before the First World War are considered. The subject of the study is the Balkan Peninsula, located at the crossroads of civilizations, which has been the sphere of geopolitical interests of various coalitions for thousands of years. The Balkan Wars of 1912-1913 are presented as a pivotal moment in the history of the peninsula in the 20th century. First of all, the process of national liberation of the territories of the Balkans from Ottoman rule, as well as the process of military actions aimed at gaining independence, is considered. The article analyzes the importance played by the countries of the Balkan peninsula during the Balkan Wars of 1912-1913, and also shows the actions of these countries to form the moods they need to achieve the greatest territorial gains. At the same time, the role of the great powers, primarily Russia, in the process of the Balkan conflicts is analyzed. The chronicle of the foreign policy events of the early 20th century related to Russia's participation in the solution of the Balkan issue is researched. On the basis of publications of that time, the existing image of Bulgaria and Serbia is reconstructed, an attempt is made to restore the real picture of the life of these states on the eve of the First World War and its features, to understand the peculiarity of Westernization “in the Balkan way”. The complex of the two Balkan wars of 1912-1913 is considered primarily as a basis for the development of the future conflictogenicity of the region, which led to the First World War.

RNA-based medicine: from molecular mechanisms to therapy.

RNA-based therapeutics have the potential to revolutionize the treatment and prevention of human diseases. While early research faced setbacks, it established the basis for breakthroughs in RNA-based drug design that culminated in the extraordinarily fast development of mRNA vaccines to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. We have now reached a pivotal moment where RNA medicines are poised to make a broad impact in the clinic. In this review, we present an overview of different RNA-based strategies to generate novel therapeutics, including antisense and RNAi-based mechanisms, mRNA-based approaches, and CRISPR-Cas-mediated genome editing. Using three rare genetic diseases as examples, we highlight the opportunities, but also the challenges to wide-ranging applications of this class of drugs.

An assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on digital payments by households

The COVID-19 lockdown in India marked a pivotal moment in the adoption of digital payment methods. Beyond the conventional demographic factors that have typically been scrutinized in literature concerning payment preferences, our research highlights the considerable influence of factors such as awareness of digital payment options, smartphone and debit card accessibility, as well as government social assistance initiatives during the pandemic. Interestingly, individuals who had previously abandoned digital payments due to negative experiences reverted to these modes during this period. Our study, based on a survey conducted with 200 households in Pune, investigates the effects of COVID-19 on digital payments for household expenses. The findings of our research reveal a substantial positive impact on domestic payments within households as a direct result of the pandemic. This development is particularly encouraging as India strives to materialize its vision of becoming a highly digitized economy.

The Development of Digital Competencies in Pre-Service Teachers

Even before the Covid-19 pandemic created a historic pivotal moment for teacher training programmes on a global scale, the development of digital competencies has been regarded as a focal point for teachers. Tertiary institutions had just become accustomed to including technology in their curricula when Covid-19 forced a critical re-evaluation of the current practice. In a mere matter of days, the use of technology was not only a point for discussion anymore; it was lived. The ability of teacher educators to teach with technology had a direct impact on student success. Connectivity, access to suitable devices and sustainable training and support were now important considerations for teacher educators. The harsh reality soon became clear: Although some tertiary institutions could support pre-service teachers regarding access, connectivity and suitable devices, many students lacked the digital competencies to use the technology required for academic progress and success. It is evident that, in post-Covid-19 academia, the enhancement of digital competencies will remain a priority for teacher training programmes. The integration of digital competencies with content and pedagogical knowledge is essential for the successful training of future teachers. This article thus reflects on the efforts of a tertiary institution in South Africa to address the inclusion of technology in its curriculum through newly developed content that focuses on the enhancement of digital competency. Recommendations indicate that the effective inclusion of technology and digital competencies does not have to include major curricular changes but should rather become embedded within modules such as teaching practice.

“Sacred and Beautiful”: The Lived Experience of Slovak Women who had a Planned Homebirth

Abstract While many Western countries do legally permit homebirths under certain conditions, in the Slovak Republic they exist in a legal vacuum – they are neither permitted nor prohibited. In the present study, we aimed to explore how Slovak women who deliberately delivered at home perceive the reason for this decision and the subsequent homebirth itself. We interviewed eight women aged 21 to 36 and analysed the transcripts using the interpretative phenomenological analysis framework. The analysis revealed four major themes – (1) the sacredness of childbirth, (2) the aspiration to be the director of your childbirth, (3) homebirth as an expression of the need for intimacy, and (4) the struggle with one’s social circle. Childbirth is seen as an ultimate act of nature defined by its beauty and purity, but these qualities are tainted by biomedical approach of healthcare providers. The results of this study suggest that women’s needs of autonomy, relatedness, and inclusion are not properly met by Slovak health care and obstetrics. Stricter adherence to the principle of informed consent during hospital births, and legalisation and regulation of homebirths could reduce medical risks during childbirth and improve women’s mental well-being during and after a pivotal moment in their life.