Transformative Power Research Articles

EXPLORING THE INTERWOVEN THEMES OF GENDER DYNAMICS AND SOCIETAL CHALLENGES IN KHALED HOSSEINI'S A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Background and Purpose: This study delves into the portrayal of gender equality and women's empowerment in Khaled Hosseini's novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns, within the context of Afghan society. Recognizing the significance of literature as a mirror reflecting societal realities, this research aims to explore the multifaceted experiences of female protagonists navigating oppressive patriarchal structures and uncover the complexities of gender inequality and women's agency depicted in the novel. Methodology: Employing thematic analysis, I conducted an in-depth examination of character dynamics, societal norms, and narrative elements present in A Thousand Splendid Suns. Through a systematic exploration of themes and patterns within the text, the study elucidates the nuanced complexities of gender discrimination and women's resilience in the face of adversity. Data collection involves close reading and interpretation of the novel, supplemented by theoretical engagement with relevant literature on gender studies and Afghan society. The qualitative approach allows for a rich exploration of the experiences and perspectives of female characters within the narrative context. Findings: The findings of the analysis illuminate the pervasive discrimination, violence, and systemic oppression faced by Afghan women as depicted in the novel. Characters like Mariam and Laila exemplify the intersectionality of gender with other axes of oppression, such as class and ethnicity, highlighting the interconnected nature of social hierarchies. Despite the challenges they face, female characters demonstrate resilience and determination in challenging societal norms and asserting their autonomy. The narrative underscores the transformative power of education as a catalyst for women's empowerment, inspiring others to advocate for systemic change and justice. Contributions: This study contributes to a deeper understanding of gender dynamics and societal challenges prevalent in Afghan culture by scrutinizing the complexities of gender portrayal in literature. By shedding light on the struggles and triumphs of female characters, the research underscores the importance of promoting gender equality and women's empowerment as fundamental principles of social justice and human rights. Ultimately, A Thousand Splendid Suns serves as a powerful testament to the enduring human spirit and the transformative potential of solidarity in the face of oppression and adversity. Keywords: Oppressive male dominance, Khaled Hosseini, gender equality, women’s empowerment, A Thousand Splendid Sun. Cite as: Alqaryouti, M. H. (2024). Gender equality and women’s empowerment in A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 9(2), 490-513. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol9iss2pp490-513

From hate to harmony: Leveraging large language models for safer speech in times of COVID-19 crisis

This study investigates the rampant spread of offensive and derogatory language during the COVID-19 pandemic and aims to mitigate it through machine learning. Employing advanced Large Language Models (LLMs), the research develops a sophisticated framework adept at detecting and transforming abusive and hateful speech. The project begins by meticulously compiling a dataset, focusing specifically on Chinese language abuse and hate speech. It incorporates an extensive list of 30 pandemic-related terms, significantly enriching the resources available for this type of research. A two-tier detection model is then introduced, achieving a remarkable accuracy of 94.42 % in its first phase and an impressive 81.48 % in the second. Furthermore, the study enhances paraphrasing efficiency by integrating generative AI techniques, primarily Large Language Models, with a Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic model. This combination allows for a thorough analysis of language before and after modification. The results highlight the transformative power of these methods. They show that the rephrased statements not only reduce the initial hostility but also preserve the essential themes and meanings. This breakthrough offers users effective rephrasing suggestions to prevent the spread of hate speech, contributing to more positive and constructive public discourse.

Prediction and analysis of sea surface temperature based on LSTM-transformer model

This paper introduces a novel method for predicting sea surface temperature (SST) using a hybrid LSTM-Transformer model. The study utilizes the ERA5 dataset for SST prediction at six specific locations near China. The LSTM-Transformer model combines the temporal processing capability of LSTM with the efficient data processing power of Transformer, showing superior performance in reducing Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), as well as improving the R-squared (R²) value, compared to standalone LSTM, Transformer, and traditional Logistic Regression (LR) models. This is particularly evident in spring and autumn, indicating its robustness to seasonal changes. The model's performance varies across different geographic locations, with lower prediction errors in low-latitude and open sea areas, attributed to the less complex environmental dynamics compared to continental shelf areas. Overall, the LSTM-Transformer hybrid model presents a significant advancement in SST prediction, providing important implications for fisheries, meteorology, and climate change research.

Cultural Preservation Through Immersive Technology: The Metaverse as a Pathway to the Past

Abstract This paper explores the potential of metaverse technology for the preservation of cultural heritage while acknowledging the obstacles that come with its implementation. It begins by highlighting the importance of safeguarding cultural heritage amidst the backdrop of globalization and technological advancements. The emergence of immersive technologies which include Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and the Metaverse, is then introduced as a promising solution to address this challenge. The paper emphasises the transformative power of the metaverse in revitalising our interactions with digital content. Nevertheless, it also identifies various challenges associated with employing metaverse technology for cultural preservation. These challenges encompass technical limitations, ethical considerations regarding cultural representation and ownership, as well as concerns about privacy, data security, and digital rights management. Despite these hurdles, the research advocates for the utilization of immersive technology to protect and celebrate cultural heritage. It underscores the necessity for collaboration among stakeholders, such as technology developers, cultural institutions, communities, and policymakers, to tackle these challenges and ensure responsible and ethical preservation practices.

AI integration in business development: Ethical considerations and practical solutions

The winds of change are sweeping through the business landscape, propelled by the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI). This integration isn't merely a technological upgrade; it's a paradigm shift, unlocking a treasure trove of opportunities for companies to achieve unprecedented growth, efficiency, and innovation. Imagine AI-powered systems that analyze vast amounts of data, identify new market opportunities, predict customer behavior with uncanny accuracy, and even automating tedious tasks associated with lead generation and qualification. This is the future that AI promises, a future brimming with potential. However, the path to this future is not without its challenges. The immense power of AI comes with a critical responsibility: ensuring its ethical and responsible use. This review paper delves into the ethical considerations that businesses must navigate as they integrate AI into their business development strategies, exploring potential pitfalls like bias in algorithms, data privacy concerns, and job displacement. But fear not, for this paper doesn't just identify challenges; it also proposes practical solutions to navigate these complexities effectively. By acknowledging the potential for bias in AI algorithms and taking proactive steps to mitigate it, businesses can ensure fairness and inclusivity in their AI-driven decision-making. Imagine a team of data scientists meticulously scrutinizing training data, removing skewed information that could lead to discriminatory outcomes in lead generation or customer targeting. This commitment to responsible data practices fosters trust and ensures AI is used for good. Data privacy is another paramount concern in the age of AI. As AI systems collect and analyze vast amounts of customer data, businesses have a responsibility to safeguard this information. Imagine robust data security measures in place, protecting sensitive customer data with encryption protocols and access controls. Furthermore, fostering transparency about data collection practices and obtaining explicit consent from customers builds trust and demonstrates a commitment to responsible data stewardship. The specter of job displacement also looms large in the discussion of AI. While automation powered by AI might replace some repetitive tasks, it's important to remember that it also creates new opportunities. Imagine a world where AI handles lead scoring and qualification, freeing up human business developers to focus on high-value activities like strategic relationship building and closing deals. By investing in retraining programs and fostering a culture of continuous learning, businesses can empower their workforce to adapt and thrive in this evolving landscape.

Comparing LLMs using a Unified Performance Ranking System

Large Language Models (LLMs) have transformed natural language processing and AI-driven applications. These advances include OpenAI’s GPT, Meta’s LLaMA, and Google’s PaLM. These advances have happened quickly. Finding a common metric to compare these models presents a substantial barrier for researchers and practitioners, notwithstanding their transformative power. This research proposes a novel performance ranking metric to satisfy the pressing demand for a complete evaluation system. Our statistic comprehensively compares LLM capacities by combining qualitative and quantitative evaluations. We examine the advantages and disadvantages of top LLMs by thorough benchmarking, providing insightful information on how they compare performance. This project aims to progress the development of more reliable and effective language models and make it easier to make well-informed decisions when choosing models.

From Classroom to Economy: The Transformative Power of Educational Economics in China

Educational economics not only promotes educational reform and development, but also injects strong impetus into economic growth. The government has continuously increased investment in education, especially in the field of basic education, which has significantly improved the overall education level. However, the uneven distribution of educational resources and the tendency of exam-oriented education still need to be solved. In contrast, Japan has cultivated a large number of high-quality talents with its refined education concept and efficient education system, which has had a far-reaching impact on economic development. Through comparative analysis, this paper points out the key role of educational economics in promoting educational equity, improving educational quality and promoting economic transformation and upgrading. In the future, educational economics needs to continue to deepen its research, optimize the allocation of educational resources, and promote the closer combination of education and economy to meet the challenges and opportunities in the era of globalization.

Applications of Homomorphic Encryption in Secure Computation

Background Homomorphic encryption (HE) represents a pivotal innovation in modern cryptography, offering a pathway to secure computation on encrypted data. This paper embarks on a comprehensive exploration of HE's applications, elucidating its transformative potential in bolstering data security and privacy across various domains. Methods The research employs a mixed-methods approach to evaluate HE technologies. Quantitatively, it develops realistic datasets simulating healthcare and financial data, assessing HE's performance in encrypted computations. Various encryption schemes are rigorously tested for efficiency and accuracy under different conditions. Qualitatively, insights from expert interviews and case studies of HE implementations provide additional context on practical challenges and strategic benefits. Results The simulations and analyses showcase the efficiency, scalability, and security of HE techniques in diverse scenarios. The empirical evidence validates the real-world applicability of HE, demonstrating its versatility and efficacy in secure computation outsourcing, privacy-preserving data analysis, and secure multi-party computation. Conclusions This research paper highlights the transformative power of homomorphic encryption, advocating for its widespread adoption and integration. By bridging the gap between theoretical understanding and practical implementation, the paper contributes to advancing secure computation practices, addressing contemporary challenges in data security and privacy amidst evolving cybersecurity threats and the increasing ubiquity of sensitive data. In essence, this research serves as a beacon of insight into the future of data confidentiality and integrity, promoting HE as a crucial tool for revolutionizing the landscape of data security and privacy in an interconnected world.

Increasing the diversity of the teaching workforce: a review of minority teacher candidates’ recruitment, retention, and experiences in initial teacher education

ABSTRACT Diversifying the teaching profession is critical for social justice and equity in education. Yet, teacher candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds remain underrepresented in initial teacher education (ITE) programmes in many countries. This paper reports on a review of 40 studies that examine the experiences of minority teacher candidates and the strategies to improve their recruitment and retention. Findings reveal structural and institutional barriers that affect minority teacher candidates’ experiences and their transformative power and agency to navigate these challenges. Recruitment and retention strategies are identified. This paper contributes to the discourse on equity, diversity, and inclusion in teacher education and offers insights for policymakers and ITE providers. Implications for policies and practice are discussed.

DiffPROTACs is a deep learning-based generator for proteolysis targeting chimeras.

PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs) has recently emerged as a promising technology. However, the design of rational PROTACs, especially the linker component, remains challenging due to the absence of structure-activity relationships and experimental data. Leveraging the structural characteristics of PROTACs, fragment-based drug design (FBDD) provides a feasible approach for PROTAC research. Concurrently, artificial intelligence-generated content has attracted considerable attention, with diffusion models and Transformers emerging as indispensable tools in this field. In response, we present a new diffusion model, DiffPROTACs, harnessing the power of Transformers to learn and generate new PROTAC linkers based on given ligands. To introduce the essential inductive biases required for molecular generation, we propose the O(3) equivariant graph Transformer module, which augments Transformers with graph neural networks (GNNs), using Transformers to update nodes and GNNs to update the coordinates of PROTAC atoms. DiffPROTACs effectively competes with existing models and achieves comparable performance on two traditional FBDD datasets, ZINC and GEOM. To differentiate the molecular characteristics between PROTACs and traditional small molecules, we fine-tuned the model on our self-built PROTACs dataset, achieving a 93.86% validity rate for generated PROTACs. Additionally, we provide a generated PROTAC database for further research, which can be accessed at https://bailab.siais.shanghaitech.edu.cn/service/DiffPROTACs-generated.tgz. The corresponding code is available at https://github.com/Fenglei104/DiffPROTACs and the server is at https://bailab.siais.shanghaitech.edu.cn/services/diffprotacs.

Redefining Vygotsky’s early works as a theory of aesthetics

The paper critically examines Lev Vygotsky’s art-related texts from 1915 to 1924, challenging interpretations based in Psychology by asserting that his aesthetic framework transcends outdated objectivist references, offering a nuanced philosophical perspective. Situating this within post-1917 Revolutionary Russia, the study explores its alignment with the visions of a ‘Revolutionary’ theatre for the ‘new human being’ in the Russian Futurist movement. It underscores Vygotsky’s pursuit of empirical evidence for understanding theatre’s impact on individuals and society, highlighting Marxist dialectics as the backbone of his aesthetic thought. Moreover, it establishes a connection between Vygotsky’s thought and Formalism, rooted in their shared emphasis on art’s structural features and links his ideas with Futurism, exploring their shared belief in the transformative power of form as a crucial element in provoking social change. The paper defines Vygotsky’s aesthetics, focusing on integral aspects of artistic reception, particularly emotion and imagination. It traces the shifts in Vygotsky’s understanding of these terms from his early reliance on psychoanalysis to the incorporation of dialectic and, later, cultural-historical perspectives, thus integrating Vygotsky’s later theories on human psychology into his aesthetic theory. The paper concludes by exploring the resonance between Vygotsky’s redefined aesthetics and contemporary Cognitive Theatre Studies. It draws attention to methodological convergence and shared insights on the interplay between natural and cultural influences, such as image schemas and conceptual blending, emphasising the enduring relevance of Vygotsky’s perspective on artistic structure and theatre’s transformative socio-political impact.

Tourism destination stereotypes and generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) generated images

ABSTRACT Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has started transforming the tourism industry with wide research implications. While recognising its transformative power, tourism literature failed to identify the dark side of GenAI. Using advanced image analytics across 10 tourism destinations, this research investigates how GenAI-generated images reinforce tourism destination stereotypes. Our findings reveal that GenAI tends to generate highly homogenised images, which cannot fully capture the diversity of destinations, leading to stereotypes. This study advances extant tourism literature by providing critical insights into the complex relationships between generative artificial intelligence and tourism.

Advancement in transformer fault diagnosis technology

The transformer plays a critical role in maintaining the stability and smooth operation of the entire power system, particularly in power transmission and distribution. The paper begins by providing an overview of traditional fault diagnosis methods for transformers, including dissolved gas analysis and vibration analysis techniques, elucidating their developmental trajectory. Building upon these traditional methods, numerous researchers have aimed to enhance and optimize them through intelligent technologies such as neural networks, machine learning, and support vector machines. These researchers have addressed common issues in traditional fault diagnosis methods, such as the low correlation between characteristic parameters and faults, ambiguous fault descriptions, and the complexity of feature analysis. However, due to the complexity of transformer structures and the uncertainties in operating environments, the collection and analysis of characteristic parameters becomes highly intricate. Researchers have further refined algorithms and feature values based on intelligent diagnostic algorithms for transformers. The goal is to improve diagnostic speed, mitigate the impact of measurement noise, and further advance the adaptability of artificial intelligence technology in the field of transformers. On the other hand, the excellent multi-parameter analysis capability of artificial intelligence technology is more suitable for transformer diagnostic techniques that involve the fusion of multiple information sources. Through the powerful data acquisition, processing, and decision-making capabilities provided by intelligent algorithms, it can comprehensively analyze non-electrical parameters such as oil and gas characteristics, vibration signals, temperature, along with electrical parameters like short-circuit reactance and load ratio. Moreover, it can automatically analyze the inherent relationship between faults and characteristic quantities and provide decision-making suggestions. This technique plays a pivotal role in ensuring transformer safety and power network security, emerging as a prominent direction in transformer fault diagnosis research.

Role of Fintech in Accelerating Financial Inclusion

Sustainable economic growth depends heavily on financial inclusion or the accessibility and availability of financial services to all people and enterprises. Fintech, a combination of finance and technology, produces innovative solutions for people and businesses and has become an effective tool for attaining financial inclusion on a worldwide scale. This article explores the transformative power of Fintech in promoting financial inclusion and focuses on the challenges of adopting Fintech. Global and national leaders must reduce the digital divide between and within nations in order to benefit from digital financial services and create inclusive societies. This will address growing disparities that have arisen during and after the continuing crisis. To ensure adequate competition, it is necessary to strike a balance between promoting financial innovation and mitigating various risks, such as inadequate consumer protection, low financial and digital literacy, uneven access to digital infrastructure, and data biases that require national action. Additionally, money laundering and cyber risks must be addressed through international agreements and information sharing, including on antitrust laws.

A Phenomenological Exploration of Physicians' Moral Distress: Situating Emotion Within Lived Experiences.

Physicians often experience moral distress from being prevented from taking what they believe to be the right course of action. Although causes and consequences of moral distress have been studied, little research offers insight into the significance of feeling morally challenged, especially in medicine. This study was undertaken to advance understanding of what physicians experience when encountering morally challenging situations and to examine how those experiences influence their interactions with the world of health care. Guided by hermeneutic phenomenology, the authors conducted semistructured interviews with purposefully sampled Canadian physicians from September 2022 to January 2023. Analysis used Van Manen's 6 activities of hermeneutic research and included "story crafting" to sharpen insights. Late in that process, Van Manen's "lived existentials" was determined to provide a strong framework for physicians' experiences of moral distress. Of the 12 physicians interviewed, all experienced varied and long-lasting emotional reactions to morally challenging experiences. The emotions associated with moral distress, reported as inevitable, were experienced in ways that aligned with the lived existentials of body, space, time, and relations. A richer understanding of physicians' lived experiences with moral distress can help mentors and educators more thoughtfully engage in conversations about it with colleagues and learners. This study highlights the core dimensions of moral distress through body, space, time, and relations, thereby providing a means to enrich discussion about emotions and their transformational power. Through such nuanced consideration, calls for emotional candor may be strengthened to enhance practice by acknowledging the scope of impact that efforts to deliver care are likely to provoke.

A New Experience for Integration of Section and Model: A Case Report

Architectural education inherently requires continuity. The transformative power of the world, which people have experienced in the last 5 years with crises such as pandemics and earthquakes, has changed and forced the form, style and tools of this continuity. Architectural design education, which was shaped on the axis of a studio culture, had to cope with the ruptures and transitions of a new phase. This case report aims to convey an experience that brought together the adaptation of face-to-face education of the students after the online education and the section-model practice that the studio tutors have experienced before. Since the study tries to repair the correlations between the continuity, ruptures and transitions of architectural design education, integration of section and model has been re-engaged in the studio. The study group consists of architecture students who switched to online education after the February 2023 earthquakes and started face-to-face education again in the fall semester of 2023/2024. As a result, well-thought models, few experiments on the models and quick transfers to digital programs were revealed as three main tendencies in the studio. In conclusion, the adaptation of the student on the axis of continuity and to reinforce the design productivity, design problem-solving skills and the habit of doing design research tried to provide.

From Detection to Therapy: The Transformative Power of Radiology in Oncology

Radiology has become a fundamental component of oncology, transforming cancer detection, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring. This review provides an in-depth analysis of radiology's transformative role in oncology, covering advancements from early detection to therapeutic interventions. It emphasizes the crucial role of advanced imaging technologies such as MRI, CT, PET, and ultrasound in enhancing diagnostic accuracy and staging, and the integration of functional and molecular imaging in understanding tumor biology. The review also examines the significant impact of image-guided interventions and precision radiotherapy in improving treatment outcomes. Emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and hybrid imaging, are explored for their potential to further elevate cancer care standards. By synthesizing recent developments and future directions, this review highlights radiology's pivotal role in achieving better clinical outcomes and advancing personalized oncology care.

33rd Delphine Hanna Lecture What Do You Do with an Idea? Transform!

ABSTRACT This lecture explores the profound impact of idea development as a catalyst for transformative change across the field of Kinesiology. It discusses how the nurturing of burgeoning concepts fuels innovation, propelling our field toward progress and empowerment. Emphasizing the iterative process of idea refinement, this paper underscores how the cultivation of creativity and problem-solving skills leads to groundbreaking solutions for global challenges in Kinesiology. By recognizing the transformative power of idea development, stakeholders can harness its momentum to shape a future characterized by ingenuity and sustainable development of our field.

Transcending Boundaries: The Role of Literature in Challenging Social Norms and Redefining Perspectives on Migration and Cultural Marginality Through the Works of Halaby, Lahiri, and Hamid

This study aims to examine the transformative power of literature in challenging prevailing social norms and reshaping perspectives on migration, alterity, and cultural marginalization. Focusing on the novels Once in a Promised Land by Layla Halaby, The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri, and Exit West by Mohsin Hamid, the analysis examines the representation of the individual Other, challenging stereotypes, and highlighting the characters’ personal and political traumas. The concept of nowhereness, which stands for the emotional and psychological state of migrants moving in unfamiliar cities, is explored, highlighting the paradoxical experience of simultaneous death and rebirth. The characters in these novels are in a deep state of emptiness, serving as “citizens in waiting and deportees in waiting.” Their experiences in the liminal space of waiting are closely intertwined, creating a shared temporal landscape that enriches the exploration of the complexity of migrants. In this regard, the authors challenge the conventional tactics of silencing voices and concealing images to transform the harrowing ordeals of the Other into a powerful means of social introspection. The authors engage with Western hegemony and imperialism, seeking to inspire understanding and admiration for subaltern cultures that are marginalized by the Western world.

Analyzing transformational role of black women entrepreneurs in Brazilian beauty sector

Purpose This study aims to explore the concept of transformational entrepreneurship (TE), which is relevant in emerging economies such as Brazil with its elevated level of unemployment, taxes and interest rates along with elevated levels of institutional voids, and how firms are including purpose as part of their goals and strategies. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on a multiple case study of six Afro-entrepreneurs, participants of a consulting project from Sebrae, the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service, a private entity that promotes the competitiveness and sustainable development of micro and small business enterprises (Sebrae, 2022). Findings This work studied the transformational power of entrepreneurship and how six beauty salons led by black women have the ability to not only generate income but also contribute to social and cultural aspects. Practical implications This work demonstrates how TE has the potential to improve the lives of a population that has historically been marginalized and faces the lived consequences of socioeconomic discrimination. Originality/value This paper provides valuable contributions through a case study of transformational, ethnic and women’s entrepreneurship, not very explored in the literature.