21st Century Research Articles

Factors Associated with the Adaptation of Freelancing by Selected State University Students in Sri Lanka

The freelance career model has become a global trend in the 21st century, especially popular among the younger generation. Freelancing refers to a work arrangement where individuals offer their services to clients or businesses on a project-by-project basis, working independently with multiple clients simultaneously. Sri Lanka faces a significant unemployment issue, particularly among youth, which the government has struggled to resolve. This research investigates the factors influencing the adoption of freelancing among selected state university students in Sri Lanka. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, involving surveys and interviews with a sample of 382 students from four state universities. The findings reveal a positive inclination among students toward freelancing, with key relationships identified. These include the impact of personal restraints, payment restraints, freelance market characteristics, technical knowledge, and social restraints on freelancing adaptation. The study offers valuable insights for educational institutions, policymakers, and students to effectively integrate freelancing into the academic environment.

FYUG Program (NEP 2020) for Students Empowerment and Viksit Bharat @2047

21st century is an era where education is seen from the economic point of view, so it is not important for a person to be certified and get theoretical education, but now the creative thinking, problem solving ability, leadership quality within a person is important and it is important to have a professional competencies that can be used as needed to maximize profits to enhance the quality, ability and capability there are many provisions have been provided to the students at the UG level as course flexibility and multiple entry and exit in NEP2020. Here are the questions raised; “Is FYUG program in NEP2020 make the students empower? Is the empowerment of the students a path way towards Viksit Bharat@2047?” The desk research or secondary research method has been employed to get the answer of these study questions.

Disordered eating in anorexia nervosa: give me heat, not just food

The recommendation to apply external heat to patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) was first documented by William Gull in 1874. Gull encountered this practice during his tenure as a consultant physician, responsible for issuing medical certifications for wealthy clients seeking admission to Ticehurst Asylum, one of the most successful and reputable private asylums in England. Gull attributed the origins of this practice to the studies by Charles Chossat (1796–1875), a physiologist, physician, and politician from Geneva, who discovered the therapeutic effects of heat on starved animals by chance. In the 20th century, further evidence of the beneficial effects of heat on starved animals emerged serendipitously when anomalies were observed following a malfunction in laboratory thermostats controlling animal temperatures. Moving into the 21st century, experimental research has empirically substantiated the crucial role of ambient temperature (AT) in the animal model of activity-based anorexia (ABA). Recent translational studies have shown that a warmed environment significantly reduces anxiety around mealtime in AN patients, a method shown to be more effective than exposure-based procedures. Despite the overwhelming evidence from both animal and patient studies, it is difficult to comprehend how the impact of providing a warm environment to AN patients, particularly around mealtimes, continues to be a neglected area of research.

The rise and fall of the Bank of the South: challenges in Latin American post-neoliberal regionalism

In the early 21st century, the rise of left-wing administrations in South America bolstered regional frameworks. The proposal to establish a new regional financial architecture materialized as the Bank of the South, formalizing its Constitutive Treaty in 2009. Despite this, the Bank remains uncapitalized. This study examines its rise and decline, addressing factors behind its establishment; the impact of divergent regional approaches by Brazil, Argentina, and Venezuela, and the reasons for its decline in the second decade of the 21st century. The research attributes the Bank’s demise not only to the crisis in post-neoliberal regionalism but also to internal disagreements among proponents. Drawing on a thorough literature review, primary source analysis from the Bank, and insights from policymakers’ memoirs, this research provides a nuanced understanding of the Bank of the South’s trajectory.

Stable Isotope Analysis of Planktonic Lower Food Webs of Lakes Erie, Huron, Michigan and Superior

Historical plankton samples from the St. Lawrence Great Lakes were subjected to taxon-specific 15N analysis to test the hypothesis that the changes recorded in zooplankton communities during the 21st Century are related to changes in the trophic positions of large-bodied carnivorous copepods. Daphnia mendotae was used as the reference herbivore for trophic-level comparisons. The results were that Limnocalanus macrurus, Diaptomus (Leptodiaptomus) sicilis as well as the cladoceran Bythotrephes cederstroemi show evidence of elevated carnivory compared to data from the 20th Century. The large diaptomid Diaptomus (Leptodiaptomus) sicilis has a stable isotope signature that is significantly more carnivorous in Lake Superior than in Lakes Michigan and Huron by approximately one-half trophic level. Differences were found in 10 cases out of 15 for Limnocalanus (Huron, Michigan Superior), 6 cases out of 15 for Diaptomus (Huron, Michigan) and in 1 out of 1 for Senecella (Superior). We did not find evidence to support the theory that large-bodied calanoid copepods may have improved their representation in the food webs of the upper Great Lakes by shifting their trophic position downward. Instead, large-bodied Calanoida have increased their trophic positions in parallel with their increased relative abundance. More research is thus needed to explain the driving forces for changing food web dynamics in the Great Lakes.

Digital Transformation and Discourses of Change Commodify Finnish Public Education

AbstractEcosystemic cooperation among the state, municipalities, and commercial actors is evident in the public education of Finland. The edu-ecosystems can include firm interdependences, value creation, co-specialisation, and co-evolution with an aim to sell products and services to the global market as well as to open up markets in a particular country. Here, we examine the discourses through which commercial actors promote the change or transformation of public education. With support from the state, commercial organisations—whether for-profit, non-profit or private or state-run—have a strong agenda to change ‘old-fashioned’ education into one that better serves the twenty-first century work life. The state and municipalities are gatekeeping the businessing around education, but commercial actors would prefer more opportunities to cooperate with public education institutions. It is noteworthy that commercial actors are gaining greater access to public education policymaking through ecosystems, and hence, have greater influence in redefining and commodifying education. Yet, there is a lack of public conversation about the commodification of public education in Finland.

Global Aging and the Medicine of the Future

Aging is one of the most powerful processes of the 21st century which is accelerating, which is influencing and will influence much more during many forthcoming decades all aspects of life. The percentage of elderly in developed countries will surpass a share of young people within decades. So we will live in gray society where about one third or more population will be with their age-associated diseases, geriatric syndromes, weaknesses, and special gerontic problems. It will influence on all society institutions and maybe particular on medicine. That why we believe that medicine of the future will be a completely new kind of medicine because of anti-aging technologies, that is, technologies for slowing down and ennobling aging, as well as stopping and alleviating the problems associated with it. All this will become an integral part of the future of medicine; perhaps even reforming the whole system of medicine. This will also mean that more and more attention will be focused on the treatment of age-associated diseases, on the cure or mitigating of the so-called geriatric syndromes (or age-related conditions). The perception of aging in society will also change.

Public Health Crisis Management Caused by COVID-19: A Scientometrics Review.

The COVID-19 pandemic was one of the most serious public health events of the 21st century, which had a profound impact on the entire human society and sparked extensive debate and research on public health crisis management. To clarify the development path of the issue and to discover the structure and internal logic of related studies, this study conducted a scientometric analysis (co-citation analysis, co-occurrence analysis, cooperation network analysis, knowledge domain migration analysis) of 8814 publications from the Web of Science Core Collection and PubMed using CiteSpace, and drew the following conclusions: (1) The research focuses on empirical studies in medicine and other fields, and expands to non-medical fields such as "social media", "COVID-19 lockdown", and "air quality"; (2) The USA, UK, Italy and other major developed countries in Europe and America are leading the research trend, while developing countries, notably China, India and Brazil have become the important contributors to the study of this issue in different ways; (3) The research results at this stage are mainly in the fields of medicine, health and biology and are cited internally, but are also developing in the direction of economics, political, environmental and other fields. Finally, this study summarises some of the issues that should be of concern to public health crisis management in the post-pandemic era, in the hope of providing some insight for researchers on this issue.

Exploring Critical Reading Practices Among Malaysian and Vietnamese Engineering Students: Insights and Implications

ABSTRACT In the dynamic academic landscape of the 21st century, the imperative to equip engineering students with robust critical reading skills, in tandem with their technical expertise, has come to the forefront. Recognizing the intrinsic value of critical thinking and reading in cultivating an ethos of lifelong learning among future engineers, this study endeavors to shed light on efficacious methodologies for augmenting critical reading competencies, grounded in the lived experiences of students. Utilizing a phenomenographic methodology, this research aims to explore the mechanisms through which engineering students from Malaysia and Vietnam develop their critical reading skills. The study engaged eight engineering students from both Malaysia and Vietnam, selected based on their demonstrated proficiency in critical reading, as evidenced by scores from a critical reading assessment aligned with the PISA Reading Framework. Through in-depth, phenomenographic semi-structured interviews, the research sought to uncover the strategies and practices these students employ to bolster their critical reading abilities. The findings illuminate a diverse array of approaches to enhancing critical reading skills, including the adoption of specific reading strategies, engagement in extensive and collaborative reading practices, and the maintenance of a positive reading disposition. Notably, the study also identifies that variations in the application and effectiveness of these strategies are influenced by factors such as students’ academic progression, cultural contexts, and educational backgrounds. These insights contribute to a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted nature of critical reading skill development among engineering students, offering valuable perspectives for educators, curriculum designers, and policymakers aiming to foster critical analytical skills in STEM education.

The theoretical concept of economic development at the present stage is the process of smartization and digitalization

The principal trends in economic development at the advent of the 21st century evince substantial alterations occurring as a consequence of the advent of cutting-edge technologies, globalization, and social transformation. These developments contribute to the efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness of economies, while simultaneously creating new opportunities and challenges for business and society. The principal trends in economic development at this juncture are the processes of «smartization» and «digitalization,» which have become indispensable prerequisites for economic advancement across all sectors of production and social activity. The digital transformation entails the integration of digital technologies into all facets of business and social activities. This includes the automation of business processes, the development of e-commerce, and the use of big data. At the same time, the smartization of cities and economies involves the use of intelligent systems to improve the efficiency of urban management, energy, transportation, and other sectors. The development of information technologies and the growth of artificial intelligence create conditions for economic transformation, and the integration of digital technologies into all spheres of life and economy can lead to changes similar to those that occurred as a result of the Industrial Revolution. In the long run, the smart economy may change not only the ways of production and consumption, but also social structures and the interaction between humans and machines. However, this raises the need for society to adapt to the rapidly changing technological reality and the importance of developing the skills that will be needed in the future digital world.The article identifies the features of digitalization and smartization as socio-economic phenomena that characterize the current stage of development of the global economy. The article analyzes the conceptual differences between digitalization and smartization as basic concepts of economic development and the current stage of its development and identifies the key characteristics of their implementation.

Reckless subjects, future capital? ‘Youth’ as an object of concern in international health organizations’ discourse

ABSTRACT Contemporary international organizations (IOs) are routinely portrayed as being more accessible to a wide variety of actors than ever before. The recent hyper-institutionalization of youth in international politics testifies to this pluralization, at least quantitatively. This paper traces the historical emergence of youth as an object of concern among health IOs. Covering a period of over 50 years, we analyse semantic fields surrounding youth and find that young people have primarily been portrayed as society’s future capital in development discourses or as a risk-prone group in the context of HIV/AIDS and reproductive health. Only since the beginning of the 21st century can we trace portrayals of youth that emphasize rights, inclusion and engagement in global health. Our study addresses an empirical research gap on youth in global health and prompts us to critically re-evaluate the optimistic liberal assessments that have marked International Relations (IR) theories on the ‘opening-up’ of IOs.

Audiovisual Imagery in Multimodal Perception and Performance of Qigang Chen’s Er Huang Concerto

In the realm of musical performance, the role of a pianist extends beyond the mere execution of musical scores to become a pivotal contributor to artistic expression. This study delves into the auditory and visual imagination through the perception and performance of piano works by the Chinese-French composer Qigang Chen from the early 21st century, involving the performer’s meticulous response to the nuances of musical sound as well as the interplay of visual synaesthesia.The study also explores the inherent conveyance chain within the performance process, experimenting with multimodal forms of expression. These creative choices not only enrich the narrative of the arts but also contribute to crafting a comprehensive, immersive concert experience for the audience. The principal aim of this research is to explore the prismatic view within Qigang Chen’s piano work, offering multiple possibilities of meaning and emphasizing the crucial role of the pianist in forming and elucidating the fusion of auditory and visual senses in performative action.By transcending traditional performance boundaries, this exploration invites the audience to witness the multimodal interactions inherent in musical performances, providing a fresh perspective on dynamic exchanges between different sensory elements and cultural influences.

Count D. A. Tolstoy – researcher of Catholicism

The review of the monograph by Inna Evgenievna Barykina, Doctor of Historical Sciences, under the title "A Typical St. Petersburg Officialو Count Dmitry Andreevich Tolstoy (1823-1889): the Experience of the Minister Biography" focuses on the characterization of D.A. Tolstoy as a researcher of Catholicism in Russia. It is noted that the monograph author is by no means inclined to exaggerate Count Tolstoy's contribution to the Catholicism historiography, however, his work served a valuable help to both the count's contemporaries and the 21st century scientists. I.E. Barykina convincingly showed that in all his positions, count D.A. Tolstoy proved himself not only as a statesman, but also as an intellectual and a historian who laid the foundations for studying the Catholicism history in Russia.

National codes in the epic works of Belarusian literature at the turn of the XX–XXI centuries

National codes in the epic works of Belarusian literature at the turn of the XX–XXI centuries

Research trends and hotspots of radioiodine-refractory thyroid cancer treatment in the twenty-first century: a bibliometric analysis.

The treatment of radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RAIR-DTC) has made significant advancements in the twenty-first century. This study aimed to assess the current state of research and identify potential new directions by conducting a bibliometric analysis of scientific publications on RAIR-DTC treatment. Publications relevant to RAIR-DTC, published from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2023, were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Bibliometric analyses of major keywords, authors, countries, institutions, publications, and journals were conducted using CiteSpace and VOSviewer. A total of 859 papers were included in the analysis. The results demonstrated a rising trend in the number of publications over time. The United States was identified as the leading contributor in terms of publication output, citations, and international collaborations. Gustave Roussy emerged as the top organization in publication productivity, while the journal Thyroid had the highest number of related publications. The research on RAIR treatment was categorized into three key hotspots: clinical trials of targeted therapies, novel therapeutic strategies, and debates surrounding the RAIR-DTC management. RAIR-DTC research is expanding from the clinical trial phase of tyrosine kinase inhibitor monotherapy to a more complex combination therapy strategy, in particular, the synergistic effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors and other therapeutic agents, requiring more high-quality prospective studies to validate the clinical benefits. Moreover, the timely identification of RAIR-DTC patients holds the potential to enable early disease intervention, constituting a pivotal novel research direction in the future.

From Chaos to the Absurd: Existentialism for the 21st Century

As Sartre pointed out, philosophical questions are questions that each generation must ask themselves because only this promotes the feeling of being alive, which is especially true for existential questions closely related to time–space, the moment, and our society. Sartre placed his philosophy of existentialism in wartime and the social conditions of the time at the beginning of the 20th century. We can equate these conditions with today’s conditions; we are once again facing threats of war, and once again, we are facing chaotic conditions that increasingly lead to absurdity but are also entirely different. Today, at the beginning of the 21st century, the clarity and disambiguation of the 20th century no longer exist, as the relationships between beings and the world have drastically changed. We can observe that (1) the world is not one; there are two worlds, the physical and the cyber world and (2) being is not one; there are two beings (entities), human and AI-based forms of artificial life (ALF), between which there is a permanent tension. We advocate the thesis that in the society of the future, man must still play a master role; he must still be the being who will guide this society. Also, as Sartre claimed, each era must create its philosophy and consider real time–space. Responses to changes in this time–space also relate to existentialism in the 21st century. In this context, it is necessary to redefine the view of the future and the guidelines for the development of future society.

How should we think about globalization in a post-globalization era?

This article critically examines the challenges to the globalization paradigm observed throughout the world in the twenty-first century. While empirical evidence suggests that the policy-oriented globalization project of the 1990s has been superseded by different tendencies and policies, social-scientific scholarship in areas other than economics has not engaged with the notion of ‘post-globalization’. The principal reason appears to be the employment of different conceptual lenses, whereby globalization appears as a long-term process largely unaffected by short-term shifts. The article interrogates the conceptual terrain of globalization scholarship, arguing that several important developments require the adjustment of theoretical lenses and a greater flexibility in the use of globalization as a master concept. In order to perform such a task, the article outlines a series of ideas that could facilitate the development of a perspective capable of addressing the question of how we should think about globalization in a post-globalization era.

The climate crisis - actions to prioritize for anaesthesiologists.

Climate change is the biggest threat to human health and survival in the twenty-first century. Emissions associated with healthcare contribute to climate change and there are many personal and professional actions that can reduce carbon emissions. This review highlights why action is necessary and what anaesthetists and healthcare workers can do. Encouraging continuing research regarding sustainable anaesthesia and expanding education at all levels to include climate action is key. Professionally, actions include limiting use of single-use equipment, reducing reliance on volatile gas inhalational anaesthesia, and adopting low fresh gas flow techniques. Personal actions such as climate-conscious travelling, spending, and eating are important, especially when shared to create climate positive movements. This article shows that, while patient safety and quality of care must remain healthcare's top priority, considering the climate implications of care is part of that duty. Many actions that reduce the carbon impact of care simultaneously improve the quality of care and reduce financial cost. More research into sustainable healthcare is needed. Departments and hospitals and must create environments in which climate conversations are welcomed and can result in positive advancements.

Geopolitical Competition Between India and China in the Indian Ocean Region: The Case of Myanmar

The 21st century has witnessed an intensification of the strategic rivalry between India and China, particularly in the Indian Ocean region, stemming from long-standing historical contradictions over border disputes and the competition for control over vital maritime trade routes crisscrossing the ocean. This rivalry has profoundly impacted the political and security landscape of countries within the region. Myanmar, being a pivotal geo-strategic location bordering both these powers, has emerged as a crucible for this competitive dynamic, wherein India and China are vying for influence and strategic leverage. This paper seeks to elucidate the nuanced position, role, and extent of competition between India and China in Myanmar. It delves into the multifaceted nature of this rivalry, encompassing not only geopolitical considerations but also economic interests and ideological underpinnings. The analysis underscores how the contradictions, conflicts, and divergent political-economic calculations of these two influential powers in the Indian Ocean region have manifested in a complex web of geopolitical competition within Myanmar. Through a rigorous examination of the historical context, contemporary developments, and the interplay of various factors shaping this dynamic, the paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the underlying drivers, strategies, and potential implications of India and China's competitive engagement in Myanmar. Ultimately, it concludes that the persistent tensions and power projections by these two major powers in the Indian Ocean have inevitably spilled over into the realm of Myanmar, rendering it a pivotal battleground for their strategic aspirations and regional influence. Received: 18 June 2024 / Accepted: 31 October 2024 / Published: 05 November 2024

A Review of the Links Between Work and Heart Disease in the 21st Century.

This review explores the multifaceted exposures in the workplace that contribute to cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including physical, ergonomics, chemical, biological, psychosocial, and emerging occupational hazards. These well-documented occupational hazards have long been linked to heart disease. Exposures arising from these hazards present significant concerns for worker health and safety. Moreover, heat stress is an emerging and increasingly pervasive threat, exacerbated by climate change, particularly in outdoor, high-exposure industries like agriculture and construction. While the epidemiological links between heat and CVD are well established, there is a critical gap in research on the physiological impacts of heat on workers' cardiovascular health. In particular, migrant workers are especially vulnerable to these occupational hazards, particularly in the absence of targeted, equitable interventions. As global temperatures rise, addressing these occupational exposures is important for protecting the cardiovascular health of the workforce and the expanding field of occupational cardiology.