21st Century Research Articles

Russian and Serbian Punctuation of the 21st Century: An Attempt at Comparative Description

Purpose. The authors conducted a comparative study of the general statistical characteristics of modern Russian and Serbian punctuation practice using the material of Internet texts from the early 20s of the 21st century.Results. The authors analyzed three important characteristics of punctuation practice: the composition and frequency of punctuation situations, the lexical indicators of syntactic relations used (conjunctions, particles, introductory words, etc.), and the occurrence of punctuation marks. The Russian and Serbian parts of the sample are balanced in terms of the number of uses of punctuation marks and in terms of their focus/lack of focus on compliance with the norm on the Internet platforms provided to the authors of the texts. The comparative study revealed similarities and differences in all analyzed parameters.Conclusion. It was found that the high degree of similarity of the main indicators caused by the kinship and typological similarity of the languages is combined with obvious differences, including different occurrence of punctuation situations in graphic practice, different composition and different activity of formal indicators of syntactic connection, different density of punctuation marks per punctuation situation. This means that a comparative study of punctuation practice taking into account statistical data allows us to identify the real relationship between the two punctuation systems, rather than the relationship set by normative documents.

PHRASEOLOGICAL UNITS REPRESENTING COSMIC CHRONOTOPE IN THE RUSSIAN POETIC WORLDVIEW (including the materials from the dictionary „Phraseological units in the Russian poetry of the 19th – 21st centuries“)

This article is devoted to the study of phraseological units that represent the cosmic chronotope in the Russian poetic world view in the poetry discourse of the 19th – 21st centuries, based on the conceptual paradigm “human – globe – space”. The article considers the peculiarities of the system organisation, the originality of the concept-forming and style-forming functioning of the main components of the conceptual paradigm within the context of some particular poetry and within a certain poetic discourse, presented by a number of poems of the 19th – early 21st centuries in the dictionary “Phraseological Units in Russian Poetry”. The choice of poetry is determined by a descriptive and philosophically generalised expression of the concept. The biggest attention is paid to the way the main ideas, that are figuratively reflected in this poetic discourse, are realised. The considered phraseological units are grouped around the following ideas – anthropocentrism, immortality and life in eternity, posthumously reward for a person’s lifetime exploits, ascetic nature of inspiration.

Economic Cooperation and Development Strategies in New Energy Technology Between China and Central and Eastern European Countries in the 21st Century

Abstract: In the 21st century, the economic cooperation in new energy technologies between China and Central Eastern European countries is becoming more and more important. China, being the worlds largest energy consumer and a significant investor in sustainable energy, plays a pivotal role in this global transformation. This paper will study about the current state of this cooperation, existing challenges and opportunities. It will also talk about the development strategies for strengthening collaboration. The case study will be focused a successful program between China and Poland, highlighting the factors that contributed to its achievements. On the contrary, the failed project between China and Romania is also examined to understand the experiences and lessons. The paper aims to offer ideas and advices on improving economic and technological cooperation in the new energy sector. By highlighting the key experiences, fully showing the potential of the partnership between China and Central Eastern European countries in developing sustainable energy in the future.

Predicting the 2023/24 El Niño from a multi-scale and global perspective

The 2023/24 El Niño ranks as the second strongest event in the twenty-first century thus far. The event exhibited a two-step warming tendency and two warming centers, which could not be explained by the heat content buildup. Here, by conducting observational analysis and model experiments, we show that the record-breaking pantropical warming in 2023 mitigated this El Niño and confined the warming to the eastern basin, and that a series of westerly wind bursts induced another warming center in the central equatorial Pacific toward the end of 2023. Yet the effects of pantropical forcing and wind bursts coincidentally offset each other, leaving the heat content buildup appearing as the primary cause of the 2023/24 El Niño. Our results not only confirm the essential role of equatorial ocean heat recharge for El Niño development, but also demonstrate the necessity of accounting for multi-scale interactions from a global perspective to predict El Niño.

Poverty, Development and Hunger in a Global Age

This paper opines that the issues of poverty, development, and hunger have become increasingly prominent since the end of World War II. It stresses that in the early phase, this occurred as decolonization failed to bring about economic and social progress in what was then portrayed as the Third World, at the same time that industrially advanced Western countries were experiencing historically unprecedented levels of economic growth. As global economic disparities widened, some argued that colonialism had given way to ‘neocolonialism’, political domination having been replaced by more subtle but no less effective economic domination. Others heralded the emergence of a ‘North–South divide’. This paper emphasizes that in this context, bodies as different as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), on the one hand, and a host of development Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and activist groups on the other, came to view the task of reducing the gap between rich countries and poor countries as amoral imperative. However, the paper stresses that poverty, development, and hunger are complex and deeply controversial issues. It examines the orthodox mainstream understanding of poverty, development, and hunger, and contrasts this with a critical alternative approach. Consideration is given to how successful the development orthodoxy has been in incorporating and thereby neutralizing the concerns of the critical alternative. The paper then closes with an assessment of the likelihood of a globalization with a human face in the twenty-first century.

Morocco’s dual realist and neoliberalism foreign policy: An examination of Morocco’s decision to strengthen ties with Israel, 2009–2023

ABSTRACT The most common explanation for Morocco’s foreign policy in the 21st century is the realist one, which argues that after the Arab Spring, Morocco focused on gaining power by making efforts to exert broader influence on African states, establish and nurture regional military alliances against terror groups, and reinforce security collaborations in the Western Sahara conflict against Algeria. However, this article argues that since 2009, Morocco has strongly embraced a neoliberal foreign policy strategy based on knowledge-based economy (KBE) cooperation alongside the subaltern and peripheral realist approach, contributing to the strengthening of ties with Israel. The study employs a mixed methodology, encompassing qualitative and quantitative analyses, to explore the extent of the KBE policy’s influence on Moroccan-Israeli relations from 2009 to 2023.

Does higher endorsement with collaboration lead to better performance on collaborative problem solving? An explanatory item response approach to cross-cultural comparisons

IntroductionCollaborative problem solving (CPS) is an essential competency in the 21st century. However, the understanding of how cultural background shapes individuals’ collaboration awareness and its relationship with collaborative problem-solving skills are underexplored by psychometrics.MethodsThis study employs Explanatory Item Response Modeling to examine the impact of cultural orientations on students’ endorsement with collaboration in PISA 2015.ResultsResults show that students endorsed valuing teamwork more than valuing relationships. Western countries with individualist cultures generally demonstrated higher endorsement with collaboration than Eastern countries with collectivist cultures. China has the highest collaboration endorsement, followed by the US, Canada, Korea, and Japan. In contrast, Japan has the highest CPS assessment scores, followed by Korea, Canada, the US, and China.DiscussionFindings revealed that students from collectivist cultures do not have higher endorsements of collaboration compared with students from individualist cultures. Also, higher endorsement of collaboration does not necessarily lead to better success in the CPS assessment. Further research is needed to understand the gap between students’ attitudes towards collaboration and their achievement based on cultural values and schools’ CPS training.

Newsmaking Criminology in the 21st Century: Forming the Public Opinion under the New Reality

Objective: to study the concept of newsmaking criminology and its relevance in the current conditions of mass media development.Methods: the methodological basis of the work consists of general scientific, social, and special-legal methods of cognition. The conducted research is based on the dialectical method (in determining the general direction of the study), methods of formal logic (analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, analogy), system method (in comparing and generalizing the information collected for the research).Results: the functions of newsmaking criminology in its classical manifestation, as well as its additional functions in the study of mass media in the Internet, were revealed. It is suggested that with the emergence of the World Wide Web, the relevance of newsmaking criminology has increased: social networks, blogs and video hosting as alternative media have a strong influence on public opinion, while an unlimited number of people have access to content generation, contrary to traditional media. Many states understand the importance of interaction between mass media and law enforcement agencies and are actively implementing their methods of promoting newsmaking criminology online. This article points out the risks that arise in media coverage of law enforcement and crime. One of such risks is the cancel culture, which is spontaneous, unpredictable in nature, and may jeopardize the quality of life of the victim or business reputation and activity of organizations.Scientific novelty: the functions performed by newsmaking criminology in the study of traditional and alternative media were identified. So far, such doctrine has not been sufficiently researched taking into account modern forms of mass communication. Examples of interaction between law enforcement agencies of different states and the media were analyzed.Practical significance: the study contributes to understanding the correlation between criminological phenomena and modern media platforms. The Internet and social networks provide new channels of information exchange that differ significantly from traditional media such as printed media or television.

THE BENEFITS OF THE PARTICIPATION OF STUDENTS IN THE LETTERS COURSE IN INTERDISCIPLINARY PROGRAMS RELATED TO TECHNOLOGY IN THE CONTEXT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

This article presents the benefits of the participation of undergraduate students in Letters in interdisciplinary programs related to the insertion and instrumentalization of technology in the context of the Federal University of the Southern Border. The work presents definitions of interdisciplinarity and reflections on multidisciplinary practices and technology in the context of higher education based on the work of Literature students in an interdisciplinary program of technology in education. It also presents reflections on the postulates in official documents such as the National Curricular Parameters (PCNs), the National Common Curricular Base (BNCC), the National Common Base for the initial training of basic education teachers (BNC-Formação) and the National Curricular Guidelines for the Literature course in order to understand what these guiding documents bring to the thematic cores of this work. The initial training of teachers in the area of ​​Literature was related to the technological transformation experienced by society in the 21st century, specifically in the school context, and reflected on ways to prepare future teachers for professional practice in the face of this reality.

Understanding the Evolution of Business in the 21st Century: A Direct Observation Study on the Primacy of Customer Experience

In the fast-paced and dynamic landscape of the 21st century, businesses face unprecedented challenges and opportunities driven by rapid technological advancements and shifting consumer behaviour. This study explores the evolution of business practices in this context, with a specific focus on the primacy of the customer experience as a strategic imperative. Motivated by the imperative for businesses to adapt and stay relevant in an ever-changing environment, this study conducts a direct observation analysis to elucidate the intricate dynamics that shape contemporary business strategies. Drawing on a selection of compelling case studies, this study substantiates its findings by showcasing real-world examples of organisations that have successfully leveraged customer experience as a cornerstone of their competitive advantage. Through this exploration, the author asserts the pivotal role of customer centricity in driving sustainable growth and fostering enduring relationships with consumers in modern marketplaces.

Warming promotes expansion of a key demersal fishing resource of the western Mediterranean

Climate change is affecting marine ecosystems altering the distribution and abundance of organisms, with implications for fisheries and food security. This warming-induced reshuffle in species abundance could bring threats and opportunities to the fisheries, but needs to be assessed to promote effective actions and to foster resilience. We analyzed the density and distribution patterns of deep-sea rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris), as well as identified the main environmental have identified the environmental drivers shaping its habitat along the western Mediterranean (Iberian Peninsula) during the period 2001–2020. Using spatial distribution models developed concurrently with an ensemble of four Regional Climate Models (RCMs), we have projected the density of this species during the next century under two climate scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5). Bathymetry and sea bottom temperature drove the density of the species, leading to a marked northward expansion during the last two decades. Our results projected an increase in its distribution and especially in density throughout the area along the 21st century, mirroring the effect of global warming. Consequently, the most distant period (i.e. 2100s) and the warmest scenario (RCP8.5) presented also the highest densities and low internal variability of the ensemble. We discussed the power of assessing uncertainties using a RCM ensemble, particularly under complex oceanographic features, to bring robust information for an effective scientific advice to fisheries management.

PRE-REVOLUTIONARY HISTORIOGRAPHY OF THE PROBLEM OF PROOF OF MEMBERSHIP IN THE NOBILITY IN THE GRAND DUCHY OF LITHUANIA

The article examines the main pre-revolutionary works on the problem of proving one’s membership in the Szlachta (nobility) in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Achievements and shortcomings of pre-revolutionary historiography are identified. The research on this issue is divided into two stages. The first stage (16th–18th centuries) was characterized by genealogical and heraldic studies (Maciej Stryjkowski and Bartosz Paprocki, Kasper Niesiecki). The second stage (late 18th – 1st quarter of the 20th century) is represented by the works of Ivan Lappo, Matvei Lyubavsky, Fyodor Leontovich, Stanisław Ptaszycki, and others. It is concluded that pre-revolutionary historiography provided a rich material for research but missed aspects such as the reasons and legal regulation of the procedure for proving membership in the Szlachta, the tactics of judicial processes, and their impact on the society and culture of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Nevertheless, the pre-revolutionary period laid the foundation for further research on the problem of proving nobility, which remains relevant in the 21st century.

Expediting treatments in the 21st century: orphan drugs and accelerated approvals

BackgroundIn response to activated patient communities’ catalyzation, two significant efforts by the FDA to expedite treatments have now been in place for multiple decades. In 1983, the United States Congress passed the Orphan Drug Act to provide financial incentives for development of drugs for rare diseases. In 1992, partly in response to the HIV epidemic, the FDA implemented Accelerated Approval (AA) to expedite access to promising new therapies to treat serious conditions with unmet medical need based on surrogate marker efficacy while additional clinical data is confirmed.The uses of these regulatory approaches over time are assessed in this study.MethodsThe following U.S. FDA CDER published lists were used in this analysis: 1. all orphan designations and approvals; 2. all AA and their details updated through December 31, 2022; new molecular entities (NMEs).ResultsOrphan drug designations and approvals have increased several-fold over the past four decades. The largest increase recently has been in therapies targeting oncological diseases (comprised of both oncology and malignant hematology).Although orphan drug approvals based on NMEs are the minority of orphan drug designations, the count of approved orphan drug NMEs has increased in recent years.The characteristics of orphan drug approvals show notable differences by disease area with rare diseases and medical genetics (49%) having a relatively large fraction of orphan drug approvals with NMEs compared to the oncological diseases (32%).Similar to the use of orphan drug designation, oncological disease therapies have been the largest utilizers of AA. Many therapies targeting these diseases address unmet medical need and can leverage surrogate markers that have previously been used in similar trials.The timings of conversion of AA (confirmed or withdrawn) were assessed and found to be consistent across decades and to have some dependency upon the broad disease area (when assessed by three large groups: HIV conversions were fastest; followed by oncology; followed by all others). By the end of 2022, 98% of the first 105 (approved in 2010 or earlier) AA had been converted to confirmed or withdrawn.ConclusionsAlthough the typical timings for AA to be confirmed or withdrawn has not changed significantly over the decades, the disease areas utilizing orphan drug designation and AA have changed significantly over time. Both programs have had increases in their use for therapies targeting oncological diseases.The re-use of surrogate markers for oncological diseases has been an advantage in a way that may not be scientifically feasible in many other disease areas that have greater differentiation across disease etiology. For non-oncological diseases, applicability of AA is, in part, dependent upon greater focus on characterization and acceptance of novel surrogate markers.

Analysis of Gender Issues in Computational Thinking Approach in Science and Mathematics Learning in Higher Education

In the contemporary era, Computational Thinking has emerged as a crucial skill for individuals to possess in order to thrive in the 21st century. In this context, there is a need to develop a methodology for cultivating these skills within a science and mathematics content education framework, particularly among pre-service teachers. This study aimed to investigate the impact of Educational Robotics on the development of Computational Thinking skills, with a particular focus on the role of gender, through a scientific and mathematical content teaching approach. A pre-experimental design with a quantitative approach was employed, and it was implemented with a total of 116 pre-service teachers, 38 males and 78 females. The results demonstrated a notable enhancement between the pre-test (8.11) and post-test (9.63) scores, emphasising specific concepts such as simple functions, while, and compound conditional. With respect to gender, statistically significant differences were identified prior to the intervention, but not following its implementation. The high level of Computational Thinking exhibited by both genders was comparable (53.85% in females and 55.26% in males) following the intervention. This indicates that the intervention is a promising approach for enhancing Computational Thinking proficiency, independent of gender and initial proficiency levels. The implementation of Educational Robotics in the teaching of science and mathematics enables the enhancement of Computational Thinking abilities among pre-service teachers, while reducing the observed gender disparity in this area of skill development.

Association of Dietary Patterns, C-Reactive Protein, and Risk of Obesity Among Children Aged 9–17 Years in Guangzhou, China: A Cross-Sectional Mediation Study

Background: Childhood obesity is a major public health challenge in the 21st century, and diet is one of the key modifiable factors in its prevention. This study examined the link between dietary patterns of children and general and central obesity, including the role of C-reactive protein (CRP). Methods: This study enrolled 2413 children aged 9–17. Anthropometric measurements, CRP levels, and dietary data were collected. Factor analysis identified dietary patterns, and logistic regression examined the association between CRP levels and childhood obesity. Multiple linear regression determined the correlation between dietary patterns and CRP. Mediation analysis assessed the role of CRP in the link between dietary patterns and childhood obesity. Results: Three dietary patterns were identified. The rice and meat pattern was significantly correlated to the risk of childhood obesity (OR = 1.166, 95%CI: 1.000, 1.359 for general obesity; OR = 1.215, 95%CI: 1.071, 1.377 for central obesity). CRP was positively correlated with childhood obesity risk (OR = 2.301, 95%CI: 1.776, 2.982 for general obesity; OR = 2.165, 95%CI: 1.738, 2.697 for central obesity). The fruit and vegetable pattern was inversely related to CRP (β= −0.059, 95%CI: −0.081, −0.036), while the snack pattern was positively correlated (β= 0.043, 95%CI: 0.020, 0.065). CRP had a suppressive effect on the association between the fruit and vegetable pattern and snack pattern with childhood obesity. Conclusions: This study revealed the rice and meat pattern as a risk factor for childhood obesity, and cross-sectional evidence linked the fruit and vegetable pattern and snack pattern to childhood obesity risk, mediated by CRP.

Global expansion of wildland-urban interface intensifies human exposure to wildfire risk in the 21st century.

Rapidly increasing human-nature interactions exacerbate the risk of exposure to wildfires for human society. The wildland-urban interface (WUI) represents the nexus of human-nature interactions, where the risk of exposure to natural hazards such as wildfire is most pronounced. However, quantifying long-term global WUI change and the corresponding driving factors at fine resolution remain challenging. Here, we mapped and analyzed the global WUI at 30-meter resolution in 2000, 2010, and 2020. Our analysis revealed that the global WUI expanded by 35.6% since 2000, reaching 1.93 million square kilometer in 2020. Notably, 85% of this growth occurred between 2010 and 2020. The increase in WUI was primarily driven by the unprecedented expansion of global urbanization, contributing an additional 589,914 square kilometer of WUI. In addition, the number of small fires occurring in WUI areas has increased substantially since 2010. These findings underscore the rising wildfire risk to human society and highlight the urgency of implementing tailored fire management strategies in WUI areas.

The Biopolitics of Liberal War: Humanity, Temporality and Cosmology

What is the relationship between war and liberalism? Over the last two decades, an extensive and influential literature inspired by Michel Foucault’s conception of biopolitics has argued that the ‘war on terror’ is defined by distinctly liberal forms of government. Underpinning this approach is an assumption of the primacy of contingency to the contemporary biopolitical imaginary. Through this governing cosmology, the ‘war on terror’ is said to be motivated by a politics of fear and uncertainty. This article contests this account of liberal war by demonstrating the biopolitical significance of potentiality. By illustrating how a specific configuration of potentiality informs contemporary governing understandings of humanity and temporality, this article argues that liberal war is also waged according to a politics of hope and certainty. Adopting a cosmological approach allows this article to develop the case for a pluriversal conception of biopolitics which better reflects the complex and contradictory character of liberal war in the 21st century. Such a perspective invites us to see how the ‘war on terror’ is not only a reflection of our darkest fears but also of our highest hopes.

Japonisme, New Japonisme, and Pop Japonisme in Italian Fashion

Abstract This article examines the profound impact exerted by Japanese fashion and culture on the evolution of Italian fashion. In Italy, the assimilation of Japanese clothing and aesthetics occurred particularly during three periods: 1870s–1920s (the era of Japonisme), 1970s–1990s (New Japonisme), and the early decades of the twenty-first century (Pop Japonisme). Throughout these periods, the kimono was a significant source of inspiration for Italian designers, who progressively reinterpreted this garment with increasing creativity. With the onset of New Japonisme, the influence of avant-garde Japanese fashion also became pronounced in Italian fashion, further evolving during Pop Japonisme to include inspiration from the kawaii style. In exploring the distinctive features of Japonisme in Italian fashion, this article offers a comparison with other forms of Japonisme in Europe, particularly in France.

Two Pandemics and Workplace Shifts: Generational Considerations: A Multi-Factor Comparison of How Pandemics Impact Young Workers: Insights for Management and Employees©

This paper will compare several business-related factors. There has been relatively little academic research conducted to compare and contrast a breadth of workplace issues and dimensions during the early twentieth century’s Spanish Flu epidemic and the early twenty-first century’s COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. This manuscript analyzes several variables and adds to the literature by examining significant factors that impacted workers and their workplaces during these two significant healthcare incidents. The major factors discussed include the labor force members during both of these pandemics, the demographics of those workforces, the workplace safety, the labor economic data during these two pandemics, the wages & how they fluctuated, the labor unions & evolving perspectives towards unionization, and the dominant industry shifts. Several of the findings regarding Millennials and Generation Z workers are supported by this author’s current research of university students who were employed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The insights provided in this manuscript are instrumental for business managers and human resource management professionals, higher education, and for those who provide corporate training.

Trends and innovations in mycorrhizal biofertilizers: a technological prospecting study

Exponential population growth, combined with the reduction of arable land, has created a need for increased agricultural production within a smaller physical space and with limited water and nutrient resources. In this context, biofertilizers have emerged as an environmentally friendly alternative to meet the demand for technologies and products that enhance productivity. The objective of this study was to map the production of technological knowledge and identify the main characteristics of innovation assets developed in the field of biofertilizers, with a particular focus on mycorrhizal biofertilizers, during the first decades of the 21st century. To achieve this, data was collected from international databases, including the European Patent Office (EPO) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), as well as from the national database of the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) in Brazil. The search was conducted using simple and combined queries with the keywords "Mycorrhiza" and "Biofertilizer," followed by quantitative and qualitative analyses. The results indicated that the primary patent applicants in this field are companies and universities, predominantly located in North America and Asia. The highest concentration of patent publications occurred between 2010 and 2021, particularly in relation to new biofertilizer compositions and the optimization of production processes for these compounds. Although new technologies in the field of mycorrhizal biofertilizers can be observed, there are still unexplored avenues, and new initiatives will be important for the emergence of innovative solutions.