Critical Point Of View Research Articles

Comparative analysis of the image of a Chinese migrant in the Chinese mainland media and the media of Chinese emigration

The research presents a comparative analysis of the image of a Chinese migrant in the mainland Chinese media and the media of Chinese emigration. The research is based on the study of the content of publications such as The People's Daily and Xinhua on the one hand, and emigrant media, including The World Journal and The Epoch Times, on the other. The aim of the study is to identify differences and similarities in the representation of Chinese migrants, as well as to assess the influence of the political and cultural context on the formation of their image. In the Chinese mainland media, migrants are often presented as successful and patriotic representatives of the nation, keeping in touch with their homeland, which corresponds to China's "soft power" strategy. The expatriate opposition media is also biased in shaping the image of the Chinese migrant, often labeling migration as political rather than economic. The object of the study is the materials of the Chinese mainland and migrant media on the issues of Chinese emigration in the period 2023-2024. The subject of the study is the image of a Chinese migrant in the Chinese media. The methodology of this study includes content analysis and quantitative analysis of Chinese news media texts. As a result of the conducted research, the main similarities and significant differences in the representation of Chinese migrants in mainland Chinese media and emigrant media were revealed. The image of a migrant in the Chinese mainland media is formed within the framework of state propaganda, with an emphasis on patriotism and the preservation of cultural ties with the Motherland. Migrants are portrayed as successful representatives of the Chinese nation, keeping in touch with China and promoting its interests abroad. This reflects China's state policy of strengthening "soft power" and supporting the diaspora for economic and cultural influence in the international arena. The expatriate opposition media are also biased in shaping the image of the Chinese migrant, often labeling migration as political rather than economic. On the other hand, independent expatriate media such as the World Journal reflect more diverse and often critical points of view, highlighting the problems of migrant integration, discrimination and the complexities of life in another country. Independence from the Chinese authorities allows these media to focus on practical issues, avoiding political bias.

COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE PROCESS OF CONVERGENCE TO INTERNATIONAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS APPLIED TO THE PUBLIC SECTOR IN BRAZIL AND PORTUGAL

The New Institutional Sociology advocates that internal structures and procedures, including accounting, are influenced by external elements, thus organizations and accounting are led to incorporate socially institutionalized practices and procedures. In this sense, we can link the process of convergence to international accounting standards as the incorporation of socially institutionalized practices and procedures. Therefore, researching the challenges that countries have faced helps others to understand the obstacles that the convergence process imposes. Thus, the objective of this research is to verify which were the challenges that influenced the process of convergence to international accounting standards applied to the public sector in Brazil and Portugal. In Brazil, the challenges begin with encouraging greater participation of academia in the subject, from a critical point of view, accompanied by full disclosure, followed by greater adherence of Brazilian standards to international standards, aided by the disclosure of all assets and liabilities on an accrual basis, in addition to withstanding pressures in the political and cultural fields. In Portugal, the challenges begin with encouraging the training of Portuguese accountants who will have to deal with accounting based on principles, followed by the creation of institutional mechanisms that support pressures in the political and cultural fields, investing in the harmonization of local legislation so as to achieve greater comparability, accelerating the use of the SNC-AP in all Portuguese bodies and promoting the necessary accounting adjustments that inform the real value of the assets of the entities involved in the process.

Shit Has to Change, Right? A Call for “Good Trouble” in Tourism

Burnt out, frustrated, and fed up with the glorification of publishing in the tourism academy, the authors in this critical viewpoint touch on counter-ideologies rarely acknowledged within the academy. We discuss the toxicity of publication glorification, systemic racism of the scientific community, the eugenic roots of statistical analysis, and how they may lead to our tourism academy’s downfall and eventual demise. Drawing inspiration from Saldaña’s rant as a method of inquiry and provocation, our letter invites readers to confront the uncomfortable truths about our cult-ish publication norms, imperial and colonial roots of our research methods, and the academy’s complicity in perpetuating inequities. We conclude with a rebellious call for radical change, a new “social justice turn” which includes a list of “shit that has to change” and the building of a coalition of “good troublemakers” in the tourism academy.

The pain, the pedagogy, and the politics of IELTS: a critical autobiographical inquiry

ABSTRACT Language tests, including international high-stakes English proficiency tests widely used around the world, are to be viewed as ideological constructs connected with power relations and center–periphery demarcations at different social levels. In this paper, we examine the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) as an instance of such tests to uncover some of its underlying sociocultural functions. Adopting a critical autobiographical approach that revisits three personal trajectories in relation to each other and in connection with wider contextual dynamics, we reflect on our own lived experiences of engagements with IELTS in various social and institutional settings and in different roles. Each one of us first shared narrative accounts of turning points in our learning, taking, teaching, and using IELTS within the past two decades. Then, we explored these narratives through multiple rounds of reflections and discussions of their common underlying ideas related to the sociocultural functioning of IELTS. Although the narratives presented unique trajectories, three common themes of Pain, Pedagogy, and Politics emerged from our collective analytic reflections. We discuss these themes and how they can problematize different aspects of IELTS from a critical point of view.

Documentary Practice as Praxis: A Direct Appeal to the Realization of the Social Act

The essential preoccupation of this paper is documentary practice as (social) praxis, the voice of the photography аs a direct mode of transmission and not only the discovery or mediation of reality. Alan Sekula's photographic discourse is taken as a case study, a practice that directly engages the subject – the position of the worker within the working class, critically representing the reality that is usually masked by spectacle. The hypotheses assume that the methodology of contextualization and discursivization of documentary photography (Untitled Slide Sequence, 1972) leads to a conscious perception of a historical and social reality. Using a cross-methodology of the author's theory and practice, referring to the author's critical point of view, Marxist and post-Marxist theories, this paper indicates that Sekula develops a specific photo-graphology concerned with the directness of expression, the literalness of meaning, and the unmasking of iconic signs captured by capitalist signifiers. The arguments underline that the use of documentary photography as a direct appeal can encourage the realization of a social act. The conclusion implies that the use of the author's voice in the direction of changing the movement of aesthetic production and reception leads to actualization, towards awakening of the passive component – confrontation with social stratification under capitalist order.

In Situ and Ex Situ Bioremediation of Different Persistent Soil Pollutants as Agroecology Tool

Contamination or pollution of our environment has become a real global concern, especially in parallel with the increasing evolution of urbanization and industrialization, which in turn have released a plethora of different pollutants that end up being deposited in soils. It is crucial to investigate solutions that can minimize the extent of damage, and that are cost-effective, feasible and environmentally friendly, to treat a wide variety of contaminants in soils, as well as to detoxify various compounds. Bioremediation is a safe technique that has demonstrated satisfactory results and is easy to apply and maintain. This technique explores the degradation pathways of various biological agents (microorganisms, plants, algae, etc.) to neutralize contaminants. It is based on biodegradation through a complete mineralization of organic pollutants into inorganic innocuous compounds, such as carbon dioxide and water. This review aims to determine the feasibility of bioremediation as a cleanup technology for soils contaminated with pesticides, agrochemicals, chlorinated compounds, heavy metals, organic halogens, greenhouse gases, petroleum hydrocarbons, and many others, either in situ or ex situ. Different bioremediation approaches are described and compared, showing their advantages and drawbacks from a critical point of view. Moreover, both the economic and technical barriers of bioremediation are addressed, along with the outlook for the role of microorganisms in the process, the aim to identify future directions, and the application feasibility of this process.

Immersive and virtual exhibitions: A reflection on… art?

This paper explores the conceptualization and evolution of virtual exhibitions and immersive art experiences, highlighting their distinctions and similarities. Virtual exhibitions, conducted online or through digital media, offer a platform for showcasing artworks to a global audience without physical constraints. They employ multimedia elements to engage viewers and provide flexibility in exploration. Conversely, immersive art experiences create environments that envelop the viewer, stimulating multiple senses and often incorporating advanced technologies, such as virtual reality and augmented reality. These experiences aim to evoke emotional responses and facilitate active engagement with the artwork. While proponents argue that virtual exhibitions and immersive art experiences democratize access to art and offer new avenues for artistic expression, critics have raised concerns about their impact on authenticity, viewer engagement, and art commercialization. Philosophical and cultural perspectives, including phenomenology and postmodern theory, shed light on the complexities of these art forms and their relationship with reality and simulation. This paper, further, examines the social and business implications of virtual exhibitions and immersive art experiences, noting their growing popularity and influence on the art market. It discusses the viewpoints of artists, critics, and scholars, both supportive and critical, regarding technology’s role in art and its effects on the viewer’s experience. Virtual exhibitions and immersive art experiences represent an evolving landscape in the art world, offering opportunities for innovation and debate. Their impact on the perception and consumption of art remains a subject of ongoing discussion. The paper concludes with a review of successful virtual exhibitions, highlighting their role in expanding access to art and cultural experiences globally.

A Criticism of the Kyoto Protocol with an Objective Approach

The Kyoto Protocol, established to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, one of the human-induced causes of climate change, imposes obligations on developed countries. In this study: 1) what obligations the articles of the Kyoto Protocol impose on the countries that are party to the protocol, 2) whether the articles of the protocol are impartial, equal, and fair in their obligations to the contracting countries and their binding, 3) how the economic support of developed countries to reduce emissions to developing countries can be evaluated in the context of the principle of equality/justice, 4) it has been discussed whether the non-bindingness of the countries those are not party to the protocol. Considering all protocol items, the discussion was made from a critical but constructive point of view. It can be said that the obligations arising from the Kyoto Protocol bring disadvantages for some countries compared to others.

The Effectiveness of TikTok as a Media for Enhancing English Speaking Skills: A Systematic Literature Review

In a globalized era, the transformative impact of technology on language education, particularly through platforms like TikTok, has become increasingly significant. This systematic literature review aims to assess the effectiveness of TikTok as a medium for enhancing English speaking skills. Acknowledging the paradigm shift caused by digital communication tools, especially social media, this review addresses the existing gap in comprehensive research on TikTok's efficacy as an educational tool in the context of English language instruction. Driven by the increasing commonness of TikTok in daily communication and its potential for creating dynamic and interactive learning environments, this study critically examines the impact of TikTok on the development of students' language skills and proficiency. The study adopts a critical viewpoint to evaluate innovative approaches utilizing technology in language education, highlighting TikTok's effectiveness in English speaking skills. The findings aim to critically contribute valuable insights for educators, curriculum developers, and policymakers, challenging assumptions and providing nuanced perspectives on the implications of incorporating TikTok into English language education.

Unestablished Boundaries: The Capabilities of Immersive Technologies to Induce Empathy, Tell Stories, and Immerse

This article presents a critical viewpoint on the existing research to establish the boundaries of immersive technologies, such as virtual reality, exploring distinctions between sensorial and mental experiences and highlighting the influence of technological determinism in this scholarly domain. The analysis reveals a lack of established conceptual structures for categorizing distinct types of immersion, emphasizing that immersion is not universal and is not inherently technological. In particular, it highlights that, fundamentally, immersive technologies are not designed to immerse into narratives. As a result, this article suggests a dual cognitive framework of immersion to explain the nature of different immersive experiences. The article also critically addresses ethical concerns related to identity tourism and argues against the oversimplification of complex psychological processes, emphasizing the overreliance of the existing studies on visual or technological stimuli. To avoid this, the article suggests a way to avoid technological determinism in relevant conceptualizations. Overall, the article scrutinizes the assumptions associated with immersive technologies, offering insights into their capabilities to stimulate senses and vividly inform, contributing to a nuanced understanding of their effects and ethical implications.

An Overview of Different Clinical Rotation Styles and Organizational Strategies for Postgraduate Psychiatry Training Adopted in General Hospital Psychiatry Units—A Critical Viewpoint from India

An Overview of Different Clinical Rotation Styles and Organizational Strategies for Postgraduate Psychiatry Training Adopted in General Hospital Psychiatry Units—A Critical Viewpoint from India

Grammatical demetaphorization in the title translation of Chinese political cartoons: a multimodal discourse analysis

ABSTRACT Political cartoons are employed by the major Chinese news organisations to present critical viewpoints on global sociopolitical matters. This study draws on the theory of grammatical metaphor to investigate the grammatical demetaphorization observed in the translation of titles accompanying these cartoons. Both ideational and interpersonal demetaphorization are identified. Through a multimodal discourse analysis, it is found that these two types of demetaphorization interact with the cartoons’ verbal-visual elements and thereafter affect the semantic focus, political meaning construction and information arguability of the cartoons. This phenomenon of grammatical demetaphorization in translation reflects translators’ active role in political dissemination. Considering the sociopolitical context in China, we argue that translators’ activism is influenced by their institutional affiliations with the news organisations.

New Public Management and Human Resource Planning Process In Delta State Hospital Management Board, Asaba, Nigeria

The new strategy for public management has given rise to a shift in human resource planning. The purpose of the study is to assess how the new public management approach's theoretical modifications have affected its practical applications, particularly in the area of human resource planning. The main goal of this study was to ascertain how the New Public Management approach has affected human resource planning in Delta State Hospital Management Board, Asaba. Convenience sampling and a cross-sectional research design were used. For this study, a questionnaire was used as the research tool for data collection, and 109 respondents were deemed useful. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 23.0 was used to perform inferential statistics of correlation and multiple regression analysis on the collected data. The study's findings demonstrated a favorable and significant correlation between new public management and human resource planning and a high-performance culture. The study also showed that the New Public Management approach had a direct impact on the culture of high commitment and performance and human resource planning. The study makes several recommendations, including that the Delta State Hospital Management Board and other related public sector organizations work on clearly outlined HR policies that can form the cornerstone of an institutional framework to ensure the efficient application of HRP policies. Additionally, they should implement New Public Management processes that include human resource planning scope and allocate more funds for the capacity building and professional growth of the resources in order to provide need-based training to their staff. The study is unique in two ways. First, while there are numerous studies that describe the traditional approach to public management in the literature, this study offers a critical viewpoint on it. Second, no other studies in Nigeria have looked into the connection between the new public management approach and human resource planning; the study is a leader in the field in this regard.

Can chatbots enhance the management of pediatric sialadenitis in clinical practice?

The purpose of this study was to assess how well ChatGPT, an AI-powered chatbot, performed in helping to manage pediatric sialadenitis and identify when sialendoscopy was necessary. 49 clinical cases of pediatric sialadenitis were retrospectively reviewed. ChatGPT was given patient data, and it offered differential diagnoses, proposed further tests, and suggested treatments. The decisions made by the treating otolaryngologists were contrasted with the answers provided by ChatGPT. Analysis was done on ChatGPT response consistency and interrater reliability. ChatGPT showed 78.57% accuracy in primary diagnosis, and 17.35% of cases were considered likely. On the other hand, otolaryngologists recommended fewer further examinations than ChatGPT (111 vs. 60, p < 0.001). For additional exams, poor agreement was found between ChatGPT and otolaryngologists. Only 28.57% of cases received a pertinent and essential treatment plan via ChatGPT, indicating that the platform's treatment recommendations were frequently lacking. For treatment ratings, judges' interrater reliability was greatest (Kendall's tau = 0.824, p < 0.001). For the most part, ChatGPT's response constancy was high. Although ChatGPT has the potential to correctly diagnose pediatric sialadenitis, there are a number of noteworthy limitations with regard to its ability to suggest further testing and treatment regimens. Before widespread clinical use, more research and confirmation are required. To guarantee that chatbots are utilized properly and effectively to supplement human expertise rather than to replace it, a critical viewpoint is required.

Exploring Dance Theory: Philosophical Foundations, Aesthetic Principles, and Critical Perspectives

This paper explores the complex realm of dance theory and explores its philosophical, aesthetic, and critical viewpoints. First, we consider the philosophical foundation of dance ontologically and strive for an ontological problem of action, expression and avatar. Dance semiotics and symbols are studied as basic tools for deciphering the meaning and understanding complex language of movement. Furthermore, the theory of body cognition reveals a complex relationship between mind, body and environment in the background of dance. Then we deeply study the principles of Dance Aesthetics, and emphasize the importance of the work of form and composition, labor force and choreography of expression. We also study the criticism and criticism of dance works using analytical techniques, interpretations, and comparative analysis, and provide a knowledge of the complex discourse of dance as an art form.

Glass Fibre-Reinforced Composite Materials Used in the Aeronautical Transport Sector: A Critical Circular Economy Point of View

Progress in composite materials has led to their use in applications where improved mechanical and resistance characteristics are required. Most composites are obtained in such a way that they present specific mechanical properties and/or have the role of both a thermal conductor and insulator; these properties are important, specific, specialized, and useful. The advantages of these materials compared to the classic ones are as follows: low weight, high resistance to wear and corrosion, and mechanical characteristics consistent with the subsequent use of the product. The slightly high costs of these materials are justified by their precision, the quality of the products obtained, and the fact that their use leads to increased reliability, maintenance, and, in the cases of the automotive and aeronautical industries, reduced energy consumption. This paper aims to bring to readers’ attention the latest research related to glass fibre-reinforced composite materials in transport-related applications, such as automotive and aeronautic applications, including the manufacturing of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Considering the long period of use, the recycling and reuse of composite materials used in aeronautical transport is a must considering the environmental aspects and the need of achieving a circular economy. In recent years, considerable efforts have been made to find new alternatives to improve the performance and durability of materials in the aeronautical transport sector.

Investigating the Relationship Between Environmental, Social, and Governance Factors and the Capital Asset Pricing Model

This study delves into the intricate relationship between the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors in the investment landscape. Through an extensive review of existing literature and comparative analyses, the paper uncovers the historical development of CAPM, the rise of ESG considerations, and their convergence in modern financial theory. The research aims to shed light on the ongoing debates surrounding integrating ESG factors into the CAPM framework, revealing both supportive and critical viewpoints. Through a critical evaluation of empirical studies, the paper identifies gaps in the current body of knowledge, emphasizing the need for further research to understand the interplay between ESG factors and CAPM. The study concludes that while ESG considerations have increasingly influenced investment decisions, their precise relationship with traditional financial models, such as CAPM, remains an area ripe for exploration.

The introspections of contemporary business research: a call for scientific creativity

PurposeThis study aims to squeeze some critical viewpoints from the shifting landscape of business research (she), that conceals her true personality. Today, she is relentlessly struggling to strike a good balance between science and creativity. Therefore, she resolves to pivot the scholarly attention towards “scientific creativity”.Design/methodology/approachBusiness research is personified in this viewpoint paper. By adopting the methodology of third-person omniscient, the author pens the introspections of contemporary business research, and how she would express herself in modern times if she were a living person.FindingsBusiness research introspects that she is suffering from the phenomena of “existential crisis” and “popularity fallacy” in contemporary times. Though she believes that the science of business research is evolving significantly, worries about becoming scientifically monotonous grip her in the dark of the nights. She laments the grim reality of today; studies of a similar nature dominate the research literature while the philosopher in her is fading gradually. Therefore, she calls for more “scientific creativity”. She realises that solving societal problems must remain her foremost priority. However, she believes that her priorities towards society and world peace depend on whether she could revitalise the fading philosopher of personality.Originality/valueThe current viewpoint paper is an attempt to shed some light on the landscape of contemporary business research, which is undergoing unremitting changes. It also highlights the desirable changes in the context of business research.

Conventional Dental Impressions vs. Impressions Reinforced with Rigid Mouthguards.

The impression materials utilized today in dental medicine offer a good reproducibility and are easily accepted by patients. However, because they are polymer-based, they have issues regarding their dimensional stability. In this respect, the present work proposes a new type of dental impression, which is reinforced with rigid mouthguards. The aim of the study is to test the performances of such new impressions by comparing them to conventional ones-from this critical point of view, of the dimensional stability. Three types of polymeric materials were considered for both types of impressions: alginate, condensation silicone, and addition silicone. In order to obtain the new type of impressions, a manufacturing technique was developed, comprising the following phases: (i) conventional impressions were made; (ii) a plaster model was duplicated, and 15 rigid mouthguards were obtained; (iii) they were inserted in the impression technique, with each mouthguard positioned on the cast before the high-consistency material was inserted in the tray and the practitioner took the impression; (iv) the mouthguard remained in the tray and the low-viscosity material was inserted over the mouthguard; (v) the impression was positioned on the model, and after the material hardened, the mouthguard-reinforced impression was analyzed. In the evaluation of the dimensional stability, rigorous statistical analysis was essential to discern the performance differences between conventional and mouthguard-reinforced dental impressions. Statistical analyses employed non-parametric Mann-Whitney U tests because of the non-normal distribution of the data. They indicated a statistically significant improvement in the dimensional stability of addition silicone impressions when reinforced with mouthguards (p < 0.05), showcasing superior performance over conventional methods. Conversely, alginate and condensation silicone reinforced impressions did not exhibit the same level of stability improvement, suggesting the need for further optimization of these materials. In conclusion, from the three considered elastomers, addition silicone was found to be the prime candidate for high-precision dental impressions, with the potential to improve their quality from conventional impressions by utilizing the proposed reinforcing technique.

Reception of Anton Chekhov's play "Uncle Vanya" in China

This paper examines several important translations of the play from the play's first appearance in China in 1930 to the present day, as well as research and analyses of the play by Chinese scholars. The author uses comparative-typological, comparative-historical, and interpretive methods as the leading research methods. Through the comparative-historical method the dependence between the socio-cultural conditions of the state and the peculiarities of the work's reception is established. The difference in the viewpoints of literary scholars and critics on the poetics and imagery of the play is explicated by the author of the work through the use of comparative-typological method. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the fact that some articles and books by Chinese critics and literary critics considering the peculiarities of the figurative structure and ideological content of A. P. Chekhov's play "Uncle Vanya" are the first to be included in the research turnover, allowing to establish the dependence of the perception of the work by Chinese readers on the socio-cultural conditions of the country. As a result, the author has shown that the perception of "Uncle Vanya" in China is closely connected with the social and political factors of the country, changing over time. The study showed that in the 21st century, more and more attention is paid to the artistic and literary aspects of the work.