Cultural Approach Research Articles

The Notion of English as an International Language in a Selection of Teacher Education Programs in Colombia

English as an International Language (EIL) constitutes a paradigm for the teaching of English from a pluri-centric linguistic, cultural, and pedagogical approach. This article reports on the partial findings of a Comparative Case Study (CCS) conducted to assess the manifestation of the notion of EIL in the curriculum policy documents of a selection of initial teacher education programs in Colombia. Qualitative Content Analysis (QCA) was applied to the curriculum policy documents of three English teacher education programs, and a descriptive account of the contents of these documents is given to support the reported assessment. The analysis revealed that the manifestation of EIL, whenever found, was mostly inferable in the documents of two programs in the functional dimension of EIL and in its dimension of Teacher Education, whereas one program’s document generally did not show manifestation of this paradigm.

Applying cultural perspective in Indonesia municipal solid waste management process towards a grounded climate concept and action: A mini-review of opportunities and challenges.

This mini-review emphasises the role of municipal solid waste (MSW) as the biggest contributor to climate change, as well as the need for more grounded climate action. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 2023 Synthesis Report by the co-facilitators on the technical dialogue Key Finding 3 of applying the 'whole-of-society' approach in this article is interpreted as a cultural approach in MSW management planning and implementation process. Using anthropological critiques of development, the cultural approach is frequently considered an obstacle or a justification for a project's failure rather than an important aspect of the people being developed. Therefore, the goal of this mini-review is to showcase the findings and explore the practical application of UNFCCC Key Finding 3, emphasising its importance in every phase of the solid waste management process for climate action. This mini-review argues that applying a cultural perspective presents both opportunities and challenges. More importantly, without careful acknowledgement and consideration, opportunities can become challenges, if not vice versa. The discussion section explores the ways in which religious and economic conditions might offer a contextual understanding and effective techniques for managing MSW at the local level. To apply Key Finding 3 in practice, academia needs to move away from generality and embrace multiple 'modernities', while practitioners also need to include cultural perspectives to complement scientific knowledge.

Influence of cultural and weed management approaches on economics and soil microbial load in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)

Influence of cultural and weed management approaches on economics and soil microbial load in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)

PEDAGOGICAL SUPPORT SYSTEM OF STUDENTS' EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES BASED ON THE NATIONAL CULTURAL APPROACH

This article explores the development of a pedagogical support system for students' educational initiatives, emphasizing the importance of incorporating national cultural values. The study investigates how the national cultural approach enriches the educational process by promoting identity, creativity, and student initiative. It provides a framework for integrating cultural heritage into pedagogical practices and offers strategies for fostering educational initiatives that reflect students' cultural backgrounds. The research findings highlight the potential of such an approach in shaping responsible, culturally aware citizens.

Ethnomathematics Concept for Learning at High School in Bali

This community service program is focused on improving the quality of mathematics learning at SMA Negeri 2 South Kuta, especially in terms of variety and alternative learning resources. The main issues faced are the lack of varied learning resources and the lack of optimal scanning of innovations in learning to other teachers. The purpose of this service is to increase the understanding of the concept of Ethnomathematics and encourage its application as an alternative learning resource for mathematics teachers at SMA Negeri 2 South Kuta. The method used is mentoring with two sub-topics, namely providing an understanding of the concept of Ethnomathematics, the relationship between culture and mathematics, cultural approaches in learning, and the benefits of Ethnomathematics, and emphasizing the importance of understanding the social context in learning, inclusive learning, and connecting mathematics with the context of students' lives. Mentoring is carried out in four stages including planning, preparation, implementation, and evaluation. Pre-test and post-test are used to measure the initial understanding and improvement of teachers' understanding related to Ethnomathematics. The mentoring succeeded in increasing teachers' understanding of Ethnomathematics. There was an increase in the average pre-test and post-test scores of 15.69%. Six teachers managed to achieve the maximum score on the post-test, while the other five teachers showed a significant increase in comprehension. These results show that mentoring has succeeded in making a positive contribution in improving teachers' understanding of Ethnomathematics

The relational heart of Couples Therapy: In conversation with Dr Orna Guralnik

This article is based on the author’s conversation in December 2023 with Orna Guralnik about the television series Couples Therapy, based on the filming of couples in sessions with her. They discussed the programme and its production, and also its link to her academic work, which presents a psychosocial approach to clinical practice. Their conversation covered three broad areas: Couples Therapy and therapeutic culture, Couples Therapy and the radically altered psychoanalytic frame, and finally Couples Therapy and sociopolitical culture. They explored the way in which the television series aims to help couples and the public to understand more of themselves in their relationships, and offers a glimpse of what couple psychotherapy can offer to families and couples who need help. Bringing in Guralnik’s academic work also highlighted the importance of opening up space for a conversation in the profession about different approaches to couple psychotherapy which respect difference and maintain curiosity. This article presents extracts from their wide-ranging conversation which interlink reflections on the television series, contemporary culture, and psychosocial approaches to clinical practice.

Stratification of human gut microbiomes by succinotype is associated with inflammatory bowel disease status

BackgroundThe human gut microbiome produces and consumes a variety of compounds that interact with the host and impact health. Succinate is of particular interest as it intersects with both host and microbiome metabolism. However, which gut bacteria are most responsible for the consumption of intestinal succinate is poorly understood.ResultsWe build upon an enrichment-based whole fecal sample culturing approach and identify two main bacterial taxa that are responsible for succinate consumption in the human intestinal microbiome, Phascolarctobacterium and Dialister. These two taxa have the hallmark of a functional guild and are strongly mutual exclusive across 21,459 fecal samples in 94 cohorts and can thus be used to assign a robust “succinotype” to an individual. We show that they differ with respect to their rate of succinate consumption in vitro and that this is associated with higher concentrations of fecal succinate. Finally, individuals suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are more likely to have the Dialister succinotype compared to healthy subjects.ConclusionsWe identified that only two bacterial genera are the key succinate consumers in human gut microbiome, despite the fact that many more intestinal bacteria encode for the succinate pathway. This highlights the importance of phenotypic assays in functionally profiling intestinal microbiota. A stratification based on “succinotype” is to our knowledge the first function-based classification of human intestinal microbiota. The association of succinotype with IBD thus builds a bridge between microbiome function and IBD pathophysiology related to succinate homeostasis.1f3imNYWH_SuaBpDzz9CS6Video

Integrating Culture in Primary Education’s Quality Assurance: Demography Perspective

Purpose: It has been argued in literature that culture has significant influence on the education implementation. While it is undeniable that education quality is the most important in the education implementation, many attempt to ensure quality assurance at all levels of education. Hence this Study investigates the culture approach in Quality assurance in Elementary School. Design: A Qualitative approach was applied in this study. Using explorative research with a naturalistic phenomenon exposure in Elementary school in Bangkalan city, Madura Island, East Java Province, Indonesia. Data collection using in depth interview while data analysis using descriptive with deductive methods. Findings: Teachers showed a strategic approach with an integrated culture in quality assurance as the students’ good grade is the focus of the teaching. Support system in developing a more cultural, independent, self-reliant approach in teaching to achieve good quality in education is needed. Teachers perceive themselves doing well in their job, however teachers need close guidance and support when undertaking quality assurance assessment.

Isolation and Plant Growth Promotion Effect of Endophytic Siderophore-Producing Bacteria: A Study on Halophyte Sesuvium portulacastrum.

The objective of the present study was to isolate endophytes from the roots of the halophyte Sesuvium portulacastrum, which is applied for aquatic phytoremediation. From these endophytes, siderophore-producing bacteria were specifically isolated for their potential capacity to promote plant growth. The siderophore production capacity of the isolated bacteria was quantified, and a high-yield siderophore-producing strain was selected for further investigation. A total of 33 endophytic bacteria were successfully isolated and identified using a culturable approach. Of these, 10 siderophore-producing bacteria were identified using the selective agar assay, displaying siderophore unit (SU) values ranging from 11.90% to 80.39%. It is noteworthy that Erwinia sp. QZ-E9 exhibited the highest siderophore production capacity, achieving an SU of 80.39%. A microcosm co-cultivation experiment was conducted with the strain QZ-E9 in iron-deficient conditions (2 μmol/L Fe3⁺). The results demonstrated that strain QZ-E9 significantly enhanced the growth of S. portulacastrum, by increases in both fresh weight (1.41 g) and root length (18.7 cm). Furthermore, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was utilized to ascertain the colonization pattern of strain QZ-E9 within the plant roots. The analysis demonstrated that strain QZ-E9 exhibited extensive colonization of the epidermal and outer cortical cells of S. portulacastrum roots, as well as the intercellular spaces and vascular tissues. This colonization indicated that Erwinia sp. QZ-E9 plays a crucial role in promoting the growth of S. portulacastrum, presumably through its siderophore-mediated iron acquisition mechanism.

‘Grandma, tell that story about how to make napalm again’: Exploring early adopters’ collaborative domestication of generative AI

The present study explores early adopters’ domestication processes of ChatGPT and Midjourney in the early phase of generative AI’s public breakthrough. To study this process, we conducted an online ethnography in two dominant AI forums on Reddit: r/chatgpt and r/midjourney. Drawing on domestication theory (Silverstone and Hirsch, 1992), we describe three modalities of domestication and argue they represent an emerging cultural approach to generative AI with potential to influence broader domestication and adoption of generative AI. Our findings show that early adopters’ domestication processes are collaborative and fueled by playful and nontelic activity, that is, non-purpose-driven behavior (Abend et al., 2020), where new content genres and transmedia practices (Jenkins, 2007) emerge and serve as an entryway into understanding and domesticating the technology. We identify three distinct modalities of domestication in relation to generative AI: jailbreaking, roleplaying, and playing ‘what if’. Our analysis highlights how non-purpose-driven and playful engagement with generative AI drives a highly collaborative domestication process among users. In this process, generative AI serves a double role as both the object and enabler of domestication. Based on the analysis, we argue for the need to take collaboration, affect, and playfulness into consideration in studies of users’ technology domestication processes.

Rituals of the First Poem: The Origins and Semiotics of Ruins Lamentation in Pre-Islamic Talbiyat

This study employs cultural approach in interpreting the phenomenon of ruins lamentation through the dialectic of sanctification and desecration, ritual and poetry, which is evident in the texts of pagan "talbiyat" (hymns) and Hajj rituals in the pre-Islam era. It argues that the nature of pagan sanctification required that "talbiyat" was a form of ritual documentation with a purpose of argument before unseen powers, through the pilgrims standing up to the holiness of the Sacred House. They were aware that ruins reflect the anxiety of the pagan self while it compares the Holy sacred house with fake Sacred Houses, as well as pleading to God by mentioning what they had suffered on the journey. Since violating sanctification in pagan culture was seen as a sign of desecration; Many pagan "talbiyat" reveal a dual of religious and worldly purposes that was decisive in shifting the collective ritual to the poetics of the poem. Looking at the map of the pagan Hajj, it becomes clear that the three-part structure of the poem echoes the structure of the ritual Hajj extending over three stages, the pilgrim/poet roam in the pagan geography of the non-sacred, seeking inspiration, satisfaction and blessing of the gods residing on the outskirts of Mecca, which, in turn, inspire him with the ritual/poetic discourse, and then he can proceed with composing hymns /poem before arriving at the courtyard of the Ka'aba and praying to the actual God of this Ancient House.

Research on the Design Aesthetic Characteristics of Chinese Digital Virtual Products in the 21st Century

The advancement of digital technologies profoundly impacts design art, particularly in virtual product design, where new expressions and effects, unattainable through traditional methods, emerge. Digitalization supports designers by freeing their creativity and enabling the embodiment of artistic pursuits. This transformation affects all stages of artistic creation, from concepts to expression, facilitated by the integration of digital technologies. The interactivity of digital virtual design promotes personalized, humane aesthetics through user participation.In the context of China's development, the animation industry's growth necessitates a unique cultural approach. Successful films like "Storm Rider Clash of the Evils" integrate Chinese elements and philosophy, reflecting traditional culture and values. This film exemplifies the fusion of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, presenting the idea of fate and the unity of characters in accordance with destiny. Martial arts scenes, rivers, lakes, and dynamic fights showcase innovative audio-visual effects. Despite some design flaws, the film's innovations and desire for innovation mark a significant step in the evolution of Chinese animation art, providing new creative opportunities and inspiring future projects. The film's cultural depth, blending traditional elements with modern trends, appeals to a broad audience, solidifying China's position in the global animation industry and showcasing its potential for innovation and cultural contribution.

A 3D hydrogel scaffold with adjustable interlayer spacing for the formation of compact myocardial tissue

AbstractThe design and optimization of three‐dimensional tissue scaffolds have presented a persistent challenge for myocardial tissue engineering. While current scaffolds have made strides in mimicking in vivo three‐dimensional environments, the presence of interlayer spacing has limited the formation of densely packed tissue, impeding cell‐to‐cell connections. We proposed a novel dynamic three‐dimensional myocardial tissue engineering scaffold with adjustable interlayer spacing, aiming to improve the uniformity of cell distribution and facilitate effective cell communication. The device was composed of hydrogel scaffolds that were fabricated with poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) and flexible elastomer actuators that composed of polyurethane acrylate (PUA). Human induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived cardiomyocytes mixed with gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) were seeded onto the multi‐layered scaffold with initial spacing of 100–500 μm. Experimental results indicated the seeding efficiency was maximized at an initial spacing of 400 μm. By decreasing the interlayer spacing, cell growth morphology and gap junction protein expression was improved. This work demonstrated the effect of interlayer spacing modulation to the tissue density and provided a potential approach for cultivation of compact and multi‐layered myocardial tissue.

Impact of Online Civic Participation on the Social and Labor Expectations of Peruvian University Students

Objective: Analyze the impact of online civic participation on the social and labor expectations of Peruvian university students, aiming to understand how digital engagement influences their future outlooks in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals. Theoretical Framework: The research is based on concepts of digital citizenship, online civic participation, and the SDGs, using theories of media literacy, social engagement, and youth participation in digital spaces. It incorporates models of online civic (non)participation and a culturalist approach to digital interaction. Method: The study employs a quantitative-descriptive cross-sectional design, gathering data from 349 Peruvian university students through a 52-question survey. It explores students' digital behaviors, civic engagement, and academic and professional expectations, focusing on SDG-related outcomes. Results and Discussion: The findings show that while students are actively engaged in online civic activities, especially entertainment content, their participation and content creation are limited. A correlation exists between higher online engagement and lower academic and labor expectations, indicating a disconnect between digital activities, educational goals, and SDG alignment. Research Implications: The study highlights the need for educational strategies to improve digital literacy, balance online engagement with academics, and incorporate career development resources into digital platforms to align students' activities with their professional goals and the SDGs. Originality/Value: This research explores the link between online civic participation, socio-labor expectations of university students in a developing country, and the SDGs, providing practical insights for educators and policymakers to use digital platforms to enhance academic and career outcomes aligned with sustainable development.

Rethinking the low profile: The evolving stance of China’s strategic culture

In recent decades, the concept of strategic culture has emerged as the core focus of cultural approach theories to explain a state’s strategic behavior, given that existing theories have failed to convey deviations from the universal principles of rational state behavior. Relying on the conceptual framework of strategic culture, complemented by Barry Buzan’s “revisionist” approach, this article strives to fill the existing gap in the literature by presenting motives and evidence of revisionism in China’s culture-based conduct. By investigating China’s revisionist behavior vis-à-vis its strategic culture, we conclude that both are correlated. China’s territorial claims, its rapid military modernization, the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative, and its ambiguous alignment with Russia, emphasize the evolution of China’s strategic culture from a defensive to a more resolute stance.

Развитие системы педагогического образования в Республике Гана

Relevance. Integration of African students into the Russian cultural and educational space is one of the most effective means of fostering friendly bilateral relations in order to implement Russia’s humanitarian policy on the African continent. Pedagogical education can become an important form of cooperation; it may include enrolling foreign students in higher education programs and expanding our work in educational centers abroad. Such a center promoting Russian culture among students was opened in the Republic of Ghana in 2003. However, our understanding of the organization of pedagogical education – primarily the system of teacher training – will contribute to deeper integration into the Ghanaian educational system in order to achieve the above-mentioned objective. We should aim to comprehend the internal structure, objectives, content, management, and evolving directions of the Ghanaian educational system, grounded in its history. The aim of the research is to analyze the contemporary system of teacher training education in the Republic of Ghana. The methodology uses a cultural approach, blending comparative and historical pedagogical methods with analysis of scientific literature, state educational documents, reports of the Ministry of Education and international organizations, enhanced by field observations and interviews with representatives of Ghana’s higher education. The findings reveal a dynamic evolution in Ghana’s higher education system, highlighting its contemporary structure, governance, and educational policies concerning teacher training. Conclusion: the study identifies the principles underpinning the organization of Ghana’s national pedagogical education and notes the active renewal phase of the teacher training system, which aligns with national interests yet relies on international support (methodological and financial). Therefore, at the moment, Ghana is as open as possible for cooperation in teacher training education. Practical application: the research results are valuable for the development of the Center for Open Education in Ghana and for creating joint training programs under the Russian Federation’s Humanitarian Policy abroad. Additionally, the results can contribute to comparative pedagogy courses at university level.

Influence of Different Cow Manure Application Rates on the Growth, Yield and Indigo Blue Color of Indigofera suffruticosa Mill

Background: Indigo is a key ingredient in the natural dyeing of fabrics. However, the conventional use of chemical fertilizers in indigo cultivation has led to an increase in production costs and soil degradation. Low-fertility soils further compromise the growth and yield of indigo plants. To address these challenges, employing manure is recognized as a sustainable approach for indigo cultivation. The use of manure enhances soil nutrient levels, improves soil structure and mitigates production costs. In this study, our objectives were to compare different rates of cow manure in relation to indigo growth, yield and the effect of cow manure rate on the value of indigo blue color. Methods: The experiments were carried out at the Plant Science Field from June to October 2022. Employing a randomized complete block design (RCBD), the study featured four treatments with four replications each. The treatments included: Treatment 1: no fertilizer (control); Treatment 2: cow manure at a rate of 3,125 kg/ha; Treatment 3: cow manure at a rate of 6,250 kg/ha; and Treatment 4: cow manure at a rate of 9,375 kg/ha. Data collection included plant height, canopy width, number of branches, plant weight, indigo blue weight and indigo blue color value. The CIE color system (Commission International de l’Éclairage) determined the color value. Result: The application of cow manure at a rate of 9,375 kg/ha resulted in the highest plant height and canopy width, with the corresponding number of branches of 150.73 cm, 46.45 cm and 31.73 cm, respectively. As compared to the other treatments, these values were statistically different. The color that was associated with the indigo finished product was dark blue and the yield; plant weight and indigo blue weight were recorded as 15,663.44 kg/ha and 2,540.44 kg/ha, respectively. The color value of indigo blue showed that the L* values of 24.94, a* -9.32, b* -2.44 and C* 9.63 were not significant but h* 194.66 was statistically significant.

The Western psychologization of global development: A cultural and decolonial approach

Euro-American psychology’s strong focus on the individual mind and behavior has become a fundamental part of global development agendas. Concepts like self-regulation, self-actualization, self-efficacy, and behavior change decorate the development discourse. Scholars term this phenomenon the “psychologization of development.” The main driver of this focus is likely rooted in the hegemonic belief that Western psychological theories are universally applicable. Yet, the discipline’s embeddedness in Euro-American imperialism, globalization, and neoliberalism makes its theories particularly un-universal and unfit in many contexts. Nevertheless, people in non-Western societies are increasingly subjected to development interventions targeting their individual behavior. Using examples from research in sub-Saharan Africa of how articulations of harmful witchcraft may increase because of development interventions that promote individualized ways of being and thinking, this article prompts a cultural and decolonial perspective to reimagine other ways of doing development.

New insights into the reproductive physiology and culture approaches of Paratilapia sp., a Malagasy cichlid with potential interest for sustainable aquaculture

AbstractOne of the primary objectives in freshwater aquaculture is the search for sustainable systems based on agroecological intensification. In this context, the cultivation of local species is decisive, although requiring the identification of new candidates. Malagasy aquaculture is an example of the development of such an approach. We aimed to deepen the knowledge of the biology of the Paratilapia sp., specifically, their reproductive traits and zootechnical aspects, with special emphasis on the juvenile stages. The information provided has interest for its commercial production and the species conservation, as populations are subjected to overexploitation and habitat degradation. This study is a consolidated report on morphological characteristics, sexual dimorphism, reproductive biology, and early developmental ontogeny. The main results suggested a marked sexual dimorphism, as well as greater growth of males compared with females. Aggressive behavior between males was observed before pair formation. Generally, female and males provided protection until fry are independent. Females produced 2756 ± 598 eggs per spawn on average (gonadosomatic index = 4.6%), with a reproductive frequency of one to two spawns. Despite the need to improve breeding protocols, this work represents a breakthrough in producing a local freshwater species of potential interest.

Vulnerability and adaptation on the icecap’s edge: farming communities in subarctic South Greenland

ABSTRACT Variability in climate and weather conditions and socio-economic shifts are dramatically altering the landscapes and livelihoods of peoples of the northern high-latitudes. Such escalating trends have distinctive consequences at the local and regional scale and the ability to adapt to such rapid changes will challenge cultural, social, and economic systems across Arctic regions. Using a cultural landscape approach, this study provides an in-depth qualitative analysis of sheep farming communities in subarctic South Greenland. Our study centers local voices and helps document shifting weather-related and other socio-economic challenges. We interview four farming households, one historian, and one local economic development expert to understand the broader context, the challenges and vulnerabilities, and the persistence of agriculture in this high north region. Our analysis reveals four overarching themes influencing the sustainability of sheep farming: (1) multi-generational farming heritage, (2) reciprocity and community support, (3) shifting weather and climate influences and farming livelihoods, and (4) farm operations and new opportunities. Findings from this study fill a gap in the literature on local and regional impacts of weather and socio-economic shifts in remote regions. Through the inclusion of local Inuit and other voices, we document how geographically dispersed subarctic communities are adapting to broader shifts.