Qualitative Changes Research Articles

The influence of reflexive modernity on the change of human capital

Relevance is due to the need to revise approaches to the theoretical understanding of the concept of "human capital" in modern society, since it is considered as a resource for the development of society, solving many current social problems, as well as confronting new risks. The concept of "reflexivity" as a social phenomenon also needs conceptual development. It is also necessary to identify the relationships between these phenomena.The purpose is to consider how the content of the phenomenon of human capital is transformed in the conditions of the formation of the socio-cultural structure of the information society, including the growing reflexivity of social interaction.Objectives: to identify the key features of understanding the phenomenon of reflexivity (reflection) in philosophy, psychology, sociology; the specifics of this phenomenon in the context of the formation of the information society, as well as the impact of this process on the content component of human capital in modern society.Methodology. The author relies on the achievements of related sciences in the field of the study of reflexivity. The analysis of the problem is based on the ideas and principles of systemic, synergetic, activity-based approaches, as well as the provisions of the theories of emergent effects and human capital.Results. The article substantiates the idea that the transition to a new type of social organization, accompanied by the appearance of new characteristics in the social system, led to the development and strengthening of the importance of reflexivity of society. At the same time, the requirements for the individual are changing and the content of human capital is being revised. This process is conditioned by the need to increase awareness, objectivity of ideas about the system of social relations in conditions of expanding individual freedom, its role in social processes, increasing the volume of information produced by society and the subjects involved in this process.Conclusions. Reflexivity as a characteristic of the social system appears at the later stages of the development of society. The basis of its formation was the evolution of psychological processes in humans and a qualitative change in the organization of society. On the one hand, there is an expansion of the potential of the individual and society, on the other ‒ the risks they have to face. Objectively the content of human capital is expanding, and social demands on it are growing. The ability to reflect seems to be an integral part of it. It involves the mastery of a person's ways of thinking and intellectual techniques for perceiving processes and events in society, which was previously the lot of the elite; internalization, rather than declaring universal values.

Optimizing textile dyeing and finishing for improved energy efficiency and sustainability in fleece knitted fabrics

In the industrial range, optimizing dyeing and finishing energy is important to control environmental pollution. In the Dyeing stage to finishing of textiles gas, electricity, steam, and water are used 260 m3/hour, 591 kWh, 1.2 pounds/hour, and 8.69 tons/hour respectively. If textile professionals do not match the desired shade and quality of fabrics with the use of minimal resources the energy cost will be multiple times higher. This study investigates the change in the shade of fleece knitted fabrics from the dyeing unload to the finish stage and assumes a dyeing recipe adjustment, focusing on the impact of optimized dyeing and finishing processes. Also, it focuses on qualitative changes in properties across various color variations. Identical dyeing recipes for light, medium, and dark shades of red, blue, and navy. Properties such as GSM (grams per square meter), width, color strength, shade (darker/lighter, red/green, blue/yellow), shrinkage, spirality, pilling, bursting strength, and color fastness were analyzed. Dyeing to post-finishing, an increase in color strength (K/S) values was observed, with examples including minimum increases from 2.9 to 3.18 for light red and maximum from 19.3 to 22.9 for dark navy shade. Darker shades (DL*) were observed after stenter 1st pass (among all variants, red: 1.2 % to 8.1 %, blue: 4.5 % to 6.7 %, navy: 1.6 % to 2 %), while lighter shades (DL*) were observed following sueding and napping (among all variants, red: 3.1 % to 19.7 %, blue: 11.8 % to 19.7 %, navy: 14.8 % to 27.6 %). Greenish (Da*) and yellowish (Db*) tones are prominent across all colors in the finishing stages. Besides, other properties shrinkage, spirality, pilling, bursting strength, and color fastness significantly changed. These findings offer valuable guidance for dyeing professionals aiming to achieve the desired adjustment of shades that match the quality standard and produce sustainable fleece fabrics. To compensate for the shade lightening that occurs during the finishing process, it is recommended to keep the fabric shade slightly darker (5.70 % to 23.10 %) at the dyeing stage.

Bilingual pre-service teachers’ evolving conceptualizations about curriculum as a hybrid space through multimodal learning experiences

Guided by Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT), this study examined the effectiveness of multimodal pedagogical processes in a graduate course to help 23 bilingual pre-service teachers (BPSTs) reformulate curriculum for inclusivity. Using sequential multi-methods, quantitative analysis assessed changes in curriculum design using a researcher-generated rubric, and qualitative explorations examined collages, clay creations, and written metacognitive reflections. The study found that the BPSTs significantly reformulated the role of hybridity in curriculum design and revealed four patterns of change: Qualitative maintained radical, qualitative maintained gradual, qualitative not maintained, and no qualitative change. The study illuminates the use of multimodal mediators for BPSTs’ learning.

Detection of serum alterations in polysubstance use patients by FT-Raman spectroscopy

Substance use disorders pose significant health risks and treatment challenges due to the diverse interactions between substances and their impact on physical and mental health. The chemical effects of multiple substance use on bodily fluids are not yet fully understood. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the chemical changes induced by a combination of substances compared to a control group. Analysis of FT-Raman spectra revealed structural alterations in the amide III, I, and C = O functional groups of lipids in subjects treated with opioids, alcohol and cannabis (polysubstance group). These changes were evident in the form of peak shifts compared to the control group. Additionally, an imbalance in the amide-lipid ratio was observed, indicating perturbations in serum protein and lipid levels. Furthermore, a 2D plot of two-track two-dimensional correlation spectra (2T2D-COS) demonstrated a shift towards dominance of lipid vibrations in the polysubstance use groups, contrasting with the predominance of the amide fraction in the control group. This observation suggests distinct molecular changes induced by multiple substance use, potentially contributing to the pathophysiology of substance use disorders. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was utilized to visualize the data structure and identify outliers. Subsequently, Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) was employed to classify the polysubstance use and control groups. The PLS-DA model demonstrated high classification accuracy, achieving 100.00 % in the training dataset and 94.74 % in the test dataset. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis yielded perfect AUC values of 1.00 for both the training and test sets, underscoring the robustness of the classification model.This study highlights the quantitative and qualitative changes in serum protein and lipid levels induced by polysubstance use groups, as evidenced by FT-Raman spectroscopy. The findings underscore the importance of understanding the chemical effects of polysubstance use on bodily fluids for improved diagnosis and treatment of substance use disorders. Moreover, the successful classification of spectral data using machine learning techniques emphasizes the potential of these approaches in clinical applications for substance abuse monitoring and management.

Satellite Reveals a Coupling between Forest Displacement and Landscape Fragmentation across the Economic Corridor of the Eurasia Continent

Jointly building the Economic Corridor of the Eurasia Continent (ECEC), which is one of the most important parts of the Silk Road Economic Belt, is a pivotal initiative for fostering regional development. Forests, which serve as a green foundation of economic resilience, underpin this effort. However, there is an imbalance in ecological status due to differences in natural resources and the social economy along the economic corridor. This imbalance has led to alterations in landscapes, yet the specific changes and their underlying relationships are still much less understood. Here, we quantitatively detected changes in the forest landscape and its ecological efforts over the ECEC via widespread, satellite-based and long-term land cover maps released by the European Space Agency (ESA) Climate Change Initiative (CCI). Specifically, the coupling between changes in forest coverage and landscape patterns, e.g., diversity, was further examined. The results revealed that forest coverage fluctuated and declined over the ECEC from 1992 to 2018, with an overall reduction of approximately 9784.8 km2 (i.e., 0.25%). Conversions between forests and other land cover types were widely observed. The main displacements occurred between forests and grasslands/croplands (approximately 48%/21%). Moreover, the landscape diversity in the study area increased, as measured by the effective diversity index (EDI), during the study period, despite obvious spatial heterogeneity. Notably, this pattern of landscape diversity was strongly associated with forest displacement and local urban development through coupling analysis, consequently indicating increasing fragmentation rather than biological diversity. This study highlights the coupled relationship between quantitative and qualitative changes in landscapes, facilitating our understanding of environmental protection and policy management.

Investigating the Unsteady Dynamics of a Multi-Jet Impingement Cooling Flow Using Large Eddy Simulation

Abstract We investigate the unsteady behavior of an in-line jet impingement array of nine jets at a Reynolds number of 10,000 in a narrow channel subjected to a developing cross flow of up to 25% of the bulk jet velocity. To this end, we present an improved version of a previously published large eddy simulation (LES) now with resolved turbulence at the inflow boundaries. After a careful analysis of the transient behavior and statistical convergence of the LES, we discuss the time-averaged heat transfer characteristics of the configuration compared to numerical references of similar configurations. We then show how the large-scale unsteadiness increases from jet to jet. Both space-only and spectral proper orthogonal decompositions (POD and SPOD) are used to discuss the large-scale organization of single jets and multiple jets in combination. The latter shows a qualitative change in the unsteady behavior of the temperature footprint on the impingement wall with increasing cross flow.

СУТНІСНА ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА РОЗВИТКУ ПІДПРИЄМСТВА

The article is devoted to the study of the essential characteristics of the development of socio-economic systems in general and the enterprise, in particular. Attention is focused on the dependence of the perception of development and economic conditions in the country's economic system. A philosophical approach to the "development" category is presented. Because of the research of the views of domestic scientists, emphasis is placed on the main such feature as objective changes in the qualitative characteristics of the system. At the same time, three main directions of changes are highlighted - quantitative, structural and qualitative - which are clearly correlated. Other approaches to the concept of "development of the enterprise" are considered, which accordingly focus on: its acquisition of new opportunities and properties, qualities and characteristic features; quantitative changes in the system due to the process of transition to a new, higher quality state. The results of the study of various approaches of domestic scientists and their generalization made it possible to single out four differentiated groups of views on the economic context of the concept of "enterprise development", which are structured in the form of a table. A separate aspect of the consideration of this article is the main laws of the development of the economic system, on which the concept of enterprise development is based. These are the laws of unity of analysis and synthesis, development, stability, synergy, awareness, composition and proportionality. Based on the analysis of synonymous concepts, such as "organizational development" and "organizational development of the enterprise" and others, three main aspects of development are emphasized: scientific and technical, market and organizational. The importance of managing the development of the enterprise as a cyclical process of managing qualitative and quantitative changes in the organization with appropriate information support aimed at increasing the efficiency of the enterprise in the long term is emphasized. It was concluded that development is an integral process of the existence of any socio-economic systems and requires constant control and management by management.

Value of pharmaceuticals: Improving product demand through innovative research and development in Palestinian and Jordanian firms

This study investigates the sustainability of the pharmaceutical business in Palestine and Jordan by examining the impact of R&D intensity on company performance. The study sample consisted of pharmaceutical companies listed on the Amman and Palestine Stock Exchanges, where the descriptive analytical approach was used to achieve the study's objectives, which numbered (6) companies for ten years from 2013 to 2022. The study's dependent variable, "Performance and value of the company’s Return on Assets (ROA), Earnings Per Share (EPS), and Tobin's Q, and the independent variables were R&D intensity (RDI) and selling and marketing expenses (SMI). A statistical analysis package (STATA) was used to achieve the study's objectives and test its hypotheses. The study analyzed the impact of variables (RDI, SMI,) on the performance and value of pharmaceutical companies. Variables (RDI, SMI, FS, CP, and LEV) had no significant influence on these factors. However, the MS has a significant impact on these factors. The study also found that while variables (SMI and FS) had a significant effect on pharmaceutical companies' performance and value, the variables (RDI, MS, CP, and LEV) had no significant influence on either. This study offers significant implications for the sustainability of pharmaceutical companies, investors, and academic research centers. Governments, including health ministries, should reevaluate R&D spending to bring about a qualitative change that will allow these businesses to innovate and sustainably contribute to the preservation of healthcare.

Comparative analysis of the influence of BpfA and BpfG on biofilm development and current density in Shewanella oneidensis under oxic, fumarate- and anode-respiring conditions.

Biofilm formation by Shewanella oneidensis has been extensively studied under oxic conditions; however, relatively little is known about biofilm formation under anoxic conditions and how biofilm architecture and composition can positively influence current generation in bioelectrochemical systems. In this study, we utilized a recently developed microfluidic biofilm analysis setup with automated 3D imaging to investigate the effects of extracellular electron acceptors and synthetic modifications to the extracellular polymeric matrix on biofilm formation. Our results with the wild type strain demonstrate robust biofilm formation even under anoxic conditions when fumarate is used as the electron acceptor. However, this pattern shifts when a graphite electrode is employed as the electron acceptor, resulting in biofilm formation falling below the detection limit of the optical coherence tomography imaging system. To manipulate biofilm formation, we aimed to express BpfG with a single amino acid substitution in the catalytic center (C116S) and to overexpress bpfA. Our analyses indicate that, under oxic conditions, overarching mechanisms predominantly influence biofilm development, rather than the specific mutations we investigated. Under anoxic conditions, the bpfG mutation led to a quantitative increase in biofilm formation, but both strains exhibited significant qualitative changes in biofilm architecture compared to the controls. When an anode was used as the sole electron acceptor, both the bpfA and bpfG mutations positively impacted mean current density, yielding a 1.8-fold increase for each mutation.

Rebuilding the Strength of Hypomineralized Enamel – An In-Depth Systematic Literature Review

Molar Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH) is a prevalent developmental enamel defect characterized by qualitative changes in the enamel of one or more first permanent molars, often accompanied by similar defects in the incisors. This condition leads to significant dental challenges, including soft, porous enamel, which is more susceptible to damage and caries than non-MIH teeth. The affected teeth exhibit lower mineral concentration, higher porosity, and altered mechanical properties, contributing to their increased vulnerability to decay and restoration failures. Research indicates that MIH-affected teeth often require more extensive dental treatments due to compromised structural integrity. The enamel defects associated with MIH manifest as well-demarcated opacities, which can lead to hypersensitivity and aesthetic concerns for patients, particularly children. However, there is hope in the form of various remineralization strategies that have been explored to address MIH's challenges. These strategies, including recent clinical trials, have demonstrated the efficacy of remineralization agents in restoring some of the lost enamel properties, which is crucial for managing MIH effectively. This potential for restoration through remineralization strategies offers a hopeful outlook for improving patient outcomes with MIH.

Effects of sulphur thermal water inhalations in long-COVID syndrome: Spa-centred, double-blinded, randomised case–control pilot study

BackgroundThe long-COVID syndrome is characterised by a plethora of symptoms. Given its social and economic impact, many studies have stressed the urgency of proposing innovative strategies other than hospital settings. In this double-blinded, randomised, case–control trial, we investigate the effects of sulphur thermal water inhalations, rich in H2S, compared to distilled water inhalations on symptoms, inflammatory markers and nasal microbiome in long-COVID patients. MethodsAbout 30 outpatients aged 18–75 with positive diagnosis for long-COVID were randomised in two groups undergoing 12 consecutive days of inhalations. The active group (STW) received sulphur thermal water inhalations whereas the placebo group received inhalations of sterile distilled non-pyrogenic water (SDW). Each participant was tested prior treatment at day 1 (T0), after the inhalations at day 14 (T1) and at 3 months follow-up (T2). At each time point, blood tests, nasal swabs for microbiome sampling, pulmonary functionality tests (PFTs) and pro-inflammatory marker measure were performed. ResultsThe scores obtained in the administered tests (6MWT, Borg score and SGRQ) at T0 showed a significant variation in the STW group, at T1 and T2. Serum cytokine levels and other inflammatory biomarkers reported a statistically significant decrease. Some specific parameters of PFTs showed ameliorations in the STW group only. Changes in the STW nasopharyngeal microbiota composition were noticed, especially from T0 to T2. ConclusionsInhalations of sulphur thermal water exerted objective and subjective improvements on participants affected by long-COVID. Significant reduction of inflammatory markers, dyspnoea scores and quantitative and qualitative changes in the nasopharyngeal microbiome were also assessed.

Magnetic circular dichroism of f-f electron transitions in Ho3+ and Nd3+ ions in antiferromagnetic crystal Ho0.75Nd0.25Fe3(BO3)4 in the region of spin-reorientation transition

Absorption and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectra have been studied in the region of 5I8 → 5F2, 5S2, 5F3, and 5F5 absorption bands of the Ho3+ ion and in the region of 4I9/2→4G7/2, 2K13/2, 4S3/2, 4F7/2, 4F5/2 and 2H9/2 absorption bands of the Nd3+ ion in an antiferromagnetic trigonal crystal Ho0.75Nd0.25Fe3(BO3)4 in the temperature range from 5 to 90 K. A qualitative change in the shape of the MCD spectra of Ho3+ ion was revealed during the spin-reorientation transition at TR = 6.9 К. Below TR, in the easy-axis state of the crystal, the MCD spectrum has a shape typical for paramagnets, i.e., it consists of diamagnetic and paramagnetic parts. Just above TR, in the easy-plane state of the crystal, MCD of Ho3+ ion has a spectrum similar to the absorption spectrum, which is typical for the paramagnetic part of the MCD. It was shown, that in the easy-plane state the exchange field of iron, being perpendicular to the external field directed along the C3 axis, quenches the usual paramagnetic and diamagnetic MCD in Ho3+ ion, but creates a condition for the appearance of a large paramagnetic MCD of mixing (B-term). With temperature increasing, the MCD spectrum of Ho3+ ion gradually turns into a spectrum typical for paramagnets with the predominance of the sign-changing diamagnetic part, because the influence of the exchange field decreases. The shape of the MCD spectra of Nd3+ ions are typical for paramagnets but does not change during the reorientation transition in the rest of the crystal. This means that the magnetic moment of the Nd3+ ion does not make a reorientation transition simultaneously with the Fe3+ and Ho3+ ions of the rest of the crystal. This phenomenon is accounted for by a strong local magnetic anisotropy of the Nd3+ ion and by a weak exchange interaction Fe-Nd, which is not enough for rotation of the Nd3+ ion moment synchronously with that of the Fe3+ ion. The magneto-optical properties of neodymium are controlled by the easy-axis anisotropy of neodymium.

Impaired unsaturated fatty acid elongation alters mitochondrial function and accelerates metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis progression

Background and aimsAlthough qualitative and quantitative alterations in liver Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs) are observed in MASH in humans, a causal relationship of PUFAs biosynthetic pathways is yet to be clarified. ELOVL5, an essential enzyme in PUFA elongation regulates hepatic triglyceride metabolism. Nonetheless, the long-term consequences of elongase disruption, particularly in murine models of MASH, have not been evaluated. Approach & resultsIn humans, transcriptomic data indicated that PUFAs biosynthesis enzymes and notably ELOVL5 were induced during MASH progression. Moreover, gene module association determination revealed that ELOVL5 expression was associated with mitochondrial function in both humans and mice. WT and Elovl5-deficient mice were fed a high-fat, high-sucrose (HF/HS) diet for four months. Elovl5 deficiency led to limited systemic metabolic alterations but significant hepatic phenotype was observed in Elovl5−/− mice after the HF/HS diet, including hepatomegaly, pronounced macrovesicular and microvesicular steatosis, hepatocyte ballooning, immune cell infiltration, and fibrosis. Lipid analysis confirmed hepatic triglyceride accumulation and a reshaping of FA profile. Transcriptomic analysis indicated significant upregulation of genes involved in immune cell recruitment and fibrosis, and downregulation of genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation in Elovl5−/− mice. Alterations of FA oxidation and energy metabolism were confirmed by non-targeted metabolomic approach. Analysis of mitochondrial function in Elovl5−/− mice showed morphological alterations, qualitative cardiolipin changes with an enrichment in species containing shorter unsaturated FAs, and decreased activity of I and III respiratory chain complexes. ConclusionEnhanced susceptibility to diet-induced MASH and fibrosis in Elovl5−/− mice is intricately associated with disruptions in mitochondrial homeostasis, stemming from a profound reshaping of mitochondrial lipids, notably cardiolipins.

Comparative Analysis of the Cutaneous Microbiome in Psoriasis Patients and Healthy Individuals—Insights into Microbial Dysbiosis: Final Results

Psoriasis is one of the most frequent chronic inflammatory skin diseases and exerts a significant psychological impact, causing stigmatization, low self-esteem and depression. The pathogenesis of psoriasis is remarkably complex, involving genetic, immune and environmental factors, some of which are still incompletely explored. The cutaneous microbiome has become more and more important in the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin diseases such as acne, rosacea, atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Dysbiosis of the skin microbiome could be linked to acute flare ups in psoriatic disease, as recent studies suggest. Given this hypothesis, we conducted a study in which we evaluated the cutaneous microbiome of psoriasis patients and healthy individuals. In our study, we collected multiple samples using swab sampling, adhesive tape and punch biopsies. Our results are similar to other studies in which the qualitative and quantitative changes found in the cutaneous microbiome of psoriasis patients are different than healthy individuals. Larger, standardized studies are needed in order to elucidate the microbiome changes in psoriasis patients, clarify their role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, decipher the interactions between the commensal microorganisms of the same and different niches and between microbiomes and the host and identify new therapeutic strategies.

Clinical Utility of Qualitative Change of Direction Movement Assessment in ACL Injury Risk Evaluation.

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State and Possibilities of Strengthening the Labor Potential of Russia (Based on the All-Russian Population Census 2020)

Introduction. The most complete information on the size and composition of the population is provided by continuous population censuses, which collect information necessary for the analysis of quantitative and qualitative changes in the composition of the population and the labor force. The purpose of the study is to identify changes in the numerical composition, age structure, and qualitative parameters of the labor potential of the Russian population in the period between the All-Russian population censuses of 2010 and 2020, and to outline ways to strengthen it. Materials and Methods. The study was based on the results of the All-Russian Population Censuses of 2010 and 2020, current accounting data and forecast calculations of Rosstat, publications of scientists engaged in research in the field of economic demography. The analysis of changes in the demographic development of the Russian Federation in the intercensal period was carried out using the methods of dynamic and structural analysis, and the generalization of the results of published scientific research was made on the basis of critical analysis. Quantitative parameters of the labor potential were estimated on the basis of indicators of the population of working age, employed in the economy, unemployed citizens and potential labor force. Results. The main changes in the number and composition of the Russian population by age and education that occurred during the inter-census period have been established. The quantitative and qualitative parameters of the labor force are determined. The outstripping growth of the level of education of unemployed citizens and potential labor force in comparison with those employed in the economy has been revealed, which, with a high degree of depreciation of the active part of fixed assets and a large part of workplaces with harmful and dangerous working conditions, suggests the archaic nature of the Russian economy and the general discrepancy between its requests and the level of education of the population. Calculations have shown that due to the involvement of potential labor in public production, it will not be possible to solve the problem of labor shortage. Discussion and Conclusion. In order to provide the Russian economy with the necessary labor force, it is suggested to consider the following options for increasing the working time fund: temporary increase in the retirement age for women, temporary decrease in the number of holidays, temporary decrease in the duration of paid leave, temporary increase in the length of the working week. The results of the research can be useful for scientists and representatives of public authorities dealing with demographic development, strategic planning, regional development, migration regulation, as well as for specialists in the field of personnel training.

How general practitioners in France are coping with increased healthcare demand and physician shortages. A panel data survey and hierarchical clustering

BackgroundGeneral practitioners (GPs) face quantitative and qualitative changes in patient demand and doctor shortages. ObjectivesTo investigate how GPs cope with doctor shortage issues. Materials and methodsTwo cross-sectional surveys of a representative panel of 1530 GPs in 2019 and 2022 about their perceptions of physician shortages, working hours worked (WHW), and adaptive behaviors. Hierarchical clustering enabled identification of profiles with different adaptation patterns. Multiple Poisson or logistic regression models studied associations between GPs’ profiles and professional characteristics. Results87.4 % of GPs applied at least one adaptation to control patients’ healthcare demand. 24 % adopted task-shifting while their average WHW decreased by 3.6 h between 2019 and 2022. Four GP profiles were identified. “Low adapters/low workload” and “Low adapters/high workload” (25 % of the sample each) reported 2.4 adaptive measures: 75.5 % refused to be new patients' preferred doctor in the former group (vs 5.1 %). “High adapters/unchanged consultations” (30.7 %) and “High adapters/shortened consultations” (18.9 %) reported 4.8 and 6.1 adaptations, respectively. They were more likely to practice in medically underserved areas. ConclusionThese results call into question GPs’ gatekeeper role in the French healthcare system. Moreover, the marked reduction in WHW in underserved areas is likely to exacerbate their uneven distribution nationwide. Encouraging vertical integration between HCPs while enhancing cooperation and task-shifting is probably a pathway toward improving the relative GP shortage.

Intercultural Competence in the Context of Teaching Chinese in Sri Lanka: Ideology vs Spirituality

Significant transformations have occurred in the anatomy of societies along with rapid digitalisation, migration, and language change, which, in liaison with various other influencers, have highlighted the need to incorporate intercultural competence into education. The qualitative and quantitative changes that have occurred in teaching Chinese in Sri Lanka in the recent past have stemmed new paradigm shifts in curriculum development, teaching methods and material for teaching Chinese language, of which consolidating intercultural competence is indispensable. The present study has examined the existing modes and extents of intercultural competencies incorporated into teaching Chinese in Sri Lanka from the perspectives of ideology and culture. The study adopts a convergent parallel design juxtaposing qualitative and quantitative data from the informants to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the situation. The results indicate that the informants' preference is more toward learning cultural content, especially content related to spirituality, than ideological content in language learning. The limitations of the Sri Lankan CFL learners' cross-cultural knowledge are clearly depicted by the low performance of informants in identifying rudimentary Indic loanwords in Chinese. Existing teaching material, approaches and language policy planning have to be reassessed and redesigned to cope with rapid language change and increasing diversity of learners.

Angiotensin in the Arcuate: Mechanisms Integrating Cardiometabolic Control.

The American Heart Association has identified obesity as a primary impediment to ongoing improvements in cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension. Although drugs, exercise, diets, and surgeries can each cause weight loss, few subjects maintain a reduced weight over the long term. Dysfunctional integrative control (ie, adaptation) of resting metabolic rate (RMR) appears to underlie this failed weight maintenance, yet the neurobiology of physiological and pathophysiological RMR control is poorly understood. Recent insights into the cellular and molecular control of RMR by Ang-II (angiotensin II) signaling within the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus are reviewed. Within a unique subset of AgRP (agouti-related peptide) neurons, AT1Rs (Ang-II type 1 receptors) are implicated in the integrative control of RMR. Furthermore, a spontaneous G protein signal switch of AT1R within this neuron type appears to underlie the pathogenesis of RMR adaptation by qualitatively changing the cellular response to AT1R activation from a β-arrestin-1/Gαi-mediated inhibitory response to a Gαq-mediated stimulatory response. Therapeutic approaches to obesity are likely hampered by the plasticity of the signaling mechanisms that mediate the normal integrative control of energy balance. The same stimulus that would increase RMR in the normal physiological state may decrease RMR during obesity due to qualitative changes in second-messenger coupling. Understanding the mechanisms that regulate interactions between receptors such as AT1R and its various second-messenger signaling cascades will provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of RMR adaptation and potentially point toward new therapeutic approaches for obesity and hypertension.

The universality of the machine: labour process theory and the absorption of the skills and knowledge of labour into capital

This article contends that deskilling is best understood not as a distinct phenomenon, but as a component of a process Marx (1993: 694) called ‘absorption’. Absorption involves not only the extraction of capacities from labour but also their implementation in machines. The article reads Braverman’s (1998) analysis of Taylorism as a demonstration of how absorption entails a specific labour process of its own, which I call the absorption process. The nature of the absorption process is contingent on many social factors. This article focuses on a technical factor: the particular machines used to implement captured skills and knowledge, called here the infrastructure of absorption. Since technological capacities are ever-evolving under capital due to the continual revolutionizing of the means of production, infrastructures of absorption change over time and this necessitates new absorption processes. Braverman (1998: 132) pointed to a qualitative change in absorption with the digital computer, which he described in terms of a new ‘universality of the machine’. While Braverman rightly pointed out the computer as a novel infrastructure, he did not discern qualitative changes to the absorption process, seeing instead the extension of Taylorist processes of capture of knowledge and skill. I contend that a qualitative shift has become apparent since the rise of machine learning in around 2015. Machine learning enables a different absorption process of emergence which does not require the codification of captured knowledge. Much labour process theory (LPT) (and adjacent) research presumes that deskilling and automation operate in terms of a process of capture, however, I show that emergence presents qualitatively different means for both. I suggest that the infrastructure of machine learning presents the possibility of task-agnostic automation.