Cultura

Exploring the Best Practices of Cultural Literacy Teaching in English Education and its Impact on Students’ Values

VOLUME 21, 2024

The Role of Targeted Infra-popliteal Endovascular Angioplasty to Treat Diabetic Foot Ulcers Using the Angiosome Model: A Systematic Review

VOLUME 6, 2023

Haiying Wang
Xi’ an Technological University, School of Freshmen, Xi’ an, Shaanxi 710032, China

Abstract

Cultural literacy is defined by its emphasis on familiarity with a culture's background knowledge, prioritizes comprehension over technical precision in language use. Our study investigated best practices for teaching cultural literacy within English language education and its impact on student values. A mixed methods approach was employed, utilizing surveys with teachers and students (N=34), semi-structured interviews with teachers (n=15), and focus group discussions with students (n=10). The findings indicate that teachers integrate cultural elements into their teaching through various methods, with a preference for using authentic materials like films, music, and news articles.  The survey results revealed that teachers perceive cultural literacy education to have a positive impact on student values. A significant portion of teachers reported increased student respect for other cultures, openness to new ideas, and critical thinking skills.  Thematic analysis of the interviews with teachers reinforced these observations. They highlighted the development of student respect and tolerance, enhanced critical thinking skills that allow students to analyse cultural information, and increased confidence in cross-cultural communication. Students expressed a growing appreciation for cultural diversity, a shift towards greater empathy and understanding of different cultures, and a sense of empowerment to interact more effectively with people from various backgrounds. The study suggests that integrating cultural literacy into English language education can foster positive student outcomes.

Keywords : Student, Cultural Literacy, English, Student Values, Cultural Diversity.
Erin Saricilar
Lecture in accounting. University of Basrah, College of Administration and Economics, Department of Accounting.

Abstract

Atherosclerotic disease significantly impacts patients with type 2 diabetes, who often present with recalcitrant peripheral ulcers. The angiosome model of the foot presents an opportunity to perform direct angiosome-targeted endovascular interventions to maximise both wound healing and limb salvage. A systematic review was performed, with 17 studies included in the final review. Below-the-knee endovascular interventions present significant technical challenges, with technical success depending on the length of lesion being treated and the number of angiosomes that require treatment. Wound healing was significantly improved with direct angiosome-targeted angioplasty, as was limb salvage, with a significant increase in survival without major amputation. Indirect angioplasty, where the intervention is applied to collateral vessels to the angiosomes, yielded similar results to direct angiosome-targeted angioplasty. Applying the angiosome model of the foot in direct angiosome-targeted angioplasty improves outcomes for patients with recalcitrant diabetic foot ulcers in terms of primary wound healing, mean time for complete wound healing and major amputation-free survival.
Keywords : Diabetic foot ulcer, angiosome, angioplasty