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In conducting a literature review, this article explores changes to Adult Learning and Education (ALE) policies and related processes as well as the context within which those changes have taken place, so as to draw out comparative insights regarding the unequal distribution of participation in ALE. Emphasis is on an analysis of political priorities, political-administrative guidelines, and organisational and administrative dimensions of ALE in Finland, Korea and the United States. While country-specific differences are identified, several convergences are also of importance: a priority assigned to ALE as a means to support market-driven policy, namely to enhance competitiveness in the globalised market; legislative efforts to support the demands for developing a skilled and competent workforce in the labour market; decentralised organisational and administrative structures that relate to ALE; and a decreasing trend in publicly funded ALE.

In conducting a literature review, this article explores changes to Adult Learning and Education (ALE) policies and related processes as well as the context within which those changes have taken place, so as to draw out comparative insights regarding the unequal distribution of participation in ALE. Emphasis is on an analysis of political priorities, political-administrative guidelines, and organisational and administrative dimensions of ALE in Finland, Korea and the United States. While country-specific differences are identified, several convergences are also of importance: a priority assigned to ALE as a means to support market-driven policy, namely to enhance competitiveness in the globalised market; legislative efforts to support the demands for developing a skilled and competent workforce in the labour market; decentralised organisational and administrative structures that relate to ALE; and a decreasing trend in publicly funded ALE.

This comparative study examines patterns of inequality in participation in two different types of adult learning and education (ALE)–job-related formal ALE (JFALE) and job-related non-formal ALE (JNFALE)–as related to social origins at the micro-level and three categories of social inequality at the macro-level at the macro level (economic, education, and skill inequality). Using data from the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC), two methods are used to analyse 19 selected OECD countries: multivariate binary logistic regressions to explore the extent to which individuals’ social origins are associated with ALE participation and two-stage multilevel analysis to examine the relationship between social origins’ advantages in ALE participation and social inequality. Statistically significant advantages in ALE participation of social origins were observed in some countries. Additionally, statistically significant positive relationships between social inequality and social origins’ advantages in JNFALE participation are found, which implies that increases in social inequality strengthen advantages associated with social origins.

Decreased medial cheek fat volume during aging leads to loss of a youthful facial shape. Increasing facial volume by methods such as adipose-derived stem cell (ASC) injection can produce facial rejuvenation. High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) can increase adipogenesis in subcutaneous fat by modulating cilia on ASCs, which is accompanied by increased HSP70 and decreased NF-κB expression. Thus, we evaluated the effect of HIFU on increasing facial adipogenesis in swine (n = 2) via modulation of ASC cilia. Expression of CD166, an ASC marker, differed by subcutaneous adipose tissue location. CD166 expression in the zygomatic arch (ZA) was significantly higher than that in the subcutaneous adipose tissue in the mandible or lateral temporal areas. HIFU was applied only on the right side of the face, which was compared with the left side, where HIFU was not applied, as a control. HIFU produced a significant increase in HSP70 expression, decreased expression of NF-κB and a cilia disassembly factor (AURKA), and increased expression of a cilia increasing factor (ARL13B) and PPARG and CEBPA, which are the main regulators of adipogenesis. All of these changes were most prominent at the ZA. Facial adipose tissue thickness was also increased by HIFU. Adipose tissue volume, evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging, was increased by HIFU, most prominently in the ZA. In conclusion, HIFU increased ASC marker expression, accompanied by increased HSP70 and decreased NF-κB expression. Additionally, changes in cilia disassembly and length and expression of adipogenesis were observed. These results suggest that HIFU could be used to increase facial volume by modulating adipogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rising demand for natural gas (NG) and hydrogen, due to their lower carbon footprint and role in storing surplus renewable energy, has highlighted the focus on developing advanced storage technologies. Traditional methods like liquefaction and compression face high energy and safety challenges, prompting the exploration of new solutions. Among these, hydrate-based gas storage stands out for its environmental benefits, using clathrate hydrates to store gas with low energy consumption and carbon emissions. Furthermore, the composition of hydrates, predominantly water (∼85%), and their lack of by-products during repetitive storage–release cycles firmly establish them as environmentally friendly gas storage media. However, kinetic challenges such as stochastic nucleation, limitations in mass and heat transfer, and thermodynamic barriers arising from harsh hydrate formation conditions have hindered the practical application of hydrates. While mechanical methods to improve hydrate formation exist, their use significantly increases the demand for electrical energy. Therefore, developing methods for gas hydrate formation under static conditions is crucial for utilizing this material as a safe and green gas storage medium. This review examines theoretical studies and experimental efforts to enhance hydrate formation kinetics in static systems without additional mechanical methods. Thermodynamic hydrate promoters to increase the driving forces for hydrate formation under mild conditions, surface-modified materials to increase nucleation probabilities for shorter induction times, and porous materials to provide pathways for mass and heat transfer have been widely investigated. The discussion addresses the direction and necessary efforts for utilizing hydrate-based gas storage as a next-generation green technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]