Critical Concept Research Articles

Development and Analysis Validation Instrument Critical Thinking Heat Concept (CTHT) Using Rash Model

This research aims to design and determine the validity and reliability of critical thinking skills instruments related to heat concepts using the Rasch model. This research uses 4D research and development methods. The research subjects or validation trials were 193 Depok City High School students majoring in Mathematics and Natural Sciences who had studied heat concepts and content validation was carried out with six expert lecturers. Content validity data analysis used Aiken V Microsoft Excel calculations with a validity limit value of < 0.78 and construct validity and reliability used the Rasch model. The results of data analysis show that the content validity of the instrument is valid and suitable for use with several revisions and expert input, while the results of content validity show a validity level of 43.21% with all valid items in the fulfilled category, while the Pearson and item reliability values show a value of 0.62 is in the sufficient category and 0.92 is in the very special category. The results of the statistical analysis trial showed that the instrument was significant and became a benchmark for further research in the application of students' critical thinking skills in learning.

Testing the predictive capacity of a muscle fatigue model on electrically stimulated adductor pollicis.

Based on the critical power (Pc or critical force; Fc) concept, a recent mathematical model formalised the proportional link between the decrease in maximal capacities during fatiguing exercises and the amount of impulse accumulated above Fc. This study aimed to provide experimental support to this mathematical model of muscle fatigability in the severe domain through testing (i) the model identifiability using non-exhausting tests and (ii) the model ability to predict time to exhaustion (tlim)and maximal force (Fmax)decrease. The model was tested on eight participants using electrically stimulated adductor pollicis muscle force. The Fmax was recorded every 15s for all tests, including five constant tests to estimate the initial maximal force (Fi), Fc, and a time constant (τ). The model's parameters were used to compare the predicted and observed tlim values of the incremental ramp test and Fmax(t) of the sine test. The results showed that the model accurately estimated Fi, Fc, and τ (CI95% = 2.7%Fi and 9.1s for Fc and τ, respectively; median adjusted r2 = 0.96) and predicted tlim and Fmax with low systematic and random errors (11 ± 20% and -1.8 ± 7.7%Fi, respectively). This study revealed the potential applications of a novel mathematical formalisation that encompasses previous research on the critical power concept. The results indicated that the model's parameters can be determined from non-exhaustive tests, as long as maximal capacities are regularly assessed. With these parameters, the evolution of maximal capacities (i.e. fatigability) at any point during a known exercise and the time to exhaustion can be accurately predicted.

Psycho-cognitive relationship between data and knowledge discovery: a conceptual critique

Psycho-cognitive relationship between data and knowledge discovery: a conceptual critique

Accessibility, Usability, and Universal Design for Learning: Discussion of Three Key LX/UX Elements for Inclusive Learning Design

In this paper, we aim to provide readers with three critical concepts that can maximize inclusivity of learner experience (LX) and user experience (UX) design: accessibility, usability, and universal design for learning (UDL). Although recent K-12 and postsecondary education have experienced rapid change in its student population with the growing awareness of the equal opportunities for all, general design methods of addressing such diversity across formal and informal learning contexts are still prone to retrofitted changes to predefined instructions in favor of standardization. This is due in part to the limited interpretation of accessibility as the concept for the medical model of disabilities where learners with disabilities are not regarded as users or consumers, but as clients or patients. Moreover, LX and UX have been widely designed with the usability of dominant group in mind while trading off exclusion of those who cannot fit themselves into it. However, accessibility and usability are not mutually exclusive; rather, a truly inclusive learning design (i.e. UDL) comes from the interplay between them. Through the paper, we provide definition and description of each concept and provide practical examples of how UDL principles can be applied to inclusive learning design.

Feminisit Discourse in Albanian Political Communication

Objectives: According to Foucault, "... dealing with the discourse on human sexuality cannot be done without understanding the power-knowledge-pleasure relationship. The longevity of power is proportional to its ability to hide the mechanisms it uses". The facts show that, in these three decades of upheavals and political changes, even political communication in Albania has known great changes, certainly with ups and downs, different tones and colors. Feminist discourse has tried to show that every woman, who is part of politics, can get out of those "frames" that have placed and labeled her and show herself in one way or another to prove that her own room for which Virginia Ulf spoke in 1928. Methods: The discourse texts in this paper are analyzed using various concepts of contemporary criticism of (Critical) Discourse Analysis. which is a type of literary research that studies how abuse of social power, dominance and inequality are developed, reproduced and resisted within the text in the social and political context. Results: This paper, aims to examine and highlight the way in which this type of discourse, i.e. the feminist discourse, tries to establish balance in a rather difficult terrain, harsh and wild as is the political terrain related to other aspects such as power, rhetoric, dominance, etc. Conclusions: The discourse approach of women in Albanian politics has a marked orientation in highlighting their values in decision-making and making rational politics. Women in Albanian political communication are still labeled simply as beautiful images, prejudging and leaving aside their professional aspect.

The Illusion of Randomness: Evaluating Student Sampling Performance

Randomness is a critical concept in the study of statistics, both for everyday consumers of statistical information and producers of statistical analyses. However, students at all levels do not always hold concept images that translate to non-uniform or complex sampling contexts. In this article, we explore the way statistics students relate the idea of “drawing at random” to visual sampling tasks. We collected data from approximately 1,000 college students where students attempted to click 50 points at random from shapes that included optical illusions and distractions. One task included a disc, while another included a rectangle with highlighted sectors of unequal size. The survey we administered also included a number of questions and statements to determine which events that the participants identified as random or not. We used a Kolmogorov-Smirnov test to identify how students' samples may or may not diverge from a truly random sample. Findings reveal challenges in perceiving and replicating randomness, particularly in the presence of optical illusions or constraints that interfere with a uniform or equiprobability assumption. The study highlights the complexity and difficulty in understanding randomness and correctly applying it in real-world scenarios, both among students in an introductory statistics course and among upper-level students enrolled in a statistics major.

Monetary Policy and Income Distribution: The Post-Keynesian and Sraffian Perspectives

ABSTRACT This paper examines the post-Keynesian and Sraffian perspectives on the relationship between monetary policy and income distribution, highlighting their endogenous demand-led money approach and rejection of the neutrality of interest rates, and monetary policy as tool of redistribution among social classes. Both approaches acknowledge that the central bank can influence interest rates and hence, the functional distribution of income. These shared ideas recognize the political nature of interest rates and the distributive impacts of monetary policy. Although all are crucial common points, some differences persist; PK theory often emphasizes the impact of monetary policy on rentiers vs. non-rentier classes, while Sraffians focus more on wage earners vs. non-wage earners. Further, while PK theorists advocate for alternative monetary policy rules, Sraffians favor discretionary policy tailored to each economy's unique institutional framework. The paper concludes by suggesting that these shared critical conceptions, despite minor differences, should stimulate collaborative efforts to further develop heterodox theories of monetary policy and income distribution.

Improving Primary School Students Critical Thinking Abilities with the Help of Online Media: Effective Learning Strategies in Elementary Schools

The lack of adequate emphasis on developing primary school students' critical thinking skills in the curriculum is a problem that requires special attention with the help of online media. Integrating critical thinking concepts into the curriculum can help elementary school students develop the analytical and evaluative skills necessary to understand social reality. The main aim of this research is to analyze the effectiveness of online learning methods, especially in the context of online media use among elementary school students. The research method used is mixed research which combines quantitative and qualitative approaches. The number of respondents was 98 elementary school students. Data collection techniques include surveys, interviews, observation, and documentation. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 26.0 software to simplify and manage the data. The research results show that the majority of elementary school students have good analysis, synthesis, problem solving, and drawing conclusions skills, but there is still room for improvement. In conclusion, online media is effective in improving elementary school students' critical thinking skills. The implication is that collaboration between educators, educational institutions, and related parties is very necessary to support the optimal development of students' critical thinking skills.

Renewable Revolution: A Review of Strategic Flexibility in Future Power Systems

The global shift toward integrating renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, is revolutionizing the energy landscape, presenting both opportunities and challenges for power system operations. This paper delves into the critical concept of power system flexibility, emphasizing the importance of maintaining reliable service amidst unpredictable fluctuations in supply and demand. Given the intermittent nature of renewable energy, this paper explores key aspects of flexibility, including generation, demand-side, and grid flexibility, and their roles in sustaining grid stability. Various strategies to enhance flexibility in future power networks are examined, such as advanced energy storage technologies, demand response programs, grid expansion and interconnection, sophisticated forecasting methods, and adaptive power generation. Additionally, this paper underscores the pivotal role of market and regulatory reforms in facilitating the integration of renewable energy sources and enhancing grid adaptability. By analyzing the benefits, limitations, and future prospects of each strategy, this work provides a comprehensive overview of the evolving energy sector. It highlights the necessity of aligning regulatory frameworks with sustainability and climate goals to navigate the complexities of this transition effectively.

Situational privacy: theorizing privacy as communication and media practice

Abstract Under dataveillance as the “new normal,” datafied societies render privacy seemingly impossible. Communication and media privacy scholars foster relational and contextual perspectives to explore how agents and infrastructures could nevertheless maintain a certain degree of self-determined control over the flow of data. Situational privacy accesses this debate from an alternative practice-based perspective. Putting emphasis on the ongoing transformation of privacy, this contribution leverages recent empirical and theoretical thoughts of practice-based privacy research as well as conceptual work on the notion of the situation in social theory. Shifting the focus onto privacy breakdown, mundane criticism, and pragmatic measures of “good enough privacy,” it anchors privacy in everyday routines and situations. Situational privacy offers a communication and media perspective on privacy as a critical concept in transformation.

Examining Soft and Hard Attributes of Health Care Service Quality and Their Impacts on Patient Satisfaction and Loyalty.

Many studies have confirmed the influences of various service quality dimensions on patient satisfaction and loyalty, but no existing theoretical model accounts for variation in how different types of patients evaluate service quality's soft and hard attributes. This research gap may cause problems for administrators needing to decide how to distribute resources appropriately across multiple departments. Therefore, this study establishes a theoretical model of the differences between inpatients' and outpatients' evaluations of hard and soft qualities and compares such evaluations' influences on patient satisfaction and loyalty. Also, to supplement statistical analysis and respond to scholars' calls for more mixed-methods studies of health care quality, this research incorporates analysis of online reviews to provide a holistic, close to real-time picture of patients' service experience perceptions. This study's survey sample comprised 292 inpatients and 137 outpatients from a Taiwanese hospital. We used partial least squares structural equation modeling to test the hypothetical model and importance-performance map analysis to identify factors that were significant to the service process but performed poorly. Finally, we used a text-mining technique to scrape 536 reviews posted on Google Maps, and Leximancer Portal to perform automated content and sentiment analyses on those data, as a means of mapping the critical concepts and themes that influenced patient experiences. This study's analyses support the ideas that both hard and soft qualities are critical dimensions of service quality, and that each has different influences on inpatients' and outpatients' satisfaction and loyalty. Specifically, the sampled inpatients strongly valued the hard qualities of the hospital but were not satisfied with it. On the other hand, soft qualities attracted outpatients' attention and influenced their satisfaction and loyalty. In addition, content analysis revealed that soft qualities were the main reason patients left comments, whether positive or negative. Waiting time emerged as another critical element in triggering patients' unfavorable reviews. Patient population type, whether inpatient or outpatient, has been found to impact perceptions of service quality within health care institutions. As such, health care administrators should be cognizant of this phenomenon and make informed and tailored decisions when addressing quality within their respective services. Emphasis on the development of both interpersonal and professional skills among health care personnel may prove beneficial in enhancing the patient experience and ultimately fostering positive online reviews.

Ethical Dimensions of Digital Phenotyping Within the Context of Mental Healthcare

AbstractDigital phenotyping (DP) refers to the emerging field within digital (mental) health that involves the collection of data from individual’s digital devices (smartphones, wearable, Internet usage, etc.) to monitor and analyse their behaviours, activities and health-related patterns. That such ‘digital footprint’ data can be mined for behavioural insights is an intriguing idea, which has motivated an increasing amount of research activity, particularly in the field of digital mental health. Whilst of potentially revolutionary utility in (mental) healthcare, the idea of DP also raises a set of rich sociotechnical, ethical and philosophical considerations, and a cottage industry of sociotechnical and ethical critiques of DP has emerged, particularly within the humanities. Within this scene of early empirical investigation in the health/behavioural sciences on the one hand and general conceptual critiques from the humanities on the other, in this paper we instead explore a case for the potential utility of DP in circumstances of clinical mental health practice and examine its ethical dimensions in this context. After providing an explicatory framework for DP and making a case for it within this framework, we subsequently examine the ethical pros and cons of three topics pertaining to DP in clinical practice, namely (1) issues in psychometric assessment/testing, (2) the role and responsibilities of mental health practitioners with regard to DP technology, and (3) the value DP can afford clients in terms of self-awareness/empowerment and strengthening the therapeutic alliance with their clinician.

Research Trends In Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis: A Bibliometric Analysis

This research aims to understand the evolution and development of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) research with a focus on multimodality. CDA is an interdisciplinary approach that explores the use of language and discourse in reproducing, reinforcing, and being closely linked to social relations, power, and ideology. From the initial understanding introduced by Norman Fairclough in the 1980s, CDA has become an important tool for analyzing power structures and social constructions in various contexts, including media, politics, education, and popular culture. CDA has undergone significant transformations along with complex changes in the social and political world. This research aims to map the latest trends and developments in CDA studies, with a special focus on aspects of multimodality. The data collection process is carried out by data mining process in Scopus using keywords and search limitations per category Subject area; Doc.type; Pub.stage; Source type; Language. The document data collected were 303 Scopus indexed documents. By involving bibliometric methods through the Vosviewer tool, the data was visualized and analyzed. The results of the study found that the development of CDA research in the aspect of multimodality has increased in number every year. The study of CDA in terms of multimodality began in 1993 and began to experience an increase in the number of studies from 2013 to 2023. The scope of keywords that emerged was six clusters. Each cluster of keywords reflects special attention to the scope in the study of critical discourse analysis and multimodality, including the diversity of research themes, the intersection of media and social aspects, the importance of visual and multimodal analysis, the connection with the local context, and the application of critical theories and concepts.

Verification of Adjoint Solution Commutativity with the New OpenNode Nodal Diffusion Code

This paper presents in-depth exploration and verification of the OpenNode nodal diffusion code, a robust tool designed for multigroup neutron diffusion simulations under steady-state conditions. Leveraging the Nodal Expansion Method with a quartic polynomial and moments weighting method, OpenNode demonstrates exceptional accuracy in approximating nodal surface fluxes, further enhanced by the Quadratic Transverse Leakage approximation. The critical concept of commutativity between adjoint and forward solutions is thoroughly investigated, serving as a benchmark for the code’s reliability in predicting system responses, determining single-point reactor kinetics parameters, and facilitating perturbation analyses. The paper meticulously details OpenNode’s methodology for adjoint neutron flux computation, unraveling its rigorous approach through transposition operations and intricate mathematical transformations. Noteworthy features, including support for second and fourth polynomial orders; versatile computation modes; different mesh points; and seamless integration with Python, PyQt5, and Blender, underscore OpenNode’s adaptability. Results from comprehensive analysis of the two-dimensional and three-dimensional International Atomic Energy Agency core benchmark problem showcase OpenNode’s prowess. The code excels in reactor geometry visualizations, benchmark parameters, and neutronic analysis, with a particular emphasis on commutativity verification against various benchmarked codes. The precision of OpenNode is further demonstrated in power distribution analyses, revealing remarkable proximity to reference values and symmetrical power distribution patterns.

Unlocking Trust in AI Decision-Making: The Crucial Role of Confidence, Transparency, and User Perception

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of decision-making processes across a spectrum of applications, from autonomous vehicles and healthcare diagnostics to financial forecasting and customer service. As AI systems increasingly take on roles that directly impact human lives and societal structures, the issue of trust in their decision-making capabilities assumes paramount importance. Confidence, as a measurable attribute within AI systems, plays a pivotal role in shaping this trust dynamic. This abstract is drawn from the conference "AI Decision-Making: The Role of Confidence," which explores the multifaceted dimensions of confidence in AI decision-making and its profound implications for accuracy and trust calibration. Researchers, practitioners, and industry experts converge to discuss the challenges and opportunities surrounding this critical concept.

Stealth Nanocarriers in Cancer Therapy: a Comprehensive Review of Design, Functionality, and Clinical Applications.

Nanotechnology has significantly transformed cancer treatment by introducing innovative methods for delivering drugs effectively. This literature review provided an in-depth analysis of the role of nanocarriers in cancer therapy, with a particular focus on the critical concept of the 'stealth effect.' The stealth effect refers to the ability of nanocarriers to evade the immune system and overcome physiological barriers. The review investigated the design and composition of various nanocarriers, such as liposomes, micelles, and inorganic nanoparticles, highlighting the importance of surface modifications and functionalization. The complex interaction between the immune system, opsonization, phagocytosis, and the protein corona was examined to understand the stealth effect. The review carefully evaluated strategies to enhance the stealth effect, including surface coating with polymers, biomimetic camouflage, and targeting ligands. The in vivo behavior of stealth nanocarriers and their impact on pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and toxicity were also systematically examined. Additionally, the review presented clinical applications, case studies of approved nanocarrier-based cancer therapies, and emerging formulations in clinical trials. Future directions and obstacles in the field, such as advancements in nanocarrier engineering, personalized nanomedicine, regulatory considerations, and ethical implications, were discussed in detail. The review concluded by summarizing key findings and emphasizing the transformative potential of stealth nanocarriers in revolutionizing cancer therapy. This review enhanced the comprehension of nanocarrier-based cancer therapies and their potential impact by providing insights into advanced studies, clinical applications, and regulatory considerations.

Can repetitive mechanical motion cause structural damage to axons?

Biological structures have evolved to very efficiently generate, transmit, and withstand mechanical forces. These biological examples have inspired mechanical engineers for centuries and led to the development of critical insights and concepts. However, progress in mechanical engineering also raises new questions about biological structures. The past decades have seen the increasing study of failure of engineered structures due to repetitive loading, and its origin in processes such as materials fatigue. Repetitive loading is also experienced by some neurons, for example in the peripheral nervous system. This perspective, after briefly introducing the engineering concept of mechanical fatigue, aims to discuss the potential effects based on our knowledge of cellular responses to mechanical stresses. A particular focus of our discussion are the effects of mechanical stress on axons and their cytoskeletal structures. Furthermore, we highlight the difficulty of imaging these structures and the promise of new microscopy techniques. The identification of repair mechanisms and paradigms underlying long-term stability is an exciting and emerging topic in biology as well as a potential source of inspiration for engineers.

The Liver Frailty Index: a model for establishing organ-specific frailty metrics across all solid organ transplantation.

In this review, we discuss the development of the Liver Frailty Index (LFI) and how it may serve as a model for developing other organ-specific frailty indices. As the demand for solid organ transplants continues to increase, the transplantation community is enhancing its strategies for organ allocation to gain deeper insights into patient risk profiles and anticipated outcomes. Frailty has emerged as a critical concept in transplant care, offering valuable insights into adverse health outcomes. Standardizing frailty assessment across transplant programs could enhance prognostic accuracy and inform pretransplant interventions.The LFI comprises of three performance-based tests that each represents essential components of the multidimensional frailty construct. This composite metric provides insights beyond liver function and considers nonhepatic comorbid factors. Identifying common frailty principles among all transplant candidates and adopting the LFI methodology, which assesses fundamental frailty principles using liver-specific tools, could establish a foundational pool of shared core frailty principles. From this pool, organ-specific frailty indices could be derived, each equipped with the clinically relevant organ-specific tools to evaluate common core principles. Creating a standardized framework across all solid-organ transplants, with common principles and organ-specific measurements, would facilitate consistent frailty assessment, standardize the integration of the frailty construct into transplant decision-making, and enable center-level interventions to improve outcomes for patients with end-stage organ disease.

Artistic Resistance and Resilience in Sank, or the Patience of the Dead, by Aristide Tarnagda

Abstract Burkina Faso has faced a security crisis unlike any other in its history for the past eight years. The government has lost control of up to 35 % of the national territory, and there are as many as two million internally displaced persons living in the big cities. The emblematic figure of Thomas Sankara, Burkina Faso’s president from 1984 to 1987, has soared beyond the local image of the “upright man” (the ideal to which the very name “Burkina Faso” refers) to that of a globally recognised icon of resistance against imperialism. Theatre artists are inspired to create theatrical performances that “represent” (or “face up”) this great figure, as the recent edition of the Ouagadougou-based biannual theatre festival called Les Récréâtrales invited them to do. This paper emphasises theatre’s contribution to efforts of artistic resilience and resistance in Burkina Faso. It addresses the question: How do Burkinabè artists produce acts of artistic resilience through performance? In other words, does the staging proposed by the Burkinabè playwright Aristide Tarnagda carry the seeds of hope for a Burkina Faso entirely liberated from terrorism? The theory of communication developed by J.L. Austin in How to Do Things With Words (1962) and Anne Ubersfeld’s (1982) semiotic analysis theory provide the key critical concepts of this study.

HARMONIZING INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL LEGAL SYSTEMS THROUGH THE PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE MODERN STATE

Sustainable development is a critical concept used to enhance global welfare. In this context, peremptory norms recognized within international law are integrated as general, universal, essential, and fundamental principles for societal benefit. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the role of sustainable development within international law and examine the contribution of norms to the formation of a modern legal state. The legal status of norms and capacity to embody universal values are clarified using descriptive analysis with a normative juridical approach and qualitative data. The results show that sustainable development has been developed as an indispensable paradigm, widely confirmed across legal frameworks. In addition, the integration as a universal norm within international law reflects the potential to influence legal systems globally. This depends on the balance of established sources such as treaties and customary practices. Moreover, this research contributes to legal scholarship by stating the role of international norms in advancing sustainable development.