Critical Analysis Research Articles

A review of process of methanol carbonylation to produce acetic acid

Acidic corrosion plays a significant part in the compound business, particularly in the production of new substance fiber. As of now, the primary technique for creating acidic corrosive is the carbonylation of methanol utilizing iridium or rhodium organometallic edifices. The delegate techniques and the most recent advancement of methanol carbonylation to deliver acidic corrosion from two parts of homogeneous catalysis and heterogeneous catalysis are explored efficiently. The present homogeneous catalytic method and heterogeneous catalytic synthesis method using two different catalytic systems are introduced, followed in chronological order by the traditional method of producing acetic acid by carbonylation of methanol in the history of the chemical industry. The primary issues with producing acetic acid using conventional techniques are examined, including the product separation and the costly catalyst recovery. These issues can be resolved by developing and perfecting heterogeneous catalytic systems. The benefits and drawbacks of conventional techniques are broken down, the comprehensive summary and critical analysis of previous research provide comprehensive background knowledge, and the future exploration bearing is to work on the heterogeneous synergist framework to accomplish higher selectivity and preservation rate and work on financial proficiency.

Update on the use of long-acting growth hormone in children.

After extensive research and many years of waiting, long-acting growth hormone (LAGH) formulations have finally become a reality in clinical practice and emerge as a potential solution to address the challenges of daily injections of recombinant human GH (rhGH). In this review, we present a brief history of the development of LAGH and provide a critical analysis of the existing literature on the five LAGH available and approved to date for treatment in children. In clinical trials, LAGH therapy has shown noninferiority compared with daily rhGH therapy in promoting linear growth in children with GH deficiency, with similar rates of adverse events. In the real world, many questions still need to be answered, such as whether a specific group of patients will benefit most from the weekly injection, whether compliance will be better compared with daily rhGH, whether long-term efficacy, monitoring and safety profile will be the same for the different LAGH compounds, and whether the cost-effectiveness will justify their use in different settings.

E-Health & Innovation to Overcome Barriers in Neuromuscular Diseases. Report from the 3rd eNMD Congress: Pisa, Italy, 29-30 October 2021.

Neuromuscular diseases (NMDs), in their phenotypic heterogeneity, share quite invariably common issues that involve several clinical and socio-economical aspects, needing a deep critical analysis to develop better management strategies. From diagnosis to treatment and follow-up, the development of technological solutions can improve the detection of several critical aspects related to the diseases, addressing both the met and unmet needs of clinicians and patients. Among several aspects of the digital transformation of health and care, this congress expands what has been learned from previous congresses editions on applicability and usefulness of technological solutions in NMDs. In particular the focus on new solutions for remote monitoring provide valuable insights to increase disease-specific knowledge and trigger prompt decision-making. In doing that, several perspectives from different areas of expertise were shared and discussed, pointing out strengths and weaknesses on the current state of the art on topic, suggesting new research lines to advance technology in this specific clinical field.

Commentary on Castelnovo et al the parasomnia defense in sleep-related homicide

Commentary on Castelnovo et al the parasomnia defense in sleep-related homicide

Critical Linguistics of The Crimea Bridge Explosion on The Guardian and CNN Online News

This research focuses on analyzing the types of grammar and ideological representations in the news texts of The Guardian and CNN online news using the Critical Linguistics analysis model of Roger Fowler et.al (1979). Then the Discourse Historical Approach from Ruth Wodak (2001) is used to know the historical background of this topic. This research uses a descriptive qualitative method to find out what types of grammar are contained in the news text and how the grammar represents the ideology of the news. The explosion occurred as a result of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. This topic has attracted public attention, therefore, online news media such as The Guardian and CNN are discussing it. At this time online news media plays an important role in disseminating information, but in fact the language used in online news media can contain certain ideologies that benefit one group and harm other groups. Based on the results of Critical Linguistics analysis from Roger Fowler et.al (1979), it is found that the ideology of the two online media is anti-Russian and pro-Ukrainian. The findings of this study show that there are 28 types of grammar in The Guardian and 17 grammatical strategies in CNN. The type of grammar that often appears from both media is transitivity grammar. In representing their ideology, both online media often use negative lexical choices to give negative references to the Russian side. Future researchers can develop their analysis by using different theoretical studies and objects.

TRANSLANGUAGING PRACTICES AND RECONTEXTUALIZING LEARNING MATERIAL: A CORPUS-BASED STUDY OF GLOBAL CHINESE LANGUAGE TEXTBOOKS USED IN SRI LANKA

Despite the abundance of studies investigating translanguaging pedagogy, recontextualizing learning material has rarely been a concern of recent studies. The present study employs content analysis and critical discourse analysis to examine two global CFL textbooks used in Sri Lanka to evaluate their compliance with translanguaging practices. Three imperative aspects of translanguaging pedagogy, namely representation of culture, instruction language, and nationalism and socio-cultural polarization were the key areas of concern in content analysis. In the culture domain analysis, references from the textbooks were fed into 10 child codes and 3 parental codes in NVivo12. The results demonstrated that there is a critical inequity in the representation of local and global cultures in the textbooks which is especially distinct in the interlocutors and their nationality options. Socio-cultural polarization of the source culture with the West was evident in the critical discourse analysis and adaptation was predominantly promoted as a unilateral affair where the foreign learner continually adapts to the target culture. The study proposes that contextual sensitivity and ideological impartiality should be ensured in recontextualizing textbooks for translanguaging practices in Sri Lanka from three aspects, namely incorporation of L1 into textbooks, integration of multiculturalism and freeing textbooks of ideological and hegemonic practices.

A critical analysis on quality-of-life in women with visible facial disfigurements.

This study aimed to examine whether surgical treatment for a facial disfigurement influenced an individual's quality of life. One-on-one interviews were conducted with the aim of synthesizing participant's medical experiences into common themes. Additionally, participants completed the World Health Organization's Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire. The WHOQL-BREF is a standardized testing instrument with four domains of 26 questions, meant to analyze participants' overall quality of health, physical health, psychological status, social relationships, and environmental health. Our study revealed that women with visible facial differences experienced a quality of life below the average of the general population. However, in those who reported above-average quality of life, a key theme emerged: active participation in the choice to undergo surgical treatment. Participants who felt this sense of agency in the decision-making process also reported a more positive healthcare experience. They felt more respected by others, indicating a strong connection between personal agency, surgical choices, and overall well-being. These findings reveal that personal agency plays an important role in the decision-making process for patients undergoing surgical treatment for facial differences, as it improves quality of life and has a positive impact on overall healthcare experience and well-being.

Impact of Heavy Metal Pollution on the Environment

Pollution of the environment by the toxic heavy metals is a global issue of concern and affects the natural quality of the air, water, and soil. Anthropogenic activities are largely responsible for the widespread pollution of heavy metals in the environment, which is having a harmful impact on human health. Rapid urbanization, industrialization, population explosion, and use of advanced technology in developing countries have resulted in huge rise in waste production. Waste generation and disposal along with landfills is a serious global environmental threat resulting in heavy metal contamination of the soils, water, and plants. Heavy metals reaching in the atmosphere result to the deterioration of the quality, and contamination of the soil and groundwater along with damage to the living organisms. The present review describes the analysis of heavy metal pollution of the environment with respect to air, animals, aquatic ecosystem, plants, and soil. Special emphasis is provided on sources of heavy metals in the environment, harmful impacts of heavy metals on the environment and strategies to control heavy metal pollution of the environment. Present study is based on critical review and analysis of scientific information published by academic and professional researchers who studied the impact of heavy metal pollution on the environment. Research articles on impact of heavy metal pollution on the environment published in high impact factor journals were referred for collection of databases. This study notices that there is an urgent need for continuous monitoring of various environmental elements for heavy metals in different open dumpsites. It also recommends that nanomaterials, such as metal oxide nanoparticles, graphene and its derivatives, magnetic nanoparticles, and carbon nanotubes should be used to remove the toxic heavy metals from the air, water and soil.

Analyzing an Efficient Mix Design for the Production of Quality Asphalt Concrete: A Means of Reducing Roads’ maintenance cost

Poor road design is the bedrock for strength deformation and formation of potholes on road pavements. The best choice of aggregates for asphalt concrete production has a great impact on its stability, sustainability and durability during its serviceability lifestyle. The critical design and analysis methods are the standard methods needed to eradicate these defects of roads deformation in the global construction industries. This study reveals the hidden knowledge about the formulation of standard mix design for asphaltic concrete production. In the experiment, three different mixed designs were evaluated in order to ascertain the best and quality aggregates for durable road’s pavement production. The results proved that, the proportion of aggregate obtained from the first mix design yielded the best result, and this is suggested for the global production of quality and standard asphalt concrete for roads’ binder pavements’ construction. Also, the formulated aggregates’ mix design for roads’ wearing course pavement obtained was considered the best for industrial practice. Furthermore, the accuracy and efficiency of the results obtained relied so much on standard estimate made for the quality production of asphalt concrete cost about $270,830.00 from Chainages 26 + 700 to 26 + 925. All the experimental results proved that, standard aggregates’ mix design prevents unnecessary defects on road pavement system. In conclusion, the application of the first mix design in road construction will improve its sustainability, durability and stability capacity. Likewise, it will prevent unnecessary spending on road pavement’s maintenance.

“Let’s talk divorce”: a multimodal critical discourse analysis of Oduduwa secessionist discourse

Abstract This study explores ideological representations in the online images of the Oduduwa secessionist movement in Nigeria from a multimodal critical discourse analytical framework. The data, which comprise selected internet images obtained from the Facebook and Twitter accounts of the group, were qualitatively analyzed. The findings reveal that the images are ideologically designed to resist the Nigerian nation, call for the Yoruba nation, signal membership polarization, construct an Oduduwa national identity, construct the betrayal of the Yoruba nation, accentuate violence in Nigeria, and delegitimize the Nigerian nation. We argue that these discursive strategies are used to project resistance as well as radical and secessionist ideologies, which appear to be typical of secessionist organizations around the world. Additionally, this article sheds light on the paramount significance of ethnic identity in the organizational dynamics of resistance groups operating within the Nigerian context.

Are family-friendly organisations friendly for children? Navigating work, families with children, and discursive power use within organisations

ABSTRACT Organisations benefit from promoting a family-friendly approach and offering a variety of work-family practices, yet this understanding is not monolithic. A critical discourse analysis is applied herein to interpret the manners of talk and meaning-making around work and families with children and the constructions of (un)family-friendliness in organisations. Particularly, we focus on how the family-friendliness is connected with power configurations within organisations. Focus group research data were gathered from 32 participants in two companies (industry and service). Consequently, we introduce three discourses: (1) optimatisation, (2) leaning on the rules and (3) moral reasoning. These discourses highlight the variance and complexity of how family-friendly approaches are interlinked with organisations’ power use. A more profound understanding of children is needed when theorizing and promoting family-friendly approach in organisations.

Exploring political topics that connect to antisemitism on Twitter: U.S. midterm Pennsylvania gubernatorial race 2022

Online antisemitism rears its head during times of political instability, especially during contentious elections. This paper uses the 2022 Pennsylvania Gubernational governor race as a case study to examine what political topics spur antisemitic expression on Twitter. Both rich political and antisemitism discourses are offered by this election that featured a Jewish Democrat candidate Josh Shapiro and far-right Republican candidate Doug Mastriano. Over 800 tweets were qualitatively analyzed through critical discourse analysis to understand both Shapiro’s political tweets and the antisemitic reply tweets. This study addresses the gap of what online political contexts leads to instances of antisemitism on Twitter during political elections. Grounded in antisemitism and political propaganda literature, this study shows that particularly controversial topics of abortion rights and extremism in politics led to the highest amount of antisemitic expression. Dominantly, Jewish political control conspiracies were used as simple explanations for particularly turbulent political topics.

Oversharing the super safe stuff: “Privacy-washing” in Apple iPhone and Google Pixel commercials

Inspired by the ever-evolving concerns surrounding data privacy, this study analyzes Apple’s and Google’s ads for their iPhone and Android devices, respectively, as well as each company’s privacy policies. Findings via critical discourse analysis reveal that the ads conflate privacy with security, relying on powerful imageries that depict the phones as safes from which data cannot travel. These depictions, however, do not align with the policies that provide separate sections for privacy and security. With these findings in mind, I propose a widespread adoption of “privacy-washing” to promote a newfound literacy of granular data types.

Volunteer translators in non-governmental organizations: exploring their identity and power through discourse analysis

The need for immediate communication in a world characterized by an ever-increasing flow of information has led to a rapid increase in volunteer translation in recent decades. While previous studies have focused on aspects such as volunteer translators’ motivation and the attendant ethical issues of voluntary translation, comparatively little research has explored the phenomenon from a discursive perspective. The research reported in this article explored the discursive construction of the volunteer translator in non-governmental organizations (NGOs) active in Spain using critical discourse analysis. Drawn from analysis of 25 semi-structured individual interviews with volunteer translators in five different NGOs, the findings reveal that volunteer translators are seen either as an agent and actor of social change who facilitates communication and possesses a strong sense of identity and social status, or as someone who is interfering in a sector traditionally limited to professional translators and who consequently has a weaker sense of identity and social status. This suggests that the role of the volunteer translator currently lacks definition, and that further research is needed to better understand the relationship between volunteer and professional translators in the 21st century.

The Medicines Repurposing Program - a critical perspective.

The Medicines Repurposing Program was launched on 1 March 2024. It provides a pathway for registering and subsidising off-label medicines of significant public health benefit but which sponsors have no financial incentive to pursue. This article provides a short overview and critical analysis of the program. One concern that emerges is that commercial sponsors still retain de facto veto power over which off-label uses are prioritised and so have the capacity to sway the process. Simple suggestions are proposed to help mitigate this risk.

Measurement and evaluation methods in corporate communications through the prism of Lasswell’s model

PurposeThis study aims to conceptualize, rethink and systematize methods used for measurement and evaluation (M&E) corporate communication.Design/methodology/approachThe reflection is based on 462 key English-language books and papers devoted to M&E in the fields of corporate communication and public relations from the 1970th to 2023. Keywords in the titles and abstracts found the necessary materials. A critical analysis of the central concepts, models and methods described in the literature was conducted. As a result, a new model that unifies and structures the M&E toolkit is proposed for discussion.FindingsDespite the significant contribution to developing a wide range of M&E models, they are still not perfect and universal. In addition, this system of approaches is continuously self-evolving and changing under the influence of digital innovations, so it requires steady rethinking and updating. On the other hand, most previous studies focused on communication management processes, losing focus on communication aspects. This led to the need for an alternative view based on proven theories to fill this gap. The proposed model combines quantitative and qualitative M&E methods for the five main components of corporate communication (communicator, audience, content, channels and result), covering a wide range of tools, from statistical and sociological research to big data analysis and neuro research.Originality/valueThis work contributes to developing the M&E theory of corporate communication, systematizing existing methods and opening new research perspectives. From a practical point of view, companies can use the presented approach for a more accurate and objective internal evaluation of the main components of corporate communication.

Anthropological Study of Indigenous Weapon Production Among the Anufor of Northern Ghana

Weapon production and warfare are unavoidably linked, as the former is needed to prosecute the latter. It was essential for the protection of the ego and image of a group, and this urge was strong enough to plunge states into endless warfare. During pre-colonial times, West African states like the Dagomba, Gonja, Mamprusi, and allies, including the Anufor, were preoccupied with wars of expansion and consolidation of acquired territories. In most cases, these wars involved the seizure of territories, as the ownership of territories showed the extent of one’s power and influence. Several traditional armies were thus engaged in warfare to control territories and the resources therein, including trade routes and markets. The strength of an army partly depended largely on the efficacy and level of sophistication of their weapons. The Anufor, who were very efficient in the war enterprise as mercenaries, were equally efficient in producing various weapons, including physical handheld weapons, plant venom, and spirituality. This paper uses oral histories and traditions among the Anufor and their allies in Ghana and Togo, as well as archival sources. Critical analysis of relics of war accouterments and Arabic manuscripts at the Institute of African Studies, Legon, was enriching.

A converging path: a decade’s reflection on net zero emissions and the circular economy

In the past decade, global sustainability efforts have increasingly focused on two critical paradigms: achieving net zero emissions (NZE) and advancing the circular economy (CE). This article provides a detailed examination of the challenges and breakthroughs in harmonizing these approaches, drawing from a broad range of academic discussions, technological innovations, policy developments, and practical implementations. We identify specific obstacles, such as technological limitations, policy inertia, and economic and social barriers, that hinder progress towards NZE and CE. The paper then outlines targeted solutions, including cutting-edge technologies like carbon capture and storage, policy frameworks that incentivize sustainable practices, and examples of successful circular economy models. Through a critical analysis of both the synergies and tensions between NZE and CE, the article highlights the necessity for cross-sector collaboration, robust policy support, and ongoing innovation to overcome these challenges. Concluding with a forward-looking perspective, we emphasize strategic pathways for integrated sustainability efforts, advocating for a multi-faceted approach that combines technological advancement, policy reform, and stakeholder engagement. By offering a more nuanced understanding of the interplay between theoretical goals and practical realities, this revised abstract aims to inspire action and foster a collective move towards a sustainable global future.

Selecting oocyte donors based on anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentrations: A critical analysis of using cutoff values as exclusion criterion for an in vitro embryo production program in Gir cattle

The aims of this study were to determine anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) cutoff values for selecting Gir (Bos taurus indicus) oocyte donors and estimate the impact of using AMH concentrations as a selection criterion. In Exp. 1, Gir heifers (n=120) were sampled for AMH analysis and submitted to ovum pick-up and in vitro embryo production (OPU-IVEP). AMH cutoff values were calculated using ROC analysis or, alternatively, by the successive exclusion of heifers with the lowest AMH values. The correlations between AMH and OPU-IVEP outcomes were significant (P<0.001), though low or moderate (r= 0.34–0.52). We estimated an improvement (P<0.05) after the use of AMH cutoff values to select donors of +15.3% for total oocyes, +19.4% for viable COC, and +23.4% for blastocysts. This selection pressure, however, led to the exclusion of 32.8%, 37.9%, and 50.0% of the initial potential donors, respectively. In Exp. 2, we analyzed data from OPU-IVEP sessions of 658 Gir donors with known genomic values for predicted transmitting ability for milk (GPTAm) and age at first calving (GPTAafc). The selection based on the number of oocytes recovered had no effect (P>0.05) on the average GPTAm nor GPTAafc values of the remaining donors. In summary, plasma AMH ≥700 pg/mL is a cutoff value that can be used to select Gir heifers with a greater potential as oocyte donors. Nevertheless, this selection leads to the exclusion of up to 50% of potential donors. Finally, exclusion of poor responders had no effect on mean genomic estimates for milk production or age at first calving in the selected subset of donors.

Driving Success Through SIM: A Critical Analysis Management information Systems Influence on Decision-Making Processes

In this journal, we explore the influence of Systems Information Management (SIM) on decision-making processes in organizations. The aim is to conduct a critical analysis of the contribution of SIM in increasing the effectiveness of decision making. The research method used is literature analysis from various sources such as scientific journals and related articles. The results show that effective implementation of SIM can speed up the decision-making process, increase information accuracy, and enable managers to make more timely decisions. In conclusion, SIM plays a vital role in organizational success through informed decision making. The implications of this research emphasize the importance of continuing to improve SIM implementation to support better decision-making processes in facing increasingly complex business challenges. The results of this study can provide valuable insights for practitioners and researchers in the field of information management.