Critical Concept Research Articles

Initial Study of Students' Critical Thinking Ability Level and Concept Mastery on Earth Structure Material

Critical thinking and concept mastery is an important ability for every student to have. So, educators need to get information about the level of skills possessed by student. This study aims to describe the initial level of critical thinking skills and mastery of students' concepts, as well as the relationship between critical thinking skills and mastery of students' concepts on earth structure material in class VIII at SMP Negeri 2 Namang. The methodology used in the research is descriptive quantitative, using a critical thinking ability test and concept mastery test, and qualitative, using interviews. Students' critical thinking and concept mastery tests showed an average score of 43.78 and 55.94, with a fairly low category. The average value of the inference indicator was 25.97, and the indicator of making further explanations was 37.01. Both are the lowest indicators that still need to be improved. In contrast, the average value of the strategy and tactics indicator is 73.95, which is in the high category. The significance value obtained is <0.001, which indicates that there is a strong, significant, and directly proportional relationship between critical thinking skills and concept mastery, with a correlation coefficient value of 0.803. The results of the interview show the low enthusiasm of students in learning the structure of the earth due to the lack of a variety of media used and test questions that are not used to being done.

Musthalah al-Tanash Nasyatuhu wa Ta’shiluhu wa Huduruhu fi al-Adab al-‘Arabi

A number of contemporary Arab critics have sought to root many Western critical concepts by searching for their origins in the ancient Arab and rhetorical heritage, including, for example, “intertextuality.” These critics agree that the ancient Arab critical heritage is full of critical theories and concepts, and it is necessary to return to it to uncover the origins of these modern Western theories and concepts, and to reintegrate them into modern criticism. The concept of intertextuality is one of the most Western concepts exposed to rooting in contemporary Arab criticism. This concept was rooted by linking it to old concepts created by Arab critics in the past, such as quotation, inclusion, literary theft, and others. Thus, Arab critics have enriched the human critical heritage with critical theories that they produced and applied to Arab poetic creativity. Arabs knew the idea of intertextuality in its concept, dimensions, and some of its functions, but they did not naturally create this Western term. Some modern Arab critics sought to purify the concept of intertextuality from its impurities that make it a dangerous concept, so that it could be rooted and considered a new and contemporary formulation of the concept of legalized thefts, which Abdul Qaher Al-Jurjani defined as "imitation".

Fatigue assessment of structural components through the Effective Critical Plane factor

The integrity assessment of structural components under complex loading conditions relies on the evaluation of the fatigue damage typically arising from stress concentrations, such as geometric irregularities, notches, weld beads, grooves etc.. Various methodologies, including the Notch Stress Approach (NSA), the Theory of Critical Distances (TCD), the Strain Energy Density (SED), and the Critical Plane (CP) concept, have been pivotal in assessing fatigue strength for notched and welded components. Recent works combine some of the above mentioned methodologies, while other works propose to vary the embedded parameters accounting for the loading type or the fatigue lives, trying to improve the accuracy of the fatigue assessment process. This paper introduces a novel approach, the Effective Critical Plane (ECP), which is founded on the critical plane concept. The CP factor is, however, calculated starting from an averaged, over a small volume, stress–strain field. The size of the averaging volume is assumed to be a material parameter and is determined by a best fitting procedure over different experimental data sets. The novel approach is illustrated by means of the Fatemi-Socie and the Smith-Watson-Topper CP damage factors. Its potential application to other CP formulations is straightforward, as well. Literature experimental data for low carbon steel specimens possessing different notches and loading conditions are used to validate the method’s capability in accurately determining the fatigue life and to set the radius of the averaging volume for the given material and CP parameter. A spherical volume or circular area are used in case of fully 3D or 2D numerical models, respectively. Results are compared to those of some of already existing methods, namely SED, TCD and the Modified Wöhler Curve Method.

The Crisis of Technology and the Quest for Meaning: A Critical Conception of Media Philosophy

The crisis of modern technology has led to a series of issues such as the pervasive emptiness of meaning and the loss of subjectivity in human society. Under the influence of technological supremacy and instrumental rationality, philosophy, which abstractly refines the fundamental problems faced by humanity such as the meaning of existence, truth, and the dichotomy between rationality and irrationality, also finds itself in a crisis of legitimacy. In this context, the "media turn" in philosophy is an attempt to break free from its shackles. This paper proposes a media philosophy from the essential attributes of human communication and the inseparability of communication and media. By analyzing communication as a fundamental human essence, this paper outlines the basic concept of media philosophy, explores the path of media philosophy, and emphasizes the inherent significance of the collision of life's meanings and communicative exchanges. This paper asserts that in the era of "media as being" ontology, it is especially necessary to understand the essence of human existence and the face of the world constituted by communication from the perspective of media.

Inhomogeneous Fluid Transport Modeling in Dual-Scale Porous Media Considering Fluid-Solid Interactions.

Dynamics of fluid transport in ultratight reservoirs such as organic-rich shales differ from those in high-permeable reservoirs due to the complex nature of fluid transport and fluid-solid interaction in nanopores. We present a multiphase multicomponent transport model for primary production and gas injection in shale, considering the dual-scale porosity and intricate fluid-solid interactions. The pore space in the shale matrix is divided into macropores and nanopores based on pore size distribution. We employ density functional theory (DFT) to account for fluid-solid interactions and to compute the inhomogeneous fluid density distribution and phase behavior within a dual-scale matrix. The calculated fluid thermodynamic properties and transmissibility values are then integrated into the multiphase multicomponent transport model grounded in Maxwell-Stefan theory to simulate primary oil production from and gas injection into organic-rich shales. Our findings highlight DFT's adeptness in detailing the complex fluid inhomogeneities within nanopores─a critical concept that a cubic equation of state does not capture. Fluids within pores are categorized into confined and bulk states, restricted by a threshold pore width of 30 nm. Different compositions of fluid mixtures are observed in macropores and nanopores: heavier hydrocarbon components preferentially accumulate in nanopores due to their strong fluid-solid interactions. We utilize the developed model to simulate hydrocarbon production from an organic-rich shale matrix as well as CO2 injection into the matrix. During primary hydrocarbon production, strong fluid-solid interactions in nanopores impede the mobility of heavy components in the near-wall region, leading to their confinement. Consequently, heavy components mostly remain within the nanopores in the shale matrix during primary hydrocarbon production. During the CO2 injection process, the injected CO2 alters fluid composition within macropores and nanopores, promoting fluid redistribution. Injected CO2 engages in competitive fluid-solid interactions against intermediate hydrocarbons, successfully displacing a considerable number of these hydrocarbons from the nanopores.

Preparing Inclusive Early Childhood Educators (PIECE): A conceptualization of multilingualism, English learning, and inclusivity

AbstractThe purpose of this article is to share the examination of inclusivity as a paradigm for fostering authenticity and agency (Moore, 2017) among teacher candidates. This framing challenges the notion of inclusion as a tool of meritocracy used to manage learners through expectations that uphold monolingualism, decenter racial histories, and rely on rigid behavior plans. In this work, the authors interrogate the impact inclusion as assimilation has on English learners' authentic ways of knowing and being. Thus, they present a conceptualization of spaces of difference (Agbenyaga & Klibthong, 2012) within the context of an Inclusive Early Childhood Teacher Education (IECTE) program and the objectives of the Preparing Inclusive Early Childhood Educators (PIECE) project. With its rigorous coursework, clinical experiences, multi‐tiered mentorship, and practice‐based professional development, the PIECE project aims to develop inclusive early childhood educators at the preservice and in‐service levels. Infused throughout the PIECE project is an emphasis on cultivating the knowledge and skills needed to provide high‐quality instruction that improves educational outcomes for English learners (ELs). Frameworks of transformative theory and intersectionality perspectives provided the authors with a grounding for the work within the PIECE project community of learners (i.e., teacher candidates, teacher educators, and school district partners). This article summarizes critical concepts of inclusivity centered in the PIECE project work. These concepts include (1) understanding oneself to look beyond; (2) disrupting notions of normalcy and naturalized language; and (3) reconceptualizing inclusivity as a social justice act.

Improving Pedestrian Conspicuity at Night: Testing the Efficacy of an Educational Intervention

Most pedestrian fatalities happen at night, and poor conspicuity has been identified as a critical problem. Researchers understand what typical pedestrians do not: At night, a pedestrian’s conspicuity heavily depends on contrast and the presence or absence of retroreflective markings and biological motion. This experiment aims to evaluate the impact of an 11-min educational video that explains these critical concepts. Half of the participants will view the video while the other half will not. All participants will provide quantitative estimates of the nighttime conspicuity and safety of a pedestrian wearing each of five clothing configurations. We hypothesize that participants who view the video will exhibit improved comprehension of safety-relevant concepts and the visual challenges experienced by drivers at night. This research could underscore the value of online interventions in educating road users about critical concepts that impact nighttime conspicuity, thereby encouraging them to adopt evidence-based methods to enhance their conspicuity.

Numerical and experimental investigation of a single-body PVT using a variable air volume control algorithm

Photovoltaic thermal (PVT) collectors that can achieve maximum efficiency from solar irradiation can be critical concepts for meeting energy demand in residential applications. Even though there is much research on increasing heat transfer, multifunctional designs that provide homogeneous results are limited. This study explores the production of electricity and hot air from a novel design of a PVT. A new perforated copper plate design has been proposed to achieve maximum efficiency by providing homogeneous cooling in the PVT. Firstly, numerical analysis of this design was performed using Ansys Fluent software, then tested experimentally. The highest and average electrical and thermal efficiency of PVT are obtained as 17.62 %, 15.63 %, and 76.75 %, 43.68 %. In experiments conducted under winter conditions, the maximum temperature value in the PVT was measured as 41.54 °C. Moreover, the payback period of the PVT system was calculated as 6.1 years. The proposed PVT collector can be used as a new model for integrating solar energy in buildings with almost zero energy. Considering the eco-design, this PVT design can contribute net positive carbon, ecological footprint, and green manufacturing.

Evaluation of Future Faculty Perspectives on Teaching and Learning of Electrochemistry & Thermochemistry: A Microstudy Approach

Education revolves around teaching and learning with instruction being at the center. This study seeks to investigate the whole trend of the perspectives of future faculty on the teaching and learning of critical chemical concepts “Electrochemistry” and “Thermochemistry”. The objectives are to study and extrapolate the trend and probe their applications to industry and other concepts in chemistry. Questionnaires were administered on graduate students including graduate assistants across universities in three continents: North America, Asia, and Africa. Result shows that the concepts require practical demonstration, interwoven and have applications to energy and power industries. It also reveals that learners’ motivation must be aroused prior to learning the concepts, including that learners’ attitudes is most vital in the classroom settings.

Processing paradoxes through chiasmic organising – the contribution of Merleau-Ponty process-oriented philosophy for a post-dualistic approach towards paradoxes in organisations

PurposeThis paper aims to critically examine traditional approaches to paradoxes and propose a new approach and perspective that views “chiasmic” organizing as a intertwining combination of structure and processes that facilitate the handling of multiple interrelations for processing paradoxes and harness their creative potential in organizations.Design/methodology/approachEmploying a cross-disciplinary approach, a literature review and a critical lens, along with conceptual work (typology), are used to identify problems and deficiencies in existing research on paradoxes. Specifically, it draws on Merleau-Ponty's process-oriented phenomenology and post-Cartesian ontology to gain a comprehensive understanding of post-dualistic forms of chiasmic organizing and its relationship with paradoxical phenomena.FindingsThe process-oriented phenomenology and post-Cartesian ontology used in this article offer valuable insights and a critical approach to comprehend post-dualistic forms of chiasmic organizing in relation to paradoxes. This understanding can help in tapping into the energizing and creative potential of paradoxes. The paper also highlights the significance of the “in(ter)-between” as a reversible principle in chiasmic organizing and proposes some implications.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations and implications of this study are identified and discussed.Practical implicationsThe paper offers practical implications for organizations in processing paradoxes.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the existing literature by providing a conceptual critique and proposing a novel understanding of chiasmic organizing as an intertwining structure and mediating processes by employing a process-oriented phenomenology and post-Cartesian ontology. It also offers innovative ways to approach paradoxes and tap into their creative potentials, which can bring about change in organizations.

Form, criticality, and humanity: topic modeling the field of literary studies for English education

PurposeResearch on disciplinary literacy in English has struggled with how to represent large-scale disciplinary communities and consider issues of justice and power. The purpose of this study is to offer insights into the disciplinary practice of a community of literary scholars.Design/methodology/approachUsing statistical topic modeling augmented with complementary qualitative analysis and interpretive rhetorical analysis, the authors describe patterns in a corpus of 4,039 articles published in the year 2018 and drawn from 215 peer-reviewed literary journals, a corpus comprising 15.5 million words.FindingsAnalysis suggests that contemporary literary scholars collectively build knowledge that considers diverse matters of form, including literary and linguistic forms, literary works and other representational forms; criticality, including critical theories and critical concepts; and humanity, including humanistic themes, human institutions and people/places.Originality/valueThis manuscript offers detail about the nature of contemporary literary scholarship as evident through linguistic patterns in and across published works.

Time for tough conversations: Ableism in the life journey of young adults with visual impairment

Background: Visual impairment (VI) profoundly impacts many aspects of life and is well documented in various cross-sectional studies. Young people’s views on growing up with VI are largely unexplored in the Indian context. Aim: This study explores a critical concept called “ableism” as they navigate through childhood and adolescence. Materials and Methods: The study used an exploratory research design, with QUAL+ QUAN methodology, where the data collection occurred almost simultaneously, and the qualitative was the dominant method. For the quantitative data collection , seventy youth with visual impairment aged 18-25 years were recruited through convenient and snowball sampling. For the qualitative data collection, 20 were selected based on purposive sampling. Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) was used with 70 participants as part of quantitative data collection. An empirically based interview guide encouraged participants’ reflection on growing up with VI, including the internal and external age-normative and vision-specific challenges. The interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Thirty percent of the participants reported psychological distress at varying levels from mild to severe. The account of growing up with VI also centered on a theme labeled “ableism.” Six subthemes representing “ableism” are 1) invasion or avoidance, 2) you achieve, and I will respect, 3) disgraceful experiences, 4) you are our inspirational meme, 5) double vulnerability, and 6) internalized ableism. Each subtheme discusses different forms of ableism experienced by young people with VI. Conclusion: Findings are discussed in relation to the limiting attitude and structure of the society that affects the lives of young people with VI. They highlight the need to understand the nuances of ableism which helps to revisit and reflect as a society.

Envisioning scenarios in designs for Networked Learning

This article presents an application of a design methodology to envision implicit value hierarchies in the design process of a digital learning platform meant to encompass learning processes and activities conducive to experiential collaborative learning (ECL). The authors argue that many technologies for the field of education fall short of their purposes and neglect intended underpinning pedagogy and didactics. Previous research efforts in networked learning have primarily focused on conceptual critiques of the implementation of EdTech and warned of technological euphoria undermining relevant caution. This means, that when a design team tries to conceptualize technological artefacts into a script the more ethical and value-oriented parts of the learning process tend to be ignored. While we agree with the conceptual critiques, our approach has instead been to engage with the design process and implement appropriate methodologies in an attempt to highlight implicit value hierarchies in the underlying learning theory. When using technologies in Networked learning we thus emphasize that both designers and stakeholders should engage in a systematic discussion and reflection of values and related judgements while constructing a value hierarchy. Through a Value-based design methodology based on semantic zooming we thus present 7 interconnected envisioning scenarios developed in the UnFoLD project to demonstrate how it is possible to operationalize values into detailed design briefs or technological scripts. This article will through presented experiences from a design process, show how the methodology of envisioning scenarios can be applied to mitigate the risks of implementation technology in a learning situation. We argue that an awareness and mapping of values as a part of the design process is essential and that an increased focus on the ethical and moral responsibilities of designers and involved researchers are important as technologies should not be seen as isolated, value-neutral, or uncomplicated translations of analogue teaching activities. The purpose of the article is to inspire other researchers and designers to implement value hierarchies, envisioning scenarios, or other similar methods to ensure that pedagogical and didactic priorities are not lost in accommodating marketability, practicalities, or technological constraints.

Cross-cultural visual anthropology: Beyond repatriation, exploring indigenous and non-indigenous exchanges

Collaboration is critical concept in Arctic anthropology, in which indigenous people participate not just as research subjects but as collaborative partners in advancing scientific knowledge. The trans-disciplinary approach develops new conceptual, theoretical, and methodological innovations that transcend discipline-specific boundaries. Such innovations facilitate engagement between indigenous and non-indigenous stakeholders in addressing real-world challenges. This paper documents several Siberian ethnography exhibitions organized by the authors and evaluates their anthropological and social significance. Historically, anthropological discourse has championed using visual materials as tools for cultural interventions aimed at societal transformation. Building upon this foundation, this study explores the challenges of both the Russian Arctic and Asian contexts. The article guides the readers to reconsider conventional anthropological perspectives and methods of collaborating both with the indigenous and non-indigenous partners. By outlining the authors experiences in involving local stakeholders across different countries in these exhibitions, they illuminate the impact of the exhibitions on diverse cultural contexts. As cross-cultural visual anthropology endeavors, the exhibits redefine the meaning of ethnographical snapshots as scientific knowledge and go beyond repatriating indigenous cultures or sharing research outcomes with the broader society. The cross-cultural exhibition is becoming a novel research modality and a tool for fostering social interactions.

Portfolio optimization in the stock market under disruptions: Real case studies of COVID-19 pandemic and currency risk

The connection between risk and return is a critical concept in finance. Investors who take on more risk can earn higher returns. Disruptions are part of market risks, also known as systematic risks. Due to political and macroeconomic risks, their effects on the entire economic market, or a significant portion of its sectors, are not negligible. Among these sectors, the stock market is essential as a basis of the economy. The point is that the consequences of all disruptions are not merely unpleasant for companies. They may affect corporate profitability both negatively and positively. Hence, investors who trace companies' news and fundamental conditions react, and the closing price probably encounters volatility. Therefore, the common trend of several stocks may fluctuate. This research investigates how investors in the stock market should form their investment portfolio to see the minor losses when disruptions occur and take advantage of the potential provided profitability by turning threats into opportunities. A three-step framework is presented to achieve this goal. A prerequisite for this framework is the collection of relevant data. Ten stocks from distinct industries of the Securities and Exchange Organization of Iran are chosen for the examination. In the first step, multi-variate regression analysis categorizes selected stocks into the most and the least affected groups. At the same time, a comprehensive technical analysis is involved in this step. Then, in the second step, three well-known machine learning techniques, namely, stacked long short-term memory (Stacked LSTM), autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA), and Prophet, are compared from the point of view of predicting future closed prices of selected stocks. The method with the most minor statistical error in forecasting, i.e., root mean squared error (RMSE) and validation loss, estimates the next month's closed prices. Finally, based on the predicted closed prices, the third step empowers the investor to optimize their portfolio in different scenarios, containing various investment weights on the two obtained groups of the first step, using the Markowitz Modern Portfolio Theory. The COVID-19 pandemic and currency risk are the two examined real case studies to validate the proposed methodology. Numerical results based on the Sharp Ratio show the superiority of investing 75 percent of an asset in the most affected stocks and the rest in the least affected stocks in the case of a pandemic and vice versa for the case of currency risk, which reveals that according to the unique features of disruptions investors can benefit from both categories of stocks.

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.