Critical Discussion Research Articles

Artificial intelligence and assisted reproductive technology: Applying a reproductive justice lens

In recent years, health-data-driven artificial intelligence and machine learning applications have been introduced to many areas of medicine. In the field of assisted reproduction, artificial intelligence and machine learning applications and related technologies have been hailed as (potentially) significant and ground-breaking, not least because they promise standardisation and automation in in-vitro fertilisation clinics – a precondition for scaling up and branching out in the fertility bioindustry. Artificial intelligence data-driven algorithms promise time- and cost-effective selection of ‘high-quality’ reproductive cells and successful personalised treatments. In this essay, we aim to critically discuss artificial intelligence as a technological clinical practice, which is currently moving from bench to bedside internationally. Through an analytic framework of reproductive justice, we propose that introducing artificial intelligence into this already stratified context threatens to black-box health disparities and to generate what we refer to as ‘hyper-stratifications’ of reproduction in the context of rising health and social disparities in the European context. As feminist, social science and bioethics scholars, we are all too aware of how reproductive technologies reinforce normativities rather than unravel them. We cannot presume that artificial intelligence is an ethical technological agent or user of health data but, instead, need to keep a critical eye on the moral ambivalence of emerging and evolving artificial intelligence-assisted reproduction technologies practices and their gendered consequences. Given the current hype around artificial intelligence, but also with concerns around the fast development and deployment of artificial intelligence generally and in artificial intelligence-assisted reproduction technologies particularly in mind, there is an urgent need to engage in critical feminist discussion of such developments.

Machine perfusion organ preservation: Highlights from the American Transplant Congress 2023.

The American Transplant Congress (ATC) 2023, held in San Diego, California, emerged as a pivotal platform showcasing the latest advancements in organ machine perfusion, a key area in solid organ and tissue transplantation. This year's congress, attended by over 4500 participants, including leading experts, emphasized innovations in machine perfusion technologies across various organ types, including liver, kidney, heart, and lung. A total of 85 abstracts on organ machine perfusion were identified. Noteworthy advancements included the use of normothermic machine perfusion in mitigating ex-situ reperfusion injury in liver transplantation, the potential of biomarkers in assessing organ quality, and the impact of machine perfusion on graft survival and ischemic cholangiopathy incidence. Kidney transplantation saw promising developments in novel preservation methods, such as subzero storage and pulsatile perfusion. Heart and lung sessions revealed significant progress in preservation techniques, including metabolic alterations to extend organ preservation time. The conference also highlighted the growing interest in machine perfusion applications in pediatric transplantation, multi-visceral organ recovery, Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation, and discussions on novel technologies for monitoring and optimizing perfusion protocols. Additionally, ATC 2023 included critical discussions on ethical concerns, legal implications, and the evolving definition of death in the era of machine preservation, illustrating the complex landscape of transplantation science. Overall, ATC 2023 showcased significant strides in machine perfusion and continued its tradition of fostering global knowledge exchange, further cementing machine perfusion's role as a transformative force in improving transplant outcomes and expanding the donor pool.

Using a Storybook and the Four Resources Model to Foster Critical Literacy in an English as a Foreign Language Classroom

The ideology and social-political viewpoints of the author have an impact on their texts. Students should thus assess their reading and writing assignments from several angles and avoid taking any material at face value. However, there is still a lack of literacy practice in the EFL environment that goes beyond breaking down linguistic elements and comprehending the surface material of the texts. As a result, educators should switch from conventional literacy to critical literacy. Beyond just decoding words, critical literacy interprets them in light of their context to conclude the social, political, and ideological viewpoints expressed in the text. This research aims to determine if using a storybook and the four resources model of critical literacy may help first- semester students in the English Language Education Study Program at Universitas Bale Bandung practice critical literacy. The four resources model suggested by Luke and Freebody (1999) served as the foundation for the text discussions. Focus group interviews, classroom observations, and notebooks they kept while researching a tale were all used to gather the data. The results demonstrated that including an account and four resources help pupils strengthen their critical thinking skills. Through breaking codes exercises, discussion of the storybook during the meaning-making stage, comprehension of the story's structural elements and social function during the text-use phase, and critical discussion of the storybook, the students could identify the writer's language choice and challenge social norms. Despite its drawbacks and limitations, this research shows that critical literacy practice is feasible in EFL contexts, particularly in reading classroom.

Assessing Data Quality in the Age of Digital Social Research: A Systematic Review

While survey data has long been the focus of quantitative social science analyses, observational and content data, although long-established, are gaining renewed attention; especially when this type of data is obtained by and for observing digital content and behavior. Today, digital technologies allow social scientists to track “everyday behavior” and to extract opinions from public discussions on online platforms. These new types of digital traces of human behavior, together with computational methods for analyzing them, have opened new avenues for analyzing, understanding, and addressing social science research questions. However, even the most innovative and extensive amounts of data are hollow if they are not of high quality. But what does data quality mean for modern social science data? To investigate this rather abstract question the present study focuses on four objectives. First, we provide researchers with a decision tree to identify appropriate data quality frameworks for a given use case. Second, we determine which data types and quality dimensions are already addressed in the existing frameworks. Third, we identify gaps with respect to different data types and data quality dimensions within the existing frameworks which need to be filled. And fourth, we provide a detailed literature overview for the intrinsic and extrinsic perspectives on data quality. By conducting a systematic literature review based on text mining methods, we identified and reviewed 58 data quality frameworks. In our decision tree, the three categories, namely, data type, the perspective it takes, and its level of granularity, help researchers to find appropriate data quality frameworks. We, furthermore, discovered gaps in the available frameworks with respect to visual and especially linked data and point out in our review that even famous frameworks might miss important aspects. The article ends with a critical discussion of the current state of the literature and potential future research avenues.

Elder Abuse Prevention in Brazil, Norway and Slovakia: a Narrative Review

Abstract OBJECTIVES With the global population ageing, concerns about the incidence, prevalence and prevention of elder abuse have become increasingly pertinent. This study presents a narrative review of empirical research, investigating the elder abuse prevention implemented in public health policies in three selected countries. The narrative review aims to enrich academic critical discussion about the theme and provide insights for policymakers and professional practitioners working towards elder abuse prevention across different regions. METHODS Searches in the electronic database CINAHL, Medline, PsycINFO and Web of Science databases were performed to identify and synthesise studies reporting on research aimed at investigating elder abuse prevention. The studies that handle on all prevention levels, had to be published in a peer-reviewed journal, report on empirical research, and are available in full text in Portuguese, Slovak, English or Norwegian and published within a ten-year period (2012 to 2022) were included. A total of 981 studies were retrieved, of which 13 papers met the inclusion criteria for this narrative review. RESULTS The evidence indicated that proactive approach within primordial and primary prevention, interdisciplinary cooperation within primary and secondary prevention, and education for healthcare professionals within all forms of prevention were implemented to various extent as elder abuse prevention in Brazil, Norway and Slovakia. CONCLUSIONS There is a need to further enhance public awareness of elder abuse through campaigns and advocacy programs; additionally, the routine screening and assessments by healthcare providers for early detection and intervention in suspected abuse cases require improvement; and also, legal and health policy measures must be updated regularly. Elder abuse prevention should be a collective undertaking involving community leaders, healthcare providers, and governmental and non-governmental organisations.

Transition processes for newly qualified paramedics entering primary care: a critical discussion and theoretical perspective.

Transition processes for newly qualified paramedics entering primary care: a critical discussion and theoretical perspective.

Implementation of the «Two-Pillar Solution» prospects in the international taxation system

The world economy has undergone a rapid digital transformation, which has caused critical discussions about the effectiveness of existing international tax systems. Traditional norms and rules are proving insufficient to solve the dynamic challenges associated with the development of the digital economy, where new sources of value creation and innovative business models challenge the established norms of profit distribution and relationships. At the same time, intangible sources of value creation contribute to tax avoidance by transnational corporations. Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) rules are becoming a key initiative to counter these challenges. The article identifies the difficulties in reforming the modern international tax system, emphasizing the need for constant dialogue, cooperation, and adaptation to changing economic conditions. A two-step solution is an important tool in the fight against aggressive tax planning. Current discussions highlight the complex nature of the impact of the digital economy on international tax rules. Effective monitoring of the implementation and impact of the two-step solution is critical to areas for improvement, with international cooperation through the OECD playing a central role in this reform process. The BEPS rules are seen as a critical solution in the evolution of international tax policy in overcoming the challenges associated with the digital economy. The success of the implementation of the two-step solution initiative depends on effective cooperation between countries, in particular in the context of agreements on the avoidance of double taxation. The internal adaptability of this tool has the potential to improve the efficiency of the international tax system, as it directly addresses the challenges and conditions of the digital economy.

Recent Progress in Modified Atmosphere Packaging and Biopolymeric Films and Coatings for Fresh Strawberry Shelf‐Life Extension

ABSTRACTStrawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is a valuable crop cultivated worldwide. This fruit is mainly consumed fresh and is an important source of vitamin C, fat‐soluble vitamins and carotenoids. However, fresh strawberries (FS) have a limited shelf life. Conventionally, the shelf life of FS has been extended using refrigeration coupled with modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) technology in traditional petroleum‐based polymeric films. Nonetheless, other packaging technologies such as biopolymeric packaging films and edible coatings can also be used to preserve FS with the advantage of presenting similar shelf‐life extension with lower environmental impact. This review article focused on the analysis of the main factors limiting FS' shelf life, as well as a critical discussion about the use of different packaging technologies as alternatives to increasing FS' shelf life. The revised literature revealed that FS are susceptible to microbial deterioration, weight loss and sensory quality decay. Traditional MAP technology can extend the shelf life of FS to 15 days, depending on the gas composition and storage temperature. Meanwhile, active biopolymeric films and edible coatings can be used as emerging alternatives to extend the shelf life of FS. In general, most studies have produced active films and coatings with the objective of reducing microbial growth, weight loss and sensory quality decay of strawberries during storage. Biopolymeric films and edible coatings applied in strawberries can increase the shelf life of these fruits to a similar extent as traditional MAP. The combination of MAP with biopolymeric films and edible coatings could be explored as an alternative to increase the shelf life of FS.

Recent advancements in the application of electrospun nanofibers for carbon dioxide capture and utilization

The escalating CO2 emissions in recent years underlined the need for advanced Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) technologies. This context has spurred the exploration of novel materials for promoting CCU efficiency, among which electrospun nanofibers have emerged as a promising candidate. Electrospinning coupled with various post-treatment (such as heat-treating, in-situ growth, selective removal, etc.) offers a versatile approach to fabricate diverse nanofibers, including polymeric, carbonaceous, metallic, and composite fibers, with tunable surface morphologies and chemical properties. This paper provides a comprehensive review of electrospun nanofibers in CCU processes, including adsorption, membrane separation and absorption, electrochemical and photo-electrochemical reduction, thermal catalytic hydrogenation, and more. Each CCU technology is examined in depth to cover the recent research achievements with a specific focus on the contributions of electrospun nanofibers. Lastly, a critical discussion and a list of potential future research directions for this evolving field are provided.

Engaging With Race and Racism Through the Sensory: Four Pedagogical Instigations

Teaching and learning effectively, inclusively, and critically about the power and politics of race and difference remains a protracted yet important struggle. Race is an emotionally laden and provocative issue facing many societies, and the concomitant privilege and ideology that upholds it are oftentimes surpassed through processes and mechanisms of “invisibling.” In this article, I add to the plethora of debates and discussions concerning race as an organizing principle by showing how through the sensory, seemingly one of the most mundane, banal, and quotidian aspects of social life, can be a potent epistemological tool with which to teach how “race” can be reconstructed, negotiated, and maneuvered by social actors in the context of multicultural Singapore. Social formations of “race” undergo new ways of categorization, perpetuation, and judgment with the sensory as an emotive medium of recognition and placement. I foreground some of the pedagogical strategies I have employed that draw on emotions and the senses to instigate meaningful and critical class discussions, and the variegated classroom responses to the teaching of race and multiculturalism in everyday life. More specifically, I show how students as well as their respondents deploy emotions and the sensory in practices of inclusion and exclusion upon racial selves and others. A more creative and inclusive classroom and learning environment is therefore imperative to stimulate discussion, particularly alternative, critical, and meaningful ways of thinking about race. This, I contend, will necessitate a reflexive reconfiguration and maneuvering of power dynamics within the classroom setting, and our experience in teaching undergraduate students through particular kinds of strategies I have used during discussion groups have reaped interesting outcomes, both on the parts of the instructor as a reflexive participant and the students in the classroom.

Impacts of land use/land cover on water quality: a contemporary review for researchers and policymakers

Abstract Few factors are as important in determining water quality as land use/land cover (LULC). Many land use activities, including agriculture, urban development, mining, and commercial forestry, tend to be sources of diffuse pollution. By contrast, indigenous vegetation can act as a sink, thus providing some protection from diffuse anthropogenic contamination. Notwithstanding the large body of research demonstrating these facts, decision-makers require clear and accessible information to assist them in developing effective management plans that are fully cognisant of the manifold impacts of LULC on water resources. Reviewing the available literature, this article, therefore, offers a critical overview of the typical impacts of LULC on water quality. An important strategy for managing water quality highlighted in this article is the maintenance of a sufficient amount of unfragmented natural vegetation, not only within riparian zones but also across catchment areas. However, knowledge gaps identified in this review indicate that further context-specific research is required to determine not only the types and minimum amount of vegetative cover required to protect water resources from diffuse pollution but also the potential impact of landscape fragmentation on the ability of natural vegetation to protect water resources. A critical discussion of these factors is therefore provided.

Revolutions and rational choice: A critical discussion

Revolutions and rational choice: A critical discussion

El chile tabiche: memoria, reencuentro y acción comunitaria en Santo Domingo Tomaltepec, Oaxaca, México

Chile tabiche, a cultivariety (variety defined by a cultural context) of the species Capsicum annuum var. annuum L., was consumed in the community of Santo Domingo Tomaltepec in the Central Valleys of Oaxaca until approximately 70 years ago; however, it fell into disuse in recent decades. Through the story of the loss and reencounter of chile tabiche in this community, we reflect on the role of memory in re-establishing networks of use, knowledge, and value. This work is carried out within the context of Cocina Colaboratorio, a project that seeks to strengthen food sovereignty in three communities in Mexico, including Santo Domingo Tomaltepec. In a transdisciplinary way, the collective uses the kitchen table as a metaphor for horizontal exchange, collaboration, and community action. This research ran from the summer of 2021 to the summer of 2022 and materialized through semi-structured conversations and activities designed from art and participatory action research. According to older women in the community, chile tabiche was grown in nearby fields and was an essential ingredient in daily life and celebrations. Our research found that this chili pepper is still produced and consumed in the Sierra Sur of Oaxaca. Thus, we planned a series of events with the community for a reencounter and to be able to share it with women who already knew it and younger generations who had not tried it. This study seeks to highlight the nuances of loss and value, not as something definitive but as a network that can be rewoven in different ways. This contributes to critical discussions on the heritage boom by presenting an example in which memory can be a tool for action and where flavors, practices, and narratives can be reformulated and re-appropriated to reclaim identities.

A Closer Look at Histamine in Drosophila.

The present work intends to provide a closer look at histamine in Drosophila. This choice is motivated firstly because Drosophila has proven over the years to be a very simple, but powerful, model organism abundantly assisting scientists in explaining not only normal functions, but also derangements that occur in higher organisms, not excluding humans. Secondly, because histamine has been demonstrated to be a pleiotropic master molecule in pharmacology and immunology, with increasingly recognized roles also in the nervous system. Indeed, it interacts with various neurotransmitters and controls functions such as learning, memory, circadian rhythm, satiety, energy balance, nociception, and motor circuits, not excluding several pathological conditions. In view of this, our review is focused on the knowledge that the use of Drosophila has added to the already vast histaminergic field. In particular, we have described histamine's actions on photoreceptors sustaining the visual system and synchronizing circadian rhythms, but also on temperature preference, courtship behavior, and mechanosensory transmission. In addition, we have highlighted the pathophysiological consequences of mutations on genes involved in histamine metabolism and signaling. By promoting critical discussion and further research, our aim is to emphasize and renew the importance of histaminergic research in biomedicine through the exploitation of Drosophila, hopefully extending the scientific debate to the academic, industry, and general public audiences.

An Overview of Environmental Catalysis Mediated by Hydrogen Peroxide

The use of hydrogen peroxide (produced in situ or ex situ) as the main agent in oxidative processes of environmental pollutant removal is widely studied. The degradation of water pollutants, such as dyes, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, petroleum derivatives, and even pathogens, has been successfully obtained by different techniques. This review gives an overview of the more recent methods developed to apply oxidative processes mediated by H2O2 and other reactive oxygen species (ROS) in environmental catalysis, with particular attention to the strategies (Fenton-like and Bio-Fenton, photo- and electro-catalysis) and the materials employed. A wide discussion about the characteristics of the materials specifically studied for hydrogen peroxide activation, as well as about their chemical composition and morphology, was carried out. Moreover, recent interesting methods for the generation and use of hydrogen peroxide by enzymes were also presented and their efficiency and applicability compared with the Fenton and electro-Fenton methods discussed above. The use of Bio-Fenton and bi-enzymatic methods for the in situ generation of ROS seems to be attractive and scalable, although not yet applied in full-scale plants. A critical discussion about the feasibility, criticalities, and perspectives of all the methods considered completes this review.

Recent Progress and Challenges in Paper-Based Microsupercapacitors for Flexible Electronics: A Comprehensive Review.

Recent advances in paper-based microsupercapacitors (p-MSCs) have attracted significant attention due to their potential as substrates for flexible electronics. This review summarizes progress in the field of p-MSCs, discussing their challenges and prospects. It covers various aspects, including the fundamental characteristics of paper, the modification of paper with functional materials, and different methods for device fabrication. The review critically analyzes recent advancements, materials, and fabrication techniques for p-MSCs, exploring their potential applications and benefits, such as flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. Additionally, this review highlights gaps in current research, guiding future investigations and innovations in the field. It provides an overview of the current state of p-MSCs and offers valuable insights for researchers and professionals in the field. The critical analysis and discussion presented herein offer a roadmap for the future development of p-MSCs and their potential impact on the domain of flexible electronics.

Military education in extended reality (XR): learning troublesome knowledge through immersive experiential application

Extended reality (XR) applications for education are usually associated with motivation, engagement, knowledge and experiences that are difficult to achieve in the real world. One example of such knowledge in military education is the threat-based approach to protection of civilians in armed conflicts. The Norwegian Defence University College (NDUC) educates officers on the threat-based approach. This approach challenges conventional military practice, introducing new ways of thinking about what military forces can and cannot do to protect civilians from violence. Today, militaries are expected to protect civilians from perpetrators that target them as part of their warfare, expanding their responsibilities under International Humanitarian Law. This expansion of tasks represents “troublesome knowledge” for many military officers and demands a deeper understanding of the rationales and strategies driving perpetrators’ targeting of civilians. To overcome this pedagogical challenge, we developed an XR-supported educational program combining immersive experiences and pedagogical approaches, including combined 360°-videos and embodiment, dialogue with virtual humans and collaborative VR-landscapes to encourage immersive peer-to-peer learning. The results are encouraging, suggesting high levels of acceptance by learners of the threat-based concept, an effect on stimulating critical discussion and a positive reaction to XR-supported learning.

A Review of Digital Twin Technologies for Enhanced Sustainability in the Construction Industry

Carbon emissions present a pressing challenge to the traditional construction industry, urging a fundamental shift towards more sustainable practices and materials. Recent advances in sensors, data fusion techniques, and artificial intelligence have enabled integrated digital technologies (e.g., digital twins) as a promising trend to achieve emission reduction and net-zero. While digital twins in the construction sector have shown rapid growth in recent years, most applications focus on the improvement of productivity, safety and management. There is a lack of critical review and discussion of state-of-the-art digital twins to improve sustainability in this sector, particularly in reducing carbon emissions. This paper reviews the existing research where digital twins have been directly used to enhance sustainability throughout the entire life cycle of a building (including design, construction, operation and maintenance, renovation, and demolition). Additionally, we introduce a conceptual framework for this industry, which involves the elements of the entire digital twin implementation process, and discuss the challenges faced during deployment, along with potential research opportunities. A proof-of-concept example is also presented to demonstrate the validity of the proposed conceptual framework and potential of digital twins for enhanced sustainability. This study aims to inspire more forward-thinking research and innovation to fully exploit digital twin technologies and transform the traditional construction industry into a more sustainable sector.

Gender equality: opportunities and challenges for the OR community

There is a research gap on understanding gender equality issues in the OR discipline, and on the role of gender in OR participation and career progression. We apply a gender lens to the literature on the history of OR, reflecting on the origins of OR, the OR community, and the theory, methods and practice of OR. A gender lens aims to uncover hidden gender dimensions to bring gender issues into sharper focus. The review shows that women are largely invisible in the recorded history of OR. We use a survey instrument to capture the current OR community and extract insights on their careers by gender. Using a decision tree to understand factors that affect participation in OR, our findings are consistent with other studies: women perceive barriers to their participation and career progression, but the barriers are not as apparent to their male peers. Our paper offers novel contributions including a reflection on the history of OR through a gender lens, insights on the role of gender in OR careers, and a critical discussion of our findings. We aim to stimulate a conversation and encourage a discussion on the next steps toward innovative and cross-disciplinary research and applications at the gender/OR nexus.

Financing mechanism for solid waste management in Anambra, Nigeria: analyses of emerging challenges and implication for circular economy.

Waste management is a critical public service provided by municipalities around the world. It is often problematic, inefficient, and abysmally performed in developing countries. Among the problems associated with waste management in these global locations is the issue of finance. Finance is required for both capital investment and operational costs. Methods of waste management financing differ from place to place due to cultural, political, and socio-economic peculiarities. Understanding these conditionalities is necessary to be able to proffer sustainable solutions. Despite these facts, there is limited comprehensive and relevant academic literature on waste management financing mechanisms in developing countries both in the past and recent times. This work addresses a significant gap in the literature by studying the mechanism for waste management financing in developing countries using Anambra State, Nigeria, as a case study. The current study further investigated the associated challenges and opportunities and made critical discussions on the implications on the circular economy. User fees and subsidies from the government are the major financing sources. The absence of cost-revenue model analysis, economic and institutional volatility, the unwillingness of the service users to pay fees, and lack of transparency are major challenges to the financial sustainability of waste management in the studied context. The creation of incentives for behavioral changes, adoption of neo-liberal policies, and formal integration of informal waste pickers are factors that can minimize the cost of waste management services while promoting a circular economy.