Critical Questions Research Articles

A VIRTUE ETHICS FOR HISTORIANS: PROSPECTS AND LIMITATIONS

ABSTRACTHow feasible would it be to develop a virtue ethics for historians that is analogous or similar to virtue‐ethical approaches to research integrity that have been proposed for other areas of academic inquiry? The field of history is an interesting one, as few disciplines have an equally well‐documented history of thinking, talking, and writing about virtues. This history merits ethicists’ attention, as it offers a unique opportunity for grounding ethical reflection in the lived realities of historical research and teaching. In the spirit of a “history and philosophy of history,” this article contributes to such a project by staging a conversation between virtue ethics and the history of historiography. Drawing on a range of nineteenth‐ and twentieth‐century examples, it argues that much of what applied virtue ethicists are recommending scholars to do has a long pedigree in the history of historiography. Critical virtue ethics, too, is a project to which historians can easily relate, especially insofar as they are committed to virtues of truthfulness in an age of post‐truth. If this suggests that there is room, or perhaps even a need, for a virtue ethics for historians, the cases examined in this article also prompt critical questions, especially ones regarding the teachability of virtue, the potential of virtue talk to be misused for polemical and exclusionary purposes, and the sort of tasks that a virtue ethics is capable of addressing. In light of these considerations, the article calls for reflection on the “affordances” of virtue. It claims that the case for a virtue ethics will be strongest if it is grounded in a realistic understanding not only of the beneficial uses to which categories of virtue can be put but also of unintended uses to which virtue talk is susceptible and of tasks for which virtue thinking is less prepared.

State of the International Wine Markets in 2023. The wine market at a crossroads: Temporary or structural challenges?

The global wine trade experienced a decline in volume and value in 2023 due to reduced real incomes, post-pandemic overstocking, and shifting consumer preferences. Non-sparkling red wines were more affected than sparkling wines, white wines and wines in bag-in-box formats, with notable declines in non-sparkling bottled wine imports across major markets. Despite this, an exceptionally low wine harvest in 2023 prevented a global oversupply. Regionally, some countries and appellations face an imbalance where grape supply exceeds demand due to misalignment with current consumption trends. The critical question for the wine sector is whether these declines are due to temporary factors, structural changes, or a combination of both. Excessive inventories accumulated in the post-pandemic period suggest a temporary decline in trade. However, there are growing concerns about changing consumption habits, particularly among younger consumers in Europe and the US. The relative influence of these factors remains uncertain. Premium wines still enjoy demand among traditional aficionados, but there is a clear shift in consumer preferences towards more refreshing products, including white wines, sparkling wines, and low-alcohol wines. To address these challenges, the wine industry must innovate and adapt its regulatory framework to support consumer-oriented innovation and diversified portfolios. The global wine industry is at a pivotal transition point, requiring a strategic response to evolving consumer preferences to maintain its market position.

Dialogic Scaffolding: How to Design Critical Questions in Developing Students Algebraic Reasoning?

Dialogic Scaffolding: How to Design Critical Questions in Developing Students Algebraic Reasoning?

Language, deconstructivism, and the Guggenheim Bilbao Museoa

ABSTRACT In a series of articles critical of aspects of the idea of translanguaging, MacSwan (e.g. 2022) has suggested that deconstructivism has derailed the translingual project. This paper draws attention to a number of weaknesses in this argument that are important for taking critical questions about language seriously. The term deconstructivism operates more as a derogatory label than a description of a theoretical stance, an appeal to popular notions about the postmodern rather than to intellectual debate about modes of inquiry. The notion of deconstruction itself is a common term referring to the need to pull structures apart before reassembling them, as suggested by deconstructivism in architecture (to describe the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, for example). Ontological curiosity about languages also has a long history and is an important step before reconstruction, reinvention, or reconstitution. This paper makes a case for critical engagement, an argument for intellectual care when dealing with critical theory, and critical resistance, the question of whether contemporary language matters of concern are better served by traditional or current sociolinguistic frameworks.

EANM position paper on challenges and opportunities of full-ring 360° CZT bone imaging: it's time to let go of planar whole-body bone imaging.

The introduction of smaller footprint, more sensitive Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride (CZT)-based detectors with improved spatial and energy resolution has enabled the design of innovative full-ring 360° CZT SPECT/CT systems (e.g., VERITON® and StarGuide™). With this transformative technology now aiming to become mainstream in clinical practice, several critical questions need to be addressed. This EANM position paper provides practical recommendations on how to use these devices for routine bone SPECT/CT studies, facilitating the transition from traditional planar whole-body imaging and conventional SPECT/CT to these novel systems. In particular, initial guidance is provided on imaging acquisition and reporting workflows, image reconstruction, and CT acquisition parameters. Given the emerging nature of this technology, the available evidence base is still limited, and the proposed adaptations in workflows and scan protocols will likely evolve before being integrated into definitive guidelines. In the meantime, this EANM position paper serves as a comprehensive guide for integrating these advanced hybrid SPECT/CT imaging systems into clinical practice and outlining areas for further study.

OmniMatch: A Large Language Model-Based Data Linkage Tool

Large Language Models, such as OpenAI’s GPT, have demonstrated remarkable success in various applications by generating human-like text. However, a critical question remains: how can we effectively leverage these large language models for data linkage? In response to this challenge, we introduce OmniMatch, a novel data linkage tool designed to address several key issues in data linkage: Cross-Domain Data Linkage: OmniMatch tackles the complexities of linking data across different domains without retraining or update. Cross-Lingual Data Linkage: It extends its capabilities to handle data in multiple languages and hybrid languages. Data Quality Challenges: OmniMatch addresses inconsistent data formats and typical data quality issues, including noise, missing values, typos, and errors. Our approach customizes an open-source large language model called Llama 2 from Meta. By doing so, we achieve outstanding performance in handling the aforementioned challenges. Notably, OmniMatch offers a specific advantage: it can be installed on-premises, ensuring a safe and trustworthy application without the hallucinations and other vulnerabilities associated with foundational large language models. We systematically evaluate OmniMatch using diverse datasets from various domains, including products, scientific publications, music, census data, and cross-lingual data. The experimental results demonstrate that OmniMatch is a universally applicable and trustworthy tool for data linkage.

Constraint-based methodological innovations: Tales of doctoral and early career researchers in a pandemic-ridden world

This special issue aims to share the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic with the broader research community. The pandemic exposed deep societal inequalities, particularly affecting junior researchers. Through 12 articles from doctoral and early career researchers in their own words, the collection highlights the paradox of constraints driving innovation. The special issue underscores the importance of flexibility, ethical sensitivity and the critical questioning of established practices in research. Ultimately, it demonstrates that constraints can catalyse new possibilities and that mutual support is essential in navigating turbulent times.

Analysis of Mathematical Critical Thinking Ability based on Students' Ability Level

Analyzing and testing mathematical critical thinking skills based on the ability level of class VIII students of junior high school is the aim of this research. By understanding the level of students' abilities, educators can determine students' mathematical critical thinking abilities and develop appropriate teaching strategies to improve students' abilities. This study uses a qualitative descriptive research method. This research was conducted at one of the junior high schools in Cipatat, West Bandung Regency with heterogeneous abilities of 8 students. This research uses data collection techniques by providing mathematical critical thinking ability questions on SPLDV material which consists of 5 essay test questions based on the following indicators: (1) Checking the completeness of problem solving steps. (2) Look for alternative solutions to problems. (3) Identify spldv equations with certain characteristics. (4) Choose the best way to solve the problem from alternative ways of solving it. (5) Identifying the adequacy of data on a problem. In this study, the results of the analysis have shown that students at a high level of ability can check the completeness of problem solving steps, students with a medium level of ability have little difficulty in identifying spldv equations with certain characteristics, and students with a low level of ability have difficulty finding alternatives problem solution.

MERIT (Manuscript Evaluation Reflecting Intrinsic Tenets): A Framework for Efficient and Equitable Academic Peer Review

Peer review is a cornerstone of academic integrity and rigor in research dissemination. This process, bridging knowledge creation and publication, demands considerable time and effort from content creators, reviewers, and editors. Peer review often entails multiple iterations across various journals, requiring hundreds of hours of commitment and often leading to frustration. However, this investment can be fruitful, enhancing manuscript quality, correcting errors, and ensuring appropriate audience targeting. Collectively, peer review consumes millions of hours and incurs billions in costs, largely borne by funding agencies and governments. This scenario raises critical questions about optimizing the process and the potential impact of reviewer education on efficiency and outcomes. Surprisingly, formal training for reviewers is scarce across undergraduate and graduate programs globally. Learning is predominantly informal, through mentorship or personal experience. Journals typically offer minimal guidance, relying on basic questions and rankings to assist editors. It is quite remarkable that such a loosely structured approach for peer review, with minimal guidance, is the norm for a process of great consequence. The outcomes of peer reviews can delay publications for years, significantly impact careers, and influence decisions on grants and promotions. This course introduces novel tools and concepts to refine the peer review process: 1) The “Main Result Justification Sheet,” created to make reviews more efficient and transparent for readers; 2) “Publicon,” a term inspired by the fundamental units of quantum physics such as the photon, representing the minimum quantum of information necessary to advance a field and merit publication in a peer-reviewed journal; and 3) A MERIT-based peer review model (Manuscript Evaluation Reflecting Intrinsic Tenets), outlining new guidelines that base acceptance solely on the intrinsic merits of the manuscript, with assessments of potential audience engagement and distribution determined subsequently. A key innovation of the MERIT-based model is the separation of the peer-review process from the distribution of the manuscript. Once a manuscript is validated through independent peer review, its distribution becomes a separate consideration. Authors or independent platforms can disseminate validated work efficiently, whether through evolving forms of what we currently call journals or social media. This separation ensures that the focus remains on the quality of the research itself, rather than on the prestige of the distributing entity. This course is designed to provide a structured framework to academic peer review with the goal of elevating quality, fostering equity, and minimizing bias. The course includes interactive sections with open-ended and multiple choice questions to stimulate thought and understanding. This course is designed for both novices and seasoned reviewers, aiming to refine their skills and adapt to specific academic fields.

Cohesin mutations in acute myeloid leukemia.

The cohesin complex, encoded by SMC3, SMC1A, RAD21, and STAG2, is a critical regulator of DNA-looping and gene expression. Over a decade has passed since recurrent mutations affecting cohesin subunits were first identified in myeloid malignancies such as Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Since that time there has been tremendous progress in our understanding of chromatin structure and cohesin biology, but critical questions remain because of the multiple critical functions the cohesin complex is responsible for. Recent findings have been particularly noteworthy with the identification of crosstalk between DNA-looping and chromatin domains, a deeper understanding of how cohesin establishes sister chromatid cohesion, a renewed interest in cohesin's role for DNA damage response, and work demonstrating cohesin's importance for Polycomb repression. Despite these exciting findings, the role of cohesin in normal hematopoiesis, and the precise mechanisms by which cohesin mutations promote cancer, remain poorly understood. This review discusses what is known about the role of cohesin in normal hematopoiesis, and how recent findings could shed light on the mechanisms through which cohesin mutations promote leukemic transformation. Important unanswered questions in the field, such as whether cohesin plays a role in HSC heterogeneity, and the mechanisms by which it regulates gene expression at a molecular level, will also be discussed. Particular attention will be given to the potential therapeutic vulnerabilities of leukemic cells with cohesin subunit mutations.

Environment, Lifestyles, and Climate Change: The Many Nongenetic Contributors to The Long and Winding Road to Autoimmune Diseases.

A critical unanswered question is what is causing the increase in the prevalence of autoimmunity and autoimmune diseases around the world. Given the rapidity of change, this is likely the result of major recent alterations in our exposures to environmental risk factors for these diseases. More evidence is becoming available that the evolution of autoimmune disease, years or even decades in the making, results from multiple exposures that alter susceptible genomes and immune systems over time. Exposures during sensitive phases in key developmental or hormonal periods may set the stage for the effects of later exposures. It is likely that synergistic and additive impacts of exposure mixtures result in chronic low-level inflammation. This inflammation may eventually pass thresholds that lead to immune system activation and autoimmunity, and with further molecular and pathologic changes, the complete clinical syndrome emerges. Much work remains to be done to define the mechanisms and risk and protective factors for autoimmune conditions. However, evidence points to a variety of pollutants, xenobiotics, infections, occupational exposures, medications, smoking, psychosocial stressors, changes in diet, obesity, exercise, and sleep patterns, as well as climate change impacts of increased heat, storms, floods, wildfires, droughts, UV radiation, malnutrition, and changing infections, as possible contributors. Substantial investments in defining the role of causal factors, in whom and when their effects are most important, the necessary and sufficient gene-environment interactions, improved diagnostics and therapies, and preventive strategies are needed now to limit the many negative personal, societal, and financial impacts that will otherwise occur.

Nubians Are Baganda from Bombo: Unpacking the Luwalo Tax Protests and the Nubian Identity Crisis in Colonial Buganda (1891-1940)

This study challenges the dominant narrative that the 1940 Luwalo tax protests in Buganda were solely a result of the Nubians' militant and uncompromising nature. Instead, it posits that these protests were deeply rooted in unresolved identity issues imposed on the Nubian community by British colonial authorities since their arrival in Uganda in the 1890s. By examining the 1940 protest and the subsequent arrest and imprisonment of Nubian protesters, the research raises critical questions about the politics of colonial identity construction and deconstruction. It investigates why some Nubians resisted the payment of native taxes while others complied, the minimal press coverage of the protests, and the role of colonial tax policies, such as the Luwalo tax, in reshaping Nubian identity. Additionally, the study highlights the often-overlooked role of Nubian women in these protests. A historical research methodology was employed, utilizing both primary and secondary sources, including government documents, colonial correspondences, and newspapers, to uncover the broader socio-political context of the protests. Oral histories, gathered through interviews with 5 surviving Nubian elders and 9 of their descendants, provided valuable insights into identity struggles and the impact of colonial policies. This combination of archival research and oral history offers an elaborate analysis of how colonial tax policies influenced Nubian identity, contributing to the broader narrative of resistance and identity preservation within the community

Freezing Functional Nucleic Acids: From Molecular Reactions to Surface Immobilization.

Biochemical reactions are typically slowed down by decreasing temperature. However, accelerated reaction kinetics have been observed for a long time. More recent examples have highlighted the unique role of freezing in fabricating supermaterials, degrading environmental contaminants, and accelerating bioreactions. Functional nucleic acids are DNA or RNA oligonucleotides with versatile properties, including target recognition, catalysis, and molecular co4mputing. In this review, we discuss the current observations and understanding of freezing-facilitated reactions involving functional nucleic acids. Molecular reactions such as ligation/conjugation, cleavage, and hybridization are discussed. Moreover, freezing-induced DNA-nanoparticle conjugations are introduced. Then, we describe our effect in immobilizing DNA on bulk surfaces. Finally, we address some critical questions and research opportunities in the field.

Calbindin and Girk2/Aldh1a1 define resilient vs vulnerable dopaminergic neurons in a primate Parkinson’s disease model

The differential vulnerability of dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) is a critical and unresolved question in Parkinson´s disease. Studies in mice show diverse susceptibility of subpopulations of nigral dopaminergic neurons to various toxic agents. In the primate midbrain, the molecular phenotypes of dopaminergic neurons and their differential vulnerability are poorly characterized. We performed a detailed histological study to determine the anatomical distribution of different molecular phenotypes within identified midbrain neurons and their selective vulnerability in control and MPTP-treated monkeys. In the ventral tier of the SNc (nigrosome), neurons rich in Aldh1a1 and Girk2 are intermingled, whereas calbindin is the marker that best identifies the most resilient neurons located in the dorsal tier and ventral tegmental area, recapitulating the well-defined dorsoventral axis of susceptibility to degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. In particular, a loss of Aldh1a1+ neurons in the ventral SNc was observed in parallel to the progressive development of parkinsonism. Aldh1a1+ neurons were the main population of vulnerable dopaminergic nigrostriatal-projecting neurons, while Aldh1a1- neurons giving rise to nigropallidal projections remained relatively preserved. Moreover, bundles of entwined Aldh1a1+ dendrites with long trajectories extending towards the substantia nigra pars reticulata emerged from clusters of Aldh1a1+ neurons and colocalized with dense cannabinoid receptor 1 afferent fibers likely representing part of the striatonigral projection that is affected in human disorders, including Parkinson´s disease. In conclusion, vulnerable nigrostriatal-projecting neurons can be identified by using Aldh1a1 and Girk2. Further studies are needed to define the afferent/efferent projection patterns of these most vulnerable neurons.

Corporate Solidarity in Stalin’s USSR: Arrests and Release of NKVD Officers in the 1930s–1940s

AbstractPurges and high‐profile political cases were constantly, though with varying degrees of intensity, brought down on Soviet functionaries in the 1920s–1950s. However, judging by the latest research, repressions did not completely stop the stabilization and formation of corporate cohesion within the nomenklatura, convincing signs of which already had appeared under Stalin. This trend, which in many ways determined the nature of the Soviet system’s development, is significant. However, its study requires considerable effort, including analyzing new sources reflecting the practices of the nomenklatura’s resistance to repressive pressure from above. This article addresses this problem through the prism of a well‐known phenomenon: the purges of NKVD officers, who themselves conducted mass repressions in 1937–38. Newly available archival documents make it possible to investigate several critical interrelated questions. First, what was the situation of convicted Chekists in the camps? Second, what were the mechanisms for the early release of former officers? Third, what were the subsequent trajectories of restoring the Chekists’ social status?

Experiences of Muslims in India on digital platforms with anti-Muslim hate: a culture-centered exploration

This manuscript examines the experiences of Muslims in India with hate on digital platforms. Extant research on Islamophobia on digital platforms offers analyses of the various discourses circulating on digital platforms. This manuscript builds on that research to document the experiences of online hate among Muslims in India based on a survey of 1,056 Muslims conducted by Qualtrics, a panel-based survey company, between November 2021 and December 2021. The findings point to the intersections between white supremacist and Hindutva Alt-Right messages on digital platforms, delineating the fascist threads that form the convergent infrastructures of digital hate. Moreover, they document the extensive exposure of Muslims in India to Islamophobic hate on digital platforms, raising critical questions about their health and wellbeing. The paper wraps up with policy recommendations regarding strategies for addressing online Islamophobic hate on digital platforms.

Interrogating “political masculinities”

This article interrogates the concept of “political masculinities” in terms of its usefulness as an analytical category. The article covers four major areas associated with the concept. First, some critical questions concerning the dichotomy between studying “men in politics” and “political masculinities” are offered. Second, concerns are raised regarding specific terms used in the current definition of political masculinities. Third, probing queries are presented on the conceptual utility of political masculinities as an analytical category. Finally, the article closes with a discussion of ex-US President Donald Trump, illustrating his distinct type of dominating masculinity and how this masculinity illuminates the substance and meaning of his “politics.”

Will future copper resources and supply be adequate to meet the net zero emission goal?

The fact that in recent times mineral exploration has been disappointing and that transition to clean energy to achieve net zero emission by 2050 will place extraordinary pressure on copper demand, are beyond dispute. The critical question is to what extent will copper supply be capable of satisfying growing demand in a net zero future. Reality is that global copper resources have been growing significantly and steadily for decades despite increasing mine production. Besides, with dwindling exploration discoveries, this increase is primarily attributable to expansion of the resources of existing deposits through a combination of better progressive delineation and re-assessment of classification of resources in response to economic and technological changes, the so-called Australasian Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) ‘modifying factors’. Analysis of MinEx Consulting's global mineral deposit database indicates that just the resources of deposits discovered since 2010 have been growing at estimated Compound Annual Growth Rates (CAGRs) in the range 7.5% to 15.5%, but greater additional tonnage is associated with deposits discovered before 2010. The result is that tens of millions of tonnes of copper are added to the inventory each year, notwithstanding increasing production and mounting Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) pressure sterilising some deposits. In essence, copper supply shortages are unlikely to result from depletion of copper resources but rather from possible inadequacy of mining and processing capacity. Geopolitical supply risk is also low compared to some other critical metals (e.g., Co and Ni) on account of the large number and geographical dispersion of copper deposits. Increases in price due to a perception of impending scarcity will ensure that future capacity will, at a minimum, continue to grow along its historical 3% CAGR. In addition, it will create strong incentives for above-trend capacity utilisation and improvement in recycling collection and recovery. This will be followed by acceleration of expansion of capacity at many existing mines, and development of deposits at the advanced feasibility stage, releasing copper to market at lower capital cost and on shorter timeframes than exploring for and developing new mines. Estimates of possible levels of above-trend increments in capacity for the various components of the current copper endowment show that, while shortages may occur, they will not be as serious as currently generally expected. This does not mean that net zero emission may not be delayed beyond 2050, but it is more likely that it may be delayed by a range of other constrains and impediments unrelated to availability of copper, and that such delays may give copper supply breathing time.

Helioseismic Properties of Dynamo Waves in the Variation of Solar Differential Rotation

Solar differential rotation exhibits a prominent feature: its cyclic variations over the solar cycle, referred to as zonal flows or torsional oscillations, are observed throughout the convection zone. Given the challenge of measuring magnetic fields in subsurface layers, understanding deep torsional oscillations becomes pivotal in deciphering the underlying solar dynamo mechanism. In this study, we address the critical question of identifying specific signatures within helioseismic frequency-splitting data associated with the torsional oscillations. To achieve this, a comprehensive forward modeling approach is employed to simulate the helioseismic data for a dynamo model that, to some extent, reproduces solar-cycle variations of magnetic fields and flows. We provide a comprehensive derivation of the forward modeling process utilizing generalized spherical harmonics, as it involves intricate algebraic computations. All estimated frequency-splitting coefficients from the model display an 11 yr periodicity. Using the simulated splitting coefficients and realistic noise, we show that it is possible to identify the dynamo wave signal present in the solar zonal flow from the tachocline to the solar surface. By analyzing observed data, we find similar dynamo wave patterns in the observational data from the Michelson Doppler Imager, Helioseismic Magnetic Imager, and Global Oscillation Network Group. This validates the earlier detection of dynamo waves and holds potential implications for the solar dynamo theory models.

For Whom the Note Scrolls: A Brief History of the Medical Record's Role in Education and the Risks It Faces in the Age of OpenNotes.

Dating back to ancient civilizations when records were carefully transcribed onto papyrus, clinical documentation has long served as a cornerstone of medical-and especially neurologic-education. From the case histories of Hippocrates to the diurnal patient logs used by trainees in the 18th and 19th centuries, clinical notes have an extended history as invaluable instruments of pedagogy, scholarly practice, and interprofessional communication. The novel paradigm introduced by Lawrence Weed in the 1950s, advocating for the problem-oriented medical record system, revolutionized the clinical note template and emphasized the need for physicians' carefully considered analyses of a patient's presentation to be clearly reflected in well-organized documentation. In the realm of medical records today, however, a profound shift is underway, largely propelled by the emergence of electronic medical records, the OpenNotes mandate of the federal 21st Century Cures Act, and, most recently, artificial intelligence (AI). Appropriately, patients now have full access to their medical records, but this raises critical questions. Should clinical notes now prioritize patient comprehension over their traditional role as educational instruments, aide-mémoire, and repositories of detailed assessments and insights? What role, if any, should AI have in the creation of physician notes and patient-facing clinical documents? These tensions underscore the delicate balance between transparency and the preservation of notes' clinical integrity and analytical depth. As we navigate the path forward, finding an equilibrium between openness and the continued utility of medical records as tools for education and professional communication will be imperative.