Critical Questions Research Articles

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.

Passing-through I-plates-to-SHS moment resisting joints subjected to symmetric bending moments

When using hollow structural section (HSS) members in multi-storey buildings, beam-to-column moment resisting connections’ design raises critical questions to tackle. With conventional welded and bolted joints’ response being generally very flexible, the design resistance becomes governed by a deformation criterion rather than a strength criterion. This underscores the necessity for smart reinforcement techniques. A widespread solution is the diaphragm approach, in which the stiffeners usually protrude over the tubular column. The solution of plates passing through the HSS column is another stiffening option which was studied recently for CHS, yet, SHS columns have not been subject to comparable scrutiny. The objective of this paper is to study experimentally, numerically, and analytically the mechanical behaviour of I-beam-to-SHS column moment resisting joints using passing through I-plates under symmetric bending moments. The testing of two full-scale specimens corroborates previous findings with CHS columns in the elastic regime. However, significant deviations were observed in the post-peak response, revealing new insights into the behaviour of SHS columns. Failure was due to progressive buckling of passing through plates and yielding of tube-wall in transverse compression. A finite element model using solid and contact elements is developed and validated against experimental data. This model underscores how loads are redistributed between the tube wall and passing plates. A simplified version of the FE model is used to perform a thorough parametric numerical analysis on 101 configurations expanding upon the experimental test database by varying geometrical parameters such as passing plate thickness, tube, and beam dimensions. Finally, an analytical model integrating the different components of the joint is proposed to evaluate the initial rotational stiffness and the bending resistance.

Mapping the Islamic Discourse on Knowledge: The Relevance of the New Islamic Discourse

Abstract: In the aftermath of independence, the ex-colonized Muslim countries were caught up in a comprehensive process of Westernization of Muslim life and thought. In this context, fundamental questions have been raised: What is the vision of knowledge? What is the position of the existing traditional Islamic and modern Western knowledge? This study aims to map existing trends in the interpretation of knowledge and measure the relevance of what Elmessiri calls the “New Islamic Discourse”. Descriptive, analytical, and comparative methods are used in the entire study. The first major finding is that there are seven Islamic discourses according to how they respond to critical questions. The second major finding is that the relevance of the “New Islamic Discourse” is based on five main features namely, (1) Modern science is not neutral, (2) Secularization of life and knowledge is part of the Modern crisis, (3) Islamic view of knowledge is neither modernist nor traditionalist, (4) Islamic view of knowledge is neither positivist nor relativist, and (5) Islam is a worldview that has implications for life and knowledge (on epistemology and methodology).

Adaptive Top-K Algorithm for Medical Conversational Diagnostic Model.

With advancements in computing technology and the rapid progress of data science, machine learning has been widely applied in various fields, showing great potential, especially in digital healthcare. In recent years, conversational diagnostic systems have been used to predict diseases through symptom checking. Early systems predicted the likelihood of a single disease by minimizing the number of questions asked. However, doctors typically perform differential diagnoses in real medical practice, considering multiple possible diseases to address diagnostic uncertainty. This requires systems to ask more critical questions to improve diagnostic accuracy. Nevertheless, such systems in acute medical situations need to process information quickly and accurately, but the complexity of differential diagnosis increases the system's computational cost. To improve the efficiency and accuracy of telemedicine diagnostic systems, this study developed an optimized algorithm for the Top-K algorithm. This algorithm dynamically adjusts the number of the most likely diseases and symptoms by real-time monitoring of case progress, optimizing the diagnostic process, enhancing accuracy (99.81%), and increasing the exclusion rate of severe pathologies. Additionally, the Top-K algorithm optimizes the diagnostic model through a policy network loss function, effectively reducing the number of symptoms and diseases processed and improving the system's response speed by 1.3-1.9 times compared to the state-of-the-art differential diagnosis systems.

Exploring the evolution of ecocriticism: A bibliometric study and literature review

The study conducts a comprehensive bibliometric analysis to delve into the evolution of ecocriticism, a critical approach that examines the intricate relationship between literature and the environment. Utilizing the extensive databases of Scopus and Web of Science, the research identifies key themes, influential authors, and the developmental trajectory of ecocriticism over a significant 29-year period, spanning from 1994 to 2023. This in-depth analysis reveals the field's inherently interdisciplinary nature, its progressive expansion into various cultural expressions, and its increasingly pivotal role in understanding the multifaceted impact of human activity on the environment. By highlighting the substantial potential of ecocriticism, the study not only enhances our understanding of complex environmental issues but also advocates for and promotes ecological responsibility. The bibliometric synthesis encompassed a substantial corpus of 1,615 documents. These documents were meticulously analyzed using R Studio software, which enabled the researcher to employ a range of analytical techniques, including descriptive statistics, thematic analysis, and sophisticated visualization methods. These techniques were instrumental in uncovering the underlying trends and patterns in ecocriticism research, providing valuable insights into the field's development and its current state.This study's findings serve as a roadmap for future research in this dynamic and ever-evolving field. They highlight potential avenues for exploration and emphasize the critical questions that remain to be addressed. The insights provided by this comprehensive analysis underscore the importance of ecocriticism in fostering a deeper understanding of environmental issues through literature and promoting a more ecologically responsible world. As ecocriticism continues to evolve, this study sets the stage for ongoing scholarly exploration and interdisciplinary engagement with environmental themes in literature.

“Mirroring” the World Versus “World-Making”: The Crisis of Ethics in Indian Mental Health Systems

In the context of neoliberalism and increasing globalization, technocratization, and scientification of mental health care, people suffering from socio-politico-economic problems ranging from poverty to structural violence are often transmogrified into “patients” with mental health problems to be “treated” with psychopharmaceuticals and individualized psychological therapies. Drawing from three socio-political issues India witnessed in the past 3 years, concerning three marginalized sections, namely, farmers, LGBTQIA+ people, and migrant workers, I illustrate the silence of mainstream mental health disciplines in India on sheer instances of structural violence and social suffering. Deflection of attention from human rights violations by mainstream mental health systems raises critical questions about the ethics and politics of mental health disciplines. The social, political, and material contexts that are central to lived experiences are almost always unaccounted in mental health academia, research, and practice. Engaging people with lived experiences advances equity by breaking down power dynamics, establishing collaborative decision-making, and improving equitable outcomes. Thus, knowledge production in mental health becomes irrelevant to political action and transformative policies that are crucial for positive mental health outcomes. By ignoring and thus implicitly sanctioning discriminatory, exploitive neoliberal architecture, mental health systems maintain the very upstream factors that cultivate and sustain mental distress. In this way, mainstream mental health practice in India fails to undertakeworld-making, raising deeper questions in public mental health ethics.

The Tokenization Problem: Understanding Generative AI's Computational Language Bias

The revolutionary potential of ChatGPT raises a critical question: Revolutionary for whom? This paper examines potential inequalities in how ChatGPT “tokenizes” texts across different languages. Translated 3,000-5,000 character passages in 108 languages were analyzed using OpenAI's tokenizer. English was treated as the baseline, with a “token multiplier” calculated for each language. The analysis revealed English was over 13 times more efficient than some languages. Key findings showed while the pre-training dataset size and character counts have nuanced roles, the alphabet used and the prevalence of special characters significantly impact efficiency. These discrepancies have real-world implications regarding usage costs and model limitations across languages. Thus, consciously addressing the tokenization imbalance is critical for ensuring equitable access to AI systems across diverse languages.

How do renters survive unaffordability? Household-level impacts of rent burden in Los Angeles

ABSTRACT Prior research shows that households reduce consumption of basic necessities in response to an increasing rent burden. However, questions remain regarding the interrelated, cumulative tactics renters use to survive amidst declining affordability. We address these critical questions by leveraging data from a door to door household survey in South and Central Los Angeles. First, we find that rent-burdened households (those paying over 30% of their income on rent) were more likely to reduce consumption and that adjustments in many consumption categories had persisted for years. Second, rent-burdened households undertook impactful functional adjustments, including working more hours and altering their homes to accommodate more residents. Severely rent-burdened households were 10.4 percentage points more likely to accommodate additional residents than those paying between 30 and 50% of income toward rent. Finally, we find that many households made both functional adjustments and consumption cutbacks simultaneously, which demonstrates the cumulative hardships caused by housing unaffordability.

Uncertainty about what is in the price

A critical question facing speculators contemplating to trade on private information is whether their signal has already been priced in by the market. In our model, speculators assess the novelty of their information based on recent price movements, and market makers are aware that speculators might be trading on stale news. An asymmetric response to past price movements ensues: after price increases, buy volume – because it may result from stale news trading – has a lower price impact than sell volume (and vice versa after price decreases). Consequently, return skewness is negatively related to lagged returns. We find strong support for these and other predictions using a comprehensive sample of US stocks.

From general critical questions to scheme-relevant critical questions in the instruction on argument evaluation for EFL graduate students: A two-cycle action research

For graduate students to succeed, acquiring skill at evaluating arguments is crucial, but reaching mastery at argument evaluation necessitates perspicacity and a willingness to challenge recognized authorities, published articles, and heretofore accepted “truths.” Teaching university students to become more effective at critique, however, has seldom been the focus of academic study within the context of English as a foreign language (EFL). In this action research, a critical-question approach was employed in an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) class designed to instruct graduate-level science majors to critique popular science articles. Instructional focus shifted, as the action research progressed, from general critical questions to scheme-relevant critical questions drawing upon Walton's argumentation scheme theory. Students' skill development level was assessed through group oral critiques and individual critique essay writing. Subsequent discourse-based interviews with five students revealed nuances in skill development. Results indicated that students' oral critique skills improved over time, whereas substantial enhancements in the targeted goal of their critique essay writing did not materialize. This study showcases how EFL university students' exposure to societal, rhetorical and power dynamics within a specific sociocultural context can impact their performance in critiquing written English text.

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Shaping the Future of Education: Transforming Teaching in the Modern World

This paper examines the need for a new education system that delivers quality education by integrating AI technology to transform traditional teaching methods. The global education system is currently confronted with critical questions about the true effectiveness and qualifications of teachers in schools and colleges. Despite formal credentials, there remains a significant gap in student satisfaction with conventional teaching approaches. This study explores the current state of teacher qualifications and student satisfaction, highlighting the increasing role of AI in education and demonstrating how AI can revolutionize the way education is delivered.

Keywords, citations and ‘algorithm magic’: exploring assumptions about ranking in academic literature searches online

ABSTRACT The accessibility of academic literature has improved considerably because of the internet, with a range of platforms providing access online. It is now common for academic literature databases to use ranking algorithms to sort search results by ‘relevance’. However, it is often unclear how relevance is defined, and it varies across different platforms. This lack of transparency can potentially introduce bias, and impact the rigour of literature reviews. While there is a lack of clarity on the technical features of algorithms, online academic literature databases are now used extensively. There is a critical question of how those using the platforms perceive ranking to function in this context, and how they adapt their information-seeking behaviour. In this paper we present findings from a mixed-methods study, involving an online survey and in-depth interviews with academics, to understand their beliefs and assumptions about relevance ranking algorithms and their implications for academic practice.

‘DAS MÖRDERISCHE GESETZ DES LEBENS’: ABORTION, EUGENICS AND SOCIAL DARWINISM IN DOLOROSA'S UNFRUCHTBARKEIT (1905) AND DIE STARKEN (1907)

ABSTRACTThis article deals with the literary contributions of the overlooked writer Dolorosa (a pseudonym for Maria Eichhorn), examining her work in conjunction with the eugenic and abortion debates prevalent in early twentieth‐century Germany. I analyse two of Dolorosa's novels, Unfruchtbarkeit (1905) and Die Starken (1907), and contextualise them within a broader artistic, cultural, and scientific milieu characterised by a pervasive emphasis on Social Darwinist principles of survival struggle. I also explore how the glorification of strength and competition was gendered during this period: men were often associated with attributes of power and conflict, while women were characterised by selfless and benevolent traits due to their maternal roles. In contrast to many feminists of her time who utilised eugenic ideals of motherhood to advocate for emancipation, Dolorosa diverges from the male‐dominated narrative surrounding survival struggle. Rather than reinforcing the legitimacy of the new ethics of the ‘right of the strong’, Dolorosa's portrayal of mothers grappling for survival prompts critical questioning of these emerging ideologies.