bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
O DESAFIO DOS MUSEUS HISTÓRICOS CELEBRATÓRIOS
Authors: Rollemberg Denise
Published: March 2024

É possível um museu ser celebratório e histórico ao mesmo tempo? O presente artigo propõe uma reflexão sobre o desafio de conjugar essas duas funções em um mesmo espaço museal. A questão se impõe uma vez que a natureza da pesquisa histórica se distingue – e não raramente se opõe – à natureza do trabalho de memória, que motiva as iniciativas celebratórias (Le Goff, 1982; Nora, 1993). Vários museus temáticos e/ou biográficos, ao homenagearem assuntos relativos à Segunda Guerra Mundial e a seus personagens, contornam o olhar crítico próprio ao ofício do historiador. Nesse sentido, a memória deixa de ser objeto da análise historiográfica, pretendendo ser a própria história.
LA RIVOLUZIONE È GIUSTA: EL ANTIFASCISMO CATÓLICO DE FRANCESCO LUIGI FERRARI
Authors: Clemente Yanes Enrique
Published: March 2024

Durante el decenio 1943-1953, el socialista Lelio Basso reflexionó acerca del futuro de una Italia que salía del fascismo y entraba en el llamado consenso de posguerra. Esto suponía, por un lado, actualizar las doctrinas del liberalismo constitucional del siglo XIX – protección de las libertades individuales, limitación del poder del Estado – y, por otro, incorporar a la Carta Magna de 1948 la justicia social como principio rector de la nueva República. Se trataba, en realidad, de un aprendizaje histórico. Las fuerzas conservadoras se abrían a una redistribución de la riqueza orientada por el Estado. Las consecuencias económicas del Tratado de Versalles (1919) (Keynes, 1976) todavía estaban presentes en la memoria europea. Los partidos socialistas se alejaban de la utopía revolucionaria marxista y se insertaban plenamente en el juego de la democracia liberal burguesa.
LONGEVIDAD Y METAMORFOSIS DE LOS NACIONALISMOS: EL CASO DE VOX Y FRATELLI D’ITALIA
Authors: Botti Alfonso
Published: March 2024

Bien en Italia, bien en España, los partidos Fratelli d’Italia y Vox, en particular con ocasión de las últimas campañas electorales, han sido contrastados por parte de la prensa de orientación democrática, de izquierda y por algunas fuerzas políticas de la misma orientación, con la acusación de no haber tomado claramente las distancias respectivamente del fascismo y del franquismo, de mantener actitudes ambiguas con ambos regímenes y de mirarlos con nostalgia. En Italia y España los éxitos electorales de ambos partidos, respectivamente el 22 de septiembre de 2022 y el 10 de noviembre 2019, se han vivido en diferentes ambientes de la opinión pública como riesgo de una vuelta atrás. Mi planteamiento es distinto y sugiere 1) que los dos partidos representan sí un peligro potencial para la democracia, pero no por ser fascistas o franquistas; 2) que se entienden mejor sus características enmarcándolas en el tiempo largo de los nacionalismos que aparecieron en la Europa de finales del siglo XIX y 3) que lo anteriormente dicho adquiere evidencia histórica al considerar dichos nacionalismos como fenómenos políticos autónomos, incluso desde el punto de vista de la cultura política, y no, como se ha hecho casi siempre hasta ahora, como premisa de los fascismos y de los regímenes totalitarios. Dicho de otra forma, que los nacionalismos han tenido y pueden tener otros desemboques al margen del fascismo, del nacionalsocialismo y del franquismo. Por cierto, desemboques involutivos desde el punto de vista democrático, por supuesto iliberales, pero al tiempo tampoco fascistas o totalitarios.
Multilingualism and literacy development in interlingual families
Authors: Tsushima Rika , Guardado Martin
Published: March 2024

Heritage languages are key to shaping the identity of many individuals who grow up in environments where the dominant societal language is different from their home languages. Yet heritage language learners can be incredibly diverse in terms of cultural and language backgrounds, language proficiency, literacy skills, language socialization experiences and in many other ways. Heritage language education and literacy development, in particular, have been examined in both formal and community-based educational settings. Insights drawn from this growing area of research have informed our understanding of challenges faced by heritage language learners in relation to literacy socialization, such as a lack of educational resources and community support. A subset of this research examines the issues faced by mixed-heritage language families in relation to literacy. This article reports on the qualitative phase of a mixed-method study on the language and literacy socialization experiences of interlingual families in Canada with mothers of Japanese descent. The findings highlight the multiple challenges faced by the participants in relation to the development of Japanese literacy. It draws attention to the complexity of their family lives, and how the promotion of multilingualism in the two official languages of Canada comes at the expense of Japanese literacy skills for their children.
Achieving creative collaboration between language teachers and artists
Authors: Andrews Jane , Almohammad Maryam
Published: March 2024

Inspired by academic thinking and practice-based work on creativity and education, and creative approaches in language education, this article is based on outcomes of the project ‘Creating Welcoming Learning Environments: Disseminating Arts-Based Approaches to Including All Learners’, funded by the UK Arts & Humanities Research Council. The project brought together creative artists specializing in filmmaking, drama, crafting, poetry and the spoken word, textiles and music with teachers in the south-west of England, who collaborated on integrating arts-based practices into language teaching, learning and assessment. The focus of the project was to generate new ways of teaching a) children developing English as an Additional Language (EAL) in mainstream primary, secondary and special schools and b) all children in schools where there is a commitment to building an ethos of inclusion and diversity in relation to languages and cultures. The article reports on how co-operative, collaborative workshops were used to bring teachers, creative artists and researchers together in a way which valued everyone’s knowledge and expertise. A thematic analysis of data from evaluation interviews undertaken with the participating teachers is provided and the potential for workshop-based professional development opportunities as a way of achieving creative collaboration in schools is discussed.
Allan Jenkins: Plot 29: Fourth Estate
Authors: Jaine Tom
Published: March 2024

Allan Jenkins: Plot 29: Fourth Estate, 2017: 252 pp., hardback, £14.99.
Peter Naccarato, Zachary Nowak, Elgin K. Eckert, eds.: Representing Italy through Food
Authors: Jaine Tom
Published: March 2024

Peter Naccarato, Zachary Nowak, Elgin K. Eckert, eds.: Representing Italy through Food: Bloomsbury, 2017: 269 pp., hardback, £85.00.
A lived experience or a reason? From an ethics debate to contemporary culture
Authors: Hołub Grzegorz
Published: March 2024

Karol Wojtyła’s debate with Max Scheler is multi-faceted. One of the central issues here is the dispute over the role of a lived experience and a reason in the structure of moral action. What is the starting point for providing an answer to the moral appeal directed at the human person? Is it a lived experience of an axiological quality called ‘value’ or a rational reason in which the value experienced is only one of the elements? Scheler is essentially in favour of the former scenario: the value carries sufficient power to pull the subject into action. And while his efficacy does not completely disappear here, it is fundamentally dominated by the axiological content (and attraction) of the value. Wojtyła takes a critical view of the German philosopher’s position, and states its inadequacy in the formation of mature moral action. A lived experience of a value is important, but it is not enough. The axiological experience moves the person, and contains an extraordinary force motivating one to undertake a specific act. However, without the participation of reason, it can be misguided and even inadequate. A person has to visualise, and to some extent objectivise the lived value for it to become the object of rational evaluation. Wojtyła’s dispute with Scheler is not just a marginal discussion between two European thinkers, within the hermetic philosophical debate of the 20th century. Indeed, it is part of the perennial questions as to what morality is, what role it plays in human life, and to what extent human beings influence the realisation of moral good and evil. The debate can also be a kind of lens affording a better view of the essence of contemporary disputes concerning both morality and culture. The diminishing and marginalisation of reason (especially in the strong, metaphysical version) in various spheres of life is striking. The tension between the culture of feeling and the culture of thinking is discernible and must prompt a debate. Karol Wojtyła shows what shape such a debate could take, and that it could be enriching for the entirety of contemporary culture.
Searching for Human Dignity: The Anthropological Dimension of Moral Teachings of Benedict XVI
Authors: Kluz Marek
Published: March 2024

Shaping the Christian vision of moral life, Pope Benedict XVI referred to the anthropology centred around the Biblical vision of man. The first and fundamental thesis of the revealed anthropology is the truth about the dignity of a human person. Nevertheless, in today’s world one can observe certain symptoms of the lack of respect for self-dignity and dignity of other people. Being aware of this fact, in his teachings, Benedict XVI pointed out the value of human dignity; he promoted it and presented a genuine vision of personal dignity. Man and his dignity was the first principle, “so to say heart and soul” of the moral teachings of Pope Benedict XVI.
Social Media and Body Image from the Perspective of Secondary School Youth
Authors: Niklová Miriam , Zošáková Karina
Published: March 2024

The study aimed to map the prevalence of social media disorder in secondary school youth. We used an abbreviated version of the Social Media Disorder Scale (SMD) and the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ-16B). The reliability of the questionnaires used in the research, indicates that they have sufficient internal consistency. A total of 637 re-respondents participated in the study. Their ages ranged from 15 to 19 years (AM=16.63). The results of the study showed social media impairment in 11.1% of the respondents, confirming a statistically significant difference in terms of the gender of the adolescents in favour of girls, and in terms of the degree of concern about their appearance, in favour of those who are more concerned about their appearance. Furthermore, a statistically significant difference in the degree of concern about their appearance in terms of gender, was confirmed in favour of girls.
Volunteering and Catholicism in Europe. The Inside Perspective Part 2: Empirical
Authors: Sadlon Wojciech , Rymsza Marek
Published: March 2024

In the paper we analyse the social activity practices of Catholic persons, as a set of individual and collective action emerging from the Catholic identity and – to more or less extent – structuralised under the Church-related formal non-profit initiatives. The purpose of the study is to clarify: (1) to what extent the Catholic unpaid social activities of different kinds could be classified as forms of volunteering and (2) to what extent the third sector definitions of volunteering are included in specific Catholic activities. Three tendencies have been observed with respect to not including religion-oriented volunteering in voluntary studies. Firstly, while using tools for collecting data adequate for the secular world, researchers face methodological difficulties to successfully cover social activities organized in parishes and congregations. Secondly, a reductionist approach reflects the ideological-rooted tendency to treat religion as a matter of private life. Thirdly, some religious-based entities tend to keep social activities of the believers within the Church-related circle. From the Catholic perspective, volunteer engagement represents an important aspect of faith-based every day activities, the so-called lived religion. At the same time, social engagement of believers provided within the Church-related entities, as well as outside them, usually fulfils all main features of volunteering. The relation between volunteering and religion is to be referred not only to the general position of faith-based and religious organizations in the public sphere, but also to the embeddedness of religious life in the society, as in fact both religion and volunteering are categories social per se. We illustrate our reflection on volunteering and Catholicism by presenting empirical evidence from the 2018 panel expert research among representatives of 29 Catholic Bishops Conferences across Europe.
La giurisprudenza come fonte del diritto canonico Jurisprudence as a Source of Law
Authors: Michowicz Przemysław
Published: March 2024

Starting with such a provocative title, the essay aims to answer the question of whether jurisprudence can be considered as a source of law in the canonical judicial system. In order to achieve the objectives of the present work, it is proposed not to observe a traditional path followed by those who interpret the provision of canon 19 of the current Code of Canon Law, but rather to consider jurisprudential creativity which represents, in its various manifestations, an unavoidable feature of legal experience. This premise helps to reconsider the source concept of law and systematizes the role of jurisprudential doctrine in the hierarchy of sources in the canonical legal system.
Vladimir Propp’s Taxonomic Model of Narrative Functions in Selected Jane Austen’s Novels
Authors: Nurjanah Hidayatul
Published: March 2024

This research aims to identify the taxonomic model of narrative functions by Vladimir Propp and to find out how these functions are distributed among the dramatis personae (spheres of action) in selected Jane Austen’s novels, they are Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Sense and Sensibility, and Persuasion. This descriptive qualitative research aims to describe the phenomenon and its characteristics. The data were collected qualitatively by documenting, examining, and classifying thoroughly. The results indicate 20 functions in Pride and Prejudice, 14 functions in Emma, 15 functions in Sense and Sensibility, and 22 functions in Persuasion. From the results, this research shows that Jane Austen’s fairytale novels are compatible and match the taxonomic model of narrative functions by Vladimir Propp. The results also show four dramatis personae in each novel (Hero, Villain, Donor, Helper). As for Sense and Sensibility, it has a False Hero. Furthermore, the results share similarities in the 13 functions and the happy endings marriage (W). At the same time, the differences are located in the different number of functions and their distribution, which influence the overall narratives.
Implementasi Peraturan Daerah Nomor IX Tahun 2010 tentang Kebijakan Retribusi Parkir Tepi Jalan dalam Meningkatkan Pendapatan Asli Daerah
Authors: Asrifia Ridwan
Published: March 2024

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui serta memahami faktor pendukung serta faktor penghambat implementasi Perda Nomor 1X Tahun 2010 tentang Kebijakan Retribusi Parkir di Kelurahan Demangan Kecamatan Bangkalan Kabupaten Bangkalan Madura. Peneliti mengangkat tema ini dikarenakan lahan parkir memberikan sumbangsih terhadap finansial daerah seiring dengan munculnya Undang-Undang Nomor 28 Tahun 2009 tentang Pajak Daerah dan Retribusi Daerah. Namun dalam praktiknya di Kabupaten Bangkalan, implementasi Perda Nomor IX Tahun 2010 sebagai tindak lanjut UU Nomor 28 Tahun 2009 sejauh ini belum sesuai harapan. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif deskriptif dengan pendekatan studi kasus. Teori yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah Teori Implementasi Kebijakan atau dikenal a model of the policy implementation process (model proses implementasi kebijakan) Donald van Meter dan Carl van Horn serta Teori Pendekatan Kepatuhan dan Faktual yang digagas oleh Randall B Ripley. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa implementasi kebijakan retribusi parkir sebagai manfaat sumber utama penghasilan daerah masih belum optimal. Kontribusi retribusi parkir terhadap PAD di Kabupaten Bangkalan masih tergolong kecil (belum mencapai 1%) dan cenderung fluktuatif setiap tahun. Hal ini disebabkan oleh beberapa hal, diantaranya kesadaran wajib retribusi yang rendah; perubahan wewenang retribusi parkit di bawah kewenangan Dinas Perhubungan, serta; ketidakpahaman masyarakat tentang fungsi utama retribusi parkir sebagai penyokong sumber PAD.Faktor pendukung kebijakan retribusi parkir di Kelurahan Demangan adalah letak yang strategis, sarana transportasi yang memadai dan koordinasi Dinas Perhubungan melalui program sosialisasi dan pembinaan. Sedangkan faktor penghambat kebijakan ini adalah SDM yang rendah, kesadaran masyarakat yang rendah, pengawasan yang kurang optimal, lemahnya penerapan sanksi hukum, adanya pengalihan kewenangan parkir menjadi tiga pihak, dan pengaruh kultur budaya setempat.
Peran Elite Politik Perempuan
Authors: Zahrotul Khusna
Published: March 2024

Minimnya keterwakilan perempuan yang ada di kursi DPRD Kabupaten Sidoarjo, menjadi tantangan bagi para legislator perempuan untuk menjalankan fungsi legislasinya sebagai anggota dewan yang hanya 7 (tujuh) orang. Dengan menggunakan metode penelitian kualitatif deskriptif, teknik pengumpulan data triangulasi, metode observasi, wawancara, dan dokumentasi untuk sumber data, teknik analisis data kualitatif, serta pemeriksaan keabsahan data menggunakan teknik triangulasi data. Penelitian ini berusaha mengungkap bagaimana peran dan kinerja anggota dewan perempuan dalam menjalankan fungsi legislasi di DPRD Kabupaten Sidoarjo Periode 2014-2019. Penulisan artikel ini menemukan bahwa : 1) peran anggota dewan perempuan terlihat belum maksimal dan memerlukan upgrading, karena minimnya suara perwakilan politik kaum perempuan dan tidak ada yang menjadi pimpinan di lembaga DPRD. Namun dengan adanya dua anggota dewan perempuan yang masuk dalam jajaran anggota Bapemperda dapat dikatakan cukup mewakili dalam membuat peraturan daerah, karena yang berperan penting dalam fungsi legislasi adalah Bapemperda; 2) kinerja anggota dewan perempuan terlihat sudah baik (progresif) dan menjawab social support kebutuhan masyarakat, dimana hakikat perempuan mempunyai perasaan yang lebih sensitif pada isu-isu responsif gender. Dalam menjalankan fungsinya, adanya upaya-upaya bentuk kegiatan lain berupa mendengarkan aspirasi masyarakat, adanya hearing antara masyarakat dengan anggota dewan, mengadakan pelatihan-pelatihan kaum perempuan serta lahirnya Peraturan Daerah yang responsif gender
Kinerja Anggota Legislatif Sampang Periode 2014-2019 dalam Menginisiasi Peraturan Daerah Pemberdayaan Perempuan
Authors: Alfin Zakaria
Published: March 2024

Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Daerah Kabupaten Sampang berjumlah 45 anggota. Dalam Sejarah perjalanan Palemen di sana, dari masa kemasa, dilihat dari komposisi jumlah anggota legislatif laki-laki dan perempuan selalu laki-laki lebih banyak laki-laki. Kemudian pada tahun 2014 terdapat 1 (satu) Anggota perempuan yang berhasil menduduki kursi jabatan legislatif Meskipun demikian. keterwailan perempuan tersebut, tidak selalu berbanding lurus dengan hasil legislasi yang diterbitkan sebagai produk hukum DPRD Sampang. Pasalnya, dalam kurun waktu periode 2014-2019 hanya terdapat 1 peraturan daerah yang terkait langsung dengan kepentingan perempuan, yaitu: Peraturan Dearah No. 7 Tahun 2017 Tentang Pemberdayaan Perempuan dan Perlindungan Anak Kabupaten Sampang. Perda tersebut sebagai regulasi untuk meningkatkan kesetaraan gender dan menjadi produk hukum di dalam peningkatkan kualitas perempuan di Kabupaten Sampang. Artikel ini, menjelaskan tentang alasan-alasan mengapa terjadi ketidak seimbangan di dalam keterwakilan perempuan dengan hasil-hasil politik tentang pemberdayaan perempuan yang seharusnya menjadi perhatian, serta ingin mengurai masalah-masalah yang terjadi di dalam proses inisiasi anggota parlemen terhadap peraturan daerah yang memiliki perhatian terhadap isu-isu perempuan. Dengan menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif deskriptif, artikel ini, mengurai keterengan-keterangan dari data lapangan yang sesuai dengan apa yang artikel ini ingin jelaskan berkaitan dengan kinerja anggota parlemen. Hasil dan temuan di lapangan, menunjukkan bahwa anggota legislatif di sampang telah cukup berhasil menginisiasi produk hukum berupa peraturan daerah yang memiliki perhatian pada aspirasi-aspirasi perlindungan hak-hak perempuan.
Dampak Kebijakan Publik Pembatasan Sosial Berskala Besar (PSBB) Terhadap Hak Konstitusional Warga Negara Saat Krisis Pandemi COVID-19
Authors: Safira Nur Rizqya
Published: March 2024

Indonesia adalah salah satu negara yang terkena dampak dari pandemi COVID-19. Dengan menaiknya angka kasus positif di Indonesia, pemerintah mengambil langkah untuk menerapkan kebijakan Pembatasan Sosial Berskala Besar atau PSBB. Pemerintah disisi lain juga wajib memberikan perlindungan kepada masyarakat untuk mencegah dan menangani kasus COVID-19 sesuai dengan hak konstitusional yang terdapat dalam Undang-Undang Dasar Negara Republik Indonesia Tahun 1945.

Kajian penelitian ini merupakan studi dengan menggunakan metode kualitatif deskriptif yang ditinjau dari data kepustakaan tentang implementasi kebijakan publik dengan teori implementasi kebijakan publik.

Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa dampak kebijakan publik Pembatasan Sosial Berskala Besar (PSBB) yang diterapkan oleh pemerintah Indonesia selama masa pandemi COVID-19 ini tidak efektif, dan bila dihubungkan dengan hak konstitusional warga negara, efektivitas dari berbagai kebijakan yang terkait dengan Pembatasan Sosial Berskala Besar (PSBB) akan berkurang karena masyarakat akan merasa tidak dilindungi undang-undang dan hukum. Adapun langkah efektif yang ditemukan antara lain dengan memperjelas informasi yang beredar tentang pandemi maupun tentang hak dan kewajiban antara pemerintah dan warga negara dalam kebijakan semasa pandemi COVID-19, dan adanya sinkronisasi dan transparansi antara pemerintah daerah dan pusat.
GOALNET: Interleaving Neural Goal Predicate Inference with Classical Planning for Generalization in Robot Instruction Following
Authors: Gupta Jigyasa , Sharma Shreya , Tuli Shreshth , Paul Rohan , Mausam
Published: March 2024

Our goal is to enable a robot to learn how to sequence its actions to perform high-level tasks specified as natural language instructions, given successful demonstrations from a human partner. Our novel neuro-symbolic solution GOALNET builds an iterative two-step approach that interleaves (i) inferring next subgoal predicate implied by the language instruction, for a given world state, and (ii) synthesizing a feasible subgoal-reaching plan from that state. The agent executes the plan, and the two steps are repeated. GOALNET combines (i) learning, where dense representations are acquired for language instruction and the world state via a neural network prediction model, enabling generalization to novel settings and (ii) planning, where the cause-effect modeling by a classical planner eschews irrelevant predicates, facilitating multi-stage decision making in large domains. GOALNET obtains 78% improvement in the goal reaching rate in comparison to several state-of-the-art approaches on benchmark data with multi-stage instructions. Further, GOALNET can generalize to novel instructions for scenes with unseen objects. Source code available at https://github. com/reail-iitd/goalnet.
Optimal Makespan in a Minute Timespan! A Scalable Multi-Robot Goal Assignment Algorithm for Minimizing Mission Time
Authors: Aakash  , Saha Indranil
Published: March 2024

We study a variant of the multi-robot goal assignment problem where a unique goal to each robot needs to be assigned while minimizing the largest cost of movement among the robots, called makespan. A significant step in solving this problem is to find the cost associated with the robot-goal pairs, which requires solving a complex path planning problem. We present OM, a scalable optimal algorithm that solves the multi-robot goal assignment problem by computing the paths for a significantly less number of robot-goal pairs compared to the state-of-the-art algorithms, leading to a computationally superior mechanism to solve the problem. We extensively evaluate our algorithm for hundreds of robots on randomly generated and standard workspaces. Our experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm achieves a noticeable speedup over two state-of-the-art baseline algorithms.
Pure sleep seizures: risk of seizures while awake
Authors: Fernández Lorena Benavente , Salas‐Puig Javier
Published: March 2024

Purpose

To estimate the risk of seizures while awake in pure sleep epilepsies ‐ a long follow‐up study.

Methods

Fifty five patients (60% male), with pure sleep epilepsy were followed up for at least ten years. Patients younger than 18 years of age were excluded. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of seizures while awake, after a period of 10 years or longer suffering from pure sleep seizures.

Results

The duration of the pure sleep seizures ranged from 10 to 67 years (median 22). The patients had been followed in our Department for a mean of 12 years. Patients' ages ranged from 18 to 88 years (median 50); 44% of patients suffered from apparently generalized seizures. Epilepsy was considered undetermined in 38.2%, focal cryptogenic in 38.2%, and focal symptomatic in 21.8%. There was a single case of idiopathic generalized epilepsy. In the last evaluation, 35 patients were on monotherapy and two were not receiving treatment. Seizure frequency was < 1/year in 65.5%; 1‐10/year in 14.5%; > 1/month in 9.1%. Seventeen patients (30.9%) had suffered one or more seizures while awake. Multivariate analysis showed that sudden withdrawal of treatment (p < 0.032) and polytherapy (p < 0.18) were associated with an increased risk of seizures while awake.

Conclusions

In spite of a small number of seizures and good response to monotherapy, a third of the patients studied suffered seizures while awake. The significant risk factors were sudden withdrawal of treatment and polytherapy.
Unilateral polymicrogyria with ipsilateral cerebral hemiatrophy: a distinct syndrome?
Authors: Kuchukhidze G. , Unterberger I. , Dobesberger J. , Embacher N. , Walser G. , Luef G. , Koppelstaetter F. , Gotwald Th. , Bauer G. , Felber S.T. , Trinka E.
Published: March 2024

Introduction

There are sporadic reports of unilateral polymicrogyria with ipsilateral hemiatrophic cerebri associated with epilepsy, focal neurological deficit and mental retardation. The mechanisms which cause this condition are not well understood. The aim of our study was to delineate further, clinical and neuroimaging features of this malformation of cortical development and to explore its possible etiological background.

Patients and methods

Four patients (two males and two females), aged from 23 to 31 years (mean age range 27.5 years) were evaluated. Subjects underwent clinical, electrophysiological, neuropsychological and high resolution magnetic resonance imaging assessment.

Results

No significant perinatal event or exposure to intrauterine infection was noted. None suffered from birth asphyxia or ischemic injury. The parents of two patients were first cousins. Every subject had delayed developmental milestones, mental disability and congenital, non‐progressive, spastic hemiparesis. They had epilepsy with seizure‐onset ranging from three months to 17 years (mean 6.8 years); two had intractable seizures. In all patients, unilateral, right‐sided polymicrogyria was associated with ipsilateral cerebral hemiatrophy. Polymicrogyria involved mainly anterior perisylvian areas; occipital regions were relatively spared.

Conclusion

The evaluated patients showed homogenous clinical and neuroimaging characteristics. We support the idea that the disorder could constitute a clinical entity with an underlying genetic cause.
Chronic PLEDs with transitional rhythmic discharges (PLEDs‐plus) in remote stroke
Authors: Téllez‐Zenteno José F. , Pillai Sylaja N. , Hill Michael D. , Pillay Neelan
Published: March 2024

Background.
Periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges (PLEDs) are a rare phenomenon in electroencephalography, occurring in acute structural brain lesions. In general, PLEDs appear transiently in acute lesions, but a few reports have described persistent PLEDs in chronic lesions.
Case report.
An 86‐year‐old female was admitted, in 1999, with a left MCA stroke associated with right hand focal motor seizures. The first EEG in February of 2002 showed PLEDs over the left hemisphere associated with rhythmic discharges (PLEDs‐plus). The patient was admitted on a second occasion in 2003 because of three sequential seizures and the EEG showed a similar pattern. Finally in 2006, the patient was admitted again because of sequential complex partial seizures and an EEG showed the same PLEDS‐plus pattern as the EEGs of 2002 and 2003.
Discussion.
We report an unusual case of chronic PLEDs associated with rhythmic discharges in a patient with recurrent seizures and remote stroke.
Spinal algetic‐tonic seizures manifesting as paroxysmal “positive” Brown‐Séquard syndrome
Authors: Kirchner Anne , Poepel Annkathrin , Hantsch Matthias , Urbach Horst , Elger Christian E. , Bien Christian G.
Published: March 2024

We report on a patient suffering from symptomatic spinal attacks in the form of a paroxysmal “positive” (algetic‐tonic) Brown‐Séquard syndrome. A cervical cord lesion, presumably inflammatory‐demyelinating in origin, was identified as the morphological correlate of these attacks. Their pathogenesis is discussed in the light of similar case reports from the literature. For the first time, this rare type of seizure is published with a video documentation. It may deserve consideration in the differential diagnosis of otherwise unexplained paroxysmal events that present in an “epileptic” manner.

[Published with video sequences]
Genetics of epilepsy: Epilepsy Research Foundation workshop report
Authors: Sisodiya Sanjay , Cross J. Helen , Blümcke Ingmar , Chadwick David , Craig John , Crino Peter B. , Debenham Paul , Delanty Norman , Elmslie Frances , Gardiner Mark , Golden Jeffrey , Goldstein David , Greenberg David A. , Guerrini Renzo , Hanna Michael , Harris John , Harrison Paul , Johnson Michael R. , Kirov George , Kullman Dimitri M. , Makoff Andrew , Marini Carla , Nabbout Rima , Nashef Lina , Noebels Jeffrey L. , Ottman Ruth , Pirmohamed Munir , Pitkänen Asla , Scheffer Ingrid , Shorvon Simon , Sills Graeme , Wood Nicholas , Zuberi Sameer
Published: March 2024

The Sixth Epilepsy Research Foundation workshop, held in Oxford in March 2006, brought together basic scientists, geneticists, epidemiologists, statisticians, pharmacologists and clinicians to consider progress, issues and strategies for harnessing genetics to improve the understanding and treatment of the epilepsies. General principles were considered, including the fundamental importance of clear study design, adequate patient numbers, defined phenotypes, robust statistical data handling, and follow‐up of genetic discoveries. Topics where some progress had been made were considered including chromosomal abnormalities, neurodevelopment, hippocampal sclerosis, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, focal cortical dysplasia and pharmacogenetics. The ethical aspects of epilepsy genetics were reviewed. Principles and limitations of collaboration were discussed. Presentations and their matched discussions are produced here. There was optimism that further genetic research in epilepsy was not only feasible, but might lead to improvements in the lives of people with epilepsy.
Maternal and fetal outcome in women with epilepsy associated with neurocysticercosis
Authors: Pandian Jeyaraj Durai , Venkateswaralu K. , Thomas Sanjeev V. , Sarma P.S.
Published: March 2024

Aim

We wanted to characterize the clinical profile and outcome of pregnancy in women with epilepsy due to neurocysticercosis (NCC) enrolled in the Indian Registry of Epilepsy and Pregnancy (IREP).

Methods

We identified all women with NCC in the IREP between January 2000 and September 2005. Age‐ and parity‐matched patients without NCC were identified from the respective centers of IREP for comparison. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 11.

Results

There were 30 women with NCC (mean age 24.3 ± 4 years) among 1071 registrations in the IREP. All the patients had NCC prior to the pregnancy. Fourteen (47%) NCC patients had calcified lesions and 16 (53%) had ring lesions in a CT scan of the brain. Compared to women without NCC, the NCC group had later age‐at‐onset of seizures (20.7 ± 4.4 years, p = 0.008) and epilepsy (21.1 ± 5.2 years, p = 0.01). They were more likely to have partial seizures (70%
versus
30%, p = 0.002), an EEG without epileptiform abnormalities (50%
versus
100%, p = 0.01), and better control of seizures before (47%
versus
3%, p = 0.001) and during pregnancy (33%
versus
10%, p = 0.02). Maternal and neonatal complications did not differ between the groups.

Conclusions

NCC is an uncommon cause of epilepsy in pregnant women enrolled in IREP. To be noted, as a limitation of our study, that the IREP is a hospital‐based registry, which may not reflect global epilepsy characteristics of the community. The maternal and fetal outcome for NCC patients was not different from those women without NCC.
Ictal singing due to left mesial temporal sclerosis
Authors: Kuscu Demet Yandim , Kayrak Nalan , Karasu Aykut , Gul Gunay , Kirbas Dursun
Published: March 2024

Simple ictal or interictal automatisms are commonly seen in epilepsy, whereas complex automatisms are rare. Simple ictal vocalizations or appendicular automatisms have been reported to be due to mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. However, seizure‐associated singing and dancing is very rare. We report a seventeen‐year‐old patient with ictal singing and rhythmic swinging of the arms as a dancing gesture. The video‐EEG recording showed ictal left temporal lateralization and neuropathology confirmed left mesial temporal sclerosis.

[Pusblished with video sequences]
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Application of the 2001 diagnostic scheme and the 2006 ILAE report of seizure and epilepsy: a feedback from the clinical practice of adult epilepsy
Authors: Kinoshita Masako , Takahashi Ryosuke , Ikeda Akio
Published: March 2024

Purpose

To clarify the clinical validity and feasibility of the diagnostic scheme for seizures and epilepsy proposed by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) in 2001 (the 2001 Scheme) and the report of the ILAE classification core group in 2006 (the 2006 Report).

Methods

One hundred consecutive patients with epilepsy who visited the Neurology Clinic (Group 1) and 100 patients with intractable epilepsy who had undergone prolonged scalp video‐EEG monitoring (Group 2) in Kyoto University Hospital were enrolled. The 2001 Scheme (Axis 1 to 4) and the 2006 Report (seizure types and epileptic syndromes) were applied to Group 1. Axis 1 was applied to Group 2 to evaluate the diversity of seizure semiology.

Results

Group 1 demonstrated 145 seizures of different types (generalized tonic‐clonic seizures: 23%, complex partial seizures (CPS): 29%, simple partial seizures: 21% and secondarily generalized tonicclonic seizures: 21% according to the 1981 classification. In Axis 1 (ictal phenomenology) of the 2001 scheme, 184 and 333 items were listed in Groups 1 and 2, respectively, and seizure semiology was described independent of EEG findings. However, there was duplications or discordance among the items. In Axis 2 (seizure types) of Group 1, 62% and 26% of CPS were further labeled as focal motor or sensory seizures, respectively; the remainder (24%) did not meet inclusion criteria for any category. In Axis 3 (epilepsy syndromes), 94% of patients were sorted, and familial temporal lobe epilepsy was added. Axis 4 described detailed etiology. Application of seizure types of the 2006 Report required consideration of ictal phenomenology to determine spread patterns. Epileptic syndromes of the 2006 Report were assignable to 70% of patients.

Conclusions

It is important to achieve intra‐ and inter‐axial accordance for the establishment of a more practical diagnostic scheme, which may provide a more useful tool for the diagnosis of less obvious aspects of epilepsy.
Accidents and injuries in people with epilepsy attending a tertiary care center in India
Authors: Sapna C.S. , Sheeba S.L. , John J. , Thomas S.V.
Published: March 2024

People with epilepsy have a higher risk of accidents and injuries when compared to others in the community. Seizure frequency and other characteristics of epilepsy and its treatment are known to influence this risk. The risk of accidental injury to people with epilepsy may vary in different geographical areas, according to their life style, leisure activities and other pursuits. The objective was to ascertain the accidents and injuries experienced by a cohort of people with epilepsy in India, and to ascertain any possible predictors. The study was carried out in the Epilepsy Clinic of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology between January and June 2007. Using a structured questionnaire, we interviewed all consenting adults attending this tertiary epilepsy center who had had active epilepsy for one or more years. Two hundred and fifty five patients completed the study. The diagnoses included localization‐related epilepsy for 62.6% of the patients and generalized epilepsy for the remainder. During the 12 months prior to the interview, 44.8% had had at least one injury; 7.8% had sustained an accident. Road traffic accidents (3.1%), burns (2.5%), electric shocks (0.8%) and near drowning (0.4%) were the commonly reported accidents. Age, sex, type of epilepsy and type of medication had no significant association with the occurrence of injuries or accidents. However, we found that a quarter of the people with epilepsy studied had experienced serious injuries.
Basal ganglia involvement in rotational seizures
Authors: Vercueil Laurent , Kahane Philippe , François‐Joubert Anne , Hirsch Edouard , Hoffmann Dominique , Depaulis Antoine , Marescaux Christian
Published: March 2024

Body rotation during partial epileptic seizures remains a poorly understood clinical feature, possibly related to the ictal involvement of specific cortical areas (e.g. vestibular cortex). However, there are both experimental and clinical arguments which support the hypothesis of basal ganglia asymmetric activation during such complex motor behavior. We report a patient exhibiting rotational seizures which proved to arise from right anterior temporal lobe structures and the orbito‐cingular cortex, as demonstrated during stereotactic EEG recordings. An ictal 99mTc‐ECD‐SPECT study was performed during an electrically induced seizure, similar to the seizures usually experienced by the patient but without a rotatory component, showing a marked increase of cerebral blood flow in the lenticular nucleus, ipsilaterally to the epileptogenic area. This finding suggests that lenticulate involvement might be necessary to produce an ictal circling behavior. As circling behavior can be observed during epileptic seizures originating from areas widely distributed in the cortex, one may postulate that the basal ganglia involvement is the “final common pathway” underlying the rotational part of the clinical symptomatology.
Is it juvenile myoclonic epilepsy?
Authors: Gelisse Philippe , Genton Pierre , Raybaud Charles , Thomas Pierre , Bartolomei Fabrice , Dravet Charlotte
Published: March 2024

A 21‐year old man with marked developmental delay was referred for the diagnosis of myoclonic jerks (MJ), which were sometimes responsible for sudden falls without loss of consciousness, that had begun 2 years before, and for a recent generalized tonic‐clonic seizure preceded by a cluster of MJ. Physical examination revealed a small stature, bilateral pyramidal signs, severe mental retardation, and retinis pigmentosa. Etiological factors for this encephalopathy were not found (muscle and skin biopsies, karyotype and extensive blood chemistry). Waking interictal EEG showed a normal background activity and generalized poly‐spike‐and wave (PSW) discharges. Photic stimulation disclosed a marked photoparoxysmal response, sometimes associated with myoclonic jerks. Three spontaneous jerks accompanied by a burst of generalized PSW were recorded on awakening from a nap. The MRI disclosed wide ventricles, a thin corpus callosum, brainstem atrophy and a so‐called “redundant gyration”; these changes were evocative of acquired perinatal damage. Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) was diagnosed and valproate was started resulting in complete control of seizures. During a 5‐year follow‐up, the patient has remained seizure‐free and the EEG consistently normal. In our opinion, JME can be diagnosed in very uncommon settings, including patients with significant brain damage, as long as all the other criteria for the diagnosis are present.
Carbamazepine‐induced combined phonic and motor tic in a boy with Down's syndrome
Authors: Holtmann Martin , Korn‐Merker Elisabeth , Boenigk Hans Erich
Published: March 2024

We report the occurrence of a tic in a boy with Down's syndrome. The movement disorder was induced by carbamazepine (CBZ) and resolved completely after discontinuation of CBZ. The development of tics seems to be a rare, idiosyncratic side effect of CBZ in children.
Cortical silent period following transcranial magnetic stimulation in epileptic patients
Authors: Ertaş Nalan Kayrak , Gül Günay , Altunhalka Ahmet , Kirbaş Dursun
Published: March 2024

Cortical silent period (SP) following transcranial magnetic stimulation is mainly due to cortical inhibitory mechanisms. SP may have a value for detecting inhibitory mechanisms in epileptic patients with or without treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of both the epilepsy and the antiepileptic medication on these inhibitory mechanisms. The subgroups studied consisted of (a) normal subjects, (b) unmedicated epileptic patients, (c) epileptic patients with uncontrolled seizures under medication, (d) epileptic patients with controlled seizures under medication. SP following transcranial magnetic stimulation was measured in all subjects. The SP values from shortest to the longest were in the following order: 1) normal subjects; 2) epileptic patients with controlled seizures under medication; 3) unmedicated epileptic patients; 4) epileptic patients with uncontrolled seizures under medication. Our findings probably indicate the enhanced interictal inhibitory mechanisms in epilepsy which is resistant to antiepileptic medication.
Melatonin and epileptic seizures in patients with acute intermittent porphyria
Authors: Bylesjö Ingemar , Forsgren Lars , Wetterberg Lennart
Published: March 2024

The objective of this study was to assess melatonin production in patients with acute intermittent porphyria (AIP), with and without known epileptic seizures, as a guide to whether melatonin may have anti‐convulsive or pro‐convulsive effects in AIP.

Melatonin concentration in urine, sampled over eight hours on two consecutive nights, was analysed in eight AIP patients with epileptic seizures and in 14 AIP relatives without epilepsy. The AIP patients with epileptic seizures had a significantly lower urinary excretion of melatonin, compared with their AIP relatives without epilepsy, which may indicate that melatonin has a protective effect on seizures.
Neonatal seizures: Background EEG activity and the electroclinical correlation in full‐term neonates with hypoxic‐ischemic encephalopathy. Analysis by computer‐synchronized long‐term polygraphic video‐EEG monitoring
Authors: Pinto Luisa Comenale , Giliberti Paolo
Published: March 2024

Between 1994 and 2000, 30 full‐term newborns affected by seizures secondary to hypoxic‐ischemic encephalopathy, underwent computerised, polygraphic, video‐EEG recordings during the first 48 hours of life, in our neonatal intensive care unit. In this longitudinal study, recordings lasted an average of 10.5 hours. We studied EEG ictal discharges that lacked a clinical correlate, the semeiotics, and the electroclinical correlation during seizures, by reviewing the time‐synchronised, video‐EEG recordings obtained during these six years. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the relationship between background EEG activity and the electroclinical correlation or dissociation of the seizures. When background activity was depressed and undifferentiated, the seizures were characterised by the electroclinical dissociation except in instances of focal tonic seizures. With all other background patterns, seizures were invariably accompanied by the electrical correlate, the only exception being ocular signs and oral‐buccal‐lingual movements, which occurred both with and without paroxysmal discharges. Ocular signs and oral‐buccal‐lingual movements were very frequent and were observed with all patterns of background activity. Only on one occasion were they the sole clinical expression of seizures. In our patients, the electroclinical dissociation was constant only if background EEG activity was depressed and undifferentiated. The constant electroclinical dissociation of seizures was closely correlated with the type of background activity, which, in turn, is indicative of severe cerebral damage. (Published with videosequences.)
Update on the mechanisms of action of antiepileptic drugs
Authors: Sills Graeme J. , Brodie Martin J.
Published: March 2024

After a hiatus of almost 20 years, nine new antiepileptic drugs were licensed during the last decade of the 20th century. Expansion of the range of drug treatments for epilepsy complicates selection of the most suitable drug, or combination of drugs, for individual patients. Clinical experience suggests that mechanism of action may become an important criterion in this decision‐making process. At the cellular level, three major pharmacological actions are recognised: modulation of voltage‐dependent ion channels, enhancement of inhibitory neurotransmission, and attenuation of excitatory transmission. This review provides an update on the principal mechanisms of action of a range of established and modern antiepileptic drugs.
Semiology of typical and atypical Rolandic Epilepsy: a video‐EEG analysis
Authors: de Saint‐Martin Anne , Carcangiu Roberta , Arzimanoglou Alexis , Massa Rita , Thomas Pierre , Motte Jacques , Marescaux Christian , Metz‐Lutz Marie‐Noëlle , Hirsch Edouard
Published: March 2024

Since the first descriptions of Rolandic Epilepsy or benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS), typical and atypical forms have been reported. Indeed, classical focal seizures are sometimes associated with various atypical ictal symptoms and cognitive or behavioural disorders. In an effort to define early clinical and EEG criteria allowing early distinction between typical and atypical forms, we recently conducted a prospective study in a cohort of children with Rolandic Epilepsy. The results of this study have been reported elsewhere. We now discuss the semiological characteristics, and comment on the video‐EEG data collected during this study. Symptoms were classified into three major categories: “classical focal seizures”; “spike and wave related symptoms”; and “paraictal symptoms”. Classical focal seizures constitute the electroclinical expression of the development and the propagation of a focal cortical neuronal discharge. “Spike and wave related symptoms” are brief neurological or neuropsychological phenomena having a relatively strict temporal relation with individual components of isolated focal or generalized spikes and waves. “Paraictal symptoms” consist of acquired progressive and fluctuating motor or cognitive deficits and are not directly correlated with Todd paralysis. We present detailed video‐EEG material of selected cases and discuss the usefulness of such distinctions in terminology. We suggest that variability in clinical expression probably reflects the implication of different pathophysiological mechanisms, which in turn could explain differences in sensitivity to treatment. (Published with videosequences.)