bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blocking Caspase-1/Gsdmd and Caspase-3/-8/Gsdme pyroptotic pathways rescues silicosis in mice
Authors: Kang Lulu , Dai Jinghong , Wang Yufang , Shi Peiliang , Zou Yujie , Pei Jingwen , Tian Yaqiong , Zhang Ji , Buranasudja Visarut Codey , Chen Jingyu , Cai Hourong , Gao Xiang , Lin Zhaoyu
Published: December 2022

Millions of patients suffer from silicosis, but it remains an uncurable disease due to its unclear pathogenic mechanisms. Though the Nlrp3 inflammasome is involved in silicosis pathogenesis, inhibition of its classic downstream factors, Caspase-1 and Gsdmd, fails to block pyroptosis and cytokine release. To clarify the molecular mechanism of silicosis pathogenesis for new therapy, we examined samples from silicosis patients and genetic mouse models. We discovered an alternative pyroptotic pathway which requires cleavage of Gsdme by Caspases-3/8 in addition to Caspase-1/Gsdmd. Consistently, Gsdmd-/-Gsdme-/- mice showed markedly attenuated silicosis pathology, and Gsdmd-/-Gsdme-/- macrophages were resistant to silica-induced pyroptosis. Furthermore, we found that in addition to Caspase 1, Caspase-8 cleaved IL-1β in silicosis, explaining why Caspase-1-/- mice also suffered from silicosis. Finally, we found that inhibitors of Caspase-1, -3, -8 or an FDA approved drug, dimethyl fumarate, could dramatically alleviate silicosis pathology through blocking cleavage of Gsdmd and Gsdme. This study highlights that Caspase-1/Gsdmd and Caspase-3/8/Gsdme-dependent pyroptosis is essential for the development of silicosis, implicating new potential targets and drug for silicosis treatment.
LOF variants identifying candidate genes of laterality defects patients with congenital heart disease
Authors: Liu Sijie , Wei Wei , Wang Pengcheng , Liu Chunjie , Jiang Xuechao , Li Tingting , Li Fen , Wu Yurong , Chen Sun , Sun Kun , Xu Rang
Published: December 2022

Defects in laterality pattern can result in abnormal positioning of the internal organs during the early stages of embryogenesis, as manifested in heterotaxy syndrome and situs inversus, while laterality defects account for 3~7% of all congenital heart defects (CHDs). However, the pathogenic mechanism underlying most laterality defects remains unknown. In this study, we recruited 70 laterality defect patients with CHDs to identify candidate disease genes by exome sequencing. We then evaluated rare, loss-of-function (LOF) variants, identifying candidates by referring to previous literature. We choseTRIP11,DNHD1,CFAP74, andEGR4as candidates from 776 LOF variants that met the initial screening criteria. After the variants-to-gene mapping, we performed function research on these candidate genes. The expression patterns and functions of these four candidate genes were studied by whole-mount in situ hybridization, gene knockdown, and gene rescue methods in zebrafish models. Among the four genes,trip11,dnhd1, andcfap74morphant zebrafish displayed abnormalities in both cardiac looping and expression patterns of early signaling molecules, suggesting that these genes play important roles in the establishment of laterality patterns. Furthermore, we performed immunostaining and high-speed cilia video microscopy to investigate Kupffer’s vesicle organogenesis and ciliogenesis of morphant zebrafish. Impairments of Kupffer’s vesicle organogenesis or ciliogenesis were found intrip11,dnhd1, andcfap74morphant zebrafish, which revealed the possible pathogenic mechanism of their LOF variants in laterality defects. These results highlight the importance of rare, LOF variants in identifying disease-related genes and identifying new roles forTRIP11,DNHD1, andCFAP74in left-right patterning. Additionally, these findings are consistent with the complex genetics of laterality defects.
Interpersonal violence and depression in Brazil: A cross-sectional analysis of the 2019 National Health Survey
Authors: Harding Daniel , Pitcairn Charlie F. M. , Machado Daiane Borges , De Araujo Luis Fernando Silva Castro , Millett Christopher , Hone Thomas
Published: December 2022

Depression and interpersonal violence are issues of increasing public health concern globally, especially in low-and-middle income countries. Despite the known relationship between interpersonal violence and an increased risk of depression, there is a need to further characterise the experience of depression in those who have experienced violence, to better develop screening and treatment interventions. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on responses from the 2019 Brazilian National Health Survey. The prevalence of depression (both clinician-diagnosed, and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) screened) were estimated by type of violence experienced in the preceding 12 months (none, physical violence, sexual violence, physical and sexual violence, or threat of violence). Logistic regression models assessed the associations between violence and depression after adjusting for socioeconomic and demographic factors. Of 88,531 respondents, 8.1% experienced any type of violence. Compared to those not experiencing violence, those who experienced any type of violence had a higher prevalence of clinician-diagnosed or PHQ-9-screened depression (e.g. the prevalence of clinician-diagnosed depression was 18.8% for those experiencing sexual violence compared to 9.5% for those not experiencing violence). Both undiagnosed and untreated depression were also more prevalent in those experiencing any type of violence. In logistic regression models, any experience of violence was associated with a higher odds of depression (e.g. aOR = 3.75 (95% CI: 3.06–4.59) for PHQ-9-detected depression). Experiencing violence was also associated with a higher likelihood of having depression which was undiagnosed (e.g. in those who experienced sexual violence: aOR of 3.20, 95% CI 1.81–5.67) or untreated (e.g. in those who experienced physical and sexual violence: aOR = 8.06, 95% CI 3.44–18.9). These findings highlight the need to consider screening for depression in those affected by violence, and to prioritise mental healthcare in communities affected by violence.
Preliminary study on the effect of catabolite repression gene knockout on p-nitrophenol degradation in Pseudomonas putida DLL-E4
Authors: Li Shuang , Tang Yichao , Tang Lingran , Yan Xuanyu , Xiao Jiali , Xiang Huijun , Wu Qing , Yu Ruqi , Jin Yushi , Yu Jingyu , Xu Nuo , Wu Chu , Wang Shengqin , Wang Chuanhua , Chen Qiongzhen
Published: December 2022

P-nitrophenol (PNP) is a carcinogenic, teratogenic, and mutagenic compound that can cause serious harm to the environment. A strain of Pseudomonas putida DLL-E4, can efficiently degrade PNP in a complex process that is influenced by many factors. Previous studies showed that the expression level of pnpA, a key gene involved in PNP degradation, was upregulated significantly and the degradation of PNP was obviously accelerated in the presence of glucose. In addition, the expression of crc, crcY, and crcZ, key genes involved in catabolite repression, was downregulated, upregulated, and upregulated, respectively. To investigate the effect of the carbon catabolite repression (CCR) system on PNP degradation, the crc, crcY, and crcZ genes were successfully knocked out by conjugation experiments. Our results showed that the knockout of crc accelerated PNP degradation but slowed down the cell growth. However, the knockout of crcY or crcZ alone accelerated PNP degradation when PNP as the sole carbon source, but that knockout slowed down PNP degradation when glucose was added. The results indicate that the CCR system is involved in the regulation of PNP degradation, and further work is required to determine the details of the specific regulatory mechanism.
Development and validation of reliable astaxanthin quantification from natural sources
Authors: Koopmann Inga K. , Kramer Annemarie , Labes Antje
Published: December 2022

Astaxanthin derived from natural sources occurs in the form of various esters and stereomers, which complicates its quantitative and qualitative analysis. To simplify and standardize astaxanthin measurement with high precision, an enzymolysis-based astaxanthin quantification method was developed to hydrolyze astaxanthin esters and determine free astaxanthin in all its diastereomeric forms. Astaxanthin standards and differently processed Haematococcus pluvialis biomass were investigated. Linear correlation of standards of all-E-astaxanthin was observed in a measurement range between extract concentrations of 1.0 μg/mL and 11.2 μg/mL with a coefficient of variation below 5%. The diastereomers 9Z-, and 13Z-astaxanthin, and two di-Z-forms were detected. In contrast to the measurement of standards, the observed measurement range was extended to 30 μg/mL in extracts from H. pluvialis. The nature of the sample had to be taken into account for measurement, as cell, respectively, sample composition altered the optimal concentration for astaxanthin determination. The measurement precision of all-E-astaxanthin quantification in dried H. pluvialis biomass (1.2–1.8 mg dried biomass per sample) was calculated with a coefficient of variation of maximum 1.1%, whereas it was below 10% regarding the diastereomers. Complete enzymolysis was performed with 1.0 to 2.0 units of cholesterol esterase in the presence of various solvents with up to 2.0 mg biomass (dry weight). The method was compared with other astaxanthin determination approaches in which astaxanthin is converted to acetone in a further step before measurement. The developed method resulted in a higher total astaxanthin recovery but lower selectivity of the diastereomers. The reliability of photometric astaxanthin estimations was assessed by comparing them with the developed chromatographic method. At later stages in the cell cycle of H. pluvialis, all methods yielded similar results (down to 0.1% deviation), but photometry lost precision at earlier stages (up to 31.5% deviation). To optimize sample storage, the shelf life of astaxanthin-containing samples was investigated. Temperatures below -20°C, excluding oxygen, and storing intact H. pluvialis cells instead of dried or disrupted biomass reduced astaxanthin degradation.
Luminance effects on pupil dilation in speech-in-noise recognition
Authors: Zhang Yue , Malaval Florian , Lehmann Alexandre , Deroche Mickael L. D.
Published: December 2022

There is an increasing interest in the field of audiology and speech communication to measure the effort that it takes to listen in noisy environments, with obvious implications for populations suffering from hearing loss. Pupillometry offers one avenue to make progress in this enterprise but important methodological questions remain to be addressed before such tools can serve practical applications. Typically, cocktail-party situations may occur in less-than-ideal lighting conditions, e.g. a pub or a restaurant, and it is unclear how robust pupil dynamics are to luminance changes. In this study, we first used a well-known paradigm where sentences were presented at different signal-to-noise ratios (SNR), all conducive of good intelligibility. This enabled us to replicate findings, e.g. a larger and later peak pupil dilation (PPD) at adverse SNR, or when the sentences were misunderstood, and to investigate the dependency of the PPD on sentence duration. A second experiment reiterated two of the SNR levels, 0 and +14 dB, but measured at 0, 75, and 220 lux. The results showed that the impact of luminance on the SNR effect was non-monotonic (sub-optimal in darkness or in bright light), and as such, there is no trivial way to derive pupillary metrics that are robust to differences in background light, posing considerable constraints for applications of pupillometry in daily life. Our findings raise an under-examined but crucial issue when designing and understanding listening effort studies using pupillometry, and offer important insights to future clinical application of pupillometry across sites.
Mechanism of LH release after peripheral administration of kisspeptin in cattle
Authors: Leonardi Carlos E. P. , Carrasco Rodrigo A. , Dias Fernanda C. F. , Zwiefelhofer Eric M. , Adams Gregg P. , Singh Jaswant
Published: December 2022

Kisspeptin modulates GnRH secretion in mammals and peripheral administration of 10-amino acid fragment of kisspeptin (Kp10) induces LH release and ovulation in cattle. Experiments were done to determine if iv administration of kisspeptin will activate GnRH neurons (i.e., after crossing the blood-brain barrier) and if pre-treatment with a GnRH receptor blocker will alter kisspeptin-induced LH release (from gonadotrophs) and ovulation. In Experiment 1, cows (n = 3 per group) were given human-Kisspeptin10 (hKp10; 3 x 15 mg iv at 60-min intervals) or normal saline and euthanized 150 min after treatment was initiated. Every 20th free-floating section (50 μm thickness) from the preoptic area to hypothalamus was double immunostained to colocalize GnRH- (DAB) and activated neurons (cFOS; Nickel-DAB). Kisspeptin induced plasma LH release from 15 to 150 min (P = 0.01) but the proportion of activated GnRH neurons did not differ between groups (5.8% and 3.5%, respectively; P = 0.11). Immunogold electron microscopy detected close contacts between kisspeptin fibers and GnRH terminals in the median eminence. In Experiment 2, pubertal heifers (n = 5 per group) were treated with 1) hKp10 iv, 2) Cetrorelix (GnRH antagonist; im) + hKp10 iv or 3) saline on Day 6 of the follicular wave under low-progesterone condition. A rise in plasma LH concentration was detected from 15 to 240 min in the hKp10 group but not in cetrorelix or control group (P<0.001). Ovulations were detected only in the hKp10 group (4/5; P = 0.02). Cetrorelix treatment was associated with regression of the preovulatory dominant follicle and emergence of a new follicular wave 3.4±0.75 days after the treatment in all five heifers. Results support the hypothesis that the effect of peripheral kisspeptin is mediated downstream of GnRH synthesis and does not involve GnRH-independent LH release from gonadotrophs. Peripheral kisspeptin may release pre-synthesized GnRH from the nerve terminals in areas outside the blood-brain barrier.
Psychological factors in adherence to COVID-19 public health restrictions in Italy: A path model testing depressed mood, anxiety, and co-rumination via cellphone
Authors: Balsamo Michela , Murdock Karla Klein , Carlucci Leonardo
Published: December 2022

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the success of major non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as quarantine orders, has depended upon robust rates of citizens’ adherence to protocols. Thus, it is critical to public health for research to illuminate factors that affect compliance with contagion-mitigating practices. Previous research has examined sociodemographic factors and aspects of psychological distress as correlates of adherence to public health guidelines. The current study expanded this research to investigate the psychosocial process of co-rumination, which has been identified in previous research as a maladaptive type of social interaction that is associated with elevated levels of anxiety and depression. Data were collected from 932 Italian adults during the initial stages of the highly stressful COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. A path model was tested to examine multivariate relationships among sociodemographic characteristics, symptoms of psychological distress (i.e., depression and anxiety), co-rumination via cellphone, and self-reported adherence to COVID-19-related public health restrictions. Results revealed that higher rates of co-rumination via cellphone were associated with lower levels of adherence to public health restrictions. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were differentially related to co-rumination processes and adherence to public health restrictions. Higher levels of depression symptoms were directly associated with poorer adherence to public health restrictions, and this path was mediated through higher levels of co-rumination via cellphone. On the contrary, higher levels of state anxiety were directly associated with greater adherence to public health guidelines. This path was also mediated through co-rumination via cellphone. Higher levels of anxiety were correlated with lower levels of co-rumination, which in turn were correlated with lower levels of adherence. These results suggest fruitful directions for future research examining co-rumination as a maladaptive coping behavior that may be addressed within public health interventions.
COVID-19 vaccine acceptability, and uptake among people living with HIV in Uganda
Authors: Muhindo Richard , Okoboi Stephen , Kiragga Agnes , King Rachel , Arinaitwe Walter Joseph , Castelnuovo Barbara
Published: December 2022

Background

Despite being a priority population for COVID-19 vaccination, limited data are available regarding acceptability of COVID-19 vaccines among people living with HIV (PLWH) in Sub-Saharan Africa. We described COVID-19 vaccine acceptability and factors associated with vaccine acceptability among PLWH in Uganda.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study conducted among PLWH, aged ≥18 years, enrolled participants who were seeking HIV care from six purposely selected accredited ART clinics in Kampala. We obtained data on vaccine acceptability defined as willingness to accept any of the available COVID-19 vaccines using interviewer-administered questionnaires. In addition, we assessed vaccination status, complacency regarding COVID-19 disease, vaccine confidence, and vaccine convenience. Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptability were evaluated using modified Poisson regression with robust standard errors.

Results

We enrolled 767 participants of whom 485 (63%) were women. The median age was 33 years [interquartile range (IQR) 28–40] for women and 40 years [IQR], (34–47) for men. Of the respondents 534 (69.6%,95% confidence interval [CI]: 66.3%-72.8%) reported receiving at least one vaccine dose, with women significantly more likely than men to have been vaccinated (73% vs. 63%; p = 0.003). Among the unvaccinated 169 (72.7%, 95% CI: 66.6%-78.0%) were willing to accept vaccination, had greater vaccine confidence (85.9% had strong belief that the vaccines were effective; 81.9% that they were beneficial and 71% safe for PLWH; 90.5% had trust in health care professionals or 77.4% top government officials), and believed that it would be easy to obtain a vaccine if one decided to be vaccinated (83.6%). Vaccine acceptability was positively associated with greater vaccine confidence (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] 1.44; 95% CI: 1.08–1.90), and positive perception that it would be easy to obtain a vaccine (aPR 1.57; 95% CI: 1.26–1.96).

Conclusion

vaccine acceptance was high among this cohort of PLWH, and was positively associated with greater vaccine confidence, and perceived easiness (convince) to obtained the vaccine. Building vaccine confidence and making vaccines easily accessible should be a priority for vaccination programs targeting PLWH.
Microbial diversity, culture conditions, and application effect of YSJ: A composite microbial system for degradation of Yanshan ginger branches and leaves
Authors: Chen Wenhao , Li Juan , Yuan Huawei , You Ling , Wang Tao , Cao Zongjin
Published: December 2022

Background

Yanshan ginger (Alpinia zerumbet) is a perennial herb used as a medicine and spice, and is beneficial for soil and water conservation in karst areas. Given the widespread utilization of Yanshan ginger in China and continuing expansion of the planting area, disposal of waste materials is problematic. The branches and leaves of Yanshan ginger contain a variety of potent antibacterial compounds, such as volatile oils, phenols, and diterpenoids, which hinder their rapid degradation by microorganisms. In this study, we screened and constructed a composite microbial system to provide a technical reference for production of organic fertilizer from the branches and leaves of Yanshan ginger.

Methods

A composite microbial system, “YanShan Jun” (YSJ), was developed by screening for efficient detoxification and degradation of the branches and leaves of Yanshan ginger. High-throughput sequencing technology was used to investigate the stability and diversity of YSJ subcultures. The culture conditions for YSJ were optimized by sequential single-factor experiments and response surface analysis. Yanshan ginger leaves and branches were inoculated with YSJ to study its effects on composting efficiency.

Results

The microbial composition of YSJ was stable and rich in diversity through continuous subculture. Through response surface analysis, the optimized culture conditions for YSJ were determined as follows: peptone 8.0 g/L, sodium chloride 9.0 g/L, calcium carbonate 5.2 g/L, yeast powder 1.6 g/L, cultivation temperature 56.1°C, and culture duration 6 d. Under these conditions, the degradation rate of Yanshan ginger was 58.32%, which was 14.22% higher than that before optimization. The ability of YSJ to degrade the antibacterial compounds of ginger after optimization was significantly enhanced. Inoculation of Yanshan ginger compost with YSJ increased the fermentation temperature, prolonged the high-temperature period, and reduced the water content and pH of the compost in the early stage.

Conclusions

Inoculation of plant compost with YSJ bacteria improves the nutritional environment of the compost, promotes the composting reaction, promotes the rapid formation of a strong indigenous microflora, forms a beneficial microecological environment, and increases the composting efficiency. This study provides a theoretical basis for practical application of YSJ for organic fertilizer production from Yanshan ginger.
Longitudinal analyses and predictive factors of radiation-induced lung toxicity-related parameters after stereotactic radiotherapy for lung cancer
Authors: Yamamoto Takaya , Katsuta Yoshiyuki , Sato Kiyokazu , Tsukita Yoko , Umezawa Rei , Takahashi Noriyoshi , Suzuki Yu , Takeda Kazuya , Kishida Keita , Omata So , Miyauchi Eisaku , Saito Ryota , Kadoya Noriyuki , Jingu Keiichi
Published: December 2022

Background and purpose

The purpose of this prospective study was to investigate changes in longitudinal parameters after stereotactic radiotherapy for lung cancer and to identify possible pretreatment factors related to radiation-induced lung toxicity and the decline in pulmonary function after radiotherapy.

Materials and methods

Protocol-specified examinations, including 4-D CT, laboratory tests, pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and body composition measurements, were performed before SRT and at 1 month, 4 months and 12 months after stereotactic radiotherapy. Longitudinal differences were tested by using repeated-measures analysis of variance. Correlations were examined by using the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient (r).

Results

Sixteen patients were analyzed in this study. During a median follow-up period of 26.6 months, grade 1 and 2 lung toxicity occurred in 11 patients and 1 patient, respectively. The mean Hounsfield units (HU) and standard deviation (SD) of the whole lung, as well as sialylated carbohydrate antigen KL-6 (KL-6) and surfactant protein-D (SP-D), peaked at 4 months after radiotherapy (p = 0.11, p<0.01, p = 0.04 and p<0.01, respectively). At 4 months, lung V20 Gy (%) and V40 Gy (%) were correlated with changes in SP-D, whereas changes in the mean HU of the lung were related to body mass index and lean body mass index (r = 0.54, p = 0.02; r = 0.57, p = 0.01; r = 0.69, p<0.01; and r = 0.69, p<0.01, respectively). The parameters of PFTs gradually declined over time. When regarding the change in PFTs from pretreatment to 12 months, lung V5 Gy (cc) showed significant correlations with diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), DLCO/alveolar volume and the relative change in DLCO (r = -0.72, p<0.01; r = -0.73, p<0.01; and r = -0.63, p = 0.01, respectively).

Conclusions

The results indicated that some parameters peaked at 4 months, but PFTs were the lowest at 12 months. Significant correlations between lung V5 Gy (cc) and changes in DLCO and DLCO/alveolar volume were observed.
Polygenic risk scores for cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes
Authors: Wong Chi Kuen , Makalic Enes , Dite Gillian S. , Whiting Lawrence , Murphy Nicholas M. , Hopper John L. , Allman Richard
Published: December 2022

Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) are a promising approach to accurately predict an individual’s risk of developing disease. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of PRSs in their population are often only reported for models that are adjusted for age and sex, which are known risk factors for the disease of interest and confound the association between the PRS and the disease. This makes comparison of PRS between studies difficult because the genetic effects cannot be disentangled from effects of age and sex (which have a high AUC without the PRS). In this study, we used data from the UK Biobank and applied the stacked clumping and thresholding method and a variation called maximum clumping and thresholding method to develop PRSs to predict coronary artery disease, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, stroke and type 2 diabetes. We created case-control training datasets in which age and sex were controlled by design. We also excluded prevalent cases to prevent biased estimation of disease risks. The maximum clumping and thresholding PRSs required many fewer single-nucleotide polymorphisms to achieve almost the same discriminatory ability as the stacked clumping and thresholding PRSs. Using the testing datasets, the AUCs for the maximum clumping and thresholding PRSs were 0.599 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.585, 0.613) for atrial fibrillation, 0.572 (95% CI: 0.560, 0.584) for coronary artery disease, 0.585 (95% CI: 0.564, 0.605) for type 2 diabetes, 0.559 (95% CI: 0.550, 0.569) for hypertension and 0.514 (95% CI: 0.494, 0.535) for stroke. By developing a PRS using a dataset in which age and sex are controlled by design, we have obtained true estimates of the discriminatory ability of the PRSs alone rather than estimates that include the effects of age and sex.
Candidate effector proteins from the oomycetes Plasmopara viticola and Phytophthora parasitica share similar predicted structures and induce cell death in Nicotiana species
Authors: Combier Maud , Evangelisti Edouard , Piron Marie-Christine , Schornack Sebastian , Mestre Pere
Published: December 2022

Effector proteins secreted by plant pathogens are essential for infection. Cytoplasmic RXLR effectors from oomycetes are characterized by the presence of RXLR and EER motifs that are frequently linked to WY- and/or LWY-domains, folds that are exclusive to this effector family. A related family of secreted candidate effector proteins, carrying WY-domains and the EER motif but lacking the canonical RXLR motif, has recently been described in oomycetes and is mainly found in downy mildew pathogens. Plasmopara viticola is an obligate biotrophic oomycete causing grapevine downy mildew. Here we describe a conserved Pl. viticola secreted candidate non-RXLR effector protein with cell death-inducing activity in Nicotiana species. A similar RXLR effector candidate from the broad host range oomycete pathogen Phytophthora parasitica also induces cell death in Nicotiana. Through comparative tertiary structure modelling, we reveal that both proteins are predicted to carry WY- and LWY-domains. Our work supports the presence of LWY-domains in non-RXLR effectors and suggests that effector candidates with similar domain architecture may exert similar activities.
The power of schism: Unconventional narrative structure in No Country for Old Men
Authors: Neilan Chris
Published: December 2022

Whilst screenwriting handbooks have popularized and disseminated practical approaches to writing the screenplay and, to a certain extent, demystified and perhaps even democratized the process of screenplay creation and development, they have also solidified a restrictive doxa which delegitimizes unconventional structural approaches and, in doing so, solidifies a homogenized story product which tends to replicate different variations of the same dominant ideology. In this article I argue for a change in focus within screenwriting theory and the development process, towards an understanding of the meaning produced by the conventional model and the meanings that can be produced by alternative models, and away from the replication of the conventional, through an analysis of a particularly unconventional structural schism in the Coen brothers’ .
Rethinking our protagonists: Absence on screen and meta-narratives of empire
Authors: Humphreys Sheridan
Published: December 2022

In this article I argue that responsibility for diversity needs to be inbuilt at a much earlier stage in the screen drama production process – from the very moment, indeed, when protagonists and plotlines are first conceived. Genuine diversity is everyone’s responsibility, not just the ‘diversity manager’ or ‘diversity initiative’. This is an issue for screenwriters, for the education of screenwriters and it is something that screenwriting research needs to explore. My focus falls here on historical drama, for which I argue that inbuilt diversity is especially pressing. Populist ideas about the past impact the lives of ethnic minorities today, and are perpetuated by invisibility, which is then treated as evidence of that same invisibility. I explore how Britain’s relationship with colonial Australia is understood – and perpetuated – through the meta-narrative of Empire and culture and how this informs my approach to my own writing practice. This article is based on the papers presented at the 2017 Screenwriting Research Network (SRN) conference, University of Otago, Dunedin; the 2019 European Association of Studies of Australia (EASA) Conference in Toulon, and at the 2019 Australian Association of Writing Programs (AAWP) conference, University of Technology, Sydney.
Scene Writing: The Missing Manual for Screenwriters, Chris Perry and Eric Henry Sanders (2022)
Authors: Lewis Warren
Published: December 2022

Review of: Scene Writing: The Missing Manual for Screenwriters, Chris Perry and Eric Henry Sanders (2022)

London: Bloomsbury Academic, 245 pp.

ISBN 978-1-50135-212-6, p/bk, USD 24.95, CAD 32.76
Script Analysis: Deconstructing Screenplay Fundamentals, James Bang (2022)
Authors: Shelton James
Published: December 2022

Review of: Script Analysis: Deconstructing Screenplay Fundamentals, James Bang (2022)

Abingdon: Routledge, 180 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-00313-885-3, e-book, £26.99
Through the Lens: The Pandemic and Black Lives Matter, Lauren Walsh (2022)
Authors: Lilleker Darren G.
Published: December 2022

Review of: Through the Lens: The Pandemic and Black Lives Matter, Lauren Walsh (2022)

New York and London: Routledge, 152 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-03218-615-3, p/bk, £18.99
NOLA EGIN LEKUA IKASLEEN INTUIZIOEI GOI-MAILAKO HEZKUNTZAN?
Authors: Huegun Asier Burgos , Gamboa Eider Ruiz de Eguilaz , Jauregi Pello Etxaniz
Published: December 2022

Artikuluan SentiGrAL proiektua aurkezten da. Helburua pentsamendu-espazio berriak eraikitzea izan da, gorputz-sentsazioetatik abiatuta, goi-mailako hezkuntzan Gradu Amaierako Lana (GrAL) sortzeko prozesuan. Horretarako, arakatze-prozesuetan oinarritutako ikaskuntza aintzat hartuta, gorputz-ikuspegia ardatz dituzten ariketak garatu dira, ikaskuntza mota horretan sakontzeko. Ariketa horiek guztiak gida didaktiko batean jaso dira. Horren guztiaren oinarrizko ideia da esperientzia eta intuizioak ikasleen gaitasunak garatzeko balio duen ezagutza-iturritzat hartzea, Gizarte Hezkuntzako eta Pedagogiako graduetako GrALetan egiten diren gogoeta-prozesuetan giltzarri gisa hartzeko. Ikuskera metodologiko interpretatzailea du ikerketak, eta datuak biltzeko tresna kualitatiboak erabili dira. Ikasleei elkarrizketak egin zaizkie prozesuaren gaineko hautematea jasotzeko. Emaitza esanguratsuak lortu dira gogoeta-prozesuetan gorputz-sentsazioek duten funtzioari dagokionez ere. Izan ere, sentsazioetan arakatzeak gogoeta-prozesua aberastu du. Ondorio moduan, azpimarra dezakegu sortutako gida didaktikoak ikasleentzako prestakuntza izaera duela, eta arakatze prozesuetarako lagungarria dela.
Euskal Telebista, the Basque public television company: entertainment as a core factor for minority language audiovisual media.
Authors: Azpeitia Iruretagoiena Itziar
Published: December 2022

The television landscape is undergoing tremendous and rapid changes. In this context public broadcasters are having great difficulties to fulfil their commitment to the public they serve. This task is even harder for those entities related to minority cultures and languages. In this paper we identify some of the ways in which entertainment content can contribute to fulfilling the missions of these types of companies. We will mainly focus on the Basque Public TV, Euskal Telebista, but the results and conclusions drawn can be applied to other public service media companies of similar types, too.
Producción cinematográfica de Netflix en España: políticas de comunicación y relaciones con la estructura de la producción de cine español
Authors: Gómez-Pérez Francisco Javier , Castro-Higueras Antonio , Pérez-Rufí José Patricio
Published: December 2022

Esta investigación toma como objeto de estudio la producción de largometrajes de Netflix en España. Los objetivos principales son el análisis de las estrategias de producción y comercialización de cine de Netflix en el mercado español y la identificación de las relaciones de la plataforma con las productoras y las televisiones españolas en la producción o la coproducción de contenidos originales. Los resultados destacan la integración de Netflix en las dinámicas sistematizadas de producción y explotación comercial del cine español de éxito, respetando sus obligaciones legales, pero también aprovechando las ventajas de un sistema proteccionista de la cultura europea.
Academic Freedom in Teacher Education; Between Certainty and Uncertainty
Authors:   University of Borås, Sweden, Cronqvist Marita
Published: December 2022

In this study, academic freedom in teacher education is related to preservice teachers’ possibilities to develop critical and autonomous thinking in teaching practice. Self-awareness and self-confidence provide certainty to deal with the uncertain situation in teaching where creativity and judgment must be given priority over an instrumental teaching based on authorities, effective methods or ready-made solutions. Teacher educators thus need to promote academic freedom as both certainty and uncertainty. The aim of this paper is to provide enhanced understanding of the meanings and implications for teacher education of academic freedom, in the tension between certainty and uncertainty, based on a phenomenological study about preservice teachers’ experiences of professional ethics. The results show that teacher educators’ function as role models is crucial for preservice teachers’ academic freedom in developing their teaching. A consensus on fundamental values provides openness in discussions that promote the student's critical attitude.
The causes of air movement in hidden indoor micro-environments: measurements in historic bookshelves
Authors: Ferreira Morena , Grau-Bove Josep , Altamirano Hector , Blades Nigel
Published: December 2022

The use of ventilation holes in small micro-environments has been proposed by the National Trust as a mechanism to improve the environmental conditions of moisture and temperature within bookshelves. At one National Trust historic property, this mechanism has been used to encourage air movement behind books as a possible strategy to reduce the risk of mould growth. It is believed that including ventilation holes as a passive design solution to promote airflow within micro-environments could prevent decay from occurring in archives of historic buildings. This paper investigates the mechanisms that cause airflow behind bookshelves using field measurements in three National Trust historical libraries. The measurements indicate that small but measurable velocities, up to 4 cm/s, can be generated passively behind bookshelves. Air movement in such confined micro-environments is probably caused by a combination of natural convection, caused by temperature differences between the walls and the interior and the exterior of the bookshelf, and forced convection due to drafts in the surrounding environment. While in some cases one mechanism prevailed, both mechanisms may be present simultaneously in most cases. Further research is needed to clarify how surface temperature drives air motion behind shelves.
Spektakel und Möglichkeitsraum
Authors: Heidenreich Nanna
Published: December 2022

Was sich 2015 ereignete, war kein voraussetzungsloses, plötzliches Erscheinen und keine Krise der Migration, sondern eine Krise des europäischen Grenzregimes. Neben den eigensinnigen und widerständigen Bewegungen der Migration war diese Zeit gekennzeichnet von zivilem Engagement und von zahlreichen Kunst- und Kulturproduktionen mit, für und über Geflüchtete. Nanna Heidenreich fragt ausgehend vom ›langen Sommer der Migration‹ nach dem Verhältnis von Hype zu Möglichkeitsraum: Wann wird Kunst mit Migration zum Spektakel? Wie stehen ästhetische Schwellenerfahrungen zum Anspruch auf politische Transformation? Auf welche Weise sind Klimawandel und Migration miteinander verschaltet, von wessen Zukunft reden wir? … Und welche Farbe hat das Meer?
Phänomene, Persona, Publikum des Wissenschaftsblogs
Authors: Loviscach Jörn
Published: December 2022

Jörn Loviscach beleuchtet in diesem Beitrag die Praxis der Nutzung digitaler Medien für die Wissenschaft am Beispiel von Wissenschaftsblogs. Der Beitrag bietet Unterstützung beim Lesen und Interpretieren wie auch beim Schreiben und beim Gestalten verschiedener Kommunikationsaspekte von Wissenschaftsblogs und gibt Anstöße zur Medienforschung.
Von Verbindungen und Banden des Wissens
Authors: Mayer Katja
Published: December 2022

Die Autorin wirft zunächst einen Blick auf die etymologische Wortherkunft, um Bd. (Band) in seinem historischen Artikelspektrum zu beleuchten. Anschließend diskutiert sie die gegenwärtigen Gebrauchsweisen des Begriffs und seiner Abkürzung in der Forschungspraxis unterschiedlicher wissenschaftlicher Disziplinen.
3. Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing in Germany and Israel
Authors: Nov-Klaiman Tamar , Foth Hannes , Hashiloni-Dolev Yael
Published: December 2022

This chapter compares Germany and Israel, that reached different decisions regarding noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) implementation, and describes the associated debates and stakeholders' involvement in both. The Israeli decision-making provoked hardly any public discourse, whereas in Germany it triggered extensive debate involving a broad range of stakeholders. Although the German legal and regulatory framework is more restrictive, and despite diverse opposition, the process led to public coverage of NIPT. Yet, despite a permissive framework, it was rejected in Israel. However, opposing explicit agendas underlie this: Israel aims to prevent disability, and Germany to minimize invasive testing and its associated risks.
10. The Unconditionality of Parent-Child Relationships in the Context of Prenatal Genetic Diagnosis in Germany and Israel
Authors: Foth Hannes
Published: December 2022

Hannes Foth discusses the meaning of prenatal genetic diagnosis for the development of parent-child relationships. While these relationships are often characterized as being unconditional, prenatal diagnosis in combination with abortion facilitates making the birth of a child dependent on its expected condition. This raises the question of whether parent-child relationships will be transformed by prenatal diagnosis. The first part of the essay clarifies various conceptual aspects of unconditionality and relates them to concepts of prenatal diagnosis. The second part addresses cultural-social variations in Germany and Israel, and finally discusses consequences of these comparative insights.
Die »wahren Konservativen« und die kulturelle Hegemonie
Authors: Kováts Eszter
Published: December 2022

Eszter Kováts analysiert in ihrem Beitrag die Verknüpfungen zwischen dem Neuen Rechten in Deutschland und dem Orbán-Regime in Ungarn. Im ersten Teil beschreibt sie das seit 2010 regierende Orbán-Regime und begründet, warum es sich ideologisch den Neuen Rechten zurechnen lässt. Im zweiten arbeitet sie die wichtigsten Verbindungen zur Neuen Rechten in Deutschland aus: die gemeinsamen internationalen theoretischen Referenzpunkte; die neurechten deutschen Denker aus Vergangenheit und Gegenwart, auf welche sich Ungarns neue Rechte berufen; sowie die ideologischen Eckpunkte: ihr Verhältnis zum Konservatismus und zum "Westen", und den Stellenwert der Sprachpolitik in der Hegemoniebildung.
Culture Climate Circle
Authors: Charles Stefan
Published: December 2022

Stefan Charles zeigt in diesem Policy Paper auf, welche ökologischen Herausforderungen im Kultursektor bestehen und präsentiert Vorschläge, was getan werden muss, um die Umweltauswirkungen zu reduzieren und die Voraussetzungen für einen klimaneutralen und ökologischen Kulturbetrieb in Deutschland zu schaffen.
Fünf Bausteine für eine wirksame Nachhaltigkeitsstrategie mit der und für die Kultur- und Kreativwirtschaft
Authors: Backes Christoph , Armbruckner Katja , Dietz Jessica , Koch Antonia , Nizinski Matthias , Rathke Alina
Published: December 2022

Christoph Backes widmet sich in diesem Beitrag der Skizzierung von möglichen Instrumenten, zur nachhaltigen Förderung von Unternehmer*innen der Kultur- und Kreativwirtschaft. Um das nachhaltige Wirken der Unternehmer*innen dieser Branche besser zu entfalten, bedarf es einer wirksamen Nachhaltigkeitsstrategie. Die Grundlagen dafür sind längst da: Zahlreiche in den vergangenen Jahren erfolgreich durchgeführte Modellprojekte mit und für die Kultur- und Kreativwirtschaft zeigen, was sich im Sinne einer nachhaltigen Entwicklung in Wirtschaft, Gesellschaft und Kultur verändern kann.
Emscherkunst und Über Wasser gehen
Authors: Sawer Agnes
Published: December 2022

Agnes Sawer widmet sich in ihrem Beitrag den Kunstprojekten "Über Wasser gehen" und "Emscherkunst", die die Umbau- und Renaturierungsmaßnahmen an der Emscher und an der Seseke begleitet haben. Der Aufsatz geht der Frage nach, wie die künstlerischen Arbeiten beider Projekte den Transformationsprozess der Flüsse reflektieren, für ökologische Themen sensibilisieren und Impulse für ein nachhaltiges Handeln setzen können.
Wissen generieren - Wissen teilen
Authors: Schrijen Bjorn , Knol Jan Jaap , Pigaht Janina
Published: December 2022

Die Überzeugung, dass Kunst und Kultur eine wichtige Rolle in der Klimakrise spielen können, hat dazu beigetragen, dass die Boekman-Stiftung die Beziehung zwischen Kultur und Nachhaltigkeit zu einem ihrer drei Kernthemen gemacht hat. Nach einer kurzen Ausarbeitung der Beziehung zwischen Kultur und Nachhaltigkeit beschreiben die Autoren zunächst, was die Boekman-Stiftung seit 2019 getan hat, um Wissen über Kultur und Nachhaltigkeit zu entwickeln, zu sammeln und zu teilen. Im letzten Teil des Artikels gehen die Autoren genauer auf internationalen Wissensaustausch ein und arbeiten einige Ideen aus, wie dieser Austausch in Zukunft gestaltet werden könnte.
Kultur und Nachhaltigkeit
Authors: Eder Angelika , Niziol Magdalena
Published: December 2022

Angelika Eder und Magdalena Nizioł widmen sich in diesem Text der Frage, welchen Beitrag Kunst und Kultur mit ihrem kreativen Potenzial für die großen Herausforderungen Klimawandel und Nachhaltigkeit und den damit einhergehenden gesellschaftlichen Wandel leisten können. Sie fragen nach der Verantwortung und den Möglichkeiten des Kulturbereichs und erläutern an Beispielen, wie u.a. die Kooperation zwischen Kunst und Wissenschaft, aber auch der europäische Austausch den Diskurs bereichern und einen Bewusstseinswandel fördern können. Sie stellen mögliche Veränderungen im Kulturbetrieb, auch aus den Erfahrungen der Pandemie, und Beiträge aus verschiedenen Sparten vor.
Embedded Authoritarianism
Authors: Salgado Pedro
Published: December 2022

This chapter engages with two interpretations of authoritarianism that present it in opposition to liberal democracies. One is found in contemporary institutionalist political science, and the other draws from the Poulantzian Marxist tradition of state theory in order to provide an interpretation of the current crisis. As a second step, the argument moves further back in Latin American history to establish colonial domination as the basis for the creation of geopolitically-differentiated categories of political subjects, and the shift towards modern sovereignty as one infused with authoritarianism in its core.
(Re)Thinking Authoritarianism in Democracy
Authors: Mira Julieta
Published: December 2022

This chapter examines the expressions of authoritarianism that can occur in non-authoritarian regimes, whereby the most extreme examples are arbitrary killings carried out by public officials. I seek to provoke critical reflections on the need to observe, analyse, and denounce the authoritarianism that persists in democratic countries and which infringes on people's most fundamental rights, such as the right to life or the right to live free from torture. The goal is to offer a means of accounting both for different forms of authoritarianism and for public response strategies in the form public denunciations.
Reflecting (on) Replika
Authors: Weber-Guskar Eva
Published: December 2022

Weber-Guskar deals with the current discussion whether Replika and other chatbots can be friends or even romantic partners with humans. The skeptics often warn that if some sort of affective relationship does accrue, it is not a good but dangerous one. A central topic in this debate is the question of mutuality or reciprocity. Critics state that a certain mutuality is necessary for every good affective relationship and that chatbots and robots are not capable of such a mutuality - therefore, there are no good affective relationships possible with them. The paper criticizes this argument on the basis of a minimal definition of individual affective relationships
Granny and the Sexbots
Authors: Lancaster Karen
Published: December 2022

In this article, Karen Lancaster argues for the claim that sexbots should be made available for elderly residents in care homes. Although sexual activity among elderly people in residential care remains taboo, residents still have sexual desires, and sexbots could cater for their sexual needs, improving their quality of life. Some moral criticisms of sexbot use are addressed, including sex not being a physiological necessity, and the fact that others in society do not have their sexual needs catered for. Suggestions are given for some safety and dexterity modifications to current sexbots to enable their safe use by elderly people.
Emotional Embodiment in Humanoid Sex and Love Robots
Authors: Friedman Cindy , Nyholm Sven , Frank Lily
Published: December 2022

This chapter discusses three questions about emotions and sex robots intended for companionship. First, is the value of emotions undermined when their object is an entity that appears human, but does not experience affective states? Second, does the use of a humanoid form in a robot express a lack of respect for human dignity, specifically a lack of respect for the emotional capacities normally associated with humans? Third, if a highly sophisticated robot with a humanoid form were able to simulate behaviors associated with distinctly human emotions, would this make any difference to how to conduct oneself around that robot?
Vererbte Regionen
Authors: Hagemann Jenny
Published: December 2022

Kulturelles Erbe spielt in Grenzregionen nicht nur im Kontext von Beheimatung eine zentrale Rolle, es kommt auch in energieindustriell bedingten Transformationsprozessen zum Tragen: so etwa im Wendland als ehemaligem »Zonenrandgebiet« und in der Lausitz als Nachbar zu Polen seit dem Ende des Zweiten Weltkriegs. Seinen zugrunde liegenden historischen Entwicklungen und aktuellen Handlungsräumen geht Jenny Hagemann in ihrer interdisziplinären Studie nach, indem sie historischen Vergleich, Diskursanalyse und qualitative Interviews miteinander verbindet. Sie liefert neue Erkenntnisse für Heritage Studies und Regionalgeschichte gleichermaßen und bietet erstmals Vorschläge zur Konzeptionalisierung von »regionalem Heritage« an.