Archival Institutions Research Articles

The Trans Archive in Shola von Reinhold’s LOTE and Jordy Rosenberg’s Confessions of the Fox

Reimagining archives and recovery scholarship have become trends in contemporary trans fiction. Shola von Reinhold’s LOTE (2020) and Jordy Rosenberg’s Confessions of the Fox (2018) are examples of this interest in the historical touches of trans ancestors and present-day transprotagonists. In LOTE and Confessions of the Fox, the protagonists sift through archival materials, challenge white, cisgender, heteronormative archons in institutional archives, and through critical fabulation imagine Deleuzoguattarian versions of grassroots trans archives that promise queer futurities of validation and community.

Molecular Tracking of Emerging Fusarium Species in Keratitis: F. veterinarium, F. contaminatum, and F. curvatum.

Fungal keratitis, which is caused primarily by Neocosmospora and Fusarium species, is a significant global health issue that affects more than a million people annually in tropical and subtropical regions. Neocosmospora solani (formerly Fusarium solani) is a leading cause of corneal infections, along with members of the Fusarium oxysporum species complex (FOSC). This study provides new insights by reporting a series of ocular fusariosis cases caused by FOSC members and presenting molecular evidence linking specific haplotypes within FOSC to human infections. We describe three cases of Fusarium keratitis selected from a comprehensive review of clinicopathological data in our institution's archives. These cases were chosen for their distinctive clinical presentations and the involvement of less common Fusarium species. Two of these patients were diagnosed with keratitis and anterior endophthalmitis, and the third patient had a corneal ulcer previously treated with topical antivirals and antibiotics. All patients were successfully treated with topical amphotericin B. The Fusarium isolates from these patients were subjected to detailed molecular characterization, including DNA sequencing (tef1α, rpb2, CaM, tub2, and LSU), amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) marker analysis, and MALDI-TOF MS analysis. Remarkably, our study reports the first case of human infection by F. veterinarium, alongside cases involving F. contaminatum and F. curvatum. Furthermore, a molecular survey using haplotypic networks based on tef1α sequences identified genotypes associated with human infections and revealed the emergence of F. veterinarium clade VII. Our findings emphasize the need for vigilance regarding emerging species within the FOSC, particularly F. veterinarium. This highlights the need for improved diagnostic tools and targeted research to combat fusarioid-related infections effectively.

Science Archives: A Literature Review and International Projects

ABSTRACT The connection between ‘archives’ and ‘science’ is not immediately apparent, but scientists experience this relationship in a particular way. However, this link materialises in ‘science archives’, which began gaining importance as scientific activity took on a more prominent role in society, particularly over the last four decades. This research aims to establish the context between ‘archives’ and ‘science’, which gave rise to ‘science archives’, define this type of archive, understand what kind of records they preserve, and, finally, present some of the projects and initiatives surrounding this type of collection. To achieve this, a narrative literature review was conducted, developing qualitative research based on documentary investigation. The results reveal three main types of archives: archives of scientific institutions (laboratories and academies), personal archives of scientists (not considered here), and archives of science management institutions.

Formation and Structure of the Documentary Resource of the Bulgarian Historical Archives until September 9, 1944

After the Liberation of Bulgaria (1878) the beginning was set of a purposeful search and publication of documents about the Bulgarian national revival. Until the middle of the twentieth century, Bulgaria lacked archival legislation, as well as specialized archival institutions, which caused irreparable damage to the Bulgarian archival heritage. During this period, archival collections of volumes were formed in cultural, scientific and other institutions. The largest of them were built at the National Library in Sofia.

Carte românească veche în Ocna Sibiului

For writing this paper the archival material found and consulted in the archives of some cultural institutions from Sibiu County, represented the most important source of information, the specialized bibliography, being in turn a valuable and necessary scientific source (catalogues of old Romania book collections belonging to cultural institutions such as museums, libraries). The inventory compiled, for the Greek-Catholic and Roman-Catholic parishes, for the Orthodox parish by the local priests, the analytical records made by conservators and historians of the movable heritage, as well as the specialized literature, indicate that Ocna Sibiului was one of the most important holder of old Romania books among the rural settlements of Sibiu County.

The Ongoing Need for the Pacific Manuscripts Bureau

The recent civil unrest in the French external territory of New Caledonia is the latest reminder that documentary heritage in the Pacific is continuously at risk of damage or destruction from both environmental and human threats. Humidity, cyclones and rising sea levels are all very real threats to archival collections in the Pacific, as are human factors such as civil unrest, lack of relevant training and short-term development projects. In a region shaped so quickly and drastically by colonisation, missionisation and globalisation, documentary heritage can provide important throughlines to lost land, languages and cultural practices; to challenge imposed narratives and build new, overlooked and empowering narratives. Since its establishment at the Australian National University (ANU) in 1968, the Pacific Manuscripts Bureau (also PMB, Pambu or the Bureau) has developed a practical understanding of this spectrum of threats to Pacific archives. This has developed over decades of regular and documented field trips with portable reformatting equipment to copy at-risk collections across Oceania. The Bureau has copied private collections whose originals can no longer be located; records that have since been destroyed by fire due to civil unrest or faulty electrics, and most recently in the aftermath of a submarine volcanic eruption. Yet, in 2024, there is still no dedicated archives qualification on offer at tertiary level in the Pacific Islands. Archival institutions remain widely under-resourced and the digital turn presents new challenges such as access to equipment repairs and reliance on unstable carriers for digital storage. The ongoing existence of these challenges means there remains a high demand for Pacific Manuscripts Bureau services. Until there is sustained investment in the infrastructure and resources needed to support archives in the Pacific, the Bureau, with its small team of approximately 1.5 full-time equivalent staff, will continue to have a role in preserving Pacific documentary heritage.

Ossifying fibromyxoid tumours with lipomatous and cartilaginous differentiation: A diagnostic pitfall.

Ossifying fibromyxoid tumour is a rare mesenchymal neoplasm predominantly affecting adults characterised by a multinodular growth pattern and the presence of a fibrous pseudocapsule with areas of ossification. Prompted by the recognition of a non-ossifying ossifying fibromyxoid tumour with lipomatous differentiation which caused diagnostic difficulty, we sought to further explore cases of ossifying fibromyxoid tumour with non-osseous heterologous elements. A search of our institutional and consultation archives revealed three additional cases that demonstrated lipomatous components and two cases with cartilaginous differentiation. RNA-sequencing revealed fusions involving PHF1 (n = 4) or EPC1 (n = 1) in all (five of five) cases tested, including EPC1::PHC1 and JAZF1::PHF1 fusions, which have not been reported before in ossifying fibromyxoid tumour. These six cases expand the histomorphological spectrum of ossifying fibromyxoid tumour, introducing lipomatous differentiation as a hitherto undocumented feature. Awareness of these rare variants will ensure appropriate diagnosis and clinical management.

Reckoning with the Legacy of Land-Grant University Libraries, Archives, and Special Collections as Ventures of Pioneer Veneration

Land-grant colleges and universities in the United States, and by extension their libraries and archives, seek to uphold a three-part mission of teaching, research, and service, while also focusing on equality of access, regardless of class. The admirability of that mission, however, is tempered by “genesis amnesia,” where, as Pierre Bourdieu and Jean-Claude Passeron say, “societies cover up or erase the origins of policies or institutions in order to obfuscate the social constructions that underlie them.” Other former settler colonies, such as Canada, maintain similarly structured and afflicted colleges and universities. For many institutions, the terms “land-grant,” or in Canadian contexts “land-endowed” or “land-financed,” act as a veneer, covering up and at times venerating an extractive and traumatic process by which Indigenous peoples were dispossessed of their lands. In this reflective case study, we define pioneer veneration as a symptom of colonialism and describe recent efforts to challenge it within our own library and archives. Using two collections containing Indigenous knowledges but not (primarily) Indigenous belongings, we explore our attempts to challenge pioneer veneration and seek out more impactful and purposefully reparative avenues of service to Indigenous patrons and stakeholders. By specifically defining the term pioneer veneration and discussing our institution’s effort to counter it in two specific collections, we hope to expand the lens of the types of collections that can be part of decolonization work and offer some replicable examples of work that redresses white supremacy and colonialism in institutional archives.

A child opportunity index in Italy: a pilot proposal

BackgroundThe Child Opportunity Index (COI) is a new and innovative tool designed to assess the environment in which children grow up, offering a broad evaluation of the opportunities available to them in different neighborhoods. This initiative aims to ensure improvements in children’s living conditions and future health outcomes.MethodsThe study was performed in the cities of Palermo and Rome. Our Italian COI consists of three main domains: education, health and environment, and economy, each subdivided into specific indicators. We collected information, when available, useful for our indicators from institutional sites and municipal archives. Furthermore, in the city of Rome, we distributed a questionnaire through local pediatricians, collecting data in 2 randomly chosen neighborhoods with questions on children’s health and quality of life, proposing an initial approach that, when implemented using data provided by the government and public and private health institutions, aims to evaluate the correlation between socio-economic opportunities and the psycho-physical health of children, as demonstrated in the literature.ResultsAs a result, many aspects, such as the rate of air pollution or the illegal occupation of houses, were not taken into consideration. We therefore consider our COI proposal only a starting model that will have to be implemented once all the necessary information has been obtained. However, what can be deduced from this first descriptive study is how the opportunities in different neighborhoods are not the same for all children. The number of educational opportunities as well as the number of environmental opportunities differs between the various districts and is not homogeneous between different cities or within the same city.ConclusionsIn conclusion, it is not simple to analyze in a scientific manner the child’s health impact of living in different areas. The COI could be a useful and simple tool that can give us this information. Pediatricians could collaborate with institutions to implement intervention plans and to reduce existing differences, social and health inequalities. Future studies will have to implement this pilot study to create and validate an Italian model of COI to be used as a useful tool in children’s assistance.

Documenting disaster in Yogyakarta

Background of the study: The documenting of disasters through oral history programs carried out by educational institutions, archival institutions, memory institutions, and archival activists in the last few decades has begun to develop. The factors that have strongly led to the emergence of this phenomenon refer to the awareness of the importance of preserving information and historical awareness related to the shaping of memory. Purpose: This study analyzes the contribution of oral history archives in forming social memory related to the Yogyakarta earthquake on May 27th, 2006, in a more communicative and creative dimension. Method: This research is qualitative research conducted through interviews, observations, and literature studies Findings: The Yogyakarta earthquake on May 27, 2006, has been placed in social memory through oral history archives and media reports that are remembered in social reality. Oral history archives are also presented creatively and collaboratively as a form of public history through Archival Dioramas at the Dinas Perpustakaan dan Arsip Daerah Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta. The results of victims' experiences in oral history re-interviews can be analyzed in the context of the resilience of social memory. Conclusion: The emergence of digital equipment impacts people's interest, awareness, and motivation to engage in disaster documentation, shaping social memory in Yogyakarta.

Records and archives legislation in Vietnam

Background of the study: This paper consists of two parts. The first part provides the background of recordkeeping legislation in Vietnam. The second part discusses the current status of recordkeeping legislation in Vietnam. Purpose: This research aims to examine the elements of existing records and archives legislation in Vietnam by applying the ICA Guidelines: Principle for Archives and Records Legislation (2004) as a framework to analyse a crucial insight of the laws’ element. Method: The research type is a qualitative research that involves non-numerical data which is literature to gather an in-depth understanding of a case study of a specific country. Findings: The findings indicate that some elements are mandated in the existing laws such as definition of records and archives, scope of the legislation, establishment, responsibilities, and structure of the archival institution, advisory body, reporting responsibility, national archival coordination, records management, disposal, transfer of archives, access, and preservation whereas inalienability and imprescriptibly of public records and archives, acquiring records from the private sector, and sanctions are elements that can be revised in the future. Conclusion: To develop the recordkeeping legislation in Vietnam, it is suggested that (1) the laws should distinguish the terms of document, records, and archives to avoid misunderstanding and confusion for recordkeeping practices, (2) they should add more texts on managing electronic public records of government agencies, and (3) they should be coherent to Law on Access to Information 2016 to provide access to the citizens.

Clinicopathologic and Molecular Analysis of 15 Pediatric and Young Adult Patients with High-Grade Non-anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma.

High-grade follicular cell-derived non-anaplastic thyroid carcinomas are uncommon and typically diagnosed in the sixth to seventh decade of life. These tumors are rare in the pediatric (≤ 18 years old) and young adult (19-21 years old) populations. The molecular landscape of pediatric and young adult thyroid neoplasia has been suggested to be enriched inDICER1 gene alterations. Our intent was to evaluate pediatric and young adult high-grade follicular cell-derived non-anaplastic thyroid carcinomas for driver mutations. Thyroid carcinomas involving individuals under the age of 21 years were retrieved from our institutional archives. The patient population included 13 females and 2 males aged 9-20 years. Six patients were aged 9-16 years and nine patients were aged 19-20 years. The carcinomas were classified as poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) (n = 6) and differentiated high-grade thyroid carcinoma (DHGTC) (n = 9). Two were poorly differentiated oncocytic thyroid carcinomas, and two were poorly differentiated follicular thyroid carcinomas. A well-differentiated component was not identified in 2 PDTCs. The DHGTCs were subclassified as follicular thyroid carcinoma (n = 4), classic subtype papillary thyroid carcinoma (n = 4), and oncocytic thyroid carcinoma (n = 1). Molecular evaluation revealed one differentiated high-grade follicular thyroid carcinoma, two poorly differentiated follicular thyroid carcinomas, and two PDTCs with DICER1 gene alterations. A DICER1-altered PDTC, DICER1-altered poorly differentiated follicular thyroid carcinoma, and a poorly differentiated oncocytic thyroid carcinoma had TP53 gene alterations. BRAF V600E immunohistochemistry (IHC) was positive in two cases. PanTRK IHC was positive in two cases, one of which had a confirmed SQSTM1::NTRK3 gene fusion. Immunohistochemistry for PTEN showed loss of expression in two tumors, one of which had a loss of function PTEN germline alteration. Clinical follow-up was available for 14 patients (range 24-347 months, median 101 months). Four patients had local/regional recurrences, and one patient had distant recurrences (bones and liver). At last, follow-up 10 patients were alive with no evidence of disease, 1 was alive with disease, 1 was alive with an unknown status, 1 died of disease, and 1 died of unknown causes. In summary, we report 15 additional cases of pediatric and young adult high-grade follicular cell-derived non-anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, with a subset harboring DICER1 (n = 5), NTRK (n = 2), and PTEN (n = 2) gene alterations. In this limited case series, two patients were dead at the last follow-up. Whether these findings are consistent within this patient population remains to be addressed as more patient series are published.

Fate of nondiagnostic thyroid fine needle aspirations.

Thyroid nodules may be detected during the workup of thyroid hormone abnormalities and as incidental findings during unrelated imaging studies. The diagnosis of a thyroid nodule is mainly established by performing fine needle aspiration (FNA) under ultrasound guidance. Thyroid nodules are classified as nondiagnostic, defined in the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology as samples with excess blood, cyst fluid only, and lack of thyroid follicular cells. The current study evaluates a series of nondiagnostic FNAs to assess whether repeat sampling improves yield and what patient management, and outcomes are after a nondiagnostic FNA. Thyroid FNAs from 2016 to 2023 were retrieved from our institution archives. All cases were performed under ultrasound guidance and with rapid on-site evaluation. Cases were assigned the Bethesda System Category. Nondiagnostic FNAs were further reviewed for repeat FNA procedures, potential molecular testing, or diagnostic resections. In total 3104 thyroid FNAs were reviewed, with 153 (4.9%) being nondiagnostic. Of the 154 FNAs, there were 129 patients with an average age of 60 and a male-to-female ratio of 1:3.2. Of the 130 patients, there were 50 patients who underwent 55 repeat FNAs. Thirty-seven (67%) of the repeats were benign, 13 (24%) were nondiagnostic again, and 5 (9%) were atypia of undetermined significance (AUS). Molecular testing was performed on repeat FNAs diagnosed AUS. Four cases showed no mutations and had a high likelihood of being benign. One case did have an NRAS Q61R mutation, and resection revealed a noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features. Seventeen (13% of all cases) with nondiagnostic FNA were resected. Twelve (71%) thyroidectomies showed benign adenomatous nodules. The remainder showed incidental papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (0.1 cm), an infarcted follicular adenoma, a noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features, and metastatic renal cell carcinoma (2×). Thyroid nodules with nondiagnostic cytology are reassuring of being highly likely a benign nodule. Only 5 of the 55 (9%) repeat FNAs yielded abnormalities, with only one of those being truly a follicular neoplasm (confirmed by molecular testing and resection). No primary thyroid malignancies have been identified in follow-up (repeat FNA or surgery). Clinical and ultrasound follow-up may be more appropriate management for nondiagnostic thyroid FNAs.

Electronic publications of archival institutions in the Republic of Kazakhstan and features of the developed Е-Doc Complex website

At the present time, electronic publication of archival documents is a modern high-profile way to use them and satisfy information needs of the society and researchers, as well as to popularize the documentary heritage. Publications of archival institutions on the Internet imply a multi-faceted practice, which includes development of search tools and reference mechanisms for collections, providing digital copies of archival documents on certain topics. Archival institutions create various types of electronic publications, namely databases, online exhibitions, collections of archival materials. Thus, currently, electronic archaeography is a promising research area due to the active advancements in the discipline’s practical applications. Publication of collections of archival documents is the most problematic issue among all types of documentary publication in electronic form. The purpose of the article is to analyze the main types of documentary publications provided by archival institutions in the digital environment and to reveal the specifics of the developed software product for publishing collections of archival materials. The research uses materials from the state archives of the Republic of Kazakhstan, regulatory and methodological documents. The results of the research include the following: an analysis of the academic discourse on the problems of publishing documentary heritage at the present stage was carried out; types of electronic publications and methods of their creation in the digital space were examined using the example of the state archives of the Republic of Kazakhstan; the E-Doc Complex website was developed as a separate software product for creating three types of collections of archival documents and thematic virtual exhibitions.

The Challenge of Actualising Research in Practice: Implementing the Charter of Lifelong Rights in Childhood Recordkeeping in Out of Home Care

This paper addresses the challenges encountered when actualising research in practice, using the implementation of the Charter of Lifelong Rights in Childhood Recordkeeping in Out of Home Care as an illustrative example. We begin with overviews of the recordkeeping failures of the past and present, and the development of the Charter to address them. We imagine transformed recordkeeping and archiving systems engaging children, young people and Care leavers as creators and decision-makers about their records. We identify challenges and barriers to implementation and discuss the strategies designed to engage major stakeholders in implementing the Charter. The paper concludes by challenging recordkeeping regulators, recordkeeping and archival institutions, current records creators and holders, and the recordkeeping and archival profession to play their essential role in enabling the realisation of this goal and identify the broader relevance of reconceptualising person-centric recordkeeping.

Envisioning Archival Images with Artificial Intelligence

The literature review explores the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in enhancing access to and management of photographic archives. As digital and analog photographs proliferate in archival institutions, traditional approaches to organizing and describing these materials are increasingly inadequate. The review highlights the potential of AI, particularly computer vision (CV), to address the challenges associated with processing large volumes of digital images. CV algorithms, such as object detection and image classification, can automate tasks like image metadata generation, offering archivists new tools for organizing collections more efficiently. However, the adoption of AI in archival practice raises important ethical concerns, particularly regarding biases inherent in AI training datasets and technologies like facial recognition. Through various case studies, the review demonstrates that interdisciplinary collaboration between archivists, AI specialists, and scholars is crucial to developing effective AIdriven solutions. Projects like CAMPI and the Finnish Wartime Photograph Archive illustrate the practical benefits of AI, while emphasizing the need for archivists to develop AI and visual literacy. This review serves as a foundational resource for archival scholars and practitioners interested in utilizing AI to improve access to photographic archives.

Valorising Transnational Heritage Through Cultural Routes—European Travels in Special Collections of Adriatic Libraries

In this paper, the authors present the possibilities of transnational networking and developing innovative cultural routes through participatory research and creative presentations of European cultural heritage in special collections of Adriatic libraries. The purpose of the research, conducted in the framework of the course Travel Writing and Cultural Routes, was to identify collections that contain travel writing material related to the broader Euro-Mediterranean area and to enable its better visibility through the digitization and creation of new European cultural routes. The students, with the help of librarians at the University Library in Pula, explored special collections, such as the Marine Library, and proposed the creation of new cultural routes, following the itineraries of European travel writers in the Adriatic. The conducted research indicated collections and materials in heritage institutions (archives, libraries and museums) in Pula and Istria relevant to the topics of cultural routes and travel in Europe, as well as regional multicultural history. Libraries in Istria and Dalmatia have valuable collections of rare archival material related to European travels to the Adriatic. The cataloguing and digitisation of rare travel texts has the potential to raise awareness of these collections, adding to their significance for academic research and heritage-based tourism.

Literacy Quality in Static Archive Services: A Study at the Yogyakarta Library and Archives Service

This study evaluated the quality of static archive services at the Yogyakarta Library and Archives Service, Indonesia. The research adopted a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The population comprised employees managing static archives within the institution, with a sample of 13 respondents selected through a saturated sampling technique. Data were collected using questionnaires and interviews and analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistical methods, including a one-sample t-test and correlational analysis. The findings revealed that the quality of archival facilities, employee competence, and performance effectiveness significantly influence the overall quality of archival services, with each variable hypothesized to meet at least 70% of the standard benchmarks. These insights underscore the critical areas for service improvement and highlight the need for targeted strategies to enhance institutional outreach and engagement. The study may contribute to the academic discourse on archival services by providing empirical evidence on the factors affecting service quality. Furthermore, it offers actionable recommendations for archival institutions to enhance service delivery and fulfill their mission of preserving and disseminating archival knowledge.

Managing Static Archives for Historical Research: A Study at the Archives Depot of the East Java Provincial Library and Archives Service, Indonesia

This study investigated the procedures for managing static archives as historical research sources and the challenges encountered in the management process at the the Archives Depot of the East Java Provincial Library and Archives Service, Indonesia. Data were collected through observations, semi-structured interviews, and documentation. The study applied static archive management theories, encompassing record selection, accessioning, arrangement, description, conservation, preservation, storage, and reference functions. The findings revealed that static archive management involves interconnected processes, including selecting records, accessioning, arranging, describing, preserving, and utilizing archives for historical research. Despite the structured procedures, internal challenges such as limited archivist competence, insufficient technical and operational support, and inadequate budgets, facilities, and infrastructure hinder optimal management. External challenges stem from the low public awareness of the importance of preserving static archives. It underscores the universal importance of effective static archive management in preserving historical records for future generations. It highlights common challenges faced by archival institutions, particularly in resource-constrained environments, and offers insights that can inform best practices globally.

Integrating Disaster Risk Management and Archival Frameworks for Safeguarding Citizens' Vital Records

Citizen’s vital records contain information value, proof of important life events, and legal and binding ownership of assets. Disaster risk management rarely calculates damage and loss of vital records due to disasters. This article presents a comprehensive review of records protection practices designed to ensure the preservation and accessibility of citizens' vital records. This study provides a comprehensive review of practices for protecting vital records to ensure their preservation and accessibility. Using a qualitative methodology, the research examines the integration of disaster risk management and records management within the framework of the Records Continuum concept. The study identifies critical processes in protecting vital records, including prevention, mitigation, response, and recovery. It highlights the need for a tailored approach at the individual level, considering community awareness, infrastructure availability, and resource limitations. Factors such as susceptibility to natural disasters, inadequate infrastructure, low public awareness, and financial constraints exacerbate the risks to these records. Consequently, protection strategies must account for the socio-economic, physical, and cultural contexts of the affected populations. The findings emphasize that safeguarding vital records is a shared responsibility, involving not only governments and archival institutions but also active community participation. By integrating disaster risk management principles with archival frameworks, this research offers actionable insights for enhancing record preservation practices globally.