Distinct Subfields Research Articles

Mapping Muslim Chaplaincy: An Analytic Review of Publications between 1989 and 2023

Abstract This article analyses the emergent field of Muslim chaplaincy research by reviewing English-language publications in this growing area of professional religious work, especially in Europe and the United States. After presenting the method of our enquiry, we provide a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the literature reviewed. We then focus on three key topics in Muslim Chaplaincy Studies that derive from our quantitative and qualitative research. These are: the training of Muslim chaplains, which is strongly linked to professionalisation, the vocabulary and sources that underpin Muslim chaplaincy and, finally, the significance of the increasing involvement of Muslim women in this area of professional religious work and leadership. Having identified exactly 100 publications related to the development of Muslim chaplaincy, many of them arising from empirical research, serious practitioner reflections located in peer-review publications, and a small number of articles that are explicitly devoted to methodological considerations, we are suggesting in this article that a distinctive sub-field of Muslim Chaplaincy Studies can now be identified.

Advances in Deep Learning Assisted Drug Discovery Methods: A Self-review

: Artificial Intelligence is a field within computer science that endeavors to replicate the intricate structures and operational mechanisms inherent in the human brain. Machine learning is a subfield of artificial intelligence that focuses on developing models by analyzing training data. Deep learning is a distinct subfield within artificial intelligence, characterized by using models that depict geometric transformations across multiple layers. The deep learning has shown significant promise in various domains, including health and life sciences. In recent times, deep learning has demonstrated successful applications in drug discovery. In this self-review, we present recent methods developed with the aid of deep learning. The objective is to give a brief overview of the present cutting-edge advancements in drug discovery from our group. We have systematically discussed experimental evidence and proof of concept examples for the deep learning-based models developed, such as Deep- BindBC, DeepPep, and DeepBindRG. These developments not only shed light on the existing challenges but also emphasize the achievements and prospects for future drug discovery and development progress.

Anatomical and electrophysiological analysis of the fasciola cinerea of the mouse hippocampus.

The hippocampus is considered essential for several forms of declarative memory, including spatial and social memory. Despite the extensive research of the classic subfields of the hippocampus, the fasciola cinerea (FC)-a medially located structure within the hippocampal formation-has remained largely unexplored. In the present study, we performed a morpho-functional characterization of principal neurons in the mouse FC. Using in vivo juxtacellular recording of single neurons, we found that FC neurons are distinct from neighboring CA1 pyramidal cells, both morphologically and electrophysiologically. Specifically, FC neurons displayed non-pyramidal morphology and granule cell-like apical dendrites. Compared to neighboring CA1 pyramidal neurons, FC neurons exhibited more regular in vivo firing patterns and a lower tendency to fire spikes at short interspike intervals. Furthermore, tracing experiments revealed that the FC receives inputs from the lateral but not the medial entorhinal cortex and CA3, and it provides a major intra-hippocampal projection to the septal CA2 and sparser inputs to the distal CA1. Overall, our results indicate that the FC is a morphologically and electrophysiologically distinct subfield of the hippocampal formation; given the established role of CA2 in social memory and seizure initiation, the unique efferent intra-hippocampal connectivity of the FC points to possible roles in social cognition and temporal lobe epilepsy.

Tracing Class and Capital in Critical AI Research

This article explores the rapidly developing field of Critical AI Studies and its relation to issues of class and capitalism through a hybrid approach based on distant reading of a newly collected corpus of 300 full-text scientific articles, the creation of which is itself a first attempt at properly delineating the field. We find that words related to issues of class are predominantly but not exclusively confined to a set of studies that make up their own distinct subfield of Critical AI Studies, in contrast to, e.g., issues of race and gender, which are more broadly present in the corpus.

The Hippocampal Subfield Volume Reduction and Plasma Biomarker Changes in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease.

The hippocampus consists of histologically and functionally distinct subfields, which shows differential vulnerabilities to Alzheimer's disease (AD)-associated pathological changes. To investigate the atrophy patterns of the main hippocampal subfields in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD and the relationships among the hippocampal subfield volumes, plasma biomarkers and cognitive performance. This cross-sectional study included 119 patients stratified into three categories: normal cognition (CN; N = 40), MCI (N = 39), and AD (N = 40). AD-related plasma biomarkers were measured, including amyloid-β (Aβ)42, Aβ40, Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio, p-tau181, and p-tau217, and the hippocampal subfield volumes were calculated using automated segmentation and volumetric procedures implemented in FreeSurfer. The subiculum body, cornu ammonis (CA) 1-head, CA1-body, CA4-body, molecular_layer_HP-head, molecular_layer_HP-body, and GC-ML-DG-body volumes were smaller in the MCI group than in the CN group. The subiculum body and CA1-body volumes accurately distinguished MCI from CN (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.647-0.657). The subiculum-body, GC-ML-DG-body, CA4-body, and molecular_layer_HP-body volumes accurately distinguished AD from MCI (AUC = 0.822-0.833) and AD from CN (AUC = 0.903-0.905). The p-tau 217 level served as the best plasma indicator of AD and correlated with broader hippocampal subfield volumes. Moreover, mediation analysis demonstrated that the subiculum-body volume mediated the associations between the p-tau217 and p-tau181 levels, and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Auditory Verbal Learning Test recognition scores. Hippocampal subfields with distinctive atrophy patterns may mediate the effects of tau pathology on cognitive function. The subiculum-body may be the most clinically meaningful hippocampal subfield, which could be an effective target region for assessing disease progression.

Mapping the research field on product quality: a bibliometric analysis

PurposeThis research intends to undertake a rigorous bibliometric analysis of product quality research trends and patterns, map the intellectual and social structure of the field, identify the predominant themes and propose a transition plan for future work in this discipline.Design/methodology/approachThe procedure was carried out in a step-by-step manner. Following a specified search string, Scopus retrieved 1454 journal articles from the previous 39 years (1984–2022). To comprehend the field’s base, various techniques of performance analysis and science mapping were employed using RStudio and VOSviewer.FindingsIn light of the results, both the volume and influence of product quality studies have surged over the past four decades, with most works appearing in prestigious academic journals. A number of cross-country product quality collaborations took place in nations with little geographic, historical, or cultural proximity. Using co-citation analysis, five distinct subfields were identified within the literature on product quality. Finally, the use of co-word analysis helps understand the field’s underlying themes and concludes with a set of potential research avenues built on a content analysis of the articles from each of the five subfields.Originality/valueTo the authors' understanding, this study represents a pioneering effort to examine the research field on product quality using bibliometric analysis. Notwithstanding being rooted in scientometrics, this research’s outcomes are instructive for practitioners, academics and aspiring researchers in the field.

Research streams, gaps and opportunities in servant leadership research

PurposeThe purpose is to use co-citation analysis of servant leadership (SL) research to investigate the evolution of the field, its subfields, gaps and opportunities for future research in a systematic manner.Design/methodology/approachA document co-citation technique and three clustering algorithms (latent semantic index (LSI), the log-likelihood ratio (LLR) and the mutual information (MI) index) were employed to analyse 24,030 references from 549 articles spanning a period of 50 years.FindingsCluster analyses reveal that SL research consists of eight distinct subfields: (1) conceptualisation and measurement of SL; (2) SL and related theories; (3) methodological foundations and empirical expansion of SL research; (4) individual-level cognitive effects of SL and related theories; (5) “Warmth effects” of leadership behaviour; (6) antecedents of effective leadership; (7) SL, marketing, sales management and ethics and (8) SL, job design and work engagement. Important gaps and opportunities for future research are identified.Research limitations/implicationsThe analyses do not show a complete picture of research on SL. Interesting works used by subgroups of SL researchers may not have enough citations to be included in the results. Moreover, bibliometric analyses do not explain the impact of books, journals and articles on the practice of SL. The authors welcome future analyses of the most influential sources of SL practice. The authors expect that managerial and practice-oriented books and journals, such as the International Journal of Servant Leadership and the Servant Leadership Theory and Practice, would play a central role in such analyses.Practical implicationsThe discussions of the nature of SL, its effects and antecedents are useful to leaders who want to develop a SL style or assist others in developing it. For researchers and doctoral students, the cluster analyses of co-citations give an overview of the subfields of SL research and reveal important knowledge gaps in the literature.Social implicationsSL has several favourable effects on the motivation and psychological well-being of followers. Also, followers tend to adopt a willingness to serve.Originality/valuePrevious research has categorised SL research into three broad categories or phases. The cluster analyses of the co-citations reported here reveal a meaningful structure of eight distinct subfields. Knowledge gaps within the subfields represent novel opportunities for future research on SL. The authors also suggest a new subfield of SL research: pedagogical approaches to the motivation and development of SL skills.

Discerning neurodegenerative and aging genetic influences on hippocampal subfields trajectories in the Alzheimer’s disease continuum

AbstractBackgroundHippocampal atrophy is one of the most characteristic biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and its genetic basis, as well as that of its distinct subfields, is of current interest. However, hippocampal subfields have so far only been assessed largely unrelated to brain atrophy, and the majority of studies were focused on general population samples, explicitly excluding diagnosed patients. In this study, we evaluated whether hippocampal subfields trajectories are a suitable endophenotype to discern between neurodegenerative and aging genetic influences in the Alzheimer’s continuum.MethodThe dataset includes AD patients (N = 113), mild cognitive impairment (N = 426), and control normal (CN) (N = 272) subjects from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) dataset. Individuals were evaluated with 3T MRI at baseline and every 6 months for a total of 96 months. Hippocampal subfields were extracted using longitudinal processing within FreeSurfer(6.0). We used longitudinal mixed‐effect models with random intercept for individuals to investigated the association between hippocampal subfields volumetric changes and genetic predisposition to AD, Parkinson’s disease, frontotemporal dementia (neurodegeneration), as well as intrinsic and extrinsic epigenetic clock acceleration and telomere length (biological aging). Models were adjusted by age, sex, AD‐stage and total hippocampal volume. Disease status‐specific trajectories were also assessed.ResultGenetic predisposition to biological aging (driven by genetic predisposition to telomere length) was significantly associated with subfield changes in presubiculum (β = ‐11.2, p = 4.1e‐04), parasubiculum (β = ‐4.4, padj = 4.4e‐04), molecular layer (β = 5.9, padj = 2.0e‐04), dentate gyrus (DG) (β = 5.79, padj = 4.4e‐04), CA4 (β = 7.2, padj = 4.4e‐05), and HATA (β = ‐1.7, padj = 0.027). Genetic predisposition to neurodegeneration (driven by predisposition to AD) was associated with volumetric changes in CA3 (β = 4.4, p = 0.047). In stratified models, we observed significant volumetric changes due to genetic predisposition to neurodegeneration in controls (CA1, CA4, DG, parasubiculum, molecular layer). In MCI (subiculum regions and CA4) and AD (hippocampal fissure, molecular layer and DG), volumetric changes were mostly associated with genetic predisposition to biological aging processes.ConclusionWe showed differential genetic mechanisms associated with hippocampal subfield trajectories that were specific to Alzheimer’s disease stage. These results may help elucidate new biological mechanisms in the course of the disease as well as discern additional molecular mechanisms related to neurodegeneration and aging.

Discerning neurodegenerative and aging genetic influences on hippocampal subfields trajectories in the Alzheimer’s disease continuum

AbstractBackgroundHippocampal atrophy is one of the most characteristic biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and its genetic basis, as well as that of its distinct subfields, is of current interest. However, hippocampal subfields have so far only been assessed largely unrelated to brain atrophy, and the majority of studies were focused on general population samples, explicitly excluding diagnosed patients. In this study, we evaluated whether hippocampal subfields trajectories are a suitable endophenotype to discern between neurodegenerative and aging genetic influences in the Alzheimer’s continuum.MethodThe dataset includes AD patients (N = 113), mild cognitive impairment (N = 426), and control normal (CN) (N = 272) subjects from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) dataset. Individuals were evaluated with 3T MRI at baseline and every 6 months for a total of 96 months. Hippocampal subfields were extracted using longitudinal processing within FreeSurfer(6.0). We used longitudinal mixed‐effect models with random intercept for individuals to investigated the association between hippocampal subfields volumetric changes and genetic predisposition to AD, Parkinson’s disease, frontotemporal dementia (neurodegeneration), as well as intrinsic and extrinsic epigenetic clock acceleration and telomere length (biological aging). Models were adjusted by age, sex, AD‐stage and total hippocampal volume. Disease status‐specific trajectories were also assessed.ResultGenetic predisposition to biological aging (driven by genetic predisposition to telomere length) was significantly associated with subfield changes in presubiculum (β = ‐11.2, p = 4.1e‐04), parasubiculum (β = ‐4.4, padj = 4.4e‐04), molecular layer (β = 5.9, padj = 2.0e‐04), dentate gyrus (DG) (β = 5.79, padj = 4.4e‐04), CA4 (β = 7.2, padj = 4.4e‐05), and HATA (β = ‐1.7, padj = 0.027). Genetic predisposition to neurodegeneration (driven by predisposition to AD) was associated with volumetric changes in CA3 (β = 4.4, p = 0.047). In stratified models, we observed significant volumetric changes due to genetic predisposition to neurodegeneration in controls (CA1, CA4, DG, parasubiculum, molecular layer). In MCI (subiculum regions and CA4) and AD (hippocampal fissure, molecular layer and DG), volumetric changes were mostly associated with genetic predisposition to biological aging processes.ConclusionWe showed differential genetic mechanisms associated with hippocampal subfield trajectories that were specific to Alzheimer’s disease stage. These results may help elucidate new biological mechanisms in the course of the disease as well as discern additional molecular mechanisms related to neurodegeneration and aging.

Machine Learning as Our Weapon to Become Anesthesiologist 5.0

Machine learning is one of the most renowned things that have emerged in the last five years in medicine. The machine is made as if it has the cognitive ability to think independently, is able to distinguish incoming inputs and get the desired output. Along with the development of statistical and computer science, machine learning has evolved into a distinct subfield within the broader domain of data science, with far-reaching implications for various sectors, including healthcare. In medical science, technology and artificial intelligence are starting to take over anesthetic services. This paradigm shift necessitates a fundamental change in the role of future anesthesiologists A future anesthesiologist will need to continuously monitor and evaluate the performance of data science and artificial intelligence systems, and make adjustments when necessary to improve impact on patient care and outcomes. Anesthesiologists of the future will need to harness the power of data science and artificial intelligence to enhance patient care continually, emphasizing adaptability and collaboration as key elements in delivering improved healthcare outcomes.

Age-related differences in hippocampal subfield volumes across the human lifespan: A meta-analysis.

The human hippocampus (Hc) is critical for memory function across the lifespan. It is comprised of cytoarchitectonically distinct subfields: dentate gyrus (DG), cornu ammonis sectors (CA) 1-4, and subiculum, each of which may be differentially susceptible to neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative mechanisms. Identifying age-related differences in Hc subfield volumes can provide insights into neural mechanisms of memory function across the lifespan. Limited evidence suggests that DG and CA3 volumes differ across development while other regions remain relatively stable, and studies of adulthood implicate a downward trend in all subfield volumes with prominent age effects on CA1. Due to differences in methods and limited sampling for any single study, the magnitude of age effects on Hc subfield volumes and their probable lifespan trajectories remain unclear. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis on cross-sectional studies (n = 48,278 participants, ages = 4-94 years) to examine the association between age and Hc subfield volumes in development (n = 11 studies), adulthood (n = 30 studies), and a combined lifespan sample (n = 41 studies) while adjusting estimates for sample sizes. In development, age was positively associated with DG and CA3-4 volumes, whereas in adulthood a negative association was observed with all subfield volumes. Notably, the observed age effects were not different across subfield volumes within each age group. All subfield volumes showed a nonlinear age pattern across the lifespan with DG and CA3-4 volumes showing a more distinct age trajectory as compared to the other subfields. Lastly, among all the study-level variables, only female percentage of the study sample moderated the age effect on CA1 volume: a higher female-to-male ratio in the study sample was linked to thegreater negative association between age and CA1 volume. These results document that Hc subfield volumes differ as a function of age offering broader implications for constructing theoretical models of lifespan memory development.

KIBRA single nucleotide polymorphism is associated with hippocampal subfield volumes and cognition across development.

The hippocampus (Hc) consists of cytoarchitectonically and functionally distinct subfields: dentate gyrus (DG), cornu ammonis (CA1-3), and subiculum. In adults, a single nucleotide polymorphism (rs17070145, C→ T) in KIBRA, a gene encoding the eponymous (KIdney-BRAin) protein, is associated with variability in Hc subfield volumes and episodic memory. T-allele carriers have larger DG and CA volumes and better episodic memory compared to C-homozygotes. Little is known, however, about KIBRA's role in the development of the brain and cognition. In a sample of children, adolescents, and young adults (N = 176, ages 5- 25years), we replicated the adult association between KIBRA T-allele and larger DG and CA volumes but observed no relationship between KIBRA rs17070145 polymorphism and episodic memory. We noted, however, that a general cognitive performance index (IQ) differed across the allelic groups, with the lowest scores among T-homozygotes and the highest among C-homozygotes. Thus, in this developmental sample, KIBRA appears to have opposing effects on regional brain volume and cognition. These influences of KIBRA SNP may stem from associations between developmental reduction in brain volume and gains in cognitive performance-a hypothesis to be tested in longitudinal studies.

Atrophy of specific amygdala subfields in subjects converting to mild cognitive impairment.

Accumulating evidence indicates that the amygdala exhibits early signs of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. However, it is still unknown whether the atrophy of distinct subfields of the amygdala also participates in the transition from healthy cognition to mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Our sample was derived from the AD Neuroimaging Initiative 3 and consisted of 97 cognitively healthy (HC) individuals, sorted into two groups based on their clinical follow-up: 75 who remained stable (s-HC) and 22 who converted to MCI within 48 months (c-HC). Anatomical magnetic resonance (MR) images were analyzed using a semi-automatic approach that combines probabilistic methods and a priori information from ex vivo MR images and histology to segment and obtain quantitative structural metrics for different amygdala subfields in each participant. Spearman's correlations were performed between MR measures and baseline and longitudinal neuropsychological measures. We also included anatomical measurements of the whole amygdala, the hippocampus, a key target of AD-related pathology, and the whole cortical thickness as a test of spatial specificity. Compared with s-HC individuals, c-HC subjects showed a reduced right amygdala volume, whereas no significant difference was observed for hippocampal volumes or changes in cortical thickness. In the amygdala subfields, we observed selected atrophy patterns in the basolateral nuclear complex, anterior amygdala area, and transitional area. Macro-structural alterations in these subfields correlated with variations of global indices of cognitive performance (measured at baseline and the 48-month follow-up), suggesting that amygdala changes shape the cognitive progression to MCI. Our results provide anatomical evidence for the early involvement of the amygdala in the preclinical stages of AD. Amygdala's atrophy marks elderly progression to mild cognitive impairment (MCI).Amygdala's was observed within the basolateral and amygdaloid complexes.Macro-structural alterations were associated with cognitive decline.No atrophy was found in the hippocampus and cortex.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Research on Consumer Buying Behaviour in 2018 to 2022 using VOSviewer Mapping Analysis Computations Indexed by Google Scholar

Purpose: The aim of this study is to focus on bibliometric analysis and the concept of consumer buying behaviour to understand the evolutionary and developmental trends in the field of consumer buying behaviour. Theoretical framework: Analyzing the consumer buying behaviour in the context of management is necessary and a great opportunity for future research. It is undeniable that consumer buying behaviour is a part of marketing that cannot be overlooked and this study explores the gap in management studies. Design/methodology/approach: This research method is a bibliographic analysis using data from the Google Scholar database from 2018 to 2022 to provide meaningful insights for further discussions. To collect data, Publish or Perish was used with the central database of Google Scholar. VOSviewer is also used as a tool to get a map of the relationship between authors and between searched keywords. Furthermore, Microsoft Excel is used to process the data and tree mapping from the data obtained. Findings: According to the findings, a total of 275 articles were published in 2018, 264 articles in 2019, 232 articles in 2020, 191 articles in 2021, and 38 articles in 2022. In addition, the findings demonstrated a significant decline in interest in the discipline of consumer buying behaviour. The network analysis demonstrates five distinct sub-fields of inquiry regarding consumer buying behaviour. British Food Journal was the most prolific journal in terms of journal analysis for the topic of consumer buying behaviour. In terms of publication output, Wang was the most prolific author throughout the entire period analysed. Research, Practical & Social implications: The information might be used by professionals, policymakers, and academics to get insight into consumers' purchasing habits. This research traces the development of academic curiosity on consumer buying behaviour and highlights research gaps in this field. By doing a bibliometric analysis, this research adds to the existing body of work on the topic of consumer buying behaviour. The results of this bibliometric study might also be used to inform decisions and policy initiatives about consumer buying behaviour. Originality/value: The significance of this research is to systematise academic work on consumer buying behaviour and to provide academics and practitioners in the field with a complete review of the theoretical foundations of studies on consumer buying behaviour.

The Saga of Brand Equity: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to undertake a rigorous bibliometric analysis of the trends and patterns in brand equity research; to map the intellectual and social structure of brand equity; and to propose a transition plan for future work in this discipline. Methodology: This study has adopted (SPAR-4) systematic performance analysis and review technique. Following a specified search string, 1,842 journal articles from the previous 31 years (1992–2022) were pulled from the Scopus database. In order to comprehend the field’s knowledge base, various techniques of performance analysis and science mapping were employed using RStudio and VOSviewer. Findings: The results suggest that over the past three decades, both the volume and influence of brand equity studies have surged. Using co-citation analysis, we discovered four distinct subfields within the brand equity literature. Furthermore, the co-authorship network revealed that nations with little geographical, historical, and cultural proximity, such as the United States and South Korea exhibited the most active cross-country brand equity collaborations. Originality/Value: Despite the increasing amount of research being done on brand equity, the current look back is not adequate. This research is the first of its kind to provide practitioners, academics, and future scholars with valuable information about the intellectual and social structure of brand equity.

Continental divide: Native Americans and the Atlantic world

ABSTRACT This essay assesses how historians have studied the relationship between Native Americans and the Atlantic world in the early modern period. It traces the development of what the author calls a “continental divide” between scholars of Indigenous and Atlantic histories, as distinct subfields emerged from different questions, methods, archival practices, and ethical commitments. Recent scholarship has begun to bridge this divide, however, suggesting promising new directions.

Hippocampal Subfields, Daily Stressors, and Resting Cortisol in Individuals at Clinical High-Risk for Psychosis

The hippocampus, comprised of functionally distinct subfields, both regulates stress and is affected by it during psychosis pathogenesis. Hippocampal abnormalities are evident across psychosis spectrum and are associated with aberrant cortisol levels and greater environmental stressors exposure. These associations, particularly at the subfield-level, are poorly understood in individuals at clinical high-risk (CHR) for psychosis- a population characterized by an interplay between environmental stressors and biological susceptibility. A total of 121 participants including 51 CHR (mean age=18.61) and 70 healthy controls (HC; mean age=18.3) were enrolled. Participants completed a structural scan, salivary cortisol assays, and a self-report measure assessing distress from daily stressors exposure (DSI). Hippocampal subfield segmentation was conducted using Freesurfer. Smaller hippocampal subfields were associated with greater stress levels. Greater DSI was associated with lower volumes in CA1 (r=-.38) and CA2/3 (r=-.29), but not in CA4/DG (r=-.28), presubiculum (r=-.09), or subiculum (r=-.17). Higher resting cortisol was associated with lower volumes in presubiculum (r=-.4) but not subiculum (r=-.22), CA1 (r=.08), CA2/3 (r=.1), or CA4/DG (r=-.005). Regressions indicated effects for CA1 and DSI (b=.57, p=.03) and presubiculum and cortisol (b=.61, p=.02) are specific to CHR participants relative to HCs. The findings provided insights into links between stress and brain vulnerability during psychosis-risk period. Regional differences highlighted potentially different mechanisms by which stress impacts specific subfields. Presubiculum may be more susceptible to the impact of early stress on HPA-axis and cornu amonis to acute stressors.

Household socioeconomic status relates to specific hippocampal subfield volumes across development.

The hippocampus is composed of cytoarchitecturally distinct subfields that support specific memory functions. Variations in total hippocampal volume across development have been linked to socioeconomic status (SES), a proxy for access to material resources, medical care, and quality education. High childhood household SES is associated with greater cognitive abilities in adulthood. Currently, it is not known whether household SES differentially impacts specific hippocampal subfield volumes. We assessed susceptibility of subfields to variations in household SES across development in a sample of 167 typically developing 5- to 25-year-old. Bilateral cornu ammonis (CA) 1-2, combined CA3-dentate gyrus (DG), and subiculum (Sub) volumes were measured by highly reliable manual segmentation of high-resolution T2-weighted images and adjusted for intracranial volume. A summary component score of SES measures (paternal education, maternal education, and income-to-needs ratio) was used to examine variability in volumes across ages. We did not identify age-related differences in any of the regional volumes, nor did age modify SES-related effects. Controlling for age, larger volumes of CA3-DG and CA1-2 were associated with lower SES, while Sub volume was not. Overall, these findings support the specific impact of SES on CA3-DG and CA1-2 and highlight the importance of considering environmental influences on hippocampal subfield development.

Subfield-specific longitudinal changes of hippocampal volumes in patients with early-stage bipolar disorder.

The hippocampus is a heterogeneous structure composed of biologically and functionally distinct subfields. Hippocampal aberrations are proposed to play a fundamental role in the etiology of psychotic symptoms. Bipolar disorder (BPD) has substantial overlap in symptomatology and genetic liability with schizophrenia (SZ), and reduced hippocampal volumes, particularly at the chronic illness stages, are documented in both disorders. Studies of hippocampal subfields in the early stage of BPD are limited and cross-sectional findings to date report no reduction in hippocampal volumes. To our knowledge, there have been no longitudinal studies of BPD evaluating hippocampal volumes in the early phase of illness. We investigated the longitudinal changes in hippocampal regions and subfields in BPD mainly and in early stage of psychosis (ESP) patients more broadly and compared them to those in controls (HC). Baseline clinical and structural MRI data were acquired from 88 BPD, from a total of 143 ESP patients, and 74 HCs. Of those, 66 participants (23 HC, 43 patients) completed a 12-month follow-up visit. The hippocampus regions and subfields were segmented using Freesurfer automated pipeline. We found general baseline deficits in hippocampal volumes among BPD and ESP cohorts. Both cohorts displayed significant increases in the anterior hippocampal region and dentate gyrus compared with controls. Additionally, antipsychotic medications were positively correlated with the posterior region at baseline. These findings highlight brain plasticity in BPD and in ESP patients providing evidence that deviations in hippocampal volumes are adaptive responses to atypical signaling rather than progressive degeneration.

The Anthropology of Legal Form: Ethnographic Contributions to the Study of Transnational Law

For most of legal anthropology’s existence as a distinct subfield, ethnographers have studied the function of law rather than its form. With the proliferation of neoliberal technologies of governance, however, anthropologists are increasingly turning to law’s form. This article surveys the anthropology of legal form and its contribution to the study of transnational law and governance. In taking legal form as the object of ethnographic inquiry, legal anthropologists examine the material, sensory, and symbolic dimensions through which law is recognized. Such an approach analyzes how power operates not through law’s substantive meanings but, rather, through its aesthetic dimensions. Current anthropological scholarship has illuminated the diverse ways in which the technical and formal aesthetics of law operate to foreclose political contestation. I argue, however, that the aesthetics of legal form may also be mobilized to render power relations visible and open to challenge amidst proliferating forms of neoliberal governance. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork within one arena of global governance—the UN Committee on World Food Security—I illustrate how activists draw on the aesthetics of rights to illuminate inequalities and politicize governance processes. In doing so, I suggest that greater engagement with Jacques Rancière’s political theory of aesthetics can deepen anthropological insights into the power of legal form in the context of transnational law and governance.