Historical Perspective Research Articles

Deorphanization of G Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs): a historical perspective.

Counting over 800 members, G Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) form the largest family of membrane receptors encoded in the human genome. Since the discovery of G proteins and GPCRs in the late 1970s and early 1980s, a significant portion of the GPCR research has been focused on identifying ligand/receptor pairs in parallel to studies related to their signaling properties. Despite significant advancements, about a fourth of the ~400 non-odorant GPCRs are still considered orphan because their natural or endogenous ligands have yet to be identified. We should consider that every GPCR was once an orphan and that endogenous ligands have often been associated with biological effects without a complete understanding of the molecular identity of their target receptors. Within this framework, this review offers a historical perspective on deorphanization processes for representative GPCRs, including Ghrelin receptor, GABAB receptor, Apelin receptor, Cannabinoid receptors, and GPR15. It explores three main scenarios encountered in deorphanization efforts and discusses key questions and methodologies employed in elucidating ligand-receptor interactions, providing insights for future research endeavors. Significance Statement Understanding how scientists have historically approached the issue of GPCR deorphanization and pairing of biologically active ligands with their cognate receptors are relevant topics in pharmacology. In fact, the biology of each GPCR, including their pathophysiological involvement, has often been uncovered only after their deorphanization, illuminating druggable targets for various diseases. Furthermore, uncovered endogenous ligands have therapeutic value as many ligands - or derivates thereof - are developed into drugs.

Eating Disorders: A Historical Perspective and Analysis of Current Treatment Approaches

Eating disorders are severe mental health conditions that are associated with a high level of illness and death. These disorders, which include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder, have complex causes that involve a combination of genetic, psychological, and sociocultural factors. The treatment for eating disorders focuses on restoring weight and establishing healthy eating habits, while also addressing underlying issues related to emotional regulation and distorted thoughts. Over time, the approach to treating eating disorders has evolved, with changes in both psychiatry and clinical psychology. In the past, these disorders were often seen as unexplainable forms of hysteria and were treated with rest cures and confinement in asylums. The introduction of psychoanalysis, behaviorism, and pharmacology brought about an expansion in the range of therapeutic options available, although their effectiveness remained limited. Progress was made through the establishment of specialized inpatient programs and the implementation of standardized treatment protocols, leading to improved outcomes. Presently, evidence-based protocols incorporate psychological therapy, nutrition rehabilitation, and medical monitoring that are tailored to meet the individual needs of patients. Among the various treatment approaches, family-based treatment has shown the strongest empirical support for young individuals, while enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy has proven effective for adults. Despite the significant advancements made, eating disorder interventions still face challenges such as high relapse rates, indicating the need for further evolution in intervention strategies to enhance prevention and accessibility. This paper aims to examine the historical development of eating disorder treatments while providing a critical analysis of the current gold standard interventions. The discussion will address the persisting challenges in reducing eating disorder morbidity and mortality by exploring innovative therapeutic targets, modalities, and methods of dissemination.

What is Alzheimer's disease? An analysis of nosological perspectives from the 20th and 21st centuries.

Recent US proposals suggest defining Alzheimer's disease (AD) based on β-amyloidosis alone. This sparked debates that echoed historical ones about the significance of brain lesions and clinical phenotype. This review covers debates on AD nosology through three key periods: AD's discovery in German-speaking countries in the early 20th century, its redefinition in Anglo-Saxon countries in the 1960s-1980s, and current debates on the biological or clinicobiological definitions of AD. Key players' opinions are focused on. At the beginning of the 20th century, AD was defined as a clinicopathological entity. Debates arose around the pathological anchor, which included extended neurofibrillary tangles versus neuritic plaques (Alzheimer vs. Fischer) and its association with senile dementia (Kraepelin). In the 1960s-1980s, the debate shifted towards whether AD could be diagnosed using qualitative or quantitative neuropathological features and whether it was a unique process (Terry and Katzman) or had subtypes (Roth). The current definition proposed by the US Alzheimer's Association is based purely on biological β-amyloid abnormalities and represents a double break: from the historical clinicopathological definition of AD and from the historical emphasis on tau or combined tau and β-amyloid high levels of pathology. Conversely, the clinicobiological proposal of the International Working Group remains aligned with historical concepts of AD. This historical perspective illustrates the unresolved questions surrounding AD pathogenesis, role of lesions, and the clinical phenotype, especially for sporadic cases. The intense nosological debates throughout the history of AD also illustrate the diversity of theoretical frameworks for defining disease in medicine.

Generational Guardians: Preserving India's Cultural Heritage through Family Values

This paper delves into the intricate fabric of the Indian family system, elucidating its pivotal role as a cornerstone of civilization, embodying the ethos of sanskar (values) and perpetuating the ancient sanatan sanskriti (eternal culture). Drawing from historical, sociological, and cultural perspectives, it explores the multifaceted dimensions of the Indian family, encompassing kinship structures, familial roles, and rituals. The paper examines how the family serves as a microcosm of society, transmitting cultural mores, traditions, and spiritual beliefs through generations. It also analyzes the resilience of the Indian family system in the face of modernization and globalization, highlighting its adaptive capacity while retaining core cultural values. Furthermore, the paper discusses contemporary challenges and opportunities confronting the Indian family system, including changing demographics, urbanization, and evolving gender dynamics. Through a nuanced understanding of the Indian family as a repository of civilization, sanskar, and sanatan sanskriti, the paper advocates for its continued recognition and revitalization as a foundational institution in India's cultural landscape.

Memory as a Universal Thinking Machine

The present article is designed to reassess the intrinsic values of using memory in the process of language acquisition and language learning, with a focus on the four skills – reading, writing, listening, and speaking – as the building blocks in achieving the best communication goals. According to researchers like Mary Carruthers, Janine Rider, or Lambert Schenkel, there are people who possess a retentive memory, and others who excel in the power of memory. One way or another, memory gives us the ability that generates knowledge, and, by the same token, enables us to speak, read, and write effectively and logically. The sustaining pillars of this monumental edifice are, as touted by medieval thinkers, the concept of memory as a universal thinking machine, as well as (according to more recent researchers) the power of working memory, which can work wonders when we know how to hold and manipulate knowledge. The study of memory from a historical perspective and reflected in world literature can give us an exhaustive frame of reference and the benefits that result in turning accumulated knowledge into accumulated learning.

Ecological city concept: Challenge and future research agenda in urban ecology perspective

Cities are no longer viewed as creatures with a linear-climax-established cycle but as ecosystems with dynamic and complicated processes, with people as the primary component. Thus, we must understand urban ecology’s structure and function to create urban planning and appreciate the mechanisms, dynamics, and evolution that connect human and ecological processes. The ecological city (ecocity) is one of the city conceptions that has evolved with the perspective of urban ecology history. The concept of ecocity development within urban ecology systems pertains to recognizing cities as complex ecosystems primarily influenced by human activities. In this context, individuals actively engage in dynamic problem-solving approaches to address environmental challenges to ensure a sustainable and satisfactory quality of life for future generations. Therefore, it is necessary to study how ecocity has developed since it was initiated today and how it relates to the urban ecology perspective. This study aims to investigate the progression of scholarly publications on ecocity research from 1980 to 2023. Additionally, it intends to ascertain the trajectory of ecological city research trends, establish connections between scientific concepts, and construct an ecological city science network using keyword co-occurrence analysis from the urban ecology perspective. The present study used a descriptive bibliometric analysis and literature review methodology. The data was obtained by utilizing the Lens.org database, was conducted using the VOS (Visualization of Similarities) viewer software for data analysis. The urban ecology research area ecology of cities can be studied further from density visualization of ecosystem services and life cycle assessment. Finally, the challenges and future agenda of ecocity research include addressing humans by modeling functions or processes that connect humans with ecosystems (ecology of cities), urban design, ecological imperatives, integration research, and improving the contribution to environmental goals, spatial distribution, agriculture, natural resources, policy, economic development, and public health.

Summary on the Development of Accounting and Auditing Practises towards IFRS-IAS/ISA in Jordan: Historical and Theoretical Perspective

In this article, we take a look at the evolution of accounting in the Middle East [ME] region, with a focus on Jordan. We shall examine the major events in this region’s history and see how they relate to the global accounting agenda, changes in the local and international economic landscape, and other relevant developments. Pay close attention to how cultural and historical factors, in addition to worldwide accounting principles, impact the local accounting environment. The adoption of “International Financial Reporting Standards” [IFRS] by MENA nations is examined, along with the reasons and motives behind it, and the effects on the auditing and accounting professions as a whole. This marks a significant milestone in recent history. This article looks at the history of accounting and auditing in Jordan and how it has developed in relation to the International Accounting and Auditing Standards. It also discusses potential future advances in this field.

The Swiss Patrician Families between Decline and Persistence: Power Positions and Kinship Ties (1890–1957)

Abstract Scholarship demonstrated the major role of inheritance and kinship for elite’s power reproduction, particularly among noble families. In the absence of monarchic and court structures, ruling classes that enjoyed privileges and engaged in social closure could become the functional equivalent of a nobility. In this paper, we examine the evolution of the power of Swiss patrician families in the three major Swiss cities (Basel, Geneva, and Zurich) since the end of the nineteenth century and assess whether urban oligarchies endure in the twentieth century and what role kinship ties play in the reproduction of power structures. Building on a systematic database of 5,199 urban elites who hold power positions in the main economic, political, academic, and cultural institutions, we describe the evolution of Swiss patrician families between 1890 and 1957. Using social network, kinship, and sequence analysis, we provide a comprehensive investigation of the Swiss patrician elite’s evolution at both the individual and the family level. Our analyses show a general decline of patrician families’ presence in urban positions of power, however with significant variations according to both the cities and the spheres of activity. Furthermore, we identify distinct trajectories of families who have either lost their access to power positions, managed to access again or have remained in urban power positions according to different survival strategies. Beyond the Swiss case, we contribute to the literature on power and kinship through an interdisciplinary approach combining historical and sociological perspectives.

Conceptual Model of The Role of Territorial Management Controller and Good Governance

Purpose: This literature review aims to explore the intersection of management control and good governance at the local level, specifically within territorial authorities. The central purpose is to understand how management control can act as a strategic tool to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability in local governance.   Method/design/approach: Methodologically, the review involves a comprehensive exploration of academic databases to identify relevant articles, theses, and books on the subject. The synthesis of findings encompasses historical perspectives, theoretical frameworks, and empirical studies, providing a holistic overview of the complex relationship between management control and local governance.   Results and conclusion: The review synthesizes findings that reveal the multifaceted nature of good governance, the historical evolution of governance concepts, and the intricate link between management control and organizational strategy. It highlights the various responsibilities of territorial management controllers, encompassing decision support, education, and mediation functions.   Research implications: The review suggests future research directions and underscores the practical importance of adapting private sector tools to the public sector while considering the specificities of territorial governance. Socially, effective management control practices are seen as potential enhancers of citizen satisfaction, transparency, and accountability in local governance.   Originality/value: The originality and value of the literature review lie in its comprehensive exploration of historical governance evolution, the conceptualization of good governance, and the integration of management control into the public sector. It provides a rich framework for studying their interaction in territorial communities, offering insights that can inform both research and practical applications in local governance.

The Pragmatic Aspect of Modality in the English Mass-Media Discourse

The article is devoted to the pragmatic aspect of modality representation in the English mass-media discourse. The categorial status of modality, typology of modal meanings and their interaction have been examined from the viewpoint of historical perspective. The research is aimed at revealing the pragmatic characteristics of subjective-interpersonal (author-recipient) modality, which reflects the author's intentions to describe the world (epistemic modality), change the world (deontic modality), evaluate the world (axiological modality). The four factors of internet communication - the addresser, the addressee, the text, the objective reality - are studied within the framework of communicative-pragmatic approach to modality. The discourse-analysis and pragma-stylistic analysis have been applied to depict language means representing modality in the English mass-media Internet discourse, in the article on political issues. It has been revealed that the author of the article may act differently in accordance with the roles he assumes - of an informer, of an expert-analyst, of a consultant-adviser; his task is to attract the readers and involve them in discussion in the comments section. The expression of authorship is principal here and the author's modality is always explicit. The comments following the text of an article are distinguished by a variety of the authors' communicative strategies and modal meanings.

Juedi Tiantong: The Religious Basis of the Relationship between Tian and Man in Ancient China

Juedi Tiantong occurred in ancient China and was the critical foundation for understanding the relationship between Tian and man in China. From the perspective of conceptual history, Juedi Tiantong not only shaped the metaphysical dimension of the concept of Tian, but also transformed the original religious form of communication between man and natural gods into the unity of human nature and Tiandao, which liberated the relationship between Tian and man from the religious field. Therefore, Juedi Tiantong should be regarded as the critical basis of the unity of heaven and man in Chinese philosophy. Furthermore, as an important religious revolution, Juedi Tiantong also affected people’s understanding of nature, which was mainly reflected in the recognition of astronomy and calendar reform. In ancient China, it was difficult to distinguish between humanity and astronomy, science and religion, and rationality and divinity. In this case, Juedi Tiantong also abstracted Tian, originally representing the physical sky, into a metaphysical concept. Accordingly, the concept of Tian in Chinese philosophy has not developed the same meaning of nature as Western civilization.

A historical perspective on Lionel Penrose: Scientist, geneticist and dedicated opponent of eugenics.

The paper explores Lionel Penrose's scientific work. Penrose investigated the causes of mental disorders from clinical and genetic points of view. His investigations on phenylketonuria and Down syndrome helped to demonstrate the heterogenous character of mental disorders, whose causes can range from genetic with high penetrance, to largely environmental. He was specifically selected by JBS Haldane to become University College London's third Galton Chair as a result of his Colchester survey investigations. He became the first Galton Chair who had medical training. He never concealed his distaste for anything related to eugenics. As well as using his scientific work to reject eugenic ideas such as suggestions on sterilisation measures or the existence of a social problem group, he campaigned successfully to rename the Department of Eugenics, Biometry and Genetics to Department of Human Genetics and Biometry. With his work, he discredited prejudiced eugenic ideas on mental disorders and became an advocate for those with mental disabilities.

Economic inequality, culture, and governance quality

AbstractWe review work that has linked economic inequality and culture to governance quality. We start with contributions that have considered the relationship between inequality and governance from a long‐run perspective. This historical perspective yields a range of insights and helps identify the deep drivers of specific cultural traits that relate to both economic inequality and governance in contemporary societies. We then survey work that has linked inequality and culture to governance in present‐day settings. We identify the complexity of the relationships with causality between any pair of these variables running both ways. These causal patterns, in turn, imply that countries may end up in either a good equilibrium characterized by lower economic inequality, the “right” culture and good governance, or a bad equilibrium described by greater inequality, the “wrong” culture and bad governance. We conclude with a range of policy implications.

Field Triage Tools in Mass Casualty Incidents: A Narrative Review

Mass casualty incidents (MCIs) pose significant challenges to healthcare systems, requiring rapid and effective triage strategies to optimize patient outcomes and resource utilization. This narrative review explores the evolution, effectiveness, ethical considerations, global perspectives, and future directions of field triage tools in MCIs. Beginning with the historical perspective, milestones in triage development, such as the Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment (START) protocol and its adaptations like Jump START and Sort, Assess, Lifesaving Interventions, Treat/Transport (SALT), are discussed. Current field triage systems are evaluated, including their application, limitations, and impact on patient outcomes. Training and education programs, challenges in triage education, and ethical/legal considerations in resource allocation and informed consent are examined. Global variations in triage systems, cultural factors, collaboration efforts, and standardization initiatives are explored to understand regional differences and promote interoperability. Future directions emphasize enhancing triage accuracy, integrating triage with healthcare systems, and research priorities. The review concludes with implications for practice and policy, calling for continued research, collaboration, and innovation to advance field triage capabilities and improve emergency response worldwide.

Eco-fascism: an oxymoron? Far-right nationalism, history, and the climate emergency

Can we conceive of a continuity in the way right-wing nationalisms address environmental issues from the origins of fascism to the currently ongoing global “polycrisis”? This article explores the use of the term “eco-fascism” in connection with the climate crisis and considers the political relationship between ecologism and the contemporary far right through a historical perspective, seeking to determine persisting patterns in the relationship between the far right and the environment. Section 1 travels back to the historical origins of this relationship between nationalism, fascism and the environment, arguing that the conceptions of nature adopted and nourished by fascism had scarcely anything to do with ecology in its contemporary meaning. Section 2 explores the most well-known and consolidated studies on the relationship between the far right and climate change denialism, identifying a broad consensus that unites scholars from various disciplines on the density, intensity and persistence of this political relationship in the current millennium. The article concludes by underlining the irreality, falsifiability and internal contradictions of the notion of “eco-fascism” at a time when right-wing regimes have seized power in many countries through the use of vocabularies and sentiments in defense of the territory and its resources, but with a substantial refusal to tackle global environmental problems.

Foundations & Trends in Multimodal Machine Learning: Principles, Challenges, and Open Questions

Multimodal machine learning is a vibrant multi-disciplinary research field that aims to design computer agents with intelligent capabilities such as understanding, reasoning, and learning through integrating multiple communicative modalities, including linguistic, acoustic, visual, tactile, and physiological messages. With the recent interest in video understanding, embodied autonomous agents, text-to-image generation, and multisensor fusion in application domains such as healthcare and robotics, multimodal machine learning has brought unique computational and theoretical challenges to the machine learning community given the heterogeneity of data sources and the interconnections often found between modalities. However, the breadth of progress in multimodal research has made it difficult to identify the common themes and open questions in the field. By synthesizing a broad range of application domains and theoretical frameworks from both historical and recent perspectives, this paper is designed to provide an overview of the computational and theoretical foundations of multimodal machine learning. We start by defining three key principles of modality heterogeneity , connections , and interactions that have driven subsequent innovations, and propose a taxonomy of six core technical challenges: representation , alignment , reasoning , generation , transference , and quantification covering historical and recent trends. Recent technical achievements will be presented through the lens of this taxonomy, allowing researchers to understand the similarities and differences across new approaches. We end by motivating several open problems for future research as identified by our taxonomy.

Is Managerial Homeworking New? Assessing strategic, technological and political influences before, during and after coronavirus

In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is often assumed that working at home represents a fundamental transformation in the way managers work. But is managerial homeworking that new? To answer this question, we draw on labour process theory and three empirical studies to place post-pandemic homeworking in historical sociological perspective. Overall, we find that homeworking is not a novel phenomenon, but has been driven by various logics. Explaining these, we contend initially that recent studies of managers working at home have focused on the mandated temporal present of the practice under Covid-19, which has resulted in homeworking being portrayed idiosyncratically. In contrast, and to attain a more comprehensive understanding of what homeworking means for managers, we argue that it is necessary also to understand both the underappreciated past of the phenomenon as well as options for its projected future. A comparative – past, present, future – inquiry therefore portrays how a range of explicit (e.g. corporate restructuring, digital technology, government legislation) and implicit (e.g. responsible autonomy, cultural resistance, work–life balance) factors have influenced and affected the practice of managers working at home in recent times. Through content analysis, these factors are related to broader forces of strategic change, technological innovation and political regulation in describing the ‘contested terrain’ of modern managerial work. Amid a context of economic neoliberalism, work extensification and shifting spatio-temporal (home/work) boundaries, the paradoxical nature of homeworking – symptomatic of managers’ contemporary ‘struggle for a normal working day’ – is documented through a series of interview-based narrative investigations (conducted in 2002–2006, 2015–2019 and 2020–2021). Ultimately, the paper makes a case not only for greater historical retrospection, but also for deeper critical reflection, in studies of managerial homeworking, and notably when considering whether the practice will likely be extended, ended or otherwise in the coming decades.

Long COVID: From olfactory dysfunctions to viral Parkinsonism

AbstractNeurological and psychiatric complications continue to be a public health concern in long coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). This varies from olfactory dysfunctions such as parosmia to cognitive and emotional challenges. Historically, the surge of neurological disorders followed the viral pandemics, for example, the emergence of Encephalitis Lethargica after the outbreak of Spanish Influenza. During and after COVID‐19 infection, the problems associated with the sense of smell and the reports of affected olfactory and limbic brain areas are leading to a growing concern about the similarity with the symptoms and the pattern of degeneration observed at the onset of Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. These reports reveal the essentiality of long‐term studies of olfactory and cognitive functions in the post‐COVID era and the experiments using animal models to dissect the neural basis of these complications. In this manuscript, we summarize the research reporting the potential correlation between neurological disorders and viral pandemic outbreaks with a historical perspective. Further, we discuss the studies providing evidence of neurodegeneration due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection by focusing on viral Parkinsonism.

Business history without business: intermediation and China's pre-1949 cattle trade

Abstract China's cattle trade before 1949 is effectively invisible to historians. With no geographic center, few dominant firms, and little government oversight, cattle trade left behind no clear archive of sources, leaving scholars to the mercy of conjecture and episodic evidence. Combining insights from business and social history, we focused our attention on trade intermediation as the key to understanding the operations of a diffuse trade system. In the absence of a top–down archive, we composited hundreds of local sources on intermediation in cattle trade and remotely interviewed 80 former brokers. These sources revealed large numbers of individuated trade routes, which we break into three types: persistent supply, specialized demand, and resource circulation. Each type of trade called for distinct forms of intermediation with relatively little overlap between specialized networks. This recreation of China's cattle trade reveals a sophisticated market for animal labor that calls into question the direct causal link between imperialist resource extraction and rural immiseration, and suggests the utility of applying tools and perspectives of social history to other sorts of decentered commercial systems.

Unraveling The Trifecta of Governance, Sustainability, And Technological Advancements in India

This paper delves into the complex interplay of innovation, governance, sustainability, and technological advancements within the unique context of India, aiming to unravel the intricate dynamics that define the nation's development landscape. As India positions itself on the global stage, understanding the synergies and challenges inherent in these three critical domains becomes imperative for sustainable socio-economic progress. The status paper commences by introducing the significance of the status paper, emphasizing the symbiotic relationships between innovation, governance, sustainability, and technological advancements. The multifaceted exploration encompasses historical perspectives, contemporary policies, and case studies that exemplify the nation's endeavors to create a robust innovation ecosystem. Examining the evolution of innovation and governance in India, the paper highlights pivotal policies such as "Make in India" and "Startup India," showcasing the government's commitment to fostering a culture of innovation. The review also scrutinizes sustainability challenges faced by India, underscoring environmental concerns and resource depletion. However, it reveals instances where sustainability has been seamlessly integrated into innovation ecosystems, citing examples like the National Solar Mission and waste management initiatives. The status paper concludes by summarizing the paper's key findings, emphasizing the need for an integrated approach to policymaking and industry practices. This research contributes valuable insights to policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders, guiding India toward a more sustainable and innovative future.