Scientific Narratives Research Articles

Everyone Is a Tomato: Metagnostic Narratives of Genetic Revelation.

This essay explores the narrative characteristics of genetic revelations as instances of "metagnosis." Contrasting the scientific narrative of increasing knowledge with a series of different stories-including fictional tales-demonstrates the complexity of receiving information that changes one's conception of self, whatever the nature of the revelation. Such narrative awareness can help to communalize such experiences, reducing feelings of isolation and bewilderment.

Ideological narratives of liberalism and socialism

Objective: to compare the ideologies of liberalism and socialism in economic science in the context of the current stage of their evolution. For this purpose, the paper identifies the goals of these ideologies by analyzing the scientific narratives of economists. The study is also aimed at identifying similarities and differences between the ideologies of liberalism andsocialism. Methods: qualitative methods, narrative analysis, review of scientific literature. Results: the comparison of common interpretations of the “ideology” concept in various branches of economics and in other social sciences shows differences in terminology. The comparison of the liberalism and socialism ideologies in economics shows the difference between the declared goals of liberals and socialists. The goal of liberalism ideology is human freedom,and of socialism ideology – distribution equality. The ideologies considered are internally heterogeneous and have evolved over time. At present, liberalism is continued in neoliberalism, which aims at increasing the population wealth rather than freedom as an end in itself. There are non-egalitarian interpretations of the essence of socialism, which reduce it to the economy governmentalization. There are also debates about the advantages of the market over centralized planning in socialism. The extremes of the ideologies of liberalism and socialism can be clearly distinguished, but in practice, many studies take an intermediate position. A common feature of liberalism and socialism is their modernist character and criticism of archaic economic institutions designed to redistribute wealth from the poor to the rich. Scientific novelty: it consists in identifying the economic goals proclaimed by the ideologies of liberalism and socialism, based on the analysis of the relevant theoretical narratives in scientific literature. Practical significance: it is determined by the need to understand the factors influencing the economists’ worldview. Studying the ideologies of liberalism and socialism is useful for understanding the intent of the authors of recommendations for improving the institutions of the modern Russian economic order.

An evolutionary perspective for integrating mechanisms of acupuncture therapy

This study applies an evolutionary medicine perspective to comprehend the therapeutic effects of acupuncture. It draws upon modern evolutionary theory to integrate the currently fragmented theories regarding the efficacy of acupuncture in alleviating pain and promoting healing. We explore the interaction between the nervous and immune systems in the context of survival and homeostasis, and elucidate both the local and systemic effects of acupuncture therapy on pain relief and tissue healing. The mechanisms involved are categorized into two main types: local effects, which include immune cell migration, local vasodilation, and the release of adenosine; and distal systemic effects, which involve the regulation of the descending pain control system and the autonomic nervous system, with a particular focus on the parasympathetic nervous system. In conclusion, this integrated perspective not only deepens our understanding of acupuncture within a scientific narrative but also underscores the need for further research to validate and expand our knowledge, thereby enhancing its scientific credibility and clinical applicability.

Cruel Optimism as an Ecology of Powers

How do the flexibilized scenes of cruel optimism crystallize and resonate with the situational displays of crises as a governmental oversight? Centering around this question, the paper aims to offer a critical fulcrum for problematic attachments toward future-mediated fantasies in the aftermath of the Kahramanmaras earthquakes. It starts with evaluating how the pastoral mode was applied as a cruel diagram of positivity by the Turkish government through the omnipresent prowess of the media, which presents an ‘ordinaryizing’ affect in regularizing the fatalistic discourses and relief efforts. It then continues to analyze the retributive discourses by the politicians and officials that triggered the oscillatory porosity among varied (de)subjectivities, toggling between sovereign misrecognitions and exclusions, as well as spiritually vivifying the optimistic barriers of cruelty. Lastly, it discusses in what ways the hopeful projections reconciled with the preemption by the dominant scientific narratives paradoxically prolong the preexistence of uncertainty and trust.

Toward epistemic justice in socio-scientific decision-making: How youth make sense of lively COVID-19 and vaccines data

ABSTRACT Background Studies of socio-scientific decision-making in times of crisis are in their infancy. This study investigates how minoritized youth engage and make sense of newly developed COVID-19 vaccines and their intersections with the evolving multi-pandemic. Guided by theories of lively data, data sense and epistemic injustice, we center the experience of four Palestinian Arab minority youth in Israel context throughout the ongoing pandemic. Methods Our analysis of long-form interviews and experience sampling was based on critical grounded theory. We also used counter-narrative to bring witness, capture youth first-hand experience, and recenter marginal knowledge. Findings Our findings show how youth come to understand the multidimensional nature of the crisis through their first-hand sensory experiences with COVID-19 data. They used their agentic positions with data to make their lively data matter. Their sense- and decision-making shifted as the pandemic and reflected how they understood it as a health hazard, vaccine efficacy, the political, scientific narratives and policies regarding the vaccine. The pandemic proposed solutions resonant with the science they understood and in negotiation with broader context of local, national, and global pandemic data. Contribution The study offers implications for learning with lively data toward epistemic justice in data science and socio-scientific decision-making.

"Pray Observe How Time Slips By:" Collaborators, Assistants, and the Background Dynamics in the Publication of Darwin's Cirripedia Project.

This study investigates nineteenth century natural history practices through the lens of the Actor-Network Theory, which posits that scientific practice is shaped by an intricate network of interactions between human and non-human actors. At the core of this research is the analysis of correspondence between Charles Darwin and his collaborators during the Cirripedia Project, which unveils a complex landscape of negotiations with illustrators, funders, specimen owners, and translators, among other stakeholders and interested parties. The study goes beyond the final outcomes of scientific research, delving into behind-the-scenes interactions, and hidden constructions, shedding light on the complex dynamics and actors that conventional scientific narratives often overlook. In general, this approach provides a detailed and insightful view of the underlying processes of nineteenth-century scientific practice, underscoring the importance of epistolary correspondence as a central element in producing scientific knowledge at the time, and in particular it reveals to us how much Darwin was himself involved in the production of his famous work on barnacles. By emphasizing the intricacies of research, this study enriches our understanding of Darwin's work as well as natural history practices in the 19th century, highlighting the complexity and diversity of actors and agents involved in shaping scientific knowledge.

Apixaban Use in Patients with Kidney Impairment: A Review of Pharmacokinetic, Interventional, and Observational Study Data.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains a significant global health issue and is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Patients with CKD have an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF) and venous thromboembolism (VTE). While direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have become a standard of care for anticoagulation (AC) in patients with AF and VTE, the appropriate use of these agents in comorbid kidney impairment warrants detailed discussion. This scientific narrative review summarizes the effectiveness and safety of apixaban use in patients with renal dysfunction by assessing the current published pharmacokinetic, interventional, observational, and guideline data. Apixaban is a highly selective, orally active, direct inhibitor of factor Xa, with well-established pharmacokinetics and consistent clinical outcomes across a broad range of patient populations, including those with kidney impairment. Overall, the scientific literature has shown that apixaban has a favorable clinical efficacy and safety profile compared with vitamin K antagonists for patients with AF or VTE and comorbid kidney impairment. These data support the approved label dosing strategy of apixaban in reducing the risk of stroke/systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular AF and in treating VTE across all ranges of kidney function. Both clinician experience and knowledge of patient-specific factors may be required in the management of comorbid patients with advanced CKD or those requiring dialysis, as data on these patients are limited.

Telling a scientific story and governing the population: The Kallikak story and the historical mutations of the eugenic discourse.

In this article, we follow the trails of 20th-century psychologist Henry Herbert Goddard's influential study of the Kallikak family. Goddard's study is treated as a scientific story with two interlocking dimensions: One is the actual story of the Kallikak family, with literary elements such as setting, plot, and characters. The other dimension is the broader eugenic discourse, a powerful scientific narrative that calls for action in relation to society and the population. The purpose of the article is twofold. Firstly, to analyze the forming and articulations of this story and to explore some of the consequences for governing the population that it has made possible. Secondly, to explore some aspects of what a Foucauldian analytics of government can contribute with in relation to Goddard's work and the eugenic discourse from the early 20th century to today. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Constructing maternal responsibility: narratives of “motherly love” and maternal blame in epigenetics research

Research in epigenetics is demonstrating the importance of maternal care towards offspring early in life for long-term health and behavioral outcomes. Although most of this research has been conducted in rodents, these findings are increasingly framing broader debates about mothers’ moral responsibilities for the health of their offspring. In this paper, I investigate the implications of scientific narratives and research agendas of maternal care for current discourses surrounding maternal epigenetic responsibility. I show how despite clear differences between rodent and human contexts of care, researchers tend to construct rodent maternal care as a form of love or emotional commitment. This construction, which ignores fathers’ care for their offspring, reflects widespread social assumptions about mothers’ particular or “natural” capacities to love their children. This has important implications for how we assign moral blame. Because love is important to our widespread understandings of parental virtues, mothers who act “unlovingly” are prone to being judged in an especially harsh manner. By embedding simplistic and gendered assumptions about mothers’ love for their children, then, epigenetics research perpetuates the tendency to consider mothers especially blameworthy where they are perceived as failing to sufficiently care for or love their children.

Cloned Buddhas: mapping out the DNA of Buddhist heritage preservation

ABSTRACT This article considers how technological innovation transforms the value of religious materiality in Buddhist heritage reproduction projects in Japan. To illustrate the religiously and politically charged landscape of heritage care, I focus on the reproduction technologies developed by the Tokyo University of Arts researchers to create highly precise replicas of Buddhist heritage. One such ‘super clone’ replica of Japan’s National Treasure homed at Hōryūji temple in Nara – a 1400-year-old ‘Shaka Triad’ sculpture of Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha – was put on display at the Nagano Prefectural Art Museum in Japan in April 2021. The ‘cloned’ statue is a highly precise copy that goes beyond the practices of exact duplication. With the use of 3D measurement, digital modelling technologies, and advanced casting techniques, this cloned religious heritage object transports the viewer back in time to the aesthetic moment of creation and allows them to experience anew the object’s affective presence as crafted centuries ago. In drawing on this example and its potential to intervene in other religious heritage reproduction projects globally, I argue that technology transforms religious heritage to generate alternative socio-economic afterlives of Buddhist objects. By analysing the scientific narratives and processes of heritage care, I show how the religious heritage reproduction is where the aesthetic, political, and economic dimensions of Buddhist material futures are imagined and realized. It is also a space of contestation between devotion, science, and memory-oriented practices of care in transnational heritage preservation.

Central Asia in Russian descriptions of the 18<sup>th</sup> century: On an anonymous note from the non-church calendar of the Enlightenment Era

There is a lot of interest in travelogue in the research environment today. Russian oriental travelogues, associated with the Central Asian region, have not been studied sufficiently before, besides a certain number of substantive works primarily of a historiographical nature. A special body of problems here is related to the origins of the Russian Central Asian travelogue formation as a genre structure. One of the texts, related to the “origins of the genre” and taken for consideration in this article, is a note by an anonymous author-compiler entitled “News of Bukharia”, published in the “Monthly Historical and Geographical Dictionary for 1779” (St. Petersburg Imperial Academy of Sciences). The article is a kind of commentary on this note. We characterize the journal in which it was presented – the printed secular calendar of the 18th century, it differs from the religious ones. The article determines historical, cultural, landscape and geographical realities, reflected in it, and identifies the ideological position of the compiler in the context of the eastern imperial policy of those years. We cautiously assume that when writing the text, the author could use materials on Central Asia from Western sources. There is no literary element as such in the described note. This is not a travelogue in the exact meaning of the term, but a concise informative essay on a regional topic, in which, however, there is no strategy for an objective scientific narrative (“pure curiosity”). We can clearly see the journalistic (state) ideologems of its era, combining the economic aspirations of Russia and its geopolitical attitudes (it is significant that in the note the reader he does not even find any ethnographic images of Central Asian people, their portraits, morals and everyday habits). At the same time, the text of the “News of Bukharia” includes separate general literary components– strict composition, laconism of speech style and logical sequence. The text is important as an early stage in the formation of a scientific and artistic Central Asia modus, as a phenomenon of “documentary literature”, not “fictional literature”.

Conflicting Scientific Narratives at the Convention on Biological Diversity and Other Fora: Analysis and Contradiction in the Discussions on Dematerialization of (Plant) Genetic Resources

This article examines the use of scientific arguments in negotiations on the status of Digital Sequence Information (DSI), focusing on the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), and the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework (PIP). DSI is a placeholder term used in negotiations on the dematerialization of genetic resources: the ability to sequence “physical” genetic resources and use this “intangible” information, which radically changes research practices. The CBD (among other instruments) establishes rules for Access to the Genetic Resource and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits from their utilization (ABS). This applies to “physical” genetic resources, but it is not clear for DSI. Indeed, different legal interpretations and political narrative are conflicting over the integration of DSI into these legal frameworks. This article explores how science is used in these negotiations, particularly in its rhetorical and epistocratic dimensions. The methodology combines an interdisciplinary approach (legal technique, philosophy of law and science) and a comparative discourse analysis: on the terminology; the inclusion of DSI in the definition of genetic material; and the inclusion of DSI in ABS systems. While scientific arguments play a crucial role in this technical issue, this article shows that scientific arguments can be used to support political positions (under the guise of objectivity and neutrality), and that this use of scientific arguments is not consistent, even contradictory (between PIP and CBD/ITPGRFA).

Effects of environmental diversity on exploration and learning: The case of bilingualism.

Bilingual environments provide a commonplace example of increased complexity and uncertainty. Learning multiple languages entails mastery of a larger and more variable range of sounds, words, syntactic structures, pragmatic conventions, and more complex mapping of linguistic information to objects in the world. Recent research suggests that bilingual learners demonstrate fundamental variation in how they explore and learn from their environment, which may derive from this increased complexity. In particular, the increased complexity and variability of bilingual environments may broaden the focus of learners' attention, laying a different attentional foundation for learning. In this review, we introduce a novel framework, with accompanying empirical evidence, for understanding how early learners may adapt to a more complex environment, drawing on bilingualism as an example. Three adaptations, each relevant to the demands of abstracting structure from a complex environment, are introduced. Each adaptation is discussed in the context of empirical evidence attesting to shifts in basic psychological processes in bilingual learners. This evidence converges on the notion that bilingual learners may explore their environment more broadly. Downstream consequences of broader sampling for perception and learning are discussed. Finally, recommendations for future research to expand the scientific narrative on the impact of diverse environments on learning are provided. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Either win-win deal or exploitation? Narratives surrounding volunteering in the social scientific literature

Volunteering is an essential resource for European countries and can be an opportunity for social participation. Yet it can also lead to exploitation. Social scientific narratives on this object are important because of the role that scholars can play in the development and implementation of public policies. Drawing on the observation that older people provide a significant portion of volunteer work, this article examines to what extent and how the social scientific literature about older volunteers questions the risk of exploitation that is inherent to any form of voluntary engagement. We find that these discourses predominantly describe volunteering as a means to improve older people’s lives and as a needed contribution. Risks of exploitation are rarely addressed. To help avoid ageism in social sciences and in volunteering policies and programmes, we suggest that scholars should give more awareness to the volunteering-exploitation nexus in their studies of older volunteers.

Advancements in Tuberculosis Diagnostics: A Comprehensive Review of the Critical Role and Future Prospects of Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra Technology.

Tuberculosis remains a persistent global health challenge, demanding swift and accurate diagnostic methods for effective treatment. The emergence of the Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra system marks a significant milestone in combating tuberculosis, streamlining the identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and advancing our pursuit of eradicating the disease. Delving into the therapeutic landscape of tuberculosis and rifampicin resistance, this scientific narrative review offers a comprehensive exploration. It begins by delving into the historical backdrop and the hurdles encountered with traditional tuberculosis diagnostics. From there, it traces the journey of the Xpert MTB/RIF technology, underscoring its molecular underpinnings. In this narrative review, the performance of the Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra system undergoes thorough scrutiny, encompassing investigations into sensitivity, specificity, and comparisons with alternative diagnostic methods. The spotlight shines on its clinical applications across diverse scenarios, from diagnosing pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis to its pivotal role in identifying rifampicin resistance. The study also evaluates its clinical efficacy in enhancing patient outcomes and supporting global tuberculosis control initiatives. However, the review does not shy away from discussing the challenges and limitations associated with the Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra system. It meticulously addresses concerns regarding cost, infrastructure requirements, and potential diagnostic inaccuracies. Offering a panoramic view, the review assesses the system's impact in resource-constrained settings and its potential to bolster tuberculosis elimination endeavors worldwide. Peering into the future, it explores ongoing research avenues and potential enhancements in Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra technology, envisioning a landscape of improved performance, broader applications, and emerging diagnostic innovations in the realm of tuberculosis diagnostics.

Scientific narrative as a factor of intensification of communicative relations of the «science — society» system

The article offers an analysis of communicative interaction in the modern academic field — among individual researchers, research teams and groups in conditions of high competition against the background of exponential growth of publication activity and digitalization of communications both within the professional community and taking into account the strengthening and transparency of interactions with the public. The author puts forward a working hypothesis, according to which it is the narrative attribute in the representation of the results of scientific research that can contain a reserve for evolutionary success within the framework of the systemic nature of communication and have a high potential for the formation of stable links between subsystems of science and other public actors, such as non-professional external observers.

A continuing commitment to diverse scientific narratives

A continuing commitment to diverse scientific narratives

«Поэма экстаза» А. Н. Скрябина: феномен героя на вершине экзальтации культуры

This article attempts to trace the evolution of the image of Scriabin’s hero. An important stage in this process is "Poem of Ecstasy" for a large symphony orchestra, the first single-movement symphony-poem by Alexander Scriabin. The article highlights the trend of increasing emotional elements in the musical culture of Western Europe, starting from the turn of the 16th — 17th centuries, up to the beginning of the 20th century, culminating in a type of exaltation, i. e. highest emotional saturation. In this research perspective, the thesis is revealed: culture "exalts", and Scriabin’s hero rejoices in ecstasy. The scientific narrative touches upon the genre of the poem itself, and examines the origins of the formation of the image of Scriabin’s symbolist hero — the human creator. The special features of the metaphorical world of Scriabin’s creativity are revealed, their connection with traditional romantic motifs of Western European musical art is emphasized, as well as their further significant divergence from romantic musical and aesthetic attitudes.

Scientific popularization as a social and communicative practice: The expression of resistance in the media text

Speech factors for ensuring popular science media communication stability are analyzed, which are aimed for preventing communicative threats such as distrust to information, doubt of invention’s novelty and usefulness, misunderstanding of an explanation, lack of interest in the message, and skepticism about scientific knowledge. To prevent communicative threats, a media text acquires an objecting potential, which has been called text resistance. The media speech resistance is explicated in metatext, i. e. a subtext formation created by multi-level linguistic means to convey information about the content and nature of the author’s response to hypothetical communicative “impedance” of an addressee. While studying text resistance markers, variable responding strategies to an addressee impedance were found. Having expanded the concept of resistance, the typological method used showed that in each popularization strategy — informing, counseling, enlightenment, promotion — the hypothesis of a “impeding” addressee is formed and specific strategy for achieving resistance dominates. In order to increase reliability of presentation, a news source is demonstrated, which is repeatedly attested, and novelty and usefulness of covered scientific discovery are emphasized to reduce possible skepticism. While consulting, it is important the popular science mass audience to make understand scientific information, for this logic of explanation is demonstrated, and this mode of speech interaction is maintained throughout an explanation. In enlightenment, an emotional modus framework of interest in the socially significant scientific narrative about an outstanding scientist is created, thereby a cognitive impulse for an addressee’s semantic field expansion is formed. Scientists are shown worthy of memory and admiration, so a narrative is built in a pathetic and respectful modus framework. The success of promotional communication is ensured by the means of organizing personality-oriented communication, which help to create an atmosphere of reasoned evidence-based communication with a competent addressee. These methods contribute to elasticity and stability of communication.

The future of audio-visual designers with a focus on sound

Sound designers have historically been associated primarily with the realm of films, TV-movies, and series production. However, the scope of their influence is expanding significantly beyond these domains. Notably, professionals in the fields of museum curation, festivals, theatres, and planetariums are increasingly recognizing the transformative potential of incorporating audio-visual elements into their presentations, thereby enhancing the overall quality of audience engagement. Traditionally, many museums have relied on subpar audio guides and monotonous recordings played through inadequate loudspeakers to accompany their exhibits. In stark contrast, innovative exhibition concepts are foregrounding the profound impact of audio-visual installations. These installations completely rethink exhibition experiences, offering visitors entirely new dimensions of engagement within the realms of art, history, and science. In the context of planetariums, a substantial majority of shows continue to feature cosmological themes and scientific narratives presented in full-dome environments. Nevertheless, universities and younger audio-visual designers are now pioneering groundbreaking advancements in immersive audio-visual experiences. The evolution of theatre is yet another arena undergoing a profound metamorphosis due to the integration of audio-visual elements. As multimedia theatre forms such as picture theatre, new music theatre, and dance theatre increasingly embrace interactive electronic media, the traditional theatrical experience is undergoing a paradigm shift. This departure from convention is ushering in a new era of audio-visual performance quality that transcends prior artistic boundaries. Given these transformative trends, the study of sound design is compelled to evolve in tandem. Incorporating visual tasks into the curriculum is becoming imperative, as sound designers navigate these innovative frontiers of multimedia integration. By embracing cross-disciplinary approaches that encompass both sonic and visual dimensions, aspiring sound designers will be better equipped to shape the future of immersive audio-visual storytelling across a diverse array of creative platforms.