Shift In Perspective Research Articles

4D fabrication of shape-changing systems for tissue engineering: state of the art and perspectives

AbstractIn recent years, four-dimensional (4D) fabrication has emerged as a powerful technology capable of revolutionizing the field of tissue engineering. This technology represents a shift in perspective from traditional tissue engineering approaches, which generally rely on static—or passive—structures (e.g., scaffolds, constructs) unable of adapting to changes in biological environments. In contrast, 4D fabrication offers the unprecedented possibility of fabricating complex designs with spatiotemporal control over structure and function in response to environment stimuli, thus mimicking biological processes. In this review, an overview of the state of the art of 4D fabrication technology for the obtainment of cellularized constructs is presented, with a focus on shape-changing soft materials. First, the approaches to obtain cellularized constructs are introduced, also describing conventional and non-conventional fabrication techniques with their relative advantages and limitations. Next, the main families of shape-changing soft materials, namely shape-memory polymers and shape-memory hydrogels are discussed and their use in 4D fabrication in the field of tissue engineering is described. Ultimately, current challenges and proposed solutions are outlined, and valuable insights into future research directions of 4D fabrication for tissue engineering are provided to disclose its full potential.

Disease as a Medium: Exploring the Metaphorical Turn and Discourse Changes in Chinese AIDS Films (1988–2023)

ABSTRACT Interpreting the visual and narrative discourse of AIDS in popular culture is pivotal in communication and cultural studies. However, there is a notable research gap concerning the narrative evolution in Chinese AIDS films. This study investigates the shifts in narrative perspectives and visual representations of people living with HIV in Chinese cinema, using conceptual metaphor theory and textual analysis. It identifies a metaphorical transition in societal perceptions of people living with HIV—evolving from “abjection politics” representing them as “criminals” through “compassionate politics” depicting them as “vulnerable” to “touching politics” celebrating them as “heroes.” This transition is intertwined with China's modernisation, mirroring changes in social structures and power relations. The research highlights the relationship between historical context and narrative truth in disease representation by using critical discourse analysis and drawing on Foucauldian power-knowledge concepts. The study reveals how AIDS narratives in film reflect broader socio-political shifts within China's modernising landscape, emphasising the intricate connection between power, knowledge, and disease portrayal. By tracing the discursive evolution in Chinese AIDS films, the research illuminates the dynamics of China's socio-political environment and underscores the multifaceted complexities inherent in disease narratives amidst societal modernisation.

Mapping actor networks in global multi-stakeholder initiatives for food system transformation

There is growing recognition that global food system transformation requires a fundamental shift in norms, perspectives and structural inclusion and exclusion of different actors in decision-making spaces. As multistakeholder governance approaches become increasingly common, significant concerns have been raised about their ability to deliver such change. Such concerns are based on case study findings repeatedly highlighting their susceptibility to corporate capture. This study goes beyond individual case studies, examining global multi-stakeholder initiatives (MSIs) whose stated aim is to drive a healthier and more sustainable food system. It identified and categorised actors within these MSIs, drawing on social network analysis to provide insights into actor centrality, power structures, and how this might impact MSIs’ potential to drive transformative change. Thirty global MSIs were included in our sample, including a total of 813 actors. Most actors were based in high-income countries (HIC) (n = 548, 67%). The private sector (n = 365, 45%) was the most represented actor category, comprising transnational corporations (TNCs) (n = 127) and numerous others representing their interests. NGOs, affected communities and low- and middle-income country actors remain underrepresented. The central involvement of TNCs which rely on the production and sale of unhealthy and unsustainable commodities represents a clear conflict of interest to the stated objectives of the MSIs. These findings lend weight to concerns that MSIs may reflect rather than challenge existing power structures, thus serving to maintain the status quo. This indicates a need to critically examine the use of multistakeholder governance approaches and their ability to drive global food system transformation.

Motor somatotopy impacts imagery strategy success in human intracortical brain-computer interfaces.

The notion of a somatotopically organized motor cortex, with movements of different body parts being controlled by spatially distinct areas of cortex, is well known. However, recent studies have challenged this notion and suggested a more distributed representation of movement control. This shift in perspective has significant implications, particularly when considering the implantation location of electrode arrays for intracortical brain-computer interfaces (iBCIs). We sought to evaluate whether the location of neural recordings from the precentral gyrus, and thus the underlying somatotopy, has any impact on the imagery strategies that can enable successful iBCI control. Three individuals with a spinal cord injury were enrolled in an ongoing clinical trial of an iBCI. Participants had two intracortical microelectrode arrays implanted in the arm and/or hand areas of the precentral gyrus based on presurgical functional imaging. Neural data were recorded while participants attempted to perform movements of the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder. We found that electrode arrays that were located more medially recorded significantly more activity during attempted proximal arm movements (elbow, shoulder) than did lateral arrays, which captured more activity related to attempted distal arm movements (hand, wrist). We also evaluated the relative contribution from the two arrays implanted in each participant to decoding accuracy during calibration of an iBCI decoder for translation and grasping tasks. For both task types, imagery strategy (e.g., reaching vs. wrist movements) had a significant impact on the relative contributions of each array to decoding. Overall, we found some evidence of broad tuning to arm and hand movements; however, there was a clear bias in the amount of information accessible about each movement type in spatially distinct areas of cortex. These results demonstrate that classical concepts of somatotopy can have real consequences for iBCI use, and highlight the importance of considering somatotopy when planning iBCI implantation.

Exploring the harm reduction paradigm: the role of Board-Certified Psychiatric Pharmacists.

Deaths related to opioid overdoses continue to climb, and there remains a need for innovative strategies to address this ongoing crisis. Harm reduction (HR), a nonjudgmental philosophy aimed at reducing consequences associated with drug use and other potentially unsafe behavior, has emerged as a compassionate and effective approach. Harm reduction further emphasizes overdose prevention and fosters a shift in perspective that recognizes substance use disorder as a disease and not a moral failing. The tenets of HR collectively advocate for the well-being of individuals who use substances and support any positive change as defined by the individual. Given the high rate of morbidity and mortality associated with substance misuse and barriers or ambivalence to receiving treatment, awareness of and advocacy for HR practice is essential. This manuscript aims to describe evidence-based HR interventions, provide a foundation for the implementation of services, and further promote the importance of providing humanistic care without judgment. As valued members of the multidisciplinary treatment team, Board-Certified Psychiatric Pharmacists should implement and engage in HR services in the settings where people with substance use disorders receive care.

Fidelity, focalization and nostalgia: The audio adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman

Neil Gaiman’s superhero comic series The Sandman had never officially been adapted to any other medium when Audible released the first instalment of its audio drama series in 2020. This article reads that adaptation in the context of current media nostalgia trends while paying special attention to the production choices guided by fans’ affective engagement with popular texts. I will look at some of the adaptation strategies used to turn the comic’s verbal text and its visuals into speech and sound. The focus will be twofold. Firstly, I will explore how questions of fidelity can be applied to this comic-to-audio case, by investigating how the Sandman adaptation’s faithfulness to its source text relates to the way in which the audio drama taps into the audience’s nostalgic engagement with the text. Secondly, my reading also contributes to narratological debates over the use of focalization in both comics and audio narratives. To unpack the shifts in focalization and narrative perspective that occur between comic and audio play, I will zoom in on the function of the comic’s omniscient narrator as it translates into the audio adaptation.

Biblical reconciliation: Preaching unity in the face of Christian nationalism and political schism

The post-Obama era in the United States has been marked by a deepening political divide, particularly within the Christian community, influenced by Christian nationalism and its entanglement with evangelical theology. This article examines the roots of this divide, tracing its origins to the fusion of White evangelical identity with national identity and the politicization of evangelical beliefs. Drawing on 2 Cor 5:10-20, the article explores the apostle Paul’s emphasis on Christ’s reconciling love and the believer’s role as ambassador of reconciliation. Analyzing the impact of divisive identity politics and ideological polarization on the unity of the Christian community, the article proposes a return to preaching the transformative power of Christ’s love to disentangle believers from political schisms while nurturing unity. The ministry of reconciliation is not merely a theoretical concept but a practical imperative for actively bridging divides and sharing the message of unity in Christ. Through a radical shift in perspective, focusing on Christ’s love rather than ideological positions, a Gospel-centered approach enables navigating political tensions and fosters unity within the body of Christ. Ultimately, preaching unity amid political schisms is not only a theological mandate but essential for embodying the transformative message of the Gospel in a divided world.

What I Can Do with the Right Version of You: The Impact of Narrative Perspective on Reader Immersion, and How (in)Formal Address Pronouns Influence Immersion Reports

Previous research has shown that readers experience stronger immersion while reading first-person narratives than third-person narratives, but whether this difference in processing is time-sensitive remains unclear. We report on a self-paced reading experiment in which French participants read short stories in first and in third person. Additionally, participants were directly addressed with either formal or informal second-person pronouns in the final sentence of the narrative, as well as in a subsequent (off-line) questionnaire soliciting post-story immersion reports. The suitability of a particular pronoun of address depends on the social context, and misplaced use can impact the way in which people perceive and assess a particular situation. We did not find significant differences between reading times with first- or third-person pronouns, but participants reported higher immersion and emotional engagement after reading first-person stories than third-person stories. Moreover, the effect of story perspective on reported immersion only occurred when participants were addressed with formal second-person pronouns. We take these findings as evidence for an effect of first- versus third-person pronouns on immersion via perspective shifts. Moreover, we argue that the effect of being addressed with an unexpected (in this case, informal) pronoun can overrule such an effect, while being addressed with an expected (in this case, formal) pronoun can be conducive of it. This finding highlights the importance of research into the impact of pronouns of address.

Reactive Carbon Capture: Cooperative and Bifunctional Adsorbent-Catalyst Materials and Process Integration for a New Carbon Economy.

ConspectusTo say the least, releasing CO2 into the atmosphere is reaping undue environmental consequences given the ever-present increase in severe global weather events over the past five years. However, it can be argued that-at least in the confines of current technological capabilities-the atmospheric release of CO2 is somewhat unavoidable given that even shifting toward clean energy sources-such as solar, nuclear, wind, battery, or H2 power-incurs an initial carbon requirement by way of manufacturing the very production abilities through which "clean" energy is generated. Even years from now, experts agree that energy production will be diversified and-as the global population continues to drive the growth of global energy consumption-thermal power derived from carbon combustion is likely to remain one intrinsic energetic source, of which CO2 will always be a byproduct. In this context, it is the responsibility of the scientific community to devise improved pathways of carbon management such that (i) the consequences of combustion on the global environment are reduced and (ii) carbon fuels can be leveraged in a sustainable fashion.In this Account, we discuss a pivotal perspective shift on CO2 emissions derived from a considerable breakthrough in material science from our work at Missouri University of Science and Technology. This account details the development of materials which no longer vilify CO2 emissions as a valueless combustion byproduct, instead providing a path for them to become a potential feedstock. In more specific terms, this work details the development of structured, cooperative "bifunctional" materials (BFMs) comprised of (i) a high-temperature adsorbent and (ii) a heterogeneous catalyst that enable single-bed CO2 capture and utilization in oxidative ethane dehydrogenation (ODHE), oxidative propane dehydrogenation (ODHP), and dry methane reforming (DMR) processes. This Account begins with the conceptual development of the BFMs in the powdered state, followed by detailing the first-ever reports of structuring the materials into facile honeycomb contactors by 3D printing. The Account then summarizes the impressive performance of the 3D-printed BFMs, specifically focusing on how their catalysts (metal oxides and perovskites) influence their reactive CO2 capture performances in ODHE, ODHP, and DMR processes. Such promise of CO2-as-fuel offers a glimpse into the future of a diversified energy economy, in which CO2/fuel looping can play an important role. A major factor in achieving this future is, of course, developing an appropriately active catalyst; an account of whose first breakthroughs in material science are detailed herein.

Metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease in healthy weight individuals

Metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is an increasing public health problem, affecting one third of the global population. Contrary to conventional wisdom, MAFLD is not exclusive to obese or overweight individuals. Epidemiological studies have revealed a remarkable prevalence among healthy weight individuals, leading investigations into the genetic, lifestyle, and dietary factors that contribute to the development of MAFLD in this population. This shift in perspective requires reconsideration of preventive strategies, diagnostic criteria and therapeutic approaches tailored to address the unique characteristics of MAFLD healthy weight individuals. It also underscores the importance of widespread awareness and education, within the medical community and among the general population, to promote a more inclusive understanding of liver metabolic disorders. With this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive exploration of MAFLD in healthy weight individuals, encompassing epidemiological, pathophysiological, and clinical aspects.

A new era of synthetic biology-microbial community design.

Synthetic biology conceptualizes biological complexity as a network of biological parts, devices, and systems with predetermined functionalities and has had a revolutionary impact on fundamental and applied research. With the unprecedented ability to synthesize and transfer any DNA and RNA across organisms, the scope of synthetic biology is expanding and being recreated in previously unimaginable ways. The field has matured to a level where highly complex networks, such as artificial communities of synthetic organisms, can be constructed. In parallel, computational biology became an integral part of biological studies, with computational models aiding the unravelling of the escalating complexity and emerging properties of biological phenomena. However, there is still a vast untapped potential for the complete integration of modelling into the synthetic design process, presenting exciting opportunities for scientific advancements. Here, we first highlight the most recent advances in computer-aided design of microbial communities. Next, we propose that such a design can benefit from an organism-free modular modelling approach that places its emphasis on modules of organismal function towards the design of multispecies communities. We argue for a shift in perspective from single organism-centred approaches to emphasizing the functional contributions of organisms within the community. By assembling synthetic biological systems using modular computational models with mathematical descriptions of parts and circuits, we can tailor organisms to fulfil specific functional roles within the community. This approach aligns with synthetic biology strategies and presents exciting possibilities for the design of artificial communities. Graphical Abstract.

1 - Soft Power Diplomacy

For decades, and despite sanctions and turbulent relations with major international actors since the 1960s, Cuba has managed to assert itself in the international system. A small island with very limited natural resources, Cuba leveraged its international affairs on its provision of healthcare. This article investigates the role and impact of Cuban medical assistance in Africa. It proceeds from the premise that soft power has useful explanatory value in understanding the Cuba–Africa diplomatic intercourse. The article argues that despite its political ideology and limited political freedoms, Cuba established itself as a model and prominent player in the unique and consistent provision of healthcare and humanitarian assistance to the African continent, and in the development of Africa’s healthcare systems, for more than sixty years. It has also offered community-based healthcare training, which most African countries consider to be more relevant and cost-effective than hospital-based training. Furthermore, the Cuban training gave African medical students a shift in perspective and orientation to focus on public service, not profit-making.

How the dark genome enlightens the molecular mechanisms of diseases

How the dark genome enlightens the molecular mechanisms of diseases In this article, Antoinette van Ouwerkerk and Salvatore Spicuglia from INSERM highlight the significance of regulatory variants within the non-coding genome – often referred to as the ‘dark genome’ – in influencing gene expression and disease. The major genetic cause of human disease has historically been thought to be mutations within coding genes. However, there has been a shift in perspective over recent years, with more attention now being paid to the role of the non-coding regions in the genome. Intense research in this area has revealed that the non-coding genome contributes to gene-regulatory networks that serve to control where and when sets of genes are expressed. In turn, dysregulation of gene expression due to changes or alterations in the non-coding genome drastically impacts the aetiology of different diseases.

The Impact of COVID-19 Vaccine Controversy on Parents' Perceptions of Routine Vaccinations.

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly influenced public perceptions and behaviors related to vaccination. Understanding parental attitudes, knowledge gaps, and vaccination practices post-pandemic is crucial for informing effective public health strategies. This study aimed to investigate parental attitudes, knowledge, and practices toward routine childhood vaccination in the post-COVID-19 era, emphasizing shifts in perspectives and implications for vaccination strategies. Methodology A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 498 parents to assess their attitudes, knowledge, and practices regarding vaccination. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and t-tests where applicable, with p-values <0.05 considered statistically significant. Results The study revealed diverse parental attitudes toward vaccination post-COVID-19. While a majority (72.9%) maintained positive attitudes toward vaccination schedules and benefits, concerns regarding vaccine safety and efficacy were noted. Knowledge gaps persisted, with 16.5% strongly agreeing that children's vaccinations are weak and have no impact on disease prevention. Despite high adherence to vaccination schedules (68.9%), motivations behind vaccine administration were questioned, as 48.2% strongly disagreed that vaccination was solely for regulatory purposes. Conclusions Post-COVID-19, parental attitudes toward vaccination have evolved, reflecting increased concerns about safety and efficacy. Addressing knowledge gaps, combating misinformation, and enhancing trust in vaccination programs are imperative. Tailored communication strategies, education campaigns, and policy interventions are essential to promote vaccination acceptance and safeguard public health resilience in the post-pandemic era.

“I Quit”

Abstract This article examines concussion in 1990s wrestling, specifically during the World Wrestling Federation's (WWF) “Attitude Era,” an epoch marked by intense physicality and boundary-pushing narratives. Conventional discourse about concussion in sports typically centers on the inherent risks and regulations associated with athletic competition. However, to truly comprehend the nature and frequency of concussions in the Attitude Era, it is imperative to consider wrestling, especially in the WWF context, as primarily an entertainment medium rather than a conventional sporting endeavor. This perspective shift necessitates an exploration into the production pressures, viewer expectations, and dramatic storytelling that often overshadowed wrestler safety during live broadcasts. Importantly, this reconsideration of wrestling can offer broader insights into the intersection of entertainment, commercial broadcasting, and injury in televised sports at large. As the lines between spectacle and competition blur across various broadcast sports, the wrestling case study underscores the urgent need for a nuanced approach that incorporates the imperatives of entertainment in understanding and mitigating risks such as concussion.

Artistic heritage conservation: the relevance and cultural value of Guangzhou clan building paintings to traditional rituals from a kinship perspective through perceptual assessment and data mining

The study of clan paintings reveals a shift in perspective from art aesthetics to cultural connotations to cultural identity, yet literature seldom discusses the relationship between art and kinship culture. Taking the murals of ancestral hall architecture in Guangzhou as an example, this paper utilizes text mining to identify factors influencing its decorative art. It reveals the traditional rites' artistic expression through dimensions of characters' demeanor and the transmission of content values, offering a fresh perspective for heritage value research. Findings: (1) themes and implications are mostly oriented towards positive value transmission, transitioning from idealistic layman life to the realism of lower-class existence, emphasizing humanization; (2) the extroverted portrayal of characters contrasts with the dignified, restrained etiquette of traditional rites, with some characters' portrayal and facial expressions exuding approachability; (3) murals conveying positive emotions are mostly related to longevity, auspiciousness, fortune, and heroic deeds, while those conveying negative emotions mainly involve elderly male figures, reflecting a content bias related to characters; (4) historical allusion murals with complex content reduce the emotional resonance and arousal efficiency of the viewer; (5) incomplete mural content increases negative emotions in perceivers, highlighting the impact of mural preservation on emotional resonance. To delve into the formation of clan painting art, it is essential not only to interpret the diversity of its patterns but also to demonstrate the representation of its social attributes in decorative art. The formation of clan painting decorative art exhibits kinship cultural attributes, epitomizing the essence of traditional ceremonial thought.

A Copernican revolution of multigenic analysis: A retrospective study on clinical exome sequencing in unclear genetic disorders

Despite the inevitable shift in medical practice towards a deeper understanding of disease etiology and progression through multigenic analysis, the profound historical impact of Mendelian diseases cannot be overlooked. These diseases, such as cystic fibrosis and thalassemia, are characterized by a single variant in a single gene leading to clinical conditions, and have significantly shaped our medical knowledge and treatments. In this respect, the monogenic approach inevitably results in the underutilization of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) data.Herein, a retrospective study was performed to assess the diagnostic value of the clinical exome in 32 probands with specific phenotypic characteristics (patients with autoinflammation and immunological dysregulation, N = 20; patients diagnosed with Hemolytic uremic syndrome N = 9; and patients with Waldenström macroglobulinemia, N = 3). A gene enrichment analysis was performed using the *. VCF file generated by SOPHiA-DDM-v4. This analysis selected a subset of genes containing pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants with autosomal dominant (AD) inheritance. In addition, all variants of uncertain significance (VUS) were included, filtered by AD inheritance mode, the presence of compound heterozygotes, and a minor allele frequency (MAF) cutoff of 0.05 %.The aim of the pipeline described here is based on a perspective shift that focuses on analyzing patients’ gene assets, offering new light on the complex interplay between genetics and disease presentation. Integrating this approach into clinical practices could significantly enhance the management of patients with rare genetic disorders.

The epistemic grammar of bioinspired technologies: Shifting the focus from nature to scientific practices

This article philosophically addresses the promise of biomimetic design, according to which mimicking natural forms can provide better, more sustainable and less risky engineering solutions. Focusing on the grammar of scientific practices, the article establishes an epistemological basis for biomimetic technology that explores the creative interaction between technology and nature. The epistemological framework shows that bioinspired objects are autonomous with specific properties. They must be evaluated in their ability to fulfill the biomimetic promise in local applications and contexts. The article presents three results. First, it presents a philosophical framework that deepens the understanding of the relationship between sustainability and bioinspired technologies and allows for a retrospective assessment of their sustainability. Second, it points out that the scientific framework emerging from bioinspired technologies is based on collaboration, interdisciplinarity, and a holistic approach to scientific inquiry. Third, it encourages a shift in perspective from the ontology of bioinspired design to the epistemic grammar of its production.

SillyPutty: Improved clustering by optimizing the silhouette width.

Clustering is an important task in biomedical science, and it is widely believed that different data sets are best clustered using different algorithms. When choosing between clustering algorithms on the same data set, reseachers typically rely on global measures of quality, such as the mean silhouette width, and overlook the fine details of clustering. However, the silhouette width actually computes scores that describe how well each individual element is clustered. Inspired by this observation, we developed a novel clustering method, called SillyPutty. Unlike existing methods, SillyPutty uses the silhouette width for individual elements as a tool to optimize the mean silhouette width. This shift in perspective allows for a more granular evaluation of clustering quality, potentially addressing limitations in current methodologies. To test the SillyPutty algorithm, we first simulated a series of data sets using the Umpire R package and then used real-workd data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Using these data sets, we compared SillyPutty to several existing algorithms using multiple metrics (Silhouette Width, Adjusted Rand Index, Entropy, Normalized Within-group Sum of Square errors, and Perfect Classification Count). Our findings revealed that SillyPutty is a valid standalone clustering method, comparable in accuracy to the best existing methods. We also found that the combination of hierarchical clustering followed by SillyPutty has the best overall performance in terms of both accuracy and speed. Availability: The SillyPutty R package can be downloaded from the Comprehensive R Archive Network (CRAN).

Do Cases Generate Bad AI Law?

There’s an AI governance problem, but it’s not (just) the one you think. The problem is that our judicial system is already regulating the deployment of AI systems—yet we are not coding what is happening in the courts as privately driven AI regulation. That’s a mistake. AI lawsuits here and now are determining who gets to seek redress for AI injuries; when and where emerging claims are resolved; what is understood as a cognizable AI harm (and what is not), and why that is so. This Essay exposes how our judicial system is regulating AI today and critically assesses the governance stakes. When we do not adequately recognize how the generative AI cases being decided by today’s judges are already operating as a type of AI regulation, we fail to consider which emerging tendencies of adjudication about AI are likely to make good or bad AI law. For instance, litigation may do good agenda-setting and deliberative work as well as surface important information about the operation of private AI systems. But adjudication of AI issues can be bad too, given the risk of overgeneralization from particularized facts; the potential for too much homogeneity in the location of lawsuits and the kinds of litigants; and the existence of fundamental tensions between social concerns and current legal precedents. If we overlook these dynamics, we risk missing a vital lesson: AI governance requires better accounting for the interactive relationship between regulation of AI through the judicial system and more traditional public regulation of AI. Shifting our perspective creates space to consider new AI governance possibilities. For instance, litigation incentives (such as motivations for bringing a lawsuit or motivations to settle) or the types of remedies available may open up or close down further regulatory development. This shift in perspective also allows us to see how considerations that on their face have nothing to do with AI—such as access to justice measures and the role of judicial minimalism—in fact shape the path of AI regulation through the courts. Today’s AI lawsuits provide an early opportunity to expand AI governance toolkits and to understand AI adjudication and public regulation as complementary regulatory approaches. We should not throw away our shot.