Globalizing Hayden White

This conversation originated in a plenary session organized by Ewa Domańska and María Inés La Greca under the same title of ‘Globalizing Hayden White’ at the III International Network for Theory of History Conference ‘Place and Displacement: The Spacing of History’ held at Södertörn University, Stockholm, in August 2018. In order to pay homage to Hayden White’s life work 5 months after his passing we knew that what was needed–and what he himself would have wanted–was a vibrant intellectual exchange. Our ‘celebration by discussion’ contains elaborated and revised versions of the presentations by scholars from China (Xin Chen), Latin America (María Inés La Greca, Veronica Tozzi Thompson), United States (Paul Roth), Western (Kalle Pihlainen) and East-Central Europe (Ewa Domańska). We took this opportunity of gathering scholars who represent different parts of the world, different cultures and approaches to reflect on White’s ideas in a global context. Our interest was in discussing how his work has been read and used (or even misread and misused) and how it has influenced theoretical discussions in different parts of the globe. Rather than just offering an account as experts, we mainly wanted to reflect on the current state of our field and the ways that White’s inheritance might and should be carried forward in the future.Fil: Domanska, Ewa. Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań; PoloniaFil: la Greca, María Inés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero. Departamento de Metodología, Estadística y Matemáticas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. Departamento de Filosofía; ArgentinaFil: Roth, Paul A.. University of California at Santa Cruz; Estados UnidosFil: Chen, Xin. Zhejiang University; ChinaFil: Tozzi, María Verónica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero. Departamento de Metodología, Estadística y Matemáticas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. Departamento de Filosofía; ArgentinaFil: Pihlainen, Kalle. Tallinn University; Estoni

Elaboration of bilateral symmetry across Knautia macedonica capitula related to changes in ventral petal expression of CYCLOIDEA-like genes

Abstract Background Shifts in floral form across angiosperms, particularly from radially symmetrical to bilaterally symmetrical flowers, are often associated with shifts in speciation rates and changes in pollination syndrome. Growing evidence across both rosids and asterids indicates that CYCLOIDEA (CYC)-like transcription factors from the TCP gene family play a role in establishing the dorsoventral pattern of flower symmetry, which affects the development of both the corolla and androecium. Previous studies of CYC-like genes, especially of the CYC2 clade, indicate that these genes are dorsally restricted in bilaterally symmetrical flowers. Also, gene duplication of CYC-like genes often correlates with shifts in floral form in both individual flowers and head-like inflorescences (capitula). Results Here, we compared the expression patterns of six CYC-like genes from dorsal, lateral, and ventral petals of internal and external florets across capitula of Knautia macedonica (Dipsacaceae). We demonstrate that multiple copies of CYC-like genes are differentially expressed among petal types and between internal and external florets. Across paralogs, there was a general trend toward a reduction in dorsal expression and an increase in ventral expression in internal florets compared to external florets. However, it was in the ventral petals where a statistically significant increase in expression correlates with a less zygomorphic flower. We also show for the first time lateral-specific expression of a CYC-like gene. Additionally, dorsoventral asymmetric expression of a CYC3 paralog indicates that this understudied gene clade is likely also involved in floral symmetry. Conclusions These data indicate that the elaboration of bilateral symmetry may be regulated by the dorsoventral gradient of expression, with statistically significant changes in ventral expression correlating with changes in dorsoventral morphological specialization

Cluster-randomized, crossover trial of head positioning in acute stroke

The role of supine positioning after acute stroke in improving cerebral blood flow and the countervailing risk of aspiration pneumonia have led to variation in head positioning in clinical practice. We wanted to determine whether outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke could be improved by positioning the patient to be lying flat (i.e., fully supine with the back horizontal and the face upwards) during treatment to increase cerebral perfusion. METHODS In a pragmatic, cluster-randomized, crossover trial conducted in nine countries, we assigned 11,093 patients with acute stroke (85% of the strokes were ischemic) to receive care in either a lying-flat position or a sitting-up position with the head elevated to at least 30 degrees, according to the randomization assignment of the hospital to which they were admitted; the designated position was initiated soon after hospital admission and was maintained for 24 hours. The primary outcome was degree of disability at 90 days, as assessed with the use of the modified Rankin scale (scores range from 0 to 6, with higher scores indicating greater disability and a score of 6 indicating death). RESULTS The median interval between the onset of stroke symptoms and the initiation of the assigned position was 14 hours (interquartile range, 5 to 35). Patients in the lying-flat group were less likely than patients in the sitting-up group to maintain the position for 24 hours (87% vs. 95%, P\u3c0.001). In a proportional-odds model, there was no significant shift in the distribution of 90-day disability outcomes on the global modified Rankin scale between patients in the lying-flat group and patients in the sitting-up group (unadjusted odds ratio for a difference in the distribution of scores on the modified Rankin scale in the lying-flat group, 1.01; 95% confidence interval, 0.92 to 1.10; P = 0.84). Mortality within 90 days was 7.3% among the patients in the lying-flat group and 7.4% among the patients in the sitting-up group (P = 0.83). There were no significant betweengroup differences in the rates of serious adverse events, including pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS Disability outcomes after acute stroke did not differ significantly between patients assigned to a lying-flat position for 24 hours and patients assigned to a sitting-up position with the head elevated to at least 30 degrees for 24 hours

A tale of two community networks program centers: Operationalizing and assessing CBPR principles and evaluating partnership outcomes

BACKGROUND: Community Networks Program (CNP) centers are required to use a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach within their specific priority communities. Not all communities are the same and unique contextual factors and collaborators’ priorities shape each CBPR partnership. There are also established CBPR and community engagement (CE) principles shown to lead to quality CBPR in any community. However, operationalizing and assessing CBPR principles and partnership outcomes to understand the conditions and processes in CBPR that lead to achieving program and project level goals is relatively new in the science of CBPR. OBJECTIVES: We sought to describe the development of surveys on adherence to and implementation of CBPR/CE principles at two CNP centers and examine commonalities and differences in program- versus project-level CBPR evaluation. METHODS: A case study about the development and application of CBPR/CE principles for the Missouri CNP, Program for the Elimination of Cancer Disparities, and Minnesota CNP, Padres Informados/Jovenes Preparados, surveys was conducted to compare project versus program operationalization of principles. Survey participant demographics were provided by CNP. Specific domains found in CBPR/CE principles were identified and organized under an existing framework to establish a common ground. Operational definitions and the number of survey items were provided for each domain by CNP. CONCLUSION: There are distinct differences in operational definitions of CBPR/CE principles at the program and project levels of evaluation. However, commonalities support further research to develop standards for CBPR evaluation across partnerships and at the program and project levels

Omics-driven identification and elimination of valerolactam catabolism in Pseudomonas putida KT2440 for increased product titer.

Pseudomonas putida is a promising bacterial chassis for metabolic engineering given its ability to metabolize a wide array of carbon sources, especially aromatic compounds derived from lignin. However, this omnivorous metabolism can also be a hindrance when it can naturally metabolize products produced from engineered pathways. Herein we show that P. putida is able to use valerolactam as a sole carbon source, as well as degrade caprolactam. Lactams represent important nylon precursors, and are produced in quantities exceeding one million tons per year (Zhang et al., 2017). To better understand this metabolism we use a combination of Random Barcode Transposon Sequencing (RB-TnSeq) and shotgun proteomics to identify the oplBA locus as the likely responsible amide hydrolase that initiates valerolactam catabolism. Deletion of the oplBA genes prevented P. putida from growing on valerolactam, prevented the degradation of valerolactam in rich media, and dramatically reduced caprolactam degradation under the same conditions. Deletion of oplBA, as well as pathways that compete for precursors L-lysine or 5-aminovalerate, increased the titer of valerolactam from undetectable after 48 h of production to ~90 mg/L. This work may serve as a template to rapidly eliminate undesirable metabolism in non-model hosts in future metabolic engineering efforts

Becoming Intimate With Developmental Knowledge: Pedagogical Explorations with Collective Biography

In this article, we draw on postfoundational frameworks to make visible the subjectification processes by which practitioners simultaneously master and become mastered by developmental theories. We emphasize the implication of the entire minded-body in the processes of the developmental worker formation. We show these processes through empirical investigation with data gathered through collective biography in a child development graduate course in a child and youth care program. Often developmental psychology masks itself as “just natural” knowledge that informs our practice. However, the article shows that our relationship with developmental psychology is much more intricate and intimate than we might believe. This intimate relationship can provide new possibilities for resisting developmental knowledge in practice and training

A nine-year longitudinal case study of a 27-year-old male with neurocysticercosis presenting with new onset seizures

Background: Taenia solium is a cestode endemic to regions of Latin America, Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and Oceania, and serves as the most common cause of acquired epilepsy in the world. T. solium eggs are transmitted fecal-orally when a human or pig host ingests contaminated food or water. Larvae hatch from the intestines and invade into muscle, tissue, or organs, forming cysts called cysticerci. Cysticerci involving the central nervous system is termed neurocysticercosis (NCC). Patients with NCC typically remain asymptomatic for 3-5 years in the viable stage until the host’s immune response is activated in the degenerating stage. Immune-mediated degradation of cysticerci and subsequent inflammation and edema in the nonviable stage may manifest as new onset seizures, headache, and other neurological deficits caused by increasing intracranial pressure. The diagnosis of NCC in non-endemic areas is based on clinical symptoms, history of travel to an endemic region, and presence of classic ring-enhancing lesions on neuroimaging. Case Description: A healthy 27-year-old male presents with new onset seizures. The first episode was witnessed by his wife who stated he was washing dishes before he fell to the ground convulsing. The seizure spontaneously resolved upon arrival of the ambulance. The patient denies symptoms of fever, fatigue, unexplained weight change, headaches, focal neurologic deficit, visual changes, cough, rash, recent illness, or head trauma. Further history is noncontributory except for note of travel to China four years ago to visit his in-laws. Vital signs are within normal range. In the Emergency Department, he suffers another witnessed seizure and is treated with lorazepam. He is disoriented and combative in his postictal state necessitating sedation with intubation. A CBC, CMP, troponin, HIV, toxicology, and tuberculosis screen are largely normal. Lumbar puncture reveals elevated leukocytes with normal glucose and protein levels. Parasitology report and blood cultures remain negative throughout the visit. Computerized tomography (CT) scan and contrasted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain show a 3-4 millimeter calcified, ring-enhancing lesion in the right frontal lobe with surrounding edema. He is diagnosed with NCC based on symptoms, travel history, and neuroimaging findings. Conclusion/Discussion: This is an uncomplicated nine-year longitudinal case study of a patient with NCC presenting with new onset seizures four years after traveling to China. Symptomatic management at the time of diagnosis included dexamethasone for brain edema and levetiracetam for prevention of further seizures. Antiparasitics, which can be used in viable or degenerating stages, were not utilized in our patient due to the evidence of a nonviable calcified cysticercus on imaging. The patient ultimately opted for surgical removal of the lesion to definitively treat his seizures. A six-month postoperative MRI confirmed resolution of abnormal findings, at which point the patient was weaned off levetiracetam. Nine years later, the patient remains seizure-free and without complications