bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abiraterone, Olaparib, or Abiraterone + Olaparib in First-Line Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer with DNA Repair Defects (BRCAAway)
Authors: Hussain Maha , Kocherginsky Masha , Agarwal Neeraj , Adra Nabil , Zhang Jingsong , Paller Channing J. , Picus Joel , Reichert Zachery R. , Szmulewitz Russell Z. , Tagawa Scott T. , Kuzel Timothy M. , Bazzi Latifa A. , Daignault-Newton Stephanie , Whang Young E. , Dreicer Robert , Stephenson Ryan D. , Rettig Matthew B. , Shevrin Daniel , Gerke Travis , Chinnaiyan Arul M. , Antonarakis Emmanuel S.
Published: August 2024

Purpose:

Deleterious germline/somatic homologous recombination repair mutations (HRRm) are present in ∼25% of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Preclinically, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibition demonstrated synergism with androgen receptor pathway (ARP)–targeted therapy. This trial evaluated the efficacy of ARP inhibitor versus PARP inhibitor versus their combination as first-line therapy in patients with mCRPC with HRRms.

Patients and Methods:

BRCAAway is a biomarker preselected, randomized, phase 2 trial. Patients with BRCA1/2 and/or ATM alterations were randomized 1:1:1 to Arm1: abiraterone (1,000 mg)/prednisone (5 mg BID) (Abi/pred), Arm2: olaparib (300 mg BID) (Ola), or Arm3: abiraterone/prednisone + olaparib (Abi/pred + Ola). Single-agent arms could cross over at progression. Exploratory Arm4 patients with other HRRms received olaparib alone. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS), and secondary endpoints were objective response, PSA response, and safety.

Results:

Sixty-one of 165 eligible patients had BRCA1/2 or ATM mutations: median age: 67 (IQR, 62–73) years. Mutations: BRCA1 n = 3, BRCA2 n = 46, ATM n = 11, and multiple n = 1; 33 germline and 28 somatic mutations. Median PFS [95% confidence interval (CI)]: Abi/pred, 8.6 months (m; 2.9, 17), Ola, 14 m (8.4, 20), and Abi/pred + Ola, 39 m [22, not reached (NR)]. There were no G4/5 adverse events; 8/19 patients on Abi/pred treatment crossed over to Ola, and 8/21 vice versa. Median PFS (95% CI) from crossover: Ola-after-Abi/pred, 8.3 m (5.5, 15) and Abi/pred-after-Ola, 7.2 m (2.8, NR). Median PFS (95% CI) from randomization: Ola-after-Abi/pred, 16 m (7.8, 25) and Abi/pred-after-Ola, 16 m (11, NR). Seventeen of 165 patients with other HRRms received olaparib: median PFS (95% CI): 5.5 m (2, 11).

Conclusions:

In patients with mCRPC with BRCA1/2 or ATM HRRm, Abi/pred + Ola was well tolerated and demonstrated longer PFS versus either agent alone or sequentially.
T-cell Responses to Individualized Neoantigen Therapy mRNA-4157 (V940) Alone or in Combination with Pembrolizumab in the Phase 1 KEYNOTE-603 Study
Authors: Gainor Justin F. , Patel Manish R. , Weber Jeffrey S. , Gutierrez Martin , Bauman Julie E. , Clarke Jeffrey M. , Julian Ricklie , Scott Aaron J. , Geiger Jessica L. , Kirtane Kedar , Robert-Tissot Celine , Coder Brandon , Tasneem Moomal , Sun Jing , Zheng Wei , Gerbereux Lauren , Laino Andressa , Porichis Filippos , Pollard Jack Russella , Hou Peijie , Sehgal Vasudha , Chen Xing , Morrissey Manju , Daghestani Hikmat N. , Feldman Igor , Srinivasan Lakshmi , Frederick Joshua P. , Brown Michelle , Aanur Praveen , Meehan Robert , Burris Howard A.
Published: August 2024

mRNA-4157 (V940) is an individualized neoantigen therapy targeting up to 34 patient-specific tumor neoantigens to induce T-cell responses and potentiate antitumor activity. We report mechanistic insights into the immunogenicity of mRNA-4157 via characterization of T-cell responses to neoantigens from the first-in-human, phase 1, KEYNOTE-603 study (NCT03313778) in patients with resected non–small cell lung cancer (Part A: 1-mg mRNA-4157, n = 4) or resected cutaneous melanoma (Part D: 1-mg mRNA-4157 + 200-mg pembrolizumab, n = 12). Safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity were assessed. All patients experienced ≥1 treatment-emergent adverse event; there were no grade 4/5 adverse events or dose-limiting toxicities. mRNA-4157 alone induced consistent de novo and strengthened preexisting T-cell responses to targeted neoantigens. Following combination therapy, sustained mRNA-4157-induced neoantigen-specific T-cell responses and expansion of cytotoxic CD8 and CD4 T cells were observed. These findings show the potential of a novel mRNA individualized neoantigen therapy approach in oncology.

Significance: The safety and immunogenicity results from this phase 1 study of mRNA-4157 as adjuvant monotherapy or combination therapy with pembrolizumab show generation of de novo and enhancement of existing neoantigen-specific T-cell responses and provide mechanistic proof of concept to support further development of mRNA-4157 for patients with resected solid tumors.

See related commentary by Berraondo et al., p. 2021
Figure 7 from Estrogen Receptor Blockade Potentiates Immunotherapy for Liver Metastases by Altering the Liver Immunosuppressive Microenvironment
Authors: Benslimane Yasmine , Amalfi Kevin , Lapin Sara , Perrino Stephanie , Brodt Pnina
Published: August 2024

The combinatorial Fulv and anti-PD-1 immunotherapy reprograms the IME of CRCLM. Hepatic immune cells were isolated following the treatment regimen depicted in Fig. 6A. Shown in A–J are results of FC performed on cells from the indicated treatment groups (n = 4). Shown in K and L are results of RT-qPCR performed on whole liver RNA (n = 3), normalized to GAPDH, and expressed as means (± SD) fold change relative to vehicle (assigned a value of 1). *, P ≤ 0.05; **, P ≤ 0.01; ***, P ≤ 0.001, Student t test.
Figure 5 from Estrogen Receptor Blockade Potentiates Immunotherapy for Liver Metastases by Altering the Liver Immunosuppressive Microenvironment
Authors: Benslimane Yasmine , Amalfi Kevin , Lapin Sara , Perrino Stephanie , Brodt Pnina
Published: August 2024

Fulv reprograms the liver TME and inhibits CRCLM outgrowth. Experimental LM were generated by intrasplenic/portal injection of 105 MC-38 cells. Mice received eight subcutaneous injections of Fulv or vehicle on alternate days and were sacrificed 21 days post tumor inoculation. Results shown are of a representative experiment of two performed. In A are metastases counted per liver (n = 5–6), in B mean nodule size (mm; n = 5–6), and in C representative liver images. Hepatic immune cells were isolated in a separate experiment 7 days post-injection, stained with the indicated antibodies, and analyzed by FC. Shown in D (left) are representative FC contour plots (n = 3–4) and in D (right) cell counts (means ± SD). *, P ≤ 0.05, Mann–Whitney test (metastases) or Student t test (FC).
Table 1 from The Tumor Microbiome as a Predictor of Outcomes in Patients with Metastatic Melanoma Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Authors: Dravillas Caroline E. , Coleman Samuel S. , Hoyd Rebecca , Caryotakis Griffin , Denko Louis , Chan Carlos H.F. , Churchman Michelle L. , Denko Nicholas , Dodd Rebecca D. , Eljilany Islam , Hardikar Sheetal , Husain Marium , Ikeguchi Alexandra P. , Jin Ning , Ma Qin , McCarter Martin D. , Osman Afaf E.G. , Robinson Lary A. , Singer Eric A. , Tinoco Gabriel , Ulrich Cornelia M. , Zakharia Yousef , Spakowicz Daniel , Tarhini Ahmad A. , Tan Aik Choon
Published: August 2024

Patient demographics stratified by response to ICIs
Dysregulation of TLR Signaling-Associated Gene Expression in X-linked Agammaglobulinemia: Implications for Correlations Genotype-Phenotype and Disease Expression
Authors: Teocchi Marcelo , de Andrade Eugênio Thaís , Furlaneto Marega Lia , Quinti Isabella , dos Santos Vilela Maria Marluce
Published: August 2024

Introduction
In X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA), the diversity of BTK variants complicates the study of genotype-phenotype correlations. Since BTK negatively regulates toll-like receptors (TLRs), we investigated if distinct BTK mutation types selectively modulate TLR pathways, affecting disease expression.
Methods
Using RT-qPCR, we quantified ten TLR signaling-related genes in XLA patients with missense (n=3) and nonsense (n=5) BTK mutations and healthy controls (n=17).
Results
BTK, IRAK2, PIK3R4, REL, TFRC, and UBE2N were predominantly downregulated, while RIPK2, TLR3, TLR10, and TLR6 showed variable regulation. The missense XLA group exhibited significant downregulation of IRAK2, PIK3R4, REL, and TFRC, and upregulation of TLR3 and/or TLR6.
Conclusion
Hypo-expression of TLR3, TLR6, and TLR10 may increase susceptibility to infections, while hyper-expression might contribute to chronic inflammatory conditions like arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease. Our findings shed light on the important inflammatory component characteristic of some XLA patients, even under optimal therapeutic conditions.
We Need to Nail It: Dermatology Resident Survey Highlighting Lack of Education for Nail Matrix Biopsies
Authors: Gamret A. Caresse , Glaser Ella , Morrison Brian W.
Published: August 2024

Introduction: Dermatologists are experts in the skin, hair, and nails. However, it is the authors’ perception that many dermatologists lack comfort in performing nail matrix biopsies. Methods: Concerned for inadequate training, we surveyed US dermatology residents to assess their exposure to this procedure. Results: Of the 130 respondents, 43 were PGY4 residents. Of these, 37.21% had never observed and 62.79% had never performed a nail matrix tangential shave biopsy. Similarly, 32.56% had never observed and 58.14% had never performed a nail matrix punch biopsy. Overall, 83.8% of all residents did not feel comfortable with and 71.5% did not anticipate feeling comfortable with performing nail matrix biopsies by residency completion. Interestingly, size of the training program and presence of a nail expert at the institution did not increase comfort levels in performing nail matrix biopsies (p = 0.348 and p = 1.0, respectively). Additionally, the presence of a nail expert did not affect the number of biopsies observed or performed by residents. The only statistically significant associations were between year of training (p < 0.001) and having a formalized curriculum and comfort with nail matrix biopsies (p = 0.002). Conclusions: Our survey highlights a potential lack of instruction in performing nail matrix biopsies in US dermatology residencies and calls for improved resident education.
Discrimination and Stigma Associated with Obesity: A Comparative Study between Spain and Egypt – Data from the OBESTIGMA study
Authors: Sánchez Enric , Elghazally Noha M. , El-Sallamy Rania M. , Ciudin Andreea , Sánchez-Bao Ana , Hashish Mohamed S. , Barakat-Barakat Hosam , Gutiérrez-Medina Sonsoles , Valdés Nuria , Flores Lilliam , Marí-Sanchis Amelia , Goñi Fernando , Sánchez Marta , Nicolau Joana , Muñoz Concepción , Díaz-Trastoy Olaia , Cuatrecasas Guillem , Cañizares Silvia , Lecube Albert ,   on behalf of the Spanish Society for the Study of Obesity (SEEDO).
Published: August 2024

Introduction: This study explores the under-investigated area of obesity-related discrimination and stigmatization across different countries, specifically comparing Spain (Europe) and Egypt (Middle East). Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional observational study involving 2,090 participants from both countries. Participants completed three well-validated questionnaires to assess their attitudes toward obesity, experiences of weight-related stigma, and internalization of weight bias: Antifat Attitudes Scale (AFA), Stigmatizing Situations Inventory (SSI), and Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS). Participants were categorized into four groups based on body mass index (BMI) and history bariatric surgery. Results: Egyptian participants (BMI = 30.2 ± 6.7 kg/m2 [range: 18.5–69.0 kg/m2]) showed significantly higher aversion toward obesity, as indicated by higher AFA score, compared to their Spanish counterparts (BMI = 35.4 ± 10.1 kg/m2 [18.5–71.9 kg/m2]). In contrast, Spanish participants reported higher levels of weight bias internalization with increasing BMI, while in Egypt, this association was negative. The association of bariatric surgery on stigma reduction also differed between the countries. Multivariate analysis revealed that residing in Egypt was an independent risk factor for higher scores in AFA and WBIS (odds ratio 8.20 [95% confidence interval: 6.78–9.62], p < 0.001 and odds ratio (OR) 6.28 [95% CI: 4.78–7.78], p < 0.001, respectively). In contrast, Spaniards experienced more stigmatizing situations than Egyptians (OR −2.54 [95% CI: 6.78–9.62], p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our study underscores the complex and diverse nature of obesity-related attitudes across cultures. Understanding these cultural differences is crucial for developing effective, culturally sensitive strategies to tackle weight stigma. This research opens avenues for further studies and interventions tailored to cultural contexts.
The Association Between Urinary Tract Stones and The Incidence of Urinary Tract Infections
Authors: Budaya Taufiq Nur , Rohman Mohammad Saifur , Ardhino Ardhino , Dhani Fauzan Kurniawan
Published: August 2024

Introduction. This research was conducted to investigate the association between urinary tract stones and the occurrence of urinary tract infections in patients receiving treatment at Saiful Anwar General Hospital in Malang.Methods. This research constitutes an analytical observational study employing a case-control research design conducted at Saiful Anwar General Hospital in Malang from 2015 to 2020.Results. This study comprised a sample size of 104 patients. In the group of patients with urinary tract stones, the highest occurrence was among men (77.3%), particularly those aged between 30-60 years (59.1%). In the group of patients with UTIs, males had the highest prevalence (67.3%), with a significant portion at the age of 50 (55.8%). The Chi-Square analysis investigating the association between urinary tract stones and the presence of urinary tract infections resulted in a p-value of 0.008, accompanied by an Odd Ratio of 4.566.Conclusions. A notable association has been identified between urinary tract stones and the presence of urinary tract infections.
The Mindful Brain: A Systematic Review of the Neural Correlates of Trait Mindfulness
Authors: Treves Isaac N. , Pichappan Kannammai , Hammoud Jude , Bauer Clemens C. C. , Ehmann Sebastian , Sacchet Matthew D. , Gabrieli John D. E.
Published: August 2024

Trait self-report mindfulness scales measure one's disposition to pay nonjudgmental attention to the present moment. Concerns have been raised about the validity of trait mindfulness scales. Despite this, there is extensive literature correlating mindfulness scales with objective brain measures, with the goal of providing insight into mechanisms of mindfulness, and insight into associated positive mental health outcomes. Here, we systematically examined the neural correlates of trait mindfulness. We assessed 68 correlational studies across structural magnetic resonance imaging, task-based fMRI, resting-state fMRI, and EEG. Several consistent findings were identified, associating greater trait mindfulness with decreased amygdala reactivity to emotional stimuli, increased cortical thickness in frontal regions and insular cortex regions, and decreased connectivity within the default-mode network. These findings converged with results from intervention studies and those that included mindfulness experts. On the other hand, the connections between trait mindfulness and EEG metrics remain inconclusive, as do the associations between trait mindfulness and between-network resting-state fMRI metrics. ERP measures from EEG used to measure attentional or emotional processing may not show reliable individual variation. Research on body awareness and self-relevant processing is scarce. For a more robust correlational neuroscience of trait mindfulness, we recommend larger sample sizes, data-driven, multivariate approaches to self-report and brain measures, and careful consideration of test–retest reliability. In addition, we should leave behind simplistic explanations of mindfulness, as there are many ways to be mindful, and leave behind simplistic explanations of the brain, as distributed networks of brain areas support mindfulness.
The Ceremony for Check-Marking Criminals for Execution and the Court and Autumn Assizes under the Qing Dynasty
Authors: Zhang Shiming
Published: August 2024

Every year in the fall, the Qing emperor was to preside over ceremonies during which he was asked to check-mark the names of criminals condemned to capital punishment whom he reckoned were to be executed. This article proposes an understanding not only of these check-marking ceremonies under the Qing dynasty, but also of the judicial rehearing procedure of all capital punishment criminal cases, known as the Court and Autumn Assizes. Based on materials drawn from the Qing central archives and other institutional sources, as well as on the information found in officials’ diaries, this study provides a dynamic and evolutionary analysis of the Assizes and the check-marking ceremonies, highlighting their position as central features of the imperial judicial process. By detailing their successive changes, it seeks to unravel their highly complex and bureaucratic nature and to better assess the exact role played by the various institutional actors they called into play, first and foremost, the sovereign.
Temperature effects on interspecific hybridisation and growth of hybrid-derived populations between Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and B. mucronatus
Authors: Togashi Katsumi , Kasuga Satomi
Published: August 2024

Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is the causative agent of pine wilt disease and is indigenous to North America. It has been introduced into Japan where the non-pathogenic close relative, B. mucronatus, is widely distributed. Both nematode species have similar life cycles with vectors of cerambycid beetles of the genus Monochamus. When interspecific hybrids are backcrossed with B. xylophilus nematodes repeatedly, a small proportion of B. mucronatus genes is infused into the B. xylophilus genome (introgression) and may lead to adaptation to locally harsh environments. Though cool temperatures had inhibited the development of pine wilt disease, B. xylophilus started expanding the range to cool-summer areas after suspending its range expansion for 10 years in Japan. To consider if the range expansion is related to the introgression hybridisation between the two Bursaphelenchus species, some traits of newly and already formed hybrid-derived populations were compared between three temperature conditions of 16, 20 and 25°C. Formation of F1 hybrids was not affected by temperature. There was no difference in the time required for hybrid formation and for population establishment at 16°C between an interspecific crossing and two intraspecific crossings of B. xylophilus. Using three hybrid-derived populations reared over multiple generations at 25°C, there was no difference in the early rate of population growth between each of two hybrid-derived populations and its parental-lineage population of B. xylophilus at 16°C. Thus, the results did not reject a hypothesis that introgression hybridisation may have enhanced the fitness components such as pathogenicity of B. xylophilus populations at cool temperatures.
The Meaning of Religion and the Passions of the Soul
Authors: van Haeften Chris
Published: August 2024

In his early youth, Herman Dooyeweerd wrote a series of poems on the occasion of his love for his girlfriend and the end of his relationship with her. It is more than clear that the young Dooyeweerd gave a religious twist to his experiences. This article investigates whether the poetic expression of his experiences gives an indication that he understood the personal experience of religion in the sense of his later philosophy. If it does, then these poems illustrate what he meant by religion.
5. Beyoncé
Authors: Tumino Stephen
Published: August 2024

Chapter Five ("Beyoncé") uses the occasion of the viral sensation of Beyoncé's Super Bowl half-time performance of 2016 as a way to critique the affirmative pedagogy and lay the groundwork for transformative pedagogy.

Perhaps the most vocal response to Beyoncé's performance, at least in the mass corporate media outlets like Fox News or CNN, was from conservative voices who perceived it—or, at least, said that they did—as a provocation to attack the police. In more popular media such as YouTube and Facebook, Beyoncé's performance received a more favorable response and she was for the most part praised not only for embracing her blackness but also for adding her voice to popular movements such as Black Lives Matter that are protesting against police brutality and mass incarceration, what Michelle Alexander calls the "new Jim Crow." However, to stop here and simply rehearse this familiar debate—to, in other words, follow the Graffian imperative and "teach the conflict"—does not, I argue, really get at the underlying question of why the conflict over Beyoncé's performance in the first place. A transformative reading, I argue, is reading beyond the cultural obviousness produced by the dominant media environment in order to uncover the cultural "unsaid" and thereby not only become a conscious position taker in the ongoing debates, but also someone who is able to intervene in them and open up space for change.

Keywords: Beyoncé; New Jim Crow; Black Lives Matter; Graff; identity politics; cultural politics; pedagogy; transformative critique.
7. Paul
Authors: Tumino Stephen
Published: August 2024

Chapter Seven ("Paul"): A renewed sense of "radical" materialism has become the test of one's politics today, but like other historical returns the first time it occurs, such as in the work of Walter Benjamin, it is a tragedy but today, in the work of Slavoj Žižek, Giorgio Agamben, and Alain Badiou, it is a farce. They are all currently involved in repeating Benjamin's performance in his "Theses on the Philosophy of History" in which he identified, using the language of Saint Paul, a "weak messianic power" in the discourse of historical materialism that more so than any positive and reliable knowledge of inequality, such as provided by Marx's labor theory of value, is what truly makes it radical. The argument that Marx's "scientific socialism" is secretly a form of the very "ethical" or "utopian socialism" that he and Engles never failed to critique for serving to normalize the contradictions of capitalism would seem to call into question the supposed "radicality" of Benjamin's messianic materialism. And yet, it is precisely Benjamin's messianic interpretation of materialism to which Agamben, Badiou, and Žižek have all recently turned for addressing the inequalities of capitalism. But, there can be no social change without the positive and reliable knowledge of what makes class inequality. What the messianic materialism amounts to in the end, I argue, is the counsel to find happiness in the midst of bare survival and, as in the re-newed faith of Paul, it represents therefore a therapeutic retreat in cultural theory of learning to live with capitalism rather than a means to overcome it.

Keywords: Walter Benjamin; Slavoj Žižek, Giorgio Agamben, Alain Badiou; Saint Paul; Christianity; messianism; religion; Marxism.
8. Occupy
Authors: Tumino Stephen
Published: August 2024

Chapter Eight ("Occupy"): The "mainstream" corporate media represented Occupy Wall Street as the ghost of communism risen from the dead. From right-wing commentators like Glenn Beck to liberal establishment news outlets like The New York Times, the Occupy movement has been labeled "communist" because it has raised the issue of class inequality in the US. On the cultural Left Occupy was represented as a "new communism" by invoking the theories of Žižek, Negri, and Badiou. What is meant by "communism" in these discourses is the "nursery tale" (Marx) of overcoming our differences through the power of love to defend our common (national) interests against the greedy few who would personally enrich themselves at others expense. If this is communism then Glenn Beck has nothing to worry about because what he fears is only a ghost—the "spirit" of Jesus, not the theory of Marx. Through a close reading of speeches made at the Occupy encampment at Zuccotti Park in NYC by Žižek and Richard Wolff I argue that unless and until we confront the fact that capitalism has once again brought the world to the point of taking sides for or against the system as a whole, communism will continue to be just a bogey-man or a nursery-tale to frighten and soothe the conscience of the owners rather than what it is—"the self-conscious, independent movement of the immense majority, in the interest of the immense majority" (The Manifesto of the Communist Party) to end inequality forever.

Keywords: Occupy Wall Street; Žižek; Wolff; communism; Marxism.
14. Communism
Authors: Tumino Stephen
Published: August 2024

Chapter Fourteen ("Communism"): The global economic crash of 2007-08—as well as the subsequent government bailouts of the dominant bourgeois institutions responsible for it and their continued commitment to a program of social austerity in its wake around the world since—has dramatically revealed what is normally hidden behind the everyday glare of consumerism in the global North: capitalism systematically sacrifices the livelihood of the many to serving the interests of a privileged few. Suddenly millions were forced to confront the fact that capitalism is failing in exactly the way Marx and Engels predicted in The Manifesto of the Communist Party because it is "incompetent to assure an existence to its slave within his slavery, because it cannot help letting him sink into such a state, that it has to feed him, instead of being fed by him" (495-6). As more and more people are finding that capitalism is unable to "assure their existence" even in the midst of the superabundant wealth of the western democracies, it is no surprise to see that "class" has once again returned to the popular lexicon and there is a renewed interest in Marx, Marxism, and communism as workers begin to struggle to make sense of their immiserated lives and to investigate why the political means to address these conditions is so severely delimited (Barker). However, as I will explain, the contemporary engagement with Marx is predominantly "writerly" as it reinterprets class as a spectral presence in the circuits of the daily, rather than a serious engagement with the "speecherly" truth of class found in Marx, i.e., class as a matter of how "the mode of production of material life conditions the general process of social, political and intellectual life" (Preface to Contribution, 263). What will be of particular importance in the contemporary encounter with the intellectual and political legacy of Marx today, I argue, is to engage with Marx's speecherly theory of communism found in his speeches on the Paris Commune of 1871. This is because it is in them that Marx focuses his critique of the Commune on what he calls the "infantile" communism of the anarchists, whom he holds as largely responsible for its defeat because of how their doctrine of the "equality of classes" led them to support class collaborationist policies and to subvert the international solidarity required for the arrival of communism.

Keywords: communism; Paris Commune; Marx; Marxism; Barthes; Badiou; Rancière; Lukács; readerly; writerly; speecherly.
Spatiotemporal Characteristics and Triggers of Flash Droughts across All the River Basins in India
Authors: Poonia Vikas , Jha Srinidhi , Srinivas V. V. , Wang Lixin
Published: August 2024

Flash droughts (FDs) have attracted widespread attention in recent years due to their sudden onset and rapid intensification with significant impacts on ecosystems, water resources, and agriculture. These features of FDs pose unique challenges for their forecast, monitoring, and mitigation. The impact of FDs on society can vary depending on several factors, such as the frequency of their occurrence, rate of intensification, and mean severity, which are not well understood and remain unclear specifically over India. This study developed a novel approach to quantitatively define FD based on the aridity index. This new approach was used to examine spatiotemporal characteristics (including trends) and triggers of FDs over 25 river basins across India from 1981 to 2021. The hydrometeorological conditions, including soil moisture percentiles, anomalies of precipitation, temperature, and vapor pressure deficit were investigated at different stages of FD. Results suggest that FDs with high intensification rates are more common in humid areas compared to subhumid and semiarid areas. Both precipitation and temperature are primary triggers of FDs over a major part of the study area. The individual effects of soil moisture and precipitation also act as a trigger across some regions (like northeast India and the Western Ghats). Additionally, atmospheric aridity can create conditions conducive to FDs, and when combined with depleted soil moisture, it can accelerate their rapid onset. Besides the scientific novelty, the findings of this study will facilitate policymakers to formulate effective strategies to mitigate the consequences of FDs on water resources and agriculture in India.

Significance Statement

Flash droughts have attracted widespread attention due to their sudden onset and rapid intensification with significant impacts on multiple vectors. The impact of flash drought on society depends on their frequency, rate of intensification, and mean severity, which are not well understood and remain unclear specifically over India. This study develops a novel approach to quantitatively define flash drought based on the aridity index. This new approach is used to examine spatiotemporal characteristics and triggers of flash drought over 25 river basins across India from 1981 to 2021. Besides the scientific novelty, the findings of this study will facilitate policymakers to formulate effective strategies to mitigate the consequences of FDs on water resources and agriculture in India.
Occupational Priorities of People on Hemodialysis Who Participated in Energy Management Education
Authors: Farragher Janine , Davis Jane A. , Thomas Chandra , Ravani Pietro , Manns Braden , Elliott Meghan J. , Hemmelgarn Brenda R.
Published: August 2024

Background. People with kidney failure who undergo hemodialysis treatment and experience chronic fatigue identify negative effects on occupational performance and participation as a key aspect of their illness experience. Purpose. To describe the occupational performance and participation problems of people treated with hemodialysis who live with debilitating fatigue. Method. Fifteen participants, who were randomized to participate in an energy management intervention as part of a randomized controlled trial, completed two occupation-based assessments at baseline and chose three priority occupational performance or participation problems to address as goals during the intervention. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics (counts and percentages). Findings. Fifteen participants (mean age 60, 53% male) completed the occupation-based assessments. Participants stated that they wanted or needed more energy for a median of 22 of 55 occupations. Going out for food/drinks ( n = 11), going to a movie/concert/performance ( n = 10), and food preparation/clean-up ( n = 10) were the top occupations for which participants required more energy. Prioritized occupational performance and participation problems most often fell within the household management (14 goals), self-care (6 goals), and hobbies (5 goals) domains. Conclusion. Occupational performance and participation problems are extensive among people treated with hemodialysis who live with debilitating fatigue. There is a clear need for occupation-based interventions that optimize occupational performance and participation in this population.
Surveillance and Five Eyes: Changing Dimensions of India’s Cyber Security
Authors: Santhosh Krishnapriya , Kurian Anju Lis , Sebastian Jobin
Published: August 2024

Cyber security becomes more challenging in the interconnected global environment when digital borders surpass physical boundaries. This study closely looks into the dynamic interactions that exist between the Five Eyes Alliance’s widespread surveillance tactics and India’s cyber security resilience. Amid this complex web of international data protection dynamics, the tactics used by India provide insights into the difficulties faced and the creative solutions advancing the country’s digital defence. A thorough understanding of India’s response to the evolving threats posed by the cooperative intelligence efforts of Five Eyes’ alliance is shedding light on the multifaceted dimensions of the country’s cyber security posture as it navigates this challenging terrain. This investigation adds significant information to the larger conversation on global cyber security by highlighting the necessity of flexible tactics and creative solutions for protecting digital assets, both globally and domestically in India.
Damage resistance and damage tolerance of a double-double fiber-reinforced polymer composite laminate to impact
Authors: Targino Talita G , Cunha Rayane D , Medeiros Antonio M , Cardoso Cristiano , Paiva da Costa Ferreira Evans , Daniel Diniz Melo José , Freire Júnior Raimundo CS
Published: August 2024

This article analyzes the damage tolerance after impact of an unconventional carbon/epoxy laminate (AS4/8552) of the Double-Double (DD) type tested with different impact energies and compares it to a traditional laminate with equivalent properties. Quadriaxial (QUAD) laminate has stacking sequence [03/90/±45]S and the DD equivalent laminate has stacking sequence [0/-55/0/+55]3T. These materials were subjected to the low velocity impact test (LVI) with three energy levels (30 J, 45 J and 74 J), the uniaxial compression test and the compression after impact (CAI). The objective of this article is to validate whether the proposed DD laminate can be a replacement for the QUAD presented, considering the behavior under impact. In addition to the comparative study, this article also has the objective of evaluating whether it is possible to relate the damage tolerance with the delaminated area, and for this purpose, X-ray computed tomography (CT) was performed, making it possible to measure and locate the damage found in the samples.
When authoritarian innovations fail: Labour governance in Myanmar's reform era and beyond
Authors: Gillan Michael , Ford Michele
Published: August 2024

The concept of authoritarian innovations provides a means of interpreting labour governance practices that claim to uphold democratic values and international labour standards while restricting labour participation and genuine voice in the workplace. Two underexplored dimensions of this literature are (a) how authoritarian practices are utilised by power elites in ‘hybrid’ state formations and (b) under what conditions they may be discarded in favour of a return to direct forms of coercion and violence. In this article, we examine these questions with reference to Myanmar, where there was a decade of experimentation with democracy before a reversion to military-dominated authoritarian rule in February 2021. In the first half of that decade, space opened under a military-led government for decidedly more democratic labour relations, although labour governance reforms were designed and operationalised in ways that constrained the strength and reach of trade unions. In the second half, a democratically elected civilian-led government presided over the contraction of the space available to organised labour. By tracking the alignment of meso-level authoritarian practices against the changing macro-level character of Myanmar's political landscape, this article contributes to theoretical debates within the emerging literature on authoritarian innovations in labour governance.
Segmental Influences on the Perception of High Pitch Accent Scaling in American English
Authors: Barnes Jonathan , Brugos Alejna , Veilleux Nanette , Shattuck-Hufnagel Stefanie
Published: August 2024

Researchers investigating a broad array of questions in spoken language prosody routinely base their arguments on measurements taken from the F0 contours of representative speech samples. These analyses, however, frequently involve abstracting F0 contours away from the segmental strings that bear them, potentially overlooking in the process the role played by segmental qualities such as sonority or periodicity in the realization of F0 patterns by speakers and their interpretation by listeners. This paper reports the results of two experiments investigating how perception of F0 contours is affected by the segmental string over which those contours are realized. The first focuses on gaps in F0 contours created by voiceless obstruents such as stops and fricatives, while the second investigates F0 intervals spanning lower-sonority voiced segments, such as nasals and voiced fricatives. While these two scenarios might at first seem unrelated, we argue that listeners treat both with a single mechanism in perception, namely, by reducing (potentially to zero) the amount of weight accorded to those portions of the contour for determination of the speaker’s intended F0 scaling level. We present an account of both effects within a unified model of F0 scaling perception called TCoG-F, with discussion of its implications for phonetic and phonological intonation research going forward.
The Good Politician: Competence, Integrity and Authenticity in Seven Democracies
Authors: Valgarðsson Viktor , Jennings Will , Stoker Gerry , McKay Lawrence , Devine Daniel , Clarke Nick
Published: August 2024

We explore the characteristics of politicians that make them trusted by citizens, fielding conjoint survey experiments in seven democracies. Studies regularly indicate that competence and integrity are key attributes in the perceived trustworthiness of politicians, but we show that displaying authenticity is also important. Authenticity is about being true to oneself, and in the political context this requires politicians to appear unlike typical politicians and more like ordinary people. We find that some attributes associated with authenticity are as important as competence and integrity, and they appear to be especially important to citizens with lower levels of generalized political trust. These findings suggest that considerations of politicians being ‘in touch with ordinary people’ can matter just as much as more traditional judgements of their honesty and ability to produce outcomes. This has implications for our understanding of political leadership as well as for trust-building strategies.
Delivering suburban densification: Diverse resident groups and strategies of support and resistance
Authors: Ruming Kristian J , Liu Sha , Pinnegar Simon , Crommelin Laura , Gillon Charles , Easthope Hazel
Published: August 2024

Suburbs are at the forefront of urban change, with urban policy looking to increase the density of suburban centres. Thus, the compact city has emerged as a dominant urban policy paradigm, where policy settings are configured to enable densification in designated centres. For some, this is a form of post-suburbanism, characterised by new drivers, experiences and outcomes of suburban redevelopment pressures. However, suburban densification can emerge as a site of contestation as diverse interests, such as residents, developers and governments, come together. We explore three suburban centres in Sydney, Australia, to identify the diverse array of resident positions, objectives and strategies that emerge in response to suburban densification. Drawing from literature on NIMBY (not-in-my-backyard), YIMBY (yes-in-my-backyard) and urban growth machines, we establish an analytical framework that disrupts simple pro- and anti-development positions, identifying five resident groups: supporters; resisters; opponents; expansionists; and beneficiaries.
The everlasting mission of God: Eternity, temporality, and the missio Dei in Karl Barth’s theology
Authors: Kim Benjamin H.
Published: August 2024

This paper argues that the missio Dei continues into the new creation. God’s mission is his sending of the Son into the created world in his revelation, so it is a movement from eternity to time. Karl Barth’s ‘infinite qualitative distinction’ between time and eternity distinguishes God’s eternal being from human existence as temporal creatures, which is maintained in the new creation. Thus, it is necessary for God’s continuing mission in the person of Jesus Christ, who is the mediator between God and humanity in the union of his two natures.
Neural network–based adaptive sliding mode control of three-dimensional double-pendulum overhead cranes with prescribed performance
Authors: Wang Shourui , Jin Wuyin , Zhang Xia
Published: August 2024

In order to tackle the uncertainties encountered in the operation of three-dimensional (3D) overhead crane systems and enhance the overall robustness of the control system, an adaptive sliding mode control (SMC) method based on prescribed performance is proposed in this work. Specifically, an integral sliding mode controller (ISMC) based on prescribed performance is designed for the 3D overhead crane dynamics model with double-pendulum effect, which is used to constrict system error. By considering the case of model uncertainty, time-varying parameters, track friction, and so on, the neural network (NN) is employed to estimate unknown terms in the controller design, and the Lyapunov function is applied to analyze the stability of the close-loop system. The results demonstrated that the proposed method can effectively improve the positioning accuracy and payload swing suppression performance of the overhead crane system, and also improve the robustness of the control system to deal with uncertainties.
Volterra operator-based fixed-time adaptive parameter estimation for DC-DC buck converters without current sensors
Authors: Jiazhou Lu , Guosheng Zhang , Liaoxuan Dai , Huifang Min , Shang Shi
Published: August 2024

This paper investigates the problem of parameter estimation for DC-DC buck converter without current sensors. For the circuit, all the parameters of capacitance, inductance, resistance, and input voltage are unknown. A novel Volterra operator-based fixed-time adaptive algorithm is proposed by using only the output voltage and control input signals. By selecting proper kernel function for the Volterra integral operator, the influence of the system initial values can be eliminated, and the calculation of the derivative of the system output can also be avoided. Strict analysis shows that the proposed estimation algorithm can ensure the estimation errors converge to zero in a fixed time independent of the initial error values. Finally, simulation results with different initial values verify the advantages of the proposed algorithm.
Control of networked robots subject to communication delay and switching connection topology for cooperative source-seeking with collision avoidance
Authors: Gharib Behnam , Mahboobi Esfanjani Reza
Published: August 2024

This paper investigates the problem of cooperative source-seeking by networked multi-robot systems subject to variable communication time delay, while all the agents keep a desired formation and avoid collision with each other during the motion. The connection between the robots is modeled by a dynamic and undirected graph, with arbitrary switching based on communication range. The proposed distributed control law which steers the agents toward the source contains a collision avoidance term, developed based on a novel potential function and a field gradient estimation term, computed from the delayed information. Synthesis conditions to adjust the controller parameters are derived in terms of linear matrix inequalities to ensure the team’s convergence to a neighborhood of the source. Finally, simulation results in MATLAB® are presented to demonstrate the efficiency and applicability of the suggested scheme.
Intelligent automobile path tracking control based on T-S fuzzy
Authors: Huang Liang , Chen Qiping , Jiang Zhiqiang , Zhong Chengping , You Daoliang
Published: August 2024

To coordinate the accuracy and driving stability of intelligent automobile in the path tracking process and improve the adaptive capability of the control algorithm to different working conditions, an intelligent automobile path tracking control method based on T-S fuzzy is proposed. First, the lateral deviation and heading angle deviation during tracking are considered, and the path tracking error equation is established using a 2 degree-of-freedom single-track dynamic model. Second, an adaptive preview algorithm based on vehicle speed, reference path curvature and heading angle deviation is designed, and feedforward control is designed based on the results of the algorithm. Then, the T-S fuzzy control method with fast decision-making capability is utilized to realize the adaptive adjustment of the weight coefficients of the linear quadratic regulation (LQR) controller to adapt to the variable weight path tracking control under different working conditions. Finally, the designed control method is tested on a double-lane road condition using the Carsim-Simulink co-simulation platform. The results show that the designed controller has high tracking accuracy, and can maintain good accuracy and driving stability under different working conditions.
Rethinking the Three Rs: Growing Momentum Toward a New Gold Standard in Australian Research
Authors: Anderson Natalie , Smith Rachel
Published: August 2024

Recent years have seen increasing recognition of the scientific, economic and ethical benefits of the use of non-animal models in advancing preclinical research, giving reason to rethink the application and framework of the Three Rs. However, to benefit from the economic advantages of shifting to such alternative methods, and to realise Australia’s drug development potential, legislative reform is essential. Such reform should be responsive to international regulations that encourage the use of animal-free methods, and be coupled with a corresponding re-evaluation of current Three Rs frameworks and principles. If these supportive changes, and the recommendations from the 2023 Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Futures Non-animal models report, are implemented concurrently — with government support paramount— then a new gold standard for scientific research in Australia could be created in which the use of non-animal models and animal-free methods is the default.
“It’s someone who means a lot to me, and who means even more to mom”: Children’s views on the romantic partners of their polyamorous parents
Authors: Alarie Milaine , Bosom Morag , Côté Isabel
Published: August 2024

Polyamory is a relationship style that allows individuals to develop multiple romantic relationships simultaneously. Although studies show that many polyamorous people have children, very little is known about the experiences of children growing up in such a family context. Based on 18 semi-structured interviews with Canadian children living with polyamorous parents, we examined the level of emotional closeness they felt towards their parents’ romantic partners, and what these adults meant to them. We found that these children generally appreciated their parents’ partners. These adults were seen by our participants as someone who contributed positively to their lives. More specifically, the participating children —especially pre-teens and younger children— described their parents’ romantic partners as adults: 1) to have fun with, 2) who contributed to their material well-being, 3) who took care of them, and 4) who, through their own children, contributed to expanding their circle of friends. Finally, some children — mainly teenagers and pre-teens— talked about these adults primarily as people who contributed positively to their parents' lives. Overall, this study makes an important contribution to the literature on family diversity.