The possibility of another island : utopian discourse in the age of dystopia

More than 500 years after the publication of Utopia, the idea of islands with a different kind of society has taken a dystopian turn. Whereas Thomas More’s book can be interpreted as a reaction to the enclosure and the birth of early capitalism, in the contemporary framework utopian thinking is marginalised despite the shortcomings of the current political and economic arrangements. As the example of Nauru demonstrates, the neoliberal exploitation of resources—whether through the exploitation of the soil, offshore banking or the offshore processing of refugees—might altogether lead to evanescence. This article attempts to demonstrate that the current dystopianism, as also exemplified by Michel Houellebecq’s novel The Possibility of an Island, is not counterbalanced by a utopianism that is not merely contemplative or an ou-topianism that fosters fatalism. Melville’s Bartleby, as interpreted by Agamben, is still an influential image of resistance—but his passive attitude to potentiality can be contrasted with the energy of utopian socialists such as Barthélemy Prosper Enfantin, who established intentional communities in the 19th century. In light of the Naurusation of the possibility of another island, the question is whether the “There is No Alternative” doctrine has to be reassessed in the context of eu-topian approaches, with utopian mental images and a concrete idea of political agency.peer-reviewe

The Retopian Approach to Art

In contemporary art there has been a resurgent interest in returning to the idea of Utopia. However 500 years after Thomas More the meaning of the word utopia has become more complex than in the 16th century: is utopia a outopia or a eutopia?  This paper argues the need for a classification of the use of the term of utopia in the context of contemporary art. Is Utopia a contemporary outopia (as shown by artists like Thomas Hirschhorn) that reflects a critical use of the term but excludes any possibility of social change and is pessimistic about artistic agency. Is utopia a contemplative utopia (as artists like Liam Gillick propose) that acknowledges transformative potential of a reality transcending concept but does not articulate any agency? Can the social and political change be achieved through activism without a mental utopian picture (as aimed for in the projects of WochenKlausur)? Or are all three basic attitudes toward utopia in contemporary art a reduction of the transformative potential of utopia because none of them connects a utopian mental picture with the concept of political agency?  Based on a critical reevaluation of Lewis Mumford’s idea of “reconstructive utopia” the concept of retopia is an attempt to revive utopia as a suggestive device that links a utopian mental picture with political agency. The retopia is a reconstructive eutopia that does not make any claim on human nature and avoids abstract universals by explicitly grounding the utopian project in the local environment. Retopia has the claim to be put into practice through social experimentation. A retopian approach to contemporary art (and politics) has the potential to reintroduce reality transcending political concepts that do not replicate the authoritarian cul de sacs of past utopias while at the same time reaffirm the catalyst function of utopian thinking.

La imaginación retópica

Can the current attitudes toward utopia be described as hollow space in the Blochian sense? The political debate is dominated by apocalyptic imagination which fuels populist movements but ultimately it does not have any emancipatory potential. Contemporary reflection on utopia can be either defined by a outopian attitude that is critical towards the status quo but sees alternative arrangements as no-places or as a contemplative utopia, that recognizes the need for utopian visions but cannot identify any political agency. Activism without utopian mental picture often disintegrates for lack of a unified goal and therefore cannot live up to its transformative potential. Retopia, the fourth attitude towards utopia could refocus the eutopian impulse and counter the apocalyptic imagination with a radical imagination that is based on the encouragement of political action. Politics is a confidence game and action inspired by retopian mental pictures could create a sense of an opening in the There is No Alternative doctrine that dominates the political sphere..¿Pueden describirse las actitudes actuales hacia la utopía como un espacio vacío en el sentido Blochiano? El debate político está dominado por la imaginación apocalíptica que alimenta los movimientos populistas pero que, en última instancia, no tiene ningún potencial emancipatorio. La reflexión contemporánea sobre la utopía puede definirse por una actitud outópica, crítica hacia el status quo, pero que ve las propuestas alternativas como no-lugares o como una utopía contemplativa, que reconoce la necesidad de visiones utópicas pero no puede identificar a ninguna agencia política. El activismo sin imagen mental utópica a menudo se desintegra por falta de un objetivo unificado y, por lo tanto, no puede estar a la altura de su potencial transformador. Retopía, la cuarta actitud hacia la utopía podría reenfocar el impulso eutopista y contrarrestar la imaginación apocalíptica con una imaginación radical que se basa en el estímulo de la acción política. La política es un juego de confianza y la acción inspirada en las imágenes mentales retópicas podría crear una sensación de apertura en la doctrina de No hay alternativa que domina la esfera polític

Association between antenatal glucocorticoid exposure and the activity of the stress system, cognition, and behavior in 8‐ to 9‐year‐old children: A prospective observational study

Introduction Glucocorticoid (GC) ‐induced fetal programming of the activity of the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPAA) and its associated cognitive and behavioral consequences in later life have been well characterized in several animal species. However, information on humans is scarce. In this study, we examined HPAA activity markers and associated outcomes at 8 to 9 years of age among children prenatally exposed to GC for suspected preterm birth. Our hypothesis was that antenatal exposure to the betamethasone (BM) is associated with exacerbation of HPAA activity in childhood. Material and methods Prospective observational study in 31 children whose mothers received single ( n = 19) or multiple ( n = 12) courses of BM for threatened preterm birth but born with normal weight appropriate for the gestational age (median 37+ 6 weeks of gestation) compared with 38 non‐exposed, age‐matched children. Primary end point was the activity of the HPAA in response to the Trier Social Stress Test. Secondary end points were changes in autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity, cognitive performance (IQ), attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, and electrocortical activity (EEG). Results There was no statistically significant difference in HPAA activity markers between antenatal BM exposed and unexposed groups. ANS activity in BM‐exposed children shifted towards a higher parasympathetic tone reflected by a higher overall high‐frequency band power of heart rate variability. IQ scores were within normal limits for both groups; however, BM‐exposed children had lower IQ scores than the unexposed group. BM‐exposed group had marginally more ADHD core symptoms and increased electrocortical activity in the occipital brain region compared with controls. A monotonic dose–response relation between BM exposure and activity of the ANS and IQ was estimated in post‐hoc analyses. Conclusions Antenatal exposure to BM in the context of threatened preterm birth was not associated with changes in HPAA activity in childhood. However, BM exposure may be associated with changes in ANS activity. Antenatal GC prophylaxis is a valuable and often life‐saving therapy, but its prescription may warrant a well‐balanced risk–benefit assessment

Evaluation of Respiratory Muscles Activity by means of Cross Mutual Information Function at Different Levels of Ventilatory Effort

Analysis of respiratory muscles activity is an effective technique for the study of pulmonary diseases such as obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Respiratory diseases, especially those associated with changes in the mechanical properties of the respiratory apparatus, are often associated with disruptions of the normally highly coordinated contractions of respiratory muscles. Due to the complexity of the respiratory control, the assessment of OSAS related dysfunctions by linear methods are not sufficient. Therefore, the objective of this study was the detection of diagnostically relevant nonlinear complex respiratory mechanisms. Two aims of this work were: 1) to assess coordination of respiratory muscles contractions through evaluation of interactions between respiratory signals and myographic signals through nonlinear analysis by means of cross mutual information function (CMIF); 2) to differentiate between functioning of respiratory muscles in patients with OSAS and in normal subjects. Electromyographic(EMG) and mechanomyographic (MMG) signals were recorded from three respiratory muscles: genioglossus, sternomastoid and diaphragm. Inspiratory pressure and flow were also acquired. All signals were measured in eight patients with OSAS and eight healthy subjects during an increased respiratory effort while awake. Several variables were defined and calculated from CMIF in order to describe correlation between signals. The results indicate different nonlinear couplings of respiratory muscles in both populations. This effect is progressively more evident at higher levels of respiratory effort

phosphoinositide 3 kinase gamma controls inflammation induced myocardial depression via sequential camp and inos signalling

Aims Sepsis-induced myocardial depression (SIMD), an early and frequent event of infection-induced systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), is characterized by reduced contractility irrespective of enhanced adrenergic stimulation. Phosphoinositide-3 kinase γ (PI3Kγ) is known to prevent β-adrenergic overstimulation via its scaffold function by activating major cardiac phosphodiesterases and restricting cAMP levels. However, the role of PI3Kγ in SIRS-induced myocardial depression is unknown. This study is aimed at determining the specific role of lipid kinase-dependent and -independent functions of PI3Kγ in the pathogenesis of SIRS-induced myocardial depression. Methods and results PI3Kγ knockout mice (PI3Kγ−/−), mice expressing catalytically inactive PI3Kγ (PI3KγKD/KD), and wild-type mice (P3Kγ+/+) were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced systemic inflammation and assessed for survival, cardiac autonomic nervous system function, and left ventricular performance. Additionally, primary adult cardiomyocytes were used to analyse PI3Kγ effects on myocardial contractility and inflammatory response. SIRS-induced adrenergic overstimulation induced a transient hypercontractility state in PI3Kγ−/− mice, followed by reduced contractility. In contrast, P3Kγ+/+ mice and PI3KγKD/KD mice developed an early and ongoing myocardial depression despite exposure to similarly increased catecholamine levels. Compared with cells from P3Kγ+/+ and PI3KγKD/KD mice, cardiomyocytes from PI3Kγ−/− mice showed an enhanced and prolonged cAMP-mediated signalling upon norepinephrine and an intensified LPS-induced proinflammatory response characterized by nuclear factor of activated T-cells-mediated inducible nitric oxide synthase up-regulation. Conclusions This study reveals the lipid kinase-independent scaffold function of PI3Kγ as a mediator of SIMD during inflammation-induced SIRS. Activation of cardiac phosphodiesterases via PI3Kγ is shown to restrict myocardial hypercontractility early after SIRS induction as well as the subsequent inflammatory responses

Impact of pulmonary vein isolation on obstructive sleep apnea in patients with atrial fibrillation

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been identified as associated with the onset and propagation of atrial fibrillation (AF) and predicts recurrences of AF after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Vice versa, it has never been investigated whether PVI influences OSA. However, it has been controversial whether a restored atrial function can affect the course of OSA. There­fore, we have assessed whether PVI procedure modulates the prevalence and severity of OSA. Methods and Results: We included 23 individuals with AF that were assigned to undergo PVI into this study. Patients were 65 ± 7 years old, obese (BMI 29.9 ± 5.4 kg/m2), white (100%) and had a normal left ventricular function (LVEF 64 ± 9%). Polygraphic assessment was carried out before and 6 months after PVI. The prevalence of OSA, defined as an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 5 per hour of sleep, was 74% before PVI compared to 70% 6 months after the procedure (p > 0.05). Severity of OSA did not differ (AHI before vs. after: 18 ± 18/h vs. 15 ± 17/h, p > 0.05) as well as further polygraphic parameters did not differ before and after the procedure. Conclusions: Prevalence and severity of OSA are not affected by PVI in patients suffering from AF.

Human fetal heart rate variability-characteristics of autonomic regulation in the third trimester of gestation

Aim: To describe developmental aspects of the sympathovagal heart rate regulation in the human fetus by applying numerics to visual descriptions of fetal heart rate patterns throughout the third trimester of pregnancy. The focus is to determine potential benefits of this alternative means of assessing the maturation of the fetal autonomic nervous system by analysis of fetal heart rate variability (fHRV). Subjects and methods: The magnetocardiograms of 103 normal fetuses between 24q1 and 41q6 weeks of gestation were studied. Fetal heart beat intervals were determined with a temporal precision of 1 ms. The levels of fetal activity were estimated according to characteristic heart rate patterns (I–III) prior to 32, between 32–35 and beyond 35 (groups 1–3) completed weeks. Mean heart rate (mHR), standard deviation of normal-to-normal beat intervals (SDNN) and root mean square of successive differences of normal beats (RMSSD) served as fHRV indices, mean permutation entropy (PE_Mean) as complexity measure. SDNN/RMSSD was introduced as a potential marker for sympatho-vagal balance. Results: Low activity fHRP (I) were characterized by significantly lower level fHRV indices and higher PE_Mean when compared to fHRP II. We found that SDNN/RMSSD decreases with gestation in fHRP I, which suggests increasing vagal influence. In fHRP III (assigned to active awake fetuses only after 32 weeks), highest level SDNN and mHR are associated with a dramatically reduced complexity. fHRV indices cluster characteristically with the activity levels. Conclusions: We conclude that a combined analysis of fHRV, based on SDNN/RMSSD and PE_Mean, and fHRP is advantageous in the assessment of maturation of the fetal autonomic nervous system

Re-irradiation in clinical practice:Results of an international patterns of care survey within the framework of the ESTRO-EORTC E²-RADIatE platform

Background: Re-irradiation is an increasingly utilized treatment for recurrent, metastatic or new malignancies after previous radiotherapy. It is unclear how re-irradiation is applied in clinical practice. We aimed to investigate the patterns of care of re-irradiation internationally. Material/Methods: A cross-sectional survey conducted between March and September 2022. The survey was structured into six sections, each corresponding to a specific anatomical region. Participants were instructed to complete the sections of their clinical expertise. A total of 15 multiple-choice questions were included in each section, addressing various aspects of the re-irradiation process. The online survey targeted radiation and clinical oncologists and was endorsed by the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC).Results: 371 physicians from 55 countries across six continents participated. Participants had a median professional experience of 16 years, and the majority (60%) were affiliated with an academic hospital. The brain region was the most common site for re-irradiation (77%), followed by the pelvis (65%) and head and neck (63%). Prolonging local control was the most common goal (90–96% across anatomical regions). The most common minimum interval between previous radiotherapy and re-irradiation was 6–12 months (45–55%). Persistent grade 3 or greater radiation-induced toxicity (77–80%) was the leading contraindication. Variability in organs at risk dose constraints for re-irradiation was observed. Advanced imaging modalities and conformal radiotherapy techniques were predominantly used. A scarcity of institutional guidelines for re-irradiation was reported (16–19%). Participants from European centers more frequently applied thoracic and abdominal re-irradiation. Indications did not differ between academic and non-academic hospitals. Conclusion: This study highlights the heterogeneity in re-irradiation practices across anatomical regions and emphasizes the need for high-quality evidence from prospective studies to guide treatment decisions and derive safe cumulative dose constraints.</p

Ceramics and its dimensions : shaping the future

European ceramics traditions and cultures are facing challenges, many of them linked to the recent development of digital technology that is changing the rules of our everyday life as well as all aspects of trade. The publication shares, shows and discusses the ideas and processes that have evolved during the project Ceramics and its Dimensions and the related sub-project Shaping the Future. The sub-project began with a workshop on the premises of the KAHLA Porcelain factory in Germany gathering together international team of students, teachers and other stakeholders with the aim of exploring the material of ceramics and the associated new technologies. These experiments resulted in diverse new ceramic pieces yet even more important were the shared experiences and ideas that gave birth to new creative processes. The articles of the publication discuss the topics of design, education, 3D printing and food. The publication includes also a catalogue of the works that are on display in a touring exhibition Ceramics and its Dimensions: Shaping the Future. The aim of the publication is to challenge and reposition the role of ceramics and its future