Stirling Online Research Repository (RIOXX)
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Creativity and Contingency: Provoking Chance across the Arts
No full textFirst paragraph of sub-chapter: To shed light on how chance and contingency operate in relation to artistic creativity (where “artistic” is understood broadly to encompass visual art, music, dance, literature, theatre and so on), one needs, among other things, to engage with a complex web of interrelated ideas encompassing notions such as constraint, predictability, control and design. The goal of this section is to navigate that web. Special attention will be paid to music composition and music improvisation, although illustrative examples will sometimes be drawn from other areas of the arts
Hacia una ontología del cine indígena en América Latina
Full text linkEn los últimos años, estudiosos de diversas ramas de las ciencias humanas, sociales y comunicativas han encontrado un interés creciente en el estudio y análisis de las producciones audiovisuales creadas por grupos y comunidades indígenas en diferentes latitudes y muy especialmente en América Latina en donde la concentración de grupos autóctonos e indígenas representa una parte importante de las minorías étnicas del planeta. Este sucinto interés se presenta en gran medida al uso y explotación que dichos grupos hacen de esta herramienta comunicativa como un ejercicio de soberanía cultural y así mismo como mecanismo de autorepresentación que permite a su vez un ejercicio político y una forma de ejercer su derecho a la comunicación y a la soberanía comunicativa. La democratización y el acceso cada vez más fácil a equipos y material técnico para la realización de obras y material audiovisual por parte de comunidades históricamente invisibilizadas y sobre todo recluidas al espacio de lo “exótico” y “minoritario” han creado sin duda alguna una infinidad de narrativas en torno a lo que se comprende como “autóctono” e “indígena” desde la imagen en América Latina. Se trata de un proceso que lleva desarrollándose desde los años ochenta, pero que se ha propagado y diversifcado en los últimos veinte años gracias a la accesibilidad del formato digital y la expansión de la formación cinematográfca entre pueblos y nacionalidades indígenas como también de la recepción e interés en el material audiovisual que se produce. Es allí entonces donde cabe preguntarse, ¿qué se entiende por cine indígena? ¿Cuáles son las características que defnen esta categoría? ¿Es posible incluso plantear la producción audiovisual creada por, para y sobre las poblaciones autóctonas como una categoría unívoca que permita caracterizar este tipo de producciones y guiar el reconocimiento y posterior análisis de este tipo de producciones y narrativas a partir de la multiplicidad que estas representan? ¿Cómo pueden las perspectivas aportadas por las humanidades digitales y la ciencia de los datos ofrecer una visión crítica sobre estas cuestiones? El objetivo de esta intervención es de considerar cómo el desarrollo de una categorización ontológica del archivo audiovisual autóctono en Abya Yala (o América Latina) –en este caso a base de los datos que aportan los festivales especializados de cine indígena– puede ofrecernos esquemas y una organización de datos cuyo objetivo noes la reducción de esta complejidad a una taxonomía que se impone sobre los datos sino una intervención interrogativa, crítica y abierta que permite entender no solamente el movimiento de ciertas producciones dentro de los festivales especializados sino también preguntar por las formas en las que se ha organizado la información que pertenece a las producciones autóctonas. En este sentido, se puede considerar una intervención crítica cuyo punto de partida es reconocer como problema para pensar el “colonialismo de los datos” como un problema crucial que es relevante para la producción audiovisual – sobre todo hoy en día digital y que circula por las redes – de los pueblos y comunidades indígenas. Este tema se puede considerar como un elemento clave dentro de la gubernamentalidad algorítmica de la que se trata esta serie de intervenciones del número especial de Pléyade
Pro-environmental behaviors and well-being in everyday life
No full textIndividual and household behaviors are key targets for climate change mitigation efforts, and studies suggest that people who enact more pro-environmental behaviors tend to experience higher levels of well-being. Yet these studies have typically used coarse-grained, retrospective reports that offer limited insight into the immediate impacts of specific behaviors. In three studies (total N = 8,522 observations, N = 1,353 US and UK participants) we adopted a highly fine-grained approach. Using the day reconstruction method, we zoomed in on particular moments in everyday life to examine links between specific behaviors and different aspects of well-being. This revealed generally positive associations, but also substantial variation. Pro-environmental behaviors are more closely and consistently associated with positive and especially “eudaimonic” dimensions of well-being. And more active, effortful, and social behaviors tended to show stronger positive associations. Although the relationships between pro-environmental behaviors and well-being are considerably more complex than prior research has indicated, these findings continue to suggest that ecological and individual well-being can be pursued in tandem
Basketball Returns Home: The Diffusion and Translocation of Basketball to Scotland
Full text linkThe early history of basketball and its diffusion to Scotland is yet to be fully acknowledged and recorded. Two themes are addressed in this article: the spread of basketball worldwide and the process of its translocation to a new country; and whether it was voluntarily accepted or culturally imposed or both upon its new host. Some of the preliminary contributions to knowledge about the global diffusion of basketball during its infancy are added to and reimagined, with a specific focus regarding the arrival and infancy of basketball in Scotland. Based on a body of empirical evidence from the British Newspaper Archive alongside the Archive and Special Collection at Springfield College in conjunction with secondary sources which document the inception of basketball in Britain and Scotland, four potential entry points and groups who were responsible for translocating basketball to Scotland are examined. The four: Hampstead College graduates; Scottish-based Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) workers; Scottish sojourners; and Mormon Missionaries. In the process, other possibilities including Springfield graduates and James Naismith are disregarded. To start, the origins of basketball in the United States and its Scottish connections are outlined, before denoting the inception of basketball in the United Kingdom and Scotland
SF-ICNN: Spectral–Fractal Iterative Convolutional Neural Network for Classification of Hyperspectral Images
Full text linkOne primary concern in the field of remote-sensing image processing is the precise classification of hyperspectral images (HSIs). Lately, deep-learning models have demonstrated cutting-edge results in HSI classification. Despite this, researchers continue to study and propose simpler, more robust models. This study presents a novel deep-learning approach, the iterative convolutional neural network (ICNN), which combines spectral–fractal features and classifier probability maps iteratively, aiming to enhance the HSI classification accuracy. Experiments are conducted to prove the accuracy enhancement of the proposed method using HSI benchmark datasets of Indian pine (IP) and the University of Pavia (PU) to evaluate the performance of the proposed technique. The final results show that the proposed approach reaches overall accuracies of 99.16% and 95.5% on the IP and PU datasets, respectively, which are better than some basic methods. Additionally, the end findings demonstrate that greater accuracy levels might be achieved using a primary CNN network that employs the iteration loop than with certain current state-of-the-art spatial–spectral HSI classification techniques
Supporting General Practitioners and people withhypertension to maximise medication use to control bloodpressure: the contribution of Collective Intelligence to thedevelopment of the ‘Maximising Adherence, MinimisingInertia’ (MIAMI) intervention
Full text linkBackground: Hypertension remains one of the most important modifiable risk factors for stroke and heart disease. Anti-hypertensive medications are effective, but are often not used to maximum benefit. Sub-optimal dosing by prescribers and challenges with medication-taking for patients remain barriers to effective blood pressure control. Objectives: We aimed to systematically develop a theory-based complex intervention to support General Practitioners (GPs) and people with hypertension to maximise medication use to control blood pressure. Methods: We used the three-phase Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) as the overarching intervention development framework. Collective Intelligence methodology was used to operationalise the stakeholder input to Phases 2 and 3 of the BCW. This took the form of a Collective Intelligence workshop with 19 stakeholders from diverse backgrounds including lived experience, general practice, nursing, pharmacy and health psychology. Techniques such as barrier identification, idea-writing and scenario-based design were used to generate possible intervention options. Intervention options were then selected and refined using the Acceptability, Practicability, Effectiveness, Affordability, Side-effects and Equity (APEASE) criteria and guidance from the MIAMI Public and Patient Involvement Panel. Results: The finalised MIAMI intervention consists of both GP and patient supports. GP supports include a 30-minute online training, information booklet and consultation guide (drop-down menu) embedded within the patient electronic health system. Patient supports include a pre-consultation plan, website, and a structured GP consultation with results from an Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitor and urine chemical adherence test. The intervention components have been mapped to the intervention functions of the BCW and Behaviour Change Technique Ontology. Conclusion: Collective Intelligence offered a novel method to operationalise stakeholder input to Phases 2 and 3 of the BCW. The MIAMI intervention is now at pilot evaluation stage
Omega-3 Futures in Aquaculture: Exploring the Supply and Demands for Long-Chain Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids by Aquaculture Species
Full text linkLong-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA), like 22:6n-3 (Docosahexaenoic acid; DHA) and 20:5n-3 (Eicosapentaenoic acid; EPA), are recognized for a range of important physiological roles in many aquaculture species. While the effects of EPA and DHA on a range of performance attributes and meat qualities are well recognized, an increasing awareness of their role in immune function, reproduction, bone formation and stress response is also emerging. Against this background of demand, global supplies of LC-PUFA are dominated by fish oil production from a diversified range of sources, though news sources are emerging. Among those aquaculture sectors that are the largest users of LC-PUFA resources (salmonids, shrimp, and marine fish), there are varying degrees of capacity by each to endogenously synthesize LC-PUFA and this affects the degree to which they must be obtained via the diet. Salmonids, which are the largest user of these nutrients possess some capacity to make EPA and DHA de novo, although evidence supports that salmonids perform better when provided with them preformed. Requirements by shrimp for LC-PUFA are variable, with evidence indicating that some species have capacity to desaturate and elongate fatty acids, whereas others do not. This is consistent with the observation that some species can utilize short-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, whereas others need pre-formed LC-PUFA in their diet. A third group, marine fish, have limited ability to desaturate and elongate precursor fatty acids and therefore have a critical requirement for LC-PUFA in their diet. Evidence across multiple species indicates that demands for these fatty acids are greater when the animals are young, and this demand decreases as they age. Among the various marine fish species examined estimates of requirements vary substantially and a one-size-fits all approach is clearly not applicable
Factors affecting implementation of a National Clinical Programme for self-harm in hospital emergency departments: a qualitative study
Full text linkBackground A substantial number of people experiencing self-harm or suicidal ideation present to hospital emergency departments (EDs). In 2014, a National Clinical Programme was introduced in EDs in Ireland to standardise care provision. Internationally, there has been limited research on the factors affecting the implementation of care for people who present with mental health crises in EDs. Methods This qualitative study examined factors influencing the implementation of the National Clinical Programme for Self-harm and Suicide-related Ideation in 15 hospitals in Ireland from early (2015–2017) through to later implementation (2019–2022). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with staff involved in programme delivery, with the topic guide and thematic analysis informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Results A total of 30 participants completed interviews: nurse specialists (n=16), consultant psychiatrists (n=6), nursing managers (n=2), emergency medicine staff (n=2) and members of the national programme team (n=4). Enablers of implementation included the introduction of national, standardised guidance for EDs; implementation strategies led by the national programme team; and training and support for nurse specialists. The following inner-setting factors were perceived as barriers to implementation in some hospitals: limited access to a designated assessment room, delayed access to clinical input and poor collaboration with ED staff. Overall, these barriers dissipated over time, owing to implementation strategies at national and local levels. The varied availability of aftercare impacted providers’ ability to deliver the programme and the adaptability of programme delivery had a mixed impact across hospitals. Conclusions The perceived value of the programme and national leadership helped to advance implementation. Strategies related to ongoing training and education, developing stakeholder interrelationships and evaluation and monitoring have helped address implementation barriers and promote continued sustainment of the programme. Continued efforts are needed to support nurse specialists delivering the programme and foster partnerships with community providers to improve the transition to aftercare
Even low levels of tree cover improve dietary quality in West Africa
Full text linkForests are attracting attention as a promising avenue to provide nutritious and “free” food without damaging the environment. Yet, we lack knowledge on the extent to which this holds in areas with sparse tree cover, such as in West Africa. This is largely due to the fact that existing methods are poorly designed to quantify tree cover in drylands. In this study, we estimate how various levels of tree cover across West Africa affect children's (aged 12–59 months) consumption of vitamin A–rich foods. We do so by combining detailed tree cover estimates based on PlanetScope imagery (3 m resolution) with Demographic Health Survey data from >15,000 households. We find that the probability of consuming vitamin A–rich foods increases from 0.45 to 0.53 with an increase in tree cover from the median value of 8.8 to 16.8% (which is the tree cover level at which the predicted probability of consuming vitamin A–rich foods is the highest). Moreover, we observe that the effects of tree cover vary across poverty levels and ecoregions. The poor are more likely than the non-poor to consume vitamin A–rich foods at low levels of tree cover in the lowland forest-savanna ecoregions, whereas the difference between poor and non-poor is less pronounced in the Sahel-Sudan. These results highlight the importance of trees and forests in sustainable food system transformation, even in areas with sparse tree cover
Analysing experienced and inexperienced cyclists’ attentional focus and self-regulatory strategies during varying intensities of fixed perceived effort cycling: A mixed method study
Full text linkUsing a think aloud approach during fixed perceived effort exercise is a unique method to explore the decisionmaking processes that guide the self-regulation of perceived effort during endurance-based activity. In a two-part study, authors investigated the attentional focus and self-regulatory strategies associated with: Part A - perceived effort corresponding to (RPEGET) and above gas exchange threshold (RPE+15%GET); Part B - between experienced and inexperienced cyclists during fixed perceived effort cycling tasks. Eighteen (15 male, 3 female) healthy, active individuals completed three visits (visit 1 – ramped incremental test and familiarisation, visit 2 and 3–30-min fixed perceived effort cycling). During which, power output, heart rate, lactate, think aloud, and perceptual markers were taken. Random-intercepts linear mixed-effects models assessed the condition, time, and condition × time interactions on all dependent variables. Power output, heart rate, lactate and instances of internal sensory monitoring (t195 = 2.57, p = .011, β = 0.95 [0.23, 1.68]) and self-regulation (t195 = 4.14, p = .001, β = 1.69 [0.89, 2.49]) were significantly higher in the RPE+15%GET versus RPEGET trial. No significant differences between inexperienced and experienced cyclists for internal sensory monitoring (t196 = − 1.78, p = .095, β = − 1.73 [− 3.64, 0.18]) or self-regulatory thoughts (t196 = − 0.39, p = .699, β = − 1.06 [− 6.32, 4.21]) were noted but there were significant condition × time interactions for internal monitoring (t196 = 2.02, p = .045, β = 0.44 [0.01, 0.87]) and self-regulation (t196 = 3.45, p = .001, β = 0.85 [0.37, 1.33]). Seemingly, experienced athletes associatively attended to internal psychophysiological state and subsequently self-regulate their psychophysiological state at earlier stages of exercise than inexperienced athletes. This is the first study to exhibit the differences in attentional focus and self-regulatory strategies that are activated based on perceived effort intensity and experience level in cyclists
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