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Setting the Scene : Scotland on the Eve of the 2026 Election
Get PDFA report prepared as part of 2026 Scotland and Wales Election Analysis, a collaboration between the Fraser of Allander at the University of Strathclyde and the Wales Governance Centre at Cardiff University, with support from the Nuffield Foundation
Single pixel image classification using an ultrafast digital light projector
Get PDFPattern recognition and image classification are essential tasks in machine vision. Autonomous vehicles, for example, require being able to collect the complex information contained in a changing environment and classify it in real time. Here, we experimentally demonstrate image classification at multi-kHz frame rates combining the technique of single pixel imaging (SPI) with a low complexity machine learning model. The use of a microLED-on-CMOS digital light projector for SPI enables ultrafast pattern generation for sub-ms image encoding. We investigate the classification accuracy of our experimental system against the broadly accepted benchmarking task of the MNIST digits classification. We compare the classification performance of two machine learning models: An extreme learning machine (ELM) and a backpropagation trained deep neural network. The complexity of both models is kept low so the overhead added to the inference time is comparable to the image generation time. Crucially, our single pixel image classification approach is based on a spatiotemporal transformation of the information, entirely bypassing the need for image reconstruction. By exploring the performance of our SPI based ELM as binary classifier we demonstrate its potential for efficient anomaly detection in ultrafast imaging scenarios
Encoding time series on an FPGA, with an efficient Izhikevich neuron implementation
Get PDFNeuromorphic processing is a low power technique that can be used to process different types of data, including time series. ASICs are expensive and custom neuromorphic integrated circuits are not yet widely available, such that another method needs to be considered, to speed up neuromorphic execution in hardware. This paper presents a spike encoding method using an FPGA, a readily available existing technology that can be wielded to process time series data. This approach efficiently encodes and decodes time series data and interfaces into a single layer of Izhikevich neurons. The technique we propose implements a low power and small FPGA design that responds to fast and dynamically changing chaotic time series input with low loss in the encoder and decoder. We explore the differing dynamics of the Izhikevich neuron and the effects on the error of the reconstructed time series data, proposing a set of constraints to minimise the error. Furthermore we investigate the number of neurons required to have an accurate spiking representation of the input with minimum loss
Emotion tracking : examining the emotional journeys of final-year design students
Get PDFEmotion has been explored across various fields, but examining design students’ emotional experiences to uncover insights about their design journey creates new spaces for design research. This paper employs a mixed-method approach to explore design students’ emotional experiences by tracking their emotions throughout their final-year major design project. Two groups of design students participated in the study, with their design process tracked across two key dimensions: activity and achievement. Results reveal a significant imbalance in the distribution of emotions and design process stages, with higher concentrations occurring at the beginning and end of the project journey. Anger in design students’ design process is missing, and an emotionlessness state emerges while designing. The paper provides more details on the emotional patterns and suggests a need for more investment in employing emotions as influential motivators within students’ design processes to enhance their project management and emotional contribution to improve design education
"The Burns connection" : the Scotland-USSR Society and Cold War cultural diplomacy
No full textLiterature on Soviet friendship societies in the West has traditionally focused on their position as communist front organizations. However, work is now emerging noting their role in burgeoning civil societies, allowing non-state actors to increasingly work with both the socialist superpower and their respective governments. This article explores the particular case of the Scotland-USSR Society during the Cold War. Cultivating a peripheral cultural tradition within Britain’s composite state, the Society was able to promote a native radicalism that proved particularly appealing to Soviet sensibilities. The internationalist network afforded by these links subsequently provided an alternative outlet for the stateless nation to amplify its voice in line with wider transnational forces challenging the conflict binary
Multivariate tests for comparing lifetimes of parallel systems
Get PDFLife testing of engineering systems with dependent components requires robust multivariate methods. Parametric approaches depend on restrictive assumptions, limiting their use in complex or unknown lifetime distribution settings. This study evaluates nonparametric methods for comparing parallel system lifetimes under minimal sample requirements. Three distribution-free tests are considered: the rank-energy test, the Wilcoxon-type rank-sum precedence test and the Lepage test, the latter two applied to Minkowski distances from lifetime vectors. Results suggest that the Lepage test on Minkowski distances generally outperforms the other two, offering a robust method to compare multi-component system lifetimes
Awareness of HPV-related cancers and the HPV vaccination programme in Scotland : a cross-sectional study of gender, deprivation and knowledge gaps
No full textBackground Scotland’s human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme includes boys, yet awareness of male-associated cancers and eligibility remains unclear. Awareness may differ by gender and socioeconomic status, contributing to inequalities and declining uptake. This study assessed knowledge of HPV, HPV-related cancers and the vaccination programme. Methods A cross-sectional online survey (n = 1052) was conducted in 2023. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression explored gender- and deprivation-related differences in awareness of HPV, HPV-related cancers and the vaccination programme. Results Overall, 80.6% had heard of HPV, with higher awareness among females (89.2%) than males (67.3%, P < .001) and in less deprived areas (88.8% vs. 79.8%, P = .004). Cervical cancer was recognized (78.9% females, 54.8% males), while awareness of non-cervical cancers was low, especially oropharyngeal (<10%). Fewer than half (48.9%) knew boys are included in Scotland’s programme. Vaccine awareness strongly predicted knowledge of male cancers (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 4.41) and the boys’ programme (aOR = 10.67). Despite knowledge gaps, willingness to vaccinate children remained high (>92%). Conclusions Awareness of male HPV-related cancers and the boys’ vaccination programme remains limited, with gender and socioeconomic disparities. A ‘knowledge-action gap’ was evident, with support despite poor understanding. Targeted, inclusive education is needed to reduce inequalities and sustain confidence
Principal component analysis as an exploratory and diagnostic tool to analyze S-N fatigue trends relevant to offshore wind foundation design
No full textFatigue is one of the main causes of failure in offshore welded structures, including offshore wind turbine foundations, due to repeated application of environmental and operational cyclic loads. The fatigue data gathered from the tests, which are used in the design of offshore welded structures, typically include a degree of scatter due to the presence of weld defects, weld geometry, misalignment, and other material inhomogeneities. For these reasons, the design stage of a welded structure is of critical importance. For a reliable fatigue design, engineers usually calculate the line of best fit to correlate the logarithm of the nominal stress range with the logarithm of the number of cycles to failure using least squares linear regression (LSLR) approach, followed by estimation of the scatter in the data through the residual standard error (in the field, commonly referred to as “standard deviation”), along with the coefficients of the model. LSLR is a common statistical tool that is usually employed to analyze data obtained from new experiments or from the literature relevant to a specific application. The “Stress range vs. Number of cycles to failure” (S-N) curves recommended for the design of welded structures in international standards are no exception and are usually derived by combining linear regressions with engineering judgment. In this study, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is used to explore fatigue trends, filter fatigue data, and create new regression and classification models. A data set comprising 320 fatigue tests is analyzed on S355 double V transverse butt-welded plates relevant to offshore wind applications. Regressions on both PCA-filtered and unfiltered fatigue data are presented and compared, and since PCA describes the main directions of variance, it is shown how it can be used as a diagnostic tool to study the suitability of a dataset for further fatigue analyses
Trauma‐informed practice for children and young people with intellectual disabilities : a scoping review
Get PDFBackground: There is growing consensus that children and young people (CYP) with an intellectual disability are more likely to experience trauma than those in the general population, which can exacerbate their vulnerabilities and developmental challenges. Trauma‐informed practices (TIPs) have been used to support those who have experienced trauma, but we need to know more about the implementation of TIPs with this population. Aim: The study aimed to synthesize research investigating TIPs for CYP with intellectual disabilities. The review examined what TIPs, policies and models have been implemented, the effectiveness of these and barriers and facilitators of trauma‐informed intervention implementation. Methods: A scoping review was conducted of quantitative and qualitative research. In total, 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. Study findings were analysed using a narrative synthesis approach. Findings: The review identified several TIPs that have been used to support CYP with intellectual disability. However, limited intervention studies were found. Teacher training was discussed as a barrier and facilitator of TIP. Training is needed to enhance staff's ability, skills, and knowledge. It was also reported that adaptations to usual TIP can enhance efficacy. Conclusions: The findings have implications for research, practice, and policy. More intervention studies are needed with this population. Policymakers must recognize the importance of teacher training and take action to provide such opportunities. We also urge practitioners to make adaptations to usual trauma therapy when working with CYP with intellectual disability. In doing so, such individuals may overcome trauma‐related barriers and achieve positive developmental outcomes
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