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AI improves consistency in regional brain volumes measured in ultra-low-field MRI and 3T MRI
No full textThis study compares volumetric measurements of various brain regions using different magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) modalities and deep learning models, specifically 3T MRI, ultra-low field (ULF) MRI at 64mT, and AI-enhanced ULF MRI using SynthSR and HiLoResGAN. The aim is to evaluate the alignment and agreement among field strengths and ULF MRI with and without AI. Descriptive statistics, paired t-tests, effect size analyses, and regression analyses are employed to assess the relationships and differences between modalities. The results indicate that volumetric measurements derived from 64mT MRI deviate significantly from those obtained using 3T MRI. By leveraging SynthSR and LoHiResGAN models, these deviations are reduced, bringing the volumetric estimates closer to those obtained from 3T MRI, which serves as the reference standard for brain volume quantification. These findings highlight that deep learning models can reduce systematic differences in brain volume measurements across field strengths, providing potential solutions to minimize bias in imaging studies.</p
Reframing Diversity in Computing on the Basis of Genders
No full textIn this paper, we revisit the issues surrounding the lack of gender diversity in computing and build a theory on the roles and effects of genders in computing. Our intention is to transform human experiences with computing technologies to more equitably reflect and represent diversity. To support gender diversity in design, we work to create an integrated trans-feminist theory. In doing so we draw from diverse fields, including English, psychology, philosophy, cultural theory, law, medicine, and feminist, queer, disability, indigenous, post-colonial, Black, and Chicana studies. We show how and why marginalized people need to develop our own languages and voices as a step in empowering our identities. We assemble quantitative data showing the paucity of people with historically marginalized genders in computer science education and in our best papers. We use the participation gap in computing, combined with the mental health impact, to argue that computing, as a field, needs to critically examine our cis/heteronormative tendencies, which perpetuate a vicious cycle of erasure, and instead frame scholarship in terms of gender identities and presentations.</p
The hidden work of incidental mentoring in the hardest-to-staff schools
Get PDFIn a climate of pervasive teacher shortages, initiatives have focused on attracting new teachers to the profession, with hardest-to-staff schools more likely to fill vacancies with early-career teachers, including those with conditional status. In Australia, workforce policy prioritises induction and mentoring to support transition to the profession and improve retention. This paper aims to understand mentor teacher experiences in hardest-to-staff schools, where a growing cohort of inexperienced teachers increases the need for mentoring. The analysis is based on data from semi-structured interviews conducted with teachers in six schools across two Australian states, as part of a larger project exploring work experiences of teachers in hardest-to-staff schools. In addition to formal mentoring, our findings illustrate that in these schools, informal and incidental mentoring is widespread. Further, the iterative nature of novice teacher induction creates a sense of ambivalence in longer-serving teachers. While experienced teachers find reward in supporting early-career colleagues, the hidden labour inherent to constant incidental mentoring encroaches on the time available to manage their own workload, sometimes leading to frustration and even resentment. We conclude that while mentoring is crucial with so many new entrants to the profession, policymakers should be aware of the labour associated with increased incidental mentoring to avoid unintended consequences for teachers who find themselves in the position of supporting growing numbers of new staff.</p
It's all connected:collectivism, climate change, and COVID-19
No full textSocietal challenges like climate change and COVID-19 can be interrelated. The present research examines collectivism as a cultural value that is associated with the tendency to perceive such important interconnectedness. We further examine whether collectivism predicts perceiving interconnectedness specifically for scientifically valid relationships, or generally, regardless of their validity. Using an international sample (Study 1; N = 12,955) and another large U.S. sample (Study 2; N = 1006), we found that more collectivistic individuals perceive stronger interconnectedness between climate change and pandemics. However, collectivistic individuals also perceived stronger interconnectedness even for scientifically invalid ones, such as between the discovery of new constellations among stars and the emergence of new viruses. Exploratory analyses examined political orientation as a potential moderator, but the results were inconsistent, highlighting the need for more systematic future research. Together, these findings suggest that collectivistic individuals do not selectively perceive valid interconnectedness, but they tend to perceive stronger interrelations among phenomena in general, whether true or not, which presents both opportunities and challenges for addressing environmental and other social issues confronting humans today.</p
Effect of human factors on visual statistical inference
Get PDFVisual statistical inference determines the significance of patterns found in data exploration through graphics. It involves human observers inspecting a lineup of plots, with one real data plot randomly placed among decoys. Each observer's cognitive skills and judiciousness can influence results. The effectiveness of this method, measured by power, depends on combining evaluations from multiple observers. Human factors influencing power, as computed by the number of detections or identifications of an observed data plot in a lineup, include observer demographics, individual skills, and experience. This paper examines these factors through studies using Amazon's Mechanical Turk, finding individual skills vary but demographics have little impact. Learning increases speed but not accuracy. This article is categorized under: Statistical Learning and Exploratory Methods of the Data Sciences > Exploratory Data Analysis Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Statistical Graphics and Visualization Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Nonparametric Methods.</p
Energy policy distractions to renewable programs:a comparative assessment
No full textThis article reviews renewable energy programs and policies as a result of the resurgence in demand for fossil fuels. Australia and selected countries are considered through the lens of energy justice. The range of countries evidence a resurgence in demand for fossil fuels, such as coal and gas, in the wake of disruptive global events. For example, the war in Ukraine, Middle East conflicts and pandemics such as COVID, can be seen as major global disruptors of renewable energy policies and projects. While Australia’s renewable energy in contrast to non-renewable energy is the focus, a mix of selected countries are chosen as comparators. The selected countries capture how governments are navigating the fiscal/economic, political and environmental tensions between renewable and non-renewable energy sources, policies, programs and laws. The two research questions ask ‘What current and proposed policy and laws address the energy justice economic, environmental and political aspects of the climate-related transition plans to renewable energy?’ as well as ‘Can the mix of non-renewable and renewable energy resources be quantitively ranked against economic, political and environmental pressures?’ The first question adopts the method of desktop research, conducted to produce policy and legislation data that are linked together with the qualitative method of narrative. For instance, the Australian legislative focus will be taxation law. For the second question, a quantitative method using the ‘energy justice metric’ is adopted. In particular, the research builds and adapts the parameters of the energy justice metric for all comparator countries. The results are plotted on a ternary phase diagram. The highlights of this article include the raising of awareness of energy policy distractions to renewable programs as a result of the resurgence in demand for fossil fuels, such as coal and gas, in the wake of disruptive global events. The essence of the article points towards how energy justice principles can enable resilience in policy decisions despite these disruptor issues and countries can continue to move towards a just transition to a low carbon economy
Deconstructing psychedelic phenomenology:a thematic analysis of discrete phases of the psychedelic experience
Get PDFThe phenomenology of psychedelic experiences has been a long-standing point of interest to researchers. However, internal experience has been relatively relegated, with much work done on the clinical outcomes of psychedelic therapies. Our reflexive thematic analysis revealed that structurally, people on fora write about their experiences sequentially, considering factors prior to (preparatory), during (acute phase), and after their account of ingesting psychedelics. Themes constructed prior to experience were (1) subjective knowledge and perception of psychedelics, (2) intention and efforts to mentally prepare, and (3) experiential aids. Generated themes during the experience were (1) sensory and cognitive distortions, (2) mindset and affective quality, and (3) environmental stability and support. Experiential impact on behavior and outlook was constructed as the unitary theme following the experience. Future work should look more closely at the role of set and setting within the context of the stages leading up to, during, and after psychedelic administration.</p
From Diagrams to Experience:Data Visceralisation of Ecosystem State-and-Transition Models in Virtual Reality
No full textCommunicating complex scientific concepts to non-experts is a persistent challenge. The communication of ecological state-and-transition models (STMs) through box-and-arrow diagrams is one example. This paper explores how virtual reality (VR) can make STMs more accessible. Using ecosystem STMs as a case study, we present a proof-of-concept system enabling users to viscerally experience the content of the model. We followed a three-phased participatory design process: first, 2 ecology experts guided the development of a VR prototype. Next, 17 government environmental management professionals evaluated its utility and features. Finally, after refining the system, 12 VR researchers informed design considerations and improvements. Our findings provide practical insights for visualising STMs in VR, and also contribute to the emerging field of "data visceralisation". We found this approach engages users and supports understanding of qualitative aspects of real-world phenomena. However, complex models like ecosystem STMs require the creation of accurate and extensive simulations. We conclude with a discussion for future directions.</p
Resolving labour disputes in the Philippines:legitimacy and effectiveness in a polycentric regulatory framework
No full textThis article provides an empirically informed account of the processes for resolving labour disputes in the Philippines. Moving beyond earlier studies that have focused on the ineffectiveness of formal processes, we widen the scope of our inquiry to examine the labour dispute resolution regime as a polycentric regulatory framework. We focus on disputes about firms’ labour-hire practices to explore the roles of state-based and non-state-based regulatory actors and the interaction of formal and informal processes within the dispute resolution regime. Despite the failings of the formal dispute resolution system, we find that it provides a central focus for these disputes and that regulatory actors move fluidly between formal and informal processes to bolster their legitimacy claims and to overcome obstacles in the formal system. The strategic use of informal processes also allows workers’ representatives to influence the broader political and economic forces that underpin the widespread adoption of precarious working conditions
The principle of punishment in classical English law
Get PDFMuch of the nineteenth century is well-known to have been a period in which fundamental principles of English private law first came to be subjected to scientific treatment. Such was the significance of this period that it was assigned the epithet ‘classical’. Among the principles to have first been subjected to such treatment were those specifically concerned with the recovery of civil damages in actions at common law. This article systematically traces the process by which modern private law’s most controversial civil recovery principle – that of punishment in tort – came to be treated scientifically during this classical period. In doing so, it sheds new light on how a substantive common ‘law’ of punitive damages first actually arose