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Predictive modelling of the water contact angle of surfaces using attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) chemical imaging and partial least squares regression (PLSR)
No full textThe static water contact angle (CA) quantifies the degree of wetting that occurs when a surface encounters a liquid, e.g. water. This property is a result of factors such as surface chemistry and local roughness and is an important analytical parameter linked to the suitability of a surface for a given bioanalytical process. Monitoring the spatial variation in wettability over surfaces is increasingly critical to analysts and manufacturers for improved quality control. However, CA acquisition is often time-consuming because it involves measurements over multiple spatial locations, independent sampling and the need for a single instrument operator. Furthermore, surfaces exposed to local environments specific to an intended application may affect the surface chemistry thereby modifying the surface properties. In this study, Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) chemical imaging data acquired from wet and dry polymer surfaces were used to develop multivariate predictive models for CA prediction. Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) models were built using IR spectra from surfaces presenting differences in the experimentally measured CA in the range 16°-141°. The best performing PLSR models were locally developed and combined to make a global model utilising wet IR spectra which performed well (R2p = 0.98, RMSECV ∼ 5°) when tested on an independent experimental set. This model was subsequently applied to IR spectra acquired from a surface exhibiting spatial differences in surface chemistry and the CA with a reasonable confidence and precision (prediction error within 10°), demonstrating the potential of this method for prediction of the spatially varying CA as a non-destructive in-line process monitoring technique.European Commission - Seventh Framework Programme (FP7
Teachers’ preparedness to deliver remote adapted physical education from different european perspectives: updates to the european standards in adapted physical activity
No full textWhen schools were closed due to the COVID-19 restrictions, teachers were challenged to engage children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) through remote teaching, particularly in physical education. The European Standards in Adapted Physical Activity
(EUSAPA) have been used to define the competencies of adapted physical education (APE) teachers. Through a consensus building exercise, the standards were updated in this paper to include technologically supported pedagogy. Evidence from 125 APE teachers, who completed a technological communication inventory, modified versions of the technology, pedagogy and content knowledge scale (TPACK-21), and self-efficacy on including students with disabilities in physical education scale (SE-PETE-D), were used to
inform experts to create technological indicators for the EUSAPA. Teachers used 3 to 4 technologies (email, phone, SMS, Whatsapp) to communicate with students and colleagues, and many reported low levels of technological content knowledge. Experts considered the need to add 13 new functions to the EUSAPA. Most of the functions were considered to be feasible to implement in existing practices and the other requiring extra resources or skills. As further training is planned, consideration of expertise is warranted when mapped against meeting standards
Uncovering semantic bias in neural network models using a knowledge graph
No full textWhile neural networks models have shown impressive performance
in many NLP tasks, lack of interpretability is often seen as a disadvantage. Individual relevance scores assigned by post-hoc explanation methods are not sufficient to show deeper systematic
preferences and potential biases of the model that apply consistently across examples. In this paper we apply rule mining using
knowledge graphs in combination with neural network explanation
methods to uncover such systematic preferences of trained neural
models and capture them in the form of conjunctive rules. We test
our approach in the context of text classification tasks and show
that such rules are able to explain a substantial part of the model
behaviour as well as indicate potential causes of misclassifications
when the model is applied outside of the initial training context
Common and Distinctive Functions of the Hippo Effectors Taz and Yap in Skeletal Muscle Stem Cell Function
No full textHippo pathway downstream effectors Yap and Taz play key roles in cell proliferation and regeneration, regulating gene expression especially via Tead transcription factors. To investigate their role in skeletal muscle stem cells, we analyzed Taz in vivo and ex vivo in comparison with Yap. Small interfering RNA knockdown or retroviral-mediated expression of wild-type human or constitutively active TAZ mutants in satellite cells showed that TAZ promoted proliferation, a function shared with YAP. However, at later stages of myogenesis, TAZ also enhanced myogenic differentiation of myoblasts, whereas YAP inhibits such differentiation. Functionally, while muscle growth was mildly affected in Taz (gene Wwtr1–/–) knockout mice, there were no overt effects on regeneration. Conversely, conditional knockout of Yap in satellite cells of Pax7Cre-ERT2/+: Yapfl°x/fl°x:Rosa26Lacz mice produced a regeneration deficit. To identify potential mechanisms, microarray analysis showed many common TAZ/YAP target genes, but TAZ also regulates some genes independently of YAP, including myogenic genes such as Pax7, Myf5, and Myod1 (ArrayExpress–E-MTAB-5395). Proteomic analysis revealed many novel binding partners of TAZ/YAP in myogenic cells, but TAZ also interacts with proteins distinct from YAP that are often involved in myogenesis and aspects of cytoskeleton organization (ProteomeXchange–PXD005751). Neither TAZ nor YAP bind members of the Wnt destruction complex but both regulated expression of Wnt and Wnt-cross talking genes with known roles in myogenesis. Finally, TAZ operates through Tead4 to enhance myogenic differentiation. In summary, Taz and Yap have overlapping functions in promoting myoblast proliferation but Taz then switches to enhance myogenic differentiation. Stem Cells 2017;35:1958–1972.European Commission Horizon 2020Science Foundation IrelandMedical Research CouncilAssociation Francaise Contre les MyopathiesFriends of AnchorSarcoma U
Optimization and Control of Large Block Copolymer Self-Assembly via Precision Solvent Vapor Annealing
No full textThe self-assembly of ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) block copolymers (BCPs) remains a complex and time-consuming endeavor owing to the high kinetic penalties associated with long polymer chain entanglement. In this work, we report a unique strategy of overcoming these kinetic barriers through precision solvent annealing of an UHMW polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) BCP system (Mw: ∼800 kg/mol) by fast swelling to very high levels of solvent concentration (ϕs). Phase separation on timescales of ∼10 min is demonstrated once a thickness-dependent threshold ϕs value of ∼0.80–0.86 is achieved, resulting in lamellar feature spacings of over 190 nm. The threshold ϕs value was found to be greater for films with higher dry thickness (D0) values. Tunability of the domain morphology is achieved through controlled variation of both D0 and ϕs, with the kinetically unstable hexagonal perforated lamellar (HPL) phase observed at ϕs values of ∼0.67 and D0 values of 59–110 nm. This HPL phase can be controllably induced into an order–order transition to a lamellar morphology upon further increase of ϕs to 0.80 or above. As confirmed by grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering, the lateral ordering of the lamellar domains is shown to improve with increasing ϕs up to a maximum value at which the films transition to a disordered state. Thicker films are shown to possess a higher maximum ϕs value before transitioning to a disordered state. The swelling rate is shown to moderately influence the lateral ordering of the phase-separated structures, while the amount of hold time at a particular value of ϕs does not notably enhance the phase separation process. These large period self-assembled lamellar domains are then employed to facilitate pattern transfer using a liquid-phase infiltration method, followed by plasma etching, generating ordered, high aspect ratio Si nanowall structures with spacings of ∼190 nm and heights of up to ∼500 nm. This work underpins the feasibility of a room-temperature, solvent-based annealing approach for the reliable and scalable fabrication of sub-wavelength nanostructures via BCP lithography
Analysis of the foam-forming of non-woven lightweight fibrous materials using X-ray tomography
No full textFoam-forming has in the past predominantly been used to create two-dimensional sheet-like fibrous materials. Allowing the foam to drain freely and decay under gravity, rather than applying a vacuum to remove it rapidly, we can produce lightweight three-dimensional fibrous structures from cellulose fibres, of potential use for thermal and acoustic insulation. ?muC scanning of the fibrous materials enable us to determine both void size distributions and also distributions of fibre orientations. Through image analysis and uniaxial compression testing, we find that the orientation of the fibres, rather than the size of the voids, determine the compressive strength of the material. The fibrous samples display a layering of the fibres perpendicular to the direction of drainage of the precursor liquid foam. This leads to an anisotropy of the compressive behaviour of the samples. Varying the initial liquid fraction of the foam allows for tuning of the compressive strength. We show an increase in over seven times can be achieved for samples of the same density (13 kg.m-3)
A film by Cine Mujer: A video essay
No full textFollowing recent endeavours that have unearthed women’s cinema and reclaimed its contribution to film history, this video essay revisits the filmography of the Colombian feminist film collective Cine Mujer (1978–1999). Narrated by three of its members—Eulalia Carrizosa, Patricia Restrepo, and Clara Riascos—through semi-structured interviews that intersect the personal, professional and political, this short film also reuses Cine Mujer’s archive. Its purpose is, one the one hand, to contribute to restoring its legacy and, on the other hand, to reframe and resignify its images within women’s ongoing battle for equality
Researching around our subjects: Working towards a women’s labour history of trace unions in the British film and television industries
No full textThis article explores the opportunities and obstacles of researching women’s trade union activism in the British film and television industries between 1933 and 2017. The surviving material on women’s union participation is incomplete and fragmented, and so my research has combined an examination of archival material—the union’s journal and the meeting minutes, correspondence and ephemera of three iterations of its equality committee—with new and existing oral history interviews. Sherry J. Katz has termed this methodological approach “researching around our subjects”, which involves “working outward in concentric circles of related sources” to reconstruct women’s experiences (90). While “researching around my subjects” was a challenging and time-consuming process, it was also a rewarding one, producing important insights into union activism as it relates to gender and breaking new ground in both women’s labour and women’s film and television history. This article concludes with a case study on the appointment of Sarah Benton as researcher for the ACTT’s Patterns report in 1973, revealing the benefits of this methodological approach in reconstructing events which have been effectively erased from the official record
Principles for Statutory Regulation and Self-Regulation of Fundraising
No full textThe Fundraising Principles attempt to map the terrain of fundraising regulation and self-regulation globally in order to understand the common interests and intersections of the philanthropic sector, government, and other stakeholders in building and maintaining strong, well-resourced CSOs while maintaining appropriate safeguards for the public, donors, and other stakeholders. They formulates principles in 7 key areas of fundraising regulation and self-regulation, including fundamental freedoms, fundraising methods; data protection and right to privacy; cross-border fundraising; taxation; transparency, accountability and oversight; and registration, licensing and permission. They are based on international and regional standards that guarantee the fundamental rights of CSOs, their employees and fundraisers to access resources and protect their right to privacy. Dr Oonagh B. Breen served as a one of a group of core international experts who guided the development of these Fundraising Principles. The core expert group comprised Eva E. Aldrich (CFRE International), Oonagh B. Breen (Sutherland School of Law, University College Dublin), Pia Tornikoski (Finnish Fundraising Association) and Usha Menon (Usha Menon Management onsultancy Asia). They represent various sectors and fundraising professionals, representatives of CSOs, academia, and other stakeholder representatives.European CommissionGovernment of Swede
House dust mite-treated PAR2 over-expressor mouse: A novel model of atopic dermatitis
No full textBackground: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a complex skin disease involving causative effects from both intrinsic and extrinsic sources. Murine models of the disease often fall short in one of these components and, as a result, do not fully encapsulate these disease mechanisms. Objective: We aimed to determine whether the protease-activated receptor 2 over-expressor mouse (PAR2OE) with topical house dust mite (HDM) application is a more comprehensive and clinically representative AD model. Methods: Following HDM extract application to PAR2OE mice and controls, AD clinical scoring, itching behaviour, skin morphology and structure, barrier function, immune cell infiltration and inflammatory markers were assessed. Skin morphology was analysed using haematoxylin and eosin staining, and barrier function was assessed by transepidermal water loss measurements. Immune infiltrate was characterised by histological and immunofluorescence staining. Finally, an assessment of AD-related gene expression was performed using quantitative RT-PCR. Results: PAR2OE mice treated with HDM displays all the characteristic clinical symptoms including erythema, dryness and oedema, skin morphology, itch and inflammation typically seen in patients with AD. There is a significant influx of mast cells (P <.01) and eosinophils (P <.0001) into the dermis of these mice. Furthermore, the PAR2OE + HDM mice exhibit similar expression patterns of key differentially expressed genes as seen in human AD. Conclusion: The PAR2OE + HDM mouse presents with a classic AD pathophysiology and is a valuable model in terms of reproducibility and overall disease representation to study the condition and potential therapeutic approaches.Science Foundation IrelandFrench National Research Agency2020-05-01 JG: version accepted by agreemen