192815 research outputs found
Sort by
The influence of single parameter changes on subjective experience and ordering performance of electrotactile cues
No full textElectrotactile haptics is a novel form of skin stimulation. It is versatile and allows manipulation of many design parameters, broadening the range of haptic experiences. However, how parameter changes influence qualitative experiences is not well understood. We systematically investigated (n=45) the influence of single parameter changes (e.g. pulse width, amplitude), capturing the breadth of experiences elicited. We compared differences between calibration and ordering task performance, first between left and right hands, then between single and both hands simultaneously, all with open hand and while holding an object, fully exploring the design space. Results showed the wide range of qualitative experience, from concrete to abstract. Calibration should be performed on both hands simultaneously to ensure perception, as participants preferred lower pulse width values for simulation on both hands as compared to each hand alone. The results present the first detailed exploration into the qualitative aspects of electrotactile stimulation across the hands
Terahertz imaging system with on-chip superconducting josephson plasma emitters for nondestructive testing
Get PDFCompared with neighboring microwave and infrared bands, terahertz (THz) frequencies offer unique advantages for imaging applications. In particular, characteristic THz spectral fingerprints of chemicals enable nondestructive evaluation and imaging of biological objects, materials, components, electronic circuits, and systems, with broad relevance to security, medical diagnostics, materials science, pharmaceutical inspection, aeronautics, and electronics industries. Despite this potential, practical THz imaging systems have been limited by the scarcity of compact, power-efficient, and tunable THz sources. In this work, we employ high-temperature superconducting monolithic sources—Josephson plasma emitters (JPEs)—as chip integrated, coherent, monochromatic, and broadly tunable THz wave emitters, and demonstrate nondestructive THz imaging of concealed metallic surgical blades, floppy disks, dandelion leaves, and sliced pork meat. The resulting images exhibit high contrast between metallic and non-metallic regions, reveal fine structural features of diverse objects, and enable selective visualization of different powdered materials. These results establish the feasibility of a compact THz imaging system based on on-chip superconducting sources for nondestructive, contactless, rapid, and accurate applications in environmental monitoring, security screening, medical diagnostics, materials characterization, and quantum science and technology
Using Doughnut Economics to structure whole-system thinking with multidisciplinary stakeholders – a Soft Systems approach
Get PDFThis study considers an alternative framework for sustainable and equitable human prosperity in the city of Glasgow. The city’s ambition to transform to a Green Wellbeing Economy is explored through cross-sector engagement with Doughnut Economics: a framework that considers social and ecological wellbeing simultaneously. Cities globally are home to an ever-increasing share of the world’s population, and disproportionate contributors to ecological degradation, making them crucial partners for progress towards this goal. Significant buy-in is therefore required from a diverse range of cross-sector and multidisciplinary stakeholders. We ask how conceptualising interconnections between people and planet is aided by the Doughnut framework, and whether it supports systems thinking for stakeholders working in policy and practice. This paper examines the potential of applying the Doughnut Economics framework in Glasgow, Scotland, to (1) enhance understanding of the socio-ecological systems we live in, and (2) guide action-oriented solutions with multidisciplinary stakeholders. We used soft systems approaches - a qualitative method that can help define complex problems and direct action - to navigate complexity, align plural perspectives, and identify enabling conditions for whole-system change. Drawing on five participatory workshops and desk-based analysis, we co-produced a City Portrait of Glasgow spanning 44 dimensions derived from the Doughnut framework. We find that the Doughnut framework encourages cross-sector collaboration, supports holistic systems thinking, and that the Portrait tools can identify policy synergies and trade-offs in relation to the Doughnut’s wellbeing goals. The framework therefore has the potential to promote policy coherence if these insights are subsequently translated and operationalised into meaningful city-wide action
Epilogue: towards an abolitionist camp studies
Get PDFCamp studies have grown markedly in recent years. While the field has by and large been critical of camps as spatial technologies of protective custody, biopolitical control, minority oppression, racial segregation, custodial care, militarised rule and colonisation, there has been a reluctance to embrace more overtly abolitionist approaches, which have become increasingly influential in research on other carceral spaces like prisons or detention centres. In this article, I contend that Camp Studies today cannot remain simply another field of detached academic enquiry but has a responsibility for solidarity with encamped people in thought and action. If we are to be engaged and critical scholars of camps who are committed to social justice and liberation, then we must throw our weight behind the already unfolding abolitionist praxes of those who actively struggle against their own encampment. However, instead of exceptionalising the camp as a bounded carceral technology that can be undone in isolation, the ultimate task of carceral abolitionism writ large is to reimagine society, reformulate belonging and dismantle the nation-state, so that the camp itself becomes unthinkable as a solution
AI in Education: Ethical Understanding and Application: A Reflective Toolkit for Integrating Digital Technologies and AI into Education
Get PDFInvited presentation that was part of co-organised by the Scottish Educational Research Associations Ethics Network and School Leaders Scotland
SiOx/hard carbon composite derived from pineapples as potential anode materials for Li ion batteries
No full textWith the rapid development of technology and the rise of the electric vehicle industry in recent years, the demand and market requirements for energy storage devices have been increasing. In this trend, the development of lithium-ion batteries has been going on for decades and have gained valuable research experience and mature development technology from it. In this study, SiOx/biomass carbon composites were prepared through high-temperature sintering using silicon oxide and biomass carbon at various ratios. Among them, SiOx@PL900C (1:1) exhibited the best cycling stability, retaining a capacity of 495 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles with a capacity retention of ∼90%. In addition, the diffusion coefficient of SiOx@PL900C (1:1) (1.01 × 10−12 cm2 s−1) was higher than that of the unmodified SiOx (3.29 × 10−13 cm2 s−1). These results indicate that biomass‑carbon coating effectively reduces both RSEI and RCT in the battery, lowering the charge-transfer resistance from 877.1 Ω to 102.4 Ω, accelerating Li-ion transport, and thereby further enhancing the electrochemical performance of the composite material. Finally, electrochemical performance of as-assembled LiFePO4/SiOx@PL900C pouch cells to demonstrate the practical application is presented
Designing nature networks for cities: combining multi-species modelling approaches
Get PDFContext:
Urban wildlife habitats are often fragmented and of poor quality, yet cities hold potential to support biodiversity, particularly for small-bodied species like insect pollinators. Enhancing habitat connectivity is essential for improving biodiversity and increasingly prioritised in planning frameworks. Combining diverse approaches to assess habitat connectivity may yield the greatest overall success.
Objectives:
We compare two multi-species modelling approaches for assessing urban ecological corridors. The first species-specific approach uses combined habitat suitability maps of four insect pollinators and assesses connectivity using resistance modelling (circuit theory). The second landscape-level approach has been developed by urban environmental planners (“Green Network Development officers”) and identifies core areas as species-rich habitat patches using spatial data, species records (of plant and pollinator indicator species), and local expertise, then models connectivity between these using least-cost paths. By comparing these two approaches, we aim to identify gaps and priority areas for habitat creation or management.
Methods:
Using biological records, we mapped habitat suitability for pollinators and applied circuit theory to assess connectivity and identify “pinch points”—bottlenecks to movement that can be targeted for corridor enhancement.
Results:
While both approaches showed 39 km2 of overlap, 31 pinch points—often centred around core pollinator habitat—were outside the corridors identified by Green Network Development officers. These areas could be prioritised in future iterations of the ecological network.
Conclusions:
Our species-specific modelling approach identified 31 pinch points outside of planner-defined corridors, highlighting important areas of movement constraint not captured by the current planning framework. Incorporating species-specific modelling into urban planning also helps identify key habitat variables impeding movement, enhancing the biological understanding of the system. We recommend urban planners adopt multiple, complementary approaches for corridor delineation and collaborate with researchers, ecologists, and citizen scientists
Dual-action mitochondria-targeted prodrugs that both deplete mitochondrial glutathione and deliver a toxic payload to the matrix
Get PDFMitochondrial glutathione (mGSH) protects the organelle and the cell against reactive oxygen species (ROS), electrophilic metabolites and xenobiotics. Many cancers upregulate GSH to confer resistance against cell death by ferroptosis and anticancer drugs, so mGSH depletion is a potential anticancer strategy. We previously developed MitoCDNB, a mitochondria-targeted molecule that selectively depletes mGSH and disrupts mitochondrial thiol redox homeostasis. However, mGSH depletion by MitoCDNB required catalysis by glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs). Here, we develop a dual-action prodrug scaffold to deplete mGSH independently of GSTs and simultaneously release a payload to increase oxidative stress. The scaffold has four components: a triphenylphosphonium (TPP) group for targeting to the mitochondria, a GSH-reactive electrophilic dinitroaryl ring bearing a sulfonamide leaving group for depleting mGSH, an ethylenediamine-derived self-immolative linker and a phenolic payload. The rates of nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr) of the sulfonamide by GSH and the cyclisation of the released linker-payload intermediate were measured and the kinetics successfully modelled as consecutive reactions. Under physiological levels of GSH (10 mM) and matrix pH (8.0), our best linker releases a 7-hydroxycoumarin reporter with a half-life of 2.5 min at 30 °C. We used the scaffold for cellular and mitochondrial uptake of a compound that depletes mGSH and releases the redox-cycling pro-oxidant, menadiol/menadione, in the mitochondrial matrix. The combination of mGSH depletion with enhanced mitochondrial ROS production showed synergistic cytotoxicity towards cancer cells, paving the way for the development of dual-action mitochondria-targeted prodrugs as potential cancer therapeutics
Data sources:
Access Repository Dashboard
Do you manage Open Research Online? Become a CORE Member to access insider analytics, issue reports and manage access to outputs from your repository in the CORE Repository Dashboard! 👇