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Horizontal portability:A proposal for representing place-based relational values in research and policy
Get PDFRelational values feature prominently in recent international efforts to protect global biodiversity. In this article, we provide a conceptual approach for researchers, facilitators and policy-makers to adequately represent place-based relational values in assessments of nature's value that inform practice and policy.We suggest employing horizontal portability as an alternative and complement to the dominant mode of assessing nature's value via vertical subsumption. Vertical subsumption is a process through which particular values are generalised into overarching categories to conform to more general value concepts and thereby stripped of their place-specific meanings. In contrast, horizontal portability is introduced here as a conceptual approach that maintains the contextual rootedness of place-based local expressions of value while also communicating them across places, knowledge systems, and communities. The movement (i.e. ‘porting’) is ‘horizontal’ because it allows relational values rooted in a particular biocultural context to speak to different contexts on equal terms.We discuss how research on the value of nature and people –nature relationships can support horizontal portability.Finally, we provide recommendations for the application of horizontal portability that promotes more plurality and greater inclusion of place-based relational values in research, policy and action
Toward a relational biodiversity economics:Embedding plural values for sustainability transformation
Get PDFThe prioritization of market over nonmarket values of nature is a key driver of the global biodiversity crisis. Recognizing nature’s diverse values in decisions is a fundamental lever for sustainability transformation. While economic valuation of nature has a long history, it has struggled to recognize the full suite of nature’s values, particularly the broad, relational, intrinsic, and shared values reflecting the complexity of human–nature relationships. We explore opportunities to expand the consideration of values within the economics of biodiversity by reviewing conventional and heterodox economic approaches. We argue that integrating pluralistic values requires a relational biodiversity economics that transcends people–nature dualism and seeks the flourishing of life. We synthesize foundations for such a paradigm in relation to worldviews, values, value indicators, and life frames. Our perspective transcends the dominant economic framing of nature as a passive, largely substitutable asset, to also consider nature as place, self, and harboring agency. This helps to overcome the limitations of conventional economic assumptions, better reflects peoples’ lived experiences, and supports transformations toward more just and sustainable futures.</p
Diagrammatic physical robot models
No full textSimulation is a favoured technique in robotics. It is, however, costly, in terms of development time, and its usability is limited by the lack of standardisation and portability of simulators. We present RoboSim, a diagrammatic tool-independent domain-specific language to model robotic platforms and their controllers. It can be regarded as a profile of UML/SysML enriched with time primitives, differential equations, and a mathematical semantics. Our previous work on RoboSim described a notation to specify control software. In this paper, we present a novel notation to describe physical models: block diagrams that can be linked to the platform-independent software model to characterise how services required by the software are realised by actuators and sensors. Behaviours are specified by differential equations, and simulations and mathematical models of the whole system can be generated automatically. Our main contributions are a modular and extensible diagrammatic notation that supports the explicit specification of physical behaviours; a set of validation rules that identify well-formed models; a model-to-model transformation from RoboSim to an input format accepted by several simulators; and a formal semantics for mathematical reasoning
The SARAO MeerKAT Galactic Plane Survey extended source catalogue
Get PDFWe present a catalogue of extended radio sources from the SARAO MeerKAT Galactic Plane Survey (SMGPS). Compiled from 56 survey tiles and covering approximately 500 deg 2 across the first, third, and fourth Galactic quadrants, the catalogue includes 16 534 extended and diffuse sources with areas larger than 5 synthesised beams. Of them, 3891 (24% of the total) are confidently associated with known Galactic radio-emitting objects in the literature, such as HII regions, supernova remnants, planetary nebulae, luminous blue variables, and Wolf-Rayet stars. A significant fraction of the remaining sources, 5462 (33%), are candidate extragalactic sources, while 7181 (43%) remain unclassified. Isolated radio filaments are excluded from the catalogue. The diversity of extended sources underscores MeerKAT's contribution to the completeness of censuses of Galactic radio emitters, and its potential for new scientific discoveries. For the catalogued sources, we derived basic positional and morphological parameters, as well as flux density estimates, using standard aperture photometry. This paper describes the methods followed to generate the catalogue from the original SMGPS tiles, detailing the source extraction, characterisation, and crossmatching procedures. Additionally, we analyse the statistical properties of the catalogued populations.</p
The privilege of virtue and the need for reward:An examination of patronage, elites and power relations within civil society
Get PDFThis paper considers the ideological discourses underpinning voluntary action of elites within civil society organisations. Drawing together literatures on elite reproduction, organisational recruitment and volunteer motivations we consider how patterns of patronage play out in Welsh urban and rural localities, and the interrelationships between cultural, social, political, and economic capitals. Findings reveal senior volunteer recruitment to meet resource needs variously referring to meritocratic processes, achieving representation or garnering status, and new insights on rewards as an elite formation mechanism. The study identifies an inverse relationship between privilege and benefits, whereby the most privileged are attributed a stronger moral authority. This masks underlying social and political gains. Our findings have conceptual and practical implications: The research highlights complexity in elite reproduction and the importance of recognising the dual directional advances in symbolic capital. It also draws attention to established organisational cultures and the challenges associated with securing greater equality in practice
Significant difference in Miscanthus species root carbon exudation rate
Get PDFBackground and Aims: The cultivation of Miscanthus, a giant perennial grass and promising biomass crop, is expected to increase globally in response to climate mitigation policies and sustainable agriculture goals. Little is known about root carbon (C) exudation and fine root architecture or how this might differ between Miscanthus species. To understand the functional biology of three diverse Miscanthus species and to evaluate impacts on soil C cycling, the aim of this study was to quantify root C exudation rates and track fine root growth. Methods: We use a controlled environment with plants grown in rhizotron boxes (28 L) to quantify living root C exudation rates and fine root growth of Miscanthus sacchariflorus, M. sinensis and M. × giganteus. Weekly non-destructive images of visible roots were analysed for root length density and root diameter during the growing season. Above- and below-ground biomass and C and nitrogen content were also recorded immediately after exudate sampling.Key Results: The exudation rate was significantly lower for M. sacchariflorus compared with M. sinensis and M. × giganteus (0.0 versus 0.6 g C g−1 root dry mass year−1). Coupled with this, M. sacchariflorus had greater above-ground biomass, a smaller increase in root mass and a higher root C concentration. Rapid root growth was observed, especially for M. × giganteus, for which root length density (0–30 cm depth) was higher compared with both M. sacchariflorus and M. sinensis in the earlier growth weeks. Conclusions: The results reveal a possible fundamental difference in nutrient resource acquisition and allocation between M. sacchariflorus versus M. sinensis and M. × giganteus. We estimate that Miscanthus root C exudation could add up to 2 g C kg−1 soil month−1 (during the peak growing season), a considerable influx of new labile C. This unique insight into differences in Miscanthus exudation indicates the potential for targeting Miscanthus breeding for enhanced soil C sequestration
Assessing the potential of a modified post-isothermal IRSL (pIt-IR) protocol to circumvent the problems posed by anomalous fading in polymineral fine grains
Get PDFAttempts to find a ‘non-fading’ infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) signal have been ongoing in the past two decades, due to complications regarding measurement and application of anomalous fading as well as higher age uncertainty introduced by fading correction. In this research, the potential of the post-isothermal IRSL (pIt-IR) protocol to generate ages without the need for fading correction is investigated. Polymineral fine grain samples were collected from a sediment core from Lake Chew Bahir in Ethiopia which is supported by independent age control. The equivalent dose (De) values determined using the pIR50IR225 pIt-IR protocol are in agreement with the fading corrected pIRIR225 De values for the upper ∼40 mcd of the core (∼200 Gy), below which the pIR50IR225 pIt-IR De values underestimate the fading corrected pIRIR225 De values. This underestimation appears to be a consequence of the IR50 signal approaching field saturation since pIt-IR De determination depends on both IR50 and pIRIR225 signals. Increasing the measurement temperature of the first IR signal in the pIRIR225 pIt-IR protocol (from 50 to 150 °C, i.e. pIR150IR225 pIt-IR) appears to extend the upper limit of the pIt-IR protocol by producing De values that are consistent both with the fading corrected pIRIR225 De values (within 1σ uncertainties), and also in agreement with the ages of two known-age tephra (within 2σ uncertainties) down to ∼90 mcd of the core (∼450 Gy, ∼180 ka). This demonstrates that the pIt-IR protocol is capable of producing De values and ages that do not require fading correction as long as the first IRSL signal in the pIRIR225 pIt-IR protocol is not in field saturation. However, verification of the accuracy of the De values and ages generated using the pIt-IR protocol is provided by comparison of the fading corrected IR50 and corrected pIRIR225 De values/ages, which could otherwise be collected directly through more conventional pIRIR protocols that are shorter in duration than pIt-IR measurement sequences. This raises questions regarding the benefit of using a pIt-IR protocol rather than a pIRIR protocol for dating, the primary advantage of which remains circumvention of the problems posed by anomalous fading for sediments that are younger than the field saturation values of the first IR signal measured in a pIt-IR protocol.</p
Exploring the relationship between women's health autonomy and mental health in Senegal
Get PDFObjectives: This study explores the relationship between women's healthcare autonomy and mental health in Senegal, where cultural and societal norms often marginalize women's autonomy. Recognizing autonomy as a crucial determinant of well-being, the study aims to evaluate how autonomy in health-related decision-making correlates with mental health. Study design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: A sample of 10,983 women (15–49 years) was drawn from the 2023 Senegal Continuous Demographic and Health Survey data. The outcome variable (mental health status) was assessed through three self-reported indicators, including depression symptoms, loss of interest, and suicidal thoughts. The main independent variable, women's health autonomy, was categorized into those with and without autonomy over healthcare decisions. Multivariable logistic regression models were applied to evaluate the relationship between women's health autonomy and their mental health status. Results: Overall, 34.33 % of the women reported feeling sad/depressed, 27.68 % reported losing interest in anything and 21.55 % reported having suicidal thoughts. Also, only 10.73 % had autonomy over their healthcare decisions. Women with health autonomy were less likely to feel sad/depressed (AOR = 0.81, 95 % CI = 0.67–0.98), lose interest in anything (AOR = 0.78, 95 % CI = 0.65–0.94), and have suicidal thoughts (AOR = 0.69, 95 % CI = 0.52–0.91) compared to women without autonomy. Conclusions: Women's healthcare autonomy is a significant protective factor against mental health challenges. Policies enhancing women's autonomy could improve mental health outcomes, highlighting a critical need for gender-responsive healthcare reforms in Senegal and similar contexts.</p
Suicidal ideation and clinical breast examination among rural women aged 25 to 49 in Senegal
Get PDFObjectives: Breast cancer is a significant public health concern and early detection through screening is crucial for improved outcomes. Previous studies have highlighted the influence of socio-demographic and economic factors on the uptake of breast cancer examination. An often-overlooked dimension influencing clinical breast examination (CBE) in the literature is mental health. This study investigates the relationship between suicidal ideation and CBE uptake among rural women in Senegal. Study design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: A sample of 4532 rural women (25–49 years) was drawn from the 2023 Senegal Continuous Demographic and Health Survey data. Clinical breast examination (CBE) and having suicidal thoughts were the outcome and explanatory variables of interest, respectively. We applied a binary logistic multivariable regression model to assess the relationship between suicidal thoughts and CBE. Results: Only 19.49 % of the women had a health professional examine their breasts for cancer. Also, 20.08 % of the women have had suicidal thoughts. The study revealed that women with suicidal thoughts were 41 % less likely to undergo CBE compared to those without (AOR = 0.59, 95 % CI: 0.44–0.79). The study further revealed that an increase in wealth, being employed, and frequently listening to the radio are positively associated with the uptake of CBE, whereas older age is negatively associated. Conclusions: The negative relationship between suicidal ideation and the uptake of CBE underscores the need to integrate mental health services with preventive health programs like cancer screenings.</p
“They’re Just Children at the End of the Day”:How Is Child First Justice Applied to Children Who Commit Serious Crimes?
Get PDFChild First (CF), the approach to youth justice now endorsed by the Youth Justice Board in England and Wales, centres around seeing children as children and meeting their needs in a child-focused way. CF opposes its predecessor, the risk-based approach, which focused on actuarial measurements of risk and led to net-widening, the overuse of custody, and harsher sentencing. As the current strategic approach for youth justice in England and Wales, it is essential to consider its applicability for all offence types, including the most serious. This study aimed to begin the exploration of this under-researched area by identifying the opinions of youth justice professionals on the application of theory to practice. This small-scale exploratory study, comprising five in-depth interviews with youth justice practitioners based in rural Wales, found a consensus amongst respondents that CF should apply to all offences, regardless of their seriousness, but with recognition that some factors centred around the child themselves and their relationship with their youth justice worker and with other services/the public may have an impact on this. Respondents suggested recommendations to counter these problems, leading to recommendations for future research to further embed CF at all levels of youth justice operation