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Houston, al-Rāzī has a problem:Are humans (really) the best of creation?
Get PDFThis article explores Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī‘s (d. 1210) theological insights on the metaphysical hierarchy of creation to address the question: Can there be extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI) superior to human intelligence? By revisiting a long-standing debate in the Islamic tradition concerning the superiority (afdaliyyah) of angels versus humans, this article positions al-Rāzī as a pivotal case who diverges from the majority Ash’ari stance by advocating for angelic superiority. Through a detailed analysis of al-Rāzī‘s deconstruction of pro-human superiority arguments and his construction of arguments favoring angels, the article demonstrates how his framework challenges anthropocentric assumptions and broadens theological possibilities. If al-Rāzī‘s arguments are deemed successful, his scripturally and rationally grounded framework provides a foundation for envisioning ETI that may surpass humanity in spiritual or intellectual rank. This article contributes uniquely by unveiling al-Rāzī‘s underexplored ideas on angelic superiority and integrating them into the context of Islam and ETI, thereby advancing modern discourse on Islamic theological anthropology.</p
Disability sport profile of Ghana:Evolution, policies, politics and participation barriers
Get PDFThe profile analyses the landscape of disability sport in Ghana, tracing its historical evolution and contemporary challenges. Alongside legislative advancements and the dedication of various stakeholders, an increase in the persons with disability population has been observed. Based on data from the Ghana Statistical Service census, this demographic rose from 737,743 in 2010 to 2,098,138 in 2021, constituting 3% and 8% of the Ghanaian population in those respective years. Nevertheless, significant barriers to the mainstreaming of disability sport persist. The analysis delves into the interplay of cultural norms, government policies, and collaborative efforts in shaping the trajectory of disability sport in the country. Insights into the population of persons with disabilities and their engagement in sport offer a foundation for discussion. Further, an analysis of the roles of key state and non-state organisations, alongside international partners, emphasises the need to move from symbolic implementation to genuinely inclusive implementation. Contemporary issues such as political infighting, inadequate funding, gender dynamics, limited media coverage, exploitation of disability sport and systemic neglect continue to hinder progress. The profile underscores the urgent need for sustained policy implementation, increased investment, and a more inclusive and collaborative approach to secure a promising future for disability sport in Ghana.</p
An Information Bottleneck View of Social Stereotype Use
Get PDFFor decades, social psychologists have wondered about the cognitive foundations of social stereotype use. Arguments have generally centred either resource constraints, framing stereotypes as `energy-saving devices', or `fit', framing stereotypes as tools to represent real structure in the social environment that sometimes go awry. These resource-based and fit-based accounts have typically been presented as being in opposition to one another. In this paper, we seek to show that both are compatible under an information bottleneck model of agent representation. Through a simple simulation experiment, we demonstrate how stereotype use emerges in resource-rational representations as a function of both capacity constraints and the structure of the social environment. We then use the same framework to consider a possible explanation for the outgroup homogeneity bias in terms of limited cognitive capacity
Towards a Digital Twin of a Proprietary Hydraulic System: Energy Consumption Optimisation
Get PDFFastBlade is a facility featuring a proprietary hydraulic system, capable of recovering energy in fatigue tests of tidal turbine blades. However, both the energy consumption and the output quality greatly rely on the loading frequency, due to the system’s parasitic losses, energy recovery, and flowrate limitations. Therefore, the aim of this work is to propose a digital twin (DT) model leveraging real-time system monitoring to assure (1) high-accuracy, repeatable actuation parameters, and (2) optimised energy consumption. Therefore, fatigue tests at different frequencies are carried out, where process capability indices (PCIs) are used as an indication of the output quality, and the energy consumption is evaluated. PCI values show that increasing test frequency results in poorer output adherence to the desired values. The energy consumption analysis shows that adjusting frequency can result in energy savings exceeding 90%. The results are used to design a DT, where the maintenance of satisfactory PCI values is prioritised through closed-loop frequency control. Provided that satisfactory outputs are delivered, frequency is adjusted to minimise energy consumption. A mathematical model is developed based on historic energy consumption data, and is used to provide an estimate of the projected energy usage at all stages of a test. Extending the range of tested parameters, as well as using actual energy measurements to update the model online are presented as future work
Quantifying the carbon footprint of canine breed-specific surgical care in a veterinary referral setting
Get PDFObjective To develop and apply a calculator to quantify the carbon footprint of breed-specific surgical care in dogs, from hospital admission to discharge, in a veterinary referral setting. Materials and methods Breed-specific procedures were defined as surgeries performed uniquely or predominantly in particular breeds due to inherited or conformational pathology, as identified by the relevant clinical services. All dogs undergoing breed-specific procedures at a UK veterinary referral hospital over an eight-month period were prospectively studied. Data collected included procedure type, diagnostic imaging, anaesthesia, pharmaceuticals, surgical waste, travel distance, and personal protective equipment use. Published carbon conversion factors were applied to calculate the carbon footprint (kg CO₂e) for each component of care and the total per-patient emissions. Results Data were collected from 41 patients undergoing breed-specific surgeries. The mean carbon footprint per patient was calculated to be 103kg CO2e (standard deviation ± 47.5, range 33–220kg CO2e). Mean carbon footprint per patient for breed-specific procedures was; BOAS 100kg CO2e (standard deviation ± 36.4, range 49-174kg CO2e), medial canthoplasty 55kg CO2e (standard deviation ± 20.3, range 33-89kg CO2e), screw tail caudectomy 120kg CO2e (standard deviation ± 22.6, range 104-136kg CO2e), ‘Y’ fracture 159kg CO2e (standard deviation ± 48.2, range 103-211kg CO2e), ‘Y’ fracture and prophylactic humeral transcondylar screw 200kg CO2e (standard deviation ± 28.9, range 180-220kg CO2e) and prophylactic unilateral or bilateral humeral transcondylar screw 99kg CO2e (standard deviation ± 15.9, range 84-115kg CO2e) (Table 2). The largest contributors were pharmaceuticals excluding volatile agents (mean 55kg CO₂e, 40-67% of procedure-based emissions), owner travel (mean 19kg CO₂e, 9-28% of procedure-based emissions), and volatile agents (14kg CO₂e, 8-24% of procedure-based emissions). Diagnostic imaging accounted for 6kg CO₂e (0-8% of procedure-based emissions). Conclusions Breed-related procedures generate substantial carbon emissions, with pharmaceuticals and owner travel being major contributors. These findings provide a foundation for identifying environmentally impactful practices and support efforts to improve sustainability in referral veterinary care. This study also prompts broader ethical reflection on the environmental cost of inherited breed disorders, offering a new dimension to discussions on animal welfare, responsible breeding, and sustainability in companion animal medicine
Prefrontal cortex astrocytes modulate distinct neuronal populations to control anxiety-like behavior
Get PDFAccumulating evidence has supported diverse regulatory functions of astrocytes in different neural circuits as well as various aspects of complex behaviors. However, little is known about how astrocytes regulate different neuronal subpopulations that are linked to specific behavioral aspects within a single brain region. Here, we show that astrocytes in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) encode anxiogenic environmental cues in freely behaving mice. Silencing mPFC astrocyte Ca 2+ signaling heightens anxiety-like behavior and triggers opposing functional responses in excitatory and inhibitory neurons. Moreover, neuronal subpopulations tuned to anxiety-like behavior are differentially modulated by mPFC astrocytes at single cell and network levels. Using cell type-specific proximity biotinylation approaches, we identified significant intracellular and intercellular proteomic alterations in mPFC astrocytes and at the astrocyte-neuron interface associated with anxiety. Collectively, our findings uncover mechanisms underpinning the heterogenous astrocyte-neuron interaction that is behaviorally relevant and offer critical insights into the pathophysiology of emotional disorders. </p
Low-Frequency Tibial Neuromodulation Increases Voiding Activity - a Human Pilot Study and Computational Model
Get PDFDespite widespread clinical adoption for disorders of incontinence such as overactive bladder, there remain unknowns sur-rounding the mechanism that underpins Tibial Nerve Stimulation (TNS). Current understanding suggests that TNS counteracts incontinence by the inhibition of brainstem and spinal cord activity. How this inhibition alters bladder function is not fully understood. We hypothesize that the supraspinal components of the system act as a high-pass filter, allowing voiding signals to proceed only when bladder filling reaches a critical level. Testing this hypothesis may explain how TNS is able to induce both an inhibitory and a little-explored excitatory effect on bladder activity in response to high-frequency (20 Hz) and low-frequency (1 Hz) stimulation, respectively. We performed a single-blinded trial in healthy human participants administered high and low-frequency Transcutaneous TNS. We also developed a computational model of the lower-urinary tract and control circuit to study the frequency-dependent effects of TNS. For the first time, we report a frequency-dependent effect of TNS via the ability to alter urge perception and up-regulate and down-regulate bladder activity, corroborating model predictions. These results provide a foundation for the development of targeted and effective TNS therapies, benefiting from in silico models. We hope that future clinical research will determine the efficacy of low-frequency TNS as a non-invasive treatment option for urinary retention
Electroconductive thermosensitive shape memory polymers manufactured by Fused Filament Fabrication: a critical review
Get PDFThe field of 4D printing has seen rapid advancement in recent years, making it a highly dynamic research domain. This new technology is promising for the development of brand-new lightweight, smart and reliable devices. This article is a literature review of the latest research in 4D printing, focusing on electroconductive thermosensitive Shape Memory Polymers. They are promising thanks to their high strength-to-weight ratio and their large deformability. However, devices made of such materials are difficult to embed into larger systems because of the triggering mechanism needed to actuate them. Electroconductive Shape Memory Polymers can be stimulated by the Joule effect, but the intricacies and interdependence of their properties make them a great scientific challenge. The first part of this article provides a clear explanation of the main concepts of 4D printing. Afterwards, it focuses on Fused Filament Fabrication due to its high customisability and ease of use. A description of the properties of thermosensitive 4D printed specimens is provided in the third part. Finally, their main challenges and intricacies are discusse
Casting Shadows:A Graphic Adaptation and Poetry Inspired by the Work of Robert Louis Stevenson
No full textA graphic adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s novella, ‘The Beach of Falesá’ by British artist, Simon Grennan alongside two poems also inspired by the story by Samoan/Aotearoan poet Selina Tusitala Marsh. The adaptation is the outcome of the AHRC funded research project, Remediating Stevenson: Decolonizing Robert Louis Stevenson’s Pacific fiction through graphic adaptation, arts education and community engagement. The book contains a wordless graphic adaptation; a summary of the story in modern English; ‘Uma’s Sestina’ and ‘Uma’s Vilanelle’, by Selina Tusitala Marsh; an illustrated biography of Stevenson and his relationship to the Pacific by Jack Brougham, as well as an outline of, and link to, teaching resources developed by Scotdec for use in Scottish classrooms at Curriculum for Excellence Level 4
Far-right against green:The re-emergence of geographically defined voting patterns and the new environment cleavage in Western Europe
No full textThis article argues that opposition to environmental protection is key to understanding the development of new voting patterns in Western Europe. We theorize climate change as a collective action problem with diffuse benefits and concentrated costs and develop a range of hypotheses about the ways in which concentrated resistance to climate change measures may be channelled into electoral behaviour. We test our hypotheses using data from the European Social Survey. Our results suggest that the backlash against environmental protection is triggered by the potential ‘losers’ of these processes, contributing to the emergence of a territorial cleavage between green voters residing in metropolitical areas, and far-right voters residing in rural and peripheral areas. Our argument explains the development of new political alliances and highlights the importance of green attitudes for the emergence of societal cleavages
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