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Caninoid Necro-Robots: Geometrically Selected Rearticulation of Canine Mandibles
Get PDFIn line with Sustainable Development Goal 9 (sustainable industrialisation and innovation), environmentally responsible engineering designs in modern robotics should consider factors such as renewability, sustainability, and biodegradability. The robotics sector is growing at an exponential rate and, as a consequence, its contribution to ewaste is a growing concern. Our work contributes to the technological development of caninoid necro-robots, robots that are built from the skeletons of deceased dogs. The already formed skeletal structures of deceased dogs (and other animals) are ideal natural material replacements for synthetic robotic architectures such as plastics, metals, and composites. Since dog skeletons are disarticulated, simple but effective methods need to be developed to rearticulate their bodies. The canine head is essentially a large end effector, but its mandible is held together by a fibrocartilaginous joint (symphysis) that degrades at a higher rate than the bone itself. The degradation of the symphysis would ordinarily negate the utility of a canine head as a necro-robotic end effector; however, in this research, we consider simple methods of mandible reinforcement to circumvent this problem. Our research uses 3D scans of a real canine head, which is modelled using the finite element method to ascertain optimal geometrical reinforcements for the mandible. The full head structures and their reinforcements are printed and adhesively connected to determine the most effective reinforcing strategy of the mandible. Here, we elucidate geometrically selected reinforcement designs that are evidenced through mechanical testing, to successfully increase the stiffness of a disarticulated mandible
What is family and group conferencing for adults? Part 1:Characterising the model and methods of enquiry
Get PDFBackgroundFamily and Group Conferencing (FGC) is a relatively new strengths-based approach applied to adults needing social care and mental health support in the UK. Although the approach is well established in children’s services in the UK, few services currently offer FGCs to adults; therefore, there is limited evidence regarding FGCs in the adult services context in the UK. This study aims to fill this gap by examining how FGCs work and what differences they can make in people’s lives.MethodsThis paper (Part 1) addresses the first of two related research questions, aiming to characterize the practice model(s) that pertain to the context of adults’ FGCs as currently offered. We employed a mixed methods research design drawing on data from both, previous literature as well as current practice by undertaking a comprehensive literature review, national survey and stakeholder interviews with current services and a deliberative forum involving a range of stakeholders pertaining to adult FGCs.ResultsAlthough there is some variation in the practice model(s) offered by services, the overall approach is underpinned by a relatively consistent set of values and principles, although these are often implicit. The FGC offers a staged approach that enables people and their networks to take greater control over their support arrangements. It is seen as an appropriate service offer across all adults and mental health services with the potential to result in a range of positive outcomes (as will be discussed in Part 2).ConclusionCentral to achieving this is flexibility within the service offer to accommodate the social and cultural needs of the individual and their network, the independence of the FGC coordinator, the necessity of sufficient preparation for all participants, and rapport building in advance of the Conference
Peridotite xenoliths of Harrat ar-Rahah-Uwayrid alkaline basalts, NW Saudi Arabia: fragments of a multiply metasomatized Neoproterozoic mantle
Get PDFNumerous Upper Miocene to Quaternary harrats (basalt fields) litter western Saudi Arabia along the Red Sea between Jordan and Yemen and are related to the initial rifting of the Red Sea system at ~30–25 Ma. Many of these harrats contain alkaline scoria bombs and lesser lavas that bear mantle xenoliths, and one of these is Harrat Ar-Rahah-Uwayrid (HARU), which comprises a NW-SE oriented elongate volcanic field of ~7150 km2 and which extends for about ~230 km in NW Saudi Arabia. This study presents new whole-rock and mineral chemistry data of HARU mantle xenoliths to provide new insights into their petrogenesis and the nature of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle of Arabia. HARU xenoliths are mostly spinel lherzolite with lesser harzburgite and rare wehrlite. Xenoliths range from cm-scale to fist-size and are found primarily within Pleistocene basanite scoria bombs from cinder cones in the central HARU segment; others were recovered, for the first time, from the Upper Miocene alkali basalt and hawaiite lavas of the southern plateau. No distinctive features are apparent between peridotite xenoliths of the older and younger host rocks. Fo# of olivines from most of the HARU peridotite xenoliths ranges from 83.5 to 93.1, and spinel Cr# ranges widely from 0.09 to 0.59. Using F = 10 ln(spinel Cr#) + 24, estimated degrees of partial melting are low to high, ranging from 2% to 19%. On the basis of coexisting olivine-orthopyroxene-spinel pairs, oxygen fugacity ranges from −1.89 to −0.22 relative to FMQ, suggesting equilibration under reduced conditions. Thermobarometry calculations based on Ca in orthopyroxene suggest that the peridotite xenoliths equilibrated at temperatures of ~860–1000°C, at relatively shallow depths of ca. 35–42 km. Alike other harrats in Saudi Arabia, the host basalts are derived from partial melting of spinel lherzolite and garnet lherzolite. Overall, HARU peridotite xenoliths represent multiply metasomatized fragments of Neoproterozoic mantle
A Conceptual Framework for Measuring Ecological Novelty
Get PDFBackgroundHuman pressures are driving the emergence of unprecedented, ‘novel’, ecological and environmental systems. The concept of novel (eco)systems is well accepted by the scientific community, but the use and measurement of novelty has outgrown initial definitions and critiques. There are still unresolved methodological and conceptual differences in quantifying novelty that prevent a unified research approach.FrameworkHere we present a conceptual framework and guidelines to unify past and future measurement of ecological novelty. Under this framework, novelty is a property of an ecological or environmental entity of interest. Novelty is quantified as the comparison between the target entity and a reference set, measured as the summary of degrees of difference across one or more dimensions. Choices in these components, particularly the reference set, can change resulting novelty measurements and inferences.ShowcaseWe provide a case-study to showcase our framework, measuring pre- and post-European novelty in 99 pollen assemblages in Midwest USA forests. We paired this quantitative exploration with a five-step process designed to improve the utility and outcomes of novelty analyses.ConclusionsQuantitative novelty has immense value in studies of abrupt ecological change, linking climatic and ecological change, biotic interactions and invasions, species range shifts and fundamental theories. Our framework offers a unified overview and is also primed for integration into management and restoration workflows, providing consistent and robust measurements of novelty to support decision making, priority setting and resource allocation
MUSEUM Artists Book:MUSEUM Artists Book
Get PDF‘Museum’ is a blind embossed collage a print with letterpress cover. 10.5x7.5x0.7cm, edition of 20
Labour provenance as a lens to reveal more-than-human ecologies in biological design and HCI
Get PDFEfforts to integrate living organisms in the design of new technolo- gies are often motivated by prospects of greater sustainability and increased connection with more-than-human worlds. In this paper, we critically discuss these motivations by analysing the vast and mostly hidden ecologies of more-than-human organisms implicated in a biodesign lab experiment. Through the lenses of labour theory, we investigate the extent to which organisms’ bodily functions and relationships can be subsumed into capitalist modes of production. In order to help reveal and map out the network of more-than-human contributors to biodesign, we develop a workshop method and a labour provenance analytical framework that identifies five types of more-than-human labourers, stretching from the centre to the periphery of biodesign. We conclude by discussing how sustainable approaches should account for wider more-than-human ecologies, and how the labour lens could help stress conflicting goals, implicit anthropocentric agendas and ways of improving organismal welfare in biological design and HCI
Far-right movements in the Western world:How media exposure relates to normative beliefs and attitudes toward the far-right
Get PDFConsidering the rise of far-right groups in Western countries, we examined whether exposure to media coverage on the far-right is associated with attitudes toward it, using surveys in 15 Western democratic countries (total N = 2,576). We hypothesized that greater media exposure to the far-right will be associated with greater perceived prevalence and acceptability of it, which will in turn be associated with divergent attitudes. On the one hand, greater perceived prevalence may be associated with more unfavorable attitudes toward the far-right (a threat response). On the other hand, greater perceived acceptability may be associated with more favorable attitudes toward the far-right (a normalization response). Overall, there was more evidence for a threat response than a normalization response: media exposure was consistently related to greater perceived prevalence (but not acceptability) of the far-right. This research underscores the importance of studying the consequences of the rise of the far-right
Assessing the Impact of Haulage drivers in Uganda's COVID-19 Delta Wave
Get PDFBackground: Haulage truck drivers connect distant communities, posing potential disease introduction risks. However, interventions must balance public health protection, economic continuity, and individual rights. This study examines the role of haulage in disease introduction and onward spread in Uganda during the Delta wave of COVID-19.Methods: Using 625,422 national surveillance records, we fitted a susceptible-infectious-recovered (SIR) model to assess whether haulage drivers were a “core-risk group.” Although they accounted for only 0.036% of COVID-19 cases, border districts associated with haulage registered 12.02% more cases than inland districts, suggesting a role in disease introduction. The risk varied by location, with Tororo experiencing a higher burden than Amuru and Kyotera, which border South Sudan and Tanzania, respectively.Mandatory COVID-19 testing and result waiting at the Malaba border crossing increased disease risk in Tororo by up to 6%. While haulage-targeted interventions reduced cases in border districts, they had minimal impact on inland districts, indicating a limited role in onward spread. Our findings also suggest that integrating haulage-specific measures with vaccination would further reduce case-load.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that truck drivers were a transient core risk group with limited impact on onward spread. However, uncertainties remain regarding the extent of their role, and interventions like testing and result waiting at border crossings may have inadvertently heightened risk. Pandemic preparedness strategies should carefully assess risks in key sectors like supply chains to balance public safety with individual rights.<br/
Nurturing transformative participation:A participatory realist review of mental health interventions in low resource settings
Get PDFPurpose: The importance of involving people with lived experiences of mental health difficulties and the communities they inhabit, in interventions for them is now widely recognised. However, there is a lack of scrutiny around the theory and practice of how - and to what extent - participation occurs in global mental health interventions. The aim of this review was to examine existing literature and consult with community groups in low and middle income settings in order to understand how, for whom and under what conditions participatory approaches work to lead to positive outcomes for mental health. Methods: Informed by a realist approach, we developed a new methodology combining a realist literature synthesis with the experiences of everyday citizens and service users from communities within low and middle income countries. Across a ten-step process we systematically reviewed literature and iteratively conducted focus group discussions, to inform the development of mid-range theories and a programme theory of participation that was reviewed and approved by community members in our LMIC sites. Results: Participation in global mental health varies widely across contexts and programmes. We developed a programme theory based on seven principles, to understand how and under what circumstances participation can be meaningful, transformative and lead to improved mental health. The principles were: 1. Interventions and programmes should be built on strong relationships with communities in their localities; 2. Long term engagement in a locality means that services are more responsive; 3. A trusting, supportive and collaborative therapeutic relationship is critical when responding to mental health needs; 4. it is important to integrate existing beliefs, metaphors and traditions into understandings about mental health; 5. Groups and peer support can be important sources of social support leading to changes at individual and group levels; 6. Providing mental health support in spaces which are physically and emotionally safe helps marginalised groups to participate; and 7. Facilitating opportunities for participation and collective action strengthens mental health and social wellbeing. Conclusions: Bringing together theory and practice, this realist review underscores the importance of meaningful participation in global mental health. Through this work we develop a programme theory, identifying seven key principles important to facilitating transformative participation.</p
Towards child-centred AI in children's learning futures:Participatory design futuring with SmartSchool and the co-design stories toolkit
Get PDFWhat are children's perspectives on how AI could impact their learning futures? The concept of child-centered AI (CCAI) highlights the importance of children's involvement and their rights in the design of AI futures. However, a gap remains in translating CCAI goals from theory and policy into practice – a gap which HCI and Participatory Design seem well-placed to address. We conducted initial, exploratory Participatory Design Futuring (PDF) workshops with 14 children (aged 3–10) and their families in the UK, envisioning a futuristic design client, ‘SmartSchool’, who sought AI solutions to make learning better and more playful in the year 2123. We contribute, firstly, the Co-Design Stories Toolkit, an adaptable tool for participatory research, here applied with a PDF framing to springboard into speculative imaginaries on AI and learning. Secondly, we contribute a set of child-led narratives and design concepts on AI's impact on learning futures and child rights, foregrounding what matters about AI to children themselves.</p
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