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Whiteness, reloaded: addressing the ghosts in reverse of the cities yet to exist
No full textIn recent years, images of ‘futuring’ of the contemporary city –a term borrowed from the language of future management- have been largely shaped by spectral urban figures/agents within urban processes and regeneration atmospheres, described in this paper as acts of ‘future colonisation’.
This paper engages with some traits of the most public and yet less explicitly visible urban agents engaged in this affective atmospheres: the 'ghosts in reverse' populating the hoardings of new city places yet to exist.
These are the digital future citizens that manifest themselves in the architectural renderings of the social life of future cities, the paradigmatic urban actors with anticipatory agency, prefiguring the city yet-to-exist and occupying its future ahead of its time.
The most troubling character of these affective urban agents is how the the algorithmic biases of their makers enters as stealth material into the futures they are imaging through architectural renderings.
Looking at the motion capturing technology needed to produce these digital 'inoperative communities' (Nancy, 1991) and their geographic distribution, we can see how the use of the word ‘colonisation’ becomes deliberately associated with a 'scanning bias' that reinforces ‘whiteness’ (Dyer, 1997) in architectural visualisation of places yet to exist, sanitising the global majority out of their boundaries
Positive correlational shift between crevicular antimicrobial peptide LL-37, pain and periodontal status following non-surgical periodontal therapy. A pilot study
Get PDFBackground: Periodontitis has a high prevalence and uncertain recurrence. Unlike the pro-inflammatory cytokine profile, little is known about the anti-inflammatory cytokine and antimicrobial peptide overview following treatment. The present study aimed to evaluate if any of the antimicrobial peptide LL-37, interleukin (IL) 4, 10 and 6 together with the volume of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and total protein concentration in GCF could be used as correlative biomarkers for the severity in periodontitis as well as prognostic factors in the management of the disease. Methods: Forty-five participants were recruited and allocated to the healthy (15), Stage I-II (15) or Stage III-IV periodontitis (15) group. Along with periodontal examination, GCF samples were obtained at baseline and 4–6 weeks following scaling and root planing (SRP) for the periodontitis groups. GCF samples were analyzed by ELISA kits to quantify LL-37 and IL-4, -6 and − 10. One-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s test was used to determine differences among the three groups at baseline. Two-way ANOVA followed by Sidak’s post-hoc test was used to compare between pre- and post-SRP in the two periodontitis groups. Results: The amount of GCF volume was significantly correlated to the severity of periodontitis and decreased following SRP, particularly in the Stage III-IV group (p < 0.01). The levels of LL-37, IL-6, and pain and periodontal clinical parameters were significantly correlated to the severity of periodontitis. IL-4 and IL-10 in the periodontitis groups were significantly lower than the healthy group (p < 0.0001) and barely improved following SRP up to the level of the healthy group. Conclusions: With the limitations of this study, crevicular LL-37 may be a candidate for a biomarker of periodontitis and the associated pain upon probing. Trial registration: The study was registered in clinical trials.gov, with number NCT04404335, dated 27/05/2020
Pediatrics in artificial intelligence era: A systematic review on challenges, opportunities, and explainability
Get PDFBackground: The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT and Bard is disrupting a broad swathe of fields, including medicine. In pediatric medicine, AI is also increasingly being used across multiple subspecialties. However, the practical application of AI still faces a number of key challenges. Consequently, there is a requirement for a concise overview of the roles of AI across the multiple domains of pediatric medicine, which the current study seeks to address.
Aim: To systematically assess the challenges, opportunities, and explainability of AI in pediatric medicine.
Methodology: A systematic search was carried out on peer-reviewed databases, PubMed Central, Europe PubMed Central, and grey literature using search terms related to machine learning (ML) and AI for the years 2016 to 2022 in the English language. A total of 210 articles were retrieved that were screened with PRISMA for abstract, year, language, context, and proximal relevance to research aims. A thematic analysis was carried out to extract findings from the included studies.
Results: Twenty articles were selected for data abstraction and analysis, with three consistent themes emerging from these articles. In particular, eleven articles address the current state-of-the-art application of AI in diagnosing and predicting health conditions such as behavioral and mental health, cancer, syndromic and metabolic diseases. Five articles highlight the specific challenges of AI deployment in pediatric medicines: data security, handling, authentication, and validation. Four articles set out future opportunities for AI to be adapted: the incorporation of Big Data, cloud computing, precision medicine, and clinical decision support systems. These studies collectively critically evaluate the potential of AI in overcoming current barriers to adoption.
Conclusion: AI is proving disruptive within pediatric medicine and is presently associated with challenges, opportunities, and the need for explainability. AI should be viewed as a tool to enhance and support clinical decision-making rather than a substitute for human judgement and expertise. Future research should consequently focus on obtaining comprehensive data to ensure the generalizability of research findings
Firefly algorithm for beamforming design in RIS-aided communication systems
Get PDFThis paper studies a non-convex power minimization problem for reconfigurable-intelligent-surfaces-aided communication systems whose constraints are multivariate functions of two independent optimization variables, i.e., active and passive beamforming vectors. A widely adopted alternative optimization (AO) approach approximates the originally non-convex problem by two convex sub-optimization problems where each sub-optimization problem deals with one variable considering the other variable as a constant. The solution for the original problem is obtained by iteratively solving these sub-optimization problems. Although the AO approach converts the original NP-hard optimization problem to two convex sub-problems, the solutions attained by this method may not be the global optimal solution due to the approximation process as well as the inherent non-convexity of the original problem. To overcome the issue, this paper adopts a nature-inspired optimization approach and introduces a novel Firefly algorithm (FA) to simultaneously solve for two independent optimization variables of the originally non- convex optimization problem. Computational complexity analyses are provided for the proposed FA and the AO approaches. Simulation results reveal that the proposed FA approach prevails its AO counterpart in obtaining a better solution for the under- studied optimization problem with the same order of computational complexity
Resource saving via ensemble techniques for quantum neural networks
No full textQuantum neural networks hold significant promise for numerous applications, particularly as they can be executed on the current generation of quantum hardware. However, due to limited qubits or hardware noise, conducting large-scale experiments often requires significant resources. Moreover, the output of the model is susceptible to corruption by quantum hardware noise. To address this issue, we propose the use of ensemble techniques, which involve constructing a single machine learning model based on multiple instances of quantum neural networks. In particular, we implement bagging and AdaBoost techniques, with different data loading configurations, and evaluate their performance on both synthetic and real-world classification and regression tasks. To assess the potential performance improvement under different environments, we conduct experiments on both simulated, noiseless software and IBM superconducting-based QPUs, suggesting these techniques can mitigate the quantum hardware noise. Additionally, we quantify the amount of resources saved using these ensemble techniques. Our findings indicate that these methods enable the construction of large, powerful models even on relatively small quantum devices
Etudes de concert 1
No full textÉtudes de concert comprises a suite of pieces which, as the title implies, provide concert repertoire while also exploring aspects of the instruments’ characters and approaches to writing for them, using contemporary recorder techniques.
1. Air
The first piece, Air, for alto recorder, is the most straightforward. Inspired by Scottish traditional music, it focuses on the projection and articulation of a melody through different levels of decoration. The structure is based on the late Renaissance/early Baroque concept of ‘divisions’, familiar from the works of Jan van Eyck, for instance. The usual pattern of increasing elaboration is reversed, however, so the piece starts with a moto perpetuo then reduces the pace to reveal the unadorned melody at the end, in a progressive stripping away of accretions.
2. Paraphrase on 'O virga mediatrix'
Paraphrase, for tenor recorder, is based on the Alleluia trope ‘O virga mediatrix’ by Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179). Hildegard’s melodic material appears most notably in the final section, where the long melisma on the last word of the text, ‘orto’, is quoted directly. Besides highlighting the projection and phrasing of melody, Paraphrase provides a gentle introduction to singing while playing, microtonal inflections, and glissandi.
3. Fuga
Fuga for descant recorder was written in 2007 as a 40th birthday present for my friend and first commissioner and interpreter of my recorder music, David Maycock. The idea of writing a fugue for solo recorder was suggested to me by JS Bach’s example in his violin sonatas. The concept has also been explored by Joe Parks in a piece published in the Winter 2019 issue of The Recorder Magazine; the first attempt at the genre appears to have been the fugato conclusion of Arnold Cooke’s Serial Theme and Variations for solo treble, written for Michael Vetter (Schott ED 11666, 1968). Various means are used to suggest different voices – the use of different registers in quick succession; leaps across the whole range of the instrument; dialogue effects between the different registers; and of course multiphonics, which temporarily produce simultaneous sounds. There is also a suggestion of the literal meaning of the Italian word Fuga-flight-in the virtuosic, mercurial passages of continuous fast notes. The idea being to use virtuosity to produce a kind of ‘meta’ recorder (like the meta piano which Brian Ferneyhough identifies in Michael Finnissy’s fourth piano concerto), while keeping the technical demands within the bounds of a good semi-professional player.
4. Tema con transformazioni
Tema con transformazioni for alto and sopranino recorder features more advanced microtones, and the ‘tema’ encodes the name of Irish poet William Butler Yeats, whose poem Sailing to Byzantium inspired my first and longest work for solo recorder player (originally titled Gyres; published by Composers Edition ce-bi1stb1 ISMN 9790570681228). The theme is transformed musically as a metaphor for the transformation of the poet into an ornamental bird in the poem Sailing to Byzantium
Envisioning the effective implementation of the Marrakesh treaty for blind, visually impaired and print-disabled individuals in Mauritius
No full textThe Marrakesh Treaty has been hailed as the key to unlocking the door for visually impaired or print-disabled individuals to have more equitable access to published works. Its most innovative aspect resides in its provision of mandatory copyright exceptions with a view of facilitating the cross-border exchange of published works in accessible format for individuals with print disabilities. This could have far-reaching benefits in terms of closing the gap on the book famine for visually impaired persons worldwide, in particular in developing nations such as the Republic of Mauritius. While Mauritius has ratified the Marrakesh Treaty on 11 January 2021, it has only entered into force on 11 April 2021. It is therefore well-timed to examine to what extent can the Marrakesh Treaty be effectively implemented for print-disabled individuals in Mauritius to enjoy their rights to access information and to participation in cultural life on an equal basis with others. First, the paper will provide a contextual exploration of the rationale behind the development and adoption of the Marrakesh Treaty, and then turn to a legal and policy analysis of the substantive provisions of the treaty. Second, the paper will elaborate on a human rights framework for copyright. Finally, the paper will provide significant legal and policy recommendations for both state and non-state actors to fully and meaningfully give effect to the treaty, including through the development of a clear action plan, and the role of governmental and non-governmental stakeholders in facilitating access to published works for print-disabled individuals in Mauritius
ScreenSkills WRYSE project: guidelines for UK educators and screen industry employers
No full textIn discussion with our partners at Middlesex University in late 2021, we recognised that this body of evidence and experience represented an opportunity to increase the focus on these work-ready skills and experiences, and to provide greater clarity and support for both educators and industry in developing and articulating these more effectively. While stakeholders frequently mention work-ready or transferable skills, they very rarely refer to a consistent list of what these skills and experiences actually are, beyond one or two examples such as team-working or problem-solving. It is even rarer still to see reference to a more detailed list of what these competencies involve in terms of work-related tasks.
In April 2022, ScreenSkills (through its BFI Future Film Skills project) and Middlesex University came together to set up the “WRYSE” project to address these challenges and opportunities. The partnership convened a working group of 26 educators and industry professionals for the project, drawn from companies and institutions around the UK regions and nations. The industry professionals include representatives from games, HETV, unscripted TV, film and animation, from broadcasters to SME companies and freelancers
An assessment of different alkali-activated cements as stabilizers of sulfate-bearing soils
Get PDFThe stabilization of sulfate-bearing soils with traditional calcium-based stabilizers is not recommended, as reactions between the calcium and sulfates in the presence of water could lead to soil heave. Alternative stabilization methods are therefore required, and this paper proposes innovative alkali-activated cements (AACs), whose use for soil stabilization and especially sulfate-bearing soils is little researched. To fill this knowledge gap, AAC systems with a ground granulated blast-furnace slag precursor and different alkaline activators, including commercial lime, wastepaper sludge ash (PSA), potassium hydroxide (KOH) and potassium carbonate (K 2 CO 3 ), were used to treat an artificial sulfate-bearing clay. AAC-treated clay specimens cured for 7 and 28 days, respectively, were soaked in water for 45 days; their one-dimensional swelling, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), pH and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) were measured and compared to those of specimens not exposed to water. Material characterization (scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Raman spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)) was performed to attest cementation and detect ettringite. In AAC systems, CaO/Ca(OH) 2 did not lead to specimen heave and damage, and developed the highest strengths. Potassium-based activators performed less well but combined PSA–K 2 CO 3 in time led to strength gain. Overall, AACs lead to greater strengths than lime only or lime and admixtures, and show promise as sulfate-bearing soil stabilizers
A technology-people-integrated toolkit for retail care management during a crisis
Get PDFMental volatilities are seen to be on the rise when it comes to retail employees and consumers. Specifically, in times of crisis there is a need to be able to customise care management in a way that is coherent and comprehensive to address mental volatility. This customisation is sought in technology and people. However, thus far there is no toolkit for a specific crisis-sensitive care management protocol. We, therefore, build on an ADO framework-based, illustrative case study of three UK retailers wherein we derive and exemplify how mental burnout in a volatile environment becomes a very important care management necessity which has been neglected thus far. Further, we detail how to contend with this need and how there is a demand for customisation, comprehensiveness, and consistency. In this respect, we conceptualise a technology-people-integrated toolkit that can be implemented with immediate effect for retail care management. We detail the practicalities work in two scenarios. To conclude, managerial and theoretical implications of this toolkit and study have been detailed along with the paper’s limitations and suggestions for future research