Ageing bodies and the space they call home

Within the population of âolder adultsâ there is more diversity than in any other user group. Yet, generalised assumptions still exist about their capabilities, needs, and technology use. This paper briefly outlines existing research into designing technology for (older) users and suggests that the built environment can, and should, serve as the canvas for new technologies that support the sociophysical interactions of ageing bodies. Innovations coming from the fields of tangible interaction and interactive architecture have the opportunity to consider the whole environment in which such bodies reside. Rather than devising specific technologies for older users, this paper suggests focusing on the incorporation of flexible, mainstream technologies, into adaptable, intelligent homes, which support the autonomy of older adults. The challenges of such an endeavour are discussed as the grounding for future research into sociophysical technology that supports older user

Mutual learning as a resource for research design

Copyright 2014 ACM. Mutual learning processes provide the context for this paper. We reflect on the early research design process of an ongoing project that is investigating the potential contributions of the Internet of Things (IoT) to ageing well. While mutual learning is assumed and embedded in Participatory Design tools and methods, it was only when we explicitly used mutual learning processes, as a resource in the research design of the project, that we could make clear and accountable decisions about how to proceed. The paper ends with a reaffirmation of the importance of mutual learning processes in Participatory Design, noting the opportunities, even imperatives, for foregrounding mutual learning processes in the design of IoT applications

African Irregular Migrants in Malta: Exploring Perceptions and Renegotiating the Socio-Cultural Siege of Malta

This paper discusses the influx of African irregular migrants seeking asylum in Malta and how their arrival and growing presence in Malta is perceived by the Maltese. Since becoming an EU Member State in 2004 Malta has been overwhelmed by the number of irregular migrants arriving on its shores while en route to continental Europe. Due to its proximity to the North African coastline Malta becomes a frequent, albeit unintentional, destination for African migrants who are rescued in Maltese waters and subsequently placed in a closed detention facility until their legal status is determined in a court of law. Although it is simultaneously the smallest and most densely populated country in Europe, Malta is obligated to abide by the 2003 Dublin II Regulation, which places a disproportionately large burden on Malta—a small island nation with significant spatial and resource limitations. The international community’s criticism of Malta’s neglect and mismanagement of its humanitarian crisis, however, are not unwarranted. Social sanctums and domestic legal policies regarding how Malta’s irregular migrant population should be perceived and handled remain diametrically opposed and socio-economic, cultural and racial tensions between irregular migrants and Maltese citizens run high. Based on fieldwork conducted in Malta in 2011, this paper examines the problem of irregular migration in Malta and how existing Maltese perceptions are shaping some of the domestic policies that have been internationally criticized

Numerical simulations of twin formation and extension in thin face-centred cubic metallic films

The basic mechanisms of plasticity in face-centred cubic materials are now well known in bulk materials. However, several experimental studies have shown that at the nanoscale, some of its mechanisms can induce surprising mechanical properties when compared to bulk behaviour. The formation and extension of twins in metallic nanowire can, for example, generate super-plasticity [1] or the presence of growth nano-twins within a material can lead to strengthening effects [2]. Atomic simulations are particularly adapted for studying the plasticity mechanisms at play, since they allow their visualization at the atomic scale. While many atomistic simulations studies have been focused on the interaction of dislocation with a twin boundary, our study differs in the choice of crystallographic orientations, specifically designed to facilitate twin formation. In that context, we analyse, in a thin face-centred cubic metallic film, the competition between free surfaces and twin boundaries for twin nucleation under applied stress, as well as the influence of a pre-existing twin boundary on the newly nucleated twin propagation. The chosen orientation also allows the introduction of surface defects, namely monoatomic surface steps, which can act as dislocation sources under mechanical stress. Our study highlights the influence of these surface defects on plasticity, by the comparison of systems with and without surface defects. In particular, the presence of a surface step on the surface localizes the plasticity, which gives rise to specific reactions in the presence of a pre-existing twin boundary, causing the formation of a Lomer dislocation, and subsequently the formation of a Lomer-Cottrell lock. When no defect is present at the surface, we observed the nucleation of several nano-twins, generating a partial reorientation of the film and the partial suppression of the original twin boundary

Immunization of mice with YscF provides protection from Yersinia pestis infections

BACKGROUND: Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague, is a pathogen with a tremendous ability to cause harm and panic in populations. Due to the severity of plague and its potential for use as a bioweapon, better preventatives and therapeutics for plague are desirable. Subunit vaccines directed against the F1 capsular antigen and the V antigen (also known as LcrV) of Y. pestis are under development. However, these new vaccine formulations have some possible limitations. The F1 antigen is not required for full virulence of Y. pestis and LcrV has a demonstrated immunosuppressive effect. These limitations could damper the ability of F1/LcrV based vaccines to protect against F1-minus Y. pestis strains and could lead to a high rate of undesired side effects in vaccinated populations. For these reasons, the use of other antigens in a plague vaccine formulation may be advantageous. RESULTS: Desired features in vaccine candidates would be antigens that are conserved, essential for virulence and accessible to circulating antibody. Several of the proteins required for the construction or function of the type III secretion system (TTSS) complex could be ideal contenders to meet the desired features of a vaccine candidate. Accordingly, the TTSS needle complex protein, YscF, was selected to investigate its potential as a protective antigen. In this study we describe the overexpression, purification and use of YscF as a protective antigen. YscF immunization triggers a robust antibody response to YscF and that antibody response is able to afford significant protection to immunized mice following challenge with Y. pestis. Additionally, evidence is presented that suggests antibody to YscF is likely not protective by blocking the activity of the TTSS. CONCLUSION: In this study we investigated YscF, a surface-expressed protein of the Yersinia pestis type III secretion complex, as a protective antigen against experimental plague infection. Immunization of mice with YscF resulted in a high anti-YscF titer and provided protection against i.v. challenge with Y. pestis. This is the first report to our knowledge utilizing a conserved protein from the type III secretion complex of a gram-negative pathogen as a candidate for vaccine development

Power Doppler Imaging in Acute Renal Vein Occlusion and Recanalization: a Canine Model

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of the power Doppler (PD) in acute renal vein occlusion and recanalization in a canine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a PD of the kidney during graded renal vein occlusion and recanalization induced by balloon inflation and deflation in nine dogs. The PD images were transferred to a personal computer, and the PD signals were quantified. RESULTS: We observed the temporal change of the PD signal during renal vein occlusion and recanalization, with a decrease in the PD signal during occlusion and an increase during recanalization. The mean PD signal decreased gradually as the renal vein was occluded, and conversely increased gradually with sequential relief of occlusion. The sequential change of the mean value of the PD signal was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The PD can detect a change in renal blood flow during acute renal vein occlusion and recanalization in a canine model. The PD may be used as a helpful tool for the early detection of acute renal vein thrombosis and the monitoring of renal perfusion