Design and semantics of form and movement (DeSForM 2006)

Design and Semantics of Form and Movement (DeSForM) grew from applied research exploring emerging design methods and practices to support new generation product and interface design. The products and interfaces are concerned with: the context of ubiquitous computing and ambient technologies and the need for greater empathy in the pre-programmed behaviour of the ‘machines’ that populate our lives. Such explorative research in the CfDR has been led by Young, supported by Kyffin, Visiting Professor from Philips Design and sponsored by Philips Design over a period of four years (research funding £87k). DeSForM1 was the first of a series of three conferences that enable the presentation and debate of international work within this field: • 1st European conference on Design and Semantics of Form and Movement (DeSForM1), Baltic, Gateshead, 2005, Feijs L., Kyffin S. & Young R.A. eds. • 2nd European conference on Design and Semantics of Form and Movement (DeSForM2), Evoluon, Eindhoven, 2006, Feijs L., Kyffin S. & Young R.A. eds. • 3rd European conference on Design and Semantics of Form and Movement (DeSForM3), New Design School Building, Newcastle, 2007, Feijs L., Kyffin S. & Young R.A. eds. Philips sponsorship of practice-based enquiry led to research by three teams of research students over three years and on-going sponsorship of research through the Northumbria University Design and Innovation Laboratory (nuDIL). Young has been invited on the steering panel of the UK Thinking Digital Conference concerning the latest developments in digital and media technologies. Informed by this research is the work of PhD student Yukie Nakano who examines new technologies in relation to eco-design textiles

An effective palynological preparation procedure using hydrogen peroxide

Most pre-Quaternary palynology samples are currently prepared by demineralization of the sediment/sedimentary rock matrix using hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acids (HCl and HF respectively). If a consistently effective alternative to this procedure can be developed, palynological processing will be made significantly less hazardous to both laboratory personnel, and to the wider environment. Furthermore, most non-acid processing methods are normally quicker and cheaper than matrix dissolution using acid. Some authors have previously used hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to extract palynomorphs by the physico–chemical disaggregation of the clay fraction. However, H2O2 is a powerful oxidizing agent and hence can potentially destroy sedimentary organic material, including palynomorphs. A new method using hot H2O2, where exposure of the sample material to the H2O2 is minimized, has been developed. Crushed sample material in a suitable vessel is placed on a hot plate for one minute, treated with 15–30% H2O2 for 10 minutes, then the residue is diluted with cold distilled water. Disaggregated sample material tends to float, and is decanted into a large vessel containing distilled water to further dilute the H2O2. If any undisaggregated sample remains, the procedure is repeated several times if necessary. Relatively indurated sedimentary lithotypes normally require several treatments. The reason for this stepwise treatment is that the organic material is not exposed to H2O2 for sustained periods, thereby reducing the possibility of palynomorph damage/degradation due to oxidation. When the sample matrix has been fully disaggregated, the residue can be further processed as appropriate. In this study, eight samples of Carboniferous, Jurassic, Paleogene, and Quaternary age were prepared quantitatively using the new H2O2 method. These were all prepared using 30% H2O2. For comparison, they were also prepared quantitatively using HCl/HF and/or sodium hexametaphosphate [(NaPO3)6]. Quantitative preparations allow the concentration of palynomorphs extracted to be determined, and therefore the effectiveness of the techniques used can be compared objectively. The palynomorph residues derived from these three techniques varied markedly. The H2O2 method does not consistently disaggregate all the sample material, particularly the older and more indurated lithotypes. Some evidence of oxidation effects was observed. Two samples of Mississippian mudstone from the U.S.A. were prepared using H2O2 and (NaPO3)6. Both methods produced abundant miospores, however the H2O2 procedure yielded far higher palynomorph concentrations than the (NaPO3)6 technique. Minor degradation of palynomorphs in the H2O2 preparation was noted. The H2O2 and HCl/HF methods were compared directly on a palynomorph-rich sample of Upper Carboniferous mudstone from offshore Scotland. Both preparations produced abundant miospores. The HCl/HF method had significantly higher recovery levels than the H2O2 procedure. It appears that the H2O2 method simultaneously macerates the matrix, and oxidizes any amorphous organic material (AOM) present. In this sample, the HCl/HF residue was relatively rich in AOM. By contrast, the H2O2 preparation is virtually clear of this phytoclast type, which partially obscures palynomorphs. Two samples of the Middle Jurassic Grantham Formation of eastern England were processed using H2O2 and HCl/HF. The two methods produced abundant palynofloras of similar palynomorph concentrations. Two dinoflagellate cyst acmes within the Danian (Paleogene) part of the López de Bertodano Formation of Seymour Island, Antarctica were also tested using H2O2, (NaPO3)6, and HCl/HF. TheH2O2 preparation completely destroyed the dominant taxon, Palaeoperidinium pyrophorum, in one sample. By contrast, the (NaPO3)6 and HCl/HF preparations produced abundant, fully representative palynofloras. In the other sample, the acme of Spinidinium spp. is completely unaffected by the H2O2 preparation procedure. The final sample of this study is an unconsolidated clay of Late Pleistocene age from offshore Scotland. Both the H2O2 and HCl/HF preparations proved similar in both taxonomic content and overall palynomorph yield. The new method of preparation using hot H2O2 has proved to be extremely effective. In particular, it appears to be superior to the (NaPO3)6 procedure for indurated lithotypes. However care should be taken because H2O2 can destroy certain dinoflagellate cysts and kerogen macerals which are especially susceptible to oxidation. Further development work, and more comparative testing of the H2O2, (NaPO3)6, and HCl/HF procedures, should be undertaken

Achieving excellence in design research: a case study of research and education framework at Northumbria University

This paper discusses the case study of the new research and education framework applied at the School of Design at Northumbria University that aims at building an integrated sustainable design research community. This community concerns itself with developing design value propositions (new methods, new knowledge and new design IDEAS or applications) by combining the three broad domains of the discipline (forms of practice); practice through collaboration (new methods), discovery through research (new knowledge), and new solutions through engagement (new products, and services). In both academic and commercial context, this also culminates into a purposeful learning for all stakeholders. The authors explain that the methodological gap between design ‘doers’ and design scholars in an academic context makes the process of design leadership very difficult. This paper discusses the paradox that design in the academia needs to respond to the conflict between learning through doing (design) and learning through research of design. Additionally, this paper highlights the challenges that the School of Design at Northumbria came across while establishing this research community and also discusses everyday challenges of maintaining this community

Senior Recital, Kyffin Salter, double bass

The presentation of this senior recital will fulfill in part the requirements for the Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies. Kyffin Salter studies bass with Victor Dvoskin

TO:DO : collaborative experience innovation : white paper of Philips Design

This research report describes the TO:DO (Technical Objectives: Design Objectives) process; a design research programme initiated in Philips in 2004, pioneering a creative process to drive innovation by integrating envisioned user experiences with enabling technologies. The report shows that by incorporating end-user insights from the start, the design process leads to solutions that make sense to people’s lives whilst leveraging technological assets. The project uses the creation of a tangible ‘slice of life’ demonstrator (Connected Home II) to focus the research partners Andrews and Geurts, co-ordinated by Kyffin, encouraging the sharing of objectives and the creation of a common language. The research thinking builds on; Past Tense: Future Sense, Chapter 2.15: Design research 268-271pp., ISBN: 90-6369-116-5, Marzano, S., (editor) (2005), which describes the creation and context of some of the most iconic Philips products. Kyffin worked on the chapter entitled ‘Design Research’ from his role as Global Director of Design Research within Philips; building knowledge, new solutions and emerging design. This research report illustrates how interdisciplinary open innovation is used as a design research tool to develop concepts and solutions in response to the changing world. How it has determined future strategies for Philips business development through new materials, technologies, changing markets, peoples, cultures and society. The report and the book chapter are rare publications by because they discuss research policy and activities within a commercial company for public dissemination. They introduce the notion of Design as a means to contribute and drive social and political innovation. Recent speaking engagements which expand on the thinking include: (2006) ‘Objects of Service: from subjects to objects and back again’, keynote in; International Service Design Northumbria. Kyffin was also interviewed by the organisers of the Design & Emotion conference on the topic: ‘Getting Emotional with Steven Kyffin’: www.designemotion.com/2006/01/17/getting -emotional-with-steven-kyffin/

Effect of Phosphorus and Strontium Additions on Formation Temperature and Nucleation Density of Primary Silicon in Al-19 Wt Pct Si Alloy and Their Effect on Eutectic Temperature

The influence of P and Sr additions on the formation temperature and nucleation density of primary silicon in Al-19 wt pct Si alloy has been determined, for small volumes of melt solidified at cooling rates _T of ~0.3 and 1 K/s. The proportion of ingot featuring primary silicon decreased progressively with increased Sr addition, which also markedly reduced the temperature for first formation of primary silicon and the number of primary silicon particles per unit volume �Nv: When combined with previously published results, the effects of amount of P addition and cooling rate on �Nv are in reasonable accord with �Nv� _T ¼ ðp=6fÞ1=2 109 [250 � 215 (wt pct P)0.17]�3, where �Nv is in mm�3, _T is in K/s, and f is volume fraction of primary silicon. Increased P addition reduces the eutectic temperature, while increased Sr appears to generate a minimum in eutectic temperature at about 100 ppmw Sr

Does living by the coast improve health and wellbeing?

This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Health and Place. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Health and Place,vol. 18 (5)(2012) DOI:0.1016/j.healthplace.2012.06.015It is often assumed that spending time by the coast leads to better health and wellbeing, but there is strikingly little evidence regarding specific effects or mechanisms to support such a view. We analysed small-area census data for the population of England, which indicate that good health is more prevalent the closer one lives to the coast. We also found that, consistent with similar analyses of greenspace accessibility, the positive effects of coastal proximity may be greater amongst more socio-economically deprived communities. We hypothesise that these effects may be due to opportunities for stress reduction and increased physical activity

Establishing species-specific 3D liver microtissues for repeat dose toxicology and advancing in vitro to in vivo translation through computational modelling

The scientific basis of xenobiotic safety is complicated because of the variance in predictability of the primary and secondary pharmacology of foreign chemical substances, as well as variability in individual susceptibility within the population [1]. Despite a wealth of research into this field, our understanding of the mechanisms underpinning the occurrence of adverse effects from xenobiotics remains limited [2]. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) represent a major encumbrance to the development of new therapeutics with approximately 21% of drug attrition attributed to toxicity during the development process [3]. The in vivo/ex vivo use of animals in science, and in particular drug development, is a global practice and the main purposes of animal experiments are; (i) to gain basic biological knowledge, (ii) for fundamental medical research, (iii) for the discovery and development of drugs, vaccines and medical devices, and (iv) for the toxicity testing of xenobiotics/drugs [4]. However, with there being species-species differences in mechanistic responses, it is difficult to assess results in animal trials and translate these findings in order to predict the in-vivo response in humans [5]. Current in vitro model systems developed to assess ADRs have a number of down falls including; (i) the isolating procedure of primary hepatocytes, (ii) their cost, (iii) inter-donor differences, (iv) limited availability, (v) as well as increasing ethical pressure to implement the 3R’s (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement) in research [6]. The emphasis on producing a relevant and representative in vitro model for hepatotoxicity has therefore expanded. The aim of this thesis is to characterise a novel 3D microtissue model that, in the future, aims to provide a better in vitro platform to assess liver toxicity after repeat-dose exposure to xenobiotics. This is particularly important because the processes of hepatotoxicity manifest themselves over several hours and even days, and therefore in vitro models need to be able to comprehensively assess toxic potential for repeat-dose scenarios as well as chronic exposures. Computational modelling is implemented to 14 allow translation of results and to better bridge the gap between in vitro and in vivo approaches and to exploit the knowledge gained from experimental work. Chapter 1 is a critical review of culture techniques and cell types that are used during the development stages of xenobiotic discovery. A number of in vitro models are evaluated with regards to the determination of hepatotoxic potential of compounds. This review has been previously published [7]. Chapter 1 also includes an introduction to mathematical modelling of hepatic clearance and other pharmacokinetic approaches. Chapter 2 describes the experimental characterisation of a primary rat hepatocyte (PRH) spheroid model. The application of the liquid-overlay technique (LOT) [8] with PRH results in the production of viable and reproducible microtissues, amenable for high-throughput investigations. I show that our in vitro system mimics the in vivo cellular morphology, exhibiting both structural and functional polarisation, along with active and functional transporters. Chapter 3 describes the construction of a mathematical model of oxygen diffusion for my experimental in vitro spheroid system. This model is utilised to predict oxygen profiles within the spheroids and to propose optimised operating conditions in order to recapitulate healthy sinusoidal oxygen tensions. This optimisation is based on initial cell seeding densities and experimentally derived oxygen consumption rates (OCR). Chapter 4 describes the construction of a mathematical model to predict the diffusion of xenobiotics based on their inherent physicochemical properties. The in silico system incorporates specific parameters from the experimental spheroid system including paracellular transport features, namely tortuosity and pore fraction properties. The model describes how these spatiotemporal characteristics vary over the duration of the culture period and what effect these have on the transport of xenobiotics