1,154 research outputs found

    Poetry of Unknown Words (book chapter)

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    This chapter, co-written by Susan Johanknecht and Katharine Meynell was commissioned for the publication 'The Book is A - Live!' This book was produced to document and respond to the conference ‘Book Live!’ International Symposium held in June 2012, at South Bank University. It was peer reviewed by Emmanuelle Waekerle, Bookroom, University of the Creative Arts and Richard-Sawdon-Smith, South Bank University, the institutions funding the event and publication. Collaborative practice and ‘transforming’ or ‘expanding’ of the page in relation to the book are key themes of my research. 'The Book is A - Live!' 2013 book publication was published by RGAP, distributed by Cornerhouse and DAP. Abstract Poetry of Unknown Words explores an expanded notion of the book and the archive socially culturally and politically. Using a number of libraries & archives we reference key works in a variety of technologies moving between the digital, letterpress and hand made mark. Responding to existing artifacts, making new works, we examine issues of material values and shifting meanings. This interest in the artifact itself, rather than the signifying text/image alone, gives us the opportunity to understand historical context through material means. Work aware of it’s history allows “a re-emergence of (that) history through detail” to not replicate or eradicate history but to keep the origins as visible traces. Taking the format of Iliazd La Poesie de mots inconnus and applying it to a new series of works which in turn reference extant works by women makers and thinkers. Sections pay particular attention to technologies, their scientific and artistic applications thus reworking ‘thingness’. If the medium is also the message, and the site and location carry additional meaning, these must be accounted for in a re-rendering – the physical qualities of the paper, ink or fustiness of the rare books collection –and being mindful of that which is left out. Implicit in this is our acknowledgement of the untranslatable, the lost nuances, and the stains collected by the shifting of context within a new language or medium. In both translation and transcription there are taints, residues and colouring, both lost from the original, and acquired in re-forming a work in a new guise, with new technologies. In considering the difference between translation and transcription it is useful to remember that one is notionally linguistic, and the other moves between modes of expression such as in music or in painting, or between movement and reenactment. What we understand we are doing in Poetry of Unknown Words incorporates both. For us these are open and moveable concepts – responsive and pragmatic. The literary section shown at the Poetry Library, South Bank (March–May 2012) included: HD's notes on thought and vision: taking the jellyfish as an erotic symbol of creative force, which we are using in combination with an archivist's account. Emmy Hennings' Dada performance writing and puppetry: reworked through ‘Google translatate’ keeping the spirit of non-sense for that era. Gertrude Stein’s Tender Buttons: transcribed from words to buttons, uses text to generate system and order. Scanned buttons represent words, set out as 'Type' in InDesign leading to a new typography and code. Valerie Solanas' SCUM Manifesto: we consider the form of manifesto as a work, which linguistically proclaims a struggle against oppressive forces. Using Chicago type designed by Susan Kare and on the verso, a loss of information without uploaded font. Mary Wollstonecraft’s Vindication of the Rights of Women: using letterpress and random inking, presents her contents page as abstract with digital facsimile stamp. These processes of remaking engage with historical distance and new approaches to what the book can be. We see this chapter within 'The Book is A - Live!' as part of our ongoing 'process notes' - being reflections and documentation of our Poetry of Unknown Words project

    Knowledge-based Design:

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    The assumptions underlying this book are that urban & regional design can be developed into a societally relevant science, that this depends on the view held regarding the significance of urban & regional design to society, and what is considered to be the object of the discipline derived from this view. The author bases these assumptions on the knowledge and insights she has acquired during the last fifteen years; the first ten years within the Chair of Urban & Regional Design, and after that within the Chair of Spatial Planning, both of the Faculty of Architecture of the Delft University of Technology

    Analyse et détection des trajectoires d'approches atypiques des aéronefs à l'aide de l'analyse de données fonctionnelles et de l'apprentissage automatique

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    L'amélioration de la sécurité aérienne implique généralement l'identification, la détection et la gestion des événements indésirables qui peuvent conduire à des événements finaux mortels. De précédentes études menées par la DSAC, l'autorité de surveillance française, ont permis d'identifier les approches non-conformes présentant des déviations par rapport aux procédures standards comme des événements indésirables. Cette thèse vise à explorer les techniques de l'analyse de données fonctionnelles et d'apprentissage automatique afin de fournir des algorithmes permettant la détection et l'analyse de trajectoires atypiques en approche à partir de données sol. Quatre axes de recherche sont abordés. Le premier axe vise à développer un algorithme d'analyse post-opérationnel basé sur des techniques d'analyse de données fonctionnelles et d'apprentissage non-supervisé pour la détection de comportements atypiques en approche. Le modèle sera confronté à l'analyse des bureaux de sécurité des vols des compagnies aériennes, et sera appliqué dans le contexte particulier de la période COVID-19 pour illustrer son utilisation potentielle alors que le système global ATM est confronté à une crise. Le deuxième axe de recherche s'intéresse plus particulièrement à la génération et à l'extraction d'informations à partir de données radar à l'aide de nouvelles techniques telles que l'apprentissage automatique. Ces méthodologies permettent d'améliorer la compréhension et l'analyse des trajectoires, par exemple dans le cas de l'estimation des paramètres embarqués à partir des paramètres radar. Le troisième axe, propose de nouvelles techniques de manipulation et de génération de données en utilisant le cadre de l'analyse de données fonctionnelles. Enfin, le quatrième axe se concentre sur l'extension en temps réel de l'algorithme post-opérationnel grâce à l'utilisation de techniques de contrôle optimal, donnant des pistes vers de nouveaux systèmes d'alerte permettant une meilleure conscience de la situation.Improving aviation safety generally involves identifying, detecting and managing undesirable events that can lead to final events with fatalities. Previous studies conducted by the French National Supervisory Authority have led to the identification of non-compliant approaches presenting deviation from standard procedures as undesirable events. This thesis aims to explore functional data analysis and machine learning techniques in order to provide algorithms for the detection and analysis of atypical trajectories in approach from ground side. Four research directions are being investigated. The first axis aims to develop a post-op analysis algorithm based on functional data analysis techniques and unsupervised learning for the detection of atypical behaviours in approach. The model is confronted with the analysis of airline flight safety offices, and is applied in the particular context of the COVID-19 crisis to illustrate its potential use while the global ATM system is facing a standstill. The second axis of research addresses the generation and extraction of information from radar data using new techniques such as Machine Learning. These methodologies allow to \mbox{improve} the understanding and the analysis of trajectories, for example in the case of the estimation of on-board parameters from radar parameters. The third axis proposes novel data manipulation and generation techniques using the functional data analysis framework. Finally, the fourth axis focuses on extending the post-operational algorithm into real time with the use of optimal control techniques, giving directions to new situation awareness alerting systems

    Interactive Visualization of Multimodal Brain Connectivity: Applications in Clinical and Cognitive Neuroscience

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    Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become a readily available prognostic and diagnostic method, providing invaluable information for the clinical treatment of neurological diseases. Multimodal neuroimaging allows integration of complementary data from various aspects such as functional and anatomical properties; thus, it has the potential to overcome the limitations of each individual modality. Specifically, functional and diffusion MRI are two non-invasive neuroimaging techniques customized to capture brain activity and microstructural properties, respectively. Data from these two modalities is inherently complex, and interactive visualization can assist with data comprehension. The current thesis presents the design, development, and validation of visualization and computation approaches that address the need for integration of brain connectivity from functional and structural domains. Two contexts were considered to develop these approaches: neuroscience exploration and minimally invasive neurosurgical planning. The goal was to provide novel visualization algorithms and gain new insights into big and complex data (e.g., brain networks) by visual analytics. This goal was achieved through three steps: 3D Graphical Collision Detection: One of the primary challenges was the timely rendering of grey matter (GM) regions and white matter (WM) fibers based on their 3D spatial maps. This challenge necessitated pre-scanning those objects to generate a memory array containing their intersections with memory units. This process helped faster retrieval of GM and WM virtual models during the user interactions. Neuroscience Enquiry (MultiXplore): A software interface was developed to display and react to user inputs by means of a connectivity matrix. This matrix displays connectivity information and is capable to accept selections from users and display the relevant ones in 3D anatomical view (with associated anatomical elements). In addition, this package can load multiple matrices from dynamic connectivity methods and annotate brain fibers. Neurosurgical Planning (NeuroPathPlan): A computational method was provided to map the network measures to GM and WM; thus, subject-specific eloquence metric can be derived from related resting state networks and used in objective assessment of cortical and subcortical tissue. This metric was later compared to apriori knowledge based decisions from neurosurgeons. Preliminary results show that eloquence metric has significant similarities with expert decisions

    Wnt transport mechanisms during vertebrate tissue patterning

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    Wnt signalling is one of the key pathways regulating numerous important processes during development and adult tissue maintenance. Wnt proteins act as morphogens originating from a Wnt source forming a gradient in the responding tissues to allow pattern formation. The exact mechanism how Wnt proteins are distributed to form gradients is still poorly understood.During my thesis, I analysed in detail how Wnts are distributed to form a gradient

    Towards bottom-up reconstitution of a functional FtsZ-based cell division machinery

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    Synthetic biology aims at the understanding of living organisms through an engineering perspective, with the goal of improving or creating new biological systems. The prospect of building a synthetic cell focuses on producing life from basic elements by combining synthetic and/or organic cellular components in a bottom-up manner. To create a synthetic cell, the minimal functions of life are required and cell-free synthetic biology offers a suitable framework for understanding biological processes outside the inherently noisy environment of cells. A synthetic cell is expected to exhibit characteristics of a living cell, such as fundamental metabolism, proliferation, and communication. The bottom-up approach utilizes a wide range of in vitro tools/technologies such as biomimetic membranes, protein reconstitution, cell-free expression reactions, and microfluidics. As tools, they enable the thorough characterization of functional modules such as metabolism, replication, and cell division. The ultimate goal is to integrate these modules to construct a predictable, customizable, and controllable entity. Among the functional modules of living organisms, cell division stands out as a hallmark feature. The machinery of division has evolved into a highly organized set of proteins with the aim of accurately splitting a mother cell into two daughter cells, while preserving the genetic information and cellular integrity. In the case of bacteria, and more concretely Escherichia coli, cell division is mediated by the divisome, a contractile ring consisting of a multiprotein complex that precisely assembles at midcell. At the center of this machinery is the essential FtsZ protein, which is able to polymerize and form the FtsZ-ring. This ring is key to the process, serving as a scaffold for the divisome and driving the division process. However, the molecular details of how the ring is functionally assembled, stabilized, and positioned are still not well understood. Therefore, the aim of this thesis is to develop and expand the knowledge about the molecular mechanism of the FtsZ-ring assembly and its function as a potential primary component in the minimal division machinery of synthetic cells. To this end, and following a bottom-up approach, we conducted assays based on the in vitro reconstitution of FtsZ in cellular mimic environments using lipid vesicles. This allows the characterization of FtsZ’s behavior and functionalities in environments that are similar to a potential synthetic cell. Firstly, we designed a microfluidic device to deform lipid vesicles into bacterial rod-shaped compartments to analyze the effect of different geometries and membrane tension on FtsZ. We found that FtsZ filaments align with the shorter axis of the rod-shaped vesicles and reorganize into cone-like structures when the membrane tension is lowered, causing membrane deformations. This suggests that there is a geometry and tension-dependent mechanism in the assembly of FtsZ structures on membranes. Secondly, we designed an in vitro reconstitution assay based on soft lipid tubes pulled from FtsZ-decorated vesicles using optical tweezers. We observed the transformation of lipid tubes into 3D spring-like structures, where the GTPase activity of FtsZ drives spring compression likely through torsional stress. This allowed us to gain mechanistic insights into the molecular dynamics behind the force generated by FtsZ filaments. Thirdly, we studied the spatiotemporal localization of the division ring by co-reconstituting FtsZ inside lipid vesicles with the MinCDE system, which is involved in positioning the divisome in vivo, and FtsA, the natural tether of FtsZ to the membrane. We achieved the assembly, placement, and onset of constriction of a minimal division ring inside lipid vesicles using two different approaches: purified components or cell-free expression of the MinCDE, FtsA, and FtsZ proteins. This represents a significant advance towards the in vitro reconstitution of functional modules in a synthetic cell and expands our understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying the spatiotemporal organization of the FtsZ-ring. Lastly, we employed biochemical studies combined with cryo-ET visualization to characterize the stabilization of the division ring and the crosslinking of FtsZ filaments by ZapD, a protein known as one of the stabilizers of the divisome. We observed the formation of toroidal structures in solution that are assembled by short FtsZ filaments connected by ZapD and have bacterial size. Their characterization in 3D brings valuable structural information about the FtsZ-ring and its functional stabilization, which is important for its further reconstitution in minimal systems. In conclusion, this thesis provides important insights into the molecular dynamics of the central protein of division in E. coli and most bacteria, addressing its activity on the membrane, mechanism of force constriction, spatiotemporal localization and stabilization of the FtsZ-ring. Furthermore, we demonstrate significant advancements towards the implementation of FtsZ-based division systems in minimal synthetic cells using a bottom-up approach

    Automated Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy using FIB-SEM as a tool to screen for ultrastructural phenotypes

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    In Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy (CLEM), two imaging modalities are combined to take advantage of the localization capabilities of light microscopy (LM) to guide the capture of high-resolution details in the electron microscope (EM). However, traditional approaches have proven to be very laborious, thus yielding a too low throughput for quantitative or exploratory studies of populations. Recently, in the electron microscopy field, FIB-SEM (Focused Ion Beam -Scanning Electron Microscope) tomography has emerged as a flexible method that enables semi-automated 3D volume acquisitions. During my thesis, I developed CLEMSite, a tool that takes advantage of the semi-automation and scanning capabilities of the FIB-SEM to automatically acquire volumes of adherent cultured cells. CLEMSite is a combination of computer vision and machine learning applications with a library for controlling the microscope ( product from a collaboration with Carl Zeiss GmbH and Fibics Inc.). Thanks to this, the microscope was able to automatically track, find and acquire cell regions previously identified in the light microscope. More specifically, two main modules were implemented. First, a correlation module was designed to detect and record reference points from a grid pattern present on the culture substrate in both modalities (LM and EM). Second, I designed a module that retrieves the regions of interest in the FIB-SEM and that drives the acquisition of image stacks between different targets in an unattended fashion. The automated CLEM approach is demonstrated on a project where 3D EM volumes are examined upon multiple siRNA treatments for knocking down genes involved in the morphogenesis of the Golgi apparatus. Additionally, the power of CLEM approaches using FIB-SEM is demonstrated with the detailed structural analysis of two events: the breakage of the nuclear envelope within constricted cells and an intriguing catastrophic DNA Damage Response in binucleated cells. Our results demonstrate that executing high throughput volume acquisition in electron microscopy is possible and that EM can provide incredible insights to guide new biological discoveries

    Business Model Innovation For Potentially Disruptive Technologies: The Case Of Big Pharmaceutical Firms Accommodating Biotechnologies

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    Potenziell disruptive Technologien sind schwer zu vermarkten, weil sie mit Werten verbunden sind, die für etablierte Unternehmen neu sind. Ohne geeignete Geschäftsmodellinnovation gelingt es den etablierten Unternehmen nicht, neue, potenziell disruptive Technologien auf den Markt zu bringen. Die aufkeimende Literatur über disruptive Innovationen bietet nur begrenzte Empfehlungen zu spezifischen Geschäftsmodellelementen, die dazu dienen können, potenziell disruptive Technologien zu integrieren. Um diese Forschungslücke zu schließen, wird in dieser Arbeit untersucht, wie große Pharmaunternehmen Biotechnologien in die Gestaltung ihrer Geschäftsmodellinnovation einbezogen haben, um erfolgreiche Elemente der Geschäftsmodellgestaltung zu ermitteln. Es wird ein qualitativer Forschungsansatz gewählt, der aus drei Studien besteht. Zunächst werden nach einer systematischen Literaturrecherche zur Geschäftsmodellforschung in der pharmazeutischen Industrie 45 Arbeiten ausgewählt und qualitativ ausgewertet. Zweitens werden qualitative halbstrukturierte Interviews mit 16 Experten in großen Pharmaunternehmen geführt. Die Transkripte werden mit der Methode der Qualitativen Inhaltsanalyse ausgewertet. Schließlich wird eine Clusteranalyse durchgeführt, um den von allen digitalen Angeboten großer Pharmaunternehmen vorgeschlagenen und gelieferten Wert zu ermitteln. In dieser Arbeit werden erstmals zwei Geschäftsmodelle großer Pharmaunternehmen aus der Zeit vor und nach der Einführung der Biotechnologien beschrieben. In dieser Arbeit wird argumentiert, dass für die Anpassung an potenziell disruptive Technologien folgende Geschäftsmodellelemente empfohlen werden: Kollaborationsportfolios und digitale Servitisierung. Erstens sollten etablierte Unternehmen ein Portfolio von Kooperationsformaten entwickeln, indem sie die Breite der Partner (einschließlich der Wettbewerber) diversifizieren und alle Aktivitäten in ihrer Wertschöpfungskette abdecken. Zweitens sollten die etablierten Unternehmen den Wert, den sie anbieten, und die Art und Weise, wie sie diesen Wert für etablierte und neue Kundensegmente bereitstellen, innovativ gestalten, indem sie ihre Produkte mit ergänzenden Dienstleistungen bündeln, insbesondere mit solchen, die digital ermöglicht werden. Digitale Dienstleistungen dienen dazu, die Bedürfnisse der Kunden mit denen des Herstellers zu verknüpfen. Neben der Weiterentwicklung der Theorie über disruptive Innovationen können die empfohlenen Elemente des Geschäftsmodells von führenden mittelständischen Pharmaunternehmen (z. B. Fresenius oder Servier) und Unternehmen aus anderen Branchen direkt genutzt werden, um andere potenziell disruptive Technologien zu vermarkten. Diese Forschung unterstützt politische Entscheidungsträger bei der Entwicklung von Strategien zur Förderung der Kommerzialisierung potenziell disruptiver Innovationen in ihrem spezifischen Kontext.Potentially disruptive technologies are challenging to commercialize because they are associated with values new to established firms. Without fitting business model innovation, incumbent firms fail to bring new potentially disruptive technologies to the market. The burgeoning literature on disruptive innovation provides only limited recommendations on specific business model elements that can serve to accommodate potentially disruptive technologies. To close this research gap, this thesis explores how big pharmaceutical firms accommodated biotechnologies in the design of their business model innovation to discover successful business model design elements. A qualitative research approach consisting in three studies is adopted. First, following a systematic literature review on business model research in the pharmaceutical industry, 45 papers are selected and qualitatively analyzed. Second, qualitative semi-structured interviews are conducted with 16 experts in big pharmaceutical firms. The transcripts are analyzed using the qualitative content analysis method. Finally, a cluster analysis is conducted to identify value proposed and delivered by all digital offers of big pharmaceutical firms. This thesis is the first to describe two business model designs of big pharmaceutical firms from before and since the accommodation of biotechnologies. This research argues that business model designs recommended for the accommodation of potentially disruptive technologies are collaboration portfolios and digital servitization. First, established firms should devise a portfolio of collaboration formats by diversifying breadth of partners (including competitors), and by covering all activities in their value chain. Second, incumbent firms should innovate in the value they offer and how they deliver it to mainstream and new customer segments though bundling their products with complementary services, especially those that are digitally enabled. Digital services serve for back-coupling customers’ needs with the producer. Besides advancing theory on disruptive innovation, the recommended business model design elements can be directly used by top midsize pharmaceutical firms (e.g., Fresenius or Servier) and firms from other industries to commercialize other potentially disruptive technologies. This research supports policy makers in devising strategies for the promotion of the commercialization of potentially disruptive innovations in their specific contexts

    Strategies for sustainable socio-economic development and mechanisms their implementation in the global dimension

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    The authors of the book have come to the conclusion that it is necessary to effectively use modern approaches to developing and implementation strategies of sustainable socio-economic development in order to increase efficiency and competitiveness of economic entities. Basic research focuses on economic diagnostics of socio-economic potential and financial results of economic entities, transition period in the economy of individual countries and ensuring their competitiveness, assessment of educational processes and knowledge management. The research results have been implemented in the different models and strategies of supply and logistics management, development of non-profit organizations, competitiveness of tourism and transport, financing strategies for small and medium-sized enterprises, cross-border cooperation. The results of the study can be used in decision-making at the level the economic entities in different areas of activity and organizational-legal forms of ownership, ministries and departments that promote of development the economic entities on the basis of models and strategies for sustainable socio-economic development. The results can also be used by students and young scientists in modern concepts and mechanisms for management of sustainable socio-economic development of economic entities in the condition of global economic transformations and challenges

    BC Law Magazine Winter 2022

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    https://lawdigitalcommons.bc.edu/bclsm/1099/thumbnail.jp
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