Aesthetics of creating a postnatural world : science and art for a Pseudo Utopia

Mini Dissertation (MA (Fine Arts))--University of Pretoria, 2021.Along with the rapid development of technology and scientific in(ter)vention working towards the betterment of the human race, utopian ideas of the future are prevalent in contemporary society. However, as an artist, I question to what extent progress contributes to improving our lives on the planet. More specifically, how the scientific manipulation of living material (human, animal, and plant life) may evolve given its human-centred exploration. Living matter is steadily extracted from its natural context and then engineered based on the amelioration of life. However, postnatural, and the attendant sense of alienation and dislocation this may evoke, could work instead towards the disintegration of life on earth. At the intersection of art and science, I consider the role of biotechnology in society and, more specifically, how artists may contribute to raising awareness of the potential future these developments may hold. In this paper and the accompanying series of artworks, I focus on humanity’s embroiled relationship with nature by considering how an artist may ‘inset’ life into new postnatural contexts to allow the viewer to share the implications and responsibilities of human intervention in the environment. This research aims to uncover some of the aesthetic and affective strategies employed by artists to engage various subject positions in a postnatural world. Conducted from a Visual Arts perspective alongside the University of Pretoria’s Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control (UP ISMC) in the Faculty Health Sciences, I interrogate the relationship between malaria, the use of harmful dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) pesticides, as well as their toxic long-term genetic consequences for both human and animal species.University of Pretoria Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control (UP ISMC)Visual ArtsMA (Fine Arts)Unrestricte

Consensus Paper: Cerebellar Development

The development of the mammalian cerebellum is orchestrated by both cell-autonomous programs and inductive environmental influences. Here, we describe the main processes of cerebellar ontogenesis, highlighting the neurogenic strategies used by developing progenitors, the genetic programs involved in cell fate specification, the progressive changes of structural organization, and some of the better-known abnormalities associated with developmental disorders of the cerebellum

Sox10 regulates enteric neural crest cell migration in the developing gut

Concurrent Sessions 1: 1.3 - Organs to organisms: Models of Human Diseases: abstract no. 1417th ISDB 2013 cum 72nd Annual Meeting of the Society for Developmental Biology, VII Latin American Society of Developmental Biology Meeting and XI Congreso de la Sociedad Mexicana de Biologia del Desarrollo. The Conference's web site is located at http://www.inb.unam.mx/isdb/Sox10 is a HMG-domain containing transcription factor which plays important roles in neural crest cell survival and differentiation. Mutations of Sox10 have been identified in patients with Waardenburg-Hirschsprung syndrome, who suffer from deafness, pigmentation defects and intestinal aganglionosis. Enteric neural crest cells (ENCCs) with Sox10 mutation undergo premature differentiation and fail to colonize the distal hindgut. It is unclear, however, whether Sox10 plays a role in the migration of ENCCs. To visualize the migration behaviour of mutant ENCCs, we generated a Sox10NGFP mouse model where EGFP is fused to the N-terminal domain of Sox10. Using time-lapse imaging, we found that ENCCs in Sox10NGFP/+ mutants displays lower migration speed and altered trajectories compared to normal controls. This behaviour was cell-autonomous, as shown by organotypic grafting of Sox10NGFP/+ gut segments onto control guts and vice versa. ENCCs encounter different extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules along the developing gut. We performed gut explant culture on various ECM and found that Sox10NGFP/+ ENCCs tend to form aggregates, particularly on fibronectin. Time-lapse imaging of single cells in gut explant culture indicated that the tightly-packed Sox10 mutant cells failed to exhibit contact inhibition of locomotion. We determined the expression of adhesion molecule families by qPCR analysis, and found integrin expression unaffected while L1-cam and selected cadherins were altered, suggesting that Sox10 mutation affects cell adhesion properties of ENCCs. Our findings identify a de novo role of Sox10 in regulating the migration behaviour of ENCCs, which has important implications for the treatment of Hirschsprung disease.postprin

Analysis of craniofacial defects in Six1/Eya1-associated Branchio-Oto-Renal Syndrome

Poster Session I - Morphogenesis: 205/B10117th ISDB 2013 cum 72nd Annual Meeting of the Society for Developmental Biology, 7th Latin American Society of Developmental Biology Meeting and 11th Congreso de la Sociedad Mexicana de Biologia del Desarrollo.Branchio-Oto-Renal (BOR) syndrome patients exhibit craniofacial and renal anomalies as well as deafness. BOR syndrome is caused by mutations in Six1 or Eya1, both of which regulate cell proliferation and differentiation. The molecular mechanism underlying the craniofacial and branchial arch (BA) defects in BOR syndrome is unclear. We have found that Hoxb3 is up-regulated in the second branchial arch (BA2) of Six1-/- mutants. Moreover, Hoxb3 over-expression in transgenic mice leads to BA abnormalities which are similar to the BA defects in Six1-/- or Eya1-/- mutants, suggesting a regulatory relationship among Six1, Eya1 and Hoxb3 genes. The aim of this study is to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying abnormal BA development in BOR syndrome using Six1 and Eya1 mutant mice. Two potential Six1 binding sites were identified on the Hoxb3 gene. In vitro and in vivo Chromatin IP assays showed that Six1 could directly bind to one of the sites specifically. Furthermore, using a chick in ovo luciferase assay we showed that Six1 could suppress gene expression through one of the specific binding sites. On the other hand, in Six1-/- mutants, we found that the Notch ligand Jag1 was up-regulated in BA2. Similarly, in Hoxb3 transgenic mice, ectopic expression of Jag1 could be also detected in BA2. To investigate the activation of Notch signaling pathway, we found that Notch intracellular domain (NICD), a direct indicator of Notch pathway activation, was up-regulated in BAs of Six1-/-; Eya1-/- double mutants. Our results indicate that Hoxb3 and Notch signaling pathway are involved in mediating the craniofacial defects of Six1/Eya1-associated Branchio-Oto-Renal Syndrome.postprin

Towards Intelligent Playful Environments for Animals based on Natural User Interfaces

Tesis por compendioEl estudio de la interacción de los animales con la tecnología y el desarrollo de sistemas tecnológicos centrados en el animal está ganando cada vez más atención desde la aparición del área de Animal Computer Interaction (ACI). ACI persigue mejorar el bienestar de los animales en diferentes entornos a través del desarrollo de tecnología adecuada para ellos siguiendo un enfoque centrado en el animal. Entre las líneas de investigación que ACI está explorando, ha habido bastante interés en la interacción de los animales con la tecnología basada en el juego. Las actividades de juego tecnológicas tienen el potencial de proveer estimulación mental y física a los animales en diferentes contextos, pudiendo ayudar a mejorar su bienestar. Mientras nos embarcamos en la era de la Internet de las Cosas, las actividades de juego tecnológicas actuales para animales todavía no han explorado el desarrollo de soluciones pervasivas que podrían proveerles de más adaptación a sus preferencias a la vez que ofrecer estímulos tecnológicos más variados. En su lugar, estas actividades están normalmente basadas en interacciones digitales en lugar de explorar dispositivos tangibles o aumentar las interacciones con otro tipo de estímulos. Además, estas actividades de juego están ya predefinidas y no cambian con el tiempo, y requieren que un humano provea el dispositivo o la tecnología al animal. Si los humanos pudiesen centrarse más en su participación como jugadores de un sistema interactivo para animales en lugar de estar pendientes de sujetar un dispositivo para el animal o de mantener el sistema ejecutándose, esto podría ayudar a crear lazos más fuertes entre especies y promover mejores relaciones con los animales. Asimismo, la estimulación mental y física de los animales son aspectos importantes que podrían fomentarse si los sistemas de juego diseñados para ellos pudieran ofrecer un variado rango de respuestas, adaptarse a los comportamientos del animal y evitar que se acostumbre al sistema y pierda el interés. Por tanto, esta tesis propone el diseño y desarrollo de entornos tecnológicos de juego basados en Interfaces Naturales de Usuario que puedan adaptarse y reaccionar a las interacciones naturales de los animales. Estos entornos pervasivos permitirían a los animales jugar por si mismos o con una persona, ofreciendo actividades de juego más dinámicas y atractivas capaces de adaptarse con el tiempo.L'estudi de la interacció dels animals amb la tecnologia i el desenvolupament de sistemes tecnològics centrats en l'animal està guanyant cada vegada més atenció des de l'aparició de l'àrea d'Animal Computer Interaction (ACI) . ACI persegueix millorar el benestar dels animals en diferents entorns a través del desenvolupament de tecnologia adequada per a ells amb un enfocament centrat en l'animal. Entre totes les línies d'investigació que ACI està explorant, hi ha hagut prou interès en la interacció dels animals amb la tecnologia basada en el joc. Les activitats de joc tecnològiques tenen el potencial de proveir estimulació mental i física als animals en diferents contextos, podent ajudar a millorar el seu benestar. Mentre ens embarquem en l'era de la Internet de les Coses, les activitats de joc tecnològiques actuals per a animals encara no han explorat el desenvolupament de solucions pervasives que podrien proveir-los de més adaptació a les seues preferències al mateix temps que oferir estímuls tecnològics més variats. En el seu lloc, estes activitats estan normalment basades en interaccions digitals en compte d'explorar dispositius tangibles o augmentar les interaccions amb estímuls de diferent tipus. A més, aquestes activitats de joc estan ja predefinides i no canvien amb el temps, mentre requereixen que un humà proveïsca el dispositiu o la tecnologia a l'animal. Si els humans pogueren centrar-se més en la seua participació com a jugadors actius d'un sistema interactiu per a animals en compte d'estar pendents de subjectar un dispositiu per a l'animal o de mantenir el sistema executant-se, açò podria ajudar a crear llaços més forts entre espècies i promoure millors relacions amb els animals. Així mateix, l'estimulació mental i física dels animals són aspectes importants que podrien fomentar-se si els sistemes de joc dissenyats per a ells pogueren oferir un rang variat de respostes, adaptar-se als comportaments de l'animal i evitar que aquest s'acostume al sistema i perda l'interès. Per tant, esta tesi proposa el disseny i desenvolupament d'entorns tecnològics de joc basats en Interfícies Naturals d'Usuari que puguen adaptar-se i reaccionar a les interaccions naturals dels animals. Aquestos escenaris pervasius podrien permetre als animals jugar per si mateixos o amb una persona, oferint activitats de joc més dinàmiques i atractives que siguen capaces d'adaptar-se amb el temps.The study of animals' interactions with technology and the development of animal-centered technological systems is gaining attention since the emergence of the research area of Animal Computer Interaction (ACI). ACI aims to improve animals' welfare and wellbeing in several scenarios by developing suitable technology for the animal following an animal-centered approach. Among all the research lines ACI is exploring, there has been significant interest in animals' playful interactions with technology. Technologically mediated playful activities have the potential to provide mental and physical stimulation for animals in different environmental contexts, which could in turn help to improve their wellbeing. As we embark in the era of the Internet of Things, current technological playful activities for animals have not yet explored the development of pervasive solutions that could provide animals with more adaptation to their preferences as well as offering varied technological stimuli. Instead, playful technology for animals is usually based on digital interactions rather than exploring tangible devices or augmenting the interactions with different stimuli. In addition, these playful activities are already predefined and do not change over time, while they require that a human has to be the one providing the device or technology to the animal. If humans could focus more on their participation as active players of an interactive system aimed for animals instead of being concerned about holding a device for the animal or keep the system running, this might help to create stronger bonds between species and foster better relationships with animals. Moreover, animals' mental and physical stimulation are important aspects that could be fostered if the playful systems designed for animals could offer a varied range of outputs, be tailored to the animal's behaviors and prevented the animal to get used to the system and lose interest. Therefore, this thesis proposes the design and development of technological playful environments based on Natural User Interfaces that could adapt and react to the animals' natural interactions. These pervasive scenarios would allow animals to play by themselves or with a human, providing more engaging and dynamic playful activities that are capable of adapting over time.Pons Tomás, P. (2018). Towards Intelligent Playful Environments for Animals based on Natural User Interfaces [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/113075TESISCompendi

SWARM INTELLIGENCE AND STIGMERGY: ROBOTIC IMPLEMENTATION OF FORAGING BEHAVIOR

Swarm intelligence in multi-robot systems has become an important area of research within collective robotics. Researchers have gained inspiration from biological systems and proposed a variety of industrial, commercial, and military robotics applications. In order to bridge the gap between theory and application, a strong focus is required on robotic implementation of swarm intelligence. To date, theoretical research and computer simulations in the field have dominated, with few successful demonstrations of swarm-intelligent robotic systems. In this thesis, a study of intelligent foraging behavior via indirect communication between simple individual agents is presented. Models of foraging are reviewed and analyzed with respect to the system dynamics and dependence on important parameters. Computer simulations are also conducted to gain an understanding of foraging behavior in systems with large populations. Finally, a novel robotic implementation is presented. The experiment successfully demonstrates cooperative group foraging behavior without direct communication. Trail-laying and trail-following are employed to produce the required stigmergic cooperation. Real robots are shown to achieve increased task efficiency, as a group, resulting from indirect interactions. Experimental results also confirm that trail-based group foraging systems can adapt to dynamic environments

Matrix signalling and hippocampal neurogenesis

The adult mammalian brain harbours at least two germinal - or neurogenic - niches in which new neurons are born throughout life. These neurogenic niches comprise the subependymal zone which lines the ventricular system, and the subgranular zone in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. Post-natal hippocampal neurogenesis was in fact first identified experimentally in the 1960s. However perhaps due partly to aforementioned institutionalised belief and partly to a lack of accessible experimental tools, the phenomenon of hippocampal neurogenesis was widely recognised by the scientific community only shortly before the millennium. Consequent study has established that adult hippocampal neurogenesis has been conserved through millions of years of evolution in nearly every mammalian species studied to date. Importantly, post-mortem studies and radioisotope carbon dating techniques suggest that it also occurs in humans.A great deal of this research has focused on understanding the inner workings of the cells that undergo the transformation to become new adult-born neurons. By contrast, relatively little is known about the potential regulatory role of the surrounding extracellular microenvironment. This might be useful to know in light of much evidence that the extracellular matrix is a key regulator of developmental neurogenesis.This thesis describes my study of whether extracellular matrix regulates hippocampal neurogenesis

The Adirondack Chronology

The Adirondack Chronology is intended to be a useful resource for researchers and others interested in the Adirondacks and Adirondack history.https://digitalworks.union.edu/arlpublications/1000/thumbnail.jp