Science fictional aesthetics: the novum & cognitive estrangement in contemporary art.

Science fiction and contemporary art are connected by a set of related conceptual interests and formal expressions. This paper argues that two concepts in the critical study of SF, the novum and cognitive estrangement, are applicable to the practice and interpretation of much contemporary art. Discussing the work of contemporary new media artists whose practice has explicitly dealt with SF themes and tropes in various forms, the paper argues that the use of these two key critical SF concepts help to define a new and under-theorised cultural formation: the science fictional

Resin transfer moulding: Novel fabrics and tow placement techniques in highly loaded carbon fibre composite aircraft spars

A BAE Systems /UK EPSRC funded project Flaviir, is investigating the design and manufacture of low cost carbon fibre composite airframe structures. Novel binder coated unidirectional fibre tapes and tows were developed to enable the design of optimised primary structures. The RTM technique was applied to mould net shape sections of spar components. Various designs of wing attachment lugs were manufactured with a range of reinforcement materials, including non crimp fabric, novel binder coated tapes and conventional unidirectional prepreg. Alongside these, a novel technique termed optimised tow lay up (OTL) was used to reduce the weight. Binder coated carbon fibre tow is placed around the structure in the principal stress directions to increase both bearing strength and overall component stiffness. The novel materials, manufacturing technique and initial element test results are presented

Science fictional aesthetics: the novum & cognitive estrangement in contemporary art.

Science fiction and contemporary art are connected by a set of related conceptual interests and formal expressions. This paper argues that two concepts in the critical study of SF, the novum and cognitive estrangement, are applicable to the practice and interpretation of much contemporary art. Discussing the work of contemporary new media artists whose practice has explicitly dealt with SF themes and tropes in various forms, the paper argues that the use of these two key critical SF concepts help to define a new and under-theorised cultural formation: the science fictional

Organic Upland Beef and Sheep Production

The technical guide addresses the issues relevant to the organic beef and sheep sector, acknowledging the questions that are frequently directed to the technical ‘Helpline’ of Organic Centre Wales. It draws on the experience of the ADAS Research Farm at Pwllpeiran and is intended as a guide for those with an interest in organic beef and sheep production production. This guide is in three interrelated parts. The first part deals primarily with technical issues of grassland and beef and sheep management, and provides practical information for farmers on key factors influencing the performance of the system. The upland organic unit at ADAS Pwllpeiran in mid-Wales was set up in 1993 to examine the feasibility of organic beef and sheep production in the hill situation. The organic unit at Pwllpeiran ADAS research farm located in the Cambrian Mountains Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) of mid-Wales has 237.5 ha, of which 111 ha achieved full organic status in 1995 and a further 126 ha was added in 2004. There is a suckler herd of Welsh Black cows and a breeding flock of Hardy Speckled Face ewes and Texel crosses. Annual average rainfal at 300 metres was 1765 mm, compared to over 2500 mm at 550 metres. Between 1993 and 2001, work focused on the feasibility of organic livestock production in the hills. With EAGGF Objective 5b funding, the unit was compared with the rest of the farm in terms of grassland productivity, livestock and financial per formance. Since 2001, the focus has been on key problems for organic upland farmers, particularly livestock health and welfare. Methods of internal and ectoparasite control, feeding to organic standards and maintaining the quality of forage by reseeding upland pastures have been investigated. Part 2 is a review of the financial performance of organic beef and sheep farming in Wales, provided by Andrew Jackson, of the Institute of Rural Sciences, University of Wales Aberystwyth. It is based mainly on two DEFRA funded studies: • Data for organic farms extracted from the main Farm Business Survey in Wales • A four year project focusing specifically on organic farms, drawing on all Farm Business Survey data collected for organic farms across England and Wales as well as independently collected data. From these data, it is possible to derive whole farm income data, gross margin and cost of production data to give an overview of the economics of organic dairy farming in Wales for the latest recorded financial periods (2004/05) The third and final part consists of 2 farmer case studies, which put many of the issues discussed in parts 1 and 2 in the context of individual farm businesses. We are grateful for the co-operation of Blaen y Nant and Cannon Farm

Guide to measurement of winds with instrumented aircraft

Aircraft measurement techniques are reviewed. Review of past and present applications of instrument aircraft to atmospheric observations is presented. Questions to be answered relative to measuring mean wind profiles as contrasted to turbulence measurements are then addressed. Requirements of instrumentation and accuracy, data reduction, data acquisition, and theoretical and certainty analysis are considered

The Effect of Particle Strength on the Ballistic Resistance of Shear Thickening Fluids

The response of shear thickening fluids (STFs) under ballistic impact has received considerable attention due to its field-responsive nature. While efforts have primarily focused on the response of traditional ballistic fabrics impregnated with fluids, the response of pure STFs to penetration has received limited attention. In the present study, the ballistic response of pure STFs is investigated and the effect of fluid density and particle strength on ballistic performance is isolated. The loss of ballistic resistance of STFs at higher impact velocities is governed by particle strength, indicating the range of velocities over which they may provide effective armor solutions.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Perceived Outdoor Activity Constraints and Negotiation Strategies in Greenville, NC

Individuals sometimes fail to participate in outdoor activities—to the detriment of their health—as a result of leisure constraints. Constraints are pressures individuals feel when attempting to participate in different activities that limit their full participation. Research suggests all individuals perceive constraints in some form whether they participate or not. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a relationship between leisure constraints and frequency of participation among individuals and more specifically among different socio-demographic groups in Greenville, North Carolina. Additionally, this study explored which constraint negotiation and agency facilitation strategies have the potential to increase participation frequency in outdoor recreation activities according to respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics in Greenville, NC. This thesis accomplishes the aforementioned work by conducting a quantitative survey administered via U.S. mail, door-to-door intercepts and face-to-face intercepts. The survey results suggest that despite a high frequency of participation and lower levels of constraints, agency facilitation and negotiation strategies exist that could be used to increase outdoor activity involvement

Science fictional: the aesthetics of science fiction beyond the limits of genre

Science Fictional: The Aesthetics of SF Beyond the Limits of Genre proposes that contemporary culture is a spatial experience dominated by an aesthetic of science fiction and its quasi-generic form, the ‘science fictional’. The study explores the connective lines between cultural objects such as film, video art, painting, illustration, advertising, music, and children’s television in a variety of mediums and media coupled with research that conflates aspects of critical theory, art history and cultural studies into a unique discourse. The study argues that three types of cultural effects – reverberation, density and resonance – affect cultural space altering and changing the interpretation and influence of a cultural object. Through an account of the nature of the science fictional, this thesis argues that science fiction as we understand it, and how it has been conventionally conceived, is in fact the counter of its apparent function within wider culture. While terms such as “genre” and “mainstream” suggest a binary of centre and periphery, this thesis demonstrates that the quasi-generic is in fact the dominant partner in the process of cultural production