Initial planetary base construction techniques and machine implementation

Conceptual designs of (1) initial planetary base structures, and (2) an unmanned machine to perform the construction of these structures using materials local to the planet are presented. Rock melting is suggested as a possible technique to be used by the machine in fabricating roads, platforms, and interlocking bricks. Identification of problem areas in machine design and materials processing is accomplished. The feasibility of the designs is contingent upon favorable results of an analysis of the engineering behavior of the product materials. The analysis requires knowledge of several parameters for solution of the constitutive equations of the theory of elasticity. An initial collection of these parameters is presented which helps to define research needed to perform a realistic feasibility study. A qualitative approach to estimating power and mass lift requirements for the proposed machine is used which employs specifications of currently available equipment. An initial, unmanned mission scenario is discussed with emphasis on identifying uncompleted tasks and suggesting design considerations for vehicles and primitive structures which use the products of the machine processing

Are Radiology request forms adequately filled in? : an audit assessing local practice

Background: Radiology request forms are essential communication tools used by doctors referring patients for radiological investigations. Their importance, however, is highly underestimated. We set out to perform a process audit of the adequacy of completion of such request forms in St. Luke's Hospital, Malta. Methods: A representative sample of 200 randomly selected request forms received by the radiology department in early September 2004 was reviewed. These included requests for a variety of examinations from different departments within St. Luke's Hospital. A database of the collected forms was created, noting which of the various fields were adequately completed. Results: Only 4% of the 200 request forms reviewed were completed in full. The percentages of the various fields completed were: patient's name and surname - 100%; patient's full address - 77%; patient's age - 29%; referring ward - 95%; referring doctor's signature - 100%; referring doctor's name and surname - 34%; name of responsible consultant - 91%; question to be answered - 25%. The patient's clinical background field was filled in 93%. However, these were more often than not incomplete and unable to fulfil their purpose. Conclusions: There is ample room for change in current local practice.peer-reviewe

Communication experiences of gender diverse young people

Section A Section A is a narrative review of fourteen studies exploring how young transgender people use online communication. Findings indicated that young transgender people interact with online communication in several ways. Positive uses include connection,information s eeking and self-expression. More negative outcomes included bullying, exposure to harmful information and impacts on other relationship. The review considers limitations and makes recommendations for future clinical and research directions. Section B Section B is an empirical paper in which semi-structured interviews took place with six young transgender people, exploring their experiences of discussing difficult life events with professionals. Results highlight the range of experiences and understandings young people have of these conversations. These ranged from finding them supportive and transformative, to distressing and reminiscent of trauma experiences. Limitations and directions for further research are discussed. Recommendations are made to apply trauma-informed principles in services in examining the impact of these conversations on young people

Ultradian, circadian and seasonal rhythms in cortisol secretion and adrenal responsiveness to ACTH and yarding in unrestrained red deer (Cervus elaphus) stags

Seasonal changes in the activity and responsiveness of the adrenal gland in red deer (Cervus elaphus) stags were quantified by measuring 24 h endogenous cortisol secretory profiles and plasma cortisol responses to either administration of exogenous ACTH or a standardised stressor during November (period of velvet growth), February (pre-rut), April (mid-rut) and July (post-rut) (southern hemisphere) using a remote blood sampling device (DracPac). Ultradian rhythms in the concentration of plasma cortisol were observed resulting from the episodic secretion of cortisol from the adrenal cortex at a mean rate of 0.8 pulses/h. Circadian rhythms in plasma cortisol concentrations were also found in 11 out of the 20 complete 24 h profiles (mean amplitude, 3.8+/-1.4 ng/ml). Seasonal rhythms in mean 24 h plasma cortisol concentrations and cortisol pulse parameters were also observed. Mean 24 h plasma cortisol concentrations were higher in November (12.5+/-1.0 ng/ml) than in February (6.3+/-1.0 ng/ml), April (4.0+/-1.0 ng/ml) or July (4.2+/-1. 0 ng/ml). Cortisol pulse height, nadir and amplitude were all significantly higher in November than at other times of the year (P<0.01). Peak cortisol concentrations following infusion of ACTH(1-24) (0.04 IU kg(-1)) were higher (P<0.05) in November (55.8+/-2.7 ng/ml) and lower (P<0.001) in April (33.7+/-1.8 ng/ml) than those in February and July (48.7+/-2.0 ng/ml and 45.4+/-2.0 ng/ml respectively). The area under the cortisol response curve was significantly smaller (P<0.05) in April (266.6+/-15.3 ng/ml/190 min) than at other times of the year (February, 366.1+/-15.3 ng/ml/190 min; July, 340.7+/-15.3 ng/ml/190 min and November, 387.8+/-21.2 ng/ml/190 min). These data demonstrate that the adrenal gland of the red deer stag exhibits ultradian, circadian and seasonal rhythms in activity, and that its responsiveness to ACTH varies with season. November, a period of reproductive quiescence in the southern hemisphere, with new antler growth and rapid weight gain, is associated with higher mean plasma cortisol concentrations and a greater responsiveness to exogenous ACTH. In contrast, the breeding season is associated with lower adrenal activity and responsiveness

For many undocumented migrants at the US-Mexico border, in the absence of federal government help, faith groups offer the only hope

Despite the change of administration to one with far more aggressive rhetoric against Mexicans wishing to come to the US, for those at the border, policies have not changed, only intensified. Susannah Crockford writes that at a time when the federal government offers no help, religious faith groups are supporting undocumented migrants at the border with humanitarian aid and advocacy. ..

Why building a wall on the US-Mexico border is a symbolic monument, not sensible immigration policy

One of Donald Trump’s signature policies is to “build a wall” in order to better secure the border with Mexico. Susannah Crockford has spent nearly two years in Arizona conducting an ethnographic study; many in the area feel that constructing the wall is unnecessary. She writes that the real function of the wall is not to keep people out, but to serve as a symbol to mostly white, ageing conservatives, that President Trump will keep them safe

Book review: food waste: home consumption, material culture and everyday life by David Evans

Using ethnographic material to explore global issues, Food Waste seeks to unearth the processes that lie behind the volume of food currently wasted by households and consumers. This is a useful and accessible primer for students, writes Susannah Crockford

Ocean thinking the work of ocean sciences, scientists, and technologies in producing the sea as space

How do scientists produce the ocean as space through their work and words? In this article, I examine how the techniques and tools of oceanographers constitute ocean science. Bringing theoretical literature from science and technology studies on how scientists "do" science into conversation with fine-grained ethnographic and sociological accounts of scientists in the field, I explore how ocean science is made, produced, and negotiated. Within this central concern, the technologies used to obtain data draw particular focus. Juxtaposed with this literature is a corpus by ocean scientists about their own work as well as interview data from original research. Examining the differences between scientists' self-descriptions and analyses of them by social scientists leads to a productive exploration of how ocean science is constituted and how this work delineates the ocean as a form of striated space. This corpus of literature is placed in the context of climate change in the final section