Research Ideologies, Information, and Moral Dilemmas

Is there a "shape” to information? I have been asking this question of my latest Ph.D. class in theory. To produce a "knowledge-based design” architecture practice and/or teaching we have to process information in a way that we find useful, being a generally pragmatic group. Information, however, is a tricky subject. For instance, is the "shape” of information (mathematical equations, matrices, shape grammars, typologies, taxonomies, hypothesis, content analysis, allegories...etc) dictated by "how” you ask a question much less "what” is the question you are asking? Ph.D. students in architecture struggle, in their first semester and beyond, with what question they are asking and what methodology they should use to "find out” the information needed to answer the question

Effects of Drought and the Emergency Drought Barrier on the Ecosystem of the California Delta

In 2015, the fourth year of the recent drought, the California Department of Water Resources installed a rock barrier across False River west of Franks Tract to limit salt intrusion into the Delta at minimal cost in freshwater. This Barrier blocked flow in False River, greatly reducing landward salt transport by decreasing tidal dispersion in Franks Tract. We investigated some ecological consequences of the Barrier, examining its effects on water circulation and exchange, on distributions of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) and bivalves, and on phytoplankton and zooplankton. The Barrier allowed SAV to spread to areas of Franks Tract that previously had been clear. The distributions of bivalves (Potamocorbula and Corbicula) responded to the changes in salinity at time–scales of months for newly settled individuals, to 1 or more years for adults, but the Barrier’s effect was confounded with that of the drought. Nutrients, phytoplankton biomass, and a Microcystis abundance index showed little response to the Barrier. Transport of copepods — determined using output from a particle-tracking model — indicated some intermediate-scale reduction with the Barrier in place, but monitoring data did not show a larger-scale response in abundance. These studies were conducted separately and synthesized after the fact, and relied on reference conditions that were not always suitable for identifying the Barrier’s effects. If barriers are considered in the future, we rcommend a modest program of investigation to replicate study elements, and to ensure suitable reference conditions are available to allow barrier effects to be distinguished unambiguously from other sources of variability

Searching for a new paradigm in architectural education

This paper is a position paper that will provide an extensive literature review on design education and raise questions regarding the current goal and a possible direction for architectural education. The paper will examine several critical issues such as education vs. training, the increasing disconnection of architectural education from the "real world” of design practice, and the role of research and theory in academia and the practice of architecture. This paper will address the challenges inherent in defining clear goals and directions for the field, given the current state of the architectural profession and academia. It will further argue that research can drive the development of a common language for use in a dialogue between the academic and the practitioner, a dialogue that is mediated by educational institutions, and which can also help shape architectural education and the profession as a whole. We are currently in a networking boom where global, intricate, and complex collaborations are constantly taking place, and the world seems to be shrinking to create a new and more localized globe. Architectural education, however, continues to utilize models established almost 400 years ago. In order to keep up with this fast-changing world, the growing demands of the profession, and accreditation and institutional expectations, initiatives like the promotion of research into built environments, extensive coverage of new technologies, and an increase in the number of subjects covered during the formal education process, have all been undertaken by academic institutions. However, a clear directive for architectural education has yet to emerge. With major world changes including climatic change, population change, technological advances, and now a struggling economy, the architectural profession is scrambling to keep up. This paper posits that it is up to educators, to initiate a dialogue between the profession and academia, the studio and the lecture hall, the media and the material, design and theory, in order to have a forward-thinking educational process that not only readies students for the profession, but further helps focus the profession towards a common vision, shared between academics and professionals alike. We further posit that research is key to the development of this common vision that will help shape the educational system and, consequently, architectural practice

The medical student

The Medical Student was published from 1888-1921 by the students of Boston University School of Medicine

BENEFITS AND BARRIERS OF ONLINE SCIENCE ENGAGEMENT: AUDIENCE AND PRESENTER EXPERIENCES OF 2020 NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK

Online engagement has unique benefits and challenges compared to face-to-face delivery, and requires a different approach and design considerations to take advantage of its different capabilities (Roddy et al., 2017). To reap the potential benefits of online engagement, there is a need to understand what the challenges of digital platforms are, and how they can be used to the best of their ability. Building on preliminary data presented at ACSME 2020 (McRae et al., 2020), this work presents additional analysis from interviews with 17 presenters and 22 audience members from 2020 National Science Week. The data from our study provide insights into best practice for online delivery of science education and outreach and highlight challenges within this format. We discuss how to enhance benefits such as the ease and flexibility provided by the online environment, and new interaction or production modes enabled by the online format. We also explore the barriers associated with the learning curve of new platforms, and more abstract issues such as the sense that online engagement is “missing something” compared to face-to-face delivery. Through the lenses of benefits and barriers of online engagement, we explore implications for educators and communicators working in the online environment. REFERENCES McRae, O. F., Downing, E., Motion, A., O’Reilly, C., & Pullen, R. (2020). A new ecosystem of online science: Online events as a tool for public engagement in science. Proceedings of The Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education, 0(0), 56. Roddy, C., Amiet, D. L., Chung, J., Holt, C., Shaw, L., McKenzie, S., Garivaldis, F., Lodge, J. M., & Mundy, M. E. (2017). Applying Best Practice Online Learning, Teaching, and Support to Intensive Online Environments: An Integrative Review. Frontiers in Education, 2. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2017.0005

Characterization of dynamic compliance of the respiratory system in healthy anesthetized dogs

IntroductionIn clinical practice, evaluating dynamic compliance of the respiratory system (C$_{dyn}$) could provide valuable insights into respiratory mechanics. Reference values of C$_{dyn}$ based on body weight have been reported, but various factors may affect them and the evidence is scanty. This study aimed to establish a reference interval for C$_{dyn}$ and identify associated variables.MethodsData were collected from 515 client-owned dogs requiring anesthesia, excluding those with lower airway disease. The dogs were anesthetized, the tracheas intubated, and lungs ventilated at clinicians' discretion across 11 centers in six countries, with no restrictions on anesthesia protocols or ventilation settings, except avoiding inspiratory pauses. Three C$_{dyn}$ measurements from three consecutive breaths per dog were recorded using a standardized form, which also documented factors affecting C$_{dyn}$ identified through literature and an online survey. Various spirometry technologies were used. The substantial variance in C$_{dyn}$ measurements led to a comprehensive analysis using a multiple linear regression model. Multicollinearity (variables highly correlated with each other) was addressed by investigating, transforming, or excluding factors. Initial simple linear regression assessed each variable's individual effect on C$_{dyn}$, followed by a multiple linear regression model constructed via stepwise forward selection and backward elimination.ResultsThe best-fitting model identified a linear relationship between C$_{dyn}$ and body mass when the following conditions were met: high BCS (Body Condition Score), orotracheal tubes <7% smaller than predicted, the use of a D-lite flow sensor, and the absence of a high FIO2 (>80%) exposure for more than 10 minutes before C$_{dyn}$ measurement. In cases where these conditions were not met, additional factors needed to be incorporated into the model. Low (1/9, 2/9, 3/9) and medium (4/9, 5/9) BCS, an orotracheal tube of the predicted size or larger and longer inspiratory times were associated with increased C$_{dyn}$. The use of alternative spirometry sensors, including Ped-lite, or prolonged exposure to high FIO$_{2}$ levels resulted in decreased C$_{dyn}$.Conclusion and clinical relevanceEstablishing a reference interval for C$_{dyn}$ proved challenging. A single reference interval may be misleading or unhelpful in clinical practice. Nevertheless, this study offers valuable insights into the factors affecting C$_{dyn}$ in healthy anesthetized dogs, which should be considered in clinical assessments

Evaluating the Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Mutation D614G on Transmissibility and Pathogenicity.

Global dispersal and increasing frequency of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein variant D614G are suggestive of a selective advantage but may also be due to a random founder effect. We investigate the hypothesis for positive selection of spike D614G in the United Kingdom using more than 25,000 whole genome SARS-CoV-2 sequences. Despite the availability of a large dataset, well represented by both spike 614 variants, not all approaches showed a conclusive signal of positive selection. Population genetic analysis indicates that 614G increases in frequency relative to 614D in a manner consistent with a selective advantage. We do not find any indication that patients infected with the spike 614G variant have higher COVID-19 mortality or clinical severity, but 614G is associated with higher viral load and younger age of patients. Significant differences in growth and size of 614G phylogenetic clusters indicate a need for continued study of this variant

Hospital admission and emergency care attendance risk for SARS-CoV-2 delta (B.1.617.2) compared with alpha (B.1.1.7) variants of concern: a cohort study

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 delta (B.1.617.2) variant was first detected in England in March, 2021. It has since rapidly become the predominant lineage, owing to high transmissibility. It is suspected that the delta variant is associated with more severe disease than the previously dominant alpha (B.1.1.7) variant. We aimed to characterise the severity of the delta variant compared with the alpha variant by determining the relative risk of hospital attendance outcomes. Methods: This cohort study was done among all patients with COVID-19 in England between March 29 and May 23, 2021, who were identified as being infected with either the alpha or delta SARS-CoV-2 variant through whole-genome sequencing. Individual-level data on these patients were linked to routine health-care datasets on vaccination, emergency care attendance, hospital admission, and mortality (data from Public Health England's Second Generation Surveillance System and COVID-19-associated deaths dataset; the National Immunisation Management System; and NHS Digital Secondary Uses Services and Emergency Care Data Set). The risk for hospital admission and emergency care attendance were compared between patients with sequencing-confirmed delta and alpha variants for the whole cohort and by vaccination status subgroups. Stratified Cox regression was used to adjust for age, sex, ethnicity, deprivation, recent international travel, area of residence, calendar week, and vaccination status. Findings: Individual-level data on 43 338 COVID-19-positive patients (8682 with the delta variant, 34 656 with the alpha variant; median age 31 years [IQR 17–43]) were included in our analysis. 196 (2·3%) patients with the delta variant versus 764 (2·2%) patients with the alpha variant were admitted to hospital within 14 days after the specimen was taken (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 2·26 [95% CI 1·32–3·89]). 498 (5·7%) patients with the delta variant versus 1448 (4·2%) patients with the alpha variant were admitted to hospital or attended emergency care within 14 days (adjusted HR 1·45 [1·08–1·95]). Most patients were unvaccinated (32 078 [74·0%] across both groups). The HRs for vaccinated patients with the delta variant versus the alpha variant (adjusted HR for hospital admission 1·94 [95% CI 0·47–8·05] and for hospital admission or emergency care attendance 1·58 [0·69–3·61]) were similar to the HRs for unvaccinated patients (2·32 [1·29–4·16] and 1·43 [1·04–1·97]; p=0·82 for both) but the precision for the vaccinated subgroup was low. Interpretation: This large national study found a higher hospital admission or emergency care attendance risk for patients with COVID-19 infected with the delta variant compared with the alpha variant. Results suggest that outbreaks of the delta variant in unvaccinated populations might lead to a greater burden on health-care services than the alpha variant. Funding: Medical Research Council; UK Research and Innovation; Department of Health and Social Care; and National Institute for Health Research

Evaluating the Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Mutation D614G on Transmissibility and Pathogenicity

Global dispersal and increasing frequency of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein variant D614G are suggestive of a selective advantage but may also be due to a random founder effect. We investigate the hypothesis for positive selection of spike D614G in the United Kingdom using more than 25,000 whole genome SARS-CoV-2 sequences. Despite the availability of a large dataset, well represented by both spike 614 variants, not all approaches showed a conclusive signal of positive selection. Population genetic analysis indicates that 614G increases in frequency relative to 614D in a manner consistent with a selective advantage. We do not find any indication that patients infected with the spike 614G variant have higher COVID-19 mortality or clinical severity, but 614G is associated with higher viral load and younger age of patients. Significant differences in growth and size of 614G phylogenetic clusters indicate a need for continued study of this variant