The Foundations of Deliberative Democracy: Empirical Research and Normative Implications

As the theory of deliberative democracy developed in the late-1980s and 1990s much of the focus was on its normative foundations. However, for the last decade there has been a greater focus on practice and institutionalization, accompanied by a wealth of empirical evidence on deliberative democracy. Therefore, there is now a need to return to these normative debates in light of this empirical evidence. Jürg Steiner’s book aims to contribute to this endeavour by concentrating on the “interplay between normative and empirical aspects of deliberation” (1). In undertaking this goal he acknowledges that he is not a professional philosopher, but rather writing as an empiricist taking the perspective of an engaged citizen. The introduction says very little that is new or innovative in relation to deliberative democracy. It mainly sets out Steiner’s core aims of the book and his position. For Steiner a viable democracy includes competitive elections, strategic bargaining, aggregative voting, and street protests combined with deliberation. Deliberative democracy is, therefore, not an alternative model for Steiner but one which can work within representative democracy. In the introduction Steiner relates to other deliberative democrats, such as Michael Neblo and Simon Niemeyer, by noting that deliberative democracy has come of age enabling the theoretical model to be empirically investigated (Bohman 1998). Hence the empirical stance he takes throughout the book. Steiner argues that the book will show how “empirical research can provoke reflection on normative values” (2). This is in essence what the book does. In agreement with Steiner, he insists that there is always a tension between deliberative ideals and putting these ideals into practice; this is core to the book

Blood flow simulations in the human aortic arch in relation to obesity

The global obesity epidemic is worsening with 10% of the world’s population now classified as obese [1]. In 2015, obesity contributed to 4 million deaths globally, 41% of which were due to cardiovascular disease. The healthy human aorta has a complex anatomy often associated with disturbed flow dynamics, while in obese individuals structural and functional changes to the cardiovascular system lead to abnormal aortic function [2]. Such changes are also associated with coronary artery disease, hypertension, and diabetes; disorders which themselves are thought to be accelerated by obesity. In this study, we utilised computational fluid dynamic (CFD) methods to examine various haemodynamic parameters, namely blood flow velocity, blood pressure, and wall shear stress (WSS), in the aortic arch and proximal branches. Two idealised three-dimensional geometries of the human aortic arch, based on anatomically-correct data from two different patient groups [3], were created using the ANSA pre-processor (BETA CAE Systems). A mesh independence study was completed to determine the optimum number of elements for the geometries. CFD simulations were performed in the open-source library OpenFOAM®, with the material properties of the working fluid, blood, in accordance with current literature [4]. Preliminary results considered both steady and time-dependent (pulsatile) flow for the solution of the incompressible Newtonian Navier-Stokes equations. The initial focus of the flow analysis was on the distribution of wall shear stress. Flow patterns observed for both models showed regions of considerable flow disturbance. The results demonstrate low shear stresses at locations on the aortic wall which are known to be susceptible to the development of atherosclerotic plaques. Blood flow parameters are significantly affected by the local anatomy of the aortic arch, highlighting important differences between the two models. The future direction of this work is to improve the accuracy of the simulations by implementing more complex boundary conditions. The investigation will then be extended to patient-specific aortic models to confirm the results of this work

Needs Assessment of Services for Children, Parents and Families affected by Parental Substance Misuse in Edinburgh City - Summary Report

The aim of this needs assessment was to inform the implementation of action to reduce the impact of parental alcohol and drug use on children and young people (Priority 2 of the Edinburgh Alcohol & Drug Partnership (EADP) Children, Young People and Families Action plan). The full report is available on request

Beliefs in Internet Use

For this study, we are addressing the question: Does internet adherence effect an individual\u27s belief in conspiracy theories? We are predicting that individuals with a higher level of internet adherence will have a stronger belief in conspiracy theories, while individuals with a lower level of internet adherence will have less of a belief in conspiracy theories. To test this prediction, participants took two surveys which test these two variables. To measure an individual\u27s belief in conspiracy theories, we used the Conspiracist Belief Scale questionnaire and the Items of Internet Use questionnaire to measure levels of internet adherence

Evaluating Library Signage: A Systematic Method for Conducting a Library Signage Inventory

While there is much literature that directs libraries to avoid having too much or insufficient signage, there is no clear guidance on how much signage is “enough” or “too much.” Conducting a signage inventory can be the first step toward determining how many signs a library needs, by establishing how many signs are in the library, of which type, and their condition. This paper proposes a ready-to-use method that any library can use to inventory its signage by adapting the inventory worksheet depending on factors related to the library type. The ultimate goal in developing a standardized method is that it would allow for, comparing results across libraries to attempt development of more specific signage guidelines or a formula that could calculate how many signs are “enough” and “too many” for a library given its type, population, and other criteria

Are We Leaving Them Lost in the Woods with No Breadcrumbs to Follow? Assessing Signage Systems in School Libraries

In order to successfully navigate space in seeking information, students need to develop their spatial thinking, or the ability to visualize and interpret location, distance, direction, relationships, movement, and change through space. Learning to think spatially has been defined as a vital skill for students to be equipped properly for their future (National Research Council, 2006; National Science Foundation, 2010). Wayfinding refers to the ability of users of the built environment (i.e., a facility) to navigate through that environment to find specific destinations (Mandel, 2010). In the school library environment this means that student users can find and access the information they need for school related tasks and assignments. Developing wayfinding skills contributes to the development of spatial literacy. Often, the school provides a child’s first experience independently navigating spaces, yet there is limited research on assessing the usability and navigability of school library spaces. The purpose of this study is to explore how to improve the effectiveness of wayfinding and spatial awareness tools in a school library environment addressing the research question: How effective are the existing wayfinding aids in communicating spatial information to the user? This report is the results of the pilot study focused on an expert review of the signage systems in a selection of school libraries

A NICE approach to combining micro and macro conceptions of deliberative democracy

PhD ThesisDeliberative democracy is a model intended to produce rational and well-reasoned decisions by bringing together those affected by decisions to deliberate about the issues. There is a growing interest in how deliberative democracy can be institutionalised however there are challenges associated with this. The primary challenge for deliberative democracy relates to scale (Parkinson, 2004). At a macro level, it is practically challenging to involve all those affected by decisions in meaningful deliberation in an equal and inclusive manner (McLaverty, 2014, Chappell, 2008, Young, 2001). Even at a micro level, these challenges still exist due to inequalities in complex societies. As a response, Hendriks (2006) argues that by combining micro and macro conceptions of deliberative democracy, standards of deliberative democracy can be better achieved. One institution which could practically combine the two conceptual approaches is governance networks. This is because they can use deliberative approaches (Papadopoulos, 2012, Dryzek, 2011) in decision making and some embody the principles of deliberative democracy (Atkins, Smith, Kelly and Michie, 2013, Daniels, 2008, Gutmann and Thompson, 2002). Networks are used by governments to help solve complex problems by bringing experts and those with specialist knowledge to the process. However, some networks lack democratic accountability because they are often elitist (Hendriks and Boswell, 2015, Papadopoulos, 2012) and as a result suffer from legitimacy problems. Through case study research, this thesis will explore if governance networks can combine micro and macro conceptions of deliberative democracy to enhance their democratic governance. In doing so, the research will measure the quality of deliberation that takes place in the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) which is a quasi-autonomous national government organisation and operates as part of a large healthcare network. Through interviews with committee members the research will also assess how networks deliberate at a macro level. The committee meetings in NICE has been described as high-quality expert deliberation (Moore, 2016). However, the meetings were exclusive as members were largely experts from the medical field with little citizen or patient involvement. There were some instances of macro deliberation taking place outside NICE PHAC meetings but it lacked wider public deliberation inclusive of a variety of deliberative spaces. Moreover, there were very few examples of micro and macro deliberation being integrated. The research concludes that NICE do have the potential to build on the deliberative foundations by being more active in integrating micro and macro deliberation through designed coupling (Hendriks, 2016) and using bridge-builders as aids to coupling. By applying some of these recommendations, NICE could become more deliberative, democratic and accountable. This might also apply to similar networks who are interested in institutionalising deliberative democracy and overcoming their democratic short-fallings

Identification of multigene cysteine protease gene families in Haemonchus contortus and analysis of gut gene expression

Haemonchus contortus is a blood-feeding Strongylid parasite that is economically significant worldwide. Due to the increasing problem of anthelmintic resistance, alternative approaches are urgently required for parasitic nematode control. H. contortus cathepsin B gut cysteine proteases have received attention as potential vaccine candidates because of their proposed role in blood feeding. The increasing amount of H. contortus genome information has now enabled detailed identification and annotation of cathepsin B protease gene families. In this study H. contortus BAC 18f22 was annotated and found to encode eight tandemly arranged cysteine proteases related to the previously identified AC family, but with six novel genes identified. Annotation of supercontig and scaffold sequence identified many more members of the HmCP and GCP-7 cathepsin B families. In total this work has shown that the H. contortus genome encodes at least 41 cathepsin B protease genes, more than in other nematodes, to date. In contrast, Hc-cpr-6 is present as a single copy gene that is highly conserved in a number of species, suggesting an important conserved function. Further work examined regulation of gut gene expression in H. contortus, in particular the H. contortus ELT-2 GATA transcription factor (TF), as it has been shown to be the major TF in C. elegans controlling gut gene expression. A high throughput assay was developed and used to screen an integrated C. elegans worm strain expressing GFP in the gut and hypodermis (Ce-cpl-1::gfp) against 594 chemical compounds. Compounds were identified that specifically cause a decrease in gut GFP expression, affect larval development and show a degree of lethality. Further work on two of the compounds identified an embryonic effect, with a significant decrease in number of progeny. To conclude, this thesis identified a number of novel cathepsin B genes as well as two compounds potentially interfering with TF activity and gut gene expression which may be of use as novel anthelmintics

The Belt and Road Initiative as Ten Policy Commandments: Review of Xi’s Kazakhstan and Indonesia Launch Speeches

In 2019 Foreign Policy described China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as “the most talked about and least defined buzzword of this decade”. Given that confusion and the importance of leader political speeches in China, especially those of current President Xi Jinping, it is surprising that the BRI literature has little in-depth analysed the two launch speeches of 2013. This article seeks to fill that gap with study of those speeches and focus on the five cooperation-oriented areas announced in each. In comparative context those ten pillars appear not to be descended from New Era Chinese heaven but rather demonstrate substantive thematic overlap with the ten pillars of what was once relatively mainstream macroeconomic development policy, the Washington Consensus. Yet, in the case of the BRI there is a relative implicit implementation emphasis also. In forward context of contemporary global political economy tensions, the need to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the G7’s Build Back Better and the European Union’s Global Gateway ambitions also, this article may offer a timely fresh and comparative lens on the BRI

Connecting Through Summer Camp: Youth with Visual Impairments Find a Sense of Community

The social meaning of a one-week residential summer sports camp to young people with visual impairments is described. The experiences of 13 youths (7 females and 6 males) with visual impairments (3 B1, 1 B2, and 9 B3) between 9 and 15 years of age were gathered using the phenomenological methods of focus groups, conversational interviews, and field notes. The thematic analysis revealed three themes: connected, reaching out, and resisting and acquiescing. Experiences of group membership and shared emotional connection to others with visual impairments surfaced in a supportive sport context although resistance to others\u27 assumptions of ability was evident. The theory of psychological sense of community (McMillan & Chivas, 1986) provided the conceptual framework for interpreting the findings