The EPSRC's policy of responsible innovation from a trading zones perspective

Responsible innovation (RI) is gathering momentum as an academic and policy debate linking science and society. Advocates of RI in research policy argue that scientific research should be opened up at an early stage so that many actors and issues can steer innovation trajectories. If this is done, they suggest, new technologies will be more responsible in different ways, better aligned with what society wants, and mistakes of the past will be avoided. This paper analyses the dynamics of RI in policy and practice and makes recommendations for future development. More specifically, we draw on the theory of ‘trading zones’ developed by Peter Galison and use it to analyse two related processes: (i) the development and inclusion of RI in research policy at the UK’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC); (ii) the implementation of RI in relation to the Stratospheric Particle Injection for Climate Engineering (SPICE) project. Our analysis reveals an RI trading zone comprised of three quasi-autonomous traditions of the research domain – applied science, social science and research policy. It also shows how language and expertise are linking and coordinating these traditions in ways shaped by local conditions and the wider context of research. Building on such insights, we argue that a sensible goal for RI policy and practice at this stage is better local coordination of those involved and we suggest ways how this might be achieved

Carnivore: Will It Devour Your Privacy?

Perhaps you have written an e-mail that looks something like this

Effects of Sulfidation on the Deposition and Detachment of Silver Nanoparticles

The transformation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) due to environmental factors can play a role in their fate and transport in aquatic systems. Sulfidation has the potential to alter these particles’ physio-chemical properties and their subsequent mobilization in aquatic environments. The water chemistry (e.g. pH, dissolved organic carbon) of these systems can also change the behavior of AgNPs. To better understand the effects of sulfidation on the characteristics and deposition of AgNPs, techniques such as quartz crystal microgravimetry (QCM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) were used. In this study, AgNPs with two different ligand types, Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-capped AgNPs (PVP-AgNPs) and Polyethylene glycol (PEG)-capped AgNPs (PEG-AgNPs), were modified through sulfidation in the presence of natural organic matter (NOM). Sulfidation of PVP-AgNPs resulted in a 5 to 23 times greater extent of deposition to a silica substrate than unmodified PVP-AgNPs in tested conditions. This probably caused by the loss of steric repulsion due to the loss of PVP ligand during sulfidation. The dependence of ligand type on the effects of sulfidation were observed in the same conditions with sulfidized PEG-AgNPs having a 28%-98% decrease in deposition extent compared to pristine PEG-AgNPs. This decrease in particle-substrate interaction is attributed to the increase in electrostatic repulsion. Rates of deposition of each particle type were also reported to better understand the potential of these AgNPs to persist in engineered and natural aquatic environments. Hydrophobicity of AgNP types were not found to play a dominant role in the deposition dynamics. AgNP deposition extent to silica substrate provides insight on the potential for persistence in aquatic environments as well as a predisposition towards removal through media filtration. Based on deposition results, after sulfidation, PEG-AgNPs are more likely to persist than that of PVP-AgNPs

Metadata Analysis of Astrocytic Regulatory Compensation in SOD1-G93A Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Mouse Model

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive degradation of motoneurons in the central nervous system (CNS). Astrocytes are key regulators for inflammation and neuromodulatory signaling, both of which contribute to ALS. The study goal was to ascertain potential temporal changes in astrocyte-mediated neuromodulatory regulation with transgenic ALS model progression: glutamate, GTL-1, GluR1, GluR2, GABA, ChAT activity, VGF, TNF, aspartate, and IGF-1. We examine neuromodulatory changes in data aggregates from 42 peer-reviewed studies derived from transgenic ALS mixed cell cultures (neurons + astrocytes). For each corresponding experimental time point, the ratio of transgenic to wild type (WT) was found for each compound. ANOVA and a student’s t-test were performed to compare disease stages (early, post-onset, and end stage). Glutamate in transgenic SOD1-G93A mixed cell cultures does not change over time (p>0.05). GLT-1 levels were found to be decreased 23% over WT but only at end-stage (p<0.05). Glutamate receptors (GluR1, GluR2) in SOD1-G93A were not substantially different from WT, although SOD1-G93A GluR1 decreased by 21% from post-onset to end-stage (p<0.05). ChAT activity was insignificantly decreased. VGF is decreased throughout ALS (p<0.05). Aspartate is elevated by 25% in SOD1-G93A but only during end-stage (p<0.05). TNF is increased by a dramatic 362% (p<0.05). Furthermore, principal component analysis identified TNF as contributing to 55% of the data variance in the first component. Thus, TNF, which modulates astrocyte regulation via multiple pathways, could be a strategic treatment target. Overall results suggest changes in neuromodulator levels are subtle in SOD1-G93A ALS mixed cell cultures. If excitotoxicity is present as is often presumed, it could be due to ALS cells being more sensitive to small changes in neuromodulation. Hence, seemingly unsubstantial or oscillatory changes in neuromodulators could wreak havoc in ALS cells, resulting in failed microenvironment homeostasis whereby both hyperexcitability and hypoexcitability can coexist. Future work is needed to examine local, spatiotemporal neuromodulatory homeostasis and assess its functional impact in ALS.Undergraduat

Race, Religion, and Politics: An Analysis from a Conjoint Experiment

Building on existing research, I seek to understand how both religious and racial identities can shape the religious and ideological perceptions of voters in low-information environments. Using a conjoint experiment, I test the effects of multiple identity traits on respondents’ religious and ideological evaluations of political candidates, as well as the willingness to support the candidate. Consistent with previous research showing the importance of perceptions on voting behavior, I find evidence that candidate identities can shape the ideological and religious perceptions of voters, and influence the willingness of respondents to vote for the candidate in a low-information setting