Current transient phenomena in silicon oxide resistance switching oxides: characterisation and computational applications

The current transient phenomenon is a current-time response observed in metal-insulator-metal devices, such as defective capacitors or resistance switching devices. It is a response easily identified by its rapid increase in device current followed by a slow decay, resulting in an iconic peak in device current which has historically played a key role in the analysis of current transients. Whilst the transient has mostly been interpreted as a defect to be mitigated against, it has also been used to determine properties of the oxide such as oxygen vacancy mobilities. This application of the current transient is derived from the space charge limited current (SCLC) theory which is used to explain the phenomenon’s origin. However, in this thesis I demonstrate that the SCLC model fails to hold up under scrutiny in the context of silicon oxide-based devices; a finding which is in line with inconsistencies already present within the current body of literature. I use a range of electronic and optical characterisation methods to demonstrate the current transient is the result of two changes occurring in the device each driven by different forces. This finding has significant implications on the use of the SCLC model and the act of determining mobilities from the current transient’s peak. In response, I develop a comprehensive characterisation methodology to gain a deeper insight into the current transient’s causes and propose alternative models that could potentially explain the behaviour in silicon oxide devices more accurately. Finally, I attempt to reframe the current transient not as a defect to be mitigated but as a computational tool to be used. With a deeper understanding of the current transient’s mechanics, I apply it to the problem of edge detection of images and comment on its potential to implement homeostatic behaviours in bio-inspired circuits

A versatile circuit for emulating active biological dendrites applied to sound localisation and neuron imitation

Sophisticated machine learning struggles to transition onto battery-operated devices due to the high-power consumption of neural networks. Researchers have turned to neuromorphic engineering, inspired by biological neural networks, for more efficient solutions. While previous research focused on artificial neurons and synapses, an essential component has been overlooked: dendrites. Dendrites transmit inputs from synapses to the neuron's soma, applying both passive and active transformations. However, neuromorphic circuits replace these sophisticated computational channels with metallic interconnects. In this study, we introduce a versatile circuit that emulates a segment of a dendrite which exhibits gain, introduces delays, and performs integration. We show how sound localisation - a biological example of dendritic computation - is not possible with the existing passive dendrite circuits but can be achieved using this proposed circuit. We also find that dendrites can form bursting neurons. This significant discovery suggests the potential to fabricate neural networks solely comprised of dendrite circuits.Comment: 13 pages. 6 Figues in main text, 1 figure in supplementary material

Beyond the Disneyesque: children’s participation, spatiality and adult-child relations

The article describes a case study of children and young people's participation and the attendant effects on professional practice and child-adult relations. We consider the findings under four headings: professional learning, child-adult relations, childhood memories and the spatial dimensions of change. Evidence indicates that adults and children were finding new ways of working and relating and that these processes were inherent in efforts to reconfigure space. The analysis shows how adult and child identification, relations and associated constructions of childhood and adulthood were connected. We argue that changes occurred in and through the shaping of real and imagined places

Artificial Dendritic Computation: The case for dendrites in neuromorphic circuits

Bio-inspired computing has focused on neuron and synapses with great success. However, the connections between these, the dendrites, also play an important role. In this paper, we investigate the motivation for replicating dendritic computation and present a framework to guide future attempts in their construction. The framework identifies key properties of the dendrites and presents and example of dendritic computation in the task of sound localisation. We evaluate the impact of dendrites on an BiLSTM neural network's performance, finding that dendrite pre-processing reduce the size of network required for a threshold performance.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figures. Replacement to correct an author's nam

ODonel's Mission: Catholics in Newfoundland in the Eighteenth Century

Article from the Irish Journal of Newfoundland and Labrador Research ‘Ktaqamkuk Across The Water Thar Muir’ which was originally published in 2009 by the Centre for Newfoundland and Labrador Studies

Teaching in nature

SNH has a remit for people’s enjoyment and understanding of the natural heritage as well as the care of it. The potential for the educational use of National Nature Reserves (NNRs) (and similar ‘wild’ places for nature) is not well understood. This research was designed to enable practicing teachers from primary and secondary schools to collaboratively explore how National Nature Reserves could be used to provide for learning across a range of subject areas. This work was conducted within the context of the new national curriculum initiative in Scotland, Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) (LTS, 2010). For further information (including videos of outdoor excursions, lesson plans, and supporting commentaries), visit the project website: http://teachinginnature.stir.ac.u

Teaching in Nature: A Research Briefing: Summary Findings

SNH has a remit for people's enjoyment and understanding of the natural heritage as well as the care of it. The potential for the educational use of National Nature Reserves (NNRs) (and similar 'wild' places for nature) is not well understood. This research, funded by SNH, was designed to enable practicing teachers from primary and secondary schools to collaboratively explore how National Nature Reserves could be used as sites for outdoor educational provision across a range of subject areas. This work was conducted within the context of the new national curriculum initiative in Scotland, Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) (LTS, 2010). For further information (including video of outdoor excursions, lesson plans, and supporting commentaries), visit the project website: http://teachinginnature.stir.ac.u

Understanding the knowledge gaps in whistleblowing and speaking up in health care: narrative reviews of the research literature and formal inquiries, a legal analysis and stakeholder interviews

BackgroundThere is compelling evidence to suggest that some (or even many) NHS staff feel unable to speak up, and that even when they do, their organisation may respond inappropriately.MethodsThe study comprised four distinct but interlocking strands: (1) a series of narrative literature reviews, (2) an analysis of the legal issues related to whistleblowing, (3) a review of formal Inquiries related to previous failings of NHS care and (4) interviews with key informants.ResultsPolicy prescriptions often conceive the issue of raising concerns as a simple choice between deciding to ‘blow the whistle’ and remaining silent. Yet research suggests that health-care professionals may raise concerns internally within the organisation in more informal ways before utilising whistleblowing processes. Potential areas for development here include the oversight of whistleblowing from an independent agency; early-stage protection for whistleblowers; an examination of the role of incentives in encouraging whistleblowing; and improvements to criminal law to protect whistleblowers. Perhaps surprisingly, there is little discussion of, or recommendations concerning, whistleblowing across the previous NHS Inquiry reports.LimitationsAlthough every effort was made to capture all relevant papers and documents in the various reviews using comprehensive search strategies, some may have been missed as indexing in this area is challenging. We interviewed only a small number of people in the key informant interviews, and our findings may have been different if we had included a larger sample or informants with different roles and responsibilities.ConclusionsCurrent policy prescriptions that seek to develop better whistleblowing policies and nurture open reporting cultures are in need of more evidence. Although we set out a wide range of issues, it is beyond our remit to convert these concerns into specific recommendations: that is a process that needs to be led from elsewhere, and in partnership with the service. There is also still much to learn regarding this important area of health policy, and we have highlighted a number of important gaps in knowledge that are in need of more sustained research.Future workA key area for future research is to explore whistleblowing as an unfolding, situated and interactional process and not just a one-off act by an identifiable whistleblower. In particular, we need more evidence and insights into the tendency for senior managers not to hear, accept or act on concerns about care raised by employe

Whistleblowing over patient safety and care quality: a review of the literature

© 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to review existing research on whistleblowing in healthcare in order to develop an evidence base for policy and research. Design/methodology/approach: A narrative review, based on systematic literature protocols developed within the management field. Findings: The authors identify valuable insights on the factors that influence healthcare whistleblowing, and how organizations respond, but also substantial gaps in the coverage of the literature, which is overly focused on nursing, has been largely carried out in the UK and Australia, and concentrates on the earlier stages of the whistleblowing process. Research limitations/implications: The review identifies gaps in the literature on whistleblowing in healthcare, but also draws attention to an unhelpful lack of connection with the much larger mainstream literature on whistleblowing. Practical implications: Despite the limitations to the existing literature important implications for practice can be identified, including enhancing employees’ sense of security and providing ethics training. Originality/value: This paper provides a platform for future research on whistleblowing in healthcare, at a time when policymakers are increasingly aware of its role in ensuring patient safety and care quality