Infinite Virtual Stoa

Stoicism is a philosophy that considers the object of life to be ataraxia (αταραξία), a state of psychological stability which is undisturbed by exposure to phenomena and circumstances that lie outside one's control. Such circumstances may include ill health, poverty, natural disasters, corrupt social orders, unpopularity, and unrequited love, and may cause loss of composure and mental balance through feelings of pain, humiliation, insufficiency, envy or greed. Stoicism is a coherent system of powerful ideas about how to pursue a life of equanimity in the face of adversity which has inspired philosophy and psychology to this day. The founders of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy have cited Stoicism as their main inspiration. Stoicism flourished in ancient Athens and Rome at a time when ancient democracy was dying and people experienced loss of control over their lives under authoritarian and imperial regimes. In an age of serious global economic, environmental and psychological uncertainty and crisis, stoicism has still pressing and valuable lessons to teach us about calm, composure, stability and emotional resilience

Sulphur isotope stratigraphy of drill cuttings and stratigraphic correlation of Permian-Triassic evaporites

The stratigraphy of the European late Permian-Triassic commonly lacks chronostratigraphic constraint due to the scarcity of diagnostic fossils for biostratigraphy. This is particularly true for the United Kingdom, and as a result, stratigraphic correlation within and between sedimentary basins is primarily reliant on lithostratigraphy. Evaporitic sulphate can be used to develop time series of δ34Sevap data that can be utilised for stratigraphic correlation. However, the availability of continuous drillcore is limited, whilst drill cuttings are commonly acquired but are widely overlooked for stable isotope stratigraphy. We derive a δ34Sevap record from drill cuttings from the southern North Sea Basin, and successfully correlate it with an equivalent published δ34Sevap record from a continuous drillcore in the Cleveland Basin, Yorkshire, United Kingdom. We have chosen seven points in the δ34Sevap records for stratigraphic correlation, defining eight packages of isotopically distinct coeval strata. This is significant, as the ubiquity of drill cuttings presents the opportunity to derive δ34Sevap curves with high geospatial resolution. Equivalent gamma ray logs were used for correlation and compared with the δ34Sevap curves. The correlations agree relatively well, however, the δ34Sevap correlation permits the development of more robust chronostratigraphic constraints. Specifically, the δ34Sevap records constrain the age of the Bunter Shale and Bunter Sandstone in the western Southern North Sea to the latest Permian. This has significant implications for understanding the stratigraphy and palaeogeographic evolution of United Kingdom Permian-Triassic sedimentary basins, and may have economic implications, since the Bunter Sandstone is being considered as a potential reservoir for CO2 storage in the United Kingdom sector

An 80-million-year sulphur isotope record of pyrite burial over the Permian–Triassic

Despite the extensive use of sulphur isotope ratios (δ34S) for understanding ancient biogeochemical cycles, many studies focus on specific time-points of interest, such as the end-Permian mass extinction (EPME). We have generated an 80 million-year Permian–Triassic δ34Sevap curve from the Staithes S-20 borehole, Yorkshire, England. The Staithes δ34Sevap record replicates the major features of the global curve, while confirming a new excursion at the Olenekian/Anisian boundary at ~ 247 million years ago. We incorporate the resultant δ34Sevap curve into a sulphur isotope box model. Our modelling approach reveals three significant pyrite burial events (i.e. PBEs) in the Triassic. In particular, it predicts a significant biogeochemical response across the EPME, resulting in a substantial increase in pyrite burial, possibly driven by Siberian Traps volcanism. Our model suggests that after ~ 10 million years pyrite burial achieves relative long-term stability until the latest Triassic

Urbanisation affects ecosystem functioning more than structure in tropical streams

Urbanisation poses a clear threat to tropical freshwater streams, yet fundamental knowledge gaps hinder our ability to effectively conserve stream biodiversity and preserve ecosystem functioning. Here, we studied the impact of urbanisation on structural and functional ecosystem responses in low-order streams in Singapore, a tropical city with a mosaic landscape of protected natural forests, managed buffer zones (between forest and open-country habitats), and built-up urban areas. We quantified an urbanisation gradient based on landscape, in-stream, and riparian conditions, and found an association between urbanisation and pollution-tolerant macroinvertebrates (e.g. freshwater snail and worm species) in litter bags. We also found greater macroinvertebrate abundance (mean individuals bag−1; forest: 30.3, buffer: 70.1, urban: 109.0) and richness (mean taxa bag−1; forest: 4.53, buffer: 4.75, urban: 7.50) in urban streams, but similar diversity across habitats. Higher levels of primary productivity (measured from algal accrual on ceramic tiles) and microbial decomposition (measured from litter-mass loss in mesh bags) at urban sites indicate rapid microbial activity at higher light, temperature, and nutrient levels. We found that urbanisation affected function 32% more than structure in the studied tropical streams, likely driven by greater algal growth in urban streams. These changes in ecological processes (i.e. ecosystem functioning) possibly lead to a loss of ecosystem services, which would negatively affect ecology, society, and economy. Our results point to possible management strategies (e.g. increasing vegetation density through buffer park creation) to reduce the impacts of urbanisation, restore vital ecosystem functions in tropical streams, and create habitat niches for native species

Global Patterns and Controls of Nutrient Immobilization On Decomposing Cellulose In Riverine Ecosystems

Microbes play a critical role in plant litter decomposition and influence the fate of carbon in rivers and riparian zones. When decomposing low-nutrient plant litter, microbes acquire nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from the environment (i.e., nutrient immobilization), and this process is potentially sensitive to nutrient loading and changing climate. Nonetheless, environmental controls on immobilization are poorly understood because rates are also influenced by plant litter chemistry, which is coupled to the same environmental factors. Here we used a standardized, low-nutrient organic matter substrate (cotton strips) to quantify nutrient immobilization at 100 paired stream and riparian sites representing 11 biomes worldwide. Immobilization rates varied by three orders of magnitude, were greater in rivers than riparian zones, and were strongly correlated to decomposition rates. In rivers, P immobilization rates were controlled by surface water phosphate concentrations, but N immobilization rates were not related to inorganic N. The N:P of immobilized nutrients was tightly constrained to a molar ratio of 10:1 despite wide variation in surface water N:P. Immobilization rates were temperature-dependent in riparian zones but not related to temperature in rivers. However, in rivers nutrient supply ultimately controlled whether microbes could achieve the maximum expected decomposition rate at a given temperature

Biodiversity of leaf litter fungi in streams along a latitudinal gradient

Global patterns of biodiversity have emerged for soil microorganisms, plants and animals, and the extraordinary significance of microbial functions in ecosystems is also well established. Virtually unknown, however, are large- scale patterns of microbial diversity in freshwaters, although these aquatic ecosystems are hotspots of biodiversity and biogeochemical processes. Here we report on the first large-scale study of biodiversity of leaf-litter fungi in streams along a latitudinal gradient unravelled by Illumina sequencing. The study is based on fungal commu- nities colonizing standardized plant litter in 19 globally distributed stream locations between 69°N and 44°S. Fungal richness suggests a hump-shaped distribution along the latitudinal gradient. Strikingly, community com- position of fungi was more clearly related to thermal preferences than to biogeography. Our results suggest that identifying differences in key environmental drivers, such as temperature, among taxa and ecosystem types is critical to unravel the global patterns of aquatic fungal diversity

TIMAEUS: Three-dimensional Illuminated Media Augmented Sculptures

TIMAEUS is a digital art studio environment that enables creation of personalised 3-dimensional sculptures built with expanding spherical volumes or interconnected tetrahedra and possibly other atomic blocks in the future. These sculptures can be customised with media, e.g, pictures, videos and music which are overlaid or seeded in the sculpture. Media can represent memories or more generally facts, including live internet feeds, that can be used to create artistic narratives in space. Such facts are embedded in the sculpture and can be experienced in different ways with the capability of zooming in and out, rotating, viewing from different angles, and applying sounds and soundtracks. Sculptures are hollow and translucent. They can be illuminated, and the space that they enclose can be viewed internally. TIMAEUS incorporates genera-tive components. Features of images, videos or music can be algorithmically extracted and used to modify the shape or movement of a perpetually mutating or dancing sculpture where these media have been applied. We are currently designing a study in art therapy of dementia patients where TIMAEUS will be applied. One hypothesis is that artistic memory sculptures can both aid reminiscence and create a much needed sense of well-being. Reviewing one's life in an artistic manner may help to place fragments in perspective as well as work out gaps and conflicts. This could nurture feelings of relaxation through artistic creation and of stronger more coherent self. TIMAEUS was inspired by the homonymous Platonic dialogue and its geometric, atomic cosmogony and cosmology. The above image is of a relief created in TIMAEUS in a style which is reminiscent of sumptuous Byzantine silk fabrics and which, we hope, connects this paper to the Byzantine art for which Ravenna is renowned

Timaeus: A digital art studio inspired by antiquity

This project was motivated as an exploration of the capabilities provided by new digital media for creativity, art creation and art therapy. In the ancient Greek world, téchnē, the word for art, used to refer to both art and technology. The expression, imagination, creation, aesthetics, beauty, thought and emotions which are integral to " téchnē " " were not confined to " fine arts ". However, this connection between technology and art has been weakened through gradual separation of fine art from artisanship through time. This connection, we believe, is particularly relevant today that digital technology becomes pervasive. We return to this ancient tradition of téchnē with Timaeus, a futuristic art studio that enables creation of personalized, customisable and generative digital sculptures. Our goal with Timaeus is to provide a new tool for artistic expression. Beyond a general contribution to art, one particular application we envision is enabling the creation of " memory sculptures " for reminiscence in the context of art therapy of dementia patients. Timaeus is the name of a Platonic dialogue but it also stands as acronym for Three-dimensional Illuminated Media-Augmented Ethereal-Unreal Sculptures. It is a digital art studio that enables the creation of personalised virtual sculptures built with expanding and interconnected geometrical volumes. Timaeus sculptures are created by pulling smaller curved and cubic volumes out of an initial sphere. They can be customised with media, e.g., pictures, videos and music that are overlaid or seeded in the sculpture. Media can represent memories or more generally facts, including live internet feeds that can be used to create artistic narratives in space. Such facts are embedded in the sculpture and can be experienced in different ways with the capability of zooming in and out, rotating, viewing from different angles, and applying sounds and soundtracks. Sculptures are hollow and translucent. They can be illuminated, and the space that they enclose can be viewed internally. Viewed from inside, these sculptures then become curved spaces or worlds where projected media can be experienced in three or four dimensions, if we include time. Timaeus also incorporates generative components. Features of images, videos or music can be algorithmically extracted and used to modify the shape or movement of a perpetually mutating or dancing sculpture where these media have been applied. Timaeus was inspired by the homonymous Platonic dialogue. The dialogue develops a geometric cosmogony in which the world is composed of units represented as Platonic geometrical solids. Apart from its literary value and a fine example of dialectic argumentation, the dialogue provides extraordinary insight into later scientific discoveries in the field of chemistry and biology which have discovered harmonious, often geometrically perfect, structures in the fabric of matter. Note that Timaeus, the art studio, creates virtual worlds out of basic geometrical entities that one can manipulate. The Timaeus dialogue also contains the original reference to the myth of Atlantis, the lost mythical city, and thus makes a relevant connection to loss of memory and therefore the topics of reminiscence and dementia that we wish to address in our application. We are currently designing a study in art therapy of dementia patients. One hypothesis is that artistic memory sculptures can both aid reminiscence and create a much needed sense of well-being. Reviewing one's life in an artistic manner may help to place fragments in perspective as well as work out gaps and conflicts. This could nurture feelings of relaxation through artistic creation and of stronger more coherent self. We are also planning a more general evaluation of Timaeus as an art studio within the artistic community focusing on its ability to improve creativity and stimulate new forms of expression, so please contact us if you are interested

Sulphur isotope stratigraphy of drill cuttings and stratigraphic correlation of Permian-Triassic evaporites

The stratigraphy of the European late Permian-Triassic commonly lacks chronostratigraphic constraint due to the scarcity of diagnostic fossils for biostratigraphy. This is particularly true for the United Kingdom, and as a result, stratigraphic correlation within and between sedimentary basins is primarily reliant on lithostratigraphy. Evaporitic sulphate can be used to develop time series of δ34Sevap data that can be utilised for stratigraphic correlation. However, the availability of continuous drillcore is limited, whilst drill cuttings are commonly acquired but are widely overlooked for stable isotope stratigraphy. We derive a δ34Sevap record from drill cuttings from the southern North Sea Basin, and successfully correlate it with an equivalent published δ34Sevap record from a continuous drillcore in the Cleveland Basin, Yorkshire, United Kingdom. We have chosen seven points in the δ34Sevap records for stratigraphic correlation, defining eight packages of isotopically distinct coeval strata. This is significant, as the ubiquity of drill cuttings presents the opportunity to derive δ34Sevap curves with high geospatial resolution. Equivalent gamma ray logs were used for correlation and compared with the δ34Sevap curves. The correlations agree relatively well, however, the δ34Sevap correlation permits the development of more robust chronostratigraphic constraints. Specifically, the δ34Sevap records constrain the age of the Bunter Shale and Bunter Sandstone in the western Southern North Sea to the latest Permian. This has significant implications for understanding the stratigraphy and palaeogeographic evolution of United Kingdom Permian-Triassic sedimentary basins, and may have economic implications, since the Bunter Sandstone is being considered as a potential reservoir for CO2 storage in the United Kingdom sector

Enquiry-based learning pedagogy – Design, development and delivery of a reproducible robotics framework

Hardware-inspired enquiry-based learning (EBL) is an emerging pedagogy to develop transferable engineering skills in students. This paper is aimed at unleashing the potential of this pedagogy via the multidisciplinary domain of robotics to learn the material through a research-based method. The objective is to assist educational institutions in preparing the next generation of engineers and scientists by nourishing a ‘Can do’ attitude in the students. A reproducible framework centred on a robotic kit is proposed in this research for which four conceptual robotics workshops were designed for a college. Given the interdisciplinary nature of robotics, the proposed project developed skills related to various subjects including programming, logic, system engineering, etc. Qualitative as well as quantitative results demonstrated that the project enabled the students to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and the practical world. The proposed state-of-the-art framework helped to illustrate complex concepts in robotics and successfully engaged students by providing them a hands-on learning experience