StrathSat-R : Deploying inflatable CubeSat structures in micro gravity

This paper presents the concepts, objectives and design of a student-led sounding rocket experiment which shall test novel inflatable devices in space conditions. This experiment is envisaged as the first step towards developing a CubeSat programme at the University of Strathclyde, which can exploit the novel concepts developed and the technical skills gained. The experiment itself aims to test novel, student developed, inflatable space structures in micro gravity and reduced pressure conditions. It consists of three distinct sections, the ejection housing on the rocket and the two ejectable modules that are based on CubeSat architecture. Shortly before reaching apogee, the two modules are ejected from the rocket and will deploy their own inflating structure during free flight. After landing, the ejectable modules recovery will rely upon a GPS position relayed to the team from the module by Globalstar transmission and a RF beacon for tracking with the recovery helicopter. The two modules carry two different structures resulting in distinct mission objectives: The aim of FRODO is to deploy an experimental passive de-orbiting system for high altitude spacecraft which will in the future utilise solar radiation pressure for orbit removal. The aim of SAM is to serve as a technology demonstrator for the residual air deployment method of a smart bio-inspired space structure. This paper contains details about the science objectives of the mission and how they will be achieved, its experimental design and the management of the student-led project

Attending Weak Signals: The Prevention of Work-related Illnesses

This article examines the characteristics of communication among managers, human resource (HR) experts, and occupational health care specialists, as they deal with such informal information as weak signals in the prevention of work-related illnesses, using a theoretical framework in which the prevention of work-related illness is analogous to theory on crisis management. This is a qualitative study in which individual and focus-group interviews were conducted in a Swedish context with occupational health care specialists, managers, and HR experts. The results suggest that organizational solutions have failed and continue to fail at controlling workers’ health problems, although the main difficulty is not in identifying the ‘right’ individually oriented weak signals. Rather, it is upper management’s reliance on formal information (e.g., statistics and surveys) – because of the difficulty in supplementing it with informal information (e.g., rumors and gossip) – that makes it difficult to improve traditional health and safety wor

0166: Changes in resistance arteries expression of extracellular nucleotides signaling partners during arterial hypertension

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality in industrialized countries and their prevalence increases with aging populations. Small arteries constitute the main site of peripheral vascular resistance and play a key role in the regulation of blood pressure. Vascular tone is exacerbated in hypertension (HBP) and accompanied by a hypertrophy of the arterial wall. Although signaling by extracellular nucleotides is important in vascular homeostasis its contribution to vascular pathologies affecting small arteries remains poorly understood. We evaluated here the expression pattern of nucleotides signaling pathway in resistance arteries vs aorta in mice. Genes of interest including P2 receptors, ectonucleotidases (CD39, CD73) and hemi channels (connexins, pannexins) were investigated by quantitative RT-PCR. Their expression in resistance arteries was assessed in Angiotensin II-treated mice, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and, since HBP is related to age, in 24-month old mice. Our results showed that several genes are more expressed in aorta (P2ry2 and connexin 43) while others are expressed specifically (P2rx1, connexin 37) or preferentially (P2ry6) in small arteries. The latest might be involved in pathologies affecting the small arteries. With HBP, we observed a decreased connexin 37 and 40 expression level in Angiotensin II-treated mice and in SHR respectively and both decreased with aging. Interestingly, CD39 (tone regulator) decreased in the two models of HBP and with aging. Such decrease in nucleotidase activity may enhance P2 receptors activation and increase vascular contractility/tone. This is especially true considering P2Y6 (tone promoter) that increased with aging. Further studies may allow us to evaluate the contribution of these mediators in the development of small arteries defect in aging associated or not with HBP. Signaling by extracellular nucleotides may constitute new therapeutic targets in the treatment of HBP

Calculated risk : constructions of risk in biomedical, feminist, and lay perceptions of conception-assisting technologies

This thesis explores how different social and political interests frame interpretations and assessments of the risks of conception-assisting technologies among biomedical clinicians, infertile women seeking treatment, and feminist analysts— three important groups involved in the debate over the efficacy, safety and acceptability of conception-assisting technologies. Through a review of interdisciplinary secondary source data on risk and conception-assisting technologies, I detail the prevailing theories on risk, risk assessment and risk acceptability. I elaborate the particular perspectives on risk held by each of the three groups and the social and political influences which shape them. I also explore how differing conceptions of risk affect decision making and the acceptance of technology. I argue that to understand differing risk constructions it is necessary to understand the social, political, economic and cultural framework within which these risk determinations are made. This discussion of risk and conception-assisting technologies should be viewed and analyzed as part of a wider debate about socializing technology. It also makes way for more comparative sociological analyses of different groups' risk assessments of technological innovations

Photonic Structures Optimization Using Highly Data-Efficient Deep Learning: Application To Nanofin And Annular Groove Phase Masks

Metasurfaces offer a flexible framework for the manipulation of light properties in the realm of thin film optics. Specifically, the polarization of light can be effectively controlled through the use of thin phase plates. This study aims to introduce a surrogate optimization framework for these devices. The framework is applied to develop two kinds of vortex phase masks (VPMs) tailored for application in astronomical high-contrast imaging. Computational intelligence techniques are exploited to optimize the geometric features of these devices. The large design space and computational limitations necessitate the use of surrogate models like partial least squares Kriging, radial basis functions, or neural networks. However, we demonstrate the inadequacy of these methods in modeling the performance of VPMs. To address the shortcomings of these methods, a data-efficient evolutionary optimization setup using a deep neural network as a highly accurate and efficient surrogate model is proposed. The optimization process in this study employs a robust particle swarm evolutionary optimization scheme, which operates on explicit geometric parameters of the photonic device. Through this approach, optimal designs are developed for two design candidates. In the most complex case, evolutionary optimization enables optimization of the design that would otherwise be impractical (requiring too much simulations). In both cases, the surrogate model improves the reliability and efficiency of the procedure, effectively reducing the required number of simulations by up to 75% compared to conventional optimization techniques

A qualitative study of the practices and experiences of staff in multidisciplinary child sexual exploitation partnerships in three English coastal towns

This article presents findings from a qualitative study of the practices and experiences of people working in multi-disciplinary child sexual exploitation (CSE) partnerships in three coastal towns in England. The study is based on focus groups conducted with 36 practitioners from a range of professional groups, including police, social work, substance misuse, education, specialist youth workers, sexual health, and statutory and non-statutory children's services. The article begins with an overview of the three towns and the structure of their responses to CSE. It goes on to explore a range of factors, which contribute to the local issues around CSE and which affect and direct multiagency working. These include practitioner perspectives on CSE vulnerabil-ity, the discrepancy between young peoples' and practi-tioners' views about “exploitation”, a discussion of how CSE perpetrators initiate and develop contact with young people and the role of incentives—including drugs and alcohol—as part of CSE exploitation. We finish by drawing out some general conclusions

0343 : Essential role of P2Y6 UDP receptor in Angiotensin-II dependent arterial hypertension

Extracellular nucleotides are responsible for pleiotropic effects in the vasculature. Uracyl nucleotides are vasoactive and trophic agents and promote inflammation. The participation of specific P2 receptors in these effects remains undefined and their potential contribution in arterial hypertension is unknown.ObjectiveTo evaluate the contribution of the UDP receptor P2Y6 in hypertension in mouse.MethodsArterial contraction was evaluated using a wire myograph. Blood pressure was measured following nucleotides iv infusion and experimental hypertension was induced either by Angiotensine-II (Ang-II 1mg/kg/j) or DOCA-salt (1%) in uni-nephrectomized mice. Histological approaches, immunofluorescence and RTqPCR were used to evaluate the nature of vascular remodeling.ResultsP2Y6 displayed the highest arterial expression level among other P2Y receptors. Contraction of conductance (thoracic aorta) and resistance (mesenteric) arteries was abrogated in P2ry6-/- mice in response to UDP and UTP while other vasoconstrictor induced normal responses. P2Y6 receptor triggered a moderated intracellular calcium increase while RhoA (calcium facilitating pathway) activation was abrogated in P2ry6-/- mice. Both genetic deletion and pharmacological blockade of P2Y6 receptor abolished Ang-II-induced blood pressure increase (40 mmHg in wild type mice). By contrast, hypertensive response in DOCA-salt was equivalent in both genotypes. Following Ang-II treatment, P2ry6-/- mice developed a reduced arterial hypertrophic remodeling and fibrosis but equivalent immune cell recruitment/infiltration compared to wild type. These changes were corroborated to reduced mRNA expressions of TGFβ and NADPH oxidase subunits.ConclusionsVascular P2Y6 receptor contributes to exaggerated vascular tone, hypertrophy and fibrosis in the context of Ang-II-dependent hypertension. Its absence or pharmacological blockade limits vascular damages and prevents blood pressure increase associated to hypertension