Accessible, multi-discipline field excursions

Fieldwork, a key element of many science degrees, can be expanded to include a variety of associated humanities and arts disciplines, and allows for an experiential learning environment that is not easily replicated in classroom settings. Students make observations, measurements and inferences in natural environments that facilitates them making connections between elements that might otherwise appear disparate. Planning accessible excursions relies on a combination of local knowledge, Google Earth, some inter-disciplinary collaboration, and perhaps some specialist transport. An amazing array of discovery can occur on an average city centre street or suburb. Walking/wheeled tours of historical districts can combine various aspects of history and society, for example urban settlement, migration patterns, planning and infrastructure, public health, social issues (the list goes on), as well as a broad array of sciences and engineering. Most large buildings in a city centre will showcase a global array of geology in their building and facing stones. Hidden parks, gardens and public spaces provide ample opportunities to look at ecology, zoology, botany, city ecosystems and adaptations. Access to rivers, lakes or wetlands expands these horizons. Bridges or construction sites allows engineering insights. Accessibility should not be a barrier to learning outdoors. This presentation will showcase how to select accessible locations, tips and tricks for finding suitable content across a range of science and related disciplines, and present ideas for locations and follow-up work

Breaking institutional barriers through experiential learning during field excursions

Interactions between disciplines are required to obtain integrated solutions to complex environmental issues. This requires inter-department cooperation and finding ways to establish cross-disciplinary teaching content. Field excursions, where collegiate boundaries are blurred, represent ideal bridges allowing students to combine a wide range of concepts and integrate knowledge from distinct disciplines. Students enrolled in first-year Geoscience at The University of Western Australia undertake a one-day field excursion in the Perth metropolitan area, during which they have the opportunity to explore the relationship between the biota and geology of the region. During this experiential ‘journey’, the students are introduced to different vegetation types including i) the Marri–Jarrah-Wandoo woodland of the Darling Plateau; ii) the flooded gum–swamp paperbark association, of wetlands associated to the Swan River; and iii) the heath-dominated vegetation covering coastal areas. The biological and geological processes leading to the development of the three types of geomorphologies are described and linked to the historical development of the city. Students are asked to collect samples and data, which are later analysed in the lab and eventually integrated into a capstone assignment. During the process, students develop further subjects encompassing a wide range of topics, from pure geological processes to subjects mixing regional flora, geology and early developments in engineering geology. This activity allows students to obtain a better knowledge of, and develop a sense of connection with, their surroundings

An integrated first-year geoscience experience to foster sustainable earth science education

Geoscience-literacy in our community has never been more important. Geoscientific perspectives, guidance and problem-solving abilities are critical for addressing one of the most acute challenges facing society today – environmental sustainability; however, the importance of geoscience for society rarely features in geoscience education. For many students, their first and only exposure to learning about geoscience is as a stand-alone elective in their first year of study at university. While student interest in global environmental issues is high, enrolments in geoscience are comparatively low, and in many instances, in sharp decline. To develop emerging geoscientists who can recognise and promote their fundamental role in tackling contemporary sustainability challenges, geoscience education requires a revamped first-year undergraduate experience that elevates the social relevance of the geosciences. We highlight our holistic and integrated first-year geoscience experience at The University of Western Australia, in which we meaningfully teach geoscience in the context of broader societal issues to better communicate the significance of geoscience for a sustainable future. We use a range of teaching strategies to increase classroom equity and science engagement. By refocusing the narrative on “why” we teach geoscience to align with contemporary student values, we promote broader and more diverse participation. A future without geoscience is unsustainable

Human Preference-Based Learning for High-dimensional Optimization of Exoskeleton Walking Gaits

Optimizing lower-body exoskeleton walking gaits for user comfort requires understanding users’ preferences over a high-dimensional gait parameter space. However, existing preference-based learning methods have only explored low-dimensional domains due to computational limitations. To learn user preferences in high dimensions, this work presents LINECOSPAR, a human-in-the-loop preference-based framework that enables optimization over many parameters by iteratively exploring one-dimensional subspaces. Additionally, this work identifies gait attributes that characterize broader preferences across users. In simulations and human trials, we empirically verify that LINECOSPAR is a sample-efficient approach for high-dimensional preference optimization. Our analysis of the experimental data reveals a correspondence between human preferences and objective measures of dynamicity, while also highlighting differences in the utility functions underlying individual users’ gait preferences. This result has implications for exoskeleton gait synthesis, an active field with applications to clinical use and patient rehabilitation

Human Preference-Based Learning for High-dimensional Optimization of Exoskeleton Walking Gaits

Understanding users' gait preferences of a lower-body exoskeleton requires optimizing over the high-dimensional gait parameter space. However, existing preference-based learning methods have only explored low-dimensional domains due to computational limitations. To learn user preferences in high dimensions, this work presents LineCoSpar, a human-in-the-loop preference-based framework that enables optimization over many parameters by iteratively exploring one-dimensional subspaces. Additionally, this work identifies gait attributes that characterize broader preferences across users. In simulations and human trials, we empirically verify that LineCoSpar is a sample-efficient approach for high-dimensional preference optimization. Our analysis of the experimental data reveals a correspondence between human preferences and objective measures of dynamic stability, while also highlighting inconsistencies in the utility functions underlying different users' gait preferences. This has implications for exoskeleton gait synthesis, an active field with applications to clinical use and patient rehabilitation

Adoption of preventive behaviors in response to the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic: a multiethnic perspective

Background: As public health leaders prepare for possible future influenza pandemics, the rapid spread of 2009 H1N1 influenza highlights the need to focus on measures the public can adopt to help slow disease transmission. Such measures may relate to hygiene (e.g., hand washing), social distancing (e.g., avoiding places where many people gather), and pharmaceutical interventions (e.g., vaccination). Given the disproportionate impact of public health emergencies on minority communities in the United States, it is important to understand whether there are differences in acceptance across racial/ethnic groups that could lead to targeted and more effective policies and communications. Objectives: This study explores racial/ethnic differences in the adoption of preventive behaviors during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic. Patients/Methods Data are from a national telephone poll conducted March 17 to April 11, 2010, among a representative sample of 1123 white, 330 African American, 317 Hispanic, 268 Asian, and 262 American Indian/Alaska Native adults in the USA. Results: People in at least one racial/ethnic minority group were more likely than whites to adopt several behaviors related to hygiene, social distancing, and healthcare access, including increased hand washing and talking with a healthcare provider (P-values <0·05). Exceptions included avoiding others with influenza-like illnesses and receiving 2009 H1N1 and seasonal influenza vaccinations. After we controlled the data for socioeconomic status, demographic factors, healthcare access, and illness- and vaccine-related attitudes, nearly all racial/ethnic differences in behaviors persisted. Conclusions: Minority groups appear to be receptive to several preventive behaviors, but barriers to vaccination are more pervasive

New fossil remains of Homo naledi from the Lesedi Chamber, South Africa

The Rising Star cave system has produced abundant fossil hominin remains within the Dinaledi Chamber, representing a minimum of 15 individuals attributed to Homo naledi. Further exploration led to the discovery of hominin material, now comprising 131 hominin specimens, within a second chamber, the Lesedi Chamber. The Lesedi Chamber is far separated from the Dinaledi Chamber within the Rising Star cave system, and represents a second depositional context for hominin remains. In each of three collection areas within the Lesedi Chamber, diagnostic skeletal material allows a clear attribution to H. naledi. Both adult and immature material is present. The hominin remains represent at least three individuals based upon duplication of elements, but more individuals are likely present based upon the spatial context. The most significant specimen is the near-complete cranium of a large individual, designated LES1, with an endocranial volume of approximately 610 ml and associated postcranial remains. The Lesedi Chamber skeletal sample extends our knowledge of the morphology and variation of H. naledi, and evidence of H. naledi from both recovery localities shows a consistent pattern of differentiation from other hominin species

Evaluating the Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Mutation D614G on Transmissibility and Pathogenicity.

Global dispersal and increasing frequency of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein variant D614G are suggestive of a selective advantage but may also be due to a random founder effect. We investigate the hypothesis for positive selection of spike D614G in the United Kingdom using more than 25,000 whole genome SARS-CoV-2 sequences. Despite the availability of a large dataset, well represented by both spike 614 variants, not all approaches showed a conclusive signal of positive selection. Population genetic analysis indicates that 614G increases in frequency relative to 614D in a manner consistent with a selective advantage. We do not find any indication that patients infected with the spike 614G variant have higher COVID-19 mortality or clinical severity, but 614G is associated with higher viral load and younger age of patients. Significant differences in growth and size of 614G phylogenetic clusters indicate a need for continued study of this variant

Genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in a UK university identifies dynamics of transmission

AbstractUnderstanding SARS-CoV-2 transmission in higher education settings is important to limit spread between students, and into at-risk populations. In this study, we sequenced 482 SARS-CoV-2 isolates from the University of Cambridge from 5 October to 6 December 2020. We perform a detailed phylogenetic comparison with 972 isolates from the surrounding community, complemented with epidemiological and contact tracing data, to determine transmission dynamics. We observe limited viral introductions into the university; the majority of student cases were linked to a single genetic cluster, likely following social gatherings at a venue outside the university. We identify considerable onward transmission associated with student accommodation and courses; this was effectively contained using local infection control measures and following a national lockdown. Transmission clusters were largely segregated within the university or the community. Our study highlights key determinants of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and effective interventions in a higher education setting that will inform public health policy during pandemics.</jats:p