Annotated type catalogue of the Megaspiridae, Orthalicidae, and Simpulopsidae (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Orthalicoidea) in the Natural History Museum, London

Copyright A.S.H. Breure, J.D. Ablett. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. The attached file is the published version of the article.NHM Repositor

Easy outlines of economics

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Fast Manipulability Maximization Using Continuous-Time Trajectory Optimization

A significant challenge in manipulation motion planning is to ensure agility in the face of unpredictable changes during task execution. This requires the identification and possible modification of suitable joint-space trajectories, since the joint velocities required to achieve a specific endeffector motion vary with manipulator configuration. For a given manipulator configuration, the joint space-to-task space velocity mapping is characterized by a quantity known as the manipulability index. In contrast to previous control-based approaches, we examine the maximization of manipulability during planning as a way of achieving adaptable and safe joint space-to-task space motion mappings in various scenarios. By representing the manipulator trajectory as a continuous-time Gaussian process (GP), we are able to leverage recent advances in trajectory optimization to maximize the manipulability index during trajectory generation. Moreover, the sparsity of our chosen representation reduces the typically large computational cost associated with maximizing manipulability when additional constraints exist. Results from simulation studies and experiments with a real manipulator demonstrate increases in manipulability, while maintaining smooth trajectories with more dexterous (and therefore more agile) arm configurations.Comment: In Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS'19), Macau, China, Nov. 4-8, 201

The ‘Demange drawings’: known and unknown malacological contribu- tions of Victor Demange (1870-1940)

In the Bavay archives a collection of drawings of Vietnamese land and freshwater snails is present, which have never been published. They originate from Victor Demange who had them made by a local raftsman. The drawings are here reproduced and some biographical data on Demange, and his contributions to malacology, are presented.This item is freely available and free to download from the Folia Conchyliologica website. The attached article is the published version.This item is freely available and free to download from the Folia Conchyliologica website. The attached article is the published version

Heritage and Hermeneutics: Towards a Broader Interpretation of Interpretation

This article re-examines the theoretical basis for environmental and heritage interpretation in tourist settings in the light of hermeneutic philosophy. It notes that the pioneering vision of heritage interpretation formulated by Freeman Tilden envisaged a broadly educational, ethically informed and transformative art. By contrast, current cognitive psychological attempts to reduce interpretation to the monological transmission of information, targeting universal but individuated cognitive structures, are found to be wanting. Despite growing signs of diversity, this information processing approach to interpretation remains dominant. The article then presents the alternative paradigm of hermeneutics through the works of Schleiermacher, Dilthey, Heidegger and Gadamer, to provide a broader interpretation of interpretation. This not only captures the essence of Tilden’s definition but construes heritage interpretation as a more inclusive, culturally situated, critically reflexive and dialogical practice

Deformations of half-canonical Gorenstein curves in codimension four

Recent work of Ablett arXiv:2112.03400 and Kapustka, Kapustka, Ranestad, Schenck, Stillman and Yuan arXiv:2111.05817 outlines a number of constructions for singular Gorenstein codimension four varieties. Earlier work of Coughlan, Go{\l}\c{e}biowski, Kapustka and Kapustka arXiv:1609.01195 details a series of nonsingular Gorenstein codimension four constructions with different Betti tables. In this paper we exhibit a number of flat deformations between Gorenstein codimension four varieties in the same Hilbert scheme, realising many of the singular varieties as specialisations of the earlier nonsingular varieties

The initial phase of cancer care: An action research project

Title The initial phase of cancer care- an action research projectRationale for the study Anecdotal evidence suggested that patients receiving treatment within a Cancer Unit were not receiving equitable care. Some patients reported being told their diagnosis in an empathetic manner, whilstothers reported consultants being brutal and/or uninterested. In addition, it appeared that patients were given variable levels of support and information during their initial phase of cancer care. Aims of the study The purpose of the study was to explore whether the information and support offered to cancer patients in the initial phase of care was sufficient and appropriate to their needs. It was further hoped that the findings of the study could be utilised to change services in a patient centred way. Methodology A qualitative study divided into three stages. Firstly, eighteen non-participant observations of doctor/patient consultations were carried out at the time when patients were told they had a diagnosis of cancer and given information relating to their proposed treatment. The purpose of this was to ascertain what actually happened in practice. The data resulting from this stage of the study enabled an understanding of the problem in context and facilitated the development of an interview schedule, which formed the basis of the second stage of fieldwork. Stage two consisted of thirty-three semi structured, tape recorded patient interviews. These were carried out 3- 4 months following diagnosis. The third stage of the study consisted of interviews and focus groups with consultants, clinical nurse specialists and senior managers, the purpose of which was to explore their views regarding the results of the patient interviews and perceptions of theimplementation of change in clinical practice. The approach taken to structure the data collection was based on grounded theory (Glaser and Strauss, 1967). Findings Many of the issues raised in the patient interviews were consistentwith the literature i.e. patients experience a wide variety of emotions when told they have cancer. The vast majority of patients hear little after the word "cancer", it is therefore important to repeat information and ensure patients have access to ongoing support. Patients also value being told the truth, continuity of information and doctors showing that they care. They appear more satisfied with their care where an effective multidisciplinary team exists. However, patients inthe Cancer Unit where the study was conducted did not receive equitable care, particularly in relation to the amount and type of information and support offered to them in the initial phase of cancer care. The third stage of the study explored consultants', clinical nurse specialists' and senior managers' views relating to the findings from stages one and two of the study. The health care professionals did not exhibit surprise at any of the findings but were keen to explore them further. Views relating to the implementation of change within cancer care were also explored in this stage of the study and their comments were largely consistent with the literature on change management. Innovations in practice A number of changes have been made to clinical practice, including, improved multidisciplinary team working, developing multidisciplinary documentation and developing site specific cancer pathways which identify the patients journey from the point of referral through to follow up or palliation. These pathways help patients know what to expect at each stage of their disease journey and ensure patients receive equitable care, because the pathways act as guidelines for professionals outlining good practice at each stage of the journey. All of the developments initiated to date are aimed at improving the patient experience and staff satisfaction relating to the service they provide

Annotated type catalogue of the Bothriembryontidae and Odontostomidae (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Orthalicoidea) in the Natural History Museum, London

The type status is described for specimens of 84 taxa classified within the families Bothriembryontidae and Odontostomidae (superfamily Orthalicoidea) and kept in the Natural History Museum, London. Lectotypes are designated for Bulimus (Liparus) brazieri Angas, 1871; Bulimus broderipii Sowerby I, 1832; Bulimus fuligineus Pfeiffer, 1853; Helix guarani d’Orbigny, 1835; Bulimus (Tomigerus) ramagei E.A. Smith, 1890; Helix rhodinostoma d’Orbigny, 1835; Bulimus (Bulimulus) ridleyi E.A. Smith, 1890. The type status of the following taxa is changed to lectotype in accordance with Art. 74.6 ICZN: Placostylus (Euplacostylus) cylindricus Fulton, 1907; Bulimus pyrostomus Pfeiffer, 1860; Bulimus turneri Pfeiffer, 1860. The following taxon is synonymised: Bulimus oblitus Reeve, 1848 = Bahiensis neglectus (Pfeiffer, 1847).This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.NHM Repositor

Recruiting children into cancer trials–role of the United Kingdom Children's Cancer Study Group (UKCCSG)

The UK Children's Cancer Study Group (UKCCSG), established in 1977, provides a highly organised structure for both service provision and research, and represents the model to which the adult cancer community is currently aspiring. Since childhood cancer is so rare, it is both essential and feasible for the vast majority of children to be referred into the network of specialist centres, and also for the maximum number of children to be recruited into national and international clinical trials. Over the last 30–40 years there have been major advances in treatment, such that now approximately 70% of children diagnosed with cancer will be cured of their disease. The conduct of clinical trials in this patient population does, however, raise a number of specific issues and these are discussed in the paper. Copyright 2003 Cancer Research UK All rights reserved