GlowBots: Robots that Evolve Relationships

GlowBots are small wheeled robots that develop complex relationships between each other and with their owner. They develop attractive patterns which are affected both by user interaction and communication between the robots. The project shows how robots can interact with humans in subtle and sustainable ways for entertainment and enjoyment

The see-Puck

We present the see-Puck, a round display module that extends an open robot platform, the e-Puck. It holds 148 LEDs (light emitting diodes) to enable the presentation of eye-catching visual animated patterns, while keeping hardware costs and energy consumption at a minimum. The see-Puck was a result of a study of future robot applications, where relationship and interaction qualities found in owners of unusual pets (e.g. spiders, snakes, and lizards) were transferred to the robotic domain. In our first proof-of-concept application, humans and robots can engage in a playful open ended interaction. We argue that open interactive robot platforms such as the see-Puck point to opportunities not only in robotics but also future user interfaces and ubiquitous computing

Advances in consumer electric vehicle adoption research: A review and research agenda

In spite of the purported positive environmental consequences of electrifying the light duty vehicle fleet, the number of electric vehicles (EVs) in use is still insignificant. One reason for the modest adoption figures is that the mass acceptance of EVs to a large extent is reliant on consumers’ perception of EVs. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the drivers for and barriers against consumer adoption of plug-in EVs, as well as an overview of the theoretical perspectives that have been utilized for understanding consumer intentions and adoption behavior towards EVs. In addition, we identify gaps and limitations in existing research and suggest areas in which future research would be able to contribute. Document type: Articl

Risk assessment of Aquaterra® oil for its intended use as ingredient in fish feed. Scientific Opinion of the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment

The Norwegian Scientific Committee for food an Environment (VKM) has assessed an application for authorisation of refined oilseed rape oil (Aquaterra®) derived from genetically modified oilseed rape line NS-B50027-4 for exclusive use as an ingredient in fish feed in Norway. NS-B50027-4 is also named DHA-canola. This report uses the term oilseed rape. NS-B50027-4 produces omega-3 long-chain (≥C20) polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 LC-PUFAs) in its seeds, with a high level of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and a small amount of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA). Aquaterra® also contains a significant level of alpha-Linolenic acid (ALA). Whereas ALA can be derived from plants, the primary producers of EPA and DHA are mainly marine microalgae. EPA and DHA are concentrated in the food chain to fish in the oceans and are often referred to as marine omega-3 fatty acids. NS-B50027-4 was developed as an alternative land-based source of marine fatty acids, mainly DHA. NS-B50027-4 was genetically modified to express seven transgenes derived from yeasts and marine microalgae that encode the enzymes necessary for the biosynthesis of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. In addition, an eighth gene, pat, was inserted as a marker for selection purposes during development. The pat gene encodes the enzyme phosphinothricin N-acetyltransferase (PAT) conferring tolerance to glufosinate-ammonium herbicides. Equally to conventional refined oilseed rape oils any residues levels of proteins, including the introduced enzymes, will be negligible in the Aquaterra® oil. The risk assessment of Aquaterra® was conducted in accordance with the guidance for risk assessment of derived food and feed from genetically modified plants as described by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA, 2011a). The risk assessment is based primarily on scientific documentation provided in the application EFSA-GMO-NL-2019-160, which seeks approval for NS-B50027-4 for all applicable food and feed uses in the European Union (EU). VKM concludes that the provided scientific documentation fulfills the criteria of the EFSA guidance and is adequate for risk assessment. VKM concludes that the molecular characterisation, comparative, nutritional, toxicological and allergenicity assessments of NS-B50027-4 do not indicate increased risks to animal or human health compared to its conventional counterpart (comparator) or commercial reference varieties. Based on this together with specific analyses of the seed oil fraction and studies, e.g., in fish, VKM therefore concludes that the refined oil Aquaterra®, is equal to conventional oils from oilseed rape except for the altered composition in fatty acids. VKM concludes there is no increased health risk to fish fed Aquaterra® in feed compared to conventional feeds with oils from other sources, nor is there an indication of increased risk to the environment. Since Aquaterra® is equal to conventional oils from oilseed rape except for the marine omega-3 fatty acids already present in fish feeds, VKM concludes there is no greater need for health or environmental monitoring of feeds containing Aquaterra® than conventional feeds.Risk assessment of Aquaterra® oil for its intended use as ingredient in fish feed. Scientific Opinion of the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and EnvironmentpublishedVersionpublishedVersio

Nova genera plantarum...

pt.3, 5 1783-8

Evolution of the Toarcian (Early Jurassic) carbon-cycle and global climatic controls on local sedimentary processes (Cardigan Bay Basin, UK)

The late Early Jurassic Toarcian Stage represents the warmest interval of the Jurassic Period, with an abrupt rise in global temperatures of up to ∼7 °C in mid-latitudes at the onset of the early Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event (T-OAE; ∼183 Ma). The T-OAE, which has been extensively studied in marine and continental successions from both hemispheres, was marked by the widespread expansion of anoxic and euxinic waters, geographically extensive deposition of organic-rich black shales, and climatic and environmental perturbations. Climatic and environmental processes following the T-OAE are, however, poorly known, largely due to a lack of study of stratigraphically well-constrained and complete sedimentary archives. Here, we present integrated geochemical and physical proxy data (high-resolution carbon-isotope data (δ13C), bulk and molecular organic geochemistry, inorganic petrology, mineral characterisation, and major- and trace-element concentrations) from the biostratigraphically complete and expanded entire Toarcian succession in the Llanbedr (Mochras Farm) Borehole, Cardigan Bay Basin, Wales, UK. With these data, we (1) construct the first high-resolution biostratigraphically calibrated chemostratigraphic reference record for nearly the complete Toarcian Stage, (2) establish palaeoceanographic and depositional conditions in the Cardigan Bay Basin, (3) show that the T-OAE in the hemipelagic Cardigan Bay Basin was marked by the occurrence of gravity-flow deposits that were likely linked to globally enhanced sediment fluxes to continental margins and deeper marine (shelf) basins, and (4) explore how early Toarcian (tenuicostatum and serpentinum zones) siderite formation in the Cardigan Bay Basin may have been linked to low global oceanic sulphate concentrations and elevated supply of iron (Fe) from the hinterland, in response to climatically induced changes in hydrological cycling, global weathering rates and large-scale sulphide and evaporite deposition

Termination of employment due personal reasons : When arises valid reasons for termination of employment which has its background in an employee’s alcoholic abuse?

Missbruk av alkohol utgör ett stort problem i dagens samhälle. Inom arbetslivet är personer som missbrukar alkohol ett problem för såväl arbetsgivare som arbetskamrater. I denna uppsats har vi, från ett arbetsrättsligt perspektiv, undersökt under vilka omständigheter en arbetsgivare har saklig grund att säga upp en arbetstagare som missbrukar alkohol. Enligt rådande anställningsskyddslagstiftning måste en arbetsgivare ha saklig grund för att säga upp en arbetstagare. Vid prövning av huruvida en uppsägning är sakligt grundad skall en samlad bedömning av olika omständigheter i fallet göras, där en intresseavvägning mellan parterna ingår. Sjukdom skall i regel inte kunna utgöra saklig grund för uppsägning. Detta kommer av det förstärkta anställningsskydd som tillkommer en sjuk arbetstagare, det förstärkta anställningsskyddet innebär att arbetstagarens misskötsamhet skall ställas i förhållande till hans sjukdom. Om arbetstagaren däremot inte kan utföra något arbete av någon betydelse och sjukdomsprognosen är dålig samt om arbetsgivaren har fullgjort sitt omplacerings- och rehabiliteringsansvar, kan detta ligga till grund för en uppsägning.Abuse of alcohol is a large problem in today’s society. In the sphere of the working life, a person who abuses alcohol is a problem for employers as well as for employees. In this essay, from a labor law point of view, the possibilities for an employer to terminate an alcohol abusing employee are analyzed. The main question the employer ought to answer is; when has an employee’s abuse of alcohol led to such trouble for the employer that it is inadequate to let the employment remain? According to existing labor law an employer needs valid reasons for terminating an employment. When inquiring whether a termination is of valid reasons or not, a complete judgement of different circumstances in the case should be done, where the different parties interests are weighted against each other. Sickness should in general not constitute valid reasons for terminating an employment. This comes with the strengthen employment security that is due to a sick employee, the strengthen employment security that belongs to a sick employee makes his or hers neglect to work a problem that has to be put in relation to his or hers sickness. However, if the employee is no longer capable of doing any work of importance for the employer, the prognosis of the sickness is bad. Then if the employer has completed his transfer- and rehabilitation responsibilities, this can be sufficient reasons for a termination of the employment