Robotopias: mapping Utopian perspectives on new industrial technology

Purpose This paper maps utopian theories of technological change. The focus is on debates surrounding emerging industrial technologies which contribute to making the relationship between humans and machines more symbiotic and entangled, such as robotics, automation and artificial intelligence. The aim is to provide a map to navigate complex debates on the potential for technology to be used for emancipatory purposes and to plot the grounds for tactical engagements. Design/methodology/approach The paper proposes a two-way axis to map theories into to a six-category typology. Axis one contains the parameters humanist–assemblage. Humanists draw on the idea of a human essence of creative labour-power, and treat machines as alienated and exploitative form of this essence. Assemblage theorists draw on posthumanism and poststructuralism, maintaining that humans always exist within assemblages which also contain non-human forces. Axis two contains the parameters utopian/optimist; tactical/processual; and dystopian/pessimist, depending on the construed potential for using new technologies for empowering ends. Findings The growing social role of robots portends unknown, and maybe radical, changes, but there is no single human perspective from which this shift is conceived. Approaches cluster in six distinct sets, each with different paradigmatic assumptions. Practical implications Mapping the categories is useful pedagogically, and makes other political interventions possible, for example interventions between groups and social movements whose practice-based ontologies differ vastly. Originality/value Bringing different approaches into contact and mapping differences in ways which make them more comparable, can help to identify the points of disagreement and the empirical or axiomatic grounds for these. It might facilitate the future identification of criteria to choose among the approaches

Using quantitative birefringence microscopy to identify myelin in the aging primate brain

In the central nervous system, oligodendrocytes extend processes to wrap around axons, creating a lipid-rich, multilayer, insulative sheath that enables rapid signal conduction along the length of the axon. When axons lose their myelin sheaths, or when the sheath’s structural integrity is compromised, the axon is unable to efficiently transmit action potentials and conduction may fail. In the extreme, the axon ultimately dies. Without these axonal connections, cognitive abilities decline. This loss of myelin may be due to overt pathological processes or may be a consequence of normal biological aging. Quantifying the deterioration of myelin across the lifespan and understanding under what conditions myelin might degrade is a key part of understanding mechanisms of normal cognitive decline seen in aging. Quantitative birefringence microscopy (qBRM) is a method that exploits the birefringent nature of myelin sheaths – the densely packed, multilayered phospholipid sheath surrounding the axon is capable of refracting polarized light in a way distinct from surrounding structures. This is a unique feature in the central nervous system and enables myelin to be selectively imaged (Blanke, Go, Rosene, & Bigio, 2021). The image produced renders myelin bright against darkfield background with few-to-no additional visible structures. This birefringent nature enables specific visualization of myelin without staining or otherwise manipulating the tissue. It provides tissue preservation benefits over standard brightfield microscopy, which requires permanent staining of tissue and over darkfield microscopy, which illuminates anything that refracts light. Other methods such as confocal microscopy, labels tissue irreversibly with unstable fluorescent antibody tags while electron microscopy requires plastic embedding and heavy metal staining, which destroys tissue properties. Additionally, the qBRM method can be automated to render an image of an entire sample of tissue in a relatively short time. In order to optimize and validate the use of qBRM to identify and quantify normal and damaged myelin, standard neurohistological methods that demonstrate myelin have been modified and optimized for compatibility with birefringence microscopy while still allowing subsequent immunohistochemical labeling of myelin. First, this required adjusting the method of mounting tissue sections onto microscope slides to minimize myelin degradation while allowing the use of glycerol as a mounting medium to match the refractive index (RI) required for qBRM. Second, in order to use the same section for validation using immunohistochemical staining for myelin markers after imaging with qBRM, a method was worked out to allow removal of the coverslip and glycerol while preserving the tissue section. Finally, methods were optimized for imaging the labeled tissue in gray and/or white matter with qBRM and immunohistochemistry (IHC) with confocal microscopy. These studies were conducted using archived and cryoprotected 30µm thick sections of brain tissue from behaviorally characterized rhesus monkeys. Glycerol mounted sections were imaged in their entirety with qBRM at low magnification, and then at high magnification in predetermined regions of interest. The coverslips were removed, and the tissue was labeled with anti-myelin basic protein antibody that is co-labeled with Alexa 568, and also stained with Fluromyelin which contains a red fluorescent tag. This allows the same regions imaged with qBRM to be imaged again with confocal epifluorescence. Results show that qBRM, in its current stage of development, is useful for imaging myelinated fibers and has the potential to identify demonstrate myelin defects in gray matter where the myelin is only moderately dense. However, qBRM is unable to detect all myelin and to verify the presence or absence of myelin defects in dense white matter tracts in 30µm thick tissue sections reliably. The reason for this limitation is that the light scattering inherent in birefringence microscopy obscures individual myelinated axons in dense whiter matter where the packing density produces too much light scattering. To address this, pilot work has been initiated using specially prepared thinner 15µm thick sections. Preliminary results show that this improves resolution significantly in dense white matter but cutting, collection, handling and mounting is a major challenge as these sections are extremely fragile. Additionally, results with IHC-labeled tissue using the combination MBP + Fluoromyelin protocol do not yet allow a direct comparison of qBRM ‘defects’ as the IHC procedure results in substantial deterioration of tissue. Finally, some instances of apparent ballooning myelin degradation found in qBRM imaging may be not ballooning of myelin but instead the bending of myelinated axons around chains of oligodendrocytes. This could potentially be resolved with IHC for oligodendrocyte markers, ideally with neurofilament staining, but the issue of IHC damage to tissue must first be resolved. Additionally, the problem of preserving 15µm thick sections must also be resolved before full validation of qBRM can be done.

Precipitating or prohibiting factor: Coaches’ perceptions of their role and actions in anti-doping

Coaches are frequently cited as potentially precipitating or preventing athletes’ engagement in doping. However, little is known about coaches’ perspectives. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine coaches’ perceptions of their role and actions in athletes’ anti-doping behaviour. Twenty-three coaches (M=17, F =6) working with performance athletes in Scotland participated in semi-structured interviews where topics related to doping and anti-doping were discussed. Thematic analysis, guided by Schön’s [1] role frame and reflective conversation concepts, was used to develop themes. Analysis led to the development of four internal role frame themes: clean sport value, approach to preparation and performance, responsibility to athletes, and knowledge; and five boundary role frame themes: Scottish/British sporting culture, potential for benefit, prevalence of doping and testing, clarity of responsibilities and consequences, and beyond coaches’ control. The coaches’ role frame supported an anti-doping stance, however, it also presented a risk and was insufficient to ensure action. Analysis of coaches’ reflective conversations revealed the issues set by the coaches differed and influenced subsequent actions and evaluations

Telomere erosion in NF1 tumorigenesis

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1; MIM# 162200) is a familial cancer syndrome that affects 1 in 3,500 individuals worldwide and is inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion. Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors (MPNSTs) represent a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in NF1 and currently there is no treatment or definite prognostic biomarkers for these tumors. Telomere shortening has been documented in numerous tumor types. Short dysfunctional telomeres are capable of fusion and it is considered that the ensuing genomic instability may facilitate clonal evolution and the progression to malignancy. To evaluate the potential role of telomere dysfunction in NF1-associated tumors, we undertook a comparative analysis of telomere length in samples derived from 10 cutaneous and 10 diffused plexiform neurofibromas, and 19 MPNSTs. Telomere length was determined using high-resolution Single Telomere Length Analysis (STELA). The mean Xp/Yp telomere length detected in MPNSTs, at 3.282 kb, was significantly shorter than that observed in both plexiform neurofibromas (5.793 kb; [p = 0.0006]) and cutaneous neurofibromas (6.141 kb; [p = 0.0007]). The telomere length distributions of MPNSTs were within the length-ranges in which telomere fusion is detected and that confer a poor prognosis in other tumor types. These data indicate that telomere length may play a role in driving genomic instability and clonal progression in NF1-associated MPNSTs

Telomere length profiles in primary human peritoneal mesothelial cells are consistent with senescence

Mesothelial cell (MC) senescence contributes to malignancy and tissue fibrosis. The role of telomere erosion in MC senescence remains controversial, with evidence for both telomere-dependent and telomere-independent mechanisms reported. Single telomere length analysis revealed considerable telomere length heterogeneity in freshly isolated human peritoneal MCs, reflecting a heterogeneous proliferative history and providing high-resolution evidence for telomere-dependent senescence. By contrast the attenuated replicative lifespan, lack of telomere erosion and induction of p16 expression in in vitro-aged cells was consistent with stress-induced senescence. Given the potential pathophysiological impact of senescence in mesothelial tissues, high-resolution MC telomere length analysis may provide clinically useful information

Peer support as a resilience building practice with men

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present findings from an evaluation of a community mental health resilience intervention for unemployed men aged 45-60. The focus is on examining the place of facilitated peer support within a multi-dimensional men’s mental health programme, and exploring implications for resilience building delivery approaches for men. Design/methodology/approach The paper draws on a mixed methodology design involving before and after survey data and qualitative interviews, to report results concerning effectiveness in changing men’s perceived resilience, to consider project processes concerning peer support, and to situate these within wider community environments. Findings The programme significantly raised the perceived resilience of participants. Project activities promoted trusting informal social connections, gains in social capital arose through trusting relations and skill-sharing, and peer-peer action-focused talk and planning enhanced men’s resilience. Research limitations/implications The paper considers facilitated peer support on a programme, rather than on-going informal peer support or more formal peer support roles (a limitation reflecting the boundaries of the funded programme). Practical implications The paper discusses emerging considerations for resilience building, focusing on gender-sensitive approaches which can engage and retain men by focusing on doing and talking. It highlights the importance of peer support in community interventions which feature a social model of change. There is potential for encouraging further peer mentoring and peer led support beyond facilitated peer support in programme delivery. Social implications Potential exists for gender-aware programmes to sustain salutogenic change, co-producing social assets of peer support, male-friendly activities, and context sensitive course provision. Originality/value The paper adds fresh evidence of gendered intervention approaches with a specific focus on facilitated community peer support, including effects on male resilience. Little previous resilience research is gendered, there is little gendered research on peer support, and unemployed middle-aged men are a significant risk group

The outcome of pregnancy in women with cystic fibrosis : a UK population based descriptive study.

Peer reviewedPostprin