This article explores and challenges notions and methodologies of conservation, including the use of blockchain technologies as a means of establishing provenance of a physical BioArtwork, of the artist’s documentation encapsulating their intentions and of the conservator’s records required for the artwork’s ongoing care. The exploration is done through a case study of an art project called ‘Unruly Objects and Biological Conservation’ created by Anna Dumitriu with support from Alex May. The artwork consists of three items containing RFID tags sealed (...) in resin – which point to the location of the artist’s documentation. Therefore, the works physically include instructions for maintaining their inherent concepts and materiality for the benefit of the conservators. Such instructions can often be difficult to track down, or become disassociated from the artwork while the digital preservation of this storage method also poses its own set of questions. The works also include biological material including mud from a bacterial ecosystem known as a Winogradsky Column, living plant material and SARS-CoV-2 (coronavirus) RNA from a plasmid construct. (shrink)

We analyse the incentives of individuals to misrepresent their truthful judgments when engaged in collective decision-making. Our focus is on scenarios in which individuals reason about the incentives of others before choosing which judgments to report themselves. To this end, we introduce a formal model of strategic behaviour in logic-based judgment aggregation that accounts for such higher-level reasoning as well as the fact that individuals may only have partial information about the truthful judgments and preferences of their peers. We find (...) that every aggregation rule must belong to exactly one of three possible categories: it is either (i) immune to strategic manipulation for every level of reasoning, or (ii) manipulable for every level of reasoning, or (iii) immune to manipulation only for everykth level of reasoning, for some natural number kgreater than 1. (shrink)

Background: There is limited research on brain lesions in children with cerebral visual impairment of heterogeneous etiologies and according to associated subtyping and vision dysfunctions. This study was part of a larger project establishing data-driven subtypes of childhood CVI according to visual dysfunctions. Currently there is no consensus in relation to assessment, diagnosis and classification of CVI and more information about brain lesions may be of potential diagnostic value.Aim: This study aimed to investigate overall patterns of brain lesions and associations (...) with level of visual dysfunction and to compare the patterns between the classification subgroups in children with CVI.Methods: School-aged children with CVI received ophthalmological and neuro-psychological/developmental assessments to establish CVI-related subtyping. Other pediatric information was collected from medical records. MRI scans were coded according to a semi-quantitative template including brain regions and summed for total scores. Non-parametric analyses were conducted.Results: 28 children had clinical brain MRI scans available [44% of total sample, Group A n = 16, Group B n = 12]. Total brain scores ranged between 0 and 18 and were widespread across regions. 71 per cent had post-geniculate visual pathway damage. The median total brain and hemisphere scores of Group B were higher than subgroup A but differences did not reach statistical significance. No statistically significant associations were found between brain scores and vision variables.Conclusion: This study found a spread of lesions across all regions on the brain scans in children with congenital CVI. The majority had damage in the postgeniculate visual pathways and visual cortex region suggesting this is an area of interest and potentially informative for diagnosis. However the subtyping classification did not show differences in number or region of lesions though the trend was higher toward Group B. This study confirms the complex diffuse and variable nature of brain lesions in children with congenital CVI, many of whom have other neurological impairments. (shrink)

It is an undeniable reality that workplace spirituality has received growing attention during the last decade. This fact is attributable to many factors, socioeconomic, cultural and others [Hicks, D.A. 2003: Religion and the Workplace. Pluralism, Sprtituality, Leadership (Cambridge University press, Cambridge)]. However the field is full of obscurity and imprecision for the researcher, the practitioner, the organisational analyst and whoever attempts to systematically approach this relatively new inquiry field. This article attempts to provide a critical review of the literature on (...) workplace spirituality by examining the underlying rationale of the main trends regarding spirit at Work and by negotiating their strengths and weaknesses. Current approaches to workplace spirituality are distinguished to the exploratory, contextual and the consequential, acontextual ones. Particular attention is given to ‚Respectful Pluralism’ proposed by Douglas Hicks, as it is suggested that this theoretical framework is the most well-founded, elaborated and systematic up to date. However, it is proposed that even ‚Respectful Pluralism’ fails to fully capture the complexity of such a multidimensional phenomenon as spirituality. Drawing on mainstream ethical and philosophical traditions (deontology, utilitarianism, virtue ethics) supporting alternative value-systems, it is suggested that a more inclusive and philosophically affluent framework needs to be developed. Finally, some propositions and thoughts are made towards this direction. (shrink)

La vision que l'on a des poteries néolithiques de la Macédoine est, jusqu'à présent, fragmentée, faute de travaux synthétiques sur l'ensemble du territoire et d'études qui mettent l'accent sur des vases plutôt que sur les tessons. Afin de restituer l'intégrité de l'image, on étudie ici plus de 700 vases (complets, profils ou fragments restituables), provenant de fouilles effectuées sur une dizaine de sites en Macédoine (territoire actuellement partagé entre la Grèce, la Bulgarie, la Macédoine ex-yougoslave et l'Albanie) et datant du (...) début du Néolithique Récent (ca 5400-4700 av. J.-C). L'étude des différents aspects de la fabrication (pâtes, cuisson), des formes, des modes de finition et des décors permet d'élaborer une nouvelle typologie des récipients, établie selon les différents modes d'association de ces éléments. Elle conduit par ailleurs à une série de propositions concernant les problèmes de classification des poteries, mais aussi les implications historiques de certains groupements géographiques ou chronologiques, ouvrant la voie à une approche fonctionnelle des récipients. (shrink)

Après avoir proposé une nouvelle typologie des récipients du début du Néolithique Récent en Macédoine, fondée sur une combinaison de critères technologiques, morphologiques et esthétiques, nous envisageons maintenant les rôles possibles des différents types de récipients. Partant de l'hypothèse qu'il y a un rapport direct entre la conception, la fabrication et la fonction des récipients, nous adoptons une démarche qui cherche à faire apparaître, à travers des éliminations et des évaluations successives, la fonction la plus probable de chaque type. Sont (...) ainsi identifiés des récipients destinés à la préparation et à la cuisson des aliments, au service et à la consommation, au stockage, etc. Les propositions sont illustrées par des exemples concrets, mais parfois aussi accompagnées de contre- exemples, permettant d'évaluer la différence potentielle entre la fonction prévue et l'usage effectif des vases dans des contextes précis. (shrink)

Les fouilles conduites en 2013 à Dikili Tash dans le secteur 6 ont mis en évidence une nouvelle phase d’occupation. Deux fosses et leur sol environnant se trouvent dans une position stratigraphique intermédiaire entre la couche de destruction de la fin du Néolithique Récent et les premières structures du Bronze Ancien. Parmi les quelque 80 vases ou fragments collectés dans le remblai, plusieurs ont des parallèles sur des sites de Thasos et des Rhodopes dans des niveaux du Néolithique/Chalcolithique Final. Les (...) datations absolues placent ce mobilier vers 4000 av. J.‑C. C’est la première fois que cette phase est attestée sur un tell de la région ; le scénario d’un abandon des habitats des plaines vers 4200 av. J.‑C. doit donc être révisé. De plus, l’apparition de certains traits typiques des productions céramiques du Bronze Ancien invite à reconsidérer l’émergence de ce faciès. (shrink)

Using a multimodal discursive approach, this study explores how the COVID-19 pandemic is constructed and used in press reportage to mobilize intergroup relations and national identities. We examine how press reporting about the development of COVID-19 in Sweden is cast as a matter of nationalism and national stereotyping in the Finnish press. The data consist of 183 images with accompanying headlines and captions published in two Finnish national newspapers between January 1 and August 31, 2020. We found three multimodal rhetorical (...) strategies of stereotyping: moralizing, demonizing, and nationalizing. These strategies construct discourses of arrogant, immoral, and dangerous Swedes sourcing from national stereotypes. The study contributes to current knowledge about the work on national stereotypes by illustrating how they are used in media discourse to achieve certain rhetorical ends, such as to persuade, mitigate, or justify intergroup relations. Furthermore, the study offers insight into the multimodal constructions and functions of stereotypes. (shrink)

Background End-of-life decisions for neonates with adverse prognosis are controversial and raise ethical and legal issues. In Greece, data on physicians’ profiles, motivation, values and attitudes underlying such decisions and the correlation with their background are scarce. The aim was to investigate neonatologists' attitudes in Neonatal Intensive Care Units and correlate them with self-reported practices of end-of-life decisions and with their background data. Methods A structured questionnaire was distributed to all 28 Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Greece. One hundred and (...) sixty two out of 260 eligible physicians answered anonymously the questionnaire. Demographic and professional characteristics, self-reported practices and opinions were included in the questionnaire, along with a questionnaire of 12 items measuring physicians’ attitude and views ranging from value of life to quality of life approach. Results Continuation of treatment in neonates with adverse prognosis without adding further therapeutic interventions was the most commonly reported EoL practice, when compared to withdrawal of mechanical ventilation. Physicians with a high attitude score were more likely to limit, while those with a low score were more likely for continuation of intensive care. Physicians’ educational level, involvement in research, religion and position on the existing legal framework were factors that affected the attitude score. Conclusions Physicians presented with varying end-of-life practices. Limiting interventions in neonates with poor prognosis was strongly related to their attitudes. The most important predictors for physicians' attitudes were religiousness and belief for Greek legal system reform. (shrink)

Το άρθρο αυτό παρουσιάζει τους σκοπούς και τα κύρια αποτελέσματα ενός διατμηματικού ερευνητικού προγράμματος για τη μελέτη της κεραμικής με διακόσμηση «μελανού επί ερυθρού», ένα χαρακτηριστικό της Νεότερης Νεολιθικής περίοδο (4800/4700 -3900/3800 π.Χ.) στην βόρεια Ελλάδα. Από την μακροσκοπική μελέτη μπορούμε να ξεχωρίσουμε τέσσερις τύπους κεραμικής, που καλύπτουν την ανατολική Μακεδονία και τη Θράκη, την Μέση και την άνω κοιλάδα του Στρυμώνα, την κεντρική Μακεδονία και την δυτική Μακεδονία. Η εκτενέστερη μελέτη του πρώτου τύπου, που τεκμηριώνεται καλύτερα από τους άλλους (...) τρεις, με την συγκριτική μελέτη των χημικών συστατικών των πηλών και των τοπικών χωμάτων, υποδηλώνει την ύπαρξη τουλάχιστον τεσσάρων παραγωγικών χώρων στην ανατολική Μακεδονία. Σε μια περίπτωση, είμαστε σχεδόν βέβαιοι για την χρήση και την εκμετάλλευση ίδιας πηγής πηλού, της οποίας η θέση μένει να εξακριβωθεί. (shrink)

Purpose Digital contact tracing technologies are critical to the fight against COVID-19 in many countries including the UK. However, a number of ethical, legal and socio-economic concerns that can affect uptake of the app have been raised. The purpose of this research is to explore the perceptions of the UK digital contact tracing app in the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic community in Leicester and how this can affect its deployment and implementation. Design/methodology/approach Data was collected through virtual focus groups (...) in Leicester, UK. A total of 28 participants were recruited for the study. All participants are members of the BAME community, and data was thematically analysed with NVivo 11. Findings A majority of the participants were unwilling to download and use the app owing to legal and ethical concerns. A minority were willing to use the app based on the need to protect public health. There was a general understanding that lack of uptake will negatively affect the fight against COVID-19 in BAME communities and an acknowledgement of the need for the government to rebuild trust through transparency and development of regulatory safeguards to enhance privacy and prevent misuse. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the research makes original contributions being the first robust study conducted to explore perceptions of marginalised communities, particularly BAME which may be adversely impacted by the deployment of the app. By exploring community-based perceptions, this study further contributes to the emerging citizens’ perceptions on digital contact tracing which is crucial to the effectiveness and the development of an efficient, community-specific response to public attitudes towards the app. The findings can also help the development of responsible innovation approaches that balances the competing interests of digital health interventions with the needs and expectations of the BAME community in the UK. (shrink)

Background: End-of-life decision-making for terminally ill neonates raises important legal and ethical issues. In Greece, no recent data on nurses’ attitudes and involvement in end-of-life decisions are available. Research question/aim: To investigate neonatal nurses’ attitudes and involvement in end-of-life decisions and the relation to their socio-demographic and work-related background data. Research design: A survey was carried out in 28 neonatal intensive care units between September 2018 and January 2019. A structured questionnaire was distributed by post. Participants and research context: The (...) questionnaire was answered anonymously by 312 nurses and returned to the investigators. Ethical considerations: The study was approved by the Bioethics and Research Committee of Aretaieio Hospital in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration. Findings: Nurses more often reported involvement in various end-of-life decisions, such as continuation of treatment without adding further therapeutic interventions for terminally ill neonates, while less reported were mechanical ventilation withdrawal and drug administration to end life. Nurses with a high attitude score, reflecting a more quality-of-life approach, were more likely to be involved in setting limits to intensive care. α low score was consistent with life preservation. Nurses’ religiousness, parenthood, involvement in daily practice, and position on the existing legal framework influenced their attitude score. Discussion: The likelihood of nurses to support interventions in neonates with poor prognosis in neonatal intensive care units was related to their attitudes. After adjusting for potential confounders, the most important predictors for nurses’ attitudes were parenthood, involvement in daily practice, and position supporting current legislation reform. Conclusion: Variability in involvement in end-of-life decisions among nurses exists on a national level. (shrink)