NTU scientists revolutionize ceramic microparticle fabrication with ancient construction technique

Science and Health

SINGAPORE: Scientists at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore have harnessed an ancient East Asian building method to fabricate advanced ceramic microparticles measuring just slightly larger than the width of a human hair.
This innovative technique, inspired by the traditional “tongue and groove” joinery, promises to reshape the micro-manufacturing landscape across various high-tech sectors.

The new fabrication method has led to the developing of a microfluidic chip capable of producing and shaping ceramic microparticles with remarkable precision and complexity.
These microparticles, which can take on intricate forms such as ten-toothed gears and triangular structures with angled edges, open doors to a myriad of applications in microelectronics, aerospace, energy, and medical and mechanical engineering.

Traditional methods like micromachining and laser sintering have faced significant challenges in achieving the desired resolution and production capabilities for these diminutive and detailed shapes.
Specifically, these conventional techniques struggle to produce sharp-edged, non-transparent microparticles due to the inherent material properties and the minuscule sizes involved.
The NTU researchers’ new approach dramatically improves production efficiency, increasing the output rate by as much as tenfold compared to existing techniques.
Moreover, it ensures a level of quality previously unattainable in micro-ceramic manufacturing.
The inspiration for this innovative microfluidic chip stems from a historical construction technique known as “mortise and tenon” joinery.
This method, which utilizes interlocking grooves and tongues to connect wooden structures without needing nails or glue, has a rich history in East Asia.
It dates back to as early as 1000 BC in ancient China, where it was used to construct palatial residences.
The technique was further adopted in Korea from the 14th century onward and is seen in the construction of traditional Japanese temples.
Notably, it continues to play a vital role in Korean architecture, particularly in the “Hanok” style and was employed in the iconic Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul.

Political Scientist: The Kremlin May ‘Split On’ Lukashenka

Science and Health

11

20.10.2024, 12:47
12,510

The dictator is totally unsure wether Moscow will take care of his interests.

On October 17, at a meeting with scientists and participants in Antarctic expeditions in Minsk, Lukashenka suddenly declared: if Belarus is not represented at the proposed negotiations on ending the Russian-Ukrainian war, it may lose up to half of its territory.He did not explain how exactly this could happen, writes political analyst Aliaksandr Klaskouski on Pozirk.But he did say a revealing phrase: “I have always insisted — I told the Ukrainians and warned Putin: Belarusians must be present at the negotiations on Ukraine.”This “warned Putin” indirectly shows: Lukashenka is totally unsure wether Moscow will take care of his interests when the conversation turns to a new alignment in the region, a new system of international security.And in general, no matter how much you boast about your alliance with Russia, the collapse of relations with the West is a very uncomfortable matter.

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Political Scientist: The Kremlin May ‘Split On’ Lukashenka

Science and Health

11

20.10.2024, 12:47
12,524

The dictator is totally unsure wether Moscow will take care of his interests.

On October 17, at a meeting with scientists and participants in Antarctic expeditions in Minsk, Lukashenka suddenly declared: if Belarus is not represented at the proposed negotiations on ending the Russian-Ukrainian war, it may lose up to half of its territory.He did not explain how exactly this could happen, writes political analyst Aliaksandr Klaskouski on Pozirk.But he did say a revealing phrase: “I have always insisted — I told the Ukrainians and warned Putin: Belarusians must be present at the negotiations on Ukraine.”This “warned Putin” indirectly shows: Lukashenka is totally unsure wether Moscow will take care of his interests when the conversation turns to a new alignment in the region, a new system of international security.And in general, no matter how much you boast about your alliance with Russia, the collapse of relations with the West is a very uncomfortable matter.

PATREON
Support the website

You can support the website Charter97.org

MULTI-CURRENCY ACCOUNT FOR ASSISTANCE:
Bank’s name: Bank Millennium S.A.Address: ul. Stanislawa Zaryna, 2A, 02-593, WarszawaIBAN: PL97116022020000000216711123SWIFT: BIGBPLPWName of the account holder: Fundacja “KARTA ‘97”Purpose/title of payment: Donation for statuary aimsYou can contact us by the e-mail [email protected]

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Professor Prem Misir’s book proposal unanimously accepted by world-renowned ‘Routledge’

Arts & Culture, Books

THE editorial committee of Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group, has unanimously approved Professor Prem Misir’s book proposal titled Ethics and Governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare.Routledge, according to its website, is a global publisher of academic books, journals and online resources in the humanities and social sciences.Founded in 1836, we have published many of the greatest thinkers and scholars of the last hundred years, including Adorno, Einstein, Russell, Popper, Wittgenstein, Jung, Bohm, Hayek, McLuhan, Marcuse and Sartre.
Today, Routledge is the world’s leading academic publisher in the Humanities and Social Sciences.According to information from Professor Misir, without question, society today is being fundamentally transformed through AI, machine learning, and automation.The book, among other things, intends to deliver illustrations of AI-driven health interventions on health inequality and inequity; how AI inputs health inequality and inequity, privilege, and vulnerability for individuals; addressing the status of ethics and governance for health in defining health inequality and inequity; illustrating the concerns and risks linked to the use of AI for health inequality and inequity; and using social perspectives to strengthen the existing AI ethical and governance framework for impacting health inequality and inequity.
“As per my contract with Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group, this book is scheduled for completion in 2025,” Professor Misir said.Providing background on his book proposal, he said: “Notwithstanding that social questions are now being attended to by developers of new algorithmic technologies, these AI designers still present an inadequate understanding of the social impact of their technologies (Joyce et al., 2021); and seem wedded to technological determinism (Vicsek, 2020). Apparently, increased AI activity also has been responsible for the demise of human agency (Anderson & Rainie, 2018).”
However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) advances the view that AI is enamored with huge possibilities to consolidate health care delivery and medicine, which could facilitate the birth of universal health coverage globally.The WHO explained that AI could also aid low-and middle-income countries to alleviate their burden of substantial gaps in health care delivery. But the WHO also noted that these AI inputs in public health and medicine will not have a beneficial impact, unless ethical concerns and human rights center the design, growth, and deployment of AI technologies for health, according Professor Misir.
He added: “So ethical and governance concerns and human rights issues are social questions waiting to be addressed.“As we come to grips with the substantial growth in interest and investment in AI in healthcare, it is useful to mull what Schwalbe and Wahl (2020) concluded: that a great deal of the AI-driven intervention research in global health is devoid of ethical, regulatory, or practical considerations, essential for common use or deployment.”This situation, he said, has given rise to concerns about the need for an ethical and governance framework that addresses the values, institutional practices, and inequalities embedded in the AI system, even as some ethical guidelines for the employment of AI and data in health, albeit derisory, have appeared.
However, while there is some literature on ethics and governance guidelines with a robust emphasis on assessing the impact of AI on the individual (Smallman, 2022), that literature does not substantively consider the controlling, social and ethical shaping effects of AI on the social worlds.The intent of this book, therefore, is to develop an ethical and governance framework on AI for health rooted in social and behavioral sciences conceptual frameworks and theories, Professor Misir said.
He added: “And so, with AI increasing its leverage in health care, it now becomes essential to develop a full knowledge of how AI impacts health inequality and health inequity vis-a-vis the process of delivering healthcare as well as the impacts from various health systems.”Misir successfully completed the WHO modules on Ethics and Governance of Artificial Intelligence for Health, 2023. And he presented a paper on AI in healthcare at a symposium on artificial intelligence at Trinity Washington University, on October 27, 2023.He also has a Certificate on Improving Global Health: Focusing on Quality and Safety, Harvard University, 2020. His most recent book, COVID-19 and Health System Segregation in the US: Racial Health Disparities and Systemic Racism, was published by Springer— a German multinational publishing company of books, e-books and peer-reviewed journals in science, humanities, technical and medical publishing

Why Mike Ozekhome Launched 50 Books in Commemoration of 67th Birthday

Arts & Culture, Books

October 20, (THEWILL) – Legal luminary and constitutional lawyer, Mike Ozekhome SAN recently added another age but rather than throw a lavish party for the sake of celebrating, he chose to mark the day by launching 50 books simultaneously.
The auspicious event took place at the Abuja Continental Hotel. A former chairman of the body of Benchers (BOB), Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN reviewed the 50 books.
The book all expressed deep concerns about the state of the judiciary and its impact on the country’s political landscape. Some of the dignitaries at the event were former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, both of who co-chaired the event; former first lady Patience Jonathan; presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi; former governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba; Senator Shehu Sani; Obinna Iyiegbu aka Obi Cubana and many others.

A human rights activist, professor Ozekhome has dedicated his life to the advancement of justice, human rights advocacy, and the pursuit of democracy and good governance in Nigeria.
A titled chief, the Akpakpa Vighi Vighi of Edoland, the launch of the 50 books has further solidified his legacy as a thought leader, mentor, and defender of democratic values.

‘Courier’ boys hold ex-scientist at gunpoint, rob him of ₹2 crore in Delhi’s Rohini

Science and Health

Delhi news: A shocking incident of theft surfaced on Friday in Rohini’s Prashant Vihar. A retired scientist and his elderly wife were held hostage at gunpoint and robbed of ₹2 crore in cash and jewellery by two men posing as courier boys on October 18.”The way the incident has happened, the police suspect the role of some insider or someone known to the family members,” PTI quoted Delhi Police officer as saying.Police said on Saturday informed that the incident took place in F Block of Prashant Vihar where the retired scientist Shibu Singh lives with his wife Nirmala. The incident happened when the elderly couple was in their house on Friday afternoon. Two men impersonating as courier boys entered the house. A Delhi police official said, “After entering inside the house, they held Shibu and his wife Nirmala hostage on gunpoint.The husband was assaulted when he tried to resist. According to Shibu Singh’s statement, the accused decamped away with cash and jewellery worth ₹2 crore from his house. The ex-scientist later informed his son, who lives separately in Delhi, about the incident, prompting him to alert the authorities.Shubhu Singh’s son made a PCR call at around 2:30 pm and informed the police about the theft. According to PTI report, Delhi police team arrived at the house soon after the intimation about the robbery and collected evidence from the spot. While the further investigation is underway, both the victims were escorted to the hospital for medical examination.Over six police teams have been deployed in the task to search and identify the absconding accused. Furthermore, the police collected CCTV footage from the area and recorded statements of neighbours and other family members.Suspecting the role of an insider, the police said, “The CCTV footage has been collected and statements of neighbours and other family members have been recorded. Further investigation is on.”

‘Courier’ boys hold ex-scientist at gunpoint, rob him of ₹2 crore in Delhi’s Rohini

Science and Health

Delhi news: A shocking incident of theft surfaced on Friday in Rohini’s Prashant Vihar. A retired scientist and his elderly wife were held hostage at gunpoint and robbed of ₹2 crore in cash and jewellery by two men posing as courier boys on October 18.”The way the incident has happened, the police suspect the role of some insider or someone known to the family members,” PTI quoted Delhi Police officer as saying.Police said on Saturday informed that the incident took place in F Block of Prashant Vihar where the retired scientist Shibu Singh lives with his wife Nirmala. The incident happened when the elderly couple was in their house on Friday afternoon. Two men impersonating as courier boys entered the house. A Delhi police official said, “After entering inside the house, they held Shibu and his wife Nirmala hostage on gunpoint.The husband was assaulted when he tried to resist. According to Shibu Singh’s statement, the accused decamped away with cash and jewellery worth ₹2 crore from his house. The ex-scientist later informed his son, who lives separately in Delhi, about the incident, prompting him to alert the authorities.Shubhu Singh’s son made a PCR call at around 2:30 pm and informed the police about the theft. According to PTI report, Delhi police team arrived at the house soon after the intimation about the robbery and collected evidence from the spot. While the further investigation is underway, both the victims were escorted to the hospital for medical examination.Over six police teams have been deployed in the task to search and identify the absconding accused. Furthermore, the police collected CCTV footage from the area and recorded statements of neighbours and other family members.Suspecting the role of an insider, the police said, “The CCTV footage has been collected and statements of neighbours and other family members have been recorded. Further investigation is on.”

Inspiring books on courage and fitting in

Arts & Culture, Books

We’ve all experienced the uncomfortable feeling of not fitting in from time to time. It’s no different for kids.For kids especially, who’ve had far fewer years of experience in handling such feelings, not fitting in can be more distressing than for an adult. It’s important to raise a child’s awareness of what another feels when that person is left out or made fun of.We raise that awareness by teaching kids through our own actions, what we say (or fail to say) and by reading books that both address these issues and ultimately can act as a springboard for further discussion and understanding.It’s all boils down to compassion and empathy, and we need a lot more of that in our world, don’t you think?Books to borrowThe following book is available at many public libraries.“Goin’ Someplace Special” by Patricia C. McKissack, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, Atheneum, 36 pagesRead aloud: age 4 – 5 and older.Read yourself: age 8 and older.In a 1950s Southern town, an African-American girl, ‘Tricia Ann, lives with her grandmother, Mama Frances. One day, ‘Tricia Ann decides she is ready to go to Someplace Special by herself.Her grandmother hesitates, and tells her granddaughter, “Goin’ off alone is a mighty big step.” Finally, she relents, and as ‘Tricia Ann is leaving, her Grandmother tells her, “And no matter what, hold your head up and act like you belong to somebody.”On her journey, ‘Tricia Ann encounters stinging signs of prejudice everywhere. Then, in front of a beautiful hotel, she is swept up in a crowd of people who are there to see a famous celebrity. Suddenly, ‘Tricia Ann is inside the hotel, and it is quickly and loudly made clear she wasn’t allowed to be there.Being cast out of the hotel, ‘Tricia Ann heads for the sanctuary of the Mission Church ruins. There, she meets the kind and gentle Blooming Mary, who listens to ‘Tricia Ann’s story and tells her to listen closely and she will hear her granny speaking to her.As ‘Tricia Ann listened, she began to hear her grandmother’s steady voice, telling her, “You are somebody, a human being — no better, no worse than anybody else in this world . . . don’t study on quittin’, just keep walking straight ahead — and you’ll make it.”And that’s just what ‘Tricia Ann did. Finally, ‘Tricia Ann arrived at Someplace Special. She looked up and read the message chiseled in stone across the front of the building: PUBLIC LIBRARY: ALL ARE WELCOME.Based on the true events in McKissack’s young life, this powerful story should be required reading.Librarian’s choiceLibrary: Womelsdorf Community Library, 203 W. High St., WomelsdorfChildren’s program coordinator: Jessica MolinariChoices this week: “Verdi” by Janell Cannon; “Stage Fright on a Summer Night” by Mary Pope Osborne; “Horrible Harry and the Hallway Bully” by Suzy KlineBooks to buyThe following books are available at favorite bookstores.“Where?” by Jordan Collins, illustrated by Phil Lesnie, Candlewick, 2024, 40 pages, $18.99 hardcoverRead aloud: age 5 – 9.Read yourself: age 7 – 9.People repeatedly ask the child, “Where are you from?” The child knows people ask that question if their skin isn’t the same color, or their hair is different. The child isn’t sure how to respond in the way that will make others understand, and ultimately decides that an intergalactic explanation of sorts might help.Like everyone else, the child is from the interiors of collapsing stars, cosmic dust and the same ancient ancestors, all part of a line of shared humanity.Lavish illustrations perfectly complement this deeply reflective story of accepting differences, fitting in and what being a human really means.“The Kodiaks: Home Ice Advantage” by David A. Robertson expertly explores real-life issues of prejudice, friendship and standing tall. (Highwater Press)“The Kodiaks: Home Ice Advantage” by David A. Robertson, Highwater Press, 2024, 184 pages, $12.95 paperbackRead aloud: age 9 – 12.Read yourself: age 9 – 12.When 11-year-old Alex’s family moves from their home in Norway House Cree Nation to the city, his world is turned upside down. It’s hard enough being the new kid, but for the first time, Alex doesn’t fit in because his classmates don’t understand Indigenous culture.Alex has always been an excellent ice hockey player, and he decides to try out for the local hockey team. Securing a position to play with the Kodiaks isn’t difficult, but despite what a star player he is, Alex is faced with racist comments and more from opposing players because he is Indigenous. Will Alex be able to find a way to be accepted and still be proud of being Cree?Fast-paced and loaded with ice hockey action and more, “The Kodiaks: Home Ice Advantage” expertly explores real-life issues of prejudice, friendship, and standing tall.Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children’s literature. She can be reached at [email protected].

The United States of Automobiles

Technology

“More than any other country,” Lyndon B. Johnson once said of America, “ours is an automobile society.” He wasn’t exaggerating: Americans own more cars per capita than the citizens of any other nation. More than any other technology, the automobile has shaped America’s economy, infrastructure, climate, culture, and identity. From Motown to Tesla, from “On the Road” to “The Fast and the Furious,” nothing captures our all-American obsession with speed, freedom, and individuality like the vehicles we drive.Explore the United States of Automobiles• Check out the cars your neighbors love most• What our rides reveal about our politics• Cars used to be really colorful. What happened?• How we crunched the numbersTo provide a comprehensive road map of America’s automotive psyche, Business Insider took a close look at what’s actually on the road today. Combing through 1.7 million listings on CarGurus, we analyzed thousands of makes and models in three key areas: geographic location, political preference, and color. The result is an illuminating — and interactive — guide to what drives America. Where is your car most popular? What do your neighbors drive? Which rides are most Republican or Democratic? And why does it seem as if every vehicle on the road today is either white, black, or gray?Which car brands dominate which states?More than anything, the data confirms a deeply American trait: We are what we drive. No other choice we make as consumers conveys more information about how we see ourselves — and how we wish to be seen. We use our cars to flaunt our financial status, express our aesthetic leanings, signal our tribal loyalties, and reflect our hopes and fears. Do we opt for size over efficiency? Safety over style? Exclusivity over economy? Whether we’re cocooned inside the fortified cabin of a street-legal tank or smugly piloting a Prius to the next community board meeting, how we navigate the world says something about what we think there is to navigate.