Thermographic analysis of bronze sculptures

In this work we investigate various aspects of the finishing process in ancient bronze sculptures by means of active infrared thermography (IRT). Active IRT provides information on surface and sub-surface features of the investigated artefact, by analysing the heat diffusion process induced within the sample by appropriate thermal stimulations usually produced by absorption of light emitted by different sources. The aim of this research is, in particular, to investigate the processing of bronze surfaces, revealing repairs like plugs, fillings, local castings and concealed marks.     

基于面部图像的非接触式婴儿心率监测

为实现便捷、可靠的日常婴儿心率实时监测,提出一种基于面部图像的非接触式婴儿心率实时监测方法。首先引入欧拉视频放大技术,对一定时间间隔内视频的每一帧图像进行颜色增强处理,从而改善婴儿面部颜色变化微弱、所含心率信息不明显的问题;然后,通过Adaboost算法从每一视频帧中识别出婴儿面部,并从婴儿面部选取脸颊区域作为敏感区域以提取脉搏波信号,以此为基础提出一种改进的反射光强模型,抑制日间因环境光变化引起的干扰以及运动噪声干扰,提高脉搏波信号信噪比;此外采用摄像头的红外自主光源,通过一种基于相空间重构的单通道独立成分分析法分离夜间脉搏波信号的运动噪声,解决因夜间光照条件差引起的婴儿心率监测困难的问题;最后开发整个系统上位机应用程序,并通过实验验证该方法正确性和有效性。     

High-Resolution Ultrasonic Imaging of Artworks with Seismic Interferometry for Their Conservation and Restoration

Artworks are an inseparable part of the cultural heritage of societies and provide us with a unique look at cultural developments through time and space. For the best possible conservation, it is paramount to know the constituent materials, condition, and construction techniques of the objects (e.g. painting on wood, fresco, sculpture). Such information is required not only for the surfaces of the objects, but also for the interiors; in the imaging discipline, this is known as depth imaging. Here, we introduce a new method for non-invasive depth imaging as an alternative to traditional non-invasive methods when the latter cannot be used to obtain the required information. We use ultrasonic transverse-wave transmission measurements and turn them into virtual reflection measurements. We achieve this by applying seismic interferometry with active sources. Obtaining reflection measurements by seismic interferometry allows us to apply an advanced imaging technique – prestack depth migration, as used in seismic exploration – to produce a high-resolution depth image of an object. We apply our method to ultrasonic data recorded on a mockup of a painting on a wooden support. We validate our method by comparing our results with an image from X-ray computed tomography.     

‘Cos um it like put a picture in my mind of what I should write’: an exploration of how home–school partnership might support the writing of lower‐achieving boys

This article outlines how home and school working together supported the writing of lower‐achieving boys. It describes an activity in which parents and children selected artefacts at home to inspire writing in school. This model of home–school partnership permitted different levels of parental involvement and also allowed the child to take a key role in the process. The activity made a positive impact on the writing of low‐achieving boys in terms of the amount and quality of writing produced and also in relation to confidence and motivation to write. Oracy played an important part in the process. Parents gave support through talk in the home and children orally presented their artefacts and discussed how they planned to write about them in school. The importance of the teacher in supporting the writing process through talk is also discussed.     

Written artefacts in post-conference feedback sessions: the running commentary as a support for teacher learning

Written artefacts often form a significant part of teacher education activities and play a crucial role in the dialogue between tutor and student teacher in a post-observation feedback session. However, although the dialogue of feedback sessions has been extensively researched, the role of the artefact has been less explored. This research examines how the written artefact of a running commentary guides or constrains the pedagogical conversation between tutor and student teachers, as well as how it represents the power and authority of the tutor and the teacher education establishment. The article concludes with implications for pre-service teacher education practice.     

Orchestrating semiotic resources in explicit strategy instruction

Research and pedagogical information provided to teachers on implementing explicit strategy instruction has primarily focused on teachers’ speech, with limited attention to other modes of communication, such as gesture and artefacts. This interpretive case study investigates two teachers’ use of different semiotic resources when introducing second-grade readers to specific reading strategies. We analysed two teachers’ use of speech, gesture and artefacts in their introductory explanation of the declarative, procedural and conditional knowledge necessary to be strategic readers. The importance of this article lies in reconciling the narrow focus on what teachers say during explicit strategy instruction with the repertoire of semiotic resources that the teachers actually use to enact multimodal communication during their explanation of the strategy.     

NewsCubed

As journalism navigates a new technological landscape, both researchers and practitioners need ways to innovate. Established methods of journalism research are designed to study practice and understand its importance, but they are not suited to solving problems or developing new ideas. This paper argues that design methods provide tools that allow journalism researchers to address problems in parallel with solutions and to invent new practice. The paper outlines the development of the NewsCube, an innovative storytelling tool. In doing so, it demonstrates how design produces artefacts that act as tools for reflection and knowledge production. The study contributes to discussion around practice-led research in journalism and shows how such research can provide perspectives on journalism that more conventional forms of enquiry cannot.     

Narratives of change: the role of storytelling,artefacts and children’s literature in building communities of inquiry that care

Xenophobic discourse surrounding migration, resulting in marginalisation of the other, is on the rise. This article tracks the formation of a professional community of teacher inquirers who wanted to challenge the prevalent negative discourse by generating narratives of change. Using narrative inquiry methods to capture ‘stories of experience’ told in response to artefacts of value, the community of inquiry revealed through their storytelling the value of excavating knowledge connected to language, culture and identity. This personal knowledge evoked care and empowered the teachers to confidently select and use children’s literature alongside creative response strategies to re-imagine their classrooms as spaces to welcome refugee and new-arrival children. The article argues that communities of inquiry provide potential ways forward for educators to pre-figure ‘an imperative of mutual care’.     

Pedagogic practices to support international students in seminar discussions

ABSTRACT

This article explores pedagogic practices, in particular, material artefacts, which support participation and structure the interaction of international students in seminar discussions. Using both a fine-grained analysis of the artefact in interaction as well as student perspectives on its affordances, the findings reveal how material artefacts in the form of worksheets and reading guides can provide international students with linguistic resources, content, and familiarity of routines and participation structures. This article concludes that pedagogic practices are crucial to increasing interaction and participation of international students in seminar settings.