This study explores communication, autonomy, and self-determination in individuals with Angelman syndrome (AS), a rare genetic condition characterised by severe intellectual disability and the absence of speech. AS is associated with severe developmental delay, motor disorders, epilepsy, hyperactivity, and a characteristically cheerful disposition. Communication is significantly impaired: expressive language is virtually absent, while receptive language is retained, giving rise to the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). The qualitative methodology draws on ethnographic fieldwork conducted with families, comprising six home observation sessions and sixteen semi-structured interviews with parents, childminders, or educators. The analysis examines the role of AAC and a form of ‘everyday communication’ through the lens of autonomy and self-determination. Although AAC has been recognised by the United Nations since 2006, it remains underused in everyday contexts owing to constraints of time and complexity. Multimodal communication relies on interpersonal interaction (gestures, eye contact, routines), thereby promoting functional autonomy (mobility, eating) and identity formation. Autonomy begins with survival (basic needs), under constant supervision necessitated by associated risks, and gradually evolves towards the expression of preferences (leisure activities, choices) through a co-constructed relationship. Self-determination incorporates relational and social dimensions through the progressive development of a positive identity despite dependence. In conclusion, AAC complements ‘everyday communication’ in supporting self-expression beyond the family sphere. Self-determination is grounded in meaningful exchanges that sustain identity notwithstanding intellectual disability. The recommendations aim to extend AAC to social contexts and to contextualise autonomy within an inclusive support framework.
This review methodically expounds on the genesis, distribution characteristics, and control methodologies of residual stress (RS) in additive/subtractive hybrid manufacturing (A/SHM). RS, originating from non-uniform temperature fields during manufacturing, rapid solidification of the molten pool, and complex thermal cycling, are key factors causing component deformation, performance degradation, and even cracking. It is evident that significant limitations are imposed on the industrial implementation of A/SHM technology in the domain of high-end equipment manufacturing. This review methodically unveils the influence patterns of process conditions, such as scanning strategies and laser parameters, on RS distribution. It elucidates the intrinsic relationship between microstructural evolution and RS and summarizes effective approaches to regulating RS through process optimization, post-heat treatment, and material modification. This paper proactively proposes a development direction for precise RS regulation through intelligent monitoring and control. This approach provides a theoretical foundation and technical support to enhance the reliability of A/SHM components and advance their industrial applications.
Sterkfontein specimen Sts 25 is filled with calcified sediment and still partly encased in matrix. The only published endocranial volume estimate for this specimen (350–375 cm3) falls outside the range of variation for Australopithecus africanus adults. The purpose of this study was to estimate Sts 25’s endocranial volume and to explore the usefulness of parietal regressions for estimating brain size in other fragmentary hominin specimens. We used single-variable and multivariate polynomial regressions and combined chimpanzee/early hominin comparative samples to predict endocranial volumes for Sts 25 and 10 fragmentary hominin specimens from six chord and arc variables. Point estimates for Sts 25 ranged between 412–501 cm3, with random-effects means and 95% prediction intervals of 453 cm3 (393–512 cm3) from single-variable regressions and 446 cm3 (377–514 cm3) from multivariate regressions. New endocranial volume estimates ~450 cm3 for Sts 25 are consistent with values for other A. africanus specimens with similar dimensions of the vault and basicranium. Volume estimates for Sts 58 (468–559 cm3) and MLD 1 (509–595 cm3) are larger than previous estimates for these specimens and help refine the A. africanus range. Endocranial volume estimates for other crania are largely consistent with existing predictions, establishing the value of these polynomial regression equations for estimating brain size in early hominins.
Since it was introduced, the legal personhood of Te Awa Tupua (the Whanganui River—located in the North Island of Aotearoa, New Zealand) has often been associated with the broader international discourse on rights of nature. This article focuses on one specific aspect of this association: the extent to which legal personhood can be said to result in ‘self-ownership’ for the Whanganui River. The legal personality of the river has been recognized by the Te Awa Tupua (Whanganui River Claims Settlement) Act 2017, which is intended to give effect to a Treaty of Waitangi settlement between Whanganui iwi (a collective terms for Māori tribal groups associated with the river) and the New Zealand Government (or ‘Crown’). The purpose of the Act means that it is necessary to have an understanding of te ao Māori (the Māori world) and tikanga Māori (Māori law and custom), and of the relational values and ontology that provide its foundations, in order to understand the legal personhood of the river. In tikanga Māori, concepts such as whakapapa (ancestral genealogy) and whanaungatanga (a relational ethic of kinship) are fundamental. These concepts encompass more-than-human nature and directly challenge the human/nature dichotomy that sits at the heart of Western property law. To support the inquiry into the extent to which legal personhood can be said to result in self-ownership for the Whanganui River, this article is divided into three parts. In the first part, some key principles of tikanga Māori are introduced, and the relationship of these principles to certain Western jural concepts that are relevant to ownership is discussed. In the second part, ownership of freshwater is discussed. In the third and final part, the question of self-ownership is considered in the light of the preceding discussions.
The fatigue crack propagation behavior of an experimental fully ferritic high-chromium steel HiperFer 17Cr2 was investigated at elevated temperatures of 650 °C and 675 °C at loading frequencies of 20, 5, and 0.05 Hz, motivated by the demand for advanced high-temperature materials capable of improving the thermodynamic efficiency of future thermal energy conversion systems and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The widely used 9Cr-1Mo-V-Nb ferritic-martensitic steel P91 was examined in parallel at 650 °C for benchmarking purposes. Complementary microstructural analyses were performed to characterize frequency- and temperature-dependent damage mechanisms. At 650 °C, the stress intensity required for the initiation of crack propagation was substantially higher in HiperFer 17Cr2 than in P91 across all tested frequencies. Furthermore, crack growth rates were up to half an order of magnitude lower in HiperFer 17Cr2. At 675 °C, frequency-dependent damage mechanisms were identified, including dynamic recovery, subgrain formation, and pipe diffusion-assisted redistribution of Cr and Nb, promoting formation of the metastable C14 Cr2Nb Laves phase at grain and sub-grain boundaries. These precipitates effectively impeded crack progression, while crack-tip blunting reduced the local driving force for crack propagation. The results indicate that HiperFer 17Cr2 is suitable for continuous service at 675 °C under high-cycle fatigue conditions in the frequency range from 5 to 20 Hz.
