The mass of the black hole in LMC X-3

New high resolution, optical spectroscopy of the high mass X-ray binary LMC X-3, shows the spectral type of the donor star changes with phase due to irradition by the X-ray source. We find the spectral type is likely to be B5V, and only appears as B3V when viewing the heated side of the donor. Combining our measurements with those previously published, and taking into account the effects of X-ray irradiation, results in a value for the donor star radial velocity semi-amplitude of $K_{o} = 256.7 \pm 4.9$~km~s$^{-1}$. We find the mass of the black hole lies in the range $9.5M_{\odot} \leq M_{\rm x} \leq 13.6M_{\odot}$

Terrestrial organic carbon storage in a British moorland

Accurate estimates for the size of terrestrial organic carbon (C) stores are needed to determine their importance in regulating atmospheric CO2 concentrations. The C stored in vegetation and soil components of a British moorland was evaluated in order to: (i) investigate the importance of these ecosystems for C storage and (ii) test the accuracy of the United Kingdom's terrestrial C inventory. The area of vegetation and soil types was determined using existing digitized maps and a Geographical Information System (GIS). The importance of evaluating C storage using 2D area projections, as opposed to true surface areas, was investigated and found to be largely insignificant. Vegetation C storage was estimated from published results of productivity studies at the site supplemented by field sampling to evaluate soil C storage. Vegetation was found to be much less important for C storage than soil, with peat soils, particularly Blanket bog, containing the greatest amounts of C. Whilst the total amount of C in vegetation was similar to the UK national C inventory's estimate for the same area, the national inventory estimate for soil C was over three times higher than the value derived in the current study. Because the UK's C inventory can be considered relatively accurate compared to many others, the results imply that current estimates for soil C storage, at national and global scales, should be treated with caution

The Art of the Interface in Mixed Realities: Predessors and Visions

The approach of this paper is broad and historical; it attempts to expand a narrow technical view by looking at historic art media together with contemporary media art. By focusing on recent art against the backdrop of historic developments, it is possible to better analyze and grasp what is really new in media art and, using cornerstones from the history of media of illusion and immersion, it is a material and theoretical contribution to a new, emerging discipline: the science of the image. Where and how does the new genre of virtual art fit into the art history of illusion and immersion in the image, that is, how do older elements continue to live on and influence this contemporary art? What part does this play in the current metamorphosis of the concepts of art and the image

Yellow laser performance of Dy3+^{3+} in co-doped Dy,Tb:LiLuF4_4

We present laser results obtained from a Dy$^{3+}$-Tb$^{3+}$ co-doped LiLuF$_{4}$ crystal, pumped by a blue emitting InGaN laser diode, aiming for the generation of a compact 578 nm source. We exploit the yellow Dy$^{3+}$ transition $^{4}$F$_{9/2}$ $\Longrightarrow$ $^{6}$H$_{13/2}$ to generate yellow laser emission. The lifetime of the lower laser level is quenched via energy transfer to co-doped Tb$^{3+}$ ions in the fluoride crystal. We report the growth technique, spectroscopic study and room temperature continuous wave (cw) laser results in a hemispherical cavity at 574 nm and with a highly reflective output coupler at 578 nm. A yellow laser at 578 nm is very relevant for metrological applications, in particular for pumping of the forbidden $^{1}$S$_{0} \Longrightarrow ^{3}$P$_{0}$ Ytterbium clock transition, which is recommended as a secondary representation of the second in the international system (SI) of units. This paper was published in Optics Letters and is made available as an electronic reprint with the permission of OSA. The paper can be found at the following URL on the OSA website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OL.39.006628. Systematic or multiple reproduction or distribution to multiple locations via electronic or other means is prohibited and is subject to penalties under law.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure

Elongated theropod tracks from the Cretaceous Apenninic Carbonate Platform of southern Latium (central Italy)

New dinosaur footprints were recently discovered in southern Latium (Italy). The tracks all appear slightly differently preserved and are characterized by elongated metatarsal impressions, recording the complex locomotor behaviour of a medium-sized theropod. The spatial distribution and the features of the footprints indicate that the trackmaker adopted a “crouched” position as part of an activity as well as a resting phase suggested by sub-parallel, calcigrade tracks. These new data once again highlight the great potential of ichnological evidence in the study of the biology and behaviour of extinct tetrapods

You Tube if you want to – a Web 2.0 approach to staff development in web conferencing

How can we identify and make best use of potential resources in a staff development programme promoting web conferencing? What are the resources we should use? This paper regards web conferencing as a potentially powerful tool at the disposal of an institution intent on exploring new models of blended and online learning appropriate to the changing needs of 21st-century learners. It presents web conferencing in the user-centric context of Web 2.0 – the social web technologies whose educational impact is to empower online communication, collaboration, participation and sharing of resources. Based on findings from an 18-month period of evaluation and initial implementation at Leeds Met, it outlines practical staff development approaches in the related areas of user-created content and community involvement that could promote a more efficient and focused dissemination of the insights and experiences of a local, national and world-wide user group

How can we create the university of the future?

Higher education is facing change across the world, but nowhere more so than in the UK with the impact of changing funding structures, a changing student body and diminishing resources. It is not just the Browne Review though that heralds these changes, UK HE has already been subject to new circumstances over the past ten or more years but it has not always responded as a sector with agility and speed. What is clear, though, now is that we need to radically rethink our current models and consider what the University of the future should look like. This paper will outline the key note lecture I presented which considers the changes that HE has faced over the past fifteen years, describes some of the challenges we are facing now and looks to some models of the future in response to those current challenges. It includes feedback provided by hose present at the lecture in terms of their views for the past, present and future

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