Changes of partitioning and increased root lengths of spruce and beech exposed to ambient pollution concentrations in southern England

International audienc

Gamified Coding Platforms and Student Motivation: An Investigation into Motivation and Academic Performance in Computer Programming Students

Students taking computer programming classes face several serious challenges: learning the syntax, problem solving, and interacting with new interfaces. In order to meet these challenges, instructors have been using Gamified Coding Platforms such as Codewars.com which offer students the opportunity to gain points, see other solutions, and practice in an online environment without the need to install extra software. The study seeks to build a psychological profile of students by measuring their intrinsic motivations along with their extrinsic motivations in the computer programming classroom. The surveys used for the intrinsic and extrinsic measures are based on the self-determination theory, which is also often used in the study of gamification. Additionally, students were questioned about goal setting, their perceptions of their instructor, and demographic questions. The dependent variable in question was the level of student engagement, which was based on the National Survey of Student Engagement. The initial pilot study involved 74 participants and the main study involved 159 completed student responses. A linear regression model was completed to examine the direct effects of the predictors on the dependent variable. Two components of intrinsic motivation: perceived competence and a greater desire to experience stimulation had a positive effect on student engagement. Additionally, students who perceived a greater instructor investment in their lives had a significant effect on student engagement. The study highlights the importance of the role of the instructor and intrinsic motivations to encourage student engagement. The insights from the study can be used to increase student engagement by encouraging instructors to show a greater interest in their students studying computer programming

An Operational Control Segment (OCS) update on GPS constellation status and future program directions

An update on what is going on with the Global Positioning System (GPS) is presented. The performance of the GPS is covered, and the Federal Radionavigation Plan is discussed

From the stable to the exotic: clustering in light nuclei

A great deal of research work has been undertaken in alpha-clustering study since the pioneering discovery of 12C+12C molecular resonances half a century ago. Our knowledge on physics of nuclear molecules has increased considerably and nuclear clustering remains one of the most fruitful domains of nuclear physics, facing some of the greatest challenges and opportunities in the years ahead. The occurrence of "exotic" shapes in light N=Z alpha-like nuclei is investigated. Various approaches of the superdeformed and hyperdeformed bands associated with quasimolecular resonant structures are presented. Evolution of clustering from stability to the drip-lines is examined: clustering aspects are, in particular, discussed for light exotic nuclei with large neutron excess such as neutron-rich Oxygen isotopes with their complete spectroscopy.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figures, Presented at the International Symposium on "New Horizons in Fundamental Physics - From Neutrons Nuclei via Superheavy Elements and Supercritical Fields to Neutron Stars and Cosmic Rays" held at Makutsi Safari Farm, South Africa, December 23-29, 2015. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1402.6590, arXiv:1303.0960, arXiv:1408.0684, arXiv:1011.342

4He decay of excited states in 14C

A study of the 7Li(9Be,4He 10Be)2H reaction at E{beam}=70 MeV has been performed using resonant particle spectroscopy techniques and provides the first measurements of alpha-decaying states in 14C. Excited states are observed at 14.7, 15.5, 16.4, 18.5, 19.8, 20.6, 21.4, 22.4 and 24.0 MeV. The experimental technique was able to resolve decays to the various particle bound states in 10Be, and provides evidence for the preferential decay of the high energy excited states into states in 10Be at ~6 MeV. The decay processes are used to indicate the possible cluster structure of the 14C excited states.Comment: accepted for publication in PR

Temperature dependent hyperspectral terahertz imaging of human bone for disease diagnosis

Water is a fundamental component of many biological systems. The ability to detect water therefore provides great insight into system functionality, particularly in the development of disease. In this work, the high interaction of terahertz radiation with water, paired with the dependence of the dynamics of water molecules with varying temperature, is utilised to monitor changes in the composition of bone tissue. Heterotopic ossification (HO) bone samples and deionised free water are measured using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy for varying environmental temperatures, for prospective use in disease diagnosis

The population of deformed bands in 48^{48}Cr by emission of 8^{8}Be from the 32^{32}S + 24^{24}Mg reaction

Using particle-$\gamma$ coincidences we have studied the population of final states after the emission of 2 $\alpha$-particles and of $^{8}$Be in nuclei formed in $^{32}$S+$^{24}$Mg reactions at an energy of $\textrm{E}_{\rm L}(^{32}\textrm{S}) = 130 {\rm MeV}$. The data were obtained in a setup consisting of the GASP $\gamma$-ray detection array and the multidetector array ISIS. Particle identification is obtained from the $\Delta$E and E signals of the ISIS silicon detector telescopes, the $^{8}$Be being identified by the instantaneous pile up of the $\Delta$E and E pulses. $\gamma$-ray decays of the $^{48}$Cr nucleus are identified with coincidences set on 2 $\alpha$-particles and on $^{8}$Be. Some transitions of the side-band with $K^\pi=4^{-}$ show stronger population for $^{8}$Be emission relative to that of 2 $\alpha$-particles (by a factor $1.5-1.8$). This observation is interpreted as due to an enhanced emission of $^{8}$Be into a more deformed nucleus. Calculations based on the extended Hauser-Feshbach compound decay formalism confirm this observation quantitatively.Comment: 17 pages, 9 figures accepted for publication in J. Phys.

Ab initio calculation of the Hoyle state and a new look at clustering in nuclei

I present an ab initio calculation of the spectrum of carbon-12, including also the famous Hoyle state. Its structure is discussed and a new interpretation of clustering in nuclear physics is given.Comment: Plenary talk, The Rutherford Centennial Conference on Nuclear Physics, Manchester, August 8-12, 201