98 research outputs found
International postgraduate student learning journeys
This research set out to explore the learning journey of international students, moving from a pre-sessional English (PSE) course at UWE Bristol to postgraduate (PG) study at the University. Eight students each completed four interviews between July 2022 and July 2023, sharing their experiences of teaching and learning and how the support offered by the University impacted on how they felt about this.Common challenges in the learning experience of students included the amount of independent learning, reading and new subject vocabulary. The main factors that supported students in their learning were the pre-sessional English course; models, formative feedback, and dialogue with lecturers; and development of relevant academic skills within their PG programme.Recommendations for further consideration in improving the learning experience for international students include pastoral support, clear expectations for assignments, integrated and scaffolded academic skills development, and where possible, longer periods for master’s study
A massive multiphase plume of gas in Abell 2390's brightest cluster galaxy
We present new ALMA CO(2-1) observations tracing
M of molecular gas in Abell 2390's brightest cluster galaxy, where
half the gas is located in a one-sided plume extending 15 kpc out from the
galaxy centre. This molecular gas has a smooth and positive velocity gradient,
and is receding 250 km/s faster at its farthest point than at the galaxy
centre. To constrain the plume's origin, we analyse our new observations
alongside existing X-ray, optical and radio data. We consider the possibility
that the plume is jet-driven with lifting aided by jet inflated X-ray bubbles.
Alternatively, it may have formed following a gravitational disturbance. In
this case, the plume may either be a trail of gas stripped from the main galaxy
by ram pressure, or more recently cooled and infalling gas. The galaxy's star
formation and gas cooling rate suggest the lifespan of its molecular gas may be
low compared with the plume's age -- which would favour a recently cooled
plume. Molecular gas in close proximity to the active galactic nucleus is also
indicated by 250 km/s wide CO(2-1) absorption against the radio core, as well
as previously detected CO(1-0) and HI absorption. This absorption is optically
thick and has a line of sight velocity towards the galaxy centre of 200 km/s.
We discuss simple models to explain its origin.Comment: Submitted to MNRA
A massive multiphase plume of gas in Abell 2390’s brightest cluster galaxy
We present new ALMA CO(2-1) observations tracing 2.2 × 1010 M. of molecular gas in Abell 2390’s brightest cluster galaxy, where half the gas is located in a one-sided plume extending 15 kpc out from the galaxy centre. This molecular gas has a smooth and positive velocity gradient, and is receding 250 km s−1 faster at its farthest point than at the galaxy centre. To constrain the plume’s origin, we analyse our new observations alongside existing X-ray, optical, and radio data. We consider the possibility that the plume is a jet-driven outflow with lifting aided by jet-inflated X-ray bubbles, is a trail of gas stripped from the main galaxy by ram pressure, or is formed of more recently cooled and infalling gas. The galaxy’s star formation and gas cooling rate suggest the lifespan of its molecular gas may be low compared with the plume’s age – which would favour a recently cooled plume. Molecular gas in close proximity to the active galactic nucleus is also indicated by 250 km s−1 wide CO(2-1) absorption against the radio core, as well as previously detected CO(1-0) and H I absorption. This absorption is optically thick and has a line-of-sight velocity towards the galaxy centre of 200 km s−1. We discuss simple models to explain its origin
Financial viability of electric vehicle lithium-ion battery recycling
Economically viable electric vehicle lithium-ion battery recycling is increasingly needed; however routes to profitability are still unclear. We present a comprehensive, holistic techno-economic model as a framework to directly compare recycling locations and processes, providing a key tool for recycling cost optimization in an international battery recycling economy. We show that recycling can be economically viable, with cost/profit ranging from (−21.43 - +21.91) $·kWh(−1) but strongly depends on transport distances, wages, pack design and recycling method. Comparing commercial battery packs, the Tesla Model S emerges as the most profitable, having low disassembly costs and high revenues for its cobalt. In-country recycling is suggested, to lower emissions and transportation costs and secure the materials supply chain. Our model thus enables identification of strategies for recycling profitability
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Insiders, Outsiders, and the Struggle for Consecration in Cultural Fields: A Core-Periphery Perspective
Building on recent research emphasizing how legitimacy depends on consensus among audiences about candidates’ characteristics and activities, we examine the relationship between cultural producers’ (candidates) position in the social structure and the consecration of their creative work by relevant audiences. We argue that the outcome of this process of evaluation in any cultural field, whether in art or science, is a function of (1) candidates’ embeddedness within the field, and (2) the type of audience—that is, peers versus critics—evaluating candidates’ work. Specifically, we hypothesize that peers are more likely to favor candidates who are highly embedded in the field, whereas critics will not show such favoritism. We find support for these hypotheses in the context of the Hollywood motion picture industry
The 2dF-SDSS LRG and QSO Survey: The Star Formation Histories of Luminous Red Galaxies
We present a detailed investigation into the recent star formation histories
of 5,697 Luminous Red Galaxies (LRGs) based on the Hdelta (4101A) and [OII]
(3727A) lines. LRGs are luminous (L>3L*), galaxies which have been selected to
have photometric properties consistent with an old, passively evolving stellar
population. For this study we utilise LRGs from the recently completed 2dF-SDSS
LRG and QSO survey (2SLAQ). Equivalent widths of the Hdelta and [OII] lines are
measured and used to define three spectral types, those with only strong Hdelta
absorption (k+a), those with strong [OII] in emission (em) and those with both
(em+a). All other LRGs are considered to have passive star formation histories.
The vast majority of LRGs are found to be passive (~80 per cent), however
significant numbers of k+a (2.7 per cent), em+a (1.2 per cent) and em LRGs (8.6
per cent) are identified. An investigation into the redshift dependence of the
fractions is also performed. A sample of SDSS MAIN galaxies with colours and
luminosities consistent with the 2SLAQ LRGs is selected to provide a low
redshift comparison. While the em and em+a fractions are consistent with the
low redshift SDSS sample, the fraction of k+a LRGs is found to increase
significantly with redshift. This result is interpreted as an indication of an
increasing amount of recent star formation activity in LRGs with redshift. By
considering the expected life time of the k+a phase, the number of LRGs which
will undergo a k+a phase can be estimated. A crude comparison of this estimate
with the predictions from semi-analytic models of galaxy formation shows that
the predicted level of k+a and em+a activity is not sufficient to reconcile the
predicted mass growth for massive early-types in a hierarchical merging
scenario.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS, 13 pages, 10 figure
The 2dF-SDSS LRG and QSO survey: evolution of the clustering of luminous red galaxies since z = 0.6
We present an analysis of the small-to-intermediate scale clustering of
samples of Luminous Red Galaxies (LRGs) from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and
the 2dF-SDSS LRG and QSO (2SLAQ) survey carefully matched to have the same
rest-frame colours and luminosity. We study the spatial two-point
auto-correlation function in both redshift-space and real-space of a combined
sample of over 10,000 LRGs, which represent the most massive galaxies in the
universe with stellar masses > 10^11 h^-1 M_sun and space densities 10^-4 h^-3
Mpc^-3. We find no significant evolution in the amplitude r_0 of the
correlation function with redshift, but do see a slight decrease in the slope
with increasing redshift over 0.19 < z < 0.55 and scales of 0.32 < r < 32 h^-1
Mpc. We compare our measurements with the predicted evolution of dark matter
clustering and use the halo model to interpret our results. We find that our
clustering measurements are inconsistent (>99.9% significance) with a passive
model whereby the LRGs do not merge with one another; a model with a merger
rate of 7.5 +/- 2.3% from z = 0.55 to z = 0.19 (i.e. an average rate of 2.4%
Gyr^-1) provides a better fit to our observations. Our clustering and number
density measurements are consistent with the hypothesis that the merged LRGs
were originally central galaxies in different haloes which, following the
merger of these haloes, merged to create a single Brightest Cluster Galaxy. In
addition, we show that the small-scale clustering signal constrains the scatter
in halo merger histories. When combined with measurements of the luminosity
function, our results suggest that this scatter is sub-Poisson. While this is a
generic prediction of hierarchical models, it has not been tested before.Comment: 20 pages, replaced with version accepted for publication in MNRA
Development of Gene Expression Markers of Acute Heat-Light Stress in Reef-Building Corals of the Genus Porites
Coral reefs are declining worldwide due to increased incidence of climate-induced coral bleaching, which will have widespread biodiversity and economic impacts. A simple method to measure the sub-bleaching level of heat-light stress experienced by corals would greatly inform reef management practices by making it possible to assess the distribution of bleaching risks among individual reef sites. Gene expression analysis based on quantitative PCR (qPCR) can be used as a diagnostic tool to determine coral condition in situ. We evaluated the expression of 13 candidate genes during heat-light stress in a common Caribbean coral Porites astreoides, and observed strong and consistent changes in gene expression in two independent experiments. Furthermore, we found that the apparent return to baseline expression levels during a recovery phase was rapid, despite visible signs of colony bleaching. We show that the response to acute heat-light stress in P. astreoides can be monitored by measuring the difference in expression of only two genes: Hsp16 and actin. We demonstrate that this assay discriminates between corals sampled from two field sites experiencing different temperatures. We also show that the assay is applicable to an Indo-Pacific congener, P. lobata, and therefore could potentially be used to diagnose acute heat-light stress on coral reefs worldwide
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Understanding the influences on successful quality improvement in emergency general surgery: learning from the RCS Chole-QuIC project
Abstract: Background: Acute gallstone disease is the highest volume Emergency General Surgical presentation in the UK. Recent data indicate wide variations in the quality of care provided across the country, with national guidance for care delivery not implemented in most UK hospitals. Against this backdrop, the Royal College of Surgeons of England set up a 13-hospital quality improvement collaborative (Chole-QuIC) to support clinical teams to reduce time to surgery for patients with acute gallstone disease requiring emergency cholecystectomy. Methods: Prospective, mixed-methods process evaluation to answer the following: (1) how was the collaborative delivered by the faculty and received, understood and enacted by the participants; (2) what influenced teams’ ability to improve care for patients requiring emergency cholecystectomy? We collected and analysed a range of data including field notes, ethnographic observations of meetings, and project documentation. Analysis was based on the framework approach, informed by Normalisation Process Theory, and involved the creation of comparative case studies based on hospital performance during the project. Results: Chole-QuIC was delivered as planned and was well received and understood by participants. Four hospitals were identified as highly successful, based upon a substantial increase in the number of patients having surgery in line with national guidance. Conversely, four hospitals were identified as challenged, achieving no significant improvement. The comparative analysis indicate that six inter-related influences appeared most associated with improvement: (1) achieving clarity of purpose amongst site leads and key stakeholders; (2) capacity to lead and effective project support; (3) ideas to action; (4) learning from own and others’ experience; (5) creating additional capacity to do emergency cholecystectomies; and (6) coordinating/managing the patient pathway. Conclusion: Collaborative-based quality improvement is a viable strategy for emergency surgery but success requires the deployment of effective clinical strategies in conjunction with improvement strategies. In particular, achieving clarity of purpose about proposed changes amongst key stakeholders was a vital precursor to improvement, enabling the creation of additional surgical capacity and new pathways to be implemented effectively. Protected time, testing ideas, and the ability to learn quickly from data and experience were associated with greater impact within this cohort
Galaxy And Mass Assembly (GAMA): Panchromatic Data Release (far-UV–far-IR) and the low- z
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