Social media for dissemination: reflections on using a range of tools to disseminate events at a learning and teaching conference

This paper reports on the use of social media technologies to spread the message of Middlesex Universityʼs Annual Learning and Teaching Conference. Strategies for interaction and dissemination were aimed at reaching beyond those attending the event, and this paper considers the selection of the technologies used and, importantly, those not used. The resulting dissemination is explained in some detail. Finally, suggestions for future actions are outlined

Imbibition dynamics of nano-particulate ink-jet drops on micro-porous media

Ink-jet printing of nano-metallic colloidal fluids on to porous media such as coated papers has become a viable method to produce conductive tracks for low-cost, disposable printed electronic devices. However, the formation of well-defined and functional tracks on an absorbing surface is controlled by the drop imbibition dynamics in addition to the well-studied post-impact drop spreading behavior. This study represents the first investigation of the realtime imbibition of ink-jet deposited nano-Cu colloid drops on to coated paper substrates. In addition, the same ink was deposited on to a non-porous polymer surface as a control substrate. By using high-speed video imaging to capture the deposition of ink-jet drops, the time-scales of drop spreading and imbibition were quantified and compared with model predictions. The influences of the coating pore size on the bulk absorption rate and nano-Cu particle distribution have also been studied

Challenging the Randomness of Panel Assignment in the Federal Courts of Appeals

A fundamental academic assumption about the federal courts of appeals is that the three-judge panels that hear cases have been randomly configured. Scores of scholarly articles have noted this “fact,” and it has been relied on heavily by empirical researchers. Even though there are practical reasons to doubt that judges would always be randomly assigned to panels, this assumption has never been tested. This Article fill this void by doing so. To determine whether the circuit courts utilize random assignment, we have created what we believe to be the largest dataset of panel assignments of those courts constructed to date. Using this dataset, we tested whether panel assignments are, in fact, random by comparing the actual assignments to truly random panels generated by code that we have created to simulate the panel generation process. Our results show evidence of non-randomness in the federal courts of appeals. To be sure, the analysis here is descriptive, not explanatory or normative. We do not ourselves mean to suggest that “perfect randomness” is a desirable goal. We are simply testing an existing assumption and believe these findings will have implications for empirical researchers and court scholars more generally

Investigating Computer Self-Efficacy with Students in COBOL Programming

The theory of self-efficacy (Bandura, 1982) has been used in the field of Information Systems to test its predictive nature of computing outcomes (Compeau & Higgins, 1995, Gist, Schwoerer & Rosen, 1989; Murphy, Coover & Owen, 1989). It has been shown to be a successful measure of performance and indeed, is now perceived as a “practical indicator of student computer competency” (Karsten & Roth, 1998). This study attempts to further quantify and qualify such a measure and investigates the degree to which self-efficacy can be manipulated. Additionally, it has been traditionally thought that programming maintenance is more difficult when a programmer must modify someone else’s program rather than his or her own. This study also investigates this phenomenon within the context of self-efficacy. Findings show that self-efficacy is an important indicator of outcome performance and that it can be artificially manipulated. Some surprising results occurred when students were asked to modify someone else’s code

Predicting the Detectability of Thin Gaseous Plumes in Hyperspectral Images Using Basis Vectors

This paper describes a new method for predicting the detectability of thin gaseous plumes in hyperspectral images. The novelty of this method is the use of basis vectors for each of the spectral channels of a collection instrument to calculate noise-equivalent concentration-pathlengths instead of matching scene pixels to absorbance spectra of gases in a library. This method provides insight into regions of the spectrum where gas detection will be relatively easier or harder, as influenced by ground emissivity, temperature contrast, and the atmosphere. Our results show that data collection planning could be influenced by information about when potential plumes are likely to be over background segments that are most conducive to detection

Three-coordinate iron(II) expanded ring N-heterocyclic carbene complexes

A sterically demanding seven-membered expanded ring N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand allows access to rare examples of three-coordinate iron(II)-NHC complexes incorporating only halide coligands of the general formula [Fe(NHC)X 2 ] (NHC = 7-DiPP; X = Br (1) Cl (2)). Reducing the steric influence of the ancillary NHC ligand through modulation of the N-aryl substituents leads to either four- or three-coordinate complexes of the general formula [Fe(NHC)Br 2 (THF)] (3) or [Fe(NHC)Br 2 ] (4) (NHC = 7-Mes), dependent upon the solvent of recrystallization. The further reduction of NHC steric influence results in four-coordinate geometries at iron in the form of the dimeric species [Fe(NHC)Br(μ-Br)] 2 (5) or [Fe(NHC)Br 2 (THF)] (6) (NHC = SDiPP), again dependent upon the solvent of recrystallization. Compounds 1-6 have been analyzed by 1 H NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, elemental microanalysis, Mössbauer spectroscopy (for 1 and 3-5), and Evans method magnetic susceptibility. In addition to these measurements the three-coordinate species 1 and 4 have been further analyzed by SQUID magnetometry and CASSCF calculations, which show significant magnetic anisotropy that is extremely sensitive to the coordination geometry

Public Resource Allocation, Strategic Behavior, and Status Quo Bias in Choice Experiments

Choice experiments, a survey methodology in which consumers face a series of choice tasks requiring them to indicate their most preferred option from a choice set containing two or more options, are used to generate estimates of consumer preferences to determine the appropriate allocation of public resources to competing projects or programs. The analysis of choice experiment data typically relies on the assumptions that choices of the non-status quo option are demand-revealing and choices of the status quo option are not demand-revealing, but rather, reflect an underlying behavioral bias in favor of the status quo. This paper reports the results of an experiment which demonstrates that both of these assumptions are likely to be invalid. We demonstrates that choice experiments for a public good are vulnerable to the same types of strategic voting that affect other types of multiple-choice voting mechanisms. We show that due to the mathematics of choice set design, what is actually strategic voting is often interpreted as a behavioral bias for the status quo option. Therefore, we caution against using current choice experiment methodologies to inform policy making about public goods

Bubble-based EMMS mixture model applied to turbulent fluidization Powder Technology

Turbulent fluidization is now widely recognized as a distinct flow regime and is commonly utilized in industrial fluidized-bed reactors. However, relatively fewer attempts have been made to rigorously model these systems in comparison to bubbling and circulating fluidized beds. In this work, we have rewritten the original bubble based EMMS model in form of a mixture to apply it to turbulent fluidization. At microscale this mixture is composed of gas and particles whereas voids and gas-particle suspension make up this mixture at mesoscale level. Subsequently, all the system properties are then calculated in terms of mixture rather than individual phases. With the minimization of the objective function for the bubbling mixture, the set of equations is then solved numerically. The objective function, used to close the system of equations, is composed of the energy consumption rates required to suspend gas-particle suspension and the energy consumed due to interaction between suspension and voids. The model is then applied to simulate gas-solid turbulent fluidized beds. Simulation results are encouraging as the model is able to predict the dense bottom and dilute top zones along the height of the bed. Comparison of results with experimental data and homogeneous drag model has been made for validation purposes

The Effects of Diet and the Microbiome on Reproduction and Longevity: A Comparative Review Across 5 Continents

Human longevity and quality of life remain key societal drivers, but the healthcare burden of diet-related chronic diseases is economically unmanageable. In recent years, it has been proposed that the composition and abundance profiles of certain bacterial phyla in the gut are indicators of malnutrition, and ill health. But, how much does the gut microbiome and diet really contribute to outcomes? The description of three microbial enterotypes remains to be verified, as does its significance for health tested across continents and within people who migrate from one lifestyle to another. It is not simply that the diet of one region causes a dominance of microbes not found in another, or that it leads to adverse outcomes. Venezuelans have a diet different from Americans, yet life expectancy and causes of death are somewhat similar. Pregnant east African women have very different diets to Europeans, yet excluding infectious disease exposure, successful reproduction occurs in both. The microbiome has added another layer of complexity to nutrition management, but with modern sequencing platforms and bioinformatics tools, integration of this information will soon be feasible. In providing dietary recommendations, especially during pregnancy, more consideration is needed on reducing exposure to environmental toxins, encouraging intake of fermented foods and those designed to improve fetal and infant development. By focusing on the first 1000 days of life, it may be possible to improve how we produce and allocate food, and provide a newborn with the best chance of leading a productive life

Implementing health promotion programmes in schools: a realist systematic review of research and experience in the United Kingdom

Background: Schools have long been viewed as a good setting in which to encourage healthy lifestyles amongst children, and schools in many countries aspire to more comprehensive, integrated approaches to health promotion. Recent reviews have identified evidence of the effects of school health promotion on children’s and young people’s health. However, understanding of how such programmes can be implemented in schools is more limited. Methods: We conducted a realist review to identify the conditions and actions which lead to the successful implementation of health promotion programmes in schools. We used the international literature to develop programme theories which were then tested using evaluations of school health promotion programmes conducted in the United Kingdom (UK). Iterative searching and screening was conducted to identify sources and clear criteria applied for appraisal of included sources. A review advisory group comprising educational and public health practitioners, commissioners, and academics was established at the outset. Results: In consultation with the review advisory group, we developed four programme theories (preparing for implementation, initial implementation, embedding into routine practice, adaptation and evolution); these were then refined using the UK evaluations in the review. This enabled us to identify transferable mechanisms and enabling and constraining contexts and investigate how the operation of mechanisms differed in different contexts. We also identified steps that should be taken at a senior level in relation to preparing for implementation (which revolved around negotiation about programme delivery) and initial implementation (which centred on facilitation, support, and reciprocity—the latter for both programme deliverers and pupils). However, the depth and rigour of evidence concerning embedding into routine practice and adaptation and evolution was limited. Conclusions: Our findings provide guidance for the design, implementation, and evaluation of health promotion in schools and identify the areas where further research is needed