Discourse Structure and Anaphora: An Empirical Study

ne of the main motivations for studying discourse structure is its effect on the search for the antecedents of anaphoric expressions. We tested the predictions in this regard of theories assuming that the structure of a discourse depends on its intentional structure, such as Grosz and Sidner?s theory. We used a corpus of tutorial dialogues independently annotated according to Relational Discourse Analysis (RDA), a theory of discourse structure merging ideas from Grosz and Sidner?s theory with proposals from Rhetorical Structure Theory (RST). Using as our metrics the accessibility of anaphoric antecedents and the reduction in ambiguity brought about by a particular theory, we found support for Moser and Moore?s proposal that among the units of discourse assumed by an RST-like theory, only those expressing an intentional ?core? (in the RDA sense) should be viewed as constraining the search for antecedents; units only expressing informational relations should not introduce separate focus spaces. We also found that the best compromise between accessibility and ambiguity (?perplexity?) reduction is a model in which the focus spaces associated with embedded cores and embedded contributors remain on the stack until the RDA-segment in which they occur is completed, and discuss the implications of this finding for a stack-based theory

The analysis of trace metals in surface waters from Scotland and Wales

188 water samples taken from Scottish and Welsh lakes in 1995/6 have been analysed for a range of trace metals, Hg, As, Se, Be, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Ba, Tl, Pb, & Bi. At all sites Hg, As, Se, Be, Bi, Pb and Ag were below limits of detection by the ICP-MS. The other elements showed various geographical distributions. In Wales, the south-central region and Anglesey appeared consistently higher and it is suggested that these are due to former mining and contemporary smelting activities respectively. In Scotland, distributions were move diverse although southern and south-west Scotland often appeared to show elevated levels as did sites on Orkney and Shetland. In general, lake sites in the north-west and Hebrides showed lower concentrations. Pnncipal Components Analysis (PCA) was used to try and determine any patterns in the data, but the results were inconclusive. The PC axes explained little of the variability within the data and clusters of sites on the bi-plots show little in common. However, only geographical location was available to be used m the PCA interpretation and it may be that other factors (lake and catchment characteristics, other water chemistry) would help explain the data more fully. The data included in this report are from smgle water samples taken over a short period of time. Therefore, althougl1 the data may show a useful 'snap-shot' of the situation, more information would be available from analyses of the sediment record (to put the data into temporal context) and other substrates where metal accumulation takes place. This would have the advantage of producing a time averaged metal value, but more importantly would mean more values above analytical detection and hence a better idea of metal distribution

Investigating experiences of the family connections programme for supporters of individuals with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder

We interviewed relatives and carers following their participation in a novel Family Connection (FC) programme, designed for supporters of individuals with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder. A mixed methods approach was utilised to quantitatively measure depression, ‘burden’, grief and mastery, pre and post-group, whilst qualitative analysis identified four themes: ‘Positive Experience’, ‘Not Alone’, ‘Management of Emotions and Behaviours’ and ‘Recommendations’. Quantitative measures suggest that FC could be helpful in alleviating depression and ‘burden’ and increasing mastery, although it could increase the experience of grief. Implications for future research and the possible impact of FC amongst this group are discussed

Developing implementation research capacity: longitudinal evaluation of the King's College London Implementation Science Masterclass, 2014-2019.

BACKGROUND: Despite an increasing number of training opportunities in implementation science becoming available, the demand for training amongst researchers and practitioners is unmet. To address this training shortfall, we developed the King's College London 'Implementation Science Masterclass' (ISM), an innovative 2-day programme (and currently the largest of its kind in Europe), developed and delivered by an international faculty of implementation experts. METHODS: This paper describes the ISM and provides delegates' quantitative and qualitative evaluations (gathered through a survey at the end of the ISM) and faculty reflections over the period it has been running (2014-2019). RESULTS: Across the 6-year evaluation, a total of 501 delegates have attended the ISM, with numbers increasing yearly from 40 (in 2014) to 147 (in 2019). Delegates represent a diversity of backgrounds and 29 countries from across the world. The overall response rate for the delegate survey was 64.5% (323/501). Annually, the ISM has been rated 'highly' in terms of delegates' overall impression (92%), clear and relevant learning objectives (90% and 94%, respectively), the course duration (85%), pace (86%) and academic level 87%), and the support provided on the day (92%). Seventy-one percent of delegates reported the ISM would have an impact on how they approached their future work. Qualitative feedback revealed key strengths include the opportunities to meet with an international and diverse pool of experts and individuals working in the field, the interactive nature of the workshops and training sessions, and the breadth of topics and contexts covered. CONCLUSIONS: Yearly, the UK ISM has grown, both in size and in its international reach. Rated consistently favourably by delegates, the ISM helps to tackle current training demands from all those interested in learning and building their skills in implementation science. Evaluation of the ISM will continue to be an annual iterative process, reflective of changes in the evidence base and delegates changing needs as the field evolves

The challenges facing public libraries in the Big Society: The role of volunteers, and the issues that surround their use in England

The use of volunteers in English public libraries is nothing new, however their use is becoming ever greater and one may argue that we are increasingly seeing a mixed economy of public library provision, in the wider arena of the Big Society. This paper presents the findings of a Delphi Study of 15 library managers undertaken as part of a Professional Doctorate exploring the challenges facing public libraries in England today, particularly focusing on volunteer use. An overview of relevant supporting literature is provided to help contextualize the research, particularly focusing on concepts such as the political background surrounding policy development, community engagement, the Big Society, and volunteering. Explanation of how the Delphi Study was conducted is given, together with a discussion of the key findings. Results show that opinions of library managers cover a broad spectrum. Although volunteer use is generally viewed by the respondents as a good thing, with potential to further enhance a service and aid community engagement, there are also a number of concerns. These concerns particularly relate to the idea of the volunteer as a replacement to paid staff rather than an enhancement to the service. Other key concerns relate to the quality of service provision, the rationale behind volunteer use, and the capacity of communities to deliver. Volunteer use in public libraries on this scale is a new phenomenon, and the longevity of such a development is largely unknown. This raises the question as to whether this is simply a large scale ideological experiment, or a move to even greater community engagement

Rethinking the Development of US-China Relations

This paper intends to examine the debates between realists and liberals on US-China relations since the end of the Cold War, with trade used as the primary case study to discuss and demonstrate the influence and effect of complex interdependence in this relationship. I will also use the findings of this research to predict a positive development of US-China relations.Udostępnienie publikacji Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego finansowane w ramach projektu „Doskonałość naukowa kluczem do doskonałości kształcenia”. Projekt realizowany jest ze środków Europejskiego Funduszu Społecznego w ramach Programu Operacyjnego Wiedza Edukacja Rozwój; nr umowy: POWER.03.05.00-00-Z092/17-00

A Bow Shock Nebula Around a Compact X-Ray Source in the Supernova Remnant IC443

We present spectra and high resolution images of the hard X-ray feature along the southern edge of the supernova remnant IC443. Data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory reveal a comet-shaped nebula of hard emission, which contains a softer point source at its apex. We also present 20cm, 6cm, and 3.5cm images from the Very Large Array that clearly show the cometary nebula. Based on the radio and X-ray morphology and spectrum, and the radio polarization properties, we argue that this object is a synchrotron nebula powered by the compact source that is physically associated with IC443. The spectrum of the soft point source is adequately but not uniquely fit by a black body model (kT=0.71 +/- 0.08 keV, L=(6.5 +/- 0.9) * 10^31 erg/s). The cometary morphology of the nebula is the result of the supersonic motion of the neutron star (V_NS=250 +/- 50 km/s), which causes the relativistic wind of the pulsar to terminate in a bow shock and trail behind as a synchrotron tail. This velocity is consistent with an age of 30,000 years for the SNR and its associated neutron star.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in the ApJ Letter

Recycling bins, garbage cans or think tanks? Three myths regarding policy analysis institutes

The phrase 'think tank' has become ubiquitous – overworked and underspecified – in the political lexicon. It is entrenched in scholarly discussions of public policy as well as in the 'policy wonk' of journalists, lobbyists and spin-doctors. This does not mean that there is an agreed definition of think tank or consensual understanding of their roles and functions. Nevertheless, the majority of organizations with this label undertake policy research of some kind. The idea of think tanks as a research communication 'bridge' presupposes that there are discernible boundaries between (social) science and policy. This paper will investigate some of these boundaries. The frontiers are not only organizational and legal; they also exist in how the 'public interest' is conceived by these bodies and their financiers. Moreover, the social interactions and exchanges involved in 'bridging', themselves muddy the conception of 'boundary', allowing for analysis to go beyond the dualism imposed in seeing science on one side of the bridge, and the state on the other, to address the complex relations between experts and public policy

PROMPT: Panchromatic Robotic Optical Monitoring and Polarimetry Telescopes

Funded by $1.2M in grants and donations, we are now building PROMPT at CTIO. When completed in late 2005, PROMPT will consist of six 0.41-meter diameter Ritchey-Chrétien telescopes on rapidly slewing mounts that respond to GRB alerts within seconds, when the afterglow is potentially extremely bright. Each mirror and camera coating is being optimized for a different wavelength range and function, including a NIR imager, two red-optimized imagers, a blue-optimized imager, an UV-optimized imager, and an optical polarimeter. PROMPT will be able to identify high-redshift events by dropout and distinguish these events from the similar signatures of extinction. In this way, PROMPT will act as a distance-finder scope for spectroscopic follow up on the larger 4.1-meter diameter SOAR telescope, which is also located at CTIO. When not chasing GRBs, PROMPT serves broader educational objectives across the state of North Carolina. Enclosure construction and the first two telescopes are now complete and functioning: PROMPT observed Swift’s first GRB in December 2004. We upgrade from two to four telescope in February 2005 and from four to six telescopes in mid-2005

X-Ray and Radio Observations of Bright GeV Sources

We present X-ray and radio studies of sources which are brightabove 1 GeV (F_{>1GeV} > 4e-8 ph/cm^2/s. Only 11 out of ~30 of these gamma-ray sources have been identified with lower energy counterparts: 5 blazars and 6 pulsars. Three of these pulsars are surrounded by radio pulsar wind nebulae (PWN), two of which are also seen as bright, extended X-ray synchrotron nebulae. The ASCA X-ray telescope has observed 28 of the bright GeV sources, revealing an excess of F_{2-10keV} > 10e-12 ergs/cm^2/s sources within the {\it EGRET} error contours of the unidentified sources. Although several supernova remnants are positionally coincident with these sources, we find no X-ray evidence of high energy particle production in SNR shell shocks consistent with the GeV positions. We also present initial results from follow on radio imaging studies of several fields containing unidentified sources. We have discovered new X-ray/radio nebulae in three of these fields which are strong candidates for PWN. These sources, along with a similar nebula in CTA 1 and the PWN around PSR B1853+01 in W44, are all positionally coincident with variable EGRET sources. This suggests a class of variable gamma-ray sources associated with synchrotron emitting regions powered by the winds of young pulsars.Comment: 18 pages, 26 figures, To appear in the proceedings of the workshop: "The Nature of the Unidentified Galactic Gamma-Ray Sources" held at INAOE, Mexico, October 2000, (A.Carraminana, O. Reiner and D. Thompson,