First Stars III Conference Summary

The understanding of the formation, life, and death of Population III stars, as well as the impact that these objects had on later generations of structure formation, is one of the foremost issues in modern cosmological research and has been an active area of research during the past several years. We summarize the results presented at "First Stars III," a conference sponsored by Los Alamos National Laboratory, the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology, and the Joint Institute for Nuclear Astrophysics. This conference, the third in a series, took place in July 2007 at the La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S.A.Comment: 11 pages, no figures; Conference summary for First Stars III, which was held in Santa Fe, NM on July 15-20, 2007. To appear in "Proceedings of First Stars III," Eds. Brian W. O'Shea, Alexander Heger & Tom Abe

Landlords will be forbidden from evicting tenants for no reason - but reform has only just begun

First paragraph: Change is coming. Soon, private tenants in England will have the security they need to call their rented house a home. The UK government has announced plans to abolish “no fault” Section 21 evictions in England, meaning that landlords will no longer be able to evict tenants without a legitimate reason.https://theconversation.com/landlords-will-be-forbidden-from-evicting-tenants-for-no-reason-but-reform-has-only-just-begun-11558

Heated aquatic microcosms for climate change experiments

Ponds and shallow lakes are likely to be strongly affected by climate change, and by increase in environmental temperature in particular. Hydrological regimes and nutrient cycling may be altered, plant and animal communities may undergo changes in both composition and dynamics, and long-term and difficult to reverse switches between alternative stable equilibria may occur. A thorough understanding of the potential effects of increased temperature on ponds and shallow lakes is desirable because these ecosystems are of immense importance throughout the world as sources of drinking water, and for their amenity and conservation value. This understanding can only come through experimental studies in which the effects of different temperature regimes are compared. This paper reports design details and operating characteristics of a recently constructed experimental facility consisting of 48 aquatic microcosms which mimic the pond and shallow lake environment. Thirty-two of the microcosms can be heated and regulated to simulate climate change scenarios, including those predicted for the UK. The authors also summarise the current and future experimental uses of the microcosms

Making a home in the private rented sector: An evidence review

The growth of the private-rental sector (PRS) over the last two decades has led to significant questions over its ability to provide a homely environment for tenants. Much of the research in this area argues that legal frameworks, lack of regulation and financial motives of landlords are not conducive to the provision of homes which are secure, affordable, good quality and which offer tenants an opportunity to meet their health and wellbeing needs. However, recent legislative changes across the UK devolved nations – most notably in Scotland – are shifting the PRS towards greater professionalisation meaning landlords and letting agents are being held to higher account and there is increasing pressure for improvement for tenants. This report presents findings from an evidence review of research concerning home within the PRS across OECD countries. Rather than focusing on the experiences of tenants, it considers the impacts of landlord and letting agent behaviours on tenants’ ability to make a home in the sector. We argue that landlords and letting agents can play a positive role in helping their tenants create a home, and thereby sustain their tenancy

Making a home in the private rented sector: Practical advice for landlords and letting agents

The growth of the private-rental sector (PRS) over the last two decades has led to significant questions over its ability to provide a homely environment for tenants. Much of the research in this area argues that legal frameworks, lack of regulation and financial motives of landlords are not conducive to the provision of homes which are secure, affordable, good quality and which offer tenants an opportunity to meet their health and wellbeing needs. However, recent legislative changes across the UK devolved nations – most notably in Scotland – are shifting the PRS towards greater professionalisation meaning landlords and letting agents are being held to higher account and there is increasing pressure for improvement for tenants. This guide provides practical guidance for landlords and letting agents, based on findings from an evidence review of research concerning home within the PRS across OECD countries (see linked report). Landlords and letting agents can play a positive role in helping their tenants create a home, and thereby sustain their tenancy - this guide offers practical pointers to help with this process