A science-oriented search engine could solve web problems

Lawrence and Giles [1] eloquently define the current problems with the World-Wide Web, but could "Nature" provide the solution

Database-backed library web sites: a case study of the use of PHP and MySQL at the University of Nottingham

This paper discusses the advantages of database-backed websites and describes the model for a library website implemented at the University of Nottingham using open source software, PHP and MySQL. As websites continue to grow in size and complexity it becomes increasingly important to introduce automation to help manage them. It is suggested that a database-backed website offers many advantages over one built from static HTML pages. These include a consistency of style and content, the ability to present different views of the same data, devolved editing and enhanced security. The University of Nottingham Library Services website is described and issues surrounding its design, technological implementation and management are explored

The limits of spatial resolution achievable using a 30kHz multibeam sonar: model predictions and field results

A Simrad EM300 multibeam sonar was used to attempt to resolve small (-5m high) targets in 450m of water. The targets had previously been surveyed using a deeply towed 59 kHz sidescan sonar. Using multisector active yaw, pitch and roll compensation, together with dynamically altering angular sectors, the sonar is capable of maintaining sounding densities of as tight as 10m spacing in these water depths. This is significantly smaller than the largest dimension of the projected beam footprints (1 6-64m). The observed data suggest that the targets are intermittently resolved. The field results compare well to the output of a numerical model which reproduces the imaging geometry. Possible variations in the imaging geometry are implemented in the model, comparing equiangular and equidistant beam spacings, differing angular sectors and all the different combinations of transmit and receive beam widths that are available for this model of sonar. While amplitude detection is significantly aliased by targets smaller than the across track beam footprint, under conditions where the signal to noise ratio is favorable, phase detection can be used to reduce the minimum size of target observed to about the scale of the across track beam width. Thus having the beam spacing at the scale is justifiable. The phase distortion due to smaller targets, however, is generally averaged out

Performance of UK wastewater treatment works with respect to trace contaminants

This is the post-print version of the final paper published in Science of Total Environment. The published article is available from the link below. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. Copyright @ 2013 Elsevier B.V.This study examined the performance of 16 wastewater treatment works to provide an overview of trace substance removal in relation to meeting the objectives of the Water Framework Directive (WFD). Collection and analysis of over 2400 samples including sewage influent, process samples at different stages in the treatment process and final effluent has provided data on the performance of current wastewater treatment processes and made it possible to evaluate the need for improved effluent quality. Results for 55 substances, including metals, industrial chemicals and pharmaceuticals are reported. Data for sanitary parameters are also provided. A wide range of removal efficiencies was observed. Removal was not clearly related to the generic process type, indicating that other operational factors tend to be important. Nonetheless, removals for many substances of current concern were high. Despite this, current proposals for stringent water quality standards mean that further improvements in effluent quality are likely to be required

The Effects of Test Mode and Contiguity of Material on Geometry Test Scores, Cognitive Load, and Self-Efficacy

In recent years, the development and usage of computer-based tests for educational assessment has grown. The computer-based tests are typically derived from paper-based tests, with the assumption the tests being administered in different modes are equivalent. Studies examining this test mode effect have mainly focused on the test scores, but few have examined other factors important to test performance. The current study examines the test mode effect for geometry test problems, while also putting in perspective the factors of self-efficacy and cognitive load as both are significant components in performance. The results suggest test scores and cognitive load for geometry problems are similar across the test modes, however learners’ self-efficacy significantly decreases when performing the geometry test problems in computer-based test mode. The findings provide insight into the test mode literature and give direction for future lines of research. Keywords: Computer-based testing, Self-efficacy, Test mode effect, Geometry, Cognitive load DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-12-03 Publication date: April 30th 202

Database-backed library web sites: a case study of the use of PHP and MySQL at the University of Nottingham

This paper discusses the advantages of database-backed websites and describes the model for a library website implemented at the University of Nottingham using open source software, PHP and MySQL. As websites continue to grow in size and complexity it becomes increasingly important to introduce automation to help manage them. It is suggested that a database-backed website offers many advantages over one built from static HTML pages. These include a consistency of style and content, the ability to present different views of the same data, devolved editing and enhanced security. The University of Nottingham Library Services website is described and issues surrounding its design, technological implementation and management are explored

Exploration of emotion regulation experiences associated with borderline personality features in a non-clinical sample

Background Emotion dysregulation is a core feature associated with borderline personality features (BPF). Little research has explored how individuals with high levels of BPF regulate their emotions. This study aimed to explore how individuals with high versus low levels of BPF compare on the strategies they use to regulate emotions and in their experiences of emotion regulation. Methods Twenty-nine university students were recruited and assessed for the presence of BPF using self-report questionnaires. Each participant took part in a semi-structured interview about their experiences of emotion regulation. All interview transcripts then underwent thematic analysis. In addition chi square analyses were conducted to explore the association between level of BPF (High vs Low) and each qualitative theme identified. Results Findings indicated similarities in the types of emotion regulation strategies used by the high and low-BPF groups. However, the groups differed in their experiences and thought processes surrounding emotion regulation. High-BPF participants were found to describe a need to communicate negative emotions with others and demonstrated difficulty maintaining attention on positive experiences. In addition there was a trend towards High-BPF participants demonstrating less forward-planning in emotion regulation. Conclusions This study provides insights into some of the unique aspects of emotion regulation in individuals with high BPF that may make emotion regulation attempts less successful

Safe introduction of ventricular assist devices into national clinical practice

IntroductionWe report the first national Scottish experience with ventricularassist- devices (VADs) in a selected group of patients for whom short-term VADs (ST-VADs) were used as a salvage ‘bridge-to-decision’ (BTD) and long-term VADs (LT-VADs) as a ‘bridge-to-transplantation/recovery’ (BTT/BTR). Method: From January 2010–July 2012, 13 (mean-age 42.4(16–62) years) INTERMACS I patients required emergency ST-VAD support as BTD and 9 (meanage 35.4(16-53) years) INTERMACS I–IV required LT-VADs as BTT/BTR.ResultsOf BTD patients, 8(61.5%) received ST-BiVADs, 3(23.1%) ST-LVADs and 2(15.4%) peripheral CentriMag ECMO. Nine(69.2%) survived to last follow-up: 1(7.7%) is on ST-VAD support, 5(45.5%) bridged to myocardial-recovery and VADexplantation, 1(9.1%) to transplantation and 2(9.1%) to LT-support. Mean durations of ST-support, renal-support and postoperative ICU-stay were 31.3(2–110), 6.6(0–31) and 35.5(1–119) days, respectively. Four(36.4%) early deaths and one after discharge. One(7.7%) stroke, 2(15.4%) acute-limb-ischemia and 6(46.2%) re-explored. No driveline-infections or device-failures. Cumulative survival was 57.1% at 4, 12 and 24 months postoperatively. Of LT-LVAD patients, 6(66.7%) remain on LT-support, 1(11.1%) bridged to myocardial-recovery and VAD-explantation, and another to transplantation. Mean postoperative ICU-stay and LT-support were 19.9(6–56) and 251.3(21–751) days, respectively. One(1.11%) patient demised after 98 days of support, 2(22.2%) suffered LVAD-induced RV failure, 2(22.2%) required re-exploration for bleeding and only one(11.1%) minor superficial driveline-infection was encountered but no device/pump failure, infection or thrombosis. Cumulative survival was 85.7% at 4, 12 and 24 months of support.ConclusionWith undue vigilance, complex VAD-therapy can be integrated safely into a national program, treating the most deranged advanced-heart-failure patients, with low rates of complications and high rates of myocardial-recovery

Spectroscopic Confirmation of Two Massive Red-Sequence-Selected Galaxy Clusters at z ~ 1.2 in the SpARCS-North Cluster Survey

The Spitzer Adaptation of the Red-sequence Cluster Survey (SpARCS) is a deep z'-band imaging survey covering the Spitzer Wide-Area Infrared Extragalactic Survey (SWIRE) Legacy fields designed to create the first large homogeneously selected sample of massive clusters at z > 1 using an infrared adaptation of the cluster red-sequence method. We present an overview of the northern component of the survey which has been observed with Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT)/MegaCam and covers 28.3 deg^2. The southern component of the survey was observed with Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO)/MOSAICII, covers 13.6 deg^2, and is summarized in a companion paper by Wilson et al. We also present spectroscopic confirmation of two rich cluster candidates at z ~ 1.2. Based on Nod-and-Shuffle spectroscopy from GMOS-N on Gemini, there are 17 and 28 confirmed cluster members in SpARCS J163435+402151 and SpARCS J163852+403843 which have spectroscopic redshifts of 1.1798 and 1.1963, respectively. The clusters have velocity dispersions of 490 ± 140 km s^(–1) and 650 ± 160 km s^(–1), respectively, which imply masses (M_(200)) of (1.0 ± 0.9) × 10^(14) M_⊙ and (2.4 ± 1.8) × 10^(14) M_⊙. Confirmation of these candidates as bonafide massive clusters demonstrates that two-filter imaging is an effective, yet observationally efficient, method for selecting clusters at z > 1

New science on the Open Science Grid

The Open Science Grid (OSG) includes work to enable new science, new scientists, and new modalities in support of computationally based research. There are frequently significant sociological and organizational changes required in transformation from the existing to the new. OSG leverages its deliverables to the large-scale physics experiment member communities to benefit new communities at all scales through activities in education, engagement, and the distributed facility. This paper gives both a brief general description and specific examples of new science enabled on the OSG. More information is available at the OSG web site: www.opensciencegrid.org