Playing popular science

Popular science is a critical form of science communication and dissemination. While scientific journals and detailed textbooks are well suited to dissemination of detailed theories and findings within academic communities, there is a definitive need to inform the general public of key scientific concepts and challenges. Indeed, this is increasingly seen as a central part of any research project or funding bid: in the United Kingdom, the Research Councils stipulate a need to consider public engagement and outreach in research proposals For scientists, the popular science book has long been a medium of choice, primarily because they already have a great deal of experience in writing. But in recent years scientific researchers have been increasingly engaged with other forms of popular science communication, including radio and television broadcasting. Early careers researchers are now provided with training in these areas, including guidance on how to develop programme proposals and how to write, present, direct, and edit materials for print, the airwaves, and screen. In effect, today’s scientists are expected to engage directly with popular science journalism not merely as scientific advisors, but as the writers, directors, and broadcasters.This event involved an exhibition and discussion of four popular science games, co-designed by scientific experts and designed and developed by students at Abertay University. The four games were: (1) Namaka by Crowbar Games Co-designed by Ecotoxicologist Dr Brian Quinn (2) Tides: A Shark Tale by Benthos Games Co-designed by Immunologist and sharks expert Dr Helen Dooley (3) Orbs by Quantessential Games Co-designed by Quantum Physicist Dr Erik Gauger (4) Cell Cycle by Type 3 Games Co-designed by Cell Biologist and cancer researcher Dr Adrian Sauri

Assessment of outcome of distal radius inta-articular fractures using wrist-spanning mini-fixator in distraction

Background: The distal radius fractures are complex injuries. There are many treatment options for these fractures. The benefits of external fixation with mini fixator have been seen in many studies. In our study, the distal radius fracture belonging to type B and C of AO classification were treated with wrist spaning mini extrernal fixator with/without additional k wires. We wish to analyse the functional outcome and to determine any complications of this procedure.Methods: 20 patients were included in this study and were followed up for up to 6 months postoperatively. We assessed pain using VAS score at 6 weeks follow-up and the outcome of each patient was assessed using Mayo wrist score post-operatively on follow-up at 3 months and 6 months.Results: Predominance towards males and left upper limb was observed in our study. At the end of six months, the range of motion as assessed according to the criteria given by Mayo wrist score, excellent results (MWS>=90) were seen in 4 patients (20%), good results (MWS 80-89) were seen in 12 patients (60%),and fair (MWS 70-79) in 4 patient (20%). At the end of result, significant reduction in terms of pain, wellbeing, personal life, social life, lifting, travelling and sleeping was seen.Conclusions: Predominance towards males and left upper limb was observed in our study. At the end of six months, the range of motion as assessed according to the criteria given by Mayo Wrist Score, excellent results (MWS>=90) were seen in 4 patients (20%), good results (MWS 80-89) were seen in 12 patients (60%),and fair (MWS 70-79) in 4 patient (20%). At the end of result, significant reduction in terms of pain, wellbeing, personal life, social life, lifting, travelling and sleeping was seen.

On Subexponentials, Synthetic Connectives, and Multi-level Delimited Control

International audienceWe construct a partially-ordered hierarchy of delimited control operators similar to those of the CPS hierarchy of Danvy and Filinski. However, instead of relying on nested CPS translations, these operators are directly interpreted in linear logic extended with subexponentials (i.e., multiple pairs of ! and ?). We construct an independent proof theory for a fragment of this logic based on the principle of focusing. It is then shown that the new constraints placed on the permutation of cuts correspond to multiple levels of delimited control

Characterization of Young Stellar Clusters

A high number of embedded clusters is found in the Galaxy. Depending on the formation scenario, most of them can evolve to unbounded groups that are dissolved within a few tens of Myr. A systematic study of young stellar clusters showing distinct characteristics provide interesting information on the evolutionary phases during the pre-main sequence. In order to identify and to understand these phases we performed a comparative study of 21 young stellar clusters. Near-infrared data from 2MASS were used to determine the structural and fundamental parameters based on surface stellar density maps, radial density profile, and colour-magnitude diagrams. We obtained age and mass distributions by comparing pre-main sequence models with the position of cluster members in the colour-magnitude diagram. The mean age of our sample is ~ 5 Myr, where 57% of the objects is found in the 4 - 10 Myr range of age, while 43% is < 4 Myr old. Their low E(B-V) indicate that the members are not suffering high extinction Av < 1 mag), which means they are more likely young stellar groups than embedded clusters. Relations between structural and fundamental parameters were used to verify differences and similarities that could be found among the clusters. The parameters of most of the objects have the same trends or correlations. Comparisons with other young clusters show similar relations among mass, radius and density. Our sample tends to have larger radius and lower volumetric density, when compared to embedded clusters. These differences are compatible with the mean age of our sample, which we consider intermediary between the embedded and the exposed phases of the stellar clusters evolution.Comment: 17 pages, 12 figures, accepted for A&A Letter

Confocal laser endomicroscopy is a new imaging modality for recognition of intramucosal bacteria in inflammatory bowel disease in vivo

Interaction of bacteria with the immune system within the intestinal mucosa plays a key role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of the current study was to develop a fluorescein-aided confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) method to visualise intramucosal enteric bacteria in vivo and to determine the involved mucosal area in the colon and ileum in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD)