Assessment, Evaluations and Definitions of Research Impact: A Review

This article aims to explore what is understood by the term ‘research impact’ and to provide a comprehensive assimilation of available literature and information, drawing on global experiences to understand the potential for methods and frameworks of impact assessment being implemented for UK impact assessment. We take a more focused look at the impact component of the UK Research Excellence Framework taking place in 2014 and some of the challenges to evaluating impact and the role that systems might play in the future for capturing the links between research and impact and the requirements we have for these systems.Jisc [DIINN10

Trouble with the Lorentz law of force: Incompatibility with special relativity and momentum conservation

The Lorentz law of force is the fifth pillar of classical electrodynamics, the other four being Maxwell's macroscopic equations. The Lorentz law is the universal expression of the force exerted by electromagnetic fields on a volume containing a distribution of electrical charges and currents. If electric and magnetic dipoles also happen to be present in a material medium, they are traditionally treated by expressing the corresponding polarization and magnetization distributions in terms of bound-charge and bound-current densities, which are subsequently added to free-charge and free-current densities, respectively. In this way, Maxwell's macroscopic equations are reduced to his microscopic equations, and the Lorentz law is expected to provide a precise expression of the electromagnetic force density on material bodies at all points in space and time. This paper presents incontrovertible theoretical evidence of the incompatibility of the Lorentz law with the fundamental tenets of special relativity. We argue that the Lorentz law must be abandoned in favor of a more general expression of the electromagnetic force density, such as the one discovered by A. Einstein and J. Laub in 1908. Not only is the Einstein-Laub formula consistent with special relativity, it also solves the long-standing problem of "hidden momentum" in classical electrodynamics.Comment: 7 pages, 1 figur

A VEL3 histone deacetylase complex establishes a maternal epigenetic state controlling progeny seed dormancy

Mother plants play an important role in the control of dormancy and dispersal characters of their progeny. In Arabidopsis seed dormancy is imposed by the embryo-surrounding tissues of the endosperm and seed coat. Here we show that VERNALIZATION5/VIN3-LIKE 3 (VEL3) maintains maternal control over progeny seed dormancy. Acting early in endosperm development, it establishes an epigenetic state that primes the depth of primary seed dormancy that will be reached later during seed maturation. VEL3 relocates MSI1 to the nucleolus and associates with other components of the histone deacetylase complex (HDAC). Furthermore VEL3 preferentially associates with pericentromeric chromatin and is required for deacetylation and H3K27me3 deposition in the central cell. Interestingly, the epigenetic state established by the maternal VEL3 is retained in mature seeds, and controls seed dormancy in part through the repression of programmed cell death-associated gene ORE1. Our data demonstrates a novel mechanism by which maternal control of progeny seed physiology persists post-shedding, maintaining parental control of seed behaviour

Electrodynamics of Media

Contains research objectives and reports on four research projects.Joint Services Electronics Programs (U. S. Army, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force) under Contract DA 28-043-AMC-02536(E

Custom Integrated Circuits

Contains report on one research project.U.S. Air Force - Office of Scientific Research (Contract F49620-80-C-0073

MRI Guided Interventions needs new materials and contrast agents

Abstract Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is primary a diagnostic tool, with or without the use of contrast agents. To enable the use of MRI for interventional purposes, devices are needed that are nonmagnetic and non-conductive and visible in MRI. Fiber-composite materials provide enough strength to replace classic metal-based devices, and at the same time provide opportunity to include contrast agents as part of the matrix. Gadolinium chelates are clinically being used ad contrast agents by delivery into the vascular space, and then diffusing into the site (tumor, scar, vessel) of interest, Apart from incomplete diffusion, they are rapidly washed out of the site, and some gadolinium chelates cause specific renal toxicity Porphyrins are potential MR contrast agents, considering their stable form within chelate complexes that comprises paramagnetic metal ions and their retention by the site selectively The present study aims to evaluate the site enhancing imaging characteristics of novel metalloporphyrin derivatives. In this project we investigate the MRI characteristics of metalloporphyrin derivatives as potential biocompatible MR contrast agent. However, to enable this several technical issues have to be resolved. Hemin is sparingly soluble in aqueous media. Therefore, derivatives of Hemin have been processed for enhancing the solubility as PEGylated Hemin, Hemin Arginate or Hemin Lysinate. This new contrast agent has achieved a high molar Relaxivity in MRI allowing decrease of the required dose for in vivo applications. These derivatives suggest that the size, geometry, and polarity of hemin can be modified to optimize their relaxivities ,pharmacokinetic properties, and biocompatibility

Recognition without identification, erroneous familiarity, and déjà vu

Déjà vu is characterized by the recognition of a situation concurrent with the awareness that this recognition is inappropriate. Although forms of déjà vu resolve in favor of the inappropriate recognition and therefore have behavioral consequences, typical déjà vu experiences resolve in favor of the awareness that the sensation of recognition is inappropriate. The resultant lack of behavioral modification associated with typical déjà vu means that clinicians and experimenters rely heavily on self-report when observing the experience. In this review, we focus on recent déjà vu research. We consider issues facing neuropsychological, neuroscientific, and cognitive experimental frameworks attempting to explore and experimentally generate the experience. In doing this, we suggest the need for more experimentation and amore cautious interpretation of research findings, particularly as many techniques being used to explore déjà vu are in the early stages of development.PostprintPeer reviewe

SOCIAL CONSTRAINTS ON ADULT LANGUAGE LEARNING

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/73181/1/j.1749-6632.1981.tb42015.x.pd

Transcranial magnetic stimulation in sport science: a commentary

The aim of this commentary is to provide a brief overview of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and highlight how this technique can be used to investigate the acute and chronic responses of the central nervous system to exercise. We characterise the neuromuscular responses to TMS and discuss how these measures can be used to investigate the mechanisms of fatigue in response to locomotor exercise. We also discuss how TMS might be used to study the corticospinal adaptations to resistance exercise training, with particular emphasis on the responses to shortening/lengthening contractions and contralateral training. The limited data to date suggest that TMS is a valuable technique for exploring the mechanisms of central fatigue and neural adaptation