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

Development and demonstration of manufacturing processes for fabricating graphite/LARC 160 polyimide structural elements

The development and demonstration of manufacturing technologies for the structural application of Celion graphite/LARC-160 polyimide composite material is discussed. Process development and fabrication of demonstration components are discussed. Process development included establishing quality assurance of the basic composite material and processing, nondestructive inspection of fabricated components, developing processes for specific structural forms, and qualification of processes through mechanical testing. Demonstration components were fabricated. The demonstration components consisted of flat laminates, skin/stringer panels, honeycomb panels, chopped fiber compression moldings, and a technology demonstrator segment (TDS) representative of the space shuttle aft body flap

Analyses and tests of the B-1 aircraft structural mode control system

Analyses and flight tests of the B-1 structural mode control system (SMCS) are presented. Improvements in the total dynamic response of a flexible aircraft and the benefits to ride qualities, handling qualities, crew efficiency, and reduced dynamic loads on the primary structures, were investigated. The effectiveness and the performance of the SMCS, which uses small aerodynamic surfaces at the vehicle nose to provide damping to the structural modes, were evaluated

The development of a measure of social care outcome for older people. Funded/commissioned by: Department of Health

An essential element of identifying Best Value and monitoring cost-effective care is to be able to identify the outcomes of care. In the field of health services, use of utility-based health related quality of life measures has become widespread, indeed even required. If, in the new era of partnerships, social care outcomes are to be valued and included we need to develop measures that reflect utility or welfare gain from social care interventions. This paper reports on a study, commissioned as part of the Department of Health’s Outcomes of Social Care for Adults Initiative, that developed an instrument and associated utility indexes that provide a tool for evaluating social care interventions in both a research and service setting. Discrete choice conjoint analysis used to derive utility weights provided us with new insights into the relative importance of the core domains of social care to older people. Whilst discrete choice conjoint analysis is being increasingly used in health economics, this is the first study that has attempted to use it to derive a measure of outcome

Estimated Performance and Stability and Control Data for Correlation with XB-70-1 Flight Test Data

Correlation studies based on wind tunnel test data and flight tests to determine performance, stability and control of XB-70-1 aircraf

Polyribonuceleotide synthesis by cytoplasmic enzymes

The possibility that the cell cytoplasm contains enzymes catalysing RNA biosynthesis was investigated in Landschutz ascites tumour cells. Enzyme fractions were obtained by differential centrifugation of disrupted cell homogenates. The incorporation of (alpha32p) UTP into polyribonucleotides catalysed by such fractions was investigated in reaction mixtures containing primer RNA, ATP, GTP and CTP to stimulate conditions for synthesis of RNA. The microsomal fraction was most active in incorporating (alpha32p) UTP into polyribonucleotides. Experiments in which the microsomal fraction was analysed by sucrose density gradient centrifugation confirmed the particulate nature of the enzyme. An acetone dried powder of the microsomal fraction was prepared and its properties further investigated. The incorporation of (alpha32p) UTP was stimulated by an ATP regenerating system but not by ATP, GTP and CTP in the presence of the latter. The incorporation of (alpha32p) UTP showed a requirement for RNA as a primer and an absolute requirement for Mg2+ ions while Mn2+ ions, spermine and putrescene inhibited the reaction. Alkaline hydrolysis of the reaction products after(alpha32p)UTP incorporation showed mainly UMP residues to be labelled irrespective of whether ATP, GTP and CTP were present in the reaction mixture indicating synthesis of polu U chains. 3H ATP, GTP and CTP were found to be incorporated into polyribonucleotides under the same conditions as (alpha32p) UTP, though individual nucleotides were 3H ATP at increasing substrate concentrations of GTP, CTP and UTP added to the reaction mixtures over the range of concentrations tested. These experiments indicate homopolyribonucleotide synthesis rather than the synthesis of RNA. Extraction of RNA from the reaction mixtures after 3H ribonucleoside 5'-triphosphate incorporation and analysis by sucrose density gradient centrifugation showed no labelling of the ribosomal RNA. The incorporated radioactivity appeared between the 4S region and the meniscus of the sucrose gradient. Determination of the chain length of the homopolyribonucleotide product showed only short sequences to be synthesised which is in agreement with the position of radioactive RNA on sucrose density gradients. Considerable phosphodiesterase activity was found to be associated with the microsomal fraction which could account for the lack of labelling of ribosomal RNA and the short chain lengths of homopolyribonucleotide synthesised. An attempt made to demonstrate homopolyribonucleotide occurance in vivo proved negative though the possibility could not be ruled out that short chain homopolyribobucleotides were present. The lack of ability of cytoplasmic fractions to catalyse in vivo the net synthesis if RNA is in agreement with in vivo experiments on the kinetics of nucleotide uptake into cells in the presence or absence of actinomycin D which indicate that synthesis of RNA occurs primarily in the nucleus on a DNA template. However limited homopolyribonucleotide synthesis does appear to be catalysed by the microsomal fraction, the possible significance of which is discussed

A new generation computerised metacognitive cognitive remediation programme for schizophrenia (CIRCuiTS): a randomised controlled trial

Background: Cognitive remediation (CR) is a psychological therapy which improves cognitive and social functioning in people with schizophrenia. It is now being implemented within routine clinical services and mechanisms of change are being explored. We designed a new generation computerised CR programme, CIRCuiTS, to enhance strategic and metacognitive processing, with an integrated focus on the transfer of cognitive skills to daily living. This large trial tested its feasibility to be delivered in therapist-led and independent sessions, and its efficacy for improved cognitive and social functioning. Methods: A two arm single blind randomised superiority trial comparing CIRCuiTS plus treatment-as-usual (TAU) with TAU alone in 93 people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Cognitive, social functioning and symptom outcomes were assessed at pre- and post-therapy and three months later. Results: 85% adhered to CIRCuiTS, completing a median of 28 sessions. There were significant improvements in visual memory at post-treatment (p=0.009) and follow-up (p=0.001), and a trend for improvements in executive function at post-treatment (p=0.056) in favour of the CIRCuiTS group. Community function was also differentially and significantly improved in the CIRCuiTS group at post-treatment (p=0.003) but not follow-up, and was specifically predicted by improved executive functions. Conclusions: CIRCuiTS was beneficial for improving memory and social functioning. Improved executive functioning emerges as a consistent predictor of functional gains and should be considered an important CR target to achieve functional change. A larger-scale effectiveness trial of CIRCuiTS is now indicated

Variability and Proper Motion of X-ray Knots in the Jet of Centaurus A

Accepted to ApJ, 14 pages, 8 figures, 2 tablesWe report results from Chandra observations analyzed for evidence of variability and proper motion in the X-ray jet of Centaurus A. Using data spanning 15 yr, collective proper motion of 11.3 ± 3.3 mas yr -1 , or 0.68 ± 0.20c, is detected for the fainter X-ray knots and other substructure present within the jet. The three brightest knots (AX1A, AX1C, and BX2) are found to be stationary to an upper limit of . Brightness variations up to 27% are detected for several X-ray knots in the jet. For the fading knots, BX2 and AX1C, the changes in spectral slope expected to accompany synchrotron cooling are not found, ruling it out and placing upper limits of ≃80 μG for each of their magnetic field strengths. Adiabatic expansion can account for the observed decreases in brightness. Constraints on models for the origin of the knots are established. Jet plasma overrunning an obstacle is favored as the generator of stationary knots, while moving knots are likely produced either by internal differences in jet speed or the late stages of jet interaction with nebular or cloud material.Peer reviewe