Photon collider search strategy for sleptons and dark matter at the LHC

We propose a search strategy using the LHC as a photon collider to open sensitivity to scalar lepton (slepton $\tilde{\ell}$) production with masses around 15 to 60 GeV above that of neutralino dark matter $\tilde{\chi}^0_1$. This region is favored by relic abundance and muon $(g-2)_\mu$ arguments. However, conventional searches are hindered by the irreducible diboson background. We overcome this obstruction by measuring initial state kinematics and the missing momentum four-vector in proton-tagged ultraperipheral collisions using forward detectors. We demonstrate sensitivity beyond LEP for slepton masses of up to 220 GeV for $15 \lesssim \Delta m(\tilde{\ell}, \tilde{\chi}^0_1) \lesssim 60$ GeV with 100 fb$^{-1}$ of 13 TeV proton collisions. We encourage the LHC collaborations to open this forward frontier for discovering new physics.Comment: 4 pages + bibliography, 3 figure

The role of E-portfolios in higher education: their perceived value and potential to assist undergraduate computing students

Whilst not a new concept, ePortfolios embrace the interactive nature of Web 2.0 technology and are beginning to show signs of bringing about a new pedagogy in education. The wide range of commercial and open source ePortfolio and associated tools currently available allows students to maintain an online repository of digital artefacts. These tools can facilitate reflective, collaborative and lifelong learning, and allow students to showcase skills, knowledge and understanding. A key benefit identified in the literature is the ability to create a personalised and reflective learning experience. Previous research has shown that the lack of competent and effective use of ePortfolios and the inability of students fully to recognise the benefits to them as learners, are hindering their widespread use. This paper focuses on a small pilot research project, which seeks to identify the Web 2.0 tools that students following undergraduate awards in technology subjects across various levels at the authors’ institution are currently using. It investigates the extent to which students keep a digital record of their learning and how they perceive ePortfolios as a learning tool. The students were surveyed by questionnaire providing quantitative data. Qualitative information was also gained by interviewing a smaller group of those students individually to ascertain whether they were able to identify the value of an ePortfolio and how they might envisage using one in their learning. The outcome of this initial study has helped to determine whether an ePortfolio application was worthy of further development and trialling as a subsequent project

How self directed support is failing to deliver personal budgets and personalisation

Copyright © Social Services Research Group 2012. This article is available open access from the publisher’s website at the link below.Over the past five years, social care has been experiencing a period of change described as 'transformational'. It has largely been based on a model initiated by the organisation 'In Control' (Poll et al., 2006), variously called 'personalisation', 'personal budgets' and 'self directed support'. The drive to create personalised services through self directed support and personal budgets was implemented before the model was fully tested. Indeed, its implementation was announced before completion of a national evaluation set up by the Government. One advantage of such speedy, widespread implementation is that we are now beginning to have substantial evidence regarding its efficacy. At the same time, we are the on the cusp of new legislation likely to shape social care for the foreseeable future. It is essential that legislation takes on board what the evidence says about this model – its strengths and weaknesses. The following discussion shows why the underpinning notion of self directed support seems to have failed in its ambitions. However, the concepts of personalisation and personal budgets associated with it may retain value if interpreted in an appropriate way, delivered through an appropriate strategy. Then even so long as resources fall short of needs, they are likely to ensure the best possible outcomes for service users are secured. If and when adequate levels of funding are also provided, there may be the real prospect of enabling all to live their lives on the same terms as others who do not need social care support

InternScoop.com

InternScoop is a young company with strong ambitions to grow to become the top internship resource for students across the nation. We plan to provide students with all of the resources that they need to find, obtain, and prepare for the internship of their dreams. This can be accomplished by serving as the intermediary between students and companies, helping both parties develop a mutually beneficial and positive relationship. Our mission for InternScoop is to empower students with information and resources necessary to find the best-fit internships for them. Information means testimony through experience from interns who have worked with different companies and in various disciplines. With resources, we will provide the important tools for internship seekers to maximize their experience of acquiring internships. At InternScoop, we deliver the Scoop that future interns are looking for in order to turn their careers into a success

Leeds and the Northern Arts Prize

Purpose - This paper aims to look at the nature of the relationship between the marketing of the contemporary visual arts, cultural tourism and city and urban regeneration. This exploratory study of the marketing of the contemporary visual arts in Leeds has, as its background narrative, the emergence of BritArt. Design/methodology/approach - The growth of contemporary visual arts provides the context for a case study of the Northern Art Prize, which was first awarded in 2007. Findings - The study found a number of factors for success that can aid urban renewal and city regeneration. Private sector marketing expertise levered into the management of the project was one critical success factor. Another was that private sector funding freed up marketers and artists and allowed risk-taking. Participants highlighted a lack of vision for the contemporary visual arts in the city and region and a strong desire for new collaborative working and new governance structures for the delivery of arts marketing and cultural tourism. Originality/value - The Northern Art Prize offers much for the marketing of contemporary visual arts, cultural tourism, city branding and urban renewal. Investing in and marketing of the arts is argued to serve as a stimulus that can bring a range of benefits for the business and wider community. Marketing, especially arts marketing, can help deliver social, economic and urban regeneration

Undergraduate students: interactive, online experiences and ePortfolio development

Results of a previous study by the authors into the perceived value and potential of ePortfolios to assist undergraduate students indicated that technology was an important aspect of their everyday lives. It was also felt it to be beneficial to their learning. A large percentage of students were found to be using digital techniques to store evidence of their learning, and were also using interactive, online tools in their learning activities. There was, however, little reported structured use of ePortfolio development in their learning. Students acknowledged they were discovering for themselves the value of online technologies in learning. This paper focuses on student skills and experiences of online tools on entry to university, and considers their experience of ePortfolio development using the Wordpress personal publishing platform. Results indicate that students’ skill level of online, interactive tools was high and wide-ranging. Although previous experience of using these tools was unstructured and informal, ePortfolio creation was found to be an engaging, relevant and worthwhile activity. The ePortfolio development exercise also provided an experiential learning experience, and had a positive effect on students’ attitudes to learning