The Crystal Structure of CeNi

X-ray diffraction methods were used to determine the cell constants and structure of CeNi. The unit cell is orthohombic. The spcae group is probably Cmcm with aO=3.77 +/- 0.01, bO=10.46 +/- 0.02, cO=4.37+/- 0.01 A. The cell formula is Ce4Ni4. The observed density if 7.51 grams/cm3 and the calculated density is 7.65 grams/cm3, a deviation of 1.8%

Memories of Samuel H. Elbert

This is a personal tribute to Sam Elbert, who was my chief mentor in the field of diachronic Austronesian linguistics (along with my father, who taught me Indo-European diachronics when I was thirteen). I could never have done it without Sam's inspiration, his brilliant example, and his unflagging encouragement.</p

Network layer access control for context-aware IPv6 applications

As part of the Lancaster GUIDE II project, we have developed a novel wireless access point protocol designed to support the development of next generation mobile context-aware applications in our local environs. Once deployed, this architecture will allow ordinary citizens secure, accountable and convenient access to a set of tailored applications including location, multimedia and context based services, and the public Internet. Our architecture utilises packet marking and network level packet filtering techniques within a modified Mobile IPv6 protocol stack to perform access control over a range of wireless network technologies. In this paper, we describe the rationale for, and components of, our architecture and contrast our approach with other state-of-the- art systems. The paper also contains details of our current implementation work, including preliminary performance measurements

Ultrastructural elastic deformation of cortical bone tissue probed by NIR Raman spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy is used as a probe of ultrastructural (molecular) changes in both the mineral and matrix (protein and glycoprotein, predominantly type I collagen) components of murine cortical bone as it responds to loading in the elastic regime. At the ultrastructural level, crystal structure and protein secondary structure distort as the tissue is loaded. These structural changes are followed as perturbations to tissue spectra. We load tissue in a custom-made dynamic mechanical tester that fits on the stage of a Raman microprobe and can accept hydrated tissue specimens. As the specimen is loaded in tension and/or compression, the shifts in mineral P-O4v 1 and relative band heights in the Amide III band envelope are followed with the microprobe. Average load is measured using a load cell while the tissue is loaded under displacement control. Changes occur in both the mineral and matrix components of bone as a response to elastic deformation. We propose that the mineral apatitic crystal lattice is deformed by movement of calcium and other ions. The matrix is proposed to respond by deformation of the collagen backbone. Raman microspectroscopy shows that bone mineral is not a passive contributor to tissue strength. The mineral active response to loading may function as a local energy storage and dissipation mechanism, thus helping to protect tissue from catastrophic damage

Impulse purchases of new products: An empirical analysis

Purpose - This paper aims to examine consumers' cognitive processes and motivations for making impulse purchases of new products. Design/methodology/approach - A total of 157 consumer surveys were collected and these were analyzed using structural equations modeling. Findings - There are two major findings: new product knowledge and consumer desire for excitement and esteem promote impulse buying intention and behavior. Originality/value - The paper is among the first to determine how impulse purchases of new products differ from impulse purchases of other types of products. In doing so, the paper builds on the substantial body of work surrounding impulse purchases. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Curriculum innovation:reflection on MSci Integrated Masters with Industrial Experience

An emerging curriculum innovation within UK Higher Education is MSci Integrated Masters with Industrial Experience. However, we know little about how such programmes may be designed based on feedback and insights from its three main stakeholders: employers, students, and academics. In this paper we reflect on our ongoing work for curriculum development and evaluation, focusing on the MSci Computer Science at Lancaster University. We report on 15 interviews with employers offering placements, MSci students, and academics supervising them. We focus on the critical issue of matching interests and competencies across the three stakeholders to construct industry placements, while allowing for the negotiation of their mutual benefits. Findings also highlight stakeholders’ perceived placement’s challenges and ways of addressing them. We conclude with several suggestions for the MSci curriculum development including mechanisms for managing stakeholders’ expectations, recognising companies’ contributions, strengthening academics’ engagement during placements, and ensuring effective matching process among companies providing placements, students and academics

Housing, place and community

Using the Evidence for Equality National Survey (EVENS), this chapter demonstrates how ethnic minority groups in Britain are subject to material deprivation in residential experience, yet succeed in developing strong local attachment and enriching this during times of crisis. It presents evidence on ethnic inequalities in housing type, overcrowding, multigenerational living, access to greenspace and residential mobility, with attention to variation within Britain and ethnic groups that are absent from other studies (such as Roma and Gypsy Traveller). It finds, for example, that spatial pressure in households is more prevalent among all ethnic minority groups compared to White British people. This is a notable concern for three-generation households, which are particularly common in the Pakistani and Roma ethnic groups. Despite housing deprivation, analyses of local belonging point to community mechanisms and networks of solidarity being mobilised during the COVID-19 pandemic in diverse neighbourhoods

What Children’s Imagined Uses of the BBC micro:bit Tells Us About Designing for their IoT Privacy, Security and Safety

Ensuring that young people reap the benefits of the Internet of Things requires proactively attending to the risks they may encounter in entering the world this new technology affords. The e-safety guidelines currently taught in UK schools may not sufficiently prepare children for navigating the risks that come with connected devices. In this paper we describe initial results from the PETRAS project IoT4Kids, exploring the privacy and security implications of children programming the BBC micro:bit, an IoT-ready device designed for children. We report on children’s (ages 9–10) likely uses of the micro:bit and discuss their implications, highlighting shortcomings of e-safety education and policy guidelines for such uses