Nanostructure determination from the pair distribution function: A parametric study of the INVERT approach

We present a detailed study of the mechanism by which the INVERT method [Phys. Rev. Lett. 104, 125501] guides structure refinement of disordered materials. We present a number of different possible implementations of the central algorithm and explore the question of algorithm weighting. Our analysis includes quantification of the relative contributions of variance and fit-to-data terms during structure refinement, which leads us to study the roles of density fluctuations and configurational jamming in the RMC fitting process. We present a parametric study of the pair distribution function solution space for C60, a-Si and a-SiO2, which serves to highlight the difficulties faced in developing a transferable weighting scheme.Comment: 15 pages, 7 figures, formatted for JPCM (RMC issue

Could Remain enjoy a late surge in support? The indications suggest not

With Remain’s lead steadily dwindling in the polls, Matthew Goodwin says both sides have everything to play for – particularly given the likelihood that older people will turn out in greater numbers than the young. He explains that poll experts are still uncertain about why phone and online polls are producing different results, and casts doubt on the belief that Remain will enjoy a surge in support as 23 June approaches

Party campaigns matter, including for those on the extremist fringe

It is widely accepted that the manner in which a party campaigns will shape its overall performance. Yet Matthew Goodwin observes that this has failed to translate into detailed research on party campaigning by parties on the radical and extremist fringe. In a recent project which focused on the 2010 general election campaign by the extreme right British National Party (BNP), he and David Cutts sought to address this gap by examining the electoral impact of this effort at a breakthrough. The project and findings challenge some commonly held wisdom about the campaign, and point to a useful avenue for future research on the radical right in Europ

How soft is the Leave vote – and which issues will swing it?

Our regular columnist Matthew Goodwin explores some key divergences in polling surveys that suggest we don’t really know the balance of public opinion on remaining or leaving the EU. He also looks at other polling-related developments and insights

Matthew Goodwin examines five ways the Outers could win

Perhaps as much as 42% of the electorate are either unsure about how they will vote in the referendum, or fall into ‘soft Remain’ or ‘soft Leave’ categories. How will the Leave campaign seek to win over these people? Based on British Social Attitudes research released this week, Matthew Goodwin outlines five ways in which it could try to persuade them

Putting ‘Counter-Jihad’ Groups Under The Microscope

The electorally orientated populist parties which have long dominated the radical right have recently been joined by more chaotic and unpredictable ‘counter-Jihad’ groups. Matthew Goodwin explains how these groups differ from their more traditional party based antecedents, before presenting the findings of his recent project which surveyed 1,666 British adults and 300 supporters of the EDL

If Boris Johnson wants to win, he needs to talk less about sovereignty and more about the economy

David Cameron’s renegotiation does not seem to have persuaded voters to switch to the Remain camp, writes Matthew Goodwin, and a number of developments have gone the Leave campaign’s way: Turkey’s possible accession to the EU, Boris Johnson’s commitment to Leave, and the failure of the Labour party to make an emphatic case to Remain. However, Johnson’s stress on sovereignty is unlikely to sway much of the electorate, who are more interested in whether a Brexit would damage Britain’s economy

Matthew Goodwin’s round-up: Leave’s lead, the Boris effect and persuading the Undecideds

Britain’s referendum debate is heating up. Matthew Goodwin looks at whether the apparent swing to Leave in the polls is likely to be reliable, the effect of a Boris-led Leave campaign, the progress of David Cameron’s renegotiation and whether a Brexit would lead to Scotland demanding independence