Specifying ODP computational objects in Z

The computational viewpoint contained within the Reference Model of Open Distributed Processing (RM-ODP) shows how collections of objects can be configured within a distributed system to enable interworking. It prescribes certain capabilities that such objects are expected to possess and structuring rules that apply to how these objects can be configured with one another. This paper highlights how the specification language Z can be used to formalise these capabilities and the associated structuring rules, thereby enabling specifications of ODP systems from the computational viewpoint to be achieved

Learning (and Teaching) On The Job: Developing and Extending the Skills Needed to Deliver Information Literacy Workshops

This article aims to bolster confidence in early career librarians or other information professionals who may be new to delivering presentations to student groups. By sharing their experiences, three librarians discuss the skills needed and show that these skills can be developed. Tom Guest, who joined the library as an early career professional in 2015; Katherine Turner, a mid-career professional who has been with the organisation ten years and only took on teaching responsibilities four years ago; Karen Carney, who joined Leeds Beckett’s Academic Support Team in 2012 soon after ending a previous career in the Civil Service

Workflows for Quantitative Data Analysis in The Social Sciences

The background is given to how statistical analysis is used by quantitative social scientists. Developing statistical analyses requires substantial effort, yet there are important limitations in current practice. This has motivated the authors to create a more systematic and effective methodology with supporting tools. The approach to modelling quantitative data analysis in the social sciences is presented. Analysis scripts are treated abstractly as mathematical functions and concretely as web services. This allows individual scripts to be combined into high-level workflows. A comprehensive set of tools allows workflows to be defined, automatically validated and verified, and automatically implemented. The workflows expose opportunities for parallel execution, can define support for proper fault handling, and can be realised by non-technical users. Services, workflows and datasets can also be readily shared. The approach is illustrated with a realistic case study that analyses occupational position in relation to health

Afferent connectivity of the Zebrafish Habenulae

The habenular nuclei are bilateral nuclei located in the dorsal diencephalon. The habenulae and their associated circuitry, the dorsal diencephalic conduction system (DDC) are conserved across all vertebrates. As part of the DDC, the habenulae act as a major relay station between forebrain regions and monoaminergic centres in the midbrain. Zebrafish habenulae display prominent neuroanatomical asymmetries and asymmetries in circuit microarchitecture have been described in both afferent and efferent projections. In this study, I characterise two of the main forebrain afferent nuclei of the habenula: the ventral entopeduncular nucleus (vENT) and nucleus rostrolateralis (RL). Through fate mapping, transgenic line analysis and gene expression studies, I show that the vENT is diencephalic in origin and extends into the telencephalon. vENT is the main afferent telencephalic nucleus of the habenula in zebrafish and is homologous to the entopeduncular nucleus in mammals. I show the afferent nucleus conveying visual information to the habenula is RL. RL is prethalamic and retina and tectal recipient. RL and parapineal afferents asymmetrically innervate the left dorsal habenula. Using parapineal ablations and mutants in which habenula asymmetry is disrupted, I show that RL asymmetric innervation is not parapineal dependent. RL afferents arborise close to differentiating “left sided” habenula neuronal sub-types. Previous studies in zebrafish claim the habenula receives pallial innervation. Using a pan-pallial enhancer -trap line, Tg(gata2:EGFP)bi105, I show that this is not the case. I mapped the insertion to egr3, a gene linked to schizophrenia and important for hippocampal learning and memory and characterise the expression pattern of this line at larval stages. To look at the morphologies and projection patterns of individual habenula afferent and pallial neurons I have adapted a method for switching EGFP to Gal4 in transgenic lines using CRISPR/Cas9. The neuroanatomical characterisation of these habenulo-afferent areas lays important groundwork for further functional characterisation of this important circuit

Modulation of porcine β-defensins 1 and 2 upon individual and combined Fusarium toxin exposure in a swine jejunal epithelial cell line

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Modelling Digital Logic in SDL

The specification of digital logic in SDL (Specification and Description Language) is investigated. A specification approach is proposed for multi-level descriptions of hardware behaviour and structure. The modelling method exploits features introduced in SDL-92. The approach also deals with the specification, analysis and simulation of timing aspects at any level in the specification of digital logic

Precautionary labelling of foods for allergen content: are we ready for a global framework?

© 2014 Allen et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.Food allergy appears to be on the rise with the current mainstay of treatment centred on allergen avoidance. Mandatory allergen labelling has improved the safety of food for allergic consumers. However an additional form of voluntary labelling (termed precautionary allergen labelling) has evolved on a wide range of packaged goods, in a bid by manufacturers to minimise risk to customers, and the negative impact on business that might result from exposure to trace amounts of food allergen present during cross-contamination during production. This has resulted in near ubiquitous utilisation of a multitude of different precautionary allergen labels with subsequent confusion amongst many consumers as to their significance. The global nature of food production and manufacturing makes harmonisation of allergen labelling regulations across the world a matter of increasing importance. Addressing inconsistencies across countries with regards to labelling legislation, as well as improvement or even banning of precautionary allergy labelling are both likely to be significant steps forward in improved food safety for allergic families. This article outlines the current status of allergen labelling legislation around the world and reviews the value of current existing precautionary allergen labelling for the allergic consumer. We strongly urge for an international framework to be considered to help roadmap a solution to the weaknesses of the current systems, and discuss the role of legislation in facilitating this

Specifying ODP Computational Objects in Z

The computational viewpoint contained within the Reference Model of Open Distributed Processing (RM-ODP) shows how collections of objects can be configured within a distributed system to enable interworking. It prescribes certain capabilities that such objects are expected to possess and structuring rules that apply to how these objects can be configured with one another. This paper highlights how the specification language Z can be used to formalise these capabilities and the associated structuring rules, thereby enabling specifications of ODP systems from the computational viewpoint to be achieved