Manchester Metropolitan University

About: Manchester Metropolitan University is a education organization based out in Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 5435 authors who have published 16202 publications receiving 442561 citations. The organization is also known as: Manchester Polytechnic & MMU.

The C-value/NC-value Method of Automatic Recognition for Multi-Word Terms

Abstract: Technical terms (henceforth called simply terms), are important elements for digital libraries. In this paper we present a domain-independent method for the automatic extraction of multi-word terms, from machine-readable special language corpora. The method, (C-value/NC-value), combines linguistic and statistical information. The first part, C-value enhances the common statistical measure of frequency of occurrence for term extraction, making it sensitive to a particular type of multi-word terms, the nested terms. The second part, NC-value, gives: 1) a method for the extraction of term context words (words that tend to appear with terms), 2) the incorporation of information from term context words to the extraction of terms.

Carbon dots supported upon N-doped TiO2 nanorods applied into sodium and lithium ion batteries

Abstract: N-doped TiO2 nanorods decorated with carbon dots with enhanced electrical-conductivity and faster charge-transfer have been fabricated utilizing a simple hydrothermal reaction process involving TiO2 powders (P25) and NaOH in the presence of carbon dots followed by ion exchange and calcination treatments. Due to the merits of the carbon dots, doping and nanostructures, the as-designed N–TiO2/C-dots composite utilized as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries can sustain a capacity of 185 mA h g−1 with 91.6% retention even at a high rate of 10 C over 1000 cycles. It is interesting to note that the ratios of capacitive charge capacity during such high rates for the N–TiO2/C-dots composite electrodes are higher than those at low rates, which likely explains the observed excellent rate capabilities. In contrast to lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries have gained more interest in energy storage grids because of the greater abundance and lower cost of sodium-containing precursors. The as-obtained N–TiO2/C-dots composites reported here and utilized as anode materials for sodium-ion batteries exhibit excellent electrochemical performances, including substantial cycling stabilities (the capacity retention ratios after 300 cycles at 5 C is 93.6%) and remarkable rate capabilities (176 mA h g−1 at 5 C, 131 mA h g−1 at 20 C); such performances are the greatest ever reported to date over other structured TiO2 or TiO2 composite materials.

Electrical and Optical Properties of Fluorine Doped Tin Oxide Thin Films Prepared by Magnetron Sputtering

Abstract: Fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) coatings have been prepared using the mid-frequency pulsed DC closed field unbalanced magnetron sputtering technique in an Ar/O2 atmosphere using blends of tin oxide and tin fluoride powder formed into targets. FTO coatings were deposited with a thickness of 400 nm on glass substrates. No post-deposition annealing treatments were carried out. The effects of the chemical composition on the structural (phase, grain size), optical (transmission, optical band-gap) and electrical (resistivity, charge carrier, mobility) properties of the thin films were investigated. Depositing FTO by magnetron sputtering is an environmentally friendly technique and the use of loosely packed blended powder targets gives an efficient means of screening candidate compositions, which also provides a low cost operation. The best film characteristics were achieved using a mass ratio of 12% SnF2 to 88% SnO2 in the target. The thin film produced was polycrystalline with a tetragonal crystal structure. The optimized conditions resulted in a thin film with average visible transmittance of 83% and optical band-gap of 3.80 eV, resistivity of 6.71 × 10−3 Ω·cm, a carrier concentration (Nd) of 1.46 × 1020 cm−3 and a mobility of 15 cm2/Vs.

A survey of flexibility training protocols and hamstring strains in professional football clubs in England

Abstract: Objectives: To investigate the relation between current flexibility training protocols, including stretching, and hamstring strain rates (HSRs) in English professional football clubs Method: Questionnaire based data on flexibility training methods and HSRs were collected from 30 English professional football clubs in the four divisions during the 1998/99 season Data were coded and analysed using cross tabulation, correlation, and multiple regression Results: Flexibility training protocols were characterised by wide variability, with static stretching the most popular stretching technique used Hamstring strains represented 11% of all injuries and one third of all muscle strains About 14% of hamstring strains were reinjuries HSRs were highest in the Premiership (133 (94)/1000 hours) with the lowest rates in Division 2 (78 (29)/1000 hours); values are mean (SD) Most (97%) hamstring strains were grade I and II, two thirds of which occurred late during training/matches Forwards were injured most often Use of the standard stretching protocol (SSP) was the only factor significantly related to HSR (r = 2045, p = 0031) in the correlation analysis, suggesting that the more SSP is used, the lower the HSR About 80% of HSR variability was accounted for by stretching holding time (SHT), SSP, and stretching technique (STE) in the multiple regression equation: HSR = 3779 2 (033SHT 2 1005SSP + 224STE) i 234 SHT (negatively correlated with HSR) was the single highest predictor, and accounted for 30% of HSR variability, and an additional 40% in combination with SSP Conclusions: Flexibility training protocols in the professional clubs were variable and appeared to depend on staffing expertise Hamstring stretching was the most important training factor associated with HSR The use of SSP, STE, and SHT are probably involved in a complex synergism which may reduce hamstring strains Modification of current training patterns, especially stretching protocols, may reduce HSRs in professional footballers