Royal Holloway, University of London

About: Royal Holloway, University of London is a education organization based out in Egham, Surrey, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Large Hadron Collider. The organization has 7156 authors who have published 20961 publications receiving 851244 citations. The organization is also known as: Royal Holloway College & Royal Holloway and Bedford New College.

A miniature all-solid-state calcium electrode applied to in situ seawater measurement

Abstract: An all-solid-state miniature calcium ion selective electrode (ISE) based on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT(PSS)) for continuous in situ measurement in seawater was studied. The electrode substrate was a platinum (Pt) wire of 0.5 mm diameter and PEDOT(PSS) was electropolymerized on one end of the Pt wire to act as the solid contact of this calcium ISE. The PEDOT(PSS) layer was covered with a calcium-selective poly(vinyl chloride) membrane, which contained ETH129 as calcium ionophore, potassium tetrakis-(p-chlorophenyl)borate as lipophilic anion and bis(2-ethylhexyl) sebacate as the plasticizer. Experiments using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and reversed chronopotentiometry illustrated that electropolymerized PEDOT(PSS) decreased the resistance and improved the stability of the electrode. The sensors can work stably in the calcium ion concentration range of 10−6–10−1 mol L−1 with the slope of 27.7 mV/decade. Also Na+, K+ and Mg2+ can hardly interfere with the performance of the electrode. This electrode was applied to measure the calcium ion concentration of seawater samples. The experimental data showed that the electrode can resist the corrosion of seawater and its reproducibility was good (SD < 0.1 mM kg−1). The lifetime of such an electrode was at least six months. Because of the wire-shape and the small size of such a liquid junction free calcium electrode, it is pressure-resistant and easy to package and seal, therefore it is suitable for use in underwater equipment for in situ seawater measurement.

Measurements of the branching fractions and bounds on the charge asymmetries of charmless three-body charged B decays.

Abstract: We present measurements of branching fractions and charge asymmetries for charmless B-meson decays to three-body final states of charged pions and kaons. The analysis uses 81.8 fb^-1 of data collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the BaBar detector at the SLAC PEP-II asymmetric B Factory. We measure the branching fractions B(B+ -> pi+ pi- pi+) = (10.9 +/- 3.3 +/- 1.6) x 10^-6, B(B+ -> K+ pi- pi+) = (59.1 +/- 3.8 +/- 3.2) x 10^-6, and B(B+ -> K+ K- K+) = (29.6 +/- 2.1 +/- 1.6) x 10^-6, and provide 90% C.L. upper limits for other decays. We observe no charge asymmetries for these modes.

E2FA and E2FB transcription factors coordinate cell proliferation with seed maturation

Abstract: The E2F transcription factors and the RETINOBLASTOMA-RELATED repressor protein are principal regulators coordinating cell proliferation with differentiation, but their role during seed development is little understood. We show that in fully developed Arabidopsis thaliana embryos, cell number was not affected either in single or double mutants for the activator-type E2FA and E2FB Accordingly, these E2Fs are only partially required for the expression of cell cycle genes. In contrast, the expression of key seed maturation genes LEAFY COTYLEDON 1/2 (LEC1/2), ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE 3, FUSCA 3 and WRINKLED 1 is upregulated in the e2fab double mutant embryo. In accordance, E2FA directly regulates LEC2, and mutation at the consensus E2F-binding site in the LEC2 promoter de-represses its activity during the proliferative stage of seed development. In addition, the major seed storage reserve proteins, 12S globulin and 2S albumin, became prematurely accumulated at the proliferating phase of seed development in the e2fab double mutant. Our findings reveal a repressor function of the activator E2Fs to restrict the seed maturation programme until the cell proliferation phase is completed.

A Formal Framework of Virtual Organisations as Agent Societies

Abstract: We propose a formal framework that supports a model of agent-based Virtual Organisations (VOs) for service grids and provides an associated operational model for the creation of VOs. The framework is intended to be used for describing different service grid applications based on multiple agents and, as a result, it abstracts away from any realisation choices of the service grid application, the agents involved to support the applications and their interactions. Within the proposed framework VOs are seen as emerging from societies of agents, where agents are abstractly characterised by goals and roles they can play within VOs. In turn, VOs are abstractly characterised by the agents participating in them with specific roles, as well as the workflow of services and corresponding contracts suitable for achieving the goals of the participating agents. We illustrate the proposed framework with an earth observation scenario.

Identification on the street: a field comparison of police street identifications and video line-ups in England

Abstract: A street identification or live show-up provides an eyewitness with an opportunity to identify a suspect shortly after a crime. In England, the majority of suspects identified are subsequently included in a video line-up for the same witness to view. In Study 1, robbery squad data from three English police forces recorded 696 crimes, the identification procedures employed and prosecution decisions. A street identification was the most frequent identification procedure, being attempted in 22.7% of investigations, followed by mugshot albums (11.2%) and video line-ups (3.4%). In Study 2, data of 59 crimes were collected in which suspects, identified in a street identification, were subsequently filmed for a video line-up. Across both studies, most (84%) suspects identified in the street were subsequently identified in a video line-up, indicative of a commitment effect, in which a witness conforms to their first identification decision. All suspects identified in two procedures were eventually cautioned or charged to appear in court. The ground truth of suspect guilt in these field data cannot be determined. However, suggestions are made for reducing the likelihood of a mistaken identification of an innocent suspect caught up in an investigation; all possible steps should be taken to reduce the inherent suggestiveness of the street identification procedure.