University of Portsmouth

About: University of Portsmouth is a education organization based out in Portsmouth, Portsmouth, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Galaxy. The organization has 5452 authors who have published 14256 publications receiving 424346 citations. The organization is also known as: Portsmouth and Gosport School of Science and Art & Portsmouth and Gosport School of Science and the Arts.

Eustatic sea level record for the Cenomanian (Late Cretaceous) – extension to the Western Interior Basin, USA

Abstract: A combination of biostratigraphic markers (ammonites, inoceramid bivalves) and carbon isotope excursions is employed to establish a high-resolution correlation between the middle to late Cenomanian successions of the Western Interior Basin (USA) and the Anglo-Paris Basin (southern UK). Sequences identified from sedimentologic criteria in the Pueblo succession and elsewhere in the Western Interior Basin are shown to coincide precisely with globally recognized sea-level events and were therefore under eustatic control. This evidence refutes arguments that Cenomanian sequences in the Western Interior Basin were formed by local tectonic events. The interaction of longer-term tectonic movements and more rapid eustatic change may have simply enhanced the amount of erosion associated with sequence boundaries. A crossplot of radiometric ages derived from North American bentonites against an orbitally tuned time scale developed in the Anglo-Paris Basin provides support for the argument that the sequences were controlled by the 405-k.y.-long eccentricity cycle.

Making concrete construals mindful: A novel approach for developing mindfulness and self-compassion to assist weight loss

Abstract: Research on the usefulness of mindfulness and self-compassion for dieting has focused on meditative practices. However, meditation can be difficult to maintain, especially while dieting. Thus, the present research attempted to induce mindfulness and self-compassion by using food diaries that required the participant to either focus on concrete (i.e. how they are eating) construals or abstract (i.e. why they are eating) construals. The concrete construals were expected to increase mindfulness and self-compassion, as well as decrease avoidance and negative thoughts (which would further aid the development of mindfulness and self-compassion). Study 1 found that mindfulness and self-compassion mediated the inverse relationship of avoidance and negative thoughts with weight loss. Study 2 showed that concrete construal diaries increased mindfulness and self-compassion, decreased avoidance and negative thoughts, and supported weight loss significantly more than the abstract construal diaries. Study 3, then, compared the concrete construal diaries with a mindful self-compassionate meditation programme. There was no difference in weight loss at the end of the intervention, but at a three-month follow-up, the diaries performed better at weight maintenance. Thus, the concrete construal diaries may promote mindfulness and self-compassion and potentially promote long-term weight loss.

The clustering of galaxies in the SDSS-III Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey: galaxy clustering measurements in the low-redshift sample of Data Release 11

Abstract: RT is thankful for support from the European Research Council and the Science & Technology Facilities Council.

Processing, Properties, and Applications of Polymer Nanocomposites Based on Layer Silicates: A Review

Abstract: The nanocomposites are materials, which involve fillers in the nanometer scale, yielding substantial improvements. Polymer-layered silicate nanocomposites have received much attention during the past decade and have great interest both in the academic field and in industry, since they often give more attractive improvement to material properties than both micro- and macrocomposite materials. This extensive review presents recent studies in polymer nanocomposites based on layered silicate. The background, morphology, preparations, and properties of these materials are discussed. The review covers and discusses various modern methods and equipments in the preparation of nanocomposites, deeply focusing on the morphology of nanocomposites and its effects on the overall properties. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Technol 2013, 32, 21368; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/adv.21368