Countries where 15-year-old students perform at high standards internationally tend to be the same countries where these young adults tend to perform well at the age of 26 to 28.

The share of students with an immigrant background increased between 2003 and 2012, both in traditional and new destination countries. The performance difference in mathematics between immigrant and non-immigrant students decreased, on average, between 2003 and 2012.

The Slovak Republic has undertaken a series of reforms to improve its education system, and the country now needs to use resources more efficiently and improve equity and inclusion in schools, according to a new OECD report.

Standardised tests help measure student’s progress at school and can inform education policy about existing shortfalls. However, too much testing could lead to much pressure on students and teachers to learn and teach for a test, something that would take the joy out of the learning process.

After award-winning hits of classics Robert Icke ends his stint as an associate director at the Almeida with a dense but intriguing work that is very much of the moment.

As many shows have halted amid quarantine, Saturday Night Live continues to entertain viewers. This week's episode saw the cast once again performing from their respective homes.

Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka has heaped praise on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for helping him perform this season. He says Solskjaer 'wants every player to improve'

We still remember how netizens went berserk, when they came across the first picture of Kartik Aaryan and Sara Ali Khan from the sets of Imtiaz Ali's Love Aaj Kal. Sadly, despite creating tremendous buzz among the moviegoers, the film failed

Ajith Kumar Subramani, popularly known as Thala Ajith turns 49 today. One of the biggest Superstars of the Tamil film industry, Ajith has appeared in 59 movies since he made his screen debut with En Veedu En Kanavar in 1990. Starting

Kartik Aaryan has been quite active on social media in raising awareness about the pandemic and at the same time requesting all his fans to stay indoors. Not only that but the talented star has also come out in support of the government and contributed to the PM's CARES Fund as well.

The city-based K7 Computing Pvt Ltd, provider of cyber security solutions, has topped the winners list for the Advanced+ Performance Award from AV-Com

X-ray double-crystal monochromators face a shift of the exit beam when the Bragg angle and thus the transmitted photon energy changes. This can be compensated for by moving one or both crystals accordingly. In the case of monolithic channel-cut crystals, which exhibit utmost stability, the shift of the monochromated beam is inevitable. Here we report performance tests of novel, asymmetrically cut, channel-cut crystals which reduce the beam movements by more than a factor of 20 relative to the symmetric case over the typical energy range of an EXAFS spectrum at the Cu K-edge. In addition, the presented formulas for the beam offset including the asymmetry angle directly indicate the importance of this value, which has been commonly neglected so far in the operation of double-crystal monochromators.

An alternative approach to hard-X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES) has been established. The instrumental key feature is an increase of the dimensionality of the recording scheme from 2D to 3D. A high-energy momentum microscope detects electrons with initial kinetic energies up to 8 keV with a k-resolution of 0.025 Å−1, equivalent to an angular resolution of 0.034°. A special objective lens with k-space acceptance up to 25 Å−1 allows for simultaneous full-field imaging of many Brillouin zones. Combined with time-of-flight (ToF) parallel energy recording this yields maximum parallelization. Thanks to the high brilliance (1013 hν s−1 in a spot of <20 µm diameter) of beamline P22 at PETRA III (Hamburg, Germany), the microscope set a benchmark in HAXPES recording speed, i.e. several million counts per second for core-level signals and one million for d-bands of transition metals. The concept of tomographic k-space mapping established using soft X-rays works equally well in the hard X-ray range. Sharp valence band k-patterns of Re, collected at an excitation energy of 6 keV, correspond to direct transitions to the 28th repeated Brillouin zone. Measured total energy resolutions (photon bandwidth plus ToF-resolution) are 62 meV and 180 meV FWHM at 5.977 keV for monochromator crystals Si(333) and Si(311) and 450 meV at 4.0 keV for Si(111). Hard X-ray photoelectron diffraction (hXPD) patterns with rich fine structure are recorded within minutes. The short photoelectron wavelength (10% of the interatomic distance) `amplifies' phase differences, making full-field hXPD a sensitive structural tool.

MAX IV is a fourth-generation, or diffraction-limited, synchrotron light source with a number of state-of-the-art beamlines. The performance of a beamline is, to a high degree, set by the energy resolution it can achieve, which in turn is governed to a large extent by the monochromator. During the design phase of a monochromator, the mechanical requirements must be fully understood and met with margin. During commissioning, the performance must be verified and optimized. In this paper, six soft X-ray monochromators at MAX IV beamlines (Bloch, Veritas, HIPPIE, SPECIES, FinEstBeAMS and SoftiMAX) are examined with a focus on their resolving power, energy range and the time required to change measurement range, as those parameters are dependent on each other. The monochromators have a modern commercial design, planned and developed in close collaboration with the vendors. This paper aims to present the current status of the commissioning at MAX IV with emphasis on elucidating the mechanical limitations on the performance of the monochromators. It contains analysis of the outcome and our approach to achieve fast and high-resolution monochromators.

The conventional approach to search-model identification in molecular replacement (MR) is to screen a database of known structures using the target sequence. However, this strategy is not always effective, for example when the relationship between sequence and structural similarity fails or when the crystal contents are not those expected. An alternative approach is to identify suitable search models directly from the experimental data. SIMBAD is a sequence-independent MR pipeline that uses either a crystal lattice search or MR functions to directly locate suitable search models from databases. The previous version of SIMBAD used the fast AMoRe rotation-function search. Here, a new version of SIMBAD which makes use of Phaser and its likelihood scoring to improve the sensitivity of the pipeline is presented. It is shown that the additional compute time potentially required by the more sophisticated scoring is counterbalanced by the greater sensitivity, allowing more cases to trigger early-termination criteria, rather than running to completion. Using Phaser solved 17 out of 25 test cases in comparison to the ten solved with AMoRe, and it is shown that use of ensemble search models produces additional performance benefits.

A complete method of comprehensive and quantitative evaluation of through-silicon via reliability using a highly sensitive phase-contrast X-ray microtomography was established. Quantitative characterizations include 3D local morphology and overall consistency of statistics.

The Python programming language, combined with the numerical computing library NumPy and the scientific computing library SciPy, has become the de facto standard for scientific computing in a variety of fields. This popularity is mainly due to the ease with which a Python program can be written and executed (easy syntax, dynamical typing, no compilation etc.), coupled with the existence of a large number of specialized third-party libraries that aim to lift all the limitations of the raw Python language. NumPy introduces vector programming, improving execution speeds, whereas SciPy brings a wealth of highly optimized and reliable scientific functions. There are cases, however, where vector programming alone is not sufficient to reach optimal performance. This issue is addressed with dedicated compilers that aim to translate Python code into native and statically typed code with support for the multi-core architectures of modern processors. In the present article it is shown how these approaches can be efficiently used to tackle different problems, with increasing complexity, that are relevant to crystallography: the 2D Laue function, scattering from a strained 2D crystal, scattering from 3D nanocrystals and, finally, diffraction from films and multilayers. For each case, detailed implementations and explanations of the functioning of the algorithms are provided. Different Python compilers (namely NumExpr, Numba, Pythran and Cython) are used to improve performance and are benchmarked against state-of-the-art NumPy implementations. All examples are also provided as commented and didactic Python (Jupyter) notebooks that can be used as starting points for crystallographers curious to enter the Python ecosystem or wishing to accelerate their existing codes.

Over the past decade, ptychography has been proven to be a robust tool for non-destructive high-resolution quantitative electron, X-ray and optical microscopy. It allows for quantitative reconstruction of the specimen's transmissivity, as well as recovery of the illuminating wavefront. Additionally, various algorithms have been developed to account for systematic errors and improved convergence. With fast ptychographic microscopes and more advanced algorithms, both the complexity of the reconstruction task and the data volume increase significantly. PtychoShelves is a software package which combines high-level modularity for easy and fast changes to the data-processing pipeline, and high-performance computing on CPUs and GPUs.

The end of a roadside guardrail must be designed so that it is not a hazard to occupants of a vehicle striking it and so that it absorbs energy in a crash and redirects the vehicle into a safe trajectory.

A method has been developed to compare how EU Member States have implemented the Energy Performance Buildings Directive. It suggests that implementation varies widely across Europe but that the Czech Republic, Finland, Portugal and Slovakia have kept to the Directive’s aims and guidelines most closely, based on data available in 2009.

New research identifies important influences on the energy and environmental performance of biofuels made from agricultural crops. Type of land use change, type of biofuel crop and the by-products from the conversion process all influence performance.

Green roofs have been proposed to mitigate flooding in urban areas. This study combined field experiments and numerical simulations to investigate the ability of green roofs to absorb rainwater. The authors describe how green roofs can be most effective at mitigating flooding, providing findings which will be important for policy on green infrastructure.

Adding nanoparticles to water in solar collectors, which are used to capture the sun’s energy, can considerably improve their performance, a recent study on nanofluids has found. The energy efficiency of the collector can be increased by up to 76.6% when using water containing 0.1% by volume of titanium dioxide nanoparticles, compared with water alone.

The EU Waste Framework Directive aims to recycle or recover materially 70% of non-hazardous construction and demolition waste by 2020. This study evaluated the performance of the Finnish waste management system against this target. The results showed that the system generates environmental benefits and is profitable, but has not reached the 70% target. The researchers suggest ways the target could be met and recommend region-specific recycling objectives in the EU.

A team of Italian scientists has published a study highlighting the important role of intersectoral linkages and eco-innovations in shaping industry’s environmental performance (a measure of its ability to meet environmental targets and objectives) across Europe. The research indicates that eco-innovation can produce positive effects, both directly (in the sector where it is developed) and indirectly (in linked sectors at home and abroad). These insights are relevant to corporate and policy governance strategies aimed at maximising the environmental and economic potential of novel green technologies.

New research has compared life cycle environmental impacts of new petrol and diesel cars and highlighted options for improvement. It indicates that the greatest improvements are achievable through more efficient power trains and lightweight cars. However, these technological solutions come at a financial cost whereas other improvement options, such as behavioural changes, provide a win-win solution.

Residents living near a busy railway line in Strasbourg were found by researchers to have reduced cognitive function compared to residents in quieter areas, which may be the result of long-term exposure to night-time noise. Psychological tests suggested that they had not adapted to the noise over the years, and they did not become less affected with time.

A recent study has investigated how the relationships between a company’s owners, managers and boards of directors may influence its environmental performance. The findings indicate that environmental performance is higher in companies with powerful CEOs, who are also chairpersons on their board of directors.

Microplastics, polymer-based particles of less than five millimetres in size, have become an archetypal sign of anthropogenic waste and environmental pollution. This German study explores how microplastics in soil affect plants, screening the potential effects of six different microplastics on the soil environment, plant traits and function using a terrestrial plant-soil model based on the spring onion (Allium fistulosum). The researchers find that plants react strongly to microplastic exposure, with significant changes observed in the physical parameters of soil, plant root and leaf traits and plant biomass.

The Kings Langley Players continues its 95th anniversary celebrations with a popular black comedy.

Two schools will celebrate the 50th anniversary of an annual concert with the first performance of opera in St Albans Cathedral.

A Watford orchestra will be joined by the leader of the BBC Concert Orchestra for a concert later this month.

As the Vienna Chamber Orchestra performs Mendelssohn, a dog saunters up to enjoy the show.

An 18-year-old pizza delivery driver surprises a family in Detroit by playing piano for them.

Aiming to help eradicate the 'performance dinosaur' otherwise known as the standard American home, Bensonwood launches an affordable green prefab offshoot dubbe

The Brock Environmental Center's 'regenerative' design is key to its AIA recognition — it generates 80 percent more energy than it uses.

A new study suggests a serious expression could go a long way toward getting some serious work done.

Balanced Carbs for Peak Performance

･ First introduction for a geothermal power plant ･ Enhancing the operation and performance of power generating facilities in close cooperation with customers

How well is your website performing? Are you satisfied with the amount of customers who view your website? Do you get enough business through your website? By reading this article you will be in a position to do something about all three questions.

Business intelligence (BI) is the process of gathering information from the business. The gathered business information is transformed into knowledge using business intelligence. To run the business successfully one should have the comprehensive business knowledge and understanding of your business strengths and its weakness.

This article provides information about how to handle the performance anxiety. It also gives information about symptoms and treatments of anxiety.

Using probably the World's Smallest Heart Rate Sensing Technology (ActivHearts)

ATP Nutritionals, the makers of the ground-breaking performance enhancing supplement ATP Extreme, have just released another phenomenal sports supplement called Beet Extreme.

Enjoy a Happy Journey in Guangzhou

Now Has Upgrades That Exceed 1000 HP

New Mason clinic location set to open summer 2020

Software platform engages teams to drive performance and wellbeing