PhysMath Central Blog
YouTube video channel launched
As you may have read on the BioMed Central blog recently, we recently launched an official BioMed Central video channel on YouTube. This includes many interviews with authors and editors of open access journals on BioMed Central.
But that's not all!
It also includes several videos of interest to physicists and librarians, from the likes of CERN's Jens Vigen & Robert Aymar and also PMC Physics A Editor-in-Chief, Ken Peach. [Pt.1, Pt.2, Pt.3]
You can subscribe to the channel to automatically receive alerts on new videos and also comment on the videos.
Posted by Chris Leonard at 16:00 Comments (0)
An in-depth, six-part look at the future of computing on the BBC News website. Includes DNA, spin and quantum computing.
Posted by Chris Leonard at 12:06 Comments (0)
SCOAP3 - the Sponsoring Consortium for Open Access Publishing in Particle Physics - now has its own homepage. Although not quite yet complete, it does serve as an invaluable resource for information on how this innovative approach to open access is coming along. Also, there is a very concise summary on the homepage:
Today: (funding bodies through) libraries buy journal subscriptions to support the peer-review service and to allow their patrons to read articles.
Tomorrow: funding bodies and libraries contribute to the consortium, which pays centrally for the peer-review service. Articles are free to read for everyone.
Posted by Chris Leonard at 16:11 Comments (0)
From an excellent presentation given by Salvatore Mele at the Berlin5 meeting at Padova in September. See the pdf for all slides.
Posted by Chris Leonard at 11:42 Comments (0)
Yes, for all manuscripts submitted to PMC Physics B this month, there will be no Article Processing Charge levied for those which are accepted for publication.
Edited by Stephen Buckman and Peter Hatton, PMC Physics B publishes original research and reviews in the following areas:
Atomic and molecular interactions and spectroscopy, optical physics and its associated technology and applications including the interaction of light with matter:
- Fundamental measurements and constants
- Atomic and molecular structure and spectroscopy
- Atomic and molecular collisions
- Cold collisions and matter waves
- Quantum optics, quantum information and quantum devices
- Non-linear physics, laser physics
- Ultra-fast processes and atoms and molecules in external fields
- Applications of atomic, molecular and optical processes
The journal also covers the whole of condensed matter physics including crystalline and non-crystalline materials, soft matter, fluids and nanostructures. Experimental, theoretical and simulation studies are all welcome, particularly interdisciplinary topics:
- Measurement science, instrumentation and techniques
- Condensed matter structure of liquids and solids
- Crystallography, defects and liquid crystals
- Thermal and transport properties
- Surfaces, thin films, nanostructures and nanotechnology
- Quantum fluids and solids
- Electronic structure, electrical, magnetic and optical properties
- Superconductivity
- Liquids and soft matter
Posted by Chris Leonard at 15:49 Comments (0)
Quick update on some recent entries
- The arXiv API has already been extended to include some more metadata. The API now returns subject classifications and subclassifications.
- Active discussion on the release of STIX fonts on Slashdot, some of it focussing on the licensing agreements, which seemingly restrict the type of changes that can be made.
Posted by Chris Leonard at 15:36 Comments (0)
Yes, it's taken over 10 years, but finally a beta release of the STIX fonts is available - at least for a short time. From their website:
The beta test period is scheduled to run from 31 October until 15 December. Beta test participants are highly encouraged to provide feedback. We are particularly interested in learning how well the software works with standard document creation software applications (e.g., Word, WordPerfect, InDesign, MathType, etc.), web browsers, and other applications.
The mission of the Scientific and Technical Information Exchange (STIX) font creation project is the preparation of a comprehensive set of fonts that serve the scientific and engineering community in the process from manuscript creation through final publication, both in electronic and print formats. Toward this purpose, the STIX fonts will be made available, under royalty-free license, to anyone, including publishers, software developers, scientists, students, and the general public.
Posted by Chris Leonard at 12:39 Comments (0)
API opens up arXiv to new apps
Good news from the people at arXiv as they announced at the recent e-sciences conference that they have released an arXiv API. From their new blog:
The arXiv API is an HTTP/Atom-based application programming interface that exposes the search and retrieval functionality of arXiv.org to application developers.
... You can visit the official arXiv API homepage for documentation, tutorials, and information on how to participate in the developer community, including our discussion list. Or you can follow this blog to find out the latest news concerning the API.
Details about the arXiv API developer's list, and an extended entry to the capabilities of the current API is available on a new dedicated section of the arXiv website.
Posted by Chris Leonard at 13:59 Comments (0)