Astronomical, physical, and meteorological parameters for planetary atmospheres

A newly compiled table of astronomical, physical, and meteorological parameters for planetary atmospheres is presented. Formulae and explanatory notes for their application and a complete listing of sources are also given

On the viability of bigravity cosmology

We revisit the question of viability of bigravity cosmology as a candidate for dark energy. In the context of the low energy limit model, where matter couples to a single metric, we study linear perturbations around homogeneous and isotropic backgrounds to derive the Poisson's equation for the Newtonian potential. Extending to second order perturbations, we identify the Vainshtein radius below which non-linear scalar self interactions conspire to reproduce GR on local scales. We combine all of these results to determine the parameter space that allows a late time de-Sitter attractor compatible with observations and a successful Vainsthein mechanism. We find that the requirement on having a successful Vainsthein mechanism is not compatible with the existence of cosmological solutions at early times.Comment: Accepted for publication in PR

A SMALL AND ODIOUS PARTY OLD SCHOOL PRESBYTERIAN OPPOSITION TO ABOLITIONISM IN ANTEBELLUM AMERICA

The Old School Presbyterian Church was the only major evangelical denomination not to divide over slavery prior to the American Civil War. ‘A Small and Odious Party’ looks at the nature and the role of the Church’s opposition to abolitionism in ensuring the continuance of a non-sectional evangelical church in antebellum America. It argues that the anti-abolitionism of the Presbyterian Church concerned a number of issues including: a continued adherence to the old anti-slavery worldview, a defence of the common sense reading of scripture, and the promotion of a conservative philosophy of society. But also that each of these individual concerns represented the continuing vivacity of a conservative worldview dedicated to preserving the national unity of the United States

Large-Scale Influences on Atmospheric River Induced Extreme Precipitation Events Along the Coast of Washington State

Atmospheric Rivers (ARs) are responsible for much of the precipitation along the west coast of the United States. In order to accurately predict AR events in numerical weather prediction, subseasonal and seasonal timescales, it is important to understand the large-scale meteorological influence on extreme AR events.Here, characteristics of ARs that result in an extreme precipitation event are compared to typical ARs on the coast of WashingtonState. In addition to more intense water vapor transport, notable differences in the synoptic forcing are present during extreme precipitation events that are not present during typical AR events.In particular, a negatively tilted low pressure system is positioned to the west in the Gulf of Alaska, alongside an upper level jet streak. Subseasonal and seasonal teleconnection patterns are known to influence the weather in the Pacific Northwest. The Madden JulianOscillation (MJO) is shown to be particularly important in determining the strength of precipitation associated with in AR ont he Washington coast

Simplified modelling of air source heat pumps producing detailed results

Created by the Building Research Establishment (BRE), the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) is the UK Government‟s recommended method of assessing the energy ratings of dwellings. Modelling future complex dwellings, and their servicing systems, will require a more advanced calculation which is as simple as SAP to use but can produce more detailed results. This paper extends a novel advanced dynamic calculation method (IDEAS – Inverse Dynamics based Energy Analysis and Simulation) of assessing the controllability of a building and its servicing systems. IDEAS produces SAP compliant results and allows confident (i.e. calibrated in SAP) predictions to be made regarding the impact of novel heating and renewable energy systems. This paper describes the addition of an Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) model to IDEAS. This allows for detailed analysis to be made of ASHPs in a SAP compliant framework. The benefits of using the IDEAS method is highlighted with capabilities outwith the scope of SAP also possible. For example, IDEAS can be used as sizing tool for a heating system in a building

A primary care Symptoms Clinic for patients with medically unexplained symptoms : pilot randomised trial

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Push-Pull Control of Motor Output

Inhibition usually decreases input–output excitability of neurons. If, however, inhibition is coupled to excitation in a push–pull fashion, where inhibition decreases as excitation increases, neuron excitability can be increased. Although the presence of push–pull organization has been demonstrated in single cells, its functional impact on neural processing depends on its effect on the system level. We studied push–pull in the motor output stage of the feline spinal cord, a system that allows independent control of inhibitory and excitatory components. Push–pull organization was clearly present in ankle extensor motoneurons, producing increased peak-to-peak modulation of synaptic currents. The effect at the system level was equally strong. Independent control of the inhibitory component showed that the stronger the background of inhibition, the greater the peak force production. This illustrates the paradox at the heart of push–pull organization: increased force output can be achieved by increasing background inhibition to provide greater disinhibition

Project Based Learning to Promote 21St Century Skills: An Action Research Study

This action research study explored how instructional staff members at a rural high school in Central Virginia can improve their PBL instructional practices to promote students to acquire the 21st century skills of communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. Based on the results of this action research study, the top three strengths of PBL were students learning from mistakes, students taking responsibility for their learning, and that projects come in all shapes and sizes. The study revealed that there is not a tight fit or alignment between PBL and the Four Cs of communication, creativity, and critical thinking, and collaboration; however instructional staff members still perceived PBL as promoting the Four Cs in various ways. The study revealed that instructional staff members envision their school as students learning from their mistakes in a non-punitive way, being responsible for their learning, and creating their own educational paths to success. The study revealed that instructional staff members would like professional development on grading PBL lessons, as well as infusing PBL into the curriculum