CO Line Emission and Absorption from the HL Tau Disk: Where is all the dust?

We present high-resolution infrared spectra of HL Tau, a heavily embedded young star. The spectra exhibit broad emission lines of hot CO gas as well as narrow absorption lines of cold CO gas. The column density for this cooler material (7.5+/-0.2 x 10^18 cm-2) indicates a large column of absorbing gas along the line of sight. In dense interstellar clouds, this column density of CO gas is associated with Av~52 magnitudes. However, the extinction toward this source (Av~23) suggests that there is less dust along the line of sight than inferred from the CO absorption data. We discuss three possibilities for the apparent paucity of dust along the line of sight through the flared disk: 1) the dust extinction has been underestimated due to differences in circumstellar grain properties, such as grain agglomeration; 2) the effect of scattering has been underestimated and the actual extinction is much higher; or (3) the line of sight through the disk is probing a gas-rich, dust-depleted region, possibly due to the stratification of gas and dust in a pre-planetary disk.Comment: To be published in The Astrophysical Journa

The Design of a Customised Portable BCI Headset for Home Based Neurorehabilitation

This project aims to design a new portable BrainComputer Interface (BCI) headset that can be used by non-professionals (patients, caregivers) as part of BCI therapeuticapplications in the home environment. The suitability of thedesign of the new headset under its operating conditions wasevaluated through use of mechanical testing in ComputerAided Design (CAD) software and physical prototypes.Extensive use of CAD based design was used to create a noveltestbed for future prototypes of BCI headsets. We present asolution for optimised hardware design of the BCI headsetwhich incorporates existing electronic components (dryelectrodes, portable amplifier, battery etc.)Keywords—headset, EEG, home based, Brain ComputerInterface, CAD, desig

A practical review of energy saving technology for ageing populations

Fuel poverty is a critical issue for a globally ageing population. Longer heating/cooling requirements combine with declining incomes to create a problem in need of urgent attention. One solution is to deploy technology to help elderly users feel informed about their energy use, and empowered to take steps to make it more cost effective and efficient. This study subjects a broad cross section of energy monitoring and home automation products to a formal ergonomic analysis. A high level task analysis was used to guide a product walk through, and a toolkit approach was used thereafter to drive out further insights. The findings reveal a number of serious usability issues which prevent these products from successfully accessing an important target demographic and associated energy saving and fuel poverty outcomes. Design principles and examples are distilled from the research to enable practitioners to translate the underlying research into high quality design-engineering solutions

Spectropolarimetry of the Type Ib/c SN 2005bf

We present spectropolarimetric observations of the peculiar Type Ib/c SN 2005bf, in MCG+00-27-005, from 3600-8550\AA. The SN was observed on 2005 April 30.9, 18 days after the first B-band light-curve maximum and 6 days before the second B-band light-curve maximum. The degree of the Interstellar Polarization, determined from depolarized emission lines in the spectrum, is found to be large with $p_{max}(ISP)=1.6$ and $\theta(ISP)=149$\fdg$7\pm4.0$, but this may be an upper limit on the real value of the ISP. After ISP subtraction, significant polarization is observed over large wavelength regions, indicating a significant degree of global asymmetry, $\gtrsim 10$. Polarizations of 3.5% and 4% are observed for absorption components of Ca II H&K and IR triplet, and 1.3% for He I 5876\AA and Fe II. On the $Q-U$ plane clear velocity-dependent loop structure is observed for the He I 5876\AA line, suggestive of departures from an axial symmetry and possible clumping of the SN ejecta. Weak High Velocity components of $\mathrm{H\alpha}$, $\mathrm{H\beta}$ and $\mathrm{H\gamma}$ are observed, with velocities of -15 000\kms. The low degree of polarization observed at H$\beta$ suggests that the polarization observed for the other Balmer lines ($\sim 0.4$ above the background polarization) may rather be due to blending of $\mathrm{H\alpha}$ and $\mathrm{H\gamma}$ with polarized Si II and Fe II lines, respectively. We suggest a model in which a jet of material, that is rich in $\mathrm{^{56}Ni}$, has penetrated the C-O core, but not the He mantle. The jet axis is tilted with respect to the axis of the photosphere. This accounts for the lack of significant polarization of O I 7774\AA, the delayed excitation and, hence, observability of He I and, potentially, the varied geometries of He and Ca.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures (3 colour), MNRAS accepte

Evidence for chemical processing of precometary icy grains in circumstellar environments of pre-main-sequence stars

We report the detection of a broad absorption feature near 2166/cm in the spectrum of the Taurus cloud cource Elias 18. This pre-main-sequence source is the second in Taurus, the third in our survey, and the fifth known in the sky to show the broad 2166/cm absorption feature. Of equal importance, this feature is not seen toward several other embedded sources in our survey, nor is it seen toward the source Elias 16, located behind the Taurus cloud. Laboratory experiments with interstellar ice analogs show that such a feature is associated with a complex C triple bonded to N containing compound (called X(C triple bonded to N)) that results from high-energy processing (ultraviolet irradiation or ion bombardment) of simple ice components into more complex, organic components. We find a nonlinear anticorrelation between the abundance of X(C triple bonded to N) and frozen CO components in nonpolar lattices. We find no correlation between the abundance of X(C triple bonded to N) and frozen CO in polar lattices. Because the abundances of frozen CO and H2O are strongly correlated with each other and with visual extinction toward sources embedded in and located behind the Taurus molecular cloud, these ice components usually are associated with intracloud material. Our results indicate that X(C triple bonded to N) molecules result from chemical processing of dust grains dominated by nonpolar icy mantles in the local environments of pre-main-sequence stars. Such processing of icy grains in the early solar system may be an important source of organic compounds observed in minor solar system bodies. The delivery of these organic compounds to the surface of the primitive Earth through comet impacts may have provided the raw materials for prebiotic chemistry

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FUNDING ROUTES TO MARKET

The Product Design Engineering (PDE) department at the Glasgow School of Art and the University of Glasgow has witnessed a substantial growth in graduate business start-ups during the last ten years. This paper sets out to explore the contrasts, advantages and disadvantages of support and funding that can be gained from the Private and Public sector. Case studies will demonstrate how one company has been supported through Private funding and support, and another that has received this primarily from the Public sector. Further to this, the paper will also offer the experiences of Product Developer and Public funding Advisor and for recent graduates, the Product Design Engineer in Residence Scheme. This paper does not set out to cover all aspects of public versus private funding, for example complex issues of tax, R&D benefits are not covered. It is a first attempt to explore the experiences of those in receipt of funding, those responsible in making the decisions

Innovation in Partnerships: Rethinking the Learning Space

This brief talk will contextualise rethinking of learning spaces using the example of the Product Design Engineering (PDE) Undergraduate project ‘Hunter Gatherer’, which was delivered in collaboration with University’s collections at The Hunterian. This project challenged the notion of the learning space and promoted active learning in a non-traditional classroom. We asked students to engage with The Hunterian, Scotland’s oldest public museum. In addition to the collection, the students had access to expert staff and The Hunterian’s new collection study centre at Kelvin Hall. Hunterian founder, William Hunter’s education had taught him the value of learning through observation and practical experience, and this was the basis for the initial project investigation. Students selected items from the collection and completed a ‘Ways of looking’ visual examination with the aim of understanding the context and significance of the artefacts. The students used this investigation for concept development for objects of the future as part of the PDE course outcomes. Transferable Learning Points from this talk include: • Context and value of museum spaces to enhance student engagement. • Questions around cross-disciplinarily, active learning, collaborative approaches and pushing boundaries of non-traditional learning environment to support teaching and learning. • Challenges/next phase, setting benchmarks, lessons learned, and moving beyond the project. • Course design and tools for successful delivery models that contextualise active learning in relevant spaces that engage students in meaningful and creative ways. • How learning outcomes can be shaped by diverse learning spaces. • Project assessment and how the space and place influenced course design and deliverables

The Application of Generative Software in the Design of Electroencephalogram (EEG) Headset

The research, design engineering, and development of a wireless ambulatory Electroencephalogram (EEG ) headset that utilises Brain Computer Interface (BCI) and Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) presents a wide range of complex requirements. The team responsible for developing this wireless ambulatory EEG headset is focusing on making the device suitable for patient-managed neurorehabilitation within community (at homes or community centres). Unlike existing commercial EEG headsets, this would be the first device created particularly for unassisted (nonprofessional) usage by patients (or their caregivers) with restricted motor function or with chronic pain. These conditions may be the result of spinal cord injury and/or stroke. This approach provides benefits not only to Healthcare providers (such as occupational therapists) in terms of resource allocation, but also to patients and caregivers by providing access to device that can be used in familiar surroundings and at times that suit. The main challenges that benefit from the application of Fusion 360, generative design, and ReCap are: 1) developing form and structures that are adaptable to range of head sizes and geometries; 2) developing a structure that optimises the location and placement of electrodes; 3) reduction of material usage of key headset components; 4) influences the design with the aim of enhancing comfort, functionality, durability, and interaction. The demonstration will show examples of concept development of the device, ranging from digital to physical test beds that test the interaction between a variety of heads, mechanical properties of the headsets and electrodes. Traditional and rapid prototyping processes have been used throughout the development and where appropriate, these have been tested and evaluated using human factors methods and tools. The interaction and placement of the device is critical to the rehabilitation of the patient. Therefore, the device has to intuitive to use and reliable throughout its application. It is also expected that the device would be used by more than one patient, therefore it has to be easily maintained and serviced. The project is aligned with Engineering and Physical Science Research Council's delivery plan in the area of improving prevention and public health

Supporting Safe and Independent Living: Findings, Themes and Concept Designs from a User-Centred Study on Digital Telecare

Telecare technologies support people to live in the community safely. In the UK, the existing analogue telephone services for telecare will be switched off by 2025, as the telecommunications infrastructure is upgraded to digital connectivity. Internationally, analogue telephone services are also being decommissioned. The shift from analogue to digital presents a rare and major opportunity for new digital solutions that address current issues with adoption and use of telecare. This paper describes a user-centred study to design innovative digital telecare concepts. The main contributions are: findings from user engagement activities, which identified issues that may be more important and less important to users; the synthesis of ideas generated through the design process, which identified four themes for future work in the field–community-based support, telecare you don’t wear or notice, expand the use of telecare, and introduce telecare earlier; and seven concept designs that illustrate how the themes could be approached

Psychosocial determinants of emotion in children's physical activity

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