The role of magnetic fields in the scattering of p-modes

Aims. We determine the direct and indirect effects of magnetic field on p-mode scattering. Methods. We solve a set of magnetohydrodynamic equations using the Born approximation to determine phase shifts in p-modes due to a region of inhomogeneity. The region of inhomogeneity is a magnetic flux tube with the characteristics of flaring field lines. This enables us to investigate the magnetic field effects on the phase shifts. Results. The magnetic configuration of our flux tube model plays a vital role in the phase shifts of p-modes. The suppression of sound speed and pressure within the flux tube region is not the only factor to consider in the scattering of p-modes. There is a direct effect of the magnetic fields caused by the flaring of field lines on phase shifts

Sensitivity of p-mode absorption on magnetic region properties and kernel functions

Aims. Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) sausage tube waves are excited in magnetic flux tubes by p-mode forcing. These tube waves carry energy away from the p-mode cavity which results in a source of absorption. We wish to see the effect of an ensemble of randomly distributed thin magnetic flux tubes on the absorption of p-modes for the model plage region and also study the effect of the spacial weighting function on the theoretically calculated absorption coefficients. Methods. We calculate the absorption coefficients of p modes for a model plage, assumed to consist of an ensemble of many thin magnetic flux tubes with randomly distributed plasma properties. Each magnetic flux tube in the ensemble is modelled as axisymmetric, non-interacting, vertically oriented and untwisted. Results. We find that the magnitude and the form of the absorption coefficient is sensitive to the plasma-beta of the tubes which is consistent with previous work. Both the random distribution used to model the ensemble of flux tubes and the spatial weighting function inherent to the measurement of the absorption affect the absorption. As the width of the weighting function increases, the absorption increases

Interfacial adhesion of fiberglass reinforced thermoplastic composites

The use of reinforced plastics is vast. A proper understanding of these materials and their properties is Important. The interface of a reinforced plastic influences many of the materials mechanical properties. This study of fiber reinforced composites was conducted to better understand the interfacial interactions between XENOY and E-Glass fibers. The research consisted of studying the effects of processing temperature, long term hydrolytic attack, and coupling agents, on the interface

Interpersonal Perceptions as Function of Personality Styles

One hundred, sixty-nine undergraduates participated in a study that investigated the effects of interpersonal self-perceptions on judgements made about others. Subjects\u27 interpersonal styles were assessed by self-ratings using the Interpersonal Adjective Scales (IAS). Subjects also rated the interpersonal styles of two video-taped stimulus others using the IAS. In addition, subjects\u27 degree of identification and desire to affiliate with the stimuli were assessed. The general design was a two-group rating comparison (Friendly-Dominant and Friendly-Submissive, and more extreme and less extreme) across two stimulus conditions, Hostile-Dominant and Hostile-Submissive. There were several findings and interpretations were forwarded. Extreme subjects assigned higher, more extreme ratings to both the stimuli than did less extreme subjects. More extreme or interpersonally rigid individuals may interpret others\u27 behavior as more extreme than do flexible individuals. Subjects assigned the most extreme ratings to the stimulus whose behavior was opposite of their own on the Interpersonal Circle. It may be that subjects responded with extreme ratings to the stimulus who greatly epitomized the impression they endeavor to avoid. Friendly-Submissive subjects indicated a preference for identifying and affiliating with the Hostile-Submissive stimulus, while Friendly-Dominant subjects indicated little preference between the two stimuli. Friendly-Submissive subjects apparently were more sensitive to the role demands for cooperative behavior inherent in a counseling-type stimulus situation than were Friendly-Dominant subjects. Less extreme subjects rated the Hostile-Dominant stimulus as more extreme than they rated the Hostile-Submissive stimulus, while more extreme subjects differed little in their ratings of the two stimuli. It is likely that less extreme, flexible individuals are more responsive to changes in situational contexts than are more rigid individuals. Overall, the results support the assertion that self-descriptions and descriptions of others are systematically-related, as well as providing support for the need to attend to traits, situations, and then interactions in the study of interpersonal behavior

The Effects of Religious Beliefs on Preferences Among Four Types of Christian Counseling

Forty-five participants from Protestant denominations completed surveys designed to investigate the effects of religious beliefs on preferences among four types of Christian counseling. The proponents of the counseling theories were Clyde M. Narramore, Jay E. Adams, Lawrence J. Crabb, and Andre Bustanoby. Participants read a case history of a fictitious client, and four short treatment plans which represented each Christian counselor\u27s approach. Then, they completed questionnaires designed to assess their preferences for the counseling approaches, as well as completing other measures, including a religious fundamentalism scale, the Religious Orientation Scale (ROS), and the Rokeach Value Survey (RVS). It was found that Crabb was viewed by participants as having an approach which most closely paralled their own religious beliefs. On almost all other measures, Crabb, yoked with either Bustanoby or Narramore, lead participants\u27 preferences. Adams was viewed as relying most on the authority of Scripture, but he was frequently the least preferred. Other findings indicated that for Christians, especially conservative Christians (as determined by the ROS, RVS, and self-ratings), there is a reluctance toward seeking secular psychological help, and a preference for counseling theories which are perceived as being congruent with their own religious beliefs. Implications for research and counseling with Christians are discussed

Development of a passive MEG stimulus for measurement of the binaural masking level difference

The ability to hear a target signal over background noise is an important aspect of efficient hearing in everyday situations. This mechanism depends on binaural hearing whenever there are differences in the inter-aural timing of inputs from the noise and the signal. Impairments in binaural hearing may underlie some auditory processing disorders, for example temporal-lobe epilepsies. The binaural masking level difference (BMLD) measures the advantage in detecting a tone whose inter-aural phase differs from that of the masking noise. BMLD’s are typically estimated psychophysically, but this is challenging in children or those with cognitive impairments. The aim of this doctorate is to design a passive measure of BMLD using magnetoencephalography (MEG) and test this in adults, children and patients with different types of epilepsy. The stimulus consists of Gaussian background noise with 500-Hz tones presented binaurally either in-phase or 180° out-of-phase between the ears. Source modelling provides the N1m amplitude for the in-phase and out-of-phase tones, representing the extent of signal perception over background noise. The passive BMLD stimulus is successfully used as a measure of binaural hearing capabilities in participants who would otherwise be unable to undertake a psychophysical task

Learning and recognition by a dynamical system with a plastic velocity field

Learning is a mechanism intrinsic to all sentient biological systems. Despite the diverse range of paradigms that exist, it appears that an artificial system has yet to be developed that can emulate learning with a comparable degree of accuracy or efficiency to the human brain. With the development of new approaches comes the opportunity to reduce this disparity in performance. A model presented by Janson and Marsden [arXiv:1107.0674 (2011)] (Memory foam model) redefines the critical features that an intelligent system should demonstrate. Rather than focussing on the topological constraints of the rigid neuron structure, the emphasis is placed on the on-line, unsupervised, classification, retention and recognition of stimuli. In contrast to traditional AI approaches, the system s memory is not plagued by spurious attractors or the curse of dimensionality. The ability to continuously learn, whilst simultaneously recognising aspects of a stimuli ensures that this model more closely embodies the operations occurring in the brain than many other AI approaches. Here we consider the pertinent deficiencies of classical artificial learning models before introducing and developing this memory foam self-shaping system. As this model is relatively new, its limitations are not yet apparent. These must be established by testing the model in various complex environments. Here we consider its ability to learn and recognize the RGB colours composing cartoons as observed via a web-camera. The self-shaping vector field of the system is shown to adjust its composition to reflect the distribution of three-dimensional inputs. The model builds a memory of its experiences and is shown to recognize unfamiliar colours by locating the most appropriate class with which to associate a stimuli. In addition, we discuss a method to map a three-dimensional RGB input onto a line spectrum of colours. The corresponding reduction of the models dimensions is shown to dramatically improve computational speed, however, the model is then restricted to a much smaller set of representable colours. This models prototype offers a gradient description of recognition, it is evident that a more complex, non-linear alternative may be used to better characterize the classes of the system. It is postulated that non-linear attractors may be utilized to convey the concept of hierarchy that relates the different classes of the system. We relate the dynamics of the van der Pol oscillator to this plastic self-shaping system, first demonstrating the recognition of stimuli with limit cycle trajectories. The location and frequency of each cycle is dependent on the topology of the systems energy potential. For a one-dimensional stimuli the dynamics are restricted to the cycle, the extension of the model to an N dimensional stimuli is approached via the coupling of N oscillators. Here we study systems of up to three mutually coupled oscillators and relate limit cycles, fixed points and quasi-periodic orbits to the recognition of stimuli

Colchester, Fortress of the War God

This volume is a critical assessment of the current state of archaeological knowledge of the settlement originally called Camulodunon and now known as Colchester. The town has been the subject of antiquarian interest since the late 16th century and the first modern archaeological excavations occurred in 1845 close to Colchester Castle, the towns most prominent historic site.The earliest significant human occupation recorded from Colchester dates to the late Neolithic, but it was only towards the end of the 1st century BC that an oppidum was established in the area. This was superseded initially by a Roman legionary fortress and then the colonia of Camulodunum on a hilltop bounded on the north and east by the river Colne. There is little evidence for continuing occupation here in the early post-Roman period, but in 917 the town was re-established as a burgh and gradually grew in importance. After the Norman Conquest, a castle was built on the foundations of the ruined Roman Temple of Claudius, and a priory and an abbey were established just to the south of the walled town.Although the town, as elsewhere, was affected by the Dissolution of the Monasteries and the English Civil War it remained essentially medieval in character until the 18th century. During the 19th century this process of change was accelerated by the arrival of the railway, industrialisation and the establishment of the military garrison.Since the 1960s Colchester has been subject to recurring phases of re-development, the most recent having ended only in 2007, which have had a significant impact on the historic environment. Fortunately the town is one of the best studied in the country

Proposals for community discussion. A quality future for recreational fishing in the Gascoyne. A five-year management strategy for recreational fishing.

Gascoyne has seen a series of rapid developments in recreational fisheries management, starting with the introduction of state-wide bag limits in 1991; followed by area specific controls at Ningaloo in 1992; landing limits in Exmouth Gulf in 1993; strict controls on the take of pink snapper in Shark Bay’s inner gulfs in 1997; new bag limits for Shark Bay in 1998; and the introduction of a management system for the charter and aquatic tour industry in 1999. The management proposals presented for community discussion in this paper are aimed at maintaining or improving the quality and diversity of the Gascoyne\u27s recreational fisheries in the face of inexorable increases in population and fishing pressures

A five year management strategy for recreational fishing in the Gascoyne Region of Western Australia. Final report of the Gascoyne Recreational Fishing Working Group.

The recommendations contained within this paper were reached after careful consideration of the public submissions provided in response to the working group’s discussion paper A Quality Future for Recreational Fishing in the Gascoyne (Fisheries Management Paper 124). The working group would like to thank everyone who forwarded submissions on the discussion paper and attended public meetings to provide input. The wide variety of comments and views expressed reflect the diverse nature of the recreational fishing sector. I believe this range of views was also well represented by the various members of the working group