Anisotropies in the stochastic gravitational-wave background: Formalism and the cosmic string case

We develop a powerful analytical formalism for calculating the energy density of the stochastic gravitational wave background, including a full description of its anisotropies. This is completely general, and can be applied to any astrophysical or cosmological source. As an example, we apply these tools to the case of a network of Nambu-Goto cosmic strings. We find that the angular spectrum of the anisotropies is relatively insensitive to the choice of model for the string network, but very sensitive to the value of the string tension $G\mu$.Comment: 25 pages, 8 figures; PRD published versio

Can we detect quantum gravity with compact binary inspirals?

Treating general relativity as an effective field theory, we compute the leading-order quantum corrections to the orbits and gravitational-wave emission of astrophysical compact binaries. These corrections are independent of the (unknown) nature of quantum gravity at high energies, and generate a phase shift and amplitude increase in the observed gravitational-wave signal. Unfortunately (but unsurprisingly), these corrections are undetectably small, even in the most optimistic observational scenarios.Comment: 7 pages, 0 figures; version 2 has additional discussion of our approach and 5 additional reference

Analog Electric Guitar Distortion Effects and Headphone Amplification

The goal of this project was to create an electronic system which integrates popular audio processing effects as well as headphone amplification circuitry for use with an electric guitar. By implementing a system which fits natively inside the body of an electric guitar, the need for numerous external accessories relating to a standalone amplifier system is eliminated, improving device versatility and portability

Transportation to a world of fantasy: Consumer experiences of fictional brands becoming real

This paper explores the relatively new and understudied area of reverse product placement. It focuses on the experiences of consumers who purchase and use fictional brands and products – those that first appear in fiction and are later produced and sold for actual consumption. Phenomenological interviews were used to capture what individuals experience when they purchase, use and own fictional brands. Three themes related to the notion of connection emerged. Fictional brands and products connect individuals to a different world, allowing them to experience and indulge in their fantasies through a tangible object. The objects also connect individuals to memories and emotions, acting as a portal to other aspects of their lives, and fictional brands and products also connect to the self and to others. The findings help us to explore issues of fantasy and reality within consumption, noting particularly how fictional products and brands can provide tangible links between the two realms, and sheds further light on the role of fantasy within everyday life

The Validity and Reliability of Co-heating Tests Made on Highly Insulated Dwellings

AbstractThe ability of a co-heating test to accurately identify a dwelling's envelope heat-loss coefficient has been explored using dynamic thermal simulation techniques, against a number of fabric specifications ranging from 1990 UK regulation levels through to modern Passivhaus requirements.Simple analysis methods can underestimate the heat-loss coefficient, by up to 50% for the highest performance standards considered. Using the best test and analysis methods found the envelope heat loss coefficient could be determined for current stock to better than 10% accuracy in a three week test duration. However that accuracy could not be reliably achieved in a shorter period, nor could it be achieved with a dwelling specification representing emerging standards of insulation, unless longer test periods were used

Shot noise in the astrophysical gravitational-wave background

We calculate the noise induced in the anisotropies of the astrophysical gravitational-wave background by finite sampling of both the galaxy distribution and the compact binary coalescence event rate. This shot noise leads to a scale-invariant bias term in the angular power spectrum $C_\ell$, for which we derive a simple analytical expression. We find that this bias dominates over the true cosmological power spectrum in any reasonable observing scenario, and that only with very long observing times and removal of a large number of foreground sources can the true power spectrum be recovered.Comment: 7 pages, 1 figure, version published in PR