Radiation from Isolated Spectral Lines with Combined Doppler and Lorentz Broadening

Methods for the calculation of spectral absorption coefficients for combined Doppler and Lorentz broadening are summarized. The “curves of growth” have been extended to cover the ranges of parameters which arise in spectroscopic studies on flames

Nomogram for the Evaluation of Blackbody Radiancy and of Peak and Total Intensities for Spectral Lines with Lorentz Contour

A nomogram has been constructed for the determination of blackbody radiancy and of peak and total intensities for spectral lines with Lorentz contour. The basic equations used for the construction of the nomogram and the use of the nomogram are described briefly

Nomogram for the Evaluation of Blackbody Radiancy and of Peak and Total Intensities for Spectral Lines with Doppler Contour

A nomogram has been constructed for the determination of blackbody radiancy and of peak and total intensities for spectral lines with Doppler contour. The basic equations used for the construction of the nomogram and the use of the nomogram are described briefly. A method is outlined for determining absolute values of total intensities for spectral lines with combined Doppler and resonance contour by using the nomogram in conjunction with the “curves of growth.

Effects of visuospatial tasks on desensitization to emotive memories

Objectives: Vivid and intrusive memories of extreme trauma can disrupt a stepwise approach to imaginal exposure. Concurrent tasks that load the visuo-spatial sketchpad (VSSP) of working memory reduce memory vividness during imaginal exposure. Such tasks may help maintain a progressive exposure protocol while minimizing distress during treatment. The current study tested whether relief of distress from a competing VSSP load during emotive imagery is at the cost of impaired desensitization. Design: This study examined repeated exposure to emotive memories using 18 unselected undergraduates, using a within-subjects design. Method: Participants recalled three positive and three negative self-related memories, and rated the vividness and emotiveness of the image. Participants then received all three conditions (Eye Movements; Visual Noise; Control) in a counterbalanced order. One positive and one negative recollection were used for each condition. They then rated the vividness of the image and their emotional response before proceeding to the next trial. There were 8 trials for each image. At a noninterference session one week later, participants recalled each image, rating its vividness and their emotional response. Results: Consistent with previous research, vividness and distress during imaging were lower during eye movements than in exposure alone, with passive visual interference giving intermediate results. A small reduction in emotional responses a week later was of similar size for the three conditions

XMM-Newton observation of the interacting galaxies NGC1512 and NGC1510

The galaxy NGC1512 is interacting with the smaller galaxy NGC1510 and shows a peculiar morphology, characterised by two extended arms immersed in an HI disc whose size is about four times larger than the optical diameter of NGC1512. For the first time we performed a deep X-ray observation of the galaxies NGC1512 and NGC1510 with XMM-Newton to gain information on the population of X-ray sources and diffuse emission in a system of interacting galaxies. We identified and classified the sources detected in the XMM-Newton field of view by means of spectral analysis, hardness-ratios calculated with a Bayesian method, X-ray variability, and cross-correlations with catalogues in optical, infrared, and radio wavelengths. We also made use of archival Swift (X-ray) and Australia Telescope Compact Array (radio) data to better constrain the nature of the sources detected with XMM-Newton. We detected 106 sources in the energy range of 0.2-12 keV, out of which 15 are located within the D_25 regions of NGC1512 and NGC1510 and at least six sources coincide with the extended arms. We identified and classified six background objects and six foreground stars. We discussed the nature of a source within the D_25 ellipse of NGC1512, whose properties indicate a quasi-stellar object or an intermediate ultra-luminous X-ray source. Taking into account the contribution of low-mass X-ray binaries and active galactic nuclei, the number of high-mass X-ray binaries detected within the D_25 region of NGC1512 is consistent with the star formation rate obtained in previous works based on radio, infrared optical, and UV wavelengths. We detected diffuse X-ray emission from the interior region of NGC1512 with a plasma temperature of kT=0.68(0.31-0.87) keV and a 0.3-10 keV X-ray luminosity of 1.3E38 erg/s, after correcting for unresolved discrete sources.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics. 20 pages. Appendix B will be published electronically onl

Brief guided imagery and body scanning interventions reduce food cravings

mindfulness cognition food intrusive thoughts acceptance eatingElaborated Intrusion (EI) Theory proposes that cravings occur when involuntary thoughts about food are elaborated; a key part of elaboration is affectively-charged imagery. Craving can be weakened by working memory tasks that block imagery. EI Theory predicts that cravings should also be reduced by preventing involuntary thoughts being elaborated in the first place. Research has found that imagery techniques such as body scanning and guided imagery can reduce the occurrence of food thoughts. This study tested the prediction that these techniques also reduce craving. We asked participants to abstain from food overnight, and then to carry out 10 minutes of body scanning, guided imagery, or a control mind wandering task. They rated their craving at ten points during the task on a single item measure, and before and after the task using the Craving Experience Questionnaire. While craving rose during the task for the mind wandering group, neither the guided imagery nor body scanning group showed an increase. These effects were not detected by the CEQ, suggesting that they are only present during the competing task. As they require no devices or materials and are unobtrusive, brief guided imagery strategies might form useful components of weight loss programmes that attempt to address cravings

Livestreaming music in the UK: quantitative analysis

As part of a larger project on livestreaming, we created a survey to investigate how musicians’ working lives have been impacted by COVID-19, and whether livestreaming has helped them. We also sought to discover musician and audience attitudes towards livestreaming, as well as the role that they think it will play in the future. Using exploratory factor analysis, we were able to identify several theoretical latent constructs in the data, which we converted to principal components to use in three multiple linear regression analyses. These allowed us to single out several variables that predicted the number of livestreams performed by musicians, and also the number watched/paid for by livestream viewers. A central theme that arose was the importance of communication during livestreams, both between audience and performer, and among audience members. Concerns about the lack of interaction and shared emotional experience appear to hold people back from watching. Opinion is mixed over whether livestreaming will provide musicians with a viable, additional income stream, but people agree that it has a role in the future for reaching new audiences, and also that it should embrace new possibilities made possible by the format rather than aim to replicate the physical concert experience

Livestreaming Music in the UK: Report for Musicians

The aim of this research project is to share information on the practice of livestreaming concerts with musicians, with a view to enabling them to add livestreaming to their income ­generating activities. The COVID ­related lockdowns have propelled many musicians into the livestreaming arena and the practice of livestreaming concerts continues to evolve rapidly. This report can only provide a snapshot of the current situation, as technological innovation, potential changes in licensing, and the sharing of good practice will have an impact on how livestreaming is done in future. The report serves in part as a guide to the practical matters of livestreaming, such as monetisation methods, platforms and technical and licensing aspects, and in part as an overview of current livestreaming practices. It also aims to outline the role that livestreaming is playing during the COVID pandemic and its potential role in a post­-pandemic world. There are five main themes that have emerged from the research project

Adding value to milk by increasing its protein and CLA contents

End of project reportThe mid-summer milk protein study was undertaken on 34 commercial dairy farms in 2005 to evaluate the influence of dietary and management variables on milk protein content in mid-season. Data on grass composition, genetic merit of the herds and milk protein content were collected and analysed by multiple regression. Both calving date and genetic merit for milk protein content were significantly associated with milk protein content and were used as adjustment factors when evaluating the association between measures of grass quality and milk protein content. Milk protein content was associated with grass OMD (P = 0.04) and NDF content (P = 0.02) but not with CP content (P = 0.80). It is concluded that herds calving earlier, with a greater genetic merit for milk protein content and consuming better quality pasture would have greater milk protein contents in mid-season