The positive soundscape project : a synthesis of results from many disciplines

This paper takes an overall view of ongoing findings from the Positive Soundscape Project, a large inter-disciplinary soundscapes study which is nearing completion. Qualitative fieldwork (soundwalks and focus groups) and lab-based listening tests have revealed that two key dimensions of the emotional response are calmness and vibrancy. In the lab these factors explain nearly 80% of the variance in listener response. Physiological validation is being sought using fMRI measurements, and these have so far shown significant differences in the response of the brain to affective and neutral soundscapes. A conceptual framework which links the key soundscape components and which could be used for future design is outlined. Metrics are suggested for some perceptual scales and possibilities for soundscape synthesis for design and user engagement are discussed, as are the applications of the results to future research and environmental noise policy

The long and the short of it: long-styled florets are associated with higher outcrossing rate in Senecio vulgaris and result from delayed selfpollen germination

The research reported in this article was funded in part by the Natural Environment Research Council under grants: GR3/6203A - Male competition and outcrossing rate in a hermaphrodite plant. GR9/1782A – Genomic analysis of wild hybrid derivatives of Senecio squalidus x S. vulgaris using in situ hybridization.Background: It has been reported that some plants of the self-compatible species, Senecio vulgaris, produce capitula containing long-styled florets which fail to set seed when left to self-pollinate, although readily set seed when self-pollinated by hand. Aims: To determine if production of long-styled florets is associated with higher outcrossing rate in S. vulgaris, and whether long-styles occur in non-pollinated florets, whereas short-styles are present in self-pollinated florets. Methods: The frequency of long-styled florets was compared in the radiate and non-radiate variants of S. vulgaris, known to exhibit higher and lower outcrossing rates, respectively. In addition, style length was compared in emasculated florets that were either self-pollinated or left non-pollinated. Results: Long-styled florets were more frequent in the higher outcrossing radiate variant. Following emasculation, long styles occurred in non-pollinated florets, while short styles were present in self-pollinated florets. The two variants did not differ in style length within the non-pollinated or within the self-pollinated floret categories. Conclusions: A high frequency of long-styled florets is associated with higher outcrossing rate in S. vulgaris and results from delayed self-pollination and pollen germination on stigmas.Publisher PDFPublisher PDFPeer reviewe

Overview of AC microgrid controls with inverter-interfaced generations

Distributed generation (DG) is one of the key components of the emerging microgrid concept that enables renewable energy integration in a distribution network. In DG unit operation, inverters play a vital role in interfacing energy sources with the grid utility. An effective interfacing can successfully be accomplished by operating inverters with effective control techniques. This paper reviews and categorises different control methods (voltage and primary) for improving microgrid power quality, stability and power sharing approaches. In addition, the specific characteristics of microgrids are summarised to distinguish from distribution network control. Moreover, various control approaches including inner-loop controls and primary controls are compared according to their relative advantages and disadvantages. Finally, future research trends for microgrid control are discussed pointing out the research opportunities. This review paper will be a good basis for researchers working in microgrids and for industry to implement the ongoing research improvement in real systems

Detection of the pairwise kinematic Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect with BOSS DR11 and the Atacama Cosmology Telescope

We present a new measurement of the kinematic Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect using data from the Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT) and the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS). Using 600 square degrees of overlapping sky area, we evaluate the mean pairwise baryon momentum associated with the positions of 50,000 bright galaxies in the BOSS DR11 Large Scale Structure catalog. A non-zero signal arises from the large-scale motions of halos containing the sample galaxies. The data fits an analytical signal model well, with the optical depth to microwave photon scattering as a free parameter determining the overall signal amplitude. We estimate the covariance matrix of the mean pairwise momentum as a function of galaxy separation, using microwave sky simulations, jackknife evaluation, and bootstrap estimates. The most conservative simulation-based errors give signal-to-noise estimates between 3.6 and 4.1 for varying galaxy luminosity cuts. We discuss how the other error determinations can lead to higher signal-to-noise values, and consider the impact of several possible systematic errors. Estimates of the optical depth from the average thermal Sunyaev-Zeldovich signal at the sample galaxy positions are broadly consistent with those obtained from the mean pairwise momentum signal.Comment: 15 pages, 8 figures, 2 table

A genetic contribution from the Far East into Ashkenazi Jews via the ancient Silk Road

Contemporary Jews retain a genetic imprint from their Near Eastern ancestry, but obtained substantial genetic components from their neighboring populations during their history. Whether they received any genetic contribution from the Far East remains unknown, but frequent communication with the Chinese has been observed since the Silk Road period. To address this issue, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation from 55,595 Eurasians are analyzed. The existence of some eastern Eurasian haplotypes in eastern Ashkenazi Jews supports an East Asian genetic contribution, likely from Chinese. Further evidence indicates that this connection can be attributed to a gene flow event that occurred less than 1.4 kilo-years ago (kya), which falls within the time frame of the Silk Road scenario and fits well with historical records and archaeological discoveries. This observed genetic contribution from Chinese to Ashkenazi Jews demonstrates that the historical exchange between Ashkenazim and the Far East was not confined to the cultural sphere but also extended to an exchange of genes

Deliberating stratospheric aerosols for climate geoengineering and the SPICE project

Increasing concerns about the narrowing window for averting dangerous climate change have prompted calls for research into geoengineering, alongside dialogue with the public regarding this as a possible response. We report results of the first public engagement study to explore the ethics and acceptability of stratospheric aerosol technology and a proposed field trial (the Stratospheric Particle Injection for Climate Engineering (SPICE) ‘pipe and balloon’ test bed) of components for an aerosol deployment mechanism. Although almost all of our participants were willing to allow the field trial to proceed, very few were comfortable with using stratospheric aerosols. This Perspective also discusses how these findings were used in a responsible innovation process for the SPICE project initiated by the UK’s research councils

Search for sterile neutrino mixing in the MINOS long-baseline experiment

A search for depletion of the combined flux of active neutrino species over a 735 km baseline is reported using neutral-current interaction data recorded by the MINOS detectors in the NuMI neutrino beam. Such a depletion is not expected according to conventional interpretations of neutrino oscillation data involving the three known neutrino flavors. A depletion would be a signature of oscillations or decay to postulated noninteracting sterile neutrinos, scenarios not ruled out by existing data. From an exposure of 3.18×1020 protons on target in which neutrinos of energies between ~500¿¿MeV and 120 GeV are produced predominantly as ¿µ, the visible energy spectrum of candidate neutral-current reactions in the MINOS far detector is reconstructed. Comparison of this spectrum to that inferred from a similarly selected near-detector sample shows that of the portion of the ¿µ flux observed to disappear in charged-current interaction data, the fraction that could be converting to a sterile state is less than 52% at 90% confidence level (C.L.). The hypothesis that active neutrinos mix with a single sterile neutrino via oscillations is tested by fitting the data to various models. In the particular four-neutrino models considered, the mixing angles ¿24 and ¿34 are constrained to be less than 11° and 56° at 90% C.L., respectively. The possibility that active neutrinos may decay to sterile neutrinos is also investigated. Pure neutrino decay without oscillations is ruled out at 5.4 standard deviations. For the scenario in which active neutrinos decay into sterile states concurrently with neutrino oscillations, a lower limit is established for the neutrino decay lifetime t3/m3>2.1×10-12¿¿s/eV at 90% C.L

Knee Injuries in NFL Linemen — Correlation with BMI

Knee injuries are among the most common injuries suffered in the NFL which in turn can decrease a player\u27s playing time in a given season and thus negatively impact future performance. Body Mass Index (BMI) may play a key role in knee injuries and possibly general lower-extremity injuries in high-level athletes. Understanding characteristics like BMI can help modify and identify players at risk for knee injuries. PURPOSE: By analyzing the incidence and sequelae of knee injuries in NFL linemen with their respective BMI, It may be helpful for the NFL to emphasize appropriate body habitus in these players. This ultimately may allow these players to have a longer career. METHODS: Data collected for this study was extracted from the official NFL database of injuries. Reported knee injuries for offensive and defensive lineman were collected and organized by week during the 2009-2022 seasons; final data was calculated for players with a BMI over 39.95. Pro-football-reference.com was cited for height, weight, career length and draft status. BMI was calculated based on height and weight. Comparisons were made between BMI and game status. RESULTS: Among the players collected, offensive tackles were the most likely to appear on the injury report. Players with a BMI above 40 appeared most commonly as Probable (n=182), followed by Questionable (157), Out (134) then Doubtful (26). The average BMI for the players listed as probable was x=42.4 (SD=2.69); questionable x=41.2 (1.37); doubtful x=41.0 (.856); out x=40.9 (.991). There is a significant difference in the player’s BMI between “probable” game status and both “questionable” (p=.023) and “out” (p\u3c .001). Players with a BMI= +37 appeared as either out or doubtful 30.07% total. Players with a BMI under 37 appeared as either out or doubtful 30.81%. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our data, BMI may play a protective role on injury report placement for knee injuries. The abundance of “probable” game status also supports the notion that the injuries studied are lower-grade. More players appear on the injury list towards the end of the season, which may indicate there is a persisting effect to the injuries

CMB Telescopes and Optical Systems

The cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB) is now firmly established as a fundamental and essential probe of the geometry, constituents, and birth of the Universe. The CMB is a potent observable because it can be measured with precision and accuracy. Just as importantly, theoretical models of the Universe can predict the characteristics of the CMB to high accuracy, and those predictions can be directly compared to observations. There are multiple aspects associated with making a precise measurement. In this review, we focus on optical components for the instrumentation used to measure the CMB polarization and temperature anisotropy. We begin with an overview of general considerations for CMB observations and discuss common concepts used in the community. We next consider a variety of alternatives available for a designer of a CMB telescope. Our discussion is guided by the ground and balloon-based instruments that have been implemented over the years. In the same vein, we compare the arc-minute resolution Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT) and the South Pole Telescope (SPT). CMB interferometers are presented briefly. We conclude with a comparison of the four CMB satellites, Relikt, COBE, WMAP, and Planck, to demonstrate a remarkable evolution in design, sensitivity, resolution, and complexity over the past thirty years.Comment: To appear in: Planets, Stars and Stellar Systems (PSSS), Volume 1: Telescopes and Instrumentatio

Knee Injuries in NFL Lineman -- A Correlation with BMI

Knee Injuries in NFL Linemen - Correlation with BMI Dr. Michael Lem, MD; Dr. John Bianchi, DO; Austin Irwin, OMS II; Dr. Robert Farrell, MD; Cole Siegenfeld, OMS II Purpose: Knee injuries are among the most common injuries suffered in the NFL which in turn can decrease a player\u27s playing time in a given season and thus negatively impact future performance. Understanding characteristics like BMI can help modify and identify players at risk for knee injuries. Methods and Study Design: Data collected for this study was extracted from the official NFL database of injuries. Reported knee injuries for offensive and defensive lineman were collected and organized by week during the 2009-2022 seasons; final data was calculated for players with a BMI over 39.95. Pro-football-reference.com was cited for height, weight, career length and draft status. BMI was calculated based on height and weight. Comparisons were made between BMI and game status. Results: Among the players collected, offensive tackles were the most likely to appear on the injury report. Players with a BMI above 40 appeared most commonly as Probable (n=182), followed by Questionable (157), Out (134) then Doubtful (26). The average BMI for the players listed as probable was x=42.4 (SD=2.69); questionable x=41.2 (1.37); doubtful x=41.0 (.856); out x=40.9 (.991). There is a significant difference in the player’s BMI between “probable” game status and both “questionable” (p=.023) and “out” (p\u3c .001). Players with a BMI= +37 appeared as either out or doubtful 30.07% total. Players with a BMI under 37 appeared as either out or doubtful 30.81%. Conclusions: Based on our data, BMI may play a protective role on injury report placement for knee injuries. The abundance of “probable” game status also supports the notion that the injuries studied are lower-grade. More players appear on the injury list towards the end of the season, which may indicate there is a persisting effect to the injuries