Enabling pervasive computing with smart phones

The authors discuss their experience with a number of mobile telephony projects carried out in the context of the European Union Information Society Technologies research program, which aims to develop mobile information services. They identify areas where use of smart phones can enable pervasive computing and offer practical advice in terms of lessons learned. To this end, they first look at the mobile telephone as * the end point of a mobile information service,* the control device for ubiquitous systems management and configuration,* the networking hub for personal and body area networks, and* identification tokens.They conclude with a discussion of business and practical issues that play a significant role in deploying research systems in realistic situations

Determining temperature control of wash water in a laundry environment

Fisher and Paykel (F&P) are developing a new model of washing machine. One of its key features will be that it uses less water. It is important to regulate the operating temperature of washing machines since if they operate hotter than the user-selected temperature there is a risk of damage to clothes and if they operate below the user-selected temperature there is a risk of incompletely dissolved detergent being sprayed onto clothes, which is also undesirable. F&P seek to improve their temperature regulation strategies from the current state-of-the-art. Further, since the new machine will have a smaller mass of water relative to clothes load, the impact of abnormal clothes loads and of start-up disturbances in water supply temperatures (e.g. cold slugs in hot water supply) on the bulk temperature is greater. Thus a thorough review of temperature regulation strategies is well motivated

A Letter of Intent to Install a milli-charged Particle Detector at LHC P5

In this LOI we propose a dedicated experiment that would detect "milli-charged" particles produced by pp collisions at LHC Point 5. The experiment would be installed during LS2 in the vestigial drainage gallery above UXC and would not interfere with CMS operations. With 300 fb$^{-1}$ of integrated luminosity, sensitivity to a particle with charge $\mathcal{O}(10^{-3})~e$ can be achieved for masses of $\mathcal{O}(1)$ GeV, and charge $\mathcal{O}(10^{-2})~e$ for masses of $\mathcal{O}(10)$ GeV, greatly extending the parameter space explored for particles with small charge and masses above 100 MeV.Comment: 19 pages, 7 figure

Solar wind data assimilation in an operational context: use of near‐real‐time data and the forecast value of an L5 monitor

For accurate and timely space weather forecasting, advanced knowledge of the ambient solar wind is required, both for its direct impact on the magnetosphere and for accurately forecasting the propagation of coronal mass ejections to Earth. Data assimilation (DA) combines model output and observations to form an optimum estimation of reality. Initial experiments with assimilation of in situ solar wind speed observations suggest the potential for significant improvement in the forecast skill of near-Earth solar wind conditions. However, these experiments have assimilated science-quality observations, rather than near-real-time (NRT) data that would be available to an operational forecast scheme. Here, we assimilate both NRT and science observations from the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) and near-Earth observations from the Advanced Composition Explorer and Deep Space Climate Observatory spacecraft. We show that solar wind speed forecasts using NRT data are comparable to those based on science-level data. This suggests that an operational solar wind DA scheme would provide significant forecast improvement, with reduction in the mean absolute error of solar wind speed around 46% over forecasts without DA. With a proposed space weather monitor planned for the L5 Lagrange point, we also quantify the solar wind forecast gain expected from L5 observations alongside existing observations from L1. This is achieved using configurations of the STEREO and L1 spacecraft. There is a 15% improvement for forecast lead times of less than 5 days when observations from L5 are assimilated alongside those from L1, compared to assimilation of L1 observations alone

Conspiracy theories: why they are believed and how they can be challenged

The current study aimed: (i) to identify personal characteristics associated with endorsing conspiracy theories; and (ii) to investigate methods for dispelling conspiracy beliefs. Participants were shown a single conspiracy theory and they also completed questionnaires about their reasoning skills, types of information processing (System 1 vs. System 2), endorsement of paranormal beliefs, locus of control and pattern perception. To challenge the endorsement of the conspiracy, participants read either: (i) neutral information; (ii) a critical analysis of the vignette; (iii) a critical analysis of the vignette with discussion of realistic consequences; or (iv) a critical analysis of the vignette with “feeling of control” priming. Only addressing the consequences of the conspiracy theory decreased its endorsement. Furthermore, only type of information processing and belief in paranormal phenomena, were associated with endorsement of the conspiracy. These findings are discussed in relation to previous studies and theories of conspiratorial ideation

Preparation, structured deliberate practice and decision making in elite level football: The case study of Gary Neville (Manchester United FC and England)

Decision making in elite level sporting competition is often regarded as distinguishing success from failure. As an intricate brain-based process it is unlike other physical processes because it is invisible and is typically only evidenced after the event. This case study shows how an individual achieved great success in elite level professional football through consistent positive decision making on and off the field of play. Through prolonged interviewing, Gary Neville, a player from Manchester United Football Club, explored personal behaviours, the structure and activities of deliberate practice and his professional choices in match preparation. His career-long devotion to purposeful organised practice was focused on cognition, physical preparation, context-relative physical action and refined repetition to optimise his mental comfort while enhancing his match day performances. This approach was underpinned by diligent personal and collective organisation and by concerted action. Results provide an insight into the categorical nature of his deliberate practice, sport-specific information processing and match-based decision making. At the operational level, his process was mediated by a complex mental representation of ongoing and anticipated game situations; these representations were continuously updated during each match. Allowing for the limitations of the design, implications are provided for developmental and educational coaching, match preparation, deliberate practice activity and improved use of the performance analysis software packages in professional football

The Vehicle, Spring 1981

Vol. 22, No. 2 Table of Contents Old Farmers at the Arcade CafeJohn Stockmanpage 4 ConfettiCathy Georgepage 6 Ode to a Corned Beef SandwichJeff Bennettpage 6 The Ice on Kirschner\u27s CreekScott Fishelpage 7 Love Poem to LindaJohn Stockmanpage 7 Grandfather\u27s PortraitJames Marshpage 8 The MassageKathleen Alakspage 9 A Driving ForceSandy Youngpage 10 King DandelionNancy Siebenpage 12 One Afternoon - Contemplating HouseworkKelli Sanderpage 13 Tent WallsAndy Sudkamppage 14 The SentinelElise Hempelpage 16 Daddy\u27s AftershaveJeff Bennettpage 16 The WeddingChris Goerlichpage 17 UntitledCarol Hansenpage 17 Treasures in the YardScott Fishelpage 18 Hitchhiker\u27s BootsAndy Sudkamppage 20 The RaffleLaura Henrypage 21 A Walk at NightJudi Jinespage 24 Morning in the DumpJeff Bennettpage 24 In Praise of Chocolate Ice CreamJohn Stockmanpage 25 Summer on the Isle of PalmsElisabeth Cristpage 26 The WaveHerbert S. Demminpage 27 RememberingJohn Kleinsteiberpage 27 PotatoJohn Stockmanpage 28 Late ShowChris Goerlichpage 30 Love in Him - JoeDebbie Klinnertpage 31 ShoeScott Fishelpage 35 The DrinkerBob Huntpage 36 The WidowGeorge Ndu Igbudupage 37 ElectricityScott Fishelpage 37 Hatchet JackB.L. Davidsonpage 39 Walking Home LateJohn Stockmanpage 41 NovemberCindy Hubbarttpage 41 On the BusLaura Henrypage 42 HaikuJames Marshpage 43 SpillwayGloria Rhoadspage 43 Art Cover design by Linda Fraembs PhotographRobin Scholzpage 3 PhotographRobin Scholzpage 5 PhotographMichelle Glassmeyerpage 15 PhotographRobert Schinaglpage 19 PhotographTom Robertspage 38 PhotographRobert Schinaglpage 44https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1039/thumbnail.jp

The hospital microbiome project: meeting report for the UK science and innovation network UK-USA workshop ‘beating the superbugs: hospital microbiome studies for tackling antimicrobial resistance’, October 14th 2013

The UK Science and Innovation Network UK-USA workshop ‘Beating the Superbugs: Hospital Microbiome Studies for tackling Antimicrobial Resistance’ was held on October 14th 2013 at the UK Department of Health, London. The workshop was designed to promote US-UK collaboration on hospital microbiome studies to add a new facet to our collective understanding of antimicrobial resistance. The assembled researchers debated the importance of the hospital microbial community in transmission of disease and as a reservoir for antimicrobial resistance genes, and discussed methodologies, hypotheses, and priorities. A number of complementary approaches were explored, although the importance of the built environment microbiome in disease transmission was not universally accepted. Current whole genome epidemiological methods are being pioneered in the UK and the benefits of moving to community analysis are not necessarily obvious to the pioneers; however, rapid progress in other areas of microbiology suggest to some researchers that hospital microbiome studies will be exceptionally fruitful even in the short term. Collaborative studies will recombine different strengths to tackle the international problems of antimicrobial resistance and hospital and healthcare associated infections

Reducing the risks of nuclear war - the role of health professionals

Any use of nuclear weapons would be catastrophic for humanity. Even a “limited” nuclear war involving only 250 of the 13 000 nuclear weapons in the world could kill 120 million people outright and cause global climate disruption leading to a nuclear famine, putting 2 billion people at risk. We now call on health professional associations to inform their members worldwide about the threat to human survival and to join with the IPPNW to support efforts to reduce the near-term risks of nuclear war