Audiovisual particles: parameter mapping as a framework for audiovisual composition

This thesis investigates the role of cross-modal correspondence within audiovisual composition, presenting both a conceptual model and a methodological framework for the creation of abstract audiovisual art. While this research is specifically aimed at the field of abstract digital animation it is also intended to act as a platform for the future development of concurrent audiovisual synthesis techniques within the general field of audiovisual art. Referencing literature regarding the psychophysiological bases for audiovisual integration, it is argued that temporal congruence offers a mechanism for the manipulation of cross-modal correspondence within audiovisual media. Further to this, electroacoustic and formalist theory is discussed with specific reference to the interrelationship of medium structures to enable the identification of a conceptual model for audiovisual composition. Referencing theory from the fields of musical instrument design and algorithmic composition, parameter mapping is identified as a mechanism for the modulation of temporal congruence. Its implementation within audiovisual composition is then discussed. Derived from both this and a conceptual parallel between the organisational structures of audio grains and visual particles, the audiovisual particles framework is presented as a methodological basis for the creation of abstract audiovisual art. The presented theory is supported by a series of demonstrative studies exploring both the practical application of the audiovisual particles framework and the role of parameter mapping within the process of audiovisual media generation. Experiential observations are discussed for each to inform future praxis. In addition, two audiovisual compositions are presented as both implementations of developed theory and as artworks in their own right

Microstructures of negative and positive azeotropes

Azeotropes famously impose fundamental restrictions on distillation processes, yet their special thermodynamic properties make them highly desirable for a diverse range of industrial and technological applications. Using neutron diffraction, we investigate the structures of two prototypical azeotropes, the negative acetone–chloroform and the positive benzene–methanol azeotrope. C–H⋯O hydrogen bonding is the dominating interaction in the negative azeotrope but C–Cl⋯O halogen bonding contributes as well. Hydrogen-bonded chains of methanol molecules, which are on average longer than in pure methanol, are the defining structural feature of the positive azeotrope illustrating the fundamentally different local mixing in the two kinds of azeotropes. The emerging trend for both azeotropes is that the more volatile components experience the more pronounced structural changes in their local environments as the azeotropes form. The mixing of the acetone–chloroform azeotrope is essentially random above 20 Å, where the running Kirkwood–Buff integrals of our structural model converge closely to the ones expected from thermodynamic data. The benzene–methanol azeotrope on the other hand displays extended methanol-rich regions and consequently the running Kirkwood–Buff integrals oscillate up to at least 60 Å. Our study provides the first experimental insights into the microstructures of azeotropes and a direct link with their thermodynamic properties. Ultimately, this will provide a route for creating tailored molecular environments in azeotropes to improve and fine-tune their performances

Strong Isotope Effects on Melting Dynamics and Ice Crystallisation Processes in Cryo Vitrification Solutions

The nucleation and growth of crystalline ice during cooling, and further crystallization processes during re-warming are considered to be key processes determining the success of low temperature storage of biological objects, as used in medical, agricultural and nature conservation applications. To avoid these problems a method, termed vitrification, is being developed to inhibit ice formation by use of high concentration of cryoprotectants and ultrarapid cooling, but this is only successful across a limited number of biological objects and in small volume applications. This study explores physical processes of ice crystal formation in a model cryoprotective solution used previously in trials on vitrification of complex biological systems, to improve our understanding of the process and identify limiting biophysical factors. Here we present results of neutron scattering experiments which show that even if ice crystal formation has been suppressed during quench cooling, the water molecules, mobilised during warming, can crystallise as detectable ice. The crystallisation happens right after melting of the glass phase formed during quench cooling, whilst the sample is still transiting deep cryogenic temperatures. We also observe strong water isotope effects on ice crystallisation processes in the cryoprotectant mixture. In the neutron scattering experiment with a fully protiated water component, we observe ready crystallisation occurring just after the glass melting transition. On the contrary with a fully deuteriated water component, the process of crystallisation is either completely or substantially supressed. This behaviour might be explained by nuclear quantum effects in water. The strong isotope effect, observed here, may play an important role in development of new cryopreservation strategies

Stereospecific generation of homochiral helices in coordination polymers built from enantiopure binaphthyl-based ligands

The novel enantiopure spacer 2,2′-dimethoxy-1,1′-binaphthyl-3,3′-bis(4-pyridyl-amido) has been designed to prepare helical coordination polymers here investigated by means of experimental and theoretical data

Evidence for a surface gold hydride on a nanostructured gold catalyst

Inelastic neutron scattering shows formation of a surface Au–H species, of key importance for the study of catalytic mechanisms. Previous assignment of this feature in the infrared as a purely Ce3+ transition is shown to be erroneous on reducing the catalyst using hydrogen and deuterium

Coronavirus Occurrence and Transmission Over 8 Years in the HIVE Cohort of Households in Michigan

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/156082/1/jiaa161.pdfSEL

cTNM vs. pTNM: the effect of not applying ultrasonography in the identification of cervical nodal disease

Accurate clinical staging of oral squamous cell cancer can be quite difficult to achieve especially if nodal involvement is identified. Radiologically-assisted clinical staging is more accurate and informs the clinician of loco-regional and distant metastasis

Mechanisms for the formation of benzene in the atmosphere of Titan

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/95336/1/jgre1586.pd

Supramolecular binding and separation of hydrocarbons within a functionalised porous metal-organic framework

Supramolecular interactions are fundamental to host-guest binding in chemical and biological processes. Direct visualisation of such supramolecular interactions within host-guest systems is extremely challenging but crucial for the understanding of their function. We report a comprehensive study combining neutron scattering with synchrotron X-ray and neutron diffraction, coupled with computational modelling, to define the detailed binding at a molecular level of acetylene, ethylene and ethane within the porous host NOTT-300. This study reveals the simultaneous and cooperative hydrogen-bonding, π···π stacking interactions and inter-molecular dipole interactions in the binding of acetylene and ethylene to give up to twelve individual weak supramolecular interactions aligned within the host to form an optimal geometry for intelligent, selective binding of hydrocarbons. We also report, for the first time, the cooperative binding of a mixture of acetylene and ethylene within the porous host together with the corresponding breakthrough experiment and analysis of mixed gas adsorption isotherms