Constraints on cosmic strings from ultracompact minihalos

Cosmic strings are expected to form loops. These can act as seeds for accretion of dark matter, leading to the formation of ultracompact minihalos (UCMHs). We perform a detailed study of the accretion of dark matter onto cosmic string loops and compute the resulting mass distribution of UCMHs. We then apply observational limits on the present-day abundance of UCMHs to derive corresponding limits on the cosmic string tension $G\mu$. The bounds are strongly dependent upon the assumed distribution of loop velocities and their impacts on UCMH formation. Under the assumption that a loop can move up to a thousand times its own radius and still form a UCMH, we find a limit of $G\mu\le 5\times10^{-8}$. We show, in opposition to previous results, that strong limits on the cosmic string tension are not obtainable from UCMHs when more stringent (and realistic) requirements are placed on loop velocities.Comment: 14 pages, 3 figure

Agile ageing – A modifiable vital sign to mitigate the risk of falls in older adults?

Falls prevention in older adults is a targeted priority because a fall can lead to disability, institutionalisation and presents a signficant financial burden. Falls are multifactoral in nature however, impairments in both physical and cognitive functioning have been linked to their occurrence. Currently, testing and exercise training for falls prevention focuses on physical qualities such as balance and strength. Agility is a unique physical quality that couples an individuals perceptual cognitive ability with the ability to produce a quick and accurate movement. Agility is relatively well understood in a sporting context however, its application to falls prevention has been minimal. Because a fall may occur while an individual is perceiving information from the dynamic environment around them while attempting to execute a rapid and accurate movement it is hypothesised that concepts and methods used to assess and train agility in athlete populations can be use to improve practices related to the screening and training to mitigate the risk of a fall in an older adult. © 202

An investigation of the associations between stigma, self-compassion, and pain outcomes during treatment based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for chronic pain

Introduction: Stigma adversely affects people with chronic pain. The qualities within self-compassion may be particularly useful for buffering the impact of stigma on people with pain. In the context of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based (ACT) treatment for chronic pain, this study investigated the association between changes in stigma and self-compassion and pain outcomes, and the potential moderating role of self-compassion on the association between stigma and pain outcomes. Materials and methods: Five-hundred and nineteen patients completed standardized self-report questionnaires of stigma, self-compassion, psychological flexibility, pain intensity and interference, work and social adjustment, and depression symptoms at the start of an interdisciplinary ACT-based treatment for chronic pain. The same measures were completed at post-treatment (n = 431). Results: The results indicated that key pain outcomes and self-compassion significantly improved during treatment, but stigma did not. Changes in stigma and self-compassion were significantly negatively correlated and changes in these variables were associated with improvements in treatment outcomes. There were significant main effects of stigma and self-compassion for many of the pre- and post-treatment regression models when psychological flexibility was not controlled for, but self-compassion did not moderate the association between stigma and pain outcomes. Stigma remained significant when psychological flexibility variables were controlled for, while self-compassion did not. Discussion: The findings add to our conceptual understanding of the inter-relationships between stigma, self-compassion, and psychological flexibility and can contribute to treatment advancements to optimally target these variables

Development of scenarios for land cover, population density, impervious cover, and conservation in New Hampshire, 2010–2100

Future changes in ecosystem services will depend heavily on changes in land cover and land use, which, in turn, are shaped by human activities. Given the challenges of predicting long-term changes in human behaviors and activities, scenarios provide a framework for simulating the long-term consequences of land-cover change on ecosystem function. As input for process-based models of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem function, we developed scenarios for land cover, population density, and impervious cover for the state of New Hampshire for 2020–2100. Key drivers of change were identified through information gathered from six sources: historical trends, existing plans relating to New Hampshire’s land-cover future, surveys, existing population scenarios, key informant interviews with diverse stakeholders, and input from subject-matter experts. Scenarios were developed in parallel with information gathering, with details added iteratively as new questions emerged. The final scenarios span a continuum from spatially dispersed development with a low value placed on ecosystem services (Backyard Amenities) to concentrated development with a high value placed on ecosystem services (the Community Amenities family). The Community family includes two population scenarios (Large Community and Small Community), to be combined with two scenarios for land cover (Protection of Wildlands and Promotion of Local Food), producing combinations that bring the total number of scenarios to six. Between Backyard Amenities and Community Amenities is a scenario based on linear extrapolations of current trends (Linear Trends). Custom models were used to simulate decadal change in land cover, population density, and impervious cover. We present raster maps and proportion of impervious cover for HUC10 watersheds under each scenario and discuss the trade-offs of our translation and modeling approach within the context of contemporary scenario projects

Songbird Mobbing of Northern Pygmy-Owls: A Function of Risk Across Landscapes and Seasons

The evolutionary arms race between predators and prey has led to a diverse set of interactions between species. Prey have developed an array of behaviors designed to reduce their risk of predation. Among those strategies, mobbing is a paradoxical behavior where prey actually approach predators, often in large multi-species flocks. There is little known about the influence a predator has on such behavior. One such predator is the Northern Pygmy-Owl. This species of owl is a common resident of mixed coniferous forests along the western coast of North America. Despite its prevalence, there is very little known about this species and its seasonal distribution patterns. In this thesis, we examined the seasonal behavior changes in Northern Pygmy-Owls and their influence on songbird mobbing along the western coast of Oregon. First, we characterized mobbing events carried out against Northern Pygmy-Owls using owl call playbacks. Next, we examined how seasonal changes in Northern Pygmy-Owl behavior altered the perceived risk of songbirds, and therefore, their propensity to mob. We focused on two primary sources of risk. One source of risk is the seasonal shift in the pygmy-owl’s diet, transitioning from mostly small mammals to small birds. Another source of risk is the hypothesized altitudinal migration of Northern Pygmy-Owls. Our results reveal how the role of a predator impacts songbird mobbing, and how factors such as songbird species and number contribute to the formation of these assemblages. The final aspect of this thesis was to examine the seasonal distribution patterns of Northern Pygmy-Owls. This species of owl has long been suspected of making seasonal migrations along an elevational gradient. Using call playbacks to initiate owl response, we examined the frequency with which Northern Pygmy-Owls were detected across elevations within the Oregon Coast Range. While our results add to our understanding of Northern Pygmy-Owl distribution patterns, characterizing altitudinal migration from distributions alone requires careful interpretation

The Pitt Perspective Podcast

The Pitt Perspective is an interview-based podcast created to share the stories of minority communities located in Pitt County, North Carolina. Research done by our group showed us that Pitt County’s current local histories often miss important information regarding events that have affected various marginalized communities in the area. Our goal has been to amplify the voices of these communities in order to assist in the healing of those that have faced generations of subjugation

Sustainability Amidst Uncertainty: Columbia Forest Products’ Pursuit of Sustainability in a Changing Market

Upon reading the latest report from the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs, Harry Demorest found his concerns confirmed – the construction of new homes had fallen yet again across the United States. Over the past month, new home starts had declined over 14% in December; this marked the end of 2007 during which housing starts were down 25% compared to the previous year and hit a low not experienced since 1993. The question was no longer “will there be a recession?” but rather “how long will the recession last?” The fate of Columbia Forest Products, the company that Harry led for 16 years as Chairman and CEO, is tightly bound to the US housing market. CFP has over a 40% market share in hardwood plywood products, most of which go into new home construction. Further, over the past three years, CFP has embarked on a journey into sustainability. This journey is marked most profoundly by the introduction of PureBond® non-formaldehyde plywood in 2006. A first in the industry, PureBond® provides significant health benefits to CFP employees and customers by removing a known carcinogen from its products. It also has been a catalyst for CFP to pursue a more comprehensive, sustainability-inspired strategy. But in the midst of the dreadful housing market in the US, Harry and the rest of CFP executive team wondered if further pursuit of a sustainability strategy would be detrimental to their company’s competitiveness

Limits: Essays on the Limitations of Science and Religion

The work begins with an investigation of the mind-body problem by Arden Baxter, who argues that the mind is not reducible to the brain in practice even if it may be in theory. Evan Rapone opines that a new and concise definition of science is required, and then provides one. In an analysis of Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason, Madeleine Scott suggests that “the unthinkable will become thinkable” should we be able to transcend the limits of cognitive science by combining it with philosophical investigation. Morgan McConnell investigates the relationship between metaphors and models and concludes that the limits of science are intimately connected to the limits of language. Finally, Sara Nelson brings a Christian perspective to the work and proposes that the nature of the divine ensures that humans can never answer some of the most fundamental questions

In-situ resonant band engineering of solution-processed semiconductors generates high performance n-type thermoelectric nano-inks.

Thermoelectric devices possess enormous potential to reshape the global energy landscape by converting waste heat into electricity, yet their commercial implementation has been limited by their high cost to output power ratio. No single "champion" thermoelectric material exists due to a broad range of material-dependent thermal and electrical property optimization challenges. While the advent of nanostructuring provided a general design paradigm for reducing material thermal conductivities, there exists no analogous strategy for homogeneous, precise doping of materials. Here, we demonstrate a nanoscale interface-engineering approach that harnesses the large chemically accessible surface areas of nanomaterials to yield massive, finely-controlled, and stable changes in the Seebeck coefficient, switching a poor nonconventional p-type thermoelectric material, tellurium, into a robust n-type material exhibiting stable properties over months of testing. These remodeled, n-type nanowires display extremely high power factors (~500 µW m-1K-2) that are orders of magnitude higher than their bulk p-type counterparts