Computing Fast and Reliable Gravitational Waveforms of Binary Neutron Star Merger Remnants

Gravitational waves have been detected from the inspiral of a binary neutron-star, GW170817, which allowed constraints to be placed on the neutron star equation of state. The equation of state can be further constrained if gravitational waves from a post-merger remnant are detected. Post-merger waveforms are currently generated by numerical-relativity simulations, which are computationally expensive. Here we introduce a hierarchical model trained on numerical-relativity simulations, which can generate reliable post-merger spectra in a fraction of a second. Our spectra have mean fitting factors of 0.95, which compares to fitting factors of 0.76 and 0.85 between different numerical-relativity codes that simulate the same physical system. This method is the first step towards generating large template banks of spectra for use in post-merger detection and parameter estimation.Comment: Submitted to PRL. 6 pages, 4 figure

Integrating Critical Literacy in the Middle School Classroom

This article focuses on the integration of critical literacy in the middle school classroom. The author first explains critical literacy and the importance of incorporating it in the middle school curriculum. Then, a framework is presented in order to aid practitioners in implementing critical literacy instruction. Examples from relevant literature are presented as well, along with suggestions for how educators can begin teaching critical literacy and integrating it into their lessons

A review of occupational regulation and its impact

This Evidence Report develops a deeper understanding of the nature and impact of occupational regulation in the UK. The term, occupational regulation, is a broad heading for various mechanisms (including licence to practice and voluntary forms) through which minimum skill standards are applied within occupations. As such, occupational regulation is one of a range of levers, or best market solutions, which are designed to encourage employers to train on a collective basis. The use of occupational regulation as a mechanism for increasing the demand for, and supply of, skills was considered alongside other measures, as part of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills’ Review of Employer Collective Measures. However, that Review acknowledged the general topic of occupational regulation was under researched in the UK. This research, conducted by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, helps to address this and deepens our knowledge of the area by: providing a discussion on the existing theory on occupational regulation by examining existing economic literature; providing a detailed review of the existing evidence on occupational regulation in the UK, America, Canada and Europe (Germany, France and Italy), again via existing literature; providing a comprehensive map of occupational regulation in the UK, through the mapping of managerial, professional and non-professional occupations at the Unit Group level of the Standard Occupational Classification (2000); producing estimates of the labour market impact of occupational regulation in the UK. Its prevalence is estimated by comparing the mapping output with Unit Group data obtained from the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS). Further analysis, via cross-sectional analysis, produces estimates on levels of qualifications, wages and rates of job-related training between workers in regulated and unregulated occupations. This uses QLFS 2010 data. And a Difference-in-Differences analysis is employed to evaluate the impact of switches in regulation status on skill levels, job-related education and training, wages and employment. This uses QLFS data between 2001 and 2010

Mining Moodle to understand Student Behaviour

With 32 million users across approximately 3 million courses worldwide, Moodle has proven to be an immensely popular and important tool in education. One feature provided by Moodle is a rich source of information about student access to online material. While important, this information is presented in a raw format with little indication about how it might be used. In this paper, we examine Moodle viewing statistics from an Irish third-level institution. We examine correlations between these statistics and student results on degree and masters courses. We identify the circumstances where the correlation can help predict poor performance (and hence allow early intervention). In the analysis we find some interesting associations between student behaviour on Moodle and their final grade. Some of these associations reinforce beliefs the authors already had about Moodle usage, and some results were surprising

Hyperbolic Honeycomb

The purpose of this design was to incorporate theory from non-Euclidian geometry and visual inspiration from a honeycomb into a garment for formal wear. Non-Euclidian geometry is a highly-theoretical geometry that works with the hyperbolic plane, which is a plane with constant negative curvature (Taimina, 2009). Non-Euclidian geometry can be modeled by employing shapes like pentagons, hexagons, and heptagons. The design was first modeled in paper on a half-scale form. Next, the shapes were cut from a caramel cotton. The decorative pieces sewn on the hem were made from designer cork tiles. Cork is sustainable and its fluid lines visually represented the honey in the honeycomb. The pattern for the cork was generated using Rhino 3D software and then exported to a computer numerical control (CNC) router. Each cork piece was then applied by hand to the dress. This piece is significant because it utilizes a novel material and theory