Improving CMB non-Gaussianity estimators using tracers of local structure

Local non-Gaussianity causes correlations between large scale perturbation modes and the small scale power. The large-scale CMB signal has contributions from the integrated Sachs Wolfe (ISW) effect, which does not correlate with the small scale power. If this ISW contribution can be removed, the sensitivity to local non-Gaussianity is improved. Gravitational lensing and galaxy counts can be used to trace the ISW contribution; in particular we show that the CMB lensing potential is highly correlated with the ISW signal. We construct a nearly-optimal estimator for the local non-Gaussianity parameter \fnl and investigate to what extent we can use this to decrease the variance on {\fnl}. We show that the variance can be decreased by up to $20\%$ at Planck sensitivity using galaxy counts. CMB lensing is a good bias-independent ISW tracer for future more sensitive observations, though the fractional decrease in variance is small if good polarization data is also available.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures. Comments welcom

Ab initio free energy of vacancy formation and mass-action kinetics in vis-active TiO2

Recent reports have identified bulk defects such as oxygen vacancies as key players in visible-light photoactive TiO2. This would imply greater visible light absorption rates may be possible provided effective defect engineering can be achieved. To further this we have developed methods to simulate vacancy formation in bulk TiO2 using ab initio techniques. Initial results of these methods show an entropic reduction in the free energy of vacancy formation of 2.3 eV over a range of 266 K. The use of this result is illustrated by a 'toy' mass-action kinetics model which offers insight into vacancy concentration, rate constants, and enthalpy of reaction

Coordinate Confusion in Conformal Cosmology

A straight-forward interpretation of standard Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) cosmologies is that objects move apart due to the expansion of space, and that sufficiently distant galaxies must be receding at velocities exceeding the speed of light. Recently, however, it has been suggested that a simple transformation into conformal coordinates can remove superluminal recession velocities, and hence the concept of the expansion of space should be abandoned. This work demonstrates that such conformal transformations do not eliminate superluminal recession velocities for open or flat matter-only FRLW cosmologies, and all possess superluminal expansion. Hence, the attack on the concept of the expansion of space based on this is poorly founded. This work concludes by emphasizing that the expansion of space is perfectly valid in the general relativistic framework, however, asking the question of whether space really expands is a futile exercise.Comment: 5 pages, accepted for publication in MNRAS Letter

Fluid and electrolyte balance during dietary restriction

It is known that during fluid restriction, obligatory water losses continue and hypohydration develops and that restricted energy intake leads to a concomitant restriction of all other dietary components, as well as hypohydration, but the specific effects of periods of fluid and/ or energy restriction on fluid balance, electrolyte balance and exercise performance have not been systematically described in the scientific literature. There were two main aims of this thesis. Firstly, to describe the effects of periods of severe fluid and/ or energy restriction on fluid and electrolyte balance; secondly, to determine the effect of electrolyte supplementation during and after energy restriction on fluid and electrolyte balance as well as energy exercise performance. The severe restriction of fluid and/ or energy intake over a 24 h period all resulted in body mass loss (BML) and hypohydration, but whilst serum osmolality increases during fluid restriction (hypertonic hypohydration), serum osmolality does not change during energy restriction (isotonic hypohydration), despite similar reductions in plasma volume (Chapter 3). These differences in the tonicity of the hypohydration developed are most likely explainable by differences in electrolyte balance, with fluid restriction resulting in no change in electrolyte balance over 24 h (Chapter 3) and energy restriction (with or without fluid restriction) producing significant reductions in electrolyte balance by 24 h (Chapter 3; Chapter 4; Chapter 5; Chapter 6; Chapter 7). Twenty four hour combined fluid and energy restriction results in large negative balances of both sodium and potassium, and whilst the addition of sodium chloride to a rehydration solution ingested after fluid and energy restriction increases drink retention, the addition of potassium chloride to a rehydration solution does not (Chapter 4). Supplementation of sodium chloride and potassium chloride during periods of severe energy restriction reduces the BML observed during energy restriction and maintains plasma volume at pre-energy restriction levels (Chapter 5; Chapter 6; Chapter 7). iv These responses to electrolyte supplementation during energy restriction appear to be related to better maintenance of serum osmolality and electrolyte concentrations and a consequential reduction in urine output (Chapter 5; Chapter 6; Chapter 7). Additionally, 48 h energy restriction resulted in a reduction in exercise capacity in a hot environment and an increase in heart rate and core temperature during exercise, compared to a control trial providing adequate energy intake. Whilst electrolyte supplementation during the same 48 h period of energy restriction prevented these increases in heart rate and core temperature and exercise capacity was not different from the control trial Chapter 8). In conclusion, 24-48 h energy restriction results in large losses of sodium, potassium and chloride in urine and a large reduction in body mass and plasma volume and supplementation of these electrolytes during energy restriction reduces urine output, attenuates the reduction in body mass and maintains plasma volume and exercise capacity

Helium atom diffraction measurements of the surface structure and vibrational dynamics of CH_3-Si(111) and CD_3-Si(111) surfaces

The surface structure and vibrational dynamics of CH_3–Si(111) and CD_3–Si(111) surfaces were measured using helium atom scattering. The elastic diffraction patterns exhibited a lattice constant of 3.82 Å, in accordance with the spacing of the silicon underlayer. The excellent quality of the observed diffraction patterns, along with minimal diffuse background, indicated a high degree of long-range ordering and a low defect density for this interface. The vibrational dynamics were investigated by measurement of the Debye–Waller attenuation of the elastic diffraction peaks as the surface temperature was increased. The angular dependence of the specular (θ_i=θ_f) decay revealed perpendicular mean-square displacements of 1.0 x 10^(−5) Å^2 K^(−1) for the CH_3–Si(111) surface and 1.2 x 10^(−5) Å^2 K^(−1) for the CD_3–Si(111) surface, and a He-surface attractive well depth of ~7 meV. The effective surface Debye temperatures were calculated to be 983 K for the CH_3–Si(111) surface and 824 K for the CD_3–Si(111) surface. These relatively large Debye temperatures suggest that collisional energy accommodation at the surface occurs primarily through the Si–C local molecular modes. The parallel mean-square displacements were 7.1 x 10^(−4) and 7.2 x 10^(−4) Å^2 K^(−1) for the CH_3–Si(111) and CD_3–Si(111) surfaces, respectively. The observed increase in thermal motion is consistent with the interaction between the helium atoms and Si–CH_3 bending modes. These experiments have thus yielded detailed information on the dynamical properties of these robust and technologically interesting semiconductor interfaces

Abnormal connectivity between the default mode and the visual system underlies the manifestation of visual hallucinations in Parkinson’s disease:A task-based fMRI study

Background: The neural substrates of visual hallucinations remain an enigma, due primarily to the difficulties associated with directly interrogating the brain during hallucinatory episodes. Aims: To delineate the functional patterns of brain network activity and connectivity underlying visual hallucinations in Parkinson’s disease. Methods: In this study, we combined functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a behavioral task capable of eliciting visual misperceptions, a confirmed surrogate for visual hallucinations, in 35 patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease. We then applied an independent component analysis to extract time series information for large-scale neuronal networks that have been previously implicated in the pathophysiology of visual hallucinations. These data were subjected to a task-based functional connectivity analysis, thus providing the first objective description of the neural activity and connectivity during visual hallucinations in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Results: Correct performance of the task was associated with increased activity in primary visual regions; however, during visual misperceptions, this same visual network became actively coupled with the default mode network (DMN). Further, the frequency of misperception errors on the task was positively correlated with the strength of connectivity between these two systems, as well as with decreased activity in the dorsal attention network (DAN), and with impaired connectivity between the DAN and the DMNs, and ventral attention networks. Finally, each of the network abnormalities identified in our analysis were significantly correlated with two independent clinical measures of hallucination severity. Conclusions: Together, these results provide evidence that visual hallucinations are due to increased engagement of the DMN with the primary visual system, and emphasize the role of dysfunctional engagement of attentional networks in the pathophysiology of hallucinations

The effect of string tension variation on the perceived pitch of a classical guitar

Actual motion of a vibrating guitar string is a superposition of many possible shapes (modes) in which it could vibrate. Each of these modes has a corresponding frequency, and the lowest frequency is associated with a shape idealised as a single wave, referred to as the fundamental mode. The other contributing modes, each with their own progressively higher frequency, are referred to as overtones, or harmonics. By attaching a string to a medium (a soundboard) capable of a response to the vibrating string, sound waves are generated. The sound heard is dominated by the fundamental mode, ‘coloured’ by contributions from the overtones, as explained by the classical theory of vibration. The classical theory, however, assumes that the string tension remains constant during vibration, and this cannot be strictly true; when considering just the fundamental mode, string tension will reach two maximum changes, as it oscillates up and down. These changes, occurring twice during the fundamental period match the frequency of the octave higher, 1st overtone. It is therefore plausible to think that the changing tension effect, through increased force on the bridge and, therefore, greater soundboard deflection, could be amplifying the colouring effect of (at least) the 1st overtone. In this paper, we examine the possible influence of string tension variation on tonal response of a classical guitar. We use a perturbation model based on the classical result for a string in general vibration in conjunction with a novel method of assessment of plucking force that incorporates the engineering concept of geometric stiffness, to assess the magnitude of the normal force exerted by the string on the bridge. The results of our model show that the effect of tension variation is significantly smaller than that due to the installed initial static tension, and affects predominantly the force contribution arising from the fundamental mode. We, therefore, conclude that string tension variation does not contribute significantly to tonal response

A Physical Model Investigation of Sediment Deposition and Circulation Patterns for Kalamazoo Lake (a.k.a. Saugatuck Harbor)

https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154164/1/39015099114913.pd

Physical Model Study, CSO Diversion through Bottom Outlet Slot, Site DS-4 Upper Rouge Tunnel System

https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154196/1/39015101405218.pd