Evolution of the probability distribution function of galaxies in redshift-space

We present a new analytic calculation for the redshift-space evolution of the 1-point galaxy Probability Distribution Function (PDF). The nonlinear evolution of the matter density field is treated by second-order Eulerian perturbation theory and transformed to the galaxy density field via a second-order local biasing scheme. We then transform the galaxy density field to redshift space, again to second order. Our method uses an exact statistical treatment based on the Chapman-Kolmogorov equation to propagate the probability distribution of the initial mass field to the final redshifted galaxy density field. We derive the moment generating function of the PDF and use it to find a new, closed-form expression for the skewness of the redshifted galaxy distribution. We show that our formalism is general enough to allow a non-deterministic (or stochastic) biasing prescription. We demonstrate the dependence of the redshift space PDF on cosmological and biasing parameters. Our results are compared with existing models for the PDF in redshift space and with the results of biased N-body simulations. We find that our PDF accurately models the redshift space evolution and the nonlinear biasing.Comment: 15 pages, 7 figures, submitted to MNRA

Evolution of the cosmological density distribution function

We present a new calculation for the evolution of the 1-point Probability Distribution Function (PDF) of the cosmological density field based on an exact statistical treatment. Using the Chapman-Kolmogorov equation and second-order Eulerian perturbation theory we propagate the initial density distribution into the nonlinear regime. Our calculations yield the moment generating function, allowing a straightforward derivation of the skewness of the PDF to second order. We find a new dependency on the initial perturbation spectrum. We compare our results with other approximations to the 1-pt PDF, and with N-body simulations. We find that our distribution accurately models the evolution of the 1-pt PDF of dark matter.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

Collaborative CoVE Projects for Digital Design in FE Teaching and Learning

The Batley School of Art & Design CoVE in Digital Design is a catalyst for collaboration between local schools, colleges and the creative industries. The digital CoVE bridges a regional skills gap in learning and teaching digital imaging technology. The paper discusses two aspects of current FE learning and teaching development. Firstly, the way in which the CoVE digital resource has impacted on the level 2 and 3 student learning experience within the college. Secondly, a case study outlines the fashion and digital textiles design collaboration between London College of Fashion, Chesterfield College and Batley School of Art & Design CoVe’s. The case study provides details of the CoVE project setup and illustrates student and academic experiences during the project

Open by Degrees: A Case of Flexibility or Personalization?

This chapter focuses on the history, development, and perceived value of The Open University UK’s BA/BSc (Hons) Open degree (hereafter referred to as “OUUK Open degree”) over the past half-century in the context of changing external pressures and addressing debates around the coherence and acceptance of such a personalized program of study. It touches on the changing views of “openness” over time, from the origins of The Open University’s “open entry” policy, through to ideas around flexibility of study, open education, and personalized learning. The chapter concludes with recommendations for other higher education institutions wishing to introduce a multidisciplinary open degree into their portfolio of curriculum

Developing game awareness, perception and decision-making in elite youth footballers

In football, elite players appear to have more time and space, understand the pattern of the game, make better decisions with the ball and be one step ahead of their opponents. Some players are anecdotally believed to ‘just have it’. This study examined the process of perception-decision-execution during skill acquisition within football and whether training focussed on cognition and perception leads to players’ decision-making being improved. There appears to be a gap in both the research and application in the sporting context as to the role and trainability of decision-making in football and whether greater perception of the in-game environment contributes to better decision-making. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of multi-task and cognitive effort training during football practice and to determine the impact of these methods on perception and decision-making regarding a player’s first touch in the match environment. The study involved an experimental design using a control trial during the intervention. Players from two teams (N=31, age M=14.18, SD=0.55), competing in the NSW National Youth Premier League (NYPL) were divided into control and intervention groups and completed testing at three time points (pre-, post-intervention and retention). A training intervention was conducted replacing the 20 minute traditional passing practice component of the training. The intervention consisted of cognitive load exercises based on first touch ball manipulation and movements commonly found in football. The effectiveness of the training intervention was assessed via three methods; a video-based decision-making test using 20 video clips with players depicting their first touch, a questionnaire self-assessing decision-making and expert analysis of individuals’ game performance from footage of games. Results indicate that the altered training environment was equally effective to traditional passing practices in all three measures used in the study. There was a significant difference in the video-based testing (p < .01), for both the control and intervention groups between pre-test (M=7.196) and post-test (M=10.714) and between pre-test (M=7.196) and retention test (M=10.750) supporting previous studies that on field training positively influences decision-making in video-based tests. The questionnaire revealed players self-assessed their decision-making ability at a constant level across both the control and intervention groups. Game performance in the match environment indicated players made less poor decisions leading to losing possession, but did not improve decision-making to create more scoring chances. The impact of the altered training environment on players across the three measures are discussed along with the implications of the results for the development of decision-making in youth football. Recommendations are made for the scope and focus of future research into training and testing decision-making through cognitive load training

Concerted hydrogen atom exchange between three HF molecules

We have investigated the termolecular reaction involving concerted hydrogen exchange between three HF molecules, with particular emphasis on the effects of correlation at the various stationary points along the reaction. Using an extended basis, we have located the geometries of the stable hydrogen-bonded trimer, which is of C(sub 3h) symmetry, and the transition state for hydrogen exchange, which is of D(sub 3h) symmetry. The energies of the exchange reation were then evaluated at the correlated level, using a large atomic natural orbital basis and correlating all valence electrons. Several correlation treatments were used, namely, configration interaction with single and double excitations, coupled-pair functional, and coupled-cluster methods. We are thus able to measure the effect of accounting for size-extensivity. Zero-point corrections to the correlated level energetics were determined using analytic second derivative techniques at the SCF level. Our best calculations, which include the effects of connected triple excitations in the coupled-cluster procedure, indicate that the trimer is bound by 9 +/- 1 kcal/mol relative to three separate monomers, in excellent agreement with previous estimates. The barrier to concerted hydrogen exchange is 15 kcal/mol above the trimer, or only 4.7 kcal/mol above three separated monomers. Thus the barrier to hydrogen exchange between HF molecules via this termolecular process is very low

Timing of breeding and diet of the Black-faced cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscescens

Previous anecdotal reports have suggested that Black-faced Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscescens breeds only in winter in southeastern Australia, but detailed reports confirming this are lacking. Here we examine the timing of breeding in Black-faced Cormorants at Notch Island in northern Bass Strait in 2006. Peak laying occurred during winter (ca 26 July). The diet of Black-faced Cormorants was predominantly fish (97% of identified prey) and varied between breeding and post-breeding periods. Black-faced Cormorants consumed a total of 14 different species with four species having a frequency of occurrence in the diet of ?5% during the breeding season and six species during the post-breeding period. We provide data for the first time on the chronology of breeding of Black-faced Cormorants in one year and give a preliminary description of their diet based on pellet analyses. We propose that late winter breeding may be a strategy to avoid the high ambient temperatures in northern Bass Strait during summer, the associated higher thermoregulatory costs for adults and the increased mortality for chicks

The Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale measures a continuum from well-being to depression: Testing two key predictions of positive clinical psychology

Background: Two core but untested predictions of Positive Clinical Psychology (PCP) are that (1) Many psychiatric problems can be understood as one end of bipolar continua with well-being, and (2) that reducing psychiatric symptoms will provide an equal (near linear) decrease in risk for several other psychiatric variables, irrespective of position on continua.&nbsp; Aims: We test these predictions in relation to a purported well-being/depression continuum, as measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D), a popular measure of depressive experiences in research and clinical practice.&nbsp; Method: A large (N = 4,138), diverse sample completed the CES-D, which contains a mixture of negatively worded and positively worded items (e.g., &ldquo;I felt sad,&rdquo; &ldquo;I enjoyed life&rdquo;). The latter are conventionally reverse scored to compute a total score. We first examined whether purportedly separate well-being and depression CES-D factors can be reconceptualised as a bipolar well-being/depression continuum. We then characterised the (linear or nonlinear) form of the relationship between this continuum and other psychiatric variables.&nbsp; Results: Both predictions were supported. When controlling for shared method bias amongst positively worded items, a single factor well-being/depression continuum underlies the CES-D. Baseline levels on this continuum are found to have near linear relationships with changes in anxiety symptoms, aggression, and substance misuse over time, demonstrating that moving from depression to well-being on the CES-D provides an equal decrease in risk for several other psychological problems irrespective of position on the continuum.&nbsp; Limitations: The CES-D does not measure well-being as comprehensively as established scales of well-being.&nbsp; Conclusions: Results support calls for mental health services to jointly focus on increasing well-being and reducing distress, and point to the value of early intervention and instilling resilience in order to prevent people moving away from high levels of well-being

Downy mildew in vineyards

Downy mildew, caused by Plasmopara viticola, is a major fungal disease of grapevines that originates from North America. This disease was first detected in a commercial Western Australian vineyard in October 1998 and has since been found in most grape growing areas within the State. It is found in all other grape growing areas of Australia. Plasmopara viticola is specific to grapevines (e.g. Vitis vinifera), although not all Vitis spp. are susceptible. The American rootstock species and hybrids are less susceptible or are resistant (refer to ‘Varietal susceptibility’). Other species of downy mildew, such as those found on cucurbits and roses, do not attack grapevines. Although, weather conditions that favour the development and spread of grapevine downy mildew also may encourage the development and spread of cucurbit and rose downy mildews.https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/bulletins/1081/thumbnail.jp