Showing papers by "University of Portsmouth published in 2015"
Shadab Alam1, Franco D. Albareti2, Carlos Allende Prieto3, Carlos Allende Prieto4 +360 more•Institutions (102)
TL;DR: The third generation of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS-III) took data from 2008 to 2014 using the original SDSS wide-field imager, the original and an upgraded multi-object fiber-fed optical spectrograph, a new near-infrared high-resolution spectrogram, and a novel optical interferometer.
Abstract: The third generation of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS-III) took data from 2008 to 2014 using the original SDSS wide-field imager, the original and an upgraded multi-object fiber-fed optical spectrograph, a new near-infrared high-resolution spectrograph, and a novel optical interferometer. All the data from SDSS-III are now made public. In particular, this paper describes Data Release 11 (DR11) including all data acquired through 2013 July, and Data Release 12 (DR12) adding data acquired through 2014 July (including all data included in previous data releases), marking the end of SDSS-III observing. Relative to our previous public release (DR10), DR12 adds one million new spectra of galaxies and quasars from the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS) over an additional 3000 sq. deg of sky, more than triples the number of H-band spectra of stars as part of the Apache Point Observatory (APO) Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE), and includes repeated accurate radial velocity measurements of 5500 stars from the Multi-Object APO Radial Velocity Exoplanet Large-area Survey (MARVELS). The APOGEE outputs now include measured abundances of 15 different elements for each star. In total, SDSS-III added 2350 sq. deg of ugriz imaging; 155,520 spectra of 138,099 stars as part of the Sloan Exploration of Galactic Understanding and Evolution 2 (SEGUE-2) survey; 2,497,484 BOSS spectra of 1,372,737 galaxies, 294,512 quasars, and 247,216 stars over 9376 sq. deg; 618,080 APOGEE spectra of 156,593 stars; and 197,040 MARVELS spectra of 5,513 stars. Since its first light in 1998, SDSS has imaged over 1/3 of the Celestial sphere in five bands and obtained over five million astronomical spectra.
2,471 citations
National University of Cordoba1, Addis Ababa University2, National Autonomous University of Mexico3, State University of Campinas4, United Nations Environment Programme5, UNESCO6, United States Department of Agriculture7, Indiana University8, University of British Columbia9, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation10, University of Paris-Sud11, Landcare Research12, University College London13, Autonomous University of Madrid14, University of Cambridge15, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research16, University of Southern Denmark17, United Nations University18, Virginia Tech College of Natural Resources and Environment19, The Nature Conservancy20, University of the South Pacific21, University of East Anglia22, Kyushu University23, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology24, University of Washington25, Budapest University of Technology and Economics26, Environmental Law Institute27, Ankara University28, University of Portsmouth29, Chinese Academy of Sciences30, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay31, Kyoto University32, Joseph Fourier University33, National Scientific and Technical Research Council34, University of Yaoundé35, Polish Academy of Sciences36, University of São Paulo37, École Normale Supérieure38, University of Otago39, Stanford University40, University of Queensland41, Azim Premji University42, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ43, University of Ghana44, Corvinus University of Budapest45, Stockholm University46, Lakehead University47, Indian Institute of Forest Management48, Seoul National University49, Sofia University50
TL;DR: The first public product of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is its Conceptual Framework as discussed by the authors, which will underpin all IPBES functions and provide structure and comparability to the syntheses that will produce at different spatial scales, on different themes, and in different regions.
1,585 citations
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne1, Paris Diderot University2, University of California, Irvine3, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory4, Brookhaven National Laboratory5, Max Planck Society6, University of Portsmouth7, New Mexico State University8, University of Utah9, Harvard University10, University of Barcelona11, Aix-Marseille University12, University of Wyoming13, Pierre-and-Marie-Curie University14, Carnegie Mellon University15, Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris16, Drexel University17, Sejong University18, Pennsylvania State University19, Ohio State University20, University of Chicago21
TL;DR: In this paper, a detection of the baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) feature in the flux-correlation function of the Ly forest of high-redshift quasars with a statistical significance of five standard deviations was reported.
Abstract: We report a detection of the baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) feature in the flux-correlation function of the Ly forest of high-redshift quasars with a statistical significance of five standard deviations The study uses 137,562 quasars in the redshift range 2:1 z 3:5 from the Data Release 11 (DR11) of the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS) of SDSS-III This sample contains three times the number of quasars used in previous studies The measured position of the BAO peak determines the angular distance, DA(z = 2:34) and expansion rate, H(z = 2:34), both on a scale set by the sound horizon at the drag epoch, rd We find DA=rd =
871 citations
Fermilab1, University of Surrey2, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul3, Carnegie Institution for Science4, Stanford University5, University of Arizona6, University College London7, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign8, National Center for Supercomputing Applications9, Space Telescope Science Institute10, University of Pennsylvania11, Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris12, University of Portsmouth13, Texas A&M University14, Technische Universität München15, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich16, California Institute of Technology17, University of Michigan18, University of Chicago19, Max Planck Society20, Ohio State University21, Argonne National Laboratory22, Australian Astronomical Observatory23, Autonomous University of Barcelona24, Brookhaven National Laboratory25, University of Sussex26, University of Manchester27
TL;DR: In this article, the discovery of eight new Milky Way companions in ~1,800 deg^2 of optical imaging data collected during the first year of the Dark Energy Survey (DES) is reported.
Abstract: We report the discovery of eight new Milky Way companions in ~1,800 deg^2 of optical imaging data collected during the first year of the Dark Energy Survey (DES). Each system is identified as a statistically significant over-density of individual stars consistent with the expected isochrone and luminosity function of an old and metal-poor stellar population. The objects span a wide range of absolute magnitudes (M_V from -2.2 mag to -7.4 mag), physical sizes (10 pc to 170 pc), and heliocentric distances (30 kpc to 330 kpc). Based on the low surface brightnesses, large physical sizes, and/or large Galactocentric distances of these objects, several are likely to be new ultra-faint satellite galaxies of the Milky Way and/or Magellanic Clouds. We introduce a likelihood-based algorithm to search for and characterize stellar over-densities, as well as identify stars with high satellite membership probabilities. We also present completeness estimates for detecting ultra-faint galaxies of varying luminosities, sizes, and heliocentric distances in the first-year DES data.
609 citations
TL;DR: The omics revolution is identifying many novel enzymes and paradigms for biomass deconstruction, but more emphasis on function is required, particularly for enzyme cocktails, in which LPMOs may play an important role.
417 citations
TL;DR: The surge of interest in multiferroic materials over the past 15 years has been driven by their fascinating physical properties and huge potential for technological applications as discussed by the authors, which can deliver a new wave of technological advances and economic impact comparable to the silicon industrial revolution of the 1950s.
Abstract: Materials science is recognized as one of the main factors driving development and economic growth. Since the silicon industrial revolution of the 1950s, research and developments in materials and solid state science have radically impacted and transformed our society by enabling the emergence of the computer technologies, wireless communications, Internet, digital data storage, and widespread consumer electronics. Today's emergent topics in solid state physics, such as nano-materials, graphene and carbon nano-tubes, smart and advanced functional materials, spintronic materials, bio-materials, and multiferroic materials, promise to deliver a new wave of technological advances and economic impact, comparable to the silicon industrial revolution of the 1950s.The surge of interest in multiferroic materials over the past 15 years has been driven by their fascinating physical properties and huge potential for technological applications. This article addresses some of the fundamental aspects of solid-state mult...
387 citations
18 Apr 2015
TL;DR: A model of potential substitutions for Substitutional Reality, a class of Virtual Environments where every physical object surrounding a user is paired, with some degree of discrepancy, to a virtual counterpart.
Abstract: Experiencing Virtual Reality in domestic and other uncontrolled settings is challenging due to the presence of physical objects and furniture that are not usually defined in the Virtual Environment. To address this challenge, we explore the concept of Substitutional Reality in the context of Virtual Reality: a class of Virtual Environments where every physical object surrounding a user is paired, with some degree of discrepancy, to a virtual counterpart. We present a model of potential substitutions and validate it in two user studies. In the first study we investigated factors that affect participants' suspension of disbelief and ease of use. We systematically altered the virtual representation of a physical object and recorded responses from 20 participants. The second study investigated users' levels of engagement as the physical proxy for a virtual object varied. From the results, we derive a set of guidelines for the design of future Substitutional Reality experiences.
251 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, Howlett, C., Ross, A. J., Samushia, L., Percival, W.J., and Manera, M. (2015). The clustering of the SDSS main galaxy sample - II.
Abstract: Citation: Howlett, C., Ross, A. J., Samushia, L., Percival, W. J., & Manera, M. (2015). The clustering of the SDSS main galaxy sample - II. Mock galaxy catalogues and a measurement of the growth of structure from redshift space distortions at z=0.15. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 449(1), 848-866. doi:10.1093/mnras/stu2693
236 citations
TL;DR: The Hellmann-Feynman theorem provides a straightforward interpretation of noncovalent bonding in terms of Coulombic interactions, which encompass polarization (and accordingly include dispersion), and the key point is that mathematical models must not be confused with physical reality.
Abstract: The Hellmann-Feynman theorem provides a straightforward interpretation of noncovalent bonding in terms of Coulombic interactions, which encompass polarization (and accordingly include dispersion) Exchange, Pauli repulsion, orbitals, etc, are part of the mathematics of obtaining the system’s wave function and subsequently its electronic density They do not correspond to physical forces Charge transfer, in the context of noncovalent interactions, is equivalent to polarization The key point is that mathematical models must not be confused with physical reality
226 citations
Posted Content•
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory1, University of California, Berkeley2, Carnegie Mellon University3, Yale University4, University of Portsmouth5, New York University6, University of St Andrews7, Harvard University8, Ohio State University9, Max Planck Society10, Brookhaven National Laboratory11, Princeton University12, Open University13, University of Wisconsin-Madison14, Moscow State University15, New Mexico State University16, University of Utah17, Autonomous University of Madrid18, Case Western Reserve University19, Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam20, University of Tokyo21, King's College22, Centre national de la recherche scientifique23, Spanish National Research Council24, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich25, Kansas State University26, Abastumani Astrophysical Observatory27, Pennsylvania State University28, National University of La Plata29, National Scientific and Technical Research Council30, National Autonomous University of Mexico31
TL;DR: The Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS) as mentioned in this paper provides the largest survey of galaxy redshifts available to date, in terms of both the number of galaxies measured by a single survey, and the effective cosmological volume covered.
Abstract: The Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS), part of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) III project, has provided the largest survey of galaxy redshifts available to date, in terms of both the number of galaxy redshifts measured by a single survey, and the effective cosmological volume covered. Key to analysing the clustering of these data to provide cosmological measurements is understanding the detailed properties of this sample. Potential issues include variations in the target catalogue caused by changes either in the targeting algorithm or properties of the data used, the pattern of spectroscopic observations, the spatial distribution of targets for which redshifts were not obtained, and variations in the target sky density due to observational systematics. We document here the target selection algorithms used to create the galaxy samples that comprise BOSS. We also present the algorithms used to create large scale structure catalogues for the final Data Release (DR12) samples and the associated random catalogues that quantify the survey mask. The algorithms are an evolution of those used by the BOSS team to construct catalogues from earlier data, and have been designed to accurately quantify the galaxy sample. The code used, designated MKSAMPLE, is released with this paper.
196 citations
University of Wyoming1, University of Pittsburgh2, University of Utah3, University of Toronto4, Carnegie Mellon University5, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory6, Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris7, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne8, Aix-Marseille University9, University of Portsmouth10, Ohio State University11, Ohio University12, New York University13, University of Arizona14, Autonomous University of Madrid15, Carnegie Institution for Science16, California Institute of Technology17, Harvard University18, University of California, Berkeley19, Weizmann Institute of Science20, Sejong University21, University of Washington22, Pennsylvania State University23, Max Planck Society24, Spanish National Research Council25, University of La Laguna26
TL;DR: The extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS) as mentioned in this paper will improve measurements of the cosmological distance scale by applying the BAO method to quasar samples.
Abstract: As part of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) IV the extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS) will improve measurements of the cosmological distance scale by applying the Baryon Acoustic Oscillation (BAO) method to quasar samples. eBOSS will adopt two approaches to target quasars over 7500 deg^2. First, a "CORE" quasar sample will combine the optical selection in ugriz using a likelihood-based routine called XDQSOz, with a mid-IR-optical color cut. eBOSS CORE selection (to g 2.1 quasars. Second, a selection based on variability in multi-epoch imaging from the Palomar Transient Factory should recover an additional ~3–4 deg^(−2)z > 2.1 quasars to g 2.1 will be used to improve BAO measurements in the Lyα Forest. Beyond its key cosmological goals, eBOSS should be the next-generation quasar survey, comprising >500,000 new quasars and >500,000 uniformly selected spectroscopically confirmed 0.9 < z < 2.2 quasars. At the conclusion of eBOSS, the SDSS will have provided unique spectra for more than 800,000 quasars.
01 Dec 2015
TL;DR: This paper presents the first generalized reputation system that can be applied to multiple networks that is based on the blockchain, before using simulations and analyses to demonstrate methods of overcoming these limitations.
Abstract: This paper presents the first generalized reputation system that can be applied to multiple networks that is based on the blockchain. We first discuss current reputation systems, conducting a critical analysis of their current security vulnerabilities, before looking at how new blockchain based technologies are used. We propose an innovative new reputation system that is based on blockchain technologies which aims to solve many unanswered questions in today's current generation reputation systems. We then consider the limitations of such a system, before using simulations and analyses to demonstrate methods of overcoming these limitations. We conclude by suggesting areas for future studies, and summarizing our findings.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the dynamic relationship between tourism growth and economic growth, using a newly introduced spillover index approach, based on monthly data for 10 European countries over the period 1995-2012, revealing the following empirical regularities.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the dynamic link between returns and volatility of commodities and currency markets based on weekly data over the period from January 6, 1987 to July 22, 2014, and found the following empirical regularities.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors identify the effective field theory describing the physics of super-Hubble scales and show it to be a special case of a class of effective field theories appropriate to open systems.
Abstract: We identify the effective field theory describing the physics of super-Hubble scales and show it to be a special case of a class of effective field theories appropriate to open systems. Open systems are those that allow information to be exchanged between the degrees of freedom of interest and those that are integrated out, such as would be appropriate for particles moving through a fluid. Strictly speaking they cannot in general be described by an effective lagrangian; rather the appropriate ‘low-energy’ limit is instead a Lindblad equation describing the time-evolution of the density matrix of the slow degrees of freedom. We derive the equation relevant to super-Hubble modes of quantum fields in de Sitter (and near-de Sitter) spacetimes and derive two of its implications. We show that the evolution of the diagonal density-matrix elements quickly approach the Fokker-Planck equation of Starobinsky’s stochastic inflationary picture. This allows us both to identify the leading corrections and provide an alternative first-principles derivation of this picture’s stochastic noise and drift. (As applications we show that the noise for massless fields is independent of the details of the window function used, and also compute how the noise changes for systems with a sub-luminal speed of sound, c
s
< 1.) We then argue that the presence of interactions drive the off-diagonal density-matrix elements to zero in the field
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated various observational set-ups for HI galaxy redshift surveys, compatible with the SKA Phase 1 and Phase 2 (full SKA) configurations, using the corresponding number counts and bias for each survey from realistic simulations and derive the magnification bias and the evolution of source counts directly from these.
Abstract: The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) will produce spectroscopic surveys of tens to hundreds of millions of neutral hydrogen (H I) galaxies, eventually covering 30 000 deg2 and reaching out to redshift z≳2. The huge volumes probed by the SKA will allow for some of the best constraints on primordial non-Gaussianity, based on measurements of the large-scale power spectrum.We investigate various observational set-ups for HI galaxy redshift surveys, compatible with the SKA Phase 1 and Phase 2 (full SKA) configurations.We use the corresponding number counts and bias for each survey from realistic simulations and derive the magnification bias and the evolution of source counts directly from these. For the first time, we produce forecasts that fully include the general relativistic effects on the galaxy number counts. These corrections to the standard analysis become important on very large scales, where the signal of primordial non-Gaussianity grows strongest. Our results showthat, for the full survey, the non-Gaussianity parameter fNL can be constrained down to σ(fNL) = 1.54. This improves the current limit set by the Planck satellite by a factor of 5, using a completely different approach.
TL;DR: The influence of physiology on the trace metal composition of otoliths may explain the success of microchemical stock discrimination in relatively homogenous marine environments, but could complicate alternative uses for trace element compositions in biominerals of higher organisms.
Abstract: Summary Trace element concentrations in fish earstones (‘otoliths’) are widely used to discriminate spatially discrete populations or individuals of marine fish, based on a commonly held assumption that physiological influences on otolith composition are minor, and thus variations in otolith elemental chemistry primarily reflect changes in ambient water chemistry. We carried out a long-term (1-year) experiment, serially sampling seawater, blood plasma and otoliths of mature and immature European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.) to test relationships between otolith chemistry and environmental and physiological variables. Seasonal variations in otolith elemental composition did not track seawater concentrations, but instead reflected physiological controls on metal transport and biokinetics, which are likely moderated by ambient temperature. The influence of physiological factors on otolith composition was particularly evident in Sr/Ca ratios, the most widely used elemental marker in applied otolith microchemistry studies. Reproduction also triggered specific variations in otolith and blood plasma metal chemistry, especially Zn/Ca ratios in female fish, which could potentially serve as retrospective spawning indicators. The influence of physiology on the trace metal composition of otoliths may explain the success of microchemical stock discrimination in relatively homogenous marine environments, but could complicate alternative uses for trace element compositions in biominerals of higher organisms.
University of Chicago1, Fermilab2, Australian National University3, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign4, University of Portsmouth5, University of Pennsylvania6, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory7, University of California, Berkeley8, Argonne National Laboratory9, Australian Astronomical Observatory10, University College London11, University of Southampton12, Rhodes University13, Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris14, Spanish National Research Council15, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich16, California Institute of Technology17, University of Michigan18, Max Planck Society19, Ohio State University20, Texas A&M University21, Autonomous University of Barcelona22, Stanford University23, University of Sussex24
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe the operation and performance of the difference imaging pipeline (DiffImg) used to detect transients in deep images from the Dark Energy Survey Supernova program (DES-SN) in its first observing season from 2013 August through 2014 February DES-SN is a search for transients, in which ten 3 deg2 fields are repeatedly observed in the g, r, i, z passbands with a cadence of about 1 week The observing strategy has been optimized to measure high-quality light curves and redshifts for thousands of Type Ia supernov
Abstract: We describe the operation and performance of the difference imaging pipeline (DiffImg) used to detect transients in deep images from the Dark Energy Survey Supernova program (DES-SN) in its first observing season from 2013 August through 2014 February DES-SN is a search for transients in which ten 3 deg2 fields are repeatedly observed in the g, r, i, z passbands with a cadence of about 1 week The observing strategy has been optimized to measure high-quality light curves and redshifts for thousands of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) with the goal of measuring dark energy parameters The essential DiffImg functions are to align each search image to a deep reference image, do a pixel-by-pixel subtraction, and then examine the subtracted image for significant positive detections of point-source objects The vast majority of detections are subtraction artifacts, but after selection requirements and image filtering with an automated scanning program, there are ˜130 detections per deg2 per observation in each band, of which only ˜25% are artifacts Of the ˜7500 transients discovered by DES-SN in its first observing season, each requiring a detection on at least two separate nights, Monte Carlo (MC) simulations predict that 27% are expected to be SNe Ia or core-collapse SNe Another ˜30% of the transients are artifacts in which a small number of observations satisfy the selection criteria for a single-epoch detection Spectroscopic analysis shows that most of the remaining transients are AGNs and variable stars Fake SNe Ia are overlaid onto the images to rigorously evaluate detection efficiencies and to understand the DiffImg performance The DiffImg efficiency measured with fake SNe agrees well with expectations from a MC simulation that uses analytical calculations of the fluxes and their uncertainties In our 8 ``shallow'' fields with single-epoch 50% completeness depth ˜235, the SN Ia efficiency falls to 1/2 at redshift z ≈ 07; in our 2 ``deep'' fields with mag-depth ˜245, the efficiency falls to 1/2 at z ≈ 11 A remaining performance issue is that the measured fluxes have additional scatter (beyond Poisson fluctuations) that increases with the host galaxy surface brightness at the transient location This bright-galaxy issue has minimal impact on the SNe Ia program, but it may lower the efficiency for finding fainter transients on bright galaxies
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors compared mean annual and seasonal precipitation totals between gridded observations interpolated to a high resolution (0.5° × 0.6°) and multiple reanalysis type-datasets during 1979-2001.
Abstract: Precipitation is a critical component of the water balance, and hence its variability is critical for cryospheric and climate change in the Tibetan Plateau (TP). Mean annual and seasonal precipitation totals are compared between gridded observations interpolated to a high resolution (0.5° × 0.5°) and multiple reanalysis type-datasets during 1979–2001. The latter include two NCEP reanalyses (NCEP1 and NCEP2), two European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) reanalyses (ERA-40 and ERA-Interim), three modern reanalyses [the twentieth century reanalysis (20century), MERRA and CFSR] and three merged analysis datasets (CMAP1, CMAP2 and GPCP). Observations show an increase in mean precipitation from the northwestern to the southeastern (SE) regions of the TP which are divided by an isohyet of 400 mm, and overall trends during the studied period are positive. Compared with observations, most of the datasets (NCEP1, NCEP2, CMAP1, CMAP2, ERA-Interim, ERA-40, GPCP, 20century, MERRA and CFSR) can both broadly capture the spatial distributions and identify temporal patterns and variabilities of mean precipitation. However, most multi-datasets overestimate precipitation especially in the SE where summer convection is dominant. There remain substantial disagreements and large discrepancies in precipitation trends due to differences in assimilation systems between datasets. Taylor diagrams are used to show the correlation coefficients, standard deviation, and root-mean-square difference of precipitation totals between interpolated observations and assimilated values on an annual and seasonal basis. Merged analysis data (CMAP1 and CMAP2) agree with observations more closely than reanalyses. Thus not all datasets are equally biased and choice of dataset is important.
TL;DR: In this paper, the properties of soil blocks stabilised with fibres from agricultural waste were investigated and a recommendation of 0.5-1.5% fiber content and high clayey soil were made.
TL;DR: Compared to fully non-linear N-Body simulations, the L-PICOLA code can reproduce the z = 0 power spectrum and reduced bispectrum of dark matter to within 2% and 5% respectively on all scales of interest to measurements of Baryon Acoustic Oscillations and Redshift Space Distortions, but 3 orders of magnitude faster.
TL;DR: A comprehensive survey of current state of the bio-sensing technologies focusing on hand motion capturing and its application to interfacing hand prostheses is provided in this article, where the authors also outline the new challenges and directions: exploration of robust sensing technology; multi-modal sensory fusion; online signal processing and learning algorithms; and bio-feedbacks.
Abstract: This paper provides a comprehensive survey of current state of the bio-sensing technologies focusing on hand motion capturing and its application to interfacing hand prostheses. These sensing techniques include electromyography, sonomyography, mechnomyography, electroneurography, electroencephalograhy, electrocorticography, intracortical neural interfaces, near infrared spectroscopy, magnetoencephalography, and functional magnetic resonance imaging. Relevant approaches that interpret bio-signals in the view of prosthetic hand manipulation are discussed as well. Multi-modal sensory fusion provides a new strategy in this area, and the latest multi-modal sensing techniques are surveyed. This paper also outlines the new challenges and directions: 1) exploration of robust sensing technology; 2) multi-modal sensory fusion; 3) online signal processing and learning algorithms; and 4) bio-feedbacks.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory1, University of California, Berkeley2, University of Pennsylvania3, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign4, Argonne National Laboratory5, University of Chicago6, University of Portsmouth7, University of Southampton8, Fermilab9, University College London10, University of Cambridge11, Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris12, Institut de Ciències de l'Espai13, National Center for Supercomputing Applications14, Texas A&M University15, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich16, California Institute of Technology17, University of Michigan18, Max Planck Society19, Australian Astronomical Observatory20, Ohio State University21, Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies22, Autonomous University of Barcelona23, Brookhaven National Laboratory24, University of Sussex25, Stanford University26
TL;DR: An algorithm for identifying point-source transients and moving objects on reference-subtracted optical images containing artifacts of processing and instrumentation using the supervised machine learning technique known as Random Forest is described.
Abstract: We describe an algorithm for identifying point-source transients and moving objects on reference-subtracted optical images containing artifacts of processing and instrumentation. The algorithm makes use of the supervised machine learning technique known as Random Forest. We present results from its use in the Dark Energy Survey Supernova program (DES-SN), where it was trained using a sample of 898,963 signal and background events generated by the transient detection pipeline. After reprocessing the data collected during the first DES-SN observing season (2013 September through 2014 February) using the algorithm, the number of transient candidates eligible for human scanning decreased by a factor of 13.4, while only 1.0% of the artificial Type Ia supernovae (SNe) injected into search images to monitor survey efficiency were lost, most of which were very faint events. Here we characterize the algorithm's performance in detail, and we discuss how it can inform pipeline design decisions for future time-domain imaging surveys, such as the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope and the Zwicky Transient Facility. An implementation of the algorithm and the training data used in this paper are available at at http://portal.nersc.gov/project/dessn/autoscan.
13 May 2015
TL;DR: The authors apply a novel framework for assessing citizen science projects against multiple dimensions of success to a sample of projects that form part of the online Zooniverse platform and position these projects against a success matrix that measures both contribution to science and public engagement levels relative to other projects in the sample.
Abstract: Although current literature highlights a wide variety of potential citizen science project outcomes, no prior studies have systematically assessed performance against a comprehensive set of criteria. The study reported here is the first to propose a novel framework for assessing citizen science projects against multiple dimensions of success. The authors apply this framework to a sample of projects that form part of the online Zooniverse platform and position these projects against a success matrix that measures both contribution to science and public engagement levels relative to other projects in the sample. Their results indicate that better-performing projects tend to be those that are more established, as well as those in the area of astronomy. Implications for citizen science practitioners include the need to consider the impact of core competencies on project performance, as well as the importance of relationships between the central organization and science teams.
TL;DR: It is concluded that while mindfulness meditations that specifically focus on eating may be extremely helpful in promoting better eating behaviours, and assist in weight regulation, work is still needed to make such interventions appeal to a wider audience.
Abstract: Mindfulness and mindful eating have become popular in recent years. In this review, we first explore what mindfulness is in the context of psychological research, and why it offers promise for eating behaviours and weight loss. Second, we review the main empirical findings for weight loss in mindfulness-based intervention programmes. Third, contradictions in the findings are explored in more depth, and suggestions are made regarding why they may be occurring. Fourth, the benefits of adding self-compassion (and compassion) training to mindfulness practise to assist weight loss is discussed. Finally, the limitations of the research literature (and possible solutions) are explored. Overall, it is concluded that while mindfulness meditations that specifically focus on eating may be extremely helpful in promoting better eating behaviours, and assist in weight regulation, work is still needed to make such interventions appeal to a wider audience.
TL;DR: GABAA receptors (GABAARs) curtail stress-induced activation of the HPA axis and may be important molecular messengers in the programming of the stress-response.
TL;DR: EquiFACS provides a method that can now be used to document the facial movements associated with different social contexts and thus to address questions relevant to understanding social cognition and comparative psychology, as well as informing current veterinary and animal welfare practices.
Abstract: Although previous studies of horses have investigated their facial expressions in specific contexts, e.g. pain, until now there has been no methodology available that documents all the possible facial movements of the horse and provides a way to record all potential facial configurations. This is essential for an objective description of horse facial expressions across a range of contexts that reflect different emotional states. Facial Action Coding Systems (FACS) provide a systematic methodology of identifying and coding facial expressions on the basis of underlying facial musculature and muscle movement. FACS are anatomically based and document all possible facial movements rather than a configuration of movements associated with a particular situation. Consequently, FACS can be applied as a tool for a wide range of research questions. We developed FACS for the domestic horse (Equus caballus) through anatomical investigation of the underlying musculature and subsequent analysis of naturally occurring behaviour captured on high quality video. Discrete facial movements were identified and described in terms of the underlying muscle contractions, in correspondence with previous FACS systems. The reliability of others to be able to learn this system (EquiFACS) and consistently code behavioural sequences was high—and this included people with no previous experience of horses. A wide range of facial movements were identified, including many that are also seen in primates and other domestic animals (dogs and cats). EquiFACS provides a method that can now be used to document the facial movements associated with different social contexts and thus to address questions relevant to understanding social cognition and comparative psychology, as well as informing current veterinary and animal welfare practices.
TL;DR: These results demonstrate for the first time that, regardless of potential radiation effects on individual animals, the Chernobyl exclusion zone supports an abundant mammal community after nearly three decades of chronic radiation exposures.
TL;DR: The authors argue that the prevalent assumption that self-reflexivity is the sole responsibility of the individual researcher limits its scope for understanding organizations and propose an innovative method of collective reflection that is inspired by ideas from cultural and feminist anthropology.
Abstract: While organizational ethnographers have embraced the concept of self-reflexivity, problems remain. In this article we argue that the prevalent assumption that self-reflexivity is the sole responsibility of the individual researcher limits its scope for understanding organizations. To address this, we propose an innovative method of collective reflection that is inspired by ideas from cultural and feminist anthropology. The value of this method is illustrated through an analysis of two ethnographic case studies, involving a ‘pair interview’ method. This collective approach surfaced self-reflexive accounts, in which aspects of the research encounter that still tend to be downplayed within organizational ethnographies, including emotion, intersubjectivity and the operation of power dynamics, were allowed to emerge. The approach also facilitated a second contribution through the conceptualization of organizational ethnography as a unique endeavour that represents a collision between one ‘world of work’: the university, with a second: the researched organization. We find that this ‘collision’ exacerbates the emotionality of ethnographic research, highlighting the refusal of ‘researched’ organizations to be domesticated by the specific norms of academia. Our article concludes by drawing out implications for the practice of self-reflexivity within organizational ethnography.
TL;DR: In this article, a questionnaire is developed to collect data from port managers and logistics experts, and the AHP method is utilized to rank the ports using the collected data and sensitivity analysis is conducted on the obtained data to verify the consistency among data and outcomes.
Abstract: Maritime supply chain sustainability has not been widely studied to date. This paper investigates the sustainability performance of five major UK ports. The UK port system is one of the largest and busiest port systems both in Europe and worldwide. The scope of sustainability narrows down to economical and environmental dimensions. A questionnaire is developed to collect data from port managers and logistics experts. The AHP method is utilized to rank the ports using the collected data. Sensitivity analysis is conducted on the obtained data to verify the consistency among data and outcomes.