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RINGO3 polarimetry of the Type I superluminous SN 2017egm
Get PDFThe origin of the luminosity of superluminous supernovae (SLSNe) is an unresolved mystery, and a number of very different physical scenarios (including energy injection from magnetars, collision with a dense circumstellar medium, and pair instability-induced explosions) have been invoked. The application of polarimetry to normal SNe has been shown to probe the three-dimensional structure of exploding stars, providing clues to the nature of the explosion mechanism. We report imaging linear polarimetry observations of the Type I SLSN 2017egm, in the galaxy NGC 3191, conducted with the Liverpool Telescope and the RINGO3 instrument. Observations were acquired at four epochs, spanning 4–19 d after light curve maximum, however, polarization was not detected at a level of >3σ. At +7 and + 15 d, and in the average over all epochs, we find a possible polarization signal, detected at a significance of ≈2σ in the ‘blue’ channel. This signal is seen, primarily, in the Stokes q parameter, with a corresponding polarization angle consistent with the orientation of the spiral arm in proximity to the position of SN 2017egm. We interpret this as indicating that any polarization, if present, originates from dust in the host galaxy rather than being intrinsic to the SN itself. Despite its apparent peculiarities, compared to other Type I SLSNe, the polarization characteristics of SN 2017egm are consistent with the previously reported low polarization of other SLSNe of this variety
OGLE-2014-BLG-1186: gravitational microlensing providing evidence for a planet orbiting the foreground star or for a close binary source?
Get PDFDiscussing the particularly long gravitational microlensing event OGLE-2014-BLG-1186 with a time-scale tE ∼ 300 d, we present a methodology for identifying the nature of localised deviations from single-lens point-source light curves, which ensures that (1) the claimed signal is substantially above the noise floor, (2) the inferred properties are robustly determined and their estimation is not subject to confusion with systematic noise in the photometry, (3) alternative viable solutions within the model framework are not missed. Annual parallax and binarity could be separated and robustly measured from the wing and the peak data, respectively. We find matching model light curves that involve either a binary lens or a binary source, and discover hitherto unknown model ambiguities. Our binary-lens models indicate a planet of mass M2 = (45 ± 9) M⊕, orbiting a star of mass M1 = (0.35 ± 0.06) M⊙, located at a distance DL = (1.7 ± 0.3) kpc from Earth, whereas our binary-source models suggest a brown-dwarf lens of M = (0.046 ± 0.007) M⊙, located at a distance DL = (5.7 ± 0.9) kpc, with the source potentially being a (partially) eclipsing binary involving stars predicted to be of similar colour given the ratios between the luminosities and radii. Further observations might resolve the ambiguity in the interpretation in favour of either a lens or a source binary. We experienced that close binary source stars pose a challenge for claiming the detection of planets by microlensing in events where the source passes very close to the lens star hosting the planet
Child Marraige: Knowledge, practive and its attributed consequences among early married women in Jumla, Nepal
No full textBackground: Child marriage is a clear violation of international laws. In Nepal, child marriage is illegal since 1963. The current law sets the minimum age of marriage as 20 years for both men and women but can marry after 18 years old with parental consent.
Objectives: The study aimed to identify the knowledge, practices and the consequences faced by the early married women of 15-25 years in Jumla, Nepal.
Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Jumla among women aged between 15-25 years who were married at ≤18 years old. The study was conducted from April to September 2017. Convenient sampling method was used to select a total of 160 participants. Data were collected using semi-structure questionnaire and then analyzed using SPSS version 20, MS-Excel and MS-Word 2007.
Results: 73% of women have heard about child marriage among which only 31% have knew about legal age of marriage in Nepal. Majority of the female (60%) decided themselves for their marriage. 76% of the early married mothers had withdrawn their education, 31% of mothers have their health condition declined due to work load and child birth. Violence of any or all kinds (physical or sexual, mental and verbal) by in law or husband was experienced by 33% of women.
Conclusion: The study concludes that the prevalence of child marriage is still common in Jumla Nepal. Knowledge about legal age at marriage among women in this study group is low which calls for joint action from all level against it in order to stop child marriage
Bioinspired Liposomes for Oral Delivery of Colistin to Combat Intracellular Infections by Salmonella enterica.
Get PDFBacterial invasion into eukaryotic cells and the establishment of intracellular infection has proven to be an effective means of resisting antibiotic action, as anti-infective agents commonly exhibit a poor permeability across the host cell membrane. Encapsulation of anti-infectives into nanoscaled delivery systems, such as liposomes, is shown to result in an enhancement of intracellular delivery. The aim of the current work is, therefore, to formulate colistin, a poorly permeable anti-infective, into liposomes suitable for oral delivery, and to functionalize these carriers with a bacteria-derived invasive moiety to enhance their intracellular delivery. Different combinations of phospholipids and cholesterol are explored to optimize liposomal drug encapsulation and stability in biorelevant media. These liposomes are then surface-functionalized with extracellular adherence protein (Eap), derived from Staphylococcus aureus. Treatment of HEp-2 and Caco-2 cells infected with Salmonella enterica using colistin-containing, Eap-functionalized liposomes resulted in a significant reduction of intracellular bacteria, in comparison to treatment with nonfunctionalized liposomes as well as colistin alone. This indicates that such bio-invasive carriers are able to facilitate intracellular delivery of colistin, as necessary for intracellular anti-infective activity. The developed Eap-functionalized liposomes, therefore, present a promising strategy for improving the therapy of intracellular infections
Site Selection Appraisal for Tidal Turbine Development in the River Mersey
Get PDFThis paper used a specialist software package to produce a detailed model of the River Mersey estuary, which can be subjected to a range of simulated tidal conditions. The aim of this research was to use the validated model to identify the optimal location for the positioning of a tidal turbine. Progress was made identifying a new optimal site for power generation using velocity data produced from simulations conducted using the MIKE 3 software. This process resulted in the identification of site 8, which sits mid-river between the Morpeth Dock and the Albert Dock, being identified as the favoured location for tidal power generation in the River Mersey. Further analysis of the site found that a 17.2-m diameter single rota multidirectional turbine with a 428-kW-rated capacity could produce 1.12 GWh annually. © 2018, Harbin Engineering University and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature
Evaluating Health Performance and Inequalities in Marche region of Italy
Get PDFA worldwide selection of models for measuring performance in health services was appraised, with the internationally recognised Health System Performance Assessment tool chosen for testing in a local health authority in the Marche Region of Italy, utilising local, regional, national and international comparisons. A complementary means of measuring health inequality involving the Concentration Index enabled a holistic evaluation of the local health environment. Whilst the approach addressed a comprehensive range of issues, limitations with data availability were found to present genuine constraints that require future action. Nevertheless, valuable lessons were learned for policy makers, with the relationship between socio-economic inequalities and systematic variations in health indicators highlighted. The Health System Performance Assessment tool presents the opportunity for strategic alignment in performance measurement. This article presents an overview of extensive piece of research
Learning from the past; a Freirean analysis of FA coach education since 1967
Get PDFFormal coach education has been described as an activity which promotes conformity from course attendees. To date, however, few studies have looked at how coach education has been socially constructed over time. The present study addresses this gap and provides a Freirean account of English Football Association (FA) coach education since 1967. Specifically, this study focuses on coach education in the participation domain (grassroots football) where many participants first experience football. Data were collected through an analysis of forty-seven documents including coaching materials and FA policies. In addition, an oral history of sixteen participants whom had all experienced FA coach education were conducted. This paper presents five findings which explain the development of pedagogy over time. The findings illustrate a move away from oppressive, dogmatic pedagogical methods towards a more liberating form of coach education policy. For example, FA formal coach education policy now embraces in-situ methods to situate learning in the lives of coaches. The paper supports the trajectory towards liberation by advocating for more humility and critical-consciousness between tutors and coaches, thus rejecting the concept of banking education. In doing so the paper makes three novel contributions by; (1) describing the development of FA coach education over time; (2) introducing a Freirean theoretical perspective to coach education research; and (3) prompting course tutors to consider how they can enhance their practice to be more liberating. These lessons may benefit educators both in football and other contexts
Finding synergies for the 3Rs – Repeated dose toxicity testing: Report from an EPAA partners' forum
Get PDFThe European Partnership for Alternative Approaches to Animal Testing (EPAA) convened a Partners' Forum on repeated dose toxicity (RDT) testing to identify synergies between industrial sectors and stakeholders along with opportunities to progress these in existing research frameworks. Although RTD testing is not performed across all industrial sectors, the OECD accepted tests can provide a rich source of information and play a pivotal role for safety decisions relating to the use of chemicals. Currently there are no validated alternatives to repeated dose testing and a direct one-to-one replacement is not appropriate. However, there are many projects and initiatives at the international level which aim to implement various aspects of replacement, reduction and refinement (the 3Rs) in RDT testing. Improved definition of use, through better problem formulation, aligned to harmonisation of regulations is a key area, as is the more rapid implementation of alternatives into the legislative framework. Existing test designs can be optimised to reduce animal use and increase information content. Greater use of exposure-led decisions and improvements in dose selection will be beneficial. In addition, EPAA facilitates sharing of case studies demonstrating the use of Next Generation Risk Assessment applying various New Approach Methodologies to assess RDT
Simulating Moral Actions: An Investigation of Personal Force in Virtual Moral Dilemmas
Get PDFAdvances in Virtual Reality (VR) technologies allow the investigation of simulated moral actions in visually immersive environments. Using a robotic manipulandum and an interactive sculpture, we now also incorporate realistic haptic feedback into virtual moral simulations. In two experiments, we found that participants responded with greater utilitarian actions in virtual and haptic environments when compared to traditional questionnaire assessments of moral judgments. In experiment one, when incorporating a robotic manipulandum, we found that the physical power of simulated utilitarian responses (calculated as the product of force and speed) was predicted by individual levels of psychopathy. In experiment two, which integrated an interactive and life-like sculpture of a human into a VR simulation, greater utilitarian actions continued to be observed. Together, these results support a disparity between simulated moral action and moral judgment. Overall this research combines stateof- the-art virtual reality, robotic movement simulations, and realistic human sculptures, to enhance moral paradigms that are often contextually impoverished. As such, this combination provides a better assessment of simulated moral action, and illustrates the embodied nature of morally-relevant actions
American Art under Norman Reid, 1964–79
No full textNorman Reid’s directorship of the Tate Gallery was marked by several high-profile and sometimes controversial acquisitions and exhibitions of American art. This essay draws upon archival sources to provide detailed accounts of these important episodes in Tate’s history – from the purchase of Roy Lichtenstein’s Whaam! in 1966 to the so-called ‘Bricks scandal’ surrounding Carl Andre’s Equivalent VIII ten years later – and considers Reid’s role in balancing the ambitions of his curators, the expectations of trustees and the demands of visitors
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