Quasi-Equatorial Gravitational Lensing by Spinning Black Holes in the Strong Field Limit

Spherically symmetric black holes produce, by strong field lensing, two infinite series of relativistic images, formed by light rays winding around the black hole at distances comparable to the gravitational radius. In this paper, we address the relevance of the black hole spin for the strong field lensing phenomenology, focusing on trajectories close to the equatorial plane for simplicity. In this approximation, we derive a two-dimensional lens equation and formulae for the position and the magnification of the relativistic images in the strong field limit. The most outstanding effect is the generation of a non trivial caustic structure. Caustics drift away from the optical axis and acquire finite extension. For a high enough black hole spin, depending on the source extension, we can practically observe only one image rather than two infinite series of relativistic images. In this regime, additional non equatorial images may play an important role in the phenomenology.Comment: 13 pages, 9 figures. Improved version with detailed physical discussio

The association between accounting and market-based risk measures

The paper derives operating and financial measures of leverage and tests their association with market based measures of equity risk. It is the first such study to use purely accounting-based data to derive the leverage measures. In line with previous literature it conducts a new test on the relative importance of operating and financial leverage. The results suggest that operating costs have a greater impact

The Economic Impact of H-2B Workers

The Labor, Immigration & Employee Benefits division of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Immigration Works USA are pleased to present this important study of the economic impact of the H-2B visa program. Many American businesses could not function without the H-2B program. Small, medium-sized and large employers in every region of the country count on it to keep their businesses open and growing, and to create opportunities for U.S. workers. Yet the program is under constant attack by critics, who all too often make a case based on rhetoric and hypothetical scenarios, not hard economic data. This report uses original economic analyses to examine the true economic effects of the H-2B program

Treatment of Workers with Disabilities Under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act

CRS_February_2005_Treatment_of_Workers_with_Disabilities.pdf: 6624 downloads, before Oct. 1, 2020

An Analysis of Plant Closings in Georgia's Apparel and Textile Industries

This report explores various issues and programs associated with re employment of workers from apparel and textile plants that close

The Cost of Worker Misclassification in New York State

[Excerpt] This study uses data based on audits performed by the NYS Department of Labor Unemployment Insurance Division during the four-year period 2002-2005. Audits were performed on firms in certain industries, and data was extrapolated statewide for these industries only, based on given employment information. Using general and specific audits conducted during the four year period 2002-2005, it is estimated that 39,587 New York employers (of about 400,732) in audited industries misclassified workers each year as independent contractors. Of these, approximately 5,880 employers, or 14.9%, were in the construction industry

2009 Annual Report to Congress

[Excerpt] Enacted in 2004, Public Law 108-375 also created an Office of the Ombudsman (the Office) and urged the Secretary of Labor to take appropriate action to ensure that it be an independent Office within the Department of Labor (DOL), including independence from the other officers and employees of the DOL engaged in activities related to the administration of the provision of the EEOICPA. See 42 U.S.C. § 7385s-15(d). The Secretary of Labor appointed an Ombudsman in February 2005, and the Office submitted its first report to Congress covering calendar year 2005 on February 15, 2006. When initially created, the duties of the Office only extended to Part E. On October 28, 2009, Public Law 111-84, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, expanded the authority of the Office to also include Part B of the EEOICPA. The day to day activities of the Office are driven by two goals; 1) to provide information and assistance to claimants and potential claimants regarding the EEOICPA; (2) to provide opportunities for claimants and potential claimants to express their complaints, grievances, and requests for assistance concerning this program. In achieving these goals, the Office: Engages in outreach – We sponsor town hall meetings, as well as attend other meetings, forums and workshops where we discuss the EEOICPA and its requirements. This year, with the assistance of the efforts of a task force comprised of many of the agencies involved with the EEOICPA we were able to attend 20 outreach meetings in 11 different cities. Clarifies/explains documents and procedures – The EEOICPA can be very complicated and decisions are oftentimes based on very technical medical, scientific and/or legal concepts. We are contacted by claimants who find it difficult to comprehend these concepts. In addition, there are a many nuances to this program – for example for many of the “rules” there is at least one exception. Some claimants need assistance “steering the right course” as they proceed with their claim. Receives complaints, grievances and requests for assistance – Individuals with pending claims; individuals whose claims were denied; as well as some individuals whose claims were awarded, contact the Office or attend our town hall meetings, to voice complaints and grievances with this program. We are also contacted on occasion by claimants who have complimentary comments concerning the program – usually complimenting the services provided by individuals associated with the program. Provides assistance – It is rare when we are contacted by an individual who simply wants to voice a complaint. Most individuals contact us because they are seeking assistance with their claim. In some instances, we are asked to explain a word or decision. On other occasions, we are asked to provide assistance locating necessary records, or our input is sought on how to proceed with a claim. Inasmuch as many claimants do not have access to computers, we also frequently provide public information such as copies the Site Exposure Matrices; Site Profiles; listing of the 22 cancers covered for purposes of Special Exposure Cohorts, etc. Within the limits of our authority and resources, we assist claimants however we can. The report that follows is a synthesis of the many e-mails, letters, telephone calls, faxes, and face to face conversations that members of this staff had over the past year

Strong field limit of black hole gravitational lensing

We give the formulation of the gravitational lensing theory in the strong field limit for a Schwarzschild black hole as a counterpart to the weak field approach. It is possible to expand the full black hole lens equation to work a simple analytical theory that describes at a high accuracy degree the physics in the strong field limit. In this way, we derive compact and reliable mathematical formulae for the position of additional critical curves, relativistic images and their magnification, arising in this limit.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figure

The Federal Emergency Employment Act of 1971: An Appraisal of Texas\u27 Experience

An assessment of the first few years of the Federal Emergency Employment Act’s implementation in the state of Texas, with focuses on various perspectives including the federal, state, and city levels

Unfinished Harvest: The Agricultural Worker Protection Act at 30

In 1983, Congress passed the migrant and seasonal agricultural worker protection act (AWPA; also known as MSPA). To mark the thirtieth anniversary of its enactment, Farmworker Justice has produced this report, which examines the impact of AWPA on farmworkers. In doing so, they have examined the law's historical and legislative background, consulted court cases interpreting its provisions, and sought insight from leading farmworker advocates around the country