Reassessing Actus Reus

This article focuses on Tony Smith's criticisms of criminal lawyers' use of the concept of actus reus. It explores how those criticisms relate to the proliferation of types of actus reus in the last five decades, especially in connection with the spread of offences of omission

The photochemistry and photophysics of a series of alpha octa(alkyl-substituted) silicon, zinc and palladium phthalocyanines

Photophysical and photochemical measurements have been made on a series of novel alpha octa(alkyl-substituted) silicon, zinc and palladium phthalocyanines for which the synthesis is outlined. Fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes, triplet quantum yields and lifetimes and singlet delta oxygen quantum yields were measured in 1% v/v pyridine in toluene. The effects of varying central atom and addition of alkyl substituents relative to unsubstituted parent molecules, zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) and silicon phthalocyanine (SiPc), are discussed. All phthalocyanines studied exhibit absorption and emission maxima in the region of 680–750 nm with molar absorptivity of the Q-band 105 M−1 cm−1. The series of compounds also exhibited triplet quantum yields of 0.65–0.95 and singlet oxygen quantum yields of 0.49–0.93

An investigation of tin whisker growth over a 32-year period

Purpose: This paper presents the results of a 32 year old laboratory study of whisker growth from tin electrodeposits that was originally undertaken to gain an increased understanding of the phenomenon of tin whisker growth. Design/methodology/approach: Whisker growth was evaluated using electroplated C-rings (both stressed and un-stressed) that were stored throughout in a desiccator at room temperature. Analysis has recently been undertaken to evaluate whisker growth and intermetallic growth after 32 years storage. SEM analysis has been performed to investigate whisker length and, using polished cross-sections, the morphology, thickness and type of intermetallic formation. Findings: Normal tin plated deposits on brass and steel with a copper barrier layer nucleated whiskers within 5 months and in each case these grew to lengths between 1 and 4.5 mm. For normal tin electroplated onto brass, a one or two month nucleation period was needed before whiskers developed. They reached a maximum length of about 1.5 mm after 6 months and little or no further growth occurred during the subsequent 32 years. Very few whiskers grew on the tin-plated steel samples and no intermetallic formation was observed. None of the fused tin-platings nucleated whiskers during the 32 year period. Practical implications: Knowledge about vintage whiskers is important in order that we can take steps to increase the resiliency of our space missions. Similarly, such knowledge is important to engineers engaged on products reaching their nominal end-of-life, but where for reasons of economy, these products cannot be replaced Originality/value: This study represents a unique insight into whisker growth and intermetallic formation over an extremely long time period

Concert recording 2013-11-09a

[Track 01]. Beautiful love / Victor Young -- [Track 02]. All the things you are / Jerome Kern -- [Track 03]. Ornithology / Charlie Parker -- [Track 04]. How insensitive (Insensatez) / Antonio Carlos Jobim -- [Track 05]. Misty / Errol Garner -- [Track 06]. Tico tico / Zequinha de Abreu -- [Track 07]. Bernie\u27s tune / Bernie Miller -- [Track 08]. Sweet Georgia Brown / Ben Bernie ; Maceo Pinkard ; Kenneth Casey -- [Track 09]. Dark eyes / Traditional Gypsy jazz song

Rapid Cooling of the Neutron Star in Cassiopeia A Triggered by Neutron Superfluidity in Dense Matter

We propose that the observed cooling of the neutron star in Cassiopeia A is due to enhanced neutrino emission from the recent onset of the breaking and formation of neutron Cooper pairs in the 3P2 channel. We find that the critical temperature for this superfluid transition is ~0.5x10^9 K. The observed rapidity of the cooling implies that protons were already in a superconducting state with a larger critical temperature. Our prediction that this cooling will continue for several decades at the present rate can be tested by continuous monitoring of this neutron star.Comment: Revised version, to be published in Phys. Rev. Let