The All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae (ASAS-SN) Light Curve Server v1.0

The All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae (ASAS-SN) is working towards imaging the entire visible sky every night to a depth of V~17 mag. The present data covers the sky and spans ~2-5~years with ~100-400 epochs of observation. The data should contain some ~1 million variable sources, and the ultimate goal is to have a database of these observations publicly accessible. We describe here a first step, a simple but unprecedented web interface https://asas-sn.osu.edu/ that provides an up to date aperture photometry light curve for any user-selected sky coordinate. Because the light curves are produced in real time, this web tool is relatively slow and can only be used for small samples of objects. However, it also imposes no selection bias on the part of the ASAS-SN team, allowing the user to obtain a light curve for any point on the celestial sphere. We present the tool, describe its capabilities, limitations, and known issues, and provide a few illustrative examples.Comment: 8 pages, 9 figures, submitted to PAS

The Multifragmentation Freeze--Out Volume in Heavy Ion Collisions

The reduced velocity correlation function for fragments from the reaction Fe + Au at 100 A~MeV bombarding energy is investigated using the dynamical--statistical approach QMD+SMM and compared to experimental data to extract the Freeze--Out volume assuming simultaneous multifragmentation.Comment: 8 pages; 3 uuencoded figures available with figures command, LateX, UCRL-J-1157

Systematics of Fission Barriers in Superheavy Elements

We investigate the systematics of fission barriers in superheavy elements in the range Z = 108-120 and N = 166-182. Results from two self-consistent models for nuclear structure, the relativistic mean-field (RMF) model as well as the non-relativistic Skyrme-Hartree-Fock approach are compared and discussed. We restrict ourselves to axially symmetric shapes, which provides an upper bound on static fission barriers. We benchmark the predictive power of the models examining the barriers and fission isomers of selected heavy actinide nuclei for which data are available. For both actinides and superheavy nuclei, the RMF model systematically predicts lower barriers than most Skyrme interactions. In particular the fission isomers are predicted too low by the RMF, which casts some doubt on recent predictions about superdeformed ground states of some superheavy nuclei. For the superheavy nuclei under investigation, fission barriers drop to small values around Z = 110, N = 180 and increase again for heavier systems. For most of the forces, there is no fission isomer for superheavy nuclei, as superdeformed states are in most cases found to be unstable with respect to octupole distortions.Comment: 17 pages REVTEX, 12 embedded eps figures. corrected abstrac

Working conditions, work-life conflict and wellbeing in UK prison officers: the role of affective rumination and detachment

Although prison officers experience the working conditions associated with work-life conflict, little research has explored this issue. This study draws upon the work-home resources model (ten Brummelhuis & Bakker, 2012) to investigate relationships between working conditions (demands and experiences of aggression) and time-based, strain-based and behavior-based work-life conflict in UK prison officers (n = 1,682). Associations between working conditions, work-life conflict, and emotional exhaustion were also examined. Two recovery behaviors (affective rumination and detachment) were considered as potential moderators of associations between working conditions and emotional exhaustion. High levels of all work-life conflict dimensions were found which were related to working conditions and emotional exhaustion. Some evidence was found that higher rumination and lower detachment exacerbated the positive association between both job demands and aggression and emotional exhaustion. The implications of the findings for the wellbeing and professional functioning of prison officers are discussed, together with key areas for future research

Passive sorting of asteroid material using solar radiation pressure

Understanding dust dynamics in asteroid environments is key for future science missions to asteroids and, in the long-term, also for asteroid exploitation. This paper proposes a novel way of manipulating asteroid material by means of solar radiation pressure (SRP). We envisage a method for passively sorting material as a function of its grain size where SRP is used as a passive in-situ ‘mass spec-trometer’. The analysis shows that this novel method allows an effective sorting of regolith material. This has immediate applications for sample return, and in-situ resource utilisation to separate different regolith particle sizes

Effect of COVID vaccination on monthly migraine days:a longitudinal cohort study

BACKGROUND: This longitudinal cohort study aimed to investigate changes in migraine-related outcomes following COVID-19 infection and vaccination. METHODS: We identified 547 clinically diagnosed migraine patients from the Leiden Headache Center who kept a headache E-diary during the COVID-19 pandemic (February 2020 to August 2022). We sent a questionnaire to register their COVID-19 infection and/or vaccination dates. After applying inclusion criteria, n = 59 participants could be included in the infection analysis and n = 147 could be included in the vaccination analysis. Primary outcome was the change in monthly migraine days (MMD) between 1 month prior and 1 month post COVID-19 infection or vaccination. Secondary outcome variables were change in monthly headache days (MHD) and monthly acute medication days (MAMD). RESULTS:Vaccination against COVID-19 was associated with an increase in MMD (1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.57-1.55; p &lt; 0.001), MHD (1.52; 95% CI = 0.91-2.14; p &lt; 0.001) and MAMD (0.72; 95% CI = 0.33-1.12; p &lt; 0.001) in the first month post-vaccination. COVID-19 infection solely increased the number of MAMD (1.11; 95% CI = 0.10-1.62; p &lt; 0.027), but no statistically significant differences in MMD or MHD were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings imply that vaccination against COVID-19 is associated with an increase in migraine, indicating a possible role of inflammatory mediators in migraine pathophysiology.</p

Radionuclide analysis using solid phase extraction disks

The use of solid phase extraction disks was studied for the quantification of selected radionuclides in aqueous solutions. The extraction of four radionuclides using six types (two commercial, four test materials) of 3M Empore{trademark} RAD disks was studied. The radionuclides studied were: technetium-99 (two types of disks), cesium-137 (two types), strontium-90 (one type), plutonium-238 (one type). Extractions were tested from DI water, river water and seawater. Extraction efficiency, kinetics (flow rate past the disk), capacity, and potential interferences were studied as well as quantification methods

My Road Ahead study protocol: a randomised controlled trial of an online psychological intervention for men following treatment for localised prostate cancer

BACKGROUND There is a need for psychosocial interventions for men with prostate cancer to promote adaptive coping with the challenges and distress associated with diagnosis, treatment and recovery. In addition, interventions are needed that help to overcome barriers to psychosocial treatment such as limited face-to-face psychosocial support services, a shortage of adequately trained professionals, geographical distance, perceived and personal stigma and a preference for consumer-centric and self-directed learning. My Road Ahead is an online cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) intervention for prostate cancer. This protocol describes a randomised controlled trial (RCT) that will evaluate the efficacy of this online intervention alone, the intervention in combination with a moderated online forum, and the moderated online forum alone. METHODS/DESIGN This study utilises a RCT design with three groups receiving: 1) the 6-module My Road Ahead intervention alone; 2) the My Road Ahead intervention plus a moderated online forum; and 3) the moderated online forum alone. It is expected that 150 men with localised prostate cancer will be recruited into the RCT. Online measures will assess men's psychological distress as well as sexual and relationship adjustment at baseline, post-intervention, 3 month follow-up and 6 month follow-up. The study is being conducted in Australia and participants will be recruited from April 2012 to Feb 2014. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of My Road Ahead in reducing psychological distress. DISCUSSION To our knowledge, My Road Ahead is the first self-directed online psychological intervention developed for men who have been treated for localised prostate cancer. The RCT will assess the efficacy of this intervention in improving psychological well-being, sexual satisfaction, relationship satisfaction and overall quality of life. If successful, this intervention could provide much needed support to men receiving treatment for localised prostate cancer in a highly accessible manner. TRIAL REGISTRATION Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry Identifier: ACTRN12611000278932.The authors would like to acknowledge the funding partners involved in this study; the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA), beyondblue: the National Depression and Anxiety Initiative with funding support from Movember Foundation