Modeling the RXTE light curve of η\eta Carinae from a 3-D SPH simulation of its binary wind collision

The very massive star system $\eta$ Carinae exhibits regular 5.54-year (2024-day) period disruptive events in wavebands ranging from the radio to X-ray. There is a growing consensus that these events likely stem from periastron passage of an (as yet) unseen companion in a highly eccentric ($\epsilon \sim 0.9$) orbit. This paper presents three-dimensional (3-D) Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) simulations of the orbital variation of the binary wind-wind collision, and applies these to modeling the X-ray light curve observed by the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE). By providing a global 3-D model of the phase variation of the density of the interacting winds, the simulations allow computation of the associated variation in X-ray absorption, presumed here to originate from near the apex of the wind-wind interaction cone. We find that the observed RXTE light curve can be readily fit if the observer's line of sight is within this cone along the general direction of apastron. Specifically, the data are well fit by an assumed inclination $i = 45^{\circ}$ for the orbit's polar axis, which is thus consistent with orbital angular momentum being along the inferred polar axis of the Homunculus nebula. The fits also constrain the position angle $\phi$ that an orbital-plane projection makes with the apastron side of the semi-major axis, strongly excluding positions $\phi < 9^{\circ}$ along or to the retrograde side of the axis, with the best fit position given by $\phi = 27^{\circ}$. Overall the results demonstrate the utility of a fully 3-D dynamical model for constraining the geometric and physical properties of this complex colliding-wind binary system.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, accepted to MNRAS Letter

Gender differences in dementia management plans of spousal caregivers: implications for occupational therapy.

Occupational therapists treating older people with Alzheimer disease know that they must also consider the others who are affected by the disease, the informal caregivers. Intervention is most effective when it enables both the impaired person and the primary caregiver to manage the secondary symptoms of dementia. Unfortunately, little is understood about how caregivers approach and carry out their tasks and about why male and female caregivers respond differently to their caregiving role in terms of depression, burden, stress, and substance abuse. This paper discusses the effects of gender on dementia management plans of spousal caregivers. Husbands and wives have different approaches to caregiving; each approach has consequences. Male caregivers adopt a task-oriented approach to their duties and carry out their activities in a linear fashion; female caregivers use a parent-child approach and nest activities inside one another in a constant stream of work. Two cases are presented to illustrate gender differences in dementia management plans. Implications for occupational therapy include suggestions for supporting men and women in their caregiving role, modulating the negative consequences of caregiving, and conducting research to demonstrate the efficacy of an occupational therapy approach

Justice for the Forgotten: Saving the Women of Darfur

Since 2003, Darfur has lost nearly half of its six million inhabitants. As many as 500,000 people have been slaughtered, 2.2 million have been displaced, and an untold number have been savagely raped—all victims of a brutal five-year genocide orchestrated by the Sudanese government. The women of Darfur have borne the brunt of the violence: constantly targeted for rape, left physically and emotionally broken. The use of rape as a weapon of war should have shocked the conscience of the world, but we have failed to act, and instead have allowed the women of Darfur to be victimized repeatedly. This note argues that the international community must take two steps to save the women of Darfur: (1) continue criminal prosecutions of those responsible for the genocide in the International Criminal Court and (2) immediately undertake humanitarian solutions in Darfur, including aid disbursement, reparations, military intervention, and political pressure. It is only by combining legal and restorative solutions that the forgotten women of Darfur will truly receive justice

Factors Influencing Transition and Persistence in the First Year for Community College Students with Disabilities

Community colleges have always played a crucial role in providing access to college, especially for students with disabilities. At the same time the rate of completion is exceptionally low for this particular population (Belch, 2004). In order to improve persistence and achievement measurably, colleges may seek clues in successful transitions by students with disabilities. This project presents a qualitative research study to illuminate factors that contribute to semester-by-semester success of community college students with disabilities during their first year. A conceptual model of successful transitional processes was developed from theoretical constructs reported in the literature and was expanded by data from individual case studies. Seven very strong stages emerged as a result of the research. These stages were: 1) pre-college experiences that influence academic involvement, 2) initial encounters that created first impressions, 3) transition shock, 4) support-seeking and strategic adjustment 5) prioritizing and balancing of college and non-college commitments, 6) recognizing success, and 7) a sense of belonging to the college community. These results indicated a successful transition into college is an important first step in persistence for students with disabilities. Persistence of students with disabilities requires further attention and research in order to improve graduation rates of these students at community colleges

The Women in Journalism in Milwaukee (1921-1936)

The purpose of this thesis, is to show, by a survey~ the position of woman in journalism in Milwaukee from 1921 to 1936. Particular attention is given to determining the specific fields of journalism which they have entered, the extent to which they have been accepted, and the work done