A radio continuum survey of the southern sky at 1420 MHz. Observations and data reduction

We describe the equipment, observational method and reduction procedure of an absolutely calibrated radio continuum survey of the South Celestial Hemisphere at a frequency of 1420 MHz. These observations cover the area 0h < R.A. < 24h for declinations less than -10 degree. The sensitivity is about 50 mK T_B (full beam brightness) and the angular resolution (HPBW) is 35.4', which matches the existing northern sky survey at the same frequency.Comment: 9 pages with 9 figures, A&A, in pres

Critical Representation: Mattering & Belonging for Students of the Global Majority

Critical representation in literature and curricula requires an emancipatory agenda and examination of the ways in which people of diverse racial, cultural, linguistic, and other socially marginalized identities are portrayed, an assessment of how relevant, affirming, and accurate those representations are, and a consideration of the impact on a child’s sense of self and ‘other.’ This essay includes sample audit criteria for critical representation highlighting five sections: Storyline & Sense of Justice; Affirmation & Self-Worth; Relationships Among People; Author/Illustrator Background; and Language & Terminology, all with a focus on ‘mattering’ and holistic wellbeing of students of the global majority. Audit criteria explicitly engage questions of critical race theory such as: Does the storyline encourage passive acceptance of inequity, or active resistance against it? Are there messages that limit or damage a child’s aspirations or sense of self-worth? The essay concludes with examples of how practitioners are using the audit criteria to identify strengths, needs, and opportunities to improve their practice

The On The Fly Imaging Technique

The On-The-Fly (OTF) imaging technique enables single-dish radio telescopes to construct images of small areas of the sky with greater efficiency and accuracy. This paper describes the practical application of the OTF imaging technique. By way of example the implementation of the OTF imaging technique at the NRAO 12 Meter Telescope is described. Specific requirements for data sampling, image formation, and Doppler correction are discussed.Comment: 10 pages, 13 figures, accepted A&

DASI Three-Year Cosmic Microwave Background Polarization Results

We present the analysis of the complete 3-year data set obtained with the Degree Angular Scale Interferometer (DASI) polarization experiment, operating from the Amundsen-Scott South Pole research station. Additional data obtained at the end of the 2002 Austral winter and throughout the 2003 season were added to the data from which the first detection of polarization of the cosmic microwave background radiation was reported. The analysis of the combined data supports, with increased statistical power, all of the conclusions drawn from the initial data set. In particular, the detection of E-mode polarization is increased to 6.3 sigma confidence level, TE cross-polarization is detected at 2.9 sigma, and B-mode polarization is consistent with zero, with an upper limit well below the level of the detected E-mode polarization. The results are in excellent agreement with the predictions of the cosmological model that has emerged from CMB temperature measurements. The analysis also demonstrates that contamination of the data by known sources of foreground emission is insignificant.Comment: 13 pages Latex, 10 figures, submitted to Ap

Accounting Law in Practice: Compliance, Consistency and Substance Focusing on the UK’s Implementation of EU Extractive Industry Country by Country Reporting of Government Payments to Governments

The passing into EU Law of a requirement that all companies domiciled in member states or listed on EU stock exchanges should publish a Report of Payments to Governments on the face of it is a victory for the civil society organizations long campaigning for the attendant increased transparency and accountability, a step towards better conditions and possibilities for many of the world’s poor. But it cannot be taken for granted. It was passed with a condition that it be reviewed (at both member state level, where a review can feed into the federal level review, and at the level of the EU), which is an opportunity to better it or a threat to reverse positive potentialities. The UK Brexit vote adds some uncertainty regarding the future of the law in the UK. And studies of manifestations of practices such as accounting and auditing (often intersecting with the law) caution against too much optimism as to their straightforward effectiveness. With a view to understanding this particular law in practice, so that it be strengthened and better function in line with its intended aims, we explore processes of its construction and early adoption in the UK. In a preliminary analysis, we elaborate how interpretations of the Law within the Extractives Industry run counter to the spirit or substance of the law and give rise to different and apparently problematic translations of the law into practice. Reflecting on our analysis, we make some recommendations as to ways forward

Reports on Payments to Governments: A critical review of early developments and experiences

We are concerned to review and discuss aspects of the Reports submitted in line with the Payments to Governments Regulations. We consider the process of transposition of this EU Accounting Law into UK law and the early implementation or operationalization of this law in the UK. Recommendations drawn from the study are intended to be of use to a variety of stakeholders who may input into the upcoming government consultation on these regulations. This version was published by Robert Gordon University

Reports on Payments to Governments: A report on early developments and experiences

We are concerned in this report to review and discuss aspects of the Reports submitted in line with the Payments to Governments Regulations. We consider the process of transposition of this Accounting Law into UK law and the early implementation or operationalization of this law in the UK. Recommendations drawn from the study will be useful for Publish What You Pay (PWYP) and other interested stakeholders in communications with government, regulators and standard setters and in general campaign activity

Spectral Index of the Diffuse Radio Background Measured From 100 to 200 MHz

The mean absolute brightness temperature of the diffuse radio background was measured as a function of frequency in a continuous band between 100 and 200 MHz over an effective solid angle of ~pi str at high Galactic latitude. A spectral brightness temperature index of beta = 2.5 +/- 0.1 (alpha_s = 0.5) was derived from the observations, where the error limits are 3-sigma and include estimates of the instrumental systematics. Zenith drift scans with central declinations of -26.5 degrees and spanning right ascensions 0 to 10 hours yielded little variation in the mean spectral index. The mean absolute brightness temperature at 150 MHz was found to reach a minimum of T = 237 +/- 10 K at a right ascension of 2.5 hours. Combining these measurements with those of Haslam et al. 1982 yields a spectral index of beta = 2.52 +/- 0.04 between 150 and 408 MHz.Comment: 8 pages including 7 figures and 4 tables. Accepted by A

SHRINKiT: Automated measurement of shrinkage limit for clay soils

This report describes the development at the British Geological Survey (BGS) of a new automated apparatus, titled ‘SHRINKiT’, for measuring the shrinkage limit of a clay soil. This has been developed at the BGS’s geotechnical laboratories, in part with NERC Innovations funding. The new method is intended to replace two British Standards (BS1377) methods which have fallen into disuse at BGS, in common with many other laboratories in the UK, and to some extent worldwide, partly as the result of safety concerns in their required use of large quantities of mercury. During the test the cylindrical specimen is allowed to air-dry and shrink. The apparatus carries out repeat measurements of diameter, height and weight; the dimension-measuring component being in effect a simple laser scanner. Each test takes a few days to complete; the duration depending on specimen size, soil type, initial water content and environmental conditions. The output of the test is a plot of water content vs. volume from which the shrinkage limit of the soil can be calculated using the graphical construction method described in BS1377. The shrinkage limit is defined as the water content below which there is little or no further structural shrinkage of the soil. Additional information may also be obtained from the results. The test may be carried out on a wide variety of soil types in an undisturbed, remoulded or compacted state