A pilot study of problem gambling among student online gamblers: mood states as predictors of problematic behaviour

Within the last decade, interest in online gambling has increased. This pilot study examined online gambling among students to identify the extent to which student Internet gamblers manifest a propensity for problem gambling and to understand if mood states at various times are predictors of problem gambling. A questionnaire was administered to 127 student Internet gamblers. In addition to questions asking for basic demographic data, the questionnaire included the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) and the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS). Results showed that approximately one in five online gamblers (19%) was defined as a probable pathological gambler using the SOGS. Among this sample, results also showed that problem gambling was best predicted by negative mood states after gambling online and negative mood states more generally

Milky Way Kinematics: Measurements at the Subcentral Point of the Fourth Quadrant

We use atomic hydrogen (HI) data from the Southern Galactic Plane Survey to study the kinematics of the fourth quadrant of the Milky Way. By measuring the terminal velocity as a function of longitude throughout the fourth Galactic quadrant we have derived the most densely sampled rotation curve available for the Milky Way between 3 < R < 8 kpc. We determine a new joint rotation curve fit for the first and fourth quadrants, which can be used for kinematic distances interior to the Solar circle. From our data we place new limits on the peak to peak variation of streaming motions in the fourth quadrant to be ~10 km/s. We show that the shape of the average HI profile beyond the terminal velocity is consistent with gas of three velocity dispersions, a cold component with $\Delta v=6.3$ km/s, a warmer component with $\Delta v=12.3$ km/s and a fast component with $\Delta v=25.9$ km/s. Examining the widths with Galactic radius we find that the narrowest two components show little variation with radius and their small scale fluctuations track each other very well, suggesting that they share the same cloud-to-cloud motions. The width of the widest component is constant until R<4 kpc, where it increases sharply.Comment: 36 pages, 10 figures, accepted to ApJ. Full electronic version of table 1 available at ftp://ftp.atnf.csiro.au/pub/people/nmcclure/papers/velocity_tab1.te

An HI interstellar bubble surrounding WR85 and RCW118

We analyze the distribution of the interstellar matter in the environs of the Wolf-Rayet star LSS3982 (= WR85, WN6+OB?) linked to the optical ring nebula RCW118. Our study is based on neutral hydrogen 21cm-line data belonging to the Southern Galactic Plane Survey (SGPS). The analysis of the HI data allowed the identification of a neutral hydrogen interstellar bubble related to WR 85 and the 25' diameter ring nebula RCW118. The HI bubble was detected at a systemic velocity of -21.5 km/s, corresponding to a kinematical distance of 2.8+/-1.1 kpc, compatible with the stellar distance. The neutral stucture is about 25' in radius or 21+/-8 pc, and is expanding at 9+/-2 km/s. The associated ionized and neutral masses amount to 3000 Mo. The CO emission distribution depicts a region lacking CO coincident in position and velocity with the HI structure. The 9'.3 diameter inner optical nebula appears to be related to the approaching part of the neutral atomic shell. The HI void and shell are the neutral gas counterparts of the optical bubble and have very probably originated in the action of the strong stellar wind of the central star during the O-type and WR phases on the surrounding interstellar medium. The HI bubble appears to be in the momentun conserving stage.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures, accepted in MNRA

Insurance for autonomous underwater vehicles

The background and practice of insurance for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are examined. Key topics include: relationships between clients, brokers and underwriters; contract wording to provide appropriate coverage; and actions to take when an incident occurs. Factors that affect cost of insurance are discussed, including level of autonomy, team experience and operating environment. Four case studies from industry and academia illustrate how AUV insurance has worked in practice. The paper concludes by stressing the importance of effective dialogue between client, broker and underwriter to review, assess and reduce risk to the benefit of all parties

Whole body vibration training and its application to age-related performance decrements:an exploratory analysis

Middle age is associated with a pronounced decline in power and flexibility. Whilst whole body vibration training (WBVT) improves performance in a range of populations, whether WBVT can improve muscle power and flexibility in a middle-aged population is not known. The present study aimed to determine the influence of 5 weeks progressive WBVT in middle-aged (45-55 yrs.) and younger (20-30 yrs.) recreationally active females. Participants in each age group were randomly allocated to an intervention (WBVT) or control group. The WBVT groups trained for five weeks on a vibration platform, while the control groups performed identical exercises, with no vibration. Prior to, and after, the five-week study vertical countermovement jump (VCMJ) and range of motion (ROM) performance were measured. WBVT significantly (P = 0.001) improved VCMJ performance when compared to the control groups. This improvement was significantly (P = 0.001) greater in the middle-aged compared with the younger WBVT group. WBVT significantly (P = 0.001) improved ROM irrespective of age. Taken together, these results suggest that WBVT can off-set age related performance decrements, which has therapeutic implications for musculoskeletal aging. Therefore, WBVT could be undertaken to minimise age-related performance deterioration in middle-aged female populations

On the parameters of the Kerr-NUT-(anti-)de Sitter space-time

Different forms of the metric for the Kerr-NUT-(anti-)de Sitter space-time are being widely used in its extension to higher dimensions. The purpose of this note is to relate the parameters that are being used to the physical parameters (mass, rotation, NUT and cosmological constant) in the basic four dimensional situation.Comment: 4 pages. To appear as a Note in Classical and Quantum Gravit

Systematic review: External shame in anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder: A systematic review Empirical paper: Does poverty-related shame mediate the link between poverty and depression and poverty and aggression in young adults?

Systematic review Background: Research has highlighted the link between shame and eating disorders (EDs). However, broad definitions of shame used within the literature make it difficult to identify specific shame-based mechanisms that might play a key role in EDs. Specifically, research has highlighted the social evaluative aspect of ED, however, little attention has been paid to external shame. This systematic review collated research to investigate the relationship between EDs and external shame. Method: Electronic databases were searched for studies on external shame within clinical populations of individuals with an ED published prior to 30th March 2020. A total of 2610 titles were retrieved. Of these, 11 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Results: The results suggested a medium to large effect size in the relationship between external shame and EDs. The association of external shame to specific ED presentations were mixed, with some indication that external shame may be specifically related to anorexia nervosa. Conclusion: External shame appears to be associated with EDs. However, further research is needed to assess the role external shame has across ED diagnoses. Understanding the role of external shame in EDs could help to improve interventions to target key processes that contribute to and maintain EDs. Empirical paper The association between childhood poverty and mental health difficulties has been well established. However, the mechanisms by which poverty leads to mental health difficulties are less understood. This study examines the role of poverty-related shame in poverty. Specifically, this study looks at the mediating role of poverty-related shame between child poverty and depressive symptoms and aggression in young adults. While the results suggest that high levels of child poverty are associated with increased rates of poverty-related shame, this was not related to depressive symptoms or aggression. However, methodological issues limit the conclusions that can be made. To the best of my knowledge, this study is the first to quantitatively measure poverty-related shame and highlights the need for further research to improve our understanding of the impact of poverty-related shame, protective factors and early interventions