Microlensing Constraints on Broad Absorption and Emission Line Flows in the Quasar H1413+117

We present new integral field spectroscopy of the gravitationally lensed broad absorption line (BAL) quasar H1413+117, covering the ultraviolet to visible rest-frame spectral range. We observe strong microlensing signatures in lensed image D, and we use this microlensing to simultaneously constrain both the broad emission and broad absorption line gas. By modeling the lens system over the range of probable lensing galaxy redshifts and using on a new argument based on the wavelength-independence of the broad line lensing magnifications, we determine that there is no significant broad line emission from smaller than ~20 light days. We also perform spectral decomposition to derive the intrinsic broad emission line (BEL) and continuum spectrum, subject to BAL absorption. We also reconstruct the intrinsic BAL absorption profile, whose features allow us to constrain outflow kinematics in the context of a disk-wind model. We find a very sharp, blueshifted onset of absorption of 1,500 km/s in both C IV and N V that may correspond to an inner edge of a disk-wind's radial outflow. The lower ionization Si IV and Al III have higher-velocity absorption onsets, consistent with a decreasing ionization parameter with radius in an accelerating outflow. There is evidence of strong absorption in the BEL component which indicates a high covering factor for absorption over two orders of magnitude in outflow radius.Comment: 29 pages, 8 figure

Exact results for SU(3) spin chains: trimer states, valence bond solids, and their parent Hamiltonians

We introduce several exact models for SU(3) spin chains: (1) a translationally invariant parent Hamiltonian involving four-site interactions for the trimer chain, with a three-fold degenerate ground state. We provide numerical evidence that the elementary excitations of this model transform under representation 3bar of SU(3) if the original spins of the model transform under rep. 3. (2) a family of parent Hamiltonians for valence bond solids of SU(3) chains with spin reps. 6, 10, and 8 on each lattice site. We argue that of these three models, only the latter two exhibit spinon confinement and a Haldane gap in the excitation spectrum

Small GAAP: a large jump for the IASB

In the last fifteen years, many national standard setters have introduced differential reporting for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Internationally, SMEs are a diverse and dynamic group which are described under broad characteristics in different countries. SMEs are not issuers or public sector entities and therefore frequently the qualitative criteria of not being publicly accountable may define these entities. Acceptance and imposition of International Accounting Standards (IASs) has reignited the debate on differential reporting, especially since the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) issued a discussion document in June 2004 on SME reporting. It is apparent the majority of national standard setters support an IASB-generated alternative reporting regime for SMEs, citing that IFRS developed specifically for listed entities are not relevant for SMEs. Benefits would include lower compliance costs for reporters who would face reduced disclosure due to simplified presentation. This would encourage continuing compliance to the IAS regime thus benefiting users when SMEs produce comparable financial information. It is the objective of this paper to provide a review of the diversity in jurisdictional approaches to resolve these issues. This includes a discussion of the two approaches: the ‘top-down’ or the ‘bottom-up’ approach, with examples of each. This research has been motivated by the absence in academic literature of sufficient studies examining the underlying issues fundamental to redefining the balance between the accountability and decision-usefulness functions of general purpose financial reporting. To achieve this objective, this paper considers relevant academic and practitioner literature before undertaking an analysis of the issues this literature raises. Unique SME factors, including close-knit agency relationships, and a tendency to aim for survival and stability over profit maximisation and growth suggest a distinctly different focus to the IASB conceptual framework is required. The prevalence of an unsubstantiated view that SMEs are ‘small entities on the way to becoming large entities’ overshadows the argument on whether and how SMEs should be offered relief from highly technical IAS. Some countries have regulation for SMEs already or are developing a Best Practice Guide for their SMEs. Exemptions may be based on a public accountability test (as in Canada), but Finland finds the Canadian example ‘too vague’ and New Zealand’s sector-neutral stance made the application of this definition too broad. The IASB may limit definition to broad qualitative and quantitative SME boundaries in its struggle to provide a useful suite of SME accounting standards to nation states. Managing different worldviews and the demands of both preparers and users who are unused to lobbying at a high level, will be challenging for the IASB. Although the IASB originally aimed for a single set of conceptually robust SME standards, they must revisit the specific stewardship focus of SME reporting to gain traction in this project. The SME debate appears as a crucible in which the resolution of such tensions may in time be resolved

Internet pathways for stakeholder engagement and accountability: universities in the United Kingdom and their donors

Paper presented to the Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand Annual Conference, Sydney, Australia, July 2008Universities world-wide experiencing reducing government financial support are seeking to satisfy financial shortfalls through alternative funding such as that from private contributors (especially alumni). When private corporations search for new funding streams, they turn to the internet, however the unregulated nature of internet reporting has brought calls for higher standards in internet reporting practices (e.g. IASC, 1999). Little is known about the use or quality of internet financial reporting by universities to attract private contributions or to account for the stewardship to current contributors. The present research examined universities' current reporting practices, in order to understand more fully how contextual factors in the tertiary sector impact the availability and quality of universities' internet reporting. The research shows that the ease of accessibility of financial information on universities' websites is related to generic characteristics, such as the age and the financial status of universities. As well, quality of this unregulated internet financial varies widely. The research expands on the relevant issues emerging from this unregulated environment and highlights gaps that exist between stakeholder's expectations and current internet practice. This study recommends improvements in the standard and quality of reporting in order for universities to discharge their accountabilit

Paying the price of the failure to retain legitimacy in a national charity: the CORSO story

The Council for the Organisation of Relief Services Overseas (CORSO), established in 1944, was dedicated to the relief of poverty overseas. It was a New Zealand organisation which acted to co-ordinate the activities of different national bodies; all of whom shared a vision of working towards such relief of the poverty. CORSO’s primary vision for such relief being organised “under one umbrella” attracted 50 member organisations by 1967. Legitimacy theory provides an undemanding theoretical frame for early CORSO. It also explains the period of crisis in relation to reduced legitimacy when, in the 1960s, CORSO began to focus increasingly on development to build foundations for impoverished peoples overseas to gain greater self-reliance. This change in strategic direction was insufficiently communicated to the general public, though it was generally accepted within the organisation. From the 1970s the increased politicisation of society impacted on CORSO’s membership, and Maori radicals became prominent in CORSO along with ‘leftist’ individuals and groups. The early strong coalition was progressively replaced with divisiveness from the mid-1970s amid growing public mistrust of CORSO; as it changed from an apolitical body to one increasingly focused on issues from an anticapitalist stance. Polarisation and the subsequent consequences are similar to other not-for-profit coalitions. Deterioration in budgeting was concomitant with CORSO’s declining Appeal proceeds. Without suggesting a central role for accounting in CORSO’s decline, the correlation of robust or deficient accounting processes respectively with economic good and poor health appears positive. Until the late 1960s, evidence indicates a robust accounting process which subsequently deteriorated, from the 1975 Treasurer’s Report onwards. In examining CORSO’s decline from 1970, until its ‘functional death’ in 1991, the causes of this decline provide a valuable illustration of the importance of political independence and integrity for charitable organisations’ survival. The data for this study is derived from primary and secondary sources including newspaper articles, annual reports, correspondence and opinion surveys. This research also analyses accounting data, evidencing a correlation of robust or deficient accounting processes respectively with economic excellent or poor health. To this extent the accounting data provides a ‘bio-marker’ of organisational health. Key to CORSO’s demise was a change in strategic direction brokered by governing members which resulted in a philosophical shift unsupported by many of its core orthodox member bodies, with ‘fatal’ consequences. CORSO from 1990 was not a broad-based coalition, but survives as a persistent, yet impaired, brand name employed by a small coalition of socialists and Maori radicals. CORSO failed to erect barriers to capture, or to recognise it. This historic perspective on the demise of such a giant in New Zealand charities provides a clear illustration of a failure to sense and adapt sufficiently to its dynamic political landscape, and illustrates how the not-forprofit sector is more dependant than other sectors on continuing legitimisation processes in its implicit contract with the society to which it offers its vision

Analysis of Toxic Amyloid Fibril Interactions at Natively Derived Membranes by Ellipsometry

There is an ongoing debate regarding the culprits of cytotoxicity associated with amyloid disorders. Although small pre-fibrillar amyloid oligomers have been implicated as the primary toxic species, the fibrillar amyloid material itself can also induce cytotoxicity. To investigate membrane disruption and cytotoxic effects associated with intact and fragmented fibrils, the novel in situ spectroscopic technique of Total Internal Reflection Ellipsometry (TIRE) was used. Fibril lipid interactions were monitored using natively derived whole cell membranes as a model of the in vivo environment. We show that fragmented fibrils have an increased ability to disrupt these natively derived membranes by causing a loss of material from the deposited surface when compared with unfragmented fibrils. This effect was corroborated by observations of membrane disruption in live cells, and by dye release assay using synthetic liposomes. Through these studies we demonstrate the use of TIRE for the analysis of protein-lipid interactions on natively derived lipid surfaces, and provide an explanation on how amyloid fibrils can cause a toxic gain of function, while entangled amyloid plaques exert minimal biological activity