Smooth matter and source size in microlensing simulations of gravitationally lensed quasars

Several gravitationally lensed quasars are observed with anomalous magnifications in pairs of images that straddle a critical curve. Simple theoretical arguments suggest that the magnification of these images should be approximately equivalent, whereas one image is observed to be significantly demagnified. Microlensing provides a possible explanation for this discrepancy. There are two key parameters when modelling this effect. The first, the fraction of smooth matter in the lens at the image positions, has been explored by Schechter and Wambsganss (2002). They have shown that the anomalous flux ratio observed in the lensed quasar MG 0414+0534 is a priori a factor of 5 more likely if the assumed smooth matter content in the lens model is increased from 0% to 93%. The second parameter, the size of the emission region, is explored in this paper, and shown to be more significant. We find that the broadening of the magnification probability distributions due to smooth matter content is washed out for source sizes that are predicted by standard models for quasars. We apply our model to the anomalous lensed quasar MG 0414+0534, and find a 95% upper limit of 2.62 x 10^(16) h^(-1/2) (M/Msun)^(1/2) cm on the radius of the I-band emission region. The smooth matter percentage in the lens is unconstrained.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures. To be published in MNRA

Perceptions of accident risk among on-track machine workers : an interview study

Although non-fatal injuries remain a frequent occurrence in safety-critical work, very few studies have examined the ways in which organisational systems and processes influence individual safety behaviour. Even fewer have explored the perceived factors contributing to accident risk using qualitative research methods. This short paper presents the initial results from a thematic analysis of ten interviews with On Track Machine (OTM) operatives. Issues arising from two key themes (fatigue, and safety communication and training) are briefly described. Implications, planned organisational response, and opportunities for further research are discussed

The impact of investigative interviews on rape/sexual assault victims : towards a more effective framework for police interviewers

Ph. D. ThesisWhen conducting an investigative interview, interviewers have similar objectives regardless of whether the interviewee is a suspect, victim or witness – to obtain complete, accurate and reliable information. Research suggests that using an empathic (or humane) interviewing style leads to more confessions and increased amounts of investigation relevant information (IRI) when used in conjunction with appropriate questions, however, the majority of research has been conducted on interviews with suspects (e.g., Holmberg & Christianson, 2002; Kebbell, Hurran & Mazzerole, 2006; Oxburgh, Ost, Morris, & Cherryman, 2013). The aim of this thesis was to explore whether similar findings would be observed when evaluating the efficacy of interviews with sexual offence victims. Chapter one outlines the guidance documents that are available for interviewers in England and Wales, how they have developed and discusses how the efficacy of interviewing has previously been examined. In chapter two, the literature-base in relation to investigative interviewing of sexual offence victims is analysed using a Study Space Analysis (SSA). Chapter three revealed that officers reportedly use and perceive rapport-based techniques to be more effective than empathy-based techniques. The study outlined in chapter four found that when interviewing female adult rape victims, interviewers ask significantly more appropriate questions and they were found to elicit larger amounts of IRI when compared with inappropriate questions. However, the use of an empathic interviewing style resulted in significantly more inappropriate questions being asked. The final study outlined in chapter five demonstrates how rape/sexual assault victims believe there are specific components (both positive and negative) that influence how difficult the interview process can be. The final chapter provides an overall discussion of the findings and limitations of this thesis, concluding with recommendations for future research and implications for police practice towards a more effective framework for the interviewing of rape/sexual assault victims. The overarching aims of this thesis were to: (i) review the current interviewing guidance that is provided to police officers in England and Wales and explore how this has developed over the past 30 years; (ii) examine the research that has contributed to the literature-base applied to improving the overall efficacy of interviews with sexual offence victims; (iii) establish a better understanding of the perceptions of interviewers responsible for interviewing sexual offence victims and whether such perceptions impact on practice; (iv) explore what practices interviewers are specifically using when interviewing sexual offence victims, and; (v) ascertain a better understanding of what encourages sexual offence victims to co-operate and engage during the interview process

CURIOS: Connecting Community Heritage through Linked Data

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Identification and characterisation of 17 polymorphic candidate genes for response to parasitic nematode (Trichostrongylus tenuis) infection in red grouse (Lagopus lagopus scotica)

Acknowledgements This study was funded by a BBSRC studentship (MA Wenzel) and NERC Grants NE/H00775X/1 and NE/D000602/1 (SB Piertney). We are grateful to Jacob Hoglund for providing willow grouse samples, Mario Roder, Keliya Bai, Marianne James, Matt Oliver, Gill Murray-Dickson, Francois Mougeot and Jesus Martınez-Padilla for help with fieldwork, and all grouse estate factors, owners and keepers, most particularly Alistair Mitchell, Shaila Rao, Christopher Murphy, Richard Cooke and Fred Taylor, for providing access to estate game larders.Peer reviewedPostprin

A transcriptomic investigation of handicap models in sexual selection

We are grateful to D. Calder and T. Helps for access to study sites, and G. Murray-Dickson and M. Oliver for help with fieldwork and comments on manuscript drafts. This work was funded by NERC grant NE/D000602/1 (SBP), a NERC advanced fellowship (FM) and a BBSRC studentship (MAW)Peer reviewedPostprin

Determining Content for Unknown Users : Lessons from the MinkApp Case Study

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Capturing mink and data : Interacting with a small and dispersed environmental initiative over the introduction of digital innovation

This case study was carried out by Koen Arts1, Gemma Webster1, Nirwan Sharma1, Yolanda Melero2, Chris Mellish1, Xavier Lambin2 and René van der Wal1. We thank two anonymous reviewers for their suggestions, and Chris Horrill from SMI for his very helpful and insightful comments on previous drafts of this manuscript. The research described here is supported by the award made by the RCUK Digital Economy programme to the dot.rural Digital Economy Hub; award reference: EP/G066051/1.Case study for 'Responsible Research & Innovation in ICT' platformPostprin

Pronounced genetic structure and low genetic diversity in European red-billed chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) populations

Conservation Genetics August 2015, Volume 16, Issue 4, pp 1011–1012 Erratum to: Pronounced genetic structure and low genetic diversity in European red-billed chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) populations Erratum to: Conserv Genet (2012) 13:1213–1230 DOI 10.1007/s10592-012-0366-6 In the original publication, Tables 3 and 6 were published with incorrect estimates of population heterozygosities. All other diversity statistics were correct as originally presented. Updated versions of Tables 3 and 6 with corrected heterozygosity estimates confirmed using Arlequin 3.5 (Excoffier and Lischer 2010) as in Dávila et al. (2014) are provided in this erratum. Discrepancies were minor for populations on the British Isles. The correct estimates for Spain are slightly larger than those reported for La Palma by Dávila et al. (2014), but this does not necessarily affect their interpretation that choughs on La Palma may have originated from multiple migration events. The original conclusion that chough populations on the British Isles have low genetic diversity compared to continental European populations remains and is now, in fact, strengthened.Peer reviewedPostprin

Room temperature iron-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation and regioselective deuteration of carbon-carbon double bonds

An iron catalyst has been developed for the transfer hydrogenation of carbon-carbon multiple bonds. Using a well-defined β-diketiminate iron(II) precatalyst, a sacrificial amine and a borane, even simple, unactivated alkenes such as 1-hexene undergo hydrogenation within 1 h at room temperature. Tuning the reagent stoichiometry allows for semi- and complete hydrogenation of terminal alkynes. It is also possible to hydrogenate aminoalkenes and aminoalkynes without poisoning the catalyst through competitive amine ligation. Furthermore, by exploiting the separate protic and hydridic nature of the reagents, it is possible to regioselectively prepare monoisotopically labeled products. DFT calculations define a mechanism for the transfer hydrogenation of propene with nBuNH 2 and HBpin that involves the initial formation of an iron(II)-hydride active species, 1,2-insertion of propene, and rate-limiting protonolysis of the resultant alkyl by the amine N-H bond. This mechanism is fully consistent with the selective deuteration studies, although the calculations also highlight alkene hydroboration and amine-borane dehydrocoupling as competitive processes. This was resolved by reassessing the nature of the active transfer hydrogenation agent: experimentally, a gel is observed in catalysis, and calculations suggest this can be formulated as an oligomeric species comprising H-bonded amine-borane adducts. Gel formation serves to reduce the effective concentrations of free HBpin and nBuNH 2 and so disfavors both hydroboration and dehydrocoupling while allowing alkene migratory insertion (and hence transfer hydrogenation) to dominate. </p