Towards a Determination of Definitive Parameters for the Long Period Cepheid S Vulpeculae

A new compilation of UBV data for stars near the Cepheid S Vul incorporates BV observations from APASS and NOMAD to augment UBV observations published previously. A reddening analysis yields mean colour excesses and distance moduli for two main groups of stars in the field: the sparse cluster Turner 1 and an anonymous background group of BA stars. The former appears to be 1.07+-0.12 kpc distant and reddened by E(B-V)=0.45+-0.05, with an age of 10^9 yrs. The previously overlooked latter group is 3.48+-0.19 kpc distant and reddened by E(B-V)=0.78+-0.02, with an age of 1.3x10^7 yrs. Parameters inferred for S Vul under the assumption that it belongs to the distant group, as also argued by 2MASS data, are all consistent with similar results for other cluster Cepheids and Cepheid-like supergiants.Comment: Accepted for publication (Odessa Astronomical Publications

WR 38/38a and the ratio of total-to-selective extinction in Carina

A reanalysis of the (seemingly very distant) open cluster Shorlin 1, the group of stars associated with WR 38 and WR 38a, is made on the basis of existing UBV and JHKs observations for cluster members. The 2MASS observations, in particular, imply a mean cluster reddening of E(B-V)=1.45+-0.07 and a distance of 2.94+-0.12 kpc. The reddening agrees with the UBV results provided that the local reddening slope is described by E(U-B)/E(B-V)=0.64+-0.01, but the distance estimates in the 2MASS and UBV systems agree only if the ratio of total-to-selective extinction for the associated dust is R=Av/E(B-V)=4.0+-0.1. Both results are similar to what has been obtained for adjacent clusters in the Eta Carinae region by similar analyses, which suggests that `anomalous' dust extinction is widespread through the region, particularly for groups reddened by relatively nearby dust. Dust associated with the Eta Carinae complex itself appears to exhibit more `normal' qualities. The results have direct implications for the interpretation of distances to optical spiral arm indicators for the Galaxy at l=287-291 degrees, in particular the Carina arm here is probably little more than ~2 kpc distant, rather than 2.5-3 kpc distant as implied in previous studies. Newly-derived intrinsic parameters for the two cluster Wolf-Rayet stars WR 38 (WC4) and WR 38a (WN5) are in good agreement with what is found for other WR stars in Galactic open clusters, which was not the case previously.Comment: Accepted for Publication (Ap&SS

Human Rights and Antiterrorism: A Positive Legal Duty to Infringe Freedom From Torture?

In law freedom from torture and ill-treatment is “absolute,” meaning that a state cannot infringe the right for purposes that would seem legitimate such as the protection of national security. However, with the growth in international terrorism, particularly suicide violence, should the freedom remain without limitation? This article considers legitimizing torture by reference to the “positive” legal obligation the right imposes on states to prevent harm to individuals by third parties such as terrorists. Assuming such a legal argument could be made out, it is questioned whether adopting such measures of interrogation would in fact outweigh the negative consequences that would inevitably follow from reversing accepted international standards for the protection of, say, detainees from ill-treatment in state custody

Freedom From Torture in the "War on Terror": Is it Absolute?

Freedom from torture is regarded as “absolute,” meaning that a state cannot infringe the right for purposes which would seem legitimate such as the protection of national security. Indeed, the freedom is viewed as “non-derogable”; that is, infringements are not permitted even in special circumstances such as times of war or public emergency. Is it right, however, with the growth in international terrorism post-9/11, particularly suicide violence, that the freedom should remain without limitation? Perhaps the torture of terror suspects might provide state authorities with intelligence so that acts of atrocity can be averted? To go on and construct a possible argument justifying ill-treatment against a detainee this article questions whether in fact freedom from torture can be categorised as absolute