Supermassive Binaries and Extragalactic Jets

Some quasars show Doppler shifted broad emission line peaks. I give new statistics of the occurrence of these peaks and show that, while the most spectacular cases are in quasars with strong radio jets inclined to the line of sight, they are also almost as common in radio-quiet quasars. Theories of the origin of the peaks are reviewed and it is argued that the displaced peaks are most likely produced by the supermassive binary model. The separations of the peaks in the 3C 390.3-type objects are consistent with orientation-dependent "unified models" of quasar activity. If the supermassive binary model is correct, all members of "the jet set" (astrophysical objects showing jets) could be binaries.Comment: 31 pages, PostScript, missing figure is in ApJ 464, L105 (see http://www.aas.org/ApJ/v464n2/5736/5736.html

Breast feeding in Australia: A comparative study of Aboriginal and non Aboriginal women

The superiority of breast feeding over bottle feeding is universally acknowledged, and its crucial contribution to infant health is accepted by health authorities. Australia in recognition of the importance of breast feeding to infant health, aims to increase the prevalence of breast feeding. Breast feeding provides benefits for all children, however the health advantage that is gained by breast feeding in comparison to artificial feeding is more apparent among disadvantaged groups. Aboriginal Australians are identified as one such disadvantaged group. This study compares the available literature regarding the prevalence of breast feeding in Aboriginal and non Aboriginal women. It is apparent that breast feeding prevalence differs, between population groups within Australia. Aboriginal children are less likely to have been breast fed than non Aboriginal children. The comparison, indicates that there are deficiencies in the research regarding breast feeding prevalence in both population groups. Many factors affect a woman's decision to breast feed, and the duration of her breast feeding. These factors include, socioeconomic status, age, marital status, educational attainment, occupation and smoking status. These factors are clearly associated with breast feeding in non Aboriginal women. For Aboriginal women, the factors influencing breast feeding are more complex. It is recommended therefore, that it is essential for future research to examine the attitudinal and socialdeterminants of infant feeding practices in Aboriginal women. This is necessary, if educational or interventional strategies are to be effective for this population

EXAMINATIONS OF SPECIMENS AND SCALES TAKEN FROM THE HRT FOLLOWING RUNS 13 AND 14

Following HRT runs 13 and 14, several metallic specimens were removed from the high pressure system and transferred to the Materials Section for examination. Samples of scale accumulation in the high pressure system were also taken after these runs and transferred to the Materials Section. Examination and analyses of these several specimens are still in progress, but some of the results are available and are reported. A possible interpretation of some of these results indicates that a considerable quantity of nickel was contained in the core scale accumulation at the end of run 13, and that part of this nicke1 was dissolved in solution during run 14. The amount of nickel which may have come from this source during run 14 roughly accounts for all of the increase in nickel in solution durirg run 14. A significant amount of uranium was also found in the sca1e accunnulation in the core after run 13. (auth

Feasibility study of parallel optical correlation-decoding analysis of lightning

The optical correlator described in this report is intended to serve as an attention-focusing processor. The objective is to narrowly bracket the range of a parameter value that characterizes the correlator input. The input is a waveform collected by a satellite-borne receiver. In the correlator, this waveform is simultaneously correlated with an ensemble of ionosphere impulse-response functions, each corresponding to a different total-electron-count (TEC) value. We have found that correlation is an effective method of bracketing the range of TEC values likely to be represented by the input waveform. High accuracy in a computational sense is not required of the correlator. Binarization of the impulse-response functions and the input waveforms prior to correlation results in a lower correlation-peak-to-background-fluctuation (signal-to-noise) ratio than the peak that is obtained when all waveforms retain their grayscale values. The results presented in this report were obtained by means of an acousto-optic correlator previously developed at SNL as well as by simulation. An optical-processor architecture optimized for 1D correlation of long waveforms characteristic of this application is described. Discussions of correlator components, such as optics, acousto-optic cells, digital micromirror devices, laser diodes, and VCSELs are included

Rosemary and Sage Outperformed Six other Culinary Herbs in Antioxidant and Antibacterial PropertiesRosemary and Sage Outperformed Six other Culinary Herbs in Antioxidant and Antibacterial Properties

The antioxidant and antibacterial properties of Labiatae culinary herbs are well documented but the effects of different drying methods are poorly studied. In this study, the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of fresh and oven-dried herbs of oregano, marjoram, rosemary, sage, basil, thyme, peppermint and spearmint were compared with available commercial herbs. Antioxidant properties of total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, caffeoylquinic acid content, free radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing power and ferrous ion chelating ability were assessed using the Folin-Ciocalteu, aluminium chloride, molybdate, DPPH radical scavenging, potassium ferricyanide and ferrozine assays, respectively. Antibacterial properties were assessed using the disc diffusion assay based on mean diameter of inhibitory zone and minimum inhibitory dose. The two drying treatments were oven drying at 50oC (OD) and microwave pre-treatment followed by oven drying at 50oC (MOD). Fresh rosemary and dried oregano had the strongest antioxidant properties. For most herbs, oven drying resulted in loss of  antioxidant values compared to fresh herbs with the exception of oregano. Values of OD and MOD oregano, spearmint, thyme, peppermint and basil were higher than commercial samples, while those of rosemary were lower. Of the six commercial herbs, rosemary had the highest values, followed by oregano, spearmint, thyme, peppermint and basil. Rosemary, sage, peppermint and spearmint inhibited the growth of all three Gram-positive bacteria of Bacillus cereus, Micrococcus luteus and Staphylococcus aureus. Rosemary and sage had stronger antibacterial properties than green and black teas of Camellia sinensis. When used in combination, rosemary and sage can have enhanced antioxidant and antibacterial effects, which are desirable in developing nutraceutical products, and in controlling rancidity and bacterial growth in food

Expedient methods of respiratory protection. II. Leakage tests. Final report

The following readily-available materials were tested on a manikin connected to a breathing simulator to determine the fraction of an approximately 2-..mu..m-diameter aerosol that would leak around the seal of the materials to the manikin's face: cotton/polyester shirt material, cotton handkerchief material, toweling (a wash cloth), a surgical mask (Johnson and Johnson Co., model HRI 8137), and a NIOSH-approved disposable face mask (3M, model number 8710). The leakage tests were performed to supplement the measurements of penetration through the materials, conducted as the first phase of this investigation. The leakage tests were performed with the materials held on to the face by three methods, leakage fractions being determined from comparisons with the penetration of the same aerosol for the materials fully taped to the face. At a breathing rate of 37 liters per minute, mean leakages ranged from 0.0 percent to 63 percent. Mean penetrations exclusive of leakage ranged from 0.6 percent to 39 percent. Use of nylon hosiery material (panty hose) to hold the handkerchief material or the disposable face mask to the face was found to be very effective in preventing leakage. Such a combination could be expected to reduce leakage around the handkerchief to about ten percent or less in practice, and around the mask to less than one percent, offering substantial protection from accidentally generated aerosols. The reduction in leakage around the mask provided by the hosiery material suggests the adaptation and use of such an approach in regular industrial hygiene practice. The third and final phase of this investigation is underway, in which the penetration of the materials by particles with diameters between 0.05 and 0.5 ..mu..m is being measured and the effectiveness of the methods for dose reduction in the presence of radioactive aerosols is being modeled