Exploring Characteristics of Condom Use among a College Population

The increasing lack of condom use puts young people at risk for a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI), which can lead to long term health consequences. This study was administered within Kern County, California. Kern County ranked second worst in California for chlamydia, and fourth worst for primary and secondary syphilis (California Department of Public Health, 2018). The study used archival data from Bakersfield College, which administered the American College Health Care Administrations (ACHA) survey as a need assessments and to drive health education plans. Bakersfield College students (N=1,483) completed the survey of which 36 questions pertained to sexual behavior and condom use. ACHA revealed that aggregated 88% of students (n=1,067) do not regularly or ever use condoms during oral sex. Similarly, 63% students (n=1,084) indicated they do not regularly or ever use condoms during vaginal sex. The study used SPSS analytics to explore condom use and characteristics (i.e, STI information received, sexual behavior, relationships, and/or race). Chi-Square results showed there was no statistically significant difference in condom use in vaginal sex between those who received information on STIs compared to those who did not receive information. However, there was statistically significant difference in condom use for those who reported condom use during anal sex in the last 30 days and received information about STIs, χ2(1) = 4.984, p = .026. The study findings will be used to better inform health education campaigns to promote condom use among the college age population

Detailed Spectral Analysis of the Type Ib Supernova 1999dn. Paper I: Hydrogen-free Models

We present spectral fits to five epochs of the typical Type Ib supernova 1999dn using the generalized, non-LTE, stellar atmospheres code PHOENIX. Our goal is threefold: to determine basic physical properties of the supernova ejecta, such as velocity, temperature, and density gradients; to reproduce He I absorption lines by invoking non-thermal excitation; and, to investigate possible spectral signatures of hydrogen, especially a feature around 6200 Angstrom, which has been attributed to high velocity $H_\alpha$. Our models assume an atmosphere with uniform composition devoid of any hydrogen. Our model spectra fit the observed spectra well, successfully reproducing most of the features, including the prominent He I absorptions. The most plausible alternative to $H_\alpha$ as the source of the 6200 Angstrom feature is a blend of Fe II and Si II lines, which can be made stronger to fit the observed feature better by increasing the metallicity of the ejecta. High-metallicity models fit well at early epochs, but not as well as solar-metallicity models after maximum light. While this blend of metal lines is a reasonable explanation of the source of the 6200 Angstrom feature, it is still important to investigate hydrogen as the source; therefore, a second paper will present models that include a thin shell of hydrogen around the main composition structure.Comment: 24 pages, 11 figures, 2 tables, submitted to Ap

Comparative Direct Analysis of Type Ia Supernova Spectra. V. Insights from A Larger Sample and Quantitative Subclassification

A comparative study of optical spectra of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) is extended, in the light of new data. The discussion is framed in terms of the four groups defined in previous papers of this series: core normal (CN); broad line (BL); cool (CL); and shallow silicon (SS). Emerging features of the SN Ia spectroscopic diversity include evidence (1) that extreme CL SN 1991bg-likes are not a physically distinct subgroup and (2) for the existence of a substantial number of SN 1999aa-like SSs that are very similar to each other and distinguishable from CN even as late as three weeks after maximum light. SN 1999aa-likes may be relatively numerous, yet not a physically distinct subgroup. The efficacy of quantitative spectroscopic subclassification of SNe Ia based on the equivalent widths of absorption features near 5750 A and 6100 A near maximum light is discussed. The absolute magnitude dispersion of a small sample of CNs is no larger than the characteristic absolute magnitude uncertainty.Comment: 32 pages including 14 figures and 1 table, accepted by PAS

Low Hubble Constant from Type Ia Supernovae by van den Bergh's Method

An interesting way to calibrate the absolute magnitudes of remote Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) that are well out in the Hubble flow, and thus determine the value of the Hubble constant, H_0, has been introduced by van den Bergh. His approach relies on calculations of the peak absolute magnitudes and broad--band colors for SN Ia explosion models. It does not require any corrections for extinction by interstellar dust, and no SNe Ia are excluded on grounds of peculiarity. Within the last few years distances have been determined to the parent galaxies of six SNe Ia by means of Cepheid variables. Cepheid--based distances also have become available for three other SNe Ia if one is willing to use the distance to a galaxy in the same group in lieu of the distance to the parent galaxy itself. Here we determine the value of H_0 in a way that is analogous to that of van den Bergh, but now using Cepheid--based distances instead of calculated light curves. We obtain H_0 = 55 km/s/Mpc. This value, with Lambda=0 and Omega=1, corresponds to a cosmic expansion time of 12 Gyr, which is consistent with several recent determinations of the ages of globular clusters.Comment: Latex, 4 pages, 1 table, 1 figure, Submitted to Nature March 28, 1996. PostScript version available at http://www.nhn.ou.edu/~nugent

Hydrogen in Type Ic Supernovae?

By definition, a Type Ic supernova (SN Ic) does not have conspicuous lines of hydrogen or helium in its optical spectrum. SNe Ic usually are modelled in terms of the gravitational collapse of bare carbon-oxygen cores. We consider the possibility that the spectra of ordinary (SN 1994I-like) SNe Ic have been misinterpreted, and that SNe Ic eject hydrogen. An absorption feature usually attributed to a blend of Si II 6355 and C II 6580 may be produced by H-alpha. If SN 1994I-like SNe Ic eject hydrogen, the possibility that hypernova (SN 1998bw-like) SNe Ic, some of which are associated with gamma-ray bursts, also eject hydrogen should be considered. The implications of hydrogen for SN Ic progenitors and explosion models are briefly discussed.Comment: Accepted by PASP. Several significant changes including one additional figur

Verification procedures used in two inventory counts in New Spain, 1596-1597

This is a report on an examination of translated official documents from two inspections of the Onate expedition conducted in 1596 and 1597 in New Spain: present day Mexico. Its principal objective is to describe the purpose, the nature, and the quality of verification practices used in the Spanish-Americas at that time. The findings include: (1) verification of contract compliance was an established practice in sixteenth century New Spain, (2) the two inspections differed substantially in the care and thoroughness of the work done, and (3) generally, the practices showed rapid adoption of Spanish methods in the frontiers of its empire

An evaluation of professional networks, co-ordination, cooperation and collaboration in the West Midlands Paediatric Palliative Care Network

Introduction: This is a report on Strand 3 of the Big Study, which studied the West Midlands Paediatric Palliative Care Network. The Big Study was funded by The Big Lottery Fund and Strand 3 of the Big Study was researched by the Centre for Nursing and Healthcare Research in the School of Health and Social Care at the University of Greenwich. 1.1 Background: The West Midlands Paediatric Palliative Care Network began as an interest group which started in the year 2000, with 6 to 10 members and grew. At one stage it was allied to the Birmingham Cancer Network and funded by the NHS Strategic Health Authority and at this stage it became more representative of services and West Midlands geography. It has existed in its current format, as a voluntary clinical network to promote paediatric palliative care and share best practice since 2009. The membership is wide and inclusive which means 30 to 40 people may attend the meetings which are held on a bimonthly basis and are hosted and supported charitably. Subgroups are now used to manage work in specific areas e.g. transition or clinical standards. There are links to other related networks with reciprocal membership and informal links to NHS commissioners who may seek advice. 1.2 Scope: This strand of the Big Study focused on the West Midlands Paediatric Palliative Care Network. The geographical area of the West Midlands Paediatric Palliative Care Network includes Birmingham, Coventry, The Black Country, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Solihull, Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Telford and Wrekin, Warwickshire and Worcestershire. All members of the WMPCCN and the organisations they represent were included in the study. Both NHS and non-NHS organisations offering clinical services to any children requiring palliative care were represented. Excluded from this study was the detailed examination of any of the other networks, e.g. children’s speciality networks or networks covering smaller geographical areas, to which members belonged. 1.3 Report: This report will present the results of an analysis of the responses to an online questionnaire and Social Network data from semi structured telephone interviews. This data was collected during the period February to June 2012. The approach included analysing the online survey data in order to understand the benefits and constraints of the network for individual members and Social Network Analysis of data derived from telephone interviews to explore the flow of knowledge, communication and information within the network. This report will consist of 3 different sections, with Section 1 focusing on children’s palliative care policy, the development of clinical networks and social network analysis concepts. Section 2 will focus on the research design and methods. Section 3 presents the results of the study and the final section provides a summary and conclusions of the analysis