Variations in the UV spectrum of a Centauri

Equivalent width and central depth measurements of the ultraviolet absorption lines from the spectrum of the He I variable star a Cen HD 125823 are presented. The measurements are from 53 short wavelength, and 45 long wavelength, high resolution spectrographs taken with the IUE satellite over a 25 day period during July and August of 1978. Central depth measurements were of lines of Cr III, Mn III, V III, C III, Si II, and S II seen in the region between 1245 and 1255 A. Equivalent widths are of the three He I 2(3)s-n(3po) transitions found at 2945, 2829 and 2764 A. The period for cyclic intensity variations in He I is determined using a four parameter, least squares fit to a sinusoid. The IUE observations match both a period of 8.8163 + or - 0.0003 days and a previously unreported period of 9.2532 + or - 0.0003 days with equal minima for the least squares fit. The phase of Cr III maximum relative to He I maximum is found to be 0.53 cycles for the IUE observations

The anomalous C 4 intensity ratio in symbiotic stars

The C IV lambda lambda 1548.2,1550.8 resonance doublet in a symbiotic stars was shown to exhibit anomalous line intensity ratios in which I (lambda 1548.2)/I(lambda 1550.8) less than 1, or less than the optically-thick limit of unity. The R Aquarii-central HII region and RX Puppis exhibit this phenomena. The I(lambda 1548.2)/I(lambda 1550.8) ratio in RX Puppis is found to vary inversely with the total C IV line intensity, and with the FES-visual light, as the object declined over a 5 yr period following a brightening in UV and optical emission which peaked in 1982. This doublet intensity behavior could be explained by a wind which has a narrow velocity range of 600 approx. less than sup v wind approx. less than 1000 km/sec, or by the pumping of the Fe II (mul. 45.01) transition a sup 4 F sub 9/2 - y sup 4 H(o) sub 11/2 by C IV lambda 1548.2, which effectively scatters C IV photons into the Fe II spectrum in these objects

An algorithm for augmenting cancer registry data for epidemiological research applied to oesophageal cancers

Oesophageal cancer is an important cancer with short survival, but the relationship between pre-diagnosis health behaviour and post-diagnosis survival remains poorly understood. Cancer registries can provide a high quality census of cancer cases but do not record pre-diagnosis exposures. The aim of this thesis is to document relationships between pre-diagnosis health behaviours on post-diagnosis survival times in oesophageal cancer, developing new methods as required. A systematic review and meta-analysis conducted in 2014, and updated in 2021, to investigate the association between pre-diagnosis health behaviours and oesophageal cancer. Visualising health behaviour variables as part of the cancer registry data set, with 100% missing data, led to the development of new approaches for augmenting US oesophageal cancer registry data with health behaviour data from a US national health survey Firstly, the health survey data were used to create logistic regression models of the probability of each behaviour relative to demographic characteristics and then these models were applied to cancer cases to estimate their probability of each behaviour. Secondly, cold-deck imputation such that two randomly selected but demographically similar health survey respondents both donated their health behaviour to the matching cancer case. The agreement between these two imputed values was used as an estimate of the misclassification and corrected for during the analyses. The logistic regression imputation-based analyses returned accurate point estimates, with wide confidence intervals, if the behaviour occurred in more than approximately 5% of cases. Our reviews and analyses confirmed that pre-diagnosis smoking decreased survival in oesophageal cancer (hazard ratio (HR) 1.08, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00-1.17) particularly squamous cell carcinoma when comparing highest to lowest lifetime exposure ( and HR 1.55, 95%CI 1.25-1.94); with similar associations for alcohol consumption. Pre-diagnosis leisure time physical activity was found to be associated with reduced hazard (HR 0.25, 95%CI 0.03,0.81) overall. Findings from these analyses can assist in modelling the impact of current changes in community health behaviour, as well as informing prognosis and treatment decisions at the individual level. This novel method of augmenting cancer registry data with pre-diagnosis variables appears to be effective and will benefit from further validation. This thesis has significantly progressed both issues and identified future opportunities for research and development

The Enforcement of the Illinois Felony Marijuana Law in Chicago

This study looks at the enforcement of the Illinois marijuana law by the police and court having jurisdiction over the City of Chicago. Data was collected in two separate surveys during the summer of 1969, one of the Chicago Police and the other of the Circuit Court of Cook County Criminal Division\u27s Narcotics Court. It should be noted that the purpose of this study was not to follow the same individuals as they move through the Chicago enforcement system. Rather, the purpose here was to see how the system charged with the enforcement of the marijuana law deals with the violator, and what effect the conflict between law and order has on the enforcers

Key issues in rural health: perspectives of health service providers in Queensland

The Centre for Rural and Remote Area Health (CRRAH) held interactive research workshops in eight towns in Southern Queensland. The purpose of the workshops was to determine what health providers considered were major issues affecting their service and for these results to inform future research strategy of CRRAH. Over 150 organisations identified as either providing health services or having a significant interest in health provision in one or more of the targeted towns were invited to attend. The workshops used the nominal group technique to identify what the participants considered were key health issues in the geographical area in which they worked. These issues were then prioritised by the participants. Thematic analysis of the issues generated a ranking of themes by importance. Results were compared with a similar exercise undertaken in 2003. Participants from organisation directly involved with health care were complemented at the workshops by representatives from local government, the police service and church groups. A total of 85 participants representing 47 services and 41 different organisations attended the eight workshops. Issues generated by the participants were pooled into seventeen themes. Workforce issues were by far the major concern of health providers. Recruitment and retention of health workers were a major concern. The other four highest ranked themes across all workshops were mental health, access to health services, perceptions and expectations of consumers of health services and interagency cooperation. Aged care was an additional theme that generated a lot of concern at several of the workshops. The workshops provided important information to CRRAH for developing research strategy. Additionally, several new alliances among health providers were developed which will support sharing of information and resources. The workshops enabled rural and remote organisations to meet and identify the key health issues and supported research planning. Much need alliances among health providers were forged and collaborative research avenues are being explored. The workshop forum is an excellent means of information exchange

High Dispersion Untraviolet Spectra of the Peculiar Star RX Puppis

High spectral resolution observations of the peculiar star RX Puppis obtained with the International Ultraviolet Explorer suggest the presence of a complex gaseous ring system which surrounds an accreting hot secondary. The anomalous line intensity ratio of the C IV A.A-1548, 1550 doublet during the observations exceeded the optically thick limit, implying the presence of a high-velocity wind. Additionally, the C IV doublet exhibits about four or five narrow emission components, which are redshifted up to velocities of at least - + 300 km s -I (with respect to the rest wavelength)

Natural Cycles, Gases

The major gaseous components of the exhaust of stratospheric aircraft are expected to be the products of combustion (CO2 and H2O), odd nitrogen (NO, NO2 HNO3), and products indicating combustion inefficiencies (CO and total unburned hydrocarbons). The species distributions are produced by a balance of photochemical and transport processes. A necessary element in evaluating the impact of aircraft exhaust on the lower stratospheric composition is to place the aircraft emissions in perspective within the natural cycles of stratospheric species. Following are a description of mass transport in the lower stratosphere and a discussion of the natural behavior of the major gaseous components of the stratospheric aircraft exhaust

A randomised clinical trial comparing outcomes of a single digit volar plate injury : buddy loops versus dorsal thermoplastic orthosis in a neutral position : study protocol

Background Volar plate injuries are a common hand injury and complications associated with this injury such as a fixed flexion deformity, persistent pain and oedema can have a significant impact on a person’s function. The literature reports these injuries are treated using various splinting materials such as thermoplastic, in varying degrees of proximal interphalangeal joint flexion or buddy loops. Despite volar plate injuries being reported as common, optimal non-surgical treatment of these injuries remains unclear. This study aims to investigate whether a dorsal blocking orthosis in a neutral position (00) is more effective than buddy loops for a volar plate injury to the proximal interphalangeal joint in preventing a fixed flexion deformity, reducing pain, managing oedema, and promoting function. Methods This study is a single-centre, prospective parallel-group, single blinded (assessor), randomised clinical trial. Patients between 18–65 years, who have sustained a volar plate injury to a single digit, have adequate cognitive functioning and give written informed consent will be invited to participate in this study. Patients will be randomised to either the control group where they will be fitted with buddy loops and commence early active motion exercises or the experimental group where they will receive a dorsal thermoplastic orthosis in a neutral position and commence early active motion exercises. The primary outcome measure is passive proximal interphalangeal joint extension and secondary outcome measures include passive range of motion, total passive motion, active range of motion, total active motion, grip strength, oedema, pain, function and adherence to treatment. Assessments will be completed until 8 weeks following commencement of treatment. The sample size calculation indicates that 23 patients is required in each group. With an expected dropout rate of 25% a total of 32 patients will be enrolled in each group. Discussion This study will assist in trying to improve treatment of volar plate injuries and assist in reducing complications associated with volar plate injuries, potentially reducing the need for prolonged hand therapy. Trial registration This trial has been registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12622001425785p). Ethical approval has been granted by the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District ethical committee (2022/ETH01697)

Incentives facing UK-listed companies to comply with the risk reporting provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code

Recent changes made to the UK Corporate Governance Code require UK firms to report new or enhanced narrative information concerning their principal risks, their risk management processes and their future viability. This paper analyses whether the level and nature of voluntary compliance with these new requirements is consistent with alternative economic and political visibility incentives. We analyse relevant sections of financial reports produced by industry matched samples of large-, mid-and small-cap UK listed firms during the transitional 2013-14 financial reporting years. Both specific and generic readability attributes of the reports are measured. We find that virtually no firm in our sample has provided any viability statement. Empirical analysis of disclosures concerning principal risk assessment and review processes appear to be primarily motivated by political visibility reasons. Examples of particularly good and cases of poor corporate risk reporting practices are also discussed. Possible implications for the actuarial profession are discussed