On the nature of XTE J0421+560/CI Cam

We present the results of the analysis of RXTE, BATSE and optical/infrared data of the 1998 outburst of the X-ray transient system XTE J0421+560 (CI Cam). The X-ray outburst shows a very fast decay (initial e-folding time ~0.5 days, slowing down to ~2.3 days). The X-ray spectrum in the 2-25 keV band is complex, softening considerably during decay and with strongly variable intrinsic absorption. A strong iron emission line is observed. No fast time variability is detected (<0.5 % rms in the 1-4096 Hz band at the outburst peak). The analysis of the optical/IR data suggests that the secondary is a B[e] star surrounded by cool dust and places the system at a distance of >~ 2 kpc. At this distance the peak 2-25 keV luminosity is ~4 x 10^37 erg/s. We compare the properties of this peculiar system with those of the Be/NS LMC transient A 0538-66 and suggest that CI Cam is of similar nature. The presence of strong radio emission during outburst indicates that the compact object is likely to be a black hole or a weakly magnetized neutron star.Comment: Accepted for publication on The Astrophysical Journal, July 199

The Healthy Lifestyles Programme (HeLP), a novel school-based intervention to prevent obesity in school children: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

This is a freely-available open access publication. Please cite the published version which is available via the DOI link in this record.Over the last three decades there has been a substantial increase in the proportion of children who are overweight or obese. The Healthy Lifestyles Programme (HeLP) is a novel school-based intervention, using highly interactive and creative delivery methods to prevent obesity in children.NIH

Spatial ability, sex, and handedness at 10/11 years of age

The importance of spatial ability is argued and the difficulties in defining and assessing it discussed. These questions are asked are the suggested relationships between spatial ability and sex, and between spatial ability and handedness still evident when spatial ability and handedness are more carefully defined than usual and when children of 10/11 are studied? The Edinburgh Handedness Inventory (E.H.I.) was modified and administered to 519 children. E.H.I. score and writing hand were compared as criteria of handedness. All 57 left handers and 57 right handers matching them in degree of handedness, age, and school experience were selected. The Spatial Test II (Watts) was administered to these 114 children. No evidence was found of any relationship. The implications of this are discussed