The basic parameters of gamma-ray-loud blazars

We determined the basic parameters, such as the central black hole mass ($M$), the boosting factor (or Doppler factor) ($\delta$), the propagation angle ($\Phi$) and the distance along the axis to the site of $\gamma$-ray production ($d$) for 23 $\gamma$-ray-loud blazars using their available variability timescales. In this method, the absorption effect depends on the $\gamma$-ray energy, emission size and property of the accretion disk. Using the intrinsic $\gamma$-ray luminosity as a fraction $\lambda$ of the Eddington luminosity, $L^{in}_{\gamma}=\lambda L_{Ledd.}$ and the optical depth equal to unity, we can determine the upper limit of the central black hole masses. We found that the black hole masses range between $10^{7}M_{\odot}$ and $10^{9}M_{\odot}$ when $\lambda$ = 0.1 and 1.0 are adopted. Since this method is based on gamma-ray emissions and the short time-scale of the sources, it can also be used for central black hole mass determination of high redshift gamma-ray sources. In the case of the upper limit of black hole mass there is no clear difference between BLs and FSRQs, which suggests that the central black hole masses do not play an important role in the evolutionary sequence of blazars.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, 1 table, Accepted by A&

Surrogate Brands - The pull to adopt an ‘Other’ nation; via sports merchandise

A growing number of consumers are choosing to wear sporting merchandise, from an ‘other’ nation – whom they have no geographic or ethnic affiliation with. In addition, nation sports branding appears to have scaled pandemic heights; by reaching fever pitch, when actively carrying its message across boarders. Consumer preferences are being driven past simple behavioural characteristics; towards more transient psychographic and emotional constructs. In short, nation branded sporting uniform is no longer viewed as demanding restrictive monogamous loyalty. Ownership of a uniform largely suggests exclusivity and encouraged competition. However, manufactures, national teams, athletes and sponsors are entering symbiotic brand relationships - where they are actively seeking publics, open to multiple adopted nationalities. This phenomenon draws consumers towards embracing temporal national identities, which are converted into an over-arching cross-border identity; ultimately gifting sports brands more significance. The following paper explores consumers’ entry into relationships with another nation, in preference to their own - in manner that has been likened to a form of surrogacy; by the authors. The aim is to stimulate further thinking in a field; which transcends national and cultural boundaries - in the interests of developing new insight, and to provide a platform for marketers to develop more effective communication

Comparison between TeV and non-TeV BL Lac Objects

BL Lacertae objects (BL Lacs) is the dominant population of TeV emitting blazars. In this work, we investigate whether there is any special observational properties for TeV sources. To do so, we will compare the observational properties of TeV detected BL Lacs (TeV BLs) and non-TeV detected BL Lac objects (non-TeV BLs). From the 3rd $Fermi$/LAT catalog (3FGL), we can get 662 BL Lacs, out of which, 47 are TeV BLs and 615 are non-TeV BLs. Their multi-wavelength flux densities ($F_{\rm R}$, $F_{\rm O}$, $F_{\rm X}$, $F_{\gamma}$), photon spectral indexes ($\alpha_{\rm X}^{\rm ph}$, $\alpha_{\gamma}^{\rm ph}$), and effective spectral indexes ($\alpha_{\rm RO}$ and $\alpha_{\rm OX}$) are compiled from the available literatures. Then the luminosities ($\log\,{\nu}L_{\rm R}$, $\log\,{\nu}L_{\rm O}$, $\log\,{\nu}L_{\rm X}$, $\log\,{\nu}L_{\gamma}$) are calculated. From comparisons, we found that TeV BLs are different from low-synchrotron-peaked BLs (LSP) and intermediate-synchrotron-peaked BLs (ISP), but TeV BLs show similar properties as high-synchrotron-peaked BLs (HSP). Therefore, we concentrated on comparison between TeV HSP BLs and non-TeV HSP BLs. Analysis results suggest that TeV HSP BLs and non-TeV HSP BLs show some differences in their $\alpha_{\rm RO}$ and $\alpha_{\gamma}^{\rm ph}$, while their other properties are quite similar

Environmental modelling of the Chief Information Officer

Since the introduction of the term in the 1980’s, the role of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) has been widely researched. Various perceptions and dimensions of the role have been explored and debated. However, the explosion in data proliferation (and the inevitable resulting information fuelled change) further complicates organisational expectations of the CIOs role. If organisations are to competitively exploit the digital trend, then those charged with recruiting and developing CIOs now need to be more effective in determining (and shaping) CIO traits and attributes, within the context of their own organisational circumstances and in line with stakeholder expectations. CIOs also need to determine their own suitability and progression within their chosen organisation if they are to remain motivated and effective. Before modelling the role of the future CIO, it is necessary to synthesise our current knowledge (and the lessons learnt) about the CIO. This paper, therefore, aims to identify and summate the spectrum of key researched ‘themes’ pertaining to the role of the CIO. Summating previous research, themes are modelled around four key CIO ‘dimensions’, namely (1) Impacting factors, (2) Controlling factors (3) Responses and (4) CIO ‘attributes’. Having modelled the CIOs current environment, and recognising the evolving IT enabled information landscape, the authors call for further research to inform the recruitment and development of the future CIO in terms of personal attributes and the measurable impact such attributes will have on their respective organisation