Diffusive shock acceleration in extragalactic jets

We calculate the temporal evolution of distributions of relativistic electrons subject to synchrotron and adiabatic processes and Fermi-like acceleration in shocks. The shocks result from Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities in the jet. Shock formation and particle acceleration are treated in a self-consistent way by means of a numerical hydrocode. We show that in our model the number of relativistic particles is conserved during the evolution, with no need of further injections of supra-thermal particles after the initial one. From our calculations, we derive predictions for values and trends of quantities like the spectral index and the cutoff frequency that can be compared with observations.Comment: 12 pages containing 7 postscript figures; uses A&A macros. Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic

First light of the VLT planet finder SPHERE III. New spectrophotometry and astrometry of the HR8799 exoplanetary system

Context. The planetary system discovered around the young A-type HR 8799 provides a unique laboratory to: a) test planet formation theories; b) probe the diversity of system architectures at these separations, and c) perform comparative (exo)planetology. Aims. We present and exploit new near-infrared images and integral-field spectra of the four gas giants surrounding HR 8799 obtained with SPHERE, the new planet finder instrument at the Very Large Telescope, during the commissioning and science verification phase of the instrument (July–December 2014). With these new data, we contribute to completing the spectral energy distribution (SED) of these bodies in the 1.0–2.5 μm range. We also provide new astrometric data, in particular for planet e, to further constrain the orbits. Methods. We used the infrared dual-band imager and spectrograph (IRDIS) subsystem to obtain pupil-stabilized, dual-band H2H3 (1.593 μm, 1.667 μm), K1K2 (2.110 μm, 2.251 μm), and broadband J (1.245 μm) images of the four planets. IRDIS was operated in parallel with the integral field spectrograph (IFS) of SPHERE to collect low-resolution (R ~ 30), near-infrared (0.94–1.64 μm) spectra of the two innermost planets HR 8799 d and e. The data were reduced with dedicated algorithms, such as the Karhunen-Loève image projection (KLIP), to reveal the planets. We used the so-called negative planets injection technique to extract their photometry, spectra, and measure their positions. We illustrate the astrometric performance of SPHERE through sample orbital fits compatible with SPHERE and literature data. Results. We demonstrated the ability of SPHERE to detect and characterize planets in this kind of systems, providing spectra and photometry of its components. The spectra improve upon the signal-to-noise ratio of previously obtained data and increase the spectral coverage down to the Y band. In addition, we provide the first detection of planet e in the J band. Astrometric positions for planets HR 8799 bcde are reported for the epochs of July, August, and December 2014. We measured the photometric values in J, H2H3, K1K2 bands for the four planets with a mean accuracy of 0.13 mag. We found upper limit constraints on the mass of a possible planet f of 3–7 M_(Jup). Our new measurements are more consistent with the two inner planets d and e being in a 2d:1e or 3d:2e resonance. The spectra of HR 8799 d and e are well matched by those of L6-8 field dwarfs. However, the SEDs of these objects are redder than field L dwarfs longward of 1.6 μm

Psychometric characteristics of the Teacher Stress Questionnaire by Travers and Cooper. Preliminary study

SUMMARY. Introduction: This study analyses the psychometric charac- teristics of the Teacher Stress Ques- tionnaire (TSQ; Travers & Cooper, 1996). The TSQ is composed of a general information section and of five scales: the Crown-Crisp Experi- ential Index (Crown & Crisp, 1979); the Type A Behavioural Style Inven- tory (Bortner, 1969); the Job Satis- faction Scale (Warr, Cook & Wall, 1979); the Sources of Pressure in Teaching Scale (Travers & Cooper, 1996); the Coping Style Inventory (Cooper, Sloan & Williams, 1988). Methods: The Italian version of TSQ was submitted to 320 teachers ran- domly drawn from a cross-section of school types. We verified the con- struct validity of the questionnaire in the Italian setting by means of the factor analysis and by measuring the internal consistency of the single scales. All the dimensions measured by the TSQ were compared for sub- groups of sample of all levels of teachers. Some features of the teacher’s personality and job which best predict those at “high risk” were highlighted. Results: From the factor analysis of each of the scales of the TSQ, several meaningful and reliable factors emerged. The inter- nal consistency of each scale meas- ured by the Cronbach’s revealed that satisfactory values were found. Teachers’ age and type of school were found to be determining factors with regard to all the dimensions of stress explored by the TSQ. Conclu- sions: The preliminary analysis of the reliability and validity of the Ital- ian version of the TSQ reveals that it constitutes a useful and reliable measure to analyse stress in the Ital- ian school setting according to the modern theories of occupational stress (Travers & Cooper, 1996). Nevertheless further studies are nec- essary which consider a more exten- sive and widespread sample in order to fully adjust the TSQ battery to the Italian school setting

Estudio de la demanda de energía eléctrica en edificios universitarios para su abastecimiento parcial con generación fotovoltaica

Los edificios educativos del Nordeste Argentino presentan características adecuadas al momento de considerar la implementación de un suministro parcial de electricidad por generación fotovoltaica. Se exponen los primeros resultados del análisis y caracterización de la demanda de energía eléctrica en edificios universitarios de la región para determinar el impacto sobre la misma de un sistema de generación fotovoltaica. Se comenzó realizando un estudio del consumo eléctrico a fin de describir sus características y detectar ineficiencias que puedan subsanarse antes de implementar la generación renovable. Este estudio se extiende a cinco Facultades localizadas en la ciudad de Resistencia. Cuatro de ellas pertenecientes a la Universidad Nacional del Nordeste y la restante perteneciente a la Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. Con esta información se procede a diseñar y dimensionar un sistema de generación fotovoltaica determinándose la porción de la demanda que se podrá satisfacer.Educational buildings in the Northeast of Argentina present adequate characteristics at the moment of considering the implementation of partial electricity supply by photovoltaic generation. First results of the analysis and characterization of the demand of electric energy in university buildings of the region are presented, to determine the impact of a photovoltaic generation system on it. It began by conducting a study of electricity consumption in order to describe its characteristics and to detect inefficiencies that can be remedied before implementing renewable generation. This study extends to five Faculties located in the city of Resistencia. Four of them belonging to the Universidad Nacional del Nordeste and the last one belonging to the Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. With this information it proceeds to design and size a photovoltaic generation system, determining the portion of the demand that can be satisfied.Fil: Zurlo, Hugo D.. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional (Argentina). Facultad Regional ResistenciaFil: Vargas, Orlando C.. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional (Argentina). Facultad Regional Resistenci

Envisioning and evolving: Future evolution of the concept and the practice of service design

ervice Design is evolving from an emerging field, breaking new ground in the design and service research areas, to a more mature stage, developing a set of fundamental concepts, methods and principles that can provide the foundation for its further significance and impact in both research and practice. This paper reflects on the roots and recent evolution of service design in terms of fundamental concepts, methods and outcomes, taking into account the papers in the Envisioning and Evolving track. It considers how the growing interrelation with close fields of service research is introducing useful “contaminations” and reports how the Service perspective is revealing its potential to bring life to technical and entrenched systems. It goes on to argue that design should aim to bring services to life to prove its real, distinguishing value and contribution

The ALMA Early Science View of FUor/EXor objects. III. The Slow and Wide Outflow of V883 Ori

We present Atacama Large Millimeter/ sub-millimeter Array (ALMA) observations of V883 Ori, an FU Ori object. We describe the molecular outflow and envelope of the system based on the $^{12}$CO and $^{13}$CO emissions, which together trace a bipolar molecular outflow. The C$^{18}$O emission traces the rotational motion of the circumstellar disk. From the $^{12}$CO blue-shifted emission, we estimate a wide opening angle of $\sim$ 150$^{^{\circ}}$ for the outflow cavities. Also, we find that the outflow is very slow (characteristic velocity of only 0.65 km~s$^{-1}$), which is unique for an FU Ori object. We calculate the kinematic properties of the outflow in the standard manner using the $^{12}$CO and $^{13}$CO emissions. In addition, we present a P Cygni profile observed in the high-resolution optical spectrum, evidence of a wind driven by the accretion and being the cause for the particular morphology of the outflows. We discuss the implications of our findings and the rise of these slow outflows during and/or after the formation of a rotationally supported disk.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures, 2 tables. Accepte

'ACCORD' e-Platform: Development and evaluation of an innovative multicultural training for school professionals

The study aims at describing the development, application and evaluation of ACCORD, an innovative e-platform offering a free-accessible tailored multicultural training for school professionals through the application of current ICT research (e-learning, mobility, internet, artificial intelligence). The eplatform provided school professionals with a dedicated Massive Online Open Course (MOOC) and a Serious Game (SG), embedded within it, useful to enhance and (self-)evaluate their intercultural competences and negotiation abilities. Technological, Psychological, and Pedagogical models and approaches underpinned the methodology driving the creation of the e-platform contents. Following a pilot test, the edited version of the e-platform (including the SG, learning materials, lessons, questionnaires) was widely diffused in different languages (English, German, Italian, Flemish, Spanish). Pre- and post-training questionnaires were used to assess the learning experience and the efficacy of the training. Findings provided evidence supporting the learning effectiveness of ACCORD training. The experience with the e-platform has been positively rated by the users concerning both the technological and educational aspects. Overall, the study provided an overview on the creation, implementation and evaluation of a novel multicultural training tool, which has been proven to effectively foster the enhancement of intercultural and interethnic competencies of professionals working in the European educational contexts

Experimental evidence of antiproton reflection by a solid surface

We report here experimental evidence of the reflection of a large fraction of a beam of low energy antiprotons by an aluminum wall. This derives from the analysis of a set of annihilations of antiprotons that come to rest in rarefied helium gas after hitting the end wall of the apparatus. A Monte Carlo simulation of the antiproton path in aluminum indicates that the observed reflection occurs primarily via a multiple Rutherford-style scattering on Al nuclei, at least in the energy range 1-10 keV where the phenomenon is most visible in the analyzed data. These results contradict the common belief according to which the interactions between matter and antimatter are dominated by the reciprocally destructive phenomenon of annihilation.Comment: 5 pages with 5 figure