Modeling of the multiwavelength emission of M87 with H.E.S.S. observations

M87 is the first extragalactic source detected in the TeV range that is not a blazar. The large scale jet of M87 is not aligned with the line of sight. Modification of standard emission models of TeV blazars appears necessary to account for the gamma-ray observations made by H.E.S.S. despite this misalignment. We present a new multi-blob synchrotron self-Compton model that deals explicitly with large viewing angles and moderate values of the Lorentz factor inferred from MHD simulations of jet formation.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures; to appear in "SF2A 2007 proceedings", eds. J. Bouvier, A. Chalabaev and C. Charbonne

Multiwavelength modeling of TeV AGN observed by HESS

The High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.) experiment, a ground-based gamma-ray Cherenkov telescope array located in Namibia, has now detected many extragalactic objects, which redshifts range from z=0.00183 up to z=0.2, possibly more. With the increasing performances of Cherenkov telescopes, it now becomes possible to probe these objects at small timescales in gamma-ray, allowing the study of regions thought to be very close to the central supermassive black holes. Furthermore, H.E.S.S. has confirmed a gamma-ray emission from M87, which is thus the first extragalactic source seen at the TeV range that is not a blazar. Among blazars, TeV BL Lacs are the most challenging objects to test the jet emission models and to shed light on particle acceleration mechanisms. The study of blazars with H.E.S.S. also revealed various temporal behaviors among them. Some objects presents a highly variable X-ray flux with small variation of the gamma-ray, while others show the inverse behavior. The interpretation of such differences is puzzling. Observations at very high energies also bring indirect measurements of the infrared extragalactic background light (EBL). The interpretation of gamma-ray emission of radiogalaxies such as M87 in terms of misaligned blazars and the understanding of the properties of the EBL represent new challenges brought by H.E.S.S. observations of extragalactic sources.Comment: 3 pages, 5 figures; to appear in "The Nuclear Region, Host Galaxy and Environment of Active Galaxies", eds. E. Benitez, I. Cruz-Gonzalez and Y. Krongold, RevMexAA (Serie de Conferencias); added reference

Is Europe Reforming? Evidence from Cross-Country Structural Indicators

With the adoption of the Lisbon Agenda in 2000, the European Union established for itself the ambitious goal of becoming the most dynamic and competitive economy in the world by 2010. Despite initial optimism, the first half of the decade has been dispiriting and targets established under the Lisbon strategy will be difficult to achieve. Many observers have concluded that governments have failed to implement the policies required to achieve these targets and that, without radical changes, the strategy will fail to deliver its promises. Without disagreeing with these conclusions, the present paper argues that they portray the situation excessively negatively. Using cross-country structural indicators compiled by the OECD, it shows that changes have occurred during the first half of the Lisbon programme, although not everywhere. The first part of the paper reviews recent developments in indicators of labour market policies and labour market performance. It shows that structural policies have moved in the right direction in several countries, notably tax wedges on labour income for low-wage earners and the implicit tax on continued work. This has been associated with a somewhat better labour market performance, notably higher employment rates. As well, the easing of product market regulation, which is deemed to increase the competitive pressure felt by firms and incite them to invest and innovate, has been associated with faster productivity growth in some countries and some industries. Nevertheless, the heterogeneity of performance across countries suggests that there is still a large room for countries where reforms are less advanced to adopt good practices. In these countries, more comprehensive implementation of labour market and product market reforms is needed to mobilise unused labour resources, put productivity growth on a faster trend and accelerate the growth of GDP per capita. Based on this overview, the paper raises some political economy issues related the method of coordination adopted by the Lisbon agenda.European Union, Economic Growth, Labour market policies, Employment, Product market regulation; Labour productivity

A qualitative exploration of parenting representations and experiences amongst mothers at risk of parenting difficulties and care proceedings

Mothers who are at risk of losing custody of their children represent a vulnerable and stigmatised population, whose voices are seldom heard. Exploring their perspectives of parenting, their child and the relationship with their child – their ‘parenting representations’ – can improve our understandings of their struggles and inform interventions seeking to interrupt cycles of transgenerational trauma. Research in this area so far has been predominantly quantitative, meaning valuable information about subjective experiences is often lost. The present study sought to address this gap by thematically analysing interviews with eight mothers with under-3-year-olds on the edge of Local Authority care, completed at the beginning of a specialist therapeutic intervention. Results are reported around five themes: ‘Idealistic portrayal of the child and relationship’, ‘Struggling as a parent’, ‘Shadows of the past’, ‘The child and motherhood as comfort’ and ‘Anxiety about loss and fighting for the child’. The parenting struggles of mothers in this population are complex and multi-faceted, fuelled by ongoing relational trauma, fears of further pain, adversity, and difficulties in accessing and trusting support. Successful interventions are likely to require comprehensive, long-term approaches which holistically address mothers’ unmet physical and emotional needs, and begin with building relational trust

Predictions of Very High Energy gamma-ray fluxes for three Active Galactic Nuclei

M87 is the first extragalactic source detected at the TeV that is not a blazar. To account for the recent observations of M87 made by the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.) telescope array, we developed a new multi-blob synchrotron self-Compton model. In the framework of this model, we present here the predictions for the very high energy emission of three active galactic nuclei with extended optical or X-ray jets which could be misaligned blazars, namely Cen A, PKS 0521-36 and 3C 273.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures; to appear in "SF2A 2007 proceedings", eds. J. Bouvier, A. Chalabaev and C. Charbonne

The Lisbon Strategy at Midterm: Expectations and Reality

CASE - Center for Social and Economic Research inspired an extensive discussion on the Lisbon Strategy, its goals and objectives, successes and failures. The fervent debate, which took place in Warsaw at the end of 2004, investigated the future of the Strategy in Europe and Poland. The publication, which we are proud to present, is a result of this discussion. The Polish context for achieving the Lisbon goals was explored at a conference on December 9, 2004 entitled “The Lisbon Strategy in Poland: Directions of Necessary Reforms”. Earlier, however, answering the question whether the Lisbon objectives successfully support competitiveness in Europe was of chief concern to a group of scholars and specialists attending the conference entitled “Lisbon Strategy as an Effective Tool of Increasing Competitiveness in Europe?” (The meeting took place in Warsaw on November 8, 2004). The conference dialogue resulted in systematic and inquisitive debate on the causes of successes and failures of the Lisbon Strategy against the background of the current economy in the united Europe. The perspectives for the future implementation of the Strategy and its desired effects also proved to be of great concern. The arguments presented by the authors of the present publication continue the discussion, which has now been enriched by the contributions by conference participants.Lisbon Strategy, European Union, enterprise policy, structural indicators, employment, productivity, innovation, R&D, pension system, liberalization, sustainable development, competitiveness, economic growth

Toward a Universal Rule for the Reasonable Disposition of Surface Waters in California

In designing a rule of reasonableness for the disposition of surface waters in California, the California Supreme Court has expressly considered the competing policies of equity and the promotion of development. The Author argues that another policy, overall economic efficiency, should be given equal consideration as the other policies because it promotes efficient use of resources and encourages the parties to come to solutions that lessen potential damage. This Comment analyzes the rules announced in Locklin v. City of Lafayette and Keys v. Romley. The Author questions the need for two different rules and proposes an integrated rule that addresses the three relevant policy objectives