Deep Studies of the Resolved Stellar Populations in the Outskirts of M31

We discuss the first results from ongoing studies of the resolved stellar populations in the outskirts of our nearest large neighbour, M31. Deep HST/WFPC2 archival observations are used to construct colour-magnitude-diagrams which reach well below the horizontal branch at selected locations in the outer disk and halo, while a panoramic ground-based imaging survey maps spatial density variations through resolved star counts to a projected radius of ~50 kpc.Comment: 4 pages, to appear in proc of "New Quests in Stellar Astrophysics: The Link Between Stars and Cosmology", eds. M. Chavez, A. Bressan, A. Buzzoni, D. Mayy

Star Formation History and Extinction in the central kpc of M82-like Starbursts

We report on the star formation histories and extinction in the central kpc region of a sample of starburst galaxies that have similar far infrared (FIR), 10 micron and K-band luminosities as those of the archetype starburst M82. Our study is based on new optical spectra and previously published K-band photometric data, both sampling the same area around the nucleus. Model starburst spectra were synthesized as a combination of stellar populations of distinct ages formed over the Hubble time, and were fitted to the observed optical spectra and K-band flux. The model is able to reproduce simultaneously the equivalent widths of emission and absorption lines, the continuum fluxes between 3500-7000 Ang, the K-band and the FIR flux. We require a minimum of 3 populations -- (1) a young population of age < 8 Myr, with its corresponding nebular emission, (2) an intermediate-age population (age < 500 Myr), and (3) an old population that forms part of the underlying disk or/and bulge population. The contribution of the old population to the K-band luminosity depends on the birthrate parameter and remains above 60% in the majority of the sample galaxies. Even in the blue band, the intermediate age and old populations contribute more than 40% of the total flux in all the cases. A relatively high contribution from the old stars to the K-band nuclear flux is also apparent from the strength of the 4000 Ang break and the CaII K line. The extinction of the old population is found to be around half of that of the young population. The contribution to the continuum from the relatively old stars has the effect of diluting the emission equivalent widths below the values expected for young bursts. The mean dilution factors are found to be 5 and 3 for the Halpha and Hbeta lines respectively.Comment: 20 pages, uses emulateapj.cls. Scheduled to appear in ApJ Jan 1, 200

МІЖКУЛЬТУРНА КОМУНІКАЦІЯ ТА ЇЇ ЗНАЧЕННЯ ДЛЯ ПРОФЕСІЙНОЇ ДІЯЛЬНОСТІ МАЙБУТНІХ ФАХІВЦІВ

This article analyzes the concept of «communication», «іntercultural сommunication», «speech etiquette». The problem of formation of ability of the individual to effective cross-cultural communication as a means of understanding the mental peculiarities of different cultures, which guarantees an effective dialogue between cultures in the world. Emphasized the important role of speech ethics in the intercultural communication. Submitted the characteristic of the cross-cultural misunderstandings in the communication process.В статье анализируются понятия «коммуникация», «межкультурная коммуникация» «речевой этикет». Рассмотрена проблема формирования способности личности к эффективной межкультурной коммуникации как средства понимания ментальных особенностей различных культур, является гарантом эффективного диалога культур в современном мире. Подчеркивается важная роль речевого этику в межкультурном общении. Дана характеристика межкультурных недоразумений в процессе коммуникации.У статті аналізуються поняття «комунікація», «міжкультурна комунікація», «мовленнєвий етикет». Розглянуто проблему формування здатності особистості до ефективної міжкультурної комунікації як засобу розуміння ментальних особливостей різних культур, що є гарантом ефективного діалогу культур у сучасному світі.  Підкреслюється важлива роль мовленнєвого етику у міжкультурному спілкуванні. Подано характеристику міжкультурних непорозумінь у процесі комунікації