A new method to unveil blazars among multi-wavelength counterparts of Unassociated Fermi gamma-ray Sources

We discuss a new method for unveiling the possible blazar AGN nature among the numerous population of Unassociated Gamma-ray sources (UGS) in the Fermi catalogues. Our tool relies on positional correspondence of the Fermi object with X-ray sources (mostly from Swift-XRT), correlated with other radio, IR and optical data in the field. We built a set of Spectral Energy Distributions (SED) templates representative of the various blazar classes, and we quantitatively compared them to the observed multi-wavelength flux density data for all Swift-XRT sources found within the Fermi error-box, by taking advantage of some well-recognised regularities in the broad-band spectral properties of the objects. We tested the procedure by comparison with a few well-known blazars, and tested the chance for false positive recognition of UGS sources against known pulsars and other Galactic and extragalactic sources. Based on our spectral recognition tool, we find the blazar candidate counterparts for 14 2FGL UGSs among 183 selected at high galactic latitudes. Further our tool also allows us rough estimates of the redshift for the candidate blazar. In a few cases in which this has been possible (i.e. when the counterpart was a SDSS object), we verified that our estimate is consistent with the measured redshift. The estimated redshifts of the proposed UGS counterparts are larger, on average, than those of known Fermi blazars, a fact that might explain the lack of previous association or identification in published catalogues.Comment: 41 pages, 40 figures, 3 tables, accepted for publication in MNRA

Spectroscopy of 10 gamma-ray BL Lac objects at high redshift

We present high S/N optical spectra of 10 BL Lac objects detected at GeV energies by Fermi satellite (3FGL catalog), for which previous observations suggested that they are at relatively high redshift. The new observations, obtained at the 10 m Gran Telescopio Canarias, allowed us to find the redshift for J0814.5+2943 (z = 0.703) and we can set spectroscopic lower limit for J0008.0+4713 (z>1.659) and J1107.7+0222 (z>1.0735) on the basis of Mg II intervening absorption features. In addition we confirm the redshifts for J0505.5+0416 (z=0.423) and for J1450+5200 (z>2.470). Finally we contradict the previous z estimates for five objects (J0049.7+0237, J0243.5+7119, J0802.0+1005, J1109.4+2411, and J2116.1+3339).Comment: 10 pages, 2 figures, 4 tables; accepted for publication in Ap

On the redshift of the very high energy {\gamma}-ray BL Lac object S2 0109+22

The determination of the redshift of extragalactic gamma ray sources is of fundamental importance for the interpretation of their emission models and extragalactic population studies, AGN classification schemes, and to study the interaction with the extragalactic background light. Here we focus on the BL Lac S2 0109+22, recently detected at very high energies. We obtained a high signal-to-noise optical spectrum at Gran Telescopio Canarias for the source over the spectral range 4000-10000 Angstrom, to search for spectral features of the host galaxy and/or of the nuclear source and it was compared with previous observations in order to confirm and/or dispute its redshift determination. We find the S2 0109+22 optical spectrum is well represented by a power law continuum without any absorption or emission feature of Equivalent Width >0.1 Angstrom. Based on the new optical spectrum we are able to set a redshift lower limit z>0.35, assuming the source is hosted by a massive elliptical galaxy typical for this class of sources. The redshift z=0.265 proposed in the literature for this object is most probably referred to a r=18.3 galaxy at 15" from S2 0109. This galaxy could belong to a group of faint galaxies located at z~0.26.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures; accepted on MNRA

Affirmative Action Pedagogy and hate speech

In 2019 a man can die of insults by words typed by users who forget the weight of words have carried out a splitting of the analogical and digital identity through the screen filter (Turkle, 1997). Unarmed in the face of this linguistic slaughter we must activate reflections around pedagogical devices capable of counteracting hate speech by promoting processes of "gentle revolution" based on forgotten cognitive and value categories: freedom, patience, kindness, gentleness and gift. We are faced with a dangerous flow of events narrated and commented on with words, badly written and full of envy and violence and that is why we must redefine the style with which we speak on the net and spread the positive attitude of the choice of words with care and awareness, because words are important. Here we want to present a theoretical-practical pedagogical platform in order to increase the level of awareness of what is declared on social media. Therefore it is urged to convey the messages appropriately by promoting a debate that uses a respectful and non hostile language, avoiding that the network can become a free zone where everything is allowed and educating the reference communities to a responsibility understood levinasianamente, remembering that the insults are not arguments, as stated in "The Manifesto of communication not hostile to politics" and therefore we must begin to improve the level of public debate. And this is why it is deemed necessary to develop pedagogical reflections aimed at training women and men whose primary objective is to prevent and combat incitement to hatred, violence and intolerance

An Examination of the Influence of Band Director Teaching Style and Personality on Ratings at Concert and Marching Band Events

This descriptive correlational study examined the relationship between high school band directors\u27 teaching style and personality and their ratings in marching and concert band festivals using the Five-Factor Model of personality and Gumm\u27s Music Teaching Style Inventory. The sample (N=176) consisted of 46% of all high school band directors in Florida. Criterion variables included marching and concert festival ratings, state concert band ratings, Florida Marching Band Coalition marching competition scores, frequency of attendance of these last two events, and the balance between marching and concert band. Predictor variables included thirty personality facets and eight teaching styles. Four demographic variables included gender, experience, academic degree, and primary instrument. One predictor, Time Efficiency, stood out as having particularly strong correlations with all of criterion variables. Regression models produced the following findings: 23% of the variation in concert band ratings can be explained from Time Efficiency, Immoderation, Music Concept Learning Assertiveness, and Nonverbal Motivation; 22% of the variation in marching band scores can be explained by Time Efficiency, Music Concept Learning, Imagination, Modesty, Cheerfulness, and Anxiety; 20% of the variation in participation in state Florida Bandmasters Association concert band festival participation can be explained by Time Efficiency, Positive Learning Environment, Immoderation, Music Concept Learning, Group Dynamic, and Assertive Teaching, and 11% of the variation in FMBC competitive marching band event attendance can be explained by Time Efficiency, Nonverbal Motivation, Dutifulness, and Modesty. Most subjects (84.3%) were balanced, while the remaining 15.7% were marching oriented. There was no significant difference in marching ratings between groups, although balanced subjects scored significantly higher in concert band and attended significantly fewer marching competitions. A discriminant function selected four predictor variables with a significant effect: Assertiveness, Immoderation, Adventurousness, and Emotion (Wilks\u27 λ = .84, χ2 = 23.42, df = 4, p less than .001) which was able to successfully predict group membership 72.3% of the time. Recommendations include emphasizing the concert band as the core and playing concert music all year. Directors may benefit from being cognizant of their personalities and teaching styles which may enable them to modify their behavior and practices when appropriate to be more effective teachers

How to assess A meaningful technology-integrated tool for the reflective educators

In this paper we intend to present a tool for self-assess, support and improve reflective thinking in the educators towards the use of digital storytelling. First, we present an overview on the theoretical framework for conceptualizing a reflective educator, who needs to have a conscious approach on the practice and inquiries on the ethical consideration and important outcomes of eductional practice, with self-reflection, deep analysis of personal beliefs, and expectations on men and women and potential in general, and on learning. Educators’ expectations are self-generating, and often hard to be changed. Moreover, educators stay trapped in unexamined rulings, judgements, interpretations, conventions, potentials and hopes. Second, we describe the process of constructing a DST for approaching to the reflective practice infusing personal beliefs and values into a professional identity. Third, we describe the process of constructing the rubric, its elements, indicators and levels to value the product every storyteller made. We conclude with the self-assessment tool we want to propose in our on-going research project

The two Ultraluminous X-ray sources in the galaxy NGC 925

NGC 925 ULX-1 and ULX-2 are two ultraluminous X-ray sources in the galaxy NGC 925, at a distance of 8.5 Mpc. For the first time, we analyzed high quality, simultaneous XMM-Newton and NuSTAR data of both sources. Although at a first glance ULX-1 resembles an intermediate mass black hole candidate (IMBH) because of its high X-ray luminosity ($(2$$-$$4)\times10^{40}$ erg s$^{-1}$) and its spectral/temporal features, a closer inspection shows that its properties are more similar to those of a typical super-Eddington accreting stellar black hole and we classify it as a `broadened disc' ultraluminous X-ray source. Based on the physical interpretation of this spectral state, we suggest that ULX-1 is seen at small inclination angles, possibly through the evacuated cone of a powerful wind originating in the accretion disc. The spectral classification of ULX-2 is less certain, but we disfavour an IMBH accreting at sub-Eddington rates as none of its spectral/temporal properties can be associated to either the soft or hard state of Galactic accreting black hole binaries.Comment: Accepted on MNRAS with very minor comments, 7 pages, 5 figures, 1 tabl

The redshift of the BL Lac object TXS 0506+056

The bright BL Lac object TXS 0506+056 is a most likely counterpart of the IceCube neutrino event EHE 170922A. The lack of this redshift prevents a comprehensive understanding of the modeling of the source. We present high signal-to-noise optical spectroscopy, in the range 4100-9000 $\textrm{\AA}$, obtained at the 10.4m Gran Telescopio Canarias. The spectrum is characterized by a power law continuum and is marked by faint interstellar features. In the regions unaffected by these features, we found three very weak (EW $\sim$ 0.1 $\textrm{\AA}$) emission lines that we identify with [O II] 3727 $\textrm{\AA}$, [O III] 5007 $\textrm{\AA}$, and [N II] 6583 $\textrm{\AA}$, yielding the redshift z = 0.3365$\pm$0.0010.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, 2 tables; accepted for publication in ApJ