Optical Spectroscopy of Bright Fermi LAT Blazars

We report on HET and Palomar 5 m spectroscopy of recently identified $\gamma$-ray blazars in the {\it Fermi} LAT Bright Source List. These data provide identifications for 10 newly discovered $\gamma$-ray flat spectrum radio quasars (FSRQ) and six new BL Lacs plus improved spectroscopy for six additional BL Lacs. We substantially improve the identification completeness of the bright LAT blazars and give new redshifts and $z$ constraints, new estimates of the black hole masses and new measurements of the optical SED.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, 2 tables. Accepted for publication in Ap

Definition of a benchmark for low Reynolds number propeller aeroacoustics

Experimental and numerical results of a propeller of 0.3 m diameter operated at 5000 RPM and axial velocity ranging from 0 to 20 m/s and advance ratio ranging from 0 to 0.8 are presented as a preliminary step towards the definition of a benchmark configuration for low Reynolds number propeller aeroacoustics. The corresponding rotational tip Mach number is 0.23 and the Reynolds number based on the blade sectional chord and flow velocity varies from about 46000 to 106000 in the operational domain and in the 30% to 100% blade radial range. Force and noise measurements carried out in a low-speed semi-anechoic wind-tunnel are compared to scale-resolved CFD and low-fidelity numerical predictions. Results identify the experimental and numerical challenges of the benchmark and the relevance of fundamental research questions related to transition and other low Reynolds number effects

Towards the definition of a benchmark for low Reynolds number propeller aeroacoustics

Experimental and numerical results of a propeller of 0.3 m diameter operated in quiescent standard ambient conditions at 5000 RPM and axial velocity ranging from 0 to 20 m/s and advance ratio ranging from 0 to 0.8 are presented as a preliminary step towards the definition of a benchmark configuration for low Reynolds number propeller aeroacoustics. The corresponding rotational tip Mach number is 0.231 and the Reynolds number based on the blade sectional chord and flow velocity in the whole radial and operational domain ranges from about 54000 to 106000. Force and noise measurements carried out in a low-speed semi-anechoic windtunnel are compared with scale-resolved CFD and low-fidelity numerical results. Results identify the experimental and numerical challenges of the benchmark and the relevance of fundamental research questions related to transition and other low Reynolds number effects

Colleterial glands of Sesamia nonagrioides as a source of the host-recognition kairomone for the egg parasitoid Telenomus busseolae

The maize stemborer Sesamia nonagrioides glues its egg masses under the leaf sheaths or ear bracts using colleterial gland secretion. In spite of such concealed oviposition sites, these eggs are parasitized by Telenomus busseolae. The colleterial glands of S. nonagrioides are investigated as a possible source of the host-recognition kairomone for T. busseolae. This secretion, applied on glass beads, elicits intense antennal drumming and oviposition probing behaviour in the parasitoid. Through an histochemical study, neutral and acid glycoconjugates are identified as components of the secretion. Finally, using ultrastructural techniques, the colleterial glands are described and classified as comprising class 3 secretory cells

Characteristics of Gamma-Ray Loud Blazars in the VLBA Imaging and Polarimetry Survey

The radio properties of blazars detected by the Large Area Telescope (LAT) on board the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope have been observed as part of the VLBA Imaging and Polarimetry Survey (VIPS). This large, flux-limited sample of active galactic nuclei (AGN) provides insights into the mechanism that produces strong gamma-ray emission. At lower flux levels, radio flux density does not directly correlate with gamma-ray flux. We find that the LAT-detected BL Lacs tend to be similar to the non-LAT BL Lacs, but that the LAT-detected FSRQs are often significantly different from the non-LAT FSRQs. The differences between the gamma-ray loud and quiet FSRQs can be explained by Doppler boosting; these objects appear to require larger Doppler factors than those of the BL Lacs. It is possible that the gamma-ray loud FSRQs are fundamentally different from the gamma-ray quiet FSRQs. Strong polarization at the base of the jet appears to be a signature for gamma-ray loud AGN.Comment: 32 pages, 9 figures, accepted by Ap

Modified atmosphere packaging of hen table eggs: Effects on functional properties of albumen

The aim of this study was to compare technological properties (gel hardness, foam drainage, and meringue crispness) of albumen of nonpacked table eggs (control) with those of eggs packed in high-barrier plastic pouches with 3 modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) conditions (air, 100% N2, and 100% CO2) during 28 d of storage at 25°C. The values of gel hardness for the control sample showed an increasing trend, demonstrating the highest values throughout the experiment duration compared with the other samples. This behavior was probably attributable to the pH increase detected only for this sample during storage (from 8.82 ± 0.06 for fresh egg to 9.96 ± 0.06 at the end of the experiment). Air and N2 samples showed constant and similar hardness values during storage. The hardness of coagulated albumen showed a strict correlation with raw albumen pH (r2 = 0.929; P < 0.001). Other than reducing albumen pH during storage, MAP with CO2 caused the formation of a soft and puffy coagulum with very low hardness, reaching the lowest value of 1.26 ± 0.38 N after 4 d of storage, that slowly increased to 2.11 ± 0.49 N at the end of the experiment. Foam stability decreased during storage for all samples, but CO2 eggs showed a significantly (P < 0.05) higher foam stability than fresh eggs until 15 d, reaching values similar to those of the other samples only at the end of the storage time. Packing eggs in CO2 promoted an improvement of meringue crispness. The application of this atmosphere could ameliorate the quality characteristics of albumen-based food products. Commercially, CO2 MAP could provide an albumen-based ingredient tailored to maximize the characteristics needed in the final product (e.g., fresh shell eggs special for meringue preparation) that could give an added value to the product

Phase-resolved Crab Studies with a Cryogenic TES Spectrophotometer

We are developing time- and energy-resolved near-IR/optical/UV photon detectors based on sharp superconducting-normal transition edges in thin films. We report observations of the Crab pulsar made during prototype testing at the McDonald 2.7m telescope with a fiber-coupled transition-edge sensor (TES) system. These data show substantial (d[alpha]~0.3), rapid variations in the spectral index through the pulse profile, with a strong phase-varying IR break across our energy band. These variations correlate with X-ray spectral variations, but no single synchrotron population can account for the full Spectral Energy Distribution (SED). We also describe test spectrophotopolarimetry observations probing the energy dependence of the polarization sweep; this may provide a new key to understanding the radiating particle population.Comment: 12 pages, 10 figures -- to appear in ApJ V56

Feasibility of Screening Programs for Domestic Violence in Pediatric and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: A Literature Review

Each year, 275 million children worldwide are exposed to domestic violence (DV) and suffer negative mental and physical health consequences; however, only a small proportion receive assistance. Pediatricians and child psychiatrists can play a central role in identifying threatened children. We reviewed experiences of DV screening in pediatric and child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) to understand its feasibility and provide clues for its implementation. We performed bibliographic research using the Sapienza Library System, PubMed, and the following databases: MEDLINE, American Psychological Association PsycArticles, American Psychological Association PsycInfo, ScienceDirect, and Scopus. We considered a 20-year interval when selecting the articles and we included studies published in English between January 2000 and March 2021. A total of 23 out of 2335 studies satisfied the inclusion criteria. We found that the prevalence of disclosed DV ranged from 4.2% to 48%, with most prevalence estimates between 10% and 20%. Disclosure increases with a detection plan, which is mostly welcomed by mothers (70-80% acceptance rates). Written tools were used in 55% of studies, oral interviews in 40%, and computer instruments in 20%. Mixed forms were used in three studies (15%). The most used and effective tool appeared to be the Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS) (30% of studies). For young children, parental reports are advisable and written instruments are the first preference; interviews can be conducted with older children. Our research pointed out that the current literature does not provide practical clinical clues on facilitating the disclosure in pediatric clinics and CAMHS. Further studies are needed on the inpatient population and in the field of children psychiatry