SDSSJ143244.91+301435.3 at VLBI: a compact radio galaxy in a narrow-line Seyfert 1

We present VLBI observations, carried out with the European Very Long Baseline Interferometry Network (EVN), of SDSSJ143244.91+301435.3, a radio-loud narrow-line Seyfert 1 (RLNLS1) characterized by a steep radio spectrum. The source, compact at Very Large Array (VLA) resolution, is resolved on the milliarcsec scale, showing a central region plus two extended structures. The relatively high brightness temperature of all components (5x10^6-1.3x10^8 K) supports the hypothesis that the radio emission is non-thermal and likely produced by a relativistic jet and/or small radio lobes. The observed radio morphology, the lack of a significant core and the presence of a low frequency (230 MHz) spectral turnover are reminiscent of the Compact Steep Spectrum sources (CSS). However, the linear size of the source (~0.5kpc) measured from the EVN map is lower than the value predicted using the turnover/size relation valid for CSS sources (~6kpc). This discrepancy can be explained by an additional component not detected in our observations, accounting for about a quarter of the total source flux density, combined to projection effects. The low core-dominance of the source (CD<0.29) confirms that SDSSJ143244.91+301435.3 is not a blazar, i.e. the relativistic jet is not pointing towards the observer. This supports the idea that SDSSJ143244.91+301435.3 may belong to the "parent population" of flat-spectrum RLNLS1 and favours the hypothesis of a direct link between RLNLS1 and compact, possibly young, radio galaxies.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

The structure of the X-ray absorber in Mrk 915 revealed by Swift

In this paper we present the results obtained with a monitoring programme (23 days long) performed with Swift-XRT on the local Seyfert galaxy Mrk 915. The light-curve analysis shows a significant count rate variation (about a factor of 2-3) on a time-scale of a few days, while the X-ray colours show a change in the spectral curvature below 2 keV and the presence of two main spectral states. From the spectral analysis we find that the observed variations can be explained by the change of the intrinsic nuclear power (about a factor of 1.5) coupled with a change of the properties of an ionized absorber. The quality of the data prevents us from firmly establishing if the spectral variation is due to a change in the ionization state and/or in the covering factor of the absorbing medium. The latter scenario would imply a clumpy structure of the ionized medium. By combining the information provided by the light curve and the spectral analyses, we can derive some constraints on the location of the absorber under the hypotheses of either homogeneous or clumpy medium. In both cases, we find that the absorber should be located inside the outer edge of an extended torus and, in particular, under the clumpy hypothesis, it should be located near, or just outside, to the broad emission line region.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, 1 table. Accepted for publication on MNRA

Mining the XRT archive to probe the X-ray absorber structure in the AGN population

One of the key ingredients of the Unified Model of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) is the presence of a torus-like optically thick medium composed by dust and gas around the putative supermassive black hole. However, the structure, size and composition of this circumnuclear medium are still matter of debate. To this end, the search for column density variations through X-ray monitoring on different timescales (months, weeks and few days) is fundamental to constrain size, kinematics and location of the X-ray absorber(s). Here we describe our project of mining the Swift-XRT archive to assemble a sample of AGN with extreme column density variability and determining the physical properties of the X-ray absorber(s). We also present the results obtained from a daily-weekly Swift-XRT follow-up monitoring recently performed on one of the most interesting new candidates for variability discovered so far, Mrk 915.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures. To appear in Proceedings of Science for the "Swift: 10 years of Discovery" meeting, held in Rome (2-5 December 2014

A new class of stem cells in South Africa: iPS cells

Created from adult rather than embryonic cells, induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells represent a breakthrough in stem cell science, and their pioneers have been recognised with the 2012 Nobel Prize in Medicine. These cells offer new hope in the treatment of pathogenetic diseases, but there is still a way to go on the road to effective therapeutic applications

XMM-Newton and NuSTAR joint observations of Mrk 915: a deep look into the X-ray properties

We report on the X-ray monitoring programme (covering slightly more than 11 days) carried out jointly by XMM-Newton and NuSTAR on the intermediate Seyfert galaxy Mrk 915. The light curves extracted in different energy ranges show a variation in intensity but not a significant change in spectral shape. The X-ray spectra reveal the presence of a two-phase warm absorber: a fully covering mildly ionized structure [log xi/(erg cm/s)~2.3, NH~1.3x10^21 cm-2] and a partial covering (~90 per cent) lower ionized one [log xi/(erg cm/s)~0.6, NH~2x10^22 cm-2]. A reflection component from distant matter is also present. Finally, a high-column density (NH~1.5x10^23 cm-2) distribution of neutral matter covering a small fraction of the central region is observed, almost constant, in all observations. Main driver of the variations observed between the datasets is a decrease in the intrinsic emission by a factor of ~1.5. Slight variations in the partial covering ionized absorber are detected, while the data are consistent with no variation of the total covering absorber. The most likely interpretation of the present data locates this complex absorber closer to the central source than the narrow line region, possibly in the broad line region, in the innermost part of the torus, or in between. The neutral obscurer may either be part of this same stratified structure or associated with the walls of the torus, grazed by (and partially intercepting) the line of sight.Comment: 14 pages, 10 figures, 4 tables. Accepted for publication in MNRA

Approaches, methods and processes for innovative apiculture development: experiences from Ada'a-Liben Woreda Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

The Improving Productivity and Marketing Success (IPMS) for Ethiopian Farmers'; Project being implemented by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) commissioned Sap-Tec PLC to study the existing potential and execute apiculture development in Ada';a-Liben woreda, one of the IPMS'; ten Pilot Learning Woredas (PLWs). The main objective of this apiculture intervention was to identify the current beekeeping practices, assess potentials and problems, and provide solutions through the introduction of a participatory market-oriented modern beekeeping practice as an income-generating activity to farmers and others who are interested to complement their income. The activities reported in this paper are based on studies and interventions undertaken to enhance market-oriented apiculture development in Ada';a-Liben woreda between 2005 and 2007. This working paper is divided into a number of sections. The first two sections describe the major strengths and constraints of the bee industry in Ethiopia. Section 3 describes the beekeeping institutes and associations. Sections 4 and 5 analyse the most important opportunities and threats for apiculture development and marketing intervention in Ada';a-Liben woreda. Section 6 presents IPMS intervention strategies and lessons learned in knowledge sharing, capacity building, and commodity development including technology transfer, platforms, input supply, credit facilitation and market linkage. This section also discusses the methods used and the achievements obtained so far. Finally, Section 7 discusses both general and industry specific recommendations, which form the basis for further development of the industry. This working paper is intended to provide preliminary information on lessons drawn in beekeeping interventions in Ada';a-Liben woreda and to share the experiences to those who have already launched or are planning to launch apiary development program as an alternative income generating activity. It also highlights the methodologies applied and the lessons learned from the apiculture interventions of the IPMS project for scaling up to other woredas. The main objective of this apiculture intervention was to identify the current beekeeping practices, assess potentials and problems, and provide solutions through the introduction of a participatory market-oriented modern beekeeping practice as an income-generating activity to farmers and others who are interested to complement their income

WISE colours and star-formation in the host galaxies of radio-loud narrow-line Seyfert 1

We investigate the mid-infrared properties of the largest (42 objects) sample of radio-loud narrow-line Seyfert 1 (RL NLS1) collected to date, using data from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE). We analyse the mid-IR colours of these objects and compare them to what is expected from different combinations of AGN and galaxy templates. We find that, in general, the host-galaxy emission gives an importan contribution to the observed mid-IR flux in particular at the longest wavelengths (W3, at 12micron, and W4, at 22micron). In about half of the sources (22 objects) we observe a very red mid-IR colour (W4-W3>2.5) that can be explained only using a starburst galaxy template (M82). Using the 22micron luminosities, corrected for the AGN contribution, we have then estimated the star-formation rate for 20 of these "red" RL NLS1, finding values ranging from 10 to 500 Msun/y. For the RL NLS1 showing bluer colours, instead, we cannot exclude the presence of a star-forming host galaxy although, on average, we expect a lower star-formation rate. Studying the radio (1.4GHz) to mid-IR (22micron) flux ratios of the RL NLS1 in the sample we found that in ~10 objects the star-forming activity could represent the most important component also at radio frequencies, in addition (or in alternative) to the relativistic jet. We conclude that both the mid-IR and the radio emission of RL NLS1 are a mixture of different components, including the relativistic jet, the dusty torus and an intense star-forming activity.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS, 11 pages, 7 figures, 2 table

Kajian Penerapan Green Procurement Pada Proyek Infrastruktur Jalan Di Provinsi Nusa Tenggara Timur

The issue of global warming and climate change is an environmental issue that the world\u27s problems. Countermeasures are now established is sustainable development. One factor supporting sustainable development is an alternative device in the areas of procurement, that is green procurement. Determining the winner of the procurement system is noticed additional aspects, namely social, economic and environmental which in practice is still not determined the weight of each of the environmentally friendly aspects. The purpose of this study was to determine the weighting of the criteria for selecting a winner in the green procurement system and determine the relationship between environmental criteria. Data analysis technique using Analytical Network Process, in order to obtain a priority basis and weighting of each criterion so that it can be described the relationship between the criteria. The results of the study in the opinion of all respondents consisting of qualified contractors large and medium enterprises as well as the Procurement Services Unit predominant aspects in the procurement of environmentally friendly is a social aspect to the criteria that affect the human resources with the weight percentage is 10.40%. In these criteria there are sub-criteria that support namely the availability of experts and skilled workers, the availability of experts and skilled workers by level of education and experience as well as working procedures with the weight percentage of each sub-criteria 33,33%

Intake and Digestibility of Cattle's Ration on Complete Feed Based-On Fermented Ammonization Rice Straw with Different Protein Level

Complete feed (CF) utilization is expected to have impact on higher productivity due to increased intake and digestibility. The objective of research was to evaluate the effects of different level protein of CF based-on fermented ammonization (amofer) rice straw to Simmental offspring intake and digestibility Twenty males Simmental offspring with average live weight 372.15± 26.64 kg (coefficient of variance 7.16%) were used in this study. Feed treatment consisted of BC Nutrifeed 132 concentrate as control feed (T0) and CF based-on amofer rice straw consisted of T1, T2, T3 and T4 which had crude protein content 11, 12, 13 and 14% respectively and also total digestible nutrients (TDN) ± 62%. Completely randomized design with five treatments and four replicates were designed for this research. Data was analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) at 95% significance level. The results showed that different crude protein did not affect the intake of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and TDN. It was significantly affected the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and crude protein (p<0.01). The highest digestibility was obtained to treatment with 12% crude protein and ± 62% TDN. Conclusion of this study was different level of crude protein constituted in CF which produced from specific material resource was proven to have impact in increasing cattle's digestibility.Doi: 10.12777/ijse.4.2.2013.86-91 [How to cite this article: Mayulu, H., Sunarso, S., Christiyanto, M. and Ballo, F. (2013). Intake and Digestibility of Cattle's Ration On Complete Feed Based-On Fermented Ammonization Rice Straw With Different Protein Level. International Journal of Science and Engineering, 4(2),86-91. Doi: 10.12777/ijse.4.2.2013.86-91