A possible radio supernova in the outer part of NGC 3310

As part of an on-going radio supernova monitoring program, we have discovered a variable, compact steep spectrum radio source ~65 arcsec (~4 kpc) from the centre of the starburst galaxy NGC 3310. If the source is at the distance of NGC 3310, then its 5 GHz luminosity is ~3 x 10^{19} WHz^-1. The source luminosity, together with its variability characteristics, compact structure (<17 mas) and its association with a group of HII regions, leads us to propose that it is a previously uncatalogued type II radio supernova. A search of archival data also shows an associated X-ray source with a luminosity similar to known radio supernova.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures. Accepted by MNRA

A realist evaluation of student use of a virtual reality smartphone application in undergraduate legal education

This paper provides a realist evaluation of the Open Justice virtual reality (VR) smartphone app, designed to develop presentation skills for students on an undergraduate legal education module. This work addresses two research questions: what proportion of students engaged with the Open Justice app, and what worked for whom in what circumstances and why? Questionnaire and interviews were conducted and analysed using a realist evaluation approach. This approach is particularly pertinent to the evaluation of how emerging educational technologies are used, as it can point to the potential affordances of a technological intervention, in addition to assessing its current use. In keeping with the realist evaluation approach, data analysis was completed using the context–mechanism–outcome framework. The findings suggest that more than half of students did not engage with the app during their studies, but this was not surprising as it was a pilot project into using VR with our students and such innovations can be difficult to manage in distance education contexts. Those who did engage with it recognised the potential of immersive VR to contribute to legal skills development, but they found the application of the technology, in this context, to be of limited use. By utilising a realist evaluation framework, this study contributes to the emerging field of programme theory‐based evaluations of educational technology, which might form the basis of further research

Plano de Ação Florianópolis Sustentável e as Políticas Públicas Municipais: Análise das ações no cumprimento de objetivos.

TCC (graduação) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Sócio Econômico, Curso de Administração.O crescimento acelerado e a urbanização, tem feito as cidades passarem por mudanças significativas na sua organização. Isso se deve aos problemas relacionados a qualidade de vida e o suprimento das necessidades básicas, comprometendo a sua sustentabilidade. Diante disso, se faz necessário o planejamento urbano e ações governamentais, em complemento ao protagonismo cidadão se mostra como uma alternativa na sugestão de planos e ações, por meio de ações conjuntas na coprodução do bem público. Diante desse contexto, o presente estudo teve como objetivo fazer uma análise das políticas públicas do governo formuladas a partir do Plano de Ação Florianópolis Sustentável. O referencial teórico do trabalho levou em consideração os tópicos de administração pública, administração pública municipal, políticas públicas e cidades sustentáveis. Trata-se de uma pesquisa exploratória, qualitativa, descritiva e de estudo de caso, com a utilização de dados primários e secundários provenientes das ações descritas no Plano de Ação. Para tanto, se utilizou da entrevista semiestruturada para a obtenção de dados primários junto à Prefeitura. Os resultados evidenciam que das 43 ações analisadas, apenas 6 encontram-se em execução, ainda que a maioria permaneça no planejamento. As ações que não foram realizadas, se devem as questões de ordem administrativa e de financiamento. Para tanto, são necessários estudos futuros que analisem com mais profundidade junto aos órgãos responsáveis pela ação

Superluminal Expansion of 3C 273

Figure 1 shows hybrid maps of the core of 3C 273B at five epochs, made with arrays of 4 or 5 VLBI antennas. The maps span a period of 3.5 years. They all show a bright eastern peak and a lower-brightness extension to the west. There is a local maximum in the western extension between 6 and 8 milliarcsec from the main peak. This “blob” moves steadily further away from the main peak along a roughly straight line in PA −116° ± 2°. Compare this with the position angle of the 25-arcsec optical jet, −137°. The maps show a slight curvature to the south with increasing separation from the main peak. Lower-resolution VLBI maps at lower frequencies show that this curvature continues at greater separations, suggesting a smooth connection between the milli-arcsecond position angle and the position angle of the optical jet. In our latest map (1981.09) the blob is no longer detectable with the limited dynamic range of the VLBI network (about 20:1)

The contribution of the Unresolved Extragalactic Radio Sources to the Brightness Temperature of the sky

The contribution of the Unresolved Extragalactic Radio Sources to the diffuse brightness of the sky was evaluated using the source number - flux measurements available in literature. We first optimized the fitting function of the data based on number counts distribution. We then computed the brightness temperature at various frequencies from 151 MHz to 8440 MHz and derived its spectral dependence. As expected the frequency dependence can be described by a power law with a spectral index $\gamma \simeq -2.7$, in agreement with the flux emitted by the {\it steep spectrum} sources. The contribution of {\it flat spectrum} sources becomes relevant at frequencies above several GHz. Using the data available in literature we improved our knowledge of the brightness of the unresolved extragalactic radio sources. The results obtained have general validity and they can be used to disentangle the various contributions of the sky brightness and to evaluate the CMB temperature.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa

Optical Spectra of Four Objects Identified with Variable Radio Sources

We obtained optical spectra of four objects identified with variable radio sources. Three objects (0029+0554, 0400+0550, 2245+0500) were found to be quasars with redshifts of 1.314, 0.761, and 1.091. One object (2349+0534) has a continuum spectrum characteristic of BL Lac objects. We analyze spectra of the radio sources in the range 0.97-21.7 GHz for the epoch 1997 and in the range 3.9-11.1 GHz for the epoch 1990, as well as the pattern of variability of their flux densities on time scales of 1.5 and 7 years.Comment: 4 pages, PD

Ancient Migratory Events in the Middle East: New Clues from the Y-Chromosome Variation of Modern Iranians

Knowledge of high resolution Y-chromosome haplogroup diversification within Iran provides important geographic context regarding the spread and compartmentalization of male lineages in the Middle East and southwestern Asia. At present, the Iranian population is characterized by an extraordinary mix of different ethnic groups speaking a variety of Indo-Iranian, Semitic and Turkic languages. Despite these features, only few studies have investigated the multiethnic components of the Iranian gene pool. In this survey 938 Iranian male DNAs belonging to 15 ethnic groups from 14 Iranian provinces were analyzed for 84 Y-chromosome biallelic markers and 10 STRs. The results show an autochthonous but non-homogeneous ancient background mainly composed by J2a sub-clades with different external contributions. The phylogeography of the main haplogroups allowed identifying post-glacial and Neolithic expansions toward western Eurasia but also recent movements towards the Iranian region from western Eurasia (R1b-L23), Central Asia (Q-M25), Asia Minor (J2a-M92) and southern Mesopotamia (J1-Page08). In spite of the presence of important geographic barriers (Zagros and Alborz mountain ranges, and the Dasht-e Kavir and Dash-e Lut deserts) which may have limited gene flow, AMOVA analysis revealed that language, in addition to geography, has played an important role in shaping the nowadays Iranian gene pool. Overall, this study provides a portrait of the Y-chromosomal variation in Iran, useful for depicting a more comprehensive history of the peoples of this area as well as for reconstructing ancient migration routes. In addition, our results evidence the important role of the Iranian plateau as source and recipient of gene flow between culturally and genetically distinct population

CMB Telescopes and Optical Systems

The cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB) is now firmly established as a fundamental and essential probe of the geometry, constituents, and birth of the Universe. The CMB is a potent observable because it can be measured with precision and accuracy. Just as importantly, theoretical models of the Universe can predict the characteristics of the CMB to high accuracy, and those predictions can be directly compared to observations. There are multiple aspects associated with making a precise measurement. In this review, we focus on optical components for the instrumentation used to measure the CMB polarization and temperature anisotropy. We begin with an overview of general considerations for CMB observations and discuss common concepts used in the community. We next consider a variety of alternatives available for a designer of a CMB telescope. Our discussion is guided by the ground and balloon-based instruments that have been implemented over the years. In the same vein, we compare the arc-minute resolution Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT) and the South Pole Telescope (SPT). CMB interferometers are presented briefly. We conclude with a comparison of the four CMB satellites, Relikt, COBE, WMAP, and Planck, to demonstrate a remarkable evolution in design, sensitivity, resolution, and complexity over the past thirty years.Comment: To appear in: Planets, Stars and Stellar Systems (PSSS), Volume 1: Telescopes and Instrumentatio