VLT/NACO near-infrared imaging and spectroscopy of N88A in the SMC

We present near-infrared imaging and spectroscopic high spatial resolution observations of the SMC region N88 containing the bright, excited, extincted and compact H II region N88A of size ~ 1 pc. To investigate its stellar content and reddening, N88 was observed using spectroscopy and imagery in the JHKs- and L'-band at a spatial resolution of ~ 0.1-0.3", using the VLT UT4 equipped with the NAOS adaptive optics system. In order to attempt to establish if the origin of the infra-red (IR) excess is due to bright nebulosity, circumstellar material and/or local dust, we used Ks vs J-K colour-magnitude (CM) and JHK colour-colour (CC) diagrams, as well as L' imagery.Our IR-data reveal in the N88 area an IR-excess fraction of geq 30 per cent of the detected stars,as well as an unprecedently detailed morphology of N88A. It consists of an embedded cluster of ~3.5" (~ 1 pc) in diameter, of at least thirteen resolved stars superposed with an unusual bright continuum centered on a very bright star. The four brightest stars in this cluster lie red-ward of H-K geq 0.45 mag, and could be classified as young stellar object (YSO) candidates. Four other probable YSO candidates are also detected in N88 along a south-north bow-shaped thin H2 filament at ~ 7" east of the young central bright star. At 0.2" east of this star, a heavily embedded core is detected that could be a massive class I protostar candidate. The 2.12 mu H2 image of N88A resembles a shell of diameter ~ 3" ~ 0.9 pc) centered on the bright star. The line ratios of H2 2-1 S(1) and 1-0 S(0) relative to 1-0 S(1), as well as the presence of high v lines, are indicative of photodissociation regions, rather than shocks.Comment: 15 pages, 14 figures, accepted by Astronomy and Astrophysics, uses pdflatex, aa.cl

Stellar abundances and molecular hydrogen in high-redshift galaxies -the far-ultraviolet view

FUSE spectra of star-forming regions in nearby galaxies are compared to composite spectra of Lyman-break galaxies (LBGs), binned by strength of Lyman alpha emission and by mid-UV luminosity. Several far-UV spectral features, including lines dominated by stellar wind and by photospheric components, are very sensitive to stellar abundances. Their measurement in Lyman-break galaxies is compromised by the strong interstellar absorption features, allowing in some cases only upper limits. The derived C and N abundances in the LBGs are no higher than half solar (scaled to oxygen abundance for comparison with emission-line analyses), independent of the strength of Lyman alpha emission. P V absorption indicates abundances as low as 0.1 solar, with an upper limit near 0.4 solar in the reddest and weakest-emission galaxies. Unresolved interstellar absorption components would further lower the derived abundances. Trends of line strength, and derived abundances, are stronger with mid-UV luminosity than with Lyman-alpha strength. H2 absorption in the Lyman and Werner bands is very weak in the LBGs. Template H2 absorption spectra convolved to appropriate resolution show that strict upper limits N(H2)< 10^18 cm^-2 apply in all cases, with more stringent values appropriate for the stronger-emission composites and for mixes of H2 level populations like those on Milky Way sight lines. Since the UV-bright regions are likely to be widespread in these galaxies, these results rule out massive diffuse reservoirs of H2, and suggest that the dust/gas ratio is already fairly large at z~3.Comment: Astron J., in press (June 2006

Psicoterapia psicoanalítica de pareja: teoría y práctica clínica

Se revisan las principales aportaciones teóricas y técnicas realizadas en el ámbito de la psicoterapia psicoanalítica de pareja, así como la evidencia empírica sobre la eficacia y efectividad de dicho tratamiento. Desde la perspectiva teórica, el presente trabajo se centra en las modalidades psicoanalíticas de pareja que se nutren fundamentalmente de la escuela de las relaciones objetales, a partir de sus ramificaciones británica y norteamericana, así como de la teoría del apego. La relación de pareja, como cualquier vínculo, tiene su raíz en las experiencias relacionales que se han ido sucediendo desde la infancia. Se discute la importancia de la identificación proyectiva como mecanismo de defensa clave para la normalidad o psicopatología de la relación. Respecto al abordaje clínico de los conflictos de pareja, la psicoterapia psicoanalítica subraya la importancia de diagnosticar con precisión dichos conflictos, de entender los patrones relacionales inconscientes repetitivos que se activan en la pareja. La clarificación e interpretación de esos patrones y la regulación de las intensas emociones que se suscitan, constituirán dos aspectos fundamentales del tratamiento. En la última parte de este trabajo, se sintetiza nuestra experiencia de trabajo con parejas en la Unidad de Pareja y Familia de la Fundació Vidal i Barraquer.The main theoretical and technical contributions in the realm of couples psychotherapy are surveyed, as is the empirical evidence on the efficacy and effectiveness of this treatment. From the theoretical perspective, this study focuses on the modalities of couples psychotherapy that primarily draw from the school of object relations in its British and American branches, as well as attachment theory. Couple relationships, just like any affective ties, are rooted in relationship experiences since childhood. This article discusses the importance of projective identification as a crucial defence mechanism for the normality or psychopathology of the relationship. With regard to the clinical approach to couple conflicts, psychoanalytical psychotherapy underscores the importance of accurately diagnosing these conflicts, of understanding the unconscious, repetitive relationship patterns that are activated in the couple. Clarifying and interpreting these patterns and regulating the intense emotions that they arouse are two fundamental aspects of the treatment. In the last section of this study, our work experience with couples in the Couple and Family Unit of the Vidal i Barraquer Foundation is summarised

Evaluación de las Relaciones Triangulares: Desarrollo y validación de un instrumento a partir del test proyectivo Pata Negra

Investigaciones recientes relacionan la superación de las relaciones triangulares con el apego seguro. El objetivo de este estudio es presentar el diseño y validación de un Registro de Evaluación de las Relaciones Triangulares (RERT) a través del test proyectivo Pata Negra o Patte Noire (P.N.) de Corman, a partir de una muestra de 100 participantes con edades comprendidas entre 5 y 18 años. Para verificar la validez de contenido, las respuestas fueron clasificadas en base a 28 ítems, agrupados en cuatro categorías de repuesta y sometidas a un acuerdo interjueces. Los porcentajes de acuerdo interjueces alcanzaron una validez tolerable (60-80) para una de las categorías y una validez satisfactoria (80-100) para el resto de categorías aceptadas. Los valores del coeficiente del alfa de Cronbach fueron, en general, entre .56 y .74. Los resultados muestran que el RERT posee propiedades psicométricas adecuadas que lo convierten en una herramienta apropiada para evaluar las relaciones triangulares de un modo cuantitativo y complementario al análisis cualitativo del test Pata Negra, lo que añade objetividad y fiabilidad al test