The properties of active galaxies at the extreme of eigenvector 1

Eigenvector 1 (EV1) is the formal parameter which allows the introduction of some order in the properties of the unobscured type 1 active galaxies. We aim to understand the nature of this parameter by analyzing the most extreme examples of quasars with the highest possible values of the corresponding eigenvalues $R_{Fe}$. We selected the appropriate sources from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) and performed detailed modeling, including various templates for the Fe II pseudo-continuum and the starlight contribution to the spectrum. Out of 27 sources with $R_{Fe}$ larger than 1.3 and with the measurement errors smaller than 20\% selected from the SDSS quasar catalog, only six sources were confirmed to have a high value of $R_{Fe}$, defined as being above 1.3. All other sources have $an R_{Fe}$ of approximately 1. Three of the high $R_{Fe}$ objects have a very narrow H$\beta$ line, below 2100 km s$^{-1}$ but three sources have broad lines, above 4500 km s$^{-1}$, that do not seem to form a uniform group, differing considerably in black hole mass and Eddington ratio; they simply have a very similar EW([OIII]5007) line. Therefore, the interpretation of the EV1 remains an open issue.Comment: Astronomy and Astrophysics (in press

Mixed-reality learning environments in teacher education: An analysis of TeachLivE™ research

TeachLivE™, a mixed-reality simulated classroom technology, has been used in initial teacher education programs to provide repeatable experiential learning opportunities for students now for more than a decade and in more than 80 universities worldwide. However, no broad scale investigation has been conducted into how the platform has been used or what research has been generated as a result. The aim of this study is to provide insight into the types of TeachLivE™ research carried out since its inception and to identify trends and potential gaps in this research. Peer-reviewed academic primary research publications—journal articles (23), conference proceedings (12), and thesis dissertations (20)—were reviewed for participants, research methods, analysis, research design, data collection tools, and design approaches. Of the 102 articles identified as relevant, “instructional skills development” and “integration of TeachLivE™ in teacher education” were the most commonly researched topics. Findings indicate that preservice teachers were the most commonly studied group of participants, research methods were predominately qualitative, single-subject experimental research design was employed most often, and the most used data collection tools were surveys and observation. These findings highlight that the range of topics is increasing, with studies on in-service teachers in school-based contexts beginning to emerge as a new area of interest. This systematic review has implications for researchers and the developers of TeachLivE™. It provides valuable insight and recommendations for future studies in this emerging teacher education field, where technology is not simply used “in the classroom” but rather “as the classroom.

Reconstruction of baseline time-trace under changing environmental and operational conditions

Compensation of changing environmental and operational conditions (EOC) is often necessary when using guided-wave based techniques for structural health monitoring in real-world applications. Many studies have demonstrated that the effect of changing EOC can mask damage to a degree that a critical defect might not be detected. Several effective strategies, specifically for compensating the temperature variations, have been developed in recent years. However, many other factors, such as changing humidity and boundary conditions or degradation of material properties, have not received much attention. This paper describes a practical method for reconstruction of the baseline time-trace corresponding to the current EOC. Thus, there is no need for differentiation or compensation procedures when using this method for damage diagnosis. It is based on 3D surface measurements of the velocity field near the actuator using laser vibrometry, in conjunction with high-fidelity finite element simulations of guided wave propagation in free from defects structure. To demonstrate the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed method we provide several examples of the reconstruction and damage detection.P. Aryan, A. Kotousov, C.T. Ng and S. Wild

Water-use efficiency of a mallee eucalypt growing naturally and in short-rotation coppice cultivation

This study compared mature Eucalyptus kochii subsp. plenissima trees in inner regions or edges of natural bushland to young trees belt-planted through cleared agricultural land as uncut saplings or regenerating coppice over 2.7 years at Kalannie, Western Australia (320 mm annual rainfall). We assessed the ability of the species to alter its gas exchange characteristics, leaf physical attributes, and water-use efficiency of foliar carbon assimilation ( WUE i ) or of total dry matter production ( WUE DM ). Stomatal conductance ( g s ) varied five-fold between treatment means, with coppices exhibiting greatest values and mature bush least. Photosynthetic rates followed this trend. Leaf photosynthetic capacity estimated by chlorophyll content varied 1.3-fold parallel with variations in leaf thickness, with coppices rating lowest and mature edge trees most highly. WUE i varied 1.5-fold between treatments and was greatest in mature inner-bush and edge trees. Leaf photosynthetic capacity and g s were both correlated with WUE i . Carbon isotope composition (δ 13 C values) of new shoot dry matter produced early in a seasonal flush were similar to those of root starch but when averaged over the whole season correlated well with WUE i and gas exchange characteristics of trees of each treatment. Coppices showed poorest WUE i and most negative shoot tip δ 13 C but their WUE DM was high. This discrepancy was suggested to relate to carbon allocation strategies in coppices favouring fast growth of replacement shoots but not of roots. Physiology of coppice growth of E. kochii is usefully geared towards both rapid and water-use efficient production of woody biomass in water limited environments.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/43466/1/11104_2004_Article_5255606.pd

PENGKAYAAN SUMBERDAYA IKAN DENGAN FISH APARTMENT DI PERAIRAN BANGSRING, BANYUWANGI

 Penggunaan alat tangkap yang tidak ramah lingkungan dapat mengakibatkan rusaknya ekosistem perairan, terutama kerusakan habitat ikan seperti terumbu karang. Terumbu karang yang rusak mengakibatkan hasil tangkapan berkurang, ikan hasil tangkapan semakin mengecil, dan hilangnya beberapa jenis ikan di perairan tersebut, khususnya ikan karang. Penelitian ini diharapkan mampu memberikan gambaran tentang perkembangan fish apartment dan mengetahui dampak langsung terhadap nelayan di daerah Bangsring, Banyuwangi. Menentukan kelimpahan dan keanekaragaman jenis ikan sebagai indikator diperairan di Bangsring. Menganalisis tingkat keberhasilan fish apartment dalam pengkayaan stok ikan dan memperbaiki habitat ikan pada perairan Bangsring. Penanaman fish apartment pada perairan Bangsring, Banyuwangi dapat mengembalikan kekayaan sumber daya ikan, dilihat dari keberhasilan pertambahan jenis ikan, meningkatnya hasil tangkapan hingga 100%, dan jarak penangkapan yang dekat dan efisien dalam waktu penangkapan. Fish apartment dapat mengembalikan ekosistem perairan yang rusak, khususnya di perairan Bangsring, Banyuwangi, Jawa Timur

Characterization of AGN from the XMM–Newton Slew Survey

We present optical spectroscopy of candidate active galactic nuclei (AGN) pinpointed by a Swift follow-up campaign on unidentified transients in the XMM-Newton Slew Survey, increasing the completeness of the identifications of AGN in the Survey. Our Swift follow-up campaign identified 17 X-ray Telescope-detected candidate AGN, of which 9 were selected for optical follow-up and a further two were confirmed as AGN elsewhere. Using data obtained at the William Herschel Telescope, Very Large Telescope and New Technology Telescope, we find AGN features in seven of the candidates. We classify six as Seyfert types 1.0-1.5, with broad-line region velocities spanning 2000-12000 km s-1, and identify one as a possible type II AGN, consistent with the lack of a soft band X-ray detection in the Slew Survey. The virial black hole mass estimates for the sample lie between 1 × 108 and 3 × 109 M☉, with one source likely emitting close to its Eddington rate, LBol/LEdd ~ 0.9. We find a wide redshift range 0.08 < z < 0.9 for the nine now confirmed AGN drawn from the unidentified Slew Survey sample. One source remaining unclassified shows outbursts rarely seen before in AGN. We conclude that AGN discovered in this way are consistent with the largely non-varying, Slew-selected, known AGN population. We also find parallels with XMM-Newton Bright Serendipitous Survey AGN selected from pointed observations, and postulate that shallow X-ray surveys select AGN drawn from the same populations that have been characterized in deeper X-ray-selected samples

Effects of an Infectious Fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, on Amphibian Predator-Prey Interactions

The effects of parasites and pathogens on host behaviors may be particularly important in predator-prey contexts, since few animal behaviors are more crucial for ensuring immediate survival than the avoidance of lethal predators in nature. We examined the effects of an emerging fungal pathogen of amphibians, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, on anti-predator behaviors of tadpoles of four frog species. We also investigated whether amphibian predators consumed infected prey, and whether B. dendrobatidis caused differences in predation rates among prey in laboratory feeding trials. We found differences in anti-predator behaviors among larvae of four amphibian species, and show that infected tadpoles of one species (Anaxyrus boreas) were more active and sought refuge more frequently when exposed to predator chemical cues. Salamander predators consumed infected and uninfected tadpoles of three other prey species at similar rates in feeding trials, and predation risk among prey was unaffected by B. dendrobatidis. Collectively, our results show that even sub-lethal exposure to B. dendrobatidis can alter fundamental anti-predator behaviors in some amphibian prey species, and suggest the unexplored possibility that indiscriminate predation between infected and uninfected prey (i.e., non-selective predation) could increase the prevalence of this widely distributed pathogen in amphibian populations. Because one of the most prominent types of predators in many amphibian systems is salamanders, and because salamanders are susceptible to B. dendrobatidis, our work suggests the importance of considering host susceptibility and behavioral changes that could arise from infection in both predators and prey