X-ray/gamma-ray flux correlations in the BL Lacs Mrk 421 and 501 using HAWC data

The HAWC gamma ray observatory is located at the Sierra Negra Volcano in Puebla, Mexico, at an altitude of 4,100 meters. HAWC is a wide field of view array of 300 water Cherenkov detectors that are continuously surveying ~ 2sr of the sky, operating since March 2015. The large collected data sample allows HAWC to perform an unbiased monitoring of the BL Lac Mrk 421. This is the closest and brightest known extragalactic high-synchrotron-peaked BL Lac in the gamma-ray/X- ray bands and is extensively monitored by the Large Area Telescope (LAT) on-board the Fermi satellite, and the BAT and XRT instruments of the Swift satellite. In this work, we use 25 months of HAWC data together with Swift-XRT data to characterize potential correlations between both wavelengths. This analysis shows that HAWC and Swift-XRT data are correlated even stronger than expected for quasi-simultaneous observations.Comment: Presented at the 35th International Cosmic Ray Conference (ICRC2017), Bexco, Busan, Korea. See arXiv:1708.02572 for all HAWC contribution

Environmental Participation and Environmental Motivation

We explore whether environmental motivation affects environmental behavior by focusing on volunteering. The paper first introduces a theoretical model of volunteering in environmental organizations. In a next step, it tests the hypothesis working with a large micro data set covering 32 countries from both Western and Eastern Europe using several different proxies to measure environmental motivation. Our results indicate that environmental motivation has a strong impact on individuals’ voluntary engagement in environmental organizations. A higher level of environmental motivation due to higher environmental moral standards may lead to a stronger voluntary involvement in environmental organizations.Environmental Participation, Environmental Motivation, Environmental Morale, Pro-environmental Attitudes, Social Capital

Differences in Preferences Towards the Environment: The Impact of a Gender, Age and Parental Effect

The paper investigates empirically the differences in preferences towards protection of the environment. Using seven different dependent variables to focus on the impact of age, gender and children we use a large micro data set covering data from 33 Western and Eastern European countries. The results indicate that women have both a stronger preference towards the environment and a stronger willingness to contribute. Moreover, we observe the tendency of a negative correlation between age and environmental preferences. However, a positive effect is visible once we focus on the impact of age on social norms (environmental morale). Finally, we were not able to observe that having children is positively correlated with a stronger preference towards the environment.Environmental Preferences, Environmental Morale, Gender, Age, Children

On the origin of two unidentified radio/X-ray sources discovered with XMM-Newton

We aim at clarifying the nature of the emission of two spatially related unidentified X-ray sources detected with XMM-Newton telescope at intermediate-low Galactic latitude. Observations reveal a point-like source aligned with elongated diffuse emission. The X-ray spectra are best-fitted by absorbed power laws with photon indices ~1.7 for the point-like and ~2.0 for the extended one. Both sources show nonthermal radio-continuum counterparts that might indicate a physical association. From the available data, we did not detect variability on the point-like source in several timescales. Two possible scenarios are analyzed: first, based on HI line absorption, assuming a Galactic origin, we infer a distance upper bound of <2 kpc, which poses a constraint on the height over the Galactic plane of <200 pc and on the linear size of the system of 10^32 erg/s and >7.5 x 10^32 erg/s, for the point-like and extended sources, respectively; second, an extra-Galactic nature is discussed, where the point-like source might be the core of a radio galaxy and the extended source its lobe. In this case, we compare derived fluxes, spectral indices, and spatial correlation with those typical from the radio galaxy population, showing the feasibility of this alternative astrophysical scenario. From the available observational evidence, we suggest that the most promising scenario to explain the nature of these sources is a system consisting of a one-sided radio galaxy, where the point-like source is an active galactic nucleus and the extended source corresponds to the emission from its lobe. Other possibilities include a PSR/PWN origin, where the radio/X-ray emission originates from the synchrotron cooling of relativistic particles in the PSR magnetic field or a casual alignment between two unrelated sources, such as an AGN core and a Galactic X-ray blob.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics (A&A

More Income Equality or Not? An Empirical Analysis of Individuals' Preferences for Redistribution

Do people prefer a society with an extensive social welfare system with high taxes, or low taxes but lax redistributive policies? Although economists have for a long time investigated the trade-off mechanism between equity and efficiency, surprisingly little information is available about citizens’ preferences over the distribution of income in a society. The aim of this paper is reduce this shortcoming, investigating in an empirical study working with World Values Survey, what shapes individuals' preferences for income equality in Spain. We present evidence that not only traditional economic variables are relevant to be considered, but also factors such as ideology, political interest, fairness perception about others or trust in institutions, are key determinants to understand preferences towards redistribution and equality. Furthermore, we also find that regional conditions affect the citizens’ preferences for income equality. Higher income inequality leads to stronger preferences for equality. On the other hand, there is the tendency that higher social expenditures reduce the preferences for income equality.redistribution, inequality, welfare state, social capital, regional conditions

Staurosira magallanesica, a replacement name for Staurosira patagonica

Staurosira patagonica M.L.Garcia, Maidana, Ector & E.Morales described a new species found in material of Maar Magallanes, Patagonia, Argentina and other lakes in southern Patagonia. This new species was analysed in detail by light and electron microscopy and a comprehensive description is given in Garcia et al. (2017: 107, 114, figs 2-45). However, this name is a later homonym of Staurosira patagonica Cleve, 1882. If we compare our species to Cleve’s illustration (Cleve 1882: pl. 16: fig. 13), we can easily differentiate the two by their general valve outline and morphometric data. As pointed out by Garcia et al. (2017), re-examination of the type material of members of the Fragilariaceae is needed to confirm identities, establish taxonomic boundaries and to facilitate identification, and this is also the case with Staurosira patagonica Cleve. A new name is, however, required for Staurosira patagonica M.L.Garcia, Maidana, Ector & E.Morales as it is an illegitimate name: Staurosira magallanesica M.L.Garcia, Maidana, Ector & E.Morales nom. nov. Replaced synonym: Staurosira patagonica M.L.Garcia, Maidana, Ector & E.Morales Nova Hedwigia, Beiheft 146: 107, 114, figs 2-45, 2017, nom illeg., non Staurosira patagonica Cleve 1882 Öfversigt af Kongliga Svenska Vetenskaps-Akademiens Förhandlingar 38(10): 13, pl. 16: fig. 13, 1882 ‘1881’. Etymology: we have derived the specific epithet from the name of the paleolake Maar Magallanes where this new species was found for the first time by N.I. Maidana (Maidana & Corbella 1997).Fil: García, María Luján. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Maidana, Nora Irene. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Ector, Luc. Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology; LuxemburgoFil: Morales, E. A.. Universidade de Évora; Portuga

La mediación penal y el nuevo modelo de justicia restaurativa

The paper deals with the intersubjective conflict that occurs between two people, perpetrator and victim, and the need to offer a solution to both the conflict itself and those involved in it through penal mediatio

Analysis of double-parallel amplified recirculating optical-delay lines

A novel method of analysis of double-parallel amplified recirculating optical-delay lines (DPAROD) is presented. The location of the maxima and the minima of the transfer function for this configuration is calculated and experimentally demonstrated. The influence of different parameters, such as the coupling coefficients, gains, lengths of the fiber loops and fractional losses of the directional couplers, on the shape of the transfer function are analyzed. Different measurements have been taken to verify this model. The potential application of these interconnected delay loops as filters is a reason for developing this method.Publicad

Correlated hopping of bosonic atoms induced by optical lattices

In this work we analyze a particular setup with ultracold atoms trapped in state-dependent lattices. We show that any asymmetry in the contact interaction translates into one of two classes of correlated hopping. After deriving the effective lattice Hamiltonian for the atoms, we obtain analytically and numerically the different phases and quantum phase transitions. We find for weak correlated hopping both Mott insulators and charge density waves, while for stronger correlated hopping the system transitions into a pair superfluid. We demonstrate that this phase exists for a wide range of interaction asymmetries and has interesting correlation properties that differentiate it from an ordinary atomic Bose-Einstein condensate.Comment: 24 pages with 9 figures, to appear in New Journal of Physic

Local government debt: an application to the Spanish case

For the last years, Europe has been subject to fiscal austerity in order to satisfy the Maastrich criteria. In this way, Spanish municipalities have been affected by new regulations and local government structure has changed. This paper is focused on the main factors that explain local government debt. In particular, budgetary information of a group of Spanish municipalities is used (1990-2000). Econometric analysis of cross section and panel data are presented. Key words:Fiscal Federalism, Local Government, debt, decentralization.