Dark Matter Model Selection and the ATIC/PPB-BETS anomaly

We argue that we may be able to sort out dark matter models in which electrons are generated through the annihilation and/or decay of dark matter, by using a fact that the initial energy spectrum is reflected in the cosmic-ray electron flux observed at the Earth even after propagation through the galactic magnetic field. To illustrate our idea we focus on three representative initial spectra: (i)monochromatic (ii)flat and (iii)double-peak ones. We find that those three cases result in significantly different energy spectra, which may be probed by the Fermi satellite in operation or an up-coming cosmic-ray detector such as CALET.Comment: 19 pages, 8 figure

Characteristics of Social Sciences and Health Sciences Degrees: self-concept , motivation and learning strategies

[EN] Current university context is experiencing many changes and in order to achieve a better adaptation of students to this new context it is important to identify university students’ characteristics. Among students characteristics’ we emphasise the relevance of self-concept, or the perception that we have about ourselves, motivation and learning strategies that students use to acquire knowledge. In this study a total of 155 students from the University of Granada took part (143 female and 12 men; mean age=22.48, SD=4.11), of whom 65 were taking a degree that belongs to the Social Science disciplines (Preschool Education Degree) and 90 were taking a degree that belongs to the Health Sciences discipline (Speech Therapy degree). Results show that, in general, participants from this study obtain high scores in self-concept. More specifically they score high on family and social self-concept and low on emotional self-concept. Students from both degrees show high to moderate levels of motivation, particularly of intrinsic motivation, high levels of self-efficacy beliefs and intermediate levels of anxiety. The most frequently used learning strategy was the elaboration strategy. To conclude, despite belonging to two different disciplines, there are many similarities between students from both degrees. The implication of results is discussed.[ES] La universidad actual está experimentando diversos cambios, dentro de este contexto es relevante conocer las características del alumnado universitario para lograr una adaptación más óptima. Entre las características más relevantes a analizar destacamos la relevancia del autoconcepto, o la percepción que las personas tenemos de nosotras mismas, la motivación y las estrategias que emplean los estudiantes para el aprendizaje en el ámbito universitario.En este estudio han participado un total de 155 estudiantes de Grado de la Universidad de Granada (143 mujeres y 12 hombres; edad media = 22.48, DT= 4.11), de éstos 65 pertenecen al área de Ciencias Sociales (Grado de Educación Infantil) y 90 al área de Ciencias de la Salud (Grado de Logopedia). Los resultados revelan que en general presentan puntuaciones altas en autoconcepto. En concreto destaca el autoconcepto familiar y social con los valores más altos, mientras que el emocional se revela con valores más bajos.En ambos grados presentan unos niveles de motivación medio-altos, destacando una orientación motivacional intrínseca, mientras que la ansiedad revela puntuaciones intermedias. La estrategia de aprendizaje de elaboración se revela como la más utilizada entre los estudiantes. A modo de conclusión se observan bastantes similitudes entre las características de autoconcepto, motivación y estrategias de aprendizaje a pesar de pertenecer a áreas diferentes. No obstante cabe destacar en ambas áreas presentan rasgos parecidos. Se discute la implicación de los resultados encontrados.Calet, N.; Dumitrache, CG. (2016). Características de los Estudiantes de Grado de las áreas Ciencias Sociales y Salud: autoconcepto, motivación y estrategias de aprendizaje. REDU. Revista de Docencia Universitaria. 14(2):245-260. doi:10.4995/redu.2016.5951.SWORD24526014

Multi-messenger observations of a binary neutron star merger

On 2017 August 17 a binary neutron star coalescence candidate (later designated GW170817) with merger time 12:41:04 UTC was observed through gravitational waves by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors. The Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor independently detected a gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) with a time delay of ~1.7 s with respect to the merger time. From the gravitational-wave signal, the source was initially localized to a sky region of 31 deg2 at a luminosity distance of 40+8-8 Mpc and with component masses consistent with neutron stars. The component masses were later measured to be in the range 0.86 to 2.26 Mo. An extensive observing campaign was launched across the electromagnetic spectrum leading to the discovery of a bright optical transient (SSS17a, now with the IAU identification of AT 2017gfo) in NGC 4993 (at ~40 Mpc) less than 11 hours after the merger by the One- Meter, Two Hemisphere (1M2H) team using the 1 m Swope Telescope. The optical transient was independently detected by multiple teams within an hour. Subsequent observations targeted the object and its environment. Early ultraviolet observations revealed a blue transient that faded within 48 hours. Optical and infrared observations showed a redward evolution over ~10 days. Following early non-detections, X-ray and radio emission were discovered at the transient’s position ~9 and ~16 days, respectively, after the merger. Both the X-ray and radio emission likely arise from a physical process that is distinct from the one that generates the UV/optical/near-infrared emission. No ultra-high-energy gamma-rays and no neutrino candidates consistent with the source were found in follow-up searches. These observations support the hypothesis that GW170817 was produced by the merger of two neutron stars in NGC4993 followed by a short gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) and a kilonova/macronova powered by the radioactive decay of r-process nuclei synthesized in the ejecta

Energy Spectrum of Cosmic-Ray Electron and Positron from 10 GeV to 3 TeV Observed with the Calorimetric Electron Telescope on the International Space Station

First results of a cosmic-ray electron and positron spectrum from 10 GeV to 3 TeV is presented based upon observations with the CALET instrument on the International Space Station starting in October, 2015. Nearly a half million electron and positron events are included in the analysis. CALET is an all-calorimetric instrument with total vertical thickness of 30 X0 and a fine imaging capability designed to achieve a large proton rejection and excellent energy resolution well into the TeV energy region. The observed energy spectrum over 30 GeV can be fit with a single power law with a spectral index of -3.152±0.016 (stat+syst). Possible structure observed above 100 GeV requires further investigation with increased statistics and refined data analysis

ÉVALUATION DE DIVERS TRAITEMENTS TECHNOLOGIQUES DES CÉRÉALES V. - EFFET DU FLOCONNAGE ET DE L'EXPANSION SUR L'EFFICACITÉ DU BLÉ ET DU MAÏS CHEZ LE POULET

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