Absolute calibration and beam reconstruction of MITO (a ground-based instrument in the millimetric region)

An efficient sky data reconstruction derives from a precise characterization of the observing instrument. Here we describe the reconstruction of performances of a single-pixel 4-band photometer installed at MITO (Millimeter and Infrared Testagrigia Observatory) focal plane. The strategy of differential sky observations at millimeter wavelengths, by scanning the field of view at constant elevation wobbling the subreflector, induces a good knowledge of beam profile and beam-throw amplitude, allowing efficient data recovery. The problems that arise estimating the detectors throughput by drift scanning on planets are shown. Atmospheric transmission, monitored by skydip technique, is considered for deriving final responsivities for the 4 channels using planets as primary calibrators.Comment: 14 pages, 6 fiugres, accepted for pubblication by New Astronomy (25 March

Developing a leadership identity: A grounded theory

This grounded theory study on developing a leadership identity revealed a 6-stage developmental process. The thirteen diverse students in this study described their leadership identity as moving from a leader-centric view to one that embraced leadership as a collaborative, relational process. Developing a leadership identity was connected to the categories of developmental influences, developing self, group influences, students' changing view of self with others, and students' broadening view of leadership. A conceptual model illustrating the grounded theory of developing a leadership identity is presented

A leadership identity development model: Applications from a grounded theory

This article describes a stage-based model of leadership identity development (LID) that resulted from a grounded theory study on developing a leadership identity (Komives, Owen, Longerbeam, Mainella, & Osteen, 2005). The LID model expands on the leadership identity stages, integrates the categories of the grounded theory into the LID model, and develops how the categories of the theory change across stages of the model. The model has implications for working with individuals as they develop their leadership identity and for facilitating groups as they develop empowering environments for shared leadership. Connections to related scholarship and stage-based implications for practice are explored

Telescope guide and pointing precision at THEMIS

We present the very basic features—from the observer’s point of view—of the software pack allowing for driving the telescope, the dome, the preslit at the primary focus and the field rotator between the primary and the secondary focus. The original program was developed by C. Veillet as an adaptation for THEMIS of the program used to drive the “Laser-Lune” telescope at the Observatoire of the Cˆote d’Azur (France). Further adaptations were made by the authors to meet observational and technical needs emerged during operation of the THEMIS telescope. When talking about the way observations at THEMIS are affected by the pointing precisionw e clearly have to distinguish betweento different levels: 1) a short-term effect, affecting short-term observing actions such as scans on the solar disk and 2) a long-term level affecting the correct tracking of a target. All short-term effects just depend on the precision of the software interface and we discuss here their origin, the way they are controlled, their value and how they affect scanning procedures. All long-term effects depend on precision of the software interface but also on mechanical and optical alignment accuracy

Public Policy and Sexuality Education for Youth with Disabilities: Impact on Sexual Behavior and Outcomes

This paper will examine the need for more aggressive public policies around bodily, reproductive and sexual health education for young people with disabilities in the United States. This paper will consider the policies around sexuality education for students in the United States and the recommendation for national standards around sexuality education. We will investigate the intersection of these policies and recommendations for students with disabilities and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): what this means for students with disabilities' access to comprehensive sexuality education and how it affects their behaviors and outcomes

Calibration and First light of the Diabolo photometer at the Millimetre and Infrared Testa Grigia Observatory

We have designed and built a large-throughput dual channel photometer, Diabolo. This photometer is dedicated to the observation of millimetre continuum diffuse sources, and in particular, of the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect and of anisotropies of the 3K background. We describe the optical layout and filtering system of the instrument, which uses two bolometric detectors for simultaneous observations in two frequency channels at 1.2 and 2.1 mm. The bolometers are cooled to a working temperature of 0.1 K provided by a compact dilution cryostat. The photometric and angular responses of the instrument are measured in the laboratory. First astronomical light was detected in March 1995 at the focus of the new Millimetre and Infrared Testa Grigia Observatory (MITO) Telescope. The established sensitivity of the system is of 7 mK_RJ s^1/2$. For a typical map of at least 10 beams, with one hour of integration per beam, one can achieve the rms values of y_SZ ~ 7 10^-5 and the 3K background anisotropy Delta T/T ~ 7 10^-5, in winter conditions. We also report on a novel bolometer AC readout circuit which allows for the first time total power measurements on the sky. This technique alleviates (but does not forbid) the use of chopping with a secondary mirror. This technique and the dilution fridge concept will be used in future scan--modulated space instrument like the ESA Planck mission project.Comment: 10 pages, LaTeX, 12 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement Serie

MITO measurements of the Sunyaev-Zeldovich Effect in the Coma cluster of galaxies

We have measured the Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect towards the Coma cluster (A1656) with the MITO experiment, a 2.6-m telescope equipped with a 4-channel 17 arcminute (FWHM) photometer. Measurements at frequency bands 143+/-15, 214+/-15, 272+/-16 and 353+/-13 GHz, were made during 120 drift scans of Coma. We describe the observations and data analysis that involved extraction of the S-Z signal by employing a spatial and spectral de-correlation scheme to remove a dominant atmospheric component. The deduced values of the thermal S-Z effect in the first three bands are DT_{0} = -179+/-38,-33+/-81,170+/-35 microKelvin in the cluster center. The corresponding optical depth, tau=(4.1+/-0.9) 10^{-3}, is consistent (within errors) with both the value from a previous low frequency S-Z measurement, and the value predicted from the X-ray deduced gas parameters.Comment: Ap.J.Letters accepted, 4 pages, 2 figure

The Moderating Effect of Positive Sexual Self-Concept on the Relationship Between Disability Impact and Satisfaction with Life.

Research has been produced assessing both the concept of Life Satisfaction and the impact of disability. However, there has been a lack of research assessing the intersection of disability, sexuality, and life satisfaction. This study sought to understand the relationship between improved sexual self-concept, life satisfaction, and disability impact. Sexual self-concept was examined as a moderator of the relationship between disability impact and life satisfaction. It was hypothesized that improved sexual self-concept among those living with a disability will have a positive and correlating effect on life satisfaction. Additionally, it was hypothesized that the relationship between disability impact and satisfaction with life would be stronger among those who had higher sexual self-concept ratings. The study consisted of 104 adults with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. Individuals completed the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS), four subscales of the Multidimensional Sexual Self Concept Questionnaire (MSSCQ), and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) to assess disability impact, sexual self-concept, and satisfaction with life respectively. Results indicated that higher levels of sexual self-concept were associated with higher life satisfaction rates. Furthermore, the relationship between disability impact and satisfaction with life was stronger among those who had higher sexual self-concept scores. Lastly, via moderation analysis, results indicated the relationship between disability impact and life satisfaction was moderated by sexual self-concept. Thus, there appears a need to cultivate positive sexual self-concept in individuals living with disabilities in an effort to contribute to life satisfaction

Pedagogical implications of cross-linguistic-awareness raising: An exploratory study

Second language teachers are typically not aware of the syllabus their first language counterpart is following. Reasons for this include lack of meta-linguistic knowledge, negative attitudes towards the notion of cross-linguistic comparisons, resistance to change, lack of planning time, and scheduling issues. Students are caught in the middle and may not recognize cross-curricular similarities, even when such similarities exist. The present study looks at a ten-month collaborative study involving two language teachers in a Quebec secondary school. One taught an enriched English as a second language (EESL) course, and the other taught a French mother tongue (FMT) language arts course to some of the same students. The teachers met every week to identify the areas of similarity between their two language programs that could inform their teaching, with particular attention paid to the development of the students’ ability to write in their first and second languages. Students completed weekly questionnaires with journal prompts in which they were asked to note any similarities and differences between the grammar and writing conventions that their teachers highlighted in class. Samples of their writing, in English and French, were collected at the beginning and end of the year. Analysis of the meeting notes and journals showed the development of cross-curricular awareness by the teachers and cross-linguistic awareness by their students. The findings from this research have implications for language teachers and language teacher pedagogy in Quebec

Fonti rinnovabili. Progettazione, realizzazione e monitoraggio di un impianto fotovoltaico di medie dimensioni

LAUREA SPECIALISTICAL’obiettivo dell’elaborato è quello di percorrere trasversalmente tutti gli aspetti della progettazione, realizzazione e monitoraggio di un impianto fotovoltaico contestualizzato all’ambito italiano così da tracciare un percorso ottimale da seguire per aumentare la diffusione capillare di impianti di produzione di piccola e media taglia che avrebbero come scopo ultimo l’autosufficienza energetica del sistema paese. Scopo possibile solo adottando cambiamenti radicali dettati dalle nuove possibilità tecnologiche quali ad esempio l’informatizzazione della rete di distribuzione dell’energia che si trasformerebbe in rete di interconnessione di migliaia di isole di produzione-consumo in grado di scambiarsi in tempo reale informazioni e solo all’occorrenza energia