A multi-epoch study of the C IV absorption variability in the broad absorption line quasar APM 08279+5255

Broad absorption line (BAL) variability potentially represents a powerful tool to investigate the physical nature and the structure of gas outflows in active galactic nuclei. Most existing BAL variability studies rely on observations taken at a few epochs for samples of tens of BAL QSOs. In this study we present the first “monitoring” of a single object, APM 08279+5255, which has been observed more than 20 times since 2003. All available spectra from the literature have also been analysed, including two high resolution spectra, extending the time interval from 1998 to 2012. A relative stability of the shape of the absorption profile is found. At the same time significant variations of the equivalent width are observed. A correlation of the BAL equivalent width with the QSO luminosity is found for the first time. These results suggest that changes in the ionisation state of the gas are causing opacity changes.     

The ultraviolet sky: An overview from the GALEX surveys

The Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) has performed the first surveys of the sky in the ultraviolet (UV). Its legacy is an unprecedented database with more than 200 million source measurements in far-UV (FUV) and near-UV (NUV), as well as wide-field imaging of extended objects, filling an important gap in our view of the sky across the electromagnetic spectrum. The UV surveys offer unique sensitivity for identifying and studying selected classes of astrophysical objects, both stellar and extra-galactic. We examine the overall content and distribution of UV sources over the sky, and with magnitude and color. For this purpose, we have constructed final catalogs of UV sources with homogeneous quality, eliminating duplicate measurements of the same source. Such catalogs can facilitate a variety of investigations on UV-selected samples, as well as planning of observations with future missions. We describe the criteria used to build the catalogs, their coverage and completeness. We included observations in which both the far-UV and near-UV detectors were exposed; 28,707 fields from the All-Sky Imaging survey (AIS) cover a unique area of 22,080 square degrees (after we restrict the catalogues to the central 1° diameter of the field), with a typical depth of ∼20/21mag (FUV/NUV, in the AB mag system), and 3008 fields from the Medium-depth Imaging Survey (MIS) cover a total of 2251 square degrees at a depth of ∼22.7mag. The catalogs contain ∼71 and ∼16.6 million sources, respectively. The density of hot stars reflects the Galactic structure, and the number counts of both Galactic and extra-galactic sources are modulated by the Milky Way dust extinction, to which the UV data are very sensitive.     

Stark broadening of B IV lines for astrophysical and laboratory plasma research

Stark broadening parameters for 36 multiplets of B IV have been calculated using the semi-classical perturbation formalism. Obtained results have been used to investigate the regularities within spectral series and temperature dependence.     

Stark widths of Ar III spectral lines in the atmospheres of subdwarf B stars

Using semiclassical perturbation approach in impact approximation, we have calculated Stark widths for 32 spectral lines of doubly charged argon (Ar III). Oscillator strengths are calculated using Hartree–Fock method with relativistic correction (HFR) and an atomic model including 17 configurations. Energy levels are taken from NIST database. For perturbing levels for which the corresponding energy does not exist in NIST database, the calculated energies are used. Our widths are compared with the experimental results. The results presented here are of interest for modelling and investigation of stellar atmospheres since argon in different ionization stages is observed in many astrophysical objects. Finally, the importance of Stark broadening mechanism is studied in the atmospheric conditions of sdB stars. Electron impact Stark widths are compared to thermal Doppler widths as a function of temperature and optical depth of atmospheric layers.     

New line profiles of Li–H2 for brown dwarfs

In order to calculate the opacity of a gas it is necessary to consider how its constituent atoms are perturbed by the surrounding medium. This is required both in order to calculate the equation of state, and in order to determine the profiles of the spectrum lines. In this work we report new theoretical Li line profiles perturbed by H₂ and their dependence with temperature.     

Low ionization lines in high luminosity quasars: The calcium triplet

In order to investigate where and how low ionization lines are emitted in quasars we are studying a new collection of spectra of the CaII triplet at λ8498, λ8542, λ8662 observed with the Very Large Telescope (VLT) using the Infrared Spectrometer And Array Camera (ISAAC). Our sample involves luminous quasars at intermediate redshift for which CaII observations are almost nonexistent. We fit the CaII triplet and the OI λ8446 line using the Hβ profile as a model. We derive constraints on the line emitting region from the relative strength of the CaII triplet, OI λ8446 and Hβ.     

社会化商业情境下UGC对品牌态度的影响述评

以互动参与及粉丝经济为典型特征的社会化商业时代,传统媒介已不足以支撑企业品牌的构建与发展;社会化平台用户产生内容（UGC）会直接影响品牌的可信度及消费者购买决策.通过对国内外文献的回顾,梳理了UGC对品牌态度的驱动因素,并从正反两方面探索了UGC对品牌态度产生的积极影响与消极效应,旨在为网络零售业在社会化商业模式下的品牌传播提供营销启示与参考.     

预制语块理论在外语低起点学习者口语教学中的应用研究

通过设置实验组和对照组,对某高职院校2012级会计班的英语预制语块教学改革展开研究。结果表明,尽管低起点学习者的语言水平、课堂学习积极性以及对新方法的配合程度对口语教学质量构成一定影响,但整体来说,这一理论的运用对低起点英语学习者口语表达能力的提高有帮助。对教学改革的启示是,教师能够通过一系列有趣的、行之有效的教学新理论和监督指导策略帮助部分低起点学习者找到好的学习方法,重拾学习兴趣,树立学好英语的信心。     

基于CBI的大学英语拓展课程体系研究

以CBI为基本理论依据,探讨了大学英语拓展课程体系设置的基本思路和框架模块构建。从学生的英语水平和学习需求出发,通过把语言知识和学科知识相结合,使学生完成大学英语拓展阶段课程的学习,促进其语言水平和综合素养的全面提高。     

大学英语教学的生态分析与优化

从生态学视角出发,分析了大学英语教学的生态系统;探讨了实现生态化大学英语教学应该遵循的原则,即可持续发展原则以及生态系统的整体性、开放性和动态平衡的原则;在这些原则的指导下,本文借鉴生态学的相关理论和观点探索了优化大学英语教学的途径和模式,以期通过跨学科的角度探索和推动大学英语教学的发展。