pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Stellar mass map and dark matter distribution in M31

Stellar mass distribution in M31 is estimated using optical and infrared
imaging data. Combining the derived stellar mass model with various kinematical
data, properties of the DM halo of the galaxy are constrained.
  SDSS observations through the ugriz filters and the Spitzer imaging at 3.6
microns are used to sample the SED of the galaxy at each imaging pixel.
Intrinsic dust extinction effects are taken into account by using far-infrared
observations. Synthetic SEDs created with different stellar population
synthesis models are fitted to the observed SEDs, providing estimates for the
stellar mass surface density. The stellar mass distribution of the galaxy is
described with a 3D model consisting of a nucleus, a bulge, a disc, a young
disc and a halo component, each following the Einasto density distribution
(relations between different functional forms of the Einasto density
distribution are given in App. B). By comparing the stellar mass distribution
to the observed rotation curve and kinematics of outer globular clusters and
satellite galaxies, the DM halo parameters are estimated.
  Stellar population synthesis models suggest that M31 is dominated by old
stars throughout the galaxy. The total stellar mass is (10-15)10^10Msun, 30% of
which is in the bulge and 56% in the disc. None of the tested DM distribution
models can be falsified on the basis of the stellar matter distribution and the
rotation curve of the galaxy. The virial mass of the DM halo is
(0.8-1.1)10^12Msun and the virial radius is 189-213kpc, depending on the DM
distribution. The central density of the DM halo is comparable to that of
nearby dwarf galaxies, low-surface-brightness galaxies and distant massive disc
galaxies, thus the evolution of central DM halo properties seems to be
regulated by similar processes for a broad range of halo masses, environments,
and cosmological epochs.Comment: 11 pages, 13 figures, 6 tables, accepted for publication in Astronomy
  and Astrophysic
Feedback and feeding in the context of galaxy evolution with SPICA:
  direct characterization of molecular outflows and inflows

A far-infrared observatory such as the {\it SPace Infrared telescope for
Cosmology and Astrophysics} ({\it SPICA}), with its unprecedented spectroscopic
sensitivity, would unveil the role of feedback in galaxy evolution during the
last $\sim10$ Gyr of the Universe ($z=1.5-2$), through the use of far- and
mid-infrared molecular and ionic fine structure lines that trace outflowing and
infalling gas. Outflowing gas is identified in the far-infrared through P-Cygni
line shapes and absorption blueshifted wings in molecular lines with high
dipolar moments, and through emission line wings of fine-structure lines of
ionized gas. We quantify the detectability of galaxy-scale massive molecular
and ionized outflows as a function of redshift in AGN-dominated,
starburst-dominated, and main-sequence galaxies, explore the detectability of
metal-rich inflows in the local Universe, and describe the most significant
synergies with other current and future observatories that will measure
feedback in galaxies via complementary tracers at other wavelengths.Comment: This paper belongs to the SPICA Special Issue on PASA. Accepted for
  publication in PAS
Supporting the development of inclusive products : the effects of everyday ambient illumination levels and contrast on older adults' near visual acuity

Current older adult capability data-sets fail to account for the effects of everyday environmental conditions on capability. This article details a study that investigates the effects of everyday ambient illumination conditions (overcast, 6000 lx; in-house lighting, 150 lx and street lighting, 7.5 lx) and contrast (90%, 70%, 50% and 30%) on the near visual acuity (VA) of older adults (n= 38, 65-87 years). VA was measured at a 1-m viewing distance using logarithm of minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR) acuity charts. Results from the study showed that for all contrast levels tested, VA decreased by 0.2 log units between the overcast and street lighting conditions. On average, in overcast conditions, participants could detect detail around 1.6 times smaller on the LogMAR charts compared with street lighting. VA also significantly decreased when contrast was reduced from 70% to 50%, and from 50% to 30% in each of the ambient illumination conditions. \ud
\ud
Practitioner summary: This article presents an experimental study that investigates the impact of everyday ambient illumination levels and contrast on older adults' VA. Results show that both factors have a significant effect on their VA. Findings suggest that environmental conditions need to be accounted for in older adult capability data-sets/designs
Search for leptonic decays of W′ bosons in pp collisions at s√=7 TeV

A search for a new heavy gauge boson W′ decaying to an electron or muon, plus a low mass neutrino, is presented. This study uses data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.0 fb−1, collected using the CMS detector in pp collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV at the LHC. Events containing a single electron or muon and missing transverse momentum are analyzed. No significant excess of events above the standard model expectation is found in the transverse mass distribution of the lepton-neutrino system, and upper limits for cross sections above different transverse mass thresholds are presented. Mass exclusion limits at 95% CL for a range of W′ models are determined, including a limit of 2.5 TeV for right-handed W′ bosons with standard-model-like couplings and limits of 2.43–2.63 TeV for left-handed W′ bosons, taking into account their interference with the standard model W boson. Exclusion limits have also been set on Kaluza-Klein WKK states in the framework of split universal extra dimensions
Impact of generalized travel costs on satellite location in two-echelon vehicle routing problem

In this paper we address the Two-Echelon Vehicle Routing Problem (2E-VRP), the variant of VRP where freight is delivered from depots to intermediate satellites, and then it is delivered to customers while minimizing the global routing costs of the overall two-echelon network. The goal of this work is to address more realistic situations in urban freight delivery where the travel costs are not only given by distances, but also by other components, like fixed costs for using the arcs, operational costs, and environmental costs. We introduce a generalized travel cost that may combine different components, e.g., operational, environmental, congestion, etc. We then analyze how the different components of the generalized cost affect the satellite location in the 2E-VRP and whether and under which conditions the Two-Echelon approach dominates the Single-Echelon on
Spin–orbit based coherent spin ratchets

The concept of ratchets, driven asymmetric periodic structures giving rise to directed particle flow, has recently been generalized to a quantum ratchet mechanism for spin currents mediated through spin–orbit interaction. Here we consider such systems in the coherent mesoscopic regime and generalize the proposal of a minimal spin ratchet model based on a non-interacting clean quantum wire with two transverse channels by including disorder and by self-consistently treating the charge redistribution in the nonlinear (adiabatic) ac-driving regime. Our Keldysh–Green function based quantum transport simulations show that the spin ratchet mechanism is robust and prevails for disordered, though non-diffusive, mesoscopic structures. Extending the two-channel to the multi-channel case does not increase the net ratchet spin current efficiency but, remarkably, yields a dc spin transmission increasing linearly with channel number
Monetary Union Among Arab Gulf Cooperation Council (AGCC) Countries: Does the symmetry of shocks extend to the non-oil sector?

AGCC countries' output is heavily dichotomized into oil and non-oil. The oil shocks have similar effects on all member countries but little is known about their responses to non-oil shocks. This paper sets out to determine whether (1) aggregate demand (AD) and non-oil supply shocks (AS) are symmetrical across these countries to justify their suitability for monetary union; and (2) whether there is any commonality of shocks with the United States and the three major European countries, namely France, Germany, and Italy, which can warrant the choice of either the US dollar or the Euro as the anchor for the expected common currency of the bloc. We use bivariate structural vector autoregression models identified with long-run restrictions a la Blanchard and Quah (1989) to extract the shocks. Our results show that (a) AD shocks are unequivocally symmetrical but non-oil AS shocks are weakly symmetrical across AGCC countries thereby giving a green light for monetary union; (b) neither AD nor AS shocks are symmetrical between AGCC countries and the selected European countries; (c) AGCC's AD shocks are symmetrical with the US but non-oil AS shock are not. We therefore surmise that the US dollar is a far better candidate for the new currency than the Euro since US monetary policy can at least help smooth demand shocks in AGCC countries. Our results hold even when we consider the AGCC countries as a bloc. This paper makes a valuable contribution to AGCC decision makers who have been wrestling with the dilemma of whether to revalue or to depeg their actual currencies.
Contrast masking in strabismic amblyopia : attenuation, noise, interocular suppression and binocular summation

To investigate amblyopic contrast vision at threshold and above we performed pedestal-masking (contrast discrimination) experiments with a group of eight strabismic amblyopes using horizontal sinusoidal gratings (mainly 3c/deg) in monocular, binocular and dichoptic configurations balanced across eye (i.e. five conditions). With some exceptions in some observers, the four main results were as follows. (1) For the monocular and dichoptic conditions, sensitivity was less in the amblyopic eye than in the good eye at all mask contrasts. (2) Binocular and monocular dipper functions superimposed in the good eye. (3) Monocular masking functions had a normal dipper shape in the good eye, but facilitation was diminished in the amblyopic eye. (4) A less consistent result was normal facilitation in dichoptic masking when testing the good eye, but a loss of this when testing the amblyopic eye. This pattern of amblyopic results was replicated in a normal observer by placing a neutral density filter in front of one eye. The two-stage model of binocular contrast gain control [Meese, T.S., Georgeson, M.A. & Baker, D.H. (2006). Binocular contrast vision at and above threshold. Journal of Vision 6, 1224-1243.] was 'lesioned' in several ways to assess the form of the amblyopic deficit. The most successful model involves attenuation of signal and an increase in noise in the amblyopic eye, and intact stages of interocular suppression and binocular summation. This implies a behavioural influence from monocular noise in the amblyopic visual system as well as in normal observers with an ND filter over one eye
The trade-growth nexus in the developing countries : a quantile regression approach

This paper applies quantile regression techniques to investigate how the impact of trade openness on the growth rate of per capita income varies with the conditional distribution of growth. Using formal robustness analyses, we first identify robust variables affecting economic growth (investment, government balance, terms of trade, inflation, and population growth) which we then use as controls in the quantile regression estimations. Our findings suggest a heterogeneous trade-growth nexus: for both the short and the long run, the effect of openness on growth is higher in countries with low growth rates compared to those with high growth rates. [author's abstract
Nearby early-type galaxies with ionized gas. VI. The Spitzer-IRS view. \ud
Basic data set analysis and empirical spectral classification

Context. A large fraction of early-type galaxies (ETGs) shows emission lines in their optical spectra, mostly with LINER characteristics. Despite the number of studies, the nature of the ionization mechanisms is still debated. Many ETGs also show several signs of rejuvenation episodes. Aims. We aim to investigate the ionization mechanisms and the physical processes of a sample of ETGs using mid-infrared spectra. Methods. We present here low resolution Spitzer-IRS spectra of 40 ETGs, 18 of which from our proposed Cycle 3 observations, selected from a sample of 65 ETGs showing emission lines in their optical spectra. We homogeneously extract the mid-infrared (MIR) spectra, and after the proper subtraction of a "passive" ETG template, we derive the intensity of the ionic and molecular lines and of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emission features. We use MIR diagnostic diagrams to investigate the powering mechanisms of the ionized gas. Results. The mid-infrared spectra of early-type galaxies show a variety of spectral characteristics. We empirically sub-divide the sample into five classes of spectra with common characteristics. Class-0, accounting for 20% of the sample, are purely passive ETGs with neither emission lines nor PAH features. Class-1 show emission lines but no PAH features, and account for 17.5% of the sample. Class-2, in which 50% of the ETGs are found, as well as having emission lines, show PAH features with unusual ratios, e.g. 7.7 mu m/11.3 mu m <= 2.3. Class-3 objects (7.5% of the sample) have emission lines and PAH features with ratios typical of star-forming galaxies. Class-4, containing only 5% of the ETGs, is dominated by a hot dust continuum. The diagnostic diagram [Ne III]15.55 mu m/[Ne II]12.8 mu m vs. [S III]33.48 mu m/[Si II]34.82 mu m, is used to investigate the different mechanisms ionizing the gas. According to the above diagram most of our ETGs contain gas ionized via either AGN-like or shock phenomena, or both. Conclusions. Most of the spectra in the present sample are classified as LINERs in the optical window. The proposed MIR spectral classes show unambiguously the manifold of the physical processes and ionization mechanisms, from star formation, low level AGN activity, to shocks (H(2)), present in LINER nuclei
Automatic compile-time parallelization of logic programs for restricted, goal-level, independent and-parallelism.

A framework for the automatic parallelization of (constraint) logic programs is proposed and proved correct. Intuitively, the parallelization process replaces conjunctions of literals with parallel expressions. Such expressions trigger at run-time the exploitation of restricted, goal-level, independent and-parallelism. The parallelization process performs two steps. The first one builds a conditional dependency graph (which can be implified using compile-time analysis information), while the second transforms the resulting graph into linear conditional expressions, the parallel expressions of the &-Prolog language. Several heuristic algorithms for the latter ("annotation") process are proposed and proved correct. Algorithms are also given which determine if there is any loss of parallelism in the linearization process with respect to a proposed notion of maximal parallelism. Finally, a system is presented which implements the proposed approach. The performance of the different annotation algorithms is compared experimentally in this system by studying the time spent in parallelization and\ud
the effectiveness of the results in terms of speedups
Observation of the $\Xi_b^- \to J/\psi\Lambda K^-$ decay

The observation of the decay $\Xi_b^- \to J/\psi\Lambda K^-$ is reported, using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb$^{−1}$, collected by the LHCb detector in ppcollisions at centre-of-mass energies of 7and 8 TeV. The production rate of $\Xi_b^-$ baryons detected in the decay $\Xi_b^- \to J/\psi\Lambda K^-$ is measured relative to that of $\Lambda^0_b$ baryons using the decay $\Lambda^0_b \to J/\psi\Lambda$. Integrated over the $b$-baryon transverse momentum $p_T < 25 GeV/c$ and rapidity $2.0 < y < 4.5$, the measured ratio is\ud
$\frac{f_{\Xi^-_b}}{f_{\Lambda^0_b}}\ud
\frac{\mathscr{B}(\Xi^-_b \to J/\psi\Lambda K^−)}\ud
{\mathscr{B}(\Lambda^0_b \to J/\psi\Lambda)} = (4.19 \pm 0.29(stat) \pm 0.15(syst)) \times 10^{−2}$,\ud
where $f_{\Xi^-_b}$ and $f_{\Lambda^0_b}$ are the fragmentation fractions of $b \to \Xi^-_b$ and $b \to \Lambda^0_b$ transitions, and $\mathscr{B}$ represents the branching fraction of the corresponding b-baryon decay. The mass difference between $\Xi^-_b$ and $\Lambda^0_b$ baryons is measured to be\ud
$M(\Xi^-_b) − M(\Lambda^0_b) = 177.08 \pm 0.47(stat) \pm 0.16(syst) MeV/c^2$
Theory of isolated magnetic skyrmions: From fundamentals to room temperature applications

Magnetic skyrmions are topological quasiparticles of great interest for data storage applications because of their small size, high stability, and ease of manipulation via electric current. However, although models exist for some limiting cases, there is no universal theory capable of accurately describing the structure and energetics of all skyrmions. The main barrier is the complexity of non-local stray field interactions, which are usually included through crude approximations. Here we present an accurate analytical framework to treat isolated skyrmions in any material, assuming only a circularly-symmetric 360° domain wall profile and a homogeneous magnetization profile in the out-of-plane direction. We establish the first rigorous criteria to distinguish stray field from DMI skyrmions, resolving a major dispute in the community. We discover new phases, such as bi-stability, a phenomenon unknown in magnetism so far. We predict materials for sub-10 nm zero field room temperature stable skyrmions suitable for applications. Finally, we derive analytical equations to describe current-driven dynamics, find a topological damping, and show how to engineer materials in which compact skyrmions can be driven at velocities  > 1000 m/s.United States. Department of Energy. Office of Basic Energy Sciences (Award DE-SC0012371
X-ray polarimetry with the Polarization Spectroscopic Telescope Array (PolSTAR).

This paper describes the Polarization Spectroscopic Telescope Array (PolSTAR), a mission proposed to NASA’s 2014 Small Explorer (SMEX) announcement of opportunity. PolSTAR measures the linear polarization of 3–50 keV (requirement; goal: 2.5–70 keV) X-rays probing the behavior of matter, radiation and the very fabric of spacetime under the extreme conditions close to the event horizons of black holes, as well as in and around magnetars and neutron stars. The PolSTAR design is based on the technology developed for the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) mission launched in June 2012. In particular, it uses the same X-ray optics, extendable telescope boom, optical bench, and CdZnTe detectors as NuSTAR. The mission has the sensitivity to measure ∼1% linear polarization fractions for X-ray sources with fluxes down to ∼5 mCrab. This paper describes the PolSTAR design as well as the science drivers and the potential science return
Accurate γ and MeV-electron track reconstruction with an ultra-low diffusion Xenon/TMA TPC at 10 atm

We report the performance of a 10 atm Xenon/trimethylamine time projection chamber (TPC) for the detection of X-rays (30 keV) and γ-rays (0.511-1.275 MeV) in conjunction with the accurate tracking of the associated electrons. When operated at such a high pressure and in ∼1%-admixtures, trimethylamine (TMA) endows Xenon with an extremely low electron diffusion (1.3±0.13mm-σ (longitudinal), 0.95±0.20mm-σ (transverse) along 1 m drift) besides forming a convenient 'Penning-Fluorescent' mixture. The TPC, that houses 1.1 kg of gas in its fiducial volume, operated continuously for 100 live-days in charge amplification mode. The readout was performed through the recently introduced microbulk Micromegas technology and the AFTER chip, providing a 3D voxelization of 8mm×8mm×1.2mm for approximately 10 cm/MeV-long electron tracks. Resolution in energy (ε) at full width half maximum (R) inside the fiducial volume ranged from R=14.6% (30 keV) to R=4.6%(1.275MeV). This work was developed as part of the R&D program of the NEXT collaboration for future detector upgrades in the search of the neutrino-less double beta decay (ββ0ν) in 136Xe, specifically those based on novel gas mixtures. Therefore we ultimately focus on the calorimetric and topological properties of the reconstructed MeV-electron tracks. In particular, the obtained energy resolution has been decomposed in its various contributions and improvements towards achieving the R=1.4%√1MeV/ε levels obtained in small sensors are discusse
Drug-resistant tuberculosis: time for visionary political leadership

Two decades ago, WHO declared tuberculosis a global emergency, and invested in the highly cost-effective directly observed treatment short-course programme to control the epidemic. At that time, most strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis were susceptible to first-line tuberculosis drugs, and drug resistance was not a major issue. However, in 2013, tuberculosis remains a major public health concern worldwide, with prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis rising. WHO estimates roughly 630 000 cases of MDR tuberculosis worldwide, with great variation in the frequency of MDR tuberculosis between countries. In the past 8 years, extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis has emerged, and has been reported in 84 countries, heralding the possibility of virtually untreatable tuberculosis. Increased population movement, the continuing HIV pandemic, and the rise in MDR tuberculosis pose formidable challenges to the global control of tuberculosis. We provide an overview of the global burden of drug-resistant disease; discuss the social, health service, management, and control issues that fuel and sustain the epidemic; and suggest specific recommendations for important next steps. Visionary political leadership is needed to curb the rise of MDR and XDR tuberculosis worldwide, through sustained funding and the implementation of global and regional action plans