Adding Logical Operators to Tree Pattern Queries on Graph-Structured Data

As data are increasingly modeled as graphs for expressing complex relationships, the tree pattern query on graph-structured data becomes an important type of queries in real-world applications. Most practical query languages, such as XQuery and SPARQL, support logical expressions using logical-AND/OR/NOT operators to define structural constraints of tree patterns. In this paper, (1) we propose generalized tree pattern queries (GTPQs) over graph-structured data, which fully support propositional logic of structural constraints. (2) We make a thorough study of fundamental problems including satisfiability, containment and minimization, and analyze the computational complexity and the decision procedures of these problems. (3) We propose a compact graph representation of intermediate results and a pruning approach to reduce the size of intermediate results and the number of join operations -- two factors that often impair the efficiency of traditional algorithms for evaluating tree pattern queries. (4) We present an efficient algorithm for evaluating GTPQs using 3-hop as the underlying reachability index. (5) Experiments on both real-life and synthetic data sets demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of our algorithm, from several times to orders of magnitude faster than state-of-the-art algorithms in terms of evaluation time, even for traditional tree pattern queries with only conjunctive operations.Comment: 16 page

Gamma-ray polarization induced by cold electrons via Compton processes

The polarization measurement is an important tool to probe the prompt emission mechanism in gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). The synchrotron photons can be scattered by cold electrons in the outflow via Compton scattering processes. The observed polarization depends on both the photon energy and the viewing angle. With the typical bulk Lorentz factor $\Gamma \sim 200$, photons with energy $E>10$ MeV tend to have smaller polarization than photons with energy $E<1$ MeV. At the right viewing angle, i.e. $\theta \sim \Gamma^{-1}$, the polarization achieves its maximal value, and the polarization angle changes $90^{\circ}$ relative to the initial polarization direction. Thus, the synchrotron radiation plus Compton scattering model can naturally explain the $90^{\circ}$ change of the polarization angle in GRB 100826A.Comment: 19 Pages, 5 figures, 1 tabl

Gamma-ray burst polarization via Compton scattering process

Synchrotron radiation and Compton scattering are widely accepted as the most likely emission mechanisms of some astrophysical phenomena, such as gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and active galactic nuclei (AGNs). The measurement on polarization of photons provides a useful tool to distinguish different emission mechanisms and structures of the emission region. Based on the differential cross section of a polarized photon scattered by an unpolarized electron of any initial momentum, we derive analytical formula of polarization for beamed photons scattered by isotropic electrons with a power law distribution. Numerical calculations are carried out in four special cases: electrons at rest, Thomson limit, head-on collision and monochromatic electrons. It is found that the maximum polarization can be as high as $100\%$ for low energy photons, if the electrons are at rest. Although polarization is highly suppressed due to the isotropic electrons, a maximum value of \sim 10\% \-- 20\% can still be achieved. Compton scattering process can be used to explain the polarization of GRB 041219A and GRB 100826A.Comment: 22 pages, 5 figure