ARGO CMB Anisotropy Measurement Constraints on Open and Flat-Lambda CDM Cosmogonies

We use data from the ARGO cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropy experiment to constrain cosmogonies. We account for the ARGO beamwidth and calibration uncertainties, and marginalize over the offset removed from the data. Our derived amplitudes of the CMB anisotropy detected by the ARGO experiment are smaller than those derived previously. We consider open and spatially-flat-Lambda cold dark matter cosmogonies, with clustered-mass density parameter Omega_0 in the range 0.1-1, baryonic-mass density parameter Omega_B in the range (0.005-0.029)h^{-2}, and age of the universe t_0 in the range (10--20) Gyr. Marginalizing over all parameters but Omega_0, the ARGO data favors an open (spatially-flat-Lambda) model with Omega_0= 0.23 (0.1). However, these numerical values are model dependent. At the 2 sigma confidence level model normalizations deduced from the ARGO data are consistent with those drawn from the UCSB South Pole 1994, MAX 4+5, White Dish, and SuZIE data sets. The ARGO open model normalizations are also consistent with those deduced from the DMR data. However, for most spatially-flat-Lambda models the DMR normalizations are more than 2 sigma above the ARGO ones.Comment: 21 pages of latex. Uses aaspp4.sty. 8 figures included. ApJ in pres

Collaborative Development and Evaluation of Text-processing Workflows in a UIMA-supported Web-based Workbench

Challenges in creating comprehensive text-processing worklows include a lack of the interoperability of individual components coming from different providers and/or a requirement imposed on the end users to know programming techniques to compose such workflows. In this paper we demonstrate Argo, a web-based system that addresses these issues in several ways. It supports the widely adopted Unstructured Information Management Architecture (UIMA), which handles the problem of interoperability; it provides a web browser-based interface for developing workflows by drawing diagrams composed of a selection of available processing components; and it provides novel user-interactive analytics such as the annotation editor which constitutes a bridge between automatic processing and manual correction. These features extend the target audience of Argo to users with a limited or no technical background. Here, we focus specifically on the construction of advanced workflows, involving multiple branching and merging points, to facilitate various comparative evalutions. Together with the use of user-collaboration capabilities supported in Argo, we demonstrate several use cases including visual inspections, comparisions of multiple processing segments or complete solutions against a reference standard, inter-annotator agreement, and shared task mass evaluations. Ultimetely, Argo emerges as a one-stop workbench for defining, processing, editing and evaluating text processing tasks

The influence of the reciprocal cable linkage in the advanced reciprocating gait orthosis on paraplegic gait performance

A wide variety of mechanical orthoses is available to provide ambulation to paraplegic patients. Evaluation of energy cost during walking in each of these devices has been acknowledged as an important topic in this field of research. In order to investigate the benefits of a ballistic swing on gait performance in the Advanced Reciprocating Gait Orthosis (ARGO) a study was conducted in which the ARGO was compared with an orthosis with freely swinging legs. This Non Reciprocally linked Orthosis (NRO) was obtained by removing the reciprocal linkage in the subjects' own ARGOs. Subsequently, flexion/extension limits were mounted to permit adjustment of stride length. Six male paraplegic subjects with lesions ranging from T4 to T12 were included in the study. A single case experimental design (B-A-B-A) was conducted in order to improve internal validity. Biomechanical and physiological parameters were assessed and the subjects' preference for either ARGO or NRO was determined.\ud \ud It was found that large inter-individual differences produced insufficient evidence in this study to draw general conclusions about difference in energy expenditure between both orthoses. However, individual analysis of the results showed a reduction of oxygen cost (range: 4%-14%) in the NRO in T9 and T12 lesions, while oxygen cost in subjects with T4 lesions increased markedly (22% and 40%). It is concluded that patients with low level lesions could benefit in terms of oxygen lost from removing the reciprocal cable linkage in the ARGO. However, only one subject preferred the NRO for walking, whereas none of the subject chose the NRO for use in daily living activities. Removal of the reciprocal cable linkage in the ARGO may not be desirable for these patients

Comparison of N. Atlantic heat storage estimates during the Argo period (1999–2010)

Ocean heat storage is an essential component of the climate system and there is considerable interest in its accurate evaluation. There are a number of heat storage products produced by many different groups. These products are derived from Argo as well as other platforms, for example XBT and CTD, in the last decade. Here we compare two heat storage estimates for the North Atlantic 0–2000 m from 10° to 70° N. One derived solely from Argo data whilst the other is derived from Argo and other platforms. It is found that there is a positive trend in heat storage over the period 1999–2010. This trend is influenced by a strong air–sea interaction event in 2009–2010, and this reduces the upward trend 1999–2008 identified previously. Both data sets are consistent with each other for the layer 0–1000 m on a timescale of beyond 1 yr. There are significant differences at sub-annual time scales and in the layer 1000–2000 m

Identification of the TeV Gamma-ray Source ARGO J2031+4157 with the Cygnus Cocoon

The extended TeV gamma-ray source ARGO J2031+4157 (or MGRO J2031+41) is positionally consistent with the Cygnus Cocoon discovered by $Fermi$-LAT at GeV energies in the Cygnus superbubble. Reanalyzing the ARGO-YBJ data collected from November 2007 to January 2013, the angular extension and energy spectrum of ARGO J2031+4157 are evaluated. After subtracting the contribution of the overlapping TeV sources, the ARGO-YBJ excess map is fitted with a two-dimensional Gaussian function in a square region of $10^{\circ}\times 10^{\circ}$, finding a source extension $\sigma_{ext}$= 1$^{\circ}$.8$\pm$0$^{\circ}$.5. The observed differential energy spectrum is $dN/dE =(2.5\pm0.4) \times 10^{-11}(E/1 TeV)^{-2.6\pm0.3}$ photons cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$ TeV$^{-1}$, in the energy range 0.2-10 TeV. The angular extension is consistent with that of the Cygnus Cocoon as measured by $Fermi$-LAT, and the spectrum also shows a good connection with the one measured in the 1-100 GeV energy range. These features suggest to identify ARGO J2031+4157 as the counterpart of the Cygnus Cocoon at TeV energies. The Cygnus Cocoon, located in the star-forming region of Cygnus X, is interpreted as a cocoon of freshly accelerated cosmic rays related to the Cygnus superbubble. The spectral similarity with Supernova Remnants indicates that the particle acceleration inside a superbubble is similar to that in a SNR. The spectral measurements from 1 GeV to 10 TeV allows for the first time to determine the possible spectrum slope of the underlying particle distribution. A hadronic model is adopted to explain the spectral energy distribution.Comment: 16 pages, 3 figures, has been accepted by ApJ for publicatio