Implications of a transition in the dark energy equation of state for the H0H_0 and σ8\sigma_8 tensions

We explore the implications of a rapid appearance of dark energy between the redshifts ($z$) of one and two on the expansion rate and growth of perturbations. Using both Gaussian process regression and a parameteric model, we show that this is the preferred solution to the current set of low-redshift ($z<3$) distance measurements if $H_0=73~\rm km\,s^{-1}\,Mpc^{-1}$ to within 1\% and the high-redshift expansion history is unchanged from the $\Lambda$CDM inference by the Planck satellite. Dark energy was effectively non-existent around $z=2$, but its density is close to the $\Lambda$CDM model value today, with an equation of state greater than $-1$ at $z<0.5$. If sources of clustering other than matter are negligible, we show that this expansion history leads to slower growth of perturbations at $z<1$, compared to $\Lambda$CDM, that is measurable by upcoming surveys and can alleviate the $\sigma_8$ tension between the Planck CMB temperature and low-redshift probes of the large-scale structure.Comment: 24 pages, 16 figure

Tying Dark Matter to Baryons with Self-interactions

Self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) models have been proposed to solve the small-scale issues with the collisionless cold dark matter (CDM) paradigm. We derive equilibrium solutions in these SIDM models for the dark matter halo density profile including the gravitational potential of both baryons and dark matter. Self-interactions drive dark matter to be isothermal and this ties the core sizes and shapes of dark matter halos to the spatial distribution of the stars, a radical departure from previous expectations and from CDM predictions. Compared to predictions of SIDM-only simulations, the core sizes are smaller and the core densities are higher, with the largest effects in baryon-dominated galaxies. As an example, we find a core size around 0.5 kpc for dark matter in the Milky Way, more than an order of magnitude smaller than the core size from SIDM-only simulations, which has important implications for indirect searches of SIDM candidates.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures. v2: sections II and III edited heavily for clarity of presentation, changes to figure 2 (halo shape), conclusions unchange

Reforms in Indian Agro-processing and Agriculture Sectors in the Context of Unilateral and Multilateral Trade Agreements

In this paper, we explore the potential impacts of trade and investment-related policy reforms on Indias agro-processing sector. We consider the direct effects of policy reforms within the processing sector, and the indirect effects on agro-processing of policy reforms in the primary agriculture sector, in the Indian economy as a whole, and in a multilateral framework. Towards this, we develop a 22-sector, 16-region version of the GTAP computable general equilibrium (CGE), global model for our analysis. We find that trade and investment-related reforms in agro-processing together can help the sector to grow. Policy reforms that stimulate investment and help to improve productivity will be crucial in offsetting the contractionary pressures of trade reform alone on the production of processed agricultural products. We also find that indirect effects on agro-processing from Indias policy reforms in other sectors are more important than reforms in agro-processing itself. Our findings argue for an economy-wide perspective when targeting reform or development of the agro-processing sector in India. Compared to trade reform, comprehensive domestic reforms in the agro-processing and agriculture sectors relating to investment are critical for achieving growth in agro-processing. However, while the impacts of trade reform per se seem to be small, trade reform - by ushering in a higher degree of competition - could itself be a stimulus for investment and productivity gains in India. At present, unilateral reforms, especially those that improve productivity in agro-processing and in primary agriculture, are more important to agro-processing than multilateral trade reforms. Nevertheless, our findings also suggest the importance of pursuing a domestic reform agenda within a multilateral trading strategy that can accommodate the expected economic growth of India and its future role in global markets, with general equilibrium effects on agro-processingagriculture, Agro-processing, Trade agreements, CGE models

Correcting Velocity Dispersions of Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxies for Binary Orbital Motion

We show that the measured velocity dispersions of dwarf spheroidal galaxies from about 4 to 10 km s^(–1) are unlikely to be inflated by more than 30% due to the orbital motion of binary stars and demonstrate that the intrinsic velocity dispersions can be determined to within a few percent accuracy using two-epoch observations with 1-2 yr as the optimal time interval. The crucial observable is the threshold fraction—the fraction of stars that show velocity changes larger than a given threshold between measurements. The threshold fraction is tightly correlated with the dispersion introduced by binaries, independent of the underlying binary fraction and distribution of orbital parameters. We outline a simple procedure to correct the velocity dispersion to within a few percent accuracy by using the threshold fraction and provide fitting functions for this method. We also develop a methodology for constraining properties of binary populations from both single- and two-epoch velocity measurements by including the binary velocity distribution in a Bayesian analysis

Reforms in Indian agro-processing and agriculture sectors in the context of unilateral and multilateral trade agreements

In this paper, we explore the potential impacts of trade and investment-related policy reforms on India's agro-processing sector. We consider the direct effects of policy reforms within the processing sector, and the indirect effects on agro-processing of policy reforms in the primary agriculture sector, in the Indian economy as a whole, and in a multilateral framework. Towards this, we develop a 22-sector, 16-region version of the GTAP computable general equilibrium (CGE), global model for our analysis. We find that trade and investment-related reforms in agro-processing together can help the sector to grow. Policy reforms that stimulate investment and help to improve productivity will be crucial in offsetting the contractionary pressures of trade reform alone on the production of processed agricultural products. We also find that indirect effects on agroprocessing from India's policy reforms in other sectors are more important than reforms in agro-processing itself. Our findings argue for an economy-wide perspective when targeting reform or development of the agro-processing sector in India. Compared to trade reform, comprehensive domestic reforms in the agro-processing and agriculture sectors relating to investment are critical for achieving growth in agro-processing. However, while the impacts of trade reform per se seem to be small, trade reform - by ushering in a higher degree of competition - could itself be a stimulus for investment and productivity gains in India. At present, unilateral reforms, especially those that improve productivity in agroprocessing and in primary agriculture, are more important to agro-processing than multilateral trade reforms. Nevertheless, our findings also suggest the importance of pursuing a domestic reform agenda within a multilateral trading strategy that can accommodate the expected economic growth of India and its future role in global markets, with general equilibrium effects on agro-processing.Agriculture, Agro-processing, Trade agreements, CGE models

Preliminary Study of the Effects of an Innovative Social Cognitive Theory Driven Yoga-Based Behavioral Intervention on Smoking Cessation

The purpose of this study was to develop and test an innovative yoga-based behavioral intervention for smoking cessation based on social cognitive theory and compare it with an existing self-help based program. In both the groups, the antecedents of quitting based on social cognitive theory, namely, selfefficacy for quitting and self-control for quitting were tracked for six months along with self-reported daily consumption of cigarettes, self-efficacy for yoga, and past week performance of yoga behaviors. A valid and reliable 23-item instrument was utilized. The study employed an experimental design. Twenty one participants recruited in this study after informed consent and randomly assigned to the two groups. Seven (33.3%) participants completed the study protocol and one participant who was in the yoga group was successful in quitting smoking. Statistically significant improvements occurred in the social cognitive-theory based yoga group over the self-help group for self-control for quitting (