1,752 research outputs found
P03-10. Induction of neutralizing antibodies in Rhesus macaques following mucosal challenge with R5 tropic SHIV162P3 isolate
X-ray Spectral Signatures of the Photon Bubble Model for Ultraluminous X-ray Sources
The nature of ultraluminous X-ray sources in nearby galaxies is one of the
major open questions in modern X-ray astrophysics. One possible explanation for
these objects is an inhomogeneous, radiation dominated accretion disk around a
black hole -- the so-called ``photon bubble'' model. While
previous studies of this model have focused primarily on its
radiation-hydrodynamics aspects, in this paper, we provide an analysis of its
X-ray spectral (continuum and possible edge and line) characteristics. Compton
reflection between high and low density regions in the disk may provide the key
to distinguishing this model from others, such as accretion onto an
intermediate mass black hole. We couple a Monte Carlo/Fokker-Planck radiation
transport code with the XSTAR code for reflection to simulate the photon
spectra produced in a photon bubble model for ULXs. We find that reflection
components tend to be very weak and in most cases not observable, and make
predictions for the shape of the high-energy Comptonizing spectra. In many
cases the Comptonization dominates the spectra even down to a few keV.
In one simulation, a \sim 9 \kev feature was found, which may be considered a
signature of photon bubbles in ULXs; furthermore, we make predictions of high
energy power-laws which may be observed by future instruments.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa
Extreme Blazars Studied with Fermi-LAT and Suzaku: 1ES 0347-121 and Blazar Candidate HESS J1943+213
We report on our study of high-energy properties of two peculiar TeV
emitters: the "extreme blazar" 1ES 0347-121 and the "extreme blazar candidate"
HESS J1943+213 located near the Galactic Plane. Both objects are characterized
by quiescent synchrotron emission with flat spectra extending up to the hard
X-ray range, and both were reported to be missing GeV counterparts in the
Fermi-LAT 2-year Source Catalog. We analyze a 4.5 year accumulation of the
Fermi-LAT data, resulting in the detection of 1ES 0347-121 in the GeV band, as
well as in improved upper limits for HESS J1943+213. We also present the
analysis results of newly acquired Suzaku data for HESS J1943+213. The X-ray
spectrum is well represented by a single power law extending up to 25 keV with
photon index 2.00+/-0.02 and a moderate absorption in excess of the Galactic
value, in agreement with previous X-ray observations. No short-term X-ray
variability was found over the 80 ks duration of the Suzaku exposure. Under the
blazar hypothesis, we modeled the spectral energy distributions of 1ES 0347-121
and HESS J1943+213, and derived constraints on the intergalactic magnetic field
strength and source energetics. We conclude that although the classification of
HESS J1943+213 has not yet been determined, the blazar hypothesis remains the
most plausible option, since in particular the broad-band spectra of the two
analyzed sources along with the source model parameters closely resemble each
other, and the newly available WISE and UKIDSS data for HESS J1943+213 are
consistent with the presence of an elliptical host at the distance of
approximately ~600 Mpc.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures, 3 tables. Accepted by Ap
The European Food Safety Authority scientific opinion on a risk profile related to production and consumption of insects as food and feed
Spatial Patterns and Sequential Sampling Plans for Estimating Densities of Stink Bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Soybean in the North Central Region of the United States
Stink bugs are an emerging threat to soybean (Fabales: Fabaceae) in the North Central Region of the United States. Consequently, region-specific scouting recommendations for stink bugs are needed. The aim of this study was to characterize the spatial pattern and to develop sampling plans to estimate stink bug population density in soybean fields. In 2016 and 2017, 125 fields distributed across nine states were sampled using sweep nets. Regression analyses were used to determine the effects of stink bug species [Chinavia hilaris (Say) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and Euschistus spp. (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)], life stages (nymphs and adults), and field locations (edge and interior) on spatial pattern as represented by variance–mean relationships. Results showed that stink bugs were aggregated. Sequential sampling plans were developed for each combination of species, life stage, and location and for all the data combined. Results for required sample size showed that an average of 40–42 sample units (sets of 25 sweeps) would be necessary to achieve a precision of 0.25 for stink bug densities commonly encountered across the region. However, based on the observed geographic gradient of stink bug densities, more practical sample sizes (5–10 sample units) may be sufficient in states in the southeastern part of the region, whereas impractical sample sizes (\u3e100 sample units) may be required in the northwestern part of the region. Our findings provide research-based sampling recommendations for estimating densities of these emerging pests in soybean
Unusual Flaring Activity in the Blazar PKS 1424-418 during 2008-2011
Context. Blazars are a subset of active galactic nuclei (AGN) with jets that
are oriented along our line of sight. Variability and spectral energy
distribution (SED) studies are crucial tools for understanding the physical
processes responsible for observed AGN emission.
Aims. We report peculiar behaviour in the bright gamma-ray blazar PKS
1424-418 and use its strong variability to reveal information about the
particle acceleration and interactions in the jet. Methods. Correlation
analysis of the extensive optical coverage by the ATOM telescope and nearly
continuous gamma-ray coverage by the Fermi Large Area Telescope is combined
with broadband, time-dependent modeling of the SED incorporating supplemental
information from radio and X-ray observations of this blazar.
Results. We analyse in detail four bright phases at optical-GeV energies.
These flares of PKS 1424-418 show high correlation between these energy ranges,
with the exception of one large optical flare that coincides with relatively
low gamma-ray activity. Although the optical/gamma-ray behaviour of PKS
1424-418 shows variety, the multiwavelength modeling indicates that these
differences can largely be explained by changes in the flux and energy spectrum
of the electrons in the jet that are radiating. We find that for all flares the
SED is adequately represented by a leptonic model that includes inverse Compton
emission from external radiation fields with similar parameters.
Conclusions. Detailed studies of individual blazars like PKS 1424-418 during
periods of enhanced activity in different wavebands are helping us identify
underlying patterns in the physical parameters in this class of AGN.Comment: accepted for publication in A&
A significant hardening and rising shape detected in the MeV/GeV nuFnu spectrum from the recently-discovered very-high-energy blazar S4 0954+65 during the bright optical flare in 2015 February
We report on Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) and multi-wavelength results on
the recently-discovered very-high-energy (VHE, 100 GeV) blazar S4 0954+65
() during an exceptionally bright optical flare in 2015 February.
During the time period (2015 February, 13/14, or MJD 57067) when the MAGIC
telescope detected VHE -ray emission from the source, the Fermi-LAT
data indicated a significant spectral hardening at GeV energies, with a
power-law photon index of ---compared with the 3FGL value
(averaged over four years of observation) of . In contrast,
Swift/XRT data showed a softening of the X-ray spectrum, with a photon index of
(compared with averaged during the flare from
MJD 57066 to 57077), possibly indicating a modest contribution of synchrotron
photons by the highest-energy electrons superposed on the inverse Compton
component. Fitting of the quasi-simultaneous ( day) broadband spectrum with
a one-zone synchrotron plus inverse-Compton model revealed that GeV/TeV
emission could be produced by inverse-Compton scattering of external photons
from the dust torus. We emphasize that a flaring blazar showing high flux of
photons cm s ( 100 MeV) and a
hard spectral index of detected by Fermi-LAT on daily
time scales is a promising target for TeV follow-up by ground-based Cherenkov
telescopes to discover high-redshift blazars, investigate their temporal
variability and spectral features in the VHE band, and also constrain the
intensity of the extragalactic background light.Comment: 15 pages, 3 figures, 2 tables. Accepted by PAS
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