Aspects of Dark Matter Annihilation in Cosmology

Cosmic microwave background (CMB) constraints on dark matter annihilation are a uniquely powerful tool in the quest to understand the nature of dark matter. Annihilation of dark matter to Standard Model particles between recombination and reionization heats baryons, ionizes neutral hydrogen, and alters the CMB visibility function. Surprisingly, CMB bounds on dark matter annihilation are not expected to improve significantly with the dramatic improvements in sensitivity expected in future cosmological surveys. In this paper, we will present a simple physical description of the origin of the CMB constraints and explain why they are nearly saturated by current observations. The essential feature is that dark matter annihilation primarily affects the ionization fraction which can only increase substantially at times when the universe was neutral. The resulting change to the CMB occurs on large angular scales and leads to a phenomenology similar to that of the optical depth to reionization. We will demonstrate this impact on the CMB both analytically and numerically. Finally, we will discuss the additional impact that changing the ionization fraction has on large scale structure.Comment: 22 pages, 11 figure

X-ray emission from an FU Ori star in early outburst: HBC 722

Aims: We conducted the first X-ray observations of the newly erupting FU Ori-type outburst in HBC 722 (V2493 Cyg) with the aim to characterize its X-ray behavior and near-stellar environment during early outburst. Methods: We used data from the XMM-Newton and Chandra X-ray observatories to measure X-ray source temperatures and luminosities as well as the gas column densities along the line of sight toward the source. Results: We report a Chandra X-ray detection of HBC 722 with an X-ray luminosity of LX ~ 4E30 erg s-1. The gas column density exceeds values expected from optical extinction and standard gas-to-dust ratios. We conclude that dust-free gas masses are present around the star, such as strong winds launched from the inner disk, or massive accretion columns. A tentative detection obtained by XMM-Newton two years earlier after an initial optical peak revealed a fainter X-ray source with only weak absorption.Comment: Accepted for Astronomy & Astrophysics Letters on September 17, 201

Phases of New Physics in the CMB

Fluctuations in the cosmic neutrino background are known to produce a phase shift in the acoustic peaks of the cosmic microwave background. It is through the sensitivity to this effect that the recent CMB data has provided a robust detection of free-streaming neutrinos. In this paper, we revisit the phase shift of the CMB anisotropy spectrum as a probe of new physics. The phase shift is particularly interesting because its physical origin is strongly constrained by the analytic properties of the Green's function of the gravitational potential. For adiabatic fluctuations, a phase shift requires modes that propagate faster than the speed of fluctuations in the photon-baryon plasma. This possibility is realized by free-streaming relativistic particles, such as neutrinos or other forms of dark radiation. Alternatively, a phase shift can arise from isocurvature fluctuations. We present simple models to illustrate each of these effects. We then provide observational constraints from the Planck temperature and polarization data on additional forms of radiation. We also forecast the capabilities of future CMB Stage IV experiments. Whenever possible, we give analytic interpretations of our results.Comment: 39 pages, 10 figures, 5 tables; v2: minor corrections, references added; v3: corrected Planck parameter constraints, conclusions unchange

Sufis in a \u27Foreign\u27 Zawiya: Moroccan Perceptions of the Tijani Pilgrimage to Fes

The purpose of this ISP is to investigate Moroccan perceptions of sub-Saharan members of the Tijaniyya during the completion of their religious pilgrimage to Fes. The relationship between Moroccans andTijani pilgrims is particularly complex as it occurs at an intersection of various identities, most prominently including race, religion, class and nationality. This project focuses on Moroccans who work in the area surrounding the shrine of Ahmed al-Tijani and either market their business towards Tijani pilgrims or frequently serve Tijani pilgrims as customers. In the course of interviews with five Moroccans, three major themes emerged: 1. Condemnation of Tijani religious practice. 2. Warm economic relationships with the Tijaniyya and 3. Racism towards the Tijani manifestedas assumptions about their socio-economic status. This project will also demonstrate the ways in which these themes represent larger discourses within Morocco, especially in regards to race and racism. Finally, this project will offer speculation regarding the reasons why racism does not openly operate in interactions between Moroccans and sub-SaharanTijanis by offering explanations based on their religious and economic connections

Single-Field Inflation and the Local Ansatz: Distinguishability and Consistency

The single-field consistency conditions and the local ansatz have played separate but important roles in characterizing the non-Gaussian signatures of single- and multifield inflation respectively. We explore the precise relationship between these two approaches and their predictions. We demonstrate that the predictions of the single-field consistency conditions can never be satisfied by a general local ansatz with deviations necessarily arising at order $(n_s-1)^2$. This implies that there is, in principle, a minimum difference between single- and (fully local) multifield inflation in observables sensitive to the squeezed limit such as scale-dependent halo bias. We also explore some potential observational implications of the consistency conditions and its relationship to the local ansatz. In particular, we propose a new scheme to test the consistency relations. In analogy with delensing of the cosmic microwave background, one can deproject the coupling of the long wavelength modes with the short wavelength modes and test for residual anomalous coupling.Comment: 17 page

The influence of several factors on the rate of secondary compression of soil

This research program has been undertaken to study the influence of load increment ratio, temperature, and sample thickness on Cα (rate of secondary consolidation) for a high organic content and low organic content soil. Consolidation equipment was designed to produce constant temperatures both above and below ambient, and to accommodate both 3/4 and 1 1/2 inch thick samples. Samples were molded into oedometer rings at the liquid limit. It was found that Cα was independent of the sample thickness and load increment ratio for both the high organic and low organic soils. The influence of temperature on Cα was found to be dependent upon the effective stress level. Temperature had a major effect on the magnitude of Cα at low effective loads but had little influence at higher effective stress levels --Abstract, page ii

NT 520 New Testament Introduction

Course Reading: Required Books Achtemeier, Paul J., Joel B. Green, and Marianne Meye Thompson, Introducing the New Testament: Its Literature and Message. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm.B. Eerdmans, 2001. deSilva, David A. Honor, Patronage, Kinship, and Purity: Unlocking New Testament Culture. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity, 2000. Green, Joel B., ed. Hearing the New Testament: Strategies for Interpretation. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm.B. Eerdmans, 1995. Theissen, Gerd. The Shadow of the Galilean. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1987. Veyne, Paul. The Roman Empire. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 1997.https://place.asburyseminary.edu/syllabi/1720/thumbnail.jp

NT 790 Christian Formation in New Testament Perspective

Dunn, James D.G. Jesus\u27 Call to Discipleship. Understanding Jesus Today. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1992. Johnson, Luke Timothy. Religious Experience in Earliest Christianity. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1998. Longenecker, Richard N., ed. Patterns of Discipleship in the New Testament. McMaster New Testament Studies. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1996. Peterson, Eugene H. Reversed Thunder: The Revelation of John and the Praying Imagination. San Francisco: Harper, 1988. Ryder, Andrew. Following Christ: Models of Discipleship in the New Testament. Sheed & Ward, 1999. Wilkins, Michael J. Following the Master: A Biblical Theology of Discipleship. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1992. Wright, N.T. Following Jesus: Biblical Reflections on Discipleship. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1996.https://place.asburyseminary.edu/syllabi/1725/thumbnail.jp

BS 753 The Human Person: Multidisciplinary Perspectives

Brown, Warren S., Nancey Murphy, and H. Newton Maloney, eds. Whatever Happened to the Soul? Scientific and Theological Portraits of Human Nature. Theology and the Sciences. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1998. Damasio, Antonio R. The Feeling of What Happens: Body and Emotion in the Making of Consciousness. New York: Harcourt, 1999. Green, Joel B., ed. What about the Soul? Neuroscience and Christian Anthropology. Nashville: Abingdon, 2004. Jeeves, Malcolm A., ed. From Cells to Souls: Changing Portraits of Human Nature. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm.B. Eerdmans, 2004.https://place.asburyseminary.edu/syllabi/2706/thumbnail.jp

NT 655 Faith and Wealth in New Testament Perspective

González, Justo L. Faith and Wealth: A History of Early Christian Ideas on the Origin, Significance, and Use of Money. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1990; reprint ed., Eugene: Oregon: Wipf & Stock, 2002. Hamel, Gildas. Poverty and Charity in Roman Palestine, First Three Centuries C.E. University of California Press: Near Eastern Studies 23. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1990. Wheeler, Sondra Ely. Wealth as Peril and Obligation: The New Testament on Possessions. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm.B. Eerdmans, 1995.https://place.asburyseminary.edu/syllabi/2626/thumbnail.jp