Novel Techniques for Decomposing Diffuse Backgrounds

The total anisotropy of a diffuse background composed of two or more sources, such as the Fermi-Large Area Telescope (LAT)-measured gamma-ray background, is set by the anisotropy of each source population and the contribution of each population to the total intensity. The total anisotropy as a function of energy (the anisotropy energy spectrum) will modulate as the relative contributions of the sources change, implying that the anisotropy energy spectrum also encodes the intensity spectrum of each source class. We develop techniques, applicable to any such diffuse background, for unraveling the intensity spectrum of each component source population given a measurement of the total intensity spectrum and the total anisotropy energy spectrum, without introducing a priori assumptions about the spectra of the source classes. We demonstrate the potential of these methods by applying them to example scenarios for the composition of the Fermi-LAT gamma-ray background consistent with current data and feasible within 10 yr of observation

The detectability of dark matter annihilation with Fermi using the anisotropy energy spectrum of the gamma-ray background

The energy-dependence of the anisotropy (the anisotropy energy spectrum) of the large-scale diffuse gamma-ray background can reveal the presence of multiple source populations. Annihilating dark matter in the substructure of the Milky Way halo could give rise to a modulation in the anisotropy energy spectrum of the diffuse gamma-ray emission measured by Fermi, enabling the detection of a dark matter signal. We determine the detectability of a dark-matter-induced modulation for scenarios in which unresolved blazars are the primary contributor to the measured emission above ~1 GeV and find that in some scenarios pair-annihilation cross sections of order the value expected for thermal relic dark matter can produce a detectable feature. We anticipate that the sensitivity of this technique to specific dark matter models could be improved by tailored likelihood analysis methods.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures; figures updated, other minor revisions, published in Ap

Gamma-ray signatures of annihilation to charged leptons in dark matter substructure

Due to their higher concentrations and small internal velocities, Milky Way subhalos can be at least as important as the smooth halo in accounting for the GeV positron excess via dark matter annihilation. After showing how this can be achieved in various scenarios, including in Sommerfeld models, we demonstrate that, in this case, the diffuse inverse-Compton emission resulting from electrons and positrons produced in substructure leads to a nearly-isotropic signal close to the level of the isotropic GeV gamma-ray background seen by Fermi. Moreover, we show that HESS cosmic-ray electron measurements can be used to constrain multi-TeV internal bremsstrahlung gamma rays arising from annihilation to charged leptons.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures; minor updates to match published versio

Anisotropies in the Diffuse Gamma-Ray Background from Dark Matter with Fermi LAT: a closer look

We perform a detailed study of the sensitivity to the anisotropies related to Dark Matter (DM) annihilation in the Isotropic Gamma-Ray Background (IGRB) as measured by the Fermi Large Area Telescope (Fermi-LAT). For the first time, we take into account the effects of the Galactic foregrounds and use a realistic representation of the Fermi-LAT. We consider DM anisotropies of extra-galactic origin and of Galactic origin (which can be generated through annihilation in the Milky Way sub-structures) as opposed to a background of anisotropies generated by sources of astrophysical origin, blazars for example. We find that with statistics from 5 years of observation Fermi is sensitive to a DM contribution at the level of the thermal-relic cross section depending on the DM mass and annihilation mode. The anisotropy method for DM searches has a sensitivity comparable to the usual methods based only on the energy spectrum and thus constitutes an independent and complementary piece of information in the DM puzzle. (abridged)Comment: 17 pages, 9 figures, v2: added discussion on unresolved point sources, matches published version on MNRA

Experiences of disabled women during pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting services: implications for occupational therapy

The aim of this study was to understand the experiences of women with physical and sensory disability during their interaction with maternity services. The study was funded by a national charity whose previous research identified that disabled women had more negative experiences than non-disabled women (Birthrights, 2013). This paper specifically discusses implications for occupational therapy. Two-phase, inter-professional mixed methods research was used involving online surveys in phase 1 and narrative interviews in phase 2. Recruitment was through disability and parenting networks and social media. Survey data were analysed descriptively and open questions were themed. Phase 2 telephone interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. Although overall satisfaction with care was scored highly in phase 1, negative experiences were described. Key challenges included a lack of continuity of carer; women feeling that they were not being listened to; feeling they were treated less favourably because of disability; and 56% feeling that maternity care providers did not have appropriate attitudes to disability. Interview themes echoed these, when women described implications of not being listened to, including that their judgement about their own bodies was ignored or undermined. The research revealed that occupational therapists did little to support women during this time. While some occupational therapy input was described, this focused on equipment provision. Minimal support with the occupations of parenting was described. The results suggest a clear need for interprofessional working and the need for occupational therapists to liaise between midwifery staff and disabled women

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and body fat distribution in reproductive aged women

Background/Objectives Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD) high in fruits, vegetables and monounsaturated fats, has been associated with lower body mass index. Associations with measured body fat, including regional adiposity, have not been previously investigated. We examined the associations between the alternate Mediterranean Diet Score (aMED), anthropometry and measured adiposity by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Subjects/Methods This study included 248 healthy females, aged 18–44 years from the BioCycle Study. Each woman’s aMED (range 0–9) was calculated from up to eight 24-hr dietary recalls over 1–2 menstrual cycles (>97% had ≥7 recalls). Multiple linear regression was used to determine whether aMED and its specific components were associated with total and regional adiposity after adjusting for age, race, education, physical activity and energy intake. Results: Participants had an average (SD) aMED of 4.2 (1.7) and percent body fat of 29.5 (6.0)%. Significant inverse associations were found between aMED and all the examined adiposity measures except waist to hip ratio. Among the DXA measures, a 1-unit increment in aMED was associated with a 0.06 (95% CI:−0.09,−0.02) lower trunk-to-leg fat ratio (T/L), a measure of upper to lower body fat. In an analysis examining T/L as an outcome with the separate components of the aMED, T/L was lower with increased legume consumption (β=−0.280, 95% CI:−0.550,−0.010) but was higher with increased consumption of red and processed meat (β=0.060, 95% CI:0.002,0.117). Conclusions: Adherence to the aMED was associated with lower total and regional adiposity, adding to the mounting evidence of the health benefits of the MD