Nica-Toeplitz algebras associated with product systems over right LCM semigroups

We prove uniqueness of representations of Nica-Toeplitz algebras associated to product systems of $C^*$-correspondences over right LCM semigroups by applying our previous abstract uniqueness results developed for $C^*$-precategories. Our results provide an interpretation of conditions identified in work of Fowler and Fowler-Raeburn, and apply also to their crossed product twisted by a product system, in the new context of right LCM semigroups, as well as to a new, Doplicher-Roberts type $C^*$-algebra associated to the Nica-Toeplitz algebra. As a derived construction we develop Nica-Toeplitz crossed products by actions with completely positive maps. This provides a unified framework for Nica-Toeplitz semigroup crossed products by endomorphisms and by transfer operators. We illustrate these two classes of examples with semigroup $C^*$-algebras of right and left semidirect products.Comment: Title changed from "Nica-Toeplitz algebras associated with right tensor C*-precategories over right LCM semigroups: part II examples". The manuscript accepted in J. Math. Anal. App

X-ray Emission from Haloes of Simulated Disc Galaxies

Bolometric and 0.2-2 keV X-ray luminosities of the hot gas haloes of simulated disc galaxies have been calculated at redshift z=0. The TreeSPH simulations are fully cosmological and the sample of 44 disc galaxies span a range in characteristic circular speeds of V_c = 130-325 km/s. The galaxies have been obtained in simulations with a considerable range of physical parameters, varying the baryonic fraction, the gas metallicity, the meta-galactic UV field, the cosmology, the dark matter type, and also the numerical resolution. The models are found to be in agreement with the (few) relevant X-ray observations available at present. The amount of hot gas in the haloes is also consistent with constraints from pulsar dispersion measures in the Milky Way. Forthcoming XMM and Chandra observations should enable much more stringent tests and provide constraints on the physical parameters. We find that simple cooling flow models over-predict X-ray luminosities by up to two orders of magnitude for high (but still realistic) cooling efficiencies relative to the models presented here. Our results display a clear trend that increasing cooling efficiency leads to decreasing X-ray luminosities at z=0. The reason is found to be that increased cooling efficiency leads to a decreased fraction of hot gas relative to total baryonic mass inside of the virial radius at present. At gas metal abundances of a third solar this hot gas fraction becomes as low as just a few percent. We also find that most of the X-ray emission comes from the inner parts (inner about 20 kpc) of the hot galactic haloes. Finally, we find for realistic choices of the physical parameters that disc galaxy haloes possibly were more than one order of magnitude brighter in soft X-ray emission at z=1, than at present.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures, MNRAS LaTeX forma

C32, A Young Star Cluster in IC 1613

The Local Group irregular galaxy IC 1613 has remained an enigma for many years because of its apparent lack of star clusters. We report the successful search for clusters among several of the candidate objects identified many years ago on photographic plates. We have used a single HST WFPC2 pointing and a series of images obtained with the WIYN telescope under exceptional seeing conditions, examining a total of 23 of the previously published candidates. All but six of these objects were found to be either asterisms or background galaxies. Five of the six remaining candidates possibly are small, sparse clusters and the sixth, C32, is an obvious cluster. It is a compact, young object, with an age of less than 10 million years and a total absolute magnitude of M_V = -5.78+/-0.16 within a radius of 13 pc.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures, to be published in the May 2000 issue of the PAS

Evidence of a structural anomaly at 14 K in polymerised CsC60

We report the results of a high-resolution synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction study of polymerised CsC$_{60}$ in the temperature range 4 to 40 K. Its crystal structure is monoclinic (space group I2/m), isostructural with RbC$_{60}$. Below 14 K, a spontaneous thermal contraction is observed along both the polymer chain axis, $a$ and the interchain separation along [111], $d_1$. This structural anomaly could trigger the occurrence of the spin-singlet ground state, observed by NMR at the same temperature.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, submitte

Potential formation sites of super star clusters in ultra-luminous infrared galaxies

Recent observational results on high spatial resolution images of ultra-luminous infrared galaxies (ULIGs) have revealed very luminous, young, compact, and heavily obscured super star clusters in their central regions, suggested to be formed by gas-rich major mergers. By using stellar and gaseous numerical simulations of galaxy mergers, we firstly demonstrate that the central regions of ULIGs are the most promising formation sites of super star clusters owing to the rather high gaseous pressure of the interstellar medium. Based on simple analytical arguments, we secondly discuss the possibility that super star clusters in an ULIG can be efficiently transferred into the nuclear region owing to dynamical friction and consequently merge with one another to form a single compact stellar nucleus with a seed massive black hole. We thus suggest that multiple merging between super star clusters formed by nuclear starbursts in the central regions of ULIGs can result in the formation of massive black holes.Comment: 12 pages 4 figures, 2001, accepted by ApJ

A CNL for Contract-Oriented Diagrams

We present a first step towards a framework for defining and manipulating normative documents or contracts described as Contract-Oriented (C-O) Diagrams. These diagrams provide a visual representation for such texts, giving the possibility to express a signatory's obligations, permissions and prohibitions, with or without timing constraints, as well as the penalties resulting from the non-fulfilment of a contract. This work presents a CNL for verbalising C-O Diagrams, a web-based tool allowing editing in this CNL, and another for visualising and manipulating the diagrams interactively. We then show how these proof-of-concept tools can be used by applying them to a small example

Monitoring of the prompt radio emission from the unusual supernova 2004dj in NGC2403

Supernova 2004dj in the nearby spiral galaxy NGC2403 was detected optically in July 2004. Peaking at a magnitude of 11.2, this is the brightest supernova detected for several years. Here we present Multi-Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network (MERLIN) observations of this source, made over a four month period, which give a position of R.A. = 07h37m17.044s, Dec =+65deg35'57.84" (J2000.0). We also present a well-sampled 5 GHz light curve covering the period from 5 August to 2 December 2004. With the exception of the unusual and very close SN 1987A, these observations represent the first detailed radio light curve for the prompt emission from a Type II-P supernova.Comment: (1) Jodrell Bank Observatory (2) University of Valencia (3) University of Sheffield 6 pages, 1 figure. To appear in ApJ letter

Supergalactic winds driven by multiple superstar clusters

We present two dimensional hydrodynamic calculations of free expanding supergalactic winds, taking into consideration strong radiative cooling. Our main premise is that supergalactic winds are powered by collections of superstar clusters. Every individual superstar cluster is a source of a high metallicity radiative supersonic outflow (paper I, 2003, ApJ, 590, 791). The interaction of winds from neighboring knots of star formation is shown to lead to a collection of stationary oblique shocks and crossing shocks, able to structure the general outflow into a network of dense and cold, kpc long filaments that originate near the base of the outflow. The shocks also lead to extended regions of diffuse soft X-ray emission and furthermore, to channel the outflow with a high degree of collimation into the intergalactic medium.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures, Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journa

DGNB building certification companion: Sustainability Tool for Assessment, Planning, Learning, and Engaging (STAPLE)

In the construction industry, the popularity of sustainability and its benefits have been on the rise in recent years. Alas, with various building sustainability assessment schemes on the market, there is still no single general method for a comprehensive and inclusive design and building process for sustainable buildings. The literature describes several barriers of entry preventing actors in the industry from seeking sustainability certifications and prioritizing design methods, supporting sustainability in greater numbers. In the newly developed tool, “DGNB building certification companion: Sustainable Tool for Assessment, Planning, Learning, and Engaging (STAPLE)”, a new Excel-based, interactive, and iterative education focused platform is introduced, intended to engage dialog among stakeholders, building owners, and decision makers, and the assigned group team leaders, based on the five DGNB topics. In order to establish common levels of knowledge, terminology, and understanding for proper interdisciplinary discussions, which would result in suitable and timely decisions, personal and professional development is enabled by imbedded educational documents in multiple formats throughout the tool as plain-language, easily digestible summaries of various topics regarding sustainability and the DGNB certification scheme. The identified barriers are described in the tool followed by a solution to overcome them. The tool, tested at multiple stages of development and moulded by many individuals both within and outside of the sustainable building industry, has shown to achieve the primary goals of assessment of individual’s current knowledge, educating through multiple stages and formats, and the inspiring of conversation among team members through a graphical display of opinions. Based on user feedback, the conclusion was that this is a desired product on the market. This new approach is expected to dramatically reduce misunderstandings, conflicts, and mistakes during a sustainable design process, helping the design team plan a project to possibly obtain the highest DGNB score if desired and properly documented

Rapid communication: Linkage and physical mapping of the porcine melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) gene

Genus and Species. Sus scrofa. Locus. Pig Melanocortin-4 Receptor (MC4R) gene. Source and Description of Primers. Primers were designed from well-conserved sequence regions between the human and rat MC4R genes (Genbank accession no. S77415 and U67863, respectively). The primers were used to amplify approximately 760 bp of the porcine MC4R gene from genomic DNA. The sequence of the PCR product showed 92.2 and 97.6% identities at the nucleotide and amino acid levels, respectively, to the corresponding human sequence. The porcine MC4R sequence has been submitted to GenBank (accession no. AF087937). Using this sequence, pig-specific primers were designed