Putting Things Back Where They Belong: Tracing Cosmic-Ray Injection with H2

At present, all physical models of diffuse Galactic gamma-ray emission assume that the distribution of cosmic-ray sources traces the observed populations of either OB stars, pulsars, or supernova remnants. However, since H2-rich regions host significant star formation and numerous supernova remnants, the morphology of observed H2 gas should also provide a physically motivated, high-resolution tracer for cosmic-ray injection. We assess the impact of utilizing H2 as a tracer for cosmic-ray injection on models of diffuse Galactic gamma-ray emission. We employ state-of-the-art 3D particle diffusion and gas density models, along with a physical model for the star-formation rate based on global Schmidt laws. Allowing a fraction, f_H2, of cosmic-ray sources to trace the observed H2 density, we find that a theoretically well-motivated value f_H2 ~ 0.20 -- 0.25 (i) provides a significantly better global fit to the diffuse Galactic gamma-ray sky and (ii) highly suppresses the intensity of the residual gamma-ray emission from the Galactic center region. Specifically, in models utilizing our best global fit values of f_H2 ~ 0.20 -- 0.25, the spectrum of the galactic center gamma-ray excess is drastically affected, and the morphology of the excess becomes inconsistent with predictions for dark matter annihilation.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, submitted to PR

Labor Market Policies and Equilibrium Employment : Theory and Application for Belgium

This paper is concerned with the general equilibrium effects of active labor market programs and the unemployment insurance system (the replacement ratio and the level of sanctions). It develops an equilibrium job matching model where active programs and the rate of sanctions have an amiguous impact on the equilibrium employment rate. The model is simulated for Belgium. The simulations suggest that passive and active labor market policies do not have a substantial net impact on the employment rate.labor market policies; sanctions; equilibrium search model; matching function

The net effect of unemployment benefits, sanctions and training on regular employment

This paper measures the impact of labor market policies (LMPs) on regular employment. Contrary to previous empirical studies, we conduct an econometric analysis based on sound theoretical foundations. The specification is based on an equilibrium job search model where LMPs affect tightness on the labor market. The impacts of a comprehensive set of LMPs on the regular employment rate and on wages are jointly estimated. Taking care of the endogeneity of LMPs, our results for Belgium indicate that unemployment benefits have a positively and small impact on wages and a negative one on the employment rate. The rate of sanctions has a small negative effect on wages. Their impact on the employment rate is however negative. This can be understood if the efficiency of the sanctioned in the matching process is sufficiently lower than the one of the insured unemployed. Training programmes have a small negative effect on wages and a small positive one on employment. Our analysis also shows that the results can be sensitive to the choice made about the exogeneity of LMPs.evaluation; labor market policies; wage bargaining; equilibrium unemployment; equilibrium search

Illegal file-sharing in the academy: assessment, implications, and policy responses

This thesis explores the Federal Government\u27s role and prospects for combating illegal file-sharing by examining the problem from a classic three prong approach: technology development, enforcement, and ethics reform through education. Original survey data was used to assess the current state of the problem, and the analytic hierarchy process was used to examine the current state of technology development. The thesis concludes with policy recommendations for government action. The author found that enforcement is the most effective method of lowering the music, movie, and software file-sharing rates

Transfusion trigger in critically ill patients: has the puzzle been completed?

In stable critically ill children, the adoption of a restrictive transfusion strategy based on a predefined hemoglobin threshold of 7 g/dl significantly decreased transfusion requirements without affecting outcome. These results strengthen previous observations made in volume resuscitated adults when a similar blood transfusion strategy was used. It also indirectly corroborates studies reporting the beneficial effects of leukoreduction of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion units on patient outcome. This study indicated that the maintenance of a higher hemoglobin concentration with RBC transfusion in an attempt to increase tissue oxygen delivery is not associated with a clinical benefit. This may be related to the storage process, which could affect the ability of RBCs to transport and deliver oxygen to the tissues. This point, however, remains controversial. It should also be remembered that increasing hemoglobin concentration will not always result in a greater oxygen delivery, as transfusion related increased blood viscosity could be associated with a reduction in blood flow. Further research should compare a symptomatic transfusion strategy to a hemoglobin-based strategy on the outcome of high risk patients

Body Condition Scoring for Horses

Horse enthusiasts are often concerned about their horse’s health, appearance and performance. A major key to accomplishing these three goals is to keep your horse at a desirable body condition, or degree of fat cover. However, being able to accurately evaluate a horse to tell if they are over or underweight has been a subjective practice for many years. As with all aspects of horse ownership, horse owners have different opinions on what is an ideal body weight for an individual horse. Also, because horses come in all shapes and sizes, many horse owners are not able to objectively evaluate the body condition of their horse. This fact sheet describes the Henneke Body Condition Scoring syste

Project Panorama - vistas on validated information

Internet has become the foremost information source for a large majority of people, young and old, in the Netherlands certainly not less than in other European countries. Search is a ubiquitous functionality available at any website. General search engines like Google, Yahoo! or Bing have become the primary tool for locating information for almost everybody. What you find (discover) in Google is immediately displayed (delivered) on your screen; a mechanism very unlike classical library practice. As a result a user-expectation of "instant satisfaction" of any information need has developed. Unfortunately, often these facts also trigger the general notion that no other information exists than what can be found by these search engines