Inverse Compton model of pulsar high energy emission

We reproduce the broadband spectrum of Crab pulsar, from UV to very high energy gamma-rays - nearly ten decades in energy, within the framework of the cyclotron-self-Compton model. Emission is produced by two counter-streaming beams within the outer gaps, at distances above $\sim$ 20 NS radii. The outward moving beam produces UV-$X$-ray photons via Doppler-booster cyclotron emission, and GeV photons by Compton scattering the cyclotron photons produced by the inward going beam. The scattering occurs in the deep Klein-Nishina regime, whereby the IC component provides a direct measurement of particle distribution within the magnetosphere. The required plasma multiplicity is high, $\sim 10^6-10^7$, but is consistent with the average particle flux injected into the pulsar wind nebula. The importance of Compton scattering in the Klein-Nishina regime also implies the importance of pair production in the outer gaps. We suggest that outer gaps are important sources of pairs in pulsar magnetospheres. Cyclotron motion of particles in the pulsar magnetosphere may be excited due to coherent emission of radio waves by streaming particles at the anomalous cyclotron resonance. Thus, a whole range of Crab non-thermal emission, from coherent radio waves to very high energy $\gamma$-rays - nearly eighteen decades in energy - may be a manifestation of inter-dependent radiation processes. The present model, together with the observational evidence in favor of the IC scattering (Lyutikov et al. 2012; Lyutikov 2012), demonstrates that the inverse Compton scattering can be the dominant high energy emission mechanism in majority of pulsars.Comment: 20 pages, 4 figure

Overview on jet results from STAR

Full jet reconstruction allows access to the parton kinematics over a large energy domain and can be used to constrain the mechanisms of energy loss in heavy-ion collisions. Such measurements are challenging at RHIC, due to the high-multiplicity environments created in heavy-ion collisions. In these proceedings, we report an overview of the results on full jet reconstruction obtained by the STAR experiment. Jet measurements in 200 GeV p+p show that jets are calibrated pQCD probes and provide a baseline for jet measurements in Au+Au collisions. Inclusive differential jet production cross sections and ratios are reported for central 200 GeV Au+Au collisions and compared to p+p. We also present measurements of fully reconstructed di-jets at mid-rapidity, and compare spectra and fragmentation functions in p+p and central Au+Au collisions.Comment: Proceedings for the 26th WWND conferenc

VERITAS Observations of M 87 in 2011/2012

The giant radio galaxy M 87 is located at a distance of 16.7 Mpc and harbors a super-massive black hole (6 billion solar masses) in its center. M 87 is one of just three radio galaxies known to emit TeV gamma-rays. The structure of its relativistic plasma jet, which is not pointing towards our line of sight, is spatially resolved in X-ray (Chandra), optical and radio (VLA/VLBA) observations. The mechanism and location of the TeV emitting region is one of the least understood aspects of AGN. In spring 2008 and 2010, the three TeV observatories VERITAS, MAGIC and H.E.S.S. detected two major TeV flares in coordinated observations. Simultaneous high-resolution observations at other wavelengths - radio (2008) and X-rays (2008/2010) - gave evidence that one of the TeV flares was related to an event in the core region; however, no common/repeated patterns could be identified so far. VERITAS continued to monitor M 87 in 2011/2012. The results of these observations are presented.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures; conference proceedings of the 5th International Symposium on High-Energy Gamma-Ray Astronomy (Gamma2012

Light hadrons in 2+1 flavor lattice QCD

This talk will focus on recent results by the MILC collaboration from simulations of light hadrons in 2+1 flavor lattice QCD. We have achieved high precision results in the pseudoscalar sector, including masses and decay constants, plus quark masses and Gasser-Leutwyler parameters from well controlled chiral perturbation theory fits to our data. We also show spectroscopy results for vector mesons and baryons.Comment: To appear in the proceedings of the First Meeting of the APS Topical Group on Hadronic Physics, Fermilab, Batavia, Illinois, Oct. 24-26, 200

Disability in the Workplace in China: Situation Assessment

A compelling argument can be made that employment of people with disabilities should be gaining recognition as an underutilized weapon in the talent wars of Asia. One has only to look at the proportion of people with disabilities that make up our communities, the continuing employment disparities that people with disabilities continue to face and the resulting high levels of poverty for this population – up against the talent shortages in fast-growth markets across the region. As China’s skewed demographic dynamics become increasingly apparent, resulting in a rapidly aging population and a diminishing supply of workforce entrants, an increasing share of the workforce will include older employees with disabilities, necessitating a fundamental change in workplace practices involving people with disabilities, as well as a greater need to look at persons with disabilities as a potential source of talent. Although China has created a broad legislative framework to protect the right to work for persons with disabilities, it lacks specificity and clear measures of enforcement, as evidenced in continued employment marginalization, poor educational outcomes, and thus higher poverty levels of persons with disabilities. To further understanding of workforce inclusion of persons with disabilities in China, and to identify practical ways forward for employers, The Conference Board China Center and the K. Lisa Yang and Hock E. Tan Institute on Employment and Disability (YTI) at Cornell University’s ILR School partnered to explore how companies can tap the talent pool of people with disabilities and improve their employment outcomes. The scope of the research encompassed a series of interviews with disability rights-focused NGOs in China, a detailed literature review, a comprehensive review of China’s regulatory framework supporting employment for persons with disabilities, and a detailed assessment of the demographics of disability and the status of people with disabilities in China such as prevalence rates, access to education, employment disparities and resulting poverty and household income rates. This report draws from the broader research findings and provides business practitioners with an overview of the current situation, challenges, and root causes of employment barriers for persons with disabilities in China. To complement this work, The China Center and YTI convened a practitioner roundtable in Beijing in September 2018. Participants explored in detail how the official, publicly available data on living and working conditions of persons with disabilities compare to actual experiences of employers in China, whether companies are actively recruiting disabled workers, what the internal and external obstacles are to recruitment, and what the impact of the government quota system is, for good or for bad. A separate report on this roundtable is also availabl