Gamma-ray and radio properties of six pulsars detected by the fermi large area telescope

We report the detection of pulsed γ-rays for PSRs J0631+1036, J0659+1414, J0742-2822, J1420-6048, J1509-5850, and J1718-3825 using the Large Area Telescope on board the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (formerly known as GLAST). Although these six pulsars are diverse in terms of their spin parameters, they share an important feature: their γ-ray light curves are (at least given the current count statistics) single peaked. For two pulsars, there are hints for a double-peaked structure in the light curves. The shapes of the observed light curves of this group of pulsars are discussed in the light of models for which the emission originates from high up in the magnetosphere. The observed phases of the γ-ray light curves are, in general, consistent with those predicted by high-altitude models, although we speculate that the γ-ray emission of PSR J0659+1414, possibly featuring the softest spectrum of all Fermi pulsars coupled with a very low efficiency, arises from relatively low down in the magnetosphere. High-quality radio polarization data are available showing that all but one have a high degree of linear polarization. This allows us to place some constraints on the viewing geometry and aids the comparison of the γ-ray light curves with high-energy beam models

Factors associated with social participation among community-dwelling frail older adults in Japan: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background In recent years, it has become clear that participation in social activities by the older adult suppresses their need for long-term care. Likewise, social participation can promote long-term care prevention among frail older adults who are at a higher risk of needing long-term care. However, their social participation rate is low, and the factors causing these low rates of participation are unclear. Therefore, this study identifies the factors affecting social participation of frail older adults. Methods After excluding those certified as requiring long-term care, 28,636 older adults within the target region were selected to receive questionnaires. The questionnaires were distributed and collected via mail. A total of 22,048 respondents (77.0%), including 9,325 men and 10,150 women, were included; 2,655 frail older adults were identified for analysis. Questionnaire items inquired about social participation, basic attributes, need for long-term care, mobility, subjective health, direct and indirect contact with relatives living separately and direct and indirect contact with friends and neighbors. For the statistical analysis, this study employed a binomial logistic regression analysis with social participation as the objective variable. Results The rate of social participation among frail older adults was 13.7%. Items related to social participation included sex, economic status, mobility, subjective health, direct contact with friends, and indirect contact with friends. Conclusions Interactions with friends and neighbors and physical functionality are correlated with levels of social participation among frail older adults, suggesting that social participation can be promoted by maintaining friendships, forming new ones, and maintaining and improving physical functionality

Search for gamma-ray emission from magnetars with the Fermi Large Area Telescope

We report on the search for 0.1-10 GeV emission from magnetars in 17 months of Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) observations. No significant evidence for gamma-ray emission from any of the currently known magnetars is found. The most stringent upper limits to date on their persistent emission in the Fermi energy range are estimated between ~10–12and10–10 erg s–1 cm–2, depending on the source. We also searched for gamma-ray pulsations and possible outbursts, also with no significant detection. The upper limits derived support the presence of a cutoff at an energy below a few MeV in the persistent emission of magnetars. They also show the likely need for a revision of current models of outer-gap emission from strongly magnetized pulsars, which, in some realizations, predict detectable GeV emission from magnetars at flux levels exceeding the upper limits identified here using the Fermi-LAT observations.Peer reviewe