Canonical bases and affine Hecke algebras of type D

We prove a conjecture of Kashiwara and Miemietz on canonical bases and branching rules of affine Hecke algebras of type D. The proof is similar to the proof of the type B case.Comment: 24 page

Globular cluster formation efficiencies from black-hole X-ray binary feedback

We investigate a scenario in which feedback from black-hole X-ray binaries (BHXBs) sometimes begins inside young star clusters before strong supernova feedback. Those BHXBs could reduce the gas fraction inside embedded young clusters whilst maintaining virial equilibrium, which may help globular clusters (GCs) to stay bound when supernova-driven gas ejection subsequently occurs. Adopting a simple toy model with parameters guided by BHXB population models, we produce GC formation efficiencies consistent with empirically-inferred values. The metallicity dependence of BHXB formation could naturally explain why GC formation efficiency is higher at lower metallicity. For reasonable assumptions about that metallicity dependence, our toy model can produce a GC metallicity bimodality in some galaxies without a bimodality in the field-star metallicity distribution.Comment: Accepted to ApJ Letters on 19th July. 6 pages. The definitive version is available from: http://iopscience.iop.org/2041-8205/809/1/L16

The Influence of Environment on the Chemical Evolution in Low-mass Galaxies

The mean alpha-to-iron abundance ratio ([$\alpha$/Fe]) of galaxies is sensitive to the chemical evolution processes at early time, and it is an indicator of star formation timescale ($\tau_{{\rm SF}}$). Although the physical reason remains ambiguous, there is a tight relation between [$\alpha$/Fe] and stellar velocity dispersion ($\sigma$) among massive early-type galaxies (ETGs). However, no work has shown convincing results as to how this relation behaves at low masses. We assemble 15 data sets from the literature and build a large sample that includes 192 nearby low-mass ($18<\sigma<80$~\kms) ETGs. We find that the [$\alpha$/Fe]-$\sigma$ relation generally holds for low-mass ETGs, except in extreme environments. Specifically, in normal galaxy cluster environments, the [$\alpha$/Fe]-$\sigma$ relation and its intrinsic scatter are, within uncertainties, similar for low-mass and high-mass ETGs. However, in the most massive relaxed galaxy cluster in our sample, the zero point of the relation is higher and the intrinsic scatter is significantly larger. By contrast, in galaxy groups the zero point of the relation offsets in the opposite direction, again with substantial intrinsic scatter. The elevated [$\alpha$/Fe] of low-mass ETGs in the densest environments suggests that their star formation was quenched earlier than in high-mass ETGs. For the low-mass ETGs in the lowest density environments, we suggest that their more extended star formation histories suppressed their average [$\alpha$/Fe]. The large scatter in [$\alpha$/Fe] may reflect stochasticity in the chemical evolution of low-mass galaxies.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, accepted by ApJ

Categorifications and cyclotomic rational double affine Hecke algebras

Varagnolo and Vasserot conjectured an equivalence between the category O for CRDAHA's and a subcategory of an affine parabolic category O of type A. We prove this conjecture. As applications, we prove a conjecture of Rouquier on the dimension of simple modules of CRDAHA's and a conjecture of Chuang-Miyachi on the Koszul duality for the category O of CRDAHA's.Comment: 85 page

Chandra Detection of Intra-cluster X-ray sources in Virgo

We present a survey of X-ray point sources in the nearest and dynamically young galaxy cluster, Virgo, using archival Chandra observations that sample the vicinity of 80 early-type member galaxies. The X-ray source populations at the outskirt of these galaxies are of particular interest. We detect a total of 1046 point sources (excluding galactic nuclei) out to a projected galactocentric radius of $\sim$40 kpc and down to a limiting 0.5-8 keV luminosity of $\sim$$2\times10^{38}{\rm~erg~s^{-1}}$. Based on the cumulative spatial and flux distributions of these sources, we statistically identify $\sim$120 excess sources that are not associated with the main stellar content of the individual galaxies, nor with the cosmic X-ray background. This excess is significant at a 3.5 $\sigma$ level, when Poisson error and cosmic variance are taken into account. On the other hand, no significant excess sources are found at the outskirt of a control sample of field galaxies, suggesting that at least some fraction of the excess sources around the Virgo galaxies are truly intra-cluster X-ray sources. Assisted with ground-based and HST optical imaging of Virgo, we discuss the origins of these intra-cluster X-ray sources, in terms of supernova-kicked low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs), globular clusters, LMXBs associated with the diffuse intra-cluster light, stripped nucleated dwarf galaxies and free-floating massive black holes.Comment: 29 pages, 8 figures. Accepted for publication in ApJ. Comments welcom