Optical depth for VHE gamma-rays from distant sources from a generic EBL density

Very-high-energy (VHE; E>100GeV) gamma-rays from distant sources suffer attenuation through pair-production with low energy photons from the diffuse extragalactic photon fields in the ultraviolet (UV) to far-infrared (FIR) (commonly referred to as Extragalactic Background Light; EBL). When modeling the intrinsic spectra of the VHE gamma-ray sources it is crucial to correctly account for the attenuation. Unfortunately, direct measurements of the EBL are difficult and the knowledge about the EBL over certain wavelength ranges is poor. To calculate the EBL attenuation usually predictions from theoretical models are used. Recently, the limits on the EBL from direct and indirect methods have narrowed down the possible EBL range and many of the previous models are in conflict with these limits. We propose a new generic EBL density (not a complete model), which is in compliance with the new EBL limits. EBL evolution with redshift is included in the calculation in a very simple but effective ad-hoc way. Properties of this generic EBL are discussed.Comment: Proceedings of the workshop 'High Energy Phenomena in Relativistic Outflows' (HEPRO), Dublin, 24-28 September 200

Do all roads lead to rome? The potential of different approaches to diagnose Aelurostrongylus abstrusus infection in cats

An infection with the cat lungworm, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, can be subclinical, but it can also cause severe respiratory clinical signs. Larvae excretion, antibody levels, clinical assessment findings of the respiratory system and diagnostic imaging findings were recorded and compared for six cats with experimental aelurostrongylosis. In five cats, patency started 33–47 days post infection (pi), but two cats excreted larvae only in long intervals and low numbers. Positive ELISA results were observed in four cats with patent aelurostrongylosis, starting between five days before and 85 days after onset of patency. One seropositive cat remained copromicroscopically negative. Mild respiratory signs were observed in all cats examined. A computed tomographic (CT) examination of the lungs displayed distinct alterations, even in absence of evident clinical signs or when larvae excretion was low or negative. The thoracic radiograph evaluation correlated with the CT results, but CT was more distinctive. After anthelmintic treatment in the 25th week post infection, pulmonary imaging findings improved back to normal within 6–24 weeks. This study shows that a multifaceted approach, including diagnostic imaging, can provide a clearer diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression. Furthermore, a CT examination provides an alternative to post mortem examination and worm counts in anthelmintic efficacy studies

The 2010 M 87 VHE flare and its origin: the multi-wavelength picture

The giant radio galaxy M 87, with its proximity (16 Mpc) and its very massive black hole ((3 - 6) \times 10^9 M_solar), provides a unique laboratory to investigate very high energy (E>100 GeV; VHE) gamma-ray emission from active galactic nuclei and, thereby, probe particle acceleration to relativistic energies near supermassive black holes (SMBH) and in relativistic jets. M 87 has been established as a VHE gamma-ray emitter since 2005. The VHE gamma-ray emission displays strong variability on timescales as short as a day. In 2008, a rise in the 43 GHz Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) radio emission of the innermost region (core; extension of < 100 Rs ; Schwarzschild radii) was found to coincide with a flaring activity at VHE. This had been interpreted as a strong indication that the VHE emission is produced in the direct vicinity of the SMBH. In 2010 a flare at VHE was again detected triggering further multi-wavelength (MWL) observations with the VLBA, Chandra, and other instruments. At the same time, M 87 was also observed with the Fermi-LAT telescope at MeV/GeV energies, the European VLBI Network (EVN), and the Liverpool Telescope (LT). Here, preliminary results from the 2010 campaign will be reported.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures; Procceedings of the workshop "High Energy Phenomena in Relativistic Outflows III" (HEPRO III), Barcelona, June 27 - July 1, 201

Broadband multi-wavelength campaign on PKS 2005-489

The spectral energy distribution (SED) of high-frequency peaked BL Lac objects (HBL) is characterized by two peaks: one in the UV-X-ray and one in the GeV-TeV regime. An interesting object for analyzing these broadband characteristics is PKS 2005-489, which in 2004 showed the softest TeV spectrum ever measured. In 2009, a multi-wavelength campaign has been conducted with, for the first time, simultaneous observations by H.E.S.S. (TeV), Fermi/LAT (GeV), RXTE (keV), Swift (keV, UV, optical) and ATOM (optical) to cover the two peaks of the SED. During this campaign PKS 2005-489 underwent a high state in all wavebands which gives the opportunity to study in detail the emission processes of a high state of this interesting HBL.Comment: 2009 Fermi Symposium; eConf Proceedings C09112

Induced polarization of Lambda(1116) in kaon electroproduction

We have measured. the induced polarization of the Lambda(1116) in the reaction ep - \u3e e\u27 K+ Lambda, detecting the scattered e\u27 and K+ in the final state along with the proton from the decay Lambda - \u3e p pi(-). The present study used the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS), which allowed for a large kinematic acceptance in invariant energy W (1.6 \u3c = W \u3c = 2.7 GeV) and covered the full range of the kaon production angle at an average momentum transfer Q(2) = 1.90 GeV2. In this experiment a 5.50-GeV electron beam was incident upon an unpolarized liquid-hydrogen target. We have mapped out the W and kaon production angle dependencies of the induced polarization and found striking differences from photoproduction data over most of the kinematic range studied. However, we also found that the induced polarization is essentially Q(2) independent in our kinematic domain, suggesting that somewhere below the Q(2) covered here there must be a strong Q(2) dependence. Along with previously published photo-and electroproduction cross sections and polarization observables, these data are needed for the development of models, such as effective field theories, and as input to coupled-channel analyses that can provide evidence of previously unobserved s-channel resonances