6,272 research outputs found
Sub-mm counterparts to Lyman-break galaxies
We summarize the main results from our SCUBA survey of Lyman-break galaxies
(LBGs) at z~3. Analysis of our sample of LBGs reveals a mean flux of
S850=0.60.2 mJy, while simple models of emission based on the UV
properties predict a mean flux about twice as large. Known populations of LBGs
are expected to contribute flux to the weak sub-mm source portion of the far-IR
background, but are not likely to comprise the bright source (S850>5 mJy) end
of the SCUBA-detected source count. The detection of the LBG, Westphal-MM8, at
1.9 mJy suggests that deeper observations of individual LBGs in our sample
could uncover detections at similar levels, consistent with our UV-based
predictions. By the same token, many sub-mm selected sources with S850<2 mJy
could be LBGs. The data are also consistent with the FarIR/ relation
holding at z=3.Comment: 6 pages, 1 figure, contributed talk at UMass/INAOE Conference ``Deep
Millimeter Surveys'
Hamiltonian Formulation of Open WZW Strings
Using a Hamiltonian approach, we construct the classical and quantum theory
of open WZW strings on a strip. (These are the strings which end on WZW
branes.) The development involves non-abelian generalized Dirichlet images in
an essential way. At the classical level, we find a new non-commutative
geometry in which the equal-time coordinate brackets are non-zero at the
world-sheet boundary, and the result is an intrinsically non-abelian effect
which vanishes in the abelian limit. Using the classical theory as a guide to
the quantum theory, we also find the operator algebra and the analogue of the
Knizhnik-Zamolodchikov equations for the the conformal field theory of open WZW
strings.Comment: 34 pages. Added an equation in Appendix C; some typos corrected.
Footnote b changed. Version to appear on IJMP
Follow-Up Chandra Observations of Three Candidate Tidal Disruption Events
Large-amplitude, high-luminosity soft X-ray flares were detected by the ROSAT
All-Sky Survey in several galaxies with no evidence of Seyfert activity in
their ground-based optical spectra. These flares had the properties predicted
for a tidal disruption of a star by a central supermassive black hole. We
report Chandra observations of three of these galaxies taken a decade after
their flares that reveal weak nuclear X-ray sources that are from 240 to 6000
times fainter than their luminosities at peak, supporting the theory that these
were special events and not ongoing active galactic nucleus (AGN) variability.
The decline of RX J1624.9+7554 by a factor of 6000 is consistent with the
(t-t_D)^(-5/3) decay predicted for the fall-back phase of a tidal disruption
event, but only if ROSAT was lucky enough to catch the event exactly at its
peak in 1990 October. RX J1242.6-1119A has declined by a factor of 240, also
consistent with (t-t_D)^(-5/3). In the H II galaxy NGC 5905 we find only
resolved, soft X-ray emission that is undoubtedly associated with starburst
activity. When accounting for the starburst component, the ROSAT observations
of NGC 5905, as well as the Chandra upper limit on its nuclear flux, are
consistent with a (t-t_D)^(-5/3) decay by at least a factor of 1000. Although
we found weak Seyfert~2 emission lines in Hubble Space Telescope spectra of NGC
5905, indicating that a low-luminosity AGN was present prior to the X-ray
flare, we favor a tidal disruption explanation for the flare itself.Comment: 17 pages, 4 figures, to appear in ApJ April 1 200
Palgol: A High-Level DSL for Vertex-Centric Graph Processing with Remote Data Access
Pregel is a popular distributed computing model for dealing with large-scale
graphs. However, it can be tricky to implement graph algorithms correctly and
efficiently in Pregel's vertex-centric model, especially when the algorithm has
multiple computation stages, complicated data dependencies, or even
communication over dynamic internal data structures. Some domain-specific
languages (DSLs) have been proposed to provide more intuitive ways to implement
graph algorithms, but due to the lack of support for remote access --- reading
or writing attributes of other vertices through references --- they cannot
handle the above mentioned dynamic communication, causing a class of Pregel
algorithms with fast convergence impossible to implement.
To address this problem, we design and implement Palgol, a more declarative
and powerful DSL which supports remote access. In particular, programmers can
use a more declarative syntax called chain access to naturally specify dynamic
communication as if directly reading data on arbitrary remote vertices. By
analyzing the logic patterns of chain access, we provide a novel algorithm for
compiling Palgol programs to efficient Pregel code. We demonstrate the power of
Palgol by using it to implement several practical Pregel algorithms, and the
evaluation result shows that the efficiency of Palgol is comparable with that
of hand-written code.Comment: 12 pages, 10 figures, extended version of APLAS 2017 pape
Instabilities in droplets spreading on gels
We report a novel surface-tension driven instability observed for droplets
spreading on a compliant substrate. When a droplet is released on the surface
of an agar gel, it forms arms/cracks when the ratio of surface tension gradient
to gel strength is sufficiently large. We explore a range of gel strengths and
droplet surface tensions and find that the onset of the instability and the
number of arms depend on the ratio of surface tension to gel strength. However,
the arm length grows with an apparently universal law L ~ t^{3/4}
VLBA measurement of the transverse velocity of the magnetar XTE J1810-197
We have obtained observations of the magnetar XTE J1810-197 with the Very
Long Baseline Array at two epochs separated by 106 days, at wavelengths of 6 cm
and 3.6 cm. Comparison of the positions yields a proper motion value of
13.5+-1.0 mas/yr at an equatorial position angle of 209.4+-2.4 deg (east of
north). This value is consistent with a lower-significance proper motion value
derived from infrared observations of the source over the past three years,
also reported here. Given its distance of 3.5+-0.5 kpc, the implied transverse
velocity corrected to the local standard of rest is 212+-35 km/s (1 sigma). The
measured velocity is slightly below the average for normal young neutron stars,
indicating that the mechanism(s) of magnetar birth need not lead to high
neutron star velocities. We also use Australia Telescope Compact Array, Very
Large Array, and these VLBA observations to set limits on any diffuse emission
associated with the source on a variety of spatial scales, concluding that the
radio emission from XTE J1810-197 is >96% pulsed.Comment: Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal. Six pages, 2
figure
An informed thought experiment exploring the potential for a paradigm shift in aquatic food production
The Neolithic Revolution began c. 10000 years ago and is characterised by the
ultimate, near complete transition from hunting and gathering to agricultural
food production on land. The Neolithic Revolution is thought to have been
catalysed by a combination of local population pressure, cultural diffusion,
property rights and climate change. We undertake a thought experiment that
examines trends in these key hypothesised catalysts and patters of today to
explore whether society could be on a path towards another paradigm shift in
food production: away from hunting of wild fish towards a transition to mostly
fish farming. We find similar environmental and cultural pressures have driven
the rapid rise of aquaculture, during a period that has now been coined the
Blue Revolution, providing impetus for such a transition in coming decades to
centuries. We also highlight the interacting and often mutually reinforcing
impacts of 1)technological and scientific advancement, 2)environmental
awareness and collective action and 3)globalisation and trade influencing the
trajectory and momentum of the Blue Revolution. We present two qualitative
narratives that broadly fall within two future trajectories: 1)a ubiquitous
aquaculture transition and 20commercial aquaculture and fisheries coexistence.
This scenarios approach aims to encourage logical, forward thinking, and
innovative solutions to complex systems dynamics. Scenario-based thought
experiments are useful to explore large scale questions, increase the
accessibility to a wider readership and ideally catalyse discussion around
proactive governance mechanisms. We argue the future is not fixed and society
now has greater foresight and capacity to choose the workable balance between
fisheries sand aquaculture that supports economic, environmental, cultural and
social objectives through combined planning, policies and management
Probabilistic Algorithmic Knowledge
The framework of algorithmic knowledge assumes that agents use deterministic
knowledge algorithms to compute the facts they explicitly know. We extend the
framework to allow for randomized knowledge algorithms. We then characterize
the information provided by a randomized knowledge algorithm when its answers
have some probability of being incorrect. We formalize this information in
terms of evidence; a randomized knowledge algorithm returning ``Yes'' to a
query about a fact \phi provides evidence for \phi being true. Finally, we
discuss the extent to which this evidence can be used as a basis for decisions.Comment: 26 pages. A preliminary version appeared in Proc. 9th Conference on
Theoretical Aspects of Rationality and Knowledge (TARK'03
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