PeV neutrinos from interactions of cosmic rays with the interstellar medium in the Galaxy

We present a self-consistent interpretation of the of very-high-energy neutrino signal from the direction of the inner Galaxy, which is a part of the astronomical neutrino signal reported by IceCube. We demonstrate that an estimate of the neutrino flux in the E>100 TeV energy range lies at the high-energy power-law extrapolation of the spectrum of diffuse gamma-ray emission from the Galactic Ridge, as observed by Fermi telescope. This suggests that IceCube neutrino and Fermi/LAT gamma-ray fluxes are both produced in interactions of cosmic rays with the interstellar medium in the Norma arm and/or in the Galactic Bar. Cosmic rays responsible for the gamma-ray and neutrino flux are characterised by hard spectrum with the slope harder than -2.4 and cut-off energy higher than 10 PeV.Comment: 6pages, 4 figure

Neutrino signal from extended Galactic sources in IceCube

We explore the detectability of the neutrino flux from the entire Galactic Plane or from a part of it with IceCube. We calculate the normalization and the spectral index of the neutrino power law spectrum from different regions of the Galactic plane, based on the observed spectral characteristics of the pion decay gamma-ray diffuse emission observed by the Fermi/LAT telescope in the energy band above 100 GeV. We compare the neutrino flux calculated in this way with the sensitivity of IceCube for the detection of extended sources. Assuming a binned extended source analysis method, we find that the only possible evidence for neutrino emission for sources located in the Northern hemisphere is from the Cygnus region after 20 years of exposure. For other parts of the Galactic Plane even a 20 years exposure with IceCube is not sufficient for the detection. Taking into account marginal significance of the detectable source in the Cygnus region, we find a precise position and size of the source region which optimizes the signal-to-noise ratio for neutrinos. We also calculate the low-energy threshold above which the neutrino signal could be detected with the highest signal-to-noise ratio. This calculation of precise source position, size and energy range, based on the gamma-ray data, could be used to remove the 'trial factor' in the analysis of the real neutrino data of IceCube. We notice that the diffuse neutrino emission from the inner Galactic Plane in the Southern Hemisphere is much brighter. A neutrino detector with characteristics equivalent to IceCube, but placed at the Northern Hemisphere (such as KM3NeT), would detect several isolated neutrino sources in the Galactic Plane within just 5 years exposure at 5{\sigma} level. These isolated sources of ~TeV neutrinos would unambiguously localize sources of cosmic rays which operated over the last 10 thousand years in the Galaxy.[abridged]Comment: submitted to A&

Measuring the correlation length of intergalactic magnetic fields from observations of gamma-ray induced cascades

Context. The imaging and timing properties of {\gamma}-ray emission from electromagnetic cascades initiated by very-high-energy (VHE) {\gamma}-rays in the intergalactic medium depend on the strength B and correlation length {\lambda}B of intergalactic magnetic fields (IGMF). Aims. We study the possibility of measuring both B and {\lambda}B via observations of the cascade emission with {\gamma}-ray telescopes. Methods. For each measurement method, we find two characteristics of the cascade signal, which are sensitive to the IGMF B and {\lambda}B values in different combinations. For the case of IGMF measurement using the observation of extended emission around extragalactic VHE {\gamma}-ray sources, the two characteristics are the slope of the surface brightness profile and the overall size of the cascade source. For the case of IGMF measurement from the time delayed emission, these two characteristics are the initial slope of the cascade emission light curve and the overall duration of the cascade signal. Results. We show that measurement of the slope of the cascade induced extended emission and/or light curve can both potentially provide measure of the IGMF correlation length, provided it lies within the range 10 kpc< {\lambda}B <1 Mpc. For correlation lengths outside this range, gamma-ray observations can provide upper or lower bound on {\lambda}B. The latter of the two methods holds great promise in the near future for providing a measurement/constraint using measurements from present/next-generation {\gamma}-ray-telescopes. Conclusions. Measurement of the IGMF correlation length will provide an important constraint on its origin. In particular, it will enable to distinguish between an IGMF of galactic wind origin from an IGMF of cosmological origin.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Reconstructing the projected gravitational potential of Abell 1689 from X-ray measurements

Context. Galaxy clusters can be used as cosmological probes, but to this end, they need to be thoroughly understood. Combining all cluster observables in a consistent way will help us to understand their global properties and their internal structure. Aims. We provide proof of the concept that the projected gravitational potential of galaxy clusters can directly be reconstructed from X-ray observations. We also show that this joint analysis can be used to locally test the validity of the equilibrium assumptions in galaxy clusters. Methods. We used a newly developed reconstruction method, based on Richardson-Lucy deprojection, that allows reconstructing projected gravitational potentials of galaxy clusters directly from X-ray observations. We applied this algorithm to the well-studied cluster Abell 1689 and compared the gravitational potential reconstructed from X-ray observables to the potential obtained from gravitational lensing measurements. [...] Results. Assuming spherical symmetry and hydrostatic equilibrium, the potentials recovered from gravitational lensing and from X-ray emission agree very well beyond 500 kpc. Owing to the fact that the Richardson-Lucy deprojection algorithm allows deprojecting each line of sight independently, this result may indicate that non-gravitational effects and/or asphericity are strong in the central regions of the clusters. Conclusions. We demonstrate the robustness of the potential reconstruction method based on the Richardson-Lucy deprojection algorithm and show that gravitational lensing and X-ray emission lead to consistent gravitational potentials. Our results illustrate the power of combining galaxy-cluster observables in a single, non-parametric, joint reconstruction of consistent cluster potentials that can be used to locally constrain the physical state of the gas.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures. Accepted in A&

An exploration of hadronic interactions in blazars using IceCube

Context: Hadronic models, involving matter (proton or nuclei) acceleration in blazar jets, imply high energy photon and neutrino emissions due to interactions of high-energy protons with matter and/or radiation in the source environment. Aims: This paper shows that the sensitivity of the IceCube neutrino telescope in its 40-string configuration (IC-40) is already at the level of constraining the parameter space of purely hadronic scenarios of activity of blazars. Methods: Assuming that the entire source power originates from hadronic interactions, and assuming that the models describe the data, we estimate the expected neutrino flux from blazars based on the observed gamma-ray flux by Fermi, simultaneously with IC-40 observations. We consider two cases separately to keep the number of constrainable parameters at an acceptable level: proton-proton or proton-gamma interactions are dominant. Comparing the IC-40 sensitivity to the neutrino flux expected from some of the brightest blazars, we constrain model parameters characterizing the parent high-energy proton spectrum. Results: We find that when pp interactions dominate, some constraints on the primary proton spectrum can be imposed. For instance, for the tightest constrained source 3C 454.3, the very high energy part of the spectra of blazars is constrained to be harder than E^-2 with cut-off energies in the range of Ecut >10^18 eV. When interactions of high-energy protons on soft photon fields dominate, we can find similarly tight constraints on the proton spectrum parameters. [abridged]Comment: accepted for publication in A&

Reconstruction of the two-dimensional gravitational potential of galaxy clusters from X-ray and Sunyaev-Zel'dovich measurements

The mass of galaxy clusters is not a direct observable, nonetheless it is commonly used to probe cosmological models. Based on the combination of all main cluster observables, that is, the X-ray emission, the thermal Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (SZ) signal, the velocity dispersion of the cluster galaxies, and gravitational lensing, the gravitational potential of galaxy clusters can be jointly reconstructed. We derive the two main ingredients required for this joint reconstruction: the potentials individually reconstructed from the observables and their covariance matrices, which act as a weight in the joint reconstruction. We show here the method to derive these quantities. The result of the joint reconstruction applied to a real cluster will be discussed in a forthcoming paper. We apply the Richardson-Lucy deprojection algorithm to data on a two-dimensional (2D) grid. We first test the 2D deprojection algorithm on a $\beta$-profile. Assuming hydrostatic equilibrium, we further reconstruct the gravitational potential of a simulated galaxy cluster based on synthetic SZ and X-ray data. We then reconstruct the projected gravitational potential of the massive and dynamically active cluster Abell 2142, based on the X-ray observations collected with XMM-Newton and the SZ observations from the Planck satellite. Finally, we compute the covariance matrix of the projected reconstructed potential of the cluster Abell 2142 based on the X-ray measurements collected with XMM-Newton. The gravitational potentials of the simulated cluster recovered from synthetic X-ray and SZ data are consistent, even though the potential reconstructed from X-rays shows larger deviations from the true potential. Regarding Abell 2142, the projected gravitational cluster potentials recovered from SZ and X-ray data reproduce well the projected potential inferred from gravitational-lensing observations. (abridged)Comment: accepted for publication in the journal A&

The XMM Cluster Outskirts Project (X-COP): Physical conditions to the virial radius of Abell 2142

Context. Galaxy clusters are continuously growing through the accretion of matter in their outskirts. This process induces inhomogeneities in the gas density distribution (clumping) which need to be taken into account to recover the physical properties of the intracluster medium (ICM) at large radii. Aims. We studied the thermodynamic properties in the outskirts (R > R500) of the massive galaxy cluster Abell 2142 by combining the Sunyaev Zel'dovich (SZ) effect with the X-ray signal. Methods. We combined the SZ pressure profile measured by Planck with the XMM-Newton gas density profile to recover radial profiles of temperature, entropy and hydrostatic mass out to 2R500. We used a method that is insensitive to clumping to recover the gas density, and we compared the results with traditional X-ray measurement techniques. Results. When taking clumping into account, our joint SZ/X-ray entropy profile is consistent with the predictions from pure gravitational collapse, whereas a significant entropy flattening is found when the effect of clumping is neglected. The hydrostatic mass profile recovered using joint X-ray/SZ data agrees with that obtained from spectroscopic X-ray measurements and with mass reconstructions obtained through weak lensing and galaxy kinematics. Conclusions. We found that clumping can explain the entropy flattening observed by Suzaku in the outskirts of several clusters. When using a method insensitive to clumping for the reconstruction of the gas density, the thermodynamic properties of Abell 2142 are compatible with the assumption that the thermal gas pressure sustains gravity and that the entropy is injected at accretion shocks, with no need to evoke more exotic physics. Our results highlight the need for X-ray observations with sufficient spatial resolution, and large collecting area, to understand the processes at work in cluster outer regions.Comment: 22 pages, 32 figures, accepted in the journal A&

Can early MRI distinguish between Kingella kingae and Gram-positive cocci in osteoarticular infections in young children?

Background: K. kingae is a common causative organism in acute osteoarticular infections (OAIs) in children under 4years of age. Differentiation between K. kingae and Gram-positive cocci (GPC) is of great interest therapeutically. Objective: Our aim was to identify early distinguishing MRI features of OAIs. Materials and methods: Thirty-one children younger than 4years of age with OAI underwent MRI at presentation. Of these, 21 were caused by K. kingae and ten by GPC. Bone and soft tissue reaction, epiphyseal cartilage involvement, bone and subperiosteal abscess formation were compared between the two groups. Interobserver agreement was measured. Results: Bone reaction was less frequent (P = 0.0066) and soft tissue reaction less severe (P = 0.0087) in the K. kingae group. Epiphysis cartilage abscesses were present only in the K. kingae group (P = 0.0118). No difference was found for bone abscess (P = 0.1411), subperiosteal abscess (P = 1) or joint effusion (P = 0.4414). Interobserver agreement was good for all criteria. Conclusion: MRI is useful in differentiating K. kingae from GPC in OAI. Cartilaginous involvement and modest soft tissue and bone reaction suggest K. kinga

Near-infrared Observations of Be/X-ray Binary Pulsar A0535+262

We present results obtained from an extensive near-infrared spectroscopic and photometric observations of the Be/X-ray binary A0535+262/HDE 245770 at different phases of its ~111 day orbital period. This observation campaign is a part of the monitoring programme of selective Be/X-ray binary systems aimed at understanding the X-ray and near-IR properties at different orbital phases, especially during the periastron passage of the neutron star. The near-IR observations were carried out using the 1.2 m telescope at Mt. Abu IR observatory. Though the source was relatively faint for spectroscopic observations with 1.2 m telescope, we monitored the source during the 2011 February--March giant outburst to primarily investigate whether any drastic changes in the near-IR JHK spectra take place at the periastron passage. Changes of such a striking nature were expected to be detectable in our spectra. Photometric observations of the Be star show a gradual and systematic fading in the JHK light curves since the onset of the X-ray outburst that could suggest a mild evacuation/truncation of the circumstellar disc of the Be companion. Near-IR spectroscopy of the object shows that the JHK spectra are dominated by the emission lines of hydrogen Brackett and Paschen series and HeI lines at 1.0830, 1.7002 and 2.0585 micron. The presence of all hydrogen emission lines in the JHK spectra, along with the absence of any significant change in the continuum of the Be companion during X-ray quiescent and X-ray outburst phases suggest that the near-IR line emitting regions of the disc are not significantly affected during the X-ray outburst.Comment: 10 Pages, 5 Figures, Accepted for publication in Res. in Astronomy and Astrophysic

Joint cluster reconstructions: Combining free-form lensing and X-rays

Galaxy clusters provide a multitude of observational data across wavelengths and their structure and morphology are of considerable interest in cosmology as well as astrophysics. We develop a framework that allows the combination of lensing and non-lensing observations in a free-form and mesh-free approach to infer the projected mass distribution of individual galaxy clusters. This method can be used to test common assumptions on the morphology of clusters in parametric models. We make use of the lensing reconstruction code SaWLens2 and expand its capabilities by incorporating an estimate of the projected gravitational potential based on X-ray data that are deprojected using the local Richardson-Lucy method and used to infer the Newtonian potential of the cluster and we discuss how potentially arising numerical artefacts can be treated. We demonstrate the feasibility of our method on a simplified mock NFW halo and on a cluster from a realistic hydrodynamical simulation and show how the combination of X-ray and weak lensing data can affect a free-form reconstruction, improving the accuracy in the central region in some cases by a factor of two.Comment: 14 pages, 19 figures, submitted to A&A; revised to match the accepted versio