Context.
The Tibet AS
γ
and LHAASO collaborations recently reported the observation of a
γ
-ray diffuse emission with energy up to the PeV level from the Galactic plane.
Aims.
We discuss the ...relevance of non-uniform cosmic-ray transport scenarios and the implications of these results for cosmic-ray physics.
Methods.
We used the
DRAGON
and
HERMES
codes to build high-resolution maps and spectral distributions of that emission for several representative models under the condition that they reproduce a wide set of local cosmic-ray data up to 100 PeV.
Results.
We show that the energy spectra measured by Tibet AS
γ
, LHAASO, ARGO-YBJ, and
Fermi
-LAT in several regions of interest in the sky can all be reasonably described in terms of the emission arising by the Galactic cosmic-ray “sea”. We also show that all our models are compatible with IceTop
γ
-ray upper limits.
Conclusions.
We compare the predictions of conventional and space-dependent transport models with those data sets. Although the
Fermi
-LAT, ARGO-YBJ, and LHAASO preliminary data slightly favor this scenario, due to the still large experimental errors, the poorly known source spectral shape at the highest energies, the potential role of spatial fluctuations in the leptonic component, and a possible larger-than-expected contamination due to unresolved sources, a solid confirmation requires further investigations. We discuss which measurements will be most relevant in order to resolve the remaining degeneracy.
Dark matter particles from the galactic halo can be gravitationally trapped in the solar core or in external orbits. The enhanced density of dark matter particles either in the solar core or in ...external orbits can result in the annihilation of these particles producing gamma rays via long-lived intermediate states or directly outside the Sun, respectively. These processes would yield characteristic features in the energy spectrum of the subsequent gamma rays, i.e., a boxlike or linelike shaped feature, respectively. We have performed a dedicated analysis using a 10-year sample of gamma-ray events from the Sun collected by the Fermi Large Area Telescope searching for spectral features in the energy spectrum as a signature of dark matter annihilation. In the scenario of gamma-ray production via long-lived mediators, we have also evaluated the dark matter-nucleon spin-dependent and spin-independent scattering cross section constraints from the flux limits in a dark matter mass range from 3 GeV/c2 up to about 1.8 TeV /c2. In the mass range up to about 150 GeV/c2, the limits are in the range 10−46 – 10−45 cm2 for the spin-dependent scattering and in the range 10−48 – 10−47 cm2 for the spin-independent case. The range of variation depends on the decay length of the mediator.
ABSTRACT
For over a century, the identification of high-energy cosmic ray (CR) sources remains an open question. For Galactic CRs with energy up to 1015 eV, supernova remnants (SNRs) have ...traditionally been thought the main candidate source. However, recent TeV γ-ray observations have questioned the SNR paradigm. Propagating CRs are deflected by the Galactic magnetic field, hence, γ-rays and neutrinos produced via inelastic hadronic interactions are the only means for unveiling the CR sources. In this work, we study the γ-ray and neutrino emission produced by CRs accelerated inside Galactic jets of stellar-mass black holes in X-ray binaries (BHXBs). We calculate the intrinsic neutrino emission of two prototypical BHXBs , Cygnus X–1 and GX 339–4, for which we have high-quality, quasi-simultaneous multiwavelength spectra. Based on these prototypical sources, we discuss the likelihood of the 35 known Galactic BHXBs to be efficient CR accelerators. Moreover, we estimate the potential contribution to the CR spectrum of a viable population of BHXBs that reside in the Galactic plane. When these BHXBs go into outburst, they may accelerate particles up to hundreds of TeV that contribute to the diffuse γ-ray and neutrino spectra while propagating in the Galactic medium. Using HERMES, an open-source code that calculates the hadronic processes along the line of sight, we discuss the contribution of BHXBs to the diffuse γ-ray and neutrino fluxes, and compare these to their intrinsic γ-ray and neutrino emissions. Finally, we discuss the contribution of BHXBs to the observed spectrum of Galactic CRs.
The interactions of cosmic rays with the solar atmosphere produce secondary particles which can reach the Earth. In this work, we present a comprehensive calculation of the yields of secondary ...particles such as gamma-rays, electrons, positrons, neutrons, and neutrinos performed with the fluka code. We also estimate the intensity at the Sun and the fluxes at the Earth of these secondary particles by folding their yields with the intensities of cosmic rays impinging on the solar surface. The results are sensitive to the assumptions on the magnetic field nearby the Sun and to the cosmic-ray transport in the magnetic field in the inner Solar System.
The monthly depositional fluxes of 7Be, 210Pb and 40K were measured at Malaga, (Southern Spain) from 2005 to 2018. In this work, the depositional fluxes of these radionuclides are investigated and ...their relations with several atmospheric variables have been studied by applying two popular machine learning methods: Random Forest and Neural Network algorithms. We extensively test different configurations of these algorithms and demonstrate their predictive ability for reproducing depositional fluxes. The models derived with Neural Networks achieve slightly better results, in average, although similar, having into account the uncertainties. The mean Pearson-R coefficients, evaluated with a k-fold cross-validation method, are around 0.85 for the three radionuclides using Neural Network models, while they go down to 0.83, 0.79 and 0.8 for 7Be, 210Pb and 40K, respectively, for the Random Forest models. Additionally, applying the Recursive Feature Elimination technique we determine the variables more correlated with the depositional fluxes of these radionuclides, which elucidates the main dependences of their temporal variability.
•14 years of monthly data on depositional fluxes of 7Be, 210Pb and 40K.•Predictions of depositional fluxes from machine learning techniques.•Recursive Feature Elimination algorithm to study the variables with more importance.•Statistical evaluation following a K-fold method.•Extensible model for large-scale predictions.
We use 7 years of electron and positron Fermi-LAT data to search for a possible excess in the direction of the Sun in the energy range from 42 GeV to 2 TeV. In the absence of a positive signal we ...derive flux upper limits which we use to constrain two different dark matter (DM) models producing e+e− fluxes from the Sun. In the first case we consider DM model being captured by the Sun due to elastic scattering and annihilation into e+e− pairs via a long-lived light mediator that can escape the Sun. In the second case we consider instead a model where DM density is enhanced around the Sun through inelastic scattering and the DM annihilates directly into e+e− pairs. In both cases we perform an optimal analysis, searching specifically for the energy spectrum expected in each case, i.e., a boxlike shaped and linelike shaped spectrum respectively. No significant signal is found and we can place limits on the spin-independent cross section in the range from 10−46 cm2 to 10−44 cm2 and on the spin-dependent cross section in the range from 10−43 cm2 to 10−41 cm2. In the case of inelastic scattering the limits on the cross section are in the range from 10−43 cm2 to 10−41 cm2. The limits depend on the life time of the mediator (elastic case) and on the mass splitting value (inelastic case), as well as on the assumptions made for the size of the deflections of electrons and positrons in the interplanetary magnetic field.
Peppers are fruits that grow on plants of the genus Capsicum and are popular for their use in gastronomy as a condiment and for their anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties due to their ...phytocompounds such as flavonoids, polyphenols, or alkaloids. Semiconductor zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using a green approach employing natural aqueous extracts of several varieties of peppers (jalapeño, morita, and ghost). The obtained NPs were characterized by different techniques, and their photocatalytic and antibacterial activity was studied. The signal at 620 cm−1 in the FTIR spectra belonging to the Zn–O bond, the appearance of the main peaks of a hexagonal wurtzite structure in the XRD pattern, and the characteristic signals in the UV–Vis spectra confirm the correct formation of ZnO NPs. The photocatalytic activity was analyzed against Methylene Blue (MB), Rhodamine B (RB), and Methyl Orange (MO) under UV and sunlight. All syntheses were able to degrade more than 93% of the pollutants under UV light. Antibacterial assays were performed against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. All syntheses exhibited antibacterial activity against all bacteria and maximum growth inhibition against Bacillus subtilis. The prominent results demonstrate that natural aqueous extracts obtained from peppers can be used to synthesize ZnO NPs with photocatalytic and biomedical applications.
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•ZnO NPs were synthesized using natural extracts obtained from different peppers.•The optical properties of the NPs are directly linked to the variety of pepper used.•NPs eliminated more than 93% of organic dyes under UV light.•Antibacterial assay showed prominent growth inhibition against B. subtilis.
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