SDSS J080449.49+161624.8: a peculiar AM CVn star from a colour-selected sample of candidates

We describe a spectroscopic survey designed to uncover an estimated ∼40 AM Canum Venaticorum (AM CVn) stars hiding in the photometric data base of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. We have constructed a relatively small sample of about 1500 candidates based on a colour selection, which should contain the majority of all AM CVn binaries while remaining small enough that spectroscopic identification of the full sample is feasible.
We present the first new AM CVn star discovered using this strategy, SDSS J080449.49+161624.8, the ultracompact binary nature of which is demonstrated using high-time-resolution spectroscopy obtained with the Magellan telescopes at Las Campanas Observatory, Chile. A kinematic 'S-wave' feature is observed on a period   P _orb= 44.5 ± 0.1 min  , which we propose is the orbital period, although the present data cannot yet exclude its nearest daily aliases.
The new AM CVn star shows a peculiar spectrum of broad, single-peaked helium emission lines with unusually strong series of ionized helium, reminiscent of the (intermediate) polars among the hydrogen-rich cataclysmic variables. We speculate that SDSS J0804+1616 may be the first magnetic AM CVn star. The accreted material appears to be enriched in nitrogen, to N/O ≳ 10 and N/C > 10 by number, indicating CNO cycle hydrogen burning, but no helium burning, in the prior evolution of the donor star.     

A photometric study of the field around the candidate recoiling/binary black hole SDSS J092712.65+294344.0

We present a photometric far-ultraviolet (FUV) to K _s-band study of the field around quasar SDSS J092712.65+294344.0. The SDSS spectrum of this object shows various emission lines with two distinct redshifts, at   z = 0.699  and 0.712. Because of this peculiar spectroscopic feature, this source has been proposed as a candidate recoiling or binary black hole. A third alternative model involves two galaxies moving in the centre of a rich galaxy cluster. Here, we present a study addressing the possible presence of such a rich cluster of galaxies in the SDSS J092712.65+294344.0 field. We observed the  3.6 × 2.6  arcmin² field in the K _s band and matched the near-infrared data with the FUV and near-ultraviolet images in the Galaxy Evolution Explorer archive and the ugriz observations in the SDSS. From various colour–colour diagrams, we were able to classify the nature of 32 sources, only 6–11 of which have colours consistent with galaxies at   z ≈ 0.7  . We compare these numbers with the surface density of galaxies, stars and quasars and the expectations for typical galaxy clusters both at low and high redshift. Our study shows that the galaxy cluster scenario is in clear disagreement with the new observations.     

Non-parametric strong lens inversion of SDSS J1004+4112

In this article, we study the well-known strong lensing system SDSS J1004+4112. Not only does it host a large-separation lensed quasar with measured time-delay information, but several other lensed galaxies have been identified as well. A previously developed strong lens inversion procedure that is designed to handle a wide variety of constraints is applied to this lensing system and compared to results reported in other works. Without the inclusion of a tentative central image of one of the galaxies as a constraint, we find that the model recovered by the other constraints indeed predicts an image at that location. An inversion which includes the central image provides tighter constraints on the shape of the central part of the mass map. The resulting model also predicts a central image of a second galaxy where indeed an object is visible in the available Advanced Camera for Surveys images. We find masses of  2.5 × 10¹³  and  6.1 × 10¹³ M_⊙  within a radius of 60 and 110 kpc, respectively, confirming the results from other authors. The resulting mass map is compatible with an elliptical generalization of a projected NFW profile, with   r _s= 58⁺²¹₋₁₃  arcsec and   c _vir= 3.91 ± 0.74  . The orientation of the elliptical NFW profile closely follows the orientation of the central cluster galaxy and the overall distribution of cluster members.     

A Spatial Decision Support System Approach to Evaluate the Efficiency of a Meals-on-Wheels Program*

Due to limited resources, publicly funded service programs need to operate efficiently. This paper demonstrates how a Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) can be used to evaluate and enhance the performance of an existing service delivery program. Elements critical to the efficiency of service programs are enumerated. A meals-on-wheels (MOW) program in Connecticut is used as a case study to demonstrate the utility of the SDSS approach. Practical issues related to data sources and system adoption are discussed.     

基于Web的潜在矿产资源评价空间决策支持系统研究

为了将定性的地质理论与计算机定量化分析结合起来应用于潜在矿产资源评价,并在潜在矿产资源评价决策支持中能够共享异构分布的决策资源,本研究采用了SOA(Service-oriented architecture)架构的软件开发方法,使用了Web Services技术,集成GMS、GIS和DSS功能,设计了基于Web的潜在矿产资源评价空间决策支持系统。本文选择了潜在铁矿资源评价作为实例对系统进行了验证,验证结果表明,该系统具有模型驱动、决策支持和空间分析集成、基于Web的决策资源共享、评价决策支持方式定性和定量有机结合的优点。     

基于GIS的城市规划空间辅助决策平台

城市规划管理工作越来越复杂, 利用GIS和数据库技术建立空间辅助决策平台来处理规划管理业务显得尤为迫切。介绍了空间决策支持系统(spatial decision support system, SDSS), SDSS是通过空间数据引擎(spatial data engine, SDE) 建立与商用数据库的关系与存储, 其结果体现利用了GIS的VRML和3D技术, 设计出城市规划空间辅助决策软件平台的体系结构和应用模型.文章提出了决策平台核心内容在于建立成熟完备的决策模型库和决策算子的实现过程, 以及计算结果的多样化表达.通过决策软件平台的建立能够为城市规划管理决策提供客观准确的理论依据, 为决策者科学决策奠定基础.