We plot the parameters A_v,   out of the best models over the measured values of A_v,   NIR from the NIR extinction maps. The dashed line is a linear fit to the data points, which is only meant to illustrate the trend. The dotted line indicates A_v,   out = A_v,   NIR. We interpret the anti-correlation as an indication of increasing decoupling of gas and dust temperatures towards lower extinction.