Hot gas flows on global and nuclear galactic scales

Since its discovery as an X-ray source with the Einstein Observatory, the hot X-ray emitting interstellar medium of early-type galaxies has been studied intensively, with observations of improving quality, and with extensive modeling by means of numerical simulations. The main features of the hot gas evolution are outlined here, focussing on the mass and energy input rates, the relationship between the hot gas flow and the main properties characterizing its host galaxy, the flow behavior on the nuclear and global galactic scales, and the sensitivity of the flow to the shape of the stellar mass distribution and the mean rotation velocity of the stars.Comment: 22 pages. Abbreviated version of chapter 2 of the book "Hot Interstellar Matter in Elliptical Galaxies", Springer 201

Relativistic Binaries in Globular Clusters

Galactic globular clusters are old, dense star systems typically containing 10\super{4}--10\super{7} stars. As an old population of stars, globular clusters contain many collapsed and degenerate objects. As a dense population of stars, globular clusters are the scene of many interesting close dynamical interactions between stars. These dynamical interactions can alter the evolution of individual stars and can produce tight binary systems containing one or two compact objects. In this review, we discuss theoretical models of globular cluster evolution and binary evolution, techniques for simulating this evolution that leads to relativistic binaries, and current and possible future observational evidence for this population. Our discussion of globular cluster evolution will focus on the processes that boost the production of hard binary systems and the subsequent interaction of these binaries that can alter the properties of both bodies and can lead to exotic objects. Direct {\it N}-body integrations and Fokker--Planck simulations of the evolution of globular clusters that incorporate tidal interactions and lead to predictions of relativistic binary populations are also discussed. We discuss the current observational evidence for cataclysmic variables, millisecond pulsars, and low-mass X-ray binaries as well as possible future detection of relativistic binaries with gravitational radiation.Comment: 88 pages, 13 figures. Submitted update of Living Reviews articl

Neuropsychological dysfunction, depression, physical disability, and coping processes in families with a parent affected by multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND: Families with a parent suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS) must cope with the unpredictable course of the disease. Most studies analyzing factors that influence coping abilities in families with a member affected with MS used questionnaires to assess this ability. METHODS: On the contrary, the present study used a semi-structured psychiatric interview and used the resulting information to calculate a general measure of coping ability (coping index [CI]). We administered this interview to 44 MS patients, their partners and offspring and conducted a neuropsychological and physical evaluation of the patients to determine the impact of physical disability, cognitive dysfunction, and depression on the process of coping by the patient, the healthy partner, and children. RESULTS: The CI of patients was best predicted by measures of their depressive symptoms, divided attention, and estimated verbal intelligence. None of the patient variables predicted the CI of healthy partners or their offspring. We found an association between the CI of the healthy partner and the children. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that MS patients' emotional and neuropsychological functions are associated with their ability to cope with the disease. These should be carefully assessed at the beginning of treatment so that those factors known to negatively influence patient coping are targeted in the treatment plan if necessary. Comprehensive care of a patient with MS should include support of coping abilities of the family members