Computation of Mass Outflow Rate from Relativistic Quasi-Spherical Accretion onto Black Holes

We compute mass outflow rate $R_{\dot m}$ from relativistic matter accreting quasi-spherically onto Schwarzschild black holes. Taking the pair-plasma pressure mediated shock surface as the {\it effective} boundary layer (of the black hole) from where bulk of the outflow is assumed to be generated, computation of this rate is done using combinations of exact transonic inflow and outflow solutions. We find that $R_{\dot m}$ depends on the initial parameters of the flow, the polytropic index of matter, the degree of compression of matter near the shock surface and on the location of the shock surface itself. We thus not only study the variation of the mass outflow rate as a function of various physical parameters governing the problem but also provide a sufficiently plausible estimation of this rate.Comment: 6 twocoloumn pages with 5 figures. mn.sty used. Accepted for publication in MNRA

Accretion powered spherical wind in general relativity

Using full general relativistic calculations, we investigate the possibility of generation of mass outflow from spherical accretion onto non-rotating black holes. Introducing a relativistic hadronic-pressure-supported steady, standing, spherically-symmetric shock surface around a Schwarzschild black hole as the effective physical barrier that may be responsible for the generation of spherical wind, we calculate the mass outflow rate $R_{\dot m}$ in terms of three accretion parameters and one outflow parameter by simultaneously solving the set of general relativistic hydrodynamic equations describing spherically symmetric, transonic, polytropic accretion and wind around a Schwarzschild black hole. Not only do we provide a sufficiently plausible estimation of $R_{\dot m}$, we also successfully study the dependence and variation of this rate on various physical parameters governing the flow. Our calculation indicates that independent of initial boundary conditions, the baryonic matter content of this shock-generated wind always correlates with post-shock flow temperature.Comment: 14 single column pages. 7 black and white encapsulated post-script figures. Published in A &

Bodyweight Perceptions among Texas Women: The Effects of Religion, Race/Ethnicity, and Citizenship Status

Despite previous work exploring linkages between religious participation and health, little research has looked at the role of religion in affecting bodyweight perceptions. Using the theoretical model developed by Levin et al. (Sociol Q 36(1):157–173, 1995) on the multidimensionality of religious participation, we develop several hypotheses and test them by using data from the 2004 Survey of Texas Adults. We estimate multinomial logistic regression models to determine the relative risk of women perceiving themselves as overweight. Results indicate that religious attendance lowers risk of women perceiving themselves as very overweight. Citizenship status was an important factor for Latinas, with noncitizens being less likely to see themselves as overweight. We also test interaction effects between religion and race. Religious attendance and prayer have a moderating effect among Latina non-citizens so that among these women, attendance and prayer intensify perceptions of feeling less overweight when compared to their white counterparts. Among African American women, the effect of increased church attendance leads to perceptions of being overweight. Prayer is also a correlate of overweight perceptions but only among African American women. We close with a discussion that highlights key implications from our findings, note study limitations, and several promising avenues for future research