711 research outputs found
The mass of X-Ray Nova Scorpii 1994 (=GRO J1655--40)]
We have obtained high and intermediate resolution optical spectra of the
black-hole candidate Nova Sco 1994 in May/June 1998, when the source was in
complete (X-ray) quiescence. We measure the radial velocity curve of the
secondary star and obtain a semi-amplitude of K_2=215.5+/-2.4 km/s, which is 6
per cent lower than the only previously determined value. This new value for
K_2 thus reduces the binary mass function to f(M) = 2.73+/-0.09 Mo. Using only
the high resolution spectra we constrain the rotational broadening of the
secondary star, vsini, to lie in the range 82.9-94.9 km/s (95 per cent
confidence) and thus constrain the binary mass ratio to lie in the range
0.337--0.436 (95 per cent confidence). We can also combine our results with
published limits for the binary inclination to constrain the mass of the
compact object and secondary star to the ranges 5.5 -- 7.9 and 1.7 -- 3.3 Mo
respectively (95 per cent confidence). Finally, we report on the detection of
the Lithium resonance line at 6707.8 A, with an equivalent width of 55+/-8 mA.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures, accepted by MNRA
Hard X-ray lags in GRO J1719-24
We have used the Fourier cross spectra of GRO J1719-24, as obtained with
BATSE, to estimate the phase lags between the X-ray flux variations in the
20--50 and 50--100 keV energy bands as a function of Fourier frequency in the
interval 0.002--0.488 Hz. Our analysis covers the entire ~80 day X-ray outburst
of this black-hole candidate, following the first X-ray detection on 1993
September 25. The X-ray variations in the 50--100 keV band lag those in the
20--50 keV energy band by an approximately constant phase difference of 0.072
+/- 0.010 rad in the frequency interval 0.02--0.20 Hz. The peak phase lags in
the interval 0.02--0.20 Hz are about twice those of Cyg X-1 and GRO
J0422+32.These results are consistent with models for Comptonization regions
composed of extended non-uniform clouds around the central source.Comment: 10 pages, including 4 postscript figures, AASTEX. Accepted for
publication by Ap
Hard X-ray variability of the black-hole candidate GRO J0422+32 during its 1992 outburst
We have studied the hard X-ray variability of the soft X-ray transient GRO
J0422+32 with BATSE in the 20-100 keV energy band. Our analysis covers 180 days
following the first X-ray detection of the source on 1992 August 5, fully
covering its primary and secondary X-ray outburst. We computed power density
spectra (PDSs) in the 20-50, 50-100, and 20-100 keV energy bands, in the
frequency interval 0.002-0.488 Hz. The PDSs of GRO J0422+32 are approximately
flat up to a break frequency, and decay as a power law above, with index ~1.
The canonical anticorrelation between the break frequency and the power density
at the break, observed in Cyg X-1 and other BHCs in the low state, is not
observed in the PDSs of GRO J0422+32. We compare our results with those of
similar variability studies of Cyg X-1. The relation between the spectral slope
and the amplitude of the X-ray variations of GRO J0422+32 is similar to that of
Cyg X-1; however, the relation between the hard X-ray flux and the amplitude of
its variation is opposite to what has been found in Cyg X-1. Phase lags between
the X-ray flux variations of GRO J0422+32 at high and low photon energies,
could only be derived during the first 30 days of its outburst. During this
period, the variations in the 50-100 keV lag those in the 20-50 keV energy band
by an approximately constant phase difference of 0.039(3) rad in the frequency
interval 0.02-0.20 Hz.Comment: 33 pages, including 14 postscript figures, AASTEX. To appear in ApJ
1999, March 1, vol. 513 #
Magnetic monopoles vs. Hopf defects in the Laplacian (Abelian) gauge
We investigate the Laplacian Abelian gauge on the sphere S^4 in the
background of a single `t Hooft instanton. To this end we solve the eigenvalue
problem of the covariant Laplace operator in the adjoint representation. The
ground state wave function serves as an auxiliary Higgs field. We find that the
ground state is always degenerate and has nodes. Upon diagonalisation, these
zeros induce toplogical defects in the gauge potentials. The nature of the
defects crucially depends on the order of the zeros. For first-order zeros one
obtains magnetic monopoles. The generic defects, however, arise from zeros of
second order and are pointlike. Their topological invariant is the Hopf index
S^3 -> S^2. These findings are corroborated by an analysis of the Laplacian
gauge in the fundamental representation where similar defects occur. Possible
implications for the confinement scenario are discussed.Comment: 18 pages, 3 figure
Correlations in Quasi-Periodic Oscillation and Noise Frequencies Among Neutron-Star and Black-Hole X-ray Binaries
We study systematically the ~0.1-1200 Hz quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs)
and broad noise components observed in the power spectra of non-pulsing
neutron-star and black-hole low-mass X-ray binaries. We show that among these
components we can identify two, occurring over a wide range of source types and
luminosities, whose frequencies follow a tight correlation. The variability
components involved in this correlation include neutron-star kilohertz QPOs and
horizontal-branch oscillations, as well as black-hole QPOs and noise
components. Our results suggest that the same types of variability may occur in
both neutron-star and black-hole systems over three orders of magnitude in
frequency and with coherences that vary widely but systematically. Confirmation
of this hypothesis will strongly constrain theoretical models of these
phenomena and provide additional clues to understanding their nature.Comment: 15 pages, 2 figures (one color figure), to appear in the
Astrophysical Journa
Vacuum Tunneling and Periodic Structure in Lattice Higgs Models
Using a geometric definition for the lattice Chern-Simons term in even
dimensions, we have studied the distribution of Chern-Simons numbers for the
2d-U(1) and the 4d-SU(2) lattice Higgs models. The periodic structure of the
distributions is preserved in our lattice formulation and has been examined in
detail. In both cases the finite size effects visible in the distribution of
Chern-Simons numbers are well accounted for by the Haar measure. Moreover, we
find that grows with the spatial volume. We also
find numerical evidence that tunneling in 4d is increased at high temperature.
(PS-File including Figures available via E-mail: [email protected])Comment: 25 pages, 5 figures, LaTeX (+ PicLaTeX) file, HLRZ-93-08 and BI-TP
93/0
Dedicated teams to optimize quality and safety of surgery:A systematic review
BACKGROUND: A dedicated operating team is defined as a surgical team consisting of the same group of people working together over time, optimally attuned in both technical and/or communicative aspects. This can be achieved through technical and/or communicative training in a team setting. A dedicated surgical team may contribute to the optimization of healthcare quality and patient safety within the perioperative period. METHOD: A systematic review was conducted to evaluate the effects of a dedicated surgical team on clinical and performance outcomes. MEDLINE and Embase were searched on 23 June 2022. Both randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized studies (NRSs) were included. Primary outcomes were mortality, complications and readmissions. Secondary outcomes were costs and performance measures. RESULTS: Fourteen studies were included (RCTs n = 1; NRSs n = 13). Implementation of dedicated operating teams was associated with improvements in mortality, turnover time, teamwork, communication and costs. No significant differences were observed in readmission rates and length of hospital stay. Results regarding duration, glitch counts and complications of surgery were inconclusive. Limitations include study conduct and heterogeneity between studies. CONCLUSIONS: The institution of surgical teams who followed communicative and/or technical training appeared to have beneficial effects on several clinical outcome measures. Dedicated teams provide a feasible way of improving healthcare quality and patient safety. A dose-response effect of team training was reported, but also a relapse rate, suggesting that repetitive training is of major concern to high-quality patient care. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings, due to limited level of evidence in current literature. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020145288
Correlation Between BATSE Hard X-ray Spectral and Timing Properties of Cygnus X-1
We have analyzed approximately 1100 days of Cygnus X-1 hard X-ray data
obtained with BATSE to study its rapid variability. We find for the first time
correlations between the slope of the spectrum and the hard X-ray intensity,
and between the spectral slope and the amplitude of the rapid variations of the
hard X-ray flux. We compare our results with expectations from current theories
of accretion onto black holes.Comment: 17 pages, 3 Postscript figures, uses aasms4.sty. Accepted for
publication in Astrophysical Journal Letter
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