21 research outputs found
Quasi-Spherical Light Cones of the Kerr Geometry
Quasi-spherical light cones are lightlike hypersurfaces of the Kerr geometry
that are asymptotic to Minkowski light cones at infinity. We develop the
equations of these surfaces and examine their properties. In particular, we
show that they are free of caustics for all positive values of the Kerr radial
coordinate r. Useful applications include the propagation of high-frequency
waves, the definition of Kruskal-like coordinates for a spinning black hole and
the characteristic initial-value problem.Comment: LaTeX, 14 pages, 2 figure
Towards the Final Fate of an Unstable Black String
Black strings, one class of higher dimensional analogues of black holes, were
shown to be unstable to long wavelength perturbations by Gregory and Laflamme
in 1992, via a linear analysis. We revisit the problem through numerical
solution of the full equations of motion, and focus on trying to determine the
end-state of a perturbed, unstable black string. Our preliminary results show
that such a spacetime tends towards a solution resembling a sequence of
spherical black holes connected by thin black strings, at least at intermediate
times. However, our code fails then, primarily due to large gradients that
develop in metric functions, as the coordinate system we use is not well
adapted to the nature of the unfolding solution. We are thus unable to
determine how close the solution we see is to the final end-state, though we do
observe rich dynamical behavior of the system in the intermediate stages.Comment: 17 pages, 7 figure
Gravitational collapse in 2+1 dimensional AdS spacetime
We present results of numerical simulations of the formation of black holes
from the gravitational collapse of a massless, minimally-coupled scalar field
in 2+1 dimensional, axially-symmetric, anti de-Sitter (AdS) spacetime. The
geometry exterior to the event horizon approaches the BTZ solution, showing no
evidence of scalar `hair'. To study the interior structure we implement a
variant of black-hole excision, which we call singularity excision. We find
that interior to the event horizon a strong, spacelike curvature singularity
develops. We study the critical behavior at the threshold of black hole
formation, and find a continuously self-similar solution and corresponding
mass-scaling exponent of approximately 1.2. The critical solution is universal
to within a phase that is related to the angle deficit of the spacetime.Comment: 31 pages, 20 figures, LaTeX. Replaced with version to be published in
Phys. Rev.
Testing gravitational-wave searches with numerical relativity waveforms: Results from the first Numerical INJection Analysis (NINJA) project
The Numerical INJection Analysis (NINJA) project is a collaborative effort
between members of the numerical relativity and gravitational-wave data
analysis communities. The purpose of NINJA is to study the sensitivity of
existing gravitational-wave search algorithms using numerically generated
waveforms and to foster closer collaboration between the numerical relativity
and data analysis communities. We describe the results of the first NINJA
analysis which focused on gravitational waveforms from binary black hole
coalescence. Ten numerical relativity groups contributed numerical data which
were used to generate a set of gravitational-wave signals. These signals were
injected into a simulated data set, designed to mimic the response of the
Initial LIGO and Virgo gravitational-wave detectors. Nine groups analysed this
data using search and parameter-estimation pipelines. Matched filter
algorithms, un-modelled-burst searches and Bayesian parameter-estimation and
model-selection algorithms were applied to the data. We report the efficiency
of these search methods in detecting the numerical waveforms and measuring
their parameters. We describe preliminary comparisons between the different
search methods and suggest improvements for future NINJA analyses.Comment: 56 pages, 25 figures; various clarifications; accepted to CQ
Exercise therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy to improve fatigue, daily activity performance and quality of life in Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome: the protocol of the FACTS-2-PPS trial
Contains fulltext :
88661.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)BACKGROUND: Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome (PPS) is a complex of late onset neuromuscular symptoms with new or increased muscle weakness and muscle fatigability as key symptoms. Main clinical complaints are severe fatigue, deterioration in functional abilities and health related quality of life. Rehabilitation management is the mainstay of treatment. Two different therapeutic interventions may be prescribed (1) exercise therapy or (2) cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). However, the evidence on the effectiveness of both interventions is limited. The primary aim of the FACTS-2-PPS trial is to study the efficacy of exercise therapy and CBT for reducing fatigue and improving activities and quality of life in patients with PPS. Additionally, the working mechanisms, patients' and therapists' expectations of and experiences with both interventions and cost-effectiveness will be evaluated. METHODS/DESIGN: A multi-centre, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial will be conducted. A sample of 81 severely fatigued patients with PPS will be recruited from 3 different university hospitals and their affiliate rehabilitation centres. Patients will be randomized to one of three groups i.e. (1) exercise therapy + usual care, (2) CBT + usual care, (3) usual care. At baseline, immediately post-intervention and at 3- and 6-months follow-up, fatigue, activities, quality of life and secondary outcomes will be assessed. Costs will be based on a cost questionnaire, and statistical analyses on GEE (generalized estimated equations). Analysis will also consider mechanisms of change during therapy. A responsive evaluation will be conducted to monitor the implementation process and to investigate the perspectives of patients and therapists on both interventions. DISCUSSION: A major strength of the FACTS-2-PPS study is the use of a mixed methods design in which a responsive and economic evaluation runs parallel to the trial. The results of this study will generate new evidence for the rehabilitation treatment of persons with PPS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Dutch Trial Register NTR1371
Management of rhinosinusitis in children: Consensus meeting, Brussels, Belgium, September 13, 1996
Objectives: To (1) provide definitions for the different forms of pediatric rhinosinusitis, with an enumeration of the main symptoms and signs; (2) provide indications for microbiological, allergic, and immunologic assessment as well as for imaging studies; (3) suggest standard medical management with judicious use of antimicrobial agents; and (4) discuss indications for surgery. Data Sources: Clinical studies and literature data relevant to the different topics of pediatric rhinosinusitis. Conclusions: Rhinosinusitis in children is a multifactorial disease in which the importance of several predisposing factors changes with increasing age. Continued study to obtain a better understanding of the disease and carefully controlled comparative evaluations of medical and surgical therapies are suggested.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe
Management of rhinosinusitis in children
The authors provide definitions for the different forms of pediatric rhinosinusitis, with an enumeration of the main symptoms and signs. They also provide the indications for CT scan examination and microbiological investigations. In addition, they emphasize the importance of concomitant systemic disease, such as allergy and immunological disorders. The adequate medical management, which is mandatory before any surgery, is considered and discussed, and the indications for surgery are provided. Copyright (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.SCOPUS: cp.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe