Chandra X-Ray Observations of Two Unusual BAL Quasars

We report sensitive Chandra X-ray non-detections of two unusual, luminous Iron Low-Ionization Broad Absorption Line Quasars (FeLoBALs). The observations do detect a non-BAL, wide-binary companion quasar to one of the FeLoBAL quasars. We combine X-ray-derived column density lower limits (assuming solar metallicity) with column densities measured from ultraviolet spectra and CLOUDY photoionization simulations to explore whether constant density slabs at broad line region densities can match the physical parameters of these two BAL outflows, and find that they cannot. In the "overlapping-trough" object SDSS J0300+0048, we measure the column density of the X-ray absorbing gas to be N_H >= 1.8 x 1024 cm-2. From the presence of Fe II UV78 absorption but lack of Fe II UV195/UV196 absorption, we infer the density in that part of the absorbing region to be n_e ~ 106 cm-3. We do find that a slab of gas at that density might be able to explain this object's absorption. In the Fe III-dominant object SDSS J2215-0045, the X-ray absorbing column density of N_H >= 3.4 x 1024 cm-2 is consistent with the Fe III-derived N_H >= 2 x 1022 cm-2 provided the ionization parameter is log U > 1.0 for both the n_e = 1011 cm-3 and n_e = 1012 cm-3 scenarios considered (such densities are required to produce Fe III absorption without Fe II absorption). However, the velocity width of the absorption rules out its being concentrated in a single slab at these densities. Instead, this object's spectrum can be explained by a low density, high ionization and high temperature disk wind that encounters and ablates higher density, lower ionization Fe III-emitting clumps.Comment: 18 pages, 6 figure

Psychometric comparison of three behavioural scales for the assessment of pain in critically ill patients unable to self-report

International audienc

Emergence and Variability of Broad Absorption Line Quasar Outflows

We isolate a set of quasars that exhibit emergent C iv broad absorption lines (BALs) in their spectra by comparing spectra in the SDSS Data Release 7 and the SDSS/BOSS Data Releases 9 and 10. After visually defining a set of emergent BALs, follow-up observations were obtained with the Gemini Observatory for 105 quasars. We find an emergence rate consistent with the previously reported disappearance rate of BAL quasars given the relative numbers of non-BAL and BAL quasars in the SDSS. We find candidate newly emerged BALs are preferentially drawn from among BALs with smaller balnicity indices, shallower depths, larger velocities, and smaller widths. Within two rest-frame years (average) after a BAL has emerged, we find it equally likely to continue increasing in equivalent width in an observation six months later (average) as it is to start decreasing. From the time separations between our observations, we conclude the coherence time-scale of BALs is less than 100 rest-frame days. We observe coordinated variability among pairs of troughs in the same quasar, likely due to clouds at different velocities responding to the same changes in ionizing flux; and the coordination is stronger if the velocity separation between the two troughs is smaller. We speculate the latter effect may be due to clouds having on average lower densities at higher velocities due to mass conservation in an accelerating flow, causing the absorbing gas in those clouds to respond on different timescales to the same ionizing flux variations.Comment: 37 pages, 25 figure

Thirty years of critical care medicine

Critical care medicine is a relatively young but rapidly evolving specialty. On the occasion of the 30th International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, we put together some thoughts from a few of the leaders in critical care who have been actively involved in this field over the years. Looking back over the last 30 years, we reflect on areas in which, despite large amounts of research and technological and scientific advances, no major therapeutic breakthroughs have been made. We then look at the process of care and realize that, here, huge progress has been made. Lastly, we suggest how critical care medicine will continue to evolve for the better over the next 30 years

1928-29: Abilene Christian College Bible Lectures - Full Text

INTRODUCTION It has been the custom of Abilene Christian College for several years to hold an annual “Lectureship” the last week in February. This is a time of gathering of brethren from all over the state and adjoining states. It is a time of a great spiritual feast. It affords an opportunity for brethren to meet and talk over the work of the Lord. It also enables us to hear again great men of God whose voices have sounded the Word of the Lord in the days of the past in great meetings. In order that those who are not permitted to hear the lectures may enjoy them it has been the custom of Abilene Christian College to publish the lectures in a book at the end of each two years. We feel that these wonderful messages from some of the greatest minds of the church ought to be preserved that they may do good even after the lips of the speakers have become silent. It is with a prayer that great good may come that this volume of lectures of 1928 and 1929 is sent forth. We regret that some of the lectures could not be included in the book. Several of the brethren neglected to send in their manuscripts; some other manuscripts were destroyed by fire, and the brethren did not replace them. Most\u27 of the lectures are in the book. BATSELL BAXTER. DELIVERED IN THE AUDITORIUM OF ABILENE CHRISTIAN COLLEGE ABILENE, TEXAS FEBRUARY 1928-1929 FIRM FOUNDATION PUBLISHING HOUSE 104-106-108 E. 9th Street Austin, Texas