111 research outputs found
Zoom-Whirl Orbits in Black Hole Binaries
Zoom-whirl behavior has the reputation of being a rare phenomenon. The
concern has been that gravitational radiation would drain angular momentum so
rapidly that generic orbits would circularize before zoom-whirl behavior could
play out, and only rare highly tuned orbits would retain their imprint. Using
full numerical relativity, we catch zoom-whirl behavior despite dissipation.
The larger the mass ratio, the longer the pair can spend in orbit before
merging and therefore the more zooms and whirls seen. Larger spins also enhance
zoom-whirliness. An important implication is that these eccentric orbits can
merge during a whirl phase, before enough angular momentum has been lost to
truly circularize the orbit. Waveforms will be modulated by the harmonics of
zoom-whirls, showing quiet phases during zooms and louder glitches during
whirls.Comment: Replaced with published versio
A Qualitative Investigation of a Setting-Wide PBS Workforce Development Programme in an Adult Disability Setting
The presence of distressed behaviours can amplify the difficulties experienced by people with intellectual disabilities (ID), and place pressure on the provision of effective support by organisations and direct support personnel. Setting-wide positive behaviour support (PBS) is an evidence-based framework aimed at enhancing quality of life and reducing distressed behaviour for people with intellectual disabilities through systemic change. Implementation science offers a route to better understand how we can support organisations to adopt best practice into routine procedures. This study employed a qualitative research design to examine the facilitators and barriers of a workforce development programme in setting-wide PBS in a disability service organisation through semi-structured interviews with staff (n=14). Two conceptual models of implementation science, the theoretical domain framework and the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation (COM-B) Behaviour change model were adopted to code and analyse participant responses. Positive relationships with adults with ID, effective leadership and supervision and the systemic components of the PBS framework were highlighted as important enablers for behaviour change among participants. Workload, staff turnover, limited resources including lack of investment in workforce development and lack of mentorship were among the barriers identified. Systemic concerns with staff wellbeing, retention and capacity development continue to be prevalent in disability service provision. Outcomes indicate a need for significant investment in widespread, mandatory evidence-based training programmes in quality support for direct support staff, first line managers and service leaders
A Review of the Research on Offender Supervision in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland
This paper reviews existing research on offender supervision in the
Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Three distinct areas are considered:
practising offender supervision, experiencing supervision and decision-making in this
sphere. The material presented draws on findings from a European-wide research
action under the Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) initiative. The
review highlights some of the gaps in knowledge and the need to focus research
attention in this area. This need is underlined by the expansion in probation’s role,
both North and South. In common with other countries there has been a growth in
referrals to probation and in the numbers of people subject to supervision, whether
on a community sentence or under post-custodial licence conditions. This review
highlights some of the relevant factors including the increased emphasis placed on
public protection and attempts to reduce the prison population. The circulation of
people through systems and the experiences, processes and decision-making involved
are all areas that we argue are worthy of further research attention
Exploring the Use of Numerical Relativity Waveforms in Burst Analysis of Precessing Black Hole Mergers
Recent years have witnessed tremendous progress in numerical relativity and
an ever improving performance of ground-based interferometric gravitational
wave detectors. In preparation for Advanced LIGO and a new era in gravitational
wave astronomy, the numerical relativity and gravitational wave data analysis
communities are collaborating to ascertain the most useful role for numerical
relativity waveforms in the detection and characterization of binary black hole
coalescences. In this paper, we explore the detectability of equal mass,
merging black hole binaries with precessing spins and total mass M_T in
[80,350]Msol, using numerical relativity waveforms and template-less search
algorithms designed for gravitational wave bursts. In particular, we present a
systematic study using waveforms produced by the MAYAKRANC code that are added
to colored, Gaussian noise and analyzed with the Omega burst search algorithm.
Detection efficiency is weighed against the orientation of one of the
black-hole's spin axes. We find a strong correlation between the detection
efficiency and the radiated energy and angular momentum, and that the inclusion
of the l=2, m=+/-1,0 modes, at a minimum, is necessary to account for the full
dynamics of precessing systems.Comment: 9 pages, 15 figure
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