Mergers and ejections of black holes in globular clusters

We report on results of fully consistent N-body simulations of globular cluster models with N = 100 000 members containing neutron stars and black holes. Using the improved `algorithmic regularization' method of Hellstrom and Mikkola for compact subsystems, the new code NBODY7 enables for the first time general relativistic coalescence to be achieved for post-Newtonian terms and realistic parameters. Following an early stage of mass segregation, a few black holes form a small dense core which usually leads to the formation of one dominant binary. The subsequent evolution by dynamical shrinkage involves the competing processes of ejection and mergers by radiation energy loss. Unless the binary is ejected, long-lived triple systems often exhibit Kozai cycles with extremely high inner eccentricity (e > 0.999) which may terminate in coalescence at a few Schwarzschild radii. A characteristic feature is that ordinary stars as well as black holes and even BH binaries are ejected with high velocities. On the basis of the models studied so far, the results suggest a limited growth of a few remaining stellar mass black holes in globular clusters.Comment: 8 pages, 9 figures, accepted MNRAS, small typo correcte

Asymptotic behavior of unstable INAR(p) processes

In this paper the asymptotic behavior of an unstable integer-valued autoregressive model of order p (INAR(p)) is described. Under a natural assumption it is proved that the sequence of appropriately scaled random step functions formed from an unstable INAR(p) process converges weakly towards a squared Bessel process. We note that this limit behavior is quite different from that of familiar unstable autoregressive processes of order p. An application for Boston armed robberies data set is presented.Comment: 35 pages; corrected and extended version: a new section on an application for Boston armed robberies data set is adde

Analysis and modeling of green wood milling: Chip production by slabber

During the primary transformation of wood, logs are faced with slabber heads. Chips produced are raw materials for pulp paper and particleboard industries. Efficiency of these industries is partly due to particle size distribution. Command of this distribution is no easy matter because of great dependence on cutting conditions and variability in material. This study aimed a better understanding and predictionof chip fragmentation. It starts with a detailed description of cutting kinematic and interaction between knife and log. This leads to the numerical development of a generic slabber head. Chip fragmentation phenomena were studied through experiments in dynamic conditions. These experiments were carried out thanks to a pendulum (Vc = 400 m/min). It was instrumented with piezoelectric force sensors and high speed camera. Obtained results agreed very well with previous quasi-static experiments

Pirfenidone in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis:expert panel discussion on the management of drug-related adverse events

Pirfenidone is currently the only approved therapy for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, following studies demonstrating that treatment reduces the decline in lung function and improves progression-free survival. Although generally well tolerated, a minority of patients discontinue therapy due to gastrointestinal and skin-related adverse events (AEs). This review summarizes recommendations based on existing guidelines, research evidence, and consensus opinions of expert authors, with the aim of providing practicing physicians with the specific clinical information needed to educate the patient and better manage pirfenidone-related AEs with continued pirfenidone treatment. The main recommendations to help prevent and/or mitigate gastrointestinal and skin-related AEs include taking pirfenidone during (or after) a meal, avoiding sun exposure, wearing protective clothing, and applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with high ultraviolet (UV) A and UVB protection. These measures can help optimize AE management, which is key to maintaining patients on an optimal treatment dose.Correction in: Advances in Therapy, Volume 31, Issue 5, pp 575-576 , doi: 10.1007/s12325-014-0118-8</p