4,877 research outputs found
Doppler Tomography of XTE J2123-058 and Other Neutron Star LMXBs
We describe Doppler tomography obtained in the 1998 outburst of the neutron
star low mass X-ray binary (LMXB) XTE J2123-058. This analysis, and other
aspects of phase-resolved spectroscopy, indicate similarities to SW Sex
systems, except that anomalous emission kinematics are seen in HeII, whilst
phase 0.5 absorption is confined to H alpha. This separation of these effects
may provide tighter constraints on models in the LMXB case than is possible for
SW Sex systems. We will compare results for other LMXBs which appear to show
similar kinematics and discuss how models for the SW Sex phenomenon can be
adapted to these systems. Finally we will summarise the limited Doppler
tomography performed on the class of neutron star LMXBs as a whole, and discuss
whether any common patterns can yet be identified.Comment: 8 pages, 5 postscript figures. To appear in Proceedings of
Astro-Tomography Workshop, Brussels, July 2000, Eds. H. Boffin, D. Steeghs,
Springer-Verlag Lecture Notes in Physic
Fast Photometry of Quiescent Soft X-ray Transients with the Gemini-South Acquisition Camera
We present a compilation of high time-resolution photometric observations of
quiescent soft X-ray transients obtained with the acquisition camera of
Gemini-South. A0620-00 was observed with a short cycle time and high precision.
Superimposed on the ellipsoidal modulation we find several prominent flares
together with weaker continual variability. The flares seen sample shorter
timescale than those reported in previous observations, with rise times as low
as 30s or less; most flares show unresolved peaks. The power density spectrum
(PDS) of A0620-00 appears to exhibit band-limited noise closely resembling the
X-ray PDS of black hole candidates in their low states, but with the
low-frequency break at a lower frequency. X-ray Nova Mus 1991 shows much larger
amplitude flares than A0620-00 and if a break is present it is at a lower
frequency. X-ray Nova Vel 1993 shows very little flaring and is, like A0620-00,
dominated by the ellipsoidal modulation. We discuss the possible origins for
the flares. They are clearly associated with the accretion flow rather than an
active companion, but whether they originate in the outer disc, or are driven
by events in the inner region is not yet resolved. The similarities of the PDS
to those of low/hard state sources would support the latter interpretation, and
the low break frequency is as would be expected if this frequency approximately
scales with the size of an inner evaporated region. We also report the
discovery of a new variable star only 14arcsec from XN Mus 1991. This appears
to be a W UMa star, with an orbital period of about 6hrs.Comment: 11 pages, accepted for publication in MNRA
Facial emotion processing in schizophrenia : a non-specific neuropsychological deficit?
Original article can be found at : http://journals.cambridge.org/ Copyright Cambridge University PressBackground: Identification of facial emotions has been found to be impaired in schizophrenia but there are uncertainties about the neuropsychological specificity of the finding. Method: Twenty-two patients with schizophrenia and 20 healthy controls were given tests requiring identification of facial emotion, judgement of the intensity of emotional expressions without identification, familiar face recognition and the Benton Facial Recognition Test (BFRT). The schizophrenia patients were selected to be relatively intellectually preserved. Results: The patients with schizophrenia showed no deficit in identifying facial emotion, although they were slower than the controls. They were, however, impaired on judging the intensity of emotional expression without identification. They showed impairment in recognizing familiar faces but not on the BFRT. Conclusions: When steps are taken to reduce the effects of general intellectual impairment, there is no deficit in identifying facial emotions in schizophrenia. There may, however, be a deficit in judging emotional intensity. The impairment found in naming familiar faces is consistent with other evidence of semantic memory impairment in the disorder.Peer reviewe
The Transition State in a Noisy Environment
Transition State Theory overestimates reaction rates in solution because
conventional dividing surfaces between reagents and products are crossed many
times by the same reactive trajectory. We describe a recipe for constructing a
time-dependent dividing surface free of such recrossings in the presence of
noise. The no-recrossing limit of Transition State Theory thus becomes
generally available for the description of reactions in a fluctuating
environment
A STOL airworthiness investigation using a simulation of an augmentor wing transport. Volume 2: Simulation data and analysis
A simulator study of STOL airworthiness was conducted using a model of an augmentor wing transport. The approach, flare and landing, go-around, and takeoff phases of flight were investigated. The simulation and the data obtained are described. These data include performance measures, pilot commentary, and pilot ratings. A pilot/vehicle analysis of glide slope tracking and of the flare maneuver is included
The Patchwork text assessment - an integral component of constructive alignment curriculum methodology to support healthcare leadership development
Background: A responsive and innovative postgraduate programme curriculum that produces an effective and competent multi professional healthcare leader whom can lead within the United Kingdom (UK) and international healthcare context offers a promising approach to contributing towards the challenging global healthcare agenda.
Aims: The aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of utilising constructive alignment curricular methodology incorporating the Patchwork Text Assessment on the healthcare leadership development of UK and international postgraduate students.
Design: Case study design, incorporating Kirkpatrick's Five Levels of Evaluation Model.
Settings and Participants: 12 post graduate students (multi-professional, UK and international) studying on a healthcare leadership and management programme at one UK University in the North West of England.
Methods: Retrieval of the critical commentary produced and submitted by students as part of the Patchwork Text Assessment process.
Data Analysis: Thematic content analysis approach.
Results: Four key themes emerged demonstrating how the success of constructive alignment and the Patchwork Text Assessment in promoting deep learning for UK and international postgraduate healthcare leadership students is underpinned by principles of good practice and these include:
a) Curriculum planners incorporating work based learning activities into the generated learning activities
b) Curriculum planners creating the best learning environment so the student can achieve the learning activities
c) Providing the learning activities that reflect the real world of healthcare leadership
d) Providing students with opportunities to contextualise theory and practice through relevant patchwork activity and learning activities
e) Equipping students with the transferable postgraduate skills (through learning activities and patch working) to embark on a journey of lifelong learning and continuous professional development
f) Targeting the postgraduate programme /module intended learning outcomes and assessment patches against contemporary leadership qualities frameworks
g) Providing students with opportunities to reflect in multi- professional groups that remain constant in terms of facilitator and supervisor
h) Creating the learning opportunities for students to apply their learning to their own healthcare organisatio
ULTRACAM observations of the black hole X-ray transient XTE J1118+480 in quiescence
We present high time-resolution multicolour observations of the quiescent
soft X-ray transient XTE J1118+480 obtained with ULTRACAM. Superimposed on the
double-humped continuum g' and i'-band lightcurves are rapid flare events which
typically last a few minutes. The power density spectrum of the lightcurves can
be described by a broken power-law model with a break frequency at ~2 mHz or a
power-law model plus a broad quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) at ~2 mHz. In the
context of the cellular-automaton we estimate the size of the quiescent
advection-dominated flow (ADAF) region to be ~10^4 Schwarzschild radii, similar
to that observed in other quiescent black hole X-ray transients, suggesting the
same underlying physics. The similarites between the low/hard and quiescent
state PDS suggest a similar origin for the optical and X-ray variability, most
likely from regions at/near the ADAF.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures, accepted by MNRA
Multiwavelength Observations of Swift J1753.5-0127
We present contemporaneous X-ray, ultraviolet, optical and near-infrared
observations of the black hole binary system, Swift J1753.5-0127, acquired in
2012 October. The UV observations, obtained with the Cosmic Origins
Spectrograph on the Hubble Space Telescope, are the first UV spectra of this
system. The dereddened UV spectrum is characterized by a smooth, blue continuum
and broad emission lines of CIV and HeII. The system was stable in the UV to
<10% during our observations. We estimated the interstellar reddening by
fitting the 2175 A absorption feature and fit the interstellar absorption
profile of Ly to directly measure the neutral hydrogen column density
along the line of sight. By comparing the UV continuum flux to steady-state
thin accretion disk models, we determined upper limits on the distance to the
system as a function of black hole mass. The continuum is well fit with disk
models dominated by viscous heating rather than irradiation. The broadband
spectral energy distribution shows the system has declined at all wavelengths
since previous broadband observations in 2005 and 2007. If we assume that the
UV emission is dominated by the accretion disk the inner radius of the disk
must be truncated at radii above the ISCO to be consistent with the X-ray flux,
requiring significant mass loss from outflows and/or energy loss via advection
into the black hole to maintain energy balance.Comment: To appear in the Ap
- …