4,669 research outputs found
The puzzling case of the radio-loud QSO 3C 186: a gravitational wave recoiling black hole in a young radio source?
Context. Radio-loud AGNs with powerful relativistic jets are thought to be
associated with rapidly spinning black holes (BHs). BH spin-up may result from
a number of processes, including accretion of matter onto the BH itself, and
catastrophic events such as BH-BH mergers. Aims. We study the intriguing
properties of the powerful (L_bol ~ 10^47 erg s^-1) radio-loud quasar 3C 186.
This object shows peculiar features both in the images and in the spectra.
Methods. We utilize near-IR Hubble Space Telescope (HST) images to study the
properties of the host galaxy, and HST UV and Sloan Digital Sky Survey optical
spectra to study the kinematics of the source. Chandra X-ray data are also used
to better constrain the physical interpretation. Results. HST imaging shows
that the active nucleus is offset by 1.3 +- 0.1 arcsec (i.e. ~11 kpc) with
respect to the center of the host galaxy. Spectroscopic data show that the
broad emission lines are offset by -2140 +-390 km/s with respect to the narrow
lines. Velocity shifts are often seen in QSO spectra, in particular in
high-ionization broad emission lines. The host galaxy of the quasar displays a
distorted morphology with possible tidal features that are typical of the late
stages of a galaxy merger. Conclusions. A number of scenarios can be envisaged
to account for the observed features. While the presence of a peculiar outflow
cannot be completely ruled out, all of the observed features are consistent
with those expected if the QSO is associated with a gravitational wave (GW)
recoiling BH. Future detailed studies of this object will allow us to confirm
this type of scenario and will enable a better understanding of both the
physics of BH-BH mergers and the phenomena associated with the emission of GW
from astrophysical sources.Comment: 16 pages, 8 figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomy &
Astrophysics. New appendix adde
A fast and long-lived outflow from the supermassive black hole in NGC 5548
Supermassive black holes in the nuclei of active galaxies expel large amounts
of matter through powerful winds of ionized gas. The archetypal active galaxy
NGC 5548 has been studied for decades, and high-resolution X-ray and UV
observations have previously shown a persistent ionized outflow. An observing
campaign in 2013 with six space observatories shows the nucleus to be obscured
by a long-lasting, clumpy stream of ionized gas never seen before. It blocks
90% of the soft X-ray emission and causes simultaneous deep, broad UV
absorption troughs. The outflow velocities of this gas are up to five times
faster than those in the persistent outflow, and at a distance of only a few
light days from the nucleus, it may likely originate from the accretion disk.Comment: 25 pages, 8 figures. This is the author's version of the work. It is
posted here by permission of the AAAS for personal use, not for
redistribution. The definitive version was published in Science,
electronically available at Science Express (June 19, 2014). For a brief
video explaining the key results of this paper, please visit
http://www.issibern.ch/teams/ngc5548/?page_id=2
Master crossover functions for the one-component fluid "subclass"
Introducing three well-defined dimensionless numbers, we establish the link
between the scale dilatation method able to estimate master (i.e. unique)
singular behaviors of the one-component fluid "subclass" and the universal
crossover functions recently estimated [Garrabos and Bervillier, Phys. Rev. E
74, 021113 (2006)] from the bounded results of the massive renormalization
scheme applied to the..
Master crossover behavior of parachor correlations for one-component fluids
The master asymptotic behavior of the usual parachor correlations, expressing
surface tension as a power law of the density difference
between coexisting liquid and vapor, is analyzed for a
series of pure compounds close to their liquid-vapor critical point, using only
four critical parameters , , and ,
for each fluid.
... The main consequences of these theoretical estimations are discussed in
the light of engineering applications and process simulations where parachor
correlations constitute one of the most practical method for estimating surface
tension from density and capillary rise measurements
Long-term perturbations due to a disturbing body in elliptic inclined orbit
In the current study, a double-averaged analytical model including the action
of the perturbing body's inclination is developed to study third-body
perturbations. The disturbing function is expanded in the form of Legendre
polynomials truncated up to the second-order term, and then is averaged over
the periods of the spacecraft and the perturbing body. The efficiency of the
double-averaged algorithm is verified with the full elliptic restricted
three-body model. Comparisons with the previous study for a lunar satellite
perturbed by Earth are presented to measure the effect of the perturbing body's
inclination, and illustrate that the lunar obliquity with the value 6.68\degree
is important for the mean motion of a lunar satellite. The application to the
Mars-Sun system is shown to prove the validity of the double-averaged model. It
can be seen that the algorithm is effective to predict the long-term behavior
of a high-altitude Martian spacecraft perturbed by Sun. The double-averaged
model presented in this paper is also applicable to other celestial systems.Comment: 28 pages, 6 figure
Priority sites for wildfowl conservation in Mexico
A set of priority sites for wildfowl conservation in Mexico was determined using contemporary count data (1991–2000) from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service mid-winter surveys. We used a complementarity approach implemented through linear integer programming that addresses particular conservation concerns for every species included in the analysis and large fluctuations in numbers through time.
A set of 31 priority sites was identified, which held more than 69% of the mid-winter count total in Mexico during all surveyed years. Six sites were in the northern highlands, 12 in the central highlands, six on the Gulf of Mexico coast and seven on the upper Pacific coast. Twenty-two sites from the priority set have previously been identified as qualifying for designation as wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention and 20 sites are classified as Important Areas for Bird Conservation in Mexico. The information presented here provides an accountable, spatially-explicit, numerical basis for ongoing conservation planning efforts in Mexico, which can be used to improve existing wildfowl conservation networks in the country and can also be useful for conservation planning exercises elsewhere
Update to the Vitamin C, Thiamine and Steroids in Sepsis (VICTAS) protocol: statistical analysis plan for a prospective, multicenter, double-blind, adaptive sample size, randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial.
BACKGROUND: Observational research suggests that combined therapy with Vitamin C, thiamine and hydrocortisone may reduce mortality in patients with septic shock.
METHODS AND DESIGN: The Vitamin C, Thiamine and Steroids in Sepsis (VICTAS) trial is a multicenter, double-blind, adaptive sample size, randomized, placebo-controlled trial designed to test the efficacy of combination therapy with vitamin C (1.5 g), thiamine (100 mg), and hydrocortisone (50 mg) given every 6 h for up to 16 doses in patients with respiratory or circulatory dysfunction (or both) resulting from sepsis. The primary outcome is ventilator- and vasopressor-free days with mortality as the key secondary outcome. Recruitment began in August 2018 and is ongoing; 501 participants have been enrolled to date, with a planned maximum sample size of 2000. The Data and Safety Monitoring Board reviewed interim results at N = 200, 300, 400 and 500, and has recommended continuing recruitment. The next interim analysis will occur when N = 1000. This update presents the statistical analysis plan. Specifically, we provide definitions for key treatment and outcome variables, and for intent-to-treat, per-protocol, and safety analysis datasets. We describe the planned descriptive analyses, the main analysis of the primary end point, our approach to secondary and exploratory analyses, and handling of missing data. Our goal is to provide enough detail that our approach could be replicated by an independent study group, thereby enhancing the transparency of the study.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03509350. Registered on 26 April 2018
Lightning Pin Injection Test: MOSFETS in "ON" State
The test objective was to evaluate MOSFETs for induced fault modes caused by pin-injecting a standard lightning waveform into them while operating. Lightning Pin-Injection testing was performed at NASA LaRC. Subsequent fault-mode and aging studies were performed by NASA ARC researchers using the Aging and Characterization Platform for semiconductor components. This report documents the test process and results, to provide a basis for subsequent lightning tests. The ultimate IVHM goal is to apply prognostic and health management algorithms using the features extracted during aging to allow calculation of expected remaining useful life. A survey of damage assessment techniques based upon inspection is provided, and includes data for optical microscope and X-ray inspection. Preliminary damage assessments based upon electrical parameters are also provided
Lightning Pin Injection Testing on MOSFETS
Lightning transients were pin-injected into metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) to induce fault modes. This report documents the test process and results, and provides a basis for subsequent lightning tests. MOSFETs may be present in DC-DC power supplies and electromechanical actuator circuits that may be used on board aircraft. Results show that unprotected MOSFET Gates are susceptible to failure, even when installed in systems in well-shielded and partial-shielded locations. MOSFET Drains and Sources are significantly less susceptible. Device impedance decreased (current increased) after every failure. Such a failure mode may lead to cascading failures, as the damaged MOSFET may allow excessive current to flow through other circuitry. Preliminary assessments on a MOSFET subjected to 20-stroke pin-injection testing demonstrate that Breakdown Voltage, Leakage Current and Threshold Voltage characteristics show damage, while the device continues to meet manufacturer performance specifications. The purpose of this research is to develop validated tools, technologies, and techniques for automated detection, diagnosis and prognosis that enable mitigation of adverse events during flight, such as from lightning transients; and to understand the interplay between lightning-induced surges and aging (i.e. humidity, vibration thermal stress, etc.) on component degradation
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