ASCA Observation of the Low-Luminosity Seyfert 1.5 Galaxy NGC 5033

We present the results of an ASCA observation of the low-luminosity Seyfert 1.5 galaxy NGC 5033. A point-like X-ray source with a luminosity of 2.3x10^{41} erg s^{-1} in the 2--10 keV band (at 18.7 Mpc; Tully 1988, AAA045.002.054) was detected at the nucleus. The X-ray light curve shows variability on a timescale of ~10^4 s with an amplitude of ~20%. The X-ray continuum is represented by a weakly absorbed (N_H~9x10^{20} {cm^{-2}) power-law with a photon index of 1.72+/-0.04, which is quite similar to Seyfert 1 galaxies with higher luminosities. A Fe Kalpha emission line is detected at 6.40^{+0.08}_{-0.06} keV (redshift corrected) and the equivalent width is 290+/-100 eV. The line width is unresolved. The narrower line width and larger equivalent width compared to Seyfert 1s imply that fluorescent Fe Kalpha emission from matter further out from the center than the accretion disk significantly contributes to the observed Fe Kalpha line. We suggest that fluorescent Fe Kalpha emission from the putative torus contributes to the observed Fe Kalpha line.Comment: 17 pages, To appear in PASJ, Vol. 51, No.

Lateral distribution of electrons of air showers

The lateral distribution of electrons (LDE) of the air showers of size 10 to the 5th power to 10 to the 6th power was studied within one MU. It was found that the LDE of the air showers observed is well represented by NKG function except for vicinity of the core. It was also found that LDE measured by thin scintillators does not differ from that measured by thick ones of 50mm thickness

Character of energy flow in air shower core

Energy per charged particle near the core of air showers was measured by 9 energy flow detectors, which were the combination of Cerenkov counters and scintillators. Energy per particle of each detector was normalized to energy at 2m from the core. The following results were obtained as to the energy flow: (1) integral frequency distribution of mean energy per particle (averaged over 9 detectors) is composed of two groups separated distinctly; and (2) showers contained in one group show an anisotropy of arrival direction

Transition effect of air shower particles in plastic scintillators

The transition effect of air shower particles in the plastic scintillators near the core was measured by scintillators of various thickness. The air showers selected for the measurement were of 10,000. Results obtained are as follows: (1) the multiplication of shower particles in the scintillators is less than 20% for that of 50 mm thickness; (2) dependence of the transition effect on age parameter is not recognized within the experimental errors

Spatial distribution read-out system for thermoluminescence sheets

A spatial distribution read-out system of thermoluminescence (TL) sheets is developed. This system consists of high gain image intensifier, a CCD-TV camera, a video image processor and a host computer. This system has been applied to artificial TL sheets (BaSO4:Eu doped) for detecting high energy electromagnetic shower and heavy nuclei tracks

Detection of an X-ray periodicity in the Seyfert galaxy IRAS18325-5926

We report the detection of a 58 ks (16 hr) periodicity in the 0.5-10 keV X-ray light curve of the Seyfert galaxy IRAS18325-5926 (Fairall49), obtained from a 5-day ASCA observation. Nearly 9 cycles of the periodic variation are seen; it shows no strong energy dependence and has an amplitude of about 15 per cent. Unlike most other well-studied Seyfert galaxies, there is no evidence for strong power-law red noise in the X-ray power spectrum of IRAS18325-5926. Scaling from the QPOs found in Galactic black hole candidates suggests that the mass of the black hole in IRAS18325-5926 is (6-40) million solar masses.Comment: 5 pages, 4 Postscript figures, to be published in MNRA

A Method for On-Going Commissioning of VRV Package Systems Using a Simulation Model

Variable refrigerant volume (VRV) systems, which have several indoor units and a single outdoor unit, have become very popular HVAC systems in Japan. However, some systems may be operated under inefficient conditions and consume excessive energy, since verification of system performance is not conducted. Although the performance of systems should be evaluated by some indices such as coefficient of performance (COP), calculating such a value is difficult, because the heat load handled by machines is not known. A simulation model based on a refrigeration cycle was proposed to evaluate system performance. Basic conditions for evaporation and condensation were defined from conditions provided in Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS). Flow rate of refrigerant was calculated from heat load under full occupancy and enthalpy difference of the evaporator. If power consumption exceeds the calculated value, malfunctions or inadequate conditions are considered to occur. The method presented here can be used for on-going commissioning of VRV package systems

Modulating the Framework Negative Charge Density in the System [BDT−TTP•+]/[Re6S5Cl91-]/[Re6(S/Se)6Cl82-]/[Re6S7Cl73-]

A series of 2D metals, β-(BDT-TTP)6[Re6Se6Cl8]·(CHCl2−CHCl2)2, 2; β-(ST-TTP)6[Re6S6Cl8]·(CH2Cl−CHCl2)2, 3; β-(BDT-TTP)7[Re6S6Cl8]0.5[Re6S7Cl7]0.5·(CH2Cl2), 4; β-(BDT-TTP)7[Re6Se6Cl8]0.5[Re6S7Cl7]0.5·(CH2Cl2), 5; β-(BDT-TTP)8[Re6S7Cl7]·(CH2Cl2)4, 6 (BDT-TTP and ST-TTP are 2,5-bis(1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)-1,3,4,6-tetrathiapentalene and 2-(1,3-diselenol-2-ylidene)-5(1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)-1,3,4,6-tetrathiapentalene, respectively) is reported to have one single β-slab layered topology despite successive increases of the cluster anion negative charge. The charge density within the templating composite inorganic−neutral molecule slab is shown to remain above a threshold of ca. one negative charge per square nanometer, that is, for cluster anions with two negative charges and higher. Conversely, discrete stacks are shown to be stabilized instead in the semiconducting salts (BDT-TTP)2[Re6S5Cl9], 1 where the cluster anion bears one negative charge only. The electronic structure of salts 2−6 is shown to be very stable and kept almost intact across the series. The templating strategy is shown to fulfill its anticipated potential for deliberate installment of incommensurate band fillings in molecular metals. The deliberate admixture of the 6:1 and 8:1 structures yields novel phases with a 7:1 stoichiometry with the anticipated crystal and electronic structures. The action at the organic−inorganic interface triggered by changing the anion charge yet keeping its shape and volume identical, which ultimately governs the shape of the unit cell, is of paramount importance in defining the Fermi surface of these metallic salts. The present BDT-TTP salts thus provide a series of materials with strongly related but subtly different Fermi surfaces worthy of many physical studies. Shubnikov−de Haas measurements are expected to be particularly interesting since they are especially sensitive to the details of the Fermi surface

Number of averted COVID-19 cases and deaths attributable to reduced risk in vaccinated individuals in Japan

Background: In Japan, vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was initiated on 17 February 2021, mainly using messenger RNA vaccines and prioritizing health care professionals. Whereas nationwide vaccination alleviated the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related burden, the population impact has yet to be quantified in Japan. We aimed to estimate the numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths prevented that were attributable to the reduced risk among vaccinated individuals via a statistical modeling framework. Methods: We analyzed confirmed cases registered in the Health Center Real-time Information-sharing System on COVID-19 (3 March–30 November 2021) and publicly reported COVID-19-related deaths (24 March–30 November 2021). The vaccination coverage over this time course, classified by age and sex, was extracted from vaccine registration systems. The total numbers of prevented cases and deaths were calculated by multiplying the daily risk differences between unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals by the population size of vaccinated individuals. Findings: For both cases and deaths, the averted numbers were estimated to be the highest among individuals aged 65 years and older. In total, we estimated that 564, 596 (95% confidence interval: 477, 020–657, 525) COVID-19 cases and 18, 622 (95% confidence interval: 6522–33, 762) deaths associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection were prevented owing to vaccination during the analysis period (i.e., fifth epidemic wave, caused mainly by the Delta variant). Female individuals were more likely to be protected from infection following vaccination than male individuals whereas more deaths were prevented in male than in female individuals. Interpretation: The vaccination program in Japan led to substantial reductions in the numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths (33% and 67%, respectively). The preventive effect will be further amplified during future pandemic waves caused by variants with shared antigenicity. Funding: This project was supported by the Japan Science and Technology Agency; the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development; the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science; and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare