5,418 research outputs found
Echo-Mapping of Swift J1753.5-0127
We present two epochs of coordinated X-ray-optical timing observations of the
black hole candidate Swift J1753.5-0127 during its 2005 outburst. The first
epoch in July occurred at outburst peak. Two consecutive nights of observations
using the McDonald Observatory Argos camera with the Rossi X-ray Timing
Explorer show a consistent correlation with an immediate response and an
extended tail lasting ~5s. The properties of the variability and the
correlation are consistent with thermal reprocessing in an accretion disk. The
shortness of the lag suggests a short orbital period consistent with that
recently claimed. The second epoch in August used the VLT FORS2 HIT mode again
in conjunction with RXTE. Again a repeatable correlation is seen between two
independent subsets of the data. In this case, though, the cross-correlation
function has an unusual structure comprising a dip followed by a double-peak.
We suggest that this may be equivalent to the dip plus single peak structure
seen by Kanbach et al. (2001) in XTE J1118+480 and attributed there to
synchrotron emission; a similar structure was seen during later activity of
Swift J1753.5-0127 by Durant et al. (2008).Comment: 7 pages, accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal
Astronomical Societ
Self similar Barkhausen noise in magnetic domain wall motion
A model for domain wall motion in ferromagnets is analyzed. Long-range
magnetic dipolar interactions are shown to give rise to self-similar dynamics
when the external magnetic field is increased adiabatically. The power spectrum
of the resultant Barkhausen noise is of the form , where
can be estimated from the critical exponents for interface
depinning in random media.Comment: 7 pages, RevTex. To appear in Phys. Rev. Let
Magnetic Correlation Length and Universal Amplitude of the Lattice E_8 Ising Model
The perturbation approach is used to derive the exact correlation length
of the dilute A_L lattice models in regimes 1 and 2 for L odd. In regime
2 the A_3 model is the E_8 lattice realisation of the two-dimensional Ising
model in a magnetic field h at T=T_c. When combined with the singular part f_s
of the free energy the result for the A_3 model gives the universal amplitude
as in precise agreement with the result
obtained by Delfino and Mussardo via the form-factor bootstrap approach.Comment: 7 pages, Late
Patient experience of Guided self-help CBT intervention for VoicEs (GiVE) delivered within a pilot randomized controlled trial
Background:
Access to cognitive behaviour therapy for those with psychosis (CBTp) remains poor. The most frequently endorsed barrier to implementation is a lack of resources. To improve access to CBTp, we developed a brief form of CBTp that specifically targets voice-related distress. The results of our pilot trial of guided self-help CBT for voices (GiVE) suggest the therapy is both acceptable and beneficial.
Aims:
The present study aims to explore the subjective patient experience of accessing GiVE in the context of a trial.
Method:
We interviewed 9 trial participants using the Change Interview and a mixed methods approach.
Results:
Most participants reported at least one positive change that they attributed to GiVE. We extracted five themes: (1) changes that I have noticed; (2) I am not alone; (3) positive therapy experiences; (4) I want more therapy; and (5) helping myself. The themes indicate that participating in the GiVE trial was generally a positive experience. The main areas in which participants experienced changes were improved self-esteem, and the ability to cope with voices. Positive changes were facilitated by embracing and enacting ‘self-help’ and having support both in and out of the therapy sessions.
Conclusions:
The findings support the use of self-help materials with those distressed by hearing voices, but that support both within and outside the clinical setting can aid engagement and outcomes. Overall, the findings support the continued investigation of GiVE
Outcomes of a remote, decentralized health center-based HIV/AIDS antiretroviral program in Zambia, 2003 to 2007
A cross-sectional study of patients living with HIV/ AIDS treated during 2003 to 2007 in decentralized, rural health centers in Zambia was performed to measure virological outcomes after 12 months of antiretroviral therapy and identify factors associated with virological failure. Data from 228 patients who started antiretroviral therapy >12 months prior were analyzed. In all, 93% received stavudine + lamivudine + nevirapine regimens, and median antiretroviral therapy duration was 23.5 months (interquartile range 20-28). Of the 205 patients tested for viral load, 177 (86%) had viral load <1000 copies/mL. Probability of developing virological failure (viral load >1000 copies/mL) was 8.9% at 24 months and 19.6% at 32 months. Predictors for virological failure were <100% adherence, body mass index <18.5 kg/m(2), and women <40 years old. Of those with virological failure who underwent 3 to 6 months of intensive adherence counseling, 45% obtained virological success. In a remote, resource-limited setting in decentralized health centers, virological and immunological assessments of patients on antiretroviral therapy >12 months showed that positive health outcomes are achievable
Lattice realizations of unitary minimal modular invariant partition functions
The conformal spectra of the critical dilute A-D-E lattice models are studied
numerically. The results strongly indicate that, in branches 1 and 2, these
models provide realizations of the complete A-D-E classification of unitary
minimal modular invariant partition functions given by Cappelli, Itzykson and
Zuber. In branches 3 and 4 the results indicate that the modular invariant
partition functions factorize. Similar factorization results are also obtained
for two-colour lattice models.Comment: 18 pages, Latex, with minor corrections and clarification
Exchange in silicon-based quantum computer architecture
The silicon-based quantum computer proposal has been one of the intensely
pursued ideas during the past three years. Here we calculate the donor electron
exchange in silicon and germanium, and demonstrate an atomic-scale challenge
for quantum computing in Si (and Ge), as the six (four) conduction band minima
in Si (Ge) lead to inter-valley electronic interferences, generating strong
oscillations in the exchange splitting of two-donor two-electron states. Donor
positioning with atomic scale precision within the unit cell thus becomes a
decisive factor in determining the strength of the exchange coupling--a
fundamental ingredient for two-qubit operations in a silicon-based quantum
computer.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figure
Edge-emitting quantum well laser with integrated intracavity electrostatic gate
Ridge waveguide, edge-emitting single quantum well GaAs lasers with an integrated gating electrode have been fabricated. These devices integrate a MESFET structure with the laser PN junction so that the SBD (Schottky barrier diode) depletion layer can be used for transverse current confinement in the laser. Device fabrication was very simple requiring only an anisotropic etch for waveguide definition followed by a single self-aligned contact deposition step. The Schottky barrier depletion layers on either side of the ridge waveguide act to confine free carriers. This structure allows for separation of the optical and electrical confinement in the transverse direction without requiring complex fabrication. The device demonstrated modulation of the pulsed lasing threshold with gate control voltage on a 30 micron wide ridge. Above threshold, increasing power output with increasing gate voltage was demonstrated with negligible gate current. The multimode lasing spectrum showed that the increased power output occurred for all modes with no shift in the mode wavelengths to within the resolution of the measurement system
The Microchannel X-ray Telescope on Board the SVOM Satellite
We present the Micro-channel X-ray Telescope (MXT), a new narrow-field (about
1{\deg}) telescope that will be flying on the Sino-French SVOM mission
dedicated to Gamma-Ray Burst science, scheduled for launch in 2021. MXT is
based on square micro pore optics (MPOs), coupled with a low noise CCD. The
optics are based on a "Lobster Eye" design, while the CCD is a focal plane
detector similar to the type developed for the seven eROSITA telescopes. MXT is
a compact and light (<35 kg) telescope with a 1 m focal length, and it will
provide an effective area of about 45 cmsq on axis at 1 keV. The MXT PSF is
expected to be better than 4.2 arc min (FWHM) ensuring a localization accuracy
of the afterglows of the SVOM GRBs to better than 1 arc min (90\% c.l. with no
systematics) provided MXT data are collected within 5 minutes after the
trigger. The MXT sensitivity will be adequate to detect the afterglows for
almost all the SVOM GRBs as well as to perform observations of non-GRB
astrophysical objects. These performances are fully adapted to the SVOM science
goals, and prove that small and light telescopes can be used for future small
X-ray missions.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures, proceedings of the conference "Swift: 10 years of
Discovery", Rome, December 2-5, 2014. To be published by Po
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