Ratios of star cluster core and half-mass radii: a cautionary note on intermediate-mass black holes in star clusters

There is currently much interest in the possible presence of intermediate-mass black holes in the cores of globular clusters. Based on theoretical arguments and simulation results it has previously been suggested that a large core radius -- or particularly a large ratio of the core radius to half-mass radius -- is a promising indicator for finding such a black hole in a star cluster. In this study N-body models of 100000 stars with and without primordial binaries are used to investigate the long-term structural evolution of star clusters. Importantly, the simulation data is analysed using the same processes by which structural parameters are extracted from observed star clusters. This gives a ratio of the core and half-mass (or half-light) radii that is directly comparable to the Galactic globular cluster sample. As a result, it is shown that the ratios observed for the bulk of this sample can be explained without the need for an intermediate-mass black hole. Furthermore, it is possible that clusters with large core to half-light radius ratios harbour a black-hole binary (comprised of stellar mass black holes) rather than a single massive black hole. This work does not rule out the existence of intermediate-mass black holes in the cores of at least some star clusters.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

The application of digital computers to near-real-time processing of flutter test data

Procedures used in monitoring, analyzing, and displaying flight and ground flutter test data are presented. These procedures include three digital computer programs developed to process structural response data in near real time. Qualitative and quantitative modal stability data are derived from time history response data resulting from rapid sinusoidal frequency sweep forcing functions, tuned-mode quick stops, and pilot induced control pulses. The techniques have been applied to both fixed and rotary wing aircraft, during flight, whirl tower rotor systems tests, and wind tunnel flutter model tests. An hydraulically driven oscillatory aerodynamic vane excitation system utilized during the flight flutter test programs accomplished during Lockheed L-1011 and S-3A development is described

Effects of Low pH on Lactate Dehydrogenase Kinetics of Diving and Nondiving Reptiles

The properties of lactate dehydrogenase were examined in two snake species, Nerodia rhombifera and Elaphe obsoleta, and a turtle species, Pseudemys scripta. Our purpose was to compare the LDH activity of reptiles with limited anaerobic capabilities with that of the well established diver Pseudemys. The Michaelis-Menten kinetics of LDH and its susceptibility to inhibition by elevated pyruvate concentrations were investigated in the brain and heart of the three species. All tissue incubations and enzyme activity determinations were done at a pH of 7.0 in order to stimulate a diving blood pH in the three species. In both tissues the LDH activity of the snakes was higher than that of Pseudemys at pyruvate concentrations ranging between .03 mM and .50 mM. The Km values of the snakes were lower than those of Pseudemys, suggesting a greater enzyme-substrate affinity in the snake tissues. The Vmax values were higher in the snake tissues indicating a faster conversion of substrate to product. Heart LDH activity was reduced to an equal extent by high pyruvate concentrations in each of the three species. Elaphe brain LDH was most susceptible to pyruvate inhibition, but Nerodia and Pseudemys brain LDH were inhibited to an equal extent. The results indicate that the kinetic behavior of brain and heart LDH of the three species is similar at a pH of 7.4 and a pH of 7.0. The results also suggest that the LDH of Pseudemys is no better adapted to withstand anaerobic conditions than that of Nerodia or Elaphe at a pH of 7.0

Populating the Galaxy with low-mass X-ray binaries

We perform binary population synthesis calculations to investigate the incidence of low-mass X-ray binaries and their birth rate in the Galaxy. We use a binary evolution algorithm that models all the relevant processes including tidal circularization and synchronization. Parameters in the evolution algorithm that are uncertain and may affect X-ray binary formation are allowed to vary during the investigation. We agree with previous studies that under standard assumptions of binary evolution the formation rate and number of black-hole low-mass X-ray binaries predicted by the model are more than an order of magnitude less than what is indicated by observations. We find that the common-envelope process cannot be manipulated to produce significant numbers of black-hole low-mass X-ray binaries. However, by simply reducing the mass-loss rate from helium stars adopted in the standard model, to a rate that agrees with the latest data, we produce a good match to the observations. Including low-mass X-ray binaries that evolve from intermediate-mass systems also leads to favourable results. We stress that constraints on the X-ray binary population provided by observations are used here merely as a guide as surveys suffer from incompleteness and much uncertainty is involved in the interpretation of results.Comment: 17 pages and 9 figures; accepted by MNRA

Application of biological filters in water treatment systems

Silver chloride placed on or close to barrier kills bacteria as they arrive. Dead bacteria accumulate linearly, whereas previously, live bacteria accumulated exponentially. During continuous 30-day tests, no bacteriological contamination was found downstream of filters with silver chloride added

The Interplanetary Network Supplement to the BeppoSAX Gamma-Ray Burst Catalogs

Between 1996 July and 2002 April, one or more spacecraft of the interplanetary network detected 787 cosmic gamma-ray bursts that were also detected by the Gamma-Ray Burst Monitor and/or Wide-Field X-Ray Camera experiments aboard the BeppoSAX spacecraft. During this period, the network consisted of up to six spacecraft, and using triangulation, the localizations of 475 bursts were obtained. We present the localization data for these events.Comment: 89 pages, 3 figures. Submitted to the Astrophysical Journal Supplement Serie

A photon phreak digs the LDEF happening

A year ago at the First Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) Post-Retrieval Symposium, detailed measurements on trunnion sections, as well as results from 'intentional' samples (Co, Ni, In, Ta, and V) and spacecraft parts were reported. For this year's Symposium, some of these findings are re-evaluated in combination with more recent results, to cast a longer perspective on the LDEF experience, and to sketch some promising avenues toward more effective participation in future missions. The LDEF analysis effort has been a superb training exercise, from which lessons learned need to be applied to future missions - right back to the early phases of mission planning

Potable water bactericide agent development

The results are summarized of the work performed for the development and evaluation of a bactericide agent/system concept capable of being used in the space shuttle potable water system. The concept selected for evaluation doses fuel cell water with silver ions before the water is stored and used, by passing this water through columns packed with silver chloride and silver bromide particles, respectively. Four simulated space shuttle potable water system tests, each of seven days duration, were performed to demonstrate that this concept is capable of delivering sterile water even though 3 + or - 1 x 10 to the 9th power Type IIIa or Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria, two types which have been found in the Apollo potable water system, are purposely injected into the system each day. This result, coupled with the fact that silver ions do not have to be periodically added to the stored water, indicates that this concept is superior to the chlorine and iodine techniques used on Apollo