10 research outputs found
X-ray Absorption and Reflection in Active Galactic Nuclei
X-ray spectroscopy offers an opportunity to study the complex mixture of
emitting and absorbing components in the circumnuclear regions of active
galactic nuclei, and to learn about the accretion process that fuels AGN and
the feedback of material to their host galaxies. We describe the spectral
signatures that may be studied and review the X-ray spectra and spectral
variability of active galaxies, concentrating on progress from recent Chandra,
XMM-Newton and Suzaku data for local type 1 AGN. We describe the evidence for
absorption covering a wide range of column densities, ionization and dynamics,
and discuss the growing evidence for partial-covering absorption from data at
energies > 10 keV. Such absorption can also explain the observed X-ray spectral
curvature and variability in AGN at lower energies and is likely an important
factor in shaping the observed properties of this class of source.
Consideration of self-consistent models for local AGN indicates that X-ray
spectra likely comprise a combination of absorption and reflection effects from
material originating within a few light days of the black hole as well as on
larger scales. It is likely that AGN X-ray spectra may be strongly affected by
the presence of disk-wind outflows that are expected in systems with high
accretion rates, and we describe models that attempt to predict the effects of
radiative transfer through such winds, and discuss the prospects for new data
to test and address these ideas.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astronomy and Astrophysics Review. 58
pages, 9 figures. V2 has fixed an error in footnote
Intraperitoneal drain placement and outcomes after elective colorectal surgery: international matched, prospective, cohort study
Despite current guidelines, intraperitoneal drain placement after elective colorectal surgery remains widespread. Drains were not associated with earlier detection of intraperitoneal collections, but were associated with prolonged hospital stay and increased risk of surgical-site infections.Background Many surgeons routinely place intraperitoneal drains after elective colorectal surgery. However, enhanced recovery after surgery guidelines recommend against their routine use owing to a lack of clear clinical benefit. This study aimed to describe international variation in intraperitoneal drain placement and the safety of this practice. Methods COMPASS (COMPlicAted intra-abdominal collectionS after colorectal Surgery) was a prospective, international, cohort study which enrolled consecutive adults undergoing elective colorectal surgery (February to March 2020). The primary outcome was the rate of intraperitoneal drain placement. Secondary outcomes included: rate and time to diagnosis of postoperative intraperitoneal collections; rate of surgical site infections (SSIs); time to discharge; and 30-day major postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade at least III). After propensity score matching, multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to estimate the independent association of the secondary outcomes with drain placement. Results Overall, 1805 patients from 22 countries were included (798 women, 44.2 per cent; median age 67.0 years). The drain insertion rate was 51.9 per cent (937 patients). After matching, drains were not associated with reduced rates (odds ratio (OR) 1.33, 95 per cent c.i. 0.79 to 2.23; P = 0.287) or earlier detection (hazard ratio (HR) 0.87, 0.33 to 2.31; P = 0.780) of collections. Although not associated with worse major postoperative complications (OR 1.09, 0.68 to 1.75; P = 0.709), drains were associated with delayed hospital discharge (HR 0.58, 0.52 to 0.66; P < 0.001) and an increased risk of SSIs (OR 2.47, 1.50 to 4.05; P < 0.001). Conclusion Intraperitoneal drain placement after elective colorectal surgery is not associated with earlier detection of postoperative collections, but prolongs hospital stay and increases SSI risk
Past, Present, and Future X-Ray and Gamma-Ray Missions
X- and -ray astronomy began in the early sixties of the last century with balloons flights, sounding rocket experiment and satellites. Long before space satellite detected X- and -rays emitted by cosmic sources, scientists had known that the Universe should be producing these photons. In this chapter we provided an overview of past and present missions that has made the X- and -ray astronomy an integral part of astronomical research, and prospects of future developments
Mechanical and optical properties of SiO2 thin films deposited on glass
The optical and mechanical properties of amorphous SiO2 films deposited on soda-lime silicate float glass by reactive RF magnetron sputtering at room temperature were investigated in dependence of the process pressure. The densities of the films are strongly influenced by the process pressure and vary between 2.38 and 1.91 g cm(-3) as the pressure changes from 0.27 to 1.33 Pa. The refractive indices of the films shift between 1.52 and 1.37, while the residual compressive stresses in the deposited films vary in the range from 440 to 1 MPa. Hardness and reduced elastic modulus values follow the same trend and decline with the increase of process pressure from 8.5 to 2.2 GPa and from 73.7 to 30.9 GPa, respectively. The abrasive wear resistance decreases with the density of the films
Increased Hippocampal Neurogenesis and p21 Expression in Depression: Dependent on Antidepressants, Sex, Age, and Antipsychotic Exposure
Active galactic nuclei: whatâs in a name?
Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) are energetic astrophysical sources powered by
accretion onto supermassive black holes in galaxies, and present unique
observational signatures that cover the full electromagnetic spectrum over more
than twenty orders of magnitude in frequency. The rich phenomenology of AGN has
resulted in a large number of different "flavours" in the literature that now
comprise a complex and confusing AGN "zoo". It is increasingly clear that these
classifications are only partially related to intrinsic differences between
AGN, and primarily reflect variations in a relatively small number of
astrophysical parameters as well the method by which each class of AGN is
selected. Taken together, observations in different electromagnetic bands as
well as variations over time provide complementary windows on the physics of
different sub-structures in the AGN. In this review, we present an overview of
AGN multi-wavelength properties with the aim of painting their "big picture"
through observations in each electromagnetic band from radio to gamma-rays as
well as AGN variability. We address what we can learn from each observational
method, the impact of selection effects, the physics behind the emission at
each wavelength, and the potential for future studies. To conclude we use these
observations to piece together the basic architecture of AGN, discuss our
current understanding of unification models, and highlight some open questions
that present opportunities for future observational and theoretical progress.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics Review, 56
pages, 25 figure