24 research outputs found
Truncated Moment Formalism for Radiation Hydrodynamics in Numerical Relativity
A truncated moment formalism for general relativistic radiation
hydrodynamics, based on the Thorne's moment formalism, is derived. The fluid
rest frame is chosen to be the fiducial frame for defining the radiation
moments. Then, zeroth-, first-, and second-rank radiation moments are defined
from the distribution function with a physically reasonable assumption for it
in the optically thin and thick limits. The source terms are written, focusing
specifically on the neutrino transfer and neglecting higher harmonic angular
dependence of the reaction angle. Finally, basic equations for a truncated
moment formalism for general relativistic radiation hydrodynamics in a closed
covariant form are derived assuming a closure relation among the radiation
stress tensor, energy density, and energy flux, and a variable Eddington
factor, which works well.Comment: 33 pages, 2 figures, to be published in Prog. Theor. Phy
General Relativistic Ray-Tracing Method for Estimating the Energy and Momentum Deposition by Neutrino Pair Annihilation in Collapsars
Bearing in mind the application to the collapsar models of gamma-ray bursts
(GRBs), we develop a numerical scheme and code for estimating the deposition of
energy and momentum due to the neutrino pair annihilation () in the vicinity of accretion tori around a Kerr
black hole. Our code is designed to solve the general relativistic neutrino
transfer by a ray-tracing method. To solve the collisional Boltzmann equation
in curved spacetime, we numerically integrate the so-called rendering equation
along the null geodesics. For the neutrino opacity, the charged-current
-processes are taken into account, which are dominant in the vicinity of
the accretion tori. The numerical accuracy of the developed code is
certificated by several tests, in which we show comparisons with the
corresponding analytic solutions. Based on the hydrodynamical data in our
collapsar simulation, we estimate the annihilation rates in a post-processing
manner. Increasing the Kerr parameter from 0 to 1, it is found that the general
relativistic effect can increase the local energy deposition rate by about one
order of magnitude, and the net energy deposition rate by several tens of
percents. After the accretion disk settles into a stationary state (typically
later than s from the onset of gravitational collapse), we point out
that the neutrino-heating timescale in the vicinity of the polar funnel region
can be shorter than the dynamical timescale. Our results suggest the neutrino
pair annihilation has a potential importance equal to the conventional
magnetohydrodynamic mechanism for igniting the GRB fireballs.Comment: 33 pages, 15 figures, accepted to the Ap
Feasibility of methotrexate discontinuation following tocilizumab and methotrexate combination therapy in patients with long-standing and advanced rheumatoid arthritis: a 3-year observational cohort study
Objectives: Methotrexate (MTX) is associated with extensive side effects, including myelosuppression, interstitial pneumonia, and infection. It is, therefore, critical to establish whether its administration is required after achieving remission with tocilizumab (TCZ) and MTX combination therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Therefore, the aim of this multicenter, observational, cohort study was to evaluate the feasibility of MTX discontinuation for the safety of these patients. Methods: Patients with RA were administered TCZ, with or without MTX, for 3 years; those who received TCZ+MTX combination therapy were selected. After remission was achieved, MTX was discontinued without flare development in one group (discontinued [DISC] group, n = 33) and continued without flare development in another group (maintain [MAIN] group, n = 37). The clinical efficacy of TCZ+MTX therapy, patient background characteristics, and adverse events were compared between groups. Results: The disease activity score in 28 joints-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) at 3, 6, and 9 months was significantly lower in the DISC group (P < .05, P < .01, and P < .01, respectively). Further, the DAS28-ESR remission rate at 6 and 9 months and Boolean remission rate at 6 months were significantly higher in the DISC group (P < .01 for all). Disease duration was significantly longer in the DISC group (P < .05). Furthermore, the number of patients with stage 4 RA was significantly higher in the DISC group (P < .01). Conclusions: Once remission was achieved, MTX was discontinued in patients who responded favorably to TCZ+MTX therapy, despite the prolonged disease duration and stage progression