A Relation-Based Page Rank Algorithm for Semantic Web Search Engines

With the tremendous growth of information available to end users through the Web, search engines come to play ever a more critical role. Nevertheless, because of their general-purpose approach, it is always less uncommon that obtained result sets provide a burden of useless pages. The next-generation Web architecture, represented by the Semantic Web, provides the layered architecture possibly allowing overcoming this limitation. Several search engines have been proposed, which allow increasing information retrieval accuracy by exploiting a key content of Semantic Web resources, that is, relations. However, in order to rank results, most of the existing solutions need to work on the whole annotated knowledge base. In this paper, we propose a relation-based page rank algorithm to be used in conjunction with Semantic Web search engines that simply relies on information that could be extracted from user queries and on annotated resources. Relevance is measured as the probability that a retrieved resource actually contains those relations whose existence was assumed by the user at the time of query definitio

Accretion flow properties in low-mass X-ray binaries

Accretieschijf dubbelstersystemen onderzocht In zijn proefschrift onderzoekt Andrea Sanna de eigenschappen van de accretiestroom in lage-massa röntgendubbelstersystemen (LMXBs, low-mass X-ray binaries). Dat zijn systemen waarin een neutronenster of een stellair zwart gat zich via een zogenoemde accretieschijf voedt met materie afkomstig van een lage massa begeleidende ster. Röntgendubbelstersystemen vormen een uniek laboratorium voor onderzoek van de fysica in een sterk zwaartekrachtsveld en in zeer dichte materie; extreme condities die niet na te bootsen zijn op de Aarde. Effecten rond deze compacte objecten, die voorspeld worden in de algemene relativiteitstheorie, zijn vele ordes van grootte sterker dan die waarin de algemene relativiteitstheorie succesvol is getest (het zwakke veld domein). De precieze aard en de collectieve eigenschappen van de elementaire deeltjes waaruit de neutronenster is opgebouwd, zijn nog steeds niet goed genoeg begrepen om de toestandsvergelijkingen (die de toestand van de materie in de neutronenster beschrijven) te voorspellen. Door de baanbeweging rond een neutronenster te onderzoeken, kunnen zowel de massa als de straal van het object bepaald worden. Dat kan weer gebruikt worden om de toestandsvergelijking en vervolgens de fundamentele eigenschappen van het materiaal in de neutronenster vast te stellen. Om röntgendubbelstersystemen te begrijpen, bestudeerde Sanna fotonen die worden uitgezonden door deze systemen. Hij richt zich op röntgenemissie die zijn oorsprong vindt in de nabije omgeving van het compacte object. ‘Momenteel zijn we nog niet in staat om via directe beeldvormende technieken de LMXBs ruimtelijk op te lossen in het röntgengebied,’ zegt hij. ‘Daarom zijn spectrale- en tijdsanalyses van röntgenfotonen de voornaamste methodes die gebruikt worden om de spectrale evolutie van de röntgenbron te begrijpen en om de intrinsieke parameters van het compacte object te onthullen. In dit proefschrift richt ik me in het bijzonder op het bestuderen van de kilohertz quasi-periodieke oscillaties en de relativistische ijzeremissielijnen; twee karakteristieken die respectievelijk de variabiliteit en de spectrale eigenschappen van LMXBs weergeven.’

Relation between the properties of the kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations and spectral parameters in 4U 1636−-53

We investigate the relation between the parameters of the energy spectrum and the frequency and amplitude of the kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations (kHz QPOs) in the low-mass X-ray binary 4U 1636$-$53. We fit the $3-180$-keV spectrum of this source with a model that includes a thermal Comptonisation component. We show that the frequencies of both kHz QPOs follow the same relation as a function of the parameters of this spectral component, except for a systematic frequency shift, whereas the rms fractional amplitude of each QPO follows a different relation with respect to those same parameters. This implies that, while the dynamical mechanism that sets the frequencies of the QPO can be the same for both kHz QPOs, the radiative mechanisms that set the amplitudes of the lower and the upper kHz QPO are likely different. We discuss the implications of these results to the modelling of the kHz QPOs and the possibility that the lower kHz QPO reflects a resonance between the Comptonising medium and the photons from the accretion disc and/or the neutron star surface.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, 2 tables. Accepted for publication in MNRA

Abelhas, drones e outras Coisas no espaço público: fazendo estratégias na cidade

In this article we explore some emerging strategizing practices that citizens use for the development of their immediate urban fabric. We make use of our experiences and engagements with two citizen-driven initiatives in Helsinki, the capital of Finland. The first case attempts to rethink uses and actors of public space by creating viable conditions for the emergence of urban gardening in public spaces. The second initiative is engaged in a political discussion of the boundaries of participation, cultural appropriation and ownership of city space. We discuss and reflectively analyze some of their strategizing practices, as forms of infrastructuring, commoning and patchworking. The cases shed light on forms of designing that are enacted collectively through mobilizing particular concerns and caring approaches. We conclude by highlighting aspects made visible in the cases that can give a sense of direction for exercising forms of continuous, open-ended design that are attentive to the collective construction of Things.Keywords: city-making, citizen participation, infrastructuring, patchworking, commoning.Neste artigo, exploramos algumas práticas estratégicas emergentes que os cidadãos utilizam para o desenvolvimento do tecido urbano ao seu redor. Usamos nossas experiências e engajamento em duas iniciativas lideradas pelos cidadãos em Helsinki, capital da Finlândia. O primeiro caso é relativo às tentativas de repensar os usos e os atores do espaço público através da criação das condições de viabilidade para o surgimento de jardinagem urbana em espaços públicos. A segunda iniciativa faz parte de uma discussão política dos limites de participação, apropriação cultural e do espaço da cidade. Discutimos e analisamos algumas de suas práticas estratégicas, como formas de infraestrutura, commoning e patchworking. Os casos lançam luz sobre as formas de fazer design que são realizadas coletivamente através da mobilização em torno de preocupações específicas e por meio de abordagens de cuidado. Concluímos destacando aspectos tornados visíveis nos casos que podem indicar um caminho para desenvolver processos de design contínuos, open-ended que focam na construção coletiva das Coisas.Palavras-chave: city-making, participação cidadã, infraestruturação, patchworking, commoning

Design of a Low-Cost Microstrip Directional Coupler with High Coupling for a Motion Detection Sensor

A coupled-line coupler based on the asymmetric cascade connection of two coupled line sections is used to achieve a high coupling factor using low-cost material and technology in the X frequency band, and its performance is compared with a standard quarter-wave, coupled-line coupler, showing an increase in the coupling factor of about 3 dB. The proposed coupler can be effectively used in a Doppler motion detection sensor, due to its strong coupling and relatively high isolation. The coupler is designed through a simple, yet rigorous, equivalent circuital model. Then,anoptimizationprocedurewasperformedusingthecommercialsoftwareAnsysHFSSinorder to compensate for losses and second order effects. A prototype of the designed coupler was realized, and the measured data show very good agreement with simulations

The reflection spectrum of the low-mass X-ray binary 4U 1636-53

We present 3-79 keV NuSTAR observations of the neutron star low-mass X-ray binary 4U 1636-53 in the soft, transitional and hard state. The spectra display a broad emission line at 5-10 keV. We applied several models to fit this line: A GAUSSIAN line, a relativistically broadened emission line model, KYRLINE, and two models including relativistically smeared and ionized reflection off the accretion disc with different coronal heights, RELXILL and RELXILLLP. All models fit the spectra well, however, the KYRLINE and RELXILL models yield an inclination of the accretion disc of $\sim88\degree$ with respect to the line of sight, which is at odds with the fact that this source shows no dips or eclipses. The RELXILLLP model, on the other hand, gives a reasonable inclination of $\sim56\degree$. We discuss our results for these models in this source and the possible primary source of the hard X-rays.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figure

Iron-line and continuum variations in the XMM-Newton and Suzaku spectra of the neutron-star low-mass X-ray binary 4U 1636-53

We used six simultaneous XMM-Newton and Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer plus five Suzaku observations to study the continuum spectrum and the iron emission line in the neutron-star low-mass X-ray binary 4U 1636-53. We modelled the spectra with two thermal components (representing the accretion disc and boundary layer), a Comptonised component (representing a hot corona), and either a Gaussian or a relativistic line component to model an iron emission line at about 6.5 keV. For the relativistic line component we used either the diskline, laor or kyrline model, the latter for three different values of the spin parameter. The fitting results for the continuum are consistent with the standard truncated disc scenario. We also find that the flux and equivalent width of the iron line first increase and then decrease as the flux of the Comptonised component increases. This could be explained either by changes in the ionisation state of the accretion disc where the line is produced by reflection, or by light bending of the emission from the Comptonised component if the height at which this component is produced changes with mass accretion rate.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS, 16 pages, 10 figures, 5 table

Relation between spectral changes and the presence of the lower kHz QPO in the neutron-star low-mass X-ray binary 4U 1636-53

We fitted the $3-180$-keV spectrum of all the observations of the neutron-star low-mass X-ray binary 4U 1636$-$53 taken with the {\it Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer} using a model that includes a thermal Comptonisation component. We found that in the low-hard state the power-law index of this component, $\Gamma$, gradually increases as the source moves in the colour-colour diagram. When the source undergoes a transition from the hard to the soft state $\Gamma$ drops abruptly; once the source is in the soft state $\Gamma$ increases again and then decreases gradually as the source spectrum softens further. The changes in $\Gamma$, together with changes of the electron temperature, reflect changes of the optical depth in the corona. The lower kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillation (kHz QPO) in this source appears only in observations during the transition from the hard to the soft state, when the optical depth of the corona is high and changes depends strongly upon the position of the source in the colour-colour diagram. Our results are consistent with a scenario in which the lower kHz QPO reflects a global mode in the system that results from the resonance between, the disc and/or the neutron-star surface, and the Comptonising corona.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures. Accepted for publication in MNRA

Broad iron emission line and kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations in the neutron star system 4U 1636-53

Both the broad iron (Fe) line and the frequency of the kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations (kHz QPOs) in neutron star low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) can potentially provide independent measures of the inner radius of the accretion disc. We use XMM-Newton and simultaneous Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer observations of the LMXB 4U 1636-53 to test this hypothesis. We study the properties of the Fe-K emission line as a function of the spectral state of the source and the frequency of the kHz QPOs. We find that the inner radius of the accretion disc deduced from the frequency of the upper kHz QPO varies as a function of the position of the source in the colour-colour diagram, in accordance with previous work and with the standard scenario of accretion disc geometry. On the contrary, the inner disc radius deduced from the profile of the Fe line is not correlated with the spectral state of the source. The values of the inner radius inferred from kHz QPOs and Fe lines, in four observations, do not lead to a consistent value of the neutron star mass, regardless of the model used to fit the Fe line. Our results suggest that either the kHz QPO or the standard relativistic Fe line interpretation does not apply for this system. Furthermore, the simultaneous detection of kHz QPOs and broad Fe lines is difficult to reconcile with models in which the broadening of the Fe line is due to the reprocessing of photons in an outflowing wind.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures, Accepted for publication in MNRA