1,197 research outputs found
X-ray spectra transmitted through Compton-thick absorbers
X-ray spectra transmitted through matter which is optically thick to Compton
scattering are computed by means of Monte Carlo simulations. Applications to
the BeppoSAX data of the Seyfert 2 galaxy in Circinus, and to the spectral
modeling of the Cosmic X-ray Background, are discussed.Comment: 10 pages. Accepted for publication in New Astronom
Novel calibrations of virial black hole mass estimators in active galaxies based on X-ray luminosity and optical/NIR emission lines
Accurately weigh the masses of SMBH in AGN is currently possible for only a
small group of local and bright broad-line AGN through reverberation mapping
(RM). Statistical demographic studies can be carried out considering the
empirical scaling relation between the size of the BLR and the AGN optical
continuum luminosity. However, there are still biases against low-luminosity or
reddened AGN, in which the rest-frame optical radiation can be severely
absorbed/diluted by the host and the BLR emission lines could be hard to
detect. Our purpose is to widen the applicability of virial-based SE relations
to reliably measure the BH masses also for low-luminosity or intermediate/type
2 AGN that are missed by current methodology. We achieve this goal by
calibrating virial relations based on unbiased quantities: the hard X-ray
luminosities, in the 2-10 keV and 14-195 keV bands, that are less sensitive to
galaxy contamination, and the FWHM of the most important rest-frame NIR and
optical BLR emission lines. We built a sample of RM AGN having both X-ray
luminosity and broad optical/NIR FWHM measurements available in order to
calibrate new virial BH mass estimators. We found that the FWHM of the
H, H and NIR lines (i.e. Pa, Pa and
HeI10830) all correlate each other having negligible or small offsets.
This result allowed us to derive virial BH mass estimators based on either the
2-10 keV or 14-195 keV luminosity. We took also into account the recent
determination of the different virial coefficients for pseudo and classical
bulges. By splitting the sample according to the bulge type and adopting
separate factors we found that our virial relations predict BH masses of
AGN hosted in pseudobulges 0.5 dex smaller than in classical bulges.
Assuming the same average factor for both populations, a difference of
0.2 dex is still found.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figures, 4 tables, accepted for publication on A&
On the AGN radio luminosity distribution and the black hole fundamental plane
We have studied the dependence of the AGN nuclear radio (1.4 GHz) luminosity
on both the AGN 2-10 keV X-ray and the host-galaxy K-band luminosity. A
complete sample of 1268 X-ray selected AGN (both type 1 and type 2) has been
used, which is the largest catalogue of AGN belonging to statistically well
defined samples where radio, X and K band information exists. At variance with
previous studies, radio upper limits have been statistically taken into account
using a Bayesian Maximum Likelihood fitting method. It resulted that a good fit
is obtained assuming a plane in the 3D L_R-L_X-L_K space, namely logL_R= xi_X
logL_X + xi_K logL_K + xi_0, having a ~1 dex wide (1 sigma) spread in radio
luminosity. As already shown, no evidence of bimodality in the radio luminosity
distribution was found and therefore any definition of radio loudness in AGN is
arbitrary. Using scaling relations between the BH mass and the host galaxy
K-band luminosity, we have also derived a new estimate of the BH fundamental
plane (in the L_5GHz -L_X-M_BH space). Our analysis shows that previous
measures of the BH fundamental plane are biased by ~0.8 dex in favor of the
most luminous radio sources. Therefore, many AGN studies, where the BH
fundamental plane is used to investigate how AGN regulate their radiative and
mechanical luminosity as a function of the accretion rate, or many AGN/galaxy
co-evolution models, where radio-feedback is computed using the AGN fundamental
plane, should revise their conclusions.Comment: Submitted to MNRAS. Revised version after minor referee comments. 12
pages, 12 figure
The Contribution of Air Logistics to the Development of Sicilian Economy
The role, played by globalization and the âjust in timeâ supplying logic in present world economic scenario, implies that the opportunity of frequent, quick, safe and low-priced freight deliveries can be considered a key element for competitiveness. For these reasons, transportation systems, in the last years, have been characterized by the diffusion of intermodality and the âhub and spokeâ distribution pattern. The phenomenon of organizing freight transport services according to a network and modal integration logic, has involved also the air transport field: to meet the new requirements of freight transportation market, in many cases, airline companies have become âglobal playersâ, expanding their network, in order to develop links among the main economic centres in the world. The goods moving by air can be defined as âtop range productsâ; which means that only high value products (âmarket valueâ and âneed valueâ) and the perishable ones (from a physical and economic point of view) demand air transport. The research described in this abstract aims at determining the contribution that can derive from air logistics to face a challenging problem: overcoming the peripheral role, in international trade, played by Sicily, which can boast high quality outputs in the agroindustrial sector and in the high technology one. The research consists of the following stages: 1. Analysing the sicilian freight transport system, with regard to the demand-supply relationship, paying particular attention to the commodity typologies mentioned above. 2. Identifying key actions for the air cargo services, in order to make Sicily improve in competitiveness, also taking into account the possibility of connecting Sicily with hub airports. 3. Determining the economic and social impact of the proposed solutions, considering different evolutionary scenarios and using also input-output analysis techniques.
The development of air traffic in Sicily
The aim of this work is to analyse the air traffic development that interested the airport system in Sicily, consisting of the airport of Palermo âFalcone âBorsellinoâ, the airport of Catania âFontanarossaâ and that one of Trapani-Birgi âVincenzo Florioâ. The analysis of the possible growth of air traffic volume and performance in Sicily was mainly suggested by the growing importance of the Mediterranean region like a new crossroad of the worldwide traffic on the East-West line. It gives a new chance for the development of this area that mustnât be loosed. Globalization and the migrant flows from South and East towards the Western Europe, makes of the southern Italy a strategic knot for passengers and goods movements. So, new investments and infrastructures improvements that will be realized in this area are a value added not only for the southern Italy but also for the whole country. We have examined the potential demand attraction for passengers and goods movements in the Sicilian airports considered. For a more careful evaluation of the changes occurred into Sicilian air transport system, the research aimed to: § determine their "catchment area" through the evaluation of accessibility (isochrones); § analyse the air traffic data and the existing degree of integration, not only between the airports and the area, but also in terms of demand in the short and in the long period. Finally, we have evaluated the possibility of integration of traffic flows management among the two airports of Palermo and Trapani, in order to analyse if this two airports are complementary rather than competitors.
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