New BeppoSAX-WFC results on superbursts

Presently seven superbursters have been identified representing 10% of the total Galactic X-ray burster population. Four superbursters were discovered with the Wide Field Cameras (WFCs) on BeppoSAX and three with the All-Sky Monitor and Proportional Counter Array on RXTE. We discuss the properties of superbursters as derived from WFC observations. There are two interesting conclusions. First, the average recurrence time of superbursts among X-ray bursters that are more luminous than 10% of the Eddington limit is 1.5 yr per object. Second, superbursters systematically have higher alpha values and shorter ordinary bursts than most bursters that have not exhibited superbursts, indicating a higher level of stable thermonuclear helium burning. Theory predicts hitherto undetected superbursts from the most luminous neutron stars. We investigate the prospects for finding these in GX~17+2.Comment: Submitted in January 2004 for the Proceedings of the meeting 'X-Ray Timing 2003: Rossi and Beyond', eds. P. Kaaret, F. K. Lamb, & J. H. Swank (Melville, NY: American Institute of Physics

The main problems of food allergic consumers concerning food labeling: an ethnographic study

It has been estimated that 58% of children and 12% of the adults in developed countries are affected by food allergy, with symptoms ranging from discomfort to fatality. At present, avoidance of problematic foods is the only effective treatment strategy. As of November 25 th , 2005 food manufacturers in the EU are obliged to list 12 potentially allergic ingredients in food. Although the label is still not always fully understood by the consumer, or they get confused by precautionary labelling practices. This paper aims to gain insights into the information preferences of food allergic consumers regarding existing food labelling and additional information delivery systems. The results of this study will facilitate the development of best practices in information provision regarding food safety in the area of food allergy. In particular the research will elicit preferences for new ICT approaches to information delivery which can be focused on the individual needs of consumers. We argue that improved information supply will contribute to the quality of life of food allergic people.Food allergy, consumers, food labelling, information needs, Consumer/Household Economics, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

Superbursts at near-Eddington mass accretion rates

Models for superbursts from neutron stars involving carbon shell flashes predict that the mass accretion rate should be anywhere in excess of one tenth of the Eddington limit. Yet, superbursts have so far only been detected in systems for which the accretion rate is limited between 0.1 and 0.25 times that limit. The question arises whether this is a selection effect or an intrinsic property. Therefore, we have undertaken a systematic study of data from the BeppoSAX Wide Field Cameras on the luminous source GX 17+2, comprising 10 Msec of effective observing time on superbursts. GX 17+2 contains a neutron star with regular Type-I X-ray bursts and accretes matter within a few tens of percents of the Eddington limit. We find four hours-long flares which reasonably match superburst characteristics. Two show a sudden rise (i.e., faster than 10 s), and two show a smooth decay combined with spectral softening. The implied superburst recurrence time, carbon ignition column and quenching time for ordinary bursts are close to the predicted values. However, the flare decay time, fluence and the implied energy production of (2-4) x 10^17 erg/g are larger than expected from current theory.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysic

On the Origin of the Absorption Features in SS433

We present high-resolution optical spectroscopy of the X-ray binary system SS433, obtained over a wide range of orbital phases. The spectra display numerous weak absorption features, and include the clearest example seen to date of those features, resembling a mid-A type supergiant spectrum, that have previously been associated with the mass donor star. However, the new data preclude the hypothesis that these features originate solely within the photosphere of the putative mass donor, indicating that there may be more than one region within the system producing an A supergiant-like spectrum, probably an accretion disc wind. Indeed, whilst we cannot confirm the possibility that the companion star is visible at certain phase combinations, it is possible that all supergiant-like features observed thus far are produced solely in a wind. We conclude that great care must be taken when interpreting the behaviour of these weak features.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS, 8 pages, 6 figure

On the nature of two low M-dot X-ray bursters: 1RXS J170854.4-321857 and 1RXS J171824.2-402934

We carried out Chandra observations of two low-luminosity low-mass X-ray binaries, 1RXS J170854.4-321857 and 1RXS J171824.2-402934, for which previously single X-ray bursts had been detected with the Wide Field Cameras (WFCs) on board BeppoSAX. Both were detected in our Chandra observations in an actively accreting state three to eight years after the X-ray bursts, with 0.5-10 keV luminosities between 5x10^34 and 2x10^36 erg/s. The apparently persistent nature is remarkable for 1RXS J171824.2-402934 given its low luminosity of 0.001L_Edd. The persistence of both sources also distinguishes them from 5 other low-L bursters, which have also been seen during bursts with the WFCs but were not detected during Chandra observations above a luminosity of 10^33 erg/s. Those are probably transient rather than persistent sources.Comment: accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics, 7 pages, 5 figure

X-Ray Spectroscopy of the Low-Mass X-ray Binaries 2S 0918-549 and 4U1543-624: Evidence for Neon-Rich Degenerate Donors

We present high-resolution spectroscopy of the neutron-star/low-mass X-ray binaries 2S 0918-549 and 4U 1543-624 with the High Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer onboard the Chandra X-ray Observatory and the Reflection Grating Spectrometer onboard XMM-Newton. Previous low-resolution spectra of both sources showed a broad line-like feature at 0.7 keV that was originally attributed to unresolved line emission. We recently showed that this feature could also be due to excess neutral Ne absorption, and this is confirmed by the new high-resolution Chandra spectra. The Chandra spectra are each well fit by an absorbed power-law + blackbody model with a modified Ne/O number ratio of 0.52+/-0.12 for 2S 0918-549 and 1.5+/-0.3 for 4U 1543-624, compared to the interstellar-medium value of 0.18. The XMM spectrum of 2S 0918-549 is best fit by an absorbed power-law model with a Ne/O number ratio of 0.46+/-0.03, consistent with the Chandra result. On the other hand, the XMM spectrum of 4U 1543-624 is softer and less luminous than the Chandra spectrum and has a best-fit Ne/O number ratio of 0.54+/-0.03. The difference between the measured abundances and the expected interstellar ratio, as well as the variation of the column densities of O and Ne in 4U 1543-624, supports the suggestion that there is absorption local to these binaries. We propose that the variations in the O and Ne column densities of 4U 1543-624 are caused by changes in the ionization structure of the local absorbing material. It is important to understand the effect of ionization on the measured absorption columns before the abundance of the local material can be determined. This work supports our earlier suggestion that 2S 0918-549 and 4U 1543-624 are ultracompact binaries with Ne-rich companions.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures, major revisions including addition of XMM spectral analysis, accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal, vol. 59