443 research outputs found
The nature of X-ray spectral variability in MCG-6-30-15
The flux-flux plot (FFP) method can provide model-independent clues regarding
the X-ray variability of active galactic nuclei. To use it properly, the bin
size of the light curves should be as short as possible, provided the average
counts in the light curve bins are larger than . We apply the FFP
method to the 2013, simultaneous XMM-Newton and NuSTAR observations of the
Seyfert galaxy MCG6-30-15, in the 0.3-40 keV range. The FFPs above keV are well-described by a straight line. This result rules out spectral
slope variations and the hypothesis of absorption driven variability. Our
results are fully consistent with a power-law component varying in
normalization only, with a spectral slope of , plus a variable,
relativistic reflection arising from the inner accretion disc around a rotating
black hole. We also detect spectral components which remain constant over days (at least). At energies above keV, the stable component is
consistent with reflection from distant, neutral material. The constant
component at low energies is consistent with a blackbody spectrum of eV. The fluxes of these components are of the
average continuum flux (in the respective bands). They should always be
included in the models that are used to fit the spectrum of the source. The
FFPs below 1.6 keV are non-linear, which could be due to the variable warm
absorber in this source.Comment: 18 pages, 12 figures, 6 tables. Accepted for publication in MNRA
Testing the accuracy of reflection-based supermassive black hole spin measurements in AGN
X-ray reflection is a very powerful method to assess the spin of supermassive
black holes (SMBHs) in active galactic nuclei (AGN), yet this technique is not
universally accepted. Indeed, complex reprocessing (absorption, scattering) of
the intrinsic spectra along the line of sight can mimic the relativistic
effects on which the spin measure is based. In this work, we test the
reliability of SMBH spin measurements that can currently be achieved through
the simulations of high-quality XMM-Newton and NuSTAR spectra. Each member of
our group simulated ten spectra with multiple components that are typically
seen in AGN, such as warm and (partial-covering) neutral absorbers,
relativistic and distant reflection, and thermal emission. The resulting
spectra were blindly analysed by the other two members. Out of the 60 fits, 42
turn out to be physically accurate when compared to the input model. The SMBH
spin is retrieved with success in 31 cases, some of which (9) are even found
among formally inaccurate fits (although with looser constraints). We show
that, at the high signal-to-noise ratio assumed in our simulations, neither the
complexity of the multi-layer, partial-covering absorber nor the input value of
the spin are the major drivers of our results. The height of the X-ray source
(in a lamp-post geometry) instead plays a crucial role in recovering the spin.
In particular, a success rate of 16 out of 16 is found among the accurate fits
for a dimensionless spin parameter larger than 0.8 and a lamp-post height lower
than five gravitational radii.Comment: 20 pages, 9 figures, 4 tables. Accepted for publication in A&
Variability of the soft X-ray excess in IRAS 13224-3809
We study the soft excess variability of the narrow line Seyfert 1 galaxy IRAS
13224-3809. We considered all five archival XMM-Newton observations, and we
applied the 'flux-flux plot' (FFP) method. We found that the flux-flux plots
were highly affected by the choice of the light curves' time bin size, most
probably because of the fast and large amplitude variations, and the intrinsic
non-linear flux--flux relations in this source. Therefore, we recommend that
the smallest bin-size should be used in such cases. Hence, We constructed FFPs
in 11 energy bands below 1.7 keV, and we considered the 1.7-3 keV band, as
being representative of the primary emission. The FFPs are reasonably well
fitted by a 'power-law plus a constant' model. We detected significant positive
constants in three out of five observations. The best-fit slopes are flatter
than unity at energies below keV, where the soft excess is
strongest. This suggests the presence of intrinsic spectral variability. A
power-law-like primary component, which is variable in flux and spectral slope
(as ) and a soft-excess component, which varies
with the primary continuum (as ),
can broadly explain the FFPs. In fact, this can create positive `constants',
even when a stable spectral component does not exist. Nevertheless, the
possibility of a stable, soft--band constant component cannot be ruled out, but
its contribution to the observed 0.2-1 keV band flux should be less than %. The model constants in the FFPs were consistent with zero in one
observation, and negative at energies below 1 keV in another. It is hard to
explain these results in the context of any spectral variability scenario, but
they may signify the presence of a variable, warm absorber in the source.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A, 10 pages, 7 figure
Ătude Longitudinale de la SantĂ© Mentale chez les Ătudiants Primo-Inscrits de lâUniversitĂ© de Sfax
IntĂ©rĂȘt et objectif de lâĂ©tude : Notre Ă©tude vise Ă Ă©valuer la santĂ© psychologique chez les Ă©tudiants primo-inscrits de lâuniversitĂ© de Sfax et dâidentifier certains facteurs psychosociaux qui peuvent impacter leur santĂ©.
MĂ©thodes : Il sâagit dâune Ă©tude longitudinale qui sâest dĂ©roulĂ©e sur deux temps. Notre Ă©chantillon est composĂ© de 344 Ă©tudiants primo-inscrits dans des filiĂšres scientifiques et littĂ©raires qui ont Ă©tĂ© sollicitĂ©s au dĂ©but et Ă la fin de lâannĂ©e universitaire 2017-2018. Seulement 252 Ă©tudiants ont participĂ© Ă la deuxiĂšme Ă©tape de la recherche. Des Ă©chelles ont Ă©tĂ© traduites en arabe pour rĂ©pondre aux objectifs de la recherche. RĂ©sultats : Les donnĂ©es indiquent que 42.7% des Ă©tudiants interrogĂ©s prĂ©sentent des signes de dĂ©tresse psychologique. Nos rĂ©sultats rĂ©vĂšlent que plusieurs facteurs sont associĂ©s Ă cette dĂ©tresse dâune maniĂšre statistiquement significative, Ă savoir la satisfaction des conditions socio-Ă©conomiques, le choix de la filiĂšre (subi ou dĂ©libĂ©rĂ©) et la satisfaction du soutien social et des conditions de lâhĂ©bergement au campus universitaire. Certains facteurs transactionnels sont corrĂ©lĂ©s dâune maniĂšre significative Ă notre variable dĂ©pendante «la santĂ© psychologique », Ă savoir le stress perçu et les stratĂ©gies dâajustement et avec certains facteurs de personnalitĂ© comme lâestime de soi, le nĂ©vrosisme et lâespoir. Lâanalyse de rĂ©gression multiple indique que lâestime de soi et le nĂ©vrosisme expliquent, respectivement Ă 31% et Ă 7%, la variance santĂ© psychologique. Les rĂ©sultats de lâĂ©tude longitudinale montrent lâamĂ©lioration gĂ©nĂ©rale de lâĂ©tat de santĂ© des Ă©tudiants interrogĂ©s lors du deuxiĂšme moment de lâĂ©tude avec un impact statistiquement significatif des facteurs de lâestime de soi et du coping centrĂ© sur la rĂ©solution des problĂšmes et lâespoir Conclusion :Un travail dâaccompagnement psychologique centrĂ© sur les facteurs de protection sâavĂšre plus que nĂ©cessaire pour Ă©viter le basculement de cette dĂ©tresse dans des troubles psychiatriques.
Interest and objective of the study: Our study aims to assess the psychological health of first-time students enrolled at the University of Sfax and to identify certain psychosocial factors that can impact their health. Methods: This is a longitudinal study that took place over two periods. Our sample is made up of 344 first-time students enrolled in science and literature courses who were contacted at the beginning and end of the 2017-2018 academic year. Only 252 students participated in the second stage of the research. Scales were translated into Arabic to meet the research objectives. Results: The data indicate that 42.7% of the students surveyed show signs of psychological distress. Our results reveal that several factors are associated with this distress in a statistically significant way, namely the satisfaction of socio-economic conditions, the choice of the sector (submitted or deliberate) and the satisfaction of social support and the conditions of the school. accommodation at the university campus. Some transactional factors are significantly correlated with our dependent variable âpsychological healthâ, namely perceived stress and coping strategies and with some personality factors such as self-esteem, neuroticism and hope. . Multiple regression analysis indicates that self-esteem and neuroticism explain, respectively, 31% and 7%, of the psychological health variance. The results of the longitudinal study show the general improvement in the state of health of the students questioned during the second moment of the study with a statistically significant impact of the factors of self-esteem and coping centered on the resolution of problems. problems and hope. Conclusion: Psychological support work centered on protective factors is more than necessary to avoid the tipping of this distress into psychiatric disorders
Ătude Longitudinale de la SantĂ© Mentale chez les Ătudiants Primo-Inscrits de lâUniversitĂ© de Sfax
IntĂ©rĂȘt et objectif de lâĂ©tude : Notre Ă©tude vise Ă Ă©valuer la santĂ© psychologique chez les Ă©tudiants primo-inscrits de lâuniversitĂ© de Sfax et dâidentifier certains facteurs psychosociaux qui peuvent impacter leur santĂ©.
MĂ©thodes : Il sâagit dâune Ă©tude longitudinale qui sâest dĂ©roulĂ©e sur deux temps. Notre Ă©chantillon est composĂ© de 344 Ă©tudiants primo-inscrits dans des filiĂšres scientifiques et littĂ©raires qui ont Ă©tĂ© sollicitĂ©s au dĂ©but et Ă la fin de lâannĂ©e universitaire 2017-2018. Seulement 252 Ă©tudiants ont participĂ© Ă la deuxiĂšme Ă©tape de la recherche. Des Ă©chelles ont Ă©tĂ© traduites en arabe pour rĂ©pondre aux objectifs de la recherche. RĂ©sultats : Les donnĂ©es indiquent que 42.7% des Ă©tudiants interrogĂ©s prĂ©sentent des signes de dĂ©tresse psychologique. Nos rĂ©sultats rĂ©vĂšlent que plusieurs facteurs sont associĂ©s Ă cette dĂ©tresse dâune maniĂšre statistiquement significative, Ă savoir la satisfaction des conditions socio-Ă©conomiques, le choix de la filiĂšre (subi ou dĂ©libĂ©rĂ©) et la satisfaction du soutien social et des conditions de lâhĂ©bergement au campus universitaire. Certains facteurs transactionnels sont corrĂ©lĂ©s dâune maniĂšre significative Ă notre variable dĂ©pendante «la santĂ© psychologique », Ă savoir le stress perçu et les stratĂ©gies dâajustement et avec certains facteurs de personnalitĂ© comme lâestime de soi, le nĂ©vrosisme et lâespoir. Lâanalyse de rĂ©gression multiple indique que lâestime de soi et le nĂ©vrosisme expliquent, respectivement Ă 31% et Ă 7%, la variance santĂ© psychologique. Les rĂ©sultats de lâĂ©tude longitudinale montrent lâamĂ©lioration gĂ©nĂ©rale de lâĂ©tat de santĂ© des Ă©tudiants interrogĂ©s lors du deuxiĂšme moment de lâĂ©tude avec un impact statistiquement significatif des facteurs de lâestime de soi et du coping centrĂ© sur la rĂ©solution des problĂšmes et lâespoir Conclusion :Un travail dâaccompagnement psychologique centrĂ© sur les facteurs de protection sâavĂšre plus que nĂ©cessaire pour Ă©viter le basculement de cette dĂ©tresse dans des troubles psychiatriques.
Interest and objective of the study: Our study aims to assess the psychological health of first-time students enrolled at the University of Sfax and to identify certain psychosocial factors that can impact their health. Methods: This is a longitudinal study that took place over two periods. Our sample is made up of 344 first-time students enrolled in science and literature courses who were contacted at the beginning and end of the 2017-2018 academic year. Only 252 students participated in the second stage of the research. Scales were translated into Arabic to meet the research objectives. Results: The data indicate that 42.7% of the students surveyed show signs of psychological distress. Our results reveal that several factors are associated with this distress in a statistically significant way, namely the satisfaction of socio-economic conditions, the choice of the sector (submitted or deliberate) and the satisfaction of social support and the conditions of the school. accommodation at the university campus. Some transactional factors are significantly correlated with our dependent variable âpsychological healthâ, namely perceived stress and coping strategies and with some personality factors such as self-esteem, neuroticism and hope. . Multiple regression analysis indicates that self-esteem and neuroticism explain, respectively, 31% and 7%, of the psychological health variance. The results of the longitudinal study show the general improvement in the state of health of the students questioned during the second moment of the study with a statistically significant impact of the factors of self-esteem and coping centered on the resolution of problems. problems and hope. Conclusion: Psychological support work centered on protective factors is more than necessary to avoid the tipping of this distress into psychiatric disorders
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