Spectral properties of the X-ray binary pulsar LMC X-4 during different Intensity states

We present spectral variations of the binary X-ray pulsar LMC X-4 observed with the RXTE/PCA during different phases of its 30.5 day long third period. Only out-of-eclipse data were used for this study. The 3–25 keV spectrum, modeled with high energy cut-off power-law and iron line emission is found to show strong dependence on the intensity state. Correlations between the Fe line emission flux and different parameters of the continuum are presented here.     

Neutron Stars with a Quark Core. II. Basic Integral and Structural Parameters

A broad sample of computed realistic equations of state of superdense matter with a quark phase transition is used to construct a series of models of neutron stars with a strange quark core. The integral characteristics of the stellar configurations are obtained: gravitational mass, rest mass, radius, relativistic moment of inertia, and red shift from the star's surface, as well as the mass and radius of the quark core within the allowable range of values for the central pressure. The parameters of some of the characteristic configurations of the calculated series are also given and these are studied in detail. It is found that a new additional region of stability for neutron stars with strange quark cores may exist for some models of the equation of state.     

Magnetic Field of a Neutron Star With Color Superconducting Quark Matter Core

The behaviour of the magnetic field of a neutron star with a superconducting quark matter core is investigated in the framework of the Ginzburg-Landau theory. We take into account the simultaneous coupling of the diquark condensate field to the usual magnetic and to the gluomagnetic gauge fields. We solve the Ginzburg-Landau equations by properly taking into account the boundary conditions, in particular, the gluon confinement condition. We found the distribution of the magnetic field in both the quark and hadronic phases of the neutron star and show that the magnetic field penetrates into the quark core in the form of quark vortices due to the presence of Meissner currents.     

The inverse problem for pulsating neutron stars: a 'fingerprint analysis' for the supranuclear equation of state

We study the problem of detecting, and inferring astrophysical information from, gravitational waves from a pulsating neutron star. We show that the fluid f and p modes, as well as the gravitational-wave w modes, may be detectable from sources in our own Galaxy, and investigate how accurately the frequencies and damping rates of these modes can be inferred from a noisy gravitational-wave data stream. Based on the conclusions of this discussion we propose a strategy for revealing the supranuclear equation of state using the neutron star fingerprints: the observed frequencies of an f and a p mode. We also discuss how well the source can be located in the sky using observations with several detectors.     

Two-frequency timing of the pulsar B1937+21 in Kalyazin and Kashima in 1997–2002

We present the results from our timing of the millisecond pulsar B1937+21, performed jointly since 1997 on two radio telescopes: the RT-64 in Kalyazin (Russia) at a frequency of 0.6GHz and RT-34 in Kashima (Japan) at a frequency of 2.15 GHz. The rms value of the pulse time of arrival (TOA) residuals for the pulsar at the barycenter of the Solar system is 1.8 μs (the relative variation is ≈10^?14 over the observing period). The TOA residuals are shown to be dominated by white phase noise, which allows this pulsar to be used as an independent time scale keeper. The upper limit for the gravitational background energy density Ω_gh² at frequencies ≈6.5 × 10^?9 Hz is estimated to be no higher than 10^?6. Based on the long-term timing of the pulsar, we have improved its parameters and accurately determined the dispersion measure and its time variation over the period 1984–2002, which was, on average, ?0.00114(3) pc cm^?3 yr^?1.     

Hard spectra of X-ray pulsars from INTEGRAL data

We present spectra for 34 accretion-powers X-ray pulsars and one millisecond pulsar that were within the field of view of the INTEGRAL observatory over two years (December 2002–January 2005) of its in-orbit operation and that were detected by its instruments at a statistically significant level (> 8σ in the energy range 18–60 keV). There are seven recently discovered objects of this class among the pulsars studied: 2RXP J130159.6-635806, IGR/AX J16320-4751, IGR J16358-4726, AX J163904-4642, IGR J16465-4507, SAX/IGR J18027-2017, and AX J1841.0-0535. We have also obtained hard X-ray (>20 keV) spectra for the accretion-powered pulsars RX J0146.9+6121, AX J1820.5-1434, and AX J1841.0-0535 for the first time. We analyze the evolution of spectral parameters as a function of the intensity of the sources and compare these with the results of previous studies.     

Assessment of Workers’ Contamination Caused by Air Pollution Exposure in Industry Using Biomonitors

The workers health service is guided to look for risks. There is not an evaluation of the onset of the disease linked to a long-term exposure to low levels of toxic agents. Besides, there are few records of the level of metal concentration in the environmental air in industry, as well as few records of the level of contamination of factory workers. To assess the level of pollution in workplace, galvanising industry was chosen as the object of this study. The worker exposure and contamination levels were assessed by means of airborne particulate matter collected in air filters and biomonitors. The analysis of the air filter, hair and toenail samples were carried out by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis, and urine samples by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The statistical multivariate analysis and ANOVA methods were applied to elemental concentration. Copper and iron elements were highlighted as the main contributors on the differentiation of the classes. The results point out the effectiveness of biomonitors in occupational studies.