A close-pair binary in a distant triple supermassive black hole system.

Galaxies are believed to evolve through merging, which should lead to some hosting multiple supermassive black holes. There are four known triple black hole systems, with the closest black hole pair being 2.4 kiloparsecs apart (the third component in this system is at 3 kiloparsecs), which is far from the gravitational sphere of influence (about 100 parsecs for a black hole with mass one billion times that of the Sun). Previous searches for compact black hole systems concluded that they were rare, with the tightest binary system having a separation of 7 parsecs (ref. 10). Here we report observations of a triple black hole system at redshift z = 0.39, with the closest pair separated by about 140 parsecs and significantly more distant from Earth than any other known binary of comparable orbital separation. The effect of the tight pair is to introduce a rotationally symmetric helical modulation on the structure of the large-scale radio jets, which provides a useful way to search for other tight pairs without needing extremely high resolution observations. As we found this tight pair after searching only six galaxies, we conclude that tight pairs are more common than hitherto believed, which is an important observational constraint for low-frequency gravitational wave experiments.

[Computer-assisted analysis of the pressure behavior of the esophagogastric junction during increase in intragastric pressure]. / Rechnergestützte Analyse des Druckverhaltens am ösophagogastralen Ubergang während intragastrischer Drucksteigerung.

Two factors are to determine increasing lower esophageal sphincter pressure during intragastric pressure rising mainly: 1. the active intrinsic muscle tone and 2. the efficiency of the law by La Place. The purpose of the study was to estimate the part of both of them in this measurable phenomenon. We investigated 15 healthy volunteers and 5 patients post Nissen fundoplication. A simultaneous manometric examination of gaster and LES was carried out during gradual compression of abdominal wall. Analysis of dependence of LES-pressure on intragastric pressure, based on computer usage, was established. A linear equation described this dependence with the best correlation coefficient (r = 0.98) followed by potential and exponential equation. Fundoplication caused a steeper ascent without any changing of linear character of function. Considering linear equation is compatible with the law by La Place out not with a simultaneous pressure depending change of intrinsic muscle tone, these results indicate that the law by La Place has major importance in the measurable rising of high pressure zone during intragastric pressure increasing.

[Initial experiences in the treatment of changes in the anterior eye segment with the neodymium:YAG laser]. / Erste Erfahrungen in der Behandlung von Veränderungen des vorderen Augenabschnitts mit dem Neodymium:YAG-Laser.

The present paper reports the first results with the Meditec OPL-3 neodymium:YAG laser (Rodenstock, Munich). The YAG laser is a pulsed laser, the biological effects of which are based on the formation of plasma at its focal point. Plasma formation induces a rapid explosion-like expansion of the tissue. This effect can be used to sever opaque structures of the refractive media of the eye, such as secondary cataracts, membranes or strands. The paper summarizes the results of the first 80 consecutive cases treated with the laser. The surgical procedure is described in detail. Visual acuity improved instantaneously in all cases in which no concomitant eye pathology (e.g., corneal or macular changes) existed. Complications consisted in the development of postoperative inflammatory reactions and increases in intraocular pressure, and responded well to corticosteroids and beta-blockers or Diamox. The development of the neodymium:YAG laser has considerably advanced our therapeutic possibilities.

[Visceral diabetic polyneuropathy - quantitative determination of respiratory cardiac arrhythmia]. / Untersuchungen zur viszeralen diabetischen Polyneuropathie - quantitative Bestimmung der respiratorischen Herzarrhythmie.

In 100 insulin-dependent diabetics, the degree of the respiratory cardiac arrhythmia as a measure of the participation of the N. vagus in the polyneuropathy is determined by means of the triggered cross-correlation function. The impairment of the respiratory cardiac arrhythmia shows statistical relations to the electroneurographic changes of somatic nerves, to the duration of diabetes and to the occurrence of microangiopathies.