Symbiotic Stars with Similar Line Profiles during Activity

Line profiles containing indication of bipolar collimated outflow along with P Cyg absorption during phase of activity of several symbiotic systems are considered. The Hgamma profile of Z And during its 2006 outburst consisted of four groups of components. The profile of the HeI {\lambda} 5876 line of the Hen 3-1341 system during its 1998-2004 outburst had high-velocity satellite components on one hand and a broad P Cyg absorption on other hand. The Halpha and Hbeta profiles of the BF Cyg system during its 2006-2012 outburst had satellite components, observed for the first time, along with P Cyg absorptions. These profiles are interpreted in the light of a model related to the strong recurrent outbursts of Z And. The AG Dra system during its 2006 outburst did not contain indication of collimated outflow. Its profiles are interpreted in the light of the model related to the first outburst of 2000-2012 active phase of Z And.Comment: 16 pages, 17 figures; to be published in AIP Conf. Proc., School and Workshop on SPACE PLASMA PHYSICS, August 19-26, 2012, Albena, Bulgari

The hydrogen and helium lines of the symbiotic binary Z And during its brightening at the end of 2002

High resolution observations in the region of the lines Halpha, He II 4686 and Hgamma of the spectrum of the symbiotic binary Z And were performed during its small-amplitude brightening at the end of 2002. The profiles of the hydrogen lines were double-peaked. These profiles give a reason to suppose that the lines can be emitted mainly by an optically thin accretion disc. The Halpha line is strongly contaminated by the emission of the envelope, therefore for consideration of accretion disc properties we use the Hgamma line. The Halpha line had broad wings which are supposed to be determined mostly from radiation damping but high velocity stellar wind from the compact object in the system can also contribute to their appearance. The Hgamma line had a broad emission component which is assumed to be emitted mainly from the inner part of the accretion disc. The line He II 4686 had a broad emission component too, but it is supposed to appear in a region of a high velocity stellar wind. The outer radius of the accretion disc can be calculated from the shift between the peaks. Assuming, that the orbit inclination can ranges from 47$^\circ$ to 76$^\circ$, we estimate the outer radius as 20 - 50 R_sun. The behaviour of the observed lines can be considered in the framework of the model proposed for interpretation of the line spectrum during the major 2000 - 2002 brightening of this binary.Comment: 19 pages, 5 figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomy Report

Bipolar ejection by the symbiotic binary system Z And during its 2006 outburst

High resolution data in the region of the line Halpha have been obtained at the time of the light maximum and after it of the 2006 optical outburst of the symbiotic binary Z And. A blue-shifted absorption component indicating outflow velocity of about 1400 km/s as well as additional emission components with similar velocities, situated on the two sides of the main peak of the line were observed during that time. It is suggested that all of them are spectral signature of bipolar outflow, observed for the first time in the optical spectrum of this binary. The emission measure and the mass of the nebular part of the streams were estimated approximately.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures; to be published in MNRAS Letter

Investigation of exceptional solar activity in September 2017 : GLE 72 and unusual Forbush decrease in GCR

AbstractThe exceptional solar activity in early September 2017 at minimum of solar cycle 24 is analyzed. Intensive solar-terrestrial disturbances was caused by Active Region AR2673, which produced four powerful eruptions class X, including the strongest flare X9.3 of Solar Cycle 24 on September 6, 2017, after which began G4 — Severe geomagnetic storm on 07.–08.09.2017 with Ap = 96, and also the second strongest flare X8.2 of Solar Cycle 24 on September 10, 2017, which generated Ground Level Enhancement (GLE) of cosmic rays. This was GLE72 with increase of solar cosmic ray flux 6% in Oulu Station (Finland) (effective vertical geomagnetic cutoff rigidity: 0.8 GV), and increase 9% in DOMC Antartica and 14% in DOMB Antartica (in the latter case — lead free neutron monitors with effective vertical cutoff rigidity Abstract The exceptional solar activity in early September 2017 at minimum of solar cycle 24 is analyzed. Intensive solar-terrestrial disturbances was caused by Active Region AR2673, which produced four powerful eruptions class X, including the strongest flare X9.3 of Solar Cycle 24 on September 6, 2017, after which began G4 — Severe geomagnetic storm on 07.–08.09.2017 with Ap = 96, and also the second strongest flare X8.2 of Solar Cycle 24 on September 10, 2017, which generated Ground Level Enhancement (GLE) of cosmic rays. This was GLE72 with increase of solar cosmic ray flux 6% in Oulu Station (Finland) (effective vertical geomagnetic cutoff rigidity: 0.8 GV), and increase 9% in DOMC Antartica and 14% in DOMB Antartica (in the latter case — lead free neutron monitors with effective vertical cutoff rigidity <0.01 GV). The GLE72 develops under the conditions of a deep Forbush decrease (around 15%) in South Pole cusp caused by September 7th Coronal Mass Ejection. The Forbush effect ends on September 11th (http://cosmicrays.oulu.fi). But cosmic ray measurements by flying balloons to the stratosphere over California show that after solar eruptions in September 2017 the radiation levels in stratosphere took more than two months to fully rebound to the conditions of minimal solar activity. This is interesting fact which deserves to be explored in detail. It is precisely the study and interpretation of this process that is concerned with this work

Interpretation of the line spectrum of classical symbiotic stars in the scenario for their prototype Z And

Results of the study of the symbiotic binary Z And during its recent active phase 2000 -- 2010 when it experienced a series of six optical outbursts are presented. High-resolution spectra obtained during the first and fourth outburst, which was the strongest one, have been analyzed. These data are compared with results of theoretical computations. The comparison provides information about the behaviour of the system during the entire active phase rather than during an individual outburst. In particular it was found fundamental difference between the first outburst, which opened the active phase, and the recurrent outbursts - namely, the presence of bipolar collimated optical outflow during some of the recurrent outbursts. A scenario that can explain all the spectroscopic phenomena observed during this active phase as well as previous active phases of Z And is proposed. The possibility to use this scenario for explanation of the line spectrum of other classical symbiotic stars during their active phases is motivated.Comment: 10 pages, 10 figures; to be published in AIP Conf. Proc., School and Workshop on SPACE PLASMA PHYSICS, Kiten, Bulgaria; corrected typo

A prebiotic intervention study in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs)

Different dietary approaches, such as gluten and casein free diets, or the use of probiotics and prebiotics have been suggested in autistic spectrum disorders in order to reduce gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances. GI symptoms are of particular interest in this population due to prevalence and correlation with the severity of behavioural traits. Nowadays, there is lack of strong evidence about the effect of dietary interventions on these problems, particularly prebiotics. Therefore, we assessed the impact of exclusion diets and a 6-week Bimuno® galactooligosaccharide (B-GOS®) prebiotic intervention in 30 autistic children. RESULTS: The results showed that children on exclusion diets reported significantly lower scores of abdominal pain and bowel movement, as well as lower abundance of Bifidobacterium spp. and Veillonellaceae family, but higher presence of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Bacteroides spp. In addition, significant correlations were found between bacterial populations and faecal amino acids in this group, compared to children following an unrestricted diet. Following B-GOS® intervention, we observed improvements in anti-social behaviour, significant increase of Lachnospiraceae family, and significant changes in faecal and urine metabolites. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first study where the effect of exclusion diets and prebiotics has been evaluated in autism, showing potential beneficial effects. A combined dietary approach resulted in significant changes in gut microbiota composition and metabolism suggesting that multiple interventions might be more relevant for the improvement of these aspects as well as psychological traits

Pattern electroretinography as an objective method for study the visual analyzer function in patients with diabetes mellitus with initial diabetic retinopathy

Цел: Целта на нашето проучване е да се изследва обективно функцията на зрителния анализатор чрез патерна електроретинография (ПЕРГ) при пациенти със захарен диабет (ЗД) с начална диабетна ретинопатия (ДР) и получените резултати да се сравнят с контролната група, както и според типа на диабета.Материал и методика: Изследвана е група от 81 човека (162 очи), от които 47 здрави лица (контроли) - 94 очи. Пациентите със ЗД са 34 (68 очи), от които със ЗД тип 1 са 11 лица и 23 са с тип 2 ЗД. Извършена е ПЕРГ. Основните показатели, които са отчетени при анализа на резултатите са латентни времена и амплитуди, отразяващи се на конфиrурацията на вълновите форми.Резултати: При сравнителния анализ на стойностите на компонентите на ПЕРГ с контролната група, както и според типа ЗД, се установиха значителни различия. При сравнителния анализ на стойностите на компонентите на ПЕРГ между пациенти със ЗД с ДР и контроли се установи, че двете групи статистически се различават по амплитудите на всички компоненти на ПЕРГ при всички отвеждания при 15o и 30o.При латентностите сигнификантни различия се установиха при компонент Р50 при всички отвеждания при 15o и 30o. Пациентите със ЗД имат сигнификантно по-удължени латентности и по-ниски амплитуди, в сравнение с контролната група. При сравнителния анализ според типа ЗД, сигнификантни различия се получиха при амплитуден компонент P50-N95 при 15o и30o при дясно око, което потвърждава асиметричното засягане на очите при ЗД. Амплитудите на ПЕРГ при ЗД тип 2 са сигнификантно по-ниски от тези на пациентите със ЗД тип 1.Заключение: ПЕРГ би могла да се използва като обективен метод за регистриране на ранни изменения във функцията на зрителния анализатор (ЗА) като усложнение на З)J,. Също така и за проследяване на промените в динамика, тъй като изследването е неинвазивно, безвредно, по-бързо, повторяемо и обективно, по-евтино в сравнение с флуоресцеиновата ангиография (ФА), оптината кохерентна томография (ОСТ) и ангио-ОСТ.Aim: The aim of the study was to examine objectively the visual analyzer function by pattern electroretinography (PERG) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) with initial diabetic retinopathy (DR) and to compare the results with the control group as well as according to the type of diabetes. Material and methods: A group of 81 people (162 eyes) were studied. Patients with DM were 34 (68 eyes), 11 patients with type 1 DM and 23 with type 2 DM. The control group consisted of 47 healthy individuals (94 eyes). PERG was performed. The main variables that were considered in the results analysis were the latency and amplitudes, reflecting the configuration of the wave forms.Results: The comparative analysis of PERG components between patients with DM with DR and controls as well as according to the type of DM demonstrated significant differences. In latencies, significant differences were found for component P50 at all electrode positions at 15o and 30o. Patients with DM had significantly longer latencies and lower amplitudes compared to the control group. In the comparative analysis according to the type of DM, significant differences were found in amplitude component P50-N95 at 15o and 30o in the right eye, which confirms the asymmetrical eye involvement in DM. The PERG amplitudes in type 2 DM were significantly lower than those of type 1 DM patients.Conclusion: PERG could be used as an objective method for registration of early changes in the visual analyzer function as a DM complication. Also, to monitor the changes in dynamics as it is non-invasive, harmless, faster, and less expensive than fluorescein angiography (FA), OCT and angio-OCT

The Effects of Vegetarian and Vegan Diets on Gut Microbiota

The difference in gut microbiota composition between individuals following vegan or vegetarian diets and those following omnivorous diets is well documented. A plant-based diet appears to be beneficial for human health by promoting the development of more diverse and stable microbial systems. Additionally, vegans and vegetarians have significantly higher counts of certain Bacteroidetes-related operational taxonomic units compared to omnivores. Fibers (that is, non-digestible carbohydrates, found exclusively in plants) most consistently increase lactic acid bacteria, such as Ruminococcus, E. rectale, and Roseburia, and reduce Clostridium and Enterococcus species. Polyphenols, also abundant in plant foods, increase Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, which provide anti-pathogenic and anti-inflammatory effects and cardiovascular protection. High fiber intake also encourages the growth of species that ferment fiber into metabolites as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including acetate, propionate, and butyrate. The positive health effects of SCFAs are myriad, including improved immunity against pathogens, blood–brain barrier integrity, provision of energy substrates, and regulation of critical functions of the intestine. In conclusion, the available literature suggests that a vegetarian/vegan diet is effective in promoting a diverse ecosystem of beneficial bacteria to support both human gut microbiome and overall health. This review will focus on effects of different diets and nutrient contents, particularly plant-based diets, on the gut microbiota composition and production of microbial metabolites affecting the host health