A combined spectroscopic and photometric stellar activity study of Epsilon Eridani

We present simultaneous ground-based radial velocity (RV) measurements and space-based photometric measurements of the young and active K dwarf Epsilon Eridani. These measurements provide a data set for exploring methods of identifying and ultimately distinguishing stellar photospheric velocities from Keplerian motion. We compare three methods we have used in exploring this data set: Dalmatian, an MCMC spot modeling code that fits photometric and RV measurements simultaneously; the FF$'$ method, which uses photometric measurements to predict the stellar activity signal in simultaneous RV measurements; and H$\alpha$ analysis. We show that our H$\alpha$ measurements are strongly correlated with photometry from the Microvariability and Oscillations of STars (MOST) instrument, which led to a promising new method based solely on the spectroscopic observations. This new method, which we refer to as the HH$'$ method, uses H$\alpha$ measurements as input into the FF$'$ model. While the Dalmatian spot modeling analysis and the FF$'$ method with MOST space-based photometry are currently more robust, the HH$'$ method only makes use of one of the thousands of stellar lines in the visible spectrum. By leveraging additional spectral activity indicators, we believe the HH$'$ method may prove quite useful in disentangling stellar signals

Growth, Condition, and Trophic Relations of Stocked Trout in Southern Appalachian Mountain Streams

Stream trout fisheries are among the most popular and valuable in the United States, but many are dependent on hatcheries to sustain fishing and harvest. Thus, understanding the ecology of hatchery‐reared trout stocked in natural environments is fundamental to management. We evaluated the growth, condition, and trophic relations of Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis, Brown Trout Salmo trutta, and Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss that were stocked in southern Appalachian Mountain streams in western North Carolina. Stocked and wild (naturalized) trout were sampled over time (monthly; September 2012–June 2013) to compare condition and diet composition and to evaluate temporal dynamics of trophic position with stable isotope analysis. Relative weights (Wr) of stocked trout were inversely associated with their stream residence time but were consistently higher than those of wild trout. Weight loss of harvested stocked trout was similar among species and sizes, but fish stocked earlier lost more weight. Overall, 40% of 141 stomachs from stocked trout were empty compared to 15% of wild trout stomachs (N = 26). We identified a much higher rate of piscivory in wild trout (18 times that of stocked trout), and wild trout were 4.3 times more likely to consume gastropods relative to stocked trout. Hatchery‐reared trout were isotopically similar to co‐occurring wild fish for both δ13C and δ15N values but were less variable than wild trout. Differences in sulfur isotope ratios (δ34S) between wild and hatchery‐reared trout indicated that the diets of wild fish were enriched in δ34S relative to the diets of hatchery‐reared fish. Although hatcheryreared trout consumed prey items similar to those of wild fish, differences in consumption or behavior (e.g., reduced feeding) may have resulted in lower condition and negative growth. These findings provide critical insight on the trophic dynamics of stocked trout and may assist in developing and enhancing stream trout fisheries

Assessing infection patterns in Chinese mystery snails from Wisconsin, USA using field and laboratory approaches

The success of invasive species establishment in new habitats depends, in part, on interactions with other members of the invaded community. Cipangopaludina chinensis, the Chinese mystery snail (CMS), is an exotic, invasive snail in North America. Since its introduction in the 1890s, CMS have spread to a number of watersheds across the United States and parts of Canada. This invasion has generated questions about the snail’s capacity to serve as a host for parasites within local habitats, including parasites with conservation implications. To begin addressing these questions, we necropsied 147 wild-caught snails from 22 lakes across Wisconsin, finding only two CMS individuals harboring trematode (flatworm) parasites. We also conducted experimental exposures using a trematode (Sphaeridiotrema pseudoglobulus) implicated in waterfowl die-offs and found that CMS infection levels were significantly lower than those in co-occurring snail species. Furthermore, the parasites that did successfully infect CMS were often found encased in the shells of the snails in a non-viable state. Together these results 1) provide insight into the importance of CMS as a host for parasites in the region, and 2) may help to explain the wide distribution of CMS across WI and the Midwest

Functions of Phenylalanine Residues within the β-Barrel Stem of the Anthrax Toxin Pore

Background: A key step of anthrax toxin action involves the formation of a protein-translocating pore within the endosomal membrane by the Protective Antigen (PA) moiety. Formation of this transmembrane pore by PA involves interaction of the seven 2b2–2b3 loops of the heptameric precursor to generate a 14-strand transmembrane b barrel. Methodology/Principal Findings: We examined the effects on pore formation, protein translocation, and cytotoxicity, of mutating two phenylalanines, F313 and F314, that lie at the tip the b barrel, and a third one, F324, that lies part way up the barrel. Conclusions/Significance: Our results show that the function of these phenylalanine residues is to mediate membrane insertion and formation of stable transmembrane channels. Unlike F427, a key luminal residue in the cap of the pore, F313, F314, and F324 do not directly affect protein translocation through the pore. Our findings add to our knowledge of structure-function relationships of a key virulence factor of the anthrax bacillus

Deep Caisson Sinking in Soft Soils, Grand Forks, North Dakota

The City of Grand Forks, North Dakota obtains drinking water from both the Red and Red Lake Rivers using a system of river intakes, shallow pipelines, and pump stations. However, during flood events, the City often loses access to the system, and persistent landslides along the riverbanks easily damage shallow components. As a result, the City decided to construct a gravity system with new pipelines leading to the base of a 65-foot deep pump station. Several construction techniques were evaluated for the pump station, including a self-sinking caisson, which was chosen for the project. Because the proposed 60-foot-diameter caisson was larger and would be sunk deeper than any previous caisson in the area, and would penetrate through a highly plastic, weak and brittle clay, FLAC soil-structure interaction analyses were completed using a strain-softening soil model. The paper discusses the results of the modeling and the subsequent design steps taken to avoid bottom instability. The paper also describes the construction process

An Eccentric Hot Jupiter Orbiting the Subgiant HD 185269

We report the detection of a Jupiter-mass planet in a 6.838 day orbit around the 1.28 solar mass subgiant HD 185269. The eccentricity of HD 185269b (e = 0.30) is unusually large compared to other planets within 0.1 AU of their stars. Photometric observations demonstrate that the star is constant to +/-0.0001 mag on the radial velocity period, strengthening our interpretation of a planetary companion. This planet was detected as part of our radial velocity survey of evolved stars located on the subgiant branch of the H-R diagram--also known as the Hertzsprung Gap. These stars, which have masses between 1.2 and 2.5 solar masses, play an important role in the investigation of the frequency of extrasolar planets as a function of stellar mass.Comment: 18 pages, 4 figures, 3 tables, ApJ in press (scheduled for Dec 2006, v652n2

Survey of J=0,1 mesons in a Bethe-Salpeter approach

The Bethe-Salpeter equation is used to comprehensively study mesons with J=0,1 and equal-mass constituents for quark masses from the chiral limit to the b-quark mass. The survey contains masses of the ground states in all corresponding J^{PC} channels including those with "exotic" quantum numbers. The emphasis is put on each particular state's sensitivity to the low- and intermediate-momentum, i.e., long-range part of the strong interaction.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure

Accretion Variability as a Guide to Stellar Mass Assembly

Variable accretion in young stellar objects reveals itself photometrically and spectroscopically over a continuum of timescales and amplitudes. Most dramatic are the large outbursts (e.g., FU Ori, V1647 Ori, and EX Lup type events), but more frequent are the less coherent, smaller burst-like variations in accretion rate. Improving our understanding of time-variable accretion directly addresses the fundamental question of how stars gain their masses. We review variability phenomena, as characterized from observations across the wavelength spectrum, and how those observations probe underlying physical conditions. The diversity of observed lightcurves and spectra at optical and infrared wavelengths defies a simple classification of outbursts and bursts into well-defined categories. Mid-infrared and submillimeter wavelengths are sensitive to lower-temperature phenomena and more embedded, younger sources, and it is currently unclear if observed flux variations probe similar or distinct physics relative to the shorter wavelengths. We highlight unresolved issues and emphasize the value of spectroscopy, multiwavelength studies, and ultimately patience in using variable accretion to understand stellar mass assembly.Comment: 22 pages, 7 figures. Review chapter for Protostars and Planets VII. Editors: Shu-ichiro Inutsuka, Yuri Aikawa, Takayuki Muto, Kengo Tomida, and Motohide Tamura. Final accepted versio

A High Eccentricity Component in the Double Planet System Around HD 163607 and a Planet Around HD 164509

We report the detection of three new exoplanets from Keck Observatory. HD 163607 is a metal-rich G5IV star with two planets. The inner planet has an observed orbital period of 75.29 $\pm$ 0.02 days, a semi-amplitude of 51.1 $\pm$ 1.4 \ms, an eccentricity of 0.73 $\pm$ 0.02 and a derived minimum mass of \msini = 0.77 $\pm$ 0.02 \mjup. This is the largest eccentricity of any known planet in a multi-planet system. The argument of periastron passage is 78.7 $\pm$ 2.0$^{\circ}$; consequently, the planet's closest approach to its parent star is very near the line of sight, leading to a relatively high transit probability of 8%. The outer planet has an orbital period of 3.60 $\pm$ 0.02 years, an orbital eccentricity of 0.12 $\pm$ 0.06 and a semi-amplitude of 40.4 $\pm$ 1.3 \ms. The minimum mass is \msini = 2.29 $\pm$ 0.16 \mjup. HD 164509 is a metal-rich G5V star with a planet in an orbital period of 282.4 $\pm$ 3.8 days and an eccentricity of 0.26 $\pm$ 0.14. The semi-amplitude of 14.2 $\pm$ 2.7 \ms\ implies a minimum mass of 0.48 $\pm$ 0.09 \mjup. The radial velocities of HD 164509 also exhibit a residual linear trend of -5.1 $\pm$ 0.7 \ms\ per year, indicating the presence of an additional longer period companion in the system. Photometric observations demonstrate that HD 163607 and HD 164509 are constant in brightness to sub-millimag levels on their radial velocity periods. This provides strong support for planetary reflex motion as the cause of the radial velocity variations.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures, accepted to Ap

Identifying Very Metal-Rich Stars with Low-Resolution Spectra: Finding Planet-Search Targets

We present empirical calibrations that estimate stellar metallicity, effective temperature and surface gravity as a function of Lick/IDS indices. These calibrations have been derived from a training set of 261 stars for which (1) high-precision measurements of [Fe/H], T_eff and log g have been made using spectral-synthesis analysis of HIRES spectra, and (2) Lick indices have also been measured. Our [Fe/H] calibration, which has precision 0.07 dex, has identified a number of bright (V < 9) metal-rich stars which are now being screened for hot Jupiter-type planets. Using the Yonsei-Yale stellar models, we show that the calibrations provide distance estimates accurate to 20% for nearby stars. This paper outlines the second tier of the screening of planet-search targets by the N2K Consortium, a project designed to identify the stars most likely to harbor extrasolar planets. Discoveries by the N2K Consortium include the transiting hot Saturn HD 149026 b (Sato et al. 2005, astro-ph/0507009) and HD 88133 b (Fischer et al. 2005). See Ammons et al. (2005, In Press) for a description of the first tier of N2K metallicity screening, calibrations using broadband photometry.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa