344 research outputs found
The spin-orbit alignment of visual binaries
The angle between the stellar spin-axis and the orbital plane of a stellar or
planetary companion has important implications for the formation and evolution
of such systems. A study by Hale (1994) found that binaries with separations au are preferentially aligned while binaries on wider orbits are
frequently misaligned. We aim to test the robustness of the Hale (1994) results
by reanalysing the sample of visual binaries with measured rotation periods
using independently derived stellar parameters and a Bayesian formalism. Our
analysis is based on a combination of data from Hale (1994) and newly obtained
spectroscopic data from the Hertzsprung SONG telescope, combined with
astrometric data from Gaia DR2 and the Washington Double Star Catalog. We
combine measurements of stellar radii and rotation periods to obtain stellar
rotational velocities . Rotational velocities are combined with
measurements of projected rotational velocities to derive posterior
probability distributions of stellar inclination angles . We determine
line-of-sight projected spin-orbit angles by comparing stellar inclination
angles with astrometric orbital inclination angles. We find that the precision
of the available data is insufficient to make inferences about the spin-orbit
alignment of visual binaries. The data are equally compatible with alignment
and misalignment at all orbital separations. We conclude that the previously
reported trend that binaries with separations au are preferentially
aligned is spurious. The spin-orbit alignment distribution of visual binaries
is unconstrained. Based on simulated observations, we predict that it will be
difficult to reach the sufficient precision in , rotation periods, and
orbital inclination required to make robust statistical inferences about the
spin-orbit alignment of visual binaries.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A. 10 pages, 5 figures, 1 tabl
EPIC 219217635: A Doubly Eclipsing Quadruple System Containing an Evolved Binary
We have discovered a doubly eclipsing, bound, quadruple star system in the
field of K2 Campaign 7. EPIC 219217635 is a stellar image with that
contains an eclipsing binary (`EB') with d and a second EB with
d. We have obtained followup radial-velocity (`RV')
spectroscopy observations, adaptive optics imaging, as well as ground-based
photometric observations. From our analysis of all the observations, we derive
good estimates for a number of the system parameters. We conclude that (1) both
binaries are bound in a quadruple star system; (2) a linear trend to the RV
curve of binary A is found over a 2-year interval, corresponding to an
acceleration, cm s; (3) small
irregular variations are seen in the eclipse-timing variations (`ETVs')
detected over the same interval; (4) the orbital separation of the quadruple
system is probably in the range of 8-25 AU; and (5) the orbital planes of the
two binaries must be inclined with respect to each other by at least
25. In addition, we find that binary B is evolved, and the cooler and
currently less massive star has transferred much of its envelope to the
currently more massive star. We have also demonstrated that the system is
sufficiently bright that the eclipses can be followed using small ground-based
telescopes, and that this system may be profitably studied over the next decade
when the outer orbit of the quadruple is expected to manifest itself in the ETV
and/or RV curves.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRA
MASCARA-2 b: A hot Jupiter transiting the A-star HD185603
In this paper we present MASCARA-2 b, a hot Jupiter transiting the
A2 star HD 185603. Since early 2015, MASCARA has taken more than 1.6 million
flux measurements of the star, corresponding to a total of almost 3000 hours of
observations, revealing a periodic dimming in the flux with a depth of .
Photometric follow-up observations were performed with the NITES and IAC80
telescopes and spectroscopic measurements were obtained with the Hertzsprung
SONG telescope. We find MASCARA-2 b orbits HD 185603 with a period of
at a distance of , has a radius of and place a
upper limit on the mass of . HD 185603 is a
rapidly rotating early-type star with an effective temperature of
and a mass and radius of
, , respectively. Contrary
to most other hot Jupiters transiting early-type stars, the projected planet
orbital axis and stellar spin axis are found to be aligned with . The brightness of the host star and the high equilibrium
temperature, , of MASCARA-2 b make it a suitable target for
atmospheric studies from the ground and space. Of particular interest is the
detection of TiO, which has recently been detected in the similarly hot planets
WASP-33 b and WASP-19 b.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures, Accepted for publication in A&
TESS's first planet A super-Earth transiting the naked-eye star pi Mensae
We report on the confirmation and mass determination of pi Men c, the first transiting planet discovered by NASA's TESS space mission. pi Men is a naked-eye (V = 5.65 mag), quiet G0 V star that was previously known to host a sub-stellar companion (pi Men b) on a long-period (P-orb = 2091 days), eccentric (e = 0.64) orbit. Using TESS time-series photometry, combined with Gaia data, published UCLES at AAT Doppler measurements, and archival HARPS at ESO-3.6m radial velocities, we found that pi Men c is a close-in planet with an orbital period of P-orb = 6.27 days, a mass of M-c = 4 : 52 +/- 0.81 M-circle dot, and a radius of R-c = 2.06 +/- 0.03 R-circle dot. Based on the planet's orbital period and size, pi Men c is a super-Earth located at, or close to, the radius gap, while its mass and bulk density suggest it may have held on to a significant atmosphere. Because of the brightness of the host star, this system is highly suitable for a wide range of further studies to characterize the planetary atmosphere and dynamical properties. We also performed an asteroseismic analysis of the TESS data and detected a hint of power excess consistent with the seismic values expected for this star, although this result depends on the photometric aperture used to extract the light curve. This marginal detection is expected from pre-launch simulations hinting at the asteroseismic potential of the TESS mission for longer, multi-sector observations and/or for more evolved bright stars
Potential for re-emergence of wheat stem rust in the United Kingdom
This is the final version. Available on open access from Springer Nature via the DOI in this recordWheat stem rust, a devastating disease of wheat and barley caused by the fungal pathogen Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici, was largely eradicated in Western Europe during the mid-to-late twentieth century. However, isolated outbreaks have occurred in recent years. Here we investigate whether a lack of resistance in modern European varieties, increased presence of its alternate host barberry and changes in climatic conditions could be facilitating its resurgence. We report the first wheat stem rust occurrence in the United Kingdom in nearly 60 years, with only 20% of UK wheat varieties resistant to this strain. Climate changes over the past 25 years also suggest increasingly conducive conditions for infection. Furthermore, we document the first occurrence in decades of P. graminis on barberry in the UK . Our data illustrate that wheat stem rust does occur in the UK and, when climatic conditions are conducive, could severely harm wheat and barley production.This project was funded by an institute development grant from the EI (Norwich, UK), an Industrial Partnership Award (BB/M025519/1) from the BBSRC, a European Research Council Starting Grant awarded to D.G.O.S. (number 715638), H2020 project EMPHASIS (number 634179), by the BBSRC Institute Strategic Programmes BB/J004553/1 and BB/P012574/1, the John Innes Foundation, and an African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) fellowship to R.N.K
A population-based study of effect of multiple birth on infant mortality in Nigeria
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Multi-foetal pregnancies and multiple births including twins and higher order multiples births such as triplets and quadruplets are high-risk pregnancy and birth. These high-risk groups contribute to the higher rate of childhood mortality especially during early period of life.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We examined the relationship between multiple births and infant mortality using univariable and multivariable survival regression procedure with Weibull hazard function, controlling for child's sex, birth order, prenatal care, delivery assistance; mother's age at child birth, nutritional status, education level; household living conditions and several other risk factors.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Children born multiple births were more than twice as likely to die during infancy as infants born singleton (hazard ratio = 2.19; 95% confidence interval: 1.50, 3.19) holding other factors constant. Maternal education and household asset index were associated with lower risk of infant mortality.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Multiple births are strongly negatively associated with infant survival in Nigeria independent of other risk factors. Mother's education played a protective role against infant death. This evidence suggests that improving maternal education may be key to improving child survival in Nigeria. A well-educated mother has a better chance of satisfying important factors that can improve infant survival: the quality of infant feeding, general care, household sanitation, and adequate use of preventive and curative health services.</p
Multicenter evaluation of the vitek MS matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry system for identification of gram-positive aerobic bacteria
Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) is gaining momentum as a tool for bacterial identification in the clinical microbiology laboratory. Compared with conventional methods, this technology can more readily and conveniently identify a wide range of organisms. Here, we report the findings from a multicenter study to evaluate the Vitek MS v2.0 system (bioMérieux, Inc.) for the identification of aerobic Gram-positive bacteria. A total of 1,146 unique isolates, representing 13 genera and 42 species, were analyzed, and results were compared to those obtained by nucleic acid sequence-based identification as the reference method. For 1,063 of 1,146 isolates (92.8%), the Vitek MS provided a single identification that was accurate to the species level. For an additional 31 isolates (2.7%), multiple possible identifications were provided, all correct at the genus level. Mixed-genus or single-choice incorrect identifications were provided for 18 isolates (1.6%). Although no identification was obtained for 33 isolates (2.9%), there was no specific bacterial species for which the Vitek MS consistently failed to provide identification. In a subset of 463 isolates representing commonly encountered important pathogens, 95% were accurately identified to the species level and there were no misidentifications. Also, in all but one instance, the Vitek MS correctly differentiated Streptococcus pneumoniae from other viridans group streptococci. The findings demonstrate that the Vitek MS system is highly accurate for the identification of Gram-positive aerobic bacteria in the clinical laboratory setting
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