Space Telescope and Optical Reverberation Mapping Project. VII. Understanding the Ultraviolet Anomaly in NGC 5548 with X-Ray Spectroscopy

During the Space Telescope and Optical Reverberation Mapping Project observations of NGC 5548, the continuum and emission-line variability became decorrelated during the second half of the six-month-long observing campaign. Here we present Swift and Chandra X-ray spectra of NGC 5548 obtained as part of the campaign. The Swift spectra show that excess flux (relative to a power-law continuum) in the soft X-ray band appears before the start of the anomalous emission-line behavior, peaks during the period of the anomaly, and then declines. This is a model-independent result suggesting that the soft excess is related to the anomaly. We divide the Swift data into on- and off-anomaly spectra to characterize the soft excess via spectral fitting. The cause of the spectral differences is likely due to a change in the intrinsic spectrum rather than to variable obscuration or partial covering. The Chandra spectra have lower signal-to-noise ratios, but are consistent with the Swift data. Our preferred model of the soft excess is emission from an optically thick, warm Comptonizing corona, the effective optical depth of which increases during the anomaly. This model simultaneously explains all three observations: the UV emission-line flux decrease, the soft-excess increase, and the emission-line anomaly

The young HD 73583 (TOI-560) planetary system: two 10-M_earth mini-Neptunes transiting a 500-Myr-old, bright, and active K dwarf

Stars and planetary system

TOI-431/HIP 26013: a super-Earth and a sub-Neptune transiting a bright, early K dwarf, with a third RV planet

Stars and planetary system

TOI-431/HIP 26013: A super-Earth and a sub-Neptune transiting a bright, early K dwarf, with a third RV planet

We present the bright (Vmag = 9.12), multiplanet system TOI-431, characterized with photometry and radial velocities (RVs). We estimate the stellar rotation period to be 30.5 ± 0.7 d using archival photometry and RVs. Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) objects of Interest (TOI)-431 b is a super-Earth with a period of 0.49 d, a radius of 1.28 ± 0.04 R, a mass of 3.07 ± 0.35 M, and a density of 8.0 ± 1.0 g cm-3; TOI-431 d is a sub-Neptune with a period of 12.46 d, a radius of 3.29 ± 0.09 R, a mass of 9.90+1.53-1.49 M, and a density of 1.36 ± 0.25 g cm-3. We find a third planet, TOI-431 c, in the High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher RV data, but it is not seen to transit in the TESS light curves. It has an Msin i of 2.83+0.41-0.34 M, and a period of 4.85 d. TOI-431 d likely has an extended atmosphere and is one of the most well-suited TESS discoveries for atmospheric characterization, while the super-Earth TOI-431 b may be a stripped core. These planets straddle the radius gap, presenting an interesting case-study for atmospheric evolution, and TOI-431 b is a prime TESS discovery for the study of rocky planet phase curves

Large-scale discovery of novel genetic causes of developmental disorders

Despite three decades of successful, predominantly phenotype-driven discovery of the genetic causes of monogenic disorders1, up to half of children with severe developmental disorders of probable genetic origin remain without a genetic diagnosis. Particularly challenging are those disorders rare enough to have eluded recognition as a discrete clinical entity, those with highly variable clinical manifestations, and those that are difficult to distinguish from other, very similar, disorders. Here we demonstrate the power of using an unbiased genotype-driven approach2 to identify subsets of patients with similar disorders. By studying 1,133 children with severe, undiagnosed developmental disorders, and their parents, using a combination of exome sequencing3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 and array-based detection of chromosomal rearrangements, we discovered 12 novel genes associated with developmental disorders. These newly implicated genes increase by 10% (from 28% to 31%) the proportion of children that could be diagnosed. Clustering of missense mutations in six of these newly implicated genes suggests that normal development is being perturbed by an activating or dominant-negative mechanism. Our findings demonstrate the value of adopting a comprehensive strategy, both genome-wide and nationwide, to elucidate the underlying causes of rare genetic disorders

Correlation of peak wind loads at batten-truss connections

Wind loads on roofs fluctuate significantly, both across their surfaces and in time. A 1/50 scale wind tunnel study was conducted to determine the correlations of these load fluctuations on batten to truss connections. This study found that load histories between neighbouring connections are correlated and are sensitive to wind direction. Critical wind directions that cause the highest uplift loads are not necessarily those that experience the highest correlations amongst neighbouring connections. Additionally, for different wind directions loads at connections to the left, right or diagonally across from the critical connections are more correlated, suggesting that the path that a progressive failure takes is dependent on wind direction and the location on the roof where it initiates

Wind loads on contemporary Australian housing

Contemporary 1 and 2-storey houses being built in and around Brisbane and Melbourne have been surveyed and representative houses defined. Wind tunnel studies on 1/50 scale wind tunnel models are used to determine the spatial and temporal variation in wind pressures across the roof surface and data used to determine truss hold down loads. This study showed that 1-storey houses experience smaller roof truss hold-down forces that those determined from the Standards AS/NZS 1170.2 and AS4055 whereas 2 storey houses experienced hold-downs equal to or greater than those specified in AS/NZS 1170.2

Investigation of damage: Brisbane 27 November 2014 severe storm event

Between 2 and 6 pm the on the 27th of November 2014 severe thunderstorm activity was observed in the South-East Queensland region. Two adjoining storm cells moving in a northerly direction subjected Brisbane and neighbouring suburbs to severe hail, damaging winds and localized flooding. A maximum gust wind speed of 141 km/h was measured at Archerfield Airport during this event. However, from wind field analyses and field observations, speeds were estimated to be approximately 40 to 80 km/h in other affected suburbs. Severe hail accompanied the storm (40 mm diameter typical), with hail damage to windows being widespread. Street and house surveys were conducted between the 28th of November and the 5th of December to assess structural damage and to compare overall impacts of the storm to what was reported by journalists and social media. An analysis of damage severity in relation to construction materials was then performed allowing patterns of housing stock vulnerabilities to be examined. Hail damage to windows and subsequent water ingress was particularly high, especially for older housing, with older window glass performing poorly against the wind-driven hail compared to newer window glass. Another contributing factor was most likely the significant horizontal component in the trajectory of the hail caused by the strong winds. Although winds were lower than design level, some cases of severe roof failures did occur. On several occasions, these failures were due to: (i) building age with rot in timber roof members and/or corrosion of connections or (ii) installation of new roof cladding without upgrading the batten to rafter or rafter to wall tie down connections to contemporary building standards. Roof structure damage was typically associated with a breach in the windward wall allowing a large increase in internal pressure and adding to the external suction loads on the roof.\u