447 research outputs found
Photometric, Spectroscopic and Orbital Period Study of Three Early Type Semi-detached Systems: XZ Aql, UX Her and AT Peg
In this paper we present a combined photometric, spectroscopic and orbital
period study of three early-type eclipsing binary systems: XZ Aql, UX Her, and
AT Peg. As a result, we have derived the absolute parameters of their
components and, on that basis, we discuss their evolutionary states.
Furthermore, we compare their parameters with those of other binary systems and
with the theoretical models. An analysis of all available up-to-date times of
minima indicated that all three systems studied here show cyclic orbital
changes, their origin is discussed in detail. Finally, we performed a frequency
analysis for possible pulsational behavior and as a result we suggest that XZ
Aql hosts a {\delta} Scuti component.Comment: 40 pages, 16 figure
NELIOTA: The wide-field, high-cadence lunar monitoring system at the prime focus of the Kryoneri telescope
We present the technical specifications and first results of the ESA-funded,
lunar monitoring project "NELIOTA" (NEO Lunar Impacts and Optical TrAnsients)
at the National Observatory of Athens, which aims to determine the
size-frequency distribution of small Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) via detection of
impact flashes on the surface of the Moon. For the purposes of this project a
twin camera instrument was specially designed and installed at the 1.2 m
Kryoneri telescope utilizing the fast-frame capabilities of scientific
Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor detectors (sCMOS). The system provides
a wide field-of-view (17.0' 14.4') and simultaneous observations in
two photometric bands (R and I), reaching limiting magnitudes of 18.7 mag in 10
sec in both bands at a 2.5 signal-to-noise level. This makes it a unique
instrument that can be used for the detection of NEO impacts on the Moon, as
well as for any astronomy projects that demand high-cadence multicolor
observations. The wide field-of-view ensures that a large portion of the Moon
is observed, while the simultaneous, high-cadence, monitoring in two
photometric bands makes possible, for the first time, the determination of the
temperatures of the impacts on the Moon's surface and the validation of the
impact flashes from a single site. Considering the varying background level on
the Moon's surface we demonstrate that the NELIOTA system can detect NEO impact
flashes at a 2.5 signal-to-noise level of ~12.4 mag in the I-band and R-band
for observations made at low lunar phases ~0.1. We report 31 NEO impact flashes
detected during the first year of the NELIOTA campaign. The faintest flash was
at 11.24 mag in the R-band (about two magnitudes fainter than ever observed
before) at lunar phase 0.32. Our observations suggest a detection rate of events .Comment: Accepted for publication in A&
Precursor flares in OJ 287
We have studied three most recent precursor flares in the light curve of the
blazar OJ 287 while invoking the presence of a precessing binary black hole in
the system to explain the nature of these flares. Precursor flare timings from
the historical light curves are compared with theoretical predictions from our
model that incorporate effects of an accretion disk and post-Newtonian
description for the binary black hole orbit. We find that the precursor flares
coincide with the secondary black hole descending towards the accretion disk of
the primary black hole from the observed side, with a mean z-component of
approximately z_c = 4000 AU. We use this model of precursor flares to predict
that precursor flare of similar nature should happen around 2020.96 before the
next major outburst in 2022.Comment: to appear in the Astrophysical Journa
Prognostic value of follicular fluid 25-OH vitamin D and glucose levels in the IVF outcome
Objectives: The aim of the present study was to measure serum and follicular fluid 25-OH vitamin D and glucose levels in women who underwent IVF-ET treatment and to further investigate whether the circulating 25-OH vitamin D and glucose levels correlate with IVF success. Methods: This prospective observational study included 101 consecutive women who underwent 101 IVF-ICSI ovarian stimulation cycles and were allocated to one of the three groups according to their follicular fluid 25-OH vitamin D concentrations. Group A (n = 31) with less than 20 ng/ml, group B (n = 49) with vitamin levels between 20.1 and 30 ng/ml and group C (n = 21) with more than 30 ng/ml vitamin concentration. Results: Follicular fluid vitamin levels significantly correlated with the quality of embryos in total (r = -0.27, p = 0.027), while the quality of embryos of group C were of lower quality as compared to those of groups A and B (p = 0.009). Follicular fluid glucose levels were lower in women of group C as compared to the respective levels of groups A and B (p = 0.003). Clinical pregnancy rate demonstrated in 14.5% in women of group C and 32.3% and 32.7% in groups A and B, respectively (p = 0.047). Conclusion: The data suggests that excess serum and follicular fluid vitamin levels in combination with decreased follicular fluid glucose levels have a detrimental impact on the IVF outcome
Brief communication: A first hydrological investigation of extreme August 2023 floods in Slovenia, Europe
Extreme floods occurred from 4 to 6 August 2023 in Slovenia causing three casualties and causing total direct and indirect damage, including post-disaster needs according to the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), close to EUR 10 billion. The atypical summer weather conditions combined with the high air and sea temperatures in the Mediterranean and the high soil moisture led to the most extreme flood event in Slovenia in recent decades. The return periods of both daily and sub-daily precipitation extremes and peak discharges reached 250–500 years, and the runoff coefficient of a typical torrential and mostly forested mesoscale catchment was around 0.5. In addition, flooding, soil erosion, mass movements and river sediment transport processes caused major damage to buildings (more than 12 000 houses) and diverse infrastructure.</p
Calcium Channel Blockers and Esophageal Sclerosis: Should We Expect Exacerbation of Interstitial Lung Disease?
Esophageal sclerosis is the most common visceral manifestation of systemic sclerosis, resulting in impaired esophageal clearance and retention of ingested food; in addition, co-existence of lung fibrosis with esophageal scleroderma is not uncommon. Both the progression of generalized connective tissue disorders and the damaging effect of chronic aspiration due to esophageal dysmotility appear to be involved in this procedure of interstitial fibrosis. Nifedipine is a widely prescribed calcium antagonist in a significant percentage of rheumatologic patients suffering from Raynaud syndrome, in order to inhibit peripheral vasospasm. Nevertheless, blocking calcium channels has proven to contribute to exacerbation of gastroesophageal reflux, which consequently can lead to chronic aspiration. We describe the case of severe exacerbation of interstitial lung disease in a 76-year-old female with esophageal sclerosis who was treated with oral nifedipine for Raynaud syndrome
Period changes in six semi-detached Algol-type binaries
Six semi-detached Algol-type binaries lacking a period analysis were chosen
to test for a presence of a third body. The O-C diagrams of these binaries were
analyzed with the least-squares method by using all available times of minima.
Also fourteen new minima, obtained from our observations, were included in the
present research. The light-time effect was adopted as a main factor for the
detailed description of the long-term period changes. Third bodies were found
with orbital periods from 46 up to 84 years, and eccentricities from 0.0 to
0.78 for the selected binaries. The mass functions and the minimal masses of
such bodies were also calculated.Comment: 14 pages, 8 figure
Period changes in six contact binaries: WZ And, V803 Aql, DF Hya, PY Lyr, FZ Ori, and AH Tau
Six contact binaries lacking a period analysis have been chosen to search for
the presence of a third body. The O-C diagrams of these binaries were analyzed
with the least-squares method by using all available times of minima. Ten new
minima times, obtained from our observations, were included in the present
research. The Light-Time Effect was adopted for the first time as the main
cause for the detailed description of the long-term period changes. Third
bodies were found with orbital periods from 49 up to 100 years, and
eccentricities from 0.0 to 0.56 for the selected binaries. In one case (WZ
And), a fourth-body LITE variation was also applied. The mass functions and the
minimal masses of such bodies were also calculated and a possible angular
separation and magnitude differences were discussed for a prospective
interferometric discovery of these bodies.Comment: 7 pages, 8 figures, 2009 New Astronomy 14, 12
Towards ensemble asteroseismology of the young open clusters Chi Persei and NGC 6910
As a result of the variability survey in Chi Persei and NGC6910, the number
of Beta Cep stars that are members of these two open clusters is increased to
twenty stars, nine in NGC6910 and eleven in Chi Persei. We compare pulsational
properties, in particular the frequency spectra, of Beta Cep stars in both
clusters and explain the differences in terms of the global parameters of the
clusters. We also indicate that the more complicated pattern of the variability
among B type stars in Chi Persei is very likely caused by higher rotational
velocities of stars in this cluster. We conclude that the sample of pulsating
stars in the two open clusters constitutes a very good starting point for the
ensemble asteroseismology of Beta Cep-type stars and maybe also for other
B-type pulsators.Comment: 4 pages, Astronomische Nachrichten, HELAS IV Conference, Arecife,
Lanzarote, Feb 2010, submitte
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