Eclipsing high-mass binaries I. Light curves and system parameters for CPD-518946, PISMIS24-1 and HD319702

We present first results of a comprehensive photometric O-star survey performed with a robotic twin refractor at the Universit\"atssternwarte Bochum located near Cerro Armazones in Chile. For three high-mass stars, namely Pismis24-1, CPD-518946 and HD319702, we determined the period through the Lafler-Kinman algorithm and model the light curves within the framework of the Roche geometry. For Pismis24-1, a previously known eclipsing binary, we provide first light curves and determined a photometric period of 2.36 days together with an orbital inclination of 61.8 degrees. The best-fitting model solution to the light curves suggest a detached configuration. With a primary temperature of T1 = 42520K we obtain the temperature of the secondary component as T2 = 41500K. CPD-518946 is another known eclipsing binary for which we present a revised photometric period of 1.96 days with an orbital inclination of 58.4 degrees. The system has likely a semi-detached configuration and a mass ratio q = M1/M2 = 2.8. If we adopt a primary temperature of T1 = 34550K we obtain T2 = 21500K for the secondary component. HD319702 is a newly discovered eclipsing binary member of the young open cluster NGC6334. The system shows well-defined eclipses favouring a detached configuration with a period of 2.0 days and an orbital inclination of 67.5 degrees. Combining our photometric result with the primary spectral type O8 III(f) (T1 = 34000K) we derive a temperature of T2 = 25200K for the secondary component.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic

Indomethacin decreases viscosity of gallbladder bile in patients with cholesterol gallstone disease

There is experimental evidence that inhibition of cyclooxygenase with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may decrease cholesterol gall-stone formation and mitigate biliary pain in gall-stone patients. The mechanisms by which NSAIDs exert these effect are unclear. In a prospective, controlled clinical trial we examined the effects of oral indomethacin on the composition of human gall-bladder bile. The study included 28 patients with symptomatic cholesterol or mixed gallstones. Of these, 8 were treated with 3 × 25 mg indomethacin daily for 7 days prior to elective cholecystectomy while 20 received no treatment and served as controls. Bile and tissue samples from the gallbladder were obtained during cholecystectomy. Indomethacin tissue levels in the gallbladder mucosa, as assessed by HPLC, were 1.05±0.4 ng/mg wet weight, a concentration known to inhibit effectively cyclooxygenase activity. Nevertheless, no differences between the treated and untreated groups were found in the concentrations of biliary mucus glycoprotein (0.94±0.27 versus 0.93±0.32 mg/ml) or total protein (5.8±0.9 versus 6.4±1.3 mg/ml), cholesterol saturation (1.3±0.2 versus 1.5±0.2), or nucleation time (2.0±3.0 versus 1.5±2.0 days). However, biliary viscosity, measured using a low-shear rotation viscosimeter, was significantly lower in patients receiving indomethacin treatment (2.9±0.6 versus 5.6±1.2 mPa.s; P < 0.02). In conclusion, in man oral indomethacin decreases bile viscosity without alteration of bile lithogenicity or biliary mucus glycoprotein content. Since mucus glycoproteins are major determinants of bile viscosity, an alteration in mucin macromolecular composition may conceivably cause the indomethacin-induced decrease in biliary viscosity and explain the beneficial effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in gallstone disease

Dust reverberation-mapping of the Seyfert 1 galaxy WPVS48

Using robotic telescopes of the Universitatssternwarte Bochum near Cerro Armazones in Chile, we monitored the z=0.0377 Seyfert 1 galaxy WPVS48 (2MASX J09594263-3112581) in the optical (B and R) and near-infrared (NIR, J and Ks) with a cadence of two days. The light curves show unprecedented variability details. The NIR variation features of WPVS48 are consistent with the corresponding optical variations, but the features appear sharper in the NIR than in the optical, suggesting that the optical photons undergo multiple scatterings. The J and Ks emission, tracing the hot (1600 K) dust echo, lags the B and R variations by on average 64 +/- 4 days and 71 +/- 5 days, respectively (restframe). WPVS48 lies on the known tau-M_V relationship. However, the observed lag is about three times shorter than expected from the dust sublimation radius r_sub inferred from the optical-UV luminosity, and explanations for this common discrepancy are searched for. The sharp NIR echos argue for a face-on torus geometry and allow us to put forward two potential scenarios: 1) as previously proposed, in the equatorial plane of the accretion disk the inner region of the torus is flattened and may come closer to the accretion disk. 2) The dust torus with inner radius r_sub is geometrically and optically thick, so that the observer only sees the facing rim of the torus wall, which lies closer to the observer than the torus equatorial plane and therefore leads to an observed foreshortened lag. Both scenarios are able to explain the factor three discrepancy between tau and r_sub. Longer-wavelength dust reverberation data might enable one to distinguish between the scenarios.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figures, Published in Astronomy and Astrophysic

Primer registro de infestación de Epicrates cenchria cenchria (Squamata: Boidae) por Porocephalus (Pentastomida: Porocephalidae) en Ecuador

Endoparasites of the genus Porocephalus, which mainly affect lungs of snakes, are distributed in Asia, Africa and America. In Ecuador, these parasites have been reported only for Boa constrictor. Here, we report the first record of infestation of Porocephalus in Epicrates cenchria cenchria from the Ecuadorian Amazon, based on examination of museum specimens. We found 26 parasitic individuals in 4 infected snakes, with a maximum of 16 individuals in a juvenile snake, and a minimum of 2 in an adult snake. Morphometric characters of the Ecuadorian populations of Porocephalus do not agree with those described for the genus. Therefore, we recommend a thorough analysis to define the taxonomic identity of these parasites.Los endoparásitos del género Porocephalus, que infectan principalmente los pulmones de serpientes, se encuentran distribuidos en Asia, África y América. En Ecuador este parásito ha sido reportado únicamente en Boa constrictor. En el presente estudio reportamos los primeros registros de infestación de Porocephalus en Epicrates cenchria cenchria para la Amazonía ecuatoriana, basados en la revisión de especímenes de museo. Encontramos 26 individuos parásitos en 4 serpientes infectadas, con un máximo de 16 individuos en una serpiente joven y un mínimo de 2 en una serpiente adulta. La variabilidad morfométrica de las poblaciones ecuatorianas no encaja con las especies descritas de Porocephalus, por lo que recomendamos un análisis profundo para definir la identidad de estos parásitos

Using PUF disk passive samplers to simultaneously measure air concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) across the Tuscany Region, Italy

AbstractPassive air samplers consisting of polyurethane foam (PUF) disks were deployed simultaneously over 2–4 month periods from April to July 2008 at 19 locations throughout the Tuscany Region at urban (n=9), rural (n=7) and agricultural sites (n=3). The purpose of the study was to assess the gas–phase air concentrations of PCBs, OCPs, PBDEs and PAHs on a local and regional scale. Derived air concentrations (pg m−3) ranged from below detection limit (BDL) to 300 for Σ6PCBs and from BDL to 30 for Σ3PBDEs. As expected, the highest PCB concentrations (pg m−3) were observed at urban sites, peaking in Piombino (300). PBDEs, however, exhibited a “reverse gradient” (i.e. rural>agricultural>urban) with highest air concentration at the rural site, Arcidoso (30). Levels of OCPs showed less distinct differences among the three site types. The most frequently detected OCPs were Endosulfan I, γ–HCH and α–HCH. Endosulfan I ranged from BDL to 2 200pg m−3, α–HCH from BDL to 610, and γ–HCH from BDL to 1 100. The high air concentrations of HCHs were surprising and possibly due to continued and illegal use – especially at agricultural and urban sites that exhibited the highest levels in air. PAHs showed highest concentrations (pg m−3) at agricultural and urban sites, ranging from 290 to 4 700 and were generally consistent with other data sets from Europe. PAHs were dominated by the 3–ring PAHs (76±6)%, with phenanthrene alone accounting for (45±11%) of the total PAHs. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using PUF disks as time–integrating passive air samplers for assessing local and regional scale concentrations of a wide range of POPs in central Italy. Given their low cost and simplicity, passive air samplers are the preferred option for conducting concurrent sampling at multiple sites for monitoring and research purposes

Occurrence of chlorpyrifos in the atmosphere of the Araucanía Region in Chile using polyurethane foam-based passive air samplers

Abstract Little is known regarding the use and ambient levels of pesticides in Chilean agricultural regions. Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is one of the most used active ingredients in Chile and in the world. However, few investigations have been conducted to understand its environmental distribution and fate. In this study, PUF disk passive air samples were deployed during ∼one year in two areas, Angol (5 sites) and Villarrica (2 sites), in the Araucania Region. The concentration in air of CPF ranged from ten to thousands of pg m−3 (∼20–14 600). The highest CPF concentrations were detected at the Angol sites (∼14 600 pg m3) during period 2 (August–December 2008). These results were higher by a factor of ∼10–15 than those detected in Villarica sites (∼2000 pg m3) in period 1 (April–July 2008). Seasonal CPF variations were observed, at both sites, within the sampling periods. Air back trajectory analyses showed that air masses from nearby agricultural zones contributed most of the CPF detected in Angol sites when the wind speed was low and at Villarrica when those sources were likely located north of the VMA site. These results provide initial data for CPF in the Chilean atmosphere and contribute new information to understanding distribution of CPF in Chilean environments

Using PUF disk passive samplers to simultaneously measure air concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) across the Tuscany Region, Italy

Abstract Passive air samplers consisting of polyurethane foam (PUF) disks were deployed simultaneously over 2–4 month periods from April to July 2008 at 19 locations throughout the Tuscany Region at urban (n = 9), rural (n = 7) and agricultural sites (n = 3). The purpose of the study was to assess the gas–phase air concentrations of PCBs, OCPs, PBDEs and PAHs on a local and regional scale. Derived air concentrations (pg m −3 ) ranged from below detection limit (BDL) to 300 for Σ 6 PCBs and from BDL to 30 for Σ 3 PBDEs. As expected, the highest PCB concentrations (pg m −3 ) were observed at urban sites, peaking in Piombino (300). PBDEs, however, exhibited a "reverse gradient" (i.e. rural>agricultural>urban) with highest air concentration at the rural site, Arcidoso (30). Levels of OCPs showed less distinct differences among the three site types. The most frequently detected OCPs were Endosulfan I, γ–HCH and α–HCH. Endosulfan I ranged from BDL to 2 200 pg m −3 , α–HCH from BDL to 610, and γ–HCH from BDL to 1 100. The high air concentrations of HCHs were surprising and possibly due to continued and illegal use – especially at agricultural and urban sites that exhibited the highest levels in air. PAHs showed highest concentrations (pg m −3 ) at agricultural and urban sites, ranging from 290 to 4 700 and were generally consistent with other data sets from Europe. PAHs were dominated by the 3–ring PAHs (76 ± 6)%, with phenanthrene alone accounting for (45 ± 11%) of the total PAHs. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using PUF disks as time–integrating passive air samplers for assessing local and regional scale concentrations of a wide range of POPs in central Italy. Given their low cost and simplicity, passive air samplers are the preferred option for conducting concurrent sampling at multiple sites for monitoring and research purposes

Survey of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the atmosphere of rural, urban and industrial areas of Concepción, Chile, using passive air samplers

Passive air samplers (PAS) consisting of polyurethane foam (PUF) disks were used to assess air concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in rural, urban, and industrial sites in Concepcion, Chile during a two-month deployment in the summer of 2007. Results for PCBs and PAHs showed a clear rural-urban-industrial gradient. PCB air concentrations (pg m(-3)) ranged from similar to 30 to similar to 350 and were similar to 2 to 5 times higher at industrial sites compared to rural sites. For PAHs, air concentrations (ng m(-3)) ranged from 26 to 230 and were 4 to 8 times higher at industrial sites. The PCB congener profile was dominated by high molecular weight PCBs at urban and industrial sites. The PAH profile was dominated by 3- and 4-ring PAHs accounting for more than 90% of the Sigma(15)PAH, and dominated by phenanthrene (similar to 40%). Of the HCH isomers, only gamma-HCH was detected with air concentrations ranging from 5 to 120 pg m(-3). While for DDT isomers, p,p'-DDE was the only compound detected, ranging from below detection limit (BDL) to 360 pg m(-3). Other OCPs (chlordanes, heptachlor and Dieldrin) showed low air concentrations (pg m(-3)) on the order of similar to 1 - 3. Endosulfan, which is a newly listed persistent organic pollutant (POP) under the Stockholm Convention (SC) on POPs, ranged from 14 to 20 pg m(-3). Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) also newly listed under the SC, were relatively uniform across the transect with air concentrations (pg m(-3)) in the range of similar to 5 to 10. This study represents one of the first efforts to characterize the POPs composition in ambient air for urban and industrial areas of Chile

The European Flood Alert System - Part 1: Concept and Development

This paper presents the development of the European Flood Alert System (EFAS), which aims at increasing preparedness for floods in trans-national European river basins by providing local water authorities with medium-range and probabilistic flood forecasting information 3 to 10 days in advance. The EFAS research project started in 2003 with the development of a prototype at the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC), in close collaboration with the national hydrological and meteorological services. The prototype covers the whole of Europe on a 5 km grid. In parallel, different high-resolution data sets have been collected for the Elbe and Danube river basins, allowing the potential of the system under optimum conditions and on a higher resolution, to be assessed. Flood warning lead-times of 3-10 days are achieved through the incorporation of medium-range weather forecasts from the Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD) and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), comprising a full set of 51 probabilistic forecasts from the Ensemble Prediction System (EPS) provided by ECMWF. The ensemble of different hydrographs is analysed and combined to produce early flood warning information, which is disseminated to the hydrological services that have agreed to participate in the development of the system. In Part I of this paper, the scientific approach adopted in development of the system is presented. The rational of the project, the system¿s set-up, its underlying components, basic principles, and products, are described. In Part II, results of a detailed statistical analysis of the performance of the system are shown, with regard to both probabilistic and deterministic forecastsJRC.H.7-Land management and natural hazard