Observational signatures of past mass-exchange episodes in massive binaries: The case of LSS 3074

The role of mass and momentum exchanges in close massive binaries is very important in the subsequent evolution of the components. Such exchanges produce several observational signatures such as asynchronous rotation and altered chemical compositions, that remain after the stars detach again. We investigated these effects for the close O-star binary LSS 3074 (O4 f + O6-7 :(f):), which is a good candidate for a past Roche lobe overflow (RLOF) episode because of its very short orbital period, P = 2.185 days, and the luminosity classes of both components. We determined a new orbital solution for the system. We studied the photometric light curves to determine the inclination of the orbit and Roche lobe filling factors of both stars. Using phase-resolved spectroscopy, we performed the disentangling of the optical spectra of the two stars. We then analysed the reconstructed primary and secondary spectra with the CMFGEN model atmosphere code to determine stellar parameters, such as the effective temperatures and surface gravities, and to constrain the chemical composition of the components. We confirm the apparent low stellar masses and radii reported in previous studies. We also find a strong overabundance in nitrogen and a strong carbon and oxygen depletion in both primary and secondary atmospheres, together with a strong enrichment in helium of the primary star. We propose several possible evolutionary pathways through a RLOF process to explain the current parameters of the system. We confirm that the system is apparently in overcontact configuration and has lost a significant portion of its mass to its surroundings. We suggest that some of the discrepancies between the spectroscopic and photometric properties of LSS 3074 could stem from the impact of a strong radiation pressure of the primary

Terminological challenges in the translation of science documentaries: a case-study

This article aims to describe some of the main terminological problems audiovisual translators have to face when dealing with the translation of science documentaries, specifically in the English-Catalan combination. The first section of the article presents some theoretical concepts which underlie this research and which are taken, for the most part, from Cabré's Communicative Theory of Terminology. Then, specific terminological problems audiovisual translators have to solve are described using the data provided by a corpus of four science documentaries lasting approximately 50 minutes each. These challenges include identifying a term, understanding a term, finding the right equivalent, dealing with the absence of an adequate equivalent, solving denominative variations, choosing between in vivo and in vitro terminology, and overcoming mistranscriptions

Syndrome de Susac chez un homme.

The association of an acute encephalopathy, neurosensory hearing loss and retinal branch artery occlusions in a 35 year old man as well as the absence of systemic disease suggest the diagnosis of Susac's syndrome. This is the eighth male case described, the syndrome being more frequently reported in females

[Susac's syndrome in a 35-year-old man.]

The association of an acute encephalopathy, neurosensory hearing loss and retinal branch artery occlusions in a 35 year old man as well as the absence of systemic disease suggest the diagnosis of Susac's syndrome. This is the eighth male case described, the syndrome being more frequently reported in females

Mesozoic sedimentary cover sequences of the Congo Basin in the Kasai region, Democratic Republic of Congo

The Congo Basin represents one of the largest and least studied continental sedimentary basins in the world. The stratigraphy of cover sequences across the basin is poorly resolved and a somewhat simple stratigraphy has generally been applied with gross subdivision of the Mesozoic-Cenozoic cover sequences into a number weakly correlated units. Although these subdivisions are useful for broad, regional-scale correlations, investigation of drill cores and outcrop in the shallow, southern Kasai part of the basin, from Tshikapa to Kabinda, reveals considerable facies, provenance and thickness variations, suggesting a more complex depositional and stratigraphic history than previously recognized. This study now permits the subdivision of the sedimentary cover in the Kasai portion of the Congo Basin into five distinct depositional sequences consisting of (1) P1: Permo-Carboniferous glacio-lacustrine deposits correlative to the Lukuga Group; (2) J1: Jurassic-age arid to semi-arid laminated shales and siltstones and aeolian sandstones, interpreted as ephemeral lake and sand dune sequences with interspersed loess deposits and rare fluvial channel sequences (considered part of the historic Lualaba-Lubilash Supergroup—the lacustrine facies likely correlates with the Stanleyville Group, DRC and the Continental Intercalar Group, Angola); (3) C1 & C2: Lower Cretaceous locally heavy mineral-rich fluvial sandstone deposits and variably present basal conglomerate (correlated to the Loia Group, DRC and the Calonda Formation, Angola); (4) C3 & C4: Upper Cretaceous conglomerates of alluvial fan origin that grade upward into laminated shales and siltstones or well-sorted and rounded, fined grained sandstones representative of a semi-arid to arid depositional setting dominated by ephemeral lakes and small aeolian dunes, (equated to the Kwango Group, DRC and Angola) and (5) T1: fluvial, aeolian and lacustrine sediments of Paleogene age (correlated with portions of the Kalahari Group). The results convincingly suggest that this part of the Congo Basin is more structurally complex than previously appreciated, with multiple fault-bounded basement highs and depocenters that strongly influenced regional sedimentation patterns. Prolonged and sporadic displacement appears to have taken place along these faults, leading to heavily bisected basin morphology with uneven thickness and depth distributions between sequences. The deposition of Cretaceous sequences was coeval with two episodes of kimberlite emplacement, the first at ~120–130 Ma in northern Angola, and the second at ~70–80 Ma in the DRC, with gravel horizons within the Cretaceous fluvial successions (C1 and C3) known for their alluvial diamond concentration. The models developed provide a regional context for evaluation of alluvial diamond source areas and prospectivity

Characteristics of Susac syndrome: a review of all reported cases

In Susac syndrome, occlusions of microvessels-presumed to be mediated by an autoimmune response to an as yet unknown antigen--lead to a characteristic clinical triad of CNS dysfunction, branch retinal artery occlusions, and sensorineural hearing impairment. Susac syndrome is considered a rare but important differential diagnosis in numerous neurological, psychiatric, ophthalmological, and ear, nose and throat disorders. Improved understanding of this disorder is crucial, therefore, to ensure that patients receive appropriate treatment and care. Current knowledge on Susac syndrome is largely based on reports of single patients, small case series, and nonsystematic reviews. The aim of this Review is to extend these previous, primarily anecdotal findings by compiling data from all 304 cases of Susac syndrome that have been published worldwide, which were identified following a literature search with predefined search, inclusion and exclusion criteria. From this data, we present an overview of demographic, clinical and diagnostic data on Susac syndrome, providing a reliable basis for our current understanding of this rare disease. Where possible, we make recommendations for clinical diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and management of patients with suspected Susac syndrome