514 research outputs found
Oscillations in ÎČ Ursae Minoris
Aims. From observations of the K4III star ÎČ UMi we attempt to determine whether oscillations or any other form of variability is present.
Methods. A high-quality photometric time series of â1000 days in length obtained from the SMEI instrument on the Coriolis satellite is analysed. Various statistical tests were performed to determine the significance of features seen in the power density spectrum of the light curve.
Results. Two oscillations with frequencies 2.44 and 2.92 ÎŒHz have been identified. We interpret these oscillations as consecutive overtones of an acoustic spectrum, implying a large frequency spacing of 0.48 ÎŒHz. Using derived asteroseismic parameters in combination with known astrophysical parameters, we estimate the mass of ÎČ UMi to be 1.3 ± 0.3 M. Peaks of the oscillations in the
power density spectrum show width, implying that modes are stochastically excited and damped by convection. The mode lifetime is estimated at 18 ± 9 days
Asteroseismology of red giants: photometric observations of Arcturus by SMEI
We present new results on oscillations of the K1.5 III giant Arcturus (alpha
Boo), from analysis of just over 2.5 yr of precise photometric observations
made by the Solar Mass Ejection Imager (SMEI) on board the Coriolis satellite.
A strong mode of oscillation is uncovered by the analysis, having frequency
3.51+/-0.03 micro-Hertz. By fitting its mode peak, we are able offer a highly
constrained direct estimate of the damping time (tau = 24+/-1 days). The data
also hint at the possible presence of several radial-mode overtones, and maybe
some non-radial modes. We are also able to measure the properties of the
granulation on the star, with the characteristic timescale for the granulation
estimated to be 0.50+/-0.05 days.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures; accepted for publication in MNRAS Letter
SMEI observations of previously unseen pulsation frequencies in Îł Doradus
Aims. As g-mode pulsators, gamma-Doradus-class stars may naĂŻvely be expected to show a large number of modes. Taking advantage of the long photometric time-series generated by the solar mass ejection imager (SMEI) instrument, we have studied the star gamma Doradus to determine whether any other modes than the three already known are present at observable amplitude.
Methods. High-precision photometric data from SMEI taken between April 2003 and March 2006 were subjected to periodogram analysis with the PERIOD04 package.
Results. We confidently determine three additional frequencies at 1.39, 1.87, and 2.743 dâ1. These are above and beyond the known frequencies of 1.320, 1.364, and 1.47 dâ1.
Conclusions. Two of the new frequencies, at 1.39 and 1.87 dâ1, are speculated to be additional modes of oscillation, with the third frequency at 2.743â1 a possible combination frequency
Two spatial scales in a bleaching event : corals from the mildest and the most extreme thermal environments escape mortality
Author Posting. © Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography, 2013. This article is posted here by permission of Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Limnology and Oceanography 58 (2013): 1531-1545, doi:10.4319/lo.2013.58.5.1531.In summer 2010, a bleaching event decimated the abundant reef flat coral Stylophora pistillata in some areas of the central Red Sea, where a series of coral reefs 100â300 m wide by several kilometers long extends from the coastline to about 20 km offshore. Mortality of corals along the exposed and protected sides of inner (inshore) and mid and outer (offshore) reefs and in situ and satellite sea surface temperatures (SSTs) revealed that the variability in the mortality event corresponded to two spatial scales of temperature variability: 300 m across the reef flat and 20 km across a series of reefs. However, the relationship between coral mortality and habitat thermal severity was opposite at the two scales. SSTs in summer 2010 were similar or increased modestly (0.5°C) in the outer and mid reefs relative to 2009. In the inner reef, 2010 temperatures were 1.4°C above the 2009 seasonal maximum for several weeks. We detected little or no coral mortality in mid and outer reefs. In the inner reef, mortality depended on exposure. Within the inner reef, mortality was modest on the protected (shoreward) side, the most severe thermal environment, with highest overall mean and maximum temperatures. In contrast, acute mortality was observed in the exposed (seaward) side, where temperature fluctuations and upper water temperature values were relatively less extreme. Refuges to thermally induced coral bleaching may include sites where extreme, high-frequency thermal variability may select for coral holobionts preadapted to, and physiologically condition corals to withstand, regional increases in water temperature.J.C.B.S. was partially supported by FundacžaËo para a CieËncia e
a Tecnologia (project PEst-C/MAR/LA0015/2011) and by the
European Regional Development Fund through the Operational
Competitiveness Programme (National Strategic Reference
Framework). Kristen Davis was partially supported by a Woods
Hole Oceanographic Institution postdoctoral scholarship. This research was supported by KAUST with awards USA 00002 and
KSA 00011
ââYou try to keep a brave face on but inside you are in bitsââ: Grandparent experiences of engaging with professionals in Childrenâs Services
This article presents findings from an evaluation conducted in 2012, of the advice and advocacy service provided by the charity Family Rights Group for families involved with childrenâs services. It specifically focuses on the experiences of grandparents and explores accounts from grandparents who were either in the process of seeking care of their grandchildren or were already caring for grandchildren but without formal support or recognition. The findings suggest that there is a need to pay greater attention to the fears of such grandparents about childrenâs services in a context where there appears to be a policy preference for adoption. Also evident is a paradox at the heart of contemporary social work practices towards grandparents. While some felt dismissed and marginalized very quickly by social workers and imaginative approaches to care possibilities did not appear to be pursued, others were carrying enormous burdens of care often for very long periods of time without either financial support or legal recognition.
To strengthen the care options for children and respect the ethic of care that is clearly to be observed operating in grandparenting practices, it is suggested that a more thorough interrogation of the multiple and often highly contradictory meanings attached to family is required on the part of social workers
Solar-like oscillations in low-luminosity red giants: first results from Kepler
We have measured solar-like oscillations in red giants using time-series
photometry from the first 34 days of science operations of the Kepler Mission.
The light curves, obtained with 30-minute sampling, reveal clear oscillations
in a large sample of G and K giants, extending in luminosity from the red clump
down to the bottom of the giant branch. We confirm a strong correlation between
the large separation of the oscillations (Delta nu) and the frequency of
maximum power (nu_max). We focus on a sample of 50 low-luminosity stars (nu_max
> 100 muHz, L <~ 30 L_sun) having high signal-to-noise ratios and showing the
unambiguous signature of solar-like oscillations. These are H-shell-burning
stars, whose oscillations should be valuable for testing models of stellar
evolution and for constraining the star-formation rate in the local disk. We
use a new technique to compare stars on a single echelle diagram by scaling
their frequencies and find well-defined ridges corresponding to radial and
non-radial oscillations, including clear evidence for modes with angular degree
l=3. Measuring the small separation between l=0 and l=2 allows us to plot the
so-called C-D diagram of delta nu_02 versus Delta nu. The small separation
delta nu_01 of l=1 from the midpoint of adjacent l=0 modes is negative,
contrary to the Sun and solar-type stars. The ridge for l=1 is notably
broadened, which we attribute to mixed modes, confirming theoretical
predictions for low-luminosity giants. Overall, the results demonstrate the
tremendous potential of Kepler data for asteroseismology of red giants.Comment: accepted by ApJ Letters, to appear in special Kepler issue. Updated
reference
The ATLAS SCT grounding and shielding concept and implementation
This paper presents a complete description of Virgo, the French-Italian gravitational wave detector. The detector, built at Cascina, near Pisa (Italy), is a very large Michelson interferometer, with 3 km-long arms. In this paper, following a presentation of the physics requirements, leading to the specifications for the construction of the detector, a detailed description of all its different elements is given. These include civil engineering infrastructures, a huge ultra-high vacuum (UHV) chamber (about 6000 cubic metres), all of the optical components, including high quality mirrors and their seismic isolating suspensions, all of the electronics required to control the interferometer and for signal detection. The expected performances of these different elements are given, leading to an overall sensitivity curve as a function of the incoming gravitational wave frequency. This description represents the detector as built and used in the first data-taking runs. Improvements in different parts have been and continue to be performed, leading to better sensitivities. These will be detailed in a forthcoming paper
HEART Rate Variability Biofeedback for LOng COVID Dysautonomia (HEARTLOC): Results of a Feasibility Study
Introduction:
Post-COVID-19 syndrome, or Long Covid (LC) refers to symptoms persisting 12âweeks after the COVID-19 infection. LC comprises a wide range of dysautonomia symptoms, including fatigue, breathlessness, palpitations, dizziness, pain and brain fog. This study tested the feasibility and estimated the efficacy, of a Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback (HRV-B) programme via a standardised slow diaphragmatic breathing technique in individuals with LC.
Methods:
LC patients underwent a 4-week HRV-B intervention for 10âminutes twice daily for 4âweeks using the Polar H10 ECG (Electrocardiogram) chest strap and Elite HRV phone application. Outcome measures C19-YRSm (Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale modified), Composite Autonomic Symptom Score (COMPASS-31), WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS), EQ5D-5L (EuroQol 5 Dimensions) and Root Mean Square of Successive Differences between heartbeats (RMSSD) using a Fitbit device were recorded before and after the intervention. The study was pre-registered at clinicaltrials.gov NCT05228665.
Results:
A total of 13 participants (54% female, 46% male) completed the study with high levels of independent use of technology, data completeness and intervention adherence. There was a statistically significant improvement in C19YRS-m (Pâ=â.001), COMPASS-31 (Pâ=â.007), RMSSD (Pâ=â.047), WHODAS (Pâ=â.02) and EQ5D Global Health Score (Pâ=â.009). Qualitative feedback suggested participants could use it independently, were satisfied with the intervention and reported beneficial effects from the intervention.
Conclusion:
HRV-B using diaphragmatic breathing is a feasible intervention for LC. The small sample size limits generalisability. HRV-B in LC warrants further exploration in a larger randomised controlled study
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