99 research outputs found
Simultaneous GPS-tracking of parents reveals a similar parental investment within pairs, but no immediate co-adjustment on a trip-to-trip basis
Amorphous alumina in the extended atmosphere of Alpha Orionis
In this paper we study the extended atmosphere of the late-type supergiant
Alpha Orionis. Infrared spectroscopy of red supergiants reveals strong
molecular bands, some of which do not originate in the photosphere but in a
cooler layer of molecular material above it. Lately, these layers have been
spatially resolved by near and mid-IR interferometry. In this paper, we try to
reconcile the IR interferometric and ISO-SWS spectroscopic results on Alpha
Orionis with a thorough modelling of the photosphere, molecular layer(s) and
dust shell. From the ISO and near-IR interferometric observations, we find that
Alpha Orionis has only a very low density water layer close above the
photosphere. However, mid-IR interferometric observations and a narrow-slit
N-band spectrum suggest much larger extra-photospheric opacity close to the
photosphere at those wavelengths, even when taking into account the detached
dust shell. We argue that this cannot be due to the water layer, and that
another source of mid-IR opacity must be present. We show that this opacity
source is probably neither molecular nor chromospheric. Rather, we present
amorphous alumina (Al2O3) as the best candidate and discuss this hypothesis in
the framework of dust-condensation scenarios.Comment: 15 pages, 18 figures, accepted for publication in A&
Structure of the outer layers of cool standard stars
Context: Among late-type red giants, an interesting change occurs in the
structure of the outer atmospheric layers as one moves to later spectral types
in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram: a chromosphere is always present, but the
coronal emission diminishes and a cool massive wind steps in.
Aims: Where most studies have focussed on short-wavelength observations, this
article explores the influence of the chromosphere and the wind on
long-wavelength photometric measurements.
Methods: The observational spectral energy distributions are compared with
the theoretical predictions of the MARCS atmosphere models for a sample of 9 K-
and M-giants. The discrepancies found are explained using basic models for flux
emission originating from a chromosphere or an ionized wind.
Results: For 7 out of 9 sample stars, a clear flux excess is detected at
(sub)millimeter and/or centimeter wavelengths. The precise start of the excess
depends upon the star under consideration. The flux at wavelengths shorter than
about 1 mm is most likely dominated by an optically thick chromosphere, where
an optically thick ionized wind is the main flux contributor at longer
wavelengths.
Conclusions: Although the optical to mid-infrared spectrum of the studied K-
and M-giants is well represented by a radiative equilibrium atmospheric model,
the presence of a chromosphere and/or ionized stellar wind at higher altitudes
dominates the spectrum in the (sub)millimeter and centimeter wavelength ranges.
The presence of a flux excess also has implications on the role of these stars
as fiducial spectrophotometric calibrators in the (sub)millimeter and
centimeter wavelength range.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figures, 7 pages of online material, submitted to A&
Heterogeneity of G6PD deficiency prevalence in Mozambique: a school-based cross-sectional survey in three different regions
Long-term photometric monitoring with the Mercator telescope. Frequencies and multicolour amplitudes of Doradus stars
Gamma Doradus stars are excellent targets for asteroseismology since the
gravity modes present in these stars probe the deep stellar interiors. Mode
identification will improve the knowledge of these stars considerably. A
selected group of Gamma Doradus stars and some candidates were observed with
the Mercator telescope to find and/or confirm the periodicities in the light
variations and to derive reliable amplitude ratios in different pass bands. A
frequency analysis was performed on all new data obtained in the Geneva
photometric system. In order to have more reliable and accurate frequencies,
the new data were combined with similar data from the literature and with
Hipparcos observations. A set of frequencies that minimized the the residuals
in a harmonic fit was searched for while allowing means and amplitudes to vary
from one observation set to another. Frequencies and amplitudes in the
photometric passbands of the Geneva system are given for 21 Gamma Doradus
stars. We report the discovery of HD 74504 as a newly found Gamma Doradus star.
Our study provides the first extensive multicolour database for the
understanding of gravity modes in F-type stars.Comment: Electronic tables (5 to 25) not included in this versio
Long term photometric monitoring with the Mercator telescope. Frequencies and mode identification of variable O-B stars
Aims. We selected a large sample of O-B stars that were considered as (candidate) slowly pulsating B, beta Cep, and Maia stars after the analysis of their hipparcos data. We analysed our new seven passband geneva data collected for these stars during the first three years of scientific operations of the mercator telescope. We performed a frequency analysis for 28 targets with more than 50 high-quality measurements to improve their variability classification. For the pulsating stars, we tried both to identify the modes and to search for rotationally split modes. Methods: We searched for frequencies in all the geneva passbands and colours by using two independent frequency analysis methods and we applied a 3.6 S/N-level criterion to locate the significant peaks in the periodograms. The modes were identified by applying the method of photometric amplitudes for which we calculated a large, homogeneous grid of equilibrium models to perform a pulsational stability analysis. When both the radius and the projected rotational velocity of an object are known, we determined a lower limit for the rotation frequency to estimate the expected frequency spacings in rotationally split pulsation modes. Results: We detected 61 frequencies, among which 33 are new. We classified 21 objects as pulsating variables (7 new confirmed pulsating stars, including 2 hybrid beta Cep/SPB stars), 6 as non-pulsating variables (binaries or spotted stars), and 1 as photometrically constant. All the Maia candidates were reclassified into other variability classes. We performed mode identification for the pulsating variables for the first time. The most probable l value is 0, 1, 2, and 4 for 1, 31, 9, and 5 modes, respectively, including only 4 unambiguous identifications. For 7 stars we cannot rule out that some of the observed frequencies belong to the same rotationally split mode. For 4 targets we may begin to resolve close frequency multiplets. Based on observations collected with the p7 photometer attached to the Flemish 1.2-m mercator telescope situated at the Roque de los Muchachos observatory on La Palma (Spain). Section [see full textsee full text], including Figs. is only available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.org, and Tables 2 and 3 are only available in electronic form at the CDS via anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/463/243Peer reviewe
Outcome in patients perceived as receiving excessive care across different ethical climates: a prospective study in 68 intensive care units in Europe and the USA
Purpose: Whether the quality of the ethical climate in the intensive care unit (ICU) improves the identification of patients receiving excessive care and affects patient outcomes is unknown. Methods: In this prospective observational study, perceptions of excessive care (PECs) by clinicians working in 68 ICUs in Europe and the USA were collected daily during a 28-day period. The quality of the ethical climate in the ICUs was assessed via a validated questionnaire. We compared the combined endpoint (death, not at home or poor quality of life at 1 year) of patients with PECs and the time from PECs until written treatment-limitation decisions (TLDs) and death across the four climates defined via cluster analysis. Results: Of the 4747 eligible clinicians, 2992 (63%) evaluated the ethical climate in their ICU. Of the 321 and 623 patients not admitted for monitoring only in ICUs with a good (n = 12, 18%) and poor (n = 24, 35%) climate, 36 (11%) and 74 (12%), respectively were identified with PECs by at least two clinicians. Of the 35 and 71 identified patients with an available combined endpoint, 100% (95% CI 90.0–1.00) and 85.9% (75.4–92.0) (P = 0.02) attained that endpoint. The risk of death (HR 1.88, 95% CI 1.20–2.92) or receiving a written TLD (HR 2.32, CI 1.11–4.85) in patients with PECs by at least two clinicians was higher in ICUs with a good climate than in those with a poor one. The differences between ICUs with an average climate, with (n = 12, 18%) or without (n = 20, 29%) nursing involvement at the end of life, and ICUs with a poor climate were less obvious but still in favour of the former. Conclusion: Enhancing the quality of the ethical climate in the ICU may improve both the identification of patients receiving excessive care and the decision-making process at the end of life
Community social capital on the timing of sexual debut and teen birth in Nicaragua: a multilevel approach
Epidemiology, practice of ventilation and outcome for patients at increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications
BACKGROUND Limited information exists about the epidemiology and outcome of surgical patients at increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs), and how intraoperative ventilation was managed in these patients.
OBJECTIVES To determine the incidence of surgical patients at increased risk of PPCs, and to compare the intraoperative ventilation management and postoperative outcomes with patients at low risk of PPCs.
DESIGN This was a prospective international 1-week observational study using the ‘Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia risk score’ (ARISCAT score) for PPC for risk stratification.
PATIENTS AND SETTING Adult patients requiring intraoperative ventilation during general anaesthesia for surgery in 146 hospitals across 29 countries.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was the incidence of patients at increased risk of PPCs based on the ARISCAT score. Secondary outcomes included intraoperative ventilatory management and clinical outcomes.
RESULTS A total of 9864 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The incidence of patients at increased risk was 28.4%. The most frequently chosen tidal volume (VT) size was 500 ml, or 7 to 9 ml kg1 predicted body weight, slightly lower in patients at increased risk of PPCs. Levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) were slightly higher in patients at increased risk of PPCs, with 14.3% receiving more than 5 cmH2O PEEP compared with 7.6% in patients at low risk of PPCs (P < 0.001). Patients with a predicted preoperative increased risk of PPCs developed PPCs more frequently: 19 versus 7%, relative risk (RR) 3.16 (95% confidence interval 2.76 to 3.61), P < 0.001) and had longer hospital stays. The only ventilatory factor associated with the occurrence of PPCs was the peak pressure.
CONCLUSION The incidence of patients with a predicted increased risk of PPCs is high. A large proportion of patients receive high VT and low PEEP levels. PPCs occur frequently in patients at increased risk, with worse clinical outcome
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