scholarly journals Measuring precise radial velocities on individual spectral lines

2020 ◽  
Vol 633 ◽  
pp. A76 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Cretignier ◽  
X. Dumusque ◽  
R. Allart ◽  
F. Pepe ◽  
C. Lovis

Context. Although the new generation of radial-velocity (RV) instruments such as ESPRESSO are expected to reach the long-term precision required to find other earths, the RV measurements are contaminated by some signal from stellar activity. This makes these detections hard. Aims. Based on real observations, we here demonstrate for the first time the effect of stellar activity on the RV of individual spectral lines. Recent studies have shown that this is probably the key for mitigating this perturbing signal. By measuring the line-by-line RV of each individual spectral line in the 2010 HARPS RV measurements of α Cen B, we study their sensitivity to telluric line contamination and line profile asymmetry. After selecting lines on which we are confident to measure a real Doppler-shift, we study the different effects of the RV signal that is induced by stellar activity on spectral lines based on their physical properties. Results. We estimate that at least 89% of the lines that appear in the spectrum of α Cen B for which we measure a reliable RV are correlated with the stellar activity signal (Pearson correlation coefficient R > 0.3 at 2σ). This can be interpreted as those lines being sensitive to the inhibition of the convective blueshift observed in active regions. Because the velocity of the convective blueshift increases with physical depth inside the stellar atmosphere, we find that the effect induced by stellar activity on the RV of individual spectral lines is inversely proportional to the line depth. The stellar activity signal can be mitigated down to ~0.8–0.9 m s−1 either by selecting lines that are less sensitive to activity or by using the difference between the RV of the spectral lines that are formed at different depths in the stellar atmosphere as an activity proxy. Conclusions. This paper shows for the first time that based on real observations of solar-type stars, it is possible to measure the RV effect of stellar activity on the RV of individual spectral lines. Our results are very promising and demonstrate that analysing the RV of individual spectral lines is probably one of the solutions to mitigate stellar activity signal in RV measurements down to a level enabling the detection of other earths.

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Yuanzhen Chen ◽  
Dandan Wang ◽  
Shengnan Cao ◽  
Guangjian Hou ◽  
Hong Ma ◽  
...  

Objective. Interleukin-37 (IL-37) is a new cytokine that naturally inhibits inflammation. Inflammation plays an important role in acute spinal cord injury (SCI). The purpose of this study is to check whether serum IL-37 can be used as a clinical predictor of SCI. Methods. All subjects underwent venipuncture within 24 hours of enrollment to obtain peripheral blood and then centrifuged to obtain serum. The concentration of serum IL-37 was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). One month after the injury, the American Spinal Cord Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale was used for neurological examination. Results. A total of 148 people were included in the study, including 52 normal controls (NC) and 96 patients with acute SCI within 24 hours of onset. The comparison of clinical baseline data (age, gender, BMI: body mass index, smoking, alcohol drinking, CHD: coronary heart disease, HBP: high blood pressure, and DM: diabetes mellitus) between the two groups was not statistically significant ( p > 0.05 ). However, the serum IL-37 concentration of SCI patients was significantly higher than that of the NC group, and the difference was statistically significant ( p < 0.001 ). And with the aggravation of SCI grade, the level of IL-37 increased significantly ( p < 0.05 ). Pearson correlation analysis further showed that serum IL-37 concentration is negatively correlated with AISA motor score ( r = − 0.327 , p < 0.05 ). Conclusion. The serum IL-37 concentration of SCI patients is significantly increased, and it is closely related to the recovery of motor function. We proved for the first time that serum IL-37 has prognostic value in patients with SCI. In addition, serum IL-37 may be used as a prognostic biomarker for SCI.


1965 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 11-16
Author(s):  
Jan Borgman

Even Before any Measurement of stellar fluxes in the ultraviolet had been obtained, predictions were being made on the basis of stellar atmosphere models. At the moment, it seems that such com-putations (for example, see ref. 1) are in reasonable agreement with actual observations from rockets (ref. 2) in the spectral region down to about 2000 Å. At shorter wavelengths it is necessary to take into account the appreciable blanketing by spectral lines which unavoidably is present in the transmission bands of any wide-band photometric system, even in the case of early B stars, as has been shown in reference 3.It must be anticipated that the reduction of extinction measurements in the UV from spaceborne instruments will follow the same procedure that has been used so far: stars with the same intrinsic energy distribution but with different amounts of reddening material in the line of sight are compared, the difference in energy distribution being attributed to the wavelength dependence of interstellar extinction.


2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (S286) ◽  
pp. 324-327
Author(s):  
Andrea P. Buccino ◽  
Mariela C. Vieytes ◽  
Pablo J. D. Mauas

AbstractBased on our large spectral database obtained at CASLEO Argentinian Observatory, we analyzed the relation between simultaneous measurements of Hα and Ca ii H+K fluxes. Although the correlation between both proxies is positive for the solar case, in 2007 our group found that while some stars exhibit correlations between Hα and the Ca ii lines, the slopes change from star to star, including cases where no correlation was found. To discern if this flux-flux relation depends on the level of activity of the star and if it is associated with the distribution of active regions in the stellar atmosphere, in this work we analyze the relation between Hα-Ca ii fluxes for the whole set of 44 G dwarf stars and individually for a subset of several solar-type stars of different level of activity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 495 (4) ◽  
pp. 4904-4923 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yixiao Zhou ◽  
Martin Asplund ◽  
Remo Collet ◽  
Meridith Joyce

ABSTRACT The last decade has seen a rapid development in asteroseismology thanks to the CoRoT and Kepler missions. With more detailed asteroseismic observations available, it is becoming possible to infer exactly how oscillations are driven and dissipated in solar-type stars. We have carried out three-dimensional (3D) stellar atmosphere simulations together with one-dimensional (1D) stellar structural models of key benchmark turn-off and subgiant stars to study this problem from a theoretical perspective. Mode excitation and damping rates are extracted from 3D and 1D stellar models based on analytical expressions. Mode velocity amplitudes are determined by the balance between stochastic excitation and linear damping, which then allows the estimation of the frequency of maximum oscillation power, νmax, for the first time based on ab initio and parameter-free modelling. We have made detailed comparisons between our numerical results and observational data and achieved very encouraging agreement for all of our target stars. This opens the exciting prospect of using such realistic 3D hydrodynamical stellar models to predict solar-like oscillations across the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram, thereby enabling accurate estimates of stellar properties such as mass, radius, and age.


2020 ◽  
Vol 641 ◽  
pp. A69 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Baroch ◽  
J. C. Morales ◽  
I. Ribas ◽  
E. Herrero ◽  
A. Rosich ◽  
...  

Context. Variability caused by stellar activity represents a challenge to the discovery and characterization of terrestrial exoplanets and complicates the interpretation of atmospheric planetary signals. Aims. We aim to use a detailed modeling tool to reproduce the effect of active regions on radial velocity measurements, which aids the identification of the key parameters that have an impact on the induced variability. Methods. We analyzed the effect of stellar activity on radial velocities as a function of wavelength by simulating the impact of the properties of spots, shifts induced by convective motions, and rotation. We focused our modeling effort on the active star YZ CMi (GJ 285), which was photometrically and spectroscopically monitored with CARMENES and the Telescopi Joan Oró. Results. We demonstrate that radial velocity curves at different wavelengths yield determinations of key properties of active regions, including spot-filling factor, temperature contrast, and location, thus solving the degeneracy between them. Most notably, our model is also sensitive to convective motions. Results indicate a reduced convective shift for M dwarfs when compared to solar-type stars (in agreement with theoretical extrapolations) and points to a small global convective redshift instead of blueshift. Conclusions. Using a novel approach based on simultaneous chromatic radial velocities and light curves, we can set strong constraints on stellar activity, including an elusive parameter such as the net convective motion effect.


Author(s):  
S.J. Krause ◽  
W.W. Adams

Over the past decade low voltage scanning electron microscopy (LVSEM) of polymers has evolved from an interesting curiosity to a powerful analytical technique. This development has been driven by improved instrumentation and in particular, reliable field emission gun (FEG) SEMs. The usefulness of LVSEM has also grown because of an improved theoretical and experimental understanding of sample-beam interactions and by advances in sample preparation and operating techniques. This paper will review progress in polymer LVSEM and present recent results and developments in the field.In the early 1980s a new generation of SEMs produced beam currents that were sufficient to allow imaging at low voltages from 5keV to 0.5 keV. Thus, for the first time, it became possible to routinely image uncoated polymers at voltages below their negative charging threshold, the "second crossover", E2 (Fig. 1). LVSEM also improved contrast and reduced beam damage in sputter metal coated polymers. Unfortunately, resolution was limited to a few tenths of a micron due to the low brightness and chromatic aberration of thermal electron emission sources.


2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 108-118
Author(s):  
A. V. Petraikin ◽  
A. K. Smorchkova ◽  
N. D. Kudryavtsev ◽  
K. A. Sergunova ◽  
Z. R. Artyukova ◽  
...  

Rationale. Quantitative CT (QCT) bone densitometry with asynchronous calibration not require a phantom during the scan procedure. Based on calibration data it converts X-ray density in HU to bone mineral density (BMD). Given the large number of CT studies performed on patients at risk of osteoporosis, there is a need for a hands-on method capable of assessing BMD in a short period of time without tailored software or protocols.Goal. To develop a method for QCT bone densitometry using an PHK (PHantom Kalium), to compare the volume BMD measurements with the QCT data with asynchronous calibration provided by software from a reputable developer.Methods. The studies were performed at 64-slice CT unit with body scanning parameters. The BMD was measured using two techniques: 1) QCT with asynchronous calibration using software from a reputable developer; 2) QCT using a PHK phantom (QCT-PHK). For convert the HU to BMD values, we scanned the PHK phantom and calculate correction factor. Phantom contains “vertebrae” filled with potassium hydrogen phosphate in different concentrations. In both methods, the BMD values measured for LI–II, and sometimes for ThXII, LIII.Results. The study enrolled 65 subjects (11 male and 54 female patients); median age 69.0 years. A comparison of the vertebrae BMD measured by QCT and QCT-PHK revealed a significant linear Pearson correlation r = 0.977 (p < 0.05). The Bland–Altman analysis demonstrated a lack of relationship between the difference in measurements and the average BMD and a systematic BMD; bias of +4.50 mg/ml in QCT vs. QCT-PHK. Differences in the division into groups osteoporosis / osteopenia / norm according to the ACR criteria for the two methods were not significant.Conclusion. The developed asynchronous QCT-PHK method measure BMD comparable to the widely used QCT with asynchronous calibration. This method can be used for opportunistic screening for osteoporosis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (11) ◽  
pp. 1046-1051 ◽  
Author(s):  
Przemysław Gajda-Morszewski ◽  
Klaudyna Śpiewak-Wojtyła ◽  
Maria Oszajca ◽  
Małgorzata Brindell

Lactoferrin was isolated and purified for the first time over 50-years ago. Since then, extensive studies on the structure and function of this protein have been performed and the research is still being continued. In this mini-review we focus on presenting recent scientific efforts towards the elucidation of the role and therapeutic potential of lactoferrin saturated with iron(III) or manganese(III) ions. The difference in biological activity of metal-saturated lactoferrin vs. the unmetalated one is emphasized. The strategies for oral delivery of lactoferrin, are also reviewed, with particular attention to the metalated protein.


Author(s):  
Yu Wang ◽  
Jiantao Wang ◽  
Haiping Wang ◽  
Xinyu Yang ◽  
Liming Chang ◽  
...  

Objective: Accurate assessment of breast tumor size preoperatively is important for the initial decision-making in surgical approach. Therefore, we aimed to compare efficacy of mammography and ultrasonography in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of breast cancer. Methods: Preoperative mammography and ultrasonography were performed on 104 women with DCIS of breast cancer. We compared the accuracy of each of the imaging modalities with pathological size by Pearson correlation. For each modality, it was considered concordant if the difference between imaging assessment and pathological measurement is less than 0.5cm. Results: At pathological examination tumor size ranged from 0.4cm to 7.2cm in largest diameter. For mammographically determined size versus pathological size, correlation coefficient of r was 0.786 and for ultrasonography it was 0.651. Grouped by breast composition, in almost entirely fatty and scattered areas of fibroglandular dense breast, correlation coefficient of r was 0.790 for mammography and 0.678 for ultrasonography; in heterogeneously dense and extremely dense breast, correlation coefficient of r was 0.770 for mammography and 0.548 for ultrasonography. In microcalcification positive group, coeffient of r was 0.772 for mammography and 0.570 for ultrasonography. In microcalcification negative group, coeffient of r was 0.806 for mammography and 0.783 for ultrasonography. Conclusion: Mammography was more accurate than ultrasonography in measuring the largest cancer diameter in DCIS of breast cancer. The correlation coefficient improved in the group of almost entirely fatty/ scattered areas of fibroglandular dense breast or in microcalcification negative group.


Author(s):  
Adi Ophir ◽  
Ishay Rosen-Zvi

This chapter traces the developments of various terms denoting “others” in biblical literature. In much of the biblical corpus, Israel is still one goy among many, and the difference between it and its Others is neither binary nor stable. After a brief analysis of the dynamics of familial and ethnwic separations in Genesis and Exodus, this chapter concentrates on the priestly and Deuteronomistic modes of separating peoples, examines the novelty and limitedness of the Deuteronomistic legislation, where the nokhri (stranger) is systematically contrasted for the first time with the Israelite (referred to as “your brother”), and follows the various modes of separations and their rationales.


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