New photometric studies for two deep, low-mass ratio overcontact binaries: Y Sex and V1363 Ori

We present new photometry for two contact binaries, Y Sex and V1363 Ori, which were observed by three small telescopes in China. By using the W-D method, the absolute parameters are updated from new BVR light curves and previous radial velocity curves. Results identify that two binaries are deep, low-mass ratio (DLMR) overcontact binaries with q ⩽ 0.25 and f ⩾ 50%. From the temperature-luminosity diagram, the primary components are slightly evolved main-sequence stars, whose evolutionary ages are ∼2.51 Gyr for Y Sex and ∼3.56 Gyr for V 1363 Ori, respectively. From the (O − C) curves, it is found that the orbital periods may be undergoing secular increase with cyclic variations, which may be interpreted either by magnetic activity cycles or by the light-time orbit effect. With period increasing, this kind of DLMR overcontact binaries, such as Y Sex and V1363 Ori, will evolve into the rapid-rotating single stars.

Katz Fractal Dimension of Geoelectric Field during Severe Geomagnetic Storms

We are concerned with the time series resulting from the computed local horizontal geoelectric field, obtained with the aid of a 1-D layered Earth model based on local geomagnetic field measurements, for the full solar magnetic cycle of 1996–2019, covering the two consecutive solar activity cycles 23 and 24. To our best knowledge, for the first time, the roughness of severe geomagnetic storms is considered by using a monofractal time series analysis of the Earth electric field. We show that during severe geomagnetic storms the Katz fractal dimension of the geoelectric field grows rapidly.

Stellar Chromospheric Variability

Cool stars with convective envelopes of spectral types F and later tend to exhibit magnetic activity throughout their atmospheres. The presence of strong and variable magnetic fields is evidenced by photospheric starspots, chromospheric plages and coronal flares, as well as by strong Ca ii H+K and Hα emission, combined with the presence of ultraviolet resonance lines. We review the drivers of stellar chromospheric activity and the resulting physical parameters implied by the observational diagnostics. At a basic level, we explore the importance of stellar dynamos and their activity cycles for a range of stellar types across the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram. We focus, in particular, on recent developments pertaining to stellar rotation properties, including the putative Vaughan–Preston gap. We also pay specific attention to magnetic variability associated with close binary systems, including RS Canum Venaticorum, BY Draconis, W Ursae Majoris and Algol binaries. At the present time, large-scale photometric and spectroscopic surveys are becoming generally available, thus leading to a resurgence of research into chromospheric activity. This opens up promising prospects to gain a much improved understanding of chromospheric physics and its wide-ranging impact.

Solar coronal rotation according to soft X-ray solar radiation during the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th solar cycles

Using the developed method of combining numerous scattered time series of the same type of measurements into a single weighted average series, according to the data of the GOES series satellites, a single series of daily data was synthesized during the 22nd, 23rd and 24th solar cycles (1986 – 2019 years). The flare and background components were distinguished from this data series, which were investigated by means the method of constructing a composite spectral periodogram for the presence of quasiperiodic oscillations at various solar cycles. Some of these found quasiperiods may be explained by both synodic and sidereal rotation of the Sun, while others coincide with the average lifetime of the solar atmosphere active formations such as the sunspot groups and the facular plages. Special attention was paid to the study of the change over time the revealed quasiperiodic values over the course of solar cycles by calculating the sample normalized spectral density of the analyzed data in a sliding time window with a value of up to two years. Based on the revealed quasiperiodic value changes presented on the dynamic diagrams, it can be concluded that the differential rotation of the solar corona is unstable and manifests itself only at certain stages of the development and existence of solar activity cycles.

Genomic Analysis Illustrated a Single Introduction and Evolution of Israeli Bluetongue Serotype 8 Virus Population 2008–2019

Outbreaks of the European Bluetongue virus (BTV) serotype 8 (BTV-8), which are characterized by activity cycles separated by years of inactivity, may be influenced by genetic changes of the virus or by herd immunity. BTV activity in Israel is characterized by similar dynamics, but differs from European countries in its vector population, environmental conditions, and lack of cattle vaccination against this serotype. Comparison of these two geographical systems and characterization of their epidemiological connection is therefore of high interest in-order to better understand the factors influencing BTV-8 evolution. BTV-8, closely related to the European strain, was introduced to Israel in 2008. It was at the center of BT outbreaks in 2010 and 2015–2016 and thereafter was lastly isolated in Israel in 2019. We performed genetic analyses of twelve BTV-8 Israeli strains isolated between 2008 and 2019 and compared them with published sequences of BTV-8 isolated in other countries. The analysis revealed a single introduction of BTV-8 into Israel and thereafter extensive occurrence of genomic drifts and multiple reassortments with local BTV strains. Comparison of the Israeli and Cypriot BTV-8 from 2015 to 2016 suggests transmission of the virus between the two countries and a separate and parallel development from European or other Israeli BTV-8 strains. The parallel development of other BTV-8 strains was demonstrated by the identification of the Israeli BTV-8 ISR-1194/1/19 strain, which exhibited common origin with reassorted Israeli BTV-8 strains from 2010 and additional reassortment of seven segments. In order to reveal the source of BTV-8 introduction into Israel we performed BEAST analysis which showed that a probable common ancestor for both European and Israeli BTV-8 presumably existed in 2003–2004. In 2019, a possible new introduction occurred in Israel, where a novel BTV-8 strain was detected, sharing ~95% identity by segments 2 and 6 with Nigerian BTV-8NIG1982/07 and European–Middle Eastern strains. The results of the study indicate that Israel and neighboring countries consist a separate environmental and evolutionary system, distinct from European ones.

Use of Actigraphy for a Rat Behavioural Sleep Study

Previous studies of animal behavioural sleep is mainly divided into two study types, observation by video recording or counts by sensor, both of which require a complex environment and procedure. An actigraph unit is a commercially available product which can provide non-invasive monitoring human rest/activity cycles. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether actigraphy can be applied for analysing behavioural sleep in rats, since no reports have described utilization of the actigraphy unit for monitoring sleep of small animals. The actigraph unit was held on the chest of eight male rats by a loose elastic belt. The rats spent two days in a normal condition, followed by two days of sleep deprivation. Total counts measured by the actigraph could be clearly divided into two phases, sleep phase and awake phase, when the rats were kept in the normal cage. Next, the rats were moved into the sleep-deviation cage, and the total counts were significantly higher during daytime, indicating the successful induction of sleep deprivation. These results showed that the actigraphy unit monitored rest/activity cycles of rats, which will contribute to making sleep behaviour experiments easier.