Eclipsing Binaries with Possible Light-Time Effect

The period changes of six eclipsing binaries have been studied with focus on the light-time effect. With the least squares method we also calculated parameters of such an effect and properties of the unresolved body in these systems. With these results we discussed the probability of presence of such bodies in the systems with respect to possible confirmation by another method. In two systems we also suggested the hypothesis of fourth body or magnetic activity for explanation of the "second-order variability" after subtraction of the light-time effect of the third body.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, 2 tables, conference proceeding

The O-type eclipsing binary SZ Cam revisited

We analyse new spectra of the multiple system SZ Cam because previous studies found different values of the primary radial velocity amplitude. The older solutions of light curves also have different ratios of secondary to primary luminosity as inferred from the observed equivalent widths of spectral lines. We therefore reanalyse the light curves of the eclipsing pair. Only the light curve derived by Wesselink has a solution that agrees with the observed equivalent width ratio. The resulting parameters of the binary are discussed. Masses of $M_1=16.6$ and $M_2=11.9$ M$_{\odot}$, and radii $R_1=9.4$ and $R_2=5.4$ R$_{\odot}$ are derived. We point out that radial velocities measured with the CCF method can be misleading when the method is applied to multiple systems with complex line blends. New radial velocities are also obtained for the visual component ADS 2984 A (HD 25639).Comment: Astronomy and Astrophysics, accepte

SolRgene: an online database to explore disease resistance genes in tuber-bearing Solanum species

Background The cultivated potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an important food crop, but highly susceptible to many pathogens. The major threat to potato production is the Irish famine pathogen Phytophthora infestans, which causes the devastating late blight disease. Potato breeding makes use of germplasm from wild relatives (wild germplasm) to introduce resistances into cultivated potato. The Solanum section Petota comprises tuber-bearing species that are potential donors of new disease resistance genes. The aim of this study was to explore Solanum section Petota for resistance genes and generate a widely accessible resource that is useful for studying and implementing disease resistance in potato. Description The SolRgene database contains data on resistance to P. infestans and presence of R genes and R gene homologues in Solanum section Petota. We have explored Solanum section Petota for resistance to late blight in high throughput disease tests under various laboratory conditions and in field trials. From resistant wild germplasm, segregating populations were generated and assessed for the presence of resistance genes. All these data have been entered into the SolRgene database. To facilitate genetic and resistance gene evolution studies, phylogenetic data of the entire SolRgene collection are included, as well as a tool for generating phylogenetic trees of selected groups of germplasm. Data from resistance gene allele-mining studies are incorporated, which enables detection of R gene homologs in related germplasm. Using these resources, various resistance genes have been detected and some of these have been cloned, whereas others are in the cloning pipeline. All this information is stored in the online SolRgene database, which allows users to query resistance data, sequences, passport data of the accessions, and phylogenic classifications. Conclusion Solanum section Petota forms the basis of the SolRgene database, which contains a collection of resistance data of an unprecedented size and precision. Complemented with R gene sequence data and phylogenetic tools, SolRgene can be considered the primary resource for information on R genes from potato and wild tuber-bearing relatives

A search for p-modes and other variability in the binary system 85 Pegasi using MOST photometry

Context: Asteroseismology has great potential for the study of metal-poor stars due to its sensitivity to determine stellar ages. Aims: Our goal was to detect p-mode oscillations in the metal-poor sub-dwarf 85 Peg A and to search for other variability on longer timescales. Methods: We have obtained continuous high-precision photometry of the binary system 85 Pegasi with the MOST space telescope in two seasons (2005 & 2007). Furthermore, we redetermined vsini for 85 Peg A using high resolution spectra obtained through the ESO archive, and used photometric spot modeling to interpret long periodic variations. Results: Our frequency analysis yields no convincing evidence for p-modes significantly above a noise level of 4 ppm. Using simulated p-mode patterns we provide upper RMS amplitude limits for 85 Peg A. The light curve shows evidence for variability with a period of about 11 d and this periodicity is also seen in the follow up run in 2007; however, as different methods to remove instrumental trends in the 2005 run yield vastly different results, the exact shape and periodicity of the 2005 variability remain uncertain. Our re-determined vsini value for 85 Peg A is comparable to previous studies and we provide realistic uncertainties for this parameter. Using these values in combination with simple photometric spot models we are able to reconstruct the observed variations. Conclusions: The null-detection of p-modes in 85 Peg A is consistent with theoretical values for pulsation amplitudes in this star. The detected long-periodic variation must await confirmation by further observations with similar or better precision and long-term stability. If the 11 d periodicity is real, rotational modulation of surface features on one of the components is the most likely explanation.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in A&

On the light curve variation of the Be star EM Cep

Workshop on Solar and Stellar Physics through Eclipses -- MAR 27-29, 2006 -- Ankara Univ, ORSEM Campus, Side, Antalya, TURKEYWe present new UBV photometric observations obtained in the last four observing seasons and one season of spectroscopic observation for the Be star EM Cep. A possible period of 0.403 days and large light amplitude variations from one season to other were determined from the new photometric observations. A flare activity for this star has been detected on 17-18 July 2003. The brightness increase during the flare was found to be maximum in U-band. New spectroscopic observations with high-resolution spectrograph did not present a certain result due to the limited number of data. The type of variability in the light curves shows that the star could be a lambda Eri-type variable. Additional changes on the light curve do not show any periodicity. Binarity problem of the star has been also discussed.Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University Research FundThis study is partially supported by Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University Research Fund

Targeting the high affinity receptor, FcγRI, in autoimmune disease, neuropathy, and cancer

ADCC/ADCP: Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity/phagocytosis; AIA: Antigen-induced arthritis; ATG: Anti-thymocyte globulin; bsAbs: Bispecific antibodies; CDC: Complement-dependent cytotoxicity; CIA: Collagen-induced arthritis; CY: Cytoplasmic; DRG: Dorsal root ganglion; EC: Extracellular domain; Fab: Antigen-binding fragment; FcγR: Fc gamma receptor; G-CSF: Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor; IC: Immune complex; INF-y: Interferon gamma; ITAM/ITIM: Immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation/inhibition motif; ITP: Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura; IVIg: Intravenous immunoglobulin; LN: Lupus nephritis; mAb: Monoclonal antibody; MCP-1: Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1; NK: Natural killer cell; PMN: Polymorphonuclear; PP1: Protein phosphatase 1; RA: Rheumatoid Arthritis; SLE: Systemic lupus erythematosus; TNF-α: Tumor necrosis factor alpha

Astrometric solution of the multiple system XY Leo

International Conference on Zdenek Kopals Binary Star Legacy -- MAR 31-APR 03, 2004 -- Litomysl, CZECH REPUBLICAn astrometric solution, together with time of minimum analysis, has been made for the multiple system XY Leonis (HIP 49136) to identify the properties of the remote companion to the eclipsing pair (AB). From this solution, we derive the inclination of the wide orbit (AB-cd) as 94.4 degrees +/- 0.2 degrees, angle of nodes as 247.3 degrees +/- 0.2 degrees, and the mass of the wide component (the dwarf binary cd) as 0.98 +/- 0.2 M-.. This study confirms that the light travel time effect can explain the sinusoidal O - C variation of the eclipsing system

Photometric and spectroscopic study of the eclipsing binary GSC 4288 0186

Workshop on Solar and Stellar Physics through Eclipses -- MAR 27-29, 2006 -- Ankara Univ, ORSEM Campus, Side, Antalya, TURKEYFirst complete BVRI light curves and radial velocity measurements of the recently discovered eclipsing binary GSC 4288 0186 are presented. Analyses of the light curves, together with spectroscopic data show that the system is a double-lined detached binary with an eccentric orbit. We determined the preliminary values of the absolute elements of this eclipsing binary and presented here

Effects of Antibiotics on the Intestinal Microbiota of Mice

Studies on human and mouse gastrointestinal microbiota have correlated the composition of the microbiota to a variety of diseases, as well as proved it vital to prevent colonization with resistant bacteria, a phenomenon known as colonization resistance. Antibiotics dramatically modify the gut community and there are examples of how antibiotic usage lead to colonization with resistant bacteria [e.g., dicloxacillin usage selecting for ESBL-producing E. coli carriage], as shown by Hertz et al. Here, we investigated the impact of five antibiotics [cefotaxime, cefuroxime, dicloxacillin, clindamycin, and ciprofloxacin] on the intestinal microbiota in mice. Five different antibiotics were each given to groups of five mice. The intestinal microbiotas were profiled by use of the IS-pro analysis; a 16S–23S rDNA interspace [IS]-region-based profiling method. For the mice receiving dicloxacillin and clindamycin, we observed dramatic shifts in dominating phyla from day 1 to day 5. Of note, diversity increased, but overall bacterial load decreased. For ciprofloxacin, cefotaxime, and cefuroxime there were few overall changes. We speculate that antibiotics with efficacy against the abundant anaerobes in the gut, particularly Bacteroidetes, can in fact be selected for resistant bacteria, disregarding the spectrum of activity