Context. The binary star NY Hya is a bright, detached, double-lined eclipsing system with an orbital period of just under five days with two components each nearly identical to the Sun and located in ...the solar neighbourhood. Aims. The objective of this study is to test and confront various stellar evolution models for solar-type stars based on accurate measurements of stellar mass and radius. Methods. We present new ground-based spectroscopic and photometric as well as high-precision space-based photometric and astrometric data from which we derive orbital as well as physical properties of the components via the method of least-squares minimisation based on a standard binary model valid for two detached components. Classic statistical techniques were invoked to test the significance of model parameters. Additional empirical evidence was compiled from the public domain; the derived system properties were compared with archival broad-band photometry data enabling a measurement of the system’s spectral energy distribution that allowed an independent estimate of stellar properties. We also utilised semi-empirical calibration methods to derive atmospheric properties from Strömgren photometry and related colour indices. Results. We measured (percentages are fractional uncertainties) masses, radii, and effective temperatures of the two stars in NY Hya and found them to be MA = 1.1605 ± 0.0090 M⊙ (0.78%), RA = 1.407 ± 0.015 R⊙ (1.1%), Teff, A = 5595 ± 61 K (1.09%), MB = 1.1678 ± 0.0096 M⊙ (0.82%), RB = 1.406 ± 0.017 R⊙ (1.2%), and Teff, B = 5607 ± 61 K (1.09%). The atmospheric properties from Strömgren photometry agree well with spectroscopic results. No evidence was found for nearby companions from high-resolution imaging. A detailed analysis of space-based data revealed a small but significant eccentricity (e cos ω) of the orbit. The spectroscopic and frequency analysis on photometric time series data reveal evidence of clear photospheric activity on both components likely in the form of star spots caused by magnetic activity. Conclusions. We confronted the observed physical properties with classic and magnetic stellar evolution models. Classic models yielded both young pre-main-sequence and old main-sequence turn-off solutions with the two components at super-solar metallicities, in disagreement with observations. Based on chromospheric activity and X-ray observations, we invoke magnetic models. While magnetic fields are likely to play an important role, we still encounter problems in explaining adequately the observed properties. To reconcile the observed tensions we also considered the effects of star spots known to mimic magnetic inhibition of convection. Encouraging results were obtained, although unrealistically large spots were required on each component. Overall we conclude that NY Hya proves to be complex in nature, and requires additional follow-up work aiming at a more accurate determination of stellar effective temperature and metallicity.
Context. The binary star NY Hya is a bright, detached, double-lined eclipsing system with an orbital period of just under five days with two components each nearly identical to the Sun and located in ...the solar neighbourhood. Aims. The objective of this study is to test and confront various stellar evolution models for solar-type stars based on accurate measurements of stellar mass and radius. Methods. We present new ground-based spectroscopic and photometric as well as high-precision space-based photometric and astrometric data from which we derive orbital as well as physical properties of the components via the method of least-squares minimisation based on a standard binary model valid for two detached components. Classic statistical techniques were invoked to test the significance of model parameters. Additional empirical evidence was compiled from the public domain; the derived system properties were compared with archival broad-band photometry data enabling a measurement of the system’s spectral energy distribution that allowed an independent estimate of stellar properties. We also utilised semi-empirical calibration methods to derive atmospheric properties from Strömgren photometry and related colour indices. Results. We measured (percentages are fractional uncertainties) masses, radii, and effective temperatures of the two stars in NY Hya and found them to be M A = 1.1605 ± 0.0090 M ⊙ (0.78%), R A = 1.407 ± 0.015 R ⊙ (1.1%), T eff, A = 5595 ± 61 K (1.09%), M B = 1.1678 ± 0.0096 M ⊙ (0.82%), R B = 1.406 ± 0.017 R ⊙ (1.2%), and T eff, B = 5607 ± 61 K (1.09%). The atmospheric properties from Strömgren photometry agree well with spectroscopic results. No evidence was found for nearby companions from high-resolution imaging. A detailed analysis of space-based data revealed a small but significant eccentricity ( e cos ω ) of the orbit. The spectroscopic and frequency analysis on photometric time series data reveal evidence of clear photospheric activity on both components likely in the form of star spots caused by magnetic activity. Conclusions. We confronted the observed physical properties with classic and magnetic stellar evolution models. Classic models yielded both young pre-main-sequence and old main-sequence turn-off solutions with the two components at super-solar metallicities, in disagreement with observations. Based on chromospheric activity and X-ray observations, we invoke magnetic models. While magnetic fields are likely to play an important role, we still encounter problems in explaining adequately the observed properties. To reconcile the observed tensions we also considered the effects of star spots known to mimic magnetic inhibition of convection. Encouraging results were obtained, although unrealistically large spots were required on each component. Overall we conclude that NY Hya proves to be complex in nature, and requires additional follow-up work aiming at a more accurate determination of stellar effective temperature and metallicity.
•A multi-disciplinary approach to assess cold chain sustainability was discussed.•A software tool for quantifying cold chain sustainability was developed.•Kinetic models for food quality were ...implemented in a user-friendly software.
Food quality (including safety) along the cold chain, energy use and global warming impact of refrigeration systems are three key aspects in assessing cold chain sustainability. In this paper, we present the framework of a dedicated software, the FRISBEE tool, for optimising quality of refrigerated food, energy use and the global warming impact of refrigeration technologies. The food quality models implemented in the FRISBEE tool are based on validated kinetic models, most of which are available as separate publications in this issue, while the models for calculating energy use and global warming impact have been validated using independent data. The software was developed within the framework of the European Union FP7 project, FRISBEE (Food Refrigeration Innovations for Safety, consumers’ Benefit, Environmental impact and Energy optimisation along the cold chain in Europe). The consumers’ version of the FRISBEE tool, with limited functionalities, will be made available as free downloadable software on the FRISBEE website, while the version with full functionalities will be used for consultancy.
Moran et al. (2021) report a multi-lab registered replication of Olson and Fazio’s (2001) surveillance task. The surveillance task is an incidental learning procedure over the course of which ...participants observe pairings of conditioned stimuli (CSs) and unconditioned stimuli (USs) while engaging in a distracting secondary task. Unaware evaluative conditioning (EC) effects are inferred if participants who fail to report the CS–US contingencies on a post-hoc measure show preference for the CSpos over the CSneg. Moran et al. claimed to establish such effects relying on the criteria used by Olson and Fazio to exclude contingency aware participants from analyses. Here we reexamine Moran et al.’s data using more fine-grained analytic strategies. We show that the contingency awareness measures used by Olson and Fazio and, by extension, Moran et al. lack adequate reliability and validity. Moreover, even assuming valid awareness measures, Bayesian analyses did not provide unambiguous evidence for unaware EC effects under any exclusion criterion and provided decisive evidence against such effects in most models. Finally, a separate analysis that distinguished between fully aware, partially aware, and fully unaware participants shows that evidence for unaware EC is due to the inclusion of partially aware participants in the purportedly unaware subsample. These reanalyses suggest that unaware EC as indexed by the surveillance task has yet to be convincingly demonstrated. We discuss the conceptual, theoretical, and applied implications of these findings with regard to the potential for unaware attitude formation.
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been shown to enhance immune reactions such as lymphocyte blastogenesis and delayed-type hypersensitivity. We investigated the role of CLA in type I (immediate) ...hypersensitivity, using a guinea pig tracheal superfusion model for measuring antigen-induced airway smooth muscle contraction and inflammatory mediator release. Female Hartley guinea pigs were fed a diet supplemented with 0.25 g corn oil or linoleic acid/100 g of diet (control) or 0.25 g CLA/100 g of diet for at least 1 wk before and during active sensitization to ovalbumin antigen. Tracheae from sensitized guinea pigs were suspended in air-filled water-jacketed (37 degrees C) tissue chambers in a superfusion apparatus. Tracheae were superfused with buffer containing antigen, and tissue contraction was recorded. Superfusate was collected at 90-s intervals for evaluation of histamine and PGE(2) release. CLA did not affect antigen-induced tracheal contractions when expressed as gram contraction per gram tissue. CLA significantly reduced antigen-induced histamine and PGE(2) release. CLA appears to decrease release of some inflammatory mediators during type I hypersensitivity reactions.
A small scale DNA microarray containing a set of oligonucleotide probes targeting the 16S rRNAs of several groups of nitrifying bacteria was developed for the monitoring of wastewater treatment plant ...samples. The microarray was tested using reference rRNAs from pure cultures of nitrifying bacteria. Characterization of samples collected from an industrial wastewater treatment facility demonstrated that nitrifying bacteria could be detected directly by microarray hybridization without the need for PCR amplification. Specifically, the microarray detected
Nitrosomonas spp. but did not detect
Nitrobacter. The specificity and sensitivity of direct detection was evaluated using on-chip dissociation analysis, and by two independent analyses—an established membrane hybridization format and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism fingerprinting (T-RFLP). The latter two analyses also revealed
Nitrospira and
Nitrobacter to be contributing populations in the treatment plant samples. The application of DNA microarrays to wastewater treatment systems, which has been demonstrated in the current work, should offer improved monitoring capabilities and process control for treatment systems, which are susceptible to periodic failures.
Yeast was the first microorganism domesticated by mankind. Indeed, the production of bread and alcoholic
beverages such as beer and wine dates from antiquity, even though the fact that the origin of ...alcoholic
fermentation is a microorganism was not known until the nineteenth century. The use of starter cultures
in yeast industries became a common practice after methods for the isolation of pure yeast strains
were developed. Moreover, effort has been undertaken to improve these strains, first by classical genetic
methods and later by genetic engineering. In general, yeast strain development has aimed at improving the
velocity and efficiency of the respective production process and the quality of the final products. This
review highlights the achievements in genetic engineering of Saccharomyces
yeast strains applied in food and beverage industry.
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