Flickering in the Magnetic Cv Star Am Herculis

In this study, we present a photometric study of AM Her, a prototype of a class of magnetic CVs. Optical photometry of AM Her was obtained using the Russian–Turkish 1.5 m telescope at TüBİTAK National Observatory (TUG) in August 2003. The R band light curve of the system shows two maxima and two minima during one orbital cycle. In both observing nights the star showed flickering at a significant level. The measured flickering time scale is about 5 min.     

Evolution of seismic hazard maps in Turkey

A review on the historical evolution of seismic hazard maps in Turkey is followed by summarizing the important aspects of the updated national probabilistic seismic hazard maps. Comparisons with the predecessor probabilistic seismic hazard maps as well as the implications on the national design codes conclude the paper.     

Alterations of the nitrogen mineralization rates in soils of forest community depending on the ski run construction (Mount Uluda?, Bursa, Turkey)

Since 1940s, Mount Uludağ (Bithynian Olympus) has been considered famous with winter sports center in Turkey. In addition, it is one of the rare places because of its plant diversity and is also one of the important plant areas of Turkey. The ski run constructions are rapidly increased in the past decades in the alpine and subalpine belts of the mountain. Rate of nitrogen mineralization and some properties of soil were investigated in the soils of the three ski runs and undisturbed neighborhood forest sites. These ski runs are at the upper part of the forest belt in the mountain. Abies bornmuelleriana forest community is the postclimax and very sensitive to destruction. The rates of the nitrogen mineralization in the soils were determined in controlled conditions (60% water-holding capacity, 20°C). Nitrification and nitrogen mineralization were in the ski run inside where the natural recovery started, increased compared with the outside of the ski runs. Waterholding capacity, organic carbon, and total nitrogen were decreased in the massive damaged ski run, and due to these changes, the rates of mineralization and nitrification were also decreased.     

Mechanical properties of lime-treated clay reinforced with different types of randomly distributed fibers

In this paper, a comparative experimental study was carried out to evaluate the effect of inclusion of different fiber types on strength of lime-stabilized clay. In this scope, a series of unconfined compressive strength tests were carried out on specimens including basalt and polypropylene fiber compacted under Standard Proctor effort (i.e., 35% by weight of soil). The effects of curing period (1, 7, 28, and 90 days), fiber type (basalt and polypropylene), fiber content (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1%), fiber length (6, 12, and 19 mm), and lime content (0 and 9%) on strength properties were investigated. The results revealed that both basalt and polypropylene fibers increased the strength without inclusion of lime. For specimens including lime, strength of polypropylene fiber-reinforced specimens was remarkably higher than that reinforced with basalt fiber for lime-stabilized clay. However, greatest strength improvement was obtained by use of 0.75% basalt fiber of 19 mm length with 9% lime content after 90-day curing. Additionally, results of strength tests on specimens including 3 and 6% lime and 12-mm basalt fiber after 1, 7, 28, and 90-day curing were presented. It is evident that the use of 6-mm basalt fiber and 12-mm polypropylene fiber were the best options; however, efficiency of fiber inclusion is subject to change by varying lime contents. It was also observed that the secant modulus was increased by use of lime; however, strength of the correlations among secant modulus and unconfined compressive strength values was decreased by increasing amount of lime for specimens including both basalt and polypropylene fibers.     

On the Overcontact Binary V2388 Oph and An Improved M–R Relation for Ltcbs

The evolutionary stage of the low-temperature contact binary (LTCB) V2388 Oph has been investigated. V2388 Oph was previously classified as an A-type W UMa star, and is the brighter member of the visual binary Fin 381. When compared to other well-known LTCBs it is evident that the primary component has evolved to the TAMS, and the companion also seems to be more evolved than a ZAMS star. Mochnacki proposed a new subgroup of W UMa stars, namely of OO Aql type, distinct from A and W types. V2388 Oph is suggested to be a member of this new group.     

Close binary system GO Cyg

In this study, we present long term photometric variations of the close binary system GO Cyg. Modelling of the system shows that the primary is filling Roche lobe and the secondary of the system is almost filling its Roche lobe. The physical parameters of the system are M₁ = 3.0 ± 0.2M_⊙, M₂ = 1.3 ± 0.1M_⊙, R₁ = 2.50 ± 0.12R_⊙, R₂ = 1.75 ± 0.09R_⊙, L₁ = 64 ± 9L_⊙, L₂ = 4.9 ± 0.7L_⊙, and a = 5.5 ± 0.3R_⊙. Our results show that GO Cyg is the most massive system near contact binary (NCB). Analysis of times of the minima shows a sinusoidal variation with a period of 92.3 ± 0.5 yr due to a third body whose mass is less than 2.3M_⊙. Finally a period variation rate of −1.4 × 10⁻⁹ d/yr has been determined using all available light curves.     

Seismic damage assessment based on regional synthetic ground motion dataset: a case study for Erzincan,Turkey

Estimation of seismic losses is a fundamental step in risk mitigation in urban regions. Structural damage patterns depend on the regional seismic properties and the local building vulnerability. In this study, a framework for seismic damage estimation is proposed where the local building fragilities are modeled based on a set of simulated ground motions in the region of interest. For this purpose, first, ground motion records are simulated for a set of scenario events using stochastic finite-fault methodology. Then, existing building stock is classified into specific building types represented with equivalent single-degree-of-freedom models. The response statistics of these models are evaluated through nonlinear time history analysis with the simulated ground motions. Fragility curves for the classified structural types are derived and discussed. The study area is Erzincan (Turkey), which is located on a pull-apart basin underlain by soft sediments in the conjunction of three active faults as right-lateral North Anatolian Fault, left-lateral North East Anatolian Fault, and left-lateral Ovacik Fault. Erzincan city center experienced devastating earthquakes in the past including the December 27, 1939 (Ms = 8.0) and the March 13, 1992 (Mw?=?6.6) events. The application of the proposed method is performed to estimate the spatial distribution of the damage after the 1992 event. The estimated results are compared against the corresponding observed damage levels yielding a reasonable match in between. After the validation exercise, a potential scenario event of Mw?=?7.0 is simulated in the study region. The corresponding damage distribution indicates a significant risk within the urban area.