Detection of Additional Members of the 2003 EL61 Family via Infrared Spectroscopy

We have acquired near-infrared spectra of Kuiper belt objects 2003 UZ117, 2005 CB79 and 2004 SB60 with NIRC on the Keck I Telescope. These objects are dynamically close to the core of the 2003 EL61 collisional family and were suggested to be potential fragments of this collision by Ragozzine and Brown (2007). We find that the spectra of 2003 UZ117 and 2005 CB79 both show the characteristic strong water ice absorption features seen exclusively on 2003 EL61, its largest satellite, and the six other known collisional fragments. In contrast, we find that the near infrared spectrum of 2004 SB60 is essentially featureless with a fraction of water ice of less than 5%. We discuss the implications of the discovery of these additional family members for understanding the formation and evolution of this collisional family in the outer solar system.Comment: 9 Pages, 2 figure

Sputtering of Oxygen Ice by Low Energy Ions

Naturally occurring ices lie on both interstellar dust grains and on celestial objects, such as those in the outer solar system. These ices are continu- ously subjected to irradiation by ions from the solar wind and/or cosmic rays, which modify their surfaces. As a result, new molecular species may form which can be sputtered off into space or planetary atmospheres. We determined the experimental values of sputtering yields for irradiation of oxygen ice at 10 K by singly (He+, C+, N+, O+ and Ar+) and doubly (C2+, N2+ and O2+) charged ions with 4 keV kinetic energy. In these laboratory experiments, oxygen ice was deposited and irradiated by ions in an ultra high vacuum chamber at low temperature to simulate the environment of space. The number of molecules removed by sputtering was observed by measurement of the ice thickness using laser interferometry. Preliminary mass spectra were taken of sputtered species and of molecules formed in the ice by temperature programmed desorption (TPD). We find that the experimental sputtering yields increase approximately linearly with the projectile ion mass (or momentum squared) for all ions studied. No difference was found between the sputtering yield for singly and doubly charged ions of the same atom within the experimental uncertainty, as expected for a process dominated by momentum transfer. The experimental sputter yields are in good agreement with values calculated using a theoretical model except in the case of oxygen ions. Preliminary studies have shown molecular oxygen as the dominant species sputtered and TPD measurements indicate ozone formation.Comment: to be published in Surface Science (2015

When native species become invasive: the case of bamboos in fragmented forests of Southern Brazil.

ESA 2013. Abstract. COS 29-2

Forest succession stagnation in southern Brazil forests: the role of bamboos.

Edição dos abstracts do 24º IUFRO World Congress, 2014, Salt Lake City. Sustaining forests, sustaining people: the role of research

Business models for the operation of Mobility-as-a-Service solutions

Digitalization is reshaping the conventional transportation industry boundaries and it is important to understand which disruptive opportunities emerge. In this study, it is explained an alternative service than the current mobility offer, a concept named as Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS). It consists on transportation from A to B through a subscription plan in which the user plans, books, manages and pays in one single platform, that integrates diverse mobility partners. The empirical purpose of this research is to understand the distinct business models to implement MaaS based on common characteristics of current MaaS projects, implemented in different cities. To address the research problem, the following questions are asked: What are different business models already on the market to operate MaaS? Is it possible to identify different types? Which factors seems to influence the choice of a certain type? In order to answer these research questions, I use a multiple case study methodology. First by analyzing various scientific articles and MaaS projects presentations, specific to each city. Secondly, by collecting empirical data through semi-structured interviews from Mobility-as-a- Service Industry experts. My research determines that MaaS implementation is tailored to the city and a combination of challenges influences its operation. It concludes that the most influential factor for operating MaaS is the level of government support. This thesis finalizes providing a checklist for MaaS implementation.A digitalização está a reformular os limites do setor do transporte convencional e é importante entender quais as oportunidades disruptivas que surgem com ela. Nesta dissertação, é introduzida uma alternativa ao atual serviço de mobilidade, conceito denominado como Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS). Consiste na mobilidade de A para B, através de um plano de subscrição no qual o usuário planeia, reserva, gere e paga numa única plataforma, que integra diversos parceiros de mobilidade. O objetivo empírico desta pesquisa é entender os diferentes modelos de negócios para implementar MaaS, com base em características comuns dos projetos atuais, implementados em diferentes cidades. Para responder às questões de investigação, são colocadas as seguintes perguntas: Quais são os diferentes modelos de negócios já existentes no mercado para operar MaaS? É possível identificar diferentes tipos? Quais os fatores que parecem influenciar a escolha e aptidão de um determinado tipo? Para responder às questões anteriormente mencionadas, utilizei uma metodologia adequada para estudar múltiplos casos. Primeiro, analisando vários artigos científicos e apresentações de projetos relativos a MaaS, específicos para cada cidade. Em segundo lugar, recolhendo dados por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas, feitas a especialistas do setor de Mobility-as-a- Service. Através da minha pesquisa, determina-se que não só a implementação de MaaS é personalizada a cada cidade, mas há também diversos desafios que influenciam a sua implementação. Conclui-se que o nível de apoio do governo é o fator mais influente para a operação e implementação de MaaS numa cidade. Esta tese finaliza ao proporcionar uma checklist para implementação de MaaS

High magnetic field thermal-expansion and elastic properties of CeRhIn5_5

We report high magnetic field thermal-expansion and magnetostriction results on CeRhIn$_5$ single crystals. Several transitions, both first and second order, are observed when the field is applied perpendicular to the crystallographic c-axis. The magnetic field dependence of the thermal-expansion coefficient above 15 K, where the magnetic correlations are negligible, can be explained supposing an almost pure $| \pm 5/2>$ ground state doublet, in apparent contradiction with neutron scattering experiments. Although the spin-lattice interaction is relevant in this compound, the effect of the magnetic correlations on the elastic properties is relatively weak, as revealed by resonant ultrasound spectroscopy experiments.Comment: 5 pages, 6 figure

Consolidation in the luxury sector : study of a merger between LVMH and Hermès

The current degree of globalization that characterizes most of the world’s modern markets has created a fertile ground for the advent of focused, multinational groups of companies. The complexity of these entities presents itself both as a remarkable achievement in sociological terms but also gives way to new and challenging aspects that human rationality must explore, counting on its inherent curiosity. In this context, this thesis makes an attempt to tackle the problem of valuing multinational firms and providing a possible outcome to a hypothesized merger between two global players in the luxury sector: LVMH and Hermès. The goal that this work proposes to achieve includes an analysis of both companies financial history, coupled with forecasted future performance and valuation as a means to infer on the potential synergetic effects that might arise from a merger. This is done by using methodologies that follow state of the art valuation approaches and are heavily supported by economic and financial theory, while still recognized by the top practitioners working in the areas of corporate finance and investment analysis. The outcome of this study has yielded mainly two conclusions: the fact that, by the end of 2010, both Hermès and LVMH’s stock seem to be overvalued by the market and that a merger would effectively give way to the creation of synergies, thus making it a sensible decision in economic and financial terms. In this sense, the share prices of LVMH and Hermès have been estimated at €118,83 and €126,26 per share, respectively, while the value of synergies was found to be approximately €10B