118 research outputs found
On the oldest asteroid families in the main belt
Asteroid families are groups of minor bodies produced by high-velocity
collisions. After the initial dispersions of the parent bodies fragments, their
orbits evolve because of several gravitational and non-gravitational
effects,such as diffusion in mean-motion resonances, Yarkovsky and YORP
effects, close encounters of collisions, etc. The subsequent dynamical
evolution of asteroid family members may cause some of the original fragments
to travel beyond the conventional limits of the asteroid family. Eventually,
the whole family will dynamically disperse and no longer be recognizable.
A natural question that may arise concerns the timescales for dispersion of
large families. In particular, what is the oldest still recognizable family in
the main belt? Are there any families that may date from the late stages of the
Late Heavy Bombardment and that could provide clues on our understanding of the
primitive Solar System? In this work, we investigate the dynamical stability of
seven of the allegedly oldest families in the asteroid main belt. Our results
show that none of the seven studied families has a nominally mean estimated age
older than 2.7 Gyr, assuming standard values for the parameters describing the
strength of the Yarkovsky force. Most "paleo-families" that formed between 2.7
and 3.8 Gyr would be characterized by a very shallow size-frequency
distribution, and could be recognizable only if located in a dynamically less
active region (such as that of the Koronis family). V-type asteroids in the
central main belt could be compatible with a formation from a paleo-Eunomia
family.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures, 5 tables. Accepted for publication in MNRA
The Rafita asteroid family
The Rafita asteroid family is an S-type group located in the middle main
belt, on the right side of the 3J:-1A mean-motion resonance. The proximity of
this resonance to the family left side in semi-major axis caused many former
family members to be lost. As a consequence, the family shape in the
domain is quite asymmetrical, with a preponderance of objects on the right side
of the distribution. The Rafita family is also characterized by a leptokurtic
distribution in inclination, which allows the use of methods of family age
estimation recently introduced for other leptokurtic families such as Astrid,
Hansa, Gallia, and Barcelona. In this work we propose a new method based on the
behavior of an asymmetry coefficient function of the distribution in the
plane to date incomplete asteroid families such as Rafita. By
monitoring the time behavior of this coefficient for asteroids simulating the
initial conditions at the time of the family formation, we were able to
estimate that the Rafita family should have an age of Myr, in good
agreement with results from independent methods such as Monte Carlo simulations
of Yarkovsky and Yorp dynamical induced evolution and the time behaviour of the
kurtosis of the distribution. Asteroids from the Rafita family can
reach orbits similar to 8\% of the currently known near Earth objects.
1\% of the simulated objects are present in NEO-space during the final
10 Myr of the simulation, and thus would be comparable to objects in the
present-day NEO population.Comment: Accepted 2017 January 19. Received 2017 January 17; in original form
2016 September
Dynamical evolution and chronology of the Hygiea asteroid family
The asteroid (10) Hygiea is the fourth largest asteroid of the Main Belt, by
volume and mass, and it is the largest member of its own family. Previous works
investigated the long-term effects of close encounters with (10) Hygiea of
asteroids in the orbital region of the family, and analyzed the taxonomical and
dynamical properties of members of this family. In this paper we apply the
high-quality SDSS-MOC4 taxonomic scheme of DeMeo and Carry (2013) to members of
the Hygiea family core and halo, we obtain an estimate of the minimum time and
number of encounter necessary to obtain a (or 99.7%) compatible
frequency distribution function of changes in proper caused by close
encounters with (10) Hygiea, we study the behavior of asteroids near secular
resonance configurations, in the presence and absence of the Yarkovsky force,
and obtain a first estimate of the age of the family based on orbital diffusion
by the Yarkovsky and YORP effects with two methods.
The Hygiea family is at least 2 Byr old, with an estimated age of Myr and a relatively large initial ejection velocity field,
according to the approach of Vokrouhlick\'{y} et al. (2006a, b). Surprisingly,
we found that the family age can be shortened by 25% if the dynamical
mobility caused by close encounters with (10) Hygiea is also accounted for,
which opens interesting new research lines for the dynamical evolution of
families associated with massive bodies. In our taxonomical analysis of the
Hygiea asteroid family, we also identified a new V-type candidate: the asteroid
(177904) (2005 SV5). If confirmed, this could be the fourth V-type object ever
to be identified in the outer main belt.Comment: 13 page, 15 figures, and 4 table
Dynamical evolution of V-type asteroids in the central main belt
V-type asteroids are associated with basaltic composition, and are supposed
to be fragments of crust of differentiated objects. Most V-type asteroids in
the main belt are found in the inner main belt, and are either current members
of the Vesta dynamical family (Vestoids), or past members that drifted away.
However, several V-type photometric candidates have been recently identified in
the central and outer main belt.
The origin of this large population of V-type objects is not well understood.
Since it seems unlikely that Vestoids crossing the 3J:-1A mean-motion resonance
with Jupiter could account for the whole population of V-type asteroids in the
central and outer main belt, origin from local sources, such as the parent
bodies of the Eunomia, and of the Merxia and Agnia asteroid families, has been
proposed as an alternative mechanism.
In this work we investigated the dynamical evolution of the V-type
photometric candidates in the central main belt, under the effect of
gravitational and non-gravitational forces. Our results show that dynamical
evolution from the parent bodies of the Eunomia and Merxia/Agnia families on
timescales of 2 Byr or more could be responsible for the current orbital
location of most of the low-inclined V-type asteroids.Comment: 16 pages, 10 figures, 3 tables. Accepted for publication in MNRA
A multi-domain approach to asteroid families identification
Previous works have identified families halos by an analysis in proper
elements domains, or by using Sloan Digital Sky Survey-Moving Object Catalog
data, fourth release (SDSS-MOC4) multi-band photometry to infer the asteroid
taxonomy, or by a combination of the two methods. The limited number of
asteroids for which geometric albedo was known until recently discouraged in
the past the extensive use of this additional parameter, which is however of
great importance in identifying an asteroid taxonomy. The new availability of
geometric albedo data from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE)
mission for about 100,000 asteroids significantly increased the sample of
objects for which such information, with some errors, is now known.
In this work we proposed a new method to identify families halos in a
multi-domain space composed by proper elements, SDSS-MOC4 (a*,i-z) colors, and
WISE geometric albedo for the whole main belt (and the Hungaria and Cybele
orbital regions). Assuming that most families were created by the breakup of an
undifferentiated parent body, they are expected to be homogeneous in colors and
albedo. The new method is quite effective in determining objects belonging to a
family halo, with low percentages of likely interlopers, and results that are
quite consistent in term of taxonomy and geometric albedo of the halo members.Comment: 23 pages, 18 figures, 6 tables. Accepted for publication in MNRA
Geo-statistical methods to analyse changes in pre-Hispanic settlement patterns in the RĂo Ica catchment, Peru
Within arid regions allochthonous rivers as a main source of fresh water play a significant role in the spatial organisation of human occupation.This study aims at a comprehensive view on changes in the prehistoric occupation patterns within the RĂo Ica catchment on the southern coast of Peru. Results of different research projects are integrated. The heterogeneous character of the catchment allows us to define three sub-sections which differ greatly in terms of vegetation, relief and water regime.Based on quantitative geo-statistical methods we analyse spatio-temporal changes in human occupation from the Early Horizon (c. 1000â200 BC) through to the Inca Late Horizon (AD 1450â1532) in the context of environmental conditions, as well as socio-economic processes. Examining known archaeological sites we are able to assess the significance of environmental location factors for pre-Hispanic settlements. In addition, areas of high human interaction are identified on the basis of a classification of archaeological sites according to their function (craft/industry, cult, cooperation and trade). We thereby transfer the concept of central place theory to the spatial distribution of archaeological remains, introducing a novel approach to identifying central functions in a spatially explicit way.Our results crystallise the changing character of occupation in the study area over more than two millennia. They contribute to the ongoing debate on the decline of the Nasca culture, endorsing a complex combination of natural and socio-economic reasons. Furthermore, the results support the concept of a more widespread exchange and cooperation during âHorizonâ periods in the study area and likewise indicate that the disappearance of a supra-regional administrative polity during âIntermediateâ periods might have led to higher human activity in smaller scale societies, as reflected in a more diverse spatial organisation in terms of geomorphometric units and central areas
Evidence for maize (Zea mays) in the Late Archaic (3000-1800 B.C.) in the Norte Chico region of Peru
Prevalencia de Eimeria sp y estudio morfomĂ©trico de ooquistes hallados en canes domĂ©sticos de PerĂș
La eimeriosis es una enfermedad causada por un protozoario del gĂ©nero Eimeria que afecta a todos los animales silvestres y domĂ©sticos. Dado que en PerĂș no existen reportes previos y en otras regiones de LatinoamĂ©rica la prevalencia es nula o baja en perros domĂ©sticos, el objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar la prevalencia de Eimeria sp en canes de la ciudad de Cajamarca mediante un anĂĄlisis coproparasitolĂłgico, utilizando el mĂ©todo de Faust y efectuando el estudio morfomĂ©trico de los ooquistes. Se obtuvieron aleatoriamente 206 muestras fecales en la zona Este de Cajamarca, las cuales fueron inmediatamente procesadas en el Laboratorio de ParasitologĂa Veterinaria de la Universidad Nacional de Cajamarca, PerĂș. La prevalencia de Eimeria sp fue de 10,68% en canes domĂ©sticos. En el estudio morfomĂ©trico de los ooquistes, se determinaron medidas de largo y ancho, que presentaron promedios de 21,73 pm de largo y 17,77 pm de ancho para la forma ovoide; 16,40 pm de largo y 15,31 pm de ancho para la forma esfĂ©rica, y finalmente 25,54 y 18,51 pm respectivamente para la forma elipsoidal. Estos resultados prueban la presencia e infecciĂłn leve por Eimeria sp en perros domĂ©sticos en la serranĂa norte del PerĂș, sugiriendo ademĂĄs, futuros estudios del protozoario para evitar riesgos o afecciones a la salud pĂșblica
Demographic and health attributes of the Nahua, initial contact population of the Peruvian Amazon.
We present the case of the Nahua population of Santa Rosa de Serjali, Peruvian Amazon's population, considered of initial contact. This population consists of human groups that for a long time decided to live in isolation, but lately have begun living a more sedentary lifestyle and in contact with Western populations. There are two fully identified initial contact groups in Peru: the Nahua and the Nanti. The health statistics of the Nahua are scarce. This study offers an interpretation of demographic and epidemiological indicators of the Nahua people, trying to identify if a certain degree of health vulnerability exists. We performed a cross sectional study, and after analyzing their health indicators, as well as the supplemental qualitative analysis of the population, brought us to conclude that in 2006, the Nahua, remained in a state of health vulnerability.RevisiĂłn por pare
Validation of a susceptibility, benefits, and barrier scale for mammography screening among Peruvian women: a cross-sectional study
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Perceived beliefs about breast cancer and breast cancer screening are important predictors for mammography utilization. This study adapted and validated the Champion's scale in Peru. This scale measures perceived susceptibility for breast cancer and perceived benefits and barriers for mammography.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional study was conducted among women ages 40 to 65 attending outpatient gynecology services in a public hospital in Peru. A group of experts developed and pre-tested a Spanish version of the Champion's scale to assess its comprehensibility (N = 20). Factor analysis, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability analyses were performed (N = 285). Concurrent validity compared scores from participants who had a mammogram and those who did not have it in the previous 15 months. T-test and multiple regression analysis adjusting for socio-demographic factors, mammography knowledge and other preventive behaviors were performed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The construct validity and reliability were optimal. Cronbach-Alpha coefficients were 0.75 (susceptibility), 0.72 (benefits) and 0.86 (barriers). Concurrent validity analysis showed an association between barriers and mammography screening use in bivariate (22.3 ± 6.7 vs. 30.2 ± 7.6; p < 0.001) and multiple regression analysis (OR = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.18-0.43). Ages 50-60 years (OR = 2.35, 95% CI = 1.19-4.65), history of prior Papanicolaou test (OR = 3.69, 95% CI = 1.84-7.40), and knowledge about breast cancer and mammography (OR = 3.69, 95% CI = 1.84-7.40) were also independently associated with mammography screening use.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Concurrent validity analysis showed that the Champion's scale has important limitations for assessing perceived susceptibility for breast cancer and perceived benefits for mammography among Peruvian women. There is still a need for developing valid and reliable instruments for measuring perceived beliefs about breast cancer and mammography screening among Peruvian women.</p
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