1,289 research outputs found
Geographic analysis of multiple sensor data from the NASA/USGS earth resources program
Qualitative and quantitative analyses were made of multi-sensor data acquired during aircraft missions. While the principal analysis effort was concentrated on imagery taken over test sites in Southern California, data were also studied from records acquired on missions over test sites at Phoenix, Chicago, Asheville, and New Orleans. The objectives of the analyses were: (1) to determine the capabilities of ten remote sensors in identifying the elements of information necessary in conducting geographic investigations in land use analysis, urban problems, surface energy budget, and soil moisture; (2) to determine the feasibility of using these sensors for these purposes at orbital altitudes; and (3) to collate and analyze ground and air data previously collected and assemble it in a format useful in the accomplishment of cost effectiveness studies
The Inner Rim of YSO Disks: Effects of dust grain evolution
Dust-grain growth and settling are the first steps towards planet formation.
An understanding of dust physics is therefore integral to a complete theory of
the planet formation process. In this paper, we explore the possibility of
using the dust evaporation front in YSO disks (`the inner rim') as a probe of
the dust physics operating in circumstellar disks. The geometry of the rim
depends sensitively on the composition and spatial distribution of dust. Using
radiative transfer and hydrostatic equilibrium calculations we demonstrate that
dust growth and settling can curve the evaporation front dramatically (from a
cylindrical radius of about 0.5 AU in the disk mid-plane to 1.2 AU in the disk
upper layers for an A0 star). We compute synthetic images and interferometric
visibilities for our representative rim models and show that the current
generation of near-IR long-baseline interferometers (VLTI, CHARA) can strongly
constrain the dust properties of circumstellar disks, shedding light on the
relatively poorly understood processes of grain growth, settling and turbulent
mixing.Comment: 26 pages, 9 figures. Accepted for publication in Ap
The Photoevaporative Wind from the Disk of TW Hya
Photoevaporation driven by the central star is expected to be a ubiquitous
and important mechanism to disperse the circumstellar dust and gas from which
planets form. Here, we present a detailed study of the circumstellar disk
surrounding the nearby star TW Hya and provide observational constraints to its
photoevaporative wind. Our new high-resolution (R ~ 30,000) mid-infrared
spectroscopy in the [Ne II] 12.81 {\mu}m line confirms that this gas diagnostic
traces the unbound wind component within 10AU from the star. From the blueshift
and asymmetry in the line profile, we estimate that most (>80%) of the [Ne II]
emission arises from disk radii where the midplane is optically thick to the
redshifted outflowing gas, meaning beyond the 1 or 4AU dust rim inferred from
other observations. We re-analyze high-resolution (R ~ 48, 000) archival
optical spectra searching for additional transitions that may trace the
photoevaporative flow. Unlike the [Ne II] line, optical forbidden lines from
OI, SII, and MgI are centered at the stellar velocity and have symmetric
profiles. The only way these lines could trace the photoevaporative flow is if
they arise from a disk region physically distinct from that traced by the [Ne
II] line, specifically from within the optically thin dust gap. However, the
small (~10 km/s) FWHM of these lines suggest that most of the emitting gas
traced at optical wavelengths is bound to the system rather than unbound. We
discuss the implications of our results for a planet-induced versus a
photoevaporation-induced gap.Comment: Accepted for publication in Ap
Close-in ice lines and the super-stellar C/O ratio in discs around very low-mass stars
The origin of the elevated C/O ratios in discs around late M dwarfs compared
to discs around solar-type stars is not well understood. Here we endeavour to
reproduce the observed differences in the disc C/O ratios as a function of
stellar mass using a viscosity-driven disc evolution model and study the
corresponding atmospheric composition of planets that grow inside the water-ice
line in these discs. We carried out simulations using a coupled disc evolution
and planet formation code that includes pebble drift and evaporation. We used a
chemical partitioning model for the dust composition in the disc midplane.
Inside the water-ice line, the disc's C/O ratio initially decreases to
sub-stellar due to the inward drift and evaporation of water-ice-rich pebbles
before increasing again to super-stellar values due to the inward diffusion of
carbon-rich vapour. We show that this process is more efficient for very
low-mass stars compared to solar-type stars due to the closer-in ice lines and
shorter disc viscous timescales. In high-viscosity discs, the transition from
sub-stellar to super-stellar takes place faster due to the fast inward
advection of carbon-rich gas. Our results suggest that planets accreting their
atmospheres early (when the disc C/O is still sub-stellar) will have low
atmospheric C/O ratios, while planets that accrete their atmospheres late (when
the disc C/O has become super-stellar) can obtain high C/O ratios. Our model
predictions are consistent with observations, under the assumption that all
stars have the same metallicity and chemical composition, and that the vertical
mixing timescales in the inner disc are much shorter than the radial advection
timescales. This further strengthens the case for considering stellar
abundances alongside disc evolution in future studies that aim to link planet
(atmospheric) composition to disc composition.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&
High resolution spectroscopy of Ne II emission from young stellar objects
Constraining the spatial and thermal structure of the gaseous component of
circumstellar disks is crucial to understand star and planet formation. Models
predict that the [Ne II] line at 12.81 {\mu}m detected in young stellar objects
with Spitzer traces disk gas and its response to high energy radiation, but
such [Ne II] emission may also originate in shocks within powerful outflows. To
distinguish between these potential origins for mid-infrared [Ne II] emission
and to constrain disk models, we observed 32 young stellar objects using the
high resolution (R~30000) mid-infrared spectrograph VISIR at the VLT. We
detected the 12.81 {\mu}m [Ne II] line in 12 objects, tripling the number of
detections of this line in young stellar objects with high spatial and spectral
resolution spectrographs. We obtain the following main results: a) In Class I
objects the [Ne II] emission observed from Spitzer is mainly due to gas at a
distance of more than 20-40 AU from the star, where neon is, most likely,
ionized by shocks due to protostellar outflows. b) In transition and
pre-transition disks, most of the emission is confined to the inner disk,
within 20-40 AU from the central star. c) Detailed analysis of line profiles
indicates that, in transition and pre-transition disks, the line is slightly
blue-shifted (2-12 km s{^-1}) with respect to the stellar velocity, and the
line width is directly correlated with the disk inclination, as expected if the
emission is due to a disk wind. d) Models of EUV/X-ray irradiated disks
reproduce well the observed relation between the line width and the disk
inclination, but underestimate the blue-shift of the line.Comment: 35 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication on Ap
Effects of X-ray irradiation and disk flaring on the [NeII] 12.8 micron emission from young stellar objects
The [Ne II] fine-structure emission line at 12.8 micron has been detected in
several young stellar objects (YSO) spectra. This line is thought to be
produced by X-ray irradiation of the warm protoplanetary disk atmospheres,
however the observational correlation between [Ne II] luminosities and measured
X-ray luminosities shows a large scatter. Such spread limits the utility of
this line as a probe of the gaseous phase of disks, as several authors have
suggested pollution by outflows as a probable cause of the observed scatter. In
this work we explore the possibility that the large variations in the observed
[Ne II] luminosity may be caused instead by different star-disk parameters. In
particular we study the effects that the hardness of the irradiating source and
the structure (flaring) of the disk have on the luminosity and spectral profile
of the [Ne II] 12.8 micron line. We find that varying these parameter can
indeed cause up to an order of magnitude variation in the emission luminosities
which may explain the scatter observed, although our models predict somewhat
smaller luminosities than those recently reported by other authors who observed
the line with the Spitzer Space Telescope. Our models also show that the
hardness of the spectrum has only a limited (undetectable) effect on the line
profiles, while changes in the flaring power of the disk significantly affect
the size of the [Ne II] emission region and, as a consequence, its line
profile. In particular we suggest that broad line profiles centred on the
stellar radial velocity may be indicative of flat disks seen at large
inclination angles.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures. accepted for publication in MNRA
Modeling of shared space with multi-modal traffic using a multi-layer social force approach
In the field of traffic road design, the shared space approach aims to develop roads from mere traffic infrastructures to public spaces, compelling higher interaction between road users. In this paper we develop the fundamentals for a micro-simulation tool based on the Social Force Model, to represent the motion of road users in such layouts. Working with the observed behavior of users in a pedestrian-friendly intersection in the city of Braunschweig (D), a multi-layer structured model is developed, in which each layer is designated to handle different situations, from free-flow movements to user interactions in crowded situations. Visibility graphs and clothoid estimations are used for designing trajectories of road users for the free flow movement. Furthermore, an enhancement of the classical Social Force Model is provided in order to model long-range collision avoidance behavior. Finally, the enhanced simulation framework is validated by two observed scenarios, which include various conflicts between pedestrians and cars.DFG/BE 2159/13-1DFG/FR 1670/13-
Modifying the Response of Male Broiler Chickens to Heat Stress Through Early Age Feed Restriction and Thermal Conditioning
Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of early age feed
restriction and heat conditioning on tolerance to acute and chronic heat stress in
male broiler chickens. In both experiments, equal numbers of chickens were
subjected to (i) 60% feed restriction on day 4, 5, and 6 (FR), (ii) exposure to
36±IoC and 50-60% relative humidity for 1 hour from day 1 to 21 (HT), (iii)
60% feed restriction on day 4, 5, and 6 and exposure to 36± l oC and 50-60%
relative humidity for 1 hour from day 1 to 21 (FRHT). (iv) ad libitum feeding
and no heat treatment (control). In experiment I, on day 35, all birds were
exposed to 39± l oC for 6 hours and 50% relative humidity. Subjecting chicks to
FR, HT and FRHT reduced HLR response to the heat challenge. Following heat
exposure, the FR and FRHT chick had greater heat shock protein (hsp) 70
density than those of controls. The hsp 70 response of HT birds was not
significantly different from the other three groups. The FRHT birds were more
hyperthermic than controls during heat challenge. In experiment II, from day 36- 50, all birds were exposed to 38± l oC and 80 % relative humidity for 2
hours/day. One day following heat exposure (day 37), all birds were
administrated intranasally with infectious bursal disease (IBD) vaccine virus.
The dosage used was l Ox of the recommended level. Subjecting chicks to FRHT
improved relative weight gain and resistance to IBD infection and reduced HLR
in response to the heat treatment as compared with the control birds. Although
there is evidence that FR and HT can improve heat tolerance, the FRHT
combination may further enhance the ability of birds to withstand chronic heat
stress. The acquired improved heat tolerance resulting from FRHT, FR, and HT
could be attributed to enhanced hsp 70 response. The trend of hsp 70 response
correlated well with IBD lesion scores, suggesting hsp 70 may play a role in
resistance against viral infection. Based on experiment I and II, it can be
concluded that the present findings confirmed earlier studies that FR is effective
in alleviating the adverse effects of heat stress. Subjecting birds to FRHT can
further improve tolerance to chronic but not acute heat stress
A multi-layer social force approach to model interactions in shared spaces using collision prediction
In shared space environments the movements of road users is not regulated by traffic rules, but is the result of spontaneous interaction between traffic users, who negotiate the priority according to social rules such as eye contact or courtesy behavior. However, appropriate micro simulation tools, which can reproduce the operation of shared spaces, are currently lacking. In this paper, a multi-layer approach for representing the movement of road users and their interaction, based on the Social Force Model, is developed. In a free-flow layer a realistic path is calculated for each user towards his destination, while a conflict layer is used for detecting possible conflict situations and computing an appropriate reaction. The novelty of this work in the field of shared space modeling is in the implementation of group dynamics and a SFM based approach for cyclists. The presented approach is qualitatively tested in different traffic situations involving cyclists, pedestrians and pedestrian groups, and shows realistic behavior. © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.DFG/BE 2159/13-1DFG/FR 1670/13-
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