218 research outputs found
Colors of Inner Disk Classical Kuiper Belt Objects
We present new optical broadband colors, obtained with the Keck 1 and Vatican
Advanced Technology telescopes, for six objects in the inner classical Kuiper
Belt. Objects in the inner classical Kuiper Belt are of interest as they may
represent the surviving members of the primordial Kuiper Belt that formed
interior to the current position of the 3:2 resonance with Neptune, the current
position of the plutinos, or, alternatively, they may be objects formed at a
different heliocentric distance that were then moved to their present
locations. The six new colors, combined with four previously published, show
that the 10 inner belt objects with known colors form a neutral clump and a
reddish clump in B-R color. Nonparametric statistical tests show no significant
difference between the B-R color distribution of the inner disk objects
compared to the color distributions of Centaurs, plutinos, or scattered disk
objects. However, the B-R color distribution of the inner classical Kuiper belt
objects does differ significantly from the distribution of colors in the cold
(low inclination) main classical Kuiper belt. The cold main classical objects
are predominately red, while the inner classical belt objects are a mixture of
neutral and red. The color difference may reveal the existence of a gradient in
the composition and /or surface processing history in the primordial Kuiper
Belt, or indicate that the inner disk objects are not dynamically analogous to
the cold main classical belt objects.Comment: Accepted for publication in A
The Color Distribution in the Edgeworth-Kuiper Belt
We have started since 1997 the Meudon Multicolor Survey of Outer Solar System
Objects with the aim of collecting a large and homogeneous set of color data
for Trans-Neptunian and Centaurs objects [...] We have a combined sample of 52
B-R color measurements for 8 Centaurs, 22 Classicals, 13 Plutinos, 8 Scattered
objects and 1 object with unidentified dynamical class. This dataset is the
largest single and homogeneous published dataset to date [...]. A strong
(color) correlation with mean excitation velocity points toward a space
weathering/impact origin for the color diversity. However, thorough modeling of
the collisional/dynamical environment in the Edgeworth-Kuiper belt needs to be
done in order to confirm this scenario. We found also that the Classical TNOs
consist in the superposition of two distinct populations: the dynamically Cold
Classical TNOs (red colors, low i, small sizes) and the dynamically Hot
Classical TNOs (diverse colors, moderate and high i, larger sizes). [...] Our
specific observation strategy [...] permitted us to highlight a few objects
suspected to have true compositional and/or texture variation on their
surfaces. These are 1998 HK151, 1999 DF9, 1999 OY3, 2000 GP183, 2000 OK67, and
2001 KA77 and should be prime targets for further observations [...]. Our
survey has also highlighted 1998 SN165 whose colors and dynamical properties
puts it in a new dynamical class distinct from the Classicals, its previously
assigned dynamical class.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomical Journal (38 pages, inc. 11
figures
A novel methodology to assess the relaxation rate of the intervertebral disc by increments on intradiscal pressure
Publicado em "Applied mechanics and materials, vol. 664 (2014) pp 379-383"The Intervertebral Disc (IVD) is subjected to several types of loading during daily routine
events. However, the overloading on this structure induces higher Intradiscal Pressure (IDP), which
could cause severe damage on its structure. This study describes a new approach to that allows
monitorize and pressurize nuclear region of the IVD, with a cartilaginous endplate access, by the
insertion of an external fluid, while a Motion Segment (MS-assembly composed by
vertebra-disc-vertebra) is compressed at a physiological load. This methodology includes the use of a
pneumatic structure that applies a certain pressure on the hydrostatic system, forcing a fluid to enter
into the MS through a screw, with a drilled hollow along its entire length. Preliminary results
indicated that this methodology presents high potential to efficiently pressurize the IVD, providing a
useful tool to better understand the response of this structure under pressure.EC -European Commission(NMP-2009-SMALL-3-CP-FP 246351
Neptune Trojans and Plutinos: colors, sizes, dynamics, and their possible collisions
Neptune Trojans and Plutinos are two subpopulations of trans-Neptunian
objects located in the 1:1 and the 3:2 mean motion resonances with Neptune,
respectively, and therefore protected from close encounters with the planet.
However, the orbits of these two kinds of objects may cross very often,
allowing a higher collisional rate between them than with other kinds of
trans-Neptunian objects, and a consequent size distribution modification of the
two subpopulations.
Observational colors and absolute magnitudes of Neptune Trojans and Plutinos
show that i) there are no intrinsically bright (large) Plutinos at small
inclinations, ii) there is an apparent excess of blue and intrinsically faint
(small) Plutinos, and iii) Neptune Trojans possess the same blue colors as
Plutinos within the same (estimated) size range do.
For the present subpopulations we analyzed the most favorable conditions for
close encounters/collisions and address any link there could be between those
encounters and the sizes and/or colors of Plutinos and Neptune Trojans. We also
performed a simultaneous numerical simulation of the outer Solar System over 1
Gyr for all these bodies in order to estimate their collisional rate.
We conclude that orbital overlap between Neptune Trojans and Plutinos is
favored for Plutinos with large libration amplitudes, high eccentricities, and
small inclinations. Additionally, with the assumption that the collisions can
be disruptive creating smaller objects not necessarily with similar colors, the
present high concentration of small Plutinos with small inclinations can thus
be a consequence of a collisional interaction with Neptune Trojans and such
hypothesis should be further analyzed.Comment: 15 pages, 9 figures, 6 tables, accepted for publication in A&
A novel methodology for measurement of the intradiscal pressure and height disc variation of intervertebral disc under compression
The intervertebral disc (IVD) is subjected to several types of loading during daily routine events. However, the overloading on this structure induces higher intradiscal pressure (IDP), which could cause severe damage on its structure. This study describes a new approach to monitor IDP and determine the height disc variation by applying external pressure, while a motion segment (assembly composed by vertebra-disc-vertebra) compressed at a physiological load. This methodology includes the use of a pneumatic structure that applies a certain pressure on the hydrostatic system, forcing a fluid to enter into the motion segment, through a screw with a drilled hollow along its entire length with an internal bore. Preliminary results indicates these methodology presents high potential to efficiently pressurize the IVD, providing a useful tool to better understand the response of this structure under pressure
Different in Vivo Reactivity Profile in Health Care Workers and Patients with Spina Bifida to Internal and External Latex Glove Surface-Derived Allergen Extracts
BACKGROUND: Allergy to natural rubber latex is a well-recognized health problem, especially among health care workers and patients with spina bifida. Despite latex sensitization being acquired in health institutions in both health care workers and patients with spina bifida, differences in allergen sensitization profiles have been described between these two risk groups.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the in vivo reactivity of health care workers and patients with spina bifida to extracts of internal and external surfaces of latex gloves and also to specific extracts enriched in major allergens for these risk groups.
METHODS: Gloves from different manufacturers were used for protein extraction, and salt precipitation and hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) were applied to obtain the enriched latex extracts. The major latex allergens were quantified by an enzyme immunoassay. The extracts obtained were tested in 14 volunteers using skin prick tests (SPT).
RESULTS: Latex glove extracts enriched in the hydrophobic allergens that are most often seen in patients with spina bifida were obtained by selective precipitation, whereas HIC produced extracts enriched in the hydrophilic allergens commonly found in health care workers. The health care workers had positive SPTs to glove extracts from internal surfaces and to the hydrophilic allergen-enriched extracts. By contrast, patients with spina bifida had larger skin reactions both to external glove extracts and to the extracts enriched with the hydrophobic major allergens for this risk group. Despite the protein concentration of these extracts being less than half the concentration of the commercial extract, the weal-and-flare reactions were of similar magnitude.
CONCLUSION: Using novel latex extracts, our study showed a different in vivo reactivity pattern in health care workers and in patients with spina bifida to extracts of the internal and external surfaces of gloves, which suggests that sensitization may occur by different routes of exposure, and that this influences the allergen reactivity profiles of these risk group
Visible spectroscopy of the new ESO Large Program on trans-Neptunian objects and Centaurs: final results
A second large programme (LP) for the physical studies of TNOs and Centaurs,
started at ESO Cerro Paranal on October 2006 to obtain high-quality data, has
recently been concluded. In this paper we present the spectra of these pristine
bodies obtained in the visible range during the last two semesters of the LP.
We investigate the spectral behaviour of the TNOs and Centaurs observed, and we
analyse the spectral slopes distribution of the full data set coming from this
LP and from the literature. We computed the spectral slope for each observed
object, and searched for possible weak absorption features. A statistical
analysis was performed on a total sample of 73 TNOs and Centaurs to look for
possible correlations between dynamical classes, orbital parameters, and
spectral gradient. We obtained new spectra for 28 bodies, 15 of which were
observed for the first time. All the new presented spectra are featureless,
including 2003 AZ84, for which a faint and broad absorption band possibly
attributed to hydrated silicates on its surface has been reported. The data
confirm a wide variety of spectral behaviours, with neutral--grey to very red
gradients. An analysis of the spectral slopes available from this LP and in the
literature for a total sample of 73 Centaurs and TNOs shows that there is a
lack of very red objects in the classical population. We present the results of
the statistical analysis of the spectral slope distribution versus orbital
parameters. In particular, we confirm a strong anticorrelation between spectral
slope and orbital inclination for the classical population. A strong
correlation is also found between the spectral slope and orbital eccentricity
for resonant TNOs, with objects having higher spectral slope values with
increasing eccentricity.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figure
"TNOs are Cool": A survey of the trans-Neptunian region X. Analysis of classical Kuiper belt objects from Herschel and Spitzer observations
The classical Kuiper belt contains objects both from a low-inclination,
presumably primordial, distribution and from a high-inclination dynamically
excited population. Based on a sample of classical TNOs with observations at
thermal wavelengths we determine radiometric sizes, geometric albedos and
thermal beaming factors as well as study sample properties of dynamically hot
and cold classicals. Observations near the thermal peak of TNOs using infra-red
space telescopes are combined with optical magnitudes using the radiometric
technique with near-Earth asteroid thermal model (NEATM). We have determined
three-band flux densities from Herschel/PACS observations at 70.0, 100.0 and
160.0 m and Spitzer/MIPS at 23.68 and 71.42 m when available. We have
analysed 18 classical TNOs with previously unpublished data and re-analysed
previously published targets with updated data reduction to determine their
sizes and geometric albedos as well as beaming factors when data quality
allows. We have combined these samples with classical TNOs with radiometric
results in the literature for the analysis of sample properties of a total of
44 objects. We find a median geometric albedo for cold classical TNOs of 0.14
and for dynamically hot classical TNOs, excluding the Haumea family and dwarf
planets, 0.085. We have determined the bulk densities of Borasisi-Pabu (2.1
g/cm^3), Varda-Ilmare (1.25 g/cm^3) and 2001 QC298 (1.14 g/cm^3) as well as
updated previous density estimates of four targets. We have determined the
slope parameter of the debiased cumulative size distribution of dynamically hot
classical TNOs as q=2.3 +- 0.1 in the diameter range 100<D<500 km. For
dynamically cold classical TNOs we determine q=5.1 +- 1.1 in the diameter range
160<D<280 km as the cold classical TNOs have a smaller maximum size.Comment: 22 pages, 7 figures Accepted to be published in Astronomy and
Astrophysic
Colors and taxonomy of Centaurs and Trans-Neptunian Objects
The study of the surface properties of Centaurs and Trans-Neptunian Objects
(TNOs) provides essential information about the early conditions and evolution
of the outer Solar System. Due to the faintness of most of these distant and
icy bodies, photometry currently constitutes the best technique to survey a
statistically significant number of them. Our aim is to investigate color
properties of a large sample of minor bodies of the outer Solar System, and set
their taxonomic classification. We carried out visible and near-infrared
photometry of Centaurs and TNOs, making use, respectively, of the FORS2 and
ISAAC instruments at the Very Large Telescope (European Southern Observatory).
Using G-mode analysis, we derived taxonomic classifications according to the
Barucci et al. (2005a) system. We report photometric observations of 31
objects, 10 of them have their colors reported for the first time ever. 28
Centaurs and TNOs have been assigned to a taxon. We combined the entire sample
of 38 objects taxonomically classified in the framework of our programme (28
objects from this work; 10 objects from DeMeo et al. 2009a) with previously
classified TNOs and Centaurs, looking for correlations between taxonomy and
dynamics. We compared our photometric results to literature data, finding hints
of heterogeneity for the surfaces of 4 objects.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures. To be published in Astronomy and Astrophysic
How does flow in a pipe become turbulent?
The transition to turbulence in pipe flow does not follow the scenario
familiar from Rayleigh-Benard or Taylor-Couette flow since the laminar profile
is stable against infinitesimal perturbations for all Reynolds numbers.
Moreover, even when the flow speed is high enough and the perturbation
sufficiently strong such that turbulent flow is established, it can return to
the laminar state without any indication of the imminent decay. In this
parameter range, the lifetimes of perturbations show a sensitive dependence on
initial conditions and an exponential distribution. The turbulence seems to be
supported by three-dimensional travelling waves which appear transiently in the
flow field. The boundary between laminar and turbulent dynamics is formed by
the stable manifold of an invariant chaotic state. We will also discuss the
relation between observations in short, periodically continued domains, and the
dynamics in fully extended puffs.Comment: for the proceedings of statphys 2
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