On semi-classical weight functions on the unit circle

We consider orthogonal polynomials on the unit circle associated with certain semi-classical weight functions. This means that the Pearson-type differential equations satisfied by these weight functions involve two polynomials of degree at most 2. We determine all such semi-classical weight functions and this also includes an extension of the Jacobi weight function on the unit circle. General structure relations for the orthogonal polynomials and non-linear difference equations for the associated complex Verblunsky coefficients are established. As application, we present several new structure relations and non-linear difference equations associated with some of these semi-classical weight functions.Comment: 26 page

The 1966-1967 Outburst of V1647 Orionis and the Appearance of McNeil's Nebula

We present the results of an investigation aimed at characterizing previous eruptions of V1647 Orionis, the illuminating star of McNeil's Nebula. Photographic plates and films from the Asiago Observatory (1960-1998) and Harvard Observatory (1898-1974) collections were inspected for the nebula. We have determined that, to the plate limits, the known eruption of 1966-1967 is the only one detected during the 38 yr period covered by the Asiago archive. In the Harvard collection, we did not find any additional occurrences in approximately 400 plates of the region taken over the last 100 yr. Based on the Asiago material, we here present a study of the 1966-1967 event. McNeil's Nebula and V1647 Ori are clearly visible on 19 plates obtained with the Asiago 67/92 cm Schmidt telescope from 1966 October 22 to 1967 March 4. The object is not seen on plates taken in 1966 March nor in 1967 November, thus setting a minimum duration time for the eruptive event of 5 months and a maximum of 20 months. The 19 plates showing McNeil's Nebula were digitized, and a morphological and photometric analysis of the object was undertaken. These data show temporal photometric variability, as well as structural differences between different color bands. We finally compare the 1966-1967 event to the recent 2003-2006 eruption and consider the nature of V1647 Ori within the framework of EX Lupi- and FU Orionis-type eruptions

Figure-of-eight velocity curves: UGC10205

We measured the velocity curve and the velocity dispersion profile of the ionized gas along the major axis of the edge-on galaxy UGC~10205. The observed kinematics extends up to about 40 arcsec from the nucleus. In the inner 13 arcsec of this early-type spiral three kinematically distinct gaseous components are present. We disentangle a fast-rotating and a slow-rotating component. They give to the UGC10205 velocity curve a ``figure-of-eight'' appearance. A third velocity component is also detected on the southeast side of the galaxy. Possibly it is produced by gas in non-circular motions.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, Latex macro A&A and psfig macro to insert figure

Unveiling the complexity of japanese metallic threads

In the framework of an extensive survey campaign on a collection of Japanese samurai armors, metallic threads from different parts of the traditional equipment were studied by several analytical techniques. The collection of armors belongs to Museo delle Culture (Lugano, Switzerland) and it is composed of ten elements, which date back from the 15th to 20th century. Metallic threads under study come from six of ten elements of the collection and represent a complex and unique multimaterial, which shows specific characteristics in Japanese tradition (kinran). The multianalytical approach based on ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and SEM-EDX analysis, together with a careful observation with optical and digital microscopy, permitted to obtain a complete characterization of materials, which have shown a great variability in metal foils and in organic adhesives (urushi, animal glue, starch). Gold and silver turned out to be not so largely used as scholars thought, while aluminum showed a great diffusion. Within the collection of analyzed armors, the obtained results allowed us for the first time to get a complete comprehension of materials and techniques used by Japanese craftsmen, and to observe differences in the quality of the materials and in manufacture technology over the centuries

Differentiating between Natural and Modified Cellulosic Fibres Using ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy

This paper presents the limitations and potential of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy applied to the study of cellulosic textile collections The technique helps to differentiate natural fibres according to the content of lignin, pectin, hemicellulose, and wax, although some problematic issues should be considered. The spectral differences derived from the environmental humidity uptake and the plant composition are reviewed and discussed in the light of new experimental data. Diagnostic bands are proposed that can discriminate between different fibres from different plants. The contribution of ageing is also considered, demonstrating that sometimes aged fibres cannot be reliably recognised. In contrast, the potential of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy to discriminate between natural and modified fibres is discussed and proven. The best results were obtained when microinvasive ATR-FTIR spectroscopy was coupled with SEM observations. The proposed protocol was tested on microsamples of various cellulosic materials from traditional Japanese samurai armours dating from the 16th to the 20th centuries (Morigi Collection, Museo delle Culture, Lugano, Switzerland). The results facilitated a complete characterisation of the materials and demonstrated that the protocol can be used to study a wide variety of cellulosic materials, including both natural and man-modified fibres, and paper

Historical silk: a novel method to evaluate degumming with non-invasive infrared spectroscopy and spectral deconvolution

: To correctly manage a collection of historical silks, it is important to detect if the yarn has been originally subjected to degumming. This process is generally applied to eliminate sericin; the obtained fiber is named soft silk, in contrast with hard silk which is unprocessed. The distinction between hard and soft silk gives both historical information and useful indications for informed conservation. With this aim, 32 samples of silk textiles from traditional Japanese samurai armors (15th-20th century) were characterized in a non-invasive way. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy has been previously used to detect hard silk, but data interpretation is challenging. To overcome this difficulty, an innovative analytical protocol based on external reflection FTIR (ER-FTIR) spectroscopy was employed, coupled with spectral deconvolution and multivariate data analysis. The ER-FTIR technique is rapid, portable, and widely employed in the cultural heritage field, but rarely applied to the study of textiles. The ER-FTIR band assignment for silk was discussed for the first time. Then, the evaluation of the OH stretching signals allowed for a reliable distinction between hard and soft silk. Such an innovative point of view, which exploits a "weakness" of FTIR spectroscopy-the strong absorption from water molecules-to indirectly obtain the results, can have industrial applications too

Digitatio and Scientific Exploitation of the Italian and Vatican Astronomical Plate Archives

There is a widespread interest to digitize the precious information contained in the astronomical plate archives, both for the preservation of their content and for its fast distribution to all interested researchers in order to achieve their better scientific exploitation. This paper presents the first results of our large-scale project to digitize the archive of plates of the Italian Astronomical Observatories and of the Specola Vaticana. Similar systems, composed by commercial flat-bed retro-illuminated scanners plus dedicated personal computers and acquisition and analysis software, have been installed in all participating Institutes. Ad-hoc codes have been developed to acquire the data, to test the suitability of the machines to our scientific needs, and to reduce the digital data in order to extract the astrometric, photometric and spectroscopic content. Two more elements complete the overall project: the provision of high quality BVRI CCD sequences in selected fields with the Campo Imperatore telescopes, and the distribution of the digitized information to all interested researchers via the Web. The methods we have derived in the course of this project have been already applied successfully to plates taken by other Observatories, for instance at Byurakan and at Hamburg.Comment: To appear in Experimental Astronom

The Pleiades Plate Database: a new update

New results for the Pleiades Plate Database (PPDB) are presented. The database aims to collect information for the digitized Pleiades plates mainly in the field of 25 square degrees around Alcyone. Using the Wide-Field Plate Database (WFPDB, [http://www.skyarchive.org]) for the Pleiades plate search we found more than 3100 plates existing in the Asiago, Sonneberg, Harvard, Kyiv, and Moscow plate collections. The Pleiades cluster as one of the most observed stellar cluster, which is quite well visible in the Northern sky, is a basic one for many astronomical projects, carried out since the beginning of systematical photographic sky monitoring in 1872 (the Gould survey). More plates from the Asiago, Sonneberg, Harvard, Kyiv, and Moscow wide-field plate archives were scanned and added to the database