Surface composition and taxonomic classification of a group of near-Earth and Mars-crossing asteroids

In the past, constraining the surface composition of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) has been difficult due to the lack of high quality near-IR spectral data (0.7-2.5 microns) that contain mineralogically diagnostic absorption bands. Here we present visible (0.43-0.95 microns) and near-infrared (0.7-2.5 microns) spectra of nine NEAs and five Mars-crossing asteroids (MCs). The studied NEAs are: 4055 Magellan, 19764 (2000 NF5), 89830 (2002 CE), 138404 (2000 HA24), 143381 (2003 BC21), 159609 (2002 AQ3), 164121 (2003 YT1), 241662 (2000 KO44) and 2007 ML13. The studied MCs are: 1656 Suomi, 2577 Litva, 5407 (1992 AX), 22449 Ottijeff and 47035 (1998 WS). The observations were conducted with the NTT at La Silla, Chile, the 2.2 m telescope at Calar Alto, Spain, and the IRTF on Mauna Kea, Hawai'i. The taxonomic classification (Bus system) of asteroids showed that all observed MC asteroids belong to the S-complex, including the S, Sr and Sl classes. Seven of the NEAs belong to the S-complex, including the S, Sa, Sk and Sl classes, and two NEAs were classified as V-types. The classification of the NEA 164121 (2003 YT1) as a V-type was made on the basis of its near-infrared spectrum since no visible spectrum is available for this asteroid. A mineralogical analysis was performed on six of the asteroids (those for which near-IR spectra were obtained or previously available). We found that three asteroids (241662 (2000 KO44), 19764 (2000 NF5), 138404 (2000 HA24)) have mafic silicate compositions consistent with ordinary chondrites, while three others (4055 Magellan, 164121 (2003 YT1), 5407 (1992 AX)) are pyroxene-dominated basaltic achondrite assemblages. In the case of 5407 (1992 AX) we found that its basaltic surface composition contrasts its taxonomic classification as a S-type.Comment: 23 pages, 10 figures, 3 tables, accepted for publication in Icaru

Work Participation in Cultural Operations of Rice Farming by Tribal and Non-Tribal Labourers in Wayanad district : A Comparative Analysis

Rice is a traditional staple food crop of India, having high cultural and ecological significance in the present global scenario. Tribal labourers in Wayanad district of Kerala had been the traditional labourers in rice farming. The consequent migration of non-tribals to Wayanad district of Kerala had been changed the demographic and cultural entity of the district. The present study was conducted in Wayanad district to compare the work participation between tribal and non- tribal labourers. Twenty tribal and non-tribal labourers were selected from each selected panchayats and a total of one hundred and twenty respondents were included in the study. A well-structured interview schedule was used for collecting the data from the respondents. The data were tabulated and inferences were drawn after appropriate statistical analysis. The results show that majority of the tribal labourers had high work participation than non-tribals. While comparing based on gender, female labourers had high work participation than male labourers both in the case of tribal and non-tribal labourers

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy under spinal anaesthesia: a series of 100 cases

Background: PCNL was introduced by Fern Storm and Johansson in 1976 and further developed in the following years.  Till 1988 all the procedures were done under general anaesthesia (GA). This study is to determine if PCNL can be done under spinal anaesthesia with satisfaction to the patient, surgeon and anaesthesiologist and to find out if there are any complications. Methods: PCNL was introduced by Fern Storm and Johansson in 1976 and further developed in the following years.  Till 1988 all the procedures were done under general anaesthesia (GA). This study is to determine if PCNL can be done under spinal anaesthesia with satisfaction to the patient, surgeon and anaesthesiologist and to find out if there are any complications. Results: In two patients, spinal anaesthesia failed to act.  They were converted to general anaesthesia. Two patients who complained of discomfort in the prone position were reassured and given increments of Midozolam 0.5 mg.  Three patients had developed bleeding.98 patients underwent surgery under spinal anesthesia with good patient satisfaction. There were no major complications.Conclusions: PCNL can be done under spinal anesthesia to the satisfaction of the patient, surgeon and anesthesiologist

Mineralogy and Surface Composition of Asteroids

Methods to constrain the surface mineralogy of asteroids have seen considerable development during the last decade with advancement in laboratory spectral calibrations and validation of our interpretive methodologies by spacecraft rendezvous missions. This has enabled the accurate identification of several meteorite parent bodies in the main asteroid belt and helped constrain the mineral chemistries and abundances in ordinary chondrites and basaltic achondrites. With better quantification of spectral effects due to temperature, phase angle, and grain size, systematic discrepancies due to non-compositional factors can now be virtually eliminated for mafic silicate-bearing asteroids. Interpretation of spectrally featureless asteroids remains a challenge. This paper presents a review of all mineralogical interpretive tools currently in use and outlines procedures for their application.Comment: Chapter to appear in the Space Science Series Book: Asteroids IV, 51 pages, 7 figures, 2 table

INVESTIGATION OF ADVANCED NON-LINEAR CONTROL AND ESTIMATION ALGORITHM FOR ROCKET BASED APPLICATIONS

Online Object tracking is an important task in radar and sonar signal processing As it  is a challenging problem due to the presence of noise, and dynamic changes. a variety of Stochastic algorithms for tracking targets have been proposed and implemented to reach  these challenges. Approaches towards   highly nonlinear  applications  is an   advanced   task . In this paper, we devote the effort to use the Particle Filtering with estimation of various states of a vehicle launched from an idealized spherical, airless, non-rotating earth to improve tracking efficiency. The simulation results show that the PF improved the tracking performance compared to the Kalman based Filters (EKF, UKF) for the rocket launch application