The ρ\rho-Geminid meteoroid stream: orbits, spectroscopic data and implications for its parent body

By using an array of high-sensitivity CCD video devices and spectrographs, the activity of meteor events from the poorly-known $\rho$-Geminid meteoroid stream has been monitored during January 2012 and 2013. As a result of this research, the atmospheric trajectory and radiant position of 10 of these events has been obtained, but also the orbital parameters of the progenitor meteoroids and the tensile strength of these particles. The data reveal that the progenitor of this stream must be a comet. In addition, the emission spectra produced by three $\rho$-Geminid meteors were also recorded. These are the first $\rho$-Geminid spectra discussed in the scientific literature, and have provided clues about the chemical nature of these meteoroids and their parent body.Comment: Accepted for publication on Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society on Jan. 20, 201

Lunar impact flashes from Geminids, analysis of luminous efficiencies and the flux of large meteoroids on Earth

We analyze lunar impact flashes recorded by our team during runs in December 2007, 2011, 2013 and 2014. In total, 12 impact flashes with magnitudes ranging between 7.1 and 9.3 in V band were identified. From these, 9 events could be linked to the Geminid stream. Using these observations the ratio of luminous energy emitted in the flashes with respect to the kinetic energy of the impactors for meteoroids of the Geminid stream is estimated. By making use of the known Geminids meteoroid flux on Earth we found this ratio to be 2.1x10$^{-3}$ on average. We compare this luminous efficiency with other estimations derived in the past for other meteoroid streams and also compare it with other estimations that we present here for the first time by making use of crater diameter measurements. We think that the luminous efficiency has to be revised downward, not upward, at least for sporadic impacts. This implies an increase in the influx of kilogram-sized and larger bodies on Earth that has been derived thus far through the lunar impact flash monitoring technique

Multi-instrumental observations of the 2014 Ursid meteor outburst

The Ursid meteor shower is an annual shower that usually shows little activity. However, its Zenith hourly rate sometimes increases, usually either when its parent comet, 8P/Tuttle, is close to its perihelion or its aphelion. Outbursts when the comet is away from perihelion are not common and outbursts when the comet is close to aphelion are extremely rare. The most likely explanation offered to date is based on the orbital mean motion resonances. The study of the aphelion outburst of 2000 December provided a means of testing that hypothesis. A new aphelion outburst was predicted for 2014 December. The SPanish Meteor Network, in collaboration with the French Fireball Recovery and InterPlanetary Observation Network, set up a campaign to monitor this outburst and eventually retrieve orbital data that expand and confirm previous preliminary results and predictions. Despite unfavourable weather conditions over the south of Europe over the relevant time period, precise trajectories from multistation meteor data recorded over Spain were obtained, as well as orbital and radiant information for four Ursid meteors. The membership of these four meteors to the expected dust trails that were to provoke the outburst is discussed, and we characterize the origin of the outburst in the dust trail produced by the comet in the year AD 1392.Peer reviewe

The 2006 Orionid outburst imaged by all-sky CCD cameras from Spain: meteoroid spatial fluxes and orbital elements

By using high-resolution low-scan-rate all-sky CCD cameras, the SPanish Meteor Network (SPMN) detected an outburst of Orionid meteors associated with comet 1P/Halley on 2006 October 20-21. This detection was made possible due to the operational concept of the SPMN that involves continuous monitoring of meteor activity throughout the year. Accurate heliocentric orbits have been obtained for three meteors imaged simultaneously from two stations during the outburst. Additional astrometry of 33 single-station meteors indicates that the activity was produced from a conspicuous geocentric radiant located at alpha = 92.degrees 2 +/- 0.degrees 5 and delta = +15.degrees 4 +/- 0.degrees 6 which is similar to the radiant observed during the 1993 Orionid outburst despite the fact that the last one peaked on a different date. The radiant position obtained by the SPMN is consistent with that derived from digital pictures taken a few hours before from Ankara (Turkey). The extent of the outburst (a background of bright meteors was observed over several days), its absence in other years, and the orbital period of the three Orionid orbits suggest that the outburst could be produced by meteoroids trapped in resonances with Jupiter but additional data are required. The SPMN's continuous coverage of meteor activity allowed the identification of the main sources of meteors during 2006 October: mostly due to the Orionid stream, the two branches of the Taurid stream associated with comet 2P/Encke, and the delta Aurigids. Surprisingly, once a detailed analysis of the double-station video meteors was completed, some additional minor stream activity was discovered, that is, the nu Aurigids. In consequence, we also present two accurate orbits of this unexpected, but previously identified, minor shower

A structurally unique Fusobacterium nucleatumtannase provides detoxicant activity againstgallotannins and pathogen resistance

20 pags., 7 figs., 1 tab.Colorectal cancer pathogenesis and progression isassociated with the presence of Fusobacteriumnucleatum and the reduction of acetylated deriva-tives of spermidine, as well as dietary componentssuch as tannin-rich foods. We show that a new tan-nase orthologue of F. nucleatum (TanBFnn) has sig-nicant structural differences with its Lactobacillusplantarum counterpart affecting the ap covering theactive site and the accessibility of substrates. Crys-tallographic and molecular dynamics analysisrevealed binding of polyamines to a small cavity thatconnects the active site with the bulk solvent whichinteract with catalytically indispensable residues. Asa result, spermidine and its derivatives, particularlyN8-acetylated spermidine, inhibit the hydrolytic activ-ity of TanBFnnand increase the toxicity of gallotan-nins to F. nucleatum. Our results support a model inwhich the balance between the detoxicant activity ofTanBFnnand the presence of metabolic inhibitorscan dictate either conducive or unfavourable condi-tions for the survival of F. nucleatum.Supported by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MCI) cofinanced with FEDER funds (SAF2015‐65327‐R and RTI2018‐096494‐B‐100 to JA; AGL2017‐86757‐R to LA, SAF2015‐73549‐JIN to HR; RTI2018‐099592‐B‐C22 to GJO) and the Mizutani Foundation for Glycoscience (200077 to GJO). LA and GJO are supported by the Ramon y Cajal program (RYC‐2013‐13666 and RYC‐2013‐14706 respectively). JTC and AP are the recipients postdoctoral fellowships from the Basque Government. DB is the recipient of a MCI FPI fellowship. APC is the recipient of a fellowship from the University of the Basque Country. We thank the MCI for the Severo Ochoa Excellence accreditation (SEV‐2016‐0644) and the Basque Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade (Etortek and Elkartek programs). JMM thanks the ALBA synchrotron for providing access time to the BL‐13 XALOC beamline. This work is supported by grants from the Jesús de Gangoiti Barrera FoundationPeer reviewe