On the Influence of Angular Momentum and Dynamical Friction on Structure Formation

Astronomy Reports - In this paper we extended the spherical collapse model to take account of angular momentum and dynamical friction and studied how the accreted mass, the threshold of collapse,...     

Integrated Geophysical Investigations at the Greek Kamarina Site (Southern Sicily,Italy)

Kamarina, located in southern Sicily (Italy), was an important Greek colony since its foundation in the sixth century BC. Archaeological excavations, carried out since the twentieth century, uncovered only limited portions of the site so far. Despite the importance of the Greek colony, the presence of remarkable buildings that archaeologists expected to bring to light has not found fully correspondence in the archaeological excavations. Consequently, the integrated geophysical prospection carried out in the study area is aimed to support and address the future archaeological investigations. After the photographic and thermographic survey obtained by an unmanned aerial vehicle, we performed a systematic survey through ground magnetic and GPR methods over an area of 6200 m². The acquisition procedures have been optimized in order to get the best results combining high resolution and elevated speed of acquisition. The results derived from the three geophysical techniques have been conveniently combined by means of a cluster analysis, allowing us to clearly identify a series of buried archaeological features. Because of their geometrical characteristics, often in good agreement with the spatial arrangement of the archaeological remains at the surface, these buried archaeological features can be interpreted as roads, walls, or buildings foundations in which the various construction phases of the city can be clearly recognized. The integrated approach has proven to be essential for a robust interpretation of the archaeogeophysical investigation.     

Amplitude dependence of equivalent modal parameters in monitored buildings during earthquake swarms

This paper investigates the dynamic response of three sample buildings belonging to the Seismic Observatory for Structures, the Italian network for the permanent seismic monitoring of strategic structures, managed by the Italian Department of Civil Protection. The case studies cover different building types that could loosely represent the Italian building stock, with a special emphasis on cultural heritage and masonry structures. Observed under a low‐intensity seismic swarm comprising about 30 aftershocks after a main event, the three buildings are analysed through an input–output, model‐driven linear dynamic identification procedure, depicting the relation between the shaking level at the site and the variation of the equivalent structural modal parameters, while keeping into account the effects of soil–structure interaction. Finite element models will be used to investigate one of the case studies and to compare the law of variation of the structural modal parameters with respect to simplified models proposed by technical standards. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

CoRoT-2a Magnetic Activity: Hints for Possible Star–Planet Interaction

CoRoT-2a is a young (≈0.5 Gyr) G7V star accompanied by a transiting hot-Jupiter, discovered by the CoRoT satellite (Alonso et al. Astron Astrophys 482:L21, 2008; Bouchy et al. Astron Astrophys 482:L25, 2008). An analysis of its photospheric activity, based on spot modelling techniques previously developed by our group for the analysis of the Sun as a star, shows that the active regions on CoRoT-2a arised within two active longitudes separated by about 180° and rotating with periods of 4.5221 and 4.5543 days, respectively, at epoch of CoRoT observations (112 continous days centered at ≈2007.6). We show that the total spotted area oscillates with a period of about 28.9 days, a value close to 10 times the synodic period of the planet with respect to the active longitude pattern rotating in 4.5221 days. Moreover, the variance of the stellar flux is modulated in phase with the planet orbital period. This suggests a possible star–planet magnetic interaction, a phenomenon already seen in other extrasolar planetary systems hosting hot-Jupiters.     

Automated system for magnetic monitoring of active volcanoes

In order to provide a basis for short-term decision-making in the forecasting and monitoring of volcanic activity, we developed an entirely automated system of data acquisition and reduction for magnetic data. The system (Mag-Net) is designed to provide monitoring and analysis of magnetic data on Etna volcano at large distances from the central observatory. The Mag-Net system uses data from an array of continuously recording remote stations spread over the volcanic area and linked by mobile phone to the control center at the local observatory. At this location a computer receives the data and performs data sorting and reduction as well as limited evaluation to detect abnormal behavior or breakdown of remote sensors. Communication software, called MagTalk, is also designed to provide data to distant users. With a view to using continuous magnetic observations in advanced analysis techniques for volcano monitoring, the Mag-Net system also delivers two graphical user interface based applications to provide an interpretation capability. The former, called MADAP, speeds up all the data reduction processes in order to evaluate the reliability of magnetic signals. The latter, called VMM, is a procedure for modeling magnetic fields associated with tectonic and volcanic activity to facilitate the identification and interpretation of the sources of a wide spectrum of magnetic signals.     

Response of non-classically damped structures in the modal subspace

The evaluation of the dynamic response of non-classically damped linear structures requires the solution of an eigenproblem with complex eigenvalues and modal shapes. Since in practice only a small number of complex modes are needed, the complex eigenvalue problem is solved in the modal subspace in which the generalized damping matrix is not uncoupled by classical real modes. It follows that the evaluation of the structural response requires in both cases the determination of complex modes by numerical techniques, which are not as robust as techniques currently used for the solution of the real eigenvalue problem, and the use of complex algebra. In the present paper an unconditionally stable step-by-step procedure is presented for the response of non-classically damped structures in the modal subspace without using complex quantities. The method is based on the evaluation of the fundamental operator in approximated form of the numerical procedure. In addition, the method can be easily modified to incorporate the modal superposition pseudo-static correction terms.     

Comparing methods for determining landslide early warning thresholds: potential use of non-triggering rainfall for locations with scarce landslide data availability

Landslides - Rainfall intensity-duration landslide-triggering thresholds have become widespread for the development of landslide early warning systems. Thresholds can be in principle determined...