On the design of the PEPSI spectropolarimeter for the LBT

We present the design concept of the spectropolarimeter for the high‐resolution echelle spectrograph PEPSI tobe installed at the 2 × 8.4 m Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) in Arizona. We discuss the optical key elements, the principles of operations of the instrument and its instrumental polarization effects (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The mass distribution in the innermost regions of spiral galaxies

We use high-spatial resolution (100 pc) rotation curves of 83 spiral galaxies to investigate the mass distribution of their innermost kpc. We show that, in this region, the luminous matter completely accounts for the gravitational potential and no dark component is required. The derived I-band disk mass-to-light ratios agree well with those obtained from population synthesis models and correlate with color in a similar way. We find strict upper limits of 10⁷ M for the masses of compact bodies at the center of spirals, ruling out that these systems host the remnants of the quasar activity.     

Solar radio pulsating structures during September 9, 2001 at meter wavelength

Pulsating structures recorded at 237 MHz that are associated to decimetric continuum enhancement during the September 9, 2001 solar radio burst are described. We analyzed the radiopolarimetric data recorded at the Trieste Solar Radio System (INAF—Trieste Astronomical Observatory—Basovizza Observing Station) with very high time resolution (1 ms) at metric frequencies. Two different types of pulsations that occur in about 4 minutes at the same frequency are described. The possible mechanisms are analyzed and some parameters of the associated magnetic structure are estimated.     

Novel spaceways for reaching the Moon: an assessment for exploration

The renewed interest of the major space agencies for the exploration of the Moon has made a review of the present/near future scenario and the related accessible mission profiles desirable. In particular the application of the dynamical systems approach to spaceflight dynamics could bring a significant contribution. A simple method for evaluating the efficiency of these novel spaceways for reaching the Moon if compared to more traditional mission profiles is presented and some general considerations on their utilization for automatic precursor missions as well as for the setting up and the maintenance of a Moon Base are discussed.     

First results from a dark matter search with liquid argon at 87 K in the Gran Sasso underground laboratory

A new method of searching for dark matter in the form of weakly interacting massive particles (WIMP) has been developed with the direct detection of the low energy nuclear recoils observed in a massive target (ultimately many tons) of ultra pure liquid argon at 87 K. A high selectivity for argon recoils is achieved by the simultaneous observation of both the VUV scintillation luminescence and of the electron signal surviving columnar recombination, extracted through the liquid–gas boundary by an electric field.

First physics results from this method are reported, based on a small 2.3 l test chamber filled with natural argon and an accumulated fiducial exposure of about 100 kg day, supporting the future validity of this method with isotopically purified ⁴⁰Ar and for a much larger unit presently under construction with correspondingly increased sensitivities.     

Propagation and Damping of a Localized Impulsive Longitudinal Perturbation in Coronal Loops

We use linear analysis to simulate the evolution of a coronal loop in response to a localized impulsive event. The disturbance is modeled by injecting a narrow Gaussian velocity pulse near one footpoint of a loop in equilibrium. Three different damping mechanisms, namely viscosity, thermal conduction, and optically thin radiation, are included in the loop calculations. We consider homogeneous and gravitationally stratified, isothermal loops of varying length (50≤L≤400 Mm) and temperature (2≤T≤10 MK). We find that a localized pulse can effectively excite slow magnetoacoustic waves that propagate up along the loop. The amplitudes of the oscillations increase with decreasing loop temperature and increasing loop length and size of the pulse width. At T≥4 MK, the waves are dissipated by the combined effects of viscosity and thermal conduction, whereas at temperatures of 2 MK, or lower, wave dissipation is governed by radiative cooling. We predict periods in the range of 4.6?–?41.6 minutes. The wave periods remain unaltered by variations of the pulse size, decrease with the loop temperature, and increase almost linearly with the loop length. In addition, gravitational stratification results in a small reduction of the periods and amplification of the waves as they propagate up along the loop.     

Optimal weakening and damping using polynomial control for seismically excited nonlinear structures

This paper presents an approach for the optimal design of a new retrofi t technique called weakening and damping that is valid for civil engineering inelastic structures.An alternative design methodology is developed with respect to the existing ones that is able to determine the locations and the magnitude of weakening and/or softening of structural elements and adding damping while insuring structural stability.An optimal polynomial controller that is a summation of polynomials in nonlinear states is used...     

4株海洋红球菌产类胡萝卜素分析及其全基因组测序

以源于东太平洋海水的4株红球菌分离菌Rhodococcussp. EPR-134、Rhodococcus sp. EPR-147、Rhodococcus sp. EPR-157和Rhodococcus sp. EPR-279为研究对象,开展了菌株的色素提取和色素全波长扫描,并基于全基因组测序分析了4株细菌类胡萝卜素代谢通路中的相关基因。色素全波长扫描结果显示,菌株EPR-134不具备类胡萝卜素产生能力,而其它3株红球菌能够产生类胡萝卜素,且所产类胡萝卜素组分不同。基因组分析表明,4个细菌基因组中存在较为完整的促使类胡萝卜素形成的基因簇。对菌株参与番茄红素形成的3个关键基因crt E、crt B和crt I的氨基酸序列同源性两两比对分析表明,菌株EPR-134 3个基因氨基酸序列与其它3个菌株相应基因氨基酸序列同源性最低,这可能是导致该菌株不产类胡萝卜素的关键原因。该研究结果为产类胡萝卜素红球菌的遗传改造,以及为产类胡萝卜素工程菌的构建奠定了前期基础。     

A case of no-wind plinian fallout at Pululagua caldera (Ecuador): implications for models of clast dispersal

The caldera of Pululagua is an eruptive centre of the Northern Volcanic Zone of the South American volcanic arc, located about 15 km north of Quito, Ecuador. Activity leading to formation of the caldera occurred about 2450 b.p. as a series of volcanic episodes during which an estimated 5–6 km³ (DRE) of hornblende-bearing dacitic magma was erupted. A basal pumice-fall deposit covers more than 2.2x10⁴ km² with a volume of about 1.1 km³ and represents the principal and best-preserved plinian layer. Circular patterns of isopachs and pumice, lithic and Md isopleths of the Basal Fallout (BF) around the caldera indicate emplacement in wind-free conditions. Absence of wind is confirmed by an ubiquitous, normally graded, thin ash bed at the top of the lapilli layer which originated from slow settling of fines after cessation of the plinian column (co-plinian ash). The unusual atmospheric conditions during deposition make the BF deposit particularly suitable for the application and evaluation of pyroclast dispersal models. Application of the Carey and Sparks' (1986) model shows that whereas the 3.2-, 1.6-, and 0.8-cm lithic isopleths predict a model column height of about 36 km, the 6.4-cm isopleth yields and estimate of only 21 km. The 4.9- and 6.4-cm isopleths yield a column height of 28 km using the model of Wilson and Walker (1987). The two models give the same mass discharge rate of 2x10⁸ kg s^-1. A simple exponential decrease of thickness with distance, as proposed by Pyle (1989) for plinian falls, fits well with the BF. Exponential decrease of size with distance is followed by clasts less than about 3 cm, suggesting, in agreement with Wilson and Walker (1987), that only a small proportion of large clasts reach the top of the column. Variations with distance in clast distribution patterns imply that, in order to obtain column heights by clast dispersal models, the distribution should be known from both proximal and distal zones. Knowledge of only a few isopleths, irrespective of their distance from the vent, is not sufficient as seemed justified by the method of Pyle (1989).     

Sopra una clorite (penninite) della valle del Dragone nell'appennino emiliano

Riassunto Viene descritta una penninite di Boccassuolo nell'Appennino modenese, e attraverso lo studio ottico, chimico, roentgenografico e termico differenziale ne vengono definite le proprietà caratteristiche. L'esame della curva termico differenziale e degli spettrogrammi Debye ottenuti da polvere di penninite scaldata fra 900° e 950° permette di stabilire che la trasformazione penninite-enstatite inizia già nell'ambito di temperatura compreso fra 910° e 940°.Con 1 figura.