Trails of solar system minor bodies on WFC/ACS images

In this paper, we analyse very short arcs of minor bodies of the Solar System detected on Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Wide Field Channel ACS images. In particular, we address how to constrain the Keplerian orbital elements for minor body detections, illustrating the method for two objects. One of the minor bodies left 13 successive trails, making it the most well-sampled object yet identified in the HST archive. Most interestingly, we also address the problem of ephemeris prediction and show that in the particular case of HST very short arcs the confinement window for subsequent recovery is significantly reduced to a narrow linear region, that would facilitate successive observations.     

Evaluation of Urban Local-Scale Aerodynamic Parameters: Implications for the Vertical Profile of Wind Speed and for Source Areas

Nine methods to determine local-scale aerodynamic roughness length \((z_{0})\) and zero-plane displacement \((z_{d})\) are compared at three sites (within 60 m of each other) in London, UK. Methods include three anemometric (single-level high frequency observations), six morphometric (surface geometry) and one reference-based approach (look-up tables). A footprint model is used with the morphometric methods in an iterative procedure. The results are insensitive to the initial \(z_{d}\) and \(z_{0}\) estimates. Across the three sites, \(z_{d}\) varies between 5 and 45 m depending upon the method used. Morphometric methods that incorporate roughness-element height variability agree better with anemometric methods, indicating \(z_{d}\) is consistently greater than the local mean building height. Depending upon method and wind direction, \(z_{0}\) varies between 0.1 and 5 m with morphometric \(z_{0}\) consistently being 2–3 m larger than the anemometric \(z_{0}\). No morphometric method consistently resembles the anemometric methods. Wind-speed profiles observed with Doppler lidar provide additional data with which to assess the methods. Locally determined roughness parameters are used to extrapolate wind-speed profiles to a height roughly 200 m above the canopy. Wind-speed profiles extrapolated based on morphometric methods that account for roughness-element height variability are most similar to observations. The extent of the modelled source area for measurements varies by up to a factor of three, depending upon the morphometric method used to determine \(z_{d}\) and \(z_{0}\).     

Reconsidering neoliberal urban planning in times of crisis: urban regeneration policy in a “dense” space in Lisbon

In this article, I contribute to recent debates about the concept of neoliberalism and its use as an explanatory concept, through the analysis of urban planning and regeneration policy in Lisbon amidst crisis and austerity. Suggesting a look at neoliberalization from a threefold perspective—the project, governmentalities, and policymaking—I analyze how current austerity-policy responses to the European economic crisis can be understood as a renewed and coherent deployment of neoliberal stances. The article presents implications for urban planning in Lisbon and thus suggests an exploration of the negotiations and clashes of hegemonic neoliberal governmentalities and policies with the local social and spatial fabric. For this exploration, I select a “deviant” case—the Mouraria neighborhood, a “dense” space in which the consequences of policies diverge sharply from expectations. In conclusion, I suggest that neoliberalization (in times of crisis) should be understood as a coherent project compromised by a set of highly ambiguous governmentalities, which bring about contradictory policymaking at the local level.     

Integrated use of archival aerial photogrammetry,GNSS, and InSAR data for the monitoring of the Patigno landslide (Northern Apennines,Italy)

Landslides - The morphological changes of unstable areas can be identified using different methodologies that allow repeated surveys over time. The integration between the data obtained from...     

A Reliable Method for Determining the Oxidation State of Manganese at the Microscale in Mn Oxides via Raman Spectroscopy

Manganese oxides are important geomaterials, widespread in terrestrial and Martian environments. Characterisation of the oxidation state of Mn is a central issue in science; this task has been addressed up to the present by X‐ray spectroscopy or diffraction techniques. The former, however, requires access to synchrotron facilities, while the latter does not provide crystal‐chemical information at the local scale. In this work, we compare a large set of Raman data from well‐characterised samples, already published by the same authors of this paper or as found in the literature. We show a clear correlation between the oxidation state of Mn and the wavenumber of peculiar bands; octahedrally co‐ordinated Mn²⁺ is recognised by a band around 530 cm^?1, Mn³⁺ by a band around 580 cm^?1 and Mn⁴⁺ by a band around 630 cm^?1, while tetrahedrally co‐ordinated Mn²⁺ is recognisable by a band around 650 cm^?1. Strongly distorted Mn³⁺ octahedra are indicated by the appearance of Jahn–Teller modes. Our method allows a reliable, easily accessible tool to characterise the oxidation states of Mn in oxides, also suitable for microscale mapping. It provides a robust analytical basis for the use of these minerals as redox indicators in geology/geochemistry, in exoplanetary research or for monitoring technological processes.     

Carbonates in CM chondrites: Complex formational histories and comparison to carbonates in CI chondrites

Abstract– CM chondrites are primitive solar‐system materials that have undergone high degrees of aqueous alteration, resulting in the formation of secondary minerals including carbonates. Two different carbonate minerals (calcite/aragonite and dolomite) together constitute 1.4–2.8 vol% of CM chondrites. In contrast, CI chondrites contain four different carbonate minerals: calcite/aragonite, dolomite, breunnerite, and siderite. CI chondrites have abundant dolomite, a mineral that seems to be absent in the most aqueously altered CM chondrites. In this study, carbonates in seven CM chondrites (Y‐791198, LaPaz Icefield 04796, Cold Bokkeveld, Nogoya, Queen Alexandra Range 93005, Allan Hills 83100, and Meteorite Hills 01070) were studied petrographically and by electron microprobe. The results indicate that carbonate formation in CM chondrites differs from that in CI chondrites and is more complex than previously recognized. Our studies of CM chondrites indicate that (1) carbonates formed on the parent asteroid in an aqueous environment that gradually changed in composition, (2) at some stage, Ca and Mg activities in the environment were high enough to form metastable dolomite, and (3) dolomites disappeared in the most aqueously altered CM chondrites.     

Origin and characteristics of the zooplankton phosphatase activity in a coastal ecosystem of the Mediterranean sea (Toulon Bay)

In Toulon Bay (France), very high phosphatase activities have been found in the zooplankton fraction>90 microm. This work was intended to specify their origin. For that purpose, larvae, juvenile and adult Crustacea (Copepods: Calanoids, Cyclopoids, Branchiopods: Cladocera, and Cirripeds) were isolated. Their activities were measured using paranitrophenyl phosphate dissolved in sea water in order to calculate Km (the enzyme half saturation concentration) and Vmax (the reaction rate when the enzyme is saturated with substrate). Vmax were referred to protein contents of the isolated organisms to calculate specific activities. For all zooplankton groups high and low affinity phosphatase activities were found. The low affinity enzyme was responsible for at least 70% of the total phosphatase activity. Its specific activity was higher for larvae than for copepodites and adults. In Cirriped nauplii this activity was particularly high with values which were several hundred times higher than that in other Crustacea. These enzymes had optimum pH close to 8.4, magnesium requirement and were competitively inhibited by orthophosphate. Experiments with intact and lysed Cirriped nauplii confirmed that living organisms had only a weak external activity and showed that most of the activity of these larvae was primarily intracellular.     

Diffusion of Li in olivine. Part I: Experimental observations and a multi species diffusion model

There are an increasing number of studies that focus on the systematics of the distribution of Li and its isotopes among different geochemical reservoirs. These studies have found that Li is relatively mobile compared to many other elements (e.g., Fe, Mg), and diffusion has been considered as a mechanism to generate large isotopic fractionations even at high temperatures. In order to quantify some of these aspects, we have measured Li diffusion rates experimentally along [0 0 1] of single crystals of olivines from San Carlos, Arizona and Pakistan, at 800-1200 °C at a total pressure of 100 kPa and fO₂ ≈ WM buffer. A complex diffusion behavior of Li is observed, indicating that two mechanisms of diffusion (a fast and a slower one) operate simultaneously. The behavior is well described by a model that partitions Li between two different sites in olivine - an octahedral site (Li_Me) and an interstitial site (Li_i). Transport of Li is a combination of hopping within and between each of these kinds of sites involving also vacancies on the octahedral site (V_Me). It is assumed that the homogeneous reaction (Li_Me = V_Me + Li_i) that maintains equilibrium distribution of Li between the sites is instantaneous compared to the timescales of all other processes associated with diffusive transport. One consequence of this mode of transport of Li in olivine is that the shape and length of diffusion profiles depend on the boundary conditions imposed at the surface of a crystal; i.e., the chemical environment (e.g., fO₂, aLi₄SiO₄), in addition to temperature and pressure. Our model describes the variable experimentally determined Li-profile shapes produced at different temperatures and with different boundary conditions, as well as their time evolution, quantitatively. Modeling the observed isotopic fractionation shows that ⁶Li diffuses about 5% faster than ⁷Li on the interstitial site. Inspection of published data on Li distribution in natural olivines that are available until now indicates that the fast (interstitial) mechanism of Li diffusion is unlikely to be dominant in most natural systems; Li rich, oxidizing environments (e.g., fluids?) may be exceptions. However, when it operates it can decouple the equilibration of Li isotopic gradients from the time scale of equilibration of overall Li concentrations. Diffusion dominated by the slower mechanism will occur on the average at a rate that is about an order of magnitude faster than diffusion of Fe, Mg and most other divalent cations in olivine; such diffusion of Li in olivine will be much slower than the rates of diffusion in clinopyroxene and plagioclase crystals at the same conditions. Fractionation of isotopes of Li by diffusion is likely to be a transient phenomenon and is more likely to be observed in crystals showing zoning of Li concentrations.     

Comparison Between the Energy Flow Networks of Two Habitats in the Venice Lagoon

Abstract. The energy flows of two habitats are quantified and compared by using a trophic network model. The habitats are representative of two typical subsystems of the Venice Lagoon: the seagrass meadows, which represent a mature stage in the ecological succession of lagoon environments, and the Tapes philippinarum fishing grounds, which are subjected to mechanical clam harvesting.
The results obtained for the 'seagrass habitat'are consistent with other field studies, confirming the'key-stone'role played by phanerogams in a lagoon environment. The results for the 'Tapes habitat'show that the energy flow from the sediment to the water column is extremely important. Indeed, the high T. philippinarum biomass cannot be supported solely by the primary production of the local phytoplankton. Instead, this biomass could be supported by a supply provided by the sediment resuspension caused by intensive clam fishing. These findings suggest the presence of a positive feedback between fishing effort and T. philippinarum standing crop.     

Assessment of toxicological status of a SW Mediterranean segment population of striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) using skin biopsy

Various studies have revealed high concentrations of contaminants such as organochlorines (OCs) and heavy metals in Mediterranean cetaceans. A geographical trend of contamination (PCBs and DDTs) has been found for striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba). In this study we used a non-lethal approach (skin biopsy) to investigate bioaccumulation of OCs, including polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), DDTs, polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDFs), trace elements (Hg, Cd, Pb) and CYP1A activity (BPMO) in nine striped dolphins sampled in the Aeolian area (Sicily - Italy) in summer 2002. The arithmetic mean value of BPMO activity in this group was 43.46 AUF/g tissue/h. This value is approximately 3 times and 5 times lower, respectively, than the value found in the Ionian and in the Ligurian groups. Skin biopsies of striped dolphins emerged as a suitable material for assessing the toxicological status of the various Mediterranean groups.