Quantization of the universe as a black hole

It has been shown that black holes can be quantized by using Bohr’s idea of quantizing the motion of an electron inside the atom. We apply these ideas to the universe as a whole. This approach reinforces the suggestion that it may be a way to unify gravity with quantum theory.     

The development of the Space Environment Viability of Organics (SEVO) experiment aboard the Organism/Organic Exposure to Orbital Stresses (O/OREOS) satellite

The Space Environment Viability of Organics (SEVO) experiment is one of two scientific payloads aboard the triple-cube satellite Organism/ORganic Exposure to Orbital Stresses (O/OREOS). O/OREOS is the first technology demonstration mission of the NASA Astrobiology Small Payloads Program. The 1-kg, 1000-cm³ SEVO cube is investigating the chemical evolution of organic materials in interstellar space and planetary environments by exposing organic molecules under controlled conditions directly to the low-Earth orbit (LEO) particle and electromagnetic radiation environment. O/OREOS was launched on November 19, 2010 into a 650-km, 72°-inclination orbit and has a nominal operational lifetime of six months. Four classes of organic compounds, namely an amino acid, a quinone, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), and a metallo-porphyrin are being studied. Initial reaction conditions were established by hermetically sealing the thin-film organic samples in self-contained micro-environments. Chemical changes in the samples caused by direct exposure to LEO radiation and by interactions with the irradiated microenvironments are monitored in situ by ultraviolet/visible/near-infrared (UV/VIS/NIR) absorption spectroscopy using a novel compact fixed-grating CCD spectrometer with the Sun as its light source. The goals of the O/OREOS mission include: (1) demonstrating key small satellite technologies that can enable future low-cost astrobiology experiments, (2) deploying a miniature UV/VIS/NIR spectrometer suitable for in-situ astrobiology and other scientific investigations, (3) testing the capability to establish a variety of experimental reaction conditions to enable the study of astrobiological processes on small satellites, and (4) measuring the chemical evolution of organic molecules in LEO under conditions that can be extrapolated to interstellar and planetary environments. In this paper, the science and technology development of the SEVO instrument payload and its measurements are described.     

Development of a remotely controlled debris flow monitoring system in the Dolomites (Acquabona,Italy)

Direct measurements of the hydrological conditions for the occurrence of debris flows and of flow behaviour are of the outmost importance for developing effective flow prevention techniques. An automated and remotely controlled monitoring system was installed in Acquabona Creek in the Dolomites, Italian Eastern Alps, where debris flows occur every year. Its present configuration consists of three on‐site stations, located in the debris‐flow initiation area, in the lower channel and in the retention basin. The monitoring system is equipped with sensors for measuring rainfall, pore‐water pressure in the mobile channel bottom, ground vibrations, debris flow depth, total normal stress and fluid pore‐pressure at the base of the flow. Three video cameras take motion pictures of the events at the initiation zone, in the lower channel and in the deposition area. Data from the on‐site stations are radio‐transmitted to an off‐site station and stored in a host PC, from where they are telemetrically downloaded and used by the Padova University for the study of debris flows. The efficiency of the sensors and of the whole monitoring system has been verified by the analysis of data collected so far. Examples of these data are presented and briefly discussed. If implemented at the numerous debris‐flow sites in the Dolomitic Region, the technology used, derived from the development of this system, will provide civil defence and warn residents of impending debris flows. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A new damage model based on non‐local displacements

A new non‐local damage model is presented. Non‐locality (of integral or gradient type) is incorporated into the model by means of non‐local displacements. This contrasts with existing damage models, where a non‐local strain or strain‐related state variable is used. The new model is very attractive from a computational viewpoint, especially regarding the computation of the consistent tangent matrix needed to achieve quadratic convergence in Newton iterations. At the same time, its physical response is very similar to that of the standard models, including its regularization capabilities. All these aspects are discussed in detail and illustrated by means of numerical examples. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Long-Term Amateur Ccd Monitoring Of Comet C/1999 S4 (Linear)

The results from the analysis of the extensive CCD photometry that we haveobtained during the long-term monitoring (from its discovery until its break-up)of comet C/1999 S4 (linear) are presented here. Our observations showthat the comet did not always behave as expected: it showed activity ahead oftime and in the end became fainter instead of brighter as it approached perihelion.A sequence of images and a lightcurve are shown.     

Analysis of behaviour of vehicles using VGI data

This article describes a methodology for analysing the behaviour of vehicles on roads using data obtained from Volunteered Geographic Information and more specifically from GNSS traces. These data have a great potential for this goal due to their distribution, continuity and anonymity. The proposed methodology includes all possible stages, from traces selection and downloading, passing by filtering, matching and enrichment using official linestrings, to the final obtaining of results. The article also shows the main results obtained after applying this methodology to a real case that uses a large quantity of traces, distributed over a large zone of study, including several types of roads and conditions. These results allow us to analyse the behaviour of the implicated vehicles based on the speed and the acceleration or deceleration of each trackpoint which composes the traces and compare them with the general official data published by the traffic authorities. The analysis of the results has demonstrated the viability of this methodology and its possible implementation by traffic authorities in order to obtain information to improve traffic safety.