EChO. Exoplanet characterisation observatory

A dedicated mission to investigate exoplanetary atmospheres represents a major milestone in our quest to understand our place in the universe by placing our Solar System in context and by addressing the suitability of planets for the presence of life. EChO—the Exoplanet Characterisation Observatory—is a mission concept specifically geared for this purpose. EChO will provide simultaneous, multi-wavelength spectroscopic observations on a stable platform that will allow very long exposures. The use of passive cooling, few moving parts and well established technology gives a low-risk and potentially long-lived mission. EChO will build on observations by Hubble, Spitzer and ground-based telescopes, which discovered the first molecules and atoms in exoplanetary atmospheres. However, EChO’s configuration and specifications are designed to study a number of systems in a consistent manner that will eliminate the ambiguities affecting prior observations. EChO will simultaneously observe a broad enough spectral region—from the visible to the mid-infrared—to constrain from one single spectrum the temperature structure of the atmosphere, the abundances of the major carbon and oxygen bearing species, the expected photochemically-produced species and magnetospheric signatures. The spectral range and resolution are tailored to separate bands belonging to up to 30 molecules and retrieve the composition and temperature structure of planetary atmospheres. The target list for EChO includes planets ranging from Jupiter-sized with equilibrium temperatures T_ eq up to 2,000 K, to those of a few Earth masses, with T _eq \u223c 300 K. The list will include planets with no Solar System analog, such as the recently discovered planets GJ1214b, whose density lies between that of terrestrial and gaseous planets, or the rocky-iron planet 55 Cnc e, with day-side temperature close to 3,000 K. As the number of detected exoplanets is growing rapidly each year, and the mass and radius of those detected steadily decreases, the target list will be constantly adjusted to include the most interesting systems. We have baselined a dispersive spectrograph design covering continuously the 0.4–16 μm spectral range in 6 channels (1 in the visible, 5 in the InfraRed), which allows the spectral resolution to be adapted from several tens to several hundreds, depending on the target brightness. The instrument will be mounted behind a 1.5 m class telescope, passively cooled to 50 K, with the instrument structure and optics passively cooled to \u223c45 K. EChO will be placed in a grand halo orbit around L2. This orbit, in combination with an optimised thermal shield design, provides a highly stable thermal environment and a high degree of visibility of the sky to observe repeatedly several tens of targets over the year. Both the baseline and alternative designs have been evaluated and no critical items with Technology Readiness Level (TRL) less than 4–5 have been identified. We have also undertaken a first-order cost and development plan analysis and find that EChO is easily compatible with the ESA M-class mission framework.

Desenvolvimento de embalagem biodegradável ativa a base de fécula de mandioca e agentes antimicrobianos naturais.

Aliado ao fato dos biomateriais ainda serem pouco explorados pelas indústrias alimentícias, este trabalho propôs o desenvolvimento de embalagens que sejam, além de biodegradáveis, também ativas através do uso de um agente antimicrobiano natural capaz de inibir a proliferação de fungos correntes em produtos de panificação (Penicillium commune e Eurotium amstelodami). Primeiramente, filmes biodegradáveis a base de fécula de mandioca foram elaborados pela técnica de casting, usando açúcares e glicerol como plastificantes. O aumento do conteúdo de glicerol causou diminuição da resistência máxima à tração e elevação dos valores de propriedades de barreira. Numa segunda etapa do trabalho, a introdução de nanopartículas de argila esmectita influenciou positivamente as propriedades de barreira dos filmes, devido à diminuição observada nos valores de permeabilidade ao vapor de água e coeficiente de permeabilidade ao oxigênio. Nesta fase, a variação do conteúdo de glicerol também afetou significativamente as propriedades mecânicas e de barreira dos filmes biodegradáveis. As concentrações inibitórias mínimas dos óleos essenciais de cravo e de canela contra os fungos estudados foram definidas e o óleo essencial de canela foi selecionado, para ser incorporado aos filmes biodegradáveis, em três conteúdos distintos, pois foi o composto que mostrou uma inibição mais eficiente. A atividade antimicrobiana dos filmes biodegradáveis com incorporação de óleo essencial de canela foi testada sobre os micro-organismos escolhidos através de testes de difusão em halo, cujos resultados foram suficientes para demonstrar o potencial ativo da embalagem desenvolvida. Como método alternativo de incorporação do agente antimicrobiano, gás carbônico (CO2) em estado supercrítico foi utilizado como solvente. Os resultados obtidos foram promissores, uma vez que se observou incorporação de agente antimicrobiano dentro da matriz polimérica em quantidade suficiente para inibir a proliferação dos fungos testados.

Large-scale clustering measurements with photometric redshifts: comparing the dark matter haloes of X-ray AGN, star-forming and passive galaxies at z ≈ 1

We combine multi-wavelength data in the AEGIS-XD and C-COSMOS surveys to measure the typical dark matter halo mass of X-ray selected active galactic nuclei (AGN) [L_X(2–10 keV) > 10^42 erg s^− 1] in comparison with far-infrared selected star-forming galaxies detected in the Herschel/PEP survey (PACS Evolutionary Probe; L_IR > 10^11 L_⊙) and quiescent systems at z ≈ 1. We develop a novel method to measure the clustering of extragalactic populations that uses photometric redshift probability distribution functions in addition to any spectroscopy. This is advantageous in that all sources in the sample are used in the clustering analysis, not just the subset with secure spectroscopy. The method works best for large samples. The loss of accuracy because of the lack of spectroscopy is balanced by increasing the number of sources used to measure the clustering. We find that X-ray AGN, far-infrared selected star-forming galaxies and passive systems in the redshift interval 0.6 < z < 1.4 are found in haloes of similar mass, log M_DMH/(M_⊙ h^−1) ≈ 13.0. We argue that this is because the galaxies in all three samples (AGN, star-forming, passive) have similar stellar mass distributions, approximated by the J-band luminosity. Therefore, all galaxies that can potentially host X-ray AGN, because they have stellar masses in the appropriate range, live in dark matter haloes of log M_DMH/(M_⊙ h^−1) ≈ 13.0 independent of their star formation rates. This suggests that the stellar mass of X-ray AGN hosts is driving the observed clustering properties of this population. We also speculate that trends between AGN properties (e.g. luminosity, level of obscuration) and large-scale environment may be related to differences in the stellar mass of the host galaxies.

Deep observation of the NGC1275 region with MAGIC: search of diffuse gamma-ray emission from cosmic rays in the Perseus cluster

Clusters of galaxies are expected to be reservoirs of cosmic rays (CRs) that should produce diffuse γ-ray emission due to their hadronic interactions with the intra-cluster medium. The nearby Perseus cool-core cluster, identified as the most promising target to search for such an emission, has been observed with the MAGIC telescopes at very-high energies (VHE, E ≥ 100 GeV) for a total of 253 hr from 2009 to 2014. The active nuclei of NGC 1275, the central dominant galaxy of the cluster, and IC 310, lying at about 0.6º from the centre, have been detected as point-like VHE γ-ray emitters during the first phase of this campaign. We report an updated measurement of the NGC 1275 spectrum, which is described well by a power law with a photon index Γ = 3.6 ± 0.2_(stat) ± 0.2_(syst) between 90 GeV and 1200 GeV. We do not detect any diffuse γ-ray emission from the cluster and so set stringent constraints on its CR population. To bracket the uncertainties over the CR spatial and spectral distributions, we adopt different spatial templates and power-law spectral indexes α. For α = 2.2, the CR-to-thermal pressure within the cluster virial radius is constrained to be ≤ 1 − 2%, except if CRs can propagate out of the cluster core, generating a flatter radial distribution and releasing the CR-to-thermal pressure constraint to ≤ 20%. Assuming that the observed radio mini-halo of Perseus is generated by secondary electrons from CR hadronic interactions, we can derive lower limits on the central magnetic field, B_(0), that depend on the CR distribution. For α = 2.2, B_(0) ≥ 5 − 8 µG, which is below the ∼25 µG inferred from Faraday rotation measurements, whereas for α ≤ 2.1, the hadronic interpretation of the diffuse radio emission contrasts with our γ-ray flux upper limits independently of the magnetic field strength.

Fundamentos de Inteligencia Artificial. Práctica 3: Lógica difusa

En esta práctica se desarrollará el funcionamiento de un sistema experto difuso. El alumno debe desarrollar y probar un sistema experto, utilizando lógica difusa, que sea capaz de estabilizar un péndulo invertido.

Análisis y modelización de la actividad pesquera. La flota española en las aguas internacionales de la plataforma patagónica

Esta tesis está enfocada en el programa de observadores científicos en aguas del Atlántico Sudoccidental que el Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO) mantiene desde el año 1989 hasta la actualidad. Dicha base de datos ya ha sido empleada previamente por otros autores para estudiar los recursos pesqueros presentes, tanto en las aguas internacionales de la plataforma patagónica, más allá de las 200 millas náuticas de la costa argentina, como en la zona de pesca actualmente incluida dentro de la jurisdicción de las islas Falkland/Malvinas. Aquí nos centramos en el estudio de la actividad pesquera española que faena en la zona de aguas internacionales conocida como “División 46” y de los recursos a los que se dirige. Varios factores justifican la necesidad de esta tesis: (1) La necesidad de desarrollar una descripción detallada de la base de datos, no realizada hasta el momento. (2) Valorar la representatividad espacial del programa de observadores. (3) Establecer una serie de análisis espacio-temporales que describan la actividad pesquera de la flota española en estas aguas, (4) Desarrollar un completo y detallado análisis espacio-temporal de la distribución y abundancia de los recursos pesqueros a los que se dirige la flota. Por otra parte, las limitaciones propias de un programa de observadores científicos en buques pesqueros nos llevan, por necesidad, a explorar soluciones metodológicas que permitan un análisis fiable del esfuerzo pesquero y de la abundancia de los recursos. A este respecto, la disponibilidad de nueva información relacionada con las características físicas del área de estudio obtenida a raíz de las campañas oceanográficas realizadas en las aguas internacionales de la plataforma patagónica por el IEO y la Secretaría General del Mar (SGM) entre los años 2007 y 2011 y la disponibilidad de datos procedentes del Sistema de Localización de Buques de la SGM entre el periodo 2001 y 2007, nos ha permitido avanzar en el conocimiento de la actividad pesquera española en esta región. Como resultados principales, hemos definido algunas características fundamentales que determinan el marco de estudio de esta base de datos, hemos explorado diversas aproximaciones metodológicas que permitan un análisis de la representatividad de un programa de observadores en aguas internacionales, hemos desarrollado una descripción espacio-temporal de la estrategia de pesca en esta aguas y, a raíz del conocimiento adquirido, hemos realizado un análisis de los factores que afectan a la distribución de M. hubbsi y al esfuerzo de pesca invertido en su captura.

The discovery, monitoring and environment of SGR J1935+2154

We report on the discovery of a new member of the magnetar class, SGR J1935+2154, and on its timing and spectral properties measured by an extensive observational campaign carried out between 2014 July and 2015 March with Chandra and XMM–Newton (11 pointings). We discovered the spin period of SGR J1935+2154 through the detection of coherent pulsations at a period of about 3.24 s. The magnetar is slowing down at a rate of P˙=1.43(1)×10−11 s s−1 and with a decreasing trend due to a negative P¨ of −3.5(7) × 10−19 s s−2. This implies a surface dipolar magnetic field strength of ∼2.2 × 1014 G, a characteristic age of about 3.6 kyr and a spin-down luminosity Lsd ∼1.7 × 1034 erg s−1. The source spectrum is well modelled by a blackbody with temperature of about 500 eV plus a power-law component with photon index of about 2. The source showed a moderate long-term variability, with a flux decay of about 25 per cent during the first four months since its discovery, and a re-brightening of the same amount during the second four months. The X-ray data were also used to study the source environment. In particular, we discovered a diffuse emission extending on spatial scales from about 1 arcsec up to at least 1 arcmin around SGR J1935+2154 both in Chandra and XMM–Newton data. This component is constant in flux (at least within uncertainties) and its spectrum is well modelled by a power-law spectrum steeper than that of the pulsar. Though a scattering halo origin seems to be more probable we cannot exclude that part, or all, of the diffuse emission is due to a pulsar wind nebula.

Rentabilidad económica y social de los viveros de empresas de la Comunidad Valenciana en el periodo 2004-2014

Se ha realizado un análisis de todos los viveros de empresas de la Comunidad Valenciana con la finalidad de evaluar su rentabilidad económica, pero también social. Para ello se recogieron datos de carácter cuantitativo y cualitativo dirigido a gestores de incubadoras y a empresas alojadas y egresadas de los viveros que permitieron concluir que: Los viveros son económicamente inviables porque parten de la premisa de ofrecer servicios y alojamiento a precios por debajo de los del mercado, siendo esta diferencia asumida por el propio presupuesto de las entidades gestoras. Por contra, teniendo en cuenta los ingresos fiscales de la totalidad de las empresas, se concluye que por cada euro invertido se recuperan 2,8€ que son revertidos a la sociedad. Por otra parte, el análisis permite detectar la necesidad de mejoras específicas en la gestión y que la percepción de los usuarios sobre la calidad de la incubadora depende de una amplia diversidad de factores que quedan en muchos casos fuera del alcance del Vivero.

Comunicações tácticas e de emergência por propagação por efeito NVIS

O presente trabalho tem como objectivo projectar e construir uma antena que opere em onda curta, HF, e que explore a propagação na ionosfera por efeito NVIS, de modo a permitir o estabelecimento de comunicações de curta distância em situações tácticas e de emergência. Este projecto pode ter bastante interesse para o Exército Português, em teatros de operações em que o terreno seja bastante acidentado, como por exemplo o Afeganistão ou o Kosovo. A antena projectada e construída é composta por dois dipolos cruzados, com uma tipologia em v invertido, por forma a ser efectuada uma ligação de curta distância, com ângulos de elevação que podem atingir cerca de 88º a 89º para distâncias da ordem da dezena de quilómetros. Foi efectuado o dimensionamento teórico, a simulação do diagrama de radiação e posteriormente procedeu-se à construção e ensaio da antena, com resultados bastante satisfatórios.

(Table 1, page 661) Average composition of fossil nodules from three localities studied in the Transdanubian Central Mountains of Hungary

Fossil manganese nodules and encrustations from seamount' and basin' localities in the Transdanubian Central Mountains of Hungary are lithologically, mineralogically and chemically similar to some modern marine ferromanganese oxide deposits, and show no evidence of postdepositional changes other than cementation. Five groups of deposits were encountered: Fe/Mn nodules, encrusted shells, pavements, stains, and Fe oxide encrusted intraclasts, the first three of which are specific to the 'seamount' environment and the last to the basins'. Optical and electron microprobe investigation of the samples shows them to exhibit many similarities with modern ferromanganese oxide deposits, and that many of the nodules are surrounded by a halo of dispersed ferromanganese oxides, strongly suggesting that they continued to accrete metals through the pore waters of unlithified sediments for a period after burial. By contrast, pavements which appear to have grown on hardgrounds at the sea floor show little or no evidence of derivation of metals from underlying sediments. Geochemical investigations on the deposits show the seamount' varieties to be closer in composition to most modern nodules and crusts than the basin' varieties, and that the latter are essentially manganese and trace-element-poor ferruginous deposits. Nevertheless, all can be more or less compositionally equated with modern ferromanganese oxide deposits forming in marginal Atlantic environments, which would be in accord with the proposed depositional environment of the Transdanubian Central Mountains based on other evidence.

Bowl

Metalwork, Iran, Seljuk; 4 1/4 in.x 7 63/64 in.; stone-paste painted under glaze

Canteen, side view

1 ft. 5 51/64 in.x 1 ft. 2 29/64 in.; mrass, silver inlay

Table universelle des auteurs heretiques du XVI & XVII siecles et de leurs ouvrages : tome IV, de la table universelle /

Mode of access: Internet.

Rollo at play, or, Safe amusements /

Rollo at play in the woods -- The steeple-trap -- The halo round the moon, or, Lucy's visit -- The freshet -- Blueberrying -- Trouble on the mountain.

Galaxy threshing and the origin of ultra-compact dwarf galaxies in the Fornax cluster

A recent all-object spectroscopic survey centred on the Fornax cluster of galaxies has discovered a population of subluminous and extremely compact members, called 'ultra-compact dwarf' (UCD) galaxies. In order to clarify the origin of these objects, we have used self-consistent numerical simulations to study the dynamical evolution a nucleated dwarf galaxy would undergo if orbiting the centre of the Fornax cluster and suffering from its strong tidal gravitational field. We find that the outer stellar components of a nucleated dwarf are removed by the strong tidal field of the cluster, whereas the nucleus manages to survive as a result of its initially compact nature. The developed naked nucleus is found to have physical properties (e. g. size and mass) similar to those observed for UCDs. We also find that although this formation process does not have a strong dependence on the initial total luminosity of the nucleated dwarf, it does depend on the radial density profile of the dark halo in the sense that UCDs are less likely to be formed from dwarfs embedded in dark matter haloes with central 'cuspy' density profiles. Our simulations also suggest that very massive and compact stellar systems can be rapidly and efficiently formed in the central regions of dwarfs through the merging of smaller star clusters. We provide some theoretical predictions on the total number and radial number density profile of UCDs in a cluster and their dependencies on cluster masses.