Relative Affine Structure: Canonical Model for 3D from 2D Geometry and Applications

We propose an affine framework for perspective views, captured by a single extremely simple equation based on a viewer-centered invariant we call "relative affine structure". Via a number of corollaries of our main results we show that our framework unifies previous work --- including Euclidean, projective and affine --- in a natural and simple way, and introduces new, extremely simple, algorithms for the tasks of reconstruction from multiple views, recognition by alignment, and certain image coding applications.

Optimal light regime for the cultivation of transgenic Laminaria japonica gametophytes in a bubble-column bioreactor

Fluctuating light intensity had a more significant impact on growth of gametophytes of transgenic Laminaria japonica in a 2500 ml bubble-column bioreactor than constant light intensity. A fluctuating light intensity between 10 and 110 mu E m(-2) s(-1), with a photoperiod of 14 h:10 h light:dark, was the best regime for growth giving 1430 mg biomass l(-1).

Ocorrência e controle da vaquinha em seringais em formação.

O controle da vaquinha é difícil por ser um inseto que se alimenta de muitas plantas e apresenta grande mobilidade. No entanto, a aplicação de produtos a base de Tricloform ou Carbaril, principalmente nos foliolos jovens, diminui os prejuízos causados pelo ataque da praga.

Principais doenças do maxixeiro no Brasil.

Esta publicação visa a preencher uma lacuna na bibliografia brasileira sobre as doenças do maxixe. Entendemos ser ela estratégica ao facilitar o diagnóstico correto das doenças, passo primordial para se recomendar a melhor forma de controle.

Azimuthal Impact Directions from Oblique Impact Crater Morphology

Cook, Anthony; Wallis, D.; Burchell, M.J.; Solomon, C.J., (2005) 'Azimuthal Impact Directions from Oblique Impact Crater Morphology', Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 359(3) pp.1137-1149 RAE2008

Reductive Amination Reaction

A simple, solventless procedure for reductive amination that results in an impressive color change. Reaction proceeds in three stages: imine formation, reduction, and acetylation and purification is done by crystallization.

On the Effectiveness of Genetic Search in Combinatorial Optimization

In this paper, we study the efficacy of genetic algorithms in the context of combinatorial optimization. In particular, we isolate the effects of cross-over, treated as the central component of genetic search. We show that for problems of nontrivial size and difficulty, the contribution of cross-over search is marginal, both synergistically when run in conjunction with mutation and selection, or when run with selection alone, the reference point being the search procedure consisting of just mutation and selection. The latter can be viewed as another manifestation of the Metropolis process. Considering the high computational cost of maintaining a population to facilitate cross-over search, its marginal benefit renders genetic search inferior to its singleton-population counterpart, the Metropolis process, and by extension, simulated annealing. This is further compounded by the fact that many problems arising in practice may inherently require a large number of state transitions for a near-optimal solution to be found, making genetic search infeasible given the high cost of computing a single iteration in the enlarged state-space.

Exploiting the bioactive potential of marine sponge microbiota

Endospore-forming bacteria are often isolated from different marine sponges, but their abundance varies, and they are frequently missed by culture-independent studies. Within endospore-formers, Bacillus are renowned for the production of antimicrobials and other compounds of medical and industrial importance. Although this group has been well studied in many different environments, very little is known about the actual diversity and properties of sporeformers associated with marine sponges. Identification of the endospore-forming bacteria associated with the marine sponges; Haliclona simulans, Amphilectus fucorum and Cliona celata, has uncovered an abundant and diverse microbial population composed of Bacillus, Paenibacillus, Solibacillus, Halobacillus and Viridibacillus species. This diversity appears to be overlooked by other non-targeted approaches where spore-formers are masked by more dominant species within the ecosystem. In addition to the identification of two antibiotic resistant plasmids, this bank of sporeformers produce a range of bioactive compounds. New antimicrobial compounds are urgently needed to combat the spread of multidrug resistant pathogens, as few new options are entering the drug discovery pipelines for clinical trials. Based on the results of this project, endospore-formers associated with marine sponges may hold the answer. The power of coupling functional based assays with genomic approaches has enabled us to identify a novel class 1 lantibiotic, subtilomycin, which is active against several clinically relevant pathogens. Subtilomycin is encoded in the genomes of all the marine sponge B. subtilis isolates analysed. They cluster together phylogenetically and form a distinct group from other sequenced B. subtilis strains. Regardless of its potential clinical relevance, subtilomycin may be providing these strains with a specific competitive advantage(s) within the stringent confines of the marine sponge environment. This work has outlined the industrial and biotechnological potential of marine sponge endospore-formers which appear to produce a cocktail of bioactive compounds. Genome sequencing of specific marine sponge isolates highlighted the importance of mining extreme environments and habitats for new lead compounds with potential therapeutic applications.

Análisis de las interacciones entre pares de alumnos en la resolución de problemas de matemáticas

La investigación que presentamos (Cobo, 1998) analiza las interacciones que se producen entre pares de alumnos en la resolución de problemas. Aunque no utilizamos la entrevista para recoger datos orales, la técnica que mostramos tiene elementos comunes a ella. La comparación de ambas puede abrir perspectivas de debate en cuanto a las semejanzas y diferencias respecto a la situación de observación, a los papeles comunicativos de los interlocutores, a la predeterminación del tema del diálogo, a las formas de analizar los datos obtenidos, etc. En las páginas siguientes hacemos una presentación general de la investigación, centrándonos, sobre todo, en la descripción de la técnica de recogida de datos orales que utilizamos, en el contexto en el que recogemos dichos datos y en el método de análisis que proponemos. En el Anexo mostramos, a modo de ejemplo, el resumen del microanálisis de uno de los episodios del proceso de resolución de un problema.

Expectations and promises

Discusses the Chancery Division judgment in Thorner v Curtis on a claim by an unpaid farm worker, who was led to expect that he would inherit the farm. Examines whether proprietary estoppel could be proved even if the deceased landowner made no express promise. Reviews case law on proprietary estoppel.

A unified 3D model of the VAR process

A 3D time-dependent model of the VAR process has been developed using CFD techniques. The model solves the coupled field equations for fluid flow, heat transfer (including phase change) and electromagnetic field, for both the electrode and the ingot. The motion of the electic arc 'preferred spot' can be specified based on observations. Correlations are sought between the local gap height, resulting from instantaneous liquid pool surface shape and electrode tip shape, and the arc motion. The detailed behaviour of the melting film on the electrode tip is studies using a spectral free surface technique, which allows investigation of the drops' detachment and drip shorts.

Vibrational spectroscopic studies of the structure of di-amino acid peptides. Part II: cyclo(L-Asp-L-Asp) in the solid state and in aqueous solution

Solid-state protonated and N,O-deuterated Fourier transform infrared (IR) and Raman scattering spectra together with the protonated and deuterated Raman spectra in aqueous solution of the cyclic di-amino acid peptide cyclo(L-Asp-L-Asp) are reported. Vibrational band assignments have been made on the basis of comparisons with previously cited literature values for diketopiperazine (DKP) derivatives and normal coordinate analyses for both the protonated and deuterated species based upon DFT calculations at the B3-LYP/cc-pVDZ level of the isolated molecule in the gas phase. The calculated minimum energy structure for cyclo(L-Asp-L-Asp), assuming C-2 symmetry, predicts a boat conformation for the DKP ring with both the two L-aspartyl side chains being folded slightly above the ring. The C=O stretching vibrations have been assigned for the side-chain carboxylic acid group (e.g. at 1693 and 1670 cm(-1) in the Raman spectrum) and the cis amide I bands (e.g. at 1660 cm(-1) in the Raman spectrum). The presence of two bands for the carboxylic acid C=O stretching modes in the solid-state Raman spectrum can be accounted for by factor group splitting of the two nonequivalent molecules in a crystallographic unit cell. The cis amide II band is observed at 1489 cm(-1) in the solid-state Raman spectrum, which is in agreement with results for cyclic di-amino acid peptide molecules examined previously in the solid state, where the DKP ring adopts a boat conformation. Additionally, it also appears that as the molecular mass of the substituent on the C-alpha atom is increased, the amide II band wavenumber decreases to below 1500 cm(-1); this may be a consequence of increased strain on the DKP ring. The cis amide II Raman band is characterized by its relatively small deuterium shift (29 cm(-1)), which indicates that this band has a smaller N-H bending contribution than the trans amide II vibrational band observed for linear peptides.