SYNTHESIS AND MOLECULAR-STRUCTURE OF THE 5-COORDINATE ZIRCONIUM COMPLEX (CH3C5H4)2ZRCL(ALPHA-C10H7COO)

Bis(methylcyclopentadienyl)chloro(alpha-naphthoyloxy)zirconium, (CH3C5H4)2Zr Cl(alpha-C10H7COO), has been synthesized by the reaction between (MeCp)2ZrCl2 and equimolar sodium alpha-naphthoate in toluene at room temperature. The molecular structure of the title complex was determined by X-ray diffraction. The molecules have a five-coordinate bent metallocene structure in which the alpha-naphthoxyligand is bidentate [Zr-O, 2.317(2), 2.260(2) angstrom]. The remaining distances are [Zr-Cl, 2.521(1) angstrom; Zr-C, 480-2, 565 angstrom; Zr-cent-CH3C5H4 2.217 and 2.230 angstrom].

Coordinate-Independent Computations on Differential Equations

This project investigates the computational representation of differentiable manifolds, with the primary goal of solving partial differential equations using multiple coordinate systems on general n- dimensional spaces. In the process, this abstraction is used to perform accurate integrations of ordinary differential equations using multiple coordinate systems. In the case of linear partial differential equations, however, unexpected difficulties arise even with the simplest equations.

Monitoring Activities from Multiple Video Streams: Establishing a Common Coordinate Frame

Passive monitoring of large sites typically requires coordination between multiple cameras, which in turn requires methods for automatically relating events between distributed cameras. This paper tackles the problem of self-calibration of multiple cameras which are very far apart, using feature correspondences to determine the camera geometry. The key problem is finding such correspondences. Since the camera geometry and photometric characteristics vary considerably between images, one cannot use brightness and/or proximity constraints. Instead we apply planar geometric constraints to moving objects in the scene in order to align the scene"s ground plane across multiple views. We do not assume synchronized cameras, and we show that enforcing geometric constraints enables us to align the tracking data in time. Once we have recovered the homography which aligns the planar structure in the scene, we can compute from the homography matrix the 3D position of the plane and the relative camera positions. This in turn enables us to recover a homography matrix which maps the images to an overhead view. We demonstrate this technique in two settings: a controlled lab setting where we test the effects of errors in internal camera calibration, and an uncontrolled, outdoor setting in which the full procedure is applied to external camera calibration and ground plane recovery. In spite of noise in the internal camera parameters and image data, the system successfully recovers both planar structure and relative camera positions in both settings.

The Gospel Worship Service Presents Unique Challenges for Chaplains: A Primer on Leading a Gospel Service in the Air Force

This project examines the challenges military chaplains face when leading Gospel services in the United States Air Force in both domestic and deployed locations. It argues that some chaplains assigned to Gospel services do not have the ministry skills set to lead them effectively. Through quantitative and qualitative research methods involving surveys of 30 military chaplains, lay leaders and parishioners, and follow-up interviews to explore critical issues identified by leaders and congregants alike, this project develops a Gospel service manual. This instructional primer outlines the historical evolution of the Gospel service and addresses its integral elements of worship and challenges that chaplains need to understand to meet the worship needs of multicultural and ecumenical military congregations.

Enhancing imaging systems using transformation optics.

We apply the transformation optical technique to modify or improve conventional refractive and gradient index optical imaging devices. In particular, when it is known that a detector will terminate the paths of rays over some surface, more freedom is available in the transformation approach, since the wave behavior over a large portion of the domain becomes unimportant. For the analyzed configurations, quasi-conformal and conformal coordinate transformations can be used, leading to simplified constitutive parameter distributions that, in some cases, can be realized with isotropic index; index-only media can be low-loss and have broad bandwidth. We apply a coordinate transformation to flatten a Maxwell fish-eye lens, forming a near-perfect relay lens; and also flatten the focal surface associated with a conventional refractive lens, such that the system exhibits an ultra-wide field-of-view with reduced aberration.

Designing three-dimensional transformation optical media using quasiconformal coordinate transformations.

We introduce an approach to the design of three-dimensional transformation optical (TO) media based on a generalized quasiconformal mapping approach. The generalized quasiconformal TO (QCTO) approach enables the design of media that can, in principle, be broadband and low loss, while controlling the propagation of waves with arbitrary angles of incidence and polarization. We illustrate the method in the design of a three-dimensional carpet ground plane cloak and of a flattened Luneburg lens. Ray-trace studies provide a confirmation of the performance of the QCTO media, while also revealing the limited performance of index-only versions of these devices.

Analysis of the genome and transcriptome of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii reveals complex RNA expression and microevolution leading to virulence attenuation.

Cryptococcus neoformans is a pathogenic basidiomycetous yeast responsible for more than 600,000 deaths each year. It occurs as two serotypes (A and D) representing two varieties (i.e. grubii and neoformans, respectively). Here, we sequenced the genome and performed an RNA-Seq-based analysis of the C. neoformans var. grubii transcriptome structure. We determined the chromosomal locations, analyzed the sequence/structural features of the centromeres, and identified origins of replication. The genome was annotated based on automated and manual curation. More than 40,000 introns populating more than 99% of the expressed genes were identified. Although most of these introns are located in the coding DNA sequences (CDS), over 2,000 introns in the untranslated regions (UTRs) were also identified. Poly(A)-containing reads were employed to locate the polyadenylation sites of more than 80% of the genes. Examination of the sequences around these sites revealed a new poly(A)-site-associated motif (AUGHAH). In addition, 1,197 miscRNAs were identified. These miscRNAs can be spliced and/or polyadenylated, but do not appear to have obvious coding capacities. Finally, this genome sequence enabled a comparative analysis of strain H99 variants obtained after laboratory passage. The spectrum of mutations identified provides insights into the genetics underlying the micro-evolution of a laboratory strain, and identifies mutations involved in stress responses, mating efficiency, and virulence.