Towards a complete inventory of stratospheric dust particles, with implications for their classification

Several investigators have recently proposed classification schemes for stratospheric dust particles [1-3]. In addition, extraterrestrial materials within stratospheric dust collections may be used as a measure of micrometeorite flux [4]. However, little attention has been given to the problems of the stratospheric collection as a whole. Some of these problems include: (a) determination of accurate particle abundances at a given point in time; (b) the extent of bias in the particle selection process; (c) the variation of particle shape and chemistry with size; (d) the efficacy of proposed classification schemes and (e) an accurate determination of physical parameters associated with the particle collection process (e.g. minimum particle size collected, collection efficiency, variation of particle density with time). We present here preliminary results from SEM, EDS and, where appropriate, XRD analysis of all of the particles from a collection surface which sampled the stratosphere between 18 and 20km in altitude. Determinations of particle densities from this study may then be used to refine models of the behavior of particles in the stratosphere [5].

3D thermal mapping of building interiors using an RGB-D and thermal camera

The building sector is the dominant consumer of energy and therefore a major contributor to anthropomorphic climate change. The rapid generation of photorealistic, 3D environment models with incorporated surface temperature data has the potential to improve thermographic monitoring of building energy efficiency. In pursuit of this goal, we propose a system which combines a range sensor with a thermal-infrared camera. Our proposed system can generate dense 3D models of environments with both appearance and temperature information, and is the first such system to be developed using a low-cost RGB-D camera. The proposed pipeline processes depth maps successively, forming an ongoing pose estimate of the depth camera and optimizing a voxel occupancy map. Voxels are assigned 4 channels representing estimates of their true RGB and thermal-infrared intensity values. Poses corresponding to each RGB and thermal-infrared image are estimated through a combination of timestamp-based interpolation and a pre-determined knowledge of the extrinsic calibration of the system. Raycasting is then used to color the voxels to represent both visual appearance using RGB, and an estimate of the surface temperature. The output of the system is a dense 3D model which can simultaneously represent both RGB and thermal-infrared data using one of two alternative representation schemes. Experimental results demonstrate that the system is capable of accurately mapping difficult environments, even in complete darkness.

Simulating cooperative systems applications : a new complete architecture

For a decade, embedded driving assistance systems were mainly dedicated to the management of short time events (lane departure, collision avoidance, collision mitigation). Recently a great number of projects have been focused on cooperative embedded devices in order to extend environment perception. Handling an extended perception range is important in order to provide enough information for both path planning and co-pilot algorithms which need to anticipate events. To carry out such applications, simulation has been widely used. Simulation is efficient to estimate the benefits of Cooperative Systems (CS) based on Inter-Vehicular Communications (IVC). This paper presents a new and modular architecture built with the SiVIC simulator and the RTMaps™ multi-sensors prototyping platform. A set of improvements, implemented in SiVIC, are introduced in order to take into account IVC modelling and vehicles’ control. These 2 aspects have been tuned with on-road measurements to improve the realism of the scenarios. The results obtained from a freeway emergency braking scenario are discussed.

A note on acyclic edge coloring of complete bipartite graphs

An acyclic edge coloring of a graph is a proper edge coloring such that there are no bichromatic (2-colored) cycles. The acyclic chromatic index of a graph is the minimum number k such that there is an acyclic edge coloring using k colors and is denoted by a'(G). Let Delta = Delta(G) denote the maximum degree of a vertex in a graph G. A complete bipartite graph with n vertices on each side is denoted by K-n,K-n. Alon, McDiarmid and Reed observed that a'(K-p-1,K-p-1) = p for every prime p. In this paper we prove that a'(K-p,K-p) <= p + 2 = Delta + 2 when p is prime. Basavaraju, Chandran and Kummini proved that a'(K-n,K-n) >= n + 2 = Delta + 2 when n is odd, which combined with our result implies that a'(K-p,K-p) = p + 2 = Delta + 2 when p is an odd prime. Moreover we show that if we remove any edge from K-p,K-p, the resulting graph is acyclically Delta + 1 = p + 1-edge-colorable. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Kinetic mechanism of the interaction of D-cycloserine with serine hydroxymethyltransferase

The kinetic mechanism for the interaction of D-cycloserine with serine hydroxymethyltransferase (EC2.1.2.1) from sheep liver was established by measuring changes in the activity, absorbance, and circular dichoism (CD) of the enzyme. The irreversible inhibition of the enzyme was characterized by three detectable steps: an initial rapid step followed by two successive steps with rate constants of 5.4 X s-l and 1.4 X lo4 s-l. The first step was distinguished by a rapid disappearance of the enzyme absorbance peak at 425 nm, a decrease in the enzyme activity to 25% of the uninhibited velocity, and a lowering of the CD intensity at 432 nm to about 65% of the original value. The second step of the interaction was accompanied by a complete loss of enzyme.

Vibrational spectra of hydrazine carbothioamide and its 15N- and D-labelled species

Raman and infrared spectra of hydrazine carbothioamide (HCTA) and its three 15N-labelled molecules (H2N NH CS15NH2, H2 15N15NHCSNH2 and H2 15N15NHCS15NH2) and their deuterated compounds have been obtained. A complete normal coordinate analysis of HCTA has been made and revised assignments are presented. The factor group splittings of HCTA have been interpreted.

Complete genome sequence of a novel zantedeschia mild mosaic virus isolate: The first report from Australia and from Alocasia sp

The complete genome of an Australian isolate of zantedeschia mild mosaic virus (ZaMMV) causing mosaic symptoms on Alocasia sp. (designated ZaMMVAU) was cloned and sequenced. The genome comprises 9942 nucleotides (excluding the poly-A tail) and encodes a polyprotein of 3167 amino acids. The sequence is most closely related to a previously reported ZaMMV isolate from Taiwan (ZaMMV-TW), with 82 and 86 % identity at the nucleotide and amino acid level, respectively. Unlike the amino acid sequence of ZaMMV-TW, however, ZaMMV-AU does not contain a polyglutamine stretch at the N-terminus of the coat-protein-coding region upstream of the DAG motif. This is the first report of ZaMMV from Australia and from Alocasia sp.

d-Regular Graphs of Acyclic Chromatic Index at Least d+2

An acyclic edge coloring of a graph is a proper edge coloring such that there are no bichromatic cycles. The acyclic chromatic index of a graph is the minimum number k such that there is an acyclic edge coloring using k colors and is denoted by a'(G). It was conjectured by Alon, Suclakov and Zaks (and earlier by Fiamcik) that a'(G) <= Delta+2, where Delta = Delta(G) denotes the maximum degree of the graph. Alon et al. also raised the question whether the complete graphs of even order are the only regular graphs which require Delta+2 colors to be acyclically edge colored. In this article, using a simple counting argument we observe not only that this is not true, but in fact all d-regular graphs with 2n vertices and d>n, requires at least d+2 colors. We also show that a'(K-n,K-n) >= n+2, when n is odd using a more non-trivial argument. (Here K-n,K-n denotes the complete bipartite graph with n vertices on each side.) This lower bound for Kn,n can be shown to be tight for some families of complete bipartite graphs and for small values of n. We also infer that for every d, n such that d >= 5, n >= 2d+3 and dn even, there exist d-regular graphs which require at least d+2-colors to be acyclically edge colored. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 63: 226-230, 2010.

R&D in clean technology: A project choice model with learning

In this study, we investigate the qualitative and quantitative effects of an R&D subsidy for a clean technology and a Pigouvian tax on a dirty technology on environmental R&D when it is uncertain how long the research takes to complete. The model is formulated as an optimal stopping problem, in which the number of successes required to complete the R&D project is finite and learning about the probability of success is incorporated. We show that the optimal R&D subsidy with the consideration of learning is higher than that without it. We also find that an R&D subsidy performs better than a Pigouvian tax unless suppliers have sufficient incentives to continue cost-reduction efforts after the new technology success-fully replaces the old one. Moreover, by using a two-project model, we show that a uniform subsidy is better than a selective subsidy.

Computing complete test graphs for hierarchical systems

Conformance testing focuses on checking whether an implementation. under test (IUT) behaves according to its specification. Typically, testers are interested it? performing targeted tests that exercise certain features of the IUT This intention is formalized as a test purpose. The tester needs a "strategy" to reach the goal specified by the test purpose. Also, for a particular test case, the strategy should tell the tester whether the IUT has passed, failed. or deviated front the test purpose. In [8] Jeron and Morel show how to compute, for a given finite state machine specification and a test purpose automaton, a complete test graph (CTG) which represents all test strategies. In this paper; we consider the case when the specification is a hierarchical state machine and show how to compute a hierarchical CTG which preserves the hierarchical structure of the specification. We also propose an algorithm for an online test oracle which avoids a space overhead associated with the CTG.

Mechanism of interaction of O-amino-D-serine with sheep liver serine hydroxymethyltransferase

The mechanism of interaction of 0-amino-D-serine (OADS) with sheep liver serine hydroxymethyltransferase (EC 2.1.2.1) (SHMT) was established by measuring changes in the enzyme activity,absorption spectra, circular dichroism (CD) spectra, and stopped-flow spectrophotometry. OADS was a reversible noncompetitive inhibitor (Ki = 1.8 pM) when serine was the varied substrate. The first step in the interaction of OADS with the enzyme was the disruption of enzyme-Schiff base, characterized by the rapid disappearance of absorbance at 425 nm (6.5 X lo3 M-' s-') and CD intensity at 430 nm. Concomitantly,there was a rapid increase in absorbance and CD intensity at 390 nm. The spectral properties of this intermediate enabled its identification as pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP). These changes were followed by a slow unimolecular step (2 X s-') leading to the formation of PLP-OADS oxime, which was confirmed by its absorbance and fluorescence spectra and retention time on high-performance liquid chromatography. The PLP-OADS oxime was displaced from the enzyme by the addition of PLP as evidenced by the restoration of complete enzyme activity as well as by the spectral properties. The unique feature of the mechanism proposed for the interaction of OADS with sheep liver SHMT was the formation of PLP as an intermediate.

The complete primary structure of a unique mannose/glucose-specific lectin from field bean (Dolichos lab lab)

The complete amino acid sequence of two non identical subunits of the glucose/mannose-specific lectin from Dolichos lab lab (field bean) has been determined by sequential Edman analyses of the intact subunits and peptides derived by enzymatic and chemical cleavage. Peptides were purified by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography and ion pair chromatography. The D. lab lab lectin is a glycoprotein having two polypeptide chains of 132 and 105 amino acid residues. The amino acid sequence of the D. Lab lab lectin is compared with the various lectins of the family Leguminosae. The D. lab lab lectin is the only species of the tribe Phaseoleae that contains two nonidentical subunits of almost equal size and that shows a specificity to glucose/ mannose. The lectin shows a greater homology to the glucose/mannose specific lectins, especially concanavalin A. The unique subunit architecture of the D. lab lab lectin indicates the presence of new post translational cleavage sites.

Synthetic studies directed towards the potent cytotoxic natural product ottelione A: stereoselective construction of the complete framework

A stereoselective strategy for the rapid acquisition of the complete framework (dideoxyottelione A) of the promising cytotoxic agent ottelione A, with four contiguous stereogenic centres on a hydrindane skeleton and a sensitive 4-methylenecyclohex-2-enone functionality, from the readily available Diels-Alder adduct of 1,2,3,4-tetrachloro-5,5-dimethoxycyclopentadiene and norbornadiene, is delineated.

Features of a unique intronless cluster of class I small heat shock protein genes in tandem with box C/D snoRNA genes on chromosome 6 in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

Physical clustering of genes has been shown in plants; however, little is known about gene clusters that have different functions, particularly those expressed in the tomato fruit. A class I 17.6 small heat shock protein (Sl17.6 shsp) gene was cloned and used as a probe to screen a tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) genomic library. An 8.3-kb genomic fragment was isolated and its DNA sequence determined. Analysis of the genomic fragment identified intronless open reading frames of three class I shsp genes (Sl17.6, Sl20.0, and Sl20.1), the Sl17.6 gene flanked by Sl20.1 and Sl20.0, with complete 5' and 3' UTRs. Upstream of the Sl20.0 shsp, and within the shsp gene cluster, resides a box C/D snoRNA cluster made of SlsnoR12.1 and SlU24a. Characteristic C and D, and C' and D', boxes are conserved in SlsnoR12.1 and SlU24a while the upstream flanking region of SlsnoR12.1 carries TATA box 1, homol-E and homol-D box-like cis sequences, TM6 promoter, and an uncharacterized tomato EST. Molecular phylogenetic analysis revealed that this particular arrangement of shsps is conserved in tomato genome but is distinct from other species. The intronless genomic sequence is decorated with cis elements previously shown to be responsive to cues from plant hormones, dehydration, cold, heat, and MYC/MYB and WRKY71 transcription factors. Chromosomal mapping localized the tomato genomic sequence on the short arm of chromosome 6 in the introgression line (IL) 6-3. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis of gene cluster members revealed differential expression during ripening of tomato fruit, and relatively different abundances in other plant parts.

Combined inhalation and oral supplementation of Vitamin A and Vitamin D: A possible prevention and therapy for tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is continuing as a problem of mankind. With evolution, MDR and XDR forms of tuberculosis have emerged from drug sensitive strain. MDR and XDR strains are resistant to most of the antibiotics, making the management more difficult. BCG vaccine is not providing complete protection against tuberculosis. Therefore new infections are spreading at a tremendous rate. At the present moment there is experimental evidence to believe that Vitamin A and Vitamin D has anti-mycobacterial property. It is in this context, we have hypothesized a host based approach using the above vitamins that can cause possible prevention and cure of tuberculosis with minimal chance of resistance or toxicity. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.