Total Synthesis of Gabosine H

Stereoselective total synthesis and assignment of the absolute configuration of the keto carba sugar gabosine H is presented. Pivotal reactions in the sequence include desymmetrization of the dimethylamide of tartaric acid and ring-closing metathesis.

Determination of critical micelle concentration by hyper-Rayleigh scattering

The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of several surfactants that contain an NLO chromophore, either at the hydrocarbon tail, or at the hydrophilic headgroup, or even as a counterion, was determined by hyper-Rayleigh scattering (HRS). In all cases, the HRS signal exhibited a similar variation with surfactant concentration, wherein the CMC is inferred from a rather unprecedented drop in the signal intensity. This drop is attributed to the formation of small pre-micellar aggregates, whose concentrations become negligible above CMC. In addition, a probe molecule, which upon protonation yielded a species with significantly enhanced HRS intensity, was developed and its utility for the determination of the CIVIC of simple fatty acids was demonstrated.

Preliminary X-ray crystallographic studies on acetate kinase (AckA) from Salmonella typhimurium in two crystal forms

Acetate kinase (AckA) catalyzes the reversible transfer of a phosphate group from acetyl phosphate to ADP, generating acetate and ATP, and plays a central role in carbon metabolism. In the present work, the gene corresponding to AckA from Salmonella typhimurium (StAckA) was cloned in the IPTG-inducible pRSET C vector, resulting in the attachment of a hexahistidine tag to the N-terminus of the expressed enzyme. The recombinant protein was overexpressed, purified and crystallized in two different crystal forms using the microbatch-under-oil method. Form I crystals diffracted to 2.70 angstrom resolution when examined using X-rays from a rotating-anode X-ray generator and belonged to the monoclinic space group C2, with unit-cell parameters a = 283.16, b = 62.17, c = 91.69 angstrom, beta = 93.57 degrees. Form II crystals, which diffracted to a higher resolution of 2.35 angstrom on the rotating-anode X-ray generator and to 1.90 angstrom on beamline BM14 of the ESRF, Grenoble, also belonged to space group C2 but with smaller unit-cell parameters (a = 151.01, b = 78.50, c = 97.48 angstrom, beta = 116.37 degrees). Calculation of Matthews coefficients for the two crystal forms suggested the presence of four and two protomers of StAckA in the asymmetric units of forms I and II, respectively. Initial phases for the form I diffraction data were obtained by molecular replacement using the coordinates of Thermotoga maritima AckA (TmAckA) as the search model. The form II structure was phased using a monomer of form I as the phasing model. Inspection of the initial electron-density maps suggests dramatic conformational differences between residues 230 and 300 of the two crystal forms and warrants further investigation.

Rotating beams and non-rotating beams with shared eigenpair for pinned-free boundary condition

In this paper we look for a rotating beam, with pinned-free boundary conditions, whose eigenpair (frequency and mode-shape) is same as that of a uniform non-rotating beam for a particular mode. It is seen that for any given mode, there exists a flexural stiffness function (FSF) for which the ith mode eigenpair of a rotating beam with uniform mass distribution, is identical to that of a corresponding non-rotating beam with same length and mass distribution. Inserting these derived FSF's in a finite element code for a rotating pinned-free beam, the frequencies and mode shapes of a non-rotating pinned-free beam are obtained. For the first mode, a physically realistic equivalent rotating beam is possible, but for higher modes, the FSF has internal singularities. Strategies for addressing these singularities in the FSF for finite element analysis are provided. The proposed functions can be used as test functions for rotating beam codes and also for targeted destiffening of rotating beams.

Narrowband signal detection techniques in shallow ocean by acoustic vector sensor array

This paper presents the formulation and performance analysis of four techniques for detection of a narrowband acoustic source in a shallow range-independent ocean using an acoustic vector sensor (AVS) array. The array signal vector is not known due to the unknown location of the source. Hence all detectors are based on a generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT) which involves estimation of the array signal vector. One non-parametric and three parametric (model-based) signal estimators are presented. It is shown that there is a strong correlation between the detector performance and the mean-square signal estimation error. Theoretical expressions for probability of false alarm and probability of detection are derived for all the detectors, and the theoretical predictions are compared with simulation results. It is shown that the detection performance of an AVS array with a certain number of sensors is equal to or slightly better than that of a conventional acoustic pressure sensor array with thrice as many sensors.

Multi-Temporal Satellite Image Analysis Using Gene Expression Programming

This paper discusses an approach for river mapping and flood evaluation to aid multi-temporal time series analysis of satellite images utilizing pixel spectral information for image classification and region-based segmentation to extract water covered region. Analysis of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite images is applied in two stages: before flood and during flood. For these images the extraction of water region utilizes spectral information for image classification and spatial information for image segmentation. Multi-temporal MODIS images from ``normal'' (non-flood) and flood time-periods are processed in two steps. In the first step, image classifiers such as artificial neural networks and gene expression programming to separate the image pixels into water and non-water groups based on their spectral features. The classified image is then segmented using spatial features of the water pixels to remove the misclassified water region. From the results obtained, we evaluate the performance of the method and conclude that the use of image classification and region-based segmentation is an accurate and reliable for the extraction of water-covered region.

Studies and Evaluation of EIT Image Reconstruction in EIDORS with Simulated Boundary Data

Simulated boundary potential data for Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) are generated by a MATLAB based EIT data generator and the resistivity reconstruction is evaluated with Electrical Impedance Tomography and Diffuse Optical Tomography Reconstruction Software (EIDORS). Circular domains containing subdomains as inhomogeneity are defined in MATLAB-based EIT data generator and the boundary data are calculated by a constant current simulation with opposite current injection (OCI) method. The resistivity images reconstructed for different boundary data sets and images are analyzed with image parameters to evaluate the reconstruction.

QUANTITATIVE OH PLANAR LASER INDUCED FLUORESCENCE DIAGNOSTICS OF SYNGAS AND METHANE COMBUSTION IN A CAVITY COMBUSTOR

The current work reports quantitative OH species concentration in the cavity of a trapped vortex combustor (TVC) in the context of mixing and flame stabilization studies using both syngas and methane fuels. Planar laser induced fluorescence (PLIF) measurements of OH radical obtained using a Nd: YAG pumped dye laser are quantified using a flat flame McKenna burner. The momentum flux ratio (MFR), defined as the ratio of the cavity fuel jet momentum to that of the guide vane air stream, is observed to be a key governing parameter. At high MFRs similar to 4.5, the flame front is observed to form at the interface of the fuel jet and the air jet stream. This is substantiated by velocity vector field measurements. For syngas, as the MFR is lowered to similar to 0.3, the fuel-air mixing increases and a flame front is formed at the bottom and downstream edge of the cavity where a stratified charge is present. This trend is observed for different velocities at similar equivalence ratios. In case of methane combustion in the cavity, where the MFRs employed are extremely low at similar to 0.01, a different mechanism is observed. A fuel-rich mixture is now observed at the center of the cavity and this mixture undergoes combustion. On further increase of the cavity equivalence ratio, the rich mixture exceeds the flammability limit and forms a thin reaction zone at the interface with air stream. As a consequence, a shear layer flame at the top of the cavity interface with the mainstream is also observed. The equivalence ratio in the cavity also determines the combustion characteristics in the case of fuel-air mixtures that are formed as a result of the mixing. Overall, flame stabilization mechanisms have been proposed, which account for the wide range of MFRs and premixing in the mainstream as well.

Dynamic stress intensity factor of a functionally graded material under antiplane shear loading

The dynamic response of a finite crack in an unbounded Functionally Graded Material (FGM) subjected to an antiplane shear loading is studied in this paper. The variation of the shear modulus of the functionally graded material is modeled by a quadratic increase along the direction perpendicular to the crack surface. The dynamic stress intensity factor is extracted from the asymptotic expansion of the stresses around the crack tip in the Laplace transform plane and obtained in the time domain by a numerical Laplace inversion technique. The influence of graded material property on the dynamic intensity factor is investigated. It is observed that the magnitude of dynamic stress intensity factor for a finite crack in such a functionally graded material is less than in the homogeneous material with a property identical to that of the FGM crack plane.

Efecto de coberturas muertas de follajes de tres especies de árboles de sombra sobre la reducción de grupos de malezas en el cultivo de café (Coffea arabica L.)

El presente trabajo evaluó el efecto de coberturas muertas procedentes de hojas y ramas podadas de las especies: Simarouba glauca D.C., Clusia rosea Jacq y Giricidia sepuim (Jacq) Steud., sobre la reducción de los grupos de malezas de una plantación de café (Coffea arabica L.), manejada bajo sombra. Para ello se estableció un ensayo en la finca La Nacional, Masatepe, Nicaragua; colocando en las parcelas experimentales, material vegetal cortado de cada una de estas especies, en tres diferentes grosores de cubrimiento. Las malezas procedentes de semillas y de retoños se mantuvieron controladas a los 17, 31, 45 y 65 días después de establecido el ensayo. El testigo promedio 385 individuos por m2 y los diferentes tratamientos promediaron 22 individuos por m2 en malezas de semillas. El testigo para malezas de retoños promedio 619 brotes por m2, los diferentes tratamientos promediaron 85.5 brotes por m2. En el muestreo para determinar biomasa fresca de malezas, hubo diferencias significativas en malezas de semillas y retoños, con promedios de 21 g/m2 para el testigo, comparado con 3 g/m2 para los m2 para los tratamientos en malezas de semillas y para malezas de retoños el testigo promedio 233 g/m2 y en los tratamientos promediaron 52 g/m2. En general los grosores dobles y triples alcanzaron a reducir mayormente las malezas.

Período crítico de competencia entre frijol común (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) y coyolillo (Cyperus rotundus L.)

El experimento se realizó entre los meses de octubre a diciembre de 1993, en la comunidad La Granadilla, localizada en el municipio de Nandaime, departamento de Granada, con el propósito de determinar la habilidad competitiva del coyolillo (Cyperus rotundus L.) en el cultivo de frijol común (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), así como determinar el período crítico de competencia y conocer la influencia de la competencia del coyolillo sobre los componentes del rendimiento. Se utilizó un diseño experimental de Bloques Completos al Azar con cuatro repeticiones. Se establecieron nueve tratamientos. cinco de los cuales incluyeron control de malezas en diferentes períodos, (15, 21, 28, 35 y control durante todo el ciclo), en cambió cuatro de ellos incluyeron períodos de enmalezamiento (21, 28, 35 y enmalezado siempre). Los resultados del presente trabajo de investigación pueden ser resumidos de la siguiente forma: el tratamiento enmalezado 35 días presentó la mayor cobertura de coyolillo, en cambio la menor cobertura la presentó el control siempre. El control inicial durante 15 días fue suficiente para obtener buenos rendimientos. Con 21 días de control se encontró que el coyolillo reduce el rendimiento del cultivo en 34.46 porciento, por lo tanto es importante realizar una práctica de control a los 15 días después de la siembra, en cambio competencia durante 35 días de competencia, reduce el rendimiento del cultivo en un 75 por ciento. De los componentes de rendimiento, la variable número de vainas por plantas fue la única que se vio afectadas por la competencia que ejerce el coyolillo. Período con competencia de coyolillo, reduce el número de vainas por planta en comparación con los tratamientos control 21 días y control 28 días. El mejor rendimiento lo obtuvo el tratamiento control siempre. El tratamiento control 21 días presentó el menor rendimiento, sin embargo el rendimiento es similar a períodos mas prolongados de control. El período crítico de competencia de coyolillo se inicia a los 15 días y finaliza a los 35 días.

Non più mesta accanto al fuoco : floración operística del mito de Cenicienta

Resumen: Este artículo se aboca a un análisis comparativo de tres óperas basadas en el mito de Cenicienta, a partir de las versiones literarias canónicas de Basile, Perrault y Grimm: La Cenerentola de Rossini-Ferretti (1817), Cendrillon de Massenet-Cain (1899), y ¡Cenicientaaa...! de Lambertini (2008). Consideramos aspectos míticos del relato, como el combate cosmogónico, la unión hierogámica, la rivalidad fraterna y el complejo edípico, y estudiamos su vigencia y sus mutaciones a través de las sucesivas estéticas que corresponden a las tres óperas señaladas: iluminismo, romanticismo, posmodernidad.

气流与化学激光中的碰撞和非均匀加宽效应——理论分析模型

本文把用于气流与化学激光性能计算的理论模型作了分析比较,包括常用的Lorentz-Gauss谱线形因子近似、本文提出的矩形谱线形因子近似以及文献[5]的理论。对气流化学激光的简化扩散混合模型,文中简要地导出了与上述诸理论相对应的具体结果。分析和计算表明:在碰撞与非均匀加宽同时起作用,特别是非均匀加宽占优势的情况下,两种谱线形因子近似以及文献[5]理论的结果三者之间存在显著的差异;矩形谱线形因子近似要比常用的Lorentz-Gauss谱线形因子近似精确,而矩形谱线形因子近似的计算量要比Lorentz-Gauss谱线形因子近似的计算量少。

Destinação do dinheiro apreendido nas operações da Polícia Federal

Consultoria Legislativa - Área XVII - Segurança Pública e Defesa Nacional.

Criação de uma justiça auto-sustentável no Brasil

Consultoria Legislativa - Área I - Direito Constitucional, Eleitoral, Municipal, Direito Administrativo, Processo Legislativo e Poder Judiciário.