Lower Bounds for the Weak Pigeonhole Principle and Random Formulas beyond Resolution

We work with an extension of Resolution, called Res(2), that allows clauses with conjunctions of two literals. In this system there are rules to introduce and eliminate such conjunctions. We prove that the weak pigeonhole principle PHP^cn_n and random unsatisfiable CNF formulas require exponential-size proofs in this system. This is the strongest system beyond Resolution for which such lower bounds are known. As a consequence to the result about the weak pigeonhole principle, Res(log) is exponentially more powerful than Res(2). Also we prove that Resolution cannot polynomially simulate Res(2) and that Res(2) does not have feasible monotone interpolation solving an open problem posed by Krají ek.     

Inverter nonlinearity effects in high-frequency signal-injection-based sensorless control methods

An analysis of pulsewidth-modulation inverter nonlinearities influencing high-frequency carrier-signal voltage injection for saliency-tracking-based rotor/flux position estimation is presented in this paper. Distortion of the injected carrier voltage caused by the nonlinear behavior of the inverter has been reported to cause errors in the estimated rotor/flux position. Though a number of techniques have been developed to compensate for inverter nonlinearities, they have not been proven to be effective when a high-frequency low-magnitude voltage needs to be generated. Both the origins of the distortion as well as the requirements for compensation methods to be effective when producing such high-frequency voltages will be established in this paper.     

From lines to epipoles through planes in two views

This paper addresses the computation of the fundamental matrix between two views, when camera motion and 3D structure are unknown, but planar surfaces can be assumed. We use line features which are automatically matched in two steps. Firstly, with image based parameters, a set of matches are obtained to secondly compute homographies, which allows to reject wrong ones, and to grow good matches in a final stage. The inclusion of projective transformations gives much better results to match features with short computing overload. When two or more planes are observed, different homographies can be computed, segmenting simultaneously the corresponding planar surfaces. These can be used to obtain the fundamental matrix, which gives constraints for the whole scene. The results show that the global process is robust enough, turning out stable and useful to obtain matches and epipolar geometry from lines in man made environments.     

Measurement of the degree of salinity of water with a fiber-optic sensor

A fiber-optic sensor based on surface-plasmon resonance for the determination of the refractive index is used for measuring the degree of salinity of water. The transducing element consists of a multilayer structure deposited on a side-polished monomode optical fiber. Measuring the attenuation of the power transmitted by the fiber shows that a linear relation with the refractive index of the outer medium of the structure is obtained. The system is characterized by use of a varying refractive index obtained with a mixture of water and ethylene glycol. Experimental results show that the sensor can be used as a salinity-degree measurement device with environmental applications.     

Controlled clinical assay in Clonidine, arginine aspartate, alpha-ketoglutarate of Ornithine and Ciproheptadine as growth stimulants in children with short stature

Eighty-one healthy prepubertal children of short stature, between two and twelve years of age, were divided into four homogeneous groups. Each group was treated with a placebo for one year and for a second year with one of the following drugs (double blind): clonidine (CI), arginine asprate (AA), ornithine alphaketoglutare (OKG), or cyproheptadine (Cp). CI and OKG did not better the standard deviation of height. AA and Cp did, but to no greater extent than the placebo. The growth rate did not change in any group. The ratio of bone age/chronological age was significantly higher at the end of the OKG year than at the end of the year with placebo, a difference that was not found in any other group. The prognosis of adult height (TW2) did not change in any group. The standard deviation of weight increased in all groups, both with the placebo and the various drugs, without significant differences between the groups. The CI caused frequent clinical side effects, including a reversible increase in transaminases in one child. The Cp stimulated hunger. The AA and OKG did not produce side-effects and the placebo increased appetite in 11% of the children. Somatomedin C was significantly higher after one year with Cp than after one year with the placebo, significantly higher after the placebo than after CI and AA and there was no difference between the treatment with the placebo and OKG. Growth hormone values in a 24 hour urine sample were so scattered that we do not consider them helpful.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Extraction and characterization of soluble protein fractions from Phaseolus lunatus L seeds

Legume proteins as a potential source of valuable nutrients, are the object of several studies in order to obtain the best use. A basic knowledge becomes more important for those proteins from species not wholly utilized, before using them as food ingredients. The objective of this work was to determine several structural and nutritional characteristics of the protein fractions from Phaseolus lunatus, separated in different solvents. The relative amount of extraction for the albumins (ALB), globulins (GLB), prolamines (PRL), and glutelins (GLT) was 62.3, 34.8, 1.4 and 1.5%, respectively. The SDS-PAGE electrophoretic profile of both ALB and GLB, showed seven common bands in intervals from 10 to 95 kDa, and 14 to 99 kDa, respectively; the amino acids profile showed that PRL was the rich fraction in sulfurated amino acids (11.5 g/100 g protein); the content of lysine in the fraction of ALB was smaller than expected but the requirement of the FAO in the fractions of GLB and GLT was covered. In general, the fraction of GLB had the best balance of amino acids and digestibility (80%); however, it had a relationship of calculated protein efficiency ratio (C-PER) of 0.11, smaller than the ratio in ALB (0.97). The calorimetric analysis showed denatured temperatures around 90 degrees C for the ALB, GLB, and GLU fractions. The PRL fraction probably did not present a thermal transition because the proteins were denaturalized by the extraction conditions.     

Simple and stereoselective synthesis of sex pheromone of processionary mothThaumetopoea pityocampa (Denis and Schiff.)

A simple and stereoselective synthesis of (Z)-13-hexadecen-11-yn-1-yl acetate, the major component of the sex pheromone ofThaumetopoea pityocampa (Denis and Schiff.) is described. The procedure essentially involves formylation of a terminal acetylene to the corresponding aldehyde followed by a stereochemically controlled Wittig reaction, which has been studied under a variety of conditions.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(carbonates) Derived from Diphenols That Contain Silicon or Germanium

Poly(carbonates) derived from diphenols that contain Si or Ge and bisphenol A bis(chloroformate) have been synthesized using phase-transfer conditions. The products were characterized by spectroscopic methods. Two phase-transfer catalysts and three molar ratios of NaOH/diphenol were used. The results were evaluated by the yields of product and their inherent viscosities. The data were compared with materials obtained without the catalyst and showed that the new synthetic technique was effective for the synthesis of these types of poly(carbonates). An increase in the concentration of NaOH and the phase-transfer catalysts increased the yields and _inh values compared to those obtained with stoichiometric quantities of NaOH. It is proposed that the differences in electronegativities of the heteroatoms in the diphenols are responsible for this behaviour.