Algorithms for computing triangular decomposition of polynomial systems

We discuss algorithmic advances which have extended the pioneer work of Wu on triangular decompositions. We start with an overview of the key ideas which have led to either better implementation techniques or a better understanding of the underlying theory. We then present new techniques that we regard as essential to the recent success and for future research directions in the development of triangular decomposition methods.     

RESCUER: Development of a Modular Chemical,Biological, Radiological,and Nuclear Robot for Intervention,Sampling, and Situation Awareness*

This paper describes the development of a robot prototype for intervention, sampling, and situation awareness in CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) missions. It outlines the mission requirements, design specifications, the solutions that were developed and integrated, and the final tests done. The solution addresses one of the most important mission requirements in CBRN scenarios: the capability to decontaminate the robot once it has been used in real missions. As microdoses of CBRN contaminants are sufficient to cause significant damage to human beings, prevention of robot contamination is always of top priority. If there is a potential danger of real contamination, it can only be removed by effective decontamination. The way to deal with this problem imposes significant design conditions; the proposed design allows an easy and fast decontamination of the robot. The work presents a new way to approach this kind of robot, based on modular component architecture over a robot operating system that permits the attachment and detachment of robot components via unique electromechanical interfaces. The resulting modular robot introduces an innovative kinematic solution that can be dynamically configured for the different mission requirements.     

Technical note The application of selective principal components analysis (SPCA) to a Thematic Mapper (TM) image for the recognition of geomorphologic features configuration

Selective principal components analysis (SPCA) has been applied to highly- and/or little-correlated subgroups of bands. Its usefulness was demonstrated in two ways. First, the final result is a false colour composition based on the first order principal component of each highly correlated subgroup of bands, the resulting image containing more than 95 per cent of the total variance of the six TM bands used. Secondly, the second order principal component of pairs of little-correlated bands will show the information that is unique for each band. Both types of analysis have been applied to characterize the geomorphological units at a site in SW Spain. Both methodologies have demonstrated to be very useful in a difficult to access area, with high vegetation diversity covering quite different geomorphic features.     

Extensional rheology of raw natural rubber from new clones of Hevea brasiliensis

Natural rubber (NR) is a biopolymer whose properties depend on the molecular structure of the 1,4‐cis polyisoprene chains, nonrubber constituents, environmental conditions, etc. NR has been characterized by Mooney viscosity, Wallace plasticity, nitrogen content (%N). However, these cannot effectively account for clone's differences. The aim of this work is to use extensional rheology to characterize and differentiate NR samples as for clone type and the season of the year in comparison to the traditional characterizations. Three IAC 300 series and RRIM 600 clones of Hevea brasiliensis tapped between October 2006 (Oct_06) and August 2008 (Aug_08) were investigated. IAC 329 clones showed the least susceptibility to seasonal changes, whereas RRIM 600 was the most influenced. An opposite trend between extensional viscosity (η_E) and %N was established. The former was very sensitive to changes in the molecular structure of NR, being fundamental for monitoring purposes and strategic development of new rubber tree clones. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Production of human growth hormone by Lactococcus lactis

A synthetic gene coding for human growth hormone was expressed in Lactococcus lactis. The presence of the recombinant protein was assayed and quantified using ELISA tests. Human growth hormone was detected at high concentrations and displayed a biological activity similar to the one shown by commercial human growth hormone.     

Activity of Fluorine‐Containing Analogues of WC‐9 and Structurally Related Analogues against Two Intracellular Parasites: Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii

Two obligate intracellular parasites, Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease, and Toxoplasma gondii, an agent of toxoplasmosis, upregulate the mevalonate pathway of their host cells upon infection, which suggests that this host pathway could be a potential drug target. In this work, a number of compounds structurally related to WC‐9 (4‐phenoxyphenoxyethyl thiocyanate), a known squalene synthase inhibitor, were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their effect on T. cruzi and T. gondii growth in tissue culture cells. Two fluorine‐containing derivatives, the 3‐(3‐fluorophenoxy)‐ and 3‐(4‐fluorophenoxy)phenoxyethyl thiocyanates, exhibited half‐maximal effective concentration (EC₅₀) values of 1.6 and 4.9 μm , respectively, against tachyzoites of T. gondii, whereas they showed similar potency to WC‐9 against intracellular T. cruzi (EC₅₀ values of 5.4 and 5.7 μm , respectively). In addition, 2‐[3‐ (phenoxy)phenoxyethylthio]ethyl‐1,1‐bisphosphonate, which is a hybrid inhibitor containing 3‐phenoxyphenoxy and bisphosphonate groups, has activity against T. gondii proliferation at sub‐micromolar levels (EC₅₀=0.7 μm ), which suggests a combined inhibitory effect of the two functional groups.     

Interrogating the Behaviour of a Styryl Dye Interacting with a Mesoscopic 2D-MOF and Its Luminescent Vapochromic Sensing

In this contribution, we report on the solid-state-photodynamical properties and further applications of a low dimensional composite material composed by the luminescent trans-4-(dicyanomethylene)-2-methyl-6-(4-dimethylaminostyryl)-4H-pyran (DCM) dye interacting with a two-dimensional-metal organic framework (2D-MOF), Al-ITQ-HB. Three different samples with increasing concentration of DCM are synthesized and characterized. The broad UV-visible absorption spectra of the DCM/Al-ITQ-HB composites reflect the presence of different species of DCM molecules (monomers and aggregates). In contrast, the emission spectra are narrower and exhibit a bathochromic shift upon increasing the DCM concentration, in agreeance with the formation of adsorbed aggregates. Time-resolved picosecond (ps)-experiments reveal multi-exponential behaviors of the excited composites, further confirming the heterogeneous nature of the samples. Remarkably, DCM/Al-ITQ-HB fluorescence is sensitive to vapors of electron donor aromatic amine compounds like aniline, methylaniline, and benzylamine due to a H-bonding-induced electron transfer (ET) process from the analyte to the surface-adsorbed DCM. These findings bring new insights on the photobehavior of a well-known dye when interacting with a 2D-MOF and its possible application in sensing aniline derivatives.