STATISTICAL LINGUISTIC LAWS IN ECOLOGICAL MODELS

This paper gives the theoretical setup so that an ecological model, as a particular mathematical model, can be considered a text written in a formal language (mathematics), and therefore, statistical linguistic laws can be applied to obtain information parameters in different semantic levels of the same model. The statistical laws will be useful to: a) compare semantic levels, submodels, and different models mutually; b) prove that information temperature parameter is an indirect measure of meaning: the significance or semantic component of information, opposed to significant, or comprehension, on the part of the observer (modeller) of the model text. We will apply these ideas in two practical examples.     

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.