EnPiT: filtered back-projection algorithm for helical CT using an n-Pi acquisition

In this paper, we formulate a reconstruction algorithm for an n-Pi acquisition, where n can be any positive odd integer. The algorithm is a generalization of the method presented in (Bontus et al. 2003). It is based on the results obtained by Katsevich (2004). For the algorithm, different sets of filter-lines have to be defined. We describe the variation of these lines along the detector in some detail, before we discuss, how the method gives all Radon-plane contributions the correct weighting. The different sets of filter-lines are all contained within the n-Pi window, such that a practical realization is possible. Reconstruction results, which we present in the final section, show convincing image quality.     

The current state and future outlook of rescue robotics

Robotic technologies, whether they are remotely operated vehicles, autonomous agents, assistive devices, or novel control interfaces, offer many promising capabilities for deployment in real‐world environments. Postdisaster scenarios are a particularly relevant target for applying such technologies, due to the challenging conditions faced by rescue workers and the possibility to increase their efficacy while decreasing the risks they face. However, field‐deployable technologies for rescue work have requirements for robustness, speed, versatility, and ease of use that may not be matched by the state of the art in robotics research. This paper aims to survey the current state of the art in ground and aerial robots, marine and amphibious systems, and human–robot control interfaces and assess the readiness of these technologies with respect to the needs of first responders and disaster recovery efforts. We have gathered expert opinions from emergency response stakeholders and researchers who conduct field deployments with them to understand these needs, and we present this assessment as a way to guide future research toward technologies that will make an impact in real‐world disaster response and recovery.     

Robust sideslip angles observer for accurate off-road path tracking control

This paper proposes a control strategy to achieve high accurate path tracking in off-road conditions. The approach is based on adaptive and predictive techniques to account for sliding effects and actuator properties. An extended kinematic model is designed using sideslip angles definition. An observer is proposed to estimate online these variables, independently from the reference path and robot velocity. Thanks to the proposed approach, high accurate path tracking can then be achieved whatever the shape of the reference path and the task to be achieved (practical stabilization or moving object tracking).     

Science in Africa: A Bibliometric Panorama Using PASCAL Database

PASCAL, whose troublesome artefacts we highlight, also has its strong points (multidisciplinarity, codification of the topic of each article, better coverage of some countries). As other sources, it shows that the current decade is one of crisis in African research. However, developments are highly contrasted, depending on the discipline and the regions. To the north of Africa, the Maghreb is witnessing an unprecedented gain in power. Nigerian science is in quite the contrary situation, imploding. In the rest of Africa, classification of countries brings to evidence very striking changes in order. Basic science declines. The Agricultural and the Medical sciences are stagnating. Conversely, the Engineering sciences are growing, in particular to the North of the Sahara.     

Ausmaß und Dynamik der Sohlerosion der Donau östlich von Wien – flussmorphologische und wasserwirtschaftliche Aspekte

The Danube east of Vienna was originally an untamed, widely branching river with an approximately stable bed elevation. Regulation in the second half of the 19th century changed its morphology fundamentally—initially through upstream regulation and the consequent bedload deposit resulting in heavy aggradation—and subsequently left the bed elevation and water level almost the same until around the 1940s. Only in the second half of the 20th century did the bed elevation and low and mean water levels decrease significantly, and this trend—amplified by the power plant extension—continues today, despite constant bedload dumps to ensure the tailwater supply for the power plant at Vienna Freudenau. Further east from the Austrian-Slovak stretch of border, congestion due to the Gab?íkovo power plant becomes apparent: most of the bedload is again deposited here. This study investigates these processes using hydrographic observations in their spatial and temporal context, and, based on actual bed elevation measurements, creates a bedload balance and compares it with the results of previous studies. Bed erosion in the Danube floodplains and the local national park has far-reaching consequences, especially through siltation and scrub encroachment in the river’s branches, which are further amplified by flat, fine sediment deposits in the foothills and the formation of embankments. In the long term, flood and other water management objectives will also be adversely affected.     

Carbon-Coated-Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Cement Composites: I, Fiber Pushout and Interfacial Properties

Interfacial mechanical properties of carbon-coated-S-glass-fiber-reinforced cement were characterized by a fiber pushout technique. The pushout experiments were conducted on model composites, where the S-glass monofilaments with and without carbon coating were unidirectionally embedded in ordinary portland cement. Interfacial properties, including bonding strength, frictional stress, residual stress, and fracture energy, were extracted from the previously developed progressive debonding model. The composite with a carbon interface exhibited a weaker interfacial bonding strength and frictional stress than did the composite without a carbon interface. The interfacial fracture energy of the composite with a carbon interface was 7.9 J/m², as compared to 47.6 J/m² for the composite without a carbon interface. The composite with the carbon interface exhibited a smaller residual clamping stress (18 MPa), in comparison to that for the composite without a carbon interface (69 MPa). Scanning electron microscopy observations indicated that the filament without a carbon coating was significantly attacked by the alkaline environment and was strongly bonded onto the matrix, whereas the filament with a carbon coating remained intact under the same curing conditions. These studies suggest that carbon coating provides the glass fiber with significantly improved corrosion resistance to alkali in the cement environment.     

Epoxide Hydrolase‐Catalysed Kinetic Resolution of a Spiroepoxide,a Key Building Block of Various 11‐Heterosteroids

Two microbial epoxide hydrolases – i.e., Aspergillus niger (AnEH) and Rhodococcus erythropolis (the so‐called “Limonene EH”: LEH) were used to achieve, for the first time, the biocatalysed hydrolytic kinetic resolution (BHKR) of spiroepoxide rac‐ 1 . This compound is a strategic key building block allowing the synthesis of 11‐heterosteroids. Interestingly enough, the two enzymes exhibited opposite and therefore complementary enantioselectivity allowing us to isolate the residual (R,R)‐ 1 (from AnEH) and the residual (S,S)‐ 1 (from LEH) in nearly enantiopure forms (>98 %). Their absolute configurations were determined by X‐ray crystallography. An opposite regioselectivity of the oxirane ring opening for both enantiomers of substrate 1 , determined using H₂¹⁸O labelling and chiral GC‐MS analysis, was also observed, corresponding to an attack at the less substituted carbon atom using AnEH, and at the most substituted carbon atom using LEH. A chemical process‐improving methodology was also developed. This allowed us to obtain both enantiomers of the substrate in high enantiomeric purity (99 %) and optimised quantity. In the case of the AnEH, the use of a biphasic (water/isooctane) reaction medium allowed us to increase the global substrate concentration up to 200 g/ L. The preparation of both enantiomers of 1 clearly paves the way to the preparative scale synthesis and biochemical evaluation of the corresponding 11‐heterosteroid enantiomers.     

Enzymatic Transformations 62. Preparative Scale Synthesis of Enantiopure Glycidyl Acetals using an Aspergillus niger Epoxide Hydrolase‐Catalysed Kinetic Resolution

The hydrolytic kinetic resolution of five glycidaldehyde acetal derivatives was examined using the recombinant Aspergillus niger epoxide hydrolase as biocatalyst. This could successfully be performed, at room temperature, using solely demineralised water as solvent and following a two‐phase methodology allowing us to operate at a global substrate concentration as high as 200 g/L in the reactor. The observed E values were shown to be modest to excellent, depending on the structure of the acetal moiety, indicating that it is possible to achieve this resolution very efficiently just by choosing the right substituents. Both the unreacted (R)‐epoxide and the formed (S)‐diol could thus be obtained in good to excellent ee (ee>99 % for the epoxide). For the best substrates, the reaction could be performed within a few hours by using a biocatalyst over substrate molecular ratio of about 9 to 10×10⁻⁴ mol %. The turnover frequency (TOF) as well as the total turnover number (TON) of the enzyme proved to be excellent as compared to chemical catalysts – reaching respectively values in the order of 6×10² mol sub/mol enz/min and 6×10⁴ mol sub/mol enz. The space‐time yield of the best (two‐phase) reactor could thus reach a value as high as 56 g/L/hour. As a demonstration experiment, a 50‐g scale resolution of glycidaldehyde 2,2‐dimethyltrimethylene acetal was performed.