Cubic polynomial patches through geodesics

We consider patches that contain any given 3D polynomial curve as a pregeodesic (i.e. geodesic up to reparametrization). A curve is a pregeodesic if and only if its rectifying plane coincides with the tangent plane to the surface, we use this fact to construct ruled cubic patches through pregeodesics and bicubic patches through pairs of pregeodesics. We also discuss the G¹ connection of (1,k) patches with abutting pregeodesics.     

Combined analytical solution of overland flow and sediment transport

With reference to the kinematic wave theory coupled with the hypothesis of constant linear velocity for the rating curve, rising limb analytical solutions have been calculated for overland flow, over an Hortonian-infiltrating surface, and sediment discharge. These analytical solutions are certainly easier to use than the numerical integration of the basic equations and they may be used to obtain an initial evaluation of the parameters of more complex models generally devised for complicated cases.Notation a exponent of the Horton law [T^–1] - b exponent of the rill erosion equation - B inter-rill erosion coefficient [ML^–m–2T ^m–1] - c sediment concentration [ML^–3] - c _o reference sediment concentration [ML^–3] - E _I inter-rill erosion [ML^–2T^–1] - E _R rill erosion [ML^–2T^–1] - f _c final infiltration rate of the soil [LT^–1] - f _o initial infiltration rate of the soil [LT^–1] - h flow depth [L] - h _o reference flow depth [L] - i infiltration rate [LT^–1] - k rill erosion coefficient [ML^–1–b T^–1] - K integration constant - L() Laplace transformation - m exponent of the inter-rill erosion equation - n Manning's coefficient [L^–1/3T] - p rainfall intensity [LT^–1] - q water discharge per unit width [L²T^–1] - q _s sediment discharge per unit width [ML^–1T^–1] - t time [T] - t _p ponding time [T] - x distance along the flow direction [L] Greek Letters coefficient of the stage-discharge equation [L^2–T^–1] - exponent of the stage-discharge equation - rill erosion coefficient [L^–1]     

Sensitivity analysis of the rice model WARM in Europe: Exploring the effects of different locations,climates and methods of analysis on model sensitivity to crop parameters

Sensitivity analysis studies how the variation in model outputs can be due to different sources of variation. This issue is addressed, in this study, as an application of sensitivity analysis techniques to a crop model in the Mediterranean region. In particular, an application of Morris and Sobol' sensitivity analysis methods to the rice model WARM is presented. The output considered is aboveground biomass at maturity, simulated at five rice districts of different countries (France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain) for years characterized by low, intermediate, and high continentality. The total effect index of Sobol' (that accounts for the total contribution to the output variation due a given parameter) and two Morris indices (mean μ and standard deviation σ of the ratios output changes/parameter variations) were used as sensitivity metrics. Radiation use efficiency (RUE), optimum temperature (T_opt), and leaf area index at emergence (LAI_ini) ranked in most of the combinations site × year as first, second and third most relevant parameters. Exceptions were observed, depending on the sensitivity method (e.g. LAI_ini resulted not relevant by the Morris method), or site-continentality pattern (e.g. with intermediate continentality in Spain, LAI_ini and T_opt were second and third ranked; with low continentality in Portugal, RUE was outranked by T_opt). Low σ values associated with the most relevant parameters indicated limited parameter interactions. The importance of sensitivity analyses by exploring site × climate combinations is discussed as pre-requisite to evaluate either novel crop-modelling approaches or the application of known modelling solutions to conditions not explored previously. The need of developing tools for sensitivity analysis within the modelling environment is also emphasized.     

A heuristic approach for packing identical rectangles in convex regions

In this paper we propose a heuristic approach for the problem of packing equal rectangles within a convex region. The approach is based on an Iterated Local Search scheme, in which the key step is the perturbation move. Different perturbation moves, both combinatorial and continuous ones, are proposed and compared through extensive computational experiments on a set of test instances. The overall results are quite encouraging.     

Analyzing execution traces: critical-path analysis and distance analysis

International Journal on Software Tools for Technology Transfer - System designers make trade-offs between metrics of interest such as execution time, functional quality and cost to create a...     

Near-infrared photodetection with a diruthenium complex having redox-switchable wavelength response

We report on the electrochromic behavior of a dinuclear ruthenium complex, which provides high environmental stability together with an intense absorption maximum at 1237 nm in solution in its +3 oxidation state. To verify its optoelectronic properties, we used this complex as the photoactive material in a planar photodetector prototype for near-infrared light pulses, succeeding in the detection of a train of light pulses at a wavelength of 1280 nm.     

VLDL receptor mediates the uptake of human chylomicron remnants in vitro

The VLDL receptor has been described as a new member of the LDL receptor supergene family that specifically binds VLDL in vitro via apolipoprotein E and lipoprotein lipase. Both apolipoprotein E and lipoprotein lipase are constituents of chylomicron remnants, another triglyceride-rich lipoprotein which has been proposed as a physiological ligand for the VLDL receptor. We used human chylomicron remnants to study their uptake into LDL, receptor-deficient Chinese hamster ovary cells overexpressing the human VLDL receptor. The uptake into these cells was compared to that into cells transfected with an empty transfection vector. Human chylomicron remnants were produced in vitro by hydrolysis with lipoprotein lipase, and were labeled with 125I. The uptake of these remnants into the cells overexpressing the VLDL receptor was found to be about 3-fold higher than the uptake into the control cells. The addition of a surplus of either apolipoprotein E or inactivated lipoprotein lipase to the remnants led to an increase in particle uptake. The chylomicron remnant uptake was inhibited by addition of the 39 kDa receptor associated protein These in vitro experiments strongly support the idea that the VLDL receptor is a physiological receptor for chylomicron remnants. The increase of receptor-mediated uptake induced by the addition of apoE or lipoprotein lipase underlines the role of these two proteins in this process.     

Nanoparticle-functionalized porous polymer monolith detection elements for surface-enhanced Raman scattering

The use of porous polymer monoliths functionalized with silver nanoparticles is introduced in this work for high-sensitivity surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection. Preparation of the SERS detection elements is a simple process comprising the synthesis of a discrete polymer monolith section within a silica capillary, followed by physically trapping silver nanoparticle aggregates within the monolith matrix. A SERS detection limit of 220 fmol for Rhodamine 6G is demonstrated, with excellent signal stability over a 24 h period. The capability of the SERS-active monolith for label-free detection of biomolecules was demonstrated by measurements of bradykinin and cytochrome c. The SERS-active monoliths can be readily integrated into miniaturized micrototal-analysis systems for online and label-free detection for a variety of biosensing, bioanalytical, and biomedical applications.     

Effects of Anti-Oxidant Migration on Friction and Wear of C/C Aircraft Brakes

The surfaces of carbon-carbon (C/C) aircraft brakes are usually coated with anti-oxidant to protect them from oxidation. These surfaces do not include the friction surfaces since it is known that when anti-oxidant get onto the friction surface, the friction coefficient decreases. The anti-oxidant migration (AOM), however, happens during processing, heat treatment and application. In this study, phosphorus based anti-oxidants inhibited 3-D C/C aircraft brake system was investigated. The effects of their migration on friction and wear in the 3-D C/C brakes were revealed by sub-scale dynamometer tests and microscopic analysis. Dynamometer results showed that when AOM occurred, both landing and taxi coefficients decreased in humid environment and the wear was slightly lowered. Microscopic study showed that under high humidity conditions there was no formation of the friction film.     

Distinct Tomato Cultivars Are Characterized by a Differential Pattern of Biochemical Responses to Drought Stress

Future climate scenarios suggest that crop plants will experience environmental changes capable of affecting their productivity. Among the most harmful environmental stresses is drought, defined as a total or partial lack of water availability. It is essential to study and understand both the damage caused by drought on crop plants and the mechanisms implemented to tolerate the stress. In this study, we focused on four cultivars of tomato, an economically important crop in the Mediterranean basin. We investigated the biochemical mechanisms of plant defense against drought by focusing on proteins specifically involved in this stress, such as osmotin, dehydrin, and aquaporin, and on proteins involved in the general stress response, such as HSP70 and cyclophilins. Since sugars are also known to act as osmoprotectants in plant cells, proteins involved in sugar metabolism (such as RuBisCO and sucrose synthase) were also analyzed. The results show crucial differences in biochemical behavior among the selected cultivars and highlight that the most tolerant tomato cultivars adopt quite specific biochemical strategies such as different accumulations of aquaporins and osmotins. The data set also suggests that RuBisCO isoforms and aquaporins can be used as markers of tolerance/susceptibility to drought stress and be used to select tomato cultivars within breeding programs.