Weak-perspective structure from motion by fast alternation

This paper addresses the problem of moving object reconstruction. Several methods have been published in the past 20 years including stereo reconstruction as well as multi-view factorization methods. In general, reconstruction algorithms compute the 3D structure of the object and the camera parameters in a non-optimal way, and then a nonlinear and numerical optimization algorithm refines the reconstructed camera parameters and 3D coordinates. In this paper, we propose an adjustment method which is the improved version of the well-known Tomasi–Kanade factorization method. The novelty, which yields the high speed of the algorithm, is that the core of the proposed method is an alternation and we give optimal solutions to the subproblems in the alternation. The improved method is discussed here and it is compared to the widely used bundle adjustment algorithm.     

Density-functional study of Zr-based actinide alloys

Density-functional formalism is applied to study the phase equilibria in the U-Zr system. The obtained ground-state properties of the γ (bcc) and δ (C32) phases are in good agreement with experimental data. The decomposition curve for the γ-based U-Zr solutions is calculated. We argue that stabilization of the δ-UZr₂ phase relative to the α-Zr (hcp) structure is due to an increase of the Zr d-band occupancy that occurs when U is alloyed with Zr.     

Comparison of external bulk video imaging with focused beam reflectance measurement and ultra-violet visible spectroscopy for metastable zone identification in food and pharmaceutical crystallization processes

The purpose of the paper is twofold: it describes the proof of concept of the newly introduced bulk video imaging (BVI) method and it presents the comparison with existing process analytical technologies (PAT) such as focused beam reflectance measurement (FBRM) and ultra-violet visible (UV/vis) spectroscopy. While the latter two sample the system in small volumes closely to the probe, the BVI approach monitors the entire or large parts of the crystallizer volume. The BVI method is proposed as a complementary noninvasive PAT tool and it is shown that it is able to detect the boundaries of the metastable zone with comparable or better performance than the FBRM and UV/vis probes.     

Oxidation of plutonium dioxide

The physics and chemistry of the actinide elements form the scientific basis for rational handling of nuclear materials. In recent experiments, most unexpectedly, plutonium dioxide has been found to react with water to form higher oxides up to PuO(2.27), whereas PuO(2) had always been thought to be the highest stable oxide of plutonium. We perform a theoretical analysis of this complicated situation on the basis of total energies calculated within density functional theory combined with well-established thermodynamic data. The reactions of PuO(2) with either O(2) or H(2)O to form PuO(2+delta) are calculated to be endothermic: that is, in order to occur they require a supply of energy. However, our calculations show that PuO(2+delta) can be formed, as an intermediate product, by reactions with the products of radiolysis of water, such as H(2)O(2).     

Recovery and Recycling of Isopropyl Alcohol Used in Biodiesel Production From Yellow Mustard Oil

The recovery of solvents used during biodiesel synthesis is an important factor in the economic feasibility and sustainability of the entire process. In this study, we looked at the use of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) for oil extraction and biodiesel production, as well as its potential for recovery and recycling. We found that multistage extraction improved oil recovery, with up to 86% oil yield using four stages of extraction at an IPA:mustard flour (volume:weight) ratio of 1.5:1 at room temperature. Using acid–base‐catalyzed transesterification, 99% of the mustard oil was converted to biodiesel. At the end of this process, IPA was recovered from the azeotrope by salting out using potassium carbonate or sodium carbonate. The solubility behavior of the components was evaluated by means of ternary‐phase diagrams of IPA/water/sodium carbonate and IPA/water/potassium carbonate, which determined their liquid–liquid–solid equilibrium constants at ambient pressure and at room temperature. Using 20% (w:w) potassium carbonate, 95% of the IPA was recovered at 99% purity from a starting mixture of IPA containing 13% water. Azeotropic distillation of the IPA–water azeotrope with 10% potassium carbonate resulted in the recovery of 99% of the IPA at 94% purity. These results suggest that IPA is not only a suitable solvent for mustard‐oil extraction but also for salt‐enhanced azeotropic distillation resulting in near‐complete recovery from aqueous solutions.     

Stability of salt double-fortified with ferrous fumarate and potassium iodate or iodide under storage and distribution conditions in Kenya

The stability of table salt double-fortified with iron as ferrous fumarate, and with iodine as potassium iodide or potassium iodate, has been investigated under actual field conditions of storage and distribution in the coastal and highland regions of Kenya. Seven 200-g sample packets of double-fortified salt in sealed polyethylene bags and a similar packet containing a datalogger for monitoring temperature and humidity were packaged with 21 sample bags of salt from another study into a bundle, which then entered the distribution network from a salt manufacturer's facility to the consumer. Iodine retention values of up to 90% or more were obtained during the three-month study. Double-fortified salt was prepared using ferrous fumarate microencapsulated with a combination of binders and coloring agents and coated with soy stearine, in combination with either iodated salt or salt iodized with potassium iodide microencapsulated with dextrin and coated with soy stearine. Most of the ferrous iron was retained, with less than 17% being oxidized to the ferric state. The polyethylene film overwrap of salt packs in the bundles provided significant protection from ambient humidity. Salt double-fortified with iodine and microencapsulated iron ferrous fumarate premix was generally quite stable, because both iodine and ferrous iron were protected during distribution and retail in typical tropical conditions in Kenya's highlands and humid lowlands.     

Design,synthesis and potential use of 3,9-substituted xanthene handles for Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis

Theoretical calculations on different xanthene derivatives and related structures were performed and as a result conclusions could be drawn for the acid-lability of substituted xanthenes. (9-Hydroxyxanthene-3-oxy)acetic- and valeric acid ( 6a and 6b ) were selected, synthesized in a six-step route, and 6b was tested for its applicabiliy as a handle for solid phase synthesis of peptides.