From real cities to virtual worlds using an open modular architecture

The technologies for the Web and virtual worlds are currently converging, but although there are some efforts made to integrate them with each other, they typically rely on technologies foreign to most Web developers. In this paper, we present a new open architecture that combines several emerging and established technologies to provide convenient tools for developing virtual worlds directly in the Web. These technologies are easy to learn and understand by the Web community and allow for quick prototyping. Overall the modular architecture allows virtual worlds to be developed more quickly and more widely deployed. Additionally, we demonstrate that creating an adequate virtual environment can be an easy task when applying the principles of crowd-sourcing. We present an application that uses one of the largest available open data sources of geospatial information to bring 3D cities from the real world into the virtual environment.     

Optimal Design of Trusses Under a Nonconvex Global Buckling Constraint

We propose a novel formulation of a truss design problem involving a constraint on the global stability of the structure due to the linear buckling phenomenon. The optimization problem is modelled as a nonconvex semidefinite programming problem. We propose two techniques for the numerical solution of the problem and apply them to a series of numerical examples.     

The performance of the Norwegian carbon dioxide,capture and storage innovation system

In order to take up Norway's twin challenge of reducing CO₂ emissions, while meeting its growing energy demand with domestic resources, the deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) plays an important role in Norwegian energy policies. This study uses the Functions of Innovation Systems approach to identify key policy issues that need to be addressed in order to prolong Norway's international leadership position in the development of CCS. The analysis shows that Norway has been successful in building an innovation system around CCS technology. The key determinants for this achievement are pinpointed in this article. However, the evolution of the innovation system seems to have entered a critical phase that is decisive for a further thriving development of CCS in Norway. The results provide a clear understanding of the current impediments in the CCS innovation system and stress the need to direct policy initiatives at the identified weak system functions—i.e. entrepreneurial activity and market formation—to improve the performance of the system. We discuss how policymakers can use these insights to develop a coherent set of policy instruments that would foster the deployment of CCS concepts related to power production and enhanced oil recovery in Norway.     

The role of radiotherapy in the local management of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. Soft Tissue Tumours Working Group

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP), a fibrohistiocytic tumour of intermediate malignancy, has a strong tendency to recur locally. Wide local excision is the recommended treatment modality. A retrospective analysis was performed on 38 consecutive DFSP patients presenting to The Netherlands Cancer Institute, to define the role of radiotherapy. Of the 21 patients treated surgically (all with negative resection margins) seven recurred, a local control probability of 67%. Combined modality treatment was given to 17 patients. Prior to radiotherapy, these patients experienced 33 occurrences of DFSP, but after irradiation only three recurrences were seen, a local control probability of 82%. These results are in keeping with the recent literature where increasing value is being given to both adjuvant and curative radiotherapy in the local management of DFSP. We recommend radiotherapy in DFSP patients where repeated surgery may cause mutilation or functional impairment.     

Empfindliches und selektives HPLC-Verfahren mit pr?chromatographischer Derivatisierung zur Bestimmung von Cyclamat in Lebensmitteln

Zusammenfassung Es wird eine empfindliche und selektive-HPLC Methode zur Bestimmung von (Na-) Cyclamat in diversen Lebensmittelproben vorgestellt. Das Verfahren beruht auf der Oxidation des Cyclamats zum Cyclohexylamin. Das gebildete Cyclohexylamin wird prächromatographisch zu einem fluoreszenzaktiven Derivat umgesetzt, anschließend an einer C₁₈-Umkehrphase chromatographiert und bei einer Anregungswellenlänge von 350 nm sowie einer Emissionwellenlänge von 440–650 nm vermessen. Die Bestimmungsgrenze liegt zwischen 0,5–5 mg Na-Cyclamat/kg Lebensmittel, abhängig von Probenart und -Verdünnung. Die ermittelten relativen Standardabweichungen liegen in einem Bereich von ±1,0% bis ±2,6%. Die Wiederfindungsrate beträgt im Durchschnitt 90%.

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Sensitive and selective HPLC procedure with prechromatographical derivatisation for the determination of cyclaniate in food stuffs

Summary A sensitive and selective high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) procedure for the determination of sodium cyclamate in juices and preserves is presented. The method depends on the oxidation of cyclamate to cyclohexylamine, which then is converted prechromatographically into a fluorescent derivative. It is analyzed by HPLC on a C₁₈: reversed-phase column and determined with fluorescence detection (exitation at 350 nm, emission at 440–650 nm). The detection limit of sodium cyclamate was 0.5–5 mg/kg, depending on the nature and dilution of the samples. The relative standard deviations thus obtained were ±1.0 to ±2.6%. The average recovery was 90%.

     

Drawing influence on the lifetime of optical fibres

Strength and lifetime measurements carried out on optical fibers with different residual tensile stress at the surface are discussed. This stress was optically measured and included in the theory of fiber strength and lifetime. The strength results were compared with measurements done on pure silica fibers without residual stress. In lifetime predictions, this residual tensile stress in the outside region of the fiber has to be taken into account. However, the decrease in intrinsic strength was much larger than the increase in residual stress in the outside region of the fiber. This phenomenon, which is not well understood, depends on drawing conditions     

Application of Microencapsulated Flavor to Extrusion Product

Flavoring is still a difficult problem in the snack food industry because of the high volatility of flavors and their instability under extrusion condition. Although postextrusion added flavor is commonly used, it suffers from numerous drawbacks. Flavor losses at the exit die because flash distillation is a critical issue and can only be minimized by controlling the pressure difference at the end of the barrel and the exit die, which, however, affects other desirable product characteristics. Residence time distribution (RTD), as an important intermediate process variable that among others controls the extent of reactions, can also be a major determinant on flavor retention during extrusion. Encapsulation of flavors is a promising alternative to enhance the retention of preextrusion added flavor during extrusion. The capsules should withstand high temperature and shear conditions in the extruder barrel. Various encapsulation techniques and their encapsulated flavor characteristics are illustrated.