Multi-wavelength visibility measurements of the red giant R Doradus

We present visibility measurements of the nearby Mira-like star R Doradus taken over a wide range of wavelengths (650--990 nm). The observations were made using MAPPIT (Masked APerture-Plane Interference Telescope), an interferometer operating at the 3.9-m Anglo-Australian Telescope. We used a slit to mask the telescope aperture and prism to disperse the interference pattern in wavelength. We observed in R Dor strong decreases in visibility within the TiO absorption bands. The results are in general agreement with theory but differ in detail, suggesting that further work is needed to refine the theoretical models.Comment: 8 pages; SPIE Conf. 4006 "Interferometry in Optical Astronomy

Flatness optimization of micro-injection moulded parts: The case of a PMMA microfluidic component

Micro-injection moulding (µ-IM) has attracted a lot of interest because of its potential for the production of low-cost, miniaturized parts in high-volume. Applications of this technology are, amongst others, microfluidic components for lab-on-a-chip devices and micro-optical components. In both cases, the control of the part flatness is a key aspect to maintaining the component's functionality. The objective of this work is to determine the factors affecting the flatness of a polymer part manufactured by µ-IM and to control the manufacturing process with the aim of minimizing the in-process part deformation. As a case study, a PMMA microfluidic substrate with overall dimensions of 10 mm diameter and 1 mm thickness was investigated by designing a µ-IM experiment having flatness as the experimental response. The part flatness was measured using a micro-coordinate measuring machine. Finite elements analysis was also carried out to study the optimal ejection pin configuration. The results of this work show that the control of the µ-IM process conditions can improve the flatness of the polymer part up to about 15 µm. Part flatness as low as 4 µm can be achieved by modifying the design of the ejection system according to suggested guideline

Lidar data analyses for assessing the conservation status of the so-called baths-church in hierapolis of phrygia (TR)

The LiDAR technology has aroused considerable interest in the field of structural study of historical buildings, aimed at the structural assessment in the presence of different states of stresses and at the evaluation of the health status. The interest is due mostly by the ability of generating models of the built structures being able to predetermine different levels of schematization, two-dimensional and three-dimensional, in order to be able to perform evaluation processes assigning simplified geometric contents that correspond to the physical reality of the artefacts. This paper intends to report some results of these experiences applied in archaeological domain, to the so-called Baths-Church at Hierapolis in Phrygia (Pamukkale, TR). In particular, the generation of accurate models from dense clouds and their reduction to models with simplified geometries too, is explored, with the further aim of testing automated strategies for features detection and editing process that leads to appropriate models for visual and analytical structural assessment. The accuracy and density parameters of the LiDAR clouds will be analysed to derive orthophotos and continuous mesh models, both to obtain the best results from the application of research algorithms such as region growing to detect blocks, and to allow visual analysis on digital models and not on site. The ability to determine with high accuracy both the size and the anomalies of the wall systems (out of plumb and other rotation or local mechanisms of collapse), together with the possibility of identifying the lay of the individual drywall blocks and also the signs of cracks and collapses, allow deriving suitable models both for FE (Finite Elements) analysis and DE (Discrete Elements) analysis, as well as analytical ones

Contribuição de estirpes de rizóbio para o desenvolvimento e produtividade de grãos de feijão-caupi em Roraima.

O estudo objetivou avaliar a contribuição da fixação biológica de nitrogênio (FBN) promovida por estirpes de rizóbio para o desenvolvimento e rendimento de grãos do feijão-caupi em Roraima. Nos anos de 2005 e 2006 foram conduzidos experimentos em área de cerrado e mata alterada, onde foram testadas as estirpes INPA 03-11B, UFLA 3-84, BR3267 (recomendadas à cultura), a estirpe BR3299 e BR3262, duas doses de nitrogênio mineral (50 e 80 kg ha-1 de N) e um controle. As variáveis avaliadas foram: nodulação e produção de massa seca da parte aérea de plantas de feijão-caupi e, o rendimento de grãos na colheita. Na média geral, foi observado que a estirpe BR3262 proporcionou número e massa de nódulos significativamente maiores ao controle, ao passo que entre as estirpes recomendadas, isto só ocorreu de forma esporádica com INPA 03-11B e BR3267. Além disso, também foi observado que a população de rizóbio do solo foi determinante à nodulação das plantas dos experimentos. Comparativamente as demais estirpes, BR3262 juntamente com BR3267, proporcionaram maior efetividade na FBN à produção de massa seca da parte aérea. Em relação à produtividade de grãos, as estirpes BR3267 e INPA 03-11B apresentaram melhores resultadas comparadas a UFLA 3-84, entretanto, apenas a estirpe BR3262 proporcionou rendimento de grãos (na média geral cerca de 1700 kg ha-1) igual à dose de 50 kg ha-1 de N e superior ao controle em três dos quatro experimentos conduzidos, mostrando ser a mais indicada para a inoculação do feijão-caupi em Roraima

Risk of recurrence after a first seizure and implications for driving: further analysis of the Multicentre study of early Epilepsy and Single Seizures

Objective To determine for how long after a first unprovoked seizure a driver must be seizure-free before the risk of recurrence in the next 12 months falls below 20%, enabling them to regain their driving licence

The angular diameter of R Doradus: a nearby Mira-like star

We find the angular diameter of R Doradus to be 57 +/- 5 mas, exceeding that of Betelgeuse and implying that R Dor is larger in apparent size than every star except the Sun. R Dor is shown to be closely related to the Mira variables. We estimate an effective temperature of 2740 +/- 190 K, a distance of 61 +/- 7 pc, a luminosity of 6500 +/- 1400 Lsol and a radius of 370 +/- 50 Rsol. The characteristics of R Dor are consistent with it being near the edge of a Mira instability strip. We detect non-zero closure phases from R Dor, indicating an asymmetric brightness distribution. We also observed W Hya, a small-amplitude Mira, for which we find an angular diameter of 44 +/- 4 mas.Comment: MNRAS (accepted); 7 pages, LaTeX with necessary style file and PostScript figure

LIDAR DATA ANALYSES FOR ASSESSING THE CONSERVATION STATUS OF THE SO-CALLED BATHS-CHURCH IN HIERAPOLIS OF PHRYGIA (TR)

The LiDAR technology has aroused considerable interest in the field of structural study of historical buildings, aimed at the structural assessment in the presence of different states of stresses and at the evaluation of the health status.The interest is due mostly by the ability of generating models of the built structures being able to predetermine different levels of schematization, two-dimensional and three-dimensional, in order to be able to perform evaluation processes assigning simplified geometric contents that correspond to the physical reality of the artefacts.This paper intends to report some results of these experiences applied in archaeological domain, to the so-called Baths-Church at Hierapolis in Phrygia (Pamukkale, TR). In particular, the generation of accurate models from dense clouds and their reduction to models with simplified geometries too, is explored, with the further aim of testing automated strategies for features detection and editing process that leads to appropriate models for visual and analytical structural assessment. The accuracy and density parameters of the LiDAR clouds will be analysed to derive orthophotos and continuous mesh models, both to obtain the best results from the application of research algorithms such as region growing to detect blocks, and to allow visual analysis on digital models and not on site.The ability to determine with high accuracy both the size and the anomalies of the wall systems (out of plumb and other rotation or local mechanisms of collapse), together with the possibility of identifying the lay of the individual drywall blocks and also the signs of cracks and collapses, allow deriving suitable models both for FE (Finite Elements) analysis and DE (Discrete Elements) analysis, as well as analytical ones.</p