Whose Grass Is Greener? Green Marketing: Toward a Uniform Approach for Responsible Environmental Advertising

An axial algebra $A$ is a commutative non-associative algebra generated by primitive idempotents, called axes, whose adjoint action on $A$ is semisimple and multiplication of eigenvectors is controlled by a certain fusion law. Different fusion laws define different classes of axial algebras. Axial algebras are inherently related to groups. Namely, when the fusion law is graded by an abelian group $T$, every axis $a$ leads to a subgroup of automorphisms $T_a$ of $A$. The group generated by all $T_a$ is called the Miyamoto group of the algebra. We describe a new algorithm for constructing axial algebras with a given Miyamoto group. A key feature of the algorithm is the expansion step, which allows us to overcome the $2$-closeness restriction of Seress's algorithm computing Majorana algebras. At the end we provide a list of examples for the Monster fusion law, computed using a MAGMA implementation of our algorithm.Comment: 31 page

Multi-Agent Orbit Design For Perception Enhancement Purpose

This paper develops a robust optimization based method to design orbits on which the sensory perception of the desired physical quantities are maximized. It also demonstrates how to incorporate various constraints imposed by many spacecraft missions such as collision avoidance, co-orbital configuration, altitude and frozen orbit constraints along with Sun-Synchronous orbit. The paper specifically investigates designing orbits for constrained visual sensor planning applications as the case study. For this purpose, the key elements to form an image in such vision systems are considered and effective factors are taken into account to define a metric for perception quality. The simulation results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method for several scenarios on low and medium Earth orbits as well as a challenging Space-Based Space Surveillance program application.Comment: 12 pages, 18 figure

On the structure of axial algebras

Axial algebras are a recently introduced class of non-associative algebra motivated by applications to groups and vertex-operator algebras. We develop the structure theory of axial algebras focussing on two major topics: (1) radical and simplicity; and (2) sum decompositions.Comment: 27 page

Code algebras, axial algebras and VOAs

Inspired by code vertex operator algebras (VOAs) and their representation theory, we define code algebras, a new class of commutative non-associative algebras constructed from binary linear codes. Let $C$ be a binary linear code of length $n$. A basis for the code algebra $A_C$ consists of $n$ idempotents and a vector for each non-constant codeword of $C$. We show that code algebras are almost always simple and, under mild conditions on their structure constants, admit an associating bilinear form. We determine the Peirce decomposition and the fusion law for the idempotents in the basis, and we give a construction to find additional idempotents, called the $s$-map, which comes from the code structure. For a general code algebra, we classify the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the smallest examples of the $s$-map construction, and hence show that certain code algebras are axial algebras. We give some examples, including that for a Hamming code $H_8$ where the code algebra $A_{H_8}$ is an axial algebra and embeds in the code VOA $V_{H_8}$.Comment: 32 pages, including an appendi

Inelastic neutron scattering studies of methyl chloride synthesis over alumina

Not only is alumina the most widely used catalyst support material in the world, it is also an important catalyst in its own right. One major chemical process that uses alumina in this respect is the industrial production of methyl chloride. This is a large scale process (650 000 metric tons in 2010 in the United States), and a key feedstock in the production of silicones that are widely used as household sealants. In this Account, we show how, in partnership with conventional spectroscopic and reaction testing methods, inelastic neutron scattering (INS) spectroscopy can provide additional insight into the active sites present on the catalyst, as well as the intermediates present on the catalyst surface.<p></p> INS spectroscopy is a form of vibrational spectroscopy, where the spectral features are dominated by modes involving hydrogen. Because of this, most materials including alumina are largely transparent to neutrons. Advantageously, in this technique, the entire “mid-infrared”, 0–4000 cm<sup>–1</sup>, range is accessible; there is no cut-off at 1400 cm<sup>–1</sup> as in infrared spectroscopy. It is also straightforward to distinguish fundamental modes from overtones and combinations. <p></p> A key parameter in the catalyst’s activity is the surface acidity. In infrared spectroscopy of adsorbed pyridine, the shifts in the ring stretching modes are dependent on the strength of the acid site. However, there is a very limited spectral range available. We discuss how we can observe the low energy ring deformation modes of adsorbed pyridine by INS spectroscopy. These modes can undergo shifts that are as large as those seen with infrared inspectroscopy, potentially enabling finer discrimination between acid sites. <p></p> Surface hydroxyls play a key role in alumina catalysis, but in infrared spectroscopy, the presence of electrical anharmonicity complicates the interpretation of the O–H stretch region. In addition, the deformations lie below the infrared cut-off. Both of these limitations are irrelevant to INS spectroscopy, and all the modes are readily observable. When we add HCl to the catalyst surface, the acid causes changes in the spectra. We can then deduce both that the surface chlorination leads to enhanced Lewis acidity and that the hydroxyl group must be threefold coordinated. <p></p> When we react η-alumina with methanol, the catalyst forms a chemisorbed methoxy species. Infrared spectroscopy clearly shows its presence but also indicates the possible coexistence of a second species. Because of INS spectroscopy’s ability to discriminate between fundamental modes and combinations, we were able to unambiguously show that there is a single intermediate present on the surface of the active catalyst. This work represents a clear example where an understanding of the chemistry at the molecular level can help rationalize improvements in a large scale industrial process with both financial and environmental benefits. <p></p&gt

The role of plectin in the regulation of carcinoma cell invasion

The research presented in this thesis endeavours to understand the role of the plakin family of cytoskeletal linker proteins in the migration and invasive potential of epithelial carcinomas. This study focuses on plectin, a plakin family member that has previously been implicated with a role in tissue integrity of the skin and muscle. I investigated the complex gene organisation of the alternative first exons in human plectin, leading to the discovery of a further novel isoform plectin-lk. A panel of colon and breast carcinoma cell lines that vary in their differentiation and metastatic potential were used to investigate the expression of the isoforms at the mRNA and protein levels, showing plectin to be expressed at higher levels in the more invasive cell types. The subcellular localisation of the alternatively spliced plectin isoforms was investigated using green fluorescent protein (GFP) and polyclonal antibodies, revealing isoform specific targeting to different actin structures. Ablation of plectin or vimentin (a major intermediate filament protein of mesenchymal cells that interacts with plectin), by small interfering RNAs suggest these proteins are able to modulate invasion, migration and attachment of the epithelial carcinoma cells. Further investigation into the novel isoform plectin-lk reveals a role in the formation of podosome like adhesion structures in a Rho kinase dependant manner that facilitate migration in the SW480 colon carcinoma cells. The above findings are novel and contribute to the understanding of migration and invasion of cancer cells. Furthermore, this understanding could provide novel targets of cancer cell metastasis

Cormac McCarthy and the cities of God, man and the plain

Cormac McCarthy seeks to understand human community, the bonds of love which mark humanity, and the impact when those bonds are broken. Throughout his career, however, his work has increasingly focused on a quest for some spiritual core to existence, unfolding against a backdrop of modernity in crisis. These preoccupations can be read in the context of St Augustine’s City of Man and the search for passage into the City of God: there is the dualistic nature of man, with his ability to love and his capacity for destructiveness, driven by the promise of salvation beyond the material realm.I examine what appears to be a sustained sense of hostility in McCarthy’s fiction to modernity. I use the philosophy of Eric Voegelin to demonstrate that McCarthy’s fiction synthesises elements of what Voegelin describes as modern gnosticism, a sense that modern humanity has usurped God and seeks to establish an immanent heaven-on-earth. These preoccupations begin to dominate McCarthy’s writing and, in his continual search for passage to the City of God, he begins to lose those notions of community which informed his earlier work.McCarthy’s understanding of human community is acute and challenging. Suttree is a search for love, meaning and redemption in a hostile world. However, when his preoccupation with spiritual understanding is at its fullest, notably in Blood Meridian and the Border Trilogy, it runs the risk of overwhelming the narrative. There is, in the relentless malignancy of judge Holden or the failed prophets of the Trilogy, a tendency towards didacticism which ultimately compromises the fiction. Therefore, despite the consensus among most McCarthy scholars that Blood Meridian is his masterpiece, I argue that it is flawed. Moreover, it marks a development in his writing which means that, in subsequent fiction, he fails to reach the heights achieved in Suttree