Two-Point Codes for the Generalized GK curve

We improve previously known lower bounds for the minimum distance of certain two-point AG codes constructed using a Generalized Giulietti-Korchmaros curve (GGK). Castellanos and Tizziotti recently described such bounds for two-point codes coming from the Giulietti-Korchmaros curve (GK). Our results completely cover and in many cases improve on their results, using different techniques, while also supporting any GGK curve. Our method builds on the order bound for AG codes: to enable this, we study certain Weierstrass semigroups. This allows an efficient algorithm for computing our improved bounds. We find several new improvements upon the MinT minimum distance tables.Comment: 13 page

Is Kyoto fatally flawed? An analysis with MacGEM

In this paper we present some numerical simulations with the MacGEM model to evaluate the consequences for the Kyoto Protocol on the reduction of greenhouse gases of the recent Bonn agreement and the nonratification by the USA. MacGEM is a global marginal abatement cost model for carbon emissions from fossil fuel use. Marginal abatement cost functions are estimated on data generated with the GEM-E3-World general equilibrium model under the assumption that abatement is produced in a cost efficient way in every individual country/region of the model. Nonparticipation of the USA causes the equilibrium carbon price in Annex B countries to fall by approximately 50% since an important share of permit demand falls out and the global abatement objective is substantially eroded. With respect to the Bonn agreement, we focus on the Commitment Period Reserve (CPR) and carbon sinks. The CPR is a compliance mechanism requiring all Parties to maintain some fixed number of permits on their permit account. It entails a binding permit export ceiling for the former Soviet Union and central European countries. It raises the equilibrium carbon permit price by approximately 30% and generates substantial monopoly rents for permit exporters. Finally, carbon sinks enhancement activities are accounted for by assuming that they represent free abatement options. These activities enable Parties to fulfil their reduction commitment at lower compliance costs and cause the equilibrium permit price to decreases even further. We conclude that the Bonn agreement has indeed eroded completely the Kyoto Protocol's emission targets but that it has the merit to have saved the international climate change negotiation framework.environmental economics; climate change; permit trade; Kyoto Protocol; carbon sinks

Intelligent speed adaptation: from trial support to public support

Intelligent Speed Adaptation From Trial Support to Public Support Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA) is a beneficial Intelligent Transport System (ITS) to increase road safety. In 2002, thirty-four cars and three buses were equipped with the “active accelerator pedal.” The results showed that the pedal assisted them well in upholding the speed limits and that the system increased driving comfort. Data analysis showed a reduction in the amount of speeding. Besides the research on the effects, the trial was used to gain more support of the general public, decision and opinion makers. Nowadays the focus is shifted to define the acceptability by the public to get a better implementation. A general research framework consisting the social and cultural factors and the device related characteristics that influence acceptability is constructed

Partitionning medical image databases for content-based queries on a grid

articleInternational audienceIn this article we study the impact of executing a medical image database query application on the grid. For lowering the total computation time, the image database is partitioned in subsets to be processed on different grid nodes. A theoretical model of the application computation cost and estimates of the grid execution overhead are used to efficiently partition the database. We show results demonstrating that smart partitioning of the database can lead to significant improvements in terms of total computation time

Divergent strategy for the synthesis of α-aryl-substituted fosmidomycin analogues

Fosmidomycin is the first representative of a new class of antimalarial drugs acting through inhibition of 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate ( DOXP) reductoisomerase (DXR), an essential enzyme in the non-mevalonate pathway for the synthesis of isoprenoids. This work describes a divergent strategy for the synthesis of a series of alpha-aryl-substituted fosmidomycin analogues, featuring a palladium-catalyzed Stille coupling as the key step. An alpha-(4-cyanophenyl)fosmidomycin analogue emerged as the most potent analogue in the present series. Its antimalarial activity clearly surpasses that of the reference compound fosmidomycin