Linking polymer properties to process conditions for vinyl chloride suspension polymerization processes

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Perception based heterogeneous subsurface scattering for film

Many real world materials exhibit complex subsurface scattering of light. This internal light interaction creates the perception of translucency for the human visual system. Translucent materials and simulation of the subsurface scattering of light has become an expected necessity for generating warmth and realism in computer generated imagery. The light transport within heterogenous materials, such as marble, has proved challenging to model and render. The current material models available to digital artists have been limited to homogeneous subsurface scattering despite a few publications documenting success at simulating heterogeneous light transport. While the publications successfully simulate this complex phenomenon, the material descriptions have been highly specialized and far from intuitive. By combining the measurable properties of heterogeneous translucent materials with the defining properties of translucency, as perceived by the human visual system, a description of heterogeneous translucent materials that is suitable for artist use in a film production pipeline can be achieved. Development of the material description focuses on integration with the film pipeline, ease of use, and reasonable approximation of heterogeneous translucency based on perception. Methods of material manipulation are explored to determine which properties should be modifiable by artists while maintaining the perception of heterogenous translucency

“This series will take you to the last wildernesses”—Planet Earth and the Question of the Animal

Although generally marketed as disinterested and scientific sources of information, blue chip nature documentaries actively participate in both the maintenance and subversion of the nature-culture dichotomy. Using the award-winning BBC mega series Planet Earth (2006) as its example, the following article illustrates how non-human animals are presented as other to humans, but also argues that the degree and mechanisms used vary depending on the familiarity of both the species and habitat in question. In keeping with current ecofeminist theories, particular attention is also paid to scenes where the hierarchy reveals traces of its own production, which are revealed by a close reading of some sequences from three different episodes of the series. These traces allow a perceptive audience to question the othering of the non-human. One particularly potent problematisation of these narratives occurs whenever the series appeals to the audience’s emotional engagement, since such an emotional appeal also weakens the documentary’s overt claim to disinterested objectivity. Thus, on a metalevel, the article also furthers research into how documentaries can function as emotional machines.Aunque los documentales punteros sobre la naturaleza generalmente se anuncian como fuentes de información científica imparcial, también participan activamente en el mantenimiento y la subversión de la dicotomía entre la naturaleza y la cultura. Usando como ejemplo la premiada mega serie de la BBC Planet Earth (2006), este artículo ilustra como los animales no-humanos se presentan como el otro, pero también sostiene que el grado y los mecanismos que se usan varían dependiendo de la familiaridad de ambas especies y el hábitat correspondiente. Con arreglo a las teorías ecofeministas actuales, se presta especial atención a las escenas en que la jerarquía revela los signos de su propia producción, que se revelan con un análisis escrupuloso de algunas secuencias de tres episodios diferentes de la serie. Estos signos permiten a una audiencia atenta cuestionar la otredad del no-humano. Una problematización especialmente potente de estas narrativas tiene lugar cuando la serie apela al compromiso emocional, ya que esto también debilita la pretensión de objetividad desinteresada. Por ello, en un metanivel, el artículo promueve la investigación sobre cómo los documentales pueden funcionar como máquinas emocionales

Monitoring the purity of industrial starter cultures using MALDI-TOF MS

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Exploring the flexibility of MIL-47(V)-type materials using force field molecular dynamics simulations

The flexibility of three MIL-47(V)-type materials (MIL-47, COMOC-2, and COMOC-3) has been explored by constructing the pressure versus volume and free energy versus volume profiles at various temperatures ranging from 100 to 400 K This is done with first-principles-based force fields using the recently proposed QuickFF parametrization protocol. Specific terms were added for the materials at hand to describe the asymmetry of the one-dimensional vanadium oxide chain and to account for the flexibility of the organic linkers. The force fields are used in a series of molecular dynamics simulations at fixed volumes but varying unit cell shapes. The three materials show a distinct pressure-volume behavior, which underlines the ability to tune the mechanical properties by varying the linkers toward different applications such as nanosprings, dampers, and shock absorbers

Developing ICT based Learningware for Physics

As part of an ongoing investigation into digital learning environments and into organizing higher education for the knowledge society, a learning environment has been developed. The learningware has been specifically implemented for an introductory Quantum Physics course in a traditional large university classroom setting. It is however conceived as a generic instrument, suitable for all science courses. The WEB component of the learningware, called “Phys4All” (http://physics.rug.ac.be/Fysica), has been designed using generally available software, thus creating an inexpensive generic tool. A flexible database structure allows for easy adaptation to specific needs of both instructors and students. As instructors can upload the appropriate materials for each specific student group, or can select different learning paths as required, the technology is disconnected from the learning environment.In: A.J. Kallenberg and M.J.J.M. van de Ven (Eds), 2002, The New Educational Benefits of ICT in Higher Education: Proceedings. Rotterdam: Erasmus Plus BV, OECR ISBN 90-9016127-