Classification of Curves in 2D and 3D via Affine Integral Signatures

We propose new robust classification algorithms for planar and spatial curves subjected to affine transformations. Our motivation comes from the problems in computer image recognition. To each planar or spatial curve, we assign a planar signature curve. Curves, equivalent under an affine transformation, have the same signature. The signatures are based on integral invariants, which are significantly less sensitive to small perturbations of curves and noise than classically known differential invariants. Affine invariants are derived in terms of Euclidean invariants. We present two types of signatures: the global and the local signature. Both signatures are independent of curve parameterization. The global signature depends on a choice of the initial point and, therefore, cannot be used for local comparison. The local signature, albeit being slightly more sensitive to noise, is independent of the choice of the initial point and can be used to solve local equivalence problem. An experiment that illustrates robustness of the proposed signatures is presented.     

Copper and iron interactions with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. A study by fast-atom bombardment tandem mass spectrometry

Fast atom bombardment, combined with high-energy collision-induced tandem mass spectrometry, has been used to investigate gas-phase metal-ion interactions with captopril, enalaprilat and lisinopril, all angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.Suggestions for the location of metal-binding sites are presented. For captopril, metal binding occurs most likely at both the sulphur and the nitrogen atom. For enalaprilat and lisinopril, binding preferably occurs at the amine nitrogen. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Graphical Representations of Speed: Obstacles Preservice K‐8 Teachers Experience

This study examines the difficulties college students experience when creating and interpreting graphs in which speed is one of the variables. Nineteen students, all preservice elementary or middle school teachers, completed an upper‐level course exploring algebraic concepts. Although all of these preservice teachers had previously completed several mathematics courses, including calculus, they demonstrated widespread misconceptions about the variable speed. This study identifies four cognitive obstacles held by the students, provides excerpts of their graphical constructions and verbal interpretations, and discusses potential causes for the confusion. In particular, misconceptions arose when students interpreted the behavior and nature of speed within a graphical context, as well as in situations where they were required to construct a graph involving speed as a variable. The study concludes by offering implications for the teaching and learning of speed and its interpretation within a graphical setting.     

Vibrational spectra and structures of H2O-NO, HDO-NO, and D2O-NO complexes. An IR matrix isolation and DFT study

The IR spectra of H2O+NO, HDO+NO, and D2O+NO, isolated in solid neon at low temperature have been investigated. Concentration effects and detailed vibrational analysis of deuterated and partially deuterated species allowed identification of three 1:1 HDO-NO species, two 1:1 D2O-NO species, and only one 1:1 H2O-NO complex. From comparison between the experimental spectra and the results of DFT calculations, it appeared that two different types of weakly bound complexes between water and nitric oxide can be formed in a neon matrix. The first species is a 1:1 complex where bonding occurs between water hydrogen and nitric oxide nitrogen, in which OH-N and OD-N intermolecular bonds are engaged. For this complex only DOD-NO, HOD-NO, and DOH-NO isotopic species have been experimentally detected and no IR bands of HOH-NO were observed. This result could be explained by the fact that the dissociation energy of HOH-NO is lower than those of DOD-NO, HOD-NO and DOH-NO. For the second detected 1:1 H2O-NO complex and its isotopic variants, the H2O-NO potential surface was explored systematically at the B3LYP level, but no stable species corresponding to the complex could be calculated. The structure of the second observed 1:1 H2O-NO complex results from columbic attractions between water and nitric oxide and could be stabilized only in matrix, probably by interaction between NO, water and (Ne)n.     

Bridging the gap between macro- and nanotribology: a quartz crystal microbalance study of tricresylphosphate uptake on metal and oxide surfaces

We report a quartz crystal microbalance study of the nanodynamical properties of tricresylphosphate (TCP) reaction films formed on high purity Fe, Cr, Fe oxide, and Cr oxide surfaces at elevated temperatures. The data reveal trace levels of interfacial slippage, potentially in conjunction with viscoelastic effects, for reaction films characterized by very low macroscopic friction coefficients. In contrast, rigidly attached TCP reaction films are observed in systems characterized by high macroscopic friction coefficients.     

Femtosecond electronic relaxation of excited metalloporphyrins in the gas phase

A systematic study of the ultrafast decay of metalloporphyrins containing various transition metals with partially filled 3d shells and zinc (3d filled) is reported here after excitation in the second excited state of the system (Soret band). Both time-of-flight mass spectrometry and velocity map imaging have been used for detection. A general biexponential decay with a short time constant tau1 approximately 100 fs is observed for the transition metal porphyrins, followed by a tau2 approximately 1 ps time decay. This evolution is interpreted as a porphyrin-to-metal charge transfer, tau1, followed by a back transfer, tau2, which leads to an excited state (d,d*) localized on the metal. These conclusions stem from the different behaviors of zinc and the transition metal porphyrins. A porphyrin-to-metal charge transfer model is chosen to describe the relaxation mechanism, based upon the fact that transition metalloporphyrins can accept electrons on the metal site, in contrast to zinc porphyrins.     

Synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted mono and bis-triazolocarbo-acyclonucleoside analogues of 9-(4-hydroxybutyl)guanine by Cu(I)-catalyzed click azide-alkyne cycloaddition

A series of novel mono-1,2,3-triazole and bis-1,2,3-triazole acyclonucleoside analogues of 9-(4-hydroxybutyl)guanine was prepared via copper(I)-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of N-9 propargylpurine, N-1-propargylpyrimidines/as-triazine with the azido-pseudo-sugar 4-azidobutylacetate under solvent-free microwave conditions, followed by treatment with K(2)CO(3)/MeOH, or NH(3)/MeOH. All compounds studied in this work were screened for their antiviral activities [against human rhinovirus (HRV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV)] and antibacterial activities against a series of Gram positive and negative bacteria.     

Vibrational spectra and structure of CH3Cl:NO complex: IR matrix isolation and DFT study

Infrared spectra of the CH(3)Cl:NO complex isolated in solid neon have been investigated. Most of the vibrational modes of the complex have been detected. The weak interaction between NO and CH(3)Cl in CH(3)Cl:NO is responsible for small shifts of the vibrational mode frequencies of both CH(3)Cl and NO molecules. The measured shifts range between -3.2 and + 3.8 cm(-1). On the basis of DFT calculations, different geometries have been explored for the complex, and it has been shown that the most stable structure is of C(1) symmetry. The calculated frequency shifts match well the experimental data.