We present a new algorithm for the computation of volumetric intersections of geometrically complex objects, which can be used for the efficient detection of collisions. Our approach requires neither expensive setup nor sophisticated spatial data structures and is specifically suitable for handling deformable objects with arbitrarily shaped, closed surfaces. The algorithm employs a Layered Dept...

The validation of the Local Disturbance index (LDi) and its first time derivative Current (LCi) is performed in Southern Hemisphere. Two South African magnetic observatories, Hermanus Hartebeesthoek contributed data for this study, two power stations, Grassridge Matimba, provided geomagnetically induced current (GIC) data. This focused on major geomagnetic storms, Halloween Saint Patrick's Day ...

129 I is one of the main radioisotopes iodine derived from nuclear fuel cycle that can be found sustainably in environment due to its long half-life. In coastal marine environment, brown macroalgae, such laminariales (or kelps), are known naturally feature highest rates accumulation, and an important source biogenic volatile iodinated compounds released atmosphere. These seaweeds therefore like...

BACKGROUND Low dose irradiation (LDI) of uninjured segments is the consequence of the suggestion of many authors to extend the irradiation area in vascular brachytherapy to minimize the edge effect. Atherosclerosis is a general disease and the uninjured segment close to the intervention area is often atherosclerotic as well, consisting of neointimal smooth muscle cells (SMC) and quiescent monoc...

Marine microorganisms adapt to their habitat by structural modification of their membrane lipids. This concept is the basis of numerous molecular proxies used for paleoenvironmental reconstruction. Archaeal tetraether lipids from ubiquitous marine planktonic archaea are particularly abundant, well preserved in the sedimentary record and used in several molecular proxies. We here introduce the d...

This article examines the use of doped amorphous silica nanoparticles for surface-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-time of flight-mass spectrometry (SALDI-TOF-MS) of hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds. A range of particles with surface aliphatic carboxylic, aminophenyl, phenyl or aminopropyl groups have been produced and these have been doped with carbon black, polyaniline or graphite. T...

OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to investigate the dynamic behavior of the blood flow of the microvascular circulation of the fingertips before and after two cold stimuli (CS), using Laser Doppler Imaging with different intensities in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and in healthy individuals. PATIENTS AND METHODS Fourteen SSc patients (51.2 ± 5.5 years) with Raynaud's pheno...

RATIONALE A miniature time-of-flight mass spectrometer measuring 20 cm in length has been adapted to demonstrate two-step laser desorption/ionization (LDI) in a compact instrument package for enhanced organics detection. Two-step LDI decouples the desorption and ionization processes, relative to traditional LDI, in order to produce low-fragmentation mass spectra of organic analytes. Tuning the ...

BACKGROUND The genome of retroviruses, including HIV-1, is packaged as two homologous (+) strand RNA molecules, noncovalently associated close to their 5'-end in a region called dimer linkage structure (DLS). Retroviral HIV-1 genomic RNAs dimerize through complex interactions between dimerization initiation sites (DIS) within the (5'-UTR). Dimer formation is prevented by so calledLong Distance ...

[1] in a recent issue of Arthritis Research & Th erapy: 'Compari son of laser Doppler imaging, fi ngertip lacti-cemy test, and nailfold capillaroscopy for assessment of digital microcirculation in systemic sclerosis'. Using the laser Doppler imaging (LDI) technique, the authors found lower digital blood fl ow in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients when compared with healthy controls. However, the...