We present a fast and compact representation of a skylight model for spherical harmonics lighting, especially for outdoor scenes. This representation allows dynamically changing the sun position and weather conditions on a per frame basis. We chose the most used model in real-time graphics, the Preetham skylight model, because it can deliver both realistic colors and dynamic range and its exten...

Microbial mass can be said to occur in one of two states; as 'flocs' frcely suspended in an aqueous medium, or as a 'film' adhering to a support surface. Industrial fermenter configurations, at least since the development of deep-tank fermentation, have almost invariably been based on the use of microbial flocs, and the occurrence of a visible microbial film during fermentation is generally avo...

BACKGROUND Comorbidity is increasingly common in primary care. The cost implications for patient care and budgetary management are unclear. AIM To investigate whether caring for patients with specific disease combinations increases or decreases primary care costs compared with treating separate patients with one condition each. DESIGN Retrospective observational study using data on 86 100 p...

The objective of this study was to examine the post-thaw effects of three cryoprotective extenders (Tris-fructose-citric acid extender, Tris-glucose-citric acid extender, and lactose extender), three linear freezing rates (-1, -6, and -20 degrees C/min), and three thawing rates (37 degrees C water bath for 120s, 60 degrees C water bath for 30s, and 70 degrees C water bath for 8s) on coyote sper...

[1] Water scarcity may appear to be a simple concept, but it can be difficult to apply to complex natural-human systems. While aggregate scarcity indices are straightforward to compute, they do not adequately represent the spatial and temporal variations in water scarcity that arise from complex systems interactions. The uncertain effects of future climate change on water scarcity add to the ne...

Oceanographic images obtained from environmental satellites by a wide range of sensors allow characterizing natural phenomena through different physical measurements. For instance Sea Surface Temperature (SST) images, altimetry data and ocean color data can be used for characterizing currents and vortex structures in the ocean. The purpose of this thesis is to derive a relatively complete frame...

Changes in the abundance and distribution of free water can negatively influence wildlife in arid regions. Free water is considered a limiting factor for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in the Great Basin Desert. Consequently, a better understanding of differential use of water by individuals and the sexes could influence the conservation and management of mule deer and water resources in their...

Strong short-range intermolecular interactions result in position and orientation correlations between nearest neighbour molecules in isotropic liquids, but it is generally assumed that such correlations extend at most a few molecular diameters. Results from second-harmonic light scattering experiments presented here reveal long-range molecular orientation correlations in liquid water, where th...

1. Centre for Marine Science and Technology, Curtin University of Technology, G.P.O. Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia 6845. email: J.Hoffman cmst.curtin.edu.au, J.Penrose cmst.curtin.edu.au 2. Nautronix Ltd., 108 Marine Tce, Fremantle, Western Australia, 6160. email: Sandro.Ghiotto nautronix.com.au 3. Maritime Operations Division, Defence Science and Technology Organisation, Building A51, H....

The anion-cation interactions are optimized against the experimentally determined solution activity derivative at 2.5 m. This property directly depends on ion-ion interactions, thus making it an excellent target for parameterization. We opt for this indirect approach because directly parameterizing anion-cation interactions from quantum mechanical calculations is not feasible, as described belo...