We cover and discuss techniques that are designed for compaction of shape representations or shape configurations. The goal of compaction is to reduce storage space, a fundamental problem in many application domains. We consider compaction both at the representation level (i.e., digital storage) and in physical domains (i.e., physical storage). Shape representation compaction focuses on reducin...

Modifications in the structure of a 260 bp DNA (hlyM) fragment from Escherichia coli caused by interaction with Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes were studied. Cisplatin and transplatin [cis- and trans-PtCl2(NH3)2 respectively], Pt2Cl2(Spym)4 (Spym = 2-mercaptopyrimidine anion), Pd-famotidine and Pt-famotidine were incubated with DNA for 24 h at 37 degrees C and then observed with an atomic force mic...

Loose granular structures stabilized against gravity by an effective cohesive force are investigated on a microscopic basis using contact dynamics. We study the influence of the granular Bond number on the density profiles and the generation process of packings, generated by ballistic deposition under gravity. The internal compaction occurs discontinuously in small avalanches and we study their...

The purpose of this study was to compare (a) forces generated during lateral compaction and (b) apical microleakage for nickel-titanium (NiTi) and stainless steel (SS) finger spreaders. Twenty-eight extracted human teeth were instrumented using a standardized rotary instrumentation technique. NiTi and SS #30 spreaders were used to obturate molar roots while the forces generated during obturatio...

Spo76p is conserved and related to the fungal proteins Pds5p and BIMD and the human AS3 prostate proliferative shutoff-associated protein. Spo76p localizes to mitotic and meiotic chromosomes, except at metaphase(s) and anaphase(s). During meiotic prophase, Spo76p assembles into strong lines in correlation with axial element formation. As inferred from spo76-1 mutant phenotypes, Spo76p is requir...

Fluidized fractal clusters of fine particles display critical-like dynamics at the jamming transition, characterized by a power law relating consolidation stress with volume fraction increment [sigma--(c) proportional, variant(Deltaphi)(beta)]. At a critical stress clusters are disrupted and there is a crossover to a logarithmic law (Deltaphi = nu logsigma--(c)) resembling the phenomenology of ...

Interaction of the tea polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) with beta-casein in milk affects the taste of tea and also affects the stability of the tea and the antioxidant ability of the EGCG. In addition, interaction of polyphenols with the chemically similar salivary proline-rich proteins is largely responsible for the astringency of tea and red wine. With the use of single molecule for...

Corrosion of metallic materials is a natural process, and our study shows that even in an alkaline environment severe corrosion may occur on a carbon steel surface. While corrosion cannot be stopped it can be retarded. Many of the traditional anti-corrosion approaches such as the chromate process are effective but hazardous to the environment and human health. Mefp-1, a protein derived from blu...

We establish a framework for assessing whether the transition state location of a biopolymer, which can be inferred from single molecule pulling experiments, corresponds to the ensemble of structures that have equal probability of reaching either the folded or unfolded states (P(fold)=0.5). Using results for the forced unfolding of a RNA hairpin, an exactly soluble model, and an analytic theory...

The last comprehensive review of soil compaction within the South African sugar industry was at a SASTA workshop held in 1964. Since then, the use of mechanised infield loading and transport has developed rapidly and there has also been a significant increase in the use of tractors for other field operations such as fertilizer application and weed control. Harvesting and cane extraction during ...