Charts for evaluation in a group work setting

Thesis (M.S.)--Boston University, 1950. PLEASE NOTE: page 59 appears to be missing from the thesis. We are not able to determine whether this is a simple case of page misnumbering by the author, or content is actually missing. The scanned document accurately reflects the physical artifact

Formalized Quantum Stochastic Processes and Hidden Quantum Models with Applications to Neuron Ion Channel Kinetics

A new class of formal latent-variable stochastic processes called hidden quantum models (HQM's) is defined in order to clarify the theoretical foundations of ion channel signal processing. HQM's are based on quantum stochastic processes which formalize time-dependent observation. They allow the calculation of autocovariance functions which are essential for frequency-domain signal processing. HQM's based on a particular type of observation protocol called independent activated measurements are shown to to be distributionally equivalent to hidden Markov models yet without an underlying physical Markov process. Since the formal Markov processes are non-physical, the theory of activated measurement allows merging energy-based Eyring rate theories of ion channel behavior with the more common phenomenological Markov kinetic schemes to form energy-modulated quantum channels. Using the simplest quantum channel model consistent with neuronal membrane voltage-clamp experiments, activation eigenenergies are calculated for the Hodgkin-Huxley K+ and Na+ ion channels. It is also shown that maximizing entropy under constrained activation energy yields noise spectral densities approximating $S(f) \sim 1/f^\alpha$, thus offering a biophysical explanation for the ubiquitous $1/f$-type in neurological signals.Comment: Several proofs were found to be incomplete or in error including the proof that quantum rotations can induce arbitrary noise weights. A fully corrected version of this paper is published as: A. Paris, G. Atia, A. Vosoughi, and S. Berman, "Hidden quantum processes, quantum ion channels, and 1/f-type noise", Neural Computation, vol. 30, num. 7, pp. 1830-1929 (2018), doi:10.1162/neco_a_0106

Quantum Breaking Time Scaling in the Superdiffusive Dynamics

We show that the breaking time of quantum-classical correspondence depends on the type of kinetics and the dominant origin of stickiness. For sticky dynamics of quantum kicked rotor, when the hierarchical set of islands corresponds to the accelerator mode, we demonstrate by simulation that the breaking time scales as $\tau_{\hbar} \sim (1/\hbar)^{1/\mu}$ with the transport exponent $\mu > 1$ that corresponds to superdiffusive dynamics. We discuss also other possibilities for the breaking time scaling and transition to the logarithmic one $\tau_{\hbar} \sim \ln(1/\hbar)$ with respect to $\hbar$

Gloucester County Shoreline And Tidal Marsh Inventory

This inventory is intended to serve as a useful planning tool for managers, planners, regulators, and environmentalists with an interest in Gloucester County. This report documents conditions measured in the County of Gloucester using remote sensing techniques. Two separate activities have occurred in tandem to develop this inventory of tidal marsh, and shoreline features. First, a delineation of tidal marshes within the county used high end image processing software along with color infra-red imagery to delineate the boundaries oftidal marshes\u27within 33 georeferenced scenes. The process calculates the amount of tidal marsh measured within each river segment in acres. Second, the report illustrates results from an aerial survey to delineate the types of shoreline structures, and general conditions observed along the shore. Documentation describing the waterway segments has been edited from the earlier Tidal Marsh Inventory Report for Gloucester County. Frequent reference to the Marsh Types, as defined by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission and the Wetlands Advisory Program at VIMS, is noteworthy. Appendix 1 defmes these types. The report organizes the county into nine (9) river segments or waterways: the Poropotank River to Purtan Island, Purtan Bay to Sandy Creek, Jones Creek to Carmine Islands, Gloucester Point, Guinea, the Severn River, the Ware River, the North River, and the Piankatank River. Both shoreline features and tidal marshes are illustrated separately as a series of plates which divide the waterway into smaller segments. A composite image of the waterway segment is presented fust, followed by the larger scale plates at 1:24,000. A brief description of each segment precedes the plates, and presents information related to the composition of the marshes, and the general state of the shoreline. Appendix 2 defines some important terms found in these sections

Is the bang worth the buck? A RAID performance study

Expecting a high data delivery rate as well as data protection, the Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications procured a RAID system to house image files for image delivery applications. A study was undertaken to determine the configuration of the RAID system that would provide for the fastest retrieval of image files. Average retrieval times with single and with concurrent users were measured for several stripe widths and several numbers of disks for RAID levels 0, 0+1 and 5. These are compared to each other and to average retrieval times for non-RAID configurations of the same hardware. Although the study in ongoing, a few conclusions have emerged regarding the tradeoffs among the different configurations with respect to file retrieval speed and cost

Self-interaction chromatography as a tool for optimizing conditions for membrane protein crystallization

The second virial coefficient, or B value, is a measurement of how well a protein interacts with itself in solution. These interactions can lead to protein crystallization or precipitation, depending on their strength, with a narrow range of B values (the `crystallization slot') being known to promote crystallization. A convenient method of determining the B value is by self-interaction chromatography. This paper describes how the light-harvesting complex 1-reaction centre core complex from Allochromatium vinosum yielded single straight-edged crystals after iterative cycles of self-interaction chromatography and crystallization. This process allowed the rapid screening of small molecules and detergents as crystallization additives. Here, a description is given of how self-interaction chromatography has been utilized to improve the crystallization conditions of a membrane protein

Szeg\"o kernel asymptotics and Morse inequalities on CR manifolds

We consider an abstract compact orientable Cauchy-Riemann manifold endowed with a Cauchy-Riemann complex line bundle. We assume that the manifold satisfies condition Y(q) everywhere. In this paper we obtain a scaling upper-bound for the Szeg\"o kernel on (0, q)-forms with values in the high tensor powers of the line bundle. This gives after integration weak Morse inequalities, analogues of the holomorphic Morse inequalities of Demailly. By a refined spectral analysis we obtain also strong Morse inequalities which we apply to the embedding of some convex-concave manifolds.Comment: 40 pages, the constants in Theorems 1.1-1.8 have been modified by a multiplicative constant 1/2 ; v.2 is a final updat

A varicocoele mimicking a hydrocoele in a man with portal hypertension: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Hydrocoele is a condition frequently encountered in adult urological practice. It is usually of benign aetiology and often diagnosed on clinical grounds. Surgical repair, if indicated, is generally straightforward.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report a 53-year-old man with liver cirrhosis and clinical features of a hydrocoele, in whom flow was demonstrated using Doppler ultrasonography in the fluid around the testis, which communicated via varices with the left renal vein.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In this patient with misleading clinical signs, diagnosis was established radiologically. Had surgery proceeded without this investigation, significant intra-operative bleeding would have been likely.</p

Bank Erosion Study

The Bank Erosion Study was designed to evaluate eroding fast land bank shorelines as contributors of sand, silt and clay and total nitrogen and total phosphorous introduced into the Chesapeake Bay estuarine system. In addition, the extent and effectiveness of erosion control measures were evaluated for selected shoreline reaches. Fastland banks are the uplands along the shorelines that are composed of semi-consolidated sediments. This study evaluates about 2000 miles of primary tidal shoreline in the Virginia portion of the Chesapeake Bay estuarine system for areas of fast land bank erosion. Primary tidal shorelines are those along the main stem of the Chesapeake Bay and the major tributary estuaries. Approximately 383 miles of shoreline comprising 208 shore reaches are included in. the final analysis. These reaches are responsible for 61% of the annual historic sediment volume loading from tidal shoreline erosion. Sediments for selected representative shore reaches were sampled and analyzed for sand, silt, and clay. Volumetric rates of sediment loading for the study shorelines were determined from historical data. Also, the condition of the shorelines were evaluated by analyzing oblique aerial imagery for 1985 and 1990. From the imagery analysis the extent of defensive shoreline structures (i.e. bulkheads, seawall and revetments) and whether the bank was stable or not was determined. Sediment volume loading was considered to be halted where defensive shoreline structures were installed. There was an increase in shoreline defenses of 18% by 1990. This resulted in an annual reduction of sediment loading by 5%. Total nitrogen and total phosphorous loading from eroding fast land bank sediments have been determined to be significant. This study utilized the results of Ibison et al., 1990 which provided average nutrient loading rates for total nitrogen and total phosphorous from eroded fastland bank sediments. The consequent estimated annual reduction in nutrient loading by defended shorelines for 1990 is about 5% for total nitrogen and total phosphorous. Nineteen reaches have been identified as significant contributors of eroding bank sediments and will require further assessment as to the impacts of nutrient loading

How does conformational flexibility influence key structural features involved in activation of anaplastic lymphoma kinase?

Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) plays a major role in developing tumor processes and therefore has emerged as a validated therapeutic target. Applying atomistic molecular dynamics simulations on the wild type enzyme and the nine most frequently occurring and clinically important activation mutants we revealed important conformational effects on key interactions responsible for the activation of the enzyme