Molecular bases for unity and diversity in organic evolution

The origin of biological information has been ascribed at various times to DNA, RNA, or protein. The origin of nucleic acids without the action of prior informed protein has not been supported by plausible experiments, although such possibilities have been examined. The behavior of thermal proteins and of the microspheres selfassembled therefrom explain the origin of the first cells, the first membrane, the first reproduction cycle, ancient metabolism including ATP-aided synthesis of peptides and polynucleotides, growth, bioelectricity, and polybiofunctionality in general

Amino acids precursors in lunar finds

The consistent pattern is discussed of amino acids found in lunar dust from Apollo missions. The evidence indicates that compounds yielding amino acids were implanted into the surface of the moon by the solar wind, and the kind and amounts of amino acids found on the moon are closely similar to those found in meteorites. It is concluded that there is a common cosmochemical pattern for the moom and meteorites, and this offers evidence of a common course of cosmochemical reactions for carbon

Effect of Piezo Electric Oscillations on X-Ray Patterns of Quartz

Experiments have been made to determine the amplitude of vibration of the atoms in a quartz lattice due to piezo electric oscillations. A series of Laue X-ray patterns have been made of quartz plates cut at various angles to the electric axes. Very marked intensity differences are apparent between the patterns made with the plates oscillating and not oscillating

The critical window for the classical Ramsey-Tur\'an problem

The first application of Szemer\'edi's powerful regularity method was the following celebrated Ramsey-Tur\'an result proved by Szemer\'edi in 1972: any K_4-free graph on N vertices with independence number o(N) has at most (1/8 + o(1)) N^2 edges. Four years later, Bollob\'as and Erd\H{o}s gave a surprising geometric construction, utilizing the isoperimetric inequality for the high dimensional sphere, of a K_4-free graph on N vertices with independence number o(N) and (1/8 - o(1)) N^2 edges. Starting with Bollob\'as and Erd\H{o}s in 1976, several problems have been asked on estimating the minimum possible independence number in the critical window, when the number of edges is about N^2 / 8. These problems have received considerable attention and remained one of the main open problems in this area. In this paper, we give nearly best-possible bounds, solving the various open problems concerning this critical window.Comment: 34 page

On two problems in graph Ramsey theory

We study two classical problems in graph Ramsey theory, that of determining the Ramsey number of bounded-degree graphs and that of estimating the induced Ramsey number for a graph with a given number of vertices. The Ramsey number r(H) of a graph H is the least positive integer N such that every two-coloring of the edges of the complete graph $K_N$ contains a monochromatic copy of H. A famous result of Chv\'atal, R\"{o}dl, Szemer\'edi and Trotter states that there exists a constant c(\Delta) such that r(H) \leq c(\Delta) n for every graph H with n vertices and maximum degree \Delta. The important open question is to determine the constant c(\Delta). The best results, both due to Graham, R\"{o}dl and Ruci\'nski, state that there are constants c and c' such that 2^{c' \Delta} \leq c(\Delta) \leq 2^{c \Delta \log^2 \Delta}. We improve this upper bound, showing that there is a constant c for which c(\Delta) \leq 2^{c \Delta \log \Delta}. The induced Ramsey number r_{ind}(H) of a graph H is the least positive integer N for which there exists a graph G on N vertices such that every two-coloring of the edges of G contains an induced monochromatic copy of H. Erd\H{o}s conjectured the existence of a constant c such that, for any graph H on n vertices, r_{ind}(H) \leq 2^{c n}. We move a step closer to proving this conjecture, showing that r_{ind} (H) \leq 2^{c n \log n}. This improves upon an earlier result of Kohayakawa, Pr\"{o}mel and R\"{o}dl by a factor of \log n in the exponent.Comment: 18 page

The effects of isometric work on heart rate, blood pressure, and net oxygen cost

Isometric exercise effects on heart rate, blood pressure, and net oxygen cos

A Positivity Theorem for Gravitational Tension in Brane Spacetimes

We study transverse asymptotically flat spacetimes without horizons that arise from brane matter sources. We assume that asymptotically there is a spatial translation Killing vector that is tangent to the brane. Such spacetimes are characterized by a tension, analogous to the ADM mass, which is a gravitational charge associated with the asymptotic spatial translation Killing vector. Using spinor techniques, we prove that the purely gravitational contribution to the spacetime tension is positive definite.Comment: 8+1 page

Nonlinear Response of Cylindrical Shells to Underwater Explosion: Testings and Numerical Prediction Using USA/DYNA3D / June 1, 1991 - March 1, 1992

The views expressed are those of the authors and do not reflect the offical policy or position of DoD or US Government.Nonlinear 3-D Dynamic Analysis Code (VEC/DYNA3D) has been interfaced with Underwater Shock Analysis Code (USA) and capabilities were developed to perform numerical analysis of submerged and semi-submerged marine structures subjected to underwater explosion. A series of numerical analysis were performed to determine the elastic and elasto-plastic responses of cylindrica shell type structures. The results were favorably compared with those of underwater explosion testings. The coupled code USA/DYNA3D makes possible to predict shock-induced damage response of naval structure. In addition, numerical sensitivity analyses were undertaken to determine the importance of various physical and numerical modeling factors. This study showed clearly three types of response modes of cylinder subjected to a side-on explosion: accordion mode, breathing mode and whipping mode.This report was prepared for and funded by both Defense Nuclear Agency, Alexandria, VA 20311 and Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA 93943.Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Multi-storey building retrofit with a focus on the façade selection process: A UK commercial office case study

Fulltext in: http://www.arcom.ac.uk/-docs/proceedings/ar2013-0081-0090_Garmston_Fox_Pan_de%20Wilde.pdfPoorly-insulated existing buildings contribute significantly to the energy use of the built environment. In the UK, the existing building stock is replaced at a rate of less than 2% a year; thus, many of today’s buildings will still be in use in 2060. Retrofitting aged buildings can significantly reduce their energy use. This paper analyses the selection process and success factors in retrofit façade decision-making. Literature relating to building retrofit and façade selection is reviewed. A case study is conducted on a five-storey 1970s UK commercial office building, retrofitted in 2011. Data is collected via in-depth interviews with key project decision-makers, a documentary evidence review, and thermography of the completed retrofitted façade. The façade evolution is mapped according to seven identified project stages and the RIBA Plan of Work 2007. The retrofit satisfied the client’s aesthetic needs, while delivering an 85% reduction in the ’wall’ U-value and a ’B’ rated Energy Performance Certificate. Value engineering (VE) greatly influenced the façade selection, with less expensive alternatives replacing original elements of the façade design. The façade’s thermal success is linked to the VE focusing on façade elements covering only a small extent of the building. Façade success factors key to attracting tenants (lower running costs and aesthetics) may apply to commercial buildings in general. Thermography aided in assessing the retrofitted thermal envelope, but to act as a tool to aid retrofit façade selection, it should ideally involve a ’before’ and ’after’ survey