Groups of graphs of groups

We classify all groups of color preserving automorphisms (isometries) of edge colored complete graphs derived from finite groups

Cabin Point Creek Channelization Study : Final Report

In the realm of environmental impact assessment and analysis the effects of a proposed project are most often referred to in the subjunctive sense because of the qualifications and probabilities related to these postulations. Seldom does the opportunity present itself to follow a project to fruitition and beyond to, in fact, determine the validity of the assumptions made in arriving at the potential impacts of a project. Even less often is it possible to monitor a project from prior to construction to several years after the project has been completed to ascertain the exact nature of the projects impacts, compare pre- and post-project conditions and verify with some certainty the predicted impacts. The present study of the channelization of Cabin Point Creek is one such opportunity

Relative persistence of AAV serotype 1 vector genomes in dystrophic muscle

The purpose of this study was to assess the behavior of pseudotyped recombinant adeno-associated virus type 1 (rAAV2/1) vector genomes in dystrophic skeletal muscle. A comparison was made between a therapeutic vector and a reporter vector by injecting the hindlimb in a mouse model of Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Type 2D (LGMD-2D) prior to disease onset. We hypothesized that the therapeutic vector would establish long-term persistence through prevention of myofiber turnover. In contrast, the reporter vector genome copy number would diminish over time due to disease-associated muscle degradation

A comparison of the solvation power of the green solvent 2,2,5,5-tetramethyloxolane versus toluene via partition coefficients

2,2,5,5-tetramethyloxolane [previously published as 2,2,5,5-tetramethyltetrahydrofuran (TMTHF)] has recently been demonstrated as a greener and cleaner alternative to toluene in several applications. Assessing similarities in properties of toluene and 2,2,5,5-tetramethyloxolane is crucial for establishing this molecules potential to replace traditional non-polar organic solvents in the cleaner production of chemicals and materials. However, the Hansen solubility parameters (HSP) and Kamlet-Taft parameters (KT) give conflicting views on their similarities and differences, which necessitates a full comparative characterisation of the solvation environment of these two solvents. Such comparisons have been achieved through a direct and extensive determination of partition coefficients between each of the two solvents and water. The partition coefficients and Abraham's solvation parameter model have quantitatively clarified the similarities and differences in properties of 2,2,5,5-tetramethyloxolane and toluene. Solutes of high dipolarity and hydrogen-bond accepting ability tended to favour the aqueous phase in both systems, while large molar volume and high refractive indices favoured the organic phase. A significant difference between 2,2,5,5-tetramethyloxolane and toluene was observed for hydrogen-bond donating solutes. In general, such solutes strongly preferred the aqueous phase in the toluene/water system but preferred the organic phase in the 2,2,5,5-tetramethyloxolane/water system. This was due to the interaction of the protic solutes with the lone pairs of electrons on the ethereal oxygen of 2,2,5,5-tetramethyloxolane, a feature that is not present on toluene, and opens up new possibilities for applications of this sustainable solvent in liquid-liquid extraction, particularly in the isolation of natural products. As toluene is such an important solvent in the chemical industry, its replacement with a greener alternative such as 2,2,5,5-tetramethyloxolane would be hugely significant for cleaner synthesis, extractions and separations

A multiplex endpoint RT-PCR assay for quality assessment of RNA extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>RNA extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples is chemically modified and degraded, which compromises its use in gene expression studies. Most of the current approaches for RNA quality assessment are not suitable for FFPE derived RNA.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We have developed a single-tube multiplex endpoint RT-PCR assay specifically designed to evaluate RNA extracted from FFPE tissues for mRNA integrity and performance in reverse transcription - quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) assays. This single-tube quality control (QC) assay minimises the amount of RNA used in quality control. mRNA integrity and the suitability of RNA for RT-PCR is evaluated by the multiplex endpoint RT-PCR assay using the <it>TBP </it>gene mRNA as the target sequence. The RT-PCR amplicon sizes, 92, 161, 252 and 300 bp, cover a range of amplicon sizes suitable for a wide range of RT-qPCR assays. The QC assay was used to evaluate RNA prepared by two different protocols for extracting total RNA from needle microdissected FFPE breast tumour samples. The amplification products were analysed by gel electrophoresis where the spectrum of amplicon sizes indicated the level of RNA degradation and thus the suitability of the RNA for PCR. The ability of the multiplex endpoint RT-PCR QC assay to identify FFPE samples with an adequate RNA quality was validated by examining the C_qvalues of an RT-qPCR assay with an 87 bp amplicon.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The multiplex endpoint RT-PCR assay is well suited for the determination of the quality of FFPE derived RNAs, to identify which RT-PCR assays they are suitable for, and is also applicable to assess non-FFPE RNA for gene expression studies. Furthermore, the assay can also be used for the evaluation of RNA extraction protocols from FFPE samples.</p

Prioriy Problems and Data Needs in Coastal Zone Oceanography Earth Observation Satellite Planning

Coastal zone oceanographic problems and data needs have been defined for an oceanographic satellite. Problems are based on national and coastal zone priorities. Descriptions of the problems discuss the data needs and the expected utility of remote measurement. Data needs and resolution requirements are specified for surface and satellite measurement. Remote measurables are numerically ranked and evaluated. Coordination of the ERTS program with DOE is discussed

Quantifying the Concentration of Glucose, Urea, and Lactic Acid in Mixture by Confocal Raman Microscopy

Raman spectroscopy has numerous applications in the field of biology. One such application is the simultaneously measurement of the concentration of multiple biochemical components in low volume aqueous mixtures, for example, a single drop of blood serum. Over twenty years ago, it was shown for the first time that it was possible to estimate the concentration of glucose, urea, and lactic acid in mixture by combining Raman Spectroscopy with Partial Least Squares Regression analysis. This was followed by numerous contributions in the literature designed to increase the number of components and reduce the limits of concentration that could be simultaneously measured using Raman spectroscopy, by developing various optical architectures to maximise the signal to noise ratio. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the potential of a confocal Raman microscopy system for multicomponent analysis for the case of physiologically relevant mixtures of glucose, urea, and lactic acid

Towards a framework for engineering big data: An automotive systems perspective

noDemand for more sophisticated models to meet big data expectations require significant data repository obligations, operating concurrently in higher-level applications. Current models provide only disjointed modelling paradigms. The proposed framework addresses the need for higher-level abstraction, using low-level logic in the form of axioms, from which higher-level functionality is logically derived. The framework facilitates definition and usage of subjective structures across the cyber-physical system domain, and is intended to converge the range of heterogeneous data-driven objects

A Mathematical Model of Liver Cell Aggregation In Vitro

The behavior of mammalian cells within three-dimensional structures is an area of intense biological research and underpins the efforts of tissue engineers to regenerate human tissues for clinical applications. In the particular case of hepatocytes (liver cells), the formation of spheroidal multicellular aggregates has been shown to improve cell viability and functionality compared to traditional monolayer culture techniques. We propose a simple mathematical model for the early stages of this aggregation process, when cell clusters form on the surface of the extracellular matrix (ECM) layer on which they are seeded. We focus on interactions between the cells and the viscoelastic ECM substrate. Governing equations for the cells, culture medium, and ECM are derived using the principles of mass and momentum balance. The model is then reduced to a system of four partial differential equations, which are investigated analytically and numerically. The model predicts that provided cells are seeded at a suitable density, aggregates with clearly defined boundaries and a spatially uniform cell density on the interior will form. While the mechanical properties of the ECM do not appear to have a significant effect, strong cell-ECM interactions can inhibit, or possibly prevent, the formation of aggregates. The paper concludes with a discussion of our key findings and suggestions for future work