Graph Grammars, Insertion Lie Algebras, and Quantum Field Theory

Graph grammars extend the theory of formal languages in order to model distributed parallelism in theoretical computer science. We show here that to certain classes of context-free and context-sensitive graph grammars one can associate a Lie algebra, whose structure is reminiscent of the insertion Lie algebras of quantum field theory. We also show that the Feynman graphs of quantum field theories are graph languages generated by a theory dependent graph grammar.Comment: 19 pages, LaTeX, 3 jpeg figure

A Dynamic Approach to Rhythm in Language: Toward a Temporal Phonology

It is proposed that the theory of dynamical systems offers appropriate tools to model many phonological aspects of both speech production and perception. A dynamic account of speech rhythm is shown to be useful for description of both Japanese mora timing and English timing in a phrase repetition task. This orientation contrasts fundamentally with the more familiar symbolic approach to phonology, in which time is modeled only with sequentially arrayed symbols. It is proposed that an adaptive oscillator offers a useful model for perceptual entrainment (or `locking in') to the temporal patterns of speech production. This helps to explain why speech is often perceived to be more regular than experimental measurements seem to justify. Because dynamic models deal with real time, they also help us understand how languages can differ in their temporal detail---contributing to foreign accents, for example. The fact that languages differ greatly in their temporal detail suggests that these effects are not mere motor universals, but that dynamical models are intrinsic components of the phonological characterization of language.Comment: 31 pages; compressed, uuencoded Postscrip

Optimal procedures for stochastically failing equipment

Optimal procedures for stochastically failing equipmen

c-di-AMP: An essential molecule in the signaling pathways that regulate the viability and virulence of gram-positive bacteria

Signal transduction pathways enable organisms to monitor their external environment and adjust gene regulation to appropriately modify their cellular processes. Second messenger nucleotides including cyclic adenosine monophosphate (c-AMP), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (c-GMP), cyclic di-guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP), and cyclic di-adenosine monophosphate (c-di-AMP) play key roles in many signal transduction pathways used by prokaryotes and/or eukaryotes. Among the various second messenger nucleotides molecules, c-di-AMP was discovered recently and has since been shown to be involved in cell growth, survival, and regulation of virulence, primarily within Gram-positive bacteria. The cellular level of c-di-AMP is maintained by a family of c-di-AMP synthesizing enzymes, diadenylate cyclases (DACs), and degradation enzymes, phosphodiesterases (PDEs). Genetic manipulation of DACs and PDEs have demonstrated that alteration of c-di-AMP levels impacts both growth and virulence of microorganisms. Unlike other second messenger molecules, c-di-AMP is essential for growth in several bacterial species as many basic cellular functions are regulated by c-di-AMP including cell wall maintenance, potassium ion homeostasis, DNA damage repair, etc. c-di-AMP follows a typical second messenger signaling pathway, beginning with binding to receptor molecules to subsequent regulation of downstream cellular processes. While c-di-AMP binds to specific proteins that regulate pathways in bacterial cells, c-di-AMP also binds to regulatory RNA molecules that control potassium ion channel expression in Bacillus subtilis. c-di-AMP signaling also occurs in eukaryotes, as bacterially produced c-di-AMP stimulates host immune responses during infection through binding of innate immune surveillance proteins. Due to its existence in diverse microorganisms, its involvement in crucial cellular activities, and its stimulating activity in host immune responses, c-di-AMP signaling pathway has become an attractive antimicrobial drug target and therefore has been the focus of intensive study in several important pathogens

Quinoxaline polymers and copolymers derived from 1, 4-BIS(1'-napthalenyloxayl) benzene

A route for the synthesis of a new monomer, 1,4-bis(1'-naphthalenyl)-oxayl benzene, was devised, and six polymers and copolymers were prepared from this monomer, 1,4-bis(phenyloaxaly)benzene, 3,3'-diaminobenzidine and 3,3',4,4'-tetraaminobenzophenone. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that decomposition of these quinoxaline polymers and copolymers sets in at about 500 C but does not become significant in an inert atmosphere below 600 C. Oxidation becomes significant at about 550 C and the phenylquinoxaline homopolymer is somewhat more oxidation resistant than is the 1-naphthalenylquinoxaline homopolymer. Stress-relaxation measurements showed that, with two exceptions, the homopolymers and copolymers exhibited two second-order transition temperatures, one at about 204.4 C (400 F) and the other at about 315.6 C (600 F). No gross differences in the high temperature plasticity was observed between the naphthalenyl- and the phenyl-quinoaxaline homopolymers. Work was begun on a method for cross-linking polyquinoxalines. A new monomer, p-(methyloxaly)benzil, was synthesized, and model reaction studies showed that cross-linking of 2-methylquinoxaline polymers by a Michael condensation with dimaleimides will probably occur

Preparation and study of synthetic protein- like materials for high performance adhesive systems Final report

Preparation and study of synthetic protein like materials for high performance adhesive system