4,110 research outputs found
Tools for quantitative comparison of preservation strategies
No full textThis report describes the tools developed by IT Innovation for quantitative comparison of preservation strategies. The tools have been open sourced and are publicly available on a website which includes documentation and features for bug reporting and new functionality requests
Evolution of the extinct Sabretooths and the American cheetah-like cat
No full textRoss Barnett, Ian Barnes, Matthew J. Phillips, Larry D. Martin, C. Richard Harington, Jennifer A. Leonard, and Alan Coope
The use of computational fluid dynamics to assess the hull resistance of concept autonomous underwater vehicles
No full textAutonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV’s) provide an important tool for collecting detailed scientific information from the oceans depths. The hull resistance of an AUV is an important factor in determining the powering requirements and range of the vehicle. This paper discusses the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to determine the hull resistance of three existing AUV’s, of differing shape and size. The predictions are compared with available experimental data and good agreement found. This work has demonstrated that with use of suitable shape parameterisation it is possible to carry out concept design evaluation using a RANS flow solver
Branch-length estimation bias misleads molecular dating for a vertebrate mitochondrial phylogeny
No full textDespite recent methodological advances in inferring the time-scale of biological evolution from molecular data, the fundamental question of whether our substitution models are sufficiently well specified to accurately estimate branch-lengths has received little attention. I examine this implicit assumption of all molecular dating methods, on a vertebrate mitochondrial protein-coding dataset. Comparison with analyses in which the data are RY-coded (AG → R; CT → Y) suggests that even rates-across-sites maximum likelihood greatly under-compensates for multiple substitutions among the standard (ACGT) NT-coded data, which has been subject to greater phylogenetic signal erosion. Accordingly, the fossil record indicates that branch-lengths inferred from the NT-coded data translate into divergence time overestimates when calibrated from deeper in the tree. Intriguingly, RY-coding led to the opposite result. The underlying NT and RY substitution model misspecifications likely relate respectively to “hidden” rate heterogeneity and changes in substitution processes across the tree, for which I provide simulated examples. Given the magnitude of the inferred molecular dating errors, branch-length estimation biases may partly explain current conflicts with some palaeontological dating estimates
Simple drag prediction strategies for an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle’s hull shape
No full textThe range of an AUV is dictated by its finite energy source and minimising the energy consumption is required to maximise its endurance. One option to extend the endurance is by obtaining the optimum hydrodynamic hull shape with balancing the trade-off between computational cost and fluid dynamic fidelity. An AUV hull form has been optimised to obtain low resistance hull. Hydrodynamic optimisation of hull form has been carried out by employing five parametric geometry models with a streamlined constraint. Three Genetic Algorithm optimisation procedures are applied by three simple drag predictions which are based on the potential flow method. The results highlight the effectiveness of considering the proposed hull shape optimisation procedure for the early stage of AUV hull desig
Rattus montanus Phillips 1932
No full textRattus montanus Phillips, 1932. Ceylon J. Sci., Sec. B, 16:323. TYPE LOCALITY: Sri Lanka (Ceylon), West Haputale, Ohiya, 6000 ft. DISTRIBUTION: Known only from the type locality, Horton Plains at 7000 ft, and Nuwara Eliya at 6000 ft in primary montane forests of Central and Uva Provinces of Sri Lanka (Phillips, 1980). COMMENTS: A montane endemic on Sri Lanka and morphologically so unlike most other species of Rattus it may not belong in same genus, despite assertion of one author that it is nothing more than a large form of R. rattus (see Musser, 1986:22). Like R. annandalei, R. hoogerwerfi, R. korinchi, R. macleari, R. nativitatis, and members of the R. xanthurus group, the Ceylon endemic seems isolated within present morphological boundaries of Rattus (Musser, 1986).Published as part of Guy G. Musser & Michael D. Carleton, 1993, Order Rodentia - Family Muridae, pp. 501-755 in Mammal Species of the World (2 nd Edition), Washington and London :Smithsonian Institution Press on page 656, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.735309
MEK-ERK signaling controls Hdm2 oncoprotein expression by regulating hdm2 mRNA export to the cytoplasm
No full textThe physical and functional interaction between the transcription factor p53 and its negative regulatory partner protein Hdm2 (Mdm2 in mouse) is a key point of convergence of multiple signaling pathways that regulates cell proliferation and survival. hdm2 mRNA transcription is induced by p53, forming the basis of an auto-regulatory feedback loop. Growth and survival factor-activated Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK signaling can also regulate Hdm2 expression independently of p53, contributing to the pro-survival effect of these factors. In murine fibroblasts, this occurs through the regulation of mdm2 mRNA transcription. Here we show that, in human breast cancer epithelial cells, MEK-dependent regulation of Hdm2 expression also occurs at a post-transcriptional level. Pharmacological blockade of MEK activity in T47D cells inhibits Hdm2 protein synthesis by 80–90%. This occurs in the absence of changes in the expression of the major hdm2-P1 mRNA transcript and only an 40% reduction in hdm2-P2 transcript levels. The amounts of both transcripts that are associated with polyribosomes and are, hence, being actively translated are reduced by >80% by the MEK inhibitor, U0126. We show here that this is due to the inhibition of hdm2 mRNA export from the nucleus when MEK activity is inhibited. In MCF-7 breast cancer cells that express wild-type p53, Hdm2 is required to suppress p53-dependent transcription when MEK kinase is active. Regulation of the nuclear export of hdm2 mRNA provides, therefore, a mechanism whereby mitogen-stimulated cells avoid p53-dependent cell cycle arrest or apoptosis by maintaining the dynamic equilibrium of the Hdm2-p53 feedback loop
Heeding the great commission: The significance of Matthew's gospel for Baptismal theology and practice in a post-Christian age.
No full textThis thesis represents a worked example in the application of Scripture to a contemporary theological situation. The Scripture applied is Matthew's Gospel and the theological situation is the ongoing practice of Christian baptism by paedo-baptising churches in the context of a post-Christian cultural milieu. Matthew's Gospel is a particularly relevant text with respect to baptism as the church traditionally has cited the baptismal command of Matthew 28.19 as a warrant for its baptising activity. The interpretation of Matthew m this thesis has emerged from a reflection on practice and is also directed back towards practice. The notion of 'performance’, therefore, is regarded as an especially helpful metaphor for interpretation: the believing community 'performs' its Scripture as a company of players would perform a play or a musical score. The formulation of this metaphor in the work of Kevin J. Vanhoozer is particularly utilised m the thesis. Vanhoozer suggests that Scripture testifies to the dramatic saving activity of God (the theo-drama) in which the church is called to participate. Therefore it is important to understand the plot of the drama as it is communicated m Scripture so that the church can work to continue the action faithfully. As such this thesis functions as a case study in 'performance' hermeneutics and will be of interest both in the academy and in the church. In terms of exegesis, therefore, this thesis is concerned with the place of baptism տ Matthew's presentation of the theo-drama. I argue that baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (28.19), in the context of the Matthean narrative, is a symbol of narrative inclusion for a new disciple. Christian baptism makes connection with key moments in the Gospel such that it declares the gospel of the kingdom whilst enabling a rich expression of repentance and acceptance of a call to discipleship. The theo-dramatic significance of baptism is then considered alongside the challenges of paedo-baptismal ministry in post-Christian contexts. This creative interaction leads to strategies for baptismal performance being imagined that are not only faithful to the Great Commission but which are also culturally meaningful
The Vindication of the World Essays Engaging with Stephen Phillips
No full textStephen Phillips has devoted his career to excavating some of the most valuable gems of Indian philosophy and bringing them into conversation with contemporary thought. This volume honors him and follows his lead by continuing his lifelong project: faithfully interpreting Sanskrit texts to think along with their authors about ideas that still perplex us today.
It features ten new essays focusing on epistemology, logic, and metaphysics from outstanding philosophers and scholars of Sanskrit philosophy, with contributions varying in methodology: both historical and cross-cultural. Further, in addition to essays on Nyāya and Advaita Vedānta, it engages with Navya-Nyāya (“new Nyāya”), an important but understudied part of Indian philosophy. Through these investigations, in conversation with Phillips\u27s groundbreaking work, the contributors show the value of cross-cultural engagement for philosophical progress.
The Vindication of the World will be of interest to scholars and advanced students working in Indian philosophy, comparative philosophy, and, more generally, epistemology, logic, and metaphysics.https://scholarworks.smith.edu/phi_books/1008/thumbnail.jp
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