16,371 research outputs found
Relative tensor products for modules over von Neumann algebras
We give an overview of relative tensor products (RTPs) for von Neumann
algebra modules. For background, we start with the categorical definition and
go on to examine its algebraic formulation, which is applied to Morita
equivalence and index. Then we consider the analytic construction, with
particular emphasis on explaining why the RTP is not generally defined for
every pair of vectors. We also look at recent work justifying a representation
of RTPs as composition of unbounded operators, noting that these ideas work
equally well for L^p modules. Finally, we prove some new results characterizing
preclosedness of the map (\xi, \eta) \mapsto \xi \otimes_\phi \eta.Comment: 17 pages; to appear in Contemporary Mathematic
Two adaptation processes in auditory hair cells together can provide an active amplifier
The hair cells of the vertebrate inner ear convert mechanical stimuli to
electrical signals. Two adaptation mechanisms are known to modify the ionic
current flowing through the transduction channels of the hair bundles: a rapid
process involves calcium ions binding to the channels; and a slower adaptation
is associated with the movement of myosin motors. We present a mathematical
model of the hair cell which demonstrates that the combination of these two
mechanisms can produce `self-tuned critical oscillations', i.e. maintain the
hair bundle at the threshold of an oscillatory instability. The characteristic
frequency depends on the geometry of the bundle and on the calcium dynamics,
but is independent of channel kinetics. Poised on the verge of vibrating, the
hair bundle acts as an active amplifier. However, if the hair cell is
sufficiently perturbed, other dynamical regimes can occur. These include slow
relaxation oscillations which resemble the hair bundle motion observed in some
experimental preparations.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figures,REVTeX 4, To appear in Biophysical Journa
Rapid, multiplexed microfluidic phage display
The development of a method for high-throughput, automated proteomic screening could impact areas ranging from fundamental molecular interactions to the discovery of novel disease markers and therapeutic targets. Surface display techniques allow for efficient handling of large molecular libraries in small volumes. In particular,
phage display has emerged as a powerful technology for selecting peptides and proteins with enhanced, target-specific binding affinities. Yet, the process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming when multiple targets are involved.Here we demonstrate for the first time a microfluidic chip capable of identifying high affinity phage displayed peptides for multiple targets in just a single round and without the need for bacterial infection. The chip is shown to be able to yield well-established control consensus sequences while simultaneously
identifying new sequences for clinically important targets.
Indeed, the confined parameters of the device allow not only for highly controlled assay conditions but also introduce a significant time-reduction to the phage display process. We anticipate that this easily-fabricated, disposable device has the potential to impact areas
ranging from fundamental studies of protein, peptide, and molecular interactions, to applications such as fully automated proteomic screening
Braiding Interactions in Anyonic Quantum Walks
The anyonic quantum walk is a dynamical model describing a single anyon
propagating along a chain of stationary anyons and interacting via mutual
braiding statistics. We review the recent results on the effects of braiding
statistics in anyonic quantum walks in quasi-one dimensional ladder geometries.
For anyons which correspond to spin-1/2 irreps of the quantum groups ,
the non-Abelian species gives rise to entanglement between the
walker and topological degrees of freedom which is quantified by quantum link
invariants over the trajectories of the walk. The decoherence is strong enough
to reduce the walk on the infinite ladder to classical like behaviour. We also
present numerical results on mixing times of or Ising model anyon
walks on cyclic graphs. Finally, the possible experimental simulation of the
anyonic quantum walk in Fractional Quantum Hall systems is discussed.Comment: 13 pages, submitted to Proceedings of the 2nd International
Conference on Theoretical Physics (ICTP 2012
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