396 research outputs found
Preservation of information in a prebiotic package model
The coexistence between different informational molecules has been the
preferred mode to circumvent the limitation posed by imperfect replication on
the amount of information stored by each of these molecules. Here we reexamine
a classic package model in which distinct information carriers or templates are
forced to coexist within vesicles, which in turn can proliferate freely through
binary division. The combined dynamics of vesicles and templates is described
by a multitype branching process which allows us to write equations for the
average number of the different types of vesicles as well as for their
extinction probabilities. The threshold phenomenon associated to the extinction
of the vesicle population is studied quantitatively using finite-size scaling
techniques. We conclude that the resultant coexistence is too frail in the
presence of parasites and so confinement of templates in vesicles without an
explicit mechanism of cooperation does not resolve the information crisis of
prebiotic evolution.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures, accepted version, to be published in PR
Quantum dynamics in canonical and micro-canonical ensembles. Part I. Anderson localization of electrons
The new numerical approach for consideration of quantum dynamics and
calculations of the average values of quantum operators and time correlation
functions in the Wigner representation of quantum statistical mechanics has
been developed. The time correlation functions have been presented in the form
of the integral of the Weyl's symbol of considered operators and the Fourier
transform of the product of matrix elements of the dynamic propagators. For the
last function the integral Wigner- Liouville's type equation has been derived.
The numerical procedure for solving this equation combining both molecular
dynamics and Monte Carlo methods has been developed. For electrons in
disordered systems of scatterers the numerical results have been obtained for
series of the average values of the quantum operators including position and
momentum dispersions, average energy, energy distribution function as well as
for the frequency dependencies of tensor of electron conductivity and
permittivity according to quantum Kubo formula. Zero or very small value of
static conductivity have been considered as the manifestation of Anderson
localization of electrons in 1D case. Independent evidence of Anderson
localization comes from the behaviour of the calculated time dependence of
position dispersion.Comment: 8 pages, 10 figure
Reaction-Diffusion System in a Vesicle with Semi-Permeable Membrane
We study the Schloegl model in a vesicle with semi-permeable membrane. The
diffusion constant takes a smaller value in the membrane region, which prevents
the outflow of self-catalytic product. A nonequilibrium state is stably
maintained inside of the vesicle. Nutrients are absorbed and waste materials
are exhausted through the membrane by diffusion. It is interpreted as a model
of primitive metabolism in a cell.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figure
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