1,697 research outputs found
Molecular elasticity and the geometric phase
We present a method for solving the Worm Like Chain (WLC) model for twisting
semiflexible polymers to any desired accuracy. We show that the WLC free energy
is a periodic function of the applied twist with period 4 pi. We develop an
analogy between WLC elasticity and the geometric phase of a spin half system.
These analogies are used to predict elastic properties of twist-storing
polymers. We graphically display the elastic response of a single molecule to
an applied torque. This study is relevant to mechanical properties of
biopolymers like DNA.Comment: five pages, one figure, revtex, revised in the light of referee's
comments, to appear in PR
Професорові П.Ю. Гриценку шістдесят
У ці світлі осінні дні наукова спільнота святкує славний ювілей — 60-річчя директора Інституту української мови Національної академії наук України, завідувача відділу діалектології, доктора філологічних наук, професора Павла Юхимовича Гриценка
Twirling Elastica: Kinks, Viscous Drag, and Torsional Stress
Biological filaments such as DNA or bacterial flagella are typically curved
in their natural states. To elucidate the interplay of viscous drag, twisting,
and bending in the overdamped dynamics of such filaments, we compute the
steady-state torsional stress and shape of a rotating rod with a kink. Drag
deforms the rod, ultimately extending or folding it depending on the kink
angle. For certain kink angles and kink locations, both states are possible at
high rotation rates. The agreement between our macroscopic experiments and the
theory is good, with no adjustable parameters.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
The Viscous Nonlinear Dynamics of Twist and Writhe
Exploiting the "natural" frame of space curves, we formulate an intrinsic
dynamics of twisted elastic filaments in viscous fluids. A pair of coupled
nonlinear equations describing the temporal evolution of the filament's complex
curvature and twist density embodies the dynamic interplay of twist and writhe.
These are used to illustrate a novel nonlinear phenomenon: ``geometric
untwisting" of open filaments, whereby twisting strains relax through a
transient writhing instability without performing axial rotation. This may
explain certain experimentally observed motions of fibers of the bacterium B.
subtilis [N.H. Mendelson, et al., J. Bacteriol. 177, 7060 (1995)].Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure
Gravitational Microlensing Evidence for a Planet Orbiting a Binary Star System
The study of extra-solar planetary systems has emerged as a new discipline of
observational astronomy in the past few years with the discovery of a number of
extra-solar planets. The properties of most of these extra-solar planets were
not anticipated by theoretical work on the formation of planetary systems. Here
we report observations and light curve modeling of gravitational microlensing
event MACHO-97-BLG-41, which indicates that the lens system consists of a
planet orbiting a binary star system. According to this model, the mass ratio
of the binary star system is 3.8:1 and the stars are most likely to be a late K
dwarf and an M dwarf with a separation of about 1.8 AU. A planet of about 3
Jupiter masses orbits this system at a distance of about 7 AU. If our
interpretation of this light curve is correct, it represents the first
discovery of a planet orbiting a binary star system and the first detection of
a Jovian planet via the gravitational microlensing technique. It suggests that
giant planets may be common in short period binary star systems.Comment: 11 pages, with 1 color and 2 b/w Figures included (published version
2019 Community-acquired Pneumonia Treatment Guidelines: There Is a Need for a Change toward More Parsimonious Antibiotic Use.
International audienc
Human resources estimates and funding for antibiotic stewardship teams are urgently needed: authors' response
International audienc
Signs of low frequency dispersions in disordered binary dielectric mixtures (50-50)
Dielectric relaxation in disordered dielectric mixtures are presented by
emphasizing the interfacial polarization. The obtained results coincide with
and cause confusion with those of the low frequency dispersion behavior. The
considered systems are composed of two phases on two-dimensional square and
triangular topological networks. We use the finite element method to calculate
the effective dielectric permittivities of randomly generated structures. The
dielectric relaxation phenomena together with the dielectric permittivity
values at constant frequencies are investigated, and significant differences of
the square and triangular topologies are observed. The frequency dependent
properties of some of the generated structures are examined. We conclude that
the topological disorder may lead to the normal or anomalous low frequency
dispersion if the electrical properties of the phases are chosen properly, such
that for ``slightly'' {\em reciprocal mixture}--when , and
--normal, and while for ``extreme'' {\em reciprocal
mixture}--when , and --anomalous
low frequency dispersions are obtained. Finally, comparison with experimental
data indicates that one can obtain valuable information from simulations when
the material properties of the constituents are not available and of
importance.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figure
A Full Computation-relevant Topological Dynamics Classification of Elementary Cellular Automata
Cellular automata are both computational and dynamical systems. We give a
complete classification of the dynamic behaviour of elementary cellular
automata (ECA) in terms of fundamental dynamic system notions such as
sensitivity and chaoticity. The "complex" ECA emerge to be sensitive, but not
chaotic and not eventually weakly periodic. Based on this classification, we
conjecture that elementary cellular automata capable of carrying out complex
computations, such as needed for Turing-universality, are at the "edge of
chaos"
Hydrodynamic Synchronisation of Model Microswimmers
We define a model microswimmer with a variable cycle time, thus allowing the
possibility of phase locking driven by hydrodynamic interactions between
swimmers. We find that, for extensile or contractile swimmers, phase locking
does occur, with the relative phase of the two swimmers being, in general,
close to 0 or pi, depending on their relative position and orientation. We show
that, as expected on grounds of symmetry, self T-dual swimmers, which are
time-reversal covariant, do not phase-lock. We also discuss the phase behaviour
of a line of tethered swimmers, or pumps. These show oscillations in their
relative phases reminiscent of the metachronal waves of cilia.Comment: 17 pages, 8 figure
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