Power spectrum of mass and activity fluctuations in a sandpile

We consider a directed abelian sandpile on a strip of size $2\times n$, driven by adding a grain randomly at the left boundary after every $T$ time-steps. We establish the exact equivalence of the problem of mass fluctuations in the steady state and the number of zeroes in the ternary-base representation of the position of a random walker on a ring of size $3^n$. We find that while the fluctuations of mass have a power spectrum that varies as $1/f$ for frequencies in the range $3^{-2n} \ll f \ll 1/T$, the activity fluctuations in the same frequency range have a power spectrum that is linear in $f$.Comment: 8 pages, 10 figure

Stability of Coalescence Hidden variable Fractal Interpolation Surfaces

In the present paper, the stability of Coalescence Hidden variable Fractal Interpolation Surfaces(CHFIS) is established. The estimates on error in approximation of the data generating function by CHFIS are found when there is a perturbation in independent, dependent and hidden variables. It is proved that any small perturbation in any of the variables of generalized interpolation data results in only small perturbation of CHFIS. Our results are likely to be useful in investigations of texture of surfaces arising from the simulation of surfaces of rocks, sea surfaces, clouds and similar natural objects wherein the generating function depends on more than one variable

Limits on the time variation of the electromagnetic fine-structure constant in the low energy limit from absorption lines in the spectra of distant quasars

Most of the successful physical theories rely on the constancy of few fundamental quantities (such as the speed of light, $c$, the fine-structure constant, \alpha, the proton to electron mass ratio, \mu, etc), and constraining the possible time variations of these fundamental quantities is an important step toward a complete physical theory. Time variation of \alpha can be accurately probed using absorption lines seen in the spectra of distant quasars. Here, we present the results of a detailed many-multiplet analysis performed on a new sample of Mg II systems observed in high quality quasar spectra obtained using the Very Large Telescope. The weighted mean value of the variation in \alpha derived from our analysis over the redshift range 0.4<z<2.3 is \Delta\alpha/\alpha = (-0.06+/-0.06) x 10^{-5}. The median redshift of our sample (z=1.55) corresponds to a look-back time of 9.7 Gyr in the most favored cosmological model today. This gives a 3\sigma limit, -2.5 x 10^{-16} yr^-1 <(\Delta\alpha/\alpha\Delta t) <+1.2x10^{-16} yr^-1, for the time variation of \alpha, that forms the strongest constraint obtained based on high redshift quasar absorption line systems.Comment: uses revtex, 4 pages 3 figures. Accepted for publication in Physical Review Letter

Kinesin Light Chains Are Essential for Axonal Transport in Drosophila

Kinesin is a heterotetramer composed of two 115-kD heavy chains and two 58-kD light chains. The microtubule motor activity of kinesin is performed by the heavy chains, but the functions of the light chains are poorly understood. Mutations were generated in the Drosophila gene Kinesin light chain (Klc), and the phenotypic consequences of loss of Klc function were analyzed at the behavioral and cellular levels. Loss of Klc function results in progressive lethargy, crawling defects, and paralysis followed by death at the end of the second larval instar. Klc mutant axons contain large aggregates of membranous organelles in segmental nerve axons. These aggregates, or organelle jams (Hurd, D.D., and W.M. Saxton. 1996. Genetics. 144: 1075-1085), contain synaptic vesicle precursors as well as organelles that may be transported by kinesin, kinesin-like protein 68D, and cytoplasmic dynein, thus providing evidence that the loss of Klc function blocks multiple pathways of axonal transport. The similarity of the Klc and Khc ((Saxton et al. Cell 64:1093-1102; Hurd, D.D., and W.M. Saxton. 1996. Genetics 144: 1075-1085) mutant phenotypes indicates that KLC is essential for kinesin function, perhaps by tethering KHC to intracellular cargos or by activating the kinesin motor