1,699 research outputs found
Stochastic and deterministic models for age-structured populations with genetically variable traits
Understanding how stochastic and non-linear deterministic processes interact
is a major challenge in population dynamics theory. After a short review, we
introduce a stochastic individual-centered particle model to describe the
evolution in continuous time of a population with (continuous) age and trait
structures. The individuals reproduce asexually, age, interact and die. The
'trait' is an individual heritable property (d-dimensional vector) that may
influence birth and death rates and interactions between individuals, and vary
by mutation. In a large population limit, the random process converges to the
solution of a Gurtin-McCamy type PDE. We show that the random model has a long
time behavior that differs from its deterministic limit. However, the results
on the limiting PDE and large deviation techniques \textit{\`a la}
Freidlin-Wentzell provide estimates of the extinction time and a better
understanding of the long time behavior of the stochastic process. This has
applications to the theory of adaptive dynamics used in evolutionary biology.
We present simulations for two biological problems involving life-history trait
evolution when body size is plastic and individual growth is taken into
account.Comment: This work is a proceeding of the CANUM 2008 conferenc
A numerical approach for modelling thin cracked plates with XFEM
The modelization of bending plates with through the thickness cracks is investigated. We consider the Kirchhoff-Love plate model which is valid for very thin plates. We apply the eXtended Finite Element Method (XFEM) strategy: enrichment of the finite element space with the asymptotic bending and with the discontinuity across the crack. We present two variants and their numerical validations and also a numerical computation of the stress intensity factors
Spatially resolved phase objects using Mach–Zehnder interferometry
Phase characterization with a good spatial resolution is crucial for focused beams in nonlinear media. The phase-shifting interferometry technique, using the least-squares error criterion for several interferograms, is implemented using a reflective spatial light modulator (SLM). The method provides a convenient calibration for any phase-shift steps. The reliability of the proposed method is checked by direct comparison with results obtained by the Fourier transform method as well as using a previously characterized circular phase object
A Computational Investigation of Cardiac Caveolae as a Source of Persistent Sodium Current
Recent studies of cholesterol-rich membrane microdomains, called caveolae, reveal that caveolae are reservoirs of “recruitable” sodium ion channels. Caveolar channels constitute a substantial and previously unrecognized source of sodium current in cardiac cells. In this paper we model for the first time caveolar sodium currents and their contributions to cardiac action potential morphology. We show that the β-agonist-induced opening of caveolae may have substantial impacts on peak overshoot, maximum upstroke velocity, and ultimately conduction velocity. Additionally, we show that prolonged action potentials and the formation of potentially arrhythmogenic afterdepolarizations, can arise if caveolae open intermittently throughout the action potential. Our simulations suggest that caveolar sodium current may constitute a route, which is independent of channelopathies, to delayed repolarization and the arrhythmias associated with such delays
The isolation of gravitational instantons: Flat tori V flat R^4
The role of topology in the perturbative solution of the Euclidean Einstein
equations about flat instantons is examined.Comment: 15 pages, ICN-UNAM 94-1
Toric anti-self-dual Einstein metrics via complex geometry
Using the twistor correspondence, we give a classification of toric
anti-self-dual Einstein metrics: each such metric is essentially determined by
an odd holomorphic function. This explains how the Einstein metrics fit into
the classification of general toric anti-self-dual metrics given in an earlier
paper (math.DG/0602423). The results complement the work of Calderbank-Pedersen
(math.DG/0105263), who describe where the Einstein metrics appear amongst the
Joyce spaces, leading to a different classification. Taking the twistor
transform of our result gives a new proof of their theorem.Comment: v2. Published version. Additional references. 14 page
MUSE observations of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko:A reference for future comet observations with MUSE
Observations of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko were performed with MUSE at
large heliocentric distances post-perihelion, between March 3 and 7, 2016.
Those observations were part of a simultaneous ground-based campaign aimed at
providing large-scale information about comet 67P that complement the
ESA/Rosetta mission. We obtained a total of 38 datacubes over 5 nights. We take
advantage of the integral field unit (IFU) nature of the instrument to study
simultaneously the spectrum of 67P's dust and its spatial distribution in the
coma. We also look for evidence of gas emission in the coma. We produce a high
quality spectrum of the dust coma over the optical range that could be used as
a reference for future comet observations with the instrument. The slope of the
dust reflectivity is of 10% nm over the 480-900 nm interval, with a
shallower slope towards redder wavelengths. We use the to
quantify the dust production and measure values of 654 cm, 754 cm,
and 824 cm in the V, R, and I bands respectively. We detect several jets
in the coma, as well as the dust trail. Finally, using a novel method combining
spectral and spatial information, we detect the forbidden oxygen emission line
at 630 nm. Using this line we derive a water production rate of , assuming all oxygen atoms come from the
photo-dissociation of water.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic
Characterisation of mixed virus infections in Ribes species in Switzerland
Various virus disease-like symptoms are frequently observed in Ribes sp. in Switzerland but the aetiology remains poorly documented, although a number of viruses infecting Ribes sp. were described elsewhere. Therefore, symptomatic and apparently healthy plants from diverse origins were analysed by electron microscopy (EM), immunoprecipitation electron microscopy (IPEM), Western blot and (RT-)PCR. By EM, at least four different particle types, often in combination, were observed. (1) Bacilliform particles were typical for the Badnavirus genus with dimensions of 145 x 28 nm. This virus was identified by PCR as the Gooseberry vein banding associated virus (GVBaV). (2) Filamentous particles were mainly observed on black currants with downward rolling of leaves with interveinal reddening during summer and fall. We tentatively named this unknown virus Blackcurrant leafroll-associated virus 1 (BCLRaV-1). In phylogenetic analysis of HSP70h nucleotide sequences, BCLRaV-1 felt in the Closterovirus genus. In Western blot analysis, one dominant protein with an estimated molecular weight of about 28 kDa was detectable. The virus was shown to be different from the Raspberry mottle closterovirus (RMoV) by IPEM and RT-PCR. (3) RTPCR and sequencing of products also clearly demonstrated the presence in our Ribes samples of Rubus chlorotic mottle virus (RuCMV), a Sobemovirus recently described in Scotland. This finding correlates with the presence of the 30 nm diameter particles observed by EM. (4) A further structure with isometrical particles of 60 nm could not yet be attributed to a particular genus. Altogether, our data suggest the presence of multiple virus infections i
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