Solitons in Yakushevich-like models of DNA dynamics with improved intrapair potential

The Yakushevich (Y) model provides a very simple pictures of DNA torsion dynamics, yet yields remarkably correct predictions on certain physical characteristics of the dynamics. In the standard Y model, the interaction between bases of a pair is modelled by a harmonic potential, which becomes anharmonic when described in terms of the rotation angles; here we substitute to this different types of improved potentials, providing a more physical description of the H-bond mediated interactions between the bases. We focus in particular on soliton solutions; the Y model predicts the correct size of the nonlinear excitations supposed to model the ``transcription bubbles'', and this is essentially unchanged with the improved potential. Other features of soliton dynamics, in particular curvature of soliton field configurations and the Peierls-Nabarro barrier, are instead significantly changed

A New Anisotropic Four-Parameter Turbulence Model for Low Prandtl Number Fluids

Due to their interesting thermal properties, liquid metals are widely studied for heat transfer applications where large heat fluxes occur. In the framework of the Reynolds-Averaged Navier– Stokes (RANS) approach, the Simple Gradient Diffusion Hypothesis (SGDH) and the Reynolds Analogy are almost universally invoked for the closure of the turbulent heat flux. Even though these assumptions can represent a reasonable compromise in a wide range of applications, they are not reliable when considering low Prandtl number fluids and/or buoyant flows. More advanced closure models for the turbulent heat flux are required to improve the accuracy of the RANS models dealing with low Prandtl number fluids. In this work, we propose an anisotropic four-parameter turbulence model. The closure of the Reynolds stress tensor and turbulent heat flux is gained through nonlinear models. Particular attention is given to the modeling of dynamical and thermal time scales. Numerical simulations of low Prandtl number fluids have been performed over the plane channel and backward-facing step configurations

Clinicians need to be careful that they do not confuse mental health issues and long COVID in children and adolescents

No abstract available

How does the chromatin fiber deal with topological constraints?

In the nuclei of eukaryotic cells, DNA is packaged through several levels of compaction in an orderly retrievable way that enables the correct regulation of gene expression. The functional dynamics of this assembly involves the unwinding of the so-called 30 nm chromatin fiber and accordingly imposes strong topological constraints. We present a general method for computing both the twist and the writhe of any winding pattern. An explicit derivation is implemented for the chromatin fiber which provides the linking number of DNA in eukaryotic chromosomes. We show that there exists one and only one unwinding path which satisfies both topological and mechanical constraints that DNA has to deal with during condensation/decondensation processes.Comment: Presented in Nature "News and views in brief" Vol. 429 (13 May 2004). Movies available at http://www.lptl.jussieu.fr/recherche/operationE_fichiers/Page_figurePRL.htm

Base sequence dependent sliding of proteins on DNA

The possibility that the sliding motion of proteins on DNA is influenced by the base sequence through a base pair reading interaction, is considered. Referring to the case of the T7 RNA-polymerase, we show that the protein should follow a noise-influenced sequence-dependent motion which deviate from the standard random walk usually assumed. The general validity and the implications of the results are discussed.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figure

Experimental realization of a relativistic fluxon ratchet

We report the observation of the ratchet effect for a relativistic flux quantum trapped in an annular Josephson junction embedded in an inhomogeneous magnetic field. In such a solid state system mechanical quantities are proportional to electrical quantities, so that the ratchet effect represents the realization of a relativistic-flux-quantum-based diode. Mean static voltage response, equivalent to directed fluxon motion, is experimentally demonstrated in such a diode for deterministic current forcing both in the overdamped and in the underdamped dynamical regime. In the underdamped regime, the recently predicted phenomenon of current reversal is also recovered in our fluxon ratchet.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figures. To appear in PHYSICA

Boy with crackling neck

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