Computation of Latent Heat based on the Energy Distribution Histogram in the 3D Ashkin-Teller Model

The method of computation of the latent heat based on the energy distribution histogram is applied to the standard 3D Ashkin-Teller (AT) model. Similarly as in the original method for the q-state Potts model for strong first order phase transitions, the characteristic histogram with two peaks in the critical region have been observed. Positions of two minima of negative logarithm of internal energy probability for samples of finite size show good linear scalability to the thermodynamic limit. The applicability of this method has been confirmed by proving that the latent heat values are consistent with the ones obtained by us using the analysis of the behavior of the cumulants of the type of Challa and of Lee-Kosterlitz. The presented method is far more efficient than the one based on those cumulants

Arbitrarily Weak First Order Phase Transitions in the 3D Standard Ashkin-Teller Model by MC Computer Experiments

The first order phase transition line in the vicinity of the tricritical Ising point region is studied in the 3D standard Ashkin-Teller model on a cubic lattice. The large-scale Monte Carlo computer experiments using the Binder- and Challa-like cumulants, the latter modified by Musial, are proposed and performed. Specific behavior of the Challa-Musial cumulants for weak first order phase transitions is discovered and its interpretation is proposed. The paper proves the arbitrarily weak first order character of phase transitions when approaching to the Ising point

Arbitrarily Weak First Order Phase Transitions in the 3D Standard Ashkin-Teller Model by MC Computer Experiments

The first order phase transition line in the vicinity of the tricritical Ising point region is studied in the 3D standard Ashkin-Teller model on a cubic lattice. The large-scale Monte Carlo computer experiments using the Binder- and Challa-like cumulants, the latter modified by Musial, are proposed and performed. Specific behavior of the Challa-Musial cumulants for weak first order phase transitions is discovered and its interpretation is proposed. The paper proves the arbitrarily weak first order character of phase transitions when approaching to the Ising point

On Non-Ising Phase Transitions in the 3D Standard Ashkin-Teller Model

The phase transition line near the Ising point region is studied for the 3D standard Ashkin-Teller model on a cubic lattice. This model with a multicomponent order parameter is one of the important reference points in statistical physics since it shows an interesting and complicated phase diagram. The main motivation for our study was nonuniversal behavior suggested for this line. The large-scale Monte Carlo simulations using the Binder and Challa like cumulants are performed. Accurate analysis to exclude the latent heat inherence is applied. Specific behavior of the Challa like cumulants is discovered and its interpretation is proposed. The paper is closed with preliminary conclusions concerning the continuous but non-Ising character of these phase transitions in the lower part of the mixed phase region and the possiblity of the first order on the line connecting it to the Ising point

Towards the molecular architecture of the peroxisomal receptor docking complex

Import of yeast peroxisomal matrix proteins is initiated by cytosolic receptors, which specifically recognize and bind the respective cargo proteins. At the peroxisomal membrane, the cargo-loaded receptor interacts with the docking protein Pex14p that is tightly associated with Pex17p. Previous data suggest that this interaction triggers the formation of an import pore for further translocation of the cargo. The mechanistic principles, however, are unclear, mainly because structures of higher-order assemblies are still lacking. Here, using an integrative approach, we provide the structural characterization of the major components of the peroxisomal docking complex Pex14p/Pex17p, in a native bilayer environment, and reveal its subunit organization. Our data show that three copies of Pex14p and a single copy of Pex17p assemble to form a 20-nm rod-like particle. The different subunits are arranged in a parallel manner, showing interactions along their complete sequences and providing receptor binding sites on both membrane sides. The long rod facing the cytosol is mainly formed by the predicted coiled-coil domains of Pex14p and Pex17p, possibly providing the necessary structural support for the formation of the import pore. Further implications of Pex14p/Pex17p for formation of the peroxisomal translocon are discussed

Bayesian QTL analyses using pedigreed families of an outcrossing species, with application to fruit firmness in apple

Bayesian QTL linkage mapping approaches offer the flexibility to study multiple full sib families with known pedigrees simultaneously. Such a joint analysis increases the probability of detecting these quantitative trait loci (QTL) and provide insight of the magnitude of QTL across different genetic backgrounds. Here, we present an improved Bayesian multi-QTL pedigree-based approach on an outcrossing species using progenies with different (complex) genetic relationships. Different modeling assumptions were studied in the QTL analyses, i.e., the a priori expected number of QTL varied and polygenic effects were considered. The inferences include number of QTL, additive QTL effect sizes and supporting credible intervals, posterior probabilities of QTL genotypes for all individuals in the dataset, and QTL-based as well as genome-wide breeding values. All these features have been implemented in the FlexQTL\u2122 software. We analyzed fruit firmness in a large apple dataset that comprised 1,347 individuals forming 27 full sib families and their known ancestral pedigrees, with genotypes for 87 SSR markers on 17 chromosomes. We report strong or positive evidence for 14 QTL for fruit firmness on eight chromosomes, validating our approach as several of these QTL were reported previously, though dispersed over a series of studies based on single mapping populations. Interpretation of linked QTL was possible via individuals\u2019 QTL genotypes. The correlation between the genomic breeding values and phenotypes was on average 90 %, but varied with the number of detected QTL in a family. The detailed posterior knowledge on QTL of potential parents is critical for the efficiency of marker-assisted breeding