2,903 research outputs found
Activity driven fluctuations in living cells
We propose a model for the dynamics of a probe embedded in a living cell,
where both thermal fluctuations and nonequilibrium activity coexist. The model
is based on a confining harmonic potential describing the elastic cytoskeletal
matrix, which undergoes random active hops as a result of the nonequilibrium
rearrangements within the cell. We describe the probe's statistics and we bring
forth quantities affected by the nonequilibrium activity. We find an excellent
agreement between the predictions of our model and experimental results for
tracers inside living cells. Finally, we exploit our model to arrive at
quantitative predictions for the parameters characterizing nonequilibrium
activity, such as the typical time scale of the activity and the amplitude of
the active fluctuations.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure
Study of effects of fuel properties in turbine-powered business aircraft
Increased interest in research and technology concerning aviation turbine fuels and their properties was prompted by recent changes in the supply and demand situation of these fuels. The most obvious change is the rapid increase in fuel price. For commercial airplanes, fuel costs now approach 50 percent of the direct operating costs. In addition, there were occasional local supply disruptions and gradual shifts in delivered values of certain fuel properties. Dwindling petroleum reserves and the politically sensitive nature of the major world suppliers make the continuation of these trends likely. A summary of the principal findings, and conclusions are presented. Much of the material, especially the tables and graphs, is considered in greater detail later. The economic analysis and examination of operational considerations are described. Because some of the assumptions on which the economic analysis is founded are not easily verified, the sensitivity of the analysis to alternates for these assumptions is examined. The data base on which the analyses are founded is defined in a set of appendices
Non-equilibrium microtubule fluctuations in a model cytoskeleton
Biological activity gives rise to non-equilibrium fluctuations in the
cytoplasm of cells; however, there are few methods to directly measure these
fluctuations. Using a reconstituted actin cytoskeleton, we show that the
bending dynamics of embedded microtubules can be used to probe local stress
fluctuations. We add myosin motors that drive the network out of equilibrium,
resulting in an increased amplitude and modified time-dependence of microtubule
bending fluctuations. We show that this behavior results from step-like forces
on the order of 10 pN driven by collective motor dynamics
Avalanche statistics and time-resolved grain dynamics for a driven heap
We probe the dynamics of intermittent avalanches caused by steady addition of
grains to a quasi-two dimensional heap. To characterize the time-dependent
average avalanche flow speed v(t), we image the top free surface. To
characterize the grain fluctuation speed dv(t), we use Speckle-Visibility
Spectroscopy. During an avalanche, we find that the fluctuation speed is
approximately one-tenth the average flow speed, and that these speeds are
largest near the beginning of an event. We also find that the distribution of
event durations is peaked, and that event sizes are correlated with the time
interval since the end of the previous event. At high rates of grain addition,
where successive avalanches merge into smooth continuous flow, the relationship
between average and fluctuation speeds changes to dv Sqrt[v]
Speckle visibility spectroscopy and variable granular fluidization
We introduce a dynamic light scattering technique capable of resolving motion
that changes systematically, and rapidly, with time. It is based on the
visibility of a speckle pattern for a given exposure duration. Applying this to
a vibrated layer of glass beads, we measure the granular temperature and its
variation with phase in the oscillation cycle. We observe several transitions
involving jammed states, where the grains are at rest during some portion of
the cycle. We also observe a two-step decay of the temperature on approach to
jamming.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, experimen
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