1,245 research outputs found
Wind on the boundary for the Abelian sandpile model
We continue our investigation of the two-dimensional Abelian sandpile model
in terms of a logarithmic conformal field theory with central charge c=-2, by
introducing two new boundary conditions. These have two unusual features: they
carry an intrinsic orientation, and, more strangely, they cannot be imposed
uniformly on a whole boundary (like the edge of a cylinder). They lead to seven
new boundary condition changing fields, some of them being in highest weight
representations (weights -1/8, 0 and 3/8), some others belonging to
indecomposable representations with rank 2 Jordan cells (lowest weights 0 and
1). Their fusion algebra appears to be in full agreement with the fusion rules
conjectured by Gaberdiel and Kausch.Comment: 26 pages, 4 figure
Factorizable ribbon quantum groups in logarithmic conformal field theories
We review the properties of quantum groups occurring as Kazhdan--Lusztig dual
to logarithmic conformal field theory models. These quantum groups at even
roots of unity are not quasitriangular but are factorizable and have a ribbon
structure; the modular group representation on their center coincides with the
representation on generalized characters of the chiral algebra in logarithmic
conformal field models.Comment: 27pp., amsart++, xy. v2: references added, some other minor addition
Untersuchungen zur Populationsgenetik der Minderempfindlichkeit des Apfelwicklers gegenüber Cydia pomonella Granulovirus (CpGV)
The Codling moth granulovirus (Cydia pomonella granulovirus, CpGV, Baculoviridae) is one of the most important bio control agents of the codling moth in apple production. Since 2003, codling moth populations have been observed in Germany and France, which show an up to thousand fold decreased susceptibility to CpGV. A spread of this phenomenon is a severe threat to the efficient control of the codling moth, particularly in organic farming. In order to prevent this development, investigations on the popula-tion genetics of codling moth populations in Germany were initiated to assess the baseline susceptibilities of selected populations. Furthermore, the genetic and biologi-cal background of resistance of the codling moth to CpGV are being elucidated by crossing susceptible and low susceptible codling moth populations. These investiga-tions will help to develop new control strategies or to restore high susceptibility to-wards CpGV.
Mapping of traits involved in resistance will be performed. Involved loci will be identi-fied with the help of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). Loci coupled with susceptibility can help to elucidate resistance mechanisms. Analysis of comple-mentary DNA amplified fragment length polymorphism (cDNA-AFLP) will be per-formed to display differences in expression rate of particular genes. If there are differ-ences between sensitive and non-sensitive strains, the genes will be isolated and sequenced. Putative sequence homologies give the direction of the functional sense of the mentioned gene and further conclusion of the mechanisms of the susceptibility of CpGV
Using Rheo-Small-Angle Neutron Scattering to Understand How Functionalised Dipeptides Form Gels
We explore the use of rheo-small-angle neutron scattering as a method to collect structural information from neutron scattering simultaneously with rheology to understand how low-molecular-weight hydrogels form and behave under shear. We examine three different gelling hydrogel systems to assess what structures are formed and how these influence the rheology. Furthermore, we probe what is happening to the network during syneresis and why the gels do not recover after an applied strain. All this information is vital when considering gels for applications such as 3D-printing and injection
Quantum Zeno Effect and Light-Dark Periods for a Single Atom
The quantum Zeno effect (QZE) predicts a slow-down of the time development of
a system under rapidly repeated ideal measurements, and experimentally this was
tested for an ensemble of atoms using short laser pulses for non-selective
state measurements. Here we consider such pulses for selective measurements on
a single system. Each probe pulse will cause a burst of fluorescence or no
fluorescence. If the probe pulses were strictly ideal measurements, the QZE
would predict periods of fluorescence bursts alternating with periods of no
fluorescence (light and dark periods) which would become longer and longer with
increasing frequency of the measurements. The non-ideal character of the
measurements is taken into account by incorporating the laser pulses in the
interaction, and this is used to determine the corrections to the ideal case.
In the limit, when the time between the laser pulses goes to zero, no freezing
occurs but instead we show convergence to the familiar macroscopic light and
dark periods of the continuously driven Dehmelt system. An experiment of this
type should be feasible for a single atom or ion in a trapComment: 16 pages, LaTeX, a4.sty; to appear in J. Phys.
Acquired demyelination but not genetic developmental defects in myelination leads to brain tissue stiffness changes
Changes in axonal myelination are an important hallmark of aging and a number of neurological diseases. Demyelinated axons are impaired in their function and degenerate over time. Oligodendrocytes, the cells responsible for myelination of axons, are sensitive to mechanical properties of their environment. Growing evidence indicates that mechanical properties of demyelinating lesions are different from the healthy state and thus have the potential to affect myelinating potential of oligodendrocytes. We performed a high-resolution spatial mapping of the mechanical heterogeneity of demyelinating lesions using atomic force microscope-enabled indentation. Our results indicate that the stiffness of specific regions of mouse brain tissue is influenced by age and degree of myelination. Here we specifically demonstrate that acquired acute but not genetic demyelination leads to decreased tissue stiffness, which could influence the remyelination potential of oligodendrocytes. We also demonstrate that specific brain regions have unique ranges of stiffness in white and grey matter. Our ex vivo findings may help the design of future in vitro models to mimic the mechanical environment of the brain in healthy and diseased states. The mechanical properties of demyelinating lesions reported here may facilitate novel approaches in treating demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis
HIV Types, Groups, Subtypes and Recombinant Forms: Errors in Replication, Selection Pressure and Quasispecies
HIV-1 is a chimpanzee virus which was transmitted to humans by several zoonotic events resulting in infection with HIV-1 groups M P, and in parallel transmission events from sooty mangabey monkey viruses leading to infections with HIV-2 groups A H. Both viruses have circulated in the human population for about 80 years. In the infected patient, HIV mutates, and by elimination of some of the viruses by the action of the immune system individual quasispecies are formed. Along with the selection of the fittest viruses, mutation and recombination after superinfection with HIV from different groups or subtypes have resulted in the diversity of their patterns of geographic distribution. Despite the high variability observed, some essential parts of the HIV genome are highly conserved. Viral diversity is further facilitated in some parts of the HIV genome by drug selection pressure and may also be enhanced by different genetic factors, including HLA in patients from different regions of the world. Viral and human genetic factors influence pathogenesis. Viral genetic factors are proteins such as Tat, Vif and Rev. Human genetic factors associated with a better clinical outcome are proteins such as APOBEC, langerin, tetherin and chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) and HLA B27, B57, DRB1{*}1303, KIR and PARD3B. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Base
Gravitational clustering of relic neutrinos and implications for their detection
We study the gravitational clustering of big bang relic neutrinos onto
existing cold dark matter (CDM) and baryonic structures within the flat
CDM model, using both numerical simulations and a semi-analytical
linear technique, with the aim of understanding the neutrinos' clustering
properties for direct detection purposes. In a comparative analysis, we find
that the linear technique systematically underestimates the amount of
clustering for a wide range of CDM halo and neutrino masses. This invalidates
earlier claims of the technique's applicability. We then compute the exact
phase space distribution of relic neutrinos in our neighbourhood at Earth, and
estimate the large scale neutrino density contrasts within the local
Greisen--Zatsepin--Kuzmin zone. With these findings, we discuss the
implications of gravitational neutrino clustering for scattering-based
detection methods, ranging from flux detection via Cavendish-type torsion
balances, to target detection using accelerator beams and cosmic rays. For
emission spectroscopy via resonant annihilation of extremely energetic cosmic
neutrinos on the relic neutrino background, we give new estimates for the
expected enhancement in the event rates in the direction of the Virgo cluster.Comment: 38 pages, 8 embedded figures, iopart.cls; v2: references added, minor
changes in text, to appear in JCA
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