1,103 research outputs found
Horizon Pretracking
We introduce horizon pretracking as a method for analysing numerically
generated spacetimes of merging black holes. Pretracking consists of following
certain modified constant expansion surfaces during a simulation before a
common apparent horizon has formed. The tracked surfaces exist at all times,
and are defined so as to include the common apparent horizon if it exists. The
method provides a way for finding this common apparent horizon in an efficient
and reliable manner at the earliest possible time. We can distinguish inner and
outer horizons by examining the distortion of the surface. Properties of the
pretracking surface such as its expansion, location, shape, area, and angular
momentum can also be used to predict when a common apparent horizon will
appear, and its characteristics. The latter could also be used to feed back
into the simulation by adapting e.g. boundary or gauge conditions even before
the common apparent horizon has formed.Comment: 14 pages, 8 figures, minor change
An interpolation theorem for proper holomorphic embeddings
Given a Stein manifold X of dimension n>1, a discrete sequence a_j in X, and
a discrete sequence b_j in C^m where m > [3n/2], there exists a proper
holomorphic embedding of X into C^m which sends a_j to b_j for every j=1,2,....
This is the interpolation version of the embedding theorem due to Eliashberg,
Gromov and Schurmann. The dimension m cannot be lowered in general due to an
example of Forster
Parametrically forced sine-Gordon equation and domain walls dynamics in ferromagnets
A parametrically forced sine-Gordon equation with a fast periodic {\em
mean-zero} forcing is considered. It is shown that -kinks represent a
class of solitary-wave solutions of the equation. This result is applied to
quasi-one-dimensional ferromagnets with an easy plane anisotropy, in a rapidly
oscillating magnetic field. In this case the -kink solution we have
introduced corresponds to the uniform ``true'' domain wall motion, since the
magnetization directions on opposite sides of the wall are anti-parallel. In
contrast to previous work, no additional anisotropy is required to obtain a
true domain wall. Numerical simulations showed good qualitative agreement with
the theory.Comment: 3 pages, 1 figure, revte
Growth characteristics in individuals with osteogenesis imperfecta in North America: results from a multicenter study.
PurposeOsteogenesis imperfecta (OI) predisposes people to recurrent fractures, bone deformities, and short stature. There is a lack of large-scale systematic studies that have investigated growth parameters in OI.MethodsUsing data from the Linked Clinical Research Centers, we compared height, growth velocity, weight, and body mass index (BMI) in 552 individuals with OI. Height, weight, and BMI were plotted on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention normative curves.ResultsIn children, the median z-scores for height in OI types I, III, and IV were -0.66, -6.91, and -2.79, respectively. Growth velocity was diminished in OI types III and IV. The median z-score for weight in children with OI type III was -4.55. The median z-scores for BMI in children with OI types I, III, and IV were 0.10, 0.91, and 0.67, respectively. Generalized linear model analyses demonstrated that the height z-score was positively correlated with the severity of the OI subtype (P < 0.001), age, bisphosphonate use, and rodding (P < 0.05).ConclusionFrom the largest cohort of individuals with OI, we provide median values for height, weight, and BMI z-scores that can aid the evaluation of overall growth in the clinic setting. This study is an important first step in the generation of OI-specific growth curves
Structure of the hDmc1-ssDNA filament reveals the principles of its architecture
In eukaryotes, meiotic recombination is a major source of genetic diversity, but its defects in humans lead to abnormalities such as Down's, Klinefelter's and other syndromes. Human Dmc1 (hDmc1), a RecA/Rad51 homologue, is a recombinase that plays a crucial role in faithful chromosome segregation during meiosis. The initial step of homologous recombination occurs when hDmc1 forms a filament on single-stranded (ss) DNA. However the structure of this presynaptic complex filament for hDmc1 remains unknown. To compare hDmc1-ssDNA complexes to those known for the RecA/Rad51 family we have obtained electron microscopy (EM) structures of hDmc1-ssDNA nucleoprotein filaments using single particle approach. The EM maps were analysed by docking crystal structures of Dmc1, Rad51, RadA, RecA and DNA. To fully characterise hDmc1-DNA complexes we have analysed their organisation in the presence of Ca2+, Mg2+, ATP, AMP-PNP, ssDNA and dsDNA. The 3D EM structures of the hDmc1-ssDNA filaments allowed us to elucidate the principles of their internal architecture. Similar to the RecA/Rad51 family, hDmc1 forms helical filaments on ssDNA in two states: extended (active) and compressed (inactive). However, in contrast to the RecA/Rad51 family, and the recently reported structure of hDmc1-double stranded (ds) DNA nucleoprotein filaments, the extended (active) state of the hDmc1 filament formed on ssDNA has nine protomers per helical turn, instead of the conventional six, resulting in one protomer covering two nucleotides instead of three. The control reconstruction of the hDmc1-dsDNA filament revealed 6.4 protein subunits per helical turn indicating that the filament organisation varies depending on the DNA templates. Our structural analysis has also revealed that the N-terminal domain of hDmc1 accomplishes its important role in complex formation through domain swapping between adjacent protomers, thus providing a mechanistic basis for coordinated action of hDmc1 protomers during meiotic recombination
Elastic electron deuteron scattering with consistent meson exchange and relativistic contributions of leading order
The influence of relativistic contributions to elastic electron deuteron
scattering is studied systematically at low and intermediate momentum transfers
( fm). In a -expansion, all leading order
relativistic -exchange contributions consistent with the Bonn OBEPQ models
are included. In addition, static heavy meson exchange currents including boost
terms and lowest order -currents are considered. Sizeable
effects from the various relativistic two-body contributions, mainly from
-exchange, have been found in form factors, structure functions and the
tensor polarization . Furthermore, static properties, viz. magnetic
dipole and charge quadrupole moments and the mean square charge radius are
evaluated.Comment: 15 pages Latex including 5 figures, final version accepted for
publication in Phys.Rev.C Details of changes: (i) The notation of the curves
in Figs. 1 and 2 have been clarified with respect to left and right panels.
(ii) In Figs. 3 and 4 an experimental point for T_20 has been added and a
corresponding reference [48] (iii) At the end of the text we have added a
paragraph concerning the quality of the Bonn OBEPQ potential
Evolutionary distances in the twilight zone -- a rational kernel approach
Phylogenetic tree reconstruction is traditionally based on multiple sequence
alignments (MSAs) and heavily depends on the validity of this information
bottleneck. With increasing sequence divergence, the quality of MSAs decays
quickly. Alignment-free methods, on the other hand, are based on abstract
string comparisons and avoid potential alignment problems. However, in general
they are not biologically motivated and ignore our knowledge about the
evolution of sequences. Thus, it is still a major open question how to define
an evolutionary distance metric between divergent sequences that makes use of
indel information and known substitution models without the need for a multiple
alignment. Here we propose a new evolutionary distance metric to close this
gap. It uses finite-state transducers to create a biologically motivated
similarity score which models substitutions and indels, and does not depend on
a multiple sequence alignment. The sequence similarity score is defined in
analogy to pairwise alignments and additionally has the positive semi-definite
property. We describe its derivation and show in simulation studies and
real-world examples that it is more accurate in reconstructing phylogenies than
competing methods. The result is a new and accurate way of determining
evolutionary distances in and beyond the twilight zone of sequence alignments
that is suitable for large datasets.Comment: to appear in PLoS ON
Postcopulatory sexual selection
The female reproductive tract is where competition between the sperm of different males takes place, aided and abetted by the female herself. Intense postcopulatory sexual selection fosters inter-sexual conflict and drives rapid evolutionary change to generate a startling diversity of morphological, behavioural and physiological adaptations. We identify three main issues that should be resolved to advance our understanding of postcopulatory sexual selection. We need to determine the genetic basis of different male fertility traits and female traits that mediate sperm selection; identify the genes or genomic regions that control these traits; and establish the coevolutionary trajectory of sexes
A synthesis of Martian aqueous mineralogy after 1 Mars year of observations from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
Martian aqueous mineral deposits have been examined and characterized using data acquired during Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter's (MRO) primary science phase, including Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars hyperspectral images covering the 0.4–3.9 μm wavelength range, coordinated with higher–spatial resolution HiRISE and Context Imager images. MRO's new high-resolution measurements, combined with earlier data from Thermal Emission Spectrometer; Thermal Emission Imaging System; and Observatoire pour la Minéralogie, L'Eau, les Glaces et l'Activitié on Mars Express, indicate that aqueous minerals are both diverse and widespread on the Martian surface. The aqueous minerals occur in 9–10 classes of deposits characterized by distinct mineral assemblages, morphologies, and geologic settings. Phyllosilicates occur in several settings: in compositionally layered blankets hundreds of meters thick, superposed on eroded Noachian terrains; in lower layers of intracrater depositional fans; in layers with potential chlorides in sediments on intercrater plains; and as thousands of deep exposures in craters and escarpments. Carbonate-bearing rocks form a thin unit surrounding the Isidis basin. Hydrated silica occurs with hydrated sulfates in thin stratified deposits surrounding Valles Marineris. Hydrated sulfates also occur together with crystalline ferric minerals in thick, layered deposits in Terra Meridiani and in Valles Marineris and together with kaolinite in deposits that partially infill some highland craters. In this paper we describe each of the classes of deposits, review hypotheses for their origins, identify new questions posed by existing measurements, and consider their implications for ancient habitable environments. On the basis of current data, two to five classes of Noachian-aged deposits containing phyllosilicates and carbonates may have formed in aqueous environments with pH and water activities suitable for life
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