2,425 research outputs found
Distribution of lipids in non-lamellar phases of their mixtures
We consider a model of lipids in which a head group, characterized by its
volume, is attached to two flexible tails of equal length. The phase diagram of
the anhydrous lipid is obtained within self-consistent field theory, and
displays, as a function of lipid architecture, a progression of phases:
body-centered cubic, hexagonal, gyroid, and lamellar. We then examine mixtures
of an inverted hexagonal forming lipid and a lamellar forming lipid. As the
volume fractions of the two lipids vary, we find that inverted hexagonal,
gyroid, or lamellar phases are formed. We demonstrate that the non-lamellar
forming lipid is found preferentially at locations which are difficult for the
lipid tails to reach. Variations in the volume fraction of each type of lipid
tail are on the order of one to ten per cent within regions dominated by the
tails. We also show that the variation in volume fraction is correlated
qualitatively with the variation in mean curvature of the head-tail interface.Comment: 10 pages, 12 figures (better figures are available upon request), to
appear in J. Chem. Phy
Theory of Raft Formation by the Cross-Linking of Saturated or Unsaturated Lipids in Model Lipid Bilayers
AbstractWe consider the effect of cross-linking a small fraction of lipids, either saturated or unsaturated, in a mixture of saturated and unsaturated lipids and cholesterol. The change in phase behavior is examined utilizing a recent phenomenological model of the ternary system, which is extended to include a fourth component representing the cross-linked lipids. These lipids are taken to be identical to monomeric ones except for their reduced entropy of mixing. We find that even a relatively small amount of cross-linked lipids, less than 5 mol %, is sufficient to significantly expand the range of compositions within which there is coexistence between liquid-ordered and liquid-disordered phases. Equivalently, the cross-linking of lipids increases the liquid-liquid miscibility transition temperature, and therefore could bring about phase separation at a temperature at which, before cross-linking, there was only a single liquid phase
Adsorption on carbon nanotubes: quantum spin tubes, magnetization plateaus, and conformal symmetry
We formulate the problem of adsorption onto the surface of a carbon nanotube
as a lattice gas on a triangular lattice wrapped around a cylinder. This model
is equivalent to an XXZ Heisenberg quantum spin tube. The geometric frustration
due to wrapping leads generically to four magnetization plateaus, in contrast
to the two on a flat graphite sheet. We obtain analytical and numerical results
for the magnetizations and transition fields for armchair, zig-zag and chiral
nanotubes. The zig-zags are exceptional in that one of the plateaus has
extensive zero temperature entropy in the classical limit. Quantum effects lift
up the degeneracy, leaving gapless excitations which are described by a
conformal field theory with compactification radius quantized by the tube
circumference.Comment: 5 pages, 6 figure
Localized excited charge carriers generate ultrafast inhomogeneous strain in the multiferroic BiFeO
We apply ultrafast X-ray diffraction with femtosecond temporal resolution to
monitor the lattice dynamics in a thin film of multiferroic BiFeO after
above-bandgap photoexcitation. The sound-velocity limited evolution of the
observed lattice strains indicates a quasi-instantaneous photoinduced stress
which decays on a nanosecond time scale. This stress exhibits an inhomogeneous
spatial profile evidenced by the broadening of the Bragg peak. These new data
require substantial modification of existing models of photogenerated stresses
in BiFeO: the relevant excited charge carriers must remain localized to be
consistent with the data
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Meiotic cellular rejuvenation is coupled to nuclear remodeling in budding yeast.
Production of healthy gametes in meiosis relies on the quality control and proper distribution of both nuclear and cytoplasmic contents. Meiotic differentiation naturally eliminates age-induced cellular damage by an unknown mechanism. Using time-lapse fluorescence microscopy in budding yeast, we found that nuclear senescence factors - including protein aggregates, extrachromosomal ribosomal DNA circles, and abnormal nucleolar material - are sequestered away from chromosomes during meiosis II and subsequently eliminated. A similar sequestration and elimination process occurs for the core subunits of the nuclear pore complex in both young and aged cells. Nuclear envelope remodeling drives the formation of a membranous compartment containing the sequestered material. Importantly, de novo generation of plasma membrane is required for the sequestration event, preventing the inheritance of long-lived nucleoporins and senescence factors into the newly formed gametes. Our study uncovers a new mechanism of nuclear quality control and provides insight into its function in meiotic cellular rejuvenation
Organizational downsizing: Constraining, cloning, learning
While downsizing rages through the U.S. economy, there is a great deal of uncertainty about its bottom-line effects. This uncertainty raises questions about why corporations have been so eager to engage in downsizing. In this article, we propose an answer to these questions. Three social forces, which we call constraining, cloning and learning, frequently provide a major impetus for downsizing. We describe these forces, and point out conditions that lead to the adoption of downsizing without due regard for its mixed consequences. We suggest methods to improve executives\u27 downsizing decision routines ... methods that should enhance the chances of achieving intended benefits
Hyperhidrosis: a central nervous dysfunction of sweat secretion
Hyperhidrosis (HH) is a central nervous dysfunction characterized by abnormally increased sweating due to a central dysregulation of sweat secretion. HH significantly affects the quality of life of patients in their private, social and professional environments. Physiologically, sweating is a mechanism that regulates body temperature, but it may also be triggered by emotional or gustatory stimuli. There are two main types of sweat glands: eccrine and apocrine glands. The central nervous system controls sweat secretion through the release of neurotransmitters into the autonomous nervous system (ANS) that activate the sweat glands. The hypothalamus has two separate neuronal pathways, one for thermoregulation and one for emotions. HH may thus be due to either a neuronal dysfunction of ANS regulation leading to a hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system, or to abnormal central processing of emotions. Crucially, there is no dysfunction of the sweat glands themselves. Various pathogenic mechanisms have been proposed to be involved in pathological sweat secretion in HH, ranging from structural changes within the ANS to increased expression of aquaporin 5 and upregulation of activin A receptor type 1 in eccrine sweat glands. Although a genetic predisposition has been demonstrated, it remains unclear exactly which genes are involved. To identify new, potential therapeutic targets and to improve treatment options, a good understanding of the signaling pathways involved, the underlying mechanisms, and the genetic components is essential. In this review we discuss the various aspects of sweat physiology and function that are necessary to explain pathological sweating. Our aim is to raise awareness of the complexity of HH to promote a better understanding of the disorder
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