7,987 research outputs found
A simple model for DNA denaturation
Following Poland and Scheraga, we consider a simplified model for the
denaturation transition of DNA. The two strands are modeled as interacting
polymer chains. The attractive interactions, which mimic the pairing between
the four bases, are reduced to a single short range binding term. Furthermore,
base-pair misalignments are forbidden, implying that this binding term exists
only for corresponding (same curvilinear abscissae) monomers of the two chains.
We take into account the excluded volume repulsion between monomers of the two
chains, but neglect intra-chain repulsion. We find that the excluded volume
term generates an effective repulsive interaction between the chains, which
decays as . Due to this long-range repulsion between the chains, the
denaturation transition is first order in any dimension, in agreement with
previous studies.Comment: 10 page
Infrared Spectroscopy of GX 1+4/V2116 Oph: Evidence for a Fast Red Giant Wind?
We present infrared spectroscopy of the low-mass X-ray binary GX 1+4/V2116
Oph. This symbiotic binary consists of a 2-min accretion-powered pulsar and an
M5 III red giant. A strong He I 1.083 micron emission line with a pronounced P
Cygni profile was observed. From the blue edge of this feature, we infer an
outflow velocity of 250(50) km/s. This is an order of magnitude faster than a
typical red giant wind, and we suggest that radiation from the accretion disk
or the neutron star may contribute to the acceleration of the outflow. We infer
a wind mass loss rate of around 10^-6 Msun/yr. Accretion from such a strong
stellar wind provides a plausible alternative to Roche lobe overflow for
supplying the accretion disk which powers the X-ray source. The H I Paschen
beta and He I 1.083 micron lines showed no evidence for the dramatic changes
previously reported in some optical lines, and no evidence for pulsations at
the 2-min pulsar period.Comment: 11 pages including 2 PS figures. To appear in ApJ Letter
Investigation of single crystal ferrite thin films
Materials suitable for use in magnetic bubble domain memories were developed for aerospace applications. Practical techniques for the preparation of such materials in forms required for fabrication of computer memory devices were considered. The materials studied were epitaxial films of various compositions of the gallium-substituted yttrium gadolinium iron garnet system. The major emphasis was to determine their bubble properties and the conditions necessary for growing uncracked, high quality films
Schwarzschild Atmospheric Processes: A Classical Path to the Quantum
We develop some classical descriptions for processes in the Schwarzschild
string atmosphere. These processes suggest relationships between macroscopic
and microscopic scales. The classical descriptions developed in this essay
highlight the fundamental quantum nature of the Schwarzschild atmospheric
processes.Comment: to appear in Gen. Rel. Gra
Fractal Scales in a Schwarzschild Atmosphere
Recently, Glass and Krisch have extended the Vaidya radiating metric to
include both a radiation fluid and a string fluid [1999 Class. Quantum Grav.
vol 16, 1175]. Mass diffusion in the extended Schwarzschild atmosphere was
studied. The continuous solutions of classical diffusive transport are believed
to describe the envelope of underlying fractal behavior. In this work we
examine the classical picture at scales on which fractal behavior might be
evident.Comment: to appear in Class. Quantum Gra
On Interaction Classification
Further classification is made of Lindquist's dichotomy of inter action effects. The extension hopefully reduces errors of inter pretation and provides a simple, accurate means of summarizing in teractions obtained.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/67338/2/10.1177_001316448004000405.pd
The spike train statistics for consonant and dissonant musical accords
The simple system composed of three neural-like noisy elements is considered.
Two of them (sensory neurons or sensors) are stimulated by noise and periodic
signals with different ratio of frequencies, and the third one (interneuron)
receives the output of these two sensors and noise. We propose the analytical
approach to analysis of Interspike Intervals (ISI) statistics of the spike
train generated by the interneuron. The ISI distributions of the sensory
neurons are considered to be known. The frequencies of the input sinusoidal
signals are in ratios, which are usual for music. We show that in the case of
small integer ratios (musical consonance) the input pair of sinusoids results
in the ISI distribution appropriate for more regular output spike train than in
a case of large integer ratios (musical dissonance) of input frequencies. These
effects are explained from the viewpoint of the proposed theory.Comment: 22 pages, 6 figure
Near-infrared and X-ray obscuration to the nucleus of the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 3281
We present the results of a near-infrared and X-ray study of the Seyfert 2
galaxy NGC 3281. Emission from the Seyfert nucleus is detected in both regions
of the electromagnetic spectrum, allowing us to infer both the equivalent line
of sight hydrogen column density, N_H = 71.0(+11.3,-12.3)e26/m^2 and the
extinction due to dust, A_V = 22+/-11 magnitudes (90% confidence intervals). We
infer a ratio of N_H/A_V which is an order of magnitude larger than that
determined along lines of sight in the Milky Way and discuss possible
interpretations. We consider the most plausible explanation to be a dense cloud
in the foreground of both the X-ray and infrared emitting regions which
obscures the entire X-ray source but only a fraction of the much larger
infrared source.Comment: 23 pages including 9 figure
Robustness and Enhancement of Neural Synchronization by Activity-Dependent Coupling
We study the synchronization of two model neurons coupled through a synapse
having an activity-dependent strength. Our synapse follows the rules of
Spike-Timing Dependent Plasticity (STDP). We show that this plasticity of the
coupling between neurons produces enlarged frequency locking zones and results
in synchronization that is more rapid and much more robust against noise than
classical synchronization arising from connections with constant strength. We
also present a simple discrete map model that demonstrates the generality of
the phenomenon.Comment: 4 pages, accepted for publication in PR
Development of LC-13C NMR
This study involves the development of C-13 nuclear resonance as an on-line detector for liquid chromatography (LC-C-13 NMR) for the chemical characterization of aviation fuels. The initial focus of this study was the development of a high sensitivity flow C-13 NMR probe. Since C-13 NMR sensitivity is of paramount concern, considerable effort during the first year was directed at new NMR probe designs. In particular, various toroid coil designs were examined. In addition, corresponding shim coils for correcting the main magnetic field (B sub 0) homogeneity were examined. Based on these initial probe design studies, an LC-C-13 NMR probe was built and flow C-13 NMR data was obtained for a limited number of samples
- âŠ