1,894 research outputs found
Fluctuation-Driven Molecular Transport in an Asymmetric Membrane Channel
Channel proteins, that selectively conduct molecules across cell membranes,
often exhibit an asymmetric structure. By means of a stochastic model, we argue
that channel asymmetry in the presence of non-equilibrium fluctuations, fueled
by the cell's metabolism as observed recently, can dramatically influence the
transport through such channels by a ratchet-like mechanism. For an
aquaglyceroporin that conducts water and glycerol we show that a previously
determined asymmetric glycerol potential leads to enhanced inward transport of
glycerol, but for unfavorably high glycerol concentrations also to enhanced
outward transport that protects a cell against poisoning.Comment: REVTeX4, 4 pages, 3 figures; Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.
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Real-time observations of single bacteriophage λ DNA ejections in vitro
The physical, chemical, and structural features of bacteriophage genome release have been the subject of much recent attention. Many theoretical and experimental studies have centered on the internal forces driving the ejection process. Recently, Mangenot et al. [Mangenot S, Hochrein M, Rädler J, Letellier L (2005) Curr Biol 15:430–435.] reported fluorescence microscopy of phage T5 ejections, which proceeded stepwise between DNA nicks, reaching a translocation speed of 75 kbp/s or higher. It is still unknown how high the speed actually is. This paper reports real-time measurements of ejection from phage {lambda}, revealing how the speed depends on key physical parameters such as genome length and ionic state of the buffer. Except for a pause before DNA is finally released, the entire 48.5-kbp genome is translocated in {approx}1.5 s without interruption, reaching a speed of 60 kbp/s. The process gives insights particularly into the effects of two parameters: a shorter genome length results in lower speed but a shorter total time, and the presence of divalent magnesium ions (replacing sodium) reduces the pressure, increasing ejection time to 8–11 s. Pressure caused by DNA–DNA interactions within the head affects the initiation of ejection, but the close packing is also the dominant source of friction: more tightly packed phages initiate ejection earlier, but with a lower initial speed. The details of ejection revealed in this study are probably generic features of DNA translocation in bacteriophages and have implications for the dynamics of DNA in other biological systems
Improving the Sensitivity of LISA
It has been shown in the past, that the six Doppler data streams obtained
LISA configuration can be combined by appropriately delaying the data streams
for cancelling the laser frequency noise. Raw laser noise is several orders of
magnitude above the other noises and thus it is essential to bring it down to
the level of shot, acceleration noises. A rigorous and systematic formalism
using the techniques of computational commutative algebra was developed which
generates all the data combinations cancelling the laser frequency noise. The
relevant data combinations form a first module of syzygies. In this paper we
use this formalism for optimisation of the LISA sensitivity by analysing the
noise and signal covariance matrices. The signal covariance matrix, averaged
over polarisations and directions, is calculated for binaries whose frequency
changes at most adiabatically. We then present the extremal SNR curves for all
the data combinations in the module. They correspond to the eigenvectors of the
noise and signal covariance matrices. We construct LISA `network' SNR by
combining the outputs of the eigenvectors which improves the LISA sensitivity
substantially. The maximum SNR curve can yield an improvement upto 70 % over
the Michelson, mainly at high frequencies, while the improvement using the
network SNR ranges from 40 % to over 100 %. Finally, we describe a simple toy
model, in which LISA rotates in a plane. In this analysis, we estimate the
improvement in the LISA sensitivity, if one switches from one data combination
to another as it rotates. Here the improvement in sensitivity, if one switches
optimally over three cyclic data combinations of the eigenvector is about 55 %
on an average over the LISA band-width. The corresponding SNR improvement is 60
%, if one maximises over the module.Comment: 16 pages, 10 figures, Submitted to Class. Quant. Gravit
Infrared Hall effect in high Tc superconductors: Evidence for non-Fermi liquid Hall scattering
Infrared (20-120 cm-1 and 900-1100 cm-1) Faraday rotation and circular
dichroism are measured in high Tc superconductors using sensitive polarization
modulation techniques. Optimally doped YBCO thin films are studied at
temperatures down to 15 K and magnetic fields up to 8 T. At 1000 cm-1 the Hall
conductivity varies strongly with temperature in contrast to the longitudinal
conductivity which is nearly independent of temperature. The Hall scattering
rate has a T^2 temperature dependence but, unlike a Fermi liquid, depends only
weakly on frequency. The experiment puts severe constraints on theories of
transport in the normal state of high Tc superconductors.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figure
Time-dependent distinguishability: Choosing to be a wave or a particle
Interference experiments with connected parametric down-converters have demonstrated that the possibility, in principle, of identifying the photon path through the interferometer is sufficient to wipe out all interference, irrespective of whether the identification is actually made. The distinguishability of the photon path can be controlled by a time-dependent shutter, which leaves the choice whether the photon behaves as a wave or as a particle in the experimenter's hands. By contrast, in some more recent experiments involving the addition of a low-Q cavity, each idler photon makes the choice whether the associated signal photon behaves like a wave and exhibits interference, or like a particle
GPS precise point positioning for UAV photogrammetry
The use of Global Positioning System (GPS) precise point positioning (PPP) on a fixed‐wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is demonstrated for photogrammetric mapping at accuracies of centimetres in planimetry and about a decimetre in height, from flights of 25 to 30 minutes in duration. The GPS PPP estimated camera station positions are used to constrain estimates of image positions in the photogrammetric bundle block adjustment, as with relative GPS positioning. GPS PPP alleviates all spatial operating constraints associated with the installation and the use of ground control points, a local ground GPS reference station or the need to operate within the bounds of a permanent GPS reference station network. This simplifies operational logistics and enables large‐scale photogrammetric mapping from UAVs in even the most remote and challenging geographic locations
Generic Tracking of Multiple Apparent Horizons with Level Flow
We report the development of the first apparent horizon locator capable of
finding multiple apparent horizons in a ``generic'' numerical black hole
spacetime. We use a level-flow method which, starting from a single arbitrary
initial trial surface, can undergo topology changes as it flows towards
disjoint apparent horizons if they are present. The level flow method has two
advantages: 1) The solution is independent of changes in the initial guess and
2) The solution can have multiple components. We illustrate our method of
locating apparent horizons by tracking horizon components in a short
Kerr-Schild binary black hole grazing collision.Comment: 13 pages including figures, submitted to Phys Rev
Electrostatics of Edge States of Quantum Hall Systems with Constrictions: Metal--Insulator Transition Tuned by External Gates
The nature of a metal--insulator transition tuned by external gates in
quantum Hall (QH) systems with point constrictions at integer bulk filling, as
reported in recent experiments of Roddaro et al. [1], is addressed. We are
particularly concerned here with the insulating behavior--the phenomena of
backscattering enhancement induced at high gate voltages. Electrostatics
calculations for QH systems with split gates performed here show that
observations are not a consequence of interedge interactions near the point
contact. We attribute the phenomena of backscattering enhancement to a
splitting of the integer edge into conducting and insulating stripes, which
enable the occurrence of the more relevant backscattering processes of
fractionally charged quasiparticles at the point contact. For the values of the
parameters used in the experiments we find that the conducting channels are
widely separated by the insulating stripes and that their presence alters
significantly the low-energy dynamics of the edges. Interchannel impurity
scattering does not influence strongly the tunneling exponents as they are
found to be irrelevant processes at low energies. Exponents of backscattering
at the point contact are unaffected by interchannel Coulomb interactions since
all channels have same chirality of propagation.Comment: 19 pages; To appear in Phys. Rev.
Include me in: user involvement in research and evaluation
yesPurpose: This paper discusses the experiences of a group of ten user and carer researchers from mental health and learning disability services who worked together in a research and evaluation project between 2009 and 2012. The research project aimed to identify changes that took place as over 300 people moved from hostel accommodation into independent tenancies in flats and bungalows. These moves were part of a three year project involving a partnership between a local authority and a housing association.
Design / approach: The paper describes the process of involving user and carers in the research process, identifying the challenges and benefits of involving users and carers. The ways in which people were trained and supported to take part and stay involved are outlined, as well as how the group felt they learnt new skills and increased their confidence.
Findings: User involvement in research can mean different things with different levels of involvement, from consultation through to user-controlled research. The collaborative study had a range of benefits for the lives of the co-researchers, as well as contributing to the development of a new independent living service. A number of factors contribute to the success of user involvement in research and these are listed.
Originality / value: This paper adds the voices of the co-researchers to the literature and provides ‘lessons learned’ for other researchers in this area
Optical Conductivity and Hall Coefficient in High-Tc Superconductors: Significant Role of Current Vertex Corrections
We study AC conductivities in high-Tc cuprates, which offer us significant
information to reveal the true electronic ground states. Based on the
fluctuation-exchange (FLEX) approximation, current vertex corrections (CVC's)
are correctly taken into account to satisfy the conservation laws. We find the
significant role of the CVC's on the optical Hall conductivity in the presence
of strong antiferromagnetic (AF) fluctuations. This fact leads to the failure
of the relaxation time approximation (RTA). As a result, experimental highly
unusual behaviors, (i) prominent frequency and temperature dependences of the
optical Hall coefficient, and (ii) simple Drude form of the optical Hall andge
for wide range of frequencies, are satisfactorily reproduced. In conclusion,
both DC and AC transport phenomena in (slightly under-doped) high-Tc cuprates
can be explained comprehensively in terms of nearly AF Fermi liquid, if one
take the CVC's into account.Comment: 5 page
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