3,093 research outputs found
Linear response of a grafted semiflexible polymer to a uniform force field
We use the worm-like chain model to analytically calculate the linear
response of a grafted semiflexible polymer to a uniform force field. The result
is a function of the bending stiffness, the temperature, the total contour
length, and the orientation of the field with respect to that of the grafted
end. We also study the linear response of a worm-like chain with a periodic
alternating sequence of positive and negative charges. This can be considered
as a model for a polyampholyte with intrinsic bending siffness and negligible
intramolecular interactions. We show how the finite intrinsic persistence
length affects the linear response to the external field.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figure
Patterns in island endemic forest-dependent bird research: the Caribbean as a case-study
From Springer Nature via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2018-10-25, rev-recd 2019-03-19, registration 2019-04-26, accepted 2019-04-26, online 2019-05-04, epub 2019-05-04, ppub 2019-06Publication status: PublishedAbstract: Unequal patterns in research effort can result in inaccurate assessments of species extinction risk or ineffective management. A group of notable conservation concern are tropical island endemic birds, many of which are also forest-dependent, which increases their vulnerability to extinction. Yet, island bird species have received limited research attention compared to their continental congeners, despite this taxon being globally regarded as well-studied. We used the insular Caribbean, a globally important endemism hotspot with high rates of deforestation, to explore research bias of island and regional endemic forest-dependent birds. A review of the published literature (n = 992) found no significant increase in the number of studies over the search period. Research effort was significantly higher among species with threatened status, long generation time, wide habitat breadth and low to intermediate elevational distributions. Among family groups, the Psittacidae received the highest research effort, while the Cuculidae were the most underrepresented family (30-fold higher and six-fold less than expected, respectively). We found geographic biases in effort, with Jamaica having six-fold less and Puerto Rico eight times more research than expected for their level of endemism. These patterns likely reflect individual interests and limited capacity and funding, typical of Small Island Developing States. With over 50% of species in this review having declining population trends, we recommend prioritizing research that emphasises conservation- and management-relevant data across underrepresented families and islands, by fostering greater collaboration between researchers, practitioners and the existing local amateur ornithological community
A model for hand-over-hand motion of molecular motors
A simple flashing ratchet model in two dimensions is proposed to simulate the
hand-over-hand motion of two head molecular motors like kinesin. Extensive
Langevin simulations of the model are performed. Good qualitative agreement
with the expected behavior is observed. We discuss different regimes of motion
and efficiency depending of model parameters.Comment: 8 pages, Phys. Rev. E (in press
Buckling instability for a charged and fluctuating semiflexible polymer
In this article we address the problem of Euler's buckling instability in a
charged semi-flexible polymer that is under the action of a compressive force.
We consider this instability as a phase transition and investigate the role of
thermal fluctuations in the buckling critical force. By performing molecular
dynamic simulations, we show that the critical force decreases when the
temperature increases. Repulsive electrostatic interaction in the finite
temperature is in competition with thermal fluctuations to increase the
buckling threshold
Orientational order and glassy states in networks of semiflexible polymers
Motivated by the structure of networks of cross-linked cytoskeletal
biopolymers, we study the orientationally ordered phases in two-dimensional
networks of randomly cross-linked semiflexible polymers. We consider permanent
cross-links which prescribe a finite angle and treat them as quenched disorder
in a semi-microscopic replica field theory. Starting from a fluid of
un-cross-linked polymers and small polymer clusters (sol) and increasing the
cross-link density, a continuous gelation transition occurs. In the resulting
gel, the semiflexible chains either display long range orientational order or
are frozen in random directions depending on the value of the crossing angle,
the crosslink concentration and the stiffness of the polymers. A crossing angle
leads to long range -fold orientational order, e.g.,
"hexatic" or "tetratic" for or , respectively.
The transition is discontinuous and the critical cross-link density depends on
the bending stiffness of the polymers and the cross-link geometry: the higher
the stiffness and the lower , the lower the critical number of cross-links.
In between the sol and the long range ordered state, we always observe a gel
which is a statistically isotropic amorphous solid (SIAS) with random
positional and random orientational localization of the participating polymers.Comment: 20 pages, added references, minor changes, final version as published
in PR
A novel method to optimise the utility of underused moulted plumulaceous feather samples for genetic analysis in bird conservation.
This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of an article published in Conservation Genetics Resources. The final authenticated version is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12686-019-01117-8Non-invasive sampling methods are increasingly being used in conservation research as they reduce or eliminate the stress and disturbance resulting from invasive sampling of blood or tissue. Here we present a protocol optimised for obtaining usable genetic material from moulted plumulaceous feather samples. The combination of simple alterations to a ‘user-developed’ method, comprised of increased incubation time and modification of temperature and volume of DNA elution buffer, are outlined to increase DNA yield and significantly increase DNA concentration (W = 81, p <0.01, Cohens’s d= 0.89). We also demonstrate that the use of a primerless Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique increases DNA quality and amplification success when used prior to PCR reactions targeting avian mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). A small amplicon strategy proved effective for mtDNA amplification using PCR, targeting three overlapping 314-359bp regions of the cytochrome oxidase I barcoding region which, when combined, aligned with target-species reference sequences. We provide evidence that samples collected non-invasively in the field and kept in non-optimal conditions for DNA extraction can be used effectively to sequence a 650bp region of mtDNA for genetic analysis
How is patient diversity addressed in teaching and assessment of communication at the University of Liverpool?
FIRST J102347.6+003841: The First Radio-Selected Cataclysmic Variable
We have identified the 1.4 GHz radio source FIRST J102347.6+003841 (hereafter
FIRST J1023+0038) with a previously unknown 17th-mag Galactic cataclysmic
variable (CV). The optical spectrum resembles that of a magnetic (AM Herculis-
or DQ Herculis-type) CV. Five nights of optical CCD photometry showed
variations on timescales of minutes to hours, along with rapid flickering. A
re-examination of the FIRST radio survey data reveals that the radio detection
was based on a single 6.6 mJy flare; on two other occasions the source was
below the ~1 mJy survey limit. Several other magnetic CVs are known to be
variable radio sources, suggesting that FIRST J1023+0038 is a new member of
this class (and the first CV to be discovered on the basis of radio emission).
However, FIRST J1023+0038 is several optical magnitudes fainter than the other
radio-detected magnetic CVs. It remains unclear whether the source simply had a
very rare and extraordinarily intense radio flare at the time of the FIRST
observation, or is really an unusually radio-luminous CV; thus further
observations are urged.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures; accepted for December 2002 issue of Publications
of the Astronomical Society of the Pacifi
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