3,940 research outputs found
Adventures in Invariant Theory
We provide an introduction to enumerating and constructing invariants of
group representations via character methods. The problem is contextualised via
two case studies arising from our recent work: entanglement measures, for
characterising the structure of state spaces for composite quantum systems; and
Markov invariants, a robust alternative to parameter-estimation intensive
methods of statistical inference in molecular phylogenetics.Comment: 12 pp, includes supplementary discussion of example
Vaccinia virus immune evasion: mechanisms, virulence and immunogenicity
Virus infection of mammalian cells is sensed by pattern recognition receptors and leads to an innate immune response that restricts virus replication and induces adaptive immunity. In response, viruses have evolved many countermeasures that enable them to replicate and be transmitted to new hosts, despite the host innate immune response. Poxviruses, such as vaccinia virus (VACV), have large DNA genomes and encode many proteins that are dedicated to host immune evasion. Some of these proteins are secreted from the infected cell, where they bind and neutralize complement factors, interferons, cytokines and chemokines. Other VACV proteins function inside cells to inhibit apoptosis or signalling pathways that lead to the production of interferons and pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. In this review, these VACV immunomodulatory proteins are described and the potential to create more immunogenic VACV strains by manipulation of the gene encoding these proteins is discussed
Improved Simulation of the Mass Charging for ASTROD I
The electrostatic charging of the test mass in ASTROD I (Astrodynamical Space
Test of Relativity using Optical Devices I) mission can affect the quality of
the science data as a result of spurious Coulomb and Lorentz forces. To
estimate the size of the resultant disturbances, credible predictions of
charging rates and the charging noise are required. Using the GEANT4 software
toolkit, we present a detailed Monte Carlo simulation of the ASTROD I test mass
charging due to exposure of the spacecraft to galactic cosmic-ray (GCR) protons
and alpha particles (3He, 4He) in the space environment. A positive charging
rate of 33.3 e+/s at solar minimum is obtained. This figure reduces by 50% at
solar maximum. Based on this charging rate and factoring in the contribution of
minor cosmic-ray components, we calculate the acceleration noise and stiffness
associated with charging. We conclude that the acceleration noise arising from
Coulomb and Lorentz effects are well below the ASTROD I acceleration noise
limit at 0.1 mHz both at solar minimum and maximum. The coherent Fourier
components due to charging are investigated, it needs to be studied carefully
in order to ensure that these do not compromise the quality of science data in
the ASTROD I mission.Comment: 20 pages, 14 figures, submitted to International Journal of Modern
Physics
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