Theory for the nonequilibrium dynamics of flexible chain molecules: relaxation to equilibrium of pentadecane from an all-trans conformation

We extend to nonequilibrium processes our recent theory for the long time dynamics of flexible chain molecules. While the previous theory describes the equilibrium motions for any bond or interatomic separation in (bio)polymers by time correlation functions, the present extension of the theory enables the prediction of the nonequilibrium relaxation that occurs in processes, such as T-jump experiments, where there are sudden transitions between, for example, different equilibrium states. As a test of the theory, we consider the ``unfolding'' of pentadecane when it is transported from a constrained all-trans conformation to a random-coil state at thermal equilibrium. The time evolution of the mean-square end-to-end distance after release of the constraint is computed both from the theory and from Brownian dynamics (BD) simulations. The predictions of the theory agree very well with the BD simulations. Furthermore, the theory produces enormous savings in computer time. This work is a starting point for the application of the new method to nonequilibrium processes with biological importance such as the helix-coil transition and protein folding.Comment: 11 pages total, including 2 Postscript figures; submitted to Journal of Chemical Physic

Insertion loss and network parameters in the analysis of power filters

The insertion loss (IL) is regarded as the best interference suppression characteristic of power filters or suppression components. The IL definitions are considered and as an alternative the paper suggests the use of network parameters. It is a known fact that the standard IL measurements do not provide reliable information about the operational performance of a suppressor. This is largely due to the source and load mismatch, which is typical in power lines. Arguments are presented, showing that network parameters allow for more complete and reliable characterization of power filters and components. The IL would not be abandoned, because the network parameters provide enough information to obtain not only the standard IL, but also the IL in a non 50 Ω system. A new treatment of "worst case" or minimum IL is proposed, which is also based on network parameters. Furthermore, input, output, or transfer impedances, simulation models, and other characteristics, can be obtained from the network parameters, but not from the currently published standard IL data.reviewe

Characterization and Optimization of a Conical Corona Reactor for Seed Treatment of Rapeseed

Plasma agriculture is a growing field that combines interdisciplinary areas with the aim of researching alternative solutions for increasing food production. In this field, plasma sources are used for the treatment of different agricultural goods in pre-and post-harvest. With the big variety of possible treatment targets, studied reactors must be carefully investigated and characterized for specific goals. Therefore, in the present study, a cone-shaped corona reactor working with argon was adapted for the treatment of small seeds, and its basic properties were investigated. The treatment of rapeseed using different voltage duty cycles led to an increase in surface wettability, possibly contributing to the accelerated germination (27% for 90% duty cycle). The discharge produced by the conical reactor was able to provide an environment abundant with reactive oxygen species that makes the process suitable for seeds treatment. However, operating in direct treatment configuration, large numbers of seeds placed in the reactor start impairing the discharge homogeneity

Yang-Mills Duals for Semiclassical Strings

We consider a semiclassical multiwrapped circular string pulsating on S_5, whose center of mass has angular momentum J on an S_3 subspace. Using the AdS/CFT correspondence we argue that the one-loop anomalous dimension of the dual operator is a simple rational function of J/L, where J is the R-charge and L is the bare dimension of the operator. We then reproduce this result directly from a super Yang-Mills computation, where we make use of the integrability of the one-loop system to set up an integral equation that we solve. We then verify the results of Frolov and Tseytlin for circular rotating strings with R-charge assignment (J',J',J). In this case we solve for an integral equation found in the O(-1) matrix model when J' J. The latter region starts at J'=L/2 and continues down, but an apparent critical point is reached at J'=4J. We argue that the critical point is just an artifact of the Bethe ansatz and that the conserved charges of the underlying integrable model are analytic for all J' and that the results from the O(-1) model continue onto the results of the O(+1) model.Comment: 26 Pages, LaTeX; v2 Typos corrected, reference update

Stringing Spins and Spinning Strings

We apply recently developed integrable spin chain and dilatation operator techniques in order to compute the planar one-loop anomalous dimensions for certain operators containing a large number of scalar fields in N =4 Super Yang-Mills. The first set of operators, belonging to the SO(6) representations [J,L-2J,J], interpolate smoothly between the BMN case of two impurities (J=2) and the extreme case where the number of impurities equals half the total number of fields (J=L/2). The result for this particular [J,0,J] operator is smaller than the anomalous dimension derived by Frolov and Tseytlin [hep-th/0304255] for a semiclassical string configuration which is the dual of a gauge invariant operator in the same representation. We then identify a second set of operators which also belong to [J,L-2J,J] representations, but which do not have a BMN limit. In this case the anomalous dimension of the [J,0,J] operator does match the Frolov-Tseytlin prediction. We also show that the fluctuation spectra for this [J,0,J] operator is consistent with the string prediction.Comment: 27 pages, 4 figures, LaTex; v2 reference added, typos fixe

The Rossiter-McLaughlin effect in Exoplanet Research

The Rossiter-McLaughlin effect occurs during a planet's transit. It provides the main means of measuring the sky-projected spin-orbit angle between a planet's orbital plane, and its host star's equatorial plane. Observing the Rossiter-McLaughlin effect is now a near routine procedure. It is an important element in the orbital characterisation of transiting exoplanets. Measurements of the spin-orbit angle have revealed a surprising diversity, far from the placid, Kantian and Laplacian ideals, whereby planets form, and remain, on orbital planes coincident with their star's equator. This chapter will review a short history of the Rossiter-McLaughlin effect, how it is modelled, and will summarise the current state of the field before describing other uses for a spectroscopic transit, and alternative methods of measuring the spin-orbit angle.Comment: Review to appear as a chapter in the "Handbook of Exoplanets", ed. H. Deeg & J.A. Belmont

Three-Point Functions of Twist-Two Operators in N=4 SYM at One Loop

We calculate three-point functions of two protected operators and one twist-two operator with arbitrary even spin j in N=4 SYM theory to one-loop order. In order to carry out the calculations we project the indices of the spin j operator to the light-cone and evaluate the correlator in a soft-limit where the momentum coming in at the spin j operator becomes zero. This limit largely simplifies the perturbative calculation, since all three-point diagrams effectively reduce to two-point diagrams and the dependence on the one-loop mixing matrix drops out completely. The results of our direct calculation are in agreement with the structure constants obtained by F.A. Dolan and H. Osborn from the operator product expansion of four-point functions of half-BPS operators.Comment: references update

Populations of planets in multiple star systems

Astronomers have discovered that both planets and binaries are abundant throughout the Galaxy. In combination, we know of over 100 planets in binary and higher-order multi-star systems, in both circumbinary and circumstellar configurations. In this chapter we review these findings and some of their implications for the formation of both stars and planets. Most of the planets found have been circumstellar, where there is seemingly a ruinous influence of the second star if sufficiently close (<50 AU). Hosts of hot Jupiters have been a particularly popular target for binary star studies, showing an enhanced rate of stellar multiplicity for moderately wide binaries (>100 AU). This was thought to be a sign of Kozai-Lidov migration, however recent studies have shown this mechanism to be too inefficient to account for the majority of hot Jupiters. A couple of dozen circumbinary planets have been proposed around both main sequence and evolved binaries. Around main sequence binaries there are preliminary indications that the frequency of gas giants is as high as those around single stars. There is however a conspicuous absence of circumbinary planets around the tightest main sequence binaries with periods of just a few days, suggesting a unique, more disruptive formation history of such close stellar pairs.Comment: Invited review chapter, accepted for publication in "Handbook of Exoplanets", ed. H. Deeg & J. A. Belmont