Cavity-ligand binding in a simple two-dimensional water model

By means of Monte Carlo computer simulations in the isothermal-isobaric ensemble, we investigated the interaction of a hydrophobic ligand with the hydrophobic surfaces of various curvatures (planar, convex and concave). A simple two-dimensional model of water, hydrophobic ligand and surface was used. Hydration/dehidration phenomena concerning water molecules confined close to the molecular surface were investigated. A notable dewetting of the hydrophobic surfaces was observed together with the reorientation of the water molecules close to the surface. The hydrogen bonding network was formed to accommodate cavities next to the surfaces as well as beyond the first hydration shell. The effects were most strongly pronounced in the case of concave surfaces having large curvature. This simplified model can be further used to evaluate the thermodynamic fingerprint of the docking of hydrophobic ligands.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure

Gauge Theory of Gravity Requires Massive Torsion Field

One of the greatest unsolved issues of the physics of this century is to find a quantum field theory of gravity. According to a vast amount of literature unification of quantum field theory and gravitation requires a gauge theory of gravity which includes torsion and an associated spin field. Various models including either massive or massless torsion fields have been suggested. We present arguments for a massive torsion field, where the probable rest mass of the corresponding spin three gauge boson is the Planck mass.Comment: 3 pages, Revte

Planetary companions orbiting M giants HD 208527 and HD 220074

Aims. The purpose of the present study is to research the origin of planetary companions by using a precise radial velocity (RV) survey. Methods. The high-resolution spectroscopy of the fiber-fed Bohyunsan Observatory Echelle Spectrograph (BOES) at Bohyunsan Optical Astronomy Observatory (BOAO) is used from September 2008 to June 2012. Results. We report the detection of two exoplanets in orbit around HD 208527 and HD 220074 exhibiting periodic variations in RV of 875.5 +/- 5.8 and 672.1 +/- 3.7 days. The RV variations are not apparently related to the surface inhomogeneities and a Keplerian motion of the planetary companion is the most likely explanation. Assuming possible stellar masses of 1.6 +/- 0.4 and 1.2 +/- 0.3 M_Sun, we obtain the minimum masses for the exoplanets of 9.9 +/- 1.7 and 11.1 +/- 1.8 M_Jup around HD 208527 and HD 220074 with an orbital semi-major axis of 2.1 +/- 0.2 and 1.6 +/- 0.1 AU and an eccentricity of 0.08 and 0.14, respectively. We also find that the previously known spectral classification of HD 208527 and HD 220074 was in error: Our new estimation of stellar parameters suggest that both HD 208527 and HD 220074 are M giants. Therefore, HD 208527 and HD 220074 are so far the first candidate M giants to harbor a planetary companion.Comment: 7 pages, 9 figures, 4 tables, accepted for publisation in Astronomy & Astrophysic

Top quark longitudinal polarization near the threshold in l+ l- annihilation

We show that the longitudinal polarization of the top quarks produced in the annihilation of e+ e- or mu+ mu- into tbar t at energies near the threshold is not affected by the large Coulomb-type corrections, which greatly modify the total cross section. Thus the longitudinal polarization, although small, may provide an independent information on the mass and the width of the top quark, largely independent of the uncertainty in alpha_s.Comment: 6 pages, LaTeX, no figures, added references, corrected typo

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS FROM AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

Agriculture's impact on the environment is a complex research problem. A challenge to future economic research is to account for the interrelationship between agricultural production activities, soil productivity, erosion, and water quality. It will become increasingly important to determine not only the economic consequences, but also the environmental effectiveness of alternative policies aimed at improving resource use and quality. The application of biophysical simulation models to environmental quality problems provides a means to better understand the complex interaction between agricultural production and environmental quality.Environmental Economics and Policy,

On mixing angles and magnetic moment of heavy tau neutrino

If the magnetic moment of unstable tau neutrinos with the mass of $O$(MeV) is in the region of $10^{-8}\mu_{B} \lesssim \mu_{\nu_{\tau}} \lesssim 10^{-6}\mu_{B}$, it is compatible with the present experimental and cosmological bounds. It is pointed out here, that if the tau neutrino has such a large magnetic moment and can oscillate into a neutrino of another flavour the results from $\nu e$ scattering experiment at LAMPF constrain the tau neutrino mixing angles to $sin^{2}2\theta_{e \tau} \lesssim 2\times 10^{-6} - 2\times 10^{-2}$ and $sin^{2}2\theta_{\mu\tau} \lesssim 10^{-6} - 10^{-2}$ depending on the magnetic moment value in the allowed region.Comment: 5 pages, LaTe