7,800 research outputs found
A model for the force stretching double-stranded chain molecules
We modify and extend the recently developed statistical mechanical model for
predicting the thermodynamic properties of chain molecules having noncovalent
double-stranded conformations, as in RNA or ssDNA, and sheets in
protein, by including the constant force stretching at one end of molecules as
in a typical single-molecule experiment. The conformations of double-stranded
regions of the chain are calculated based on polymer graph-theoretic approach
[S-J. Chen and K. A. Dill, J. Chem. Phys. {\bf109}, 4602(1998)], while the
unpaired single-stranded regions are treated as self-avoiding walks. Sequence
dependence and excluded volume interaction are taken into account explicitly.
Two classes of conformations, hairpin and RNA secondary structure are explored.
For the hairpin conformations, all possible end-to-end distances corresponding
to the different types of double-stranded regions are enumerated exactly. For
the RNA secondary structure conformations, a new recursive formula
incorporating the secondary structure and end-to-end distribution has been
derived. Using the model, we investigate the extension-force curves, contact
and population distributions and re-entering phenomena, respectively. we find
that the force stretching homogeneous chains of hairpin and secondary structure
conformations are very different: the unfolding of hairpins is two-state, while
unfolding the latter is one-state. In addition, re-entering transitions only
present in hairpin conformations, but are not observed in secondary structure
conformations.Comment: 19 pages, 28 figure
Posterior-only spinal fusion without rib head resection for treating type I neurofibromatosis with intra-canal rib head dislocation
OBJECTIVES: Patients with Type I neurofibromatosis scoliosis with intra-canal rib head protrusion are extremely rare. Current knowledge regarding the diagnosis and treatment for this situation are insufficient. The purpose of this study is to share our experience in the diagnosis and surgical treatments for such unique deformities. METHODS: Six patients with Type I neurofibromatosis scoliosis with rib head dislocation into the spinal canal were diagnosed at our institution. Posterior instrumentation and spinal fusion without intra-canal rib head resection via a posterior-only approach was performed for deformity correction and rib head extraction. The efficacy and outcomes of the surgery were evaluated by measurements before, immediately and 24 months after the surgery using the following parameters: coronal spinal Cobb angle, apex rotation and kyphosis of the spine and the intra-canal rib head position. Post-operative complications, surgery time and blood loss were also evaluated. RESULTS: Patients were followed up for at least 24 months post-operatively. The three dimensional spinal deformity was significantly improved and the intra-canal rib head was significantly extracted from the canal immediately after the surgery. At follow-up 24 months after surgery, solid fusions were achieved along the fusion segments, and the deformity corrections and rib head positions were well maintained. There were no surgery-related complications any time after the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic examinations are needed to identify patients with Type I neurofibromatosis scoliosis with rib head dislocation into the canal who can be treated by posterior-only spinal fusion without rib head resection
Quantum Anomalous Hall Effect in HgMnTe Quantum Wells
The quantum Hall effect is usually observed when the two-dimensional electron
gas is subjected to an external magnetic field, so that their quantum states
form Landau levels. In this work we predict that a new phenomenon, the quantum
anomalous Hall effect, can be realized in HgMnTe quantum wells,
without the external magnetic field and the associated Landau levels. This
effect arises purely from the spin polarization of the atoms, and the
quantized Hall conductance is predicted for a range of quantum well thickness
and the concentration of the atoms. This effect enables dissipationless
charge current in spintronics devices.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures. For high resolution figures see final published
version when availabl
Model Hamiltonian for Topological Insulators
In this paper we give the full microscopic derivation of the model
Hamiltonian for the three dimensional topological insulators in the
family of materials (, and ). We first give a
physical picture to understand the electronic structure by analyzing atomic
orbitals and applying symmetry principles. Subsequently, we give the full
microscopic derivation of the model Hamiltonian introduced by Zhang {\it et al}
[\onlinecite{zhang2009}] based both on symmetry principles and the perturbation theory. Two different types of terms, which
break the in-plane full rotation symmetry down to three fold rotation symmetry,
are taken into account. Effective Hamiltonian is derived for the topological
surface states. Both the bulk and the surface models are investigated in the
presence of an external magnetic field, and the associated Landau level
structure is presented. For more quantitative fitting to the first principle
calculations, we also present a new model Hamiltonian including eight energy
bands.Comment: 18 pages, 9 figures, 5 table
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