618 research outputs found
Viscoelasticity of model interphase chromosomes
We investigated the viscoelastic response of model interphase chromosomes by tracking the three-dimensional motion of hundreds of dispersed Brownian particles of sizes ranging from the thickness of the chromatin fiber up to slightly above the mesh size of the chromatin solution. In agreement with previous computational studies on polymer solutions and melts, we found that the large-time behaviour of the diffusion coefficient and the experienced viscosity of moving particles as functions of particle size deviate from the traditional Stokes-Einstein relation and agree with a recent scaling theory of diffusion of non-sticky particles in polymer solutions. Interestingly, we found that at short times large particles are temporarily "caged" by chromatin spatial constraints, which thus form effective domains whose sizes match remarkably well with recent experimental results for micro-tracers inside interphase nuclei. Finally, by employing a known mathematical relation between the time mean-square displacement of tracked particles and the complex shear modulus of the surrounding solution, we calculated the elastic and viscous moduli of interphase chromosomes. \ua9 2014 AIP Publishing LLC
Nonlinear spin-polarized transport through a ferromagnetic domain wall
A domain wall separating two oppositely magnetized regions in a ferromagnetic
semiconductor exhibits, under appropriate conditions, strongly nonlinear I-V
characteristics similar to those of a p-n diode. We study these characteristics
as functions of wall width and temperature. As the width increases or the
temperature decreases, direct tunneling between the majority spin bands
decreases the effectiveness of the diode. This has important implications for
the zero-field quenched resistance of magnetic semiconductors and for the
design of a recently proposed spin transistor.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure
Relationship between Sponsorship and Failure Rate of Dental Implants: A Systematic Approach
BACKGROUND: The number of dental implant treatments increases annually. Dental implants are manufactured by competing companies. Systematic reviews and meta-analysis have shown a clear association between pharmaceutical industry funding of clinical trials and pro-industry results. So far, the impact of industry sponsorship on the outcomes and conclusions of dental implant clinical trials has never been explored. The aim of the present study was to examine financial sponsorship of dental implant trials, and to evaluate whether research funding sources may affect the annual failure rate. METHODS AND FINDINGS: A systematic approach was used to identify systematic reviews published between January 1993 and December 2008 that specifically deal with the length of survival of dental implants. Primary articles were extracted from these reviews. The failure rate of the dental implants included in the trials was calculated. Data on publication year, Impact Factor, prosthetic design, periodontal status reporting, number of dental implants included in the trials, methodological quality of the studies, presence of a statistical advisor, and financial sponsorship were extracted by two independent reviewers (kappa = 0.90; CI(95%) [0.77-1.00]). Univariate quasi-Poisson regression models and multivariate analysis were used to identify variables that were significantly associated with failure rates. Five systematic reviews were identified from which 41 analyzable trials were extracted. The mean annual failure rate estimate was 1.09%.(CI(95%) [0.84-1.42]). The funding source was not reported in 63% of the trials (26/41). Sixty-six percent of the trials were considered as having a risk of bias (27/41). Given study age, both industry associated (OR = 0.21; CI(95%) [0.12-0.38]) and unknown funding source trials (OR = 0.33; (CI(95%) [0.21-0.51]) had a lower annual failure rates compared with non-industry associated trials. A conflict of interest statement was disclosed in 2 trials. CONCLUSIONS: When controlling for other factors, the probability of annual failure for industry associated trials is significantly lower compared with non-industry associated trials. This bias may have significant implications on tooth extraction decision making, research on tooth preservation, and governmental health care policies
Different steady states for spin currents in noncollinear multilayers
We find there are at least two different steady states for transport across
noncollinear magnetic multilayers. In the conventional one there is a
discontinuity in the spin current across the interfaces which has been
identified as the source of current induced magnetic reversal; in the one
advocated herein the spin torque arises from the spin accumulation transverse
to the magnetization of a magnetic layer. These two states have quite different
attributes which should be discerned by current experiments.Comment: 8 pages, no figure. Accepted for publication in Journal of Physics:
Condensed Matte
Finite-element theory of transport in ferromagnet-normal metal systems
We formulate a theory of spin dependent transport of an electronic circuit
involving ferromagnetic elements with non-collinear magnetizations which is
based on the conservation of spin and charge current. The theory considerably
simplifies the calculation of the transport properties of complicated
ferromagnet-normal metal systems. We illustrate the theory by considering a
novel three terminal device.Comment: revised paper, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. Let
Spin-accumulation in small ferromagnetic double barrier junctions
The non-equilibrium spin accumulation in ferromagnetic double barrier
junctions is shown to govern the transport in small structures. Transport
properties of such systems are described by a generalization of the theory of
the Coulomb blockade. The spin accumulation enhances the magnetoresistance. The
transient non-linear transport properties are predicted to provide a unique
experimental evidence of the spin-accumulation in the form of a reversed
current on time scales of the order of the spin-flip relaxation time.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, to appear in PR
Spin Precession and Oscillations in Mesoscopic Systems
We compare and contrast magneto-transport oscillations in the fully quantum
(single-electron coherent) and classical limits for a simple but illustrative
model. In particular, we study the induced magnetization and spin current in a
two-terminal double-barrier structure with an applied Zeeman field between the
barriers and spin disequilibrium in the contacts. Classically, the spin current
shows strong tunneling resonances due to spin precession in the region between
the two barriers. However, these oscillations are distinguishable from those in
the fully coherent case, for which a proper treatment of the electron phase is
required. We explain the differences in terms of the presence or absence of
coherent multiple wave reflections.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figure
Spin accumulation induced resistance in mesoscopic ferromagnet/ superconductor junctions
We present a description of spin-polarized transport in mesoscopic
ferromagnet-superconductor (F/S) systems, where the transport is diffusive, and
the interfaces are transparent. It is shown that the spin reversal associated
with Andreev reflection generates an excess spin density close to the F/S
interface, which leads to a spin contact resistance. Expressions for the
contact resistance are given for two terminal and four terminal geometries. In
the latter the sign depends on the relative magnetization of the ferromagnetic
electrodes.Comment: RevTeX 10 pages, 4 figures, submitted to Phys.Rev. Let
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