780 research outputs found
Finite lifetime eigenfunctions of coupled systems of harmonic oscillators
We find a Hermite-type basis for which the eigenvalue problem associated to
the operator acting on becomes a three-terms recurrence. Here and are two constant
positive definite matrices with no other restriction. Our main result provides
an explicit characterization of the eigenvectors of that lie in the
span of the first four elements of this basis when .Comment: 11 pages, 1 figure. Some typos where corrected in this new versio
Markov Process of Muscle Motors
We study a Markov random process describing a muscle molecular motor
behavior. Every motor is either bound up with a thin filament or unbound. In
the bound state the motor creates a force proportional to its displacement from
the neutral position. In both states the motor spend an exponential time
depending on the state. The thin filament moves at its velocity proportional to
average of all displacements of all motors. We assume that the time which a
motor stays at the bound state does not depend on its displacement. Then one
can find an exact solution of a non-linear equation appearing in the limit of
infinite number of the motors.Comment: 10 page
Structured Optical Materials Controlled by Light
Materials of which the optical response is determined by their structure are
of much interest both for their fundamental properties and applications.
Examples range from simple gratings to photonic crystals. Obtaining control
over the optical properties is of crucial importance in this context, and it is
often attempted by electro-optical effect or by using magnetic fields. In this
paper, we introduce the use of light to switch and tune the optical response of
a structured material, exploiting a physical deformation induced by light
itself. In this new strategy, light drives an elastic reshaping, which leads to
different spectral properties and hence to a change in the optical response.
This is made possible by the use of liquid crystalline networks structured by
Direct Laser Writing. As a proof of concept, a grating structure with
sub-millisecond time-response is demonstrated for optical beam steering
exploiting an optically induced reversible shape-change. Experimental
observations are combined with finite-element modeling to understand the
actuation process dynamics and to obtain information on how to tune the time
and the power response of this technology. This optical beam steerer serves as
an example for achieving full optical control of light in broad range of
structured optical materials
The extended structure of the remote cluster B514 in M31. Detection of extra-tidal stars
We present a study of the density profile of the remote M31 globular cluster
B514, obtained from HST/ACS observations. Coupling the analysis of the
distribution of the integrated light with star counts we can reliably follow
the profile of the cluster out to r~35", corresponding to ~130pc. The profile
is well fitted, out to ~15 core radii, by a King Model having C=1.65. With an
estimated core radius r_c=0.38", this corresponds to a tidal radius of r_t~17"
(~65pc). We find that both the light and the star counts profiles show a
departure from the best fit King model for r>~8" - as a surface brightness
excess at large radii, and the star counts profile shows a clear break in
correspondence of the estimated tidal radius. Both features are interpreted as
the signature of the presence of extratidal stars around the cluster. We also
show that B514 has a half-light radius significantly larger than ordinary
globular clusters of the same luminosity. In the M_V vs. log r_h plane, B514
lies in a region inhabited by peculiar clusters, like Omega Cen, G1, NGC2419
and others, as well as by the nuclei of dwarf elliptical galaxies.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomy &
Astrophysic
Photonic artificial muscles: From micro robots to tissue engineering
Light responsive shape-changing polymers are able to mimic the function of biological muscles accomplishing mechanical work in response to selected stimuli. A variety of manufacturing techniques and chemical processes can be employed to shape these materials to different length scales, from centimeter fibers and films to 3D printed micrometric objects trying to replicate biological functions and operations. Controlled deformations shown to mimick basic animal operations such as walking, swimming or grabbing objects, while also controlling the refractive index and the geometry of devices, opens up the potential to implement tunable optical properties. Another possibility is that of combining artificial polymers with cells or biological tissue (such as intact cardiac trabeculae) with the aim to improve tissue formation in vitro or to support the mechanical function of damaged biological muscles. Such versatility is afforded by chemistry. New customized liquid crystalline monomers are presented here that modulate material properties for different applications. The role of synthetic material composition is highlighted as we demonstrate how using apparently similar molecular formulations, that liquid crystalline polymers can be adapted to different technological and medical challenges
Seeing deconvolution of globular clusters in M31
Seeing deconvolution of surface-brightness profiles using the regularized multi-Gaussian method is potentially a powerful method for extraction of morphological information from digital images. Here we illustrate this method by applying it to CCD images of six globular clusters in M31. We demonstrate that it is possible to make some judgments about the dynamical structure of M31 globulars, using good-seeing, deconvolved CCD images obtained from the ground; for example, whether they have post-core-collapse morphology or not. The effective resolution limit of the method is about 0.1-0.3 arcsec, for the CCD images obtained in FWHM ≃ 1 arcsec seeing, and sampling of 0.3 arcsec/pixel. We also demonstrate the robustness of the method, i.e., its insensivity to the exact choices of the functional representation of the point-spread function, details of the deconvolution technique, etc. The situation is equivalent in terms of angular resolution and sampling to observing globular clusters in the Virgo Cluster (e.g., around M87) with the Hubble Space Telescope, and the methods demonstrated here may be applied to HST data in the future. Dynamical structure of globular clusters, e.g., propensity for the post-core-collapse morphology as a function of position in the host galaxy, reflects the global dynamical evolution of a globular cluster system, as was already demonstrated for our galaxy. Similar studies of large samples of globulars in M31 and other Local Group galaxies from the ground, and out to Virgo with the HST, can provide valuable insights about the mass distribution in galaxies, and the formation and evolution of their globular cluster systems. This pilot study is a step in this direction
Correlations of Globular Cluster Properties: Their Interpretations and Uses
Correlations among the independently measured physical properties of globular
clusters (GCs) can provide powerful tests for theoretical models and new
insights into their dynamics, formation, and evolution. We review briefly some
of the previous work, and present preliminary results from a comparative study
of GC correlations in the Local Group galaxies. The results so far indicate
that these diverse GC systems follow the same fundamental correlations,
suggesting a commonality of formative and evolutionary processes which produce
them.Comment: An invited review, to appear in "New Horizons in Globular Cluster
Astronomy", eds. G. Piotto, G. Meylan, S.G. Djorgovski, and M. Riello, ASPCS,
in press (2003). Latex file, 8 pages, 5 eps figures, style files include
L’ectopia tiroidea: problemi di diagnosi e terapia
Gli Autori analizzando la casistica di tireopatie operate in circa un ventennio (2.670) riportano i casi di ectopia tiroidea (22) giunti alla loro osservazione, discutendone le caratteristiche cliniche nonché l’approccio diagnostico e terapeutico. Talora asintomatica, talora emersa clinicamente solo a seguito di tiroidectomia, l’ectopia tiroidea può creare problemi sia di funzione sia, più frequentemente, locali da compressione che richiedono il trattamento chirurgico, sempre indicato a loro parere anche in forme asintomatiche. Seppur rara, infatti, non può essere trascurata l’ipotesi della degenerazione neoplastica, intercorsa in due casi nella loro esperienza
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