4,792 research outputs found
Surface patterning of carbon nanotubes can enhance their penetration through a phospholipid bilayer
Nanotube patterning may occur naturally upon the spontaneous self-assembly of
biomolecules onto the surface of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). It
results in periodically alternating bands of surface properties, ranging from
relatively hydrophilic to hydrophobic, along the axis of the nanotube. Single
Chain Mean Field (SCMF) theory has been used to estimate the free energy of
systems in which a surface patterned nanotube penetrates a phospholipid
bilayer. In contrast to un-patterned nanotubes with uniform surface properties,
certain patterned nanotubes have been identified that display a relatively low
and approximately constant system free energy (10 kT) as the nanotube traverses
through the bilayer. These observations support the hypothesis that the
spontaneous self-assembly of bio-molecules on the surface of SWNTs may
facilitate nanotube transduction through cell membranes.Comment: Published in ACS Nano http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/nn102763
Murchison Widefield Array and XMM-Newton observations of the Galactic supernova remnant G5.9+3.1
In this paper we discuss the radio continuum and X-ray properties of the
so-far poorly studied Galactic supernova remnant (SNR) G5.9+3.1. We present the
radio spectral energy distribution (SED) of the Galactic SNR G5.9+3.1 obtained
with the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA). Combining these new observations with
the surveys at other radio continuum frequencies, we discuss the integrated
radio continuum spectrum of this particular remnant. We have also analyzed an
archival XMM-Newton observation, which represents the first detection of X-ray
emission from this remnant. The SNR SED is very well explained by a simple
power-law relation. The synchrotron radio spectral index of G5.9+3.1, is
estimated to be 0.420.03 and the integrated flux density at 1GHz to be
around 2.7Jy. Furthermore, we propose that the identified point radio source,
located centrally inside the SNR shell, is most probably a compact remnant of
the supernova explosion. The shell-like X-ray morphology of G5.9+3.1 as
revealed by XMM-Newton broadly matches the spatial distribution of the radio
emission, where the radio-bright eastern and western rims are also readily
detected in the X-ray while the radio-weak northern and southern rims are weak
or absent in the X-ray. Extracted MOS1+MOS2+PN spectra from the whole SNR as
well as the north, east, and west rims of the SNR are fit successfully with an
optically thin thermal plasma model in collisional ionization equilibrium with
a column density N_H~0.80x cm and fitted temperatures spanning
the range kT~0.14-0.23keV for all of the regions. The derived electron number
densities n_e for the whole SNR and the rims are also roughly comparable
(ranging from ~ cm to ~ cm, where f
is the volume filling factor). We also estimate the swept-up mass of the X-ray
emitting plasma associated with G5.9+3.1 to be ~.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&
Intermediate-mass dilepton spectra and the role of secondary hadronic processes in heavy-ion collisions
We carry out a study of intermediate-mass (between 1 and 2.5 GeV) dilepton
spectra from hadronic interactions in heavy-ion collisions. The processes
considered are , , , , , and . The elementary cross sections for those are obtained
from chiral Lagrangians involving pseudoscalar, vector, and axial-vector
mesons. The respective electromagnetic form factors are determined by fitting
to experimental data for the reverse processes of . Based on
this input we calculate cross sections and thermal dilepton emission rates and
compare our results with those from other approaches. Finally we use these
elementary cross sections with a relativistic transport model and calculate
dilepton spectra in S+W collisions at SPS energies. The comparison of our
results with experimental data from the HELIOS-3 collaboration indicates the
importance of the secondary hadronic contributions to the intermediate-mass
dilepton spectra.Comment: 25 pages, including 20 postscript figure
Continuum Halos in Nearby Galaxies -- an EVLA Survey (CHANG-ES) -- II: First Results on NGC 4631
We present the first results from the CHANG-ES survey, a new survey of 35
edge-on galaxies to search for both in-disk as well as extra-planar radio
continuum emission. The motivation and science case for the survey are
presented in a companion paper (Paper I). In this paper (Paper II), we outline
the observations and data reduction steps required for wide-band calibration
and mapping of EVLA data, including polarization, based on C-array test
observations of NGC 4631.
With modest on-source observing times (30 minutes at 1.5 GHz and 75 minutes
at 6 GHz for the test data) we have achieved best rms noise levels of 22 and
3.5 Jy beam at 1.5 GHz and 6 GHz, respectively. New disk-halo
features have been detected, among them two at 1.5 GHz that appear as loops in
projection. We present the first 1.5 GHz spectral index map of NGC 4631 to be
formed from a single wide-band observation in a single array configuration.
This map represents tangent slopes to the intensities within the band centered
at 1.5 GHz, rather than fits across widely separated frequencies as has been
done in the past and is also the highest spatial resolution spectral index map
yet presented for this galaxy. The average spectral index in the disk is
indicating that the emission is
largely non-thermal, but a small global thermal contribution is sufficient to
explain a positive curvature term in the spectral index over the band. Two
specific star forming regions have spectral indices that are consistent with
thermal emission. Polarization results (uncorrected for internal Faraday
rotation) are consistent with previous observations and also reveal some new
features. On broad scales, we find strong support for the notion that magnetic
fields constrain the X-ray emitting hot gas.Comment: Accepted to the Astronomical Journal, Version 2 changes: Added
acknowledgement to NRA
Continuum Halos in Nearby Galaxies -- an EVLA Survey (CHANG-ES) -- I: Introduction to the Survey
We introduce a new survey to map the radio continuum halos of a sample of 35
edge-on spiral galaxies at 1.5 GHz and 6 GHz in all polarization products. The
survey is exploiting the new wide bandwidth capabilities of the Karl G. Jansky
Very Large Array (i.e. the Expanded Very Large Array, or EVLA) in a variety of
array configurations (B, C, and D) in order to compile the most comprehensive
data set yet obtained for the study of radio halo properties. This is the first
survey of radio halos to include all polarization products.
In this first paper, we outline the scientific motivation of the survey, the
specific science goals, and the expected improvements in noise levels and
spatial coverage from the survey. Our goals include investigating the physical
conditions and origin of halos, characterizing cosmic ray transport and wind
speed, measuring Faraday rotation and mapping the magnetic field, probing the
in-disk and extraplanar far-infrared - radio continuum relation, and
reconciling non-thermal radio emission with high-energy gamma-ray models. The
sample size allows us to search for correlations between radio halos and other
properties, including environment, star formation rate, and the presence of
AGNs. In a companion paper (Paper II) we outline the data reduction steps and
present the first results of the survey for the galaxy, NGC 4631.Comment: 17 pages, 1 figure, accepted to the Astronomical Journal, Version 2
changes: added acknowledgement to NRA
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‘Reflection is embedded in my brain forever now!’: personal development as a core module on an Executive MBA
Professional progression and skills development are the main expectations of mid-career managers when enrolling on an Executive MBA (EMBA), yet it can be personal development (PD) that turns out to be the unexpected benefit of management education. Joining a growing number of voices making a case for personal development and self-awareness in management education, and calling for schools to incorporate it in the curriculum, this paper advances the case for personal development as a core Executive MBA module. The paper sets out the holistic rationale and philosophic principles used to design and deliver a course underpinned by curiosity and self-reflection on an EMBA in the United Kingdom, and presents empirical findings from a survey conducted among 230 students and alumni. These suggest that the focus on reflective practice and integration of PD promotes a richer and deeper appreciation of the value of reflection for lasting and sometimes unexpected personal growth. In addition, the raising of awareness of self also brings awareness of others, and develops critical thinking in application of the MBA at work. The paper concludes with a discussion re-evaluating the subject of tacit knowledge in reflective practice
Measurement of the Inclusive Charm Cross Section at 4.03 GeV and 4.14 GeV
The cross section for charmed meson production at and 4.14
GeV has been measured with the Beijing Spectrometer. The measurement was made
using 22.3 of data collected at 4.03 GeV and 1.5
of data collected at 4.14 GeV. Inclusive observed cross sections for
the production of charged and neutral D mesons and momentum spectra are
presented. Observed cross sections were radiatively corrected to obtain tree
level cross sections. Measurements of the total hadronic cross section are
obtained from the charmed meson cross section and an extrapolation of results
from below the charm threshold.Comment: 11 pages, 13 figures. The top level tex file is paper.tex. It builds
the paper from other tex files in this .tar and the .eps file
Dilepton production in proton-proton collisions at BEVALAC energies
The dilepton production in elementary reactions at
BEVALAC energies GeV is investigated. The calculations
include direct decays of the vector mesons , , and , Dalitz decays of the -, -, -, -, and -mesons, and of the baryon resonances
. The subthreshold vector meson production cross sections in
collisions are treated in a way sufficient to avoid double counting with the
inclusive vector meson production. The vector meson dominance model for the
transition form factors of the resonance Dalitz decays is
used in an extended form to ensure correct asymptotics which are in agreement
with the quark counting rules. Such a modification gives an unified and
consistent description of both radiative decays and meson decays.
The effect of multiple pion production on the experimental efficiency for the
detection of the dilepton pairs is studied. We find the dilepton yield in
reasonable agreement with the experimental data for the set of intermediate
energies whereas at the highest energy GeV the number of
dilepton pairs is likely to be overestimated experimentally in the mass range
MeV.Comment: 25 pages (IOP style), 5 figures, revised manuscript accepted for
publication in JP
Transition of plasmodium sporozoites into liver stage-like forms is regulated by the RNA binding protein pumilio
Many eukaryotic developmental and cell fate decisions that are effected post-transcriptionally involve RNA binding proteins as regulators of translation of key mRNAs. In malaria parasites (Plasmodium spp.), the development of round, non-motile and replicating exo-erythrocytic liver stage forms from slender, motile and cell-cycle arrested sporozoites is believed to depend on environmental changes experienced during the transmission of the parasite from the mosquito vector to the vertebrate host. Here we identify a Plasmodium member of the RNA binding protein family PUF as a key regulator of this transformation. In the absence of Pumilio-2 (Puf2) sporozoites initiate EEF development inside mosquito salivary glands independently of the normal transmission-associated environmental cues. Puf2- sporozoites exhibit genome-wide transcriptional changes that result in loss of gliding motility, cell traversal ability and reduction in infectivity, and, moreover, trigger metamorphosis typical of early Plasmodium intra-hepatic development. These data demonstrate that Puf2 is a key player in regulating sporozoite developmental control, and imply that transformation of salivary gland-resident sporozoites into liver stage-like parasites is regulated by a post-transcriptional mechanism
Measurement of decays to baryon pairs
A sample of 3.95M decays registered in the BES detector are used
to study final states containing pairs of octet and decuplet baryons. We report
branching fractions for , ,
, ,
, ,
, and . These results
are compared to expectations based on the SU(3)-flavor symmetry, factorization,
and perturbative QCD.Comment: 22 pages, 21 figures, 4 table
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