Flows on Graphs with Random Capacities

We investigate flows on graphs whose links have random capacities. For binary trees we derive the probability distribution for the maximal flow from the root to a leaf, and show that for infinite trees it vanishes beyond a certain threshold that depends on the distribution of capacities. We then examine the maximal total flux from the root to the leaves. Our methods generalize to simple graphs with loops, e.g., to hierarchical lattices and to complete graphs.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figure

Nanomechanical displacement detection using coherent transport in ordered and disordered graphene nanoribbon resonators

Graphene nanoribbons provide an opportunity to integrate phase-coherent transport phenomena with nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS). Due to the strain induced by a deflection in a graphene nanoribbon resonator, coherent electron transport and mechanical deformations couple. As the electrons in graphene have a Fermi wavelength \lambda ~ a_0 = 1.4 {\AA}, this coupling can be used for sensitive displacement detection in both armchair and zigzag graphene nanoribbon NEMS. Here it is shown that for ordered as well as disordered ribbon systems of length L, a strain \epsilon ~ (w/L)^2 due to a deflection w leads to a relative change in conductance \delta G/G ~ (w^2/a_0L).Comment: 4 Pages, 4 figure

Development of a Multiple-Locus Variable number of tandem repeat Analysis (MLVA) for Leptospira interrogans and its application to Leptospira interrogans serovar Australis isolates from Far North Queensland, Australia

BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the genus, Leptospira. Leptospira interrogans is the most common genomospecies implicated in the disease. Epidemiological investigations are needed to distinguish outbreak situations or to trace reservoirs of the organisms. Current methodologies used for typing Leptospira have significant drawbacks. The development of an easy to perform yet high resolution method is needed for this organism. METHODS: In this study we have searched the available genomic sequence of L. interrogans serovar Copenhageni strain Fiocruz L1-130 for the presence of tandem repeats [1]. These repeats were evaluated against reference strains for diversity. Six loci were selected to create a Multiple Locus Variable Number of Tandem Repeats (VNTR) Analysis (MLVA) to explore the genetic diversity within L. interrogans serovar Australis clinical isolates from Far North Queensland. RESULTS: The 39 reference strains used for the development of the method displayed 39 distinct patterns. Diversity Indexes for the loci varied between 0.80 and 0.93 and the number of repeat units at each locus varied between less than one to 52 repeats. When the MLVA was applied to serovar Australis isolates three large clusters were distinguishable, each comprising various hosts including Rattus species, human and canines. CONCLUSION: The MLVA described in this report, was easy to perform, analyse and was reproducible. The loci selected had high diversity allowing discrimination between serovars and also between strains within a serovar. This method provides a starting point on which improvements to the method and comparisons to other techniques can be made

Identification of pathogenic Leptospira species by conventional or real-time PCR and sequencing of the DNA gyrase subunit B encoding gene

BACKGROUND: Leptospira is the causative genus of the disease, leptospirosis. Species identification of pathogenic Leptospira in the past was generally performed by either DNA-DNA hybridisation or 16s rRNA gene sequencing. Both methods have inherent disadvantages such as the need for radio-labelled isotopes or significant homology between species. A conventional and real-time PCR amplification and sequencing method was developed for an alternate gene target: DNA gyrase subunit B (gyrB). Phylogenetic comparisons were undertaken between pathogenic Leptospira 16srRNA and gyrB genes using clustering and minimum evolution analysis. In addition 50 unidentified Leptospira isolates were characterised by gyrB sequencing and compared with conventional 16s rRNA sequencing. RESULTS: A conventional and real-time PCR methodology was developed and optimised for the amplification of the gyrB from pathogenic Leptospira species. Non pathogenic and opportunistic Leptospira species such as L. fainei and L. broomi were not amplified. The gyrB gene shows greater nucleotide divergence (3.5% to 16.1%) than the 16s rRNA gene (0.1% to 1.4%). Minimum evolution analysis reveals that the gyrB has a different evolution topology for L. kirschneri and L. interrogans. When the two genes were compared for the identification of the 50 unknown isolates there was 100% agreement in the results. CONCLUSION: This research has successfully developed a methodology for the identification of pathogenic Leptospira using an alternate gene to 16s rRNA. The gyrB encoding gene shows higher nucleotide/evolutionary divergence allowing for superior identification and also the potential for the development of DNA probe based identification

Modelling background charge rearrangements near single-electron transistors as a Poisson process

Background charge rearrangements in metallic single-electron transistors are modelled in two-level tunnelling systems as a Poisson process with a scale parameter as only variable. The model explains the recent observation of asymmetric Coulomb blockade peak spacing distributions in metallic single-electron transistors. From the scale parameter we estimate the average size of the tunnelling systems, their density of states, and the height of their energy barrier. We conclude that the observed background charge rearrangements predominantly take place in the substrate of the single-electron transistor.Comment: 7 pages, 2 eps figures, used epl.cls macro include

Ion exchange phase transitions in "doped" water--filled channels

Ion transport through narrow water--filled channels is impeded by a high electrostatic barrier. The latter originates from the large ratio of the dielectric constants of the water and a surrounding media. We show that ``doping'', i.e. immobile charges attached to the walls of the channel, substantially reduces the barrier. This explains why most of the biological ion channels are ``doped''. We show that at rather generic conditions the channels may undergo ion exchange phase transitions (typically of the first order). Upon such a transition a finite latent concentration of ions may either enter or leave the channel, or be exchanged between the ions of different valences. We discuss possible implications of these transitions for the Ca-vs.-Na selectivity of biological Ca channels. We also show that transport of divalent Ca ions is assisted by their fractionalization into two separate excitations.Comment: 16 pages, 27 figure

Flying foxes as carriers of pathogenic leptospira species

Recent serologic studies have identified flying foxes (Pteropus spp.) as carriers of leptospirosis; however, little is known about the role of flying foxes as carriers of pathogenic Leptospira. spp. To determine if Australian Pteropus spp. are carriers of pathogenic Leptospira spp., TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect leptospiral DNA in kidney and urine specimens from four species of flying fox including the spectacled flying fox (Pteropus conspicillatus), black flying fox (Pteropus alecto), grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus), and little red flying 6 (Pteropus scapulatus). Of the 173 kidney samples tested, 19 (11%) were positive for leptospiral DNA. Positive individuals were detected in all four species; significant differences in prevalence were not detected between species, between species within the same geographic area, or between geographically separated samples from the same species. Of the 46 urine samples tested, 18 (39%) tested positive by PCR, confirming that flying foxes shed leptospires into the environment. The detection of leptospiral DNA in the kidneys and urine of flying foxes suggests that flying foxes are carriers of pathogenic Leptospira. spp. No evidence collected in the present study, however, suggests that flying foxes pose a significant risk of leptospirosis to the wider community or, that humans who are in regular, close contact with flying foxes are at risk for leptospirosis

Control of the Casimir force by the modification of dielectric properties with light

The experimental demonstration of the modification of the Casimir force between a gold coated sphere and a single-crystal Si membrane by light pulses is performed. The specially designed and fabricated Si membrane was irradiated with 514 nm laser pulses of 5 ms width in high vacuum leading to a change of the charge-carrier density. The difference in the Casimir force in the presence and in the absence of laser radiation was measured by means of an atomic force microscope as a function of separation at different powers of the absorbed light. The total experimental error of the measured force differences at a separation of 100 nm varies from 10 to 20% in different measurements. The experimental results are compared with theoretical computations using the Lifshitz theory at both zero and laboratory temperatures. The total theoretical error determined mostly by the uncertainty in the concentration of charge carriers when the light is incident is found to be about 14% at separations less than 140 nm. The experimental data are consistent with the Lifshitz theory at laboratory temperature, if the static dielectric permittivity of high-resistivity Si in the absence of light is assumed to be finite. If the dc conductivity of high-resistivity Si in the absence of light is included into the model of dielectric response, the Lifshitz theory at nonzero temperature is shown to be experimentally inconsistent at 95% confidence. The demonstrated phenomenon of the modification of the Casimir force through a change of the charge-carrier density is topical for applications of the Lifshitz theory to real materials in fields ranging from nanotechnology and condensed matter physics to the theory of fundamental interactions.Comment: 30 pages, 10 figures, 2 table

Electrostatics of Edge States of Quantum Hall Systems with Constrictions: Metal--Insulator Transition Tuned by External Gates

The nature of a metal--insulator transition tuned by external gates in quantum Hall (QH) systems with point constrictions at integer bulk filling, as reported in recent experiments of Roddaro et al. [1], is addressed. We are particularly concerned here with the insulating behavior--the phenomena of backscattering enhancement induced at high gate voltages. Electrostatics calculations for QH systems with split gates performed here show that observations are not a consequence of interedge interactions near the point contact. We attribute the phenomena of backscattering enhancement to a splitting of the integer edge into conducting and insulating stripes, which enable the occurrence of the more relevant backscattering processes of fractionally charged quasiparticles at the point contact. For the values of the parameters used in the experiments we find that the conducting channels are widely separated by the insulating stripes and that their presence alters significantly the low-energy dynamics of the edges. Interchannel impurity scattering does not influence strongly the tunneling exponents as they are found to be irrelevant processes at low energies. Exponents of backscattering at the point contact are unaffected by interchannel Coulomb interactions since all channels have same chirality of propagation.Comment: 19 pages; To appear in Phys. Rev.