211 research outputs found
Continuous stochastic Schrodinger equations and localization
The set of continuous norm-preserving stochastic Schrodinger equations
associated with the Lindblad master equation is introduced. This set is used to
describe the localization properties of the state vector toward eigenstates of
the environment operator. Particular focus is placed on determining the
stochastic equation which exhibits the highest rate of localization for wide
open systems. An equation having such a property is proposed in the case of a
single non-hermitian environment operator. This result is relevant to numerical
simulations of quantum trajectories where localization properties are used to
reduce the number of basis states needed to represent the system state, and
thereby increase the speed of calculation.Comment: 18 pages in LaTeX + 6 figures (postscript), uses ioplppt.sty. To
appear in J. Phys.
Quantum chaos in open systems: a quantum state diffusion analysis
Except for the universe, all quantum systems are open, and according to
quantum state diffusion theory, many systems localize to wave packets in the
neighborhood of phase space points. This is due to decoherence from the
interaction with the environment, and makes the quasiclassical limit of such
systems both more realistic and simpler in many respects than the more familiar
quasiclassical limit for closed systems. A linearized version of this theory
leads to the correct classical dynamics in the macroscopic limit, even for
nonlinear and chaotic systems. We apply the theory to the forced, damped
Duffing oscillator, comparing the numerical results of the full and linearized
equations, and argue that this can be used to make explicit calculations in the
decoherent histories formalism of quantum mechanics.Comment: 18 pages standard LaTeX + 9 figures; extensively trimmed; to appear
in J. Phys.
The visible spectrum of zirconium dioxide, ZrO2
The electronic spectrum of a cold molecular beam of zirconium dioxide, ZrO2, has been investigated using laser induced fluorescence (LIF) in the region from 17 000 cm−1 to 18 800 cm−1 and by mass-resolved resonance enhanced multi-photon ionization (REMPI) spectroscopy from 17 000 cm−1–21 000 cm−1. The LIF and REMPI spectra are assigned to progressions in the ÃB21(ν1, ν2, ν3) ← X̃A11(0, 0, 0) transitions. Dispersed fluorescence from 13 bands was recorded and analyzed to produce harmonic vibrational parameters for the X̃A11 state of ω1 = 898(1) cm−1, ω2 = 287(2) cm−1, and ω3 = 808(3) cm−1. The observed transition frequencies of 45 bands in the LIF and REMPI spectra produce origin and harmonic vibrational parameters for the ÃB21 state of Te = 16 307(8) cm−1, ω1 = 819(3) cm−1, ω2 = 149(3) cm−1, and ω3 = 518(4) cm−1. The spectra were modeled using a normal coordinate analysis and Franck-Condon factor predictions. The structures, harmonic vibrational frequencies, and the potential energies as a function of bending angle for the ÃB21 and X̃A11 states are predicted using time-dependent density functional theory, complete active space self-consistent field, and related first-principle calculations. A comparison with isovalent TiO2 is made
Discovery of a TiO emission band in the infrared spectrum of the S star NP Aurigae
We report on the discovery of an infrared emission band in the Spitzer
spectrum of the S-type AGB star NP Aurigae that is caused by TiO molecules in
the circumstellar environment. We modelled the observed emission to derive the
temperature of the TiO molecules (\approx 600 K), an upper limit on the column
density (\approx 10^17.25 cm^{-2}) and a lower limit on the spatial extent of
the layer that contains these molecules. (\approx 4.6 stellar radii). This is
the first time that this TiO emission band is observed. A search for similar
emission features in the sample of S-type stars yielded two additional
candidates. However, owing to the additional dust emission, the identification
is less stringent. By comparing the stellar characteristics of NP Aur to those
of the other stars in our sample, we find that all stars with TiO emission show
large-amplitude pulsations, s-process enrichment, and a low C/O ratio. These
characteristics might be necessary requirements for a star to show TiO in
emission, but they are not sufficient.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, letter to the edito
Quantum trajectories for Brownian motion
We present the stochastic Schroedinger equation for the dynamics of a quantum
particle coupled to a high temperature environment and apply it the dynamics of
a driven, damped, nonlinear quantum oscillator. Apart from an initial slip on
the environmental memory time scale, in the mean, our result recovers the
solution of the known non-Lindblad quantum Brownian motion master equation. A
remarkable feature of our approach is its localization property: individual
quantum trajectories remain localized wave packets for all times, even for the
classically chaotic system considered here, the localization being stronger the
smaller .Comment: 4 pages, 3 eps figure
The Cardiac TBX5 Interactome Reveals a Chromatin Remodeling Network Essential for Cardiac Septation
Human mutations in the cardiac transcription factor gene TBX5 cause Congenital Heart Disease (CHD), however the underlying mechanism is unknown. We report characterization of the endogenous TBX5 cardiac interactome and demonstrate that TBX5, long considered a transcriptional activator, interacts biochemically and genetically with the Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylase (NuRD) repressor complex. Incompatible gene programs are repressed by TBX5 in the developing heart. CHD missense mutations that disrupt the TBX5-NuRD interaction cause depression of a subset of repressed genes. Furthermore, the TBX5-NuRD interaction is required for heart development. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the TBX5-NuRD interaction domain evolved during early diversification of vertebrates, simultaneous with the evolution of cardiac septation. Collectively, this work defines a TBX5-NuRD interaction essential to cardiac development and the evolution of the mammalian heart, and when altered may contribute to human CHD
Artificial reefs: from ecological processes to fishing enhancement tools
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Lack of association of the CIITA -168A→G promoter SNP with myasthenia gravis and its role in autoimmunity
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The major histocompatibility complex class II transactivator (CIITA) regulates MHC class II gene expression. A promoter SNP -168A→G (rs3087456) has previously been shown to be associated with susceptibility to several immune mediated disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple sclerosis (MS) and myocardial infarction (MI). Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder which has previously been shown to be associated with polymorphisms of several autoimmune predisposing genes, including <it>IL-1</it>, <it>PTPN22</it>, <it>TNF-α </it>and the <it>MHC</it>. In order to determine if allelic variants of rs3087456 increase predisposition to MG, we analyzed this SNP in our Swedish cohort of 446 MG patients and 1866 controls.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>No significant association of the SNP with MG was detected, neither in the patient group as a whole, nor in any clinical subgroup. The vast majority of previous replication studies have also not found an association of the SNP with autoimmune disorders.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We thus conclude that previous findings with regard to the role of the <it>CIITA </it>-168A→G SNP in autoimmunity may have to be reconsidered.</p
Identification of CIITA Regulated Genetic Module Dedicated for Antigen Presentation
The class II trans-activator CIITA is a transcriptional co-activator required for the expression of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) genes. Although the latter function is well established, the global target-gene specificity of CIITA had not been defined. We therefore generated a comprehensive list of its target genes by performing genome-wide scans employing four different approaches designed to identify promoters that are occupied by CIITA in two key antigen presenting cells, B cells and dendritic cells. Surprisingly, in addition to MHC genes, only nine new targets were identified and validated by extensive functional and expression analysis. Seven of these genes are known or likely to function in processes contributing to MHC-mediated antigen presentation. The remaining two are of unknown function. CIITA is thus uniquely dedicated for genes implicated in antigen presentation. The finding that CIITA regulates such a highly focused gene expression module sets it apart from all other transcription factors, for which large-scale binding-site mapping has indicated that they exert pleiotropic functions and regulate large numbers of genes
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