821 research outputs found
Seismic Analysis as a Tool in the Design of Two Earth Dams
Two dynamic analysis studies of embankment dams are described. One dam is 43m high on alluvium, the other is 140m high on a rock foundation in a highly seismic area. The main emphasis is on the practical nature of the analytical methods and their value as design tools. The earthquake design features of both projects are described and the closing paragraphs attempt to draw attention to the main points to be considered when running an earthquake analysis of earth dams
Role of disclinations in determining the morphology of deformable fluid interfaces
We study the equilibrium shapes of vesicles, with an in-plane nematic order,
using a Monte-Carlo scheme and show that highly curved shapes, like tubes and
discs, with a striking similarity to the structures engendered by certain
curvature sensing peripheral membrane proteins, can be spontaneously generated
by anisotropic directional curvature with nematic disclinations playing and
important role. We show that the coupling between nematic order and local
curvature could lead to like defects moving towards each other and unlike
defects moving away, in turn leading to tube formation. Thermally induced
defect pair production lead to branched tubular structures. It is also shown
that helical arrangement of the membrane tubes, with nematic field spiraling
around it, is a dominant soft mode of the system.Comment: 6 Figures; Soft Matter, Advance Article 201
A geospatial model of nature-based recreation for urban planning: case study of Paris, France
Environmental Biolog
Effects of Fingolimod on MRI Outcomes in Patients with Pediatric Onset Multiple Sclerosis: Results from Phase 3 PARADIGMS Study
Maize yields over Europe may increase in spite of climate change, with an appropriate use of the genetic variability of flowering time
Projections based on invariant genotypes and agronomic practices indicate that climate change will largely decrease crop yields. The comparatively few studies considering farmersâ adaptation result in a diversity of impacts depending on their assumptions. We combined experiments and process-based modeling for analyzing the consequences of climate change on European maize yields if farmers made the best use of the current genetic variability of cycle duration, based on practices they currently use. We first showed that the genetic variability of maize flowering time is sufficient for identifying a cycle duration that maximizes yield in a range of European climatic conditions. This was observed in six field experiments with a panel of 121 accessions and extended to 59 European sites over 36 years with a crop model. The assumption that farmers use optimal cycle duration and sowing date was supported by comparison with historical data. Simulations were then carried out for 2050 with 3 million combinations of crop cycle durations, climate scenarios, management practices, and modeling hypotheses. Simulated grain production over Europe in 2050 was stable (â1 to +1%) compared with the 1975â2010 baseline period under the hypotheses of unchanged cycle duration, whereas it was increased (+4â7%) when crop cycle duration and sowing dates were optimized in each local environment. The combined effects of climate change and farmer adaptation reduced the yield gradient between south and north of Europe and increased European maize production if farmers continued to make the best use of the genetic variability of crop cycle duration
Theory of Cylindrical Tubules and Helical Ribbons of Chiral Lipid Membranes
We present a general theory for the equilibrium structure of cylindrical
tubules and helical ribbons of chiral lipid membranes. This theory is based on
a continuum elastic free energy that permits variations in the direction of
molecular tilt and in the curvature of the membrane. The theory shows that the
formation of tubules and helical ribbons is driven by the chirality of the
membrane. Tubules have a first-order transition from a uniform state to a
helically modulated state, with periodic stripes in the tilt direction and
ripples in the curvature. Helical ribbons can be stable structures, or they can
be unstable intermediate states in the formation of tubules.Comment: 43 pages, including 12 postscript figures, uses REVTeX 3.0 and
epsf.st
Identification of orthologous regions associated with tissue growth under water-limited conditions
Plant recovery from early season drought is related to the amount of biomass retained during stress and biomass production after the end of stress. Reduction in leaf expansion is one of the first responses to water deficit. It is assumed that the control of tissue development under water deficit contributes to traits such as early vigor, as well as maintenance of growth of reproductive organs. To dissect the underlying mechanisms controlling tissue expansion under water-limited conditions, we used a multilevel approach combining quantitative genetics and genomics.
To identify orthologous genetic regions controlling tissue growth under water-limited conditions a series of QTL mapping and microarray gene expression studies were conducted in rice and maize. Results of differentially expressed genes from microarray experiments, QTLs and candidate genes related to growth in the different species are compared on consensus maps (within species) and then on synteny maps (between species), to identify common genetic regions between rice and maize
Non-monotonic variation with salt concentration of the second virial coefficient in protein solutions
The osmotic virial coefficient of globular protein solutions is
calculated as a function of added salt concentration at fixed pH by computer
simulations of the ``primitive model''. The salt and counter-ions as well as a
discrete charge pattern on the protein surface are explicitly incorporated. For
parameters roughly corresponding to lysozyme, we find that first
decreases with added salt concentration up to a threshold concentration, then
increases to a maximum, and then decreases again upon further raising the ionic
strength. Our studies demonstrate that the existence of a discrete charge
pattern on the protein surface profoundly influences the effective interactions
and that non-linear Poisson Boltzmann and Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek
(DLVO) theory fail for large ionic strength. The observed non-monotonicity of
is compared to experiments. Implications for protein crystallization are
discussed.Comment: 43 pages, including 17 figure
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