1,656 research outputs found
Nonlinear Relaxation Dynamics in Elastic Networks and Design Principles of Molecular Machines
Analyzing nonlinear conformational relaxation dynamics in elastic networks
corresponding to two classical motor proteins, we find that they respond by
well-defined internal mechanical motions to various initial deformations and
that these motions are robust against external perturbations. We show that this
behavior is not characteristic for random elastic networks. However, special
network architectures with such properties can be designed by evolutionary
optimization methods. Using them, an example of an artificial elastic network,
operating as a cyclic machine powered by ligand binding, is constructed.Comment: 12 pages, 9 figure
Effect of bonding of a CO molecule on the conductance of atomic metal wires
We have measured the effect of bonding of a CO molecule on the conductance of
Au, Cu, Pt, and Ni atomic contacts at 4.2 K. When CO gas is admitted to the
metal nano contacts, a conductance feature appears in the conductance histogram
near 0.5 of the quantum unit of conductance, for all metals. For Au, the
intensity of this fractional conductance feature can be tuned with the bias
voltage, and it disappears at high bias voltage (above 200 mV). The
bonding of CO to Au appears to be weakest, and associated with monotomic Au
wire formation.Comment: 6 figure
Fluid inclusions in an osumilite-bearing granulite from Bunt Island in the Archean Napier Complex, East Antarctica: implications for a decompressional P-T path?
We report high-density CO_2-rich fluid inclusions in garnet,orthopyroxene,and quartz from an osumilite-bearing aluminous granulite from Bunt Island of the Archean Napier Complex,East Antarctica.The melting temperatures of fluids lie in the range of -56.8 to -57.8ã‚œC being close to the triple point for pure CO_2 (-56.6ã‚œC ). Homogenization of the CO_2,-rich fluids into the liquid phase occurs at temperatures in the range of -35.4 to 24.7ã‚œC. This translates into CO_2 densities in the range of 0.788-1.084g/cm^3 .The estimated CO_2 ,isochore for high-density inclusions in garnet intersects the P-T trajectory of Bunt Island at around 10 kbar at 1050ã‚œC, which corresponds to the peak metamorphic conditions of the region derived from mineral phase equilibria.We therefore infer that CO_2 ,was the dominant fluid species present during the ultrahigh-temperature metamorphism in Bunt Island.CO_2 inclusions with lower density occurring in quartz and garnet provide isochores that intersect the P-T path at <7 kbar and <950ã‚œC indicating density reversal of originally high-density inclusions along a decompressional exhumation path of the ultrahigh-temperature rocks in the Bunt Island
Occurrence of mylonite zones and pseudotachylyte veins around the base of the upper crust: An example from the southern Hidaka metamorphic belt, Samani area, Hokkaido, Japan
Magnetoelectric effect due to local noncentrosymmetry
Magnetoelectrics often possess ions located in noncentrosymmetric
surroundings. Based on this fact we suggest a microscopic model of
magnetoelectric interaction and show that the spin-orbit coupling leads to
spin-dependent electric dipole moments of the electron orbitals of these ions,
which results in non-vanishing polarization for certain spin configurations.
The approach accounts for the macroscopic symmetry of the unit cell and is
valid both for commensurate and complex incommensurate magnetic structures. The
model is illustrated by the examples of MnWO4, MnPS3 and LiNiPO4. Application
to other magnetoelectrics is discussed.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figures, 2 table
Abnormal expression of p27kip1 protein in levator ani muscle of aging women with pelvic floor disorders – a relationship to the cellular differentiation and degeneration
BACKGROUND: Pelvic floor disorders affect almost 50% of aging women. An important role in the pelvic floor support belongs to the levator ani muscle. The p27/kip1 (p27) protein, multifunctional cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, shows changing expression in differentiating skeletal muscle cells during development, and relatively high levels of p27 RNA were detected in the normal human skeletal muscles. METHODS: Biopsy samples of levator ani muscle were obtained from 22 symptomatic patients with stress urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and overlaps (age range 38–74), and nine asymptomatic women (age 31–49). Cryostat sections were investigated for p27 protein expression and type I (slow twitch) and type II (fast twitch) fibers. RESULTS: All fibers exhibited strong plasma membrane (and nuclear) p27 protein expression. cytoplasmic p27 expression was virtually absent in asymptomatic women. In perimenopausal symptomatic patients (ages 38–55), muscle fibers showed hypertrophy and moderate cytoplasmic p27 staining accompanied by diminution of type II fibers. Older symptomatic patients (ages 57–74) showed cytoplasmic p27 overexpression accompanied by shrinking, cytoplasmic vacuolization and fragmentation of muscle cells. The plasma membrane and cytoplasmic p27 expression was not unique to the muscle cells. Under certain circumstances, it was also detected in other cell types (epithelium of ectocervix and luteal cells). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report on the unusual (plasma membrane and cytoplasmic) expression of p27 protein in normal and abnormal human striated muscle cells in vivo. Our data indicate that pelvic floor disorders are in perimenopausal patients associated with an appearance of moderate cytoplasmic p27 expression, accompanying hypertrophy and transition of type II into type I fibers. The patients in advanced postmenopause show shrinking and fragmentation of muscle fibers associated with strong cytoplasmic p27 expression
Frozen steady states in active systems
Even simple active systems can show a plethora of intriguing phenomena and
often we find complexity were we would have expected simplicity. One striking
example is the occurrence of a quiescent or absorbing state with frozen
fluctuations that at first sight seems to be impossible for active matter
driven by the incessant input of energy. While such states were reported for
externally driven systems through macroscopic shear or agitation, the
investigation of frozen active states in inherently active systems like
cytoskeletal suspensions or active gels is still at large. Using high density
motility assay experiments, we demonstrate that frozen steady states can arise
in active systems if active transport is coupled to growth processes. The
experiments are complemented by agent-based simulations which identify the
coupling between self-organization, growth and mechanical properties to be
responsible for the pattern formation process
Effects of antenatal betamethasone on preterm human and mouse ductus arteriosus: comparison with baboon data.
BackgroundAlthough studies involving preterm infants ≤34 weeks gestation report a decreased incidence of patent ductus arteriosus after antenatal betamethasone, studies involving younger gestation infants report conflicting results.MethodsWe used preterm baboons, mice, and humans (≤276/7 weeks gestation) to examine betamethasone's effects on ductus gene expression and constriction both in vitro and in vivo.ResultsIn mice, betamethasone increased the sensitivity of the premature ductus to the contractile effects of oxygen without altering the effects of other contractile or vasodilatory stimuli. Betamethasone's effects on oxygen sensitivity could be eliminated by inhibiting endogenous prostaglandin/nitric oxide signaling. In mice and baboons, betamethasone increased the expression of several developmentally regulated genes that mediate oxygen-induced constriction (K+ channels) and inhibit vasodilator signaling (phosphodiesterases). In human infants, betamethasone increased the rate of ductus constriction at all gestational ages. However, in infants born ≤256/7 weeks gestation, betamethasone's contractile effects were only apparent when prostaglandin signaling was inhibited, whereas at 26-27 weeks gestation, betamethasone's contractile effects were apparent even in the absence of prostaglandin inhibitors.ConclusionsWe speculate that betamethasone's contractile effects may be mediated through genes that are developmentally regulated. This could explain why betamethasone's effects vary according to the infant's developmental age at birth
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