194 research outputs found
Remodeling of Fibrous Extracellular Matrices by Contractile Cells: Predictions from Discrete Fiber Network Simulations
Contractile forces exerted on the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM) lead
to the alignment and stretching of constituent fibers within the vicinity of
cells. As a consequence, the matrix reorganizes to form thick bundles of
aligned fibers that enable force transmission over distances larger than the
size of the cells. Contractile force-mediated remodeling of ECM fibers has
bearing on a number of physiologic and pathophysiologic phenomena. In this
work, we present a computational model to capture cell-mediated remodeling
within fibrous matrices using finite element based discrete fiber network
simulations. The model is shown to accurately capture collagen alignment,
heterogeneous deformations, and long-range force transmission observed
experimentally. The zone of mechanical influence surrounding a single
contractile cell and the interaction between two cells are predicted from the
strain-induced alignment of fibers. Through parametric studies, the effect of
cell contractility and cell shape anisotropy on matrix remodeling and force
transmission are quantified and summarized in a phase diagram. For highly
contractile and elongated cells, we find a sensing distance that is ten times
the cell size, in agreement with experimental observations.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Biophysical Journa
Overcoming Postcommunist Labour Weakness: Attritional and Enabling Effects of MNCs in Central and Eastern Europe
Based on micro-level analysis of the developments in the steel sector in Poland, Romania and Slovakia, this paper examines the effects of multinational corporations (MNCs) on labour unions in Central and Eastern Europe. It makes a three-fold argument. First, it shows that union weakness can be attributed to unions’ strategies during the restructuring and privatization processes of postcommunist transition. Consequently, tactics used for union regeneration in the West are less applicable to CEE. Rather, the overcoming of postcommunist legacy is linked to the power of transnational capital. Through attritional and enabling effects, ownership by MNCs forces the unions to focus their efforts on articulating workers’ interests. The paper examines the emerging system of industrial relations in the sector and explores the development of the capabilities needed to overcome postcommunist legacies
The pre-WDVV ring of physics and its topology
We show how a simplicial complex arising from the WDVV
(Witten-Dijkgraaf-Verlinde-Verlinde) equations of string theory is the
Whitehouse complex. Using discrete Morse theory, we give an elementary proof
that the Whitehouse complex is homotopy equivalent to a wedge of
spheres of dimension . We also verify the Cohen-Macaulay
property. Additionally, recurrences are given for the face enumeration of the
complex and the Hilbert series of the associated pre-WDVV ring.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figures, 2 table
Critical Behavior of the Conductivity of Si:P at the Metal-Insulator Transition under Uniaxial Stress
We report new measurements of the electrical conductivity sigma of the
canonical three-dimensional metal-insulator system Si:P under uniaxial stress
S. The zero-temperature extrapolation of sigma(S,T -> 0) ~\S - S_c\^mu shows an
unprecidentedly sharp onset of finite conductivity at S_c with an exponent mu =
1. The value of mu differs significantly from that of earlier stress-tuning
results. Our data show dynamical sigma(S,T) scaling on both metallic and
insulating sides, viz. sigma(S,T) = sigma_c(T) F(\S - S_cT^y) where sigma_c(T)
is the conductivity at the critical stress S_c. We find y = 1/znu = 0.34 where
nu is the correlation-length exponent and z the dynamic critical exponent.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure
Unconventional Pairing in Heavy Fermion Metals
The Fermi-liquid theory of superconductivity is applicable to a broad range
of systems that are candidates for unconventional pairing. Fundamental
differences between unconventional and conventional anisotropic superconductors
are illustrated by the unique effects that impurities have on the
low-temperature transport properties of unconventional superconductors. For
special classes of unconventional superconductors the low-temperature transport
coefficients are {\it universal}, i.e. independent of the impurity
concentration and scattering phase shift. The existence of a universal limit
depends on the symmetry of the order parameter and is achieved at low
temperatures , where is the bandwidth
of the impurity induced Andreev bound states. In the case of UPt thermal
conductivity measurements favor an or ground state.
Measurements at ultra-low temperatures should distinguish different pairing
states.Comment: 8 pages in a LaTex (3.0) file plus 5 Figures in PostScript. To appear
in the Proceedings of the XXI International Conference on Low Temperature
Physics held in Prague, 8-14 August 199
Influence of a magnetic field on the antiferromagnetic order in UPt_3
A neutron diffraction experiment was performed to investigate the effect of a
magnetic field on the antiferromagnetic order in the heavy fermion
superconductor UPt_3. Our results show that a field in the basal plane of up to
3.2 Tesla, higher than H_c2(0), has no effect: it can neither select a domain
nor rotate the moment. This has a direct impact on current theories for the
superconducting phase diagram based on a coupling to the magnetic order.Comment: 7 pages, RevTeX, 3 postscript figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.
model of superconducting UPt
The phase diagram of superconducting UPt is explained in a
Ginzburg-Landau theory starting from the hypothesis that the order parameter is
a pseudo-spin singlet which transforms according to the representation
of the point group. We show how to compute the positions of the phase
boundaries both when the applied field is in the basal plane and when it is
along the c-axis. The experimental phase diagrams as determined by longitudinal
sound velocity data can be fit using a single set of parameters. In particular
the crossing of the upper critical field curves for the two field directions
and the apparent isotropy of the phase diagram are reproduced. The former is a
result of the magnetic properties of UPt and their contribution to the free
energy in the superconducting state. The latter is a consequence of an
approximate particle-hole symmetry. Finally we extend the theory to finite
pressure and show that, in contrast to other models, the model
explains the observed pressure dependence of the phase boundaries.Comment: RevTex, 29 pages, 18 PostScript figures in a uuencoded, gzipped tar
file. PostScript version of paper, tar file of PostScript figures and
individual PostScript figures are also available via anonymous ftp at
ftp://nym.physics.wisc.edu/anonymou/papers/upt3
Magnetic Field Effects on Neutron Diffraction in the Antiferromagnetic Phase of
We discuss possible magnetic structures in UPt based on our analysis of
elastic neutron-scattering experiments in high magnetic fields at temperatures
. The existing experimental data can be explained by a single-{\bf q}
antiferromagnetic structure with three independent domains. For modest in-plane
spin-orbit interactions, the Zeeman coupling between the antiferromagnetic
order parameter and the magnetic field induces a rotation of the magnetic
moments, but not an adjustment of the propagation vector of the magnetic order.
A triple-{\bf q} magnetic structure is also consistent with neutron
experiments, but in general leads to a non-uniform magnetization in the
crystal. New experiments could decide between these structures.Comment: 5 figures included in the tex
Superconductivity in heavy-fermion U(Pt,Pd)3 and its interplay with magnetism
The effect of Pd doping on the superconducting phase diagram of the
unconventional superconductor UPt3 has been measured by (magneto)resistance,
specific heat, thermal expansion and magnetostriction. Experiments on single-
and polycrystalline U(Pt1-xPdx)3 for x<= 0.006 show that the superconducting
transition temperatures of the A phase, Tc+, and of the B phase, Tc-, both
decrease, while the splitting DTc increases at a rate of 0.30(2)K/at.%Pd. We
find that DTc(x) correlates with an increase of the weak magnetic moment m(x)
upon Pd doping. This provides further evidence for Ginzburg-Landau scenarios
with magnetism as the symmetry breaking field, i.e. the 2D E representation and
the 1D odd parity model. Only for small splittings DTc is proportional to
m^2(Tc+) (DTc<= 0.05 K) as predicted. The results at larger splittings call for
Ginzburg-Landau expansions beyond 4th order. The tetracritical point in the B-T
plane persists till at least x= 0.002 for B perpendicular to c, while it is
rapidly suppressed for B||c. Upon alloying the A and B phases gain stability at
the expense of the C phase.Comment: 25 pages text (PS), 8 pages with 14 figures (PS), submitted to
Phys.Rev.
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