3,096 research outputs found
Steady State Behavior of Mechanically Perturbed Spin Glasses and Ferromagnets
A zero temperature dynamics of Ising spin glasses and ferromagnets on random
graphs of finite connectivity is considered, like granular media these systems
have an extensive entropy of metastable states. We consider the problem of what
energy a randomly prepared spin system falls to before becoming stuck in a
metastable state. We then introduce a tapping mechanism, analogous to that of
real experiments on granular media, this tapping, corresponding to flipping
simultaneously any spin with probability , leads to stationary regime with a
steady state energy . We explicitly solve this problem for the one
dimensional ferromagnet and spin glass and carry out extensive
numerical simulations for spin systems of higher connectivity. The link with
the density of metastable states at fixed energy and the idea of Edwards that
one may construct a thermodynamics with a flat measure over metastable states
is discussed. In addition our simulations on the ferromagnetic systems reveal a
novel first order transition, whereas the usual thermodynamic transition on
these graphs is second order.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figure
Adjacency Matrices of Configuration Graphs
In 1960, Hoffman and Singleton \cite{HS60} solved a celebrated equation for
square matrices of order , which can be written as where , , and are the identity matrix, the
all one matrix, and a --matrix with all row and column sums equal to
, respectively. If is an incidence matrix of some configuration
of type , then the left-hand side is an adjacency matrix of the non--collinearity
graph of . In certain situations, is also an
incidence matrix of some configuration, namely the neighbourhood
geometry of introduced by Lef\`evre-Percsy, Percsy, and Leemans
\cite{LPPL}.
The matrix operator can be reiterated and we pose the problem of
solving the generalised Hoffman--Singleton equation . In
particular, we classify all --matrices with all row and column sums
equal to , for , which are solutions of this equation. As
a by--product, we obtain characterisations for incidence matrices of the
configuration in Kantor's list \cite{Kantor} and the
configuration #1971 in Betten and Betten's list \cite{BB99}
Grain size limits derived from 3.6 {\mu}m and 4.5 {\mu}m coreshine
Recently discovered scattered light from molecular cloud cores in the
wavelength range 3-5 {\mu}m (called "coreshine") seems to indicate the presence
of grains with sizes above 0.5 {\mu}m. We aim to analyze 3.6 and 4.5 {\mu}m
coreshine from molecular cloud cores to probe the largest grains in the size
distribution. We analyzed dedicated deep Cycle 9 Spitzer IRAC observations in
the 3.6 and 4.5 {\mu}m bands for a sample of 10 low-mass cores. We used a new
modeling approach based on a combination of ratios of the two background- and
foreground-subtracted surface brightnesses and observed limits of the optical
depth. The dust grains were modeled as ice-coated silicate and carbonaceous
spheres. We discuss the impact of local radiation fields with a spectral slope
differing from what is seen in the DIRBE allsky maps. For the cores L260,
ecc806, L1262, L1517A, L1512, and L1544, the model reproduces the data with
maximum grain sizes around 0.9, 0.5, 0.65, 1.5, 0.6, and > 1.5 {\mu}m,
respectively. The maximum coreshine intensities of L1506C, L1439, and L1498 in
the individual bands require smaller maximum grain sizes than derived from the
observed distribution of band ratios. Additional isotropic local radiation
fields with a spectral shape differing from the DIRBE map shape do not remove
this discrepancy. In the case of Rho Oph 9, we were unable to reliably
disentangle the coreshine emission from background variations and the strong
local PAH emission. Considering surface brightness ratios in the 3.6 and 4.5
{\mu}m bands across a molecular cloud core is an effective method of
disentangling the complex interplay of structure and opacities when used in
combination with observed limits of the optical depth.Comment: 23 pages, 18 figures, accepted for publication in A&
Scaling Law in Carbon Nanotube Electromechanical Devices
We report a method for probing electromechanical properties of multiwalled
carbon nanotubes(CNTs). This method is based on AFM measurements on a doubly
clamped suspended CNT electrostatically deflected by a gate electrode. We
measure the maximum deflection as a function of the applied gate voltage. Data
from different CNTs scale into an universal curve within the experimental
accuracy, in agreement with a continuum model prediction. This method and the
general validity of the scaling law constitute a very useful tool for designing
actuators and in general conducting nanowire-based NEMS.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures. To be published in Phys. Rev. Let
Dust properties inside molecular clouds from coreshine modeling and observations
Context. Using observations to deduce dust properties, grain size
distribution, and physical conditions in molecular clouds is a highly
degenerate problem. Aims. The coreshine phenomenon, a scattering process at 3.6
and 4.5 m that dominates absorption, has revealed its ability to explore
the densest parts of clouds. We want to use this effect to constrain the dust
parameters. The goal is to investigate to what extent grain growth (at constant
dust mass) inside molecular clouds is able to explain the coreshine
observations. We aim to find dust models that can explain a sample of Spitzer
coreshine data. We also look at the consistency with near-infrared data we
obtained for a few clouds. Methods. We selected four regions with a very high
occurrence of coreshine cases: Taurus-Perseus, Cepheus, Chameleon and
L183/L134. We built a grid of dust models and investigated the key parameters
to reproduce the general trend of surface bright- nesses and intensity ratios
of both coreshine and near-infrared observations with the help of a 3D
Monte-Carlo radiative transfer code. The grid parameters allow to investigate
the effect of coagulation upon spherical grains up to 5 m in size derived
from the DustEm diffuse interstellar medium grains. Fluffiness (porosity or
fractal degree), ices, and a handful of classical grain size distributions were
also tested. We used the near- and mostly mid-infrared intensity ratios as
strong discriminants between dust models. Results. The determination of the
background field intensity at each wavelength is a key issue. In particular, an
especially strong background field explains why we do not see coreshine in the
Galactic plane at 3.6 and 4.5 m. For starless cores, where detected, the
observed 4.5 m / 3.6 m coreshine intensity ratio is always lower than
0.5 which is also what we find in the models for the Taurus-Perseus and
L183 directions. Embedded sources can lead to higher fluxes (up to four times
greater than the strongest starless core fluxes) and higher coreshine ratios
(from 0.5 to 1.1 in our selected sample). Normal interstellar radiation field
conditions are sufficient to find suitable grain models at all wavelengths for
starless cores. The standard interstellar grains are not able to reproduce
observations and, due to the multi-wavelength approach, only a few grain types
meet the criteria set by the data. Porosity does not affect the flux ratios
while the fractal dimension helps to explain coreshine ratios but does not seem
able to reproduce near-infrared observations without a mix of other grain
types. Conclusions. Combined near- and mid-infrared wavelengths confirm the
potential to reveal the nature and size distribution of dust grains. Careful
assessment of the environmental parameters (interstellar and background fields,
embedded or nearby reddened sources) is required to validate this new
diagnostic
Genomic Expansion of Magnetotactic Bacteria Reveals an Early Common Origin of Magnetotaxis with Lineage-specific Evolution
The origin and evolution of magnetoreception, which in diverse prokaryotes and protozoa is known as magnetotaxis and enables these microorganisms to detect Earth’s magnetic field for orientation and navigation, is not well understood in evolutionary biology. The only known prokaryotes capable of sensing the geomagnetic field are magnetotactic bacteria (MTB), motile microorganisms that biomineralize intracellular, membrane-bounded magnetic single-domain crystals of either magnetite (Fe3O4) or greigite (Fe3S4) called magnetosomes. Magnetosomes are responsible for magnetotaxis in MTB. Here we report the first large-scale metagenomic survey of MTB from both northern and southern hemispheres combined with 28 genomes from uncultivated MTB. These genomes expand greatly the coverage of MTB in the Proteobacteria, Nitrospirae, and Omnitrophica phyla, and provide the first genomic evidence of MTB belonging to the Zetaproteobacteria and “Candidatus Lambdaproteobacteria” classes. The gene content and organization of magnetosome gene clusters, which are physically grouped genes that encode proteins for magnetosome biosynthesis and organization, are more conserved within phylogenetically similar groups than between different taxonomic lineages. Moreover, the phylogenies of core magnetosome proteins form monophyletic clades. Together, these results suggest a common ancient origin of iron-based (Fe3O4 and Fe3S4) magnetotaxis in the domain Bacteria that underwent lineage-specific evolution, shedding new light on the origin and evolution of biomineralization and magnetotaxis, and expanding significantly the phylogenomic representation of MTB
Experimental study of limestone and sandstone sulphation in polluted realistic conditions : the Lausanne Atmospheric Simulation Chamber (LASC)
Patient-specific image-based computer simulation for theprediction of valve morphology and calcium displacement after TAVI with the Medtronic CoreValve and the Edwards SAPIEN valve
AIMS:
Our aim was to validate patient-specific software integrating baseline anatomy and biomechanical properties of both the aortic root and valve for the prediction of valve morphology and aortic leaflet calcium displacement after TAVI.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
Finite element computer modelling was performed in 39 patients treated with a Medtronic CoreValve System (MCS; n=33) or an Edwards SAPIEN XT (ESV; n=6). Quantitative axial frame morphology at inflow (MCS, ESV) and nadir, coaptation and commissures (MCS) was compared between multislice computed tomography (MSCT) post TAVI and a computer model as well as displacement of the aortic leaflet calcifications, quantified by the distance between the coronary ostium and the closest calcium nodule. Bland-Altman analysis revealed a strong correlation between the observed (MSCT) and predicted frame dimensions, although small differences were detected for, e.g., Dmin at the inflow (mean±SD MSCT vs.
MODEL:
21.6±2.4 mm vs. 22.0±2.4 mm; difference±SD: -0.4±1.3 mm, p<0.05) and Dmax (25.6±2.7 mm vs. 26.2±2.7 mm; difference±SD: -0.6±1.0 mm, p<0.01). The observed and predicted calcium displacements were highly correlated for the left and right coronary ostia (R2=0.67 and R2=0.71, respectively p<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS:
Dedicated software allows accurate prediction of frame morphology and calcium displacement after valve implantation, which may help to improve outcome
- …