605 research outputs found
Asymptotic expansion for reversible A + B <-> C reaction-diffusion process
We study long-time properties of reversible reaction-diffusion systems of
type A + B C by means of perturbation expansion in powers of 1/t (inverse
of time). For the case of equal diffusion coefficients we present exact
formulas for the asymptotic forms of reactant concentrations and a complete,
recursive expression for an arbitrary term of the expansions. Taking an
appropriate limit we show that by studying reversible reactions one can obtain
"singular" solutions typical of irreversible reactions.Comment: 6 pages, no figures, to appear in PR
Localization-delocalization transition of a reaction-diffusion front near a semipermeable wall
The A+B --> C reaction-diffusion process is studied in a system where the
reagents are separated by a semipermeable wall. We use reaction-diffusion
equations to describe the process and to derive a scaling description for the
long-time behavior of the reaction front. Furthermore, we show that a critical
localization-delocalization transition takes place as a control parameter which
depends on the initial densities and on the diffusion constants is varied. The
transition is between a reaction front of finite width that is localized at the
wall and a front which is detached and moves away from the wall. At the
critical point, the reaction front remains at the wall but its width diverges
with time [as t^(1/6) in mean-field approximation].Comment: 7 pages, PS fil
Optimization of supply diversity for the self-assembly of simple objects in two and three dimensions
The field of algorithmic self-assembly is concerned with the design and
analysis of self-assembly systems from a computational perspective, that is,
from the perspective of mathematical problems whose study may give insight into
the natural processes through which elementary objects self-assemble into more
complex ones. One of the main problems of algorithmic self-assembly is the
minimum tile set problem (MTSP), which asks for a collection of types of
elementary objects (called tiles) to be found for the self-assembly of an
object having a pre-established shape. Such a collection is to be as concise as
possible, thus minimizing supply diversity, while satisfying a set of stringent
constraints having to do with the termination and other properties of the
self-assembly process from its tile types. We present a study of what we think
is the first practical approach to MTSP. Our study starts with the introduction
of an evolutionary heuristic to tackle MTSP and includes results from extensive
experimentation with the heuristic on the self-assembly of simple objects in
two and three dimensions. The heuristic we introduce combines classic elements
from the field of evolutionary computation with a problem-specific variant of
Pareto dominance into a multi-objective approach to MTSP.Comment: Minor typos correcte
Analytical model of brittle destruction based on hypothesis of scale similarity
The size distribution of dust particles in nuclear fusion devices is close to
the power function. A function of this kind can be the result of brittle
destruction. From the similarity assumption it follows that the size
distribution obeys the power law with the exponent between -4 and -1. The model
of destruction has much in common with the fractal theory. The power exponent
can be expressed in terms of the fractal dimension. Reasonable assumptions on
the shape of fragments concretize the power exponent, and vice versa possible
destruction laws can be inferred on the basis of measured size distributions.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figure
Monolithic WDM Sources And Detectors For The Long Wavelength Fiber Band Based On An InP Grating Multiplexer/demultiplexer
Wavelength Division Multiplexed (WDM) networks are currently attracting considerable attention worldwide. Applications envisaged are wide-ranging - from computer back-plane interconnects and the telephone local loop, through local- and metropolitan- area networks, to wide-area networks involving advanced wavelength routing schemes [1, 2]
Refactoring bacteriophage T7
Natural biological systems are selected by evolution to continue to exist and evolve. Evolution likely gives rise to complicated systems that are difficult to understand and manipulate. Here, we redesign the genome of a natural biological system, bacteriophage T7, in order to specify an engineered surrogate that, if viable, would be easier to study and extend. Our initial design goals were to physically separate and enable unique manipulation of primary genetic elements. Implicit in our design are the hypotheses that overlapping genetic elements are, in aggregate, nonessential for T7 viability and that our models for the functions encoded by elements are sufficient. To test our initial design, we replaced the left 11 515 base pairs (bp) of the 39 937 bp wild-type genome with 12 179 bp of engineered DNA. The resulting chimeric genome encodes a viable bacteriophage that appears to maintain key features of the original while being simpler to model and easier to manipulate. The viability of our initial design suggests that the genomes encoding natural biological systems can be systematically redesigned and built anew in service of scientific understanding or human intention
Biofilm formation and cellulose expression by <i>Bordetella avium</i> 197N, the causative agent of bordetellosis in birds and an opportunistic respiratory pathogen in humans
Although bacterial cellulose synthase (bcs) operons are widespread within the Proteobacteria phylum, subunits required for the partial-acetylation of the polymer appear to be restricted to a few γ-group soil, plant-associated and phytopathogenic pseudomonads, including Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25 and several Pseudomonas syringae pathovars. However, a bcs operon with acetylation subunits has also been annotated in the unrelated β-group respiratory pathogen, Bordetella avium 197N. Our comparison of subunit protein sequences and GC content analyses confirms the close similarity between the B. avium 197N and pseudomonad operons and suggests that, in both cases, the cellulose synthase and acetylation subunits were acquired as a single unit. Using static liquid microcosms, we can confirm that B. avium 197N expresses low levels of cellulose in air–liquid interface biofilms and that biofilm strength and attachment levels could be increased by elevating c-di-GMP levels like the pseudomonads, but cellulose was not required for biofilm formation itself. The finding that B. avium 197N is capable of producing cellulose from a highly-conserved, but relatively uncommon bcs operon raises the question of what functional role this modified polymer plays during the infection of the upper respiratory tract or survival between hosts, and what environmental signals control its production
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