14,152 research outputs found
The diversity of a distributed genome in bacterial populations
The distributed genome hypothesis states that the set of genes in a
population of bacteria is distributed over all individuals that belong to the
specific taxon. It implies that certain genes can be gained and lost from
generation to generation. We use the random genealogy given by a Kingman
coalescent in order to superimpose events of gene gain and loss along ancestral
lines. Gene gains occur at a constant rate along ancestral lines. We assume
that gained genes have never been present in the population before. Gene losses
occur at a rate proportional to the number of genes present along the ancestral
line. In this infinitely many genes model we derive moments for several
statistics within a sample: the average number of genes per individual, the
average number of genes differing between individuals, the number of
incongruent pairs of genes, the total number of different genes in the sample
and the gene frequency spectrum. We demonstrate that the model gives a
reasonable fit with gene frequency data from marine cyanobacteria.Comment: Published in at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/09-AAP657 the Annals of
Applied Probability (http://www.imstat.org/aap/) by the Institute of
Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org
Star-shaped Local Density of States around Vortices in a Type II Superconductor
The electronic structure of vortices in a type II superconductor is analyzed
within the quasi-classical Eilenberger framework. The possible origin of a
sixfold ``star'' shape of the local density of states, observed by scanning
tunneling microscope experiments on NbSe, is examined in the light of the
three effects; the anisotropic pairing, the vortex lattice, and the anisotropic
density of states at the Fermi surface. Outstanding features of split parallel
rays of this star are well explained in terms of an anisotropic -wave
pairing. This reveals a rich internal electronic structure associated with a
vortex core.Comment: 4 pages, REVTeX, 3 figures available upon reques
Campylobacter jejuni colonization promotes the translocation of Escherichia coli to extra-intestinal organs and disturbs the short-chain fatty acids profiles in the chicken gut
For a long time Campylobacter was only considered as a commensal microorganism in avian hosts restricted to the ceca, without any pathogenic features. The precise reasons for the symptomless chicken carriers are still unknown, but investigations of the gastrointestinal ecology of broiler chickens may improve our understanding of the microbial interactions with the host. Therefore, the current studies were conducted to investigate the effects of Campylobacter jejuni colonization on Escherichia coli translocation and on the metabolic end products (short-chain fatty acids, SCFAs). Following oral infection of 14 day old broiler chickens with 1 × 108 CFU of Campylobacter jejuni NCTC 12744 in two independent animal trials, it was found that C. jejuni heavily colonized the intestine and disseminate to extra-intestinal organs. Moreover, in both animal trials, the findings revealed that C. jejuni promoted the translocation of E. coli with a higher number encountered in the spleen and liver at 14 days post infection (dpi). In addition, Campylobacter affected the microbial fermentation in the gastrointestinal tract of broilers by reducing the amount of propionate, isovalerate, and isobutyrate in the cecal digesta of the infected birds at 2 dpi and, at 7 and 14 dpi, butyrate, isobutyrate, and isovalerate were also decreased. However, in the jejunum, the C. jejuni infection lowered only butyrate concentrations at 14 dpi. These data indicated that C. jejuni may utilize SCFAs as carbon sources to promote its colonization in the chicken gut, suggesting that Campylobacter cannot only alter gut colonization dynamics but might also influence physiological processes due to altered microbial metabolite profiles.
Finally, the results demonstrated that C. jejuni can cross the intestinal epithelial barrier and facilitates the translocation of Campylobacter itself as well as of other enteric microorganisms such as E. coli to extra-intestinal organs of infected birds. Altogether, our findings suggest that the Campylobacter carrier state in chicken is characterised by multiple changes in the intestinal barrier function, which supports multiplication and survival within the host
Contour surveying system Patent
Describing device for surveying contour of surface using X-Y plotter and traveling transduce
Static and unsteady pressure measurements on a 50 degree clipped delta wing at M = 0.9
Pressures were measured with Freon as the test medium. Data taken at M = 0.9 is presented for static and oscillatory deflections of the trailing edge control surface and for the wing in pitch. Comparisons of the static measured data are made with results computed using the Bailey-Ballhaus small disturbance code
JPL preferred parts list: Reliable electronic components
The JPL Preferred Parts List was prepared to provide a basis for selection of electronic parts for JPL spacecraft programs. Supporting tests for the listed parts were designed to comply with specific spacecraft environmental requirements. The list tabulates the electronic, magnetic, and electromechanical parts applicable to all JPL electronic equipment wherein reliability is a major concern. The parts listed are revelant to equipment supplied by subcontractors as well as fabricated at the laboratory
Effects of gap anisotropy upon the electronic structure around a superconducting vortex
An isolated single vortex is considered within the framework of the
quasiclassical theory. The local density of states around a vortex is
calculated in a clean type II superconductor with an anisotropy. The anisotropy
of a superconducting energy gap is crucial for bound states around a vortex. A
characteristic structure of the local density of states, observed in the
layered hexagonal superconductor 2H-NbSe2 by scanning tunneling microscopy
(STM), is well reproduced if one assumes an anisotropic s-wave gap in the
hexagonal plane. The local density of states (or the bound states) around the
vortex is interpreted in terms of quasiparticle trajectories to facilitate an
understanding of the rich electronic structure observed in STM experiments. It
is pointed out that further fine structures and extra peaks in the local
density of states should be observed by STM.Comment: 11 pages, REVTeX; 20 PostScript figures; An Animated GIFS file for
the star-shaped vortex bound states is available at
http://mp.okayama-u.ac.jp/~hayashi/vortex.htm
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