Showing papers by "University of Warsaw published in 2007"

Valley filter and valley valve in graphene

Abstract: The potential of graphene for carbon electronics rests on the possibilities offered by its unusual band structure to create devices that have no analogue in silicon-based electronics1,2. Conduction and valence bands in graphene form conically shaped valleys, touching at a point called the Dirac point. There are two inequivalent Dirac points in the Brillouin zone, related by time-reversal symmetry. Intervalley scattering is suppressed in pure samples3,4,5. The independence and degeneracy of the valley degree of freedom suggests that it might be used to control an electronic device6, in much the same way as the electron spin is used in spintronics7 or quantum computing8. A key ingredient for ‘valleytronics’ would be a controllable way of occupying a single valley in graphene, thereby producing a valley polarization. Here we propose such a valley filter, based on a ballistic point contact with zigzag edges. The polarity can be inverted by local application of a gate voltage to the point contact region. Two valley filters in series may function as an electrostatically controlled valley valve, representing a zero-magnetic-field counterpart to the familiar spin valve.

CMS physics technical design report, volume II: Physics performance

Abstract: CMS is a general purpose experiment, designed to study the physics of pp collisions at 14 TeV at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). It currently involves more than 2000 physicists from more than 150 institutes and 37 countries. The LHC will provide extraordinary opportunities for particle physics based on its unprecedented collision energy and luminosity when it begins operation in 2007. The principal aim of this report is to present the strategy of CMS to explore the rich physics programme offered by the LHC. This volume demonstrates the physics capability of the CMS experiment. The prime goals of CMS are to explore physics at the TeV scale and to study the mechanism of electroweak symmetry breaking--through the discovery of the Higgs particle or otherwise. To carry out this task, CMS must be prepared to search for new particles, such as the Higgs boson or supersymmetric partners of the Standard Model particles, from the start-up of the LHC since new physics at the TeV scale may manifest itself with modest data samples of the order of a few fb−1 or less. The analysis tools that have been developed are applied to study in great detail and with all the methodology of performing an analysis on CMS data specific benchmark processes upon which to gauge the performance of CMS. These processes cover several Higgs boson decay channels, the production and decay of new particles such as Z' and supersymmetric particles, Bs production and processes in heavy ion collisions. The simulation of these benchmark processes includes subtle effects such as possible detector miscalibration and misalignment. Besides these benchmark processes, the physics reach of CMS is studied for a large number of signatures arising in the Standard Model and also in theories beyond the Standard Model for integrated luminosities ranging from 1 fb−1 to 30 fb−1. The Standard Model processes include QCD, B-physics, diffraction, detailed studies of the top quark properties, and electroweak physics topics such as the W and Z0 boson properties. The production and decay of the Higgs particle is studied for many observable decays, and the precision with which the Higgs boson properties can be derived is determined. About ten different supersymmetry benchmark points are analysed using full simulation. The CMS discovery reach is evaluated in the SUSY parameter space covering a large variety of decay signatures. Furthermore, the discovery reach for a plethora of alternative models for new physics is explored, notably extra dimensions, new vector boson high mass states, little Higgs models, technicolour and others. Methods to discriminate between models have been investigated. This report is organized as follows. Chapter 1, the Introduction, describes the context of this document. Chapters 2-6 describe examples of full analyses, with photons, electrons, muons, jets, missing ET, B-mesons and τ's, and for quarkonia in heavy ion collisions. Chapters 7-15 describe the physics reach for Standard Model processes, Higgs discovery and searches for new physics beyond the Standard Model

MicroRNA inhibition of translation initiation in vitro by targeting the cap-binding complex eIF4F

Abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in gene regulatory networks in animals. Yet, the mechanistic details of their function in translation inhibition or messenger RNA (mRNA) destabilization remain controversial. To directly examine the earliest events in this process, we have developed an in vitro translation system using mouse Krebs-2 ascites cell-free extract that exhibits an authentic miRNA response. We show here that translation initiation, specifically the 5' cap recognition process, is repressed by endogenous let-7 miRNAs within the first 15 minutes of mRNA exposure to the extract when no destabilization of the transcript is observed. Our results indicate that inhibition of translation initiation is the earliest molecular event effected by miRNAs. Other mechanisms, such as mRNA degradation, may subsequently consolidate mRNA silencing.

Estimate of B(B̄→X s γ) at O(α s 2 )

Abstract: Combining our results for various $O({\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{s}^{2})$ corrections to the weak radiative $B$-meson decay, we are able to present the first estimate of the branching ratio at the next-to-next-to-leading order in QCD. We find $\mathcal{B}(\overline{B}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{X}_{s}\ensuremath{\gamma})=(3.15\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.23)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ for ${E}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}g1.6\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}$ in the $\overline{B}$-meson rest frame. The four types of uncertainties: nonperturbative (5%), parametric (3%), higher-order (3%), and ${m}_{c}$-interpolation ambiguity (3%) have been added in quadrature to obtain the total error.

Solvent effects on the rates and mechanisms of reaction of phenols with free radicals.

Abstract: The rates of formal abstraction of phenolic hydrogen atoms by free radicals, Y• + ArOH → YH + ArO•, are profoundly influenced by the hydrogen-bond-accepting and anion-solvation abilities of solvents, by the electron affinities and reactivities (Y−H bond dissociation enthalpies) of radicals, and by the phenol's ring substituents. These apparently simple reactions can occur by at least three different, nonexclusive mechanisms: hydrogen atom transfer, proton-coupled electron transfer, and sequential proton-loss electron transfer. The delicate balance among these mechanisms depends on both the environment and the reactants. The main features of these mechanisms are described, together with some interesting kinetic consequences.

The chemical imagination at work in very tight places.

Abstract: Diamond-anvil-cell and shock-wave technologies now permit the study of matter under multimegabar pressure (that is, of several hundred GPa). The properties of matter in this pressure regime differ drastically from those known at 1 atm (about 105 Pa). Just how different chemistry is at high pressure and what role chemical intuition for bonding and structure can have in understanding matter at high pressure will be explored in this account. We will discuss in detail an overlapping hierarchy of responses to increased density: a) squeezing out van der Waals space (for molecular crystals); b) increasing coordination; c) decreasing the length of covalent bonds and the size of anions; and d) in an extreme regime, moving electrons off atoms and generating new modes of correlation. Examples of the startling chemistry and physics that emerge under such extreme conditions will alternate in this account with qualitative chemical ideas about the bonding involved.

CMS physics technical design report: Addendum on high density QCD with heavy ions

Abstract: This report presents the capabilities of the CMS experiment to explore the rich heavy-ion physics programme offered by the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The collisions of lead nuclei at energies , will probe quark and gluon matter at unprecedented values of energy density. The prime goal of this research is to study the fundamental theory of the strong interaction ? Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) ? in extreme conditions of temperature, density and parton momentum fraction (low-x).This report covers in detail the potential of CMS to carry out a series of representative Pb-Pb measurements. These include bulk observables, (charged hadron multiplicity, low pT inclusive hadron identified spectra and elliptic flow) which provide information on the collective properties of the system, as well as perturbative probes such as quarkonia, heavy-quarks, jets and high pT hadrons which yield tomographic information of the hottest and densest phases of the reaction.

Melatonin and its metabolites: new findings regarding their production and their radical scavenging actions.

Abstract: This review summarizes some of the recent findings concerning the long-held tenet that the enzyme, N-acetyltransferase, which is involved in the production of N-acetylserotonin, the immediate precursor of melatonin, may in fact not always control the quantity of melatonin generated. New evidence from several different laboratories indicates that hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase, which O-methylates N-acetylserotonin to melatonin may be rate-limiting in some cases. Also, the review makes the point that melatonin's actions are uncommonly widespread in organs due to the fact that it works via membrane receptors, nuclear receptors/binding sites and receptor-independent mechanisms, i.e., the direct scavenging of free radicals. Finally, the review briefly summarizes the actions of melatonin and its metabolites in the detoxification of oxygen and nitrogen-based free radicals and related non-radical products. Via these multiple processes, melatonin is capable of influencing the metabolism of every cell in the organism.

Hemispherical power asymmetry in the third-year wilkinson microwave anisotropy probe sky maps

Abstract: We consider the issue of hemispherical power asymmetry in the third-year WMAP data, adopting a previously introduced modulation framework. Computing both frequentist probabilities and Bayesian evidences, we find that the model consisting of an isotropic CMB sky modulated by a dipole field gives a substantially better fit to the observations than the purely isotropic model, even when accounting for the larger prior volume. For the ILC map, the Bayesian log-evidence difference is ~1.8 in favor of the modulated model, and the raw improvement in maximum log likelihood is 6.1. The best-fit modulation dipole axis points toward (l, b) = (225°, -27°), and the modulation amplitude is 0.114, in excellent agreement with the results from the first-year analyses. The frequentist probability of obtaining such a high modulation amplitude in an isotropic universe is ~1%. These results are not sensitive to data set or sky cut. Thus, the statistical evidence for a power asymmetry anomaly is both substantial and robust, although not decisive, for the currently available data. Increased sky coverage through better foreground handling and full-sky and high-sensitivity polarization maps may shed further light on this issue.

Origin and control of high-temperature ferromagnetism in semiconductors.

Abstract: The extensive experimental and computational search for multifunctional materials has resulted in the development of semiconductor and oxide systems, such as (Ga,Mn)N, (Zn,Cr)Te and HfO2, which exhibit surprisingly stable ferromagnetic signatures despite having a small or nominally zero concentration of magnetic elements. Here, we show that the ferromagnetism of (Zn,Cr)Te, and the associated magnetooptical and magnetotransport functionalities, are dominated by the formation of Cr-rich (Zn,Cr)Te metallic nanocrystals embedded in the Cr-poor (Zn,Cr)Te matrix. Importantly, the formation of these nanocrystals can be controlled by manipulating the charge state of the Cr ions during the epitaxy. The findings provide insight into the origin of ferromagnetism in a broad range of semiconductors and oxides, and indicate possible functionalities of these composite systems. Furthermore, they demonstrate a bottom-up method for self-organized nanostructure fabrication that is applicable to any system in which the charge state of a constituent depends on the Fermi-level position in the host semiconductor.

Atypical compounds of gases, which have been called ‘noble’

Abstract: In this critical review I describe fascinating experimental and theoretical advances in ‘noble gas’ chemistry during the last twenty years, and have taken a somewhat unexpected course since 2000. I also highlight perspectives for further development in this field, including the prospective synthesis of compounds containing as yet unknown Xe–element and element–Xe–element bridging bonds, peroxide species containing Xe, adducts of XeF2 with various metal fluorides, Xe–element alloys, and novel pressure-stabilized covalently bound and host–guest compounds of Xe. A substantial part of the essay is devoted to the—as yet experimentally unexplored—behaviour of the compounds of Xe under high pressure. The blend of science, history, and theoretical predictions, will be valued by inorganic and organic chemists, materials scientists, and the community of theoretical and experimental high-pressure physicists and chemists (151 references).

On the rarity of double black hole binaries : Consequences for gravitational wave detection

Abstract: Double black hole binaries are among the most important sources of gravitational radiation for ground-based detectors such as LIGO or VIRGO. Even if formed with lower efficiency than double neutron star binaries, they could dominate the predicted detection rates, since black holes are more massive than neutron stars and therefore could be detected at greater distances. Here we discuss an evolutionary process that could very significantly limit the formation of close double black hole binaries: the vast majority of their potential progenitors undergo a common-envelope (CE) phase while the donor, one of the massive binary components, is evolving through the Hertzsprung gap. Our latest theoretical understanding of the CE process suggests that this will probably lead to a merger, inhibiting double black hole formation. Barring uncertainties in the physics of CE evolution, we use population synthesis calculations and find that the corresponding reduction in the merger rate of double black holes formed in galactic fields is so great (by ~500) that their contribution to inspiral detection rates for ground-based detectors could become relatively small (~1 in 10) compared to double neutron star binaries. A similar process also reduces the merger rates for double neutron stars, by a factor of ~5, eliminating most of the previously predicted ultracompact NS-NS systems. Our predicted detection rates for Advanced LIGO are now much lower for double black holes (~2 yr-1), but are still quite high for double neutron stars (~20 yr-1). If double black holes were found to be dominant in the detected inspiral signals, this could indicate that they mainly originate from dense star clusters (not included here) or that our theoretical understanding of the CE phase requires significant revision.

One-Parameter Scaling at the Dirac Point in Graphene

Abstract: We numerically calculate the conductivity $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ of an undoped graphene sheet (size $L$) in the limit of a vanishingly small lattice constant. We demonstrate one-parameter scaling for random impurity scattering and determine the scaling function $\ensuremath{\beta}(\ensuremath{\sigma})=d\mathrm{ln} \ensuremath{\sigma}/d\mathrm{ln} L$. Contrary to a recent prediction, the scaling flow has no fixed point ($\ensuremath{\beta}g0$) for conductivities up to and beyond the symplectic metal-insulator transition. Instead, the data support an alternative scaling flow for which the conductivity at the Dirac point increases logarithmically with sample size in the absence of intervalley scattering---without reaching a scale-invariant limit.

Moduli stabilization and uplifting with dynamically generated F-terms

Abstract: We use the F-term dynamical supersymmetry breaking models with metastable vacua in order to uplift the vacuum energy in the KKLT moduli stabilization scenario. The main advantage compared to earlier proposals is the manifest supersymmetric treatment and the natural coexistence of a TeV gravitino mass with a zero cosmological constant. We argue that it is generically difficult to avoid anti de-Sitter supersymmetric minima, however the tunneling rate from the metastable vacuum with zero vacuum energy towards them can be very suppressed. We briefly comment on the properties of the induced soft terms in the observable sector.

Curvature and isocurvature perturbations in two-field inflation

Abstract: We study cosmological perturbations in two-field inflation, allowing for non-standard kinetic terms. We calculate analytically the spectra of curvature and isocurvature modes at Hubble crossing, up to first order in the slow-roll parameters. We also compute numerically the evolution of the curvature and isocurvature modes from well within the Hubble radius until the end of inflation. We show explicitly for a few examples, including the recently proposed model of 'roulette' inflation, how isocurvature perturbations affect significantly the curvature perturbation between Hubble crossing and the end of inflation.

Planning to lose weight: randomized controlled trial of an implementation intention prompt to enhance weight reduction among overweight and obese women.

Abstract: Objective The trial investigates the effects of augmenting an established weight-reduction intervention with implementation intention prompts. Design Fifty-five overweight or obese women (ages 18 to 76 years; body mass index from 25.28 to 48.33) enrolled in a commercial weight reduction program were randomly assigned to either an implementation intention prompt or a control condition. Data were collected twice, with a time gap of 2 months. Main outcome measures The primary outcome was participants' change in weight and body mass index from preintervention to follow-up. Results Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed a significant Time = Condition interaction: On average, implementation intention prompt participants lost 4.2 kg (95% confidence interval = 3.19, 5.07), whereas control participants lost 2.1 kg (95% confidence interval = 1.11, 3.09). The change in frequency of planning mediated the effects of the intervention on weight and body mass index change. Conclusion Among obese or overweight women participating in a commercial weight loss program, those who learn to form implementation intentions can achieve greater weight reduction. Planning facilitation is a key mechanism explaining enhanced weight loss generated by implementation intention formation.

SelT, SelW, SelH, and Rdx12: genomics and molecular insights into the functions of selenoproteins of a novel thioredoxin-like family.

Abstract: Selenium is an essential trace element in many life forms due to its occurrence as a selenocysteine (Sec) residue in selenoproteins The majority of mammalian selenoproteins, however, have no known function Herein, we performed extensive sequence similarity searches to define and characterize a new protein family, designated Rdx, that includes mammalian selenoproteins SelW, SelV, SelT and SelH, bacterial SelW-like proteins and cysteine-containing proteins of unknown function in all three domains of life An additional member of this family is a mammalian cysteine-containing protein, designated Rdx12, and its fish selenoprotein orthologue Rdx proteins are proposed to possess a thioredoxin-like fold and a conserved CxxC or CxxU (U is Sec) motif, suggesting a redox function We cloned and characterized three mammalian members of this family, which showed distinct expression patterns in mouse tissues and different localization patterns in cells transfected with the corresponding GFP fusion proteins By analogy to thioredoxin, Rdx proteins can use catalytic cysteine (or Sec) to form transient mixed disulfides with substrate proteins We employed this property to identify cellular targets of Rdx proteins using affinity columns containing mutant versions of these proteins Rdx12 was found to interact with glutathione peroxidase 1, whereas 14-3-3 protein was identified as one of the targets of mammalian SelW, suggesting a mechanism for redox regulation of the 14-3-3 family of proteins

Joint Bayesian component separation and CMB power spectrum estimation

Abstract: We describe and implement an exact, flexible, and computationally efficient algorithm for joint component separation and CMB power spectrum estimation, building on a Gibbs sampling framework. Two essential new features are 1) conditional sampling of foreground spectral parameters, and 2) joint sampling of all amplitude-type degrees of freedom (e.g., CMB, foreground pixel amplitudes, and global template amplitudes) given spectral parameters. Given a parametric model of the foreground signals, we estimate efficiently and accurately the exact joint foreground-CMB posterior distribution, and therefore all marginal distributions such as the CMB power spectrum or foreground spectral index posteriors. The main limitation of the current implementation is the requirement of identical beam responses at all frequencies, which restricts the analysis to the lowest resolution of a given experiment. We outline a future generalization to multi-resolution observations. To verify the method, we analyse simple models and compare the results to analytical predictions. We then analyze a realistic simulation with properties similar to the 3-yr WMAP data, downgraded to a common resolution of 3 degree FWHM. The results from the actual 3-yr WMAP temperature analysis are presented in a companion Letter.

Conceptual aspects of line tensions

Abstract: We analyze two representative systems containing a three-phase-contact line: a liquid lens at a fluid-fluid interface and a liquid drop in contact with a gas phase residing on a solid substrate. In addition we study a system containing a planar liquid-gas interface in contact with a solid substrate. We discuss to which extent the decomposition of the grand canonical free energy of such systems into volume, surface, and line contributions is unique in spite of the freedom one has in positioning the Gibbs dividing interfaces. Curvatures of interfaces are taken into account. In the case of a lens it is found that the line tension is independent of arbitrary choices of the Gibbs dividing interfaces. In the case of a drop, however, one arrives at two different possible definitions of the line tension. One of them corresponds seamlessly to that applicable to the lens. The line tension defined this way turns out to be independent of choices of the Gibbs dividing interfaces. In the case of the second definition, however, the line tension does depend on the choice of the Gibbs dividing interfaces. We also provide form invariant equations for the equilibrium contact angles which properly transform under notional shifts of dividing interfaces which change the description of the system but leave the density configurations unchanged. It is shown that in order to accomplish this form invariance, additional stiffness coefficients attributed to the contact line must be introduced. The choice of the dividing interfaces influences the actual values of the stiffness coefficients. We show how these coefficients transform as a function of the relative displacements of the dividing interfaces. Our formulation provides a clearly defined scheme to determine line properties from measured dependences of the contact angles on lens or drop volumes. This scheme implies relations different from the modified Neumann or Young equations, which currently are the basis for extracting line tensions from experimental data. These relations show that the experiments do not render the line tension alone but a combination of the line tension, the Tolman length, and the stiffness coefficients of the line. In contrast to previous approaches our scheme works consistently for any choice of the dividing interfaces. It further allows us to compare results obtained by different experimental or theoretical methods, based on different conventions of choosing the dividing interfaces.

Observation of the anisotropy of 10 TeV primary cosmic ray nuclei flux with the Super-Kamiokande-I detector

Abstract: A first-ever 2-dimensional celestial map of primary cosmic-ray flux was obtained from 2:10 10 8 cosmic-ray muons accumulated in 1662.0 days of Super-Kamiokande. The celestial map indicates an (0:104 0:020)% excess region in the constellation of Taurus and a (0:094 0:014)% deficit region toward Virgo. Interpretations of this anisotropy are discussed.

Up-regulation of stress-inducible genes in tobacco and Arabidopsis cells in response to abiotic stresses and ABA treatment correlates with dynamic changes in histone H3 and H4 modifications.

Abstract: Animal cells react to mitogenic or stress stimuli by rapid up-regulation of immediate-early (IE) genes and a parallel increase in characteristic modifications of core histones: chromatin changes, collectively termed the nucleosomal response. With regard to plants little is known about the accompanying changes at the chromatin level. We have used tobacco BY-2 and Arabidopsis T87 cell lines to study the nucleosomal response of plant cells to high salinity, cold and exogenous abscisic acid (ABA). When in quiescent stage, both tobacco and Arabidopsis cells show the typical nucleosomal response to high salinity and cold stress, manifested by rapid transient up-regulation of histone H3 Ser-10 phosphorylation, immediately followed by transient up-regulation of H3 phosphoacetylation and histone H4 acetylation. For each of the studied stresses the observed nucleosomal response was strictly correlated with the induction of stress-type specific genes. The dynamics of histone modifications in BY-2 cells in response to exogenous ABA exhibited a more complex pattern than that evoked by the two abiotic stresses, probably due to superposition of the primary and secondary effects of ABA. A rapid increase in H3 Ser-10 phosphorylation was also observed in whole leaves subjected to high salinity; however, the rate of change in this modification was much slower than in cultured cells. Together, these results indicate that the quiescent BY-2 and T87 cell lines show a typical nucleosomal response to abiotic stresses and ABA treatment and may represent suitable models for the study of chromatin-mediated mechanisms of stress tolerance in plants.