Generalized filters, the low-pass condition, and connections to multiresolution analyses

We study generalized filters that are associated to multiplicity functions and homomorphisms of the dual of an abelian group. These notions are based on the structure of generalized multiresolution analyses. We investigate when the Ruelle operator corresponding to such a filter is a pure isometry, and then use that characterization to study the problem of when a collection of closed subspaces, which satisfies all the conditions of a GMRA except the trivial intersection condition, must in fact have a trivial intersection. In this context, we obtain a generalization of a theorem of Bownik and Rzeszotnik.     

Local Observation of Field Polarity Dependent Flux Pinning by Magnetic Dipoles

A scanning Hall probe microscope is used to study flux pinning in a thin superconducting Pb film covering a square array of single-domain Co dots with in-plane magnetization. We show that single flux quanta of opposite sign thread the superconducting film below T(c) at the opposite poles of these dipoles. Depending on the polarity of the applied field, flux lines are attracted to a specific pole of the dipoles, due to the direct interaction with the vortexlike structures induced by the local stray field.     

A direct integral decomposition of the wavelet representation

In this paper we use the concept of wavelet sets, as introduced by X. Dai and D. Larson, to decompose the wavelet representation of the discrete group associated to an arbitrary integer dilation matrix as a direct integral of irreducible monomial representations. In so doing we generalize a result of F. Martin and A. Valette in which they show that the wavelet representation is weakly equivalent to the regular representation for the Baumslag-Solitar groups.

     

A magic-angle rotor for NMR using a forced gas bearing

A new design for a rotor system to achieve spinning rates of the order of 3 kHz is presented. The design uses a simple cylindrical rotor, and involves a forced air bearing over the whole cylindrical surface. The jets of gas which make this bearing also cause the spinning. Powder-filled hollow rotors spin smoothly, and are convenient to make and use. The whole system is suitable for magic angle rotation, such as is needed to obtain high-resolution NMR spectra of solids. Examples of spectra obtained using the device are illustrated and discussed.     

NMR relaxation and pulsed field gradient study of alginate bead porous media

Experiments are presented, which correlate molecular displacement with the multi-exponential T2 relaxation times of water flowing and diffusing through an alginate bead pack. Three systems were studied comprising beads of 3, 1 or < mm in diameter. T2-resolved propagators were obtained through a combined pulsed gradient stimulated echo (PGSTE) and Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) experiment. Fourier transformation with respect to q produces a propagator for each echo in the CPMG train. Inverse Laplace transformation of the CPMG decays for each point (Z) in the propagator produced a two-dimensional propagator. Analysis of these two-dimensional propagators provided insight into the transport and exchange behaviour of water flowing through this system. This experiment has been simulated in a model bead structure and the resulting T2 relaxation time behaviour and T2-resolved propagators were found to be in good agreement with the experimental data. We also present a theoretical analysis of the response to the combined PGSTE/CPMG sequence in the simple model case of Pouseille flow in a cylindrical capillary, where diffusion to a surface sink is assumed to be the dominant relaxation mechanism.     

Molecular modelling with spherical Gaussians

A mathematical model of a molecule is proposed. The electronic structure is described using a molecular orbital wave function constructed from a small number of spherical Gaussians with optimized parameters. The models exhibit the desirable properties of numerical stability, objectivity and transferability. Results are given for CH₄, C₂H₆, cyclo-propane, H₂O, CH₂O and C₂H₄. They can be given a chemical interpretation in terms of chemical bonds, lone pairs and atomic cusps.     

Sequence-structure relationships in DNA oligomers: a computational approach

A collective-variable model for DNA structure is used to predict the conformation of a set of 30 octamer, decamer, and dodecamer oligomers for which high-resolution crystal structures are available. The model combines an all-atom base pair representation with an empirical backbone, emphasizing the role of base stacking in fixing sequence-dependent structure. We are able to reproduce trends in roll and twist to within 5 degrees across a large database of both A- and B-DNA oligomers. A genetic algorithm approach is used to search for global minimum structures and this is augmented by a grid search to identify local minimums. We find that the number of local minimums is highly sequence dependent, with certain sequences having a set of minimums that span the entire range between canonical A- and B-DNA conformations. Although the global minimum does not always agree with the crystal structure, for 24 of the 30 oligomers, we find low-energy local minimums that match the experimental step parameters. Discrepancies throw some light on the role of crystal packing in determining the solid-state conformation of double-helical DNA.