Melting and unzipping of DNA

Existing experimental studies of the thermal denaturation of DNA yield sharp steps in the melting curve suggesting that the melting transition is first order. This transition has been theoretically studied since the early sixties, mostly within an approach in which the microscopic configurations of a DNA molecule consist of an alternating sequence of non-interacting bound segments and denaturated loops. Studies of these models neglect the repulsive, self-avoiding, interaction between different loops and segments and have invariably yielded continuous denaturation transitions. In the present study we take into account in an approximate way the excluded-volume interaction between denaturated loops and the rest of the chain. This is done by exploiting recent results on scaling properties of polymer networks of arbitrary topology. We also ignore the heterogeneity of the polymer. We obtain a first-order melting transition in d = 2 dimensions and above, consistent with the experimental results. We also consider within our approach the unzipping transition, which takes place when the two DNA strands are pulled apart by an external force acting on one end. We find that the under equilibrium condition the unzipping transition is also first order. Although the denaturation and unzipping transitions are thermodynamically first order, they do exhibit critical fluctuations in some of their properties. For instance, the loop size distribution decays algebraically at the transition and the length of the denaturated end segment diverges as the transition is approached. We evaluate these critical properties within our approach. Received 21 August 2001 and Received in final form 26 January 2002     

Asymptotic behavior of Markov semigroups on preduals of von Neumann algebras

We develop a new approach for investigation of asymptotic behavior of Markov semigroup on preduals of von Neumann algebras. With using of our technique we establish several results about mean ergodicity, statistical stability, and constrictiviness of Markov semigroups.     

The empirical behavior of sampling methods for stochastic programming

We investigate the quality of solutions obtained from sample-average approximations to two-stage stochastic linear programs with recourse. We use a recently developed software tool executing on a computational grid to solve many large instances of these problems, allowing us to obtain high-quality solutions and to verify optimality and near-optimality of the computed solutions in various ways. Research supported by the Mathematical, Information, and Computational Sciences Division subprogram of the Office of Advanced Scientific Computing Research, U.S. Department of Energy, under Contract W-31-109-Eng-38, and by the National Science Foundation under Grant 9726385. Research supported by the Mathematical, Information, and Computational Sciences Division subprogram of the Office of Advanced Scientific Computing Research, U.S. Department of Energy, under Contract W-31-109-Eng-38, and by the National Science Foundation under Grant DMS-0073770. Research supported by the Mathematical, Information, and Computational Sciences Division subprogram of the Office of Advanced Scientific Computing Research, U.S. Department of Energy, under Contract W-31-109-Eng-38, and by the National Science Foundation under Grants 9726385 and 0082065.     

An introduction to physical theory of molecular evolution

This work is a tutorial in Molecular Evolution from the point of view of Physics. We discuss Eigen's model, a link between evolutionary theory and physics. We will begin by assuming the existence of (marco) molecules or replicators with the template property, that is, the capacity to self-replicate. According to this assumption, information will be randomly generated and destroyed by mutations in the code (i.e., errors in the copying process) and new bits of information will be fixed (made stable) by the existence of an external pressure on the system (i.e., selection), and the ability of the molecules to replicate themselves. Our aim is to build a model in order to describe molecular evolution from as general a standpoint as possible. As we will see, even very simple models from the theoretical point of view will have surprisingly deep consequences.     

Development of the Monte Carlo model CASCADE-2004 of high-energy nuclear interactions

The Monte Carlo code CASCADE for the calculation of inelastic hadron- and nucleus-nucleus interactions at energies from several tens of MeV up to several tens of GeV and for modelling of nuclear-physical processes accompanying the transport of particles and nuclei in matter is improved by considering a more detailed model of decay of highly excited residual (after-intranuclear-cascade) nuclei. Results of calculations are in good agreement with experiment. However, there are some deviations for light-isotope production, which prompt the necessity of developing more correct models of evaporation and strong asymmetric high-energy fission.     

On timing Jitter in wavelength-division multiplexed soliton systems

Collision-induced timing shifts in a wavelength-division multiplexed soliton system are computed when damping, amplification, filtering and positive dispersion management following the loss profile are included. A statistical analysis is presented which takes into account the resulting effect of the large number of collisions occurring in the fiber. Analytic expressions are derived for the root mean square timing jitter and the maximum length of error-free transmission with an arbitrary number of channels. An extensive analysis of system performance corresponding to situations with and without filters and/or dispersion management is carried out.     

Statistical analyses of electromyographic activity in spasmodic dysphonic and normal control subjects

Heterogeneity in the quality and task sensitivity of vocal symptoms in the spasmodic dysphonia (SD) population contributes to controversy as to whether this is a single disorder or two disorders with different etiologies (neurogenic versus psychogenic). Perceptual and acoustic assessments of vocal symptoms are inadequate to resolve this controversy. However, myoelectric events are intimately proximal to the source of vocal disruption and may be informative. The present report employs statistical modeling of quantitative amplitude measures of electromyographic activity recorded from thyroarytenoid to examine neuromotor bases of vocal symptoms in SD. Consideration of perceptual ratings of the quality and task sensitivity of vocal symptoms in the context of statistical models provides support for the conclusion that the range of vocal symptoms identified as SD represents a single, neurogenic disorder.     

波束域高分辨方位估计的方法、统计性能及水池实验结果

本文针对水声设备的实际应用，研究了波束域高分辨方位估计的MUSIC方法。首先分析了波束形成方法获得处理增益的原理，揭示了波束域高分辨方法具有较低分辨门限的机理；给出了波束域高分辨MUSIC算法，通过计算机仿真，比较了波束域和阵元域高分辨MUSIC法的统计性能，显示了波束域高分辨方法的优越性；进行了消声水池实验，结果表明波束域高分辨MUSIC法分辨力高，对阵列误差具有较大的宽容性。     

关于相对论等离子体统计力学的一些问题

相对论统计力学的发展已近一个世纪，目前仍处于有争议阶段，本文对相对论等离子体理论的发展、基本概念和一些问题作一简要评述。     

Calculation of Density for Mixtures of Carbon Dioxide with Nitrogen and Methane from the ISM Equation of State

In this paper the analytical equation of state (EoS) proposed by Ihm‐Song‐Mason was applied to calculate molar volume of mixtures of carbon dioxide with nitrogen and methane. The pair interaction potential has been used to evaluate the second virial coefficients and the ISM EoS parameters (i.e. α and b). The calculated values of the aforesaid quantities were applied to predict the molar volumes for mixtures of carbon dioxide with nitrogen and methane. Agreement with experiment was excellent for both mixtures.