Supersymmetry approach to the random heteropolymer theory

The effective equation of motion that describes the different monomer alternation along the heteropolymer chain is proposed. On this basis the supersymmetry field scheme is built up to analyze memory and ergodicity breaking effects.Comment: 10 pages, 1 figur

Field-Theoretic Simulations of Polyelectrolyte Complexation

We briefly discuss our recent field-theoretic study of polyelectrolyte complexation, which occurs in solutions of two oppositely charged polyelectrolytes. Charged systems require theoretical methods beyond the mean-field (or self-consistent field) approximation; indeed, mean-field theory is qualitatively incorrect for such polyelectrolyte solutions. Both analytical (one-loop) and numerical (complex Langevin) methods to account for charge correlations are discussed. In particular, the first application of field-theoretic simulations to polyelectrolyte systems is reported. The polyelectrolyte charge-charge correlation length and a phase diagram are provided; effects of charge redistribution are qualitatively explored.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, 3 equations, LaTeX; accepted to Journal of Polymer Science B: Polymer Physics; v2: a revised and expanded version, 6 paragraphs of text and about 20 references adde

Monte Carlo Study of Crystalline Order and Defects on Weakly Curved Surfaces

We numerically study the ground states of particles interacting via a repulsive Yukawa potential on two rigid substrates shaped as isolated and periodically arranged bumps characterized by a spatially varying Gaussian curvature. Below a critical aspect ratio that describes the substrate deformation, the lattice is frustrated, but defect free. A further increase of the aspect ratio triggers defect unbinding transitions that lower the total potential energy by introducing dislocations either in isolation or within grain boundaries. In the presence of very strong deformations, isolated disclinations are nucleated. We show that the character and spatial distribution of defects observed in the ground state reflect the symmetries and periodicity of the two model surfaces investigated in this study

Neutral and Charged Polymers at Interfaces

Chain-like macromolecules (polymers) show characteristic adsorption properties due to their flexibility and internal degrees of freedom, when attracted to surfaces and interfaces. In this review we discuss concepts and features that are relevant to the adsorption of neutral and charged polymers at equilibrium, including the type of polymer/surface interaction, the solvent quality, the characteristics of the surface, and the polymer structure. We pay special attention to the case of charged polymers (polyelectrolytes) that have a special importance due to their water solubility. We present a summary of recent progress in this rapidly evolving field. Because many experimental studies are performed with rather stiff biopolymers, we discuss in detail the case of semi-flexible polymers in addition to flexible ones. We first review the behavior of neutral and charged chains in solution. Then, the adsorption of a single polymer chain is considered. Next, the adsorption and depletion processes in the many-chain case are reviewed. Profiles, changes in the surface tension and polymer surface excess are presented. Mean-field and corrections due to fluctuations and lateral correlations are discussed. The force of interaction between two adsorbed layers, which is important in understanding colloidal stability, is characterized. The behavior of grafted polymers is also reviewed, both for neutral and charged polymer brushes.Comment: a review: 130 pages, 30 ps figures; final form, added reference

On hotheads and dirty harries: The primacy of anger in altruistic punishment

Recent research has shown that individuals are prepared to incur costs to punish non-cooperators, even in one-shot interactions. However, why would people punish non-cooperators with no apparent benefits for the punishers themselves? This behavior is also known as altruistic punishment. When defection is discovered, an individual evaluates this act as unfair, which could result in anger. We argue that although unfairness and anger are often intertwined, it is primarily the experience of anger and not the perception of unfairness that produces altruistic punishment. We briefly present recent data in line with the hypothesis that identifies anger as the underlying mechanism of altruistic punishment. Furthermore, additional influences regarding the occurrence of altruistic punishment, e.g., intentionality of the interaction partner, the role of satisfaction, and individual differences, are discussed

Refining trait resilience: identifying engineering, ecological, and adaptive facets from extant measures of resilience

The current paper presents a new measure of trait resilience derived from three common mechanisms identified in ecological theory: Engineering, Ecological and Adaptive (EEA) resilience. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of five existing resilience scales suggest that the three trait resilience facets emerge, and can be reduced to a 12-item scale. The conceptualization and value of EEA resilience within the wider trait and well-being psychology is illustrated in terms of differing relationships with adaptive expressions of the traits of the five-factor personality model and the contribution to well-being after controlling for personality and coping, or over time. The current findings suggest that EEA resilience is a useful and parsimonious model and measure of trait resilience that can readily be placed within wider trait psychology and that is found to contribute to individual well-bein

Some behavioral aspects of energy descent: How a biophysical psychology might help people transition through the lean times ahead

This article is part of the Research Topic: Nature and environment: The psychology of its benefits and its protection.We may soon face biophysical limits to perpetual growth. Energy supplies may tighten and then begin a long slow descent while defensive expenditures rise to address problems caused by past resource consumption. The outcome may be significant changes in daily routines at the individual and community level. It is difficult to know when this scenario might begin to unfold but it clearly would constitute a new behavioral context, one that the behavioral sciences least attends to. Even if one posits a less dramatic scenario, people may still need to make many urgent and perhaps unsettling transitions. And while a robust response would be needed, it is not at all clear what should be the details of that response. Since it is likely that no single response will fix things everywhere, for all people or for all time, it would be useful to conduct many social experiments. Indeed, a culture of small experiments should be fostered which, at the individual and small group level, can be described as behavioral entrepreneurship. This may have begun, hidden in plain sight, but more social experiments are needed. To be of help, it may be useful to both package behavioral insights in a way that is practitioner-oriented and grounded in biophysical trends and to propose a few key questions that need attention. This paper begins the process of developing a biophysical psychology, incomplete as it is at this early stage.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/109261/1/De Young, R. (2014) Some behavioral aspects of energy descent, How a biophysical psychology might help people transition through the lean times ahead, Frontiers in Psychology, 5, 1255.pdfDescription of De Young, R. (2014) Some behavioral aspects of energy descent, How a biophysical psychology might help people transition through the lean times ahead, Frontiers in Psychology, 5, 1255.pdf : Main articl

Electron donor-dependent radionuclide reduction and nanoparticle formation by \u3ci\u3eAnaeromyxobacter dehalogenans\u3c/i\u3e strain 2CP-C

Anaeromyxobacter dehalogenans strain 2CP-C reduces U(VI) and Tc(VII) to U(IV)O2(s) (uraninite) and Tc(IV)O2(S) respectively. Kinetic studies with resting cells revealed that U(VI) or Tc(VII) reduction rates using H2 as electron donor exceeded those observed in acetate-amended incubations. The reduction of U(VI) by A. dehalogenans 2CP-C resulted in extracellular accumulation of ~5 nm uraninite nanoparticles in association with a lectin-binding extracellular polymeric substance (EPS). The electron donor did not affect UO2(S) nanoparticle size or association with EPS, but the utilization of acetate as the source of reducing equivalents resulted in distinct UO2(S) nanoparticle aggregates that were ~50 nm in diameter. In contrast, reduction of Tc(VII) by A. dehalogenans 2CP-C cell suspensions produced dense clusters of TcO2 particles, which were localized within the cell periplasm and on the outside of the outer membrane. In addition to direct reduction, A. dehalogenans 2CP-C cell suspensions reduced Tc(VII) indirectly via an Fe(II)-mediated mechanism. Fe(II) produced by strain 2CP-C from either ferrihydrite or Hanford Site sediment rapidly removed 99Tc(VII)O4– from solution

Sloan Digital Sky Survey IV: mapping the Milky Way, nearby galaxies, and the distant universe

We describe the Sloan Digital Sky Survey IV (SDSS-IV), a project encompassing three major spectroscopic programs. The Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment 2 (APOGEE-2) is observing hundreds of thousands of Milky Way stars at high resolution and high signal-to-noise ratios in the near-infrared. The Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory (MaNGA) survey is obtaining spatially resolved spectroscopy for thousands of nearby galaxies (median ). The extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS) is mapping the galaxy, quasar, and neutral gas distributions between and 3.5 to constrain cosmology using baryon acoustic oscillations, redshift space distortions, and the shape of the power spectrum. Within eBOSS, we are conducting two major subprograms: the SPectroscopic IDentification of eROSITA Sources (SPIDERS), investigating X-ray AGNs and galaxies in X-ray clusters, and the Time Domain Spectroscopic Survey (TDSS), obtaining spectra of variable sources. All programs use the 2.5 m Sloan Foundation Telescope at the Apache Point Observatory; observations there began in Summer 2014. APOGEE-2 also operates a second near-infrared spectrograph at the 2.5 m du Pont Telescope at Las Campanas Observatory, with observations beginning in early 2017. Observations at both facilities are scheduled to continue through 2020. In keeping with previous SDSS policy, SDSS-IV provides regularly scheduled public data releases; the first one, Data Release 13, was made available in 2016 July

Electron donor-dependent radionuclide reduction and nanoparticle formation by \u3ci\u3eAnaeromyxobacter dehalogenans\u3c/i\u3e strain 2CP-C

Anaeromyxobacter dehalogenans strain 2CP-C reduces U(VI) and Tc(VII) to U(IV)O2(s) (uraninite) and Tc(IV)O2(S) respectively. Kinetic studies with resting cells revealed that U(VI) or Tc(VII) reduction rates using H2 as electron donor exceeded those observed in acetate-amended incubations. The reduction of U(VI) by A. dehalogenans 2CP-C resulted in extracellular accumulation of ~5 nm uraninite nanoparticles in association with a lectin-binding extracellular polymeric substance (EPS). The electron donor did not affect UO2(S) nanoparticle size or association with EPS, but the utilization of acetate as the source of reducing equivalents resulted in distinct UO2(S) nanoparticle aggregates that were ~50 nm in diameter. In contrast, reduction of Tc(VII) by A. dehalogenans 2CP-C cell suspensions produced dense clusters of TcO2 particles, which were localized within the cell periplasm and on the outside of the outer membrane. In addition to direct reduction, A. dehalogenans 2CP-C cell suspensions reduced Tc(VII) indirectly via an Fe(II)-mediated mechanism. Fe(II) produced by strain 2CP-C from either ferrihydrite or Hanford Site sediment rapidly removed 99Tc(VII)O4– from solution