Packing defects and the width of biopolymer bundles

The formation of bundles composed of actin filaments and cross-linking proteins is an essential process in the maintenance of the cells' cytoskeleton. It has also been recreated by in-vitro experiments, where actin networks are routinely produced to mimic and study the cellular structures. It has long been observed that these bundles seem to have a well defined width distribution, which has not been adequately described theoretically. We propose here that packing defects of the filaments, quenched and random, contribute an effective repulsion that counters the cross-linking adhesion energy and leads to a well defined bundle width. This is a two-dimensional strain-field version of the classic Rayleigh instability of charged droplets

Relativistic Models of Galaxies

A special form of the isotropic metric in cylindrical coordinates is used to construct what may be interpreted as the General Relativistic versions of some wellknown potential-density pairs used in Newtonian gravity to model three-dimensional distributions of matter in galaxies. The components of the energy-momentum tensor are calculated for the first two Miyamoto-Nagai potentials and a particular potential due to Satoh. The three potentials yield distributions of matter in which all tensions are pressures and all energy conditions are satisfied for certain ranges of the free parameters. A few non-planar geodesic orbits are computed for one of the potentials and compared with the Newtonian case. Rotation is also incorporated to the models and the effects of the source rotation on the rotation profile are calculated as first order corrections by using an approximate form of the Kerr metric in isotropic coordinates.Comment: 18 pages, 23 eps figures, uses mn2e.cls style file, to be published in MNRA

Multi-focal laser surgery: cutting enhancement by hydrodynamic interactions between cavitation bubbles

Transparent biological tissues can be precisely dissected with ultrafast lasers using optical breakdown in the tight focal zone. Typically, tissues are cut by sequential application of pulses, each of which produces a single cavitation bubble. We investigate the hydrodynamic interactions between simultaneous cavitation bubbles originating from multiple laser foci. Simultaneous expansion and collapse of cavitation bubbles can enhance the cutting efficiency by increasing the resulting deformations in tissue, and the associated rupture zone. An analytical model of the flow induced by the bubbles is presented and experimentally verified. The threshold strain of the material rupture is measured in a model tissue. Using the computational model and the experimental value of the threshold strain one can compute the shape of the rupture zone in tissue resulting from application of multiple bubbles. With the threshold strain of 0.7 two simultaneous bubbles produce a continuous cut when applied at the distance 1.35 times greater than that required in sequential approach. Simultaneous focusing of the laser in multiple spots along the line of intended cut can extend this ratio to 1.7. Counter-propagating jets forming during collapse of two bubbles in materials with low viscosity can further extend the cutting zone - up to a factor of 1.54.Comment: 16 pages, 8 figures. Paper is accepted for publication in Physical Review

On non-linear hydrodynamic instability and enhanced transport in differentially rotating flows

In this paper we argue that differential rotation can possibly sustain hydrodynamic turbulence in the absence of magnetic field. We explain why the non-linearities of the hydrodynamic equations (i.e. turbulent diffusion) should not be neglected, either as a simplifying approximation or based on boundary counditions. The consequences of lifting this hypothesis are studied for the flow stability and the enhanced turbulent transport. We develop a simple general model for the energetics of turbulent fluctuations in differentially rotating flows. By taking into account the non-linearities of the equations of motions, we give constraints on the mean flow properties for the possible development of shear instability. The results from recent laboratory experiments on rotating flows show -- in agreement with the model -- that the pertinent parameter for stability appears to be the Rossby number Ro. The laboratory experiments seem to be compatible with Ro 1 in the inviscid or high rotation rates limit. Our results, taken in the inviscid limit, are coherent with the classical linear stability analysis, in the sense that the critical perturbation equals zero on the marginal linear stability curve. We also propose a prescription for turbulent viscosity which generalize the beta-prescription derived in Richard & Zahn 1999.Comment: Accepted for publication in "Astronomy and Astrophysics

Extension of Bethe's diffraction model to conical Geometry: application to near field optics

The generality of the Bethe's two dipole model for light diffraction through a subwavelength aperture in a conducting plane is studied in the radiation zone for coated conical fiber tips as those used in near field scanning optical microscopy. In order to describe the angular radiated power of the tip theoretically, we present a simple, analytical model for small apertures (radius < 40 nm) based on a multipole expansion. Our model is able to reproduce the available experimental results. It proves relatively insensitive to cone angle and aperture radius and contains, as a first approximation, the empirical two-dipole model proposed earlier

Diacritical study of light, electrons, and sound scattering by particles and holes

We discuss the differences and similarities in the interaction of scalar and vector wave-fields with particles and holes. Analytical results are provided for the transmission of isolated and arrayed small holes as well as surface modes in hole arrays for light, electrons, and sound. In contrast to the optical case, small-hole arrays in perforated perfect screens cannot produce acoustic or electronic surface-bound states. However, unlike electrons and light, sound is transmitted through individual holes approximately in proportion to their area, regardless their size. We discuss these issues with a systematic analysis that allows exploring both common properties and unique behavior in wave phenomena for different material realizations.Comment: 3 figure

Newtonian and General Relativistic Models of Spherical Shells

A family of spherical shells with varying thickness is derived by using a simple Newtonian potential-density pair. Then, a particular isotropic form of a metric in spherical coordinates is used to construct a General Relativistic version of the Newtonian family of shells. The matter of these relativistic shells presents equal azimuthal and polar pressures, while the radial pressure is a constant times the tangential pressure. We also make a first study of stability of both the Newtonian and relativistic families of shells.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

Plasma and cavitation dynamics during pulsed laser microsurgery in vivo

We compare the plasma and cavitation dynamics underlying pulsed laser microsurgery in water and in fruit fly embryos (in vivo) - specifically for nanosecond pulses at 355 and 532 nm. We find two key differences. First, the plasma-formation thresholds are lower in vivo - especially at 355 nm - due to the presence of endogenous chromophores that serve as additional sources for plasma seed electrons. Second, the biological matrix constrains the growth of laser-induced cavitation bubbles. Both effects reduce the disrupted region in vivo when compared to extrapolations from measurements in water.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figure

Environmental Decoherence versus Intrinsic Decoherence

We review the difference between standard environmental decoherence and 'intrinsic decoherence', which is taken to be an ineluctable process of Nature. Environmental decoherence is typically modeled by spin bath or oscillator modes - we review some of the unanswered questions not captured by these models, and also the application of them to experiments. Finally, a sketch is given of a new theoretical approach to intrinsic decoherence, and this scheme is applied to the discussion of gravitational decoherence.Comment: to be published in Phil Trans Roy Soc

Suppressing the Rayleigh-Taylor instability with a rotating magnetic field

The Rayleigh-Taylor instability of a magnetic fluid superimposed on a non-magnetic liquid of lower density may be suppressed with the help of a spatially homogeneous magnetic field rotating in the plane of the undisturbed interface. Starting from the complete set of Navier-Stokes equations for both liquids a Floquet analysis is performed which consistently takes into account the viscosities of the fluids. Using experimentally relevant values of the parameters we suggest to use this stabilization mechanism to provide controlled initial conditions for an experimental investigation of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability