Robust morphogenesis by chaotic dynamics

This research illustrates that complex dynamics of gene products enable the creation of any prescribed cellular differentiation patterns. These complex dynamics can take the form of chaotic, stochastic, or noisy chaotic dynamics. Based on this outcome and previous research, it is established that a generic open chemical reactor can generate an exceptionally large number of different cellular patterns. The mechanism of pattern generation is robust under perturbations and it is based on a combination of Turing's machines, Turing instability and L. Wolpert's gradients. These results can help us to explain the formidable adaptive capacities of biochemical systems.

Asymmetric skew X-ray diffraction at fixed incidence angle: application to semiconductor nano-objects

A procedure for obtaining three-dimensionally resolved reciprocal-space maps in a skew X-ray diffraction geometry is described. The geometry allows tuning of the information depth in the range from tens of micrometres for symmetric skew diffraction down to tens of nanometres for strongly asymmetric skew geometries, where the angle of incidence is below the critical angle of total external reflection. The diffraction data are processed using a rotation matrix formalism. The whole three-dimensional reciprocal-space map can be measured by performing a single azimuthal rotation of the sample and using a two-dimensional detector, while keeping the angle of incidence and the X-ray information depth fixed (FIXD method). Having a high surface sensitivity under grazing-incidence conditions, the FIXD method can be applied to a large variety of Bragg reflections, particularly polar ones, which provide information on strain and chemical composition separately. In contrast with conventional grazing-incidence diffraction, the FIXD approach reveals, in addition to the lateral (in-plane) components, the vertical (out-of-plane) component of the strain field, and therefore allows the separation of the scattering contributions of strained epitaxial nanostructures by their vertical misfit. The potential of FIXD is demonstrated by resolving the diffraction signal from a single layer of InGaN quantum dots grown on a GaN buffer layer. The FIXD approach is suited to the study of free-standing and covered near-surface nano-objects, as well as vertically extended multilayer structures.

Punctuated evolution and robustness in morphogenesis

This paper presents an analytic approach to the pattern stability and evolution problem in morphogenesis. The approach used here is based on the ideas from the gene and neural network theory. We assume that gene networks contain a number of small groups of genes (called hubs) controlling morphogenesis process. Hub genes represent an important element of gene network architecture and their existence is empirically confirmed. We show that hubs can stabilize morphogenetic pattern and accelerate the morphogenesis. The hub activity exhibits an abrupt change depending on the mutation frequency. When the mutation frequency is small, these hubs suppress all mutations and gene product concentrations do not change, thus, the pattern is stable. When the environmental pressure increases and the population needs new genotypes, the genetic drift and other effects increase the mutation frequency. For the frequencies that are larger than a critical amount the hubs turn off; and as a result, many mutations can affect phenotype. This effect can serve as an engine for evolution. We show that this engine is very effective: the evolution acceleration is an exponential function of gene redundancy. Finally, we show that the Eldredge-Gould concept of punctuated evolution results from the network architecture, which provides fast evolution, control of evolvability, and pattern robustness. To describe analytically the effect of exponential acceleration, we use mathematical methods developed recently for hard combinatorial problems, in particular, for so-called k-SAT problem, and numerical simulations.

A portable molecular beam epitaxy system for in situ x-ray investigations at synchrotron beamlines

A portable synchrotron molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) system is designed and applied for in situ investigations. The growth chamber is equipped with all the standard MBE components such as effusion cells with shutters, main shutter, cooling shroud, manipulator, reflection high energy electron diffraction setup, and pressure gauges. The characteristic feature of the system is the beryllium windows which are used for in situ x-ray measurements. An UHV sample transfer case allows in vacuo transfer of samples prepared elsewhere. We describe the system design and demonstrate its performance by investigating the annealing process of buried InGaAs self-organized quantum dots.

Comparative study of multilayers used in monochromators for synchrotron-based coherent hard X-ray imaging

A systematic study is presented in which multilayers of different composition (W/Si, Mo/Si, Pd/B(4)C), periodicity (from 2.5 to 5.5 nm) and number of layers have been characterized. In particular, the intrinsic quality (roughness and reflectivity) as well as the performance (homogeneity and coherence of the outgoing beam) as a monochromator for synchrotron radiation hard X-ray micro-imaging are investigated. The results indicate that the material composition is the dominating factor for the performance. By helping scientists and engineers specify the design parameters of multilayer monochromators, these results can contribute to a better exploitation of the advantages of multilayer monochromators over crystal-based devices; i.e. larger spectral bandwidth and high photon flux density, which are particularly useful for synchrotron-based micro-radiography and -tomography.

A novel multi-detection technique for three-dimensional reciprocal-space mapping in grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction

A new scattering technique in grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction geometry is described which enables three-dimensional mapping of reciprocal space by a single rocking scan of the sample. This is achieved by using a two-dimensional detector. The new set-up is discussed in terms of angular resolution and dynamic range of scattered intensity. As an example the diffuse scattering from a strained multilayer of self-assembled (In,Ga)As quantum dots grown on GaAs substrate is presented.

Search for Lorentz and CPT violation effects in Muon spin precession

The spin precession frequency of muons stored in the (g-2) storage ring has been analyzed for evidence of Lorentz and CPT violation. Two Lorentz and CPT violation signatures were searched for a nonzero delta omega a(=omega a mu+ - omega a mu-) and a sidereal variation of omega a mu+/-). No significant effect is found, and the following limits on the standard-model extension parameters are obtained: bZ = -(1.0+/-1.1) x 10(-23) GeV; (m mu dZ0 + HXY)=(1.8+/-6.0) x 10(-23) GeV; and the 95% confidence level limits b perpendicular mu+ <1.4 x 10(-24) GeV and b perpendicular mu- <2.6 x 10(-24) GeV.

Polyelectrolyte/magnetite nanoparticle multilayers: preparation and structure characterization

Polyelectrolyte composite planar films containing a different number of iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticle layers have been prepared using the layer-by-layer adsorption technique. The nanocomposite assemblies were characterized by ellipsometry, UV-vis spectroscopy, and AFM. Linear growth of the multilayer thickness with the increase of the layer number, N, up to 12 reflects an extensive character of this parameter in this range. A more complicated behavior of the refractive index is caused by changes in the multilayer structure, especially for the thicker nanocomposites. A quantitative analysis of the nanocomposite structure is provided comparing a classical and a modified effective medium approach taking into account the influence of light absorption by the Fe3O4 nanoparticles on the complex refractive index of the nanocomposite and contributions of all components to film thickness. Dominant influence of co-adsorbed water on their properties was found to be another interesting peculiarity of the nanocomposite film. This effect, as well as possible film property modulation by light, is discussed.

No evidence for large-scale proton ordering in Antarctic ice from powder neutron diffraction

We have examined a sample of 3000 year old Antarctic ice, collected at the Kohnen Station, by time-of-flight powder neutron diffraction to test the hypothesis of Fukazawa et al. [e.g., Ann. Glaciol. 31, 247 (2000)] that such ice may be partially proton ordered. Great care was taken to keep our sample below the proposed ordering temperature (237 K) at all times, but we did not observe any evidence of proton ordering.

Controlling planar and vertical ordering in three-dimensional (In,Ga)As quantum dot lattices by GaAs surface orientation

Anisotropic surface diffusion and strain are used to explain the formation of three-dimensional (In,Ga)As quantum dot lattices. The diffusion characteristics of the surface, coupled with the elastic anisotropy of the matrix, provides an excellent opportunity to influence the dot positions. In particular, quantum dots that are laterally organized into long chains or chessboard two-dimensional arrays vertically organized with strict vertical ordering or vertical ordering that is inclined to the sample surface normal are accurately predicted and observed.

Measurement of the negative muon anomalous magnetic moment to 0.7 ppm

The anomalous magnetic moment of the negative muon has been measured to a precision of 0.7 ppm (ppm) at the Brookhaven Alternating Gradient Synchrotron. This result is based on data collected in 2001, and is over an order of magnitude more precise than the previous measurement for the negative muon. The result a(mu(-))=11 659 214(8)(3) x 10(-10) (0.7 ppm), where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic, is consistent with previous measurements of the anomaly for the positive and the negative muon. The average of the measurements of the muon anomaly is a(mu)(exp)=11 659 208(6) x 10(-10) (0.5 ppm).

Measurement of the positive muon anomalous magnetic moment to 0.7 ppm

A higher precision measurement of the anomalous g value, a(mu)=(g-2)/2, for the positive muon has been made at the Brookhaven Alternating Gradient Synchrotron, based on data collected in the year 2000. The result a(mu(+))=11 659 204(7)(5)x10(-10) (0.7 ppm) is in good agreement with previous measurements and has an error about one-half that of the combined previous data. The present world average experimental value is a(mu)(expt)=11 659 203(8)x10(-10) (0.7 ppm).

Precise measurement of the positive muon anomalous magnetic moment

A precise measurement of the anomalous g value, a(mu) = (g-2)/2, for the positive muon has been made at the Brookhaven Alternating Gradient Synchrotron. The result a(mu+) = 11 659 202(14) (6) x 10(-10) (1.3 ppm) is in good agreement with previous measurements and has an error one third that of the combined previous data. The current theoretical value from the standard model is a(mu)(SM) = 11 659 159.6(6.7) x 10(-10) (0.57 ppm) and a(mu)(exp) - a(mu)(SM) = 43(16) x 10(-10) in which a(mu)(exp) is the world average experimental value.