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PubMed1995

Turbulent diffusion phase transition is due to singular energy spectrum.

The phase transition for turbulent diffusion, reported by Avellaneda and Majda [Avellaneda, M. & Majda, A. J. (1994) Philos. Trans. R. Soc. London A 346, 205-233, and several earlier papers], is traced to a modeling assumption in which the energy spectrum of the turbulent fluid is singularly dependent on the viscosity in the inertial range. Phenomenological models of turbulence and intermittency, by contrast, require that the energy spectrum be independent of the viscosity in the inertial range. When the energy spectrum is assumed to be consistent with the phenomenological models, there is no phase transition for turbulent diffusion.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Detecting topological order through a continuous quantum phase transition.

We study a continuous quantum phase transition that breaks a Z2 symmetry. We show that the transition is described by a new critical point which does not belong to the Ising universality class, despite the presence of well-defined symmetry-breaking order parameter. The new critical point arises since the transition not only breaks the Z2 symmetry, it also changes the topological or quantum order in the two phases across the transition. We show that the new critical point can be identified in experiments by measuring critical exponents. So measuring critical exponents and identifying new critical points is a way to detect new topological phases and a way to measure topological or quantum orders in those phases.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Phase transition in an adsorption layer of a soluble surfactant at the air-water interface.

In this paper we provide experimental evidence for a phase transition between a liquid- and gas-like phase occurring in an adsorption layer of a soluble surfactant at the air-water interface. The equilibrium surface tension sigma(e) versus bulk concentration sigma(e) (c) isotherm of surface chemically pure sodium 2-[4-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenylazo) phenoxy]-ethane sulfonate was measured at a temperature of 295 K up to the solubility limit of the amphiphile. The sigma(e) (c) isotherm could be fitted by Frumkin's equation of state. The lateral interaction energy is just above the limit for which Frumkin's model predicts a phase transition. The corresponding surface pressure pi versus surface area A isotherm possesses striking similarities to first-order phase transitions in the Langmuir monolayer. The fact that the difference in the two-dimensional density is only a factor of 2 indicates that the system is very close to the critical point. The surface phases were further characterized by surface second harmonic generation. The major structural difference between the two surface phases is the amphiphile's molecular orientation. A mean orientation of the amphiphile of about 80 degrees was found in the gas analogous phase, whereas a molecular tilt of 38 degrees has been identified in the liquid-like phase.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2003

Hydration pressure and phase transitions of phospholipids. II. Thermotropic approach.

It is widely known that dehydration increases the main phase transition temperature of phospholipids. A mathematical analysis now shows that hydration pressure can be calculated by the dehydration-induced shift of the phase transition temperature. The hydration-dependent piezotropic and thermotropic phase transitions were determined by using calorimetry and FT-IR spectroscopy, and the application of our approach gives hydration pressure parameters that agree very well with the values obtained with the osmotic stress method.

Calorimetry, Differential Scanning↗
PubMed1991

Non-equilibrium phase transitions of aqueous starch systems.

Experimental data on phase transitions of aqueous starch systems, obtained by thermal analysis (TA) methods, are often indicative of irreversible (non-equilibrium) processes involving various metastable states. The thermal responses usually reflect composite effects from contributions of several opposing processes [e.g. annealing, melting, and (re)crystallization] taking place concurrently during TA. It is important, therefore, to recognize the temperature- and time-dependence of the structure of starch materials, if non-isothermal techniques are used for their characterization. Identifying the pertinent morphological features (supermolecular structure) of each particular system, as well as recognizing the role of water as a plasticizer which depresses the Tg of the amorphous domains, is essential to predict heat/moisture-mediated transformations of this biopolymer. The phase transition behaviour of granular starch and amylose-lipid complexes, as revealed by Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Thermomechanical Analysis, and the metastability of these materials are considered herein with respect to the effects of water and low molecular weight solutes.

Calorimetry, Differential Scanning↗
PubMed2026

Cellular modifiers of TDP-43 phase transition and cytoplasmic aggregation.

RNA-binding protein TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) can form liquid-like nuclear assemblies whose phase behavior is thought to influence its aggregation propensity and neurotoxic activity. The mechanisms that govern the liquid-to-solid phase transition of TDP-43 remain poorly defined. Here, we combined chemical and genome-wide genetic screens to identify cellular factors that modulate the phase behavior of an RNA-binding-defective TDP-43 mutant. Our screens uncovered multiple cellular processes, including RNA splicing, protein translation, proteostasis imbalance, and nuclear export as TDP-43 phase regulators. We also developed a semi-permeabilized cell system that partially recapitulates the TDP-43 phase transition in vitro, and showed that nuclear export inhibition reshapes the nuclear environment to favor RNA-dependent liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of TDP-43, which mitigates its aggregation. Nuclear export inhibition in a brain organoid model bearing an ALS-associated mutation reduces pathogenic phospho-TDP-43 accumulation. These findings identify multiple modulators of TDP-43 phase transitions in a sensitized model system and establish a framework for further dissecting the link between nuclear transport and TDP-43 phase dynamics.

DNA-Binding Proteins↗
PubMed2001

Superfluid phase transitions in dense neutron matter.

The phase transitions in a realistic system with triplet pairing, dense neutron matter, have been investigated. The spectrum of phases of the 3P2-3F2 model, which adequately describes pairing in this system, is analytically constructed with the aid of a separation method for solving BCS gap equations in states of arbitrary angular momentum. In addition to solutions involving a single value of the magnetic quantum number (and its negative), there exist ten real multicomponent solutions. Five of the corresponding angle-dependent order parameters have nodes, and five do not. In contrast to the case of superfluid 3He, transitions occur between phases with nodeless order parameters.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1982

A theoretical model of the temperature- and pressure-induced phase transition of phospholipid bilayers.

A statistical thermodynamic model of phospholipid bilayers is developed. In the model, a new concept of a closely packed system is applied, i.e., a system of hard cylinders of equal radii, the radius being a function of the average number of gauche rotations in a hydrocarbon chain. Using this concept of a closely packed system, reasonable values are obtained for the change in specific volume at the order-disorder transition of lecithin bilayers. In addition to interactions between the lipid matrix and water molecules, between the head groups, themselves and between hydrocarbon chains, as well as the intramolecular energy associated with chain conformation, the Hamiltonian of the membrane also includes the energy of the pressure field. Thus, the phase transition of phospholipid membranes induced not only by temperature but also by hydrostatic pressure is described by this model simultaneously. In accordance with the experimental results, a linear relationship is obtained between the phase transition temperature and phase transition pressure. The other calculated phase transition properties of lecithin homologues, e.g., changes in enthalpy, surface area, thickness and gauche number per chain are in agreement with the available experimental data. The ratio of kink to interstitial conduction of bilayers is also estimated.

Crystallization↗
PubMed2001

Wave onset in central gray matter - its intrinsic optical signal and phase transitions in extracellular polymers.

The brain is an excitable media in which excitation waves propagate at several scales of time and space. "One-dimensional" action potentials (millisecond scale) along the axon membrane, and spreading depression waves (seconds to minutes) at the three dimensions of the gray matter neuropil (complex of interacting membranes) are examples of excitation waves. In the retina, excitation waves have a prominent intrinsic optical signal (IOS). This optical signal is created by light scatter and has different components at the red and blue end of the spectrum. We could observe the wave onset in the retina, and measure the optical changes at the critical transition from quiescence to propagating wave. The results demonstrated the presence of fluctuations preceding propagation and suggested a phase transition. We have interpreted these results based on an extrapolation from Tasaki's experiments with action potentials and volume phase transitions of polymers. Thus, the scatter of red light appeared to be a volume phase transition in the extracellular matrix that was caused by the interactions between the cellular membrane cell coat and the extracellular sugar and protein complexes. If this hypothesis were correct, then forcing extracellular current flow should create a similar signal in another tissue, provided that this tissue was also transparent to light and with a similarly narrow extracellular space. This control tissue exists and it is the crystalline lens. We performed the experiments and confirmed the optical changes. Phase transitions in the extracellular polymers could be an important part of the long-range correlations found during wave propagation in central nervous tissue.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Phase transitions in scale-free neural networks: departure from the standard mean-field universality class.

We investigate the nature of the phase transition from an ordered to a disordered state that occurs in a family of neural network models with noise. These models are closely related to the majority voter model, where a ferromagneticlike interaction between the elements prevails. Each member of the family is distinguished by the network topology, which is determined by the probability distribution of the number of incoming links. We show that for homogeneous random topologies, the phase transition belongs to the standard mean-field universality class, characterized by the order parameter exponent beta=1/2 . However, for scale-free networks we obtain phase transition exponents ranging from 1/2 to infinity. Furthermore, we show the existence of a phase transition even for values of the scale-free exponent in the interval (1.5,2], where the average network connectivity diverges.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1986

Hydration and the lamellar to hexagonal II phase transition of phosphatidylethanolamine.

The effects of chaotropic agents on the lamellar to hexagonal II phase transition of soy phosphatidylethanolamine were examined. Guanidine hydrochloride, urea, and NaSCN were used as chaotropic agents. In each case, the lamellar phase was stabilized by the presence of the chaotropic agent. In the case of NaSCN, the temperature of the lamellar to hexagonal phase transition of soy phosphatidylethanolamine was increased by more than 60 degrees C. Guanidine hydrochloride was capable of substantially reducing the aggregation of phosphatidylethanolamine vesicles. These data lead to a thermodynamic understanding of the lamellar to hexagonal phase transition.

Kinetics↗
PubMed1990

Optical method for monitoring the concentration of general anesthetics and other small organic molecules. An example of phase transition sensing.

As an example of chemical sensing based on perturbations of thermal phase transitions, we have shown that phospholipids labeled with a fluorescent dye may be used to measure the concentration of general anesthetics and other small organic molecules. The emission maximum of the hydrophobic fluorescent probe Laurdan in phospholipid bilayers shifts from a wavelength of 445 nm below the main phase transition of the lipid to 480 nm above it, with an isosbestic point at approximately 475 nm. The greatest changes in intensity at the transition occur at 440 and 500 nm, so the ratio of the intensities at these two points was used as an "order parameter". The effects of variation of the liposomal preparation method on the order parameter were explored, and it was found that in mixed lipids the parameter varied nearly linearly over the physiological temperature range. Fluorometry detected changes in the order of bilayers caused by solubilization of the anesthetic isoflurane (Forane) and of ethanol. At a defined temperature, the intensity ratio measured in the presence of anesthetic decreases in a concentration-dependent manner. Immobilizing the liposomes in a hydrogel did not perturb the response of the system. This work demonstrates the potential for using lipid phase transitions in an optical sensor for monitoring anesthetics and other small nonpolar molecules.

Anesthetics↗
PubMed1997

Electron Transfer in Mixed-Valence [Fe(III)(2)Fe(II)O(O(2)CCH(3))(6)(3-Cl-py)(3)].3-Cl-py: Effects of a Crystallographic Phase Transition and Conversion of Solvate and Ligand Molecules from Statically Disordered to Dynamically Disordered on the Valence Detrapping.

A crystallographic phase transition involving changes in the solvate molecule has been found for mixed-valence [Fe(3)O(O(2)CCH(3))(6)(3-Cl-py)(3)].3-Cl-py (1), where 3-Cl-py is 3-chloropyridine. Single-crystal X-ray structures were determined at 300, 228, 200, 169, and 122 K for complex 1. At 300, 228, and 200 K the crystal is monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c, whereas at 169 and 122 K it is triclinic, space group P&onemacr;. Determinations of the unit cell parameters at several temperatures shows that a reversible crystallographic phase transition between the monoclinic and triclinic forms occurs at approximately 200 K. Complex 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c at 300 K, having a unit cell with a = 21.212(8) Å, b = 8.434(2) Å, c = 23.676(3) Å, and Z = 4. Refinement with 5702 observed [F(o) > 4sigma(F(o))] reflections gave R = 0.0542 and R(w) = 0.0937. Complex 1 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P&onemacr; at 122 K, having a unit cell with a = 20.983(11) Å, b = 8.360(4) Å, c = 23.293(10) Å, and Z = 4. At 300 K there is one somewhat asymmetric Fe(3)O complex in the structure. The core dimensions in the Fe(3)O complex at 300 K indicate that the complex is becoming almost valence-detrapped. At 122 K there are two different Fe(3)O complexes in the unit cell, both of which are similar in dimensions. As the temperature is decreased from 300 to 122 K, each Fe(3)O complex becomes more and more distorted in an equilateral triangle. At 122 K one iron ion in each Fe(3)O complex clearly is a high-spin Fe(II) ion and the other two are high-spin Fe(III) ions. There are significant changes in the nature of the 3-Cl-py solvate molecules above and below the phase transition that are likely important in controlling the valence detrapping. At 122 K there are two different Fe(3)O complexes, each with their nearby 3-Cl-py solvate molecules in one position. There are three different phases: a monoclinic one with all solvate molecules disordered, a second triclinic phase at 169 K with half of the solvate molecules disordered, and a third triclinic phase at 122 K with all solvate molecules statically ordered. (57)Fe Mössbauer spectra taken in the 110-293 K range show that complex 1 converts from valence-trapped at 110 K to become detrapped by 293 K, where a single quadrupole-split doublet is seen. Throughout the 140-230 K range it was necessary to employ one Fe(III) doublet and two Fe(II) doublets to fit each Mössbauer spectrum. It is shown that the two Fe(II) doublets likely arise from Fe(3)O complexes experiencing the different disordered solvate environments described above. Thus, while the approximately 200 K structural phase transition involving the solvate molecules does not precipitously lead to an increase in the rate of electron transfer in Fe(3)O complexes in 1, it is clear that the changes seen in the solvate molecules from X-ray structures do play a major role in the valence detrapping in complex 1.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Effect of amino acid surfactants on phase transition of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) gel.

The volume phase transition behavior of a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) gel (NIPA gel) in solutions of N-acyl amino acid surfactants were studied as a function of surfactant concentration. The addition of a surfactant beyond the critical micelle concentration (cmc) produced elevation in the transition temperature of the NIPA gel and its swelling. The changes in the volume phase transition temperature and in the swelling of the NIPA gel became more significant with the decreasing size of the amino acid side chain. This result could almost be explained only by the binding amount of surfactant onto the NIPA gel regardless of molecular structure of the amino acid. The binding amount increased in the order of sodium N-lauroyl-glycinate>-alaninate>-valinate>-leucinate>or=-phenylalaninate. For an N-acyl amino acid surfactant to bind onto the NIPA gel, to increase the transition temperature, and to facilitate swelling of the gel, the steric hindrance of the amino acid side chain was more effective than its hydrophobicity.

Acrylamides↗
PubMed2004

Broadening of a nonequilibrium phase transition by extended structural defects.

We study the effects of quenched extended impurities on nonequilibrium phase transitions in the directed percolation universality class. We show that these impurities have a dramatic effect: they completely destroy the sharp phase transition by smearing. This is caused by rare strongly coupled spatial regions which can undergo the phase transition independently from the bulk system. We use extremal statistics to determine the stationary state as well as the dynamics in the tail of the smeared transition, and we illustrate the results by computer simulations.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1991

Fluorescence microscopy of phospholipid monolayer phase transitions.

Over many years, a detailed picture of the phase transitions in phospholipid monolayers at the air-water interface has been constructed from extensive studies of the force-area, viscoelastic and surface potential properties of phospholipid monolayers, yet the microscopic nature of the transitions has remained obscure. Recent investigations have focused specifically on these aspects. Through the use of fluorescence microscopy, electron diffraction and X-ray scattering experiments, in combination with data obtained by classical methods, a wealth of new information regarding the properties of monolayers undergoing phase transitions has been generated. Direct observation of fluid-solid phase coexistence at the air-water interface has been achieved with fluorescence microscopy and on solid supports with electron microscopy. The fluid-solid coexistence region has been studied most thoroughly to date, but regions of gas-fluid and fluid-fluid phase coexistence have also been detected. Numerous factors govern the properties of the coexistence region: however, the prominent features can be explained in terms of a competition between forces: long-range electrostatic forces and short-range attractive forces. In this review these recent experimental findings and theoretical interpretations are summarized.

Electrochemistry↗
PubMed1988

Quick-freeze differential scanning calorimetry and saturation transfer electron spin resonance: novel techniques for assessing phase transitions in biological membranes.

Quick-freeze differential scanning calorimetry (QF-DSC) and saturation transfer-electron spin resonance (ST-ESR) spectroscopy were used to study lipid gel-phase transitions in mature green tomato fruit microsomal membranes. ST-ESR of 12-doxyl methyl stearate labelled membranes proved to be reproducible and provided increased sensitivity to temperature-induced structural changes, allowing the detection of several transitions in isolated membranes (6 degrees C, 21 degrees C, 28 degrees C). QF-DSC led to the assessment of lipid gel phase transitions in isolated microsomal membranes and microsomal membrane lipids by enhancing the transition. A phase transition enthalpy of 114 J/g and an onset temperature of 29.8 degrees C were obtained for whole membranes while with isolated lipids values of 370 J/g and 19.9 degrees C were found.

Calorimetry, Differential Scanning↗
PubMed1984

Multicomponent phase transitions of diacylphosphatidylethanolamine dispersions.

The phase transition properties of aqueous suspensions of a series of nonhydrated (not heated above room temperature) and hydrated 1,2 diacylphosphatidylethanolamines (PE's) have been examined by high sensitivity differential scanning calorimetry at scan rates of 0.02-1.0 K min-1. At all scan rates nonhydrated PE's show a single asymmetric transition curve of excess heat capacity as a function of temperature. Multilamellar dispersions of hydrated PE's, however, exhibit transitions with fine structure, which can be fitted as the sum of three two-state component transitions, at scan rates of 0.02-0.1 K min-1, but give only a single asymmetric transition at 1.0 K min-1. At all scan rates the transition(s) of hydrated samples occur at lower temperatures than those of nonhydrated samples. One of the component transitions of hydrated PE's may be analogous to the pretransition that occurs in 1,2 diacylphosphatidylcholines.

Biophysical Phenomena↗