Surface reflectivity effects on coherent backscattering have been studied by using variable-reflectivity mirrors at the sample surface. Photon-transport parameters obtained from coherent backscattering were found to be significantly improved by using current theoretical models for samples with high surface reflectivity.

Advances in experimental techniques and in theoretical models have improved our understanding of protein crystallization. However, they have also left open questions regarding the protein phase behavior and self-assembly kinetics, such as why (nearly) identical crystallization conditions can sometimes result in the formation of different crystal forms. Here, we develop a patchy particle model w...

The quantitative analysis of molecular interactions is of high interest in medical research. Most methods for the investigation of ligand-receptor complexes deal with huge ensembles of biomolecules, but often neglect interactions with low affinity or small subpopulations with different binding properties. Single-molecule force spectroscopy offers fascinating possibilities for the quantitative a...

A short history of the major features of neutral theories of molecular evolution is presented. Emphasis is placed on the nearly neutral theory, as this version of the neutral theory has explained the widest range of phenomena. The shift of interest from protein to DNA evolution is chronicled, leading to the modern view that silent and replacement substitutions are responding to different evolut...

We measure the position- and momentum-space breathing dynamics of trapped one-dimensional Bose gases at finite temperature. The profile in real space reveals sinusoidal width oscillations whose frequency varies continuously through the quasicondensate to ideal Bose gas crossover. A comparison with theoretical models taking temperature into account is provided. In momentum space, we report the f...

Current theoretical treatments of mode splitting and scattering loss resulting from subwavelength scatterers attached to the surface of high-quality-factor whispering-gallery-mode microresonators are not satisfactory. Different models proposed for distinct scatterer regimes cannot be reconciled. In addition, many experimental results are difficult to understand within the existing theoretical f...

The study of the ionization process of molecules in an intense infrared laser field is of paramount interest in strong-field physics and constitutes the foundation of imaging of molecular valence orbitals and attosecond science. We show measurement of alignment-dependent ionization probabilities of the lower-lying orbitals of the molecules by experimentally detecting the alignment dependence of...

Glacial cycles redistribute water between oceans and continents, causing pressure changes in the upper mantle, with consequences for the melting of Earth's interior. Using Plio-Pleistocene sea-level variations as a forcing function, theoretical models of mid-ocean ridge dynamics that include melt transport predict temporal variations in crustal thickness of hundreds of meters. New bathymetry fr...

"This paper provides an empirical investigation of a theoretical model of the marriage market. In the model, women are valued more for their ability to bear children and men are valued more for the ability to make money. Men cannot reveal their labor market ability to potential spouses until they enter the labor force. At the same time, the relevant information for evaluating females as spouses...

We study the behavior of hysteresis loops in Finemet Fe73.5Cu1Nb3Si18.5B4 thin films by using a fluxometric setup based on a couple of well compensated pickup coils. The presence of scaling laws of the hysteresis area is investigated as a function of the amplitude and frequency of the applied field, considering sample thickness from about 20 nm to 5 μm. We do not observed any scaling predicted ...