Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 1, 2026
07:46
Setting Limits on Supersymmetry Using Simplified Models
Published on: November 15, 2013
8.2K
Asymmetric simple exclusion process on chains with a shortcut
Nadezhda Bunzarova1, Nina Pesheva2, Jordan Brankov1
1Bogoliubov Laboratory of Theoretical Physics, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, 141980 Dubna, Russian Federation and Institute of Mechanics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria.
Summary
A shortcut in a molecular motor network can unexpectedly create traffic jams. This study reveals that a shunted segment can enter a shock phase, altering flow dynamics and density distributions.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Statistical Mechanics
- Nonlinear Dynamics
Background:
- The asymmetric simple exclusion process (TASEP) models directed transport in biological and physical systems.
- Previous studies on TASEP networks did not fully explore the impact of shortcuts on flow dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of a shortcut on particle flow and density in a three-segment TASEP network.
- To revise previous findings regarding maximum current conditions in such networks.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical analysis using effective rates' approximation.
- Numerical simulations on finite-size networks.
Main Results:
- The shunted segment can exhibit low-density, high-density, or coexistence (shock) phases.
- A shock phase with a delocalized domain wall occurs in specific network configurations.
- Shortcut placement significantly influences density profiles, leading to high- or low-density phases.
Conclusions:
- Shortcuts in TASEP networks can induce traffic jams, contrary to expectations.
- The behavior of the shock phase is governed by a cubic equation dependent on shortcut probability.
- Shortcut current provides a universal parameter for shock phase characteristics.
Related Concept Videos
01:34Woodward–Hoffmann Selection Rules and Microscopic Reversibility
2.2K
Electrocyclic reactions, cycloadditions, and sigmatropic rearrangements are concerted pericyclic reactions that proceed via a cyclic transition state. These reactions are stereospecific and regioselective. The stereochemistry of the products depends on the symmetry characteristics of the interacting orbitals and the reaction conditions. Accordingly, pericyclic reactions are classified as either symmetry-allowed or symmetry-forbidden. Woodward and Hoffmann presented the selection criteria for...
2.2K
02:37Restarting Stalled Replication Forks
5.1K
DNA replication is initiated at sites containing predefined DNA sequences known as origins of replication. DNA is unwound at these sites by the minichromosome maintenance (MCM) helicase and other factors such as Cdc45 and the associated GINS complex.The unwound single strands are protected by replication protein A (RPA) until DNA polymerase starts synthesizing DNA at the 5’ end of the strand in the same direction as the replication fork. To prevent the replication fork from falling apart,...
5.1K
03:06The Pauli Exclusion Principle
51.7K
The arrangement of electrons in the orbitals of an atom is called its electron configuration. We describe an electron configuration with a symbol that contains three pieces of information:
51.7K
02:19The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint
2.9K
The spindle assembly checkpoint is a molecular surveillance mechanism ensuring the fidelity of chromosome segregation during anaphase. The checkpoint monitors the completion of all the prerequisite steps before chromosome segregation to determine whether the segregation process should proceed or be delayed.
Many proteins function together to control the spindle assembly checkpoint. Mutations affecting these proteins may allow cells to proceed into anaphase prematurely, resulting in the...
Many proteins function together to control the spindle assembly checkpoint. Mutations affecting these proteins may allow cells to proceed into anaphase prematurely, resulting in the...
2.9K
01:17Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Chain Branching
1.8K
The skeletal structure of polymers synthesized via radical polymerization is always branched. For example, the polymerization of ethylene by radical polymerization results in a low-density grade of polyethylene with a heavily branched skeletal structure. Here, the radical site abstracts hydrogen from the growing chain, and the radical site shifts from the end (a primary carbon center) to anywhere within the growing chain (a secondary carbon center). Consequently, the part of the chain from the...
1.8K
01:14Reversible and Irreversible Processes
4.3K
The thermodynamic processes can be classified into reversible and irreversible processes. The processes that can be restored to their initial state are called reversible processes. It is only possible if the process is in quasi-static equilibrium, i.e., it takes place in infinitesimally small steps, and the system remains at equilibrium However, these are ideal processes and do not occur naturally. An ideal system undergoing a reversible process is always in thermodynamic equilibrium within...
4.3K