Simulated Tempering: A New Monte Carlo Scheme

We propose a new global optimization method ({\em Simulated Tempering}) for simulating effectively a system with a rough free energy landscape (i.e. many coexisting states) at finite non-zero temperature. This method is related to simulated annealing, but here the temperature becomes a dynamic variable, and the system is always kept at equilibrium. We analyze the method on the Random Field Ising Model, and we find a dramatic improvement over conventional Metropolis and cluster methods. We analyze and discuss the conditions under which the method has optimal performances.Comment: 12 pages, very simple LaTeX file, figures are not included, sorr

Birds, Ilha Grande, state of Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil

We provide a list of bird species from our primary surveys and secondary data for an island (Ilha Grande) insoutheastern Brazil. The information derives mainly from primary data collected since 1995, particularly in the oceanicside of the island. The methodologies included capture-mark-recapture studies using mist nets, transects (visual andvocal records) and supplementary observations. Our total species list from primary data is 175 species (127 captured)and 47 species were added from secondary data. This represents 222 species from 58 families. Of this total, 44 areendemic to Atlantic forest and nine are threatened with extinction. Our results are discussed comparing our study areawith another large island included in the Serra do Mar corridor (Ilha de São Sebastião), and also a nearby continentalarea (Paraty). The results indicate the importance of Ilha Grande as a reservoir of bird species of Atlantic forest

Stripe-tetragonal phase transition in the 2D Ising model with dipole interactions: Partition-function zeros approach

We have performed multicanonical simulations to study the critical behavior of the two-dimensional Ising model with dipole interactions. This study concerns the thermodynamic phase transitions in the range of the interaction \delta where the phase characterized by striped configurations of width h=1 is observed. Controversial results obtained from local update algorithms have been reported for this region, including the claimed existence of a second-order phase transition line that becomes first order above a tricritical point located somewhere between \delta=0.85 and 1. Our analysis relies on the complex partition function zeros obtained with high statistics from multicanonical simulations. Finite size scaling relations for the leading partition function zeros yield critical exponents \nu that are clearly consistent with a single second-order phase transition line, thus excluding such tricritical point in that region of the phase diagram. This conclusion is further supported by analysis of the specific heat and susceptibility of the orientational order parameter.Comment: to appear in Phys. Rev.

Boletim Agrometeorológico ano 2002 para a sub-região da Nhecolândia, Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil.

Este boletim tem o intuito de difundir as informações agroclimáticas coletadas no Pantanal da Nhecolândia, visando subsidiar a pesquisa agropecuária da região, além de atender todos àqueles que necessitam de informações dessa natureza.bitstream/CPAP/55971/1/DOC76.pdfFormato Eletrônic

Geometric scaling of purely-elastic flow instabilities

We present a combined experimental, numerical and theoretical investigation of the geometric scaling of the onset of a purely-elastic flow instability in a serpentine channel. Good qualitative agreement is obtained between experiments, using dilute solutions of flexible polymers in microfluidic devices, and two-dimensional numerical simulations using the UCM model. The results are confirmed by a simple theoretical analysis, based on the dimensionless criterion proposed by Pakdel-McKinley for onset of a purely-elastic instability

Chemical abundances for 11 bulge stars from high-resolution, near-IR spectra

It is debated whether the Milky Way bulge has the characteristics of a classical bulge sooner than those of a pseudobulge. Detailed abundance studies of bulge stars is a key to investigate the origin, history, and classification of the bulge. The aim is to add to the discussion on the origin of the bulge and to study detailed abundances determined from near-IR spectra for bulge giants already investigated with optical spectra, the latter also providing the stellar parameters which are very significant for the results of the present study. Especially, the important CNO elements are better determined in the near-IR. High-resolution, near-infrared spectra in the H band are recorded using the CRIRES spectrometer on the Very Large Telescope. The CNO abundances can all be determined from the numerous molecular lines in the wavelength range observed. Abundances of the alpha elements are also determined from the near-IR spectra. [O/Fe], [Si/Fe] and [S/Fe] are enhanced up to metallicities of at least [Fe/H]=-0.3, after which they decline. This suggests that the Milky Way bulge experienced a rapid and early star-formation history like that of a classical bulge. However, a similarity between the bulge trend and the trend of the local thick disk seems present. Such a similarity could suggest that the bulge has a pseudobulge origin. Our [C/Fe] trend does not show any increase with [Fe/H] which could have been expected if W-R stars have contributed substantially to the C abundances. No "cosmic scatter" can be traced around our observed abundance trends; the scatter found is expected, given the observational uncertainties.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&

The extended gaussian ensemble and metastabilities in the Blume-Capel model

The Blume-Capel model with infinite-range interactions presents analytical solutions in both canonical and microcanonical ensembles and therefore, its phase diagram is known in both ensembles. This model exhibits nonequivalent solutions and the microcanonical thermodynamical features present peculiar behaviors like nonconcave entropy, negative specific heat, and a jump in the thermodynamical temperature. Examples of nonequivalent ensembles are in general related to systems with long-range interactions that undergo canonical first-order phase transitions. Recently, the extended gaussian ensemble (EGE) solution was obtained for this model. The gaussian ensemble and its extended version can be considered as a regularization of the microcanonical ensemble. They are known to play the role of an interpolating ensemble between the microcanonical and the canonical ones. Here, we explicitly show how the microcanonical energy equilibrium states related to the metastable and unstable canonical solutions for the Blume-Capel model are recovered from EGE, which presents a concave "extended" entropy as a function of energy.Comment: 6 pages, 5 eps figures. Presented at the XI Latin American Workshop on Nonlinear Phenomena, October 05-09 (2009), B\'uzios (RJ), Brazil. To appear in JPC