Universality classes and crossover behaviors in non-Abelian directed sandpiles

We study universality classes and crossover behaviors in non-Abelian directed sandpile models, in terms of the metastable pattern analysis. The non-Abelian property induces spatially correlated metastable patterns, characterized by the algebraic decay of the grain density along the propagation direction of an avalanche. Crossover scaling behaviors are observed in the grain density due to the interplay between the toppling randomness and the parity of the threshold value. In the presence of such crossovers, we show that the broadness of the grain distribution plays a crucial role in resolving the ambiguity of the universality class. Finally, we claim that the metastable pattern analysis is important as much as the conventional analysis of avalanche dynamics.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures, 1 table; published in PRE as the full paper of PRL v101, 218001 (2008

Large magnetoresistance using hybrid spin filter devices

A magnetic "spin filter" tunnel barrier, sandwiched between a non-magnetic metal and a magnetic metal, is used to create a new magnetoresistive tunnel device, somewhat analogous to an optical polarizer-analyzer configuration. The resistance of these trilayer structures depends on the relative magnetization orientation of the spin filter and the ferromagnetic electrode. The spin filtering in this configuration yields a previously unobserved magnetoresistance effect, exceeding 100%.Comment: 3.5 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Appl. Phys. Let

Stiff polymer in monomer ensemble

We make use of the previously developed formalism for a monomer ensemble and include angular dependence of the segments of the polymer chains thus described. In particular we show how to deal with stiffness when the polymer chain is confined to certain regions. We investigate the stiffness from the perspectives of a differential equation, integral equations, or recursive relations for both continuum and lattice models. Exact analytical solutions are presented for two cases, whereas numerical results are shown for a third case.Comment: 10 pages, including 6 figure

Characteristics of cloud-to-ground lightning activity over Seoul, South Korea in relation to an urban effect

Cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning flash data collected by the lightning detection network installed at the Korean Meteorological Administration (KMA) have been used to study the urban effect on lightning activity over and around Seoul, the largest metropolitan city of South Korea, for the period of 1989–1999. Negative and positive flash density and the percentage of positive flashes have been calculated. Calculation reveals that an enhancement of approximately 60% and 42% are observed, respectively, for negative and positive flash density over and downwind of the city. The percentage decrease of positive flashes occurs over and downwind of Seoul and the amount of decrease is nearly 20% compared to upwind values. The results are in good agreement with those obtained by Steiger et al. (2002) and Westcott (1995). CG lightning activities have also been considered in relation to annual averages of PM<sub>10</sub> (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 10 μm) and sulphur dioxide (SO<sub>2</sub>) concentrations. Interesting results are found, indicating that the higher concentration of SO<sub>2</sub> contributes to the enhancement of CG lightning flashes. On the other hand, the contribution from PM<sub>10</sub> concentration has not appeared in this study to be as significant as SO<sub>2</sub> in the enhancement of CG lightning flashes. Correlation coefficients of 0.33 and 0.64 are found between the change in CG lightning flashes and the PM<sub>10</sub> and SO<sub>2</sub>, respectively, for upwind to downwind areas, suggesting a significant influence of the increased concentration of SO<sub>2</sub> on the enhancement of CG flashes

Pre- and Post-Adaptation Effects of Buffers in High-Concentrate Lamb Diets

A gradual increase in grain cover a period of 2 to 4 weeks is commonly required before ruminant animals become adapted to high-concentrate diets. Various dietary materials including sodium bicarbonate, sodium betonite, limestone and forage have been indicated as potential adis in the prevention of acidosis during adaptation. Benefits from feeding of these materials following adaptation have been less pronounced or lacking. Objectives of studies reported herein were (1) to investigate the effects of buffers and limited quantitites of alfalfa hay on physiological and rumen fermentation changs occuring in lambs during the early phase of adaptation to high-concentrate diets and (2) to study ruminal and systemic parameters and nutrient utilization as influenced by buffers in the diets of lambs previously adapted to the high-concentrate diet

N_pN_n dependence of empirical formula for the lowest excitation energy of the 2^+ states in even-even nuclei

We examine the effects of the additional term of the type $\sim e^{- \lambda' N_pN_n}$ on the recently proposed empirical formula for the lowest excitation energy of the $2^+$ states in even-even nuclei. This study is motivated by the fact that this term carries the favorable dependence of the valence nucleon numbers dictated by the $N_pN_n$ scheme. We show explicitly that there is not any improvement in reproducing $E_x(2_1^+)$ by including the extra $N_pN_n$ term. However, our study also reveals that the excitation energies $E_x(2_1^+)$, when calculated by the $N_pN_n$ term alone (with the mass number $A$ dependent term), are quite comparable to those calculated by the original empirical formula.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figure