Non-linear great deluge with learning mechanism for solving the course timetabling problem

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Structure, dynamics and bifurcations of discrete solitons in trapped ion crystals

We study discrete solitons (kinks) accessible in state-of-the-art trapped ion experiments, considering zigzag crystals and quasi-3D configurations, both theoretically and experimentally. We first extend the theoretical understanding of different phenomena predicted and recently experimentally observed in the structure and dynamics of these topological excitations. Employing tools from topological degree theory, we analyze bifurcations of crystal configurations in dependence on the trapping parameters, and investigate the formation of kink configurations and the transformations of kinks between different structures. This allows us to accurately define and calculate the effective potential experienced by solitons within the Wigner crystal, and study how this (so-called Peierls-Nabarro) potential gets modified to a nonperiodic globally trapping potential in certain parameter regimes. The kinks' rest mass (energy) and spectrum of modes are computed and the dynamics of linear and nonlinear kink oscillations are analyzed. We also present novel, experimentally observed, configurations of kinks incorporating a large-mass defect realized by an embedded molecular ion, and of pairs of interacting kinks stable for long times, offering the perspective for exploring and exploiting complex collective nonlinear excitations, controllable on the quantum level.Comment: 25 pages, 10 figures, v2 corrects Fig. 2 and adds some text and reference

Age and growth of four spot megrim (Lepidorhombus boscii) in northern Iberian waters corroborated by cohort tracking

Age and growth are key biological aspects for the age-structured assessment of exploited fish populations. Confirming the consistency of fish age interpretation by validation/corroboration studies is essential for providing accurate age estimates to the stock assessment process. The Atlantic Iberian stock of four-spot-megrim (Lepidorhombus boscii), an important exploited demersal fish, is annually assessed by age-structured models in ICES, and specimens are routinely aged by IEO expert readers for this purpose. A total of 11,741 otoliths of this stock were aged from 23 annual groundfish surveys carried out in Cantabrian Sea and Galician waters (ICES Div. VIIIc, IXa) and following internationally standardized protocols. Annual age-length-keys were built using the respective age estimates and applied to the length distribution of each survey, thus obtaining a matrix of abundance indices by age and year. Similar mean lengths are obtained for each age group along most of the time-series. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters for the time-series are estimated (L∞: 49.0; k: 0.13; t0: 1.13) and the results are compared with previous studies. The annual growth pattern estimated for L. boscii is here corroborated by tracking cohort abundance indices in the surveys. The current otolith age estimation criterion used and the resulting age estimates obtained by the age readers can be considered valid. Strong and weak cohorts are well tracked along most of their age classes, and the correlations between age abundance indices are statistically significant up to the age 6, which represent around 95% of the total number of this species caught in the surveys. The findings here presented on the age of L. boscii and its corroboration can help to reduce the uncertainty in the estimation of its demographic structure and hence, ultimately, it will be important for a better understanding of its relevance in the functioning of the benthic community of the shelf.Versión del edito

Nonlinear dynamics of coupled transverse-rotational waves in granular chains

The nonlinear dynamics of coupled waves in one-dimensional granular chains with and without a substrate is theoretically studied accounting for quadratic nonlinearity. The multiple time scale method is used to derive the nonlinear dispersion relations for infinite granular chains and to obtain the wave solutions for semiinfinite systems. It is shown that the sum-frequency and difference-frequency components of the coupled transverse-rotational waves are generated due to their nonlinear interactions with the longitudinal wave. Nonlinear resonances are not present in the chain with no substrate where these frequency components have low amplitudes and exhibit beating oscillations. In the chain positioned on a substrate two types of nonlinear resonances are predicted. At resonance, the fundamental frequency wave amplitudes decrease and the generated frequency component amplitudes increase along the chain, accompanied by the oscillations due to the wave numbers asynchronism. The results confirm the possibility of a highly efficient energy transfer between the waves of different frequencies, which could find applications in the design of acoustic devices for energy transfer and energy rectification

Enhancing coherency analysis for fault detection and mapping using 3D diffraction imaging

Automatic detection of geological discontinuities such as small throw faults, and pinch-outs is an important problem in the interpretation of 3D seismic data. This is commonly done using coherency analysis. However coherency may be affected by noise, which may create false anomalies. We propose a new interpretation workflow for the detection and mapping of faults, which enhances the coherency-type analysis with identification and detection of diffractions produced by the discontinuities. The algorithm utilizes migrated and unmigrated stacked seismic volumes and the cube of stacking (NMO) velocities. Tests on a simple 2.5 D model show that the method is capable in detecting and mapping of faults below seismic resolution

Concatenated non-stationary dispersive scenarios on complex terrain under summer conditions

International audienceThe results and discussions presented in this paper arise from a statistically representative study of the physical processes associated with the multimodal distribution of pollutants aloft and around a 343-m-tall chimney under summer conditions in the Iberian Peninsula. The indetermination of a transversal plume to the preferred transport direction during transitional periods implies a small (or null) physical significance of the classical definition of horizontal standard deviation of the concentration distribution. By experimentation and modelling, this paper analyses the atmospheric dispersion of the SO2 emissions from a power plant on complex terrain, describing the main dispersion features as an ensemble of "stationary dispersive scenarios" and reformulating some "classical" dispersive concepts to deal with the systematically monitored summer dispersive scenarios in inland Spain