22,834 research outputs found
An exactly solvable model for driven dissipative systems
We introduce a solvable stochastic model inspired by granular gases for
driven dissipative systems. We characterize far from equilibrium steady states
of such systems through the non-Boltzmann energy distribution and compare
different measures of effective temperatures. As an example we demonstrate that
fluctuation-dissipation relations hold, however with an effective temperature
differing from the effective temperature defined from the average energy.Comment: Some further clarifications. No changes in results or conclusion
Food and Crop Research Activities at Kennedy Space Center, FL
No abstract availabl
Exact renormalization-group analysis of first order phase transitions in clock models
We analyze the exact behavior of the renormalization group flow in
one-dimensional clock-models which undergo first order phase transitions by the
presence of complex interactions. The flow, defined by decimation, is shown to
be single-valued and continuous throughout its domain of definition, which
contains the transition points. This fact is in disagreement with a recently
proposed scenario for first order phase transitions claiming the existence of
discontinuities of the renormalization group. The results are in partial
agreement with the standard scenario. However in the vicinity of some fixed
points of the critical surface the renormalized measure does not correspond to
a renormalized Hamiltonian for some choices of renormalization blocks. These
pathologies although similar to Griffiths-Pearce pathologies have a different
physical origin: the complex character of the interactions. We elucidate the
dynamical reason for such a pathological behavior: entire regions of coupling
constants blow up under the renormalization group transformation. The flows
provide non-perturbative patterns for the renormalization group behavior of
electric conductivities in the quantum Hall effect.Comment: 13 pages + 3 ps figures not included, TeX, DFTUZ 91.3
Performance of two transferred modules in the Lagunera Region: Water relations
Water policy / Performance / Privatization / Irrigation systems / Operations / Maintenance / Irrigation efficiency / Water users' associations / Water rights / Water allocation / Water supply / Water distribution
Paper Session III-B - Soybean and Corn Seed Germination in Space: The First Plant Study Conducted on Space Station Alpha
The JOSE (JASON Outreach Seed Experiment) payload was the first plant study conducted on Space Station Alpha. The experiment consisted of having an on-orbit watering of eight seed pouches, each of which contained either six soybean or six corn seeds glued to a germination paper substrate. Two pouches containing corn plus two pouches containing soybean seeds were maintained in the light after watering. Two additional seed pouches of each species were maintained in the dark after watering. Digital photography was used to document the growth of the germinating seedlings in space. The images were down-linked and posted to a world wide web site for dissemination to students. Details relating to the experimental design are presented. Within species differences (between the light and dark grown seedlings) as well as between species differences (comparing corn and soybean) were observed
Weak Charge Quantization as an Instanton of Interacting sigma-model
Coulomb blockade in a quantum dot attached to a diffusive conductor is
considered in the framework of the non-linear sigma-model. It is shown that the
weak charge quantization on the dot is associated with instanton configurations
of the Q-field in the conductor. The instantons have a finite action and are
replica non--symmetric. It is argued that such instantons may play a role in
the transition regime to the interacting insulator.Comment: 4 pages. The 2D case substantially modifie
Do financial constraints really matter? A case of understudied African firms
Abstract: Using a system of equations to account for the simultaneity, interâtemporal and interdependent nature of corporate decisions, we document several new insights into how emerging market firms allocate funds across competing usesâofâfunds. Emerging market firms save most of the operating cash flow. When the firms spend, they allocate the remainder to dividend payments first, followed by debt retirements, then equity repurchases and lastly investments. This pecking order of prioritizing savings and dividends ahead of other usesâofâfunds highlight difficulties in accessing external finance and a stubbornly resilient signalling motive for firms operating under a high degree of information asymmetry and agency costs. We further find significant asymmetry and heterogeneity in the allocation of funds conditional on credit constraints, deviations from target and around the financial crisis. Our findings signal the need for policies that improve access to external finance and information disclosure in emerging markets
The NASA Spitzer Space Telescope
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Spitzer Space Telescope (formerly the Space Infrared Telescope Facility) is the fourth and final facility in the Great Observatories Program, joining Hubble Space Telescope (1990), the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory (1991â2000), and the Chandra X-Ray Observatory (1999). Spitzer, with a sensitivity that is almost three orders of magnitude greater than that of any previous ground-based and space-based infrared observatory, is expected to revolutionize our understanding of the creation of the universe, the formation and evolution of primitive galaxies, the origin of stars and planets, and the chemical evolution of the universe. This review presents a brief overview of the scientific objectives and history of infrared astronomy. We discuss Spitzer's expected role in infrared astronomy for the new millennium. We describe pertinent details of the design, construction, launch, in-orbit checkout, and operations of the observatory and summarize some science highlights from the first two and a half years of Spitzer operations. More information about Spitzer can be found at http://spitzer.caltech.edu/
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