Exploring the Venus global super-rotation using a comprehensive General Circulation Model

The atmospheric circulation in Venus is well known to exhibit strong super-rotation. However, the atmospheric mechanisms responsible for the formation of this super-rotation are still not fully understood. In this work, we developed a new Venus general circulation model to study the most likely mechanisms driving the atmosphere to the current observed circulation. Our model includes a new radiative transfer, convection and suitably adapted boundary layer schemes and a dynamical core that takes into account the dependence of the heat capacity at constant pressure with temperature. The new Venus model is able to simulate a super-rotation phenomenon in the cloud region quantitatively similar to the one observed. The mechanisms maintaining the strong winds in the cloud region were found in the model results to be a combination of zonal mean circulation, thermal tides and transient waves. In this process, the semi-diurnal tide excited in the upper clouds has a key contribution in transporting axial angular momentum mainly from the upper atmosphere towards the cloud region. The magnitude of the super-rotation in the cloud region is sensitive to various radiative parameters such as the amount of solar radiative energy absorbed by the surface, which controls the static stability near the surface. In this work, we also discuss the main difficulties in representing the flow below the cloud base in Venus atmospheric models. Our new radiative scheme is more suitable for 3D Venus climate models than those used in previous work due to its easy adaptability to different atmospheric conditions. This flexibility of the model was crucial to explore the uncertainties in the lower atmospheric conditions and may also be used in the future to explore, for example, dynamical-radiative-microphysical feedbacks.Comment: Accepted for publication in Planet. Space Sc

Effective action for a quantum scalar field in warped spaces

We investigate the one-loop corrections at zero, as well as finite temperature, of a scalar field taking place in a braneworld motived warped background. After to reach a well defined problem, we calculate the effective action with the corresponding quantum corrections to each case.Comment: 10 pages, to appear in The European Physical Journal

Modulational instability of spatially broadband nonlinear optical pulses in four-state atomic systems

The modulational instability of broadband optical pulses in a four-state atomic system is investigated. In particular, starting from a recently derived generalized nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation, a wave-kinetic equation is derived. A comparison between coherent and random phase wave states is made. It is found that the spatial spectral broadening can contribute to the nonlinear stability of ultra-short optical pulses. In practical terms, this could be achieved by using random phase plate techniques.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev.

Dual descriptions of spin two massive particles in D=2+1D=2+1 via master actions

In the first part of this work we show the decoupling (up to contact terms) of redundant degrees of freedom which appear in the covariant description of spin two massive particles in $D=2+1$. We make use of a master action which interpolates, without solving any constraints, between a first, second and third order (in derivatives) self-dual model. An explicit dual map between those models is derived. In our approach the absence of ghosts in the third order self-dual model, which corresponds to a quadratic truncation of topologically massive gravity, is due to the triviality (no particle content) of the Einstein-Hilbert action in $D=2+1$. In the second part of the work, also in $D=2+1$, we prove the quantum equivalence of the gauge invariant sector of a couple of self-dual models of opposite helicities (+2 and -2) and masses $m_+$ and $m_-$ to a generalized self-dual model which contains a quadratic Einstein-Hilbert action, a Chern-Simons term of first order and a Fierz-Pauli mass term. The use of a first order Chern-Simons term instead of a third order one avoids conflicts with the sign of the Einstein-Hilbert action.Comment: title and abstract slightly modified, 3 references added, comments on interactions include

Entanglement versus Quantum Discord in Two Coupled Double Quantum Dots

We study the dynamics of quantum correlations of two coupled double quantum dots containing two excess electrons. The dissipation is included through the contact with an oscillator bath. We solve the Redfield master equation in order to determine the dynamics of the quantum discord and the entanglement of formation. Based on our results, we find that the quantum discord is more resistant to dissipation than the entanglement of formation for such a system. We observe that this characteristic is related to whether the oscillator bath is common to both qubits or not and to the form of the interaction Hamiltonian. Moreover, our results show that the quantum discord might be finite even for higher temperatures in the asymptotic limit.Comment: 14 pages, 8 figures (new version is the final version to appear in NJP

THOR 2.0: Major Improvements to the Open-Source General Circulation Model

THOR is the first open-source general circulation model (GCM) developed from scratch to study the atmospheres and climates of exoplanets, free from Earth- or Solar System-centric tunings. It solves the general non-hydrostatic Euler equations (instead of the primitive equations) on a sphere using the icosahedral grid. In the current study, we report major upgrades to THOR, building upon the work of Mendon\c{c}a et al. (2016). First, while the Horizontally Explicit Vertically Implicit (HEVI) integration scheme is the same as that described in Mendon\c{c}a et al. (2016), we provide a clearer description of the scheme and improved its implementation in the code. The differences in implementation between the hydrostatic shallow (HSS), quasi-hydrostatic deep (QHD) and non-hydrostatic deep (NHD) treatments are fully detailed. Second, standard physics modules are added: two-stream, double-gray radiative transfer and dry convective adjustment. Third, THOR is tested on additional benchmarks: tidally-locked Earth, deep hot Jupiter, acoustic wave, and gravity wave. Fourth, we report that differences between the hydrostatic and non-hydrostatic simulations are negligible in the Earth case, but pronounced in the hot Jupiter case. Finally, the effects of the so-called "sponge layer", a form of drag implemented in most GCMs to provide numerical stability, are examined. Overall, these upgrades have improved the flexibility, user-friendliness, and stability of THOR.Comment: 57 pages, 31 figures, revised, accepted for publication in ApJ

Static potential in scalar QED3_3 with non-minimal coupling

Here we compute the static potential in scalar $QED_3$ at leading order in $1/N_f$. We show that the addition of a non-minimal coupling of Pauli-type (\eps j^{\mu}\partial^{\nu}A^{\alpha}), although it breaks parity, it does not change the analytic structure of the photon propagator and consequently the static potential remains logarithmic (confining) at large distances. The non-minimal coupling modifies the potential, however, at small charge separations giving rise to a repulsive force of short range between opposite sign charges, which is relevant for the existence of bound states. This effect is in agreement with a previous calculation based on M$\ddot{o}$ller scattering, but differently from such calculation we show here that the repulsion appears independently of the presence of a tree level Chern-Simons term which rather affects the large distance behavior of the potential turning it into constant.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figure

A phonon laser in ultra-cold matter

We show the possible excitation of a phonon laser instability in an ultra-cold atomic gas confined in a magneto-optical trap. Such an effect results from a negative Landau damping of the collective density perturbations in the gas, leading to the coherent emission of phonons. This laser instability can be driven by a blue-detuned laser superimposed to the usual red-detuning laser beams which usually provide the cooling mechanism. Threshold conditions, instability growth rates and saturation levels are derived. This work generalizes, on theoretical grounds, the recent results obtained with single ion phonon laser, to an ultra-cold atomic gas, where real phonons can be excited. Future phonon lasers could thus adequately be called phasers.Comment: 4 pages, submitted to PR

Detecção de ovino sororreagente para Maedi-Visna no estado de Sergipe.

Resumo - O vírus da Maedi-Visna pertence à família Retroviridae, gênero Lentivírus e afeta ovinos criados especialmente de forma intensiva. Apesar de variável patogenicidade, é responsável por manifestação clínica crônica e debilitante. Amplamente distribuído pelo mundo, é relacionado a subestimado impacto econômico na ovinocultura, porém com dados imprecisos no Brasil. O presente trabalho objetivou a obtenção da prevalência da Maedi-Visna no município de Lagarto/Sergipe. Foram analisadas 151 amostras séricas de ovinos Santa Inês, oriundas de nove propriedades rurais, identificadas quanto ao sexo e idade dos animais. Utilizou-se o teste de Imunodifusão em Gel de Ágar através da técnica de microaglutinação. A prevalência obtida foi de 0,66%, o que representa o primeiro relato da Maedi-Visna em Sergipe e que pode estar correlacionado ao íntimo contato entre ovinos e caprinos ou a submissão dos animais às exposições agropecuárias, inclusive extra-estaduais, onde há a aproximação de animais infectados e sadios promovida de forma inconsciente pelos produtores, ou ainda à transmissão a partir de animais exóticos inseridos em rebanho para melhoramento genético. Devido ao sistema de criação ao qual os animais são mantidos, confinamento de reprodutores e regime semi-intensivo aos demais, a doença pode não ter conseguido condições propicias para disseminar-se. O resultado indica riscos à ovinocultura desenvolvida no estado e as relações comerciais com os demais, e sugere a necessidade de estudos mais amplos para melhor caracterizar o perfil do estado em relação à ocorrência de Lentiviroses de Pequenos Ruminantes e implantação de medidas de controle e prevenção da disseminação desta enfermidade. Detection of sheep sororeaction for maedi-visna in State of Sergipe. Abstract - The virus of Maedi Visna belongs to Retroviridae family, gender Lentivirus affects raise of sheep especially at intensive way. Despite variable pathogenicity, is responsible for chronic and debilitating clinical. Widely distributed throughout the world, is linked underestimated the economic impact in raise of sheep, but with inaccurate data in Brazil. This study aimed to obtain the prevalence of Maedi Visna in the municipality of Lagarto / Sergipe. It were analyzed 151 samples of serum taken from sheep of Santa Ines breed, from nine farms, identified as to sex and age of animals. It was used in the test of Imunodifusion in Agar Gel whith microaglutination technique. The prevalence obtained was 0.66%, which represents the first report of Maedi Visna in Sergipe and can be correlated to the close contact between sheep and goats or the submission of animals for agricultural exhibitions where there is the nearest of infected and healthy animals unconscious promoted by producers or the transmission from exotic animals entered in farms for breeding herd. Because the system of creation which animals are kept, confinement of males and semi-intensive system to the others, the disease may not have achieved favorable conditions to spread itself. The results indicates the risk in raised of sheep developed in the state and trade relations with the others, and suggests the need for more extensive studies to better characterize the profile of the state in relation to the occurrence of Lentiviroses of Small Ruminants and implementation of measures for control and prevention spread of this disease

Manuel Castells and Informationalism

Understanding how the social appropriation of information and communication technologies came to define the contemporary period is critical for researchers and practitioners of innovation, business and management. This paper explores how the work of Manuel Castells as a social theorist provides the intellectual tools and the encompassing lenses to enable the study and navigate the process of structural transformation in which our lives have been engulfed from the 1970s onwards. Castells’ procedure of considering technology, social usages and structural history leads him to a key conceptual result: the introduction of the “Network Society” concept. His ideas have most notably been applied to the field of communications studies, which he analyses through the prism of power. However, these insights are not containable in one single discipline as the implications of informationalism stretch in a variety of directions, making other dimensions of society amenable to the network perspective. Organisational studies are one topic in which this line of enquiry may fruitfully be pursued.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio