14,384 research outputs found
On the origin of unusual transport properties observed in densely packed polycrystalline CaAl_{2}
A possible origin of unusual temperature behavior of transport coefficients
observed in densely packed polycrystalline CaAl_{2} compound [M. Ausloos et
al., J. Appl. Phys. 96, 7338 (2004)] is discussed, including a power-like
dependence of resistivity with and N-like form of the
thermopower. All these features are found to be in good agreement with the
Shklovskii-Efros localization scenario assuming polaron-mediated hopping
processes controlled by the Debye energy
Oak Persistence in Mediterranean Landscapes: The Combined Role of Management, Topography, and Wildfires
Mediterranean ecosystems have been shaped by a history of human and ecological disturbances. Understanding the dynamics of these social-ecological systems requires an understanding of how human and ecological factors interact. In this study, we assess the combined role of management practices and biophysical variables, i.e., wildfire and topography, to explain patterns of tree persistence in a cork oak (Quercus suber L.) landscape of southern Portugal. We used face-to-face interviews with landowners to identify the management practices and the incentives that motivated them. We used aerial photographs and a Geographic Information System (GIS) to classify vegetation patch-type transitions over a period of 45 years (1958-2002) and logistic regression to explain such changes based on management and biophysical factors. The best model explaining vegetation transitions leading to cork oak persistence in the landscape included both biophysical and management variables. Tree persistence was more likely to occur on steeper slopes, in the absence of wildfires, and in the absence of understory management. We identified ecological, ideological, and economical barriers that preclude oak persistence and that are important to consider in implementing efficient environmental policies for adequate conservation and reforestation programs of Mediterranean cork oak landscape
Are drought and wildfires turning Mediterranean cork oak forests into persistent shrublands?
In the Iberian Peninsula Mediterranean oak forests have been transformed into a mosaic landscape of four main patch-types: forests, savannas, shrublands and grasslands. We used aerial photographs over a period of 45 years (1958-2002) to quantify the persistence and rates of transitions between vegetation patch-types in southern Portugal, where cork oak is the dominant tree species. We used logistic regression to relate vegetation changes with topographical features and wildfire history. Over the 45 years, shrublands have been the most persistent patch-type (59%), and have been expanding; forests are also persistent (55%) but have been decreasing since 1985; savannas and grasslands were less persistent (33% and 15%, respectively). Shrublands persistence was significantly correlated with wildfire occurrence, particularly on southern exposures after 1995. In contrast, forest persistence decreased with wildfire occurrence, and forests were more likely to change into shrublands where wildfire had occurred after 1995
Jamming transition in a two-dimensional open granular pile with rolling resistance
We present a molecular dynamics study of the jamming/unjamming transition in
two-dimensional granular piles with open boundaries. The grains are modeled by
viscoelastic forces, Coulomb friction and resistance to rolling. Two models for
the rolling resistance interaction were assessed: one considers a constant
rolling friction coefficient, and the other one a strain dependent coefficient.
The piles are grown on a finite size substrate and subsequently discharged
through an orifice opened at the center of the substrate. Varying the orifice
width and taking the final height of the pile after the discharge as the order
parameter, one can devise a transition from a jammed regime (when the grain
flux is always clogged by an arch) to a catastrophic regime, in which the pile
is completely destroyed by an avalanche as large as the system size. A finite
size analysis shows that there is a finite orifice width associated with the
threshold for the unjamming transition, no matter the model used for the
microscopic interactions. As expected, the value of this threshold width
increases when rolling resistance is considered, and it depends on the model
used for the rolling friction.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figure
Magnetic remanence of Josephson junction arrays
In this work we study the magnetic remanence exhibited by Josephson junction
arrays in response to an excitation with an AC magnetic field. The effect,
predicted by numerical simulations to occur in a range of temperatures, is
clearly seen in our tridimensional disordered arrays. We also discuss the
influence of the critical current distribution on the temperature interval
within which the array develops a magnetic remanence. This effect can be used
to determine the critical current distribution of an array.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures, Talk to be presented on 44th Annual Conference on
Magnetism & Magnetic Materials, San Jose, CA, USA Accepted to be published in
Journal of Applied Physic
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