Speed limit to the Abrikosov lattice in mesoscopic superconductors

We study the instability of the superconducting state in a mesoscopic geometry for the low pinning material Mo$_3$Ge characterized by a large Ginzburg-Landau parameter. We observe that in the current driven switching to the normal state from a nonlinear region of the Abrikosov flux flow, the mean critical vortex velocity reaches a limiting maximum velocity as a function of the applied magnetic field. Based on time dependent Ginzburg-Landau simulations we argue that the observed behavior is due to the high velocity vortex dynamics confined on a mesoscopic scale. We build up a general phase diagram which includes all possible dynamic configurations of Abrikosov lattice in a mesoscopic superconductor.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figure

The Baxter Q Operator of Critical Dense Polymers

We consider critical dense polymers ${\cal L}_{1,2}$, corresponding to a logarithmic conformal field theory with central charge $c=-2$. An elegant decomposition of the Baxter $Q$ operator is obtained in terms of a finite number of lattice integrals of motion. All local, non local and dual non local involutive charges are introduced directly on the lattice and their continuum limit is found to agree with the expressions predicted by conformal field theory. A highly non trivial operator $\Psi(\nu)$ is introduced on the lattice taking values in the Temperley Lieb Algebra. This $\Psi$ function provides a lattice discretization of the analogous function introduced by Bazhanov, Lukyanov and Zamolodchikov. It is also observed how the eigenvalues of the $Q$ operator reproduce the well known spectral determinant for the harmonic oscillator in the continuum scaling limit.Comment: improved version, accepted for publishing on JSTA

Integrals of Motion for Critical Dense Polymers and Symplectic Fermions

We consider critical dense polymers ${\cal L}(1,2)$. We obtain for this model the eigenvalues of the local integrals of motion of the underlying Conformal Field Theory by means of Thermodynamic Bethe Ansatz. We give a detailed description of the relation between this model and Symplectic Fermions including the indecomposable structure of the transfer matrix. Integrals of motion are defined directly on the lattice in terms of the Temperley Lieb Algebra and their eigenvalues are obtained and expressed as an infinite sum of the eigenvalues of the continuum integrals of motion. An elegant decomposition of the transfer matrix in terms of a finite number of lattice integrals of motion is obtained thus providing a reason for their introduction.Comment: 53 pages, version accepted for publishing on JSTA

High-order Discontinuous Galerkin Solutions of Internal Low-mach Number Turbulent Flows☆

Abstract In this work we apply the high-order Discontinuous Galerkin (DG) finite element method to internal low-Mach number turbulent flows. The method here presented is designed to improve the performance of the solution in the incompressible limit using an implicit scheme for the temporal integration of the compressible Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) equations. The per- formance of the scheme is demonstrated by solving a well-known test-case consisting of an abrupt axisymmetric expansion using various degrees of polynomial approximation. Computations with k–ω model are performed to assess the modelling capabilities, with high-order accurate DG discretizations of the RANS equations, in presence of non-equilibrium flow conditions

Intermittency in MHD turbulence and coronal nanoflares modelling

High resolution numerical simulations, solar wind data analysis, and measurements at the edges of laboratory plasma devices have allowed for a huge progress in our understanding of MHD turbulence. The high resolution of solar wind measurements has allowed to characterize the intermittency observed at small scales. We are now able to set up a consistent and convincing view of the main properties of MHD turbulence, which in turn constitutes an extremely efficient tool in understanding the behaviour of turbulent plasmas, like those in solar corona, where in situ observations are not available. Using this knowledge a model to describe injection, due to foot-point motions, storage and dissipation of MHD turbulence in coronal loops, is built where we assume strong longitudinal magnetic field, low beta and high aspect ratio, which allows us to use the set of reduced MHD equations (RMHD). The model is based on a shell technique in the wave vector space orthogonal to the strong magnetic field, while the dependence on the longitudinal coordinate is preserved. Numerical simulations show that injected energy is efficiently stored in the loop where a significant level of magnetic and velocity fluctuations is obtained. Nonlinear interactions give rise to an energy cascade towards smaller scales where energy is dissipated in an intermittent fashion. Due to the strong longitudinal magnetic field, dissipative structures propagate along the loop, with the typical speed of the Alfvén waves. The statistical analysis on the intermittent dissipative events compares well with all observed properties of nanoflare emission statistics. Moreover the recent observations of non thermal velocity measurements during flare occurrence are well described by the numerical results of the simulation model. All these results naturally emerge from the model dynamical evolution without any need of an ad-hoc hypothesis

Dosimetric characterization of CVD diamonds irradiated with 62 MeV proton beams

Diamond is potentially a very suitable material for use as on-line radiation dosimeter. Recent advances in the synthesis of polycrystalline diamond by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) techniques have produced material with electronic properties suitable for dosimetry applications. In this work the possibility to use a segmented commercial CVD detector in the dosimetry of proton beams has been investigated. The response as function of dose, dose rate, the priming and the rise time have been investigated thoroughly. This study shows the suitability of CVD diamond for dosimetry of clinical 62 MeV proton beams. r 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

The endophytic bacterial community of healthy and Xylella-infected olive sapwood

Endophytic bacteria are of biotechnological and agronomic interest as they promote plant healthiness by producing and secreting plant growth regulators, and antagonizing phytopathogens through the induction of resistance mechanisms, and the supply of nutritional elements. One of the factors that may influence the behavior of olive towards the ‘quick decline syndrome’ is the nature of the endophytic microbial community occurring in sapwood. Objectives of the research was to characterize the bacterial endophytic population occurring into the xylem of healthy and Xylellainfected olive trees by an isolation-dependent approach. Preliminary results indicate that under field conditions, the population level of cultivable endophytic bacteria is highly variable, being mainly affected by the host genotype, host age, and wilting severity. Among the different group are Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Lysinibacillus, Pantoea, Microbacterium, Stenotrophomonas, and Methylobacterium spp. Bacteria of the Methylobacetrium genus occupy the same ecological niche of X. fastidiosa subsp. pauca. It has been reported as potential biocontrol agent of the pathogen, being its population higher in citrus plant showing mild symptoms of variegated chlorosis. Further research is in progress to better characterize the different Methylobacterium strains, using both biochemical and molecular approaches, and to evaluate its activity in reducing the severity of olive quick decline syndrome

The natural history of ankylosing spondylitis in the 21st century

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the axial skeleton and evolves in stiffnes followed by ankylosis and disability. However, it may be difficult to exactly establish the natural history of the disease and the influence of risk factors of progression, since most patients are treated with various pharmacologic or non-pharmacologic agents, which may potentially influence the natural progression of the disease. In this context, we report here a very interesting case of a 40 year old man, presented to our outpatient clinic, 28 years after the onset of AS. Previously for personal reasons, did not choose not to undergo any treatment. This case allows us to evaluate the natural radiological progression of the disease and the influence of predictive risk factors

Identification, Discrimination, and Discovery of Species of Marine Planktonic Ostracods Using DNA Barcodes

The Ostracoda (Crustacea; Class Ostracoda) is a diverse, frequently abundant, and ecologically important component of the marine zooplankton assemblage. There are more than 200 described species of marine planktonic ostracods, many of which (especially conspecific species) can be identified only by microscopic examination and dissection of fragile morphological characters. Given the complexity of species identification and increasing lack of expert taxonomists, DNA barcodes (short DNA sequences for species discrimination and identification) are particularly useful and necessary. Results are reported from analysis of 210 specimens of 78 species of marine planktonic ostracods, including two novel species, and 51 species for which barcodes have not been previously published. Specimens were collected during 2006 to 2008 from the Atlantic, Indian, and Southern Oceans, Greenland Sea and Gulf of Alaska. Samples were collected from surface to 5,000 m using various collection devices. DNA sequence variation was analyzed for a 598 base-pair region of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Kimura-2-Parameter (K2P) genetic distances within described species (mean = 0.010 ± 0.017 SD) were significantly smaller than between species (0.260 + 0.080), excluding eight taxa hypothesized to comprise cryptic species due to morphological variation (especially different size forms) and/or collection from different geographic regions. These taxa showed similar K2P distance values within (0.014 + 0.026) and between (0.221 ± 0.068) species. All K2P distances > 0.1 resulted from comparisons between identified or cryptic species, with no overlap between intra- and interspecific genetic distances. A Neighbor Joining tree resolved nearly all described species analyzed, with multiple sequences forming monophyletic clusters with high bootstrap values (typically 99%). Based on taxonomically and geographically extensive sampling and analysis (albeit with small sample sizes), the COI barcode region was shown to be a valuable character for discrimination, recognition, identification, and discovery of species of marine planktonic ostracods