5,715 research outputs found
Low-Lying Electronic Excitations and Nonlinear Optic Properties of Polymers via Symmetrized Density Matrix Renormalization Group Method
A symmetrized Density Matrix Renormalization Group procedure together with
the correction vector approach is shown to be highly accurate for obtaining
dynamic linear and third order polarizabilities of one-dimensional Hubbard and
models. The model is seen to show characteristically different
third harmonic generation response in the CDW and SDW phases. This can be
rationalized from the excitation spectrum of the systems.Comment: 4 pages Latex; 3 eps figures available upon request; Proceedings of
ICSM '96, to appear in Synth. Metals, 199
Coarsening and Slow-Dynamics in Granular Compaction
We address the problem of the microscopic reorganization of a granular medium
under a compaction process in the framework of Tetris-like models. We point out
the existence of regions of spatial organization which we call domains, and
study their time evolution. It turns out that after an initial transient, most
of the activity of the system is concentrated on the boundaries between
domains. One can then describe the compaction phenomenon as a coarsening
process for the domains, and a progressive reduction of domain boundaries. We
discuss the link between the coarsening process and the slow dynamics in the
framework of a model of active walkers on active substrates.Comment: Revtex 4 pages, 4 figures, in press in PRL. More info
http://axtnt3.phys.uniroma1.it/Tetri
Nonlinear physics of the ionosphere and LOIS/LOFAR
The ionosphere is the only large-scale plasma laboratory without walls that
we have direct access to. From results obtained in systematic, repeatable
experiments in this natural laboratory, where we can vary the stimulus and
observe its response in a controlled, repeatable manner, we can draw
conclusions on similar physical processes occurring naturally in the Earth's
plasma environment as well as in parts of the plasma universe that are not
easily accessible to direct probing.
Of particular interest is electromagnetic turbulence excited in the
ionosphere by beams of particles (photons, electrons) and its manifestation in
terms of secondary radiation (electrostatic and electromagnetic waves),
structure formation (solitons, cavitons, alfveons, striations), and the
associated exchange of energy, linear momentum, and angular momentum.
We present a new diagnostic technique, based on vector radio allowing the
utilization of EM angular momentum (vorticity), to study plasma turbulence
remotely.Comment: Six pages, two figures. To appear in Plasma Physics and Controlled
Fusio
Self-Structuring of Granular Media under Internal Avalanches
We study the phenomenon of internal avalanching within the context of
recently proposed ``Tetris'' lattice models for granular media. We define a
recycling dynamics under which the system reaches a steady state which is
self-structured, i.e. it shows a complex interplay between textured internal
structures and critical avalanche behavior. Furthermore we develop a general
mean-field theory for this class of systems and discuss possible scenarios for
the breakdown of universality.Comment: 4 pages RevTex, 3 eps figures, revised version to appear in Phys.
Rev. Let
On the definition of temperature in dense granular media
In this Letter we report the measurement of a pseudo-temperature for
compacting granular media on the basis of the Fluctuation-Dissipation relations
in the aging dynamics of a model system. From the violation of the
Fluctuation-Dissipation Theorem an effective temperature emerges (a dynamical
temperature T_{dyn}) whose ratio with the equilibrium temperature T_d^{eq}
depends on the particle density. We compare the results for the
Fluctuation-Dissipation Ratio (FDR) T_{dyn}/T_d^{eq} at several densities with
the outcomes of Edwards' approach at the corresponding densities. It turns out
that the FDR and the so-called Edwards' ratio coincide at several densities
(very different ages of the system), opening in this way the door to
experimental checks as well as theoretical constructions.Comment: RevTex4 4 pages, 4 eps figure
Non-equilibrium phase transitions in biomolecular signal transduction
We study a mechanism for reliable switching in biomolecular
signal-transduction cascades. Steady bistable states are created by system-size
cooperative effects in populations of proteins, in spite of the fact that the
phosphorylation-state transitions of any molecule, by means of which the switch
is implemented, are highly stochastic. The emergence of switching is a
nonequilibrium phase transition in an energetically driven, dissipative system
described by a master equation. We use operator and functional integral methods
from reaction-diffusion theory to solve for the phase structure, noise
spectrum, and escape trajectories and first-passage times of a class of minimal
models of switches, showing how all critical properties for switch behavior can
be computed within a unified framework
Natural Rubber Based Fuel Rich Propellant for Ramjet Rocket
Development of fuel rich propellants for air-breathing propulsion is one of the frontier areas of research. This carries less oxidiser than the normal propellants, uses ram air for complete combustion and is heavily metallised. Studies were conducted at VSSC for the development of hydroxyl-terminated natural rubber (HTNR)-based Mg and Mg-Al alloy-filled polyurethane systems. The HTNR prepolymer was modified to make it free of acid functionality so as to avoid reaction with the metals and was then reacted with calculated amount of propylene oxide in the presence of tertiary amine catalyst at room temperature. Various levels of Mg and Mg-Al alloy were used in different compositions and the effect on propellant characteristics was studied. TMP and butane diol were used for higher crosslinking, chain extension, etc and their effects were evaluated. Propellant compositions using 30-35 per cent by weight of Mg/Mg-Al alloy with the modified prepolymer have been developed. They exhibit good processibility and mechanical properties. The feasibility of room temperature curing was attempted. Motors weighing 2 kg with 100 mm OD and 200 mm length were successfully static-tested in the primary mode for performance evaluation
Analysis of structure and function of tropical grassland vegetation of India
This article does not have an abstract
Plant growth promoting rhizobia: Challenges and opportunities
Modern agriculture faces challenges, such as loss of soil fertility, fluctuating climatic factors and increasing pathogen and pest attacks. Sustainability and environmental safety of agricultural production relies on eco-friendly approaches like biofertilizers, biopesticides and crop residue return. The multiplicity of beneficial effects of microbial inoculants, particularly plant growth promoters (PGP), emphasizes the need for further strengthening the research and their use in modern agriculture. PGP inhabit the rhizosphere for nutrients from plant root exudates. By reaction, they help in (1) increased plant growth through soil nutrient enrichment by nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, siderophore production and phytohormones production (2) increased plant protection by influencing cellulase, protease, lipase and β-1,3 glucanase productions and enhance plant defense by triggering induced systemic resistance through lipopolysaccharides, flagella, homoserine lactones, acetoin and butanediol against pests and pathogens. In addition, the PGP microbes contain useful variation for tolerating abiotic stresses like extremes of temperature, pH, salinity and drought; heavy metal and pesticide pollution. Seeking such tolerant PGP microbes is expected to offer enhanced plant growth and yield even under a combination of stresses. This review summarizes the PGP related research and its benefits, and highlights the benefits of PGP rhizobia belonging to the family Rhizobiaceae, Phyllobacteriaceae and Bradyrhizobiaceae
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