Non-ergodic one-magnon magnetization dynamics of the antiferromagnetic delta chain

We investigate the one-magnon dynamics of the antiferromagnetic delta chain as a paradigmatic example of tunable equilibration. Depending on the ratio of nearest and next-nearest exchange interactions the spin system exhibits a flat band in one-magnon space - in this case equilibration happens only partially, whereas it appears to be complete with dispersive bands as generally expected for generic Hamiltonians. We provide analytical as well as numerical insight into the phenomenon.Comment: 7 pages, 10 figure

Reproductive isolation in the Aegean Ophrys omegaifera complex (Orchidaceae)

The orchid genus Ophrys operates a system of sexual deception by which high specificity of pollination is attained. Reproductive isolation in Ophrys mainly rests upon prezygotic isolation mechanisms. The level of genetic separateness of Ophrys taxa with different pollinators is therefore likely determined by the fidelity of pollinators. The present study employs genetic fingerprinting to investigate this in the east Aegean Ophrys omegaifera s.l. complex, also including O. dryis, a west Mediterranean species of this complex. Ophrys fleischmannii, O. basilissa, and the west Mediterranean O. dyris, are found to be well-separated genetic entities whereas O. omegaifera s.str. and the putative hybrid taxon, O. sitiaca, are found to be genetically inseparable across their entire range of co-occurrence. This suggests that specific pollinators have high enough fidelity to act as effective isolating factors in east Aegean O. omegaifera s.l. as a whole, but that the situation in the species pair of O. sitiaca and O. omegaifera is likely to be more comple

Sublethal injury and Viable but Non-culturable (VBNC) state in microorganisms during preservation of food and biological materials by non-thermal processes

The viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state, as well as sublethal injury of microorganisms pose a distinct threat to food safety, as the use of traditional, culture-based microbiological analyses might lead to an underestimation or a misinterpretation of the product's microbial status and recovery phenomena of microorganisms may occur. For thermal treatments, a large amount of data and experience is available and processes are designed accordingly. In case of innovative inactivation treatments, however, there are still several open points with relevance for the investigation of inactivation mechanisms as well as for the application and validation of the preservation processes. Thus, this paper presents a comprehensive compilation of non-thermal preservation technologies, i.e., high hydrostatic pressure (HHP), pulsed electric fields (PEFs), pulsed light (PL), and ultraviolet (UV) radiation, as well as cold plasma (CP) treatments. The basic technological principles and the cellular and molecular mechanisms of action are described. Based on this, appropriate analytical methods are outlined, i.e., direct viable count, staining, and molecular biological methods, in order to enable the differentiation between viable and dead cells, as well as the possible occurrence of an intermediate state. Finally, further research needs are outlined

Measurement of the 187Re({\alpha},n)190Ir reaction cross section at sub-Coulomb energies using the Cologne Clover Counting Setup

Uncertainties in adopted models of particle+nucleus optical-model potentials directly influence the accuracy in the theoretical predictions of reaction rates as they are needed for reaction-network calculations in, for instance, {\gamma}-process nucleosynthesis. The improvement of the {\alpha}+nucleus optical-model potential is hampered by the lack of experimental data at astrophysically relevant energies especially for heavier nuclei. Measuring the Re187({\alpha},n)Ir190 reaction cross section at sub-Coulomb energies extends the scarce experimental data available in this mass region and helps understanding the energy dependence of the imaginary part of the {\alpha}+nucleus optical-model potential at low energies. Applying the activation method, after the irradiation of natural rhenium targets with {\alpha}-particle energies of 12.4 to 14.1 MeV, the reaction yield and thus the reaction cross section were determined via {\gamma}-ray spectroscopy by using the Cologne Clover Counting Setup and the method of {\gamma}{\gamma} coincidences. Cross-section values at five energies close to the astrophysically relevant energy region were measured. Statistical model calculations revealed discrepancies between the experimental values and predictions based on widely used {\alpha}+nucleus optical-model potentials. However, an excellent reproduction of the measured cross-section values could be achieved from calculations based on the so-called Sauerwein-Rauscher {\alpha}+nucleus optical-model potential. The results obtained indicate that the energy dependence of the imaginary part of the {\alpha}+nucleus optical-model potential can be described by an exponential decrease. Successful reproductions of measured cross sections at low energies for {\alpha}-induced reactions in the mass range 141{\leq}A{\leq}187 confirm the global character of the Sauerwein-Rauscher potential

Instabilitäten von Infiltrationsfronten verursacht durch langzeitige Bewässerung mit behandelten Abwässern

Die Bewässerung von Agrarflächen mit behandelten Abwässern (TWW) ist eine weitverbreitete Praxis in ariden und semi-ariden Gebieten. In Israel liegt auf dieser Wasserressource ein besonderer Fokus, da Abwässer ganzjährig verfügbar sind, Frischwasserressourcen schonen und einen wichtigen Beitrag zur Wiederverwendung von Nährstoffen leisten. Vorangegangene Studien haben gezeigt, dass organische Stoffe die Benetzbarkeit von Mineraloberflächen beeinträchtigen und die Bodenstruktur verändern können. Auf Grund der erhöhten Restmenge an organischen Bestandteilen im TWW kann eine langzeitige Bewässerung im Boden zu Veränderungen der Struktur, Hydrophobizität, präferentiellen Fließwegen und dem Auswaschen von Pflanzenschutzmitteln und Nährstoffen führen. In dieser Studie wurden (i) eine neue Methode zur Quantifizierung von Wassergehaltsänderungen in ungestörten Bodenproben via Radiographie entwickelt und (ii) Instabilitäten von Infiltrationsfronten in Böden, die seit über zwanzig Jahren mit TWW bewässert wurden, detektiert. Wir untersuchten ungestörte Bodenproben von zwei Obstplantagen in Israel mit langzeitiger TWW-Bewässerung, wobei an einem Standort zusätzlich ein Teil mit Frischwasser bewässert wird. Die Proben umfassen zwei unterschiedliche Bodentexturen und zwei unterschiedliche Bewässerungsverfahren: Frischwasser und TWW. Des Weiteren wurden saisonale Abhängigkeiten (Trocken-/ Regenzeit) mit in die Studie eingeschlossen um die Persistenz der Effekte zu erfassen. Ungestörte, zylindrische Bodenproben wurden aus dem Oberboden (0-20 cm) genommen und Bewässerungsversuche innerhalb eines Röntgensystems durchgeführt. Durch Bildanalyse konnten die Ausbreitung der Infiltrationsfronten und räumliche Wassergehaltsänderungen als Funktion der Zeit erfasst werden. Die Versuche wurden mit unterschiedlichen Anfangswassergehalten wiederholt. In dieser Studie konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Stabilität der Infiltrationsfronten in diesen Böden von der Wasserqualität und dem initialen Wassergehalt abgängig sind. Darüber hinaus konnte dargelegt werden, dass langzeitige TWW-Bewässerung zu einer persistenten Veränderung der Benetzbarkeit führen kann, unabhängig von der Saison. Diese Studie liefert einen experimentellen Nachweis über die Notwendigkeit von optimiertem Bewässerungsmanagement um präferentielles Wasserfließen zu vermeiden

Rayleigh-B\'{e}nard convection in a homeotropically aligned nematic liquid crystal

We report experimental results for convection near onset in a thin layer of a homeotropically aligned nematic liquid crystal heated from below as a function of the temperature difference $\Delta T$ and the applied vertical magnetic field $H$ and compare them with theoretical calculations. The experiments cover the field range 8 \alt h \equiv H/ H_{F} \alt 80 ($H_F =$ is the Fr\'eedericksz field). For $h$ less than a codimension-two field $h_{ct} \simeq 46$ the bifurcation is subcritical and oscillatory, with travelling- and standing-wave transients. Beyond $h_{ct}$ the bifurcation is stationary and subcritical until a tricritical field $h_t= 57.2$ is reached, beyond which it is supercritical. The bifurcation sequence as a function of $h$ found in the experiment confirms the qualitative aspects of the theoretical predictions. However, the value of $h_{ct}$ is about 10% higher than the predicted value and the results for $k_c$ are systematically below the theory by about 2% at small $h$ and by as much as 7% near $h_{ct}$. At $h_{ct}$, $k_c$ is continuous within the experimental resolution whereas the theory indicates a 7% discontinuity. The theoretical tricritical field $h_t^{th} = 51$ is somewhat below the experimental one. The fully developed flow above $R_c$ for $h < h_{ct}$ is chaotic. For $h_{ct} < h < h_t$ the subcritical stationary bifurcation also leads to a chaotic state. The chaotic states persist upon reducing the Rayleigh number below $R_c$, i.e. the bifurcation is hysteretic. Above the tricritical field $h_t$, we find a bifurcation to a time independent pattern which within our resolution is non-hysteretic.Comment: 15 pages incl. 23 eps figure

The Dirac Equation and the Normalization of its Solutions in a Closed Friedmann-Robertson-Walker Universe

We set up the Dirac equation in a Friedmann-Robertson-Walker geometry and separate the spatial and time variables. In the case of a closed universe, the spatial dependence is solved explicitly, giving rise to a discrete set of solutions. We compute the probability integral and analyze a space-time normalization integral. This analysis allows us to introduce the fermionic projector in a closed Friedmann-Robertson-Walker geometry and to specify its global normalization as well as its local form.Comment: 22 pages, LaTeX, sign error in equation (3.7) correcte

Principle of Maximum Entropy Applied to Rayleigh-B\'enard Convection

A statistical-mechanical investigation is performed on Rayleigh-B\'enard convection of a dilute classical gas starting from the Boltzmann equation. We first present a microscopic derivation of basic hydrodynamic equations and an expression of entropy appropriate for the convection. This includes an alternative justification for the Oberbeck-Boussinesq approximation. We then calculate entropy change through the convective transition choosing mechanical quantities as independent variables. Above the critical Rayleigh number, the system is found to evolve from the heat-conducting uniform state towards the convective roll state with monotonic increase of entropy on the average. Thus, the principle of maximum entropy proposed for nonequilibrium steady states in a preceding paper is indeed obeyed in this prototype example. The principle also provides a natural explanation for the enhancement of the Nusselt number in convection.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figures; typos corrected; Eq. (66a) corrected to remove a double counting for $k_{\perp}=0$; Figs. 1-4 replace