151 research outputs found
The effect of interstitial clusters and vacancies on the STM image of graphite
Making use of the tight-binding Green's function technique, we have
calculated the STM images of graphite with surface and sub-surface defects,
while taking into account the relaxation of the lattice due to defects. We have
demonstrated that two different physical mechanisms may result in the formation
of hillocks in the STM images: buckling of the graphite surface due to
interstitials between the uppermost graphite layers and the enhancement of the
electron density of states close to the Fermi energy on the carbon atoms in the
vicinity of vacancies. Our results indicate that small hillocks may originate
both from the interstitial clusters and from the vacancies. By contrast,
however, large hillocks in excess of 10 \AA~ in diameter can be caused only by
interstitial clusters.Comment: Submitted to Surface Scienc
Eutrophication and macroalgal blooms in temperate and tropical coastal waters: Nutrient enrichment experiments with Ulva spp.
Receiving coastal waters and estuaries are among the most nutrient-enriched environments on earth, and one of the symptoms of the resulting eutrophication is the proliferation of opportunistic, fast-growing marine seaweeds. Here, we used a widespread macroalga often involved in blooms, Ulva spp., to investigate how supply of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), the two main potential growth-limiting nutrients, influence macroalgal growth in temperate and tropical coastal waters ranging from low- to high-nutrient supplies. We carried out N and P enrichment field experiments on Ulva spp. in seven coastal systems, with one of these systems represented by three different subestuaries, for a total of nine sites. We showed that rate of growth of Ulva spp. was directly correlated to annual dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentrations, where growth increased with increasing DIN concentration. Internal N pools of macroalgal fronds were also linked to increased DIN supply, and algal growth rates were tightly coupled to these internal N pools. The increases in DIN appeared to be related to greater inputs of wastewater to these coastal waters as indicated by high δ15N signatures of the algae as DIN increased. N and P enrichment experiments showed that rate of macroalgal growth was controlled by supply of DIN where ambient DIN concentrations were low, and by P where DIN concentrations were higher, regardless of latitude or geographic setting. These results suggest that understanding the basis for macroalgal blooms, and management of these harmful phenomena, will require information as to nutrient sources, and actions to reduce supply of N and P in coastal waters concerned.Fil: Teichberg, Mirta. Leibniz Center For Tropical Marine Research; AlemaniaFil: Fox, Sophia E.. Marine Biological Laboratory; Estados UnidosFil: Olsen, Ylva S.. Bangor University; Reino UnidoFil: Valiela, Ivan. Marine Biological Laboratory; Estados UnidosFil: Martinetto, Paulina Maria del Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata; ArgentinaFil: Iribarne, Oscar Osvaldo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Muto, Elizabeti Yuriko. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Petti, Monica A.V.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Corbisier, Thaïs N.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Soto-Jiménez, Martín. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; MéxicoFil: Páez-Osuna, Federico. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; MéxicoFil: Castro, Paula. University Of Coimbra; BrasilFil: Freitas, Helena. University Of Coimbra; BrasilFil: Zitelli, Andreina. Università Iuav Di Venezia; ItaliaFil: Cardinaletti, Massimo. Gruppo Veritas; ItaliaFil: Tagliapietra, Davide. Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche; Itali
Discrete molecular dynamics simulations of peptide aggregation
We study the aggregation of peptides using the discrete molecular dynamics
simulations. At temperatures above the alpha-helix melting temperature of a
single peptide, the model peptides aggregate into a multi-layer parallel
beta-sheet structure. This structure has an inter-strand distance of 0.48 nm
and an inter-sheet distance of 1.0 nm, which agree with experimental
observations. In this model, the hydrogen bond interactions give rise to the
inter-strand spacing in beta-sheets, while the Go interactions among side
chains make beta-strands parallel to each other and allow beta-sheets to pack
into layers. The aggregates also contain free edges which may allow for further
aggregation of model peptides to form elongated fibrils.Comment: 15 pages, 8 figure
Skynet’s New Observing Mode: The Campaign Manager
Built in 2004, the Skynet robotic telescope network originally consisted of six 0.4 m telescopes located at the Cerro-Tololo Inter-American Observatory in the Chilean Andes. The network was designed to carry out simultaneous multi-wavelength observations of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) when they are only tens of seconds old. To date, the network has been expanded to ≈20 telescopes, including a 20 m radio telescope, that span four continents and five countries. The Campaign Manager (CM) is a new observing mode that has been developed for Skynet. Available to all Skynet observers, the CM semi-autonomously and indefinitely scales and schedules exposures on the observer’s behalf while allowing for modification to scaling parameters in real time. The CM is useful for follow up to various transient phenomena including gravitational-wave events, GRB localizations, young supernovae, and eventually, sufficiently bright Argus Optical Array and Large Synoptic Survey Telescope events
The Mango Value Network (Mangifera indica L.) in Campeche, Mexico
Objective: Characterize the mango value network in the State of Campeche and identify its problems.
Design/methodology/approach: Based on documentary information and 40 semi-structured interviews, the structure of the value network, its key actors, and technologies were identified.
Results: Researchers advise to establish high-density orchards (3 333 plants ha-1), although growers accept to increment from 69 to only 278 plants ha-1. New production technologies are required for important cultivars, such as Tommy Atkins, Manila, and creole. Their vegetative growth responds differently to local humidity, rain, and soil conditions, due to their monoembryonic or polyembryonic origin.
Limitations of the study/implications: Producers in the social sector do not keep accounting and production records. An estimate of mango yields, investment, income, and profits was obtained based on the opinion of producers from the social and business sector of Campeche.
Findings/conclusions: Social sector producers of mango are willing to grow their orchards with 278 plants ha-1; it is required to evaluate the production technologies of Tommy Atkins, Manila, and creole cultivars, and to estimate the production costs. Private sector growers are choosing to substitute mango for high-density Persian lemon; they also prioritize fruit fly management and commercialization of fruits.Objective: Characterize the mango value network in the State of Campeche and identify its problems.
Design/methodology/approach: Based on documentary information and 40 semi-structured interviews, the structure of the value network, its key actors, and technologies were identified.
Results: Researchers advise to establish high-density orchards (3 333 plants ha-1), although growers accept to increment from 69 to only 278 plants ha-1. New production technologies are required for important cultivars, such as Tommy Atkins, Manila, and creole. Their vegetative growth responds differently to local humidity, rain, and soil conditions, due to their monoembryonic or polyembryonic origin.
Limitations of the study/implications: Producers in the social sector do not keep accounting and production records. An estimate of mango yields, investment, income, and profits was obtained based on the opinion of producers from the social and business sector of Campeche.
Findings/conclusions: Social sector producers of mango are willing to grow their orchards with 278 plants ha-1; it is required to evaluate the production technologies of Tommy Atkins, Manila, and creole cultivars, and to estimate the production costs. Private sector growers are choosing to substitute mango for high-density Persian lemon; they also prioritize fruit fly management and commercialization of fruits
Evryscope-south survey of upper-and pre-main sequence solar neighborhood stars
Using photometric data collected by Evryscope-South, we search for nearby young variable systems on the upper main sequence (UMS) and pre-main sequence (PMS). The Evryscopes are all-sky high-cadence telescope arrays operating in the Northern and Southern hemispheres. We base our search on a Gaia-selected catalog of young neighborhood upper-and pre-main sequence stars which were chosen through both astrometric and photometric criteria. We analyze 44,971 Evryscope-South light curves in search of variability. We recover 615 variables, with 378 previously known, and 237 new discoveries including 84 young eclipsing binaries (EB) candidates. We discover a new highly eccentric binary system and recover a further four previously known systems, with periods ranging from 299 to 674 hr. We find 158 long-period (>50 hr) candidate EB systems, 9 from the PMS and 149 from the UMS, which will allow constraints on the mass/radius/age relation. These long-period EBs include a 179.3 hr PMS system and a 867.8 hr system from the UMS. For PMS variable candidates we estimate system ages, which range from 1 to 23 Myr for non-EBs and from 2 to 17 Myr for EBs. Other non-EB discoveries that show intrinsic variability will allow relationships between stellar rotation rates, ages, activity, and mass to be characterized
Stable vortex and dipole vector solitons in a saturable nonlinear medium
We study both analytically and numerically the existence, uniqueness, and
stability of vortex and dipole vector solitons in a saturable nonlinear medium
in (2+1) dimensions. We construct perturbation series expansions for the vortex
and dipole vector solitons near the bifurcation point where the vortex and
dipole components are small. We show that both solutions uniquely bifurcate
from the same bifurcation point. We also prove that both vortex and dipole
vector solitons are linearly stable in the neighborhood of the bifurcation
point. Far from the bifurcation point, the family of vortex solitons becomes
linearly unstable via oscillatory instabilities, while the family of dipole
solitons remains stable in the entire domain of existence. In addition, we show
that an unstable vortex soliton breaks up either into a rotating dipole soliton
or into two rotating fundamental solitons.Comment: To appear in Phys. Rev.
Soft, collinear and non-relativistic modes in radiative decays of very heavy quarkonium
We analyze the end-point region of the photon spectrum in semi-inclusive
radiative decays of very heavy quarkonium (m alpha_s^2 >> Lambda_QCD). We
discuss the interplay of the scales arising in the Soft-Collinear Effective
Theory, m, m(1-z)^{1/2} and m(1-z) for z close to 1, with the scales of heavy
quarkonium systems in the weak coupling regime, m, m alpha_s and m alpha_s^2.
For 1-z \sim alpha_s^2 only collinear and (ultra)soft modes are seen to be
relevant, but the recently discovered soft-collinear modes show up for 1-z <<
alpha_s^2. The S- and P-wave octet shape functions are calculated. When they
are included in the analysis of the photon spectrum of the Upsilon (1S) system,
the agreement with data in the end-point region becomes excellent. The NRQCD
matrix elements and
are also obtained.Comment: Revtex, 11 pages, 6 figures. Minor improvements and references added.
Journal versio
- …