Effect of magnetic fluctuations on the normal state properties of Sr_2RuO_4

We investigate the normal state transport properties of Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ and we show that a consistent explanation of the experimental results can be obtained assuming that the system is near a quantum phase transition. Within the framework of a self-consistent spin fluctuation theory, we calculate the temperature variation of some relevant physical quantities and we discuss a possible microscopic origin of the quantum phase transition.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, to appear on Europhysics Letter

Distance-depending electron-phonon interactions from one- and two-body electronic terms in a dimer

For a dimer with a non-degenerate orbital built from atomic wave functions of Gaussian shape we evaluate all the electron-phonon couplings derived from the one-body and two-body electronic interactions, considering both the adiabatic and extreme non-adiabatic limit. Not only the values of the coupling parameters in the two limits, but also the expressions of the corresponding terms in the Hamiltonian differ. Depending on the distance between the dimer ions, some of the two-body couplings are comparable, or even larger than the one-body ones.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, to be published in Int. Journal of Modern Physics

Model Calculation of Electron-Phonon Couplings in a Dimer with a Non-Degenerate Orbital

We evaluate all the electron-phonon couplings derived from the one-body electronic interactions, in both the adiabatic and extreme non-adiabatic limit, for a dimer with a non-degenerate orbital built from atomic wave functions of Gaussian shape. We find largely different values of the coupling parameters in the two cases, as well as different expressions of the corresponding terms in the Hamiltonian.Comment: 5 postscript figure

Does degradation from selective logging and illegal activities differently impact forest resources? A case study in Ghana

Degradation, a reduction of the ecosystem’s capacity to supply goods and services, is widespread in tropical forests and mainly caused by human disturbance. To maintain the full range of forest ecosystem services and support the development of effective conservation policies, we must understand the overall impact of degradation on different forest resources. This research investigates the response to disturbance of forest structure using several indicators: soil carbon content, arboreal richness and biodiversity, functional composition (guild and wood density), and productivity. We drew upon large field and remote sensing datasets from different forest types in Ghana, characterized by varied protection status, to investigate impacts of selective logging, and of illegal land use and resources extraction, which are the main disturbance causes in West Africa. Results indicate that functional composition and the overall number of species are less affected by degradation, while forest structure, soil carbon content and species abundance are seriously impacted, with resources distribution reflecting the protection level of the areas. Remote sensing analysis showed an increase in productivity in the last three decades, with higher resiliency to change in drier forest types, and stronger productivity correlation with solar radiation in the short dry season. The study region is affected by growing anthropogenic pressure on natural resources and by an increased climate variability: possible interactions of disturbance with climate are also discussed, together with the urgency to reduce degradation in order to preserve the full range of ecosystem functions

Does the 2D Hubbard Model Really Show d-Wave Superconductivity?

Some issues concerning the question if the two-dimensional Hubbard model really show d-wave superconductivity are briefly discussed.Comment: Revtex, no figure

Plaquette operators used in the rigorous study of ground-states of the Periodic Anderson Model in D=2D = 2 dimensions

The derivation procedure of exact ground-states for the periodic Anderson model (PAM) in restricted regions of the parameter space and D=2 dimensions using plaquette operators is presented in detail. Using this procedure, we are reporting for the first time exact ground-states for PAM in 2D and finite value of the interaction, whose presence do not require the next to nearest neighbor extension terms in the Hamiltonian. In order to do this, a completely new type of plaquette operator is introduced for PAM, based on which a new localized phase is deduced whose physical properties are analyzed in detail. The obtained results provide exact theoretical data which can be used for the understanding of system properties leading to metal-insulator transitions, strongly debated in recent publications in the frame of PAM. In the described case, the lost of the localization character is connected to the break-down of the long-range density-density correlations rather than Kondo physics.Comment: 34 pages, 5 figure

Avaliação da produtividade do milho (Zea mays L.) utilizando cama de frango como fonte alternativa de adubação nitrogenada.

Os agricultores familiares têm a necessidade premente de buscarem sistemas de produção mais integrados, que recic1em e reutilizem os recursos internos de suas propriedades de forma sustentável. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a produtividade do milho e de alguns de seus componentes, cultivado com diferentes combinações de adubação à base de cama de frango e de fertilizantes convencionais. O experimento consistiu de cinco tratamentos: TI - 6,5 t ha-1 de cama de frango aplicada a lanço mais 250 kg ha-1 de Super Fosfato Simples (SFS); T2 - 6,5 t ha-1 de cama de frango aplicada a lanço; T3 - 6,5 t ha-1 de cama de frango aplicada na linha; T4 - 6,5 t ha-1 de cama de frango aplicada na linha mais 250 kg ha-1 de SFS e T5 - adubação convencional. A adubação feita com cama de frango mostrou-se eficaz no fornecimento de nitrogênio para a cultura do milho, visto que a produtividade de todos os tratamentos foi superior ao esperado para o híbrido plantado nesta região. Os tratamentos com 6,5 t ha-1 de cama de frango aplicada a lanço mais 250 kg ha-1 de SFS (TI) e adubação convencional (T5) foram os que apresentaram maior produtividade de grãos, mostrando que a adubação à base de cama de frango, aplicada a lanço e complementada com superfosfato simples pode ser tão eficiente quanto a fertilização convencional

A novel experimental approach for the detection of the dynamic Casimir effect

The Casimir effect is a well-known macroscopic consequence of quantum vacuum fluctuations, but whereas the static effect (Casimir force) has long been observed experimentally, the dynamic Casimir effect is up to now undetected. From an experimental viewpoint a possible detection would imply the vibration of a mirror at gigahertz frequencies. Mechanical motions at such frequencies turn out to be technically unfeasible. Here we present a different experimental scheme where mechanical motions are avoided, and the results of laboratory tests showing that the scheme is practically feasible. We think that at present this approach gives the only possibility of detecting this phenomenon.Comment: Submitted to the Physical Review Letters. RevTeX. 4 pages, 2 figure