Model for Vortex Pinning in a Two-Dimensional Inhomogeneous d-wave Superconductor

We study a model for the pinning of vortices in a two-dimensional, inhomogeneous, Type-II superconductor in its mixed state. The model is based on a Ginzburg-Landau (GL) free energy functional whose coefficients are determined by the mean-field transition temperature T_{c0} and the zero-temperature penetration depth \lambda(0). We find that if (i) T_{c0} and \lambda(0) are functions of position, and (ii) \lambda^2(0) is proportional to T_{c0}^y, with y greater than 0, then the vortices tend to be pinned where T_{c0}, and hence the magnitude of the superconducting order parameter \Delta, are large. This behavior is in contrast to the usual picture of pinning in Type-II superconductors, where pinning occurs in the small-gap regions. We also compute the local density of states of a model BCS Hamiltonian with d-wave symmetry, in which the pairing field is obtained from Monte Carlo simulations of a GL free energy. Several features observed in scanning tunneling spectroscopy measurements on YBa_2Cu_3O_{6+x} and Bi_2Sr_2CaCu_2O_{8+x} are well reproduced by our model: far from the cores, the local density of states spectrum has a small gap and sharp coherence peaks, while near the cores it has a larger gap with low, broad peaks. Additionally, also in agreement with experiment, the spectrum near the core does not exhibit a zero-energy peak which is, however, observed in other theoretical studies.Comment: 25 pages, 11 figures. Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Finite-Size-Scaling at the Jamming Transition: Corrections to Scaling and the Correlation Length Critical Exponent

We carry out a finite size scaling analysis of the jamming transition in frictionless bi-disperse soft core disks in two dimensions. We consider two different jamming protocols: (i) quench from random initial positions, and (ii) quasistatic shearing. By considering the fraction of jammed states as a function of packing fraction for systems with different numbers of particles, we determine the spatial correlation length critical exponent $\nu\approx 1$, and show that corrections to scaling are crucial for analyzing the data. We show that earlier numerical results yielding $\nu<1$ are due to the improper neglect of these corrections.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures -- slightly revised version as accepted for Phys. Rev. E Rapid Communication

Impact of rainfall on Aedes aegypti populations

Aedes aegypti is the main vector of multiple diseases, such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. Due to modifications in weather patterns, its geographical range is continuously evolving. Temperature is a key factor for its expansion into regions with cool winters, but rainfall can also have a strong impact on the colonization of these regions, since larvae emerging after a rainfall are likely to die at temperatures below 10 °C. As climate change is expected to affect rainfall regimes, with a higher frequency of heavy storms and an increase in drought-affected areas, it is important to understand how different rainfall scenarios may shape Ae. aegypti's range. We develop a model for the population dynamics of Ae. aegypti, coupled with a rainfall model to study the effect of the temporal distribution of rainfall on mosquito abundance. Using a fracturing process, we then investigate the effect of a higher variability in the daily rainfall. As an example, we show that rainfall distribution is necessary to explain the geographic range of Ae. aegypti in Taiwan, an island characterized by rainy winters in the north and dry winters in the south. We also predict that a higher variability in the rainfall time distribution will decrease the maximum abundance of Ae. aegypti during the summer. An increase in daily rainfall variability will likewise enhance its extinction probability. Finally, we obtain a nonlinear relationship between dry season duration and extinction probability. These findings can have a significant impact on our ability to predict disease outbreaks.Fil: Valdez, Lucas Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola; Argentina. Boston University; Estados UnidosFil: Sibona, Gustavo Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola; ArgentinaFil: Condat, Carlos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola; Argentin

Temporal percolation of a susceptible adaptive network

In the past decades, many authors have used the susceptible?infected?recovered model to study the impact of the disease spreading on the evolution of the infected individuals. However, few authors focused on the temporal unfolding of the susceptible individuals. In this paper, we study the dynamic of the susceptible-infected-recovered model in an adaptive network that mimics the transitory deactivation of permanent social contacts, such as friendship and work-ship ties. Using an edge-based compartmental model and percolation theory, we obtain the evolution equations for the fraction susceptible individuals in the susceptible biggest component. In particular, we focus on how the individual´s behavior impacts on the dilution of the susceptible network. We show that, as a consequence, the spreading of the disease slows down, protecting the biggest susceptible cluster by increasing the critical time at which the giant susceptible component is destroyed. Our theoretical results are fully supported by extensive simulations.Fil: Valdez, Lucas Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Físicas de Mar del Plata; ArgentinaFil: Macri, Pablo Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Físicas de Mar del Plata; ArgentinaFil: Braunstein, L. A.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Físicas de Mar del Plata; Argentina. Boston University; Estados Unido

An Archaeological Assessment of The Dolores Aldrete House Property San Antonio, Texas

During March and April 1978, a preliminary archaeological investigation was conducted at the historic Dolores Aldrete House, lots 7, 8 and 9 of block 155, fronting on East Nueva Street in downtown San Antonio, Texas. Under contract with the property owners, Carol Lee Klose, Gary Mark Klose and Randall Mark Klose, and the Center for Archaeological Research, two archaeologists from the Center investigated the age, nature of construction and condition of the depth and character of cultural deposits and evaluated the archaeological potential of the site