Vortices in condensate mixtures

In a condensate made of two different atomic molecular species, Onsager's quantization condition implies that around a vortex the velocity field cannot be the same for the two species. We explore some simple consequences of this observation. Thus if the two condensates are in slow relative translation one over the other, the composite vortices are carried at a velocity that is a fraction of the single species velocity. This property is valid for attractive interaction and below a critical velocity which corresponds to a saddle-node bifurcation.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Book Reviews

Reviews of the following books: Kiah Bayley: Founder of Maine Institutions by Arthur T. Hamlin; The French-Canadian Heritage of New England by Gerard J. Brault

Operator ordering in Two-dimensional N=1 supersymmetry with curved manifold

We investigate an operator ordering problem in two-dimensional N=1 supersymmetric model which consists of n real superfields. There arises an operator ordering problem when the target space is curved. We have to fix the ordering in quantum operator properly to obtain the correct supersymmetry algebra. We demonstrate that the super-Poincar\'{e} algebra fixes the correct operator ordering. We obtain a supercurrent with correct operator ordering and a central extension of supersymmetry algebra.Comment: 7 page

Condensation of classical nonlinear waves

We study the formation of a large-scale coherent structure (a condensate) in classical wave equations by considering the defocusing nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation as a representative model. We formulate a thermodynamic description of the condensation process by using a wave turbulence theory with ultraviolet cut-off. In 3 dimensions the equilibrium state undergoes a phase transition for sufficiently low energy density, while no transition occurs in 2 dimensions, in analogy with standard Bose-Einstein condensation in quantum systems. Numerical simulations show that the thermodynamic limit is reached for systems with $16^3$ computational modes and greater. On the basis of a modified wave turbulence theory, we show that the nonlinear interaction makes the transition to condensation subcritical. The theory is in quantitative agreement with the simulations

Jachère et systèmes agraires

Des espèces, essentiellement herbacées, sont utilisées par les paysans pour définir un itinéraire technique à appliquer aux parcelles en culture. L'abandon et la remise en culture d'une parcelle dépendraient donc de la germination de certaines plantes qui, pour le paysan, marquent des seuils dans l'évolution progressive ou régressive des terres. En effet, pour le paysan de la zone soudanienne, la "fertilité" d'une terre n'apparaît pas comme un vague concept, mais comme une réalité physique traduite par l'aspect du sol ou par sa production, mais comme une réalité physique traduite par l'aspect du sol ou par sa production, mais surtout par la présence d'une espèce végétale ou d'un groupe d'espèces végétales. Des enquêtes auprès des paysans de la zone soudanienne du Burkina Faso révèlent que la gestion du cycle culture-jachère repose sur la végétation à laquelle est accordée une valeur indicatrice. L'alternance culture-jachère n'est donc pas systématisée par le respect d'une durée fixe de culture ou d'abandon ; elle est plutôt dictée par la vitesse d'apparition de ces espèces. (Résumé d'auteur

Relationship between fibre orientation and tensile strength of natural collagen membranes for heart valve leaflets

Heart valve prostheses are used to replace native heart valves which that are damaged because of congenital diseases or due to ageing. Biological prostheses made of bovine pericardium are similar to native valves and do not require any anticoagulation treatment, but are less durable than mechanical prostheses and usually fail by tearing. Researches are oriented in improving the resistance and durability of biological heart valve prostheses in order to increase their life expectancy. To understand the mechanical behaviour of bovine pericardium and relate it to its microstructure (mainly collagen fibres concentration and orientation) uniaxial tensile tests have been performed on a model material made of collagen fibres. Small Angle Light Scattering (SALS) has been also used to characterize the microstructure without damaging the material. Results with the model material allowed us to obtain the orientation of the fibres, relating the microstructure to mechanical performanc

Quantization of the Riemann Zeta-Function and Cosmology

Quantization of the Riemann zeta-function is proposed. We treat the Riemann zeta-function as a symbol of a pseudodifferential operator and study the corresponding classical and quantum field theories. This approach is motivated by the theory of p-adic strings and by recent works on stringy cosmological models. We show that the Lagrangian for the zeta-function field is equivalent to the sum of the Klein-Gordon Lagrangians with masses defined by the zeros of the Riemann zeta-function. Quantization of the mathematics of Fermat-Wiles and the Langlands program is indicated. The Beilinson conjectures on the values of L-functions of motives are interpreted as dealing with the cosmological constant problem. Possible cosmological applications of the zeta-function field theory are discussed.Comment: 14 pages, corrected typos, references and comments adde