Random sequential adsorption on a dashed line

We study analytically and numerically a model of random sequential adsorption (RSA) of segments on a line, subject to some constraints suggested by two kinds of physical situations: - deposition of dimers on a lattice where the sites have a spatial extension; - deposition of extended particles which must overlap one (or several) adsorbing sites on the substrate. Both systems involve discrete and continuous degrees of freedom, and, in one dimension, are equivalent to our model, which depends on one length parameter. When this parameter is varied, the model interpolates between a variety of known situations : monomers on a lattice, "car-parking" problem, dimers on a lattice. An analysis of the long-time behaviour of the coverage as a function of the parameter exhibits an anomalous 1/t^2 approach to the jamming limit at the transition point between the fast exponential kinetics, characteristic of the lattice model, and the 1/t law of the continuous one.Comment: 14 pages (Latex) + 4 Postscript figure

Adsorption of Line Segments on a Square Lattice

We study the deposition of line segments on a two-dimensional square lattice. The estimates for the coverage at jamming obtained by Monte-Carlo simulations and by $7^{th}$-order time-series expansion are successfully compared. The non-trivial limit of adsorption of infinitely long segments is studied, and the lattice coverage is consistently obtained using these two approaches.Comment: 19 pages in Latex+5 postscript files sent upon request ; PTB93_

Mid Holocene vegetation reconstruction from Vanevan peat (south-eastern shore of Lake Sevan, Armenia)

International audienceA sediment core has been retrieved from Vanevan peat (south-eastern shore of Lake Sevan, Armenia), which is today disconnected from Lake Sevan thanks to an artificial shallowing of the lake. Based on 5 radiocarbon dates, Vanevan record covers the Mid Holocene (from ca. 7800 to ca. 5100 cal. BP). The Late Holocene is today absent in the peat stratigraphy due to modern peat exploitation by surface mining. This study focuses on a multi-proxy approach including pollen, charcoals, and pollen-inferred climate reconstruction. An open-land, steppic vegetation is recorded up to ca. 7700 cal. BP, followed by a more forested landscape during the Mid Holocene (up to ca. 5700 cal. BP), and ending again with an open-land vegetation (to the end of record, 5100 cal. BP). This vegetation dynamics responds to general climate changes documented in the Near East. Whether human activities are documented since ca. 7500 cal. BP (Late Neolithic) in Vanevan, they remain marginal and probably did not affect the area. Early Holocene dry climate, which caused the steppic environment to be widespread through the Near East, is strongly related to low late spring precipitation (PMay–Jun = 180 mm). Mid Holocene forested landscape and increasing lake-level seem related to late spring precipitation (+28%), which is the main change in estimated climate parameters. This has to be linked with reinforcement of the Westerlies and less active Siberian High, which are inversely involved in the following, dry phase starting at ca. 5700 cal. B

Large eddy simulation of urban features for Copenhagen metropolitan area

International audienceThe large eddy simulations employing the SUBMESO model with the urban soil layer model SM2-U were performed for the model domain covering the Danish Island of Sealand and including the Copenhagen metropolitan area. Monthly and diurnal cycle variability were studied for the net radiation, sensible and storage heat fluxes, surface's temperatures, and others. These were evaluated for selected urban vs. non urban related types of covers/surfaces and urban districts such as city center, high buildings, industrial, and residential. Results showed strong effects of urban features on temporal and spatial variability. They are useful and applicable for verification of numerical weather prediction models and development of urban canopy parameterizations

Thermodynamics of a mixed quantum-classical Heisenberg model in two dimensions

We study the planar antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model on a decorated hexagonal lattice, involving both classical spins (occupying the vertices) and quantum spins (occupying the middle of the links). This study is motivated by the description of a recently synthesized molecular magnetic compound. First, we trace out the spin 1/2 degrees of freedom to obtain a fully classical model with an effective ferromagnetic interaction. Then, using high temperature expansions and Monte Carlo simulations, we analyse its thermal and magnetic properties. We show that it provides a good quantitative description of the magnetic susceptibility of the molecular magnet in its paramagnetic phase.Comment: Revtex, 6 pages, 4 included postscript figures, fig.1 upon request to [email protected] . To appear in J. of Physic C (condensed matter

Numerical methods for RANSE simulations of a self-propelled fish-like body

International audienceThis paper deals with numerical simulations on a self-propelled fish-like body. Firstly, the methods used to achieve such simulations based on the solution of the Reynolds-Averaged-Navier–Stokes Equations are described: resolution of the Newton's law (parameterization, use of a description of the rotation based on a quaternion), regridding strategies linked to body motion and deformation, fluid–motion coupling methods. In the second part, realistic applications are shown. The interaction between the fluid and the body is fully solved since the evolution of the body's position is not imposed but computed. Only the imposed deformation of the shape and its interaction with the fluid produce forces on the body and, consequently, motion

Universal Short-Time Dynamics in the Kosterlitz-Thouless Phase

We study the short-time dynamics of systems that develop ``quasi long-range order'' after a quench to the Kosterlitz-Thouless phase. With the working hypothesis that the ``universal short-time behavior'', previously found in Ising-like systems, also occurs in the Kosterlitz-Thouless phase, we explore the scaling behavior of thermodynamic variables during the relaxational process following the quench. As a concrete example, we investigate the two-dimensional $6$-state clock model by Monte Carlo simulation. The exponents governing the magnetization, the second moment, and the autocorrelation function are calculated. From them, by means of scaling relations, estimates for the equilibrium exponents $z$ and $\eta$ are derived. In particular, our estimates for the temperature-dependent anomalous dimension $\eta$ that governs the static correlation function are consistent with existing analytical and numerical results and, thus, confirm our working hypothesis.Comment: 16 pages, 9 postscript figures, REVTEX 3.0, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Magnetic and thermal properties of 4f-3d ladder-type molecular compounds

We report on the low-temperature magnetic susceptibilities and specific heats of the isostructural spin-ladder molecular complexes L$_{2}$[M(opba)]_{3\cdot xDMSO$\cdot y$H$_{2}$O, hereafter abbreviated with L$_{2}$M$_{3}$ (where L = La, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho and M = Cu, Zn). The results show that the Cu containing complexes (with the exception of La$_{2}$Cu$_{3}$) undergo long range magnetic order at temperatures below 2 K, and that for Gd$_{2}$Cu$_{3}$ this ordering is ferromagnetic, whereas for Tb$_{2}$Cu$_{3}$ and Dy$_{2}$Cu$_{3}$ it is probably antiferromagnetic. The susceptibilities and specific heats of Tb$_{2}$Cu$_{3}$ and Dy$_{2}$Cu$_{3}$ above $T_{C}$ have been explained by means of a model taking into account nearest as well as next-nearest neighbor magnetic interactions. We show that the intraladder L--Cu interaction is the predominant one and that it is ferromagnetic for L = Gd, Tb and Dy. For the cases of Tb, Dy and Ho containing complexes, strong crystal field effects on the magnetic and thermal properties have to be taken into account. The magnetic coupling between the (ferromagnetic) ladders is found to be very weak and is probably of dipolar origin.Comment: 13 pages, 15 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Evaluation of the PPAR-γ agonist pioglitazone in mild asthma: a double-blind randomized controlled trial

Background Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) is a nuclear receptor that modulates inflammation in models of asthma. To determine whether pioglitazone improves measures of asthma control and airway inflammation, we performed a single-center randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial. Methods Sixty-eight participants with mild asthma were randomized to 12 weeks pioglitazone (30 mg for 4 weeks, then 45 mg for 8 weeks) or placebo. The primary outcome was the adjusted mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) at 12 weeks. The secondary outcomes were mean peak expiratory flow (PEF), scores on the Juniper Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) and Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ), fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), bronchial hyperresponsiveness (PD20), induced sputum counts, and sputum supernatant interferon gamma-inducible protein-10 (IP-10), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels. Study recruitment was closed early after considering the European Medicines Agency’s reports of a potential increased risk of bladder cancer with pioglitazone treatment. Fifty-five cases were included in the full analysis (FA) and 52 in the per-protocol (PP) analysis. Results There was no difference in the adjusted FEV1 at 12 weeks (-0.014 L, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.15 to 0.12, p = 0.84) or in any of the secondary outcomes in the FA. The PP analysis replicated the FA, with the exception of a lower evening PEF in the pioglitazone group (-21 L/min, 95% CI -39 to -4, p = 0.02). Conclusions We found no evidence that treatment with 12 weeks of pioglitazone improved asthma control or airway inflammation in mild asthma