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At least 145 records · Page 8

Quantifying local rearrangements in three-dimensional granular materials: Rearrangement measures, correlations, and relationship to stresses

Quantifying the ways in which local particle rearrangements contribute to macroscopic plasticity is one of the fundamental pursuits of granular mechanics and soft matter physics. Here we examine local rearrangements that occur naturally during the deformation of three samples of 3D granular materials subjected to distinct boundary conditions by employing in situ x-ray measurements of particle-resolved structure and stress. We focus on five distinct rearrangement measures, their statistics, interrelationships, contributions to macroscopic deformation, repeatability, and dependence on local structure and stress. Our most significant findings are that local rearrangements (1) are correlated on a scale of three to four particle diameters, (2) exhibit volumetric strain-shear strain and nonaffine displacement-rotation coupling, (3) exhibit correlations that suggest either rearrangement repeatability or that rearrangements span multiple steps of incremental sample strain, and (4) show little dependence on local stress but correlate with quantities describing local structure, such as porosity. Our results are presented in the context of relevant plasticity theories and are consistent with recent findings suggesting that local structure may play at least as important of a role as local stress in determining the nature of local rearrangements.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Local adaptation of both plant and pathogen: an arms‐race compromise in switchgrass rust

In coevolving species, parasites locally adapt to host populations as hosts locally adapt to resist parasites. Parasites often outpace host local adaptation since they have rapid life cycles, but host diversity, the strength of selection, and external environmental influence can result in complex outcomes. To better understand local adaptation in host–parasite systems, we examined locally adapted switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), and its leaf rust pathogen (Puccinia novopanici) across a latitudinal range in North America. We grew switchgrass genotypes in 10 replicated multiyear common gardens, measuring rust severity from natural infection in a ‘host reciprocal transplant’ framework for testing local adaptation. We conducted genome-wide association mapping to identify genetic loci associated with rust severity. Genetically differentiated rust populations were locally adapted to northern and southern switchgrass, despite host local adaptation to environmental conditions in the same regions. Rust resistance was polygenic, and distinct loci were associated with rust severity in the north and south. We narrowed a previously identified large-effect quantitative trait locus for rust severity to a candidate YELLOW STRIPE-LIKE gene and linked numerous other loci to defense-related genes. Overall, our results suggest that both hosts and parasites can be simultaneously locally adapted, especially when parasites impose less selection than other environmental factors.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Detection of edges using local geometry

Researchers described a new representation, the local geometry, for early visual processing which is motivated by results from biological vision. This representation is richer than is often used in image processing. It extracts more of the local structure available at each pixel in the image by using receptive fields that can be continuously rotated and that go to third order spatial variation. Early visual processing algorithms such as edge detectors and ridge detectors can be written in terms of various local geometries and are computationally tractable. For example, Canny's edge detector has been implemented in terms of a local geometry of order two, and a ridge detector in terms of a local geometry of order three. The edge detector in local geometry was applied to synthetic and real images and it was shown using simple interpolation schemes that sufficient information is available to locate edges with sub-pixel accuracy (to a resolution increase of at least a factor of five). This is reasonable even for noisy images because the local geometry fits a smooth surface - the Taylor series - to the discrete image data. Only local processing was used in the implementation so it can readily be implemented on parallel mesh machines such as the MPP. Researchers expect that other early visual algorithms, such as region growing, inflection point detection, and segmentation can also be implemented in terms of the local geometry and will provide sufficiently rich and robust representations for subsequent visual processing.

Gualtieri, J. A.↗

Localization effects in radiationally disordered high-temperature superconductors: Theoretical interpretation

Theoretical interpretation of recent experiments on radiationally disordered high-temperature superconductors is presented, based on the concepts of mutual interplay of Anderson localization and superconductivity. Microscopic derivation of Ginzburg-Landau coefficients for the quasi-two-dimensional system in the vicinity of localization transition is given in the framework of the self-consistent theory of localization. The 'minimal metallic conductivity' for the quasi-two-dimensional case is enhanced due to a small overlap of electronic states on the nearest neighbor conducting planes. This leads to a stronger influence of localization effects than in ordinary (three-dimensional) superconductors. From this point of view even the initial samples of high-temperature superconductors are already very close to Anderson transition. Anomalies of H(c2) are also analyzed, explaining the upward curvature of H(c2)(T) and apparent independence of dH(c2)/dT (T = T(sub c)) on the degree of disorder as due to localization effects. Researchers discuss the possible reasons of fast T(sub c) degradation due to the enhanced Coulomb effects caused by the disorder induced decrease of localization length. The appearance and growth of localized magnetic moments is also discussed. The disorder dependence of localization length calculated from the experimental data on conductivity correlates reasonably with the theoretical criterion for suppression of superconductivity in the system with localized electronic states.

Goshchitskii, B. N.↗

Influences of Local Sea-Surface Temperatures and Large-scale Dynamics on Monthly Precipitation Inferred from Two 10-year GCM-Simulations

Two parallel sets of 10-year long: January 1, 1982 to December 31, 1991, simulations were made with the finite volume General Circulation Model (fvGCM) in which the model integrations were forced with prescribed sea-surface temperature fields (SSTs) available as two separate SST-datasets. One dataset contained naturally varying monthly SSTs for the chosen period, and the oth& had the 12-monthly mean SSTs for the same period. Plots of evaporation, precipitation, and atmosphere-column moisture convergence, binned by l C SST intervals show that except for the tropics, the precipitation is more strongly constrained by large-scale dynamics as opposed to local SST. Binning data by SST naturally provided an ensemble average of data contributed from disparate locations with same SST; such averages could be expected to mitigate all location related influences. However, the plots revealed: i) evaporation, vertical velocity, and precipitation are very robust and remarkably similar for each of the two simulations and even for the data from 1987-ENSO-year simulation; ii) while the evaporation increased monotonically with SST up to about 27 C, the precipitation did not; iii) precipitation correlated much better with the column vertical velocity as opposed to SST suggesting that the influence of dynamical circulation including non-local SSTs is stronger than local-SSTs. The precipitation fields were doubly binned with respect to SST and boundary-layer mass and/or moisture convergence. The analysis discerned the rate of change of precipitation with local SST as a sum of partial derivative of precipitation with local SST plus partial derivative of precipitation with boundary layer moisture convergence multiplied by the rate of change of boundary-layer moisture convergence with SST (see Eqn. 3 of Section 4.5). This analysis is mathematically rigorous as well as provides a quantitative measure of the influence of local SST on the local precipitation. The results were recast to examine the dependence of local rainfall on local SSTs; it was discernible only in the tropics. Our methodology can be used for computing relationship between any forcing function and its effect(s) on a chosen field.

Sud, Y. C.↗

Multi-regime mixing modeling for local extinction and re-ignition in turbulent non-premixed flame by using LES/FDF method

Local extinction and re-ignition occur in turbulent non-premixed combustion when the Damköhler number is not large enough and the combustion is not fully mixing controlled. The occurrence of local extinction introduces locally extinguished flame holes followed by a premixed flame propagation toward the hole center to potentially reignite the flame. The co-existence of the non-premixed and premixed combustion regimes complicates the modeling since traditional combustion models are mostly for a single regime. In this work, we examine the effect of multi-regime mixing modeling in the transported filtered density function (FDF) method on the predictions of local extinction and reignition. Predictions of local extinction and reignition remain a challenge for the FDF method despite the progress made in the past. To account for the multi-regime combustion, two different mixing timescale models for non-premixed and premixed combustion are combined. A flame index based on the gradients of fuel and oxidizer is used to define a weighting factor to blend the two mixing timescale models. A turbulent jet non-premixed flame with substantial local extinction, the Sydney piloted jet flame L, is adopted as a test case to examine the performance of the multi-regime model in large-eddy simulation/FDF modeling. It is found that the traditional non-premixed mixing timescale model when combined with the modified Curl mixing leads to global extinction for the Sydney flame L without the presence of the premixed combustion regime. After accounting for the multi-regime combustion with proper detection of the different combustion regimes, the predictions for the flame statistics and the amount of local extinction are significantly improved. Furthermore, it suggests the need of including multi-regime combustion for the predictions of local extinction and re-ignition in turbulent non-premixed combustion configurations.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Mapping Local Dissipation and Entropy Production in Complex and Active Fluids

While global entropy production provides a measure of irreversibility, its partitioning into contributions from local regions is key to understanding the mechanisms underlying time-reversal symmetry breaking in complex systems and active matter. Here, by analyzing local heat flows and fluxes, we propose a framework that enables the mapping of local dissipation and entropy production in a nonequilibrium system. We test this approach in simulations of fluids driven through complex environments and active systems. We connect the results across the local and global scales by showing that local dissipation and entropy production satisfy a local version of the usual (global) fluctuation theorem, which accounts for the correlations between the local region and its surroundings. Interestingly, in the case of the active fluid, our analysis reveals that these correlations are of opposite signs for the active (stochastic) and passive (deterministic) contributions to local dissipation.

Entropy↗

Hidden Local Symmetry Breaking in a Kagome-Lattice Magnetic Weyl Semimetal

Exploring the relationship between intriguing physical properties and structural complexity is a central topic in studying modern functional materials. Co 3 Sn 2 S 2 , a newly discovered kagome-lattice magnetic Weyl semimetal, has triggered intense interest owing to the intimate coupling between topological semimetallic states and peculiar magnetic properties. However, the origins of the magnetic phase separation and spin glass state below T C in this ordered compound are two unresolved yet important puzzles in understanding its magnetism. Here, we report the discovery of local symmetry breaking surprisingly co-emerges with the onset of ferromagnetic order in Co 3 Sn 2 S 2 , by a combined use of neutron total scattering and half-polarized neutron diffraction. An anisotropic distortion of the cobalt kagome lattice at the atomic/nano level is also found, with distinct distortion directions among the two Co1 and four Co2 atoms. The mismatch of local and average symmetries occurs below T C , indicating that Co 3 Sn 2 S 2 evolves to an intrinsically lattice disordered system when the ferromagnetic order is established. The local symmetry breaking with intrinsic lattice disorder provides new understanding of the puzzling magnetic properties. Our density functional theory (DFT) calculation indicates that the local symmetry breaking is expected to reorient local ferromagnetic moments, unveiling the existence of the ferromagnetic instability associated with the lattice instability. Furthermore, DFT calculation unveils that the local symmetry breaking could affect the Weyl property by breaking the mirror plane. In conclusion, our findings highlight the fundamentally important role that the local symmetry breaking plays in advancing our understanding on the magnetic and topological properties in Co 3 Sn 2 S 2 , which may draw attention to explore the overlooked local symmetry breaking in Co 3 Sn 2 S 2 , its derivatives and more broadly in other topological Dirac/Weyl semimetals and kagome-lattice magnets.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Effect of energetic ions on edge-localized modes in tokamak plasmas

The most efficient and promising operational regime for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor tokamak is the high-confinement mode. In this regime, however, periodic relaxations of the plasma edge can occur. These edge-localized modes pose a threat to the integrity of the fusion device. Here we reveal the strong impact of energetic ions on the spatio-temporal structure of edge-localized modes in tokamaks using nonlinear hybrid kinetic–magnetohydrodynamic simulations. A resonant interaction between the fast ions at the plasma edge and the electromagnetic perturbations from the edge-localized mode leads to an energy and momentum exchange. Energetic ions modify, for example, the amplitude, frequency spectrum and crash timing of edge-localized modes. The simulations reproduce some observations that feature abrupt and large edge-localized mode crashes. The results indicate that, in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, a strong interaction between the fusion-born alpha particles and ions from neutral beam injection, a main heating and fast particle source, is expected with predicted edge-localized mode perturbations. This work advances the understanding of the physics underlying edge-localized mode crashes in the presence of energetic particles and highlights the importance of including energetic ion kinetic effects in the optimization of edge-localized mode control techniques and regimes that are free of such modes.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Resolving local ordering and structure in Mn x Ge 1- x Te alloys through thermodynamic ensembles of pair distribution functions

Characterizing local bonding environments in complex materials is essential for understanding and optimizing their properties. Equally as important is the ability to predict local motifs as a function of synthesis conditions, enhancing chemists’ ability to design properties into materials. In this study, we present an approach to leverage statistical mechanics to generate temperature- and energy-informed ensemble averaged pair distribution functions (PDFs). This method, which we have named Thermodynamic Ensemble Averages of PDFs for Ordering and Transformations (TEAPOT), utilizes density functional theory (DFT) to relax supercells while incorporating energetic penalties for local order, enabling accurate and computationally efficient analysis of local structure. We apply this method to the neutron PDF measurements of the pseudobinary MnTe–GeTe (MGT) alloy, demonstrating its capability to resolve complex local distortions and chemical ordering. Our results reveal detailed insights into phase transformations and local distortions driven by Mn substitution. For compositions that globally present as rock salt, our analysis reveals that Ge coordination geometry is heavily impacted by synthesis temperature. We propose that high temperature synthesis conditions promote a lowered Ge polyhedra distortion, promoting high charge carrier mobility due to the alignment of local and global structure. Incorporating statistical mechanics and computation into experimental analysis thus guides synthesis of tailored local structure.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Investigating phase transitions from local crystallographic analysis based on statistical learning of atomic environments in 2D MoS 2 -ReS 2

Traditionally, phase transitions are explored using a combination of macroscopic functional characterization and scattering techniques, providing insight into the average properties and symmetries of the lattice but local atomic level mechanisms during phase transitions generally remain unknown. Here, we explore the mechanisms of a phase transition between the trigonal prismatic and distorted octahedral phases of layered chalcogenides in the 2D MoS 2 - ReS 2 system from the observations of local degrees of freedom, namely atomic positions by Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM). We employ local crystallographic analysis based on statistical learning of atomic environments to build a picture of the transition from the atomic level up and determine local and global variables controlling the local symmetry breaking. In particular, we argue that the dependence of the average symmetry breaking distortion amplitude on global and local concentration can be used to separate local chemical as well as global electronic effects on transition. This approach allows exploring atomic mechanisms beyond the traditional macroscopic descriptions, utilizing the imaging of compositional fluctuations in solids to explore phase transitions over a range of realized and observed local stoichiometries and atomic configurations.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Hybridizing pseudo-Hamiltonians and non-local pseudopotentials in diffusion Monte Carlo

An accurate treatment of effective core potentials (ECPs) requires care in continuum quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) methods. While most QMC studies have settled on the use of familiar non-local (NL) pseudopotentials with additional localization approximations, these approaches have been shown to result in moderate residual errors for some classes of molecular and solid state applications. Here, we revisit an idea proposed early in the history of QMC ECPs that does not require localization approximations, namely, a differential class of potentials referred to as pseudo-Hamiltonians. We propose to hybridize NL potentials and pseudo-Hamiltonians to reduce residual non-locality of existing potentials. We derive an approach to recast pseudopotentials for 3d elements as hybrid pseudo-Hamiltonians with optimally reduced NL energy. We demonstrate the fidelity of the hybrid potentials by studying atomic ionization potentials of Ti and Fe and the binding properties of TiO and FeO molecules with diffusion Monte Carlo (DMC). We show that localization errors have been reduced relative to potentials with the same NL channels for Sc–Zn by considering the DMC energy change with respect to the choice of approximate localization. While localization error decreases proportionate to the reduced NL energy without a Jastrow, with a Jastrow, the degree of reduction decreases at higher filling of the d-shell. Our results suggest that a subset of existing ECPs may be recast in this hybrid form to reduce the DMC localization error. They also point to the prospect of further reducing this error by generating ECPs within this hybrid form from the start.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Mott transition and correlation effects on strictly localized states in an octagonal quasicrystal

Flat-band systems have attracted significant attention as platforms for studying strongly correlated electron physics, where the dominance of electron-electron interactions over kinetic energy gives rise to a variety of emergent phenomena. Quasicrystals are compelling systems for studying these phenomena as they host degenerate strictly localized states at zero energy due to perfect destructive interference patterns. In this study, we use the slave-rotor mean-field approach to investigate the effects of electron interactions within the Hubbard model on the Ammann-Beenker quasicrystal. The phase diagram characterizing metallic and Mott insulator regions indicates a first-order phase transition. Our analysis shows that the local coordination number affects the local quasiparticle weight, displaying varying metallicity across the sites. Furthermore, we focus on the strictly localized states that arise in the noninteracting limit. We find that interactions and deviation from particle-hole symmetry induce spectral splitting, broadening, and partial delocalization of the localized states, depending on the local environment. In particular, certain localized states with higher coordination numbers remain more robust compared to others. Finally, our results highlight the critical role of local geometry in shaping correlation effects in flat-band quasicrystals.

Mott insulators↗

Vertical nanoscale strain-induced electronic localization in epitaxial La2/3Sr1/3MnO3 films with ZrO2 nanopillar inclusions

Abstract Unusual electrical transport properties associated with weak or strong localization are sometimes found in disordered electronic materials. Here, we report experimental observation of a crossover of electronic behavior from weak localization to enhanced weak localization due to the spatial influence of disorder induced by ZrO 2 nanopillars in (La 2/3 Sr 1/3 MnO 3 ) 1− x :(ZrO 2 ) x ( x = 0, 0.2, and 0.3) nanocomposite films. The spatial strain regions, identified by scanning transmission electron microscopy and high-resolution x-ray diffraction, induce a coexistence of two-dimentional (2D) and three-dimentional (3D) localization and switches to typical 2D localization with increasing density of ZrO 2 pillars due to length scale confinement, which interestingly accords with enhancing vertically interfacial strain. Based on the excellent agreement of our experimental results with one-parameter scaling theory of localization, the enhanced weak localization exists in metal range close to the fixed point. These films provide a tunable experimental model for studying localization in particular the transition regime by appropriate choice of the second epitaxial phase. Graphical Abstract

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Effect of wave localization on plasma instabilities

The Anderson model of wave localization in random media is involved to study the effect of solar wind density turbulence on plasma processes associated with the solar type III radio burst. ISEE-3 satellite data indicate that a possible model for the type III process is the parametric decay of Langmuir waves excited by solar flare electron streams into daughter electromagnetic and ion acoustic waves. The threshold for this instability, however, is much higher than observed Langmuir wave levels because of rapid wave convection of the transverse electromagnetic daughter wave in the case where the solar wind is assumed homogeneous. Langmuir and transverse waves near critical density satisfy the Ioffe-Reigel criteria for wave localization in the solar wind with observed density fluctuations -1 percent. Numerical simulations of wave propagation in random media confirm the localization length predictions of Escande and Souillard for stationary density fluctations. For mobile density fluctuations localized wave packets spread at the propagation velocity of the density fluctuations rather than the group velocity of the waves. Computer simulations using a linearized hybrid code show that an electron beam will excite localized Langmuir waves in a plasma with density turbulence. An action principle approach is used to develop a theory of non-linear wave processes when waves are localized. A theory of resonant particles diffusion by localized waves is developed to explain the saturation of the beam-plasma instability. It is argued that localization of electromagnetic waves will allow the instability threshold to be exceeded for the parametric decay discussed above.

Levedahl, William Kirk↗

Integrating a local database into the StarView distributed user interface

A distributed user interface to the Space Telescope Data Archive and Distribution Service (DADS) known as StarView is being developed. The DADS architecture consists of the data archive as well as a relational database catalog describing the archive. StarView is a client/server system in which the user interface is the front-end client to the DADS catalog and archive servers. Users query the DADS catalog from the StarView interface. Query commands are transmitted via a network and evaluated by the database. The results are returned via the network and are displayed on StarView forms. Based on the results, users decide which data sets to retrieve from the DADS archive. Archive requests are packaged by StarView and sent to DADS, which returns the requested data sets to the users. The advantages of distributed client/server user interfaces over traditional one-machine systems are well known. Since users run software on machines separate from the database, the overall client response time is much faster. Also, since the server is free to process only database requests, the database response time is much faster. Disadvantages inherent in this architecture are slow overall database access time due to the network delays, lack of a 'get previous row' command, and that refinements of a previously issued query must be submitted to the database server, even though the domain of values have already been returned by the previous query. This architecture also does not allow users to cross correlate DADS catalog data with other catalogs. Clearly, a distributed user interface would be more powerful if it overcame these disadvantages. A local database is being integrated into StarView to overcome these disadvantages. When a query is made through a StarView form, which is often composed of fields from multiple tables, it is translated to an SQL query and issued to the DADS catalog. At the same time, a local database table is created to contain the resulting rows of the query. The returned rows are displayed on the form as well as inserted into the local database table. Identical results are produced by reissuing the query to either the DADS catalog or to the local table. Relational databases do not provide a 'get previous row' function because of the inherent complexity of retrieving previous rows of multiple-table joins. However, since this function is easily implemented on a single table, StarView uses the local table to retrieve the previous row. Also, StarView issues subsequent query refinements to the local table instead of the DADS catalog, eliminating the network transmission overhead. Finally, other catalogs can be imported into the local database for cross correlation with local tables. Overall, it is believe that this is a more powerful architecture for distributed, database user interfaces.

Silberberg, D. P.↗

On the Vertical Distribution of Local and Remote Sources of Water for Precipitation

The vertical distribution of local and remote sources of water for precipitation and total column water over the United States are evaluated in a general circulation model simulation. The Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) general circulation model (GCM) includes passive constituent tracers to determine the geographical sources of the water in the column. Results show that the local percentage of precipitable water and local percentage of precipitation can be very different. The transport of water vapor from remote oceanic sources at mid and upper levels is important to the total water in the column over the central United States, while the access of locally evaporated water in convective precipitation processes is important to the local precipitation ratio. This result resembles the conceptual formulation of the convective parameterization. However, the formulations of simple models of precipitation recycling include the assumption that the ratio of the local water in the column is equal to the ratio of the local precipitation. The present results demonstrate the uncertainty in that assumption, as locally evaporated water is more concentrated near the surface.

Bosilovich, Michael G.↗

Gas Motion in a Local Supersonic Region and Conditions of Potential-Flow Breakdown

For a certain Mach number of the oncoming flow, the local velocity first reaches the value of the local velocity of sound (M = 1) at some point on the surface of the body located within the flow. This Mach number is designated the critical Mach number M(sub cr). By increasing the flow velocity, a supersonic local region is formed bounded by the body contour and the line of transition from subsonic to supersonic velocity. As is shown by observations with the Toepler apparatus, at a certain flow Mach number M > M(sub cr) a shock wave is formed near the body that closes the local supersonic region from behind. The formation of the shock wave is associated with the appearance of an additional resistance defined as the wave drag. In this paper, certain features are described of the flow in the local supersonic region, which is bounded by the contour of the body and the transition line, and conditions are sought for which the potential flow with the local supersonic region becomes impossible and a shock wave occurs. In the first part of the paper, the general properties of the potential flow in the local supersonic region, bounded by the contour of the profile and the transition line, are established. It is found that at the transition line, if it is not a line of discontinuity, the law of monotonic variation of the angle of inclination of the velocity vector holds (monotonic law). An approximation is given for the change in velocity at the contour of the body. The flow about a contour having a straight part is studied. In the second part of the paper, an approximation is given of the magnitudes of the accelerations at the interior points of the supersonic region. With the aid of these approximations, it is shown that for profiles convex to the flow the breakdown of the potential flow,associated with an increase of the Mach number of the oncoming flow, cannot be due to the formation of an envelope of the characteristics within the supersonic region. On the basis of the monotonic law, the transitional Mach number M is found, beyond which the potential flow with local supersonic region becomes impossible.

Nikolskii, A. A.↗