37 research outputs found
Light bullets in quadratic media with normal dispersion at the second harmonic
Stable two- and three-dimensional spatiotemporal solitons (STSs) in
second-harmonic-generating media are found in the case of normal dispersion at
the second harmonic (SH). This result, surprising from the theoretical
viewpoint, opens a way for experimental realization of STSs. An analytical
estimate for the existence of STSs is derived, and full results, including a
complete stability diagram, are obtained in a numerical form. STSs withstand
not only the normal SH dispersion, but also finite walk-off between the
harmonics, and readily self-trap from a Gaussian pulse launched at the
fundamental frequency.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, accepted to Phys. Rev. Let
Critical thermodynamics of three-dimensional MN-component field model with cubic anisotropy from higher-loop \epsilon expansion
The critical thermodynamics of an -component field model with cubic
anisotropy relevant to the phase transitions in certain crystals with
complicated ordering is studied within the four-loop \ve expansion using the
minimal subtraction scheme. Investigation of the global structure of RG flows
for the physically significant cases M=2, N=2 and M=2, N=3 shows that the model
has an anisotropic stable fixed point with new critical exponents. The critical
dimensionality of the order parameter is proved to be equal to
, that is exactly half its counterpart in the real hypercubic
model.Comment: 9 pages, LaTeX, no figures. Published versio
Critical behavior of certain antiferromagnets with complicated ordering: Four-loop \ve-expansion analysis
The critical behavior of a complex N-component order parameter
Ginzburg-Landau model with isotropic and cubic interactions describing
antiferromagnetic and structural phase transitions in certain crystals with
complicated ordering is studied in the framework of the four-loop
renormalization group (RG) approach in (4-\ve) dimensions. By using
dimensional regularization and the minimal subtraction scheme, the perturbative
expansions for RG functions are deduced and resummed by the Borel-Leroy
transformation combined with a conformal mapping. Investigation of the global
structure of RG flows for the physically significant cases N=2 and N=3 shows
that the model has an anisotropic stable fixed point governing the continuous
phase transitions with new critical exponents. This is supported by the
estimate of the critical dimensionality obtained from six loops
via the exact relation established for the complex and real
hypercubic models.Comment: LaTeX, 16 pages, no figures. Expands on cond-mat/0109338 and includes
detailed formula
Stable spinning optical solitons in three dimensions
We introduce spatiotemporal spinning solitons (vortex tori) of the
three-dimensional nonlinear Schrodinger equation with focusing cubic and
defocusing quintic nonlinearities. The first ever found completely stable
spatiotemporal vortex solitons are demonstrated. A general conclusion is that
stable spinning solitons are possible as a result of competition between
focusing and defocusing nonlinearities.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figures, accepted to Phys. Rev. Let
Assessment of the methodology for establishing the EU list of critical raw materials : background report
This report presents the results of work carried out by the Directorate General (DG) Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission (EC), in close cooperation with Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (GROW), in the context of the revision of the EC methodology that was used to identify the list of critical raw materials (CRMs) for the EU in 2011 and 2014 (EC 2011, 2014). As a background report, it complements the corresponding Guidelines Document, which contains the "ready-to-apply" methodology for updating the list of CRMs in 2017. This background report highlights the needs for updating the EC criticality methodology, the analysis and the proposals for improvement with related examples, discussion and justifications. However, a few initial remarks are necessary to clarify the context, the objectives of the revision and the approach. As the in-house scientific service of the EC, DG JRC was asked to provide scientific advice to DG GROW in order to assess the current methodology, identify aspects that have to be adapted to better address the needs and expectations of the list of CRMs and ultimately propose an improved and integrated methodology. This work was conducted closely in consultation with the adhoc working group on CRMs, who participated in regular discussions and provided informed expert feedback. The analysis and subsequent revision started from the assumption that the methodology used for the 2011 and 2014 CRMs lists proved to be reliable and robust and, therefore, the JRC mandate was focused on fine-tuning and/or targeted incremental methodological improvements. An in depth re-discussion of fundamentals of criticality assessment and/or major changes to the EC methodology were not within the scope of this work. High priority was given to ensure good comparability with the criticality exercises of 2011 and 2014. The existing methodology was therefore retained, except for specific aspects for which there were policy and/or stakeholder needs on the one hand, or strong scientific reasons for refinement of the methodology on the other. This was partially facilitated through intensive dialogue with DG GROW, the CRM adhoc working group, other key EU and extra-EU stakeholders
Assessment of the methodology for establishing the EU list of critical raw materials : annexes
Three-loop renormalization group analysis of a complex model with stable fixed point: Critical exponents up to and
The complete analysis of a model with three quartic coupling constants
associated with an O(2N)--symmetric, a cubic, and a tetragonal interactions is
carried out within the three-loop approximation of the renormalization-group
(RG) approach in dimensions. Perturbation expansions for RG
functions are calculated using dimensional regularization and the minimal
subtraction (MS) scheme. It is shown that for the model does possess a
stable fixed point in three dimensional space of coupling constants, in
accordance with predictions made earlier on the base of the lower-order
approximations. Numerical estimate for critical (marginal) value of the order
parameter dimensionality is given using Pad\'e-Borel summation of the
corresponding --expansion series obtained. It is observed that
two-fold degeneracy of the eigenvalue exponents in the one-loop approximation
for the unique stable fixed point leads to the substantial decrease of the
accuracy expected within three loops and may cause powers of
to appear in the expansions. The critical exponents and are
calculated for all fixed points up to and ,
respectively, and processed by the Borel summation method modified with a
conformal mapping. For the unique stable fixed point the magnetic
susceptibility exponent for N=2 is found to differ in third order in
from that of an O(4)--symmetric point. Qualitative comparison of the
results given by --expansion, three-dimensional RG analysis,
non-perturbative RG arguments, and experimental data is performed.Comment: 30 pages, LaTeX, no figures. To be published in Phys. Rev. B, V.57,
Jan. issue (1998
Of the importance of a leaf: the ethnobotany of sarma in Turkey and the Balkans
BACKGROUND: Sarma - cooked leaves rolled around a filling made from rice and/or minced meat, possibly vegetables and seasoning plants - represents one of the most widespread feasting dishes of the Middle Eastern and South-Eastern European cuisines. Although cabbage and grape vine sarma is well-known worldwide, the use of alternative plant leaves remains largely unexplored. The aim of this research was to document all of the botanical taxa whose leaves are used for preparing sarma in the folk cuisines of Turkey and the Balkans. Methods: Field studies were conducted during broader ethnobotanical surveys, as well as during ad-hoc investigations between the years 2011 and 2014 that included diverse rural communities in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey. Primary ethnobotanical and folkloric literatures in each country were also considered. Results: Eighty-seven botanical taxa, mainly wild, belonging to 50 genera and 27 families, were found to represent the bio-cultural heritage of sarma in Turkey and the Balkans. The greatest plant biodiversity in sarma was found in Turkey and, to less extent, in Bulgaria and Romania. The most commonly used leaves for preparing sarma were those of cabbage (both fresh and lacto-fermented), grape vine, beet, dock, sorrel, horseradish, lime tree, bean, and spinach. In a few cases, the leaves of endemic species (Centaurea haradjianii, Rumex gracilescens, and R. olympicus in Turkey) were recorded. Other uncommon sarma preparations were based on lightly toxic taxa, such as potato leaves in NE Albania, leaves of Arum, Convolvulus, and Smilax species in Turkey, of Phytolacca americana in Macedonia, and of Tussilago farfara in diverse countries. Moreover, the use of leaves of the introduced species Reynoutria japonica in Romania, Colocasia esculenta in Turkey, and Phytolacca americana in Macedonia shows the dynamic nature of folk cuisines. Conclusion: The rich ethnobotanical diversity of sarma confirms the urgent need to record folk culinary plant knowledge. The results presented here can be implemented into initiatives aimed at re-evaluating folk cuisines and niche food markets based on local neglected ingredients, and possibly also to foster trajectories of the avant-garde cuisines inspired by ethnobotanical knowledge
An overview of using small punch testing for mechanical characterization of MCrAlY bond coats
Considerable work has been carried out on overlay bond coats in the past several decades because of its excellent oxidation resistance and good adhesion between the top coat and superalloy substrate in the thermal barrier coating systems. Previous studies mainly focus on oxidation and diffusion behavior of these coatings. However, the mechanical behavior and the dominant fracture and deformation mechanisms of the overlay bond coats at different temperatures are still under investigation. Direct comparison between individual studies has not yet been achieved due to the fragmentary data on deposition processes, microstructure and, more apparently, the difficulty in accurately measuring the mechanical properties of thin coatings. One of the miniaturized specimen testing methods, small punch testing, appears to have the potential to provide such mechanical property measurements for thin coatings. The purpose of this paper is to give an overview of using small punch testing to evaluate material properties and to summarize the available mechanical properties that include the ductile-to-brittle transition and creep of MCrAlY bond coat alloys, in an attempt to understand the mechanical behavior of MCrAlY coatings over a broad temperature range
Razvoj hidroksiapatit-ciprofloksacin implantata za kosti “dizajniranjem kvalitete”
The present study deals with the development of hydroxyapatite (HAp)-ciprofloxacin bone-
-implants using the “Quality by design” approach. The effect of various synthetic parameters like drug amount added in the process, stirring speed and addition rate of orthophosphoric acid on drug concentration in the HAp-ciprofloxacin system synthesized by the precipitation technique using 23 factorial design was analyzed. Optimization methodology utilizing the first-order polynomial equation was used to search for optimal drug concentration in the HAp-ciprofloxacin implant system. The observed responses coincided well with the predicted values from the optimization technique. New implants were manufactured using various HAp-ciprofloxacin composites and 1.5 % (m/V) guar gum as a binder. Characterization of the delivery system was done by XRPD, FTIR spectroscopy and SEM. Even at highest drug concentration (76.6 ± 0.5 %, m/m), ciprofloxacin was present in noncrystalline state. The in vitro ciprofloxacin release from various bone-implants was sustained for several weeks and the drug release pattern correlated well with the Korsmeyer-Peppas model.U radu je opisan razvoj hidroksiapatit (HAp)-ciprofloksacin implantata za kosti “dizajniranjem kvalitete”. Učinak nezavisnih varijabli poput količine dodanog lijeka, brzine miješanja i udjela ortofosforne kiseline na koncentraciju lijeka u HAp-sustavu dobivenom precipitacijom optimiran je koristeći 23 faktorijalno dizajniranje. Pomoću polinomske jednadžbe prvog reda određena je optimalna koncentracija lijeka u implantatima na bazi HAp. Dobiveni odgovori podudaraju se s predviđenim vrijednostima iz optimiranih formulacija. Novi implantati pripravljeni su koristeći različite omjere HAp i ciprofloksacina te 1,5 % (m/V) guar gumu kao vezivo. Karakterizacija sustava za isporuku provedena je pomoću XRPD, FTIR spektroskopije i SEM. Ciprofloksacin je prisutan u amorfnom stanju čak pri najvišim koncentracijama (76,6 ± 0,5 %, m/m). In vitro oslobađanje ciprofloksacina iz različitih implantata bilo je polagano tijekom nekoliko tjedana i dobro je koreliralo s Korsmeyer-Peppasovim modelom