29,443 research outputs found
Primordial torsion fields as an explanation of the anisotropy in cosmological electromagnetic propagation
In this note we provide a simple explanation of the recent finding of
anisotropy in electromagnetic (EM) propagation claimed by Nodland and Ralston
(astro-ph/9704196). We consider, as a possible origin of such effect, the
effective coupling between EM fields and some tiny background torsion field.
The coupling is obtained after integrating out charged fermions, it is gauge
invariant and does not require the introduction of any new physics.Comment: 8 pages, LaTeX, one figure, enlarged version with minor correction
Strongly Scale-dependent Non-Gaussianity
We discuss models of primordial density perturbations where the
non-Gaussianity is strongly scale-dependent. In particular, the non-Gaussianity
may have a sharp cut-off and be very suppressed on large cosmological scales,
but sizeable on small scales. This may have an impact on probes of
non-Gaussianity in the large-scale structure and in the cosmic microwave
background radiation anisotropies.Comment: 4 page
Numerical analysis of suction embedded plate anchors in structured clay
As offshore energy developments move towards deeper water, moored floating production facilities are increasingly preferred to fixed structures. Anchoring systems are therefore of great interest to engineers working on deep water developments. Suction embedded plate anchors (SEPLAs) are rapidly becoming a popular solution, possessing a more accurate and predictable installation process compared to traditional alternatives. In this paper, finite element analysis has been conducted to evaluate the ultimate pullout capacity of SEPLAs in a range of post-keying configurations. Previous numerical studies of anchor pullout capacity have generally treated the soil as an elastic-perfectly plastic medium. However, the mechanical behaviour of natural clays is affected by inter-particle bonding, or structure, which cannot be accounted for using simple elasto-plastic models. Here, an advanced constitutive model formulated within the kinematic hardening framework is used to accurately predict the degradation of structure as an anchor embedded in a natural soft clay deposit is loaded to its pullout capacity. In comparison with an idealised, non-softening clay, the degradation of clay structure due to plastic strains in the soil mass results in a lower pullout capacity factor, a quantity commonly used in design, and a more complex load–displacement relationship. It can be concluded that clay structure has an important effect on the pullout behaviour of plate anchors.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft
A Laplace transform approach to the quantum harmonic oscillator
The one-dimensional quantum harmonic oscillator problem is examined via the
Laplace transform method. The stationary states are determined by requiring
definite parity and good behaviour of the eigenfunction at the origin and at
infinity
The peremptory influence of a uniform background for trapping neutral fermions with an inversely linear potential
The problem of neutral fermions subject to an inversely linear potential is
revisited. It is shown that an infinite set of bound-state solutions can be
found on the condition that the fermion is embedded in an additional uniform
background potential. An apparent paradox concerning the uncertainty principle
is solved by introducing the concept of effective Compton wavelength
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