CLFE2D: A generalized plane strain finite element program laminated composites subject to mechanical and hygrothermal loading

CLFE2D is a two dimensional generalized plane strain finite element code, using a linear, four node, general quadrilateral, isoparametric element. The program is developed to calculate the displacements, strains, stresses, and strain energy densities in a finite width composite laminate. CLFE2D offers any combination of the following load types: nodal displacements, nodal forces, uniform normal strain, or hygrothermal. The program allows the user to input one set of three dimensional orthotropic material properties. The user can then specify the angle of material principal orientation for each element in the mesh. Output includes displacements, stresses, strains and strain densities at points selected by the user. An option is also available to plot the underformed and deformed finite element meshes

From Black Strings to Black Holes

Using recently developed numerical methods, we examine neutral compactified non-uniform black strings which connect to the Gregory-Laflamme critical point. By studying the geometry of the horizon we give evidence that this branch of solutions may connect to the black hole solutions, as conjectured by Kol. We find the geometry of the topology changing solution is likely to be nakedly singular at the point where the horizon radius is zero. We show that these solutions can all be expressed in the coordinate system discussed by Harmark and Obers.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, RevTe

Determination of the Δ(1232)\Delta(1232) axial and pseudoscalar form factors from lattice QCD

We present a lattice QCD calculation of the $\Delta(1232)$ matrix elements of the axial-vector and pseudoscalar currents. The decomposition of these matrix elements into the appropriate Lorentz invariant form factors is carried out and the techniques to calculate the form factors are developed and tested using quenched configurations. Results are obtained for 2+1 domain wall fermions and within a hybrid scheme with domain wall valence and staggered sea quarks. Two Goldberger-Treiman type relations connecting the axial to the pseudoscalar effective couplings are derived. These and further relations based on the pion-pole dominance hypothesis are examined using the lattice QCD results, finding support for their validity. Utilizing lattice QCD results on the axial charges of the nucleon and the $\Delta$, as well as the nucleon-to-$\Delta$ transition coupling constant, we perform a combined chiral fit to all three quantities and study their pion mass dependence as the chiral limit is approached

Molecular principles underlying dual RNA specificity in the Drosophila SNF protein

The first RNA recognition motif of the Drosophila SNF protein is an example of an RNA binding protein with multi-specificity. It binds different RNA hairpin loops in spliceosomal U1 or U2 small nuclear RNAs, and only in the latter case requires the auxiliary U2A′ protein. Here we investigate its functions by crystal structures of SNF alone and bound to U1 stem-loop II, U2A′ or U2 stem-loop IV and U2A′, SNF dynamics from NMR spectroscopy, and structure-guided mutagenesis in binding studies. We find that different loop-closing base pairs and a nucleotide exchange at the tips of the loops contribute to differential SNF affinity for the RNAs. U2A′ immobilizes SNF and RNA residues to restore U2 stem-loop IV binding affinity, while U1 stem-loop II binding does not require such adjustments. Our findings show how U2A′ can modulate RNA specificity of SNF without changing SNF conformation or relying on direct RNA contacts

Curvature Corrections to Dynamics of Domain Walls

The most usual procedure for deriving curvature corrections to effective actions for topological defects is subjected to a critical reappraisal. A logically unjustified step (leading to overdetermination) is identified and rectified, taking the standard domain wall case as an illustrative example. Using the appropriately corrected procedure, we obtain a new exact (analytic) expression for the corresponding effective action contribution of quadratic order in the wall width, in terms of the intrinsic Ricci scalar $R$ and the extrinsic curvature scalar $K$. The result is proportional to $cK^2-R$ with the coefficient given by $c\simeq 2$. The resulting form of the ensuing dynamical equations is obtained in terms of the second fundamental form and the Dalembertian of its trace, K. It is argued that this does not invalidate the physical conclusions obtained from the "zero rigidity" ansatz $c=0$ used in previous work.Comment: 19 pages plain TeX, 2 figures include

Properties of light scalar mesons from lattice QCD

Lattice QCD with $N_f=2$ flavours of sea quark is used to explore the spectrum and decay of scalar mesons. We are able to determine the $b_1$ - $a_0$ mass difference and this leads to the conclusion that the lightest non-singlet scalar meson ($a_0$) has a mass of 1.01(4) GeV. We determine from the lattice the coupling strength to KK and $\pi \eta$. We compute the leptonic decay constant of the lightest non-singlet scalar meson. We discuss the impact of these lattice results on the interpretation of the $a_0(980)$ state. We also discuss $K^*_0$ states.Comment: version accepted by Phys Rev

The impact of in-season national team soccer play on injury and player availability in a professional club

This study investigated the impact of in-season national team duty on injury rates and player availability in a professional soccer club. Time-loss injuries and exposure time during club and national team duties were recorded prospectively over 5 seasons (2009–2014). A time-loss injury was sustained by 37.7% of squad members participating in national duty, all injuries occurring in match-play. The incidence (per 1000 h exposure) for national team player match-play injuries did not differ (P = 0.608) to that for all players in club competitions: 48.0 (95% CI 20.9–75.5) vs. 41.9 (95% CI 36.5–47.4), incidence rate ratio = 1.2 (CI: 0.8–2.4). The majority (58%) of national team injuries resulted in a layoff ≤1 week. Of all working days lost to injury generally, 5.2% were lost through injury on national duty. Injury incidence in the week following national duty was comparable (P = 0.818) in players participating or not: 7.8 (95% CI 3.6–12.0) vs. 7.1 (95% CI: 4.6–9.6), incidence rate ratio = 1.1 (CI: 0.7–2.7). While approximately 40% of participating players incurred a time-loss injury on national duty, no training injuries were sustained and injuries made up a negligible part of overall club working days lost to injury. Following duty, players had a similar injury risk to peers without national obligations

Using Spin Correlations to Distinguish Zh from ZA at the International Linear Collider

We investigate how to exploit the spin information imparted to the Z boson in associated Higgs production at a future linear collider as an aid in distinguishing between CP-even and CP-odd Higgs bosons. We apply a generalized spin-basis analysis which allowsus to study the possibilities offered by non-traditional choices of spin projection axis. In particular, we find that the Z bosons produced in association with a CP-even Higgs via polarized collisions are in a single transverse spin-state (>90% purity) when we use the Zh-transverse basis, provided that the Z~bosons are not ultra-relativistic (speed <0.9c). This same basis applied to the associated production of a CP-odd Higgs yields Z's that are an approximately equal mixture of longitudinal and transverse polarizations. We present a decay angular distribution which could be used to distinguish between the CP-even and CP-odd cases. Finally, we make a few brief remarks about how this distribution would be affected if the Higgs boson turns out to not be a CP-eigenstate.Comment: 48 pages, 18 figures, revtex