A discrete Schrodinger spectral problem and associated evolution equations

A recently proposed discrete version of the Schrodinger spectral problem is considered. The whole hierarchy of differential-difference nonlinear evolution equations associated to this spectral problem is derived. It is shown that a discrete version of the KdV, sine-Gordon and Liouville equations are included and that the so called `inverse' class in the hierarchy is local. The whole class of related Darboux and Backlund transformations is also exhibited.Comment: 14 pages, LaTeX2

Entanglement generation in relativistic quantum fields

We present a general, analytic recipe to compute the entanglement that is generated between arbitrary, discrete modes of bosonic quantum fields by Bogoliubov transformations. Our setup allows the complete characterization of the quantum correlations in all Gaussian field states. Additionally, it holds for all Bogoliubov transformations. These are commonly applied in quantum optics for the description of squeezing operations, relate the mode decompositions of observers in different regions of curved spacetimes, and describe observers moving along non-stationary trajectories. We focus on a quantum optical example in a cavity quantum electrodynamics setting: an uncharged scalar field within a cavity provides a model for an optical resonator, in which entanglement is created by non-uniform acceleration. We show that the amount of generated entanglement can be magnified by initial single-mode squeezing, for which we provide an explicit formula. Applications to quantum fields in curved spacetimes, such as an expanding universe, are discussed.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figures, Ivette Fuentes previously published as Ivette Fuentes-Guridi and Ivette Fuentes-Schuller; v2: published version (online), to appear in the J. Mod. Opt. Special Issue on the Physics of Quantum Electronic

Finite element simulation of semi-finishing turning of Electron Beam Melted Ti6Al4V under dry and cryogenic cooling

open6noIn the last few years, important step forwards have been made on Finite Element Simulation of machining operations. Wrought Ti6Al4V alloy has been deeply investigated both numerically and experimentally due to its wide application in the industry. Recently, Additive Manufacturing technologies as the Electron Beam Melting and the Direct Melting Laser Sintering are more and more employed in the production of biomedical and aeronautical components made of Ti6Al4V alloy. Fine acicular microstructures are generated by the application of additive manufacturing technologies, affecting the mechanical properties and the machinability. By the consequence, this peculiarity has to be considered in modelling the material behaviour. In this work, a numerical analysis of cylindrical external turning on Electron Beam Melted (EBM) Ti6Al4V alloy is presented. A Johnson-Cook constitutive equation was implemented as a flow stress model and adapted with respect to the wrought Ti6Al4V alloy. The model was calibrated and validated through the cutting forces and temperatures measurements acquired under dry and cryogenic lubricating conditions.openBordin, A; Imbrogno, S.; Rotella, G.; Bruschi, S.; Ghiotti, A.; Umbrello, D.Bordin, Alberto; Imbrogno, S.; Rotella, G.; Bruschi, Stefania; Ghiotti, Andrea; Umbrello, D

engineering thoughts on hydrogen embrittlement

Abstract Hydrogen Embrittlement (HE) is a topical issue for pipelines transporting sour products. Engineers need a simple and effective approach in materials selection at design stage. In other words, they must know if a material is susceptible to cracking, to be able of: selecting the right material and apply correct operational measures during the service life. Following ASTM F2078, HE is "a permanent loss of ductility in a metal or alloy caused by hydrogen in combination with stress, either externally applied or internal residual stress". In many cases, hydrogen can play a role in crack propagation, as for instance in Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) and Corrosion Fatigue (CF). Three parameters are required to cause failure: presence of hydrogen, tensile stress, and material susceptibility. The two previous ones are triggering the failure, while the root cause is usually material susceptibility. This is why material selection is the important step to safely manage engineering structural materials. As an example, material selection for sour service pipeline is the object of well-known standards, e.g. by Nace International and EFC: they pose some limits in the sour service of steels, with reference to surface hardness. These standards have shown some weak points, namely: In the definition of sour service; In defining the role of crack initiation and propagation, considering that in Hydrogen embrittlement, stress state and stress variations are very important. As for the second point, in hydrogen generation anodic processes shall be taken into account too. For instance, there is a relationship between corrosion resistance and crack susceptibility. In carbon and low alloy steels, cracking will not normally occur when there is a significant corrosion rate. If a brittle layer (or a brittle spot) is present on the metal surface, this one can initiate a crack

The “Eyeballing” technique : an emerging and alerting trend of alcohol misuse

Alternative methods of alcohol consumption have recently emerged among adolescents and young adults, including the alcohol “eyeballing”, which consist in the direct pouring of alcoholic substances on the ocular surface epithelium. In a context of drug and behavioural addictions change, “eyeballing” can be seen as one of the latest and potentially highly risky new trends. We aimed to analyze the existing medical literature as well as online material on this emerging trend of alcohol misusePeer reviewedFinal Published versio

Computational approaches to shed light on molecular mechanisms in biological processes

Computational approaches based on Molecular Dynamics simulations, Quantum Mechanical methods and 3D Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships were employed by computational chemistry groups at the University of Milano-Bicocca to study biological processes at the molecular level. The paper reports the methodologies adopted and the results obtained on Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor and homologous PAS proteins mechanisms, the properties of prion protein peptides, the reaction pathway of hydrogenase and peroxidase enzymes and the defibrillogenic activity of tetracyclines. © Springer-Verlag 2007

Geon black holes and quantum field theory

Black hole spacetimes that are topological geons in the sense of Sorkin can be constructed by taking a quotient of a stationary black hole that has a bifurcate Killing horizon. We discuss the geometric properties of these geon black holes and the Hawking-Unruh effect on them. We in particular show how correlations in the Hawking-Unruh effect reveal to an exterior observer features of the geometry that are classically confined to the regions behind the horizons.Comment: 11 pages. Talk given at the First Mediterranean Conference on Classical and Quantum Gravity, Kolymbari (Crete, Greece), September 2009. Dedicated to Rafael Sorkin. v2: typesetting bug fixe