From Hadrons to Nuclei: Crossing the Border

The study of nuclei predates by many years the theory of quantum chromodynamics. More recently, effective field theories have been used in nuclear physics to ``cross the border'' from QCD to a nuclear theory. We are now entering the second decade of efforts to develop a perturbative theory of nuclear interactions using effective field theory. This work describes the current status of these efforts.Comment: 141 pages, 58 figs, latex. To appear in the Boris Ioffe Festschrift, ed. by M. Shifman, World Scientifi

Demand, Supply and Markup Fluctuations

The cyclical behavior of markups is at the center of macroeconomic debate on the origins of business-cycle fluctuations and policy effectiveness. In theory, markups may fluctuate endogenously with the business cycle due to sluggish price adjustment or to deeper motives affecting the price-elasticity of demand faced by individual producers. In this article we make use of a large Örm- and product-level panel of Portuguese manufacturing Örms in the 2004-2010 period. The biggest empirical challenge is to separate supply (TFP) from demand shocks. Our dataset allows to do so, by containing information on product-level prices at a yearly frequency. Furthermore, markups are mismeasured when calculated with the labor share. We use the share of intermediate inputs instead. Our main results suggest that markups are pro-cyclical with TFP shocks and generally counter-cyclical with demand shocks. We also show how markups become procyclical if the markup is obtained using the labour share instead of intermediate inputs. Adjustment costs create a wedge between the labour share and the actual markup which explain the observed correlations.N/

Method to obtain nonuniformity information from field emission behavior

Copyright © 2010 American Vacuum Society / American Institute of Physics. This article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and the American Institute of Physics. The following article appeared in Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology Part B: Microelectronics and Nanometer Structures, 28(3), Article number 441 and may be found at http://scitation.aip.org/content/avs/journal/jvstb/28/3/10.1116/1.3327928.This article describes the characterization of field emission from a planar cathode to a spherical anode with the approach curve method (ACM). In such a diode configuration the electric field strength at the cathode surface is nonuniform. This nonuniformity gives an extra degree of freedom and it allows the interpretation of the current-voltage and voltage-distance (V×d) curves in terms of nonuniformity. The authors apply the ACM to Cu emitters to explain the nonlinearity of the V×d curve in ACM measurements. This analysis provides a good insight into field emission phenomena, supporting a method for nonuniformity characterization based on field emission behavior

On dynamic analysis of contact problems with freeform surfaces : a knee joint 3D-study

One of the biomechanical roles of the knee joint is to withstand high loading forces. Thus, this articulation is quite susceptible to injuries and diseases, which may cause anomalous contact loads, asymmetrical gait patterns and local pain that, ultimately, leads to a knee replacement. In view of that, identifying and quantifying the loads placed on the human knee is critical for understanding realistic joint mechanics. Since there is no standard non-invasive experimental approach able to measure in vivo knee dynamic loads, such quantities have to be predicted by making use of computational methods. The efficiency of these computational methods is a primary concern for a contact formulation to be used in multibody system (MBS) dynamics. In fact, it has been recognized by many researchers that most of the time consumed in simulating contact phenomena is spent on the contact detection phase. This computational time motivated the development of an efficient methodology to predict the contact forces that is here presented.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - DACHOR (MIT-Pt/BSHHMS/ 0042/2008), BIOJOINTS (PTDC/EME-PME/ 099764/2008), SFRH/BD/40164/ 2007, SFRH/BD/47750/200

Improving the seismic resistance of cultural heritage buildings

The paper addresses a possible methodology to improve the seismic resistance of cultural heritage buildings (CHB). The ICOMOS recommendations are briefly reviewed and recent research issues are addressed, with a focus on: (a) Behavior of masonry components under cyclic loading (tension, compression and shear); (b) Behavior of stone masonry shear walls under cyclic and dynamic loading; (c) Behavior of dry masonry blocks and structures under dynamic loading; (d) Possibilities of numerical analysis at the laboratory and engineering levels; (e) Monastery of Jerónimos as a case study: An EC funded research project aiming at reducing seismic vulnerability of CHB

Design parameters for seismically retrofitted masonry-to-timber connections: injection anchors

Proper structural connections play an important role in ensuring seismic loads distribution and developing global damage mechanisms of structures. In historical unreinforced masonry buildings, effective connections between masonry walls and timber floors or walls through the use of anchors can prevent the occurrence of out-of-plane mechanisms and promote box-like behavior. Particularly for historic structures, injection anchors can comply with requirements as decreased architectural impact and minimum intervention. Therefore, this paper aims at developing structural design parameters and recommendations that allow the design of connections retrofitted with injection anchors, found in historical unreinforced masonry buildings, built during the 19th century, in Portugal. Existing strength prediction formulae based on behavior models, and idealized force-displacement curves were developed to better fit the results obtained from a series of quasi-static monotonic and cyclic pullout tests carried out on pairs of injection anchors. Behavior models were able to approximate the experimental results, if adapted to the specificities of historical masonry. Further validation is needed, particularly for the combined cone-bond model. From the idealized curves, displacement acceptance criteria, expected forces, and behavior factors were proposed, according to the performance-based approaches recommended by EC8-Part 3 and ASCE/SEI 41-13. Finally, retrofit design recommendations were addressed.This work was partially funded by project FP7-ENV-2009-1-244123-NIKER of the 7th Framework Program of the European Commission, which is gratefully acknowledged. Authors would like to thank the technical staff of the Structures Lab. of University of Minho for the assistance provided preparing and carrying out the tests and also, Monumenta, Ltd. for the construction of the specimens and Cintec® for the installation of the injection anchors

A discussion on the quantification and classification of geodiversity indices based on GIS methodological tests

Quantitative assessment methods are attaining special attention in geodiversity research. Procedures to map geodiversity indices have been proposed by several authors though there is no consensus on how to best apply and replicate them in diverse areas. A contribution to the quantitative mapping of geodiversity using GIS tools of quantification and classification is presented. These procedures were applied in the municipality of Miguel Pereira, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A quantification stage is supported by the multiparts technique, in which the geodiversity elements are considered without pondering their repetition, and by the singleparts technique, where the repetitions are counted. Geodiversity is then mapped and classified according to the MOV (maximum obtained value) that considers the highest score obtained by the sum of the geodiversity sub-indices and to the MPV (maximum possible value) defined by the sum of the maximum scores in each of the geodiversity sub-indices. The maps produced according to the singleparts tools reflect a higher difference between the minimum and maximum scores of geodiversity, and using the MPV more areas are classified with low geodiversity. Fieldwork surveys support the idea that combining the multiparts technique for geodiversity quantification with the MOV to its classification is more appropriate to characterize the geodiversity of the area. Nevertheless, using different methodological approaches may generate significantly different results, what must be taken into account when considering geodiversity as a support tool in land management.This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. The authors are grateful to CPRM (Servico Geologico do Brasil) and DRMRJ (Departamento de Recursos Minerais do Estado do Rio de Janeiro) for providing data of the study area and to the Department of Geology of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) for providing financial support for the fieldwork

Post-earthquake numerical assessment and reinforcement of St James Church, New Zealand

This paper presents a numerical study on the seismic assessment and reinforcement of St James Church, affected by the 2011 New Zealand Earthquake. Numerical analyses were performed using a finite element model including the structural damage of the Church. The numerical model was calibrated against experimental results obtained from the dynamic identification tests carried out in situ. Nonlinear pushover analyses were performed in order to understand the structural behaviour of the damaged Church. The analysis of the results suggests that the damaged structure is not safe according to the new national specifications. Therefore, some reinforcement measures are needed to improve the seismic behaviour of the structure. A reinforcement solution is proposed taking into account the historical heritage value of the building, trying to maintain as much as possible the original aspect of the Church. Pushover analyses were also performed in the reinforced numerical model, proving its effectiveness

Post-earthquake seismic analysis of St James church, New Zealand

The paper presents a numerical study of the seismic assessment of the St James Church in Christchurch, New Zealand affected by the most recent 2011 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks. Dynamic identification tests, as well as a careful visual inspection, were performed in the Church in order to understand its structural behaviour after the seismic action. The seismic assessment of the Church has been done using the finite element modelling technique, in which the nonlinear behaviour of masonry has been taken into account by proper constitutive assumptions. A model updating according to the experimental results was carried out in order to validate the numerical model, which includes the simulation of the damage identified in the structure. Nonlinear pushover analyses were carried out demonstrating that, as a result of the seismic action, the Church can no longer be considered safe. Another numerical model was analysed, this time considering the intact structure. The pushover analysis results of this undamaged model show good agreement with the visual inspection performed in situ, which further validates the model used. Moreover, since the analysis proved that the structure is no longer safe, a reinforcement strategy is proposed and analysed, proving its effectiveness.(undefined

Seasonal Patterns of Herbage Accumulation Dynamics in Marandu Palisadegrass Subjected to Intensities of Continuous Stocking Management

It is relatively well reported in the literature that pastures can have similar forage net accumulation when managed with contrasting structures. However, we hypothesized that the patterns of forage accumulation dynamics of pastures managed at different canopy heights is dependent on environmental conditions. The experimental treatments were four canopy heights (10, 20, 30, and 40 cm), allocated to experimental units according to a randomized complete block design with four replicates and evaluated throughout four contrasting environmental seasons (Summer, Autumn, Winter-Early Spring, and Late Spring). Under favourable growing conditions greater forage accumulation was observed in pastures maintained taller; on the contrary, under more stressful conditions, net forage accumulation rate reduced as canopy height increased. Such patterns of responses were related to compensations between tiller population density and tissue flows during summer and late spring and the reduced capacity of taller canopies to compensate lower population with greater growth rates during autumn and winter-early spring. Pastures subjected to intensities of continuous stocking management change their patterns of forage growth as they transitioned from favourable to more abiotic stressful conditions suggesting that warm-season perennial grasses demand seasonal adjustments in grazing heights in order to maximize herbage production