The algebraic structure of the generalized uncertainty principle

We show that a deformation of the Heisenberg algebra which depends on a dimensionful parameter $\kappa$ is the algebraic structure which underlies the generalized uncertainty principle in quantum gravity. The deformed algebra and therefore the form of the generalized uncertainty principle are fixed uniquely by rather simple assumptions. The string theory result is reproduced expanding our result at first order in $\Delta p/M_{\rm PL}$. We also briefly comment on possible implications for Lorentz invariance at the Planck scale.Comment: 6 pages, IFUP-TH 38/9

Validation of Experimental Data for the Application of the Magnesium Alloy “Elektron 43”

The behaviour of a structural component, such as the spreader installed on an aeroplane passenger seat made of the magnesium alloy Elektron® 43, is evaluated under a variety of load conditions. The purpose of this research project is to considerably reduce weight by employing the new alloy while keeping the strength and ductility necessary to meet the dynamic standards for both the 16 g forward and 14 g downward tests. A comprehensive campaign of static and dynamic testing on coupons was conducted to characterise the mechanical behaviour of the E43 magnesium alloy, from quasi-static to dynamic loading, and across a wide range of deformation rates. The elastic–plastic and strain rate sensitive material model of E43 is then calibrated using an FEA approach and LS-DYNA software, utilising stress–strain curves and properties determined from standardised experimental tensile and compression trials at varied strain rates. Finally, this material model was used to perform a finite element structural study of a major component of an aeroplane seat built using Elektron® 43 under typical in-flight stresses

TOPOLOGY OF THE ITALIAN AIRPORT NETWORK: A SCALE-FREE SMALL-WORLD NETWORK WITH A FRACTAL STRUCTURE?

Abstract In this paper, for the first time we analyze the structure of the Italian Airport Network (IAN) looking at it as a mathematical graph and investigate its topological properties. We find that it has very remarkable features, being like a scalefree network, since both the degree and the ‘‘betweenness centrality’’ distributions follow a typical power-law known in literature as a Double Pareto Law. From a careful analysis of the data, the Italian Airport Network turns out to have a self-similar structure. In short, it is characterized by a fractal nature, whose typical dimensions can be easily determined from the values of the power-law scaling exponents. Moreover, we show that, according to the period examined, these distributions exhibit a number of interesting features, such as the existence of some ‘‘hubs’’, i.e. in the graph theory’s jargon, nodes with a very large number of links, and others most probably associated with geographical constraints. Also, we find that the IAN can be classified as a small-world network because the average distance between reachable pairs of airports grows at most as the logarithm of the number of airports. The IAN does not show evidence of ‘‘communities’’ and this result could be the underlying reason behind the smallness of the value of the clustering coefficient, which is related to the probability that two nearest neighbors of a randomly chosen airport are connected

First experience in operating the population of the condition databases for the CMS experiment

Reliable population of the condition databases is critical for the correct operation of the online selection as well as of the offline reconstruction and analysis of data. We will describe here the system put in place in the CMS experiment to populate the database and make condition data promptly available both online for the high-level trigger and offline for reconstruction. The system, designed for high flexibility to cope with very different data sources, uses POOL-ORA technology in order to store data in an object format that best matches the object oriented paradigm for \texttt{C++} programming language used in the CMS offline software. In order to ensure consistency among the various subdetectors, a dedicated package, PopCon (Populator of Condition Objects), is used to store data online. The data are then automatically streamed to the offline database hence immediately accessible offline worldwide. This mechanism was intensively used during 2008 in the test-runs with cosmic rays. The experience of this first months of operation will be discussed in detail.Comment: 15 pages, submitter to JOP, CHEP0

Black Holes as Quantum Membranes

We propose a quantum description of black holes. The degrees of freedom to be quantized are identified with the microscopic degrees of freedom of the horizon, and their dynamics is governed by the action of the relatistic bosonic membrane in $D=4$. We find that a consistent and plausible description emerges, both at the classical and at the quantum level. We present results for the level structure of black holes. We find a ``principal series'' of levels, corresponding to quantization of the area of the horizon. From each level of this principal series starts a quasi-continuum of levels due to excitations of the membrane. We discuss the statistical origin of the black hole entropy and the relation with Hawking radiation and with the information loss problem. The limits of validity of the membrane approach turn out to coincide with the known limits of validity of the thermodynamical description of black holes.Comment: 40 pages, Latex file + 6 figure

Quantum Groups, Gravity, and the Generalized Uncertainty Principle

We investigate the relationship between the generalized uncertainty principle in quantum gravity and the quantum deformation of the Poincar\'e algebra. We find that a deformed Newton-Wigner position operator and the generators of spatial translations and rotations of the deformed Poincar\'e algebra obey a deformed Heisenberg algebra from which the generalized uncertainty principle follows. The result indicates that in the $\kappa$-deformed Poincar\'e algebra a minimal observable length emerges naturally.Comment: 13 pages, IFUP-TH 19/93, May 1993 (revised Nov. 1993

Parachute emergency landing simulation and enhanced composite material characterization for General Aviation aircraft

General Aviation (GA) aircraft crashworthiness of the vehicle when it hits the ground after the parachute deployment is an important issue. The current dynamic emergency landing regulation (CS 23.562) defines the maximum human tolerant accelerations under both vertical and horizontal directions. This article aims to compare two different aircraft configurations: metal low-wing and composite high-wing ones. Both are two-seats and single-engine GA aircraft. The purpose of the analysis is to check whether the seats and restraint systems met human injury tolerance standards and to determine the possible impact on passengers in the cabin space due to shock loads. Finite element analysis of the fuselage sections for both configurations is performed using the commercial LS-Dyna solver. An extensive campaign of experimental tests has been performed on the composite samples for tuning and validating the model and to find the transition from an undamaged up to totally collapsed sample. The material of the composite fuselage has been characterized through experimental tests. The adopted material model has been refined to match with the performed experimental analysis, allowing high-fidelity modeling. A parametric analysis has been performed to determine the optimal impact angle in terms of lumbar injuries and loads transmitted by the seat belt due to aircraft contact with the ground, thereby increasing the level of safety. The investigations carried out may be an important indicator of the design of the parachute system