First Order Calculation of the Inclusive Cross Section pp to ZZ by Graviton Exchange in Large Extra Dimensions

We calculate the inclusive cross section of double Z-boson production within large extra dimensions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Using perturbatively quantized gravity in the ADD model we perform a first order calculation of the graviton mediated contribution to the pp to ZZ cross section. At low energies (e.g. Tevatron) this additional contribution is very small, making it virtually unobservable, for a fundamental mass scale above 2500 GeV. At LHC energies however, the calculation indicates that the ZZ-production rate within the ADD model should differ significantly from the Standard Model if the new fundamental mass scale would be below 15000 GeV. A comparison with the observed production rate at the LHC might therefore provide direct hints on the number and structure of the extra dimensions.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Thermal decomposition of RDX from reactive molecular dynamics

We use the recently developed reactive force field ReaxFF with molecular dynamics to study thermal induced chemistry in RDX [cyclic-[CH2N(NO2)]3] at various temperatures and densities. We find that the time evolution of the potential energy can be described reasonably well with a single exponential function from which we obtain an overall characteristic time of decomposition that increases with decreasing density and shows an Arrhenius temperature dependence. These characteristic timescales are in reasonable quantitative agreement with experimental measurements in a similar energetic material, HMX [cyclic-[CH2N(NO2)]4]. Our simulations show that the equilibrium population of CO and CO2 (as well as their time evolution) depend strongly of density: at low density almost all carbon atoms form CO molecules; as the density increases larger aggregates of carbon appear leading to a C deficient gas phase and the appearance of CO2 molecules. The equilibrium populations of N2 and H2O are more insensitive with respect to density and form in the early stages of the decomposition process with similar timescales

Preserving Value in the Post-BAPCPA Era — An Empirical Study

Through the use of a multivariate regression model, this article studies the effect on debtor reorganization values of the shortened reorganization timeframe imposed by the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act (“BAPCPA”). The study shows that BAPCPA is positively correlated at a statistically significant level with higher reorganization recoveries. This result is attributed to the increased proportion of prepackaged and prenegotiated bankruptcies observed in the post-2005 era, as these “fast-track” bankruptcy cases entail lower costs and better preserve the firm’s value

Elastic slow dynamics in polycrystalline metal alloys

Elastic slow dynamics, consisting in a reversible softening of materials when an external strain is applied, was experimentally observed in polycrystalline metals and presents analogies with the same phenomenon more widely observed in consolidated granular media. Since the effect is extremely small in metals, precise experimental techniques are needed. Reliable measurement of relative velocity variations of the order of 10−7 is crucial to perform the analysis. In addition, the grain structure and the nature of grain boundaries in metals is very different from that in rocks or concrete. Therefore, linking relaxation elastic effects to the microstructure is needed to understand the physical origin of slow dynamics in metals. Here, interpreting the relaxation phenomenon as a multirelaxation process, we show that it is sensitive to the spatial scale at the microstructural level, up to the point of allowing the identification of the existence of features at different spatial scales, particularly distinguishing damage from microstructural inhomogeneities

Simultaneous Quantitative MRI Mapping of T1, T2* and Magnetic Susceptibility with Multi-Echo MP2RAGE.

The knowledge of relaxation times is essential for understanding the biophysical mechanisms underlying contrast in magnetic resonance imaging. Quantitative experiments, while offering major advantages in terms of reproducibility, may benefit from simultaneous acquisitions. In this work, we demonstrate the possibility of simultaneously recording relaxation-time and susceptibility maps with a prototype Multi-Echo (ME) Magnetization-Prepared 2 RApid Gradient Echoes (MP2RAGE) sequence. T1 maps can be obtained using the MP2RAGE sequence, which is relatively insensitive to inhomogeneities of the radio-frequency transmit field, [Formula: see text]. As an extension, multiple gradient echoes can be acquired in each of the MP2RAGE readout blocks, which permits the calculation of [Formula: see text] and susceptibility maps. We used computer simulations to explore the effects of the parameters on the precision and accuracy of the mapping. In vivo parameter maps up to 0.6 mm nominal resolution were acquired at 7 T in 19 healthy volunteers. Voxel-by-voxel correlations and the test-retest reproducibility were used to assess the reliability of the results. When using optimized paramenters, T1 maps obtained with ME-MP2RAGE and standard MP2RAGE showed excellent agreement for the whole range of values found in brain tissues. Simultaneously obtained [Formula: see text] and susceptibility maps were of comparable quality as Fast Low-Angle SHot (FLASH) results. The acquisition times were more favorable for the ME-MP2RAGE (≈ 19 min) sequence as opposed to the sum of MP2RAGE (≈ 12 min) and FLASH (≈ 10 min) acquisitions. Without relevant sacrifice in accuracy, precision or flexibility, the multi-echo version may yield advantages in terms of reduced acquisition time and intrinsic co-registration, provided that an appropriate optimization of the acquisition parameters is performed

A Comparison between the 3D and the Kirchhoff-Love Solutions for Cylinders under Creep-Damage Conditions

The 3D theory of creep deformation and creep damage growth in a cylindrical body of revolution is considered. Constitutive equations describing the creep deformation and unilateral creep damage in initially isotropic materials with characteristics dependent on the kind of the stress state are discussed. The numerical approach to obtain the 3D solution for a cylinder under creep-damage conditions is developed. The numerical results generated by the proposed 3D theory are compared with the analogous results based on the Kirchhoff-Love model. Thin and moderately thick cylindrical shells of revolution made from the material with the creep and creep damage characteristics dependent on the kind of the stress state are considered in this comparative analysis. The influence of tension–compression asymmetry on the stress–strain state and damage evolution with time in thin and moderately thick cylindrical shells is discussed. If it is assumed that the properties of the shell material do not depend on the kind of the stress state, this could lead to an overprediction of the creep damage growth and a significant underestimation of the failure initiation time

Damage accumulation in multilayer thin films on gamma titanium aluminides

The present paper involves comprehensive investigations towards an understanding on how aggressive environments, high service temperatures and long dwell times affect damage growth and lifetime reduction of different components of automotive combustion engines and aero-engines made out of gamma titanium aluminides with protective coatings. The outcome of this paper is related to the practical recommendations on how damage growth at high temperatures in multilayer thin films on gamma titanium aluminides under thermal cyclic conditions and multiaxial stress state may be controlled in order to reduce environmental degradation, optimize the protective coating and extend lifetime of a component for automotive, energy and aerospace applications.Настоящая статья включает в себя всеобъемлющие исследования, направленные на понимание того, как агрессивные среды, высокие температуры и время цикла нагружения влияют на рост повреждаемости и сокращение долговечности различных компонентов автомобильных двигателей внутреннего сгорания и авиационных двигателей, изготовленных из гамма алюминидов титана с защитными покрытиями. В результате этих исследований установлено, как рост поврежденности при высоких температурах в многослойных тонких пленках на основе гамма алюминидов титана в условиях теплового циклического нагружения и многоосного напряженного состояния можно контролировать с целью снижения деградации под влиянием окружающей среды, оптимизации защитного покрытия и увеличения срока службы элементов конструкций для автомобильной, энергетической и аэрокосмической промышленности