48,436 research outputs found
Instantons and Fluctuations in a Lagrangian Model of Turbulence
We perform a detailed analytical study of the Recent Fluid Deformation (RFD)
model for the onset of Lagrangian intermittency, within the context of the
Martin-Siggia-Rose-Janssen-de Dominicis (MSRJD) path integral formalism. The
model is based, as a key point, upon local closures for the pressure Hessian
and the viscous dissipation terms in the stochastic dynamical equations for the
velocity gradient tensor. We carry out a power counting hierarchical
classification of the several perturbative contributions associated to
fluctuations around the instanton-evaluated MSRJD action, along the lines of
the cumulant expansion. The most relevant Feynman diagrams are then integrated
out into the renormalized effective action, for the computation of velocity
gradient probability distribution functions (vgPDFs). While the subleading
perturbative corrections do not affect the global shape of the vgPDFs in an
appreciable qualitative way, it turns out that they have a significant role in
the accurate description of their non-Gaussian cores.Comment: 32 pages, 9 figure
The Onset of Intermittency in Stochastic Burgers Hydrodynamics
We study the onset of intermittency in stochastic Burgers hydrodynamics, as
characterized by the statistical behavior of negative velocity gradient
fluctuations. The analysis is based on the response functional formalism, where
specific velocity configurations - the viscous instantons - are assumed to play
a dominant role in modeling the left tails of velocity gradient probability
distribution functions. We find, as expected on general grounds, that the field
theoretical approach becomes meaningful in practice only if the effects of
fluctuations around instantons are taken into account. Working with a
systematic cumulant expansion, it turns out that the integration of
fluctuations yields, in leading perturbative order, to an effective description
of the Burgers stochastic dynamics given by the renormalization of its
associated heat kernel propagator and the external force-force correlation
function.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figure
Passiv damping on spacecraft sandwich panels
For reusable and expendable launch vehicles as well as for other spacecraft structural
vibration loads are safety critical design drivers impacting mass and lifetime. Here, the
improvement of reliability and safety, the reduction of mass, the extension of service life, as well
as the reduction of cost for manufacturing are desired. Spacecraft structural design in general is a
compromise between lightweight design and robustness with regard to dynamic loads. The
structural stresses and strains due to displacements caused by dynamic loads can be reduced by
mechanical damping based on passive or active measures. Passive damping systems can be
relatively simple and yet are capable of suppressing a wide range of mechanical vibrations.
Concepts are low priced in development, manufacturing and application as well as maintenancefree.
Compared to active damping measures passive elements do not require electronics, control
algorithms, power, actuators, sensors as well as complex maintenance. Moreover, a reliable
application of active dampers for higher temperatures and short response times (e. g. re-entry
environment) is questionable. The physical effect of passive dampers is based on the dissipation of
load induced energy. Recent activities performed by OHB have shown the function of a passive
friction-damping device for a vertical tail model of the German X-vehicle PHÖNIX but also for
general sandwich structures. The present paper shows brand new results from a corresponding
ESA-funded activity where passive damping elements are placed between the face sheets of large
spacecraft relevant composite sandwich panels to demonstrate dynamic load reduction in vibration
experiments on a shaker. Several passive damping measures are investigated and compared
A Review of Indigenous Food Crops in Africa and the Implications for more Sustainable and Healthy Food Systems
Indigenous and traditional foods crops (ITFCs) have multiple uses within society, and most notably have an important role to play in the attempt to diversify the food in order to enhance food and nutrition security. However, research suggests that the benefits and value of indigenous foods within the South African and the African context have not been fully understood and synthesized. Their potential value to the African food system could be enhanced if their benefits were explored more comprehensively. This synthesis presents a literature review relating to underutilized indigenous crop species and foods in Africa. It organizes the findings into four main contributions, nutritional, environmental, economic, and social-cultural, in line with key themes of a sustainable food system framework. It also goes on to unpack the benefits and challenges associated with ITFCs under these themes. A major obstacle is that people are not valuing indigenous foods and the potential benefit that can be derived from using them is thus neglected. Furthermore, knowledge is being lost from one generation to the next, with potentially dire implications for long-term sustainable food security. The results show the need to recognize and enable indigenous foods as a key resource in ensuring healthy food systems in the African continent
Kinematics of a Spacetime with an Infinite Cosmological Constant
A solution of the sourceless Einstein's equation with an infinite value for
the cosmological constant \Lambda is discussed by using Inonu-Wigner
contractions of the de Sitter groups and spaces. When \Lambda --> infinity,
spacetime becomes a four-dimensional cone, dual to Minkowski space by a
spacetime inversion. This inversion relates the four-cone vertex to the
infinity of Minkowski space, and the four-cone infinity to the Minkowski
light-cone. The non-relativistic limit c --> infinity is further considered,
the kinematical group in this case being a modified Galilei group in which the
space and time translations are replaced by the non-relativistic limits of the
corresponding proper conformal transformations. This group presents the same
abstract Lie algebra as the Galilei group and can be named the conformal
Galilei group. The results may be of interest to the early Universe Cosmology.Comment: RevTex, 7 pages, no figures. Presentation changes, including a new
Title. Version to appear in Found. Phys. Let
Income Convergence Clubs for Brazilian Municipalities: A Non-Parametric Analysis (english version of WPE-6/2003)
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