Critical exponents for the long-range Ising chain using a transfer matrix approach

The critical behavior of the Ising chain with long-range ferromagnetic interactions decaying with distance $r^\alpha$, $1<\alpha<2$, is investigated using a numerically efficient transfer matrix (TM) method. Finite size approximations to the infinite chain are considered, in which both the number of spins and the number of interaction constants can be independently increased. Systems with interactions between spins up to 18 sites apart and up to 2500 spins in the chain are considered. We obtain data for the critical exponents $\nu$ associated with the correlation length based on the Finite Range Scaling (FRS) hypothesis. FRS expressions require the evaluation of derivatives of the thermodynamical properties, which are obtained with the help of analytical recurrence expressions obtained within the TM framework. The Van den Broeck extrapolation procedure is applied in order to estimate the convergence of the exponents. The TM procedure reduces the dimension of the matrices and circumvents several numerical matrix operations.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figures, Conference NEXT Sigma Ph

Critical behavior of an Ising model with aperiodic interactions

We write exact renormalization-group recursion relations for a ferromagnetic Ising model on the diamond hierarchical lattice with an aperiodic distribution of exchange interactions according to a class of generalized two-letter Fibonacci sequences. For small geometric fluctuations, the critical behavior is unchanged with respect to the uniform case. For large fluctuations, the uniform fixed point in the parameter space becomes fully unstable. We analyze some limiting cases, and propose a heuristic criterion to check the relevance of the fluctuations.Comment: latex file, 5 figures, accepted by Braz. Jour. Phy

Interceptive orthodontic traction of impacted maxillary incisors: Clinical cases

Impaction is a tooth’s partial or total lack of eruption once the normal age for eruption has passed. It has a multifactorial etiology, and the most common factors are trauma, supernumerary teeth, and odontomas. In particular, the absence of a maxillary central incisor (MCI) due to impaction can pose several consequences for a person’s facial aesthetics, chewing ability, and phonetics, thereby making the diagnosis and early treatment of MCI impaction are imperative. A primary approach to such treatment involves surgical exposure, orthodontic space opening, and the posterior traction of the incisor to its normal position, all of which benefits tooth maintenance and possibly even alveolar bone maintenance. As a contribution to clarifying those benefits, this article analyzes three clinical cases of individuals with impacted MCIs due to different causes—supernumerary teeth, root dilaceration, and eruption deviation—all of whom were submitted to treatment emphasizing orthodontic traction

Pressure drop coefficient of laminar Newtonian flow in axisymmetric diffusers

The laminar flow of Newtonian fluids in axisymmetric diffusers has been numerically investigated to evaluate the pressure-loss coefficient as a function of Reynolds number, diffusion angle and expansion ratio. The numerical simulations were carried out with a finitevolume based code using non-orthogonal collocated grids and second order accurate differencing schemes to discretize all terms of the transport equations. The calculations were carried out for Reynolds numbers between 2 and 200, diffusion angles from 0 to 90 and expansion ratios of 1.5 and 2 and the data are presented in tabular form and as correlations. A simplified 1D theoretical analysis helped explain the various contributions to the loss coefficient and its difference relative to the reversible pressure variation due to differences between the actual and fully developed friction losses, distortions of the velocity profiles and pressure non-uniformity upstream and downstream of the expansion section

Nanogel formation of polymer solutions flowing through porous media

A gelation process was seen to occur when Boger fluids made from aqueous solutions of polyacrylamide (PAA) and NaCl flowed through porous media with certain characteristics. As these viscoelastic fluids flow through a porous medium, the pressure drop across the bed varies linearly with the flow rate, as also happens with Newtonian fluids. Above a critical flow rate, elastic effects set in and the pressure drop grows above the low-flow-rate linear regime. Increasing further the flow rate, a more dramatic increase in the slope of the pressure drop curve can be observed as a consequence of nanogel formation. In this work, we discuss the reasons for this gelation process based on our measurements using porous media of different sizes, porosity and chemical composition. Additionally, the rheological properties of the fluids were investigated for shear and extensional flows. The fluids were also tested as they flowed through different microfluidic analogues of the porous media. The results indicate that the nanogel inception occurs with the adsorption of PAA molecules on the surface of the porous media particles that contain silica on their surfaces. Subsequently, if the interparticle space is small enough a jamming process occurs leading to flow-induced gel formation

Aperiodic quantum XXZ chains: Renormalization-group results

We report a comprehensive investigation of the low-energy properties of antiferromagnetic quantum XXZ spin chains with aperiodic couplings. We use an adaptation of the Ma-Dasgupta-Hu renormalization-group method to obtain analytical and numerical results for the low-temperature thermodynamics and the ground-state correlations of chains with couplings following several two-letter aperiodic sequences, including the quasiperiodic Fibonacci and other precious-mean sequences, as well as sequences inducing strong geometrical fluctuations. For a given aperiodic sequence, we argue that in the easy-plane anisotropy regime, intermediate between the XX and Heisenberg limits, the general scaling form of the thermodynamic properties is essentially given by the exactly-known XX behavior, providing a classification of the effects of aperiodicity on XXZ chains. We also discuss the nature of the ground-state structures, and their comparison with the random-singlet phase, characteristic of random-bond chains.Comment: Minor corrections; published versio

A novel bio-inspired microstructure for progressive compressive failure in multidirectional composite laminates

n this study we take inspiration from biological materials to design a modified microstructure for laminated multidirectional (MD) carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP), with the objective of mitigating their compressive failure behavior. We introduce soft inclusions in the form of thin longitudinal strips of foam in 0° load bearing layers, aiming at arresting kinkband propagation. We conceived a bespoke stacking sequence and developed a tailored procedure for manufacturing the microstructure. We then performed in-situ tests on small scale notched specimens from a baseline laminate and a modified one. Results are presented and discussed

Orthodontic treatment and craniocervical posture in patients with temporomandibular disorders: An observational study

Orthodontic treatment acts through the application of forces and/or by stimulating and redirecting the functional forces within the craniofacial complex. Considering the interrelationship between craniomandibular and craniocervical systems, this intervention may alter craniocervical posture. Thus, our aim is to (a) compare craniocervical posture, hyoid bone position, and craniofacial morphology before, after, and also in the contention phase at least one year after the orthodontic treatment, in patients with temporomandibular disorders and (b) to verify whether the presence of condylar displacement, the skeletal class, or the facial biotype interferes with the abovementioned outcomes. To do so an observational, analytical, longitudinal, and retrospective design study was carried out. A non-probabilistic convenience sampling method was applied. The sample consisted of clinical records of patients diagnosed with temporomandibular disorders in order to compare pre-orthodontic treatment with post-orthodontic treatment (n = 42) and contention phase data (n = 26). A cephalometric analysis of several variables was performed. The p-value was set as 0.05. When the pre-and post-orthodontic treatment data were analyzed, there were statistically significant changes in variables concerning craniocervical posture (CV angle, C0-C1, and AA-PNS) and also concerning hyoid bone position (C3-Rgn). When pre-and post-orthodontic treatment and contention phase data were analyzed the variables concerning craniocervical posture (C0-C1, CVT/Ver, NSL/OPT, NSL/CVT, NSL/Ver; OPT/CVT, OPT/Ver) and facial biotype had statistically significant changes. This allowed us to conclude that in the sample studied, there were significant differences regarding hyoid bone position (pre-versus post-orthodontic treatment) and craniocervical posture (pre-versus post-orthodontic versus contention), with the craniocervical posture being prone to return to basal values. The presence of condylar displacement was found to significantly increase the H-H1 distance in the three moments of evaluation. Facial biotype was found to significantly increase the NSL/Ver angle on hypodivergent compared to hyperdivergent in the contention phase.This research was funded by IINFACTS—Institute of Research and Advanced Training in Health Sciences and Technologies (OrthoAlign-PI-4RL-IINFACTS-2019) and by FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT 02/SAICT/2017)