1,649 research outputs found
Beta decays with momentum space Majorana spinors
We construct and apply to beta decays a truly neutral local quantum field
that is entirely based upon momentum space Majorana spinors. We make the
observation that theory with momentum space Majorana spinors of real C parities
is equivalent to Dirac's theory. For imaginary C parities, the neutrino mass
can drop from the single beta decay trace and reappear in 0\nu \beta \beta, a
curious and in principle experimentally testable signature for a non-trivial
impact of Majorana framework in experiments with polarized sources.Comment: 7 pages, 1 figure; needs svjour.cls, svepj.cl
A search for double beta decays of tin isotopes with enhanced sensitivity
A search for the various double beta decay modes of 124Sn and 112Sn has been
performed on 75 kg.days of data. New half-life limits for excited states in
124Sn have been obtained including a lower limit for the decay into the first
excited 2+ state of 124Te of T_half > 0.87e20 yrs (90% CL) and into the first
excited 0+ state of T_half > 1.08e20 yrs (90% CL). Ground state and excited
state transitions of 112Sn have also been experimentally explored. A limit for
the 2 neutrino double electron capture of T_half > 1.8e19 yrs (90% CL) is
obtained. The non-observation of de-excitation gammas from the 0+ at 1888.5keV
results in a lower half-life limit on the 0 neutrino double electron capture
decay of 112Sn of T_half > 0.8e19 yrs (90% CL), despite a possible resonant
enhancement of the decay rate due to degenerated states.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figures, updated analysis and tex
A simple test for hidden variables in spin-1 system
We resolve an old problem about the existence of hidden parameters in a
three-dimensional quantum system by constructing an appropriate Bell's type
inequality. This reveals a nonclassical nature of most spin- states. We
shortly discuss some physical implications and an underlying cause of this
nonclassical behavior, as well as a perspective of its experimental
verification.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figur
Nonlinear tunneling in two-dimensional lattices
We present thorough analysis of the nonlinear tunneling of Bose-Einstein
condensates in static and accelerating two-dimensional lattices within the
framework of the mean-field approximation. We deal with nonseparable lattices
considering different initial atomic distributions in the highly symmetric
states. For analytical description of the condensate before instabilities are
developed, we derive several few-mode models, analyzing both essentially
nonlinear and quasi-linear regimes of tunneling. By direct numerical
simulations, we show that two-mode models provide accurate description of the
tunneling when either initially two states are populated or tunneling occurs
between two stable states. Otherwise a two-mode model may give only useful
qualitative hints for understanding tunneling but does not reproduce many
features of the phenomenon. This reflects crucial role of the instabilities
developed due to two-body interactions resulting in non-negligible population
of the higher bands. This effect becomes even more pronounced in the case of
accelerating lattices. In the latter case we show that the direction of the
acceleration is a relevant physical parameter which affects the tunneling by
changing the atomic rates at different symmetric states and by changing the
numbers of bands involved in the atomic transfer
An Euler-Bernoulli beam element with lumped plasticity applied on RC framed structures
Most of existing reinforced concrete structures suffer due to corrosion of steel and concrete degradation. In many cases existing structures reveal to be inadequate to absorb the expected seismic load and need to be rehabilitated according to the in force code. In the worst case some structures have not been designed to absorb horizontal actions.
The rehabilitation process begins with the complete knowledge of its geometrical configuration and the evaluation of the vulnerability of the structure to seismic loads. This analysis permits to identify critical zones and to establish focused strengthening actions. A comparison between the behavior of the structure in the current and in the future configurations determines the goodness of adopted intervention techniques.
The evaluation of the vulnerability of an RC structure to seismic loads can be done by performing nonlinear finite element analyses.
In literature, three different approaches have been tuned to simulate the elastoplastic behavior of a beam/column element: lumped elastoplasticity models, distributed nonlinearity models, fiber models. Lumped models consider the constitutive nonlinearity concentrated at a section level of a frame element, usually employing nonlinear springs at the ends of beam/column elements. Distributed nonlinearity models average the nonlinearity over a finite element by considering the possibility to form plastic hinges at different evaluation points of the element and calculating weighted integrals of the section responses. Fiber models subdivide a section with a large number of finite elements and nonlinearity is related to the stress-strain relationship of a single finite element. Within lumped models, commercial finite element programs contemplate the possibility to develop plasticity at the two ends of the beam only. In the particular cases where plasticity concentrates in points different than the ends of the beam, it computationally comes in the need to proceed with a re-meshing of the model or in the definition of multiple elements before running the analysis. In the first case, it results in an increased computational cost of the analysis. In the second case, a less precision of the response is obtained especially when the exact position of the plastic hinge is not a-priori known.
The present work is devoted to the implementation of a new elastoplastic 3D Euler-Bernoulli beam element including slope discontinuities, in the framework of lumped elastoplasticity models. In the new finite element, plastic hinges can appear at any position of the beam, theoretically in a priori not-established number. Multiple slope discontinuities are included in the analysis through a non uniform bending stiffness of the beam, making use of the Dirac-delta function. Fictitious springs, with a stiffness variable according to the level of plasticity in the section, transfer the correct bending moment in correspondence of plastic hinges.The nonlinear behavior of the hinge is defined in the framework of a thermo-dynamically consistent elastoplastic theory. Associated flow rules are derived in the classical manner adopting a convex activation domain known in literature and experimentally calibrated for reinforced concrete sections. The activation domain is similar to the one suggested by the Italian seismic code. It is given in a My-Mz bending moment reference system for a fixed axial force. An elastoplastic behavior is assumed for section curvatures, while deformations in the axial and shear directions are assumed elastic.
The elastoplastic frame element is introduced in a finite element analysis program to run nonlinear simulations on 2D and 3D framed structures. To this end, state equations and flow rules are rewritten in a discrete manner to solve the single iteration of the Newton-Raphson procedure. A classic elastic predictor phase is followed by a plastic corrector phase in the case of activation of the inelastic phenomena. The corrector phase is based on the evaluation of return bending moments by employing the closest point projection method, in order to satisfy the loading-unloading conditions (Kuhn-Tucker relations).
The formation of one or more hinges inside a finite element modifies the distribution of internal forces and its stiffness matrix. As a consequence, the global stiffness matrix is continuously modified at each plastic load step until it becomes singular.
Numerical examples are furnished as validation tests of the program. The efficiency of the proposed model is demonstrated comparing the results with those available in literature
Quantum many particle systems in ring-shaped optical lattices
In the present work we demonstrate how to realize 1d-optical closed lattice
experimentally, including a {\it tunable} boundary phase-twist. The latter may
induce ``persistent currents'', visible by studing the atoms' momentum
distribution. We show how important phenomena in 1d-physics can be studied by
physical realization of systems of trapped atoms in ring-shaped optical
lattices. A mixture of bosonic and/or fermionic atoms can be loaded into the
lattice, realizing a generic quantum system of many interacting particles.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures. To be published in PR
On the hyperbolicity and causality of the relativistic Euler system under the kinetic equation of state
We show that a pair of conjectures raised in [11] concerning the construction
of normal solutions to the relativistic Boltzmann equation are valid. This
ensures that the results in [11] hold for any range of positive temperatures
and that the relativistic Euler system under the kinetic equation of state is
hyperbolic and the speed of sound cannot overcome .Comment: 6 pages. Abridged version; full version to appear in Commun. Pure
Appl. Ana
Is there any correlation between otitis media and dental malocclusion in children? A systematic review
PurposeThis study aims to evaluate whether there is a correlation between otitis and dental malocclusions.MethodsElectronic databases were searched for observational studies published until July 2021 without language or time restrictions. PROSPERO: CRD42021270760. Observational studies on children with and without OM and/or malocclusion were included. After removing duplicates and excluding not-eligible articles, two reviewers screened relevant articles independently. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed data quality and validity through the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) quality assessment tool for non-randomized studies.ResultsFive studies met the selection inclusion criteria and were included in the studies for a total of 499 patients. Three studies investigated the relationship between malocclusion and otitis media, while the remaining two studies analyzed the inverse relationship and one of them considered eustachian tube dysfunction as a proxy of OM. An association between malocclusion and otitis media and vice versa emerged, although with relevant limitations.ConclusionThere is some evidence that there is an association between otitis and malocclusion; however, it is not yet possible to establish a definitive correlation
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