A fractal model of reinforcement of elastoplastic nanocomposites

Within the framework of fractal analysis and percolation theory, an alternative model of reinforcement of filled polymers is offered. Practically, this model can be used only to describe the reinforcement of nanocomposites, because, according to the treatment considered, a pronounced reinforcement can be reached only at ratios of filler particle diameter to the statistical segment length of about 10 and less. A theoretical calculation showed a good qualitative and quantitative agreement with experiments. The type of reinforcement mechanism of composites is determined by the type of the space (fractal or Euclidean) in which the structure of the polymeric matrix is formed. __________ Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 42, No. 6, pp. 797–802, November–Decem ber, 2006.     

Fermi, Majorana and the Statistical Model of Atoms

We give an account of the appearance and first developments of the statistical model of atoms proposed by Thomas and Fermi, focusing on the main results achieved by Fermi and his group in Rome. Particular attention is addressed to the unknown contribution to this subject by Majorana, anticipating some important results reached later by leading physicists.     

A Note on Cactus Trees: Variational vs. Recursive Approach

In this article we deal with the variational approach to cactus trees (Husimi trees) and the more common recursive approach, that are in principle equivalent for finite systems. We discuss in detail the conditions under which the two methods are equivalent also in the analysis of infinite (self-similar) cactus trees, usually investigated to the purpose of approximating ordinary lattice systems. Such issue is hardly ever considered in the literature. We show (on significant test models) that the phase diagram and the thermodynamic quantities computed by the variational method, when they deviates from the exact bulk properties of the cactus system, generally provide a better approximation to the behavior of a corresponding ordinary system. Generalizing a property proved by Kikuchi, we also show that the numerical algorithm usually employed to perform the free energy minimization in the variational approach is always convergent.     

A computational strategy for multiscale systems with applications to Lorenz 96 model

Numerical schemes for systems with multiple spatio-temporal scales are investigated. The multiscale schemes use asymptotic results for this type of systems which guarantee the existence of an effective dynamics for some suitably defined modes varying slowly on the largest scales. The multiscale schemes are analyzed in general, then illustrated on a specific example of a moderately large deterministic system displaying chaotic behavior due to Lorenz. Issues like consistency, accuracy, and efficiency are discussed in detail. The role of possible hidden slow variables as well as additional effects arising on the diffusive time-scale are also investigated. As a byproduct we obtain a rather complete characterization of the effective dynamics in Lorenz model.     

The Asymmetric Avalanche Process

An asymmetric stochastic process describing the avalanche dynamics on a ring is proposed. A general kinetic equation which incorporates the exclusion and avalanche processes is considered. The Bethe ansatz method is used to calculate the generating function for the total distance covered by all particles. It gives the average velocity of particles which exhibits a phase transition from an intermittent to continuous flow. We calculated also higher cumulants and the large deviation function for the particle flow. The latter has the universal form obtained earlier for the asymmetric exclusion process and conjectured to be common for all models of the Kardar–Parisi–Zhang universality class.     

Enhancement of the Kerr effect for a quantum dot in a cavity

Nonlinear susceptibility of a quantum dot (QD) embedded in a two-sided cavity, is studied theoretically from a weak-coupling to a strong-coupling regime. In the relevance of a quantum logic gate, the corresponding nonlinear phase shifts (Kerr effect) are estimated for coherent wavepackets including one photon on average. In the weak-coupling regime, the phase shift enhances strongly as a function of a coupling constant between the cavity photon and QD, and eventually saturates in the strong-coupling regime. We also show transmission spectra to evaluate the efficiency of the phase shift. Although the efficiency decreases monotonically in the weak-coupling regime, it rises in the strong-coupling regime.     

Comparison of XYZ Model Fitting Functions for 111Cd in In3La

The XYZ model describes the interaction between nuclear probes and an electric field gradient that fluctuates among three orthogonal directions. The model presents a means to calculate the perturbation function that represents spectra obtained using perturbed angular correlation spectroscopy. Three analytic approximations of the perturbation function have been developed previously, and they are evaluated in the present paper in the context of Cd jumping among In-lattice sites in In₃La.     

Cold compaction of ceramic powder: Computational analysis of the effect of pressing method and die shape

This paper deals with a computational analysis of the influence of the pressing method and part geometry on the final density distribution in the cold compaction process of ceramic alumina powders. The analysis is based on the explicit finite-element model proposed and validated in a previous study. The mechanical behavior of the processing material is described using a multisurface elastoplastic model, the modified Drucker-Prager/Cap model Published in Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 43, No. 10, pp. 129–134, October 2007.     

Conditional expectation of integrands and random sets

The conditional expectation of integrands and random sets is the main tool of stochastic optimization. This work wishes to make up for the lack of real synthesis about this subject. We improve the existing hypothesis and simplify the corresponding proofs. In the convex case we especially study the problem of the exchange of conditional expectation and subdifferential operators.