Hydrodynamics of binary fluid phase segregation

Starting with the Vlasov-Boltzmann equation for a binary fluid mixture, we derive an equation for the velocity field u when the system is segregated into two phases (at low temperatures) with a sharp interface between them. u satisfies the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations together with a jump boundary condition for the pressure across the interface which, in turn, moves with a velocity given by the normal component of u. Numerical simulations of the Vlasov-Boltzmann equations for shear flows parallel and perpendicular to the interface in a phase segregated mixture support this analysis. We expect similar behavior in real fluid mixtures.     

Kinetic limits of the HPP cellular automaton

We study the Boltzmann-Grad limit in various versions of the two-dimensional HPP cellular automaton. In the completely deterministic case we prove convergence to an evolution that is not of kinetic type, a well-known phenomenon after Uchyiama's paper on the Broadwell gas, whereas the limiting equation becomes of kinetic type in the model with random collisions. The main part of the paper concerns the case where the collisions are deterministic and the randomness comes from inserting, between any two successive HPP updatings, ^- stirring updatings, <1 being any fixed positive number and a parameter which tends to 0. The initial measure is a product measure with average occupation numbers of the order of (low-density limit) and varying on distances of the order of ^–1. The limit as 0 of the system evolved for times of the order of ^-1- corresponds to the Boltzmann-Grad limit. We prove propagation of chaos and that the renormalized average occupation numbers (i.e., divided by) converge to the solution of the Broadwell equation. Convergence is proven at all times for which the solution of the Broadwell equation is bounded.     

Brans–Dicke geometry

We reveal the non-metric geometry underlying ω→0$\omega \to 0$ Brans–Dicke theory by unifying the metric and scalar field into a single geometric structure. Taking this structure seriously as the geometry to which matter universally couples, we show that the theory is fully consistent with solar system tests. This is in striking contrast with the standard metric coupling, which grossly violates post-Newtonian experimental constraints.     

Evidence for a kaon-bound state K(-)pp produced in K(-) absorption reactions at rest

We have searched for a deeply bound kaonic state by using the FINUDA spectrometer installed at the e(+)e(-) collider DAPhiNE. Almost monochromatic K(-)'s produced through the decay of phi(1020) mesons are used to observe K(-) absorption reactions stopped on very thin nuclear targets. Taking this unique advantage, we have succeeded to detect a kaon-bound state K(-)pp through its two-body decay into a Lambda hyperon and a proton. The binding energy and the decay width are determined from the invariant-mass distribution as 115(+6)(-5)(stat)(+3)(-4)(syst) MeV and 67(+14)(-11)(stat)(+2)(-3)(syst) MeV, respectively.     

Experimental constraints on heavy fermions in Higgsless models

Using an effective Lagrangian approach we analyse a generic Higgsless model with composite heavy fermions, transforming as SU(2) _L+R doublets. Assuming that the Standard Model fermions acquire mass through mixing with the new heavy fermions, we constrain the free parameters of the effective Lagrangian studying Flavour Changing Neutral Current processes. In doing so we obtain bounds that can be applied to a wide range of models characterised by the same fermion mixing hypothesis.     

Gauge invariance,charge conservation,and variational principles

We present new results on the correspondence between symmetries, conservation laws and variational principles for field equations in general non-abelian gauge theories. Our main result states that second order field equations possessing translational and gauge symmetries and the corresponding conservation laws are always derivable from a variational principle. We also show by the way of examples that the above result fails in general for third order field equations.     

2-(3,5-Dinitrophenyl)-1,3-dithiane carbanion: a benzylic anion with a low energy triplet state

Calculations at the DFT level predict that benzyl anions with strong π-electron-withdrawing groups in the meta position(s) have low energy diradical or triplet electronic states. Specifically, the 2-(3,5-dinitrophenyl)-1,3-dithiane carbanion is predicted to have nearly degenerate singlet and triplet states at the (U)B3LYP level as a free anion. Its lithium ion pair is predicted to be a ground-state triplet with a substantial (26 kcal/mol) singlet-triplet energy gap. Experiments on this anion using chemical trapping, NMR, and the Evans method strongly suggest that this anion is either a triplet or a ground-state singlet with a very low energy triplet state.     

Study of correlation holes. I. Number–sum rules and infinite system

The correlation holes in a finite system of any size are known to satisfy integral number–sum rules directly related to the N-representability of the reduced density matrices. In regard to infinite systems, the same rules are known to be satisfied in the electron gas. It is shown that the number–sum rules are not generally satisfied in any infinite system, and that this happens independently of the kind of boundary conditions assumed in the N → ∞ limit. A violation is explicitly found within the alternant molecular orbital formalism. The apparent paradox is explained in terms of surface effects (end effects in a linear system), which are present in a large, but finite system. In other words the N-representability does not imply the number–sum rules. In the N → ∞ limit the rules are satisfied only in physical systems having short-range correlation.