A Pseudo-Stokes Mesh Motion Algorithm

This work presents a moving mesh methodology based on the solution of a pseudo flow problem. The mesh motion is modeled as a pseudo Stokes problem solved by an explicit finite element projection method. The mesh quality requirements are satisfied by employing a null divergent velocity condition. This methodology is applied to triangular unstructured meshes and compared to well known approaches such as the ones based on diffusion and pseudo structural problems. One of the test cases is an airfoil with a fully meshed domain. A specific rotation velocity is imposed as the airfoil boundary condition. The other test is a set of two cylinders that move toward each other. A mesh quality criterion is employed to identify critically distorted elements and to evaluate the performance of each mesh motion approach. The results obtained for each test case show that the pseudo-flow methodology produces satisfactory meshes during the moving process.     

Are Collapse Models Testable via Flavor Oscillations?

Collapse models predict the spontaneous collapse of the wave function, in order to avoid the emergence of macroscopic superpositions. In their mass-dependent formulation, they claim that the collapse of any system’s wave function depends on its mass. Neutral K, D, B mesons are oscillating systems that are given by Nature as superposition of two distinct mass eigenstates. Thus they are unique laboratory for testing collapse models that are sensitive to the mass. In this paper we derive—for the single mesons and bipartite entangled mesons—the effect of the mass-proportional CSL (Continuous Spontaneous Localization) collapse model on the dynamics on neutral mesons. We compare the theoretical prediction with experimental data from different accelerator facilities.     

On Hexagonal Structures in Higher Dimensional Theories

We analyze the geometrical background under which many Lie groups relevant to particle physics are endowed with a (possibly multiple) hexagonal structure. There are several groups appearing, either as special holonomy groups on the compactification process from higher dimensions, or as dynamical string gauge groups; this includes groups like SU(2), SU(3), G ₂, Spin(7), O(8) as well as E ₈ and O(32). We emphasize also the relation of these hexagonal structures with the octonion division algebra, as we expect as well eventually some role for octonions in the interpretation of symmetries in High Energy Physics.     

Peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst prevents apoptotic cell death in a human astrocytoma cell line incubated with supernatants of HIV-infected macrophages

Background  

Oxidative stress has shown to contribute in the mechanisms underlying apoptotic cell death occuring in AIDS-dementia complex. Here we investigated the role of peroxynitrite in apoptosis occurring in astroglial cells incubated with supernatants of HIV-infected human primary macrophages (M/M).     

Off-resonance correction using an estimated linear time map

Images acquired in the presence of magnetic field deviations and reconstructed without taking into account the off-resonance, are distorted and corrupted with artifacts. Several post-processing algorithms have been developed for correcting the distortion when it is not possible to fix the field inhomogeneities. These off-resonance correction methods are, in general, slow and computing intensive. To make them faster they are usually adapted to a particular situation or approximated. One of these approximations is to assume that the field map is linear. Although this assumption makes the algorithm fast and robust it is not well suited for arbitrary field maps. On the other hand, there are k-space trajectories with an almost linear time map (time at which each k-space value is acquired), such as 2DFT and EPI. This paper presents an algorithm for off-resonance correction based on a linear time map approximation. This approximation allows a fast algorithm that takes advantage of the almost linearity of the time map and uses the whole field map to correct the images. The proposed correction algorithm reduces the off-resonance induced artifacts while being fast. The linear approximation of the time map needs to be done only once for each trajectory because it does not depend on the acquired image or field map data. The method can also be extended to a multi-plane approximation for sequences with more complex time maps.     

Finite element three-dimensional analysis of the vibrational behaviour of the Langevin-type transducer

The vibrational behaviour of the Langevin transducer is usually analysed using 1D Mason model which is valid when the lateral dimensions of the transducer are smaller than a quarter wavelength at the fundamental longitudinal resonance. In this work a 3D finite element analysis of the Langevin transducer's behaviour operating in the underwater sonar range of frequencies (30-140 kHz) is presented. Several samples with total length greater, comparable to, and smaller than the diameter of the transducer are analysed. For each sample, the resonance frequencies in the observed frequency range are computed and compared with those obtained experimentally from the measurements carried out using several in-house built prototypes. For the most important aspect ratios the resonance displacement distributions are presented and discussed. The results obtained permit to gain insight into the coupling phenomenon between thickness-extensional and radial modes and suggest that in practical applications transducers with diameters comparable to or greater than total length of the active stack can also be used. The trade-off between the efficiency and power handling ability for different designs is also discussed.     

Can smooth LTB models mimicking the cosmological constant for the luminosity distance also satisfy the age constraint?

The central smoothness of the functions defining a LTB solution plays a crucial role in their ability to mimic the effects of the cosmological constant. Even if non-smoothness is not physically inconsistent with the theory of general relativity, smoothness is still an important geometrical property characterizing the solution of the Einstein’s equations. So far attention has been focused on $C^{1}$ models while in this paper we approach it in a more general way, investigating the implications of higher order central smoothness conditions for LTB models reproducing the luminosity distance of a $\Lambda CDM$ Universe. Our analysis is based on a low red-shift expansion, and extends previous investigations by including also the constraint coming from the age of the Universe and re-expressing the equations for the solution of the inversion problem in a manifestly dimensionless form which makes evident the freedom to accommodate any value of $H_0$ as well. Higher order smoothness conditions strongly limit the number of possible solutions respect to the first order condition. Neither a $C^{1}$ or a $C^{i}$ LTB model can both satisfy the age constraint and mimic the cosmological constant for the luminosity distance. This implies that it is not necessary to include any additional observable to distinguish mathematically the theoretical predictions of a smooth LTB model from a $\Lambda CDM$ . One difference is in the case in which the age constraint is not included and the bang function is zero, in which there is a unique solution for $C^1$ models but no solution for the $C^{i}$ case. Another difference is in the case in which the age constraint is not included and the bang function is not zero, in which the solution is undetermined for both $C^1$ and $C^{i}$ models, but the latter ones have much less residual parametric freedom. Our results imply that any LTB model able to fit luminosity distance data and satisfy the age constraint is either not mimicking exactly the $\Lambda CDM$ red-shift space theoretical predictions or it is not smooth.     

Influence of loudspeaker directivity and measurement geometry on direct acoustic levels over façades for acoustic insulation tests with the International Standard ISO 140-5

The International Standard ISO 140-5 on field measurements of airborne sound insulation of façades establishes that the directivity of the measurement loudspeaker should be such that the variation in the local direct sound pressure level (ΔSPL) on the sample is ΔSPL < 5 dB (or ΔSPL < 10 dB for large façades). This condition is usually not very easy to accomplish nor is it easy to verify whether the loudspeaker produces such a uniform level. Direct sound pressure levels on the ISO standard façade essentially depend on the distance and directivity of the loudspeaker used. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the test geometry for measuring sound insulation and explains how the loudspeaker directivity, combined with distance, affects the acoustic level distribution on the façade.The first sections of the paper are focused on analysing the measurement geometry and its influence on the direct acoustic level variations on the façade. The most favourable and least favourable positions to minimise these direct acoustic level differences are found, and the angles covered by the façade in the reference system of the loudspeaker are also determined. Then, the maximum dimensions of the façade that meet the conditions of the ISO 140-5 standard are obtained for the ideal omnidirectional sound source and the piston radiating in an infinite baffle, which is chosen as the typical radiation pattern for loudspeakers.Finally, a complete study of the behaviour of different loudspeaker radiation models (such as those usually utilised in the ISO 140-5 measurements) is performed, comparing their radiation maps on the façade for searching their maximum dimensions and the most appropriate radiation configurations.