Quantum black hole entropy and newton constant renormalization

ty that low-energy effective field theory could be sufficient to understand the microscopic degrees of freedom underlying black hole entropy. We propose a qualitative physical picture in which black hole entropy refers to a space of quasicoherent states of infalling matter, together with its gravitational field. We stress that this scenario might provide a low-energy explanation of both the black hole entropy and the information puzzle.

Dynamically tuned interferometers for the observation of gravitational waves from coalescing compact binaries

We propose a new method of operating laser interferometric gravitational-wave detectors when observing chirps of gravitational radiation from coalescing compact binary stars. This technique consists of the use of narrow-band dual recycling to increase the signal but with the tuning frequency of the detector arranged to follow the frequency of a chirp. We consider the response of such an instrument to chirps, including the effect of inevitable errors in tracking. Different possible tuning strategies are discussed. Both the final signal-to-noise ratio and timing accuracy are evaluated and are shown to be significantly improved by the use of dynamic tuning. This should allow an accurate and reliable measurement of Hubble's constant.

Estimation of the parameters of the gravitational-wage signal of a coalescing binary system

The statistical theory of signal detection and the estimation of its parameters are reviewed and applied to the case of detection of the gravitational-wave signal from a coalescing binary by a laser interferometer. The correlation integral and the covariance matrix for all possible static configurations are investigated numerically. Approximate analytic formulas are derived for the case of narrow band sensitivity configuration of the detector.

Predicting body weight from body measurements of pre-pubertal Ayshire heifers

Selostus: Hiehojen elopainon määrittäminen mittauksin alkukasvatusvaiheessa

Socio-demographic and behavioural determinants of weight gain in the Swiss population.

BackgroundIn Switzerland, socio-demographic and behavioural factors are associated with obesity, but no study ever assessed their impact on weight gain using prospective data.MethodsData from 4,469 participants (53.0% women), aged 35 to 75 years at baseline and followed for 5.5 years. Weight gain was considered as a rate (kg/year) or as gaining ¿5 kg during the study period.ResultsRate of weight gain was lower among participants who were older (mean¿±¿standard deviation: 0.46¿±¿0.92, 0.33¿±¿0.88, 0.21¿±¿0.86 and 0.06¿±¿0.74 kg/year in participants aged [35-45[, [45-55[, [55¿65[and [65+ years, respectively, P<0.001); physically active (0.27¿±¿0.82 vs. 0.35¿±¿0.95 kg/year for sedentary, P¿<¿0.005) or living in a couple (0.29¿±¿0.84 vs. 0.35¿±¿0.96 kg/year for living single, P¿<¿0.05), and higher among current smokers (0.41¿±¿0.97, 0.26¿±¿0.84 and 0.29±0.85 kg/year for current, former and never smokers, respectively, p<0.001). These findings were further confirmed by multivariable analysis. Multivariable logistic regression showed that receiving social help, being a current smoker or obese increased the likelihood of gaining ¿5Kg: Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.43 (1.16-1.77); 1.63 (1.35-1.95) and 1.95 (1.57-2.43), respectively, while living in couple or being physically active decreased the risk: 0.73 (0.62-0.86) and 0.72 (0.62-0.83), respectively. No association was found between weight gain and gender, being born in Switzerland or education.ConclusionsIn Switzerland, financial difficulties (indicated by receiving social help) and current smoking were associated with increases in body weight over a 5 years follow-up. Living in couple, being older or physically active were protective against weight gain.

Self and cross-velocity correlation functions and diffusion coefficients in liquids: a molecular dynamics study of binary mixtures of soft spheres

Molecular dynamics simulation is applied to the study of the diffusion properties in binary liquid mixtures made up of soft-sphere particles with different sizes and masses. Self- and distinct velocity correlation functions and related diffusion coefficients have been calculated. Special attention has been paid to the dynamic cross correlations which have been computed through recently introduced relative mean molecular velocity correlation functions which are independent on the reference frame. The differences between the distinct velocity correlations and diffusion coefficients in different reference frames (mass-fixed, number-fixed, and solvent-fixed) are discussed.

Canonical formalism for path dependent Lagrangians. Coupling constant expansions

A canonical formalism obtained for path-dependent Lagrangians is applied to Fokker-type Lagrangians. The results are specialized for coupling constant expansions and later on are applied to relativistic systems of particles interacting through symmetric scalar and vector mesodynamics and electrodynamics.

Optimizing Cementious Content in Concrete Mixtures for Required Performance Final Report, January 2012

This research investigated the effects of changing the cementitious content required at a given water-to-cement ratio (w/c) on workability, strength, and durability of a concrete mixture. An experimental program was conducted in which 64 concrete mixtures with w/c ranging between 0.35 and 0.50, cementitious content ranging from 400 to 700 per cubic yard (pcy), and containing four different supplementary cementitious material (SCM) combinations were tested. The fine-aggregate to total-aggregate ratio was fixed at 0.42 and the void content of combined aggregates was held constant for all the mixtures. Fresh (i.e., slump, unit weight, air content, and setting time) and hardened properties (i.e., compressive strength, chloride penetrability, and air permeability) were determined. The hypothesis behind this study is that when other parameters are kept constant, concrete properties such as strength, chloride penetration, and air permeability will not be improved significantly by increasing the cement after a minimum cement content is used. The study found that about 1.5 times more paste is required than voids between the aggregates to obtain a minimum workability. Below this value, water-reducing admixtures are of no benefit. Increasing paste thereafter increased workability. In addition, for a given w/c, increasing cementitious content does not significantly improve compressive strength once the critical minimum has been provided. The critical value is about twice the voids content of the aggregate system. Finally, for a given w/c, increasing paste content increases chloride penetrability and air permeability.

Optimizing Cementitious Content in Concrete Mixtures for Required Performance Final Report, January 2012

This research investigated the effects of changing the cementitious content required at a given water-to-cement ratio (w/c) on workability, strength, and durability of a concrete mixture. An experimental program was conducted in which 64 concrete mixtures with w/c ranging between 0.35 and 0.50, cementitious content ranging from 400 to 700 per cubic yard (pcy), and containing four different supplementary cementitious material (SCM) combinations were tested. The fine-aggregate to total-aggregate ratio was fixed at 0.42 and the void content of combined aggregates was held constant for all the mixtures. Fresh (i.e., slump, unit weight, air content, and setting time) and hardened properties (i.e., compressive strength, chloride penetrability, and air permeability) were determined. The hypothesis behind this study is that when other parameters are kept constant, concrete properties such as strength, chloride penetration, and air permeability will not be improved significantly by increasing the cement after a minimum cement content is used. The study found that about 1.5 times more paste is required than voids between the aggregates to obtain a minimum workability. Below this value, water-reducing admixtures are of no benefit. Increasing paste thereafter increased workability. In addition, for a given w/c, increasing cementitious content does not significantly improve compressive strength once the critical minimum has been provided. The critical value is about twice the voids content of the aggregate system. Finally, for a given w/c, increasing paste content increases chloride penetrability and air permeability.