We investigate the switching dynamics of multistable nematic liquid crystal devices. In particular, we identify a remarkably simple two-dimensional device which exploits hybrid alignment at the surfaces to yield a bistable response. We also consider a three-dimensional tristable nematic device with patterned anchoring, recently implemented in practice, and discuss how the director and disclination patterns change during switching.

The computation of n-point Gaussian quadrature rules for symmetric weight functions is considered in this paper. It is shown that the nodes and the weights of the Gaussian quadrature rule can be retrieved from the singular value decomposition of a bidiagonal matrix of size n/2. The proposed numerical method allows to compute the nodes with high relative accuracy and a computational complexity of O(n). We also describe an algorithm for computing the weights of a generic Gaussian quadrature rule with high relative accuracy. Numerical examples show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

We compute the metric fluctuations induced by a turbulent energy-matter tensor within the first order post-Minkowskian approximation. It is found that the turbulent energy cascade can in principle interfere with the process of black hole formation, leading to a potentially strong coupling between these two highly nonlinear phenomena.

The dynamical response of a tethered semiflexible polymer with self-attractive interactions and subjected to an external force field is numerically investigated by varying stiffness and self-interaction strength. The chain is confined in two spatial dimensions and placed in contact with a heat bath described by the Brownian multi-particle collision method. For strong self-attraction the equilibrium conformations range from compact structures to double-stranded chains, and to rods when increasing the stiffness.

This work introduces a novel extension of the 0/1 Knapsack Problem in which we consider the existence of so-called forfeit sets. A forfeit set is a subset of items of arbitrary cardinality, such that including a number of its elements that exceeds a predefined allowance threshold implies some penalty costs to be paid in the objective function value. A global upper bound on these allowance violations is also considered.

CHIARA (Convolution of High-resolution Interferograms for Advanced Retrieval in the Atmosphere) is an integrated tool intended for the simulation and inversion of spectra. In this paper application of CHIARA to IMG spectra is presented and discussed.

Blue phases are liquid crystals made up by networks of defects, or disclination lines. While existing phase diagrams show a striking variety of competing metastable topologies for these networks, very little is known as to how to kinetically reach a target structure, or how to switch from one to the other, which is of paramount importance for devices. We theoretically identify two confined blue phase I systems in which by applying an appropriate series of electric field it is possible to select one of two bistable defect patterns.

We briefly review the known properties of Melvin's magnetic universe and study the propagation of test charged matter waves in this static spacetime. Moreover, the possible correspondence between the wave perturbations on the background Melvin universe and the motion of charged test particles is discussed. Next, we explore a simple scenario for turning Melvin's static universe into one that undergoes gravitational collapse. In the resulting dynamic gravitational field, the formation of cosmic double-jet configurations is emphasized.