This thesis discusses two key topics: strangeness and charge symmetry violation (CSV) in the nucleon. It also provides a pedagogical introduction to chiral effective field theory tailored to the high-precision era of lattice quantum chromodynamics (QCD). Because the nucleon has zero net strangeness, strange observables give tremendous insight into the nature of the vacuum; they can only arise through quantum fluctuations in which strange–antistrange quark pairs are generated. As a result, the precise values of these quantities within QCD are important in physics arenas as diverse as precision tests of QCD, searches for physics beyond the Standard Model, and the interpretation of dark matter direct-detection experiments. Similarly, the precise knowledge of CSV observables has, with increasing experimental precision, become essential to the interpretation of many searches for physics beyond the Standard Model. In this thesis, the numerical lattice gauge theory approach to QCD is combined with the chiral perturbation theory formalism to determine strange and CSV quantities in a diverse range of observables including the octet baryon masses, sigma terms, electromagnetic form factors, and parton distribution functions. This thesis builds a comprehensive and coherent picture of the current status of understanding of strangeness and charge symmetry violation in the nucleon.

This proceedings contains the talks delivered at the plenary and parallel sessions. Topics covered include e⁺e⁻ Physics at Z0, String Theory and Theory of Extended Objects, High Energy pp Physics, Non-Accelerator Particle Physics, Conformal Field Theory, e⁺e⁻ Physics below Z⁰, Structure Functions and Deep Inelastic Scattering, Neutrino Physics, Recent Developments in 2-Dimensional Gravity, Lattice Gauge Theory and Computer Simulations, CP Violation , Accelerator Physics, Cosmology and Particle Physics, Interface Between Particle and Condensed Matter Physics, Detector R&D, and Astroparticle Physics.

Strangeness and Spin in Fundamental Physics is dedicated to the discussion of the role played by two subtle and somehow puzzling quantum numbers, the strangeness and the spin, in fundamental physics. They both relate to basic properties of the fundamental quantum field theories describing strong and electro-weak interactions and to their phenomenological applications. In some instances, like the partonic spin structure of the proton, they are deeply correlated. The many puzzling results recently obtained by measuring several spin asymmetries have stimulated gigantic progresses in the study of the spin structure of protons and neutrons. Intense theoretical activity has discovered new features of non-perturbative QCD, like strong correlations between the spin and the intrinsic motions of quarks inside the nucleons. The purpose of this publication is that of providing a complete, updated and critical account of the most recent and relevant discoveries in the above fields, both from the experimental and theoretical sides.

The 9th Conference on Problems in Theoretical Nuclear Physics was organized as part of the project “Theoretical Physics of Nuclei and Many-Body Systems” involving 17 Italian universities and sponsored by the Italian Ministry of Research and University.This volume includes the invited papers on the main subjects of the project and all the individual contributions on special topics. It reviews the work performed in the last two years by the participating Italian community of nuclear theorists. In addition, national and international perspectives are focussed by a panel on the future programmes of the large Italian laboratories and of the experimental community, as well as in a general review by A Faessler.

This is an introductory textbook on amorphous magnets for students and scientists in physics and materials science. Basic physical arguments are given and experimental data are systematically collected and discussed. The book deals mostly with the qualitative and semiquantitative aspects of materials that can be deduced, in a relatively simple way, from the fundamental equations of solid state physics.

In the four years since the first Trieste Meeting on Spin and Polarization Dynamics in Nuclear and Particle Physics, considerable progress has been made both in the theoretical and experimental aspects of this field. The polarization phenomena have given rise to many more detailed and crucial tests which enhance our understanding of particle physics. New information can also be uncovered in the process of conducting the various tests. For this reason, considerable efforts have been put into the present and future accelerators to extend the experimental data to measure polarization asymmetries for both polarized targets and polarized scattered and produced particles. The 2nd Adriatico Research Conference held in January 1992 brought together both theorists and experimentalists who presented many new findings. These findings have been compiled into this compact volume to give a complete picture of the wide range of theoretical and experimental problems, difficulties, results, prospects and hopes which are at the core of particle physics studies today. It will be a useful guide for the present status of polarization phenomena and their fundamental implications.

The 9th Conference on Problems in Theoretical Nuclear Physics was organized as part of the project OC Theoretical Physics of Nuclei and Many-Body SystemsOCO involving 17 Italian universities and sponsored by the Italian Ministry of Research and University.This volume includes the invited papers on the main subjects of the project and all the individual contributions on special topics. It reviews the work performed in the last two years by the participating Italian community of nuclear theorists. In addition, national and international perspectives are focussed by a panel on the future programmes of the large Italian laboratories and of the experimental community, as well as in a general review by A Faessler."