Lattice energy-momentum tensor with Symanzik improved actions

We define the energy-momentum tensor on lattice for the $\lambda \phi^4$ and for the nonlinear $\sigma$-model Symanzik tree-improved actions, using Ward identities or an explicit matching procedure. The resulting operators give the correct one loop scale anomaly, and in the case of the sigma model they can have applications in Monte Carlo simulations.Comment: Self extracting archive fil

General duality for abelian-group-valued statistical-mechanics models

We introduce a general class of statistical-mechanics models, taking values in an abelian group, which includes examples of both spin and gauge models, both ordered and disordered. The model is described by a set of ``variables'' and a set of ``interactions''. A Gibbs factor is associated to each variable and to each interaction. We introduce a duality transformation for systems in this class. The duality exchanges the abelian group with its dual, the Gibbs factors with their Fourier transforms, and the interactions with the variables. High (low) couplings in the interaction terms are mapped into low (high) couplings in the one-body terms. The idea is that our class of systems extends the one for which the classical procedure 'a la Kramers and Wannier holds, up to include randomness into the pattern of interaction. We introduce and study some physical examples: a random Gaussian Model, a random Potts-like model, and a random variant of discrete scalar QED. We shortly describe the consequence of duality for each example.Comment: 26 pages, 2 Postscript figure

Grassmann Integral Representation for Spanning Hyperforests

Given a hypergraph G, we introduce a Grassmann algebra over the vertex set, and show that a class of Grassmann integrals permits an expansion in terms of spanning hyperforests. Special cases provide the generating functions for rooted and unrooted spanning (hyper)forests and spanning (hyper)trees. All these results are generalizations of Kirchhoff's matrix-tree theorem. Furthermore, we show that the class of integrals describing unrooted spanning (hyper)forests is induced by a theory with an underlying OSP(1|2) supersymmetry.Comment: 50 pages, it uses some latex macros. Accepted for publication on J. Phys.

A General Limitation on Monte Carlo Algorithms of Metropolis Type

We prove that for any Monte Carlo algorithm of Metropolis type, the autocorrelation time of a suitable ``energy''-like observable is bounded below by a multiple of the corresponding ``specific heat''. This bound does not depend on whether the proposed moves are local or non-local; it depends only on the distance between the desired probability distribution $\pi$ and the probability distribution $\pi^{(0)}$ for which the proposal matrix satisfies detailed balance. We show, with several examples, that this result is particularly powerful when applied to non-local algorithms.Comment: 8 pages, LaTeX plus subeqnarray.sty (included at end), NYU-TH-93/07/01, IFUP-TH33/9

Numerical Evidence for Spontaneously Broken Replica Symmetry in 3D Spin Glasses

By numerical simulations of the $3d$ Ising spin glass we find evidence that spontaneous replica symmetry breaking theory and not the droplet model describes with good accuracy the equilibrium behavior of the system.Comment: PHYSREV format, 2 .ps figures added with figure command in uufiles forma

Strong Earthquakes in North-Western Africa in the Second Half of the 17th Century, AD: A Critical Reappraisal of the Historical Evidence

The recent seismological literature recorded three strong earthquakes in Algeria, Libya and Tunisia between 1656 and 1694 AD. The historical evidence for these derives from European sources only (gazettes, journalistic pamphlets, missionary literature). Considering the kind of sources involved, their likely biases and the geographical distances that divided their places of production from the places that they spoke about, it is possible that some of these accounts could be less than reliable, and therefore have little use as materials from which to assess earthquake parameters. To answer these doubts, we have retrieved, cross-checked and critically analysed the original historical sources quoted in previous compilations and studies

Livelihood implications of in situ conservation strategies of wild fruit tree species in Uzbekistan

Throughout 2006 and 2011, Bioversity International has been promoting the conservation and use of plant genetic diversity in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Global Environment Facility (GEF).After 2013, an impact assessment study was carried out to examine whether the tangible benefits of the Bioversity International project were transferred at the household level, with specific emphasis on Uzbekistan, selected for the country relevance in terms of household characteristics and area covered by the project.In particular, the assessment focused on the effects of the interventions in the activity areas involving the enhancement of use and consumption of target fruits, as well as of their marketing value, to improve household food security and wellbeing

The 1561 Earthquake(s) in Southern Italy: New Insights into a Complex Seismic Sequence

In the summer of 1561, a strong seismic sequence struck southern Italy, then the Spanish-ruled Kingdom of Naples. Both the Italian seismological tradition and the latest catalogues locate it in the Vallo di Diano (Diano Valley), a low-seismicity intermontane basin 100 km south-east of Naples. We explore the hypothesis that current perception of the 1561 earthquake is distorted by the nature of the historical dataset from which its parameters have been assessed, and which mostly derive from a single—albeit very detailed—primary source. We present and discuss several previously unconsidered original accounts. Our results cast doubts on the traditional interpretation of the earthquake, which could have been either one Vallo di Diano mainshock or several strong earthquakes within a time/space window compact enough for contemporary viewers to perceive them as one. Unquestionably, there is much more to the 1561 earthquake(s) than previously appeared. We hope that this groundbreaking effort will rekindle the interest of the seismological community in this seismic episode, our knowledge of which is still far from complete

Two and three loops computations of renormalization constants for lattice QCD

Renormalization constants can be computed by means of Numerical Stochastic Perturbation Theory to two/three loops in lattice perturbation theory, both in the quenched approximation and in the full (unquenched) theory. As a case of study we report on the computation of renormalization constants of the propagator for Wilson fermions. We present our unquenched (N_f=2) computations and compare the results with non perturbative determinations.Comment: Lattice2004(improv), 3 pages, 4 figure

O(N) and RP^{N-1} Models in Two Dimensions

I provide evidence that the 2D $RP^{N-1}$ model for $N \ge 3$ is equivalent to the $O(N)$-invariant non-linear $\sigma$-model in the continuum limit. To this end, I mainly study particular versions of the models, to be called constraint models. I prove that the constraint $RP^{N-1}$ and $O(N)$ models are equivalent for sufficiently weak coupling. Numerical results for their step-scaling function of the running coupling $\bar{g}^2= m(L) L$ are presented. The data confirm that the constraint $O(N)$ model is in the samei universality class as the $O(N)$ model with standard action. I show that the differences in the finite size scaling curves of $RP^{N-1}$i and $O(N)$ models observed by Caracciolo et al. can be explained as a boundary effect. It is concluded, in contrast to Caracciolo et al., that $RP^{N-1}$ and $O(N)$ models share a unique universality class.Comment: 14 pages (latex) + 1 figure (Postscript) ,uuencode