Quantum Gravity and Causal Structures: Second Quantization of Conformal Dirac Algebras

It is postulated that quantum gravity is a sum over causal structures coupled to matter via scale evolution. Quantized causal structures can be described by studying simple matrix models where matrices are replaced by an algebra of quantum mechanical observables. In particular, previous studies constructed quantum gravity models by quantizing the moduli of Laplace, weight and defining-function operators on Fefferman-Graham ambient spaces. The algebra of these operators underlies conformal geometries. We extend those results to include fermions by taking an osp(1|2) "Dirac square root" of these algebras. The theory is a simple, Grassmann, two-matrix model. Its quantum action is a Chern-Simons theory whose differential is a first-quantized, quantum mechanical BRST operator. The theory is a basic ingredient for building fundamental theories of physical observables.Comment: 4 pages, LaTe

4D gravity on a brane from bulk higher-curvature terms

We study a gravity model where a tensionful codimension-one three-brane is embedded on a bulk with infinite transverse length. We find that 4D gravity is induced on the brane already at the classical level if we include higher-curvature (Gauss-Bonnet) terms in the bulk. Consistency conditions appear to require a negative brane tension as well as a negative coupling for the higher-curvature terms.Comment: 10 pages, no figures; a minor change in wording (to appear in MPLA

Induced gravity on intersecting brane-worlds Part I: Maximally symmetric solutions

We explore models of intersecting brane-worlds with induced gravity terms on codimension one branes and on their intersection. Maximally symmetric solutions for the branes and the intersection are found. We find new self-accelerating solutions. In a 6d spacetime, the solutions realize the see-saw modification of gravity where the UV scale of the modification to 4d gravity is determined by 6d Planck scale given by $M_6 \sim 10^{-3}$eV and the IR scale of the modification is determined by $M_6^2/M_4 \sim H_0 \sim 10^{-42}$ GeV where $H_0$ is present-day Hubble scale. We find that it is increasingly difficult to construct phenomenologically viable models in higher-dimensional spacetime due to the necessity to have the lower value for the fundamental Planck scale to realize the late time acceleration. It is found that the system also admits self-tuning solutions where the tension at the intersection does not change the geometry of the intersection. The induced gravity terms can avoid the necessity to compactify the extra dimensions. Finally, we discuss the possibility to have ordinary matter at the intersection, without introducing any regularisation, using the induced gravity terms.Comment: 16 pages, some mistakes in the identification of the higher codimensional singular structure corrected. Main results unchange

Fragile to strong crossover coupled to liquid-liquid transition in hydrophobic solutions

Using discrete molecular dynamics simulations we study the relation between the thermodynamic and diffusive behaviors of a primitive model of aqueous solutions of hydrophobic solutes consisting of hard spheres in the Jagla particles solvent, close to the liquid-liquid critical point of the solvent. We find that the fragile-to-strong dynamic transition in the diffusive behavior is always coupled to the low-density/high-density liquid transition. Above the liquid-liquid critical pressure, the diffusivity crossover occurs at the Widom line, the line along which the thermodynamic response functions show maxima. Below the liquid-liquid critical pressure, the diffusivity crossover occurs when the limit of mechanical stability lines are crossed, as indicated by the hysteresis observed when going from high to low temperature and vice versa. These findings show that the strong connection between dynamics and thermodynamics found in bulk water persists in hydrophobic solutions for concentrations from low to moderate, indicating that experiments measuring the relaxation time in aqueous solutions represent a viable route for solving the open questions in the field of supercooled water.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures. Accepted for publication on Physical Review

Quantum Darboux theorem

The problem of computing quantum mechanical propagators can be recast as a computation of a Wilson line operator for parallel transport by a flat connection acting on a vector bundle of wave functions. In this picture, the base manifold is an odd-dimensional symplectic geometry, or quite generically a contact manifold that can be viewed as a "phase-spacetime,"while the fibers are Hilbert spaces. This approach enjoys a "quantum Darboux theorem"that parallels the Darboux theorem on contact manifolds which turns local classical dynamics into straight lines. We detail how the quantum Darboux theorem works for anharmonic quantum potentials. In particular, we develop a novel diagrammatic approach for computing the asymptotics of a gauge transformation that locally makes complicated quantum dynamics trivial

Building a MultiAgent System from a User Workflow Specification

This paper provides a methodology to build a MultiAgent System (MAS) described in terms of interactive components from a domain-specic User Workow Specication (UWS). We use a Petri nets-based notation to describe workow specications. This, besides using a familiar and well-studied notation, guarantees an highlevel of description and independence with more concrete vendor-specic process denition languages. In order to bridge the gap between workow specications and MASs, we exploit other intermediate Petri nets-based notations. Transformation rules are given to translate a notation to another. The generated agent-based application implements the original workow specication. Run-time support is provided by a middleware suitable for the execution of the generated code

Urban Scale Monitoring Approach for the Assessment of Rising Damp Effects in Venice

In coastal areas, the rising damp of salty water is a well-known degradation factor of historical masonries, leading to visible features such as crusts, masonry erosion, and plaster loss. Venetian masonries are strongly affected by decay caused by rising damp exacerbated by direct contact with salty water. Recurrent flooding due to high tides and an increase in the frequency of flooding events, also related to climate change, raises concern about the impacts. Although several studies have been carried out on probable future scenarios, a valuation of the decay risk due to rising damp at the urban level still needs to be implemented. This paper proposes a non-invasive and economically sustainable approach for evaluating rising damp effects at an urban scale. The approach includes a collection of archive images of masonries affected by rising damp dating back to the 1990s; a visual survey of the actual conservation state of masonries; a classification based on significant descriptors; and a discussion on exposure conditions and conservation states. The descriptors chosen are rising damp levels, biological growth, plaster loss, efflorescence, and brick erosion. The evaluation was implemented in a georeferenced system suitable for future comparisons, thus providing a management tool for the city's preservation