Bianchi type IX asymptotical behaviours with a massive scalar field: chaos strikes back

We use numerical integrations to study the asymptotical behaviour of a homogeneous but anisotropic Bianchi type IX model in General Relativity with a massive scalar field. As it is well known, for a Brans-Dicke theory, the asymptotical behaviour of the metric functions is ruled only by the Brans-Dicke coupling constant with respect to the value -3/2. In this paper we examine if such a condition still exists with a massive scalar field. We also show that, contrary to what occurs for a massless scalar field, the singularity oscillatory approach may exist in presence of a massive scalar field having a positive energy density.Comment: 31 pages, 7 figures (low resolution

Isotropisation of flat homogeneous Bianchi type I model with a non minimally coupled and massive scalar field

In previous works, we studied the isotropisation of Bianchi class A models with a minimally coupled scalar field. In this paper, we extend these results to the case of a non minimally coupled one. We first make the calculations in the Einstein frame where the scalar field is minimally coupled to the curvature but non minimally coupled to the perfect fluid. Then, we use a conformal transformation to generalise our results to a scalar field non minimally coupled to the curvature. Universe isotropisation for the Brans-Dicke and low energy string theories are studied.Comment: 32 pages, 9 figures (low resolution

Large-scale structure and the Cardassian fluid

In this paper, we confront the predictions of the power law cardassian model for the baryon power spectrum with the observations of the SDSS galaxy survey. We show that they fit only for very unusual values of the cold dark matter or baryon density parameters, the Hubble parameter or the spectral index of the initial power spectrum. Moreover, the best-fit Cardassian models turn out to be phantom models. If one wants to recover the usual values for these constants, as quoted by the WMAP team, the power law Cardassian model turns out to be indistinguishable from a LCDM model

An accurate formula for the period of a simple pendulum oscillating beyond the small-angle regime

A simple approximation formula is derived here for the dependence of the period of a simple pendulum on amplitude that only requires a pocket calculator and furnishes an error of less than 0.25% with respect to the exact period. It is shown that this formula describes the increase of the pendulum period with amplitude better than other simple formulas found in literature. A good agreement with experimental data for a low air-resistance pendulum is also verified and it suggests, together with the current availability/precision of timers and detectors, that the proposed formula is useful for extending the pendulum experiment beyond the usual small-angle oscillations.Comment: 15 pages and 4 figures. to appear in American Journal of Physic

Niobium-based superconducting nano-devices fabrication using all-metal suspended masks

We report a novel method for the fabrication of superconducting nanodevices based on niobium. The well-known difficulties of lithographic patterning of high-quality niobium are overcome by replacing the usual organic resist mask by a metallic one. The quality of the fabrication procedure is demonstrated by the realization and characterization of long and narrow superconducting lines and niobium-gold-niobium proximity SQUIDs

Evaluation and management implications of uncertainty in a multispecies size-structured model of population and community responses to fishing

1. Implementation of an ecosystem approach to fisheries requires advice on trade-offs among fished species and between fisheries yields and biodiversity or food web properties. However, the lack of explicit representation, analysis and consideration of uncertainty in most multispecies models has limited their application in analyses that could support management advice. 2. We assessed the consequences of parameter uncertainty by developing 78 125 multispecies size-structured fish community models, with all combinations of parameters drawn from ranges that spanned parameter values estimated from data and literature. This unfiltered ensemble was reduced to 188 plausible models, the filtered ensemble (FE), by screening outputs against fish abundance data and ecological principles such as requiring species' persistence. 3. Effects of parameter uncertainty on estimates of single-species management reference points for fishing mortality (FMSY, fishing mortality rate providing MSY, the maximum sustainable yield) and biomass (BMSY, biomass at MSY) were evaluated by calculating probability distributions of estimated reference points with the FE. There was a 50% probability that multispecies FMSY could be estimated to within ±25% of its actual value, and a 50% probability that BMSY could be estimated to within ±40% of its actual value. 4. Signal-to-noise ratio was assessed for four community indicators when mortality rates were reduced from current rates to FMSY. The slope of the community size spectrum showed the greatest signal-to-noise ratio, indicating that it would be the most responsive indicator to the change in fishing mortality F. Further, the power of an ongoing international monitoring survey to detect predicted responses of size spectrum slope was higher than for other size-based metrics. 5. Synthesis and applications: Application of the ensemble model approach allows explicit representation of parameter uncertainty and supports advice and management by (i) providing uncertainty intervals for management reference points, (ii) estimating working values of reference points that achieve a defined reduction in risk of not breaching the true reference point, (iii) estimating the responsiveness of population, community, food web and biodiversity indicators to changes in F, (iv) assessing the performance of indicators and monitoring programmes and (v) identifying priorities for data collection and changes to model structure to reduce uncertainty