Dynamic Critical Behavior of Percolation Observables in the 2d Ising Model

We present preliminary results of our numerical study of the critical dynamics of percolation observables for the two-dimensional Ising model. We consider the (Monte-Carlo) short-time evolution of the system obtained with a local heat-bath method and with the global Swendsen-Wang algorithm. In both cases, we find qualitatively different dynamic behaviors for the magnetization and Omega, the order parameter of the percolation transition. This may have implications for the recent attempts to describe the dynamics of the QCD phase transition using cluster observables.Comment: 3 pages, 1 figur

Sectional curvature and Weitzenb\"ock formulae

We establish a new algebraic characterization of sectional curvature bounds $\sec\geq k$ and $\sec\leq k$ using only curvature terms in the Weitzenb\"ock formulae for symmetric $p$-tensors. By introducing a symmetric analogue of the Kulkarni-Nomizu product, we provide a simple formula for such curvature terms. We also give an application of the Bochner technique to closed $4$-manifolds with indefinite intersection form and $\sec>0$ or $\sec\geq0$, obtaining new insights into the Hopf Conjecture, without any symmetry assumptions.Comment: LaTeX2e, 25 pages, final version. To appear in Indiana Univ. Math.

Strongly positive curvature

We begin a systematic study of a curvature condition (strongly positive curvature) which lies strictly between positive curvature operator and positive sectional curvature, and stems from the work of Thorpe in the 1970s. We prove that this condition is preserved under Riemannian submersions and Cheeger deformations, and that most compact homogeneous spaces with positive sectional curvature satisfy it.Comment: LaTeX2e, 26 page

Spinors Fields in Co-dimension One Braneworlds

In this work we analyze the zero mode localization and resonances of $1/2-$spin fermions in co-dimension one Randall-Sundrum braneworld scenarios. We consider delta-like, domain walls and deformed domain walls membranes. Beyond the influence of the spacetime dimension $D$ we also consider three types of couplings: (i) the standard Yukawa coupling with the scalar field and parameter $\eta_1$, (ii) a Yukawa-dilaton coupling with two parameters $\eta_2$ and $\lambda$ and (iii) a dilaton derivative coupling with parameter $h$. Together with the deformation parameter $s$, we end up with five free parameter to be considered. For the zero mode we find that the localization is dependent of $D$, because the spinorial representation changes when the bulk dimensionality is odd or even and must be treated separately. For case (i) we find that in odd dimensions only one chirality can be localized and for even dimension a massless Dirac spinor is trapped over the brane. In the cases (ii) and (iii) we find that for some values of the parameters, both chiralities can be localized in odd dimensions and for even dimensions we obtain that the massless Dirac spinor is trapped over the brane. We also calculated numerically resonances for cases (ii) and (iii) by using the transfer matrix method. We find that, for deformed defects, the increasing of $D$ induces a shift in the peaks of resonances. For a given $\lambda$ with domain walls, we find that the resonances can show up by changing the spacetime dimensionality. For example, the same case in $D=5$ do not induces resonances but when we consider $D=10$ one peak of resonance is found. Therefore the introduction of more dimensions, diversely from the bosonic case, can change drastically the zero mode and resonances in fermion fields.Comment: 28 pages, 7 figure

Symbolic Sequences and Tsallis Entropy

We address this work to investigate symbolic sequences with long-range correlations by using computational simulation. We analyze sequences with two, three and four symbols that could be repeated $l$ times, with the probability distribution $p(l)\propto 1/ l^{\mu}$. For these sequences, we verified that the usual entropy increases more slowly when the symbols are correlated and the Tsallis entropy exhibits, for a suitable choice of $q$, a linear behavior. We also study the chain as a random walk-like process and observe a nonusual diffusive behavior depending on the values of the parameter $\mu$.Comment: Published in the Brazilian Journal of Physic

Cartoon planet: Micro-reflection through digital cartoons - a case study on teaching and learning with young people

The young learners of today tend to show little enthusiasm for formal schooling. This does not necessarily mean pupils are not interested in learning or developing new skills and competences. In fact, the opposite often happens in the informal settings they belong to. Finding ways of transferring pupil’s informal learning to the school setting is therefore important. This paper gives a brief overview on the development of informal learning activities to encourage young people’s active reflection on their informally acquired competencies through the use of web technologies. The researchers also explore the role of the teacher, and the need of a participatory learning environment in a less formal classroom. Reflections on the experiences and recommendations are also provided