68,904 research outputs found
Newtonian Perturbations on Models with Matter Creation
Creation of Cold Dark Matter (CCDM) can macroscopically be described by a
negative pressure, and, therefore, the mechanism is capable to accelerate the
Universe, without the need of an additional dark energy component. In this
framework we discuss the evolution of perturbations by considering a
Neo-Newtonian approach where, unlike in the standard Newtonian cosmology, the
fluid pressure is taken into account even in the homogeneous and isotropic
background equations (Lima, Zanchin and Brandenberger, MNRAS {\bf 291}, L1,
1997). The evolution of the density contrast is calculated in the linear
approximation and compared to the one predicted by the CDM model. The
difference between the CCDM and CDM predictions at the perturbative
level is quantified by using three different statistical methods, namely: a
simple -analysis in the relevant space parameter, a Bayesian
statistical inference, and, finally, a Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. We find that
under certain circumstances the CCDM scenario analysed here predicts an overall
dynamics (including Hubble flow and matter fluctuation field) which fully
recovers that of the traditional cosmic concordance model. Our basic conclusion
is that such a reduction of the dark sector provides a viable alternative
description to the accelerating CDM cosmology.Comment: Physical Review D in press, 10 pages, 4 figure
The Penna model for biological ageing on a lattice: spatial consequences of child-care
We introduce a square lattice into the Penna bit-string model for biological
ageing and study the evolution of the spatial distribution of the population
considering different strategies of child-care. Two of the strategies are
related to the movements of a whole family on the lattice: in one case the
mother cannot move if she has any child younger than a given age, and in the
other case if she moves, she brings these young children with her. A stronger
condition has also been added to the second case, considering that young
children die with a higher probability if their mothers die, this probability
decreasing with age. We show that a highly non uniform occupation can be
obtained when child-care is considered, even for an uniform initial occupation
per site. We also compare the standard survival rate of the model with that
obtained when the spacial lattice is considered (without any kind of
child-care).Comment: 8 pages, 6 Postscript figure
Large cities are less green
We study how urban quality evolves as a result of carbon dioxide emissions as
urban agglomerations grow. We employ a bottom-up approach combining two
unprecedented microscopic data on population and carbon dioxide emissions in
the continental US. We first aggregate settlements that are close to each other
into cities using the City Clustering Algorithm (CCA) defining cities beyond
the administrative boundaries. Then, we use data on emissions at a
fine geographic scale to determine the total emissions of each city. We find a
superlinear scaling behavior, expressed by a power-law, between
emissions and city population with average allometric exponent
across all cities in the US. This result suggests that the high productivity of
large cities is done at the expense of a proportionally larger amount of
emissions compared to small cities. Furthermore, our results are substantially
different from those obtained by the standard administrative definition of
cities, i.e. Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). Specifically, MSAs display
isometric scaling emissions and we argue that this discrepancy is due to the
overestimation of MSA areas. The results suggest that allometric studies based
on administrative boundaries to define cities may suffer from endogeneity bias
The importance of target audiences in the design of training actions
This paper describes the process of definition, conceptualization and implementation of a business course addressed for logistic and industrial managers. This course was designed using a blended methodology, with training in classroom, visits to enterprises and self- study, supported by an eLearning platform. The aim of this work is to create an opportunity to reflect about the decisions and strategies implemented and point future developments
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