CCDM Model with Spatial Curvature and The Breaking of "Dark Degeneracy"

Creation of Cold Dark Matter (CCDM), in the context of Einstein Field Equations, leads to a negative creation pressure, which can be used to explain the accelerated expansion of the Universe. Recently, it has been shown that the dynamics of expansion of such models can not be distinguished from the concordance $\Lambda$CDM model, even at higher orders in the evolution of density perturbations, leading at the so called "dark degeneracy". However, depending on the form of the CDM creation rate, the inclusion of spatial curvature leads to a different behavior of CCDM when compared to $\Lambda$CDM, even at background level. With a simple form for the creation rate, namely, $\Gamma\propto\frac{1}{H}$, we show that this model can be distinguished from $\Lambda$CDM, provided the Universe has some amount of spatial curvature. Observationally, however, the current limits on spatial flatness from CMB indicate that neither of the models are significantly favored against the other by current data, at least in the background level.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figure

Bayesian analysis of CCDM Models

Creation of Cold Dark Matter (CCDM), in the context of Einstein Field Equations, leads to negative creation pressure, which can be used to explain the accelerated expansion of the Universe. In this work we tested six different spatially flat models for matter creation using statistical tools, at light of SN Ia data: Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) and Bayesian Evidence (BE). These approaches allow to compare models considering goodness of fit and number of free parameters, penalizing excess of complexity. We find that JO model is slightly favoured over LJO/$\Lambda$CDM model, however, neither of these, nor $\Gamma=3\alpha H_0$ model can be discarded from the current analysis. Three other scenarios are discarded either from poor fitting, either from excess of free parameters.Comment: 16 pages, 6 figures, 6 tables. Corrected some text and language in new versio

Transfer-matrix study of a hard-square lattice gas with two kinds of particles and density anomaly

Using transfer matrix and finite-size scaling methods, we study the thermodynamic behavior of a lattice gas with two kinds of particles on the square lattice. Only excluded volume interactions are considered, so that the model is athermal. Large particles exclude the site they occupy and its four first neighbors, while small particles exclude only their site. Two thermodynamic phases are found: a disordered phase where large particles occupy both sublattices with the same probability and an ordered phase where one of the two sublattices is preferentially occupied by them. The transition between these phases is continuous at small concentrations of the small particles and discontinuous at larger concentrations, both transitions are separated by a tricritical point. Estimates of the central charge suggest that the critical line is in the Ising universality class, while the tricritical point has tricritical Ising (Blume-Emery-Griffiths) exponents. The isobaric curves of the total density as functions of the fugacity of small or large particles display a minimum in the disordered phase.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures and 4 table

Degree-dependent intervertex separation in complex networks

We study the mean length $\ell(k)$ of the shortest paths between a vertex of degree $k$ and other vertices in growing networks, where correlations are essential. In a number of deterministic scale-free networks we observe a power-law correction to a logarithmic dependence, $\ell(k) = A\ln [N/k^{(\gamma-1)/2}] - C k^{\gamma-1}/N + ...$ in a wide range of network sizes. Here $N$ is the number of vertices in the network, $\gamma$ is the degree distribution exponent, and the coefficients $A$ and $C$ depend on a network. We compare this law with a corresponding $\ell(k)$ dependence obtained for random scale-free networks growing through the preferential attachment mechanism. In stochastic and deterministic growing trees with an exponential degree distribution, we observe a linear dependence on degree, $\ell(k) \cong A\ln N - C k$. We compare our findings for growing networks with those for uncorrelated graphs.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figure

Nature of the collapse transition in interacting self-avoiding trails

We study the interacting self-avoiding trail (ISAT) model on a Bethe lattice of general coordination $q$ and on a Husimi lattice built with squares and coordination $q=4$. The exact grand-canonical solutions of the model are obtained, considering that up to $K$ monomers can be placed on a site and associating a weight $\omega_i$ for a $i$-fold visited site. Very rich phase diagrams are found with non-polymerized (NP), regular polymerized (P) and dense polymerized (DP) phases separated by lines (or surfaces) of continuous and discontinuous transitions. For Bethe lattice with $q=4$ and $K=2$, the collapse transition is identified with a bicritical point and the collapsed phase is associated to the dense polymerized phase (solid-like) instead of the regular polymerized phase (liquid-like). A similar result is found for the Husimi lattice, which may explain the difference between the collapse transition for ISAT's and for interacting self-avoiding walks on the square lattice. For $q=6$ and $K=3$ (studied on the Bethe lattice only), a more complex phase diagram is found, with two critical planes and two coexistence surfaces, separated by two tricritical and two critical end-point lines meeting at a multicritical point. The mapping of the phase diagrams in the canonical ensemble is discussed and compared with simulational results for regular lattices.Comment: 12 pages, 13 figure

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 $\Lambda$CDM model. The difference between the CCDM and $\Lambda$CDM predictions at the perturbative level is quantified by using three different statistical methods, namely: a simple $\chi^{2}$-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 $\Lambda$CDM cosmology.Comment: Physical Review D in press, 10 pages, 4 figure

Earthen construction: structural vulnerabilities and retrofit solutions for seismic actions

Earthen structures present very appealing characteristics regarding a more sustainable practice with the preservation of our natural resources. However, when subjected to earthquake ground motions, this type of construction may present a deficient performance, which may cause significant human losses and important structural damage. The seismic response of earthen structures is typically characterized by fragile failures. There are several examples of recent earthquakes that affected earthen buildings in a severe way, evidencing the vulnerability of this type of construction, like the El Salvador earthquake, in 2001, the Bam, Iran earthquake, in 2003, the Pisco, Peru earthquake, in 2007 and the Maule, Chile earthquake, in 2010. The construction of earth structures on earthquake-prone areas must be carefully studied and should include seismic reinforcement solutions in order to improve their seismic performance. In this paper, the performance of earthen structures in recent earthquakes will be examined, analyzing failure modes inherent to these particular construction materials and associated construction techniques. Also, seismic reinforcement approaches and techniques will be presented in a comprehensive manner. Examples of tests conducted for the assessment of retrofitting solutions efficiency will be presented, and the results obtained will be discussed