Using zeros of the canonical partition function map to detect signatures of a Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition

Using the two dimensional $XY-(S(O(3))$ model as a test case, we show that analysis of the Fisher zeros of the canonical partition function can provide signatures of a transition in the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless ($BKT$) universality class. Studying the internal border of zeros in the complex temperature plane, we found a scenario in complete agreement with theoretical expectations which allow one to uniquely classify a phase transition as in the $BKT$ class of universality. We obtain $T_{BKT}$ in excellent accordance with previous results. A careful analysis of the behavior of the zeros for both regions $\mathfrak{Re}(T) \leq T_{BKT}$ and $\mathfrak{Re}(T) > T_{BKT}$ in the thermodynamic limit show that $\mathfrak{Im}(T)$ goes to zero in the former case and is finite in the last one

Removing zero Lyapunov exponents in volume-preserving flows

Baraviera and Bonatti proved that it is possible to perturb, in the c^1 topology, a volume-preserving and partial hyperbolic diffeomorphism in order to obtain a non-zero sum of all the Lyapunov exponents in the central direction. In this article we obtain the analogous result for volume-preserving flows.Comment: 10 page

Periodic Gravitational Waves From Small Cosmic String Loops

We consider a population of small, high-velocity cosmic string loops. We assume the typical length of these loops is determined by the gravitational radiation scale and use the results of \cite{Polchinski:2007rg} which pointed out their highly relativistic nature. A study of the gravitational wave emission from such a population is carried out. The large Lorentz boost involved causes the lowest harmonics of the loops to fall within the frequency band of the LIGO detector. Due to this feature the gravitational waves emitted by such loops can be detected in a periodic search rather than in burst or stochastic analysis. It is shown that, for interesting values of the string tension (10^{-10}\lsim G\mu\lsim 10^{-8}) the detector can observe loops at reasonably high redshifts and that detection is, in principle, possible. We compute the number of expected observations produced by such a process. For a 10 hour search we find that this number is of order $O(10^{-4})$. This is a consequence of the low effective number density of the loops traveling along the line of sight. However, small probabilities of reconnection and longer observation times can improve the result.Comment: 1+15 pages, 7 figure

OGSA/Globus Evaluation for Data Intensive Applications

We present an architecture of Globus Toolkit 3 based testbed intended for evaluation of applicability of the Open Grid Service Architecture (OGSA) for Data Intensive Applications.Comment: To be published in the proceedings of the XIX International Symposium on Nuclear Electronics and Computing (NEC'2003), Bulgaria, Varna, 15-20 September, 200

Firm exit during economic slowdowns: does foreign ownership matter?

Do multinationals’ activities contribute to the severity of global economic crisis by quickly closing down facilities or otherwise allow to mitigating some of the worst effects, by remaining rooted in the local economy and thus reducing lay-offs and output contraction in the host countries? The present paper provides an empirical analysis on the link between foreign ownership and firm survival over an almost 20-year period and during two economic downturns in particular, using an extensive firm-level database and applying hazard models. We analyse the determinants of exit of firms and investigate whether there are significant differences in the hazard rates of foreign and domestic firms when controlling for firm and industry specificities. Additionally we assess whether the foreignness effect alters during economic downturns and whether any spillovers arise from the multinationals’ presence in the industry. After controlling for several firm and industry specific characteristics, we find that foreign firms exhibit higher failure rates over the time period as a whole. However, during economic slowdowns domestic and foreign firms do not exhibit different chances of survival and exit. Finally, regarding potential spillovers, our results suggest that foreign presence may impact positively upon local firms’ survival