A Generalization of Slavnov-Extended Non-Commutative Gauge Theories

We consider a non-commutative U(1) gauge theory in 4 dimensions with a modified Slavnov term which looks similar to the 3-dimensional BF model. In choosing a space-like axial gauge fixing we find a new vector supersymmetry which is used to show that the model is free of UV/IR mixing problems, just as in the previously discussed model in arXiv:hep-th/0604154. Finally, we present generalizations of our proposed model to higher dimensions.Comment: 25 pages, no figures; v2 minor correction

Myths and realities about the recovery of L׳Aquila after the earthquake

AbstractThere is a set of myths which are linked to the recovery of L׳Aquila, such as: the L׳Aquila recovery has come to a halt, it is still in an early recovery phase, and there is economic stagnation. The objective of this paper is threefold: (a) to identify and develop a set of spatial indicators for the case of L׳Aquila, (b) to test the feasibility of a numerical assessment of these spatial indicators as a method to monitor the progress of a recovery process after an earthquake and (c) to answer the question whether the recovery process in L׳Aquila stagnates or not. We hypothesize that after an earthquake the spatial distribution of expert defined variables can constitute an index to assess the recovery process more objectively. In these articles, we aggregated several indicators of building conditions to characterize the physical dimension, and we developed building use indicators to serve as proxies for the socio-economic dimension while aiming for transferability of this approach. The methodology of this research entailed six steps: (1) fieldwork, (2) selection of a sampling area, (3) selection of the variables and indicators for the physical and socio-economic dimensions, (4) analyses of the recovery progress using spatial indicators by comparing the changes in the restricted core area as well as building use over time; (5) selection and integration of the results through expert weighting; and (6) determining hotspots of recovery in L׳Aquila. Eight categories of building conditions and twelve categories of building use were identified. Both indicators: building condition and building use are aggregated into a recovery index. The reconstruction process in the city center of L׳Aquila seems to stagnate, which is reflected by the five following variables: percentage of buildings with on-going reconstruction, partial reconstruction, reconstruction projected residential building use and transport facilities. These five factors were still at low levels within the core area in 2012. Nevertheless, we can conclude that the recovery process in L׳Aquila did not come to a halt but is still ongoing, albeit being slow

Strange matter prospects within the string-flip model

In this contribution we extend the recently developed two-flavor quark-matter string-flip model by including strange quarks. We discuss implications for compact stars.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, proceedings to SQM201

A new quark-hadron hybrid equation of state for astrophysics - I. High-mass twin compact stars

Aims: We present a new microscopic hadron-quark hybrid equation of state model for astrophysical applications, from which compact hybrid star configurations are constructed. These are composed of a quark core and a hadronic shell with a first-order phase transition at their interface. The resulting mass-radius relations are in accordance with the latest astrophysical constraints. Methods: The quark matter description is based on a quantum chromodynamics (QCD) motivated chiral approach with higher-order quark interactions in the Dirac scalar and vector coupling channels. For hadronic matter we select a relativistic mean-field equation of state with density-dependent couplings. Since the nucleons are treated in the quasi-particle framework, an excluded volume correction has been included for the nuclear equation of state at suprasaturation density which takes into account the finite size of the nucleons. Results: These novel aspects, excluded volume in the hadronic phase and the higher-order repulsive interactions in the quark phase, lead to a strong first-order phase transition with large latent heat, i.e. the energy-density jump at the phase transition, which fulfils a criterion for a disconnected third-family branch of compact stars in the mass-radius relationship. These twin stars appear at high masses ($\sim$ 2 M$_\odot$) that are relevant for current observations of high-mass pulsars. Conclusions: This analysis offers a unique possibility by radius observations of compact stars to probe the QCD phase diagram at zero temperature and large chemical potential and even to support the existence of a critical point in the QCD phase diagram.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astron. & Astrophy

Spatial connectivity as a recovery process indicator: The L'Aquila earthquake

The main objective of this paper is to prove that spatial connectivity can be an effective spatial indicator for monitoring and evaluating the recovery process after the event of an earthquake. It integrates variables such as distance, travel time and quality of public transport service. We hypothesize that there is a relationship between the connectivity to the central business districts in cities, and the satisfaction with the locations of new settlements assigned to the homeless population during a recovery process. If this hypothesis holds true, then the satisfaction with new settlements will be correlated with the inhabitants' preference to either stay, or to search for a new site. This will then support the evaluation of the success of a recovery process. To prove this relationship we investigated the twelve months recovery process in L'Aquila in Italy. Spatial data sets were used and analyzed using GIS. Fieldwork data and interviews were conducted in order to investigate the satisfaction of persons living in newly established places outside of the city. We compared the strength of the desire of the interviewees to move away, against the travel distance and travel time to the city center. The statistical analysis reveals that the preference to search for another place was significantly correlated with the distance between new settlements and the city center of L'Aquila. To a lesser degree it was correlated with the travel time. The regression indicated that the distance between the new settlements and the inner city strongly influences the preference to either stay or to move

3D Forest structure analysis from optical and LIDAR dataAnálise 3D da estrutura da floresta com dados ópticos e da LIDAR

In Austria about half of the entire area (46 %) is covered by forests. The majority of these forests are highly managed and controlled in growth. Besides timber production, forest ecosystems play a multifunctional role including climate control, habitat provision and, especially in Austria, protection of settlements. The interrelationships among climatic, ecological, social and economic dimensions of forests require technologies for monitoring both the state and the development of forests. This comprises forest structure, species and age composition and, forest integrity in general. Assessing forest structure for example enables forest managers and natural risk engineers to evaluate whether a forest can fulfil its protective function or not. Traditional methods for assessing forest structure like field inventories and aerial photo interpretation are intrinsically limited in providing spatially continuous information over a large area. The Centre for Geoinformatics (Z_GIS) in collaboration with the National Park Bayerischer Wald, Germany and the Stand Montafon, Austria, has tested and applied advanced approaches of integrating multispectral optical data and airborne laser scanning (ALS) data for (1) forest stand delineation, (2) single tree detection and (3) forest structure analysis. As optical data we used RGBI line scanner data and CIR air-photos. ALS data were raw point data (10 pulses per sqm) and normalised crown models (nCM) at 0.5 m and 1 m resolution. (1) Automated stand delineation was done by (a) translating a key for manual mapping of forest development phases into a rule-based system via object-relationship modelling (ORM); and (b) by performing multi-resolution segmentation and GIS analysis. (2) Strategies for single tree detection using raw ALS data included (a) GIS modelling based on a region-growth local maxima algorithm and (b) object-based image analysis using super class information class-specific rule sets. (3) Vertical forest structure has been assessed statistically by (a) applying basic statistics (like mean, standard deviation, and variation coefficient) on the raw data using a moving window approach; and (b) by applying landscape metrics (Shannon Evenness Index, SHEI, and division index, DIVI) for different strata extracted from the nCM.Resumo Aproximadamente 46% da superfície da Áustria é coberta por florestas. A sua maior parte é manejada tendo o seu crescimento controlado. Além da produção de madeira, os ecossistemas florestais desempenham um papel multi-funcional, incluindo o controle climático e particularmente, proteção aos assentamentos humanos. As inter-relações entre as dimensões climáticas, ecológicas, sociais e econômicas de florestas requerem tecnologias para o monitoramento, tanto do estado como do desenvolvimento das florestas. Isto inclui a estrutura das florestas, espécies e composição etária bem como integridade da floresta em geral. A avaliação da estrutura florestal permite, por exemplo, aos gerentes de floresta e engenheiros prognosticar os riscos naturais e avaliar se uma área florestal pode satisfazer a sua função protetora ou não. Métodos tradicionais de avaliação da estrutura florestal, tal como inventários de campo e interpretação de fotografias aéreas são intrinsecamente limitados para fornecer informação espacialmente contínua numa grande área. O Centro de Geo-Informática (Z_GIS) em colaboração com o Parque Nacional Bayerischer Wald, (Alemanha) e o Stand Montafon (Áustria), testaram e aplicaram aproximações de pesquisas avançadas, integrando dados ópticos multi-espectrais e varredura a laser aerotransportados (ALS – airborne laser scanning) para (1) delineamento dos talhões florestais, (2) detecção de árvores individuais, (3) análise da estrutura de florestas. Os dados ópticos usados foram obtidos por scanner em linha RGBI e fotografias aéreas infra-vermelho coloridas (CIR). Dados ALS tiveram como característica uma resolução de 10 pontos por m2 e de modelos normalizado de copa (nCM) com uma resolução de 0,5 e 1,0 m. (1) A delineação automática dos talhões foi feita através de (a) migração de uma chave elaborada para mapeamento manual de fases de desenvolvimento de florestas para um sistema baseado em regras via modelagem do relacionamento dos objetos (ORM); e (b) da segmentação multi-resolução e análise de SIG. (2) Estratégias para a detecção de árvores individuais usando dados ALS brutos incluem (a) modelagem GIS baseado em algoritmos de máximas locais por crescimento de regiões, e (b) análise orientada a objetos usando a informação de super-classes de conjuntos e séries de regras de classes específicas. (3) a estrutura vertical de florestas foi avaliada estatisticamente através de (a) aplicação de estatística básica (como média, desvio-padrão e coeficiente de variação) nos dados brutos usando uma abordagem de janela móvel; e (b) aplicando métricas de paisagem (Shannon Evenness Index, SHEI e Índice de Divisão, DIVI) para diferentes estratos obtidos do nCM

Gauge Independence of IR singularities in Non-Commutative QFT - and Interpolating Gauges

IR divergences of a non-commutative U(1) Maxwell theory are discussed at the one-loop level using an interpolating gauge to show that quadratic IR divergences are independent not only from a covariant gauge fixing but also independent from an axial gauge fixing.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figures, v1 minor correction