Monodromy-data parameterization of spaces of local solutions of integrable reductions of Einstein's field equations

For the fields depending on two of the four space-time coordinates only, the spaces of local solutions of various integrable reductions of Einstein's field equations are shown to be the subspaces of the spaces of local solutions of the ``null-curvature'' equations constricted by a requirement of a universal (i.e. solution independent) structures of the canonical Jordan forms of the unknown matrix variables. These spaces of solutions of the ``null-curvature'' equations can be parametrized by a finite sets of free functional parameters -- arbitrary holomorphic (in some local domains) functions of the spectral parameter which can be interpreted as the monodromy data on the spectral plane of the fundamental solutions of associated linear systems. Direct and inverse problems of such mapping (``monodromy transform''), i.e. the problem of finding of the monodromy data for any local solution of the ``null-curvature'' equations with given canonical forms, as well as the existence and uniqueness of such solution for arbitrarily chosen monodromy data are shown to be solvable unambiguously. The linear singular integral equations solving the inverse problems and the explicit forms of the monodromy data corresponding to the spaces of solutions of the symmetry reduced Einstein's field equations are derived.Comment: LaTeX, 33 pages, 1 figure. Typos, language and reference correction

Integrability of generalized (matrix) Ernst equations in string theory

The integrability structures of the matrix generalizations of the Ernst equation for Hermitian or complex symmetric $d\times d$-matrix Ernst potentials are elucidated. These equations arise in the string theory as the equations of motion for a truncated bosonic parts of the low-energy effective action respectively for a dilaton and $d\times d$ - matrix of moduli fields or for a string gravity model with a scalar (dilaton) field, U(1) gauge vector field and an antisymmetric 3-form field, all depending on two space-time coordinates only. We construct the corresponding spectral problems based on the overdetermined $2d\times 2d$-linear systems with a spectral parameter and the universal (i.e. solution independent) structures of the canonical Jordan forms of their matrix coefficients. The additionally imposed conditions of existence for each of these systems of two matrix integrals with appropriate symmetries provide a specific (coset) structures of the related matrix variables. An equivalence of these spectral problems to the original field equations is proved and some approach for construction of multiparametric families of their solutions is envisaged.Comment: 15 pages, no figures, LaTeX; based on the talk given at the Workshop ``Nonlinear Physics: Theory and Experiment. III'', 24 June - 3 July 2004, Gallipoli (Lecce), Italy. Minor typos, language and references corrections. To be published in the proceedings in Theor. Math. Phy

Collision of plane gravitational and electromagnetic waves in a Minkowski background: solution of the characteristic initial value problem

We consider the collisions of plane gravitational and electromagnetic waves with distinct wavefronts and of arbitrary polarizations in a Minkowski background. We first present a new, completely geometric formulation of the characteristic initial value problem for solutions in the wave interaction region for which initial data are those associated with the approaching waves. We present also a general approach to the solution of this problem which enables us in principle to construct solutions in terms of the specified initial data. This is achieved by re-formulating the nonlinear dynamical equations for waves in terms of an associated linear problem on the spectral plane. A system of linear integral ``evolution'' equations which solve this spectral problem for specified initial data is constructed. It is then demonstrated explicitly how various colliding plane wave space-times can be constructed from given characteristic initial data.Comment: 33 pages, 3 figures, LaTeX. Accepted for publication in Classical and Quantum Gravit

Various versions of analytic QCD and skeleton-motivated evaluation of observables

We present skeleton-motivated evaluation of QCD observables. The approach can be applied in analytic versions of QCD in certain classes of renormalization schemes. We present two versions of analytic QCD which can be regarded as low-energy modifications of the ``minimal'' analytic QCD and which reproduce the measured value of the semihadronic tau decay ratio r{tau}. Further, we describe an approach of calculating the higher order analytic couplings Ak (k=2,3,...) on the basis of logarithmic derivatives of the analytic coupling A1(Q^2). This approach can be easily applied in any version of analytic QCD. We adjust the free parameters of the afore-mentioned two analytic models in such a way that the skeleton-motivated evaluation reproduces the correct known values of r{tau} and of the Bjorken polarized sum rule (BjPSR) db(Q^2) at a given point (e.g., at Q^2=2 GeV^2). We then evaluate the low-energy behavior of the Adler function dv(Q^2) and the BjPSR db(Q^2) in the afore-mentioned evaluation approach, in the three analytic versions of QCD. We compare with the results obtained in the ``minimal'' analytic QCD and with the evaluation approach of Milton et al. and Shirkov.Comment: 30 pages, 14 eps-figures; v3: parameters of the analytic QCD models M1 and M2 were refined, the numerical results modified accordingly, new paragraph at the end of Sec.II and at the end of Sec.III, discussion of Figs.4 extended, references added; version to appear in PR

A new Eocene <i>Bacanius</i> species (Histeridae: Dendrophilinae) from Baltic amber

A study of Baltic amber revealed a new fossil species of the genus Bacanius LeConte, 1853. Bacanius gorskii sp. nov. differs from the congener described previously from Eocene Rovno amber, B. kirejtshuki Sokolov and Perkovsky, in the shape of meso-metaventral suture, incomplete subhumeral stria, and the impunctate prosternal lobe (urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:EE9C6859-607A-4134-9037-8385601CF42F).</p

The stability of Killing-Cauchy horizons in colliding plane wave space-times

It is confirmed rigorously that the Killing-Cauchy horizons, which sometimes occur in space-times representing the collision and subsequent interaction of plane gravitational waves in a Minkowski background, are unstable with respect to bounded perturbations of the initial waves, at least for the case in which the initial waves have constant aligned polarizations.Comment: 8 pages. To appear in Gen. Rel. Gra