Spin-1 gravitational waves. Theoretical and experimental aspects

Exact solutions of Einstein field equations invariant for a non-Abelian 2-dimensional Lie algebra of Killing fields are described. Physical properties of these gravitational fields are studied, their wave character is checked by making use of covariant criteria and the observable effects of such waves are outlined. The possibility of detection of these waves with modern detectors, spherical resonant antennas in particular, is sketched

Spin-1 gravitational waves and their natural sources

Non-vacuum exact gravitational waves invariant for a non Abelian two-dimensional Lie algebra generated by two Killing fields whose commutator is of light type, are described. The polarization of these waves, already known from previous works, is related to the sources. Non vacuum exact gravitational waves admitting only one Killing field of light type are also discussed.Comment: 10 pages, late

The UV behavior of Gravity at Large N

A first step in the analysis of the renormalizability of gravity at Large N is carried on. Suitable resummations of planar diagrams give rise to a theory in which there is only a finite number of primitive superficially divergent Feynman diagrams. The mechanism is similar to the the one which makes renormalizable the 3D Gross-Neveu model at large N. Some potential problems in fulfilling the Slavnov-Taylor and the Zinn-Justin equations are also pointed out.Comment: 17 pages, 9 figures. To appear on Phys. Rev. D. Two more references, further technical details and the discussion of the KLT relations at large N have been include

Does the Holographic Principle determine the Gravitational Interaction?

It is likely that the holographic principle will be a consequence of the would be theory of quantum gravity. Thus, it is interesting to try to go in the opposite direction: can the holographic principle fix the gravitational interaction? It is shown that the classical gravitational interaction is well inside the set of potentials allowed by the holographic principle. Computations clarify which role such a principle could have in lowering the value of the cosmological constant computed in QFT to the observed one.Comment: 12 pages, no figures, added reference

Therapeutic Targets in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Focus on Ion Channels and Skeletal Muscle

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disease caused by progressive loss of motor neurons, which severely compromises skeletal muscle function. Evidence shows that muscle may act as a molecular powerhouse, whose final signals generate in patients a progressive loss of voluntary muscle function and weakness leading to paralysis. This pathology is the result of a complex cascade of events that involves a crosstalk among motor neurons, glia, and muscles, and evolves through the action of converging toxic mechanisms. In fact, mitochondrial dysfunction, which leads to oxidative stress, is one of the mechanisms causing cell death. It is a common denominator for the two existing forms of the disease: sporadic and familial. Other factors include excitotoxicity, inflammation, and protein aggregation. Currently, there are limited cures. The only approved drug for therapy is riluzole, that modestly prolongs survival, with edaravone now waiting for new clinical trial aimed to clarify its efficacy. Thus, there is a need of effective treatments to reverse the damage in this devastating pathology. Many drugs have been already tested in clinical trials and are currently under investigation. This review summarizes the already tested drugs aimed at restoring muscle-nerve cross-talk and on new treatment options targeting this tissue

Education in Soil Science: the Italian approach

The Italian Society of Soil Science (SISS) was founded in Florence on February 18th, 1952. It is an association legally acknowledged by Decree of the President of the Italian Republic in February 1957. The Society is member of the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) of the European Confederation of Soil Science Societies (ECSSS) and collaborates with several companies, institutions and organizations having similar objectives or policy aspects. SISS promotes progress, coordination and dissemination of soil science and its applications encouraging relationships and collaborations among soil lovers. Within the SISS there are Working Groups and Technical Committees for specific issues of interest. In particular: \u2022 the Working Group on Pedotechniques; \u2022 the Working Group on Hydromorphic and Subaqueous Soils and \u2022 the Technical Committee for Soil Education and Public Awareness. In this communication we wish to stress the activities developed since its foundation by SISS to spread soil awareness and education in Italy through this last Technical Committee, focusing also the aspect concerning grants for young graduates and PhD graduates to stimulate the involvement of young people in the field of soil science

Nonlinear gravitational waves and their polarization

Vacuum gravitational fields invariant for a non Abelian Lie algebra generated by two Killing fields whose commutator is light-like are analyzed. It is shown that they represent nonlinear gravitational waves obeying to two nonlinear superposition laws. The energy and the polarization of this family of waves are explicitely evaluated.Comment: 9 pages. LateX. Minor correction

Bottom up approach to manage data privacy policy through the front end filter paradigm

An increasing number of business services for private companies and citizens are accomplished trough the web and mobile devices. Such a scenario is characterized by high dynamism and untrustworthiness, as a large number of applications exchange different kinds of data. This poses an urgent need for effective means in preserving data privacy. This paper proposes an approach, inspired to the front-end trust filter paradigm, to manage data privacy in a very flexible way. Preliminary experimentation suggests that the solution could be a promising path to follow for web-based transactions which will be very widespread in the next future

Vacuum solutions which cannot be written in diagonal form

A vacuum solution of the Einstein gravitational field equation is given that follows from a general ansatz but fails to follow from it if a certain symmetric matrix is assumed to be in diagonal form from the beginning.Comment: 18 pages, latex, no figures. An Acknowledgement, 4 references, and the section "Note added" are adde