Graceful exit via polymerization of pre-big bang cosmology

We consider a phenomenological modification of the Pre Big Bang scenario using ideas from the resolution of curvature singularities in Loop Quantum Cosmology. We show that non-perturbative Loop modifications to the dynamics, arising from the underlying polymer representation, can resolve the graceful exit problem. The curvature and the dilaton energy stay finite at all times, in both the string and Einstein frames. In the string frame, the dilaton tends to a constant value at late times after the bounce.Comment: 7 pages, 8 figures. Some clarifications added. To appear on Phys. Rev.

A System for a Total Matching of Sterio Pairs of Images

A system which provides a total matching of a stereo pair of images is described: to every point in the first image a corresponding point in the second image is assigned. The processing consists of determining a limited number of matching candidates for each point in the first image and ordering the possible matches of a point for decreasing value of likelihood. Geometrical constraints are applied to determine the consistency among matches associated with different points. The assumption that points close in the image correspond to points close in space (continuity assumption) has been used. In most of the cases the scenes are composed of objects in contrast with the background.The target image is then preprocessed in order to extract the objects and then to reduce the areas to be matched to the object areas. The algorithm has been successfully applied to artificial scenes and real scenes. Examples and results are presented

Massless and massive graviton spectra in anisotropic dilatonic braneworld cosmologies

We consider a braneworld model in which an anisotropic brane is embedded in a dilatonic background. We solve the background solutions and study the behavior of the perturbations when the universe evolves from an inflationary Kasner phase to a Minkowski phase. We calculate the massless mode spectrum, and find that it does not differ from what expected in standard four-dimensional cosmological models. We then evaluate the spectrum of both light (ultrarelativistic) and heavy (nonrelativistic) massive modes, and find that, at high energies, there can be a strong enhancement of the Kaluza-Klein spectral amplitude, which can become dominant in the total spectrum. The presence of the dilaton, on the contrary, decrease the relative importance of the massive modes.Comment: 18 pages, 4 figures, Typos correction

Probabilistic earthquake-tsunami multi-hazard analysis:application to the Tohoku region, Japan

This study develops a novel simulation-based procedure for the estimation of the likelihood that seismic intensity (in terms of spectral acceleration) and tsunami inundation (in terms of wave height), at a particular location, will exceed given hazard levels. The procedure accounts for a common physical rupture process for shaking and tsunami. Numerous realizations of stochastic slip distributions of earthquakes having different magnitudes are generated using scaling relationships of source parameters for subduction zones and then using a stochastic synthesis method of earthquake slip distribution. Probabilistic characterization of earthquake and tsunami intensity parameters is carried out by evaluating spatially correlated strong motion intensity through the adoption of ground motion prediction equations as a function of magnitude and shortest distance from the rupture plane and by solving nonlinear shallow water equations for tsunami wave propagation and inundation. The minimum number of simulations required to obtain stable estimates of seismic and tsunami intensity measures is investigated through a statistical bootstrap analysis. The main output of the proposed procedure is the earthquake-tsunami hazard curves representing, for each mean annual rate of occurrence, the corresponding seismic and inundation tsunami intensity measures. This simulation-based procedure facilitates the earthquake-tsunami hazard deaggregation with respect to magnitude and distance. Results are particularly useful for multi-hazard mapping purposes and the developed framework can be further extended to probabilistic earthquake-tsunami risk assessment

Recent Findings and Open Issues concerning the Seismic Behaviour of Masonry Infill Walls in RC Buildings

The extension of the damages observed after the last major earthquakes shows that the seismic risk mitigation of infilled reinforced concrete structures is a paramount topic in seismic prone regions. In the assessment of existing structures and the design of new ones, the infill walls are considered as nonstructural elements by most of the seismic codes and, generally, comprehensive provisions for practitioners are missing. However, nowadays, it is well recognized by the community the importance of the infills in the seismic behaviour of the reinforced concrete structures. Accurate modelling strategies and appropriate seismic assessment methodologies are crucial to understand the behaviour of existing buildings and to develop efficient and appropriate mitigation measures to prevent high level of damages, casualties, and economic losses. The development of effective strengthening solutions to improve the infill seismic behaviour and proper analytical formulations that could help design engineers are still open issues, among others, on this topic. The main aim of this paper is to provide a state-of-the-art review concerning the typologies of damages observed in the last earthquakes where the causes and possible solutions are discussed. After that, a review of in-plane and out-of-plane testing campaigns from the literature on infilled reinforced concrete frames are presented as well as their relevant findings. The most common strengthening solutions to improve the seismic behaviour are presented, and some examples are discussed. Finally, a brief summary of the modelling strategies available in the literature is presented