The Imaginary Starobinsky Model and Higher Curvature Corrections

We elaborate on the predictions of the imaginary Starobinsky model of inflation coupled to matter, where the inflaton is identified with the imaginary part of the inflaton multiplet suggested by the Supergravity embedding of a pure R + R^2 gravity. In particular, we study the impact of higher-order curvature terms and show that, depending on the parameter range, one may find either a quadratic model of chaotic inflation or monomial models of chaotic inflation with fractional powers between 1 and 2.Comment: 18 page

The FGK formalism for black p-branes in d dimensions

We present a generalization to an arbitrary number of spacetime (d) and worldvolume (p+1) dimensions of the formalism proposed by Ferrara, Gibbons and Kallosh to study black holes (p=0) in d=4 dimensions. We include the special cases in which there can be dyonic and self- or anti-self-dual black branes. Most of the results valid for 4-dimensional black holes (relations between temperature, entropy and non-extremality parameter, and between entropy and black-hole potential on the horizon) are straightforwardly generalized. We apply the formalism to the case of black strings in N=2,d=5 supergravity coupled to vector multiplets, in which the black-string potential can be expressed in terms of the dual central charge and work out an explicit example with one vector multiplet, determining supersymmetric and non-supersymmetric attractors and constructing the non-extremal black-string solutions that interpolate between them.Comment: 28 pages no figures; v2: some references adde

Due libri sulla Shoah in Ucraina

Two Books about the Shoah in Ukraine This review article is dedicated to two recent books on the Shoah in Ukraine: Omer Bartov’s Erased: Vanishing Traces of Jewish Galicia in Present-Day Ukraine, Princeton University Press, Princeton 2007 and Patrick Desbois, Porteur de mémoires. Sur le traces de la Shoah par balles, Lafon, Neuilly-sur-Seine 2007. The fi rst, an illustrated travelogue of Bartov’s two research trips in Western Ukraine, sketches a history of the genocide of Galician Jews based on victims’ sources rather than the ones produced by perpetrators, while discussing the sad state of the few remaining Jewish monuments in today’s Western Ukraine. The second retraces Fr. Desbois’ campaign to interview the witnesses of the Shoah in Ukraine and to locate the mass graves of murdered Jews thanks to a combination of archival, “archeological” and forensic research. The article discusses the two authors’ different motivations and especially their diverging takes on Ukrainian anti-Semitism and memory of the genocide of the Ukrainian Jews

Efeitos do solo e clima numa vinha de uva de mesa com cultura de cobertura. Gestão da rega utilizando redes de sensores

[ENG] TThe use of mulches in vineyards and orchards is a traditional agricultural practice used with the aim of saving moisture, reducing weed growth and improving organic matter content in the soil. In table grape vineyards trained to overhead system in Puglia region (Southeastern Italy), plastic sheets covering the canopy are often used to either advance ripening or delay harvest. In this environment, the living mulches could contribute to the modification of the microclimate around the canopy below the plastic sheets. This condition has an influence on the climatic demand and on both the vegetative and productive activities, mainly in stages with a high evapotranspiration. However, the presence of living mulches could increase the demand of available water and nutrient resources and this could cause a lower yield. The aim of this study was to acquire a suitable knowledge to manage irrigation and verify the influences of living mulches on the vine by using wireless sensor networks to measure the vapor pressure deficit, soil water potential and content.[POR] A utilização de coberturas do solo em vinhas e pomares é uma prática agrícola tradicional, utilizada com o objetivo de preservar a humidade do solo, reduzir o crescimento de infestantes e melhorar o teor de matéria orgânica no solo. Em vinhas de uva de mesa, conduzidas em sistema de pérgula na região de Puglia (sudeste da Itália), são frequentemente usadas coberturas de plástico para promover o avanço da maturação ou o atraso da colheita. Neste ambiente a utilização de enrelvamentos pode contribuir para a modificação do microclima do copado. Esta condição pode influenciar a demanda atmosférica, bem como a atividade vegetativa e reprodutiva da videira, principalmente em períodos de elevada evapotranspiração. No entanto, a presença do enrelvamento pode originar um aumento da demanda dos recursos disponíveis, nomeadamente água e nutrientes, o que poderá provocar uma quebra de produção. O objetivo deste estudo foi adquirir conhecimento para a gestão da rega e, simultaneamente, verificar a influência dos enrelvamentos na atividade da videira, usando para o efeito redes de sensores “sem fio” para medir o déficit de pressão de vapor, o potencial e o conteúdo de água no solo.The development of this work was supported by: The Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through the project RIDEFRUT (ref. AGL2013-49047-C2-1-R), the “Fundacion Seneca, Agencia de Ciencia y Tecnologia” of the Region of Murcia under the “Excelence Group Program”, and the Technical University of Cartagena under the PMPDI Program

Measurements of Backscattering from a Dihedral Corner in a Reverberating Chamber

In this paper, the backscattering of a dihedral corner is evaluated by measurements accomplished within the reverberating chamber (RC) of the Università degli Studi di Napoli Parthenope, formerly Istituto Universitario Navale (IUN). The obtained results are found in good agreement with those of a previous very accurate model, whose validity was assessed by anechoic chamber measurements

Non Linear Realizations of SU(2)×U(1)SU(2)\times U(1) in the MSSM: Model Independent Analysis and g−2g-2 of WW Bosons

We perform a model-independent analysis of the spontaneously broken phase of an $SU(2)\times U(1)$ supersymmetric gauge theory, by using a non-linear parametrization of the Goldstone sector of the theory. The non-linear variables correspond to an $SL(2,C)$ superfield matrix in terms of which a non-linear Lagrangian can be constructed, and the pattern of supersymmetry breaking investigated. The supersymmetric order parameter is the V.E.V. of the neutral pseudo-Goldstone boson. Some applications of this technique are considered, in relation to the minimal supersymmetric standard model, and to determine the $g-2$ of the $W$-bosons in the limit of large top mass.Comment: 11 page

Stability and Hopf bifurcation analysis of a distributed time delay energy model for sustainable economic growth

This paper examines the consequences of including distributed delays in an energy model. The stability behaviour of the resulting equilibrium for our dynamic system is analysed, including models with Dirac, weak and strong kernels. Applying the Hopf bifurcation theorem we determine conditions under which limit cycle motion is born in such models. The results indicate that distributed delays have an ambivalent impact on the dynamical behaviour of systems, either stabilizing or destabilizing them

Linear evasion differential game of one evader and several pursuers with integral constraints

AbstractAn evasion differential game of one evader and many pursuers is studied. The dynamics of state variables $$x_1,\ldots , x_m$$ x 1 , … , x m are described by linear differential equations. The control functions of players are subjected to integral constraints. If $$x_i(t) \ne 0$$ x i ( t ) ≠ 0 for all $$i \in \{1,\ldots ,m\}$$ i ∈ { 1 , … , m } and $$t \ge 0$$ t ≥ 0 , then we say that evasion is possible. It is assumed that the total energy of pursuers doesn't exceed the energy of evader. We construct an evasion strategy and prove that for any positive integer m evasion is possible

Distributed Time Delay Energy Model for Sustainable Economic Growth: some Remarks in the Spirit of Horizon 2020

Today the research into the basic principles for the modeling of economic growth is a new and topical challenge which has been the object of much investigation. Ever since 1862 Spencer has advocated that the economic growth of societies depends on their capability to exploit the increasing amounts of energy. Accordingly, the quantity of energy that a society consumes becomes an economic tool to measure its progress and thus the capital accumulation represents an important strategy for the growth process. In particular, the Solow model, which involves the aggregate production function, has made an important contribution to the economic growth theory especially because it is able to explain the differences between countries in GDP per worker. However, as discussed in Dalgaard and Strulik, the derivation of the law of movement of capital without recurring to the existence of an aggregate production function could be more appropriate. The main aim of this study is to shed light on what effects the delays can generate in an economy viewed as a transport network for energy where the law of the movement of capital occurs with a distributed delay. We have established a set of conditions in which a stationary state loses stability and oscillatory dynamics emerge through Hopf bifurcations. Modello energetico con "ritardo" per una crescita economica sostenibile: alcune osservazioni nello spirito di Horizon 2020La ricerca dei principi di base per i modelli della crescita economica è oggi una nuova e ardua sfida che è stata oggetto di numerose indagini. Dal 1862 Spencer  ha sostenuto che la crescita economica delle società dipende dalla loro capacità di sfruttare le crescenti quantità di energia. Di conseguenza, la quantità di energia che una società consuma diventa uno strumento economico per misurare il suo progresso e quindi l'accumulazione di capitale rappresenta un'importante strategia per il processo di crescita. In particolare, il modello di Solow, che riguarda la funzione di produzione aggregata, ha dato un contributo importante alla teoria della crescita economica, soprattutto perché è stato dimostrato che è in grado di spiegare le differenze tra paesi del PIL per lavoratore. Tuttavia, come discusso in Dalgaard e Strulik, potrebbe essere più appropriata la derivazione di una legge del moto per il capitale senza ricorrere all'esistenza di una funzione di produzione aggregata. L'obiettivo principale di questo studio è di fare luce su quali effetti possono produrre i ritardi in un'economia, considerata come una rete di trasporto per l'energia, in cui la legge del movimento del capitale si verifica con un ritardo distribuito. Con questo lavoro si individuano condizioni necessarie e sufficienti in base alle quali uno stato stazionario perde stabilità e le dinamiche oscillatorie emergono attraverso le biforcazioni Hopf.Today the research into the basic principles for the modeling of economic growth is a new and topical challenge which has been the object of much investigation. Ever since 1862 Spencer has advocated that the economic growth of societies depends on their capability to exploit the increasing amounts of energy. Accordingly, the quantity of energy that a society consumes becomes an economic tool to measure its progress and thus the capital accumulation represents an important strategy for the growth process. In particular, the Solow model, which involves the aggregate production function, has made an important contribution to the economic growth theory especially because it is able to explain the differences between countries in GDP per worker. However, as discussed in Dalgaard and Strulik, the derivation of the law of movement of capital without recurring to the existence of an aggregate production function could be more appropriate. The main aim of this study is to shed light on what effects the delays can generate in an economy viewed as a transport network for energy where the law of the movement of capital occurs with a distributed delay. We have established a set of conditions in which a stationary state loses stability and oscillatory dynamics emerge through Hopf bifurcations. Modello energetico con "ritardo" per una crescita economica sostenibile: alcune osservazioni nello spirito di Horizon 2020La ricerca dei principi di base per i modelli della crescita economica è oggi una nuova e ardua sfida che è stata oggetto di numerose indagini. Dal 1862 Spencer  ha sostenuto che la crescita economica delle società dipende dalla loro capacità di sfruttare le crescenti quantità di energia. Di conseguenza, la quantità di energia che una società consuma diventa uno strumento economico per misurare il suo progresso e quindi l'accumulazione di capitale rappresenta un'importante strategia per il processo di crescita. In particolare, il modello di Solow, che riguarda la funzione di produzione aggregata, ha dato un contributo importante alla teoria della crescita economica, soprattutto perché è stato dimostrato che è in grado di spiegare le differenze tra paesi del PIL per lavoratore. Tuttavia, come discusso in Dalgaard e Strulik, potrebbe essere più appropriata la derivazione di una legge del moto per il capitale senza ricorrere all'esistenza di una funzione di produzione aggregata. L'obiettivo principale di questo studio è di fare luce su quali effetti possono produrre i ritardi in un'economia, considerata come una rete di trasporto per l'energia, in cui la legge del movimento del capitale si verifica con un ritardo distribuito. Con questo lavoro si individuano condizioni necessarie e sufficienti in base alle quali uno stato stazionario perde stabilità e le dinamiche oscillatorie emergono attraverso le biforcazioni Hopf