Primordial star formation triggered by UV photons from UHECR

The presence of ultra-high energy cosmic rays in the universe in the pre-ionization epoch enhances significantly H$_2$ kinetics in virialized halos. It results in more efficient radiative cooling and decreases the lower mass limit of the first star-forming systems. Consequently, the fraction of baryons contained in the first luminous objects and their contribution to the reionization of the universe can significantly increase in comparison with the standard scenario.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, accepted in A&

Higher-Spin Gauge Interactions for Matter Fields in Two Dimensions

We formulate a new model which describes higher-spin gauge interactions for matter fields in two dimensions. This model is a higher-spin generalization of d2 gravity and turns out to be integrable. No vanishing higher-spin current conditions are imposed on the matter fields.Comment: LaTex, 10 pages, no figures, to be published in Phys. Lett.

Generalized Toda Field Theories

In this paper we introduce a unified approach to Toda field theories which allows us to formulate the classes of $A_n$, $B_n$ and $C_n$ models as unique models involving an arbitrary continuous parameter $\nu$. For certain values of $\nu$, the model describes the standard Toda theories. For other values of $\nu$ it defines a class of models that involve infinitely many fields. These models interpolate between the various standard Toda field theories. They are conformally invariant and possess infinitely many conserved higher-spin currents thus making them candidates for a new set of integrable systems. A general construction is performed, which can effectively be used for the derivation of explicit forms of particular higher-spin currents. We also study the currents in a different representation in which they are linear in the dynamical variables having, however, a non-linear Poisson bracket algebra. An explicit formula for this Poisson structure is found.Comment: 35 pages, latex, no figures; submitted to Nucl. Phys.