On the "Universal" N=2 Supersymmetry of Classical Mechanics

In this paper we continue the study of the geometrical features of a functional approach to classical mechanics proposed some time ago. In particular we try to shed some light on a N=2 "universal" supersymmetry which seems to have an interesting interplay with the concept of ergodicity of the system. To study the geometry better we make this susy local and clarify pedagogically several issues present in the literature. Secondly, in order to prepare the ground for a better understanding of its relation to ergodicity, we study the system on constant energy surfaces. We find that the procedure of constraining the system on these surfaces injects in it some local grassmannian invariances and reduces the N=2 global susy to an N=1.Comment: few misprints fixed with respect to Int.Jour.Mod.Phys.A vol 16, no15 (2001) 270

Newtonian M(atrix) Cosmology

A Newtonian matrix cosmology, correspoding to the BFSS model of eleven-dimensional M-theory in the IMF as a (0+1) M(atrix) model is constructed. Interesting new results are obtained, such as the existence of (much sought for in the past) static solutions. The possible interpretation of the off-diagonal entries as a background geometry is also briefly discussed.Comment: 9 pages, Latex2

Holography and the C-Theorem

We review the geometric definition of C-function in the context of field theories that admit a holographic gravity dual.Comment: Contribution to the proceedings of the TMR 2000 Paris Conferenc

Mixtures of Hard Ellipsoids and Spheres: Stability of the Nematic Phase

The stability of liquid crystal phases in presence of small amount of non-mesogenic impurities is of general interest for a large spectrum of technological applications and in the theories of binary mixtures. Starting from the known phase diagram of the hard ellipsoids systems, we propose a simple model and method to explore the stability of the nematic phase in presence of small impurities represented by hard spheres. The study is performed in the isobaric ensemble with Monte Carlo simulations