Vector and axial-vector correlators in a non-local chiral quark model

The behavior of the non-perturbative parts of the isovector-vector and isovector and isosinglet axial-vector correlators at Euclidean momenta is studied in the framework of a covariant chiral quark model with non-local quark-quark interactions. The gauge covariance is ensured with the help of the P-exponents, with the corresponding modification of the quark-current interaction vertices taken into account. The low- and high-momentum behavior of the correlators is compared with the chiral perturbation theory and with the QCD operator product expansion, respectively. The V-A combination of the correlators obtained in the model reproduces quantitatively the ALEPH and OPAL data on hadronic tau decays, transformed into the Euclidean domain via dispersion relations. The predictions for the electromagnetic pi(+/-) - pi(0) mass difference and for the pion electric polarizability are also in agreement with the experimental values. The topological susceptibility of the vacuum is evaluated as a function of the momentum, and its first moment is predicted to be chi'(0) approximate to (50 MeV)(2). In addition, the fulfillment of the Crewther theorem is demonstrated.

Non-local interactions and the dynamics of dispersal in immature insects

A simple mathematical model is developed to explain the appearance of oscillations in the dispersal of larvae from the food source in experimental populations of certain species of blowflies. The life history of the immature stage in these flies, and in a number of other insects, is a system with two populations, one of larvae dispersing on the soil and the other of larvae that burrow in the soil to pupate. The observed oscillations in the horizontal distribution of buried pupae at the end of the dispersal process are hypothesized to be a consequence of larval crowding at a given point in the pupation substrate. It is assumed that dispersing larvae are capable of perceiving variations in density of larvae buried at a given point in the substrate of pupation, and that pupal density may influence pupation of dispersing larvae. The assumed interaction between dispersing larvae and the larvae that are burrowing to pupate is modeled using the concept of non-local effects. Numerical solutions of integro-partial differential equations developed to model density-dependent immature dispersal demonstrate that variation in the parameter that governs the non-local interaction between dispersing and buried larvae induces oscillations in the final horizontal distribution of pupae. (C) 1997 Academic Press Limited.

A simple and non-destructive model for individual leaf area estimation in citrus

Introduction. Leaf area is often related to plant growth, development, physiology and yield. Many non-destructive models have been proposed for leaf area estimation of several plant genotypes, demonstrating that leaf length, leaf width and leaf area are closely correlated. Thus, the objective of our study was to develop a reliable model for leaf area estimation from linear measurements of leaf dimensions for citrus genotypes. Materials and methods. Leaves of citrus genotypes were harvested, and their dimensions (length, width and area) were measured. Values of leaf area were regressed against length, width, the square of length, the square of width and the product (length x width). The most accurate equations, either linear or second-order polynomial, were regressed again with a new data set; then the most reliable equation was defined. Results and discussion. The first analysis showed that the variables length, width and the square of length gave better results in second-order polynomial equations, while the linear equations were more suitable and accurate when the width and the product (length x width) were used. When these equations were regressed with the new data set, the coefficient of determination (R(2)) and the agreement index 'd' were higher for the one that used the variable product (length x width), while the Mean Absolute Percentage Error was lower. Conclusion. The product of the simple leaf dimensions (length x width) can provide a reliable and simple non-destructive model for leaf area estimation across citrus genotypes.

Non-local effects at the onset of the chiral transition

Inspired by analytic results obtained for a systematic expansion of the memory kernel in dissipative quantum mechanics, we propose a phenomenological procedure to incorporate non-markovian corrections to the Langevin dynamics of an order parameter in field theory systematically. In this note, we restrict our analysis to the onset of the evolution. As an example, we consider the process of phase conversion in the chiral transition.

Search for a non-standard-model Higgs boson decaying to a pair of new light bosons in four-muon final states

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

A Multi-Stage Stochastic Non-Linear Model for Reactive Power Planning Under Contingencies

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Semiclassical particle spectrum of double sine-Gordon model

We present new theoretical results on the spectrum of the quantum field theory of the double sine-Gordon model. This non-integrable model displays different varieties of kink excitations and bound states thereof. Their mass can be obtained by using a semiclassical expression of the matrix elements of the local fields. In certain regions of the coupling-constants space the semiclassical method provides a picture which is complementary to the one of the form factor perturbation theory, since the two techniques give information about the mass of different types of excitations. In other regions the two methods are comparable, since they describe the same kind of particles. Furthermore, the semiclassical picture is particularly suited to describe the phenomenon of false vacuum decay, and it also accounts in a natural way the presence of resonance states and the occurrence of a phase transition. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Signatures of primordial non-Gaussianities in the matter power-spectrum and bispectrum: the time-RG approach

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

The SU(2) Skyrme model and anomaly

The SU(2) Shyrme model, expanding in the collective coordinates variables, gives rise to second-class constraints. Recently this system was embedded in a more general Abelian gauge theory using the BFFT Hamiltonian method. in this work we quantize this gauge theory computing the Noether current anomaly using for this two different methods: an operatorial Dirac first class formalism and the non-local BV quantization coupled with the Fujikawa regularization procedure. (C) 2000 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Elucidating Redox-Level Dispersion and Local Dielectric Effects within Electroactive Molecular Films

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Non-destructive linear model for leaf area estimation in Vernonia ferruginea Less

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Análise de barreiras e o modelo de ressonância funcional de acidentes de Erik Hollnagel

Partindo de apresentação da proposta de análise de acidentes baseada no modelo sistêmico e não linear de acidentes, dito de ressonância funcional, desenvolvido por Erik Hollnagel, este texto discute críticas às concepções deterministas de acidente e aos modelos lineares de representação desses eventos. Aspectos do modelo de ressonância funcional são usados como eixo definidor de proposta de agenda de discussões a ser desenvolvida pelos interessados no tema da análise de acidentes, destacando-se: a) a defesa do abandono da idéia de causas de acidentes e sua substituição pela de explicação desses eventos; b) apresentação dos conceitos de variabilidade de desempenhos e adaptações locais e a proposta de sua utilização como bases para a identificação de perfis ou aspectos típicos de acidentes. Por fim, discute-se a necessidade de incorporação dos conceitos apresentados no debate sobre novos caminhos para as práticas de análises e de prevenção de acidentes em nosso país.

Scattering of positronium by H, He, Ne, and Ar

The low-energy scattering of the ortho-positronium (Ps) by H, He, Ne, and Ar atoms has been investigated in the coupled-channel framework by using a recently proposed time-reversal symmetric non-local electron-exchange model potential with a single parameter C. For H and He, we use a three-Ps-state coupled-channel model and, for Ar and Ne, we use a static-exchange model. The sensitivity of the results is studied with respect to the parameter C. Present low-energy cross-sections for He, Ne and Ar are in good agreement with experiment. (C) 2000 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Positronium atom scattering by H-2 in a coupled-channel framework

The scattering of ortho-positronium (Ps) by H-2 has been investigated using a three-Ps-state (Ps(1s,2s, 2p)H-2(X (1)Sigma(g)(+))) coupled-channel model and using the Born approximation for higher excitations and ionization of Ps and B (1)Sigma(u)(+) and b (3)Sigma(u)(+) excitations of H-2. We employ a recently proposed time-reversal-symmetric non-local electron-exchange model potential. We present a calculational scheme for solving the body-frame fixed-nuclei coupled-channel scattering equations for Ps-H-2, which simplifies the numerical solution technique considerably. Ps ionization is found to have the leading contribution to target-elastic and all target-inelastic processes. The total cross sections at low and medium energies are in good agreement with experiment.

Dual superconformal symmetry, and the amplitude/Wilson loop connection

We show that tree level superstring theories on certain supersymmetric backgrounds admit a symmetry which we call "fermionic T-duality". This is a non-local redefinition of the fermionic worldsheet fields similar to the redefinition we perform on bosonic variables when we do an ordinary T-duality. This duality maps a supersymmetric background to another supersymmetric background with different RR fields and a different dilaton. We show that a certain combination of bosonic and fermionic T-dualities maps the full superstring theory on AdS(5) x S-5 back to itself in such a way that gluon scattering amplitudes in the original theory map to something very close to Wilson loops in the dual theory. This duality maps the "dual superconformal symmetry" of the original theory to the ordinary superconformal symmetry of the dual model. This explains the dual superconformal invariance of planar scattering amplitudes of N = 4 super Yang Mills and also sheds some light on the connection between amplitudes and Wilson loops. In the appendix, we propose a simple prescription for open superstring MHV tree amplitudes in a flat background.