Comment on Ricci Collineations for Type B Warped Space-times

We present two counter examples to paper [2] by Carot et al. and show that the results obtained are correct but not general.     

Finding Collineations of Kimura Metrics

Kimura investigated static spherically symmetric metrics and found several to have quadratic first integrals. We use REDUCE and the package Dimsym to seek collineations for these metrics. For one metric we find that three proper projective collineations exist, two of which are associated with the two irreducible quadratic first integrals found by Kimura. The third projective collineation is found to have a reducible quadratic first integral. We also find that this metric admits two conformal motions and that the resulting reducible conformal Killing tensors also lead to Kimura's quadratic integrals. We demonstrate that when a Killing tensor is known for a metric we can seek an associated collineation by solving first order equations that give the Killing tensor in terms of the collineation rather than the second order determining equations for collineations. We report less interesting results for other Kimura metrics.     

Ricci Collineations for Non-degenerate, Diagonal and Spherically Symmetric Ricci Tensors

The expression of the vector field generator of a Ricci collineation for diagonal, spherically symmetric and non-degenerate Ricci tensors is obtained. The resulting expressions show that the time and radial first derivatives of the components of the Ricci tensor can be used to classify the collineation, leading to 64 families. Some examples illustrate how to obtain the collineation vector.     

LETTER: Conformal Ricci Collineations of Space-Times

We study conformal vector fields on space-times which in addition are compatible with the Ricci tensor (so-called conformal Ricci collineations). In the case of Einstein metrics any conformal vector field is automatically a Ricci collineation as well. For Riemannian manifolds, conformal Ricci collineation were called concircular vector fields and studied in the relationship with the geometry of geodesic circles. Here we obtain a partial classification of space-times carrying proper conformal Ricci collineations. There are examples which are not Einstein metrics.     

A Self-Similar Dynamics in Viscous Spheres

We study the evolution of radiating and viscous fluid spheres assuming an additional homothetic symmetry on the spherically symmetric space-time. We match a very simple solution to the symmetry equations with the exterior one (Vaidya). We then obtain a system of two ordinary differential equations which rule the dynamics, and find a self-similar collapse which is shear-free and with a barotropic equation of state. Considering a huge set of initial self-similar dynamics states, we work out a model with an acceptable physical behavior.     

Letter: Comment on Ricci Collineations for Spherically Symmetric Space-Times

It is shown that the results of the paper Contreras, G., Nunez, L. A., Percoco, U. Ricci Collineations for Non-degenerate, Diagonal and Spherically Symmetric Ricci Tensors (2000). Gen. Rel. Grav. 32, 285-294 concerning the Ricci Collineations in spherically symmetric space-times with non-degenerate and diagonal Ricci tensor do not cover all possible cases. Furthermore the complete algebra of Ricci Collineations of certain Robertson-Walker metrics of vanishing spatial curvature are given.     

Conformal Ricci Collineations of Static Spherically Symmetric Spacetimes

Conformal Ricei collineations of static spherically symmetric spacetimes are studied. The general form of the vector fields generating eonformal Rieei eollineations is found when the Rieei tensor is non-degenerate, in which ease the number of independent eonformal Rieei eollineations is 15, the maximum number for four-dimensional manifolds. In the degenerate ease it is found that the static spherically symmetric spaeetimes always have an infinite number of eonformal Rieei eollineations. Some examples are provided which admit non-trivial eonformal Rieei eollineations, and perfect fluid source of the matter.     

Ricci and Matter Collineations of Locally Rotationally Symmetric Space-Times

A new method is presented for the determination of Ricci Collineations (RC) and Matter Collineations (MC) of a given spacetime, in the cases where the Ricci tensor and the energy momentum tensor are non-degenerate and have a similar form with the metric. This method reduces the problem of finding the RCs and the MCs to that of determining the KVs whereas at the same time uses already known results on the motions of the metric. We employ this method to determine all hypersurface homogeneous locally rotationally symmetric spacetimes, which admit proper RCs and MCs. We also give the corresponding collineation vectors. These results conclude a long due open problem, which has been considered many times partially in the literature.     

Ricci Collineations of Static Space Times with Maximal Symmetric Transverse Spaces

A complete classification of static space times with maximal symmetric transverse spaces is provided, according to their Ricci collineations. The classification is made when one component of Ricci collineation vector field V is non-zero (cases 1～4), two components of V are non-zero (cases 5～10), and three components of V are non-zero (cases 11～14), respectivily. Both non-degenerate (det R_ab ≠0) as well as the degenerate (det R_ab=0) cases are discussed and some new metrics are found.     

Classification of Cylindrically Symmetric Static Spacetimes According to Their Ricci Collineations

A complete classification of cylindrically symmetric static Lorentzian manifolds according to their Ricci collineations (RCs) is provided. The Lie algebras of RCs for the non-degenerate Ricci tensor have dimensions 3 to 10, excluding 8 and 9. For the degenerate tensor the algebra is mostly but not always infinite dimensional; there are cases of 10-, 5-, 4- and 3-dimensional algebras. The RCs are compared with the Killing vectors (KVs) and homothetic motions (HMs). The (non-linear) constraints corresponding to the Lie algebras are solved to construct examples which include some exact solutions admitting proper RCs. Their physical interpretation is given. The classification of plane symmetric static spacetimes emerges as a special case of this classification when the cylinder is unfolded.     

Thermodynamic Classifications and Dilatonic Black Holes

We analyze the thermodynamics of systems which have entropy functions of the type S(m) = am + b, where m is an extensive variable and a, b, and are constants. Such functions apply to dilatonic black holes whose mass is m. This analysis continues our earlier treatment of the general classification of the thermodynamics of systems by whether they exhibit entropy functions which may or may not be either superadditive, homogeneous or concave in the extensive variables on which the entropy depends. This leads to a classification into 8 types of thermodynamics (with several subtypes). We show that only five of these are available for systems having the entropy given above, and these are in fact realized if the constants are given appropriate values.     

Comment: Towards a Complete Classification of Spherically Symmetric Lorentzian Manifolds According to Their Ricci Collineations

General expressions for the components of the Ricci collineation vector are derived and the related constraints are obtained. These constraints are then solved to obtain Ricci collineations and the related constraints on the Ricci tensor components for all spacetime manifolds (degenerate or non-degenerate, diagonal or non-diagonal) admitting symmetries larger than so(3) and already known results are recovered. A complete solution is achieved for the spacetime manifolds admitting so(3) as the maximal symmetry group with non-degenerate and non diagonal Ricci tensor components. It is interesting to point out that there appear cases with finite number of Ricci collineations although the Ricci tensor is degenerate and also the cases with infinitely many Ricci collineations even in the case of non-degenerate Ricci tensor. Interestingly, it is found that the spacetime manifolds with so(3) as maximal symmetry group may admit two extra proper Ricci collineations, although they do not admit a G ₅ as the maximal symmetry group. Examples are provided which show and clarify some comments made by Camci et al. [Camci, U., and Branes, A. (2002). Class. Quantum Grav. 19, 393–404]. Theorems are proved which correct the earlier claims made in [Carot, J., Nunez, L. A., and Percoco, U. (1997). Gen. Relativ. Gravit. 29, 1223–1237; Contreras, G., Núñez, L. A., and Percolo, U. (2000). Gen. Relativ. Gravit. 32, 285–294].     

Comment on the Roberts Solution for the Spherically-Symmetric Einstein-Scalar Field Equations

We critically examine the Roberts homothetic solution for the spherically symmetric Einstein-scalar field equations in double null coordinates, and show that the Roberts solution indeed solves the field equations only for one non-trivial case. We generalize this solution and discuss its relations with other known exact solutions.     

Evaluation of Synthetic Magnesium Silicate as a New Polymer Filler

The paper reports on the performance of highly dispersed synthetic magnesium silicate as a filler of the styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR). The magnesium silicate has been precipitated and characterized by determination of particle size distribution, electrokinetic potential, nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms and SEM observation. At the subsequent stage of the study its surface has been modified by silane coupling agents. The unmodified and silane-grafted magnesium silicate samples have been used as fillers of SBR of standard testing composition. The vulcanizates obtained with the fillers have been tested as to their physical and mechanical performance. The vulcanizates filled with synthetic magnesium silicate have been found to show much better mechanical parameters than unfilled rubber. Modification of the synthetic magnesium silicates with silane coupling agents has further improved the mechanical characteristics of the vulcanizates.     

Some Splitting Theorems for Stably Causal Spacetimes

We prove a splitting theorem for stably causal spacetimes and another splitting theorem for finitely compact spacetimes admitting a proper time synchronizable reference frame.     

Unique continuation results for Ricci curvature and applications

Unique continuation results are proved for metrics with prescribed Ricci curvature in the setting of bounded metrics on compact manifolds with boundary, and in the setting of complete conformally compact metrics on such manifolds. Related to this issue, an isometry extension property is proved: continuous groups of isometries at conformal infinity extend into the bulk of any complete conformally compact Einstein metric. Relations of this property with the invariance of the Gauss–Codazzi constraint equations under deformations are also discussed.     

A New Algorithm for the Segre Classification of the Trace-Free Ricci Tensor

A new algorithm, based on the introduction of new spinor quantities, for the Segre classification of the trace-free Ricci tensor is presented. It is capable of automatically distinguishing between the two Segre types [1,1(11)] and [(1,1)11] where all other known algorithms fail to do so.     

Study on Electrical Conductivity and Mechanical Performance of Polymeric Composite Flow Field Plates for Fuel Cell Applications

Fuel cell technology has received a great deal of attention as a candidate for an alternative power source due to its environmental benefits compared to conventional sources. Flow-field plates are one of the most important components of the Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) and Direct Methanol (DM) fuel cells technology, which is expected to possess high electrical and thermal conductivity, low hydrogen permeability, and good mechanical performance. In this study, a systematic investigation was carried out to formulate and fabricate electrically conductive polymer composites to be used in production of flow field plates using a simple low temperature, single step moulding process. It focused on the careful selection of both materials and processing methodology. ElectroPhen^? binders, various concentrations of graphite powder and enhanced dispersion agents were employed to make composite plates with high electrical conductivity and satisfactory mechanical performance. Electrical conductivity measurements were carried out using purpose-built in-plane and through-plane electrical conductivity test kits. Flexural tests were carried out to evaluate the mechanical performance of the composites. It has been found that polymer composite flow field plates can attain the electrical conductivity and mechanical performance requirements for commercial fuel cell applications without requiring a high temperature multi-step production process.     

Statefinder Diagnosis for the Extended Holographic Ricci Dark Energy Model without and with Interaction

We apply the statefinder diagnostic to the extended holographic Ricci dark energy (ERDE) model without and with interaction to study their behaviors. We plot the trajectories of various parameters for different cases. It is shown that the non-interacting model does not reach the LCDM point {1, 0 } and the interacting one is favored, because the interaction makes the evolution of the statefinder pair r, s quite different.     

Botulinum Toxin Type B for Treatment of Spasmodic Dysphonia: A Case Report

Although treatment with botulinum toxin type A (BTXA) has become the standard of care for most patients with laryngeal dystonia, its use is limited by the development of resistance to the toxin in some patients. Botulinum toxin type B (BTXB) has been found to be safe and effective in the treatment of cervical dystonia, but it has not been used previously to treat spasmodic dysphonia. Our experience with BTXB in a patient who developed resistance to BTXA suggests that BTXB may be safe and effective for the treatment of laryngeal dystonia, as well.