arXiv subjects

Andrea Giusti

Publications and source records attributed to Andrea Giusti.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2019

Modeling biological systems with an improved fractional Gompertz law

The aim of this paper is to provide a fractional generalization of the Gompertz law via a Caputo-like definition of fractional derivative of a function with respect to another function. In particular, we observe that the model presented appears to be substantially different from the other attempt of fractional modifications of this model, since the fractional nature is carried along by the general solution even in its asymptotic behavior for long times. We then validate the presented model by employing it as a reference frame to model three biological systems of peculiar interest for biophysics and environmental engineering, namely: dark fermentation, photofermentation and microalgae biomass growth.

physics.bio-ph↗

arXiv2019

The marginally trapped surfaces in spheroidal spacetimes

We study the location of marginally trapped surfaces in space-times resulting from an axial deformation of static isotropic systems, and show that the Misner-Sharp mass evaluated on the corresponding undeformed spherically symmetric space provides the correct gravitational radius to locate the spheroidal horizon.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2018

Corpuscular slow-roll inflation

We show that a corpuscular description of gravity can lead to an inflationary scenario similar to Starobinsky's model without requiring the introduction of the inflaton field. All relevant properties are determined by the number of gravitons in the cosmological condensate or, equivalently, by their Compton length. In particular, the relation between the Hubble parameter $H$ and its time derivative $\dot H$ required by CMB observations at the end of inflation, as well as the (minimum) initial value of the slow-roll parameter, are naturally obtained from the Compton size of the condensate.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2018

Scott-Blair models with time-varying viscosity

In a recent paper, Zhou et al. [Mech Time-Depend Mater (2017) 21: 151] studied the time-dependent properties of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymers composites by employing a new rheological model with a time-dependent viscosity coefficient. This rheological model is essentially based on a generalized Scott-Blair body with a time-dependent viscosity coefficient. Motivated by this study, in this note we suggest a different generalization of the Scott-Blair model based on the application of Caputo-type fractional derivatives of a function with respect to another function. This new mathematical approach can be useful in viscoelasticity and diffusion processes in order to model systems with time-dependent features. In this paper we also provide the general solution of the creep experiment for our improved Scott-Blair model together with some explicit examples and illuminating plots.

math-ph↗

arXiv2018

Domestic Corpuscular Inflaton

The aim of this paper is to provide a more precise description of the paradigm of corpuscular slow-roll inflation, which was previously introduced by Casadio et al. in [1]. Specifically, we start by expanding the Starobinsky theory on a curved background and then infer the number and nature of the propagating degrees of freedom, both in the true inflationary phase and in a quasi-de Sitter approximation. We correctly find that the particle spectrum contains a transverse trace-free mode and a scalar one. The scalar mode displays a tachyonic nature during the slow-roll phase, due to the instability of the system, whereas it acquires the appropriate oscillatory behavior as the background approaches a critical value of the curvature. These results confirm the fact that the Einstein-Hilbert term acts as a perturbation to the quadratic one, and is responsible for driving the early universe out of the inflationary phase, thus realising the inflaton field in terms of pure (corpuscular) gravity.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2018

A comment on some new definitions of fractional derivative

After reviewing the definition of two differential operators which have been recently introduced by Caputo and Fabrizio and, separately, by Atangana and Baleanu, we present an argument for which these two integro-differential operators can be understood as simple realizations of a much broader class of fractional operators, i.e. the theory of Prabhakar fractional integrals. Furthermore, we also provide a series expansion of the Prabhakar integral in terms of Riemann-Liouville integrals of variable order. Then, by using this last result we finally argue that the operator introduced by Caputo and Fabrizio cannot be regarded as fractional. Besides, we also observe that the one suggested by Atangana and Baleanu is indeed fractional, but it is ultimately related to the ordinary Riemann-Liouville and Caputo fractional operators. All these statements are then further supported by a precise analysis of differential equations involving the aforementioned operators. To further strengthen our narrative, we also show that these new operators do not add any new insight to the linear theory of viscoelasticity when employed in the constitutive equation of the Scott-Blair model.

math.CA↗

arXiv2018

Fractional Bosonic Strings

The aim of this paper is to present a simple generalization of bosonic string theory in the framework of the theory of fractional variational problems. Specifically, we present a fractional extension of the Polyakov action, for which we compute the general form of the equations of motion and discuss the connection between the new fractional action and a generalization the Nambu-Goto action. Consequently, we analyse the symmetries of the modified Polyakov action and try to fix the gauge, following the classical procedures. Then we solve the equations of motion in a simplified setting. Finally, we present an Hamiltonian description of the classical fractional bosonic string and introduce the fractional light-cone gauge. It is important to remark that, throughout the whole paper, we thoroughly discuss how to recover the known results as an "integer" limit of the presented model.

hep-th↗

arXiv2018

Emergence of a Dark Force in Corpuscular Gravity

We investigate the emergent laws of gravity when Dark Energy and the de Sitter space-time are modelled as a critical Bose-Einstein condensate of a large number of soft gravitons $N_{\rm G}$. We argue that this scenario requires the presence of various regimes of gravity in which $N_{\rm G}$ scales in different ways. Moreover, the local gravitational interaction affecting baryonic matter can be naturally described in terms of gravitons pulled out from this Dark Energy condensate (DEC). We then explain the additional component of the acceleration at galactic scales, commonly attributed to dark matter, as the reaction of the DEC to the presence of baryonic matter. This additional dark force is also associated to gravitons pulled out from the DEC and correctly reproduces the MOND acceleration. It also allows for an effective description in terms of General Relativity sourced by an anisotropic fluid. We finally calculate the mass ratio between the contribution of the apparent dark matter and the baryonic matter in a region of size $r$ at galactic scales and show that it is consistent with the $Λ$CDM predictions.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2018

Storage and dissipation of energy in Prabhakar viscoelasticity

In this paper, after a brief review of the physical notion of quality factor in viscoelasticity, we present a complete discussion of the attenuation processes emerging in the Maxwell-Prabhakar model, recently developed by Giusti and Colombaro. Then, taking profit of some illuminating plots, we discuss some potential connections between the presented model and the modern mathematical modelling of seismic processes.

physics.geo-ph↗

arXiv2018

Dispersion relations for the time-fractional Cattaneo-Maxwell heat equation

In this paper, after a brief review of the general theory of dispersive waves in dissipative media, we present a complete discussion of the dispersion relations for both the ordinary and the time-fractional Cattaneo-Maxwell heat equations. Consequently, we provide a complete characterization of the group and phase velocities for these two cases, together with some non-trivial remarks on the nature of wave dispersion in fractional models.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2018

The fractional Dodson diffusion equation: a new approach

In this paper, after a brief review of the general theory concerning regularized derivatives and integrals of a function with respect to another function, we provide a peculiar fractional generalization of the $(1+1)$-dimensional Dodson's diffusion equation. For the latter we then compute the fundamental solution, which turns out to be expressed in terms of an M-Wright function of two variables. Then, we conclude the paper providing a few interesting results for some nonlinear fractional Dodson-like equations.

math-ph↗

arXiv2017

Horizon Quantum mechanics: spherically symmetric and rotating sources

The Horizon Quantum Mechanics is an approach that allows one to analyse the gravitational radius of spherically symmetric systems and compute the probability that a given quantum state is a black hole. We first review the (global) formalism and show how it reproduces a gravitationally inspired GUP relation. This results leads to unacceptably large fluctuations in the horizon size of astrophysical black holes if one insists in describing them as (smeared) central singularities. On the other hand, if they are extended systems, like in the corpuscular models, no such issue arises and one can in fact extend the formalism to include asymptotic mass and angular momentum with the harmonic model of rotating corpuscular black holes. The Horizon Quantum Mechanics then shows that, in simple configurations, the appearance of the inner horizon is suppressed and extremal (macroscopic) geometries seem disfavoured.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

Effective Fluid Description of the Dark Universe

We propose an effective anisotropic fluid description for a generic infrared-modified theory of gravity. In our framework, the additional component of the acceleration, commonly attributed to dark matter, is explained as a radial pressure generated by the reaction of the dark energy fluid to the presence of baryonic matter. Using quite general assumptions, and a microscopic description of the fluid in terms of a Bose-Einstein condensate of gravitons, we find the static, spherically symmetric solution for the metric in terms of the Misner-Sharp mass function and the fluid pressure. At galactic scales, we correctly reproduce the leading MOND-like $\log(r)$ and subleading $(1/r)\,\log(r)$ terms in the weak-field expansion of the potential. Our description also predicts a tiny (of order $10^{-6}$ for a typical spiral galaxy) Machian modification of the Newtonian potential at galactic scales, which is controlled by the cosmological acceleration.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

Horizon quantum fuzziness for non-singular black holes

We study the extent of quantum gravitational effects in the internal region of non-singular, Hayward-like solutions of Einstein's field equations according to the formalism known as Horizon Quantum Mechanics. We grant a microscopic description to the horizon by considering a huge number of soft, off-shell gravitons, which superimpose in the same quantum state, as suggested by Dvali and Gomez. In addition to that, the constituents of such a configuration are understood as loosely confined in a binding harmonic potential. A simple analysis shows that the resolution of a central singularity through quantum physics does not tarnish the classical description, which is bestowed upon this extended self-gravitating system by General Relativity. Finally, we estimate the appearance of an internal horizon as being negligible, because of the suppression of the related probability caused by the large number of virtual gravitons.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

Horizon Quantum Mechanics: spherically symmetric and rotating sources

In this paper we discuss some mathematical aspects of the horizon wave-function formalism, also known in the literature as horizon quantum mechanics. In particular, first we review the structure of both the global and local formalism for static spherically symmetric sources. Then, we present an extension of the global analysis for rotating black holes and we also point out some technical difficulties that arise while attempting the local analysis for non-spherically symmetric sources.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

Prabhakar-like fractional viscoelasticity

The aim of this paper is to present a linear viscoelastic model based on Prabhakar fractional operators. In particular, we propose a modification of the classical fractional Maxwell model, in which we replace the Caputo derivative with the Prabhakar one. Furthermore, we also discuss how to recover a formal equivalence between the new model and the known classical models of linear viscoelasticity by means of a suitable choice of the parameters in the Prabhakar derivative. Moreover, we also underline an interesting connection between the theory of Prabhakar fractional integrals and the recently introduced Caputo-Fabrizio differential operator.

math-ph↗

arXiv2017

On transient waves in linear viscoelasticity

The aim of this paper is to present a comprehensive review of method of the wave-front expansion, also known in the literature as the Buchen-Mainardi algorithm. In particular, many applications of this technique to the fundamental models of both ordinary and fractional linear viscoelasticity are thoroughly presented and discussed.

math-ph↗

arXiv2017

On infinite order differential operators in fractional viscoelasticity

In this paper we discuss some general properties of viscoelastic models defined in terms of constitutive equations involving infinitely many derivatives (of integer and fractional order). In particular, we consider as a working example the recently developed Bessel models of linear viscoelasticiy that, for short times, behave like fractional Maxwell bodies of order $1/2$.

math-ph↗