We investigate the possibility of extending the Ashtekar theory to eight dimensions. Our approach relies on two notions: the octonionic structure and the MacDowell-Mansouri formalism generalized to a spacetime of signature 1+7. The key mathematical tool for our construction is the self-dual (antiselfdual) four-rank fully antisymmetric octonionic tensor. Our results may be of particular interest...

We present the generalized Friedmann equations describing the cosmological evolution of a finite thick brane immeresed in a five-dimensional Schwarzschild Anti-de Sitter spacetime. A linear term in the density in addition to a quatratic one arises in the Friedmann equation, leading to the standard cosmological evolution at late times without introducing an ad hoc tension term for the brane. The...

We present the generalized Friedmann equations describing the cosmological evolution of a finite thick brane immeresed in a five-dimensional Schwarzschild Anti-de Sitter spacetime. A linear term in the density in addition to a quatratic one arises in the Friedmann equation, leading to the standard cosmological evolution at late times without introducing an ad hoc tension term for the brane. The...

The challenge of a deep-water oil leak is that a significant quantity of oil remains in the water column and possibly changes properties. There is a need to quantify the oil settled within the water column and determine its physical properties to assist in the oil recovery. There are currently no methods to map acoustically submerged oil in the sea. In this paper, high-frequency acoustic method...

To understand the ecotoxicological impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, field studies provide a context for ecological realism but laboratory-based studies offer power for connecting biological effects with specific causes. As a complement to field studies, we characterized genome-wide gene expression responses of Gulf killifish (Fundulus grandis) to oil-contaminated waters in controlled...

permeability prediction problem has been examined using several methods such as empirical formulas, regression analysis and intelligent systems especially neural networks and fuzzy logic. this study proposes an improved and novel model for predicting permeability from conventional well log data. the methodology is integration of empirical formulas, multiple regression and neuro-fuzzy in a commi...

the narrow operating window between pore pressure and fracture pressure makes drilling difficult in some operations. a feasibility study of managed pressure drilling (mpd) is carried out on iran darquain oil field. the previous wells drilled in this field showed that mud returns were lost during drilling gadvan formation. the present work addresses this problem by means of surface back pressure...