Abstract: We study the space-time geometry generated by coupling a free scalar field with a noncanonical kinetic term to general relativity in (2+1) dimensions. After identifying a family of scalar Lagrangians that yield exact analytical solutions in static and circularly symmetric scenarios, we classify the various types of solutions and focus on a branch that yields asymptotically flat geometries. We show that the solutions within such a branch can be divided in two types, namely naked singularities and nonsingular objects without a center. In the latter, the energy density is localized around a maximum and vanishes only at infinity and at an inner boundary. This boundary has vanishing curvatures and cannot be reached by any time-like or null geodesic in finite affine time. This allows us to consistently interpret such solutions as nonsingular, lump-like, static compact scalar objects whose eventual extension to the (3+1)-dimensional context could provide structures of astrophysical interest.

Abstract: This study uses a nonsingular Yukawa-modified potential to obtain a static and spherically symmetric black hole solution with a cosmological constant. Such Yukawa-like corrections are encoded in two parameters, alpha and lambda, that modify Newton's law of gravity in large distances, and a deformation parameter l(0), which plays an essential role in short distances. The most significant effect is encoded in alpha, which modifies the total black hole mass with an extra mass proportional to alpha M, mimicking the dark matter effects at large distances from the black hole. On the other hand, the effect due to lambda is small for astrophysical values. We scrutinize the quasinormal frequencies and shadows associated with a spherically symmetric black hole and the thermodynamical behavior influenced by the Yukawa potential. In particular, the thermodynamics of this black hole displays a rich behavior, including possible phase transitions. We use the WKB method to probe the quasinormal modes of massless scalar, electromagnetic, and gravitational field perturbations. In order to check the influence of the parameters on the shadow radius, we consider astrophysical data to determine their values, incorporating information on an optically thin radiating and infalling gas surrounding a black hole to model the black hole shadow image. In particular, we consider Sgr A* black hole as an example and we find that its shadow radius changes by order of 10(-9), meaning that the shadow radius of a black hole with Yukawa potential practically gives rise to the same result encountered in the Schwarzschild black hole. Also, in the eikonal regime, using astrophysical data for Yukawa parameters, we show that the value of the real part of the QNMs frequencies changes by 10(-18). Such Yukawa-like corrections are, therefore, difficult to measure by observations of gravitational waves using the current technology.

Abstract: This work investigates several key aspects of a non-commutative theory with mass deformation. We calculate thermodynamic properties of the system and compare our results with recent literature. We examine the quasinormal modes of massless scalar perturbations using two approaches: the WKB approximation and the Poschl-Teller fitting method. Our results indicate that stronger non-commutative parameters lead to slower damping oscillations of gravitational waves and higher partial absorption cross sections. Furthermore, we study the geodesics of massless and massive particles, highlighting that the non-commutative parameter (R) significantly impacts the paths of light and event horizons. Also, we calculate the shadows, which show that larger values of (R) correspond to larger shadow radii, and provide some constraints on (R) applying the observation of Sgr A* from the Event Horizon Telescope. Finally, we explore the deflection angle in this context.

Abstract: We interpret the lack of large-angle temperature correlations and the even-odd parity imbalance observed in the cosmic microwave background (CMB) by COBE, WMAP and Planck satellite missions as a possible stringy signal ultimately stemming from a composite inflaton field (e.g., a fermionic condensate). Based on causality arguments and a Fourier analysis of the angular two-point correlation function, two infrared cutoffs k(min)(even,odd) (satisfying k(min)(even) similar or equal to 2k(min)(odd)) are introduced to the CMB power spectrum associated, respectively, with periodic and antiperiodic boundary conditions of the fermionic constituents (echoing the Neveu-Schwarz-Ramond model in superstring theory), without resorting to any particular model.

Abstract: Despite being a well understood phenomenon in the context of current terrestrial experiments, neutrino flavor conversions in dense astrophysical environments probably represent one of the most challenging open problems in neutrino physics. Apart from being theoretically interesting, such a problem has several phenomenological implications in cosmology and in astrophysics, including the primordial nucleosynthesis of light elements abundance and other cosmological observables, nucleosynthesis of heavy nuclei, and the explosion of massive stars. In this review, we briefly summarize the state of the art on this topic, focusing on three environments: early Universe, core-collapse supernovae, and compact binary mergers.