[en] We study the symmetries of the generalized lagrangian of two point masses, in the post-post newtonian approximation of General Relativity. We deduce, via Noether's theorem, conservation laws for energy, linear and angular momentum, as well as a generalisation of the center-of-mass theorem

[en] The equations of motion for two point masses were previously obtained in the framework of a post-post Newtonian approximation of general relativity. It is shown here that they can be deduced from a variational principle based on a generalized lagrangian which is a function of the positions, velocities and accelerations of the two masses (all these quantities being taken at the same time t)

[en] We present a canonical formulation of gravity theories whose Lagrangian is an arbitrary function of the Riemann tensor, which, for example, arises in the low-energy limit of superstring theories. Our approach allows a unified treatment of various subcases and an easy identification of the degrees of freedom of the theory. (author)

[en] Taking advantage of the conformal equivalence of f(R) theories of gravity with General Relativity coupled to a scalar field we generalize the Israel junction conditions for this class of theories by direct integration of the field equations. We suggest a specific non-minimal coupling of matter to gravity which opens the possibility of a new class of braneworld scenarios. (author)

[en] Various Hamiltonian formulations of f(R) gravity can be found in the literature. Some authors follow the Ostrogradsky treatment of higher derivative theories and introduce as extra variables first order time derivatives of the metric (typically the extrinsic curvature). Some others take advantage of the conformal equivalence of f(R) theory with Einstein's gravity coupled to a scalar field and introduce as an extra variable the scalar curvature R itself, which includes second time derivatives of the metric. We show that, contrarily to some claims, these formulations are related by canonical transformations.

[en] We show how to compute the mass of a Kerr-anti-de Sitter spacetime with respect to the anti-de Sitter background in any dimension, using a superpotential which has been derived from standard Noether identities. The calculation takes no account of the source of the curvature and confirms results obtained for black holes via the first law of thermodynamics

[en] We compute the mass and angular momenta of rotating anti-de Sitter spacetimes in Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet theory of gravity using a superpotential derived from standard Noether identities. The calculation relies on the fact that the Einstein and Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet vacuum equations are the same when linearized on maximally symmetric backgrounds and uses the recently discovered D-dimensional Kerr-anti-de Sitter solutions to Einstein's equations

[en] The 'conformal mass prescriptions' were used recently to calculate the mass of spacetimes in higher dimensional and higher curvature theories of gravity. These definitions are closely related to Komar integrals for spacetimes that are conformally flat at great distances from the sources. We derive these relations without using the conformal infinity formalism

[en] We present effective gravitational equations at low energies in a Z₂-symmetric braneworld with the Gauss-Bonnet term. Our derivation is based on the geometrical projection approach, and we solve iteratively the bulk geometry using the gradient expansion scheme. Although the original field equations are quite complicated due to the presence of the Gauss-Bonnet term, our final result clearly has the form of the Einstein equations plus correction terms, which is simple enough to handle. As an application, we consider homogeneous and isotropic cosmology on the brane. We also comment on the holographic interpretation of bulk gravity in the Gauss-Bonnet braneworld

[en] In gravity theories derived from a f(R) Lagrangian, matter is usually supposed to be minimally coupled to the metric, which hence defines a 'Jordan frame'. However, since the field equations are fourth order, gravity possesses an extra degree of freedom on top of the standard graviton, as is manifest from its equivalent description in the conformally related, Einstein, frame. We introduce explicitly this extra scalar degree of freedom in the action and couple it to matter, so that the original metric no longer defines a Jordan frame. This ''detuning'' puts f(R) gravity into a wider class of scalar-tensor theories. We argue that a 'chameleonlike' detuning tracing the background matter density may provide purely gravitational models which account for the present acceleration of the universe and evade local gravity constraints