Two-time Green's functions and spectral density method in nonextensive quantum statistical mechanics

We extend the formalism of the thermodynamic two-time Green's functions to nonextensive quantum statistical mechanics. Working in the optimal Lagrangian multipliers representation, the $q$-spectral properties and the methods for a direct calculation of the two-time $q$% -Green's functions and the related $q$-spectral density ($q$ measures the nonextensivity degree) for two generic operators are presented in strict analogy with the extensive ($q=1$) counterpart. Some emphasis is devoted to the nonextensive version of the less known spectral density method whose effectiveness in exploring equilibrium and transport properties of a wide variety of systems has been well established in conventional classical and quantum many-body physics. To check how both the equations of motion and the spectral density methods work to study the $q$-induced nonextensivity effects in nontrivial many-body problems, we focus on the equilibrium properties of a second-quantized model for a high-density Bose gas with strong attraction between particles for which exact results exist in extensive conditions. Remarkably, the contributions to several thermodynamic quantities of the $q$-induced nonextensivity close to the extensive regime are explicitly calculated in the low-temperature regime by overcoming the calculation of the $q$ grand-partition function.Comment: 48 pages, no figure

Spectral density method in quantum nonextensive thermostatistics and magnetic systems with long-range interactions

Motived by the necessity of explicit and reliable calculations, as a valid contribution to clarify the effectiveness and, possibly, the limits of the Tsallis thermostatistics, we formulate the Two-Time Green Functions Method in nonextensive quantum statistical mechanics within the optimal Lagrange multiplier framework, focusing on the basic ingredients of the related Spectral Density Method. Besides, to show how the SDM works we have performed, to the lowest order of approximation, explicit calculations of the low-temperature properties for a quantum $d$-dimensional spin-1/2 Heisenberg ferromagnet with long-range interactions decaying as $1/r^{p}$ ($r$ is the distance between spins in the lattice)Comment: Contribution to Next-SigmaPhi conference in Kolymbari, Crete, Greece, August 13-18, 2005, 9 page

The Classical Spectral Density Method at Work: The Heisenberg Ferromagnet

In this article we review a less known unperturbative and powerful many-body method in the framework of classical statistical mechanics and then we show how it works by means of explicit calculations for a nontrivial classical model. The formalism of two-time Green functions in classical statistical mechanics is presented in a form parallel to the well known quantum counterpart, focusing on the spectral properties which involve the important concept of spectral density. Furthermore, the general ingredients of the classical spectral density method (CSDM) are presented with insights for systematic nonperturbative approximations to study conveniently the macroscopic properties of a wide variety of classical many-body systems also involving phase transitions. The method is implemented by means of key ideas for exploring the spectrum of elementary excitations and the damping effects within a unified formalism. Then, the effectiveness of the CSDM is tested with explicit calculations for the classical $d$-dimensional spin-$S$ Heisenberg ferromagnetic model with long-range exchange interactions decaying as $r^{-p}$ ($p>d$) with distance $r$ between spins and in the presence of an external magnetic field. The analysis of the thermodynamic and critical properties, performed by means of the CSDM to the lowest order of approximation, shows clearly that nontrivial results can be obtained in a relatively simple manner already to this lower stage. The basic spectral density equations for the next higher order level are also presented and the damping of elementary spin excitations in the low temperature regime is studied. The results appear in reasonable agreement with available exact ones and Monte Carlo simulations and this supports the CSDM as a promising method of investigation in classical many-body theory.Comment: Latex, 58 pages, 12 figure

Missing hard states and regular outbursts: the puzzling case of the black hole candidate 4U 1630-472

4U 1630-472 is a recurrent X-ray transient classified as a black-hole candidate from its spectral and timing properties. One of the peculiarities of this source is the presence of regular outbursts with a recurrence period between 600 and 730 d that has been observed since the discovery of the source in 1969. We report on a comparative study on the spectral and timing behaviour of three consecutive outbursts occurred in 2006, 2008 and 2010. We analysed all the data collected by the INTErnational Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory (INTEGRAL) and the Rossi X-ray timing Explorer (RXTE) during these three years of activity. We show that, in spite of having a similar spectral and timing behaviour in the energy range between 3 and 30 keV, these three outbursts show pronounced differences above 30 keV. In fact, the 2010 outburst extends at high energies without any detectable cut-off until 150-200 keV, while the two previous outbursts that occurred in 2006 and 2008 are not detected at all above 30 keV. Thus, in spite of a very similar accretion disk evolution, these three outbursts exhibit totally different characteristics of the Compton electron corona, showing a softening in their evolution rarely observed before in a low mass X-ray binary hosting a black hole. We argue the possibility that the unknown perturbation that causes the outbursts to be equally spaced in time could be at the origin of this particular behaviour. Finally we describe several possible scenarios that could explain the regularity of the outbursts, identifying the most plausible, such as a third body orbiting around the binary system.Comment: April 2015: accepted for publication in MNRAS. May 2015: in pres

Assessment of the radiological impact of a decommissioning nuclear power plant in Italy

The assessment of the radiological impact of a decommissioning Nuclear Power Plant is presented here through the results of an environmental monitoring survey carried out in the area surrounding the Garigliano Power Plant. The levels of radioactivity in soil, water, air and other environmental matrices are shown, in which {\alpha}, {\beta} and {\gamma} activity and {\gamma} equivalent dose rate are measured. Radioactivity levels of the samples from the Garigliano area are analyzed and then compared to those from a control zone situated more than 100 km away. Moreover, a comparison is made with a previous survey held in 2001. The analyses and comparisons show no significant alteration in the radiological characteristics of the area surroundings the plant, with an overall radioactivity depending mainly from the global fallout and natural sources.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figures, 2 table

Assessment of the radiological impact of a decommissioning nuclear power plant in Italy

The assessment of the radiological impact of a decommissioning Nuclear Power Plant is presented here through the results of an environmental monitoring survey carried out in the area surrounding the Garigliano Power Plant. The levels of radioactivity in soil, water, air and other environmental matrices are shown, in which {\alpha}, {\beta} and {\gamma} activity and {\gamma} equivalent dose rate are measured. Radioactivity levels of the samples from the Garigliano area are analyzed and then compared to those from a control zone situated more than 100 km away. Moreover, a comparison is made with a previous survey held in 2001. The analyses and comparisons show no significant alteration in the radiological characteristics of the area surroundings the plant, with an overall radioactivity depending mainly from the global fallout and natural sources

Comprehending 3D and 4D ontology-driven conceptual models: An empirical study

This paper presents an empirical study that investigates the extent to which the pragmatic quality of ontology-driven models is influenced by the choice of a particular ontology, given a certain understanding of that ontology. To this end, we analyzed previous research efforts and distilled three hypotheses based on different metaphysical characteristics. An experiment based on two foundational ontologies (UFO and BORO) involving 158 participants was then carried out, followed by a protocol analysis to gain further insights into the results of experiment. We then extracted five derivations from the results of the empirical study in order to summarize our findings. Overall, the results confirm that the choice of a foundational ontology can lead to significant differences in the interpretation and comprehension of the conceptual models produced. Moreover, the effect of applying a certain foundational ontology can cause considerable variations in the effort required to comprehend these models

a smart nanofibrous material for adsorbing and detecting elemental mercury in air

Abstract. The combination of the affinity of gold for mercury and nanosized frameworks has allowed for the design and fabrication of novel kinds of sensors with promising sensing features for environmental applications. Specifically, conductive sensors based on composite nanofibrous electrospun layers of titania easily decorated with gold nanoparticles were developed to obtain nanostructured hybrid materials capable of entrapping and revealing gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) traces from the environment. The electrical properties of the resulting chemosensors were measured. A few minutes of air sampling were sufficient to detect the concentration of mercury in the air, ranging between 20 and 100 ppb, without using traps or gas carriers (LOD: 1.5 ppb). Longer measurements allowed the sensor to detect lower concentrations of GEM. The resulting chemosensors are expected to be low cost and very stable (due to the peculiar structure), requiring low power, low maintenance, and simple equipment

Review of combustion indexes remote sensing applied to different combustion types

This paper summarizes the main studies carried out by the authors for the development of indexes for remote combustion sensing applicable to different combustion types, i.e. conventional gasoline and diesel combustions, diesel PCCI and dual fuel gasoline-diesel RCCI. It is well-known that the continuous development of modern Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) management systems is mainly aimed at complying with upcoming increasingly stringent regulations throughout the world, both for pollutants and CO2 emissions. Performing an efficient combustion control is crucial for efficiency increase and pollutant emissions reduction. Over the past years, the authors of this paper have developed several techniques to estimate the most important combustion indexes for combustion control, without using additional cylinder pressure sensors but only using the engine speed sensor (always available on board) and accelerometers (usually available on-board for gasoline engines). In addition, a low-cost sensor based on acoustic sensing can be integrated to support combustion indexes evaluation and other engine relevant information. The real-time calculation of combustion indexes is even more crucial for innovative Low Temperature Combustions (such as diesel PCCI or dual fuel gasoline-diesel RCCI), mainly due to the high instability and the high sensitivity to slight variations of the injection parameters that characterize this kind of combustions. Therefore, the authors of this paper have applied the developed techniques not only to conventional engines (gasoline and diesel combustion), but also to engines modified for Low Temperature Combustions, with promising results in terms of validation and applicability for real-time combustion control. The developed methodologies have been tested and validated through a large amount of experimental tests. To run the estimation algorithms in real-time, they have been all implemented in a specifically designed rapid control prototyping system, the goal being to quantify the accuracy of the estimations and optimize the strategy implementations for the extensive use (in the near future) in modern Engine Control Modules (ECM)