Critical behavior of 3D Z(N) lattice gauge theories at zero temperature

Three-dimensional $Z(N)$ lattice gauge theories at zero temperature are studied for various values of $N$. Using a modified phenomenological renormalization group, we explore the critical behavior of the generalized $Z(N)$ model for $N=2,3,4,5,6,8$. Numerical computations are used to simulate vector models for $N=2,3,4,5,6,8,13,20$ for lattices with linear extension up to $L=96$. We locate the critical points of phase transitions and establish their scaling with $N$. The values of the critical indices indicate that the models with $N>4$ belong to the universality class of the three-dimensional $XY$ model. However, the exponent $\alpha$ derived from the heat capacity is consistent with the Ising universality class. We discuss a possible resolution of this puzzle. We also demonstrate the existence of a rotationally symmetric region within the ordered phase for all $N\geq 5$ at least in the finite volume.Comment: 25 pages, 4 figures, 8 table

Critical behavior of the compact 3d U(1) theory in the limit of zero spatial coupling

Critical properties of the compact three-dimensional U(1) lattice gauge theory are explored at finite temperatures on an asymmetric lattice. For vanishing value of the spatial gauge coupling one obtains an effective two-dimensional spin model which describes the interaction between Polyakov loops. We study numerically the effective spin model for N_t=1,4,8 on lattices with spatial extension ranging from L=64 to L=256. Our results indicate that the finite-temperature U(1) lattice gauge theory belongs to the universality class of the two-dimensional XY model, thus supporting the Svetitsky-Yaffe conjecture.Comment: 17 pages, 5 figures; two references added, a few comments included, title changed; version to appear on J. Stat. Mec

Long-term changes in the structure of a polychaete community on artificial habitats

A mediterranean polychaete community was studied for 10 years since the first settlement to examine community dynamics and to compare it with the model proposed by Hughes (1984) for benthic invertebrates. Cluster analysis (Q-mode) pointed out the presence of four main periods during the colonization process in agreement with edaphic changes produced by the colonization and disappearance of mussels. During this time the pattern of species abundance changed from a log series distribution (with few dominant species) towards a truncated log normal distribution (with many rare species) characteristic of a more complex community structure

The phase transitions in 2D Z(N) vector models for N>4

We investigate both analytically and numerically the renormalization group equations in 2D Z(N) vector models. The position of the critical points of the two phase transitions for N>4 is established and the critical index \nu\ is computed. For N=7, 17 the critical points are located by Monte Carlo simulations and some of the corresponding critical indices are determined. The behavior of the helicity modulus is studied for N=5, 7, 17. Using these and other available Monte Carlo data we discuss the scaling of the critical points with N and some other open theoretical problems.Comment: 19 pages, 8 figures, 10 tables; version to appear on Phys. Rev.

Critical behavior of the compact 3d U(1) gauge theory on isotropic lattices

We report on the computation of the critical point of the deconfinement phase transition, critical indices and the string tension in the compact three dimensional U(1) lattice gauge theory at finite temperatures. The critical indices govern the behavior across the deconfinement phase transition in the pure gauge U(1) model and are generally expected to coincide with the critical indices of the two-dimensional XY model. We studied numerically the U(1) model for N_t=8 on lattices with spatial extension ranging from L=32 to L=256. Our determination of the infinite volume critical point on the lattice with N_t=8 differs substantially from the pseudo-critical coupling at L=32, found earlier in the literature and implicitly assumed as the onset value of the deconfined phase. The critical index $\nu$ computed from the scaling of the pseudo-critical couplings with the extension of the spatial lattice agrees well with the XY value $\nu$=1/2. On the other hand, the index $\eta$ shows large deviation from the expected universal value. The possible reasons of such behavior are discussed in details.Comment: 15 pages, 7 figures; version accepted for publication on J. Stat. Mech

Colonization and disappearance of Mytilus galloprovincialis Lam. on an artificial habitat in the Mediterranean Sea

A Mytilus galloprovincialis population, settled on a new artificial habitat at 12 m depth in the Central Tyrrhenian Sea, was investigated for 10 years. The new substratum, located at a depth lower than the preferential range of the species, was colonized temporarily by mussels which reached very high densities and dominated the benthic community from their colonization until the third year. The length-frequency distribution analysis showed a progressively complex population structure with up to three cohorts. The yearly recruitments were observed once a year in spring. The growth curve provided a maximum length higher than that reported for shallow waters. Nevertheless, the gregarious habits of mussels and the reduced water movement caused edaphic modifications of the substratum, which was covered progressively by sediments and biodeposits (pseudofaeces). Consequently, the population structure was affected by a reduction of the newly recruited cohorts, and mussels disappeared after 5 years of colonization. This may be explained by the reduction in the substratum available for the first settlement (hydroid covering), as well as by the modification of the surface required for final settlement. (C) 1996 Academic Press Limite

Dielectric screening and plasmon resonances in bilayer graphene

The plasmon structure of intrinsic and extrinsic bilayer graphene is investigated in the framework of ab initio time-dependent density-functional theory (TDDFT) at the level of the random-phase approximation (RPA). A two-step scheme is adopted, where the electronic ground state of a periodically repeated slab of bilayer graphene is first determined with full inclusion of the anisotropic band structure and the interlayer interaction; a Dyson-like equation is then solved self-consistently in order to calculate the so-called density-response function of the many-electron system. A two-dimensional correction is subsequently applied in order to eliminate the artificial interaction between the replicas. The energy range below ∼30 eV is explored, focusing on the spectrum of single-particle excitations and plasmon resonances induced by external electrons or photons. The high-energy loss features of the π and σ+π plasmons, particularly their anisotropic dispersions, are predicted and discussed in relation with previous calculations and experiments performed on monolayer and bilayer graphene. At the low-energy end, the energy-loss function is found to be (i) very sensitive to the injected charge carrier density in doped bilayer graphene and (ii) highly anisotropic. Furthermore, various plasmon modes are predicted to exist and are analyzed with reference to the design of novel nanodevicesM.P. and M.G. acknowledge financial support by the European Commission, the European Social Fund, and the Regione Calabria, (POR) Calabria - FSE 2007/2013, and the hospitality of CIC nanoGUNE and the Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC). V.M.S. acknowledges the partial support from the Basque Departamento de Educación, UPV/EHU (Grant No. IT-756-13) and the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness MINECO (Grant No. FIS2013-48286-C2-1-P

Two cases study of fouling colonization patterns in the Mediterranean Sea in the perspective of integrated aquaculture systems

Fouling assemblage colonizing fish-farms is considered mostly to produce negative impacts causing financial loss. By contrast, large evidences emerged on the bioremediation role by biofouling associated to aquaculture facilities, even if the fouling assemblages thriving in the water column was poorly investigated. The aim of the present work was to investigate the macrofouling assemblages over one year of immersion, in order to single out the fouling species, which play the most remarkable role for the bioremediation of the marine areas affected by aquaculture activities. With this in mind, we studied the fouling community dynamics in two Mediterranean maricultural facilities, respectively in the Mar Grande of Taranto (Ionian Sea) and in the Gulf of Gaeta (Tyrrhenian Sea), using the same experimental design and time frame. Two experiments were carried out using artificial panels anchored to two finfish cages. The one-year old fouling communities in the two sites were compared at four seasons of immersion, four submersion durations and three depths, both communities from structural and functional points of view. Notwithstanding the quite similar species composition of fouling of the two sites, the biofouling showed the highest biodiversity in the Mar Grande of Taranto. In the Gulf of Gaeta mussels, Mytilus galloprovincialis, dominated at all the times and depths, whilst in the Mar Grande of Taranto they were especially abundant at the surface with the deepest panels being largely colonized by polychaete sabellids. The co-occurrence of the filter-feeders Mytilus-sabellids recorded in the Gulf of Taranto also highlighted the highest filtration capability. Our results suggest two different fouling assemblages as candidates for bioremediation in integrated multitrophic aquaculture facilities: both a monospecific system dominated by mussels and a multi-specific system with sabellids and mussels as most abundant filter-feeders

Perception of changes in marine benthic habitats: The relevance of taxonomic and ecological memory

Having a reliable ecological reference baseline is pivotal to understanding the current status of benthic assemblages. Ecological awareness of our perception of environmental changes could be better described based on historical data. Otherwise, we meet with the shifting baseline syndrome (SBS). Facing SBS harmful consequences on environmental and cultural heritage, as well as on conservation strategies, requires combining historical data with contemporary biomonitoring. In the present “era of biodiversity”, we advocate for (1) the crucial role of taxonomy as a study of life diversity and (2) the robust, informative value of museum collections as memories of past ecosystem conditions. This scenario requires taxonomist skills to understand community composition and diversity, as well as to determine ecosystem change trends and rates. In this paper, we focus on six Mediterranean benthic habitats to track biological and structural changes that have occurred in the last few decades. We highlight the perception of biological changes when historical records make possible effective comparisons between past reference situations and current data. We conclude that the better we know the past, the more we understand present (and will understand future) ecosystem functioning. Achieving this goal is intrinsically linked to investing in training new taxonomists who are able to assure intergeneration connectivity to transmit cultural and environmental heritage, a key aspect to understanding and managing our changing ecosystems