On the Observables Describing a Quantum Reference Frame

A reference frame F is described by the element g of the Poincare' group P which connects F with a given fixed frame F_0. If F is a quantum frame, defined by a physical object following the laws of quantum physics, the parameters of g have to be considered as quantum observables. However, these observables are not compatible and some of them, namely the coordinates of the origin of F, cannot be represented by self-adjoint operators. Both these difficulties can be overcome by considering a positive-operator-valued measure (POVM) on P, covariant with respect to the left translations of the group, namely a covariance system. We develop a construction procedure for this kind of mathematical structure. The formalism is also used to discuss the quantum observables measured with respect to a quantum reference frame.Comment: 23 pages, no figure

Survey on HIV risk perception and sexual behaviours among seafarers

Because the nature of their work seafarers spend long periods of time away from their families and therefore represent a group at risk for sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection. This paper reports the results of a survey to evaluate awareness and knowledge of the risk of HIV infection among seafarers. Risky behaviours for HIV transmission were also assessed. The survey was conducted using anonymous questionnaires on 197 workers of 9 vessels and 26 office employees of an Italian shipping company (FINAVAL S.p.A., Rome). The respondents considered HIV/AIDS as one of the diseases with a high risk of transmission. Most respondents had a good general knowledge of HIV/AIDS and on the ways of its transmission. However, there is still lack of knowledge on the basics of this disease. On the other hand, in spite of knowledge and awareness about the risks of the disease, only 56.35% of the interviewed crewmembers used protection in sexual intercourse with occasional partners. Compared to data available in literature, the percentage of self-protecting people is increasing, but the number of seafarers exposing themselves to risky behaviours is still high. As expected, condoms are used with regular partners with lower frequency compared to occasional intercourse. The results of this survey indicate that adequate prevention campaigns and major attention paid to seafarers health is useful for stimulating responsible conduct for the prevention of infectious diseases, including HIV infection. Nevertheless, it is still necessary to increase information about the risk of sexually transmitted diseases and how to reduce it. (Int Marit Health 2011; 62, 2: 131–137

A Rigorous Approach to the Feynman-Vernon Influence Functional and its Applications. I

A rigorous representation of the Feynman-Vernon influence functional used to describe open quantum systems is given, based on the theory of infinite dimensional oscillatory integrals. An application to the case of the density matrices describing the Caldeira-Leggett model of two quantum systems with a quadratic interaction is treated

Energy Use Analysis for the Federal Energy Management Program

Recent congressional legislation allows federal agencies new authorities to contract for energy savings by sharing the acquired savings with an energy service company. As part of its charter to make the federal government more energy-efficient, the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) endeavors to improve the technical basis for such performance-based contracting. Specific tasks include the development of improved energy use baselining methods, refinement of a simplified energy analysis method and support to users, preparation of guidelines and procedures for energy savings initiatives, and publication of a manual to guide identification and analysis of energy conservation measures. This paper describes the current status and planned progress in each of these areas, and how these relate to several planned shared savings projects

Use of Metering for Facility and Whole Building Energy Analysis by the U.S. Depratment of Energy Federal Energy Management Program

This paper details how the U.S. Department of Energy, Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) is applying metering technology to conduct empirically based analyses o f energy use by federal agencies. Continuing developments in sensors, data acquisition systems, microcomputers and monitoring protocols are reducing the costs of metering to the point that it is becoming "too cheap not to meter" energy and the determinants of energy use at federal facilities . This has widespread consequence for FEMP if one accepts the axiom that "one can't manage what one doesn't measure." Several recently completed and ongoing activities being managed by Pacific Northwest laboratory for FEMP are highlighted in this paper. This includes the metering of energy end uses for a research laboratory building to support a shared energy savings contract, analysis of utility billing records, climate, and characteristics data for entire military bases to prioritize energy use testing requirements, and enhancements to simplified energy analysis tools to help federal energy decision-makers identify and evaluate cost-effective energy savings opportunities

Evaluating and Monitoring Energy Conservation in Multibuilding Clusters with Statistical Models

A standardized method for modeling energy consumption in mixed clusters of residential and commercial buildings is described. The basic approach is to delineate energy consumption along three dimensions: time, day-length, and temperature. The temperature-sensitive portion of energy consumption is captured by the Princeton Scorekeeping Method (PRISM). The time- and daylength-sensitive portions of energy consumption are captured by other variables. The models were designed to aid in determining the scope and performance of alternative financing activities on a U.S. Army base

Advanced Dissection Lab for Neuroanatomy Training

No abstract avaibl

The Time-Energy Uncertainty Relation

The time energy uncertainty relation has been a controversial issue since the advent of quantum theory, with respect to appropriate formalisation, validity and possible meanings. A comprehensive account of the development of this subject up to the 1980s is provided by a combination of the reviews of Jammer (1974), Bauer and Mello (1978), and Busch (1990). More recent reviews are concerned with different specific aspects of the subject. The purpose of this chapter is to show that different types of time energy uncertainty relation can indeed be deduced in specific contexts, but that there is no unique universal relation that could stand on equal footing with the position-momentum uncertainty relation. To this end, we will survey the various formulations of a time energy uncertainty relation, with a brief assessment of their validity, and along the way we will indicate some new developments that emerged since the 1990s.Comment: 33 pages, Latex. This expanded version (prepared for the 2nd edition of "Time in quantum mechanics") contains minor corrections, new examples and pointers to some additional relevant literatur