Origin of the approximate universality of distributions in equilibrium correlated systems

We propose an interpretation of previous experimental and numerical experiments, showing that for a large class of systems, distributions of global quantities are similar to a distribution originally obtained for the magnetization in the 2D-XY model . This approach, developed for the Ising model, is based on previous numerical observations. We obtain an effective action using a perturbative method, which successfully describes the order parameter fluctuations near the phase transition. This leads to a direct link between the D-dimensional Ising model and the XY model in the same dimension, which appears to be a generic feature of many equilibrium critical systems and which is at the heart of the above observations.Comment: To appear in Europhysics Letter

An Integrated CVaR and Real Options Approach to Investments in the Energy Sector

The objective of this paper is to combine a real options framework with portfolio optimization techniques and to apply this new framework to investments in the electricity sector. In particular, a real options model is used to assess the adoption decision of particular technologies under uncertainty. These technologies are coal-fired power plants, biomass-fired power plants and onshore wind mills, and they are representative of technologies based on fossil fuels, biomass and renewables, respectively. The return distributions resulting from this analysis are then used as an input to a portfolio optimization, where the measure of risk is the Conditional Value-at-Risk (CVaR)

Thermalisation time and specific heat of neutron stars crust

We discuss the thermalisation process of the neutron stars crust described by solving the heat transport equation with a microscopic input for the specific heat of baryonic matter. The heat equation is solved with initial conditions specific to a rapid cooling of the core. To calculate the specific heat of inner crust baryonic matter, i.e., nuclear clusters and unbound neutrons, we use the quasiparticle spectrum provided by the Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov approach at finite temperature. In this framework we analyse the dependence of the crust thermalisation on pairing properties and on cluster structure of inner crust matter. It is shown that the pairing correlations reduce the crust thermalisation time by a very large fraction. The calculations show also that the nuclear clusters have a non-negligible influence on the time evolution of the surface temperature of the neutron star.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Structural network heterogeneities and network dynamics: a possible dynamical mechanism for hippocampal memory reactivation

The hippocampus has the capacity for reactivating recently acquired memories [1-3] and it is hypothesized that one of the functions of sleep reactivation is the facilitation of consolidation of novel memory traces [4-11]. The dynamic and network processes underlying such a reactivation remain, however, unknown. We show that such a reactivation characterized by local, self-sustained activity of a network region may be an inherent property of the recurrent excitatory-inhibitory network with a heterogeneous structure. The entry into the reactivation phase is mediated through a physiologically feasible regulation of global excitability and external input sources, while the reactivated component of the network is formed through induced network heterogeneities during learning. We show that structural changes needed for robust reactivation of a given network region are well within known physiological parameters [12,13].Comment: 16 pages, 5 figure

Evaluation des sources de polluants susceptibles d'impacter les ouvrages de gestion des eaux pluviales – Diagnostic exhaustif à l'échelle du territoire nantais

International audienceTo offset the effects of soil sealing and to deal with stormwater management issue s , cities have adopted BMPs (Best Management Practices) for twenty years . Many facilities exist on urban areas and h ave proved to be efficient on a hydrological point of view, but questions remain about pollutants. Under the Matriochkas project, w h ich focuses on performances of stormwater management facilities in terms of retention of pollutants, an inventory on retention and infiltration basins and swales is conducted throughout the Nantes metropole territory. An exhaustive diagnosis of sources of pollutants is carried out on the facilities identifi ed in this inventory, using a methodology based on spatial analysis of geographic data. More specifically, contributive area of facilities is identified by an automatic method based on drainage networks. The description of these contributive areas in terms of geographic data (land use, human activities such as road traffic , and practices ), and literature data on emissions of pollutants in urban areas, makes it possible to estimate potential pollutant loads which discharge into these facilities.Afin de compenser les effets de l'imperméabilisation des sols et pour répondre à la problématique de gestion des eaux pluviales, les collectivités se tournent depuis une vingtaine d'années vers les techniques alternatives. De nombreux ouvrages existent sur les territoires urbains, et si leurs performances hydrologiques sont connues, leur rôle vis-à-vis de la rétention des polluants l'est moins. Dans le cadre du projet Matriochkas, qui s'intéresse aux performances des ouvrages de gestion à la source vis-à-vis de la rétention des polluants, un recensement des bassins de rétention et d'infiltration ainsi que des noues est mené sur l'ensemble de l'agglomération nantaise. Un diagnostic exhaustif des sources de pollution est réalisé sur les ouvrages identifiés dans ce recensement, en utilisant une méthodologie basée sur l'exploitation de données géographiques. Cette méthodologie consiste à déterminer la zone contributive des ouvrages en développant une méthode automatique qui s'appuie sur les réseaux de drainage. La description de ces zones contributives à partir de données géographiques (occupation du sol, activités anthropiques dont le trafic routier, et usages) et de données de la littérature relatives aux émissions de polluants sur les surfaces urbaines, permet d'estimer a priori les flux de polluants déversés dans ces ouvrages

Very high-energy observations of the two high-frequency peaked BL Lac objects 1ES 1218+304 and H 1426+428

We present results of very-high-energy gamma-ray observations (E > 160 GeV) of two high-frequency-peaked BL Lac (HBL) objects, 1ES 1218+304 and H 1426+428, with the Solar Tower Atmospheric Cherenkov Effect Experiment (STACEE). Both sources are very-high-energy gamma-ray emitters above 100 GeV, detected using ground-based Cherenkov telescopes. STACEE observations of 1ES 1218+304 and H 1426+428 did not produce detections; we present 99% CL flux upper limits for both sources, assuming spectral indices measured mostly at higher energies

Asymptotic behavior of the density of states on a random lattice

We study the diffusion of a particle on a random lattice with fluctuating local connectivity of average value q. This model is a basic description of relaxation processes in random media with geometrical defects. We analyze here the asymptotic behavior of the eigenvalue distribution for the Laplacian operator. We found that the localized states outside the mobility band and observed by Biroli and Monasson (1999, J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. 32 L255), in a previous numerical analysis, are described by saddle point solutions that breaks the rotational symmetry of the main action in the real space. The density of states is characterized asymptotically by a series of peaks with periodicity 1/q.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figure

Fermions and Disorder in Ising and Related Models in Two Dimensions

The aspects of phase transitions in the two-dimensional Ising models modified by quenched and annealed site disorder are discussed in the framework of fermionic approach based on the reformulation of the problem in terms of integrals with anticommuting Grassmann variables.Comment: 11 pages, 1 table, no figures. The discussion is merely based on a talk given at the International Bogoliubov Conference on Problems of Theoretical and Mathematical Physics, MIRAS--JINR, Moscow--Dubna, Russia, August 21--27, 200