Transition amplitude, partition function and the role of physical degrees of freedom in gauge theories

This work explores the quantum dynamics of the interaction between scalar (matter) and vectorial (intermediate) particles and studies their thermodynamic equilibrium in the grand-canonical ensemble. The aim of the article is to clarify the connection between the physical degrees of freedom of a theory in both the quantization process and the description of the thermodynamic equilibrium, in which we see an intimate connection between physical degrees of freedom, Gibbs free energy and the equipartition theorem. We have split the work into two sections. First, we analyze the quantum interaction in the context of the generalized scalar Duffin-Kemmer-Petiau quantum electrodynamics (GSDKP) by using the functional formalism. We build the Hamiltonian structure following the Dirac methodology, apply the Faddeev-Senjanovic procedure to obtain the transition amplitude in the generalized Coulomb gauge and, finally, use the Faddeev-Popov-DeWitt method to write the amplitude in covariant form in the no-mixing gauge. Subsequently, we exclusively use the Matsubara-Fradkin (MF) formalism in order to describe fields in thermodynamical equilibrium. The corresponding equations in thermodynamic equilibrium for the scalar, vectorial and ghost sectors are explicitly constructed from which the extraction of the partition function is straightforward. It is in the construction of the vectorial sector that the emergence and importance of the ghost fields are revealed: they eliminate the extra non-physical degrees of freedom of the vectorial sector thus maintaining the physical degrees of freedom

Causal Theory for the Gauged Thirring Model

We consider the (2+1)-dimensional massive Thirring model as a gauge theory, with one fermion flavor, in the framework of the causal perturbation theory and address the problem of dynamical mass generation for the gauge boson. In this context we get an unambiguous expression for the coefficient of the induced Chern-Simons term.Comment: LaTex, 21 pages, no figure

Radiative Corrections for the Gauged Thirring Model in Causal Perturbation Theory

We evaluate the one-loop fermion self-energy for the gauged Thirring model in (2+1) dimensions, with one massive fermion flavor, in the framework of the causal perturbation theory. In contrast to QED$_3$, the corresponding two-point function turns out to be infrared finite on the mass shell. Then, by means of a Ward identity, we derive the on-shell vertex correction and discuss the role played by causality for nonrenormalizable theories.Comment: LaTex, 09 pages, no figures. Title changed and introduction enlarged. To be published in Eur. Phys. J.

Gauged Thirring Model in the Heisenberg Picture

We consider the (2+1)-dimensional gauged Thirring model in the Heisenberg picture. In this context we evaluate the vacuum polarization tensor as well as the corrected gauge boson propagator and address the issues of generation of mass and dynamics for the gauge boson (in the limits of QED$_3$ and Thirring model as a gauge theory, respectively) due to the radiative corrections.Comment: 14 pages, LaTex, no figure

The impact of EFQM awards on organizational management

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine how the recognition of the European Foundation for Quality and Management (EFQM) awards to organizations (variable 1), particularly contribute to the improvement of management models, translated into different stages of evolution of management models/management control systems (variable 2), testing the hypothesis of correlation between these two variables. Methodology: The investigation covers the 35 organizations that won EFQM awards in Portugal (2010-2015). The bases are the different levels/scores of EFQM awards. Additionally, a questionnaire was used regarding the different stages of management models/management control systems (1=Basic stage of management control systems; 10=Advanced and very efficient management control systems stage). Moreover, interviews in all 35 organizations implied the collection of more accurate data. Findings: Important findings result from the research. Whenever organizations implement a quality management process/EFQM, substantial improvements occur in organizations regarding the implementation of management control models. Additionally, a positive and very strong correlation was found between the two variables: (i) different levels/scores of EFQM awards, and (ii) results of the questionnaire on different stages of management models/management control systems. Practical implications: The study makes it possible to conclude that the more an organization invests in a quality management process/program, the more efficient and useful a management control model becomes. Originality/Value: There is a gap in literature regarding the impact of quality management on the effectiveness of management models. Our study helps to close this gap, contributing to the development of a new body of knowledge, by assessing this favourable impact.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Remarks on Infrared Dynamics in QED3

In this work we study how the infrared sector of the interaction Hamiltonian can affect the construction of the S matrix operator of QED in (2+1) dimensions.Comment: 9 page

Tuberculosis Prevalence in Children at High-Risk from Ameixoeira, Lisbon

Introdução. As taxas de prevalência de tuberculose infecção e doença têm declinado em Portugal. No entanto, a pandemia da infecção pelo vírus de imunodeficiência humana, a toxicodependência e más condições de salubridade podem reverter esta tendência. O rastreio de crianças assintomáticas em contacto com adultos em risco de contrair a doença é crucial pois os casos de tuberculose infantil são devidos a um risco elevado e recente de transmissão na comunidade. Objectivos. Determinar a prevalência de tuberculose infecção/doença numa amostra de crianças em contacto com adultos de risco; determinar a prevalência de factores de risco e sua efectividade como preditores de infecção/doença nesta amostra; administrar quimioprofilaxia/terapêutica aos casos detectados e investigar as possíveis fontes de contágio. População e Métodos. Estudou-se uma amostra de conveniência de crianças que frequentavam uma instituição recreativa para crianças e jovens na Ameixoeira – Lumiar (Lisboa) no período de Abril-Maio de 2005. Aplicou-se um questionário sobre factores de risco para tuberculose e fez-se prova tuberculínica pelo método de Mantoux. A leitura foi efectuada após 72 horas. Os casos positivos (induração > 15 mm de diâmetro) foram submetidos a avaliação clínica e radiológica e quimioprofilaxia/terapêutica. Os seus coabitantes foram investigados. Os dados foram analisados pelo programa StatCal-Epiinfo 3.2.2. Resultados. Estudaram-se 100 crianças (54 famílias) das quais 44% tinham pelo menos um factor de risco. Em duas crianças o teste de tuberculina foi positivo sendo o diagnóstico final de tuberculose infecção. O rastreio dos seus coabitantes foi negativo. Aprevalência de infecção na amostra estudada foi de 2:100. O questionário aplicado teve um valor preditivo positivo de 2,2% e negativo de 98% para detectar infecção por tuberculose. Conclusões. A prevalência de infecção na amostra de crianças estudada foi elevada. O questionário aplicado teve pouca acuidade para predizer a presença de infecção/doença nesta amostra