1,089 research outputs found
On a new definition of quantum entropy
It is proved here that, as a consequence of the unitary quantum evolution,
the expectation value of a properly defined quantum entropy operator (as
opposed to the non-evolving von Neumann entropy) can only increase during non
adiabatic transformations and remains constant during adiabatic ones. Thus
Clausius formulation of the second law is established as a theorem in quantum
mechanics, in a way that is equivalent to the previously established
formulation in terms of minimal work principle [A. E. Allahverdyan and T. M.
Nieuwenhuizen, Phys. Rev. E 71, 046107 (2005)]. The corresponding Quantum
Mechanical Principle of Entropy Increase is then illustrated with an exactly
solvable example, namely the driven harmonic oscillator. Attention is paid to
both microcanonical and canonical initial condition. The results are compared
to their classical counterparts.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
Electron-Phonon Coupling in Charged Buckminsterfullerene
A simple, yet accurate solution of the electron-phonon coupling problem in
C_{60} is presented. The basic idea behind it is to be found in the
parametrization of the ground state electronic density of the system calculated
making use of ab-initio methods, in term of sp hybridized orbitals.
This parametrization allows for an economic determination of the deformation
potential associated with the fullerene's normal modes. The resulting
electron-phonon coupling constants are used to calculate Jahn-Teller effects in
C_{60}^-, and multiple satellite peaks in the corresponding photoemission
reaction. Theory provides an accurate account of the experimental findings.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figures. Accepted for publication in Chem. Phys. Let
Derivation of Boltzmann Principle
We present a derivation of Boltzmann principle
based on classical mechanical models of thermodynamics. The argument is based
on the heat theorem and can be traced back to the second half of the nineteenth
century with the works of Helmholtz and Boltzmann. Despite its simplicity, this
argument has remained almost unknown. We present it in a modern, self-contained
and accessible form. The approach constitutes an important link between
classical mechanics and statistical mechanics
Analysis of the Accuracy of Prediction of the Celestial Pole Motion
VLBI observations carried out by global networks provide the most accurate
values of the precession-nutation angles determining the position of the
celestial pole; as a rule, these results become available two to four weeks
after the observations. Therefore, numerous applications, such as satellite
navigation systems, operational determination of Universal Time, and space
navigation, use predictions of the coordinates of the celestial pole. In
connection with this, the accuracy of predictions of the precession- nutation
angles based on observational data obtained over the last three years is
analyzed for the first time, using three empiric nutation models---namely,
those developed at the US Naval Observatory, the Paris Observatory, and the
Pulkovo Observatory. This analysis shows that the last model has the best of
accuracy in predicting the coordinates of the celestial pole. The rms error for
a one-month prediction proposed by this model is below 100 microarcsecond.Comment: 13 p
The influence of Galactic aberration on precession parameters determined from VLBI observations
The influence of proper motions of sources due to Galactic aberration on
precession models based on VLBI data is determined. Comparisons of the linear
trends in the coordinates of the celestial pole obtained with and without
taking into account Galactic aberration indicate that this effect can reach 20
as per century, which is important for modern precession models. It is
also shown that correcting for Galactic aberration influences the derived
parameters of low-frequency nutation terms. It is therefore necessary to
correct for Galactic aberration in the reduction of modern astrometric
observations
Acoustic wave propagation in the solar sub-photosphere with localised magnetic field concentration: effect of magnetic tension
Aims: We analyse numerically the propagation and dispersion of acoustic waves in the solar-like sub-photosphere with localised non-uniform magnetic field concentrations, mimicking sunspots with various representative magnetic field configurations.
Methods: Numerical simulations of wave propagation through the solar sub-photosphere with a localised magnetic field concentration are carried out using SAC, which solves the MHD equations for gravitationally stratified plasma. The initial equilibrium density and pressure stratifications are derived from a standard solar model. Acoustic waves are generated by a source located at the height corresponding approximately to the visible surface of the Sun. By means of local helioseismology we analyse the response of vertical velocity at the level corresponding to the visible solar surface to changes induced by magnetic field in the interior.
Results: The results of numerical simulations of acoustic wave propagation and dispersion in the solar sub-photosphere with localised magnetic field concentrations of various types are presented. Time-distance diagrams of the vertical velocity perturbation at the level corresponding to the visible solar surface show that the magnetic field perturbs and scatters acoustic waves and absorbs the acoustic power of the wave packet. For the weakly magnetised case, the effect of magnetic field is mainly thermodynamic, since the magnetic field changes the temperature stratification. However, we observe the signature of slow magnetoacoustic mode, propagating downwards, for the strong magnetic field cases
Cross-Comparison of Climate Change adaptation Strategies Across Large River Basins in Europe, Africa and Asia
A cross-comparison of climate change adaptation strategies across regions was performed, considering six large river basins as case study areas. Three of the basins, namely the Elbe, Guadiana, and Rhine, are located in Europe, the Nile Equatorial Lakes region and the Orange basin are in Africa, and the Amudarya basin is in Central Asia. The evaluation was based mainly on the opinions of policy makers and water management experts in the river basins. The adaptation strategies were evaluated considering the following issues: expected climate change, expected climate change impacts, drivers for development of adaptation strategy, barriers for adaptation, state of the implementation of a range of water management measures, and status of adaptation strategy implementation. The analysis of responses and cross-comparison were performed with rating the responses where possible. According to the expert opinions, there is an understanding in all six regions that climate change is happening. Different climate change impacts are expected in the basins, whereas decreasing annual water availability, and increasing frequency and intensity of droughts (and to a lesser extent floods) are expected in all of them. According to the responses, the two most important drivers for development of adaptation strategy are: climate-related disasters, and national and international policies. The following most important barriers for adaptation to climate change were identified by responders: spatial and temporal uncertainties in climate projections, lack of adequate financial resources, and lack of horizontal cooperation. The evaluated water resources management measures are on a relatively high level in the Elbe and Rhine basins, followed by the Orange and Guadiana. It is lower in the Amudarya basin, and the lowest in the NEL region, where many measures are only at the planning stage. Regarding the level of adaptation strategy implementation, it can be concluded that the adaptation to climate change has started in all basins, but progresses rather slowl
Radon (222Rn) as Tracer for Submarine Groundwater Discharge Investigation—Limitations of the Approach at Shallow Wind-Exposed Coastal Settings
Mapping radon (222Rn) distribution patterns in the coastal sea is a widely applied method for localizing and quantifying submarine groundwater discharge (SGD). While the literature reports a wide range of successful case studies, methodical problems that might occur in shallow wind-exposed coastal settings are generally neglected. This paper evaluates causes and effects that resulted in a failure of the radon approach at a distinct shallow wind-exposed location in the Baltic Sea. Based on a simple radon mass balance model, we discuss the effect of both wind speed and wind direction as causal for this failure. We show that at coastal settings, which are dominated by gentle submarine slopes and shallow waters, both parameters have severe impact on coastal radon distribution patterns, thus impeding their use for SGD investigation. In such cases, the radon approach needs necessarily to allow for the impact of wind speed and wind direction not only during but also prior to the field campaign
Principle of Maximum Entropy Applied to Rayleigh-B\'enard Convection
A statistical-mechanical investigation is performed on Rayleigh-B\'enard
convection of a dilute classical gas starting from the Boltzmann equation. We
first present a microscopic derivation of basic hydrodynamic equations and an
expression of entropy appropriate for the convection. This includes an
alternative justification for the Oberbeck-Boussinesq approximation. We then
calculate entropy change through the convective transition choosing mechanical
quantities as independent variables. Above the critical Rayleigh number, the
system is found to evolve from the heat-conducting uniform state towards the
convective roll state with monotonic increase of entropy on the average. Thus,
the principle of maximum entropy proposed for nonequilibrium steady states in a
preceding paper is indeed obeyed in this prototype example. The principle also
provides a natural explanation for the enhancement of the Nusselt number in
convection.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figures; typos corrected; Eq. (66a) corrected to remove a
double counting for ; Figs. 1-4 replace
Complete Genome Sequence of the Novel Cellulolytic, Anaerobic, Thermophilic Bacterium Herbivorax saccincola Type Strain GGR1, Isolated from a Lab Scale Biogas Reactor as Established by Illumina and Nanopore MinION Sequencing
Pechtl A, Rückert C, Maus I, et al. Complete Genome Sequence of the Novel Cellulolytic, Anaerobic, Thermophilic Bacterium Herbivorax saccincola Type Strain GGR1, Isolated from a Lab Scale Biogas Reactor as Established by Illumina and Nanopore MinION Sequencing. Genome Announcements. 2018;6(6): e01493-17.The cellulolytic bacterium Herbivorax saccincola strain GGR1, which represents the type strain of this species, was isolated from the in vivo enriched cellulose-binding community of a lab scale thermophilic biogas reactor. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of H. saccincola GGR1T, the first isolated member of the genus Herbivorax
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