Nonequilibrium thermodynamics of stochastic systems with odd and even variables.

The total entropy production of stochastic systems can be divided into three quantities. The first corresponds to the excess heat, while the second two comprise the housekeeping heat. We denote these two components the transient and generalized housekeeping heat and we obtain an integral fluctuation theorem for the latter, valid for all Markovian stochastic dynamics. A previously reported formalism is obtained when the stationary probability distribution is symmetric for all variables that are odd under time reversal, which restricts consideration of directional variables such as velocity

The Use of Stochastic Methods to Explore the Thermal Equilibrium Distribution and Define Entropy Production out of Equilibrium

This thesis contains two separate bodies of research, both in terms of the period of time in which the work was done and their content, and as such is presented in two parts each of which are summarised below. The first part concerns work on entropy production in stochastic systems and describes the breakage of time reversal symmetry that arises in irreversible stochastic processes that one can associate with an entropy production contribution for a single realisation. The paradigm utilised is that of Markovian dynamics expressed using master equations and stochastic differential equations. By generalising some previously reported concepts so as to explicitly concern odd variables, some recent advances in non-equilibrium thermodynamics are refined which are then illustrated with several examples. The place of such results within the existing literature, particularly the extensive literature on fluctuation theorems, is emphasised allowing us to simultaneously demonstrate some of the widely celebrated symmetry relations to emerge from the field in recent years. The second part concerns the construction and implementation of a new Markov chain sampling algorithm called spatially local parallel tempering which improves the scaling of computational effort with system size of the well known thermal equilibrium sampling algorithm, parallel tempering. Parallel tempering accelerates thermal equilibrium sampling by performing regular sampling techniques on a composite system of replicas, each possessing a different temperature, and introducing configurational exchanges between those replicas so as to acquire configurations that would otherwise take a long time to reach. However, as the system size increases, the number of replicas required, and therefore computational effort, increases faster than linearly. To avoid this we propose local variations where this is not the case. We demonstrate these claims on several simple one dimensional models and show that the algorithms can reproduce thermodynamic accuracy in one and two dimensions

Weather conditions and daily television use in the Netherlands, 1996–2005

This study examines the impact of daily atmospheric weather conditions on daily television use in the Netherlands for the period 1996–2005. The effects of the weather parameters are considered in the context of mood and mood management theory. It is proposed that inclement and uncomfortable weather conditions are associated with lower human mood, and that watching entertainment and avoiding informational programs may serve to repair such mood. We consequently hypothesize that people spend more time watching television if inclement and uncomfortable weather conditions (low temperatures, little sunshine, much precipitation, high wind velocity, less daylight) coincide with more airtime for entertainment programs, but that they view less if the same weather conditions coincide with more airtime devoted to information fare. We put this interaction thesis to a test using a time series analysis of daily television viewing data of the Dutch audience obtained from telemeters (T = 3,653), merged with meteorological weather station statistics and program broadcast figures, whilst controlling for a wide array of recurrent and one-time societal events. The results provide substantial support for the proposed interaction of program airtime and the weather parameters temperature and sunshine on aggregate television viewing time. Implications of the findings are discussed

25th Annual Computational Neuroscience Meeting: CNS-2016

Abstracts of the 25th Annual Computational Neuroscience Meeting: CNS-2016 Seogwipo City, Jeju-do, South Korea. 2–7 July 201

Modelling the social and psychological impacts of transport disadvantage

Transport disadvantage, Social exclusion, Well-being, Structural equation model,