Thermodynamic constraints on matter creation models

Entropy is a fundamental concept from Thermodynamics and it can be used to study models on context of Creation Cold Dark Matter (CCDM). From conditions on the first ($\dot{S}\geq0$)\footnote{Throughout the present work we will use dots to indicate time derivatives and dashes to indicate derivatives with respect to scale factor.} and second order ($\ddot{S}<0$) time derivatives of total entropy in the initial expansion of Sitter through the radiation and matter eras until the end of Sitter expansion, it is possible to estimate the intervals of parameters. The total entropy ($S_{t}$) is calculated as sum of the entropy at all eras ($S_{\gamma}$ and $S_{m}$) plus the entropy of the event horizon ($S_h$). This term derives from the Holographic Principle where it suggests that all information is contained on the observable horizon. The main feature of this method for these models are that thermodynamic equilibrium is reached in a final de Sitter era. Total entropy of the universe is calculated with three terms: apparent horizon ($S_{h}$), entropy of matter ($S_{m}$) and entropy of radiation ($S_{\gamma}$). This analysis allows to estimate intervals of parameters of CCDM models.Comment: 16 pages, 11 figures. Replaced in order to match accepted versio

On the mass distribution of neutron stars

The distribution of masses for neutron stars is analyzed using the Bayesian statistical inference, evaluating the likelihood of proposed gaussian peaks by using fifty-four measured points obtained in a variety of systems. The results strongly suggest the existence of a bimodal distribution of the masses, with the first peak around $1.37 {M_{\odot}}$, and a much wider second peak at $1.73 {M_{\odot}}$. The results support earlier views related to the different evolutionary histories of the members for the first two peaks, which produces a natural separation (even if no attempt to "label" the systems has been made here), and argues against the single-mass scale viewpoint. The bimodal distribution can also accommodate the recent findings of $\sim M_{\odot}$ masses quite naturally. Finally, we explore the existence of a subgroup around $1.25 {M_{\odot}}$, finding weak, if any, evidence for it. This recently claimed low-mass subgroup, possibly related to $O-Mg-Ne$ core collapse events, has a monotonically decreasing likelihood and does not stand out clearly from the rest of the sample.Comment: 11 pp., 3 figures, submitted to MNRAS Letter

Equilibrium fluctuations for gradient exclusion processes with conductances in random environments

We study the equilibrium fluctuations for a gradient exclusion process with conductances in random environments, which can be viewed as a central limit theorem for the empirical distribution of particles when the system starts from an equilibrium measure