The effect of temperature on generic stable periodic structures in the parameter space of dissipative relativistic standard map

In this work, we have characterized changes in the dynamics of a two-dimensional relativistic standard map in the presence of dissipation and specially when it is submitted to thermal effects modeled by a Gaussian noise reservoir. By the addition of thermal noise in the dissipative relativistic standard map (DRSM) it is possible to suppress typical stable periodic structures (SPSs) embedded in the chaotic domains of parameter space for large enough temperature strengths. Smaller SPSs are first affected by thermal effects, starting from their borders, as a function of temperature. To estimate the necessary temperature strength capable to destroy those SPSs we use the largest Lyapunov exponent to obtain the critical temperature ($T_C$) diagrams. For critical temperatures the chaotic behavior takes place with the suppression of periodic motion, although, the temperature strengths considered in this work are not so large to convert the deterministic features of the underlying system into a stochastic ones.Comment: 8 pages and 7 figures, accepted to publication in EPJ

Quantum dissipative effects in moving imperfect mirrors: sidewise and normal motions

We extend our previous work on the functional approach to the dynamical Casimir effect, to compute dissipative effects due to the relative motion of two flat, parallel, imperfect mirrors in vacuum. The interaction between the internal degrees of freedom of the mirrors and the vacuum field is modeled with a nonlocal term in the vacuum field action. We consider two different situations: either the motion is `normal', i.e., the mirrors advance or recede changing the distance $a(t)$ between them; or it is `parallel', namely, $a$ remains constant, but there is a relative sliding motion of the mirrors' planes. For the latter, we show explicitly that there is a non-vanishing frictional force, even for a constant shifting speed.Comment: 13 pages, no figure

Interplay of activation kinetics and the derivative conductance determines resonance properties of neurons

In a neuron with hyperpolarization activated current ($I_h$), the correct input frequency leads to an enhancement of the output response. This behavior is known as resonance and is well described by the neuronal impedance. In a simple neuron model we derive equations for the neuron's resonance and we link its frequency and existence with the biophysical properties of $I_h$. For a small voltage change, the component of the ratio of current change to voltage change ($dI/dV$) due to the voltage-dependent conductance change ($dg/dV$) is known as derivative conductance ($G_h^{Der}$). We show that both $G_h^{Der}$ and the current activation kinetics (characterized by the activation time constant $\tau_h$) are mainly responsible for controlling the frequency and existence of resonance. The increment of both factors ($G_h^{Der}$ and $\tau_h$) greatly contributes to the appearance of resonance. We also demonstrate that resonance is voltage dependent due to the voltage dependence of $G_h^{Der}$. Our results have important implications and can be used to predict and explain resonance properties of neurons with the $I_h$ current.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figure

Gravitational waves from pulsars with measured braking index

We study the putative emission of gravitational waves (GWs) in particular for pulsars with measured braking index. We show that the appropriate combination of both GW emission and magnetic dipole brakes can naturally explain the measured braking index, when the surface magnetic field and the angle between the magnetic dipole and rotation axes are time dependent. Then we discuss the detectability of these very pulsars by aLIGO and the Einstein Telescope. We call attention to the realistic possibility that aLIGO can detect the GWs generated by at least some of these pulsars, such as Vela, for example.Comment: 6 pages and 4 figure