Equations of the reaction-diffusion type with a loop algebra structure

A system of equations of the reaction-diffusion type is studied in the framework of both the direct and the inverse prolongation structure. We find that this system allows an incomplete prolongation Lie algebra, which is used to find the spectral problem and a whole class of nonlinear field equations containing the original ones as a special case.Comment: 16 pages, LaTex. submitted to Inverse Problem

Quantum models related to fouled Hamiltonians of the harmonic oscillator

We study a pair of canonoid (fouled) Hamiltonians of the harmonic oscillator which provide, at the classical level, the same equation of motion as the conventional Hamiltonian. These Hamiltonians, say $K_{1}$ and $K_{2}$, result to be explicitly time-dependent and can be expressed as a formal rotation of two cubic polynomial functions, $H_{1}$ and $H_{2}$, of the canonical variables (q,p). We investigate the role of these fouled Hamiltonians at the quantum level. Adopting a canonical quantization procedure, we construct some quantum models and analyze the related eigenvalue equations. One of these models is described by a Hamiltonian admitting infinite self-adjoint extensions, each of them has a discrete spectrum on the real line. A self-adjoint extension is fixed by choosing the spectral parameter $\epsilon$ of the associated eigenvalue equation equal to zero. The spectral problem is discussed in the context of three different representations. For $\epsilon =0$, the eigenvalue equation is exactly solved in all these representations, in which square-integrable solutions are explicity found. A set of constants of motion corresponding to these quantum models is also obtained. Furthermore, the algebraic structure underlying the quantum models is explored. This turns out to be a nonlinear (quadratic) algebra, which could be applied for the determination of approximate solutions to the eigenvalue equations.Comment: 24 pages, no figures, accepted for publication on JM

Properties of equations of the continuous Toda type

We study a modified version of an equation of the continuous Toda type in 1+1 dimensions. This equation contains a friction-like term which can be switched off by annihilating a free parameter \ep. We apply the prolongation method, the symmetry and the approximate symmetry approach. This strategy allows us to get insight into both the equations for \ep =0 and \ep \ne 0, whose properties arising in the above frameworks are mutually compared. For \ep =0, the related prolongation equations are solved by means of certain series expansions which lead to an infinite- dimensional Lie algebra. Furthermore, using a realization of the Lie algebra of the Euclidean group $E_{2}$, a connection is shown between the continuous Toda equation and a linear wave equation which resembles a special case of a three-dimensional wave equation that occurs in a generalized Gibbons-Hawking ansatz \cite{lebrun}. Nontrivial solutions to the wave equation expressed in terms of Bessel functions are determined. For \ep\,\ne\,0, we obtain a finite-dimensional Lie algebra with four elements. A matrix representation of this algebra yields solutions of the modified continuous Toda equation associated with a reduced form of a perturbative Liouville equation. This result coincides with that achieved in the context of the approximate symmetry approach. Example of exact solutions are also provided. In particular, the inverse of the exponential-integral function turns out to be defined by the reduced differential equation coming from a linear combination of the time and space translations. Finally, a Lie algebra characterizing the approximate symmetries is discussed.Comment: LaTex file, 27 page

Novel approach to the study of quantum effects in the early universe

We develop a theoretical frame for the study of classical and quantum gravitational waves based on the properties of a nonlinear ordinary differential equation for a function $\sigma(\eta)$ of the conformal time $\eta$, called the auxiliary field equation. At the classical level, $\sigma(\eta)$ can be expressed by means of two independent solutions of the ''master equation'' to which the perturbed Einstein equations for the gravitational waves can be reduced. At the quantum level, all the significant physical quantities can be formulated using Bogolubov transformations and the operator quadratic Hamiltonian corresponding to the classical version of a damped parametrically excited oscillator where the varying mass is replaced by the square cosmological scale factor $a^{2}(\eta)$. A quantum approach to the generation of gravitational waves is proposed on the grounds of the previous $\eta-$dependent Hamiltonian. An estimate in terms of $\sigma(\eta)$ and $a(\eta)$ of the destruction of quantum coherence due to the gravitational evolution and an exact expression for the phase of a gravitational wave corresponding to any value of $\eta$ are also obtained. We conclude by discussing a few applications to quasi-de Sitter and standard de Sitter scenarios.Comment: 20 pages, to appear on PRD. Already published background material has been either settled up in a more compact form or eliminate

A class of nonlinear wave equations containing the continuous Toda case

We consider a nonlinear field equation which can be derived from a binomial lattice as a continuous limit. This equation, containing a perturbative friction-like term and a free parameter $\gamma$, reproduces the Toda case (in absence of the friction-like term) and other equations of physical interest, by choosing particular values of $\gamma$. We apply the symmetry and the approximate symmetry approach, and the prolongation technique. Our main purpose is to check the limits of validity of different analytical methods in the study of nonlinear field equations. We show that the equation under investigation with the friction-like term is characterized by a finite-dimensional Lie algebra admitting a realization in terms of boson annhilation and creation operators. In absence of the friction-like term, the equation is linearized and connected with equations of the Bessel type. Examples of exact solutions are displayed, and the algebraic structure of the equation is discussed.Comment: Latex file + [equations.sty], 22 p

The role of E1-E2 interplay in multiphonon Coulomb excitation

In this work we study the problem of a charged particle, bound in a harmonic-oscillator potential, being excited by the Coulomb field from a fast charged projectile. Based on a classical solution to the problem and using the squeezed-state formalism we are able to treat exactly both dipole and quadrupole Coulomb field components. Addressing various transition amplitudes and processes of multiphonon excitation we study different aspects resulting from the interplay between E1 and E2 fields, ranging from classical dynamic polarization effects to questions of quantum interference. We compare exact calculations with approximate methods. Results of this work and the formalism we present can be useful in studies of nuclear reaction physics and in atomic stopping theory.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figure

Time-Dependent Invariants and Green's Functions in the Probability Representation of Quantum Mechanics

In the probability representation of quantum mechanics, quantum states are represented by a classical probability distribution, the marginal distribution function (MDF), whose time dependence is governed by a classical evolution equation. We find and explicitly solve, for a wide class of Hamiltonians, new equations for the Green's function of such an equation, the so-called classical propagator. We elucidate the connection of the classical propagator to the quantum propagator for the density matrix and to the Green's function of the Schr\"odinger equation. Within the new description of quantum mechanics we give a definition of coherence solely in terms of properties of the MDF and we test the new definition recovering well known results. As an application, the forced parametric oscillator is considered . Its classical and quantum propagator are found, together with the MDF for coherent and Fock states.Comment: 29 pages, RevTex, 6 eps-figures, to appear on Phys. Rev.

Genetic and environmental influence on thyroid gland volume and thickness of thyroid isthmus: a twin study.

Objectives Decreased thyroid volume has been related to increased prevalence of thyroid cancer.Subjects and methods One hundred and fourteen Hungarian adult twin pairs (69 monozygotic, 45 dizygotic) with or without known thyroid disorders underwent thyroid ultrasound. Thickness of the thyroid isthmus was measured at the thickest portion of the gland in the midline using electronic calipers at the time of scanning. Volume of the thyroid lobe was computed according to the following formula: thyroid height*width*depth*correction factor (0.63).Results Age-, sex-, body mass index- and smoking-adjusted heritability of the thickness of thyroid isthmus was 50% (95% confidence interval [CI], 35 to 66%). Neither left nor right thyroid volume showed additive genetic effects, but shared environments were 68% (95% CI, 48 to 80%) and 79% (95% CI, 72 to 87%), respectively. Magnitudes of monozygotic and dizygotic co-twin correlations were not substantially impacted by the correction of covariates of body mass index and smoking. Unshared environmental effects showed a moderate influence on dependent parameters (24-50%).Conclusions Our analysis support that familial factors are important for thyroid measures in a general twin population. A larger sample size is needed to show whether this is because of common environmental (e.g. intrauterine effects, regional nutrition habits, iodine supply) or genetic effects