Quantum anomalies and linear response theory

The analysis of diffusive energy spreading in quantized chaotic driven systems, leads to a universal paradigm for the emergence of a quantum anomaly. In the classical approximation a driven chaotic system exhibits stochastic-like diffusion in energy space with a coefficient $D$ that is proportional to the intensity $\epsilon^2$ of the driving. In the corresponding quantized problem the coherent transitions are characterized by a generalized Wigner time $t_{\epsilon}$, and a self-generated (intrinsic) dephasing process leads to non-linear dependence of $D$ on $\epsilon^2$.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figures, textual improvements (as in published version

Physical Electronics

Contains reports on two research projects

Anomalous decay of a prepared state due to non-Ohmic coupling to the continuum

We study the decay of a prepared state $E_0$ into a continuum {E_k} in the case of non-Ohmic models. This means that the coupling is $|V_{k,0}| \propto |E_k-E_0|^{s-1}$ with $s \ne 1$. We find that irrespective of model details there is a universal generalized Wigner time $t_0$ that characterizes the evolution of the survival probability $P_0(t)$. The generic decay behavior which is implied by rate equation phenomenology is a slowing down stretched exponential, reflecting the gradual resolution of the bandprofile. But depending on non-universal features of the model a power-law decay might take over: it is only for an Ohmic coupling to the continuum that we get a robust exponential decay that is insensitive to the nature of the intra-continuum couplings. The analysis highlights the co-existence of perturbative and non-perturbative features in the dynamics. It turns out that there are special circumstances in which $t_0$ is reflected in the spreading process and not only in the survival probability, contrary to the naive linear response theory expectation.Comment: 13 pages, 11 figure

Physical Electronics

Contains reports on three research projects

Physical Electronics

Contains reports on three research projects

Quantum decay into a non-flat continuum

We study the decay of a prepared state into non-flat continuum. We find that the survival probability $P(t)$ might exhibit either stretched-exponential or power-law decay, depending on non-universal features of the model. Still there is a universal characteristic time $t_0$ that does not depend on the functional form. It is only for a flat continuum that we get a robust exponential decay that is insensitive to the nature of the intra-continuum couplings. The analysis highlights the co-existence of perturbative and non-perturbative features in the local density of states, and the non-linear dependence of $1/t_0$ on the strength of the coupling.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figure

The IGSF1 deficiency syndrome may present with normal free T4 levels, severe obesity, or premature testicular growth

Our objective was to further expand the spectrum of clinical characteristics of the IGSF1 deficiency syndrome in affected males. These characteristic include almost universal congenital central hypothyroidism (CeH) with disharmonious pubertal development (normally timed testicular growth, but delayed rise of serum testosterone), macroorchidism, increased body mass index (BMI), and decreased attentional control. In addition, a subset of patients show prolactin deficiency, transient partial growth hormone deficiency in childhood and increased growth hormone secretion in adulthood. We present a family in which the proband was diagnosed with CeH and low serum prolactin. Severe weight gain started at two years old, with a BMI of 42.3 at 13.9 years. Testicular enlargement (5-6 mL, 3.8-4.3 standard deviation score) started aged three years. A pathogenic variant was found in the IGSF1 gene: c.3411_3412del, p.(Tyr1137*). His brother was referred for short stature at age 13 years and was diagnosed with CeH, normal serum prolactin and IGF-1, and disharmonious puberty. In four male relatives (the proband's brother and three cousins) with the variant (one adult), free thyroxine (fT4) was below the lower limit of the reference range in two, and just above this limit in the other two. Three were overweight or obese, adolescents had disharmonious pubertal development and the adult had profound macroorchidism. In conclusion, male hemizygous carriers of a pathogenic IGSF1 variant can present with fT4 concentration above the lower limit of the reference range while severe early onset obesity or premature testicular growth are part of the phenotypic spectrum.Genetics of disease, diagnosis and treatmen

Courtship, egg sac construction, and maternal care in Kukulcania hibernalis, with information on the courtship of Misionella mendensis (Araneae, Filistatidae)

Morphological and behavioural traits place Filistatidae basally within Araneomorphae, although some features, such as their continuing to moult after reaching adulthood, are reminiscent of mygalomorph spiders. This paper describes the courtship behaviour and other aspects of the reproductive biology of Kukulcania hibernalis and Misionella mendensis, and compares this information with that from related filistatid species and with Mygalomorphae. K. hibernalis has some unique behaviours during courtship (e.g. male lays threads on female web); other behaviours are probably widespread within Filistatidae (e.g. male uses the tarsi and metatarsi of one of his legs to rub the basal sections of the female’s legs and the sides of her cephalothorax). Some other behaviours seem more similar to Mygalomorphae than to those of other, more derived Araneomorphae. These include male construction of a large sperm web, and the positions of male and female facing each other during copulation, with the male holding the female cephalothorax lifted while insertions occur, similar to some mygalomorphs. The adult female K. hibernalis and the first instar spiderlings (outside the egg sac) feed simultaneously on the same prey, but spiderlings are also capable of cooperating during the attack of large prey. The courtship behaviour supports the hypothesis that places Filistatidae basally within Araneomorphae.UCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Ciencias Básicas::Facultad de Ciencias::Escuela de Biologí

Structural-Properties Of Amorphous Hydrogenated Carbon .1. A High-Resolution Neutron-Diffraction Study

The structure of samples of amorphous hydrogenated carbon, prepared from acetylene and propane precursors, containing 35 and 32 at.% hydrogen, respectively, was investigated by time-of-flight neutron diffraction in the range 0.2-50 angstrom-1 using the ISIS spallation source. The large dynamic range of the data ensures a real-space resolution sufficient to reveal directly the proportions of sp2 and sp3 hybridized carbon. The results show that, in these hard carbon materials, the carbon-atom sites are predominantly sp2 bonded, and the carbon-carbon single bond:carbon-carbon double bond ratio is about 2.5:1. The detailed information on atomic correlations thus provided is used to discuss current structural models, and in particular the data are used to show that these models require significant modification

The effect of hydrogen dilution on the structure of a-C : H

Two a-C:H samples were prepared using a fast-atom deposition system from acetylene and an acetylene/hydrogen gas mixture. Their structure was investigated using neutron and x-ny diffraction and infrared spectroscopy measurements. Compositional analysis shows that a 1:1 C2H2:H-2 mixture results in a change from a-C-77:H-23 to a-C-79:H-21, i.e. has a very small effect on the composition. The diffraction data also show that the addition of hydrogen to the precursor gas has no significant effect on the average bond distances and angles but shows a small change in the H-C-H and C-C-H correlations between the two samples. However, the infrared data show that there are significant changes in the bonding of hydrogen within the sample-changes which do not affect the average network structure. We observe a decrease in the amount of sp(3) CH2 and CH3 groups, and an increase in the fraction of sp(2) and sp(3) CH groups, with the formation of a second sp(2) CH bonding environment in the hydrogen-diluted sample. Therefore, in addition to providing useful structural information on these a-C:H samples, this set of experiments illustrates very well the complementary nature of the data from diffraction and spectroscopic techniques