Scattering approach to fidelity decay in closed systems and parametric level correlations

This paper is based on recent work which provided an exact analytical description of scattering fidelity experiments with a microwave cavity under the variation of an antenna coupling [K\"ober et al., Phys. Rev. E 82, 036207 (2010)]. It is shown that this description can also be used to predict the decay of the fidelity amplitude for arbitrary Hermitian perturbations of a closed system. Two applications are presented: First, the known result for global perturbations is re-derived, and second, the exact analytical expression for the perturbation due to a moving S-wave scatterer is worked out. The latter is compared to measured data from microwave experiments, which have been reported some time ago. Finally, we generalize an important relation between fidelity decay and parametric level correlations to arbitrary perturbations.Comment: 20 pages, 2 figures, research article, (v2: stylistic changes, ref. added

Density probability distribution in one-dimensional polytropic gas dynamics

We discuss the generation and statistics of the density fluctuations in highly compressible polytropic turbulence, based on a simple model and one-dimensional numerical simulations. Observing that density structures tend to form in a hierarchical manner, we assume that density fluctuations follow a random multiplicative process. When the polytropic exponent $\gamma$ is equal to unity, the local Mach number is independent of the density, and our assumption leads us to expect that the probability density function (PDF) of the density field is a lognormal. This isothermal case is found to be singular, with a dispersion $\sigma_s^2$ which scales like the square turbulent Mach number $\tilde M^2$, where $s\equiv \ln \rho$ and $\rho$ is the fluid density. This leads to much higher fluctuations than those due to shock jump relations. Extrapolating the model to the case $\gamma \not =1$, we find that, as the Mach number becomes large, the density PDF is expected to asymptotically approach a power-law regime, at high densities when $\gamma<1$, and at low densities when $\gamma>1$. This effect can be traced back to the fact that the pressure term in the momentum equation varies exponentially with $s$, thus opposing the growth of fluctuations on one side of the PDF, while being negligible on the other side. This also causes the dispersion $\sigma_s^2$ to grow more slowly than $\tilde M^2$ when $\gamma\not=1$. In view of these results, we suggest that Burgers flow is a singular case not approached by the high-$\tilde M$ limit, with a PDF that develops power laws on both sides.Comment: 9 pages + 12 postscript figures. Submitted to Phys. Rev.

Force dipoles and stable local defects on fluid vesicles

An exact description is provided of an almost spherical fluid vesicle with a fixed area and a fixed enclosed volume locally deformed by external normal forces bringing two nearby points on the surface together symmetrically. The conformal invariance of the two-dimensional bending energy is used to identify the distribution of energy as well as the stress established in the vesicle. While these states are local minima of the energy, this energy is degenerate; there is a zero mode in the energy fluctuation spectrum, associated with area and volume preserving conformal transformations, which breaks the symmetry between the two points. The volume constraint fixes the distance $S$, measured along the surface, between the two points; if it is relaxed, a second zero mode appears, reflecting the independence of the energy on $S$; in the absence of this constraint a pathway opens for the membrane to slip out of the defect. Logarithmic curvature singularities in the surface geometry at the points of contact signal the presence of external forces. The magnitude of these forces varies inversely with $S$ and so diverges as the points merge; the corresponding torques vanish in these defects. The geometry behaves near each of the singularities as a biharmonic monopole, in the region between them as a surface of constant mean curvature, and in distant regions as a biharmonic quadrupole. Comparison of the distribution of stress with the quadratic approximation in the height functions points to shortcomings of the latter representation. Radial tension is accompanied by lateral compression, both near the singularities and far away, with a crossover from tension to compression occurring in the region between them.Comment: 26 pages, 10 figure

Behaviour of alkaline cement mortars reinforced with acrylic and polypropylene fibres

[EN]In the present work, the behaviour of alkaline cement mortars reinforced with fibres of different nature (acrylic and polypropylene fibres) is studied. Also the chemical stability of those fibres in strong alkaline medium has been' investigated. Three different matrixes have been used: glass blast furnace slag activated with NaOII 2M (room temperature, 22 "C); fly ash activated with NaOII 8M, cured at 85 "C during 24 hours and 50% fly ash / 50%j slag activated with NaOII 8M, room temperature. The fibre content was 0,2 and 7% in mortar volume. The tests carried out were: tenacity and tenacity index, impact resistance and drying shrinkage. On the specimens tested, a microstructural study by SEM/EDX was carried out. The results obtained have demonstrated the following: a) The acrylic and polypropylene fibres are stable in strong basic media, although the first undergo hydrolysis/ hydration processes showed by the alteration of the surface texture, b) with low fibre contents (0,2%) in volume), tenacity and tenacity index of these mortars remain unaffected. With higher contents (1%)), an increase of the corresponding values is produced. This increment is higher in mortars with alkaline activated slag, c) For the three matrixes studied, the polypropylene fibres increase the impact strength in higher degree than the acrylic ones. The reinforcement effect is more significative in matrix A and when the fibre content is /% in volume, d) the shrinkage of these mortars is modified depending on the matrix and fibre type. In mortars of activated slag, fibres do not reduce the shrinkage. In mortars of activated fly ash reinforced with acrylic fibres, shrinkage is lower than those containing polypropylene fibres are. Finally, in mortars of fly ash/ activated slag, the two fibres decrease the drying shrinkage.[ES] En el presente trabajo se estudia el comportamiento de morteros de cementos alcalinos reforzados con fibras de distinta naturaleza (acrílica y de polipropileno). Se ha evaluado también la estabilidad química de dichas fibras en medios fuertemente alcalinos. Se han utilizado tres matrices diferentes: escoria vitrea de horno alto activada con NaOII 2M, temperatura ambiente (22 "C); ceniza volante activada con NaOH 8M, curada a 85 "C durante 24 horas y 50%ceniza/50%escoria activada con NaOH 8M, temperatura ambiente. El contenido de fibra fue del 0,2 y J% en volumen de mortero. Los ensayos realizados fueron: tenacidad e índice de tenacidad, resistencia al impacto y retracción al secado. Sobre las probetas ensayadas a impacto se realizó un estudio microestructural por SEM/EDX. Los resultados obtenidos han demostrado que: a) Las fibras acrílicas y de polipropileno son estables en medios fuertemente básicos, aunque las primeras experimentan procesos de hidrólisis/hidratación que se manifiesta con alteración de su textura superficial, b) Con bajos contenidos en fibra (0,2% en volumen), la tenacidad y el índice de tenacidad de estos morteros no se ve afectado. Con contenidos superiores (1%) se produce un incremento en los correspondientes valores. Este incremento es mayor en los morteros de escoria activada alcalinamente, c) Para las tres matrices estudiadas, las fibras de polipropileno incrementan la resistencia al impacto en mayor medida que las fibras acrílicas. El efecto de refuerzo es más significativo en la matriz que contiene escorias y cuando el contenido de fibra es del ¡% en volumen, d) La retracción al secado de estos morteros se modifica dependiendo del tipo de matriz y fibra. En los morteros de escoria activada, las fibras no reducen la retracción. En los morteros de ceniza activada reforzados con las fibras acrílicas, la retracción es menor que cuando contienen fibras de polipropileno o carecen de ellas. Finalmente, en los morteros de ceniza/escoria activada, las dos fibras reducen la retracción al secado.Peer reviewe

Gravitational shocks as a key ingredient of Gamma-Ray Bursts

We identify a novel physical mechanism that may be responsible for energy release in $\gamma$-ray bursts. Radial perturbations in the neutron core, induced by its collision with collapsing outer layers during the early stages of supernova explosions, can trigger a gravitational shock, which can readily eject a small but significant fraction of the collapsing material at ultra-relativistic speeds. The development of such shocks is a strong-field effect arising in near-critical collapse in General Relativity and has been observed in numerical simulations in various contexts, including in particular radially perturbed neutron star collapse, albeit for a tiny range of initial conditions. Therefore, this effect can be easily missed in numerical simulations if the relevant parameter space is not exhaustively investigated. In the proposed picture, the observed rarity of $\gamma$-ray bursts would be explained if the relevant conditions for this mechanism appear in only about one in every $10^4-10^5$ core collapse supernovae. We also mention the possibility that near-critical collapse could play a role in powering the central engines of Active Galactic Nuclei.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figure

Estructura y evolución geodinámica del extremo noreste del margen continental catalán durante el Neógeno

The neogene structure and geodynamic evolution of the continental margin between the Cape Bagur and the Cape Creus, has heen studied by means of multichannel seismic profiles. This structure is explained in a regional geodynarnic framework: the opening of the Western Mediterranean and the changes of the relative motion between the European and Afncan plates (NNE in the Latest Oligocene and NO in the Tortonian age). Major margin structures consist of a set of structural highs, grabens and semigrabens infilled by Neogene-Quaternary sediments, whose thicknesses range from 400 m near the coast to 4.000 m in the continental slope. This structures are associated to NE-SW to N-S and NWSE to WNW-ESE fault systems. The NE-SW to N-S system produces the structural configuration of the continental margin and the KW-SE to WNW-ESE is associated to the main basins: Rosas and Bagur. Three main units have been differenciated in the seismic profiles overlying a pre-Neogene basement: the two lowest units (Oligocene?- Lower Miocene and Middle-Upper Miocene units) are associated with the development of neogene deposits, whilst the third consist of post-Messinian deposits (Plio-Quaternary unit). The proposed geodynamic evolution of the area includes two stages: (1) latest Oligocene-Burdigalian rifting where extensión was accomodated by NE-SW normal faults and NW-SE transfer faults related to the Burdigalian drifting, (2) Tortonian to Present stage characterized by the blocking of the NE-SW faults and the extensional development of the NW-SE fault trend. Each stage involves a basin geometry and a style of faulting

Spin configuration in a frustrated ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic thin film system

We have studied the magnetic configuration in ultrathin antiferromagnetic Mn films grown around monoatomic steps on an Fe(001) surface by spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy and ab-initio-parametrized self-consistent real-space tight binding calculations in which the spin quantization axis is independent for each site thus allowing noncollinear magnetism. Mn grown on Fe(001) presents a layered antiferromagnetic structure. In the regions where the Mn films overgrows Fe steps the magnetization of the surface layer is reversed across the steps. Around these defects a frustration of the antiferromagnetic order occurs. Due to the weakened magnetic coupling at the central Mn layers, the amount of frustration is smaller than in Cr and the width of the wall induced by the step does not change with the thickness, at least for coverages up to seven monolayers.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figure

Density and reproductive characteristics of female brown bears in the Cantabrian Mountains, NW Spain

Here we present annual nearest-neighbour distances (as a proxy of density) between females with cubs-of-the-year (hereafter FCOY) and reproductive characteristics of brown bears Ursus arctos in the Cantabrian Mountains (NW Spain), from 1989 to 2017. FCOY nearest-neighbour distances and reproduction parameters of 19 focal females followed over several consecutive years (from 2004 to 2017) were obtained from bears inhabiting the western sector of the Cantabrian Mountains, where most of the bear population resides. In contrast, general reproductive characteristics were studied in the whole Cantabrian Mountains (western and eastern sectors together) on a sample of 362 litter sizes and 695 cubs. Mean nearest-neighbour distance between FCOY was 2559 ± 1222 m (range = 1305–4757 m). Mean litter size was significantly larger in the west (1.8 ± 0.2 cubs) than in the east (1.3 ± 0.6 cubs). Mean litter size for the whole of the Cantabrian Mountains was 1.6 ± 0.3 cubs. Litter sizes of one, two and three cubs represented 33.4, 56.1 and 10.5% of observed family groups, respectively. Interannual variations in litter size were not significant for both the western and the eastern areas. Mean cub mortality was 0.2 ± 0.5 cubs and did not vary among years. Cub mortality per litter size was 3.9% for one cub, 69.2% for two cubs and 26.9% for three cubs. Mean reproductive rate of the 19 focal females was 1.5 ± 0.6 cubs (n = 58 litters). Litter size of focal FCOY did not differ from the litter size obtained from systematic observations in the whole Cantabrian Mountains. During this period, cub mortality occurred in 24.1% of the 58 litters. Females usually bred every second year (average litter interval = 2.2 years). The estimated reproductive rate for the bear population was 0.7 young born/year/reproductive adult female