Conformal and non Conformal Dilaton Gravity

The quantum dynamics of the gravitational field non-minimally coupled to an (also dynamical) scalar field is studied in the {\em broken phase}. For a particular value of the coupling the system is classically conformal, and can actually be understood as the group averaging of Einstein-Hilbert's action under conformal transformations. Conformal invariance implies a simple Ward identity asserting that the trace of the equation of motion for the graviton is the equation of motion of the scalar field. We perform an explicit one-loop computation to show that the DeWitt effective action is not UV divergent {\em on shell} and to find that the Weyl symmetry Ward identity is preserved {\em on shell} at that level. We also discuss the fate of this Ward identity at the two-loop level --under the assumption that the two-loop UV divergent part of the effective action can be retrieved from the Goroff-Sagnotti counterterm-- and show that its preservation in the renormalized theory requires the introduction of counterterms which exhibit a logarithmic dependence on the dilaton field.Comment: LateX, 50 pages. Several points clarified; references added. New section on Weyl invariant renormalisation adde

A Renormalization Group Analysis of the NCG constraints m_{top} = 2\,m_W}, mHiggs=3.14 mWm_{Higgs} = 3.14 \, m_W

We study the evolution under the renormalization group of the restrictions on the parameters of the standard model coming from Non-Commutative Geometry, namely $m_{top} = 2\,m_W$ and $m_{Higgs} = 3.14 \, m_W$. We adopt the point of view that these relations are to be interpreted as {\it tree level} constraints and, as such, can be implemented in a mass independent renormalization scheme only at a given energy scale $\mu_0$. We show that the physical predictions on the top and Higgs masses depend weakly on $\mu_0$.Comment: 7 pages, FTUAM-94/2, uses harvma

The U(1)A anomaly in noncommutative SU(N) theories

We work out the one-loop $U(1)_A$ anomaly for noncommutative SU(N) gauge theories up to second order in the noncommutative parameter $\theta^{\mu\nu}$. We set $\theta^{0i}=0$ and conclude that there is no breaking of the classical $U(1)_A$ symmetry of the theory coming from the contributions that are either linear or quadratic in $\theta^{\mu\nu}$. Of course, the ordinary anomalous contributions will be still with us. We also show that the one-loop conservation of the nonsinglet currents holds at least up to second order in $\theta^{\mu\nu}$. We adapt our results to noncommutative gauge theories with SO(N) and U(1) gauge groups.Comment: 50 pages, 5 figures in eps files. Some comments and references adde

Yukawa terms in noncommutative SO(10) and E6 GUTs

We propose a method for constructing Yukawa terms for noncommutative SO(10) and E6 GUTs, when these GUTs are formulated within the enveloping-algebra formalism. The most general noncommutative Yukawa term that we propose contains, at first order in thetamunu, the most general BRS invariant Yukawa contribution whose only dimensionful parameter is the noncommutativity parameter. This noncommutative Yukawa interaction is thus renormalisable at first order in thetamunu.Comment: 14 pages, no figure

Hokupa'a-Gemini Discovery of Two Ultracool Companions to the Young Star HD 130948

We report the discovery of two faint ultracool companions to the nearby (d~17.9 pc) young G2V star HD 130948 (HR 5534, HIP 72567) using the Hokupa'a adaptive optics instrument mounted on the Gemini North 8-meter telescope. Both objects have the same common proper motion as the primary star as seen over a 7 month baseline and have near-IR photometric colors that are consistent with an early-L classification. Near-IR spectra taken with the NIRSPEC AO instrument on the Keck II telescope reveal K I lines, FeH, and water bandheads. Based on these spectra, we determine that both objects have spectral type dL2 with an uncertainty of 2 spectral subclasses. The position of the new companions on the H-R diagram in comparison with theoretical models is consistent with the young age of the primary star (<0.8 Gyr) estimated on the basis of X-ray activity, lithium abundance and fast rotation. HD 130948 B and C likely constitute a pair of young contracting brown dwarfs with an orbital period of about 10 years, and will yield dynamical masses for L dwarfs in the near future.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures, (13 total pages

Operation speed of polariton condensate switches gated by excitons

We present a time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) study in real- and momentum-space of a polariton condensate switch in a quasi-1D semiconductor microcavity. The polariton flow across the ridge is gated by excitons inducing a barrier potential due to repulsive interactions. A study of the device operation dependence on the power of the pulsed gate beam obtains a satisfactory compromise for the ON/OFF-signal ratio and -switching time of the order of 0.3 and $\thicksim50$ ps, respectively. The opposite transition is governed by the long-lived gate excitons, consequently the OFF/ON-switching time is $\thicksim200$ ps, limiting the overall operation speed of the device to $\thicksim3$ GHz. The experimental results are compared to numerical simulations based on a generalized Gross-Pitaevskii equation, taking into account incoherent pumping, decay and energy relaxation within the condensate.Comment: 11 pages, 11 figure

Attitude towards gender equality and coeducation among Secondary School teachers: a case study in Madrid, Spain

Introduction. In spite of the education reform and the introduction of mixed schools, there are still obstacles to gender equality in Spain. Sexist attitudes and values continue to influence personal development and career choices, limiting women''s participation in many spheres. The opinions, beliefs, ideas, conceptions, expectations and personal attitude of teaching professionals exert a great influence on the students who perceive them, which calls for up-to-date information on teaching staff’s perceptions towards gender equality and coeducation. Method. In this work, results from a survey distributed to 105 teachers in three Secondary Schools in the Autonomous Community of Madrid are presented. The retrieved data was analyzed by using parametric (ANOVA) and non-parametric (Kruskal-Wallis) tests. Results. Significant differences were found among the respondents in terms of their views on gender equality for the gender and gender*age factors, and for the gender and years of teaching experience factors in the case of their perceptions about coeducation. Discussion and Conclusion. Although the tendency toward a true status of equality was more pronounced in women than in men, an adequate predisposition of the majority of teachers of both sexes towards the achievement of a social equality model based on the promotion of peer roles and coeducational practices was found. Teaching staff appears to be aware of the importance of adopting policies and laws that favor effective and real equality between men and women. © 2021. Universidad de Almería and Ilustre Colegio Oficial de la Psicología de Andalucía Oriental (Spain). All Rights Reserved

Spin Selective Filtering of Polariton Condensate Flow

Spin-selective spatial filtering of propagating polariton condensates, using a controllable spin-dependent gating barrier, in a one-dimensional semiconductor microcavity ridge waveguide is reported. A nonresonant laser beam provides the source of propagating polaritons while a second circularly polarized weak beam imprints a spin dependent potential barrier, which gates the polariton flow and generates polariton spin currents. A complete spin-based control over the blocked and transmitted polaritons is obtained by varying the gate polarization.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Universal Conductance Distributions in the Crossover between Diffusive and Localization Regimes

The full distribution of the conductance $P(G)$ in quasi-one-dimensional wires with rough surfaces is analyzed from the diffusive to the localization regime. In the crossover region, where the statistics is dominated by only one or two eigenchannels, the numerically obtained P(G) is found to be independent of the details of the system with the average conductance as the only scaling parameter. For < e^2/h, P(G) is given by an essentially ``one-sided'' log-normal distribution. In contrast, for e^2/h <= 2e^2/h, the shape of P(G) remarkable agrees with those predicted by random matrix theory for two fluctuating transmission eigenchannels.Comment: Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. Let