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The Jensen theorem is used to derive inequalities for semi-classical tunneling probabilities for systems involving several degrees of freedom. These Jensen inequalities are used to discuss several aspects of sub-barrier heavy-ion fusion reactions. The inequality hinges on general convexity properties of the tunneling coefficient calculated with the classical action in the classically forbidden region.

We present a semiclassical prediction of regular-to-chaotic tunneling in systems with a mixed phase space, including the effect of a nonlinear resonance chain. We identify complex paths for direct and resonance-assisted tunneling in the phase space of an integrable approximation with one nonlinear resonance chain. We evaluate the resonance-assisted contribution analytically and give a prediction based on just a few properties of the classical phase space. For the standard map excellent agreement with numerically determined tunneling rates is observed. The results should similarly apply to ionization rates and quality factors.

For the low-temperature electrical conductance of a disordered {\it quantum insulator} in $d$-dimensions, Mott \cite{mott} had proposed his Variable Range Hopping (VRH) formula, $G(T) = G_0 {\rm exp}[-(T_0/T)^{\gamma}]$, where $G_0$ is a material constant and $T_0$ is a characteristic temperature scale. For disordered but non-interacting carrier charges, Mott had found that $\gamma = 1/(d+1)$ in $d$-dimensions. Later on, Efros and Shkolvskii \cite{esh} found that for a pure ({\it i.e.}, disorder-free) {\it quantum insulator} with interacting charges, $\gamma =1/2$, {\it independent of d}. Recent experiments indicate that $\gamma$ is either (i) larger than any of the above predictions; and, (ii) more intriguingly, it seems to be a function of $p$, the dopant concentration. We investigate this issue with a {\it semi-classical} or {\it semi-quantum} RRTN ({\it Random Resistor cum Tunneling-bond Network}) model, developed by us in the 1990's. These macroscopic {\it granular/ percolative composites} are built up from randomly placed meso- or nanoscopic coarse-grained clusters, with two phenomenological functions for the temperature-dependence of the metallic and the semi-conducting bonds. We find that our RRTN model (in 2D, for simplicity) also captures this continuous change of $\gamma$ with $p$, satisfactorily.