Equivalence of Faddeev-Jackiw and Dirac approaches for gauge theories

The equivalence between the Dirac method and Faddeev-Jackiw analysis for gauge theories is proved. In particular we trace out, in a stage by stage procedure, the standard classification of first and second class constraints of Dirac's method in the F-J approach. We also find that the Darboux transformation implied in the F-J reduction process can be viewed as a canonical transformation in Dirac approach. Unlike Dirac's method the F-J analysis is a classical reduction procedure, then the quantization can be achieved only in the framework of reduce and then quantize approach with all the know problems that this type of procedures presents. Finally we illustrate the equivalence by means of a particular example.Comment: Latex v2.09, 15 pages, to appear in Int. J. Mod. Phys.

Faddeev-Jackiw approach to gauge theories and ineffective constraints

The general conditions for the applicability of the Faddeev-Jackiw approach to gauge theories are studied. When the constraints are effective a new proof in the Lagrangian framework of the equivalence between this method and the Dirac approach is given. We find, however, that the two methods may give different descriptions for the reduced phase space when ineffective constraints are present. In some cases the Faddeev-Jackiw approach may lose some constraints or some equations of motion. We believe that this inequivalence can be related to the failure of the Dirac conjecture (that says that the Dirac Hamiltonian can be enlarged to an Extended Hamiltonian including all first class constraints, without changes in the dynamics) and we suggest that when the Dirac conjecture fails the Faddeev-Jackiw approach fails to give the correct dynamics. Finally we present some examples that illustrate this inequivalence.Comment: 21 pages, Latex. To be published in Int. J. Mod. Phys.

Quantifying sudden changes in dynamical systems using symbolic networks

We characterise the evolution of a dynamical system by combining two well-known complex systems' tools, namely, symbolic ordinal analysis and networks. From the ordinal representation of a time-series we construct a network in which every node weights represents the probability of an ordinal patterns (OPs) to appear in the symbolic sequence and each edges weight represents the probability of transitions between two consecutive OPs. Several network-based diagnostics are then proposed to characterize the dynamics of different systems: logistic, tent and circle maps. We show that these diagnostics are able to capture changes produced in the dynamics as a control parameter is varied. We also apply our new measures to empirical data from semiconductor lasers and show that they are able to anticipate the polarization switchings, thus providing early warning signals of abrupt transitions.Comment: 18 pages, 9 figures, to appear in New Journal of Physic

Rheology of acid suspensions containing cassava bagasse: Effect of biomass loading, acid content and temperature

[EN] Understanding the characterization and rheological behavior of acid suspensions of cassava bagasse provides essential information for the design of conversion processes. Samples with different cassava bagasse concentrations (0-10% w.w-1), phosphoric acid (0-10% w.w(-1)) at temperatures between 278.13 and 318.13 K were submitted to steady-state flow over a wide range of shear rates (1-265 s(-1)). The biomass particles had considerable residual starch (similar to 50% db), low lignin content and adequate particle size (<200 mu m) for the conversion process. Flow curves were well-fitted to the Herschel-Bulkley model, presenting a Newtonian domain at low solids and acid content and a non-Newtonian behavior with noticeable yield stress and shear-thinning characteristic (n < 1) at above 6% of cassava bagasse. Resistance to flow increased as the solids loading and acid content increased. Temperature dependence could be expressed as a function of an Arrhenius-type equation with good accuracy of fit. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.The authors would like to thank Prof. Rosiane Lopes Cunha and Prof. Ana Carla Kawazoe Sato from University of Campinas (UNICAMP) for their support with particle size analyses. The authors also acknowledge the Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP (Grant number 2017/06518-2) and the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel -CAPES (Grant number 88881.132626/2016-01) for their financial support.Carregari-Polachini, T.; Mulet Pons, A.; Carcel, JA.; Telis Romero, J. (2019). Rheology of acid suspensions containing cassava bagasse: Effect of biomass loading, acid content and temperature. Powder Technology. 354:271-280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2019.05.086S27128035

Advances in selective activation of muscles for non-invasive motor neuroprostheses

Non-invasive neuroprosthetic (NP) technologies for movement compensation and rehabilitation remain with challenges for their clinical application. Two of those major challenges are selective activation of muscles and fatigue management. This review discusses how electrode arrays improve the efficiency and selectivity of functional electrical stimulation (FES) applied via transcutaneous electrodes. In this paper we review the principles and achievements during the last decade on techniques for artificial motor unit recruitment to improve the selective activation of muscles. We review the key factors affecting the outcome of muscle force production via multi-pad transcutaneous electrical stimulation and discuss how stimulation parameters can be set to optimize external activation of body segments. A detailed review of existing electrode array systems proposed by different research teams is also provided. Furthermore, a review of the targeted applications of existing electrode arrays for control of upper and lower limb NPs is provided. Eventually, last section demonstrates the potential of electrode arrays to overcome the major challenges of NPs for compensation and rehabilitation of patient-specific impairments.This work has been done with partial financial support of the Ministry of Science and Innovation, in the framework of national project HYPER(CSD 2009-00067- Hybrid Neuroprosthetic and Neurorobotic Devices for Functional Compensation and Rehabilitation of Motor Disorders) and European Union in the framework of TREMOR Project: “TREMOR: An ambulatory BCI-driven tremor suppression system based on functional electrical stimulation”, ICT-2007-224051, and “NeuroTREMOR: A novel concept for support to diagnosis and remote management of tremor”, ICT-2011.5.1-287739.Peer reviewe

Benchmarking Bipedal Locomotion: A Unified Scheme for Humanoids, Wearable Robots, and Humans

In the field of robotics, there is a growing awareness of the importance of benchmarking [1], [2]. Benchmarking not only allows the assessment and comparison of the performance of different technologies but also defines and supports the standardization and regulation processes during their introduction to the market. Its importance has been recently emphasized by the adoption of the technology readiness levels (TRLs) in the Horizon 2020 information and communication technologies by the European Union as an important guideline to assess when a technology can shift from one TRL to the other. The objective of this article is to define the basis of a benchmarking scheme for the assessment of bipedal locomotion that could be applied and shared across different research communities.European Commission Seventh Framework Program, and COS