The group structure of non-Abelian NS-NS transformations

We study the transformations of the worldvolume fields of a system of multiple coinciding D-branes under gauge transformations of the supergravity Kalb-Ramond field. We find that the pure gauge part of these NS-NS transformations can be written as a U(N) symmetry of the underlying Yang-Mills group, but that in general the full NS-NS variations get mixed up non-trivially with the U(N). We compute the commutation relations and the Jacobi identities of the bigger group formed by the NS-NS and U(N) transformations.Comment: Latex, 11 pages. v2: Typos corrected; version to appear in JHEP

Exact N=2 Supergravity Solutions With Polarized Branes

We construct several classes of exact supersymmetric supergravity solutions describing D4 branes polarized into NS5 branes and F-strings polarized into D2 branes. These setups belong to the same universality class as the perturbative solutions used by Polchinski and Strassler to describe the string dual of N=1* theories. The D4-NS5 setup can be interpreted as a string dual to a confining 4+1 dimensional theory with 8 supercharges, whose properties we discuss. By T-duality, our solutions give Type IIB supersymmetric backgrounds with polarized branes.Comment: 22 pages. v2 - references added, details clarifie

Synthetic Data Generation and Defense in Depth Measurement of Web Applications

Measuring security controls across multiple layers of defense requires realistic data sets and repeatable experiments. However, data sets that are collected from real users often cannot be freely exchanged due to privacy and regulatory concerns. Synthetic datasets, which can be shared, have in the past had critical flaws or at best been one time collections of data focusing on a single layer or type of data. We present a framework for generating synthetic datasets with normal and attack data for web applications across multiple layers simultaneously. The framework is modular and designed for data to be easily recreated in order to vary parameters and allow for inline testing. We build a prototype data generator using the framework to generate nine datasets with data logged on four layers: network, file accesses, system calls, and database simultaneously. We then test nineteen security controls spanning all four layers to determine their sensitivity to dataset changes, compare performance even across layers, compare synthetic data to real production data, and calculate combined defense in depth performance of sets of controls

Interaction between M2-branes and Bulk Form Fields

We construct the interaction terms between the world-volume fields of multiple M2-branes and the 3- and 6-form fields in the context of ABJM theory with U($N$)$\times$U($N$) gauge symmetry. A consistency check is made in the simplest case of a single M2-brane, i.e, our construction matches the known effective action of M2-brane coupled to antisymmetric 3-form field. We show that when dimensionally reduced, our couplings coincide with the effective action of D2-branes coupled to R-R 3- and 5-form fields in type IIA string theory. We also comment on the relation between a coupling with a specific 6-form field configuration and the supersymmetry preserving mass deformation in ABJM theory.Comment: 30 pages, version to appear in JHE

Principal components analysis based control of a multi-dof underactuated prosthetic hand

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Functionality, controllability and cosmetics are the key issues to be addressed in order to accomplish a successful functional substitution of the human hand by means of a prosthesis. Not only the prosthesis should duplicate the human hand in shape, functionality, sensorization, perception and sense of body-belonging, but it should also be controlled as the natural one, in the most intuitive and undemanding way. At present, prosthetic hands are controlled by means of non-invasive interfaces based on electromyography (EMG). Driving a multi degrees of freedom (DoF) hand for achieving hand dexterity implies to selectively modulate many different EMG signals in order to make each joint move independently, and this could require significant cognitive effort to the user.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A Principal Components Analysis (PCA) based algorithm is used to drive a 16 DoFs underactuated prosthetic hand prototype (called CyberHand) with a two dimensional control input, in order to perform the three prehensile forms mostly used in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). Such Principal Components set has been derived directly from the artificial hand by collecting its sensory data while performing 50 different grasps, and subsequently used for control.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Trials have shown that two independent input signals can be successfully used to control the posture of a real robotic hand and that correct grasps (in terms of involved fingers, stability and posture) may be achieved.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This work demonstrates the effectiveness of a bio-inspired system successfully conjugating the advantages of an underactuated, anthropomorphic hand with a PCA-based control strategy, and opens up promising possibilities for the development of an intuitively controllable hand prosthesis.</p

On The Interaction Of D0-Brane Bound States And RR Photons

We consider the problem of the interaction between D0-brane bound state and 1-form RR photons by the world-line theory. Based on the fact that in the world-line theory the RR gauge fields depend on the matrix coordinates of D0-branes, the gauge fields also appear as matrices in the formulation. At the classical level, we derive the Lorentz-like equations of motion for D0-branes, and it is observed that the center-of-mass is colourless with respect to the SU(N) sector of the background. Using the path integral method, the perturbation theory for the interaction between the bound state and the RR background is developed. We discuss what kind of field theory may be corresponded to the amplitudes which are calculated by the perturbation expansion in world-line theory. Qualitative considerations show that the possibility of existence of a map between the world-line theory and the non-Abelian gauge theory is very considerable.Comment: LaTeX, 28 pages, 4 eps figures. v2 and v3: eqs. (3.18) and (B.2) are corrected, very small change

Cognitive vision system for control of dexterous prosthetic hands: Experimental evaluation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Dexterous prosthetic hands that were developed recently, such as SmartHand and i-LIMB, are highly sophisticated; they have individually controllable fingers and the thumb that is able to abduct/adduct. This flexibility allows implementation of many different grasping strategies, but also requires new control algorithms that can exploit the many degrees of freedom available. The current study presents and tests the operation of a new control method for dexterous prosthetic hands.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The central component of the proposed method is an autonomous controller comprising a vision system with rule-based reasoning mounted on a dexterous hand (CyberHand). The controller, termed cognitive vision system (CVS), mimics biological control and generates commands for prehension. The CVS was integrated into a hierarchical control structure: 1) the user triggers the system and controls the orientation of the hand; 2) a high-level controller automatically selects the grasp type and size; and 3) an embedded hand controller implements the selected grasp using closed-loop position/force control. The operation of the control system was tested in 13 healthy subjects who used Cyberhand, attached to the forearm, to grasp and transport 18 objects placed at two different distances.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The system correctly estimated grasp type and size (nine commands in total) in about 84% of the trials. In an additional 6% of the trials, the grasp type and/or size were different from the optimal ones, but they were still good enough for the grasp to be successful. If the control task was simplified by decreasing the number of possible commands, the classification accuracy increased (e.g., 93% for guessing the grasp type only).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The original outcome of this research is a novel controller empowered by vision and reasoning and capable of high-level analysis (i.e., determining object properties) and autonomous decision making (i.e., selecting the grasp type and size). The automatic control eases the burden from the user and, as a result, the user can concentrate on what he/she does, not on how he/she should do it. The tests showed that the performance of the controller was satisfactory and that the users were able to operate the system with minimal prior training.</p

Robots for Humanity: Using Assistive Robots to Empower People with Disabilities

Assistive mobile manipulators have the potential to one day serve as surrogates and helpers for people with disabilities, giving them the freedom to perform tasks such as scratching an itch, picking up a cup, or socializing with their families. This article introduces a collaborative project with the goal of putting assistive mobile manipulators into real homes to work with people with disabilities. Through a participatory design process in which users have been actively involved from day one, we are identifying and developing assistive capabilities for the PR2 robot. Our approach is to develop a diverse suite of open source software tools that blend the capabilities of the user and the robot. Within this article, we introduce the project, describe our progress, and discuss lessons we have learned.This is an author's peer-reviewed final manuscript, as accepted by the publisher. The published article is copyrighted by IEEE-Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and can be found at: http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/RecentIssue.jsp?punumber=100. ©2013 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other users, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted components of this work in other works.Keywords: Medical robotics, Biomedical equipment, Robots, Control systems, Handicapped aids, Software development, Exoskeletons, Sensory aids, Human factors, Prosthetic