Non-Hermitian quantum dynamics and entanglement of coupled nonlinear resonators

We consider a generalization of recently proposed non-Hermitian model for resonant cavities coupled by a chiral mirror by taking into account number non-conservation and nonlinear interactions. We analyze non-Hermitian quantum dynamics of populations and entanglement of the cavity modes. We find that an interplay of initial coherence and non-Hermitian coupling leads to a counterintuitive population transfer. While an initially coherent cavity mode is depleted, the other empty cavity can be populated more or less than the initially filled one. Moreover, presence of nonlinearity yields population collapse and revival as well as bipartite entanglement of the cavity modes. In addition to coupled cavities, we point out that similar models can be found in $\mathcal{PT}$ symmetric Bose-Hubbard dimers of Bose-Einstein condensates or in coupled soliton-plasmon waveguides. We specifically illustrate quantum dynamics of populations and entanglement in a heuristic model that we propose for a soliton-plasmon system with soliton amplitude dependent asymmetric interaction. Degree of asymmetry, nonlinearity and coherence are examined to control plasmon excitations and soliton-plasmon entanglement. Relations to $\mathcal{PT}$ symmetric lasers and Jahn-Teller systems are pointed out

V1135 Herculis: a double-lined eclipsing binary with an Anomalous Cepheid

BVR light curves and radial velocities for the double-lined eclipsing binary V1135\,Her were obtained. The brighter component of V1135\,Her is a Cepheid variable with a pulsation period of 4.22433$\pm$0.00026 days. The orbital period of the system is about 39.99782$\pm$0.00233 days, which is the shortest value among the known Type\,II Cepheid binaries. The observed B, V, and R magnitudes were cleaned for the intrinsic variations of the primary star. The remaining light curves, consisting of eclipses and proximity effects, are obtained. Our analyses of the multi-colour light curves and radial velocities led to the determination of fundamental stellar properties of both components of the interesting system V1135\,Her. The system consists of two evolved stars, G1+K3 between giants and supergiants, with masses of M$_1$=1.461$\pm$0.054 \Msun ~and M$_2$=0.504$\pm$0.040 {\Msun} and radii of R$_1$=27.1$\pm$0.4 {\Rsun} and R$_2$=10.4$\pm$0.2 {\Rsun}. The pulsating star is almost filling its corresponding Roche lobe which indicates the possibility of mass loss or transfer having taken place. We find an average distance of d=7500$\pm$450 pc using the BVR magnitudes and also the V-band extinction. Location in the Galaxy and the distance to the galactic plane with an amount of 1300 pc indicate that it probably belongs to the thick-disk population. Most of the observed and calculated parameters of the V1135\,Her and its location on the color-magnitude and period-luminosity diagrams lead to a classification of an Anomalous Cepheid.Comment: 25 pages, 9 Tables, 9 Figures, Accepted Revista Mexicana de Astronom\'ia y Astrof\'isica. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1211.120

Psychometric validation of the Turkish nine-item Internet Gaming Disorder Scale–Short Form (IGDS9-SF)

The main aims of the current study were to test the factor structure, reliability and validity of the nine-item Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGDS9- SF), a standardized measure to assess symptoms and prevalence of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD). In the present study participants were assessed with the IGDS9-SF, nine-item Internet Gaming Disorder Scale (IGDS) and the Young's Internet Addiction Test-Short Form (YIAT-SF). Confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated that the factor structure (i.e., the dimensional structure) of the IGDS9-SF was satisfactory. The scale was also reliable (i.e., internally consistent with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.89) and showed adequate convergent and criterion-related validity, as indicated by statistically significant positive correlations between average time daily spent playing games during last year, IGDS and YIAT-SF scores. By applying the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) threshold for diagnosing IGD (e.g., endorsing at least five criteria), it was found that the prevalence of disordered gamers ranged from 0.96% (whole sample) to 2.57% (e-sports players). These findings support the Turkish version of the IGDS9-SF as a valid and reliable tool for determining the extent of IGD-related problems among young adults and for the purposes of early IGD diagnosis in clinical settings and similar research

ANALYSIS AND APPLICATION OF A NEW MARITIME CONTAINER LINE: A CASE STUDY

Marine container transportation has shown important developments during recent years. Due to increased demands for such transportation, the related companies have to enlarge their capacities and establish new lines. The most important criterion to put in a new line is the customer’s demand for such a line under marketing conditions. There would be no commercial significance for the supply if the demand is insufficient. The demand can be calculated by the present market, marketing research and cargo statistics between the two ports involved. Marketing research consists of the phases related to identify the targets and the problems, doing the research, developing the plan, collecting and analyzing the data. Another step when establishing a new line is the itinerary of the line and also which ports will be used for the line. Furthermore the present equipment of the ports, technology and possibilities play important role in the selection of the ports. In this research the following aspects have been discussed; the factors which should be considered while the decision is being taken to establish a new container line; analysis of the operation costs; financial analyses and result for the first 5 voyages of the new container line which was established according to certain assumptions and acceptances

Analytical, numerical, and experimental investigation of a Luneburg lens system for directional cloaking

In this study, the design of a directional cloaking based on the Luneburg lens system is proposed and its operating principle is experimentally verified. The cloaking concept is analytically investigated via geometrical optics and numerically realized with the help of the finite-difference time-domain method. In order to benefit from its unique focusing and/or collimating characteristics of light, the Luneburg lens is used. We show that by the proper combination of Luneburg lenses in an array form, incident light bypasses the region between junctions of the lenses, i.e., the "dark zone." Hence, direct interaction of an object with propagating light is prevented if one places the object to be cloaked inside that dark zone. This effect is used for hiding an object which is made of a perfectly electric conductor material. In order to design an implementable cloaking device, the Luneburg lens is discretized into a photonic crystal structure having gradually varying air cylindrical holes in a dielectric material by using Maxwell Garnett effective medium approximations. Experimental verifications of the designed cloaking structure are performed at microwave frequencies of around 8 GHz. The proposed structure is fabricated by three-dimensional printing of dielectric polylactide material and a brass metallic alloy is utilized in place of the perfectly electric conductor material in microwave experiments. Good agreement between numerical and experimental results is found. © 2019 American Physical Society

The Effects of Age at Circumcision on Premature Ejaculation 2

SUMMARY Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of age at circumcision on premature ejaculation (PE). Materials and Methods: The study included 40 healthy male controls and 40 male patients diagnosed as PE according to American Psychiatric Association criteria and the Golombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) premature ejaculation subscale. The 2 groups were compared according to age at circumcision and GRISS score. Results: The PE group and control group were sociodemographically similar, but differed in marital status. The groups differed in GRISS communication, degree of satisfaction, avoidance, sensuality, erectile dysfunction, and PE subscale scores. These differences only displayed a dysfunction in the degree of satisfaction and premature ejaculation subscales. The groups also differed in age at circumcision; accordingly, those that were circumcised at ≥7 years of age had higher GRISS scores and a higher risk of having PE than those that were circumcised at >7 years of age. Conclusion: Age at circumcision had an effect on PE; circumcision at ≥7 years of age was associated with an increase in the risk of PE, as compared to circumcision at >7 years of age. We think that families should have their boys circumcised before the age of 7 years and highly recommend that the procedure be performed within in the first 3 years of life

Cumulant expansion with localization: a new representation of the diffusion MRI signal

Diffusion MR is sensitive to the microstructural features of a sample. Fine-scale characteristics can be probed by employing strong diffusion gradients while the low b-value regime is determined by the cumulants of the distribution of particle displacements. A signal representation based on the cumulants, however, suffers from a finite convergence radius and cannot represent the ‘localization regime' characterized by a stretched exponential decay that emerges at large gradient strengths. Here, we propose a new representation for the diffusion MR signal. Our method provides not only a robust estimate of the first three cumulants but also a meaningful extrapolation of the entire signal decay

Cumulant expansion with localization: a new representation of the diffusion MRI signal

Diffusion MR is sensitive to the microstructural features of a sample. Fine-scale characteristics can be probed by employing strong diffusion gradients while the low b-value regime is determined by the cumulants of the distribution of particle displacements. A signal representation based on the cumulants, however, suffers from a finite convergence radius and cannot represent the ‘localization regime' characterized by a stretched exponential decay that emerges at large gradient strengths. Here, we propose a new representation for the diffusion MR signal. Our method provides not only a robust estimate of the first three cumulants but also a meaningful extrapolation of the entire signal decay

Usability problem reports for comparative studies: consistency and inspectability

The present study explores issues of consistency and inspectability in usability test data analysis processes and reports. Problem reports resulting from usability tests performed by three professional usability labs in three different countries are compared. Each of the labs conducted a usability test on the same product, applying an agreed test protocol that was collaboratively developed by the labs. Each lab first analyzed their own findings as they always do in their regular professional practice. A few weeks later, they again analyzed their findings but then everyone applied the same method (SlimDEVAN: a simplified version of DEVAN, a method developed for facilitating comparison of findings from usability tests in an academic setting). It was found that levels of agreement between labs did not improve when they all used SlimDEVAN there was inherent subjectivity in their analyses. It was found that consistency of single analysts in analyzing their data can be improved by using a method like SlimDEVAN. Such methods can also help in making the analysis process and findings more inspectable. Inspectability is helpful in comparative studies based on identified usability problems because it allows for the traceability of findings to original observations, as well as for laying bare the subjective parts of the data analysis