10,761 research outputs found
A Z_3-graded generalization of supermatrices
We introduce Z_3-graded objects which are the generalization of the more
familiar Z_2-graded objects that are used in supersymmetric theories and in
many models of non-commutative geometry. First, we introduce the Z_3-graded
Grassmann algebra, and we use this object to construct the Z_3-matrices, which
are the generalizations of the supermatrices. Then, we generalize the concepts
of supertrace and superdeterminant
Synchronous Behavior of Two Coupled Electronic Neurons
We report on experimental studies of synchronization phenomena in a pair of
analog electronic neurons (ENs). The ENs were designed to reproduce the
observed membrane voltage oscillations of isolated biological neurons from the
stomatogastric ganglion of the California spiny lobster Panulirus interruptus.
The ENs are simple analog circuits which integrate four dimensional
differential equations representing fast and slow subcellular mechanisms that
produce the characteristic regular/chaotic spiking-bursting behavior of these
cells. In this paper we study their dynamical behavior as we couple them in the
same configurations as we have done for their counterpart biological neurons.
The interconnections we use for these neural oscillators are both direct
electrical connections and excitatory and inhibitory chemical connections: each
realized by analog circuitry and suggested by biological examples. We provide
here quantitative evidence that the ENs and the biological neurons behave
similarly when coupled in the same manner. They each display well defined
bifurcations in their mutual synchronization and regularization. We report
briefly on an experiment on coupled biological neurons and four dimensional ENs
which provides further ground for testing the validity of our numerical and
electronic models of individual neural behavior. Our experiments as a whole
present interesting new examples of regularization and synchronization in
coupled nonlinear oscillators.Comment: 26 pages, 10 figure
Trained Immunity Confers Broad-Spectrum Protection Against Bacterial Infections.
The innate immune system recalls a challenge to adapt to a secondary challenge, a phenomenon called trained immunity. Training involves cellular metabolic, epigenetic and functional reprogramming, but how broadly trained immunity protects from infections is unknown. For the first time, we addressed whether trained immunity provides protection in a large panel of preclinical models of infections.
Mice were trained and subjected to systemic infections, peritonitis, enteritis, and pneumonia induced by Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Citrobacter rodentium, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Bacteria, cytokines, leukocytes, and hematopoietic precursors were quantified in blood, bone marrow, and organs. The role of monocytes/macrophages, granulocytes, and interleukin 1 signaling was investigated using depletion or blocking approaches.
Induction of trained immunity protected mice in all preclinical models, including when training and infection were initiated in distant organs. Trained immunity increased bone marrow hematopoietic progenitors, blood Ly6Chigh inflammatory monocytes and granulocytes, and sustained blood antimicrobial responses. Monocytes/macrophages and interleukin 1 signaling were required to protect trained mice from listeriosis. Trained mice were efficiently protected from peritonitis and listeriosis for up to 5 weeks.
Trained immunity confers broad-spectrum protection against lethal bacterial infections. These observations support the development of trained immunity-based strategies to improve host defenses
Mapping of shape invariant potentials by the point canonical transformation
In this paper by using the method of point canonical transformation we find
that the Coulomb and Kratzer potentials can be mapped to the Morse potential.
Then we show that the P\"{o}schl-Teller potential type I belongs to the same
subclass of shape invariant potentials as Hulth\'{e}n potential. Also we show
that the shape-invariant algebra for Coulomb, Kratzer, and Morse potentials is
SU(1,1), while the shape-invariant algebra for P\"{o}schl-Teller type I and
Hulth\'{e}n is SU(2)
Photoassociative Production and Trapping of Ultracold KRb Molecules
We have produced ultracold heteronuclear KRb molecules by the process of
photoassociation in a two-species magneto-optical trap. Following decay of the
photoassociated KRb*, the molecules are detected using two-photon ionization
and time-of-flight mass spectroscopy of KRb. A portion of the metastable
triplet molecules thus formed are magnetically trapped. Photoassociative
spectra down to 91 cm below the K(4) + Rb (5) asymptote have
been obtained. We have made assignments to all eight of the attractive Hund's
case (c) KRb* potential curves in this spectral region.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Risk analysis of marine activities in the Belgian part of the North Sea (RAMA): final report
RAMA is a 2-year project (04/2004 - 04/2006) executed by two Belgian partners, Ecolas NV (Environmental Consultancy Agency) and the Maritime Institute (University of Ghent), and financed by the SPSD II research program, specific actions, of the Belgian Science Policy (BELPSO). RAMA aims to assess the environmental risks of spills by commercial shipping activities on the Belgian Part of the North Sea. Shipping patterns, transports of dangerous goods, probability of risks and the potential impact of spill incidents (oil & hazardous and noxious substances) will be assessed. The risk analysis within this project studies both the chances of a spill accident happening and the environmental impacts in case of an accident. The valorisation of the RAMA project will result in a thorough analysis of the current status of the shipping at the North Sea in relation to the issue of safety. The scope of the project will however go beyond the mere result of a fundamental risk analysis of the commercial shipping at the North Sea. It is also aiming at the formulation of recommendations to improve the safety level for the environment and at an optimization of response in the framework of the Belgian "North Sea Disaster Plan"
Polarization tomography of metallic nanohole arrays
We report polarization tomography experiments on metallic nanohole arrays
with square and hexagonal symmetry. As a main result, we find that a fully
polarized input beam is partly depolarized after transmission through a
nanohole array. This loss of polarization coherence is found to be anisotropic,
i.e. it depends on the polarization state of the input beam. The depolarization
is ascribed to a combination of two factors: i) the nonlocal response of the
array due to surface plasmon propagation, ii) the non-plane wave nature of a
practical input beam.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, 1 table, submitted to PR
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