An omnidirectional retroreflector based on the transmutation of dielectric singularities

In the field of transformation optics, metamaterials mimic the effect of coordinate transformations on electromagnetic waves, creating the illusion that the waves are propagating through a virtual space. Transforming space by appropriately designed materials makes devices possible that have been deemed impossible. In particular, transformation optics has led to the demonstration of invisibility cloaking for microwaves, surface plasmons and infrared light. Here we report the achievement of another "impossible task". We implement, for microwaves, a device that would normally require a dielectric singularity, an infinity in the refractive index. We transmute a singularity in virtual space into a mere topological defect in a real metamaterial. In particular, we demonstrate an omnidirectional retroreflector, a device for faithfully reflecting images and for creating high visibility, from all directions. Our method is robust, potentially broadband and similar techniques could be applied for visible light

On the equivalence of Eulerian and Lagrangian variables for the two-component Camassa-Holm system

The Camassa-Holm equation and its two-component Camassa-Holm system generalization both experience wave breaking in finite time. To analyze this, and to obtain solutions past wave breaking, it is common to reformulate the original equation given in Eulerian coordinates, into a system of ordinary differential equations in Lagrangian coordinates. It is of considerable interest to study the stability of solutions and how this is manifested in Eulerian and Lagrangian variables. We identify criteria of convergence, such that convergence in Eulerian coordinates is equivalent to convergence in Lagrangian coordinates. In addition, we show how one can approximate global conservative solutions of the scalar Camassa-Holm equation by smooth solutions of the two-component Camassa-Holm system that do not experience wave breaking

Proper Matter Collineations of Plane Symmetric Spacetimes

We investigate matter collineations of plane symmetric spacetimes when the energy-momentum tensor is degenerate. There exists three interesting cases where the group of matter collineations is finite-dimensional. The matter collineations in these cases are either four, six or ten in which four are isometries and the rest are proper.Comment: 10 pages, LaTex, accepted for publication in Modern Physics Letters

The unique rapid variabilities of the iron Kα\alpha line profiles in NGC 4151

We present a detailed analysis of the iron K$\alpha$ line variabilities in NGC 4151 by using long ASCA observation data obtained in May 1995. Despite the relatively small amplitude variations in the continuum flux, the iron K$\alpha$ line flux and profile show dramatic variations. Particularly, the line profile changes from single peak to seeming double peaks and back in time scales of a few 10$^4$ sec. The seemingly double-peaked profiles can be well interpreted as line emission from a Keplerian ring around a massive black hole. An absorption line at around 5.9 keV is also marginnaly detected. We discussed current Fe K line models, but none of them can well explain the observed line and continuum variations.Comment: 18 pages, latex, 3 figures, ApJ accepte

Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes by Catalytic Chemical Vapor Deposition

As a new carbon material in the twenty-first century, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have excellent optical, electrical, magnetic, thermal, chemical, and mechanical properties. There are many synthesis methods to produce CNTs. Compared with other methods, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is the most effective method that has broad prospects for large-scale control of CNTs in recent years due to its simple equipment, simple operation, and lower cost. In order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the controlling parameters about the formation of CNTs, this chapter reviews the latest progress in the preparation of CNTs by CVD from three of the most important influencing factors: carbon sources, catalysts, and substrates. Among them, the catalyst is the most influential factor for the morphology, structure, and properties of CNTs. It should be pointed out that many growth factors can control the particle size distribution, composition, and structure of the catalysts, such as catalyst substrate, metal transition components added, calcination temperature, etc

Trends in immediate postmastectomy breast reconstruction in the United Kingdom

The study aimed to evaluate local and national trends in immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) using the national English administrative records, Hospital Episode Statistics. Our prediction was an increase in implant-only and free flap procedures and a decline in latissimus flap reconstructions.Data from an oncoplastic center were interrogated to derive numbers of implant-only, autologous latissimus dorsi (LD), LD-assisted, and autologous pedicled or free flap IBR procedures performed between 2004 and 2013. Similarly, Hospital Episode Statistics data were used to quantify national trends in these procedures from 1996 to 2012 using a curve fitting analysis.National data suggest an increase in LD procedures between 1996 (n = 250) and 2002 (n = 958), a gradual rise until 2008 (n = 1398) followed by a decline until 2012 (n = 1090). As a percentage of total IBR, trends in LD flap reconstruction better fit a quadratic (R(2) = 0.97) than a linear function (R(2) = 0.63), confirming a proportional recent decline in LD flap procedures. Conversely, autologous (non-LD) flap reconstructions have increased (1996 = 0.44%; 2012 = 2.76%), whereas implant-only reconstructions have declined (1996 = 95.42%; 2012 = 84.92%). Locally, 70 implant-assisted LD procedures were performed in 2003 -2004, but only 2 were performed in 2012 to 2013.Implants are the most common IBR technique; autologous free flap procedures have increased, and pedicled LD flap procedures are in decline

Efficient Multi-Party Quantum Secret Sharing Schemes

In this work, we generalize the quantum secret sharing scheme of Hillary, Bu\v{z}ek and Berthiaume[Phys. Rev. A59, 1829(1999)] into arbitrary multi-parties. Explicit expressions for the shared secret bit is given. It is shown that in the Hillery-Bu\v{z}ek-Berthiaume quantum secret sharing scheme the secret information is shared in the parity of binary strings formed by the measured outcomes of the participants. In addition, we have increased the efficiency of the quantum secret sharing scheme by generalizing two techniques from quantum key distribution. The favored-measuring-basis Quantum secret sharing scheme is developed from the Lo-Chau-Ardehali technique[H. K. Lo, H. F. Chau and M. Ardehali, quant-ph/0011056] where all the participants choose their measuring-basis asymmetrically, and the measuring-basis-encrypted Quantum secret sharing scheme is developed from the Hwang-Koh-Han technique [W. Y. Hwang, I. G. Koh and Y. D. Han, Phys. Lett. A244, 489 (1998)] where all participants choose their measuring-basis according to a control key. Both schemes are asymptotically 100% in efficiency, hence nearly all the GHZ-states in a quantum secret sharing process are used to generate shared secret information.Comment: 7 page

Overcoming Language Dichotomies: Toward Effective Program Comprehension for Mobile App Development

Mobile devices and platforms have become an established target for modern software developers due to performant hardware and a large and growing user base numbering in the billions. Despite their popularity, the software development process for mobile apps comes with a set of unique, domain-specific challenges rooted in program comprehension. Many of these challenges stem from developer difficulties in reasoning about different representations of a program, a phenomenon we define as a "language dichotomy". In this paper, we reflect upon the various language dichotomies that contribute to open problems in program comprehension and development for mobile apps. Furthermore, to help guide the research community towards effective solutions for these problems, we provide a roadmap of directions for future work.Comment: Invited Keynote Paper for the 26th IEEE/ACM International Conference on Program Comprehension (ICPC'18