4,266 research outputs found
Magnetic phase transition in coherently coupled Bose gases in optical lattices
We describe the ground state of a gas of bosonic atoms with two coherently
coupled internal levels in a deep optical lattice in a one dimensional
geometry. In the single-band approximation this system is described by a
Bose-Hubbard Hamiltonian. The system has a superfluid and a Mott insulating
phase which can be either paramagnetic or ferromagnetic. We characterize the
quantum phase transitions at unit filling by means of a density matrix
renormalization group technique and compare it with a mean-field approach. The
presence of the ferromagnetic Ising-like transition modifies the Mott lobes. In
the Mott insulating region the system maps to the ferromagnetic spin-1/2 XXZ
model in a transverse field and the numerical results compare very well with
the analytical results obtained from the spin model. In the superfluid regime
quantum fluctuations strongly modify the phase transition with respect to the
well established mean-field three dimensional classical bifurcation.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figure
Theory of extraordinary transmission of light through quasiperiodic arrays of subwavelength holes
By using a theoretical formalism able to work in both real and k-spaces, the
physical origin of the phenomenon of extraordinary transmission of light
through quasi-periodic arrays of holes is revealed. Long-range order present in
a quasiperiodic array selects the wavevector(s) of the surface electromagnetic
mode(s) that allows an efficient transmission of light through subwavelength
holes.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Integrability of a t-J model with impurities
A t-J model for correlated electrons with impurities is proposed. The
impurities are introduced in such a way that integrability of the model in one
dimension is not violated. The algebraic Bethe ansatz solution of the model is
also given and it is shown that the Bethe states are highest weight states with
respect to the supersymmetry algebra gl(2/1)Comment: 14 page
Resonant transmission of light through finite chains of subwavelength holes
In this paper we show that the extraordinary optical transmission phenomenon
found before in 2D hole arrays is already present in a linear chain of
subwavelength holes, which can be considered as the basic geometrical unit
showing this property. In order to study this problem we have developed a new
theoretical framework, able to analyze the optical properties of finite
collections of subwavelength apertures and/or dimples (of any shape and placed
in arbitrary positions) drilled in a metallic film.Comment: Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. Let
Integrable su(3) spin chain combining different representations
The general expression for the local matrix of a quantum chain
with the site space in any representation of su(3) is obtained. This is made by
generalizing from the fundamental representation and imposing the
fulfillment of the Yang-Baxter equation. Then, a non-homogeneous spin chain
combining different representations of su(3) is solved by developing a method
inspired in the nested Bethe ansatz. The solution for the eigenvalues of the
trace of the monodromy matrix is given as two coupled Bethe equations. A
conjecture about the solution of a chain with the site states in different
representations of su(n) is presented. The thermodynamic limit of the ground
state is calculated.Comment: PlainTex harvmac, 30 pages, 7 figures, to appear in Journal of
Physics
Conditioned haptic perception for 3D localization of nodules in soft tissue palpation with a variable stiffness probe
This paper provides a solution for fast haptic information gain during soft tissue palpation using a Variable Lever Mechanism (VLM) probe. More specifically, we investigate the impact of stiffness variation of the probe to condition likelihood functions of the kinesthetic force and tactile sensors measurements during a palpation task for two sweeping directions. Using knowledge obtained from past probing trials or Finite Element (FE) simulations, we implemented this likelihood conditioning in an autonomous palpation control strategy. Based on a recursive Bayesian inferencing framework, this new control strategy adapts the sweeping direction and the stiffness of the probe to detect abnormal stiff inclusions in soft tissues. This original control strategy for compliant palpation probes shows a sub-millimeter accuracy for the 3D localization of the nodules in a soft tissue phantom as well as a 100% reliability detecting the existence of nodules in a soft phantom
Soft Fingertips with Tactile Sensing and Active Deformation for Robust Grasping of Delicate Objects
Soft fingertips have shown significant adaptability for grasping a wide range of object shapes thanks to elasticity. This ability can be enhanced to grasp soft, delicate objects by adding touch sensing. However, in these cases, the complete restraint and robustness of the grasps have proved to be challenging, as the exertion of additional forces on the fragile object can result in damage. This paper presents a novel soft fingertip design for delicate objects based on the concept of embedded air cavities, which allow the dual ability of adaptive sensing and active shape changing. The pressurized air cavities act as soft tactile sensors to control gripper position from internal pressure variation; and active fingertip deformation is achieved by applying positive pressure to these cavities, which then enable a delicate object to be kept securely in position, despite externally applied forces, by form closure. We demonstrate this improved grasping capability by comparing the displacement of grasped delicate objects exposed to high-speed motions. Results show that passive soft fingertips fail to restrain fragile objects at accelerations as low as 0.1m/s2 , in contrast, with the proposed fingertips, delicate objects are completely secure even at accelerations of more than 5m/s2
Kneadings, Symbolic Dynamics and Painting Lorenz Chaos. A Tutorial
A new computational technique based on the symbolic description utilizing
kneading invariants is proposed and verified for explorations of dynamical and
parametric chaos in a few exemplary systems with the Lorenz attractor. The
technique allows for uncovering the stunning complexity and universality of
bi-parametric structures and detect their organizing centers - codimension-two
T-points and separating saddles in the kneading-based scans of the iconic
Lorenz equation from hydrodynamics, a normal model from mathematics, and a
laser model from nonlinear optics.Comment: Journal of Bifurcations and Chaos, 201
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Developing a serocorrelate of protection against invasive group B streptococcus disease in pregnant women: a feasibility study.
BACKGROUND: Group B streptococcus is the leading cause of infection in infants. Currently, intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis is the major strategy to prevent invasive group B streptococcus disease. However, intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis does not prevent maternal sepsis, premature births, stillbirths or late-onset disease. Maternal vaccination may offer an alternative strategy. Multivalent polysaccharide protein conjugate vaccine development is under way and a serocorrelate of protection is needed to expedite vaccine licensure. OBJECTIVES: The ultimate aim of this work is to determine the correlate of protection against the major group B streptococcus disease-causing serotypes in infants in the UK. The aim of this feasibility study is to test key operational aspects of the study design. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study of pregnant women and their infants in a 6-month period (1 July to 31 December 2018). SETTING: Five secondary and tertiary hospitals from London and South England. National iGBS disease surveillance was conducted in all trusts in England and Wales. PARTICIPANTS: Pregnant women aged ≥ 18 years who were delivering at one of the selected hospitals and who provided consent during the study period. There were no exclusion criteria. INTERVENTIONS: No interventions were performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) To test the feasibility of collecting serum at delivery from a large cohort of pregnant women. (2) To test the key operational aspects for a proposed large serocorrelates study. (3) To test the feasibility of collecting samples from those with invasive group B streptococcus. RESULTS: A total of 1823 women were recruited during the study period. Overall, 85% of serum samples were collected at three sites collecting only cord blood. At the two sites collecting maternal, cord and infant blood samples, the collection rate was 60%. A total of 614 women were screened for group B streptococcus with a colonisation rate of 22% (serotype distribution: 30% III, 25% Ia, 16% II, 14% Ib, 14% V and 1% IV). A blood sample was collected from 34 infants who were born to colonised women. Maternal and infant blood and the bacterial isolates for 15 newborns who developed invasive group B streptococcal disease during the study period were collected (serotype distribution: 29% III, 29% II, 21% Ia, 7% Ib, 7% IV and 7% V). LIMITATIONS: Recruitment and sample collection were dependent on the presence of research midwives rather than the whole clinical team. In addition, individualised consent limited the number of women who could be approached each day, and site set-up for the national surveillance study and the limited time period of this feasibility study limited recruitment of all eligible participants. CONCLUSIONS: We have verified the feasibility of collecting and processing rectovaginal swabs and blood samples in pregnant women, as well as samples from those with invasive group B streptococcal disease. We have made recommendations for the recruitment of cases within the proposed GBS3 study and for controls both within GBS3 and as an extension of this feasibility study. FUTURE WORK: A large case-control study comparing specific immunoglobulin G levels in mothers whose infants develop invasive group B streptococcal disease with those in colonised mothers whose infants do not develop invasive group B streptococcal disease is recommended. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN49326091; IRAS project identification number 246149/REC reference number 18/WM/0147. FUNDING: This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 23, No. 67. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information
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