9,273 research outputs found
Tavis-Cummings model and collective multi-qubit entanglement in trapped ions
We present a method of generating collective multi-qubit entanglement via
global addressing of an ion chain following the guidelines of the
Tavis-Cummings model, where several qubits are coupled to a collective motional
mode. We show that a wide family of Dicke states and irradiant states can be
generated by single global laser pulses, unitarily or helped with suitable
postselection techniques.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures. Accepted for publication in Physical Review
Precovery of near-Earth asteroids by a citizen-science project of the Spanish Virtual Observatory
This article describes a citizen-science project conducted by the Spanish
Virtual Observatory (SVO) to improve the orbits of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs)
using data from astronomical archives. The list of NEAs maintained at the Minor
Planet Center (MPC) is checked daily to identify new objects or changes in the
orbital parameters of already catalogued objects. Using NEODyS we compute the
position and magnitude of these objects at the observing epochs of the 938 046
images comprising the Eigth Data Release of the Sloan Digitised Sky Survey
(SDSS). If the object lies within the image boundaries and the magnitude is
brighter than the limiting magnitude, then the associated image is visually
inspected by the project's collaborators (the citizens) to confirm or discard
the presence of the NEA. If confirmed, accurate coordinates and, sometimes,
magnitudes are submitted to the MPC. Using this methodology, 3,226 registered
users have made during the first fifteen months of the project more than
167,000 measurements which have improved the orbital elements of 551 NEAs (6%
of the total number of this type of asteroids). Even more remarkable is the
fact that these results have been obtained at zero cost to telescope time as
NEAs were serendipitously observed while the survey was being carried out. This
demonstrates the enormous scientific potential hidden in astronomical archives.
The great reception of the project as well as the results obtained makes it a
valuable and reliable tool for improving the orbital parameters of near-Earth
asteroids.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures. Accepted in Astron. Nach
Switchable ultrastrong coupling in circuit QED
Superconducting quantum circuits possess the ingredients for quantum
information processing and for developing on-chip microwave quantum optics.
From the initial manipulation of few-level superconducting systems (qubits)
to their strong coupling to microwave resonators, the time has come to consider
the generation and characterization of propagating quantum microwaves. In this
paper, we design a key ingredient that will prove essential in the general
frame: a swtichable coupling between qubit(s) and transmission line(s) that can
work in the ultrastrong coupling regime, where the coupling strength approaches
the qubit transition frequency. We propose several setups where two or more
loops of Josephson junctions are directly connected to a closed (cavity) or
open transmission line. We demonstrate that the circuit induces a coupling that
can be modulated in strength and type. Given recent studies showing the
accessibility to the ultrastrong regime, we expect our ideas to have an
immediate impact in ongoing experiments
Restricted dog leucocyte antigen (DLA) class II haplotypes and genotypes in Beagles
AbstractBeagles are commonly used in vaccine trials as part of the regulatory approval process. Genetic restriction within this breed and the impact this might have on vaccine responses are rarely considered. This study was designed to characterise diversity of dog leucocyte antigen (DLA) class II genes in a breeding colony of laboratory Beagles, whose offspring are used in vaccine studies. DLA haplotypes were determined by PCR and sequence-based typing from genomic DNA extracted from blood. Breeding colony Beagles had significantly different DLA haplotype frequencies in comparison with pet Beagles and both groups showed limited DLA diversity. Restricted DLA class II genetic variability within Beagles might result in selective antigen presentation and vaccine responses that are not necessarily representative of those seen in other dog breeds
Transition sol ferrallitique-podzol : cas d'une terrasse sédimentaire de l'Ucayali (Pérou)
L'analyse tridimensionnelle de la couverture pédologique d'une unité de modelé de la région d'Iquitos (Pérou) permet de montrer la transformation en cours d'une séquence ferrallitique en séquence podzolique. Cette transformation a lieu en plusieurs étapes, dont les principales sont une migration du fer en profondeur, un départ de l'argile et une redistribution plus profonde de la matière organique dans le profi
Automated supervised classification of variable stars I. Methodology
The fast classification of new variable stars is an important step in making
them available for further research. Selection of science targets from large
databases is much more efficient if they have been classified first. Defining
the classes in terms of physical parameters is also important to get an
unbiased statistical view on the variability mechanisms and the borders of
instability strips. Our goal is twofold: provide an overview of the stellar
variability classes that are presently known, in terms of some relevant stellar
parameters; use the class descriptions obtained as the basis for an automated
`supervised classification' of large databases. Such automated classification
will compare and assign new objects to a set of pre-defined variability
training classes. For every variability class, a literature search was
performed to find as many well-known member stars as possible, or a
considerable subset if too many were present. Next, we searched on-line and
private databases for their light curves in the visible band and performed
period analysis and harmonic fitting. The derived light curve parameters are
used to describe the classes and define the training classifiers. We compared
the performance of different classifiers in terms of percentage of correct
identification, of confusion among classes and of computation time. We describe
how well the classes can be separated using the proposed set of parameters and
how future improvements can be made, based on new large databases such as the
light curves to be assembled by the CoRoT and Kepler space missions.Comment: This paper has been accepted for publication in Astronomy and
Astrophysics (reference AA/2007/7638) Number of pages: 27 Number of figures:
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SOCIAL RELATIONS AND SEED TRANSACTIONS AMONG SMALLSCALE MAIZE FARMERS IN THE CENTRAL VALLEYS OF OAXACA, MEXICO; PRELIMINARY FINDINGS
This paper explores social arrangements associated with seed transactions among small-scale maize farmers in the Central Valleys of Oaxaca, Mexico, a centre of crop genetic diversity. A formal seed distribution system has yet to develop in the region and when seed loss occurs, farmers are faced with costs and difficulties identifying, locating, and obtaining seed of desired varieties. For these reasons, it was hypothesized that there were strong incentives for collective action among farmers to facilitate seed supply. The study found, however, no evidence of collective action with regards to seed supply in the three study communities-San Pablo Huitzo, San Lorenzo Albarradas, Santa Ana Zegache. Instead, farmers acquired seed using a variety of networks of social relations and different types of seed transactions. The results suggest that seed flow among farmers in the Central Valleys of Oaxaca is a complex process of negotiation and reciprocity, influenced by a variety of agroecological, socioeconomic, and cultural factors.Farm Management,
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