6,779 research outputs found
Tunable entanglement distillation of spatially correlated down-converted photons
We report on a new technique for entanglement distillation of the bipartite
continuous variable state of spatially correlated photons generated in the
spontaneous parametric down-conversion process (SPDC), where tunable
non-Gaussian operations are implemented and the post-processed entanglement is
certified in real-time using a single-photon sensitive electron multiplying CCD
(EMCCD) camera. The local operations are performed using non-Gaussian filters
modulated into a programmable spatial light modulator and, by using the EMCCD
camera for actively recording the probability distributions of the
twin-photons, one has fine control of the Schmidt number of the distilled
state. We show that even simple non-Gaussian filters can be finely tuned to a
~67% net gain of the initial entanglement generated in the SPDC process.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figure
Design and implementation of a compliant robot with force feedback and strategy planning software
Force-feedback robotics techniques are being developed for automated precision assembly and servicing of NASA space flight equipment. Design and implementation of a prototype robot which provides compliance and monitors forces is in progress. Computer software to specify assembly steps and makes force feedback adjustments during assembly are coded and tested for three generically different precision mating problems. A model program demonstrates that a suitably autonomous robot can plan its own strategy
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Enhanced Charge Carrier Transport in 2D Perovskites by Incorporating Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes or Graphene
Two-dimensional (2D) organic-inorganic (hybrid) perovskites are considered promising candidates to replace conventional three-dimensional (3D) perovskites for solar cell applications as they have good resistance against moisture and UV light. However, the use of 2D perovskite is associated with a significant decrease in power efficiency resulting from their low photogenerated charge carrier density and poor charge transport. To improve power efficiency in 2D perovskites, highly crystalline films (near-single-crystal quality) of 2D perovskite need to be synthesized where the alignment of the inorganic perovskite components is controlled to have vertical alignment with respect to the contacts to improve charge transport. In this work, we explored strategies to overcome this limitation by integrating 2D perovskite with single-walled carbon nanotubes or graphene to enable more efficient extraction of charge carriers toward electric contacts. Longer carrier lifetimes were achieved after the incorporation of the carbon nanostructures in the films, and at the cell level, power efficiency increased by 2-fold
Shared binding sites for the Bacillus thuringiensis proteins Cry3Bb, Cry3Ca and Cry7Aa in the African sweetpotato pest Cylas puncticollis (Brentidae).
Estimation of Parameters in DNA Mixture Analysis
In Cowell et al. (2007), a Bayesian network for analysis of mixed traces of
DNA was presented using gamma distributions for modelling peak sizes in the
electropherogram. It was demonstrated that the analysis was sensitive to the
choice of a variance factor and hence this should be adapted to any new trace
analysed. In the present paper we discuss how the variance parameter can be
estimated by maximum likelihood to achieve this. The unknown proportions of DNA
from each contributor can similarly be estimated by maximum likelihood jointly
with the variance parameter. Furthermore we discuss how to incorporate prior
knowledge about the parameters in a Bayesian analysis. The proposed estimation
methods are illustrated through a few examples of applications for calculating
evidential value in casework and for mixture deconvolution
Charge reversal of colloidal particles
A theory is presented for the effective charge of colloidal particles in
suspensions containing multivalent counterions. It is shown that if colloids
are sufficiently strongly charged, the number of condensed multivalent
counterion can exceed the bare colloidal charge leading to charge reversal.
Charge renormalization in suspensions with multivalent counterions depends on a
subtle interplay between the solvation energies of the multivalent counterions
in the bulk and near the colloidal surface. We find that the effective charge
is {\it not} a monotonically decreasing function of the multivalent salt
concentration. Furthermore, contrary to the previous theories, it is found that
except at very low concentrations, monovalent salt hinders the charge reversal.
This conclusion is in agreement with the recent experiments and simulations
Efficacy of atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge for inactivating airborne pathogens
Atmospheric pressure plasmas have gained attention in recent years for several environmental applications. This technology could potentially be used to deactivate airborne microorganisms, surface-bound microorganisms, and biofilms. In this work, the authors explore the efficacy of the atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) to inactivate airborne Staphylococcus epidermidis and Aspergillus niger that are opportunistic pathogens associated with nosocomial infections. This technology uses air as the source of gas and does not require any process gas such as helium, argon, nitrogen, or hydrogen. The effect of DBD was studied on aerosolized S. epidermidis and aerosolized A. niger spores via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The morphology observed on the SEM micrographs showed deformations in the cellular structure of both microor- ganisms. Cell structure damage upon interaction with the DBD suggests leakage of vital cellular materials, which is a key mechanism for microbial inactivation. The chemical structure of the cell surface of S. epidermidis was also analyzed by near edge x-ray absorption fine structure spectros- copy before and after DBD exposure. Results from surface analysis revealed that reactive oxygen species from the DBD discharge contributed to alterations on the chemistry of the cell membrane/ cell wall of S. epidermidis
Description of the Immatures of Workers of the Ant Linepithema micans Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).
Linepithema micans Forel is a poorly studied species that is now considered a pest in vineyards in South Brazil. Larval characters have been used in a few phylogenetic studies, and their importance greatly depends in the amount of available information on different species. This study presents a complete panorama on the external morphology of the immatures of L. micans based on observations by light and scanning electron microscopy. The number of larval instars was estimated as three based on the frequency distribution of head widths of 965 larvae. Larvae of L. micans were similar to other Linepithema Mayr in the general format of body and mandibles, presenting a dorsal abdominal protuberance, nine pairs of spiracle, and unbranched hairs. On the other hand, L. micans was unique for having shorter hairs, predominantly denticulate, intraspecific variation in the number of antennal sensilla and in the types of sensilla on the labial palps were reported
Dynamics of Collapse of flexible Polyelectrolytes and Polyampholytes
We provide a theory for the dynamics of collapse of strongly charged
polyelectrolytes (PEs) and flexible polyampholytes (PAs) using Langevin
equation. After the initial stage, in which counterions condense onto PE, the
mechanism of approach to the globular state is similar for PE and PA. In both
instances, metastable pearl-necklace structures form in characteristic time
scale that is proportional to N^{4/5} where N is the number of monomers. The
late stage of collapse occurs by merger of clusters with the largest one
growing at the expense of smaller ones (Lifshitz- Slyozov mechanism). The time
scale for this process T_{COLL} N. Simulations are used to support the proposed
collapse mechanism for PA and PE.Comment: 14 pages, 2 figure
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