217 research outputs found
Realization of Two-Dimensional Spin-orbit Coupling for Bose-Einstein Condensates
Cold atoms with laser-induced spin-orbit (SO) interactions provide intriguing
new platforms to explore novel quantum physics beyond natural conditions of
solids. Recent experiments demonstrated the one-dimensional (1D) SO coupling
for boson and fermion gases. However, realization of 2D SO interaction, a much
more important task, remains very challenging. Here we propose and
experimentally realize, for the first time, 2D SO coupling and topological band
with Rb degenerate gas through a minimal optical Raman lattice scheme,
without relying on phase locking or fine tuning of optical potentials. A
controllable crossover between 2D and 1D SO couplings is studied, and the SO
effects and nontrivial band topology are observed by measuring the atomic cloud
distribution and spin texture in the momentum space. Our realization of 2D SO
coupling with advantages of small heating and topological stability opens a
broad avenue in cold atoms to study exotic quantum phases, including the
highly-sought-after topological superfluid phases.Comment: 27 pages, 5 figure
The First Human Infection with Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus in Shaanxi Province, China
Background: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease discovered in China in 2009. In July 2013, the first human infection with SFTS virus (SFTSV) was detected in Shaanxi Province, Western China. Methods: A seroprevalence study among humans was carried out in an SFTS endemic village; specifically, serum samples were collected from 363 farmers in an SFTS endemic village in Shaanxi Province. The presence of SFTSV antibodies in serum was determined using an ELISA. Results: SFTSV antibodies were found in a total of 20 people (5.51%), with no significant difference between males and females (6.93% and 4.42%, respectively; Chi-square = 1.29, p = 0.25). Moreover, the SFTSV antibody positive rate was not significantly different across different age groups (Chisquare = 2.23, p = 0.69). Conclusions: SFTSV readily infects humans with outdoor exposure. The results of the serological study indicate that the virus circulates widely in Shaanxi Province. SFTSV represents a public health threat in China
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