663 research outputs found
Compactifications of discrete quantum groups
Given a discrete quantum group A we construct a certain Hopf *-algebra AP
which is a unital *-subalgebra of the multiplier algebra of A. The structure
maps for AP are inherited from M(A) and thus the construction yields a
compactification of A which is analogous to the Bohr compactification of a
locally compact group. This algebra has the expected universal property with
respect to homomorphisms from multiplier Hopf algebras of compact type (and is
therefore unique). This provides an easy proof of the fact that for a discrete
quantum group with an infinite dimensional algebra the multiplier algebra is
never a Hopf algebra
Towards Low Cost Coupling Structures for Short-Distance Optical Interconnections
The performance of short distance optical interconnections in general relies
very strongly on coupling structures, since they will determine the overall
efficiency of the system to a large extent. Different configurations can be
considered and a variety of manufacturing technologies can be used. We present
two different discrete and two different integrated coupling components which
can be used to deflect the light beam over 90 degrees and can play a crucial
role when integrating optical interconnections in printed circuit boards. The
fabrication process of the different coupling structures is discussed and
experimental results are shown. The main characteristics of the coupling
structures are given. The main advantages and disadvantages of the different
components are discussed
Do synovial biopsies help to support evidence for involvement of innate immunity in the immunopathology of Behçet's disease?
Behçet's disease is a complex vasculitis of unknown etiology. Abundant neutrophils suggest the involvement of innate immunity. Cytokines are skewed to the T-helper-1 pattern. Few sterile organs are easily accessible for analysis in Behçet's disease. Cañete and coworkers identify inflamed joints as a feasible model and suggest the involvement of innate immunity in Behçet's disease
Spatio-temporal impact of climate change on the groundwater system
Given the importance of groundwater for food production
and drinking water supply, but also for the survival
of groundwater dependent terrestrial ecosystems (GWDTEs)
it is essential to assess the impact of climate change on this
freshwater resource. In this paper we study with high temporal
and spatial resolution the impact of 28 climate change
scenarios on the groundwater system of a lowland catchment
in Belgium. Our results show for the scenario period
2070â2101 compared with the reference period 1960â
1991, a change in annual groundwater recharge between
â20% and +7%. On average annual groundwater recharge
decreases 7%. In most scenarios the recharge increases during
winter but decreases during summer. The altered recharge
patterns cause the groundwater level to decrease significantly
from September to January. On average the groundwater
level decreases about 7 cm with a standard deviation between
the scenarios of 5 cm. Groundwater levels in interfluves and
upstream areas are more sensitive to climate change than
groundwater levels in the river valley. Groundwater discharge
to GWDTEs is expected to decrease during late summer and
autumn as much as 10%, though the discharge remains at
reference-period level during winter and early spring. As
GWDTEs are strongly influenced by temporal dynamics of
the groundwater system, close monitoring of groundwater
and implementation of adaptive management measures are
required to prevent ecological loss
On Iterated Twisted Tensor Products of Algebras
We introduce and study the definition, main properties and applications of
iterated twisted tensor products of algebras, motivated by the problem of
defining a suitable representative for the product of spaces in noncommutative
geometry. We find conditions for constructing an iterated product of three
factors, and prove that they are enough for building an iterated product of any
number of factors. As an example of the geometrical aspects of our
construction, we show how to construct differential forms and involutions on
iterated products starting from the corresponding structures on the factors,
and give some examples of algebras that can be described within our theory. We
prove a certain result (called ``invariance under twisting'') for a twisted
tensor product of two algebras, stating that the twisted tensor product does
not change when we apply certain kind of deformation. Under certain conditions,
this invariance can be iterated, containing as particular cases a number of
independent and previously unrelated results from Hopf algebra theory.Comment: 44 pages, 21 figures. More minor typos corrections, one more example
and some references adde
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