648 research outputs found
On real-time word problems
It is proved that the word problem of the direct product of two free groups of rank 2 can be recognised by a 2-tape real-time but not by a 1-tape real-time Turing machine. It is also proved that the BaumslagâSolitar groups B(1,r) have the 5-tape real-time word problem for all r != 0
Investigation of smooth wave fronts using SLM-based phase retrieval and a phase diffuser
A phase retrieval technique using a spatial light modulator (SLM) and a phase
diffuser for a fast reconstruction of smooth wave fronts is demonstrated
experimentally. Diffuse illumination of a smooth test object with the aid of a
phase diffuser (maximum phase shift, Df = 0.85p) results in a significant
diversity in the intensity measurements which, in turn, is beneficial for a
non-stagnating iterative phase reconstruction. The use of the SLM enables
accurate and fast speckle intensity recording and active correction of
misalignments in the setup. The effectiveness of the technique is demonstrated
in the optical testing of lenses.Comment: The paper has been presented in 1st EOS Topical Meeting on Micro-and
Nano-Optoelectronic Systems, Bremen, Germany, 7 - 9 December 201
Groups with context-free co-word problem
The class of co-context-free groups is studied. A co-context-free group is defined as one whose coword
problem (the complement of its word problem) is context-free. This class is larger than the
subclass of context-free groups, being closed under the taking of finite direct products, restricted
standard wreath products with context-free top groups, and passing to finitely generated subgroups
and finite index overgroups. No other examples of co-context-free groups are known. It is proved
that the only examples amongst polycyclic groups or the BaumslagâSolitar groups are virtually
abelian. This is done by proving that languages with certain purely arithmetical properties cannot
be context-free; this result may be of independent interest
Functional Relaxation and Guided Imagery as Complementary Therapy in Asthma: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Background: Asthma is a frequently disabling and almost invariably distressing disease that has a high overall prevalence. Although relaxation techniques and hypnotherapeutic interventions have proven their effectiveness in numerous trials, relaxation therapies are still not recommended in treatment guidelines due to a lack of methodological quality in many of the trials. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the efficacy of the brief relaxation technique of functional relaxation (FR) and guided imagery (GI) in adult asthmatics in a randomized controlled trial. Methods: 64 patients with extrinsic bronchial asthma were treated over a 4-week period and assessed at baseline, after treatment and after 4 months, for follow-up. 16 patients completed FR, 14 GI, 15 both FR and GI (FR/GI) and 13 received a placebo relaxation technique as the control intervention (CI). The forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV 1) as well as the specific airway resistance (sR(aw)) were employed as primary outcome measures. Results: Participation in FR, GI and FR/GI led to increases in FEV 1 (% predicted) of 7.6 +/- 13.2, 3.3 +/- 9.8, and 8.3 +/- 21.0, respectively, as compared to -1.8 +/- 11.1 in the CI group at the end of the therapy. After follow-up, the increases in FEV 1 were 6.9 +/- 10.3 in the FR group, 4.4 +/- 7.3 in the GI and 4.5 +/- 8.1 in the FR/GI, compared to -2.8 +/- 9.2 in the CI. Improvements in sR(aw) (% predicted) were in keeping with the changes in FEV 1 in all groups. Conclusions: Our study confirms a positive effect of FR on respiratory parameters and suggests a clinically relevant long-term benefit from FR as a nonpharmacological and complementary therapy treatment option. Copyright (C) 2009 S. Karger AG, Base
Wave packet dynamics of potassium dimers attached to helium nanodroplets
The dynamics of vibrational wave packets excited in K dimers attached to
superfluid helium nanodroplets is investigated by means of femtosecond
pump-probe spectroscopy. The employed resonant three-photon-ionization scheme
is studied in a wide wavelength range and different pathways leading to
K-formation are identified. While the wave packet dynamics of the
electronic ground state is not influenced by the helium environment,
perturbations of the electronically excited states are observed. The latter
reveal a strong time dependence on the timescale 3-8 ps which directly reflects
the dynamics of desorption of K off the helium droplets
Detailed study of dissipative quantum dynamics of K-2 attached to helium nanodroplets
We thoroughly investigate vibrational quantum dynamics of dimers attached to
He droplets motivated by recent measurements with K-2 [1]. For those
femtosecond pump-probe experiments, crucial observed features are not
reproduced by gas phase calculations but agreement is found using a description
based on dissipative quantum dynamics, as briefly shown in [2]. Here we present
a detailed study of the influence of possible effects induced by the droplet.
The helium droplet causes electronic decoherence, shifts of potential surfaces,
and relaxation of wave packets in attached dimers. Moreover, a realistic
description of (stochastic) desorption of dimers off the droplet needs to be
taken into account. Step by step we include and study the importance of these
effects in our full quantum calculation. This allows us to reproduce and
explain all major experimental findings. We find that desorption is fast and
occurs already within 2-10 ps after electronic excitation. A further finding is
that slow vibrational motion in the ground state can be considered
frictionless.Comment: 17 pages, 5 figure
EU-Rotate_N â a decision support system â to predict environmental and economic consequences of the management of nitrogen fertiliser in crop rotations
A model has been developed which assesses the economic and environmental performance of crop rotations, in both conventional and organic cropping, for over 70 arable and horticultural crops, and a wide range of growing conditions in Europe. The model, though originally based on the N_ABLE model, has been completely rewritten and contains new routines to simulate root development, the mineralisation and release of nitrogen (N) from soil organic matter and crop residues, and water dynamics in soil. New routines have been added to estimate the effects of sub-optimal rates of N and spacing on the marketable outputs and gross margins. The model provides a mechanism for generating scenarios to represent a range of differing crop and fertiliser management strategies which can be used to evaluate their effects on yield, gross margin and losses of nitrogen through leaching. Such testing has revealed that nitrogen management can be improved and that there is potential to increase gross margins whilst reducing nitrogen losses
Population Frequencies Determined by Next-generation Sequencing Provide Strategies for Prospective HLA Epitope Matching for Transplantation
Compatibility for human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes between transplant donors and recipients improves graft survival but prospective matching is rarely performed due to the vast heterogeneity of this gene complex. To reduce complexity, we have combined next-generation sequencing and in silico mapping to determine population frequencies and matching probabilities of 150 antibody-binding eplets across all 11 classical HLA genes in 2000 ethnically heterogeneous renal patients and donors. We show that eplets are more common and more uniformly distributed between donors and recipients than the respective HLA isoforms. Simulation of targeted eplet matching shows that a high degree of overall compatibility, and perfect identity at the clinically important HLA class II loci, can be obtained within a patient waiting list of approximately 250 subjects. Internal epitope-based allocation is thus feasible for most major renal transplant programs, while regional or national sharing may be required for other solid organs
- âŠ