Dynamical depinning of chiral domain walls

The domain wall depinning field represents the minimum magnetic field needed to move a domain wall, typically pinned by samples' disorder or patterned constrictions. Conventionally, such field is considered independent on the Gilbert damping since it is assumed to be the field at which the Zeeman energy equals the pinning energy barrier (both damping independent). Here, we analyse numerically the domain wall depinning field as function of the Gilbert damping in a system with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction. Contrary to expectations, we find that the depinning field depends on the Gilbert damping and that it strongly decreases for small damping parameters. We explain this dependence with a simple one-dimensional model and we show that the reduction of the depinning field is related to the internal domain wall dynamics, proportional to the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction, and the finite size of the pinning barriers

Analytic continuation of nucleon electromagnetic form factors in the time-like region

The possibility to compute nucleon electromagnetic form factors in the time-like region by analytic continuation of their space-like expressions has been explored in the framework of the Skyrme model. We have developed a procedure to solve analytically Fourier transforms of the nucleon electromagnetic current and hence to obtain form factors defined in all kinematical regions and fulfilling the first-principles requirements. The results are discussed and compared to data, both in space-like and time-like region.Comment: 34 pages, 15 figure

The quantization of Proca fields on globally hyperbolic spacetimes: Hadamard states and M{\o}ller operators

This paper deals with several issues concerning the algebraic quantization of the real Proca field in a globally hyperbolic spacetime and the definition and existence of Hadamard states for that field. In particular, extending previous work, we construct the so-called M\o ller $*$-isomorphism between the algebras of Proca observables on paracausally related spacetimes, proving that the pullback of these isomorphisms preserves the Hadamard property of corresponding quasifree states defined on the two spacetimes. Then, we pull-back a natural Hadamard state constructed on ultrastatic spacetimes of bounded geometry, along this $*$-isomorphism, to obtain a Hadamard state on a general globally hyperbolic spacetime. We conclude the paper, by comparing the definition of a Hadamard state, here given in terms of wavefront set, with the one proposed by Fewster and Pfenning, which makes use of a supplementary Klein-Gordon Hadamard form. We establish an (almost) complete equivalence of the two definitions.Comment: 45 pages --- accepted in Annales Henri Poincar\'

Factors shaping community assemblages and species co-occurrence of different trophic levels

Species assemblages are the results of various processes, including dispersion and habitat filtering. Disentangling the effects of these different processes is challenging for statistical analysis, especially when biotic interactions should be considered. In this study, we used plants (producers) and leafhoppers (phytophagous) as model organisms, and we investigated the relative importance of abiotic versus biotic factors that shape community assemblages, and we infer on their biotic interactions by applying three-step statistical analysis. We applied a novel statistical analysis, that is, multiblock Redundancy Analysis (mbRA, step 1) and showed that 51.8% and 54.1% of the overall variation in plant and leafhopper assemblages are, respectively, explained by the two multiblock models. The most important blocks of variables to explain the variations in plant and leafhopper assemblages were local topography and biotic factors. Variation partitioning analysis (step 2) showed that pure abiotic filtering and pure biotic processes were relatively less important than their combinations, suggesting that biotic relationships are strongly structured by abiotic conditions. Pairwise co-occurrence analysis (step 3) on generalist leafhoppers and the most common plants identified 40 segregated species pairs (mainly between plant species) and 16 aggregated pairs (mainly between leafhopper species). Pairwise analysis on specialist leafhoppers and potential host plants clearly revealed aggregated patterns. Plant segregation suggests heterogeneous resource availability and competitive interactions, while leafhopper aggregation suggests host feeding differentiation at the local level, different feeding microhabitats on host plants, and similar environmental requirements of the species. Using the novel mbRA, we disentangle for the first time the relative importance of more than five distinct groups of variables shaping local species communities. We highlighted the important role of abiotic processes mediated by bottom-up effects of plants on leafhopper communities. Our results revealed that in-field structure diversification and trophic interactions are the main factors causing the co-occurrence patterns observed.Fil: Trivellone, Valeria. Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research; SuizaFil: Bougeard, Stephanie. French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety; FranciaFil: Giavi, Simone. Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research; SuizaFil: Krebs, Patrik. Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research; SuizaFil: Balseiro, Diego. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra; ArgentinaFil: Dray, Stephane. Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1; FranciaFil: Moretti, Marco. Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research; Suiz

Residue Determination in Honey

The use of antibiotics to fight bacterial and fungal honeybee diseases is documented since 1940s. Although at present in some countries certain antibiotics are authorized in apiculture, only few law systems provide maximum residue limits in honey. In addition, residues of worldwide banned antibiotics such as chloramphenicol, nitrofurans and nitroimidazoles have been frequently found. Therefore, the availability of reliable analytical methods able to detect concentrations at few parts per billions is fundamental. After a general overview of the available sample treatment strategies and analytical techniques, the most significantly published methods are discussed. Aminoglycosides and, to a lesser extent, tetracyclines are the more difficult classes to analyse. The current trends are the development of multiclass procedures and of micro-extraction techniques to improve the cost-effectiveness of residues control in the globalization era

Video selection for visual sensor networks: A motion-based ranking algorithm

A Visual Sensor Network (VSN) is composed by several cameras, in general with different characteristics and orientations, which are used to cover a certain Area of Interest (AoI). To provide an optimal and autonomous exploitation of the VSN video streams, suitable algorithms are needed for selecting the cameras capable to guarantee the best video quality for the specific AoI in the scene. In this work, a novel content and context-aware camera ranking algorithm is proposed, with the goal to maximize the Quality of Experience (QoE) to the final user. The proposed algorithm takes into account the pose, camera resolution and frame rate, and the quantity of motion in the scene. Subjective tests are performed to compare the ranking of the algorithm with human ranking. Finally, the proposed ranking algorithm is compared with common objective video quality metrics and a previous ranking algorithm, confirming the validity of the approach