20,575 research outputs found
A modified Schwinger's formula for the Casimir effect
After briefly reviewing how the (proper-time) Schwinger's formula works for
computing the Casimir energy in the case of "scalar electrodynamics" where the
boundary conditions are dictated by two perfectly conducting parallel plates
with separation "a" in the Z-axis, we propose a slightly modification in the
previous approach based on an analytical continuation method. As we will see,
for the case at hand our formula does not need the use of Poisson summation to
get a (renormalized) finite result.Comment: 6 pages, DFTUZ/93/14 (a short version will appear in the Letters in
Math. Phys.
Effective action in DSR1 quantum field theory
We present the one-loop effective action of a quantum scalar field with DSR1
space-time symmetry as a sum over field modes. The effective action has real
and imaginary parts and manifest charge conjugation asymmetry, which provides
an alternative theoretical setting to the study of the particle-antiparticle
asymmetry in nature.Comment: 8 page
Scalar Perturbations in Scalar Field Quantum Cosmology
In this paper it is shown how to obtain the simplest equations for the
Mukhanov-Sasaki variables describing quantum linear scalar perturbations in the
case of scalar fields without potential term. This was done through the
implementation of canonical transformations at the classical level, and unitary
transformations at the quantum level, without ever using any classical
background equation, and it completes the simplification initiated in
investigations by Langlois \cite{langlois}, and Pinho and Pinto-Neto
\cite{emanuel2} for this case. These equations were then used to calculate the
spectrum index of quantum scalar perturbations of a non-singular
inflationary quantum background model, which starts at infinity past from flat
space-time with Planckian size spacelike hypersurfaces, and inflates due to a
quantum cosmological effect, until it makes an analytical graceful exit from
this inflationary epoch to a decelerated classical stiff matter expansion
phase. The result is , incompatible with observations.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figures, accepted version to Physical Review D 7
A combined statistical and dynamical approach for downscaling large-scale footprints of European windstorms
The occurrence of mid-latitude windstorms is related to strong socio-economic effects. For detailed and reliable regional impact studies, large datasets of high-resolution wind fields are required. In this study, a statistical downscaling approach in combination with dynamical downscaling is introduced to derive storm related gust speeds on a high-resolution grid over Europe. Multiple linear regression models are trained using reanalysis data and wind gusts from regional climate model simulations for a sample of 100 top ranking windstorm events. The method is computationally inexpensive and reproduces individual windstorm footprints adequately. Compared to observations, the results for Germany are at least as good as pure dynamical downscaling. This new tool can be easily applied to large ensembles of general circulation model simulations and thus contribute to a better understanding of the regional impact of windstorms based on decadal and climate change projections
Modular termination verification for non-blocking concurrency
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2016.We present Total-TaDA, a program logic for verifying the total correctness of concurrent programs: that such programs both terminate and produce the correct result. With Total-TaDA, we can specify constraints on a thread’s concurrent environment that are necessary to guarantee termination. This allows us to verify total correctness for nonblocking algorithms, e.g. a counter and a stack. Our specifications can express lock- and wait-freedom. More generally, they can express that one operation cannot impede the progress of another, a new non-blocking property we call non-impedance. Moreover, our approach is modular. We can verify the operations of a module independently, and build up modules on top of each other
Schwinger's Method for the Massive Casimir Effect
We apply to the massive scalar field a method recently proposed by Schwinger
to calculate the Casimir effect. The method is applied with two different
regularization schemes: the Schwinger original one by means of Poisson formula
and another one by means of analytical continuation.Comment: plain TeX, 6 pages, DFTUZ-93-2
Comment on the Adiabatic Condition
The experimental observation of effects due to Berry's phase in quantum
systems is certainly one of the most impressive demonstrations of the
correctness of the superposition principle in quantum mechanics. Since Berry's
original paper in 1984, the spin 1/2 coupled with rotating external magnetic
field has been one of the most studied models where those phases appear. We
also consider a special case of this soluble model. A detailed analysis of the
coupled differential equations and comparison with exact results teach us why
the usual procedure (of neglecting nondiagonal terms) is mathematically sound.Comment: 9 page
Development of a low cost digital energy meter
This paper presents a versatile low
cost equipment that allows simultaneous display
of usually required measurements in electric
circuits, like true RMS (Root Mean Square)
values of mains voltage and current, line
frequency, power factor, active, reactive and
apparent power, and energy.
The equipment is based on a microcontroller
that interfaces current and voltage transducers
through 16 bits sigma-delta ADCs (Analog to
Digital Converters). The microcontroller
controls the periodic acquisition of the measured
signal waveforms, makes the respective
calculations and presents the results on an
alphanumeric display. The equipment also
provides a serial port that enables the
communication with other devices allowing the
interface through a SCADA (Supervisory Control
and Data Acquisition) system
Development of a recombinase polymerase amplification lateral flow assay for the detection of active Trypanosoma evansi infections
Author summary
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affecting humans and/or domestic animals severely impair the socio-economic development of endemic areas. One of these diseases, animal trypanosomosis, affects livestock and is caused by the parasites of the Trypanosoma genus. The most widespread causative agent of animal trypanosomosis is T. evansi, which is found in large parts of the world (Africa, Asia, South America, Middle East, and the Mediterranean). Proper control and treatment of the disease requires the availability of reliable and sensitive diagnostic tools. DNA-based detection techniques are powerful and versatile in the sense that they can be tailored to achieve a high specificity and usually allow the reliable detection of low amounts of parasite genetic material. However, many DNA-based methodologies (such as PCR) require trained staff and well-equipped laboratories, which is why the research community has actively investigated in developing amplification strategies that are simple, fast, cost-effective and are suitable for use in minimally equipped laboratories and field settings. In this paper, we describe the development of a diagnostic test under a dipstick format for the specific detection of T. evansi, based on a DNA amplification principle (Recombinase Polymerase Amplification aka RPA) that meets the above-mentioned criteria.
Background
Animal trypanosomosis caused by Trypanosoma evansi is known as "surra" and is a widespread neglected tropical disease affecting wild and domestic animals mainly in South America, the Middle East, North Africa and Asia. An essential necessity for T. evansi infection control is the availability of reliable and sensitive diagnostic tools. While DNA-based PCR detection techniques meet these criteria, most of them require well-trained and experienced users as well as a laboratory environment allowing correct protocol execution. As an alternative, we developed a recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) test for Type A T. evansi. The technology uses an isothermal nucleic acid amplification approach that is simple, fast, cost-effective and is suitable for use in minimally equipped laboratories and even field settings.
Methodology/Principle findings
An RPA assay targeting the T. evansi RoTat1.2 VSG gene was designed for the DNA-based detection of T. evansi. Comparing post-amplification visualization by agarose gel electrophoresis and a lateral flow (LF) format reveals that the latter displays a higher sensitivity. The RPA-LF assay is specific for RoTat1.2-expressing strains of T. evansi as it does not detect the genomic DNA of other trypanosomatids. Finally, experimental mouse infection trials demonstrate that the T. evansi specific RPA-LF can be employed as a test-of-cure tool
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