Subdiffusion of nonlinear waves in quasiperiodic potentials

We study the spatio-temporal evolution of wave packets in one-dimensional quasiperiodic lattices which localize linear waves. Nonlinearity (related to two-body interactions) has destructive effect on localization, as recently observed for interacting atomic condensates [Phys. Rev. Lett. 106, 230403 (2011)]. We extend the analysis of the characteristics of the subdiffusive dynamics to large temporal and spatial scales. Our results for the second moment $m_2$ consistently reveal an asymptotic $m_2 \sim t^{1/3}$ and intermediate $m_2 \sim t^{1/2}$ laws. At variance to purely random systems [Europhys. Lett. 91, 30001 (2010)] the fractal gap structure of the linear wave spectrum strongly favors intermediate self-trapping events. Our findings give a new dimension to the theory of wave packet spreading in localizing environments

Quantitative Analysis of Immunoglobulin E Reactivity Profiles in Patients Allergic or Sensitized to Natural Rubber Latex (Hevea Brasiliensis)

Characterized native and recombinant Hevea brasiliensis (rHev b) natural rubber latex (NRL) allergens are available to assess patient allergen sensitization profiles. OBJECTIVE: Quantification of individual IgE responses to the spectrum of documented NRL allergens and evaluation of cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCDs) for more definitive diagnosis. METHODS: Sera of 104 healthcare workers (HCW; 51 German, 21 Portuguese, 32 American), 31 spina bifida patients (SB; 11 German, 20 Portuguese) and 10 Portuguese with multiple surgeries (MS) were analysed for allergen-specific IgE antibody (sIgE) to NRL, single Hev b allergens and CCDs with ImmunoCAP technology. RESULTS: In all patient groups rHev b 5-sIgE concentrations were the most pronounced. Hev b 2, 5, 6.01 and 13 were identified as the major allergens in HCW and combined with Hev b 1 and Hev b 3 in SB. In MS Hev b 1 displayed an intermediate relevance. Different sIgE antibody levels to native Hevea brasiliensis (nHev b) 2 and rHev b 6.01 allowed discrimination of SB with clinical relevant latex allergy vs. those with latex sensitization. Sensitization profiles of German, Portuguese and American patients were equivalent. rHev b 5, 6.01 and nHev b 13 combined detected 100% of the latex-allergic HCW and 80.1% of the SB. Only 8.3% of the sera showed sIgE response to CCDs. CONCLUSIONS: Hev b 1, 2, 5, 6.01 and 13 were identified as the major Hev b allergens and they should be present in standardized latex extracts and in vitro allergosorbents. CCDs are only of minor relevance in patients with clinical relevant latex allergy. Component-resolved diagnostic analyses for latex allergy set the stage for an allergen-directed immunotherapy strateg

The uncertainties on the EFT coupling limits for direct dark matter detection experiments stemming from uncertainties of target properties

Direct detection experiments are still one of the most promising ways to unravel the nature of dark matter. To fully understand how well these experiments constrain the dark matter interactions with the Standard Model particles, all the uncertainties affecting the calculations must be known. It is especially critical now because direct detection experiments recently moved from placing limits only on the two elementary spin independent and spin dependent operators to the complete set of possible operators coupling dark matter and nuclei in non-relativistic theory. In our work, we estimate the effect of nuclear configuration-interaction uncertainties on the exclusion bounds for one of the existing xenon-based experiments for all fifteen operators. We find that for operator number 13 the $\pm1\sigma$ uncertainty on the coupling between the dark matter and nucleon can reach more than 50% for dark matter masses between 10 and 1000 GeV. In addition, we discuss how quantum computers can help to reduce this uncertainty.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures; submitted to Phys. Rev. D, May 17, 202

Interacting Bosons beyond the Gross-Pitaevskii Mean-Field

Systems consisting of cold interacting bosons show interesting collective phenomena such as Bose-Einstein condensation or superfluidity and are currently studied in condensed matter and atomic physics. Of particular interest are nonideal bosons which exhibit strong correlation and spatial localization effects. Here we analyse the ground-state of a two-dimensional Bose system with a Hartree-Fock type approximation that was first introduced by Romanovsky et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 93}, 230405 (2004)]. We apply this method to a one dimensional system of charged bosons and analyze the behaviour at strong coupling.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, ms submitted to Physic

Effects of Pre-Cutting Round Alfalfa Hay Bales on Forage Quality and Processing Time

Round hay balers with knives that cut the hay as it enters the baling chamber reduce the particle size upon baling, and eliminate the need for a tub grinder. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a round hay baler with knives on forage quality of alfalfa hay at baling and after storage, and the effects of the processing method on nutrient composition and particle size distribution. Alfalfa hay was baled (560 M Megawide HC2, John Deere, Moline, IL) with knives every 4 inches (CUT; theo­retical length of cut) or without knives (NORM). At baling and after 6 months of uncovered storage, bales were weighed, measured, and 10 core samples were obtained for nutrient analysis. Cores were separated into outer 6 inches and inner 6- to 18-inch segments to determine the depth of spoilage. After storage, particle size was reduced to approximately 4 inches using a mixer wagon for CUT (CUT-MIX) or a tub grinder for NORM (NORM-GRIND). Compared with NORM, CUT increased bale weight and density. Core depth interacted with storage timepoint whereby acid detergent fiber (ADF) concentration increased more for outer than inner cores from baling to the end of storage, with similar effects for lignin and 240-hour undigest­ible NDF. Compared with NORM, CUT increased concentrations of aNDF organic matter, ADF, and lignin, and decreased relative forage quality (RFQ). The CUT-MIX treatment increased time to reduce particle size, but decreased processing shrink by 6.1% compared with NORM-GRIND. Additionally, when compared with NORM-GRIND, CUT-MIX increased fiber content and decreased fiber digestibility, which may have been due to sampling error from longer particle size. In summary, CUT produced larger, more dense bales and increased fiber content slightly, and CUT-MIX decreased processing shrink but increased fiber content with additional longer particles after processing, which could be advantageous for physically effective fiber in ruminant diets. Further work should continue to evaluate leaf loss during baling, and options for processing and incorporating pre-cut hay into diets

Outcome of Occupational Latex Allergy—Work Ability and Quality of Life

OBJECTIVE: The quality of life (QOL) and work ability of health care workers allergic to natural rubber latex (NRL) were assessed after implementation of regulations on powder-free NRL gloves in Germany. METHODS: 196 HCW with reported NRL allergy answered a questionnaire (response rate 58%) containing the Work Ability Index (WAI), Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (MiniAQLQ), and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). RESULTS: 63.2% still had NRL-related symptoms during the last 6 month. However on a scale from 0 to 10, the intensity of NRL-related symptoms decreased from 8.5 before to 2.3 after implementation of regulations on powder-free NRL gloves. A higher number of subjects were able to avoid NRL in the private than in the work environment (85% vs. 61%). NRL-related symptoms decreased and WAI increased with successful avoidance of NRL at workplace (b = 0.23, p = 0.003). QOL was only little affected by NRL allergy (mean: MiniAQLQ = 6.0; DLQI = 4.1). CONCLUSIONS: Although there was improvement after implementation of powder-free NRL gloves, there is still a considerable number of HCW with NRL-related symptoms. Further investigations on latex avoidance and the cause of persisiting allergic symptoms in HCW with NRL allergy are therefore needed

Orbital Josephson effect and interactions in driven atom condensates on a ring

In a system of ac-driven condensed bosons we study a new type of Josephson effect occurring between states sharing the same region of space and the same internal atom structure. We first develop a technique to calculate the long time dynamics of a driven interacting many-body system. For resonant frequencies, this dynamics can be shown to derive from an effective time-independent Hamiltonian which is expressed in terms of standard creation and annihilation operators. Within the subspace of resonant states, and if the undriven states are plane waves, a locally repulsive interaction between bosons translates into an effective attraction. We apply the method to study the effect of interactions on the coherent ratchet current of an asymmetrically driven boson system. We find a wealth of dynamical regimes which includes Rabi oscillations, self-trapping, and chaotic behavior. In the latter case, a full many-body calculation deviates from the mean-field results by predicting large quantum fluctuations of the relative particle number.Comment: Published versio