Erratum: Formation of a Spin Texture in a Quantum Gas Coupled to a Cavity [Phys. Rev. Lett. 120, 223602 (2018)].

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.120.223602.

Formation of a Spin Texture in a Quantum Gas Coupled to a Cavity.

We observe cavity mediated spin-dependent interactions in an off-resonantly driven multilevel atomic Bose-Einstein condensate that is strongly coupled to an optical cavity. Applying a driving field with adjustable polarization, we identify the roles of the scalar and the vectorial components of the atomic polarizability tensor for single and multicomponent condensates. Beyond a critical strength of the vectorial coupling, we infer the formation of a spin texture in a condensate of two internal states from the analysis of the cavity output field. Our work provides perspectives for global dynamical gauge fields and self-consistently spin-orbit coupled gases.

Prosthetic reconstruction to restore function in transcarpal amputees.

Mutilated hands at the distal level may pose a challenge for reconstruction. Biological treatment options may require multiple surgical interventions and a long rehabilitation course with little hope of good functional outcome. Standard hand prostheses are also not an ideal solution, as they are too long and cumbersome for partial hand injuries. This paper outlines the functional outcomes of prosthetic reconstruction with devices customized for the transcarpal amputation levels. The functional outcome was evaluated with the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), Southampton Hand Assessment Procedure (SHAP), and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (DASH). Functional evaluation was performed at least 12 months after final fitting. Psychological assessment was performed with the Short Form-36. The three patients achieved a mean ARAT score of 35.67 ± 0.58. The average SHAP score was 74 ± 7.81. The average DASH score was found to be 16.11 ± 12.03. The reconstructed hand achieved a score of 75.27 ± 8.16% in SHAP and 62.57 ± 1.02% in ARAT in relation to the healthy hand. All patients exhibited average physical and mental component summary scales in the Short Form-36. The majority of transcarpal amputations are seen in manual laborers due to work-related trauma. Returning to work is the main goal in such young and otherwise-healthy patients. As shown with this study, prosthetic fitting results in quick and reliable functional reconstruction. Therefore, this treatment should be considered as an option during the initial decision-making process of reconstructing difficult traumatic injuries of the hand.

Use of pyridine for differentiating Mycobacterium leprae from other mycobacteria in direct microscopy.

The loss of acid-fastness by M. leprae after two-hour pyridine extractions, reportedly a specific test for differentiating M. leprae from all other mycobacteria, was verified on different materials obtained from leprosy patients, histologic sections from a fatal post-BCG vaccination case and smears prepared from pure cultures of 32 strains of 18 different mycobacterial species. Under the conditions used, pyridine extraction led to complete loss of acid-fastness in M. leprae only in histologic sections of biopsy specimens from leprosy patients, whereas in direct smears from skin lesions containing M. leprae the number of acid-fast rods after pyridine extraction was either equal to or only slightly smaller than in control preparations. Moreover, since smears from pure cultures of M. avium, M. diernhoferi, M. fortuitum, M. scrofulaceum, M. vaccae and especially M. phlei displayed a smaller or greater number of nonacid-fast cells as well (in some instances only 10% to 20% of cells were found stained whereas control slides contained 90% to 100% acid-fast rods), loss of acid-fastness after two-hour pyridine extraction cannot be considered a property typical of M. leprae only.