  There are two main sets of data for the observed spectrum of ultra high
energy cosmic rays (those cosmic rays with energies greater than $\sim 4 \times
10^{18}$ eV), the High Resolution Fly's Eye (HiRes) collaboration group
observations, which seem to be consistent with the predicted theoretical
spectrum (and therefore with the theoretical limit known as the
Greisen-Zatsepin-Kuzmin cutoff), and the observations from the Akeno Giant Air
Shower Array (AGASA) collaboration group, which reveal an abundant flux of
incoming particles with energies above $1 \times 10^{20}$ eV violating the
Greisen-Zatsepin-Kuzmin cutoff. As an explanation of this anomaly it has been
suggested that quantum-gravitational effects may be playing a decisive role in
the propagation of ultra high energy cosmic rays. In this article we take the
loop quantum gravity approach. We shall provide some techniques to establish
and analyze new constraints on the loop quantum gravity parameters arising from
both sets of data, HiRes and AGASA . We shall also study their effects on the
predicted spectrum for ultra high energy cosmic rays. As a result we will state
the possibility of reconciling the AGASA observations.


  We consider the propagation of two photonic qubits, initially maximally
entangled in their orbital angular momenta (OAM), across a turbulent
atmosphere. By introducing the {\it phase correlation length} of an OAM beam,
we show that the entanglement of OAM photons exhibits a universal exponential
decay under turbulence.


  We strive for spatio-temporal localization of actions in videos. The
state-of-the-art relies on action proposals at test time and selects the best
one with a classifier trained on carefully annotated box annotations.
Annotating action boxes in video is cumbersome, tedious, and error prone.
Rather than annotating boxes, we propose to annotate actions in video with
points on a sparse subset of frames only. We introduce an overlap measure
between action proposals and points and incorporate them all into the objective
of a non-convex Multiple Instance Learning optimization. Experimental
evaluation on the UCF Sports and UCF 101 datasets shows that (i)
spatio-temporal proposals can be used to train classifiers while retaining the
localization performance, (ii) point annotations yield results comparable to
box annotations while being significantly faster to annotate, (iii) with a
minimum amount of supervision our approach is competitive to the
state-of-the-art. Finally, we introduce spatio-temporal action annotations on
the train and test videos of Hollywood2, resulting in Hollywood2Tubes,
available at http://tinyurl.com/hollywood2tubes.


  In this article, we consider the problem of synthesizing switching
controllers for temporal properties through the composition of simple primitive
reach-while-stay (RWS) properties. Reach-while-stay properties specify that the
system states starting from an initial set I, must reach a goal (target) set G
in finite time, while remaining inside a safe set S. Our approach synthesizes
switched controllers that select between finitely many modes to satisfy the
given RWS specification. To do so, we consider control certificates, which are
Lyapunov-like functions that represent control strategies to achieve the
desired specification. However, for RWS problems, a control Lyapunov-like
function is often hard to synthesize in a simple polynomial form. Therefore, we
combine control barrier and Lyapunov functions with an additional compatibility
condition between them. Using this approach, the controller synthesis problem
reduces to one of solving quantified nonlinear constrained problems that are
handled using a combination of SMT solvers. The synthesis of controllers is
demonstrated through a set of interesting numerical examples drawn from the
related work, and compared with the state-of-the-art tool SCOTS. Our evaluation
suggests that our approach is computationally feasible, and adds to the growing
body of formal approaches to controller synthesis.


  This paper studies problems of inferring order given noisy information. In
these problems there is an unknown order (permutation) $\pi$ on $n$ elements
denoted by $1,...,n$. We assume that information is generated in a way
correlated with $\pi$. The goal is to find a maximum likelihood $\pi^*$ given
the information observed. We will consider two different types of observations:
noisy comparisons and noisy orders. The data in Noisy orders are permutations
given from an exponential distribution correlated with \pi (this is also called
the Mallow's model). The data in Noisy Comparisons is a signal given for each
pair of elements which is correlated with their true ordering.
  In this paper we present polynomial time algorithms for solving both problems
with high probability. As part of our proof we show that for both models the
maximum likelihood solution $\pi^{\ast}$ is close to the original permutation
$\pi$.
  Our results are of interest in applications to ranking, such as ranking in
sports, or ranking of search items based on comparisons by experts.


  This thesis is a corpus-based, quantitative, and typological analysis of the
functions of Early Slavic participle constructions and their finite competitors
($jegda$-'when'-clauses). The first part leverages detailed linguistic
annotation on Early Slavic corpora at the morphosyntactic, dependency,
information-structural, and lexical levels to obtain indirect evidence for
different potential functions of participle clauses and their main finite
competitor and understand the roles of compositionality and default discourse
reasoning as explanations for the distribution of participle constructions and
$jegda$-clauses in the corpus. The second part uses massively parallel data to
analyze typological variation in how languages express the semantic space of
English $when$, whose scope encompasses that of Early Slavic participle
constructions and $jegda$-clauses. Probabilistic semantic maps are generated
and statistical methods (including Kriging, Gaussian Mixture Modelling,
precision and recall analysis) are used to induce cross-linguistically salient
dimensions from the parallel corpus and to study conceptual variation within
the semantic space of the hypothetical concept WHEN.


  In this study, a low energy beam transport (LEBT) channel for the proton
linac section of the Turkish Accelerator Center (TAC) has been designed by
using TRAVEL code. Commonly used LEBT including two focusing solenoid magnets
will transport and match the H- beam from a volume source to RFQ. In the beam
dynamics simulations of such a LEBT line, 95% space-charge compensation (SCC)
has been considered in this study. We aimed to find out the determination of
our RFQ input parameters that gives the best possible beam quality at the
entrance of the RFQ using beam collimator in the LEBT line as an alternative
way. In this way, we have acquired the best possible beam quality on RFQ input
plane as well as optimizing the LEBT line.


  In the framework of NRQCD and parton model, we estimate in detail,the
production cross section for polarized J/psi from B meson decays. In order to
contrast with data, we also take into account additional J/psi production due
to decay of excited charmonium states. We calculate the helicity parameter,
alpha, and as an application, we study our results for the Tevatron. This is in
contrast to the earlier studies which were performed for prompt J/psi
production from p pbar collisions. Our estimates are, for J/psi from B decays,
alpha_{J/psi} = -0.04 +- 0.06 and for B decays to psi', alpha_{psi'}= -0.03 +-
0.07. These results have been evaluated in the J/psi transverse momentum
interval, 10 GeV < k_T < 30 GeV. In the limit of the color singlet model, alpha
shows a direct dependence on the Peterson parameter, thereby reflecting the
dynamics of the b quark hadronization. With Run II of the Tevatron, it is
expected that the fits for alpha will improve by about a factor of 50, leading
to better limits on the matrix elements.


  A range of honeycomb Co oxide compounds has been proposed and investigated in
the search for a topological Kitaev spin liquid. Analyzing the quantum
chemistry of interacting magnetic moments in Na$_3$Co$_2$SbO$_6$, a
representative $LS$-coupled $t_{2g}^5e_g^2$ magnet, we find that the Kitaev and
off-diagonal $\Gamma$ interactions are sizable and antiferromagnetic but still
weaker than the Heisenberg contribution. Except $\Gamma$', all nearest-neighbor
couplings are mainly determined by Coulomb exchange, different from current
representations of anisotropic interaction terms. This highlights the
limitations of existing anisotropic models and the need for systematic
wave-function quantum chemical studies to clarify exchange mechanisms in
Kitaev-Heisenberg systems.


  The position of a mobile D-3 brane moving towards a stack of localized D-5
branes has been studied as a candidate driving inflation in the warm
inflationary scenario. We compare the results obtained by considering the
dissipation parameter $\Gamma$ as an arbitrary function of only the inflaton
field and a particular form derived by Bastro-Gil et al \cite{Berera8}. We find
that the observables remain well within the recent observational constraint for
a wide range of model parameters for the first case whereas the spectral index
in the later case is always predicted blue, other cosmological observables
remaining well within bound for a wider range of parameters though. We also
discuss the non-gaussianity generated during inflation in this model.


  Domain-specific intelligent systems are meant to help system users in their
decision-making process. Many systems aim to simultaneously support different
users with varying levels of domain expertise, but prior domain knowledge can
affect user trust and confidence in detecting system errors. While it is also
known that user trust can be influenced by first impressions with intelligent
systems, our research explores the relationship between ordering bias and
domain expertise when encountering errors in intelligent systems. In this
paper, we present a controlled user study to explore the role of domain
knowledge in establishing trust and susceptibility to the influence of first
impressions on user trust. Participants reviewed an explainable image
classifier with a constant accuracy and two different orders of observing
system errors (observing errors in the beginning of usage vs. in the end). Our
findings indicate that encountering errors early-on can cause negative first
impressions for domain experts, negatively impacting their trust over the
course of interactions. However, encountering correct outputs early helps more
knowledgable users to dynamically adjust their trust based on their
observations of system performance. In contrast, novice users suffer from
over-reliance due to their lack of proper knowledge to detect errors.


  We present several examples of quasi-exactly solvable $N$-body problems in
one, two and higher dimensions. We study various aspects of these problems in
some detail. In particular, we show that in some of these examples the
corresponding polynomials form an orthogonal set and many of their properties
are similar to those of the Bender-Dunne polynomials. We also discuss QES
problems where the polynomials do not form an orthogonal set.


  Characterization of the deformation of materials across different length
scales has continuously attracted enormous attention from the mechanics and
materials communities. In this study, the possibility of utilizing a computer
vision algorithm to extract deformation information of materials has been
explored, which greatly expands the use of computer vision approaches to
studying mechanics of materials and potentially opens new dialogues between the
two communities. The computer vision algorithm is first developed and tested on
computationally deformed images, before evaluating experimentally collected
images on speckle painted samples before and after deformation. Moreover, a
virtual experiment has also shown the feasibility of mapping surface strain of
a sample based on its natural pattern with significantly improved accuracy
compared to DIC result, which provides new opportunities in experimentation and
computer algorithms to study deformation mechanics of materials. Validation
experiments include evaluating the performance of strain mapping using the
computer vision approach in the uniaxial tensile test and three-point bending
test, compared with extensometer reading and digital image correlation
respectively.


  The combination of space-time coding (STC) and continuous phase modulation
(CPM) is an attractive field of research because both STC and CPM bring many
advantages for wireless communications. Zhang and Fitz [1] were the first to
apply this idea by constructing a trellis based scheme. But for these codes the
decoding effort grows exponentially with the number of transmitting antennas.
This was circumvented by orthogonal codes introduced by Wang and Xia [2].
Unfortunately, based on Alamouti code [3], this design is restricted to two
antennas. However, by relaxing the orthogonality condition, we prove here that
it is possible to design L2-orthogonal space-time codes which achieve full rate
and full diversity with low decoding effort. In part one, we generalize the
two-antenna code proposed by Wang and Xia [2] from pointwise to
L2-orthogonality and in part two we present the first L2-orthogonal code for
CPM with three antennas. In this report, we detail these results and focus on
the properties of these codes. Of special interest is the optimization of the
bit error rate which depends on the initial phase of the system. Our simulation
results illustrate the systemic behavior of these conditions.


  We present high resolution radio continuum observations with the Karl G.
Jansky Very Large Array at 6, 8.5, 11.5 and 15 GHz of the double-peaked
emission-line galaxy 2MASXJ12032061+1319316. The radio emission has a prominent
S-shaped morphology with highly symmetric radio jets that extend over a
distance of $\sim1.5^{\prime\prime}$ (1.74~kpc) on either side of the core of
size $\sim0.1^{\prime\prime}$(116~pc). The radio jets have a helical structure
resembling the precessing jets in the galaxy NGC~326 which has confirmed dual
active galactic nuclei (AGN). The nuclear bulge velocity dispersion gives an
upper limit of $(1.56\pm$0.26$)\times$10$^8$~M$_{\odot}$ for the total mass of
nuclear black hole(s). We present a simple model of precessing jets in
2MASXJ1203 and find that the precession timescale is around 10$^5$ years: this
matches the source lifetime estimate via spectral aging. We find that the
expected super massive black hole (SMBH) separation corresponding to this
timescale is 0.02 pc. We used the double peaked emission lines in 2MASXJ1203 to
determine an orbital speed for a dual AGN system and the associated jet
precession timescale, which turns out to be more than the Hubble time, making
it unfeasible. We conclude that the S-shaped radio jets are due to jet
precession caused either by a binary/dual SMBH system, a single SMBH with a
tilted accretion disk or a dual AGN system where a close pass of the secondary
SMBH in the past has given rise to jet precession.


  We outline a framework for describing photo-activated biological reactions as
generalized quantum measurements of external fields, for which the biological
system takes on the role of a quantum meter. By using general arguments
regarding the Hamiltonian that describes the measurement interaction, we
identify the cases where it is essential for a complex chemical or biological
system to exhibit non-equilibrium quantum coherent dynamics in order to achieve
the requisite functionality. We illustrate the analysis by considering
measurement of the solar radiation field in photosynthesis and measurement of
the earth's magnetic field in avian magnetoreception.


  High resolution spectral observations of the polar EF Eridani obtained in a
low state with X-Shooter revealed narrow emission lines from the irradiated
secondary. The lines were most prominent in the near-IR Ca2-triplet, the more
intensive Halpha line had additional emission likely originating from an
accretion stream. The lines with a radial velocity amplitude, K2' = 385 +- 4
kmps, serve as tracer of the otherwise unseen companion. The mass function
implies a massive white dwarf with Mwd > 0.65 Msun at 3sigma confidence, and a
short distance to the binary, d ~ 111 pc (<145pc at 3sigma confidence). The
spectral energy distribution from the UV to the IR together with the high mass
ratio gives further strong evidence of EF Eri being a post period-minimum
object with M2 < 0.06 Msun


  Estimating the mixing density of a mixture distribution remains an
interesting problem in statistics literature. Using a stochastic approximation
method, Newton and Zhang (1999) introduced a fast recursive algorithm for
estimating the mixing density of a mixture. Under suitably chosen weights the
stochastic approximation estimator converges to the true solution. In Tokdar
et. al. (2009) the consistency of this recursive estimation method was
established. However, the proof of consistency of the resulting estimator used
independence among observations as an assumption. Here, we extend the
investigation of performance of Newton's algorithm to several dependent
scenarios. We prove that the original algorithm under certain conditions
remains consistent even when the observations are arising from a weakly
dependent stationary process with the target mixture as the marginal density.
We show consistency under a decay condition on the dependence among
observations when the dependence is characterized by a quantity similar to
mutual information between the observations.


  The growth and dynamics of solid surfaces displays a multitude of power law
relationships, which are often associated with geometric self-similarity. In
many cases the mechanisms behind these power laws are comparatively trivial,
and require little more than dimensional analysis for their derivation. The
information of interest to surface physicists then resides in the prefactors.
This point will be illustrated by recent experimental and theoretical work on
the growth-induced roughening of thin films and step fluctuations on vicinal
surfaces. The conventional distinction between trivial and nontrivial power
laws will be critically examined in general, and specifically in the context of
persistence of step fluctuations.


  The present paper is devoted to provide conditions for the Levi--Malcev
theorem to hold or not to hold (i.e. for two Levi subalgebras to be or not
conjugate by an inner automorphism) in the context of finite-dimensional
Leibniz algebras over a field of characteristic zero. Particularly, in the case
of the field $\mathbb{C}$ of complex numbers, we consider all possible cases in
which Levi subalgebras are conjugate and not conjugate.


  We review the Seiberg-Witten construction of low-energy effective actions and
BPS spectra in SUSY gauge theories and its formulation in terms of integrable
systems. It is also demonstrated how this formulation naturally appears from
the compactified version of the theory with partially broken supersymmetry so
that the integrable structures arise from the relation between bare and quantum
variables and superpotentials of SUSY gauge theories. The Whitham integrable
systems, literally corresponding to the uncompactified theory, are then
restored by averaging over fast variables in the decompactification limit.


  A detailed investigation of the charge-ordered charge-transfer salt
\delta-(EDT-TTF-CONMe$_{2}$)$_{2}$Br by thermal-expansion measurements and
dielectric spectroscopy reveals three dynamic processes of relaxational
character. The slowest one exhibits the characteristics of glassy freezing and
is ascribed to the conformational dynamics of terminal ethylene groups of the
organic molecules. Such a process was previously found for related
charge-transfer salts where, however, the anions form polymerlike chains, in
contrast to the spherical anions of the present material. Dielectric
spectroscopy reveals two additional relaxational processes. The characteristics
of the faster one are consistent with excitations of a one-dimensional Wigner
lattice as recently observed in this material by infrared spectroscopy, which
are also accompanied by conformational changes of the molecules. However, at
low temperature the ethylene-group relaxation exhibits the
cooperativity-induced dramatic slowing down that is typical for glassy
freezing, while the defect-related Wigner-lattice excitation follows thermally
activated behavior as expected for single-dipole relaxations.


  We prove that the linear term and quadratic nonlinear term entering a
nonlinear elliptic equation of divergence type can be uniquely identified by
the Dirichlet to Neuman map. The unique identifiability is proved using the
complex geometrical optics solutions and singular solutions.


  We use a quantum path integral approach to describe the behavior of a
microwave cavity coupled to a dissipative mesoscopic circuit. We integrate out
the mesoscopic electronic degrees of freedom to obtain a cavity effective
action at fourth order in the light/matter coupling. By studying the structure
of this action, we establish sufficient conditions in which the cavity dynamics
can be described with a Lindblad equation. This equation depends on effective
parameters set by electronic correlation functions. It reveals that the
mesoscopic circuit induces an effective Kerr interaction and two-photon
dissipative processes. We use our method to study the effective dynamics of a
cavity coupled to a double quantum dot with normal metal reservoirs. If the
cavity is driven at twice its frequency, the double dot circuit generates
photonic squeezing and non-classicalities visible in the cavity Wigner
function. In particular, we find a counterintuitive situation where mesoscopic
dissipation enables the production of photonic Schr\"odinger cats. These
effects can occur for realistic circuit parameters. Our method can be
generalized straightforwardly to more complex circuit geometries with, for
instance, multiple quantum dots, and other types of fermionic reservoirs such
as superconductors and ferromagnets.


  In assignment problems, decision makers are often interested in not only the
optimal assignment, but also the sensitivity of the optimal assignment to
perturbations in the assignment weights. Typically, only perturbations to
individual assignment weights are considered. We present a novel extension of
the traditional sensitivity analysis by allowing for simultaneous variations in
all assignment weights. Focusing on the bottleneck assignment problem, we
provide two different methods of quantifying the sensitivity of the optimal
assignment, and present algorithms for each. Numerical examples as well as a
discussion of the complexity for all algorithms are provided.


  In this work we propose a completely new way to obtain statistics
distributions from fluctuations balance. By dimensionless fluctuation analysis
we obtain Boltzmann, Planck, Fermi-Dirac, Bose-Einstein and Schr\"odinger
Distributions using the same fundamental principle. Our result point to a
general foundation that was successful verified to principal Physics
Distributions. We name it as Dimensionless Fluctuation Balance Principle. This
is a great achievement which enable us to discuss exchange between different
physical quantities, like we do when treat energy conservation when some type
of energy is converted to another, but with more generality, because we can
exchange one physical quantity to any other. All physics model which needs
distribution can take advantage of methodology presented in this paper
including: Statistical Physics, Schr\"odinger's Quantum Mechanics,
Nanomaterials, Thin Films and New Materials Modeling. Keywords: Fluctuations,
PDEs, Boltzmann, Planck, Entropy, Fermi-Dirac, Bose-Einstein, Schr\"odinger,
Distributions.


  This work presents a novel algorithm for transforming a neural network into a
spline representation. Unlike previous work that required convex and
piecewise-affine network operators to create a max-affine spline alternate
form, this work relaxes this constraint. The only constraint is that the
function be bounded and possess a well-define second derivative, although this
was shown experimentally to not be strictly necessary. It can also be performed
over the whole network rather than on each layer independently. As in previous
work, this bridges the gap between neural networks and approximation theory but
also enables the visualisation of network feature maps. Mathematical proof and
experimental investigation of the technique is performed with approximation
error and feature maps being extracted from a range of architectures, including
convolutional neural networks.


  The lines of HOC$^+$, HCO and CO$^+$ are considered good tracers of
photon-dominated regions (PDRs) and X-ray dominated regions. We study these
tracers towards regions of the Sgr B2 cloud selected to be affected by
different heating mechanisms. We find the lowest values of the column density
ratios of HCO$^+$ versus HOC$^+$, HCO and CO$^+$ in dense HII gas, where UV
photons dominate the heating and chemistry of gas. HOC$^+$, HCO and CO$^+$
abundances and the above ratios are compared with those of chemical modeling,
finding that high temperature chemistry, a cosmic-ray ionization rate of
10$^{-16}$ s$^{-1}$ and timescales $>$10$^{5.0}$ years explain well the HOC$^+$
abundances in quiescent Sgr B2 regions, while shocks are also needed to explain
the highest HCO abundances derived for these regions. CO$^+$ is mainly formed
in PDRs since the highest CO$^+$ abundances of $\sim$(6-10)$\times$10$^{-10}$
are found in HII regions with electron densities $>$540 cm$^{-3}$ and that
CO$^+$ emission is undetected in quiescent gas. Between the ratios, the
HCO$^+$/HCO ratio is sensitive to the electron density as it shows different
values in dense and diffuse HII regions. We compare SiO J=2-1 emission maps of
Sgr B2 with X-ray maps from 2004 and 2012. One known spot shown on the 2012
X-ray map is likely associated with molecular gas at velocities of 15-25 km
s$^{-1}$. We also derive the X-ray ionization rate of $\sim$10$^{-19}$ s$^{-1}$
for Sgr B2 regions pervaded by X-rays in 2004, which is quite low to affect the
chemistry of the molecular gas.


  Dimension reduction due to the orbital ordering has recently been proposed to
explain the exotic charge, magnetic and structural transitions in some
three-dimensional (3D) transitional metal oxides. We present optical
measurement on a spinel compound MgTi$_2$O$_4$ which undergoes a sharp
metal-insulator transition at 240 K, and show that the spectral change across
the transition can be well understood from the proposed picture of 1D Peierls
transition driven by the ordering of $d_{yz}$ and $d_{zx}$ orbitals. We further
elaborate that the orbital-driven instability picture applies also very well to
the optical data of another spinel CuIr$_2$S$_4$ reported earlier.


  Automated characterization of spatial data is a kind of critical geographical
intelligence. As an emerging technique for characterization, Spatial
Representation Learning (SRL) uses deep neural networks (DNNs) to learn
non-linear embedded features of spatial data for characterization. However, SRL
extracts features by internal layers of DNNs, and thus suffers from lacking
semantic labels. Texts of spatial entities, on the other hand, provide semantic
understanding of latent feature labels, but is insensible to deep SRL models.
How can we teach a SRL model to discover appropriate topic labels in texts and
pair learned features with the labels? This paper formulates a new problem:
feature-topic pairing, and proposes a novel Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO)
based deep learning framework. Specifically, we formulate the feature-topic
pairing problem into an automated alignment task between 1) a latent embedding
feature space and 2) a textual semantic topic space. We decompose the alignment
of the two spaces into: 1) point-wise alignment, denoting the correlation
between a topic distribution and an embedding vector; 2) pair-wise alignment,
denoting the consistency between a feature-feature similarity matrix and a
topic-topic similarity matrix. We design a PSO based solver to simultaneously
select an optimal set of topics and learn corresponding features based on the
selected topics. We develop a closed loop algorithm to iterate between 1)
minimizing losses of representation reconstruction and feature-topic alignment
and 2) searching the best topics. Finally, we present extensive experiments to
demonstrate the enhanced performance of our method.


  Self-Organized Criticality is the emergence of long-ranged spatio-temporal
correlations in non-equilibrium steady states of slowly driven systems without
fine tuning of any control parameter. Sandpiles were proposed as prototypical
examples of self-organized criticality. However, only some of the laboratory
experiments looking for the evidence of criticality in sandpiles have reported
a positive outcome. On the other hand a large number of theoretical models have
been constructed that do show the existence of such a critical state. We
discuss here some of the theoretical models as well as some experiments.


  In a recent paper, we derived the leading alpha' corrections to the Kahler
potentials for moduli in (0,2) heterotic compactifications. In the same spirit
as the LARGE volume stabilization scenario for type IIB orientifolds, we
examine whether these quantum corrections, together with a combination of
tree-level and non-perturbative superpotentials, are sufficient to stabilize
the overall volume modulus at large values. This is not a priori obvious, since
the corrections we found are of a lower order than those used in the type IIB
setting. Nevertheless, we find that stabilizing the volume at (exponentially)
large values may be possible (under certain conditions) in these heterotic
backgrounds.


  The paper (in French) presents a survey of Hilbert's Epsilon operator
focusing on the intensional aspects of its semantics. It comments on some
epistemological problems, from Albert Lautman in the 1930s to John Bell,
Grigori Mints, Barry Hartley Slater, Richard Zach or Edward Zalta in the 1990s.


  Entanglement is a physical phenomenon, which has fueled recent successes of
quantum algorithms. Although quantum neural networks (QNNs) have shown
promising results in solving simple machine learning tasks recently, for the
time being, the effect of entanglement in QNNs and the behavior of QNNs in
binary pattern classification are still underexplored. In this work, we provide
some theoretical insight into the properties of QNNs by presenting and
analyzing a new form of invariance embedded in QNNs for both quantum binary
classification and quantum representation learning, which we term negational
symmetry. Given a quantum binary signal and its negational counterpart where a
bitwise NOT operation is applied to each quantum bit of the binary signal, a
QNN outputs the same logits. That is to say, QNNs cannot differentiate a
quantum binary signal and its negational counterpart in a binary classification
task. We further empirically evaluate the negational symmetry of QNNs in binary
pattern classification tasks using Google's quantum computing framework. The
theoretical and experimental results suggest that negational symmetry is a
fundamental property of QNNs, which is not shared by classical models. Our
findings also imply that negational symmetry is a double-edged sword in
practical quantum applications.


  Traditional MVS methods have good accuracy but struggle with completeness,
while recently developed learning-based multi-view stereo (MVS) techniques have
improved completeness except accuracy being compromised. We propose depth
discontinuity learning for MVS methods, which further improves accuracy while
retaining the completeness of the reconstruction. Our idea is to jointly
estimate the depth and boundary maps where the boundary maps are explicitly
used for further refinement of the depth maps. We validate our idea and
demonstrate that our strategies can be easily integrated into the existing
learning-based MVS pipeline where the reconstruction depends on high-quality
depth map estimation. Extensive experiments on various datasets show that our
method improves reconstruction quality compared to baseline. Experiments also
demonstrate that the presented model and strategies have good generalization
capabilities. The source code will be available soon.


  We show that Rashba spin-orbit interaction (RSOI) modifies electron-electron
interaction vertex giving rise to a spectrum of novel phenomena. First, the
spin-orbit-modified Coulomb interactions induce $p$-wave superconducting order,
without any need for other mediators of attraction. Remarkably, two distinct
superconducting phases arise in 3D systems, mirroring the $\mathrm{A}$ or
$\mathrm{B}$ phases of $^3\mathrm{He}$, depending on the sign of the SOI
constant. In contrast, 2D systems exhibit $p^x\pm i p^y$ order parameter,
leading to time-reversal-invariant topological superconductivity. Second, a
sufficiently strong RSOI induces ferromagnetic ordering. It is associated with
a deformation of the Fermi surface, which may lead to a Lifshitz transition
from a spherical to a toroidal Fermi surface, with a number of experimentally
observable signatures. Finally, in sufficiently clean Rashba materials,
ferromagnetism and $p$-wave superconductivity may coexist. This state resembles
the $\mathrm{A}_1$ phase of $^3\mathrm{He}$, yet it may avoid nodal points due
to the toroidal shape of the Fermi surface.


  We go through Bohr's talk about complementary features of quantum theory at
the Volta Conference in September 1927, by collating a manuscript that Bohr
wrote in Como with the unpublished stenographic report of his talk. We conclude
- also with the help of some unpublished letters - that Bohr gave a very
concise speech in September. The formulation of his ideas became fully
developed only between the fifth Solvay Conference, in Brussels in October, and
early 1928. The unpublished stenographic reports of the Solvay Conference
suggest that we reconsider the role that discussions with his colleagues
possibly had on Bohr's final presentation of the complementary sides of atomic
physics in his 1928 papers.


  According to Kirillov's theory, the construction of a unitary irreducible
representation of a nilpotent Lie group requires a precise computation of some
polarizing subalgebra subordinated to a linear functional in the linear dual of
the corresponding Lie algebra. This important step is generally challenging
from a computational viewpoint. In this paper, we provide an algorithmic
approach to the construction of the well-known Vergne polarizing subalgebras
\cite{Corwin}. The algorithms presented in this paper are specifically designed
so that they can be implemented in Computer Algebra Systems. We also show there
are instances where Vergne's construction could be refined for the sake of
efficiency. Finally, we adapt our refined procedure to free nilpotent
finite-dimensional Lie algebras of step-two to obtain simple and precise
descriptions of Vergne polarizing algebras corresponding to all linear
functionals in a Zariski open subset of the linear dual of the corresponding
Lie algebra. Several explicit examples are given throughout the paper. Also, a
program written for Mathematica is presented at the end of the paper.


  We study the discretization of 3d gravity with $\Lambda=0$ following the loop
quantum gravity framework. In the process, we realize that different choices of
polarization are possible. This allows to introduce a new discretization based
on the triad as opposed to the connection as in the standard loop quantum
gravity framework. We also identify the classical non-trivial symmetries of
discrete gravity, namely the Drinfeld double, given in terms of momentum maps.
Another choice of polarization is given by the Chern-Simons formulation of
gravity. Our framework also provides a new discretization scheme of
Chern-Simons, which keeps track of the link between the continuum variables and
the discrete ones. We show how the Poisson bracket we recover between the
Chern-Simons holonomies allows to recover the Goldman bracket. There is also a
transparent link between the discrete Chern-Simons formulation and the
discretization of gravity based on the connection (loop gravity) or triad
variables (dual loop gravity).


  Users increasingly create, manage and share digital resources, including
sensitive data, via cloud platforms and APIs. Platforms encode the rules
governing access to these resources, referred to as \textit{security policies},
using different systems and semantics. As the number of resources and rules
grows, the challenge of reasoning about them collectively increases. Formal
methods tools, such as Satisfiability Modulo Theories (SMT) libraries, can be
used to automate the analysis of security policies, but several challenges,
including the highly specialized, technical nature of the libraries as well as
their variable performance, prevent their broad adoption in cloud systems. In
this paper, we present CloudSec, an extensible framework for reasoning about
cloud security policies using SMT. CloudSec provides a high-level API that can
be used to encode different types of cloud security policies without knowledge
of SMT. Further, it is trivial for applications written with CloudSec to
utilize and switch between different SMT libraries such as Z3 and CVC5. We
demonstrate the use of CloudSec to analyze security policies in Tapis, a
cloud-based API for distributed computational research used by tens of
thousands of researchers.


  The Run-1 of the LHC was very successful for single top physics. The main
single top production mode, $t-$channel, is now well established. The
$t-$channel cross-section was measured with unprecedented precision and
$t-$channel events have been used for the first time to perform measurements of
standard model properties, such as: $|V_{tb}|$, top quark polarization, or
$W$-helicity fractions. The associated production with a $W$ boson, $tW$, has a
large cross section at the LHC and has been observed by CMS for the first time.
Finally, the $s-$channel also has been studied and limits set on its production
cross section. Single top results produced by the CMS experiment at 7 and 8 TeV
are presented in the following.


  Forgetting is often seen as an unwanted characteristic in both human and
machine learning. However, we propose that forgetting can in fact be favorable
to learning. We introduce "forget-and-relearn" as a powerful paradigm for
shaping the learning trajectories of artificial neural networks. In this
process, the forgetting step selectively removes undesirable information from
the model, and the relearning step reinforces features that are consistently
useful under different conditions. The forget-and-relearn framework unifies
many existing iterative training algorithms in the image classification and
language emergence literature, and allows us to understand the success of these
algorithms in terms of the disproportionate forgetting of undesirable
information. We leverage this understanding to improve upon existing algorithms
by designing more targeted forgetting operations. Insights from our analysis
provide a coherent view on the dynamics of iterative training in neural
networks and offer a clear path towards performance improvements.


  Arithmetic automata recognize infinite words of digits denoting
decompositions of real and integer vectors. These automata are known expressive
and efficient enough to represent the whole set of solutions of complex linear
constraints combining both integral and real variables. In this paper, the
closed convex hull of arithmetic automata is proved rational polyhedral.
Moreover an algorithm computing the linear constraints defining these convex
set is provided. Such an algorithm is useful for effectively extracting
geometrical properties of the whole set of solutions of complex constraints
symbolically represented by arithmetic automata.


  Quantum computing has noteworthy speedup over classical computing by taking
advantage of quantum parallelism, i.e., the superposition of states. In
particular, quantum search is widely used in various computationally hard
problems. Grover's search algorithm finds the target element in an unsorted
database with quadratic speedup than classical search and has been proved to be
optimal in terms of the number of queries to the database. The challenge,
however, is that Grover's search algorithm leads to high numbers of quantum
gates, which make it infeasible for the Noise-Intermediate-Scale-Quantum (NISQ)
computers.
  In this paper, we propose a novel hardware efficient quantum search algorithm
to overcome this challenge. Our key idea is to replace the global diffusion
operation with low-cost local diffusions. Our analysis shows that our algorithm
has similar oracle complexity to the original Grover's search algorithm while
significantly reduces the circuit depth and gate count. The circuit cost
reduction leads to a remarkable improvement in the system success rates, paving
the way for quantum search on NISQ machines.


  We propose a new aggregation framework for approximate dynamic programming,
which provides a connection with rollout algorithms, approximate policy
iteration, and other single and multistep lookahead methods. The central novel
characteristic is the use of a bias function $V$ of the state, which biases the
values of the aggregate cost function towards their correct levels. The
classical aggregation framework is obtained when $V\equiv0$, but our scheme
works best when $V$ is a known reasonably good approximation to the optimal
cost function $J^*$.
  When $V$ is equal to the cost function $J_{\mu}$ of some known policy $\mu$
and there is only one aggregate state, our scheme is equivalent to the rollout
algorithm based on $\mu$ (i.e., the result of a single policy improvement
starting with the policy $\mu$). When $V=J_{\mu}$ and there are multiple
aggregate states, our aggregation approach can be used as a more powerful form
of improvement of $\mu$. Thus, when combined with an approximate policy
evaluation scheme, our approach can form the basis for a new and enhanced form
of approximate policy iteration.
  When $V$ is a generic bias function, our scheme is equivalent to
approximation in value space with lookahead function equal to $V$ plus a local
correction within each aggregate state. The local correction levels are
obtained by solving a low-dimensional aggregate DP problem, yielding an
arbitrarily close approximation to $J^*$, when the number of aggregate states
is sufficiently large. Except for the bias function, the aggregate DP problem
is similar to the one of the classical aggregation framework, and its
algorithmic solution by simulation or other methods is nearly identical to one
for classical aggregation, assuming values of $V$ are available when needed.


  Quasi-phase-matching for efficient backward second-harmonic generation (BSHG)
requires sub-$\rm\mu$m poling periods, a non-trivial fabrication feat. For the
first time, we report integrated first-order quasi-phase-matched BSHG enabled
by seeded all-optical poling. The self-organized grating inscription
circumvents all fabrication challenges. We compare backward and forward
processes and explain how grating period influences the conversion efficiency.
These results showcase unique properties of the coherent photogalvanic effect
and how it can bring new nonlinear functionalities to integrated photonics.


  Although the distortion correction of fisheye images has been extensively
studied, the correction of fisheye videos is still an elusive challenge. For
different frames of the fisheye video, the existing image correction methods
ignore the correlation of sequences, resulting in temporal jitter in the
corrected video. To solve this problem, we propose a temporal weighting scheme
to get a plausible global optical flow, which mitigates the jitter effect by
progressively reducing the weight of frames. Subsequently, we observe that the
inter-frame optical flow of the video is facilitated to perceive the local
spatial deformation of the fisheye video. Therefore, we derive the spatial
deformation through the flows of fisheye and distorted-free videos, thereby
enhancing the local accuracy of the predicted result. However, the independent
correction for each frame disrupts the temporal correlation. Due to the
property of fisheye video, a distorted moving object may be able to find its
distorted-free pattern at another moment. To this end, a temporal deformation
aggregator is designed to reconstruct the deformation correlation between
frames and provide a reliable global feature. Our method achieves an end-to-end
correction and demonstrates superiority in correction quality and stability
compared with the SOTA correction methods.


  Recent theoretical results in quantum machine learning have demonstrated a
general trade-off between the expressive power of quantum neural networks
(QNNs) and their trainability; as a corollary of these results, practical
exponential separations in expressive power over classical machine learning
models are believed to be infeasible as such QNNs take a time to train that is
exponential in the model size. We here circumvent these negative results by
constructing a hierarchy of efficiently trainable QNNs that exhibit
unconditionally provable, polynomial memory separations of arbitrary constant
degree over classical neural networks in performing a classical sequence
modeling task. Furthermore, each unit cell of the introduced class of QNNs is
computationally efficient, implementable in constant time on a quantum device.
The classical networks we prove a separation over include well-known examples
such as recurrent neural networks and Transformers. We show that quantum
contextuality is the source of the expressivity separation, suggesting that
other classical sequence learning problems with long-time correlations may be a
regime where practical advantages in quantum machine learning may exist.


  This paper analyzes a four-dimensional model of the
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis that includes the influence of the
glucocorticoid receptor in the pituitary. Due to the spatial separation between
the hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal glands, distributed time delays are
introduced in the mathematical model. The existence of the positive equilibrium
point is proved and a local stability and bifurcation analysis is provided,
considering several types of delay kernels. The fractional-order model with
discrete time delays is also taken into account. Numerical simulations are
provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical findings.


  Spins confined to point defects in atomically-thin semiconductors constitute
well-defined atomic-scale quantum systems that are being explored as single
photon emitters and spin qubits. Here, we investigate the in-gap electronic
structure of individual sulphur vacancies in molybdenum disulphide (MoS2)
monolayers using resonant tunneling scanning probe spectroscopy in the Coulomb
blockade regime. Spectroscopic mapping of defect wavefunctions reveals an
interplay of local symmetry breaking by a charge-state dependent Jahn-Teller
lattice distortion that, when combined with strong (~100 meV) spin-orbit
coupling, leads to a locking of an unpaired spin-1/2 magnetic moment to the
lattice at low temperature, susceptible to lattice strain. Our results provide
new insights into spin and electronic structure of vacancy induced in-gap
states towards their application as electrically and optically addressable
quantum systems.


  In this contribution we investigate the phase diagram of QCD in the presence
of an isospin chemical potential. To alleviate the infrared problems of the
theory associated with pion condensation, we introduce the pionic source as an
infrared regulator. We discuss various methods to extrapolate the results to
vanishing pionic source, including a novel method based on the singular value
spectrum of the massive Dirac operator, a leading-order reweighting and a
spline Monte-Carlo fit. Our main results concern the phase transition boundary
between the normal and the pion condensation phases and the
chiral/deconfinement transition temperature as a function of the chemical
potential. In addition, we perform a quantitative comparison between our direct
results and a Taylor-expansion obtained at zero chemical potential to assess
the applicability range of the latter.


  We present a multi-wavelength study of the molecular gas properties of a
sample of local Seyfert 2 galaxies to assess if, and to what extent, the
presence of an active galactic nucleus (AGN) can affect the Interstellar Medium
(ISM) properties in a sample of 33 local Seyfert 2 galaxies. We compare the
molecular gas content (MH2), derived from new and archival low-J CO line
measurements of a sample of AGN and a control sample of star-forming galaxies
(SFGs). Both the AGN and the control sample are characterised in terms of
host-galaxy properties (e.g., stellar and dust masses, Mstar and Mdust,
respectively; and star formation rate, SFR). We also investigate the effect of
AGN activity onto the emission of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)
molecules in the mid-infrared (MIR), a waveband where the dust-reprocessed
emission from the obscured AGN contributes the most. The AGN hosted in less
massive galaxies (i.e., log(Mstar/Msun)<10.5; log(Mdust/Msun)<7.5) show larger
molecular gas content with respect to SFGs matched in stellar and dust mass.
When comparing their depletion time(tdep~MH2/SFR), AGN show tdep~0.3-1.0 Gyr,
similar to those observed in the control sample of SFGs. Seyfert 2 galaxies
show fainter PAH luminosity at increasingly larger dominance of the nuclear
activity in the MIR. We find no clear evidence for a systematic reduction of
the molecular gas reservoir at galactic scale in Seyfert galaxies with respect
to SFGs. This is in agreement with recent studies showing that molecular gas
content only is reduced in regions of sub-kpc size, where the emission from the
accreting supermassive black hole dominates. Nonetheless, we show that the
impact of AGN activity on the ISM is clearly visible as suppression of the PAH
luminosity.


  Conservation of current and conservation of charge are nearly the same thing:
when enough is known about charge movement, conservation of current can be
derived from conservation of charge, in ideal dielectrics, for example.
Conservation of current is enforced implicitly in ideal dielectrics by theories
that conserve charge. But charge movement in real materials like semiconductors
or ionic solutions is never ideal. We present an apparently universal
derivation of conservation of current and advocate using that conservation law
explicitly as a distinct part of theories and calculations of charge movement
in complex fluids and environments. Classical models using ordinary
differential equations rarely satisfy conservation of current, including the
chemical kinetic models implementing the law of mass action and Markov models.
These models must be amended if they are to conserve current. Strict
enforcement of conservation of current is likely to aid numerical analysis by
preventing artifactual accumulation of charge.


  While the standard X-ray variability of black hole X-ray binaries (BHXBs) is
stochastic and noisy, there are two known BHXBs that exhibit exotic
`heartbeat'-like variability in their light curves: GRS 1915+105 and IGR
J17091-3624. In 2022, IGR J17091-3624 went into outburst for the first time in
the NICER/NuSTAR era. These exquisite data allow us to simultaneously track the
exotic variability and the corresponding spectral features with unprecedented
detail. We find that as in typical BHXBs, the outburst began in the hard state,
then the intermediate state, but then transitioned to an exotic soft state
where we identify two types of heartbeat-like variability (Class V and a new
Class X). The flux-energy spectra show a broad iron emission line due to
relativistic reflection when there is no exotic variability, and absorption
features from highly ionized iron when the source exhibits exotic variability.
Whether absorption lines from highly ionized iron are detected in IGR
J17091-3624 is not determined by the spectral state alone, but rather is
determined by the presence of exotic variability; in a soft spectral state,
absorption lines are only detected along with exotic variability. Our finding
indicates that IGR J17091-3624 can be seen as a bridge between the most
peculiar BHXB GRS 1915+105 and `normal' BHXBs because it alternates between the
conventional and exotic behavior of BHXBs. We discuss the physical nature of
the absorbing material and exotic variability in light of this new legacy
dataset.


  We have identified two moderately hot (~18000-22000K) white dwarfs,
SDSSJ1228+1040 and SDSSJ1043+0855, which exhibit double-peaked emission lines
in the CaII 8600A triplet. These line profiles are unambiguous signatures of
gaseous discs with outer radii of ~1Rsun orbiting the two white dwarfs. Both
stars accrete from the circumstellar material, resulting in large photospheric
Mg abundances. The absence of hydrogen emission from the discs, and helium
absorption in the white dwarf photospheres demonstrates that the circumstellar
material is depleted in volatile elements, and the most likely origin of these
gaseous rings are tidally disrupted rocky asteroids. The relatively high mass
of SDSSJ1228+1040 implies that planetary systems can not only form around
4-5Msun stars, but may also survive their post main-sequence evolution.


  In an recent work with the title "Asking Photons Where They Have Been", Danan
et al. experimentally demonstrate an intriguing behavior of photons in an
interferometer [Phys. Rev. Lett. 111, 240402 (2013)]. In their words: "The
photons tell us that they have been in the parts of the interferometer through
which they could not pass." They interpret the results using the two-state
vector formalism of quantum theory and say that, although an explanation of the
experimental results in terms of classical electromagnetic waves in the
interferometer is possible (and they provide a partial description), it is not
so intuitive. Here we present a more detailed classical description of their
experimental results, showing that it is actually intuitive. The same
description is valid for the quantum wave function of the photons propagating
in the interferometer. In particular, we show that it is essential that the
wave propagates through all parts of the interferometer to describe the
experimental results. We hope that our work helps to give a deeper
understanding of these interesting experimental results.


  In this note, we prove the existence of homogeneous gradient solitons for the
G$_2$-Laplacian flow by providing the first known example of this type. This
result singles out the G$_2$-Laplacian flow as the first known geometric flow
admitting homogeneous gradient solitons on spaces that are one-dimensional
extensions.


  Tang derived the exact power formulae for t tests and analysis of covariance
(ANCOVA) in superiority, noninferiority and equivalence trials. The power
calculation in equivalence trials can be simplified by using Owen's Q function,
which is available in standard statistical software. We extend the exact power
determination method for ANCOVA to unstratified and stratified multi-arm
randomized trials. The method is applied to the design of multi-arm trials and
gold standard noninferiority trials.


  We simulate the improved $(q+1)$-state clock model on the simple cubic
lattice at the critical point on lattices of a linear size up to $L=960$. We
compute operator product expansion (OPE) coefficients for the three-dimensional
XY universality class. These are compared with highly accurate estimates
obtained by using the conformal bootstrap method. We find that the results are
consistent.


  We calculate the skin thickness, binding energy, surface energy and density
profiles within the Dirac solution of a density dependent hadronic model and
compare with the NL3 parametrization results of the non-linear Wallecka model.
The asymmetry for polarized electron scattering is also obtained using a
partial wave expansion calculation. Results for 208Pb, 40Ca, 48Ca, 66Ni and
90Zr are shown and discussed.


  Locating specific moments within long videos (20-120 minutes) presents a
significant challenge, akin to finding a needle in a haystack. Adapting
existing short video (5-30 seconds) grounding methods to this problem yields
poor performance. Since most real life videos, such as those on YouTube and
AR/VR, are lengthy, addressing this issue is crucial. Existing methods
typically operate in two stages: clip retrieval and grounding. However, this
disjoint process limits the retrieval module's fine-grained event
understanding, crucial for specific moment detection. We propose RGNet which
deeply integrates clip retrieval and grounding into a single network capable of
processing long videos into multiple granular levels, e.g., clips and frames.
Its core component is a novel transformer encoder, RG-Encoder, that unifies the
two stages through shared features and mutual optimization. The encoder
incorporates a sparse attention mechanism and an attention loss to model both
granularity jointly. Moreover, we introduce a contrastive clip sampling
technique to mimic the long video paradigm closely during training. RGNet
surpasses prior methods, showcasing state-of-the-art performance on long video
temporal grounding (LVTG) datasets MAD and Ego4D.


  For fixed compact connected Lie groups H \subseteq G, we provide a polynomial
time algorithm to compute the multiplicity of a given irreducible
representation of H in the restriction of an irreducible representation of G.
Our algorithm is based on a finite difference formula which makes the
multiplicities amenable to Barvinok's algorithm for counting integral points in
polytopes.
  The Kronecker coefficients of the symmetric group, which can be seen to be a
special case of such multiplicities, play an important role in the geometric
complexity theory approach to the P vs. NP problem. Whereas their computation
is known to be #P-hard for Young diagrams with an arbitrary number of rows, our
algorithm computes them in polynomial time if the number of rows is bounded. We
complement our work by showing that information on the asymptotic growth rates
of multiplicities in the coordinate rings of orbit closures does not directly
lead to new complexity-theoretic obstructions beyond what can be obtained from
the moment polytopes of the orbit closures. Non-asymptotic information on the
multiplicities, such as provided by our algorithm, may therefore be essential
in order to find obstructions in geometric complexity theory.


  A non-perturbative determination of the axial current improvement coefficient
cA is performed with two flavors of dynamical improved Wilson fermions and
plaquette gauge action. The improvement condition is formulated with
Schroedinger functional boundary conditions and enforced at constant physical
volume. Large sensitivity is obtained by using two different pseudo-scalar
states in the PCAC relation. We estimate the resulting correction to F_PS at
beta=5.2 to be around 10%.


  The determination of a patient's DNA sequence can, in principle, reveal an
increased risk to fall ill with particular diseases [1,2] and help to design
"personalized medicine" [3]. Moreover, statistical studies and comparison of
genomes [4] of a large number of individuals are crucial for the analysis of
mutations [5] and hereditary diseases, paving the way to preventive medicine
[6]. DNA sequencing is, however, currently still a vastly time-consuming and
very expensive task [4], consisting of pre-processing steps, the actual
sequencing using the Sanger method, and post-processing in the form of data
analysis [7]. Here we propose a new approach that relies on functionalized
nanopore-embedded electrodes to achieve an unambiguous distinction of the four
nucleic acid bases in the DNA sequencing process. This represents a significant
improvement over previously studied designs [8,9] which cannot reliably
distinguish all four bases of DNA. The transport properties of the setup
investigated by us, employing state-of-the-art density functional theory
together with the non-equilibrium Green's Function method, leads to current
responses that differ by at least one order of magnitude for different bases
and can thus provide a much more robust read-out of the base sequence. The
implementation of our proposed setup could thus lead to a viable protocol for
rapid DNA sequencing with significant consequences for the future of genome
related research in particular and health care in general.


  Evolutionary algorithms are known to be robust to noise in the evaluation of
the fitness. In particular, larger offspring population sizes often lead to
strong robustness. We analyze to what extent the $(1+(\lambda,\lambda))$
genetic algorithm is robust to noise. This algorithm also works with larger
offspring population sizes, but an intermediate selection step and a
non-standard use of crossover as repair mechanism could render this algorithm
less robust than, e.g., the simple $(1+\lambda)$ evolutionary algorithm. Our
experimental analysis on several classic benchmark problems shows that this
difficulty does not arise. Surprisingly, in many situations this algorithm is
even more robust to noise than the $(1+\lambda)$~EA.


  We carried out $^{12}$CO(J = 1 -0) observations toward bar and arm regions of
strongly barred galaxies, NGC 1300 and NGC 5383, with the Nobeyama 45-m radio
telescope (beamsize of 1-2 kpc in the galaxies). The aim of the observations is
to qualitatively examine a new scenario for the suppression of star formation
in bars based on recent high-resolution numerical simulations: higher speed
collisions between molecular clouds in the bar region compared with the arm
region suppress the massive star formation. CO emissions were detected from all
the regions, indicating the presence of the molecular gases in the strong bars
without associating clear HII regions. In both galaxies, the velocity width of
the CO line profile tends to be larger in the bar region than in the arm
region, which is qualitatively consistent with the new scenario.


  I point out that the $U(N)$ Chern-Simons $3d$ theory coupled to fermions at
finite temperature and at a specific mean field approximation and the $3d$
Gross-Neveu model at finite temperature and imaginary chemical potential can
give us the same results for the thermodynamic values of the free-energy and
the saddle point equation for the thermal mass. I further argue that the
periodic structure of the imaginary chemical potential brings also Bloch's
theorem into the game. Namely, the vacuum structure of the fermionic system
with imaginary baryon density is a Bloch wave. I further emphasise that Bloch
waves correspond to fermionic (antisymmetric) or bosonic (symmetric)
quasi-particles depending on the point in the band one sits in.


  An exact formalism for the relativistic version of Landau theory of Fermi
liquid in presence of strong quantizing magnetic field is developed. Both
direct and exchange type interactions with scalar and vector coupling cases are
considered.


  We present a Very Large Array (VLA) HI 21cm map and optical observations of
the region around one of the nearest damped Lyman-alpha absorbers beyond the
local group, SBS 1543+593. Two previously uncataloged galaxies have been
discovered and a redshift has been determined for a third. All three of these
galaxies are at the redshift of SBS 1543+593 and are ~185 kpc from the damped
Lyman-alpha absorber. We discuss the HI and optical properties of SBS 1543+593
and its newly identified neighbors. Both SBS 1543+593 and Dwarf 1 have baryonic
components that are dominated by neutral gas -- unusual for damped Lyman-alpha
absorbers for which only ~5% of the HI cross-section originates in such
strongly gas-dominated systems. What remains unknown is whether low mass
gas-rich groups are common surrounding gas-rich galaxies in the local universe
and whether the low star-formation rate in these systems is indicative of a
young system or a stable, slowly evolving system. We discuss these evolutionary
scenarios and future prospects for answering these questions.


  Studies have shown that children can be exposed to smart devices at a very
early age. This has important implications on research in children-computer
interaction, children online safety and early education. Many systems have been
built based on such research. In this work, we present multiple techniques to
automatically detect the presence of a child on a smart device, which could be
used as the first step on such systems. Our methods distinguish children from
adults based on behavioral differences while operating a touch-enabled modern
computing device. Behavioral differences are extracted from data recorded by
the touchscreen and built-in sensors. To evaluate the effectiveness of the
proposed methods, a new data set has been created from 50 children and adults
who interacted with off-the-shelf applications on smart phones. Results show
that it is possible to achieve 99% accuracy and less than 0.5% error rate after
8 consecutive touch gestures using only touch information or 5 seconds of
sensor reading. If information is used from multiple sensors, then only after 3
gestures, similar performance could be achieved.


  Our knowledge of galaxy formation and evolution has incredibly progressed
through multi-wavelength observational constraints of the interstellar medium
(ISM) of galaxies at all cosmic epochs. However, little is known about the
physical properties of the more diffuse and lower surface brightness reservoir
of gas and dust that extends beyond ISM scales and fills dark matter haloes of
galaxies up to their virial radii, the circumgalactic medium (CGM). New
theoretical studies increasingly stress the relevance of the latter for
understanding the feedback and feeding mechanisms that shape galaxies across
cosmic times, whose cumulative effects leave clear imprints into the CGM.
Recent studies are showing that a -- so far unconstrained -- fraction of the
CGM mass may reside in the cold (T < 1e4 K) molecular and atomic phase,
especially in high-redshift dense environments. These gas phases, together with
the warmer ionised phase, can be studied in galaxies from z ~ 0 to z ~ 10
through bright far-infrared and sub-millimeter emission lines such as [C II]
158${\mu}$m, [O III] 88 ${\mu}$m, [C I] 609${\mu}$m, [C I] 370${\mu}$m, and the
rotational transitions of CO. Imaging such hidden cold CGM can lead to a
breakthrough in galaxy evolution studies but requires a new facility with the
specifications of the proposed Atacama Large Aperture Submillimeter Telescope
(AtLAST). In this paper, we use theoretical and empirical arguments to motivate
future ambitious CGM observations with AtLAST and describe the technical
requirements needed for the telescope and its instrumentation to perform such
science.


  By regarding the Einstein equations as equation(s) of state, we demonstrate
that a full cohomogeneity horizon first law can be derived in horizon
thermodynamics. In this approach both the entropy and the free energy are
derived concepts, while the standard (degenerate) horizon first law is
recovered by a Legendre projection from the more general one we derive. These
results readily generalize to higher curvature gravities and establish a way of
how to formulate consistent black hole thermodynamics without conserved
charges.


  Atomic force microscopy was used to investigate ferroelectric switching and
nanoscale domain dynamics in epitaxial PbZr0.2Ti0.8O3 thin films. Measurements
of the writing time dependence of domain size reveal a two-step process in
which nucleation is followed by radial domain growth. During this growth, the
domain wall velocity exhibits a v ~ exp[-(1/E)^mu] dependence on the electric
field, characteristic of a creep process. The domain wall motion was analyzed
both in the context of stochastic nucleation in a periodic potential as well as
the canonical creep motion of an elastic manifold in a disorder potential. The
dimensionality of the films suggests that disorder is at the origin of the
observed domain wall creep. To investigate the effects of changing the disorder
in the films, defects were introduced during crystal growth (a-axis inclusions)
or by heavy ion irradiation, producing films with planar and columnar defects,
respectively. The presence of these defects was found to significantly decrease
the creep exponent mu, from 0.62 - 0.69 to 0.38 - 0.5 in the irradiated films
and 0.19 - 0.31 in the films containing a-axis inclusions.


  The finite temperature electroweak phase transition is studied on the
lattice. The results of the simulations obtained by the 3-dimensional effective
theories and the 4-dimensional SU(2)-Higgs model are reviewed.


  Recent advancements in the synthesis of anisotropic macromolecules and
nanoparticles have spurred an immense interest in theoretical and computational
studies of self-assembly. The cornerstone of such studies is the role of shape
in self-assembly and in inducing complex order. The problem of identifying
different types of order that can emerge in such systems can, however, be
challenging. Here, we revisit the problem of quantifying orientational order in
systems of building blocks with non-trivial rotational symmetries. We first
propose a systematic way of constructing orientational coordinates for such
symmetric building blocks. We call the arising tensorial coordinates strong
orientational coordinates (SOCs) as they fully and exclusively specify the
orientation of a symmetric object. We then use SOCs to describe and quantify
local and global orientational order, and spatiotemporal orientational
correlations in systems of symmetric building blocks. The SOCs and the
orientational order parameters developed in this work are not only useful in
performing and analyzing computer simulations of symmetric molecules or
particles, but can also be utilized for the efficient storage of rotational
information in long trajectories of evolving many-body systems.


  We report numerical simulation of the deposition of spherical particles on a
planar surface, by ballistic, straight-line trajectory transport, and assuming
irreversible adhesion on contact with the surface or previously deposited
particles. Our data indicate that the deposit formed has a loosely layered
structure within few diameters from the surface. This structure can be
explained by a model of growth via chain formation. Away from the surface we
found evidence of a monotonic, power-law approach to the bulk density. Both
density and contact-statistics results suggest that the deposit formed is
sparse: the space-filling fraction is about 15%, and the average number of
contacts is 2. The morphology of the deposit both near the surface and in the
bulk seems to be a result of competition of screening and branching; nearly
half of all the spheres are either single-contact dangling ends, or branching
nodes with more than two contacts.


  We report the first measurement of the flux-integrated cross section of
$\nu_{\mu}$ charged-current single $\pi^{0}$ production on argon. This
measurement is performed with the MicroBooNE detector, an 85 ton active mass
liquid argon time projection chamber exposed to the Booster Neutrino Beam at
Fermilab. This result on argon is compared to past measurements on lighter
nuclei to investigate the scaling assumptions used in models of the production
and transport of pions in neutrino-nucleus scattering. The techniques used are
an important demonstration of the successful reconstruction and analysis of
neutrino interactions producing electromagnetic final states using a liquid
argon time projection chamber operating at the earth's surface.


  In this paper, we prove that given two cubical links of dimension two in
${\mathbb R}^4$, they are isotopic if and only if one can pass from one to the
other by a finite sequence of cubulated moves. These moves are analogous to the
Reidemeister and Roseman moves for classical tame knots of dimension one and
two, respectively.


  We construct Weil representations of twisted loop groups of type $A_n^{(2)}$
over local fields. We prove that the associated cover of the twisted loop group
is the two fold metaplectic cover of the affine Kac-Moody group of type
$A_n^{(2)}$ given by Patnaik-Puskas.


  As researchers strive to narrow the gap between machine intelligence and
human through the development of artificial intelligence technologies, it is
imperative that we recognize the critical importance of trustworthiness in
open-world, which has become ubiquitous in all aspects of daily life for
everyone. However, several challenges may create a crisis of trust in current
artificial intelligence systems that need to be bridged: 1) Insufficient
explanation of predictive results; 2) Inadequate generalization for learning
models; 3) Poor adaptability to uncertain environments. Consequently, we
explore a neural program to bridge trustworthiness and open-world learning,
extending from single-modal to multi-modal scenarios for readers. 1) To enhance
design-level interpretability, we first customize trustworthy networks with
specific physical meanings; 2) We then design environmental well-being
task-interfaces via flexible learning regularizers for improving the
generalization of trustworthy learning; 3) We propose to increase the
robustness of trustworthy learning by integrating open-world recognition losses
with agent mechanisms. Eventually, we enhance various trustworthy properties
through the establishment of design-level explainability, environmental
well-being task-interfaces and open-world recognition programs. These designed
open-world protocols are applicable across a wide range of surroundings, under
open-world multimedia recognition scenarios with significant performance
improvements observed.


  Coatings of ternary nanocomposite Si-C-N ceramic coatings have shown newer
and improved mechanical and functional properties over the coarser and
monolithic coatings. Properties like high hardness, wear resistance, oxidation
resistance, tunable band gap and chemical inertness have been observed for
Si-C-N which makes its potential for numerous applications. Although lot of
research has taken place in Si-C-N coatings, proper understanding of the effect
of different parameters on the coating properties are still not resolved. The
changes occurring in fraction of Si, C and N and the phases forming in the
coatings with variation in deposition conditions require investigations. This
research paper gives a systematic study of the role of different deposition
parameters like substrate temperature, pressure, power on the nucleation and
growth, structure, microstructural bonding and mechanical properties of the
film deposited by magnetron sputtering which adds significantly to the
fundamental knowledge of nanocomposite Si-C-N coatings as well as its
applications.


  There is a growing body of knowledge in the computer science, software
engineering, software testing and software test automation disciplines.
However, a challenge for researchers is to evaluate their research findings,
ideas and tools due to lack of realistic data. This paper presents the Westermo
test system performance data set. More than twenty performance metrics such as
CPU and memory usage sampled twice per minute for a month on nineteen test
systems driving nightly testing of cyber-physical systems has been anonymized
and released. The industrial motivation is to spur work on anomaly detection in
seasonal data such that one may increase trust in nightly testing. One could
ask: If the test system is in an abnormal state - can we trust the test
results? How could one automate the detection of abnormal states? The data set
has previously been used by students and in hackathons. By releasing it we hope
to simplify experiments on anomaly detection based on rules, thresholds,
statistics, machine learning or artificial intelligence, perhaps while
incorporating seasonality. We also hope that the data set could lead to
findings in sustainable software engineering.


  In this Letter we show that the analysis of Lyapunov-exponents fluctuations
contributes to deepen our understanding of high-dimensional chaos. This is
achieved by introducing a Gaussian approximation for the large deviation
function that quantifies the fluctuation probability. More precisely, a
diffusion matrix $\bf D$ (a dynamical invariant itself) is measured and
analysed in terms of its principal components. The application of this method
to three (conservative, as well as dissipative) models, allows: (i) quantifying
the strength of the effective interactions among the different degrees of
freedom; (ii) unveiling microscopic constraints such as those associated to a
symplectic structure; (iii) checking the hyperbolicity of the dynamics.


  In this paper, several nanodevices which realize basic single heavy hole
qubit operations are proposed and supported by time dependent self consistent
Poisson-Schr\"{o}dinger calculations using a four band heavy hole-light hole
model. In particular we propose a set of nanodevices which can act as Pauli X,
Y, Z quantum gates and as a gate that acts similar as a Hadamard gate (i.e. it
creates a balanced superposition of basis states but with an additional phase
factor) on the heavy hole spin qubit. We also present the design and simulation
of a gated semiconductor nanodevice which can realize an arbitrary sequence of
all these proposed single quantum logic gates. The proposed devices exploit the
self-focusing effect of the hole wave function which allows for guiding the
hole along a given path in the form of a stable soliton-like wave packet.
Thanks to the presence of the Dresselhaus spin orbit coupling, the motion of
the hole along a certain direction is equivalent to the application of an
effective magnetic field which induces in turn a coherent rotation of the heavy
hole spin. The hole motion and consequently the quantum logic operation is
initialized only by weak static voltages applied to the electrodes which cover
the nanodevice. The proposed gates allow for an all electric and ultrafast
(tens of picoseconds) heavy hole spin manipulation and give the possibility to
implement a scalable architecture of heavy hole spin qubits for quantum
computation applications.


  A new approach to the Kaluza theory and its relation to the gauge theory is
presented. Two degenerate metrics on the $4+d$-dimensional total manifold are
used, one corresponding to the spacetime metric and giving the fiber of the
gauge bundle, and the other one to the metric of the fiber and giving the
horizontal bundle of the connection. When combined, the two metrics give the
Kaluza metric and its generalization to the non-abelian case, justifying thus
his choice. Considering the two metrics as fundamental rather than the Kaluza
metric explains why Kaluza's theory should not be regarded as five-dimensional
vacuum gravity. This approach suggests that the only evidence of extra
dimensions is given by the existence of the gauge forces, explaining thus why
other kinds of evidence are not available. In addition, because the degenerate
metric corresponding to the spacetime metric vanishes along the extra
dimensions, the lengths in the extra dimensions is zero, preventing us to
directly probe them. Therefore this approach suggests that it is not justified
to search for experimental evidence of the extra dimensions as if they are
merely extra spacetime dimensions. On the other hand the new approach uses a
very general formalism, which can be applied to known and new generalizations
of the Kaluza theory aiming to achieve more and make different experimental
predictions.


  We consider the collider signals of spin-one resonances present in
full-hierarchy quiver theories of electroweak symmetry breaking. These
four-dimensional theories result from the deconstruction of warped extra
dimensional models and have very distinct phenomenological features when the
number of sites is small. We study a class of generic scenarios in these
theories where the color gauge group as well as the electroweak sector,
propagate in the quiver diagram. These scenarios correspond to various specific
models of electroweak symmetry breaking and fermion masses. We focus on the
minimum resonant content and its main features: the presence of heavy and
narrow spin one resonances. We derive bounds from the LHC data on the
color-octet and color-singlet excited gauge bosons from their decays to jets
and top pairs, and show their dependence on the number of sites in the quiver.
We also compare them with the bounds derived from flavor violation.


  Double-layer quantum Hall systems at total filling factor $\nu_T=1$ can
exhibit a commensurate-incommensurate phase transition driven by a magnetic
field $B_{\parallel}$ oriented parallel to the layers. Within the commensurate
phase, the lowest charge excitations are believed to be linearly-confined Meron
pairs, which are energetically favored to align with $B_{\parallel}$. In order
to investigate this interesting object, we propose a gated double-layer Hall
bar experiment in which $B_{\parallel}$ can be rotated with respect to the
direction of a constriction. We demonstrate the strong angle-dependent
transport due to the anisotropic nature of linearly-confined Meron pairs and
discuss how it would be manifested in experiment.


  By incorporating delayed epidemic information and self-restricted travel
behavior into the SIS model, we have investigated the coupled effects of timely
and accurate epidemic information and people's sensitivity to the epidemic
information on contagion. In the population with only local random movement,
whether the epidemic information is delayed or not has no effect on the spread
of the epidemic. People's high sensitivity to the epidemic information leads to
their risk aversion behavior and the spread of the epidemic is suppressed. In
the population with only global person-to-person movement, timely and accurate
epidemic information helps an individual cut off the connections with the
infected in time and the epidemic is brought under control in no time. A delay
in the epidemic information leads to an individual's misjudgment of who has
been infected and who has not, which in turn leads to rapid progress and a
higher peak of the epidemic. In the population with coexistence of local and
global movement, timely and accurate epidemic information and people's high
sensitivity to the epidemic information play an important role in curbing the
epidemic. A theoretical analysis indicates that people's misjudgment caused by
the delayed epidemic information leads to a higher encounter probability
between the susceptible and the infected and people's self-restricted travel
behavior helps reduce such an encounter probability. A functional relation
between the ratio of infected individuals and the susceptible-infected
encounter probability has been found.


  We study the Fokker-Planck diffusion equation with diffusion coefficient
depending periodically on the space variable. Inside a periodic array of
inclusions the diffusion coefficient is reduced by a factor called the
diffusion magnitude. We find the upscaled equations obtained by taking both the
degeneration and the homogenization limits in which the diffusion magnitude and
the scale of the periodicity tends, respectively, to zero. Different behaviors,
classified as pure diffusion, diffusion with mass deposition, and absence of
diffusion, are found depending on the order in which the two limits are taken
and on the ratio between the size of the inclusions and the scale of the
periodicity.


  The 1974 discovery, by Russell A. Hulse and Joseph H. Taylor, of the first
binary pulsar PSR B1913+16, opened up new possibilities for the study of
relativistic gravity. PSR B1913+16, as well as several other binary pulsars,
provided {\it direct} observational proofs that gravity propagates at the
velocity of light and has a quadrupolar structure. Binary pulsars also provided
accurate tests of the strong-field regime of relativistic gravity. General
Relativity has passed all the binary pulsar tests with flying colors. The
discovery of binary pulsars had also very important consequences for
astrophysics: accurate measurement of neutron star masses, improved
understanding of the possible evolution scenarios for the co-evolution of
binary stars, proof of the existence of binary neutron stars emitting
gravitational waves for hundreds of millions of years, before coalescing in
catastrophic events radiating intense gravitational-wave signals, and probably
leading also to important emissions of electromagnetic radiation and neutrinos.
This article reviews the history of the discovery of the first binary pulsar,
and describes both its immediate impact, and its longer-term effect on
theoretical and experimental studies of relativistic gravity.


  Learning classifier systems (LCSs) originated from cognitive-science research
but migrated such that LCS became powerful classification techniques. Modern
LCSs can be used to extract building blocks of knowledge to solve more
difficult problems in the same or a related domain. Recent works on LCSs showed
that the knowledge reuse through the adoption of Code Fragments, GP-like
tree-based programs, into LCSs could provide advances in scaling. However,
since solving hard problems often requires constructing high-level building
blocks, which also results in an intractable search space, a limit of scaling
will eventually be reached. Inspired by human problem-solving abilities, XCSCF*
can reuse learned knowledge and learned functionality to scale to complex
problems by transferring them from simpler problems using layered learning.
However, this method was unrefined and suited to only the Multiplexer problem
domain. In this paper, we propose improvements to XCSCF* to enable it to be
robust across multiple problem domains. This is demonstrated on the benchmarks
Multiplexer, Carry-one, Majority-on, and Even-parity domains. The required base
axioms necessary for learning are proposed, methods for transfer learning in
LCSs developed and learning recast as a decomposition into a series of
subordinate problems. Results show that from a conventional tabula rasa, with
only a vague notion of what subordinate problems might be relevant, it is
possible to capture the general logic behind the tested domains, so the
advanced system is capable of solving any individual n-bit Multiplexer, n-bit
Carry-one, n-bit Majority-on, or n-bit Even-parity problem.


  We consider two embeddings between Grassmannians and study the associated
morphisms between the corresponding Chow rings.


  Parity violation in QCD is a consequence of the so-called QCD
$\theta$-vacuum. As a result, parity-odd fragmentation functions are introduced
and they bring in new observables in the back-to-back dihadron productions in
$e^+e^-$-annihilation experiments [Phys.Rev.Lett. 106 (2011) 042001]. The
experimental measurements on the corresponding parity-odd fragmentation
functions can shed light on the local CP violation effect in QCD. On the other
hand, the weak interaction also violates the parity symmetry. Therefore, the
weak decay of heavier hadrons can also contribute to the parity-odd effects in
fragmentation functions. In this paper, we investigate the weak decay
contribution to these parity-odd fragmentation functions and compute their
contribution to these new observables. In principle, the decay contribution
should/can be excluded in the theoretical analysis and experimental
measurements. However, this is usually not the common practice so far.
Furthermore, in light of that the value of the $\theta$-parameter is extremely
small ($\theta < 3 \times 10^{-10}$), the weak-parity-violating contributions
become an important background in identifying the strong-parity-violating term.
In this paper, we focus on the weak decay contribution of parity-odd
fragmentation functions and demonstrate their sizable contribution in a
numerical estimate.


  An early-type, massive, short-period ($P_{\rm orb}=2^{\rm d}.310951$)
eclipsing spectroscopic binary DN Cas has been re-visited with new spectral and
photometric data. The masses and radii of the components have been obtained as
$M_1=19.04\pm0.07 M_\odot$, $M_2=13.73\pm 0.05M_\odot$ and $R_1=7.22\pm0.06
R_\odot$, $R_2=5.79\pm0.06R_\odot$, respectively. Both components present
synchronous rotation ($V_{\rm rot1}=160\,$km s$^{-1}$, $V_{\rm rot2}=130\,$km
s$^{-1}$) with their orbit. Orbital period analysis yielded a physically bound
additional component in the system with a minimum mass of $M_3=0.88 M_\odot$
orbiting in an eccentric orbit ($e=0.37\pm0.2$) with an orbital period of
$P_{12}=42\pm9$ yrs. High precision absolute parameters of the system allowed
us to derive a distance to DN Cas as 1.7$\pm$0.2 kpc which locates the system
within the borders of the Cas OB6 association (d=1.8 kpc; Mel'nik & Dambis,
2009). The space velocities and the age of DN Cas are in agreement with those
of Cas OB6. The age of DN Cas ($\tau=$3-5 Myr) is found to be 1-2 Myr older
than the embedded clusters (IC 1795, IC 1805 and IC 1848) in the Cas OB6
association, which implies a sequential star formation in the association.


  We study the electronic properties of charged fullerenes and onion-like
structures in the framework of a simple physical model and show the existence
of a system of discrete short-lifetime quantum levels for electrons in the
model well potential. In the case of positively charged fullerenes, we find
that the energy of the volume-localized levels ranges from 1 eV to 100 eV.
Electrons captured by these discrete levels localized in the volume generate a
specific nano-atom wherein electrons are localized inside a charged hollow
sphere of fullerene playing the role of a nucleus in an atom. In case of
negatively charged single-layered or onion-like structure fullerenes, Coulomb
field creates a spherical potential well for positively charged particles
(protons, nuclei of deuterium, tritium or {\mu}+- mesons). In such a case, a
system of discrete levels for positively charged particles is created wherein
protons act as electrons and negatively charged sphere of fullerene plays the
role of a nucleus.


  The characteristics of the $h$-index in the field of condensed matter physics
are studied using high-quality data from ResearcherID. The results are examined
in terms of theoretical descriptions of the $h$-index' overall dependence on a
researcher's total number of published papers, and total number of citations.
In particular, the models by Hirsch, Egghe and Rousseau, as well as by
Gl\"anzel and Schubert are examined. Special emphasis is placed on the
deviations from such statistical descriptions, and it is argued that the
deviation of a particular researcher's $h$ value from the Egghe-Rouseau model's
prediction can be used as a supplementary measure of impact. A corresponding
analysis with similar results is performed using the multi-author $h_m$-index.


  The share of wind power in fuel mixes worldwide has increased considerably.
The main ingredient when deriving wind power predictions are wind speed data;
the closer to the wind farms, the better they forecast the power supply. The
current paper proposes a hybrid model for predicting wind speeds at convenient
locations. It is then applied to Southern California power price area. We build
random fields with time series of gridded historical forecasts and actual wind
speed observations. We estimate with ordinary kriging the spatial variability
of the temporal parameters and derive predictions. The advantages of this work
are twofold: (1) an accurate daily wind speed forecast at any location in the
area and (2) a general method applicable to other markets.


  Existence and uniqueness in Minkowski space of entire downward translating
solitons with prescribed values at infinity for a scalar curvature flow
equation. The radial case translates into an ordinary differential equation and
the general case into a fully non-linear elliptic PDE on R^n.


  This paper proposes a voxel-based approach for creating a digital twin of an
urban environment that is capable of efficiently managing smart spaces. The
paper explains the registration and localization procedure of the point cloud
dataset, which uses the KISS ICP for scan point cloud combination and the
RANSAC method for the initial alignment of the combined point cloud. The mobile
mapping point cloud using Riegl VMX-250 serves as the reference map, and
Velodyne scans are used for localization purposes. The point-to-plane iterative
closest-point method is then employed to refine the alignment. The paper
evaluates the efficacy of the proposed method by calculating the errors between
the estimated and ground truth positions. The results indicate that the
voxel-based approach is capable of accurately estimating the position of the
sensor platform, which are applicable for various use cases. A specific use
case in the context is smart parking space management, which is described and
initial visualization results are shown.


  Video frame interpolation(VFI) has witnessed great progress in recent years.
While existing VFI models still struggle to achieve a good trade-off between
accuracy and efficiency: fast models often have inferior accuracy; accurate
models typically run slowly. However, easy samples with small motion or clear
texture can achieve competitive results with simple models and do not require
heavy computation. In this paper, we present an integrated pipeline which
combines difficulty assessment with video frame interpolation. Specifically, it
firstly leverages a pre-assessment model to measure the interpolation
difficulty level of input frames, and then dynamically selects an appropriate
VFI model to generate interpolation results. Furthermore, a large-scale VFI
difficulty assessment dataset is collected and annotated to train our
pre-assessment model. Extensive experiments show that easy samples pass through
fast models while difficult samples inference with heavy models, and our
proposed pipeline can improve the accuracy-efficiency trade-off for VFI.


  Let $H$ and $L$ be quantum groupoids. If $H$ has a quasitriangular structure,
then we show that $L$ induces a Hopf algebra $C_{L}(L_s)$ in the category
$_{H}\mathcal{M}$, which generalizes the transmutation theory introduced by
Majid. Furthermore, if $H$ is commutative, we can construct a Hopf algebra
$C_H(H_s)_F$ in the category $_H\mathcal{M}_F$ for a weak invertible unit
2-cocycle $F$, which generalizes the results in \cite{D83}. Finally, we
consider the relation between two Hopf algebras: $C_H(H_s)_F$ and
$C_{\widetilde H}(\widetilde{H}_s)$, and obtain that they are isomorphic as
objects in the category $_{\widetilde H}\mathcal{M}$, where $(\widetilde H,
\widetilde{\mathcal{R}})$ is a new quasitriangular quantum groupoid induced by
$(H, \mathcal{R})$.


  We present the rest-frame optical (B, V, and R band) luminosity functions
(LFs) of galaxies at 2<z<3.5, measured from a K-selected sample constructed
from the deep NIR MUSYC, the ultradeep FIRES, and the GOODS-CDFS. This sample
is unique for its combination of area and range of luminosities. The faint-end
slopes of the LFs at z>2 are consistent with those at z~0. The characteristic
magnitudes are significantly brighter than the local values (e.g., ~1.2 mag in
the R band), while the measured values for Phi_star are typically ~5 times
smaller. The B-band luminosity density at z~2.3 is similar to the local value,
and in the R band it is ~2 times smaller than the local value. We present the
LF of Distant Red Galaxies (DRGs), which we compare to that of non-DRGs. While
DRGs and non-DRGs are characterized by similar LFs at the bright end, the
faint-end slope of the non-DRG LF is much steeper than that of DRGs. The
contribution of DRGs to the global densities down to the faintest probed
luminosities is 14%-25% in number and 22%-33% in luminosity. From the derived
rest-frame U-V colors and stellar population synthesis models, we estimate the
mass-to-light ratios (M/L) of the different subsamples. The M/L ratios of DRGs
are ~5 times higher (in the R and V bands) than those of non-DRGs. The global
stellar mass density at 2<z<3.5 appears to be dominated by DRGs, whose
contribution is of order ~60%-80% of the global value. Qualitatively similar
results are obtained when the population is split by rest-frame U-V color
instead of observed J-K color.


  The study of the phenomenology of an extra neutral gauge boson, Z_H, can can
help us to unravel the underlying theory. We study the decay of such a particle
into two neutral gauge bosons, Z_H -> V_i Z (V_i=\gamma, Z), in two popular
versions of the little Higgs model: the littlest Higgs model (LHM) and the
simplest little Higgs model (SLHM). These decays are induced at the one-loop
level by a fermion triangle and are interesting as they are strongly dependent
on the mechanism of anomaly cancellation of the model. All the relevant
tree-level two- and three-body decays of the Z_H gauge boson are also
calculated. It is found that the branching ratios for the Z_H-> \gamma Z decays
can be as large as that of a tree-level three-body decay but the Z_H-> ZZ decay
is very suppressed. We also discuss the experimental prospects for detecting
these decays at the LHC and a future linear collider. We conclude that the
latter would offer more chances for the detection of such rare decays.


  Existence of strong solutions of an abstract Cauchy problem for a class of
doubly nonlinear evolution inclusion of second order is established via a
semi-implicit time discretization method. The principal parts of the operators
acting on $u$ and $u'$ are multi-valued subdifferential operators and are
discretized implicitly. A non-variational and non-monotone perturbation acting
nonlineary on $u$ and $u'$ is allowed and discretized explicitly in time. The
convergence of a variational approximation scheme is established using methods
from convex analysis. In addition, it is proven that the solution satisfies an
energy-dissipation equality. Applications of the abstract theory to various
examples, e.g., a model in visco-elastic-plasticity, are provided.