title: Local dielectric spectroscopy of near-surface glassy polymer dynamics

abstract:
  A non-contact scanning-probe-microscopy method was used to probe local
near-surface dielectric susceptibility and dielectric relaxation in
poly-vinyl-acetate (PVAc) near the glass transition. Dielectric spectra were
measured from 10-4 Hz to 102 Hz as a function of temperature. The measurements
probed a 20 nm thick layer below the free-surface of a bulk film. A small (4 K)
reduction in glass transition temperature and moderate narrowing of the
distribution of relaxation times was found. In contrast to results for
ultra-thin-films confined on or between metallic electrodes, no reduction in
the dielectric strength was found, inconsistent with the immobilization of
slower modes.


title:
Properties of high-T$_C$ copper oxides from the nearly-free electron
  model

abstract:
  The generic band structure of high-T$_C$ copper oxides is simulated by the
nearly free-electron model (NFE) in two dimensions (2-D) with parameters from
band calculations. Interaction between phonons and spin waves will cause
potential modulations and pseudogaps, and the strength of the modulations, the
wave lengths and the doping, are all related. A Fermi-surface "arc" is found
for dynamic spin/phonon waves. The confinement of superconductivity between two
limiting dopings can be a result of competition with the pseudogap at low
doping and weak coupling at high doping.


title:
Diffusion and transfer of entanglement in an array of inductively
  coupled flux qubits

abstract:
  A theoretical scheme to generate multipartite entangled states in a Josephson
planar-designed architecture is reported. This scheme improves the one
published in [Phys. Rev. B 74, 104503 (2006)] since it speeds up the generation
of W entangled states in an MxN array of inductively coupled Josephson flux
qubits by reducing the number of necessary steps. In addition, the same
protocol is shown to be able to transfer the W state from one row to the other.


title: Friction as a probe of surface properties of a polymer glass

abstract:
  We probe the temperature dependence of friction at the interface between a
glassy poly(methylmethacrylate) lens and a flat substrate coated with a
methyl-terminated self-assembled monolayer. The monolayer exhibits density
defects which act as pinning sites for the polymer chains. We show that the
shear response of such an interface supports the existence, at the surface of
the glassy polymer, of a nanometer-thick layer of mobile chains. Friction can
be ascribed to the interplay between viscouslike dissipation in this layer and
depinning of chains adsorbed on the substrate. We further show that the pinning
dynamics is controlled by \beta rotational motions localized at the interface.


title: Measurement of Scattering Rate and Minimum Conductivity in Graphene

abstract:
  The conductivity of graphene samples with various levels of disorder is
investigated for a set of specimens with mobility in the range of
$1-20\times10^3$ cm$^2$/V sec. Comparing the experimental data with the
theoretical transport calculations based on charged impurity scattering, we
estimate that the impurity concentration in the samples varies from $2-15\times
10^{11}$ cm$^{-2}$. In the low carrier density limit, the conductivity exhibits
values in the range of $2-12e^2/h$, which can be related to the residual
density induced by the inhomogeneous charge distribution in the samples. The
shape of the conductivity curves indicates that high mobility samples contain
some short range disorder whereas low mobility samples are dominated by long
range scatterers.


title:
Universal L^s -rate-optimality of L^r-optimal quantizers by dilatation
  and contraction

abstract:
  Let $ r, s>0 $. For a given probability measure $P$ on $\mathbb{R}^d$, let
$(\alpha_n)_{n \geq 1}$ be a sequence of (asymptotically) $L^r(P)$- optimal
quantizers. For all $\mu \in \mathbb{R}^d $ and for every $\theta >0$, one
defines the sequence $(\alpha_n^{\theta, \mu})_{n \geq 1}$ by : $\forall n \geq
1, \alpha_n^{\theta, \mu} = \mu + \theta(\alpha_n - \mu) = \{\mu + \theta(a-
\mu), a \in \alpha_n \} $. In this paper, we are interested in the asymptotics
of the $L^s$-quantization error induced by the sequence $(\alpha_n^{\theta,
\mu})_{n \geq 1}$. We show that for a wide family of distributions, the
sequence $(\alpha_n^{\theta, \mu})_{n \geq 1}$ is $L^s$-rate-optimal. For the
Gaussian and the exponential distributions, one shows how to choose the
parameter $\theta$ such that $(\alpha_n^{\theta, \mu})_{n \geq 1}$ satisfies
the empirical measure theorem and probably be asymptotically $L^s$-optimal.


title: The Overconvergent Site II. Cohomology

abstract:
  We prove that rigid cohomology can be computed as the cohomology of a site
analogous to the crystalline site. Berthelot designed rigid cohomology as a
common generalization of crystalline and Monsky-Washnitzer cohomology.
Unfortunately, unlike the former, the functoriality of the theory is not
built-in. We defined somewhere else the "overconvergent site" which is
functorially attached to an algebraic variety and proved that the category of
modules of finite presentation on this ringed site is equivalent to the
category of over- convergent isocrystals on the variety. We show here that
their cohomology also coincides.


title: Measurement of the eta-Meson Mass using psi(2S) --> eta J/psi

abstract:
  We measure the mass of the eta meson using psi(2S) --> eta J/psi events
acquired with the CLEO-c detector operating at the CESR e+e- collider. Using
the four decay modes eta --> gamma gamma, 3pi0, pi+pi-pi0, and pi+pi-gamma, we
find M(eta)=547.785 +- 0.017 +- 0.057 MeV, in which the first uncertainty is
statistical and the second systematic. This result has an uncertainty
comparable to the two most precise previous measurements and is consistent with
that of NA48, but is inconsistent at the level of 6.5sigma with the much
smaller mass obtained by GEM.


title:
Caract\'erisation \'electromagn\'etique de milieux h\'et\'erog\`enes
  naturels - Application \`a la mesure de l'humidit\'e du sol par radiom\'etrie
  micro-onde

abstract:
  The work which we present takes place within the framework of mission SMOS of
the ESA which will consist to send a radiometer (1.4 GHz) in space. The goal of
the research which we propose is the improvement of the comprehension of the
effects of structure soil and litter. The effects of the litter and
heterogeneities of the ground are probably important but still are very
ignored. So we developed an experimental approach in laboratory and in situ.
That makes it possible to take measurements for various configurations
(frequency, temporal, polarization, incidence, Bi-statics, Brewster effect...)
and in term of surface conditions(homogeneous or heterogeneous ground, more or
less wet, presence of litter...). Measurements at the laboratory with waveguide
enabled us to characterize the various components of the geological structure
(ground, rocks) and to check the model of Dobson usually used.


title:
A numerical study of heat island flows in an open domain: Stationary
  solutions

abstract:
  We present two dimensional numerical simulations of a natural convection
problem in an unbounded domain. A thermal stratification is applied in the
vertical direction and the flow circulation is induced by a heat island located
on the ground. For this problem, thermal perturbations are convected in the
horizontal direction far from the heated element so that very elongated
computational domains have to be used in order to compute accurate numerical
solutions. To avoid this difficulty thermal sponge layers are added at the
vertical boundaries. With this approach, stationary solutions at $Ra\le 10^5$
are investigated. Boussinesq equations are discretized with a second-order
finite volume scheme on a staggered grid combined with a second-order
projection method for the time integration.


title:
Caracterisation Electromagnetique De Materiaux Geologiques En Vue Du
  Suivi De L'Humidite Des Sols Par Radiometrie Micro-Ondes

abstract:
  The work which we present takes place within the framework of mission SMOS of
the ESA which will consist to send a radiometer (1.4 GHz) in space. The goal of
the research which we propose is the improvement of the comprehension of the
effects of structures composed of soil and litter. The effects of the litter
and heterogeneities of the ground are probably important but still ignored. The
objective of this work was to study the dielectric properties of a type of
litter and ground in order to integrate these values into an analytical multi
layers model of soil. The objective is to characterize the effects of this
layer on the total multi layer system. This will make possible to lead to a
simple analytical formulation of a model of litter which can be integrated into
the calculation algorithm of SMOS in order to collect information on moisture
starting from measurements of emissivity


title:
Interference of multi-mode photon echoes generated in spatially
  separated solid-state atomic ensembles

abstract:
  High-visibility interference of photon echoes generated in spatially
separated solid-state atomic ensembles is demonstrated. The solid state
ensembles were LiNbO$_3$ waveguides doped with Erbium ions absorbing at 1.53
$\mu$m. Bright coherent states of light in several temporal modes (up to 3) are
stored and retrieved from the optical memories using two-pulse photon echoes.
The stored and retrieved optical pulses, when combined at a beam splitter, show
almost perfect interference, which demonstrates both phase preserving storage
and indistinguishability of photon echoes from separate optical memories. By
measuring interference fringes for different storage times, we also show
explicitly that the visibility is not limited by atomic decoherence. These
results are relevant for novel quantum repeaters architectures with photon echo
based multimode quantum memories.


title:
Etude D'Un Modele D'Inversion Liant L'Emissivite a L'Humidite Des Sols.
  Contribution a la Mise Au Point De L'Algorithme De la Mission Smos

abstract:
  The work which we present takes place within the framework of mission SMOS of
the ESA which will consist to send a radiometer (1.4 GHz) in space. The goal of
the research which we propose is the improvement of the comprehension of the
effects of structure soil and litter. The effects of the litter and
heterogeneities of the ground are probably important but still ignored. Its
effect can be corrected via a simple radiative model. It is thus necessary to
set up an analytical model which would make it possible to correct the effect
of this additional layer. The objective of this article is to present the
analytical models which we retained to correct the effect of the vegetation and
the litter in order to know the emissivity of the bare soil. We developed a
numerical model (with software HFSS) of calculation of the emissivity of
multi-layer systems in order to validate the results of the forward inversion
models. Ranges of permittivity are introduced with the model in order to take
account of the disturbances related to measurement and the variation of the
water content of the layers.


abstract:
  Open FRW model in Loop Quantum Cosmology is under consideration. The left and
right invariant vector fields and holonomies along them are studied. It is
shown that in the hyperbolic geometry of $k=-1$ it is possible to construct a
suitable loop which provides us with quantum scalar constraint originally
introduced by Vandersloot. The quantum scalar constraint operator with negative
cosmological constant is proved to be essentially self-adjoint.


title: HEIDI and the unparticle

abstract:
  We compare the HEIDI models with the unparticle models. We show that the
unparticle models are a limiting case of the HEIDI models. We discuss
consistency conditions.


title: Large continuum, oracles

abstract:
  Our main theorem is about iterated forcing for making the continuum larger
than aleph_2. We present a generalization of math.LO/0303294 which is dealing
with oracles for random, etc., replacing aleph_1, aleph_2 by lambda,lambda^+
(starting with lambda=lambda^{<lambda}>aleph_1). Well, instead of properness we
demand absolute c.c.c. So we get, e.g. the continuum is lambda^+ but we can get
cov(meagre)=lambda. We give some applications. As in math.LO/0303294, it is a
"partial" countable support iteration but it is c.c.c.


title:
One-way quantum computation via manipulation of polarization and
  momentum qubits in two-photon cluster states

abstract:
  Four-qubit cluster states of two photons entangled in polarization and linear
momentum have been used to realize a complete set of single qubit rotations and
the C-NOT gate for equatorial qubits with high values of fidelity. By the
computational equivalence of the two degrees of freedom our result demonstrate
the suitability of two photon cluster states for rapid and efficient one-way
quantum computing.


title: Understanding the Properties of the BitTorrent Overlay

abstract:
  In this paper, we conduct extensive simulations to understand the properties
of the overlay generated by BitTorrent. We start by analyzing how the overlay
properties impact the efficiency of BitTorrent. We focus on the average peer
set size (i.e., average number of neighbors), the time for a peer to reach its
maximum peer set size, and the diameter of the overlay. In particular, we show
that the later a peer arrives in a torrent, the longer it takes to reach its
maximum peer set size. Then, we evaluate the impact of the maximum peer set
size, the maximum number of outgoing connections per peer, and the number of
NATed peers on the overlay properties. We show that BitTorrent generates a
robust overlay, but that this overlay is not a random graph. In particular, the
connectivity of a peer to its neighbors depends on its arriving order in the
torrent. We also show that a large number of NATed peers significantly
compromise the robustness of the overlay to attacks. Finally, we evaluate the
impact of peer exchange on the overlay properties, and we show that it
generates a chain-like overlay with a large diameter, which will adversely
impact the efficiency of large torrents.


title:
Emergence of scale-free behavior in networks from limited-horizon
  linking and cost trade-offs

abstract:
  We study network growth from a fixed set of initially isolated nodes placed
at random on the surface of a sphere. The growth mechanism we use adds edges to
the network depending on strictly local gain and cost criteria. Only nodes that
are not too far apart on the sphere may be considered for being joined by an
edge. Given two such nodes, the joining occurs only if the gain of doing it
surpasses the cost. Our model is based on a multiplicative parameter lambda
that regulates, in a function of node degrees, the maximum geodesic distance
that is allowed between nodes for them to be considered for joining. For n
nodes distributed uniformly on the sphere, and for lambda*sqrt(n) within limits
that depend on cost-related parameters, we have found that our growth mechanism
gives rise to power-law distributions of node degree that are invariant for
constant lambda*sqrt(n). We also study connectivity- and distance-related
properties of the networks.


title: FIRI - a Far-Infrared Interferometer

abstract:
  Half of the energy ever emitted by stars and accreting objects comes to us in
the FIR waveband and has yet to be properly explored. We propose a powerful
Far-InfraRed Interferometer mission, FIRI, to carry out high-resolution imaging
spectroscopy in the FIR. This key observational capability is essential to
reveal how gas and dust evolve into stars and planets, how the first luminous
objects in the Universe ignited, how galaxies formed, and when super-massive
black holes grew. FIRI will disentangle the cosmic histories of star formation
and accretion onto black holes and will trace the assembly and evolution of
quiescent galaxies like our Milky Way. Perhaps most importantly, FIRI will
observe all stages of planetary system formation and recognise Earth-like
planets that may harbour life, via its ability to image the dust structures in
planetary systems. It will thus address directly questions fundamental to our
understanding of how the Universe has developed and evolved - the very
questions posed by ESA's Cosmic Vision.


title:
Lband radiometric behaviour of pine forests for a variety of surface
  moisture conditions

abstract:
  From July-December 2004 the experimental campaign 'Bray 2004' was conducted
in the coniferous forest of Les Landes near Bordeaux, France, using a
multi-angle L-band (1.4 GHz) radiometer to measure upwelling radiation above
the forest. At the same time, ground measurements were taken of soil and litter
moisture content. This experiment was done in the context of the upcoming SMOS
mission in order to improve our understanding of the behaviour of the L-band
signal above forested areas. Very little information exists on this subject at
the moment, especially for varying hydrological conditions. Furthermore,
additional measurements were done at the University of Bordeaux (PIOM
laboratory) to determine the dielectric behaviour of a litter layer such as
that found at the Bray site. There is some evidence that this layer may have a
different influence on the L-band signal than either the soil or the
vegetation, however the exact behaviour of the litter layer and the extent of
its influence on the L-band signal are as yet unknown. This paper presents 1)
results of the Bray experiment describing the behaviour of the above-canopy
L-band emissivity for different conditions of ground moisture and 2) the
relationship between soil and litter moisture content and results of the
laboratory experiments on litter dielectric properties. Together this will give
a first insight into the L-band radiometric properties of the different forest
layers for varying hydrological conditions.


title: The Kinematics of Manipulators Built From Closed Planar Mechanisms

abstract:
  The paper discusses the kinematics of manipulators builts of planar closed
kinematic chains. A special kinematic scheme is extracted from the array of
these mechanisms that looks the most promising for the creation of different
types of robotic manipulators. The structural features of this manipulator
determine a number of its original properties that essentially simplify its
control. These features allow the main control problems to be effectively
overcome by application of the simple kinematic problems. The workspace and
singular configurations of a basic planar manipulator are studied. By using a
graphic simulation method, motions of the designed mechanism are examined. A
prototype of this mechanism was implemented to verify the proposed approach.


title: A solid angle polynomial with negative coefficients

abstract: This article has been replaced by arXiv:0906.4031


title:
Doping-driven Mott transition in La_{1-x}Sr_xTiO_3 via simultaneous
  electron and hole doping of t2g subbands

abstract:
  The insulator to metal transition in LaTiO_3 induced by La substitution via
Sr is studied within multi-band exact diagonalization dynamical mean field
theory at finite temperatures. It is shown that weak hole doping triggers a
large interorbital charge transfer, with simultaneous electron and hole doping
of t2g subbands. The transition is first-order and exhibits phase separation
between insulator and metal. In the metallic phase, subband compressibilities
become very large and have opposite signs. Electron doping gives rise to an
interorbital charge flow in the same direction as hole doping. These results
can be understood in terms of a strong orbital depolarization.


title:
Magnetospheric Emissions from the Planet Orbiting tau Boo: A Multi-Epoch
  Search

abstract:
  All of the solar system gas giants produce electron cyclotron masers, driven
by the solar wind impinging on their magnetospheres. Extrapolating to the
planet orbiting tau Boo, various authors have predicted that it may be within
the detection limits of the 4-meter wavelength (74 MHz) system on the Very
Large Array. This paper reports three epochs of observations of tau Boo. In no
epoch do we detect the planet; various means of determining the upper limit to
the emission yield single-epoch limits ranging from 135 to 300 mJy. We develop
a likelihood method for multi-epoch observations and use it to constrain
various radiation properties of the planet. Assuming that the planet does
radiate at our observation wavelength, its typical luminosity must be less than
about 10^{16} W, unless its radiation is highly beamed into a solid angle Omega
<< 1 sr. While within the range of luminosities predicted by various authors
for this planet, this value is lower than recent estimates which attempt to
take into account the stellar wind of tau Boo using the known properties of the
star itself. Electron cyclotron maser emission from solar systems planets is
beamed, but with characteristic solid angles of approximately 1 sr illuminated.
Future long-wavelength instruments (e.g., the Long Wavelength Array and the Low
Frequency Array) must be able to make typical flux density measurements on
short time scales (~ 15 min.) of approximately 25 mJy in order to improve these
constraints significantly.


title: An extended version of additive K-theory

abstract:
  There are two infinitesimal (i.e., additive) versions of the $K$-theory of a
field $F$: one was introduced by Cathelineau, which is an $F$-module, and
another one introduced by Bloch-Esnault, which is an $F^*$-module. Both
versions are equipped with a regulator map, when $F$ is the field of complex
numbers.
  In our short paper we will introduce an extended version of Cathelineau's
group, and a complex-valued regulator map given by the entropy. We will also
give a comparison map between our extended version and Cathelineau's group.
  Our results were motivated by two unrelated sources: Neumann's work on the
extended Bloch group (which is isomorphic to indecomposable $K_3$ of the
complex numbers), and the study of singularities of generating series of
hypergeometric multisums. Final version.


title: Dirac equation: Representation independence and tensor transformation

abstract:
  We define and study the probability current and the Hamiltonian operator for
a fully general set of Dirac matrices in a flat spacetime with affine
coordinates, by using the Bargmann-Pauli hermitizing matrix. We find that with
some weak conditions on the affine coordinates, the current, as well as the
spectrum of the Dirac Hamiltonian, thus all of quantum mechanics, are
independent of that set. These results allow us to show that the tensor Dirac
theory, which transforms the wave function as a spacetime vector and the set of
Dirac matrices as a third-order affine tensor, is physically equivalent to the
genuine Dirac theory, based on the spinor transformation. The tensor Dirac
equation extends immediately to general coordinate systems, thus to
non-inertial (e.g. rotating) coordinate systems.


title:
Nonlinear transport of Bose-Einstein condensates through mesoscopic
  waveguides

abstract:
  We study the coherent flow of interacting Bose-condensed atoms in mesoscopic
waveguide geometries. Analytical and numerical methods, based on the mean-field
description of the condensate, are developed to study both stationary as well
as time-dependent propagation processes. We apply these methods to the
propagation of a condensate through an atomic quantum dot in a waveguide,
discuss the nonlinear transmission spectrum and show that resonant transport is
generally suppressed due to an interaction-induced bistability phenomenon.
Finally, we establish a link between the nonlinear features of the transmission
spectrum and the self-consistent quasi-bound states of the quantum dot.


title: On the geometry of the moduli space of spin curves

abstract:
  We determine the smooth locus and the locus of canonical singularities in the
Cornalba compactification \bar S_g of the moduli space S_g of spin curves,
i.e., smooth curves of genus g with a theta characteristic. Moreover, the
following lifting result for pluricanonical forms is proved: Every
pluricanonical form on the smooth locus of \bar S_g extends holomorphically to
a desingularisation of \bar S_g.


title:
Rotational cooling efficiency upon molecular ionization: the case of
  Li$_2(a^3\Sigma_u^+)$ and Li$_2^+(X^2\Sigma_g^+)$ interacting with $^4$He

abstract:
  The low-temperature (up to about 100K) collisional (de)excitation cross
sections are computed using the full coupled-channel (CC) quantum dynamics for
both Li$_2$ and Li$_2^+$ molecular targets in collision with $^4$He. The
interaction forces are obtained from fairly accurate {\it ab initio}
calculations and the corresponding pseudo-rates are also computed. The results
show surprising similarities between sizes of inelastic flux distributions
within final states in both systems and the findings are connected with the
structural change in the molecular rotor features when the neutral species is
replaced by its ionic counterpart.


title: On the girth of random Cayley graphs

abstract:
  We prove that random d-regular Cayley graphs of the symmetric group
asymptotically almost surely have girth at least (log_{d-1}|G|)^{1/2}/2 and
that random d-regular Cayley graphs of simple algebraic groups over F_q
asymptotically almost surely have girth at least log_{d-1}|G|/dim(G). For the
symmetric p-groups the girth is between log log |G| and (log|G|)^alpha with
alpha<1. Several conjectures and open questions are presented.


title:
A Conceptual Analysis of Mass Loss and Frequency Redistribution in
  Wolf-Rayet Winds

abstract:
  To better understand Wolf-Rayet stars as progenitors of gamma-ray bursts, an
understanding of the effect metallicity has on Wolf-Rayet mass loss is needed.
Using simple analytic models, we study the Mdot - Z relation of a WN star and
compare the results to similar models. We find that Mdot roughly follows a
power law in Z with index 0.88 from -2.5 < log Z/Z_sun < -1 and appears to
flatten by log Z/Z_sun ~ -0.5.


title: Polynomials with PSL(2) monodromy

abstract:
  Let K be a field of characteristic p>0, and let q be a power of p. We
determine all polynomials f in K[t]\K[t^p] of degree q(q-1)/2 such that the
Galois group of f(t)-u over K(u) has a transitive normal subgroup isomorphic to
PSL_2(q), subject to a certain ramification hypothesis. As a consequence, we
describe all polynomials f in K[t], of degree not a power of p, such that f is
functionally indecomposable over K but f decomposes over an extension of K.
Moreover, except for one ramification setup (which is treated in the companion
paper arxiv:0707.1837), we describe all indecomposable polynomials f in K[t] of
non-p-power degree which are exceptional, in the sense that x-y is the only
absolutely irreducible factor of f(x)-f(y) which lies in K[x,y]. It is known
that, when K is finite, a polynomial f is exceptional if and only if it induces
a bijection on infinitely many finite extensions of K.


title: Type-II Matrices and Combinatorial Structures

abstract:
  Type-II matrices are a class of matrices used by Jones in his work on spin
models. In this paper we show that type-II matrices arise naturally in
connection with some interesting combinatorial and geometric structures.


title: A new family of exceptional polynomials in characteristic two

abstract:
  We produce a new family of polynomials f(x) over fields K of characteristic 2
which are exceptional, in the sense that f(x)-f(y) has no absolutely
irreducible factors in K[x,y] besides the scalar multiples of x-y; when K is
finite, this condition is equivalent to saying there are infinitely many finite
extensions L/K for which the map c --> f(c) is bijective on L. Our polynomials
have degree (2^e-1)*2^(e-1), where e is odd. Combined with our previous paper
arxiv:0707.1835, this completes the classification of indecomposable
exceptional polynomials of degree not a power of the characteristic. The
strategy of our proof is to identify the curves that can arise as the Galois
closure of the branched cover P^1 --> P^1 induced by an exceptional polynomial
f. In this case, the curves turn out to be x^(q+1)+y^(q+1)=a+T(xy), where
T(z)=z^(q/2)+z^(q/4)+...+z. Our proofs rely on new properties of ramification
in Galois covers of curves, as well as the computation of the automorphism
groups of all curves in a certain 2-parameter family.


title: Computing the complete CS decomposition

abstract:
  An algorithm is developed to compute the complete CS decomposition (CSD) of a
partitioned unitary matrix. Although the existence of the CSD has been
recognized since 1977, prior algorithms compute only a reduced version (the
2-by-1 CSD) that is equivalent to two simultaneous singular value
decompositions. The algorithm presented here computes the complete 2-by-2 CSD,
which requires the simultaneous diagonalization of all four blocks of a unitary
matrix partitioned into a 2-by-2 block structure. The algorithm appears to be
the only fully specified algorithm available. The computation occurs in two
phases. In the first phase, the unitary matrix is reduced to bidiagonal block
form, as described by Sutton and Edelman. In the second phase, the blocks are
simultaneously diagonalized using techniques from bidiagonal SVD algorithms of
Golub, Kahan, and Demmel. The algorithm has a number of desirable numerical
features.


title: Water Waves and Integrability

abstract:
  The Euler's equations describe the motion of inviscid fluid. In the case of
shallow water, when a perturbative asymtotic expansion of the Euler's equations
is taken (to a certain order of smallness of the scale parameters), relations
to certain integrable equations emerge. Some recent results concerning the use
of integrable equation in modeling the motion of shallow water waves are
reviewed in this contribution.


title: Domain Formation in v=2/3 Fractional Quantum Hall Systems

abstract:
  We study the domain formation in the v=2/3 fractional quantum Hall systems
basing on the density matrix renormalization group (DMRG) analysis. The
ground-state energy and the pair correlation functions are calculated for
various spin polarizations. The results confirm the domain formation in
partially spin polarized states, but the presence of the domain wall increases
the energy of partially spin polarized states and the ground state is either
spin unpolarized state or fully spin polarized state depending on the Zeeman
energy. We expect coupling with external degrees of freedom such as nuclear
spins is important to reduce the energy of partially spin polarized state.


title: A Review of H2CO 6cm Masers in the Galaxy

abstract:
  We present a review of the field of formaldehyde (H2CO) 6cm masers in the
Galaxy. Previous to our ongoing work, H2CO 6cm masers had been detected in the
Galaxy only toward three regions: NGC7538 IRS1, Sgr B2, and G29.96-0.02.
Current efforts by our group using the Very Large Array, Arecibo, and the Green
Bank Telescope have resulted in the detection of four new H2CO 6cm maser
regions. We discuss the characteristics of the known H2CO masers and the
association of H2CO 6cm masers with very young regions of massive star
formation. We also review the current ideas on the pumping mechanism for H2CO
6cm masers.


title:
Foundations of the calculus of variations in generalized function
  algebras

abstract:
  We propose the use of algebras of generalized functions for the analysis of
certain highly singular problems in the calculus of variations. After a general
study of extremal problems on open subsets of Euclidean space in this setting
we introduce the first and second variation of a variational problem. We then
derive necessary (Euler-Lagrange equations) and sufficient conditions for
extremals. The concept of association is used to obtain connections to a
distributional description of singular variational problems. We study
variational symmetries and derive an appropriate version of N\"other's theorem.
Finally, a number of applications to geometry, mechanics, elastostatics and
elastodynamics are presented.


title:
Determinantal transition kernels for some interacting particles on the
  line

abstract:
  We find the transition kernels for four Markovian interacting particle
systems on the line, by proving that each of these kernels is intertwined with
a Karlin-McGregor type kernel. The resulting kernels all inherit the
determinantal structure from the Karlin-McGregor formula, and have a similar
form to Schutz's kernel for the totally asymmetric simple exclusion process.


title: Gamma-ray absorption in the microquasar SS433

abstract:
  We discuss the gamma-ray absorption in the inner region of the microquasar
SS433. Our investigation includes several contributions to the opacity of this
system. They result from the ambient fields generated by the primary star,
possibly an A-type supergiant, and a very extended disk around the black hole.
Besides the sharp and dramatic absorption effect that occurs every time the
star crosses the emission zone, we find in the UV photon field from the
extended disk an important source of absorption for very high energy
gamma-rays. This results in periodic gamma-ray observational signatures.


title: On a theorem in multi-parameter potential theory

abstract: We prove a theorem on additive Levy processes and give applications


title:
Dust formation by bubble-burst phenomenon at the surface of a liquid
  steel bath

abstract:
  We have developed an experimental device for studying the main mechanism of
dust formation in electric arc furnace steelmaking: the burst of gas bubbles at
the liquid steel surface. As in the case of the air-water system, the
bubble-burst process takes place in three steps: breaking of the film cap,
projection of film drops, and projection of jet drops. The film break and the
jet drop formation are observed with a high-speed video camera. The film drop
aerosol enters a particle counter, which characterizes the drops in size and
number. Results are presented and discussed. The quantification of both types
of projections leads to the conclusion that the film drop projections represent
the major source of dust. The amount of film drops greatly decreases with the
parent bubble size. Bubbles with diameter under 4mm theoretically do not
produce film drops. Decreasing the CO-bubble size enough would therefore
represent an effective solution for reducing drastically the electric arc
furnace dust emission.


title: On a general theorem for additive Levy processes

abstract:
  We prove a new theorem on additive Levy processes and show that this theorem
implies several proved theorems and a hard conjectured theorem.


title: Jones Pairs

abstract:
  Motivated by Jones' braid group representations constructed from spin models,
we define {\sl a Jones pair} to be a pair of $\nbyn$ matrices $(A,B)$ such that
the endomorphisms $X_A$ and $\D_B$ form a representation of a braid group. When
$A$ and $B$ are type-II matrices, we call $(A,B)$ {\sl an invertible Jones
pair}. We develop the theory of Jones pairs in this thesis.
  Our aim is to study the connections among association schemes, spin models
and four-weight spin models using the viewpoint of Jones pairs. We use Nomura's
method to construct a pair of algebras from the matrices $(A,B)$, which we call
the Nomura algebras of $(A,B)$. These algebras become the central tool in this
thesis. We explore their properties in Chapters \ref{Nomura} and \ref{IINom}.
  In Chapter \ref{JP}, we introduce Jones pairs. We prove the equivalence of
four-weight spin models and invertible Jones pairs. We extend some existing
concepts for four-weight spin models to Jones pairs. In Chapter
\ref{SpinModels}, we provide new proofs for some well-known results on the
Bose-Mesner algebras associated with spin models.
  We document the main results of the thesis in Chapter \ref{InvJP}. We prove
that every four-weight spin model comes from a symmetric spin model (up to
odd-gauge equivalence). We present four Bose-Mesner algebras associated to each
four-weight spin model. We study the relations among these algebras. In
particular, we provide a strategy to search for four-weight spin models. This
strategy is analogous to the method given by Bannai, Bannai and Jaeger for
finding spin models.


title: Hausdorrf dimension for level sets and k-multiple times

abstract:
  We compute the Hausdorff dimension of the zero set of an additive Levy
process.


title:
New insights on the dense molecular gas in NGC253 as traced by HCN and
  HCO+

abstract:
  We have imaged the central ~1kpc of the circumnuclear starburst disk in the
galaxy NGC253 in the HCN(1-0), HCO+(1-0), and CO(1-0) transitions at 60pc
resolution using the Owens Valley Radio Observatory Millimeter-Wavelength Array
(OVRO). We have also obtained Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX) observations
of the HCN(4-3) and the HCO+(4-3) lines of the starburst disk. We find that the
emission from the HCN(1-0) and HCO+(1-0) transitions, both indicators of dense
molecular gas, trace regions which are non-distinguishable within the
uncertainties of our observations. Even though the continuum flux varies by
more than a factor 10 across the starburst disk, the HCN/HCO+ ratio is constant
throughout the disk, and we derive an average ratio of 1.1+/-0.2. From an
excitation analysis we find that all lines from both molecules are subthermally
excited and that they are optically thick. This subthermal excitation implies
that the observed HCN/HCO+ line ratio is sensitive to the underlying chemistry.
The constant line ratio thus implies that there are no strong abundance
gradients across the starburst disk of NGC253. This finding may also explain
the variations in L'(HCN)/L'(HCO+) between different star forming galaxies both
nearby and at high redshifts.


title: Three comments on the Fermi gas at unitarity in a harmonic trap

abstract:
  In this note we consider three issues related to the unitary Fermi gas in a
harmonic trap. We present a short proof of a virial theorem, which states that
the average energy of a particle system at unitarity in a harmonic trap is
twice larger than the average potential energy. The theorem is valid for all
systems with no intrinsic scale, at zero or finite temperature. We discuss the
odd-even splitting in a unitarity Fermi gas in a harmonic trap. We show that at
large number of particles N the odd-even splitting is proportional to
N^{1/9}\hbar\omega, with an undetermined numerical constant. We also show that
for odd N the lowest excitation energies are of order N^{-1/3}\hbar\omega.


title: The topology of terminal quartic 3-folds

abstract:
  In this thesis, I determine a bound on the defect of terminal Gorenstein
quartic 3-folds. More generally, I study the defect of terminal Gorenstein Fano
3-folds of Picard rank 1 and genus at least 3. I state a geometric "motivation"
of non Q-factoriality in the case of quartics.


title: Jet/environment interactions in low-power radio galaxies

abstract:
  The interactions between low-power radio galaxies and their environments are
thought to play a crucial role in supplying energy to offset cooling in the
centres of groups and clusters. Such interactions are also important in
determining large-scale radio structures and radio-source dynamics. I will
discuss new XMM-Newton observations of the hot-gas environments of a
representative sample of nine FRI radio galaxies, which show strong evidence
for the importance of such interactions (including evidence for heating) and
provide important new constraints on source dynamics and particle content. In
particular I will show that the widely discussed apparent imbalance between the
internal lobe pressure available from relativistic electrons and magnetic field
and the external pressure of hot gas correlates with radio structure, so that
naked jets require a large contribution from non-radiating particles, whereas
lobed sources do not. This may provide the first direct observational evidence
that entrainment of the ICM supplies the missing pressure.


title: Intermolecular Forces and the Glass Transition

abstract:
  Random first order transition theory is used to determine the role of
attractive and repulsive interactions in the dynamics of supercooled liquids.
Self-consistent phonon theory, an approximate mean field treatment consistent
with random first order transition theory, is used to treat individual glassy
configurations, while the liquid phase is treated using common liquid state
approximations. The transition temperature $T^{*}_{A} $, the temperature where
the onset of activated behavior is predicted by mean field theory, the lower
crossover temperature $T_{c}^{*}$ where barrierless motions actually occur
through fractal or stringy motions, and $T^{*}_{K} $, the Kauzmann temperature,
are calculated in addition to $T^{*}_{g} $, the glass transition temperature
that corresponds to laboratory cooling rates. Both the isobaric and isochoric
behavior in the supercooled regime are studied, providing results for $\Delta
C_{V} $ and $\Delta C_{p} $ that can be used to calculate the fragility as a
function of density and pressure, respectively. The predicted variations in the
$\alpha$-relaxation time with temperature and density conform to the empirical
density-temperature scaling relations found by Casalini and Roland. We thereby
demonstrate the microscopic origin of their observations. Finally, the
relationship first suggested by Sastry between the spinodal temperature and the
Kauzmann temperatures, as a function of density, is examined. The present
microscopic calculations support the existence of an intersection of these two
temperatures at sufficiently low temperatures.


title:
The First Detailed Abundances for M giants in the inner Bulge from
  Infrared Spectroscopy

abstract:
  We report the first abundance analysis of 17 M giant stars in the inner
Galactic bulge at $(l,b)=(0\deg,-1\deg)$, based on $R=25,000$ infrared
spectroscopy $(1.5-1.8 ~\mu \rm m)$ using NIRSPEC at the Keck telescope. Based
on their luminosities and radial velocities, we identify these stars with a
stellar population older than 1 Gyr. We find the iron abundance $\rm < [Fe/H] >
= -0.22 \pm 0.03$, with a $1\sigma$ dispersion of $0.14\pm 0.024$. We also find
the bulge stars have enhanced [$\rm alpha$/Fe] abundance ratio at the level of
+0.3 dex relative to the Solar stars, and low $\rm <^{12}C/^{13}C>\approx
6.5\pm 0.3$. The derived iron abundance and composition for this inner bulge
sample is indistinguishable from that of a sample of M giants our team has
previously studied in Baade's Window $(l,b)=(0.9,-4)$. We find no evidence of
any major iron abundance or abundance ratio gradient between this inner field
and Baade's window.


title: The role of the Interstellar Medium in Galaxy Formation Simulations

abstract:
  There is a strong connection between the formation of a disk galaxy and the
properties of the interstellar medium (ISM). Theoretical work has typically
either focused on the cosmological buildup of a galaxy with a relatively crude
model for the gas physics, or examined local processes in the ISM and ignored
the global evolution of the galaxy itself. Here, I briefly review what has been
learned from both of these approaches, and what can be done to bridge the gap
between them. I argue that cosmological simulations need to learn from
observational and theoretical work on local ISM properties and adopt more
sophisticated models for the processes that they cannot resolve. Since the ISM
is still incompletely understood, there are a number of reasonable approaches
for these "subgrid" models, and I will discuss the strengths and limitations of
each.


title: On the triplet vertex algebra W(p)

abstract:
  We study the triplet vertex operator algebra $\mathcal{W}(p)$ of central
charge $1-\frac{6(p-1)^2}{p}$, $p \geq 2$. We show that $\trip$ is
$C_2$-cofinite but irrational since it admits indecomposable and logarithmic
modules. Furthermore, we prove that $\trip$ is of finite-representation type
and we provide an explicit construction and classification of all irreducible
$\mathcal{W}(p)$-modules and describe block decomposition of the category of
ordinary $\trip$-modules. All this is done through an extensive use of Zhu's
associative algebra together with explicit methods based on vertex operators
and the theory of automorphic forms. Moreover, we obtain an upper bound for
${\rm dim}(A(\mathcal{W}(p)))$. Finally, for $p$ prime, we completely describe
the structure of $A(\trip)$. The methods of this paper are easily extendable to
other $\mathcal{W}$-algebras and superalgebras.


title:
Anisotropic surface reaction limited phase transformation dynamics in
  LiFePO4

abstract:
  A general continuum theory is developed for ion intercalation dynamics in a
single crystal of a rechargeable battery cathode. It is based on an existing
phase-field formulation of the bulk free energy and incorporates two crucial
effects: (i) anisotropic ionic mobility in the crystal and (ii) surface
reactions governing the flux of ions across the electrode/electrolyte
interface, depending on the local free energy difference. Although the phase
boundary can form a classical diffusive "shrinking core" when the dynamics is
bulk-transport-limited, the theory also predicts a new regime of
surface-reaction-limited (SRL) dynamics, where the phase boundary extends from
surface to surface along planes of fast ionic diffusion, consistent with recent
experiments on LiFePO4. In the SRL regime, the theory produces a fundamentally
new equation for phase transformation dynamics, which admits traveling-wave
solutions. Rather than forming a shrinking core of untransformed material, the
phase boundary advances by filling (or emptying) successive channels of fast
diffusion in the crystal. By considering the random nucleation of SRL
phase-transformation waves, the theory predicts a very different picture of
charge/discharge dynamics from the classical diffusion-limited model, which
could affect the interpretation of experimental data for LiFePO4.


title: On the Degrees of Freedom in Cognitive Radio Channels

abstract: After receiving useful peer comments, we would like to withdraw this paper.


title: The Gauss-Bonnet-Grotemeyer Theorem in spaces of constant curvature

abstract:
  In 1963, K.P.Grotemeyer proved an interesting variant of the Gauss-Bonnet
Theorem. Let M be an oriented closed surface in the Euclidean space R^3 with
Euler characteristic \chi(M), Gauss curvature G and unit normal vector field n.
Grotemeyer's identity replaces the Gauss-Bonnet integrand G by the normal
moment <a,n>^2G, where $a$ is a fixed unit vector. Grotemeyer showed that the
total integral of this integrand is (2/3)pi times chi(M).
  We generalize Grotemeyer's result to oriented closed even-dimesional
hypersurfaces of dimension n in an (n+1) ndimensional space form N^{n+1}(k).


title:
Global analysis of proton elastic form factor data with two-photon
  exchange corrections

abstract:
  We use the world's data on elastic electron--proton scattering and
calculations of two-photon exchange effects to extract corrected values of the
proton's electric and magnetic form factors over the full Q^2 range of the
existing data. Our analysis combines the corrected Rosenbluth cross section and
polarization transfer data, and is the first extraction of G_Ep and G_Mp
including explicit two-photon exchange corrections and their associated
uncertainties. In addition, we examine the angular dependence of the corrected
cross sections, and discuss the possible nonlinearities of the cross section as
a function of epsilon.


title: Casimir forces between arbitrary compact objects

abstract:
  We develop an exact method for computing the Casimir energy between arbitrary
compact objects, either dielectrics or perfect conductors. The energy is
obtained as an interaction between multipoles, generated by quantum current
fluctuations. The objects' shape and composition enter only through their
scattering matrices. The result is exact when all multipoles are included, and
converges rapidly. A low frequency expansion yields the energy as a series in
the ratio of the objects' size to their separation. As an example, we obtain
this series for two dielectric spheres and the full interaction at all
separations for perfectly conducting spheres.


title: A no-pure-boost uncertainty principle from spacetime noncommutativity

abstract:
  We study boost and space-rotation transformations in kappa-Minkowski
noncommutative spacetime, using the techniques that some of us had previously
developed (hep-th/0607221) for a description of translations in
kappa-Minkowski, which in particular led to the introduction of translation
transformation parameters that do not commute with the spacetime coordinates.
We find a similar description of boosts and space rotations, which allows us to
identify some associated conserved charges, but the form of the commutators
between transformation parameters and spacetime coordinates is incompatible
with the possibility of a pure boost.


title:
Normal mode coupling and Bloch states in elliptically birefringent 1D
  photonic crystals

abstract:
  An analysis is presented of frequency versus wave-vector dispersion in
elliptically birefringent one-dimensional layered periodic structures. The
presence of local normal mode polarization state variations from one layer to
the next is found to lead to mode coupling and to affect the wave-vector
dispersion and the character of the Bloch states of the system.


title: Superhump periods in the UGSU-type dwarf nova SDSSp J082409.73+493124.4

abstract:
  We present observations and analysis of the first reported superoutburst of
the dwarf nova SDSSp J082409.73+493124.4 during February/March 2007. From a
maximum observed magnitude of 15.4C it declined at 0.09 mag/d for 7 days,
flattened out around magnitude 16 for a further 5 days and then returned
rapidly to quiescence at magnitude 19.4. The flattening of the light curve late
in the outburst was not associated with a re-growth of superhumps. For the
first 5 days we observed common superhumps with period 0.06954(5) d, thus
confirming its classification as a UGSU-type dwarf nova. This was followed by a
phase transition to late superhumps with period 0.06921(6) d. We found a small
but persistent signal at 0.0687(6) d which we interpret as the orbital period.


title: Hotspots, Jets and Environments

abstract:
  I discuss the nature of `hotspots' and `jet knots' in the kpc-scale
structures of powerful radio galaxies and their relationship to jet-environment
interactions. I describe evidence for interaction between the jets of FRI
sources and their local environments, and discuss its relationship to particle
acceleration, but the main focus of the paper is the hotspots of FRIIs and on
new observational evidence on the nature of the particle acceleration
associated with them.


title:
Universal features of QCD dynamics in hadrons and nuclei at high
  energies

abstract:
  We discuss the empirical evidence for a universal Color Glass Condensate and
outline prospects for further studies at future colliders. Some ramifications
for initial conditions in heavy ion collisions are pointed out.


title:
Experimental imaging and atomistic modeling of electron and hole
  quasiparticle wave functions in InAs/GaAs quantum dots

abstract:
  We present experimental magnetotunneling results and atomistic
pseudopotential calculations of quasiparticle electron and hole wave functions
of self-assembled InAs/GaAs quantum dots. The combination of a predictive
theory along with the experimental results allows us to gain direct insight
into the quantum states. We monitor the effects of (i) correlations, (ii)
atomistic symmetry and (iii) piezoelectricity on the confined carriers and (iv)
observe a peculiar charging sequence of holes that violates the Aufbau
principle.


title: New Phases of SU(3) and SU(4) at Finite Temperature

abstract:
  The addition of an adjoint Polyakov loop term to the action of a pure gauge
theory at finite temperature leads to new phases of SU(N) gauge theories. For
SU(3), a new phase is found which breaks Z(3) symmetry in a novel way; for
SU(4), the new phase exhibits spontaneous symmetry breaking of Z(4) to Z(2),
representing a partially confined phase in which quarks are confined, but
diquarks are not. The overall phase structure and thermodynamics is consistent
with a theoretical model of the effective potential for the Polyakov loop based
on perturbation theory.


title: Melting the Color Glass Condensate at the LHC

abstract:
  The charged particle multiplicity in central AA collisions and the production
of heavy flavors in pA collisions at the LHC is predicted in the CGC framework.


title: Non-perturbative Yukawa Couplings from String Instantons

abstract:
  Non-perturbative D-brane instantons can generate perturbatively absent though
phenomenologically relevant couplings for Type II orientifold compactifications
with D-branes. We discuss the generation of the perturbatively vanishing SU(5)
GUT Yukawa coupling of type 10 10 5_H. Moreover, for a simple globally
consistent intersecting D6-brane model, we discuss the generation of mass terms
for matter fields. This can serve as a mechanism for decoupling exotic matter.


title: Hypervelocity binary stars: smoking gun of massive binary black holes

abstract:
  The hypervelocity stars recently found in the Galactic halo are expelled from
the Galactic center through interactions between binary stars and the central
massive black hole or between single stars and a hypothetical massive binary
black hole. In this paper, we demonstrate that binary stars can be ejected out
of the Galactic center with velocities up to 10^3 km/s, while preserving their
integrity, through interactions with a massive binary black hole. Binary stars
are unlikely to attain such high velocities via scattering by a single massive
black hole or through any other mechanisms. Based on the above theoretical
prediction, we propose a search for binary systems among the hypervelocity
stars. Discovery of hypervelocity binary stars, even one, is a definitive
evidence of the existence of a massive binary black hole in the Galactic
center.


title:
The Landscape of Sparticle Mass Hierarchies and Their Signature Space at
  the LHC

abstract:
  The minimal supersymmetric standard model with soft breaking has a large
landscape of supersymmetric particle mass hierarchies. This number is reduced
significantly in well-motivated scenarios such as minimal supergravity and
alternatives. We carry out an analysis of the landscape for the first four
lightest particles and identify at least 16 mass patterns, and provide
benchmarks for each. We study the signature space for the patterns at the CERN
Large Hadron Collider by analyzing the lepton + (jet $\geq 2$) + missing $P_T$
signals with 0, 1, 2 and 3 leptons. Correlations in missing $P_T$ are also
analyzed. It is found that even with 10 fb$^{-1}$ of data a significant
discrimination among patterns emerges


title: Optimal Control of charge transfer

abstract:
  In this work, we investigate how and to which extent a quantum system can be
driven along a prescribed path in space by a suitably tailored laser pulse. The
laser field is calculated with the help of quantum optimal control theory
employing a time-dependent formulation for the control target. Within a
two-dimensional (2D) model system we have successfully optimized laser fields
for two distinct charge transfer processes. The resulting laser fields can be
understood as a complicated interplay of different excitation and de-excitation
processes in the quantum system.


title:
An original interferometric study of NGC 1068 with VISIR BURST mode
  images

abstract:
  We present 12.8 microns images of the core of NGC 1068 obtained with the
BURST mode of the VLT/VISIR. We trace structures under the diffraction limit of
one UT and we investigate the link between dust in the vicinity of the central
engine of NGC 1068, recently resolved by interferometry with MIDI, and more
extended structures. This step is mandatory for a multi-scale understanding of
the sources of mid-infrared emission in AGNs. A speckle processing of VISIR
BURST mode images was performed to extract very low spatial-frequency
visibilities, first considering the full field of VISIR BURST mode images and
then limiting it to the mask used for the acquisition of MIDI data. Extracted
visibilities are reproduced with a multi-component model. We identify two major
sources of emission: one compact < 85 mas, associated with the dusty torus, and
an elliptical one, (< 140) mas x 1187 mas at P.A.=-4 degrees from N to E. This
is consistent with previous deconvolution processes. The combination with MIDI
data reveals the close environment of the dusty torus to contribute to about 83
percent of the MIR flux seen by MIDI. This strong contribution has to be
considered in modeling long baseline interferometric data. It must be related
to the NS elongated component which is thought to originate from individually
unresolved dusty clouds and is located inside the ionization cone. Low
temperatures of the dusty torus are not challenged, emphasizing the scenarios
of clumpy torus.


title: Topologies on the space of holomorphic functions

abstract:
  We show that a fairly arbitrary Frechet space topology on the space of
holomorphic functions on a domain controls the topology of uniform convergence
on compact sets.
  In fact it turns out that the result we present can be proved more simply
using the closed graph theorem. However, we believe that the techniques
presented here may be used to prove a more interesting result. Details to
appear later.


title: Horizons in 2+1-dimensional collapse of particles

abstract:
  A simple, geometrical construction is given for three-dimensional spacetimes
with negative cosmological constant that contain two particles colliding
head-on. Depending on parameters like particle masses and distance, the
combined geometry will the that of a particle, or of a black hole. In the black
hole case the horizon is calculated. It is found that that the horizon
typically starts at a point and spreads into a closed curve with corners, which
propagate along spacelike caustics and disappear as the horizon passes the
particles.


title:
The Young and the Dustless: Interpreting Radio Observations of
  UltraViolet Luminous Galaxies

abstract:
  Ultraviolet Luminous Galaxies (UVLGs) have been identified as intensely
star-forming, nearby galaxies. A subset of these, the supercompact UVLGs, are
believed to be local analogs of high redshift Lyman Break Galaxies. Here we
investigate the radio continuum properties of this important population for the
first time. We have observed 42 supercompact UVLGs with the VLA, all of which
have extensive coverage in the UV/optical by GALEX and SDSS. Our analysis
includes comparison samples of multiwavelength data from the Spitzer First Look
Survey and from the SDSS-Galex matched catalogs. In addition we have Spitzer
MIPS data for 24 of our galaxies and find that they fall on the radio-FIR
correlation of normal star-forming galaxies. We find that our galaxies have
lower radio-to-UV ratios and lower Balmer decrements than other local galaxies
with similar (high) star formation rates. Optical spectra show they have lower
Dn(4000) and HdeltaA indices, higher Hbeta emission-line equivalents widths,
and higher [OIII]5007/Hbeta emission-line ratios than normal star forming
galaxies. Comparing these results to galaxy spectral evolution models we
conclude that supercompact UVLGs are distinguished from normal star forming
galaxies firstly by their high specific star formation rates. Moreover,
compared to other types of galaxies with similar star formation rates, they
have significantly less dust attenuation. In both regards they are similar to
Lyman Break Galaxies. This suggests that the process that causes star formation
in the supercompact UVLGs differs from other local star forming galaxies, but
may be similar to Lyman Break Galaxies.


title:
The dark haloes of early-type galaxies in low-density environments:
  XMM-Newton and Chandra observations of NGC 57, NGC 7796 and IC 1531

abstract:
  We present analysis of Chandra and XMM-Newton observations of three
early-type galaxies, NGC 57, NGC 7796 and IC 1531. All three are found in very
low density environments, and appear to have no neighbours of comparable size.
NGC 57 has a halo of kT~0.9 keV, solar metallicity gas, while NGC 7796 and IC
1531 both have ~0.55 keV, 0.5-0.6 Zsol haloes. IC 1531 has a relatively compact
halo, and we consider it likely that gas has been removed from the system by
the effects of AGN heating. For NGC 57 and NGC 7796 we estimate mass, entropy
and cooling time profiles and find that NGC 57 has a fairly massive dark halo
with a mass-to-light ratio of 44.7 (4.0,-8.5) Msol/Lsol (1 sigma uncertainties)
at 4.75 Re. This is very similar to the mass-to-light ratio found for NGC 4555
and confirms that isolated ellipticals can possess sizable dark matter haloes.
We find a significantly lower mass-to-light ratio for NGC 7796, 10.6
(+2.5,-2.3) Msol/Lsol at 5 Re, and discuss the possibility that NGC 7796 hosts
a galactic wind, causing us to underestimate its mass.


title:
Superorbital variability of X-ray and radio emission of Cyg X-1. I.
  Emission anisotropy of precessing sources

abstract:
  We study theoretical interpretations of the 150-d (superorbital) modulation
observed in X-ray and radio emission of Cyg X-1 in the framework of models
connecting this phenomenon to precession. Precession changes the orientation of
the emission source (either disc or jet) relative to the observer. This leads
to emission modulation due to an anisotropic emission pattern of the source or
orientation-dependent amount of absorbing medium along the line of sight or
both. We consider, in particular, anisotropy patterns of blackbody-type
emission, thermal Comptonization in slab geometry, jet/outflow beaming, and
absorption in a coronal-type medium above the disc. We then fit these models to
the data from the RXTE/ASM, CGRO/BATSE, and the Ryle and Green Bank radio
telescopes, and find relatively small best-fit angles between the precession
and orbital planes, ~10-20 degrees. The thermal Comptonization model for the
X-ray emission explains well the observed decrease of the variability amplitude
from 1 to 300 keV as a result of a reduced anisotropy of the emission due to
multiple scatterings. Our modeling also yield the jet bulk velocity of
~(0.3-0.5)c, which is in agreement with the previous constraint from the lack
of an observed counterjet and lack of short-term X-ray/radio correlations.


title: Dynamical systems associated with crossed products

abstract:
  In this paper, we consider both algebraic crossed products of commutative
complex algebras A with the integers under an automorphism of A, and Banach
algebra crossed products of commutative C^*-algebras A with the integers under
an automorphism of A. We investigate, in particular, connections between
algebraic properties of these crossed products and topological properties of
naturally associated dynamical systems. For example, we draw conclusions about
the ideal structure of the crossed product by investigating the dynamics of
such a system. To begin with, we recall results in this direction in the
context of an algebraic crossed product and give simplified proofs of
generalizations of some of these results. We also investigate new questions,
for example about ideal intersection properties of algebras properly between
the coefficient algebra A and its commutant A'. Furthermore, we introduce a
Banach algebra crossed product and study the relation between the structure of
this algebra and the topological dynamics of a naturally associated system.


title:
A Chandra X-ray detection of the L dwarf binary Kelu-1: Simultaneous
  Chandra and Very Large Array observations

abstract:
  Magnetic activity in ultracool dwarfs, as measured in X-rays and H$\alpha$,
shows a steep decline after spectral type M7-M8. So far, no L dwarf has been
detected in X-rays. In contrast, L dwarfs may have higher radio activity than M
dwarfs. We observe L and T dwarfs simultaneously in X-rays and radio to
determine their level of magnetic activity in the context of the general
decline of magnetic activity with cooler effective temperatures. The field L
dwarf binary Kelu-1 was observed simultaneously with Chandra and the Very Large
Array. Kelu-1AB was detected in X-rays with $L_{\rm X} = 2.9_{-1.3}^{+1.8}
\times 10^{25}$ erg/s, while it remained undetected in the radio down to a $3
\sigma$ limit of $L_{\rm R} \leq 1.4 \times 10^{13}$ erg/s/Hz. We argue that,
whereas the X-ray and H$\alpha$ emissions decline in ultracool dwarfs with
decreasing effective temperature, the radio luminosity stays (more or less)
constant across M and early-L dwarfs. The radio surface flux or the luminosity
may better trace magnetic activity in ultracool dwarfs than the ratio of the
luminosity to the bolometric luminosity. Deeper radio observations (and at
short frequencies) are required to determine if and when the cut-off in radio
activity occurs in L and T dwarfs, and what kind of emission mechanism takes
place in ultracool dwarfs.


title: Quantum Optimal Control Theory

abstract:
  The control of quantum dynamics via specially tailored laser pulses is a
long-standing goal in physics and chemistry. Partly, this dream has come true,
as sophisticated pulse shaping experiments allow to coherently control product
ratios of chemical reactions. The theoretical design of the laser pulse to
transfer an initial state to a given final state can be achieved with the help
of quantum optimal control theory (QOCT). This tutorial provides an
introduction to QOCT. It shows how the control equations defining such an
optimal pulse follow from the variation of a properly defined functional. We
explain the most successful schemes to solve these control equations and show
how to incorporate additional constraints in the pulse design. The algorithms
are then applied to simple quantum systems and the obtained pulses are
analyzed. Besides the traditional final-time control methods, the tutorial also
presents an algorithm and an example to handle time-dependent control targets.


title:
Soluble Models of Strongly Interacting Two-level Ultracold Gases in
  Tight Waveguides with Coupling to the Quantized Electromagnetic Field

abstract:
  A generalized Fermi-Bose mapping method is used to determine the exact ground
states of six models of strongly interacting ultracold gases of two-level atoms
in tight waveguides, which are generalizations of the Tonks-Girardeau (TG) gas
(1D Bose gas with point hard cores) and fermionic Tonks-Girardeau (FTG) gas (1D
spin-aligned Fermi gas with infinitely strong zero-range attractions). Three of
these models exhibit a quantum phase transition in the presence of an external
magnetic field, associated with a cooperative ground state rearrangement
wherein Fermi energy is traded for internal excitation energy. After
investigation of these models in the absence of an electromagnetic field, one
is generalized to include resonant interactions with a single photon mode,
leading to a possible thermal phase transition associated with Dicke
superradiance.


title: Macroscopic Screening of Coulomb Potentials From UV/IR-Mixing

abstract:
  We compute the static potential in a non-commutative theory including a term
due to UV/IR-mixing. As a result, the potential decays exponentially fast with
distance rather than like a power law Coulomb type potential due to the
exchange of massless particles. This shows that when quantum effects are taken
into account the introduction of non-commutativity not only modifies physics at
short distances but has dramatic macroscopic consequences as well. As a result,
we give a lower bound on the scale of non-commutativity (if present at all) to
be compatible with observations.


title:
First Steps in Direct Imaging of Planetary Systems Like our Own: The
  Science Potential of 2-m Class Optical Space Telescopes

abstract:
  We summarize the scientific potential of high contrast optical space imaging
for studies of extrasolar planets, debris disks, and planet formation. The
unique scientific capabilities offered by a 2-m class optical telescope, the
technical requirements to achieve 10^-9 contrast, and the programmatic means
needed to advance such a mission are discussed.


title:
The Hahn polynomials in the nonrelativistic and relativistic Coulomb
  problems

abstract:
  We derive closed formulas for mean values of all powers of r in
nonrelativistic and relativistic Coulomb problems in terms of the Hahn and
Chebyshev polynomials of a discrete variable. A short review on special
functions and solution of the Coulomb problems in quantum mechanics is given.


title:
Scaling of exciton binding energy with external dielectric function in
  carbon nanotubes

abstract:
  We develop a scaling relationship between the exciton binding energy and the
external dielectric function in carbon nanotubes. We show that the
electron-electron and electron-hole interaction energies are strongly affected
by screening yet largely counteract each other, resulting in much smaller
changes in the optical transition energy. The model indicates that the relevant
particle interaction energies are reduced by as much as 50 percent upon
screening by water and that the unscreened electron-electron interaction energy
is larger than the unscreened electron-hole interaction energy, in agreement
with explanations of the "ratio problem." We apply the model to measurements of
the changes in the optical transistion energies in single, suspended carbon
nanotubes as the external dielectric environment is altered.


title: Non-Abelian Anyons and Topological Quantum Computation

abstract:
  Topological quantum computation has recently emerged as one of the most
exciting approaches to constructing a fault-tolerant quantum computer. The
proposal relies on the existence of topological states of matter whose
quasiparticle excitations are neither bosons nor fermions, but are particles
known as {\it Non-Abelian anyons}, meaning that they obey {\it non-Abelian
braiding statistics}. Quantum information is stored in states with multiple
quasiparticles, which have a topological degeneracy. The unitary gate
operations which are necessary for quantum computation are carried out by
braiding quasiparticles, and then measuring the multi-quasiparticle states. The
fault-tolerance of a topological quantum computer arises from the non-local
encoding of the states of the quasiparticles, which makes them immune to errors
caused by local perturbations. To date, the only such topological states
thought to have been found in nature are fractional quantum Hall states, most
prominently the \nu=5/2 state, although several other prospective candidates
have been proposed in systems as disparate as ultra-cold atoms in optical
lattices and thin film superconductors. In this review article, we describe
current research in this field, focusing on the general theoretical concepts of
non-Abelian statistics as it relates to topological quantum computation, on
understanding non-Abelian quantum Hall states, on proposed experiments to
detect non-Abelian anyons, and on proposed architectures for a topological
quantum computer. We address both the mathematical underpinnings of topological
quantum computation and the physics of the subject using the \nu=5/2 fractional
quantum Hall state as the archetype of a non-Abelian topological state enabling
fault-tolerant quantum computation.


title:
Decay of a charged scalar and Dirac fields in the Kerr-Newman-de Sitter
  background

abstract:
  We find the quasinormal modes of the charged scalar and Dirac fields in the
background of the rotating charged black holes, described by the Kerr-Newman-de
Sitter solution. The dependence of the quasinormal spectrum upon the black hole
parameters mass M, angular momentum a, charge Q, as well as on values of the
\Lambda-term and field charge q is investigated. Special attention is given to
the near extremal limit of the black hole charge. In particular, we find that
for both scalar and Dirac fields, charged perturbations decay quicker for q>0
and slower for q<0 for values of black holes charge Q less than than some
threshold value, which is close to the extremal value of charge and depend on
parameters of the black holes.


title:
The Geneva-Copenhagen Survey of the Solar neighbourhood II. New uvby
  calibrations and rediscussion of stellar ages, the G dwarf problem,
  age-metallicity diagram, and heating mechanisms of the disk

abstract:
  Ages, metallicities, space velocities, and Galactic orbits of stars in the
Solar neighbourhood are fundamental observational constraints on models of
galactic disk evolution. We aim to consolidate the calibrations of uvby
photometry into Te, [Fe/H], distance, and age for F and G stars and rediscuss
the results of the Geneva-Copenhagen Survey (Nordstrom et al. 2004; GCS) in
terms of the evolution of the disk.
  We substantially improve the Te and [Fe/H] calibrations for early F stars,
where spectroscopic temperatures have large systematic errors. Our recomputed
ages are in excellent agreement with the independent determinations by Takeda
et al. (2007), indicating that isochrone ages can now be reliably determined.
  The revised G-dwarf metallicity distribution remains incompatible with
closed-box models, and the age-metallicity relation for the thin disk remains
almost flat, with large and real scatter at all ages (sigma intrinsic = 0.20
dex). Dynamical heating of the thin disk continues throughout its life;
specific in-plane dynamical effects dominate the evolution of the U and V
velocities, while the W velocities remain random at all ages. When assigning
thick and thin-disk membership for stars from kinematic criteria, parameters
for the oldest stars should be used to characterise the thin disk.


title: Maltsiniotis's first conjecture for K_1

abstract:
  We show that K_1 of an exact category agrees with K_1 of the associated
triangulated derivator. More generally we show that K_1 of a Waldhausen
category with cylinders and a saturated class of weak equivalences coincides
with K_1 of the associated right pointed derivator.


title: Tube formula, Berezinians, and Dwork formula

abstract:
  We consider an example of tubes of hypersurfaces in Euclidean space and
generalise the tube formula to supercase. By this we assign to a point of the
hypersurface in superspace a rational characteristic function. Does this
rational function appear when we calculate the zeta-function of an arithmetic
variety?


title:
Polynomial-time algorithm for simulation of weakly interacting quantum
  spin systems

abstract:
  We describe an algorithm that computes the ground state energy and
correlation functions for 2-local Hamiltonians in which interactions between
qubits are weak compared to single-qubit terms. The running time of the
algorithm is polynomial in the number of qubits and the required precision.
Specifically, we consider Hamiltonians of the form $H=H_0+\epsilon V$, where
H_0 describes non-interacting qubits, V is a perturbation that involves
arbitrary two-qubit interactions on a graph of bounded degree, and $\epsilon$
is a small parameter. The algorithm works if $|\epsilon|$ is below a certain
threshold value that depends only upon the spectral gap of H_0, the maximal
degree of the graph, and the maximal norm of the two-qubit interactions. The
main technical ingredient of the algorithm is a generalized Kirkwood-Thomas
ansatz for the ground state. The parameters of the ansatz are computed using
perturbative expansions in powers of $\epsilon$. Our algorithm is closely
related to the coupled cluster method used in quantum chemistry.


title: Embedded Star Formation in the Eagle Nebula with Spitzer/GLIMPSE

abstract:
  We present new Spitzer photometry of the Eagle Nebula (M16, containing the
optical cluster NGC 6611) combined with near-infrared photometry from 2MASS. We
use dust radiative transfer models, mid-infrared and near-infrared color-color
analysis, and mid-infrared spectral indices to analyze point source spectral
energy distributions, select candidate young stellar objects (YSOs), and
constrain their mass and evolutionary state. Comparison of the different
protostellar selection methods shows that mid-infrared methods are consistent,
but as has been known for some time, near-infrared-only analysis misses some
young objects. We reveal more than 400 protostellar candidates, including one
massive young stellar object (YSO) that has not been previously highlighted.
The YSO distribution supports a picture of distributed low-level star
formation, with no strong evidence of triggered star formation in the
``pillars''. We confirm the youth of NGC 6611 by a large fraction of
infrared-excess sources, and reveal a younger cluster of YSOs in the nearby
molecular cloud. Analysis of the YSO clustering properties shows a possible
imprint of the molecular cloud's Jeans length. Multiwavelength mid-IR imaging
thus allows us to analyze the protostellar population, to measure the dust
temperature and column density, and to relate these in a consistent picture of
star formation in M16.


title:
On the ultra high energy cosmic rays and the origin of the cosmic
  microwave background radiation

abstract:
  Some inconsistencies to the assumption of a cosmological origin of the cosmic
microwave background CMB, such as the absence of gravitational lensing in the
WMAP data, open the doors to some speculations such as a local origin to the
CMB. We argue here that this assumption agrees with the absence of the GZK
cutoff (at least according to AGASA data) in the energy spectrum of the cosmic
ray due to the cosmic interaction with the CMB at $6\times 10^{19} eV$ or
above. Within 50 Mpc from Earth, the matter and light distributions are close
to an anisotropic distribution, where the local cluster and local
super-clusters of galaxies can be identified. In contrast, the ultra high
energy comic rays data is consistent to an almost isotropic distribution, and
there is no correlation between their arrival direction and astronomical
sources within our local cluster. This means that the events above the GZK
cutoff come from distances above 50 Mpc, without an apparent energy loss. This
scenario is plausible under the assumption of the CMB concentrated only within
3-4 Mpc from Earth. In other words, the CMB has a local origin linked only to
the local super-cluster of galaxies. In addition, the galactic and
extragalactic energy spectra index within the energy equipartition theorem
strongly constrains the dark matter and dark energy hypothesis, essential in
the Big Bang cosmology.


title:
Maximum Entropy, the Collective Welfare Principle and the Globalization
  Process

abstract:
  Although both systems analyzed are described through two theories apparently
different (quantum mechanics and game theory) it is shown that both are
analogous and thus exactly equivalents. The quantum analogue of the replicator
dynamics is the von Neumann equation. Quantum mechanics could be used to
explain more correctly biological and economical processes. It could even
encloses theories like games and evolutionary dynamics. We can take some
concepts and definitions from quantum mechanics and physics for the best
understanding of the behavior of economics and biology. Also, we could maybe
understand nature like a game in where its players compete for a common welfare
and the equilibrium of the system that they are members. All the members of our
system will play a game in which its maximum payoff is the equilibrium of the
system. They act as a whole besides individuals like they obey a rule in where
they prefer to work for the welfare of the collective besides the individual
welfare. A system where its members are in Nash Equilibrium (or ESS) is exactly
equivalent to a system in a maximum entropy state. A system is stable only if
it maximizes the welfare of the collective above the welfare of the individual.
If it is maximized the welfare of the individual above the welfare of the
collective the system gets unstable an eventually collapses. The results of
this work shows that the "globalization" process has a behavior exactly
equivalent to a system that is tending to a maximum entropy state and predicts
the apparition of big common markets and strong common currencies that will
find its "equilibrium" by decreasing its number until they get a state
characterized by only one common currency and only one common market around the
world.


title:
Evolution of pion HBT radii from RHIC to LHC -- Predictions from ideal
  hydrodynamics

abstract:
  We present hydrodynamic predictions for the charged pion HBT radii for a
range of initial conditions covering those presumably reached in Pb+Pb
collisions at the LHC. We study central (b=0) and semi-central (b=7fm)
collisions and show the expected increase of the HBT radii and their azimuthal
oscillations. The predicted trends in the oscillation amplitudes reflect a
change of the final source shape from out-of-plane to in-plane deformation as
the initial entropy density is increased.


title: The $\ell^2$-homology of even Coxeter groups

abstract:
  Given a Coxeter system (W,S), there is an associated CW-complex, Sigma, on
which W acts properly and cocompactly. We prove that when the nerve L of (W,S)
is a flag triangulation of the 3-sphere, then the reduced $\ell^2$-homology of
Sigma vanishes in all but the middle dimension.


title:
The complete catalogue of gamma-ray bursts observed by the Wide Field
  Cameras on board BeppoSAX

abstract:
  We present the complete on-line catalogue of gamma-ray bursts observed by the
two Wide Field Cameras on board \sax in the period 1996-2002. Our aim is to
provide the community with the largest published data set of GRB's prompt
emission X-ray light curves and other useful data. This catalogue
(BS-GRBWFCcat) contains data on 77 bursts and a collection of the X-ray light
curves of 56 GRB discovered or noticed shortly after the event and of other
additional bursts detected in subsequent searches. Light curves are given in
the three X-ray energy bands (2-5, 5-10, 10-26 keV). The catalogue can be
accessed from the home web page of the ASI Science Data Center-ASDC
(http://www.asdc.asi.it)


title:
Dimensionally hybrid Green's functions and density of states for
  interfaces

abstract:
  The energy dependent Green's function for an interface Hamiltonian which
interpolates between two and three dimensions can be calculated explicitly.
This yields an expression for the density of states on the interface which
interpolates continuously between the two-dimensional behavior for high
energies and the three-dimensional behavior for low energies.


title: The Cauchy Problem for a Forced Harmonic Oscillator

abstract:
  We construct an explicit solution of the Cauchy initial value problem for the
one-dimensional Schroedinger equation with a time-dependent Hamiltonian
operator for the forced harmonic oscillator. The corresponding Green function
(propagator) is derived with the help of the generalized Fourier transform and
a relation with representations of the Heisenberg-Weyl group N(3) in a certain
special case first, and then is extended to the general case. A three parameter
extension of the classical Fourier integral is discussed as a by-product.
Motion of a particle with a spin in uniform perpendicular magnetic and electric
fields is considered as an application; a transition amplitude between Landau
levels is evaluated in terms of Charlier polynomials. In addition, we also
solve an initial value problem to a similar diffusion-type equation.


title: Four-Loop Collinear Anomalous Dimension in N = 4 Yang-Mills Theory

abstract:
  We report a calculation in N = 4 Yang-Mills of the four-loop term g^4 in the
collinear anomalous dimension g(lambda) which governs the universal subleading
infrared structure of gluon scattering amplitudes. Using the method of
obstructions to extract this quantity from the 1/epsilon singularity in the
four-gluon iterative relation at four loops, we find g^4 = -1240.9 with an
estimated numerical uncertainty of 0.02%. We also analyze the implication of
our result for the strong coupling behavior of g(lambda), finding support for
the string theory prediction computed recently by Alday and Maldacena using
AdS/CFT.


title: Generalized Solution Concepts in Games with Possibly Unaware Players

abstract:
  Most work in game theory assumes that players are perfect reasoners and have
common knowledge of all significant aspects of the game. In earlier work, we
proposed a framework for representing and analyzing games with possibly unaware
players, and suggested a generalization of Nash equilibrium appropriate for
games with unaware players that we called generalized Nash equilibrium. Here,
we use this framework to analyze other solution concepts that have been
considered in the game-theory literature, with a focus on sequential
equilibrium. We also provide some insight into the notion of generalized Nash
equilibrium by proving that it is closely related to the notion of
rationalizability when we restrict the analysis to games in normal form and no
unawareness is involved.


title:
s-Wave superconductivity in non-centrosymmetric Re_3W probed by magnetic
  penetration depth

abstract:
  We report measurements of the temperature dependence of the magnetic
penetration depth \lambda(T) in non-centrosymmetric superconductor Re_3W. We
employed two experimental techniques: extraction of \lambda(T) from magnetic
{\em dc}-susceptibility, measured on a powder sample, and the rf tunnel diode
resonator technique, where a bulk polycrystalline sample was used. The results
of both techniques agree: the temperature dependence of the penetration depth
can be well described by weak-coupling, dirty-limit, s-wave BCS theory where we
obtain $\Delta(0)/k_BT_C=1.76$. No evidence for unconventional pairing
resulting from the absence of the inversion symmetry is found.


title: Materializing Superghosts

abstract:
  We construct the off-shell BV realization of N=1, d=10 SYM with 7 auxillary
fields. This becomes possible due to materialized ghost phenomenon. Namely,
supersymmetry ghosts are coordinates on a manifold B of 10-dimensional spinors
with pure spinors cut out. Auxillary fields are sections of a bundle over B,
and supersymmetry transformations are nonlinear in ghosts. By integrating out
axillary fields we obtain on-shell supersymmetric BV action with terms
quadratic in antifields. Exactly this on-shell BV action was obtained in our
previous paper after integration out of auxiliary fields in the framework of
Pure Spinor Superfield Formalism.


title:
A Catalog of Diffuse X-ray-Emitting Features within 20 pc of Sgr A*:
  Twenty Pulsar Wind Nebulae?

abstract:
  We present a catalog of 34 diffuse features identified in X-ray images of the
Galactic center taken with the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Several of the
features have been discussed in the literature previously, including 7 that are
associated with a complex of molecular clouds that exhibits fluorescent line
emission, 4 that are superimposed on the supernova remnant Sgr A East, 2 that
are coincident with radio features that are thought to be the shell of another
supernova remnant, and one that is thought to be a pulsar wind nebula only a
few arcseconds in projection from Sgr A*. However, this leaves 20 features that
have not been reported previously. Based on the weakness of iron emission in
their spectra, we propose that most of them are non-thermal. One long, narrow
feature points toward Sgr A*, and so we propose that this feature is a jet of
synchrotron-emitting particles ejected from the supermassive black hole. For
the others, we show that their sizes (0.1-2 pc in length for D=8 kpc), X-ray
luminosities (between 10^32 and 10^34 erg/s, 2-8 keV), and spectra (power laws
with Gamma=1-3) are consistent with those of pulsar wind nebulae. Based on the
star formation rate at the Galactic center, we expect that ~20 pulsars have
formed in the last 300 kyr, and could be producing pulsar wind nebulae. Only
one of the 19 candidate pulsar wind nebulae is securely detected in an archival
radio image of the Galactic center; the remainder have upper limits
corresponding to L_R<la10^31 erg/s. These radio limits do not strongly
constrain their natures, which underscores the need for further multi-
wavelength studies of this unprecedented sample of Galactic X-ray emitting
structures.


title:
The Transit Light Curve Project. VII. The Not-So-Bloated Exoplanet
  HAT-P-1b

abstract:
  We present photometry of the G0 star HAT-P-1 during six transits of its
close-in giant planet, and we refine the estimates of the system parameters.
Relative to Jupiter's properties, HAT-P-1b is 1.20 +/- 0.05 times larger and
its surface gravity is 2.7 +/- 0.2 times weaker. Although it remains the case
that HAT-P-1b is among the least dense of the known sample of transiting
exoplanets, its properties are in accord with previously published models of
strongly irradiated, coreless, solar-composition giant planets. The times of
the transits have a typical accuracy of 1 min and do not depart significantly
from a constant period.


title: Interstitial Fractionalization and Spherical Crystallography

abstract:
  Finding the ground states of identical particles packed on spheres has
relevance for stabilizing emulsions and a venerable history in the literature
of theoretical physics and mathematics. Theory and experiment have confirmed
that defects such as disclinations and dislocations are an intrinsic part of
the ground state. Here we discuss the remarkable behavior of vacancies and
interstitials in spherical crystals. The strain fields of isolated
disclinations forced in by the spherical topology literally rip interstitials
and vacancies apart, typically into dislocation fragments that combine with the
disclinations to create small grain boundary scars. The fractionation is often
into three charge-neutral dislocations, although dislocation pairs can be
created as well. We use a powerful, freely available computer program to
explore interstitial fractionalization in some detail, for a variety of power
law pair potentials. We investigate the dependence on initial conditions and
the final state energies, and compare the position dependence of interstitial
energies with the predictions of continuum elastic theory on the sphere. The
theory predicts that, before fragmentation, interstitials are repelled from
5-fold disclinations and vacancies are attracted. We also use vacancies and
interstitials to study low energy states in the vicinity of "magic numbers"
that accommodate regular icosadeltahedral tessellations.


title: Dispersive, superfluid-like shock waves in nonlinear optics

abstract:
  In most classical fluids, shock waves are strongly dissipative, their energy
being quickly lost through viscous damping. But in systems such as cold
plasmas, superfluids, and Bose-Einstein condensates, where viscosity is
negligible or non-existent, a fundamentally different type of shock wave can
emerge whose behaviour is dominated by dispersion rather than dissipation.
Dispersive shock waves are difficult to study experimentally, and analytical
solutions to the equations that govern them have only been found in one
dimension (1D). By exploiting a well-known, but little appreciated,
correspondence between the behaviour of superfluids and nonlinear optical
materials, we demonstrate an all-optical experimental platform for studying the
dynamics of dispersive shock waves. This enables us to observe the propagation
and nonlinear response of dispersive shock waves, including the interaction of
colliding shock waves, in 1D and 2D. Our system offers a versatile and more
accessible means for exploring superfluid-like and related dispersive
phenomena.


title: Dispersive shock waves with nonlocal nonlinearity

abstract:
  We consider dispersive optical shock waves in nonlocal nonlinear media.
Experiments are performed using spatial beams in a thermal liquid cell, and
results agree with a hydrodynamic theory of propagation.


title: Throughput Scaling Laws for Wireless Networks with Fading Channels

abstract:
  A network of n communication links, operating over a shared wireless channel,
is considered. Fading is assumed to be the dominant factor affecting the
strength of the channels between transmitter and receiver terminals. It is
assumed that each link can be active and transmit with a constant power P or
remain silent. The objective is to maximize the throughput over the selection
of active links. By deriving an upper bound and a lower bound, it is shown that
in the case of Rayleigh fading (i) the maximum throughput scales like $\log n$
(ii) the maximum throughput is achievable in a distributed fashion. The upper
bound is obtained using probabilistic methods, where the key point is to upper
bound the throughput of any random set of active links by a chi-squared random
variable. To obtain the lower bound, a decentralized link activation strategy
is proposed and analyzed.


title:
Removing Manually-Generated Boilerplate from Electronic Texts:
  Experiments with Project Gutenberg e-Books

abstract:
  Collaborative work on unstructured or semi-structured documents, such as in
literature corpora or source code, often involves agreed upon templates
containing metadata. These templates are not consistent across users and over
time. Rule-based parsing of these templates is expensive to maintain and tends
to fail as new documents are added. Statistical techniques based on frequent
occurrences have the potential to identify automatically a large fraction of
the templates, thus reducing the burden on the programmers. We investigate the
case of the Project Gutenberg corpus, where most documents are in ASCII format
with preambles and epilogues that are often copied and pasted or manually
typed. We show that a statistical approach can solve most cases though some
documents require knowledge of English. We also survey various technical
solutions that make our approach applicable to large data sets.


title: Towards a New Standard Theory for Astrophysical Disk Accretion

abstract:
  We briefly review recent developments in black hole accretion disk theory,
placing new emphasis on the vital role played by magnetohydrodynamic (MHD)
stresses in transporting angular momentum. The apparent universality of
accretion-related outflow phenomena is a strong indicator that vertical
transport of angular momentum by large-scale MHD torques is important and may
even dominate radial transport by small-scale MHD turbulence. This leads to an
enhanced overall rate of angular momentum transport and allows accretion of
matter to proceed at an interesting rate. Furthermore, we argue that when
vertical transport is important, the radial structure of the accretion disk is
modified and this affects the disk emission spectrum. We present a simple model
demonstrating that energetic, magnetically-driven outflows give rise to a disk
spectrum that is dimmer and redder than a standard accretion disk accreting at
the same rate. We briefly discuss the implications of this key result for
accreting black holes in different astrophysical systems.


title: MICE: The International Muon Ionization Cooling Experiment

abstract:
  Muon storage rings have been proposed for use as a source of high-energy
neutrino beams (the Neutrino Factory) and as the basis for a high-energy
lepton-antilepton collider (the Muon Collider). The Neutrino Factory is widely
believed to be the machine of choice for the search for leptonic CP violation
while the Muon Collider may prove to be the most practical route to multi-TeV
lepton-antilepton collisions. The baseline conceptual designs for each of these
facilities requires the phase-space compression (cooling) of the muon beams
prior to acceleration. The short muon lifetime makes it impossible to employ
traditional techniques to cool the beam while maintaining the muon-beam
intensity. Ionization cooling, a process in which the muon beam is passed
through a series of liquid-hydrogen absorbers followed by accelerating RF
cavities, is the technique proposed to cool the muon beam. The international
Muon Ionization Cooling Experiment (MICE) collaboration will carry out a
systematic study of ionization cooling. The MICE experiment, which is under
construction at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, will begin to take data
late this year. The MICE cooling channel, the instrumentation and the
implementation at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory are described together
with the predicted performance of the channel and the measurements that will be
made.


title: Lattice with a Twist : Helical Waveguides for Ultracold Matter

abstract:
  We investigate the waveguiding properties of the optical interference pattern
of two counter-propagating Laguerre-Gaussian beams. The number, helicity,
radius, pitch, depth and frequencies of transverse confinement of the
waveguides are simply related to the beam parameters. Quantitative connections
to the familiar Gaussian optical lattice are made and an application to quantum
transport is suggested.


title: A New Experiment to Study Hyperon CP Violation, Charmonium, and Charm

abstract:
  Fermilab operates the world's most intense antiproton source, now exclusively
dedicated to serving the needs of the Tevatron Collider. The anticipated 2009
shutdown of the Tevatron presents the opportunity for world-leading low- and
medium-energy antiproton programs. We summarize the status of the Fermilab
antiproton facility and review physics topics for which a future experiment
could make the world's best measurements.


title:
Application of Extended Kalman Filter to Tactical Ballistic Missile
  Re-entry Problem

abstract:
  The objective is to investigate the advantages and performance of Extended
Kalman Filter for the estimation of non-linear system where linearization takes
place about a trajectory that was continually updated with the state estimates
resulting from the measurement. Here tactile ballistic missile Re-entry problem
is taken as a nonlinear system model and Extended Kalman Filter technique is
used to estimate the positions and velocities at the X and Y direction at
different values of ballistic coefficients. The result shows that the method
gives better estimation with the increase of ballistic coefficient.


title: Search for Effect of Influence from Future in Large Hadron Collider

abstract:
  We propose an experiment which consists of drawing a card and using it to
decide restrictions on the running of Large Hadron Collider (LHC for short) at
CERN, such as luminosity, and beam energy. There may potentially occur total
shut down. The purpose of such an experiment is to search for influence from
the future, that is, backward causation. Since LHC will produce particles of a
mathematically new type of fundamental scalars, i.e., the Higgs particles,
there is potentially a chance to find unseen effects, such as on influence
going from future to past, which we suggest in the present paper.