title:
Crystallization of magnetic dipolar monolayers: a density functional
  approach

abstract:
  We employ density functional theory to study in detail the crystallization of
super-paramagnetic particles in two dimensions under the influence of an
external magnetic field that lies perpendicular to the confining plane. The
field induces non-fluctuating magnetic dipoles on the particles, resulting into
an interparticle interaction that scales as the inverse cube of the distance
separating them. In line with previous findings for long-range interactions in
three spatial dimensions, we find that explicit inclusion of liquid-state
structural information on the {\it triplet} correlations is crucial to yield
theoretical predictions that agree quantitatively with experiment. A
non-perturbative treatment is superior to the oft-employed functional Taylor
expansions, truncated at second or third order. We go beyond the usual Gaussian
parametrization of the density site-orbitals by performing free minimizations
with respect to both the shape and the normalization of the profiles, allowing
for finite defect concentrations.


title: Power-Law Distributions: Beyond Paretian Fractality

abstract:
  The notion of fractality, in the context of positive-valued probability
distributions, is conventionally associated with the class of Paretian
probability laws. In this research we show that the Paretian class is merely
one out of six classes of probability laws - all equally entitled to be
ordained fractal, all possessing a characteristic power-law structure, and all
being the unique fixed points of renormalizations acting on the space of
positive-valued probability distributions. These six fractal classes are
further shown to be one-dimensional functional projections of underlying
fractal Poisson processes governed by: (i) a common elemental power-law
structure; and, (ii) an intrinsic scale which can be either linear, harmonic,
log-linear, or log-harmonic. This research provides a panoramic and
comprehensive view of fractal distributions, backed by a unified theory of
their underlying Poissonian fractals.


title: Finite-size corrections to the rotating string and the winding state

abstract:
  We compute higher order finite size corrections to the energies of the
circular rotating string on AdS_5 x S^5, of its orbifolded generalization on
AdS_5 x S^5/Z_M and of the winding state which is obtained as the limit of the
orbifolded circular string solution when J -> infinity and J/M^2 is kept fixed.
We solve, at the first order in lambda'=lambda/J^2, where lambda is the 't
Hooft coupling, the Bethe equations that describe the anomalous dimensions of
the corresponding gauge dual operators in an expansion in m/K, where m is the
winding number and K is the "magnon number", and to all orders in the angular
momentum J. The solution for the circular rotating string and for the winding
state can be matched to the energy computed from an effective quantum
Landau-Lifshitz model beyond the first order correction in 1/J. For the leading
1/J corrections to the circular rotating string in m^2 and m^4 and for the
subleading 1/J^2 corrections to the m^2 term, we find agreement. For the
winding state we match the energy completely up to, and including, the order
1/J^2 finite-size corrections. The solution of the Bethe equations
corresponding to the spinning closed string is also provided in an expansion in
m/K and to all orders in J.


title:
Entire functions of exponential type, almost periodic in Besicovitch's
  sense on the real hyperplane

abstract:
  Suppose that an almost periodic in Besicovitch's sense function $f(x)$ of
several variables is the restriction to the real hyperplane of an entire
function of exponential type $b$. Then its spectrum is contained in the ball of
radius $b$ with the center in the origin.


title:
Cluster algebras of finite type via Coxeter elements and principal
  minors

abstract:
  We give a uniform geometric realization for the cluster algebra of an
arbitrary finite type with principal coefficients at an arbitrary acyclic seed.
This algebra is realized as the coordinate ring of a certain reduced double
Bruhat cell in the simply connected semisimple algebraic group of the same
Cartan-Killing type. In this realization, the cluster variables appear as
certain (generalized) principal minors.


title: Theory of resonant multiphonon Raman scattering in graphene

abstract:
  We present a detailed calculation of intensities of two-phonon and
four-phonon Raman peaks in graphene. Writing the low-energy hamiltonian of the
interaction of electrons with the crystal vibrations and the electromagnetic
field from pure symmetry considerations, we describe the system in terms of
just a few independent coupling constants, considered to be parameters of the
theory. The electron scattering rate is introduced phenomenologically as
another parameter. The results of the calculation are used to extract
information about these parameters from the experimentally measured Raman peak
intensities.


title:
Once again about quantum deformations of D=4 Lorentz algebra: twistings
  of q-deformation

abstract:
  This paper together with the previous one (arXiv:hep-th/0604146) presents the
detailed description of all quantum deformations of D=4 Lorentz algebra as Hopf
algebra in terms of complex and real generators. We describe here in detail two
quantum deformations of the D=4 Lorentz algebra o(3,1) obtained by twisting of
the standard q-deformation U_{q}(o(3,1)). For the first twisted q-deformation
an Abelian twist depending on Cartan generators of o(3,1) is used. The second
example of twisting provides a quantum deformation of Cremmer-Gervais type for
the Lorentz algebra. For completeness we describe also twisting of the Lorentz
algebra by standard Jordanian twist. By twist quantization techniques we obtain
for these deformations new explicit formulae for the deformed coproducts and
antipodes of the o(3,1)-generators.


title: The quantum systems control and the optimal control theory

abstract:
  Mathematical theory of the quantum systems control is based on some ideas of
the optimal control theory. These ideas are developed here as applied to these
systems. The results obtained meet the deficiencies in the basis and algorithms
of the control synthesis and expand the application of these methods.


title:
Political Problems Facing Governments in Using Scientific Advice, and
  Legal and Other Problems Facing Scientists when Trying to Give Independent
  Advice to Governments

abstract:
  It is the role of the scientific community to provide for the knowledge of
scientific facts and technical capabilities as a background for political
decision-making. The reasons are given why governments are sometimes not ready
to accept well-founded advice. The legal relationship between governments and
scientific research are considered. The options available to the scientific
community for supplying useful advice to decision-makers and to the public in
questions of general concern are delineated.


title: A proof of the Dalang-Morton-Willinger theorem

abstract:
  We give a new proof of the Dalang-Morton-Willinger theorem, relating the
no-arbitrage condition in stochastic securities market models to the existence
of an equivalent martingale measure with bounded density for a $d$-dimensional
stochastic sequence $(S_n)_{n=0}^N$ of stock prices. Roughly speaking, the
proof is reduced to the assertion that under the no-arbitrage condition for N=1
and $S\in L^1$ there exists a strictly positive linear fucntional on $L^1$,
which is bounded from above on a special subset of the subspace $K\subset L^1$
of investor's gains.


title:
Spatial Distribution of the Galactic Center Diffuse X-Rays and the
  Spectra of the Brightest 6.4keV Clumps

abstract:
  The high energy resolution and low background, particularly in the hard X-ray
band, of the X-ray Imaging Spectrometer onboard Suzaku provide excellent
spectra of the Galactic center diffuse X-rays (GCDX). This paper reports on the
results of spatially resolved spectroscopy of GCDX. The most pronounced
features of GCDX are the K-shell transition lines from neutral (FeI) and
He-like (FeXXV) irons at energies of 6.4keV and 6.7keV, respectively. The
fluxes of these lines are non-uniformly and asymmetrically distributed with
respect to Sgr A*. The 6.4keV lines are particularly bright on the positive
side of the Galactic longitude (east-side) with clumpy structures. A bright
clump near the GC exhibits a time variability over a timescale of a few years.
Neither the 6.4keV nor 6.7keV line flux shows close proportionality to the
continuum flux (5--10keV band); the 6.4keV line shows excess on the high flux
side, and vice versa for the 6.7keV line. On the other hand, the sum of the
6.4keV plus 6.7keV line fluxes with a ratio of 1:2 shows good proportionality
to the continuum flux, and hence we phenomenologically decomposed the continuum
flux of the GCDX into the 6.4keV- and 6.7keV-associated continuums with a flux
ratio of 1:2. Based on these facts, we have tried to estimate the contribution
of diffuse and integrated flux of point sources to the GCDX.


title: Unitarity and On-Shell Recursion Methods for Scattering Amplitudes

abstract:
  This thesis describes some of the recent (and some less recent) developments
in calculational techniques for scattering amplitudes in quantum field theory.
The focus is on on-shell recursion relations in complex momenta and on the use
of unitarity methods for loop calculations. In particular, on-shell recursion
is related to the MHV rules for computing tree-level gauge amplitudes and used
to extend the MHV rules to graviton scattering. Combinations of unitarity cut
techniques and recursion are used to argue for the "No-Triangle Hypothesis" in
N=8 supergravity which is related to its UV behaviour. Finally, combinations of
unitarity and recursion are used to demonstrate the full calculation of a
one-loop amplitude involving a Higgs particle and four gluons in the limit of
large top mass. The present version is edited to incorporate some of the
comments and suggestions of the evaluation committee, but has not been updated
for developments in the meantime.


title: Transport and drag in undoped electron-hole bilayers

abstract:
  We investigate transport and Coulomb drag properties of semiconductor-based
electron-hole bilayer systems. Our calculations are motivated by recent
experiments in undoped electron-hole bilayer structures based on GaAs-AlGaAs
gated double quantum well systems. Our results indicate that the background
charged impurity scattering is the most dominant resistive scattering mechanism
in the high-mobility bilyers. We also find that the drag transresistivity is
significantly enhanced when the electron-hole layer separation is small due to
the exchange induced renormalization of the single layer compressibility.


title:
Krein's Resolvent Formula for Self-Adjoint Extensions of Symmetric
  Second Order Elliptic Differential Operators

abstract:
  Given a symmetric, semi-bounded, second order elliptic differential operator
on a bounded domain with $C^{1,1}$ boundary, we provide a Krein-type formula
for the resolvent difference between its Friedrichs extension and an arbitrary
self-adjoint one.


title: R-boundedness of smooth operator-valued functions

abstract:
  In this paper we study $R$-boundedness of operator families
$\mathcal{T}\subset \calL(X,Y)$, where $X$ and $Y$ are Banach spaces. Under
cotype and type assumptions on $X$ and $Y$ we give sufficient conditions for
$R$-boundedness. In the first part we show that certain integral operator are
$R$-bounded. This will be used to obtain $R$-boundedness in the case that
$\mathcal{T}$ is the range of an operator-valued function $T:\R^d\to
\calL(X,Y)$ which is in a certain Besov space $B^{d/r}_{r,1}(\R^d;\calL(X,Y))$.
The results will be applied to obtain $R$-boundedness of semigroups and
evolution families, and to obtain sufficient conditions for existence of
solutions for stochastic Cauchy problems.


title:
T=0 heavy fermion quantum critical point as an orbital selective Mott
  transition

abstract:
  We describe the T=0 quantum phase transition in heavy fermion systems as an
orbital selective Mott transition (OSMT) using a cluster extension of dynamical
mean field theory. This transition is characterized by the emergence of a new
intermediate energy scale corresponding to the opening of a pseudogap and the
vanishing of the low-energy hybridization between light and heavy electrons. We
identify the fingerprint of Mott physics in heavy electron systems with the
appearance of surfaces in momentum space where the self-energy diverges and we
derive experimental consequences of this scenario for photoemission,
compressibility, optical conductivity, susceptibility and specific heat.


title: Resonant excitation amidst dephasing: An exact analytic solution

abstract:
  An exact analytic solution is presented for coherent resonant excitation of a
two-state quantum system driven by a time-dependent pulsed external field with
a hyperbolic-secant shape in the presence of dephasing. Analytic results are
derived for the amplitude and the phase shift of the damped Rabi oscillations.


title: Metallicity and effective temperature of the secondary of RS Oph

abstract:
  The recurrent nova RS Oph undergoes nova eruptions every ~ 10-20years as a
result of thermonuclear runaway on the surface of a white dwarf close to the
Chandrasekhar limit. Both the progress of the eruption, and its aftermath,
depend on the (poorly known) composition of the red giant in the RS Oph system.
Our aim is to understand better the effect of the giant secondary on the
recurrent nova eruption. Synthetic spectra were computed for a grid of M-giant
model atmospheres having a range of effective temperatures 3200 < Teff < 4400
K, gravities 0 < log g < 1 and abundances -4 <[Fe/H] < 0.5, and fit to infrared
spectra of RS Oph as it returned to quiescence after its 2006 eruption. We have
modelled the infrared spectrum in the range 1.4-2.5 micron to determine
metallicity and effective temperature of the red giant. We find Teff = 4100 +/-
100 K, log g = 0.0 +/- 0.5, [Fe/H] = 0.0 +/- 0.5, [C/H] = -0.8 +/- 0.2, [N/H] =
+0.6 +/- 0.3 in the atmosphere of the secondary, and demonstrate that that
inclusion of some dust `veiling' in the spectra cannot improve our fits.


title: A quantum decay model with exact explicit analytical solution

abstract:
  A simple decay model is introduced. The model comprises of a point potential
well, which experiences an abrupt change. Due to the temporal variation the
initial quantum state can either escape from the well or stay localized as a
new bound state. The model allows for an exact analytical solution while having
the necessary features of a decay process. The results show that the decay is
never exponential, as classical dynamics predicts. Moreover, at short times the
decay has a \textit{fractional} power law, which differs from perturbation
quantum methods predictions.


title:
An analytic model of rotationally inelastic collisions of polar
  molecules in electric fields

abstract:
  We present an analytic model of thermal state-to-state rotationally inelastic
collisions of polar molecules in electric fields. The model is based on the
Fraunhofer scattering of matter waves and requires Legendre moments
characterizing the "shape" of the target in the body-fixed frame as its input.
The electric field orients the target in the space-fixed frame and thereby
effects a striking alteration of the dynamical observables: both the phase and
amplitude of the oscillations in the partial differential cross sections
undergo characteristic field-dependent changes that transgress into the partial
integral cross sections. As the cross sections can be evaluated for a field
applied parallel or perpendicular to the relative velocity, the model also
offers predictions about steric asymmetry. We exemplify the field-dependent
quantum collision dynamics with the behavior of the Ne-OCS($^{1}\Sigma$) and
Ar-NO($^2\Pi$) systems. A comparison with the close-coupling calculations
available for the latter system [Chem. Phys. Lett. \textbf{313}, 491 (1999)]
demonstrates the model's ability to qualitatively explain the field dependence
of all the scattering features observed.


title:
Tackling climate change through energy efficiency: mathematical models
  for evidence-based public policy recommendations

abstract:
  Promoting and increasing energy efficiency is a promising method of reducing
CO2 emissions and avoiding the potentially devastating effects of climate
change. The question is: How do we induce a cultural or behavioural change
whereby people nationally and globally adopt more energy efficient lifestyles?
  We propose a new family of mathematical models, based on a statistical
mechanics extension of discrete choice theory, that offer a set of formal tools
to systematically analyse and quantify this problem. An application example
could be to predict the percentage of people choosing to buy new energy
efficient light bulbs instead of the traditional incandescent versions. Through
statistical evaluation of survey responses, the models can identify the key
driving factors in the decision-making process; for example, the extent to
which people imitate each other. These models allow us to incorporate the
effect of social interactions could help us identify 'tipping points' at a
societal level. This knowledge could be used to trigger structural changes in
our society. The results may provide tangible and deliverable evidence-based
policy options to decision-makers.
  We believe that these models offer an opportunity for the research
community-in both the social and physical sciences-and decision-makers in the
private and public sectors to work together towards preventing the potentially
devastating social, economic and environmental effects of climate change.


title: Sum-rules and bath-parametrization for quantum cluster theories

abstract:
  We analyze cellular dynamical mean-field theory (CDMFT) and the dynamical
cluster approximation (DCA). We derive exact sum-rules for the hybridization
functions and give examples for DMFT, CDMFT, and DCA. For impurity solvers
based on a Hamiltonian, these sum-rules can be used to monitor convergence of
the bath-parametrization. We further discuss how the symmetry of the cluster
naturally leads to a decomposition of the bath Green matrix into irreducible
components, which can be parametrized independently, and give an explicit
recipe for finding the optimal bath-parametrization. As a benchmark we revisit
the one-dimensional Hubbard model. We carefully analyze the evolution of the
density as a function of chemical potential and find that, close to the Mott
transition, convergence with cluster size is unexpectedly slow. In two
dimensions we find, that we need so many bath-sites to obtain a reliable
parametrization that Lanczos calculations are hardly feasible with current
computers. For such large baths our symmetry-adapted approach should prove
crucial for finding a reliable bath-parametrization.


title: Exploring an S-matrix for gravitational collapse

abstract:
  We analyze further a recently proposed S-matrix description of transplanckian
scattering in the specific case of axisymmetric collisions of extended sources,
where some of the original approximations are not necessary. We confirm the
claim that such an approximate description appears to capture the essential
features of (the quantum counterpart of) classical gravitational collapse. More
specifically, the S-matrix develops singularities whose location in the
sources' parameter space are consistent with (and numerically close to) the
bounds coming from closed-trapped-surface collapse criteria. In the vicinity of
the critical "lines" the phase of the elastic S-matrix exhibits a universal
fractional-power behaviour reminiscent of Choptuik's scaling near critical
collapse.


title:
A Constrained Metropolis-Hastings Search for EMRIs in the Mock LISA Data
  Challenge 1B

abstract:
  We describe a search for the extreme-mass-ratio inspiral sources in the Round
1B Mock LISA Data Challenge data sets. The search algorithm is a Monte-Carlo
search based on the Metropolis-Hastings algorithm, but also incorporates
simulated, thermostated and time annealing, plus a harmonic identification
stage designed to reduce the chance of the chain locking onto secondary maxima.
In this paper, we focus on describing the algorithm that we have been
developing. We give the results of the search of the Round 1B data, although
parameter recovery has improved since that deadline. Finally, we describe
several modifications to the search pipeline that we are currently
investigating for incorporation in future searches.


title: Detection Strategies for Extreme Mass Ratio Inspirals

abstract:
  The capture of compact stellar remnants by galactic black holes provides a
unique laboratory for exploring the near horizon geometry of the Kerr
spacetime, or possible departures from general relativity if the central cores
prove not to be black holes. The gravitational radiation produced by these
Extreme Mass Ratio Inspirals (EMRIs) encodes a detailed map of the black hole
geometry, and the detection and characterization of these signals is a major
scientific goal for the LISA mission. The waveforms produced are very complex,
and the signals need to be coherently tracked for hundreds to thousands of
cycles to produce a detection, making EMRI signals one of the most challenging
data analysis problems in all of gravitational wave astronomy. Estimates for
the number of templates required to perform an exhaustive grid-based
matched-filter search for these signals are astronomically large, and far out
of reach of current computational resources. Here I describe an alternative
approach that employs a hybrid between Genetic Algorithms and Markov Chain
Monte Carlo techniques, along with several time saving techniques for computing
the likelihood function. This approach has proven effective at the blind
extraction of relatively weak EMRI signals from simulated LISA data sets.


title:
Controlled aggregation of magnetic ions in a semiconductor. Experimental
  demonstration

abstract:
  The control on the distribution of magnetic ions into a semiconducting host
is crucial for the functionality of magnetically doped semiconductors. Through
a structural analysis at the nanoscale, we give experimental evidence that the
aggregation of Fe ions in (Ga,Fe)N and consequently the magnetic response of
the material are affected by growth rate and co-doping with shallow impurities.


title:
Normalization of the Matter Power Spectrum via Higher-Order Angular
  Correlations of Luminous Red Galaxies

abstract:
  We present a novel technique to measure $\sigma_8$, by measuring the
dependence of the second-order bias of a density field on $\sigma_8$ using two
separate techniques. Each technique employs area-averaged angular correlation
functions ($\bar{\omega}_N$), one relying on the shape of $\bar{\omega}_2$, the
other relying on the amplitude of $s_3$ ($s_3
=\bar{\omega}_3/\bar{\omega}_2^2$). We confirm the validity of the method by
testing it on a mock catalog drawn from Millennium Simulation data and finding
$\sigma_8^{measured}- \sigma_8^{true} = -0.002 \pm 0.062$. We create a catalog
of photometrically selected LRGs from SDSS DR5 and separate it into three
distinct data sets by photometric redshift, with median redshifts of 0.47,
0.53, and 0.61. Measurements of $c_2$, and $\sigma_8$ are made for each data
set, assuming flat geometry and WMAP3 best-fit priors on $\Omega_m$, $h$, and
$\Gamma$. We find, with increasing redshfit, $c_2 = 0.09 \pm 0.04$, $0.09 \pm
0.05$, and $0.09 \pm 0.03$ and $\sigma_8 = 0.78 \pm 0.08$, $0.80 \pm 0.09$, and
$0.80 \pm 0.09$. We combine these three consistent $\sigma_8$ measurements to
produce the result $\sigma_8 = 0.79 \pm 0.05$. Allowing the parameters
$\Omega_m$, $h$, and $\Gamma$ to vary within their WMAP3 1$\sigma$ error, we
find that the best-fit $\sigma_8$ does not change by more than 8% and we are
thus confident our measurement is accurate to within 10%. We anticipate that
future surveys, such as Pan-STARRS, DES, and LSST, will be able to employ this
method to measure $\sigma_8$ to great precision, and will serve as an important
check, complementary, on the values determined via more established methods.


title: Tangencies between holomorphic maps and holomorphic laminations

abstract:
  We prove that the set of leaves of a holomorphic lamination of codimension
one that are non-transversal to a germ of a holomorphic map is discrete.


title:
Preparation and characterization of arbitrary states of four-dimensional
  qudits based on biphotons

abstract:
  We report interferometric schemes to prepare arbitrary states of
four-dimensional qudits (ququarts) based on biphoton states of ultrafast-pumped
frequency-nondegenerate spontaneous parametric down-conversion. Preparation and
tomographic characterization of a few examples of general single-ququart
states, a pure state, a completely mixed state, and a partially-mixed state,
are experimentally demonstrated.


title: Periodic quotients of hyperbolic and large groups

abstract:
  Let $G$ be either a non-elementary (word) hyperbolic group or a large group
(both in the sense of Gromov). In this paper we describe several approaches for
constructing continuous families of periodic quotients of $G$ with various
properties.
  The first three methods work for any non-elementary hyperbolic group,
producing three different continua of periodic quotients of $G$. They are based
on the results and techniques, that were developed by Ivanov and Olshanskii in
order to show that there exists an integer $n$ such that $G/G^n$ is an infinite
group of exponent $n$.
  The fourth approach starts with a large group $G$ and produces a continuum of
pairwise non-isomorphic periodic residually finite quotients. Speaking of a
particular application, we use each of these methods to give a positive answer
to a question of Wiegold from Kourovka Notebook.


title: Polymer-induced tubulation in lipid vesicles

abstract:
  A mechanism of extraction of tubular membranes from a lipid vesicle is
presented. A concentration gradient of anchoring amphiphilic polymers generates
tubes from bud-like vesicle protrusions. We explain this mechanism in the
framework of the Canham-Helfrich model. The energy profile is analytically
calculated and a tube with a fixed length, corresponding to an energy minimum,
is obtained in a certain regime of parameters. Further, using a phase-field
model, we corroborate these results numerically. We obtain the growth of tubes
when a polymer source is added, and the bud-like shape after removal of the
polymer source, in accordance with recent experimental results.


title:
Multiple nonergodic disordered states in Laponite suspensions: a phase
  diagram

abstract:
  We study the time evolution of different Laponite suspensions from a
low-viscosity ergodic state to a viscoelastic non-ergodic state over a wide
range of volume fractions and salt contents. We find that the evolution of
non-ergodicity parameter (Debye-Waller factor) splits into two branches for all
the samples, which correspond to two distinct dynamically arrested states. At
moderately high salt concentrations, on the other hand, a third and new
nonergodic state appears that are different from the above two nonergodic
states. Measurement of the conductivity of Laponite solutions in pure water
shows that the contribution of counterions in the ionic strength is
considerable and their role should be taken into account in interpretations of
aging dynamics and the phase diagram. Based on these data and available data in
the literature, we propose a new (non-equilibrium) phase diagram for Laponite
suspensions.


title:
Temperature-tuning of near-infrared monodisperse quantum dot solids at
  1.5 um for controllable Forster energy transfer

abstract:
  We present the first time-resolved cryogenic observations of Forster energy
transfer in large, monodisperse lead sulphide quantum dots with ground state
transitions near 1.5 um (0.83 eV), in environments from 160 K to room
temperature. The observed temperature-dependent dipole-dipole transfer rate
occurs in the range of (30-50 ns)^(-1), measured with our confocal
single-photon counting setup at 1.5 um wavelengths. By temperature-tuning the
dots, 94% efficiency of resonant energy transfer can be achieved for donor
dots. The resonant transfer rates match well with proposed theoretical models.


title:
Quantum Hall ferromagnetic states and spin-orbit interactions in the
  fractional regime

abstract:
  The competition between the Zeeman energy and the Rashba and Dresselhaus
spin-orbit couplings is studied for fractional quantum Hall states by including
correlation effects. A transition of the direction of the spin-polarization is
predicted at specific values of the Zeeman energy. We show that these values
can be expressed in terms of the pair-correlation function, and thus provide
information about the microscopic ground state. We examine the particular
examples of the Laughlin wavefunctions and the 5/2-Pfaffian state. We also
include effects of the nuclear bath.


title:
The Araucaria Project. The Distance of the Large Magellanic Cloud from
  Near-Infrared Photometry of RR Lyrae Variables

abstract:
  We have obtained deep infrared $J$ and $K$ band observations of five fields
located in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) bar with the ESO New Technology
Telescope equipped with the SOFI infrared camera. In our fields, 65 RR Lyrae
stars catalogued by the OGLE collaboration were identified. Using different
theoretical and empirical calibrations of the period-luminosity-metallicity
relation, we find consistent LMC distance moduli values. Since the observed
fields are situated very close to the center of the LMC, the correction for the
tilt of the LMC bar with respect to the line of sight is negligible. Our
adopted best true distance modulus to the LMC of $18.58 \pm 0.03$ (statistical)
$\pm$ 0.11 (systematic) mag agrees very well with most independent
determinations to this galaxy.


title:
Two-photon contributions to the Rosenbluth cross-section in the Skyrme
  model

abstract:
  We study two-photon contributions to the elastic electron nucleon scattering
within the Skyrme model. In particular we focus on the role of the anomaly that
enters via the Wess-Zumino term and explain how this induces an axial current
interaction.


title:
Marginally trapped surfaces in Minkowski 4-space invariant under a
  rotation subgroup of the Lorentz group

abstract:
  A local classification of spacelike surfaces in Minkowski 4-space, which are
invariant under spacelike rotations, and with mean curvature vector either
vanishing or lightlike, is obtained. Furthermore, the existence of such
surfaces with prescribed Gaussian curvature is shown. A procedure is presented
to glue several of these surfaces with intermediate parts where the mean
curvature vector field vanishes. In particular, a local description of
marginally trapped surfaces invariant under spacelike rotations is exhibited.


title: Differential Meadows

abstract:
  A meadow is a zero totalised field (0^{-1}=0), and a cancellation meadow is a
meadow without proper zero divisors. In this paper we consider differential
meadows, i.e., meadows equipped with differentiation operators. We give an
equational axiomatization of these operators and thus obtain a finite basis for
differential cancellation meadows. Using the Zariski topology we prove the
existence of a differential cancellation meadow.


title:
Manipulating magnetism and conductance of an adatom-molecule junction on
  metal surfaces: ab initio study

abstract:
  The state of the art ab initio calculations reveal the effect of a scanning
tunnelling microscopy tip on magnetic properties and conductance of a
benzene-adatom sandwich on Cu(001). We concentrate on a benzene-Co system
interacting with a Cr tip. Our studies give a clear evidence that magnetism and
conductance in molecule-adatom junctions can be tailored by the STM tip.
Varying the tip-substrate distance the magnetic moment of the Co adatom can be
switched on/off. The interplay between spin-polarized electron transport
through the junction and its magnetic properties is demonstrated. A spin-filter
effect in the junction is predicted.


title: A framework for describing correlated excitation of solar p modes

abstract:
  In a previous paper we suggested that, for a given p mode, the excitation
function is the same as the component of the solar background noise that has an
identical surface spherical harmonic projection (over the corresponding range
of temporal frequency). An important consequence of this surmise is that the
excitation of overtones of a given angular degree and azimuthal order will be
correlated in time. In this note, we introduce the basic principles and a
mathematical description of correlated mode excitation. We use simple,
illustrative examples, involving two modes. Our treatment suggests that in the
real observations, any signatures of the correlation would not appear as a
correlation of the output amplitudes of overtones, but rather as subtle
modifications to the power spectral density at frequencies between the central
frequencies of the overtones. These modifications give a contribution to the
observed peak asymmetries.


Comment on "Large energy gaps in CaC6 from tunneling spectroscopy:
  possible evidence of strong-coupling superconductivity"


title:
Magnetic phenomena, spin-orbit effects, and Landauer conductance in Pt
  nanowire contacts

abstract:
  Platinum monatomic nanowires were predicted to spontaneously develop
magnetism, involving a sizable orbital moment via spin orbit coupling, and a
colossal magnetic anisotropy. We present here a fully-relativistic (spin-orbit
coupling included) pseudo-potential density functional calculation of
electronic and magnetic properties, and of Landauer ballistic conductance of Pt
model nanocontacts consisting of short nanowire segments suspended between Pt
leads or tips, reprented by bulk planes. Even if short, and despite the
nonmagnetic Pt leads, the nanocontact is found to be locally magnetic with
magnetization strictly parallel to its axis. Especially under strain, the
energy barrier to flip the overall spin direction is predicted to be tens of
meV high, and thus the corresponding blocking temperatures large, suggesting
the use of static Landauer ballistic electrical conductance calculations. We
carry out such calculations, to find that inclusion of spin-orbit coupling and
of magnetism lowers the ballistic conductance by about $15\div20$% relative to
the nonmagnetic case, yielding $ G\sim 2 G_0$ ($G_0=2e^2/h$), in good agreement
with break junction results. The spin filtering properties of this highly
unusual spontaneously magnetic nanocontact are also analysed.


title:
On general properties of Lorentz invariant formulation of noncommutative
  quantum field theory

abstract:
  We study general properties of certain Lorentz invariant noncommutative
quantum field theories proposed in the literature. We show that causality in
those theories does not hold, in contrast to the canonical noncommutative field
theory with the light-wedge causality condition. This is the consequence of the
infinite nonlocality of the theory getting spread in all spacetime directions.
We also show that the time-ordered perturbation theory arising from the
Hamiltonian formulation of noncommutative quantum field theories remains
inequivalent to the covariant perturbation theory with usual Feynman rules even
after restoration of Lorentz symmetry.


title:
Microscopic model for transitions from Mott to spin-Peierls insulator in
  TiOCl

abstract:
  On the basis of ab initio density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we
derive the underlying microscopic model Hamiltonian for TiOCl, a unique system
that shows two consecutive phase transitions from a Mott insulator to a
spin-Peierls insulator through a structurally incommensurate phase. We show
with our model that the presence of magnetic frustration in TiOCl leads to a
competition with the spin-Peierls distortion, which results in the novel
incommensurate phase. In addition, our calculations indicate that the
spin-Peierls state is triggered by adiabatic phonons, which is essential for
understanding the nature of the phase transition.


title: Good Representations and Homogeneous Spaces

abstract:
  Let G be a real or complex linear algebraic reductive group. Let H and F be
reductive subgroups. We study the natural H action on G/F. The main theorem of
this note shows that generic H orbits are closed. This theorem is then applied
to study representations of G, representations of H which are induced from
representations of G, and intersections of reductive subgroups of G.


title: A short comparison between m_T2 and m_CT

abstract:
  We compare m_T2 with m_CT; both are kinematic variables designed to find
relationships between masses of pair-produced new states with symmetric decay
chains. We find that for massless visible particles m_CT equals m_T2 in a
particular limit. We identify advantages and disadvantages to the use of each
variable. Tovey's paper on m_CT also introduced a powerful concept of
extracting mass information from an analysis at intermediate stages of a
symmetric decay chain. We suggest that m_T2 is a better tool for performing
this analysis than m_CT due to m_T2's better properties under initial state
radiation.


title: Contrasting solar and reactor neutrinos with a non-zero value of theta13

abstract:
  When solar neutrino and KamLAND data are analyzed separately one finds that,
even though allowed regions of neutrino parameters overlap, the values of
$\delta m^2$ and the mixing angle $\theta_{12}$ at the $\chi^2$ minima are
different. We show that a non-zero, but small value of the angle $\theta_{13}$
can account for this behavior. From the joint analysis of solar neutrino and
KamLAND data we find the best fit value of $\sin^2 2 \theta_{13} = 0.01
^{-0.01}_{+0.09}$.


title: The Impact of a Supernova Explosion in a Very Massive Binary

abstract:
  We consider the effect of a supernova (SN) explosion in a very massive binary
that is expected to form in a portion of Population III stars with the mass
higher than 100$M_\odot$. In a Population III binary system, a more massive
star can result in the formation of a BH and a surrounding accretion disc. Such
BH accretion could be a significant source of the cosmic reionization in the
early universe. However, a less massive companion star evolves belatedly and
eventually undergoes a SN explosion, so that the accretion disc around a BH
might be blown off in a lifetime of companion star. In this paper, we explore
the dynamical impact of a SN explosion on an accretion disc around a massive
BH, and elucidate whether the BH accretion disc is totally demolished or not.
For the purpose, we perform three-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations of a
very massive binary system, where we assume a BH of $10^3 M_{\odot}$ that
results from a direct collapse of a very massive star and a companion star of
$100 M_{\odot}$ that undergoes a SN explosion. We calculate the remaining mass
of a BH accretion disc as a function of time. As a result, it is found that a
significant portion of gas disc can survive through three-dimensional
geometrical effects even after the SN explosion of a companion star. Even if
the SN explosion energy is higher by two orders of magnitude than the binding
energy of gas disc, about a half of disc can be left over. The results imply
that the Population III BH accretion disc can be a long-lived luminous source,
and therefore could be an important ionizing source in the early universe.


title: Lifshitz tails in the 3D Anderson model

abstract:
  Consider the 3D Anderson model with a zero mean and bounded i.i.d. random
potential. Let $\lambda$ be the coupling constant measuring the strength of the
disorder, and $\sigma(E)$ the self energy of the model at energy $E$. For any
$\epsilon>0$ and sufficiently small $\lambda$, we derive almost sure
localization in the band $E \le -\sigma(0)-\lambda^{4-\epsilon}$. In this
energy region, we show that the typical correlation length $\xi_E$ behaves
roughly as $O((|E|-\sigma(E))^{-1/2})$, completing the argument outlined in the
unpublished work of T. Spencer.


title: Feynman's interpretation of quantum theory

abstract:
  A historically important but little known debate regarding the necessity and
meaning of macroscopic superpositions, in particular those containing different
gravitational fields, is discussed from a modern perspective.


title:
M-theory on pp-waves with a holomorphic superpotential and its membrane
  and matrix descriptions

abstract:
  We study a new class of inhomogeneous pp-wave solutions with 8 unbroken
supersymmetries in D=11 supergravity. The 9 dimensional transverse space is
Euclidean and split into 3 and 6 dimensional subspaces. The solutions have
non-constant gauge flux, which are described in terms of an arbitrary
holomorphic function of the complexified 6 dimensional space. The supermembrane
and matrix theory descriptions are also provided and we identify the relevant
supersymmetry transformation rules. The action also arises through a
dimensional reduction of N=1, D=4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory coupled to 3
gauge adjoint and chiral multiplets, whose interactions are determined by the
holomorphic function of the supergravity solution now constituting the
superpotential.


title:
Dearth of dark matter or massive dark halo? Mass-shape-anisotropy
  degeneracies revealed by NMAGIC dynamical models of the elliptical galaxy NGC
  3379

abstract:
  Recent results from the Planetary Nebula Spectrograph (PN.S) survey have
revealed a rapidly falling velocity dispersion profile in the nearby elliptical
galaxy NGC 3379, casting doubts on whether this intermediate-luminosity galaxy
has the kind of dark matter halo expected in LambdaCDM cosmology. We present a
detailed dynamical study of this galaxy, combining long-slit spectroscopy,
SAURON integral-field data, and PN.S velocities, reaching to more than seven
effective radii (R_e). We construct spherical and axisymmetric dynamical models
for these data with the flexible made-to-measure NMAGIC code, in a sequence of
gravitational potentials with varying dark halo mass. We find that the data are
consistent both with near-isotropic spherical systems dominated by the stellar
mass, and with models in massive halos with strongly radially anisotropic outer
parts (beta >~ 0.8 at 7R_e). Formal likelihood limits would exclude (at 1
sigma) the model with stars only, as well as halo models with v_circ(7R_e) >~
250 km/s. A sequence of more realistic axisymmetric models of different
inclinations and a small number of triaxial tests confirm the spherical
results. All valid models fitting all the data are dynamically stable over
Gyrs, including the most anisotropic ones. NGC 3379 may well have a dark matter
halo as predicted by recent merger models within LambdaCDM cosmology, provided
its outer envelope is strongly radially anisotropic. (abridged)


title: On the Expressive Power of Multiple Heads in CHR

abstract:
  Constraint Handling Rules (CHR) is a committed-choice declarative language
which has been originally designed for writing constraint solvers and which is
nowadays a general purpose language. CHR programs consist of multi-headed
guarded rules which allow to rewrite constraints into simpler ones until a
solved form is reached. Many empirical evidences suggest that multiple heads
augment the expressive power of the language, however no formal result in this
direction has been proved, so far.
  In the first part of this paper we analyze the Turing completeness of CHR
with respect to the underneath constraint theory. We prove that if the
constraint theory is powerful enough then restricting to single head rules does
not affect the Turing completeness of the language. On the other hand,
differently from the case of the multi-headed language, the single head CHR
language is not Turing powerful when the underlying signature (for the
constraint theory) does not contain function symbols.
  In the second part we prove that, no matter which constraint theory is
considered, under some reasonable assumptions it is not possible to encode the
CHR language (with multi-headed rules) into a single headed language while
preserving the semantics of the programs. We also show that, under some
stronger assumptions, considering an increasing number of atoms in the head of
a rule augments the expressive power of the language.
  These results provide a formal proof for the claim that multiple heads
augment the expressive power of the CHR language.


title: Enhanced Production of Delta(1230) and Sigma(1385) Resonances

abstract:
  Yields of Delta(1230), Sigma(1385) resonances produced in heavy ion
collisions are studied within the framework of a kinetic master equation. The
time evolution is driven by the process Delta(1230) \leftrightarrow N \pi,
Sigma(1385) \leftrightarrow \Lambda \pi . We obtain resonance yield both below
and above chemical equilibrium, depending on initial hadronization condition
and separation of kinetic and chemical freeze-out.


title: Non-classical Godeaux Surfaces

abstract:
  A non-classical Godeaux surface is a minimal surface of general type with
$\chi=K^2=1$ but with $h^{01}\neq0$. We prove that such surfaces fulfill
$h^{01}=1$ and they can exist only over fields of positive characteristic at
most 5. Like non-classical Enriques surfaces they fall into two classes: the
singular and the supersingular ones. We give a complete classification in
characteristic 5 and compute their Hodge-, Hodge--Witt- and crystalline
cohomology (including torsion). Finally, we give an example of a supersingular
Godeaux surface in characteristic 5.


title:
Beyond the Iron Peak: r- and s-process Elemental Abundances in Stars
  with Planets

abstract:
  We present elemental abundances of 118 stars (28 of which are known
extrasolar planetary host stars) observed as part of the Anglo-Australian
Planet Search. Abundances of O, Mg, Cr, Y, Zr, Ba, Nd and Eu (along with
previously published abundances for C and Si) are presented. This study is one
of the first to specifically examine planetary host stars for the heavy
elements produced by neutron capture reactions. We find that the host stars are
chemically different to both the standard solar abundance and non-host stars in
all elements studied, with enrichments over non-host stars ranging from 0.06
dex (for O) to 0.11 dex (for Cr and Y). Such abundance trends are in agreement
with other previous studies of field stars and lead us to conclude that the
chemical anomalies observed in planetary host stars are the result of normal
galactic chemical evolution processes. Based on this observation, we conclude
that the observed chemical traits of planetary host stars are primordial in
origin, coming from the original nebula and not from a ``pollution'' process
occurring during or after formation and that planet formation occurs naturally
with the evolution of stellar material.


title:
Electron-Hole Symmetry and Magnetic Coupling in Antiferromagnetic
  LaOFeAs

abstract:
  When either electron or hole doped at concentrations $x\sim 0.1$, the LaOFeAs
family displays remarkably high temperature superconductivity with T$_c$ up to
55 K. In the most energetically stable $\vec Q_M = (\pi,\pi)$ antiferromagnetic
(AFM) phase comprised of tetragonal-symmetry breaking alternating chains of
aligned spins, there is a deep pseudogap in the Fe 3d states centered at the
Fermi energy, and very strong magnetophonon coupling is uncovered. Doping (of
either sign) beyond $x \sim 0.1$ results in Fe 3d heavy mass carriers ($m^*\sim
4-8$) with a large Fermi surface. Calculated Fe-Fe transverse exchange
couplings $J_{ij}(R)$ reveal that exchange coupling is strongly dependent on
the AFM symmetry and Fe-As distance.


title:
The Bar Pattern Speed of NGC 1433 Estimated Via Sticky-Particle
  Simulations

abstract:
  We present detailed numerical simulations of NGC 1433, an intermediate-type
barred spiral showing strong morphological features including a secondary bar,
nuclear ring, inner ring, outer pseudoring, and two striking, detached spiral
arcs known as ``plumes.'' This galaxy is an ideal candidate for recreating the
observed morphology through dynamical models and determining the pattern speed.
We derived a gravitational potential from an $H$-band image of the galaxy and
simulated the behavior of a two-dimensional disk of 100,000 inelastically
colliding gas particles. We find that the closest matching morphology between a
$B$-band image and a simulation occurs with a pattern speed of 0.89 km s$^{-1}$
arcsec$^{-1}$ $\pm$ 5-10%. We also determine that the ratio of corotation
radius to the average published bar radius is 1.7 $\pm$ 0.3, with the ambiguity
in the bar radius being the largest contributor to the error.


title: Classifying Dihedral O(2)-Equivariant Spectra

abstract:
  The category of rational O(2)-equivariant spectra splits as a product of
cyclic and dihedral parts. Using the classification of rational G-equivariant
spectra for finite groups G, we classify the dihedral part of rational
O(2)-equivariant spectra in terms of an algebraic model.


title: Studies of Effects of Current on Exchange-Bias: A Brief Review

abstract:
  MacDonald and co-workers recently predicted that high current densities could
affect the magnetic order of antiferromagnetic (AFM) multilayers, in ways
similar to those that occur in ferromagnetic (F) multilayers, and that changes
in AFM magnetic order can produce an antiferromagnetic Giant Magnetoresistance
(AGMR). Four groups have now studied current-driven effects on exchange bias at
F/AFM interfaces. In this paper, we first briefly review the main predictions
by MacDonald and co-workers, and then the results of experiments on exchange
bias that these predictions stimulated.


title:
QCD Splitting/Joining Functions at Finite Temperature in the Deep LPM
  Regime

abstract:
  There exist full leading-order-in-alpha_s numerical calculations of the rates
for massless quarks and gluons to split and join in the background of a
quark-gluon plasma through hard, nearly collinear bremsstrahlung and inverse
bremsstrahlung. In the limit of partons with very high energy E, where the
physics is dominated by the Landau-Pomeranchuk-Migdal (LPM) effect, there are
also analytic leading-log calculations of these rates, where the logarithm is
ln(E/T). We extend those analytic calculations to next-to-leading-log order. We
find agreement with the full result to within roughly 20% for E(less) >~ 10 T,
where E(less) is the energy of the least energetic parton in the
splitting/joining process. We also discuss how to account for the running of
the coupling constant in the case that E/T is very large. Our results are also
applicable to isotropic non-equilibrium plasmas if the plasma does not change
significantly over the formation time associated with particle splitting.


title:
The spectrum of interacting metallic carbon nanotubes: Exchange effects
  and universality

abstract:
  The low energy spectrum of finite size metallic single-walled carbon
nanotubes SWNTs) is determined. Starting from a tight binding model for the
$p_{z}$ electrons, we derive the low energy Hamiltonian containing all relevant
scattering processes resulting from the Coulomb interaction, including the
short ranged contributions becoming relevant for small diameter tubes. In
combination with the substructure of the underlying honeycomb lattice the short
ranged processes lead to various exchange effects. Using bosonization the
spectrum is determined. We find that the ground state is formed by a spin 1
triplet, if $4n+2$ electrons occupy the SWNT and the branch mismatch is smaller
than the exchange splitting. Additionally, we calculate the excitation spectra
for the different charge states and find the lifting of spin-charge separation
as well as the formation of a quasi-continuum at higher excitation energies.


title:
A New Approach to Automated Epileptic Diagnosis Using EEG and
  Probabilistic Neural Network

abstract:
  Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders that greatly impair
patient' daily lives. Traditional epileptic diagnosis relies on tedious visual
screening by neurologists from lengthy EEG recording that requires the presence
of seizure (ictal) activities. Nowadays, there are many systems helping the
neurologists to quickly find interesting segments of the lengthy signal by
automatic seizure detection. However, we notice that it is very difficult, if
not impossible, to obtain long-term EEG data with seizure activities for
epilepsy patients in areas lack of medical resources and trained neurologists.
Therefore, we propose to study automated epileptic diagnosis using interictal
EEG data that is much easier to collect than ictal data. The authors are not
aware of any report on automated EEG diagnostic system that can accurately
distinguish patients' interictal EEG from the EEG of normal people. The
research presented in this paper, therefore, aims to develop an automated
diagnostic system that can use interictal EEG data to diagnose whether the
person is epileptic. Such a system should also detect seizure activities for
further investigation by doctors and potential patient monitoring. To develop
such a system, we extract four classes of features from the EEG data and build
a Probabilistic Neural Network (PNN) fed with these features. Leave-one-out
cross-validation (LOO-CV) on a widely used epileptic-normal data set reflects
an impressive 99.5% accuracy of our system on distinguishing normal people's
EEG from patient's interictal EEG. We also find our system can be used in
patient monitoring (seizure detection) and seizure focus localization, with
96.7% and 77.5% accuracy respectively on the data set.


title: q-Gaussians in the porous-medium equation: stability and time evolution

abstract:
  The stability of $q$-Gaussian distributions as particular solutions of the
linear diffusion equation and its generalized nonlinear form,
$\pderiv{P(x,t)}{t} = D \pderiv{^2 [P(x,t)]^{2-q}}{x^2}$, the
\emph{porous-medium equation}, is investigated through both numerical and
analytical approaches. It is shown that an \emph{initial} $q$-Gaussian,
characterized by an index $q_i$, approaches the \emph{final}, asymptotic
solution, characterized by an index $q$, in such a way that the relaxation rule
for the kurtosis evolves in time according to a $q$-exponential, with a
\emph{relaxation} index $q_{\rm rel} \equiv q_{\rm rel}(q)$. In some cases,
particularly when one attempts to transform an infinite-variance distribution
($q_i \ge 5/3$) into a finite-variance one ($q<5/3$), the relaxation towards
the asymptotic solution may occur very slowly in time. This fact might shed
some light on the slow relaxation, for some long-range-interacting many-body
Hamiltonian systems, from long-standing quasi-stationary states to the ultimate
thermal equilibrium state.


title: Isomorphisms preserving invariants

abstract:
  Let $V$ and $W$ be finite dimensional real vector spaces and let
$G\subset\GL(V)$ and $H\subset\GL(W)$ be finite subgroups.
  Assume for simplicity that the actions contain no reflections. Let $Y$ and
$Z$ denote the real algebraic varieties corresponding to $\R[V]^G$ and
$\R[W]^H$, respectively. If $V$ and $W$ are quasi-isomorphic, i.e., if there is
a linear isomorphism $L\colon V\to W$ such that $L$ sends $G$-orbits to
$H$-orbits and $L\inv$ sends $H$-orbits to $G$-orbits, then $L$ induces an
isomorphism of $Y$ and $Z$. Conversely, suppose that $f\colon Y\to Z$ is a germ
of a diffeomorphism sending the origin of $Y$ to the origin of $Z$. Then we
show that $V$ and $W$ are quasi-isomorphic, This result is closely related to a
theorem of Strub \cite{Strub}, for which we give a new proof. We also give a
new proof of a result of \cite{KrieglLosikMichor03} on lifting of
biholomorphisms of quotient spaces.


title: A Unitary Fermi Supersolid: The Larkin-Ovchinnikov Phase

abstract:
  We present strong theoretical evidence that a Larkin-Ovchinnikov (LOFF/FFLO)
pairing phase is favoured over the homogeneous superfluid and normal phases in
three-dimensional unitary Fermi systems. Using a Density Functional Theory
(DFT) based on the latest quantum Monte-Carlo calculations and experimental
results, we show that this phase is competitive over a large region of the
phase diagram. The oscillations in the number densities and pairing field have
a substantial amplitude, and a period some 3 to 10 times the average
interparticle separation. Within the DFT, the transition to a normal polarized
Fermi liquid at large polarizations is smooth, while the transition to a
fully-paired superfluid is abrupt.


title: Effective Constraints for Quantum Systems

abstract:
  An effective formalism for quantum constrained systems is presented which
allows manageable derivations of solutions and observables, including a
treatment of physical reality conditions without requiring full knowledge of
the physical inner product. Instead of a state equation from a constraint
operator, an infinite system of constraint functions on the quantum phase space
of expectation values and moments of states is used. The examples of linear
constraints as well as the free non-relativistic particle in parameterized form
illustrate how standard problems of constrained systems can be dealt with in
this framework.


title:
Anisotropic plasmons in a two-dimensional electron gas with spin-orbit
  interaction

abstract:
  Spin-orbit coupling induced anisotropies of plasmon dynamics are investigated
in two-dimensional semiconductor structures. The interplay of the linear
Bychkov-Rashba and Dresselhaus spin-orbit interactions drastically affects the
plasmon spectrum: the dynamical structure factor exhibits variations over
several decades, prohibiting plasmon propagation in specific directions. While
this plasmon filtering makes the presence of spin-orbit coupling in plasmon
dynamics observable, it also offers a control tool for plasmonic devices.
Remarkably, if the strengths of the two interactions are equal, not only the
anisotropy, but all the traces of the linear spin-orbit coupling in the
collective response disappear.


title: A Method of Trend Extraction Using Singular Spectrum Analysis

abstract:
  The paper presents a new method of trend extraction in the framework of the
Singular Spectrum Analysis (SSA) approach. This method is easy to use, does not
need specification of models of time series and trend, allows to extract trend
in the presence of noise and oscillations and has only two parameters (besides
basic SSA parameter called window length). One parameter manages scale of the
extracted trend and another is a method specific threshold value. We propose
procedures for the choice of the parameters. The presented method is evaluated
on a simulated time series with a polynomial trend and an oscillating component
with unknown period and on the seasonally adjusted monthly data of unemployment
level in Alaska for the period 1976/01-2006/09.


title:
Noise excess free record/upload of non-classical states to
  continuous-variable quantum memory

abstract:
  In a recent continuous-variable quantum memory experiment, one quadrature of
light pulse is directly uploaded by the light-atom coupling whereas
complementary quadrature is obtained by homodyne measurement of the out-coupled
light. Subsequently, information from homodyne mea- surement is written into
the memory by feed-back electro-optical control of the atomic state. Using the
same experimental set-up, a deterministic noise excess free record of unknown
quantum states to continuous-variable quantum atomic memory is proposed.
Further, the memory experiment is extended by the pre-squeezing of the recorded
state of light and squeezing post-correction of the recorded state. To upload a
resource to the memory, as single-photon state or superposition of co- herent
states, the post-selection of the measurement results from homodyne detection
is suggested. Then such the probabilistic upload approaches even a lossless
transfer of these highly nonclassical states into the quantum memory.


title: The properties of powerful radio sources at 90 GHz

abstract:
  We have observed a small sample of powerful double radio sources (radio
galaxies and quasars) at frequencies around 90 GHz with the BIMA millimetre
array, with the intention of constraining the resolved high-frequency spectra
of radio galaxies. When combined with other sources we have previously observed
and with data from the BIMA archive, these observations allow us for the first
time to make general statements about the high-frequency behaviour of compact
components of radio galaxies -- cores, jets and hotspots. We find that cores in
our sample remain flat-spectrum up to 90 GHz; jets in some of our targets are
detected at 90 GHz for the first time in our new observations; and hotspots are
found to be almost universal, but show a wide range of spectral properties.
Emission from the extended lobes of radio galaxies is detected in a few cases
and shows rough consistency with the expectations from standard spectral ageing
models, though our ability to probe this in detail is limited by the
sensitivity of BIMA. We briefly discuss the prospects for radio-galaxy
astrophysics with ALMA.


title: Antiferromagnetic superexchange interactions in LaOFeAs

abstract:
  From first-principles calculations, we have studied the electronic and
magnetic structures of the ground state of LaOFeAs. The Fe spins are found to
be collinear antiferromagnetic ordered, resulting from the interplay between
the strong nearest and next-nearest neighbor superexchange antiferromagnetic
interactions. The structure transition observed by neutron scattering is shown
to be magnetically driven. Our study suggests that the antiferromagnetic
fluctuation plays an important role in the Fe-based superconductors. This sheds
light on the understanding of the pairing mechanism in these materials.


title: Heat flux operator, current conservation and the formal Fourier's law

abstract:
  By revisiting previous definitions of the heat current operator, we show that
one can define a heat current operator that satisfies the continuity equation
for a general Hamiltonian in one dimension. This expression is useful for
studying electronic, phononic and photonic energy flow in linear systems and in
hybrid structures. The definition allows us to deduce the necessary conditions
that result in current conservation for general-statistics systems. The
discrete form of the Fourier's Law of heat conduction naturally emerges in the
present definition.


title: Counting atoms using interaction blockade in an optical superlattice

abstract:
  We report on the observation of an interaction blockade effect for ultracold
atoms in optical lattices, analogous to Coulomb blockade observed in mesoscopic
solid state systems. When the lattice sites are converted into biased double
wells, we detect a discrete set of steps in the well population for increasing
bias potentials. These correspond to tunneling resonances where the atom number
on each side of the barrier changes one by one. This allows us to count and
control the number of atoms within a given well. By evaluating the amplitude of
the different plateaus, we can fully determine the number distribution of the
atoms in the lattice, which we demonstrate for the case of a superfluid and
Mott insulating regime of 87Rb.


title: Quantum and Classical Disparity and Accord

abstract:
  Discrepancies and accords between quantum (QM) and classical mechanics (CM)
related to expectation values and periods are found for both the simple
harmonic oscillator (SHO) and a free particle in a box (FPB), which may apply
generally. These indicate non-locality is expected throughout QM. The FPB
energy states violate the Correspondence Principle. Previously unexpected
accords are found and proven that the classical and quantum expectation values
are the same for the expectation value of the second moment and the beat period
(i.e. beats between the phases for adjoining energy states) for the SHO for all
quantum numbers, n. However, for the FPB the beat periods differ significantly
at small n. It is shown that a particle's velocity in an infinite square well
varies, no matter how wide the box, nor how far the particle is from the walls.
The quantum free particle variances share an indirect commonality with the
Aharonov-Bohm and Aharonov-Casher effects in that there is a quantum action in
the absence of a force. The concept of an "Expectation Value over a Partial
Well Width" is introduced. This paper raises the question as to whether these
inconsistencies are undetectable, or can be empirically ascertained. These
inherent variances may need to be fixed, or nature is manifestly more
non-classical than expected.


title: Coupled-Resonator Optical Near-Field Lithography

abstract:
  The problem of pattern formation in resonantly-enhanced near-field
lithography by the use of dielectric or plasmonic planar resonators is
investigated. Sub-diffraction-limited bright or dark spots can be produced by
taking advantage of the rotational invariance of planar resonators. To increase
the spatial bandwidth of the resonant enhancement, an array of coupled planar
resonators can open up a band of Bloch resonances, analogous to
coupled-resonator optical waveguides.


title: Promotion and cyclic sieving via webs

abstract:
  We show that Sch\"utzenberger's promotion on two and three row rectangular
Young tableaux can be realized as cyclic rotation of certain planar graphs
introduced by Kuperberg. Moreover, following work of the third author, we show
that this action admits the cyclic sieving phenomenon.


title:
The Dearth of UV-Bright Stars in M32: Implications for Stellar Evolution
  Theory

abstract:
  Using the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph on the Hubble Space Telescope,
we have obtained deep far-ultraviolet images of the compact elliptical galaxy
M32. When combined with earlier near-ultraviolet images of the same field,
these data enable the construction of an ultraviolet color-magnitude diagram of
the hot horizontal branch (HB) population and other hot stars in late phases of
stellar evolution. We find few post-asymptotic giant branch (PAGB) stars in the
galaxy, implying that these stars either cross the HR diagram more rapidly than
expected, and/or that they spend a significant fraction of their time
enshrouded in circumstellar material. The predicted luminosity gap between the
hot HB and its AGB-Manque (AGBM) progeny is less pronounced than expected,
especially when compared to evolutionary tracks with enhanced helium
abundances, implying that the presence of hot HB stars in this metal-rich
population is not due to (Delta Y)/(Delta Z) > 4. Only a small fraction (~2%)
of the HB population is hot enough to produce significant UV emission, yet most
of the UV emission in this galaxy comes from the hot HB and AGBM stars,
implying that PAGB stars are not a significant source of UV emission even in
those elliptical galaxies with a weak UV excess.


title:
Radial mixing in protoplanetary accretion disks VII. 2-dimensional
  transport of tracers

abstract:
  The detection of significant concentrations of crystalline silicates in
comets indicates an extensive radial mixing in the primordial solar nebula. In
studying the radial transport of matter within protoplanetary disks by
numerical model calculations it is essential to resolve the vertical disk
structure since matter is mixed radially inward and outward by a complex
2-dimensional flow pattern that is superposed on the global inward directed
accretion flow. A numerical model calculation for a protoplanetary accretion
disks with radial and vertical mixing is performed in the 1+1-dimensional
approximation. The global 2D velocity field of the disk is calculated from an
analytical solution for the meridional flow pattern, that exhibits an inward
drift in the upper layers and an outward drift in the midplane in most parts of
the disk. The disk model is based on the $\beta$-prescription of viscosity and
considers vertical self-gravitation of the disk. The mixing processes are
studied for the following species: amorphous silicate grains (forsterite,
enstatite) that crystallise by annealing, and carbonaceous grains that are
destroyed by surface reactions with OH molecules at elevated temperatures.
Considerable fractions of crystallised silicates and methane (formed as a
by-product of carbon combustion) are transported to the site of comet formation
far from the protosun within a period of 10$^6$ yrs. The 2-dimensional
transport of tracers in the solar nebula offers a natural explanation for the
presence of crystalline silicates in comets and the significant portions of
crystalline silicates observed in accretion disks around young stellar objects.


title: Weighing the black holes in ultraluminous X-ray sources through timing

abstract:
  We describe a new method to estimate the mass of black holes in Ultraluminous
X-ray Sources (ULXs). The method is based on the recently discovered
``variability plane'', populated by Galactic stellar-mass black-hole candidates
(BHCs) and supermassive active galactic nuclei (AGNs), in the parameter space
defined by the black-hole mass, accretion rate and characteristic frequency. We
apply this method to the two ULXs from which low-frequency quasi-periodic
oscillations have been discovered, M82 X-1 and NGC 5408 X-1. For both sources
we obtain a black-hole mass in the range 100~1300 Msun, thus providing evidence
for these two sources to host an intermediate-mass black hole.


title:
Ideal magnetohydrodynamic simulation of magnetic bubble expansion as a
  model for extragalactic radio lobes

abstract:
  Nonlinear ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of the propagation and
expansion of a magnetic "bubble" plasma into a lower density, weakly-magnetized
background plasma are presented. These simulations mimic the geometry and
parameters of the Plasma Bubble Expansion Experiment (PBEX) [A. G. Lynn, Y.
Zhang, S. C. Hsu, H. Li, W. Liu, M. Gilmore, and C. Watts, Bull. Amer. Phys.
Soc. {\bf 52}, 53 (2007)], which is studying magnetic bubble expansion as a
model for extra-galactic radio lobes. The simulations predict several key
features of the bubble evolution. First, the direction of bubble expansion
depends on the ratio of the bubble toroidal to poloidal magnetic field, with a
higher ratio leading to expansion predominantly in the direction of propagation
and a lower ratio leading to expansion predominantly normal to the direction of
propagation. Second, an MHD shock and a trailing slow-mode compressible MHD
wavefront are formed ahead of the bubble as it propagates into the background
plasma. Third, the bubble expansion and propagation develop asymmetries about
its propagation axis due to reconnection facilitated by numerical resistivity
and to inhomogeneous angular momentum transport mainly due to the background
magnetic field. These results will help guide the initial experiments and
diagnostic measurements on PBEX.


title: Faraday rotation, stochastic magnetic fields and CMB maps

abstract:
  The high- and low-frequency descriptions of the pre-decoupling plasma are
deduced from the Vlasov-Landau treatment generalized to curved space-times and
in the presence of the relativistic fluctuations of the geometry. It is
demonstrated that the interplay between one-fluid and two-fluid treatments is
mandatory for a complete and reliable calculation of the polarization
observables. The Einstein-Boltzmann hierarchy is generalized to handle the
dispersive propagation of the electromagnetic disturbances in the
pre-decoupling plasma. Given the improved physical and numerical framework, the
polarization observables are computed within the magnetized $\Lambda$CDM
paradigm (m$\Lambda$CDM). In particular, the Faraday-induced B-mode is
consistently estimated by taking into account the effects of the magnetic
fields on the initial conditions of the Boltzmann hierarchy, on the dynamical
equations and on the dispersion relations. The complete calculations of the
angular power spectra constitutes the first step for the derivation of
magnetized maps of the CMB temperature and polarization which are here obtained
for the first time and within the minimal m$\Lambda$CDM model. The obtained
results set the ground for direct experimental scrutiny of large-scale
magnetism via the low and high frequency instruments of the Planck explorer
satellite.


title: Line Emission from Gas in Optically Thick Dust Disks around Young Stars

abstract:
  We present self-consistent models of gas in optically-thick dusty disks and
calculate its thermal, density and chemical structure. The models focus on an
accurate treatment of the upper layers where line emission originates, and at
radii $\gtrsim 0.7$ AU. We present results of disks around $\sim 1{\rm
M}_{\odot}$ stars where we have varied dust properties, X-ray luminosities and
UV luminosities. We separately treat gas and dust thermal balance, and
calculate line luminosities at infrared and sub-millimeter wavelengths from all
transitions originating in the predominantly neutral gas that lies below the
ionized surface of the disk. We find that the [ArII] 7$\mu$m, [NeII]
12.8$\mu$m, [FeI] 24$\mu$m, [SI] 25$\mu$m, [FeII] 26$\mu$m, [SiII] 35 $\mu$m,
[OI] 63$\mu$m and pure rotational lines of H$_2$, H$_2$O and CO can be quite
strong and are good indicators of the presence and distribution of gas in
disks. We apply our models to the disk around the nearby young star, TW Hya,
and find good agreement between our model calculations and observations. We
also predict strong emission lines from the TW Hya disk that are likely to be
detected by future facilities. A comparison of CO observations with our models
suggests that the gas disk around TW Hya may be truncated to $\sim 120 $ AU,
compared to its dust disk of 174 AU. We speculate that photoevaporation due to
the strong stellar FUV field from TW Hya is responsible for the gas disk
truncation.


title:
Separating Signals from Non-Interfering Backgrounds using Probabilistic
  Event Weightings

abstract:
  A common situation in experimental physics is to have a signal which can not
be separated from a non-interfering background through the use of any cut. In
this paper, we describe a procedure for determining, on an event-by-event
basis, a quality factor (Q-factor) that a given event originated from the
signal distribution. This Q-factor can then be used as an event weight in
subsequent analysis procedures, allowing one to more directly access the true
spectrum of the signal.


title: Scaling test of two-flavor O(a)-improved lattice QCD

abstract:
  We report on a scaling test of several mesonic observables in the
non-perturbatively O(a) improved Wilson theory with two flavors of dynamical
quarks. The observables are constructed in a fixed volume of 2.4fm x (1.8fm)^3
with Schroedinger functional boundary conditions. No significant scaling
violations are found. Using the kaon mass determined in \cite{cernI}, we update
our estimate of the Lambda parameter to Lambda^(2)_{msbar}/m_K = 0.52(6).


title:
Deep Chandra Observation of the Pulsar Wind Nebula Powered by the Pulsar
  J1846-0258 in the Supernova Remnant Kes 75

abstract:
  We present the results of detailed spatial and spectral analysis of the
pulsar wind nebula (PWN) in supernova remnant Kes 75 (G29.7-0.3) using a deep
exposure with Chandra X-ray observatory. The PWN shows a complex morphology
with clear axisymmetric structure. We identified a one-sided jet and two bright
clumps aligned with the overall nebular elongation, and an arc-like feature
perpendicular to the jet direction. Further spatial modeling with a torus and
jet model indicates a position angle $207\arcdeg\pm8 \arcdeg$ for the PWN
symmetry axis. We interpret the arc as an equatorial torus or wisp and the
clumps could be shock interaction between the jets and the surrounding medium.
The lack of any observable counter jet implies a flow velocity larger than
0.4c. Comparing to an archival observation 6 years earlier, some small-scale
features in the PWN demonstrate strong variability: the flux of the inner jet
doubles and the peak of the northern clump broadens and shifts 2" outward. In
addition, the pulsar flux increases by 6 times, showing substantial spectral
softening from $\Gamma$=1.1 to 1.9 and an emerging thermal component which was
not observed in the first epoch. The changes in the pulsar spectrum are likely
related to the magnetar-like bursts of the pulsar that occurred 7 days before
the Chandra observation, as recently reported from RXTE observations.


title: Variations on a theme by Skyrme

abstract:
  We present a survey of the phenomenological adjustment of the parameters of
the Skyrme-Hartree-Fock (SHF) model for a self-consistent description of
nuclear structure and low-energy excitations. A large sample of reliable input
data from nuclear bulk properties (energy, radii, surface thickness) is
selected guided by the criterion that ground-state correlations should remain
small. Least squares fitting techniques are used to determine the SHF
parameters which accommodate best the given input data. The question of the
predictive value of the adjustment is scrutinized by performing systematic
variations with respect to chosen nuclear matter properties (incompressibility,
effective mass, symmetry energy, and sum-rule enhancement factor). We find that
the ground-state data, although representing a large sample, leave a broad
range of choices, i.e. a broad range of nuclear matter properties. Information
from giant resonances is added to pin down more precisely the open features. We
then apply the set of newly adjusted parameterizations to several more detailed
observables such as neutron skin, isotope shifts, and super-heavy elements. The
techniques of least-squares fitting provide safe estimates for the
uncertainties of such extrapolations. The systematic variation of forces allows
to disentangle the various influences on a given observable and to estimate the
predictive value of the SHF model. The results depend very much on the
observable under consideration.


title:
Uncountable Graphs and Invariant Measures on the Set of Universal
  Countable Graphs

abstract:
  We give new examples and describe the complete lists of all measures on the
set of countable homogeneous universal graphs and $K_s$-free homogeneous
universal graphs (for $s\geq 3$) that are invariant with respect to the group
of all permutations of the vertices. Such measures can be regarded as random
graphs (respectively, random $K_s$-free graphs). The well-known example of
Erd\"os--R\'enyi (ER) of the random graph corresponds to the Bernoulli measure
on the set of adjacency matrices. For the case of the universal $K_s$-free
graphs there were no previously known examples of the invariant measures on the
space of such graphs.
  The main idea of our construction is based on the new notions of {\it
measurable universal}, and {\it topologically universal} graphs, which are
interesting themselves. The realization of the construction can be regarded as
two-step randomization for universal measurable graph : {\it "randomization in
vertices"} and {\it "randomization in edges"}. For $K_s$-free, $s\geq 3$ there
is only randomization in vertices of the measurable graphs. The completeness of
our lists is proved using the important theorem by D. Aldous about
$S_{\infty}$-invariant matrices, which we reformulate in appropriate way.


title:
Effective temperatures from the fluctuation-dissipation measurements in
  soft glassy materials

abstract:
  We have investigated the validity of the fluctuation-dissipation theorem
(FDT) and the applicability of the concept of effective temperature in a number
of non-equilibrium soft glassy materials. Using a combination of passive and
active microrheology to measure displacement fluctuations and the mechanical
response function of probe particles embedded in the materials, we have
directly tested the validity of the FDT. Our results show no violation of the
FDT over several decades in frequency (1-10$^4$ Hz) for hard sphere colloidal
glasses and colloidal glasses and gels of Laponite. We further extended the
bandwidth of our measurements to lower frequencies (down to 0.1 Hz) using video
microscopy to measure the displacement fluctuations, again without finding any
deviations from the FDT.


title:
An iterative scheme for solving nonlinear equations with monotone
  operators

abstract:
  An iterative scheme for solving ill-posed nonlinear operator equations with
monotone operators is introduced and studied in this paper. A Dynamical Systems
Method (DSM) algorithm for stable solution of ill-posed operator equations with
monotone operators is proposed and its convergence is proved. A new discrepancy
principle is proposed and justified. A priori and a posteriori stopping rules
for the DSM algorithm are formulated and justified.


title:
Exploring the limits of the self consistent Born approximation for
  inelastic electronic transport

abstract:
  The non equilibrium Green function formalism is today the standard
computational method for describing elastic transport in molecular devices.
This can be extended to include inelastic scattering by the so called
self-consistent Born approximation (SCBA), where the interaction of the
electrons with the vibrations of the molecule is assumed to be weak and it is
treated perturbatively. The validity of such an assumption and therefore of the
SCBA is difficult to establish with certainty. In this work we explore the
limitations of the SCBA by using a simple tight-binding model with the
electron-phonon coupling strength $\rm{\alpha}$ chosen as a free parameter. As
model devices we consider Au mono-atomic chains and a $\rm{H_2}$ molecule
sandwiched between Pt electrodes. In both cases our self-consistent
calculations demonstrate a breakdown of the SCBA for large $\rm{\alpha}$ and we
identify a weak and strong coupling regime. For weak coupling our SCBA results
compare closely with those obtained with exact scattering theory. However in
the strong coupling regime large deviations are found. In particular we
demonstrate that there is a critical coupling strength, characteristic of the
materials system, beyond which multiple self-consistent solutions can be found
depending on the initial conditions in the simulation. We attribute these
features to the breakdown of the perturbative expansion leading to the SCBA.


title:
The Impact of Prior Assumptions on Bayesian Estimates of Inflation
  Parameters and the Expected Gravitational Waves Signal from Inflation

abstract:
  There has been much recent discussion, and some confusion, regarding the use
of existing observational data to estimate the likelihood that next-generation
cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization experiments might detect a
nonzero tensor signal, possibly associated with inflation. We examine this
issue in detail here in two different ways: (1) first we explore the effect of
choice of different parameter priors on the estimation of the tensor-to-scalar
ratio r and other parameters describing inflation, and (2) we examine the
Bayesian complexity in order to determine how effectively existing data can
constrain inflationary parameters. We demonstrate that existing data are not
strong enough to render full inflationary parameter estimates in a
parametrization- and prior-independent way and that the predicted tensor signal
is particularly sensitive to different priors. For parametrizations where the
Bayesian complexity is comparable to the number of free parameters we find that
a flat prior on the scale of inflation (which is to be distinguished from a
flat prior on the tensor-to-scalar ratio) leads us to infer a larger, and in
fact slightly nonzero tensor contribution at 68% confidence level. However, no
detection is claimed. Our results demonstrate that all that is statistically
relevant at the current time is the (slightly enhanced) upper bound on r, and
we stress that the data remain consistent with r = 0.


title: A DSM proof of surjectivity of monotone nonlinear mappings

abstract:
  We prove that if $F$ is twice Frechet differentiable and coercivity
conditions hold, then $F$ is surjective, i.e., the equation $F(u)=h$ is
solvable for every $h\in H$. This is a basic result in the theory of monotone
operators. Our aim is to give a simple and short proof of this result based on
the Dynamical Systems Method (DSM), developed in the monograph A.G. Ramm,
Dynamical systems method, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 2007.


title: A Subaru Archival Search for Faint TNOs

abstract:
  We present the results of a survey for trans-neptunian objects (TNOs) based
on Subaru archival images, originally collected by Sheppard et al. (2005) as
part of a search for irregular satellites of Uranus. The survey region covers
2.8 deg^2, centered on Uranus and observed near opposition on two adjacent
nights. Our survey reaches half its maximum detection efficiency at
R=25.69$\pm$0.01. The objects detected correspond to 82 TNOs, five Centaurs,
and five irregular satellites. We model the cumulative number of TNOs brighter
than a given apparent magnitude with both a single and double power law. The
best fit single power law, with one object per square degree at magnitude $R_0
=22.6_{-0.4}^{+0.3}$ and a slope of $\alpha = 0.51_{-0.6}^{+0.5}$, is
inconsistent with the results of similar searches with shallower limiting
magnitudes. The best fit double power law, with a bright-end slope $\alpha_1 =
0.7_{-0.1}^{+0.2}$, a faint-end slope $\alpha_2=0.3_{-0.2}^{+0.2}$, a
differential number density at R=23, $\sigma_{23} = 2.0_{-0.5}^{+0.5}$ and a
magnitude break in the slope at $R_{eq} = 24.3_{-0.1}^{+0.8}$, is more likely
than the single power law by a Bayes factor of ~26. This is the first survey
with sufficient depth and areal coverage to identify the magnitude at which the
break occurs without relying on the results of other surveys. ...


title:
Proposed method for searches of gravitational waves from PKS 2155-304
  and other blazar flares

abstract:
  We propose to search for gravitational waves from PKS 2155-304 as well as
other blazars. PKS 2155-304 emitted a long duration energetic flare in July
2006, with total isotropic equivalent energy released in TeV gamma rays of
approximately $10^{45}$ ergs. Any possible gravitational wave signals
associated with this outburst should be seen by gravitational wave detectors at
the same time as the electromagnetic signal. During this flare, the two LIGO
interferometers at Hanford and the GEO detector were in operation and
collecting data. For this search we will use the data from multiple
gravitational wave detectors. The method we use for this purpose is a coherent
network analysis algorithm and is called {\tt RIDGE}. To estimate the
sensitivity of the search, we perform numerical simulations. The sensitivity to
estimated gravitational wave energy at the source is about $2.5 \times 10^{55}$
ergs for a detection probability of 20%. For this search, an end-to-end
analysis pipeline has been developed, which takes into account the motion of
the source across the sky.


title:
On the cosmological evolution of alpha and mu and the dynamics of dark
  energy

abstract:
  We study the cosmological evolution of the fine structure constant, $\alpha$,
and the proton-to-electron mass ratio, $\mu=m_p/m_e$, in the context of a
generic class of models where the gauge kinetic function is a linear function
of a quintessence-type real scalar field, $\phi$, described by a Lagrangian
with a standard kinetic term and a scalar field potential, $V(\phi)$. We
further assume that the scalar field potential is a monotonic function of
$\phi$ and that the scalar field is always rolling down the potential. We show
that, for this class of models, low-redshift constrains on the evolution of
$\alpha$ and $\mu$ can provide very stringent limits on the corresponding
variations at high-redshift. We also demonstrate that these limits may be
relaxed by considering more general models for the dynamics of $\alpha$ and
$\mu$. However, in this case, the ability to reconstruct the evolution of the
dark energy equation of state using varying couplings could be seriously
compromised.


title: Kondo Stripes in an Anderson-Heisenberg Model of Heavy Fermion Systems

abstract:
  We study the interplay between the spin-liquid and Kondo physics, as related
to the non-magnetic part of the phase diagram of heavy fermion materials.
Within the unrestricted mean-field treatment of the infinite-$U$ 2D
Anderson-Heisenberg model, we find that there are two topologically distinct
non-degenerate uniform heavy Fermi liquid states that may form as a consequence
of the Kondo coupling between spinons and conduction electrons. For certain
carrier concentrations the uniform Fermi liquid becomes unstable with respect
to formation of a new kind of anharmonic "Kondo stripe" state with
inhomogeneous Kondo screening strength and the charge density modulation. These
feature are experimentally measurable, and thus may help to establish the
relevance of the spin-liquid correlations to heavy fermion materials.


title: Conference Summary: The Cosmic Agitator - Magnetic Fields in the Galaxy

abstract:
  We present a summary of the conference "The Cosmic Agitator: Magnetic Fields
in the Galaxy" held in Lexington KY in 2008 Mar 26-29. The presentation draws
primarily from material in the slides prepared for the Conference Summary by
one of us (Carl Heiles). Interested readers may navigate to the conference web
site given in the paper to view the posted presentations in detail.


title:
X-ray Variability of the Seyfert 1 Markarian 335: Power Spectrum and
  Time Lags

abstract:
  To investigate further the comparison between AGN and black hole X-ray
binaries, we have studied the main X-ray variability properties of the Seyfert
1 Galaxy Markarian 335. We put particular emphasis on the X-ray time lags,
which is a potentially important diagnostic of physical models. From a 100 ksec
observation by XMM-Newton we show that the power spectrum of this source is
well fitted by a bending power law model, and the bend time-scale Tb is
precisely at the value predicted by the Tb vs Hbeta line-width relation of
McHardy et al. Variations in different energy bands show time-scale dependent
time lags, where higher energy bands lag lower ones. The lag, tau, varies as a
function of the Fourier frequency, f, of the variability component in the light
curves as tau propto 1/f at low frequencies, but there is a sharp cut-off in
the lags at a frequency close to the bend frequency in the power spectrum.
Similar behaviour is seen in black hole X-ray binary systems. The length of the
time lags increases continuously with energy separation, in an almost
log-linear relation. We show that the lag spectra can be produced by
fluctuations propagating through the accretion flow as long as the energy
spectrum of the X-ray emitting region hardens towards the centre.


title:
Near-Infrared Constraints on the Presence of Warm Dust at Metal-Rich,
  Helium Atmosphere White Dwarfs

abstract:
  Here, we present near-infrared spectroscopic observations of 15 helium
atmosphere, metal-rich white dwarfs obtained at the NASA Infrared Telescope
Facility. While a connection has been demonstrated between the most highly
polluted, hydrogen atmosphere white dwarfs and the presence of warm
circumstellar dust and gas, their frequency at the helium atmosphere variety is
poorly constrained. None of our targets show excess near-infrared radiation
consistent with warm orbiting material. Adding these near-infrared constraints
to previous near- and mid-infrared observations, the frequency of warm
circumstellar material at metal-bearing white dwarfs is at least 20% for
hydrogen-dominated photospheres, but could be less than 5% for those
effectively composed of helium alone. The lower occurrence of dust disks around
helium atmosphere white dwarfs is consistent with Myr timescales for
photospheric metals in massive convection zones. Analyzing the mass
distribution of 10 white dwarfs with warm circumstellar material, we search for
similar trends between the frequency of disks and the predicted frequency of
massive planets around intermediate mass stars, but find the probability that
disk-bearing white dwarfs are more massive than average is not significant.


title: Electromagnetic wave scattering by small bodies

abstract:
  A reduction of the Maxwell's system to a Fredholm second-kind integral
equation with weakly singular kernel is given for electromagnetic (EM) wave
scattering by one and many small bodies. This equation is solved asymptotically
as the characteristic size of the bodies tends to zero. The technique developed
is used for solving the many-body EM wave scattering problem by rigorously
reducing it to solving linear algebraic systems, completely bypassing the usage
of integral equations. An equation is derived for the effective field in the
medium, in which many small particles are embedded. A method for creating a
desired refraction coefficient is outlined.


title: Electromagnetic wave scattering by many conducting small particles

abstract:
  A rigorous theory of electromagnetic (EM) wave scattering by small perfectly
conducting particles is developed. The limiting case when the number of
particles tends to infinity is discussed.


title: Quantum Computational Complexity

abstract:
  This article surveys quantum computational complexity, with a focus on three
fundamental notions: polynomial-time quantum computations, the efficient
verification of quantum proofs, and quantum interactive proof systems.
Properties of quantum complexity classes based on these notions, such as BQP,
QMA, and QIP, are presented. Other topics in quantum complexity, including
quantum advice, space-bounded quantum computation, and bounded-depth quantum
circuits, are also discussed.


title:
Systematics of collective correlation energies from self-consistent
  mean-field calculations

abstract:
  The collective ground-state correlations stemming from low-lying quadrupole
excitations are computed microscopically. To that end, the self-consistent
mean-field model is employed on the basis of the Skyrme-Hartre-Fock (SHF)
functional augmented by BCS pairing. The microscopic-macroscopic mapping is
achieved by quadrupole-constrained mean-field calculations which are processed
further in the generator-coordinate method (GCM) at the level of the Gaussian
overlap approximation (GOA).
  We study the correlation effects on energy, charge radii, and surface
thickness for a great variety of semi-magic nuclei. A key issue is to work out
the influence of variations of the SHF functional. We find that collective
ground-state correlations (GSC) are robust under change of nuclear bulk
properties (e.g., effective mass, symmetry energy) or of spin-orbit coupling.
Some dependence on the pairing strength is observed. This, however, does not
change the general conclusion that collective GSC obey a general pattern and
that their magnitudes are rather independent of the actual SHF parameters.


title: Gravitational Instability in Radiation Pressure Dominated Backgrounds

abstract:
  I consider the physics of gravitational instabilities in the presence of
dynamically important radiation pressure and gray radiative diffusion, governed
by a constant opacity, kappa. For any non-zero radiation diffusion rate on an
optically-thick scale, the medium is unstable unless the classical gas-only
isothermal Jeans criterion is satisfied. When diffusion is "slow," although the
dynamical Jeans instability is stabilized by radiation pressure on scales
smaller than the adiabatic Jeans length, on these same spatial scales the
medium is unstable to a diffusive mode. In this regime, neglecting gas
pressure, the characteristic timescale for growth is independent of spatial
scale and given by (3 kappa c_s^2)/(4 pi G c), where c_s is the adiabatic sound
speed. This timescale is that required for a fluid parcel to radiate away its
thermal energy content at the Eddington limit, the Kelvin-Helmholz timescale
for a radiation pressure supported self-gravitating object. In the limit of
"rapid" diffusion, radiation does nothing to suppress the Jeans instability and
the medium is dynamically unstable unless the gas-only Jeans criterion is
satisfied. I connect with treatments of Silk damping in the early universe. I
discuss several applications, including photons diffusing in regions of extreme
star formation (starburst galaxies & pc-scale AGN disks), and the diffusion of
cosmic rays in normal galaxies and galaxy clusters. The former (particularly,
starbursts) are "rapidly" diffusing and thus cannot be supported against
dynamical instability in the linear regime by radiation pressure alone. The
latter are more nearly "slowly" diffusing. I speculate that the turbulence in
starbursts may be driven by the dynamical coupling between the radiation field
and the self-gravitating gas, perhaps mediated by magnetic fields. (Abridged)


title: Classical Nucleation Theory of the One-Component Plasma

abstract:
  We investigate the crystallization rate of a one-component plasma (OCP) in
the context of classical nucleation theory. From our derivation of the free
energy of an arbitrary distribution of solid clusters embedded in a liquid
phase, we derive the steady-state nucleation rate of an OCP as a function of
the Coulomb coupling parameter. Our result for the rate is in accord with
recent molecular dynamics simulations, but it is greater than that of previous
analytical estimates by many orders of magnitude. Further molecular dynamics
simulations of the nucleation rate of a supercooled liquid OCP for several
values of the coupling parameter would clarify the physics of this process.